I enjoyed the opportunity to drive down to the Kenai to teach "Life of Christ" this month.  There were two students from Ninilchik, and one from Kenai.  I enjoyed the class, and also the Alaska fall colors on the beautiful Kenai.  I stopped an snapped a few pictures along the way.

Life of Christ AKSOM class

 

 

 

I enjoyed teaching the "Life of Christ" class for AKSOM in September.  We had 7 in class in the Anchorage venue at the Certified Minister level, with one additional online.  There is no joy like assisting students in studying to show themselves approved, a worker who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  I enjoy the enthusiasm of the students.

 

During my recent trip to Israel, and in subsequent studies, I learned about the housing arrangements during the times of Jesus, and how it can help to open the door to a better understanding of Scripture.  Insulaes are a form of housing where there is an internal courtyard with rooms being built like honeycomb around it, approximately 7 by 10 feet.  The houses grew organically as the extended family grew.  A son who was getting married would build a room in order to live there with his bride.

 

This gives new insights into John 14:2-3, which says, "In my Father's house are many rooms.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also."

 

Jesus has gone to Heaven to build rooms for us!  With our American independent mindset, we like to think that we will each have our own mansion in heaven, not to be bothered by anyone.  Rather, the idea that Jesus is portraying is that of a community of believers (extended family), sharing in lives together as we worship Jesus.  If that is true for eternity, why not start now?

Building Depth on Your Team

Pastoral transitions can be challenging for churches to navigate.  Many churches struggle because they are unaware of best practices concerning transitions.  We are currently developing a resource for churches to provide guidance on this important topic. 

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to prepare your church for healthy future transitions is to build depth in ministry.  As I write this, we are in the midst of NFL pre-season games.  The starters do not play consistently in preseason, as one of the primary purposes is to gauge the strength of the bench and those players who are new.  As the season gets long, players get tired, and injuries occur, it is the strength of the depth of the team that gives an advantage.  When a player is injured or leaves, the team has a “next man up” mentality, and another player is ready to go.

Rather than allowing the church to become overly dependent upon you, it is important to develop the team, and ask your team to develop other people.  Worship leaders should be replicating themselves and ushers should be training up ushers.  Pastors should be pouring into those they identify as future leaders and board members in the church.  As I heard a football player say recently, “Each one, teach one.”

Jesus practiced this in His ministry.  He poured his life into the twelve, and then sent them out.  He also sent out the seventy two for ministry.  When Jesus ascended into Heaven, the ministry did not fall apart, as He had built depth into the team.  The Holy Spirit then empowered  those believers, and the church grew exponentially.

It is vital to build this practice into your culture, whether you are a large or small church.  Not only is it the job description of those involved in equipping ministry (Eph. 4:11-13), but it sets up the church for future growth.  Times of transition do not build depth, they reveal it.

Termination Dust: Discerning Transitions in Ministry

(Photo used from Alaska Gov. Bill Walker's Facebook page)

Termination Dust is the first light snow to cap the mountains in the Fall.   In Alaska, we know what it means…that the season is about to change, and winter is fast approaching.  I notice it every year on the Chugach Mountains, as I make my daily drive between Eagle River and Anchorage.  Every year when it appears, I mentally go through my list of winter preparations…put the snow tires on the car, put the ice scraper in the car, make sure I have ice melt for the sidewalk, etc. 

When we have changes of seasons in our ministries, we can often notice termination dust.  It can come in the form of a stirring in our hearts or a sense of losing favor in our current ministry.  Now, let me say that I believe that longevity is directly correlated to ministry health.  However, transitions are a part of life and ministry. As I reflect on the couple of ministry transitions we have had, God has prepared Susan and I before the transition occurred.   We have learned to be sensitive to His stirrings.  It may be that you are not to leave your ministry position, but that God is shifting or expanding your responsibilities. When we see “termination dust,” there are certain things that are vital for us to do.

1.       Pray!  This is a crucial time to be in the Spirit and get the mind of the Lord.  You should never leave a ministry position for the wrong reason.  Just because you are fighting a battle, doesn’t mean it is time to leave.  If you leave and go to another ministry position, you may be facing the same issues.  It could be that it’s time to dig into prayer and believe God for a breakthrough.  Simply put, you need to hear from God.  Get in the Word and intentionally listen.

2.       Talk with wise leaders in your life, and get their counsel.   There is safety in a multitude of counselors. 

3.       If it is time to make a transition, leave well.  Sometimes you will be exiting in unpleasant circumstances, and you may be asked to leave.  Whatever the case, let your actions as you depart honor Christ and preserve ministry.  Many are tempted to speak badly about other church leaders on the way out.  This is not helpful, and does not honor Christ.  Also, how you leave a place will be your legacy, for good or bad.

If you begin to sense a change coming, I encourage you to engage in these activities.  

$100/Day Penalty for Health Care Reimbursements

Church Leaders:  If you are not already aware of this issue, here is another reminder.  The IRS is imposing fines of $100 per day to churches who are continuing to reimburse or pay directly the premium for an employee's health insurance.  For those churches who provide health share ministries such as Samaritan Ministries for their employees, it is unclear whether or not those fines apply.  However, due to the massive penalties that can accrue, I would recommend that all churches cease that practice until there is more clarity.  Dr. Hammar addresses the issues involved in the video below.  One alternative that he suggests is to simply increase the salary of the employee by the amount of the premium, although you cannot tell them that the increase must be used for health insurance. 

Glorifying God and Finding Meaning at Work

Many of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work.  Some view time at work as simply punching a time clock to earn a paycheck, or giving time to “the man,” so that they can get on with the business of enjoying the rest of their lives outside of work.  Is that all there is to work, or is it possible to find meaning and glorify God with our work hours?

God created us with the idea that we would be fruitful, and that we would work.  Though many view work as a result of the Fall, this view is incorrect.  Before the Fall, God created Adam and Eve, giving them the tasks of naming the animals and being stewards of creation.  For all of eternity, we will continue to work, serving the Lord.  In fact, God Himself works.  Because we are created in God’s image, it stands to reason that we would also enjoy work.

Here are my thoughts on 7 ways that we can find meaning and glorify God through our work.  By work, I do not mean only those jobs that generate a paycheck.  Some of the most important workers in the world do not get paid (for example, staying home with children), and can also include those who volunteer.

1.  Do your job with Excellence

Colossians 3:22 (ESV) tells us:  “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ.”  If we truly worked at our jobs as though we were serving Christ, would it affect how we do our jobs?

Regardless of how important or unimportant you feel that your job is, you honor God through the quality of your work, your attitude, and your effort.  You can glorify God by doing your job with excellence.

2. You are Serving God through what you Produce or the Service You Provide

Legitimate work results in products and services that meet the needs of people and enable their well being.  This comprises the primary way that we can regularly love others as ourselves. 

Simply put, hopefully the profession that you are in is of benefit to common humanity, and brings benefit and serves people.  Doctors, teachers, service workers, retail clerks, government workers , etc., all provide benefits to people.

Have you ever been ministered to by the compassion or extraordinary customer service of someone just doing their job?  This can bring great satisfaction.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 (ESV) says, “also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”

3.  Opportunities for Evangelism and Fellowship in the Workplace

The Scripture says that we should always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. 

At work you develop relationships with people as you spend lots of time with them.  As you develop friendships, you will have opportunities to share your faith with your coworkers.  Pray for these opportunities, and pray that God will open their hearts.

4.  Work Provides Opportunities to be Conformed to the Image of Christ

James 1:2–4 (ESV) tells us to ”Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

I strongly believe that God can use our workplace as a discipleship tool to help shape us into the image of Christ. 

We do face challenges at work.  Sometimes things don’t go our way.  There are frustrations.  Sometimes there are people that rub us the wrong way or treat us unfairly.  I believe that God can use all of that for His glory in our lives if we will let him, and if we do not allow ourselves to become bitter.

5.  Work is a Great Place to Let Faith Arise

The Scriptures say that it is impossible to please God without faith.

Jesus said that if we have faith, we can move mountains.  At work, we will face tasks that seem challenging, or even insurmountable.  I believe it is honoring to God to tackle these challenges with an attitude of faith, trusting in God to help us.

Don’t be that person who is always saying, “We can’t do that.” Or “It will never work.”  Be realistic, but with faith.

The Scriptures teaches us that if we are faithful in the small things, we will have opportunities for bigger things.  I believe it is also true that if we can have faith for the smaller things, we will be able to have faith for smaller things.  It’s like a faith training ground.

6. Believe for Empowerment of the Spirit on our Work. 

Ask God to help you every day to go even beyond your abilities, that there will be an anointing upon your work. 

Psalm 90:17 (ESV) says, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”

7. Work Allows Us to Provide for Our Families, and Give to the Kingdom

Ephesians 4:28 (ESV) says, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."

We are able to provide for ourselves and our families, and to finance the church through our tithes, and give to those in need.  I am thankful for the jobs that God has allowed me to have.

For additional reading, I recommend "Your Call to Work & Mission", published by the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in 2015.  I gleaned a couple of thoughts for this teaching from that resource.