Seven things to consider about owning your failures.

Jesus was the master at encouraging people through their failure.  He spent time with those that the religious community had given up on.  He took time to talk to the woman at the well. He reached out and touched the diseased, demonstrating his compassion.  Jesus could be firm with the self-righteous and loving to the downcast.  There is one thing that Jesus always did and that was to help individuals own their failures. 

Consider seven reasons why owning our failures is critical to every relationship including  pastor /member relationships:

First, owning our failures forces us to place ourselves under someone else’s vantage point.  It is a way of expressing submission.  Owning one’s failures opens up channels of opportunity for others to see your humanity. Failure is the common denominator for all of us.

Second, owning our failures is a way to accept responsibility for the portion of the problems we create or are involved in. In relationships, there is no such thing as a totally one-sided problem.  Owning your portion of the problem is a giant step in saying, “I value our relationship.” 

Third, owning your failures provides people an avenue to shower you with forgiveness. Our acknowledgement of our failures allows others the blessing of forgiving. 

Fourth, most people will forgive you if you will allow them the opportunity by owning your failure.  The way back starts with saying, “I was wrong.” 

Fifth, owning your failures creates teaching and learning moments for yourself and others.   Owning my failures is critical.  It is not “will I make mistakes,” but it is what have I learned from my mistakes. If I do that correctly it allows others to learn that owning their mistakes is a sign of maturity. 

Sixth, owning your failures is the beginning of healing. Jesus had a word for those that do not want to extend grace and forgiveness.  I think he said, “You that are without sin cast the first stone.”

Seventh, our churches and families would all be stronger if we would just own it when we mess up.  This applies to both pastors and parishioners.  There has only been one perfect shepherd and Jesus was his name. (See John 10:14)  So let your pastor be human.

 

 

 

Seven Things I wish I had done when I was a young pastor.

Let me begin by saying that I am speaking for myself. I also want to say that I was a pastor of my first church at the ripe old age of twenty.  I was driven by a powerful combination of ignorance, inexperience and pride. Together these make up a dangerous concoction. When I was young, I thought that I was bulletproof. I also felt that passion was equal to spirituality. So here is a list of what I should have done.

First, I wish I had written a book when I had all the answers. When I was a young pastor the debates raged all around me. There where debates on speaking in tongues, the second coming and who was the most conservative and most liberal. I would often jump right in the middle of these debates and speak with authority about matters that I really did not have all the information on. I often took the position held by people that I admired and respected rather than taking time to listen to those that I disagreed with.  Sadly, I assumed that my opinion was always correct. I also assumed that the people I respected had to be correct and have pure motives. Little did I know that often the exhaustive amount of wrangling was more about control than cooperation.  Yes, I should have written a book when I had all the answers.

Second, I wish I had read more books written by dead guys instead of the latest trends and church movements. I, like most of the other pastors I knew, wanted to learn the latest and greatest. We studied church health, church growth and how to start new missions. I never dreamed that the guys I was reading were soon to be merely a page in history that would soon become dusty. Strangely enough, guys that were dead when I started out are still hanging around. In fact, they are still profoundly impacting my life today. A.W. Tozer would be one example. Books like, The Attributes of God, The Pursuit of God and Worship The Missing Jewel of the Church are totally relevant today.  Who would have thought that guys like D. L. Moody, George Muller and Charles Spurgeon would be seen as classics?

Third, I wish I had been more intentional in discipling my own family. There is an old saying that the cobbler’s children are the ones with no shoes. This can become applicable even in a pastor’s home. I was always sure my boys were in Sunday School and church, and that we had daily times of prayer and Bible reading. We even spent time listening to the Bible on cassette tapes and had Christian music going.  My boys would sing, read scripture and pray with us. My great regret is that I did not pass to them many the powerful personal life changing things that God was teaching me on a daily bases. I did not disciple them to the level I could or should have. They both came to personally trust Jesus and are raising their children in church, but my I could have taught them so much more.

Fourth, I wish I had focused less on finding the will of God and been more focused on doing the will of God. We have all had talks about finding the will of God. This is common “Christian talk” even today.  One of the things that I have learned is that God makes His will known and I am to do His will. He doesn’t need me to open doors, he opens them. I have come to believe that the biggest roadblock in my life to obeying the will of God is me. Regretfully, I always knew more of God’s will than I was consistently doing.

 

Fifth, I wish I would have been less spiritualizing and more honest with my motives. The problem with self deception is we don’t realize that we are deceived. I know that there have been times when I covered my sinful desires by spiritualizing them. One thing that I have learned is that I better come clean with motive. Only with pure motives can I stand strong in times of great adversity. I wish I had learned early the addictive attraction that ambition played in my life. I have felt the pain that comes with both met and unmet ambition. I have also felt the pain that ambition in other people’s lives has inflicted upon me. I have come to believe that God is far more concerned about motive than action. When I was younger, it was easy to be lured down that path of accomplishment and ambition, based solely on what others saw as significant. The way we measure success can become deadly. Henri Nouwen has written so much that has helped me in learning to be honest with motive. I learned from Henri that just because others see you as successful does not mean that you are. Motive is the heart of Jesus’ question to Peter when he asked, “Peter do you love me?”  Jesus followers were remarkably unimportant. He must increase and I must decrease. My motives are not always as pure as I think they are.

Sixth, I wish I had learned to say “no” sooner. I am still working on this one daily. I am so happy that God has blessed me with lots of energy. This blessing at times has become a curse because I have spent much of my life doing rather than being. I have always tried to help others, and this is noble, but always saying yes and attempting to please others can become toxic. Years ago, I read a book titled When Helping You is Hurting Me. It is a noble thing to pour your life out in service to God and others. I wish I had learned to be a better steward of how I have poured out my life.  I am confident I have wasted much by trying to please too many folks.

Seventh, I wish I would have attended less time in meetings and spent more time with lost people. I had been a pastor for 15 years before I learned that just because we had a lot of church meeting that did not equal gospel advance. I wish I had learned to validate the truth that you can come to all the church meetings and still be unfruitful. I believe that one reason we see churches struggling today is because we spend too much time in meetings that meet just because we are supposed to meet. If the score card that is held up to our people is merely attendance on Sunday mornings and business meetings, we will do ministry with a sense of defeat. That is why so many pastors feel so hopeless.  I cannot control if someone comes to a meeting, but I can control who I intentionally share Jesus with. I am convinced that I allowed too much church business to keep me from doing the work of the church.

These are things I wish I had done and known when I was a young pastor. I am still learning what I wish I had known.  I realize that some things I can never redo, and as the old adage says, “You can’t cry over spilled milk.”

Seven mistakes I have made and see other leaders making.

It is impossible to lead any organization without making mistakes. I am guilty of my own blunders and am more than aware of them. There are some missteps that I see happen in almost every leader’s life. Allow me to share a few with you. This is not an exhaustive list, but merely a starting place to consider in your own life.

First, we can get so focused of our work that we fail our family. I am guilty and I have witnessed this more times than I care to remember. Regardless of your vocation, it is possible to misplace your priorities. I have seen pastors being especially susceptible to this struggle. If we are not careful, the ministry becomes our mistress. This is extremely hard on families because competing with “God’s” work is seen as being unspiritual. I wish I had learned earlier that the church at my house was more important than the church house.

Second, I wish I had spent more time in prayer and study and less time trying to solve issues over which I had no control. Leading people is one of the most rewarding things that a person can do, but fighting fires and trying to settle people’s quarrels is a waste of both time and energy. Perhaps there is no bigger struggle that leaders of local churches have than this. Bickering people create a black hole that sucks the very life out of churches and ministries. I believe that this is one of the main reasons many churches, and even our own denomination, is losing members. A leadership lesson that I wish I had learned earlier is, “I can’t fix everything.”

Third, the art of listening is something that I wish every leader could master. I know that in my own life I would have saved a significant amount of time and heartache if I had done a better job at listening. Most leaders have experienced the struggle of trying to move too fast, and the only way I know to overcome that is to be more intent on listening. Pastors in particular make a living talking, so if we are not careful we can think that we can talk our way out of or through any conflict or issue.

Fourth, I wish I had learned the value of lifelong friends more. Leadership can be a very lonely place. Every leader will make the mistake of meeting and working with lots of people, and if they are not careful they will become isolated, even in a crowd. The simple fact is there are only so many people any person can deeply connect to. I often hear pastors tell me how lonely they are.

Fifth, every leader will make the mistake of overestimating how much they can accomplish in a short amount of time and underestimating how much they can accomplish in a long span of time. The fact is that long tenures produce better results. This is especially true in churches. It takes time to grow oak trees, but you can grow tumbleweeds in just a few weeks.

Sixth, a leadership mistake that I see a great deal today is writing people off when disagreements happen. This is a sign of hubris and can become extremely costly organizationally. We have all known leaders that were unwilling to work out differences with others. The fact is you can be right about something, and totally wrong in how you respond to others who see it differently at the same time. It is a childish mistake to believe that just because you have been allowed to lead an organization that you have the freedom to devalue others. We have all seen how easy it is to make excuses by using terms like “conflict of personality.” To excuses bad behavior as a conflict of personality is a poor attempt to justify hurtful acts or attitudes. To simply write off those who disagree with you is the highest form of disrespect.

Seventh, poor time management is perhaps the greatest mistake leaders make today. In every organization there is misspent time. There are archaic structures that create expenditures of time that are non-recoverable. Personally the task of answering email has become brutal. The huge volumes of email can tie-up leaders from accomplishing their best.  The new time consumer is social media. We have all talked to people that are suffering from some form of social media malaise. If you are not careful, you will gage success on how many retweets, followers or “likes” you have received.   I know men that are overly concerned about others response to their posts.  We all know folks that have posted something that they live to deeply regret.

I hope that these are helpful, and to everyone that leads in some way, will remember that our untimely accountability is to God. Most of all remember that all of us lead as interims, no one leads forever.

It’s not my style

The quickest way to become discontent in the church fellowship is to debate music. People are more sensitive to their preference of music than perhaps any other church issue. The very thought of something as simple as music causing conflict speaks volumes about our own immaturity as followers of Christ. The apostle Paul wrote these profoundly simple words in 1 Corinthians10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I believe that most composers who love God are motivated by writing music for his glory regardless of the style. I will be the first to say there are some styles of music that I prefer more than others. But it would be wrong for me to judge someone else’s style of Christian music. I am convinced that even if King David himself were to play his harp, someone in the modern church would complain. Especially if he played it too loud!

Let’s take a moment and consider some well-known composers from yesteryear. I’m talking about looking way back beyond Stamps Baxter or the Gaither Trio. Let’s go back to 1685 when two famous composers were born. Johan Sebastian Bach and Frederick Handel were born the same year. Hopefully everyone has been moved by the beauty of Handel’s famous work The Messiah.

Johan Sebastian Bach has been described by some as the fifth evangelist. Some would regard him as the greatest composer of all times. Two hundred years before Bach, a man by the name of Martin Luther lived and translated the New Testament. Bach was a 10-year-old boy when his parents passed away. Perhaps it was this significant loss that brought to life the power and truth declared in music. We can only imagine the Lutheran choir lifting praise and adoration to God and bringing comfort to a young boy’s broken heart. God wrapped this boy’s broken heart in music and allowed him to become a powerful composer for the glory of God. Strangely enough, while Bach was alive, many did not appreciate the incredible contribution that he made to music. Some have even said that some of his compositions were sold for the purpose of wrapping butter. Today however, we remember him as one of the greatest composers all time.

When you reflect on the fact that nearly three-quarters of Bach’s compositions were written for use in worship, you catch a glimpse of his commitment to Christ. People around him were not impressed by his works. That sounds so much like the appreciation given to many Christian musicians today. We all have a tendency to point out what we dislike and the flaws that we see and hear in other people’s musical preference. Could it be that our tendency to discredit someone else’s music is because we fail to realize what motivated that person to compose a song in the first place.

One of the things that set Bach’s music apart was the way he began a manuscript. He would abbreviate the letters “JJ” at the top of the page which stood for Jesu, Jusa which meant, “Jesus help me.” At the end of each manuscript he would abbreviate “S.D.G”, which stood for Soli Deo Gloria which meant, “For the Glory of God alone.”   A man with this profound passion is impressive to say the least.  Sadly, he was criticized and often unappreciated in his own generation.  Today we look back and see the beauty and majesty in his spirit filled compositions.

Next time you find yourself erupting with the gift of criticism stop and consider that music is not written merely for your personal entertainment. I for one look forward to Heaven because critical comments will not exist there. It is so easy to complain about everything in the church culture today.

Remember, when you don’t like the style, it wasn’t written for you, but for the glory of God. So if you must complain, pray your complaint to him.

The simple answer to complex problems

 

 

 

 

Simply stated, the world in which we live seems more complex today than ever before. Our nation appears to be divided. Our churches appear to be struggling. Our world appears to be filled with hate and war. With all of these issues, I would suggest that there is a simple answer to our complex problems. That simple answer is obedience to what Jesus commands us to do!

 

One of the most intriguing passages of Scripture to me is found in John chapter 17. In this text we find what theologians often refer to as the high priestly prayer. This is the prayer that Jesus prayed, not only for his disciples who were with him, but those of us that would be disciples in the years and centuries to come. This truly is the Lord’s prayer. John does not record the exact location of where Jesus prayed this prayer, but I would suggest a simple examination of the Gospels indicate that Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane and the intensity of this prayer is beyond comprehension. His prayer was so profound that our Lord Jesus, according to Luke, “ sweat like great drops of blood.”

 

As you read this passage, I hope you discovered some amazing similarities between what Jesus prayed and what we call the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. In the beginning of this prayer, Jesus introduces us to his authority. The parallel to the Great Commission recorded in Matthew is not inconsequential. If we truly believe that Jesus has all authority, then we must be willing to submit to that authority. We recognize that the command found in the Great Commission is a command to make disciples. In John 17: 31 – 21 we see the imperative of disciple making in Jesus’ prayer also. Look closely at John 17:18 and you will find these words of Jesus, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” Note the word “sent” The Greek verb apostellein occurs twice and carries the idea of being sent for a purpose or being sent on a mission. Clearly Jesus is praying and declaring in this sacred text that he prepared his disciples for mission. He also, in the same way, is praying that his disciples prepare others for the exact same mission.

 

We have been called to make disciples. This is the task of the Church! I fear that the task is often misplaced or replaced today.  A large percentage of our churches are in survival mode at best.  I believe that if we do not see significant change in local churches we will lose as many as one-fourth of our churches over the next decade. The mere observation of this reality is horrifying to me. I have heard some individuals suggest that churches proceed through the lifecycle from birth to maturity and then they decline to experience death. I have heard the same individual say there is very little that can be done about it. Excuse me, but I totally disagree. I do not believe that watching churches struggle and die, allowing millions of dollars in kingdom resources to evaporate, honors God.

 

The lostness of New Mexico continues to grow exponentially. I contend that we must return to the basics of disciple making. Just as God called Nehemiah to rebuild broken walls and commanded that Ezekiel preach to dry bones, I believe God is calling us back to disciple making by his authority. I contend that this is the simple answer to complex issues that we face every day. Regardless of whether God has called you serve a new church plant or serve in an existing one, we must focus on disciplemaking.

 

In the book Life on Mission, Tim Keller is quoted as having said, “Most experts say that in order to effectively impact an area with the gospel you need to have one church for every 1,000 people in urban areas and one for every 500 in rural areas.

 

The staff of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico is available to assist your church in rediscovering disciple making, whether it be in existing congregations that need revitalization or new church plants. I do not believe that the answer is either/or, but both/and. We need to strengthen existing churches and we need to plant new churches. All churches need to be laser focused on disciple making.

 

Will you join me in praying like Jesus prayed? That we would focus on disciplemaking.

 

What I learned watching the New York City Marathon

I had never watched a marathon before. Church time for me this past Sunday was 10:30 and at 9:45 I found myself wrapped up in the New York City Marathon. The race was almost over for the winners and wow, what a race had developed in the last few miles. The New York City Marathon was won again this year by two Kenyan runners. Mary Keitany dominated the women’s race. This 5 foot, 3 inch, 88 pound female rocket showed the world how to finish a marathon strong. Yes! I did make it to church just fine.  For most of us the idea of running 26.2 miles seems impossible.  The physiological experience known as the “runner’s high” is an unknown for majority of the world.  However, there is a race that I am very familiar with. It is the race that Paul describes as the “high calling,” the Christian’s goal in Philippians 3:14.  In Galatians 5:7, Paul asked a question that has stuck in my mind for four decades. He asked, “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (NASB)

It seems interesting to me that Paul asked who, not what, hindered you. Could it be that people are the greatest challenge when it comes to finishing the race? Perhaps there are times that we are focused on someone else’s race and it causes us to stumble. Perhaps we are looking to someone else’s approval rather that the approval of the author and finisher of the race, Jesus Christ. Could it be that we are looking at the crowd of spectators or overwhelmed by the commentators in the race and fail to finish the race that is before us individually?

My crippled old body will never run a marathon, but I do know a bit about running my race of faith. First, you must stay focused. The race is a lifelong race, not a sprint.  When I was a young man playing football, we ran a lot of 40 yard sprints. This is not the same as marathon running.  Distance requires that you keep your eye on the prize as you grind it out.  One day we will stand before our Lord and give an account of the race we have run.

Second, to run the Faith Race, we must maintain integrity. There are boundaries and many a good runner has been disqualified because they failed to maintain integrity. One cannot play with fire and not be burned. We all know sad stories of runners that fell to moral compromise and are no longer in their vocational race because they crossed a moral integrity boundary.  I heard a wise older pastor say one time as he instructed preacher boys, “Don’t touch the girls, don’t touch the gold and don’t touch the glory.”

Third, own your weaknesses and failures. No runner is the total package. Before you can improve, you must acknowledge your insufficiencies. Maybe you can set the pace, but fail to kick the last couple of miles. Whatever your weakness is, you must own it or it will hold you back from running your best race. I can assure you that others will be quick to point out what they dislike about your running style. Remember that you are running for an audience of one, but that one can use fellow runners to improve your race if you do not allow pride to stand in the way.

Fourth, keep a journal of your race plans. Write your goals down. Plan your race strategy. Do a constant inspection of your life and be sure that you are on track with where you want to be.  I was amazed at the number of times I saw runners looking at their wrist as they ran the New York Marathon. Was it a watch or maybe a fitness tracker of some sort that they were looking at? I discovered that it was different for different folks.  One person had a tattoo on her wrist with the date of the marathon. Another had a piece of yarn tied to her wrist that was reminder of the charity that she was running for. Every person had something that prompted them to run their race.

Finally, let me say that all around us are folks we know and love that are stumbling in their race and we are to do everything in our power to help them finish. I know pastors that woke up Monday morning asking, “Why should I keep trying to change a mean spirited bunch of folks?” The pastor may have tried something new and the chairman of the “we have never done it that way before” committee was downright ugly about it. Some folks have the ability to suck the joy out of our race if we allow them. Most pastors will discover that only a handful of critics can seem overwhelming..  I promise it is a race that has an awesome reward just ahead, if we don’t quit.   Run!!!!!!!

Where there is no vision

Our world is shaking.  Our response is critical. Our opportunity is now!

A lightning enhanced volcano in Chile, a horrifying earthquake in Nepal, a troubling riot in Baltimore, are all statements of opposing pressures that have been below the surface for years. In these times, we can tremble at the destruction or we can trust that God is opening opportunities for people of faith to take action. Fearful days call for fearless people, offering hope and grace.

If you truly wish to interpret life correctly you must see it through the lenses of the scripture. Watching the news these past days has been a profound illustration of the need for vision in our world. “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law,” Proverbs 29:18 (NASB). We all love this verse, but what exactly is vision? What does vision do?  Dr. O.S. Hawkins, in his book The Pastor’s Primer says that vision does several things. Vision brings definition, design, dynamic, direction, and dependence.  I would encourage us to understand that the void today is God and the dependence upon Him.

The first time you find the word vision in the Bible is Genesis 15:1. God appears to Abram in a vision.  God’s direction is clear and Abram is both promised and rewarded for having dependence on God.  We will find the word vision used over 100 more times in the scripture.  Vision is not merely looking at what is obvious; it is seeing what is beyond sight.  Read 2 Corinthians 4:18 and find the promise that the things that are seen today are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.

Yes, when pressures build explosive events take place, signs of the last days? Sure! But even more, these painful events demand that we look beyond what is obvious and respond with God being the answer. There is a battle that lies deep in the earth as Tectonic Plates push against each other. There is also a battle in heavenly places that is not flesh and blood according to Ephesians 6:12. Therefore we must put on the spiritual armor of God if we hope to stand in the riots of Hell’s demons. But remember, whatever the event, there is far more at stake that is beyond eyesight. What is at stake, in my opinion, are the souls of men, women and children.

I have been to and seen Baltimore in its beauty and now we see it in its tragedy, but may God help us to see it and every other city and place in the world in its lostness. Jesus is the only solution. He is the vision that is needed.

My heart’s passion is to see lost people saved.

QUESTION THE INFORMATION

Do you ever wonder where all the surveys and statistics that are freely thrown around today come from? I certainly do. In fact I wonder if 98.9 percent of statistics are made up on the spot. Just like the 98.9 percent that I just quoted above, I am sure that there is some significant value in gathering facts. Facts are our friends, but there is no such thing as reliable false facts. These past days, my mind has been attempting to grasp the numbers that I have seen thrown around so loosely as accurate. Allow me to illustrate.

First, how could the overwhelming majority of American’s change their view overnight on the issue of same sex marriage? I understand that our president has changed his opinion, but if we believe all the statistical polls, he is statistically out of touch with most folks in the USA anyway. Statistically speaking, every second term president is out of touch by the 6^th year of office. So what are the facts really? My suspicion is the agenda to change the hearts of people is based on the following premise. If you believe marriage is only between one man and one woman, you will be intimidated by false information and made to look like a fearful and hateful person.

What is at stake is the core value of America known as religious freedom. If a person is conscripted to take photos of, or bake cakes for gay weddings, even after objecting for religious conscience, than there is no religious freedom. If you believe that work is a gift from God as well as a vocation then you will appreciate someone saying, “Because of my faith, I do not do photos of gay weddings.” That is not the same and saying, “I do not serve food to people who are gay,” but religious freedom must allow us to see sacred experiences like weddings differently. I am not homophobic. The buss word today is tolerance, but civility is a two way street. There were people that went to jail for the sake of religious freedom at the founding of this country. If things continue, I believe there will be people who will experience that same imprisonment at this countries finish.

There are some who would suggest that religious freedom only applies to churches. Failing to understand that churches are not buildings, they are people. There must be a lot of confusion about what the church is in our political system, statistically speaking.

I have to wonder how we got to this place in America. My thoughts are that we have seen the pulpits of America water down doctrine and whip up ear tickling sermons. For example, “We are all just little mice that have fallen into a bowl of milk. If we just kick our little feet enough we will see that milk thicken into cream and that cream churn into butter and we will all walk out on top in Jesus’ name. Now send me you money for another inspiring sermon next Sunday.” Enough!!! If our pulpits do not ring sound doctrine; then the only compass to guide our nation has lost its true north and the ship wreck is dead ahead.

Religious freedom is either an individual freedom or there is no religious freedom.

Stand strong, because the devil is the father of lies even if he has too use statistics in attempting to prove them.

Owning your Failures

Owning your Failures

 

These past few weeks, I have seen people that owned their mistakes.  Allow me to explain.  In February, Sharon and I were at a meeting of executive directors.  During our motel stay, one of the ladies that cleaned our room accidently ran the vacuum cleaner over the draw strings on a shoe bag.  We knew what happened because she left a note explaining and apologizing for the damage to the bag. She also signed her name.  It was really not that big of loss, but her note was priceless.

Today when I came to the BCNM offices, I had a similar experience. I have had a glass votive candle for years.  I noticed a note attached that said, “I am very sorry I accidently broke this, please forgive me.” I have had that glass votive for 30 years, but it was not nearly as valuable to me as the note acknowledging what had happened.  The note was not signed and I wish it had been.  The absence of a signature was statement of partial, but not complete ownership.  I would like to tell whoever broke the glass votive that it was just glass, relieving them of any fear that I might have ill feelings.  I assume it was a cleaning person or someone like me that has the gift of clumsiness.   Regardless, I would like to tell them it is okay.  I guess I will just have to leave them a note.

Jesus was the master at encouraging people through their failure.  He spent time with those that the religious community had given up on.  He took time to talk to the woman at the well. He reached out and touched the diseased, demonstrating his compassion.  Jesus could be firm with the self-righteous and loving to the downcast.  There is one thing that Jesus always did and that was to help individuals own their failures.

So let’s consider why owning our failures is critical to every relationship. First, owning our failures moves us to place ourselves under someone else’s vantage point.  It is a way of expressing submission.  Owning one’s failures opens up channels of opportunity for others to see your humanity. It is failure that is the common denominator of every one of us.

Second, owning our failures is a way to accept responsibility for the portion of the problems we create or are involved in. In relationships, there is no such thing as a totally one-sided problem.  Owning our portion of the problem is a giant step in saying, “I value our relationship.”

Third, owning our failures provides people opportunity to shower you with forgiveness. Our acknowledgement allows others the blessing of forgiving.  I have discovered that most people will forgive you if you will allow them the opportunity.

Fourth, owning your failures creates learning for yourself and others.  I can assure you that my feet are clay and I fail every day. Owning my failures is critical.  It is not “will I make mistakes,” but it is what have I learned from my mistakes. If I do that correctly it allows others to learn that owning their mistakes is a spiritual matter.

Over the years, I have come to believe that churches and pastors will sometimes experience difficult issues.  I believe that when these hard times come, owning our failures is the beginning of healing. Jesus had a word for those that do not want to extend grace and forgiveness.  I think he said, “You that are without sin cast the first stone.”

Our churches would all be stronger if we would just own it when we mess up.  This applies to both pastors and parishioners.  There has only been one perfect shepherd and Jesus was his name. (See John 10:14)  So let your pastor be human. If you do not then when he falls of the pedestal, the relationship will break.

I do not know about you, but I am sure that my failures and sin exceed those things that have been done to me.  Is it time to let go of the broken glass votives that are holding you back. Perhaps we will discover that forgiving other’s failures is healthier than brooding over broken glass.

Please know that I love you more than words can express.  By the way, will you please forgive me?  I too own that I fail, regularly. I am sorry!

Dr. B

Vision the great need of every church

Is vision a noun or a verb?  May I suggest that “vision” is a missing passion in many churches across New Mexico?  Vision is very crucial in the life of every church.  Perhaps the most noted verse in the Bible on vision is Proverbs 29:18.  Below you will read several translations of this verse.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18   (KJV)

¹⁸ If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. (MSG)

¹⁸ Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. (NIV)

¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. (NASB)

¹⁸ Without revelation people run wild, but one who listens to instruction will be happy. (HCSB)

¹⁸ Without guidance from God law and order disappear, but God blesses everyone who obeys his Law. (CEV)

One question that fascinates me is where does vision come from?  Is vision something that leaders just conjure up to move organizations from one point to another? I fear that there are times people might suggest that a vision is from the Lord for the purpose of moving a personal agenda or goal. In the Old Testament there are strong words about false prophets. When a person joins the words “God” and “vision” they are forming a powerful conjunction. The words “the Lord told me” imply that a given direction is far more than a preference.  Any vision apart from God will result in futility. Vision without implementation is merely a dream.  There are several axioms about vision. One axiom is “vision leaks.” Every leader learns that you must continually cast the vision. So, how do you know if the vision will attract a following?

Allow me to share some things that I believe are found in every true vision:

First, the “V” in vision might stand for value.  A true vision of God will reflect what God values.  Every church has some core values. Sometimes these are written, sometimes they are not.  Vision reminds us that before we talk about what, we should ask why?

Second, the “I” is inclusion. Vision that moves a church is not merely imported by the leader.  It is my conviction that great leaders discover the vision God has placed in the heart of his people and build upon it.  I have talked with people in churches that mistakenly believe that the vision of the church comes solely through the pastor.  I have also meet pastors that believed it was their responsibility to dictate vision, rather than mine it from the congregation.

Third, the “S” is sacrifice. Vision that is more than taking a walk requires sacrifice from the leader. When leaders tell me about their vision for their church or organization, I like to ask, “Are you willing to buy a cemetery plot?”  Unless you are willing to stay, don’t make the types of changes that you are talking about. We have all seen times when pastors created chaos and debt and then bail out leaving churches with huge debt and confusion.

Fourth, the “I” is investment. People want to invest in something that is earthshaking.  Too often leaders fail to make “the ask” when it comes to investing is the vision.   If you really believe something is of God, don’t be afraid to ask people to support it. If leaders fail to ask input they are failing to allow people an opportunity to receive a blessing.

Fifth, the “O” stands for one.  A mistake that I have observed made by leaders is placing so many conflicting “priorities” on the table that followers become confused about what the real vision is.  Too often leaders dump all their energy into action plans or activities.  God did not call the church to be busy; He called the church to be fruitful.

The final letter “N” stands for need. When the need is clearly identified a unifying and compelling vision surfaces.  Need reminds both the leader and the people of what the cost of failing to fulfill the vision really is.