Transformed Interviews Larry Osborne about "Sticky Teams"

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

In today’s episode of the Transformed podcast, we explore the treacherous world of pastoral leadership.

Matt’s guest today is Larry Osborne, lead pastor at North Coast Church in northern San Diego County. 

As they discuss Larry’s new book, Sticky Teams, Larry will expose the hidden roadblocks, structures, and goofy thinking that sabotage even the best-intentioned teams.

Then, as the interview progresses, he explains to us what it takes to get (and keep) a board, staff, and congregation on the same page, sticking together as a unified, healthy, and dynamic team.

We know you are going to greatly appreciate today’s interview.

Matt wants to make sure you pick up a copy of Sticky Teams for everyone on your leadership board and start working through this great resource. You can do that here.

How good is it? As Pastor Geoff Surratt says: “This is the stuff we thought they’d teach us in seminary.”

About Larry Osborne

Larry Osborne has served as a Senior Pastor and Teaching Pastor at North Coast Church since 1980. He has helped oversee the growth of the church from a fledgling group of 128 meeting in a rented school, to a multi-site ministry that reaches nearly 7,000 in weekend attendance.

Larry is also an author and a nationally recognized trainer of pastors. His books include STICKY CHURCH: Slamming the Back Door Shut, 10 DUMB THINGS SMART CHRISTIANS BELIEVE, SPIRITUALITY FOR THE REST OF US and THE UNITY FACTOR: Developing A Healthy Leadership Team. He travels extensively speaking at conferences and mentoring pastors and church planters across the country. His latest book, STICKY TEAMS, was released by Zondervan in April 2010.

In addition to his work as a pastor and writer, Larry also serves as an adjunct professor in the doctoral program at Trinity Evangelical Seminary and as president of the North Coast Training Network – an arm of North Coast Church dedicated to helping pastors across the country maximize their ministry.

North Coast Church has been recognized as one of the ten most influential churches in America as well as one of the most innovative. Pioneers in the use of Video Worship Venues, North Coast launched the first ever Video Venue in 1998, starting what is now known in ministry circles as the “Multi-Site Movement.” Each weekend, North Coast offers over 20 different worship options on multiple campuses – each targeted at a specific demographic or geographic audience.

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The Fall of the Kingdom of Israel in Splinters (1 Kings 12-22)

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: dorasdaddyspeak.blogspot.com

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

The Fall of the Kingdom of Israel in Splinters (1 Kings 12-22)

Fathering is not a well-achieved role in the lives of these leaders in the Old Testament. As we see the failure of another key leader to train his son, the effects this time have disastrous and long-term consequences for the people of the nation of Israel.

  • In the first steps of leadership by Solomon’s son Rehoboam, he seeks to impress his friends instead of influencing a nation, resulting in a civil war that ends in the total and complete destruction of Israel! (1 Kings 12)
  • In the first days of the rebellion of Israel from Solomon’s son, God makes the same promise to the rebel leader Jeroboam that He had made to David! (1 Kings 11.38)
  • In the first days of the rebellion of Israel, Jeroboam makes idolatry the core of his leadership base, thus rejecting God and dooming his nation forever! (1 Kings 12-14)
  • In the continuing days of the rebellion of Israel from Judah, the kings of Israel continue in the wicked ways of Jeroboam, further distancing themselves from God and any hope of future return to His blessing. (1 Kings 15-22)

The lesson from this section of God’s Word is simple: The failure of a leader at home is the future failure of a people! What can you do to make your parenting / leadership better this week?

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook. 

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

Check Out Dr. Smith’s latest blog on ChurchCentral.com!

Almost Isn’t Good Enough is call to live out the compassion of Jesus’ heart in a world of suffering and hopelessness. A man who decided one day to make a difference globally writes about what he has learned, hoping to challenge you to make a difference in your world in your generation. Read more here …

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Weeding the Garden of Our Soul

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general. Today we want to explore …

Weeding the Garden of My Soul

Repenting of Daily Sins

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. ” (Psalm 139:23–24, NKJV)

“How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. ” (Job 13:23, NKJV)

Each morning, in my time alone with God I pray these two prayers by these two giants of the faith. I am captivated by the power of their words. They make a time of reflection for me, as I wait for God to answer. After praying them, I wait for God to answer my prayers, and he most certainly does!

I have learned there are 6 things I need to weed from my soul every day.

  • I need to weed out my heart. Here is who I am, what I feel, how I act all wrapped into one word. The “heart” is often spoken of as meaning heart, mind, inner person. The primary usage of this word describes the entire disposition of the inner person that God can discern.[1] How often do I need God to show me where I have allowed the weeds of faithlessness and selfishness to creep in and grow?

  • I need to weed out my anxieties. What surprised me was this one – those disquieting thoughts that take away the peace (shalom) of God from my heart and soul. I have come to realize that when I am anxious (read: worry), I have lost my faith in God’s ability to resolve my problem and that he has already allowed into my life to test my faith (James 1.3).

  • I need to weed out my wicked ways. While I need to avoid the blatant sins this would immediately conjure up, there is a more subtle, practical reality at the core of this failure before God. Essentially this is the sin of irritability and anger, which often breaks out upon others. The [word “wicked”] relates to physical pain as well as to emotional sorrow.  Words similar in Hebrew are “to writhe,” “to be hot (with anger),” “to grieve,” “to become tired, weary,” “to be irritated, angry,” “to be bitter, despairing,” “to feel a disgust,” “to trouble” (Ps 78:41), and the noun “turmoil.”[2] This is a common weed in times of stress.

  • I need to weed out my iniquities. So often I get off the path of God’s plans for my life. I take a turn God never intended. In every instance, I realize it when I feel lost or I am in pain. Repenting (turning around) and seeking direction is at the center of my time alone with God at this point.

  • I need to weed out my transgressions. The fundamental idea of the root is a breach of relationships, civil or religious, between two parties.[3] How many times have I come to God asking for forgiveness and help with broken relationships – either with him or with others? And God answers! I can’t survive long without repairing relationships.

  • I need to weed out my sins. At its core, this is the most generic of the areas I need to ask God’s light to shine on. I simply ask God to show me where I’ve missed the mark in his sight, just as a dart thrower misses the bull’s eye. So often I just miss the mark and don’t accomplish what God desires.

Perhaps now you can see why I need to weed the garden of my soul each morning. Maybe you do too? I am sure you have learned some ways to do this that would be beneficial to all of us! Would you be willing to share what you have learned with the rest of us by leaving a comment? Thank you!

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

[1] Baker, W. (2003). The complete word study dictionary : Old Testament (537). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

[2] Harris, R. L., Harris, R. L., Archer, G. L., & Waltke, B. K. (1999). Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed.) (687–688). Chicago: Moody Press.

[3] Harris, R. L., Harris, R. L., Archer, G. L., & Waltke, B. K. (1999). Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed.) (741). Chicago: Moody Press.

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Small Groups Build the “One Another” Dimension of Our Faith!

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: currie-baptist.org.uk

Often church leaders ask me, “How can we help our people care for one another more? I like to refer them to Acts 2 and ask them if they have a dynamic small group ministry.

When I first came to faith, I joined a small group (long before they were popular or even named “small groups”). Those key leaders of 3 generations discipled me and encourage me. I can safely say that the depth of my faith came as we did life together. I was discipled, disciplined and directed into the mission of Jesus through these dear men and women who became more than friends, they are family to this day!

Those dynamics, and so many more, are part of the original plan of Jesus found in the New Testament. Let me say clearly that small groups are born as people gather in genuine love and care for one another. (Acts 2.42-47)

1.      In a small group we are able to talk freely about the things that matter most to everyone. (Acts 2.42)

  • We are able to talk about the Pastor’s message and how we are working it out in our daily lives.
  • We are able to draw closer to one another and discover the joys and burdens others are living through.
  • We are able to enjoy great food from the hands of those who come together, thus revealing who we are all the more.
  • And we are able to immediately pray for the burdens of those who are dear to us, showing our love and compassion.

2.     In a small group, we are able to share in the financial and practical needs of those in our growing spiritual family. (Acts 2.44-45) And in the small group is where the church meets the needs of others!

  • When we gather in our small group, we become a family, a unity of God’s people in a place!
  • When we gather for small group, we care enough to meet each other’s needs, as a family would normally do.
  • When we leave the small group and head for home, the Spirit of God motivates us to consider ways we could meet the needs of those at the meal.
  • When we give sacrificially, we invest with the love of God in such a way so as to bring joy and praise to all who hear!

3.     As the small groups continue over time, this practical demonstration of the love of God wins the hearts of men and women. (Matthew 18.20; Acts 2.46-47)

  • Assembling for worship every week was essential to their spiritual understanding in their hearts.
  • Meeting for fellowship in their homes every week was vital to the spiritual demonstration of their faith.
  • Combining these dimensions of the spiritual life each week was essential to their spiritual magnification of God!
  • Gathering for small groups in their homes each week was critical to their spiritual evangelism of the world.

If you would like help with small groups, leadership development or the discipleship process, we are here to help you with all of your leadership needs. Contact us for individual, leadership team or corporate consultation.

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An Action Plan For Establishing A Small Group Ministry

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: ragamuffinsoul.com

Many churches ask me, “How do we grow our people into deeper faith?” As the Gospels and the book of Acts demonstrate, the best way to grow your faith is to live it in community! Jesus chose 12 to be around him. Paul constantly has a circle of men around him, training them for life and ministry.

It is my sincere belief that small groups are THE primary discipleship / leadership tool for the church. If you are considering starting a small groups ministry, I would encourage you to consider the elements of the following action plan …

  • 1st phase 6-12 months: Develop a relationship with the body, understand the church, the community and the city. This would include getting to know people, leaders and the pastor’s heart (if not you). You are seeking to grasp the corporate culture and history, the vision, dream and mission of the church on a visceral level. Seek to discover what makes the leadership and people tick. Look for hurts, habits and hang-ups that keep people stuck. Part of this time should be involved in vision casting, discipleship and leadership development. The end of this phase would be marked by having organized and established “the roadmap for spiritual growth ” at your church through the elders and pastors. At this point you will want to discuss why you want small groups, what is the purpose of small groups, what is the purpose of Sunday School (if you have one), how do you make all of these work with to your central mission statement. Small groups must complement the mission of the church, or they are just a fad that will eventually die off from lack of participation.
  • 2nd phase 6-12 months: Begin implementing the roadmap for spiritual growth. Small groups aren’t something you do, its something that causes spiritual growth. Therefore, leadership development becomes of great importance here. This is something that is unique to every church and follows the growth benchmarks in the New Testament. In your roadmap, design it to fulfill your church purposes.

  • 3rd phase (at the same time): Launch of small groups off of targeted fall campaign as set forth by the senior pastor. Focusing the congregation around a central time to host a new group brings about a significant increase in the number of small groups / people involved in them. Constantly be starting new groups with each fall campaign, as well as throughout the year. The pastor needs to encourage people each week to join / start a new small group. Those could be on their college or work campus, in their homes, at the local coffee shop or where ever. The best, most effective small groups happen off the church campus.
  • 4th phase: Establish the leadership components for the small group hosts to grow them in ministry / mission. This is an ongoing process that involves incorporating all of the training aspects of the roadmap and adding additional components on group health, etc. This process is part of the alignment of the mission and purposes of the church and the needs of health and growth of the groups.

As always, we are here to help you with all of your leadership needs. Contact us for individual, leadership team or corporate consultation.

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The Rise of the Kingdom of Israel in Splendor (1 Kings 1-11)

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: forums.civfanatics.com

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

1 Kings: The Rise and Fall of a Nation Leading to Civil War (about 130 years)

The book of 1 Kings traces the history of the northern ten tribes during the civil war of Israel (called Israel in this section of the Bible). We watch as these kings all reject God and follow the practices of idolatry and wickedness.

The Rise of the Kingdom of Israel in Splendor (1 Kings 1-11)

As David passes from the scene, his legacy continues on. In both the good and the bad, David’s influence and effect is seen in the reign of his son Solomon. Notice the opening days of the new King of Israel, Solomon …

  • As the days of David’s life grows short, David proclaims his son Solomon as King of Israel. (1)
  • As the days of Solomon begin, Solomon avenges his father David upon the enemies that would undermine his leadership in the future. (2)
  • As the days of Solomon continue, Solomon requests wisdom from God to lead the people of Israel, and God gives him wisdom and riches and honor. (3)
  • As the days of Solomon are established, Solomon prepares and builds the temple of the Lord, desired and designed by his father David. (4-7)
  • As the days of the Temple construction end, Solomon dedicates the temple in a prayer that God honors for the rest of the days of the Bible. (8-9)
  • As the years of Solomon continue, Solomon turns from the Lord by not controlling his lust for foreign [read: ungodly] woman. (10-11)

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

Check Out Dr. Smith’s latest blog on ChurchCentral.com!

Almost Isn’t Good Enough is call to live out the compassion of Jesus’ heart in a world of suffering and hopelessness. A man who decided one day to make a difference globally writes about what he has learned, hoping to challenge you to make a difference in your world in your generation. Read more here …

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"God In America" DVD Series Now Available!

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

PBS, FRONTLINE AND AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
REVEAL CRITICAL ROLE OF RELIGION IN AMERICA, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT

Follow the Political and Spiritual Journeys of Religious Figures to Uncover How Religious Faith Shaped America

We have just finished a thorough review of this monumental film series and highly recommend it to everyone. It is comprehensive and speaks predominantly from the voices of the past concerning their faith, struggles, hopes and dreams.

God in America paints with a broad brush, and seeks to find the value and the issues that shaped America through religious freedom. PBS, Frontline and American Experience examine how and why religion has played an underlying role in shaping American culture, ideals and democracy in the new series God in America, which is now available on DVD.

“This compulsively watchable documentary manages to make our country’s religious history as thrilling as any Dan Brown novel…. the complex relationship between democracy and faith is a story line that never gets old,” reports Elle magazine.

While I was reviewing the series, I was also writing a History of Christianity in America course for a large Christian University. The review team agreed that the value of this series was significant enough to include it as a resource for the students.

For those who know that in America religion matters, and for those who wish it didn’t matter so much, comes God in America, a sweeping history of how religious faith has shaped America. Interweaving documentary footage, historical dramatizations, and interviews with religious historians, this documentary series from the award-winning producers of American Experience and Frontline is an in-depth exploration of the historical role of religion in the public life of the United States.

Examining the complex interaction between religion and democracy, the origins of the uniquely American concept of religious liberty, and the controversial evolution of that ideal in the nation’s political arena, God in America considers the role religious ideas and institutions have played in social reform movements, and how guarantees of religious freedom created a competitive religious marketplace in America.

The series explores its themes through a series of emblematic stories of the country’s religious history, and the political and spiritual journeys of important historical figures, including :  the Pueblo leader Po’pay, Puritan leader John Winthrop and dissident Anne Hutchinson, early evangelist, George Whitfield Catholic Bishop John Hughes, abolitionist Frederick Douglass, Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, Methodist circuit ridr James Finley, Reform Rabbi Isaac Meyer Wise, Presbyterian biblical scholar Charles Briggs, Scopes trial combatants William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow, evangelist Billy Graham, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Moral Majority’s Jerry Falwell.

PBS has provided amazing resources on their website to supplement your viewing and study pleasure. We are sure that this DVD series would make an excellent addition to your video library and your understanding of how faith has shaped, and continues to shape, the fabric of America.

To order a copy of God in America here.

You may also order God in America or any other PBS titles, please call (800) PLAY-PBS or visit shopPBS.org.  To purchase DVDs with public performance rights, please visit ShopPBS.org/education.

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ABOUT PBS DISTRIBUTION

PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally.  Jointly owned by PBS (Arlington, VA) and WGBH (Boston, MA), PBS Distribution extends the reach of public television programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.  PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’s films (The National Parks, The Civil War, Baseball,), documentaries from award-winning series NOVA (The Elegant Universe, The Miracle of Life), FRONTLINE (Growing Up Online, Bush’s War), and American Experience (Earth Days, We Shall Remain), dramas from Masterpiece (Jane Eyre, Inspector Lewis), films from independent producers (The Buddha, The Story of India), and popular children’s programming from Super Why!, Wordgirl, Cyberchase, and Arthur.

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Beware the Actions of a Successful Conspiracy (2 Samuel 15)

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Clip Art Credit: tantrumtoddlers.com

If you have been in ministry for more than 6 months, you are aware that not everyone wants to “follow the leader.” Agendas and motives can be self-centered, and, when acted upon, often bring hurt and harm to the people of God.

David, Israel’s most godly king experienced the agony of rebellion by his own son! Absalom worked a four-year conspiracy against his father and stole the kingdom away from this older man of God.

From the early days of the experience, we can learn the warning signs of the crafty conspirator so that we can act and avert the destruction of our leadership and the tearing apart of God’s ministry.

The back-story: Absalom harbored resentment against his father for not dealing swiftly and promptly against the rapist of his sister Tamar – his own half-brother Amnon! After two years of resentment against David’s inaction, Absalom takes matters into his own hands kills Amnon. Then he flees the country.  When he finally returns, David won’t see him for another two years.

When David finally sees him, Absalom’s resentment turns into an action plan of conspiracy and rebellion to replace David, his own father, as King of Israel. Note the warning signs …

The Conspirator …

1. Acts important before the people he wishes to sway (2 Sam 15.1) David’s first clue should have been the inordinate prominence Absalom was bringing to himself. Conspirators want the people of God to think they are key leaders in the organization.

2. Takes the place of prominence reserved for the leader (2 Sam 15.2) Absalom sat in the gate, the place of the leaders in his day. He wasn’t a leader; he was a murderer. Conspirators usurp positions of leadership by any rationale necessary.

3. Engages the disgruntled amiably (2 Sam 15.2) Absalom needed allies, and the easiest place to get them was from the disgruntled. The “little guy” needs a hero. Conspirators love to talk about “all the people” who are upset about things in the ministry.

4. Validates the complainers claims (2 Sam 15.3) In order to sway people and get them to like you, you have to agree with them. Conspirators lift the complainer’s criticisms to a high status, thus deepening their connection to the disgruntled.

5. Seeks the leader’s position openly, publicly (2 Sam 15.4) Here’s where Absalom shined. He offhandedly complained that no one could take care of his “friends” just complaints and wished out loud that he could help them. Conspirators sow the seeds of rebellion in the hearts of the disgruntled under the guise of compassion and concern.

6. Embraces the complainers as valued friends (2 Sam 15.5-6) Now Absalom’s plan comes full circle. The rebellious traitor shuns the self-importance he created! Conspirators want the hearts of those they are seducing to feel as if they are all equals and in this together.

7. Persists in conspiracy until the plan is realized (2 Sam 15.7) Absalom knew this would take time, and so he stayed at this plan for four years! Leaders who fail to see what the conspirator is doing in their midst for years are simply out of touch with their organization!

8. Lies to leader to accomplish rebellion (2 Sam 15.7-9) Absalom is now ready to spring the trap he has carefully cultivated for four years. And so, he goes to his father and lies about his intentions, under the cover of spirituality. Conspirators often mask their true intentions under the pretense of some spiritual duty to God.

9. Calls complainer friends secretly to join the rebellion (2 Sam 15.10) As he springs the traitorous trap, he secretly calls all those whom he has groomed for this moment for a “secret meeting” without the key leader present. Conspirators crown themselves in secret and start the mutiny officially in some secret meeting with their loyal band of the disgruntled.

10. Dupes the innocent to feign validity to claims (2 Sam 15.11) In order to gain a broad public support, Absalom even grows confident enough to invite 200 carefully selected guests who were innocent of rebellion. Conspirators know which individuals in the organization are easily manipulated so they can seem to have greater support than they really do.

11. Rides the momentum of a growing conspiracy to its conclusion (2 Sam 15.12) And so the momentum takes over. Absalom now lets his inner circle of conspirators spread the word that “regime change” is in order and point to those who support the change, here the 200 innocent. Conspirators love the “domino effect.” They trust their plans and their cronies to evangelize for them until they are placed in power in the organization.

The sad truth in this true accounting is that David was oblivious to this who process. As a leader, you must be “out and about,” walking among the people daily or you abdicate your leadership and fall prey to the conspirators that exist in every organization (Matthew 13:24-30).

Those are my thoughts. I would love to hear yours!

Do You Have Your Copy of Growing Missional Leaders Yet?

Growing Missional Leaders is a practical, passionate, Biblical mentoring journey for individuals, small groups, leadership teams and congregations who desire to win their world for Christ. We believe that believers hungering to reach their world for Christ will be energized by this passionate call to fulfill Christ’s Gospel and the invigorating manner in which their thought processes will be stretched to God-sized proportions.

What “Growing Missional Leaders” is all about …

Matthew Smith, pastor of multi-ethnic and multi-generational churches in urban, suburban and rural communities from Miami to Los Angeles, presents twenty-four Biblical strategies to invigorate and facilitate Christianity’s marching orders  – the Great Commission – in your community.

Growing Missional Leaders is a practical, passionate, Biblical mentoring journey for individuals, small groups, leadership teams and congregations who desire to win their world for Christ. Readers will appreciate the enthusiastic and Spirit-filled hope God provides as Matthew …

  • Tells stories – of lost opportunities and successes with friends – that give powerful, encouragement of personal and corporate outreach
  • Opens Bible passages – again and again – showing God’s heart is to bring his lost children home
  • Provides stimulating discussion questions – at the end of each chapter –providing the stepping stones to launching fresh ministry into your community

Believers hungering to reach their world for Christ will be energized by this passionate call to fulfill Christ’s Gospel and the invigorating manner in which their thought processes will be stretched to God-sized proportions.

You can order your copy at Amazon.

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I've Been Praying (And God's Been Answering)

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Over the past months my pastor, Rick Warren, has challenged us to consider what God might do with us in the next ten years. What would our lives be like if God answered the prayers of our heart?

This got me thinking and praying. What would I like to see God do in and through my life I the coming Decade of Destiny? As I have shared before, I am in between ministries at the moment and seeking God’s direction and will for our next place of ministry, so this question has even more impact on me as a result. Now the great thing is this: The more I have prayed, the more God has answered.

As I look ahead in anticipation of the next ten years of ministry, I find there are eight focal points to the ministry I am seeking from God … these areas, while not exhaustive, are certainly central to the work God has prepared me to do.

I share them with you to encourage you to start asking that question: “What would your life be like if God answered the prayers of your heart?”

As you review these points, I know they will resonate among the hearts of those people with whom God is preparing me to work along side of in the coming years.

Thank you for the opportunity to reveal and reflect them with you today.

As I move forward for God, I know the ministry around me will view …

  • Effective Prayer as central – creating / developing / enhancing corporate, small group and individual prayer is central to seeing with God’s eyes and feeling with God’s heart so we can be ‘on mission’ and following God’s will for our lives as a church.
  • Passionate Worship as intentional – magnifying God’s name and bringing the whole of our worship time to bear on ‘the Big Idea’ of the day becomes central to our weekend worship efforts. This would include long-range planning so as to include and develop maximum involvement of our church family in our worship times to bring glory to God.
  • Joyful Fellowship and Followership opportunities as vital – creating unity breeds joy and pleasure, strength and higher morale when men, women and teens are afforded the planned and intentional settings where they can mix and mingle, reflect and regroup, hope and hear from one another and God through camping, retreats and opportunities that allow us to rub shoulders with one another, work and play together as the family of God.
  • Enhancing Spiritual growth as critical – building opportunities for the men, women and teens of our fellowship to grow in their spiritual aptitudes and appetites, interests and inquiries through courses, trips and situations where they are able to ‘work out’ their faith for the very real world we encounter every day.
  • Reproducing Discipleship as key – training men, women and teens to become reproducing followers of Christ, able to understand and know what following Jesus is all about, as well as sharing the care and compassion of Jesus with others so that they too, are won to his leadership and love. Being sure to develop these men, women and teens so that once they have lead their friends to Christ, they can disciple them in the faith.
  • Developing Leadership as essential – scheduling and developing regular times of formal leadership training, taking men, women and teens on appropriate ministry and leadership development seminars, conferences and activities, all the while understanding that Biblical leadership development is the process of servant leadership.
  • Enthusiastic Outreach and Assimilation as the heartbeat of our ministry – seeking to fulfill the Great Commission is one of the greatest opportunities in this life by finding creative and relational ways to bring our people in contact with those who have yet to open their hearts and heads to the love and leadership of Jesus Christ.
  • Pastoral Encouragement ministry as important – drawing a team of men, women and teens around the pastors to pray and encourage, support and serve so that the hearts of the pastors are encouraged so as to meet the challenges and callings God has for our people as a whole, thus lifting the whole church to the next level.

That’s the dream of my heart for ministry … this is where God is leading me. As I look at these, I see a blueprint for the way I will conduct myself in ministry in the coming Decade of Destiny.

Let me encourage you to start asking that question: “What would your life be like if God answered the prayers of your heart?”

As you pray and think, I know God will answer your heart as well!

I’d love to hear what God is putting in your heart as you dream and pray!

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What Are You Dreaming About? (4)

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: dreambigcollection.com

This is the final post in our series, “What Are You Dreaming About?” Today I wrap up our series by focusing our attention on what we are trying to achieve in this life. I thought I would share my heart with you in an attempt to get your juices going.

Since I am looking for a full-time position in ministry, as a senior pastor, or a staff pastor in the area of discipleship, leadership and / or missional outreach. This has caused me to refocus and rearticulate the dream God has put in my heart.

Perhaps my dreaming will stir your heart and soul and cause you to revisit your dreams. Today I want to share my dream for accomplishment. What do I see myself accomplishing for Jesus Christ with the remainder of my life?

I dream about building people with a desire to serve where:

o   Selflessness is encouraged, sacrifice and service to others are praised – they are standards, not exceptions.

o   People ask, “What can I do for you?” – when a particular ministry or event doesn’t “ring their bell” they ask: “How can I help?”

o   People become “care-givers,” thus allowing the church to add less staff because people take up the bulk of ministry – much like the early church in Acts!

o   The ministry is being filled with the spiritually mature; People read their Bibles, pray with great fervor, create new ministries, seek out their lost friends and bring them to Christ and into fellowship within the local church; as a result the church grows numerically and spiritually annually.

o   The ministry is becoming a hospital for the wounded and an army for the Gospel advance. New babies are wonderful! In this church, growing members from within the local ministry care for them and they grow to reach others!

o   The ministry is bringing great glory to God because people are maturing in their faith and reaching out to their Jerusalem, causing God to be thrilled and His heart overwhelmed!

o   The ministry is becoming ministry driven, meaning “it is not about us!” – we serve others, meet their needs, and care for them – as we would Jesus – this is the attitude found among the members of this ministry.

What you want to accomplish for Jesus? Would you like to share it with us? I would love to hear what God is doing in your heart and soul! Perhaps your dream will connect with someone else as you share it. (And of course, if you like my dream and it connects with your ministry, I am looking for a full time position.)

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“Dr. Matthew Smith has a passion and love for God’s Word and for God’s people. He lives to equip God’s church and He uses many of his God-given talents to galvanize, energize and equip the body of Christ. Dr. Smith not only has the brilliant mind but also a humble heart. The best sermon I heave heard him preach is the life he lives. He is a loving father, family leader and a leader in the faith community. I recommend him without hesitation.”

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Biblical leadership, passionate evangelism and discipleship, a missional heart and lifestyle, authentic personal relationship with God – Dr. Smith will come to your church or organization and speak on any of these areas.

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