Church of God LifeBuilders

Here’s the way it works in many churches. We finally get the men’s ministry off “square one” and begin to have some meaningful monthly meetings. The men are excited and the attendance is not bad. We invite a guest speaker, they do a great job and we dismiss and have a few refreshments. The problem is that this will not work well in the long term. The men get tired of the routine and the meetings become boring because you can’t always have a dynamic speaker every month. Do you know what you end up with? It is called: meet it—eat it—and beat it!

We have found a better way to help bring the message of the monthly meeting home and impact the lives of the men attending. We call it big meeting—little meeting.

Here is how it works:

1. Instruct whoever is speaking to hold their presentation to about 30 minutes.
2. Then put the men in small groups of five to seven men and discuss the content of the evening’s message.
3. You can wrap us the evening by having each group report on their discussion.

This is a powerful way to allow the men to have personal input and be able to digest what has been preached or taught. Pat Morley does this every Friday at his community-wide men’s Bible class. He even has “table leaders” who are ready with three or four pertinent questions concerning the topic that was shared.

I was at the Bronxwood Church of God in Bronx, New York with Nelson Morrison, the LifeBuilders men’s leader. One of the other members of his leadership team spoke for 30 minutes on the vision for some future projects of the local group. He then broke us down into these small groups of men and had us each speak to one of the vision points. When we all met again in the big group he had a complete list of powerful new activities that the men wanted. This is a very effective way to keep the momentum and excitement going in your local chapters.

All of us here in the International Office of LifeBuilders Men’s Ministry are committed to helping you improve your work in the local church. If you want different results, you have to do different things. I have noticed that people don’t change until they become uncomfortable with something. Our job as leaders is to help men become uncomfortable with the way they live. Jesus comes with tension. If we declare the Scriptures in love, men will become uncomfortable. Benjamin Franklin said, “You can’t keep doing things the same way and expect different results.”

As we close, ask yourself these questions:

1. Does my men’s ministry need improvement and, if so, what needs to happen?
2. How can I help your men become uncomfortable with lukewarm ways?

Blessings on you!

Leonard C. Albert

by Leonard Albert

Recently I read a most interesting story about a time-management expert who was speaking before a group of eager business students. He began his talk by illustrating the main point he wished to bring home. He put a table beside the lectern and placed a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar on top of it. He then produced five or six fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. He asked the students, “Is this jar full?” They unanimously agreed that it was. He said, “Do you really think so?” and pulled out some gravel from a shelf beneath the table and poured it slowly over the rocks. He shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. “How about now?” he asked. The students, quick to catch on said, “Maybe not.” “Right” he said as he pulled out from beneath the table a bucket of sand, which he poured, into the jar. He said, “I know it looks full but there’s still room for more!” With that, he pulled out a small container of water and completely filled the gallon jar to the brim.

“What’s the lesson here?” he asked. One student said, “No matter how busy you are you can always cram in a little more into your schedule.” The expert said, “that’s not it at all.” “The true lesson from this example is that if you don’t put the big rocks in first, you will never be able to put them in later.” Wow! What a truth. Put the big rocks in first. Matthew 6:33 really comes to my mind here when Jesus said “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” If we take care of the big rocks of our life then God will take care of everything else.

What are the big rocks? How about time with your spouse and children? How about time with your Lord? How about your quality time of study, Bible reading, and meditation? How about your education and career choice? Your choice of a marriage partner? Think about what you are doing in the local church. What are some of the big rocks? In this issue of The Coordinator we have looked at writing a purpose statement, how to do hospital visitation and the time factor that must be dealt with. These are definitely big rocks! They must go in first or they simply will not fit in later.

Take a moment and ponder this thought: What are the major things that must be given priority now in my life? You’ll be glad you included these first.

The James Aquino Story

Raised in Daly City, Calif., just south of San Francisco, I am the youngest of five siblings. As a child my folks sent us to the Catholic Church though they never attended with us. When I was six years old my parents split up and Mom ran off with another man. I asked God why this had to happen to me but didn’t receive an answer at that time. Mom’s leaving weighed heavily on my heart. I tried to draw near to God. I joined the altar boys of the church and served there for two years. By the eighth grade I quit because of peer pressure.

Drugs and alcohol were a frequent part of my childhood. My Dad had to work two jobs just to pay the bills so there was no supervision in the home nor did he have time for us. Since I was the smallest son, my brothers beat on me daily even once stuffing me in the clothes dryer and turning it on! I remember telling dad what was happening to me! He simply advised me to stay away from the rest of the kids like the beatings were my own fault. He often called me “ugly” and “good for nothing.” He never disciplined my oldest brother although he was bad, very mean and eventually ended up serving eight years in prison! Never feeling loved in my own family, I was searching for acceptance! I stayed away from home whenever I could; I hated it there! I even ran away living on the streets for months at age 11. From the time I was 12 I was buying all my own clothes and necessities working 3 to 11 at a local gas station. Dad was always telling us, “I can’t wait till you all turn 18 so you can get out of my house.” He refused to support us properly.

After work I started hanging out with a local gang known as the ” FogTown Locos.” As part of the initiation they jumped me and beat me up. I felt I had to fight for my life. When the mayhem ceased they hugged me, bloody bruised body and all, and welcomed me into the gang. I felt loved and accepted for the first time!

By age 15 I was in and out of jail on drug charges and gang-related crimes. I was totally on my own as my father had moved to the Philippines with the woman he had married some years earlier. I continued as a gang member until age 29. By this time I had married, had children, divorced, had many relationships, and had become a dangerously unstable person, drinking, doing drugs, full of hate and packing a gun.

Then one day there I sat on the floor of my apartment drunk, full of speed that I had just shot into my arm, and with a pile of money. I felt so empty! Weeping I found myself on my knees with my .38 special snub nose in my hand. I couldn’t figure out why I felt so miserable. I had dope, money, alcohol, and girls. Still I wept deeply. I had failed in life and I knew it. Where was my wife and children? “Why?” I cried out to God. I raised the pistol to my mouth. It went into my mouth so hard that I cut my lips. I was going to kill myself. I cocked the hammer and started to pull the trigger, then a voice said, “NO!” Somehow at this moment I was thinking about my kids, how if I did this I’d never see them again. I dropped the gun and just curled up on the floor and cried like a baby! I remember saying to God, “If you will give me back my family, I will give all this up.”

Over the next two years I was in and out of jail, lost my driving privileges, and ended up homeless, penniless, and with few friends. I got in trouble with a gang and they sent members to kill me. They chased me to a friend’s house where I was cornered. I had no means of defence because I had sold my gun for drug money. I sat puzzled. What do I do? I was scared! I prayed for God to help me as the gang members outside cursed and dared me to come out. A voice in my head told me to call my ex-wife. When I told her my predicament she didn’t believe me at first but finally, with great reluctance in her voice, she agreed to come pick me up. My next problem was to get safely out of the house to our designated meeting place. I stepped outside and my friend slammed and locked the door behind me. Scared, shaking, leaving the house I held my duffel bag in front of me with my knife in my hand for protection and walked cautiously toward the street. I gripped the knife tighter, feeling that any minute a gang member would pounce on me. I cautiously looked around, but by some miracle they were gone, I didn’t know why or where, but I thanked God.

My ex-wife Anna picked me up at about 6 a.m. and thought I was tripping out on drugs. She took me to her house where I slept for about four days straight. On Sundays Anna attended church. One day I asked her if I could go to church with her. We went to the Solid Rock Church of God where I didn’t believe the things I saw and heard. People getting slain in the Spirit, speaking in tongues; I thought was all fake. When Pastor Randall Bailey preached that day, he spoke of broken lives filled with drugs and alcohol. I looked at Anna and said, “Why have you been talking to this man about me?” She promised that she hadn’t but I didn’t believe her. I was so intrigued that I decided to return to church the next Sunday. Again the preacher was seemingly preaching right to me. I couldn’t believe it! This man that didn’t even know me was talking directly to me describing me perfectly. Afterward he called for those who wanted to be free from those evils to come for a special prayer of salvation. I just stayed in the pew frozen stiff and scared. I wanted to go but I didn’t want everyone looking at me. I said, “God if you’re going to save me, do it right here.” I prayed the sinners prayer right there in the pew. Well, He did save me because here I am telling my story.

Things began happening quickly after that. Anna got rid of her boyfriend. One Sunday soon after that the pastor preached on broken covenants with God! God spoke to my heart and said, “Remember when you cried out to Me and said, `if you give me back my family, I’ll give up all these things’ (meaning drugs, alcohol, guns, women).” I answered, “Yes, Lord I do.” God then reminded me that I needed to keep my word. I found myself at the altar weeping and asking God to cleanse me of drugs and alcohol!

I’ve been clean and sober now for about four years, God is good! Anna and I will celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary on May 12, 2000. My children are very happy. I’ve been teaching children for about three years now in the church, and have been involved with the worship ensemble. I was elected to the Pastor’s Council, and I’m the president of our local LifeBuilders chapter. Since I asked Jesus into my heart my life is changed forever! I have also had the opportunity to visit the Philippines and while there shared what the Lord has done in my life with my father, and also shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. He received Jesus into his heart that day. Bedridden for 14 years after a massive stroke, God kept him alive just for that purpose. The son whom he had never shown any attention was able to go to the Philippines and share Jesus with him. Incidentally, that day was my birthday. Wow! What a birthday present! That day my father and I laughed together, cried together and prayed together. My dad shared with me that he was proud of who I’d become and that he loved me. Praise God! God through His mercy has helped me become a true LifeBuilder.

By Leonard C. Albert

Some time ago I heard the story of man who was part of a study group who was visiting a grease factory as part of a school project. This was no ordinary grease factory. It was a model in the industry.

The organization was incredible! Every one knew exactly what to do. There were many workers moving with precision throughout the entire plant. There were huge, stainless steel machines making grease . . . tons of grease. The students were very impressed until one inquisitive lad asked these questions. “Where is the loading dock? How do you get the grease to the consumer?” The tour guide replied, “We do not have a loading dock here because it takes so much grease to run these machines that we don’t have any left over to sell!”

Is this a picture of many churches today? Motion without mission. Good organization, many people working, a lot of activity but no product (the gospel) being delivered to the people who really need it. It seems that the plight of the grease factory is the plight of many churches today: a lot of activity within the four walls of the church but because it takes so much energy inside there is no ministry outside. One pastor said it this way, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” We need to know that we are a “gathered” and “scattered” people. We gather around the centrality of Jesus Christ but we are scattered as salt and light. We are not the “salt of the sanctuary” or the “light of the church” but rather we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The New Testament church is a church in motion. The work of the church is not only at the church! We are a force pushing out into our communities, neighborhoods, cities and nations.

Forget about just keeping the machinery greased . . . let’s remember that it’s not about grease but grace—we are to talk about God’s “amazing grace.” As a local church lay coordinator you can help change the grease factory story. With God’s help you can be the catalyst for great opportunities for the local church laity. There are so many opportunities for outreach beyond the confines of the local building. Let God show you and your fellow members where to minister today!

Rev. Mitchell Maloney, Senior Pastor, North Cleveland (TN) Church of God

When you hear a pastor or other church leader talk about vision, what do you think? Do you think they have lost touch with reality? Or perhaps they are preparing to lighten your wallet! We hear so much about “vision” we really wonder what people mean by it.

Vision is a serious matter; consider the following:

Vision Comes From God

Vision is related to prophecy; it is what God sees to be your future and the future of your church. Because it comes from God, it is first and foremost God-centered. Its purpose is to glorify God. Vision is not constrained by time and it must come from a spiritual view as opposed to a secular pattern of success (1 Corinthians 3:19).

It is birthed from prayer. If we do not communicate with God, how can we know what is on His mind? Vision may be revealed in parts; but it requires a leader who receives these parts and continues to seek God until the vision is complete. As the vision is received it must be written down. Vision is not just copied from another successful church or ministry. God has a plan and vision for each denomination, church and individual.

The purpose of vision is to help create a God-inspired future. Since God holds our future; don’t you think He has a plan for us when we get there? Also, a true vision generally outlasts the visionary.

Vision Requires a Leader

One of the main differences between vision and prophecy is that prophecy needs a prophet to speak for God; vision requires a leader to act for God. The leader is charged to carry out the vision; and this must be done with the help of others.

All real leaders are visionaries. When a leader receives a vision he or she seeks wise counsel to confirm and understand the vision that God has given (Proverbs 15:22).

Once a leader has received and pondered a vision, he (or she) develops a strategy to implement the vision. The leader then communicates the vision to others. God spent 1200 years setting forth His agenda in the Word, which is public; why should we rely on a hidden agenda now?

Although getting anything started may seem the hardest part, the implementation is always more difficult than the formulation. A leader takes risks to carry out the vision that God has given. Taking those risks is called faith. During implementation of a vision, a leader will be

sometimes tried by fire. A true visionary will never allow temporary setbacks to hinder the completion of the vision. It will come to pass . . . it just takes time.

Vision Requires Followers

The Lay Coordinator is “the pastor’s partner” and as such is certainly a leader. The Lay Coordinator must be in agreement with and follow the Pastor’s vision for a church. First and foremost: avoid being negative! Negative attitudes will destroy a vision faster than anything else. You will never be the leader God wants you to be as long as you take a negative view of life and others. And please don’t look for the vision in the consensus of the crowd; vision from God will result in consensus, not stem from it. Let the vision be imprinted on your heart and be the driving force behind what God wants you to accomplish for His Kingdom.

Be creative! Don’t just look at the vision in terms of what you’ve always done. “We’ve always done it this way” has killed many an organization or church. When you’re innovative you will look at the future. One of the first lessons of financial analysis is that we must forget about “sunk costs” in the past and concentrate on the net income of the future. We carry out the vision for future benefits, not just to “fix” something in the past, which is in reality gone forever.

Finally make the vision a source of inspiration for you and others. Personalize that vision for yourself and those around you. Those who are inspired together will act together in unity.

This is a tremendous challenge to you as a Lay Coordinator. We live in a world where the time is short and the eternal rewards are great. The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk said it well. “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:2-3, NIV).

Will you be a part of the vision that God has for your church?

Part of our “10 for 10,000″ program for discipling men in the local church is “Matthew 25 Men.”  It’s the “Work for Christ” part, where men actually turn the ideas they are discipled into deeds.

Up until now, Matthew 25 Men has involved traveling to remote places.  But need isn’t isolated in a few places.  And many men simply do not have the time or resources themselves to make such a journey.

Now, Matthew 25 Men includes outreach and mission projects in your own town or city!  Our resource for this is Excellence for the Rest of Us.  It has an entire chapter on “Inreach and Outreach” which shows you and the men of your church how to make an impact in your community–and ultimately on your men.  It includes the following:

• Detailed guidance on outreaches such as to nursing homes, prisons, hospitals and community chapels
• The “Inreach/Outreach Grid,” the complete outline and idea source for all kinds of projects, both inside and outside the church
• An advanced description of team ministry, essential at all levels of effective men’s ministry
• And many other ideas and projects!

Excellence for the Rest of Us can be obtained directly from the publisher by clicking here or on the cover image.  If you want to teach this book as a course, an instructor’s guide is also available.

Disponible En Español