Really Good Wisdom
I encourage you to read this post about John Piper’s advice to college students. The best part is when he gets into what he calls “Four Mistakes I Hope You Don’t Make.” It applies not only to college students, but profoundly to people in all walks of life. Check it out here.
Really Good Wisdom
I encourage you to read this post about John Piper’s advice to college students. The best part is when he gets into what he calls “Four Mistakes I Hope You Don’t Make.” It applies not only to college students, but profoundly to people in all walks of life. Check it out here.
Methods and Power
Something I’ve been thinking about recently is the balance between engaging good ministry methods and the power of the Holy Spirit. There are two extremes. The first is an overdependence on techniques and methodology that leaves ministry as nothing more than a purely man-powered attempt at achieving eternal impact. The other extreme is an approach that devalues the use of the mind and creativity and using the Holy Spirit as a cover up for sloppiness. I think both are dangerous.
Ultimately it is only God’s power that changes lives. True eternal impact is the result of God’s power being released in our weakness. This however, does not negate the fact that God is honored by our diligence since we are called to love him with all of our mind and to be diligent to present ourselves to him as “workmen that need not be ashamed, correctly handling the word of truth.”
I think the balance is found in the heart. Good ministry methods must serve the heart and the truth of the power of God in our lives, but they must never become a substitute for them. The moment our methodology is void of Spirit-dependence we have begun to do things in our own strength, which as said before, can ultimately accomplish nothing. Good ministry methods are a way of honoring the Lord by being responsible, yet they must be used with absolute Spirit-dependency.
The slickest methods, void of spiritual power is nothing but wheel spinning. However, God has given us minds to be stewarded well for his glory. He is not honored with sloppiness. When his eternal, life-transforming power connects with our weak yet heartfelt attempts to reach people, his power is released in a way that that glorifies him because we are not dependent on our methodology, but on his Spirit.
Any thoughts?
Methods and Power
Something I’ve been thinking about recently is the balance between engaging good ministry methods and the power of the Holy Spirit. There are two extremes. The first is an overdependence on techniques and methodology that leaves ministry as nothing more than a purely man-powered attempt at achieving eternal impact. The other extreme is an approach that devalues the use of the mind and creativity and using the Holy Spirit as a cover up for sloppiness. I think both are dangerous.
Ultimately it is only God’s power that changes lives. True eternal impact is the result of God’s power being released in our weakness. This however, does not negate the fact that God is honored by our diligence since we are called to love him with all of our mind and to be diligent to present ourselves to him as “workmen that need not be ashamed, correctly handling the word of truth.”
I think the balance is found in the heart. Good ministry methods must serve the heart and the truth of the power of God in our lives, but they must never become a substitute for them. The moment our methodology is void of Spirit-dependence we have begun to do things in our own strength, which as said before, can ultimately accomplish nothing. Good ministry methods are a way of honoring the Lord by being responsible, yet they must be used with absolute Spirit-dependency.
The slickest methods, void of spiritual power is nothing but wheel spinning. However, God has given us minds to be stewarded well for his glory. He is not honored with sloppiness. When his eternal, life-transforming power connects with our weak yet heartfelt attempts to reach people, his power is released in a way that that glorifies him because we are not dependent on our methodology, but on his Spirit.
Any thoughts?
Weekend Reflections
We had an incredible time at the retreat. There was so much great, practical teaching about spiritual warfare and signs and wonders. Here are the notes from Jeff Leake’s talk on his blog. It was an incredibly inspirational and equipping retreat.
We also made it back in time for Mother’s day! I had the privilege of doing my first baby dedication! It was a wonderful privilege for me. As I was praying for the baby, I almost got choked up just thinking about the awesome honor it is to dedicate a child to the Lord!
Weekend Reflections
We had an incredible time at the retreat. There was so much great, practical teaching about spiritual warfare and signs and wonders. Here are the notes from Jeff Leake’s talk on his blog. It was an incredibly inspirational and equipping retreat.
We also made it back in time for Mother’s day! I had the privilege of doing my first baby dedication! It was a wonderful privilege for me. As I was praying for the baby, I almost got choked up just thinking about the awesome honor it is to dedicate a child to the Lord!
Spiritual Warfare Retreat
Today Jess and I head off with a bunch of our leaders to a retreat center in Ligonier, PA. We will be joining the other churches associated with the Allison Park network for a Leadership and Spiritual Warfare Retreat. I’m really looking forward to this much needed time away. I like what Mark Batterson says, “Change of place + change of pace = change of perspective.” The retreat will be led by Pastor Jeff Leake from Allison Park Church and Johannes Amritzer , an evangelist from Sweden. It’s going to be great!
Spiritual Warfare Retreat
Today Jess and I head off with a bunch of our leaders to a retreat center in Ligonier, PA. We will be joining the other churches associated with the Allison Park network for a Leadership and Spiritual Warfare Retreat. I’m really looking forward to this much needed time away. I like what Mark Batterson says, “Change of place + change of pace = change of perspective.” The retreat will be led by Pastor Jeff Leake from Allison Park Church and Johannes Amritzer , an evangelist from Sweden. It’s going to be great!
Happy Clean Up Your Room Day!
That’s right, today is Clean Up Your Room Day. My beautiful and amazing wife Jessica was kind enough to inform me of this holiday… not sure what to think about that 
In case you are room-cleaning challenged like me here are a few tips that may prove helpful!
Happy Clean Up Your Room Day!
That’s right, today is Clean Up Your Room Day. My beautiful and amazing wife Jessica was kind enough to inform me of this holiday… not sure what to think about that
In case you are room-cleaning challenged like me here are a few tips that may prove helpful!
New Series: DNA of a Hero
This week we began a new message series called DNA of a Hero. In the coming weeks we’ll be looking at various men and women of Scripture and the characteristics of their lives that made them great in the sight of God.
While we’re not talking about flying faster than a speeding bullet, being more powerful than a locomotive, or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, we are talking about living to the fullest the life we were created to live – a truly extra-ordinary life.
This past Sunday, the introductory message was called “A Heroic Life” from Hebrews 11 which is now available for streaming or mp3 download here.
Welcome to Bloggerdom
Everybody welcome my friend Nick Poole to the blogosphere! Nick and I both went to school together. He was actually my RA the second semester of my freshman year. I’m looking forward to following his thoughts and ponderings!
New Series: DNA of a Hero
This week we began a new message series called DNA of a Hero. In the coming weeks we’ll be looking at various men and women of Scripture and the characteristics of their lives that made them great in the sight of God.
While we’re not talking about flying faster than a speeding bullet, being more powerful than a locomotive, or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, we are talking about living to the fullest the life we were created to live – a truly extra-ordinary life.
This past Sunday, the introductory message was called “A Heroic Life” from Hebrews 11 which is now available for streaming or mp3 download here.
Welcome to Bloggerdom
Everybody welcome my friend Nick Poole to the blogosphere! Nick and I both went to school together. He was actually my RA the second semester of my freshman year. I’m looking forward to following his thoughts and ponderings!
The Case for Continuationism
Dr. Sam Storms, a former professor of theology at Wheaton, posted some good points building a case for continuationism over cessationism in his Enjoying God Blog. Sam is a biblical scholar with awesome insights into the present ministry of the Holy Spirit. My first encounter with Dr. Storms’ writing was his section in the excellent book Are Miraculous Gifts For Today?. Check out his blog entry here!
Softball
We are now, for the first time in history, officially part of the Beaver County Church Softball League! We’re off to a bit of a rocky start with a 0-2 record, but at least we’re all having some fun and getting some exercise!
The Case for Continuationism
Dr. Sam Storms, a former professor of theology at Wheaton, posted some good points building a case for continuationism over cessationism in his Enjoying God Blog. Sam is a biblical scholar with awesome insights into the present ministry of the Holy Spirit. My first encounter with Dr. Storms’ writing was his section in the excellent book Are Miraculous Gifts For Today?. Check out his blog entry here!
Softball
We are now, for the first time in history, officially part of the Beaver County Church Softball League! We’re off to a bit of a rocky start with a 0-2 record, but at least we’re all having some fun and getting some exercise!
Nationality Days
I’m getting really excited about participating in Nationality Days in Ambridge this year. N Days is the largest festival in Beaver County drawing an average of 50,000 people over a 3 day period.
We will be running a booth on Saturday, May 19 serving homemade chimichangas and nachos!
The chimi’s are my Mom’s own recipe handed down to her from Grandma Santistevan herself representing years of Spanish heritage and culinary tradition. Needless to say, they are amazing
I’m looking forward to meeting new people at N Days and praying that our interactions with them will bring them one step closer to Jesus!
Nationality Days
I’m getting really excited about participating in Nationality Days in Ambridge this year. N Days is the largest festival in Beaver County drawing an average of 50,000 people over a 3 day period.
We will be running a booth on Saturday, May 19 serving homemade chimichangas and nachos!
The chimi’s are my Mom’s own recipe handed down to her from Grandma Santistevan herself representing years of Spanish heritage and culinary tradition. Needless to say, they are amazing
I’m looking forward to meeting new people at N Days and praying that our interactions with them will bring them one step closer to Jesus!
Cultivating a Spirit-Filled Church
I am currently attending a breakout session called “Cultivating a Spirit-Filled Church” by the conference host Jack Stepp, Pastor of South Hills Assembly. I’ll be blogging notes as he teaches. Here goes:
Cultivating a Spirit-Filled Church
Beginning in the mid 1990s came what we might call “the relevant church movement.”
The charismatic gifts are an integral part of the New Testament…,and Paul considered spiritual languages a desirable and delightful part of personal Christianity.
Can we merge the two? The relevant church movement and the charismatic movement? How can we be Pentecostal and still reach out with a cultural sensitivity?
Cessationists say that the gifts and languages of the Holy Spirit ceased with the close of the New Testament.
Are we Pentecostals becoming practical cessationists? Not doctrinally, but practically.
The disuse, misuse, and abuse of the gifts, along with immersion into the relevant church movement, can turn us into practical cessationists. In our attempts to adopt the valuable principles of the relevant church movement, we must be careful to not neglect our Pentecostal calling and heritage.
There is a road between two ditches. The ditch on one side is where we no longer encourage or operate in the Biblical manifestations of the Spirit. The ditch on the other side of the road is sensationalism. The ditches are to be avoided.
We should not think that the postmodern culture could not be interested in spiritual languages or the gifts of the Holy Spirit. More than likely they would like to experience God’s power in their lives.
Our goal is to cultivate a Spirit-Filled/Relevant church.
To cultivate the Spirit-Filled/Relevant church, we must believe that the Spirit-Filled life is the key to the better life in Christ.
How can we develop a Spirit-filled/Relevant church?
1. Dig deeply into the life with the Holy Spirit
2. Give people consistent and regular opportunities to experince God.
We must continually ask the Lord to use us in his gifts.
3. Cast the vision of what a Spirit-Filled/Relevant church looks like.
4. Guide you leadership in strategic planning and include numeric goals for the infilling with the Holy Spirit.
He references Jim Collins’ hedgehog concept diagram.
The intersection of 3 circles determines your “sweet spot” as a church. These are 1. What you’re best at (as a church), 2. What you are most passionate about, and 3. your time , energy, and resources (different from the business model which would be “what drives your economic engine”).
This was a very good workshop. Lots of great insights into building a Spirit-Filled/Relevant church.
Penn-Del Ministry Summit
Today I am attending our Penn-Del District Council. This is the time of the year when as many pastors as possible from our fellowship in Pennsylvania and Delaware gather together for prayer, ministry workshops, and business sessions.
This morning began with a prayer service led by pastor and blogger Paul Grabill, of State College Assembly of God. The service was a powerful hour of worship and prayer in the presence of God. I’m really looking forward to connecting with some fellow pastors and leaders from our district.
Cultivating a Spirit-Filled Church
I am currently attending a breakout session called “Cultivating a Spirit-Filled Church” by the conference host Jack Stepp, Pastor of South Hills Assembly. I’ll be blogging notes as he teaches. Here goes:
Cultivating a Spirit-Filled Church
Beginning in the mid 1990s came what we might call “the relevant church movement.”
The charismatic gifts are an integral part of the New Testament…,and Paul considered spiritual languages a desirable and delightful part of personal Christianity.
Can we merge the two? The relevant church movement and the charismatic movement? How can we be Pentecostal and still reach out with a cultural sensitivity?
Cessationists say that the gifts and languages of the Holy Spirit ceased with the close of the New Testament.
Are we Pentecostals becoming practical cessationists? Not doctrinally, but practically.
The disuse, misuse, and abuse of the gifts, along with immersion into the relevant church movement, can turn us into practical cessationists. In our attempts to adopt the valuable principles of the relevant church movement, we must be careful to not neglect our Pentecostal calling and heritage.
There is a road between two ditches. The ditch on one side is where we no longer encourage or operate in the Biblical manifestations of the Spirit. The ditch on the other side of the road is sensationalism. The ditches are to be avoided.
We should not think that the postmodern culture could not be interested in spiritual languages or the gifts of the Holy Spirit. More than likely they would like to experience God’s power in their lives.
Our goal is to cultivate a Spirit-Filled/Relevant church.
To cultivate the Spirit-Filled/Relevant church, we must believe that the Spirit-Filled life is the key to the better life in Christ.
How can we develop a Spirit-filled/Relevant church?
1. Dig deeply into the life with the Holy Spirit
2. Give people consistent and regular opportunities to experince God.
We must continually ask the Lord to use us in his gifts.
3. Cast the vision of what a Spirit-Filled/Relevant church looks like.
4. Guide you leadership in strategic planning and include numeric goals for the infilling with the Holy Spirit.
He references Jim Collins’ hedgehog concept diagram.
The intersection of 3 circles determines your “sweet spot” as a church. These are 1. What you’re best at (as a church), 2. What you are most passionate about, and 3. your time , energy, and resources (different from the business model which would be “what drives your economic engine”).
This was a very good workshop. Lots of great insights into building a Spirit-Filled/Relevant church.
Penn-Del Ministry Summit
Today I am attending our Penn-Del District Council. This is the time of the year when as many pastors as possible from our fellowship in Pennsylvania and Delaware gather together for prayer, ministry workshops, and business sessions.
This morning began with a prayer service led by pastor and blogger Paul Grabill, of State College Assembly of God. The service was a powerful hour of worship and prayer in the presence of God. I’m really looking forward to connecting with some fellow pastors and leaders from our district.
