This really hit home recently as I thought about the org chart. I love the org chart. It is so much fun to look at it and see the people and positions and the utter beauty of such order. It is an administrative person’s dream! Everything fits together so nicely, but everything aligns to the top. Everyone wants to get to the top, but very few people consider the journey or cost to get there.

Let me be honest: I’m first from the top. Yep – one below the exalted head of the org chart (even though he doesn’t view it that way at all). But it hit me the other day – I don’t want to be at the top. I’m not sure my giftings put me at the top. And that is okay because I get to work in my area of gifting at my spot on the chart and receive some amazing fulfillment there.

Where do you fall on the “chart”? Is your focus on getting to the top or is your focus on understanding your gifts and abilities and serving best where God has placed you? Honestly, the hype about the top is really just hype. Here’s some insider trading for you from the top: everything is harder at the top.

It’s okay to desire more and to look up to God for your potential, BUT don’t let your potential be limited to a chart. Some of the most influential people are at the bottom of a piece of paper but at the top of the Kingdom. Jesus said:

So the last will be first, and the first will be last. Matthew 20:16

Don’t let your potential be limited to your position on a chart.

We start a new series this weekend at Faith Promise to celebrate the church’s 15 years of ministry. It’s amazing to consider that 15 years ago God placed the vision that we live today into the hearts of 250 people. God used so many people in amazing ways, but I want to say a big thanks to Terry DuPont. Terry started FPC as an Executive Pastor (shout out to all XP’s) and led the church for 18 months until Chris came as Senior Pastor.

God has done amazing things through the people of FPC. Thousands have trusted Christ as their Savior, over 1800 have been baptized, over $2.5 million dollars have been given to local and global missions – all for one purpose: to impact the unchurched of the world for God.

It’s going to be awesome to see what God does in the next 15 years. It is a great church with an awesome vision serving an incredible God.

God, thanks for what you have allowed each of us to be a part of!

As I have considered the thought, tithing entered my mind. Many Believers are working towards tithing. I hear people talk about giving 1% more every year until they get to 10%. Honestly, I couldn’t disagree with that strategy more. Consider this:

• Giving 9% is still giving in disobedience.
• Giving 9% is still trusting in your economy over God’s economy.
• Giving 9% is still relying on yourself over God’s Word.
• Giving 9% says I know better than God knows.

But when you give 10%, you open the “floodgates of heaven.”Consider the verse:

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10

Think about the difference in 1%.

• Giving 10% is giving in obedience.
• Giving 10% trusting in God’s economy over your economy.
• Giving 10% shows that you trust God’s Word.
• Giving 10% says that I have faith to trust God.

1% more makes a big difference.

• Staffing: I never had a class on identifying church staff, but MinisterSearch can do that for you and save you lots of time and heartache from bad decisions.
• Human Resources: when you are letting someone go, HR is important. Although you have probably never had a class in HR, someone like The Church Law Group can help you.
• Church Buildings: how many pastors constructed a building before they entered ministry? My guess – not many! Even though you haven’t built a building, people like the folks at MG&A can help you overcome the building obstacles.
• Church Calendar Management: although I never created a program to schedule church calendars and resources, I found a simple, great program that did. The folks at ServiceU can help you do that and so much more.
• Database Administration: I have a love/hate relationship with computers. When I was in Seminary, computers were just coming into existence on the “personal” level. So, I was never taught a way to keep up with the people and their giving that came to my church. However, the people at Fellowship Technologies can help you with that.
• Finances: most people stink at this area! But, Intacct can help you take your church finances to a whole new level.

There are tons of other resources that we used each day in areas that Seminary never prepared me for. If you have a question about an area not mentioned, let me know.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jesus was very legalistic. He judged man’s behavior and said that He was the only way to God. He told the rich young ruler that he lacked one thing – to sell all that he had and give to the poor. Interestingly, Jesus did not tell people to do things how they wanted to when they wanted to. He said things like, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).”

At the same time He was full of grace, but grace did not mean that you get to do things your way. His grace meant that He loves you in spite of who you are at times. He wasn’t a Pharisee – He didn’t set a standard to get to Heaven based upon what you do. Yet, even though He had grace, He didn’t lower the standard for holiness. He said: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).”

In our culture today, I hear things like, “God isn’t legalistic about the time I spend with Him.” Or, “I have freedom…” And you are right on one level. God will not send you to Hell because you only read your Bible once this week. And, you, in your freedom can do whatever you please. But that does not mean that you have honored Him. That does not mean that you are living His Words. We have undervalued what He wants in our relationship with Him because we really don’t care about Him and want to live our life the way that fits our desires and schedule.

So, I disagree with what the culture is saying. Jesus was and is legalistic. He set a standard. He asked us to follow after Him and live according to that standard. And, grace leads to living that says because I understand what you did for me, I will willingly surrender every part of my life to You. You can’t work your way to Heaven, but you will be as legalistic about following Him as you are about eating (most eat 3 times per day, even though they do not have to) or watching your favorite TV shows or seeing your favorite new movie. Shouldn’t we be more legalistic about His ways than the things that mean nothing?

Jesus was legalistic but He was not a Pharisee.

On April 29th, he will host the LIT Conference – a one day leadership experience for church leaders. The speaker line-up includes: Pat Summitt, Coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, Pete Wilson, Pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, Johnny Hunt, Pastor of FBC Woodstock, GA, and Chris. It is going to be an amazing day – you do not want to miss it!

You can register for $89 by clicking HERE. If you are in the Knoxville area, don’t miss this day of learning from some of the greatest leaders in our area!

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: 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!)