Parents: How deep is your love?

My role as a dad is changing.

The days are clearly over when I tucked four little boys into bed, told them wild stories of my childhood, listened to their prayers, kissed three of them (Richard wanted a handshake), and said good-night.

Going and gone are the days of coaching them through sports, being at practices and games when I wasn’t coaching, going to school programs, editing their papers, teaching them to drive, and worrying until they closed the front door at midnight.

After Christmas, we put William on an Amtrak to DC, knowing he would arrive at 2 a.m. in a dark train station, and would need to call a cab for a ride home. My internal "daddy clock" woke me up at 2:30 and I texted him, “I’m checking on you.” The response: “Dad, I’m home. I can take care of myself. Go to sleep.”

Even though two of our boys are only 12 miles away, I sometimes go weeks without seeing them – a few days without even a text or a call. Richard is the best: He will text me anytime the Braves make a roster move.

The boys never ask me for money, but I love surprising them with a $50 transfer when I can. I especially love texting, “I’m cooking Sunday night” and they show up for two hours.

Vicki and I put up the Christmas decorations by ourselves this year – first time in about 25 years.

I love each of those boys as much today as I ever have. I was talking to my dad about this changing of the roles and he said, “I look at you and see you at 9, sitting under that big oak tree, reading a book. I know that’s not you, but I love you just as much today as I loved that little boy.”

Deep love. Big love. Authentic love.
The kind of love that wants to know, that wants to be involved, that wants to fix, that wants to see, that wants to talk, that wants to touch, and that wants quality time.

This bond between parent and child – for a lifetime – is so intense that researches say the death of a child – even up to the child’s age of 53 – is psychologically the worst thing that can happen to a human being. Our love of our children is why we get so angry, still, when we hear about parents abusing their children – it crosses the last frontier of our emotional thresholds.

And, yet, in the spiritual world of God, Jesus, Satan, Heaven and Hell – most parents don’t extend their love to those places. And, that questions whether we really love our children at all. Can a believer really love their children if they do nothing toward introducing them to Jesus, and then guiding – by word and example – that child’s spiritual growth until death do you part? I don’t think so. I think a parent's real love begins with the child's salvation and discipleship, and grows up from there. Sadly, most parents don't get that.

According to research:

• 90 % of believing parents said, “Yes” – it’s important for me to pass down my faith to my children.
• 90 % of believing parents said, “Yes” – I believe my child will have a strong faith when he or she graduates from college.
• But in the 166 hours of any given week week, less than 30 percent of believing parents said they do anything more than taking their child to church services.

And, yet, more than 50 percent of those who follow Jesus today give credit to the Christian witness of their parents. Others give credit to a close family member – like a grandparent. Others point to a close family friend. Few credit the institution of church.

Do you see the problem? Parents introduce children to Jesus and help those children grow. Dropping children in a Sunday School class for 40 minutes fewer than 20 times per year and calling that a “faith example” is not loving your children regardless of how much time, money and conversation you have with that child.

Just How Deep Is Your Love?

Proverbs 22:6 reads, “Direct (teach) your children onto the right path (the gospel), and when they are older, they will not leave it.” The right path being the right path of faith in Jesus. Teaching, directing – means one-on-one or one-to-few faith conversations. Parents:

• Do your children know your faith story? 
• Do your children see you with a Bible? 
• Do you lead your child in praying far from the table blessing? 
• Do your children see you ministering in and through Christian community? 
• Do your children see you living the life you want for them, doing the right thing over the smart thing? 

How much do you really love your children? Do you love them enough to see them know Jesus as their Savior? Do you love them enough to see them surrounded by their own Christian friends? Do you love them enough to guide them through relationships toward the spouse God has chosen for them? Do you love them enough to set in motion a generational legacy of faith?

Are you continuing to coach up your children in faith after they've left the nest? Are you continuing to live a day-to-day faith example even in empty nest?

For those who let childhood slip away from faith, the beauty of our faith is that in Jesus each day is new. I can’t tell you how to be a parent to an adult child because I’m learning myself. But, I can tell you that children never stop watching, never stop listening to their parents they respect. 

• Be respectful. 
• Improve your own spiritual life and your priorities, be sincere and authentic and faithful, and reflect Jesus into all of your relationships. Watch the power of Jesus unfold in the lives of your adult children.
• Make Jesus your priority – anchor your decisions in Scripture and let it be known – pray for your children and let them hear it – live faith beyond church attendance. Watch the power of Jesus roll out. I believe it.

How Deep Is Your Love?
How fully committed are you to your children and to your family and to your legacy of faith?

Men: Committed To Your Family, Wife

In 1998, I had opportunity to attend a week-long leadership event at The Gallup Institute in Lincoln, NE. These are same Gallup folk who do all the Gallup Research projects. While they were putting students through a series of tests, interviews and personal assessment, Gallup was also using what they learned as research.

A part of our week included a visit to the University of Nebraska, where we heard a lecture about former Cornhusker head coach Tom Osborne, who had retired after 25 years. Osborne went on to serve in Congress and served as Nebraska’s athletic director before retiring last year.

In 25 years of coaching, Osborne’s Cornhuskers never won fewer than nine games in a season, finished in the top 15 for 24 or 25 seasons, finishing 24th in 1990. They won national championships in 1994 and 1995 and shared the 1997 crown. They won or shared 12 Big Eight conference titles and one Big 12 conference title. His record was 255-49-3 giving him an 83.6 percent winning percentage. He won 250 games faster than any coach in Division 1-A history.

Here’s what I learned about Osborne’s success. He coached play-by-play, series-by-series, believing that if he won plays, accumulated x number of rushing yards in a game, had punts that averaged x number of yards, his team would likely win the game. He coached play-by-play, trusting that the cumulative of small successes would end with a scoreboard victory. If you take care of the day-to-day, the scoreboard will take care of itself.

Men, it's the same with our marriages. And, spiritually healthy marriages lead to spiritually healthy families.

In Ephesians 5:22-23, Paul writes, “Wives, submit to your husbands, as the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.”

Men, if you keep reading down through v. 30, you will see that Paul overwhelmingly writes to husbands, who must serve as the spiritual leaders of their homes. We read this passage of Scripture and snicker at the notion of submissive wives, but Paul's words are really for men in the role of husband. I believe the husband is the spiritual leader of his home, and I believe that as he leads his family according to fullness of Scripture, loving and respecting his wife, the family should respect and follow him. Ephesians 5:22-23 is not a privilege for men, but a responsibility for men.

Healthy marriages begin with a man who is committed to Jesus and who is committed to leading his family in faith. The Lord leads the husband to lead his family and the man's leadership will always be squared with Scripture. Public opinion won't affect his leadership. And, the man's leadership will always begin with love for his wife.

All too often, we get focused on the big picture of a successful marriage. What's needed is less scoreboard-watching and more day-by-day love of our spouses. I just believe that if we can string together enough great days in marriage, the long-term health of my marriage will be just fine. And, as a man, that day-to-day investment in a great marriage begins with me. So, here are some thoughts for all of us spiritual leaders:

1. Love your wife as Christ loved the church. (Ephesians 5:25). How did Christ love the church? No-limit sacrifice without looking back. You do anything you can for your wife and you don’t worry about what she does for you. Your sacrifice is a gift.
2. Love your wife as you love yourself. (Ephesians 5:28-33). You care for your body every day, brushing your teeth, eating your meals, exercising, reading . . . every day should begin with this question, “Sweetheart, what can I do for you today?”
3. Be considerate as you live with your wife, with respect (1 Peter 3:7). The Bible also says if men neglect this command their prayers will be hindered. How do you show respect to someone? Don’t speak badly about your wife in casual conversation. Don’t embarrass her. If it gets on her nerves, stop doing it.
4. Do not be harsh with your wife. (Colossians 3:19). If you have a sensitive wife, take a deep breath before you lose your temper or speak harshly. Think about how you feel when employers or supervisors at work treat you that way.
5. The husband’s body does not belong to him alone, but to his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). A good lover starts with the other person’s sexual satisfaction. Make it about her; romance always wins the day.
6. Rejoice in your wife (Proverbs 5:18-19) – Your wife and your wife alone is the only woman in your life. She is the queen of your life. You should look on no other woman – friend or stranger or porn star – in the same way you look on your wife.
7. And that women may be dressed in simple clothing, with a quiet and serious air; not with vanity about her hair and gold or jewels or expensive clothing (1 Timothy 2:9). Your wife should not be another man’s stumbling block in thought or deed, and you should love your wife without the makeup just as much as you love her with the makeup.
8. Call your wife ‘blessed’ and praise her. (Proverbs 31:28-29). Don’t take your wife for granted, praise her sacrifices and actions for the family.
9. Tell your wife how captivated you are with her body. (Song of Solomon 4:7). God made your wife. God makes no mistakes. Love every part of her. If there’s something you want to change about her, start first with yourself.
10. Honor your marriage; keep it pure by remaining true to your wife in every way. (Hebrews 13:4) Matthew 5:28, Jesus reminds us that where your treasure is located there is your heart. Make sure your treasure begins with your wife.

Win each day and win the game.

Committed

I had lunch with a friend this past week, and he began telling me about a half marathon he wants to run next month. Much to my surprise, he began telling me about his training over the past several months. I was surprised because I had never heard him talk about the training. Really, you run?

“I don’t talk about it much,” he said. “People get over-focused on finishing time. My goal is to maintain my pace and finish the race. If I can push through the pain and exhaustion, and a bad knee, and finish the race, I don’t care about my time or my place.”

In the 8th grade, I joined the Boy Scouts with all of my best childhood friends. We had been in Cub Scouts together and this was a natural progression. We thought it would be fun.

But, quickly, we realized that while Cub Scouts was an after-school activity with our moms involved, Boy Scouts was a lot more serious and required a lot more commitment.

• Some of my friends dropped out pretty quickly because they thought wearing the uniform was silly – other friends would make fun of them or shun them for being in “Boy Scouts.”
• Some of my friends dropped out when they realized you actually had to attend meetings on Monday evenings, from 7-9 p.m., at the VFW clubhouse.
• Some of my friends dropped out when they realized you had to do something. You had to buy a Scout handbook and use it, and work on advancing toward being a better Boy Scout measured by rank (Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle) – and by leadership position, patrol leaders and assistants, quartermaster, librarian, or the chef crew.
• Some dropped out when they realized we went camping in the muggy summer heat and freezing mountain winter, and we couldn’t take the comforts of home, and we ate beans out of a can.
• Some dropped out because others dropped out. Without my friends involved, is this really a place for me to be involved?

Within two years, I was in Scouts without all my close friends. I was surrounded by new boys that I didn’t know that well.

I began looking for an exit strategy. I stopped attending meetings, I stopped working on my advancement, and that summer – I just announced that I was quitting. Well, not really quitting, but I figured I could easily just fade away and no one would really notice. After a while, my parents would stop making me to Scouts. After all, it was a 20-mile round trip drive to the scout meetings every Monday evening.

I had missed several weeks, and one summer evening I received a call from our scoutmaster, Mr. Dick DeWitt. Mr. DeWitt was a airline pilot and he talked to us like young men - not like little boys. He communicated respect and we respected him.

“Scott,” he said. “I want to talk to you about commitment.” Mr. DeWitt was a Delta pilot, and he was educated. He didn’t talk to me like a 15-year-old. He talked to me like the man he saw me becoming. “I know when a boy joins our troop if he will stick with it or if he will quit.  I know when a boy joins if he’s really got a spine up his back or if he’s just following a crowd in the door. All those boys who came with you, I expected every one of them to quit – but I did not expect it of you. I want you to be here next Monday night, at the meeting, and I want you to finish this race.”

I did stay in Scouts. I got my Eagle Scout award - Scout's highest honor. I was initiated into Scouting's Order of the Arrow. My Wolf Patrol dominated competitions in the troop and beyond. When I graduated high school, I was an junior assistant scoutmaster of the troop. Joe Thornton, whom I didn't really know when I joined scouts, became one of my closest high school friends and a great encourager. The rest of them became like brothers to me.

When I got my Eagle in December 1976, there was a reception after the ceremony at the local United Methodist Church. Mr. DeWitt pulled me off to the side, away from everyone and said, “If you commit to something, finish the race. Our world is full of quitters and people who want to lurk in the shadows – no commitment. Don’t be that person. And, don’t let those you love be those people.”

Mr. DeWitt was a Presbyterian. He didn’t reference 2 Timothy 4:7, but when I hear that verse, I often think of him. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” Certainly, it speaks to my spiritual journey and finishing it well, but it also reminds me to be "all in" when I commit to join something or engage something.

In this passage of Scripture, Paul is coming to the end of his life and he’s writing to Timothy. He is saying, “I have been true to my calling – to preserve the gospel and make Jesus known.” Note that Paul does not say he won the race – just that he finished it. In v. 8, he speaks confidently than in finishing the race, “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will give me (when I see Him).”

In the verses leading up to this popular Scripture verse, look at what else Paul tells Timothy:

• Preach the word. Make the gospel known. Each of us should be intentional about making the gospel known.
• Be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable. Make the most of every opportunity.
• Correct, rebuke and encourage tempered with patience and (Scripture as your guide) . . . for (v. 3) people will accumulate teachers who tell them what they want to hear (not what they need to hear through Scripture) and they will turn their ears away from truth and truth aside to myths.
•  Keep your head in all situations. Endure suffering. Proclaim the gospel. Be involved in ministry until you die . . . v. 6 “for I am already being poured out.”

Here’s what I take from this – not as a Sunday School teacher, but as a single lone believer – I must be fully committed to the race and finish it. It’s not possible for me to approach faith half-heartedly or over-simplified or privately or seasonally. Scripture does not allow for a rest stop because I’m suddenly an empty-nester. Empty-nest may alter or slow my Christian Community involvement, but I am not excused from Jesus’ directive to make disciples. Life's circumstances do not excuse me from Jesus' direction to make disciples or the Holy Spirit's leading me to Christian Community.

My personal faith journey must guide everything else in my life – family, friends, workplace – everything. There is no room for me in the shadows of faith, including the Jesus’ church. Scripture, prayer, Christian Community, sharing the gospel – these continually mark the race that I must finish. And, you must finish it, too.

New Year's Resolutions

Successful New Year's Resolutions always involve two things: Passion and Accountability. You have to want to do something, and you have to have someone or something that wags a finger in your direction when you lose sight of your goal. It also helps if you can brag a little through social media . . . “Hey, look at me, I accomplished this . . .” Of course, there’s risk with going public . . .especially if you backslide. The person whose says, “Hey, I lost 30 pounds” on social media looks foolish when they gain back 50.

My mother’s mom was a Middle School teacher for 36 years. To keep her mind sharp, she resolved to do two things: She kept a daily journal of the day’s weather and important sports’ scores – like the daily Braves' score. She also worked a daily crossword puzzle. She also quit smoking. She lived to be 92. She left us with more than 500 small wire bound, steno notebooks. In early August 1998, at 87, she wrote of one day, “Hot.” The next day, she wrote, “Still very hot.” The next day, she wrote, “Hot as hell.”

While I respected and respect in memorial my grandmother's resolutions, her approach was short-sighted and not a Biblical approach to life management or what I call "life stewardship." You see, the best resolutions for us - as believers - are those that help us live longer and live better, maximizing our opportunities for sharing the gospel and making disciples. If I lose weight just for me, well, that's sinful. But, if I lose weight as part of a strategy to improve my quality of life to better serve others, well, that's using Resolutions as part of spiritual growth.

The Bible does not promote or denounce our little habit of New Year’s Resolutions. To the Lord, there’s no difference in Dec. 31 or Jan. 1. But, Scripture does promote taking care of ourselves while we are on this Earth. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 : Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to  yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."

The No. 1 resolution every year is to lose weight or get in physical shape. The reason most people is because they do it for themselves rather than as preparation of themselves to serve others. Also, people want quick results with minimal effort. That never happens.

Since the 8th grade, when I was a chubby-cheeked teenager, I've battled a weight problem. I love to cook, I love to eat my cooking. I also love ice cream. In 2011, I went to the doctor for a routine office visit and my blood pressure was surprisingly high. So high, in fact, that my doctor put me on blood pressure medicine - a pretty high dosage. My youngest brother, whose is also overweight, has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In December 2013, weighing the most I've ever weighed and eye-balling another increased waist size, I bemoaned my physical condition. My oldest son said, "Dad, if you don't do anything to change, you are just going to get heavier and probably die sooner. You think that's what God wants from you?"

As a believer, I'm not afraid of death, but I am afraid of not finishing well. I want to finish this life well. So, in January 2013, I resolved to eat better and exercise daily, starting with just a 20-minute daily walk around the neighborhood. Quickly, it became something I wanted to do. I joined a gym with an accountability partner. I bought a $5 annual membership to the church gym for the days I didn't go to the more formal gym. On my walks, I learned that I could worship while walking. I listened to faith music, listened to sermons and prayed as I walked 20, 30, 40, and then 60 minutes a day.

In July, I went for my annual physical. I was a little bummed at the scale weight - I had expected to lose more weight. But, my doctor showed me the more important numbers like cholesterol and blood sugar and heart rate. All of those were the best they had been in 22 years. No kidding. My cholesterol fell through the floor. He told me what my gym partner had been telling me - don't be consumed by the scale. Be consumed by new energy and better blood / sugar numbers.

In the past two years, Vicki and I have been faced with dementia. We have walked this journey with Vicki's mama. In 2012, I was convicted about spending far too much time in front of the television and computer screens, and not enough time reading and learning. The best way to keep your body in shape is to exercise it; the best way to keep your mind in shape is to exercise. And, so, I resolved to read 25 books per year and 200 by 2019 - when I turn 60. I read at bedtime and have found no problem in reading 25 books per year.

I go to bed at 10 p.m. and I read at least one chapter or up to 30 minutes. Going to bed earlier, I've found I get up earlier - usually wake up without an alarm clock by 5:30 or 6. There's something to that "early to bed and early to rise" maxim because I do feel better all the way around. As for accountability, well, Vicki's an avid reader and we talk about the books we read.

Again, and I stress this, taking care of yourself is about being in "shape" for ministry - not to brag on Facebook, impress people at the beach, or impress the person in the mirror. In fact, Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:8, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Godliness is the end goal of all resolutions to improve self. Anything else is likely to fail.

Closing thoughts:

• Make sure your motivation to improve self is for Kingdom service.
• Read Scripture and Pray about how God can use you.
• Don't be discouraged if you slip while on the road to improving your self. Don't use slipping as an excuse, but as motivation to get back on track.
• Expect God to use you. He will. He can. God can use you where you aren't capable of serving alone. In that, life becomes a real adventure!

Christian Community - The Witnessing Gifts

By Monty Hope --
If your strongest spiritual gifts are knowledge, teaching, faith, prophecy, exhortation, evangelism, healing, and/or the interpret of tongues, God has wired you for witnessing.  For those of us who may not be strong in each of these, it is still our obligation to witness. Here is why:

1. Obedience.  Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2. Compassion.  We do not want anyone to suffer the eternal agony and damnation of Hell.  We all sympathize with and minister to the earthly troubles of our fellow man.  Let us consider their eternal fate to be of an even greater importance.

God has enabled each of us with special, spiritual gifts.  They all come from the same place  God.  The Holy Spirit works through us to use them.  No matter how you boil them down, they only have two real purposes.

1. The support of the existing Christian community.
2. The growth of the Christian community through witnessing

Here is a recap of the simple witnessing model Jimmy and I demonstrated.  You can study it in great depths is you go to the following website:  http://www.wayofthemaster.com/.  Jimmy and I did not rehearse.  In fact, I only asked for his help right before class started.  I hope it came across as well as I felt it did.  Thank you Jimmy for being a great sport!

• W:  Would you consider yourself a good person?

• D: Do you follow the 10 commandments?

• J: If God judged you against those commandments, would you be guilty?

• D: Knowing God’s judgment based on those commandments, what would be your eternal destiny? 

These leading questions should give you a great basis for sharing Jesus with others.  God bless and have a great week!

Do you have one of the Spiritual Gifts that can lead others in Witnessing? Do you have one of the Spiritual Gifts that can model Outreach, showing us what it looks like and leading by your own example. We need you; the Kingdom needs you. Here are the Spiritual Gifts that drive the Outreach of the Christian Community:

• Evangelism - The gift of evangelism is the gift of faith-sharing and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to those we meet.  Evangelism is primarily a one-to-one or small group experience, grounded in building relationships with others and inviting them to make a decision for Christ.  Gifted evangelists do not force their faith on others, but offer relationship with God as a gift, and are ready to tell the story of God and Christ in their own lives.
• Exhortation - The gift of exhortation is manifest in people who offer encouragement, wise counsel, unflagging support, and empowerment.  Those who exhort stay focused on helping people maximize their own potential and live from their own gifts and skills.  Exhorters help people feel good about themselves, build confidence, and not grow discouraged.  Often, those with the gift of exhortation make others feel good just by being present.
• Knowledge - The gift of knowledge allows people to automatically convert facts, data, and information into useful and important knowledge.  People possessing this gift can learn in a variety of ways, retain what they learn, and understand how learning can be applied in meaningful and productive ways.  Those gifted with knowledge have a voracious and insatiable desire to learn more, and they seek multiple avenues for deepening their understanding of God’s world, God’s will, and God’s people.
• Teaching - The gift of teaching allows people to transform data and information into life changing knowledge.  Teachers do not have to stand in front of a class to teach.  Often gifted teachers communicate best in informal, one-on-one settings.  Teachers have the uncanny knack of helping people learn effortlessly.  People internalize and retain the knowledge and learning they receive from gifted teachers.  Good teachers transform more than they inform.
• Faith - The gift of faith is more than belief in Jesus Christ, but an abiding foundation of confidence that God works all things together for good, and that they people of God can rise above any obstacle.  Faith is the bedrock upon which we build lives, congregations, and communities.  People with the gift of faith hold fast to the deep conviction that no matter what we see with our eyes, we can trust the promises and plan of God.
• Prophecy - The gift of prophecy is the ability to speak God’s word to others, or more appropriately to be open for God to speak God’s word through us.  Prophets do not predict the future, but offer insight and perspective on current conditions and how things might turn out if changes aren’t made.  Prophets are incisive, clear, and often controversial, communicators.  Prophets see things that others often don’t, and they have the courage to “tell it like it ought to be.”
• Healing - Servanthood is the gift of doing for others, sometimes to the exclusion of meeting personal needs.  Servants look for ways to do for others both within and beyond the congregation and community.  Servants do not choose to serve, but serve from a sense of identity and call.  Gifted servants never feel put-upon or taken advantage of, but see each opportunity to do for others as a way to be true to self.
• Tongues - The gift of tongues is a communication gift that allows people to speak foreign languages and convey concepts they never formally studied.  People with this gift “pick up” the ability to communicate across barriers of language, culture, age, or physical limitation (some people with the gift of tongues work with the deaf or blind).  The gift of tongues is not a “secret” prayer language, but a way to communicate the faith to people in a known language.

(Source: www.umc.org)

Christian Community - The Outreach Gifts

The Apostle John writes in 1 John 3:16-19, "We (Believers) know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth so we will be confident when we stand before God."

These verses are about loving one another, which all of us are called to do. John uses rich people as an example, but this verse can equally apply to those who have special hobbies, talents, and skills. It's not a message only for those with money to give. It's a message about reaching out to people.

Outreach, like missions and evangelism, is one of those “church words” used so often that we hardly ever talk about its definition or its application to the Christian Community. What is Outreach?

• Some churches use Outreach to talk about local ministry, as in “A part of our community Outreach is to send volunteers to serve in a local soup kitchen.”
• Some churches use Outreach to talk about benevolence as in “We ‘reached out’ to this family who lost everything in a fire, and we have helped them find temporary housing.”
• Some churches use Outreach to talk about evangelism as in “Our Outreach ministry provided 2,000 evangelistic brochures at this year’s fall festival.”

So, what does it mean?

The reality is that Outreach looks like all three of those definitions.

Outreach is giant umbrella that covers any possible effort (missions, ministry, evangelism, benevolence, events, fellowship activities - everything) to build relationships beyond the church family toward the goal of seeing people acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and then move toward their own involvement in a Christian Community. The end-goal of all Outreach is to grow the Christian Community with believers on the journey to being disciples.

Satan does not want that to happen. And, you and are eased into poor thinking and poor doing.

• We fall into the trap of "donating" or "serving" and then disappearing. Bringing donations to LICS is simply a service project unless those donations are  ultimately used to build relationships through which Jesus can be shared with some. Changing the oil of widows at our church is simply a service project unless there is intentional effort to build relationships through which Jesus is shared with oil change recipients. There's no blessing in short-changing the Outreach experience. The blessing comes in seeing the Kingdom enlarged.
• We fall into the trap of being distracted with our own lives. I can hear Satan cackle from the darkest corner of hell over how busy we become with no time left over for real ministry Outreach. Each of us knows people who need Jesus and each of us knows people who need connection with a Christian Community. But, we say to ourselves, "I'm so busy. I don't have time to invest in others right now." If you and ignore the spiritual condition of others long enough, we will become hard-hearted toward Outreach and subsequently Evangelism.
• We fall into the trap of the what-ifs: What if they aren't Baptist and I offend them in some way? What if they say 'no' when I try to talk to them? What if I invite them to intersect my community and they have a bad experience? What if I get the reputation of being a Jesus freak? What's the blow-back on me if people in the neighborhood start whispering about us - 'They've gone off the deep end?'

Within our Christian Community are those who have the Spiritual Gifts of Outreach ministry. These good people love to build relationship with others, and will find it a joy to talk about faith and Christian Community. And, while we should all have a heart for lost people, those gifted for Outreach are the ones who set the pace, who provide the example, and who encourage all of us to step out and build relationships. Those with Outreach-focused gifts will be those possessing the Spiritual Gifts of Apostleship, Evangelism, Prophecy, Compassion, Servanthood, Healing, Miracles and Tongues.

What if you and I don't build relationship with other people? What if you and I don't talk to others about Jesus? What if you and I don't invite people to engage Christian Community? What if no other person in Lexington ever ministers to that hurting family and invites them to faith? What if you or I represent the last chance for someone to come to Jesus and escape eternal punishment? What happens if that family isn't led in faith, those young people grow up outside of faith, marry others outside of faith, and a generation is raised up outside of faith. How many hundreds of people could be saved by your involvement with just one Lexington family? How many hundreds of people could be lost because I ignored the lost or grew timid in my own faith? I can't bear that responsibility. I must share Jesus. I hope you are convicted likewise.

One life can make a difference.

Today, I serve more than 4,000 North American congregations as they seek to build relationships with people toward a goal of sharing Jesus. I have been ordained to the gospel ministry. How did all that happen? It happened because in a valley of unemployment, depression, and poor decisions, one believer reached out and said, "Where are you with Jesus?" And, then he poured his life into mine. And, in that man I saw the reflection of a Savior who said, "Come and follow me." One life reaching out to another life.

Do you have one of the Spiritual Gifts that can lead others in Outreach? Do you have one of the Spiritual Gifts that can model Outreach, showing us what it looks like and leading by your own example. We need you; the Kingdom needs you. Here are the Spiritual Gifts that drive the Outreach of the Christian Community:

• Apostleship - The gift of apostleship compels people to reach out to new and unfamiliar groups and individuals to invite them into relationship with God and community.  Apostles share the story of faith in other lands, cultures, and traditions, as well as welcoming the stranger in their own land.  Apostles extend the hand of friendship to those of other generations, nations, and languages.  Many apostles desire to be missionaries.
• Evangelism - The gift of evangelism is the gift of faith-sharing and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to those we meet.  Evangelism is primarily a one-to-one or small group experience, grounded in building relationships with others and inviting them to make a decision for Christ.  Gifted evangelists do not force their faith on others, but offer relationship with God as a gift, and are ready to tell the story of God and Christ in their own lives.
• Prophecy - The gift of prophecy is the ability to speak God’s word to others, or more appropriately to be open for God to speak God’s word through us.  Prophets do not predict the future, but offer insight and perspective on current conditions and how things might turn out if changes aren’t made.  Prophets are incisive, clear, and often controversial, communicators.  Prophets see things that others often don’t, and they have the courage to “tell it like it ought to be.”
• Compassion - The gift of compassion moves people to action on behalf of those in need.  Compassion is not a simple caring about others, but such a radical caring that we have no choice but to make sacrifices for others.  Those with the gift of compassion rarely ask “Should I help,” but instead focus on how to help.  Compassion makes us fundamentally aware of the Christ in others and springs from our desire to care for all of God’s creatures and creation.
• Servanthood - Servanthood is the gift of doing for others, sometimes to the exclusion of meeting personal needs.  Servants look for ways to do for others both within and beyond the congregation and community.  Servants do not choose to serve, but serve from a sense of identity and call.  Gifted servants never feel put-upon or taken advantage of, but see each opportunity to do for others as a way to be true to self.
• Healing - Servanthood is the gift of doing for others, sometimes to the exclusion of meeting personal needs.  Servants look for ways to do for others both within and beyond the congregation and community.  Servants do not choose to serve, but serve from a sense of identity and call.  Gifted servants never feel put-upon or taken advantage of, but see each opportunity to do for others as a way to be true to self.
• Miracles - The gift of miracles is not about performing miracles, but about living in the miraculous reality of God’s creation.  Those gifted with miracles never doubt the power and presence of God in creation, and are able to help others see and believe in God’s power.  The gift of miracles does not focus on the extraordinary, but sees the miraculous in the mundane and normal.  Living in the spirit of the miraculous, people see God in nature, in relationships, in kind acts, and in the power of love.
• Tongues - The gift of tongues is a communication gift that allows people to speak foreign languages and convey concepts they never formally studied.  People with this gift “pick up” the ability to communicate across barriers of language, culture, age, or physical limitation (some people with the gift of tongues work with the deaf or blind).  The gift of tongues is not a “secret” prayer language, but a way to communicate the faith to people in a known language.

(Source: www.umc.org)

Christian Community - Nurturing Gifts

The 20 or so spiritual gifts outlined in 1 Corinthians, Romans and 1 Peter can be grouped into four larger groups: Nurturing, Witnessing, Outreaching and Organizing.

Today, we will take a snapshot look at "The Nurturers," who are gifted with Faith, Exhortation, Wisdom, Discernment, Shepherding, Helping & Compassion. These gifts, as a whole, focus on serving others as they grow spiritually. Those with the Nurturing gifts "handle people with care," building fellowship with the Christian Community and cultivating strong relationships between people within the community. As with healthy plants, Nurturing sometimes involves pruning and the identification of weeds. The Nurturers take care of people, visit people, and enjoy being together with the Christian Community. Because most spiritual gifts are going to focus on encouraging and supporting the body of believers, many people will like have one of the Nurturing gifts as one of their top five or six gifts.

Please keep in mind that spiritual gifts are not personality traits. They are not reflective of skills, hobbies or professional employment. These are supernatural gifts provided to believers by the Holy Spirit for work within the body of believers. As you and I serve, our giftedness will come from a place of joy and not from a place of chore.

There are lots of online resources that help us understand the different gifts. My explanations, below, are an amalgamation of several sources.

Faith.
In 1 Corinthian 12:9, “And, to another faith.” Faith means persuasion, credence or moral conviction.  It is an assurance and belief. The author of Hebrews wrote, “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” The gift of faith involves a prompting from God to trust Him for the supernatural, to continue even when there are different circumstances.

A person with the gift of faith is “fully persuaded” that God has the ability to answer prayer and work everything according to His will. It is similar to Acts 20:22 when Paul was “drawn irresistibly” by the Holy Spirit to Macedonia. When a person with this gift learns about certain situations that seem impossible, God seems to nudge them to trust Him. This nudge is more than a quiet trust; it is an open, stepping out and affirming God in the situation. God gives them a sense of assurance in His ability and desire to work in the future. They feel free to ask God for His intervention without usurping His sovereignty.

The gift of Faith encourages people and the community. It gives hope to believers. It instills God’s confidence in God’s ability to help them reach God’s vision for them. It is the rudder of the Christian Community, reminding everyone that God is in control and does abandon those He loves.

Exhortation
The gift of Exhortation is the special ability to counsel or challenge others toward a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ.  People who possess the gift of Exhortation will not avoid conflict. It is not that they love conflict. In fact, everything inside them may hate conflict. People with the gift of Exhortation feel a deep responsibility before God to challenge and encourage those that may be taking a path that does not honor the Lord, to correct their misguided choices.

In Acts 14:22, the Apostle Paul consistently serves to “strengthen the disciples and to encourage them to remain true to the faith." In Act 11:23, Barnabas encouraged the people of Antioch to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. Again, in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, the Apostle Paul describes their ministry among the Thessalonians as “encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." When this gift is utilized appropriately, it will either be received by humble and contrite hearts, or the recipients will respond with hostility and transference. They may assert that the person using the gift of Exhortation is judgmental, critical or harsh.

Wisdom
In 1 Corinthians 12:8, Paul writes, “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom.” The Biblical use of the word wisdom puts the emphasis on the thought process that takes the Scriptures and makes an intelligent application to a life situation. The result is insight which allows one to exercise sound judgment. To have the gift of wisdom then is to be able to apply Biblical, spiritual knowledge to living a Godly life. It is also being able to make scriptural truths relevant and practical in everyday living and decision-making. The “message of wisdom” is being able to know the mind of Christ and His word as it pertains to specific situations.

A person with this gift loves to read, meditate and commune with God, drawing wisdom that applies the Scriptures to everyday living. It is similar to a mechanic being able to hear a car run and know what it wrong and how to fix it. This gift allows a person to “hear” life situations and apply truth to the situation.

Discernment
Discernment is distinguishing between the spirits. Discernment means to be able to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil. It is having a logical, judicial ability to think through issues. It is the ability to “discern” whether a saying, teaching, doctrine, written word, or event is good or evil; true or false; and if the source, meaning or intentions are of God, the person or Satanic deception. There is an ability to “read between the lines” and get to the truth of an issue. It's not just a "gut feeling," but a real knowing that something doesn't seem to be right . . . or, that it does. There is an urgency to pray and ask for wisdom.

A person with this gift can help counsel community members who are struggling with a moral dilemma, an addiction, or low self-esteem. Discerners prayerfully clear through the fog to the motivation behind actions and thoughts.

Shepherding
The translation of Paul’s gift listing in Ephesians 4:11 translates this into the word “pastor.” Having this gift doesn’t mean you should run out and become a church pastor, but a person with this gift will likely find joy in the training and caring for the needs of the Christian “group” moreso than individuals. Those with this gift are often patient, people-centered and love to pray for others. The shepherd will have a burden to see people grow and learn, and will be more concerned with doing for others than for what others do for them.

Those with this gift make good group leaders, people who mentor and provide spiritual guidance toward faith development. Those who are Shepherds share their own faith journey to make the way easier for others.

Helping
It would be easy to say that those with the gift of Helps really do help others. They jump in to help community members with practical aid, providing meals, lawn service, and meeting others needs in times of crisis. And, that’s probably true, but it goes deeper, too. Proverbs 25:11 says, “Their words are like apples of gold in settings of silver” to the spiritually weak. People with this gift are cheerful, confident, and joyous. They provide practical help, but also help people in faith just by being near people during the pain of life. They lead with mercy, grace and love.

Compassion
This gift is often referred to as the gift of Mercy. They move to action of behalf of those in need.  People with this gift don’t pause to say, “Should I help?” they drop everything to help. It is a radical caring, leaving no choice but to serve others immediately. Because of this “drop and serve” giftedness, people with the gift of Compassion can identify distress in people. What makes them special is that they can provide comfort, and have the special ability to show empathy – to feel WITH others not just FOR them. They go to uncomfortable places knowing they may have to relieve some of their own pain as part of their service. They make decisions based on feelings rather than logic, and they are often quiet and low-key.
Those with Compassion reach into lives during the height of great emotion – sorrow and joy.