Thursday, February 28, 2013

Rumba Young Man Rumba

Albert Pike is quoted as saying, "He who endeavors to serve, to benefit, and improve the world, is like a swimmer, who struggles against a rapid current, in a river lashed into angry waves by the winds. Often they roar over his head, often they beat him back and baffle him." The Apostle Paul puts its this way, "We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed." (2 Corinthians 4:8-12 The Voice)

Leadership is a fight. Those of us that find ourselves thrust into leadership are often struggling against a rapid current. We are cracked and chipped by a myriad of afflictions. Leadership is no walk in the park. It is often more like a cat on a hot tin roof. Nevertheless, we are called to make a difference in this world. In the words of that old African American song, we "have a charge to keep and a God to glorify."

So how do we accomplish this? Never loose sight of the significance of your role in divine change. There is value in the role you play in God's divine plan. He knows the plans He has for you. You are here to impact time for eternity. Please remember, there is always a "Rising From The Dust" for all of us. Therefore, "Rumba Young Man (woman) Rumba."


Anthony

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Leading While Bleeding: Rising From The Dust





Anthony

7 Habits Of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs

In Casey Graham, I have the privilege of working for one of the great entrepreneurs in the Christian community. His desire to serve pastors and church leaders by simplifying their lives is why he founded The Rocket Company.

This organization helps churches increase weekly giving and pastors preach better sermons. To read why I now work for this organization, please click here. It is a privilege to join Casey and his team in their efforts.

Leaders can learn much from great entrepreneurs like Casey. In the March edition of Inc magazine, seven of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs share their most important lessons learned when just starting out.

As I read the article, I gleaned seven habits of these highly successful entrepreneurs:

Flexibility – Cosmetics mogul Bobbi Brown says, “When you come from another country by yourself, you’re naturally entrepreneurial. You’re used to figuring it out as you go.”
Willing Partnerships – Smart leaders work with those who want to work with them. Daymond John, CEO of FUBU says, “It’s always better to do business with people who respect you. When you go around begging for favors, it doesn’t get you far.”

Admit Mistakes – Getting started can be messy. Robin Chase, Founder of Zipcar, faced a crisis with pricing early in the company’s history. She says, “As an entrepreneur, you are constantly in sales mode – you are selling to customers, investors, the people who work for you. But you have to be honest when things aren’t going right, and you have to fix them as quickly as you can. These were key issues for us that we had to solve or die.”

Determination - The legendary Richard Branson says, “If you have a good idea, 99% of people will tell you why it’s no good or how it’s been done before or why else you’re going to fall flat on your face…If you fail, pick yourself up and try another one. If you have enough determination, you will succeed more likely than not because of all you learned those times you didn’t.”

Self-Evaluation – Music executive Clive Davis says, “I realized there comes a time when you have to evaluate what you, personally, simply cannot do. It’s not delegating. It’s realizing you really need someone else to strengthen your organization and help you foresee trends you might overlook.”

Exercise Wisdom – Sandy Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems, has had some negative experiences with investors. She wisely warns, “I don’t believe all VC’s are adversarial, but the first thing I tell everyone is: Get your own lawyer. Don’t buy lines like, ‘You guys are busy: we’ll just have someone draw up some papers, and it will be very pro forma.’ Yeah, right.”

Focus – Tony Hawk, skateboarding legend and CEO of Tony Hawk Inc, says, “It’s easy to lose focus. Don’t…I could finally do what was best for skaters again…These days it’s easier for me to turn down opportunities that don’t fit the brand. I have the confidence to say no.”
Flexibility, Willing Partnerships, Admit Mistakes, Determination, Self-Evaluate, Exercise Wisdom, and Focus. If you practice these seven habits, you too may be a successful entrepreneur.

What is one thing on this list that you can do today to improve your leadership?

http://briandoddonleadership.com/2013/02/27/7-habits-of-highly-successful-entrepreneurs/

Location:http://briandoddonleadership.com/2013/02/27/7-habits-of-highly-successful-entrepreneurs/

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Who Needs Strategy

Roger Martin, dean of Rotman School of Management, says, “The heart of strategy is defining where you’re going to play and how you’re going to win...”

This is a principle too often missed by those of use in leadership, particular those of use in Christian leadership. We take Paul's words "...become all things to all men," to mean do all things, and his comforting words "all things work together for the good," to mean throw caution into the wind.

Now, you may quickly reject my assessment, and may even be offended by it. However, how do you select what you will take part in? Is it because every body else is doing it? Popularity? And once you have chosen--even if it is divinely instructed or peer inspired, what's your plan to win! God told me to do it, is great theology, but when God calls a man, he has plan for the man and that is call strategy.

Strategy has almost become a four-letter word in church leadership. Those that apply it, are told they are trying to bring business principles into the church..."Just let the Holy Spirit lead," we are told. However, to read the bible and not see God as a Master Strategist, is to read Shakespeare without noticing the "thee", "thou" and "tis" of the text.

Time is not recyclable, and for a believer to live and lead Without a strategy, is to live and lead by a strategy, however it's called chance.

Let's make good use of our time, have a strategy and play to win.




Anthony

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Shelf-Life

I just listen to Daniel Day Lewis being interviewed on 60 minutes. He talked about how difficult it was for him to come out of the character Abraham Lincoln and how he missed that character.

It is both convicting and challenging to think; as leaders we can lead, and inspired people in such a way, that if God would allow anyone to portray us in the future, long after He has taken us home, they too would miss us.

It is a sad reality, that not much of that which passes for leadership today has a shelf-life. It's more about the moment then the next millennium. As believers and leaders we are to impact time for eternity. Visionary leadership helps us to embrace today with the prospective of tomorrow.

God forgive me for the days passed and the days to come, when I have and shall take my leadership so casually. For, I want to be missed.



Anthony

Thursday, February 7, 2013

10 Warning Signs You Might be Glorifying Yourself

by Paul Tripp

It is important to recognize the harvest of self-glory in you and in your ministry. May God use this list to give you diagnostic wisdom. May he use it to expose your heart and to redirect your ministry.

Self-glory will cause you to:

1. Parade in public what should be kept in private.

The Pharisees live for us as a primary example. Because they saw their lives as glorious, they were quick to parade that glory before watching eyes.

The more you think you've arrived and the less you see yourself as daily needing rescuing grace, the more you will tend to be self-referencing and self-congratulating. Because you are attentive to self-glory, you will work to get greater glory even when you aren't aware that you're doing it. You will tend to tell personal stories that make you the hero.

You will find ways, in public settings, of talking about private acts of faith. Because you think you're worthy of acclaim, you will seek the acclaim of others by finding ways to present yourself as "godly."

I know most pastors reading this column will think they would never do this. But I am convinced there is a whole lot more "righteousness parading" in pastoral ministry than we would tend to think.

It is one of the reasons I find pastors' conferences, presbytery meetings, general assemblies, ministeriums and church-planting gatherings uncomfortable at times. Around the table after a session, these gatherings can degenerate into a pastoral ministry "spitting contest" where we are tempted to be less than honest about what's really going on in our hearts and ministries.

After celebrating the glory of the grace of the Gospel, there is way too much self-congratulatory glory-taking by people who seem to need more acclaim than they deserve.

2. Be way too self-referencing.

We all know it, we've all seen it, we've all been uncomfortable with it and we've all done it.

Proud people tend to talk about themselves a lot. Proud people tend to like their opinions more than the opinions of others. Proud people think their stories are more interesting and engaging than others.

Proud people think they know and understand more than others. Proud people think they've earned the right to be heard. Proud people, because they are basically proud of what they know and what they've done, talk a lot about both. Proud people don't reference weakness. Proud people don't talk about failure. Proud people don't confess sin.

So proud people are better at putting the spotlight on themselves than they are at shining the light of their stories and opinions on God's glorious and utterly undeserved grace.

3. Talk when you should be quiet.

When you think you've arrived, you are quite proud of and confident in your opinions. You trust your opinions, so you are not as interested in the opinions of others as you should be.

You will tend to want your thoughts, perspectives and viewpoints to win the day in any given meeting or conversation. This means you will be way more comfortable than you should be with dominating a gathering with your talk. You will fail to see that in a multitude of counsel there is wisdom. You will fail to see the essential ministry of the body of Christ in your life.

You will fail to recognize your bias and spiritual blindness. So you won't come to meetings formal or informal with a personal sense of need for what others have to offer, and you will control the talk more than you should.

4. Be quiet when you should speak.

Self-glory can go the other way as well. Leaders who are too self-confident, who unwittingly attribute to themselves what could only have been accomplished by grace, often see meetings as a waste of time.

Because they are proud, they are too independent, so meetings tend to be viewed as an irritating and unhelpful interruption of an already overburdened ministry schedule. Because of this they will either blow meetings off or tolerate the gathering, attempting to bring it to a close as quickly as possible.

So they don't throw their ideas out for consideration and evaluation because, frankly, they don't think they need it. And when their ideas are on the table and being debated, they don't jump into the fray, because they think what they have opined or proposed simply doesn't need to be defended.

Self-glory will cause you to speak too much when you should listen and to feel no need to speak when you surely should.

5. Care too much about what people think about you.

When you have fallen into thinking you're something, you want people to recognize the something. Again, you see this in the Pharisees: Personal assessments of self-glory always lead to glory-seeking behavior.

People who think they have arrived can become all too aware of how others respond to them. Because you're hyper-vigilant, watching the way the people in your ministry respond, you probably don't even realize how you do things for self-acclaim.

Sadly, we often minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of our own glory, not for the glory of Christ or the redemption of the people under our care. I have done this. I have thought during the preparation for a sermon that a certain point, put a certain way, would win a detractor, and I have watched for certain people's reactions as I have preached.

In these moments, in the preaching and preparation of a sermon, I had forsaken my calling as the ambassador of the eternal glory of another for the purpose of my acquiring the temporary praise of men.

6. Care too little about what people think about you.

If you think you've arrived, you are so self-assured you simply don't think others should evaluate your thoughts, ideas, actions, words, plans, goals, attitudes or initiatives.

You really don't think you need help. You do alone what should be done in a group. And if you work with a group, you will tend to surround yourself with people who are all too impressed with you, all too excited to be included by you and who will find it hard to say anything but "yes" to you.

You have forgotten who you are and what your Savior says you daily need. You live in a place of both personal and also ministry danger.

7. Resist facing and admitting your sins, weaknesses and failures.

Why do any of us get upset or tense when we are being confronted? Why do any of us activate our inner lawyer and rise to our defense? Why do any of us turn the tables and remind the other person we are not the only sinner in the room? Why do we argue about the facts or dispute the other person's interpretation?

We do all of these things because we are convinced we are more righteous than the other person. Proud people don't welcome loving warning, rebuke, confrontation, criticism or accountability. And when they fail, they are very good at erecting plausible reasons for what they said or did given the stresses of the situation or relationship.

Are you quick to admit weakness? Are you ready to own your failures before God and others? Are you ready to face your weaknesses with humility?

Remember, if the eyes or ears of a ministry partner ever see or hear your sin, weakness or failure, it is never a hassle, never a ministry interruption, and it should never be viewed as an affront. It is always grace. God loves you, he has put you in this community of faith and he will reveal your spiritual needs to those around you so they may be his tools of conviction, rescue and transformation.

8. Struggle with the blessings of others.

Self-glory is always at the base of envy. You envy others' blessings because you see them as less deserving than you. And because you see yourself as more deserving, it is hard for you not to be mad they get what you deserve, and it is nearly impossible for you not to crave and covet what they wrongfully enjoy.

In your envious self-glory, you are actually charging God with being unjust and unfair. In ways you may not be aware, you begin to be comfortable with doubting God's wisdom, justice and goodness. You don't think he has been kind to you in the way you deserve. This begins to rob you of motivation to do what is right, because it doesn't seem to make any difference.

It is important to recognize there is a short step between envy and bitterness. That's why envious Asaph cries in Psalm 73:13, "All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence." He's saying, "I've obeyed, and this is what I get?" Then he writes, "When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast before you." What a word picture—a bitter beast!

I have met many bitter pastors; men convinced they have endured hardships they really didn't deserve. I have met many bitter pastors, envious of others' ministries, who have lost their motivation and joy. I have met many pastors who have come to doubt the goodness of God. And you don't tend to run for help, in your time of need, to someone you have come to doubt.

9. Be more position-oriented than submission-oriented.

Self-glory will always make you more oriented to place, power and position than in submission to the will of the King. You see this in the lives of the disciples. Jesus hadn't called them to himself to make their little kingdom purposes come true, but to welcome them as recipients and instruments of a better kingdom. Yet in their pride, they missed the whole point. They were all too oriented to the question of who would be greatest in the kingdom.

You can never fulfill your ambassadorial calling and want the power and position of a king. Position orientation will cause you to be political when you should be pastoral. It will cause you to require service when you should be willing to serve. It will cause you to demand of others what you wouldn't be willing to do yourself. It will cause you to ask for privilege when you should be willing to give up your rights.

It will cause you to think too much about how things will affect you, rather than thinking of how things will reflect on Christ. It will cause you to want to set the agenda, rather than finding joy in submitting to the agenda of Another. Self-glory turns those who have been chosen and called to be ambassadors into self-appointed kings.

10. Control ministry rather than delegate ministry.

When you are full of yourself, when you are too self-assured, you will tend to think you're the most capable person in the circle of your ministry. You will find it hard to recognize and esteem the God-given gifts of others, and because you do, you will find it hard to make ministry a community process. Thinking of yourself more highly than you ought always leads to looking down on others.

Personal humility and neediness will cause you to seek out and esteem the gifts and contributions of others.

Pastors who think they have arrived tend to see delegation as a waste of time. In their hearts they think, Why should I give to another what I could do better myself? Pastoral pride will crush shared ministry and the essential ministry of the body of Christ.

Personal Grief and Remorse

It is important for me to say I have written these cautions with personal grief and remorse. In shocking self-glory I have fallen, at some time in my ministry, into all of these traps. I have dominated when I should have listened. I have controlled what I should have given to others. I have been defensive when I desperately needed rebuke. I have resisted help when I should have been crying out for it. I have been too full of my own opinions and too dismissive of the perspective of others.

I am saddened as I reflect on my many years of ministry, but I am not depressed.

Because in all my weakness, the God of amazing grace has rescued and restored me again and again. He has progressively delivered me from me (a work that is ongoing). And in being torn between the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God, he has miraculously used me in the lives of many others. In love, he has worked to dent and deface my glory so his glory would be my delight.

He has plundered my kingdom so his kingdom would be my joy. And he has crushed my crown under his feet so I would quest to be an ambassador and not crave to be a king.

In this violent mercy there is hope for everyone. Your Lord is not just after the success of your ministry; he is working to dethrone you as well. Only when his throne is more important than yours will you find joy in the hard and humbling task of Gospel ministry. And his grace will not relent until our hearts have been fully captured by his glory. That's good news!

Don't Miss:


www.apministries.me

Resume of Jesus for Application to serve at the United Church of Personal Truth

by Matt Slick


Bob: So, pastor Ellen, I've got one more resume for us to go over. I've saved the best for last. It's from a guy named Mr. Word.
Ellen: Interesting name.
Bob: Yeah, it is. Anyway, you won't believe this guy's resume. It's really short and hilarious.
Ellen: How so?
Bob: Well, he doesn't put down his age. Apparently he doesn't have any formal theological training. In fact, he doesn't even list an address and there's no phone number.
Ellen: You're joking.
Bob: Not at all. And check this out. Under "Experience" it says, "Discipled 12 men for 3 years as we walked around the country, depending on God for our food, clothing, and shelter. We preached about the Judgment to come and the need for repentance from sin."
Ellen: Walked around the country?
Bob: Yeah, I guess he doesn't have a car! LOL
Ellen: LOL
Bob: It gets better. Under "Special Skills" it lists creating, forgiving, teaching, admonishing, discipling, and healing.
Ellen: You've got to be kidding. This guy is arrogant.
Bob: You haven't heard the half of it. As always, we did a background check on all applicants and you won't believe what we found. The guy has had numerous complaints against him for such things as disturbing the peace and violence.
Ellen: Wait! He's violent?
Bob: Oh yeah! He trashed one religious institution when he went in there and turned over some tables. Then he attacked everyone by swinging something, a whip I think, and chased them away while he was yelling at them. There were huge complaints about him most everywhere he went. Oh, I almost forgot. His so-called disciples were doing the same thing. They're just like him, causing problems wherever they go! Apparently, they are against a lot of preachers. It's a real problem.
Ellen: And this guy wants to work here? Like that's going to happen.
Bob: But wait, there's more!
Ellen: LOL
Bob: Okay, so we contacted some places where he's been and they said he's friends with some pretty bad people and that has a foul mouth.
Ellen: Really?
Bob: Yeah. There are a bunch of reports of him hanging around drunkards, prostitutes, drug adicts, and gluttons. And get this, apparently he calls people names like hypocrite, being full of dead bones, vipers, that they are of the devil, and stuff like that. This guy is a complete lunatic.
Ellen: LOL... and he wants to serve in this church? Wow... this is great stuff. Maybe I can use his resume as an illustration of how not to behave as a Christian in my sermon this week.
Bob: Great idea! But I have to warn you. Here at the bottom of the resume he wrote that he wants to visit our church this Sunday. Here, let me read this, "I will be at your next Sunday service. I am coming quickly as I visit seven churches."
Ellen: Seven churches? What? Is this guy desparate for a job?
Bob: Apparently.
Ellen: Well, have a couple of the elders stand guard by the front door next to the self-help book tables so that if we spot him we can kick him out. We definitely don't want anyone like that getting in here and messing up our congregation with this kind of wacko teaching.
Bob: You got that right. What a joke this guy is.
Ellen: That was great for a laugh though.
Bob: By the way, what is your sermon on this Sunday?
Ellen: It's on how to love everyone and how love is the most important thing and how we need to be tolerant of others.
Bob: Great, I'm looking forward to it.


-------------------------------

Resume Attached

Name: Mr. Word
Contact Info: I'll contact you.
Objective: To teach the gospel and the word of God the Father to his congregation so that God's people might become disciple makers.
Education: None
Travel: Never left the country
Work and Related Experience: Discipled 12 men over a three-year period.
Special skills: Creating, forgiving, teaching, admonishing, discipling, and healing
Hobbies: Feeding thousands of people, walking on water, calming storms, etc.
References: God. Introduction upon request.
Note: "I will be at your next Sunday service. I am coming quickly as I visit seven churches."


www.apministries.me

Pastor, We Need to Talk - The Top 10 Things Your Church Will Tell You

by Thom Rainer

Pastors are like information sponges. If they aren’t studying, they are receiving a regular deluge of information from church members.

I asked 22 pastors to share with me the most common items they hear from their church members. In the past, this information came in the form of letters, in-person conversations and telephone calls. The digital age has made emails, texts and social media more common.

Eleven of the pastors were above the age of 40, so an equal number were under 40 years old.

Here are their top 10 responses in order of frequency. Each response is followed by a quote from a representative pastor in the interview.

1. Requests for hospital visits and other visits to those who are ill.

“If I said ‘yes’ to every one of these requests I got, it would be a 60-hour-a-week job. I have to disappoint and even anger some folks, because I can’t get to everyone.”

2. Requests to attend events and meetings at the church.

“I really wish I could be omnipresent. It seems like I’m supposed to be at every wedding, every church meeting and every Sunday school class function. I do my best, but I sometimes disappoint some folks.”

3. Criticisms.

“The criticisms that bother me the most are those that begin with ‘I love you pastor but ...’ The words that follow are usually anything but loving.”

4. Updates on someone’s health.

“I have to say I appreciate those in my church that keep me updated about how someone is doing. Now, some of them go overboard with the details, but it does help me set priorities to visit and call.”

5. Books a pastor should read.

“I have learned that when a church member recommends a book to me, it’s usually a book about something he thinks I should be teaching or preaching.”

6. Encouragement.

“Thank God for the Barnabases in my church. It seems like God uses them at key and critical times when they communicate with me. I hope I never take them for granted.”

7. Ideas on how to do things better in the church.

“Some of these messages are from well-intending members. Others are from members who thinly disguise their criticism as a suggestion.”

8. Sermon suggestions.

“I have a few members in my church who would be happy if all of my sermons were from the Book of Revelation. I’m glad this Mayan thing passed. I was getting inundated with those requests.”

9. Theological and biblical questions.

“I love it when people have genuine questions about what the Bible teaches. That indicates God is giving them a real hunger for His Word.”

10. Jokes/forwarded spam.

“There are a few members in the church who feel like they have to forward me every joke or political issue they get in their email. Usually I’m one of 30 or 40 recipients, so I don’t feel obligated to respond.”

Interestingly, if we had just taken the responses from the under-40 group of pastors, “theological and biblical questions” would have ranked fourth instead of ninth. The younger pastors seem to be encouraging and receiving biblical conversations.

If you are a pastor or staff member, what would you add to this list? If you are a layperson, do any of these items of communication to pastors surprise you?



www.apministries.me

Sunday, February 3, 2013

This is from Brain Dodd Leadership Post

18 Practices Of Highly Effective Churches Who Partner With Their Local Schools

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)

One of the keys to growing a prevailing church is the ability to effectively serve and partner with your local school system. Led by Senior Pastor Derwin Gray, few churches do this as effectively as Transformation Church in Indian Land, SC just outside of Charlotte.

If you are a regular reader of this site then you know that Transformation is one of my favorite churches. I also think Pastor Derwin is America’s leading voice on multi-cultural, multi-generational ministry. When you watch the short video above, you will understand why I feel this way.

You will also notice the following 18 Practices Of Highly Effective Churches Who Partner With Their Local Schools which I personally learned from the video:

Highly Effective Churches Make Serving Local Schools A Priority - Pastor Derwin and his team went to the schools. They did not wait for the schools to come to them.

Highly Effective Churches View Serving Schools As Part Of Their Mission – As Executive Pastor Paul Allen pointed out, the leadership felt that as a multi-cultural church, they were strategically placed near a school represented by 32 different countries.

Highly Effective Churches Value Personal Relationships With School Leadership - Transformation took the time to develop relationships with and publicly recognize the contributions of Principal David McDonald of Indian Land Middle School and Assistant Principal Steven Puckett of Indian Land Elementary School.

Highly Effective Churches Celebrate The Achievements Of Their Local Schools – Pastor Paul was quick to note that Principle McDonald was recently named South Carolina’s Middle School Principal Of The Year and gave the church an opportunity to honor him as well.

Highly Effective Churches Know The Needs Of Their Local Schools - Pastor Paul made the congregation aware of the school’s need for a Kindle Lab.
Highly Effective Churches Support Local School Programs - Transformation is making a long-term commitment to the I Lead Program, a 3-year male leadership initiative.

Highly Effective Churches Are Deeply Invested In Their Local Schools – To effectively serve local schools, you must be involved in multiple initiatives, not just one-time events. Transformation has served in School Staff Appreciation, Lunch Buddies, and tutoring programs among others.
Highly Effective Churches Believe In Their Local Schools - Pastor Paul said, “We believe in what God is doing in our Indian Land School System.” Pastor Derwin later added in his first words, “We believe in your guys.”

Highly Effective Churches Are Extravagantly Generous To Their Local Schools - Because of the generosity of those who attend Transformation, each school was presented checks for $10,000. WOW!!!!! In addition, I was impressed with the genuine embraces and prolonged applause that followed.

Highly Effective Churches Are Genuinely Excited About Their Local Schools – “We are excited about what God is doing in our school system” are not just words. Transformation demonstrates this by their actions.

Highly Effective Churches Publicly Pray For The Individual Schools In Their Area and Its Leaders
The Success Of Highly Effective Churches Is Directly Tied To The Success Of Their Local Schools - Much like the words of Jeremiah 29:7 written above, Pastor Derwin clearly communicates that “If our community doesn’t get better because Transformation Church exists, then we have failed.”

Highly Effective Churches Think Long-Term - The leadership of Transformation Church desires to have a long-term relationship with their local schools. As Pastor Derwin acknowledged, “We look forward to the continued relationship.”

Highly Effective Churches Are Thankful For Their Local Schools - Pastor Derwin prayed, “We thank You (Jesus) for these men, the teachers, and the students they represent.”

Highly Effective Churches Believe Local Schools Are A Blessing - Many church leaders and Christian parents mistakenly do not value the public school system. As Pastor Derwin prayed, “We ask You to bless them to continue to be a blessing.”

Highly Effective Churches Believe In The Next Generation - Pastor Derwin has a great vision for the next generation. ”We believe the students, boys and girls, will one day grow up to be men and women that change this world.”

Highly Effective Churches Count It As A Privilege To Partner With Local Schools – “We thank you for the honor and privilege to be able to partner and be in relationship with the Indian Land schools.”

Most Of All, Highly Effective Churches Who Partner With Their Local Schools Are Excited About Jesus - I love how Pastor Derwin closed, “Jesus, You continue to take our breath away.” Pastors and church leaders, when is the last time Jesus took your breath away?

You can now see why Transformation Church is one of my favorite churches. Pastors and church leaders, after watching this video, what is one thing you can do TODAY to better serve your local school system?

Subscribe here so future posts can be sent directly to your Inbox. As a gift for doing so, I will also send you a FREE copy of my brand new eBook 455 Leadership Quotes: Lessons From 2012′s Top Christian Conference Speakers. Pastor Derwin is prominently featured in this document.


Anthony

Saturday, February 2, 2013

The Unit: What We Are Together




Romans 1:12
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Romans 6:5
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:22
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 15:30
Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.


1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.


1 Corinthians 5:4
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Corinthians 12:24
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

1 Corinthians 14:23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
2 Corinthians 1:11
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.


2 Corinthians 6:1
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?


Ephesians 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Ephesians 2:5
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 2:6
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:


Ephesians 2:21
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Ephesians 2:22
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Philippians 1:27
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;


Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;


Colossians 2:19
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Colossians 2:18-20 (in Context) Colossians 2 (Whole Chapter)

1 Thessalonians 4:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.


1 Thessalonians 5:10
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.


2 Thessalonians 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,


Anthony