Lead Well

Today is my 15th anniversary of vocational ministry. I owe my first job to Steve Lambert who saw potential in me and gave me a shot as a kid’s pastor. He paid for me to finish college, officiated my wedding, and gave my wife and I a place to live. I am forever thankful for his vision and generosity. May 12 of 2008, I was full of vim and vigor. I had so many dreams and passions. I remember telling my pastor that we were going to hit the ground running, and we did. In those first 12 weeks, I put on my first VBS with 100 kids and 50 volunteers and got married the following weekend. I can say that as the years have passed, things have not gotten any less exciting. My wife and I have had our ups and downs just like anyone else and now on the edge of a new ministry season, we are filled with as much passion as we were all those years ago. All that said, here are 15 things I've learned in 15 years of ministry. 1. Nothing is more important than your relationship with God....

www.gettyimages.com I'm just going to admit it. I'm a conservative Republican.  You can imagine my dismay with Tuesday's election results.  I was so upset, I had a hard time getting to sleep that night. All I could was pray.  As I was praying, I was reminded that God is in control of everything. The next morning, I read this tweet from Perry Noble , "Dear believers - the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. (Daniel 4:25)." This verse is found right in the heart of the story where God was teaching the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, just who is responsible for the king's greatness.   You can read the full story here. It is a reminder to us all that God has chosen who will lead us.  We may have elected President Obama, but the reality is that God has ordained him to the leader of the free world for four more years. If we claim to be Christians, then we submit to God's authority and the authority o...

I read a Facebook post that my former boss, pastor, and mentor, Steve Lambert, passed away one year ago today.   If you know his story , we knew that day was coming soon.  Now, a year later with a new job in a new state with all new friends, I look back and am amazed at all the great things God has done. Within a few short weeks of Pastor Lambert passing, I moved to Montgomery to start a new ministry position at Evangel Church.  I didn't know what God was going to do, but now as I look back, I see God's answers to so many prayers. I and my family were in a tough spot in Clearwater.  Conflict was around every corner and uncertainty colored every decision.  I was determined, however to follow God's leading and trust that everything was in his hands. I look forward to walking with God and praising Him when prayers are answered.  I will follow that old 90's cliche F.R.O.G. (Forever Rely On God) because with Him nothing is impossible. Look back to where...

Success is awesome.  Having a bunch of people telling you how great a job you're doing gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling and can cause you to ride high for days.  I love to hear it and love to give it. However, there is a downside.  It can all go to your head.  God can bring you to a place, give you opportunity, prepare you with the necessary skills and walk with you all the way, then when it all comes together, you drop God faster than flaming hot lump of coal from the furnace.  How do I know?  I've done it more times than I care to tell. Recently in my prayer time, God reminded me to not forget who I'm doing all this for.  Who am I working for really?  Who made all this possible?  Who put me in this place with these people with this skill set? God did. Facing the Giants had the same concept.  In everything they did they praised Him.  I know this is churchy and I cringe at the phrasing, but the truth remains. Let ...

Vacation Bible School is this week, so I am going to blog every night about the night's experiences. What a crazy day!  Day 2 is complete and Liz and I couldn't be happier with the outcome.  Tonight we learned that no matter how you feel...TRUST GOD!  We talked about even though we may be sad, afraid, or sick we have to trust God.  It was an appropriate theme for the night since one of our volunteer's mother was put in the hospital minutes before the night began.  Instead of staying home and sulking, the volunteer decided to come to VBS and trust God.  Several of us prayed with this volunteer after the night, and we ask you to do the same.   I am so thankful for all the volunteers who are giving of their time to come to VBS.  Without them this entire week could not happen.  We are laying the foundation to make a huge impact in the years to come with future vacation Bible schools.   If you would like to see some pictures ...

Vacation Bible School is this week, so I am going to blog every night about the night's experiences. Day 1 is over.  It was a crazy day that went so much faster than I ever could have dreamed.  For the first big VBS at Evangel, I am blown away by the volunteer response and all the kids learning that "Everything is possible with God!"   We had our ups and downs, schedule mishaps, scratched fingers and even an overflowing toilet!  Nevertheless our kids learned that "no matter who you are...trust God!"  One hundred six kids came to tonight's event and we are expecting even more tomorrow night. Please continue to be in prayer for sick kids and volunteers, and for Thursday as we will be giving our kids the opportunity to accept Christ. You're welcome to come hang out with us each night for our Up & Away Sing and Play and our Fly Away Finale.  We'll have a chair saved just for you. If you came to VBS, leave a comment below and tell us ab...