Praying For Our City Leaders

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

My phone rang yesterday afternoon. It was one of our city council members in El Segundo, California, where I recently accepted a lead pastor position. His kind words of welcome and thanks for my recent note touched my heart. He also offered to go to lunch or coffee soon and get better acquainted.

He was responding to a note I had sent to him, and all of our elected officials, the week before. The note said, in part, “I wanted to introduce myself and let you know I am looking forward to getting to know you in the coming months and years. One of the things that are very important to me is developing a good working relationship with each of the community leaders, including you.

“Part of what I want to accomplish is to build this great relationship with our congregation and the community. As I begin to work on this, I have asked the members of our church to invest in you and the entire council. To start do this on our part, I have asked the congregation to pray for you, our city leaders and our city. In order to make that happen, we have given them a set of prayer targets (on the inside flap of the enclosed church program). We adapted these prayer targets from the city website and newsletter.

“It is my hope that we can get together soon and have coffee or lunch, my treat! Melodee, my wife, and I have yet to move into the community. Until then, be assured of my support.”

With the note, I also included a copy of that week’s worship program, and drew attention to the flap which had this information in it:

Praying for Our Community … Praying for Our City Leaders

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2, NLT)

This week we ask you to pray for the leaders of the city of El Segundo. Please pray for wisdom as they lead, understanding as they work and compassion as they serve the city. Please pray for the following leaders.” And then we posted the names and positions of all city elected leaders. We let our congregation know that our prayer points are adapted directly from the city’s web page.

One of the tenants of our vision and mission is this: “A community will not care about the church until the church cares for it’s community.”

Could your community use a dose of tangible care from your church? We believe ours could.

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A Special Discount to a GREAT Conference For All Our Pastor Friends!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

A Special Discount to a GREAT Conference for all our pastor friends!

I hope you would consider attending the Moody Pastors Conference this May. Through Eagles In Leadership, I am able to provide a $50 discount for Moody Pastors Conference using discount code: EAGLES. Register now!


Every year God blesses my life with his presence in a powerful way! I know you will want to attend as well!

Moody Bible Institute has a burden and passion for pastors. Each year, the campus is host to one of the premiere conference events for pastors from a variety of denominations and from all over the globe.

Through some of the most gifted communicators of God’s Word, powerful worship, skilled breakout session leaders and fellowship with over 1,000 fellow pastors, this conference is a week that can transform your entire life!

I hope you join me for re|FOCUS Pastors’ Conference 2012, May 21–24.

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Episode 102 – My Donation: What Will I Do to Make a Difference?

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

Today we wrap up a 4 message series on the ABCs of Loving God with the study, My Donations: What will I do to make a difference?

As Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist Church of El Segundo, opens the Bible to Luke 6, he focuses our attention on an issue that is dear to many of us: How can I make a difference in this life?

As he wraps us this series, let’s open our Bibles and discover that it’s not the duration of your life but your donation in life that really matters.

 

As we enter into February, we will turn our attention to the Biblical focus of “loving our neighbor as our self.” Dr. Smith will begin a new series next time entitled “Walking with the Wounded: Having God’s heart for our next-door neighbors!” We know you will want to invite a friend to sign up for the podcast notices at our website, EaglesInLeadership.org, so they can enjoy these Biblical messages of inspiration and growth!

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Why Can’t We See Them?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

As we walked the streets of our community this weekend giving away small bags of Valentine’s candy, my heart almost broke as I thought about all the people near our worship facility.

Who are they? What’s their story? Do they know Christ? What aches and pains do they carry?

“Hi, we’re your neighbor and wanted to give you this bag of Valentine’s candy and say, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day!’” The reactions were positive and several remarked how no one had ever done this before that they could remember.

Just a few candies and a flier for the upcoming month’s small group and worship schedule; No hard sell. We just wanted to let the people around us know that we were their neighbors and that we cared.

“No one has ever done this before,” keeps ringing in my heart and head. How can we live near people and not “see” them, get to know them and connect with them?

 

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39, NKJV)

 

 

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Episode 101: My Consecration: How Can I Be Spiritually Fulfilled?

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

It’s our 101st episode of the Transformed podcast today. We are so glad you have joined us we seek to Encourage Achievement in Godly Leaders by Emphasizing Servanthood.”

Today we examine a powerful encounter between a rich young ruler and Jesus. As the conversation progresses, we discover that possessing eternal life – from Jesus’ point of view – means something far different than is often understood.

Indeed, this young, powerful and deeply religious man walks away from Jesus refusing eternal life as a result of his encounter.

As Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist Church of El Segundo, continues a 4-message series on the ABCs of Loving God, let’s open our Bibles to Mark 10 and listen in as Pastor Matt walks us through Jesus’ answer to the question: How Can I Be Spiritually Fulfilled?

 

We would also ask you to check out the resources on our website and consider one of the year-long devotionals for 2012: either, In His Image, which focuses on the theme, “God Created YOU to Love You!” or, In His Presence, which centers on the truth, “God Welcomes YOU into His Presence with Joy and Pleasure!”

 

 

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Reframing Commitment

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Over the course of the past 2 years I have been thinking about the alarming statistics concerning the American Church. My friend, Len Sweet, says that 75% of the churches in America are dying, 23% of them are plateaued (often taking those from dying churches) and the remaining 2% are growing due to conversion growth. (Personal conversation) Even the simplest of anecdotal evidence shows the vast majority of churches in America are in trouble.

With that in mind, I have been focused on the paradigm we Church leaders use for commitment of Christ and His Church in the USA and find it flawed. In fact, when we talk about “commitment,” we often use softer words like “attendance.” However, in the real word “commitment” has some harsh realities. Take housing as one example …

  • Owners pay for everything – and take the responsibility for everything. In return, all of the benefits belong to them. Their hard work and total investment often pays off over the long term with great rewards.
  • Renters pay for some things – and take the responsibility for only their things.  In contrast, a renter has a short-term commitment (a monthly or annual lease) and gains the benefits of the home / apartment / room for a short period of time, without the long-term appreciation of the property and the financial pay-off it might bring. They also enjoy none of the maintenance and financial responsibility beyond the negotiated rental agreement.
  • Freeloaders pay for nothing – and take no responsibility for anything. All too often someone, often children or friends, take advantage of us through an unforeseen tragedy or the misguided goodness of our hearts. Once in, these parasites consume our resources returning nothing of value. In fact, it is these sponges that often seem to think we exist to clean their clothes, feed their stomachs and put up with their messes – again, without ever lifting a hand to help with their own untidiness.

The applications of such a thought pattern are many … and are reinforced by the King Himself who said,

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, NKJV)

Paul reinforces this line of thought by saying …

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10, NKJV)

Perhaps 2012 is a time to call our people to ownership of the Kingdom of God and to stop renting or worse, freeloading … should membership or leadership be filled with renters or freeloaders?

That’s my thought. I’d love to hear yours. Take a moment and give me your feedback in the comment section.

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Episode 100 – My Benefits: What Do I Do With What God Has Given Me?

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: michaelhoffman.info

 

It’s our 100th podcast today and we are so glad you have chosen to join us!

Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist Church of El Segundo, continues a 4-message series on the ABCs of Loving God.

Today we are looking into the Old Testament to discover how we will utilize all of the blessings God has given us as we seek to love Him, love our neighbors and love one another!

So let’s open our Bibles to 1 Chronicles 29 and listen in as Pastor Matt provides great help in unlocking the door to the closed hearts of those in your sphere of life …

 

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The Façade of Faith

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

As they did renovation on the old building not far from my house recently, I noticed that the frontage of the building was, in reality a façade! While it appeared to be a very large structure, it was, in reality a much smaller building, hiding behind a false front … like many Christians I fear.

 

Have you ever read these verses … I mean, ever REALLY read them?

 

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24, ESV)

 

The façade of faith simply ignores verses like this. I mean, does Jesus really expect us to do this? I have become convinced that he does.

 

My friend Dave Ferguson has challenged us this year to lead ourselves every day. As I have taken time to review my life each morning, using the REMS tool he wrote about at the beginning of the month, I have come to realize that I simply need to do an accounting of my relationships each day.

 

Is there anyone who “has something against you?” is one of the questions I ask myself often. As I ask and answer this question honestly, and take the steps to reconcile relationships, I painfully rip off the façade of faith. What a liberating feeling it is to live in genuine faith!

 

So, let me ask you: Is there anyone who “has something against you” right now? How are you going to take care of it? How will you “be reconciled to your brother” before you go back to worship next weekend?

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Episode 099 – My Attitude: How Do I Respond to God?

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

As 2012 runs ahead full speed, Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist Church of El Segundo, begins a 4-message series on the ABCs of Loving God.

As we open Luke 10, we will look at our attitude and ask, “How do I respond to God?”

Let’s listen now as Pastor Matt prepares the congregation in El Segundo for whatever 2012 will bring …

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Serve Us or Service?

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

As the Christmas season came to a close, I can remember how the focus for many was on themselves. They were interested in what THEY were going to get, what parties THEY were going to and what things THEY were going to be doing.

In contrast to this was Christmas morning as we bundled out of the car to head for the restaurant for breakfast … a Christmas tradition in our family. As we stepped onto the sidewalk a homeless man with a shopping cart and a little dog asked if we could spare any change. Since I don’t carry any, I politely told him I had nothing on me.

Sitting at the booth, my wife Melodee ordered him a “to go” breakfast, and when it arrived, she immediately took it to him. The jumbo coffee and hot breakfast were gratefully received. When she came back to the table I sat there in awe of my wife who was more interested in being of service to this one man in a difficult situation than she was about how well we were served our traditional Christmas breakfast – her breakfast was cold.

This year, we can all remember that there are two motivations in life – one selfish, the other selfless. Do we see the needs all around us? Do we love our neighbor as we love ourselves? As we ate our breakfast Christmas morning, I was sure that one person did, and she was sitting right across from me.

And that brought a question to my mind as I sat there: Will I be more interested in my service of others or how others serve me in 2012? What about you?

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