Called Man Part 3

The Heart and Head calls are internal. The next confirmation is External.

Skill Confirmation.

Sometimes the bar is set too low. You see this happen when someone is so outgoing, over the top passionate, about sharing Jesus, developing that persons character and skill is overlooked. This plays out when churches or people say to this guy, "man, you just need to preach!"

But sometimes the bar is too high and unreachable. Some churches will not even consider a called man unless he has a Masters degree. The problem of no character development still could be a issue here.

Darrin Patrick lists some questions that one needs to consider.

From the Skill Perspective:

Does he have a working knowledge of the whole scripture?

Can he articulate the gospel story throughout Scripture?

Does he understand controversial verses that have caused division in church history (Calvinism vs. Arminianism)?

Can he explain the Christ-centered nature of Christian theology?

From a Character Perspective:

Can he inspire the church for mission?

Can he cast vision for the church and inspire people to pursue that vision with him?

Can he organize the church to reach its goals?

Can he set up systems and structures that run apart from his direct influence?

From Jim Collin's analogy, the job of the leader is to get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus and the right people in the right seats.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Tim

The Called Man part 2

A call will have 2 activities (Burden Married to Vision) and 3 confirmations. Earlier we discussed the Heart Confirmation. Its the thing that screams out, "I Must Give My Life for this Call".

Next is the Head Confirmation

This is where the vision starts formulating, from what the Holy Spirit pours into to you, as you move through the burden to "How can I give My Life to this Call?" This happened for me as I was reflecting on my experience, from serving Cornerstone International Church in Norwich CT, this past summer. I began to "in my words" daydream about ministry in New England. Not only sensing Gods movement there, but how God could use me and my experiences there for the kingdom. Very specific ministry opportunities exploded in my mind and the vision had began its lift.

One of the things that a called man must be on guard against, is to just simply repeat or adopt ministry model,s that he has experienced. Every new work is different because people groups are different. The Holy Spirit supplies the guidance and plans, for you to realize the call, that is specific to the people group where God is already at work.

So if a man is being called into ministry or called to begin a new work such as a New Church Plant, the Heart and Head confirmations are important, and fit into the "internal" category of the call.

The greatest thing on this earth is to have Salvation! Next to that is to share the story. Next post we will discuss the 3rd confirmation "Skill"

Be Blessed

Pastor Tim

A Called Man

Sixteenth Century Theologian Martin Luther listed 8 qualities that a minister must have:

1. Able to teach systematically

2. Eloquence

3. A good voice

4. A good memory

5. Knows how to make a end

6. Sure of his doctrine

7. Willing to lose body, blood, wealth, and honor in the work

8. Willing to be mocked and jeered by everyone

I don't know about you but that list has a lot of meat on it. I have strengths and weaknesses in all 8 areas.

But how do you discern a call?

When people ask me how do I know that I am called, I explain that I had a burden that was married to a vision. I have read several book over the past few months and many related to my call to plant a church. One particular has pricked my heart and mind titled "Church Planter" by Darrin Patrick. He purposes that there are 3 confirmations when discerning the call. Heart, Head, and Skill.

In this post lets review the Heart Call.

Nehemiah cried because the city and people were in ruins in Nehemiah 1:4

"As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before God of heaven"

He had no choice but to follow and answer the call to serve. His heart was taken. This was a event that I can witness to, when I was called into ministry, while serving at Crossroads Baptist church, and then again when I was called to serve at LifeSong Church. In both cases it was clear, that this thing I Must do!

Now my call to plant a New England church was even more of a Nehemiah experience, as the call brought me to tears, and still does today, as I see the people that need Jesus there. Spurgeon refers to it as "an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work" One of my leadership coaches Jarvis Cooper stated it to me this way: "What makes your baby jump?" Over time the sense or the kick gets stronger, not weaker with time. That is HEART call.

Love God, Love People

Pastor Tim

Plant Churches Like a Missionary, Not a Pastor

Lynn and I will be traveling to Putnam CT during Spring Break. If you sense God calling you to this mission, come and join us for a few days in March. Contact me for more info.

Below is a Blog from Dave Dorr. I liked it and wanted to share it with you:

You need people to be a shepherd
I guess I can be forgiven, because being a pastor is what I knew. My previous ministry experience was as a pastor. I was a college pastor out of undergrad, and then became an associate pastor at a large church a few years later. The people were provided for me. I was to grow the ministry from what I had and shepherd the people as need arose.

But this is no way to start a church. Yes, we must be shepherds to our people. But I was not a shepherd first because I had no people!

Evangelize first
If I was sent out as a missionary to another country nobody would expect me to go and counsel, preach sermons on the weekends, and facilitate smaller groups. The sending church would expect me to do evangelism. That’s what missionaries do, especially when they are first getting started.

Domestic new church starts should be the same because missionary work is evangelism that results in new churches.

Don't just go for the low-hanging fruit
I know church planters often don’t have to do evangelism to start churches domestically. They can start with a group of people from their sending church. They can recruit from other churches. They can find a group of people who are fed up with how other churches do things and launch from there. Some of these are legitimate ways to plant a church. Some of these are shady.
Every new church must have some believers, but are they purposefully interacting with unbelievers?

But all of them miss evangelism. The lead guy is immediately doing pastoral work, which is probably his preference anyway. I know that’s what I wanted. I didn’t want to consistently initiate with people who would reject me. I wanted the easy sell, the low-hanging fruit, and I wanted it to give me a decent, sustainable new church.

Find your unbelievers
The church planter is a missionary first, doing evangelism, and leading the believers in his church to reach lost people. Every new church must have some believers, but are they purposefully interacting with unbelievers? This was the most important paradigm shift for me, and as I interact with other planters, the most important paradigm shift for them.

If you are thinking of starting a church, are you willing to be a missionary?

Answering the Call

From Jason and Chrissy Edwards:
God does not always send you a flashing neon sign, so when you hear God speak, it is sometimes difficult to determine if that voice is your own or if it is from Him! I arrived home from a mission trip over the summer and God placed a burden in my heart to witness to the people of Connecticut. It was after many months of prayer and asking God to give me confirmation through my wife that He did finally answer, and we have decided to leave South Carolina and move to Putnam, Connecticut to assist in the planting of a much needed church. We want to take the vision and heartbeat of Lifesong Lyman to New England and help others understand that Jesus is well within reach. We have a desire to show others that he loves them more than anything, and that we need him more than ever! We are thankful to be used to do God's work, God's way and are experiencing a freedom that can only come from being obedient to Him. We love you and Lynn and can't wait to serve with you both!


Your brother and sister in Christ,

The Edwards'

The Great Awakening

In the 1740s, the New England area of the United States experienced what is classified as the "Great Awakening" It was a time of Pastors like Jonathan Edwards that lived and breathed God's word. He was desperate to share the Gospel Good News with any who would listen. Connecticut experienced a revival and thousands became God's children.

Today in 2010 less that 2% of New England consider themselves Christian or as having a faith in God. South Korea has Identified the United States as their #3 priority to send missionaries to, with New England being the least evangelized area of North America.

Pastor Shaun Pillay and his wife sold all that they had in South Africa to come to Connecticut to plant the International CornerStone Church. In July of this year, I will be traveling with 6 other LifeSong men to CornerStone to assist Pastor Shaun in this new Church Plant.

We will be helping by canvassing communities with information of the church plant, sharing with those in ministry on lessons learned in our own LifeSong Church plant, in the areas of LifeGroups, and Children’s ministries. Community service projects and “one on one” evangelism is also part of the focus.

We desire your prayers as we prepare for this mission whom God has laid on our hearts. If God has blessed you in a way that you could invest financially, we would be blessed by your support to reach the Lost of New England.

Romans 10:14-17
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Pastor Tim

Gather, Grow, & Go

What do you Measure?

I’m preparing for a mountain bike race in May. I have competed in this race in 2005 and 2006. The results of those races are not worth bragging about. 2005 I completed the race in 1 hour and 4 minutes. 2006 my race time was, I hour 5 minutes and 35 seconds. That’s right, it got worse. So what’s the goal? Compete in as many races as possible, or to improve on my previous race times? My goal is to break 60 minutes.

This week I had an opportunity to go to a Chaplaincy luncheon/workshop, at the Sheriff’s Department. The workshop was great. Most of the Chaplains there were also pastors of churches in S.C.

Lunch time was pockets of clamor about how much money these churches give to different Baptist organizations, how many people were in their congregations and so on. I think you get the picture. Then I was asked about LifeSong. As I began to share the vision and passion of being missionaries were we live work and play, the clamor almost stopped and I thought for a moment that I had said something wrong.

I shared many of your stories of how God has changed your lives. I shared how going through the Purple Book together as a church has caused many of you to get excited about reading God’s word. I shared about our time and money that is invested in the community and that most of you are sharing life together through Lifegroups. That’s one Pastor spoke up and asked, “are other congregations talking about you?”

Hybels says, that when you get serious about your walk with God, and that impacts the church, and the church begins to impact the community, that the biggest critics will be other believers, other congregations. Example: Jeff Hickman is crazy about Jesus, and is passionate about reaching the Precious. That sometimes can cause a stir.
LifeSong Partnership is approaching 200 and we are seeing about 300 each week in worship. I don’t give much concern if we have 200 or 2000, but that YOU experience God in a way that you have a career change. Full Time Foot Washer.

So if you ever have the urge to “brag” about LifeSong Church… don’t. Let’s share the love of Jesus Christ and His amazing Love, Forgiveness, and Grace. I don’t want a cup cake to get in the way of improving my mountain bike race time… don’t allow measuring the wrong thing to cause you to lose focus of what God is doing in you and LifeSong Church.

Gather, Grow & Go
Pastor Tim

Celebrating the Wins

In the past month I have had the opportunity to personally share the gospel with 6 people, 3 of which accepted the redeemer and the promise of eternal life in heaven. There are some similar responses that you get from people when you ask the question “What do you understand it takes for a person to get to heaven?”. Most respond with a list of the good, sacrificial, unselfish, things that they done throughout their lives and they are being very truthful when they describe those things. I often hear next, “I hope that I have done enough”.

Why does a person think that they have to do all of those things in order to “be in good favor” with God? Is it because they have seen Christians doing so much? I’m not sure, but a common statement I hear when someone receives Christ is, “I didn’t know that it was that simple”, or “I really thought that I had to get my life straightened out first”. The bible says that “today is the day of Salvation”.

To my brothers and sisters I would implore you to have a different mindset when it comes to sharing your story, and the gospel directions to eternal life.

First, when you are doing something good for someone (loving them) and you are asked “why did you do that”, reflect Christ by saying “God loves you and so do I”. You just may have the best opportunity ever to share with that person the saving grace of Christ.

Second, be clear. If someone is coming to see me, I don’t tell them “just come to Spartanburg you will find me”. I tell the detail turns, street names, house number and the color of my front door just for good measure. When we tell people to “Love Jesus” or “Get Saved”, what specifically does that mean? Tell your story, then share what the bible says in Romans 3:23, Ephesians 1:7, John 3:16, and Romans 10:9.

Third, go and tell. Don’t say come and see, meaning don’t feel like that you have to get that person through the doors of the church so that the preacher share the truth of Christ. You are the church wherever you are at.

This Sunday we will be celebrating the wins. Can’t wait to hear and see the encounters of God. Be there or be square.

Gather, Grow, and Go
Pastor Tim

Who’s in your wallet?

If you are in one of our LifeGroups, you have been or will be given a card to carry in your wallet. It is called the 3-1-6 card. It is a tool for you to use to pray for 3 people 1 time a day, for 6 days. Your group has also been given a list of businesses located in Lyman, which needs your prayers. You can select a business and add it to your card. Prayer for those who don’t know Him yet, as well as those who know, but have no relationship with the father, is extremely important. Don’t leave your card in your wallet…show it to the Father.

A few weeks ago Pastor Jeff shared in his sermon about giving God your firsts. Here is the list:

Give God the first day of every week.
Give God the first part of everyday.
Give God the first portion of your income.
Give God FIRST consideration of every decision.

Acts 4:29-31
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

NKJV

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Below is a preview of Breaking the Missional Code by Ed Stetzer

Across North America many churches are experiencing explosive growth because they are learning to connect with their communities. Pastors and churches are breaking the cultural codes of their communities. People are responding to biblical faithful and culturally relevant outreach.
Breaking the code means discovering the principles that work in every context, selecting the tools most relevant for your context, and then learning to apply them in a missionally effective manner.
There is not just one white, young, cultural code to be broken. Every culture needs to be exegeted [de-coded] for the gospel.
Breaking the code is a missionary’s work, and it should be seen [even in North America] as a missional process. A commitment to the integrity and authority of the Scripture, combined with a passion for reaching people to whom you are called, requires a commitment to prayerfully create a plan and strategy to reach your community.
Code-breaking churches must be indigenous in their context, and indigenous churches look different from culture to culture.


Attendance for August

1st Sunday 242
2nd Sunday 276
3rd Sunday 285
4th Sunday 297
5th Sunday 242

Average is 268

Gather Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Holy Discontent

Its great being back home, in the USA, in the greatest town in the world. Lyman. Now having a week of allowing my mind to process what Lynn and I experienced in Scotland, I would like to share some thoughts with you.

The Scots are some of the most wonderful people that I have met. They are people that I loved sharing life with. They are also a people that need Christ. In terms of hearing the gospel, they are not part of the 10/40 window (see definition at bottom), but a people that live in a country where some of the most important events took place in terms of the expansion of Christianity throughout the world, but less than 5% of the population have a personal relationship with Christ.

Why?
In general the church has become irrelevant. Just like the States, the church has focused on gardens, choir robes, stained glass, and not people. The result is you have a people group that lives in a country where the gospel is in print, access to it is possible, but people are lost and are just doing time. Their degree of lostness carries the same weight as the 10/40 window.

Holy Discontent Definition
Being so broken hearted about something, which causes you to do something to make a difference. Discontent without “Holy” means you turn and walk away, or you get it out of your eye.

Ever been discontent with family? Did you resolve that this is just the way it is, or did you seek to make a difference in your own family? Have you ever been discontent with church? In my past, I have been part of “big” church and church government, and that prepared me more to be a Senator than a Christ Follower. It brought me to a place that a decision HAD to be made. Get it out of my eye, or go and make a difference. Getting me to the place of my Holy Discontent was painful and I lost friends & community along the way. But had it not been for those experiences, I would be just “doing time”.

I told Jeff Hickman a few days ago that LifeSong for me is what it looks like when a group of people say “No More”. No more going on mission trips, but living a missional life. No more superficial relationships with people, but living in each others lives through Life Groups. No more of doing the things that the church has always done (internally focused programs) and call it outreach or evangelism. I want my church, my family, to get close to the “hurt and pain” of this world and engage in kingdom work. That my friend, is true Contentment. We will be most content, when we are giving or lives away.

I have a burden in my heart for the Scots and I am in prayer for them. I will continue to listen and pray for any opportunity that the Lord may present to me and LifeSong to make a difference in the land of Wallace.

John 10:16
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Jesus

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

The 10/40 window is simply a term used to describe a region of the world within 10 and 40 degrees latitude from Western Africa to Eastern Asia. If you were to draw it on a map, the top would go from Portugal through Japan and the bottom would go from Guinea through the bottom tip of India all the way to the Philippines. Most of the people who have not had an opportunity to hear the gospel, live here. The 31 least reached countries in the world are in this "window."

Praise from Scotland

A few days ago, Lynn and I were making our way back south from the Highlands. We found a costal town called Kirkcaldy, and decided to stay the night there. Once we got settled in, we realized it was one of our least favorite towns/village to be at. It was time for dinner and walked for a good while before we found any thing open.

There was a small pizza place called “Elevens”. A young lady waited on us. After talking with her, we found out that she was a young single mother, which lived in this small town her whole life. I sensed that God was doing something here. I asked her if she knew if she would go to heaven or not. Kelly said “I hope so”. We asked her if she could sit with us while there were no customers. Kelly allowed me to share the Gospel with her, using the bridge method, which many of you have seen in small groups.

Monday June 30th, Kelly gave her heart to Christ. I told her that many of you at LifeSong will be praying for her and her son.

Kelly,
WE are so happy for you and your new life in Christ. AS you read this blog, please know that Tim & Lynn, and your brothers and sisters in the U.S.A. are praying for you. Remember to listen to God by staying in His word (Bible), and talk to Him daily.

Love in Christ,
Tim & Lynn Lyda

John 10:27-30
27. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
30. I and My Father are one.”

Update From The Highlands

Lynn and I stayed in the city of Ineverness a few days ago. We meet Ray and Christine that operate the Bed & Breakfast that we stayed at. With in a few minutes of conversation, they wanted to know why, while they where in Fla. for vacation, there where so many churches. Wow! The door was open. We stayed up to midnight just sharing life and had an opportunity to pray for them. We left with them a bible reading plan and the Invitation CD. Keep them in your prayers.

That night we got to experience (by chance) the Scottish Highland Military bag pipers, as they paid tribute to a solider that was retiring after 33 years of service. I’ll have more on that story later.

Galatians 6:10


Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Prayer Walking

In the past few months here at LifeSong, you have heard a lot of discussion about
“Prayer Walking”.

So what does that mean?

http://www.waymakers.org/ is an organization that has championed this type of prayer activity in the local church body.


Below is what they have to say about Prayer Walking:

“Many Christians have been learning to quietly pray in the places that they live, work or play. We've come to call this sort of on-site intercession "prayerwalking."
Prayerwalking is simply praying in the very places we expect God to bring forth his answers. Prayerwalking is usually a low-profile affair: Friends or family stroll two-by-two through their own neighborhoods, schools and work places, praying as they go.

Once in a while the prayers can be demonstrative, but most prayerwalking is fairly quiet. It's usually being on the scene without making one.

As you pray God's promises with specific homes or worksites in view, you'll find that hope for those people begins to grow. You'll begin to see people as God might view them. You'll likely find yourself becoming more interested in the welfare of the people you are praying for. In other words, you might find yourself becoming the kind of neighbor that you always wanted to be.

Watch for the ways God impresses you to display his love in practical acts of kindness.

Be ready to offer to pray with your neighbors as opportunity may arise. Ask God to give you opportunity to explain clearly how people can enjoy friendship with God by the power of the gospel.

Check out the different sections on this website and the resources we have available. In a few years we'll be living in a prayed-for world and you will be part of it!”

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim