Josh Whitehead » Personal

The 1/3’s with my kiddos

Josh — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:00:04 +0000

Last Friday morning I was having breakfast with my almost 3-year old daughter, Madison. I began to think about the time that we spend together and what that time looks like. First of all, when we’re together I want to have fun. We laugh and play a lot. But the time with my kiddos is split into 1/3’s that looks like this:

1/3 of the time is spent showing them I love them.
1/3 of the time is spent training them to be like Christ.
1.3 of the time is spent praying and begging God that they will honor Him with their lives.

These thirds just become the natural part of our time and days together. It’s not something that I spend hours planning for – it’s just what happens. And, most of the time I find myself praying and begging God in the quiet moments that I look at them in the rear view mirror or as they look into my eyes.

How do you spend the time that you have with your kiddos?

Jesus & Peter counted (or likely knew the count)

Josh — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:15:10 +0000

It’s amazing how as Christians we get on bandwagon’s. In our Christian culture today, that bandwagon is numbers. Any magazine that you read will have an article about numbers, attributing most of the article to the negativity that numbers play in the church today. Question: are numbers really a bad thing? No. Most of us like to have the correct number on our paycheck, bank statement or mortgage payment. However, the worship of anything, except for the One, True, Living God is wrong.

In this debate, most people turn to 1 Chronicles 21 and the story of David taking a census of the people when God told him not to do it. But, why do we neglect all of the places where numbers where recorded as a good or neutral thing. Think about a few:

The book of Numbers or any other census God commanded in Scripture.
Was Jesus wrong to have counted the 5,000 & 4,000 (plus women and children) when he miraculously fed people? (Did Jesus really have to count or did He just “know”?) Was He solely focused on the number, or did the number mean something about impact?
Was Peter wrong to have counted in Acts 1:15 (120 people were present in a meeting) and in 2:41 when 3,000 were saved? Was he solely focused on how great of a speaker he was and the response he could illicit?
[Insert your own count passage here]

Of course they were not wrong. Numbers have a purpose but they are not the purpose. They CAN BE an expression of good or bad things in the ministry and they can be focused on with impure motives.

Instead of focusing on some people who may have numbers as their “god”, could we focus on how to increase the impact of the church in the culture to reach more people?

Remember, Jesus and Peter counted (or likely knew the count).

It’s not the church I knew

Josh — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:43:57 +0000

This weekend I thought a lot about the church that my kids are growing up a part of. It’s a lot different than the church that I grew up in.

Zoar Baptist Church

So, here are some of the things that hit me today that my kiddos will never know as a part of the church that I knew:

They will never hear an offertory song (lucky dogs)
They will never attend church training, youth choir or Sunday night church
They will likely never attend a business meeting, much less a monthly one
They will never vote on a budget
They will never attend “dinner on the grounds”
They will never hear about “the” deacons meeting (we do not have deacons or their meetings)
They will never tithe with a check
They will never sing from a Hymnal
They will never wonder why the pastors sit in special chairs on the stage
They will never know a time without multiple worship services
They will never see a choir robe
They will think that Saturday night is a “normal” church service time

My kiddos attend a church that I always dreamed of but never thought I would be a part of. I’m not knocking any church – some are just very different than the church my kids attend.

What are the differences that you remember about church you grew up in and the church you attend today?

Static vs Dynamic

Josh — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:34:56 +0000

In the church world, we tend to lean toward helping people from the static position.

Static: adj; showing little or no change

We like to give people lists of information that they are to analyze and implement in their ministries. It’s the common model of most coaching networks. The interaction is typically a mind dump of information that happens 6 times over the course of 6 months. There’s nothing wrong with coaching networks (I’ve been a part of Tony’s and agreed to lead one for PCC that didn’t work out). But I think there is a better way.

In April, I am going to be launching a ministry that provides dynamic help.

Dynamic: adj; pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic

As a part of this type of experience, you will receive help characterized by actions that you should take that will help you in ministry. Honestly, it’s a dream and I could not be more excited about it. Look for the release of the name and launch of the website in 4-6 weeks.

(BTW, I’m NOT leaving my current ministry position at FPC, so don’t panic!)

Sometimes Big Words Challenge Me

Josh — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:50:03 +0000

Sometimes i struggle with big words – in a different way than you may think. For instance,”together” is such a bigger word than “me” or “I,” but “I” is so much easier to say and spell. Even though “we” and “me” are equal in length, sometimes i say “me” so much easier than “we.”

The problem: When i limit what can happen to myself, i exclude great ideas, potential solutions, and wisdom from another perspective. “Together,” “we,” and “us” help me take my leadership to new levels because of the chance to have another persons input.

This year i’m going to learn some big words. i’m going to rely on others more. i’m going to value their input. i’m going to lead considering their perspective.

Do some big words challenge you?

Sunday reflections

Josh — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:25:54 +0000

This morning I had the awesome privilege to preach at the church I grew up in – Zoar Baptist Church. My family began attending there when I was in the fifth grade and significant things happened. First, my dad, sister and I trusted Christ as our Savior there and were baptized. Then, we all served there for the first time. Zoar played a significant part in my spiritual development as I learned to read my Bible, journal and pray. It was great!

So, today it was awesome to see so many people from the past that poured in to my life. I want to say a huge thanks to Dr. Kevin Hand, Pastor of Zoar, for making it happen. My message way entitled, “4 Things I learned from my Home Church,” and I really tried to encourage them and challenge them for the work that they have done.

Not sure that you have a church where you grew up and developed spiritually, but if you do, let them know that you are grateful!

Reminiscing

Josh — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:37:16 +0000

Over the last few days we’ve been in Baton Rouge for Christmas with my family. As most of you know, I’m pretty obsessive compulsive about things. When we arrived at my parents house, my mom broke out some of my old toys for Hayden to play with during our stay. A GI Joe helicopter, hover craft and tank along with several remote control cars – all over 25 years old. It was a vivid reminder of the fun that we had as kids growing up.

As we drive around town, there are so many memories surrounding landmarks and locations in the city. I’ve passed my elementary, middle and high school. I’ve passed the church where I came to know Christ (and get to preach at on Sunday morning for the first time this weekend). I’ve driven down roads that were two lanes that today are 5 lanes. I was on campus at LSU and thought about the time that I broke my ankle and had to hobble across campus. So much reminiscing!

Remember, every day you are creating memories. Honestly, almost all of my memories are great ones. As you live, remember that you decisions today will affect the things you get to reminisce about in the future!

Christmas Cookies

Josh — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:50:22 +0000

Kim took some great pictures of the kiddos making Christmas cookies today. Had to share them with you!

2 weeks out

Josh — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:00:46 +0000

You are 2 weeks out from another new beginning. 2 weeks away from the chance to set new goals. 2 weeks away from another opportunity to grow personally and spiritually. 2 weeks out to make the right start in a new decade.

So, have you started setting goals yet? Are you developing a plan to achieve the goals that you set? You’re only 2 weeks out!

Let me encourage you to consider:

Spiritual Disciplines – time in God’s Word, prayer, fasting, silence, solitude and Sabbath. Personally, I plan on reading the entire Bible through once, the New Testament 4 times, fasting 12 days, taking a prayer retreat and studying the book of 1 John.

Dreams – have you considered what dreams you want to achieve in your life? Where do you start in 2010? Consider reading The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly over the holidays. Personally, I am developing short-term (less than 1-year), mid-term (2-5 years) and long-term (more than 5 years) dreams. You can read my review of the book here.

Family - how are you developing your family? Do you have a plan for mentoring your children? How will you and your spouse grow together? Personally, I am looking to begin a planned study time with my daughter (she’s 3 & your kids are never to young) and we are clarifying our family values.

Friends – have you developed relationships with friends? As our kids get older, it gets easier to have time for friends. Personally, I want to develop deeper relationships with our friends.

2 weeks. 14 days. 336 hours. 20,160 minutes. 1,209,600 seconds – and it will be time to start another year. What have you wasted in this one? Don’t waste any more time – make decisions, develop a plan and become the person that God desires for you to be.

What have I missed?

Blog face-lift

Josh — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:52:41 +0000

My blog is getting a face-lift thanks to my good friend, Kyle. Kyle is our Communications Pastor at Faith Promise and does an amazing job with our website, iCampus and advertising (to name a few of the things he does). Just wanted to give him a shout-out and say, “Thanks!”

Here’s a cool view of the site.