3 Life principles - convictions.
God is good and can be trusted with me and my life.
I hold on to this truth very tightly and it is central in my thinking when life is hard and things aren’t working the way I wanted them to or think they should. I hold to this when I am having to face hard things and confronted with something I can’t solve or fix, and that is often.
James 1: 2-5, & 12
2 ¶ Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
If this is not a firm conviction then every trial that I encounter in life becomes a test of God’s goodness rather than what it is - an opportunity to live by faith in Christ - and I will find myself pulling away from Him, and my dependence on Him, and then I will start trying to run my own life and I do not have the ability to do that.
John 15: 4-5
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
My trust of God will allow me to face life’s trials and walk in the faith that He allows all things for my ultimate benefit and good, and is growing me into completeness in Christ. I chose to trust Jesus when I gave my life to Him. It is that commitment to trust God and others with me that has made me stay when I wanted to run. It has made me walk into hard places when I didn’t want to or wished someone else would so I wouldn’t have to. It made me own my junk and my sin and my failings when I would much rather have just disappeared and not had to face it. It wouldn’t let me go, and I came to know that the only way out of the hard stuff was to go through it, and I have always found Jesus waiting on the other side.
3 Life principles - convictions.
God is good and can be trusted with me and my life.
I hold on to this truth very tightly and it is central in my thinking when life is hard and things aren’t working the way I wanted them to or think they should. I hold to this when I am having to face hard things and confronted with something I can’t solve or fix, and that is often.
James 1: 2-5, & 12
If this is not a firm conviction then every trial that I encounter in life becomes a test of God’s goodness rather than what it is - an opportunity to live by faith in Christ - and I will find myself pulling away from Him, and my dependence on Him, and then I will start trying to run my own life and I do not have the ability to do that.
John 15: 4-5
My trust of God will allow me to face life’s trials and walk in the faith that He allows all things for my ultimate benefit and good, and is growing me into completeness in Christ. I chose to trust Jesus when I gave my life to Him. It is that commitment to trust God and others with me that has made me stay when I wanted to run. It has made me walk into hard places when I didn’t want to or wished someone else would so I wouldn’t have to. It made me own my junk and my sin and my failings when I would much rather have just disappeared and not had to face it. It wouldn’t let me go, and I came to know that the only way out of the hard stuff was to go through it, and I have always found Jesus waiting on the other side.
If you choose leadership, know that it is only in humble faith in Christ that you can do it.
What I do, I do for love of Christ, not the applause or the adoration of men.
There are many things that I have done both inside and outside of ODF to serve and protect this body and to spread the good news of Jesus. Most people would never know. That is true of every one of the elders and the Pastors of ODF. I could allow myself to be hurt by the lack of recognition, and at times I have found myself indulging the thoughts that no one knows and no one cares, so why do I keep doing this when no one even sees.
But I am continually aware that someone does see. The only one that matters sees it all and He knows everything. I have to keep in front of me that it is for love of Christ that I do the things I do and out of that love I also choose to love the people I am a shepherd of. His love of me and my love of Him is what drives me, and empowers me and allows me to do it again, and again.
John once said this in a message and I believe it. I know that one day I will in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, appear before Jesus and in that moment everything will become clear. In that moment Jesus will look into my eyes and after a pause for me to catch my breath He will say “I know. I know! I know everything. I saw everything. I know what you did for me and what it cost you that no one else will ever know. Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
That conviction is what allows me to stay in the battle and remain faithful to the things that are set before me. Without that, I just get burnt out and cynical and live out of hurt and disappointment, rather than knowing that I stand shoulder to shoulder with Jesus as He sustains me. I also know that my fellow elders and close friends stand with me in all of this and I am not alone.
It is critical that you develop this conviction and that you have those around you who hold the same conviction to the same degree. You will need them as you lead.
I am a servant first, and everything else comes after that.
Mark 10:42 - 45
I have always seen myself as a servant first and a leader second. Now, it could be said that it is for that very reason we need a dynamic leader for ODF’s future. I want you to know that ODF needs leaders who are willing to be responsible for the people who call this home and for the future of ODF. We need leaders who can define and then give leadership, direction and oversight to the vision that God gives them. Someone who can mobilize people and free them to ministry. There are many things yet to be done here.
I have always believed that a leader must be a servant first. I would like to believe that I have modeled that mindset in how I have shepherded ODF as and elder and as a Worship Pastor, and now in the oversight role I occupy. It is the model Jesus gave us and we would do good to never forget that. Leadership can be from a distance or from right the midst of the people. I have always felt that when I had the benefit of leaders who didn’t stand apart and direct, but were shoulder to shoulder with me doing the small things as they led the big things, I got the best of them and was inspired to go with them wherever they were going. I trusted them because they didn’t see themselves as separate from, or above me. They were one of us using the gifts and talents God gave them for our benefit. I always trust that. I don’t always trust those who aren’t willing to get dirty and do the mundane things that support the big things. They show up for the spot light and leave when it is turned off. Leaders cannot do that. It will alienate the very people God is holding you responsible for and to shepherd and love them in the trenches. They have to know that you are one of them, though your role may be different.
That can be demonstrated in many ways - John telling on himself in his messages. Showing up early and helping set up chairs and greet the people as they come into the meeting they are about to lead. Being available for people when you step off of the stage. Being the same person on stage and off. I have met those who are so winsome and so inspiring when they speak from the pulpit and then they become someone else when they aren’t “on”. A servant sees others as more important than himself and in that they gain the trust and loyalty of those they lead.
My Failures
Not owning my influence.
There were a number of years I simply lived on the talent that I brought to my concerts and worship leading. I had many people telling me that I had more to offer, but I didn’t believe them, and I would sit silent in elder’s meetings, or staff meetings, not trusting that I had anything else to offer beyond what I did through music. I saw all of them as wiser than me. In that I know that many times I left John feeling alone when he needed his best friend to step up and stand with him. I left the other elders and ODF unprotected by not giving them my insight or thoughts and choosing instead to not share a conviction that would have maybe helped us avoid some hard seasons. It took a long time for me to finally believe those voices and risk fully stepping into the arenas I was a part of. I needed to listen to God’s voice in those other people’s voices and stop believing I was just a talented guy who wrote music and nothing more.
I think I always knew that I was capable of more, but didn’t want to own the responsibility. I have come to realize that I am more than I thought I was. Much like Frodo. It is only because I stayed when I wanted to go that I have come to know this. You have to stay long enough to learn the truth of who you are. If you don’t, you will never really know who you are in Christ and you will always leave when you get confronted with you. That sadly is the story of so many wounded believers.
2. Not accessing the gifting of those around me.
Out of a sense of believing I could do it alone I avoided those around me who could protect me. I did that because I knew that to get their protection I would have to reveal something about me that I would rather not let them see. Here is what I have learned - I need to check my thinking with those who I trust and who have demonstrated that they are good at whatever I am dealing with. God set this whole thing up so that each of us has gifts for the benefit of others. When we ignore this plan, we become free agents and often get hurt and hurt others. It is very important to have those around you who will tell you your blind spots and protect you from yourself. That means letting others know your junk and trusting them with you. It means living out of what we teach. I get loved more when they see the real me - the broken and flawed me. If all they see is the mask, then the mask gets loved and not me. I am still learning this one.
What I dream for ODF and this group.
I would hope that we never stop teaching the reality of our identity in Christ and how we have come to experience Jesus in this environment of grace. I would hope that 10 years from now the new person who walks through these doors broken and disillusioned would hear the message of grace that would free them from legalism and the hurt they have experienced from poor teaching about who Christ is and who they really are in Him, just like so many of us experienced it and ultimately got healed and freed.
I would also hope that we would become more kingdom minded in how we see ourselves in the world. By that I mean that we would be outward looking, that the scope of what we talk about from the pulpit become broader while never diminishing the message of grace that God has given us. I would hope we can develop more ministry to families, young adults, and opportunities for people to find ways to express their gifts and talents in ministering to those inside ODF and to those outside these walls.
I would hope we never try to be something we are not in an attempt to be like other more “successful” churches. There will always be the pressure to try and be more like the “successful” churches and there will be those who will try and convince us that we are not enough, or need to change our message, or that we are too arrogant about this message. We have been there before and we lost confidence in who we were and tried to change only to see some of the darkest times in our history. God has given us a beautiful way of seeing life and seeing Jesus that frees us to all we are meant to be in Him. Don’t ever doubt the truths that have shaped us. Become avid students of these truths. Learn them, lean on them and trust them. Teach them every where you have the opportunity with the full confidence that they bring life when they are embraced and experienced.
As you begin to take the reins of this place over the next few years, know that this is a sacred trust that many men and women have sacrificed a lot for and it isn’t something to be taken lightly. The style of ministry may change. The music we worship to will change. Different speakers will have a different style than John and Bill. But, the essentials upon which all of this is built must be understood, cherished, taught and lived out. The word of God will always be the template against which we will continue to evaluate every idea and dream that is brought forth and we will continue to hold up Jesus as the goal of all we do, say, and sing. God is not done with us yet, and I pray that God will expand the influence of this place and this message. I hope you will cherish this place and protect this place with the same passion, sacrifice and dedication that was exhibited by those who came before you.
Matt.20:28 3 Life principles - convictions.
God is good and can be trusted with me and my life.
I hold on to this truth very tightly and it is central in my thinking when life is hard and things aren’t working the way I wanted them to or think they should. I hold to this when I am having to face hard things and confronted with something I can’t solve or fix, and that is often.
James 1: 2-5, & 12
If this is not a firm conviction then every trial that I encounter in life becomes a test of God’s goodness rather than what it is - an opportunity to live by faith in Christ - and I will find myself pulling away from Him, and my dependence on Him, and then I will start trying to run my own life and I do not have the ability to do that.
John 15: 4-5
My trust of God will allow me to face life’s trials and walk in the faith that He allows all things for my ultimate benefit and good, and is growing me into completeness in Christ. I chose to trust Jesus when I gave my life to Him. It is that commitment to trust God and others with me that has made me stay when I wanted to run. It has made me walk into hard places when I didn’t want to or wished someone else would so I wouldn’t have to. It made me own my junk and my sin and my failings when I would much rather have just disappeared and not had to face it. It wouldn’t let me go, and I came to know that the only way out of the hard stuff was to go through it, and I have always found Jesus waiting on the other side.
If you choose leadership, know that it is only in humble faith in Christ that you can do it.
What I do, I do for love of Christ, not the applause or the adoration of men.
There are many things that I have done both inside and outside of ODF to serve and protect this body and to spread the good news of Jesus. Most people would never know. That is true of every one of the elders and the Pastors of ODF. I could allow myself to be hurt by the lack of recognition, and at times I have found myself indulging the thoughts that no one knows and no one cares, so why do I keep doing this when no one even sees.
But I am continually aware that someone does see. The only one that matters sees it all and He knows everything. I have to keep in front of me that it is for love of Christ that I do the things I do and out of that love I also choose to love the people I am a shepherd of. His love of me and my love of Him is what drives me, and empowers me and allows me to do it again, and again.
John once said this in a message and I believe it. I know that one day I will in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, appear before Jesus and in that moment everything will become clear. In that moment Jesus will look into my eyes and after a pause for me to catch my breath He will say “I know. I know! I know everything. I saw everything. I know what you did for me and what it cost you that no one else will ever know. Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
That conviction is what allows me to stay in the battle and remain faithful to the things that are set before me. Without that, I just get burnt out and cynical and live out of hurt and disappointment, rather than knowing that I stand shoulder to shoulder with Jesus as He sustains me. I also know that my fellow elders and close friends stand with me in all of this and I am not alone.
It is critical that you develop this conviction and that you have those around you who hold the same conviction to the same degree. You will need them as you lead.
I am a servant first, and everything else comes after that.
Mark 10:42 - 45
I have always seen myself as a servant first and a leader second. Now, it could be said that it is for that very reason we need a dynamic leader for ODF’s future. I want you to know that ODF needs leaders who are willing to be responsible for the people who call this home and for the future of ODF. We need leaders who can define and then give leadership, direction and oversight to the vision that God gives them. Someone who can mobilize people and free them to ministry. There are many things yet to be done here.
I have always believed that a leader must be a servant first. I would like to believe that I have modeled that mindset in how I have shepherded ODF as and elder and as a Worship Pastor, and now in the oversight role I occupy. It is the model Jesus gave us and we would do good to never forget that. Leadership can be from a distance or from right the midst of the people. I have always felt that when I had the benefit of leaders who didn’t stand apart and direct, but were shoulder to shoulder with me doing the small things as they led the big things, I got the best of them and was inspired to go with them wherever they were going. I trusted them because they didn’t see themselves as separate from, or above me. They were one of us using the gifts and talents God gave them for our benefit. I always trust that. I don’t always trust those who aren’t willing to get dirty and do the mundane things that support the big things. They show up for the spot light and leave when it is turned off. Leaders cannot do that. It will alienate the very people God is holding you responsible for and to shepherd and love them in the trenches. They have to know that you are one of them, though your role may be different.
That can be demonstrated in many ways - John telling on himself in his messages. Showing up early and helping set up chairs and greet the people as they come into the meeting they are about to lead. Being available for people when you step off of the stage. Being the same person on stage and off. I have met those who are so winsome and so inspiring when they speak from the pulpit and then they become someone else when they aren’t “on”. A servant sees others as more important than himself and in that they gain the trust and loyalty of those they lead.
My Failures
Not owning my influence.
There were a number of years I simply lived on the talent that I brought to my concerts and worship leading. I had many people telling me that I had more to offer, but I didn’t believe them, and I would sit silent in elder’s meetings, or staff meetings, not trusting that I had anything else to offer beyond what I did through music. I saw all of them as wiser than me. In that I know that many times I left John feeling alone when he needed his best friend to step up and stand with him. I left the other elders and ODF unprotected by not giving them my insight or thoughts and choosing instead to not share a conviction that would have maybe helped us avoid some hard seasons. It took a long time for me to finally believe those voices and risk fully stepping into the arenas I was a part of. I needed to listen to God’s voice in those other people’s voices and stop believing I was just a talented guy who wrote music and nothing more.
I think I always knew that I was capable of more, but didn’t want to own the responsibility. I have come to realize that I am more than I thought I was. Much like Frodo. It is only because I stayed when I wanted to go that I have come to know this. You have to stay long enough to learn the truth of who you are. If you don’t, you will never really know who you are in Christ and you will always leave when you get confronted with you. That sadly is the story of so many wounded believers.
2. Not accessing the gifting of those around me.
Out of a sense of believing I could do it alone I avoided those around me who could protect me. I did that because I knew that to get their protection I would have to reveal something about me that I would rather not let them see. Here is what I have learned - I need to check my thinking with those who I trust and who have demonstrated that they are good at whatever I am dealing with. God set this whole thing up so that each of us has gifts for the benefit of others. When we ignore this plan, we become free agents and often get hurt and hurt others. It is very important to have those around you who will tell you your blind spots and protect you from yourself. That means letting others know your junk and trusting them with you. It means living out of what we teach. I get loved more when they see the real me - the broken and flawed me. If all they see is the mask, then the mask gets loved and not me. I am still learning this one.
What I dream for ODF and this group.
I would hope that we never stop teaching the reality of our identity in Christ and how we have come to experience Jesus in this environment of grace. I would hope that 10 years from now the new person who walks through these doors broken and disillusioned would hear the message of grace that would free them from legalism and the hurt they have experienced from poor teaching about who Christ is and who they really are in Him, just like so many of us experienced it and ultimately got healed and freed.
I would also hope that we would become more kingdom minded in how we see ourselves in the world. By that I mean that we would be outward looking, that the scope of what we talk about from the pulpit become broader while never diminishing the message of grace that God has given us. I would hope we can develop more ministry to families, young adults, and opportunities for people to find ways to express their gifts and talents in ministering to those inside ODF and to those outside these walls.
I would hope we never try to be something we are not in an attempt to be like other more “successful” churches. There will always be the pressure to try and be more like the “successful” churches and there will be those who will try and convince us that we are not enough, or need to change our message, or that we are too arrogant about this message. We have been there before and we lost confidence in who we were and tried to change only to see some of the darkest times in our history. God has given us a beautiful way of seeing life and seeing Jesus that frees us to all we are meant to be in Him. Don’t ever doubt the truths that have shaped us. Become avid students of these truths. Learn them, lean on them and trust them. Teach them every where you have the opportunity with the full confidence that they bring life when they are embraced and experienced.
3 Life principles - convictions.
God is good and can be trusted with me and my life.
I hold on to this truth very tightly and it is central in my thinking when life is hard and things aren’t working the way I wanted them to or think they should. I hold to this when I am having to face hard things and confronted with something I can’t solve or fix, and that is often.
James 1: 2-5, & 12
If this is not a firm conviction then every trial that I encounter in life becomes a test of God’s goodness rather than what it is - an opportunity to live by faith in Christ - and I will find myself pulling away from Him, and my dependence on Him, and then I will start trying to run my own life and I do not have the ability to do that.
John 15: 4-5
My trust of God will allow me to face life’s trials and walk in the faith that He allows all things for my ultimate benefit and good, and is growing me into completeness in Christ. I chose to trust Jesus when I gave my life to Him. It is that commitment to trust God and others with me that has made me stay when I wanted to run. It has made me walk into hard places when I didn’t want to or wished someone else would so I wouldn’t have to. It made me own my junk and my sin and my failings when I would much rather have just disappeared and not had to face it. It wouldn’t let me go, and I came to know that the only way out of the hard stuff was to go through it, and I have always found Jesus waiting on the other side.
If you choose leadership, know that it is only in humble faith in Christ that you can do it.
What I do, I do for love of Christ, not the applause or the adoration of men.
There are many things that I have done both inside and outside of ODF to serve and protect this body and to spread the good news of Jesus. Most people would never know. That is true of every one of the elders and the Pastors of ODF. I could allow myself to be hurt by the lack of recognition, and at times I have found myself indulging the thoughts that no one knows and no one cares, so why do I keep doing this when no one even sees.
But I am continually aware that someone does see. The only one that matters sees it all and He knows everything. I have to keep in front of me that it is for love of Christ that I do the things I do and out of that love I also choose to love the people I am a shepherd of. His love of me and my love of Him is what drives me, and empowers me and allows me to do it again, and again.
John once said this in a message and I believe it. I know that one day I will in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, appear before Jesus and in that moment everything will become clear. In that moment Jesus will look into my eyes and after a pause for me to catch my breath He will say “I know. I know! I know everything. I saw everything. I know what you did for me and what it cost you that no one else will ever know. Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
That conviction is what allows me to stay in the battle and remain faithful to the things that are set before me. Without that, I just get burnt out and cynical and live out of hurt and disappointment, rather than knowing that I stand shoulder to shoulder with Jesus as He sustains me. I also know that my fellow elders and close friends stand with me in all of this and I am not alone.
It is critical that you develop this conviction and that you have those around you who hold the same conviction to the same degree. You will need them as you lead.
I am a servant first, and everything else comes after that.
Mark 10:42 - 45
I have always seen myself as a servant first and a leader second. Now, it could be said that it is for that very reason we need a dynamic leader for ODF’s future. I want you to know that ODF needs leaders who are willing to be responsible for the people who call this home and for the future of ODF. We need leaders who can define and then give leadership, direction and oversight to the vision that God gives them. Someone who can mobilize people and free them to ministry. There are many things yet to be done here.
I have always believed that a leader must be a servant first. I would like to believe that I have modeled that mindset in how I have shepherded ODF as and elder and as a Worship Pastor, and now in the oversight role I occupy. It is the model Jesus gave us and we would do good to never forget that. Leadership can be from a distance or from right the midst of the people. I have always felt that when I had the benefit of leaders who didn’t stand apart and direct, but were shoulder to shoulder with me doing the small things as they led the big things, I got the best of them and was inspired to go with them wherever they were going. I trusted them because they didn’t see themselves as separate from, or above me. They were one of us using the gifts and talents God gave them for our benefit. I always trust that. I don’t always trust those who aren’t willing to get dirty and do the mundane things that support the big things. They show up for the spot light and leave when it is turned off. Leaders cannot do that. It will alienate the very people God is holding you responsible for and to shepherd and love them in the trenches. They have to know that you are one of them, though your role may be different.
That can be demonstrated in many ways - John telling on himself in his messages. Showing up early and helping set up chairs and greet the people as they come into the meeting they are about to lead. Being available for people when you step off of the stage. Being the same person on stage and off. I have met those who are so winsome and so inspiring when they speak from the pulpit and then they become someone else when they aren’t “on”. A servant sees others as more important than himself and in that they gain the trust and loyalty of those they lead.
My Failures
Not owning my influence.
There were a number of years I simply lived on the talent that I brought to my concerts and worship leading. I had many people telling me that I had more to offer, but I didn’t believe them, and I would sit silent in elder’s meetings, or staff meetings, not trusting that I had anything else to offer beyond what I did through music. I saw all of them as wiser than me. In that I know that many times I left John feeling alone when he needed his best friend to step up and stand with him. I left the other elders and ODF unprotected by not giving them my insight or thoughts and choosing instead to not share a conviction that would have maybe helped us avoid some hard seasons. It took a long time for me to finally believe those voices and risk fully stepping into the arenas I was a part of. I needed to listen to God’s voice in those other people’s voices and stop believing I was just a talented guy who wrote music and nothing more.
I think I always knew that I was capable of more, but didn’t want to own the responsibility. I have come to realize that I am more than I thought I was. Much like Frodo. It is only because I stayed when I wanted to go that I have come to know this. You have to stay long enough to learn the truth of who you are. If you don’t, you will never really know who you are in Christ and you will always leave when you get confronted with you. That sadly is the story of so many wounded believers.
2. Not accessing the gifting of those around me.
Out of a sense of believing I could do it alone I avoided those around me who could protect me. I did that because I knew that to get their protection I would have to reveal something about me that I would rather not let them see. Here is what I have learned - I need to check my thinking with those who I trust and who have demonstrated that they are good at whatever I am dealing with. God set this whole thing up so that each of us has gifts for the benefit of others. When we ignore this plan, we become free agents and often get hurt and hurt others. It is very important to have those around you who will tell you your blind spots and protect you from yourself. That means letting others know your junk and trusting them with you. It means living out of what we teach. I get loved more when they see the real me - the broken and flawed me. If all they see is the mask, then the mask gets loved and not me. I am still learning this one.
What I dream for ODF and this group.
I would hope that we never stop teaching the reality of our identity in Christ and how we have come to experience Jesus in this environment of grace. I would hope that 10 years from now the new person who walks through these doors broken and disillusioned would hear the message of grace that would free them from legalism and the hurt they have experienced from poor teaching about who Christ is and who they really are in Him, just like so many of us experienced it and ultimately got healed and freed.
I would also hope that we would become more kingdom minded in how we see ourselves in the world. By that I mean that we would be outward looking, that the scope of what we talk about from the pulpit become broader while never diminishing the message of grace that God has given us. I would hope we can develop more ministry to families, young adults, and opportunities for people to find ways to express their gifts and talents in ministering to those inside ODF and to those outside these walls.
I would hope we never try to be something we are not in an attempt to be like other more “successful” churches. There will always be the pressure to try and be more like the “successful” churches and there will be those who will try and convince us that we are not enough, or need to change our message, or that we are too arrogant about this message. We have been there before and we lost confidence in who we were and tried to change only to see some of the darkest times in our history. God has given us a beautiful way of seeing life and seeing Jesus that frees us to all we are meant to be in Him. Don’t ever doubt the truths that have shaped us. Become avid students of these truths. Learn them, lean on them and trust them. Teach them every where you have the opportunity with the full confidence that they bring life when they are embraced and experienced.
As you begin to take the reins of this place over the next few years, know that this is a sacred trust that many men and women have sacrificed a lot for and it isn’t something to be taken lightly. The style of ministry may change. The music we worship to will change. Different speakers will have a different style than John and Bill. But, the essentials upon which all of this is built must be understood, cherished, taught and lived out. The word of God will always be the template against which we will continue to evaluate every idea and dream that is brought forth and we will continue to hold up Jesus as the goal of all we do, say, and sing. God is not done with us yet, and I pray that God will expand the influence of this place and this message. I hope you will cherish this place and protect this place with the same passion, sacrifice and dedication that was exhibited by those who came before you.
3 Life principles - convictions.
2 ¶ Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
42 And calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 “But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matt 20:28* just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
As you begin to take the reins of this place over the next few years, know that this is a sacred trust that many men and women have sacrificed a lot for and it isn’t something to be taken lightly. The style of ministry may change. The music we worship to will change. Different speakers will have a different style than John and Bill. But, the essentials upon which all of this is built must be understood, cherished, taught and lived out. The word of God will always be the template against which we will continue to evaluate every idea and dream that is brought forth and we will continue to hold up Jesus as the goal of all we do, say, and sing. God is not done with us yet, and I pray that God will expand the influence of this place and this message. I hope you will cherish this place and protect this place with the same passion, sacrifice and dedication that was exhibited by those who came before you.
Matt.20:28 3 Life principles - convictions.
2 ¶ Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
42 And calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 “But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
3 Life principles - convictions.
2 ¶ Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
42 And calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 “But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
If you choose leadership, know that it is only in humble faith in Christ that you can do it.
What I do, I do for love of Christ, not the applause or the adoration of men.
There are many things that I have done both inside and outside of ODF to serve and protect this body and to spread the good news of Jesus. Most people would never know. That is true of every one of the elders and the Pastors of ODF. I could allow myself to be hurt by the lack of recognition, and at times I have found myself indulging the thoughts that no one knows and no one cares, so why do I keep doing this when no one even sees.
But I am continually aware that someone does see. The only one that matters sees it all and He knows everything. I have to keep in front of me that it is for love of Christ that I do the things I do and out of that love I also choose to love the people I am a shepherd of. His love of me and my love of Him is what drives me, and empowers me and allows me to do it again, and again.
John once said this in a message and I believe it. I know that one day I will in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, appear before Jesus and in that moment everything will become clear. In that moment Jesus will look into my eyes and after a pause for me to catch my breath He will say “I know. I know! I know everything. I saw everything. I know what you did for me and what it cost you that no one else will ever know. Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
That conviction is what allows me to stay in the battle and remain faithful to the things that are set before me. Without that, I just get burnt out and cynical and live out of hurt and disappointment, rather than knowing that I stand shoulder to shoulder with Jesus as He sustains me. I also know that my fellow elders and close friends stand with me in all of this and I am not alone.
It is critical that you develop this conviction and that you have those around you who hold the same conviction to the same degree. You will need them as you lead.
I am a servant first, and everything else comes after that.
Mark 10:42 - 45
42 And calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 “But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
I have always seen myself as a servant first and a leader second. Now, it could be said that it is for that very reason we need a dynamic leader for ODF’s future. I want you to know that ODF needs leaders who are willing to be responsible for the people who call this home and for the future of ODF. We need leaders who can define and then give leadership, direction and oversight to the vision that God gives them. Someone who can mobilize people and free them to ministry. There are many things yet to be done here.
I have always believed that a leader must be a servant first. I would like to believe that I have modeled that mindset in how I have shepherded ODF as and elder and as a Worship Pastor, and now in the oversight role I occupy. It is the model Jesus gave us and we would do good to never forget that. Leadership can be from a distance or from right the midst of the people. I have always felt that when I had the benefit of leaders who didn’t stand apart and direct, but were shoulder to shoulder with me doing the small things as they led the big things, I got the best of them and was inspired to go with them wherever they were going. I trusted them because they didn’t see themselves as separate from, or above me. They were one of us using the gifts and talents God gave them for our benefit. I always trust that. I don’t always trust those who aren’t willing to get dirty and do the mundane things that support the big things. They show up for the spot light and leave when it is turned off. Leaders cannot do that. It will alienate the very people God is holding you responsible for and to shepherd and love them in the trenches. They have to know that you are one of them, though your role may be different.
Matt. 20:28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many.
That can be demonstrated in many ways - John telling on himself in his messages. Showing up early and helping set up chairs and greet the people as they come into the meeting they are about to lead. Being available for people when you step off of the stage. Being the same person on stage and off. I have met those who are so winsome and so inspiring when they speak from the pulpit and then they become someone else when they aren’t “on”. A servant sees others as more important than himself and in that they gain the trust and loyalty of those they lead.
My Failures
Not owning my influence.
There were a number of years I simply lived on the talent that I brought to my concerts and worship leading. I had many people telling me that I had more to offer, but I didn’t believe them, and I would sit silent in elder’s meetings, or staff meetings, not trusting that I had anything else to offer beyond what I did through music. I saw all of them as wiser than me. In that I know that many times I left John feeling alone when he needed his best friend to step up and stand with him. I left the other elders and ODF unprotected by not giving them my insight or thoughts and choosing instead to not share a conviction that would have maybe helped us avoid some hard seasons. It took a long time for me to finally believe those voices and risk fully stepping into the arenas I was a part of. I needed to listen to God’s voice in those other people’s voices and stop believing I was just a talented guy who wrote music and nothing more.
I think I always knew that I was capable of more, but didn’t want to own the responsibility. I have come to realize that I am more than I thought I was. Much like Frodo. It is only because I stayed when I wanted to go that I have come to know this. You have to stay long enough to learn the truth of who you are. If you don’t, you will never really know who you are in Christ and you will always leave when you get confronted with you. That sadly is the story of so many wounded believers.
2. Not accessing the gifting of those around me.
Out of a sense of believing I could do it alone I avoided those around me who could protect me. I did that because I knew that to get their protection I would have to reveal something about me that I would rather not let them see. Here is what I have learned - I need to check my thinking with those who I trust and who have demonstrated that they are good at whatever I am dealing with. God set this whole thing up so that each of us has gifts for the benefit of others. When we ignore this plan, we become free agents and often get hurt and hurt others. It is very important to have those around you who will tell you your blind spots and protect you from yourself. That means letting others know your junk and trusting them with you. It means living out of what we teach. I get loved more when they see the real me - the broken and flawed me. If all they see is the mask, then the mask gets loved and not me. I am still learning this one.
What I dream for ODF and this group.
I would hope that we never stop teaching the reality of our identity in Christ and how we have come to experience Jesus in this environment of grace. I would hope that 10 years from now the new person who walks through these doors broken and disillusioned would hear the message of grace that would free them from legalism and the hurt they have experienced from poor teaching about who Christ is and who they really are in Him, just like so many of us experienced it and ultimately got healed and freed.
I would also hope that we would become more kingdom minded in how we see ourselves in the world. By that I mean that we would be outward looking, that the scope of what we talk about from the pulpit become broader while never diminishing the message of grace that God has given us. I would hope we can develop more ministry to families, young adults, and opportunities for people to find ways to express their gifts and talents in ministering to those inside ODF and to those outside these walls.
I would hope we never try to be something we are not in an attempt to be like other more “successful” churches. There will always be the pressure to try and be more like the “successful” churches and there will be those who will try and convince us that we are not enough, or need to change our message, or that we are too arrogant about this message. We have been there before and we lost confidence in who we were and tried to change only to see some of the darkest times in our history. God has given us a beautiful way of seeing life and seeing Jesus that frees us to all we are meant to be in Him. Don’t ever doubt the truths that have shaped us. Become avid students of these truths. Learn them, lean on them and trust them. Teach them every where you have the opportunity with the full confidence that they bring life when they are embraced and experienced.
As you begin to take the reins of this place over the next few years, know that this is a sacred trust that many men and women have sacrificed a lot for and it isn’t something to be taken lightly. The style of ministry may change. The music we worship to will change. Different speakers will have a different style than John and Bill. But, the essentials upon which all of this is built must be understood, cherished, taught and lived out. The word of God will always be the template against which we will continue to evaluate every idea and dream that is brought forth and we will continue to hold up Jesus as the goal of all we do, say, and sing. God is not done with us yet, and I pray that God will expand the influence of this place and this message. I hope you will cherish this place and protect this place with the same passion, sacrifice and dedication that was exhibited by those who came before you.
