Teamwork

Teamwork makes the dream work. John Maxwell

I coached my first soccer game as the head coach last weekend. The team is my son’s, and he plays in AYSO under 8 league. The boys did a great job, in spite of the practices. I’ve got three or four on the team who they seemed to be everywhere but focused on practice. We play 9 kids at a time, so two of the boys had to sit out each quarter (at this age, they play 4 quarters rather than two halves). As I was walking the sidelines, one of the boys who had to sit out was rather antsy, to say the least. He finally yelled out, “I have to get back in there, my team needs me!” I had to laugh. What a great comment! He really felt that he was part of the team, and as a coach, that’s exactly what I want.

As a pastor, I want the same for my congregation. I want everyone involved, and the Bible clearly teaches that all are important (1 Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12) and vital to the fellowship of Christ. The frustration is that too many do not see themselves that way, or don’t want to see themselves that way. One of my ongoing dilemmas is helping everyone to see that there team needs them. Too many easily fall back into the trap of “what’s in it for me” or “what have you done for me lately”. I believe the key is serving, doing what Jesus did. I try to continually talk about that, and I try to model that. Sometimes we (the church) do well, sometimes we don’t. But we are making progress.

Praying for our nation

This is the letter I sent to my church congregation today. I've been burdened to pray for the nation since the recent hurricane. Being in LA, and earthquake central, the crisis could easily be our area, and everyone watching here as we dig out. God, please have mercy on our nation.



"Throughout our history in times of testing, Americans have come together in prayer to heal and ask for strength for the tasks ahead. So I've declared Friday, Sept. the 16th, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance. I ask that we pray - as Americans have always prayed in times of trial - with confidence in His purpose, with hope for a brighter future, and with the humility to ask God to keep us strong so that we can better serve our brothers and sisters in need." President George W. Bush

Dear Church Family,
Two Sundays ago you heard my perspective on the recent hurricane crisis (it is in transcript form, email me if you’d like to receive it). I’ve been reading, with great interest, other perspectives from Christian pastors, on Hurricane Katrina, also. One comment that has particularly struck me is one written by one of my favorite author/pastors, Francis Frangipane. In his weekly note, he says, “it is significant in my mind that the name, Katrina, means "purity" or "cleansing." My faith tells me that this hurricane, as devastating and terrible as it has been, will ultimately produce some measure of spiritual cleansing in our land. . . . ultimately our nation will be genuinely closer to the Lord. Still, let us pray that no further wounds are necessary to achieve national repentance.”
I would echo his words. There has been a great outpouring of love and support to those victims of the hurricane and the aftermath. Our church has already given almost $4800 that will go to Samaritan’s Purse and the Salvation Army, and another $162 to go toward Bibles to be given away by YWAM and Sean and Jeri Clark who are in Houston serving the refugees. Giving is important, but my heart has been stirred to do more than give. My concern is for the spiritual climate of our nation. You’ve heard that once again, a judge in our state has struck down the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance. There is a spiritual battle for the soul of our nation.

Our president has called us to pray for our nation. But as Christians, I believe it is our duty to pray for our nation, whether our leader calls us to do so or not. We saw an outpouring of rain with this hurricane like we’ve never seen. Now we need an outpouring of God’s Spirit on our land like we’ve never seen. Cry out for cleansing, renewal, and revival in our land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

The responsibility is on us as God’s people to humble themselves and pray, then God will move, not those who do not know Him. Join with other Christians as we call for God to move in our land again. Let’s answer the call to pray.

I’ll see you Sunday. God bless you.

Giving

1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

I knew that our church was going to give, but they surprised even me! We had a second offering given on Sunday to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and, on a Labor Day Sunday, almost $4200 was given. This is a giving church, a church that is loving and kind. The money will be split between Samaritan's Purse and the Salvation Army. I've already commented on my feelings toward both organizations. Even after giving, there are those who are asking what else could we do. We're praying about what the Lord would have us do. This is an opportunity for the followers of Christ to shine, following Jesus' lead, which is serving.

Hurricane help

September 2, 2005
There is a web site I often check out, written by a pastor in the Irvine area. He’s got some great thoughts on the hurricane. You can read them here: www.markdroberts.com

Our church is going to receive a special offering on Sunday to go to Samaritan's Purse and Salvation Army.

I heard Franklin Graham give a rousing call to the Church, specifically the churches in the immediate area, the followers of Christ, to adopt 10 families and provide for them. Our church, being in CA, is too far away to do that, but I'm praying about what we can do in addition to giving, and prayer. We might be able to partner with a church in the area when the rebuilding process starts.

Hurricane Katrina

I am in shock of the devastation that has happened in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. I'm asking our church to help two organizations as they work on the relief and recovery efforts. Both organizations are exemplary Christian groups anyone would be proud to support. The organizations are Samaritan's Pursewww.samaritanspurse.org and and the Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org