Walk On!

Check out the video from this year's Race for the Cure at www.theworldofpam.blogspot.com Pam did an awesome job on this video and organizing our church's participation in the race. Team Evans was the largest non-corporate team at the event. I love our church family!
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Last Sunday we talked about Hebrews 11 - the "Faith Hall of Fame." Who's in your hall of fame of faith and why?

Why Do So Many of Our Children Leave Church?

In the comments to my last post Janet mentioned her concern that so many of our children are leaving the church when they leave home. That concern is a brutal fact causing great heartbreak for many of us. I am currently reading a book called "UnChristian" that takes a look at what the younger generations believe about Christianity, so I will have more to say about this topic later.

For now, let me ask you to wrestle with the questions Janet raised in the last post:

1. How do we grow our children spiritually to stand on their own when they leave home?
2. Can the church do it or is it up to the parents?

Thanks for asking these questions Janet, and thanks for interacting with this "blog community."

How Do Christians Evaluate Success?

One of the projects I am currently working on is a new evaluation process for our ministry staff. One of the questions that has to be answered in that process regards the criteria used to accurately determine a ministry's effectiveness. I would love to have your input on these two questions:

1. What criteria should be used to evaluate a church's effectiveness?
2. How do you know if you are "succeeding" in your walk with God?

Why Are We So Casual about Sin?

This Sunday I am preaching from Hebrews 9:11-10:18. That passage spells out for us why Jesus had to die on the cross as well as the results of his sacrifice. In my study I was struck by the thought that sin is so ugly, dark and destructive that the only way God could deal with it was to sacrifice his own Son. That says alot about God, but it also says a great deal about the seriousness of sin. So, why are we so casual about sin?

There are many people (including Christians) who know they have sin in their lives but have no plans to get rid of it. They seem content to hold onto their "pet sin" even when they know they are playing with fire. Shouldn't the extreme grace of the cross motivate us to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" (Hebrews 12:1)? What are your thoughts?

As Iron Sharpens Iron

Todd and I are training for a half-marathon in November, so this past Saturday we met at Lake Hefner and ran 10 miles. Todd's a better runner than me and so trying to keep pace with him pushed me to go faster than I would have run if I was running alone. That experience reminded me of Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other" (NCV).

I am a better husband, father, minister, and servant of God because of the inspiration I have received from others, and being involved in such a wonderful community of faith like Alameda helps me to keep growing as a Christian.

In what ways have you been "sharpened" by others?

Die to Live!

Today was the beginning of the second year of Men's Fraternity. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this Bible study opportunity. It's one of the few places where I'm not "The Preacher" and can just be another participant like everyone else - one of the guys!

This morning's lesson was about dying to live - a principle beautifully illustrated by the cross of Christ. Two questions that we discussed in our small group time were: "How have you seen this work in your own life? What happened when you ignored this priniciple and tried a different way?"

I came to Alameda from a much larger congregation full of ideas. My first two years I was "pedal to the metal." Unfortunately, in my attempts to get things done my way, I hurt many people's feelings. Thanks to some true friends, I learned to approach things in a better way. I learned to be more humble and to allow other people to be part of the process. By dying to myself a little, I have seen that when you seek to help everybody win, the journey is much more enjoyable. I am a better minister for having learned that lesson.

What about you? How have you seen the principle of "dying to live" work in your life?