Author Archives

Garry Brackett

BA - Fort Wayne Bible College
MAR - Trinity Evangelical Divinity
D.Min - Grace Theological Seminary
Birkman Certified Coach
John Maxwell Certified Team Member
Myers/Briggs Certified
FIRO-B Certified
TKI Certified
25 Years Executive Coaching

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The Hybrid Church

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:29 — 28.1MB) | Embed

We are now into our 15th week of the COVID journey in our world. We have data that is showing the various highs and lows on this 15-week journey. What is emerging is the Hybrid Church – a combination of In-Person and Online church services. For me this has been a fascinating study of the changing emotions of church leaders. For example…..

•Week #1 – 50% of Pastors believed that Covid-19 would increase the faith of worshipers. 

•Week #15 – 24% of Pastors believe that Covid-19 will increase the faith of worshipers. This is a 26% drop of optimism in 15 weeks.

•11% of Pastors are now saying that faith will decrease in the lives of worshipers. This was not even a thought 15 weeks ago.

•Week #1 – 10% of Pastors stated their overall attendance would decline as a result of Covid-19.

•Week #15 – 47% of Pastor state their overall attendance will decline as a result of Covid-19.

We need to realize that pre-COVID the Millennials and Gen-Zers were already getting their spiritual content from a variety of churches. Covid did not create the opportunity – they were already in the digital marketplace. The truth of the matter is that all Pastors realize on some level the need to have a growing digital presence coupled with In-Person services. 

What is most intriguing presently is that some American Pastors are now asking after 15 weeks of our COVID journey; “Did we miss our opportunity as churches and leaders for repentance and reimagining the church? The trending of data seems to indicate thatchurches are attempting to just get through this crisis without any thought of what then church has become.

Consider the often-overlooked fact that “Faithful Church Attendance” pre-COVID was only 1.7 times per month. Let this sink into your spirit – less than two times in thirty days was given to attending the Body of Christ. Now that we have had 15 weeks of new habits it is not hard to see that church attendance is going to suffer. We were barely hanging on before this pandemic. Pastor Saul’s of Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee stated they are only running one-third (650) of their attendance currently. However, there online attendance is in the thousands.

What is the Lord of the Harvest saying to us as Faith Leaders that is new and fresh and not old and same? This is a window of importance for the souls of mankind not just the existence of a local (little “C”) church. Rather it is time to reshape the BIG “C” Kingdom narrative!

Digital Technology, COVID-19, and How we have displayed church has brought us to a crisis discussion of Discipleship! Can we effectively make Biblical disciples in a digital church format? The question itself represents a tension between how we have traditionally operated church and technologies presentation of how church can be done. A closer examination of the Biblical pattern of disciple-making and study of our current methods can open the door to new-innovation. However, make no mistake how church will be accomplished moving forward will change. ”NORMAL” left 15 weeks ago.

I close this podcast with a reminder that leaders on all levels of society are fatigued and borderline discouraged. Even the anarchists are fatigued suffering from “outrage fatigue” and “Out-rage exhaustion.” You cannot keep a clinched fist forever. Darkness cannot dispel darkness – only LIGHT! That LIGHT starts as soul-care for the leader and then the church and society. Learn to be GOOD to yourself!

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “Servant Leadership Questions” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

Executive Coaching Service– Private message me for details on this customizable service

Birkman Assessment

Leadershift by John Maxwell

Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com

Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

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The Courage To Create

Author Rollo May states in his book, The Courage To Create: “The acorn becomes an oak by means of automatic growth; no commitment is necessary. The kitten similarly becomes a cat on the basis of instinct. Nature and being are identical in creatures like them. But a man or woman becomes fully human only by his or her choices and his or her commitment to them. People attain worth and dignity by the multitude of decisions they make from day by day. These decisions require courage.”

Now that we are 15 weeks into our COVID journey what decisions have you made to grow yourself and expand your ability. Courage is required no matter what version of yourself you choose to display. It is never too late to stop, reflect, and make a decision to realign your life in the direction of true values – Faith, Family, Service to others.

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is…” Proverbs 23:7a NASB

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Limitless Model

Upgrade Your Brain

You can learn to be, do, have and share with no constraints. I wrote this book to prove this to

you. If you are not learning or living at your true potential, if there is a gap between your current reality and your desired reality, here’s the reason: There is a limit that must be released and replaced in one of three areas:

• A limit in your Mindset—you entertain a low belief in yourself, your capabilities, what you deserve, or what is possible.

• A limit in your Motivation—you lack the drive, purpose, or energy to take action.

• A limit in your Methods—you were taught and are acting on a process that is not effective to create the results you desire. This applies to an individual, a family, an organization. We all have our own unique story ofstruggles and strengths. Whatever your situation happens to be, here’s the best part: You’re not alone. I’m going to help you become limitless in your own way, within the three-part framework you’re about to learn: Limitless Mindset, Limitless Motivation, and Limitless Methods. Kwik.

The author states that his model will help you “un-limit” your capability and potential. He states it this way:

  • Mindset (the WHAT): deeply held beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions we create about who we are, how the world works, what we are capable of and deserve, and what is possible.
  • Motivation (the WHY): the purpose one has for taking action. The energy required for someone to behave in a particular way.
  • Method (the HOW): a specific process for accomplishing something, especially in an orderly, logical, or systematic way of instruction.

Author Kwik’s definition for un-limiting is “The act or process of casting aside inaccurate and restrictive perceptions of one’s potential and embracing the reality that, with the right mindset, motivation, and methods, there are no limitations.”

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Ministerial Pressure & Racism

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:29 — 32.3MB) | Embed

I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing: Salvation to our God on his Throne! Salvation to the Lamb! Revelation 7:9-10 Msg.

In continuing the discussion of ministerial pressure into week 14 of our COVID journey, I want to focus upon some observations regarding Racism. I want to review some new insights emerging that is getting lost in the context of destruction. I want to begin my thoughts with the opening scripture. So that we do not miss the 900lb elephant in the room – Heaven is going to be a phenomenal racial blend! This fact is undeniable and inescapable. No legitimate bible scholar will deny this truth claim.

That being said, there is a question worth considering; “Are we more apt to stand around the Throne of God to worship versus being seated at a table of discussion to have real conversation on racism? Revelation 7:9 will occur, but how will we get there on the road of life? We surely cannot believe we will mystically arrive without having experienced life and conversation together? Could our educational system be part of the beginning problem that denies discussion at an ethnic table? One of the salient truths that has become real for me is that it is possible to get a PhD and never study black culture. Yet, It is impossible to get a GED without studying white culture. It is my opinion that education ill prepares us for living and relating in an ethnic world. 

Consider Simon the Cyrenian that was pushed into service on Jesus’ behalf – carry this cross (Mark 15:21)! This often-overlooked passage of scripture is rich content. Simon is from the continent of Africa – modern day Libya. He was pushed into service of carrying Christ’s cross simply being at that place and that moment in time. 

The thrust of language in discussing Simon the Cyrene indicates he was “seized upon and thrust into service.” The cultural intersection of that moment is too rich to pass by it without noticing this fact. Romans, Jews, and Cyreneians.  Have we thought about this verse through the lens of diversity. Perhaps in the white community we should ask….

•Where am I lacking knowledge on ethnic diversity?

•What is it that I am not seeing that others see in ethnic diversity?

•Am I humble enough to ask in the first place?

We need to get outside of our own “Echo Chamber” to actually hear and see with clarity. If I have learned anything during this COVID journey is that our media outlets lack intellectual honesty. I am very careful in the news that I digest. The basic rule of thumb is if you cannot show evidence of your claim, then I am not reading or listening to your narrative on a continual basis. Echo Chamber reporting is “Antithetical” to God’s narration. Just because a crowd repeats erroneous claims often does not suddenly make them true.

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “Servant Leadership Questions” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

Executive Coaching Service– Private message me for details on this customizable service

Birkman Assessment

Leadershift by John Maxwell

Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com

Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

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Limitless

Upgrade Your Brain

While he was a prisoner, the Apostle Paul was the first to suggest the limitless possibility (through Christ) long before author Jim Kwik. Think about Paul’s words as a prisoner being physically limited dares to suggest limitlessness in Christ. Note a comparison by author Kwik from his book Limitless.

“The Hero’s Journey is the perfect structure to lend power and purpose to your personal story. In Limitless, you are the superhero. One of my core beliefs is that human potential is one of the only infinite resources we have in this world. Most everything else is finite, but the human mind

is the ultimate superpower—there is no limit to our creativity, imagination, determination, or ability to think, reason, or learn. Yet this resource is also among the least tapped. All of us can be the heroes of our own story, dipping into the well of our potential every single day and never having that well run dry. But so few of us approach our lives this way. That’s why I wrote this book—to help you realize that no matter where you are, or where you’ve been, you absolutely can free yourself and go from limits to liberation. That might be the only ‘extra’ you need to transition from ordinary to the extraordinary world.”

~ Jim Kwik from Limitless

I failed to mention that author Jim Kwik suffered a brain injury while in Kindergarten. During his elementary school years, he became known as the “kid with the broke brain.”

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Ministerial Pressure

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:29 — 35.0MB) | Embed

The Moral Arch of the Universe bends towards Justice – Dr. King

Just when you thought that re-opening your church was going to be a breeze, only to find out that you are up against 13 weeks of changed habits in church attendees lives and just when you are about to gain some traction all of a sudden we are faced with RACISM in America. So what is the current data set of our COVID journey?

We see that only 28% of churches are actively involved in Racial Injustice solutions. Have you made a statement about racial inequality? – 68% of churches have issued some statement. With COVID-19 sucking the life out of spiritual leaders then pile on racial unrest there were only 3 positive attributes that faith leaders are feeling currently – 11% are hopeful, 8% are motivated, and 7% are determined. Outside of these attributes, leaders are a mixture of anger, discouragement, frustrated, and lonely. 

Nationally known Faith Leaders are being crucified for daring to speak up about Racism in America. Silence is not an effective solution.

We are living in a perfect storm scenario in that we are trying to get our churches operational and now we are thrust into a national debate on facing prejudice for the marginalized in our society. The Pandemic shut-down was like the 2.4-mile swim as the first leg of the triathlon. Now we are being asked to go on a 112-mile bicycle race, only to realize there is yet a 26.2 mile run that follows. I cannot say that I am surprised by the emotional roller-coaster that faith leaders are experiencing.

In my previous Podcast I highlighted the unique conversations that parents are attempting to have with their young adolescent Teens about racism, riots, and burning businesses. Yes there is a real need for a wholistic Family Ministry that has not previously existed. How can churches reinvigorate the human factor back into the church life and help parents with tough conversations?

We are living in a perfect storm scenario in that we are trying to get our churches operational and now we are thrust into a national debate on facing prejudice for the marginalized in our society. The Pandemic shut-down was like the 2.4-mile swim as the first leg of the triathlon. Now we are being asked to go on a 112-mile bicycle race, only to realize there is yet a 26.2 mile run that follows. I cannot say that I am surprised by the emotional roller-coaster that faith leaders are experiencing.

We are living in a perfect storm scenario in that we are trying to get our churches operational and now we are thrust into a national debate on facing prejudice for the marginalized in our society. The Pandemic shut-down was like the 2.4-mile swim as the first leg of the triathlon. Now we are being asked to go on a 112-mile bicycle race, only to realize there is yet a 26.2 mile run that follows. I cannot say that I am surprised by the emotional roller-coaster that faith leaders are experiencing.

In my previous Podcast I highlighted the unique conversations that parents are attempting to have with their young adolescent Teens about racism, riots, and burning businesses. Yes there is a real need for a wholistic Family Ministry that has not previously existed. How can churches reinvigorate the human factor back into the church life and help parents with tough conversations?

It is interesting that pre-George Floyd the emotional state of faith leaders was one of frustration yet with a whole lot of hopefulness. Today positivity is less than 10% with a whole lot of frustration, anger, and disappointments. There is much room for improvement on positivity.

WHAT DO WE DO?

•At the top of the list – we should pray for our Spiritual Leaders and their family. It is difficult to engage critical conversations from a position of being tired and weary. We pray for Revival!

•While others are attempting to sanitize the marketplace of historical icons that are not to be worshipped or revered, rather we are to remember – Don’t do that  ever again!

•We are to pass on the heritage of God’s “hesed” love for all of man-kind. This love is never failing and unending. This is the opposite spirit of hatred that is being demonstrated.

•Living out the principles just stated we join ourselves with those like-minded people to multiply our impact and voice to a watching world.

All of this said and acted upon, we realize there is pure evil in our world that is destructive and that it does not matter who is hurt in the process. It is difficult to impossible to achieve meaningful conversation and plans with angry destructive voices.

The Moral Arch of the Universe bends towards Justice – Dr. King

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “Servant Leadership Questions” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

Executive Coaching Service– Private message me for details on this customizable service

Birkman Assessment

Leadershift by John Maxwell

Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com

Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

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Sugar Adds Up Quickly

First, let’s note the fact that 1 pound of sugar is 454 grams of sugar. If the average person consumes 150 pounds a year, that’s roughly .41 pounds per day or 185 grams of sugar per day.

Note1: 500 years ago, when we were consumed only 5 pounds of sugar per day, that was, if my math is correct, .14 pounds per day or 6.35 grams per day.

Note2: 1,000 years ago, when we consumed roughly ZERO pounds of sugar per day, that was, if my math is correct, 0.0 pounds per day or 0.0 grams per day. 🤓

So…

Let’s see how fast it all adds up.

Can of coke = 44 grams

Oh, wait. You’re going for the healthy juice alternative, right? Let’s say you grab an Odwalla Lemonade Pure Squeezed All Natural.

According to CalorieKing you just got: 41 grams of sugar.

Or, maybe you’re giving your kids “healthy” fruit juice.

Oops.

That apple juice has 37 grams of sugar.

And, very importantly, as this site points out: “So, if a child has apple juice with breakfast, low-fat chocolate milk with lunch, a sports drink after school and lemon-lime soda with dinner, they could consume 130 grams of sugar in drinks alone. That’s more than five times what pediatricians recommend for a child’s total daily sugar intake.”

EEK!

130 grams that fast?

OMNotGoodness.

We’d only need 55 more grams of sugar in all the rest of our food to hit the 185 gram daily threshold that’ll lead to the 150 POUNDS of sugar that leads to chronic not-awesomeness?

Yep.

It adds up.

FAST.

Obviously donuts and candy bars and cookies have a ton of sugar. But so does yogurt and salad dressing, and ketchup and pasta sauce and, well, pretty much everything that was made in a factory that you’re eating out of a jar or a box.

Which is yet another reason why Michael Pollan tells us “If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.”

NOTE: This is a reprint article from Brian Johnson – Philosopher/Optimist Coach.

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EAT, MOVE, SLEEP

“Sugar is a toxin. It fuels diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and cancer. At the current dose we consume, more than 150 pounds per person every year, sugar and its derivatives kill more people than cocaine, heroin, or any other controlled substance around. One report aptly describes sugar as ‘candy for cancer cells.’ It accelerates aging and inflammation in the body and subsequently fuels tumor growth. It is now clear that if you lower your sugar intake, you reduce your odds of developing cancer.”

Did you know that 500 years ago we did not consume sugar. By 1700 we consumed 52 lbs. of sugar per year. 2020, we are consuming 150 lbs. of sugar on average per year. YOWSERS!

According to UCSF’s Sugar Science site 74% of our processed food contains sugar. In fact there are 61 names for sugar. Food processors are attempting to hide this fact in plain site of the consumer. Here is a list of all 61 names for sugar:

1. Agave nectar
2. Barbados sugar
3. Barley malt
4. Barley malt syrup
5. Beet sugar
6. Brown sugar
7. Buttered syrup
8. Cane juice
9. Cane juice crystals
10. Cane sugar
11. Caramel
12. Carob syrup
13. Castor sugar
14. Coconut palm sugar
15. Coconut sugar
16. Confectioner’s sugar
17. Corn sweetener
18. Corn syrup
19. Corn syrup solids
20. Date sugar
21. Dehydrated cane juice
22. Demerara sugar
23. Dextrin
24. Dextrose
25. Evaporated cane juice
26. Free-flowing brown sugars
27. Fructose
28. Fruit juice
29. Fruit juice concentrate
30. Glucose
31. Glucose solids
32. Golden sugar
33. Golden syrup
34. Grape sugar
35. HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup)
36. Honey
37. Icing sugar
38. Invert sugar
39. Malt syrup
40. Maltodextrin
41. Maltol
42. Maltose
43. Mannose
44. Maple syrup
45. Molasses
46. Muscovado
47. Palm sugar
48. Panocha
49. Powdered sugar
50. Raw sugar
51. Refiner’s syrup
52. Rice syrup
53. Saccharose
54. Sorghum syrup
55. Sucrose
56. Sugar (granulated)
57. Sweet sorghum
58. Syrup
59. Treacle
60. Turbinado sugar
61. Yellow sugar

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Which Racial Lens Are You Looking Through?

Heaven Is Populated With Ethnic Groups

 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10 NIV (Emphasis Added).

Heaven is going to be a multi-ethnic space – period! It has been stated that we are more eager to stand around the Throne of worship than sit at the table of dialogue! If heaven is going to be a multi-ethnic space then why is it so hard to engage meaningful conversation that leads to real solutions? Consider the current data trends during our COVID journey together.

  • 18% of Pastors state they are “fully capable” of leading during this racial/biological season of American history.
  • 28% of churches are actually involved in meaningful “social injustices” – attempting to work toward solutions.

These two data points reveal a deeper theological reality. First of all, why are there not 100% of Pastors that are fully capable of leading in such socially threatening times? Second of all, because Christ died for all of mankind, why is there not a higher participation of involvement in the arena of social injustices? To respond; “I don’t know how!” or “I don’t understand!” falls woefully short. So that I am not misunderstood I am not propagating a “social justice works faith.” However, the gospel of Christ, when fully lived out impacts social justice as result of the cross first not as an addendum. 

Could it be that North American Christianity has been viewed through the lens of “Whiteness?” Allow me to illustrate this fact with my own educational journey. My journey was 14 years in length of formal education without ever sitting under a multi-ethnic professor and only required to read a very small handful of multi-ethnic authors. Sadly, my story is the same for multi-ethnic students attending the same Universities and Seminaries with me. A core study of Christian Higher Education is Systematic Theology. This genre of study fails if only one ethnic group is doing all of the talking. Back to Revelation chapter 7:9-10 – Heaven will be populated as a multi-ethnic space that no man can number the size of it. Perhaps we need to start looking through a different lens to allow the full message of scripture to emerge for such a time as this. Which lens are you looking through?

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

“Sugar has been a component within western diets since the sixteenth century. While 500 years ago, the average human would be lucky to come across sugar, it is estimated that today the average Westerner consumes 3 lb of sugar a week. Overall, our sugar consumption per year has risen from 5 lb per person, per year in 1700, to 152 lb per person in 2000. Recent research has found evidence that sugar, while not only bad for our waistlines, can have deleterious effects on our brain. Sugar has been found to shrink areas responsible for important functions such as memory and mood regulation, wearing on the hippocampus.”

Positive Psychology and The Body (Open University Press, 2013)