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

New Daughter In Love

My youngest son Andrew, takes a bride this Saturday. Lynn and I will receive our second daughter in love. Her name will be Jamie Lyda. What an amazing thing to see how God brings people together for His glory.

As a parent, it really does matter that you not only feed and clothe your children, but teach them how to live and have relationships by example. What do I mean?

Well, as I think about this marriage that is about to happen, I am reminded that it was important for Andrew to eyewitness his parents to forgive each other. As a leader of his new home, he is now the lead disciple and he must forgive as Jesus did. How would he know what that looks like if it was not lived out in our home?

It was important for Andrew to eyewitness his dad pursue his mother. To serve his mother and for her to respond like wise. Please don't get me wrong here, this post is not about how Tim and Lynn Lyda have the perfect marriage, but it is a post about never giving up on what God intended and that is relationships between man and woman that brings glory to Himself.

Lynn and I have failed many times and we don't have it completely right all the time, but we choose to follow the Master.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Parents, PRAY for your children, and their future spouses. God responds to the prayers of His children. This weekend we get to eyewitness God at work as He brings two beautiful people together.

Both Andrew and Jamie are charged to Love, Forgive, and Serve each other like Jesus did. The both of you must leave the families that you knew as children, and begin your lives together. This requires that you are more concerned with the opinions of God and each other that family and friends.

Andrew must lead and love, Jamie must follow and love, and the both must follow the Master for this ship to sail.

1 John 1:7 is clear... Follow the Master, and NEVER stop working on the marriage.

Love,

DAD

Meet Me on the Playground or Die

This week I was traveling back from Grand Rapids MI, and has the pleasure of sitting beside 9 year old Zack ( a third grader). He asked me if ever had "In School Suspension". NO I said. He said that he had. I asked why? His mother then leaned over and told him to ZIP IT! Zack looked between his legs and said "I'm good", and then continue to tell me, that he gave a kid a note that said "Meet me on the playground or die". That was enough to get him 3 days of ISS.

Why did you do that Zack?

He told me that he needed to get the boys attention, and thought that a note would be good enough. Apparently the dude that received the Zack note, had been treating a girl in the class very bad, and Zack was not going to let another day go by without correcting the wrong that he had been witnessing. I'm loving Zack by now. I asked him about his 3 days of ISS. He said it was the best 3 days of school ever in his life! For three days he was in Mr. Carson's office (the principle) making copies and talking ALL DAY to Mr. Carson.

He is a Good Shepherd.

As leaders of the church, are we willing to call things for what they are and protect the sheep, even from themselves? The Called Pastor must protect the flock from false preaching and watered down, feel good teaching. Many claim to be called but their lives still look very similar to the world that they claim that they have been called to change. The sheep and the church suffers when we don't address those issues

The question is:

Do I love people more that I love being safe?

"If Christ so loved the souls of men as to lay out Himself and deny Himself at this rate for salvation, then surely the ministers of Christ should be ready greatly to exert themselves and deny themselves and suffer for the sake of the salvation and happiness of souls"

- Jonathan Edwards

Matthew 10

Be Blessed!

Pastor Tim