Sunday Celebrations

I spoke at New Day AG in Perry yesterday. We were celebrating the dedication of their newly purchased facility. It looks beautiful! Pastor Jerry Hochstetler is doing a wonderful job of leading this happy congregation.

In the evening Lori and I had the privilege of officially installing Gary Pilcher as the Lead Pastor of Berean AG. Gary has served for the past year as Berean's provisional Pastor, and he recently received a 94% vote to remain in the Lead Pastor role indefinitely. Congratulations, Gary, for your strong pastoral leadership!

Old Testament Fly-Over

While I was ill over the past couple of weeks I took the opportunity to reaad through the Old Testament. I admit, it was a quick read and I skimmed some of the lists of names. Still, reading through the Old Testament as an entire work gave me a new perspective on things. I've developed a Top Ten List of Old Testament Observations:

1. God created everything.

2. God is holy. (As in completely set apart from His creation. Completely good. Completely pure. Completely right. In everything).

3. God is involved. (He knows about everything, and He cares about it).

4. God wants to be our God. (Seriously, He says it throughout the entire Old Testament).

5. God wants us to be His people. (Relationship is a big deal with God. A really big deal).

6. God will help us if we'll trust Him. (If we're not trusting Him, all bets are off).

7. God will let us wander if we choose to.

8. God likes it when we stop to worship Him. (Every once in a while, Old Testament people simply stop, drop what they're doing and tell God how incredible He is. It's like time stands still and they enter eternity. I want to live like that).

9. God means what He says. (You can believe that He will do exactly what He says He will do).

10. Wise people trust God.

Your Ministry Matters

I'd encourage pastors to place Your Ministry Matters in the hands of as many church members as possible. In the book Pastor Ted Brancheau reignites a revolution of ministry that could transform a community. This is a great read with practical teaching on life-giving service which will bless the servant as well as those being served. Put Your Ministry Matters "must read" list.

Transforming Church

I just came across a book that may be a 2010 "must read". Shannon Odell has written Transforming Church in Rural America. I'm only 1/2 way through the book, but it is extremely practical and applicable to rural America. Shannon was invited to serve a church of 31 people in a small (400 - 500 people) community in Arkansas. Now they are at several sites and ministering to 2,000+ on weekends. I'd encourage all of our Iowa pastors to get a copy of the book and prayerfully read it. I guarantee that you will relate to the issues, obstacles and victories that Shannon has encountered.

How to Break Growth Barriers

Just re-reading an old book by Carl George titled How to Break Growth Barriers. This one is worth taking off the shelf and looking at it again. His discussions of Ranching vs. Shepherding and the "Berry Bucket Theory" describe the dynamics of a local church very well. Amazon has copies and its available on Kindle.

Primal Review

Just finished Mark Batterson's new book, Primal. It's on my "must read" list for every pastor. Honestly, I received it yesterday at noon and couldn't put it down until I finished it. Now I'm praying that we would all renew our practice of primal Christianity. Batterson writes:

The Heart of Christianity is primal compassion

The Soul of Christianity is primal wonder

The Mind of Christianity is primal curiosity

The Strength of Christianity is primal energy

Ride To Sunstream

On July 11 I will ride my bike from the Network Office to Sunstream Campground via Jefferson. The 80-mile trip is a fund-raiser to help facilitate the changes that are taking place at Sunstream. Here's how you can help:

1) Make a pledge. You can pledge per mile or simply give an amount toward Sunstream on behalf of the ride.

2) Join me on the ride. I'm inviting anyone to join me on the ride. All you need to do is get at least $50 pledged toward your efforts (and you need to be able to ride 80 miles in one day). It's going to be a great ride, and we'll have a support vehicle meet us at various points along the ride with refreshments and an encouraging word.

You can send your pledges to the Iowa Ministry Network, 10525 Buena Vista Court, Urbandale, IA 50322, C/O Sunstream Ride.

Let me thank you in advance for your support!