The Greatest Issue Facting The Church Today

What is the greatest issue facing the church today? Is it abortion? Is it the rapid spread of Islam in our Western culture? Is it apathy, self-centeredness, or lax morality? While all of these are important, and some may even be critical, I believe the greatest issue facing the church today, is STAGNATION.

In his book, Comeback Churches, Ed Stetzer estimates that 70% to 80% of all churches in the US have either stopped growing or are in decline! This is a crisis that should not only capture our attention - it should drive us to our knees. Imagine how outraged we would be if 70% to 80% of all the ministers in America had a terminal disease. It would be on the front page of every newspaper and the lead story on every television broadcast. The headline might read, "The Church is in Danger of Extinction!" Our church are is in an equally serious predicament because the outcomes are as potentially devastating. We continue to come into our comfortable churches, praying our comfortable prayer, singing our comfortable songs, giving our comfortable offerings, preaching our comfortable sermons, giving our comfortable invitations, comfortable hugs, comfortable words, getting back into our comfortable car, heading to our comfortable homes.

Here are 7 things that we much refresh to keep our church from becoming extinct.

Our Salvation
Our Servanthood
Our Structure
Our Strategies
Our Strengths

Our Services
Our Singing
Our Sermons

A Picture of A Winning Church

What makes Greater Bethel Church so Great our pursuit to unleash the people of God for the purpose of God by teaching people how to leave life on purpose for the Glory and Honor of God by Worshipping God's Name, Belonging To God's Family, Studying God's Word, Serving God's People & Sharing God's Story. Our goal is to...

1. Be a loving church
2. Be a dreaming church
3. Be a motivating church
4. Be a empowering church
5. Be a appreciating church
6. Be a opening church
7. Be a listening church
8. Be a organizing church
9. Be a willing church
10. Be a winning church

Learning to say "NO"

It’s become a necessity...BUT it is also one of the most difficult things I've had to do since standing up delivering my firer sermon. If you have been reading this blog for anytime now all of the challenges have forced me to grow up. I've discovered with God there are times of natural growth then there is immediate growth. Sometime God lovingly and patiently coaches you into growth & maturity. Other times he tell you to get on the boat & drops you in the middle if a storm and tells you sink or swim buddy! The last few lesson God used the latter on me!

In order to maintain my health, the health of my family and the health of the church, I've had to discipline myself to say "NO" more often…than I would like:

No I can’t counsel you, but I can refer you to someone….

No I can’t do your wedding, but I know someone who can…

No I can’t meet with you today, but we can look at something next week…

No I can’t answer that question, but I know where we can get an answer…

No I won’t be at your dinner party, but I’m certain it would have been a blast…

Now, believe me it's NOT that I wouldn’t rather say yes…

As a young preacher I was groomed to do all, sacrifice all, say yes to all at the cost of health, family, finances, and self.

It’s an “easier” answer at the time…Who does want to make people happy. It certainly pleases more people…

But….In order for me to do an adequate job at the things I must do such as leading and developing staff, preaching and vision casting I have to say no to things I might wish to do, but simply can’t…

Sunday Notes Karate Kid

Mr. Han takes young Dre under his watchful care in order to train him to fight against his adversary. Who has made it his personal chore to make life hell for Dre. Mr. Han take an unusually approach to teach him KongFu by having him go through the repetition of picking up his jacket, hanging his jacket, put on his jacket and take off his jacket. Many time teaching and training a child of God about the importance of a quiet time is similar. The scene shows a frustrated Dre giving up on Mr. Han technique to which Mr. Han teaches him everything is KongFu...

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith... 1 Peter 5: 8-9 (NIV)

⁷ So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him. James 4:7-8 (TLB)

How to develop a spiritual strategy for winning the battle against our enemy?

1. By having the discipline of the proper Period! Psalm 5:3

2. By having the discipline of the proper Place! Matthew 6: 6 (NIV)

3. By having the discipline of the proper Preparation! Psalms 119:97; 101-104 (NIV)

4. By having the discipline of the proper Procedure! Matthew 6:7 (NIV) & Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

5. By having the discipline of the proper Pursuit! Psalms 50:23; Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) & Psalms 16:11 (NAB)

In Yo Face Devil

With the game on the line...winning and losing in the balance...the score board not looking favourably...WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? Throw up your hand? Give up & Give in? No! No! I don't accept that. Success is not determined by good luck but waking up and working HARD EVERYDAY! Quit waiting on life to happen and make it happen. Make it do what it do...B-A-B-Y! QUIT LETTING THE DEVIL BEAT YOU UP TAKE THE FIGHT TO HIM! See you Sunday Greater Bethel Baptist Church for Pt.4 The Gospel According to Karate Kid (Jadan Smith version)

Todays Top Ten List

Top 10 Text Abbreviations You Might Receive

1. GTG = Got To Go

2. LOL = Laughing Out Loud

3. LMBO = Laughing My Bottom Off

4. OMG = Oh My God

5. SUP = What's Up

6. BRB = Be Right Back

7. GR8 = Great

8. THX or TX or THKS = Thanks

9. WTH = What The Heck

10. XOXO = Love & Kisses

Top 10 Meaningless Clichés You Might Hear In Church

1. "I'm praying for you..."

2. "I understand how you feel..."

3. “Your love one is in a better place..."

4. “Everything happens for a reason..."

5. “God is still in control..."

6. "I'm blessed by the best..."

7. "All things work together for the good..."

8. "I can't be there but with you BUT I'll be there in spirit..."

9. "We can't pay you, so hears a tip..."

10. "We are WITH you, Pastor..."

Don't Even Think About Guving Up

I was thinking about you this morning. Maybe not you specifically, but I was thinking of someone like you…that is if you are someone who is sitting on the sidelines afraid to pursue your God-given dreams, watching the world pass you by.

Don't Go Up Until You Have Given Up Everything God Has Place In You For His Purpose & Pleasure!

I’m wired to dream big dream and for nearly 5 month I was sidelined because of emotional, spiritual & physical sickness.

I had already been under tremendous scrutiny from within the church & without all for just believing what God said and acting on it.

My dad passed unexpectedly (that's how I explain it but I know God had it all planned) within 3day of finding his lifeless body I was standing ministering to my family over the black casket pick out for his body's last resting place.

Then following the advice of some pastor's who considered themselves wise I tried preach/teach my way through the pain only to end up bankrupted preaching the life giving Word of God but with no life in me.

Then the enemy turned up the attack my body followed quickly I had only spent one night in my life in an hospital before spending 35 days 3 different hospital, 2 trips to ICU and a heart attack later 35 pounds lighter, weak, broken & beat.

Only to return to a church that was in shambles to say the least. I had been betrayed by those I had trusted. My first Sunday back I was met by an angry mob who had said and dome things to me personally and ministerially & financially, who also blamed me for everything.

I'm still recovering BUT most importantly I'm still dreaming. God vision is still burning red hot on my heart!

So today I have this burning desire and need to encourage people to move forward with their dreams and aspirations, NEVER letting the devil or his cousins or his workers to steal your God-given vision and/or dream.

When the Master calls me home I want Him to call home an empty vessel. I promised the Lord that I will empty myself of every dream, gift, talent, vision, book, blog, sermon, idea, everything He put in you and I is for the purpose of impacting the kingdom by building completely committed followers of Christ one precious person at a time!

Want to join me? If so, then you must:

Take a risk…

Face the fear of the unknown…

Resist the temptations to give up…

Ignore the negative voices in your life…

Say yes again to God’s call on your life…

Release the guilt of the past by receiving God’s forgiveness…

Walk alone sometime in your giftedness...

Hold fast to voice & word of God...

Never, Ever, Never, Ever walk by sight, walk by faith...

Empty yourself....I AM! I believe in you!

Zackary Gaddis, Tenor

My sermon outline on skinny jean.

1. Are skinny jeans made for only skinny ppl?

2. Will skinny jeans make a heavier ppl seem skinner?

3. Do REAL men really wear skinny jeans, come on?

4. (Being a larger person myself) when did it become fashionable to wear too little clothing? Tight ouch!

5. Can skinny jeans tame a sista's huge dunk?

6. Just cause a pare of skinny jean fit make sure your thong & crack is covered!

7. Some skinny jean makes some women look like they are packing something in the front #gross!

8. Why am I stuck on skinny jeans?

9. If you can't wear skinny tops stay away from skinny bottoms (big booty Judy...as my granddaughter Janell would say)!

10. If your bottom can be mistaken for two basketballs bouncing when you walk, skip the skinny jeans rack please!

Peace!

Bent Tree Church where Catalyst Dallas 2011 was hosted amazing what people with vision can do for the Kingdom of God

Random Thought Racing
1. Are skinny jeans made for only skinny ppl
2. Will skinny jeans made a heavier ppl seem skinner
3. Do REAL men really wear skinny jeans
4. (Being a large person myself) when did it become fashionable to wear too little clothing
5. Can skinny jeans tame a sista's dunk
6. Just cause a pare of skinny jean fit make sure your thong & crack is covered
7. Some skinny jean makes some women look like they are packing something in the front #gross
8. Why am I stuck on skinny jeans
9. If you can't wear skinny tops stay away from skinny bottoms (big booty Judy...as my granddaughter Janell would say)
10. If your bottom can be mistaken for two basketballs, skip the skinny jeans rack

Peace!

Madea's family Reunion message notes

“Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street, talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.” (Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 Msg.)

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Luke 5: 52 (KJV)

Jesus grew…
…intellectually
…physically
…spiritually
…socially

“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22: 6 (KJV)

1. We must teach our children Convincingly!
“Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children…” Deuteronomy 6: 6 (Msg)

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

2. We must teach our children Consistently!
“Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street, talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.” Deuteronomy 6: 7 (Msg)

NAB “Drill them into your children…” NLT “Repeat them again and again…”

3. We must teach our children Conspicuously!
“Tie them on you hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.” Deuteronomy 6: 8-9 (Msg)

The Gospel According To John Q

Notes from week 1 of "Let's Go To The Movies!"

Our Movie John Q. Archibald staring Academy Award winner Denzel Washington.

John Q. is a drama about the extraordinary chance one father takes to protect his son, becoming both an unlikely hero and a criminal in the eyes of the law.

Movie Quotes: “I am not going to bury my son! My son is going to bury me!” “It’s the only way…” “He needs a donor. Somebody has to die for him to live. I’m his father…it’s me”.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)

16 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. 17 God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. 18 Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-18 (MSG)

It is a great representation of God’s love for us.

1. The Father’s passion for the world. “God so loved the world…”

“God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love. He sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4

2. The Father’s present to the world. “…that He gave His only begotten Son…”

“All have sinned…”
“The wages of sin is death.”

3. The Father’s proposal to the world. “…that whosoever believes in Him …”

“The free gift of eternal salvation is offered to everyone. One’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant. Such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters and He is equally available to all.” Titus 2,

The word “believe” in Greek is “pisteuo” which means, “to trust in, cling to, rely on, and commit to.”

4. The Father’s promise to the world. “…should not perish but have ever lasting life.”

All of God’s children are guaranteed heaven. The problem is everybody is not in God’s family. We need to understand the distinction. Everybody is created by God but not everybody is a child of God. Only those who choose and say, “God, I want to be in your family” are actually in his family.

The assurance of knowing that you are in Gods family is to:

Admit that God has NOT been first place in your life & ask Him to forgive your sins.
Believe that Jesus Died on the Cross to pay the price for our sins and rose on Easter morning!
Accept God’s FREE gift of salvation & don’t try to earn it.
Ask Jesus to come into your life and be your personal Lord and Savior.

Transparency is dangerous BUT here goes

I am an introvert. From all public appearances on Sunday morning that surprises many people, but in my private life and with those closest to me there is no questioning of that fact. If anything, I have become even more introverted the larger our church has grown. I can wish I was otherwise, but this is how I am wired. Being an introvert has its downsides as a pastor.

Here are 7 pitfalls of being an introverted pastor:

1. 1. People often think I’m arrogant, aloof or unfriendly. I’m a lot of negative things. Those are not really the main three. I sometimes have to go back and apologize once I hear someone thinks I avoided them. This happens especially with extremely extraverted people.




3. 2. I hesitate to make the connections I should sometimes and miss opportunities to build my network.




5. 3. I’m worn out after a long day of talking and need time alone to rejuvenate, which can impact my family time if I’m not careful. It also leads to people at the end of the day telling me I look tired…guess what? I am!




7. 4. Crowded rooms, which I love in terms of reaching people for Christ, are actually intimidating to me as a person.




9. 5. I’m not as quick-witted when in crowds and sometimes appear awkward on first impressions when I try to be.




11. 6. I realize the need to talk with people…it’s what I do, but wrestling through the introverted tendencies actually adds even more stress to my life.




13. 7. If I’m not careful, and thankfully I’m fairly disciplined here, I will close out people from really knowing me, which subjects me to all kinds of temptations, anxiety and even depression.

How’s that for transparency?