Leadership Lessons from the Saddle (2)

Pikes Peak (America's Mountain) and the Garden of the Gods are just a part of the glory of living in Colorado Springs. Both remind us of the beauty of creation and the power of God in the world. "I lift my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come...my help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth."

When it comes to riding up a significant hill on a bicycle ... we all pray for energy, endurance, and (best of all) a tail wind!

We will get to the joy and struggle of wind later. Right now let's talk about hills, big hills! In life there are hills. Some times they come in the shape of relationships that end up in conflict. In some situations the hill is beyond our control ... like an illness from out of the blue or a death that arrives without rhyme or reason. Hills happen. So how do we expereince the hill?

For me the lesson from the saddle revolves around the reality that every good hill has the joy of a great downhill run!

This week a friend and I will ride from Colorado Springs to Woodland Park up Ute Pass. If you have never been up Ute Pass you need to know that it is a 2400 foot climb that rolls out over about 20 miles. It can be a challenge. In fact, it is a challenge!

But here is the good news...we are also going to reverse the ride and spend almost 20 miles going downhill. That will be a joy! As a result, the uphill climb is always worth the downhill run.

In the church (and in all of life) the key is found in Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20. You might want to read those two passages to find the link. In the end, every struggle, every bad break, each painful journey ... has a downhill run where God chooses to demonstrate that all things work for good in one way or another.

It is a lesson we all need to learn. Climb the hill knowing that there is a downhill blessing on the way. Don't get caught thinking that the hill has the last word!

Gear up and go for it!

Leadership Lessons from the Saddle (1)

The photo is a new Trek 520 touring bike. It is still just a dream because I am eternally fully committed to my 1982 Cresta that has served me well since it came off the showroom floor many years (and a whole lot of miles) ago!

But that is not the topic! I want to share a couple of things I have learned by simply spending time in the saddle. So here we go.

Here is the most obvious principle: When approaching a hill, gear down long before you struggle as the hill unfolds in front of your eyes, burns your legs, and causes your lungs to explode!

I missed this basic lesson on my early rides. I thought it was a bit wimpy to down shift so the pedals were easier to push. It may be a guy thing but it is not smart!

The key is to anticipate, get ready, shift early, enjoy the ride by using your energy in the best sequence.

From a leadership perspective in the local church, the key is the same...anticipate. Be ready for the Spirit to move, be prepared for an expected out come to actually arrive!

Right now we are blessed with strong and growing attendance at our early service of worship. We know that will not growth pattern will not go on forever. In fact, it will ultimately level off and stay at a plateau unless we anticipate, prepare, and are ready for a trigger point to arrive.

Therefore, it is our leadership task to look to the future, discern a trigger point, and be ready before the hill arrives. We know that groups in an 'auditorium' setting (read movie theater, worship center, or anywhere people gather to be seated)will typically perceive that the auditorium is 'full' when it is actually only 80% full.

In some situations folks will move beyond the 80% level and even move to 100% and beyond but that will only happen for a short time. Ultimately it will settle back to 80% as a limit unless anticipation has happened effectively!

Here is the bottom line...Gear up and go for it!

The Gospel According to Doctor Luke

I have been reading the Gospel of Luke in preparation for the season of Advent. Advent is that time in the church calendar cycle when we begin a journey toward the manger of Christmas. It is a time of preparation, waiting, anticipation, and discovery.

Traditionally each of the four Gospel writers have been identified with a symbol that sets them apart as a messenger and communicates something about the message itself.

For Luke the symbol is a bull or ox with wings. It is an image of strength, durability, faithfulness, and sacrifice.

The winged bull is a great contrast to the skilled, educated, physician who became a follower of Jesus and a companion of the Apostle Paul. I always think of Luke as the classic 'country doctor' who is faithfully available and ready to respond at a moments notice.

I am going to be inviting our congregation to read the Gospel of Luke during the season of Advent. But (you say) that doesn't even come into play until after Thanksgiving. What's the hurry?? Well, if you are like me, you might be a slow learner. Or, if you are like me, you might like to get a head start.

We are looking at the fullness of Christian life that is faithfully shared in community. Communities do several things. They support, create a climate of accountability, engage in interpersonal encouragement, provide the laughter of fellowship, and allow for the sacred space in which holy relationships can bloom.

I think Luke, the country physician, has a Word for us about health.

I am always blessed by your presence and strengthen by our relationship of faith. I look forward to every moment. If you can not be with us face-to-face, think about joining us online at www.wilsonumc.org. Sermons and other resources are posted just for you!

May the strength of Christ, like that of a winged bull, lift your life today!

Personal Rule of Life

For those thinking about how a personal "Rule of Life" might impact their journey of faith...I share my Rule. I call it a Personal Spiritual Growth Plan. It becomes my 'trellis' upon which my life can grow, reach the Son, and find freedom. Some features of this plan are being fulfilled as we speak. Other areas are designed for stretching. Still others represent places where my journey has not been fulfilled. We are all on a journey and we all need a trellis to help us grow.


Personal Spiritual Growth Plan
2010
Randy Jessen


Inward Disciplines

1. Morning prayer and meditation seeking God’s will for my personal and professional life.
2. Daily prayer for family, staff, lay leadership, and general intercession.
3. Daily study of the Scriptures that are outside teaching and preaching responsibilities.
4. Read through the New Testament each month.
5. Be obedient to the hours.

Outward Disciplines

1. Seek increased ways to simplify life style in accordance with the Gospel.
2. Set aside specific time of solitude outside designated time for personal prayer.
3. Continue serving through Walk to Emmaus and Kairos Prison Ministry.
4. Continue to support mission ministry in Romania, Kenya, and locally.

Corporate Disciplines

1. Commit to regular worship in settings outside Wilson United Methodist Church.
2. Meet monthly with discernment group for support and accountability.

Continuing Education Goals

1. Participate in at least one major conference related to congregational life, preaching or leadership.
2. Participate in the August Leadership Summit.
3. Create a continuing education event for pastors and lay leaders in the area.
4. Read at least one new book each week related to leadership, spiritual formation, church development, stewardship, or vision.

Service Goals

• Global Hope Leadership role
• Board of Ordained Ministry
• Availability for relational conversations
• Asbury community through teaching, dissertation mentor, stewardship

Sleeping Late

I just returned from another experience at the Abbey of Gethsemani in central Kentucky. Another weekend of silence and Psalms. Another opportunity to be washed in the songs of ancient Christian tradition. Yet another chance to see friends, walk the grounds and be reminded of this extraordinarily unique expression of community and faith.

A walk with friends to the statue garden reminded me of my continued struggle of life and faith. I sleep too much! I am not speaking of being remorseful because I don't arise for Vigils at 3:15 each day. I just sleep too much. Not slumber or an extended snooze. I just sleep too much.

Time after time, Jesus asks be to do two things, wait and watch. So what do I do? I tend to do the 'scriptural' thing...the disciple thing...I sleep. I fail to wait and I flounder at the invitation to simply watch.

My recent reminder prompted a new plan. It sounds simple, and it is. It involves listening and a spirit of obedience. Come to think of it, most dynamics of the spiritual life involve the same two features. Jesus asks us to listen and to obey.

So I resolve, not to be like the disciples who accompanied Jesus to the Garden. I resolve to listen and obey. In the end, it really involves waiting and watching.

How about you? Waited lately? Watched today? Take a minute to listen and then do the hard thing...obey. See you soon!

Intentional Prayer Process

My friend Steve Beard is a strong Wesleyan Christian who has become a maker of Roman Catholic prayer beads. He got his first crucifix in Rome while visiting the Vatican. One thing led to another and he became a crucifix maker with a specific focus on developing a system of prayer and spiritual formation that might connect with non-believers. I know it sounds strange, but it works! Ask me (or better yet, ask Steve) about the various dynamics some day.

Steve got me to thinking. I have always been interested in prayer systems that help Christians to stay on task and to go deeper with God. Thus, I too (but not to the intricate or artistic degree as Steve) became a bead maker. You see my first effort in the photo above.

A set of simple beads modeled after the Anglican beads that are often used for personal prayer. 33 beads in total to represent the individual years in the life of Jesus. A cross to provide a grounding and starting point that is connected to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An 'introductory' larger bead that launches the sequence of prayer. Four larger beads around the circumference to serve as a reminder in the shape of the cross.

Then there are the seven beads (sometimes referred to as weeks...get it, 7 days = a week...I only mention that because it took me a little while to catch on).

For those who might be interested, here is the sequence that works best for me:

While holding the cross, open with the Lord's Prayer as a way of centering your heart, mind and spirit. Then move to the introductory bead to recite the Apostles' Creed as a way of connecting to Christian doctrine and history.

Next comes the bottom of the four beads that make up the form of the cross. Here I would recite (silently or quietly) the Gospel of John 1:1-5 along with verse 14. Check it out.

Each small bead of the seven week sequence calls for a simple breath prayer that connects us back to the center of Jesus in our lives. "Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me." The weeks can also be used to focus on the intercessory needs of others as you one-by-one move around the circle of faith.

The remaining three larger beads in the cruciform circle are connected to the (1) John Wesley Covenant Prayer, (2) the prayer of St Francis, and (3) my favorite verse from Ephesians 4:11-13 with a strong request for the Body of Christ to be built up.

Strange huh? Let me know, I will build a set for you. Peace!

A long time waiting

Sometimes it takes a really long time to have anything worth while to say. Then there are other times when there are a lot of words but not much that really makes sense. It is the plague of the preacher! Words that fail to communicate the Word (if you know what I mean).

Let me tell you that I continue to be impressed and motivated by the faithfulness of the people who come into my life. Some of those people are 'flesh and blood' folks while others are known only to me through history or the printed word.

For example, I have been reading about the life and ministry of Francis Asbury. What a faithful guy. He traveled on horseback for thousands of miles during post-revolution America when travel was really travel. No road side rest areas by the side of the interstate. No clean restrooms at McDonald's. No cold drink waiting inside the gas station / convenience store. Just miles and miles of saddle time.

As it turns out, Asbury was one of the best know people of his day. He was known by facial recognition to a far greater degree than George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or any of those swirling constitutional signatures. He knew people of every type. He had wealthy friends who cared for his needs and funded the Methodist movement. But he always choose to spend the night in the home of common folks. Town to town, village to village, homestead to homestead, he was a man of the people.

I love that image. Humble, faithful, loyal, consistent, relational ... I think I see a pattern here. Ultimately he was a pastor. Oh, if only...

Good Friday

I spent part of the day reading the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion. Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19 will give you the full picture.

You might take a moment to read these passages. Take a minute, I will wait.....

Thanks, you know that there are a variety of Bible study skills that you can apply to any passage of Scripture to get the most out of the message. One way to approach the text is to ask about the Place, the People, and the Purpose.

The place is clear, Golgotha. The Place of the Skull. The hill just outside of the city. One mention of the word and everyone knew...it meant pain, torture, revenge, justice, criminal behavior, and death.

There were lots of people at the cross. Simon catches the eye of a Roman solider and is forced to carry the cross of Jesus. He literally carries the cross for all of humanity. There are two criminals. One mocks while the other cries out to Jesus. Jesus responds from the heart, today, you will be with me in paradise..

Then there was Mary the mother of Jesus. She is there standing near the disciple John. Do you think she was remembering the words of Simeon in the temple at the dedication of the child...one day a sword will pierce your soul.

The disciples were there too. Some of them anyway. Judas is gone to his death. Peter is gone to his denial.

Lots of people were there. Some curious, some power hungry, some in great sadness, others celebrating a legal and spiritual victory. Some even called out...if you are the King of the Jews...save yourself.

Apparently, some things are worth dying for.

Then there is the purpose. What is the purpose anyway. Some thought it was to mock him. Others said good riddance. Some were joyful. But God, what was God's purpose. The salvation of the world. Because some things are worth dying for.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in his name will not perish but will have eternal life.

You know, the preaching of Jesus was really very simple. Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand. The preaching is simple, it is the teaching that really presses it all home. He unpacks the Kingdom lifestyle in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7.

Some folks read that and say...that is just humanly impossible. We can never live up to that. It must just be an example for us to know that we need to keep on trying. But I don't think that is the why he took time to teach those difficult and challenging lifestyle concepts.

You see, he believed that some things are worth dying for.

For God so loved the world that he gave....

Some things are worth dying for

Holy Week

Michelangelo arrived in Rome at the ripe old age of twenty-one. His reputation preceded him and won him great favor with Pope Julius III who commissioned him to build a tomb for the Pope. Later he would be honored with the task of describing Catholic theology upon the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He spent four years painting and supervising this incredibly powerful work.

One of the most famous sections of the chapel ceiling is the Creation of Adam. The humanized figure of God reaches out to almost (but not quite) touch the finger of Adam. The gap is connected by the power of the Spirit and Adam comes to life.

The image of the powerful right hand of God reaching out to creation is incredibly potent as we experience Holy Week together. We don't know all that happened in that moment but we do know that the touch of God can change the world. In fact, we see it happening all the time.

I see it in the face of new believers as they begin to realize the power of love. I see it as hearts overflow with passion when people find their calling and begin to live by faith. I see it when hope begins to rise in a life that was once captured by sorrow and depression. I see it when people read the Word of God and begin to realize that it speaks a message of authority into their lives.

Ephesians chapter one must be my all time favorite section of scripture. It is filled to overflowing with the ripe and rich image of God's power and purpose. I especially love the prayer of the Apostle Paul. Imagine for a moment that he is praying this prayer just for you.

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..."

The powerful right hand of God...the same touch that brought life to Adam...is at work in the life of the believer. The same power that established creation and raised Jesus from the dead is likewise available to those how have placed their faith in our God whom we know as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

That, my friends, is worth a cosmic celebration. Michelangelo created a beautiful image that helps us imagine how it might have happened. God does it every day and invites us to remember. It is Holy Week, remember.

Jesus ~ The Alpha and the Omega

It has been a long time away! Sorry, the Bold New Step effort has captured my attention. Rightly so, this will be our threshold into a future that is shaped my incredible ministry!

Meanwhile, Easter slipped up from nowhere. Actually it always follows Palm Sunday which always follows Ash Wednesday. What goes around....

I have been thinking about eternity. Our men's bible study thinks about eternity from time to time. (that's a pun...get it?) Anyway, we wonder how long is eternity? And how would you describe it to someone if you could? When does it start? And where in the world (or out of this world) does it end?

I try, but my explanations are to human-bound. My only real thought is that eternity is a lot like Jesus. Present before creation, incarnated Son of God, resurrected Lord, King of Kings, the same yesterday today and tomorrow....the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Easter is an Alpha and Omega celebration. It just keeps on giving.

I pray that your Easter celebration has an eternal flavor to it. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! Amen.