Building a Congregation that is Strong in the Lord

Something special is happening in this church. We can see it! We can feel it! More importantly, we KNOW it! Our congregation continues to grow, the finances continue to increase, and the most amazing thing is that we aren’t doing anything to make it happen. We never solicit members and we never ask for money, yet God is moving in our midst.

We mentioned to everyone last Sunday that we are looking forward to the church anniversary celebration in March because we will probably get our first look at our entire church family, all together in one setting. Due to the various work schedules of those who attend this church, we have never seen everyone attending on the same Sunday.

From our perspective, we have a nearly different group of people each week. Yes, we have those who are able to attend every week and that group never waivers, but the majority have to deal with many factors in their lives that prevent them from attending every Sunday. Since the fall of 2005 we have been under 10 members. We would see slight increases and slight decreases, but remained unchanged. Since the spring of 2010, our attendance has more than tripled, and we can feel the rumblings of a coming wave.

Since we’ve been in the Pennsylvania United Church Center, not only have we seen growth, but we have seen growth in a particular way. God is touching the lives of families, beginning with OUR family. Ranging from cousins to a nephew, we are experiencing an answer to prayer. Other families are coming as they hear about the ministry or as they discover it on the internet.

Families are coming who are seeking freedom from religious bondage or deliverance from the carnal whims of church leaders who are in pursuit of fame and fortune.

Carol and I simply refuse to raise up a congregation that looks to the pastors for all their answers. We refuse to establish a church where the pastors become mini-celebrities. We refuse to raise a congregation that lives day to day, week to week, month to month, and year to year, always wondering if they are ‘saved’ or not. It’s ridiculous to create an atmosphere where people can never know if they are pleasing God, and never be sure if whether they are holy enough, or if their mistakes and decisions have cost them their salvation.

For some of our members, these are non-issues in their life, but for most of the people to whom we have been sent, these are major obstacles and walls. Many seem to have been so rooted and steeped in works-based teaching, that what they are hearing now is like fresh air and new life.

By focusing on the law, many pastors have turned people away from grace and they preach another gospel. Galatians 3: 1 reads: "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?"

We refuse to become pastors who use people’s uncertainty about their standing in God to manipulate them into church attendance and tithing; causing them to try to maintain their salvation and righteousness by giving their time, talents and treasure to the church.

We desire to raise a congregation made up of families that are strong in the Lord. So we’ll continue to teach about the commitment the Lord has made to people. As we behold and understand the Lord's commitment to us, we are empowered to commit our lives to Him and our families.

I just want to BE WITH HIM

This month of consecration has been a marvelous journey and my heart just longs for the Lord like never before. I'm not overwhelmed by the circumstances and situations surrounding life and ministry. I see the Lord seated on the throne, exalted. And the train of His robe fills the temple with Glory. And the whole earth is filled with His Glory. Our God is greater, Our God is stronger. Our God is higher than any other. Our God is healer, Awesome in power...Our God, Our God. What a mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him; Heaven and earth adores Him. What a mighty God we serve! Nothing is hidden from Him. Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

I haven't been as consistent as I should have been and haven't always stayed on schedule with my Bible reading plan, but it's okay. So many times the Lord just called me to sit and wait in His presence. It happened so many times that I realized He was trying to make a point. I needed to just BE with Him. The more I am just WITH Him, the more I see Him. The more I see Him, the more I want to see Him. So many earthly desires and longings are fading away. Success is not based upon the number of people that attend on Sundays. My self esteem and self worth is not measured by notoriety or fame.

I just want to BE WITH HIM.

31 Days of Consecration

The Lord has put it on my heart to begin 31 days of consecration during the entire month of October. I’m not calling the entire church family to do it, although any and all who feel the same way can participate. It will be a month of prayer, fasting and communing with the Lord. He’s put in my spirit to drop TV and video watching from my daily routine and spend that time in the word and prayer.

Fasting will be part of my daily and weekend schedule. I just know that HE’s calling me away with Him. So I may not be blogging for a while and that’s okay. This will be very personal and private, so if you don’t hear from me for a while, that’s what is going on with me this month.

This is day-1, and the Lord woke me up at 5:00 am. We have a walk-in closet and I’ve made some space in there to go in and just stretch out and pray. He’s already given me the focus for the month and it comes from one of my absolute most favorite worship songs.

It came up out of spirit during this morning's prayer .With all that’s going on in the world, the Bishop Long scandal, the violence, the turmoil, the disasters and the heavy demonic waves that always come forth in October, God has given me the focus. In case someone reads this and desires to join with me and us, during this month, the focus is simple. ALL I NEED IS YOU, LORD…

Feeding Frenzy

Just last week I felt like something was about to explode and it certainly has. The outbreak of accusation against the pastor in Atlanta has certainly stirred up our nation. I’ve been exploring the internet and navigating around face book and there’s a wide range of responses.

One thing I have noticed is that there are a lot of agendas out there and the forces behind them are all converging on the scene like sharks. The water is bloody and there is a feeding frenzy.

I briefly and mistakenly tried to offer some advice to one person on face book, but my pleas were dismissed as just a pastor who was afraid to lose their ministry.
Boy, they sure don’t know us. We lost everything five years ago, so we have no big congregation or ministry to lose. My concern was for the many pastors and ministries throughout the world who will suffer backlash because of this. I was trying to convey the reality that spreading negative press is not helping the situation.

But after I saw a couple of people making fun of the members of this pastor’s church and actually saying no one should pray or feel sorry for those folks, I realize that an all out feeding frenzy is on for real. As far as many are concerned, there are no innocent by standers. All pastors, churches and ministries are corrupt and they all need to be shut down.

As it was in the time of Rome when Nero was emperor, the cry is going forth to kill all the Christians.

Some have claimed that they are standing up for the victims in this situation, but that’s not true. If they were standing up for the victims, they would see that the list of victims extends far beyond the accusers. However, as I promised, I’m keeping my opinion out of the situation and I’m not going to dare speak a word against the pastor, his church or his family.

At this point, we have encouraged our small group and our internet followers to keep their mouths closed. We have decided that we will keep our focus on God as we commit to prayer.

We’re about to roll over into the most evil and sinister time of the year; October. The Lord has directed me to pray and fast this month. I can’t speak for anybody else or send out any commands and orders. I just know that the Spirit of God is directing me to get alone with Him and pray. So that’s what I’m going to do.

Overwhelmed by expressions of love

I am literally overwhelmed by all the expressions of love that were given to me on my birthday, two days ago (9/8/10). So many people have made my 51st birthday a very special and memorable occasion. I took the day off, had breakfast with my girl Carol, and just relaxed with my family all day. Then when I checked facebook, several people hit me on live chat, postings, emails and phone calls all at the same time. I am truly blessed. I am a rich man because I have so many special people in my life.


Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

New King James version Philippians 4:8