Category Archives: Connection

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Cultural Genocide

Double Standards Applied During COVID-19

No one will argue that 2020 has been a year of layered disruptions that has altered our normal rhythms for years to come. Our cultural norms are in the way of the current pandemic dialogue. Who would have believed that all centers of worship would go dark overnight? Who would have believed that home-life rhythms of parents would take on the role of Schoolmaster, Digital Career, and keep the normal atmosphere of home life alive? Who would have believed that End of Life Celebrations would be limited to a handful of people and live streamed to others that are not permitted to attend because of COVID restrictions? Who would have believed that COVID-19 does not impact peaceful protests that has caused an estimated $6 billion in community damage while churches are still being forced to either stay shut-down or meet with severe restrictions because of the fear of churches becoming “super-spreaders” of the coronavirus? Who would believe that protests over wrongful death would morph into the deliberate death of those we ask to protect our communities?

To a pathogen, one crowd is very much like any other, no matter how righteous the cause or how justified the protest. If a handful of people protesting lockdowns were a cause for concern, the much larger protests sweeping America—with exponentially more potential vectors of transmission—should have been met with the offer of safer options for making one’s voice heard. African Americans have already suffered disproportionately from Covid-19; failing to protect them by implicitly encouraging large public gatherings is a display of cynical disregard for black lives.[1]

It is interesting how history past proves the future. The German Jewish poet Heinrich Heine wrote in 1821; “Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings.” More than a century later in 1933, Heine’s books would be burned in Berlin’s Opernplatz, presaging the murder of six million Jews in a vicious calculated campaign of genocide.[2]

“Cultural Genocide” as a conversation descriptor for current activity has been revived by numerous authors and faith leaders. In an article in 2018 by Facinghistory.org it was stated that cultural genocide involves the eradication and destruction of cultural artifacts, such as books, artworks, and structures, as well as the suppression of cultural activities that do not conform to the destroyer’s notion of what is appropriate.[3]

YES, cultural norms will change! Biblically speaking, church culture must change because of the spirit of antichrist that is so obvious in our world now. We see its manifestations more clearly. You cannot read the Bible books of Daniel and Revelation without understanding that days of devastation will come. Yet our hope is not in cultural institutions, but in an eternal message of hope in Christ Jesus. This is a battle between good and evil, heaven and hell, Christ and Satan. Do not weep over lost cultural institutions, rather weep over the spiritual lostness of mankind!

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

[1]Chris von Cseflvay, Distrust Is Infectious Too. www.City-Journal.org. Accessed 19 September, 2020

[2] Edward C. Luck. Cultural Genocide and The Protection of Cultural Heritage. (J. Paul Getty Trust: Los Angeles Ó2018) p.5

[3] Cultural Genocide. www.facinghistory.org. Accessed 19 September, 2020.

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Cultural Comprehension of The Holy Spirit

For Such A Time As This

In my morning devotions in the Bible Book of Acts I ran a search on the Cultural Indwelling of Spirit. I was amazed when my Logos Bible software yielded a response of 5, 824 results in 120 resources (Multiple Translations). What does this mean and how are we to apply this amount of data? At a basic conclusion it can be stated the indwelling presence of the Spirit is embedded into the Biblical life and times of people. It was understood that SPIRIT and spirit (Holy Spirit vs. divination) can indwell humans. I have been trained to observe the frequency of or lack of word usage or phrases as this adds to the overall meaning and trajectory of the authors message.

This search as it pertains to the Book of Acts is important to understanding the birth of the church in Acts. Christ’s words are riveting in chapter 1:4-8. This is the last words of Christ as He was ascending into Heaven. Literally, gravity released its grip and Christ was taken up in a cloud out of their sight. Christ’s instruction was, do not leave Jerusalem until you are baptized with the Holy Spirit and a result of this fact, you will receive power. This is the ignition point of the New Testament Church. The function of the Church was going to be different from the religious systems that had dominated national Israel even to the utter-most reaches of civilization. 

While scripture gives numerous references to spiritual indwelling, Pentecost was going to be different from cultural understanding. Christ’s words were clear, “…He ordered them to not depart Jerusalem, but wait for the promise…” The nation was experiencing layered disruptions; Religious power systems were uprooted, Rome had conquered, and Christ had descended back to Heaven. The Disciples were now alone in one sense, but now they were going to wait for the abiding Holy Spirit presence. What was the impact? Here are 17 references of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in Acts – 1:8; 2:2-4, 17-18, 33, 38; 4:31; 5:15-16; 7:54-56; 8: 15-17; 9:17-19; 10:38, 44-47; 11:15-17; 13:9; 15:8-9; 16:16-18; 19:2-7.

It is safe to say the New Testament church grew while making a massive impact upon the communities where the Gospel was being preached. Our COVID world is a great opportunity for a fresh presence of the Holy Spirit to realign our missional purpose; “….All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18b-20 NIV.

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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The Long Game

To Win At Anything In Life – START!

To play any game in life you must first decide to play – you START! If accomplishing life-long dreams is your goal you must keep playing the game. It is all about the Long Game! While we only have one life, life itself is not a one and done deal. You must become disciplined for the Long Game while living.

Think about some of these stats. Rovio, the brand that created “Angry Birds” launched 51 unsuccessful prototypes before this game became a success. Mark Ruffalo the star of Avengers went through 600+ auditions before he got his first role. Mr. October, Reggie Jackson struck 2,597 times. James Dyson inventor of the Dyson Vacuum Cleaner created 5,127 prototypes before success. 

Do you get the BIG IDEA? To win at anything in life you must stay in the game. It has been said that you can work for 25 years and become an overnight success. There is a lot of wisdom in this idea. In the game of life, you “…can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot have them both” (Berne Brown).

Aristotle exclaimed that COURAGE is the #1 virtue of the inner man. Everyday Courage! The kind of courage required to notice an instinct to act on a valued goal and then ACTUALLY DO THE THING YOU KNOW YOUR BEST SELF WOULD LOVE TO DO! (Brian Johnson). In fact, if you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed! 

Oh, by the way, Picasso created some 100 masterpieces in his lifetime. Did you know that he actually created more than 50,000 pieces of art. That comes out to 2 pieces of art created daily in his lifetime.

Play the LONG GAME coupled with everyday COURAGE!

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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Leadership Thoughts at 80

I have followed the life and ministry of Gordon MacDonald for years. I recently came across an interview of Gordon by Carey Nieuwhof. Here are 15 leadership insights from the vantage point of being 80 years of age. I will post the link for this interview below.

  1. Put the people you value most into your calendar first.
    • Pastors, your family is the Lord’s work. Live like it.
  2. Never stop learning and growing!
    • If you want to do what you’re called to do, you need to keep growing.
  3. Be more a priest and less a preacher to people.
    • A preacher is a one-way conversation, but a priest is a dialogue. Be more like a priest to the people in your life.
  4. The time will come when you will have to relinquish titles and privileges and slip into obscurity. Ultimately the obscurity of death.
    • What kind of an old person do you want to be? Plan for it.
  5. Prepare yourself for those occasions. When, you like most people, you will suffer, fail, fall into doubt, face conflict and experience loss.
    • Disappointments and doubts will come into your life. Sometimes Satan wins a battle, but he will never win the war.
  6. Be trustworthy and dependable. A person who keeps his or her word. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
    • Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Your integrity relies upon it.
  7. Be a spiritual mother or father to teachable people who may someday inherit your responsibilities.
    • The next generation needs what you have to offer. Don’t withhold it.
  8. Live modestly, stay free of debt. Be generous, develop a financial strategy for your future, and be wary of those who try to buy your favor.
    • The way you handle your money is one of the ways your congregation judges you.
  9. Expect to reorder your internal life once every 7-10 years.
    • Life goes through basic definitional changes in 10-year increments. The way you think about life will need to change with these things.
  10. Receive compliments, criticism, and counsel with humility and appreciation. Avoid whining, complaining, self-pity. Assume that there is at least a grain of truth in the thing’s critics say about you and your work.
    • Always in a conversation, look for the grain of truth. Everybody has something God has planted in them for you.
  11. Stay alert for the evils and temptations embedded in institutional life.
    • Every relationship has its flaws. And good leadership is “assuming that there are flaws in this organization, and I must always be aware of when they might show themselves and what I as a leader would do to bring it under control.”
  12. Be quick to say with sincerity, “Thank you.” “Well done.” “I’m sorry.” “I forgive you.” And, “How can I help?”
    • These are the five inner core transactions in all relationships. None of them can be missing if you would like to have a healthy relationship. Always look for the thing you can find in another person that’s worth praising.
  13. Always maintain a relationship with one or two mentors who can aid you in hearing God’s voice.
    • Over the course of a lifetime, aim to have had over 100 mentors that have left their wisdom with you.
  14. Master the art of asking the penetrating questions that open someone’s heart.
    • You know that you are asking penetrating questions when you get responses like:
      “Boy, you really ask good questions.”
      “Wow. Nobody’s ever asked me that before.”
      Or, “I’ve never thought about that.”
    • When you get those kinds of responses, this person is welcoming you to a place that’s near to their heart.
  15. Retreat to the cross regularly. Express your appreciations. Name your sins. Pray for the world. Listen to God’s call to do things that are bigger than you.
    • This point eclipses all other points on this list.

https://careynieuwhof.com/?s=Gordon+MacDonald

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It’s Just Hard

So, What Is The Solution?

I want to be clear at the outset, I have had my dark days in ministry. I have been called about everything in the book and some words that had syllable combinations that I did not know you do that in the English language. Yes, the foundations of my character and life’s work has been attacked by people who profess the same Lord I serve. These experiences were all pre-COVID. For ministers that are still in the trenches on the frontline attempting to become videographers, IT experts, looking into a camera instead of people’s faces, while portraying they have it all together and exclaiming “I have it all together”. I give you permission to say; It’s just hard!

YES, it is hard! You did not go Seminary and learn the functions and tools of operating in this environment. You and every other minister were not prepared either. I recall a statement from Chuck Swindoll in the earliest days of my ministry and the beginning days of Insight For Living radio program, Swindoll made this claim; “If you want to be relevant, speak to the hurting, there on every pew in the church. We are broken people ministering to the broken. That is hard many days without the added burden of layered disruptions.

So, what is the solution? Answer: I really do not know! But here is what I do know – you are not alone!. Christianity Today recently wrote an article about ministerial grief in a pandemic. This is worth the time to read. This is a season for us to remain human not super-saints. The human touch may feel like the old “dial-up” technology of yester-year, but it is however, what we are called to do. So, here is what I know.

It is OK to not have the answers. No one does.

It is OK to stumble clumsily through your video transitions.

It is OK to wish you were more prepared.

It is OK if people leave the church. We are a sending movement not a keeping movement.

It is OK to run out of energy during the week. Take time to rest!

It is OK to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and charge hard into the game. This may not be that time – listen to your body rhythms and your breathing. Basic health care will keep your heart rate down and oxygen levels up.

It is OK to GRIEVE. Grief is the off ramp on the highway of life. Make sure that you help people embrace this fact. Always show them the on-ramp!Today and every day PRAY for your spiritual leaders! Call them by name! Engage some “dial-up” ministry – call them or send a hand-written note of encouragement.

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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Two Men, Same City, Different Outcomes

Societies Current Hatred Is Against Godliness, Not Government

“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand” Joel 2:1

This is a tale of two cemeteries. In the north of London at Highgate Cemetery there are fifty-three thousand graves. One wo which is a monument to Karl Marx (1818-1883). In the south of London is West Norwood Cemetery there are forty-two thousand. One of which is Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892). The Apostle of Evil and the Prince of Preachers both lived in the same city at the same time. This is a story of Christianity versus Marxism.

England was already a combustible atmosphere. England was at the apex of all their accomplishments. The sun never set on Britain; their territory was global. Britain was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. The urban poor crowded the slums populated the novels of Charles Dickens. Child labor laws were in their infancy. Black factory smoke choked the air and coal dust filled lungs. 

It was into this point of history that Marx unleashed his Des Kapital. This work was about the evils of capitalism and how there should be an even distribution of wealth. It is interesting to note that history shows Marx receiving large contributions from the very capitalist he criticized. The same can be said of the BLM Movement with nearly $2 billion pledged by Corporate America. Marx’s love of Freedom of Speech not only went to the extent of slandering the Jews and other capitalists but fought back against Freedom of Speech when his life and works were criticized. This bold speech did not hide the redefining of the nuclear family. Abolishing the family and religion are all open declarations of the Communist Manifesto (1848). 

Enter Charles Spurgeon! His message of anti-hatred, human dignity, and salvation found expression into Spurgeon’s preaching. At the age of 20 he became Pastor of the New Park Street Chapel in south London. A letter in The Times, reported what would become normative for the next 30 years of his ministry; “Fancy a congregation consisting of 10,000 souls, streaming into the hall, mounting the galleries…. Mr. Spurgeon ascended his tribune. To the hum, and rush, and trampling of men, succeeded a low, concentrated thrill and murmur, of devotion, which seemed to run at once, like an electric current, through the breast of every one present, and by this magnetic chain the preacher held us fast bound for about two hours. It is not my purpose to give a summary of his discourse. It is enough to say of his voice, that its power and volume are sufficient to reach everyone in that vast assembly; of his language that it is neither high-flown nor homely; of his style, that it is at times familiar, at times declamatory, but always happy, and often eloquent; of his doctrine, that neither the ‘Calvinist’ nor the ‘Baptist’ appears in the forefront of the battle which is waged by Mr. Spurgeon with relentless animosity, and with Gospel weapons, against irreligion, cant, hypocrisy, pride, and those secret bosom-sins which so easily beset a man in daily life; and to sum up all in a word, it is enough to say of the man himself, that he impresses you with a perfect conviction of his sincerity.”

What an amazing comparison of two men in the same city at the same point of history. Marxism never became fully established in Britain. It is stated the Gospel message of Christ as preached by Spurgeon played a significant role. This raises the question for our time in history – Who are the fiery Gospel Preachers and Prayer Warriors that will dare to speak to darkness with a message of eternal light? Where are the praying saints that will do warfare behind closed doors and enter the heavenly realm to war against forces that are purely evil? Constructing large religious movements without massive social impact cannot survive the coming judgement of the Lord. The distinction between GOOD and EVIL has never been clearer. The political altar is not where we bow as Christ followers. We bow in the Manifest Presence of Christ and His glory!

Reading List

  1. Karl Marx Vs. Charles Spurgeon
  2. What Did Charles Spurgeon Think About Social Activism
  3. Charles Spurgeon – Resources From Ligonier Ministry
  4. Manifesto of The Communist Party
  5. Will Disaster Strike The November Election?

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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I Did Not Expect To Hear This In Church

Look at these seven sentences we hear in churches today. We could have never predicted them. 

  1. “We need to decide if we are going to require masks in church.” If I had heard this sentence would be common in churches, I probably would have wondered if we are having mandatory costume parties in 2020. With the different masks used today, maybe we are.
  2. “We can’t take the offering anymore.” Really? I think many leaders would have freaked out if they heard financial support would become dependent on digital giving. Probably many more would have been surprised how many members were willing to move to digital giving.
  3. “We can no longer have the stand and greet time.” This issue was contentious in many churches before 2020. While many churches held tenaciously to this tradition, it was fading overall. But, imagine if we outright banned it in churches. That has happened for the most part. In case you’re wondering, I’m really okay with this development.
  4. “We need to measure our streaming views over 30 seconds.” For sure, a few churches were doing live streaming services prior to 2020, but they were a distinct minority in number. I don’t think any of us anticipated that streaming views would become a common church metric.
  5. “We need to arrange our worship center seating to accommodate social distancing.” Prior to 2020, I would have thought social distancing was only something we introverts practiced. Now it is something church leaders plan on a regular basis.
  6. “We need to move all of our small groups to meet on Zoom.” If most church members had heard this statement in 2019, they may have wondered if small groups would be in some drug-induced state. Zoom? What is that?
  7. “We will no longer visit church members in the hospital.” This development in 2020 is painful both to those confined to the hospital and to those in the church who really want to care for these members. It is indeed one of the tragedies of the pandemic.

NOTE: The genesis of this article is from ChurchAnswers.com by Thomas Rainer.

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Guiding Children In A Digital Age

Not All Screen Time Should Cause Concern

Digital Technology allows us to carry the WORLD in our pocket. With the world in our pocket, problems are all but inescapable. How can the church come along side of the children and the parents who raise them to promote the wise use of technology in an age in which the most essential of tasks are done via digital technology?

It has been stated that COVID-19 pushed the world into the digital age over-night. The truth be known we were already in the digital age – COVID simply amplified and accelerated this reality. Research has shown there are a number of trends that are affecting engaged Christian families and their relationship to the changing landscape of technology, including where parents say they are struggling the most right now. It should be noted that children are struggling with the same pressures and struggles. Technology has robbed the childhood years of the safety from the pressures of this world.

Pre-pandemic the average engaged Christian family stated they spent 10 hrs./week in family conversation and play; 8hrs using media for entertainment; 3hrs/week reading books, extracurricular or church attendance, 2hrs/week searching for information; 1 hr./week social media. These hours are below the national report.

Regardless of the hours spent, what are parents’ perceptions as to the cause or triggers of digital usage? Examine the infographic below for current insights.

Not all screen time should be cause for concern; media-engaged children are more likely than others to engage the Bible through some kind of digital technology, whether by app (37% weekly vs. 27% less engaged children), audio (27% weekly vs. 17%) or video (27% weekly vs. 21%). These data point to opportunities for greater biblical engagement among media-engaged kids and media-stressed parents.

Generally speaking, parents of media-engaged children lean more heavily on the Church to provide them with stability and resources for their child’s spiritual growth—in fact, 58% of highly engaged Christian parents choose a church with their kids in mind. The Church can be a sorely needed guide for parenting children well when it comes to technology—especially now, during the screen-heavy environment surrounding the current health crisis.[1]

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

[1] One-Third of Engaged Christian Parents is “Media Stressed”. Accessed 7 September https://www.barna.com/research/church-help-navigate-digital-age/

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Leader, Has Your Message Changed?

Congregants Are Stuck and Need A Way Out

There are no guarantees that a COVID vaccine will be effective or even when it will hit the market. There are some states that are mired in chaos and daily “freak-out” events that are severely impacting the mental/emotional health of citizens.  People are searching for a way out! How do I get out of unemployment, How do I get out of hopelessness, frustration, and this malaise that has gripped our country?

No one is sure at the moment if we are at the half-way point of this pandemic. We will come through this season of history. Leader, if you have a mission and message, it probably time to evaluate your mission and message. We all are going to arrive at a very different place, and it will feel quite differently when we arrive.

Those leaders who understand the mental emotional state of people and are willing to adapt in this recovery journey will capture the ear of a listening audience. Empathetic care will get the public’s attention. Those leaders who believe that just getting back to pre-COVID mission and message are risking irrelevance. 

Prepare yourself now to lead people post-COVID. It is a new world!

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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Resilient Disciples

The Hope of Tomorrow’s Church

In the previous blog article, Spiritual Exiles, I wrote about the discovery of David Kinnaman, President of Barna, the four categories describing the twenty-somethings. Resilient Exiles is the one group that is staying with the church while others have left organized church. Researchers have done a deep dive into the question; Why have these 10% stayed with the church while others are or have left. The data reveals real promise in leading the current church into the future by taking the time to listen and learn from the twenty-somethings.

Meaningful relationships are what builds resilient disciples. This is key to evaluating current church methodology and allowing the current church leaders to make data informed decisions. Simply stated, what is the church doing to facilitate these types of relationships. Consider the info graph below.

It is time to rediscover meaningful relationships within the church. Mistrust and isolation cut at the heart of human and Christian community. The Church can and should provide answers to the deepest questions of humanity and through Jesus. In this case, our search for relational intimacy and supportive, others-oriented community is found in the Church.

In exile, the Church can provide answers to a relationally hurting society. The Christian community today has an amazing opportunity to address the epidemic of isolation by going on the offensive against “Digital Babylon.” In comparing resilient disciples to the other young adults who grew up as Christians, it’s striking to see that being a resilient disciple correlates to overall relational well-being. These findings affirm that the Church can help fill a massive gap in our society: the desire to be loved, to be acknowledged for more than what we produce and to be known. But how can the Church do this?

While the current moment adds to the complexity of cultivating long-lasting relationships within the Church, it also underlines the need for these connections. To assess how your church is actively promoting strong relationships, sit down with your staff and ask: How can we equip our leadership team and congregants alike to support the relational well-being of others, especially young people? How do we encourage congregants to make meaningful connections with others? What measures are in place for us to identify and assist those who are struggling to forge new friendships?

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