Dear Worshipers,
The battery is dying on my watch. It’s not dead, but it’s dying. How could I tell? I realized the other day that I seemed to be getting a lot done in a short period of time, until I consulted another time keeping device. Much to my chagrin, I was not nearly as effective as I thought I had been.
Even wonder if that is your experience. You are working, but not really certain you are getting as much done as you might think. Maybe you find yourself doing what you are doing, while you are waiting for the right opportunity to really make a difference to come along. In essence, you are marking time. Waiting for the right opportunity.
It makes me think of that song we have heard/sung the last few weeks, but not really. You know, “While I’m waiting, I will serve you while I’m waiting. I will worship while I am waiting. I will not faint. I will move ahead bold and confident. Taking every step in obedience, while I’m waiting.” That one - link. I say not really because this song talks about actively waiting, but passively marking time.
Makes me think of an absolutely great book that I mostly read a few years ago. "Don't Waste Your Life", by John Piper. It is a excellent exposition on living for the glory of God and why. I encourage anyone who wants to think a little more about this to get a copy and prepare to be changed.
But back to my watch. Time was passing more quickly than I realized. This is almost always the case. I want o make my life count. Jesus wants to use me. The Father has planned things for me to do. But am I pursuing those things or my own agenda?
I want to encourage you to ponder this. Am I marking time, waiting for the right opportunity to come along, or is the “right” opportunity the one I find myself in currently? Holy Spirit help me to see.
Jesus, thank You for making a difference in my life. For creating me and recreating me with divine purpose. Use my life to help others see You. Please Lord. I don’t want to mark time, but make the most of mine.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
For Building Up the Body of Christ
Dear Worshipers,
Last week I shared about my excitement in seeing people equipped for the work of ministry. I elaborated on what this equipping looks like in the ministry of worship we share, but I did not explain the rationale for this beyond the fact that it is described as my role as a pastor to equip. Ephesians 4:12b tells us clearly that the intent in equipping is “for building up the body of Christ.”
Over the last few months I have responded to my wife’s inspiration and commitment and have begun working out. A part of this for me has been weight training which I never would have imagined I would do, much less enjoy. I am a novice, but there are some things that I have begun to learn that apply to this principle in Scripture of building up the body.
One thing I have learned is that it is a painful process. In order to build muscle, you have to work it, in effect tearing it down, and then provide the rest and resources it needs to rebuild. I do not think I ever knew this, and if I did I was really ignorant of the implications to my spiritual life.
You see, if the body of Christ is going to be built, it has to get to work, to exercise it’s muscle if you will. This can be a painful process, especially as we are stretched in new levels. But when we are, and follow that stretching with the rest and resources necessary there is a building that takes place. I have seen this principle at work time and time again in my own spiritual life, and the life of the Church. I trust you have as well.
The other thing I have learned is that it is a choice. I can choose not to lift those weights, or once I am comfortable with a certain limit simply stay there and not increase. But then I am maintaining at best and not building. Just to lift the weight at all is a choice, and not an easy one at times. Once it has been done though, and the building begins to take place, it is a very rewarding experience.
Jesus, thank You for building us up, even though that often is preceded by a painful experience. Meet us in the cave and use those experiences to do what the other, more comfortable ones may never have.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Last week I shared about my excitement in seeing people equipped for the work of ministry. I elaborated on what this equipping looks like in the ministry of worship we share, but I did not explain the rationale for this beyond the fact that it is described as my role as a pastor to equip. Ephesians 4:12b tells us clearly that the intent in equipping is “for building up the body of Christ.”
Over the last few months I have responded to my wife’s inspiration and commitment and have begun working out. A part of this for me has been weight training which I never would have imagined I would do, much less enjoy. I am a novice, but there are some things that I have begun to learn that apply to this principle in Scripture of building up the body.
One thing I have learned is that it is a painful process. In order to build muscle, you have to work it, in effect tearing it down, and then provide the rest and resources it needs to rebuild. I do not think I ever knew this, and if I did I was really ignorant of the implications to my spiritual life.
You see, if the body of Christ is going to be built, it has to get to work, to exercise it’s muscle if you will. This can be a painful process, especially as we are stretched in new levels. But when we are, and follow that stretching with the rest and resources necessary there is a building that takes place. I have seen this principle at work time and time again in my own spiritual life, and the life of the Church. I trust you have as well.
The other thing I have learned is that it is a choice. I can choose not to lift those weights, or once I am comfortable with a certain limit simply stay there and not increase. But then I am maintaining at best and not building. Just to lift the weight at all is a choice, and not an easy one at times. Once it has been done though, and the building begins to take place, it is a very rewarding experience.
Jesus, thank You for building us up, even though that often is preceded by a painful experience. Meet us in the cave and use those experiences to do what the other, more comfortable ones may never have.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Equipping the Saints for the Work of Ministry
Dear Worshipers,
One of the things that I am most passionate about is equipping saints for the work of ministry. Ephesians 4:12a gives us this job description for pastors and teachers and other servant leaders, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry.”
Though people would understand that someone else would lead for me when I am away, that same someone might ask why another leader would be leading when I am here. After all isn’t it my job to do the leading. See job description in Eph.4:12. The simple reply is no. It is my job to be equipping others to lead, including but not limited to the main leader position.
Equipping means to provide all the tools needed to complete a task. I am working to equip people all around me to do the work of ministry. And not only because the Scripture tells me that’s what I should be doing. There is at least one other obvious reason. Because I simply can not do it myself. There is far more than any one person could ever do.
The responsibility then falls to me to make sure that each leader has all they need to execute the ministry I have entrusted to them. Sometimes I do a better job than other times. The temptation when I don’t do well equipping is simply to do the ministry myself, for on the short term that would be easier. But I am confident my real job is to equip the people of God for the work of the ministry.
So…when you see Gary Montagna leading in my place, or Bill Fleet directing the choir think equipping. When you see Rick Bartunek directing the orchestra in December, or Daniel Young projecting media onto the screens think equipping. When you see a 10th grade bass player and someone who could be his dad singing and leading in worship, think equipping. When you see a young lady painting as an act of worship, or someone directing a drama, or singing a solo, etc. think equipping. Then pray for that person who has stepped out in faith. Then pray for yourself as God calls you to be equipped. Than pray for me as I continue to take risks and equip the saints for the work of ministry.
Jesus, thank You removing our crutches and for taking us to new places to help us trust You even more. You are so good to us. Help us to walk a step behind You until there is nowhere we would rather be.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
One of the things that I am most passionate about is equipping saints for the work of ministry. Ephesians 4:12a gives us this job description for pastors and teachers and other servant leaders, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry.”
Though people would understand that someone else would lead for me when I am away, that same someone might ask why another leader would be leading when I am here. After all isn’t it my job to do the leading. See job description in Eph.4:12. The simple reply is no. It is my job to be equipping others to lead, including but not limited to the main leader position.
Equipping means to provide all the tools needed to complete a task. I am working to equip people all around me to do the work of ministry. And not only because the Scripture tells me that’s what I should be doing. There is at least one other obvious reason. Because I simply can not do it myself. There is far more than any one person could ever do.
The responsibility then falls to me to make sure that each leader has all they need to execute the ministry I have entrusted to them. Sometimes I do a better job than other times. The temptation when I don’t do well equipping is simply to do the ministry myself, for on the short term that would be easier. But I am confident my real job is to equip the people of God for the work of the ministry.
So…when you see Gary Montagna leading in my place, or Bill Fleet directing the choir think equipping. When you see Rick Bartunek directing the orchestra in December, or Daniel Young projecting media onto the screens think equipping. When you see a 10th grade bass player and someone who could be his dad singing and leading in worship, think equipping. When you see a young lady painting as an act of worship, or someone directing a drama, or singing a solo, etc. think equipping. Then pray for that person who has stepped out in faith. Then pray for yourself as God calls you to be equipped. Than pray for me as I continue to take risks and equip the saints for the work of ministry.
Jesus, thank You removing our crutches and for taking us to new places to help us trust You even more. You are so good to us. Help us to walk a step behind You until there is nowhere we would rather be.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
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