Revshortridge

Hey Wes, you said, "here is the list of books I re...

2010-07-12T14:38:02.750-04:00

Hey Wes, you said, "here is the list of books I read" (or something like that) - but I can't find the list? Where/how do I find it?

This is one awesome prayer, Pastor, so filled with...

2010-07-12T06:27:22.018-04:00

This is one awesome prayer, Pastor, so filled with truth and not condemning, yet leading us to personal confession and repentance which is where the relational healing begins, so that corporately we are once again on the path the LORD intended. Thank you for this.

@ Mr. Schaidt "Whether I want to admit this or not...

2010-06-17T01:11:14.955-04:00

@ Mr. Schaidt
"Whether I want to admit this or not we live in a period of church history that demands the church planting model. Too many people will die and go to hell without all these new church plants all while established churches trudge through the change process. And in a way we need the authority of successful church plants to prove to the established churches that God is indeed behind the thinking."

Could you please expound? I'm not sure I fully understand what you're trying to communicate. :)

@Wes Shortridge "Around here we are closing many r...

2010-06-17T01:08:29.037-04:00

@Wes Shortridge
"Around here we are closing many rural churches that could be easily brought to life by a young pastor equipped and resourced through a living network of churches like what PAC seems to promise."

Based on our experience, I wished someone would have had us close our church. Welch was our first pastorate, and in a big mess. Over the previous 10 years they had had 5 pastors with the longest tenure being 2 years and the shortest 4 months...what a mess. The building was LITERALLY mold infested and LITERALLY falling down. And we were trying to do ministry from this building while attempting to rebuild an incredibly tarnished reputation. Not to mention the bell cow(s)....

Now that we have a new buidling, a new name, and have moved across town, I realize that we should have closed the doors to our church. When we arrived there were only 12 ppl attending. We could have easily shut it down, waited a year, and then started over as a "new church" with a new name, and a new location.

But it doesn't seem like there's anyone out there who is willing to explore this option. If there is I don't know where they're at or how to reach them. Patrick and I would love to be a part of this solution, but we can't find the right person to connect with. If PAC is the solution to this I WANT TO GET INVOLVED. I definitely have a heart for the rural church.

As one of the "recruited" young pastors out here l...

2010-06-16T17:24:44.797-04:00

As one of the "recruited" young pastors out here let me add that church planting is so attractive because of the clean slate.Just like what you said young pastors don't have to battle a church's history. Also please remember that many established churches rate a pastor based on years experienced and not necessarily based on the call has put on his or her life. With established church constitutions and boards less likely to willingly follow a youngster's vision we can discover that God's mission can get stalled for all the wrong reasons.

Whether I want to admit this or not we live in a period of church history that demands the church planting model. Too many people will die and go to hell without all these new church plants all while established churches trudge through the change process. And in a way we need the authority of successful church plants to prove to the established churches that God is indeed behind the thinking.

PAC is crucial to revitalizing our rural communities. Young pastor with hearts for rural churches, like myself, need shoulders to stand on.

Pastor Trudy, I agree completely. Around here we a...

2010-06-16T16:05:41.666-04:00

Pastor Trudy,
I agree completely. Around here we are closing many rural churches that could be easily brought to life by a young pastor equipped and resourced through a living network of churches like what PAC seems to promise.

Everyone wants to be part of something bigger than themselves, and that is the draw of the big city mega-church. I would love to see talent attracted to rural America through a larger entity like a PAC network.

Church planting is great (I am a planter and LCC is planting other churches), but church planting in a rural context requires great and diverse talent. We could really expand the Kingdom in rural America through networked churches using PAC.

Keep me informed about your efforts.

For some time now I have been VERY focused on tran...

2010-06-16T13:10:25.809-04:00

For some time now I have been VERY focused on transforming the rural church. The buzz word I've been using is revitalization. I don't really care what or how it's labeled. I just know the rural church has a desperate need.

We too (Gateway Church), are reaching 10% of our community, but more could be done if the resources were there to do it with. While the rural church is dying a slow and excruciating death, there seems to be a focus on planting new churches rather than helping the current churches change.

I'm not against church planting, I see the need, and agree with it. But how will our rural communities ever have a thriving pentecostal voice if the new young pastors are all being, shall we say, "recruited" by this huge push toward church plants. And hey, who wouldn't want to do a church plant in comparison to taking on an established church. I mean look at the competition. Church plant=I get to set things up new and fresh, with my own ideas AGAINST Rural church=fighting tradition, bucking the bell cow, and spending years redirecting the congregation with little to no budget. Hmmmm...I can't imagine why our rural churches are filled with older preachers waiting for retirement to come. There has to be a better way....

The funny thing is - Worship is not about us at al...

2010-05-27T13:56:35.492-04:00

The funny thing is - Worship is not about us at all, it is about God! We were created to worship God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength and yes,I know that Jesus said to love God that way, but isn't it pretty much the same thing?
When we love God and adore Him with all that we are, the only outcome IS worship. There is nothing else we can do! The amazing grace is that when we DO worship God whole heartedly, we are blessed beyond our wildest dreams. When we spend time praising God for who He is, lifting Jesus' name above every other name, fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit... we take on the character of the Most Holy.
We tell our kids that it is important who we hang out with because their character rubs off... well, it is the same with God. Spending time praising His goodness as a father makes me a better parent. Spending time praising Him for his love makes me more loving. Spending time praising Him for His amazing creation makes me more creative.... And so on!
I will waste my life blessing God because I know that this is the most important thing I can do. I become more like Him with every breath I spend in worship and adoration of my King!
I pray for a church that gets this so we can enter into the fullness of what God has called us to as a family.
Even so, now, Lord Jesus!

you are invited to follow my blog

2010-05-18T06:52:51.722-04:00

you are invited to follow my blog

Count me in! The book arrives on Wednesday... gott...

2010-05-03T10:38:01.025-04:00

Count me in! The book arrives on Wednesday... gotta love amazon! :)

You have such a twisted sense of humor! LOL I lov...

2010-04-23T08:11:59.526-04:00

You have such a twisted sense of humor! LOL I love this. I am so ready to plant some more churches. I heard something the other day that I think applies to us. Someone said that the devil doesn't mind the mega churches so much because it's hard to get to a point of real intimacy there, it's the small churches that are changing the little communities through relationships and intimacy with Jesus that really make him tremble! It's that lining up of our hearts with the heart of God that makes us effective in doing God's will.
I wanna see those knees a-knockin'!

I am extremely excited that we are continuing to s...

2010-04-23T07:54:10.075-04:00

I am extremely excited that we are continuing to support this global move towards unity in the Church! I am proud that LCC will be part of One Prayer 2010!

Thanks! These are awesome ideas. See you at LCC ...

2010-04-02T08:31:51.250-04:00

Thanks! These are awesome ideas. See you at LCC at 2 to pray.

I greet you Reverend Shortridge and members of you...

2010-02-06T19:19:26.725-05:00

I greet you Reverend Shortridge and members of your church in the precious and wonderful name of Jesus Christ! I want to encourage your members to use the internet and technology to continue God's work. The harvest is PLENTY, but the labourers are few. I was surfing the net and came across your lovely website.

"And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6 v 9)

The Apostle Paul was uncompromising on the truth, but his sensitive side also shows up in his writings. In our busy, self-centred world, we need to remember those who have made a difference in our lives, and when they come to mind, pray for them, and find a way to say ‘thank you.’

Yes, we are humans, and will struggle with situations which demand that you choose between what you want to do and what you ought to do. Walk with God and maintain your integrity, and you will be able to make the right choice every time.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding..." God is in control and will see you through this WINTER!

Remain richly blessed and highly favoured. Shalom!

Visit http://simon.weston.over-blog.net/ and may God richly bless you!

So what will happen to my pets? This is something ...

2009-11-24T21:28:55.682-05:00

So what will happen to my pets? This is something that has haunted me all of my life. As a born again believer in the truth that is Messiah Yeshua, I also believe in the return of Christ. If this happens in my lifetime, or really whenever it happens, what WILL happen to the pets of Christians? They aren't earthly possessions; they're living, innocent creatures. I hope that you answers, because, despite the fact that I am a seminary student, I still don't know the answer. The only answer I've come to is that I must trust in the Lord and in His love and faithfulness...and yet...it is very difficult when the lives of innocent animals are on the line. Thanks for listening.

I was doing a google search of Shortridge (my last...

2009-09-28T00:39:45.719-04:00

I was doing a google search of Shortridge (my last name) and came across your blog.

I agree with you, $110 dollars would go along way towards missions.

I wish you well

Julie Shortridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY Intere...

2009-09-22T21:36:11.783-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY

Interesting link!

John Chadsey

I'm going for it!

2009-09-14T08:00:17.062-04:00

I'm going for it!

Hmmm? Leadership? Just wondering how you reconci...

2009-09-08T18:50:12.812-04:00

Hmmm? Leadership?

Just wondering how you reconcile
the use of the word “leader”
with what Jesus said in Mt 23:10.

The word “leader”seems like
a “high place.” Yes?

Jesus always took and recommended
the “low place.” Yes?

Jesus humbled Himself,
made himself of no reputation
and took on the form of a servant.
Php 2:7

Jesus in Mat 23:10 told His disciples “NOT” to call
themselves master/“leaders”
for you have one master/"leader” the Christ.

King James Version -
Neither be ye called masters:
for one is your Master, even Christ.

The Interlinear Bible -
Nor be called leaders,
for one is your leader the Christ.

Phillips Modern English -
you must not let people
call you leaders,
you have only one leader, Christ.

Today's English Version -
nor should you be called leader,
your one and only leader
is the Messiah.

The Amplified-
you must not be called
masters (leaders)
for you have one master (leader)
the Christ.

Jesus told His disciples “not”
to be called "leaders"
and none did.

Ro 1:1 Paul,
a servant of Jesus Christ...

Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus,
the servants of Jesus Christ...

Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you,
a servant of Christ...

Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God...

Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God...

2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant...

His disciples "all" called themselves "servants,"
none called themselves "leaders." None? None.
None called themselves
"servant-leader." None.

If someone
calls them self a "leader"
or thinks they are a "leader;"

Are they a "disciple of Christ?"

Wondering some more.

Most on the list of people
at this “leadership?” event
are not only considered “ leaders?”
but also have the “Title” “Pastor.”

Where in the Bible does it say “pastor = leader?”

Have you done your own study
on pastors?
I mean in the Bible?
What does the Bible say
about pastors?

Makes an interesting study.

Here’s some questions to ask
as you check out pastors.

In the Bible, How many people...
have the title pastor?

In the Bible, How many people are...
referred to as pastor?

In the Bible, How many people are...
ordained as a pastor?

In the Bible, How many congregations are...
led by a pastor?

Be blessed in your search for truth... Jesus

And other sheep I have,
which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring,
and they shall hear my voice;
and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd.
John 10:16

One Fold - One Shepherd - One Voice.
If Not Now, When?

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Sometimes a new life begins at 40 ... you baptized...

2009-07-27T13:22:33.957-04:00

Sometimes a new life begins at 40 ... you baptized me at the age of 40.

LOL ... now you understand why I am always in a hurry to get somewhere. After 40 ... you start thinking ... wow, I need to get busy!

Be grateful for where you are and evermindful of where you need to go...

Make a difference TODAY ... keep your pace slow and steady ... stay on the path ... go where you need to go ... do what He tells you to do ... and what God wants to accomplish WILL be accomplished.

Happy Birthday!

Amazing !! Not only that, as you say, why invite ...

2009-06-29T15:33:59.632-04:00

Amazing !! Not only that, as you say, why invite him if your going to edit his input but on a larger plane that our root Christian-Judeo roots would be so challenged. Even more so the freedom to speach. when you invite a Christian to pray, who do you "think" he is praying too?

Dave, Your post has been removed. This is not a fo...

2009-05-29T11:08:10.452-04:00

Dave, Your post has been removed. This is not a forum for personal attacks on others at LCC.

Of course the book I was most interested in is "no...

2009-05-27T22:07:38.588-04:00

Of course the book I was most interested in is "not available" at Amazon. :) Par for my season right now. Ah well, maybe after all of this,I will write my own! :)

May the day find you full of God's Love. Future...

2009-05-24T09:02:37.208-04:00

May the day find you full of God's Love.

Future me??? God is growing me daily! My heritage will be passed down through real relationships with my family.

Be real and get a real life!

Real relationships matter!

Too many people lack real relationships and are therefore reaching out to cyberspace for fulfillment. How sad and pathetic is that?

Jesus offers a real relationship with Himself!

Rather than being whomever you want to be or representing yourself as you choose in cyberspace, do the more challenging thing of really connecting with people. You will grow good character and really learn how to treat and deal with people, as Jesus teaches you.

It seems to be the very important role of Christians to offer this genuine relationship with Jesus, to everyone who lacks this life saving relationship!

Why then waste time with relationships that are not real and do not really get people to know each other better?

Wake up Christians and get out of fantasy land!! Choose life and reality as Jesus did for you!!!

Always in Love, David A. Lewis

Especially for jsolo, Life is not a game. We C...

2009-05-18T13:29:00.000-04:00

Especially for jsolo,

Life is not a game.

We Christains should have no wants, seeking the Lord's will in all things.

God will take His children home in His time and no person can guess the hour or the day!

My prayer is to find God's will for me while on this earth and hopefully successfully complete my mission before He takes me home!

Copping out on life and trying to leave early is only selfish.

Always in Love, David A. Lewis