Commended to the Word: Equipping leaders for ministry impact … around the world

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Daniel's Travel Blog

USA (KWAM East), 2010: Day 05

Since I’m on my way flying home from Louisville, this will be a shorter journal than usual. Sunday, as the climax to our KWAM East weekend, went by so quickly, we were all surprised and a bit disappointed when it came time to take the group photo and hug good-bye’s. As planned, I spoke at the early service—in the main sanctuary—while most of the KWAMers readied themselves for the church-planting exercise that was to begin immediately after the first service. We broke the group into thirds, and gave them time on Saturday to determine which two would teach, who would lead worship, etc. on Sunday.

Each group was assigned a home, and they conducted simulated church plants throughout Berea. It was a first for many of them—first to teach, first in a home-setting for a service, etc. As happened last February at KWAM West, the young adults realized through experience just how easily they could do this for real! They all came back amazed at how God had choreographed and synced the messages and the worship songs and testimonies—almost as if the people had planned and orchestrated things.

Chuckle. That’s the great secret in public ministry settings: if leaders simple follow the Spirit’s prompting, they end up doing and saying things that flow together as though planned that way. It’s a far simpler and more effective way than trying to plan everything ourselves. Do we plan? Are we faithful and diligent to make the most of our time and resources? Yes, of course. But how sad that some people’s notion of planning is trying to be so arranged that they leave little room for God’s Spirit to arrange.

On the other hand, some leaders are just plain sloppy and lazy, and they excuse their sloth with presumptuous statements about “letting the Spirit control what happens.” It is possible to do our best to think things through—and make utter reliance on the Spirit an integral part of our planning!

During the final session, I decided to press the matter of intentional ministry a bit further. While I acknowledged that they have different Gift-Mixes—and not all are Pastors—I explained that our church culture usually speaks in terms of “people called to lead a church.” Being the senior leader of a congregation isn’t the only legitimate surrender into God’s service. There are many roles.

But I asked this question: “Which of you will give your pastors and your Supervisor permission to consider deploying you beyond this local church?” At the end of the discussion, almost everyone raised their hand, and Harriet then shared her vision for church planting in several specific locations. This is not to say that all will become church planters, but I have a feeling several will!

I was greatly impressed by Tim and Anne, the pastors. They have done an exceptional job loving and developing those under them. I was impressed with our Supervisor who spent five days out of her crazy schedule just to sit with these younger leaders-in-waiting. She is determined to restore a church-planting culture by example and by model. And, of course, I was impressed with Niki and Kelly’s growing leadership/ministry skills. They were the ones who really made the weekend happen.

Now it’s home to some days off before the big wedding on Saturday. Our family is gaining another daughter, Lindsay! Joy, joy, joy!!!

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Seminar Video

Ministry Gift-Mixes Seminar

In this seminar, which was videotaped at The Coastlands on June 10-11, 2010, Daniel Brown shares how God made us to reflect His amazing characteristics. He designed us as givers, teachers, exhorters, pastors, apostles, leaders, evangelists, prophets, helpers and mercy showers. But these aren’t based on our natural aptitudes!

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New Book

The Problem with...The Problem with Women in Ministry Leadership

As Dr. Daniel A. Brown points out, the “problem” is with the idea that women should be relegated to a smaller place of ministry or significance than men. Join him as he demonstrates in this booklet how the Bible passages in 1 Corinthians 11, 14 and 1 Timothy are consistent with the empowering and affirming “good news” message to all people—male and female alike.

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Today's Devotion

Our Daily Bread

Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you…I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger… John 6:27,35

One of the most consistent promises throughout the Bible is God’s assurance that He will provide for us in every way. He desires to care for us, to meet our physical, spiritual and emotional needs. He gave manna in the wilderness to the rebellious children of Israel who had already refused the provision of “milk and honey” in the Promised Land. His commitment to give us what we require continues even in the face of our periodic waywardness.

Too often, however, we get caught up with worry about such mundane and elementary things as food, shelter and clothing. Tight finances, empty cupboards and searching for a place to live all have a way of screaming at us for priority attention. We become consumed with attention on such matters.

Only with difficulty do we resist the temptation to be anxious and troubled—consumed with focusing on these particulars. Sometimes we are even tempted to grow bitter against God when it seems to us that He has somehow let us down and not fulfilled His part of the bargain. We want to know ‘what gives?’ when His provision for us appears inadequate. What we often forget is why He chooses to provide for us. He wants, firstly, to demonstrate His love and affection for us like a father caring for His children.

Additionally, He supplies our every need so that we can more fully devote ourselves to what life is all about: developing a closer relationship with God in His Kingdom, and with the people around us whom He values with such passion and purpose.

Ultimately, riches, food, shelter, clothes, etc. cannot provide any real profit in our lives. They are all things destined to perish with use (Colossians 2:22), and they cannot ever truly satisfy the soul or give it rest. Consequently, when we find ourselves in situations where provision seems lacking (no job, no money, no place to stay), we should interpret them as reminders of what life is really about.

I’m not saying that tight finances or needing a room to rent are necessarily indications of sin or wrong priorities—like we’ve really blown it and now God is getting back at us. But, if we can understand that God always does provide for us, then we can focus our attention freshly on Him and ask Him to “move us” spiritually, emotionally, etc., to that place of provision He already has for us. It’s all part of the process of learning to walk with Him day by day.

Coming to Him over and over again is the best way to stay covered, fed and satisfied.

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