What’s God Been Saying?

, ,

Hello blog world, it’s been a while since we talked. Nineteen months to be exact. In that time many of you have changed churches, changes roles or positions within your churches, or you’ve entered the ministry for the first time. I’m sure you read tons on blogs, listen to all the new podcast and have read all the cool new books about ministry that have come down the pike but I’ve got a question for you…”What’s God been saying to you?” Years ago I realized something that a dear friend and Timothy reminded me of, just this week, “Thus sayeth the Lord works every time!” Every time, Jim? Yep, every time!

I’ve never been sorry for hearing God’s voice and doing what He has told me to do, it always works, yes always. So here’s a question for you, why do we jump on a facebook group or listen to all these other voices and resources rather than asking Jesus what He wants us to do? One of my favorite chapter’s in the Bible is John chapter 10. It says Jesus is our good shepherd and we are His sheep. He knows us and we know His voice. In fact it goes on the say that the voices of a stranger we won’t hear. So when was the last time you sat down and really listened for His voice? What’s He saying? Are you willing to do what He says? I mean are you willing to do exactly what He says? I am, that’s why I back here blogging again. In fact in the days to come you’ll see a lot more of me being obedient to what Jesus is saying to me. I want to hear what He’s saying to me today. That’s why I’m listening with all my heart for my Shepherd’s voice and doing what He says to me. Never quit listening to God’s voice and doing what He says. You’ll discover what God says always works.

/1 Comment/by

Questions To Ask And Things Todo To Have A Happy New Year

, , , ,

I can’t believe 2016 is here! I am so excited to begin my 41st year of ministry.  I love New Years because folks naturally do 2 things that I’ve been telling #Kidmin leaders they need to do on a regular basis.  One-they need to evaluate. You can’t evaluate without asking some key questions like, “What worked in 2014?” “Do you know why they worked?” Once you find the answers make sure you continue you do this in the New Year. Now ask yourself, “What didn’t work and why?” My favorite question to ask myself is “What am I going to do different to produce a different result?” Same action always brings same results. The reason you have to determine what didn’t work is so that you don’t take bad habits into the New Year. The second thing you need to do is to set goals. A goal is simply a target or mark that you are aiming at. Where do you need to improve? I just don’t look at my ministry I start with me. What do I need to do differently in my spiritual life. I like to ask myself “Has there ever been a time in my life that I’m more in love with Jesus than I am right now? If the answer is yes, I’m the only person that can fix that. What do I need to change for my family? Yes God has called me into the ministry but according to God’s Word I’m also to be the priest of my home. Today we began the New Year with our annual family lunch of Blackeyed peas and mac & cheese and cornbread. During lunch I asked every member of my family including Sparrow what they were believing God for so I could pray specially for them. I’ve made a commitment to pray for those things and join my faith to theirs. I’ve also planned my vacations and identified trips and special family times I need to keep open on my calendar. I also set some other personal health goals. Next ask yourself what are your ministry goals? Seting goals is just the first set, the second step is to make a plan for each of the goals you are aiming at. I also ask myself what appointments do I need to add to my calendar to make each goal a reality. Appointments work better than Todo’s because they have a date and time. Some leaders ignore Todo’s and keep putting them off. Most of the time we keep our appointments. Evaluating and Goal Setting will make a difference in this New Year. The key is to not just do this in January but keep it up all year long. Set a recurring appointment the 1st of each month to evaluate what’s working so far and what’s not, as well as what do you need to do different and what do you need to make sure you keep doing? Also set a recurring appointment on the 15th of each month to ask yourself “How am I coming on my goals? “What do I need to adjust in my plan?” So this year let’s just not start the year off right but let keep it up and make 2016 the year we do what it takes to hit our goals in every single area of our lives.

/by

The Role Of The Children’s Pastor

, ,

Here’s a teaching that explains what the Bible says we should be doing as Ministers and Children’s Pastors! Enjoy

/by

God’s Plans For You Are Better Than Your’s

, ,

I was not called into Children’s Ministry, I was drafted. I was helping with the Youth at my church one Sunday (Because that’s what X-hippies did when they got saved in the 70’s) when my Pastor came to me and told me to grab my Bible, bring my guitar and go to children’s church. The lady who had been teaching the kids just didn’t show up. In fact she never came back. When I got to the classroom I looked the classroom over and thought how hard is it going to be to teach 7 kids? I’ll be honest with you, it was one of the hardest things I ever did. In fact that hour and a half seemed like a month. I remember singing some songs, telling a story and doing an altar call and then looked at my watch and saw I had done everything I knew to do and only 15 minutes had gone by. Man it was a long day. I’ll never forget what I did the minute the last child was picked up, I went and found my Pastor. I asked him the question I wanted an answer to more than any other question, “How long am I going to have to do this?” His answer was simple: “I’d like you to do this until God raises up someone with a vision.”

I began to pray. “God, give someone a vision for the children of this church. Open their eyes Lord and show someone your desire for children to know you.” After a few weeks of praying that prayer and working with those 7 kids I knew I was the somebody, He was raising up to work with those kids. Those original 12 year olds are turning 49 this year. I keep in touch with a bunch of them on Facebook. I am so glad I said yes to the opportunity my Pastor gave me but more than that I’m glad I said yes to the vision Jesus had for me!

I served a wonderful pastor for years who used to say… “I don’t have a great vision, a great vision has me!” What does God have in store for you this new year? Is there a vision he has placed on your heart that you need to say yes to? I am so glad I said yes to that vision.  I’m also thankful that Jesus didn’t show me everything He had in store for me. If I had know when I was struggling with 7 that one day I’d have the privelidge to minister to 7000 kids It would have been to big to handle. I want you to see something. Each yes to God leads you for what He has planned for you down the road. Each yes is important.  What do you need to say yes to in 2014?  God wants to give you His vision or plan for your life, for His church, and His kids. He wants to help you partner with parents in a new way. There are wonderful things ahead for you, things that are greater than you can imagine but it all starts with one little word you need to say about what He is saying to you. YES.

I’m praying for you that you’ll say yes to all of Jesus’ invitations to think bigger and to dream higher than you ever have before. If I can help you in 2014 please let me know.

 

/by