Growing Pains:

When I was in 6th and 7th Grade I had a growth spurt. I sprouted 3-4 inches (but then stopped!) and my baby fat turned to muscle (too bad it is back on its way to fat!). It was an exciting time. Because of my size and strength I could do more and had a bigger impact when I did things. I was growing into my potential and it was exciting.

There also was a difficult side to it. I was moving into the unknowns of manhood and that can be confusing and scary. As my body changed, I didn’t always understand it or feel comfortable (remember the 1st time you shaved?). And not least of my problems was that I was growing out of my clothes.

We, as a church, are in a growth spurt. It is awesome to see lots of people start a new relationship with Jesus, and others to reconnect like the prodigal son. I am deeply encouraged when I see people step up in a new way by joining a small group, helping in a ministry, or begin to give a tithe regularly. We have a new service and it’s doing great. In fact all of our sites are doing the best they have ever done.

But growth means change and change can be uncomfortable. It may be harder to find a parking spot or sit where you want to sit. You may not know as many people as you think you should. I am trying to memorize everyone’s name but it is getting harder and harder every week (we have 1000 people at the Syracuse site alone).

So here is what I am going to ask you to do as we continue to connect more people to this community of faith:

- Work hard to introduce yourself to people you don’t know.

- Sit closer to the front and in the middle of the rows (It gives us more space for new people).

- If at the Syracuse site, park in back. And if you go to the 10:50, consider going to the 9:10 service since there is an imbalance in size.

- Pray. We need to power and presence of Jesus more now than ever.

It is an exciting time as God moves in our midst. What do you think about it?

What Was That?

Throughout a normal day we are bombarded with messages, noise and distractions. So many people and advertisers are trying to get our attention in some very creative ways.

But more core then all that noise is Jesus trying to connect and communicate with us. He desires to direct and lead us. Jesus is called the “Word” in the bible, and words are about communication.

In my last message, Breaking the Labels that Bind, I said that Jesus wants to give us a new name and confirm our true identity. In order to do this we need to hear from Him. Below are a few suggestions in how to be able to better hear Jesus’ voice:

-          Take time alone to listen

-          Get in a quiet place (I prefer to be around nature when I do)

-          Start by worshipping Him

-          Ask Him to speak and just wait

-          Be sensitive to any sense of direction or thoughts that pop into your head.

-          Sometimes Jesus speaks by bringing back a memory or reminding you of
———-a scripture you previously memorized.

-          Take time to slowly read the bible and see if anything jumps out at you.

-          Pray before you go to sleep and invite Him to speak to you in your dreams.

-          Have your small group pray for you as you seek to hear.

Do you have any other suggestions that have helped you?

A New Year

I love New Years! We start with a big party to celebrate its arrival. You get together with family and friends and eat a bunch of fun food. At the stroke of midnight everyone cheers and you kiss your loved ones.

But I think the best thing about the New Year is that it’s a good time to stop and reflect on where you’ve been and where you want to head. This is a very important thing to do. Every year I set new goals for the New Year. Do I always reach them? No. Do I sometimes reach them? Yes. But the most important part of setting goals is realizing where you need to go and building a plan to get there.

When I set my goals (New Year’s Resolution) I try to hear from God and to actually assess what I need to do. I try to set the goals in a way that is measurable (ie: not get in shape but work out three times a week) and obtainable (stretch me but be possible – ie: read 25 books vs. read 1000 books).

So I would like to hear from you. What are some of your goals for 2012?

Integrated Vineyard Family

This weekend I talked about the concept of people in all age groups getting into the game. From kids to retirees God is moving and we are seeing people respond. But we need everybody in the game to be at our best.

I think God purposely didn’t give every age group all the goods so that we would have to rely on each other. Our sages and our youth. Our parents and our kids. They all add something.

Here is what I would like you to do….

Give me what you think each group especially adds to the makeup of the Body of Christ.

Here are the groups:
1) Children (4-14 Years Old)
2) HS and College
3) Post College/Young Professional (family)
4) Parents with kids at home
5) Empty Nesters/Retirees

Why I Talk About Tough Issues

This weekend I touched on some very sensitive issues that may make us all feel uncomfortable. Why would I do that? Isn’t church a place to go to feel good? Those are good questions, so I want to take some time to explain why I talk about tough issues.

First thing I want to note is that we don’t “Go to church.” We are the church. The church is a community (both large and small) of people who are seeking to follow Jesus together as best they can. In a sense we are a family and in every healthy family difficult situations need to be discussed. That is how families grown in maturity.

I consider a number of factors when I choose what topics to talk about. Such as the following:

a)      Is God pressing me to talk about this? – I try to listen and discuss what topics the Holy Spirit is highlighting

b)      Is this a topic that people are dealing with in this church? – Remember back in August I talked about drinking and drunkenness? I felt like that was a topic that people were struggling with.

c)       Is it a topic that will result in Spiritual Growth? – This is always my desired result. Not controversy for controversy’s sake.

d)      Can I communicate it with the grace of God? – He is so merciful that I want to communicate that in all we do.

My desire is to help us all grow in the truth and Grace of Jesus. Keep praying for me to be able to do this! It’s not easy, but I’ll keep trying as best I can as your pastor.

Gentlemen…Start your Engines

Everybody is lined up on the starting line. We are ready for the race to begin. Ready…set….sprint to the Christmas season!

Every year the Christmas season seems to get more and more full. For many it explodes to a start on Black Friday and doesn’t slow down until Christmas night. What is supposed to be a season of joy becomes one of exhaustion.

But I want to tell you….IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT! We can make choices to enjoy more and focus on the true reason for the season. Here are a few suggestions.

1)      Decide now that you don’t have to do everything. Focus on what gives you life.

2)      Pick a few traditions and protect them. For example, we all decorate the tree together and it isn’t about beauty but about telling the family story.

3)      Choose not to go into debt. Money can be a big stressor. Agree to limit. Make gifts. Give the gift of shared life.

4)      Take time to read and meditate on the Biblical Narrative of the Birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-2:23; Luke 1:1-2:40; John 1:1-14).

5)      Do something special for someone who needs help.

Help me here….what are some other ways you have found to make the Christmas Season more joy filled?

 

The Price of Leadership

It has a price. As I talked about this weekend (The Price of Leadership) we will have a tough road to becoming a spiritual leader in whatever circle of relationships God has you in.

I want you to know my prayer during the “Take Me to Your Leader” series has been for God to stir each of you to step into leadership in a new way. Dream of the impact if a thousand of us step into spirit leadership at the schools we attend, or the neighborhoods we live in, or the sports teams we play on, or the Governments we live under, or the work places we go to and the families we are a part of! It could change the atmosphere of C.N.Y.

I also pray that many of you will step up into leadership in this church as small group leaders or parts of a ministry team. As we start a 3^rd Sunday morning service at the Syracuse site we will need new safety and hospitality leaders, new prayer team leaders and new host team captains. As we go for 10 new congregations in the next 10 years God will call many people into new levels of leadership in the Vineyard.

I am excited to see how God does all this. As He expands this community of Faith, He will expand our personal calling. Hang on for the ride!

Below is a list of our leadership requirements. Give me some input on them.

The Vineyard Church – Leadership Requirements

 

“…take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.”   Phil 3:17

“…set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”

1Timothy 4:1

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands…”   1Timothy 5:22

1.    Be growing in relationship with Jesus Christ and holiness of life.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

 and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:33

“The overseer must be above reproach…”  1Timothy 3:2

“Humble yourself under God’s might hand and He will lift you up in due time.”

2.    Be loyal to my pastoral leadership and vision.

“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.  They keep watch over you as

 men who must give an account.  Obey them so that their work will be a joy,

 not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”  Hebrews 13:17

“…stand firm with one common purpose.”  Phil 1:27

3.    Be committed to, comfortable with, and moving in, Vineyard values and style.

“Let there be real harmony so that there won’t be splits in the church…

Be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”  1 Cor 1:10 (LB)

“Pattern after me…as I imitate and follow Christ.”  1 Cor 11:1

 4.    Giving regularly and growing to a tithe.

“Anyone who receives instruction in the word

must share all good things with his instructor.”  Galatians 6:6

“The worker deserves his wages.”  1 Timothy 5:17

“Bring the whole tithe into the store house…”  Malachi 3:10

5.    Have completed the Vision Class, Discovery Class, and the Leadership Training Class.

“Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still…”  Proverbs 9:9a

“Train a (Spiritual) child in the way he should go, and when he is old

 he will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

 6.    Be a partner at The Vineyard Church

“For we are partners working together for God . . . “  1 Cor. 2:9 (TEV)

7.    Be part of a small group.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:2

“They devoted themselves to … the fellowship.”  Acts 2:42

 8.    Be coaching someone into ministry/leadership.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses

 entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”  2 Tim 2:2

That Tugging Feeling

This weekend we discussed some catalysts of great leadership. A catalyst…….something that causes an important event to happen. Isn’t that a great description of a leader? Great leaders enact change.

There once was a Catholic schoolteacher. There wasn’t anything particularly special about her, but she had this “tugging” feeling inside her causing her to notice the poor and the outcast. That feeling grew until she decided to do something about. She went to go live in the slums among the poorest of the poor to care for and  minister to them. She took a risk and left what was comfortable to follow the “tugging” that God put in her heart. Eventually people began to follow her, and what she was doing grew into a worldwide movement. We know that woman today as Mother Teresa.

I believe that each of us have a “tugging” on our heart. It’s that issue or that people group that we just can’t ignore. I believe that God highlights those things because he is calling you step out and be the catalyst for change.

What “tugging” do you feel on your heart? What is God calling you to do about it?

Nice Job!

I was extremely proud of our church on Saturday in Syracuse. We had about 130 people take a few hours out of their busy schedules to serve our community. And you if were a part of the Binghamton group it was a whole day! In Auburn we had about 60 people host a great benefit for Dave Stellmack.

I know everyone is busy and there are many other things you can do with your time. But there were so many of you who choose to help others. It is really reflective of God’s heart…..AND it was a lot of fun!

After a month of focusing in on reading about Jesus, it was good to step out and act like Jesus. I hope we, as a church, will always keep that balance. I hope we can keep learning, and keep applying that knowledge. We will be blessed if we do these things.

I would love to hear some feedback about how your time went during Saturday Serve and if you have any suggestions for next time.

Finished!

When I was ten my mom made me take an advanced swim class. All the swimmers were way better than me and it really stretched me, but I hung in there. When I finished it felt great! I had grown and gotten better as a swimmer. In fact, I re-upped for another session.

We just finished five weeks of digging into the words of Jesus. I hope you did it all…made each service…were a part of a small group…read through Luke. I did, and it was hard. It did stretch me and I did grow.  AND….I would do it again!

What about you? What was your experience during our Jesus: In His Own “Words” campaign?

Let me know what impact it had on you and any suggestions you might have to make it better.

John Elmer,

Lead Pastor