Mark Conner's Space

Living in this moment - NOW

Most of our minds are busy thinking about either the past or the future. Very few of us live fully in the present moment. Yes, there is an appropriate time to remember the past and to contemplate the future but we are not to live in either place. Interestingly, depressed people usually focus on the past, particularly on hurtful experiences. Anxious people usually focus on the future. 

What if we lived more fully ... in this moment - right here, right now? 

Learning to live more fully in the present moment can be quite powerful, lifting our mood, enhancing our relationships and enabling us to concentrate ... and positioning ourselves to experience the God who is the great I AM. 

Consider this wisdom from the pages of Scripture:

Isaiah 43:18-19. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Matthew 6:34. "Do not worry about tomorrow."

2 Corinthians 6:2. "Today is the day of salvation."

Could it be that now is not as empty as we think it to be? Could it be that everything we need is already with us in Christ - right here and right now? Could it be that this moment is as perfect as it can be? The saints of old called this "the sacrament of the present moment." Maybe we miss that, because we tend to be control freaks who are always trying to fix things and make them better (not a bad thing in and of itself, unless our quest for continual improvement becomes an idol and causes us to miss the God who is already here ... right now). After all, grace teaches us that this is not a world where we have to work hard for God to notice us. We cannot not be in God's presence. We don't have to strive for it. God already is with us. What we lack is awareness ... in this moment.  

Could it be that the reason that we never feel full is that we are not embracing and tasting all that already is available to us ... in this moment? After all, God is either in this now ... or he is nothing at all.

Have we become addicted to adrenaline-rush spirituality … continually craving for another spiritual fix or more goose bumps? Have we made spiritual experience into an idol that we worship at the feet of … missing God in the process?

If our current now is not satisfying, then we are always searching for something else, something more, something new, something different than our present experience.

The truth is that GOD IS. He IS here right now and this moment is full of Him and everything He IS.

No wonder the Psalmist said, "Be still ... and know ... that I AM ... God (Ps.46:10)."

Selah ... pause and think about it ... 

Daily Rhythms of Grace ...

"Are you tired?

Worn out?

Burned out on religion?

Come to me.

Get away with me and you'll recover your life.

I'll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

[Jesus - Matthew 11:28-30. Message Bible]

This teaching from Jesus contains some amazing promises and it gives us insight into what God desires for our lives.

God’s will is not for us to be … tired, worn out or burned out. He doesn’t want us carrying anything heavy or ill-fitting.

God’s will is for us to be … rested, living freely and lightly, experiencing life as an unforced rhythm of gace.

Our responsibility – come to Jesus, take time to get away, walk with Jesus, work with Jesus, watch Him, learn from Him, and keep company with Him. 

What are you waiting for?

[Picture by Nicole Conner]

Don't Give Me the Facts; What's Your Story?

True Story: Jake worked for a large technology company but was passionate about starting his own business some time in the near future. Through a mutual acquaintance, Jake met Alan, a wealthy investor. They talked over breakfast and by the time they were finished, Jake was convinced that he had found his financing. Alan promised to be in touch with him within a few days with a business proposal.

A few days went by and then a week. Jake hadn't heard anything from Alan, despite emailing him and calling his mobile phone multiple times. He was becoming increasingly angry. Then he bumped into the mutual friend who said that Alan was annoyed that he hadn't heard back from Jake, despite sending him a detailed business plan the day after they met.

What was going on? Jake quickly checked his Junk Email folder and found the email from Alan, written the very next day (the long attachment didn't make it through his company's firewall). At the end of the email, Alan explained that someone had stolen his phone right after they met, so he had to get a new phone number and a new email address. No wonder he wasn't answering any of Jake's calls and emails.

Jake made a judgment about Alan based on the facts. What he didn't recognise is that he chose to put the facts together to create a specific story. A fact is something that can be objectively verified by any person. It is irrefutable. A story, by contrast, is something we create to make sense of the facts. We do so because we are meaning-making creatures. The problem is that we often tell our stories so fast that we mistake them for the facts and then treat our stories as if they are true. We also have a tendency to create negative stories.

The apostle Paul was an inspiring person. Life and ministry were often tough for him. He was authentic and honest about the facts. Yet the story he told himself, and by which he lived, was a faith-filled one. How? Because he always included God in his story (click on the links here to read 2 Cor.4:8-19; 3:6-10; as examples). He looked beyond himself and other people, and the situation and circumstances he was facing, and considered God's perspective. By doing so, he was able to rise above negativity and discouragement, resulting in him being able to life a life of joy, faith and hope.

J. Francis Peak once said, “The major cause of discouragement is a temporary loss of perspective. Restore proper perspective, and you take new heart.” 

What story are you telling yourself today? What could you be missing (just like Jake in our story above)? What could God be up to in your story? Does your story need changing ... today?

Father, I pray that you will give us wisdom today. May we be able to see life from your perspective. We can't always control what is happening around us (the facts) but we do have control over the way we choose to respond (our stories). May our story include your story - a much bigger plan that you are working daily to accomplish. Amen.

[The true story mentioned above is from Tony Schwartz's new book Be Excellent at Anything, p.147f]

God's Love - Even in the Shadows

God calls us to be a prophetic people who hear his voice, who feel what he is passionate about, and who see what he is doing in our world. Seeing sometimes occurs through a supernatural vision (like Elisha's servant having his eyes open to see into the spiritual realm) or simply through a mental picture in our mind. It can also occur by receiving "insight" (literally to "see into") into what we see with our natural eyes. Jesus often brought out amazing truths about God from the everyday aspects of life. His parables are a great example of this.

The other day I was looking over a valley near our house and this is what I saw. In fact, I took a quick picture of it on my phone.

As I stopped and reflected on what I was seeing, this is what I sensed God was saying to me ...

Across the landscape, there are some areas bathed in sunshine, while others are in the shadows. Some are experiencing light while others are in darkness. Some are feeling warmth while others feel the cold. Their experience is very real and even intense, yet they are right next to areas that are having a totally difference experience, just as real and possibly intense. 

What causes the shadows? The sun is still there and shining fully but clouds block that light and create the shadows. In many ways, clouds are like the circumstances of our lives (in all shapes and sizes) which come and go but, in doing so, they can make us feel like God's love or nearness constantly changes. It doesn't, but that is our experience. Feelings are so strong and powerful that they can drive our lives. 

Over time, we can grow by learning to base our lives on truth. The sun is always shining, as is God's love which is always being directed towards us. Even without external change to our circumstances, we can alter the internal landscape of our heart by our responses to what is happening externally. It's difficult, but we can choose to believe God's Word, whether it matches our circumstances or not. God is real and he is with us and he does love us.  

In a moment (an instant) things can change. The clouds can clear and the sun can shine brightly on us again. Suddenly, we feel God's love. For others, this change may occur gradually over a period of time, a bit like waking up very slowly from a long deep sleep. In this case, the transition from dark to light, from shadows to sunshine, and from cold to warmth is gradual and even subtle. A person one day realizes that things have changed, although they weren't aware of the change occurring at the time. 

Sometimes, extended seasons of cloudy skies can fill our lives. Everything is overcast and we feel dull and even down. Life is cold and somewhat drab. We can start to doubt that there even is a sun up there. However, we can learn things about God and ourselves during these times that we don't during other sunnier times. We learn to experience the full range of human emotion, which is a mirror of the full range of emotions God himself feels. 

The weather patterns of life are beyond our control. Our choice is to trust and to place our faith in God, leaning fully in to the season we are in, so that it enriches our lives in a deep way. 

My prayer for you today is that whether your life is sunshine or shadow that you will live in the truth that God does exist and that he does love you.  

The Road Ahead

Ever wondered what the road ahead might look like for you? Thomas Merton captures the uncertainties of life as well as the power of simple trust in God in the following prayer called The Road Ahead. May it be an encouragement to you this week. 

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going, I do not see the road ahead of me, I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore, I will trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."

[Photo by Nicole Conner]

Reflections from my Sabbatical (Part 4)

So what now? That’s another good question.

1. Personally, I need to re-engage with church life and ministry. I need to get back in harness and up to speed with what God is now doing. I’ll gradually ease back in over the next few weeks.

2. We want to keep the current spiritual momentum going. God’s Spirit is at work. We’re not going to press rewind and play. The church has moved on. I have moved on. I have changed and grown. Other people have too. It’s time to keep moving forward. The Lord said to Moses, “Get up and resume the journey, and lead the people to the land I swore to give to their ancestors, so they may take possession of it (Deut.10:11).” There is a time to stop and reflect on past and present issues, dealing with them appropriately and learning the lessons we need to. Then there is a time to get up and resume the journey – to move forward from where you are.

3. Finally, I need to give more attention to my leadership of the church, considering my role and the best contribution that I can make for everyone. That will be a major part of my focus over the next few months as I seek to provide better clarity of our future vision, which includes who God wants us to be as a church, what he wants us to do, and where he wants us to go.

In conclusion, I am extremely grateful for this sabbatical period. I feel really well – refreshed, rested, rejuvenated and ready for this next season. I know that I am called to lead this church. I feel content and at peace. I am really excited about your future and the opportunities God is placing in front of us (e.g. the recent purchase of the 4 acres of Eastlink land in Knox is just one example). Our best days are truly ahead of us!

Thank you for your support and encouragement. I really appreciate it.

Reflections from my Sabbatical (Part 3)

What did I learn during my sabbatical?

In many ways, I see this moment and season as a significant crossroads for my life and ministry. The Lord once said to Jeremiah, “Stand (stop) at the crossroads and look around; ask for the ancient paths (the old, godly path), ask where the good way is, and walk in it (travel its path), and you will find rest for your souls (Jer.6:16)." In many ways, I have tried to do just that - stop, look around, ask and then walk.

I have had numerous thoughts about my life and ministry. Here are just a few of them:

1. I need to slow down the pace of my life. I need more stillness and time waiting on God. I need to learn from the eagle who is never flustered or frantically flapping its wings. Rather it leans into the power of the wind and learns to flow with it (see Isaiah 40:31). I need a better and more enjoyable life rhythm, one that honours God and my family. I need to do a better job of embedding the principle of Sabbath into my life. Don't worry, I will continue to work hard and have a passion for fruitfulness in ministry but I must not allow productivity to become an idol that controls my life.

2. I need to look after myself better, in every dimension - physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and socially. I want to enjoy life more and not feel so stressed and stretched all the time. This will require me to stop allowing my work to fill my entire week. I need to switch off more in the evenings, when possible, and on my Day Off (including not checking email). Eliminating (turning off or at least turning down) some of the things that I have allowed to become distractions will help too. Jesus calls us to a burden that is 'easy and light' and one that enables our soul to experience rest (Matthew 11:28-30). The best gift I can give those who I influence is me being a healthy leader - in every way.

3. I need to focus more on being (relationships) than doing (tasks). I need to learn to be and not just do. For me, it's much easier to be a Martha than it is a Mary. This is not just personal but affects my leadership of the church too. Most churches need their leaders to clearly define what they believe God wants them to be (values, culture, DNA), not just where they need to go (vision and goals) or what they needs to do (ministries, activities and programs). This is the focus of Jesus, Paul, and the other New Testament church leaders - being the church of Jesus Christ in the world. It’s about identity and a direction more than a destination.

4. The inflow of God's Word and God's Spirit into my life has to increase significantly. I lead, speak and minister much better out of overflow. Quality time in prayer and the Word was the focus of the early church leaders (see Acts 6) and they refused to allow other things to cause them to neglect these God-given priorities.

5. I am very aware that there is an enemy persistently at work, subtly seeking to undermine God’s work in my life. There is a strong spiritual warfare dimension to our lives that we need to be much more aware of. 

6. I believe that I am called to lead our church at this time and for this next season, but maybe in different ways. I need to focus more on what God wants me to do for the church. What is his call and priorities for me as a senior church leader? What does he expect from me? Moses’ example (Deut.1) is key here, as are the apostles (Acts 6). I need to focus on my best contribution to the church, delegating the rest, and saying ‘no’ to opportunities outside of that (which means less travel).

Click here for Part 4.

Reflections from my Sabbatical (Part 2)

So what did I do on my sabbatical? Good question. The truth is that I determined not to focus on doing too much of anything during this season but rather more on simply being. The last thing I needed was another list of tasks or projects to accomplish. 

Nevertheless, here are some things that I did do:

1. I focused a large portion of my time on personal recovery. I desperately needed some spiritual refuelling, some emotional replenishment, some physical energy renewal, and some personal refreshing. Over 27 continuous years of church ministry life take its toll. Ministry is highly rewarding but it can be stressful too. I was feeling a "tiredness that normal holidays weren't fixing" (to borrow a phrase from Eugene Peterson). To be honest, investing this much time in my own well-being wasn't easy to do. At times, especially in the beginning, I felt guilty for even having the time off, especially when everyone else was still working so hard. But I needed it and ultimately I believe that the best gift I can give God and our church is for me to be in as healthy a place as possible. After all, self-care is important. 

2. I invested a lot of time in personal reflection. I took time to read all of my old journals, to read all of the prophetic words I have received over the years, and to think about the seasons and stages of my life so far. Often it is easier to discern God's finger prints in our life when we take time to look back - sometimes even more than in the present time. 

3. I had extended devotional time most days - praying, reading my Bible and journaling. It’s nice to simply pray and read the Bible with a total focus on knowing God more … without any need to prepare a message or get anything productive out of the time.

4. I spent a lot of time with my family, including 10 days holidays over the Easter period. The free time on weekends and evenings was bliss. At our church, we have been doing Saturday night meetings for over 10 years now (actually, 2 Saturday church meetings for many of those years). I had under-estimated the cumulative effect of weekends being mostly full of ministry activity - with me often involved with 4-5 church meetings. Needless to say, this sabbatical was a huge blessing to my family. 

5. I spent time with friends and some mentors. I even had a hit of golf a few times - something I haven't done for a long time.

6. I did some training: attending a Bill Hybels mentoring event in Sydney for church leaders and a Halftime Experience with Bob Buford (50+ is my ‘second half’ of life). 

7. I even saw a counsellor. We talked about my emotional world, learning to live more fully in the present moment, and some of my task-driven tendencies.

8. Near the end, I spent some time refocusing. This was a kind of life and ministry review. It involved thinking about God's calling on my life, our church, my role, and the best contribution I can make to our future. 

Well, hopefully that gives you a bit of an idea as to what I have been up to.

Click here for Part 3.

Reflections from my Sabbatical (Part 1)

Let's face it, most people don't look forward to their holidays finishing and I must admit I wasn't looking forward to my sabbatical finishing either. I had such an enjoyable time. But it is nice to be back … and to see everyone again.

I realise that there are a variety of expectations that people may have as I return from my sabbatical: that I will bring revival with me, that I will have a new vision for the future of the church, and some may have thought that I wouldn't come back at all! The reality is that I had a very good rest, which is what 'sabbath' is all about. It was a rest that was much more than merely a holiday. It was a time of not doing a whole heap of ministry tasks for an extended period of time. As a result, I truly do feel well, refreshed, refuelled and looking forward to getting back into church and ministry life.

While I was away, everything has gone exceptionally well. In fact, so well that I honestly thought of taking more time off ... or that maybe I had become redundant :) All credit to our church and its leadership team. Well done! [I know that this time has been a learning and growth opportunity for others too] There is obviously some excellent spiritual momentum in our church right now, which is great. God is always at work and he's never dependent on any one person - including me. So, as I return, I look forward to seeing all that God is currently doing continue ... and accelerate as we move through the rest of this year. 

One of the best things I did during my time off was to disengage from pretty much all technology. I de-activated my Facebook, avoided Twitter, didn't do any church or work related Email, engaged in very limited Internet surfing, and stayed off my BLOG for the entire 12 weeks. It is amazing when you STOP all of that inflow how much your head clears and how much you realise that your life can easily be filled with the clutter of a lot of trivial things, to the point where it becomes all-consuming and even addictive. 

As I now re-engage, I have decided to stay off Facebook. Keeping up with 3,500+ 'friends' is an impossible task and many of them were only acquaintances or people I had never even met. A recent article in the Melbourne Age only confirmed my decision. I'll continue to use Twitter and to write a few BLOG posts each week, but I have turned off the comments section on the BLOG, as it takes a lot of time to read and respond to them all. Finally, after clearing over 2,900 emails yesterday, I 'unsubscribed' from a heap of newsletters ... most of which I never get around to reading, but simply clutter up my Inbox. Hopefully, all of this will help keep my head a little clearer and enable me to be more fully 'present' ... to God and the people I interact with.

Click here for Part 2.

Coming Back from Sabbatical ...

It is hard to believe that my 12-week sabbatical is now history (click here to read some background to my sabbatical). I had a very enjoyable and refreshing time. I am truly grateful to God and our church for this season. I am feeling so much better and look forward to re-engaging with our church community and leadership team this week, as we continue to move forward into all that God has in store for us.

In the Old Testament period, God's purpose for the Sabbath was to help his people avoid making 'productivity' into an idol. It's a reminder, that while we rest, the universe still runs - and without our contribution! That's something I sure learned. Our church community continued to experience God and see the kingdom advance - without me. That's good news.

Right now it is autumn here in Melbourne and I love this season. Sure, it's a bit colder but the colour of the leaves on all of the trees is amazing. [You'll notice that my BLOG design has been changed to reflect this] In many cultures, autumn is also typically a time of harvest, fruitfulness and thanksgiving. May it be all of that for you.

In the next few days, I'll share more about my sabbatical - what I got up to, what God did, and what I learned. It's amazing what you see - about God, about yourself and about our world - when you slow down for an extended period of time. 

I pray that you enjoy your week and that sometime today you are able to take a few minutes to heed the words of the Psalmist: "Be still and know that I am God (Ps.46:10)."

    Be still and know that I am God.

    Be still and know that I am.

    Be still and know.

    Be still.

    Be. 

[Click here for Part 1 of my Sabbatical Reflections]

[Photo by Nicole Conner]

Mark Conner

Okay, so since this is my BLOG, there are a few things you might be interested to learn about me. 

Click here to begin reading. Posts cover topics such as my favourite food, the music I love, my studies, my favourite technology, and my experience with journalling. You can also read about my sabbatical, which finishes soon. Once I'm back, there will be some new BLOG posts coming your way.

Enjoy your day!

Mark Conner

The Most Important Book Ever Written: The Bible

The Bible is the most important book ever written, yet often it remains unopened and unread. The Bible is totally unique. It is different from all other books, having no like or equal.

1. In its composition. It was written over a period of 1,600 years by 40 different authors and in three different languages yet it speaks with a common voice. It has an internal consistency and theme that is nothing short of amazing.

2. In its circulation. It is the most published book in history. It has been at the top of the best seller list yearly for 200-300 years. Billions of copies of this book have been printed over the years and millions continue to sell year after year.

3. In its translation. The Bible has been translated into over 1000 different languages and many more are on the way. No book comes close to this.

4. In its reliability. We hold in our hands the Word of God, a revelation of his character, his purpose and principles for right living. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit and has been miraculously preserved through the years of copying and translation so that we can be sure of its trustworthiness and reliability.

5. In its durability. The Bible has survived bans and burnings, ridicule and criticism by opponents. It lives on. People have risked their lives to continue to spread Bibles where they have been banned.

6. In its effect. It has a depth that causes people to never finish reading it. They want to keep reading it over and you keep seeing new things. People have multiple copies. They study it and carry it around. What people learn transforms their lives and values.

Click here to access a wide variety of articles on the Bible, with topics such as: the Jesus story, parables, proverbs, devotional Bible reading, Bible translations, Bible software, and tools for Bible study.

Eat this book!

Learning from the Lives of Other People

Everyone has a story. Our story fits into God's wider story - history. It also connects with other people's stories. We can learn a lot by listening to other people's stories and how God has worked in their lives, including their successes and failures. 

Click here to read a few articles on the lives of a number of influential people.

You also might like to check out Warren Wierebe's excellent book: 50 People Every Christian Should Know: Learning from the Spiritual Giants of the Faith. 

Together, let's live and learn. 

Engaging our Culture

Jesus told his disciples to be IN the world but NOT OF the world. Maintaining that balance is a constant challenge for Christ-followers. We can more easily lean towards either extreme, resulting in and isolation or immersion, both of which lead to minimum impact for Christ. 

On my BLOG, I have written some posts about engaging with contemporary culture. You will find articles on topics such as: engaging our culture, global trends, generational issues, creativity and innovation, as well as on the issues of tattoos and gambling. Click here to being reading.

I hope you find your reading insightful! 

Evangelism and Mission

Jesus commanded his followers to go into all the world and preach the good news. This was a geographical and ethnic mandate - to all people groups (Greek ethnos) across the world. It was also a cultural mandate to go into every sector of society (Greek kosmos), which includes the spheres of education, family, religion, business, politics, media, as well as arts and entertainment. 

Click here to access a variety of posts on this theme, including subjects such as: evangelism for non-evangelists, incarnational mission, marketplace ministries, justice, community surveys, defining the gospel, apologetics, and world missions.

May you be inspired afresh to play your part in God's mission in our world!

A Fresh Look at Religion

With the recent Global Atheists Convention in Melbourne, it's worthwhile thinking about religion, including science and faith. Some people think that religion is dangerous and has done a lot of damage in the world. Obviously, there is an element of truth in that. However, Jesus never came to start a religion and his intention was never to produce the kind of violence and hatred that characterises so much of a number of religious movements today. 

On my BLOG I have some articles about science and faith, as well as an interesting series of faith looking at C.S. Lewis' journey to faith, which involved working through a number of significant objections. These are relevant to our generation today.

Click here to begin reading.

 

 

Techonology Tools for Effectiveness

Technology, love it or hate it, it's part of our lives. For me, it can either be a great servant or a cruel task-master. The key is whether you are serving it or it is serving you. It's a matter of control and setting boundaries (something I'm stilling working on!). I love certain types of technology that makes life easier and enables me to organise the many spinning plates in my world so they don't all crash. 

On my BLOG, I have written a number of posts about technology that I find helpful, with topics such as: computer software, phone apps, social media, BLOGs, eBooks and my favourite web sites. 

Click here to begin reading.

Enjoy!

Thinking about Spirituality

God created us as spirit beings, with a soul (mind, will and emotions), living in a physical body. Life should be lived 'inside out' yet so often we get caught up in the physical and/or emotional aspects of our world. It's time to go a little deeper - into our heart and our spirit. Our spirit is the part of us that can connect with and experience God. The writer of the book of Proverbs describes it as the candle of the Lord (Prov.20:27).

In our time, religion seems to be out of favour, while spirituality is in - all sorts of it. This is a reflection of the longing we all have for transcendence and for connection with something outside of and beyond ourselves. It's the God-shaped vacuum inside each one of us. We can try to fill that void with all sorts of things, but ultimately, only God himself can fill that desire and thirst we have inside of us.  

On my BLOG, I have written a variety of article related to spirituality, covering topics such as: prayer, connecting with God, ancient spiritual practices, dealing with spiritual dryness, stages of faith, handling doubt, and the love of God.

Click here to being reading and as you do, may you know a deeper and more meaningful connection with the God of this universe who has revealed himself to us as both Creator and Redeemer.

Developing Yourself

I am passionate about personal development. God's gift to us is our potential. Our gift back to him is what we do with it. Cemeteries are filled with undeveloped potential and dreams that never grew legs. Don't add to those statistics. Grab a hold of why you are here on the planet - your calling - then give yourself wholly to being the best you can be for God. The world will be a better place if you do.

Being your best is not about competing or comparing yourself with others. It's about being the best you can be in light of God's investment in you.

On this BLOG, I have written some practical and helpful articles on personal; development, including such topics as: life planning, stages of faith, increasing your energy, improving productivity, time management, seasons of life, daily habits, accountability, handling discouragement, managing your workload, and making wise decisions.

Click here to start reading today. Why not read an article or two each day during the coming week (there are 4 pages of BLOG posts for you to chose from).

All of heaven is cheering you on!

Learning Leadership

It is often said that everything rises and falls on leadership. No doubt, there is a lot of truth in that statement. Any time you find something good happening, you can usually trace it back to a leader who is leading well. Any time you find something falling apart, you can usually trace is back to the absence of a leader or a leader who is leading poorly. This is true in the family, the local community, the church, in business and in the nation. 

The debates continues as to whether leaders are born or made. Of course, all leaders are born but even gifted leaders need to develop their leadership ability. I also believe that everyone can learn principles of leadership that will assist them in being a more positive influence on those around about them. 

In my BLOG, I have written a host of articles on the subject of leadership, covering topics such as: leading change, perseverance, a leader's self-care, evaluating your leadership, the role of the Senior Minister, women in leadership, and sabbaticals. 

Click here to access them.

Family Matters

God created the first family - Adam and Eve - and commanded them to have children and fill the earth. They've done a pretty good job of that. God still sets the solitary in families. After all, the very nature of God is relational and communal. He designed us in his image and likeness, created for community. No one should stand alone. The family is the basic form of community, yet it continues to be under attack today. 

This week we'll review a number of posts about the family - covering topics such as marriage, parenting, fathering, divorce and remarriage, technology, schooling choices and generational issues.

Click here to begin.

 

The Church of Jesus Christ

Over 2,000 years ago Jesus said that he would build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. The church is his master project. Nothing else occupies his mind and heart as much as this. The church is not a building, not an organisation and not an event. It is God's people - a community of Christ-followers, empowered by the Spirit to participate in God's mission in the world. As long that is happening, the form and style of the church is not overly important. In fact, it takes all sorts of churches to reach the wide variety of people in our world. 

I love the church and I'm passionate about it becoming all that God intends for it to be. On my BLOG, I have written a host of articles about the church - covering topics such as church governance, mega churches, the emerging church, multi-site churches, church planting, Pentecostalism, and women's ministry.

Click here to start reading (and don't forget to click "Next" at the bottom of the first page of posts to access the rest).

Happy reading :)

Theological Reflections

Theology may sound a bit boring and heady, but it's really not. It is simply the study of God. Of course, God is not someone we can put under a microscope and fully understand. He is beyond our comprehension. nevertheless, as creations of God, its important that we take time to think about our Creator - to reflect on who he is and what's like, as well as what he's up to in the world.

I've written a whole bunch of posts around the topic of theology. Take some time to read one or two of them each day over the next week. You'll be glad you did.

May each of us come to know God more personally as we reflect on his revelation of himself to humanity.

Click here to begin.

Quotes worth Quoting

Words have great power. With them God created the world. However, we live in a wordy world, where words can lose their impact and importance. Sometimes we're saying so much ... but really saying so little.

I love quotes - words from people who have engaged their brain and heart before opening their mouth. Wisdom from the wise. Gems ready to discover ... if we'll just stop ... and listen ... then pause ... reflect ... and who knows, maybe even change. 

That's the power of words.

I've gathered a whole collection of quotes worth quoting.

Click here to begin reading them.

Enjoy!

Think About It

Looking for some short inspirational thoughts for the day?

I have a host of them available for you. These are transcripts of some 60 second spots I have done for LIGHT FM, one of Melbourne's best radio stations, growing in popularity every year, with a broad audience of listeners.

Think about it ...

Click here to begin.

A Book Lover's Delight

Everyone has a weakness. Mine is books. There is a certain joy in buying a book and putting it on your shelf ... even if you haven't read hte last 10 books you bought. Fellow addicts will identify with me right away. If you don't love books ... well, you just don't understand.

Fellow book-lovers, I have a host of articles for you on the topics of 'Books.' Just click here to get started ... and I promise you'll have an enjoyable time.

And when you're done reading, it won't have cost you a penny ... unless you choose to buy a book I've recommended, of course.

Enjoy your reading!

The Joy of Laughter

They say that laughter is good medicine. I believe that is true. Life can be stressful and draining at times. However, we know that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy is different than happiness in that it does not depend on what is happening to us. It comes from our relationship with God and our faith that he has everything in control, even if our circumstances don't seem to affirm that fact.

Every now and then it's good to stop and look on the funny side of life, even if it means having a good laugh at yourself. Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously and God not seriously enough. It pays to lighten up a bit and realise that we are not the Saviour of the world, Jesus is!

Need a good laugh? Well, go no further. Click here to access a whole host of humorous moments and stories. Go ahead and laugh out loud. You'll feel a lot better afterwards :)

P.S. Don't forget to click 'next' at the bottom of the BLOG page, as there's more laughter waiting for you there. 

 

Best Movies of 2011

Everyone loves a good movie but sometimes it can be hard to find a good one. Hours can be spent in your local DVD shop browsing through what seems like an endless array of violence, sex and pointless comedy.

Christianity Today issues a list of what they believe are the most redeeming movies each year. Click here to view their list for 2011. Who knows, you might find something worth watching in there. 

P.S. Focus on the Family's Plugged In web site gives a good detailed overview of moveies, which is helpful to know before you see one. However, sometimes their reviews are so critical that you'd pretty much get the opinion that no movie is worth your time. It's important to understand that when you see a movie made by non-Christians it probably will have a good deal of non-Christian values. Neverthless, we need to be listening to the stories of our culture and endeavouring to join in the conversation. 

Some Tips for Preachers

It's Tuesday and Sunday's coming. For those of us who preach or teach at church on a regular basis, that can be a bit daunting. But it's encouraging to know that every message or sermon begins with a blank page. We all have to start somewhere.

Over the years, I have written a vareity of articles to encourage and assist those who communicate. You will find articles on everything from principles of effective communication, speaking without notes, and some recommended books to invest in.

Click here to begin ...

Communicating God's Word in such as way as to encourage and motivate people to change and grow is one of the greatest privileges we can have. All of us can grow and learn to communicate more effectively each year, as we invest in our own development.  

Mark Conner's BLOG update

By the time you read this, I will have started my 12 week sabbatical.

During this time, I will be doing a bit of a technology detox - so no work email, Facebook, Twitter or BLOG activity. Yes, I'm expecting severe withdrawal pains!

During this time my BLOG will have a variety of posts which I have written ahead of time that will post every few days. However, the Comments section will be closed, as I won't be checking my BLOG. There will be plenty of content to enjoy.

Happy reading!

Mark Conner

The Jesus Story

The Jesus Story

Matthew’s begins his story about Jesus with a family tree that any first century Jew would have been pretty impressed with. It includes heroes such as Abraham and David, but also some surprise inclusions such as Boaz (son of Rahab the prostitute) and Solomon (born out of the adulterous relationship of David and Bathsheba), hinting at the unexpected ways God often works. Jesus (a popular boys name, similar to Joshua, which means “the Lord saves”) came to “save his people from their sins (Matt.1:21-23).” Jesus would rescue people not from slavery in Egypt (like Moses did) but from the slavery of sin.

John the Baptist then appears as the forerunner to Jesus, preaching a message of repentance (which literally means to “turn to God”) and the coming kingdom of God (Matt.3:1-3). When Jesus arrives on the scene, he turns out to be much different than expected, even surprising John by asking to be baptised and, in doing so, identifying with God’s people. Jesus then began his own ministry, preaching a similar message of repentance and the soon-arriving kingdom of God (Matt.4:17). Two themes emerge immediately as we read the Jesus story – salvation and kingdom.

Salvation – a Cross

Jesus came to save people from their sins. This mission fits within the larger story of history that includes creation, fall (sin) and redemption. The Jesus story climaxes with his death, burial and resurrection. Jesus is not just a teacher of ethics or a social reformer. Jesus understood that humans have a sickness of heart, which all attempts at improvement cannot fix (see Jer.17:9). That sickness had to be dealt with and Jesus came as a doctor with a cure for the deadly disease of sin. He came to offer us forgiveness and a way to become children of God. This is the good news (‘gospel’). However, saving us from our sins was designed to serve a larger purpose, the purpose of God’s kingdom.  

Kingdom – a Throne

The ‘kingdom of God’ was central to everything Jesus was and did. This term is dynamic and refers to the activity or rule of God. For Jesus, the character of this kingdom was much different than most people expected. It was revolutionary but not in a violent military sense. It was a kingdom of peace, healing, and forgiveness. God’s reign looked very much like God himself.

Jesus didn’t see this kingdom coming all at once. From its small beginnings in Jesus’ own teaching and activity, the kingdom would ultimately blossom into a universal reality. In one of his parables, Jesus compared the kingdom to a mustard seed, which was known as the smallest of seeds. With his customary hyperbole, Jesus said that it eventually grows into the ‘greatest of all shrubs.’ In Jesus’ own ministry, insignificant though it might seem in the grand perspective of world history, God really was sowing the seed of his coming kingdom.

Salvation and kingdom must be kept closely together. To focus only on forgiveness and going to heaven in the afterlife can lead to escapism and a neglect of the work that God desires to do through us on earth right now. To focus only on the kingdom now can lead to utopianism, forgetting that the ultimate consummation of the kingdom will occur when Jesus returns for the second time. Today, we live between the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet’ – what Jesus has already done and what he is yet to do. The kingdom comes in two stages, just as Jesus does. Jesus is already ruling the world but this does not mean that the world is already completely as Jesus intends it to be. We live between Election Day and Inauguration Day, between D-Day and V-Day. In the meantime, we are called to carry the kingdom project forward as God’s ambassadors.

Kingdom Stories

Kingdom Stories

Jesus parables are among the best-known and most influential stories in the world. Even if people know nothing about Jesus, they either know about his stories or have encountered their impact in expressions like “prodigal” or “Good Samaritan.” The importance of the parables of Jesus cannot be over-estimated. Jesus was the master creator of story and nothing is so attractive and so compelling as a good story. Children (and adults) do not say, “Tell me some facts.” They want a story. Stories are inherently interesting. They entertain, involve, motivate and mirror our human existence.

Jesus was not the first or the only person to use parables. Parables are and virtually always have been a human means for persuading and enlightening. So Jesus’ parabolic teaching was not unique but we do not have any evidence that anyone prior to him used parables so frequently or forcefully as he did. He did not create the parabolic method; he honed and mastered it.

Parables make up about 35% of Jesus’ teaching in the Synoptic Gospels. There is little agreement on the number of parables, ranging from 37 to 65. Most of them are in Matthew and Luke, with only a few in Mark and none in John.

Stories enable us to see reality. They often force us to see from a new perspective. From this “other world” we are invited to understand, evaluate and hopefully, redirect our lives. Apart from personal experience, stories are one of the quickest ways of learning.

Jesus always had an agenda, an ‘intent,’ for every story he told. He used them to explain what God is like (who he is and how he acts), what the kingdom of God is like, and God’s intentions for humans (what they should and may become). This intent of Jesus (the teller or the author) must always be the goal as we seek to interpret any parable. We look to discover the intent of Jesus to his contemporaries – his disciples and his fellow Jews. The question for each parable is: “How did Jesus seek to change attitudes and behaviours with this parable?”

We must avoid allegorising the parables by turning them into something Jesus never intended for them to be, reading into a parable our own church’s theology. Parables are among the most abused and mistreated stories ever told. They have been twisted, subverted, realigned and psychologized for centuries by pastors and scholars alike, making them mirror theologies Jesus that never intended them to communicate.

Jesus parables have been described as works of art and as weapons of conflict with opponents. His teaching delighted and brought instruction to many while also causing offence to others.

Parables are more than stories. A common definition is that a parable is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” Although there is some truth in this saying, parables are much more than illustrations and although some are concerned with future eschatology, they are not about heaven. They are directed to life on this earth.

Parables are expanded analogies using comparisons and contrasts with the intent of convincing and persuading. They create an imaginary world that reflects reality.

Parables are a form of indirect communication that give a person handles for understanding truth. Through their creativity, they engage our attention and interest then force us to think in fresh ways. Their ultimate aim is to awaken insight, stimulate the conscience (through reflection) and move to action. [A good parable creates distance, provokes and appeals. By creating distance it gives the hearer/reader space to reconsider] Jesus wanted people to stop, reconsider their ways, and change their behaviour. They seek to goad people into the action that the gospel deserves and the kingdom demands.

Examples:

Direct communication about the kingdom might say, “The kingdom is of supreme value and is worth everything you could give.” The Parable of the Treasure in the Field is double indirect communication in that it does not speak of the hearer/reader or the subject at hand. It uses another person (the one who finds) and another subject (the treasure) to address the hearer indirectly.

The story of the Prodigal and Elder Brother is double indirect communication. It is about a man and his sons, not the hearers/readers, but it uses other people and another subject (their relations) to speak of God, relation with God, and relations among humans. We see this indirection over and over.

Sy Rogers

Sy Roger's unique life and three decades of ministry have inspired and encouraged audiences all around the world. Regarded as a gifted communicator, award winning talk show host, recording artist, and pastoral care specialist, Sy is a leading voice regarding sexuality, cultural themes and God’s character. Married since 1982, Sy and his family have lived for more than a decade in Singapore and New Zealand. Though currently based in the USA, much of Sy’s ministry continues outside of North America.

Sy will be speaking at CityLife Church over the weekend of March 31st/April 1st. Check out the web site nearer the time for full details. Everyone is welcome.

Sy Rogers has an amazing testimony of God's grace, especially in the area of sexuality. You catch watch his story here. 

Also, visit Sy's BLOG, which has more information about Sy and his excellent ministry.

Surrender Conference 2012

The annual Surrender Conference is coming up next month (March 23-25th).

Surrender is more than just a conference. It's an invitation. An invitation to see powerlessness and poverty locally and globally, to hear God’s heartbeat for justice and to join with the Jesus who pours out his life in loving the lost and least. It’s about going on the journey together in unity with His Spirit … the journey of surrender. 

Speakers include Mark Sayers, Mick Duncan, Cheryl Catford and Jarrod Mckenna.

Check it out ...

Linsanity

Linsanity has hit New York. What's it about - the surprising rise of New York's professional basketball team's point guard, Jeremy Lin. Over the last month, he has led his team to some unexpected victories, putting in some unbelievable performances on the court.

Lin is Asian and there aren't many Asians in professional sport in America, a world dominated by Afro-Americans. He's a graduate from Harvard, which doesn't produce a lot of athletes. He was undrafted and has been cut from a number of teams before landing in New York. He's also a committed Christian who hopes to be a pastor one day.

it's a great story.

Of course, there's no such thing as an "overnight success." No doubt, Lin has been developing his skills out of the limelight. Now suddenly he's in it - and he's shining. 

Go Jeremy!

P.S. To read about some leadership lessons from Lin's rise, click here.

 

CityLife Church - Hobson's Bay, now FaithLife Church

Back in 2004, we sent out a team of people to plant a church in the western suburbs of Melbourne in the city of Hobson's Bay under the leadership of Ted and Solveig Fabiyanic. Over the past 8 years the church has matured and grown. This last weekend they celebrated their recent incorporation and the appointment of their own Board of Elders. This is a significant milestone for the congregation and a real credit to everyone involved.

Their new name is FaithLife Church and they have just launched their own web site www.faithlifechurch.com.au

CityLife Church will continue to maintain good relationship with the Fabiyanics and FaithLife Church as we partner together to reach our wider city of Melbourne. The goal for this church plant right from the beginning was for them to become autonomous over time, while continuing in relationship with us.  

Congratulations to Ted and Solveig and their entire team!

2012 Global Atheist Convention

The 2012 Global Atheist Convention is back in Melbourne this year (April 13-15th). Some Christians become concerned and worked up about events such as this. Personally, I don't believe that people of faith have anything to fear about doubt or skepticism. No need to picket or boycott events. In fact, dialogue and discussion can be helpful in all areas of belief. Events such as this give us a terrific opportunity to talk about God and faith with those around about us. Let's pray and show the love of Christ.

One of the main speakers is Richard Dawkins, one of the world's most influential atheists. I have read his book The God Delusion and it only strengthened my faith. It is written in very emotional language and he makes sweeping generalisations about religion and faith that can't be validated. In no way did it shake my faith or give reasonable objections to the classic reasons for believing that there is a God (see my previous posts on this topic here).

For those interested in strengthening their own faith at a time such as this, here are some excellent books to consider reading:

There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind by Antony Flew

The Real Face fo Atheism by Ravi Zacharias

The Twilight of Atheism by Alistair McGrath

Atheism Remix by Albert Mohler

The New Atheism by John Dickson and John Lennox

The New Atheism: 10 Arguments that Don't Hold Water by Michael Poole

Against All Gods by Phillip E. Johnson

A Sceptics Guide to Atheism by Peter S. Williams

Vision Weekend 2012 (Pt.2)

In our last post we talked about our vision for CityLife Church for this year and beyond. Here are some reflection questions as a follow up.

Reflection Questions

1. How long have you been at your current church? What qualities attracted you to the church? 
2. The first disciples “devoted themselves” to a number of practices (Acts 2:42-47). What do you think an individual can realistically expect from the church and what must they be personally responsible for when it comes to their own discipleship? Consider the concept of being "self-feeding." As we mature, we gradually take more and more personal responsibility for our own health and grwoth, rather than depending solely on others.
3. Beliefs are very important but why are practices or behaviours even more important? Consider the difference between “preferred values” and “actual values.”
4. Becoming “fervent” will take more than attending one church gathering on a weekend. Just like no single meal, no matter how good it is, has the ability to give you energy for an entire week, so no one practice, event or activity has the power to get you to a palce of fervencey and keep you there. What are the types of activities and practices that could contribute to our spiritual health and vibrancy?
5. On a fervency scale, where would you describe yourself as a disciple of Jesus right now: cold, lukewarm or hot? What are some factors that have contributed to this? What will it take to lift your spiritual temperature this year?
6. Practices are like habits; they take time and repetition to develop. Reflect on your own experience with stopping bad habits and starting new more healthy ones. 
7. Ultimately, our decisions not our conditions determine our future destiny. What choices do you need to make today IF you want to become a more fervent follower of Jesus? [For those from Citylife, fill in the Journey of a Fervent Follower card with your decisions. You can spend time discussing some sample practices for each of the 4Es with a friend or in your Life Group]

God has a future and a hope for us (Jer.29:11). He has begun a good work in us and he is committed to finish what he has started (Phil.1:6). Let's keep in step with the Spirit this year, co-operating with God's intentions. Who knows that impact that could lead to! 

Vision Weekend 2012 (Pt.1)

The CityLife Story

Every person has a story and every church family has a story. CityLife Church began in 1967 under the leadership of Richard Holland. Richard really loved people and was a person of great faith. The church grew to over 500 people over the next 20 years. Kevin Conner was our second Senior Minister. Kevin’s teaching helped to further strengthen the foundations of the church and during his 8 years of leadership the church grew to over 1,500 people. In 1995, Mark Conner became the Senior Minister and since that time the church has continued to grow and expand its ministries. Highlights include a stronger emphasis on small groups, creation of our LIFETRAX life and leadership development course, the establishment of an effective community outreach ministry, the commencement of new congregations in other locations, and expansion of our mission work around the world.

Our Mission

Our church has a very clear mission that explains why we are here as a group. Our mission is to “raise up fervent followers of Jesus Christ who will reach out and impact communities, cities and nations for the kingdom of God.” This statement is built upon the Great Commandments (love God and others) and the Great Commission (“Go into all the world …”). There are two dimensions or aspects to our mission: Breathe IN (“raise up”) and breathe OUT (“reach out”). This refers to the twin activities of discipleship and outreach.

Where to now?

God has done some amazing things through our history as a church. What’s next? What do you see? What’s ahead? Obviously, we want to continue to take further steps towards our mission so that we have an even greater impact on communities, cities, and nations (read our We Have a Dream statement). The key to this increasing impact is that we continue to see more and better “fervent followers of Jesus Christ.” God’s work in us is the foundation for all that He desires to do through us. It is through genuine disciples that Jesus transforms the world and expands His kingdom.

A Portrait of a Fervent Follower

During this season in the life of our church, we are focusing on our lives as disciples of Jesus. A “fervent follower” is a genuine disciple of Jesus. Last year we intentionally moved to a more qualitative focus. This year our focus is still the same, but we have simplified our portrait of a fervent follower around 4 Es:

We Have a Dream

Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr had a dream for racial unity. Jesus had a dream for his church. We have a dream for our church ...

We see a church filled with fervent followers of Jesus Christ whose hearts are ablaze with love for God, love for one another, and love for a needy world.

We see a church where the Great Commission is the first priority. People share their faith, the gospel is preached, churches are planted, and nations are impacted.

We see a church of great compassion where the needy and hurting are drawn to find hope and answers to their problems. People are healed, set free, and made whole.

We see a church of friendly, loving people who ensure that each person feels accepted, valued, and has a sense of belonging.

We see a church where the very atmosphere is charged with fervent prayer, joyful praise, intimate worship, and a spirit of faith and expectancy.

We see a church filled with the Holy Spirit, demonstrating his fruit, moving in his gifts, and flowing in his power.

We see a church where God's Word is taught in such a way that people align their values, attitudes, and lifestyle to God's kingdom.

The church that we see is so big that people can't ignore it and growing so fast that buildings can't contain it, yet it is so small that each person feels a vital part of it - connected together in a network of hundreds of small groups across the city for care, discipleship, ministry, and outreach.

We see a church with such passionate devotion, radical conviction, and total commitment to the cause of Jesus Christ that the very gates of hell can't stop it!

This is the church that we see … this could be our church, CityLife Church. 

What's your dream?

Understanding WD40

A friend passed this on to me. Interesting reading ...

Before you read to the end, do you know what the main ingredient of WD-40 is? 

Who knew? I had a neighbour who bought a new car. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of his car (for some unknown reason). I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do.... probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbour came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job on the car. I'm impressed!

WD-40 who knew? 'Water Displacement #40'. The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and de-greaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you... When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top ... Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

WD-40 uses:

My Upcoming Sabbatical

This year is my 28th year on staff at CityLife Church and my 18th as Senior Minister. It's been quite a journey and I am thankful for all that God has done during this time and for the support of our congregation and leadership team. 

In discussion with the Elders and our senior staff, there was agreement that I would benefit from taking an extended sabbatical this year. A sabbatical isn't a holiday. It's a time of disengagement from the normal aspects and pressures of ministry life in order to spend time in replenishment, reflection and learning for the next stage of life and ministry. [Click here for more information about the concept of a sabbatical]

I will take a 12-week sabbatical from the beginning of March through to the middle of May (2 weeks of which will be annual leave for some holidays). During this time the church will be well looked after by our local leadership. Our teaching team will be speaking on the weekend, along with some excellent visiting ministry.  

What will I do on my Sabbatical?

The outcomes I desire are a replenishment of my spiritual and emotional world and a sharpening of my vision for the church and my own calling to ministry. The first half of my sabbatical will focus on my personal and spiritual well-being. It will include a combination of prayer, extended times with God, reflection, spiritual retreats, and time with some of my mentors. The second half of my sabbatical will focus on my ministerial development. I will make use of a study plan focused on topics such as Jesus and his mission, the church, leadership, contemporary culture, and preaching, as well as more extended time in prayer and the Scriptures. [Of course, if God wants to have me only do the first half stuff the entire time, then that's fine with me!]

For this to be most effective, I will be fully disengaged from church life (weekend meetings, staff meetings and email). Weekends and evenings will be times for me to sow back into my own family as well as my friendships. I will also take up some more recreational pursuits during these times - things I have little or no time for at the moment with weekends always being so full. 

What about the church? I have full confidence that the church will flourish during this time. In fact, it can be a maturing time for both the congregation and myself.

I would like to thank the Elders and senior staff for their kindness in releasing me for this time. Personally, I am really excited about this time and believe that it will be instrumental in ensuring that I continue to be full of God's vision and passion for our next season together. My desire is to return refreshed and with greater energy, with increased confidence, with deeper reservoirs from which to draw from, as well as an even greater sense of joy and delight in my calling.

Ministerial Sabbaticals (Pt.2)

In the foreword to Clergy Renewal, Roy M. Oswald lists the following six reasons for a church to encourage a pastor to take regular sabbaticals.

1. The very nature of being a pastor involves continual spiritual growth. Spiritual depth does not happen by accident; it takes hard, intentional work. Basically, it is a lifelong process involving big chunks of time set aside for reading, prayer, solitude and reflection ... A spiritual director can help a minister reflect on their own spiritual journey ... If ministers are to deliver deep and challenging sermons regularly, congregations will need to provide opportunities for their pastors to get away for extended periods of time dedicated to spiritual development.

2. Church ministry is changing rapidly. Congregations will experience neither numerical growth nor growth in spiritual depth and service unless they move with the changing times and develop fresh ways to reach new and younger generations. Meeting this challenge means ministers must periodically retreat from the congregation to retool or refocus their ministry approaches ... Visiting other congregations that are successfully reaching out to new people can help a pastor glean new insights to bring back to their own congregations. 

3. Without such renewal leave, there is a stronger chance that ministers will, over time, demonstrate the key characteristics of burnout - namely, exhaustion, cynicism, disillusionment, and self-deprecation. Research proves that people in the helping professions tend to burn-out the fastest, in part because the constant intimate involvement with the emotional freight of other people's lives can be draining. Burned-out ministers are much more likely to leave church ministry and seek other employment ... costing a congregation years of progress. Sabbatical leave helps avoid such situations.

4. Another lethal effect of burnout is that it makes a pastor dull, hollow, and uninteresting. Such people are not the best vehicle for bringing the good news to people. Ministerial vitality is the greatest asset in building up a congregation. When church members feel their pastor is exciting and spiritually alive, they can't wait to bring their friends to church ... The paradox of congregational ministry is that pastors are constantly invited to overextend (there is always someone they should have called or something they should have given attention to) but doing so can torpedo the vitality that drives their ministry. Renewal leave can be a powerful antidote to this kind of debilitating burnout.

5. The pastoral role generally involves long, hard hours without weekends off, or even the occasional long weekend. Pastors are rarely afforded the luxury of having two consecutive days off every week that most people enjoy. Every weekend involves a major output of energy on Sunday. For many pastors, Friday and Saturday are often consumed by sermon preparation, wedding rehearsals and weddings, and so forth ... Congregations too often assume that ministers can remain vital and healthy and maintain sound family life with only one day off per week. 

6. We also need to examine the ways in which congregations can become overly dependent upon their ministers. Some feel they could never manage without their pastor for three months ... but they can and they will grow and mature in the process.

In summary, everyone wins when ministers are granted periodic chunks of renewal leave. It is in everyone's long-term best interests. Pastors remain vital and healthy while congregations receive the benefits of engaged, long-term pastorates, new ministry skills, and exciting opportunities for mission.

Oswald suggests a three month sabbatical for every four years ministry, while other churches and denominations grant sabbaticals every seven years or after an even longer time.

P.S. To read about my upcoming sabbatical, click here.

Ministerial Sabbaticals (Pt.1)

Church work is not necessarily more difficult than other work, but it is hard. Staying fresh, alive and creative week after week, year after year, in the midst of the stress, emotion, study, as well as the people and leadership tasks that are required, can be quite a challenge. As a result, a minister's levels of passion, enthusiasm, excitement and vision for the future may not be where they would like them to be or where the church deserves them to be from someone in such an influential role.

Sometimes a tiredness and fatigue settles in that normal holidays don't fix. Pastors and church workers need to heed these kinds of warning signs. To ignore them can lead to burnout, which can be very hard to bounce back from. When you are running near empty and your reserves are low, that's the time to do something about it. One option to consider is a ministerial sabbatical.  

What is a sabbatical?

A ministerial sabbatical is simply a period of rest. However, a sabbatical is much more than holiday. It is rest with a purpose. When people in ministry are depleted, a sabbatical time apart for recovery of spiritual and creative energies can be extremely helpful.

The idea of the Sabbath is rooted in the Old Testament - God resting on the seventh day after six days of work (Gen.2:1-3) and commanding his people to do the same (Ex.16:26. Lev.23:3. Deut.5:13), as well as the command to allow the land to rest every seventh year (Lev.25:1-5).

The sabbatical also has a history with the schools of higher education since the middle ages where an instructor may be granted a leave of absence every seven years so that they can renew their passion for their subject. It is within this context that the ministerial sabbatical was born. Click here to read an insightful article containing more detailed background to the concept of a sabbatical as well as the types of activities that can make up a sabbatical period.

Ministerial sabbaticals are designed to strengthen and develop the pastor’s ability to serve the church. A well-planned sabbatical has been proven to provide a pastor with spiritual renewal, new perspective, further education, as well as renewed passion and vision resulting in a return to ministry with a clearer sense of mission and the renewed energy to work toward accomplishing it.

For those interested in taking a sabbatical, the book Clergy Renewal by the Alban Institute has some very helpful suggestions for sabbatical planning. Also, click here to read an excellent sample Pastoral Sabbatical Program.

If you are a church worker or pastor, is it time for you to consider a sabbatical? Even people in the corporate world can do something similar (check out the book Reboot your Life: Energize Yoru Career and Life by Taking a Break which has a ton of great ideas). 

Some other books I would highly recommend related to this topic are: Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic, Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion and Replenish: Leading from a Healthy Soul.

A sabbatical ... it could save your life, your family, your ministry and your future impact!

NEXT: Read Ministerial Sabbaticals (Pt.2). 

Bible Reading Tools

Reading your Bible each day is a terrific way to experience God as well as to learn his ways and wisdom for life. This year our church is reading through the New Testament and the books of Psalms and Proverbs. As we read the written word (the Greek word logos), we position ourselves for the Holy Spirit to give us a quickened word (the Greek word rhema) specific to our situation. 

As we read, some days may seem more relevant and powerful than others, but like any meal, God's Word does us good, whether we are aware of it or not. Also, as we read, some parts of the Bible are easy to understand while others can be more difficult. To assist us with those times when we aren't sure what the Bible means, there are a number of excellent tools available. Here are some of my favourites.

1. Begin by choosing a good Bible translation. For my devotions, I like the New Living Translation, The New International Version (2011 edition) or the Message Bible. I like to change it around a bit each year just so I see things in fresh ways. When selecting a Bible, consider purchasing a good Study Bible. I love the NLT Study Bible and the NIV Study Bible as they both provide a wealth of helpful information right there in the text.

2. For some extremely helpful devotional comments from a scholarly author you can't go past the long time classic New Daily Study Bible series by William Barclay or the recent New Testament for Everyone series by Tom Wright. Both series are worth every penny. 

3. For a more extensive commentary series, check out the NIV Application Commentaries, available as individual books from the Old and New Testaments or as a set (the NT is complete). Other more scholarly commentary series include The Expositor's Bible Commentary (EBC, 7 vols), The Word Biblical Commentary (WBC), The Tyndale Commentaries, the New International Commentary.

4. For help reading the Wisdom and Psalms books, I really like the new Baker Commentary of the Old Testament series. Check out both Psalms and Proverbs, which are excellent.

5. For help with Bible interpretation, check out How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, as well as Introduction to Biblical Interpretation.

6. For some help in reading the Bible devotionally, I highly recommend The Divine Mentor and Living by the Book.

7. Finally, most of these tools and more are available in digital formats - for computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones - at far cheaper prices. Check out eSword (free) and Olive Tree for starters. The most extensive programs are Logos (for Windows and MAC) and Accordance (for MAC). Also, worth mentioning is PC Study Bible and Quickverse. For free online Bibles check out Bible Gateway and YouVersion.

Don't be overwhelmed by all the books and helps available, including the cost. Just select one or two tools. Use them well, then add to your collection over time. 

As the apostle Paul said to his young protege, Timothy ... "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2Tim.2:15)." After all, we don't live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God's mouth (Matt.4:4). May you hear his voice clearly today. 

Lachlan Macquarie Internship: Developing Leaders in Public Policy

From Lyle Shelton, Chief of Staff at the Australian Christian Lobby ...

LYLE: Someone once said if you are unhappy with your leaders, start working on their replacements.

While Australia does have some fine political leaders, there is not too much disagreement that principled public leadership is in short supply. Just when we thought we could not get any more cynical about politicians, our Prime Minister reneged on her pokie promise to Andrew Wilke. 

Knowing our nation faces a crisis of leadership, five years ago ACL embarked on a long-term program to start developing tomorrow’s. Last week the fifth annual Compass Summer Conference was held in Brisbane with more than 70 young people on the program. Compass seeks to inspire Christian young people in tertiary study towards a greater understanding of their faith and how it applies to whatever vocation they might later pursue. While Compass is now a separate entity pursuing an exciting expanded brief, the Summer Conference continues to be run in association with ACL.

In addition to Compass, ACL last year commenced the Lachlan Macquarie Internship – a 13 week live-in program for people with post-graduate degrees with a passion for politics, public policy, the media or law.

Compass and LMI are long term initiatives but in the mean time we must require of our elected leaders – on both sides of the political fence – that they work to restore trust in what will be a long road ahead to restore trust in public leadership.

MARK: Jesus gave his followers a Great Commission and a Cultural Mandate. We have been given a geographical and ethnic challenge to take the good news of Jesus to every people group across the earth. We have also been given a social challenge to influence every strata of society (our kosmos or world), which includes business, arts and entertainment, education, family and government. No doubt, we need more followers of Christ to influence the political realm. Could that be you?

When You're Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Workload

Michael Hyatt has an excellent BLOG packed full of practical advice. Here is part of his recent post on what to do when you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, which I'm sure we all experience from time totime.

MICHAEL: Here are six things you can do to cope. Trust me, I am preaching to myself!

1. Acknowledge you can’t do it all. The idea that you will eventually get caught up is a myth. It’s impossible. You have more work than you can reasonably expect to get done. And unfortunately, your workload is not static. Even now, while you are reading this post, your inbox is filling up with fresh new tasks.

2. Accept the fact some things won’t get done at all. This flows from the first item. You have to make peace with the fact that you must leave some things undone—for the sake of your own sanity.

3. Practice workload triage. On the battlefield, medics have to decide where to apply their limited resources. They can’t help everyone. According to Dictionary.com, triageis the process of sorting victims, as of a battle or disaster, to determine medical priority in order to increase the number of survivors.”

Some patients will survive without medical care. Some won’t survive even if they have medical care. Triage means ignoring these two groups and focusing on those that will only survive with medical care. You must know which things you can safely ignore and which things demand your intervention.

4. Categorize your tasks by priority. In my view, this is the one thing missing from David Allen’s system. It assumes all tasks are equal. Or to say it another way, you can only decide a task’s relative priority in the moment.This doesn’t work for me. I end up with scores of tasks I must review every day. My eyes glaze over, and I fall prey to what Charles Ummel calls the Tyranny of the Urgent.

Instead, I like the Franklin-Covey method of assigning a priority tag to each task:

A—urgent and important

B—important but not urgent

C—urgent but not important

D—not urgent or important

I personally categorize each task with one of these tags. At the beginning of each day, I focus on my A’s first. If I get those done, I move to the B’s, then the C’s.

Kids in Church

For a bit of a laugh ...

3-year-old Reese: "Our Father, Who does art in heaven. Harold is His name. Amen.' 

A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am." 

After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, 
and I wanted to stay with you guys." 

One particular four-year-old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets." 

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping." 

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.' Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, 'Ryan , you be Jesus!' 

A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand. "Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked. "He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied. The boy thought a moment and then said, "Did God throw him back down?" 

A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" "I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered. The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?" 

2011 Leadership Book Awards

They say that "leaders are readers" and "readers are leaders." Without doubt, each of us can only give out what we have inside. We fill our inner world through prayer and reflection on God's Word, through meditation and grappling with our own thoughts, but we are especially aided by engaging with others. Books are a terrific way to stimulate your thinking and help you engage with a wide variety of relevant issues.

Leadership Journal is an excellent Christian magazine for leaders in every sphere of society. They recently released their list of book awards for 2011. If you're looking for some new books to read, their list is definitely worth a look.

Click here to access it.

WORD and SPIRIT

A few thoughts from my prayer journal this morning ...

WORD and SPIRIT, Mark. These are your two legs for walking on. EVERY DAY, soak in My WORD and My SPIRIT. Allow them BOTH to saturate your soul - your mind, will, and emotions. In doing so, you will become STRONG in Spirit. Your inner world will develop a strength and resistance that will be much greater than the pressures increasing in your outer world. 

One without the other will cause you to be ineffective and will lead to imbalance, immobilizing your forward progress and movement. EXCEL in both aspects of your daily practices. Increase your uptake and download in BOTH the WORD and the SPIRIT. Double it ... and you'll know a tangible breakthrough in every aspect of your life. 

Life is lived INSIDE OUT. Pour IN to your heart, your spirit, your mind, and your inner world ... MUCH MORE of the WORD and MUCH MORE of the SPIRIT. You CANNOT survive without doing so, especially in the days and years to come. You cannot GIVE what you do not first RECEIVE. HEAR then SPEAK. SEE then ACT. Breathe IN ... then breathe OUT my Spirit and my life. 

NOW IS THE TIME! TODAY is the DAY of your VISITATION. DON'T MISS IT! 

JESUS is passing by. Reach out and touch the hem of his garment. Allow His virtue to flow into your life. Touch Him and let Him touch you. 

SYNC with heaven's server. Download messages from God. Send him your requests (he will read them and respond in his time and way). Converse with him. Ask for attachments and links to strategic places. Ask for his Word to be automatically 'pushed' into your heart and mind. Stay 'connected' at all times throughout the day.

I pray this will be an encouragement to you as it as to me.