The Power of "THANK YOU"

Yesterday in church, we brought up several dozen of our several hundred stellar volunteers at Christ's Church just to say, "Thanks"! I was convicted by the fact that I don't say "Thank You" nearly enough. So often, I just assume that people know how much they mean to me and how much I appreciate all they do, but one thousand silent thoughts of appreciation aren't worth as much as one sincere "Thank You."

Gratitude has power and when we communicate our thanks, we will affirm, encourage and validate the faithful service of those around us. I want to be more intentional about voicing my appreciation and I encourage you to do the same. Let's never be too busy to stop and say, "Thanks." It always means a lot to those who hear it.

P.S. THANK YOU for reading this. :)

The Lost and Hurting

Last Sunday, our church services ended powerfully as scores of people wrote down hundreds of names on the back wall of our auditorium. The wall simply says, "PRAY FOR THE LOST AND HURTING." I've walked past that wall every day this week and paused to pray for some of the names written there. It's humbling and overwhelming to think about the thousands of people right here in our own community (and even our own church) who are in pain. The good news is that we serve a God who is near to the brokenhearted and He is able to bring healing and peace in any situatin.

I'm proud of our church for thinking beyond ourselves. I am so thankful to be a part of a church that realizes that our mission cannot be contained by the church walls. We are called to be a light in the darkness and to bring hope and healing to the Lost and Hurting. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, so let us never lose sight of of our Mission. As we move forward as a church, I pray that we would be a community of faith that provides healing to the broken, hope to the hopeless and help to all who need it.

Checklist for Change

CHANGE is a constant part of life and leadership. Any type of change can be tough, so we must always navigate the waters of change carefully. I'm in a new ministry and a new season of life, so "change" is all around me. As I'm making decisions that will impact the future of my family and my church, I'm relying on the process below to make the wisest choices possible.

Checklist for implementing a Change:

1. Get buy-in from those most directly impacted. The change you're making will be taken personally by someone, and getting their insight and buy-in before pulling the trigger on a decision could make all the difference.

2. Do what is in the best interests of the most people. The needs of the few can't outweigh the needs of the many (I think that may be a Star Trek quote from Spock). Remember that you can't always please everyone, but you can always value everyone.

3. Seek wise counsel. The Bible (particularly the Book of Proverbs) has great insight on how to make tough choices the right way and one of the most consistent Biblical lessons is that we should surround ourselves with wise and Godly people and seek their wisdom. As it says in Proverbs...Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors, you will succeed.

4. Pull the Trigger. One of the most important jobs of a leader is to make decisions. When you make a bad one, own up to it and then make it right, but don't let the "paralysis of analysis" keep you from pulling the trigger and making the call. In leadership, a bad decision is often better than indecision.

5. PRAY! I'm spending a lot of time begging God for wisdom and guidance. The more we seek Him and His Will, the better off we will be. Apart from Christ, no amount of "change" really changes anything.

The Adventure Begins!

Things are in full swing here in Fleming Island, and I am so excited to see what God is going to do next! Christ's Church is a remarkable, loving and life-giving community of faith and I believe that God has HUGE things in store for us in the months and years ahead. It is my prayer that He uses this church to reach the thousands in our community who are disconnected from God. I pray that we would be a light in the darkness and a source of hope and healing to a world that so desperately needs the life-saving power of Jesus.

I believe that we will see marriages restored, addictions broken, souls saved, families strengthened and lives changed as we unite to love people and lift up the name of our Savior. I'm truly honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside such amazing people as we take our next steps towards Christ. It's going to be a great ride!