ELEVATE - Christ’s Church Leadership Blog

Have you ever wondered what drives the staff at Christ’s Church? What gets them excited to do ministry day in and day out?

A few days ago the Christ’s Church staff spent a day fasting and focused in prayer. Each team member was given a sheet with specific scriptures to meditate on as well as a few leading questions to respond to after the day was through. The responses to one of these questions gives great insight into the heart of our team. It shows why they do what they do and why serving Him means serving you. It’s all about change. Life change. True transformation that comes by following Jesus. You’ll see that common threat as you read a few of the staff comments below…

QUESTION: What ignites you about ministry? What gets you excited?

ANSWERS:

“Knowing that people are getting it and knowing that all I do behind the scene really does make a difference!!”

“Knowing that preparing material each week for children to learn about Jesus is a piece of the puzzle that will contribute to their spiritual growth.”

“For me, it’s seeing (and helping) people get connected with other Christians and connected to the right ministries/classes/small groups, etc. in order to best help them grow spiritually.”

“What ignites me about ministry is seeing someone who finally really, really gets it.”

“Having a front row seat to life transformation through God’s grace.”

“When I can see someone get excited or want to know how to get involved in something they were changed by, you know change is happening. It comes full circle.”

“I love to ignite others who then share in that same passion or that same “Holy Discontent”.”

“I guess right now I just want to see the people I have an opportunity to work with to get in the game, build a relationship with Christ and personalize their faith! It comes down to me wanting to see people love God…. that fires me up!”

“First and foremost, I love to watch God work through people. I am constantly amazed how God uses people to build His kingdom in this world and I want to be a part of that more than anything.”

“Seeing how people’s lives are being changed when they come to know Christ. I love witnessing the excitement when they’ve been baptized and the immediate desire to serve somewhere and somehow. You can’t help getting caught up in it.”

“Changed lives and the potential for growth in those lives.”

“For me it is to see life change happening in people as they grow in the Lord. To watch the Holy Spirit working in their lives as He produces “His fruit” in them.”

“What fires me up more than anything else is when I am able to be part of life-changing things.”

“When God uses me to get people on board with understanding their role as His servants.”

So, what about you? What ignites your passion for ministry? For serving Christ?

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Do you remember the first time when you felt like you were in the presence of God? Maybe it was on a mountain in the Rockies, or standing on the beach watching the sun rise; maybe it was holding your child for the first time, or it was after an exhausting day of serving someone in need; or maybe it was standing in the water preparing to be baptized. Wherever you were and whatever you were doing, you found yourself in a moment where, odds are, you have never forgotten it.

Moses had one of those moments. He met God for the first of many one-on-one discussions on Mount Horeb. “When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, Moses! Moses!” (Exodus 3:4)

There are two important truths found in that scripture. One, we have an incredible God who wants to be near to us. God’s heart is to be close to us…in communion with us…walking with us…in a relationship with us (John 15:5). That is what the entire Bible is about. From Adam and Eve to the last words in Revelation, the Bible chronicles God’s unending pursuit of our hearts. Jesus summarized it when He said, “Remain in me.” God continually attempts to draw us close to Him. David said it best in Psalm 42:1, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.”

How humbling, yet encouraging it must have been for God to call Moses by his name. Have you ever had someone you respected or looked up to call you by name? Someone who you didn’t think knew you from Adam…someone who was important. And they knew who you were. It’s a powerful moment when someone calls you by your name.

The second truth is critical to understanding being with God. “When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, Moses! Moses!” The key phrase here is “he had gone over to look.” Moses placed himself in a position to be with God. God was always there…Moses had to place himself in God’s path. God is always there…the problem is we don’t always place ourselves in His path. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

I pray that you will find time to abide in Him daily and know that God chooses to be with you. Pray yourself into His path today.

Serving Him by Serving His People,
-Jason Cullum, Lead Pastor

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The road closure has made Greenland Road a virtual parking lot each morning. All week long we have been driving past frustrated, aggravated, unhappy and late travelers trying to make their way to work. Even the most patient of people has been tested! In light of what we have been learning throughout the Fruit of the Spirit series, we thought it would be a great idea to simply share a little joy, peace, kindness and goodness with our Greenland Road neighbors.

Here are a few pictures of your staff serving donuts, fruit and water to the motorists on Thursday morning, June 19.

It was great to see our neighbors laughing and smiling as we simply offered a word of encouragement and a free bite to eat while they sat patiently in traffic. Hopefully we made someone’s day a little better and a little brighter.

Serving Him by Serving You,
- Jason Cullum, Lead Pastor
Christ’s Church | www.CContheWeb.com

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As we have been studying the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians chapter 5, I have found it encouraging to simultaneously study Jesus’ lesson on the vine and the branches in John chapter 15. As we are learning what fruit God wants our life to bear, Jesus’ words remind us of the simple way we can bear “much fruit.”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Jesus shares this simple, yet critical message with his disciples on his way to the garden to pray one last time. He has mere minutes left before he is turned over to the authorities, and on their way to pray, he passes a vineyard and uses this moment to inspire his disciples to remain close to him.

As the Master is teaching this lesson, he reminds them that it won’t be easy. That sometimes the vinedresser must prune the vine so that “it will be even more fruitful.” I don’t think anyone enjoys the pain of pruning… especially in the moment. In the moment, we don’t see the harvest, we just feel the pain. It’s hard to accept pruning when we don’t understand the unseen results.

Paul gives us a bit of encouragement in Philippians. His advice to all growing Christians who are confronted by the Vinedresser’s shears could be summarized in three words: REJOICE, RELINQUISH, and REST.

Philippians 3:8 teaches us that instead of resisting, we can relinquish control to Him. Sometimes the harder we hold onto what God wants us to let go of, the more pruning comes our way.

Are you like me? Do you try to hold on with all your might? Why do we do that when we know God has a better plan for us?

Philippians 4:4 reminds us that instead of complaining or criticizing, we can rejoice in His plan. I don’t know about you, but this may be the hardest of the three for me. It’s so much easier to complain than rejoice.

And lastly, Philippians 4:11-13 says that instead or worrying and living in anxiety, we can rest in His power and love.

God wants us to bear fruit in our lives and not just a little, but “much fruit.” In order to be the vines God has in store for us to be, it will more than likely require a little pruning. In those moments, be encouraged by Paul’s words, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

How will you bear more fruit? Share your comments here.  

Serving Him by Serving His People,
-Jason Cullum, Lead Pastor
Christ’s Church | www.CContheWeb.com

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Many people were inspired by the “Touching Them All” video we showed this weekend in church. What a great example of kindness in a world so desperate for people who care. The first time I watched it I was moved to look for ways to demonstrate the kindness of God in my everyday life. For those of you who missed it, want to see it again or pass it to a friend, we are posting a copy below (video originally produced by ESPN Sports).

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A friend of mine has a website (www.GiftOfKindness.com) that has this quote on it:

“Every kind act, no matter how small, is like a pebble tossed into the pond of human caring… the rings reach out far beyond the point of impact; the action of our kind deed acts more kindly toward the people around them, those people act more kindly toward the people around them, and so it goes, on and on.”

I would love to hear your stories. If you performed a random act of kindness… I would love to hear about it and be encouraged by what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life to develop the fruit of kindness. And, not to mention, what God did or is doing with your random act of kindness. Share your comments here.

Serving Him by Serving You,
-Jason Cullum, Lead Pastor

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By David Lawson, Executive Minister

“Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!” Luke 15:1-2 (NLT)

So, what did Jesus do?

He told three great stories.

The first one was about a lost sheep that the shepherd went out to find, leaving the other 99 behind to find the one that was lost.

The second was about a lady losing one of her ten silver coins and doing an all out search to find it.

And then there was this story.

Here are the basics of the story of the prodigal son. A son wants his inheritance so he can go out on his own. His father gives it to him and he goes and blows all of it and ends up eating with a bunch of pigs… literally. He decides to go back to his father and beg for a place on his father’s staff as a servant. As his father sees him coming, he runs out to meet the son and gives him shoes, a ring, and a robe. Dad kills the big calf that was being saved for a special occasion and throws a crazy party for his son who had returned. The older brother gets upset and complains that he has never had a party thrown for him.

OK…make sure you read the story to get all the details. It is Luke 15:11-32.

This week I heard a message about this story that challenged me. It was by Reggie Joiner, during the opening session of the Orange Conference that I was attending in Atlanta.

Looking at this story in the context of the chapter, there is a definite parallel between the Pharisees in verses 1-2 and the older brother in this story. There is also a connection between the way Jesus engaged with sinners and the way the loving father treated his prodigal son.

Think about these comparisons.
A loving father mentality is preoccupied with who’s missing.
An older brother mentality is preoccupied with self.

A loving father mentality operates from a context of forgiveness.
An older brother mentality operates from a context of shame.

A loving father throws a party – he’s about building relationships.
An older brother throws a fit – he’s about tearing down.

A loving father confronts older brother’s thinking…then takes him to the party.
An older brother criticizes the loving father from a distance.

A loving father keeps the lights on as long as it takes.
An older brother closes the doors and turns off the lights.

So, who are you? Loving father or older brother? Now, don’t do what I first did and start to think through people in your head who you think would fit into one of these categories. Honestly deal with yourself. Who are YOU?

“Don’t just think about who is sitting around the table, but who is not there.” -Reggie Joiner

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There is a great line in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? Delmar looks at Pete and Everett just after he has been baptized and says, “Come on in, boys, the water’s fine.” Boy, is he ever right!

I have always been very encouraged by the early church and the record of its explosive growth found in the book of Acts. Thousands were responding to the truth and power of the message of Jesus. Verse 47 of the second chapter says, “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Jesus began a revolution that has never ended. His message of love and forgiveness has never slowed down. His message of eternal life has never dwindled. The power of the cross is as real today as it was 2000 years ago!

It has been exciting to watch the baptisms over the past few weeks. We have had 104 baptisms this year and 35 over the past 5 weeks, just at the Mandarin Campus alone. Fleming has had 15. God is working hard in many lives…DAILY.

If you do the math, God has added more than one per day to HIS number!!

As a church, we all play a part in these decisions. Thank you for all you have done to lead these 104 new brothers and sisters to the most important decision of their lives. Whether you answered the phone, sent an e-mail, sorted tear-offs, taught a child, said a prayer, parked a car, sent a card, talked to someone in the hallway, gave someone a bulletin, led a small group, invited someone to Growing Strong, made copies, sang a song, preached a sermon, passed communion, turned on the heater, made a call or led someone to salvation, you have all played a part in making a difference for eternity. You never know what part you played or who else was or will be impacted.

Thanks for the hard work. This is exciting. This is what it is all about!!

Let’s keep adding to HIS number daily!

-Jason Cullum, Lead Pastor

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I came across this video a few weeks back. I thought it would be great to share around the Easter holiday. Click the play button below to watch it.

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The story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion is one of betrayal, brutality, despair, and pain. Yet we know even before His death that redemption was promised to be coming soon. We know that the story does not end at the cross. We know what many did not realize – that Sunday’s comin’.

Celebrating Easter means rejoicing in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and recognizing what each of those events can teach us about the character of God. Be reminded of this truth during Easter: God has worked, is working, and will work through all things, even now, as we find ourselves awaiting his return.

I pray that you will find a few minutes this Friday to slow your heart and focus your mind on the incredible sacrifice that Jesus made for us…for you. Thank Him for taking your place on the cross. Thank him for his offering. But also know that the story didn’t end on the cross…Sunday was a comin’!

-Jason Cullum, Lead Pastor

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There are nearly 50 references to fruit in the New Testament. How our life should represent it…what happens if we don’t have any…how much we should have…and the way we can grow it. Galatians 5:22-23 points out what Paul calls the Fruit of the Spirit.

In his book, When God Whispers Your Name, Max Lucado writes an incredible prose on how we can choose to produce good fruit each day.

Many times it is easier said than done. I keep Lucado’s words near my desk and many mornings find myself drawn to the simple reminder of choosing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. I share his words below as a reminder to help you choose well.

- Jason Cullum, Lead Pastor

In a few moments, the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred;no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.
Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.
I will be kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind tothe unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS…
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked
before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

I am a spiritual being…
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
To these I commit my day.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek His grace.
And then, when this day is done,
I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

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Two weeks ago, I had the type of moment every small group leader hopes for. Our group decided back in January that each couple would take a few chapters from the book of Genesis each week and then report back to the group with the highlights. It has been a great and rewarding change of pace for us from what we generally do.

On this particular night, I had to show up about 30 minutes late (thanks to a meeting a church). When I walked in, one couple had a PowerPoint presentation hooked up to the television with maps and family trees (or wreaths, as we found in Genesis!) and the other two couples had notes that they had written from research of their chapters. Not only were they reading, they were studying the Bible!

During our group conversations, it has been exciting to hear these young couples talk about how Genesis relates to the other passages they are reading in their ABF classes or personal study time.

But it gets even better! During halftime of a recent basketball game in the church league, our team had the “huddle”, which is a halftime devotion with both teams. Two guys on this team are in my small group and it was great to hear them relate the story of Joseph to each of us needing to trust God. It made me proud to listen to them share this with these other players.

It is one thing to talk about it in small group, but something else to see that it made an impact and connected to their life. Our small group has literally gone from connecting to growing to serving!

-David Lawson, Executive Minister

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