e. paul allen

If not now...when?

2010-08-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

I was reading through the book of Hebrews lately, and I came across the old familiar "faith verse" Hebrews 11:1. I decided to look it up in a few different versions. Check them out.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (NIV)

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (ESV)

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd." (the Message)

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (KJV)

Wow, no matter how it's said, it stays the same...faith means believing God even when we don't see it. But do we live rally live that way? Really?

Think about it...do we live our lives in a way that we are looking for "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen?" Or do we order, plan, prepare, figure out our lives in such a way that we really don't have to trust God for anything?

Over the last few months we've been challenged to live lives that give God an opportunity to show up with the "things not seen"...and it's been challenging. But as we look over these last few months, we wouldn't live it any other way. God and His overwhelming love takes our breath away every time.

So what do you say? Is there something in your life God's calling you to do but you're waiting until you have it all figured out and planned? Or are you living in a way that "the fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see."

If not now...when?

Values to live by...

2010-08-22T20:20:00.001-07:00

Check out our values at Transformation Church...

A High and Lofty View of God:

We are committed, through the Spirit’s enabling power, to teach a high and lofty view of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All our actions, teaching, prayer, mission, and spiritual transformation will be driven by our view of God.

The Transformative Gospel of Grace:

We are committed, through the Spirit’s enabling power, to be a community that invites and seeks out the wounded, the broken-hearted and marginalized so that they can be transformed by the Gospel of grace into the image of Jesus joining Him in His mission to transform the world.

We are committed, through the Spirit’s enabling power, to the belief that Grace is Jesus Himself coming to live in and through His people. Life in the Kingdom is empowered by the King of Kings, not human effort.

Kingdom Partnerships:

We are committed, through the Spirit’s enabling power, to partner with other churches that desire to advance the Kingdom. We will not compete with other churches.

Multi-ethnic & Multi-generational Diversity:

We are committed, through the Spirit’s enabling power, to multi-ethnic and multi-generational diversity.

Excellence:

We are committed, through the Spirit’s enabling power, to ministry excellence. Ministry excellence is worship! Our systems and structures must function with excellence in order to steward the people of Transformation Church.

Leadership Development:

We are committed, through the Spirit’s enabling Power, to leadership development. The Church rises or falls on the shoulders of Her leaders; therefore, every member must be seen as a “royal priest” and a leader.

People over Production:

We are committed, by the Spirit’s enabling power, to value people for more than what they can produce. We will not prostitute people over and against their spiritual health and transformation.

Servant Community:

We are committed, by the Spirit’s enabling power, to develop a biblical, servant-hearted community, in which we serve each other through our grace-gifts as we serve in our spheres of influence by being the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus.

Relevancy:

We are committed, by the Spirit’s enabling power, to be a missionary community. Therefore, we will present the timeless truth in a relevant way.

Generosity:

We are committed, by the Spirit’s enabling power, to financial generosity. We cannot out give our God; therefore, we will teach and live biblical financial stewardship. One day we hope to give away 30% of our income.

Over the last six months...

2010-08-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

"Now therefore stand still and see the great things that the Lord will do before your eyes."
1 Samuel 12:16 ESV

Just over six months ago, on February 7th, Transformation Church (www.tc521.org) had it's first service.

From that very first service, our vision of being a "multi-ethnic, multi-generational, mission-shaped community that loves God completely (Upward), ourselves correctly (Inward), and our neighbors compassionately (Outward)" has been evident. And God has been faithful...

In the last two weekends, over 1000 folks have attended each weekend.
At least 127 people have committed their lives to Christ through the ministry of TC.
Twenty three people were baptized on Easter Sunday.
TC partnered with a ministry called "Feed the Need" along with ten other churches and collected over three tons of food and gave them $5000 for their ministry.
Every weekend, an average of 112 Transformers serve at TC.
On Mother's Day, TC gave $5000 to two women's shelters that house homeless women and their children.
We partnered with the Fort Mill Care Center in providing 150 backpacks filled with school supplies for kids who otherwise wouldn't have any.
We leased more space in the warehouse to accommodate the growing number of folks attending.
People at TC continue to reflect our "multi-ethnic, multi-generational" vision.
Transformers are becoming "mission-shaped" in the way they live God's Upward, Inward, and Outward love at home, at work, and at school.

Wow, God is good. Can't wait to see what He's going to do over the next six months.

Being confident of this...

2010-08-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

It's late...well that's really relative to our age isn't it? Anyway, in between the different things I've done today, I've been drawn to the words Paul wrote to the folks at Philippi...

"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me."

I've been amazed thinking that the God of the universe is so connected with us that He wants to not only begin a good work in us...but complete it as well...without our help. And don't forget the last part..."all of you share in God's grace with me."

That's the part that I've been thinking about...He begins and wants to complete a good work in us (salvation and beyond) and in spite of what we do, His grace is there all the time. It's not about what we can do...it's all about Him.

We can be confident when we realize that it's all about Him...He does it all, we don't have to do anything but walk in His grace...live in His grace...rest in His grace...operate in His grace...love in His grace...give His grace to others...you get the picture.

We don't have to be confident in our own strength or abilities. As I've thought about it today, I've walked a little more in freedom...freedom from myself and from my self-inflicted expectations. I've realized that the good work God has begun in me (and He wants to complete) is done by Him...not me. Quite a different view of life than what we're taught over and over again--it's all about what we do. Hmmm.

Crazy...we become more confident in His work in our lives the more we let go and let God live through us.

Having a vision statement doesn't mean you have a vision

2010-08-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

Posted on www.ministrystrategies.com 20. Jul, 2010 by Paul in Vision & Values

If you’re like many churches, you and your leadership team have developed a vision statement that defines who you are—or who you want to be—as a church community. And perhaps, like many churches, it’s displayed on your website, written on your printed materials, and even routinely shared within your congregation.

However, is your vision evident in every aspect of your ministry? Do your policies, procedures and budget reflect your vision? On occasion, I’ve asked pastors to not send me their vision statement but allow me to look at their job descriptions, policies, budget and staff handbook to see if their vision rises from the pages. Sometimes the differences are astounding.

From your handbook to your financial planning, if the vision doesn’t permeate all your printed materials, human resources, finances and administrative areas, then it’s, well…just words.

What can you do to make sure your vision is the foundation of your ministry? Take your team through a simple exercise. Write your vision on a white board and identify the key points. Once identified, use those points as filters for your policies, procedures and budget. Don’t overwhelm everyone. Prioritize the areas you want to examine and take them one at a time.

For instance, if your vision includes reaching pre-believers as well as seasoned Christ-followers, does your budget express that in your expenditures? Where are you spending your monies? If you believe your vision is true, steward your finances in order to make it a reality. Perhaps it means reallocating money to different ministries.

If a key belief is that community plays an integral role, is your organizational chart created with community in mind? Are your ministries organized in a way that they express community as a major part of your vision? If you believe small groups are important to spiritual formation and most of your ministry is done in a large group or mid-size group setting, you either need to transition your vision or your organization.

Have you hired your staff or identified lay leaders that reflect the key directions of your vision? What about their job descriptions or annual goals? Are you measuring expectations from your team that reflect the vision? Or are you placing expectations on them that deal more with numbers alone or peripherals? You and your team should never be exempt from living the vision of your church. If serving is an integral part of your vision, be a servant leader. Don’t be a leader who feels entitled to live outside the vision that you expect your congregants to live.

Whether your church is well established, transitioning or just starting, intentionally breathing your vision into every aspect of your ministry will infuse new life. Using your vision as a filter for everything you do—from ministry to policies—allows you and your team to stay laser-focused on what God has called you to do.

Vision living

2010-04-17T02:32:00.000-07:00

I was reading Proverbs 29 and came upon that familiar verse (18) to many of us, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Here it is in a few different translations:

"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law." NIV

"If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed." The Message

"Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." ESV

"When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful." NLT

For some reason, I was intrigued by the fact that even though I've read and said this verse many times over the years, it was impressed on me more clearly this time that vision living comes about when we keep the law...obey the law...God's Word. We tend to emphasize the vision piece and talk about what happens if we don't have one.

But where does it come from in the first place? Scripture...God's written communication to us. And not only that, but God's divine direction to us that he speaks so clearly as we read the Scriptures.

Over the years, I've seen both leaders and individuals who "run wild...cast off restraint...stumble over themselves" because they don't stay on course with the vision God has given them...personally, professionally, and corporately. And sometimes it even feels like we're doing good and meaningful things...but for some reason it feels busy, disjointed, crazy. Could it be that in doing the good things we lose sight of the God things we should be doing?

I have to admit, I've found myself in that place.

So my challenge for us is to live out Proverbs 29:18 by following what it says:
1. Get back to or discover the vision God has revealed to you,
2. Stay with it,
3. Stay in or get back into God's Word on a consistent basis, and
4. Be blessed...be happy...be joyful because you know you're in the middle of God's vision for you.

It's better to live with a God vision than a good vision.

Transformation Church

2010-03-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile...a long while, since I wrote my last entry...a lot has happened. It's amazing to see how God moves in our lives and directs us on this journey here on earth.

I'm reminded of a statement I've said to hundreds of folks..."God never wastes an experience" and I have to say that it's such a blessing to know that if we allow Him, He totally uses our life experiences to bring glory to Him!

So, I'm going to try and be a bit more faithful on my blog posts...

A few months ago...God once again surprised me and Sandy and we joined with Pastor Derwin and Vicki Gray and a wonderful team of folks and we planted a new church called, Transformation Church (www.tc521.org).

In the last eight weeks we've averaged over 700 folks a week and had over 800 this past weekend...very humbling to say the least for our team...but validating that what we're doing is so right on...

More later...

How may I serve you?

2009-10-04T16:59:00.001-07:00

Wow, we (www.southbrookchurch.com) closed our UNITED series today by sending our folks out to serve at seven different locations. I had the privilege to serve at Plaza Baptist Church (www.plazabaptistchurch.org) with about 85 Brookies and about 25 folks from Plaza.

I was humbled, impressed, and amazed...these folks joined together to paint the hallways and classrooms in a two-story education building at the church and handed out light bulbs and picked up trash in several neighborhoods. Meanwhile, there were hundreds of other folks at other locations throughout the area doing the same thing.

We were being the church, and it reminded me again, that serving shouldn't only be a special time or place where we do something for others, but it should be a way of life...our lifestyle...our mission...our command...it should be something in our blood...our spirit...just sayin'.

So, for anyone reading this...are you a servant? a servant leader? a servant follower? how 'bout a good ol' servant? Ask yourself, "how may I serve the people around me?"

Courteously revere one another...

2009-08-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

"Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another." Eph. 5:21

I've thought about this verse all day....Paul is talking to the Ephesian church and he's transitioning to a conversation with them about how they should live as family.

I just can't get out of my head how life would change...sometimes drastically...if we considered to courteously revere people as we interact with them...everyone.

Think about it....courteously revere. I grew up in the baptist camp in the south and we were taught to respect folk but I have to defer to those of you who understand what it means to revere someone....one friend said "it's a step above respect."

Wow, what if we courteously (that needs no definition) revered (honored someone a step above respect) everyone we come in contact with on a daily basis...no matter who they are...what they do...what we think?

It means we totally die to self, not just talk about it...and we honor them one step above respect. How would that change the way we interact with folks?

Just a thought...

32 years....and more to come

2009-07-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

Last week my lovely bride and I celebrated our 32nd anniversary. Amazing...it's hard to conceive that we've been married for 32 years. More alarming, our oldest son will be turning 30 in August. What's up with that? I look in the mirror and can't believe I'm old enough to have a son that age...must less four adult children.

We spent our anniversary on the beach (Belleair beach in Florida) with our daughter and Sandy's brother and sister (who by the way celebrated their 29th anniversary last week as well).

During that time, I actually spent some quiet time walking on the beach and looking back at all the activities of those years--having four great kids, staying married to the same woman (or should I say she stayed with me in spite of me), taking several occupational journeys (teacher, interior designer, principal, tractor trailer relocater, editor, writer, pastor), my wife's second bout with cancer, my myasthenia gravis, various moves (Florida, Virginia, Hawaii, Texas, Colorado, and North Carolina), parents aging and the passing away of my mom and father-in-law, kids discovering life (both joyous and prayerful moments), and the list goes on...and on...

It's hard to believe. I think I've forgotten more things than I remember, and I realize that there's still more to come. And in the midst of it all...one thing I know, God has been a constant throughout it all and will continue to be so.

That is comforting to know.

Lifelong learner

2009-06-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

The more I travel along this journey called life, the more I realize I know less than I thought. It seems the more I read, experience, absorb, or accidentally acquire it only confirms my lack of knowing...

However, instead of giving up and forgetting about it, I'm learning how important it is to continue learning in order to live life to the fullest...knowing that God wants to take what I read, experience, absorb, or accidentally acquire and allow it to help someone else in life...He never wastes an experience...so why should I?

Resolve to get involved

2009-01-08T16:59:00.000-08:00

In my 54 years of living, I've never been one to make new year's resolutions. Basically, I don't want to hold myself to that kind of personal accountability...

However, I've made an exception this year-perhaps because of age, place in life, or maybe the stars are aligned-just kidding. I've resolved, and challenged others to do so, to be involved. Involved in what? In the lives of others...not just involved, but present, available.

I don't want to be someone who is thinking about what I'm going to say next, or what's next on my agenda, or the things I need to complete, or the list goes on...I want to be giving them my full attention.

What was I saying? Just kidding. May your new year be meaningful.

One Anothers...

2008-08-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

I've been gathering with a group of guys over the last few months on Monday mornings at 6:15 am at Starbucks...okay, what's wrong with that statement? You guessed it, 6:15 am...

Anyway, it's awesome to see how we're steadily forming relationships and realizing that we face some of the same challenges in life. And the great part is that we come from different walks of life, different ages (unfortunately most of them are younger than me...or should I say unfortunate for me...fortunate for them), and guys who have experienced different life journeys. Yet in the midst of that, we're all united in one thing--trying to live our lives in a way that reflects the love of Christ in everything we do--and we're realizing that's a challenge we all have in common as well.

Over the last few weeks we've talked about the "one anothers"...scripture verses that encourage us how to live with each other. What are some of them?

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Romans 12:16 "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."

Romans 14:13 "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. "

Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. "

Galatians 5:13 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. "

Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

James 4:11 "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it."

1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

1 Peter 4:9 "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

Wow, we could spend weeks on what each of those verses mean in how we relate to other people: family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, even strangers. And it's amazing how they are really juxtaposed to many people's "it's all about me" mindset.

So, as we've been encouraged (and challenged) to do, I'd like for you to imagine what it would be like if you lived one day responding (not reacting--that's another discussion) to folks living out the "one another" challenges.

Multiply that by encouraging family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers to do the same...that might almost be a picture of what the psalmist said when he penned, "...Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."

Just a thought.

Love, sweet love....

2008-06-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

Matthews 22:36-40.
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

It seems like every few months over the last few years I think about these verses. I find it interesting that Jesus says that "loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind" is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is "love your neighbor as yourself". Why do I find it interesting, you might ask? Hmmm....I'll let you think about it.

Wow, what would it be like if we decided to live one day....just start with one...where everything we did, everything we said, everything we thought reflected that we loved God with all our heart, soul, and mind? Or as it says in a different translation of Scripture (the Message)...

Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."

So my challenge for myself...and you, Mr. Phelps, if you choose to accept it (for all of us old Mission Impossible fans) is to live one day by loving the Lord with all our passion, prayer, and intelligence and love our neighbors as ourselves.

Think about it, make all our decisions, all our conversations, all our thoughts reflect that we love God with all our passion, prayer, and intelligence and that we love our neighbor as ourselves.

Would it change our mode of operation? Probably...

For the better? Most likely...

Let's try it. We might like it...

work on...

2008-05-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

I was reminded recently of how no matter what our occupation (or to Christianize it…calling) is, there are similarities in all that we do…and differences as well. In fact, I was talking to a friend who’s been with the same job for over twenty-five years!

Wow, I started reminiscing over my own occupational journey and I realized I had quite a variety of “jobs”. In the pastoring world I’ve been a children’s pastor, worship pastor, home group pastor, family ministries pastor, and executive pastor. In the educational world I’ve been an elementary teacher, a middle school and high school teacher, and a principal. In the publishing world I’ve been a magazine editor, contributing editor, copy editor, ghost writer, and publisher. And that doesn’t include my part-time or summer jobs as a short-order cook, camp counselor, furniture salesperson, interior designer, and painter…no wonder I want to become the Walmart welcome man!

So where am I going with all this? Who knows…no, really, I do have a point, only if I could just remember…just kidding. My point is, I realized that no matter what we do, or how long we do it, it’s important for us to be people of integrity no matter what we do.

We get different messages from folks and culture telling us to do what it takes to get where you want to go, get with away with doing as little as possible, don’t worry about who you hurt as you move up, there’s no such thing as loyalty anymore…and the list goes on.

So, what’s my challenge to each of us? Whether we’ve been with a job forever or we experience a variety of jobs, let’s be folks of integrity—doing our best, wisely using our time, and modeling to those around us what it means to be a hard worker.

I like how a guy named Paul said it in the Bible…”In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.”

and then...

2008-05-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

As I've contemplated over how I should begin this "blog voyage" I was reminded of how so many stories are told and retold...and then all of a sudden the emotions or voice of the story teller changes and they say, "and then....."

And it's always the same but different.

"And then such and such happened...."

"And then so and so appeared..."

"And then..."

"And then..."

I was once again reminded today that our lives are seemingly tied together by the "and thens..." We're going along and then (there it is) something happens. An event, a chance meeting, a job change, gas prices, taxes, children, neighbors, an experience...we can go on and on...but it's always the same with a slight change...and then...

So, perhaps one small challenge that I hope to accomplish through this meaningless to some/meaningful to others blog is a glimpse into some of the "and thens" that I've experienced over life and hopefully will still experience until old age, prescribed drugs, or death will bring an abrupt halt to all "and thens".

Parenthetically, for those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers, at the point of death our "and thens" will collectively join together in quite an endless experience of "and thens." With the prior sentence, you assume correctly that one of my "and thens" was an encounter with Jesus Christ of whom I have been following for quite some time.

So, thanks for taking the time to read this. And I hope that after you do, you consider the "and thens" that draw your life together...and dream about the "and thens" that are yet to come.

I've gone to the dark side...

2008-05-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally did it...I took the plunge into the world of blogging...what am I thinking?