Revshortridge

Steve Jobs Video from Today's Sermon

2011-10-16T11:00:00.000-04:00

While Steve Jobs did not seem to be a man of faith, he was certainly a man that had learned not to let past success or failure prevent future potential. Here is the video of his address to Stanford University that I referenced in today's sermon:

Relational Space

2011-10-04T05:00:00.000-04:00

LCC is about relationships. The greatest need in our area is relationships. These facts probably have something to do with LCC's growth over the last few years. In order to keep serving our community, LCC needs to expand our capacity for relationships.
Right now I am wrestling with what relational expansion looks like.It is one thing to grow an organization, but it is very different to grow in relational capacity. The real question is how does a church become the woodstove in a country store. Country stores used to have a gathering place for rural America, but they have disappeared. If we are serious about reaching rural areas, we must be serious about being the woodstove environment in our communities.
I have been reading Ray Oldenburg's classic The Great Good Place. Oldenburg's book defined Starbuck's attempts to be a relational third place in urban America. My dream is to see LCC form the next relational place in the rural areas of America. Oldenburg observes the purpose in such spaces:

Unites the neighborhood
Assimilates newcomers in the area
Provides a neutral ground for relational formation and healing
Provides a sorting area where relational connections can be accepted or rejected
Provides a staging area where community dynamics are rehearsed
Provides "public characters." (Persons that define and represent the community)
Brings generations together
Provides interaction where needs are addressed and communities can care for one another
Provides a fun environment
Promotes political thought and action
Promotes intellectual thought and interaction
Provides unofficial offices for community leaders

LCC's next step is to expand our capacity for relationships to meet the deepest needs in our region.

(Formation meeting Tuesday Oct. 4 at 6pm at the Morgansburg Rd. Campus for those interested in shaping this vision)

Back in the Saddle

2011-10-03T18:01:00.000-04:00

I have been neglecting mt blogging for a while. Finally finished my master's degree and feel like I am getting my head back on straight. Hopefully this post is the beginning of some new thoughts worth sharing on RevShortridge.com

My current projects:

Creating a high quality prayer ministry at LCC
Opening a relational gathering place in Bealeton that will serve our community and create a sustainable and reproducible model for expansion into other rural areas with campuses or traditional church plants.
Expanding LCC into a third campus.
Reorganizing staff and leadership at LCC for maximum impact across a rapidly expanding and reproducing network.
Painting my house and catching up on three years of neglect.
Reading some stuff for fun instead of college credit.
Spending more time with my family.

Hopefully RevShortridge will resume its place as a sounding board and notepad for my thinking in these areas.

Prayer for the Nation

2011-07-05T16:24:00.000-04:00

I was invited to pray for our nation at the American Event again this year. Several people have asked me for a copy of the prayer, so I will post it here.

My prayer for the nation in 2011:

Dear Lord, we come before you tonight as a grateful people. You have blessed our great nation throughout its history with your grace and favor. We know that the nations are less than dust on the scales to You, but You have chosen in your mercy to favor this land of America.

We have enjoyed your protection in our homeland, Your power in our world, and You have given us a favored place among nations. We have been blessed with prosperity, peace in our land, power to change our world, and provision in each step of our journey as a great nation. We have enjoyed your grace throughout our history.

You favored us with wisdom in our nation’s birth as our founding documents reveal a God-given government unlike anything else in history. You favored us with great leaders, resources, and hard working people that forged this land You gave to us into a mighty nation built on the strength of your grace in the lives of the people of America.

You favored us with a shared mission of reconciliation as we became a great lighthouse in the tossed seas of humanity on this broken Earth. We welcomed the diversity of the peoples of all nations, and we worked to change lives in our world and promote the principles You gave to us around the globe. You favored us and allowed Your grace to flow through this nation as we became a conduit of Your blessing to all peoples.

We expanded from sea to shining sea and beyond and become a promised land of Your favor and a sign of your blessings that you desire to rain down upon all peoples.

We come before You today, however, with a confession. We have watched Your grace and favor turned to selfishness and entitlement. We have seen your Word turned in its meaning to promote individuals and give license to behavior unpleasing to You. We have taken your blessing and freedom and used it to make ourselves a bond-servant to debt and individualistic consumerism. We have turned from your Word to humanism. We have exalted ourselves and believe at best that we have somehow deserved your favor and at worst that we have been masters of our own destiny and producers of our own prosperity.

We have shifted our focus from the Republic with which You blessed us and have instead chosen to promote the individual. We have ceased being a nation of peers and equals working together to better our world and have become a nation of consumers seeking entitlement. You have blessed us with resources and we have tuned them to our own uses and promotion. We have sold out our future for what we have consumed today, and we have acquired a debt that enslaves us as servants to the lender rather than Your servants.

We have allowed our leaders to lead without being accountable to You. We have taken the wisdom with which You graced us and turned it to selfish purposes. We have allowed leaders that are unable to lead to be exalted and we have refused to allow those who can lead in your wisdom to lead. We have become a nation seeking self-promotion. We have become a nation no longer willing to hear your voice. We have looked in the mirror and seen our collective soul, but we have turned and forgotten what we look like. We have become no different from our first parents as we have driven your voice from our government, schools, workplaces, and homes. We have chosen to follow a path that exalts self instead of You, and we deserve the same fate as our first parents.

You, however, have not entirely turned Your back on this American nation. We know You still pour out your grace like rain on the people of America. Your grace gives us what we don’t deserve. We still see the rains fall on our heartland, We still see the shining seas on both sides of our continent. We still have resources, liberty, and the potential to change the direction of this nation. We still have the powerful prospect of turning from our current direction and taken a new path. The freedom to form our future is still in our hands tonight.

We ask you tonight, as we celebrate 235 years of this great nation, for more of Your grace. There are still those among us that love You. There are still those among us who are grateful for your favor. There are still those among us that seek to improve our society rather than promote self. There is a remnant of your people, and we the remnant ask for your grace for our nation. We admit that we as a nation do not deserve favor, and we admit that we have no reason to ask. We know you are a loving God and that your desire is to favor us with Your grace. Help us to turn and position ourselves once again to live in your favor, to declare the acceptable year of our God in this land, to bind up the brokenhearted, set at liberty the captivity and provide for those who grieve across our land.

We stand here tonight as people that love this land. We love the purple mountains and the shining seas. We love the fields of grain, and the spacious skies of this great land. We know You still have a future for this land if we would turn and seek You. Help us tonight to turn. Help us to place persons of Your wisdom again in leadership of this nation. Help us again to be a lighthouse to the world.

We need You now like never before in our history. We stand at a crossroads, and we desire to lead this nation down the road towards your favor. Whether we come from an atheist background, Buddhist background, Christian background, or have no background at all, You have a future for each of us in a relationship with You.

May we as individuals lay aside our consumeristic selfishness long enough to discover the joy of a relationship with You. May a revival of your grace begin in this place tonight as we become the light we ask for in this nation. We don’t look to politicians or government programs for our salvation as a people or as a nation; we look to You.

Be among us tonight as we celebrate and reflect on the words of the wise speakers present tonight. Be among us as we form a community of people that love our shared nation. Empower us tonight to go from this place and live in your favor as we allow Your power to work within us. As You work within us, may we become the change we ask for. May a revival of your presence begin here tonight that changes our land and restores us to Your favor. We ask this before it is too late for our beloved nation. Begin change now and begin it in each of our hearts tonight.

May you bless this nation and each person here tonight in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Imagine Conference part 5

2011-04-13T06:57:00.003-04:00

Johannes Amritzer shared some views on apostolic ministry at Ignite Conference. He began by stating there are no steps to church growth. The apostolic anointing is a spirit. When present, there will be growth. Some views of apostolic ministry:

The apostolic leader is a pioneer. (Romans 15:17-21)
The apostolic leader is a building contractor. The job is creation of new things not managing the old things. (1 Cor. 3:10-15)
The apostolic leader is dad of the house. You cannot be the apostle to those you did not give spiritual birth to. The apostle does not desert the family. (1 Cor. 4:15)
The apostle is a free agent. He will not function if he has to ask for permission. (1 Cor. 9:1)
The apostle is an example to others. (1 Cor. 11:1-2)
The apostle is the obvious authority. (2 Cor. 10:8)
The apostle has impact and influence. (1 Cor. 12:28)
The apostle has a combination of ministry gifts. (2 Tim. 1:11)
The apostle creates a church planting explosion. (Acts 10:11)
The apostle will have a mission among unreached people groups (Acts 28:2)

Imagine Conference Part 4

2011-04-12T06:43:00.001-04:00

Jeff Leake shared 10 things he has learned in ministry at the Imagine Conference. When Jeff shares what he has learned I am ready to listen. Here are his 10 things:

God chooses to use us based on our capacity to reflect His glory and not on our ability. (1 Cor. 1:27-29)
God is a God who works on both ends. (He is already working where He wants us to be) (Ex. 4:14)
God is not either/or but both/and. (Matt. 6:33)
Growth is about discovering restraints and overcoming them. (Pr. 24:10)
Ministry is not as much about doing as it is about discerning and obeying. (Jn. 5:19)
God releases to me based on my responses to Him. (Js. 4:6)
Conflict resolution skills can make or break momentum in ministry. (Pr. 16:9)
God accepts me whether I succeed or not. (Lk. 3:22)
Self leadership is the most important form of leadership. (1 Cor. 11:1)
Joy is in the journey not the destination (Neh. 8:10)

Jeff will host the Ignite Conference in June. Don't miss it! Register here.

Imagine Conference Part 3

2011-04-11T06:34:00.001-04:00

Here are some more notes from Matt Keller at the Imagine Conference.

Five Big ideas for church growth:

Vision is like a sunset. Everyone has an idea of what a sunset looks like, but we all have different ideas. The primary role of the leader is to define the sunset for our group.
The health of the church is directly related to the people in the church. Growth comes form a culture of health in every level of the church.
The leader adds the most value to the organization when using his strengths. (Strengths are not what you are good at-- they are what makes you feel strong.)
Every department or church is most likely two hard conversations away form the next level. The strength of the organization is directly proportional to the amount of pain you are willing to endure. As the organization grows what was acceptable before is no longer acceptable. The bar must be raised and people must be held accountable to clearing the bar.
Don't fear conflict. Embrace it and it will make you better.

Imagine Conference Notes Part 2

2011-04-09T06:19:00.002-04:00

Some more notes from Matt Keller and the Imagine Conference at Freedom Valley Worship Center.

Six keys to making the jump to the next level:
1. Combat complacency. Survival is not success. Move the chains. Realize that everything must change (It drifts downward or is moved forward)
2. Download DNA. Understand your unique call to ministry and get other leaders to think as you think.
3. Shift staff. The staff that got you to one level will probably not be the staff to get you to the next level.
4. Embrace new expectations. At the next level everyone expect different things.
5. Examine the environment. The church as it is is perfectly designed for how it is. Get outside eyes to help you see it in a new way.
6. Shift thinking. Three ares to shift:

Systems-- design for reproducibility, predictability, and accountability
Structures-- Create space for people to be involved
Schedules

LCC is working on the next level! Our next step will involve getting rid of the survival mentality and getting into the thriving mentality.

Imagine Conference Notes

2011-04-08T10:19:00.000-04:00

I went to the Imagine conference at Freedom Valley Worship Center a few weeks ago. Here are some notes form the day: (Full audio and video can be downloaded here)

Notes from Matt Keller:

Myth #1 of church growth is that growth is linear. Growth is a series of curves similar to a roller coaster ride. The key is to jump to the next level. The problem is most people retreat when the free fall to connect with the next level begins.

Myth #2 is that all levels are equal. Each level is in reality very different from the previous level. What gets you to one level is usually what keeps you from getting to the next level.

The levels of church growth:
1. Family size. (<150) Key is relationship
2. Organization (<300) Key is organizing
3. Medium size (400-500) Key is excellence.
4. Large (750-800) Key is staying streamlined.
5. Big league. (>1000). Key is outreach.

LCC has certainly experienced a few free falls and next level move. The move to Liberty High School will be no different. We have to give up the past level to go to the next level. Luke 9:62 tells us to not look back!

I will continue posting on the Imagine conference tomorrow.

Movin' On Up!

2011-04-08T09:54:00.000-04:00

LCC is making its 4th move in 7 years! This Sunday we will begin meeting at Liberty High School at 10:30 AM.
Why?

Our current building is way too small. We are not reaching people because we have no room for more.
We watch visitors who can't fit in the parking lots each week leave. They finally get up the nerve to try a new church and see if Jesus is for them, and they get the message from us that there is no room for them.
Our current building is not very presentable. Kids Zone and nursery are in a room with only 6 ft. ceilings! There is only one restroom. Do I need to go on?
Liberty High school is in the best location in town. We aren't. (Mt GPS won't even get me to LCC. It dumps me beside the road about a 1/2 mile away.)
LCC has a huge vision for our region. We need to increase our capacity to dream. This move is a transitional step that will enlarge us to accomplish God's vision for our region.
We will get better at what makes us great! There will be more places to serve, more time to connect, and worship will have more energy.

Pray for the move this Sunday! We have a lot of loose ends to tie up, and there are a lot of "issues." This move is a God thing, so we can expect opposition. Here are some things you can do to help:

1. Pray and fast

2. Tell others about the move and invite people (use FB, Twitter, email, flyers, etc.)

3. Maintain a positive attitude. This is going to be fun, and it will help us be more of what makes us great.

4. Get involved. There are 1000s of things that need done.

5. Be there. Don't miss this Sunday!

Transformational Books

2011-02-09T15:17:00.000-05:00

I was recently asked for a list of books I have read lately that deal with leadership and relational health. I thought I would post them here so others could benefit.

Invisible Imprint: What Others Feel When in Your Presence, Understanding the Power of Good and Evil

Leadership Books

2011-01-01T22:05:00.002-05:00

Started my doctoral bridge classes last month. Here are the books I am reading:

I have been especially challenged by Patterson et al. and Harkavy.

Fresh Voice on Church Health

2010-12-21T09:01:00.000-05:00

My good friend Gerry Stoltzfoos has finally written a book! Gerry's wisdom and guidance were a key part of LCC, and I am excited that he has finally put his wisdom in print. Gerry has a heart for reaching the world, and his wisdom is based on actually getting the church to reach its world. His perspective is not about more sound and lights to attract people from the church down the street. His perspective is one of making a difference by reaching those who need reached.

Don't miss this book!

Books on Conflict

2010-09-25T16:24:00.000-04:00

Below are some books I am reading on conflict management. I especially recommend Smedes and Patterson.

The Codependent Church

Life Lessons from Elmer Towns

2010-09-03T11:51:00.002-04:00

I spent a day this week in a round table meeting with Dr. Elmer Towns from Liberty University. Dr. Towns is a relational man of God with years of experience doing great things for Jesus. He shared 24 life lessons he has learned, and they were like gold to a younger minister. Here is a brief summary of his lessons:

1. Every significant decision involves only two real choices. Usually it is a test and there is a satan to thwart in the decision.
2. The reason you quit something reflects the reason you started doing it in the first place. (If you got in ministry to be liked by people you will quit when they don't like you. If you started for money, you will quit over money.)
3. Never just look at the front side of a vision. The back side reflects the real vision. (We usually just look at self, sex, or cents rather than hard work, cost, etc.)
4. Gratitude is the least remembered virtue. Gratitude is the acid test of a person's character.
5. Giants will do big things. Average men will do average things. Little men will do little things (but they will only do it sometimes-- you can't count on little men) Choose to be friends of giants and to spend your life investing in giants-- don't fear them.
6. God uses the little things in life to teach and guide you.
7. Your effectiveness in your walk with God will result in effectiveness with people.
8. The results of your failings are what you determine them to be. There are no excuses for failure-- only lessons to be learned.
9. Measure others by their priorities. Whatever they hold tightest is the most important to them.
10. True men of God are few and far between. (Measure men of God by Jesus, their fruits, and their mouth.)
11. You are only responsible for two generations-- yours and your children's.
12. You don't need great faith to do great things for God--you need faith in a great God. (The more you act on His greatness, the more you will do.)
13. Don't play with snakes-- any kind of snake. (There are no good snakes. There are no harmless snakes. Eventually all of them will bite you. If you play with a black snake, one day you will try to play with a copperhead and it will kill you. It is ok to be afraid of snakes. The two biggest snakes in ministry are women (speaking of sexual temptation to male minsters) and businessmen.
14. Regarding your wife-- never mess with the nest. (Let her be boss of the house in decorating etc.)
15. Men and women grieve differently.
16. Women don't trust other women. They see right through them. Men in ministry must learn to trust their wife's observations about women.
17. You will not develop close friendships with another couple if your wife does not like the other wife.
18. The first problem people share with you in counseling is never their real problem.
19. Keep the main thing the main thing.
20. Keep great people around you in life.
21. Learning to know God is a journey.
22. It always takes two wings to fly. (Balance in things like faith and works etc.)
23. Serving God does not automatically protect us from accidents and problems. The measure of greatness is how you handle the accidents and problems.
24. Culture is always changing. Anchor your life in Jesus.

Willow Creek Leadership Conference

2010-08-07T15:57:00.000-04:00

I went to the Willow Creek Leadership Conference over the last few days. I have never attended, but wish I had. Awesome time!

I learned a few things, but the main thing I learned was the value of relationships in ministry. One of my fathers in ministry, Scott Leib from Manassas Assembly of God invited me to attend with his team this year. I learned a lot from his team and from the interaction with MAG's staff. They are one of the greatest churches in America because they have one of the greatest leadership teams in America.

A few high points from the conference:
From Bill Hybels:
"The high point of ministry is knotting together great teams of leaders"
"Getting from here to there is never a straight line. We need to hear God's whispers in our journey."The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond

From Jim Collins:
Collins gave a list of ten "to do's" to add to a leaders list:
1. Do your diagnostics (use a tool like the Good to Great diagnostic tool at www.jimcollins.com)
2. Count your blessings (list at least 100. then go back and look mark the one's you did not cause)
3. Analyze your question to statement ratio (try to double the ammount of questions in the next year)
4. Count the seats on your bus and make a plan to fill them this year (Read Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't for information about your bus)
5. Do diagnostics from How The Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In
6. Create an inventory of brutal facts about you and your organization
7. Create a "stop doing" list
8. Create new clicks on your organization's flywheel and celebrate when reached (see Good to Great for the flywheel idea)
9. Double your reach to younger people by changing your practice without compromising principles
10. Create a new big hairy audacious goal (see Good to Great)

"Organizational decline is what you do to yourself not what happens to you"
"Great leaders are geniuses of the "and."" (they are able to balance paradoxical ideas)

From Adam Hamilton:
The 5 r's of resisting temptation:
Remember who you are (a child of the King, a husband, father, mother...)
Recognize the consequences of my actions (we usually only think of the positive. Spend some time thinking about the worst case scenario)
Rededicate ourselves to God (instead of stop, drop, and roll-- stop, drop, and pray)
Reveal your true self to a trusted friend
Remove yourself from the situation

Jeff Manion's entire message was powerful. I recommend checking out his book The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions

Terri Kelly's (CEO of Gore, Inc.) management was interesting. She builds plants of not more than 250 employees so teams and personality can be created. They have 18 plants within a 25 mile radius. This looks a lot like our vision to plant relational churches in our region. Interesting that it is already working in a business model.

From Daniel Pink:
We motivate people best through autonomy, mastery and purpose. In other words people are motivated when given freedom to create, progress toward their goals, and work toward a higher purpose. His book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us looks interesting.

From Blake Mycoskie:
His company, Toms Shoes is an interesting model. I wonder what would happen if LCC combined coffee or some other business in the way Blake has done.

From Jack Welch:
Differentiation in an organization involves identifying the 20% that are essential, the 70% that are good, and the 10% that need to be shown the door.
Sports teams do it all the time. The ones that are good at it are called winners.
Most places waste all their energy trying to fix the 10%
It is impossible to differentiate without candor in an organization.

The 20% people are energetic, excite others, good, grow others, not cheap, not stingy, generous in spirit, not afraid of great people around them

The 70% people are good hard workers

The 10% people hide other's talents, prevent other's growth, envious, not team players, acidic, low energy

These are not permanent labels-- we should encourage everyone to grow but be honest about where they are

"Do all you can to stop the meeting after the meeting"-- an organization with honest candor discusses the after meeting stuff during the meeting

Non-profit does not mean non-performance-- you chose to enter non-profit world (where rewards are not money) and you should do your best or get out.

From T.D. Jakes:
"People want challenged; they just don't want to be ripped apart."

Organizations need builders (those that can build a bonfire from a match) and bankers (those that make the fire last). The problem is that we usually attract others like ourselves. Result is no fire or a fast burnout.

Jesus surrounded Himself with twelve guys that weren't rabbis. the key to a great team is putting people around you that are good at what you aren't good at. (Jesus' team-- people that could row boat, handle taxes, fight...)

Life brings you a few confidants (people that are for you no matter what). Most people are constituents (they are for what you are for. They will also leave you for the next person that is for what you are for)
Don't cry about constituents that leave. Quote the King James Bible-- "It came to pass"

This was a great conference. Can't wait for next year!

Apostolic for Dummies

2010-08-07T14:48:00.001-04:00

Jeff Leake at Allison Park Church is currently doing a series I wish I had thought of. Jeff is an apostle and a great influence on my ministry and has helped shape the vision of LCC. Instead of me preaching this series, just check it out on Allison Park's website. It will help you see what God is doing at LCC and in the Church. http://allisonparkchurch.com/381400.ihtml

Preaching Class

2010-07-12T00:13:00.000-04:00

I am going to be in a preaching class all this week with Dr. Gary Denbow and Ron Woods. Here are some of the books I have read for this class: (I would love to get a sermon writing team together at LCC. Let me know if you are interested and reading any of these books)

In a Pit with a Lion

2010-07-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

Here is the book Craig Groeschel mentioned in yesterday's sermon. This is a great book about facing fears and living the life of bold faith.

Prayer for the Nation

2010-07-11T23:39:00.000-04:00

Got to pray at an event in our community on the 4th. I had several people ask me for the prayer. Here is what I prayed:

Dear God, we come before you tonight as Americans. Those you have blessed to live in this great nation of freedom, opportunity, and hope. We are thankful to call this land of the free and home of the brave our home. We are thankful that you can still be found in this land where all men and women are created equal. We look back through more than 200 years of history on this continent, and we see your hand of blessing in each era. We see your power behind this nation’s history as we see your blessings in our land, industry, and life in this great nation.

200 years ago, the Great Experiment began. Could man, with your help, govern himself? Would man seek common good instead of personal gain? Would man seek to honor You who are above all of us or seek his own honor? It was an experiment nearly opposite of Job’s experience. It was an experiment designed to answer the question, “What would this nation do if You blessed them?” We have answered that question in recent years as we have chosen to remove your name from our schools, government halls, and from our very lifestyle. We have chosen individual gain over common good, selfishness over sharing, debt and instant fixes over the coming generation, sight-walking instead of faith-walking, and personal gain over the common good of America the Beautiful, the land and people with which You have blessed us.

Worst than this, we have removed your name from our very souls. We look to self or to celebrity as if they held the answer while ignoring Your presence. We have been blessed more than any nation in history, but we have chosen to consume this blessing on ourselves. We have chosen the slippery slope of moral decay, and we have chosen whatever way seemed right to us over Your ways. We were blessed with a fruitful land and have chosen to reap from it crime, debt, divorce, filth, entitlements, and corporate greed. We have worked at nothing and lost everything that matters. We have attempted to gain it all and have lost our souls.

We stand before You tonight in repentance for the sins of our nation. We stand for those who are ignorant of Your ways, and for those who have willfully chosen their own way over Your way. We, however, ask You to start restoring our nation right here and right now. Put Your Name at the center of our lives first. Put Your name in the center of educating our children, in the center of our local governance, and in the center of our daily lives. Restoration begins in the house of God—Let restoration begin in this house tonight.

Restoration never begins without repentance. We must turn from our ways to see our land once again blessed. We repent tonight both for our own sins against you and for the sins of all this great nation. We ask for a restoration of this nation that begins here tonight and extends to this entire nation. We ask you to overflow this great land with blessing that once again proclaims Your Name to the nations. May revival start here that revives the dry and thirsty lands of our world. May Your Name flow like water from this place to the nations. May Your Name be lifted up as all men and women are drawn to You. May the poor child standing on the border hear you r name again and be blessed. May the gang leader in LA drop his gun and find blessing in You again. May the homosexual in our land find true blessing in your name. May the drug runner in Miami find Your Name better than their chosen trade. May the leaders in the White House and the halls of Congress find in Your Name the wisdom to lead this nation toward blessing before it is too late. From the greatest to the least of those called American—may we see in Your name the blessing of our shared future.

The American Experiment needs grace—unmerited favor, the power to change our future. We are a pivotal generation. May the mantle of this experiment called America fall fresh on us tonight. We can read the warnings in Your Word. We see the alternative. Fall fresh on us tonight so we may instead of cursing find Your blessing again. We are Americans, but we are Christians first.

May we rely on You instead of foreign money, oil, power and promises. May we rely on You instead of our own wisdom. May we cry out for personal revival tonight that leads this nation to corporate revival. We are in this together. Bless we Your people again.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the only hope of this or any nation—Amen.

Motivation from the Founding Fathers

2010-07-03T14:19:00.000-04:00

Found a great series of motivational posters featuring America's founding fathers. Check them out here.

There was a lot of wisdom that went into this nation!

Spiritual Gifts

2010-06-22T21:00:00.002-04:00

I'm spending the week with Dr. David Lim from Grace Assembly of God in Singapore. Dr. Lim is a great leader and thinker in the world of spiritual gifting. His way of looking at spiritual gifts make all of them seem like something every Christian should be using daily. Makes me wonder what the church would look like is we de-mystified spiritual gifts and they became part of every day life.

In America we are too caught up in thinking and valuing cognitive reasoning to simply accept what God wants to do through us. Our pride and individualism prevents us from seeing that gifts are used to build up the entire church. I can't wait to teach some of this material and see God working in lives at LCC.

Here are a couple of Dr. Lim's books if anyone is interested in taking ministry to the next level at LCC:

Mac Worship

2010-06-17T06:59:00.000-04:00

Most Mac people nearly worship the Mac brand. Here is a better idea... use your iPhone to worship. This is a surprisingly good performance considering it is all done with iPhones. Makes you wonder where electronic interaction will take worship. We used to carry tambourines to church. We might be using our phones soon.

Rural PAC Networks

2010-06-16T12:48:00.000-04:00

My passion has become transforming rural America through healthy churches. LCC has managed to reach nearly 10% of our zip code, and it has made a huge difference in Bealeton. My prayers lately have been about how this could be done across America.

I watched a session with Steve Pike today at http://agtv.ag.org/ministry-direct that discussed Parent Affiliated Churches (PAC) in the Assemblies of God. Wondering what it would look like if rural pastors could focus on their communities and pool resources for administration, ministries, and teaching. PAC could be used to create a movement in rural regions where smaller churches work together to bring big church quality to rural churches.

I am really excited about the possibilities of this. Anyone interested in trying it?

Leadership Lessons

2010-06-16T06:53:00.001-04:00

The greatest need at LCC is leaders. We desperately need people that are serious about maturity and are ready to change their world. This summer it will be our biggest focus. Mark Driscoll has been teaching on this subject lately and has included a lot of his thoughts in his blog. Check out this series and challenge yourself to take your leadership to the next level.

Truth is everyone is a leader. Some are wise and some are foolish, but there is someone following all of us.

Note: I do not agree with Driscoll's view of women in ministry. He makes some good points, but please overlook his view on the "place" of women in the church.

Stewardship of Our Planet?

2010-06-15T12:40:00.000-04:00

Christians should be leading the way in stewardship of God's gifts to humans. Earth is, for obvious reasons, one of our greatest gifts. We have, however, not been leading the way in this. I mentioned the Deepwater Horizon spill last Sunday during the sermon, and the response was rather cold. Either we don't care, or we just can't get our minds around the whole thing. Here are a few resources that put the spill in perspective.

This is a map of the oil slick if it occurred in Bealeton. It looks a bit bigger when you see it compared to our home.

This is an interactive map and chart showing the spill's range and its effect on wildlife.

Below is a diagram that puts the spill in perspective:

22,000 cars worth of oil spilled every day is a lot of oil. Imagine trying to live your life surrounded by oil.

What can we do as Christ-followers?
-- Make our lives less oil dependent and more energy efficient. Drive a motorcycle, a small car, or ride a bicycle.
--Car pool. If LCCers alone pooled their resources through Twitter or Facebook we could share a lot of rides to work ot to Fredericksburg or Warrenton.
--Contact clean up agencies in the gulf region and see about spending your vacation cleaning up wildlife or beaches.
--Donate your hair. Hair is a great oil absorbent for oil booms. You can check out how to donate here. Urge your salon, barber, or pet groomer to be a part of this.
-- Contact churches in the affected region to see if there is anything you or your home group can do to help people affected by the spill (fishermen, watermen, etc.)
-- Stay informed so future disasters can be prevented.

What shouldn't we do as Christ-followers?
-- Contribute to the politicizing of this disaster. It is not the Democrats or the Republican's fault. We can fix blame or work to fix the problem. Blame won't fix it.
-- Blame local BP stations. Local stations are owned by local businessmen that are most affected by this spill. It is not their fault they happen to sell BP oil.
-- Ignore it. We are not called to put our head in the sand.

Book from Sunday

2010-06-14T11:24:00.000-04:00

Here is a link to the book I mentioned Sunday. Every Christian at some point in the journey should read this book. It illustrates a lot of what I taught last Sunday.

The Dip

2010-06-06T16:42:00.002-04:00

Here is the book I mentioned this morning in the sermon. It is a business book and not a "Christian" book, but it describes the process of commitment in a great way. Read it and find what you are willing to pay the price to be great at and eliminate everything else!

Common Sense in Government

2010-06-04T10:59:00.000-04:00

I don't like to get political in this blog, but it seems sometimes common sense is absent in government. Many people say it the politician's fault, but it is the voters that put the politicians in place. If government is broke, it is because of non-thinking voters. A great example of this is the threat to Congressman Wittman this Tuesday. Wittman is a great example of intelligence in government, and he is one of the hardest working members of congress. He spoke yesterday at my Rotary club, and he is one of the few politicians that actually answer the questions asked.

Wittman is opposed this Tuesday in an open primary by a woman that has suggested violent overthrow of our American government, misrepresented Wittman's record, and seeks to abolish many aspects of government that will profoundly affect life as we know it. The craziness is that in an open primary radical, non-thinking voters and members of the opposing party seeking to place a radical extremist against their candidate in November will turn out in droves to sway the election. The lack of common sense in this is that a candidate that likely doesn't represent the district could win because satisfied people don't realize there is even a primary this Tuesday. I am fine with the choice of the people, but it is a shame to lose a great representative in Washington because of an open primary that only tends to attract extremists.

How do we fix this? In the long term Virginia's open primary system needs changed. In the short term, satisfied voters need to show up at the poles in Virginia's first district. My prayer is that the candidate that represents the people wins instead of the candidate that represents the fringe of our great society.

For more on this read the following:

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/062010/06042010/552800

http://www.vagazette.com/articles/2010/06/02/news/doc4c05803f57966286472939.txt

http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/scs/news/opinion/columnists/article/kerr_making_the_right_choice_in_the_gop_primary/58630/

Note: Revshortridge is a private blog reflecting the opinions of Wes Shortridge. It does not represent the opinions on Liberty Community Church.

Real Worship from Real People

2010-05-27T06:35:00.000-04:00

Been thinking about worship a lot lately. We are in the middle of some changes at LCC in worship, and I have been trying to hear from God about the future of worship at LCC. It amazes me how many people consider worship to be about themselves. They prefer it in one style or another, or they think it is about their talent or even worst about showcasing themselves.

We have always had great music at LCC, but I am not so sure we have had great worship. I am excited about trying to do great worship instead of great music.

Over 100 years ago a great worshiper was born. Blind from birth and orphaned early in life, Fanny Crosby went on to write some of the greatest songs of faith. At eight she wrote:

Oh what a happy soul I am,

Although I cannot see;

I am resolved that in this world

Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy,

That other people don't;

To weep and sigh because I'm blind,

I cannot, and I won't."

Fanny Crosby went on to write songs like "Blessed Assurance" and "All the Way My Savior Leads Me" Read the lyrics below and see the heart of worship. Can't wait to see real worship from real people emerge at LCC. All the way our Savior leads us into the next step!

vs.1
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
vs.2
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
vs.3
All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.

Thinking about Rich

2010-05-26T15:28:00.000-04:00

Been thinking a lot about my early years as a Christian. Seems like my faith is so much more complex now. Maybe I have let a lot of expectations cloud what it is to be a Christ follower. Rich Mullins was a huge influence on my early years, and I have been listening to Rich again lately. His lyrics are real and come from a real person that had his own struggles. He lived a simple life of simple faith.

Check out some of my favorite stuff from Mullins. Making me look at my journey in a new light again.

Our Deepest Needs-- Finances

2010-05-25T15:46:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday we discussed how God meets your deepest needs in finances. Below are some resources that some of you asked for on the subject. I especially like Robert Morris and The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. These books can change your future!

MCM Young Pastor's Roundtable

2010-05-24T17:30:00.000-04:00

Allison Park and the Multi Church Network is doing a one day round table next month that will change how you do ministry. I have attended this before, and it has left me undone. The event will feature some of the people that have had the most influence on my ministry. Speakers include Jeff Leake, Johanes Amritzer, and Ron Johnson.

I will be riding my motorcycle up, but some LCC staff is going by car. This will be an event that is worth the trip! Let me know if you can go so we can connect in Pittsburgh! For more information click here.

Multi-site Forum

2010-05-24T17:21:00.000-04:00

LCC is doing its first church plant this year in Natural Bridge. I love the idea of planting churches, but for many reasons I am as excited about doing multiple sites of LCC. There are a lot of people that we could reach in our region through duplicating what God has done at LCC. There is a great forum sponsored by Church Multiplication Network at Ebenezer's in D.C. This July. I would love it if some LCCers went so we could honestly explore the options for LCC. Let me know if you can go. Register here.

The Debt Trap

2010-05-19T06:45:00.000-04:00

Debt is destroying our lives. Our government keeps trying to solve a consumer debt problem by taking on more debt itself. It is a vicious circle that threatens to collapse at any minute. Debt has a purpose in business, but in a personal life, it has no purpose. The Bible tells us that the borrower is a slave to the lender. A whole lot of people are feeling this enslavement right now. When you are in debt, the debt service usually keeps you in debt. Instead of getting out of debt we, like our government, keep sinking.

Hers are a few articles on debt I have been reading lately:

Seth Godin

Dave Ramsey

I care about the people of LCC and the Bealeton area. We at LCC are in a series on how God supplies our deepest needs. This Sunday we are going to look at how God supplies the means to get out of debt and live the prosperous life He intended us to live. Don't miss this Sunday and invite some friends that need this message.

Attitude of Gratitude

2010-05-18T06:35:00.000-04:00

Found this blog that posts a thank you note every day. Interesting site that could help all of us think about what we can be grateful for. There is no healthier or more godly attitude than an attitude of gratitude.

The Porn Event

2010-05-17T06:11:00.001-04:00

If you like porn then don't miss this event. It promises to be the event of a lifetime for porn fans all over the world. After this event you won't be the same (I hope).

Where Does Our Time Go?

2010-05-15T06:02:00.000-04:00

I hear people all the time say that they don't have enough time to serve others or take part in a group that will grow them like Celebrate Recovery or a home group. Here is the number one reason most people don't have the time:

Television is a drug. from Beth Fulton on Vimeo.

None of us are short on time. We all have the exact same 24 hours a day. It really comes down to priority. Some choose to spend their time differently. Some choose to be giants and some choose to watch tv.

Sage Conference

2010-05-14T12:04:00.000-04:00

Just discovered this conference. Might be good to sharpen some of our skills at LCC. Let me know if you are attending, it would be great to discuss what we learn.

Imagine sitting across the desk from some time-tested, well-seasoned ministry leaders. It's your chance to ask them the question, "What things have you done that, if given the chance, you would do differently?" You'll have that chance with the SAGE conference, Wednesday, May 19th.
You'll hear from over 40 speakers, from Noon to 4pm EST, sharing their hard won insights and lessons earned over a lifetime of leadership.
Sage is a great opportunity to glean from some wise leaders who have been around the block. And with the event being free, you can't afford not to attend.
View the list of speakers here. It's free to attend, but you have to register: Register now!

Looking for Cheap Oil

2010-05-13T06:47:00.002-04:00

Been thinking about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Seems like most people are uninterested or don't really care. Maybe they just care more about cheap gas than the world we live in. The whole thing is a great illustration of how self-serving we humans have become.

To put it in perspective check out the graphic from Information is Beautiful. Maybe we should all get together and discuss how we can alter our lives to be better stewards of God's Earth. We survived for thousands of years without cheap oil; maybe it is time to figure out how to survive a few more thousand without it.

Tiger's Real Problem

2010-05-11T08:31:00.000-04:00

Tiger Woods is arguably the greatest golfer ever. It is sad watching him play this year. He is actually hitting some shots that look like I might have hit them. He has been heckled by the crowd (including a seven year old boy), and he has recently dropped out of competition after the sixth hole. A lot of sports writers are wondering what is going on, and most seem to attribute it to stress or a neck injury from his accident on Thanksgiving.

In our society, we so easily wink at sexual sin. Tiger, it seems, has been unfaithful to his wife on numerous occasions. Like most sin, we live with the illusion that it doesn't hurt us, and it looks like it didn't hurt him for quite a while. Never assume that because there is no immediate punishment (or reward) there won't be. We reap what we sow. Unfortunately for Tiger, sexual sin is damaging in ways others aren't. The Bible says, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body" (1 Cor 6:18 NIV). Sexual sin hurts the person involved the most. It is a sin of destroying your own self. Tiger's recent performance and behavior illustrate this. He recently did an interview in which he kept his eyes closed for most of the interview and stomped his feet on the floor. He is a hurting person.

I see people all the time thinking that their sexual sins will not catch up with them. An old teacher of mine taught me that you might blindfold yourself and run a cross a busy highway and live. You might even get away with it a hundred times. Make no mistake, though, you will get hit eventually, and all the times you got away with it will not be worth it. In sexual sin, you are gambling with your own self.

Is there hope for Tiger's game? Sure-- same hope all of us have. The hope we all have is that God can forgive us through the cross if we confess and forsake our sins. My prayer for Tiger is that He discovers Jesus' forgiveness and His power to overcome sin. My prayer for anyone reading this that believes their sexual sins won't catch up with them is that they look at Tiger and find forgiveness and the power to change their lives before they go through what Tiger is going through.

Picture from Today's Sermon

2010-05-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

Here is the picture I mentioned in today's sermon. It helped me think of Jesus as joyful and in charge rather than uptight and judgmental.

Not Sure who drew this, but it has been around for a while. Below is a link to the video that had Jesus laughing with Peter when he began sinking.

Both of these helped me see Jesus as He is-- Joyful!

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T06:40:00.000-04:00

Today is Mother's Day. I am thankful for my mother, and am convinced she is the best in the world. I got Mr. T to sing a little song for her. Check it out here:

I pity the fool that doesn't treat their mother right. Happy Mother's Day Ma! Love you.

(P.S.-- Did we really dress like that in the 80's?)

Have We Gone Too Far?

2010-05-08T06:33:00.000-04:00

LCC's vision team discussed several options to achieve our goals for LCC this year in our meeting last Thursday. Our goals are adding 100 new people to LCC, seeing giving increase by $100,000 and seeing 105% of attendance connected in a small group. These are measurements of evangelism, discipleship and fellowship. In other words, we want to reach another 100 people, see them grow until the are mature (reflected in following God's principles in finances), and see them relationally connected to other Christians.

We started developing methodology last Thursday, but God interrupted our strategic planning session. We became impressed with the image of a boat trying to reach a goal. There are two ways to get the boat to the goal-- rowing and raising a sail to the wind. These were metaphors for our labor and planning compared with allowing the Holy Spirit to propel us to the next level. We ended with the conclusion that God had been preparing LCC for almost eight years for a great season of His power. We concluded by discussing ways we could position ourselves to be in the "wind" of the Holy Spirit.

I am really excited about the possibilities! If you are interested in being on my vision team and exploring these ideas at LCC, contact me.

One of the team members sent me this video yesterday. It illustrates the rowing side of advancement. I believe it is a bit over the top (hopefully it doesn't look like LCC on Sunday). I can't wait to see what God does at LCC this year. Pray with me about this next season.

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Small Groups at LCC

2010-05-07T06:04:00.000-04:00

Small groups are the heart of LCC. Genuine relationships that provide strength for the challenges of life are formes in our small groups, and discipleship happens through the power of the relationships formed in LCC's small groups. Besides that, they are a lot of fun!

I am doing some reading this month on small groups. Check out some of what I am reading if you are interested. The book on paradoxes is a bit heavy and not specifically about church groups.

If you are not in a small group at LCC, get in one! Call the office today or email kaye@lccbealeton.com and find a group for you.

If you are reading any of these books with me, let me know so we can discuss them.

Children at LCC Part 4

2010-05-06T06:35:00.000-04:00

What is we dreamed big about children at LCC? What if our dreams involved impacting the life of every kid in our community? Instead of a few hours of babysitting for adults in the big service, what if kids were the real ministry of LCC? What if someone actually drove our buses and picked up kids? What if someone got an old ice cream truck and handed our popsicles and did puppet shows throughout the community? What if someone cared enough to do sidewalk Sunday Schools around our community? What if someone cared enough to tutor children that are a bit behind? What if someone cared enough to actually get Royal Rangers off the ground at LCC? What if someone cared enough to teach music to our kids? What if someone cared enough to teach art to kids on our streets? What if someone cared enough to do DivorceCare or Celebrate Recovery for kids? What if someone cared enough to organize a summer camp for kids? What if we cared enough to ask our school principals what we can do to help them teach our kids or make our schools a better place? What if someone cared enough to buy a trailer in Marsh Run to use for children's ministry and after school care?

I am sure you care about kids. What if we did some of these things? It might cost us a lot in the short term, but imagine our community when the next generation becomes adults. We can sit on our porch rockers and see the results of our labors-- a better place and a better future.

Check out this video and ask yourself "what if":

Children at LCC Part 3

2010-05-05T06:02:00.001-04:00

Still praying for children in our community. We act like we know all about life as adults, but we are confused, hurt, and make dumb decisions. Children, on the other hand, have what we have lost. They understand life. It is us adults that ruin it for them with our dumb decisions.

Children's ministry does two things:

It gives children a role model of someone that is caring enough to teach and help them grow.
It reminds us what we have forgotten about living life.

Children usually teach us adults more than we will ever teach them. If you aren't ministering to children, you aren't really getting life.

Check out this video to inspire you:

Children at LCC Part 2

2010-05-04T06:53:00.002-04:00

My mind is still on kids this week. I feel like we as a church are missing the opportunity to influence the next generation by not taking children's ministry to the next level. We could make a huge difference with just a little more effort. It seems like many of us miss this, however. We act like working in the nursery is punishment. It is actually the place of greatest influence in the church. I still remember my Sunday School teacher from when I was a toddler. Mary Esther Dillon worked hard to show me the love of Jesus, and it was one of the things I remembered when I desperately needed answers later in life.

We at LCC owe a lot to Mary Esther Dillon. She sowed the seeds in my life that later became LCC. Makes me wonder what opportunities we are missing in children's ministry right now.

Check out this video. Makes me want to work in the nursery.

Healing Prayer at LCC

2010-05-03T06:36:00.001-04:00

The thing that excites my most about church is the potential to heal people. Jesus can change our past hurts, our emotional issues, our relational issues, and our physical issues. He works through the church in many ways to bring healing. One of the key ways He works is through prayer.

We have seen a lot of life change at LCC over the past seven years, but I want to see more. I want to see 10,000 people transformed in this area, and I want to see all of our current LCCers push through where they are stuck spiritually and find real healing.

In order to do this, we need to develop mature, powerful prayer ministry. I am working this year to equip a team to change the world through prayer. I just finished reading Francis McNutt's classic book on healing, and it has me fired up about the possibilities in this area. If you are interested in changing your world through prayer, read this book and let's get together to discuss it.

Children Welcome at LCC

2010-05-01T09:33:00.000-04:00

Sometimes we adults forget what it is like to be a kid. In church, we act like kids are some kind of plague to be isolated in a basement or hide in the back of the church. I never liked that view of kids. When our kids were small, we were made to feel bad about our kids in church. Old folks would say, "We used to make our two year-olds sit still for four hours in the good old days." Truth is they didn't and the good old days weren't like they remembered either. Linda and I actually got to the point where we felt our kids were in the way of our spiritual growth.

When we started LCC, we decided to welcome kids. At LCC we celebrate kids and families. You don't have to stress out about a little noise or if your kid is acting like a kid. Out vision has always involved a strong kid's ministry and welcoming environment for kids. We have never reached our potential in this area, but we are trying. Look for some big changes coming this year in how we minister to kids. It is time we reach the kids in our community and the parents of these kids. At LCC you should be proud of your family-- even if the kids are acting like kids.

Check out this video of what it might be like to be a kid in church:

Worship in Bealeton Tomorrow Night

2010-04-29T12:42:00.000-04:00

Don't miss one of the greatest nights in LCC's history tomorrow night as we pull out all the stops and worship with one of the legends of contemporary worship music. Rick Heil from SONICFLOOd will be joining us for a special evening of intimate worship. This will be a night to remember-- don't miss it!

Creativity

2010-04-27T09:07:00.000-04:00

The pictures in this post are from Church on the Move in Tulsa Oklahoma. Easter service began with two painters behind the singer. The words "Amazing Grace" soon appeared then faded into the images at the bottom. I love creativity!

As a matter of fact, lack of creativity is just plain lazy. We are making some changes in our worship teams and Sunday service worship elements at LCC. Can't wait to get some creative people on my team and start doing things that honor Jesus with our creative efforts.

Get Unstuck

2010-04-26T06:12:00.001-04:00

Found a unique blog. Each day Jessica Hagy draws a diagram about something in life and posts it to her blog. All of them are in the form of a 3x5 card. Interesting thoughts for each day. Check it out here.

Makes me wonder why I didn't get unstuck and come up with this idea myself. Creativity!

Thinking about Death

2010-04-23T05:30:00.000-04:00

We all live like we are never going to die. We don't even like to think of it. Yesterday, I had some major surgery, and it made me think about death. Hopefully, I lived through the surgery. This post is an automatic post, and it would be really weird if it was posting after I am gone. Actually, I could appear to be alive for as long as I had postings set to post. I could even write some code to have my Twitter account post random updates. (Follow me on Twitter to see if I am really alive, I will try to post something after surgery.)

Churches never think about death. All of them will die though. I am thinking about LCC in this. I was there when LCC was born, and I wonder what it will be like when it dies. Hopefully, it will leave behind more than archived web pages and Facebook pages. We could all hope we leave behind more than electronic garbage. I, personally, will leave behind two great children that I believe will make a great impact on their world. LCC, I hope, will leave behind the same-- great churches that we have started. When you think about it, our children are our greatest donation to the future.

Steve Pike has been thinking about the same thing. He makes some observations:

1.    In the same way that living and dying is a normal part of the human experience, opening and closing churches is a normal part of the organizational life of the church.
2.    In the same way that I make plans with the end of my life in mind (ie. Purchase life insurance, make a will, set aside money for retirement, build a nest egg to pass along to my kids, etc.), churches can and should anticipate that they will not survive forever as an organization and plan appropriately.
3.    In the same way that I prolong my legacy through my children and hopefully my grandchildren, churches can extend their legacy by starting new daughter and granddaughter congregations that reach the unreached people groups in every American community.
4.    In the same way that my kids help me stay active and energized about life, so starting new churches actually prolongs the missional vigor of parent churches.

I can't think of anything more important than my children, and I can't think of anything more important at LCC than the churches we leave behind. Let's parent some churches!

Celtic design from www.kelticdesigns.com

Time to Have Some Babies!

2010-04-22T08:35:00.001-04:00

My good friend and father in the faith, Gerry Stoltzfoos is a church planting genius. Gerry stood by LCC when we were only two people (Linda and I). He gave and helped and advised when we needed it most, and influenced LCC in thousands of ways. He saw a very unlikely baby, and he nursed us to health. Very few people do that. Most people jump on the bandwagon of planting. They get behind the superstar planters with core teams of 100s. Gerry got behind us when we looked like dreamers destined to fail (we would have without Gerry's support).

Gerry expresses his heart in a recent post. He talks about unlikely churches in Berea and Ephesus. God loves to work through unlikely people in unlikely places. Thank God for people like Gerry that see the heart of God.

The season has come for LCC to be to other churches what Gerry and Freedom Valley was to us. We are looking to pair unlikely planters with unlikely places so God can do supernatural things. We start this year with the launch of Stonebridge Community Church in Natural Bridge, and hopefully will see many more babies over the next few years. I am really excited about multi-campus ministries and traditional church plants. The goal in both is to transform lives in unlikely places. Maybe it is the unlikely people in unlikely places that reach the unlikely people. If you are interested in reaching unlikely people, contact me. We are looking to partner with you to have some babies.

Instead of waiting until everything is perfect, lets just follow God and reach people. Gerry says, "Maybe we should be more desperate about being barren, than we are about doing everything perfect." I fear barrenness at LCC far more than I fear imperfection.

One Prayer for One Church

2010-04-21T07:27:00.001-04:00

In 2008 Craig Groeschel had an idea to get churches working together. He decided to use technology to join churches together for a month. LCC joined in that first year, and it was one of the biggest events we did that year. We joined in again in 2009, and it was one of our biggest events last year. This year we are joining One Prayer again. Groeshel points out some benefits: (from an article on Catalystspace)

People who don’t go to church take notice when churches bicker and tear each other down. You can show them something different with One Prayer. Instead of just talking about Jesus, we display His love through a unified and global biblical community.
It’s a great way to bring energy to your church during what typically might be a slow season.
One Prayer can help your people shift their focus outward through community service and outreach projects, as well as an offering to inspire generosity beyond the four walls of your church building.
It’s the perfect opportunity for corporate prayer and fasting.
If you’ve been wondering whether video teaching would work at your church, One Prayer is a low-risk way to try it out.
You can build new relationships with churches in your community. Team up with them on a service project or simply use it as the reason to reach out and make a connection with other pastors. You never know what might result from those relationships!
One Prayer is a chance for your church to experience something global. So far, churches from South Africa, Guatemala, Great Britain, India, Nigeria, Honduras, Australia, Bolivia, and more are participating.
It gives pastors 3-4 weeks off from teaching, while other great spiritual leaders bring new perspectives to your church.

A few more benefits I noticed:

It exposes LCC to other churches and their methods. We always get a lot of momentum during One Prayer in change efforts in facilities and service style. People get to visit another church as a group, and they share conversation about the experience.
It exposes us to video teaching. With he growth of multi-site churches and the shortage of good preachers, video teaching will be used more in the future. It gives us a place to test video styles and get LCCers used to the idea.
It allows teaching that challenges the entire church. Often it is difficult to say in person what can be said on a video. It helps us to see our weaknesses together in a format that we can't dismiss a meddling since the speaker has no idea he or she is speaking to us.
It prevents us from feeling alone in our cow pasture. We are isolated in our rural environment at LCC, and it is easy to get an Elijah complex and feel no one else is serving God. One Prayer proves we are part of a huge team.

If you are an LCCer join me in praying for this year's One Prayer campaign. If you are a pastor, sign your church up here. If you are local and signed up for One Prayer, let's get together and discuss how we can work together this year and be the church in our community.

China's Future

2010-04-20T06:48:00.000-04:00

Gordon G. Chang argues that the economic slowdown across the globe is effecting China more than the rest of the world. He believes the rising power of China is at its apex. China has made its fortunes making goods for the United States, and we aren't buying anymore. This has contributed to unrest in workers that combines with a new openness about the world brought on through cel phones and the internet. Chang argues that the Communist party in China will fall soon in a manner similar to the former Soviet Union.

The world did not handle the collapse of the Soviet regime well. We left an impoverished country to fend for itself and saw Communism give way to dictatorial style leadership. It was a great opening for the church to be the church, and we sat by and watched the opening close. Now, missionaries to former Soviet nations are being expelled and the opportunity seems to be passing. We couldn't get American propaganda about the "evil" Russians out of our minds fast enough to love the Russians.

If China's Communist regime collapses, will the church handle it any better. I hear people that claim to be Christ followers talk about the Chinese the same way we used to talk about the Russians in the 1970's. Perhaps the church should begin planning now how to show the love of Christ to those left behind in China. Collapse will mean many human needs that we could meet, and many spiritual needs that could be filled in Christ. The church is already in place in China, and we in the American church should plan to come alongside the church in China to allow the Body of Christ to be the light in the darkness should the future follow Chang's argument. This would be a great time for the prophets to begin working!

Helping Relationships

2010-04-19T06:18:00.001-04:00

Been a while since I posted what I am reading. One day I will do a post with all the books I missed. I just got too busy to post. Sorry.

This month I have been exploring counseling and therapeutic helping relationships. Egan and Hill are pretty lengthy counseling models. Patterson et al. is a very good book on conversation skills. If you are interested in counseling Hill or Egan would be interesting. Patterson et al. would be good for anyone interested in increasing their interpersonal communication skills. Their model is an effective way to become better at conversational interaction when it really counts (conflict, on the job, etc). I would love to get together with a few of you that would like to practice this model. Let me know if you are reading any of these.

Multi-site Future?

2010-04-17T18:16:00.000-04:00

Multi-site is the latest thing in church growth. It does seem effective at expanding the Kingdom, and I am pretty sure it is in our future at LCC. Fortunately, there are many great churches ahead of us in this journey.

I just read two fairly new books on the subject. I would love to discuss these books with some like minded people.

The Lost Dogs at LCC Next Month

2010-04-14T23:40:00.002-04:00

Legendary super-group the Lost Dogs will be appearing at Liberty Community Church on May 14. Doors open at 7pm. This is a free show, but seating is limited and is available on a first-come first-served basis

The Lost Dogs are best known for their beautiful three-part harmony, guitar expertise, and easy, down-to-earth, crowd-pleasing banter that reflects their individual, yet highly complementary, personalities.

For many years music insiders and critics, along with a steadily growing number of fans all over the world, have recognized The Lost Dogs as individually brilliant singer/songwriters and storytellers in their own right. Possessing a musical skill and style reminiscent of the traditional American roots songs of Oh Brother Where Art Thou, together with a distinctive narrative delivery that can only be described as Lake Woebegone Day meets Hank Williams meets Jim Carey, over the years each “Dog” has also produced various solo and individual band recordings. Included among the many stylistically diverse projects written and performed by an individual Dog is everything from CBS and Nickelodeon cartoon themes to award winning music created for Steven Spielberg and Dream Works’ very first interactive video game. The guys have also worked with Americana artists Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris and Mary Gothier.

A Lost Dogs performance is at once keenly observational, charmingly eccentric, funny, poignant, and profoundly moving. For years, the Dogs have quietly dazzled the folk/country underground with their unique talents. Each year brings them more recognition and critical acclaim, and they have most recently been invited to share the bill with George Jones, Dierks Bentley, Delbert McClinton and Weird Al.

For more information check out the Lost Dogs at www.thelostdogs.com

Stonebridge Community Church

2010-04-10T05:16:00.000-04:00

I am really excited to be a part of launching a new church in Rockbridge County, Virginia. LCC is mothering this new work, and it is great to be a part of something God is going to use to change a region. Stay plugged in to RevShortridge.com for more information on this exciting next step for LCC!

Here is the new church's website. You can be a part of this effort by visiting their site and posting some links on the net to help them get some web visibility before launching.

Happiness at LCC

2010-04-09T06:45:00.000-04:00

The economy is down, relationships are stressed, and life can be hard in 2010. It doesn't have to be hard though. This weekend, we begin a new series about finding happiness in any situation. Happiness doesn't depend on us; it depends on who God is.

Don't miss this new series-- it will change how you live life!

Sundays at 9, 10:30 and noon at LCC.

Human Trafficking and LCC

2010-04-08T07:17:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I mentioned that not all things on earth are good. God can work them together for good, but some things are terrible by themselves. I made the statement that some LCCer should do something about some of my examples. LCCers have been doing great at building homes in Haiti (built 5 so far), but there are still other things we need to work on. One is the Africa Oasis Project. LCCers have drilled a few wells in Africa since we began this project, but I think we need to drill more.

The need that stuck in my brain when I spoke about bad things on earth was human trafficking. When I said it, I said we had to do something about it. I had no idea what could be done, but I knew we needed to do something. Here is a video from a couple that is doing something about it. The video is for Speed the Light (a mission sending organization that Fusion supports), but it gives some ideas.

You can give to Homes for Haiti, Africa Oasis, Speed the Light, or our emerging efforts to stop human trafficking by giving here (note the ministry you want to give to in the note section). I am praying that some of you will be interested in doing even more than giving money. I would love to explore how LCC can do something to change our world together with you.

Prosperity Gospel

2010-04-07T06:41:00.000-04:00

Speaking of Mark Driscoll, check out his take on prosperity gospel. I am not so sure that prosperity gospel emerged as an infomercial, but I agree that it is certainly how it is used today. It actually emerged, in my opinion, in Driscoll's own Calvinistic camp. Max Weber's theory is that Calvinism forces people to prove their salvation as part of the elect by exhibiting wealth. Weber calls this the force behind American Capitalism. Prosperity gospel is certainly a marketing tool in many hands, but it is American culture that drives it. We like the instant fix and prosperity of the prosperity preachers.

I am all for prosperity, but I define prosperity as proximity to God and not financial wealth. Wealth is temporary (the down economy proves this), but Jesus is eternal. We don't need wealth to prove our relationship with Jesus.

Legalistic Religious Nuts

2010-04-06T09:33:00.003-04:00

Mark Driscoll is a thinker in the church that I don't always agree with, but he is a sharp thinker. Here are his tips on becoming a religious legalist (or as we refer to them at LCC religious nut cases). Take a minute to reflect on this list and ask God to reveal where you might be becoming a legalist. Nothing will take you further away from a genuine relationship with Jesus more than letting any of these in your life.

Alive!

2010-04-04T05:03:00.000-04:00

The greatest news ever! Jesus is alive! Jesus wasn't raised from the dead; He was resurrected. Lazarus was raised from the dead, but he died again. Jesus came back from the dead and lives still today. Because He lives we have hope, our fear of death is gone, and we have Him at the right hand of God to intercede for us.

We don't serve a past God or a dead God; we serve a Living God! He is alive and that means I can be too. His death means we can die to our past. His life means we can live to our future!

Discover how to live at LCC today-- 9, 10:30, and noon! (or at Grace Miller at 6:30 am)

Waiting for Easter

2010-04-03T05:30:00.000-04:00

Good Friday was yesterday, and Easter is tomorrow. Today is just a day in between. I always wondered what the disciples did on this day. They were scattered on Good Friday, but it seems they regathered before Easter morning. Today was maybe like the day after a funeral. Maybe they were going through Kubler-Ross' stages of grief. Some were denying the events of good Friday, some were angry, some were bargaining, and some were accepting. They had followed Jesus for three years, and now He was gone.

I imagine they were planning their future. Some had left careers, family, and their future to follow Jesus, and now they had to figure out how to go on. They were facing embarrassment, financial strain, and hard work to get their life back. Like some of us, they had given all and it looked like there was not going to be a payoff.

If only they had paid attention to Jesus. He said He was coming back on the third day. They would have been waiting at the tomb. They would have thrown a victory party before the actual victory. Our faith is similar-- He has promised us success, a future, provision, and power. We ignore the promise and feel defeated. If only we would focus on His promises and tomorrow instead of our problems and today.

Don't miss LCC tonight at 6pm at LCC, tomorrow at 6:30 at Grace Miller E.S., and at 9, 10:30, and noon at LCC tomorrow. I promise you will leave with a new focus!

The Passion of Good Friday

2010-04-02T05:00:00.001-04:00

Good Friday is the day we reflect on the cross and Jesus' suffering for us. If we walk with him from Gethsemane the night before to the ninth hour and his cry, "It is finished" we can see his love for us all over every moment. Sunday, we celebrate resurrection, but today we look at sacrifice. There is always a sacrifice before any resurrection-- including ours.

Don't let today pass by as if it were any other day. Here are some ideas to make it a day that will change you:

-- Read the accounts of the cross in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Read them slowly and meditate on Christ's feelings, thoughts, and pain in the moments. Put yourself in the shoes of various persons in the accounts. How would you see Jesus in that moment. How does that affect how you see him now?

-- Watch Mel Gibson's artistic interpretation of the Passion. Although idealized and stylized, this film has power. Watch the film then take an hour in prayer.

-- Pray the stations of the cross. This is an ancient practice, but it helps focus on prayer. It has some elements not found in the Bible (Veronica), but you can put yourself in the place of a bystander wiping Jesus' brow. Take some time on each station and allow God to speak to you. What does it say to you in today's world?

The stations:

Jesus is Condemned to Die
Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross
Jesus Falls the First Time
Jesus Meets His Mother
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face
Jesus Falls the Second Time
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Jesus Falls the Third Time
Jesus is Stripped
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

-- Spend the day fasting and praying (or the hours between 9am and 3pm). He focused on you on the cross, focus on him today.

-- Stop by LCC and pray during the hours of 9am and 3pm. Pray especially that his passion for people is in us at LCC.

-- Spend some time inviting people to Easter at LCC (Services at 6pm Saturday at LCC, 6:30am at Grace Miller Elementary School, and at 9am, 10:30am and noon at LCC). Jesus' passion was for people, reflect his passion by sharing the same passion. Stop by LCC and pick up some postcards to hand out or just walk through your neighborhood praying for people and inviting those God allows you to speak to.

-- Listen to Bach's Matthaus-Passion. This is a great work for prayer or focusing on Christ on this day. Buy it here:

Or check out a small clip here:

-- Post some comments here to help us share in what the cross means to each other.

Last Supper Turning into a Buffet?

2010-04-01T07:10:00.000-04:00

Scientists have been analyzing the portion sizes at the Last Supper and discovered that the disciples are eating more than ever. They took the portion sizes of artist's depictions of the dinner party and have found a 70% increase in portion sizes.

If only we had an original photograph. Remember Jesus was accused of being a glutton and winebibber. Losing weight isn't easy, and maybe it would shed some light on the whole obesity thing.

Check out more on the study ">here.

Pastors with no Faith

2010-03-31T09:31:00.002-04:00

Faith is unique because it requires faith-- you can never be entirely sure of what you do not see. On the other hand, you can never be entirely sure of what you do see. Our eyes, brains, and emotions can fool us about reality even when it is plainly in front of us. Faith in God is, therefore, one of many ways of processing things. Then again, if God is real, he should show up in the lives of us humans. Faith then is not our perception entirely; it is trusting what we do see of God.

I will be the first to admit that my faith is sometimes challenging. When I try to understand God on my own terms, I confuse myself. God, however, has acted in my life and in the lives of LCCers on his terms. On his terms he is very real.

His terms in this age involve the power of the Holy Spirit. I am a Pentecostal because I came to see God on his terms. I preferred trying to grasp him on my terms, but he is unable to be understood on my terms (too much pride and self involved to see a God that would give himself to die for me). Once I encountered him in the power of his Spirit, I could never deny who he is. Sometimes I try (like when he is challenging me to take a faith step), but God is hard to deny when you encounter him personally.

I started thinking about all of this because I read an article that studied pastors who were still pastoring, but had lost all faith. Atheists in the pulpit certainly go a long way towards explaining powerlessness in American churches. I feel bad for these pastors. They are trying to understand God on their own terms, and it is impossible. They have hearts that want to help people, but they do not have the power to actually help them. An academic understanding of God will leave you confused, and they are confused.

My prayer is for a revival of understanding God on his terms. I really wrestled with the whole Pentecostal thing, but I could not deny the power of the disciples after Pentecost. Paul didn't minister out of his academic understanding; he minstered out of the power of an ongoing encounter with God in the Holy Spirit. I finally quit trying to understand God on my terms and accepted an encounter with him on his terms. If that means speaking in tongues or whatever God wants it to mean, so be it. There are good people in ministry that are very frustrated with faith. May their faith become reality as they encounter God in person and accept him as he is. He is never what we imagine or think he is; he is who he is. He is available to all of us, but it is on his terms. Sometimes his terms aren't dignified or academically verifiable, but he is God and he can do what he wants.

May God's Spirit be in these men and women who wrestle with faith!

Lost Dogs at LCC

2010-03-30T10:42:00.002-04:00

Another legend will be visiting LCC this Spring! The Lost Dogs, a legendary band made up of musicians that have played with many of the greats in the music industry, will be visiting us in May. This will be a free show, but come early as seating is limited.

Rick Heil at LCC

2010-03-30T10:37:00.003-04:00

I can't wait for SONICFLOOd's Rick Heil to visit LCC. Rick is one of the fathers of modern worship music, and he is doing a special show for us at LCC. This will be a small, intimate gathering with one of the legends of Christian music. Tickets are going fast. Let me know if you need any.

Snow Days

2010-02-06T17:29:00.005-05:00

Been a while since I posted to Revshortridge. I have been busy with class work and haven't had the time or brain power to keep up with posting. Hopefully this changes slowly over the next few months. I miss this forum.

This weekend we are cancelling services for the second week in a row due to snow. There just isn't any way to get the back roads clear in time, and power is out in most of the LCC area. I will miss all of you LCCers. Below is a piece I wrote for the newsletter:

This winter has been especially hard for our area. We have cancelled services more this year than we did the entire seven years of LCC combined.
Sometimes it is different to have a break, but there is a lot at stake when we cancel services. For instance:

Our relationships. We need to continue to encourage each other. Use Facebook, Twitter or something. Go to your home group.

Our finances. This year we have been put in a very bad financial situation through cancellations. If we cancel, keep giving. Mail it in or use the online payment link on our website.

Our discipleship. Keep reading your Bible, do a family church service at home. Whatever you do— keep growing.

Our worship. Get some praise and worship cd’s download some Hillsong worship from iTunes. Sing songs from a hymn book. You need weekly worship to be strong.

Our service. Some of our closings are due to sidewalk or parking issues. See if you can serve by keeping LCC open. Call the office to volunteer.

Our evangelism. It is hard to invite someone to church if we are closed. Use the time to connect with some new neighbors, shovel their walk than tell them about Jesus.

Thanksgiving Post

2009-11-26T15:39:00.002-05:00

I have been light with posting while I get through the crunch season in my Master's Degree program. I will start posting regularly again in January.

Today is Thanksgiving and I am thankful for Linda, my children, my family at LCC, and the chance to serve Jesus the way I do.

Book on Sex

2009-11-01T08:45:00.001-05:00

Here is a link to the book I mentioned today in the sermon on marriage.

Fido and the Rapture

2009-09-14T06:55:00.002-04:00

Ever wonder what will happen to Fido and Fluffy when the Rapture occurs? There is a new service for people that want the best in Tribulation care for their pets.

For a mere $110 they will make sure a certified atheist takes care of your pet if the Rapture should occur. Check out the web site here.

I am not sure what this says about us as Christians. Are we unbalanced in caring for our pets or just plain gullible. Billions of people will be left behind and we give the atheists $110 to care for our pets? Our priorities are out of whack. Shouldn't we put $110 into missions or church planting and bring some souls along with us?

Try clicking on this link and designating your giving to missions or church planting.

Life Changing Challenge

2009-09-12T06:46:00.000-04:00

Check out the B90x challenge from Elevation Church. Imagine how spiritually fit you could be if you accepted this challenge. Anyone up for it?

http://www.stevenfurtick.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/B90X.pdf

Movin' on Out

2009-09-11T06:34:00.000-04:00

I was looking at our membership roll at LCC the other day, and felt a bit sad when I looked over the list of people that are no longer members of LCC. Seems like I have lost some of my best friends. Some have moved away, some have moved on to other ministry, some have moved to other churches. I miss every one of them.

Truth of the matter, though, is that healthy churches in our area lose about 20% of members a year. People leaving the church is normal, and in some ways it can be healthy for a church. For an example, check out Ed Young, Jr.'s blog post on the subject.

Church planters and revitalizers: Don't be afraid to let go. God often builds by subtraction.

Class of 2013

2009-09-10T07:52:00.000-04:00

Beloit College has for years listed items that relate the the current Freshman class. Their list helps us older folks to keep up with the mindset of the next generation. Here is the list for 2013:

The Beloit College Mindset List for the Class of 2013

Most students entering college for the first time this fall were born in 1991.

1. For these students, Martha Graham, Pan American Airways, Michael Landon, Dr. Seuss, Miles Davis, The Dallas Times Herald, Gene Roddenberry, and Freddie Mercury have always been dead.

2. Dan Rostenkowski, Jack Kevorkian, and Mike Tyson have always been felons.

3. The Green Giant has always been Shrek, not the big guy picking vegetables.

4. They have never used a card catalog to find a book.

5. Margaret Thatcher has always been a former prime minister.

6. Salsa has always outsold ketchup.

7. Earvin "Magic" Johnson has always been HIV-positive.

8. Tattoos have always been very chic and highly visible.

9. They have been preparing for the arrival of HDTV all their lives.

10. Rap music has always been main stream.

11. Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream has always been a flavor choice.

12. Someone has always been building something taller than the Willis (née Sears) Tower in Chicago.

13. The KGB has never officially existed.

14. Text has always been hyper.

15. They never saw the "Scud Stud" (but there have always been electromagnetic stud finders.)

16. Babies have always had a Social Security Number.

17. They have never had to "shake down" an oral thermometer.

18. Bungee jumping has always been socially acceptable.

19. They have never understood the meaning of R.S.V.P.

20. American students have always lived anxiously with high-stakes educational testing.

21. Except for the present incumbent, the President has never inhaled.

22. State abbreviations in addresses have never had periods.

23. The European Union has always existed.

24. McDonald's has always been serving Happy Meals in China.

25. Condoms have always been advertised on television.

26. Cable television systems have always offered telephone service and vice versa.

27. Christopher Columbus has always been getting a bad rap.

28. The American health care system has always been in critical condition.

29. Bobby Cox has always managed the Atlanta Braves.

30. Desperate smokers have always been able to turn to Nicoderm skin patches.

31. There has always been a Cartoon Network.

32. The nation's key economic indicator has always been the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

33. Their folks could always reach for a Zoloft.

34. They have always been able to read books on an electronic screen.

35. Women have always outnumbered men in college.

36. We have always watched wars, coups, and police arrests unfold on television in real time.

37. Amateur radio operators have never needed to know Morse code.

38. Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Latvia, Georgia, Lithuania, and Estonia have always been independent nations.

39. It's always been official: President Zachary Taylor did not die of arsenic poisoning.

40. Madonna's perspective on Sex has always been well documented.

41. Phil Jackson has always been coaching championship basketball.

42. Ozzy Osbourne has always been coming back.

43. Kevin Costner has always been Dancing with Wolves, especially on cable.

44. There have always been flat screen televisions.

45. They have always eaten Berry Berry Kix.

46. Disney's Fantasia has always been available on video, and It's a Wonderful Life has always been on Moscow television.

47. Smokers have never been promoted as an economic force that deserves respect.

48. Elite American colleges have never been able to fix the price of tuition.

49. Nobody has been able to make a deposit in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI).

50. Everyone has always known what the evening news was before the Evening News came on.

51. Britney Spears has always been heard on classic rock stations.

52. They have never been Saved by the Bell

53. Someone has always been asking: "Was Iraq worth a war?"

54. Most communities have always had a mega-church.

55. Natalie Cole has always been singing with her father.

56. The status of gays in the military has always been a topic of political debate.

57. Elizabeth Taylor has always reeked of White Diamonds.

58. There has always been a Planet Hollywood.

59. For one reason or another, California's future has always been in doubt.

60. Agent Starling has always feared the Silence of the Lambs.

61. "Womyn" and "waitperson" have always been in the dictionary.

62. Members of Congress have always had to keep their checkbooks balanced since the closing of the House Bank.

63. There has always been a computer in the Oval Office.

64. CDs have never been sold in cardboard packaging.

65. Avon has always been "calling" in a catalog.

66. NATO has always been looking for a role.

67. Two Koreas have always been members of the UN.

68. Official racial classifications in South Africa have always been outlawed.

69. The NBC Today Show has always been seen on weekends.

70. Vice presidents of the United States have always had real power.

71. Conflict in Northern Ireland has always been slowly winding down.

72. Migration of once independent media like radio, TV, videos and compact discs to the computer has never amazed them.

73. Nobody has ever responded to "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up."

74. Congress could never give itself a mid-term raise.

75. There has always been blue Jell-O.

Check out the college at http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/

Be a Real Man!

2009-09-09T06:50:00.000-04:00

The art of being a man seems to be a missing art. Seems a shame because there is a need for real men in our society.

Good news is I found a great web site to learn all things manly. Check it out here.

Dont Forget the Nines

2009-09-09T04:30:00.000-04:00

The Nines from Todd Rhoades on Vimeo.

Earl Creps at LCC

2009-09-08T07:30:00.000-04:00

Earl Creps will be visiting us at LCC next month. (Oct 18 at all 3 Sunday services) Earl is a great thinker and adventurous church planter. Don't miss this one-- Earl is one of the great thinkers in the church today.

To help you get acquainted with Dr. Creps here are some of his books and a link to his blog:

http://www.earlcreps.com/

The Nines

2009-09-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

I just discovered this great online conference. It is by Leadership Network and it is free! That is a winning combination. Unfortunately, I will be in class on 9/9/09 at 9:09 AM. Those of you on my staff and interested in rising in leadership at LCC shouldn't miss this.

For more check out the web site here. Preregistration is required-- don't miss it.

Church Planting Boot Camp

2009-09-07T07:12:00.000-04:00

There is a great training event for potential church planters coming near us next month. I am determined to plant 7 churches in the next 7 years, and I need great planters to do it. If you are interested, let me know. I would love to connect with any potential planter or anyone interested in exploring planting.

Here is a link to the event.

Reading List for September

2009-09-06T20:25:00.002-04:00

I'm back in class this month. Here is some of the reading for September. Any of you willing to discuss any of these books and how they might fit at LCC?

A New Way to Fix the World's Problems!

2009-07-30T23:50:00.003-04:00

President Obama has decided to settle race relations once and for all with a beer. I wish someone would have thought about that back in the 60s. Could have saved a lot of marches and ugly stuff. So we now have beer diplomacy as a method in American politics.

Makes me wonder how this will play out on the world scene. The Germans will love it, and some wine with the French might help. The Muslim nations will not respond as well since they don't drink at all. Might have to try a non-alcoholic brew for them. Instead of economic stimulus we should have all went for a beer. When my mortgage company comes to foreclose, I am going to just offer them a beer.

This kind of thinking might work on Archie Bunker, but it seriously demeans the intelligence of Americans of all races. It also sends a wrong message to teens and children about alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant drug that in all actuality would hinder the ability to have a serious talk about race relations or any diplomacy.

Either Obama thinks we Americans are stupid beer guzzlers that don't know what alcohol really does, or he doesn't know it himself. I lived my life with the effects of alcohol, and it nearly destroyed me several times. I hope Obama's beer diplomacy doesn't destroy us.

The Big 4-0!

2009-07-25T16:24:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow, I turn 40. Some of you don't want to hear me whine because you turned 40 years ago, but I still feel like whining some. Age usually doesn't bother me, but this birthday is causing me to reflect on what I have done and what I may never get to do in life. Life seemed pretty wide open until recently, and at 40 it seems the options are narrowing.

My life goal is to reach 10000 people and to equip as many as possible to reach 10000 themselves. As I approach 40, I am thinking my strategy is going to have to change. I still need to reach over 9000 to get to my goal. My 40s must be a time of getting real with God's vision for me. Less room to experiment and more time spent doing what works.

On second thought, I can't wait to see what my 5th decade on Earth brings. I might look back on this post and think, "Why didn't I trust God to reach more people?" I might look back and see it was my greatest decade. I am finally old enough to have some idea of what I am doing, have a bit more authority to see it happen, and am more focused on the goal.

Whatever tomorrow brings, I am sure it will be a new chapter in my story. Can't wait to turn the page.

August Reading List

2009-07-21T22:09:00.002-04:00

Below are the books I am reading for August:

Is Twitter Taunting Christians in 140 Characters or Less?

2009-07-18T00:40:00.004-04:00

John Piper has started Twittering. Below are his reasons: (from DesiringGod.org)

Why and How I Am Tweeting

By John PiperJune 3, 2009

I see two kinds of response to social Internet media like blogging, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and others.

One says: These media tend to shorten attention spans, weaken discursive reasoning, lure people away from Scripture and prayer, disembody relationships, feed the fires of narcissism, cater to the craving for attention, fill the world with drivel, shrink the soul’s capacity for greatness, and make us second-handers who comment on life when we ought to be living it. So boycott them and write books (not blogs) about the problem.

The other response says: Yes, there is truth in all of that, but instead of boycotting, try to fill these media with as much provocative, reasonable, Bible-saturated, prayerful, relational, Christ-exalting, truth-driven, serious, creative pointers to true greatness as you can.

Together with the team at Desiring God, I lean toward response #2. “Lean” is different from “leap.” We are aware that the medium tends to shape the message. This has been true, more or less, with every new medium that has come along—speech, drawing, handwriting, print, books, magazines, newspapers, tracts, 16mm home movies, flannel-graph, Cinerama, movies, Gospel Blimps, TV, radio, cassette tapes, 8-Tracks, blackboards, whiteboards, overhead projection, PowerPoint, skits, drama, banners, CDs, MP3s, sky-writing, video, texting, blogging, tweeting, Mina-Bird-training, etc.

Dangers, dangers everywhere. Yes. But it seems to us that aggressive efforts to saturate a media with the supremacy of God, the truth of Scripture, the glory of Christ, the joy of the gospel, the insanity of sin, and the radical nature of Christian living is a good choice for some Christians. Not all. Everyone should abstain from some of these media. For example, we don’t have a television.

That’s my general disposition toward media.

Now what about Twitter? I find Twitter to be a kind of taunt: “Okay, truth-lover, see what you can do with 140 characters! You say your mission is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things! Well, this is one of those ‘all things.’ Can you magnify Christ with this thimble-full of letters?”

To which I respond:

The sovereign Lord of the earth and sky
Puts camels through a needle’s eye.
And if his wisdom see it mete,
He will put worlds inside a tweet.

So I am not inclined to tweet that at 10AM the cat pulled the curtains down. But it might remind me that the Lion of Judah will roll up the heavens like a garment, and blow out the sun like a candle, because he just turned the light on. That tweet might distract someone from pornography and make them look up.

I’ve been tweeting anonymously for a month mainly to test its spiritual and family effects on me. In spite of all the dangers, it seems like a risk worth taking. “All things were created through Christ and for Christ” (Colossians 1:16). The world does not know it, but that is why Twitter exists and that’s why I Tweet.

By his grace and for his glory,

Pastor John

I Twitter mostly for the relational connection, but Piper has over 18,000 followers. I now have 125 followers on Twitter, and it has changed my tweets. I don't know most of my followers. Piper's advice is good-- I wonder if I can Twitter something that makes an addict think before using?

Still not Twittering? Set up an account and follow me! http://twitter.com/revshortridge

Flight 93 Memorial

2009-07-15T15:17:00.003-04:00

We stopped by the flight 93 memorial yesterday. I have been there before, but it still has a strange feel. Eight years after 9/11 it still feels like yesterday.

Thank God for people that stand up for what they believe. There were heroes on flight 93.

The memorial is also located in one of the prettiest areas on Earth. The Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania are a motorcycle rider's dream. Especially Rt. 30.

Pittsburgh

2009-07-15T15:09:00.005-04:00

I have been riding my motorcycle this week with some great friends and brilliant pastors. We are in Pittsburgh.

Only pastors really get other pastors, and it is great to have good friends to spend time with. The best part is that most of these friends are also Apostolic leaders that are planting churches at the rate we would like to at LCC. It is encouraging to hear their experiences in mothering churches.

I am excited about planting again! We have two couples that will be planting next year. Any of you blog readers out there ready to plant?

Pacifist Church?

2009-07-11T18:01:00.002-04:00

I have posted a few times about the Assemblies of God and its early pacifist position. I wrestle with this as any Christian should. At heart, peace is our goal, but we live in a world that is far from peace. Where is the line? Aggressive pacifism or aggressive police action?

I have been meaning to give this more thought and do a full post on it. Good news is, Paul Grabill beat me to it. Read his article here. It will bring up some issues and thoughts to further this conversation.

Cyberstalking

2009-07-11T17:22:00.003-04:00

I enjoy posting to this blog. It helps clarify my thoughts, and I have met some interesting people here at Revshortridge. I have been rather light in posting lately, however.

I had a cyberstalker. What is a cyberstalker? Here is Wikipedia's definition: the use of information and communications technology, particularly the Internet, by an individual or group of individuals, to harass another individual, group of individuals, or organization. The behavior includes false accusations, monitoring, the transmission of threats, identity theft, damage to data or equipment, the solicitation of minors for sexual purposes, and gathering information for harassment purposes. The harassment must be such that a reasonable person, in possession of the same information, would regard it as sufficient to cause another reasonable person distress.

I hate to admit it, but it freaked me out a bit. I have never had someone look into my postings so hard. They even wrote letters trying to get me removed from pastoring LCC. I hate to abandon Revshortridge, so I guess I will try again.

Here are a few things I have learned:

Make sure you are clear in your postings. It is easy to be misunderstood.

Keep copies of everything. Some of the postings by this stalker were so offensive that I deleted them immediately. I should have kept copies.

Make sure your church supports your blogging or that you are clear that it is your personal blog and that it might not reflect the church's opinion.

Keep blogging-- there are stalker types everywhere. We keep living and we keep blogging.

One of My Heroes

2009-06-25T11:15:00.003-04:00

Gerry Stoltzfoos is one of my heroes in faith. He has blessed me many times and was the catalyst behind LCC for a long time. He was recently asked to pray at the PA state legislature. In typical Gerry fashion, it ended up in the news.

Read the article here.

I have learned to pray in a non-offensive way in a mixed faith crowd, and I am certain Gerry has as well. It seems odd to even invite religious leaders to pray if you are going to edit the prayer. I am glad there are people like Gerry that are willing to take a stand.

Father's Prayer

2009-06-22T12:13:00.001-04:00

Here is a copy of the prayer we prayed for fathers yesterday. As written here it is written by Dr. David Lim.

I cover my wife and children with the love of Jesus and the blood of Jesus

I am the spiritual gateway to this family

No enemy can attack unless he comes through me first

I reject the attack of the enemy

Church Life Cohort Month 10

2009-06-16T22:04:00.003-04:00

I am spending the week with Dr. David Lim from Grace Assembly of God in Singapore. We are exploring how the Holy Spirit operates in the church. Dr. Lim is challenging a lot of what I thought I knew about the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts in the church.

Here are a few thoughts that challenged me today:

All of the spiritual gifts are for all the people.

All acts are prophetic acts.

All of us look at God through "filters" that affect our accurate view of Him. We, however, become like the god we are serving.

The early church was moved forward with first class ministries, focus on essence not form, treatment of all people as first class, desire to bring God glory, the Holy Spirit's intervention, a multi-cultural base, deliberate sending, unity within the larger church, sovereignty of local churches.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a relationship not an event.

Dr. Lim is challenging, but he is also inspiring outside the class. His passion for his church is inspiring. Grace A/G meets on a lot less than an acre in size. We feel cramped at LCC with 300 people on an acre. They have 3000 on less than an acre. (They also have seventeen services per weekend.) It is going to be a great week.

Proper Dress for Church

2009-06-12T16:46:00.002-04:00

We have been trying to put together some policies at LCC. Most of them are things we already do, but some of them have been a bit sticky. We started with a template from an older, established church in the South and have edited extensively.

The stickiest point has been dress for staff and pastors. The original template spelled out pressed suits with shined shoes, short hair, no tattoos, no piercings, and socks. We edited it once to say clean clothes and shoes, and have finally reverted to our former motto-- "As long as it it legal."

Personally, I will wear whatever it takes to reach people. Jeff Leake recently posted on this subject. I always appreciate Jeff's perspective.

One Day Lard Will Be Health Food

2009-06-11T16:44:00.002-04:00

Remember when eggs were bad for you and coffee was supposed to be kept to one cup a day? Now coffee, chocolate, wine, eggs, and many of the things we grew up thinking would kill you are actually good for you. One day they will say eating lard isn't bad for you. Hold on... this new article says just that-- lard is good for you. The trans fats we replaced lard with kill us and lard is a good, natural product that is quite healthy. It doesn't even raise cholesterol levels.

A few observations:

Sometimes science (dietitians, medicine...) have no idea what they are talking about.

We are all going to die one day. It would be a shame to die perfectly healthy.

Can't wait to get some lard in the house. (Better hurry before they change their minds.)

Mattress Money

2009-06-10T16:05:00.003-04:00

Just read an article about a woman that decided to surprise her mother with a new mattress. Problem was her mother had been stuffing the old one with money for years. Turns out she had over one million dollars in her mattress. Obviously the race is on to find the mattress in the landfill.

I love what the mother had to say, "'The heart is crying but you know we could have been in a car accident or had a terminal disease." She also said, It's a very, very sad story but I've been through worse. It's a matter of proportions in life ... people need to know how to accept the good and the bad in life."

I once put a $100 bill in a book for safekeeping, and I still don't remember what book it was. I miss my $100. I think I would miss my million dollar mattress more.

What is the craziest place you ever stashed money?

America's Future

2009-05-28T08:48:00.000-04:00

I saw some news footage yesterday of people burning flags. Many are saying America's best days are behind them, and that it is downhill from here.

Everyone gets an opinion, but I am having trouble believing we are giving up so easy. I read a copy of a speech given by Rep. Tom McClintock. Read it here.

Seems like some Americans still believe in America. We could use a few more from Rep. McClintock. I like the sound of "the eve of the American re-awakening"