Grass Roots: When Christ's Peace Rules

My TIE Value: "Commit your way to the Lord...He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn" (Psalm 37:5a;6a)

In my third year of Bible College, I was suddenly taken out of a fun puppet ministry and put in charge of the dreaded grades 4th-6th Children's Church by my church's Senior Pastor. These kids gave their volunteer leaders a tough time. They damaged the room, and refused to listen to the leaders. 

The last straw was that a group of Bible College students tried to be fun Bible dudes only to become victims of an organized escape plan that was launched during free time. These kids tackled the leaders and ran out of the room. Then they busted into the worship service screaming as they ran into the front door and out the back door behind the stage area. Perfectly timed during the song of reflection and calling after the sermon.

Like any good soldier, I made a battle plan:

1. I enlisted a couple of good friends who were bigger than me to serve as my holy bouncers at the door.

2. I instituted rules like respect teachers, each other, and church property. 

3. Everyone was made to face the wall and serve a timeout when one of our 3 rules were violated after a single warning. 

And 4.  I was determined to have an age appropriate worship service complete with songs, prayer, sermon, discussion, and fun games.

My first Sunday with bouncers in position and ministry format ready to teach the Wide and Narrow Gates of Matthew 7:13-14, the 15 kids tested our resolve that we never made it to the short sermon. It was a continual violation of our simple rules and a lot of time facing the walls.

Afterwards, I believe the Lord gave me insight to just come back the next week with the same plan and see how far we get. And so the following week we had the same 15 kids with much face time with the walls, but we made through the Scripture reading and 3 minutes of a 15 minute sermon. The following week we had the same 15 kids plus 5 friends who were invited to come experience this strange church with “Mr. Meanie.” We made it through half of the sermon before time was done.

It took 6 weeks to have a complete worship service. However what was different is we had 20 minutes to spare and our attendance grew from 15 kids to just over 30. In many of the Sundays to come, going outdoors to play at the church’s playground became the normal habit.

I thought that the lesson I learned during those 6 weeks was that discipline and obedience allows us more freedom. While having well behaved kids allowed us to do more with our time at church as well as fun outings all over Southern California. But over the next 3 years God taught me a lesson that has shaped my ministry forever.

My TIE Moment: Christ's Peace Rules

In short time, my bouncers were no longer needed. They were replaced by a couple of guys who loved preteens and the Gospel. Rare was a time out given. But throughout that time many of these kids came to know Christ as their Savior. The Gospel proclaimed and the Gospel received was normal. I remembered one girl who once labeled me “Mr. Meanie” came to tell me during her high school years, “You were no Mr. Meanie, you just love Jesus.”

We are called to “Let the “Peace of Christ rule [take over] your hearts.” (Col. 3:15a)  What did God teach me about letting His peace rule our hearts?

The narrow gate leads to life and not destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). The Wide Gate leads to destruction and not life.  Yet we often teach the Bible in ways that leaves people walking around the narrow gate in hopes of finding their own way to have peace with God.  We need to teach people that we are seeking peace with God not making God at peace with us.

Also, learning to do what is right helps us to allow God’s grace rule or over take our lives. Romans 5:21 states: “Just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (NIV)

Learning to respect or honor God’s Word, person, authority, people, and even property helps us to grow His grace. Doing what is right helps us to cooperate better as a community. Doing what is right assists us to make a correction from what we do that is wrong.

Most of all, doing what is right brings us to the narrow gate that leads to eternal life through Jesus. Ultimately we have to acknowledge that what we do wrong has consequences that we never can correct. We need Jesus to save us from the coming judgment.

What I learned is that our experiences of discipline and God’s Word helped to lead these kids to Jesus. Since then, the same narrow path also leads us all to Jesus. 

Be Response-Able

My TIE Value: Trust in the Lord and Do Good (Psalm 37:3)

 My Son's enjoyment for playing baseball prompted me to be involved with various baseball associations.

Like all youth sports associations, I have learned that successful baseball associations depend on the grassroots volunteers of its board members, coaches, and most of all parent involvement.  Without these three key groups of people there is no association, league or team.  Without all the adult volunteers youth baseball would disappear even if there was a massive interest to play baseball.

I was satisfied to be the #1 parent volunteer for our team each and every year.This is why I was always first in line to prepare the field for game day by squeegeeing the water off the field and filling in holes around the infield. I made time to run skill stations at practice so that all the players got their reps up in baseball basics. As an assistant coach in 2013, I was responsible for that our 5 team members (12-13 year old) who were new to the game. 4 out of these 5 players returned to play baseball in 2014. 

I was thrilled to be a small part in the bigger picture of grassroots baseball where first time players were excited to play and wanted to play again the following year. Then our director put me on the spot for 2014 season. He volunteered me to be a head coach for my son’s 14-15 year old team. I tried for months to get out of it. But his reply to me was, “You have dodged the real responsibility of having a team by not coaching.” He was right.

As I accepted this appointment with much inward trepidation, it was helpful for me to recall that I had all the experiences needed to have a successful baseball season as I prepared to be a head coach. 

•          I copied the practice plan of coaches I volunteered under who knew how to grow players by increasing everyone’s repetitions of baseball’s basic skills.

•         I went to the training sessions at the association where I was reacquainted with the basics of coaching and playing baseball.

•          I had the support of my family and church to be involved with the baseball community.

As I went through my first year as a head coach, I realized that I already possessed the basic knowledge and experiences to grow all the skill levels of my players. I came to realize by the end of the season that I did not fully understand grassroots sports until I was obligated to head coach a team.

MY Take It Easy Thoughts:

In our churches, we often misplace the true value of being involved in church ministry. While people in the church will serve on all the rotations, participate in the Bible studies, and plan for ministry related activities; they will often decline being the point person responsible for the ministry.

Like my avoidance of  head coaching responsibilities in baseball, the members in our churches feel they are too busy to be responsible for the ministry. Even if time was not the issue, they often see themselves as inadequately trained or lack of abilities compared to others to really be a good choice.  After all they do not want to “mess things up” and / or “receive complaints” from their fellow church goers.  Unfortunately, these are legitimate concerns.  

Even more unfortunate, these people become satisfied in being the #1 volunteer who is more concerned about running a safe program where someone else takes the heat or they can hide behind the anonymity of a committee.  No wonder we have little or no trust in the size of vision God as for each of our churches!

Growing into God’s greater vision requires us to step out of our lives and into His Calling. Being a called people is at the most basic element of not only serving God in the church which I see as a practice for serving his purposes everywhere (Matt. 4: 18-22; 8:18-22; 28:19-20).  In order to live as a called person we need to trust the resources that God has already given us.

#1: His Living Gospel

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both wise and foolish. That is why I am eager to preach the Gospel to you who are in Rome. I am not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes… - Romans 1:14-16a (NIV)

#2: His Living Word

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

#3: His Living Body, the Church

It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. – Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)

#4:  His Living Presence through the Holy Spirit

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. – John 14:26 (NIV)

Is there any reason why we can’t grow our “Response – Ability” to God’s daily calling?

Over the next few weeks I will write about elements that help us grow our grassroots in Christ found in Colossians 3:15-17. It is my hope to challenge each of us to respond to God so that we all CAN serve Him everywhere.

Great and Mighty Things Do Happen In Life's Storms

I am please to submit Lorraine's next installment as a guest writer in my blog. Since her mother's passing, God has been using Lorraine in a Great and Mighty Way to be a blessing in her world. May God inspire you through her continuing story.

Next week I will resume new blog postings in My TIE after taking a break from writing during July and August. Starting next week I will begin several post about being a "Grassroots Christian." 

TIE for now,

Pastor Tom Ford

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:3-7 New International Version (NIV)

To trust, delight and commit to the Lord is to praise Him under all circumstances.  As a guest blogger on My TIE, I have been sharing openly my painful journey with the Lord.  Slowly but surely, God has used my struggle to bless others in their life’s storms.

1. God has a bigger purpose

It’s been over two months since my mom has gone to be with the Lord and God continues to do great and mighty things while I am struggling to find my new life that He is creating for me within this dark season of grieve and adjustment.  The eulogy that I delivered at mom’s funeral in early July has touched people in various stages of faith / no faith.  It turned out to be a strong witness of God's grace for many in their life's storms.

I remember the day after mom’s funeral I received a LinkedIn invitation from a stranger who introduced herself to me as my brother’s friend.  She looked me up on LinkedIn as my eulogy for mom touched her.  She asked me to add her to my professional network and wanted me to know that she is praying for our family.   As someone who has been looking for a job for over two years, expanding my LinkedIn network is very important, but I would have never thought a connection could come through a funeral service.  God sure works in mysterious ways.

Through My TIE, people around the world have come to know my mom and God’s amazing grace.  Even people at my very dark workplace have asked about my blog.  God is indeed working and I take every opportunity to talk to them about the gospel and the peace that only God can give.  I have since continued to share mom’s passing openly and tears have been easy to come by, and this time from those who are listening to my story.  God has been using my struggle to bless others who are also struggling.

Many people are also sharing with me their struggles and how they have found my story comforting.  Some who have been through similar situation of losing a parent are also giving me support and words of encouragement.  All of a sudden, many more people are journeying with me, making my struggle less painful, and giving me more reasons to continue to praise our Lord even during this difficult time.

2. God answers prayer His way and in His time

Mom’s passing turned out to be the best part of God’s master plan.  The day before mom’s funeral, my dad told me he wanted to go where mom is and I indicated to him that he must first invite Jesus to live in his heart. 

Dad has been going to church with mom for many years but it was not until Jesus brought mom home to be with Him that he is questioning about the purpose behind Sunday worship and what it is like to give his life to Christ.  God took away the pain of mom’s illness to invite my dad on an unexpected journey with Him.  God answered my prayer (for over 10 years) for dad to seek Jesus by placing me in the darkest season of my life. 

Dad has since been taking the Alpha course which introduces the basics of the Christian faith.  He has started worshiping in a new church where he is being cared for and receiving spiritual support during this difficult time. God is always on time.  He took mom away for a much bigger purpose.  I will continue to praise Him and pray that despite the bumpy road ahead, dad’s passion to seek the Lord will lead him to finding true peace, the peace that only God can give.

3. Our struggle can be a blessing to others

God will take us to a place where we can be a blessing to others, even at the darkest point in our lives. The more we bless others, the more God will bless us.  We often pray for a miracle when we are in the midst of a life’s storm, but we can also become a miracle for someone else at the same time.

Helping my dad adjust to his new normal while trying to adjust to mine has been extremely challenging but I have learned so much more about our loving Father from above, who He is and what He does:

·         Jesus put us in the darkest season to equip us to live the rest of our lives;

·         We feel defeated at times because we put victory at the wrong time and in the wrong place;

·         Being at our lowest point in our lives gives us no choice but to rely on our Father for strengths and for resiliency to build endurance;

·         Although the situation may not be pleasant, the darkest season of our lives gives us the opportunity to learn to trust God for what He’s going to do; and

·         Learning how to handle our lives during life’s storms is to believe that God will bring it altogether in later seasons; that He will restore us from our brokenness to a state where we will be better and stronger than before.

We are blessed to bless others.  God is transforming the world around us by first transforming us.  We do not have to wait until we are delivered out of the fire before we give thanks; we are to turn our test of faith into a testimony for the Lord by praising Him even in extreme conditions.  God is here to make us fireproof.  His plan is bigger than ours and He is always on time.  As someone has once said, “the greatest test of faith is when you don’t get what you want, but still you are able to say thank you Lord.”

God tells us through His Word, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  For, in just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:36-37 New International Version (NIV)

I want to thank you for your prayers and support during this difficult time.  May the peace of the Lord be also with you as we journey together.  May our Father’s name be praised.

Lorraine Fung (September 1, 2014)