Summary: Are you viewing recruiting as burdensome slot-filling or are you viewing it as a means to see people grow? Recruiting volunteers can be a means of disciple making. When people serve, people grow in the Lord.

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I became a children’s pastor in a not-so-normal way. Maybe you can relate. You see, I do not have any formal degrees in ministry. I have no formal training that would have predicted a career in ministry. Honestly, I just loved God a whole bunch and found joy serving and volunteering in ministry. Maybe this is your story. Maybe you find yourself in your role today through an odd set of circumstances and a non-traditional path. Well, that’s my story.

I will never forget needing to recruit a small army of volunteers. I was staring at a blank page needing qualified names. I was also staring blankly at the telephone. I looked up to heaven and said out loud to God, “I don’t think this is reasonable.” Then God asked me what volunteering had done in me. Had I grown as a Christian through serving? My eyes filled with tears as I reflected on how many relationships had gotten stronger through serving, how I trusted Him more and how I knew His word better and I knew myself better because I had volunteered.

Then God spoke deep into my heart. He asked me if I thought that He could bring about those same wonderful things in the lives of the people He would provide for my list. At that moment, I no longer viewed myself as a slot filler. Recruiting became a means of disciple making. I believed, deep down, that if people would serve, people would grow in the Lord.

How about you? Are you viewing recruiting as burdensome slot-filling or are you viewing it as a means to see people grow?

Summary: Do you remember the story of the little boy with some loaves and fish? God is willing to use and multiply whatever is in our hands. Do you have something in your hand that seems small and possibly insignificant? Just as He multiplied the fish and loaves, he has multiplied ministry far beyond what I thought possible.

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You have an invisible toolbox. Your invisible toolbox has an assortment of the most random things someone could imagine. It holds your spiritual gifts. This toolbox holds your passions, your abilities and your personality. This invisible toolbox is filled with so many of your life experiences, both good and bad, and the learnings and lessons from your one and only life.

You see, whether you know it or not, God has been slowly stockpiling tools into your invisible toolbox. Interestingly enough, those tools are form-fit for your hands, crafted by God so you could use them to serve God. You have an invisible toolbox. Your toolbox will likely grow today. You have a toolbox. I have a toolbox.

Do you remember the story of the little boy with some loaves and fish that was discovered by Andrew? You see, God is willing to use and multiply whatever is in our hands. Do you have something in your hand that seems small and possibly insignificant? I am a former high school chemistry teacher and as odd as it might sound, I love the periodic table.

I did not have loaves and fish in my hands. But the God of all creation and creativity is thrilled to show us how to use the items in our hands. I brought my passion for Him, a deep love for the lost and my crinkled up periodic table. Quite an odd combination, right? God took these ingredients and birthed “The Amazing Chemistry Show.”

God has allowed me to share the good news of Jesus with thousands and thousands of people. All major religions. Nearly all 50 states and 4 different countries. Just as He multiplied the fish and loaves, he has multiplied ministry far beyond what I thought possible.

Can I ask? What is in your toolbox?

Summary: Envision a graph with two main variables - Ability and Likability. High performers who have high likability are nearly unstoppable. Where are you on the graph? This graph is a living document and your future actions can, in fact, move in a positive direction.

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When other people see you approaching, what is their initial and internal response? Are they thrilled to see you, knowing THEIR tank will be filled by being around you? Or are they bracing themselves for your negative and pessimistic attitude. Are you a VEP, a Very Encouraging Person, or are you a VDP, a Very Draining Person? If you want people to “GO ALONG” with you and your ideas, you need to “GET ALONG” with others.

I want you to envision a graph - the two main variables are: Ability and Likability. Some people have Low Ability and Low Likability. Not only are they a poor producer, they cause personnel problems. Some people have Low Ability but have High Likability. Likeability goes a long way. However, there comes a breaking point when someone’s inability to move the mission trumps their likable personal qualities. Then we have people who have High Ability and yet they have dangerously Low Likability. High performers often can be challenging to be around. Accomplishment is important, but people skills matter as well.

And yet there is one group remaining. There are those with High Ability and yet they also have High Likability. High performers who have high likability are nearly unstoppable. Where are you on the graph? Where would your peers place you on the graph? Here is the good news: This graph is a living document and your future actions can, in fact, move in a positive direction.

Summary: Kids are like wet cement. I want to seize the day while they are pliable, moldable and receptive. The cement frames that are established while they are very young will determine, in great part, how the cement will turnout.

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As a homeowner, there’s always something to fix, repair, or update. One of those upgrades on our house was our back patio. We chose to remove a deck with rotted wood and transition to cement instead. Three things I know about concrete: it’s hard, it’s expensive, and it will inevitably crack in the wrong spot!

It was amazing process to watch the cement workers. They took their time to meticulously spread the underlayment. They were detailed. They took the time. For 10,000 bucks, take all the time you want. Just do it right. However, something fundamental changed when the cement truck arrived. Why? The clock is ticking when working with wet cement.

I believe kids are like wet cement. A child’s basic understanding of God, His attributes, and their belief in the Scriptures are established by age 13. One researcher concluded, “It’s fair to say that what someone believes at age 13 will likely be what they will believe when they die.” I want to seize the day while they are pliable, moldable and receptive. The cement frames that I establish while they are very young will determine, in great part, how the cement will turnout.

Can repairs be made to cement that has already hardened? Absolutely. It requires busting up hard cement with some pretty intense tools. That sounds expensive. That sounds painful. Kids are like wet cement. Let’s do our best the first time.

Summary: The message of Christ MUST stay the same but the means of sharing that message can and should change over time. We are free to change HOW we share the unchanging message of Jesus Christ.

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Churches die for one of two reasons: They change that which should NEVER change or they are unwilling to change that which they are free to change. Some churches have changed the message and watered down the truths of scripture. They have altered the Gospel message, thinking this will reach more people. They have changed that which ought to stay the same.

Some churches, however, have rightly retained the message of Christ but refuse to change their methods of sharing that unchanging message. Some churches seem to be married to their methods and are quickly losing their influence. The message of Christ must stay the same but the means of sharing that message can and should change over time. We are free to change HOW we share the unchanging message of Jesus Christ.

There has been a paradigm shift slowly taking place in the church today. This has been slowly happening in many churches across the land. This shift in how we present the unchanging message of Jesus Christ is allowing the church to regain her position of influence and regain her voice. I am certainly NOT calling for an alteration of the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ. I am, however, calling for a reexamination of the method we use to bring about a conversation surrounding Salvation.

Are you willing to reexamine your methods? Are you willing to reassess how you have been going about reaching the lost?

Summary: Through a youth ministry program, I created a service opportunity that made deposits in the good will bucket of our community by meeting a real need. Can I challenge you to consider creative ways for those under your care to be given the reigns of ministry and seek to make a difference? It truly matters.

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Years ago, I created a program for 5th and 6th grade students called, “Route 56”. This service-based ministry was seeking to teach the doctrine of the Body of Christ, yet also provide ways for students to BECOME a part of the Body of Christ through serving. One of the many service opportunities was called, “The Big Enchilada”.

We pre-bought all of the ingredients to mass-produce chicken enchiladas and built 100’s of tin dishes in an assembly-line fashion. We would crank up the music, put on the gloves and make a wonderful Mexican dish complete with instructions, ready to be baked.

These dishes would be brought to homeless shelters in our community. We videotaped the delivery and warm reception we received from the workers at the facility. We were making deposits in the Good Will bucket of our community by meeting a real need. 5th and 6th graders were making a difference outside the church.

Can I challenge you to think outside the box? Can I challenge you to consider creative ways for those under your care to be given the reigns of ministry and seek to make a difference? It truly matters.

Summary: Effective planting requires effective cultivation. After cultivating, the next phase is planting. And then, if God so allows, a seed turns into a plant and is ready for harvest. Christians have been guilty for decades of not cultivating the soil and then smashing seeds into the unprepared hearts of lost people.

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When it comes to sharing the gospel message, I like to think about it as “Spiritual CPR”. Traditionally, we think of CPR as a medical action used on someone in grave danger. Interestingly enough, Spiritual CPR is similar. We are seeking to breathe spiritual life into someone in need. The letters of CPR stand for Cultivate, Plant and Reap.

Just as a farmer works the soil by tilling and turning over the dirt, we too must cultivate and prepare the soil. This is part of earning the right to be heard. Our efforts of Good Works can be thought of as part of the process of cultivation. It can often take years of diligent and calculated effort to effectively prepare the soil for the next phase: planting.

Planting involves sharing the truths of the gospel message. Please understand that planting seeds can be done in a way that honors the message and also in a way that honors the listener. Christians have been guilty for decades of not cultivating the soil and then smashing seeds into the unprepared hearts of lost people. Effective planting requires effective cultivation.

And then, if God so allows, a seed turns into a plant and is ready for harvest. Cultivation precedes Planting. Planting precedes Reaping. All requires God.

Summary: When the church engages the community with Good Works, society begins to warm up to us. Inevitably, someone will ask us about our hope, our motivation and what makes us do the things we do. Our Good Works have earned Good Will, which now can provide us with a sacred space to share the Good News in a way that honors this new, hard-won relationship.

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When the church engages the community with Good Works, society begins to warm up to us. Their guards come down. Maybe we are not so different from them. We are no longer perceived as a stereotypical hate-mongering religious fanatic. Good Works act like deposits in a bank account. Over time, we begin to override the bad data and the sour taste that many hold of Biblical Christianity. The Good Works have now led to a feeling of Good Will.

At some point, society will be dumbfounded at the contrast between what they thought ABOUT Christians and what they are experiencing FROM Christians. Their preconceptions will be challenged and even dismantled through Good Works. To their surprise, they actually begin to like us; quite a novel thought. Our Good Works have earned Good Will, which now can provide us with a sacred space to share the Good News in a way that honors this new, hard-won relationship.

I Peter 3:13-15 shares, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

As our Good Works are on display, this will lead to Good Will. Inevitably, someone will ask us about our hope, our motivation and what makes us do the things we do. We have now earned the right to warmly share about the Good News.

Summary: Good Works earns us Good Will, which allows a platform for the Good News. The world around us will truly take notice when someone seeks to serve them and make the world a better place. Good Works stand out.

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Good Works to our community, leads to Good Will within our community, which leads to an opportunity to share Good News with our community. Good Works earns us Good Will, which allows a platform for the Good News.

When we do Good Works, a hostile society begins to soften. Sure it takes time. But time plus consistency of behavior leads to change. The world around us will truly take notice when someone seeks to serve them and make the world a better place. Good Works stand out.

1st Peter 2:12 says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” Over time, as the church seeks to meet real and tangible needs within our communities, people begin to soften. The icy hearts of a lost and hostile world begin to melt and thaw. Over time, our Good Works begin to earn us Good Will.

The world needs more Good Will Ambassadors. The church needs to adopt a new posture. Instead of a quick verbal response, we need to be slow to speak and quick to serve. We must earn the right to be heard. Slowly, as we continue to selflessly invest, we are earning the trust of a skeptical and watching world. Good Works are hard to deny. Over the long haul, these Good Works will begin to amass a feeling of Good Will. It becomes harder and harder to accuse the church of judgmental wrong-doing as we are viewed as helpers, servants and those quick to meet a need. Good Works to our community, leads to Good Will within our community, which leads to an opportunity to share Good News with our community.

Good Works to our community, leads to Good Will within our community, which leads to an opportunity to share Good News with our community.

Summary: Where does our power source come from? I can fall into a trap and think that I need to come up with all the energy to do great things for God and the kingdom. I am not a manufacturer of power. I am a receiver of His power. Colossians 1:29 says, “To this end, I labor struggling with all His energy that so powerfully works in me.”

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Today, I want to talk about sources of power. Today, I want to invite you to “Remember your power source”. Where does our power source come from? Well, sometimes, I think that the power needed to do ministry must be self-sourced. I can fall into a trap and think that I need to come up with all the energy to do great things for God and the kingdom.

God often needs to remind me that as a leader my source of power can come from Him or I can try to lead in my own power. I often just work too hard and I think I've got to manufacture all of this power to sustain me in this journey. I am not a manufacturer of power. I am a receiver of His power. Colossians 1:29 says, “To this end, I labor struggling with all His energy that so powerfully works in me.”

There's nothing wrong with working hard. I think we should be accomplishing big things for God. But we need to remember that He's the vine, we're the branch and that apart from him, we can do nothing. We need to remember that our power is not self-sourced. As the prophet Zechariah, “Not by our might, not by our strength but by His Spirit”. That's what the word says.

How about you? As you receive this message today, are you self sourcing your energy or are you looking to God to provide you with His energy?