Douglas Young

Bovina Bulletin Board

Are you kidding me? How much money does it cost to share the gospel with someone? It takes no money. Zero. Zilch. Not a dime. Gimmicks cost cash; conversation is free. Of course, it takes being relational to sustain a conversation with anyone. Hmmmm. Could this be part of the problem?

The 1^st Century church didn’t thrive because it had unlimited resources. Had they possessed such, the Jerusalem benevolent effort would not have reached out as far or lasted as long as it did. Paul was collecting funds for the needy of Jerusalem late into his ministry. The kingdom advanced naturally, not because there was an unending supply of monetary resources. Resources, actually, were scarce.

Churches grow because God is at work in them.  Churches came together collectively to “stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25). God is intimately engaged in this process. It’s a joint venture project wherein he helps us “ to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12).

In our culture, though, resources seem to be essential for churches to survive. I think resources are more integral to the edification process than to evangelism. Still, it’s functional relationships within the body that causes it to grow “with a growth that is from God” (Colossians 2:19). Resources only facilitate the relationships, giving us avenues and opportunities in particular environments. Nevertheless, resources aren’t necessarily essential for such.

At the core is how we believe growth is derived. I began this series with the premise that God is the one who gives the increase, not us (1 Corinthians 3:6). Growth cannot be forced. That we haven’t learned this yet is disturbing. That “resources” even come up goes to show that commercialism and consumerism overly affects our thinking.

“Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. After worshiping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple complex blessing God.”

Luke 24:50-53

Blessing begets blessing. As Jesus departs from his disciples to ascend to the throne of David upon which he now sits (Acts 2:30-31), he pronounces a blessing upon them. The act of blessing is born of the Greek eulogeo. To us, a “eulogy” is a message uttered at a funeral, but to Jesus it was much more. His “eulogy” was a praiseworthy commendation of those he dearly loved. They had spent three intimate years with Jesus. Now he was leaving things in their hands. So how does he send them off? He lifts his hands and blesses them. It must have been a blessing like none other.

Blessing begets blessing. What Jesus did shortly before his ascension triggered something special. Their immediate response was worship, homage to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This brought them unspeakable joy. In turn, the blessing they received manifested itself in blessing back to God, as well as blessing towards others. The blessed with grace, the gospel, and the benevolent goodness of their hearts.

Blessing begets blessing. Let us remember this all of our days!

Bovina Bulletin Board

I believe it’s important that followers of Christ be concerned with not being offensive to people as they live out their faith. Unnecessary barriers simply do not help. But I also believe Christians can profess the gospel in a “non-offensive” way, yet people still get offended. More often than not, though, those who refuse to profess the Truth lest they offend another are simply deceiving themselves. Generally, fear is responsible for this excuse.

We simply cannot please everyone. At times our efforts are genuinely offensive and I don’t think Jesus is pleased when they are, especially, when we are dealing with delicate souls. How Jesus dealt with the religious “know-it-alls” of his day- the Pharisees, Sadducees, and etc.- shows us that sometimes people need to have their worlds rocked. But he didn’t treat the woman in John 8 like he did outspoken religious hypocrites. They needed what she didn’t!

Consequently, there are those looking to be offended. They are critical of anybody and anything. Nothing can please them.

Still others stumble at the mere fact that what’s being said or done doesn’t jibe with their preconceived notions about things. Such was actually the case with John the Baptist.

John’s depiction of the Messiah in Matthew 3:12 didn’t necessarily reflect how he actually came. In fact, Isaiah 42:1-2 suggested that the Messiah would come in a gentle fashion, not heaving a winnowing fork. Jesus himself told Nicodemus, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). So when John sends word to Jesus inquiring as to whether or not he was truly the Messiah or should they wait for another (Luke 7:20), Jesus tells John’s messengers to inform John of what he’d been doing. But the last thing he told them to mention to John was, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me” (v. 23). Numerous translations render “fall away” as “offended.” What did Jesus do to cause John to question and become offended? He simply didn’t live up to John’s expectations.

Some people are going to be offended whether it’s justified or not. Let us make sure we do not give the grounds to be offended.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16.

Early this morning, I received a comment from a not-so-anonymous reader that was critical of the quality of my friendship. Apparently, there have been some phone calls and texts to which I haven’t responded. I think the criticism both is and isn’t warranted.

First, I admit…I’ve been playing phone tag with a lot of people lately. This morning I spoke with a friend from the last couple of years who’s now living in Missouri. We’ve been playing tag for at least two months now. I don’t always carry my phone with me. I don’t always respond to texts, especially, when I’m not certain who they are coming from. Maybe that’s bad of me, but that’s how it is. For that, I’m sorry. I will do better.

Second, I’m no longer with ATT. They dropped us when we moved to NM. They don’t service Eastern NM. Ironically, the service of the companies that do function here isn’t the best. No offense to them, but it is true. I’ve called my cell phone, as it sat on my desk,  from my home land line and have gotten nothing. There aren’t as many towers around here as there are in Texas. The result…not great service.

Third, I am probably busier than I’ve ever been. I am trying to minister in new environment, be an engaged husband and father, and work on a Master’s degree all at once. This has not been easy, especially, given my new surroundings. I miss a lot that is going on around me as a result. For that I’m sorry too.

Finally, I’m absent minded. Most of you who know me know this. That doesn’t make it right, but it’s the truth. I’m willing to own it.

I’ve got a lot of work to do personally, professionally and socially. I’m sorry if I’ve hurt or offended you. This is my mea culpa.

…was all it took.

Well…It began with a text and then a phone call. Nevertheless, I spoke with a friend yesterday about a matter that bothered us both. He was somewhat upset with me and I was disappointed with him. As it usually goes, though, there was more going on than I knew. The great thing was that we talked about it, and now I’m informed and he feels better.

We know in our heart of hearts that there is a lot going on under the surface of our lives. The situation with my friend is just a single example. The same rings true with me, you, and whomever else for that matter. The tension underneath the surface can only be suppressed for so long. It is going to surface. And when it does, it can be for good or ill.

For the third time now, each instance starting all over from the beginning, I’ve set out to read Ruth Haley Barton’s, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership. Last night, as I read chapter 2 for the third time, I made an instant connection between what happened earlier in the day with my phone call to a friend and the Barton text. Chapter 2 is entitled, “What Lies Beneath.” Barton discusses Moses’s first 40 years and how it must have produced a significant identity crisis for him. He’s a Hebrew given up by his mother and raised as an Egyptian prince. In defense of his people, he kills an Egyptian and buries him in the sand in an effort to cover up his actions. The next day he visits the Hebrew people again. An effort to prevent two Hebrews from fighting proved futile. In fact, they want to know if Moses is going to do to them what he did to the Egyptian (Exodus 2:14). To this Barton states,

And Moses was afraid, as well he should have been. He was afraid that he would be found out, that he would be seen for who he really was. What had been present under the surface of his life was now on the surface, and it could no longer be ignored.

So Moses flees to Midian. And in solitude and silence he finds himself. Later, after another 40 years of living in the purgative way, God would find him in the midst of solitude. And through Moses, God would do great things.

Barton tells a story about a trip she took to Florida. One day, while swimming in the ocean, she heard the scream of a man running along the beach telling her to get out of the water. She did. But why? There was a saltwater alligator patrolling the coast, just under the surface.

To this, with Moses also in mind, Barton states,

The moral of the story as it relates to leadership is this: what lies beneath the surface- of the ocean of our lives- really matters. Whether I know something is there or not is in some ways irrelevant. My awareness of it or lack of awareness doesn’t make it any less real. It doesn’t much matter whether I have ever heard of what is lurking beneath the surface, and it could even be that others are seeing these things though I am not. If, by God’s grace, we become aware of the dark creatures lurking below, the best thing we can do is to get out of the water- fast!

This is exactly what Moses did when he got a glimpse of the dark thing that had been lurking under the surface of his consciousness and was starting to surface so powerfully. That one glimpse of the destructive power of his raw and unrefined leadership was so frightening to Moses that he fled into solitude. He did not walk. He did not jog. He did not take time to figure out what it was or put his affairs in order. He fled into solitude. He said, in effect, “This part of me, if left as it is, will be no good for anyone.” Yes, he ran because he was afraid of Pharaoh, but oftentimes it is the fear of being found out or the actual experience of being found out that alerts us to what lies beneath. It actually places us on the path of self-discovery and (hopefully) forces us to do whatever work we need to do to take more responsibility for the dark forces that have propelled our bad behavior.

I don’t think it was simply coincidental that I found myself entrenched in this aspect of Barton’s book after having talked things through with my friend earlier in the day. His point was that there were things under the surface that compelled him distance himself for a bit. Once I was apprised of this, I actually found myself appreciating what  he had done.

I’ve been way too quick to formulate opinions about people and why they do the things they do. Because of such, I’m inclined to equate myself with Bildad, Zophar and Eliphaz from the book of Job. They were Job’s friends. They engaged Job in his plight, but they spoke without gathering the facts. Much of what they told Job about the wicked not prospering was principally true, but they erred in presuming that Job had done something to bring his pain upon himself. In the end, they were wrong about Job, because they didn’t take into account what was under the surface. God wasn’t punishing Job; he was showing the devil that the devil himself was wrong about Job. Bildad, Zophar and Eliphaz learned the hard way.

My hope is that we’ll keep in mind that things are always lurking beneath the surface. Actions are often a response to unseen stimuli. We need to remember this at all times.

Bovina Bulletin Board

In an effort to foster growth, the church has found itself resorting to various approaches and sundry tactics. These often generate sparks of interest and increased numbers, but the sparks seem short-lived. Too, authentic discipleship in Jesus is rarely a result. In a sense, I agree with those who cry, “It Never Worked Before,” especially, when we’re talking about unbiblical growth.

Jesus simply wasn’t about gimmickry. He worked relationally, fostering genuine relationships through discipleship. His approach was for long-term commitment, not short-lived numbers. The fact that he let the Rich Young Ruler walk away is proof. If in our appeal to the Way of Jesus we develop a resolve to approach people on Jesus’ terms, I believe we would never say, “It Never Worked Before.” The New Testament evidence simply won’t allow for it. It has worked, and I believe its something we need to get back to.

Most assuredly, especially with the general population, combativeness has never worked over compassion. There’s a time to take a stand and make a “defense” (Philippians 1:17), but we weren’t made to live in a defensive posture 24/7.  I’ve found in my own past that I’ve often closed doors before they were ever even opened. How self-defeating! That is something that never works. Listening doesn’t mean we cave, it means we care.

There are things that aren’t working for us, but our plea isn’t the problem. Our plea is the rallying cry of Jesus. What I’ve had to do is seek His love to replace mine, so that the plea can be practiced as well as proclaimed. That is something, truly, that will work!

It was the first time I’d ever invited someone I didn’t know into my home to stay the night. In the past, I would never have done such a thing. Too foolish. Way too foolish in my book. But one day, a homeless man walking from Oklahoma to Fort Worth and I crossed paths that forever changed me. Not long thereafter, I found my mind centering and redirecting itself, seemingly all of the time mind you, on Hebrews 13:2. For whatever reason, I haven’t been the same since. I’ve got no desire whatsoever to stereotype people anymore. In the end, I believe it to be the working of God in my life in one of the most concrete ways I’ve ever experienced. It’s God’s gift.

So when I got an email from Jon Riddle, a brother in Dimmit, TX whom I’ve never met, only spoken to on the phone once, informing me of a young man named Colin Morrison who was walking, yes, walking from Maine to California, I was instantly intrigued. I was told he would be arriving in Clovis on Wednesday afternoon. Sure enough, at 3 pm he walked into the church building. He was greeted by our secretary. Curious, I believe she asked, “Can we help you?” Colin’s response, if my memory is correct, was, “I’m looking for the preacher. I forgot his name though.”

My door was open, so I could see Delores speaking with someone in our greeting area outside the offices. I assumed it was Colin, so I walked out to meet him. We went back to my office, and though wearied from his journey, he told me what he was doing. In May, Colin hopped a bus from Ohio, where he grew up, to Portland, Maine. He left Portland and began walking. On October 28th, he was with me in Clovis, NM.

He stayed the night with us that Wednesday night. He had dinner with us. He went to bible class with us as well.

There’s an amazing aspect to this story that is particularly fitting here. Colin has coordinated his travels so that he is always in a town on Sundays and Wednesdays. He has missed worship services with a local Church of Christ only three times since he began walking, and that wasn’t because he didn’t get to a congregation. He was there, but the congregation, for whatever reason, wasn’t gathering. But he was still there. That’s impressive!

My kids loved Colin. He played Wii with them. He wrestled with Reese. It was like he was family. But wait a minute, he actually was. He was a brother in Christ, doing an unbelievable thing, all because he could. The next day, we had a great lunch together at Fat Boys BBQ. He spent time with me at the office, as he mapped out his journey through the rest of New Mexico. Tisha’s family was coming in that Thursday to spend the weekend with us, so we put Colin in a local hotel room for Thursday evening. The next morning, he resumed his adventure.

Colin has been chronicling his adventure on his blog. I encourage you to read about him. Post a comment to encourage him. Colin is an amazing young man, and my family was fortunate to be able to meet him. Most importantly, it was a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to live out Hebrews 13:2.

Colin, you are in our prayers my friend. Thank you for gracing us with your presence.

Bovina Bulletin Board

An inherent danger in having a located minister is that it can create a culture where the church believes the preacher is “hired” to do all the work. Given our love for and adherence to scripture, I believe we know this isn’t correct. But people will say and do irrational things under the weight of guilt. Guilt is, by the way, what tends to propel people to utter such an absurd statement.

As noted last week, discipleship is about all of us. Your commitment to Christ and the discipleship process, of necessity, thrusts you into the ministry mix. We are all, by reason of our commitment to Christ, called into the service of ministry.

The gathered church of Jerusalem quickly became the scattered church into the world. The apostles, interestingly enough, served in Jerusalem while the obedient to Christ launched into mission (Acts 8:1-4). Notice how the early church didn’t respond to Truth, then say, “Let the Apostles do it!” No, they thrust themselves directly into the mission of God.

The Roman church/churches had their share of issues (Romans 2:1ff; ch. 14-15), but apparently one of them wasn’t placing the ministry platter before just one or two people. After commending Phoebe, a “servant” at Cenchreae (Romans 16:1-2) to the Roman church, Paul sends greeting to a number Christians whose labor for the Lord was a labor of love (Romans 16:3-15). These were Christians who were making impacts however possible.

Churches that struggle are the ones whose members show up, but sit back and do nothing. Churches that struggle are the ones whose members want someone else to do what they themselves were designed to do. Churches that struggle are the ones comprised of members who say, “Let the preacher do it!”

Master Leaders by George Barna

The Tyndale Media Center has graciously offered me the opportunity to serve as one of their blog reviewers. Tyndale House Publishers sent me, as my first review, a copy of George Barna’s, Master Leaders.

George Barna is president of The Barna Group. In my opinion, he’s the foremost leader in the field of Christian statistics. He is the author of a number of renowned books. Master Leaders is no less the same.

Barna, a leader himself in the field of leadership, engaged some of the best minds in the leadership field, to write a book about what he gleaned important from these Master Leaders. These were proven men in their respective arenas of work- head football coaches, ministers, CEO, and etc.- all successful and respected by many.

The beauty of the book, in part, lies in how Barna writes it. He tells a story, as if he were the MC (Master of Ceremonies) of a leadership conference that brought together these Master Leaders into one collective forum. Barna communicates the story from the vantage point of sitting in the green room, eating, drinking coffee, and  attentively listening for nuggets to be dropped by each one. It is a masterful piece of work.

Each chapter addresses an essential aspect of Leadership. Each chapter begins by creating a certain tone, and then Barna rolls with a finely crafted group discussion of each chapter theme. My favorite chapters were 4, 5 and 15.

In chapter 4, he deals with how leaders create cultures. Quoting John Kotter, professor of leadership at the Harvard Business School, Barna writes,

Most companies don’t have perfect cultures, and leaders do need to work at that. But instinctively, they usually do. It starts with modeling what’s needed and then getting other people to do that, even if it’s counter-cultural. The way culture develops is that a group of people does something in a certain way and it works. And if it works over a sufficiently long period of time, it seeps into the bloodstream of the organism. They don’t do anything, it just happens. So what  great leaders do is just that. If the culture isn’t right, they get the group to act differently, get positive results, and if they just keep doing it for a while, it will start to seep into the bloodstream and replace the old stuff.

Healthy, organizational cultures are created “top-down” and “naturally.” They aren’t forced. They are born out of natural leadership.

In chapter 5, Barna develops the thoughts of his Master Leaders with regards to leadership development. Good leaders don’t find other leaders; good leaders develop them. Barna communicates a Ken Blanchard story about Henry Blackaby. Blackaby, in giving his opinion of the StrengthFinder process, said of it,

It’s an interesting theory. It just not sound biblically. You name one person whom the Lord called who was qualified. They all complained, whether it was Abraham or Moses or Mary. The Lord doesn’t call the qualified, the Lord qualifies the called.

A statement such as this resonates with minister types. I am a minister, and I feel so inadequate and unworthy. It’s not bad, either; it makes me normal. God develops leaders, and the kinds of leaders he desires aren’t naturally born, they’re naturally groomed.

As the “conference” begins to wind down, in chapter 15, Barna sets his sights on, what to me, is one of the most crucial question concerning leadership: How do leaders respond to the pressures and criticism they face?

Lou Holtz, the successful coaching icon of Notre Dame, found little success at South Carolina. In his first year, the Gamecocks were 0-11. They didn’t win a single game.

The question you have to ask yourself is, Am I willing to endure the difficulties in leadership in order to be successful, or am I going to give in to the negativity and the mediocrity that everybody comes to expect from losers?

Holtz understood what Tony Dungy clearly expressed, “Pressure goes with the territory.” Barna’s final paragraph, itself, is priceless.

Our discussion reminded me that nothing worth creating comes without paying a price. For a leader, part of the price is enduring the emotional roller coaster of being on the receiving end of complaints and challenges, and the physical hardship of feeling the pressure to live up to expectations, even if it’s only your own. You have to believe in the vision and in your ability to see it become a reality to turn your critics into fans and to relieve the pressure by performing up to standards.

I’ve found that leadership books can be dry, but such wasn’t the case for this one. The crafted messages of Master Leaders are told in such a way as to cause the reader to believe that it all happened that way. That’s powerful storytelling that resonates for the long term.

Last week I wrote about the Bovina church’s bulletin board. If you remember, there was a devilish creature lecturing a set of bullet points on how to ensure a church doesn’t grow. The devil’s first bullet point was: “It’s not my job.”

First, let’s remember that church growth is a result, not a pursuit. God provides the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6), not us. He simply uses us to facilitate it. So, in a sense, it’s true: “It’s not my job.” Moreover, a “job” is probably not the best way to view one’s service to God to begin with.

Our commission is towards discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20). We accomplish this by living like Jesus, our Master Teacher, and teaching others to do the same. Discipleship is a heavenly mentoring program. Such was how Jesus’ approach, and such is our great calling. We sow the seed of the Living Word, water it, but God is the one responsible for the growth.

This being said, every disciple is called to a radical discipleship. No one is exempt. Disciples, by nature, make other disciples. Not all have the same gifts, but each of us are called to live out the Way of Jesus and teach others to do the same. To claim a disciple’s identity, yet not embrace the commission, is to deny the identity. It shows no love for Christ or for genuine disciples, yet love is the litmus test for discipleship (John 13:35).

Genuine discipleship produces natural growth, God derived growth; it doesn’t force it. Jesus adds to his church, not us (Acts 2:47). Our calling isn’t to grow the church, it’s to be the church. When the church is the church, the body grows and develops, naturally, by design (Ephesians 4:1-16). No, your job isn’t to grow the church, but your calling is to be loving channels through whom God works to expand his kingdom on the earth!