Mobile Missions Trailer Stolen from New Beginnings Church

Until it was stolen last Friday morning, New Beginnings Church had a dream for their Mobile Mission Trailer. Pastor Phil Sallee challenged the church to fill the trailer regularly to share blessing with the less fortunate. “We have filled that trailer with clothing, toys, and all types of food, said Pastor Phil Sallee. Sallee added, “Just last week we delivered over 60 thanksgiving meals to the John 3:16 mission.” New Beginnings Buys, cooks, serves and cleans up breakfast each month for homeless men at the John 3:16 Mission.
How ironic that someone, desperately in need, would steal a trailer used to help people in need. “We don’t want to prosecute the person who stole the trailer,” Sallee said, “We just want our trailer back so we can continue to help people.” We would have helped this person if we knew he needed help. In fact, we would help him now if he would bring trailer back.

This image was captured by the church’s security system, Friday morning, December 12th, at 8:00 AM. This is a photo of the truck that stole the mission trailer.

The trailer can be returned at anytime, no questions asked. Or information can be reported to the Bixby Police Department at 918-366-8294.

What is next for student ministry at New Beginnings?

I have recently learned that our church was like a majority of other evangelical churches regarding frequent and disruptive Student Ministry leadership transitions. Most churches require more of a full time Student Pastor than they are capable. Subsequently, student pastors either disappoint, burn out, or move on in 2 or 3 years, after having initiated their student ministry program – leaving a vacuum of leadership and volunteer adults scrambling to fill in.

It is my desire to, stop this unfortunate pattern, and ask the parents of students to take responsibility for Student Ministry at New Beginnings (No one is more invested in Student Ministry success than the parents). Only then, should the church hire a Student Pastor based upon the specific needs of the ministry. It is a biblical model. It is a smart model. And it is time to make student ministry something the parents have confidence in.

I wished I had thought of this concept but I learned of it through one of, Church Business Administrator, Terry Langenberg’s network connection. His name is Mark Riddle. Mark has written a book, soon to be published called, “Inside the Mind of a Youth Minister.” It is a good read and very informative and enlightening.

So, the New Beginnings Personnel Committee and the Finance Committee has approved hiring student ministry consultant Mark Riddle of the The Riddle Group to help us.

Terry Langenberg and I met with Mark Riddle on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 for about an hour and a half. We were both impressed and saw how he could help us with this transition. Terry called his references and each were confident that he could help us.

Mark will conduct the following data through:
1 Question - for congregation
Teen Survey
Parent Survey
Stat / History Survey

Mark do the assessment the first three weeks of December. Then He’ll deliver a full report in writing, and in person the week of January 5th.

Sounds interesting? New Beginnings plans, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, to maintain our leadership in Student Ministry for our community. Pray that God will direct our steps for His glory.

CH, CH, CH, Change, Change, Change?

Churches and mission organizations often approach change in one of two ways. Some pursue change in increments. They go slow. They make small changes over a long period, and though they are changing, such changes are hard to perceive. They seek to change without creating debilitating disruption to their church or organization. Others pursue change in revolutions. They do not believe that they have the time it takes to make incremental changes; change must come now. They are willing to live with the disruption, the confrontation, and the tension that comes from quick and radical change. Sometimes, these two ways to making changes merge into a third way that involves a combination of the two—sometimes changing in increments and sometimes changing dramatically and radically. Comment on making change in light of Bosch, Kuhn, and the present realities in your ministry setting.

Change occurs whether we like it or not. As the Information Age force-feeds new ideas, new methods, new styles, new statistics, new polls, new research (not an exhaustive list), every segment of society must react or be left behind. Church methodology, and worship styles have always a changing product of culture, again, like it or not.

I believe the rate of change should correlate with the context’s ability to tolerate the changes. The motivation for change must be the redemptive plan of God. Should a church change if changing means it would be more effective in evangelism and missions? Absolutely! If this is the case, refusal to change constitutes rebellion.
The New Beginnings Church, where I have been pastor for 13 years, is a fairly new work. I challenged the church to think that change for God’s cause is a honorable Kingdom value. For 13 years now we have valued the creative methods of Rick Warren, Bill, Hybels, Ed Young Jr., Erwin McManus, Marc Driscoll, and the like. We don’t embrace every new method, however, we are open to do whatever we must do to build God’s Kingdom – what ever the costs.

Is the Great Commission Great?

This week we discuss the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and its relationship to Christian and church practices.

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

In view of Mt. 28:18-20, what are the essential elements of the Great Commission? The following 5 features are essential elements of the Great Commission:

1. Authority – The issue of authority is settled. Every king, kingdom, principality, power, ruler and responsible individual must submit to this commission.
2. Discipleship – Conversion is the first step of regeneration. However, genuine regeneration should be followed up with a discipleship emphasis which results in spiritual growth, transformation and eventual effective service in the Kingdom of God.
3. Baptism – While not essential for salvation, it may be the first step of obedience. Through baptism, a new believer obediently symbolizes and identifies with his new faith and family.
4. Education – Education and discipleship overlap in their emphasis and responsibilities. Genuine transformation ought to be the result as a believer is trained and engaged with the Word of God.
5. Presence – The presence and power of God through the Holy Spirit ought to be a significant feature in the conversion, regeneration, transformation and ministry of every believer.

Effective practices or methodologies for implemented the Great Commission will change depending on the context and culture (i.e.: The Apostles Peter and Paul on the Book of
Acts).

A Christian or church can know they have successfully implemented the Great commission when the pure gospel has been presented as effectively as possible in a given context. Conversion of sinners is the goal, but obedience to the mandate is effective seed planting. God gives the increase.

Is it possible to neglect or revise one of the elements of the Great Commission and still fulfill it? Although neglecting or revising any of the 5 noted essential elements is to be fervently avoided, the Great Commission mandate must compel us to obey at whatever level we can, even if some evangelical contexts reduce opportunity for all of the essential elements.

Olympic Gold

Athletic people are impressive. Swimmers, runners, gymnasts, even peculiar sports that I never knew were Olympic events are impressive. The Apostle Paul often used illustrations with athletic themes. Physical fetes of athleticism have finite, limited value. But spiritual fetes have infinite, eternal value.



Although most of us will not experience competing in the Olympics, we can make an eternal difference every day. Run the race!

Planning a Wedding

I am lost in a foriegn country. In this country they speak a different language. They speak of gowns, veils, orchids, lillies, votives, etc.. Even with great effort, I know not of what they speak. What could be I missing? Have I been taken hostage?

Nevertheless, this world has been discovered by many foriegn explorers before me. And no option should be ignored to celebrate this new marriage. Marriage is a metaphor for God's love for the church. Marriage, rightly done, reflects God's character, His love and mercy, His grace and glory, His protection and provision - potential to reflect all of His Godly character.

So plan away. Perfect the plan. Make it beautiful. God deserves our best effort to reflect His attrtibutes to His glory.

Carol's Birthday

She didn't ask or tell me to write this. I have been married to Carol for 28 years. We have successfully navigated life - good and bad, easy and difficult, young and midlife - together with a secret secular culture is missing.

If a couple will make thier marriage a metaphor for God's love for the church (Ephesians 5:21-31) they will continue to grow deeper in love. This increasingly deeper kind of love grows in spite of life's difficulties. I am crazy in love with my wife. This is not an accident. This is God's plan and promise.

Happy Birthday Carol! I can't wait for the next 28 years.