Church Website

We are in the process of designing a new church website, and I need your help. What are some things you would like to see on Alameda's website? What do you expect from a church site?

What's the Motivation Behind Your Work?

Today in Men's Fraternity we talked about the key motivations behind a person's work. Here's the eight that were discussed, with Scripture:

1. Because I have to (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
2. Because I want to meet my needs and the needs of my family (1 Timothy 5:8)
3. Because I desire to have a certain standard of living (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
4. Because I desire to accomplish something meaningful to me (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
5. Because I seek to do something through my work that is helpful and of service to others (1 Peter 4:10)
6. Because I can earn money that I can give to help others (Ephesians 4:28)
7. Because I can earn money that I can give to advance God's Kingdom on Earth (Proverbs 3:9)
8. Because I can serve and glorify God in my work and spiritually impact people (Colossians 3:23-24)

So what's the motivation behind your work?

MLK

"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Leadership

Recently, while having lunch with one of our church members, we talked about some concerns he had about a decision our elders made to make a change to our ministry staff. He told me that, although he knew I had nothing to do with the decision, people are looking to me as their leader to tell them what God wants them to do in the midst of what is, for some, a painful and confusing situation. I told him that I understood what he was saying, but the elders are the leaders of the church. It was then that this member said something to me that I am still processing. He said (and I'm paraphrasing here), "Rusty, I know the elders lead the church, but you are the leader people look to. You are the one we turn to in order to understand what God is telling us to do in times like this."

I don't know if this member noticed or not, but as he spoke those words to me tears began to well up in my eyes because I am not worthy of that "authority", nor do I feel up to that task. I will be forever indebted to that member for helping me understand my role better. But here's my struggle...

I know I'm a preacher/minister, but I still see myself as the boy from a small Oklahoma town with a funny name (Byng). I am ordinary, not extraordinary. I am the common man, not THE MAN. I am of average intelligence, not a brilliant scholar. I struggle with pride, selfishness, and my temper. I have many qualities of an extovert, but I need time alone, time away from the pressure to be "all things to all people." However, I feel guilty when I am "away" because I truly do want to help people and be with people. I need to improve my prayer life, my devotional times with God, and my understanding of God's Word. I need to grow in the fruits of the Spirit.

I say all of that to say this: I do not feel that I am the type of leader people should be looking to, but I feel challenged to become that person. If you are a member at Alameda, I hope that you will extend me grace and mercy and patience as God grows me. I pray that when I make mistakes, you will see those mistakes for what they are: the actions of a flawed man, not an evil man. And I ask that you pray for me. I want to be the leader people need me to be, but I need your help.

Thank you to that member who ministered to me in a restaurant, and thank YOU for reading this self-serving post (I told you I struggled with selfishness!).
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Many of you have asked and commented about the online book club idea. Matt Dowling has worked that out, and you will hear details soon on this blog and in Alameda's church bulletin.