Greg Atkinson

The following is a guest blog by Michael Robison, Lead Pastor of Grace Church – Kingsport, TN

Did you know that only 1 out of 10 men who pastor will retire from that position? Something that is so often overlooked is the toll ministry will take on a person and their family. Before I was a lead pastor I had a very wise man, another great pastor friend, explain that you have no idea what this job requires until you’re doing it. WOW, he couldn’t have been more correct. I have been serving in ministry for nearly 10 years now. But, until I became the pastor, I had no idea what ministry really looked like. There were so many things I was sheltered from, protected from and exempt from as a youth pastor. I look back now with greater respect and gratitude for the pastors I served with in my previous ministries. As the pastor we take the blows, mentor our staff and raise them like a family, shepherd 100’s or 1,000’s of people and sacrifice our time and many desires along the way. Sometimes it can feel quite lonely. No matter how much someone loves you and supports you, if they haven’t served in that position, they don’t know what you walk through daily!

The reality is that ministry, especially the spot of lead pastor, can truly cost more than we can ever imagine. The toll comes in our physical health, our mental health, our spiritual health and our family life. Being the pastor requires 100% of our lives. The reality is that many of us truly do LOVE this calling and opportunity to serve. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I wake up each day with a renewed sense of opportunity and privilege that God has given to me. But, as time goes by I realize even more how much God has called me to do.

Pastors, it is imperative that we take care of ourselves. You and I need a regular routine of exercise to relieve stress and stay fit. We need a regular time of learning and increase in our mental faculties. We need a regular routine of letting down our guards and having fun without worrying about being “on call”. We need regular time with our families; things such a Date Night and special times with our kids. More than anything, we need a dedicated time to pray and study the Word. We can’t simply be in the Bible only for sermon prep. Without these things, we will go crazy!

However, I believe one of the most important things we need as pastors is the ability to rely on each other and care for each other. No one beside a person who has been where we are will understand the level of stress, responsibility and burden that is placed on our lives. We need to constantly be encouraging each other, praying for each other and helping each other stand accountable to our calling.

My challenge to each of you is that you make it a regular habit of loving and encouraging other pastors and leaders. You have no idea how much good it will do and how God can use your simple words and gestures. We need to build each other up and hold each other accountable. “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 ESV

Without these things in our lives, we will most definitely find our selves as one the statistics……HMMMMMM, only 10% of those who pastor retire from that position? Why? Burnout, Stress, Mental & Physical Deterioration and Moral Failures. Don’t let yourself become one of those statistics! Let’s work together to make it 10 out of 10!

The following is a guest blog by Phil Cooke, writer, speaker, filmmaker, & media consultant – Burbank, CA

A leader looks strongest when:

– He listens and values the opinions of his top people.

– He creates a transparent company with nothing to hide.   A poor leader wants to control information.  A great leader shares information.

–  Creates an environment where all employees are comfortable offering ideas and suggestions.  Creative companies are collaborative companies.  You never know:  The next idea of the lowest paid intern might be the idea that saves the company.

–  Gives people the freedom to grow.  Only secure leaders can empower others.

– Understands that real leadership is influence.  You aren’t a leader because you order people to follow you.  You’re a real leader when they want to follow you.

– Understands that activity is not necessarily accomplishment.

– A leader must give up to go up.  The higher he rises, the more he has to turn over to others.

– He doesn’t have to constantly apologize to people, because he knows how to control his reactions and behavior to begin with.  A leader is the face of the company.  In his personal life he can afford to argue or get upset with others.  But not in his business life.  You never win by humiliating or defeating employees, vendors, or other relationships.

– He isn’t afraid to surround himself with people who are smarter, more gifted, and more talented than he is.

A leader looks weakest when:

– He wants control of everything.  (It reeks of insecurity).

– Doesn’t listen to his top people.  (It creates resentment).

–  Puts them in awkward situations (In this case, they feel really awkward hearing you talk about your health problems).

–  Doesn’t allow his people to stretch, grow, and try new ideas.

– He’s afraid of change.

– Hires people on the basis of friendship rather than expertise.

The following is a guest blog from Steve Komanapalli, Pastor, Special Assistant to Rick Warren, Saddleback Church

Truth be told, the last couple of weeks haven’t been all that great.  I have three friends who told me they have cancer (colon, breast and pancreatic), another friend crash with his depression nearly to the point of suicide, got a couple of key staff leaving to other ministries (I’m happy for them personally but bummed their leaving), been counseling a couple on the brink of divorce – and a couple of days ago, a friend and colleague had a massive stroke followed by brain surgery AND it’s almost EASTER?!  With so many things happening right now, what do I do when I’m waiting for God for help, wisdom and answers?

Well, here are some things I’m learning (to be honest, most of this I’m RE-learning!)

1.     If I’m going to wait, I need to wait expectantly like a farmer.   Psalm 130:5 (LB) “I wait expectantly trusting God to help for He’s promised.” A famer doesn’t plant some seeds and to go to Hawaii for a year!  He spends the time anticipating, expecting a harvest.  If you got a moment, check out James 5:7.

2.    If I’m going to wait, I need wait quietly.  I had a LOT to grumble about…Why are my friends suffering with CANCER?  Stroke? WHY? WHY? WHY?   Well, the bible says, don’t grumble.  God says you need to manage your mouth. (OUCH) James 5:9 says “Don’t grumble against each other brothers or you’ll be judged.”

3.    If I’m going to wait, I need to wait confidently. Micah 7:7 says this “I wait confidently for God.” My pastor says, “When the outlook is bad, you look up.  That is what hope is.”  It’s confident expectation.   One of my favorite bible stories is of Joshua.  In Joshua Chapter 1, Moses just died and Joshua is now leading the Jewish people to a place they have never been.  Do you think he was nervous?  Remember what God told him? “Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”  Joshua 1:9 Msg

I don’t know what you’re going through….How big is your God?  Without Christ, I can do nothing….

Lord, help me to wait expectantly, quietly and confidently. You are a might God and I love you.  I’m sorry for the times I get squirrely like a small child.  Thank you for helping me mature and grow.

In Jesus name, Amen

The following is a guest blog from Anne Jackson, author, speaker and and social change activist - Nashville, TN

I never thought there was much difference between reconciliation and forgiveness. In my heart, it all kind of meant the same thing – letting go of pain that someone had inflicted on me. Usually this involved some type of “making up” process involving apologies, sometimes tears, and a hug to make everything alright.

Twelve years ago, somebody hurt me in a very painful, inexcusable way. For years, I didn’t allow myself to work through the pain as I needed to. A couple of years ago, circumstances (which were mostly out of my control) caused me to stare at this wound square in the face.

As strange as it sounds, I’ve never doubted that I forgave this person. I feel fortunate that, for the most part, forgiveness comes easy to me. There are probably only two situations in my life where I know I still need to work on forgiving someone, but this particular hurt isn’t one of them.

However, as I was processing through healing during this time, I began questioning if i really had forgiven this person. Sure, the scabs had been peeled off and the wounds were fresh – and it hurt…badly, all over again.

Someone who was helping me through this sent me an email. He encouraged me and said that what I was experiencing wasn’t me being bitter or holding on (which was what I was afraid I was doing) but that I was desiring reconciliation.

I wanted for this person to own up to the mistake and for everything – painful as it would be – to be okay again.

And I wanted for the relationship to be harmonized and restored completely.

Later, I read this in a book:

Joseph was reconciled with his brothers when they came to Egypt in search of grain. By the time his brothers reached Egypt, he was able to stand before them and confront them because he had no inner feelings that would keep him from having a relationship of unity and peace with them.

Forgiveness is unilateral. You can forgive even if [someone] never admits [their wrong doing], is never sorry, and never changes. But reconciliation requires both people’s commitment to recovery, honesty, repentance, forgiveness, and communication. Even then, reconciliation is a long and difficult process of breaking down barriers and building trust.

You may not ever be reconciled with a person that hurt you (or that you hurt).

That part takes both people to work through.

Forgiveness is a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for reconciliation.

However, forgiveness is a decision that you make, and continue to make, regardless of the other person’s choice.

And through the cross and grace and love, you can.

In light of yesterday’s healthy discussion, I thought I’d follow up today with an insider’s perspective of how God is using video technology via the internet. The following is a guest blog from Brian Vasil, Internet Campus Pastor at Flamingo Road Church – Miami, FL

A little while ago, I was in a chat room with an Internet Campus Pastor friend and colleague, Brandon Donaldson.  He and the brilliant team at Lifechurch.tv were early adopters and trailblazers of the notion that real church could happen on the Internet.  As we talked about one thing or another, he referred to the two of us as “old school” Internet Campus Pastors.

I had to stop and drink that in.  Can you be “old school” at something that didn’t exist before 2005?

Maybe… and with that comes the responsibility of sharing what you’ve learned.  I’d like to do that here…

Here are three things that I’ve learned (so far) about Internet Campus Pastors and what I’ve been called to do in the past 3 years:

1)  It’s much more about the Pastoral side than the technical side…  I tell any church that is even remotely interested in starting an Internet Campus…if you are going to put your messages out there, chat about them, and allow prayer requests, you have to have a dedicated Pastor available to help shepherd the digital flock.  Sometimes my inbox resembles the online prayer scene in Bruce Almighty…but I consider it a privilege to pray and care for people around the globe.    Many churches don’t start Internet Campuses because they don’t have the right “technology” person to lead it.  The tech will take care of itself.  Find a person whose Pastoral heart beats for people he may never meet physically but loves just the same.

2)  Your motives will be questioned…  You will be criticized, ostracized, analyzed, and unfairly questioned.    People will challenge your salvation and say that your ministry is worthless.   Soldier on.  My heart beats for the lost…even if they are in prison, sick, phobic, or otherwise unable to attend a physical campus.   That’s why we’re here.  It’s all about the vision God’s given us at Flamingo Road through our Lead Pastor, Troy Gramling.    We believe God has called us to have an Internet Campus…and we would be disobedient to do otherwise.

3)  Learn from everyone… I love talking to brand new Internet Campus Pastors.    They are packed full of fresh ideas…new thoughts… and brilliant strategies… God gives them a different angle or a varied look at the internet community that we’re all working to save from hell.   No matter the size of the church or its Internet Campus,  I can always glean something new that may help us in our journey.  In turn, we are always ready to help anyone just putting their digital stakes in the ground.

I know that reflecting about Internet Campus Pastors is a little like writing a biography of a baby still in the womb.  There’s still so much to do and explore.   I can’t wait to see what God has planned for iCampuses… real churches seeking real people with real hearts in virtual space.

The following is a guest blog by Clayton Coates, Senior Pastor, FBC Coppell, TX

There is a growing trend that began in the late 90’s of launching a regional campus or venue using a flat screen pastor. The question that I have is, “Is this a decision based on convention that contradicts conviction?” This blog entry is simply the beginning of greater exploration into this topic.

Michael Novak is a noted philosopher and is noted for categorizing convictions is three major buckets.

1. Public Convictions: What I SAY I believe…..and want others to believe I believe
2. Private Convictions: What I Think I believe….but when the rubber hits the road, I actually don’t believe them
3. Core Convictions: What I really Do believe….and this is AFFIRMED by MY ACTIONS.

It is my experience as a pastor, 16 years- 8 churches ranging in size from 200 to 24,000 in weekend attendance, that most people and pastors operate based on Private Convictions. Why would I make this statement? Because of their actions. The only thing you have to do to assess the convictions or someone or something (i.e. church) is to look at the actions….what they do.

Here are just 2 questions:

1) Do I believe in the incarnation? Well what does that have to do with a flat screen pastor? One day I was having lunch with Oz Guinness. I was at a church that had multiple venues on campus and had begun to launch regional venues streaming the messages from base camp. I was aware of the frustration that the venue pastor had on a weekly basis and the regional pastors as well. I had not come to terms with why I had such an unsettling in my spirit about this. I asked Oz what he thought and told him a little about my uneasiness. His response to me was, “Clayton, It’s simple, it trumps the incarnation of Christ.” He went on to further unpack that weighty comment. And in that moment, I realized what the uneasiness that I had was rooted in. There was a reason that God stepped out of Heaven and came to earth, in the flesh, to dwell among us. Yes, I am fully aware of the salvific significance of the deity in flesh, but there is also great significance in Christ “dwelling among us” in the flesh.

As a pastor, I am called to be physical representation of Christ in word and deep to the local flock that God has entrusted to me. In Acts 20:28 Paul writes, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. He also instructs Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 to, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Core Conviction: As a Senior Pastor, Elder, Overseer, I am to be the physical overseer and communicator of this local flock that has been entrusted to me to God himself.

2) Do I believe in the Biblical model of mentoring younger men to be sent out to become local pastors?

There are many questions pertaining to the longevity of the flat screens. What happens if a pastor who broadcasts himself, God forbid, falls into sin? What happens when a flat screen pastor passes away? What happens when a flat screen pastor retires? Some churches have a teaching team but there is always a main senior pastor.

Biblically we see evidence of training, mentoring, sending out and accountability. This is evident with Jesus and the disciples all throughout the time of Christ’s ministry on earth and thereafter. We also see evidence of this in the life of Saul, post-conversion, Paul. In Acts 9 we read of Saul be blinded by a great light. He was then lead to Damascus where he neither ate nor drank for 3 days. Ananias was sent to him by the Holy Spirit to admit him into the Christian church by baptism (9:11-16). Immediately after Paul’s conversion, he went to Arabia for 3 years where he subjected himself to devout teaching and focused meditation under the careful watch of wise council. After this intentional time of growth and discipleship, Paul returned to Damascus where he began to “boldly preach the gospel in the name of Jesus.” All throughout the epistles and in a like manner, you find Paul raising up, teaching, training, equipping, encouraging, worthy men to be overseers of local churches.

Core Conviction: I believe that as a pastor, I am to model what Jesus and Paul modeled by raising up, training, mentoring and sending out other pastors to be the shepherds of a local flock….even if I believe I can speak better or have a more attractive following.

These are just two questions as I previously stated. I am not the keeper of all truth and wisdom, however, I have been known to not “get off go” until I am settled on the scriptural motivation. As I have talked to many guys who launch these remote and regional campuses, the reasoning is always based on convention, not conviction. Many say, “ that is just the message, I have a local campus pastor.” I get that, to a certain level, but believe that is more of a convenient and quick response than anything else. There are events that happened in my immediate community this past week and it was my call by God as the local pastor to address those specific needs. If I had been broadcasting my message to another city, it would not have made sense to the audience. Sure, we know that God’s word never returns void so there is always something that the “listener can hear.” But to either preach in a generic way or to preach in an exclusive way is to fall short of my core convictions.

It may be cheaper, faster, and have more immediate results, but if any decision is based on convention and not conviction, the reward is never worth the cost.

Other topics to explore of this same nature- segregated worship (separate worship for kids, youth, singles, etc.): based on convention or conviction?

_________________________________________________________

*** This is Greg – I published this blog post because I believe in a diversity of opinions and I’m a friend of Clayton. I actually disagree on this issue and am fine with using video for multi-site. When I sit in a live service, I look at the screens anyway. I, however, realize not everyone feels this way. I wanted to post Clayton’s side of this issue to encourage discussion. So, what do you think? Are you for utilizing video in regional campuses or venues? Why or why not?

The following is a guest blog from John Atkinson, Director of Multi Site Ministries at Bay Area Fellowship – Corpus Christi, TX

There are many things a leader must have to be successful, but nothing, in my opinion, is as important as Integrity. Having Integrity will define your leadership, not having Integrity will too!

Why is Integrity so important?

1. Without integrity in our faith, we’ll change the Word of God to fit us, instead of changing us to fit the Word of God.

2.Without integrity, we’ll be able to see pride in others, while missing it in ourselves.

3. Without integrity, we’ll challenge others to live lives of purity, while in the privacy of our own homes we’ll fail at it.

4. Without integrity, we’ll pursue our own desires, instead of pursing God’s desires for us.

5. Without integrity, we’ll bend the truth so it will fit in the world as we want it to be, instead of living and leading in a world defined by GOD’S standard of truth.

6 Without integrity in our marriages, everything we love and hold close, we’ll still love, but it won’t be close for us to love and hold any more.

7. Without integrity in our leadership, the careers, churches, or businesses we love and hold close, we may still love, but they won’t be ours to hold close any more.

Bottom line, without integrity, we really have nothing.

The following guest blog is by Charles Hill, church planter in Salt Lake City and founder of The Sticks Conference

I have been engaged in “vocational” ministry for over a decade now. I have read the church growth, church health, theology, polity, simple church, mega church, church history and church future books to name a few. But it wasn’t until I held the dying bride that everything changed for me.

God blessed our first plant in the middle of nowhere, cornfield, rural, small-town [2,800 people] Ohio. Our last Easter there, we saw 1,500 people just at our first campus, and we had 2 other regional campuses and 1 in China. Yes, God blessed beyond our wildest dreams despite our stupidity. [By the way, if you are called to the middle of nowhere, you might want to check out this gathering of radicals who are called to the same thing at THE STICKS gatherings.]

God has called us to do that all over again, this time in the fastest-growing state in the country…UTAH [not a typo], through MISSION WEST. There are 24+ cities just in the upper 1/3 of Utah found by leaving the main interstate by only 20 minutes in either direction that we have found without ONE CHURCH in them [non-Mormon of course]. And yes, that is UTAH, USA, not Pakistan or some other out of the way place. And in cities as large as 22,000! I dread doing the rest of the research.

So why not? Let’s roll. We did it once [actually several times through multi-sites] through God’s power, let’s rock it again. We have the experience, we have the tools. Let’s roll this thing. Same thing, new location right? Until I held the dying bride in my arms.

You know all of those alarmist books that calls those of us in America to wake-up, to take notice, to understand that the future of the church is and will look much different, and we need to take notice NOW so we can prepare for it? I had read those, but working in the mid-west and the Bible-belt for a time, where cutting-edge music, graphics, programming, lights, cameras, action is still so new, hip, sheik and still working well to draw people to the Savior? Crap, we had half the town in church that last Easter, but something still felt wrong. Because I didn’t really get it until I held the dying bride in my arms.

January, 2010: I held the dying bride in my arms. On a vision/learning trip to London and surrounding areas, it happened. To my friends working in the UK/Europe, I honor your efforts [and many of you are KILLING it in Jesus name, and I salute you!] In just 1 generation, everything has changed in the UK you told me. 1 generation. And for those in the bible-belt, it’s happening here in the USA just as fast. You, like me just haven’t experienced it yet.

I now not only have read about it, spoken about it, theorized about it, but I have held it. And as a church planting coach, consultant, speaker, and planter myself…everything has to change, and it has to change not just to be trendy, not just to be hip, and not just to use “missional living” as the next big “program”.

Everything. You are like, no kidding Charles, how is this innovative? Where have you been? Awfully late to the party aren’t you? This is old stuff.

Oh, no, trust me…I’m not late. I travel the country right now a ton, and people might say they are living this out, but they are still stuck in one of several “forms” of ministry that are leading us to record decrease in the US, not an increase. [And many are still stuck in the good old days of yester-year, but that's a totally different story.]

We are 1 generation from being a very post-Christian nation such as they are in the UK and Europe. Matter of fact, we are easily on our way as I type this. But many of you, like me, have refused to change everything. Not just tinker with a few things here and there. But radically overhaul everything. But that might cost you some givers, some momentum, might even cost you your job. You might not even know where to start. But you, like me, know something is wrong with this picture, no matter how “small or large” your church is.

This week I will be sharing my thoughts on how, why and what we must change immediately now that I have held the dying bride in my arms. I believe we can turn this ship around in the name of Jesus!

You can find me this week over HERE and help carry out the discussion. I would love to learn with and from you. [Thanks Greg, innovation guru, and the best late-night movie date ever, for hosting me as a guest. You are a noble and honorable man of God].

Starting this week I’ll be featuring a variety of guest blog posts from friends across the country. I’ll be focusing on writing my book each day and still encourage you to send me your stories of risk and failing forward. In the meantime, enjoy these posts from some great bloggers.

The other day I was commenting on how I had been listening to Tim Hughes’ song “Everything” over and over. It’s been stuck in my head and my heart ever since visiting North Point about a month ago and hearing them do it. My friend, Kye S. Chung messaged me on Twitter and told me to check out this video by Justin Pae. Check it out.

Everything from justin pae on Vimeo.