FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

As you may have known, at The LifeHouse, we're in search mode for a worship/ associate pastor. This is not only my first time maneuvering these waters, but I've also taken this opportunity to re-evaluate my own ministry journey. Here are some of my thoughts recently as I've diligently sought out the right person for this responsibility of partnering with us to pastor and lead at The LifeHouse:

• I don't like most of the models I've seen of other churches hiring/ firing staff (esp. pastors).
• This should be, but usually isn't, a spiritual process.
• We should ACTUALLY pray about it. I've begun to wonder how much other pastors and churches actually pray about who they should/ shouldn't invite to join the pastoral staff.
• CHEMISTRY is as important as COMPETENCE. It's not enough to have a qualified or capable person, we actually need someone who fits with US. Since we're not like all the other churches, just like not all families are alike, we need a unique person to come and join our team.
• There aren't a lot of people who cover the 3 C's: Character, Competence, and Chemistry.
• There's even a smaller group that we'll actually like. Bill Hybel's said it something like this, "we want someone who adds to the energy of the relationships and the church, rather than detracts."
  
• I have to grow a lot. Man, I feel like God challenges me to grow everyday, but this is a steep learning curve. I like it, but it's still tough. I'm being challenged in areas like: leadership style, corporate/ executive responsibilities, I don't like being the bad guy (but I can't hire all 55 people who gave me a resume), being transparent and being willing to ask the hard questions, how do you actually figure out and draw up a salary package, how do we serve both the best interest of the church and the person we're bringing on.
• Here's a tough one: I must develop leaders to compliment my leadership rather than match it. Basically, we hire our weaknesses. Since I have lots, it's easy. But I was looking for a Patrick who can sing (and I know that's a stretch), and I learned that I must bring someone in who's different than me. And then set them up to win.

RUNNING IS A LOT LIKE PRAYING

My mission most mornings is to make out the door without waking up the girls and heading to the Y for a run. I do 3 miles, and make every effort to go just a little faster. But here's a confession: I don't enjoy it or get any "runner's high" from it. I just do it, even when it hurts (which is pretty often), and keep doing it, because I know I need to. It's what's best for my body, not my comfort.

Often, I think Jesus-followers have the misconception that if prayer isn't easy or "warm-and-fuzzy" then something is wrong. But that's not reality. Prayer requires a consistent, disciplined, sometimes arduous approach. We realize that the best thing we can do is talk with our Creator, and invite God into the daily affairs of our life.

So, no matter what, even when your bed beckons you to stay or your body would rather nap or your stomach would rather eat- PRAY. Pray because it's necessary for spiritual survival. Besides, God likes it when we pray and miracles happen.

EASTER POSTCARD

So, here's the front and back of our latest postcard for Easter (April 8th) and Friend Day (April 22nd). Hope you like it and pass out a ton of them.

This one is designed to be mailed and passed out. So, if you want to mail it, you can throw a stamp on it or put an address on it and give it to us to mail. Or just give them out to everyone you know. We've got plenty, and the more you give away, the more people will come out to experience The LifeHouse and the transforming message and presence of Jesus. So, GET INVITING!

And if you haven't heard, I'm kicking off a new sermon series called "Religion Bytes" on Easter! The first message titled, "Jesus Died to Kill Religion." Click on the postcard to read the rest of the messages coming soon!

WEEKEND IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR

I love looking back on the weekend and the Sunday gathering, because it gives me good perspective of where we're going. If we never evaluate how we've done, how will we know how to improve and move in the right direction?

This is a fun season we're in! It's spring and hovering around 60-70 outside. We're chucking our coats and gloves for t-shirts and sandals. Wow! That was quick! The LifeHouse seems to be in a similar climate change- adjusting from winter determination to the exuberance of spring fun and laughter. Fresh faces, smiles, and new guests every week are making what we do feel very rewarding and eternally valuable. By the way, if you're wondering whether your impact at The LifeHouse is amounting to any eternal population change- since 01/01/2007 we've had over 50 people commit their lives to following Jesus, 4 just this week alone. Now, that's moving in the right direction. Our goal for 2007 is 200 new Jesus-followers. Keep up the great work.

Overview of Sunday's Message:
I did a second part on "Sandals: the audacity of grace" called "Sole-power." We look at the strength of learning to walk in the shoes of others, as Jesus modeled. There's a popular Native American saying, "Let me not criticize another until I have walked a mile in his moccasins." So, when you read about the life of Jesus, esp in John 4 and John 9, we learn how to do just that- learn to LOVE rather than label.

We are so quick and good at labeling people, but Jesus called us to love others instead. How? Easy to say, hard to live.

Be Slow to Judge (read Matthew 7:1-2, I like it in the Message version)
Be Quick to Love

If we're busy labeling, aren't we next in line to be labeled? But if we're quick to listen and love, then we can impact our world with the hope of Jesus.

Here’s a poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.

They came first for the Communists,and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the sick, the so-called incurables, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't mentally ill.
Then they came for the Jews,and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.

Jesus called His followers to LOVE. To touch the needs of those who hurt. Rather than scorn the sinner, to invite him to a new way of life.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2, NIV.

Like McArthur returning to the battle in WWII, "I'm Back!" Back to blogging that is... 'Cause I never went anywhere else.

Was just thinking how essential it is that we nourish our souls. They're like a tree (according to Psalm 1) that constantly needs water, sunlight (or the Son), and the nutrients of the soil. So, we must regularly find time to pull away from our busy lives, stop making excuses, and pray, study the Bible, focus our attention on worshiping our Creator, and spending time with other Jesus-followers who will challenges us and love us. We need these things like we need food and water.

Besides, if you're having one of those days, the best thing is to take a "Selah" moment. That's David, the Psalmists, version of taking a break, a pause to ponder.

I notice there are moments in my day when I need to just stop and pray or meditate or throw on a worship song to get back into the right frame of mind. Or did you think that I just live continually in some deep spiritual enlightenment simply by being a pastor. Right!

Oh, and I'm writing this because I just had one of those moments. Need a "selah" and had to sneak out a pray.

On another note, looking forward to this weekend. Should be fun bringing an end to "Rules of Engagement". And I'm going to try something a little different this weekend. So, come prepared to be changed by God, and hopefully we can have some fun too.