Who Are We? What It Means to Be Pentecostal

ISSUE 17 / MAY_JUNE 2018

MELISSA QUINONES / BETH BACKES / TODD BISHOP

The Future Is Now: 7 Trends Impacting the Church A Church for Babies & Boomers Digital Ministry: The Wave of the Future

MAGAZINE

THE SHAPE OF LEADERSHIP

INFLUENCE MAGAZINE

SUBSCRIPTIONS

1445 N. Boonville Avenue Springfield, MO 65802-1894

To subscribe, go to influencemagazine.com or call 1.855.642.2011. Individual one-year subscriptions are $15.

Bulk one-year subscriptions are $10 per subscriptions, for a minimum of six or more. For additional subscription rates, contact subscribe@influencemagazine.com.

Please send all other feedback, requests and questions to feedback@influencemagazine.com.

Influence magazine is published by Influence Resources.

Publisher: Douglas E. Clay Executive Director, Influence Resources: Chris Railey Executive Editor: George P. Wood Managing Editor: Rick Knoth Assistant Editor: Christina Quick Senior Editor: John Davidson Contributing Editor: Chris Colvin Designers: Steve Lopez, Randy Clute, Beyond Creative Advertising Coordinator: Ron Kopczick

CONTRIBUTORS Beth Backes, Todd Bishop, Stephen Blandino, Doug Clay, Chris Colvin, Angela Craig, Hope Danzl, Joe Franco, Severin Lwali, Johan Mostert, Joey and Melissa Quinones, Chris Railey, Mike Santiago, Amy Turnage, Josh Wellborn, Jarrid Wilson, George P. Wood

SPECIAL THANKS Douglas E. Clay, Alton Garrison, James T. Bradford, Rick DuBose, Greg Mundis, Malcolm Burleigh

EDITORIAL For info or queries, contact editor@influencemagazine.com.

ADVERTISING Display rates available upon request. Contact advertising@influencemagazine.com. By accepting an advertisement, Influence does not endorse any advertiser or product. We reserve the right to reject advertisements not consistent with the magazine’s objectives.

Website: influencemagazine.com Twitter: @theinfluencemag Facebook: facebook.com/theinfluencemag Instagram: @theinfluencemag

Copyright © 2018 by The General Council of the Assemblies of God, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802-1894. Permissions required for reprints. All rights reserved.

All materials published herein including, but not limited to articles, photographs, images, and illustrations are protected by copyright and owned or controlled

by Influence magazine of The General Council of the Assemblies of God. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide, www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Influence magazine (ISSN: 2470-6795) is published six times a year in January, March, May, July, September, and November for $15 per year by Influence Resources (1445 N. Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802-1894).

Periodicals postage paid at Springfield, Missouri, and at other mailing offices. Printed in the U.S.A.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to Influence magazine: 1445 N. Boonville Avenue Springfield, MO 65802-1894

CONTENTS

COLUMNS

8 If You Ask Me R E F L E C T I O N S O N L E A D E R S H I P

p12

Eye-Opening Influence

10 Get Set L E A D E R S I M PA C T I N G T H E C H U R C H A N D C U LT U R E

Walking in the Land Where Jesus Taught A Q&A with Amy Turnage

12 Like a Leader TOOLS FOR PERSONAL AND CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH

• Live: Fighting Off Discouragement

• Think: Digital Ministry: The Wave of the Future

• Learn: Resources for You and Your Team

22 Playbook S T R AT E G I E S F O R E F F E C T I V E M I N I S T R Y

• Build: Capacity and Stability:

Hope and Help for Foster Parents

• Know: The New Reality: Principles of

Ministry to Nontraditional Family Structures

• Invest: A Church for Babies & Boomers

30 Perspectives O N E I S S U E , T W O P E R S P E C T I V E S O N M AT T E R S A F F E C T I N G T O D AY ’ S C H U R C H

Should Churches Go Outside to Fill Leadership Positions or Hire from Within?

4

p32

ISSUE_17 / MAY 2018_JUNE 2018

p42

32 WHO ARE WE? WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PENTECOSTAL

FEATURES

In a world that is increasingly hostile to God’s truth, Jesus calls us to live as people of the Spirit.

42 #CHURCHTOO Sexual misconduct is prevalent in every segment of our society, and the Church is not immune. Here are three changes we must make now.

52 THE FUTURE IS NOW: 7 TRENDS IMPACTING THE CHURCH Being aware of shifting trends better prepares leaders to meet the needs of a broken world.

Here are seven trends that all pastors, preachers and church leaders should track.

61 Multipliers

p52

p61

DEPARTMENTS

LEADERS LEVERAGING THEIR GIFTS FOR GOD’S KINGDOM

• Offering to Help Opens Doors • The Big Deal on Taking Small Steps • Rallying a Generation Around God • From Friendship to Leadership

70 Make It Count AN EIGHT-WEEK STUDY FOR LEADERSHIP TEAMS

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making

p70

80 The Final Note Reclaiming the Great Commission

5

IF YOU ASK ME

Reflections on leadership

Eye-Opening Influence ost would agree that leadership influence is a more powerful force than positional authority. I’ve become more convinced of this as I function in my current role, one that depends almost completely on influence rather than position. Positional authority is limited, but the ability to effect change to impact others through personal influence is limitless.

Leadership influence is acquired and spent in many ways, but I believe one of the most effective ways to gain and spend influence involves vision. Not the vision statement or bigpicture dreaming leaders usually talk about.

I’m talking about teaching people how and what to see. Specifically, you can acquire and spend leadership influence by shaping how those around you see the world around them.

A life of influence results from teaching people how and what to see over an extended period of time.

Much of the work Jesus did with His disciples involved simply teaching them how to see and perceive the world around them.

In Matthew 8:18–22, for example, Jesus meets two seemingly willing participants in the cause, people who appear ready to leave what they knew and follow Jesus. The response Jesus gives them is curious, however.

To the first would-be follower, He responds with something about foxes and birds and no place to lay His head. To the second, He says there’s no time to bury your father; let the dead bury themselves! Not exactly how we typically think about team building or vision casting. However, Jesus always seemed to reframe how the people around Him saw the world around them — moving them from material to spiritual, their kingdom to His, and old structures of authority to new ones.

The Gospels contain one encounter after another where Jesus taught people how and what and whom to see. Leadership, to a great

M

Chris Railey, D.Min., is executive director of Influence Resources and senior director of leadership and church development ministries for The General Council of the Assemblies of God, U.S.A.

8

extent — and discipleship as well, involves shaping how people see.

As I reflect on the leaders who most influenced the way I see and perceive the world, they have some things in common. To put it in prescriptive terms …

1. Do the hard work to establish trust. It’s difficult to influence another person without first establishing trust.

2. See people in growth terms, not your need.

Leaders who value positional authority tend to do things to maintain their authority. Influential leaders who impact the way others see the world focus on helping others grow, regardless of what they can give in return.

3. Create moments that matter. We shape vision when we create moments that matter and capitalize on existing moments in a way that marks the memory of those we lead.

Influence is a powerful force, and with it comes the opportunity to shape the world around us by teaching people what and how to see. Today’s issues and tomorrow’s reality require thoughtful leaders who teach people how to see like Jesus.

In this issue of Influence, you will find future-looking articles that demand clear vision. In our cover story, General Superintendent Doug Clay gives a fresh perspective on an old issue: “What It Means to Be Pentecostal.” Next, Beth Backes discusses sexual abuse and the Church in an article titled: “#ChurchToo.” Finally, I write about seven trends impacting the Church and how those trends may impact ministry.

Finally, the editors hope this issue of Influence serves you well in seeing and shaping the world around you.

GET SET

Leaders impacting the church and culture

4 QUESTIONS WITH AMY TURNAGE

Walking in the Land Where Jesus Taught Amy Turnage serves as the director of the Center for Holy Lands Studies, a department at the Assemblies of God national office in Springfield, Missouri. CHLS was created to resource the local church by enhancing biblical literacy through teaching and guiding tours in the lands of the Bible. Turnage’s love for the Bible, her educational credentials, and her experience living in Israel give her a unique perspective to lead CHLS.

“Experiencing the geography of the Holy Lands firsthand impacts participants as the biblical story comes alive.”

INFLUENCE: Tell us about yourself.

TURNAGE: I grew up in Lynden, Washington,

and attended Calvin College, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in biblical studies and theology. After college, I moved to Jerusalem to pursue an M.A. at Jerusalem University College. I studied New Testament backgrounds/Jewish history of the Second Temple period. I lived in Israel for a total of 6 years and then moved with my family to Belgium, where I taught classes at Continental Theological Seminary.

Why do pastors need to study the Bible in the lands of the Bible?

Studying the Bible in the Holy Lands equips pastors to gain an understanding of God’s Word in the context of the biblical text itself.

Experiencing the geography of the land firsthand impacts participants as the biblical story comes alive. Walking in the land where Jesus taught allows pastors to become part of the biblical story in a manner that they could not understand any other way. For example, here are three leadership lessons when visiting the lands of the Bible.

1. Leading in the desert. The desert of the Negev holds the location of Moses leading the Children of Israel for 40 years. When CHLS visits the area where Moses strikes the rock for the second time and water pours out, we discuss how what should have been a miracle by God turns into a moment of praise for Moses. By striking instead of speaking, Moses 10

received the glory — not God. Obedience in our desert times is of utmost importance.

2. Jesus leading in the wilderness. When we think of “wilderness,” we think of a desert environment, similar to the Negev. The Gospels tell us Jesus is in the wilderness, either secluding himself or preaching, teaching and leading His disciples. In Hebrew/Greek, wilderness often means “uninhabited pasture lands.” The area is the Galilee, which changes our understanding of the context in which Jesus taught. It also serves as a reminder the wilderness is not always what we expect it to be.

3. Leading in the face of adversity. Jerusalem is often our last toured city. The excavated priestly homes near the temple explain the adversity Jesus encountered. The homes are examples of very lavish lifestyles. Deuteronomy 18 forbids priests from acquiring power and wealth.

By speaking against this, Jesus threatened the chief priests’ power, money and authority, which eventually lead to His death. His message of loving God and one’s neighbor as oneself, even in the face of adversity, and again on the cross, is magnified to its fullest in Jerusalem.

What do you hope people walk away with when returning from a trip to the Holy Lands?

I hope people will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the entirety of God’s Word so that it will enrich their devotional lives and impact how they live each day.

What is your vision for CHLS now and in the future?

The vision for CHLS is that individuals of all ages and local churches in the denomination will grow in their understanding of God’s Word. We are achieving this by promoting quality educational and spiritual opportunities through tours and by enhancing the curriculum of the Assemblies of God.

11

LIVE LIKE A LEADER

Fighting Off Discouragement TODD BISHOP

Whoever has our ear will have our heart.

Be careful what voices you allow to speak into your life.

’m not sure how you process decisions or results, but I analyze. That comes at a price because I can become discouraged when things don’t go as planned. Every great leader battles discouragement.

I have learned that if the enemy can keep you down, he will stop you from your destiny. Fight off those feelings of defeat! Difficulty usually comes in seasons. That’s why you must work through discouraging moments.

I

Stay Faithful

Through every challenge, stay consistently faithful. My wife and I started our church 10 years ago, and there have been many lows and highs. One week, when I was feeling especially discouraged, I received a call from a great friend, David Crosby. He said, “Todd, God puts the sharpest tools in the hardest soil.”

Choose to be faithful where you are.

Remember God’s Promises

Todd Bishop is lead pastor of Church Unleashed (AG) in Hicksville, New York.

12

If God gave you a promise, dream and vision for your life, treasure those things. I find myself rereading old prayers I wrote years ago. They energize me because they remind me of God’s promises! I talked with God about nearly every miracle we have experienced — in our family or church — long before it happened. Never forget what God has promised.

Focus on Solutions, Not Problems

When you are down, it is usually a focus issue.

If you are looking for the negative, you will find it. Some people see solutions to every problem.

Others see problems to every solution. What’s the difference? Focus.

Leaders see solutions. Your focus will always determine your forecast.

Keep Your Joy High

Choose to smile; your emotions will catch up. Focus on how God is moving in your life.

Certain seasons are difficult for pastors. You cannot fall into the comparison trap. It is a dangerous prison that will suck the life out of you and kill your joy.

Scripture declares that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Find joy in each day. It will help you fight off discouragement.

Hear From Positive People

I’ve changed some of my relationships because they became voices of negativity. Surround yourself with “Yes we can people.” Whoever has our ear will have our heart. Be careful what voices you allow to speak into your life.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Get the right people around you and stop letting the negative voices distract you. Miserable people will crush your dreams, hopes and spirit.

Never Give Up

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Stay strong. Keep pushing. You will get where God promised you would be. God is always doing something behind the scenes. Creating discouragement is one of the enemy’s tactics.

The enemy fights hardest those God wants to take the highest. The Lord handcrafted your destiny. Trust Him for the journey.

THINK LIKE A LEADER

Digital Ministry: The Wave of the Future ANGELA CRAIG

Many pastors worry that online churches will decrease in-person attendance and discipleship.

Angela Craig is lead pastor at Pursuit Church Live and an adjunct professor at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington.

14

hen I ask pastors what area of ministry presents the biggest challenge in today’s church, they inevitably talk about attendance.

Based on the most recent figures from Barna Research, 38 percent of U.S. adults are active churchgoers, while 43 percent are unchurched — meaning they haven’t attended services in the last 6 months, apart from a wedding or funeral. Around one-third of Americans (34 percent) are “dechurched”; these formerly active churchgoers have not attended services for at least six months.

These statistics are probably no surprise to you. Most pastors I know struggle with people’s waning interest in church attendance and activities.

This leads us to an important question: How can we fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) if most people no longer attend a brick-and-mortar church?

Before planting Pursuit Church Live (PCL), we considered this challenge with great seriousness and in-depth research. We looked for

W

the place where those not attending a traditional church are gathering.

We found that place online.

On September 1, 2017, we launched PCL. Not only are we an online church, but we are also the first church in the world to host its main campus on Facebook.

Many churches already have an online presence through a Facebook page that doubles as a church bulletin. Others stream their messages online to a website or Facebook page. These are a good start, but they are different than an online church. An online church serves those who cannot or will not attend. It is a place of interaction, engagement and community.

Many pastors worry that online churches will decrease in-person attendance and discipleship. Others object that they don’t have the time, money or volunteer power to manage an online church. These are understandable concerns.

At PCL, we discovered that digital ministry is actually the answer to these objections.

With a small budget (around $50 a week) and

like-minded volunteers, an online church gives us the opportunity to dedicate our time to inviting and engaging people in a life of faith and purpose, getting them plugged in to a local community, and releasing them as missionaries to the world.

Here are 10 practical steps your church can take to increase your influence through digital ministry: 1. Be intentional. Integrate digital ministry into the core strategy of your church to reach people who are not attending church.

Think of online church as your “front porch� to faith. It is a safe place for people to find out who you are.

2. Ask three people to give feedback on your current digital presence. Before you ask, consider the demographic you want to reach, and then ask people within this demographic to share their opinions. When possible, make the changes they suggest.

3. Invite like-minded people to be digital missionaries. Right now, there are people in your church who spend a good portion of their day connecting online. Many desire to serve but have physical or time constraints.

Digital ministry overcomes these obstacles by giving people the opportunity to do purposeful ministry anytime, from anywhere.

4. Train volunteers. Online volunteers need training in cyber security and online discipleship. At PCL, we have a social media checklist that everyone must sign and adhere to. This removes the fear in online discipleship.

5. Try Facebook Live. Facebook Live allows you to stream and save your messages to your Facebook page. It is free and effective. Set up your cell phone on a tripod, or ask someone in your congregation do the recording for you. I suggest going live after worship to avoid copyright and licensing issues with music.

6. Ask your congregation to share your Facebook Live stream. This is an incredible way to teach and empower each person 16

Many desire to serve but have physical or time constraints. Digital ministry overcomes these obstacles by giving people the opportunity to do purposeful ministry anytime, from anywhere. to share his or her faith with friends and family members.

7. When using Facebook Live, welcome your online community, and give them a call to action. Help online attendees feel included with a shout-out at the beginning and end of your talk. At PCL, we offer three options: respond in the comments, send us a message, or fill out the connection card we post in the comments.

8. Consider boosting your post. You can boost a post starting at $3. Facebook also gives you the option to choose the demographic you want to reach. It is a minimal cost to reach the lost.

9. Follow up. At PCL, we believe every like and every comment is an invitation and opportunity to encourage, engage and invite.

10. Don’t be afraid to try new things. At PCL, we have found ways to incorporate all five practices of the church: fellowship, discipleship, service, worship and evangelism.

Be innovative.

If you are still wondering how you will implement the change you need to increase your influence using a digital platform, start by trying one new thing.

The last world population count reported 7.6 billion people in the world. Each month, two billion people across the globe are on Facebook. That does not include every other digital platform. Let that sink in for a moment.

The lost and the unreached are literally a click away. Can you imagine how our churches could grow if each one took the great opportunity to reach the world through digital ministry?

17

LEARN LIKE A LEADER Resources for you and your team

While many people early in my spiritual journey had recommended I try writing in a journal, I decided that blogging was more up my alley.

The Blogging Pastor JARRID WILSON Jarrid Wilson is a husband, dad, pastor, author and inspirational blogger. He blogs at jarridwilson.com.

His newest book, Jesus Swagger, is available worldwide.

18

logging is something I started doing the moment I became a believer in Jesus. It wasn’t because I had dreams of becoming a writer, or even because I felt I was good at it. I simply wanted to document my journey of faith with people and share with them what I was learning along the way.

Blogging has always been a great way for me

B

to share insights, connect with other pastors, and get critiques about specific thoughts and ideas. And while many people early in my spiritual journey had recommended I try writing in a journal, I decided that blogging was more up my alley. Ten years later, it’s still something I do frequently, and I believe it’s been paramount to my spiritual growth in Jesus.

I frequently get messages from pastors and aspiring authors with questions about blogging: • Where do I start?

• What do I write about?

• What if nobody reads it? (continued on page 21)

BOOKS

Immerse: The Reading Bible Here is a product that offers church leaders a well-thought-out strategy to move people toward greater Bible engagement.

G E O R G E P. W O O D ost Americans own a Bible, but few read it. According to American Bible Society’s State of the Bible 2017 (SOTB), 87 percent of U.S. households own at least one copy of the Scriptures. Unfortunately, only 50 percent of U.S. adults read the Bible, listen to it, or pray with it at least three or four times a year.

How can we help people move toward greater Bible engagement?

There are many ways to answer this question, but I want to focus on a new Bible product I believe merits attention. It’s called Immerse: The Reading Bible, which Tyndale House Publishers created in Alliance with the Institute for Bible Reading. You can read more about it at ImmerseBible.com (BibliaInmersion.com for the Spanish version).

Immerse is designed to take the church — from junior high to senior adults — through the Bible in three years. It presents Scripture in six

M

high-quality, low-cost paperbacks or e-books.

• Messiah (New Testament) • Beginnings (Genesis–Deuteronomy) • Kingdoms (Joshua–2 Kings) • Prophets (Isaiah–Malachi) • Poets (Job–Song of Songs, plus Lamentations) • Chronicles (1 Chronicles–Esther, plus Daniel) According to its website, “Immerse is built on three core ideas: reading a naturally formatted Bible, reading at length, and having unmediated discussions about it together.”

While most Bibles are formatted like a dictionary — a two-column format with scholarly apparatus, including chapter and verse numbers, headings, cross-references and notes — Immerse presents Scripture in a single-column format and eliminates the scholarly apparatus entirely. According to SOTB, 8 percent of U.S. adults cite difficult layout as a significant frustration when reading the Bible. Immerse’s formatting reduces that frustration.

Using this Bible, a church’s small groups or Sunday School classes meet twice a year for eight weeks each time to read and discuss one of Immerse’s six paperbacks, starting with Messiah. Reading each paperback takes 20 to 30 minutes daily, five days a week, for the duration of the small group. This is what Immerse means by “reading at length.” Thirty percent of U.S. adults say lack of time is a significant Bible reading frustration. By delimiting how much (continued on page 20)

BOOK REVIEWED Immerse: The Reading Bible (Carol Stream, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 2017)

19

LEARN LIKE A LEADER Immerse: the Reading Bible (continued from page 19) During meetings, a leader facilitates open discussion around four questions: 1. What stood out to you this week?

2. Was anything confusing or troubling?

3. Did anything make you think differently about God? 4. How might this change the way you live?

State of the Bible 2017 found that readers are motivated to increase Bible reading when encountering difficulty (41 percent), a significant life change, such as marriage or childbirth (17 percent), or contemporary discussions about religion and spirituality in the media (17 percent). By focusing on four open-ended questions, Immerse encourages readers to ponder what the Bible teaches in the specifics of their lives.

Several other features of Immerse are worth highlighting. First, it uses the New Living Translation of Scripture (NLT). According to SOTB, 16 percent of U.S. adults are frustrated by the Bible’s difficult language. The NLT features readable, idiomatic English for a broad audience.

Second, within each paperback, Immerse reorganizes the books of the Bible in an interesting fashion. For example, the standard New Testament order of books is Gospels, Acts, Paul’s letters, other epistles and Revelation. Messiah pairs each gospel with letters related to it: Luke–Acts with Paul’s letters, Mark with Peter’s and Jude’s letters, Matthew with Hebrews and James, and John with John’s letters and Revelation. This helps readers see thematic connections between each gospel and its associated letters.

Third, Immerse provides resources to help readers understand the theological, historical and literary context of each book of the Bible. All six paperbacks include brief introductory essays.

And the website includes free aids for small groups: a weekly 3-minute video that introduces each week’s readings, audio files of daily Bible readings, and downloadable guides for pastors, small-group leaders and participants.

God inspired the Bible to equip us for holy living (2 Timothy 3:16–17). If we don’t use it, however, it does us no good. Immerse offers church leaders a well-thought-out strategy for guiding readers through Scripture.

20

RECOMMENDED READING

By Influence Magazine

CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE (40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) Richard J. Foster (HarperOne) “Superficiality is the curse of our age,” writes Richard J. Foster in Celebration of Discipline. “The desperate need for today is … deep people.” These words ring as true in 2018 as they did in 1978 when Celebration of Discipline was first published. And spiritual disciplines are still the way to produce depth. As Foster summarizes the matter in the book’s new foreword, spiritual disciplines are “the means God uses to build in us an inner person that is characterized by peace and joy and freedom.” If you’re looking for help in overcoming the superficiality and distractedness of the current age, start with this book, which is 40 years young.

FROM JERUSALEM TO TIMBUKTU Brian C. Stiller (IVP Books) “For two thousand years, the rise and fall of Christian faith has had much to do with renewal and revival,” writes Brian C. Stiller. The last century especially has witnessed the largest sustained movement of people to faith in the Church’s history. In From Jerusalem to Timbuktu, Stiller identifies five “drivers” behind this growth: the Holy Spirit, Bible translation, indigenous leadership, engagement of the public square, and holistic forms of ministry. “Living in the midst of this resurgence,” he asks, “we can’t help but wonder: will it carry on?” The only way to find out is to lean in to the Spirit even more.

SMALL CHURCH ESSENTIALS Karl Vaters (Moody Publishers) “Your church is big enough,” writes Karl Vaters in Small Church Essentials.

“Right now. Today, at its current size.”

That’s good news for small-church pastors, but it doesn’t let them off the hook.

“Small churches are not a problem,” Vaters writes, but neither are they “a virtue, or an excuse.” What smallchurch pastors need is a broader understanding of church health and growth. “We are always striving to increase our capacity for effective ministry,” Vaters writes.

If you’re looking for “field-tested principles” for leading a small church, check out this hopeful, helpful book.

LEARN LIKE A LEADER The Blogging Pastor (continued from page 18) So, where do you start? Start wherever you can, and on wha tever platform you can afford. It’s affordable these days — in many cases, it’s free. With so many options available, you really have no excuse not to start one if it’s something you want to do. Whether you choose a video blog or a simple text format, your blog will give you the opportunity to reflect on your own thoughts, as well as give those who read or view your content the opportunity to gain a perspective on something they may have never heard before.

What do you write about? That’s easy. Anything and everything! Even your sermon notes can become blog posts. Since you’ve already prepared the content each week, all you have to do is rework it into a readable article. Don’t get caught up in the what. Instead, focus on

the who and the why. Just like a sermon, no blog post will be perfect, so don’t stress if your writing style is conversational rather than professional and polished. The goal of a blog is to bring content to people that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to read or watch.

What if nobody reads your blog? Don’t worry. Whether you realize it or not, journaling about matters of faith will help you on your spiritual journey with God. The reality is, somebody will read your blog, and the goal is to help at least one person. God calls us as pastors to make disciples of all nations.

What better way to spread the hope of Jesus than through a free platform that can travel the globe at the click of a button?

Blogging has become a normal routine for pastors and leaders around the world. The reason is simple: It’s an effective tool for reaching people and a catalyst for personal spiritual growth.

God calls us as pastors to make disciples of all nations. What better way to spread the hope of Jesus than through a free platform that can travel the globe at the click of a button?

21

PLAYBOOK BUILD

Capacity and Stability: Hope and Help for Foster Parents JOHAN MOSTERT

Some children received into care at Hillcrest Children’s Home have experienced as many as 40 placements before they even get to middle school.

22

n the surface, the crisis in our foster care system seems easy to resolve.

There are about 600,000 children in the system, and there are about 60 million evangelical Christians who believe that pure religion is to care for the orphan (James 1:27).

Surely, if 1 in 100 Christians could take a foster child into the safety of a loving Christian home, we would immediately solve the problem.

However, this would be true only if a lack of foster homes were the only problem in the system. While it is true there are not enough foster parents available for these vulnerable children (the number of foster families today represent only about 20 percent of the total number needed), the problem goes deeper than capacity. We also have a problem of stability.

Foster placements are breaking down so often that the average foster child experiences

O

three placements per year. The emotional, psychological, educational and spiritual disruption this causes a child is a terrible injustice in our society.

This lack of stability is partly because there isn’t enough capacity, and case workers must place children with any family who may be available in the community.

In a more ideal system, case workers could place children in homes best suited for their needs — matching them with similar-age children or geographically familiar surroundings, for instance.

But the most significant reason for instability in the system is the lack of support for foster parents. All families need the supportive love of grandparents who can step in when a parent is ill or traveling for work.

Couples need downtime to catch up on rest and ensure they don’t neglect spiritual and

emotional self-care. If this is true of “normal” families with relatively well-adjusted biological children, it’s even more crucial when a family answers the call to minister to emotionally disrupted and psychologically scarred children.

While there are not enough foster parents available for the placement of vulnerable children, the problem goes deeper than capacity. We also have a problem of stability.

Thank God for foster parents who are brave enough to craft a new, safe environment of love and acceptance so that these children can become whole and God can restore their souls. But the Church would never think of sending couples into a difficult mission field without careful planning for their strategic support and constant care. Couples God anoints and calls to become foster parents likewise need a well-equipped and intentional community of faith to provide loving support and care.

Only one possible solution is on the horizon for the twin problems of foster care capacity and placement stability: the church of Jesus Christ. This is not something the state can do; increased federal allocations would not resolve the issue either. There is a need for a structured, scalable plan to mobilize the local church.

Based on the research we have done at CompaCARE, a new program of AG Family Services to promote foster care, here are six basic things the local church can do to enhance capacity, promote stability and increase the quality of foster care in our communities: 1. Encourage more families to take James 1:27 personally by entering the ministry to the foster children of our nation.

2.

While foster parents undergo their training to become licensed, recruit

a team of volunteers to support their ministry. Just as God calls some to foster, He is calling others to support those who foster. Everyone in the Body can do something.

3.

The moment the foster placement becomes finalized, find out as much about the children as you can, and begin to anticipate the physical needs they may bring with them. If the children are babies, collect the things people normally give new parents at a baby shower.

If they are school aged, find out what they need for school. If they have medical, dental or other health issues, arrange for transportation help to get the children to their medical appointments.

4. Appoint an advocate for the family to monitor the foster parents’ adjustment to the placement, coordinate donations, recruit volunteers, and provide ongoing spiritual and emotional support.

5. Arrange for a weekend respite for the foster family within the first 30 days, and then regularly once a month. Even if the foster parents don’t take the weekend off, knowing they can will provide emotional support.

6. Build a network of friends and volunteers around the foster family who will serve as the proverbial communal village — committing to take care of and pray for these children together.

Research on more than 1,000 foster families in Georgia provides ample evidence that churches have the answer to this foster care crisis in the United States. These foster families received the loving wrap-around support of their local churches under the guidance of trained volunteer foster family advocates.

With this support system, the average success rate of placements over one year increased from 37 percent to more than 90 percent.

The problem in foster care is one of capacity and stability. A mobilized, trained and equipped Church can drastically increase the quality of placements and forever change the way foster care operates in our nation.

Johan Mostert, Ph.D., is director of CompaCARE for Assemblies of God COMPACT Family Services.

23

PLAYBOOK KNOW

The New Reality: Principles of Ministry to Nontraditional Family Structures

JOEY AND MELISSA QUINONES

The Church must learn to walk with all kinds of families — coming alongside them, loving them and pointing them to Christ.

24

or centuries, the traditional American family included a father, mother and biological children living in a single-family home. Today, fewer families than ever fit that description. There has been such an attack on the traditional family that nontraditional structures have become the new norm.

According to Pew Research Center, less than half (46 percent) of all children live with both biological parents. The rest live in nontraditional families, which can mean a lot of different things: • Cohabitating couples • Single-parent homes • Same-sex couples • Blended families • Adoptive parents These new family structures dominate the landscape of most communities in America.

Rather than talking about how to with these cultural changes, the Church must learn to

F

with all kinds of families — coming alongside them, loving them and pointing them to Christ.

Every family situation is different. Nontraditional families result from a variety of causes — some sinful, others not — which must factor into how we minister to the family as a whole. Many single parents have experienced unfortunate circumstances, such as the death of a spouse or an abusive situation that led to divorce. Other nontraditional families arise from sinful lifestyles, such as unmarried couples living together or same-sex marriages.

Whatever the circumstances, families need the compassion of Christ — and the Church has a responsibility to reach out to them.

Here are four things we must do when ministering to today’s nontraditional families.

Express Love

It is vital for us to model the love of Christ.

Identifying the two most important commandments, Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your

soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30–31).

Nontraditional families are our neighbors.

Our love for God and our love for people should drive us to reach them for eternity. These families often face negative assumptions, false stereotypes and discouraging statistics. The Church must make it a priority to love them, regardless of their circumstances.

In the past, churches sometimes shunned Christians who divorced. Tragically, the children often paid the highest price — and many of them eventually walked away from the faith.

Let’s not make the same mistake today.

Admittedly, it is easier to love a family who is in the midst of an unfortunate circumstance rather than a sinful lifestyle. Yet we can express God’s love without endorsing immorality. For instance, when a same-sex couple and their children come to church, we can welcome them, acknowledge them as individuals, and begin conversations with them. These simple gestures can make a huge impact on a person’s views of the Church and of God, opening the door for them to hear the gospel and experience life transformation.

Set an Example

Ephesians 5:1–2 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” The best way to walk with families is by surrounding them with positive influencers. The Church should be modeling what godly marriages and families look like. These things are foreign to many of the parents and children in our communities.

Encourage church members to get involved.

Volunteering as a couple to serve at-risk kids through a community program, becoming foster parents, and mentoring a teenager are all services that can make a big difference.

Establish Community

People are more receptive when they are part of a community rather than just sitting in the

The Church should be modeling what godly marriages and families look like. midst of a congregation. Friendships with believers can soften hearts and promote transformational change.

One way to establish community is through small groups. Such groups offer places of belonging, comfort, encouragement, accountability and fellowship.

Other kinds of social interaction, such as going out for coffee or talking over lunch, help build community as well.

Jesus was open to having conversations with sinners and eating at the table with tax collectors. Jesus was trying to show the Church what real community looks like.

Despite the ways they were living and the decisions they were making, He chose to have conversations with people simply because they were people.

Stand Firm

The world often distorts and corrupts what God created for His glory. The Church cannot waver on the truths of Scripture. In a culture of immorality and sexual confusion, we must defend and model God’s design for the family.

Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

We must demonstrate Christ’s love to each person who walks through the church doors, but we can never compromise the truth. Compromise ultimately leads to more confusion.

God’s desire for families has never changed.

He wants all people to come to Him through Christ and become His adopted sons and daughters. When churches invest in building healthy families and teaching people about Jesus, it is a victory for everyone. We have the responsibility to love and nurture all families — both traditional and nontraditional — leading them to the arms of the Savior.

Joey and Melissa Quinones pastor the student and children ministries of New Life Covenant Church (AG) in Chicago. They have been serving the students of the inner city for more than 10 years.

25

PLAYBOOK INVEST

A Church for Babies & Boomers MIKE SANTIAGO

Many pastors place a high priority on growing the church by bringing the median age downward. In doing so, they often neglect the generation who has been faithful for so long.

26

t age 29, I became the lead pastor of a congregation that consisted of a large percentage of baby boomers. I was one-third younger than the average age of the attendees. Many of them could have been my grandparents, while the younger ones could have passed as my parents. The fact that they would even act like they were listening during my sermons was somewhat of a surprise. The first Sunday we used a haze machine in worship, I was concerned we would lose more than half the church. We didn’t. No one even complained. I realized they will deal with the smoke as long as the service is not void of the Spirit.

One of the first people who requested a meeting was Nancy Davis. Her name even

A

has a baby boomer ring to it. Nancy is full of life. She was serving in this church before I was born. It would be easy for her to disregard me as pastor, and for me to overlook her as parishioner, but Nancy loves our church. She is one of many who have not lost their love for the Lord and who continue to serve faithfully in the local church, despite how much the church has changed.

Nancy is not alone. According to Pew Research Center, 69 percent of boomers believe in God with absolute certainty. Talk about low-hanging fruit. This means that, with a little more attention, our reach can extend beyond the younger demographic today’s church models seek to attract.

Nancy serves our church by ensuring that every tablecloth is laundered and stored. She finds joy in washing the towels we use during our baptism celebrations. This woman of God makes sure people are comfortable immediately after going public with their faith. This job might seem insignificant to many, but to our church, it is immeasurably valuable.

The same is true for Ethel — once again, a very boomer name. Ethel serves faithfully.

Real growth happens when we move beyond sitting next to someone decades removed and begin serving someone decades removed.

Mike Santiago is pastor of Focus Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

28

She rarely misses a Sunday. Her passion is Communion. She cuts bread into pieces with such precision that anyone who didn’t know better would think we bought the cubes from the store that way. Ethel is a mom to our staff.

She is a grandmother to my kids, and I thank her every chance I get. I remember when she opened her home to host our youth ministry.

Ethel didn’t mind having 15 teenagers gathered around her kitchen table, eating and playing games. It was her wisdom and care, not to mention the carrot cake, that kept these kids coming back every week.

Many pastors place a high priority on growing the church by bringing the median age downward. In doing so, they often neglect the generation who has been faithful for so long. Shifting ministry programing toward a younger demographic is frequently at the top of the to-do list for new pastors, but the process can alienate the groups within the congregation who have been gathering for years around old songs and great cooking.

Fortunately, there are countless opportunities for all people of every age and stage to do more than just attend church together.

The real growth happens when we move beyond sitting next to someone decades removed and begin serving somone decades removed. This goes both ways. The boomers serve the babies, and the babies serve the boomers. It really is a beautiful

thing to shepherd demographic diversity.

As pastors, we tend to create a church environment that reaches people like us. We must work harder at reaching those who are different, including those of different generations.

Young pastors can gravitate toward a vision of a church so geared to young adults that we unintentionally leave out those who don’t fit our target demographic. Yet it is possible — and biblical — for every generation to coexist and flourish in a local church.

Ministry environments should promote deep relational connection. Senior members can help young families feel even more connected. The wisdom that comes from decades of following Jesus and navigating parenting and marriage is indispensable.

Be intentional about welcoming people of all ages. Along with the latest choruses, include music in the set list that appeals to boomers. Music brings back memories. As people connect with God through songs they remember, they are more likely to share their stories with others.

Clarify the reasons for change. Explain why the stage wall is black and why the recorded services are moving to a digital platform.

Boomers feel out of the loop when they don’t understand the rationale behind such changes.

Distribute the same message using multiple mediums. Combine new methods of communication, like social media, with traditional methods of information delivery, such as the printed bulletin.

These are just a few practical ways to reach the boomer generation. There are more people like Nancy in your community than you realize — people who are looking for a place of purpose. Is there room for them in your church?

PERSPECTIVES

One issue, two perspectives on matters affecting today’s church

Should Churches Go Outside to Fill Leadership Positions or Hire from Within?

H

iring new staff can be the greatest risk your church takes and the best reward it receives. When filling a leadership position, we generally focus on what’s on the résumé, matching skills to a job description. However, before you start collecting applications, consider for a moment where you begin your search — either from within or exclusively outside your organization.

OUTSIDE CANDIDATES

hen filling crucial staff leadership positions, you have to find the best person available. That means you can never limit your search. In fact, starting outside your organization is usually optimal. Any new hire is an opportunity to infuse your church with new passion and fresh perspective.

First, take a look at the culture of your church. When you fill a key leadership position, that’s often a sign the status quo is not working. Filling that position can be a way to improve the overall health of your church through culture shift. A new person on board can help motivate the team in new directions with renewed passion. Depending on the level of leadership you’re hiring, this can almost feel like a reset for the entire team — in a good way.

The new ideas an outsider brings to the team can positively affect those around them.

Sometimes church staffs suffer stagnation.

Without new personnel from outside, your staff runs the risk of becoming insular. Repeatedly following the same patterns over time takes its toll. A new hire from outside will bring fresh ideas as well as new attitudes.

The next season of your church may require finding someone who’s “been there” before.

When God takes you into new areas of ministry, it’s usually into uncharted waters. Filling a ministry position with an outside candidate who has been where you’re going will give

W

30

your church bearing and direction. It’s a way to reduce blind spots. They’re ready for the unexpected just ahead because they’ve lived it.

The main criticism of going outside for a new hire is that it could disrupt your team’s chemistry. You know where everyone on staff currently stands with each other, and you’ve likely addressed any concerns about discord.

Your staff works well as a team. Why add a new element that could break its stride?

But it’s never a given that transitioning from within will go smoothly. In fact, internal hires and promotions often lead to competition or envy. It also creates leadership vacuums, which necessitates backfilling crucial roles.

You also run the risk of elevating a person beyond their level of competency. If you look only inside, you may be tempted to promote for the sake of promotion rather than leaving people in places of their natural fit.

The best candidate isn’t always the one with the most attractive skillset. Ability is important, but fit is also key. Using a search committee allows you to focus on the team’s chemistry while they zero in on the best applicant.

Your next key leadership hire will likely make a large impact. Don’t limit your search.

Minimize distractions by focusing on the best candidates available. And listen to God as He directs the right person to your church or ministry.

ONE ISSUE. TWO PERSPECTIVES. When it comes to filling the top leadership positions, including senior pastor, where do you turn?

Most churches hire from outside, believing a wide search is best for finding the right candidate.

But there are some who believe in prioritizing internal candidates. Going with a known commodity eliminates most of the risk, even if it lessens the reward.

In this Perspectives, we look at both sides of the issue. Should a church focus exclusively on outside talent or train replacements from inside the church? As always, no one way is completely right. But as you’ll see, each side has unavoidable positives and negatives. When filling that leadership position in your church, take these factors into account, and apply them to your situation.

INTERNAL CANDIDATES

f you need someone to fill a key leadership role on your staff, you probably know them. An employee search should begin with your staff. You’ve seen them minister with a high level of excellence, you’ve watched them interact with the rest of the team easily, and you’ve followed them enough to know the incredible character they possess.

Internal candidates should receive priority over external applicants. You’re already aware of their competency, chemistry, and character.

Now you can reward them with a promotion to a key leadership position.

Hiring from within safeguards the culture you’ve been developing. Maintaining the flow, energy and balance is important to the momentum of a growing church. Keeping your team intact means keeping the culture intact as well.

The best way to make sure your internal search for leadership runs smoothly is by instituting a succession plan. This concept is usually set in place for passing the baton from one senior pastor to the next. However, you can replicate the principle for any staff position.

Succession planning is leadership reproduction. You hired your staff because you saw potential in them. Now, take advantage of that by grooming them for their next step in God’s plan. Ask yourself this question: Am I creating new leaders or just cycling through followers?

I

A leadership pipeline is essential for successful succession. Does your structure allow team members to stretch beyond their current roles? Are you matching up younger members with mentors to guide them? These are just two steps in starting that pipeline.

It’s not about creating a ladder for your staff to climb but developing a pathway for them to progress along. Begin with younger staff and key volunteers. Have open conversations about personal goals and ministry ambitions.

Invest in their lives through training and partnership to help achieve their dreams.

A leadership pipeline will ensure you retain the leaders you already have. It’s much easier to develop existing staff who are already on board with the vision of the church than to hire from outside and hope they fit into your model.

Oftentimes, that’s like trying to push a square peg through a round hole.

Succession planning is also leadership replacement. Good leaders raise up other leaders, but great leaders raise up their replacements. Having someone in the wings ready to take the reins makes for a smooth transition, no matter the post. It can also alleviate stress in the event staff members leave without notice.

When filling a position, always search for the best candidate. But make sure your first look is within; the person you are looking for may already be there.

31

FEATURE COVER STORY

32

In a world that is increasingly hostile to God’s truth, Jesus calls us to live as people of the Spirit.

DOUG CLAY

33

E

‘

l domingo por la tarde en la escuela.” That’s the one Spanish phrase 14-year-old H.C. Ball learned before hitting the streets of Ricardo, Texas. With a bell in hand, he would repeat this phrase, inviting Spanish-speaking listeners to the schoolhouse for a Sunday service.

It’s been 100 years since H.C. Ball became the first superintendent of the first Spanish Assemblies of God district. Today, Hispanics make up nearly a quarter of Assemblies of God adherents in the U.S. Small acts of obedience by early Pentecostal leaders had profound and far-reaching impact. William J. Seymour brought the Pentecostal message to a small house on Bonnie Brae Street in Los Angeles in what became the Azusa Street Revival. E.N. Bell worked in the back of a grocery store to send out an invitation in the Word and Witness for leaders to gather in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for what became the founding convention of the Assemblies of God. It’s doubtful that Ball, Seymour or Bell could have fathomed what the Holy Spirit would do in the century to follow. It’s been nothing short of historic and miraculous. In fact, Christianity Today identified the Pentecostal/charismatic movement as “the fastest-growing movement in the history of world Christianity.” This relatively young movement now accounts for 1 in 4 Christians throughout the world — an estimated 669 million people.

The U.S. Assemblies of God continues to grow along with the Pentecostal movement. The AG has had 27 consecutive years of growth in adherents.

But apart from the numbers and statistics, who are we as Pentecostals? Great question! People often ask me what it’s like to be the leader of the largest Pentecostal organization in the world. I’m not sure the reality of that has totally sunk in, but I can tell you that my Pentecostal experience began in a small church in Adrian, Michigan. When I was growing up, Spirit-filled elders at Bethany Assembly of God would lay hands on me at the altar and pray, “God, I know the plans you have for little Dougie Clay.” At some point, I bought into that prayer.

The Pentecostal environment in my home church shaped my leadership today. It all started through an experience with the Person of the Holy Spirit, and it has 34

been developed over a lifetime of cultivating that relationship with the Holy Spirit. It started with people who believed the Holy Spirit in my life was for a lifetime, not just a time at the altar. To this day, I draw upon those experiences to lead.

The Holy Spirit is for all generations and all ethnicities, all across our nation and around the world. Yet we must continue to carve out space for Him in our lives and our services.

What Is the Holy Spirit Doing?

Another way to frame our identity as Pentecostals is to see what the Holy Spirit is doing in the lives of individual people. It’s never sufficient simply to describe the Holy Spirit. We must experience Him. We can

THE SPIRIT

THE HOLY SPIRIT RESIDING IN US MAKES OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS POSSIBLE. read about the Spirit, debate about the Spirit or ponder the Spirit, but until we encounter Him ourselves, we will never understand how His power and presence change everything.

The Holy Spirit wants to be our advocate, not just our assistant. Jesus promised that the Spirit would help us, instruct us, remind us of God’s Word,

testify of Jesus, guide us into all truth, glorify Christ and empower us to spread the gospel (John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:13-14; Acts 1:8).

Jesus was clear in John 14 about why He was asking the Father to send the Holy Spirit — not to act as an impersonal force in the world but to come as a Person we can know. And when Jesus told His disciples, us included, that He would be with us always (Matthew 28:20), it’s understood that this takes place through a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Three words best express this relationship with the Spirit: in, with and through. As we encounter the Spirit in these ways, God transforms us into people of the Spirit. What, exactly, does that mean?

The Spirit lives in us. When we become followers of

IN US.

35

Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit resides in us (Romans 8:9).

The moment you received Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit took up residence in your heart. Your body became the temple of the Holy Spirit. God infused your life with His presence.

The Holy Spirit residing in us makes our fellowship with Jesus possible. By saying we are people of the Spirit, we are affirming that the Spirit’s ministry affects every area of our lives in Christ.

Fellowship with the Holy Spirit involves sharing our lives in communion with Him. It’s opening the deepest parts of our personality to the movement of God’s Spirit. As we seek His counsel, His comfort and His direction, He influences our thoughts, motives, feelings, attitudes and decisions.

The power to follow Jesus and grow in relationship with Him comes directly from the Spirit living in us. It is so vitally important that we maintain the freedom we experienced at salvation throughout our lives — because that same power that drew us to Christ lives in us and can help us overcome the things and the mindsets that threaten to steal our freedom.

THE SPIRIT

When We listen to the Holy Spirit and act in obedience, we become more like Christ.

In addition, the Holy Spirit inhabits our lives in a powerful way. The moment you experience the baptism in the Holy Spirit, you willingly yield yourself to the Spirit’s control. And that is something Scripture encourages us to do regularly (Ephesians 5:18).

The Spirit walks with us. The word that John uses to describe the Holy Spirit is paraklētos or paraclete.

That word means advocate, helper, intercessor, counselor — or one who comes alongside. I don’t think it’s a stretch to describe the Holy Spirit as a personal coach. He moves with us to direct our lives, bringing us closer to Jesus and making us more like Him. 36

One place that happens is in our time with Scripture. As you know, I’m deeply passionate about biblical literacy. However, without the Holy Spirit driving us to God’s Word and opening our eyes to its meaning, the Bible can seem like just another book. A mark of Spirit baptism is a hunger to read and know the Bible. Therefore, it’s my prayer that people of the Spirit are also people of the Word.

As a Pentecostal, I do not desire experience for experience’s sake. My interaction with the Holy Spirit must never be at the expense of God’s Word, as already revealed in Scripture. He is “the Spirit of

WITH US.

truth” (John 14:17). As He comes alongside us, He guides us into the truth of God’s Word (John 16:13).

Much like the risen Christ did on the way to Emmaus, the Spirit stirs our hearts and opens the Scriptures to us (Luke 24:32). And that’s my prayer: that the Holy Spirit will open the Scriptures to us and that our worldview will be primarily influenced by Scripture. The strongest Pentecostal believers I have known, and who have had the greatest influence on my life, are those who were deepest in the Word.

I’ve also found that the Holy Spirit’s voice will always agree with Scripture. I know at times my own

perspective can be distorted and mislead me, but the Spirit’s guidance will be clear and will always be in sync with God’s will.

It is a fact that Spirit-empowered living impacts not only individual lives but culture. In Global Pentecostalism: The New Face of Christian Social Engagement, Donald E. Miller and Tetsunao Yamamori write, “As much as 87 percent of international social relief is from the Pentecostal/charismatic community.”

When we listen to the Holy Spirit and act in obedience, we become more like Christ. That’s what the Holy Spirit coming alongside us and walking with 37

us is all about. And that formation is essential for the Church’s transformative mission in the world.

If Pentecostals are going to impact culture, we must have the Holy Spirit coming alongside us and walking with us. That’s how we transform the world.

The Spirit acts through us. People of the Spirit are people on mission. Since the first chapter of the Book of Acts, that mission has been front and center: to tell the world about Jesus, as the Spirit empowers us.

Christ promised, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not just for

THE SPIRIT

38

personal blessing. The central purpose is for empowerment. I hope people will not seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit for experience’s sake. It’s always been the mission of the Holy Spirit to exalt Jesus (John 16:14).

If our experience is anything shy of that mark, it can be self-serving rather than God-glorifying.

Long before words like “missional” became popular, the Holy Spirit empowered the Church to be just that. Everywhere the people of the Spirit go, they live in such a way that the power of Christ is visible.

Loving like Jesus compels us to action.

Simply put, Pentecostals must be known for both word and deed, language and compassion, tongues and service. Consider the example of Peter to see

Everywhere the people of the Spirit go, they live in such a way that the power of Christ is visible. how that plays out. Before he was full of the Spirit, Peter’s human nature was to get even, get mad, or run and hide. All of those things happened in the hours just before Jesus’ crucifixion. But on the Day of

Pentecost, the Holy Spirit’s empowerment gave Peter courage. He stood and proclaimed the truth of Jesus.

He faced down prison and certain death time and again. It’s clear that becoming a person of the Spirit made the difference.

It’s not the strength of our convictions or the volume of our protests that will change hearts. It’s the message of Christ delivered by people full of Spirit-empowered courage. It is hard for me to think of a person or church that claims to be Pentecostal that isn’t missions-minded and involved in winning people to Christ. It’s my prayer that we define the Pentecostal experience as a lifestyle and not a worship style.

As you can see, the Holy Spirit working through us keeps us on mission. There is plenty of work to do. Jesus provided the imperative of the Great Commission, but it’s the Holy Spirit who delivers the desire and dynamic to fulfill it.

Perpetuating Pentecost

THROUGH US.

I love the diverse expression of worship within our Fellowship. As I look at Assemblies of God churches, I know there is a desire for more of the Spirit. I want our young people to have the experiences I described earlier. I pray that we will find the space in church life to allow those kinds of Pentecostal interchanges from one generation to the next.

My heart’s desire is to see that many in my generation who have experienced their Pentecost assist the next generation in experiencing their own Pentecost.

Millennials and Generation Z need to have their Pentecost. Each subsequent generation must seek the Holy Spirit in fresh ways.

Our Pentecostal experiences impact our effectiveness and outcome. We need time around the altar where elders can pray over young people and speak into their lives. We need children and teens to encounter the Spirit’s power as I did back in Adrian, Michigan — and as those who came before me did. We must find and create opportune times for these Pentecostal experiences to happen.

Seeing believers baptized in the Holy Spirit should never become a rarity in our Fellowship. We must continue to help young people clearly hear their call to ministry. I carry a deep concern that we challenge our 39

children and young people to give their lives to full-time Christian service, either in the church or in a missions assignment.

Whatever the mechanism, our kids need time in the Lord’s presence, and they need our participation to help them discern God’s will for their lives. When God called me to ministry, it solidified in me that God has gifts that are unique to me. These come through the Holy Spirit, who gives to all but also gives individually.

When our young people clearly see their unique gifts, they can respond to the call with courage. The prophet Joel said that both young and old will feel the outpouring of the Spirit in these last days.

The challenges we face as a nation and as a Church

What the Scriptures Say About Who We Are n

J esus promised the Holy Spirit’s power.

Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.

Acts 1:4–5 Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

require us to equip the next generation. The reality is we live in a post-Christian society. Biblical literacy is on the decline while immorality is increasing. Young people have traded a sacred sexuality for gender confusion. These things matter. And as people of the Spirit, we are empowered and equipped to step up.

On April 19, 1906, an earthquake struck San Francisco. But 10 days earlier, in the Azusa Street Revival, another type of earth-moving experience took place. Just as there are aftershocks to natural earthquakes, we still feel the aftershocks of Pentecost. The Spirit does not have to conform to the exact pattern of past movements, but I am

n With the baptism in the Holy Spirit comes the initial

physical evidence of speaking in tongues.

Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. n The baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers us for the work

of ministry. n The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a work that is distinct

from and subsequent to salvation.

Acts 8:15–16 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

40

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses … .

When we Fully Realize what it means to be people of the spirit, others will be compelled to follow christ. hungry for another earth-shaking experience today.

Sometimes skeptics will dismiss the Pentecostal message because they fear the emphasis could be wrongly placed on the experience. However, experiences grounded in Scripture that lead to personal testimonies make all the difference.

When we fully realize what it means to be people of the Spirit, others will be compelled to follow Christ.

They will recognize their need for power and receive it in the baptism in the Holy Spirit. They will feel their need for healing and find it in God’s mercy and grace to the hurting. And they will experience an urgency to change their world and find it in daily mission.

Who we are as Pentecostals is not a matter of a shared label, a common expression of worship or even an agreed-upon doctrine. It is found in the experience of a vital relationship with the Person of the Holy Spirit. The dynamic power that can shake the world will come only when we fully depend on Him daily.

My prayer is that we — being people the Spirit lives in, walks with and acts through — live a life that compels others to Christ.

Doug Clay is the general superintendent of The General Council of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, Missouri. He is also the author of Asking for a Friend: Who is the Holy Spirit? All-Church Campaign Series , releasing fall 2018. See the ad on pages 6–7 for more information.

My Bethel Moment

I

was blessed to grow up in an immersive Christian environment where I sensed God’s call on my life early on. But that calling crystallized during a junior high camp at Fa-Ho-Lo Park camp in Grass Lake, Michigan. The evangelist’s name was Michael Brown, and he talked about God’s call, that sense of direction. I remember going to the altar and feeling so strongly that God was leading me into a lifetime of pastoral ministry. That night in our cabin, when the students were reflecting on their experiences, I began to share mine. I’ll never forget, even at a young age, when one of the boys in our group said, “Oh, you just feel that way ’cause your parents are in the ministry.” I lingered with that thought, Lord, am I going in the ministry just because my parents are ministers? Am I doing this as a default? Am I going into this because it’s everybody else’s assumption?

God wonderfully confirmed His calling during my sophomore year at Central Bible College during a spiritual emphasis week.

Denny Duron spoke about “fourth-quarter Christianity,” and he talked about chasing after the dreams and the plans that God has placed in our lives. When I went to the altar, I had a Bethel moment. Just as clearly as Jacob could identify the stone on which he slept when he had his vision of God, I could take you back to the place in that chapel where I really met God. I felt Him impress on my heart, “I am calling you not because your parents were in ministry, not because it’s other peoples’ expectation, but because I want to use you.”

— from Ordered Steps by Doug Clay (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2017)

41

FEATURE

42

43

A

n 8-year-old girl with long braids bounces into her Sunday School room wearing her favorite yellow dress, never imagining the terrifying experience about to unfold. The roaming hands of a man she trusted, her teacher, touch her in ways that leave her stunned and afraid, even while the man’s wife is in the same room teaching other children. The girl swallows hard, blinking back tears. Whom should she tell? Would anyone believe her?

A teenage girl accepts a ride home from a man who sexually assaults her in the car. The man is her youth pastor. People in the church adore him. If she told, wouldn’t it mean she was ruining a promising ministry? Would God be mad at her?

Two young ministry leaders are dating, and he makes sexual advances. She resists, but he will not stop. Rape is such a strong word, she thinks. The devastated woman doesn’t know whom to tell that a leader on staff date-raped her.

A lead pastor counseling a vulnerable woman gropes her during a session in his office. He was her trusted pastor, a seemingly safe shepherd, the last man she believed would harm her. Night after night, she struggles to find sleep on a pillow wet with her tears. To whom could she possibly turn now?

In the fall of 2017, news stories about prominent, influential men facing accusations of sexual assault sent shock waves through the nation. The sad truth is this: What made headlines in Hollywood and beyond happens in church, too.

The Startling Reality

Within 24 hours of #MeToo emerging as a viral hashtag for victims of sexual assault, more than 4.7 million women (and some men) had added their voices to the thread. For many, it was the first time they publicly declared their painful experience. In the aftermath, dozens of men lost positions of power as their courageous victims brought to light their dark secrets.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 percent of women in the U.S. have experienced rape, and nearly 6 percent have experienced some other form of sexual violence.

In a 2017 national poll by Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, 6 in 10 women voters surveyed said they had experienced sexual harassment. Nearly 70 percent of victims said the harassment happened at work.

For clarity, the Civil Rights act of 1964 defines sexual harassment this way: “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment.”

Sexual abuse in any form is fundamentally about power.

44

As a response to the #MeToo movement, many women of faith have rallied to bring awareness to the problem that often remains hidden in our churches.

Because church systems operate with some level of hierarchy, there is a high risk of leaders abusing that power over those they serve.

Ed Stetzer tweeted about the #MeToo movement: “This isn’t just a Hollywood problem, a politics problem, a church problem, or even an American problem; it’s a people problem.”

Unfortunately, sexual misconduct is prevalent in every segment of our society, and the Church is not immune.

Only 32 percent of sexual assaults are reported to the police, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice. Because churches cultivate a culture of obedience to authority, it is perhaps even less likely that victims will report an incident that occurs within the walls of a church. While statistics about sexual harassment and abuse in church are scarce, the reality is our churches are prime places for sexual misconduct to occur.

As a response to the #MeToo movement, many women of faith have rallied to bring awareness to the problem that often remains hidden in our churches. Many victims hear that they should simply forgive their abusers. Such a mentality lets violators off the hook rather than holding them accountable for their actions. This is neither scriptural nor acceptable.

Authors and activists Belinda Bauman and Lisa Sharon Harper created #SilenceIsNotSpiritual and gathered thousands of signatures with a statement that reads in part: “This moment in history is ours to steward. We are calling churches … to end the silence and stop all participation in violence against women. We call our pastors, our elders, and our parishioners who have been silent to speak up and stand up for all who experience abuse.

There is no institution with greater capacity to create protected spaces for healing and restoration for survivors, as well as confession, repentance and rehabilitation for perpetrators.”

As a movement, how will the Assemblies of God steward this moment?

45

Breaking the Code of Silence

Recent events have broken the code of silence that previously protected perpetrators and kept victims hidden in shame. What was once taboo to talk about in public is now out in the open. Victims feel empowered to speak up, which means predators cannot depend on them to stay silent. As church leaders, we must decide how we will respond to the #ChurchToo situation. It is time to act.

We must ask ourselves the tough questions: • What is my church’s responsibility to acknowledge this issue?

• What can I do to ensure my church is a safe place everyone, especially for women and children?

• How can I provide adequate pastoral care for the #MeToo victims who attend my church?

• What can we do to stop perpetrators and help bring them to justice?

It is time for the Church to A.C.T. This acronym highlights three changes we must make now.

A: Acknowledge the Problem

The pages of Scripture unearth the roots of sexual sin: unbridled lust, selfishness, a grasping for power and control. The Bible doesn’t cover up the sexual depravity of individuals like Reuben, David, Amnon and Solomon.

The adage rings true that we are only as sick as our secrets. We need a cultural shift that starts with our leadership opening their eyes to this issue. The Church must respond to this tidal wave of evil and pain with the heart of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

How did Jesus respond to issues of sexual misconduct?

When He met an adulterous woman, Jesus reacted unexpectedly with compassion, breaking cultural norms. You may have noticed that the crowd held only the woman accountable in this situation. Even though they caught the couple “in the act” (John 8:4), it was the woman they threw at the feet of Jesus for punishment. That pattern has remained over time.

Unfortunately, when women report men for sexual harassment or assault, people often blame the victims for sending mixed signals or dressing inappropriately.

Frequently, the ones passing judgment are men, who also happen to hold the majority of leadership positions in our churches. These responses are both unbiblical and unacceptable.

The idea that women are to blame when violated perpetuates a culture that has fostered misogynistic behavior far too long. When Jesus told the angry crowd of religious leaders they had permission to cast the first stone only if they were without sin, He set a precedent for having 46

The Church should be a safe place to offer help and hope for those struggling with sexual brokenness. compassion for the marginalized victims of sexual improprieties. Among the recorded cases of minister dismissals in the Assemblies of God in 2016, more than half involved male pastors engaging in sexual impropriety. These realities should serve as a catalyst for church leaders to take preventative measures.

Jesus told us in Luke 5:31 that “it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” The Church should be a safe place to offer help and hope for those struggling with sexual brokenness. Sexual sin is at the core of the systemic problem we are facing. Unhealthy sexual behaviors are real struggles that historically have not been safe topics to talk about in church. Churches proactively tackling this issue could prevent destructive abuse before it occurs.

For example, the Barna Group reports that even though pornography use is at epidemic rates, 93 percent of pastors admitted not having adequate ministries in place to help those who are struggling. There is evidence of a link between online porn addictions and sexual crimes against women. Addressing the root of sexual brokenness is a crucial step for the Church.

In response to this need, hundreds of churches across the nation are now offering programs like Pure Desire that offer help for those with issues of sexual brokenness. Having

support systems and ministries in place that address these problems is a proactive step every church should take if we are to experience a cultural shift.

Acknowledging that sexual assault and sexual harassment permeate our society and that victims (and possibly perpetrators) of these abuses are present in your congregation is the first step in leading transformative change.

C: Create Safe Environments

Many states across the nation are passing legislation to protect women in the workplace. Most state and federal institutions require mandatory training to prevent and respond to sexual assault and harassment issues. It’s crucial to recognize that policies precede cultural change. Every ministry should create policies and procedures to ensure the safety of each person the church serves. Often, churches safeguard children but overlook protecting women. Here are a few basic policies every church should have in place:

Simple Steps to Safety

P

rotecting children must be a high priority for the church. Jesus welcomed little children to His side (Mark 10:14) and had harsh words for anyone who would cause a child to stumble (Matthew 18:6).

Developing policies helps ensure the safety of your congregation’s children and youth, shield volunteers and staff from false accusations, and protect the reputation of your church.

Here are eight simple steps that every church needs to consider: 1. Provide child abuse training for staff and volunteers who work with children and youth. Most communities have professionals who can assist with training. Health institutions, universities, and insurance companies often provide this training as well.

2. Conduct background checks on staff and volunteers who have direct contact with children or youth. Reputable companies that conduct background checks include: • First Advantage: https://www.fadv.com • Protect My Ministry: http://www.protectmyministry.com

• Sexual harassment training for all staff and volunteers • Designated reporting policies and steps to respond to allegations • Victims’ advocates who have the training to receive reports of sexual assault • Counseling resources and referrals for victims of sexual abuse • Policies that provide clear consequences for perpetrators • Balanced teaching from the pulpit that encourages healthy sexuality and emphasizes the ethical treatment of women • The establishment of healthy boundaries: windows in every office, video cameras on campus, social media policies, third-person policies (i.e., policies stating that two people shouldn’t be alone in private places such as cars or closed rooms without windows), etc.

3. Educate workers and volunteers about state law requirements regarding abuse and the mandated responsibility for reporting incidents. It is important to refer to local and state reporting laws. Some states will prosecute church workers if they fail to report child abuse.

4. Use a two-adult rule, requiring a minimum of two workers with children at all times.

This rule protects children and also protects adults against false accusations that a person could bring against a worker who is alone with children.

5. Implement an identification system so the adult(s) who drops off a child is the same person who picks up the child. This safeguard prohibits possible abduction.

6. Have church leaders and supervisors make random, unannounced visits to children/youth services and classes.

7. Set a minimum time a person must attend the church before serving as a volunteer with children or youth.

8. Do not allow teens (13 to 17 years old) to supervise children in the absence of an adult.

Dan Prater is the founder and director of the Center for Nonprofit Communication at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri.

47

Remember that your local district/network office is a valuable resource. Staff members can provide counsel and support to churches needing to develop or enforce sexual harassment policies.

If your church is working through these issues, reach out to your local leadership for assistance.

T: Take Care of Victims

Too often the victims of sexual misconduct suffer in silence. Once you deal with a perpetrator, it is easy to neglect caring for those who now face the challenge of walking the long road toward healing. Victims of sexual crimes often feel shame and suffer from depression and isolation. Pastors should designate trusted leaders to serve as advocates so women know where to turn when they need help.

How can your church provide healing for victims? Offering a small support group is a great option for many churches. Be sure the leaders are trained and qualified to minister to sexual abuse victims.

Every church should maintain a list of professional counselors to whom you can refer those needing to take that necessary step toward healing. Places like the Allender Center can also provide training for staff to help equip them to minister to those suffering from trauma. Taking care of victims is the respon-sibility of the Church as we seek to bring healing to the wounded.

My #ChurchToo Experience

Pastors should designate trusted leaders to serve as advocates so women know where to turn when they need help.

48

I’m an ordained AG minister who has worked in the Church my entire adult life. I’ve been a church planter and served for more than a decade in network/district leadership. Yet the Church I love has also been a place of deep pain.

I was that innocent little girl with braids who walked into Sunday School class and encountered a pedophile. When I finally told my parents, the church elders reluctantly told the perpetrator he could no longer attend the church — sadly, a decision that was short-lived.

My abuser was a well-respected man who had literallyhelpedbuildthechurchwithhisbarehands.

Everyone loved him and could not grasp the reality that he was capable of harming a child. After I broke the silence, other women in the church who had attended his Sunday School class came forward to share similar stories.

49

The Church should be a safe place to offer help and hope for those struggling with sexual brokenness.

While the church initially asked him to leave, he soon returned, about the time my family moved to another town. I read his obituary recently that stated he was a lifelong member of that church when he died. I cannot help but wonder: Were there other #MeToo victims of this man in subsequent years?

I lived through a #ChurchToo experience and know a multitude of women who have suffered through sexual assault by men in spiritual authority. Tragically, those we trust to lead and guide us sometimes turn out to be the “ferocious wolves” Jesus warns us about in Matthew 7:15. It compounds the damage when the people

Creating a Sexual Harassment Policy

50

Beth Backes is the director of pastoral care at the Northwest Ministry Network based in Snoqualmie, Washington. It is comprised of over 350 AG churches in Washington and North Idaho.

RICHARD R. HAMMAR

t’s important to establish, publicize and enforce anti-harassment policies and complaint procedures. While it is not always a legal requirement, overlooking this matter makes it difficult for an employer to prove reasonable care in preventing and correcting harassment.

Include the following in your written sexual harassment policy: • Define sexual harassment (both quid pro quo and hostile environment), and state unequivocally that your organization will not tolerate it and that it will be the basis for immediate discipline (up to and including dismissal).

• Encourage victims to report incidents of harassment, and outline the procedure for filing complaints.

• Assure employees that your organization will investigate their complaints promptly, maintain their confidentiality and see that they do not suffer retaliation

I

we turn to for help fail to act with biblical conviction and common sense.

The time is now for us to act. We must model courageous leadership and stand on behalf of generations of women who are depending on the leaders in our churches to protect and care for them. Each of us is accountable to steward this significant moment in history with wisdom. As a ministry leader and a #ChurchToo survivor, I implore us to live out Proverbs 31:8–9: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice” (NLT).

• Outline disciplinary procedures for policy violations.

Seek an attorney’s assistance in drafting the sexual harassment policy.

Communicate the final policy to all workers, and investigate all complaints immediately.

Discipline employees who violate the policy.

However, be careful not to administer discipline without adequate proof. Discipline not involving dismissal should include a warning that any future incidents of harassment may result in immediate dismissal. Follow up by meeting with the victim to ask whether further incidents have occurred.

Keep in mind that a written sexual harassment policy does not insulate a church from all sexual harassment liability. The best defense is prevention.

— Adapted from Church Law & Tax Report, March/April 2018. Used by permission. © Christianity Today.

FEATURE

52

7 TRENDS IMPACTING THE CHURCH Being aware of shifting trends better prepares leaders to meet the needs of a broken world. Here are seven trends that all pastors, preachers and church leaders should track.

CHRIS RAILEY

53

I

t’s difficult to predict the future. But we can see trends if we know where to look. In my position and through my work, I have the benefit of a national vantage point.

As I travel throughout the country meeting ministers in various contexts, I’ve come to see several trends that have major implications for ministry.

These trends aren’t just the result of empirical data or scholarly research. Much of this information comes from my own observations and conversations with pastors.

These are the recurring themes I’m seeing in the Church.

I want to share some insights on where I believe we are heading. I have great reason to be optimistic about the Church. But I am also realistic about what is happening around us. If we want to be ready to meet challenges headon, we must be willing to make some changes.

Change for the sake of change is never advisable. But as we track trends, we should be flexible and ready to adapt.

We never compromise the centrality of our gospel message, but we are always on the lookout for ways to preach it to more people.

Being aware of shifting trends better prepares us to meet the needs of a broken world. Here are seven trends that I think all pastors, preachers and church leaders should track:

1. The Parent Church Model

In the past, the prevailing model for starting new churches was a parachute church plant: A pastor moves into a community he or she has never lived in before and tries to carve out a ministry. Today, there’s a trend toward parenting new churches instead of pioneering alone.

Ed Stetzer wrote in Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age, “The best church planting occurs when a sponsor/mother church is actively involved in the planting of new churches.”

In the last few years, 60 percent of all new Assemblies of God churches were parent affiliated churches. I believe the reasons for that are varied, but one of the most important is that it provides a safety net for new ministers seeking to start their own work.

Many existing churches realize their legacy is in raising up leaders rather than building something for themselves.

That has meant a shift to a parenting model — not only in planting churches but also in how they lead their own staff members. Churches are finding that raising up sons and daughters is more effective than hiring employees or sending out followers.

Over the last few years, I’ve seen an increase in staff positions that focus solely on sending instead of retaining.

54

The parent church model presents an opportunity for every church, no matter its size or location, to be involved in church multiplication through a parentingtype relationship.

That means leaders consider several of the positions on a church team transitional. The expectation is that the individuals filling these roles will someday leave for either a parent-affiliated launch or a new work elsewhere, whatever that looks like.

To make this happen, pastors are adopting a new mindset of viewing themselves as spiritual fathers or mothers.

Instead of training and leading, they are nurturing and mentoring. This depth of relationship happens not just in the church building during staff meetings but also in the field as they work together, as well as in their downtime as they experience life together. To maximize their impact, pastors are finding personal ways to invest.

The parent church model presents an opportunity for every church, no matter its size or location, to be involved in church multiplication through a parenting-type relationship. It also offers church planters a lifeline to a healthy church by becoming a parent affiliated church.

(For more information on the Parent Affiliated Church Model, visit churchmultiplication.net.)

2. Evolving Consumer Patterns

Today’s marketplace is not what it was 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago. This relates not just to what people are buying but how they’re buying. What types of products are young people investing their hard-earned money in, how often are they making purchases, and how are they shopping? At one time, consumers rarely made purchases online. Today, most people prefer it. And much of that shopping happens on mobile devices.

Declining brand loyalty reflects another changing attitude. Your dad may have always driven a Ford. Or maybe you’ve stayed true to your Dell computer over the years. But the trend among young people today is that the performance of a product is more important than its label.

Millennials have a limited amount of buying potential, so they prioritize the quality of a product over any past positive experiences with a brand. There is a whole new group of people who buy groceries online rather than in

stores, switch cellular carriers every year, and would rather eat local than patronize big-chain restaurants.

These trends are making their way into the church as well. People now want multiple ways to give, such as in person, online through a mobile app or with an automatic debit. They’re more interested in the quality of discipleship material than who produces it. They want a higher return on their investment than they’ve often received from the church in the past.

They want to feel that their dollars are being well spent. They’re also looking for the underlying storyline.

That’s why they are willing to spend a bit more for singleorigin coffee beans or handmade wares from overseas if they know there’s a good cause behind it.

The evolving patterns and habits of 21st-century consumers challenge ministry leaders to consider both quality and story as they design ministry to reach the emerging generations.

3. Dave Ramsey Effect

The church’s attitude toward debt has gone through a monumental shift over the last decade or so. That’s a result of what I call the Dave Ramsey Effect. Church members are learning to save more, spend less and get out of debt. And many pastors have led the charge on that.

This more cautious view of debt has created a generation of young people who are more cost conscious and money minded.

The results of this trend are showing up in several ways.

Over the last few years, the number of churches applying for Matching Funds (a form of funding that involves the planter raising money to be matched by the sending organization) in the Assemblies of God has not grown at the same rate as the number of churches planted. As well, fewer young people are applying for seminary. Why is that? Part of the reason is that those things often involve debt. A debt-averse culture has led to less investment in education, partnerships and building projects.

This more cautious view of debt has created a generation of young people who are more cost conscious and money minded. Creating and keeping to a personal budget is more than just good advice; it’s how you sustain yourself and your family over the long haul. This has been critical in helping young ministers get a handle on their finances, so they can serve better wherever they are.

But it has also created a fear around debt that may 55

lead to unintended consequences. Fewer young people are entering Christian colleges and seminaries for fear of racking up large student debt. This has led to a gap in highly trained young leaders in the church.

The Church’s vision should remain on training leaders and multiplying ministry impact and effectiveness. How we do that in a debt-conscious culture is a challenge we all must face.

4. Changing Cities and Suburbs

More than a century ago, there was a push toward manufacturing that resulted in populations migrating from the farms to the cities. Then, just after World War II, many people left the cities for the suburbs. What we’re seeing now is a new migration — especially among millennials — back into urban areas. Young professionals and immigrants are flooding into cities.

Author Tim Keller, who founded a church in New York City, writes, “I believe that immigration and broader cultural factors still make cities highly desirable destinations for the most ambitious and innovative people.”

That makes cities a hotbed for cultural diversity. It also makes them ground zero for a gospel-centered movement.

Cities are undergoing gentrification, or the renewal of 56

urban areas in favor of more high-end housing and commercial space. This has both positive and negative effects on the communities. Higher demands are leading to more housing options, but the costs are also skyrocketing.

Because of those increasing costs, some urban dwellers are relocating to the suburbs, taking their diverse worldviews with them.

The changing landscape means shifting political and religious points of view. The cultural traditions of large metropolitan areas may become the norm in suburbs and bedroom communities.

According to Keller, the metropolitan areas have several things in common, especially in regard to the Church.

One is open hostility to religion in general and Christianity in particular. Another trait is economic inequality.

People are lonelier and more detached, but they are also more divided. All of this represents unique challenges and opportunities for the Church.

Keller sees these shifting trends as a good thing: “Not only can we be confident of a good future for American cities, but also of good opportunity for urban ministry.”

The Church then has the opportunity to become a unifying force in America’s communities, bridging the divide across multiple fronts, much as Jesus did with the woman at the well (John 4).

5. Apologetics as a Critical Ministry Skill

The internet has made the world a lot smaller and brought more information to our fingertips. With this comes some unintended consequences. Today, anyone can log on to YouTube and watch videos from scholars, skeptics and critics. That means the people we are trying to reach are more informed about major objections to Christianity and arguments in favor of atheism.

In the meantime, few Christians are sharing their faith.

In 2013, Barna Group reported that while most bornagain Christians polled said they had a personal responsibility to evangelize, only about half of all respondents had shared the gospel with an unbeliever in the previous year.

Why is that? I believe many Christians are afraid someone will ask a question they can’t answer. What if the conversation leads to an argument about evolution? What if those unsaved friends bring up a topic they’ve never even thought about?

Apologetics is one tool every church minister must add to his or her toolbox, even more so than marketing or leadership. This doesn’t require every pastor to have a doctorate in philosophy. But it does require us to recognize a new era of sharing our faith in a different way.

57

Cross-cultural ministry is no longer an option for our churches but a coming certainty.

According to LifeWay Research, only 45 percent of adult churchgoers in the U.S. read their Bible more than once a week — and 1 in 5 never read the Scriptures outside of church. That’s a disappointing trend, but we can help correct it through intentional discipleship. Our church members may not feel prepared to answer tough questions from their unsaved friends. But when our people have a strong base of biblical knowledge, they’ll be more willing to engage on those issues.

Building a bridge is the first step in any effective evangelism effort. Those seeking answers to difficult questions are also searching for social capital. Skeptics and cynics are people just like you and me. They’re wondering whether they fit in the church and where. They want to know whether there is room for their point of view and their doubts. Strong biblical literacy among believers, combined with relentless love, may be the key.

6. The Over-Politicization of Everything

It’s trendy to be political these days. It seems everyone has an opinion and is more than willing to share it. No matter what you say, someone feels the need to vocalize a contrary viewpoint. It’s also clear that we’re more sensitive than ever, ready to express offense at every turn.

I believe this is the result of the over-politicization of America. Politics pervade every area of our lives. What you eat, what kind of car you drive and even what type of sporting event you attend can have political implications, whether you know it or not.

Controversy is not new for the Church. In the first century, Jesus told His followers that some leaders would face persecution for the stand they took (Matthew 5:11– 12). He said His ministry would cause divisions in communities, friendships and even families (Luke 12:51–53).

58

Of course, Jesus wasn’t talking about peripheral political issues. Christianity’s cause is the gospel, not a political party’s platform.

As pastors and church leaders, we must be ready to face the political climate of our day. Taking a stand on certain issues may alienate some members of our audience. But bending to the opinions of everyone in our pews is not the answer. Those who are looking for an answer to society’s ills are searching for something they can find only in the truths of Scripture and the power of the Cross.

7. Diversity Awareness

American culture is more diverse than ever. Though it’s most apparent in large cities, it’s true in many nonurban communities as well. Cross-cultural ministry is no longer an option for our churches but a coming certainty.

For many young people, diversity is the default position. From their online communities to their university classrooms, they live in a global environment. While older people may notice the presence of different individuals in any setting, younger people notice the absence of differences.

Race, as a topic, makes most people feel extraordinarily uncomfortable. People have different experiences in life.

And while some of us may not realize it, race plays a big role in that. Even today, people of color face stereotypes, biases and unfair treatment. Whether we admit it or not, there’s a problem.

As our country grows increasingly diverse, we must face this issue unflinchingly. Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, is challenging people to be color brave instead of color blind. In a recent TED Talk, she describes societal colorblindness as “a learned behavior where we pretend that we don’t notice race.”

Being color blind, Hobson says, does not guarantee fairness or an end to prejudice. In fact, it may actually increase it. As she puts it, “In my view, color blindness is very dangerous because it means we’re ignoring the problem.” Instead, she says we must become “color brave,” being open and honest about our differences rather than shying away from the difficult or uncomfortable conversations.

As our neighborhoods, cities and country become more diverse, people will be looking for ways to fit in. They may be searching for churches where they see familiar-looking faces and hear familiar-sounding songs and sermon styles. But in case they don’t find them, they’ll be looking for congregations that are bold enough to recognize the diversity in their midst and embrace it.

Conclusion

It’s difficult to say how many of these trends will truly impact the Church, or how deeply we will feel the impacts.

Our role as leaders is simply to remain culturally aware and mindful of the winds of change as we develop minis-

tries to reach more people for Christ. We can’t respond to every whim and change in society, but we can be cognizant of what’s happening. Are you ready to make the necessary changes to be effective for years to come? It won’t be easy, but I believe it will be rewarding.

The best way to respond to any trend in the world is by focusing on what the Spirit is saying. He is the One who guides us into all truth (John 16:13), and God’s truth is never a trend. While we walk in Him, He will lead us to make the necessary changes to share that truth with more and more people.

Chris Railey, D.Min., is executive director of Influence Resources and senior director of leadership and church development ministries for The General Council of the Assemblies of God, U.S.A.

59

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO SEE THE PLACE WHERE JESUS WALKED?

THEN START PACKING.

RYAN HORN

Director of Discipleship Assemblies of God (USA)

[I

WES BARTEL

Director of Senior Adult Ministries Assemblies of God (USA)

� CENTER FOR HOLY LANDS STUDIES

Visit HolyLandsStudies.org or call 1.855.700.CHLS (2457) to find out more. �

MULTIPLIERS Leaders leveraging their gifts for God’s kingdom

SMALL STEPS OF BIG FAITH

T

he next generation is full of fire, faith and determination. As leaders, we have an awesome responsibility to disciple and direct them without undermining their passion. We need to help the next generation take steps of faith as they walk with the Spirit.

Those steps of faith can be as simple and practical as walking through a door. Each day, millions of young people step through the doors of our schools. Who else is with them?

How are we sending them out into the halls and classrooms?

Joe Franco, a youth pastor from Portland, Oregon, isn’t just sending his kids out. He’s walking with them. As a volunteer coach in the public school system, he has taken the opportunity to be present with them every day.

Hope Danzl, a high school student from Melrose, Minnesota, took a step of faith into her principal’s office. Offering to help bring a motivational speaker to her school led to salvation for many of her classmates. It wasn’t

easy, but with the right amount of planning and plenty of passion, she pulled it off and opened more doors for the future.

Josh Wellborn knows all about taking important steps of faith. As the newly appointed national youth director for the Assemblies of God, he’s helping youth pastors all over the country take important steps to prioritize missions, move into leadership and build community.

Severin “Sevo” Lwali took a big step moving to the U.S. from Kenya for college. Once here, he got involved in Chi Alpha and now serves as the Chi Alpha International director. Sevo believes the right step is leading international students from friendship to leadership. That takes risk but has incredible reward as well.

As you’ll see, each of these multipliers has something to offer in his or her corner of the world that has large and lasting impact throughout the globe. It starts with one small step. But it’s followed by staying true to the Spirit’s leading.

Chris Colvin is a contributing editor to Influence magazine and specializes in sermon research for pastors and churches. He lives in Springfield, Missouri, with his wife and two children.

61

MULTIPLIERS

Offering to Help Opens Doors A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H J O E F R A N C O

“There’s lots of crime with strip clubs and bars on every corner.

They’re looking for an answer. And schools are looking for someone to partner with them.”

2 64

ith more than 20 years of youth ministry under his belt, Joe Franco has served a lot of students. But the most important ones have been those under his own roof.

“So many pastors put all their energy in the church and reaching the lost,” says Franco, who serves as youth pastor at Gresham Family Worship Center (AG) near Portland, Oregon. “But what about loving their own children? How do I balance that?”

One way he found was getting involved in his kids’ school. Franco offered to volunteer at the middle school when his oldest son, Joey, attended there.

“I said, ‘Let me help out in the kitchen,’” Franco says. “Anything to just get my foot in the door.”

The school asked him to coach football and basketball instead, two sports Joey excelled at.

Franco coached Joey all the way to high school, but then gave that up to coach his

W

younger child, David, in third grade. Tracking with his kids each year has given Franco a chance to stay connected with them.

Coaching in the public schools has opened doors for Franco to build relationships with students, school administrators, teachers and parents. Sixteen-year-old Joey has led more than 100 fellow students to the Lord, and about 80 percent of the football and basketball teams now attend the youth group at Gresham Family Worship Center.

Being at the same church for 15 years has allowed Franco to develop ties of trust with the community and schools.

“Joe is a modern-day hero,” says Franco’s wife, Andrea. “Joe believes in students and sees the potential God has in store for their lives. He never complains, no matter how exhausted he may be. He goes above and beyond what most people would do because he believes that God has a plan, and he wants to share the gospel with as many people as he can, including his family.”

Franco is one of the many incredible bivocational pastors in the Assemblies of God. Giving up his spare time to invest in the lives of students is a way to sow into hard soil and reap an abundant harvest.

“Schools are looking for help,” Franco says.

“Our neighborhood is rough. There’s lots of crime with strip clubs and bars on every corner. They’re looking for an answer. And schools are looking for someone to partner with them.”

That doesn’t mean Franco gets to preach in the school halls. But it does mean he can be present on campus, help oversee a studentled Youth Alive Bible club, and give his input to the principal and administration on important matters.

“What they really want from us is to love on every student we come in contact with,” Franco says. “That’s the heart of every youth pastor I know!”

Franco says it simply takes a willingness to serve and a commitment to build relationships. The doors are open to do something great for the Kingdom in the nation’s public school system — and Franco is living proof of that.

MULTIPLIERS

The Big Deal of Taking Small Steps A C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H H O P E DA N Z L

“We meet every Friday before school for Bible study. It was something God had put in our hearts, so we came up with a plan and took it to our principal.”

64

ou never know until you ask. That’s what Hope Danzl believed. And when she finally did ask, God did something amazing in her school.

Danzl attends Harvest Church (AG) in Freeport, Minnesota. At age 10, she accepted Christ as Savior at church camp. When she reached high school, she and some other students started a Bible club.

“We meet every Friday before school for Bible study,” says Danzl, who attends Melrose High School in Melrose, Minnesota. “It was something God had put in our hearts, so we came up with a plan and took it to our principal.”

That proof of planning opened additional doors for Danzl to do even more.

Through her youth pastor, Ricky Backhaus, Danzl heard about an incredible way to bring Jesus into the public schools. By inviting a motivational speaker to come speak on a nonreligious topic to the entire school, she could then invite all of her classmates to a rally later that night at church.

“It was something we had never done in our high school,” Danzl says.

But that didn’t stop her.

First, she counted the cost — literally. Danzl needed $4,000 to make her idea happen.

Instead of going straight to her principal, she developed a business plan and shared it with local business owners.

“It was a huge task, and there were lots of ways I could fail,” Danzl says. “But I felt committed.”

That commitment paid off. Danzl was able to raise three-quarters of her goal before meeting with her principal. She knew God was meeting her needs.

At first, the principal was hesitant about the big idea. He told Danzl he needed to talk it over with the rest of the administration,

Y

which he said could take a few days. But 5 minutes later, he came to get her out of class.

“He told me, ‘I don’t need to talk to anyone about it; we’ll do it,’” Danzl says. “And then he really surprised me: He told me that the school would cover the additional costs.”

Melrose isn’t a large community. But the day of the rally, every student from elementary to high school — more than 1,000 students — came to hear the message. Using painting and stories, the evangelist talked about the importance of making right decisions.

“Jesus’ name was never spoken, but you could tell God was moving in their hearts,” Danzl says.

That evening, more than 200 kids showed up for the follow-up event at Harvest Church, and several of them accepted Christ.

What made the difference?

“It was all about student initiation,” Danzl says.

When Danzl’s principal saw that she was doing this on her own with the help of fellow students, it made it easier for her to gain favor.

Student initiation starts with small steps.

“If I hadn’t taken smaller steps, like helping start the Bible study, I couldn’t have taken this bigger step,” Danzl says.

Now she’s part of laying a great spiritual foundation for some of her classmates. And Danzl is an inspiration for others to take more steps, both big and small, in the future.

MULTIPLIERS

Rallying a Generation Around God A Q&A W I TH J OS H W E LLB ORN Josh Wellborn recently accepted the position of Assemblies of God national youth director.

His path through ministry has been anything but traditional, but his vision for the future is no less grounded.

“Most youth pastors are high-capacity leaders, so I just want to challenge them to expand their horizons and be ready for what’s next.”

INFLUENCE: How did you get to where you are now, leading district youth directors across the Fellowship and steering the vision for the National Youth Department?

JOSH WELLBORN: It really started after graduating from Evangel University with a degree in communication studies. From there, I hosted a radio show geared toward teenagers and interned in youth ministry at a local church.

Eventually, a door was open for me to move to the Flint, Michigan, area. We saw incredible growth. The church went from 700 to over 2,000 during a season of revival.

In the summer of 2015, I was approached to take the lead as the district youth director.

It felt like a very natural transition for me. I was able to direct my attention to youth pastors throughout our state. When I was called to take this national position, though, it was never something I had dreamed of doing. I knew nearly every one of my predecessors personally. They’ve been my heroes, and I’ve always tried to emulate them.

What is your vision for the National Youth Department?

As far as long-term vision, I see three guiding principles directing us.

First, we need to focus on missions and Speed the Light. That means we are obedient to God, giving what He asks us to give when He asks. From those simple acts of obedience

66

comes a wonderful testimony of provision.

Second is leadership development. Most youth pastors are high-capacity leaders, so I just want to challenge them to expand their horizons and be ready for what’s next.

The third principle is two words: better together. How do we create a culture that prioritizes the body of Christ as a group fighting together for a common goal? I want to lead that charge.

If you could speak to every youth pastor, parent and student across America, what would you want them to know?

After the recent acts of violence in our public schools, I think more than ever we need to clarify our mission, especially on school campuses. As we see teenagers rallying around gun control, I want to see our teens rallying around God awareness. I want to create a network of leaders where we are the first to respond. And I want to see students rising up to be the best leaders in the evangelical world.

Do you see something special about this generation of students?

Definitely. I’ve heard it said that Generation Z has the work ethic of the Greatest Generation and the attitude of Generation X. When students take the initiative, that could be a clue as to the kind of dynamic they have and the types of leaders they’re becoming.

What we need to give them is a genuine encounter with the Holy Spirit and strong biblical literacy through discipleship and community. When we teach them to care for each other, emphasizing empathy and compassion, they can use that energy to change the world.

MULTIPLIERS

From Friendship to Leadership A Q&A W I TH S EV E R I N LWA LI Severin “Sevo” Lwali came to the United States from Kenya to attend college. He now oversees Chi Alpha’s outreach to international students. His long-term goal is to help make 100,000 disciples over the next 9 years.

“Jesus took a risk with 12 disciples, and that included hot-tempered Peter, doubting Thomas and even Judas. There’s always a danger in taking that risk, but there’s incredible potential, too.”

INFLUENCE: How has your experience as an international student prepared you for this position?

SEVERIN LWALI: Growing up in Kenya, I had never really heard about having a personal relationship with Jesus. My oldest sister went to a university in India where she got saved through a campus ministry. When she came back, she told us all about it. At that same time, I kept having a recurring dream about sharing Jesus with my friends in high school and being so full of joy. When I finally gave my life to Jesus, my dream literally came true as I began sharing Him with everyone I knew.

When I came to the U.S. to study at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, I joined the local Chi Alpha ministry. I was a new believer and going through a culture shift.

But the Chi Alpha pastor took a risk with me, allowing me to lead a Bible study and even preach. I’ll never forget that, and it’s shaped my vision for moving students from friendship to leadership.

What does it mean to move students from friendship to leadership?

Walking in the shoes of an international student prepared me to see their perspective and understand the challenges they face. The greatest gap an international student has is lack of community. You leave behind a support system back home, and you’re not sure what to expect.

68

Most of international students are not looking for a faith community. They just want friends. When we fill that role, we have the opportunity to lead them to faith in Christ. And when we take the risk and allow them to lead, God can do amazing things.

Jesus took a risk with 12 disciples, and that included hot-tempered Peter, doubting Thomas and even Judas. There’s always a danger in taking that risk, but there’s incredible potential, too.

What’s the true potential of ministry to international students?

Currently there are 1.2 million international students in the United States. That’s more than double what it was just 10 years ago. And many of them are from countries that do not allow foreign missionaries to share Jesus, like China and Saudi Arabia. There’s nothing that happens on the plane ride back home that transforms them into a missionary to their own country. We need to reach them while they are here.

What do our churches need to know about international students?

When it comes to people who don’t look or sound like you, who don’t come from where you come from, if you take the risk to invite them into your churches and into your homes, you will see God do amazing things. Here in the U.S., every tongue, tribe and nation is coming to us. God loves the whole world, and when we love people who come from different countries and cultures, we’re loving just like He does.

MAKE IT COUNT An eight-week study for leadership teams

GOD EXPERIENCE RESEARCH

ADVICE

INTUITION INFLUENCERS

WHAT IS MAKE IT COUNT?

Week after week, you invest time and energy into making every Sunday count. But you also have to think about staff meetings, board meetings, and meetings with key volunteers and other church leaders.

Juggling so many meetings can seem overwhelming, especially as you think about developing the leaders around you. Effective leaders are continually looking for great leadership content they can use to develop and mentor other leaders. Make It Count is a powerful, little tool to help you accomplish just that.

Each Make It Count lesson is easily adaptable for individual or group discussion, allowing for personal application and reflection among your ministry leaders and lead volunteers. The lessons are useful as devotionals in board and staff meetings and in departmental meetings with your lead volunteers. Studying and growing together is key to building strong and healthy relationships with

DNA TIMING

your team members, and it is a necessary component to building growing, flourishing churches. These lessons can help you make each moment count as you lead and develop the leaders around you.

The following eight, easy-touse lessons on keys to effective decision making are written by Stephen Blandino, lead pastor of 7 City Church in Fort Worth, Texas (7citychurch.com). He planted 7 City Church in 2012 in a thriving cultural arts district near downtown Fort Worth.

Blandino Blandino blogs regularly at stephenblandino.com and is the author of several books, including Do Good Works, Creating Your Church’s Culture, and GO! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution.

70

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making STEPHEN BLANDINO

ecision making and leadership go hand in hand. You don’t get one without the other. When the pressure is on, the ability to be decisive is essential. The real question is this: How do leaders consistently make great decisions?

In this series of lessons, we’re going to explore eight keys to effective decision making. Those keys include God, DNA, research, experience, advice, intuition, influencers and timing. Here’s the truth about each of these decision-making factors: • Without God, decisions will lack supernatural wisdom.

• Without DNA, decisions can lack organizational consistency.

• Without research, decisions can lack depth.

D

• Without experience, decisions can lack maturity.

• Without advice, decisions can lack perspective.

• Without intuition, decisions can lack peace.

• Without influencers, decisions can lack buy-in.

• Without timing, decisions can lack impact.

The decisions you make each day can create a ripple through your entire church or ministry organization. You, your teams, and your entire congregation or organization pay the price and reap the rewards (or consequences) of every decision. As you read and discuss each lesson, apply these insights to improve your personal and collective decision-making processes.

HOW TO USE MAKE IT COUNT

We are pleased to make available the Make It Count Discussion Guide in a downloadable PDF, available through the “Downloads” button on Influencemagazine.com.

Each lesson in the PDF Make It Count Discussion Guide is divided into a Leader’s page and Team Member’s page. The Leader’s page corresponds exactly to the material in the print issue of this magazine.

We encourage you to print multiple copies of the PDF Discussion Guide from Influencemagazine.com for all your ministry leaders and the team members they lead in your church or organization.

You will notice that key words and concepts are underlined in each lesson on the Leader’s page. These underlined words and concepts correspond to the blank spaces

found on the team member lesson pages. Team members can fill in the blanks as you progress through each lesson.

We trust these lessons will help you make each moment count as you lead and develop the leaders around you.

71

MAKE IT COUNT Study

1

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making

God: What Is the Holy Spirit Saying?

Assess: How do you welcome the Holy Spirit’s leadership in your decision making?

Insights and Ideas

t’s easy to turn to the latest research, the newest books, our closest friends and the most respected leaders to help us make better decisions. There’s nothing wrong with any of these, and we’ll soon touch on the value of outside input in the decision-making process. However, the starting place for decision making isn’t found in the wisdom of men and women. It starts with God. James embraced this truth when he said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

James’ wisdom-seeking instructions reveal four unique dimensions.

1. A condition. First, James said, “If any of you lacks wisdom.” All of us experience wisdom-lacking moments throughout life and in the many paths our leadership journey takes.

Lacking wisdom isn’t sin; it’s simply a condition we find ourselves in.

2. A directive. Next, James says, “you should ask God.” He provides a clear directive on what to do when we find ourselves without the wisdom we so desperately need. We should ask God. How? Through prayer and His Word. Prayer puts us in a posture to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, and Scripture is our go-to-source for making God-honoring decisions in life, leadership and ministry. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

3. A behavior. James continues by pointing to how God behaves when we lack wisdom.

He says, “who gives generously to all without finding fault.” Notice three things in these eight words. God “gives generously.” He’s not a stingy God when it comes to wisdom. He gives to “all” — that covers every corner of the earth. And God doesn’t find “fault.” The fact that you need wisdom doesn’t make God look at you with a hint of disappointment or disgust. God is generous in His supply of wisdom without holding our need for wisdom against us.

4. A promise. Finally, James says, “and it will be given to you.” James makes a promise that God will be true to His nature. He will give you the wisdom to make the right decision, at the right moment.

God has wisdom beyond anything we can obtain on our own. His wisdom is infinite because He is omniscient. Seek the Lord, and invite Him to fill you with the wisdom and knowledge of His perfect will. Decision making starts with God. Without God, decisions lack supernatural wisdom.

I

Reflect and Discuss

1. How do James’ words change the way you view decision making?

2. When do you most seek God in the decision-making process (beginning, end, other)?

3. How do you sense the Holy Spirit is leading you to make a decision that is now before you?

Apply

Make a list of the top three decisions you are facing right now. Set aside time this week to pray specifically about these three decisions. After one week, record what you sense the Holy Spirit is saying to you. Furthermore, search God’s Word for any wisdom He offers on the decisions you are praying about.

72

MAKE IT COUNT Study

2

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making

DNA: Does the Decision Violate Our Identity?

Team Review: After praying for one week about your top three decisions, what clarity do you

have? How else did this extra prayer focus shape your mindset toward the decisions you are currently facing?

Assess: How do you use your church’s vision as a filter for decision making?

Insights and Ideas

very church has a unique DNA. Unfortunately, many pastors and leaders don’t carefully reflect on their DNA prior to making important decisions. As a result, the church begins to experience sideways energy as it’s pulled in opposing directions.

In our last session, we discovered James’ wise words for seeking wisdom by asking God for help. But the instructions James offered for decision making don’t end there. He continues, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” (James 1:6–8).

Double-mindedness happens when our doubts overshadow our trust in God and faith in His wisdom. Double-mindedness is also a good term to describe the inconsistencies we express when our decisions don’t reflect the DNA of our church. Typically, a church’s DNA consists of four things.

1. Beliefs. Your beliefs are the biblical doctrines you embrace as the foundation of your Christian faith. Every decision we make should reflect our theology and the depth of our faith in Christ.

2. Vision. Author and pastor Bill Hybels says, “Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion.” Making decisions that are inconsistent with your God-given vision will produce a double-minded focus and lead you into a future you never intended to see.

3. Mission. The mission describes why your church exists. It’s the biblical purpose that defines and drives your activity. When you do your mission, it should result in the fulfillment of your vision.

4. Values. A church’s values define what it considers most important. Values are a small handful of principles and priorities that guide how a church behaves, how it uses its resources, what it schedules and the ministries it offers.

You can’t make decisions that keep you true to your DNA if you’re not clear about your DNA. But when your DNA is clearly defined, you’ll have the framework necessary to stay true to your beliefs, singularly focused on your vision, committed to your mission and guided by your values.

Without DNA, decisions can lack organizational consistency.

E

Reflect and Discuss

1. What are our church’s beliefs, vision, mission and values?

2. Which of these four defining ingredients of our church’s DNA needs more clarity?

3. How can we systematically use our church’s DNA to shape our decisions moving forward?

Apply

Work together with your team to identify a system to use your church’s DNA as a filter for decision making. If any of the DNA factors — beliefs, vision, mission and values — are unclear, work together to gain the necessary clarity so you can make decisions strategically and purposefully.

73

MAKE IT COUNT Study

3

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making

Research: Have I Done My Homework?

Team Review: Have you started using your church’s DNA to make better decisions? If not, where are you in the process of clarifying your church’s beliefs, vision, mission and values?

Assess: What does your research process typically entail when making decisions?

Insights and Ideas

n-depth decision making always requires some level of research. Unless you’re willing to do your homework, you’re liable to make misguided or misinformed decisions.

Jesus warned of this danger when He said, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.

Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish’” (Luke 14:28–30).

The lesson is clear: If you don’t do your homework, your decisions will lead to regret.

So, what kind of research should you do before making a decision? Three practices are particularly helpful.

1. Clarification. Begin your research by clarifying the real issue at hand. The last thing you want to do is make a decision that addresses symptoms rather than root problems. Drill down on the situation until you can fully clarify the actual decision that needs to be made. This may take more time on the front end, but it will save you time and heartache on the back end.

2. Innovation. Once you have clarity, you can begin innovating fresh solutions. Take time to research best practices and creative options that will help you make decisions that produce real fruit. Your job as a leader is not to have all the answers, but to create an environment open to fresh thinking so the best answer can emerge.

3. Calculation. Finally, your research should pinpoint the resources required to execute the decision. How much money, energy and time will it demand? Calculating resources will inform what it will take to turn a decision into action. Furthermore, calculate how a decision will impact other ministries or departments in the church. Every decision creates a ripple, and failure to calculate a ripple’s impact can actually diminish the buy-in you’re seeking from other leaders.

Leaders tend to have a bias toward action. For this reason, it’s tempting to skip the research part of decision making, especially if the leader also has a high level of intuition that informs his or her decision making. Do your homework. It will be worth it in the long run.

Without research, decisions can lack depth.

I

Reflect and Discuss

1. Which decisions are you more inclined to research, and for which ones are you more inclined to lean on your intuition?

2. Can you give an example of how research significantly benefited a decision in the last 12 months?

3. Which of the three research practices — clarification, innovation, calculation — are you most likely to give the least attention? Why?

Apply

Take one of the decisions you’re currently facing, and use the research filter described above. Clarify the root issues shaping this decision, innovate ideas and best practices, and calculate the cost of making this decision. Don’t make the decision until you’ve completed your research.

74

MAKE IT COUNT Study

4

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making

Experience: What Does the Past Reveal?

Team Review: What did you learn from your research for an upcoming decision?

Assess: What’s a recent decision that was significantly helped by your past experience (or another team member’s)?

Insights and Ideas

ne of the greatest informers of future decisions is past experience. Job 12:12 says, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”

The longer you live, the more perspective you glean and the more insight you uncover.

True wisdom is not a collection of information, but rather the application of knowledge to produce positive transformation.

That’s the kind of experience you want — experience born out of wisdom. The key is to leverage that experience to make better decisions as you move forward. When you’re making decisions for the church, three types of experience are particularly helpful.

1. Personal experience. This is the experience you personally bring to the table. It usually consists of your failures, successes, habits, education, proficiencies and observations.

From this pool of personal experience, you’ll be able to draw out practical insights to shape better decisions.

2. Historical experience. This experience draws on the church’s historical trends, traditions, metrics and behaviors. The purpose of historical experience isn’t so much to define a future strategy, but rather to understand how the church might respond to future decisions. Understanding historical experience can mitigate pitfalls when it comes to actually executing a decision.

3. External experience. This experience comes from leaders and situations outside your church. You might look to a coach, consultant, pastor, church, model of ministry or set of best practices to provide fresh ideas and input before making an important decision.

Leaning on external experience is especially helpful when your church finds itself in a rut, dealing with a broken system or facing a significant barrier to forward progress.

Experience alone is not enough. Just because you have experience doesn’t mean you’ve uncovered any wisdom from it. The wisdom is only found when you take the time to reflect, ask hard questions and search for the gold buried within it. Otherwise, you won’t learn from the past; you’ll simply repeat it. As author Andy Stanley observed, “Experience alone doesn’t make you better at anything. By itself, experience has the potential to leave you in a rut. Evaluated experience is what enables you to improve your performance.”

Without experience, decisions can lack maturity.

O

Reflect and Discuss

1. What types of decisions would the personal experiences of each member of our team impact the most?

2. Based on our church’s history, what types of decisions are easiest to embrace, and which ones are hardest?

3. What external experience would help us make the most important decision our church is currently facing?

Apply

Have a discussion among your team members about how best to leverage one another’s experience for the good of the church. While you’ll need to be careful not to drift outside the parameters of your church’s DNA, understanding one another’s experience may actually reveal a wealth of untapped knowledge.

75

MAKE IT COUNT Study

5

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making

Advice: Have I Sought the Wisdom of Others?

Team Review: What valuable experience did you discover among the members of your team?

Assess: Who is the wisest person you know? In what area(s) does that person exhibit the greatest wisdom?

Insights and Ideas

cripture is full of truth on the value of seeking wisdom from others. Wisdom waits to be harvested from people all around us, but you have to seek after it. Like a weary traveler in a parched desert, you have to seek the refreshing springs of wisdom as though your life depended on it. A quick scan of Proverbs offers three ways to glean wise advice.

1. Association. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Whom you associate with has the greatest impact on the person you will ultimately become. The problem we often face isn’t that we’re unwilling to take advice, but that we’re unwilling to change the source. Gleaning wise advice begins by carefully choosing the people with whom you associate.

2. Listening. Once you associate with the right people, you need to stop talking and start listening. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Proverbs 19:20 adds these words: “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Your willingness to actively listen defines the measure of your growth posture. If you don’t listen, it really doesn’t matter who surrounds you.

3. Teachability. Listening opens the door to knowledge; teachability opens the spirit to receive it. It’s essential that you combine your listening with a teachable spirit and a readiness to apply what you hear. Proverbs 13:10 says, “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”

Unless you’re willing to humble yourself so that somebody can speak into your life, challenge your assumptions and stretch your paradigm, you’ll never “take” advice; you’ll simply ignore it. Author Steve Moore observed, “In a chemical laboratory, two elements may be mixed together with no resulting change. A catalyst is needed to trigger a reaction. Humility is a catalyst for learning because it produces teachability. It is impossible to learn without being teachable.”

You can glean advice from a spouse, family member, friend, coach, mentor, consultant or pastor, among others. The key is the person (whom you listen to) and your posture (your willingness to learn).

Without advice, decisions can lack perspective.

S

Reflect and Discuss

1. When you look at the five people you associate with most often, what does this reveal about you?

2. Who consistently gives you the best, most reliable and most helpful advice?

3. On a scale from 1 to 10, how teachable are you?

Apply

Carefully evaluate whom you go to for advice in the most important areas of your life. On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate the advice you are currently receiving in the following areas: spiritual, ministry, marriage, leadership, parenting, finances, health and other? If you are unsatisfied with the advice you are receiving, what changes do you need to make in the relationships you lean on for wisdom? What’s your action plan to improve your sources for wise advice?

76

MAKE IT COUNT Study

6

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making

Intuition: What Is My Gut Telling Me? Team Review: What did you learn about the sources from whom you most often take advice?

Assess: On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you trust your gut when making a decision?

Insights and Ideas

ntuition is the most nuanced part of decision making. At first glance, you might think intuition isn’t important. After all, what can you learn from listening to your gut? How can a hunch inform your decision-making process? Believe it or not, intuition can play an important role. Here are three ways intuition shows up when making decisions.

1. Major giftedness. John Maxwell has observed that you are most intuitive in the areas of your greatest giftedness. In other words, if you’re a strong leader, you’ll be most intuitive in the area of leadership. If you’re a great singer, you’ll be most intuitive in the area of your vocal capacity. If you’re a great plumber, you’ll be most intuitive in the area of your craft.

Wherever you have the most natural ability is the same place you will have the most natural intuition. When it comes to making decisions, pay attention to the sweet spot of your strengths. If you have no strength in the area requiring a decision, surround yourself with others who do — or delegate the decision.

2. Spirit-led nudges. The Holy Spirit will often raise a red flag when we draw close to a decision that is outside of His will or His wisdom. The Holy Spirit also knows the future, and He will reveal what you need to know when you need to know it. John 16:13 says, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” Being sensitive to the Spirit’s nudges is like Spirit-led intuition. In the Early Church, when it came to making a decision, the leaders once declared that it seemed good to them and the Holy Spirit. That is a great picture of Spirit-led intuition.

3. Experience, awareness and facts. Intuition is often born in the melting pot of experience, awareness and facts. In other words, intuition emerges when the wisdom of past experience, the awareness of relational dynamics and the clarity of the facts surrounding the situation merge together. These variables produce informed insight.

Pay attention to your gut. There’s a reason you sense what you are feeling. Intuition alone isn’t enough, but it’s certainly worth noting in the decision-making process.

Without intuition, decisions lack peace.

I

Reflect and Discuss

1. Can you give an example of how your intuition is strongest in your areas of giftedness?

2. How have you learned to be sensitive to the nudging of the Holy Spirit?

3. How has your past experience, awareness of relational dynamics and clarity of facts surrounding a situation informed your intuition?

Apply

Choose a decision your team is facing right now. Ask each person, “What’s your gut telling you in regard to this decision?” Ask each person to try to explain the intuition they are sensing.

77

MAKE IT COUNT Study

7

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making

Influencers: Are My Key Leaders Receptive and Supportive?

Team Review: What have you learned about the areas where your team members are most intuitive?

Assess: In general, how receptive and supportive are your leaders to your decision making as a leader?

Insights and Ideas

here’s an old proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Solomon shared some similar wisdom when he said, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).

In leadership, going together is essential if you want to make a lasting impact. The key is to make sure your influencers — staff, board and key leaders — are with you in the decisionmaking process.

Author John Maxwell often observes, “People buy-in to the leader before they buy-in to the vision.” You can have the greatest ideas in the world — even ideas God has birthed inside of you — and yet still not move forward because your leaders aren’t on board. How do you get your leaders to buy-in to a decision? Start with three practices.

1. Include leaders in your decision-making process. Including leaders doesn’t mean you have to lead by consensus. Rather, it means deliberately seeking perspective from your core leaders. Remember, people are down on what they’re not up on.

2. Test a direction without declaring a decision. Too often, leaders declare a decision publicly without first taking time to test the waters privately. Bounce your idea off a few trusted people who might be most affected by your decision. Say something like, “I’ve been thinking about … ” or, “What would be your thoughts if we tried something like …?” Test the direction you want to go with a few people before declaring it publicly.

3. Communicate the decision in layers. Once a decision is made, communicate it through the layers of influence within your church. Think about these layers as concentric circles representing your staff, board, key leaders, volunteers and attendees. Begin communicating with your inner circle, and then move outward until the decision has been communicated throughout the church.

This strategy is helpful for several reasons. First, you create greater buy-in with your most influential leaders. Second, you discover possible objections each time you communicate to a different group. By the time you get to the fourth and fifth circles, you know how to answer questions before they are even asked. The bigger the decision, the more important this communication process is to create buy-in.

Without influencers, decisions can lack buy-in.

T

Reflect and Discusss

1. Can you share a time when you made a decision without adequate buy-in from your leaders? What was the outcome?

2. Which of the three buy-in practices do we need to intentionally cultivate?

3. What would the concentric circles look like in your area of ministry?

Apply

Take a major decision you are preparing to make, and evaluate how well you’ve cultivated buyin among your influencers. You might even give yourself a grade — A, B, C, D or F. Then draft a plan to foster greater buy-in, followed by a communication strategy to your circles of influence.

78

MAKE IT COUNT Study

8

Eight Keys to Effective Decision Making

Timing: Is the Timing Right?

Team Review: What steps have you taken toward building greater buy-in to a decision among your key influencers?

Assess: Why is timing so important when it comes to making decisions?

Insights and Ideas

salm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Because time is precious and short, we often think we have to do everything now.

However, the right decision at the wrong time is a lost opportunity. When your timing is right, you’ll increase the level of buy-in. When the timing is right, your credibility goes up as a leader. When your timing is right, the impact for the church multiplies. When the timing is wrong, the best decision can produce the worst outcome.

Timing is not one-dimensional in its application. When you’re making a decision, you have to weigh three factors.

1. Is the timing right for the leader? Leaders feel the brunt of the biggest decisions.

If the timing isn’t right, the decision can create collateral damage, beginning with the leader. Decisions can take an emotional, mental, physical, relational and financial toll, and if a leader’s reserves are not adequate, he or she can pay the highest price.

2. Is the timing right for the team? The bigger the decision, the more energy it takes to execute it. That means a single decision can require an entire team’s effort. For example, if you decide to launch a major capital campaign, it will be an all-hands-ondeck commitment from your staff, board and multiple teams of people necessary to see the best results. The question you have to answer is whether your team has the time and energy necessary to execute the decision successfully. If the timing for the team isn’t right, the leader will experience greater stress, and the outcome of the decision will be less than stellar.

3. Is the timing right for the church? Change can be difficult for a congregation.

If people have not been adequately prepared to embrace the ramifications of a big decision, then your decision may be premature. This doesn’t necessarily mean the decision has to wait months or years. It may only require a few more meetings with key leaders, or a bit longer timeline to work through the circles of influence.

Patient delays are among the price tags of growth. This is especially important to remember in leadership because leaders typically have a bias toward action.

Without timing, decisions can lack impact.

P

Reflect and Discuss

1. Can you share an example of a time a decision was right, but the timing was wrong?

What was the outcome?

2. When has the timing of a decision been wrong for our team or church? What lessons can we learn from this?

3. What would a system look like for us to evaluate the timing for a decision using the three questions above?

Apply

What decision are you preparing to make that would affect everybody — the leader, the team and the church? Carefully evaluate whether each group is ready for this decision.

If this isn’t the best time, what steps do you need to take to ensure the timing is right and the decision will most likely succeed?

79

THE FINAL NOTE

Reclaiming the Great Commission CHRISTINA QUICK

We must articulate every believer’s responsibility to spread the gospel.

Christina Quick is assistant editor of Influence magazine.

80

he Great Commission is one of the foundational precepts of Christianity. Yet only 49 percent of adult churchgoers in the U.S. have so much as heard of it, according to a new report from Barna Group.

Even those who have heard of the Great Commission aren’t necessarily well acquainted with Jesus’ command to go and make disciples of all nations. In fact, just 17 percent of churchgoers say they know what the term “Great Commission” means.

A quarter say the phrase rings a bell but are unable to identify its meaning, and 6 percent

T

can’t decide whether they’ve heard of it.

Younger churchgoers were least likely to express familiarity with the Great Commission. Just 10 percent of millennials and 17 percent of Gen-Xers said they knew the meaning of the phrase.

A lack of familiarity with the Great Commission isn’t the only point of confusion regarding Christ’s call to spread the gospel.

Nearly 1 in 5 churchgoers (18 percent) and 8 percent of pastors believe missions and social justice are essentially the same.

Clearly, there is a need for more instruction. It’s not just a matter of passing on our Christian lexicon. We must articulate every believer’s responsibility to spread the gospel. After all, part of the Great Commission involves teaching Christ followers to obey what Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:20).

Without an understanding of God’s Word, how can the Church obey it and teach others to do the same?