Up Next: May Flowers

(Originally written for the Park Victoria Vision, April 2011.)

Don’t you just love an optimist? Someone who is always looking for the “bright side”, even when it seems as though the sun hasn’t been seen here in Milpitas this calendar year? (Let me just say that if it’s true that April showers bring May flowers and Mayflowers bring Pilgrims, we’re in for a mighty good Thanksgiving this year.)

There are plenty of pessimists in the world. Those whose Special Mission From God is to let you know what the Worst Case Scenario might be. And probably will be. But some of my more clever pessimist friends have applied for a name change. They’d rather be known as a “realist.”

In the mind of a pessimist/realist, they are helping people around them see what they’re missing. A dose of reality, they might say. And whether it is a friend or church member, they insist that it is for your own good or the health of the church that they must share their negative viewpoints with you.

The problem is that we don’t need a special revelation from the gifted “realist” to let us know where the faults are in our lives or our church. The Holy Spirit is more than able to reveal to us those areas in which we need to improve individually and corporately.

So is there room for bringing up the faults and failures of a friend or a problem in the church? Sure there is! But there are some pretty strict guidelines. Have you examined yourself first (Matt. 7:1-5)? Are you without blame (John 8:7)? Should the matter be discussed privately (Matt. 18:15-17)? Are you accusing an elder (1 Tim. 5:19, 20)?

Above all, we are to show love to one another (1 Pet. 4:8) which is to me, the biggest dose of reality for a “realist”. Which would you rather be, an “optimist” or a “realist”? Until you decide, try to stay dry out there!

Ministry @ Morgan Hill church & ordination

Yesterday we were guests at a new church plant in Morgan Hill. Pastor Max Hudson and his wife, Debbie, planted Oakridge Church (http://www.oakridgechurchonline.org/) about two months ago and are averaging 70 in attendance, meeting at the Morgan Hill Community Center. Originally, I was just going to sing "O Holy Night" as a solo, but I ended up also leading the music for the worship time and playing the offertory on the piano as a duet with their gifted pianist (nice work, J.T.!)

After singing with my brothers for the Nutcracker at noon, Pastor Max and his family took us to lunch in downtown San Jose. A great time of fellowship, and we hope to get together again soon. Meanwhile, I'll be playing the piano for their worship service this coming Sunday. Scary thought, as I'm not a congregational pianist and they are used to a fabulous guy at the keys. Humility, humility, humility.Aargh. Why does humility have to be practiced in FRONT of people? I'd be happy to work on it privately!!

In the evening, we attended another church plant in nearby San Martin, as they were ordaining three new deacons. Fellowship of San Martin (http://www.fellowshipofsanmartin.org/) was started in February by one of my mentors, Dr. Mike Stewart, and they have a great plan to reach out to their community with their Sunday-night-only approach to worship services and deacons who reallly serve and minister to the families of the church. I'm sure we'll be back, as it is a nice place for us to land on Sunday evenings while we minister in various churches Sunday mornings.

Exit Interview @ Shoreline

(Note: The title of this post is not "Exciting Interview" in the interest of your continued stable blood pressure.)

So, my Exit Interview was today with Shoreline Community Church's Executive Pastor, Dennis McFaddin. Great guy, great "interview", great feeling going into and out of the moment. 'Nuf said. Well, maybe just a few more details.

Dennis asked ne a series of questions ("The worst thing about working at Shoreline? The best thing? What could we do better?" Etc.) looking for feedback and I gave it. He listened carefully and made me feel like he really cared about me and my input.

I then gave him the page-and-a-half of analysis I brought with me and we went through it, including where I felt I had grown, my personal negatives (where I felt I could've done better), my personal positives to the glory of God, and where I feel that Shoreline could improve. (No, you can't ask me for a copy!)

When it got down to the bottom line of the official reason why I got ______ (insert your favorite fun firing line here: let go, the boot, my walking papers, my eternal reward, etc.), it was numbers. I was also told I need to grow in my ability to listen. (At least that's what I think he said. I wasn't really listening . . . no, no, no. just kidding!) Both of these items (decreasing numbers and need to listen better) have definitely been problems for me during my time at Shoreline, so no surprises.

I'm grateful I was given the opportunity to air some frustrations, give positive feedback, receive some personal growth points, and pray for each other's ministries. Dennis did a fine job at a difficult task. All-in-all, a truly great meeting. Thanks to those of you who prayed for me.

Big prayer item

I've been asked to prayerfully consider taking a senior pastorate sometime in the near future somewhere in the greater Bay Area. (Am I being vague enough?!!) Very exciting and lots of positive angles on this one, but we want the Lord's will, not ours. I had not considered becoming a senior pastor just yet, but will be open to God's leading.

Please pray with Katie and me that the Lord would continue to give us clear direction as to our next move.