I'm so glad I subscribed to Leadership Today email. I'm really enjoying the articles. I came across this one and thoroughly enjoyed it. I can relate to it.
It talks about Gregory the Great, a Pope from the first century and the spiritual struggle in his life. God created Gregory to be a contemplative person. He's someone who craves time with God, time in prayer, time in silence, away from the hustle and bustle of administrative chores and the world. Are you ever frustrated that your obligations pull you away from God? You don't want to let people down, so you end up letting your spirit down instead.
I'm contemplative as well. I need time alone, time in peace and quiet, time to re-group and think things through. I think so much Greg says I have 'garbage dreams'. I talk in my sleep from time to time, rattling off grocery lists and making dreamy quilts of scraps of everything that happened that day. It's how I dump stuff that has concerned me. I tend to over analyze in my thought life, though I don't over analyze when I have to make a decision. I'm pretty clear in figuring out the best thing to do. I'm not one to talk about myself, which can bother some relational people. I've been viewed as private, conservative and reserved. However, if someone cares enough to take the time to get to know me, they find me quite the opposite and they take great joy in this discovery that not many people get to see.
I hope you enjoy(ed) the article on Gregory the Great. On a side note, if you haven't seen Taking Chance, an HBO movie, please see it. It stars Kevin Bacon, who does an excellent job in this movie. I cried for the whole last 2/3 of the movie. Seriously!
Other great movies I've seen lately are Flywheel, Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Saving God. I especially liked Saving God. They've got to do a sequel.
Anyway, blessings on this sunny, warm February Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Food for Thought
I subscribe to Leadership Weekly Newsletter, delivered to me via email. I found this article and had to share it. The author is reviewing a book called Mixed Ministry. She gives the good and bad of the book and I wanted to highlight a few paragraphs from her review. The book is about men and women working together in ministry. You can read the entire review here.
The reason I share this is that I believe the author did a great job articulating my heart in this area. I don't agree completely with the 'Modesto Manifesto' started by Billy Graham when he was in Modesto, CA doing a crusade many years ago. If you aren't familiar with it, it came at a time when many evangelists were traveling around the country doing crusades and revivals. These evangelists were traveling away from their families for weeks or months at a time, and unfortunately, some of them compromised their marriages. Billy Graham, being the very upright, moral man that he is, set boundaries for himself and the men he traveled with. One of the boundaries was that men were not allowed to ride in a car alone with a woman. Though I believe this was a timely and needed rule at the time I don't think it should apply to every ministry in this day and age. Irregardless of where I've worked, I never had a problem with riding alone in a car with a man for work. Some have said they don't do it because a congregant may see them and start a rumor. My position is that my God is bigger than the tongue of an unwise individual, believer or non-believer and that my God will protect my reputation. I trust me and I trust who I choose to drive with. Besides, not much can happen in a moving vehicle in broad daylight.
The author writes:
The foundational premise in Mixed Ministry is that men and women should view each other as brothers and sisters in a spiritual family, and that this mindset will transform how the genders interact with each other in ministry settings. Just as siblings can experience feelings of endearment without sexual entanglement, so ministry colleagues can work together in a spirit of brotherly and sisterly love, mutual respect, and protection.
Yet the authors correctly point out that many church leaders are afraid of mixed ministry. Unsure of how to relate to the opposite sex, and because of some bad experiences, they often run from it completely. But doing so, the authors explain, actually increases the chance for sin.
"Leaders don't admit they struggle," they write, "and what stays in the dark has a secret place to grow." One of the best things about the book is how it challenges leaders to engage in conversation about this weighty issue.
Another key point mentioned several times in the book but perhaps not emphasized enough, is that leaders are responsible for their own emotional and spiritual health. Contrary to the opinion of some, men can control their sexual urges. Women can learn to meet their emotional needs outside of the workplace. Again, the point is not legalistic safeguards, but emotionally healthy relationships.
I'm interested in reading this whole book. I think some ministries may need to have boundaries like not riding in cars with the opposite sex if there are attractions between married individuals, but I think it should be left up to the individuals in most cases, and if the congregants are taught the dangers of gossip and slander, it shouldn't be an issue in that arena either.
The reason I share this is that I believe the author did a great job articulating my heart in this area. I don't agree completely with the 'Modesto Manifesto' started by Billy Graham when he was in Modesto, CA doing a crusade many years ago. If you aren't familiar with it, it came at a time when many evangelists were traveling around the country doing crusades and revivals. These evangelists were traveling away from their families for weeks or months at a time, and unfortunately, some of them compromised their marriages. Billy Graham, being the very upright, moral man that he is, set boundaries for himself and the men he traveled with. One of the boundaries was that men were not allowed to ride in a car alone with a woman. Though I believe this was a timely and needed rule at the time I don't think it should apply to every ministry in this day and age. Irregardless of where I've worked, I never had a problem with riding alone in a car with a man for work. Some have said they don't do it because a congregant may see them and start a rumor. My position is that my God is bigger than the tongue of an unwise individual, believer or non-believer and that my God will protect my reputation. I trust me and I trust who I choose to drive with. Besides, not much can happen in a moving vehicle in broad daylight.
The author writes:
The foundational premise in Mixed Ministry is that men and women should view each other as brothers and sisters in a spiritual family, and that this mindset will transform how the genders interact with each other in ministry settings. Just as siblings can experience feelings of endearment without sexual entanglement, so ministry colleagues can work together in a spirit of brotherly and sisterly love, mutual respect, and protection.
Yet the authors correctly point out that many church leaders are afraid of mixed ministry. Unsure of how to relate to the opposite sex, and because of some bad experiences, they often run from it completely. But doing so, the authors explain, actually increases the chance for sin.
"Leaders don't admit they struggle," they write, "and what stays in the dark has a secret place to grow." One of the best things about the book is how it challenges leaders to engage in conversation about this weighty issue.
Another key point mentioned several times in the book but perhaps not emphasized enough, is that leaders are responsible for their own emotional and spiritual health. Contrary to the opinion of some, men can control their sexual urges. Women can learn to meet their emotional needs outside of the workplace. Again, the point is not legalistic safeguards, but emotionally healthy relationships.
I'm interested in reading this whole book. I think some ministries may need to have boundaries like not riding in cars with the opposite sex if there are attractions between married individuals, but I think it should be left up to the individuals in most cases, and if the congregants are taught the dangers of gossip and slander, it shouldn't be an issue in that arena either.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Doing Better
It was a rough week. Thankfully my boss is really good at letting me stay home to get well. That, coupled with the rain, didn't make a huge impact on the business. I went to the doctor last week and was told I had an upper respiratory infection. I was given some steroid nose spray and told to take a decongestant to clear my nose and ears. Hating to take medicine, I opted for the nose spray only, since he made me take the first dose in the office, as the other can raise my blood pressure. The next day I woke to a very blood shot eye that lasted all day. The next day a web of puss covered the inside corner of my eye and the other eye was starting to do the same thing. Off to the opthamalogist, who told me I was having a reaction to the upper respiratory infection. A week of eye drops and I'll be all better. The bad thing is I can't wear contacts for that week because I have to put drops in 4 times a day. I go back to work on Wednesday, the drops finish on Friday, or do I want to stop them early? I don' want to wear OSHA safety glasses over my glasses. Something to consider. Enough about me.
We have our Assimilation Director for our church. Mary Pritchard will oversee the greeters, the new visitor gifts, follow-up on new attendees, and connecting people. Please continue to pray about the building. It's the last ingredient. I'll be working with Loraine on our prayer letter this week. If you would like to receive it to keep updated on what's going on with EQUIP, just let me know. gshazenberg@sbcglobal.net.
Off to find Kristen something she needs for Homecoming on Saturday. Blessings on this windy, gray Monday.
We have our Assimilation Director for our church. Mary Pritchard will oversee the greeters, the new visitor gifts, follow-up on new attendees, and connecting people. Please continue to pray about the building. It's the last ingredient. I'll be working with Loraine on our prayer letter this week. If you would like to receive it to keep updated on what's going on with EQUIP, just let me know. gshazenberg@sbcglobal.net.
Off to find Kristen something she needs for Homecoming on Saturday. Blessings on this windy, gray Monday.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
More Advance Pictures
Loraine sent me her pictures, and as promised, I'm posting them. Enjoy!
Loraine spent Sunday night with her brother and his wife. She woke up Monday morning to this beautiful sight in Twain Harte. If only we had scheduled the advance from Friday to Monday!
Loraine spent Sunday night with her brother and his wife. She woke up Monday morning to this beautiful sight in Twain Harte. If only we had scheduled the advance from Friday to Monday!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
POTENT
That's the word I use to describe our church's first Advance, aka Retreat. It was a full 3 days. No one felt they had information overload, but everyone said they felt very well "equipped" when we left. (That's because Greg is an amazing, experienced Retreat Put-er-on-er).
Greg and I arrived around 3:00 on Thursday and it was COLD! We were met with this beautiful dear walking through the front yard next door.
After we turned on the hot water heater and the water main, I went upstairs and cranked up the thermostat. It was so cold it took your breath away, literally! We brought up all the supplies and I started dinner. Our team arrived at 4:30 to a warm house and the smell of lasagne. They got all settled in and we had our first meal of the Advance together. Afterwards, Greg welcomed us, explained what we were in store for, had me facilitate an ice breaker game, then we were off and running with a message.
We stopped around 9:00 and after some fellowship, we trickled off to bed.
A look at the book table we set up had a few people borrowing books to read after the Advance.
Here's Josh picking out his favorite worship songs for the next day.
Did I mention I started a raging sore throat, botherstome eardrums, a fever, body aches, and chills that afternoon/evening? Yep, that's how I started the Advance.
I had prepared the menu for all the meals and who was up for cooking and who was up for clean up. Everyone did a fantastic job and helped out really well. I was careful not to pair up couples and tried to give a balance between cooking, cleanup and who worked with whom. Here's Monica cleaning the waffle iron before breakfast. She has earned the name 'Tornado' because she's a cleaning whirlwind. She lightened everyone's load!
After a 7:30 breakfast, we were off to our morning quiet time in Joshua. Each day we read a chapter and answered questions. When we came together 45 minutes later, we had worship and a Bible study on Joshua. These beautful creatures graced us with their presence during the Bible study so Josh grabbed my camera and took a few shots.
Lunchtime came quickly, then a break of about 30 minutes to fellowship and play boggle and ladder golf.
and back together for worship and small group training. We had a late afternoon break before dinner which gave us time for fellowship, walks, ladder golf, reading, studying, or whatever. When Greg and I came back after our walk, Josh and Monica were taking pictures of each other outside, so we joined them, along with Dick and Mary.
Then some neighbors were out taking a walk and we met them and asked them to take a group shot. I don't think they realized there was a zoom button on the camera.
After dinner, we met for specific church business matters. Sometimes we brainstormed, sometimes we made decisions etc. There was always, I mean ALWAYS lots of laughter as Dick, Josh, and Loraine had us in stitches with their quick wit. Here's Monica sharing the two ministries she thought we should have, standing on a chair because she's a little 'vertically challenged' and because Greg set up the tri-pod and white board to his height.
That was pretty much our format for the Advance, with the exception of playing strength bombardment, which always makes me cry, and our first Sunday morning service. Usually Greg has everything prepared in advance. This time for training on Sunday morning, God told him Saturday night forget what he had planned and have a service. God even told him not to prepare it Saturday night, but to just spend time with everyone and that God would give him what he needed in the morning. Greg did just that. While we were having our quiet time in Joshua this morning, Greg wrote out the whole message, then gave it,
complete with Josh and Dick picking out our worship songs, me preparing communion, and Loraine taking the offering. Everything we off without a hitch and it was great!
Good-bye's are always difficult, especially when you're 6'4" and you're being hugged by a professional hugger that's a foot shorter than you. Here's Mary trying to break Greg's neck. (Just kidding)
Here's Loraine giving us a peek at the Croatian Hula. She went to Croatia and ate squid!
After the morning service, we decided to scrap the plan to have leftovers for lunch and go out for pizza. After cleaning the cabin us and our youth pastors headed up 108 for pizza. Our other members opted to head for home, as they had plans. It was a good opportunity to get feedback on how everyone was feeling and what they thought of the weekend.
Notice I wasn't in any of the pictures, because I was taking them. I think I'm in one that's on Loraine's camera. When I get those shots, I'll post them.
Afterwards Greg and I stopped at A Lovely Place to pick up a shirt we left there in November and share what God was doing with EQUIP.
It was a very full, and very fun Advance. We bonded extremely well, so well the Pastor had to tell Monica and I to be quiet at one point. Yikes! In trouble already!
BTW, one new thing that came out of the Advance was that we have our Christian Education Director. After praying about it, Dick Pritchard has decided he would like to oversee all the teachers. Yeah!!!!!
We are hoping to interview our candidate for Worship Director this week. Please keep praying about this and a building. The building will dictate when we launch.
Blessings to you on this cool, Sunday evening.
Greg and I arrived around 3:00 on Thursday and it was COLD! We were met with this beautiful dear walking through the front yard next door.
After we turned on the hot water heater and the water main, I went upstairs and cranked up the thermostat. It was so cold it took your breath away, literally! We brought up all the supplies and I started dinner. Our team arrived at 4:30 to a warm house and the smell of lasagne. They got all settled in and we had our first meal of the Advance together. Afterwards, Greg welcomed us, explained what we were in store for, had me facilitate an ice breaker game, then we were off and running with a message. 
We stopped around 9:00 and after some fellowship, we trickled off to bed. 
A look at the book table we set up had a few people borrowing books to read after the Advance.
Here's Josh picking out his favorite worship songs for the next day.
Did I mention I started a raging sore throat, botherstome eardrums, a fever, body aches, and chills that afternoon/evening? Yep, that's how I started the Advance.
I had prepared the menu for all the meals and who was up for cooking and who was up for clean up. Everyone did a fantastic job and helped out really well. I was careful not to pair up couples and tried to give a balance between cooking, cleanup and who worked with whom. Here's Monica cleaning the waffle iron before breakfast. She has earned the name 'Tornado' because she's a cleaning whirlwind. She lightened everyone's load!
After a 7:30 breakfast, we were off to our morning quiet time in Joshua. Each day we read a chapter and answered questions. When we came together 45 minutes later, we had worship and a Bible study on Joshua. These beautful creatures graced us with their presence during the Bible study so Josh grabbed my camera and took a few shots.
Lunchtime came quickly, then a break of about 30 minutes to fellowship and play boggle and ladder golf.
and back together for worship and small group training. We had a late afternoon break before dinner which gave us time for fellowship, walks, ladder golf, reading, studying, or whatever. When Greg and I came back after our walk, Josh and Monica were taking pictures of each other outside, so we joined them, along with Dick and Mary.
Then some neighbors were out taking a walk and we met them and asked them to take a group shot. I don't think they realized there was a zoom button on the camera.
After dinner, we met for specific church business matters. Sometimes we brainstormed, sometimes we made decisions etc. There was always, I mean ALWAYS lots of laughter as Dick, Josh, and Loraine had us in stitches with their quick wit. Here's Monica sharing the two ministries she thought we should have, standing on a chair because she's a little 'vertically challenged' and because Greg set up the tri-pod and white board to his height.
That was pretty much our format for the Advance, with the exception of playing strength bombardment, which always makes me cry, and our first Sunday morning service. Usually Greg has everything prepared in advance. This time for training on Sunday morning, God told him Saturday night forget what he had planned and have a service. God even told him not to prepare it Saturday night, but to just spend time with everyone and that God would give him what he needed in the morning. Greg did just that. While we were having our quiet time in Joshua this morning, Greg wrote out the whole message, then gave it,
complete with Josh and Dick picking out our worship songs, me preparing communion, and Loraine taking the offering. Everything we off without a hitch and it was great!
Good-bye's are always difficult, especially when you're 6'4" and you're being hugged by a professional hugger that's a foot shorter than you. Here's Mary trying to break Greg's neck. (Just kidding)
Here's Loraine giving us a peek at the Croatian Hula. She went to Croatia and ate squid!
After the morning service, we decided to scrap the plan to have leftovers for lunch and go out for pizza. After cleaning the cabin us and our youth pastors headed up 108 for pizza. Our other members opted to head for home, as they had plans. It was a good opportunity to get feedback on how everyone was feeling and what they thought of the weekend.
Notice I wasn't in any of the pictures, because I was taking them. I think I'm in one that's on Loraine's camera. When I get those shots, I'll post them.
Afterwards Greg and I stopped at A Lovely Place to pick up a shirt we left there in November and share what God was doing with EQUIP.
It was a very full, and very fun Advance. We bonded extremely well, so well the Pastor had to tell Monica and I to be quiet at one point. Yikes! In trouble already!
BTW, one new thing that came out of the Advance was that we have our Christian Education Director. After praying about it, Dick Pritchard has decided he would like to oversee all the teachers. Yeah!!!!!
We are hoping to interview our candidate for Worship Director this week. Please keep praying about this and a building. The building will dictate when we launch.
Blessings to you on this cool, Sunday evening.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Yes!
Yesterday's women's Bible study was so encouraging to me. It was on Luke 16:1-15. There were many ingredients to this passage that we touched on and that I wanted to go much deeper on. But I must say, the highlight was watching one of the members 'get it'!
We talked about faithful in little / faithful in much, and taking care of what God has given us. One of the ladies made an application to her own life. She said, "You know, I think if I took better care of this, God would see I can take care of it and he might give me a better one down the road." Yes, yes, yes!!!!!! She connected the dots! It's so rewarding to see the light bulbs go on! Wahoooo!
We're getting ready for the advance. Our toner went out last night so Greg is picking some up before we go to our Bible study on the westside. The food is bought, the binders are put together, the particulars and directions have been emailed and other than one paper I need to print for an ice breaker, I'm done. Greg has some more to do, not sure what, but after we work a few hours tomorrow morning, we'll be off. I hope to post some pictures when we get back. We get to decide on what ministries we'll offer, when our services will be, how they will be configured, when our leadership meetings will be, etc. Can't wait to hear God lead us. I hope to share next week.
Dinner is almost here, so I better be off.
We talked about faithful in little / faithful in much, and taking care of what God has given us. One of the ladies made an application to her own life. She said, "You know, I think if I took better care of this, God would see I can take care of it and he might give me a better one down the road." Yes, yes, yes!!!!!! She connected the dots! It's so rewarding to see the light bulbs go on! Wahoooo!
We're getting ready for the advance. Our toner went out last night so Greg is picking some up before we go to our Bible study on the westside. The food is bought, the binders are put together, the particulars and directions have been emailed and other than one paper I need to print for an ice breaker, I'm done. Greg has some more to do, not sure what, but after we work a few hours tomorrow morning, we'll be off. I hope to post some pictures when we get back. We get to decide on what ministries we'll offer, when our services will be, how they will be configured, when our leadership meetings will be, etc. Can't wait to hear God lead us. I hope to share next week.
Dinner is almost here, so I better be off.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Happy Super Bowl Sunday!
God is moving! Thank you for praying for our 3 prayer needs: a building, a Worship Director, and a Christian Education Director. We are seeing things happen in all three of these areas. Nothing is in stone yet, so keep praying but they look promising!
We had our third board meeting yesterday. Please pray for John Dupree, one of our board members. He has been ill since returning from a conference and stayed home last Thursday from a Missions Pastor's luncheon he was putting on last week in hopes he would be better to attend our board meeting. Unfortunately, he was too ill to attend. We did finalize our Constitution and By-laws and update the board on everything God has been doing. Our leadership team arrived and met two of the board members and shared their hearts and histories. Then we stopped and had lunch before Roger headed back to Mariposa. We finished with our leadership meeting, with me teaching this time.
I must say God has been growing me in the area of hospitality. I am actually enjoying preparing meals for groups and sharing our home. After the leadership meeting, Greg and I had to go to work for an hour or two and finish up some maintenance. It was a good, eventful, full, joyful, variety-packed day.
Today I made my famous butt-cake for the Superbowl. I blogged about this last year, so I won't bore you with the details. I did a few things differently, and it came out better than it ever has. Yeah!
Today I work at my desk and take Kristen shopping for a formal and shoes before the Superbowl madness starts. I think I also have to do the shopping for the advance. My fridge is pretty full from yesterday, so maybe I'll wait until Tuesday night.
Blessings on this sunny, clear, warm Super Bowl Sunday. Go 9ers! Okay, go Cardinals. (Greg's team, he's a Kurt Warner fan).
We had our third board meeting yesterday. Please pray for John Dupree, one of our board members. He has been ill since returning from a conference and stayed home last Thursday from a Missions Pastor's luncheon he was putting on last week in hopes he would be better to attend our board meeting. Unfortunately, he was too ill to attend. We did finalize our Constitution and By-laws and update the board on everything God has been doing. Our leadership team arrived and met two of the board members and shared their hearts and histories. Then we stopped and had lunch before Roger headed back to Mariposa. We finished with our leadership meeting, with me teaching this time.
I must say God has been growing me in the area of hospitality. I am actually enjoying preparing meals for groups and sharing our home. After the leadership meeting, Greg and I had to go to work for an hour or two and finish up some maintenance. It was a good, eventful, full, joyful, variety-packed day.
Today I made my famous butt-cake for the Superbowl. I blogged about this last year, so I won't bore you with the details. I did a few things differently, and it came out better than it ever has. Yeah!
Today I work at my desk and take Kristen shopping for a formal and shoes before the Superbowl madness starts. I think I also have to do the shopping for the advance. My fridge is pretty full from yesterday, so maybe I'll wait until Tuesday night.
Blessings on this sunny, clear, warm Super Bowl Sunday. Go 9ers! Okay, go Cardinals. (Greg's team, he's a Kurt Warner fan).
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