As your church or ministry grows and impacts more and more people, you're going to make a startling discovery:
Not everyone will be celebrating your success with you.
And I'm talking about other pastors and Christian ministry leaders here.
Unfortunately, as we have found out here in Peru as well as in the USA, and as many of you have learned all around the world, the church is full of envy and jealousy and pride and comparison and competition.
If you discover that you are having more success than another church or ministry, then you run the risk of being filled with pride.
If you discover that you are having less success than another church or ministry, then you run the risk of being filled with jealousy and envy.
Galatians 6:4-5 (The Message) warns against this when it says, "Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."
We're all supposed to be on the same team here.
Stop comparing and competing with other churches and ministries. Always be on the lookout for competition, comparison, pride, envy, and jealousy creeping into your soul. They threaten to serve as the deadly weeds which will choke the life out of your church or ministry.
www.twitter.com/StephenGuschov
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pay Attention
In the past few months in Lima, hundreds of pedestrians have been hit by cars and buses while crossing the city's congested streets. The problem is that pedestrians now pay more attention to their cell phone, BlackBerry, iPod, iTouch, or MP3, than they do to oncoming traffic. Then they get hit.
There have been dozens of deaths in Lima in recent months, all because pedestrians were not paying attention.
Are you paying attention to what's going on around you?
Hebrews 2:1 (NIV) says, "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."
I don't think that Paul wrote this as he was crossing a street in Lima, Peru, but he might as well have been. His exhortation for us to pay attention here - to the gospel message - is something that we also can embrace on a wider level.
Pay attention to those around you. Pay attention to your communities. Pay attention to the unreached wherever you are in the world. Pay attention to what God is doing in your part of the world, and join it. Pay attention to what the enemy is trying to do to trip you up, and avoid it.
Pay attention all around you, so that you and your church and ministry do not drift away!
There have been dozens of deaths in Lima in recent months, all because pedestrians were not paying attention.
Are you paying attention to what's going on around you?
Hebrews 2:1 (NIV) says, "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."
I don't think that Paul wrote this as he was crossing a street in Lima, Peru, but he might as well have been. His exhortation for us to pay attention here - to the gospel message - is something that we also can embrace on a wider level.
Pay attention to those around you. Pay attention to your communities. Pay attention to the unreached wherever you are in the world. Pay attention to what God is doing in your part of the world, and join it. Pay attention to what the enemy is trying to do to trip you up, and avoid it.
Pay attention all around you, so that you and your church and ministry do not drift away!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Accounting
Jeffry Picower, age 67, was found dead on Sunday at the bottom of the pool at his oceanside, multi-million-dollar mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, one of the most exclusive communities in all of the USA.
Picower had made $7 billion off of the investment schemes hatched by now-jailed-for-life financial manager Bernard Madoff. Picower was considered the fraud's biggest beneficiary, and had been considered one of the richest men in the entire world.
Now he's dead.
And not a dollar's worth of his money went with him.
Romans 14:12 (NIV), "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."
What will your account be like?
www.twitter.com/StephenGuschov
Picower had made $7 billion off of the investment schemes hatched by now-jailed-for-life financial manager Bernard Madoff. Picower was considered the fraud's biggest beneficiary, and had been considered one of the richest men in the entire world.
Now he's dead.
And not a dollar's worth of his money went with him.
Romans 14:12 (NIV), "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."
What will your account be like?
www.twitter.com/StephenGuschov
Friday, October 23, 2009
William Shakespeare & The Bible
Was William Shakespeare involved in the translation of the King James Version of the Bible?
The KJV was first published in 1611, when Shakespeare was 46 years old and near the end of his prolific life. He would die 5 years later in 1616.
Because of Shakespeare's literary prowess, and given the fact that the KJV was published in England during his lifetime, there have always been rumors and conjecture that Shakespeare may have been involved in the translation of the KJV.
Psalm 46 may provide a clue.
Remember that Shakespeare would have been 46 years old when the KJV was first published.
Now look at Psalm 46, verses 3 and 9, in the KJV.
Psalm 46:3 contains the word "shake."
Psalm 46:9 contains the word "spear."
Some people believe that Shakespeare was involved in the KJV, and that he deliberately snuck those two words into Psalm 46:3 and Psalm 46:9 to put his signature on the work.
Is it true?
I have no idea.
But it makes for a fascinating coincidence, if nothing else!
The KJV was first published in 1611, when Shakespeare was 46 years old and near the end of his prolific life. He would die 5 years later in 1616.
Because of Shakespeare's literary prowess, and given the fact that the KJV was published in England during his lifetime, there have always been rumors and conjecture that Shakespeare may have been involved in the translation of the KJV.
Psalm 46 may provide a clue.
Remember that Shakespeare would have been 46 years old when the KJV was first published.
Now look at Psalm 46, verses 3 and 9, in the KJV.
Psalm 46:3 contains the word "shake."
Psalm 46:9 contains the word "spear."
Some people believe that Shakespeare was involved in the KJV, and that he deliberately snuck those two words into Psalm 46:3 and Psalm 46:9 to put his signature on the work.
Is it true?
I have no idea.
But it makes for a fascinating coincidence, if nothing else!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
A Multi-Site Church Road Trip
There's another great book out that I want to recommend to you, especially if you're involved with church plants or multi-site church campuses on a national or an international level.
The new book - hot off the presses this month - is called "A Multi-Site Church Road Trip." It's written by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird.
The book details how "the multi-site church movement is changing the shape of the church" and how this "has become the 'new normal' for growing churches." The multi-site churches described in the book "are broadening their options for evangelism, service, and outreach - while making better use of their ministry funds."
The book also has a whole chapter entitled "Going Global" which details how it is now possible "for a church to have a campus in another country thousands of miles away, and many churches are developing a stronger level of missionary partnership in the process."
Warren Bird interviewed me for the "Going Global" chapter in the book, so there's lots of information about our FRC multi-site church campus here in Lima, Peru, and how we make it all work despite being thousands of miles away from the USA.
If you have gone multi-site, or if you are thinking about doing so, then this book is a must-read.
The new book - hot off the presses this month - is called "A Multi-Site Church Road Trip." It's written by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird.
The book details how "the multi-site church movement is changing the shape of the church" and how this "has become the 'new normal' for growing churches." The multi-site churches described in the book "are broadening their options for evangelism, service, and outreach - while making better use of their ministry funds."
The book also has a whole chapter entitled "Going Global" which details how it is now possible "for a church to have a campus in another country thousands of miles away, and many churches are developing a stronger level of missionary partnership in the process."
Warren Bird interviewed me for the "Going Global" chapter in the book, so there's lots of information about our FRC multi-site church campus here in Lima, Peru, and how we make it all work despite being thousands of miles away from the USA.
If you have gone multi-site, or if you are thinking about doing so, then this book is a must-read.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Money, Money, Money
As an international church in Lima, Peru, we have members from all over South America, North America, Europe, and Asia. Last Sunday we saw further evidence of the internationality of our church, as we received tithes and offerings in four different currencies: Peruvian soles, US dollars, British pounds, and Euros, too!
Receiving tithes and offerings in multiple currencies is a blessing, and this also presents us with an education opportunity.
For instance, we have learned that when going to exchange money into local currency, the best exchange rates tend to be with the authorized money changers on the streets of Lima. The currency exchange kiosks at the airport tend to charge the highest fees and commissions, and tend to offer the least generous exchange rates, and the local banks here are not much better. The authorized money changers on the streets, at least in Lima, offer the best exchange rates for US dollars, British pounds, and Euros.
This issue is very important to bear in mind, particularly if you are part of an international church or ministry that is involved with multiple currencies. Do not automatically assume that a bank or an airport exchange kiosk will offer you the best exchange rate. In fact, they probably will not. You may have more success on the street, if such money changers exist wherever it is that you are doing church or ministry.
As part of our responsibility to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, it is important for us to always be cognizant of where we can get the best return rate on God's money when we are exchanging His currencies.
Receiving tithes and offerings in multiple currencies is a blessing, and this also presents us with an education opportunity.
For instance, we have learned that when going to exchange money into local currency, the best exchange rates tend to be with the authorized money changers on the streets of Lima. The currency exchange kiosks at the airport tend to charge the highest fees and commissions, and tend to offer the least generous exchange rates, and the local banks here are not much better. The authorized money changers on the streets, at least in Lima, offer the best exchange rates for US dollars, British pounds, and Euros.
This issue is very important to bear in mind, particularly if you are part of an international church or ministry that is involved with multiple currencies. Do not automatically assume that a bank or an airport exchange kiosk will offer you the best exchange rate. In fact, they probably will not. You may have more success on the street, if such money changers exist wherever it is that you are doing church or ministry.
As part of our responsibility to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, it is important for us to always be cognizant of where we can get the best return rate on God's money when we are exchanging His currencies.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day
One of the best books that I've read in recent months is "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day" by Pastor Mark Batterson.
Batterson is the pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, USA. NCC is a multisite church that meets in cinemas located at metro stops in the Washington area. It's kind of cool to read a book by another pastor who does church in a cinema.
Batterson's book tells the reader "how to survive and thrive when opportunity roars." Batterson asks the reader, "What if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you, is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure ... your greatest fear?"
Batterson's book is based on 2 Samuel 23:20-21, when a valiant warrior named Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit on a snowy day and killed the great beast.
Most people don't chase lions.
Most people are chased by lions instead.
Sometimes that makes all the difference between success and failure in life and in ministry.
Who or what are the lions in your life and ministry?
Start chasing those lions, instead of them chasing you!
Batterson is the pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, USA. NCC is a multisite church that meets in cinemas located at metro stops in the Washington area. It's kind of cool to read a book by another pastor who does church in a cinema.
Batterson's book tells the reader "how to survive and thrive when opportunity roars." Batterson asks the reader, "What if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you, is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure ... your greatest fear?"
Batterson's book is based on 2 Samuel 23:20-21, when a valiant warrior named Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit on a snowy day and killed the great beast.
Most people don't chase lions.
Most people are chased by lions instead.
Sometimes that makes all the difference between success and failure in life and in ministry.
Who or what are the lions in your life and ministry?
Start chasing those lions, instead of them chasing you!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Beggar & The BMW
BMW makes a great automobile, but there are times when I wonder about some of the people driving them.
Like today.
This morning, Dorcas and I were stopped at a red light in downtown Lima. Just ahead of us was a large blue BMW sedan. A wonderful car. Just ahead of the BMW was a beggar, a man that we know, a man with no arms. Zero arms. He spends his days by going from car to car, begging for spare change, and asking people to drop the coins directly into his shirt pocket.
As we watched the armless man go from car to car ahead of us, we saw some people drop coins into his shirt pocket. Taxi drivers, in particular, seemed to be very sympathetic and generous.
Then the man approached the driver of the BMW, a car which probably costs more money than the beggar will ever see in his entire life.
As the beggar approached the driver's side window, the man piloting the BMW refused to even acknowledge him.
The driver just kept staring ahead. He didn't roll down his window, he didn't give the beggar any money, he didn't even shake his head to say no to him.
He just kept staring ahead, ignoring the man.
This reminds me of the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.
The rich man apparently ignored the beggar Lazarus for his entire life, and then, from hell, saw Lazarus resting comfortably at Abraham's side.
The rich man faced an eternity in agony, while Lazarus faced an eternity in comfort.
The rich man had lived a life full of the finest luxuries that his world could offer. Maybe he even drove a BMW, too.
But he ignored the beggar Lazarus, to his eternal regret.
The driver of the car today in Lima could have been operating a BMW or a Mercedes or an Audi or a Porsche or a Hummer.
It is not his car that matters.
It is his heart.
Who are you ignoring today? Who is it that makes you feel uncomfortable? Who is it that you are trying to avoid?
Be careful. In doing so, you may be missing an opportunity to show the love of Christ to someone.
And someday soon, be it here on earth or later in eternity, you may regret it.
Like today.
This morning, Dorcas and I were stopped at a red light in downtown Lima. Just ahead of us was a large blue BMW sedan. A wonderful car. Just ahead of the BMW was a beggar, a man that we know, a man with no arms. Zero arms. He spends his days by going from car to car, begging for spare change, and asking people to drop the coins directly into his shirt pocket.
As we watched the armless man go from car to car ahead of us, we saw some people drop coins into his shirt pocket. Taxi drivers, in particular, seemed to be very sympathetic and generous.
Then the man approached the driver of the BMW, a car which probably costs more money than the beggar will ever see in his entire life.
As the beggar approached the driver's side window, the man piloting the BMW refused to even acknowledge him.
The driver just kept staring ahead. He didn't roll down his window, he didn't give the beggar any money, he didn't even shake his head to say no to him.
He just kept staring ahead, ignoring the man.
This reminds me of the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.
The rich man apparently ignored the beggar Lazarus for his entire life, and then, from hell, saw Lazarus resting comfortably at Abraham's side.
The rich man faced an eternity in agony, while Lazarus faced an eternity in comfort.
The rich man had lived a life full of the finest luxuries that his world could offer. Maybe he even drove a BMW, too.
But he ignored the beggar Lazarus, to his eternal regret.
The driver of the car today in Lima could have been operating a BMW or a Mercedes or an Audi or a Porsche or a Hummer.
It is not his car that matters.
It is his heart.
Who are you ignoring today? Who is it that makes you feel uncomfortable? Who is it that you are trying to avoid?
Be careful. In doing so, you may be missing an opportunity to show the love of Christ to someone.
And someday soon, be it here on earth or later in eternity, you may regret it.
Friday, October 9, 2009
French Fries
There's a great hamburger franchise here in Lima called Bembo's. My wife, Dorcas, & I go there a lot & we love it. Where else can you get a jungle-style hamburger with a fried egg and a grilled banana on it?
One time Dorcas & I were at Bembo's and we saw a father & son approach the counter. The father ordered a small burger & fries for his son, who was probably about 5 years old, & nothing for himself.
The order soon arrived, & the father & son went & sat at a booth. The son tore into the burger & fries with gusto.
After a moment, the father asked the son if he could have a one french fry.
The little boy got a very mean look on his little face, said no, & then placed his hands over his french fries as if to keep them away from his father!
It was an amusing scene, to say the least.
But then I had a thought:
Don't we do the same thing with God?
God gave us everything. God gave us our health, our physical strength, our talents, our income, our home, our car, our food, our hamburgers, & even our french fries.
And then God asks us to give Him 10% back, in the form of a tithe.
And usually we say no.
It has been reported that only about 3% of people who call themselves Christians in the USA actually tithe to their local church.
Only 3%!
That means that only 3% of USA Christians are willing to give God a french fry.
The other 97% are saying no to God, & covering their fries with their hands.
I believe that the percentages are probably about the same all around the world.
So which camp are you in?
Are you giving God a fry, or are you covering your fries with your hands?
God made the french fries, & gave you the money to buy them, and could knock you out & forcefully take all of your fries from you if He wanted to do so.
But He doesn't want to do so.
He wants you to be cheerfully & voluntarily willing to give Him a fry.
Will you do so?
Will you give God a fry?
Or are you still covering them all up with your hands?
One time Dorcas & I were at Bembo's and we saw a father & son approach the counter. The father ordered a small burger & fries for his son, who was probably about 5 years old, & nothing for himself.
The order soon arrived, & the father & son went & sat at a booth. The son tore into the burger & fries with gusto.
After a moment, the father asked the son if he could have a one french fry.
The little boy got a very mean look on his little face, said no, & then placed his hands over his french fries as if to keep them away from his father!
It was an amusing scene, to say the least.
But then I had a thought:
Don't we do the same thing with God?
God gave us everything. God gave us our health, our physical strength, our talents, our income, our home, our car, our food, our hamburgers, & even our french fries.
And then God asks us to give Him 10% back, in the form of a tithe.
And usually we say no.
It has been reported that only about 3% of people who call themselves Christians in the USA actually tithe to their local church.
Only 3%!
That means that only 3% of USA Christians are willing to give God a french fry.
The other 97% are saying no to God, & covering their fries with their hands.
I believe that the percentages are probably about the same all around the world.
So which camp are you in?
Are you giving God a fry, or are you covering your fries with your hands?
God made the french fries, & gave you the money to buy them, and could knock you out & forcefully take all of your fries from you if He wanted to do so.
But He doesn't want to do so.
He wants you to be cheerfully & voluntarily willing to give Him a fry.
Will you do so?
Will you give God a fry?
Or are you still covering them all up with your hands?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Circumstances
Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist. He also was a Holocaust survivor.
Frankl wrote a book about his experiences as a concentration camp inmate. It was entitled "Man's Search for Meaning."
In the book, Frankl observed, "Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
Remember: Frankl wrote these words as a concentration camp inmate. His wife, his parents, and several other family members were all killed in the Holocaust. Only he and his sister survived.
Frankl's impactful words remind me somewhat of those of Paul in Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV), when he states, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances ... I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation ...."
Frankl may or may not have been content in his concentration camp situation, but he guarded his attitude, even in such a horrific set of circumstances. That much he was able to choose.
How's your attitude these days?
It's unlikely that you are reading this post from inside a concentration camp but, even so, you may be struggling with your circumstances and your attitude.
Draw stength from the words of Paul and Viktor Frankl. Both men found themselves witnesses to some of the most vile examples of evil in the history of mankind, yet both men wrote about how they were able to rise above their horrifying situations.
You must similarly choose your own way.
This is one choice that is yours, and yours alone, to make.
It is the one freedom that can never be taken away from you.
Treat it as such.
Frankl wrote a book about his experiences as a concentration camp inmate. It was entitled "Man's Search for Meaning."
In the book, Frankl observed, "Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
Remember: Frankl wrote these words as a concentration camp inmate. His wife, his parents, and several other family members were all killed in the Holocaust. Only he and his sister survived.
Frankl's impactful words remind me somewhat of those of Paul in Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV), when he states, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances ... I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation ...."
Frankl may or may not have been content in his concentration camp situation, but he guarded his attitude, even in such a horrific set of circumstances. That much he was able to choose.
How's your attitude these days?
It's unlikely that you are reading this post from inside a concentration camp but, even so, you may be struggling with your circumstances and your attitude.
Draw stength from the words of Paul and Viktor Frankl. Both men found themselves witnesses to some of the most vile examples of evil in the history of mankind, yet both men wrote about how they were able to rise above their horrifying situations.
You must similarly choose your own way.
This is one choice that is yours, and yours alone, to make.
It is the one freedom that can never be taken away from you.
Treat it as such.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Masks
Halloween is still four weeks away, but this Sunday we are giving out masks to everyone who attends our services in Lima, Peru.
This Sunday's teaching deals with how we need to be more transparent in our relationship with Christ, as well as in our relationships with others, and so we will be handing out masks to all attendees, and then encouraging them at the end of the services to come forward and to nail their masks to the cross, as a symbol of future relationship transparency in their lives, as well as in their spiritual walks.
What mask are you wearing today that you must take off?
How can you be more transparent in your church, in your ministry, in your relationships, and in your life?
This Sunday's teaching deals with how we need to be more transparent in our relationship with Christ, as well as in our relationships with others, and so we will be handing out masks to all attendees, and then encouraging them at the end of the services to come forward and to nail their masks to the cross, as a symbol of future relationship transparency in their lives, as well as in their spiritual walks.
What mask are you wearing today that you must take off?
How can you be more transparent in your church, in your ministry, in your relationships, and in your life?
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