I Stand by the Door

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Mobilizing the Church: A Simple Strategy for Success

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” John 4:35

Being “shrewd as serpents” (Matt 10:16) involves both prayerful and careful effort in doing the work of the Lord’s church. In order to “grow up into our Head” with the “proper working of each individual part” (Eph 4:15f), we must plan the work and then work the plan.

Our friend and former colleague, Dr. Michael Jackson, is the Vice President of Academics at Heritage Christian University. Prior to that, he served there at HCU as the Director of Institutional Effectiveness. In that role he superbly assisted every department head in the planning and assessment of its work. Using a six-step paradigm, he helped leaders draw a map and then follow it. Eureka! This system, at least in principle, could be adapted to benefit the mission and the work of the local church.

The first step is to define the “Purpose.” Here we would state the function of the church, “to save the lost and secure the saved,” or “to evangelize, educate, and edify.” We could then add the specific mission of any ministry, such as our educational program: “To teach the Word of God clearly and accurately, so that all may know Him and do His will.”

The second step is to list the “Strategic Goals.” These might include biblical concepts, texts, classes, opportunities, and applications which the Bible school aims to provide.

The third step notes “Objectives – Means of Assessment and Criteria for Success.” These are specific, measurable, achievable, time-bound benchmarks that will mark progress. They could include grade-level review quizzes, service projects, student essays, etc.

The fourth step lists the “Assessment Results.” What did the tests, activities, or other instruments indicate? Did the students make the intended score, or exhibit the desired mastery of the concept, or accomplish the pre-selected level of success?

The fifth step states the “Use of Results.” Based on the outcomes in step four, we reevaluate and reconstruct our objectives. If we reached them, we move on to new horizons. If not, we stick with them, diagnose the failure, and devise a better way to proceed.

The sixth step identifies the persons responsible, the due date, and the budget impact. Who are the “go-to” leaders that will implement the updated aims? By what date will they have completed the task? What resources will be required and set aside?

This same, simple strategy can be applied to local evangelism, benevolence, youth, the training of new elders, deacons, and teachers, etc. This six-step cycle can be repeated over and over and over again until the job is done. The Lord’s work is not complicated, but it does require big-picture thinking and nuts-and-bolts participation.

The gospel has the power to save, but God has given us useful tools to spread that gospel. Let’s put them to work!

Cory Collins

What's "In Store" for the Church?

Php 2:20 For I have no one like-minded [as Timothy], who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

Are you a stakeholder, personally and genuinely investing yourself in the health, growth, and ministry of the local church? Do you have “skin in the game,” so to speak, with a significant sense of responsibility for the success of the congregation to which you belong?

We live in a consumer-oriented society, in which spectators and onlookers window shop (often online!). If they don’t like what they see, they move on to consider other options. Such an attitude can easily affect Christians. We may become consumer-shoppers rather than owner-operators who have a real stake in the church’s progress.

Let’s compare the church to a store. Who might we see when we shop, and what do they teach us? And where do we place ourselves?

First is the browser. He or she is “just looking,” maybe not even for anything in particular. The browser has no stake at all in the store but just stops in from time to time when it’s convenient. If the salesperson offers too much help, the browser may feel pushed and decide to leave. If the store should close, the browser loses nothing. It's even easier to move on when the browser is shopping online.

Second is the customer. He wants or needs something, perhaps several things. He’s looking for good selection, low price, and solid value. If he finds all that at the store, he may make a purchase. If he does not, he will move on. He may be unwilling to pay full price and wait for a coupon, sale, or clearance. If going out is inconvenient, he will shop online from home. The easier and cheaper, the better. Like the browser, his livelihood does not depend on the local store’s success or failure.

Third is the employee. He punches a clock, does what he is paid to do, collects his pay, and leaves. He does not have to come early, stay late, or even enjoy what he does. He looks at what he gets in return for what he gives. He may stay at the store – unless and until another boss offers higher pay, better hours, or greater benefits. He has some degree of loyalty, but he may still be looking at options.

Fourth is the manager. He is in charge of tasks, people, and schedules. He has been with the store for a while. He has accepted more responsibility and received more rewards. He feels more loyal to the owner and the company. He may be on a clock, but he will come and work just about anytime he feels that work is required. He is trustworthy and reliable. However, if he becomes discouraged by difficult circumstances, daunting challenges, or demanding people … the owner will need to find a replacement.

Finally, there is the owner. Unlike the others, his life is to a huge degree wrapped up in the success of the store. He cannot afford for it to fail. He is tireless in his efforts. He loses sleep, puts other things on hold, and invests all that he can in making the store the best it can be. His name, his character, and his reputation are all connected with the progress (or lack of it) that occurs.

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Of course, Jesus Christ is the only true owner of the church. I’m just using “owner” here to represent any faithful servant who seriously invests his or her talents in the effectiveness of the local church.

What’s “in store” for the church where you are? That depends to some extent, perhaps a large extent, on you. Who are you in the “store?” What is your role?

Are you the browser, the customer, the employee, the manager, or the owner?

Don’t just show up! Instead, step up, sign up, and speak up! Invest in, and be about, the Father’s “business!”

– Cory Collins

Teaser Questions for Jonah 1-2

What can you find out about Assyria and its capital, Nineveh, in the 700s BC?

Who would want to go and preach there? Why or why not?

How does Jonah’s commission compare with our “Great Commission?”

What is your first reaction when you think about … Jonah fleeing from God?

What would you have done? Why?

What can you find out about Tarshish? Can you locate it?

There are several fascinating ironies in Jonah 1. What ironies do you see?

About the sailors and Jonah in 1:5?

About the captain’s words to Jonah in 1:6?

About the lots being cast and the cause of the storm in 1:7?

About Jonah’s admission in 1:8-9?

About the men’s reaction to Jonah’s having fled in 1:10?

About the men’s desperate efforts to save Jonah in 1:11-13?

About the men praying to, fearing, offering sacrifice to, and paying vows to Yahweh in 1:14-16?

About the calm that resulted from Jonah’s ejection in 1:15?

About Yahweh appointing a fish to swallow Jonah in 1:17?

What do you think Jonah learned, or what should he have learned, from his encounter with the fish?

What are your thoughts about “near-death experiences?”

What would you have prayed from the belly of the fish?

Does the Bible specify that the “fish” was a “whale?”

How might you compare Jonah with the people of Nineveh?

How might you compare the fish with Jonah?

Fifty Years and Counting - a Tribute to George Carman

This post was written by Kaye Kiser. I asked if I could share it. George and Hilda have been friends to Tanya and me ever since we first met. They have touched many lives, both here and around the world.

On May 15, 2016, Dr. George Carman celebrated his 50th anniversary of preaching the gospel throughout the world! The Keller church of Christ, where George is currently a member, was privileged to hear him preach on this momentous occasion!  Following the sermon, the elders presented George  with a reprint of the Gutenberg Bible in honor of his lifelong, and oftentimes dangerous, service. It must also be mentioned that throughout his entire career, his wife, Hilda, was at his side providing support, encouragement, and service!

He has a bachelor degree in Biblical Studies from Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) and his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctor of Divinity degrees in Biblical studies from Theological University of America.   He is also a certified satellite school administrator, founding the Keller School of Biblical Studies (KSBS) at the Keller congregation and serving as administrator for their first six years, retiring from the position just last year.  George has either taught or overseen preacher training schools for over 15 years.  He served for 8 years establishing and organizing preacher training schools in Asia as a Regional Dean for Asia for the Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI).  

George preached his first official sermon on May 15, 1966 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, where he grew up. For the next few months, he preached at various congregations in New Mexico until August when he moved to Lubbock, Texas to begin his formal training in ministry at the Sunset School of Preaching (currently known as Sunset International Bible Institute or SIBI). While attending school, he began his first preaching position, serving as minister for the congregation in Estelline, Texas, a small community outside Lubbock.  He served in this position from 1966-1968. Upon completion of his training with Sunset, he was hired by the 12th Street congregation in Seagraves, Texas where he served until 1970. 

George’s missionary work began in 1970 when he and his family moved to Thailand.  Next, he took a brief missionary position in Columbiana, Ohio from 1973-74, returning to Thailand until 1977.  From 2003 to 2009, George worked for Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) establishing satellite school of preaching in Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and South Korea, establishing ten schools in total.  His last missionary post was in the Northeastern United States.

Throughout his 50 years in ministry, George served as a pulpit minister in Texas, Arkansas, and New Mexico for a total of 24 years and as a missionary throughout Asia and the United States for a total of 26 years.  George has left an unprecedented mark on the brotherhood through his missionary work, establishing schools of preaching, published writings, and serving at various congregations.  The churches of Christ have truly been blessed by this great evangelist's example and teaching!

Now I Sit Me Down in School

This anonymous piece has been attributed to various sources, typically a teenager in a school somewhere. Because the Lord’s Prayer is not allowed in most U.S. public schools any more, a student reportedly wrote the following.

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,

God’s name is prohibited by the State.

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

They’ve outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the unwed daddy, our Senior King.

It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong,

We’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong.

We can get free tools for birth controls,

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No word of God must reach this crowd.

It’s scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school’s a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot, my soul please take!