New Pastor New Church

Jezebel New & Improved!

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:26:00 +0000

Pastors! Leaders!

There is a spirit loose that seeks to monopolize your time, your energy and your resources. This spirit manifests itself as helpless and needy. But once it draws you in, it is the furthest thing from helpless or needy. Instead it is strong-willed, stubborn, unrepentant, controlling and manipulative. It's Jezebel...new and improved for the 20th century church.

A few facts about Jezebel:

Married Ahab king of Israel (1 Kings 16:31)
FAITHFUL idol worshiper (1 Kings 16:31)
Enemy of God and His prophets (1 Kings 18:4; 1 Kings 19:1-2)
Murderer and master manipulator (1 Kings 22:6-15)
Unwilling to repent (Revelations 2:20)

This manifestation of Jezebel comes to you hurt and wounded and seeks your counsel and wisdom. They say they desire deliverance; they say they want healing. Oh if this were only true! In Revelations chapter two, the word declares that Jezebel calls herself a prophetess; this is what she calls herself and not what Holy Spirit has declared. So Jezie comes with a self-proclaimed title and a seat in the church.

What this new and improved manifestation of Jezie wants is YOU. She wants your time, she wants your anointing, she wants your attention all of the time. She wants to distract you from the work you were called to do.

The moment you start to pour, you'll discover that the issues are many and deep. There is layer after layer, each more offensive and putrid than the next. You'll pray, you'll minister and eventually the word repent will surface. But that word is rejected. Instead Jezie will continue her tirade of a past deemed unfair and you realize there is no end to the drama. Before you know it; you're spent. Jezie got what she wanted. You. She tied you up and now you're consumed.

Jezie has no regard for your calling. She only seeks to monopolize your time with God, family and the body of Christ. She'll drain you of your resources spiritually and naturally. Ministering to Jezie is equivalent to taking the talent Holy Spirit placed in you and burying it in dry, infertile ground. You'll never see fruit because Jezie is unwilling to repent. She wants to stop the move of God in the earth; she's sent to stop the advancement of the Kingdom through you. Healing is not her goal. Wholeness is not her desire.

Leaders don't be fooled by the shroud of meekness and helplessness! This manifestation pulls at your heart because you truly don't want to see God's people wounded. You desire they walk in healing and wholeness.

Holy Spirit once showed me myself bent over in a corner trying to console this loud, whiny, obnoxious thing. It would not be consoled! The more I tried to help, the louder it became. Holy Spirit slowly stood me straight up and I turned around with a strong awareness that there was something else I needed to tend too. And it wasn't the loud, whiny thing in the corner demanding my attention. It was a distraction. The real work, the greater work was elsewhere and I needed to focus on that.

So today I offer this prayer on your behalf.

I pray that when this manifestation of Jezebel calls your phone, walks in your church, or sends you a friend request, that alarms, bells and whistles go off in your spirit! I pray that you walk in wisdom and hear God clearly and proceed only as He leads. I pray you see and discern on greater levels! And if you're caught in Jezie's web I pray for your immediate release right now in Jesus' name!

There's work to do man and woman of God.

Don't get thrown by Jezie's new manifestation.

It's something old wrapped in something not so new.

Be blessed,

Pastor Lisa

You Really Should Get Out More

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:05:00 +0000

Being a new pastor with a new ministry to look after, we sometimes can pigeon hole ourselves and narrow our vision to just our local church. It happens. Especially if you're currently independent and not connected to an organization.

Last year, my husband and I made the commitment to get out more. The ministry receives hundreds of unsolicited emails from marketing firms who added us to their lists without our consent (yes, this is a pet peeve of mine...lol). They promote all kinds of events; from church plays to prophetic conferences and end-time revivals. So where do we go?

One, trust Holy Spirit to lead. Last month, I received an email from someone I knew about an upcoming event. I forwarded the email to my beloved and suggested we go. What a phenomenal experience! The word says that if we acknowledge Him in all of our ways, He'd direct our paths. There's so much to glean and benefit when we fellowship. Sometimes it's a lesson on what not to do that's equally beneficial. But most times, it's a beautiful display of the body of Christ working as one just like Jesus prayed in John 17.

Part of the blessing of connecting with other believers, especially those who may worship different than you, is that you get a clearer picture of just how big God is. You understand that God is GLOBAL and that kingdom business is WORLDWIDE. Fellowship with other kingdom-minded believers force you to broaden your concept of ministry. Yes we're called to a local ministry but through fellowship, you see how it's all connected by the same Spirit and your ministry fits into God's much bigger plan. It's awesome.

So this year, ask Holy Spirit to lead you. Get out more! It will bless you!

Heads up!

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:19:00 +0000

Every once in awhile at NPNC, we come across great word for leaders by different authors. Prophetess Karen Pina has graciously agreed to let us feature an article that is sure to enlighten! Enjoy!
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When you are the real deal, people come out of the wood works trying to get you to hear God for them on their supposedly God-ordained projects. Then you tell them what God says and it's not what they want to hear because they and their projects are filled with compromise.

So many in the body of Christ want you to relate to them the way they want you to relate to and with them and not the way God intends. Search your relationships; revisit the original intent and purposes of why God allowed you to come into one another's life. If you see any signs of self-imposed veering off that original path, gently call a time out and redirect them/the relationship back onto God's course. If they cannot be redirected, they sure won't obey God in keeping to the original intents and purposes of the relationship or projects.

It's time to shift out of using relationships for what we want, think, and can get out them into what God desires/wants in relationships. This is the way to truly connect with others. When we try to force our will and desire upon the relationship, we rob God of glory and others of genuine fellowship,

One more thing when/if the season of the assignment/purpose is over, and God has released you or the other person, exert wisdom and let it go. When you try to hold on to someone beyond the assignment/purpose, you are operating in witchcraft (defined as the bending/twisting of the will). When God will is done in the relationship, don't tamper, manipulate, coerce, desire, or force anyone to stay.

Now there are some relationships that will transcend the assignment/purpose into deeper fellowships of brotherly love and deep friendships. How we praise God for these! At the same time, every relationship can't and won't fall into this category. It's time to discern the difference between the two.

Recently, I had to manage a couple of folk who were operating in witchcraft, emotional blackmail, guilt, and what I have come to call "Word whoopings" (i.e, using scripture to beat you, accuse you, and provoke you to a certain response).

Here are some tips to help you:

1) Set boundaries by asking yourself and them

What is the purpose of this call, visit, e-mail? Who sent you? How can I serve you? Once you have clarity on this, serve, meet the need, and move on to the next need/assignment. Naturally if they were not sent by God, your approach will be different. What I've learned to do is ask God, "How do you want me to deal with this distraction from hell?" Listen and heed what He says and do it! Now, you know they will most likely call, e-mail, or visit again, repeat this asking/listening process until they flee.

2) Limit access: (i.e., contact information)

I don't know about you but I'm a busy bride . . . always about my Father's business. I don't have time for time wasters, professing powerless Christians, mundane, mediocre and moldy agendas, bullheadedness, roots of resistance, striving, and worry. When I see this stuff oozing out the spirit of folks, I limit the access they have to me, and so should you. When you've given the Word time and time again, and they resist God, why do they need direct access to you when they won't allow God direct access to the "stuff" they keep holding onto?

3) Put it writing

It is written! As God leads consider putting your purpose, assignment and release in writing. This way everyone is clear about God intents, purpose, and His timely release. I don't want good to be spoken of as evil. When folks can't manipulate or coerce you, they retaliate by committing murder with their mouths and actions. When it is in writing, you have established God's heart, purpose, and the truth nothing but the truth so help you God. There are some folks who thrive off ministry bashing, name destroying, and love to keep some stuff going in ministry. Truly, this is about the only excitement they have. Because God's glory is nowhere around, they conjure up attention and excitement the only dysfunctional way they know how. You've told them time and time again, everything is okay, you are forgiven, etc., but as sure as your name is ___________, they are going to make it something that it is not. Who have they been listening to? Certainly, not God.

True ministry leaders, this is your heads up from Holy Spirit! Everyone wants to cling to the real deal; it's your role to discern why and what for.

I want to serve the LORD in the beauty of holiness. How about you? Unity dwells in the beauty of holiness. When we seek God in our interactions (what to say, when to call, what not to say) with others in the body, strife and contention cease. The bible clearly tells us in James that quarrels, arguments, and fights stem from our own lusts. So, if you are always upset with a particular ministry leader God brought into your life, find out what you are lusting for and you will have identified the root of the source of struggle and contention. God told me this today: I assure you all is well, nothing is missing, nothing is broken, and wholeness abounds in all relationships established by the Kingdom of God. Stay away from folk who find something wrong with every project, everything, everybody, and every ministry. They are in league with and committed allegiance to the demonic spirit named: Wrong Focus!

For then [changing their impure language] I will give to the people a clear and pure speech from pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder [bearing the yoke of the Lord]. - Zephaniah 3:9 AMP

For then will I turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent. Zeph 3:9 Tanakh

Heads up: This time is now, and it is time to be united with those who serve with one unanimous consent, purpose, with pure speech calling on the LORD out of pure heart, and those who are bearing the LORD’s yoke, not their own yoke.

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63 KJV

It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life, - John 6:63 The Complete Jewish Bible

With wisdom, glory, and riches,

Prophetess Karen

© Gifts Ordained by Direction/Karen M. Pina 2009

Brief Bio

KAREN M. PINA

International coach trainer, author, and minister Karen M. Pina has been creatively writing for over 15 years. She is author of the well-received Leadership FITness - Experiencing Fullness in The Temple, Is it the job, the boss, you . . . or are you an entrepreneur?, The Making, creator of the One-Stop Marketing Program, and founder of Gifts Ordained by Direction and GOD’s Coach U, a training and coaching practice. She is the virtuous wife of Stanley Pina, a leadership coach and pastor. They live in Connecticut where they raise two beautiful daughters.

We are unable to comply with your request

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:51:00 +0000

Recently, a well-known comedian was interviewed on Christian TV and he had a request of the people of God, the Christian community. He asked us to "broaden the little white line" because there were lots of cats who wanted to be a Christian; only if it were not for that little white line.

Sorry, the remnant is unable to comply with your request.

First, the line is not ours to broaden and woe to them who have attempted to do so! This is called compromise and the reason I believe for so many profane things being named among God's people and foolishness taking place in God's house. I believe compromise breeds Christians who are still unsure about how they feel about Jesus and lack commitment after spending years in the church.

Matthew 7: 13-14 says, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." KJV

The little white narrow line has been painted by God himself. We all have to enter the Kingdom the same way - on the little white narrow line. The young rich ruler struggled with the white line when Jesus told him that he lacked one thing. In order to be perfect, he - the young ruler - needed to sell all that he had and give to the poor. Scripture says the young man went away sorrowful because he was a wealthy man.

The attack on holiness is real.

The allure to compromise is great and the benefits appear tantalizing but succumbing to these lies continue to strip the church of power and effectiveness!

We must continue to stand for holiness, preach the little white line till Jesus comes back for His bride, pure and undefiled!

People who live in countries hostile to Christianity make the life or death decision to serve Jesus and give up everything to serve Him all the time. Some are tortured, some are disowned by their families for taking on the name of Jesus, and some even die. They don't ask that the little white line be broadened to accommodate their situations. They bear their cross and have made the decision to live and to die for Jesus. The apostles after having being beat and stoned, praised God because they had been found worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ. They went away rejoicing.

Peter told Jesus, we have left everything to follow you. Jesus then replied there is no man who has given up all these things that won't receive many times over in this life and the life to come.

Jesus said to count the cost; evaluate what it will take for you to serve Jesus exclusively and then make the decision. If the something or someone else means more, no commitment will be made. The call to discipleship always requires a forsaking, a denial of the life you once knew. If you're not ready, you're just not ready.

Broadening the little white line does little to produce Christians who are uncompromising and unwavering in their faith. It creates a mess for the Body of Christ.

So the request to broaden the little white line is declined.

It's not ours to broaden and broad roads lead to death and destruction.

I encourage you to seek out that narrow white line and find life everlasting.

Keep preaching the little white line,

Pastor Lisa

A Few Things I've Learned

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:26:00 +0000

As we come to the end of another year, I've been reflecting on all the lessons I learned. It has been a year of tremendous growth! That growth came much like the struggle of the butterfly out of its cocoon and now my family and the ministry have emerged into this thing of beauty.

I wanted to share two things Holy Spirit revealed this year in regard to ministry.

The first is to realize that a move of God occurs in many different ways. I know sometimes God will move among us in such a profound way that that particular movement becomes the pinnacle and we box God into moving that way everytime. I remember reading once that many worship the form or idea of worship and lose sight of the Savior in the process. I know this much, that God is a God of variety! So what He desires from one Sunday to the next is certain to vary. And if God's people collectively worship in Spirit and Truth, then you have had a move of God! Don't box God in...period! Remember we are not looking for sensationalism but a worship experience that honors the Holy One and changes us in the process!

The second thing God revealed was in regard to counseling. There are certain behaviors that are textbook. Meaning the thought process of an abusive spouse, the mindset of the abused have been thoroughly noted in books, articles, research papers and so on. Even though some things are textbook, each situation is different and must be dealt with accordingly. There are no cookie-cutter solutions. You must take the time to truly listen and hear Holy Spirit for direction. To presuppose and dispense instruction without fully understanding the particulars for that case leads to error and disappointment. So while some of the symptoms may indeed be textbook, how you respond and give counsel should vary from person to person. It's so easy to get caught up in the fact that we've seen this before and here's how to handle it. Give each situation the prayer and wisdom of the Holy Spirit called for.

I hope you benefit from the lessons I learned this year and feel free to share your own in the comments section below.

Stay encouraged men and women of God!

Pastor Lisa

The Gift of Time Off

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:07:00 +0000

Man and woman of God, did you know that the nation recognizes and appreciates you during the month of October?

I didn't either! I discovered this fact about two years ago.

A good friend of mine recently blogged that being a pastor was the second most stressful job a person could have. Dentistry topped the list if you were curious.

So if you have not heard it already, let me say that I appreciate your allowing God to use you to serve His people. I appreciate you as a co-laborer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For all you have endured, all you go through, for standing for holiness and righteousness, for all you pour out, and for all you sacrifice, I appreciate you!

This same friend of mine is currently running a blog series entitled, Just Say It. It's all the things pastors wish they could say to their congregation but wait for out-of-town evangelist to do so. You can read the series at www.deannashrodes.com.

One of the best ways a congregation can appreciate their leaders and their families is with time off. Yes, rest! It is so true that unless one is a leader, people have no idea of what you go through and endure on a daily basis. That is why rest and time away is the gift that keeps on giving.

My husband and I have served as pastors for four years and we have not taken time off, yet. Understand that for the church plant, the ministry with 30 people or less, this is difficult to do. Not impossible, just challenging.

Time off is not optional, it is a requirement and preferably outside the city you serve!

You need time with your spouse!

You need time with your family!

And then you need time for you.

I realized this as my body began to revolt from the stress of it all.

Downtime is needed for your health and sanity. And if you are like me and the other millions of Americans who have trouble sleeping because the mind refuses to shut down; you really need to unplug.

I could run down a list of pastors who in their prime, 30s and 40s, died suddenly because they didn't take care of themselves.

Jesus and the disciples even took a moment or two to rest. Mimic your elder brother Jesus Christ and take a moment to exhale!

With October being the month to appreciate clergy, I have the perfect suggestion for those scouring the Internet trying to find the perfect gift for their leaders -- paid time off! Put the family up in a hotel for a weekend outside the city! Do it frequently so that the man and woman of God can continue to pour.

Pastors, bishops, apostles, prophets, evangelists, elders; you are appreciated today. My prayer is that peace overtake you, favor find you and rest restores you.

You deserve it.

Love you much,

Pastor Lisa

What's with the Long-Handled Spoon?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Moses was responsible for leading some three million people upon their exodus from Egypt. No doubt this was a daunting task. Moses would spend his day hearing the matters of all the people and consulting God on their behalf. His father-in-law Jethro told him that it was not good nor was it healthy to continue to lead the people in that manner. According to Exodus 18, Jethro instructed Moses to do the following:

Teach the people the ordinances and statutes of God; in other words, show them how to walk.
After teaching the people, Moses was to appoint men, not just anyone but men who 1) fear God, 2) are truthful and 3) are not covetous or who take bribes to assist him in governing the people.

Because Moses followed the instruction of his father-in-law, he was able to concentrate on weightier matters and hear from God. Moses had to delegate or outsource his tasks. He needed able bodies to help carry the vision. So he taught the people and sent them out to carry out the business of governing the people of Israel. It was near impossible for Moses to have personal contact with approximately three million people.

Elijah and Elisha - Elisha left his family to become Elijah’s servant and attend to his needs. He watched his teacher, learned from him and when we see Elijah taken up to heaven, Elisha calls him, “My father, my father.” This speaks of more than just teacher-student relationship. Their relationship evolved into that of father and son like we see in the New Testament.

Jesus and the Apostles - Jesus hand selected 12 men to be his disciples. He ate with them, taught them, empowered them, sent them out, got frustrated with them, and encouraged them. This type of leadership is very hands on. It’s the kind of relationship you have with those who will succeed you. You pour into them, you teach, you correct, and in the end, you have people who are committed and passionate about the God-inspired vision and purpose.

Paul and his sons Timothy and Titus - The Apostle Paul was a father figure to Timothy and Titus. He instructed them, prayed for them, spent time with them and eventually sent them out to take care of Kingdom business.

Jonathon and David - These two men were friends and brothers. Jonathon knew David would eventually take the throne one day from his father Saul so he prepared David for the palace. Again this was an intimate relationship. This wasn’t David paying Jonathon $1500 for a Learn How To Be King One Day course.

Wondering where I am going with this?

In the examples cited, the nature of the relationships was hands on. The teacher was involved in the life of his pupil. Paul knew Timothy’s mother and grandmother; he knew that Timothy was struggling as a leader because of his age and so on. Timothy and Titus were Paul’s spiritual sons and they interacted as such.

What I do not understand is how today’s spiritual leaders think they can teach and impart into spiritual sons and daughters and not be close or hands on if you will. I truly do not understand this. They want to lead this intimate group as if they are Moses dealing with millions. They have all kinds of buffers in place and levels of bureaucracy for a group of people with whom they are supposed to disciple, teach, and impart into. It makes about as much sense as me trying to rear my children while living on the moon.

It is a phenomenon that leaves many sons and daughters a bit lost and confused. They serve faithfully in a ministry, the call of God on their lives is evident and they are ignored by leadership or are fed with a long-handled spoon. Now these are not people who want to simply get what you have and are gone tomorrow; these are true sons and daughters.

If I had to speculate as to why this is so, I would guess unresolved hurt and insecurity to be the main enemies. Maybe they have no idea how to be a spiritual parent and so they avoid anything that would expose this perceived weakness. But what first time parent knows what they are doing? Some leaders surround themselves with an air of grandeur and self-importance even with their spiritual sons and daughters. It would be easier to call a meeting with the Secretary of State than to schedule face time with these leaders. Then some leaders have no intention of training a successor because the ministry is all about them anyway.

The biblical examples stated above were based on love. There was no abuse. Fathers and teachers poured into willing sons and students. They gave of themselves because they knew the call was bigger than their personal ministry. It really was about advancing the Kingdom of God; His purpose and His agenda. The passing of this Great Message from one generation to the next must continue and it is up to leaders to impart and empower those who will succeed them. And you can’t do that with a long-handled spoon.

Man and woman of God, don't be afraid of these God-ordained relationships that require high levels of intimacy. Will you get frustrated in the process? Yes. (Read about it here.) Will you always have the right answer? Probably not. But by pouring into those God has ordained to you, the Kingdom of God advances and in the end, that's all it's truly about.

Continue the good fight man and woman of God.

You're taking territory!

The Church of Hophni and Phinehas

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord or for their duties as priests. Whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, Eli’s sons would send over a servant with a three-pronged fork. While the meat of the sacrificed animal was still boiling, the servant would stick the fork into the pot and demand that whatever it brought up be given to Eli’s sons. All the Israelites who came to worship at Shiloh were treated this way. Sometimes the servant would come even before the animal’s fat had been burned on the altar. He would demand raw meat before it had been boiled so that it could be used for roasting.

The man offering the sacrifice might reply, “Take as much as you want, but the fat must be burned first.” Then the servant would demand, “No, give it to me now, or I’ll take it by force.” So the sin of these young men was very serious in the Lord’s sight, for they treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt. - 1 Samuel 2:12-17, New Living Translation

What has happened to the worship aspect of the offering in the House of God?

What is this thing that has become the norm?

Scripture tells us plainly how to bring our offering.

Paul tells us to give cheerfully and not grudgingly and not out of necessity. (2 Cor. 9:6-8)

Jesus even tells us that when we do good deeds, we should do so in secret. (Matt. 6:1-4)

So what is this auction style, public display style of giving that has entered God’s house?

God says, “I see and I am not pleased.”

For those unaware of this event it occurs like this. A minister will finish ministering and lift an offering; it could be the second offering of the service.

The minister will ask for a specific seed offering and ask those who will stand with him in giving this amount to either stand or lineup in the aisles. I have seen ministers give prophetic word to people as they come and bring this seed which really sends up red flags and gives the appearance that one is somehow paying for a prophetic word which is no different from paying the psychic to tell one’s future. We are commanded to abstain from the very appearance of evil! (I Thess. 5:19-22)

I have seen people bring their offering to the minister; they look at the amount, cross it out, and write a different offering amount on their envelope and the giver was told to bring that amount next time.

Then there is the guilt offering; completely different from the one in the book of Leviticus. This offering has everything to do with making you feel guilty because you are not in the $200 seed offering line. I was at an event and I had x amount of dollars to give. Way below the asking price of the traveling minister but I truly wanted to give and it was all I had. The minister went on to say that the price of wearing a clergy collar in his church was $100 in any offering he was lifting. Never mind if this was the first, second, or third service in a conference or revival. If he called for a $100 seed offering, those ministers were expected be in line; check in hand. He went on to say that he wanted everybody to give no less than $20 in that offering. The whole while he was talking, Holy Spirit and I were having a tug a war with the check I had written. He said, “Put it [the check] back in your purse.” Again, I was so blessed and wanted to give and went for my puny check and Holy Spirit very adamantly said, “Leave it in your purse!” So I didn’t give in that offering. I wanted too, but sensed Holy Spirit was truly offended.

It never ceases to amaze me how we can have such an awesome move of God and then immediately experience Ichabod – the glory departed – when it is time for offering. Why? Because the Church of Hophni and Phinehas is open and ready for business.

These sons of Eli made the Lord’s offering detestable. They demanded how they wanted the offering and in some instances took the offering by force and the bible says these two men caused the people to sin.

I fear the people of God have become immune to this behavior and that it is not an offering unless you have been coerced into giving which again goes against scripture. This behavior has taught believers not to even seek God beforehand on what to give in these special services. The demands will be made upon you when you get there. The flip side is that if these demands are not placed the offerings suffer; the people usually do not give. Why? Because the people of God have not been taught how to truly give, how to seek God and hear Him about giving and receive the benefits of giving as the word of God has commanded. We have a habit in our house of discussing the offering before we even leave for a service and we allow Holy Spirit to direct us. As ministers we have to teach people how to give, how to seek Holy Spirit for direction in their giving.

If a ministry is hosting a conference or revival, be honest with the people and make them aware of the costs of hosting the event. Tell them their financial support will ensure the event’s success and don’t tie their giving into their breakthrough, next level or deliverance. It is deceitful to do so. If the funds are not there, maybe the event has to be scaled down or that local Body of Believers seeks God for the miraculous.

Holy Spirit is demanding change because judgment is sure to fall.

It is time to bring the worship aspect back to our giving. It’s time to restore a holy reverence to this part of our worship experience.

It is time for ministers to truly teach the people of God what it means to give.

It is time to close down the Church of Hophni and Phinehas once and for all.

The proper response to, "Oh my God you're so anointed!"

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:32:00 +0000

I won't let you make an idol out of me

It is a very awkward moment for some of us. You have just finished ministering when someone will inevitably track you down and declare these words, oh my God, you are SO anointed! And no, they just don't stop there, they keep hurling these accolades upon you and all the while you wish they would just stop. There are heart-felt thank yous from the people of God whose lives have been touched by your obedience. That's not what this blog is about. This blog is about the shift from thank you to all out worship.

The apostles Peter, Paul and Barnabus found themselves in similar situations. In the book of Acts, Cornelius went out to greet Peter and fell at his feet and worshiped him. (10:25-26) Peter corrected Cornelius by telling him to get up because he was a man just as he was.

Holy Spirit had just used Paul and Barnabus to heal a crippled man when pure mayhem ensued. The people so awestruck with the power of God using the two men, declared them gods and began to offer sacrifices to them. (14:8-19) What was their response? Paul and Barnabus tore their clothes and tried to disuade the people from idolizing them. Paul told them just as Peter told Cornelius, we are men just like you.

Herod while giving a speech in Acts 12:22-23, was struck down immediately because he did nothing when the people declared that his voice, was the voice of a god.

And practically unheard of today is the prophet Elijah refusing a lavish gift from Naaman after being healed of leprosy. (2 Kings 5:16)

What happens when we do not deflect these praises? We might actually believe our own hype. And the flesh only craves more attention, more praise; it is never satisfied. It is at this point the Gospel could be compromised and God's entire truth is neglected because men's praise become more important and we'll do whatever we must to get it.

Paul made it quite clear that he could have cared less about man's approval and was not out to please men. (Gal 1:10; 1 Thes 2:6) That would compromise the Gospel.

God help us as leaders not to be men pleasers but to bodly declare God's truths to His people no matter the cost.

So the proper response to, oh my God you are so anointed and mens worship is to deflect that worship back to the Father. Ask Holy Spirit for wisdom on how to stop it in the moment. Herod's refusal to act caused his demise. And scripture tells us that pride certainly comes before a fall. Refuse to become an idol because those same people who praised you will certainly stone you. It happened to Paul. They were sacrificing to him one minute and hurling rocks the next.

Refuse to become an idol so that the Gospel of Christ is not compromised.

Be encouraged beloved.

Church Growth Simplified

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:03:00 +0000

Marketing Plan Summarized

Heavily push, promote Jesus Christ
Keep Him in heavy rotation
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12:32

Vision Statement

It is our desire to see none perish
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
I Peter 3: 9

Mission Statement
Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, minister to the hurting
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:18-19

Some words leave a bad taste in your mouth

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:33:00 +0000

For some in leadership, nothing causes an immediate knee-jerk reaction quite like bringing up the subject of spiritual covering. I have heard the many reasons why one should submit to a covering and then I have also heard from the wounded as to why one should not even bother. Some organizations unfortunately do little to spiritually cover yet have no problem cashing members’ monthly contribution. These wounded ones complain that there is no support through prayer, no personal interaction, no wisdom being dispensed, and flesh runs a muck at convocations across the country. Stories of control and manipulation are often shared and worn as badges of honor. And certainly not helping the spiritual pandemic is the rising number of high profile moral failures among those dubbed spiritual mothers and fathers. It is enough to send the newly called running declaring, “God cover me!” I should know. I was one of them.

Will you allow me to share what Holy Spirit revealed to me? In the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul speaks of Holy Spirit giving gifts to men in order to perfect the church. So yes, your gift came from on High. The gift, calling and the power you pack are indeed real. But it takes the impartation from spiritual parents to establish you. Paul says in Romans 1:11, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.” The Greek word used here for established is sterizo which means to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix. It also means to strengthen, make firm or to render constant, confirm. Beloved you cannot establish yourself; that work is done by spiritual mothers and fathers, spiritual coverings.

For some leaders, the hurt inflicted runs deep and their refusal to submit to leadership can turn into rebellion. They cannot take correction, they believe they do not have to be accountable to anyone but God and often find themselves leading a group of people much like themselves – rebellious and stiff-necked! They are not rearing true spiritual sons and daughters because they themselves have not submitted to sonship.

In these last times, spiritual parents are being restored to the body of Christ. Apostolic men and women who may not have all the answers but are willing to get in the trenches with you and are willing to give of themselves are being called to the front lines. This covering will not look like anything you have seen or experienced in the past. It is truly a God-thing and it will bless your life and your ministry.

Man and woman of God, I urge you to seek the Father in regard to your spiritual covering in this season of decreed restoration. I know He is faithful to direct you. Then I pray that the spirit of a son overtake you and your heart be made ready to receive this good thing, this God-thing into your life. I pray that you would allow Holy Spirit to heal your hurt places and that oil and wine be poured out upon you. I pray that the hurt and disappointments of the past be made whole. In allowing Holy Spirit to do so, you allow yourself to become established and then you can at last birth true sons and daughters into the Kingdom. I promise what God is doing will bless you. It truly is a good thing.

Many blessings,

Pastor Lisa

How much is too much?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:59:00 +0000

A recent blog entitled Don't Do It inspired a lot of online and offline conversation. The blog tells the story of an email marketing campaign gone horribly wrong because of the illegal practice of email harvesting. As a result we learned a lesson about SPAM and how to conduct email marketing campaigns legally.

That lead to more marketing questions such as, "How much is too much?" And "How often should I send out my ministry's email?"

I have signed up for three ministry newsletters; the rest I classify as spam.

Anita Carmen of Inspire Women sends out her newsletter once a week and I look forward to it every Monday. Her newsletters bless me and the once a week frequency works for me. On the other hand, I recently canceled an email subscription because the frequency of the emails were too much. Sometimes there were two and three in a day. That was information overload and I unsubscribed

So personally, how often do you want to hear from ministries/organizations and businesses? You can respond to the poll on my blog.

Once the poll is closed I'll report back to you. This information can be used as a barometer when conducting your own email campaigns. It won't be a scientific poll and there are lots more questions to be asked but the results of this simple poll can help you gauge your email frequency.

Thank you in advance for your participation and the information gathered will help us all in our ministry promotions.

God Bless!

Pastor Lisa

Too good not to share

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Sometimes a word is so good you just have to share. A good friend of mine, Prophetess Karen Pina has an awesome word on "the peoples" that I believe will bless those with callings on their lives and those in leadership.

Here's an excerpt from her blog.

Enjoy!

What plans do they have for you?

“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart through all generations. He makes the thoughts and plans of the peoples of no effect.” – Psalm 33:10b-11

If you have been in ministry for any amount of time, you have run into “the peoples” referred to in this scripture. “The peoples” are also the “they” that have all sorts of plans and thoughts –some good, some evil. The peoples seem to always have some counsel about the direction of your God-given vision/call.

The peoples can tell you what and what you are not anointed to do. They even tell you that you are not called to the office Jesus Himself appointed you to and gave you as a gift to His very own body. They withhold goodness when it is in their power to do good by you and the ministry God has assigned your hands.

Finish reading the rest of her blog by clicking here.

Don't do it!

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:40:00 +0000

We've all been a victim of this at one time or another. Your email address has been harvested and your inbox is now full of emails for products, services, ministry events that you never signed up for. Harvesting email addresses is illegal! It does not matter if, "everybody is doing it" either. The law on email harvesting can be read here.

Email addresses are harvested through a number of ways.

One can scour the Internet for ministries with a Web presence and grab their info@churchname address. It's recommended that you use a comment form instead of listing your email address online to ward off harvesters.
Friends send you and everybody else in their address book an email so now they also have your email address. If sending out an email to everyone in your address book, use the Blind Carbon Copy or BCC to protect your list.
And then there are "bots" that scour the Internet for email addresses.

Today I received an email from someone I do not know, for a ministry event happening on the East coast. And I'm certain that the person who sent the email wishes they had not. Apparently the email addresses were harvested and a snowball of emails ensued asking to be removed from the list. They had the system setup to where if you responded to the email, your response was sent to everyone. So today my email has been full of angry request to be removed from their list. Now the email sender who was just trying to the get word out about a ministry event has to report to his leaders why all the angry calls and emails to their ministry.

So, today I urge you, if your friends send you an email and its loaded with email addresses, or if you're tempted to go cruising the Internet for email address...Don't do it!

You may find yourself like this young man, buried under angry emails and phone calls. Sometimes a marketing effort backfires horribly as it did today for that particular ministry.

Instead, make sure your Web site has a place where visitors can legitimately sign up to receive notices from you. Include a double opt-in feature. Services like Constant Contact and AWeber are good resources and can help you conduct ethical and legal email marketing campaigns.

Do get the word out about the great thing God is doing in your ministry, just make sure it's legal!

Be blessed,

Pastor Lisa

Has anyone seen my last nerve?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:41:00 +0000

As a pastor who is knee-deep in the disciple making process, I can guarantee that you will at times find yourself frustrated. Making disciples is an intimate process, a challenging process and in the end, a very fulfilling and rewarding process.

Making disciples is completely different from that of evangelism or even focusing on church growth.

The art of making disciples calls for pouring of yourself, teaching and imparting, and empowering those the Father has sent to you.

Jesus had 12 of them. He ate with them, traveled with them, worked ministry with them, taught them and encouraged them.

Twelve men hand-picked by the Father, who would then eventually turn the world upside down for the cause of Christ.

But the road getting them there was bumpy and at times frustrating.

Jesus even had His moments.

There are several occasions throughout the gospels where Jesus asked them, "Are you so dull?" Translated, you're still not getting this? You still don't understand? Jesus even asked them, "How long do you think I'm going to be with you?" (see Mark 9:19)

Then, a few were concerned about positions of power and prestige (see Mark 10:35-41). This is highly frustrating to a leader! Here you are trying to impart wisdom and they are worried about who gets to be seen.

Even on the cusp of Jesus betrayal and death He asked them, could you not watch and pray one hour with me (see Mark 14:37-38)?

So even Jesus experienced moments of frustration with those He was teaching.

And I can assure you, you will have yours too.

I remember asking my husband once, "Is this thing on?" I was tapping my pretend microphone to dramatically inquire, "Is anybody really getting this?"

Jesus taught and poured for three years.

Three years.

So that should clue you in that the process is lengthy, but worthwhile.

At the end of those three years, the apostles went on to do marvelous things for the Kingdom. You and I are Christians today because of their work; because of the foundation they laid. Not too bad for a group Jesus once considered slow in understanding.

The key thing to remember is that the disciples eventually got it. It all came together and made sense and then they were able to run.

So those of you deep in the disciple-making process take heart. You're in good company; Jesus got frustrated. But in the end you discover, all the time and labor pays off and you have people who are strong in their faith, committed to the things of God and will in turn repeat the process themselves.

Be encouraged beloved.

Keep making disciples.

Pastor Lisa

Now Available

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:49:00 +0000

This is one of those projects truly birthed by the Holy Spirit.

I remember one morning under His inspiration, He said to write. So I began to write. That day I wrote for four hours straight. What had just been created was for the Kingdom. I submitted it to a good friend of mine who is also an author and asked her what she thought. My thoughts were it was too long for a blog or magazine article and not quite long enough for a book.

That's when she pushed me.

She said, "Lisa I know there's more in you."

So I went back and began to write and more poured out.

After I finished writing I put it away and really did not think about it much.

One day Holy Spirit said to get it done NOW.

So here you have it. A book birthed for the Kingdom. It is for those who are married and work in ministry together. Think of it as an extension of this blog. If one of you is just serving, I know you will still be blessed.

There's even a chapter on how to rear the un-stereotypical preacher's kid.

My beloved and I are preparing to host a teleconference on the subject and will keep all of you informed. You will be able to ask questions and even share your testimony and comments.

Know that we appreciate your support of this project! And be sure to pass this link along to others who you think may benefit.

God bless,

Pastor Lisa

Excerpt from Marriage and Minstry

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Divide and Conquer

When we first started the ministry people were bold enough to tell me that I was more anointed than my husband. That it was me that should hold the title of senior pastor. It amazed me that someone would try to pit me against my husband.

"Are you serious?" is the thought that always ran through my head when confronted with this ideology. They had no idea what worked in my husband but I did.

You have to know and believe in the gift and calling in your spouse because this type of false flattery is dangerous to the marriage and the ministry. People will have you think it's you and all you. They will fill your head with how wonderful you are and have you discount the anointing and power that resides in your spouse. That opens up a door for the enemy to come in and attempt a hostile takeover.

If the flesh is not put to death daily it will gladly entertain lies in the form of flattery. A flattering tongue will praise you and discount your spouse. If you entertain this foolishness it is an easy leap into believing that your charisma and gift are holding the ministry together. These thoughts must be annihilated quickly, if not it will destroy both the marriage and the ministry.

Take God's perspective on the issue. When you get married the word says the two become one flesh. God sees you as one. There is no my calling and your calling. It all works together.

If one of you walks in the office a prophet, and God uses the other to give prophetic word in a particular setting; it simply means that you are gifted differently to advance the Kingdom. If one partner is an extrovert and the other an introvert, it all works together to benefit those you lead.

Know and celebrate the gifts within the two of you.

Don't let the enemy throw emphasis on the differences.

It all works together for the building of the Kingdom.

______________________________________

Purchase your copy of Marriage and Ministry today.

How come mine doesn't look like that?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:51:00 +0000

If we're honest with ourselves, every once in awhile we do it.

We compare our ministry to another ministry.

In our hearts we know this is futile. And we may never publicly acknowledge but those thoughts do run across our mind. Sometimes we'll quickly dismiss them or depending on what's going on with us and/or the ministry, we'll entertain them.

Dear friends of ours planted a ministry close to the same time we did nearly four years ago. And let me tell you their ministry has grown and God has blessed them. They were able to build out an office warehouse in nine weeks with 15 people. They have everything we would say makes church, church: praise and worship singers, praise dancers, musicians, padded church chairs, a beautifully decorated sanctuary, classrooms, offices, a fellowship hall -- it's all there. And the power of God moves, the worship is insane and the Word of God flows! I love going to visit!

And as much as I love my friend there were times I would ask God, "So what's like going on God?"

"How come it worked like that over there and not over here?"

One sure way to annoy God is to question how He is running his business. It's like the backseat driver telling the driver which way he should have gone.

I remember God asking, "Can I do something you've never seen before?"

"Well, OK God," was my response.

Then sometime later God reminded me once again that my husband and I gave Him permission to do what He wanted to do in His house. So when it started shaping up into something that I didn't recognize as "church" that's when He said think more "First Church."

But part of me wanted to be like my friend's church. Where was our building? When were the musicians coming? When were the singers coming? Because to me that equaled success. And I wanted to use that same measure for our ministry and it would frustrate me that in my eyes we did not measure up.

But that's not what God was saying about us.

We have to be careful on how we're measuring success because it is not based on what you see; but on the leaders obedience. Success is going to be different for each leader and each ministry.

And for a short season we tried to do church as usual . . . all kinds of programs and events; it didn't work.

How silly was I for questioning His design plan for the ministry He had entrusted to us?

When I came to grips that this was going to be something different, I abandoned my ideas of what made a church successful and chose to be obedient. A Kingdom mentality really settled within me and I realized that this was much bigger than me. It was bigger than the ministry. We were functioning parts of the body and we needed to do what we were called to do.

Today the ministry is successful because my husband and I are obedient to what God says regarding this house. The people of God benefit because we're not trying to do church like anybody else.

So beloved whether you are overseeing 10 or ten thousand, having worship in your home, in a store front, in a hotel or beautifully decorated sanctuary; be obedient to what God has said to you and your success is guaranteed.

And know that success will look different for each; and that's OK.

To continue to compare yourself to another and use a measure not designed for you will only frustrate you and keep you from your purpose.

The sheep God has entrusted to you need you to be obedient. They need the unique thing God has placed in you.

Keep pressing beloved!

You're in my prayers,

Pastor Lisa

Oh, that's just Pastor _________.

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Man and woman of God; what works in you is awesome!

The gifts and calling imparted to you by Holy Spirit allows God's will to be done on earth!

But something happens inside a ministry that will slow down a move of God and leave the essence of your gifts dormant. It will have you leave a service scratching your head and wondering what happened.

It's called familiarity and it happens to most of us.

I remember hearing a pastor say that she enjoyed going out to minister because she was able to minister on a completely different level. That there was a level of expectation in the house for God to move and this released the gift of God in her. She said this was not the case "at home" because there she was just the pastor.

A year ago we visited a friend's church and the first lady introduced her husband. She recalled a similar incident in their home church. She explained that one Sunday she admonished the people to raise their expectations...to unwrap the gift that was in their pastor and receive from God through him. The gift was there to bless them but they had to want it. They had to want a move of God. There had to be expectation. Needless to say that Sunday morning God moved in such a wonderful way.

So many times church becomes routine, parishioners become familiar and levels of expectation drop and the gift of God inside the man and woman of God go untapped. Sure you minister, you lay hands and pray but you find yourself in the same situation as our Lord.

But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. - Mark 6:4

So how do you encourage expectancy?

Other than prayer, fasting and preaching sound doctrine; I have no other solution. It's certainly not through flashy, fleshy, gimmicky marketing promotions either. Not if you're looking for a real move of God.

I encourage you to continue if you find yourself in this place.

Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Know that God blesses and rewards your faithfulness and your obedience.

The gifts Holy Spirit placed in you work and bless those who'll tap into it.

Who is Qualified to Minister Who?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:43:00 +0000

As a minister and pastor I find myself ministering to those who have experienced things in their lives that I have never encountered. They live through x, y, and z daily while I have no clue what it is to live in that way.

But God sees fit for our paths to cross, He'll pour out of me and they walk away healed and delivered.

I gave this some thought because of some things I've heard from behind the pulpit and even on TV. And that is, how can "you" effectively minister to me the x, y, and z when you've never experienced or been through x, y, and z?

Let's look at Jesus our elder brother and perfect example.

Jesus was never a fornicator, but was able to minister to the woman at the well.

Jesus was never blind, but opened blinded eyes.

Jesus was never possessed by a demon, but was able to cast out devils.

Jesus never had leprosy, but healed the leprous.

So you have to ask, how was Jesus able to minister to people who were so unlike himself? The scriptures teach that he was tempted as we are but without sin. He was very much acquainted with our sorrows and griefs...yet without sin. And he was still able to heal and deliver.

Jesus said he came to do the will of his father. He had no agenda other than the one his father laid out for him. He worked the works of him who sent him.

If Jesus who knew no sin was able to minister to the sinner, surely I can minister to the drunk even though I've never been drunk.

Why?

Because I'm not ministering out of myself.

As ministers we have to realize it's not about us.

We're not supposed to minister out of ourselves in the first place. Flesh will fail you every time.

We must depend on something much greater than ourselves. We must solely depend on Holy Spirit to do what needs to be done. The spirit of God knows all things and it's Holy Spirit who should be in operation when we minister. It's the word of the Lord speaking to that person through us. It's the Spirit discerning the hearts of men and tells you exactly what needs to be done for that person to receive what God has for them.

When we depend on ourselves, when we depend on our education, when we depend on anything or anyone else but the Spirit of God to minister we dismiss the possibility for the miraculous. We fore go true deliverance and repentance when we do it ourselves.

So who is qualified to minister to who?

The minister who is devoted and dependent on God, who is led and operates by the Spirit of God is qualified to get the job done. Holy Spirit is very effective regardless of a man's past.

So be encouraged man and woman of God. When God sends people so unlike yourself for you to minister too...take heart...it's the Spirit of God who will minister through you and bring about God's desired results. You don't have to do anything but remain yielded to the Spirit and that should be comforting!

God Bless!

They Come with the Building

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:27:00 +0000

Who are the they you ask?

The cons.

The homeless.

The mentally ill.

The abused.

After you've had your last service in your home or hotel and you're in your building you can expect these souls to show up at your church's doorstep.

The Cons
Some of the stories are so over the top you know immediately that there's not a shred of truth to what they're saying. But they will press you hard for your cash and say whatever they need too to get you to part with it. We found more times than not drug use was at the root of these elaborate stories.

We encountered one woman who claimed to have run from an abusive situation with her children from another state. We never saw the children. They were always with someone else which we found odd since she was new to the city. We called the shelter where she was supposedly moved to by police escort just to validate her story. Someone at the shelter confirmed her story but it still didn't sit right. We used a bit of wisdom and only parted with some household items and a few groceries. She came a few times and again never with the kids and then we never heard from her again. We tried to followup but to no avail.

The lesson here is to use wisdom. Validate and confirm stories if you can and follow the Holy Spirit's leading. I know some churches and pastors never give out cash. Having a stash of gift cards for gas, groceries, fast food restaurants, etc. may be a far better option.

The Homeless and the Mentally Ill
At our first Hallelujah Night celebration, I'll never forget the lady who was told by the maintenance crew to stay in the bushes in front of the church for the night since she had no where to go. Apparently she had just gotten off a Greyhound bus and was trying to find family here in Houston. Her mental health wasn't stable and after the service we started calling around to different shelters to see if they could take her in.

That's when I learned the important lesson of keeping a list of nearby shelters handy. That day I also discovered that all the shelters in the area had a 5 p.m. check in time and if you weren't in by then you were forced to sleep on the street. So we paid for her to stay in a nearby motel for the night, bought her a meal and for that she was extremely grateful.

After that experience we introduced ourselves to assistance ministries and shelters in the area. We also mapped out all the motels within a five-mile radius of the church too. We didn't have the capacity to take these people in and needed to know where to direct them when they showed up at our doorstep.

The Abused
This is a very real issue in the church today. Women who are battered by their husbands, boyfriends will call on you for help. You'll need to direct them to a safe place. And know that even if you lead them to a safe place, sometimes they go back to their abusers or they enter new relationships with the same type of man. Sometimes they do the hard work of looking inward and allow Holy Spirit to change them and heal them.

In all these instances it's important to show the love of Christ and exercise wisdom and discernment.

I highly suggest you compile your own list of motels, homeless shelters and women shelters when you do finally crossover into your own building. Because the hurting in your community come with the building.

Be blessed,

Pastor Lisa

Pastor as Manager

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:37:00 +0000

In the beginning stages of ministry you're most likely to have a core group of believers who get along well. But the day will come when the ministry will grow and personality conflicts will arise and you'll discover that your calling to pastor is also a call to manage. For instance, how do you deal with those who are highly opinionated and very vocal with their opinions? How do you protect the sheep from their vocal opinions and still nuture the call of God in this person? Believe it or not we all come with our issues and we all fall into certain personality characteristics and yet God still calls us.

In addition to being a pastor my husband works a traditional 9-to-5. He is a supervisor at a very large corporation and has had the benefit of management training through the company. This training has served the ministry well. Because part of his training included understanding personality traits, managing people of various traits and getting them to work together for the overall goal of getting the job done.

How do you do this you ask?

Wisdom.

Pastor Chuck Smith said that wisdom is the implementation of knowledge. So knowledge gained through life experiences, Holy Spirit's teaching and even corporate training properly implemented is wisdom in action.

The first thing my husband told me was not to take any of it personally. You work for God Inc. if you will and represent your CEO. And like God told Samuel when the Children of Israel clamored for a king, it's not you they've rejected but me. You'll be able to think and respond clearly to any situation if you don't take any of it personally. The minute you do, your feelings get in the way, you start to make assumptions and you can't make a wise decision or hear Holy Spirit speak for that fact. Do not take any of it personally. This can be hard to do but it is possible and required if you want to effectively manage and lead the group God has given you. It is definitely a goal to aspire to.

While we don't believe or support zodiac signs there are personality traits that have been researched, categorized and written about to help those in management positions. These group studies help you understand just who you're working with and how to interact with them and most important how to get them to work together.

There's a personality trait called "The Sniper." This person waits for the right opportunity to unload a criticism, judgement in order to do the most damage. You never hear from them otherwise, but out of the blue they come with this one shot that's intended to kill! But no weapon formed against us prospers right? So knowing that you're not to take it personally, you know that this is the persons Modus Operandi, you can draw on your knowledge and respond in wisdom. Especially if "The Sniper" holds any leadership positions within the ministry.

Understanding personalities and how to work within them in order to get people to work together to support the vision of the house and advance the Kingdom is key for God Inc. managers (i.e. pastors).

There are many personality trait articles you can reference online. They're all pretty consistent and will benefit you as a pastor. Recognize these traits, learn the best ways to work with people who possess these traits and allow Holy Spirit to display wisdom through you in the most difficult or troublesome situations.

The person who successfully pastors understands those whom he leads and knows how to get God's best out of them.

You can preach and teach the house down...

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:29:00 +0000

And some people will choose to walk away.

God can give you a word for them that will change their very lives and they won't listen.

They won't put the word in action.

The pull of the world, the pull of old lovers, the pull of the old lifestyle is great and they succumb.

We have had people tell us that they knew for a fact that God had sent them to our ministry. That in Zion is where their deliverance and spiritual growth lied. This is what they told us. They sought us out and pledged their dedication and commitment. They stay for a few Sundays, start to miss a few, and then they're MIA.

As much as I want these precious souls to walk out their faith, to trust God with their lives, to depend and lean on the Word of God, I can't do it for them. And I tell them so. We are all responsible for working out our own souls salvation.

But it hurts sometimes. You preach, you teach, you pray, you labor, you're their biggest cheerleader and they walk away. They willingly decide to go back to their old lives. I hurt and not because I feel I've wasted time or energy. I grieve because I know this grieves the heart of the Father. I hurt because I know that they've rejected God not me. You see great potential, great giftings and callings being wasted and neglected. You see the enemy further tightening his grips and you want to set them free. But they are not looking to be free. They willingly go back. They willingly embrace this dance with the devil. They choose not to fight. They believe the lie that living for God is too hard and they are incapable of doing so.

You want to shake them and yell at them that they can do this but that might be viewed as assault and land you in jail. So you're left to pray for those saints out on the lam.

One day they may return and as the word declares more than likely with seven other devils that will need to be cast out. Be prepared. Love 'em unconditionally. Pour into them what God gives you. This time they may very well stay long enough to become totally rooted and grounded in their faith.

So even though you preach the house down, you teach with all clarity some folk will opt out. They'll look at God's offer on the table and say, "No thank you." Some will reject the call.

Keep preaching, keep teaching and keep praying.

Because someone will hear the word and it will be life for them. The word you preach will be light turned on in their darkness. Keep sowing man and woman of God.

Be blessed,

Pastor Lisa

My favorite resources

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:56:00 +0000

When we first started out in ministry we were on a very tight budget and had to find some resourceful ways to get things done. I've also included a few of my absolute must-haves! So without further adieu ... here we go!

1. http://www.usedpews.com/ - You can find used church pews, church chairs by region on this site. All priced for the small budget.

2. http://www.craigslist.org/ - This was my favorite place to shop when we first started. Find your city and start browsing. We bought our sound equipment from a seller on Craigslist. The seller had acquired all the sound system from the Compaq center here in Houston before its conversion into a mega church! We bought our Hammond organ from Craigslist at a incredible price! Our organ even comes with a bit of history and we have a picture of the original owner!

3. http://www.ebay.com/ - We purchased our communion ware and hymnals from eBay from a local Houston seller! We've even bought cassocks and our wooden podium from eBay.

4. Uniflex - The customer service is unrivaled! They are a Texas church chair manufacturer and I can't say enough good things about this company. If you're going to pay in excess of $30/chair buy from someone who offers impeccable service!

5. http://www.freecycle.org/ - The saying one man's trash is another man's treasure is lived out on this site. You join the community nearest you or your church. When someone is giving away something you can use, you send the poster a request. We used Freecycle for our children and outreach ministry. We received lots of construction paper, wrapping paper absolutely free.

Then there are a few resources I've grown to rely on in ministry. They are featured in the Amazon.com ad to your right.

1. Inspired by the Bible - Audio version of the Bible in mp3 format. Great for the commute for the working pastor.

2. Breaking Intimidation - This book ought to be required reading for all those starting out in ministry. Pastor Elgin and I HIGHLY recommend this book! Add it to your library today!

3. Roget's Bible Thesaurus - We've found this tool to be indispensable! Search the scriptures by theme! Wonderful aid for preparing your messages!

Enjoy!

Pastor Lisa

The Deep and Wonderful

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Lisa) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:35:00 +0000

Coming to a new church plant near you.

If you haven't experienced the deep and wonderful yet...be patient you will.

Pastor Elgin and I were having dinner with another couple in ministry and we discussed this phenomenon. The deep and wonderful come to "help" you with your small fledgling upstart of a ministry. They know more than you do and you should be overwhelmed with gratitude that they have come to bail you out. They want the pulpit, they want access to the sheep and they can't wait to get the microphone.

Our pastor friend said one such person approached them and stated that they had come to help him in ministry. Our friend responded...I'm not looking for help. My wife and I are doing just fine...what we need are committed and faithful people to submit and support the vision of this house. That was enough to send the deep and wonderful packing.

As we were beginning in ministry God spoke to watch out for those who offer "help." He spoke that their real purpose was to change the spirit of what was Zion and we would be in great error if we allowed that to happen.

I spoke with another pastor and they told me that "prophet so-and-so" came to their church and wanted the pulpit. Wanted to be ordained immediately. My pastor friend said that was nice but what they needed was to go through new members class first and foremost. Well prophet so-and-so wasn't about to have that. They went to the church down the street and tore it up. The church ended up splitting behind prophet so-and-so's foolishness.

And apparently small new church plants aren't the only targets for the deep and wonderful. You've got to read the experience first hand of good friend Pastor Deanna. She and her husband pastor the Northside Assembly of God Church in Florida. And their ministry is well-established and flourishing! It was absolutely hilarious. You can read about her encounter here.

So as you begin in ministry, know that it's only a matter of time before the deep and wonderful show up offering their help. Show them the love of Christ, hold on tight to your microphone and keep preaching the Gospel. Your ministry may be small right now but you're in no way desperate. God's word will be fulfilled and you don't need or want a contrary spirit/vision loose in the ministry.

Be not weary in well doing; for in due season you will reap if you faint not.

No matter how attractive their help seems; wait God out to fulfill His word.

Be blessed today,

Pastor Lisa