The LaunchPad

How To Get A Vision From God?

James Morocco taught at the Leadership Conference in Gettysburg on why God chooses to work through vision.  One of the aspects of what he taught was HOW TO GET A VISION FROM GOD.

1.  A Burden - Nehemiah's vision was birthed by seeing the problem (the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and the walls were broken down).  When Nehemiah looked at the problem God's people were facing, he felt the burden of the Lord.

2.  A Challenge - It wasn't until David had to face Goliath, that David became David.  That challenge was his defining moment.  Out of the challenge, David's life message and true vision was established.

3.  A Prophetic Word - Paul received a prophetic 'word' about the calling he had to reach the Gentiles.  He was called prophetically to leave the church in Antioch and plant churches throughout Asia.

4.  A Personal Experience - one way that this works is that you have an opportunity to personally experience something that imprints upon you a vision of what is possible.  The disciples had experience the miracle working ministry of Jesus.  It was easier for them to see the vision for that in their own lives.

5.  A Contagious Experience - getting around a person of vision can rub off on you.  There is an infectious affect that can be imparted when we get around someone passion and success.

God always begins his work with vision.  God speaks.  God acts.  God speaks again.  This is the cycle of how he operates in the world.  He wants to speak to us and give us a vision of what He wants to do.

True vision is the work of the Holy Spirit.  It's not something that we can just come up with on our own.  There must be a work of the Spirit in us where the Holy Spirit births a picture of what He is about to do on the earth and in the sphere of our influence.

This kind of Holy Spirit vision is birthed only as we take the time to seek the Lord.  There also is a powerful dynamic released when we have people agree with us and pray over us for the vision that we long for to be released.

Overcoming Discouraging Voices

On the way to Gettysburg this morning, I listened to a podcasted message by Brian Houston from Hillsong Church in Australia.  He talked out of John 9 and the five voices of discouragement that worked to prevent the miracle in the blind man's life.  There are similar voices to working against us as well:

1.  Voice Of Reason (Rationalizing) - the disciples got stuck in analyzing 'why' the problem existed.  God's power does not operation through reason it is released by faith.

2.  Voices Of The Past - the neighbors of this man objected, 'isn't this the blind beggar?' could God do something with him?

3.  Voice Of Religion - the Pharisees objected saying, "Jesus doesn't keep the Sabbath.'  He doesn't fit into our nice neat little box of how God can work.

4.  Voice Of Fear - the parents of the blind man were afraid of the disapproval of others.  so they could not bring themselves to even explain the miracle that had happened to their son.

5.  Voice Of Doubt - even when confronted with the evidence, the religious leaders refused be believe.

One of the keys of encountering God's power is to push past these voices, to hear the VOICE OF FAITH and respond in obedience to what God is saying to us.  God help us hear the right voice!

The Cute Factor

Sydney Andrews (7yrs) helped us learn how to fill our our Generations (missions) Faith Promise cards a few weeks ago.  The video that Brian Lippert made was pretty high on the charts in terms of the 'cute factor'.  What we rarely ever show you, however, is the blooper reel.  so here's both videos:

Now for the blooper version....

Ten Reasons I Enjoy Parenting Teenagers

It's the dreaded age, right?  You've heard it said before by someone somewhere if you have younger children.  'They're cute now, but wait till they become teenagers!'  So many horror stories of a loving young 10 year old boy becoming a rebellious angry youth.

I now have four kids in their teens (although Caleb is 12 - he has transitioned into a Middle School guy).  Now, I admit that the dangers of the teen years are greater.  The challenges of this time are more complex.  They are almost adults and have the potential to argue, reason, manipulate, and offend with more punch than before.  But I actually enjoy this season of parenting more than even the younger years.

1.  Conversations become more interesting - you can discuss theology, politics, sports, relationships, values on a whole new level.

2.  Potential Emerges - you can begin to see what they will become and therefore fan into flames the potential that is there.

3.  Discipleship becomes more intentional - I love this the most, the chance to coach and develop my kids walk with God...to share with them the incredible adventure of following Jesus.

4.  Uniqueness is discovered - every one has gifts and talents.  You can begin to see and help them understand heir unique personality and ability as it comes to the surface.

5.  Self-Image is formed and repaired - life can be tough for a teen in today's world.  I love being able to reflect back what God believes about who they are especially in the moments of pain and rejection.  A dad's acceptance and affirmation can make a huge difference in a young person's life.

6.  Life takes on a pre-launch dimension - in the back of my mind is this looming reality that very soon they will be adults and be making their own decisions.  These teen years become a laboratory for them to make choices under the safety of my coaching and influence.

7. They start to give back - some of the most meaningful moments for me as a parent have happened when one of my kids has returned to say, 'thanks Dad...I really appreciate you helping me.'  Wow!

8.  Impact begins to be made - I so enjoy watching my kids serve in ministry and hearing stories about how well they are doing as small group leaders (in the Kids ministry) or in whatever they do.

9.  Discussions get deep - there is the opportunity to discover the answers to life's questions together.

10. I can celebrate their success - more and more, as kids get older, parents become the coaches and the cheering section for their kids success.

If you are a parent and are looking toward teen years ahead, don't dread it.  Prepare yourself for it.  Because these moments can be some of the most powerful and important moments of your life and theirs.

New December Series

This coming weekend we will launch into a message series that makes for a great INVITATION opportunity.  Every weekend will have a special feature with it. The basis of the series is to consider what the FIRST COMING of Jesus can teach us about the NEXT COMING which is promised.   Here are the topics for the series

What Is The Second Coming?
Cinnamon Roll Weekend - Fellowship In Concourse Following Svc

What Are Signs Of Times?
APC Choir singing with special vocalist Tara Stewart

What Is God Waiting For?
APC Kids Choir Performs In All Services

Why God Choose Surprise Beginnings?
Candlelight Christmas Eve - 4pm, 6pm, 8pm

Am I Ready For What's Coming Next?
Final Weekend Of Year - Celebration Of Communion

Don't show up alone for this important Invitation Series!

Why You Should Control Your Temper!

Where Vision Leaks?

This morning at the MCM Pittsburgh Network meeting,  I shared some thoughts about Managing Vision.  Vision is the WHY behind the WHAT.   When we see a picture of our ideal future, it motivates us, energizes us, unifies us, and compels us to action.

But when people lack clarity of vision everything slows down, frustrations mount, and everyone starts pursuing what's right in their own eyes instead of joining together toward the goals of a team.  And vision is hard to make stick.  Andy Stanley said, 'there are three challenges to making vision stick and that is success, failure, and everything in between.'

There are moments when everyone sees the same picture of the future.  The 'vision-bucket' is full so to speak.  But if vision is not managed, that bucket begins to leak.  How?

1. COMMUNICATION - we don't hear it enough.  Statements are crafted and then put in a drawer.  We fail to talk about it.
2. RECOLLECTION - we can't remember it well enough.  Good visions statements are memorable and trigger simple compelling action.
3. COMPLICATION - it isn't simple enough.  Andy Stanley has said, 'it is better for a vision statement to be incomplete and memorable than one that is complete and forgettable.'  It is not possible to say everything in a vision moment.  What we say has to be quickly understood and yet compelling.
4. DEMONSTRATION - we don't see it enough.  Leaders don't just communicate the vision, they live it.  If they don't live it, it won't truly take.
5. EMOTION - we don't feel it enough.  We need more than statements, we need stories.  Stories of people who have been impacted and faces that we see that are changed - helps the ideals work their way from the mind to the heart.

If you are leader in an organization, a question to ask is this:  Where is there vision-leak?  What do I need to address to make the picture more clear.  We can't just talk about WHAT we do, but also paint a picture of WHY we do it.

Turn Around Miracles

I am reading through the book of Esther in my devotions.  In chapter nine, the Jews institute a feast to commemorate the miracle of deliverance that happened in their midst.  They called this feast PURIM, and the name of the feast is truly significant.

Here's the play-by-play overview of the miracle.

1. Haman (a high official) plots to exterminate the Jews.
2. He appeals to Xerxes, King of Persia to set a day when the entire Kingdom would be called upon to commit genocide and destroy the Jewish people everywhere.
3. Haman cast lots (like rolling the dice) to determine which day on the calendar that the genocide would occur.  The lot was called a 'Pur' in that language.
4. Esther discovers this plot and uses her position of influence to appeal to the King for her life and her people.
5. King Xerxes decides to hang Haman on the gallows, and issues a second decree declaring that the Jews would be given permission not only to defend themselves, but to attack their enemies.

The Jews not only defend themselves on this day, but they gain great victory and prominence in the entire world through this turn of events.  And the Jewish people set up a feast that they call PURIM (after the name of the 'lot' that was cast).

What's it all mean?  GOD IS IN CONTROL!  It may seem like the enemy is getting the upper hand.  It may seem like the lot has been cast and the your date for destruction and defeat has been set.  But God is able to turn it all around and bring about your deliverance.

As the Proverbs says, (16:33) - The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

New Church In Braddock - Plant #10

We showed this video in our services this weekend.  I am so excited about this church plant.  One of the churches that APC has helped to plant (Pittsburgh City Outreach) is getting ready to plant their first church in the city of Braddock.

Sometimes You Just Have To...

Life can be draining at times.  Challenges can feel overwhelming.  There are many times when we feel we lack solutions for the problems facing us.  Add to all of that the busy pace of our schedules and the demands that are placed upon us.

Emptiness.  Fatigue.  Discouragement.  Disillusionment. Exasperation.  These are words that can describe how we feel at times.

Sometimes you just have to...WORSHIP.  That may not be what you were expecting me to say.  But worship is a choice that we make that is an antidote for what ails us during the stressful seasons of life.  The choice of worship:

• Enlarges our view of God and his ability to work in our situations.
• Invites the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is the source of unshakable joy.
• Places our current problems in their proper perspective.
• Fills our spirits with enough strength to move on.
• Opens our hearts and minds to receive direction from God's leading.

And so much more!  Let me encourage you to make the choice of WORSHIP throughout your day today.  Whisper under your breath what you know to be true about your God.  Turn on some worship tunes.  Talk a walk and reflect on God's creative power.  Confess a Bible promise to yourself until it truly sinks in.

Let me encourage you also to join us for WORSHIP NITE this coming Wednesday at 7pm.  We are going to set aside some time to make this life transforming choice to WORSHIP with all our hearts.

Think No Evil

I just finished reading an amazing book entitled THINK NO EVIL by Jonas Beiler.  It is the story of the school shooting that happened a number of years ago in the one-room Amish School-House.  Ten girls were shot by a local man who drove a milk-truck in central Pennsylvania.

Beiler describes not only the events of this horrible day, but the Amish reaction to it.  First, there was evidence of incredible bravery on the part of some of the girls in the school  When it became apparent that this man was going to shoot them, one of the older girls (13yrs) stepped forward and said, 'shoot me first,' in order to protect the others in the room.

Ten girls were shot.  Five survived.  The shooter turned the gun on himself and also died.

The Amish families affected not only forgave the shooter, but themselves reached out to the shooter's widow and their children.  They demonstrated the kind of love and grace that is almost hard to understand.  Beiler then shares about his own experience with tragedy, betrayal, and forgiveness.  There are some powerful lessons in these pages.

As a point of interest, Beiler's wife is the founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels.  I highly recommend this read.  It is well written, tells the story in compelling fashion, and teaches about the power of forgiveness from a place of depth and experience.

Naming Your Year - In Reverse

 For the past few years, Melodie and I have launched into the new year trying to identify a theme for the year to come.  This theme is typically word or phrase that describes what we are believing God to do in us in the twelve months ahead.  For instance, I named this year, 2009, the year of BREAKTHROUGH FAITH.

On Wednesday night, during the Thanksgiving Eve Service, Chris Griffin encouraged us to look back on the past eleven months and name our year 'in reverse'.  The basic question was:  What did God do in your life in this past year?  What was He trying to teach you?  In what ways did His grace flow into your experience?

Looking back, I would say this year was a year of MOMENTUM for me personally and in ministry. I felt like I was able to move faster and yet stay healthy.  In some ways, I think the two themes fit together.  I was working on BREAKTHROUGH FAITH (which is believing God even in spite of obstacles), and God was giving me MOMENTUM personally and spiritually.

As I evaluate this year, however, I think there is still some work I have to do in the BREAKTHROUGH FAITH area (not that any of us could actually truly perfect that one).  The place where I struggle the most to keep believing in spite of obstacles is where PEOPLE are involved.  It's easier for me to believe for breakthrough miracles when circumstantial issues are involved (finances, healings, direction, provision of some type).

Believing in people...that takes a unique type of faith.  Relationships make life amazing.  They also make life complicated.  Our expectations get involved.  We can be let down, betrayed, disappointed.  Those we are believing God for have a FREE WILL and can resist what God is doing in their life.

Romans 4:18 says, 'Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed...'

This is the kind of faith it takes to see BREAKTHROUGH MOMENTUM in relationships.  We have to believe in the promise of God, stand our ground on what God has said, even in spite of set backs and strongholds.  We have to choose to believe that God is able to transform even if there is no immediate evidence than any change is happening.

And somehow, we have to do that without getting our expectations up so that we are not repeatedly devastated by the ups and downs of the process.  We accept things as they are, and yet continue to believe for the things that can be by the power and promise of God.

Pray For Lifestone To Find A Home

If you think of it, pray for our next church in the Southside. Pastor Jack Thomas has been working day and night to find a place for Lifestone Church to meet on the weekends. We really need a breakthrough soon.

I am going to ask as many people as I know to add this to their daily prayer list and pray every day for an open door in this area. And on a practical note, if you know anyone in the Southside with a meeting place to rent...let us know that too.

Generations Video - 2010

We had a strong response to the challenge to give toward GENERATIONSPROJECTS.COM FOR 2010.  Below is a video that provides an overview of these opportunities to make a difference. 

Practical Thanksgiving Practices

So how exactly should we practice this thing we call THANKSGIVING.  I'm talking less about the holiday and more about the ordinary choice of gratitude.  Being thankful is not always easy, especially when life gets challenging, disappointing, or frustrating.

Let me recommend some steps:

1.  REFLECT - take a moment and ponder what is good in your life.  Consider where God has been merciful to you and or gracious in some way.  Think about the things you may often take for granted.

2.  REMEMBER - one of fatal flaws in the history of Israel in the OT is that they consistently FORGOT what God had done for them in their past.  How they could forget something as amazing as a RED SEA crossing is hard to imagine.  But their present needs often overcame their long-range perspective.

3.  RE-FRAME - often our impossibilities and problems weigh down our world view.  We can't imagine how anything good could come out of something that feels so bad.  But we can look at even our problems through the lenses of God's sufficient grace and capacity to redeem our pain for his purpose.

4.  REJOICE - this is a word that simply means to 'choose joy'.  We don't just feel joy, we choose it.  We choose to align our emotions with the work of the Holy Spirit which provides a fountain of inner contentment that is not circumstantially based.

5.  RETURN THANKS - verbalize to God the specifics of what  you are thankful for - and confess your choice of joy in His presence.  Thank Him for who He is, and what He has done, and what He has promised to you for your future.

And when we take time for THANKSGIVING our hearts and our minds are transformed and we live a more spiritually and emotionally healthy life as a result.

Inside View Of SOS Stockholm Church

I just received this video that shows some footage of what Johannes Amritzer's church looks like, which was just planted in downtown Stockholm (this past August).  In February of 2010, I will speak at this church and teach for a week in the SOS Bible School.  I am eagerly looking forward to it.

SOS Launch from Mission SOS on Vimeo.

Why I Invest In Church Planting

I am convinced that one of the best investments we can make happens when we give to help launch a new church.  Why?  Because our giving has a multiplication effect.  The theme for my message this past weekend was this: 

The IMPACT of our life is determined not just by what WE DO but by WHAT WE SET IN MOTION.

When Allison Park Church planted its first church back in 1996, we did not totally understand the global impact of this choice.  Crossway Church (the first plant) has become a strong missions church, which gives thousands of dollars every year to help causes around the world.  They have helped to plant over 60 churches in Cuba and Tanzania alone.

Pittsburgh City Outreach (our 6th plant) is getting ready to do some local planting of their own.  Next year they will plant their first church here in Pittsburgh (Braddock).  APC isn't doing that planting, but we are sharing in the harvest because we helped set this process in motion.

In every church we have planted (8 so far), people are coming to Christ, being baptized, the church is reaching out with compassion and service-oriented activities in their communities.  Our initial investment has been multiplied in so many ways.

Over 14 years ago, we helped David & Bonnie Spencer as they launched a church in Managua, Nicaragua.  Now that church has launched six other churches, two christian schools, feeding programs for the poor, a radio station, etc.  Every weekend, as many as 12,000 gathering in one of these churches in Nicaragua.

Giving toward church planting SETS IN MOTION a multiplication effect like nothing else I know of.  If you are looking for a harvest - CHURCH PLANTING IS GOOD SOIL in which to sow.

So Thankful For A Generous Church

This weekend is the time when we ask the people of APC to make Faith Promises toward missions (GenerationsProjects.Com) for 2010. The generous response of the people is something that makes me burst with a good kind of pride as a pastor...so proud of my people!

I tallied it up. APC is 43yrs old, and in those 4 decades this church has given almost 10 million dollars to missions!

Eight (soon to be nine) churches have been planted out of APC in the Pittsburgh area. Next year, one of our plants will plant a church...a granddaughter church!

Every year the actual giving toward our missions projects exceeds what was pledged. Which means that APC people not only keep their word, they exceed it.

Hundreds of missionaries have been supported by APC over the 40+ yrs. Orphanages built, water wells drilled, churches planted, signs & wonders festivals supported, and so much more.

Wow. I am so blessed to pastor such an amazing and generous church! And as we move forward into 2010 I am claiming our theme promise for every believer and every family: (Matt 6:33) Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well.

How The Mighty Fall

I just finished reading Jim Collin's latest book about how great businesses have failed.  His research on what makes companies GREAT and now what steps are involved in FAILURE is such tremendous insight.  I am also amazed at how so much research comes back to confirm some very basic and Biblical
principles.

Here are the five stages involved in the decline and failure of formerly great companies (the words in parenthesis are mine):

Stage 1: Hubris Born of Success (PRIDE)

Stage 2: Undisciplined Pursuit of More (GREED)

Stage 3: Denial of Risk and Peril (DENIAL)

Stage 4: Grasping for Salvation (SHORTCUTS)

Stage 5: Capitulation to Irrelevance or Death (RESIGNATION)

It's amazing how these stages of decline could be inserted into the description of how an individual moves from success to failure.  We can also see how the opposites of these qualities make not only for success but also for stability.

Humility (instead of pride)

Contentment (vs greed)

Accountability (vs. denial)

Discipline & Patience (vs. shortcuts)

Perseverance (instead of resignation)

There 's a lot good encouragement in this book and some hope that failure does not have to happen for a company, and I would add for a person as well. 

An Agreement With God

Life is designed to be a partnership with God.  Consider the promise of Matthew 6:33 - 'Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well.'  This verse states the conditions of an agreement of sorts.

The challenge from heaven is this:  if you concern yourself with things important to the Kingdom of God, then God will even more concern Himself with the things important to you.

Now it has to be said that God is a God of love and grace. He is working all the time for your good.  He cares about you even when you fail, and even when your priorities are not on Kingdom issues at all.  But there is an extra dynamic of relationship developed when we share God's burdens with Him.

So what are the concerns of the Kingdom of God?

• Unreached people who have never heard the gospel.
• The ONE who is hurting, forgotten, alone, and disconnected from God.
• The orphan, the widow, the poor.
• Those who don't have clean drinking water in Africa.
• Those who go to bed hungry at night in Haiti.
• Families that are torn apart.  Kids who have no hope.

The promise is that if we put Kingdom issues first, that God will make sure that we have all we need.  Now don't read that wrong.  It doesn't say that we will have all we WANT.  But we can count on the fact that God will want to trust us with more since we have the issues of His heart in focus.