Chewing God Out

They call him "Honest Abe." That's Abraham Lincoln. In the Bible, Job was the one who was pretty honest with God about his "bad luck." In fact, Job kinda chewed God out. Job told God exactly how he felt about his situation. And what was God's response? God took two chapters to remind Job that he was a human and that He was God. Really, God told him that Job had no business to question Him. Stinks to be Job.

However, God honored Job's truthfulness in how he spoke about Him in spite of his human honesty. God concluded with "...because you [Job's misleading friends] have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." His friends didn't speak truth about God. In Job's trials, they tried to convince him to deny that God still cared for him. They were wrong. Even though Job was honest, and it bit him in the end - God liked the fact that Job spoke truth about Him.

When I'm in trials, do I speak the truth about God? Am I always convinced that God has my best interest in mind? The truth is that He does have my best interest.

God, thank you for understanding my situations clearly. I'm sorry for the times that I question what Your intentions are. I have no position to ask. You are far above me to question what you are doing. My human nature it to ask. Forgive my questioning. I want to speak truth about You - which is that You know best when it comes to what happens to me. Help me live that out.

Dinosaur-Go-Round-O’-Death

Psalm 139:7-12

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.


Last week Lisa, Joshua, and I went to Hersheypark to use to some free tickets we got through our internet provider D&E Jazzd. If we signed up with them, they'd give us two free tix to the park. Wow! Can't pass up on that offer.

Something terrible happened to our 20 month old son, Joshua, while we were there. The day started off well enough. The first ride we took him on was the carousel. All three of us could get on the ride and hold Joshua on the horse that didn't move. Joshua's eyes beamed wide and took it all in. When it stopped, he clapped, but still looked bewildered. But then we tried the next ride.

It was the ride called the "Dinosaur-Go-Round" that caused us to win the "Most Cruel, Unloving Parents-of-the-Year Award." Here's what happened. I stood in line holding Joshua while Lisa manned the video camera. I walked into the ride and put Joshua is the back seat of the ride and I got in with him. The ride technician came over and said politely, "This ride is for kids only." I wanted to ask, "What's your point?" but I knew he meant I couldn't ride with Joshua. I looked at Lisa and we shrugged our shoulders. We didn't know what to do. So I got out, strapped Joshua in, and walked out of the ride to join Lisa.

The bomb dropped when “Dinosaur-Go-Round-O’-Death" cranked up. While every other kid enjoyed the ride, Joshua freaked. With each pass of the dinosaur Joshua was riding, the terror on his face told the story. "What did you do to me!? How could you allow this to happen to me!? Why am I here!? Where did you go!? I can't believe you left me! Do you know what's happening to me!?" While he can't talk, he communicates very well.

All the other parents looked at the newbies. Their eyes said it all. They were thinking, "Awwww, the new parents didn't know any better. Too bad their child is freakin' out. Shame on them." We both wanted to jump the fence and pull him from the ride...but I knew he'd be fine. While Joshua had no knowledge that we were there the entire time, we knew he wasn't in danger. Joshua obviously felt otherwise.

Psalm 139 points out that God knows everything and is everywhere all the time. Nothing is hidden from Him. Sometimes I go through things in my life and I feel that God has His back turned. I feel like He doesn't know what's happening. According to David, the author of this particular Psalm, He knows where I am - no matter what happens to me. That's a comforting thought.

God, thank you for always being there for me - even when I can't comprehend why things are happening to me. You go with me where I go. Nothing is hidden from your sight. Thank you for protecting me and understanding what I'm going through on the merry-go-round of life. Help me to have your perspective more often - to know You are with me, understand what's happening, and won't give me more than I can handle.

Changing Roles

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16, NASB)

So what's my part in the body of Christ? Ephesians says that I have a part to play. But what is it? I've discovered that it changes with time. It's not always the same. For a season, God uses me in this way - and in another season He uses me that way. What I struggle with is when the situation changes, I begin to ask God - was what I was doing not good enough or what You wanted me to do? If God asks me to play a different part (or play my current part in a different way), why do I suddenly find myself doing things that don't build up the body in love?

If you haven't already gotten the email update, then you'll hear here first that Matt McElravy (who has been doing a summer worship arts internship with us) will be coming on staff in a part-time role as Assistant Music Director. Matt brings to the table strengths that were currently our weaknesses. Some of the weaknesses are mine (it takes a man to admit his weakness, but an idiot to post them to the world). Everyone has weaknesses. If you don't admit you have weaknesses, then that might be one of your weaknesses. Anyway, Matt is a gifted musician with excellent technological skills. He has a much more laid back personality than the task driven one I've been blessed with.

My role at Grace is changing with Matt coming on staff. This will be a new experience for Matt. New for me. New for Grace at large. I could respond with envy of Matt's strengths. I could begin to question whether God will use me at all.

Bottom line, God is using Matt and me, both, to build up the body of Christ in love. I'm so glad that Matt is here. Without him, there are some other new initiatives that I couldn't tackle without freed time. I'm looking forward to this year with Matt on board, and can't wait to see what new directions God will take Matt, me, and Grace.

God, thank you for Matt's part at this local body of believers. I thank you for all of the other WAM paid staff who make up this incredible team - Gail, Tim, Sheri. And, God, the unpaid volunteer staff - I thank you for them too...they are an incredible important part to our body. It is a honor to even be used by You. Help us to be satisfied with where you are calling us...make the call clear...and give us a loving spirit as we pursue the greatest cause in eternity.

Hire for Education or Exerience?

I recently completed a masters degree. People struggle with the "titles" they acquire and the pedigrees they can list on a resume. At a graduation luncheon with the church staff, it was interesting to note the conversation around the table. All of a sudden, people were interested in what rung on the ladder they were. What degree do you have? From where? How long did it take you to finish? How long have you been on staff here? Do you plan to go further in your education? These questions were not asked about me...but those around me. It's easy to play the comparison game, isn't it? Almost sounds like who gets to sit at the right hand of God in the end. It's all about the best seat in the house. Or is it?

Would you hire someone with a degree with minimal experience or someone with plenty of experience but no degree? I was recently asked this question by several people who were contemplating major next steps in their lives. There are definitely pros and cons to
both. While everyone would like to hire both well educated and well seasoned professionals, I firmly believe that experience outweighs education. I'm not saying that I don't value both, but if given the chance to hire someone with 4 years of education vs. someone with 4 years of experience on the field - I'd take experience. Here's why...

1. Real life situations don't compete with education when it comes to working with people. I'd rather have someone who is great with people than someone who runs over people with their knowledge.

2. You can gain education along the way in the real world. For example, you can easily get together over lunch with others to talk shop. There are books to read. There are seminars and conferences to attend.

3. I've found educated people tend to ask experienced people how they've done things. Occasionally you'll get the opposite, but only occasionally. And when it is the other way around, the real worlders usually say, "Oh yeah, I guess I already was doing that - I just didn't know what to call it."

4. At times, an educational institution can have master teachers who are excellent at theory, but theory in a bubble. While this isn't always the case, it can be frustrating to hear what an "ideal situation" should be like only to discover that the real world produces different results.

Please don't misunderstand me, institutional education is important...just not as important as real world education in my book.

God, help me to remember who I really am. It's not my title, my knowledge, or even the experiences that make me who I am. You have already made me a child of You. Help me to act like it - regardless of my background.

Satan and the Stealth Bomber

I'm a huge aerospace fan. If it has to deal with airplanes, rockets, space travel, or jets - then count me in. While recently in Houstonia, MO visiting family - I had an extraordinary experience, at least for me. While I was coming out of the small town house where Lisa's grandparents live, two of Lisa's cousin-in-laws (not sure if that's even right) were running down the sidewalk and pointing up at the sky. And there it was - a beautiful sight...

There appeared a lone Stealth Bomber crossing the sky. Low to the horizon. It raced through the low level clouds, close to the ground. But to my amazement, I couldn't hear the jet engines. Only after the bomber had passed by several miles did I hear the jets roar. By the time I had actually heard the engines; the bomber had already circled back and was heading back to base. Whiteman Air Force Base is only 15 miles from the metropolis of Houstonia, MO.

About 10 minutes later, I was inside the house...and through the window I heard the jet engines again. I didn't even bother going out to look because I knew it would be too late. But it got me thinking.

When Satan attacks me, it's a lot like my encounter with the Stealth Bomber. Many times I don't realize it until after the attack has already happened that I was attacked at all. If the two guys had not pointed out the bomber flying overhead, I wouldn't have even noticed that it was there. Sometimes I need other people to point out that I'm being attacked. Sometimes I only see the effects of an attack afterwards - like hearing the jet engines after the bomber is already come and gone. I guess that's what makes a Stealth Bomber a sly machine.

God, protect me from the attacks of the evil one by being alert. I have no reason to fear because You are on my side, even though this world is Satan's dominion. But it won't be that way forever, because You will claim victory in the end.

1 Peter 5:8 - Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

What I Learned at the Demolition Derby

Shrieking, twisting metal. Burning rubber. Sweating mobs of people. Flying mud. Obnoxiously loud exhaust systems. These were just a few of the real experiences I had last Thursday night at my first Demolition Derby (Platte County Fair - Platte City, MO).

I never realized how fun it would be watching cars smash into each other in a mud pit. I was amazed at how much fun those around me were having. It might have been because half of them were drunk. But I have to admit, it was fun. It's the reason everyone likes to see a big wreck in a race. Of course you hope everyone is OK after the crash, but boy is it fun to see how much damage there is. The only difference between a big NASCAR wreck and a Demolition Derby hit is several million dollars.

You can learn a lot from a Demolition Derby. Here's what I learned...

1. Many times God will use the most unlikely person after they have been told by others that they aren't road-worthy to do something incredible. Cars end up having a life-span, just like people do. After cars are in a wreck, sometimes they are deemed "totaled." They are discarded by the owner, and sometimes end up in a Demo Derby. But God can use something that's been discarded or disqualified (Moses, David, etc.). If you think about it, at the Demo Derby...these cars are being cheered by thousands of people. Just because a car isn't road-worthy, it doesn't mean that it can't be used to touch the lives of more people than it would if it was road-worthy.

2. After being totaled and discarded, we are still expected to follow the rules God has for us. It doesn't mean we can do whatever we want because we've already been 'washed up.' Just because these cars can't drive on the road where other cars do, they still need to abide by very specific rules and regulations. For example, you can't remove the interior of the car (to prevent fire), move the gas tank to the back, move the battery to the front, chain your bumpers to the frame so they don't fall off, and a lot more. These rules are different than cars on the road, but none the less - they would be disqualified from the derby if not followed.

3. God doesn't like sandbaggers and neither do others in the game. "Sandbagging" means driving around without getting hit - in other words, not getting in the game. You see, you could end up driving around the derby and win the silly thing by avoiding being hit. What's the fun in that? There is no fun, but you would end up with $500. In the derby, the officials want you in the game. The crowd, who each paid $7 to see you in the game, would have every right to call you a wimp if you were found sandbagging. God can't use someone who simply avoids following Him.

4. Frequent inspections help us please God and be more effective. Cars in the derby are inspected before, during, and after the event. We can't take a vacation from following Christ...ever. If the drivers knew their cars wouldn't be inspected, you'd have all kinds of "helps" installed on the vehicles. In fact, while we were there...one of the cars was inspected and found to be an older car than what was allowed. They were asked to remove their car from the derby. Begrudgingly, the driver floored the gas and left in a tizzy.

God, help me to remember that you might use me - even though I may not be someone special in my own eyes. Help me to follow Your rules, even when I get disqualified. Push me to get into the game and follow You actively, not be a deadbeat. God show me things in my life that need to be changed before I enter the mud pit to please You. When I leave the mud pit, show me again and help me not to become prideful of the job I did in the pit.

Entire Church Takes Trip to West Virginia

OK, the title caught your eye...but here's what happened. Last Sunday at Grace Church (Lititz, PA) we managed to pull off a bluegrass segement in our worship service. Our Senior Pastor Scott Distler has ribbed us about never attempting to do country music at Grace. So we emailed everyone in the church, except Scott, and let them know what to expect. Click on the link below to listen to what happened. Please excuse the quality of the audio mix.

Click here to stream audio of bluegrass at Grace.

Click here to download audio of bluegrass at Grace.

Pew Report - Snapshot of Grace

Surveys can be overated. However, if done properly can be a great snapshot of a church - just like this one of Grace Church (Lititz, PA). As long as surveys have a purpose and measure what needs to be measured while measuring it correctly...then by all means take a survey. When we looked at the survey data from the survey as a staff...here are some of the infferences we generated.

1. Personal invitation is still the biggest reason people attend Grace for the first time.
2. The location of our crowd is being drawn mostly from our immediate areas (within 10 miles).
3. We have "two" churches under one roof. One group of people who have started coming in the last 2 years, and another group of people who have been coming 10 years or more.
4. If trends continue and no changes are made, while there are the fewest people in the 60's and 70's age group now...it could be our largest age group in the next 20 years.
5. We are currently attracting a younger crowd...by comparing the age makeup of those who have started coming in the last 2 years with those who have been coming 10 years or more.
6. We have more visitors attending than "visitor cards" that are turned in on weekends.
7. The most popular radio stations are adult contemporary music (7.0%) and country music (6.8%), but only after taking out the 50% who listen to Christian radio stations. Scott Distler, eat your heart out.
8. A comparitive study might be interesting by taking another identical survey in 2-3 years - comparing the results with this one.

Who's In Your Pew?

Take a look at your pew (or chair, whatever the case may be). Are you more concerned about who's not in your pew? Or are you concerned about who is in your pew? It probably depends on what stage your church is currently in. Every church goes through its S-curve life-stages...and needs to reinvent and innovate to maintain a healthy state. A healthy state = new people coming to Christ and the regular people being discipled and growing).

Why be concerned about who is in your pew? For three important reasons. First, God has entrusted these relationships to us. We need each person to reach another person who may not know Christ. How will I know how to disciple and cause others to reach Christ if I don't know who they are to begin with? Second, knowing who's in your pew also helps us evaluate who really is coming. Third, it helps us figure out how to make connections on a Sunday morning to create connecting opportunities for people to worship.

Recently at Grace Church (Lititz, PA), we surveyed our entire Sunday morning worship service to figure out who's in our pew (or chairs in our case). Out of a little more than 1,000 people in the auditorium, we gathered 700+ anonymous surveys. That's a 70% return...very nice. Here's the survey, so you could see the questions. Then below are the responses. There are very interesting correlations from the information. In the next blog, I'll share some of the insights the staff had regarding the survey. Also, a big thank you to Matt McElravy for tallying the results for us. Matt is currently on staff as Worship Intern.

TIP - Click on the images below to view them in a larger format.

THE SURVEY ITSELF

THE SURVEY DATA TALLIED

DATE OF SURVEY 14-May-06

721 Total Number of Surveys Collected

GENDER

410 56.9% Female
309 42.9% Male
3 0.4% Gender No Response

AGE
35 4.9% Age: 12 & under
64 8.9% Age: 13-18
30 4.2% Age: 19-23
52 7.2% Age: 24-29
107 14.8% Age: 30s
164 22.7% Age: 40s
145 20.1% Age: 50s
66 9.2% Age: 60s
54 7.5% Age: 70+
4 0.6% Age No Response

TENURE
29 4.0% Visiting
118 16.4% Less than one year
156 21.6% 1-2 years
61 8.5% 3-5 years
81 11.2% 6-10 years
273 37.9% 10 or more years
3 0.4% Driving No Response

DRIVE DISTANCE
427 59.2% 1-5 miles
155 21.5% 6-10 miles
65 9.0% 11-15 miles
35 4.9% 16-20 miles
18 2.5% Over 25 miles
15 2.1% 21-25 miles
6 0.8% Driving No Response

FIRST TOUCH
322 44.7% Someone invited me
54 7.5% Lititz Christian School
14 1.9% Promotional material
13 1.8% MorningStar
13 1.8% Special service or event
8 1.1% Church website
284 39.4% Other reason came

EVENT SOMEONE INVITED ME TO
127 17.6% Worship service (AM, PM, Easter, Patriotic)
19 2.6% Crosswalk
4 0.6% VBS
4 0.6% New pastor
4 0.6% Christmas
2 0.3% Youth group
2 0.3% Mother's Day service
2 0.3% Marriage class

TIP - Click on the images below to view them in a larger format.

Grace Church Performs at Barnstormers Minor League Baseball Game

Last Friday, a men's quintet from Grace Church (Lititz, PA) called "One Voice" performed "The Star Spangled Banner" (National Anthem) at the Barnstormers baseball game in Lancaster, PA. If you'd like to hear their performance, crude recording on my Treo smartphone, then click here for streaming audio or right-click here and "save as" to download the audio to your computer. Or if you want to get real fancy...try this flash audio player by clicking here.

It was a great family time for Lisa, Joshua, and me. We even got to have a picture taken with Cylo...the team mascot. Joshua wasn't too freaked out by him...but I was. His fur smelled musty. Anyway. We heard later that there were over 100 people who went to hear One Voice perform.

The last time we had this much "buzz" at Grace was around the time of the Christmas walk-thru this past year. Who would have thought that five guys could generate so much under-the-table talk. What thrilled me the most was the potential converstations that could have taken place at the game, simply because these guys sang. Image all the people (insert John Lennon song here) who sat next to the 100+ Grace members. Image the talk about why they were there. Image the talk afterward..."Hey, I've heard of that church before..."

God, help us to use every opportunity to promote Your name. On the surface, it was a simple performance for a secular event...but we ask that You would use this opportunity to begin conversations about Grace that ultimately lead people back to You. Thank You for the opportunities you bring us.