Andy Stanley is the founding and lead pastor of Northpoint Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. He is a gifted leader and communicator.
Stanley message at Exponential '08. He expands on these ideas in his small, yet significant book, Making Vision Stick. Anyone who leads in any area of life can benefit from reading this simple book.
Definition: vision is a mental picture of what could be (the dream) fueled by a passion for what should be…
* It always begins as a “burden.
How To Make Vision Stick:
1. State It SIMPLY. Question: What are you trying to accomplish? State it simply and memorably… Keep in mind that “memorable is portable.” Question: What is the vision for your local church?
Some Examples of SIMPLE Mission Statements:Northpoint Church: …create a church that unchurched people love to attend…ONE Campaign: …to make poverty history…Barak Obama: …change… (Can you describe Hillary or McCain’s mission?)All of these statements are memorable... Make your mission clear and compelling…
2. Cast It ConvincinglyExample:
Nehemiah rebuilding the broken down walls in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2)
Casting a convincing mission require at least three things:
• Define the problem: What problem does our vision address? What would go undone if our church ceased to exist?
• Offer the solution: • Explain why and why now: What makes this the right time to pursue this vision. Answering the “why” and “why now” questions will ignite passion… Be very specific!
3. Repeat It RelentlesslyVision leaks…
* You must repeat the vision regularly… Look at the attendance patterns in your church and allot high attendance “peak times” in your calendar to sharing vision.
4. Celebrate It SystematicallyFind ways to celebrate your vision…
* When you “catch” someone living out the vision, celebrate that “win.” Share stories… Show pictures…
* Good Practice: Ask your staff about ministry “wins” in their respective spheres of influence….
5. Embrace It Personally and PubliclyShare what you are doing to personally live out the vision… Share stories about your involvement in evangelism and small groups… People need to know that the leader has “bought in” to the vision and is personally living it out…
Great Stuff!
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
Wednesday
Tuesday
5 Things That Must Happen In A Leader's Life
Here is some notes from Bishop Tony Miller's Affecting Destiny Conference. I really missed going this year but I am getting all the Cd's.
Five Things that Must Happen in Every Leader’s Life
* There is nothing more powerful than a man with a microphone Gandhi took India Martin Luther King Jr. changed America Bin Ladin attacks America through videos The Great
* Commission is not “Y’all Come” but “Go” We have been given the ministry of reconciliation For years in the charismatic move we got hung up on Eph 4:11 – 5 fold This is really your job description… not a badge
* Whatever my function is… that is what I’m supposed to be doing and serving the body There is a shift coming to it being about 4:11-16 Eph 4:14 – FOR the equipping of the saints…
* FOR = ultimate function/intention EDIFYING = mend broken bones, mend broken nets… allows people to be functional and fruitful FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY
* 7 Mountains – saints have assignments in each of the mountains… We are her to equip them to go!
* We have to overcome the dichotomy between sacred and secular This began with the Greek poets (Socrates, Plato) who said that leaders were born rather than created Charisma… gifted by the gods… and you were destined to lead Jesus attacked it (Leadership is not ‘Lording it’ over people, Paul really attacked it (whatever you do, do it to the glory of God!)
* Deliberate mediocrity is sin.
* We only do what heaven gave us permission to do
* When you are pressed on every side… you have a day of visitation. You don’t plan for it but you perceive it
* A whole new realm of authority, breakthrough is coming but ‘will you let me take you there?’
* Quit struggling over whether you have the gifts that others have… God is measuring what he gave you!
* God gives you a realm of authority based on what he called you to do You are not all getting the same thing – some have more gifting than others The key: what did you do with what you are given?
* Leaders miss out when they play it safe and protect what they have Many of us have a theology/lifestyle that is way too safe… we serve a God that is way too safe God intended us to live a life of faith that is full of adventure (a risky, dangerous, undertaking) Many of us theologically are in to faith, but in practicality we play it safe! Matthew 25:26 – You wicked and lazy servant… Those who do nothing with what they are given are classified as wicked and lazy!
* God wants to grow your understanding Every leader has to be a continual learner Bobby Clinton (Leadership Expert) – studied 2300 leaders and only 30% finished well (increase).
* After some momentary success they plateaued in their learning scale – they stopped growing personally I cannot lead thousands if I cannot even lead me
* The Bible still says ‘study to show thyself approved’ God is looking for voices not echos I tell young preachers: as a young leader don’t waste your time but dig a well that you can draw from when the time of your fulfillment comes! Right now, I’m preaching what I got 20 years ago but didn’t have a place to preach it. DIG A WELL!! I used to read 5 books per week, I still read 2-3 per month.
* Your adversary (not Gods!) roams about seeking whom he may desire and he traffics in ignorance. The first thing that God created was light (son was created on the fourth day though) What we have been teaching in our local churches has often been incomplete, not incorrect just incomplete because revelation is progressive.
* Exposure, I have to be willing to expose myself to things I’ve never been exposed to There are people that have keys that will unlock things that are inside of me There is more to the Body of Christ than just your little group.
* You have to keep encountering new things to become everything that God wants There has to be cross pollination for the real blooming of the LORD to come forth.
* St. Augustine wrote a book early in his life, and then another one fifty years later that totally contradicted the first. When asked why he said ‘because I lived 50 years’ It challenges our limiting belief systems… most of us live in mental prisons If Moses hadn’t been adopted he wouldn’t have fulfilled his destiny.
* Effectiveness, stop asking God to give you bigger and ask him to make you better Adding more quantity does not make you bigger Some platforms are simply magnifies them God increase my strength and capacity so I can become effective.
* As a leader we learn to master life at the small dimensions (If you can count to 10 you can count to a billion) If you can master a day… you will master a week Effectiveness = mastering the small dimensions of your life.
* Evaluate Yourself As a leader self-knowledge is far more important than task knowledge. If you know yourself you will not be manipulated by pride into false assignments.
* If you don’t know were you are you will not know how to get to where you want to goMall Map – “you are here”.
* Growth Environment Do I put myself in an atmosphere that sharpens where I’m going. Some people will try and talk you out of your destiny and hinder your growth as an individual.
* Every person that meets you, meets you in a box – but if you get out of that box and they can’t handle it they will become your enemies. Example: shared a story about a pastor he was close friends with… all of a sudden God started to promote him and his friend couldn’t handle it.
* Your biggest challenge for your dream will come from your brethren, not your enemies. Are there relationships in my life that keep trying to pull me back?You will always grow to the threshold of your pain.
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
Five Things that Must Happen in Every Leader’s Life
* There is nothing more powerful than a man with a microphone Gandhi took India Martin Luther King Jr. changed America Bin Ladin attacks America through videos The Great
* Commission is not “Y’all Come” but “Go” We have been given the ministry of reconciliation For years in the charismatic move we got hung up on Eph 4:11 – 5 fold This is really your job description… not a badge
* Whatever my function is… that is what I’m supposed to be doing and serving the body There is a shift coming to it being about 4:11-16 Eph 4:14 – FOR the equipping of the saints…
* FOR = ultimate function/intention EDIFYING = mend broken bones, mend broken nets… allows people to be functional and fruitful FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY
* 7 Mountains – saints have assignments in each of the mountains… We are her to equip them to go!
* We have to overcome the dichotomy between sacred and secular This began with the Greek poets (Socrates, Plato) who said that leaders were born rather than created Charisma… gifted by the gods… and you were destined to lead Jesus attacked it (Leadership is not ‘Lording it’ over people, Paul really attacked it (whatever you do, do it to the glory of God!)
* Deliberate mediocrity is sin.
* We only do what heaven gave us permission to do
* When you are pressed on every side… you have a day of visitation. You don’t plan for it but you perceive it
* A whole new realm of authority, breakthrough is coming but ‘will you let me take you there?’
* Quit struggling over whether you have the gifts that others have… God is measuring what he gave you!
* God gives you a realm of authority based on what he called you to do You are not all getting the same thing – some have more gifting than others The key: what did you do with what you are given?
* Leaders miss out when they play it safe and protect what they have Many of us have a theology/lifestyle that is way too safe… we serve a God that is way too safe God intended us to live a life of faith that is full of adventure (a risky, dangerous, undertaking) Many of us theologically are in to faith, but in practicality we play it safe! Matthew 25:26 – You wicked and lazy servant… Those who do nothing with what they are given are classified as wicked and lazy!
* God wants to grow your understanding Every leader has to be a continual learner Bobby Clinton (Leadership Expert) – studied 2300 leaders and only 30% finished well (increase).
* After some momentary success they plateaued in their learning scale – they stopped growing personally I cannot lead thousands if I cannot even lead me
* The Bible still says ‘study to show thyself approved’ God is looking for voices not echos I tell young preachers: as a young leader don’t waste your time but dig a well that you can draw from when the time of your fulfillment comes! Right now, I’m preaching what I got 20 years ago but didn’t have a place to preach it. DIG A WELL!! I used to read 5 books per week, I still read 2-3 per month.
* Your adversary (not Gods!) roams about seeking whom he may desire and he traffics in ignorance. The first thing that God created was light (son was created on the fourth day though) What we have been teaching in our local churches has often been incomplete, not incorrect just incomplete because revelation is progressive.
* Exposure, I have to be willing to expose myself to things I’ve never been exposed to There are people that have keys that will unlock things that are inside of me There is more to the Body of Christ than just your little group.
* You have to keep encountering new things to become everything that God wants There has to be cross pollination for the real blooming of the LORD to come forth.
* St. Augustine wrote a book early in his life, and then another one fifty years later that totally contradicted the first. When asked why he said ‘because I lived 50 years’ It challenges our limiting belief systems… most of us live in mental prisons If Moses hadn’t been adopted he wouldn’t have fulfilled his destiny.
* Effectiveness, stop asking God to give you bigger and ask him to make you better Adding more quantity does not make you bigger Some platforms are simply magnifies them God increase my strength and capacity so I can become effective.
* As a leader we learn to master life at the small dimensions (If you can count to 10 you can count to a billion) If you can master a day… you will master a week Effectiveness = mastering the small dimensions of your life.
* Evaluate Yourself As a leader self-knowledge is far more important than task knowledge. If you know yourself you will not be manipulated by pride into false assignments.
* If you don’t know were you are you will not know how to get to where you want to goMall Map – “you are here”.
* Growth Environment Do I put myself in an atmosphere that sharpens where I’m going. Some people will try and talk you out of your destiny and hinder your growth as an individual.
* Every person that meets you, meets you in a box – but if you get out of that box and they can’t handle it they will become your enemies. Example: shared a story about a pastor he was close friends with… all of a sudden God started to promote him and his friend couldn’t handle it.
* Your biggest challenge for your dream will come from your brethren, not your enemies. Are there relationships in my life that keep trying to pull me back?You will always grow to the threshold of your pain.
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
Monday
"Honor on Three Levels"
Studying Matthew 10:40-42
"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." NKJV
Jesus is teaching here about honoring people on three different levels of relationship.
1) Prophet (vertical) (those over you)
2) Righteous man (horizontal) (peers)
3) Little ones (those under your care)
* If you receive a prophet (leader) in my name, you will receive their reward.
* If you receive the gift on their life, that gift will fall on you.
* It is easier to esteem highly those over us than it is to esteem those beside us (like us). It is interesting how we treat our spouse much differently when we are dating than we do after we have been married for 15 years.
* Jesus is teaching us that there will be a reward based on how I esteem on all three levels.
* What I can draw out of you is based on how I see you.
* If I receive you, I receive Jesus, and if I receive him, I receive the one who sent Him (father).
I want to learn how to honor on all three levels. Your ability to bless me is not based on how anointed you are, but it is based on how I view you. If I see you as just ordinary Willie, then I will receive nothing, but if I see you as a anointed vessel of God then I will draw out of you something that will bless me.
What is the difference between Benny Hinn and Pastor Willie who is faithful to his Church but is unknown? People will drive hours to see Benny Hinn but because of familiarity (comes based on your close proximity to someone) all they see their Pastor as, is one who marries, buries and visits the sick. The reality is that they both have the same Holy Spirit, they both have an anointing, but the difference is based on how you view them. If I see Pastor Willie as a man of God then I will draw the same power out of him. I receive you based on how I perceive you. If I perceive greatness on you then your greatness will bless me.
I used to think a Church service was based on me praying for three hours but now I know that I can pray all but if you view me as just Craig, then you will receive nothing. I have seen this difference in my life. I remember going to Jamaica and Bolivia and how they honored me as if I was Benny Hinn. I saw God do amazing things there. I have also been to Churches to preach where nothing happened no matter how annointed I was or how powerful my message was. I wanted to get out of there. It was based on how they viewed me. The same blessing that was released in those countries could have been released in that Church.
When Jesus went to one town they saw Him as the son of God, therefore they drew the God nature out of Him and great things happened. When Jesus went to His hometown, they saw Him as just a carpenters boy, therefore they drew nothing out of Him, in fact he could not do many mighty miracles there except to heal a few (colds).
Was is a different Jesus? No
It was the same Jesus, same Holy Spirit, same ability, but different perspectives. One placed great honor releasing power out of Him and the other by not placing value on Him restrained the power on His life.
That's why the bible tells us to esteem others over yourself, to prefer others over yourself. I truly believe that God sends blessings to us every day but because they come in a package we don't like, we miss the blessing. Could it be that the way you treated that waitress this morning rudely hindered a blessing God had for you, could it be that the way you treated your wife robbed you... Could it be that the way you treat your boss or those who work for you is locking up blessings from you. If we can get this I believe it would change our homes, workplaces and our city. I choose to honor those I come in contact with today. You never know who God will send your way that is a key to you receiving your reward.
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." NKJV
Jesus is teaching here about honoring people on three different levels of relationship.
1) Prophet (vertical) (those over you)
2) Righteous man (horizontal) (peers)
3) Little ones (those under your care)
* If you receive a prophet (leader) in my name, you will receive their reward.
* If you receive the gift on their life, that gift will fall on you.
* It is easier to esteem highly those over us than it is to esteem those beside us (like us). It is interesting how we treat our spouse much differently when we are dating than we do after we have been married for 15 years.
* Jesus is teaching us that there will be a reward based on how I esteem on all three levels.
* What I can draw out of you is based on how I see you.
* If I receive you, I receive Jesus, and if I receive him, I receive the one who sent Him (father).
I want to learn how to honor on all three levels. Your ability to bless me is not based on how anointed you are, but it is based on how I view you. If I see you as just ordinary Willie, then I will receive nothing, but if I see you as a anointed vessel of God then I will draw out of you something that will bless me.
What is the difference between Benny Hinn and Pastor Willie who is faithful to his Church but is unknown? People will drive hours to see Benny Hinn but because of familiarity (comes based on your close proximity to someone) all they see their Pastor as, is one who marries, buries and visits the sick. The reality is that they both have the same Holy Spirit, they both have an anointing, but the difference is based on how you view them. If I see Pastor Willie as a man of God then I will draw the same power out of him. I receive you based on how I perceive you. If I perceive greatness on you then your greatness will bless me.
I used to think a Church service was based on me praying for three hours but now I know that I can pray all but if you view me as just Craig, then you will receive nothing. I have seen this difference in my life. I remember going to Jamaica and Bolivia and how they honored me as if I was Benny Hinn. I saw God do amazing things there. I have also been to Churches to preach where nothing happened no matter how annointed I was or how powerful my message was. I wanted to get out of there. It was based on how they viewed me. The same blessing that was released in those countries could have been released in that Church.
When Jesus went to one town they saw Him as the son of God, therefore they drew the God nature out of Him and great things happened. When Jesus went to His hometown, they saw Him as just a carpenters boy, therefore they drew nothing out of Him, in fact he could not do many mighty miracles there except to heal a few (colds).
Was is a different Jesus? No
It was the same Jesus, same Holy Spirit, same ability, but different perspectives. One placed great honor releasing power out of Him and the other by not placing value on Him restrained the power on His life.
That's why the bible tells us to esteem others over yourself, to prefer others over yourself. I truly believe that God sends blessings to us every day but because they come in a package we don't like, we miss the blessing. Could it be that the way you treated that waitress this morning rudely hindered a blessing God had for you, could it be that the way you treated your wife robbed you... Could it be that the way you treat your boss or those who work for you is locking up blessings from you. If we can get this I believe it would change our homes, workplaces and our city. I choose to honor those I come in contact with today. You never know who God will send your way that is a key to you receiving your reward.
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
Friday
"The Power of a Blessing"
Years ago one of my daughters was struggling with her grades in school. She worked very diligently to get good grades but she fell short most of the time. I was praying about this because every true father wants their children to succeed (today fathers are jealous of their kids success). The Lord challenged me through the word to begin to pray blessings daily over my children. As I looked throughout scripture I began to see that the Hebrew and Jewish nation has grasped this powerful revelation. In fact Galatians tells us that the blessing of Abraham has come to us through Christ Jesus (Gen. 12:1-3; Galatians 3:26-29). God told Abraham that though him all the families of the earth would be blessed. The blessing was passed down through the generations through the family tree and was then transferred to the spiritual family through Christ. Today less than 1% of the Jewish nation are in prison or live in poverty. They attract success. They are painted with the fragrance that attracts the blessing of God (Luke 4:18-19).
Secondly, I began to see how this blessing was passed. It was transferred through the laying on of hands and a declaration over the children. We see Abraham blessing his children, Isaac blessing Jacob and Esau, Jacob blessing his sons... I began to daily speak the blessings of Deut. 28; Iss. 54:14-17; Dan 6:3, 1:17,20; Ps. 8:5-6; Ps. 82:6; Ps. 115:14; Ps. 127:3-4; Ps. 5:12). An amazing thing happened, my daughters grades began to improve rapidly. Today she is a " A honor roll student". In fact all my children are "A" students and they are the top of their class(I declare over them they will graduate in the top 10% of their class). This is not because their father is a genius. It is because of the power of the blessing.
Lastly, don't allow other's opinion of your children to change your expectation of them. My youngest daughter was in preschool. She was behind in her learning. The principal of the school wanted to keep her back in preschool and recommended so on the last report card. I once again took this principle and began to apply it over my daughter. We went ahead and placed her in Kindergarten and today when I picked up her report card, the teacher told me that my daughter is one of her top students. Don't ever allow someone else to have the final say over your children. Cancel every negative word and speak God's word over them. I guarantee you, your children will go to new levels immediately!
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
Secondly, I began to see how this blessing was passed. It was transferred through the laying on of hands and a declaration over the children. We see Abraham blessing his children, Isaac blessing Jacob and Esau, Jacob blessing his sons... I began to daily speak the blessings of Deut. 28; Iss. 54:14-17; Dan 6:3, 1:17,20; Ps. 8:5-6; Ps. 82:6; Ps. 115:14; Ps. 127:3-4; Ps. 5:12). An amazing thing happened, my daughters grades began to improve rapidly. Today she is a " A honor roll student". In fact all my children are "A" students and they are the top of their class(I declare over them they will graduate in the top 10% of their class). This is not because their father is a genius. It is because of the power of the blessing.
Lastly, don't allow other's opinion of your children to change your expectation of them. My youngest daughter was in preschool. She was behind in her learning. The principal of the school wanted to keep her back in preschool and recommended so on the last report card. I once again took this principle and began to apply it over my daughter. We went ahead and placed her in Kindergarten and today when I picked up her report card, the teacher told me that my daughter is one of her top students. Don't ever allow someone else to have the final say over your children. Cancel every negative word and speak God's word over them. I guarantee you, your children will go to new levels immediately!
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
"Qualifying Your Vision" (Guest Blogger: Perry Noble)
How Do You Know If Your Vision Is From God?
Great question…here are a few suggestions…
* If you feel confident that you can accomplish what is in front of you with no problem at all…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If no one is angry at you…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If you don’t have to ask anyone to sacrifice to make the vision come true…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If religious people are not steaming at you, blogging about you and/or leaving your church…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If you have the money in the bank to do what God has asked you church to do…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If every step is perfectly designed and nothing happens to totally throw you off along the way…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If someone doesn’t try to talk you out of what you are about to attempt…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If you don’t stay up at night thinking about the vision…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If your vision is in contradiction to God’s Word…then you didn’t hear from God. (And no, you didn’t get a “special revelation” that gave you permission to trump His Word!)
*If you know all of the answers…then you didn’t hear from God.
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
Is Your Vision From God?
Great question…here are a few suggestions…
* If you feel confident that you can accomplish what is in front of you with no problem at all…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If no one is angry at you…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If you don’t have to ask anyone to sacrifice to make the vision come true…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If religious people are not steaming at you, blogging about you and/or leaving your church…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If you have the money in the bank to do what God has asked you church to do…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If every step is perfectly designed and nothing happens to totally throw you off along the way…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If someone doesn’t try to talk you out of what you are about to attempt…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If you don’t stay up at night thinking about the vision…then you didn’t hear from God.
*If your vision is in contradiction to God’s Word…then you didn’t hear from God. (And no, you didn’t get a “special revelation” that gave you permission to trump His Word!)
*If you know all of the answers…then you didn’t hear from God.
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
Is Your Vision From God?
Thursday
"Kill Those Flies"
Ecclesiastes 10:1
Dead flies putrefy (destroy) the perfumer's ointment (anointing) and cause it to give off a foul odor.
God recently challenged me to being a fast along with my wife concerning some things we are believing for. There are in most of us recurring cycles, things that keep reappearing, that pest and hinder us. In fact, I would dare to say that you and I don't have many things that hinder us but one thing. The enemy has studied us, that is his life. He knows are weak spots and he will keep hitting them until we master that area. Whatever you serve, you are a slave to (Romans 6:16). Some of us serve debt, fear, wrong relationship, marriage in havoc, children who are rebellious...
The Lord showed me recently one of the ways we can break free and transition into cycles of victory and blessing. When I live in the south, we had a terrible roach problem. We would have the exterminator come and spray once a month. Every time that he came it was like he was spraying sugar water. The more he sprayed the worse it got. I thought maybe he is spraying sugar water so that he can keep coming back. I found out in a study that when you spray for roaches, it kills only the present living roaches that have hatched but it doesn't kill the eggs. As the eggs hatch they multiply.
This is the way negative cycles work, you go to Church and get temporary relief from the things that pest you, but then several days later the pest problem is multiplied (leaves and returns with seven times more). Satan is referred to in scripture as the Lord of the Flies. Flies are symbolic of negative cycles, or things that hinder you from God best for your life.How do I break the cycles once and for all? I am glad you asked.
Throughout scripture we find the 40 day fast (Jesus, Moses, Paul, Elijah). After each of them finished the fast there was always a breakthrough and release of power. Now I don't believe that fasting moves or takes the limits off God. I do believe however that fasting takes the limits off and positions us to receive what is already ours in spiritual places (Eph. 1:3) but we yet to access and see in reality in our life.
The 40 day fast, will deal with and break all the negative things that continually pest you. Notice that as you go on this fast the further you get the roaches that have been hidden will begin to surface in a swarm. You will experience situation that will appear to say your fast is not working or that you are going down, but really it is an indicator that God is dealing with the hidden things that are keeping you from your next level. Stand fast and press forward you are about to step into a season of release and restoration!
Be Blessed,
Craig Sloan
Dead flies putrefy (destroy) the perfumer's ointment (anointing) and cause it to give off a foul odor.
God recently challenged me to being a fast along with my wife concerning some things we are believing for. There are in most of us recurring cycles, things that keep reappearing, that pest and hinder us. In fact, I would dare to say that you and I don't have many things that hinder us but one thing. The enemy has studied us, that is his life. He knows are weak spots and he will keep hitting them until we master that area. Whatever you serve, you are a slave to (Romans 6:16). Some of us serve debt, fear, wrong relationship, marriage in havoc, children who are rebellious...
The Lord showed me recently one of the ways we can break free and transition into cycles of victory and blessing. When I live in the south, we had a terrible roach problem. We would have the exterminator come and spray once a month. Every time that he came it was like he was spraying sugar water. The more he sprayed the worse it got. I thought maybe he is spraying sugar water so that he can keep coming back. I found out in a study that when you spray for roaches, it kills only the present living roaches that have hatched but it doesn't kill the eggs. As the eggs hatch they multiply.
This is the way negative cycles work, you go to Church and get temporary relief from the things that pest you, but then several days later the pest problem is multiplied (leaves and returns with seven times more). Satan is referred to in scripture as the Lord of the Flies. Flies are symbolic of negative cycles, or things that hinder you from God best for your life.How do I break the cycles once and for all? I am glad you asked.
Throughout scripture we find the 40 day fast (Jesus, Moses, Paul, Elijah). After each of them finished the fast there was always a breakthrough and release of power. Now I don't believe that fasting moves or takes the limits off God. I do believe however that fasting takes the limits off and positions us to receive what is already ours in spiritual places (Eph. 1:3) but we yet to access and see in reality in our life.
The 40 day fast, will deal with and break all the negative things that continually pest you. Notice that as you go on this fast the further you get the roaches that have been hidden will begin to surface in a swarm. You will experience situation that will appear to say your fast is not working or that you are going down, but really it is an indicator that God is dealing with the hidden things that are keeping you from your next level. Stand fast and press forward you are about to step into a season of release and restoration!
Be Blessed,
Craig Sloan
Wednesday
"2 Major Issues With Church Today"
I have heard many times over the years Churches being criticized for entertainment. The very meaning of entertainment is to "captivate some one's attention". One of the reasons Churches have been in decline is because we have become irrelevant to the culture and times that we live in and sometimes we are just plain boring. We want people to flock our services and enlist for membership but we are still doing Church like they did in the 50's. We don't want old cars, old washing machines or clothes but we still want old time religion. No wonder we are losing our youth generation to MTV. Let's get with the times. It has been proven that your biggeste competition is not the Churches down the road but Target, Walmart, Starbucks, Sports...
I believe we should use the best technology and tools that have been provided to create an atmosphere where people can be engaged causing life transformation. Our method is not sacred but our message is. Whatver it takes to reach our city and bring them into a relationship with Christ.
Here are some ways we can do this:
* Gear your music towards your target audience, if you are reaching the young unchurched generation then you may need to change your music from traditional to contemporary. Paul said, "I try to find common ground with everyone so that I may bring them to Christ" (1 Cor. 9:22 NLT). In other words I have to determine the language and culture of those I am wanting to reach and be willing to adapt even if it doesn't fit my personal preferences.
* Dress according to the culture you are ministering to. As I have studied some of the fastest growing Churches, I have seen that they are not wearing three piece suits and alligator shoes but they are wearing blue jeans and shirts without ties. Here is the reason why, you attract who you are. If you want to attract Church people (conversion growth) keep the traditional music and dress in your decked out suits but if you want to reach the unchurched dress accordingly. After all it is not the fancy clothes that make you who you are, it is what is on the inside.
* Change from paper bulletins to media presentations. Redemption World Outreach Center in Greenville, SC uses a captivating media presentation to announce their important announcements. This not only saves paper and money but in a recent study it was noted that less than 30 percent of Church goers even look at the bulletin much less remember what is in it. Over 75 percent of learning is now visual.
* Use videos to lead in to your messages. People watch movies and there are some great clips out there that will give some pizazz to your message.
* Focus on improving your foyer (hang out area). Many of the fastest growing Churches are spending more on their foyers than they are the sanctuary. The number one reason people go to Church is to connect. What better way to accomplish this than to make your foyer a place to hang out through a coffee center, tables, music playing... Starbucks has mastered the art of creating environments that attract people.
* Preach Series that are answering the questions that people are asking. Bishop Tony said several years ago that most of the preachers today are answering questions that nobody is asking. The bible is as current today as today's newspaper. Do series that address the issues of the culture that you live in such as dating, building families, parenting, sex, finances, marriage, setting goals for your life. What are the questions that your city is asking. After you decide your series, promote, promote, promote! Use posters, video lead ins, mail outs, banners and so much more.
To be continued...
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
I believe we should use the best technology and tools that have been provided to create an atmosphere where people can be engaged causing life transformation. Our method is not sacred but our message is. Whatver it takes to reach our city and bring them into a relationship with Christ.
Here are some ways we can do this:
* Gear your music towards your target audience, if you are reaching the young unchurched generation then you may need to change your music from traditional to contemporary. Paul said, "I try to find common ground with everyone so that I may bring them to Christ" (1 Cor. 9:22 NLT). In other words I have to determine the language and culture of those I am wanting to reach and be willing to adapt even if it doesn't fit my personal preferences.
* Dress according to the culture you are ministering to. As I have studied some of the fastest growing Churches, I have seen that they are not wearing three piece suits and alligator shoes but they are wearing blue jeans and shirts without ties. Here is the reason why, you attract who you are. If you want to attract Church people (conversion growth) keep the traditional music and dress in your decked out suits but if you want to reach the unchurched dress accordingly. After all it is not the fancy clothes that make you who you are, it is what is on the inside.
* Change from paper bulletins to media presentations. Redemption World Outreach Center in Greenville, SC uses a captivating media presentation to announce their important announcements. This not only saves paper and money but in a recent study it was noted that less than 30 percent of Church goers even look at the bulletin much less remember what is in it. Over 75 percent of learning is now visual.
* Use videos to lead in to your messages. People watch movies and there are some great clips out there that will give some pizazz to your message.
* Focus on improving your foyer (hang out area). Many of the fastest growing Churches are spending more on their foyers than they are the sanctuary. The number one reason people go to Church is to connect. What better way to accomplish this than to make your foyer a place to hang out through a coffee center, tables, music playing... Starbucks has mastered the art of creating environments that attract people.
* Preach Series that are answering the questions that people are asking. Bishop Tony said several years ago that most of the preachers today are answering questions that nobody is asking. The bible is as current today as today's newspaper. Do series that address the issues of the culture that you live in such as dating, building families, parenting, sex, finances, marriage, setting goals for your life. What are the questions that your city is asking. After you decide your series, promote, promote, promote! Use posters, video lead ins, mail outs, banners and so much more.
To be continued...
Blessings,
Craig Sloan
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