Clearly, being a Christian is more than being born again, not dressing like the opposite sex, or believing in one God. Those are certainly a part, but not the entirety. Being a Christian should envelop one’s life. My Christian experience is therefore somehow related to everything I am or do. Obviously it takes a lot of living to get all the wrinkles ironed out, but the end goal is “complete in Christ” and to "walk even as He walked” (Colossian 2:10, 1 John 2:6).
The process of becoming Christ-like is simplified when one recognizes the comprehensive nature of the philosophy of Christ. There is a comprehensive mental approach to this thing. There is a set of basic principles or concepts underlying the particular sphere of Christian knowledge. These concepts can be systematically examined – have been in many cases – to produce concrete and distinguishable morays and principles attendant to Christ-likeness.
A set of values is at the heart of this philosophy. Values are commonly defined as the accepted principles or standards of a person or a group. Common examples are “family values,” “conservative values,” or “green values.” The issue is not having values though. Everyone has values of one nature or another. The philosophy of Christ has biblical values, apostolic values, or Christ-like values.
For values to become a part of our unconscious life and lived in our conscious one – the goal – we need to understand them, embrace them, and daily cultivate our ability to live them. Belief is not the issue. Defending them publicly is not the issue. Living them consistently is the issue. To do so, one must understand, embrace, and cultivate the philosophy of Christ.
Setting up a framework for my values simplifies the learning and adaption process. Let me suggest the following beginning. We need to have;
o Personal values relating to how we manage our private lives and personal business
o Spiritual values relating to our walk with God
o Relational values relating to how we interact with other people
o Financial values relating to our responsibilities as stewards of God’s provisions
o Family values relating to how we handle our familial roles and responsibilities
o Ministry values relating to how we conduct our personal ministry
This framework allows one to begin articulating his or her values concerning each of these overarching concepts. For example, one might say regarding ministry that he or she believes it is critical that every believer fulfills his or her calling within the body of Christ. Or, one might say regarding familial values that he or she believes that Christian communities can only thrive when the family units that make up the fellowship are pleasing God and resemble the biblical model for family.
The Psalmist said it best, Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts... Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should” (Psalms 119:1-7 (NLT).
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
We call Pentecost an experience. If an experience is active involvement in an activity or exposure to events and people over a period of time, how much of Pentecost have we experienced? Have we plumbed its depths? Have we seen its heights? Have we been to its boarders? Have we at least got a precursory glimpse at all it has to offer? I doubt it!Here’s the problem; the environmental conditions around us have a lot to do with our experiences. For instance, gaming might be the opiate of children in America, but it means nothing to the millions of children in developing nations. Gaming means nothing to the child in Africa whose family does not have clean, running water let alone electricity. So, if my religious environment does not include some element of genuine Book of Acts Pentecostalism where does that leave my Pentecostal experience?
Lord, in addition to deeply rooted values and convictions, please give me an open mind...
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Differentiating cats
Early this morning, one of my boys and I were sitting outside enjoying in the cool fresh air on the patio when he made an incredible discovery. We were watching our two cats and He said; “you know how you can tell the difference between a boy cat and a girl cat?” Of course I had to inquire. He proceeded to tell me “girl cats have scrunchy faces and boy cats have their tails down most of the time.” Of course I accepted this logic as profound for his sake and we changed subjects.
Now I realize that is really silly and that is the logic of a little boy just beginning to understand life. I realize that idea is absolutely absurd, but this episode of life as a dad gave me some pause. I asked myself, how many times have I reached some kind of far off conclusion about an issue based on casual, misinformed observation? How many times have I drawn a conclusion about something without solid information to base my decision on or without giving it much study?
Sadly, way too many times! Unfortunately it is very easy to approach life the same way my boy approached differentiating the cats. Here is how it works; we make some observations which seem logical with the information we have on hand, we stake our claim to those observations, and we react or base our actions on them. The outcomes generally result in us telling someone that it seemed like a good idea at a time.
My prayer this morning is that God will help me pause more often in life to give it more thought. My prayer is that God will help me understand the crucial importance of well-informed and well-thought out. My prayer is that God will impress on me the blessings that come from 3D vision – hindsight, insight, and foresight.
Now I realize that is really silly and that is the logic of a little boy just beginning to understand life. I realize that idea is absolutely absurd, but this episode of life as a dad gave me some pause. I asked myself, how many times have I reached some kind of far off conclusion about an issue based on casual, misinformed observation? How many times have I drawn a conclusion about something without solid information to base my decision on or without giving it much study?
Sadly, way too many times! Unfortunately it is very easy to approach life the same way my boy approached differentiating the cats. Here is how it works; we make some observations which seem logical with the information we have on hand, we stake our claim to those observations, and we react or base our actions on them. The outcomes generally result in us telling someone that it seemed like a good idea at a time.
My prayer this morning is that God will help me pause more often in life to give it more thought. My prayer is that God will help me understand the crucial importance of well-informed and well-thought out. My prayer is that God will impress on me the blessings that come from 3D vision – hindsight, insight, and foresight.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Strategy and structure
Two of the most consequential dynamics affecting the success of any organization is how it is structured and what its chosen strategy is. Great organizations that do great things do so because they pass the right structure and strategy test. Or, God is just really merciful and kind.
Strategy is the science or art of planning and conducting a war or campaign. Strategy involves a keen awareness of the current situation, foresight, and a willingness to take risks. These elements are functional when guided by tactical expertise, logistical mastery, and meticulous planning skills. The strategist looks at the big picture. He identifies obstacles and opportunities. He sets the long-term goal. After which he plans and executes the process of reaching that goal.
Structure refers to how something is put together. It is also an organizational system made up of interrelated parts functioning as a whole. The combustible engine is a structure. It has many parts that work together to create a result. With this illustration, it is easy to see what happens when the structure is poor or any one part of the structure is poor. The desired result is poorly achieved or not achieved at all. Can anyone say Ford Pinto?
Normally, when someone starts a new organization or takes over an existing one, he or she defaults to the most common organizational structures. With a local church, it includes pastor, assistant pastor, secretary/treasurer, department heads, and a music department. With one decision, an organization’s structure is determined and inadvertently so is the process by which the organization does business and how successful the organization is going to be in the long run.
I do not think our movement needs any more outside the box ideas. It needs innovation in the area of strategy and structure. The difference between the creative and the innovative is the creative comes up with great ideas while the innovative brings great ideas to fruition. Instead of running a whole bunch of new ideas out, we need to clarify our strategy. Instead of designing a new marketing ploy we need to implement innovate structures that empower people and decentralizes control.
If our organizations are going to succeed, we need innovation and we need it now. I realize that means old hats might not find themselves holding down the same role or responsibility. I realize this innovative approach might redefine cherished assumptions or power positions. I realize that new systems generally trump old systems and that people who cannot adapt to the new are generally displaced by people who can. I also realize this is not vindictive or mean-spirited; it is just the natural by-products of growth and adaption. We all want growth right?
Business history illustrates that companies that survive and thrive have a few common characteristics. They all have well-defined core values. They all have well-defined missions. They all have the ability to retool and reengineer themselves when times and circumstances demand change. I think the Word of God provides us the first two. There are well-defined apostolic values. There is a well-defined mission. The only thing we do not have at this point in time is the ability – or willingness – to redefine our strategy and structure as times and circumstances demand.
Strategy is the science or art of planning and conducting a war or campaign. Strategy involves a keen awareness of the current situation, foresight, and a willingness to take risks. These elements are functional when guided by tactical expertise, logistical mastery, and meticulous planning skills. The strategist looks at the big picture. He identifies obstacles and opportunities. He sets the long-term goal. After which he plans and executes the process of reaching that goal.
Structure refers to how something is put together. It is also an organizational system made up of interrelated parts functioning as a whole. The combustible engine is a structure. It has many parts that work together to create a result. With this illustration, it is easy to see what happens when the structure is poor or any one part of the structure is poor. The desired result is poorly achieved or not achieved at all. Can anyone say Ford Pinto?
Normally, when someone starts a new organization or takes over an existing one, he or she defaults to the most common organizational structures. With a local church, it includes pastor, assistant pastor, secretary/treasurer, department heads, and a music department. With one decision, an organization’s structure is determined and inadvertently so is the process by which the organization does business and how successful the organization is going to be in the long run.
I do not think our movement needs any more outside the box ideas. It needs innovation in the area of strategy and structure. The difference between the creative and the innovative is the creative comes up with great ideas while the innovative brings great ideas to fruition. Instead of running a whole bunch of new ideas out, we need to clarify our strategy. Instead of designing a new marketing ploy we need to implement innovate structures that empower people and decentralizes control.
If our organizations are going to succeed, we need innovation and we need it now. I realize that means old hats might not find themselves holding down the same role or responsibility. I realize this innovative approach might redefine cherished assumptions or power positions. I realize that new systems generally trump old systems and that people who cannot adapt to the new are generally displaced by people who can. I also realize this is not vindictive or mean-spirited; it is just the natural by-products of growth and adaption. We all want growth right?
Business history illustrates that companies that survive and thrive have a few common characteristics. They all have well-defined core values. They all have well-defined missions. They all have the ability to retool and reengineer themselves when times and circumstances demand change. I think the Word of God provides us the first two. There are well-defined apostolic values. There is a well-defined mission. The only thing we do not have at this point in time is the ability – or willingness – to redefine our strategy and structure as times and circumstances demand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
