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Kara, That was brilliant...Thank you! Today's Wo...

2010-02-02T10:06:09.603-08:00

Kara,

That was brilliant...Thank you!

Today's Word Verification: cavedit...caveman slang for "loved it!"

mark, when i see your user picture, i always want ...

2009-10-22T11:41:24.176-07:00

mark, when i see your user picture, i always want to high five the screen. i also want to high five you after reading your comment. so, high five!

Verification word: rachil, as in, "Whenever I smell peanut butter, i start to get a little rachil in my throat."

Totally agree Kara. In fact, when I left CCUMC, I...

2009-10-22T09:02:58.757-07:00

Totally agree Kara.

In fact, when I left CCUMC, I was immediately confronted with a loneliness of being the only staff team person.

Sure there were other staff, but the church had operated in an "I do my thing, you do yours" mode for a long time. The staff didn't show up at meetings, and they basically refused a staff meeting time.

After 1.5 years and a few personnel changes, we now have a team/family of staff. We work together, we talk, laugh, joke, and care for each other.

We just started an every other week staff meeting this month, and it has been good. We already have the idea of Pinata Cantata...the revised edition of what Cantatas should be for a 21st century global culture. Not boring at all ;)

I sooo love team ministry because I can't do this on my own. It's too lonely, too stressful, and IMHO, not how God made us to live...let alone do ministry.

Thanks for being on the same team, Kara...You're awesome!

Today's verification word: flunbtar...as in "I hate when I drive down a newly paved road and get all that flunbtar splashed up on my car."

so not what you were going for...but I found that ...

2009-10-14T07:04:37.862-07:00

so not what you were going for...but I found that episode of "How I met Your Mother" absolutely hilarious...the "Jesus inventing the 3 day rule"...and then the high five :)

Thanks, Kara...I'm humbled... You're great!

2009-10-01T07:46:23.703-07:00

Thanks, Kara...I'm humbled...

You're great!

I believe in heroes. I'm not sure I'd trust someo...

2009-09-30T08:15:35.199-07:00

I believe in heroes.

I'm not sure I'd trust someone who doesn't. It means they have no aim other than themself.

I also don't believe in the cult of personality that worships heroes/anti-heroes.

IMHO, this is the biggest travesty of Post-Modernism (which for the record, I'm totally for...not a hater at all). The elimination of heroes and the "it couldn've been anyone but they were there at the right time" climate of historical work destroys everything that is great about the human spirit trying to achieve great things.

Good character with ability with desire isn't something to hate or disdain. It's something to admire.

Steve Prefontaine was my first hero (this was before 2 movies were made about him). I vividly remember running on the track in Eugene, Oregon where he ran to crowds clapping to his strides. I ran a full 400 meters with goose bumps...imagining the crowds as I ran.

I went back home, and I began practicing harder than I ever had.

That year I ran my best time, and I felt the glory of finding MY stride, my goals, and my achievements. It was an awesome thing...but "Pre" helped me see the possible...and dream the dream.

Kara, Seriously, that was the best post on parent...

2009-09-15T08:47:01.699-07:00

Kara,

Seriously, that was the best post on parents and Facebook I've read. Great job!

Also, read that staff is doing devotions again...GOOD! I missed them when they were stopped.

Kara - Fairly new to the blogospear. Just heard ab...

2009-09-09T09:07:04.728-07:00

Kara - Fairly new to the blogospear. Just heard about "The Nines."
So I Googled "the Nines and leadership" and a whole bunch of sites came up.

I have seen the dangers of "Titles," of "Pastors," and of "leaders."
Spiritual abuse for both the "leader" and those “being led” by man.

I'm not not new to "ministering healing" to those who have been abused
by those who "thought they were called to be leaders."
Folks who have been burnt, burnt out, kicked out, or crawled out of "the religious system"
with it's leaders, spiritual authority, and other "heavy weights" put on folks shoulders.

I also spend a fair amount of time with pastors, "so called leaders," who can't do it anymore.
Trying to run the show and please so many masters.
Trying to please the denominational leaders, the congregation and it's leaders, and of course Jesus.
Who is often relegated to last place. Hmmm? Three masters, at least, that's tough; Yes?
Peaching every week... and it better be good, being the CEO, the team leader, councilor, smiley face. etc. etc.

If "pastors" (as we see them today) are of God?
He's not taking very good care of His shepherds; Is He?.
And, if we don't have a contented pastor how can we have contented sheep?
Hmmm? Wonder why?

This is info from a website helping burned out Pastors.

PastorCare offers support and encouragement for pastors and their families.
At PastorCare we care about YOU and we want to help.

http://www.pastorcare.org/PastorCare/About_Us.html

According to the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership (2007)
• 77% say they do “not” have a good marriage.
• 71% have felt burned out or depressed.
• 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
• 40% report a serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
• 38% are divorced or seriously considering divorce.

According to the Ministering to Ministers Foundation...
• Over 1600 pastors in the U.S. are forced out of their positions each month.
• Nearly 1 in 4 pastors experience a forced termination at least once during their ministry.
•Only 54% of pastors go back into full-time church related positions.

Think we might have a problem Kara?
70% of pastors are depressed or burnt out. Don't have a close friend. Hmmm?
That's who is running the show.
That's who is abusing God's sheep.
I have been both abused and the abuser. It’s not pretty.

1600 pastors a month, that's 18,000 a year, leave or are pushed out. Wow!!!
That's a lot of broken hearts, disappointments, feelings of failure, pain, abuse.

Hmmm? Pastor, is this a “Title” or "position" in the scriptures?
In the Bible, How many congregations are... led by a pastor?

Once again, How do "you" reconcile leaders
with "Jesus" telling His disciples "Not" to be called leader.
And none did...

Yes!!! Be blessed in your search for truth... Jesus.

actually, there are a lot of people on the list wh...

2009-09-08T18:50:19.848-07:00

actually, there are a lot of people on the list who aren't pastors, which is why I think it's a brilliant event. The people speaking at The Nines are recognized by the Christian community for having the gift of leadership; they aren't self-appointed. This gift of leadership is mentioned in Romans 12:8.

The word "pastor" is used to describe anyone who tends to the needs of a flock. I assume you already know this, and that you also are aware the Hebrew word for pastor [ra'ah] is used 173 times to describe everything from physically feeding sheep, to the spiritual feeding of human beings [Jer. 3:15- And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding]. The Greek words [poimen/ poimaino] are used 29 times, most frequently referring to Jesus as a Shepherd.

Some other passages for you to check out are Ephesians 4:11, Acts 20:28, and 1 Peter 5:1-2. Hope that helps you in your search for truth as well :)

Hmmm? Leadership? Just wondering how you reconci...

2009-09-08T16:16:08.818-07:00

Hmmm? Leadership?

Just wondering how you reconcile
the use of the word “leader”
with what Jesus said in Mt 23:10.

The word “leader”seems like
a “high place.” Yes?

Jesus always took and recommended
the “low place.” Yes?

Jesus humbled Himself,
made himself of no reputation
and took on the form of a servant.
Php 2:7

Jesus in Mat 23:10 told His disciples “NOT” to call
themselves master/“leaders”
for you have one master/"leader” the Christ.

King James Version -
Neither be ye called masters:
for one is your Master, even Christ.

The Interlinear Bible -
Nor be called leaders,
for one is your leader the Christ.

Phillips Modern English -
you must not let people
call you leaders,
you have only one leader, Christ.

Today's English Version -
nor should you be called leader,
your one and only leader
is the Messiah.

The Amplified-
you must not be called
masters (leaders)
for you have one master (leader)
the Christ.

Jesus told His disciples “not”
to be called "leaders"
and none did.

Ro 1:1 Paul,
a servant of Jesus Christ...

Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus,
the servants of Jesus Christ...

Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you,
a servant of Christ...

Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God...

Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God...

2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant...

His disciples "all" called themselves "servants,"
none called themselves "leaders." None? None.
None called themselves
"servant-leader." None.

If someone
calls them self a "leader"
or thinks they are a "leader;"

Are they a "disciple of Christ?"

Wondering some more.

Most on the list of people
at this “leadership?” event
are not only considered “ leaders?”
but also have the “Title” “Pastor.”

Where in the Bible does it say “pastor = leader?”

Have you done your own study
on pastors?
I mean in the Bible?
What does the Bible say
about pastors?

Makes an interesting study.

Here’s some questions to ask
as you check out pastors.

In the Bible, How many people...
have the title pastor?

In the Bible, How many people are...
referred to as pastor?

In the Bible, How many people are...
ordained as a pastor?

In the Bible, How many congregations are...
led by a pastor?

Be blessed in your search for truth... Jesus

And other sheep I have,
which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring,
and they shall hear my voice;
and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd.
John 10:16

One Fold- One Shepherd - One Voice.

If Not Now, When?

Be blessed and be a blessing.

BEST...BOOK...EVER

2009-08-31T06:03:15.326-07:00

BEST...BOOK...EVER

I saw this and registered, too. Funny, how great ...

2009-08-26T21:51:40.477-07:00

I saw this and registered, too.

Funny, how great minds think alike :)

I was born to... Love. Live. Teach. Play video ga...

2009-08-23T08:04:22.728-07:00

I was born to...

Love.
Live.
Teach.
Play video games.

OK, the last one is probably not right, but maybe God will be OK if I slip it in there....

I resonate with a lot of what you say. I believe G...

2009-08-19T19:39:33.722-07:00

I resonate with a lot of what you say. I believe God has placed some of us to make space for young people to grow and thrive and be the people God calls them to be, in full surrender to God.

Thanks for "getting it." The crazy thing about YS ...

2009-07-23T11:39:45.214-07:00

Thanks for "getting it." The crazy thing about YS (and youth ministry in general) is that while we don't always agree on theology or even how to do YM best... we can all stack hands together because we go through the same stuff. Same joys, same pains, different contexts.

Have fun at camp this week girl!! Hope it's a GREA...

2009-07-09T06:14:30.030-07:00

Have fun at camp this week girl!! Hope it's a GREAT one for you! Oh and btw...that was the same verse I read to the staff at the end of the awesome summer at lakewood :)

Regarding #3: My experience has been that the adv...

2009-06-29T06:31:21.057-07:00

Regarding #3:

My experience has been that the advocates for gay rights are very intolerant.

hahaha when i get married i'm so sitting the pries...

2009-05-21T18:10:55.100-07:00

hahaha when i get married i'm so sitting the priest at the kids table just to try and recreate something as funny as this.

<3 kristin

hey thanks for the link love!

2009-05-07T19:24:09.894-07:00

hey thanks for the link love!

maybe it makes us more grown up because we have th...

2009-04-22T16:44:14.013-07:00

maybe it makes us more grown up because we have the money and decide to spend it on branding ourselves? it seems more official this way :)

I love it! Congrats on the new name...isn't it swe...

2009-04-22T14:33:45.872-07:00

I love it! Congrats on the new name...isn't it sweet?!

Is it just me or is buying your own domain name becoming a sign of independence / growing up past the "college life"? haha

this = awesome. Put some cheese on it and it'll be...

2009-04-22T06:21:47.123-07:00

this = awesome. Put some cheese on it and it'll be just like the mac and hot dogs we used to eat as kids! oh FYI, I got a new blog too

http://deenabest.blogspot.com

i used to do the wordpress thing, and it got frust...

2009-04-21T18:32:50.235-07:00

i used to do the wordpress thing, and it got frustrating, which is why i switched to blogger. I'm just going to stay here, but i switched my domain and some other stuff around :)

Blogger is working great for our website! It was ...

2009-04-21T05:40:52.964-07:00

Blogger is working great for our website! It was easy to set up. Easy to find tools and goodies for.
Even easier to maintain!

The drawbacks are being somewhat limited to their templates...but unless you're designing the page from scratch, that would be the same with anything.

Two thumbs up for a Blogger webpage!

PS - I've had several people recommend wordpress.com instead (geekier people than us). They say it has more flexibility, but I never got a good feel from wordpress...It seemed clumsy to me.

spambot word of the day: LOGANT (n.) one of those bity things that live in logs.

Hey, if you ever want/need some help getting your ...

2009-04-17T16:41:39.895-07:00

Hey, if you ever want/need some help getting your finances in order...or just better understanding some things let me know, I would be glad to help!