All posts by mjfelker1980

Books, Ministry, Theology

In the Name of Jesus

Over the weekend I finished reading In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri J.M. Nouwen. Nouwen, an incredible writer, wrote this book to the new Christian ministers who are taking up the mantle as leaders in this post-modern world. As his text, Nouwen turns our focus toward the temptation of Christ in the desert. He believes that leaders today are tempted by expectations and desires contrary to God’s leadership.

Jesus was first tempted to turn stones into bread. Instead of bread, today’s leaders are tempted to be relevant. Chasing after being hip and new takes our focus away from leading others to God. The remedy for relevancy is prayer. Prayer helps us tap into what is truly important. Our egos take a backseat when prayer call shotgun.

Leaders today are not tempted to jump of the roof of their churches but they are tempted to do spectacular things to gain popularity. To avoid this trap, ministers should look to the question and answer session Jesus gave Peter:

After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.”
Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know.. You’ve got to know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

In John 21, Jesus tells us the secret to popularity and that is ministry; serving the people we lead.

The final temptation for today’s leader is… leading. After this exchange, Jesus tells Peter, ‘When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.” Becoming a leader for Christ means being led by Christ. Sometimes we are lead where we want to but more often than not we are lead where it is uncomfortable for us. We are not our own. Leading means being led.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is a leader or who wishes to become a leader. It was a great little read that packed a theological whallop.

Amazon

Ministry

“Learning to Fly” -Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

I’m learning to fly but I ain’t got wings
Comin’ down is the hardest thing

Well some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I started out for God knows where
But I guess I’ll know when I get there

I’m learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up must come down

I’m learning to fly but I ain’t got wings
Comin’ down is the hardest thing
I’m learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up must come down

I’m learning to fly
I’m learning to fly

General

Round Here

While the afternoons are still hot and humid, the morning and evening hours are begining to cool. We are moving into my favorite time of year: Autumn. I know, I know. I grew up in Texas. How could I like fall? I just do. I know that the colors do not burst into amazing shades of red and yellow. Everything is kinda, well, just brown. But I love the fall. I think it is the cooler weather. October is my favorite. November is a close second. This past week I have been spinning one of the best Autumn albums, Counting Crows’ August and Everything After. That album captures the quintessential September/October/November sound.

So, go grab your old CD collection. You know the one that you haven’t listened to in a while. I know you have this album. There it is. Right in between Jagged Little Pill and Pieces of You.

Stepped out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white…

Ministry

Putting Your Tank Where Your Mouth Is

Church Marketing Stinks had an interesting article last week entitled “Free Gas for First Time Church Visitors.” A church in Iowa is giving gas vouchers to first time visitors. The 3 gallon vouchers in essence pay for gas to and from the church building. The visitors also receive a Bible and an informational CD. Sounds like an original idea. Obviously, people are concerned about gas prices. I wonder what the reaction has been to this marketing idea? What are your thoughts?

I would also agree with Church Marketing Stinks when I say that the best part of the church desription is as follows:

The 10:30 a.m. service at Clearview is casual (no ties allowed) and is a blend between an Eagles concert and the freedom speech in Braveheart.

“Welcome to the hotel Calif… FREEEEEEEEEDDDOOOOMMMM!”

Popular Culture

Elizabethtown

I woke up this morning fully intending to download the new Switchfoot album, Nothing is Sound, from iTunes.

Instead, I downloaded the soundtrack to the new Cameron Crowe film, Elizabethtown. Cameron Crowe is one of my favorite writer/directors. The music he chooses for his film really capture the ethos of the characters, settings, and stories. This soundtrack should be no exception.

Elizabethtown opens nationwide on October 14.

Movies.com

Books, News, Theology

The Miserable

One Sunday night, the baker on the Palace de l’Eglise was just going to bed when he heard a violent blow against the barred window of his shop. He got down in time to see an arm thrust through the aperture made by the blow of a fist on the glass. The arm seized a loaf of bread and took it out. (The baker) rushed out; the thief used his leg valiantly; (The baker) pursued him and caught him. The thief had thrown away the bread, but his arm was still bleeding. It was Jean Valjean.

As I watched the news that other night I couldn’t take my eyes off of the looters.

I went to my bookshelves and pulled out my old ratty copy of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserbles. I began to read it again. This time with new eyes. Desperation on the pages matched by the desperation in the streets on my screen. It isn’t hard to understand bread, water, food, even candy. Take. Eat. Be well.

I just can’t understand the TVs. I cannot comprhend that kind of lawlessness.

General

New Host

1 Comment

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