From South America with Love (Part Two)…

Once the dates and details were set for our mission project in Cordoba, Argentina I began sharing my heart for this project with the Cross-link family each Sunday.  I offered an opportunity for people to join me for nine days in South America for a Pastor’s Conference, ESL Training in Public Schools and Vacation Bible Schools.  After several weeks of promotion, I had two men on board with me.  One was my Director of Evangelism and Discipleship, Terry Ross and the other was my Director of Hospitality, Patrick Simmons.  To the Glory of God, all three of us raised the necessary funds without any expenses from the Calvary Cross-link budget.

(Left to Right: Terry Ross, Will Herndon, Me, Patrick Simmons,
Daniel Beard, Sherry Anderson, Pastor Tim Anderson, Glenn Price)

Our Trip to Cordoba started on Wednesday, March 21^st when we left Calvary Cross-link, headed for Richmond International Airport at 9am.  We didn’t arrive at our hotel in Cordoba, Argentina until noon on Thursday, March 22^nd.   After a quick nap, the evening was spent planning our week with the 4-person team from Clements Baptist Church in Athens, Alabama and our AMAZING ground man, Will Herndon, over some delicious Argentine steak.  I don’t think any of us were quite prepared for what God was going to do in, through and around us over the next few days.

When we arrived at the International Congress for Revival Pastor’s School on Thursday night, there were over 400 pastors, lay leaders and ladies in attendance.  These sweet brothers and sisters were so gracious, grateful and passionate for the opportunity to attend this experience.  Very few, if any of these church leaders had any formal ministry training whatsoever, so they were eager to learn!  We challenged them to solid leadership and sound doctrine for the next 2 & ½ days.  Every time Pastor Tim & I preached, they furiously took notes, hanging on every word.

Worship Service Attendance at ICR School

It should be said, that my experience in preaching through a translator is limited but I cannot imagine a better translator than my new friend Will Herndon.  Pastor Tim and I could literally preach and he translated right over the top of us.  It was an incredible sight to behold and experience!

I was told, over and over again, how much this conference meant to the pastors and church leaders in attendance.  They emotionally shared how they were challenged, encouraged and equipped for greater ministry impact for the Glory of God in Argentina.  This was great to hear.  However, I believe that the experience had an even greater impact on my life than it did theirs.  As I worshiped Jesus in a language I didn’t comprehend, I sensed the moving of the Holy Spirit in my own life that was calling me to a deeper level of commitment to the “end of the earth” section of Acts 1:8.  I knew this would require a re-prioritizing of my ministry calendar, budget and focus.  However, I knew that this special calling on my life didn’t just affect me, but all those whom I have the privilege to lead…to be continued…

From South America with Love - Part One

When God called Ashley and I to the Shenandoah Valley in the fall of 2009, we knew that it would be a serious change of pace from the suburban Atlanta community in which we lived. I never imagined myself being a pastor and I remember swearing I’d never move to Virginia as long as I lived. Not only was I not interested in living or pastoring in Virginia, but especially not rural Virginia. Yet, God called us here and we (reluctantly) obeyed!

Let be begin by saying that, over the past 31 months, I have found such incredible joy in leading Calvary Cross-link to Impact the Valley and Bless the Nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, after spending 18 months in the Valley, it became evident that leading my church to a global ministry mindset was going to be a challenge. The closest international airport is over 100 miles away and most of the people I inherited had never been on an airplane before. The general mindset was “There’s enough lost people in the Valley, why go on a mission trip till we reach the ones in our own back yard?” Sound familiar?

I knew that I wasn’t the only pastor to face these challenges in leading my rural church to a global ministry mindset, so I decided I needed a mentor. I have always been blessed with many mentors in my life, none more influential than my own father. But, I needed a specific kind of mentor…someone who was leading a rural church to global focus. I found Pastor Tim Anderson from Clements Baptist Church in Athens, Alabama. Pastor Tim started a church 17 years ago in rural Alabama that is now personally invested advancing Gospel in dozens of nations around the world. His church invests hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. They have freed up their pastor to lead an incredible organization called International Congress on Revival that trains pastors around the world. Once I contact Pastor Tim, he made himself available to me any time I needed. We began to talk over the phone about various aspects of ministry, staff, leadership and missions. I found him more than familiar with the mindset I was fighting in the early days of Calvary Cross-link.

Tim invited me to join him in Cordoba, Argentina for an ICR Pastor’s Conference. I joyfully accepted and so begins Calvary Cross-link’s journey on to the international mission field…to be continued…

The Energy to Energize Others

All areas of life require balance. Andy Stanley was teaching last year on that very subject, making the argument for appropriate amounts of tension. I try to imagine my ministry & family traveling a road that runs between two very attractive (but also very destructive) ditches. I'll take them point by point:

My identity is not found in family or Ministry. My identity is found in Christ who is the Author & Perfecter of it (Hebrews 12). This is central to Energy to Energize Others!

It would be so easy & comfortable to lose myself in my amazing family who adores me. Many have done exactly that! To the detriment of all other relationships, ministry opportunities or job opportunities, they have sold out to their family and are enjoying that comfortable ditch. No question: I pastor my family before I pastor anybody else in my life, but why must it be "either-or" instead of "both-and?" Why can't I disciple my 4-year-old and an orphan nobody wants at the same time? Why can't I love my wife and lay my life down for her, while also challenging other men to do the same with their wives? Why can't I lead my family in such a way that I am leading other families as well? Simple Answer: I can and I should! It takes balance to stay out of the Ditch of Worshipping Family!!!

It would be so easy and comfortable to lose myself in my career. After all, my job description is to "Lead Calvary Cross-link to Impact the Valley & Bless the Nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Who wouldn't want to sell-out to that? I could (and have) work 80-100 hours per week and not scratch the surface of all that needs to be done here. But, it's not God's intention that I reach all the children of the world while mine go to hell without Jesus! My pastor is known for saying, "The light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home." I believe the key is embracing my career with my family deeply involved! And, the most important part is making sure that my career flows out of my deep and abiding intimacy with Jesus. Balance keeps my focus clear!

Part of my role as Lead Pastor of Calvary Cross-link is coaching people to their God-given, Christ-honoring potential. One of the greatest "zappers" of energy is feeling like I am failing at something that I can ill-afford failure. Settling into either one of the ditches is a sure-fire way to drain all energy. My energy to energize others comes from a balanced life between the ditches!

On Mission

This week has been an interesting one for me. Let me provide some context:

For the last 4 years, I've led a mission trip to Staten Island, New York. This week, I've got 33 people here serving Jesus by helping Salem Church impact their neighborhood for Jesus! My attention has been on facilitating a clash between gospel sharing southerners and catholic-"ish" italian New Yorkers. It's been going well, I'll update with some results soon!

However, this year our mission trip has happened on the same week as the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix, AZ. So, I've been keeping loose tabs on that too. It seems that most in the leadership of our denomination believe that change is necessary. So, there was a great deal said about adopting the 3,800 remaining unreached people groups around the world. I wholeheartedly agree with this effort!

The peculiarity of this week is due to the mix of being "on mission" and hearing so much "about the mission." Now, Staten Island has a growing, thriving, Gospel preaching church (see www.salemchurchnyc.com). So there is definitely a difference in this mission project and the ones discussed in Phoenix. However, there is a HUGE difference between talking about engaging in the mission and ACTUALLY doing it!

I commend the 33 people who took this week away from their lives & homes to share Jesus with Staten Island. I, also, commend Tom Elliff, Bryant Wright, Kevin Ezell and others for trying to shake Southern Baptists out of our slumber this week in Phoenix. My prayer is harvests to be evident on Staten Island this week and in the years to come as SBC churches embrace the mission!

Super Bowl (AKA, Easter) Sunday, 2011

I follow around 50 pastors on twitter and, based on the "tweets" before during & after this past weekend, it's obvious that we (yes, WE) all look at Easter Sunday differently than the other 51 every year. Let's face it, it's the protestant version of Superbowl Sunday! Now, there is room for a legitimate discussion about the virtue of this distinction on the part of pastors and churches, but this post isn't the time or place. I want to offer my thoughts on the biggest day in the history of Calvary Cross-link, to date.

1) An Unorthodox Message Seemed to Work - My wife, secretary and staff will attest to the fact that I was more than a little anxious about my sermon on Sunday. Usually, a pastor will preach a rousing, enthusiastic sermon on the resurrection of Christ. But several months ago, I decided to go with an apologetics message on Easter Sunday. I began by establishing the historicity of the New Testament, therefore making C.S. Lewis' Trilemma of Jesus being a Liar, Lunatic or Lord the only the logical possibilities. When the possibilities were examined a little closer, the only one that could reasonably be true is that Jesus Christ is Lord!

My anxiety stemmed from the fact that the message contained a great deal of technical information (2 Diagrams, multiple quotes from historians, archaeologists and scholars). And, from the fact that, when I get nervous, I begin to ramble on & on & on & on & on...you get the picture. So, this seemed like a prime opportunity to go far too long and bore people to DEATH! But, at the end of the day, God used the message and we saw 13 people accept Jesus Christ for who He is...Lord!

If you're interested in hearing the message, you can find it at www.calvarycrosslink.org

2) The Two-Service experiment was a success - One of the biggest challenges in a church going from one service to two is pitifully low turnout in one and a packed house in the other. However, it seems that an early service is attractive to a number of CCLr's, making the transition less abrasive than it would otherwise be. On Sunday, we put 373 people in worship on our campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia. We had 161 in the 9 am service and 192 in the second. Those numbers don't include the 25 or so volunteers that were at both time slots.

In September, we'll go to a permanent two-service Sunday schedule to accommodate the continued growth to Calvary Cross-link. Easter Sunday was a great "dry run" to let us know how it could work. We've still got to work through the details, but I believe we've got an answer to our worship space issues.

3) It only Takes a Taste to Develop a Craving- The two services I just mentioned were not the only Calvary Cross-link Easter Services. In fact, about 10 of our senior adults went to Harrisonburg Health and Rehabilitation Center to lead an Easter service for the residents there. They had 50 or so in attendance and Stacy Meyerhoeffer brought the message. Praise the Lord, a 92 year old woman invited Jesus Christ to be her Savior. The initial feedback is that the Seniors' Class is eager to continue ministering in that context!

In all honesty, this nursing home Easter service was something that the Senior Adult class kind of "fell" into. I praise the Lord for their willingness to step in, but now I can see an obvious passion to minister to people who have largely been forgotten by the world. A taste of this type of ministry has lit a fire within our blessed senior saints and this pastor is very proud!

4) The Calvary Cross-link People REALLY Stepped Up- We ordered 7,500 invite cards to Easter Sunday at Calvary Cross-link. We mass-mailed 2,500 of them and passed out most of the rest. Most of our regulars showed up with lost/unchurched friends/family/co-workers in tow! Also, our music & production team worked double duty on Sunday showing up at 7:30am and not leaving until around 1pm. Their families accommodating the demanding Easter Sunday schedule was essential as well! I am super proud of these team members.

5) I am going to need to get in better shape before September- I love to preach! After doing so, I am emotionally and intellectually fired up! However, I am physically exhausted after a 40-50 minute message. So, I am going to need to lose some serious weight before committing myself to two of those in a 3+ hour period every Sunday. I feel a little like a weakling for mentioning it, but unfortunately it's very true.

Lastly, I can say that this is merely the beginning of what God has in store for Calvary Cross-link. Next year, we'll look back at Super Bowl Sunday 2011 as a "good start" to managing the growth of this fellowship! Jump on board and help us steam full speed ahead!

Content & Delivery

I spend a great deal of time every week preparing sermons. I'll study original languages, do word studies and consult about a dozen commentaries in the process. All this is in addition to the prayer time and context reading from the Bible that each sermon demands. Once the preparation is finished (typically by Thursday afternoon), I'll let the message sink in to my life over the next 2 & 1/2 days. I quote my mentor and pastor, Dr Johnny Hunt, when he says "my sermon is finished, but it's not ready" once the writing process is completed, because I've got to respond to the message before I ask anyone else to.

This is not a novel idea for anyone who has ever taught the Bible at any level. I don't suppose I'm breaking any new news on this subject, but I came to my own realization last week and I'd like to share it with you...

I found myself asking God to guide the presentation of my message as much as he guided the content of my message. If it's true that many people will pay more attention to "how" I say something than to "what" I say, then my presentation needs to communicate the crux of the message as much (if not more so) than the content. Do you follow?

This past week, I was preaching the 2nd of Jesus' Beatitudes from Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." The crux of the message is that Jesus is calling us to Godly mourning over personal sin and societal sin. Well, in preaching this message to the hundreds gathered at Calvary Cross-link, I became extremely emotional. I could not finish my message and found myself absolutely broken over sin: my sin (first), my church's sin and my country sin. I was overwhelmed with the reality of my sin, past & present, and broken over the fact that Jesus not only died for me, but was also comforting me! It was a tough pill to swallow.

This is something that, in 14 years of preaching, has NEVER happened to me. I am a very passionate person, but not an emotional person. I rarely cry, choke up or break down in any situation, but God brought me to a breaking point over sin and then pushed me over to communicate this concept to Calvary Cross-link. No lie, I turned into a big, sweaty, red faced, cry-baby in front of my whole church! Tears and snot went everywhere while I attempted (with a high pitch whine) to conclude the service. I wanted to find the nearest exit and leave before talking to anybody (didn't happen). You can listen to an edited version (Thanks Robert) of the sermon at www.calvarycrosslink.org and hear for yourself.

I wish that I could tell you that revival broke out and the spirit of God was poured out on our fellowship. However, that wasn't the case. Most eyes were dry, wide in surprise, but completely dry nonetheless. Very little response to the altar or visible response to the message was apparent. I assume the days to come will tell the story of how well we obey Matthew 5:4.

Even if there is no difference, this preacher has been changed and I believe that this situation is a direct result of my praying, "Lord, guide my presentation of Your truth as You have guided my preparation of Your truth."

I fear that there is more of this to come...

Big Picture

Merry Christmas! It is December 23rd and I am anxiously anticipating the Christmas Eve Celebration that commences at 4:30pm and 6:30pm at Calvary Cross Link tomorrow evening. As far as I can tell, over 7,500 invitations have been extended and I am planning to preach the Gospel with clarity, calling everyone in attendance to Jesus! If you're in the Shenandoah Valley, you don't want to miss this special event.

Well, enough for the commercial! A few days ago, at the urging of my brother-in-law, I downloaded the "You Version" app for my I-Phone. This awesome little app is provided by LifeChurch.tv and their pastor, Craig Groeschel. I expected it to provide me quick references on scriptures and word searches when I needed them. However, when I looked over the features of this App, I noticed that it provides various plans for reading through the Bible. I noticed one, in particular, that gets you through the Bible in 90 days. I have never read the Bible, cover to cover, in that amount of time and, being the competitive natured person that I am, I took that plan as a challenge! So, I'm almost 10% through and I am loving it!!! Granted I've got a long way to go, but I am deeply committed to finishing this plan in 90 days!

This reading plan requires 14-16 chapters per day. I'm currently in Leviticus and getting a detailed look at the sacrificial system of Israel under the leadership of Moses. It doesn't sound like ground breaking stuff, but the more I read about the various sacrifices demanded of the Israelites, the more and more grateful I become for the Ultimate Sacrifice, the Lord Jesus Christ! This has led me to my Christmas Eve sermon, coming from John 1:29, "...John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"" Leviticus led me to John, which led me to Jesus which led me to the cross! That, I pray, is Christ centered preaching!

Once again, Merry Christmas! I pray God's best for you and your family into this new year!

Fleeting Thoughts on a Fantastic Sunday

If self-examination is hard, then evaluating the success/failure, quality, efficiency or productivity of a Sunday Worship Experience is just about impossible! How does one (other than God) quantify the quality of a worship service, objectively? I don't think it's really possible. But, after acknowledging the futility of the effort, here I go...

1) Patrick Simmons and his hospitality team handled a large number of visiting families with their kids in tow. I was able to introduce myself to them and the team members got their children set up in the appropriate places. Great job!!!

2) Terry Ross (my Sunday School Teacher & Part Time Director of Evangelism & Discipleship) did a fabulous job leading a packed house in his class to reach, teach and minister to people. He, furthermore, challenged the socks off his Sunday School leadership team in a post-worship service meeting. Those leaders left that meeting encouraged, challenged and convicted about their personal witness - all while trying to put their socks back on!

3) Robert Hampshire's team had the week off. But, in their place, the Christian Student Union Praise Band from James Madison University did a fabulous job leading worship! I particularly liked how, on the final song (How Deep the Father's Love for Us), they stepped back and the congregation took over, it was a sweet moment of praise to Jesus!

4) Tina Knight and Cher Younger have a fantastic team of leaders that love, teach and lead the children of Calvary Cross-link! I watched Mrs. Brenda Puffenbarger (Mrs. Puff) welcome a new child into her class, while at the same time, loving on the ones who were already there! A young man, visited Kids-Link for the first time on Sunday and came out of there RAVING about it to his mom and dad (also visiting for the first time). Bill & Karen Reedy made a real impact on that boy!

5) I preached on the value of friendship from Ecclesiastes 4:7-16 and I feel that God used the message. I am constantly fighting the battle of believing that little to no movement in the invitation does not constitute a poor message or delivery. However, I sensed a sweet spirit during the message and had someone attempt to join the church during the pastor's reception for visitors that followed the service. I know the Lord is working in our midst and I just want to be sensitive to His leading!

I deeply love the people of Calvary Cross-link! They are the most precious people I have ever had the privilege to lead and I'm so thankful that God led me here. We had 239 in worship this morning (only 3 short of the church's all-time high, set back in October), but we're growing and that's cool!

How to strike Rhythm in Worship!

I recently read a quote by the missional teaching pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama and author of "Radical", Dr David Platt. He said: "worship is a rhythm of revelation and response–hearing Scripture and responding with our hearts and lives..." He was responding to the American church’s' infatuation with stylistic identification of churches based on the type of music they play. This practice has so drastically pigeonholed the focus, process and basis of worship that it demands a corrective response! So, a few questions to ask about a corporate worship service that will, hopefully, steer us in the right direction:

Question # 1: What does this worship service reveal about person, work and character of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Question # 2: What does that revelation demand, by way of response, from the worshippers?

Question # 3: What does the leadership of this worship service invite people to do, by way of response, to that revelation?

Question # 4: Is there adequate time given to respond to the revelation presented in the corporate worship service?

Question # 5: Is your corporate worship service designed, first and foremost, to connect people with God or to make a lost person comfortable? Or both? Or neither?

These questions are complex and require much thought. Don't breeze past the issue without significant prayer and meditation!

Humility & Teachability: Inseperable Qualities

A mark of my ministry has always been a multitude of counselors/mentors. I can name, at any point in the last 13+ years of ministry, mentors who spoke truth into my life when it was needed the most. In fact, Proverbs 15:22 says: "Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established." I can talk about the "Johnny Hunt's", "Allen Welborn's" and "Danny Lovett's" that have been faithful friends to me, but over the years, there have been many, many others who have offered the desperately needed counsel that the ministry requires.

However, a "multitude of counselors" is only as good as the one receiving the counsel. Is it not?

James 4:6 tells us "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:6 explains that if we "Humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." It takes Humility to receive AND to submit to wise counsel! The combination of both Humility and Counselors equals the lost art of being "TEACHABLE!!!"

The proud person doesn't feel that he or she has anything to learn. Of course they would never "say" that out loud, but it's true. The proud person is terribly insecure, but covers it up with digging in their heels or building a team of "supporters" (usually made up of even more insecure people). The proud person feels threatened when anyone who might know a little more about a certain subject is around. Basically, the proud person is not a teachable person...AND...the teachable person is NOT a proud person!

So, how does one become a humble/teachable person? What am I going to say here? If you know me very well, you can say it with me: "Intimacy with God!" If you are not intimate with God, you have a wide-open door to pride and arrogance!!! If you cultivate intimacy with God, you become more aware of your own sinfulness and, more and more, don't feel that you are God's gift to ____________ (insert your thing here).

Attitude makes it work!

A phrase that was popular when I was in High School was this: "Act like a Rock Star till you ARE a Rock Star!" Or another one: "Fake it, till you make it!" These seem like juvenile phrases for people looking for an excuse to act like a big-shot, and that is certainly how my friends meant it. However, is there anything for the modern day believer and servant in the local church to learn from those weird slogans? At their core, these phrases deal with one single element: Attitude!

Obviously, attitude can be positive or negative, helpful or destructive, motivating or debilitating! Obviously, I am encouraging the positive, motivational and helpful attitude in all our lives, but what about an attitude that chooses to see (and accentuate) the best? For instance, when we put someone on our Hospitality Team at Calvary Cross-link, and they greet someone in the parking lot: Do we want their attitude to accentuate the best about our church? Or the Worst?

Could you imagine if someone got out of their car and complimented the grounds of the church as being well-kept, nicely presented only to hear one of our "hospitality team members" say "well they ought to be, we're swallowed up in debt on this property!" And, what about on their way in, that same "team member" tells this visitor "we've got some ornery people in there, watch your back and don't sit in the wrong seat!" Even if (and that's a BIG IF) what that "team member" was saying was true, it represents a pessimistic attitude towards the church. Wouldn't it be more productive to accentuate the positive aspects of Calvary Cross-link to those who may visit? Maybe we do have our warts (who doesn't?), but focusing attention on the things God has blessed us with the ability to do well is a strict principle of leadership that can make or break a church!

They say leaders must focus 80% of their time on complimenting their followers strengths and only 20% correcting their mistakes. So, is that "faking it till we make it?" I guess time will tell!

Knowing God

I recently began a discipleship group with a few guys from Calvary Cross-link, studying a fantastic book by J.I. Packer called "Knowing God." The title seems simple enough, but the book is incredibly challenging in many areas of my life. I was recently challenged by a dear friend and church planter, Vance Pittman, when he said, "Ministry is the only natural outflow of a deep intimacy with God! We shouldn't be shoving our people into ministry, but rather, challenging them to a deeper intimacy with God and THEN ministry will happen more naturally and effectively!" That struck a chord with me, for 2 reasons...

1) It is so hard to get people to invest in ministry that really matters! I plan an outreach time, and 2-3 people show up...but, when I plan a worship service, hundreds are in attendance. Why? Is it because only 2 or 3 people give a "rip" about the lost in this world? No, I think there is a lack of deep intimacy with God happening in the average Christian's life! I'm trying to yell at the cart for not moving, when I haven't even attached the horse to it! Intimacy with God is the Clydesdale that pulls the cart of ministry.

2) No more "dreaming up" ideas on how to grow a church! In fact, the real work is not in creativity, self-discipline or even exposition. The real work is...intimacy with God. That will be the motivator, coach and game-planner for every area of my life and ministry. And another thing...how could I presume to lead people without a deep and abiding intimacy with God? Where am I leading them? hmmmmm

Anyway, doesn't matter if you're a pastor, teacher, evangelist, fireman, major league baseball player, husband, mother, father, wife, doctor, attorney, farmer, business owner, under water basket weaver, teenager or democrat...deepening your intimacy with God will make you more effective at any of that!

Invitation, and the impact there-in!

Last Tuesday morning, Ashley, Gracie and I had the privilege of having breakfast with some of our First Baptist Church, Woodstock family... including Pastor Johnny. As is usually the case when I'm around my pastor, I did a lot of listening and not much talking. While he was sharing, he mentioned a statistic that I couldn't help but write down and spend the next few days thinking about. He noted that "97 percent of people that will visit FBC Woodstock will do so at the invitation of a friend, neighbor, family member or co-worker." Now, this is a church where, literally, thousands of people visit each year. They are not on TV or the radio. They don't have any billboards and they do no advertising of mass proportion. The explosive growth of FBC Woodstock is due, mainly, to the inviting efforts of it's people! How amazing...

Preachers are terribly guilty of minimizing the power of a simple invitation, person to person. Many outreach directors, soul-winning believers and mature, evangelistically minded Christians have bought into the LIE that the only effective form of outreach must go deeper than "inviting someone to church." No question, we need more people out taking sinners through the Romans Road or Four Spiritual Laws, calling people to repent at Restaurants, street corners, coffee shops and passionate door to door evangelistic efforts. However, until someone is capable of such bold efforts, are they useless to God, His church and the cause of Christ? Let me go on record with an ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

Each person has value because they have been given specific gifts to be used to edify the body and spread the Gospel. A simple invitation to hear the Gospel in a worship service is not only permissible, but desirable in the life of Every Believer! Now, as a preacher of the Gospel, IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PRESENT THE GOSPEL WITH CLARITY EACH TIME WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP!!! To my friends at Calvary Cross-link, where I am privileged to serve as lead pastor, you can count on it, every week!

Don't forget Andrew! As you look over your New Testament, you will find the disciple named Andrew was consistently associated with one thing. With few exceptions, every time his name was mentioned, it was while he was bringing someone to Jesus. He was committed to the simple invitation!

97% of people that will visit our church, I believe, will do so on the arm of a friend, co-worker, family member or neighbor. We MUST commit ourselves to being a vessel of truth in whatever capacity we're capable. Calvary Cross-link will experience growth in direct proportion to our obedience to the call of Christ to bring people to Him! Time to Invite!!!

Intentionality...

Question: When was the last time you heard any form of the word "INTENTION?" I would guess, in the vast majority of cases, the last time any of us heard (or spoke) of "intention" it was explaining a negative experience (i.e. "I had good intentions...I didn't do it intentionally"). The negative connotation is too bad because almost NOTHING in our lives happens without intention! Did you wake up this morning and "accidentally" take a shower, trip over the tub and spontaneously brush your teeth on the way to the floor? I seriously doubt it! You probably, just like I did, intentionally took a shower and purposefully brushed your teeth. You walked to your car, intending to drive it to work and arrived at work on purpose!

On the other hand, what would your day look like if you show up at work with body odor, bad breath, walking in 2 hours late and try to explain to your boss your good intentions. "I intended to take a shower, brush my teeth and drive to work on time! Honestly I did! But, I didn't!" Do that too many times and you'll be looking for a job!

I am discovering that intentionality is equally as necessary for the disciplines of the Christian life. We don't witness, worship or walk closely with Jesus on accident. We have to be intentional about it! I deeply want to see people come to Christ, but if I am not intentional about my witnessing there is very little chance that I will EVER lead anyone to Jesus! I want to have a handle on Apologetics and be able to sufficiently defend my faith, but if I never get intentional about the books I'm reading or the classes I'm taking there is no way I'll achieve my goal!

Church Ministry MUST BE INTENTIONAL!!!!!! Here are the 2 major areas we, at Calvary Cross-link, are going to be intentional...

1) In Reaching People - We'll be constantly sharing Jesus, Preaching Jesus, Singing about Jesus, Inviting people to hear about Jesus, Showing Jesus to people, Bringing people to Jesus and Talking about Jesus! It's all about People meeting Jesus! This INTENTIONALLY happens in Sunday Morning Worship, Sunday School Classes, Organized Outreach and Special Events. This valley is not going to be reached ACCIDENTALLY, we must be INTENTIONAL!

2) In Discipling People - We'll be mentoring people and modeling Jesus before them. Discipleship is "LIFE ON LIFE", not book on book, sermon on sermon or class on class. Our focus is to SHOW people, more than we TELL them what a disciple of Jesus Christ looks like. New believers won't be discipled ACCIDENTALLY, we must be INTENTIONAL!

Final Note: The major reason most Christians intentionally brush their teeth EVERY DAY, yet don't reach and disciple people every day is NOT because they don't care! It IS because they have been intentionally brushing their teeth since they were 2 years old and have formed a POWERFUL LIFE CHANGING HABIT!!! I want to lead our church to be so consistently intentional about Reaching and Discipling People that it become habitual...second nature...routine...you get the picture!

Optimism

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I am eternally optimistic because of Psalms 24:1 "...the earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." Since my optimism is based on my personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, then there is no reason for pessimism!!!

However, I am especially optimistic about the ministry at Calvary Cross-link for very specific reasons! Let me share a few with you...

1) God has removed all major obstacles for growth out of our way! The only thing we need now, is PEOPLE!!! We cannot get caught in the quagmire of thinking "if I only had _______, then I could grow my ministry!" This thinking will prevent you from greatness!!! As we reach people, teach people and minister to people, God will continue to provide the necessary tools for that ministry, I am confident!

2) New people are beginning to step up and serve in strategic areas around our church body! I'm thinking of specific people who have felt the leadership of the Holy Spirit in their lives to serve in much-needed capacities throughout this family. I can't help but think of Matthew 9:37-38 where Jesus pointed out the OPPORTUNITY (the Harvest) to His disciples, but followed it up by pointing out the DEFICIENCY (the lack of laborers). I think if Jesus had a word for Calvary Cross-link, it would be that the time of "wait and see" is over and it is time to "get to work!" I am optimistic about our ministry because I see people, all over our dear church, catching that concept every single week!

3) The Sunday School is coming together with great efficiency! Our small group Bible study plan is the reaching, teaching body of the church and our people are starting to catch that vision! We now have a class for every age group and these classes are being taught by capable and anointed men who feel a calling to that ministry! As individual classes grow by addition, then the church as a whole will grow by multiplication!!!

4) Opportunities abound! In the coming months, we will have many opportunities to become a better equipped, more motivated and therefore more effective church! There will be a Sunday School Workshop on January 30th for people who might be interested (now or in the future) in serving the church through our small groups. Also, we will be launching our Sunday School initiative: "We've made a spot for YOU!" campaign on Sunday February, 21st. Later on in the spring, there will be a block party for our neighborhood to join us on our campus for an exciting time of food, fun and games! This summer, we'll plan to host a city-wide 4th of July party complete with Fireworks display! This fall, we'll be having another Harvest Crusade, but this time it will be hosted by Calvary Baptist Church in Staunton. Many, many, many more opportunities exist and they will be designed to reach, teach and minister to people in our area!

5) Finally, it is clear to this preacher that the mighty "Wind of God" is at our backs! Many times, especially in church ministry, everything is a struggle! Every decision is met with opposition, every effort gets blindsided by challenges that distract from the purpose for which it was started. At this point, in our ministry, the direction we're headed and the efforts we're making are being super-naturally guarded by Almighty God!!! Just as a sailor loves to have a "tail wind", pushing them in the desired direction, so I rejoice in the "Wind of God" that is at our backs right now!

No question, there is reason for optimism! I cannot tell you how excited I am about 2010 and all it will hold! Take care and God bless.

Time Away...

So, I've only been "on the field" here in Harrisonburg for 3 months and, believe me, it has felt like only 3 weeks. However, I promised my family (all 20 of them) that I would take a week in Gatlinburg, TN. I really am looking forward to some time away, but after hosting a local camera crew last Sunday and having some fantastic publicity last weekend (See the clip: http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/80546832.html), I really hate to leave right now! But, I am finding that there is NEVER a good time to take a vacation in the life of a pastor! So, off to ole Rocky Top we go!!!

I've been reading Han Finzel's "Top 10 Mistakes Leaders Make" and it is a fantastic book. I would say that I am "enjoying" it, but since I keep seeing more of myself the more I read, the operative word might just be "enlightening!" He points out that delegating work is important, but in order to effectively lead, one must delegate authority. This is a challenge for me, because I tend to want to make the final call, but in order to succeed as a leader that must change in my life! Our unique set of challenges at CCL preclude me from being able to hire staff to carry out certain ministries, therefore I am in a situation where I must cultivate volunteer leaders to fill roles that would, typically, require full-time staff. I am blessed to have amazing people surrounding me at CCL whose comittment to Christ permeates every fiber of their being! They have, and continue to step up to meet the challenges we face! Praise the Lord for the challenges we face! "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh no ashamed for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us!" - Romans 5:3-5

Birth on the Brain

I hope you didn't miss last Sunday, where we were blessed to hear from Eddie and Jessica Cole (our church planters in New York City). Jessica sang three incredible songs about the Love of Jesus and then Eddie brought a fantastic message about the phrase in John 1..."the only begotten Son of the Father." He gave us some amazing observations on the relationship to Jesus and the Father, and the sacrifice that was made on our behalf. The more I think about the cross, in relationship to my adoration of Gracie (my almost 2 year old little girl), I am overcome with gratitude!

Speaking of children, love and gratitude, God has blessed the Welborn family with a new addition!!! Yes, Ashley is pregnant with our second little one and we are super excited about it! She is almost 8 weeks along and we have a due date of August 15, 2010. Please be praying, with us, during this time of excitement, exhaustion and expectation!

Thank You for checking in and, I can't tell you enough but, I love being your pastor! It is a sincere joy of my heart to lead this dear fellowship!

"I'm dreaming (terrified) of a White Christmas"

As I look out my window at a large pile of snow, I am reminded that my car is underneath that pile! Ashley, Gracie and I have been stuck in our apartment for the past 2+ days with no way to go anywhere. This bad weather forced me to cancel services for today and I really didn't want to! However, it had to be done. Okay enough whining, let me make a couple of observations concerning the blizzard (I'm assuming we can call it that) and try to draw some applications...



1.) The verse in Isaiah chapter one comes to mind. "...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow..." I can't help but think, as I look out my window, that 2 days ago everything I currently see was a different color. The grass was green, the parking lot was gray, the cars were multi-colored, the street light posts were black, the dirt was brown, etc. Well, now everything is completely white! Why? It has been COVERED! As we consider Jesus, it might seem like an oxymoron that someones blood could make something white. But, that is exactly what Jesus's blood has done for our sins; covered them and made them whiter than snow. When we look at the snow, let us pray with the hymn writer..."Now wash me and I will be whiter than snow!"

2.) When I imagined the difficulties I would face when becoming a pastor, I'll be honest and say that the weather wasn't even in the top 50. I have to admit, I am so anxious to get started on so many things, that, I have been less than excited about the "curve balls" the weather keeps throwing at me! Then I am reminded, Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof..." So, it's not the weather that's doing this to me...it's God. And, as is the case with anything else in life, I need to seek the Lord in the midst of my frustration and learn what he desires to teach me. I can say this... I have spent more time with Ashely and Gracie in the past 2+ days than in the entire week that preceded this storm. Ask yourself this question, what could God be teaching you when he forces you to slow down (or even stop)?

Please, be safe and enjoy the snow! I am praying for good weather for our Christmas At Cross-link Celebration this Thursday! I look forward to seeing you there!

Until He comes:

Pastor John

First Thoughts...

So, it has been an interesting and exciting 2+ months! Ashley, Gracie and I moved from our hometown of Woodstock, Georgia to Harrisonburg, Virginia in early October. After nine years in itinerant evangelism, God has led us to Calvary Cross-link Ministries in the Shenandoah Valley of western Virginia. During this time of transition, God has given me a pastor's heart for these dear people! This area is one of the most beautiful places God has created!

More recently, my family and I went to New York City to visit some of our best friends. During our trip, we were reminded of the amazing needs that exist in the world today. As I walked around Manhattan, I was more convinced than ever that the world's greatest need is that of the Gospel! From our church in Harrisonburg, Virginia we are making plans to take the message of the cross to our city, region, nation and world. I am so excited about leading that charge from Calvary Cross-link!

In the weeks and months to come, I look forward to sharing my heart with you through this medium. Keep checking back and feel free to comment, ask a question or make a recommendation for future blogs. Take care and God bless! - JW