The LaunchPad

Out Of Office Replies?

I saw this posted on Greg Atkinson's blog today.  Maybe you need a good laugh today?  I enjoyed these.

Best Out of Office Replies by Jeremy Wright 

1. I am currently out at a job interview and will reply to you if I fail to get the position. Be prepared for my mood. 

2. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office. If I was in, chances are you wouldn’t have received anything at all. 

3. I will be unable to delete all the unread, worthless emails you send me until I return from holiday on 4 April. Please be patient and your mail will be deleted in the order it was received. 

4. Thank you for your email. Your credit card has been charged £5.99 for the first ten words and £1.99 for each additional word in your message.

5. The e-mail server is unable to verify your server connection and is unable to deliver this message. Please restart your computer and trysending again. (The beauty of this is that when you return, you can see how many in-duh-viduals did this over and over).

6. Thank you for your message, which has been adde d to a queuing system… You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks. 

7. I’ve run away to join a different circus. 

8. I will be out of the office for the next 2 weeks for medical reasons… When I return, please refer to me as “Margaret” instead of “Steve”.

Wanna add any to the list?

Human Trafficking

Paul Stewart share some incredible stats on his blog about one of the greatest problems facing our world today. It is the tragedy of human trafficking.  There is a movie in Theaters right now that is working to bring focus to this horrific problem.

The movie is CALL + RESPONSE.  Check it out here.  Thanks Paul for sharing these heart-breaking stats.

• An estimated 27 million people are held in slavery worldwide, meaning there are more slaves in the world than were taken from Africa during 300 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. 
• More slaves alive now than at any other time in history.
• After drug trafficking, human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms trade as the second largest criminal industry in the world, and it is the fastest growing. (hhs)
• Approximately 800,000 to 900,000 victims annually trafficked across international borders worldwide. (Dept of State)
• The average price of individual slaves is less than a new cell phone or about $90. (nfs)
• By 2010, Human Trafficking will be the # 1 crime worldwide. (Dept of State)
• Every 10 minutes, one person is trafficked into the U.S. Around the World, a victim is exploited every minute.
• Each year, more than 1 million children are exploited in the global commercial sex trade.
• Approximately 80 percent are women and girls and up to 50 percent are minors. (Dept of State)
• The majority of transnational victims are trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation. (Dept. of State)
• Between 18,000 and 20,000 victims trafficked into United States annually. Many who work with this issue believe this number is considerably higher.
• In the United States alone, it is estimated that there are 200,000 slaves.
• More than half of victims trafficked into United States are thought to be children; victims are probably about equally women and men. (hhs)
• Victims can be trafficked into the U.S. from anywhere in the world. Victims have come from Africa, Asia, India, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Russia, and Canada and many other locations. (hhs)
• 13 is the average age of entry into pornography and prostitution in the USA. (FBI)
• 100,000 to 300,000 children in America are at risk for sex trafficking each year.
• As many as 2.8 million children live on the streets, a third of whom are lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home.
• After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms trade as the second largest criminal industry in the world, and it is the fastest growing. (hhs) 

* Source free-international.org

Voter Information

This coming weekend, we will provide some Voter's Guides from the PA-Family Institute that offers local, state, and national candidates views on a variety of issues.  These types of tools really help me in making good voting decisions.  Here are few online sources for you to consider:

• Pennsylvania Family Institute
• WallBuilders

Jeff Deyo - Bless The Lord

Next Week: Jeff Deyo In Concert

I am really looking forward to next Thursday night.  We are hosting Jeff Deyo and his band in concert right here at APC.  The worship concert kicks off a weekend event we are calling HARVESTCRY. 

I first heard Jeff Deyo live during a worship service at the 2005 General Council in Denver.  The arena was packed with about 12,000 people, both youth and adults.  Jeff did an amazing job of bringing us all into worship. 

My favorite song that he does is "Jesus, I Surrender'.  It was powerful to see 12,000 people passionately singing the words to that song as he led us. 

Remember this concert is FREE.  Seating will be limited so plan to attend and come early.  The concert begins on Thursday night at 7pm in the APC Sanctuary.

What If...

This coming weekend, we are launching a brand new series that we are calling WHAT IF...?  The goal of the series is to IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES of living life under God's leadership and care.  Here's some of the topics.  What If...

• I trusted God with my finances (and with the upcoming election)
• I listened to the cry of the harvest
• I let God lead my life
• I chose to make a difference
• I lived a grateful life

During this weekend's message, I am going to address the atmosphere of fear that seems to be impacting our country regarding finances and politics. 

DON'T FORGET that this weekend is FALL BACK weekend here in the eastern time zone.  So we turn our clocks back and get an extra hour's sleep. 

Congrats To Dave + Emily

David Santistevan, our Worship Leader at APC, got engaged yesterday to Emily Thomas. These are two incredible people.  They make a fantastic couple.

This has been a big fall for Dave...his first CD has now been recorded, and he is now engaged. 

We are so happy for you both.  Read more on David's blog here.

Breaking Fear

At the Catalyst Conference a few weeks ago, Dave Ramsey made an observation that I thought was truly prophetic.  He said that during the past few weeks, during the Bailout, the Stock Market Roller Coaster, and all the debate, our nation has been consumed with a 'spirit of fear'.

He said, 'I was watching our leaders on the news and could see it on their faces.'  Then he added, 'As I watched the markets plunge, I too was feeling this overwhelming unsettling feeling.'

Maybe it is due to the difficult season in which we are living, or maybe it is augmented by the non-stop, 24/7 news coverage of every detail and happening, but it does seem that FEAR is a major part of the atmosphere right now.

It compounds.  First their is the 'economic fear' due to the recent collapse.  On top of that there is 'political fear' due to the major election coming up.  Added to both of those are 'personal fears' about what might happen with jobs, families, and other life situations.  There is a fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of loss, and just an overall fear of losing control.

Have I cheered you up yet?

The Bible talks about how fear must be fought and overcome.  In order to do that, I think we need to distinguish between the FEELINGS of fear, and the CHOICE to fear.  We can't control our feelings.  They just happen.  But we can control our choices, specifically our choice of who we trust and what we believe.

Actually FEAR has an opposite.  Psalm 56:3 says, "WHEN I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN YOU.'  The opposite of fear is trust.  And these two choices are mutually exclusive.  You cannot fear when you are trusting, and you cannot trust when you are fearing.

Fear says, "what am I going to do?  how am I going to make it?'  Trust says, "God will take care of that which concerns me.  He is committed to my well being.  I lean into Him.'

The sister to fear is WORRY.  Worry is the wringing of our soul in the constant thoughts of fear and concern.  When we worry we produce this lingering atmosphere around our life that we call ANXIETY.  But worry also has an opposite.  The opposite of worry is PRAYER.

I cannot worry if I am praying.  I can't pray if I am worrying.  When we pray we produce a lingering atmosphere, created by heaven, that we call PEACE.  Philippians 4:6-7 provide a powerful promise:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Today I choose to pray and not worry, and to trust and not fear.

Who Do I Vote For?

I listed to a podcast by Ed Young this past weekend called POLITICKED.  During this message, he outlined five factors in his decision making as to who to vote for in a an election.  His message was pretty intense, but I thought his outline was a good grid.  I have listed it here with a few additional thoughts of my own.  I added #3 and #7 to Ed's list:

1. The Character Question - which leaders shows a demonstrated trustworthiness?  who seems to have an integrity where words and actions match?

2.  The Compassion Question - a good leader should show genuine concern for those who need the greatest care and protection.  So which candidate shows the greatest levels of compassion for the poor, the mistreated, the unborn, the abused, and disabled?

3.  The Competence Question - in making any simple hiring decision, we have to ask the question, does this person have the skills and qualities to do the job?  Is there a track record of effective leadership?

4.  The Courage Question - which candidate has evidenced the ability to make the hard choices, to lead against the grain even of their own party, and to be willing to suffer personally for a greater good?

5.  The Conviction Question - which candidate has verbalized and even more than that has demonstrated Biblical values?  Who shows evidence of godly convictions?  This requires us to know what our Biblical values are and to consider if the candidates we are considering share those values. 

6.  The Companionship Question - you can tell a lot about a person by who their friends are.  So we ask, who does this person associate with, who supports them, and who opposes them? 

7.  The Catalyst Question - it is obvious that much about our government needs transformation.  So much about our culture needs healed, restored, and redirected.  Then we look at the division that exits between races, parties, and classes.  Who will unify?  Who will inspire positive change? 

These seven evaluation points will help me in making my choices.  I hope they are helpful to you.  Remember, these questions are not just valid for the presidential race, but for any elective decision. 

With All Your Heart

The text that I spoke from this weekend was Colossians 3:23-25.  I really like the way the Message puts it.  It has a very penetrating point:

Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.

If you are an APCer, remember your homework.  Identify a task or chore you have been avoiding and dreading, and do it unto God as an act of worship.

Disturbing Blessing

I just completed Craig Groeschel's book, IT - How Churches And Leaders Can Get It And Keep It.  To conclude the book, he lists an old Fransiscan Blessing.  I was challenged by it.  May God bless you...

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and the exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, and starvation, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Economic Fear (part 3)

I recieved this note from Ron Johnson in his Foundations International email this past week.  It fit well with some of my recent posts on this issue.

___________________________________________

The past few weeks we have seen unbelievable developments as the economy of this nation experiences the biggest earthquake since the Great Depression. Each day we turn on our televisions and open our newspapers to more and more economic bad news. It seems like an endless list of bank failures and corporate bankruptcies. The Wall Street roller coaster has become increasingly like a sickening ride at the county fair. Where is this ride going and how are we to as believers to prepare and to respond to the events of the financial markets?

I believe it has become obvious to us all that we have entered some very uncertain times and like never before our confidence must be in the Lord. The writer of Hebrews says, "Everything that can be shaken will be shaken that what can not be shaken will remain. Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that can not be shaken, let us worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." What an incredible perspective from the Word of God on what is going on right now.

It also begs the question of how should the believer respond to today’s events and how can we maintain our personal equilibrium in an ever increasing world of instability? Allow me to give you some helpful principles to remember.

1. Remember God Is Your Source of Supply - Our source as believers is the Lord and He is trying to get our attention through the events that are transpiring. He wants us to know He can be trusted. He desires to prove to us again and again that He will take care of us. The Lord is our Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Our Provider.) Your job is not your source, nor your bank, neither is the economy of this world your source. Your source is the Lord. Put your confidence in Him.

2. Remember God’s Law of Sowing and Reaping - The world’s economic system operates through buying and selling, however the Kingdom of God’s economic system is based on sowing and reaping. It is easy to get fearful and back away from this when the systems of this world get shaken. However, heaven does not have recessions or depressions. The economy of heaven is secure and the scripture says, "Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt and where thieves break in and steal."

3. Remember To Live Thankful - We all experience so much of God’s love and favor! Living thankful helps us keep our balance in a world that is rocking and reeling. Thanksgiving gives us an eternal perspective and helps us stay focused on the important things of life. It is amazing how an attitude of gratitude changes our point of view from negative to positive. It creates an atmosphere that will attract the presence of the Lord and be inviting to other people as well.

These are simple truths that need to be practiced in these uncertain times. I believe they will not only help us to live fruitful, productive lives, but will keep us centered when everything around us is shaking.

Worst Jobs?

This coming weekend, I am speaking about 'work'.  The actual title is:  WHAT I THINK ABOUT...MY WORK.  Many people work in jobs that they find frustrating, meaningless, or monotonous.  But all jobs can have purpose if we approach them with the right attitude.

But some jobs put that idea to the test.  We are preparing some clips from the show Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel to use for the message.

Here are some of the jobs that they have featured on the show:

• Worm Dung Farmer
• Sewer Inspector
• Road-Kill Cleaner
• Garbage Pit Technician
• Mosquito Control Officer
• Dairy Cow Mid-wife
• Sheep Castrator 

Do you want to add to the list?  What was the worst job you ever had and why?

Will You Speak About The Election?

As Election Day approaches, I am being asked this question from a growing number of people.  What do you think?  McCain?  Obama?  Who should a Christian vote for?  Now, I know in just listing this question on the blog, there is the potential for a flurry of comments for or against candidates and issues.  Can I ask for you to guard your words in leaving comments?  Please don't use the comment section as a plea for one or another of the candidates.  (Read on to see why)

First, my hope for the future of the USA does not rest in this election.  I believe in voting.  I also believe that good leadership is critical to any nation, church, family, or business.  But I believe that God is big enough to work in and through whatever happens on Nov 4th and beyond.

Second, my primary concern is with the Kingdom of God and not with the United States of America. I know that sounds almost offensive to some people.  But the USA is not the center piece of the vision that God has for the world.  His primary concern is with souls coming to know Jesus.  Often it seems that Christians in the USA think that God's main concern in the world is with our own nation.  The world is so much bigger than that.  He is just as concerned with Rwanda or Nicaragua as He is with the USA.  Mostly He is concerned with the lost, the hurting, the poor, the innocent, the vulnerable.

Third, I believe that a believer should consider moral values, character, and vision when they make their decision to vote.  I think that every voter should get educated about the candidates that are running, not just for president, but for local offices as well.  Some of the values that I will be thinking through will have to do with the unborn, the definition of marriage and the family, with helping the poor, the end of racial injustice, and with standing up for human rights in parts of the world where people are at risk (just to mention a few).

Fourth, my responsibility is to pray for and even bless governmental leaders, even when I disagree with their policies.  Whoever is elected as President, I will bless.  I am not going to speak evil, spread false rumors, or run down my leaders.  Some people's Christianity will be tested on the Wednesday after the election as to whether they will act in love, faith, and blessing toward the person who has been elected.

Fifth, I think at times we can over-estimate the election season.  As I look back on the past 16 years, we have had 8 years of Bush, and 8 years of Clinton.  Neither one proved to be the messiah and neither one was the devil.  Both have been imperfect people who accomplished some good and some not so good.  The next President will be the same.  And regardless of who is elected, we need to remember that we can still influence policy and decision making by staying engaged in the process.

Sixth, my passion is to represent Jesus well in the world.  Partisan attitudes often divide.  When we speak harshly or unfairly of one candidate or another, we affect things as much by our negative fear based attitude, as we do by our words.  One reason why younger people in our nation are closed the to  the church is due to the perceived anger and self-righteousness of people identified as Christians.  I believe we should stand for what we believe in, but with humility, kindness, patience, and grace.

Seventh, I want to protect the unity of the church (not just APC but believers all throughout this nation).  I personally know many believers who are passionate for Obama.  I know many who are just as passionate for McCain/Palin.  I like to imagine what it is like to worship in Rwanda where Hutu's and Tutsi's worship in the same church.  Remember that 800,000 or more died in genocide a few years ago in Rwanda, but somehow these of different parties have learned to forgive and live in love.  In the church where my father-in-law pastors, there are Contras and Sandinistas who worship together.  These two groups had been in civil war for years.  Surely, Republicans and Democrats can worship together and yet disagree on who to vote for?

Finally, I like to consider what Jesus did regarding politics when he walked the earth.  The Governmental Leaders in his day were corrupt, evil, and murderous.  King Herod slaughtered 2 year old boys.  A few years later in Rome, Nero burned the city and blamed Christians.  Some Roman Emperors fed believers to lions in the Coliseum.  Wow.

Do you know what happened?  The Kingdom of God advanced!  In fact, in harsh governmental environments, the Kingdom of God often flourishes most.  In the past 80 years, China has been under some severe rulers.  But the Kingdom has exploded in that nation in spite of the fact that it is against the law to openly preach Christ.  Jesus never hung his hopes on a change in political leadership.  He worked for a greater Kingdom reality in the hearts of men and women.

I think it is safe to say that neither Obama nor McCain is the hope of the world.  That is Jesus.  It is also safe to say that neither candidate will be as much a threat as Nero, Herod, or Mao.  If the Kingdom can expand under their leadership, I am confident God can continue to work no matter who is elected in 2008.

So I will be voting.  I will vote based on character, values, and vision.  I will pray for the election.  And when I wake up on Wednesday, I will commit to pray for whoever is elected.  I will not give into a spirit of fear but I will continue to walk in faith.  And more than anything I will seek first the Kingdom of God.

Good Hard Conversations

One of the ingredients of any healthy relationship, family, team, or organization is the willingness and ability to do something that the Bible calls, 'speaking the truth in love'.  I have heard Bill Hybels describe it as the commitment to speak the last 10%.

You know how it goes?  There is a problem and challenge that needs to be addressed.  We seek to confront the issue.  We want to be kind.  We don't want to offend.  So we dance up to the issue a bit and talk about 90% of the problem.  We speak about the aspects that are easier to say and hear.

But what about the final 10%?  It is often the most uncomfortable and yet the most critical part of issue we are trying to address.  What if we don't bring to the surface the most difficult and yet most important part of the issues that need address?

• We convince ourselves that we made progress and will surely address the final 10% later.
• We enable the most serious part of the problem to go unaddressed.  We may be enabling a person to go on functioning with a significant blind spot or considerable bad practice.
• We begin to pretend that everything is fine.
• Often organizations get good at pretending that everything is fine, when everyone knows there is this huge elephant of a problem that needs to be discussed.  Some organizations have almost an unwritten code that certain issues are not to be openly discussed. 
• Relationships can become strained.  Laughter becomes forced.  It's no fun to pretend.
• Productivity drops personally or organizationally.
• The person carrying the burden of the unspoken final 10% begins to compensate for their awareness of the problem.  They may carry internal stress.  They may try to work extra hard to co-dependently try to cover for the problem they see.
• Eventually the unaddressed issue either drains the relationship or the organization until everyone detaches.  Or the problem grows and grows until it has to be dealt with again.

Now, the balance point in all this is the second part of the sentence found in Ephesians 4:15.  "Speaking the truth in love..."

Full disclosure in confrontation should always be done with the best interest of the person or organization in mind.  We don't just VENT for personal vindication or catharsis.  We speak for the good of someone else.  And we speak the full 100% truth, in love.  We speak with kind tones.  We communicate in a way that provides balance.  We talk about more positives than negatives.

But healthy marriages, families, churches, organizations, and relationships need to be courageous enough to have 'good hard conversations'.  We need to be secure enough in one another to say what needs to be said, rather than hiding and pretending.  No real progress can be made without it.

In fact, great leaders and growing organizations seek to foster an atmosphere where this kind of loving truth telling is not only welcomed it is pursued.  These kinds of healthy organizations have meetings that are filled with GOOD CONFLICT, meaning that the real issues are being brought to the table and wrestled with until a solution is agreed upon by all.

I want to be that kind of a 'speak the truth in love' person.   I want to lead that kind of an organization that is a safe place for healthy conflict.

Can't Wait For HarvestCry

How Marvelous

We closed our services with this old hymn this past weekend.  I have found myself singing it throughout the week.  Maybe I can help get it stuck in your head too.  Found this on YouTube, not sure of who is performing it, but it is basically the same arrangement that we used.

Invitation Opportunity

This weekend is our grand finale of our INVITATION MONTH.  There can be no easier invite than this one.

We are calling the event...BLACK AND GOLD WEEKEND.

• The service will be one hour in length.
• I will be completing the TWISTED series with a message entitled:  What I Think About...MY WORK.
• The message will focus on the fact that there is an eternity and that everything we do can count forever.  It will provide a great opportunity for a clear gospel message.
• After the service, we will have all kinds of fun stuff for people to do, inflatables, a Monster Truck, a car smash, and FOOD.
• We are encouraging everyone to wear the jersey of their favorite team (for most of us here in Pittsburgh, that is the Steeler's...thus the name Black and Gold Weekend.  But I know some Cowboy's or Giant's fans out there.  So don't be shy, wear your colors.

This is going to be a really fun event this weekend.  But there will be some strong content as a part of the message.  We are designing this as a tool in your hands for you to share your faith.

Everything Looks Different

I think every church attendee should have to invite an unchurched friend to church at least once or twice a year?  Why?  When you invite a friend to church, you view everything that happens through new lenses.

This past weekend, we had several guests who attended due to our personal invitation.  All throughout the morning, I was asking myself stuff like this:

• Has anyone greeted them?
• Do they understand what is going on right now in the service?
• Do they feel their kids are safe?  Were they comfortable with the Children's Ministry environment?
• Will the message I am sharing be clear and relevant to them?  How can I most passionately and clearly share with them the reality of Jesus?
• Are they enjoying themselves?
• As teachers, since this is their day, do they feel appreciated?
• Was it easy for them to find their way around the campus, to park, and take their way through the concourse?

I found myself praying for them during the worship and looking forward to hearing the stories of what God had done through the service.  It was awesome to see them react so positively to what they had experienced.  So many guests reflected to me personally, how much they enjoyed the event.

If a person never brings an unchurched friend to church with them, they begin to think more in more ego-centric ways about their church attendance:

• Do I like the worship today?
• Did anybody say hi to me?
• Do I feel 'fed' by the message?
• Is anyone sitting in my seat or parking in my spot?
• Did I like the way the service was handled?  Did I enjoy the video or the music or the message?

It is so easy for 'church' to become about ME.  In reality, the worship is really all about GOD.  It is for Him and less about musical style and much more about the substance and attitude of our heart.  We worship for an audience of ONE.  Much of the rest of what we do should be done with guests in mind.

And, there is nothing more exciting than participating in the process of leading someone to Christ.  Anytime our spiritual lives lose the focus on people who need Jesus, we will begin to sink down into a self-centered view of life.  Everything gets religious, routine, and boring. 

So let me encourage you to do something for your spiritual life this weekend.  Invite a friend to church.  It will radically alter your perspective of everything.

Santistevan CD Online

It is now possible to download the CD that David Santistevan recorded.  You can do it through a site called DigStation Artist.  Click here to be able to purchase online.  Soon it will be available as well through iTunes.  If you haven't heard David's music, you really need to check it out.  You can listen to some of his songs here for FREE.

Culture Of Blessing

This past weekend was healthy on so many levels.  We were able to express honor and thanks to teachers, coaches, and school administrators.  Through a partnership with TGI-Fridays we were able to give a tangible token of our appreciation in the form of a $25 Gift Card.  I think we gave out something like 170 Gift Cards!

Many APCers invited their teachers and coaches to attend.  I am very proud of everyone who participated in this effort.

During the service, we were able to invest in a 'culture of blessing'.  So much of our world is negative, and so often thanks and honor goes unspoken.  We want to reverse that trend.  We want to be a people who BLESS others with our lips and with our actions.  Here is the video that we produced as a part of this weekend:

Pumpkin Bowl Champs

My three oldest played in the 220 Annual flag football tourney. Their team won it all this year.

Coming Soon: HARVESTCRY 2008

Next month, Allison Park Church is going to host our first HARVESTCRY event in partnership with Mission SOS.

What is HARVESTCRY?

It is three nights of services/events to celebrate what God is doing around the world and to focus our attention on the cry of those unreached with the gospel.

It is also an opportunity for prospective students to check out the MCM Ministry School by attending the MCM Classes for a day.

What happens each night?

THURSDAY 7PM - Jeff Deyo in concert.  Jeff was formerly the lead singer for SONICFLOOD.  He has written some powerful songs like BLESS THE LORD and JESUS I SURRENDER.  The concert is FREE to all.

FRIDAY 7PM - David Santistevan will lead us in worship and Johannes Amritzer from Mission SOS will be our special guest speaker.  Before and after the service the concourse will be filled with inflatables and lots of fun.

SATURDAY 6PM - APC Missions Celebration Service - during this evening service, we will celebrate some of the happenings and testimonies from our missions endeavors around the world.  Johannes will again be our speaker for this special evening.

SUNDAY 9 AND 11AM SERVICES - This weekend the Saturday and Sunday services will be distinct.  Johannes will speak on Saturday night.  I will speak on Sunday morning.  During the Sunday services we have some special testimonies planned and we will celebrate communion together to conclude this wonderful week.

What about the MCM MInistry School?

The School will be highlighted at all the evening events.  But Friday morning will be something special. ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE SCHOOL IN THE FUTURE, can attend the MCM classes on Friday morning. 

If you want more information, or would like to sign up for this MCM Ministry School Experience, CLICK HERE.

Are You A Candy Corn Fan?

I found this chart on Katya's Non-Profit Marketing Blog.  I must say, I am in the majority on this one.  I can see no good reason for eating or liking candy corn.  To me it is like eating WAX.  But it is the season for this delicacy. 

So I would love to hear from you on this one.  Any candy corn fans out there?

Teacher Appreciation

It is such a powerful thing to say THANK YOU.  So often appreciation is felt but not expressed.  But it is so healthy on so many levels to verbalize our thanks.  This weekend, we get the opportunity to do that as we intentionally appreciate teachers, coaches, and school administrators for their constant investment in the next generation.

Part of why we do events like this is to create a CULTURE OF BLESSING as a church family.

Proverbs 18:21 says 'the power of life and death is in the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.'  When there is a pattern of 'speaking life' we reap the fruit in the atmosphere of our relationships.  And with so much negativity in our world today, coming into an atmosphere of BLESSING is like taking a breath of fresh air.

We want APC to have that sense of fresh anointing upon it.  So we plan weekends like this one to intentionally speak encouragement, blessing, and life into the hearts of people who may not get the kind of recognition that they deserve.  And we go beyond just speaking, we invest.  Thanks to TGI-Fridays for helping us say thanks in a tangible way.  Every teacher who comes receives a $25 Gift Card to extend our blessing to them through a meal.

If you are an APCer, I hope you come prepared to BLESS this weekend.  Be encouraged to bring someone with you that you would like to honor.  Let's build this culture of blessing together...ONE WORD AT A TIME.

My Youngest Is 9!

Today is Jonathan's birthday. My last year as a parent of a child in the single-digits. Jonathan is passionate, intelligent, empathetic, and fast! The boy can run. Happy Birthday!!! 

Economic Fear (part 2)

This is a prayer that Max Lucado recently wrote and prayed for our nation.  He is such a powerful writer.  To this prayer, I say AMEN.

Economic Fear (part 1)

Last week at the Catalyst Conference, Dave Ramsey spoke about some principles of leadership that he uses with his team.  Following his session, they took a few minutes for Q + A regarding the current economic situation.

I will paraphrase what I understood that Ramsey said:

When watching the news the past few weeks, after the crisis hit, it was obvious to see fear written on the faces of our leaders.  Our president, congressional leaders, and wall street pundits looked almost panicked because of the financial realities that they were seeing.

My response (Ramsey) was not one of immediate fear.  My personal financial house was in order, my investments were appropriately diversified, and I have no debt, so I was not nervous about what was occurring.

At one point, however, when watching the wall street ticker, I saw the bottom drop...and I was hit with a wave of fear.  I felt myself begin to panic.  God spoke to me at that moment, that we were experiencing not just a 'moment' of fear as a nation.  We were experiencing a 'spirit' of fear.  Our nation has been swallowed by this spirit of fear.

We need to be reminded of what 2 Timothy 1:7 says, 'For God did NOT give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.'

Anytime we begin to act and react out of fear, we start to act foolishly.  God calls us to live out of wisdom and yet out of faith.  We, as believers, need to actively counteract the temptation toward fear.  We need to intentional live out of faith.

This is a time to shake off the spirit of fear and declare out dependence on a God who is far bigger than this economic crisis.  It is also a time to get our personal financial houses in order so that we can have a firm foundation for the future.

I thought that this was a significant prophetic word to us at the moment.  In a later post, I will share some additional thoughts that Ramsey shared about 1) whether to buy gold or stock; 2) how to build a wise and Biblical foundation for your finances.

You can check out his website here.

Upward BBall Sign-Ups

Upward Basketball is such a great program.  It focuses on skill and character training.  It is an easy connect point for the church into the community.  Last year, 75% of the kids involved with Upward were not from APC!

You can learn more or sign-up online at upward-apc.com.

How Is This Physically Possible?

Robert Murrain was at the Catalyst Conference and performed his 'popping' routine during one of the breaks.  I guess this is a form of dance that is a combination of 'doing the robot' and being 'disjointed'.

Change Heart - Change Life

I am currently reading a book recommended to me by Chris Marshall that fits well with the series that we are currently in called TWISTED.  The book is by Gary Smalley and is entitled, Change Your Heart, Change Your Life:  How Changing What You Believe Will Give You The Great Life You've Always Wanted.  Here's some quotes from the book:

Neuroscientists tell us that our emotional center is actually the subconscious or the limbic section of our brain.  I prefer to use the warmer term, HEART, to designate this inner storehouse of our beliefs and the seat of our emotions.  This term follows the scriptural teaching that our spiritual heart is the center of our being, the wellspring of who we are.  (Proverbs 4:23)

Dr. William Backus says that, 'You feel the way you think; you think the way you believe.  Beliefs are the primary source of your attitudes, reactions, feelings, and behavior.'

Psychologist Dr. Gary J. Oliver says the following about your beliefs:  'Most people aren't aware of and haven't identified the core beliefs that have an unbelievably powerful impact on virtually every area of their life.  In addition to being powerful and complex, your core beliefs, including your level of emotional intelligence, influence virtually every aspect of your life, including the social, mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions. They impact your loves, hates, worries, fears, values, priorities, goals, what you enjoy, who you can trust, the friends that you choose, what you will achieve, what you live for, and what you would be willing to die for.  In fact, there is virtually nothing in your life that does not have your core beliefs, including your emotional makeup, as its mainspring.'

A Bad Day In Africa

Several of you asked for this video that was used during Andy's message this past weekend.  Here is is...Enjoy.

Quotes From Andy's Msg

Andy Lehmann spoke at APC this weekend. Here are some of his thoughts:

Nothing can happen to me that God does not allow. He may not cause your problems but He knows about them.

Our present problems are opportunities for God to prove His power.

Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to survive and control our storm that we forget who is in the boat with us.

When Jesus asked 'where is your faith', he wasn't saying TRY HARDER. He was asking, 'Don't you realize who I am, and that I am with you?'

He was also saying, 'don't you realize who you are and what authority I have given you?'

We express trust when we choose to listen to him in the midst of our circumstances more than any other voice and then respond to our circumstances in light of what He has said. Bill Johnson

My Bball Tricks

During the services we had Ilza, a basketball trick artist perform for our elementary age kids. She stopped in to the adult services and used me to perform a trick...spinning 5 basketballs at once. Here's my big moment.

Quiz-Knows

Caleb and Jonathan are on the same Junior Bible Quiz team. They call themselves Quiz-Knows. What a great way for kids to learn to memorize Scripture. Thanks to Paula Millero for coaching them this year.

Session 10: Andy Crouch

Andy is the director of the Christian Vision Project and speaks about Christianity and culture.

We have mastered a set of postures toward culture that haven't necessarily worked very well:

1.  Condemn - we have stood against, preached against, and been negative toward.
2.  Critique - we have evaluated its pros and cons.
3.  Copy - we have taken portions of culture and tried to infuse them with Jesus.
4.  Consume - mostly we just take it in.

What we haven't done is what God originally asked us to do:

CULTIVATE - Gen 2:15 - taking what's already good and keeping it good. Are we known as people who want to be custodians of the good, or only as those who want to change things?

CREATE - to birth new things in the image of God that bring glory to Him to demonstrate His creativity and beauty.  Revelation 21:2;26

According to Revelation the glory and of the nations furnishes the new Jerusalem.  So our creations and culture will last into eternity.

Why have we so struggled with culture?

The mistakes are not that hard to do.  Easy to condemn, critique, copy, or consume.  But all these postures, while easy, do little to make a difference.

Cultivating and creating are difficult but effective.

The only way culture changes is when we make more of it.  We have to create and cultivate the best...and we have to do it together.

Every act of cultural creativity starts with a creative circle of three or more people.  Cultural creativity never happens with just one.  We have to do it together.

Session 9: Franklin Graham

This was the best session and the most prophetic:

The most important thing you do is preach the gospel. The Holy Spirit anoints the declaration of Jesus blood shed for sin, his death, burial, and resurrection.

Some have become ashamed of the gospel and think the gospel needs help. The challenge is to preach it's simple message. Only the gospel can change a life and an eternity.

Billy Graham

Billy Graham was honored with the Catalyst Lifetime Achievement Award. His son, Franklin, asked everyone who was saved thru Billy Graham's ministry to send his dad an email for his 90th birthday. Spread the word. If that's you, send an email to billygraham90.org.

Session 8: Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey is the Financial Peace author, speaker, radio host, etc.

There is no synergy where there is no unity. Unity is a spiritual happening.

Five enemies of unity:
1. Poor communication
2. Gossip
3. Unresolved disagreement
4. Lack of shared purpose
5. Sanctioned incompetence

Unresolved disagreements often exist because a leader avoids confrontation. You got to deal with your stuff leader. Confrontation cleanses the wound and allows parties to go forward in a spirit if unity.

Session 7: Tim Sanders

Tim is an author, yahoo executive, and passionate communicator.

Scarcity is in your mind, it is a fear-disease. Abundance mentality is the value expression of your faith.

Good is the new great! We want to do business with companies that exists for more than profit. We want to work with companies that have a story and a mission.

Tell your people to take their values to work.
If we create success for others, success comes to us.

The law of observed reciprocity...people see your values and it affects your life..contagious compassion.

We need a responsibility revolution (of Christlike values) in the workplace.

A ripple - a act of Christlike compassion that becomes contagious to others.

Session 6: Craig Groeschel

Craig is the pastor of Lifechurch.tv. I really admire this guy.

Do you have IT?

IT is that something special from God that works in and thru people.

What are the things that contribute to IT?

IT has to do with the Holy Spirit, but IT has to do with more than just that.
God makes IT happen.
He does IT for His glory.
IT is not a model or a program.
IT has an upside...changed lives.
IT has a downside...IT attracts critics.
If you don't know what IT is, you probably never had it. But you can get IT.
If you have IT you can lose IT. The devil is plotting to steal IT.
Most important is that you have IT. You need to do whatever it takes to get the touch of God on your life.
Some times the 'ministry' can beat it out of you. That something special from God can slowly leak out of you.
If that happens and you lose IT you need to do something DRASTIC to get it back.

What to pray:
God stretch me!
God heal me!
God ruin me! (with weeping, fasting, and passion for people's plight and pain)

Get around people who will stretch you and heal you.

Session 5: Seth Godin

Seth Godin is a best selling author and has the most popular biz blog in world: sethgodin.com.

What's better than advertising? Word of mouth!

A TRIBE is a group of people who like to do things with each other.

The Internet has encouraged a proliferation of Tribes.

People join tribes because they want to be with their tribe.

A crowd is not the same as a tribe. A mob is an angry crowd. Tribes have a common identity, mission, leader, code. Tribes care primarily about connection, not numbers or success.

Sports fans, clubs, work groups star trek fans, all are potential tribes.

You can lead a tribe!

Tribes want a movement not a king who commands direction. The other people who belong to the tribe are sacrament, connections are sacred.

Marketing management is now tribal leadership.

Not everyone wants to join your tribe, but many do. Your job is to find out who that is.

One tactic for tribe building: positive deviance. Finding someone who is naturally leading, or modeling what you want, and releasing them. Then grow some true fans.

One requirement: you must do something people will criticize. People don't want to follow a safe leader.

The bottom line: it's about leading not controling.

A heretic is someone who believes something so deep they are willing to endure suffering for it.

Be a heretic to someone and many will follow. Challenge the status quo. Don't blend in with the crowd.

Heretics don't let rules or religion stand in the way of their faith.

Things leaders and marketers do:
Challenge
Culture
Curiosity
Charisma
Communicate
Connect
Commit

What tribe members want:
Connect
Create meaning
Make a difference
Be missed

Question: 4v2? Are you doing something for the tribe or to the tribe?

Session 4: Steven Furtick

Steven is 28, pastors in Charlotte. His church has grown to 5000 in 2yrs. High energy. Very motivating!

Quoted Jim Cymbala: I despaired at the thought that my life might pass me by without God moving on my behalf.

Between the promise and the payoff there is a process.

Elijah (1 Kings 18) held onto what he heard (the sound of rain) even when he could see very little evidence in his life.

God is preparing you for what He is preparing for you.

We don't walk by sight, we walk by sound...the sound of God's promise.

Hold onto what you have heard...your best is yet to come!

Scenes From Catalyst

Ten Things Challenge

Jim Collins ended his talk with this:

1. Take the free Good to Great diagnostic at jimcollins.com.

2. Answer this question: how many key seats on your bus, how many seats are filled with the right people?

3. Form a personal board of directors?

4. Get young people in your face. There is much to learn from them..the right young people in your face?

5. Build a council to help you with disciplined thought.

6. Double your questions to answers ratio. Ask more questions make fewer statements.

7. Take time for quiet and for thought. White space days.

8. Discover your life passion, a strong enough cause that you will be willing to endure the pain of level 5 leadership.

9. Spend less time trying to be interesting, spend more time being interested.

10. Make the kind of choices, that only God can see that will make for a great life.

Go out and make yourself useful.

Session 2: Jim Collins

Jim Collins is the author of the best selling business book: Good To Great.

Good is the enemy of great. Which is why so few things become great, because it's already good.

Greatness is not a result of the cards you are dealt, or the luck of your circumstances. Greatness us a product of choice and discipline.

The principles of "greatness" are not business principles, they involve, rather, a culture of discipline.

1. The Fly-wheel - success and momentum us not overnight, but over time we must keep pushing on the wheel to get it turning. Early on there is much effort and little progress.

The great fall not so much by complacency but from overeaching, hubris. Neglecting the discipline of the flywheel.

The first symptom of overeaching is growth at the cost of maintaining the quality of your people.

2. The Right People On The Bus - if we get the right WHO we will get a better WHAT.

The ultimate decision you make in climbing a mountian...who is your climbing partner.

3. The Level Five Leader - which is NOT personality/charisma driven...BUT rather humility. Humility defined as a burning passion for the organization's success and not for their own personal success. Humility combined with an iron will to succeed.

If it becomes about YOU, you will never build something great!

The true test of a leader is how the organization goes on after you are gone. Does the flywheel keep turning?

Session 1: Andy Stanley

I am going to try to blog the sessions from my iPhone. Main quotes from each. This first session is from Andy Stanley pastor at Northpoint in Atlanta.

Moral authority is the influence we gain when people perceive there is alignment between our creed and our deeds, what we say we believe and what we actually do.

Our moral authority is of extreme value because at the end of day all we really have is our influence. People don't have to follow us, they volunteer to do so.

This kind of moral alignment is critical, but not just private alignment, but public alignment, that everyone can see.

THREE AREAS OF ALIGNMENT:

1. Forgiveness - since this is central to our message we must live it. There us no excuse for angry, bitter church leaders.

2. Family - if you are not putting a priority on your family, and yet are in ministry, you are part of the problem you are trying to solve. If we can't speak with moral authority in this area, what are we really doing?

One day there will be another pastor of the church you pastor, but you are the only father your kids will ever get.

3. Finances - if you work in an organization that is based on others voluntary giving, you must have moral authority in this area of your life.

Do you want to lead generous people, be a generous person.

Three basic financial principles: GIVE, SAVE, LIVE ON THE REST.

Swedish Prime Time

I received a text message from Johannes Amrtizer this morning.  He was so excited!  A secular national TV station did a 30 minute documentary about Harvest Center and Mission SOS.  It was extremely positive and presented very well.

Johannes posted some comments about the program and its impact on his blog.  They ran the program at 8pm right during prime time viewing hours!  Wow, Wow, Wow!

Marriage Prayer Challenge

I thought this was an interesting and creative idea.  Man In The Mirror is a Men's Ministry that is committed to raising up men to live for God and reach their fullest potential.  They have launched a MARRIAGE PRAYER CHALLENGE.

Husbands and wives are challenged to commit two weeks, 14 days consecutively, to pray for their spouse.  Now, I know this should almost be an automatic thing we do as believers who are married.  But sometimes it is easy to forget the simple yet powerful impact of prayer.

Read more about the Marriage Prayer Challenge here.

Atlanta Bound

This evening traveling to Atlanta to attend the Catalyst Conference.  Last year was my first year to attend this event and it was truly one of the best inspirational training events I have ever experienced. 

This year, I am taking several of the APC team along with some pastors from here in MCM Pittsburgh.  I hope to do some 'live' blogging of some of the sessions.  I am looking forward to hearing:  Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Franklin and Billy Graham, among others.

The Conference is Thursday and Friday, and we will travel back on Friday night.