 God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Psalm 46:1-3 TIMES ARE TROUBLING Another day and more trouble. Shootings, petty theft, political conflict, misunderstandings between co-workers, friends and family. My own struggle with sin…there’s enough going on each day to cause our hearts to melt, our emotions tank and our head to reason based on our feelings and experience that everything is ruined beyond repair. You’re not wrong-things are a mess. Depravity is daily on display in our world and in our own lives. There’s something that calls out in each of us, maybe quietly, maybe shouting - “It shouldn’t be like this!” But it is and we can’t escape it. WHERE DO I SEEK SAFETY Our human nature compels us to seek safety, security and stability. We were not created for chaos-but into chaos we were thrust when sin ripped us from the garden-the peaceful dwelling place God intended for us to live without care or concerns. So we seek safe harbor in other things….
DECLARE TO YOURSELF - I WILL NOT FEAR We spend way too much time listening to ourselves instead of instructing ourselves. In the Psalms these phrases regularly occur; “I will say to myself” “I will counsel my heart.” “I will declare.” These declarations are not merely puffed up positivism, the are based in the reality of the character and work of God. Note, verse 1 of Psalm 46; “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid…. I don’t have to be afraid because of who God is and what he does. ALL WE SEE IS SHAKING AND CRUMBLING There’s no way to sugarcoat what’s happening in the world, particularly our immediate, known to us world. I stop watching the news, and everytime I dial back in, things seem worse than when I last checked out. New ways of doing wrong and evil spring up like weeds that can’t be killed. Trusted institutions becoming untrustworthy, laws that go unenforced are now easily broken and become meaningless. People on opposing sides can’t speak civilly or logically to one another. Power, slander and subterfuge are the currency of the day. CEASE YOUR STRUGGLE - SEE THE LORD We are fighting non-physical spiritual enemies whose battle tactics are beyond our ability to fully comprehend or curtail in our own strength. But we are not without hope or remedy. We have a God that reigns above the chaos. He is the exalted ruler over all the nations of the earth. He is with us. When the nations rage, the news is bad, the heartache and brokenness real, stop fighting and focus your eyes on the Sovereign, Strong and Secure Lord. “Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” The Lord of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Psalm 96:11
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 CREATING CHANGE OPENNESS IN OLDER ADULTS - IT AIN’T EASY
I’m going to lead with a confession - I have arrived at the age where I’m not too fond of change. Not all change, mostly just change that inconveniences me. When my iOS pushes an update and changes the way my phone operates - I’m not happy. When my online accounts require or mandate a password change, I bristle. Yes, I know the axiom that the only thing that is constant, is change. If you say it repeatedly and even put it on a t-Shirt I still won’t like it, and may resist accepting the fact that change is a regular part of life. CHANGE REPRESENTS LOSS People cross a midline in life when they realize that most if not all things are downhill. We awake in the morning and ache, somehow having mysteriously hurt ourselves as we slept. Ordering from a menu in a restaurant at night now requires the use of the flashlight feature on our phones to see the selections. Hearing a conversation clearly in a crowded room now requires an intense focus in order to understand what’s being said. This creates a state of grief, a posture resistance and differing levels of emotional frustration. Together these can lead to a generalized resistance toward change of most any type-just because it’s change. THE CHANGE WE NEED - SPIRITUAL NOT SUPERFICIAL Local congregations may need new carpet, paint, and models of ministry. It's quite possible even a name change (see more here.) All of that is window dressing if hearts are not changed. Think white washed tombs and lipstick on a pig. On the deepest level we need hearts which are continually transformed by the gospel. We need saints who place their confidence in Christ, find their security in him, proclaim the unaltered message of the gospel who give up things that don’t matter. TWO QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER Baptist statesman Kenneth Hemphill led a webinar in 2020 (you might have missed it due to COVID) in which he asks two very important questions aimed at unlocking the hearts of older adults.
I think you’d have to be pretty hard hearted to answer in the negative. Yet, I’ve actually heard in a church consultation someone say; “I’d rather our church die than for us to do that.” I’m not even kidding a bit, sad I know. SOMEONE HAS TO LEAN ON THE FENCE POST, HARD If you’ve ever tried to remove a fence post fixed deeply in the ground you know that it’s gonna take time and a lot of effort and a lot of sweat. Yet, after you rock it back and forth, after a lot of time pushing and pulling you’ll see it loosen. Hearts don’t often change in an instant-of course Jesus can do that, crisis can do that but I’ve not seen a pastor accomplish that in one meeting with one word (or several) or even a really good powerpoint presentation. It’s gonna take effort and wisdom and persistence over time. But keeping pushing and pulling. PREACH, PRAY, LOVE AND STAY When I served on the Replant team we grabbed this phrase from a church (with their permission) and began heralding it across North America. Preach God’s word-it can change hearts. Pray-the Spirit can accomplish what we can’t and give us wisdom and endurance. Love-this is a difficult one but let Christ’s love flow through you to stubborn change resistant folks. Stay-if you don’t, the cycle will repeat itself, pastor comes, advocates for change, meets resistance, leaves. Once a group of controllers know they can simply pitch a fit and win-they’ll be emboldened and the rest of the congregation becomes hostage to a few carnal or unregenerate bullies who don’t want to change. Questions to Consider
 If you’ve been around church life at all you’ve probably heard Proverbs 29:18 quoted by a Pastor or leader, rising to speak in a way that motivates the church, calling them to a point of action or decision.
From the King James version…Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. The intended desire - is this: highlight the importance of the role vision plays in the lives of people, organizations and in this instance, the Church. Exegetically this passage has more to do with the law (God’s law) being a guiding force for happy and fruitful life if it is obeyed and followed than a church ministry vision for the coming season. Nonetheless…. WHAT IS VISION EXACTLY? When it comes to defining vision it’s important to understand how it interrelates with mission and values or convictions. One of the best clarifying frameworks or definitions that I’ve seen comes from the great book: Turnaround by Jason K. Allen. Allen writes; “your convictions are what you believe, your mission is why you exist, your vision is where you are going.” Allen adds this important qualifier; “If such matters are unclear in your own mind, they’ll be altogether confusing for those you lead.” For our purposes, in considering how vision plays a part in the change equation vision is defined like this: Vision: A clear and compelling God given picture of the unique call placed upon a local body of believers to bring glory to God by obeying his leadership. VISION CAN BE RISKY AND DANGEROUS Let’s go back to our case study in Nehemiah…. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.” Nehemiah 2:5 After spending time before the Lord in brokenness, Nehemiah is given, by God, a compelling vision to return home and rebuild the city. This would be an enormous task, it would be difficult, requesting leave from the King was a dangerous ask… Nehemiah was the king's cupbearer-he was the chief food taster, he sampled the King’s food to ensure that it was not poisoned, the king's life depended on the faithful work of Nehemiah and here he was now asking to be freed to pursue rebuilding the city of his fathers… Every God given vision has inherent risks that make it a matter of faith. KEY INGREDIENTS FOR VISION If you’ve ever had popcorn without salt (or required to partake that way by a doctor) I’m sad for you. You know that something is missing. Facing the prospect of downing an entire bowl of salt free popcorn means you’ll likely give up after a few bites. Vision is the same, without several key ingredients, it comes across bland, it doesn’t capture the heart, it incites no passion, it will not persist. Here are a few key ingredients for any vision. VISION MUST BE CLEAR Articulating a clear vision is easier said than done. It helps if there are few words, it’s best if those words stand on their own. If you have to say the vision and then unpack what you just said, or if the words leave people wondering or asking additional questions-you probably haven’t arrived or formulated your vision clearly just yet-go back to the white board. VISION MUST BE COMPELLING You want me (or us) to do what? You may not have to unpack every detail or logistic, there will be time for that, but if your vision doesn’t capture the heart, engage the mind and motivate me to be willing to sacrifice for its achievement-go back to the white board. VISION SHOULD BE GOD GIVEN (INSPIRED) Let’s add a few qualifiers here so as to not venture off into dangerous territory. I’ve seen many leaders descend from their office, return from a retreat and declare their vision for the next season of ministry-and I’ve watched it fall flat, I’ve seen people respond unenthusiastically. Vision in those cases sounded like a few good ideas or something that wasn’t fully worked out and needed further development. All truth has been given to us in Scripture, its revelation is complete. Vision in this case is not “new” revelation but a specific call to live out the already revealed truth of Scripture in obedience to God through your church or organization. VISION SHOULD BE UNIQUE Your church is where it is for a reason, as some say; your church address is no accident. It is incumbent upon each congregation to know its context and call - where you are and what you are there to uniquely offer in the name of Christ. Labor at this, study your community, pray and assess your strengths and passions as a church. Don’t try to be the church you admire-be the church being shaped by God for your context. VISION SHOULD BE GLORIFYING TO GOD A wise man in one of my prayer groups said this as we were discussing vision and mission and its role in our church; “God doesn’t share His glory.” If the objective of our vision is to build our name, our kingdom, our platform, our reputation-it’s dead before it even begins. We are called to live for God’s name and glory not our own. If your vision is driven by ambition, pride, fear, or jealousy-get in the prayer closet and then go back to the whiteboard. Questions for Reflection
 Your Church Newsletter, Duty, Necessity or Waste of Time?
I remember staring at the blank screen of my laptop on many occasions struggling to figure out what I was going to write for the weekly church newsletter. I’d rack my brain, scan the web to see what other churches were putting out and then try to slam something together just to check the box on my to do list. People Aren’t Reading it Anyway I love and hate this quote from, Smart Brevity; “Most people read our headlines, and some read our first few paragraphs. But it was only friends and family who read the whole thing.” Yup, true and double true. (If you are still reading this you gotta be a friend, a family member or you’re still reading looking for justification to kill your newsletter.) People Are Overwhelmed With Information This isn’t a difficult case to make. My guess is that your inbox is pretty full, if not your work inbox at least your home or personal inbox is overflowing. I ignore so many messages, even one’s that I agreed to receive. Take into account texts, social media, podcasts, billboard advertisements and in person conversations and we’re full up with info. Less Might Be More The book I referenced above states in short that we can win when we write a “tease” headline, say why it matters, add a few more words after bold headings and then give the reader a choice to go deeper or delete. Write Differently Because People Read Differently Most of us are not Lawyers, we’re not composing PhD. tomes nor are we writing instruction manuals-but we use SO MANY WORDS. Stop, stop it now. Try This Instead (this is smart brevity in brief)
Why I Broke The Above Rules I had to, I couldn’t find a way to shrink it - at least not during the time I gave myself to put this post together. Writing less requires more time-economy of words is effective but it’s not efficient to you-at least not at first. After you develop some writing muscle memory you'll get the hang of it and your readers will reward you by - reading. Questions for Reflection
What do you think?  YOU CAN TRY TO COMMAND CHANGE - BUT IT WON'T WORK
Leading a group of people to accept something new, to rise above their inaction, objections or apathy can be one of the most challenging endeavors. Experts in organizational leadership have spent years studying groups and those who lead them to discern key strategies that work - they also discover many strategies that fail their intended results. Church leadership is challenging in many respects. There is no real leverage to use to compel others toward a certain action or decision. Bosses of employees can leverage paychecks, performance reviews and the threaten demotion or loss of employment. This does not mean Pastors or Christian leaders are without resource. YOU CAN CREATE A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE What can aid in creating the initial desire or openness to move, adjust or change? What actions can set the stage for the Spirit to create Holy Discontent? AFFIRM GOD'S WORD God's word provides a perfect picture of what he desires-in the world, in us and in our churches. Holy Scripture reveals God's character and His will in both command and in narrative. One of the ways we create momentum is by clearly declaring God's word in our gatherings. ACCURATELY ASSESS YOUR CORPORATE CONDITION The power of scripture proclaimed accurately diagnoses our thoughts, our hearts, it reveals our motives. The word of God functions like a surgeons knife, slicing the flesh to reveal the sickness in order to restore health. It will leave scars, it could be painful but it is our remedy for life. Making sure to include corporate applications with the guidance of the Spirit's wisdom may be painful but ultimately purifying. ANNOUNCE GOD'S GRACE The liturgy in our church's gathered worship guides us to confess our sin and need of grace and then after confession is made we hear and receive the assurance of God's grace. Exasperated leaders often let their flocks have it, sharing more from their frustrations in the hopes that they will respond with a different action. Some are motivated by negative information, most are motivated by a positive message of grace and love. Faithful obedience and following Jesus come more readily from a message of grace than one of condemnation. I love my friend Mark Hallock's book: God's not done with your church -it's a hopeful message of God's goodness and patience with struggling churches. GUIDE THE CONGREGATION FORWARD I've long had a prophetic bent easily declaring, even accurately, the current condition or circumstances of a group or congregation. What's been in short supply in my own leadership is declaring that there is a hopeful future and a way forward. This is where vision comes into play. And that's where we'll head next. Questions for Reflection 1. Do I seek to influence in a demanding or harsh way? How so? 2. Am I a good steward in proclaiming God's word accurately? Do I trust it to do the work only it can do? 3. Have I announced a message of grace and pointed the way forward for those I'm responsible to lead? How can I do that today?  Your Church Wants to Help? Great! As my good friend Mark Hallock says; “We can’t do this alone, which is why a replanting movement must be made up of churches, pastors, and denominational leaders who practice humble, radical cooperation.” Churches help renew, revitalize and replant other churches by sending people, resources, and sharing expertise. Increasingly we are seeing more formal and official partnerships like fostering, adoption and campusing which are aiding churches to experience new seasons of vitality and growth. Even if you are not ready for a formal step, there are opportunities for a congregation of any size to help a sister congregation Before jumping in, answer these questions. Have You Checked Your Motives? This step may seem less than necessary and unimportant but it is one of the most important first steps. I have seen partnership conversations breakdown because motives aren’t clearly evaluated. Are you engaging to help or rescue? Do you want to extend your church’s name or brand more widely? If you want to help a sister church out of a genuine desire to enable Kingdom advance (read God’s Kingdom - not your church’s kingdom and influence) then you’re likely ready to take a step toward partnership. What Types of Partnership Are You Offering? I love baseball, and one of the truisms is that every pitcher has to know his pitch. He can’t throw everything-he likely specializes in one or a couple. Do you know what kind of partnership God has equipped and called your church to provide? Some of the best partnerships are short term, Church Fostering, Coaching and Resourcing. These are great ways to “test” out partnership before jumping into more permanent models like Adoption and Campusing. Are You Ready to Go Slow? Declining and struggling churches are often fearful. They know they need to change but fear the potential impact any change could have on the few remaining attenders and members. This means they’ll likely have a zillion questions which they will need answered more than once. They’ll want time to think and pray, rethink and pray again which means helping churches have to hold to timelines loosely. Patience is key here and slow ends up being faster than you think. Do You Need the Credit? The reality is simply this, when a church is renewed, revitalized or replanted the one who deserves all the credit is God. Sure, you may have been invited to play a part in the work of renewal but you didn’t renew a cold and callus heart-God did. You didn’t cause someone to cross the line between spiritual death and life-God did. You didn’t breakdown preferences, prejudices and traditions-God did. If you’re ready to give all glory to God-you might be ready to help a struggling or declining church. Can You Walk Away? On average it seems that three out of ten churches who engage in some sort of conversation or renewal process actually end up experiencing renewal. That’s not great - but it’s also not bad. Sometimes a church has to make several runs at renewal before finally hitting the breakthrough point. If you aren’t ready to engage, experience resistance and push back and rejection, if you’re not read to disengage and walk away and allow a church to season and warm to the Gospel and change-you might not be fully ready to help. Questions for Reflection 1. Why are you or your church interested in assisting other churches? 2. What does your congregation have to offer? How can you help? 3. Are you ready to go slow or even walk away if necessary? Check out more principles on partnership in this resource:   Several years ago I was called to pastor a church which had experienced a long season of decline. In their own words they said; "We know we have to change - or we will die."
Buoyed by a unanimous call, and the equally unified admission of the need for change among all the members we spoke with during our home visits, I believed I had received a blank check, a mandate even, to engage in leading wholesale change. (If you've ever led a church or group-you know where this is going.) Some early changes I believed I had the endorsement to make:
The masses (at least 12-15 of them) revolted. A fun, but painfully true quote, which periodically circles the internet reminds us: "Pastors think they are going to change the world and then almost get fired when they change the bulletin." The church I was called to lead said they wanted change-but they were not emotionally ready for the changes God would lead us to make. A PAINFUL REALIY We tend to reject change when it costs us too much personally, when it disrupts our status quo. We resist change when it causes personal difficulty, even if there is a good likelihood that the change could bring about something better. Some work against change if it means their influence over an organization (even a church) comes under threat. In an ever accelerating and changing world most people prefer stability, and seek to keep things as they are, they may protect it vigorously and fight whoever or whatever is threatening their way of living. TWO TRUISMS We all say we want change - until it has our address on it. We resist change but may be more accepting of it when we experience pain, a barrier or realize it will be impossible to continue as we presently exist. ACCEPTING CHANGE (begrudgingly) Some accept change when they are at the point of pain (physically, mentally or emotionally), or exasperation or when encountering a barrier so large they cannot possibly get round, over or through it in their own power or with their own resources. ACCEPTING CHANGE (willingly) There are times when the present circumstances, realties and conditions are rejected by those living in them. A strong reaction to what is-combined with the core conviction that this can no longer be leads to a receptivity for change, and often radical change, being accepted, welcomed and even at times passionately pursued. This is... HOLY DISCONTENT The unquenchable Spirit-initiated conviction that things are not as they should be-and that must change. “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4 This is a state of mind, heart and spirit, usually marked by strong emotion, sometimes grief, always passion and the unwavering conviction that change must occur and someone or some group has to seek that change with God's power and his grace. How do people or a group or church arrive at Holy Discontent? (stay tuned) Questions for Reflection:
Want to go deeper? Here's a podcast on Holy Discontent over at The Replant Bootcamp.  CHANGE IS NEEDED
That many churches are in need of change is not widely debated. Recent statistics provide some encouragment in that churches are seeing attendance gains and baptism numbers are increasing. We have reasons to be optimistic as we see continued progress in church planting and renewal. But the fact remains that nearly 8 out of 10 churches are either in a state of plateau or decline. Of those in decline, a smaller subset are in rapid or critical decline. Also true, we continue to lose congregations at a high rate each year. CHANGE IS DIFFICULT In order to arrest and reverse the death and decline rate of the local church things must change. It's not just one thing, it's many things. Calling a new pastor, changing the worship music, adding greeters, allowing coffee in the sanctuary might be good surface actions but they won't bring life to a church that is deep in spiritual malaise. Add this to the mix - people on the average don't like change and resist it. CHANGE REQUIRES CHANGES IN ME I have a confession to make, I have arrived at the age where I don't like change. Not all change but changes that a shift in the way I go about by everyday life. I don't like software updates to my phone, mandatory password changes, changes in the menu offerings at my favorite establishments. These are minor annoyances really and I eventually get over it and accept these as part of life. Significant change, that's another story. Changes to the things I love or have convictions about (if those are based on tradition, preference, nostalgia) we may end up "throwing hands." Our resistance to change has deep roots in our brain. CHANGE IS THE RESULT OF A JOURNEY Change, when it occurs in a person or organization is the result of multiple factors working together to overcome resistance to change. The equation above helps us identify those factors, here is a brief description of those steps below.
Let's take that journey together. Next up: Holy Discontent Pt. 1 Questions For Reflection
 Recently, a longtime Pastor from California, John MacArthur, created a bit of a dust up when he claimed broadly that PTSD, ADHD and OCD were nobel lies, invented to allow for the medication of people as part of the Big Pharma protocol, profits and control.
The resulting response was strong, even during the heightened sensitivities related to the pro-Palestininan protests occurring across Universities within the same week. A very charitable and well reasoned and researched response from Adam O’Neill was posted at the Faith and Medicine Foundation. I recommend it to you to broaden understanding on this important topic. Some years ago I was diagnosed with clinical depression during a particularly difficult ministry season as we worked to bring about renewal to a church long in decline. It was one of the deepest and darkest valleys I’ve ever traveled, it was real. It was both spiritual and physical, I’m not sure which dynamic occurred first but I know both were undeniable. I had the opportunity to write about my depression and the hope I found in Christ and how he brought me through it to a much better and stronger place. My journey involved counseling, prayer and medication. Looking back, I would avail myself to the same treatments without reservation. Depression Redeemed, Pt. 1, Pt. 2 and Pt. 3 If you are struggling, not sure where to turn, reach out for help. Your spouse or local supportive relationships should be primary. Should you require additional help reach out here, you can even call the Pastor Hotline for assistance. 1-844-PASTOR1  A Leader's legacy is not always measured in concrete, products or finances, those often fade. Leaders who shape the language people use and the ways they treat one another leave a legacy that lives on beyond their tenure.
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