What Does Begging & Witnessing Have In Common?

Recently I spent 5 days in downtown Atlanta. I walked 5 blocks 2,3,4 times a day from the Hilton to the World Congress center right across Peachtree in the heart of the Dirty South.

I was encountered by numerous homeless people asking for money. Here is what I discovered, just as we have our methods of sharing our faith, beggars have their methods of asking for money.

Some simply hold signs asking for help.They have signs, we have t-shirts. There used to be a company called Witness Wear. They had an add that said “wear your faith to school today”. Is that really wearing your faith. I think faith is a little more than a t-shirt. I am not sure how effective wearing a t-shirt really is. Then there are the bumper stickers and church signs. Those deserve their own blog. Bottom line is, I was not really moved by the beggars with signs. Call me hard hearted but I really questioned their sincerity.

One approach really got my attention. One beggar shouted at me on the sidewalk and then proceeded to stare me down. Interesting method. At first he just ticked me off and then I simply thought he was crazy. I wonder how many simply think we are crazy and just write us off. We have all seen the street preachers who are screaming at people about going to hell and telling everyone what sinners they are. How do you think the lost view us when we act mad, angry and crazy?

I had one beggar who had his act together. He approached me and walked beside me. He asked me where I was heading. I told the the World Congress Center. He showed me a short cut. He asked me what I did for a living? What was my name? Where did I live? He then asked me to pray for Stanley. I asked, “Who is Stanley?” He said “Me”. This bum actually walked  3 blocks with me before he asked for money. I could see it coming a mile away. I knew what he wanted. But I was impressed with his effort. I actually gave him a couple bucks.

Call me a sucker. I know, maybe I helped buy his next fix. But I liked Stanley. I believed Stanley and Stanley actually acted as though he cared about me. I liked his style.

I am not sure what the best method of sharing our faith is. I have been trained 4 different ways. I do know this, when you see people as a project, they see right through you. Whatever style you choose share because of your love for them and your love for God. It is hard to go wrong then.

Part 2 When Ministry Hurts “Hurts So Good”

The beauty of being hurt in ministry is you get a different perspective on the grace of God. You find out the scripture is true, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  — 2 Cor. 12:9

Being hurt can really drive you to your knees. My Pastor mentioned yesterday the first part of Psalm 23, David was talking about God. In the second half David was talking to God. That’s what being hurt does for you. You not only talk about God, but you talk a lot more to God.

I would say some of my most intimate and real conversations with God have come when I was hurt. I am not sure what that says about my faith. But I do know I have seen a lot of my growth as a Christian when I was hurt.

I imagine Stephen can relate. In Acts we find Stephen being stoned to death. People were literally throwing rocks at his head until he died. Why? For preaching the gospel. For doing great things for God. Guess who was hurting Stephen in ministry? The church. The religious people.

Here is what Stephen experienced in the midst of his pain,

                          But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  — Acts 8:55-56

It was in the midst of his hurt when Stephen saw Jesus standing up for him. The only time in scripture where it is recorded of Jesus standing (not seated) at the right hand of the Father. God parted the heavens for him. Can you imagine how close he felt to Christ at that moment.

I am not saying go look to be hurt. I would say when it comes embrace it. Learn from it. Grow from it. And expect God to do something awesome. Expect God to reveal more of Himself to you. When you are hurt in ministry you are in good company. After all it was Jesus who died for our sins.

Sometimes in the end it really does “hurt so good”.

When Ministry Hurts Part 1

Lets face it sometimes ministry isn’t fun. Sometimes being in ministry hurts. Sometimes ministry is messy. Some people will not like you. Sometimes church people can be just plain mean.

Sometimes you have plumbers, doctors, salesman and such trying to tell you how to do student ministry or your ministry. And in those times many give up and start dreaming smaller. Some start pleasing the people or just give up and play it safe. Some even leave the ministry all together.

Here is what I have learned to remember when times get tough:

1 . Remember God’s calling on my life.

67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you going to leave, too?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go?    John 6: 67-68a

If you are really called by God to do what you do, “Where else are you going to go?” You know what you are called to do. Do it! Don’t let anyone or any church stop you.

2. The biggest blessings are often just on the other side of the toughest times.

“Maybe God allows the odds to be stacked against us so He can reveal more of His glory.”   —-  Mark Batterson

3. What doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger.

I become more dependent on God when things are stacked against me. Being more dependent on God is always a good thing no matter how much things hurt.

4. Working with sinful people (which I am) will always be difficult.                     

 Remember it is going to be tough. If you are not ticking somebody off, you are not doing much.

5. I know the Satan would love for me to throw in the towel.

I will not give up. I will not back down. I will finish the fight!

New Church Growth Tip

My sister’s family has been visiting churches trying to find the right one for their family. They have visited over 20. Here is a conversation I had with my nephew about the last one they visited.

James said:  Did you like _______  ________ Church?

My 12 year old nephew: No!

James: Why not?

My Nephew: It smelled like old woman.

James: What do you mean?

My Nephew: All there were was old people there and the whole place reeked of cheap perfume.

Here is a tip. If you want  to grow a church, burn incense, have air fresheners, give away expensive perfume or maybe you should just do what ever it takes to reach young families.

Trying to Get Back Into the Swing of Things

Okay. I will get back into the swing of things. Since Daddy went home to heaven I have been struggling with focus. I haven’t blogged much. I haven’t ran much. I haven’t studied much. I have not done much at all. But I have had a chance to reflect on some things. I am ready to step it up. This is going to be a great year in ministry!

I ready to get back in the swing of things. Please keep praying for my family.

Wednesday Night Recap

It snowed. Which makes people rush to the store for milk and bread and go home around here. We wound up with around half our crowd.

Here are some highlights:

1. I didn’t speak. I had been out of the office all week. Carman spoke and did a great job. Carman is a pro. He communicates very well. Always has good illustrations and brings scripture to life. He also challenges our students. It is great to have someone you can depend on to back you up or give you a break.
2. The Band played some new stuff they had been working on and it was good stuff.
3. I love worshiping and not thinking about my message or what is coming up next. I got to do that Wednesday Night.

Overall it was a solid night. Great job Carman!

Some Thoughts on Daddy

Daddy was a Man’s Man.                       

 As small and gentle as he was at times, he was a true man’s man. 

He worked for the Rail Road for nearly 30 years.  

He could do anything, build anything, fix anything and was the master at rigging something up.  

I never remember us calling a plumber or electrician or anyone he would do it.  

He helped me lay hard wood floors in a couple of my houses, build a tree house, front porch. And I can remember asking Him are you ready to quit. Are you ready to quit. And he would just keep going. He could always outwork me.             

He worked with all his kids and helped us all so much.  

He was working on my sister’s house fixing their bathroom floor the day before he God called him home.  

When I was a kid he always tried to teach me Handy Man stuff. He took me too many of his side jobs. I never paid much attention. I wished I would have.  

As big on a Man’s Man he was, he was even more of a Family Man.

 I can still remember Daddy leaving for work and kissing and hugging each of us before he left. Even when I got to an age where it wasn’t cool and even a little uncomfortable he still kissed and hugged me before he left for work. I loved that about Daddy.  

He was a provider for our family. He worked long and hard so that Momma could stay at home with us as long as she wanted to. And always had what I needed. Daddy and Momma always made sure we had what needed and lots we wanted. 

But as many hours as worked He never seemed to miss my baseball games. In fact He coached many of my teams leading my Red Sox Pee Wee team to a record of 0 -20 something. He was a better man than coach.  He wasn’t a bad coach either. We had our wins in later years.  

He was the best Daddy I could have ever asked for. The very best. He loved us and we knew it. I am the Dad I am today because of the influence of my Daddy. 

He loved his Grandchildren too. He was so proud of all of them. 

And of course, he loved his wife. He was good to Momma and why wouldn’t he be Momma you was so good to him. Best parents anyone could ask for.  

Man’s Man. Family Man and even more importantly my Daddy was a Godly Man. 

 I feel so selfish for me to be sad. Because he is truly so much better off today than all of us are. Today my Daddy is rejoicing in Heaven because of a decision he made to follow Christ as his Lord and Savior.  

I watched my Daddy really grow in Christ over the last 10-15 years. 

I watched God soften his heart on things.  

I was able to preach his ordination service when he became a deacon at his church. 

Whatever his church needed he was there to help or repair.  

I watched him take a stand on thing he felt in his heart was right.  

He and Momma held Bible Studies in their home.  

I am so proud of how he grew in Christ over the years.  

My Dad was a Man’s Man, a Family Man and a Godly Man!

I am so proud to be his son!

Tough Day

This world lost a great man today.

My Daddy (James Roscoe Wisener) went to heaven this morning. I am so selfish because I wish he was still here. I miss him.

My Daddy was 5′7” tall on a good day. He weighed 137 pounds. He was a giant in my eyes! I love my Dad. I could ask for a better one.

Pray for my family, especially my Mom.

Suprise Visit

We had a surprise visit today from the Fire Marshall. Turns out they don’t like us having chairs in front of the doors and aisle to the door in the student center.

I love our place but we need more space! In the words of the great Yogi Bear, “Don’t worry Boo Boo, I have got a great plan!”

Wednesday Night Recap

Great night last night! Hats off to our leaders, band and students.

Here is some of the highlights:

• New HABITS series is going to be awesome. Last night was a great kickoff.
• The Band rocked!
• Many new faces and a huge crowd!
• 2 students decided to follow Christ!
• Biggest Loser was fun. (week one results posted soon)
• Students seemed to be into the sermon.
• Seeing students bring students and seeing them make decisions for Christ!

Overall one of my favorite Wednesdays so far. Just a solid, quality night. Keep up the good work team!