Tag Archive for 'guidance'

10 Clues To Your Child’s Calling

Published on November 2, 2009 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , .

This past Sunday as we talked about the key ingredient of “vision” for our families we saw from Genesis how God’s vision for human beings needs to get inside us and become our own.

I found this article, which is available for download online, searching “finding your child’s calling”. I thought it had some very helpful insight I wanted to pass along:

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Discover Your Child’s Calling

by Jayna Petterson

“I’ve had it!” My dad blew up in resignation after the home buyer’s financing went sour. “I’ve spent all month nursing this deal and then the mortgage broker chokes it for me. How am I going to tell my buyers?” He reeled at the thought of confrontation and became agitated, mentally rehearsing any other move he could make to salvage this sale. He was out of his game. Even the satisfaction of winning “Realtor of the Year,” earning over one hundred thousand dollars a year and parking his first brand new car in our garage, was eclipsed by his stress in a job that forced him into the wrong mold. He was over fifty when he finally decided to inventory his strongest skills, gifts, and passions and make a drastic life change. Ultimately, my parents sold their ocean-view home and car, bought an RV, and now thrive on traveling and doing volunteer construction projects for Christian camps, churches, and outreach ministries. My dad’s joy has returned, and he beams with enthusiasm recounting the numerous practical ways he has touched others’ lives.
Continue reading ‘10 Clues To Your Child’s Calling’

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Ecclesiastes, life and eternity

Published on June 24, 2009 in Editorial. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , .

“generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. . . and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.” (Ecclesiastes 1:4, 11)  These lessons in the book of Ecclesiastes helped transform my life and mindset years ago. . .  and still does.  Something about a good slap in the face from reality helps you make sure you’re not taking life for granted and sleep walking through life.

Yesterday I was out exploring back roads with my son.  We passed an old cemetery and decided to stop.  The sign said it was established in 1861.  We found the burial plot of a Civil War soldier and someone who (according to their head stone) had been born a slave, sold away from his mother at the age of one.  It was one of those moments that was filled with interest, reflection, wonder and a tremendous heart call to breathe in the air I have right now because it won’t always be there. Continue reading ‘Ecclesiastes, life and eternity’

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My Leadership “Signposts”

Published on April 17, 2009 in Editorial and General. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , .


My Leadership “Signposts”

I’m not sure why I decided to call them by that name,  but I have for the last several years.  I counsel people all the time:  when confused or in need of direction from God, always look BACK to the “signposts” –those times when you WERE clear and had direction from the Lord in a special way.  I maintain that most of us have had moments when the sense of being directed is very strong and very clear.  Sometimes prayer moments seem to “connect” on a special and memorable level.  I’ve learned to make special note of those moments, especially when life crowds up with stresses and conflicting priorities.  Although some days I do it much deeper than others, as a leader, I DAILY try to check my “guidance systems” for where the Lord not only wants me to go but where He is wanting to go with the church.

Tonight I decided to be more methodical and specific and write down,  in a new format, all of those critical moments from the last few years.   I highly recommend the practice.  It was very helpful.  It served to simplify matters in my mind.  Church life in a place the size of BTCC can get pretty complicated.  The problems and challenges can be overwhelming just in their dizzying variety.  Honestly, from time to time it will make you want to go live in a van down by the river!  But, as I looked back on those “signpost” moments,  I was reminded of my big picture priorities.

I may tell the story around each one of them someday (if anyone cares).  A couple of the stories I’ve told from the pulpit.  The “pray until the lights come on” while in Kabul is an example.  For now though, I am more interested in the result:
When I distilled the signposts down to the fundamentals,  they all came down to 5 basic “callings”  I am very confident should guide my leadership (each of them have details underneath the surface statement):

1) Make sure we pursue worship services that “inspire extravagant worship” and run that vision all the way to children’s ministry.
2) “Projects” – productions designed to “make the case for the faith” as if unbelievers are the only ones in the room.
3) Missions: the “one to one” relationship with the least reached countries of the world,  especially partnering with the Chinese and their dream of taking the gospel Back to Jerusalem.
4) Doing it all, not only as a Lead Pastor,  but with my family deeply engaged.
5) Honoring the heritage of our church –realizing I am of the generation that is living off of the generosity and faithfulness of others.

All of these are to be under-girded and guided by the values of:  intellectual integrity, spiritual power & artistic sensibility.

Those are the biggies for me.  As I lead, those are the guidance systems that will always be signs planted in the road to give perspective and direction no matter what comes.

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