Month: February 2010

Leadership

Ask anyone what they think “leadership” is and you will likely get a different answer from almost everyone.

You will likely receive the John Maxwell definition most often:

“Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less”

Especially from young Christians. Or you will receive some variation of the following:

“The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers”, Peter Drucker.

“The process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”, Wikipedia.

The art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal”, About.com

Dictionary’s are absolutely no help at all. Websters says “the office or position of a leader”. Very insightful.

Robert Fergusson, my favorite Bible College lecturer gave this definition:

True leadership is a God given quality that enables certain individuals to be set over and direct others positively toward both personal development and a common purpose. Either through short term impact or long term investment.

Not that I have a specific beef with any of these definitions. I like the Wikipedia and About.com definitions the least and Robert Fergussons best.

However I would like to offer a greatly distilled definition. A definition descriptive of Jesus leadership and the definition we should use in the body of Christ.

Biblical leadership is:

“Laying down your life for those entrusted to you”

I will expound on my definition later but again I would like to hear what you think first.

Posted by Gary in Church Growth, Practical

New Song

As you know earlier this year I set some goals. One was to write 30 songs this year.

Not doing to well so far but there’s still lots of time to make it happen. I have 3 I could call finished but had the urge to record yesterday so thought I would post one so you would know I’m not just making up numbers.

I know I’m not supposed to apologize for it before you even hear it so here is my apology. I’m going for quantity not quality. I’m also trying things I don’t normally do. Some of the lyrics are cliche’ I know that and there is a flat 7 chord in the bridge. It’s the old hymn I told you about reworked. So it sounds a bit old country.

There you go you can give a listen in several places. I have widgets all over the place.

If your reading this in Facebook you can go to my profile and click on “my band” you’ll see it on top of the list there.

If your reading the blog fed into anywhere else you can go to the widget on my profile main page.

If you happen to be on the blog itself there is a widget on the right side toward the bottom.

You can also find it here and here.

I don’t plan to leave it up long since it’s pretty raw and I will use that space the next time I want to share.

would love your feedback. Please be gentle :-}

Posted by Gary in Just for fun, Personal, Worship

Goals Update

Did I mention setting goals is easy?

I know you were all thinking 30 songs in a year?!? I have 2 finished and 1 in my mind hopefully I can finish up today with it. Remember I’m going for quantity not quality.

The book is not really on track, I’m struggling to sit down and write. Still looking for a good word processor for MAC. Word just isn’t the same on a MAC, iWork is ok but having a hard time getting used to it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Cycling is on track I’m keeping track of progress here if you would like more detail about it.

there is the long and the short of it. Thanks for keeping me accountable.

Posted by Gary in Personal

Confession Time

Not confession in the literal sense of the term. I may need that as well but not in this space.

I have always spoken my mind here without holding much back and sometimes felt like I’ve been a little too honest. Today I need to process and get some things out of my head. As always I welcome your thoughts. I don’t know where this post is going I’m just mind dumping. So consider that fair warning.

In late 2008 I got very discouraged with some of the things being said in relation to the elections. The way I chose to deal with it was to fast all things political for as long as needed and focus on the one thing that can bring real change. Building the Church.

I was so pleased to hear my pastor tell the congregation yesterday. God’s plan is for us to operate in our gifts and there is no plan b. After the elections last year Dutch Sheets, in a letter to his partners, made the comment, God had a plan 50 years and 50 million baby’s ago it was us. These two statements go the heart of what I’m passionate about. Equipping the Saints.

I understand theologically God does not “need” us as much as He has chosen to work in and through us. Jesus modeled this plan as He walked purposefully to the cross while entrusting the message of salvation to 12 men. That is our task. raising up those who have been entrusted to us, calling out their gifts, making sure they are equipped, and then giving them permission to serve with a covering.

This is my foundational message. 2 Timothy 2:2, teach the teachers to teach.

Recently I separated my political thoughts into a different blog so I could keep this one solely for the purpose of ministry. Last week I posted 3 times concerning Conservatism and Christianity on this blog and began to feel bad about it. It is nearly impossible to separate politics from other aspects of our lives. They are completely intertwined.

I am very busy meeting with young men, serving on a couple of boards, helping different people with social media, as well as preparing for worship team retreats, writing a book, and trying to write songs. All good things but it begs the question:

What things, of eternal significance, should I focus on? In what areas should I focus on building the church? It all runs together and gets a bit confusing at times.

As I read other blogs they are mostly focused on one thing. Should I drop the political discussions and focus on building the church? Should I stop doing all but one thing and do it with all of my passion and effort? Religion and Politics are the two things we are told to avoid however Religion and Politics are two of the most important things we should be talking about. (don’t be too literal with that last sentence)

I realize Most of my problems are between my ears and because I’m in a safe place to deal with my pathologies God is bringing them to the surface. It’s good but hard. I’m developing a lifestyle of prayer and fasting that I’ve never understood before.

I am so thankful for my family especially my amazing wife who believes in me beyond my ability to understand. And thankful for friends who love me enough to tell me the truth.

Pastor Brady finished yesterday with this comment. “God has more gifts to give than people willing to use them” I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want to spend time on things good but not eternally significant. If your still here after 600 words thank you. I’ll keep you posted.

Posted by Gary in Faith, Intimacy W/God, Personal, Practical

Frontier School of the Bible (update)

From Carmen Carpenter on Facebook,

Many have wondered what has transpired with Frontier School of the Bible’s situation with the State of Wyoming. A current state statute, designed to deal with diploma mills, inadvertently affected legitimate religious schools like Frontier by removing their religious exemption. Some of the effects of that statute were negated when Frontier School of the Bible was granted a Leadership School exemption. However, in order to deal with all of the unintended negative aspects of losing our religious exemption, Representative Ed Buchanan has submitted House Bill 16 on behalf of all post-secondary religious schools in Wyoming. Approval of this bill would restore our religious exemption.

Please pray that House Bill 16 would make it through the Educational Committees, be placed on the Legislative Agenda, and be passed by the Legislature. Pray for wisdom for those from Frontier School of the Bible who will be meeting with the Department of Education and legislators. The legislative session begins February 8th.

Thank you for your prayers.

The following is a copy of the post on FSB’s facebook page:

Please pray for Frontier!

Hi everyone! Here’s an update on our situation with the State of Wyoming. All this is happening starting next Monday and through the month of February 2010. PLEASE PRAY WITH US! It’s been awesome to see the positive response we’ve had lately but we know it is GOD and GOD ALONE that will work through this situation! “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

****************
If you are a resident of Wyoming and would like more info on how to help, please call the school – 307-834-2215
****************

What is the situation?

Frontier School of the Bible is seeking to have our religious exemption restored by the Wyoming State Legislature. A current state statute, designed to deal with diploma mills, inadvertently affected legitimate religious schools. Some of the effects of that statute were negated by Frontier School of the Bible being granted a Leadership School exemption. However, in order to deal with all of the unintended negative aspects of losing our religious exemption, Representative Ed Buchanan has submitted House Bill 16 on behalf of Frontier School of the Bible and all other religious schools. Approval of this bill would restore our religious exemption and once again allow us to award degrees.

What can you do?

Please pray that House Bill 16 would make it through the Educational Committees, be placed on the Legislative Agenda, and be passed by the Legislature. Pray for wisdom for those from Frontier School of the Bible who will be meeting with the Department of Education and legislators

Thanks!

-FSB

Posted by Gary in Civics

Sunday Set List

Seems like Sunday was a long time ago, and Saturday night even longer.

The Worship Community has a weekly featured called Sunday Set List. This week I decided to participate so here we go.

Saturday night I was at Life in Christ Church in Limon CO for a night of prayer and worship. We had a great time with a small but passionate group.

Here is the set list:

Hosanna (Praise is Rising)

Holy is The Lord

In the Secret

Open the Eyes of My Heart

Hosanna (Hillsong)

For Who You Are

I Will Stand

Hear us From Heaven

God of This City

Holy

Forever

Right of the top I didn’t turn up the volume on my guitar so It was all acoustic which made it a little hard to hear and made me pound on it a little harder trying to get the sound. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before don’t know what my problem was.

In the secret was an idea I got from a School of Worship student. We changed it up a lot and made it fresh. The people really responded well. I think I’ll try this with some other older songs.

We had a violin and a bass as well as my acoustic. The sound was good otherwise and the people came forward and shared thoughts and scripture I’m looking forward to going back.

If your a worship leader go to  Sunday Set list and participate.

Posted by Gary in Worship