Philippians: A Lenten Journey of Prayer

In Lent we begin a journey that leads us to the cross, where we encounter a person, Jesus Christ. In this time of renewed focus on our spiritual lives, prayer stands front and center. It is through prayer that we come to know and imitate the mind of Christ.

We are accompanied on this journey with a brief and profound resource: Paul’s letter to the Philippians. On the surface, the occasion of the letter is Paul’s gratitude for a gift they have sent in support of his mission. But just beneath the surface are clues to other important matters of life and faith.

The Significance of Lent in a Feel-Good Era

I doubt any of us will make it very far into Lent without hearing the question, “What are you giving up for Lent?” It is not a bad question; in fact, it is an essential one. Renunciation is a necessary part of our spiritual formation. We all need to “spring clean” our souls. But the invitation to give up things for Lent is so that we can detach ourselves from obstacles to life in Christ, leaving us with “shelf space” in our souls to attach ourselves to things that really matter. Giving up something for Lent is important, but more important is taking up something for Lent.

Focus on Restoration

 

I have decided to stop paying attention to all writing and preaching that takes issue with how I practice my faith.

Not that I have suddenly been transported above error. I’m just tired of insecure souls who build themselves up by tearing others down. Telling me I am wrong in my theology. Wrong in the way I sleep. Wrong in how I view other people. Wrong in what I eat. Wrong in my political opinions. Wrong in how I dress. Wrong in what I write.

Capital Ideas

Whether you’re a pastor in charge of the process or a layperson who assists a pastor or staff member with financial requests, at least once a year your complete attention is consumed with line items and spreadsheets. The good news is (for the most part) once the budget is approved, the process is over until next year. Now you can breathe that sigh of relief—or not—because what’s even more difficult than coming up with a budget is staying within it. And that’s a process that happens over and over again throughout the year, and usually requires raising money from time to time.

How to Grow Generosity

Joseph Grenny, in his book Influencer, teaches that leadership is all about intentionally influencing people to grow and change. Joseph Grenny would argue that positive influence happens when you develop a strategy for growing a culture of generosity in your local church. Growth that is gradual is sustaining.

The reality is that sometimes, good behavior may feel bad and bad behavior may feel good without influencing leadership. In other words, acting selfishly may feel good by those motivated by greed, and acting selflessly may feel bad by those motivated by generosity. What makes the difference? Our feelings may work for or against us. Social behavioral studies indicate that people will not change unless they are influenced.

Strategy creates leadership for the future. It must be innovative. The innovative strategy is not managing the present. It is selectively abandoning the past. Strategy responds to changing needs of people and creating the future. Vijay Govindarajan offers an excellent strategic leadership model in his book, The Other Side of Innovation. Growing generosity requires a dynamic strategic planning process that happens every year. Year by year growth will result.

A New Budget

How much money should one allocate for a trip this summer? This is an appropriate question for anyone expecting to go on a trip to ask. It could be responded to in a multitude of ways:

1. How much money did we spend on last year’s trip?
2. What are other people spending on their trip next year?
3. What has been the change in prices from last year to this year?
4. How much do you think other family members will tolerate?

The first determining factor in answering the question, however, is to ask: Where do we want to go?

Two Pastors Face Off in a Sermon Slam

Watch Matt Rawle and Justin Coleman battle it out in our first Sermon Slam!