A good post by audio guru Jeremy over at Tehilla Music Blog.

Isn’t Sunday and interesting way to spend 1/7 of your life? Where else can you feel like it should still be Saturday but just plain isn’t? And where else can you find the people and fellow volunteers you love all worshipping Jesus at church? Certainly not Tuesday.

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Well, I am actually neither a bonafide geek or a real rockstar. What is important is how funny it is that I can look like either with a simple haircut . What is even more important is the idea of “both and” and why labeling people or our ministries as one-all-or-nothing entities is old school. Either we evangelize or we disciple people. Either we are growing or not healthy. Either we have conflict or loving relationships in a staff.

The fact is that the law of “both and” pervade every area of our lives, making it a messy endeavor. It would be much easier to simply be one thing. We are told in business books to copy the In-n-Out model and just do hamburgers. What is interesting is that you can get that hamburger is so many ways that it could be that your options with variations supercede the smorgousbord approach entirely.

Imagine this: choice and simplicity? Or, to not be so serious, could I be both a rockstar and a geek?

You know you are a pastor/minister when…

• Everyone edits their f-bombs and s-bombs when you enter the room.
• You edit your f-bombs and s-bombs when entering the room.
• Relatives hide the booze when you come over their house for the holidays.
• You hide your booze when your relatives come over your house–any day.
• People tell you their deepest struggles within any random casual conversation.
• You avoid all conversations as much as possible cause when you tell people your deepest struggles they laugh.
• You believe people do not think you are human, fragile and normal.
• Everyone around you knows you are not normal….human? Heck, yes!
• You love and hate your job with equal passion and at the same time.
• You have a choice, but not really, since it is a calling.
• The thought of doing anything else bites! Being part of people’s lives and helping them grow and find Jesus makes every minute worth it!

Did I miss any?

Personally, I have learned more, seen more and done more out of brokenness than out of my talent, experience or skill.  During times of weakness it seems God makes Himself more real to me.  When you are a leader–fill in the blank like being a dad, a pastor, a music director, a worship leader–you never quite measure up to the task.  At least, that is what I think of myself when I am broken.  This includes the all important leadership of self. Read the rest of this entry »

“Why are you surprised that things are so hard?”

I heard these words from a prophet some years ago.  Well, she was an African national in exile after losing her husband who cleaned our church.  A prayer warrior, she came to me in my office and looked puzzled and asked my permission to speak those words to me.  She said that in prayer God had revealed that message for me. Read the rest of this entry »