I wrote this statement a few years ago. This is how we try to do church...
The ideal church is a one filled with people who love God passionately and love one another genuinely. We want our church to improve people’s lives, not burden them. We aspire for our church to be relevant in everyday life. We long to see people live victoriously. No one wants surprises, scandals, or secrets from the church leadership, so we promise to be honest and forthright concerning church matters.
No one should have to go through life alone. We want to do life together with people who love us just the way we are, but exhort us to get better. Everyone should have a place to be themselves, without having to put on airs. At church, we want every person to find good friends who are a delight and who provide comfort and stability during life’s difficult times. We want to build a church where people laugh freely and often.
We want every Sunday to be a family reunion. We want Sunday to be the best day of the week. We desire a church where people stay for years, grow old together, and watch their children grow up, get married, and have children of their own.
Peace,
Stan
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter
This Easter was the earliest in 65 years I heard in a news report a few days ago. But, if the passing of Easter brings warmer weather, then I'm glad it came early. Yesterday, Easter, sure blazed by me in a hurry. All of the extra attention to details--music selection, sermon prep, getting everyone seated somehow, baptism, egg hunt... It seemed like it was over in a flash. People received eternal life through Jesus Christ, the food was delicious everywhere we ate. What a wonderful day!
I am so glad Jesus took my place, so I could be redeemed. Matthew 27:35 begins, "Then THEY crucified Him..." THEY is found 28 times in Matthew 27. I suppose it should read "we." They is always someone else, not me. In that crowd I suppose their were three different kinds of people. There was the sympathetic group. They were crying. They were asking, "Why? What did he do? What crime did he commit? He only helped and healed. Why?"
The antipathetic group was there shouting, "Crucify him. Crucify him." They were offended at Jesus' teaching. He exposed their hypocrisy, their sinfulness and crooked ways. I suppose some passers by were totally unconcerned and uninterested in what was happening on Golgotha's hill. The cross had no meaning or purpose for them. They were the apathetic group. The world never really changes. We still have these groups today.
Three cries were heard the day Jesus was crucified. There was a cry of unbelief from one of the thieves dying next to Jesus. He shouted, "If you are the Son of God, save yourself and us." There was a cry of repentance from the thief on the other side, "We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man is immocent. Lord, remember me when you enter your kingdom." Jesus also cried out from His cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
A preacher was speaking to fishermen on an English seashore. He was trying to make it plain to the men what Christ's work on the cross really was.
Presently, he said, “Now will one of you men tell me, in your own words, what the Lord Jesus did there on the cross?”
An old seaman looked up and, with tears on his weather-beaten face, said: “He swapped with me.”
I love that. Jesus swapped with me. God gives us the cross, then the cross gives us God. When Jesus died, I died with Him. When He was raised, I was raised. Either I die with Jesus on that cross or I die alone, and face eternity alone. I will carry my sins alone, stand before God to be judged and condemned to eternal damnation alone.
But, if I die with Jesus on that cross, then I will rise with Him. When I die, He is with me. When I stand before God, Jesus stands before me. He swapped with me. He died so I can live. He is preparing a place of abode, a mansion, for me in heaven. He is coming to this earth again to get me.
Peace,
Stan
I am so glad Jesus took my place, so I could be redeemed. Matthew 27:35 begins, "Then THEY crucified Him..." THEY is found 28 times in Matthew 27. I suppose it should read "we." They is always someone else, not me. In that crowd I suppose their were three different kinds of people. There was the sympathetic group. They were crying. They were asking, "Why? What did he do? What crime did he commit? He only helped and healed. Why?"
The antipathetic group was there shouting, "Crucify him. Crucify him." They were offended at Jesus' teaching. He exposed their hypocrisy, their sinfulness and crooked ways. I suppose some passers by were totally unconcerned and uninterested in what was happening on Golgotha's hill. The cross had no meaning or purpose for them. They were the apathetic group. The world never really changes. We still have these groups today.
Three cries were heard the day Jesus was crucified. There was a cry of unbelief from one of the thieves dying next to Jesus. He shouted, "If you are the Son of God, save yourself and us." There was a cry of repentance from the thief on the other side, "We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man is immocent. Lord, remember me when you enter your kingdom." Jesus also cried out from His cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
A preacher was speaking to fishermen on an English seashore. He was trying to make it plain to the men what Christ's work on the cross really was.
Presently, he said, “Now will one of you men tell me, in your own words, what the Lord Jesus did there on the cross?”
An old seaman looked up and, with tears on his weather-beaten face, said: “He swapped with me.”
I love that. Jesus swapped with me. God gives us the cross, then the cross gives us God. When Jesus died, I died with Him. When He was raised, I was raised. Either I die with Jesus on that cross or I die alone, and face eternity alone. I will carry my sins alone, stand before God to be judged and condemned to eternal damnation alone.
But, if I die with Jesus on that cross, then I will rise with Him. When I die, He is with me. When I stand before God, Jesus stands before me. He swapped with me. He died so I can live. He is preparing a place of abode, a mansion, for me in heaven. He is coming to this earth again to get me.
Peace,
Stan
Saturday, March 22, 2008
152
152. That's an interesting number. Compared to 6, its big. Compared to 42,348,439 its small. When talking about teenagers at a youth service at Cornerstone Church in Chillicothe, Missouri, its big. There were 152 teenagers at church Wednesday night.
At Cornerstone Church, we love kids. Apparently, kids love us too. We are reorganizing our Wednesday night program for K-5th grade. We have lots of children coming to church also. Miss Lisa does a fabulous job with our children's department. Our Sunday school teachers are the best. Our Wednesday night program is developing where kids will be jamming into the building to hear about Jesus.
If you are bored with your life, help us love kids. The reward will be immediate. In addition, you will be laying up treasure for yourself in heaven.
We set out 175 chairs for this week at the newly expanded 228 Student Auditorium. As soon as we finished the construction, the building is not big enough! Kids may take over the adult space yet. What a problem?
Peace,
Stan
At Cornerstone Church, we love kids. Apparently, kids love us too. We are reorganizing our Wednesday night program for K-5th grade. We have lots of children coming to church also. Miss Lisa does a fabulous job with our children's department. Our Sunday school teachers are the best. Our Wednesday night program is developing where kids will be jamming into the building to hear about Jesus.
If you are bored with your life, help us love kids. The reward will be immediate. In addition, you will be laying up treasure for yourself in heaven.
We set out 175 chairs for this week at the newly expanded 228 Student Auditorium. As soon as we finished the construction, the building is not big enough! Kids may take over the adult space yet. What a problem?
Peace,
Stan
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Teamwork
To answer the question, “What would Jesus do,” we need to examine what did Jesus did? Early in Jesus’ ministry He formed a team. The Apostle Paul had a team. If we will accomplish our given assignment, it will be done as a team. What God has given us to accomplish is too large for any individual. Each of us is an individual member of the body of Christ. We need others.
Mark 3:13 - 15 (NASB) "And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons." Jesus chose twelve guys to hang out with Him. Then he sent them out to preach. When He sent them out, He sent them with authority to get the job done. We try to follow this example in everything we do at Cornerstone Church.
There are many reasons not to form a team. It is too messy. More people means more problems. In the beginning it is easier and faster to do things yourself, than to train others. Yet, ultimately this frees you to pursue other things. It requires organization—meetings, discussion, persuasion. There is the false belief that no one can do it as well as I can. There is an insecurity of being replaced.
We don't want to lose control. An inexperienced or insecure leader wants to give directives, not share leadership and decisions. This results in people feeling unappreciated and they become uninterested in helping you. Tradition keeps people from forming a team. “We’ve always do things this way. We’ve never done that before.” The people expect the pastor to perform certain duties based on tradition, not on actual Biblical mandate.
There are many great reasons to form a team. The Bible endorses it. Success is not limited to an individual effort. It builds true community and unity. Teamwork creates synergy, which generates results far greater than the sum of the parts could have achieved. There is a multiplying effect in group dynamics.
Teamwork multiplies love, joy, peace…fun! It reduces stress. Success and failure is shared. The work load is shared. I can do what I am equipped to do, knowing that others are doing what I am not good at doing. I am not stressed out trying to perform duties that I am ill equipped to perform. There is more innovation in a group than in an individual.
I have a great team around me. Michelle, my wife, is my key teammate. JD, Greg, and Brent work closely with me every day. Amy and Barb are so valuable. Miss Lisa is awesome with our children, especially in Jumpgate. Jame does a wonderful job leading our music TEAM. Ronda and Jen are great. Judy runs a wonderful day care. Miss Kay is the best preschool teacher around. David keeps our facilities clean and running great. Our volunteers minister to others every day. We have about 20 LIFE Groups operating between Cornerstone and KC Life Churches combined.
God is good. Jesus is Lord. Life is great. Teamwork is one of the great reasons why.
Peace,
Stan
Mark 3:13 - 15 (NASB) "And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons." Jesus chose twelve guys to hang out with Him. Then he sent them out to preach. When He sent them out, He sent them with authority to get the job done. We try to follow this example in everything we do at Cornerstone Church.
There are many reasons not to form a team. It is too messy. More people means more problems. In the beginning it is easier and faster to do things yourself, than to train others. Yet, ultimately this frees you to pursue other things. It requires organization—meetings, discussion, persuasion. There is the false belief that no one can do it as well as I can. There is an insecurity of being replaced.
We don't want to lose control. An inexperienced or insecure leader wants to give directives, not share leadership and decisions. This results in people feeling unappreciated and they become uninterested in helping you. Tradition keeps people from forming a team. “We’ve always do things this way. We’ve never done that before.” The people expect the pastor to perform certain duties based on tradition, not on actual Biblical mandate.
There are many great reasons to form a team. The Bible endorses it. Success is not limited to an individual effort. It builds true community and unity. Teamwork creates synergy, which generates results far greater than the sum of the parts could have achieved. There is a multiplying effect in group dynamics.
Teamwork multiplies love, joy, peace…fun! It reduces stress. Success and failure is shared. The work load is shared. I can do what I am equipped to do, knowing that others are doing what I am not good at doing. I am not stressed out trying to perform duties that I am ill equipped to perform. There is more innovation in a group than in an individual.
I have a great team around me. Michelle, my wife, is my key teammate. JD, Greg, and Brent work closely with me every day. Amy and Barb are so valuable. Miss Lisa is awesome with our children, especially in Jumpgate. Jame does a wonderful job leading our music TEAM. Ronda and Jen are great. Judy runs a wonderful day care. Miss Kay is the best preschool teacher around. David keeps our facilities clean and running great. Our volunteers minister to others every day. We have about 20 LIFE Groups operating between Cornerstone and KC Life Churches combined.
God is good. Jesus is Lord. Life is great. Teamwork is one of the great reasons why.
Peace,
Stan
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Identity Crisis
Since Adam and Eve, most people consistently suffer from insecurity and inadequacy. Most people do not even understand themselves very well. Most of life is spent on a search to find myself—FINDING ME! Many look to culture find themselves and to improve their own self-image. Everyone needs to have positive self-image. This takes nothing away from God. Many in the church world would suggest that self-image steals from the proper emphasis on God. I disagree.
Proper self-image is found in the believer’s relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Isaiah wrote that our own righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64.5-7). Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. In myself, I may have good reason to have a poor self-image. IN CHRIST, I have every reason to have a confident and positive image of myself. “… it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2.20).So many things are attempting to shape my life. There are so many traps to avoid in this world. Too may societal, cultural paths lead to no where, like a treadmill. I like to workout, but I really detest treadmills. I work so hard, and get no where. Let’s examine a few treadmills that many use to try to boost their self-image…
The Appearance Treadmill is all about body image—beauty products, lotions, creams, tanning beds, hair styles, weight loss products, workout programs, etc. It is fashion—clothes, shoes, jewelry. 1 Peter 3:3 - 4 (NLT) "Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." Status, materialism, automobiles, houses, toys, … How much is enough? Confidence cannot be purchased. Self-worth is not for sale.
There is the Popularity Treadmill. Do I matter to anyone? Do I fit in? Many sell their own soul to fit in with the “popular” crowd. Girls (women) give their bodies sexually to be with the “right” guy—athletic, funny, rich, smart. Kids will shoplift, cuss, drink, do vandalism to fit in.
Many climb the social ladder to find nothing at the top, after they achieve the status they seeking. Yet, the truly popular march to their own beat. They set the pace, and lead the parade. Everyone else is just a want-to-be.
Far too many suffer from approval addiction. This is the Achievement Treadmill. These are driven by a craving for success. Life is measure by achievement of money, awards, degrees, recognition. These are the workaholics. Muhammad Ali said, “I had the world, and it wasn’t nothin’.” The cultural route to self-worth is an endless routine of running on one treadmill or another, which never get you to your destination.
Where can a person find true identity and worth? What does God think about me? The one who created me is the only one with whom my esteem is safe. Others do not know my true value. I don't even know myself. Value is determined by the price paid. 1 Peter 1:18 - 19 "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." You and I are valuable, because Jesus paid the ultimate price for us.
Proper self-image is found in the believer’s relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Isaiah wrote that our own righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64.5-7). Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. In myself, I may have good reason to have a poor self-image. IN CHRIST, I have every reason to have a confident and positive image of myself. “… it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2.20).So many things are attempting to shape my life. There are so many traps to avoid in this world. Too may societal, cultural paths lead to no where, like a treadmill. I like to workout, but I really detest treadmills. I work so hard, and get no where. Let’s examine a few treadmills that many use to try to boost their self-image…
The Appearance Treadmill is all about body image—beauty products, lotions, creams, tanning beds, hair styles, weight loss products, workout programs, etc. It is fashion—clothes, shoes, jewelry. 1 Peter 3:3 - 4 (NLT) "Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." Status, materialism, automobiles, houses, toys, … How much is enough? Confidence cannot be purchased. Self-worth is not for sale.
There is the Popularity Treadmill. Do I matter to anyone? Do I fit in? Many sell their own soul to fit in with the “popular” crowd. Girls (women) give their bodies sexually to be with the “right” guy—athletic, funny, rich, smart. Kids will shoplift, cuss, drink, do vandalism to fit in.
Many climb the social ladder to find nothing at the top, after they achieve the status they seeking. Yet, the truly popular march to their own beat. They set the pace, and lead the parade. Everyone else is just a want-to-be.
Far too many suffer from approval addiction. This is the Achievement Treadmill. These are driven by a craving for success. Life is measure by achievement of money, awards, degrees, recognition. These are the workaholics. Muhammad Ali said, “I had the world, and it wasn’t nothin’.” The cultural route to self-worth is an endless routine of running on one treadmill or another, which never get you to your destination.
Where can a person find true identity and worth? What does God think about me? The one who created me is the only one with whom my esteem is safe. Others do not know my true value. I don't even know myself. Value is determined by the price paid. 1 Peter 1:18 - 19 "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." You and I are valuable, because Jesus paid the ultimate price for us.
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