Sept 16, What I've learned part 1
I want to discuss a few things I've learned in our first four years of existence. I thought I was ready to pastor our church, man was I ever wrong. I am going to be very transparent and just share form my heart. Here we go.
What I've learned during our first four years:
1. Vision is everything.
Before you start screaming the obvious, "its all about Jesus." I know. I'm talking about what Dean Herman has learned about reaching people and growing a church, its all about vision. Its about sharing the vision over and over. Its understanding that not everyone who said they had bought in wee really bought in Every pastor must understand that the vision of the church must be laid before the people week after week. I'm just not understanding this. Our people will hear the term, "reach and teach" over and over. People give to vision. People want to serve where a vision is burning. But most importantly, the vision must be a God given vision. Everything a church does must be built around that vision. All the ministries of the church must work together to reach the vision. And (this is hard for some people) the vision comes straight from God to the pastor. The pastor shares God's vision to the leaders and the people. I have truly learned that vision is everything. And being honest, I am willing to die for this vision.
2. I wasn't prepared for the heartache
Yes, I am 6'6" and weigh 290 pounds, but I'm as soft as they come. I love our people and I hurt when they hurt. You can't have a man and woman spend two hours in your office pouring out their hearts (some of their ugliest hurts) and go home as if it never happened. So many evenings I sit and wonder if the couple went home and beat the crap out of each other. When people call crying because they don't have the money for thier rent (yes, a lot of time their sin put them in this situation) you hurt for them. When people you trusted and thought loved you look you in the face and lie, it literally rips your heart out.
I taught public school for nine years. Was a youth pastor for many years and thought I had heard all the sob stories. Bu tit sin't until people begin to bare thier souls to you that you start to understand the deep pain. I could never be a full time counselor, I couldn't handle the hurt.
5 Point, please hear my heart. I have been praying a very simple prayer A LOT lately, "God, help me help people." I do hurt with you but I want to help. So many people have said, "we hate to bother you because we know our junk messes with you." Deb pointed out to me recently that I had said from the stage I hated dealing with this stuff. Its not that I don't want to help, its that I hurt with you. No one but a pastor will ever understand that statement. Its called a shepherds heart. God has finally placed in me a true shepherds heart. I love our people and want to help, but yes, it messes me up. If it didn't, I'd go find something else to do.
Some other random thoughts:
* Buckle up for this Sunday. The foundation for American Jesus has been laid, now were going to build on it.
* Going to do something next Sunday I've never done. Already asking God to allow me to make my way through the first ten minutes without crying. I hate crying form the stage, but it happens.
* Going Deeper starts tonight at 7:00 and I can't wait.
* I think I'm going to have a marriage creativity meeting. If your willing to admit you've had some really bumpy roads during your marriage (or already divorced) and would be willing to share your stories with me, let me know. I'm going to try and learn from you for our next series, The Ugly Truth.
* I'll share some more of what I've learned tomorrow.
* Have a 12:30 lunch appointment and its 12:20. Gotta go.
What I've learned during our first four years:
1. Vision is everything.
Before you start screaming the obvious, "its all about Jesus." I know. I'm talking about what Dean Herman has learned about reaching people and growing a church, its all about vision. Its about sharing the vision over and over. Its understanding that not everyone who said they had bought in wee really bought in Every pastor must understand that the vision of the church must be laid before the people week after week. I'm just not understanding this. Our people will hear the term, "reach and teach" over and over. People give to vision. People want to serve where a vision is burning. But most importantly, the vision must be a God given vision. Everything a church does must be built around that vision. All the ministries of the church must work together to reach the vision. And (this is hard for some people) the vision comes straight from God to the pastor. The pastor shares God's vision to the leaders and the people. I have truly learned that vision is everything. And being honest, I am willing to die for this vision.
2. I wasn't prepared for the heartache
Yes, I am 6'6" and weigh 290 pounds, but I'm as soft as they come. I love our people and I hurt when they hurt. You can't have a man and woman spend two hours in your office pouring out their hearts (some of their ugliest hurts) and go home as if it never happened. So many evenings I sit and wonder if the couple went home and beat the crap out of each other. When people call crying because they don't have the money for thier rent (yes, a lot of time their sin put them in this situation) you hurt for them. When people you trusted and thought loved you look you in the face and lie, it literally rips your heart out.
I taught public school for nine years. Was a youth pastor for many years and thought I had heard all the sob stories. Bu tit sin't until people begin to bare thier souls to you that you start to understand the deep pain. I could never be a full time counselor, I couldn't handle the hurt.
5 Point, please hear my heart. I have been praying a very simple prayer A LOT lately, "God, help me help people." I do hurt with you but I want to help. So many people have said, "we hate to bother you because we know our junk messes with you." Deb pointed out to me recently that I had said from the stage I hated dealing with this stuff. Its not that I don't want to help, its that I hurt with you. No one but a pastor will ever understand that statement. Its called a shepherds heart. God has finally placed in me a true shepherds heart. I love our people and want to help, but yes, it messes me up. If it didn't, I'd go find something else to do.
Some other random thoughts:
* Buckle up for this Sunday. The foundation for American Jesus has been laid, now were going to build on it.
* Going to do something next Sunday I've never done. Already asking God to allow me to make my way through the first ten minutes without crying. I hate crying form the stage, but it happens.
* Going Deeper starts tonight at 7:00 and I can't wait.
* I think I'm going to have a marriage creativity meeting. If your willing to admit you've had some really bumpy roads during your marriage (or already divorced) and would be willing to share your stories with me, let me know. I'm going to try and learn from you for our next series, The Ugly Truth.
* I'll share some more of what I've learned tomorrow.
* Have a 12:30 lunch appointment and its 12:20. Gotta go.
Comments