God wants His will done more than we do.

I have started to get momentum on what Jesus has called me to do... Since July 2007, I have seen the dream of a 16 year old in High School start to unfold. Thanks to my mother and father that taught me the ways of God when I was a kid. Since childhood, I have always thought I would be a pastor of a church. Disappointment filled my life after seeing ministries crumble... I still wanted to pursue the dream and vision that only Jesus could put in my heart.

This past year has been a wonderful time of learning and researching the world of Churchplanting. It is scary, though (and I only speak of what I feel). Sometimes, I think I have read so many books, prayed enough, researched enough data, interviewed countless churchplanters that I think I'm ready... But at times, I think to myself, What if I fail? A frightening thought.

A friend told me this week that God wants it more than we do. Thats true. I believe that God wants His will done more than we do.
All I know is that God's plan will succeed.

In these last 4 months of this year, I have committed myself to a period of what people may call "consecration." It will be a time of fasting, more praying, and since God speaks through His word, more Bible reading.

I don't want to start another church just to call it home.
I don't want to start another church just to have recycled christians come.
I don't want to start another church just to add another church to this city.
I do not want anther church just so it can be a burden and an eysore to the community.

I want a church that can teach the bible.
I want a church that can preach Jesus.
I want a church that embraces the community... even on the weekdays.
I want a church that produces life-change.

Elders And Leaders.

I was reding Ed Stetzers blog and he wrote a something that I wanted to share with you.

He was writing about Todd Bentley, the guy directing the LakeLand revival. "Now it appears Bentley is stepping down after filing for separation from his wife and admitting to an inappropiate relationship with another woman," Ed Stetzer writes.

Ed also says, "A prominent Pentecostal evangelist called me this week after Bentley's news hit the fan. He said to me: "I'm now convinced that a large segment of the charismatic church will follow the anti-Christ when he shows up because they have no discernment."

He continued saying that no one in ministry today should be out on their own, living in isolation without checks, balances and wise counsel.

Those are some pretty strong words.

I can honestly say that going into ministry is one of the most frightening things that a person can do... and lately it has been real easy to just say, "I am called of God, give me a mic and a pulpit." I am convinced that if we look in the bible we see qualifications for pastors (Elders) and most of the people inpultpits nowadays, are so disqualified.

The apostle Paul writes the quealifications for a pastor... the conduct of a leader, and I tell you I had to check myself.
If we will impact this generation, we have to have biblical leadership.

My friend, Daniel Rodriguez, recommended a book to me that I had hears another pastor talk about. So, I made a little field trip to Lifeway Christian Store and got me a book by Gene Getz, "Elders and Leaders- God's plan for Leading The Church"

I have read the first 10 chapters and it has been amazing!
I know that this book will have to be reread again and again.

It is a "Biblical, Historical, and Cultural Perspective on ChurchLeadership."

Go and get it.