Why Your Church Doesn’t Pray

Posted by deandeguara on

Image courtesy of photoholic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of photoholic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How is your church’s prayer life? Church leaders hate that question because it’s the one thing we would do better if we really knew what it would take to spark and ignite our church’s prayer life. Yet, because we don’t know what to do our prayer meetings remain lifeless, boring if you will, a have to instead of a get to.  If we are honest when it comes to corporate prayer times many congregations feel like they are always climbing the mountain like Moses, instead of moving mountains like Jesus. Deep down we know the prayer life of our churches should be vibrant and life giving, but often we walk away feeling as though the prayer meeting just sucked the very life right out of us.

Why is this? How can we create a prayer culture in our churches that is valued and vital to the vision God has given?

1. Remove the Moses Mentality- The picture we paint of prayer will be the perception that people have of prayer. The Moses mentality occurs when pastors and leaders in our churches become the sole mediators for the people in prayer instead of motivators in getting people to pray. Much like Moses climbing Mt. Sinai to hear and receive from God to give report to the people at the foot of the mountain; if we are not careful we will unintentionally create a picture that prayer is only for the chosen ones. The indicators of this happening are subtle, but you will see it surface when pastors and leaders become the automatic go to, the primary prayer warrior, or the person people assume God always answers.  Other signs of the Moses mentality include people waiting in the prayer line for a specific person to pray for them, asking the “mediator” for a word from God, or the responsibility of prayer being left up to a remnant of people in the church. Removing the Moses mentality requires us to level the mountain that keep people from encountering God on their own and demolishing the barriers that keep people feeling inadequate about approaching God in prayer.

2. Disciple Your People in Prayer- If you could ask Jesus to teach you about anything what would it be? I could be wrong, but I don’t think prayer would be on the top of many of our lists. However, one of Jesus’ disciples asked, “Lord teach us to pray.” As leaders if we don’t disciple our people in prayer someone else will instruct them.  Though there are great resources to help our congregations engage in prayer, we can’t just rely on Stormie OMartian to teach our church about the Power of a Praying Church (by the way I like and have used Stormie OMartian’s resources).  If we don’t define prayer as it relates to the life and vision of our church, prayer will be defined by someone else. When we fail to define prayer and detail the ministry of prayer for our churches others will determine the direction for us. This can in turn create an unhealthy division in churches between intercessors (people who feel called to pray) and the uninterested (people who don’t know how to pray).  The intercessors are seen as the super spiritual and the uninterested are are seen as unspiritual. Teaching our churches how to pray will bring a unifying definition of prayer and a prayer model that is fashioned for the vision.

3. Bring Down the Barriers - A few weeks ago I attended a new believers bible study and it really opened my eyes. I had to show the person on my right where the book of Psalms was and the person on my left where the book of Matthew was. Listening to some of the answers around the room regarding the topic of repentance I discovered I was out of touch with where people were really at in our church. Likewise, when it comes to prayer meetings in the church I think we can be out of touch with where people are really at which creates barriers in our meetings instead of breakthroughs. In other words, we are ready to storm the gates of hell, but most people can’t even see past their personal storms.  I have found out that there are three types of people in our churches when it comes to prayer and all three types must be addressed in order for the prayer life of a church to become healthy.

  • People who see prayer as a hard thing – When it comes to their prayer life, they don’t enjoy it they just want to get through it. Teaching this group of people about who God is and who they are in Christ causes them to better relate and communicate with God, therefore resulting in wanting to spend more time with Him.
  • People who hardly pray – These people know they should pray, but they really haven’t taken the time to develop their prayer life. This group of people need to be taught the rewards of a disciplined prayer life.
  • People that pray hard- This group is radical when it comes to prayer. They are the first ones to show up to the prayer meeting and the last ones to leave. This group needs to be taught to remember where God has brought them from. That they too have been included in the groups above and need to encourage others around them instead of finding fault with others. This group must be constantly aware of becoming critical instead of constructive.

If your church isn’t praying ask yourself why, what you can do and how you can create a culture of prayer in your church. A church’s programs will only be as strong as it’s prayer life. I hope these three things will at least help you begin the process of prayer becoming a core value and vital part of your church’s vision.

 What is hindering your church’s prayer life? What has helped your church overcome some of the obstacles when it comes to prayer?

Just Finished Pastorpreneur by Dr. John Jackson

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Unknown-1Dr. Jackson defines the term Pastorpreneur as a pastoral innovator, a creative dreamer willing to take great risks in church ministry with the hope of great gain for Christ and His kingdom. If this definition is all I extracted out of this book it would have been worth the read because it helped define what’s been going on in my heart since I was 20 years old. I never really understood how to communicate to others my passion and creativity when it comes to what God has called me to do, yet this definition nailed it.

Pastorpreneur is divided into three parts that I’ve listed below with my comments and quotes to wet your appetite.

1. Vision – If you need clarity concerning your calling, Dr. Jackson has written some of the best content I’ve ever read regarding the subject.

“We often look for Gods direction during our mountain-top experiences, but sometimes he uses the pits of despair to provide us clearer vision.”

2. Strategy – Great nuts and bolts on strategic thinking as it relates to reaching your community: Attract, Attach, Activate.

“Will we take the risk of boldly trusting God for a fresh vision and powerful strategies that can change our churches, communities and the world? I believe a Spirit-led burst of entrepreneurial activity will lead the church to greater cultural impact…”

3. Action – A vision that is never implemented remains as a dream locked in the heart of a leader. Dr. Jackson encourages the reader to get a plan to see it come to pass.

“Dream great dreams, but also as God for specific plans for achieving what he has placed on your heart.”

If you are a pastor, part of church staff, or a community leader and you are looking for a roadmap on how to get your church or organization from where it’s, to where you see it going, Pastorpreneur by Dr. John Jackson will help bring clarity to your call, cause you to think strategically, and help you keep vision vibrant and healthy.

What’s on your Summer reading list?

 

 

5 Ways I’m Blogging to a Better Life

Posted by deandeguara on

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Three years ago I set up a Blogger account to simply create a living photo album of our family to keep friends and family updated with the Deguara family’s current events.  Much too my surprise not to many people were interested in our exciting lives (you can laugh) and I began to recognize that Facebook was the friends and family connector. I enjoyed writing; however, so I began to shift the focus of my blog to some things I’m very passionate about: People, Leadership and the Church.

Since then blogging has never been about me, yet it is helping me become better at life. I haven’t monetized my blog, I have yet to create a product, and though my traffic is increasing steadily, I have more people passing thru than participating in the community I’m trying to cultivate. Now I only mention the things that haven’t happened with my blog because many times we are equating “better” with how much we are making, what we are producing, and who is reading or watching.

“Better” for me is a journey I’m still on. I think some of the things I mentioned above are in my blog’s future, but if none of it ever happens here are some things blogging is helping me get better at.

1.  A Better Writer – Ironically the most spiritual class I ever took in college was English. People are baffled when I tell them that but it’s true. I never felt God more than when I was reading and writing in my English class. Blogging has helped me rediscover my God-given passion for reading and writing and has challenged me to explore the possibilities of one day becoming an author.

2.  A Better Speaker- Blogging has caused me to become a better speaker, a better story teller, a better closer.  I’ve noticed that the more I blog, the better I communicate. When I’m preparing a message to deliver I’m spending more time with the art of delivering it, than the form of creating it.

3. A Better Leader - I quoted Pastor Ray Johnston in my post last week, but it rings true when it comes to my blogging experience. “If Your not Learning Today, You wont be Leading Tomorrow.” Blogging has opened up an entire new world of leadership because it is connecting me with leaders I would have never interacted with if I wasn’t blogging. I blog, therefore I connect with other bloggers. These bloggers are making me become a better leader when I participate in there community by leaving a comment, sharing their content or just connecting through email and getting their feedback.

4. A Better Pastor - Blogging has helped me with processing the Monday morning blues many pastors experience on a weekly basis. It assists me in bringing clarity to things that are bogging me down. When I blog the burden lifts and the blues dissipate. My mind is cleared of the clutter and chatter and I can focus on the positive instead of the negative.

5. A Better Friend - I’m always encouraged by someone who says they were encouraged by one my posts, a book I recommended or a hard topic I addressed. I couldn’t possibly sit down personally with each person that reads my blog but I’m thrilled that it keeps me connected to people I care about and people I’m meeting for the first time. Blogging has allowed me to sustain existing friendships and expand my influence in their lives.

Blogging to a better life is not just about what your blog can do for you, it’s what your blog can do for others. I’m inspired by those that are using social media to influence and impact the world that lies beyond their blog and helping people build better lives. A better life for me is making others around me better.

How has blogging helped you? I would appreciate any comments you have.

 

Why Everything You Try Isn’t Working

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Duct TapeHave you ever wondered why everything that you try, the thing that is working for everyone else, is not working for you? Most of us have experienced the frustration of attempting something that we were told would work, could work and should work, but it is not working for us at all.  Why is that?

Problem solving is not a one size fits all process, and though there can be general principles that guide us to solutions; everything you try isn’t alway going to work no matter who said it, wrote it, or how much you paid for it. Here are several reasons why everything you try isn’t working:

1. You’re missing the point of your mishap. Sometimes when everything is not working, it may have everything to do with you. Ouch. That hurt to write, but it’s true. You will never find a solution to a problem that has nothing to do with you. When everything is not working you must take time to self examine. Problem solvers always look in the mirror first and ask themselves the hard questions when there are no easy answers. Questions like, What could I have done better?, How could I have avoided this problem?, Was I responsible in anyway for the problem?

2. You’re looking for a quick fix. Many times when everything is not working, it’s because you didn’t take time to fix it right the first time. When I think of a quick fix I think of Duct Tape. I’ve personally wrapped it around radiator hoses, garden hoses, tires, and balls. I’ve used it to patch things, hang things, and hold things together. It’s amazing stuff and it is recommended to use at home, at school, and at the office for everyday repairs. The truth about Duct Tape however is that it’s only going to get you by your problem and not through your problem. Quick fixes never eliminate your problem, it only extends the deadline of finding a long term solution.

3. You’re not listening. When everything is not working it might be because you haven’t really listened to anyones advice. I’ve sat in many one on one meetings, taken multiple phone calls and answered numerous emails where I’ve found myself offering several solutions to a selective listener. A selective listener has a tendency to only listen to solutions that will not cause them any pain or discomfort. If your not willing to listen to good advice it is an indicator that your unwilling to learn the real answer to your problem.

4. You’re not really trying. When you say you have tried everything and it’s not working, your not really trying, your lying. The key to finding a solution to your problem is being truthful and honest about your problem. An alcoholic will never recover without admitting he or she is an alcoholic, a suffering marriage will never be restored without a husband and wife confessing their shortcomings, a struggling student that is getting poor grades will never get good grades unless she takes responsibility for her study habits. To try something is to make an honest effort to do everything you can do to make it work.

5. You’re not trusting.  At this point when and if everything is not working, it is possible that you are not trusting. The Message paraphrase puts it this way, Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track (Proverbs 3:5-6). Could it be that you are overlooking the solution your looking for because you have failed to look to God for a solution? Every problem requires trusting in someone greater than yourself and God is the SOMEONE with the SOMETHING for every problem.  

This week if you find that everything you try is not working, ask yourself why it’s hasn’t been working by using the list above. If you need some encouragement leave a comment and I will reply.

Thrive on These Thoughts

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Last week I attended Thrive 2013  at Bayside Church in Granite Bay, CA. This for sure is one of the best conferences in the country for the price and since it’s local I’ve had the opportunity to attend 4 of the last 7 years. I highly recommend bringing your entire staff and leadership team in 2014 (I’m not getting anything in return for this plug)!

I wanted to share a few inspiring thoughts I tweeted last week during the conference and expand on them to encourage the Back Seat Leader Community this week!

“Under Promise, Over Deliver.” @jimholst - The church is probably best known for over promising and under delivering. There is nothing more detrimental to a church’s influence in the community than to set expectations high and frustrate those we promised by failing to to meet those expectations. It’s always better to under promise and exceed what was expected.

“It’s Easier to do the Work of God than the Will of God.” @_chris_brown - When we become good at doing something it can be costly if we assume that God is always in it. Depending and relying on God is essential for the leader that is wanting to accomplish God’s work.

“Don’t give me a bumper sticker for my bullet wound.” – Grant Fishbook - This was shared in a workshop on how to communicate to a 21st century audience. The thought being that this emerging generation is looking and longing for hard truth instead of simple solutions usually  found sprinkled throughout our sermons.

“Jesus wants to surprise us today!” @mafienberg - If we are not careful we can be so future focused on what God is going to do in our lives tomorrow, we lose sight of what Jesus is doing in our lives today. As leaders we must not let the worries of tomorrow, choke out the wonders of today!

“We know enough to own a Bible, but we don’t know enough for the Bible to own us!” @logos - The Thrive conference is so good even the sponsor’s commercials are inspiring.

“If Your not Learning Today, You wont be Leading Tomorrow.” @rayjohnston via @cjalvarado  - First time I heard this leadership quote, but it served as a reminder to me that we can never stop learning if we want to keep leading effectively in these changing times. By the way CJ Alvarado’s workshop Marketing and Communications Remixed was the best workshop I attended.

I always enjoy the Thrive Conference. I hope these thoughts give you something to think about this week. I would be interested in hearing your feedback if you attended. However, whether you did or not I would love to hear what your thinking about this week!

What are some thoughts you are thriving on this week?

 

 

The Missions Trip Myth: “I’m Not Called to Go”

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I’m introducing a new feature to my blog this morning that will include guest posts by my friends from the BackSeat Leader Community. Today, I’ve asked my friend and coworker, Lori Seals, our Children’s Pastor at New Life Community Church to share her experience about her first mission’s trip experience to India we went on with a team of 17 over spring break last month. I hope you are as challenged and as inspired as I was after reading her testimony.

Pastor Lori at the Rhino Project

My First Missions Trip 

When I returned home from India, I was worried that all I would have is a jumbled bunch of emotions that simply faded in time. Each night as I could only sleep 4-5 hours I would lay in bed thinking of everything. The second and third day of this I would attempt to pray about my feelings but still only feel overwhelmed. By Monday morning at 3:40am, clarity begin to set in. I spent the next few hours listening to Gods words and seeing clearly what this trip was all about.  The day after I got home I saw a quote from Mother Teresa that would begin to shape what God was telling me. “Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.”   

I thought that going on this trip would make me upset with all the things I had here at home, but that wasn’t the case. I instead felt ashamed that at 44 I had just went on my first missions trip. I had told myself that I hadn’t been called to go before now, that it wasn’t what God had for me. I had been fooling myself. It was me that was afraid of going and putting myself out of my comforts. God had revealed to me that we are ALL called to “go into all the world”. There were no “special callings” necessary.  He said to me,  I not only want to break your heart but take your heart. I sat in many church services with a broken heart for the hurting and impoverished of the world and even put some money in the offering but God said that was just the beginning. If all I have was a broken heart then that is all I have… A broken heart. God said I not only want to break your heart for what breaks mine but I want to take this broken heart to the hurting people and pour out my love from that broken heart.  We cannot truly do this without the “going”. I don’t want to belittle the importance of giving financially to a hurting world but Matthew 9:37 says, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”  Not the finances are few.. but the workers are few. I believe that when we put our heart out there for Gods love to flow through, he will guide us through the financial side of things. The Buntains brought their hearts to Calcutta and God has multiplied their love and blessed them financially. It took them actually going to Calcutta to see this happen though.   They couldn’t just sit in church and send money.

I look back on our visit to India and I see the importance of His love through us. The young ladies rescued from sex trade who will forever feel valued because a group of moms held them and told them they loved them, a little boy named John while sharing a lunch got to share his testimony for the first time, a Pastor blessed by another pastors willingness to just serve, and numerous children who were loved and told about Jesus being their rock no matter what storms come their way.Lets face it, if someone dies of hunger and doesn’t know Jesus, they tragically die without Jesus, but if they die of hunger and have a saving knowledge of Jesus they will hunger no more.   We can’t be overwhelmed by the worlds poverty, we live in a broken world but we can be overwhelmed by the many who don’t know Jesus, for Heaven is eternal and He has given each of us access to unlimited love.

My thoughts are now very clear, we are ALL called to the mission field because ALL need to know of His love. 

Are you going on a missions trip this summer? If so, where are you going?

Boston, Bombings, and the Body of Christ

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Paramedic Transporting Patient by GurneyIn light of the tragic terrorist bombings in Boston, I could not help but think of the greater ramifications it could have on the greater Body of Christ as people begin to avoid large crowds and big events in the future. In a modern day church culture where many churches thrive on large gatherings  and the big event, I wonder if we have taken the time to ask ourselves, “Are we prepared?” 

I was reminded of an incident that happened to Pastor Larry Stockstill in 1992, that I read in his book The Cell Church. 

…On election night in 1992, the voice (God’s voice) I have come to know and trust said, “Two things are coming in America: Harvest and Hostility. Your church is not prepared for either of them.”  The overriding thought pressed into my mind. The clear impression was, “A hostility will come against the Body of Christ in America causing believers to make adjustments in the traditional ways they have met together. Clearly darkness and light are becoming so polarized in America that open hostility will eventually be released against believers in this nation.”

As I write this post I believe it is God’s will that we live free from fear and terror. I admired the resiliency the citizens of Boston showed as they danced and celebrated when the fear of terror was taken off the streets. They assured America they would bounce back as our nation always seems to do.  I am not writing this article to invoke fear; instead, I’m writing to provoke the Body of Christ to be better prepared in all aspects of safety and security.  In my personal experience, safety and security measures at church functions seem to be an afterthought or a last minute scramble to gather a few reliable,  yet unequipped volunteers. I know there are churches that are very efficient when it comes to the safety and security of their people, but a majority of churches are winging it, thinking or maybe just hoping that nothing will ever happen. Is your church prepared?

My desire is that the Body of Christ learn from the Boston bombings. Though evil seemed to prevail during the Boston Marathon it could have been a lot worse if Boston was not prepared. The heroic efforts of first responders, Boston’s local police department, the FBI and the National Homeland Security thwarted a grander evil scheme. The Body of Christ can be better prepared by examining these heroic efforts and asking ourselves three vital questions as it pertains to our safety and security.

1. Does your church have a First Response Team?  Every church needs a response team and plan in place to address medical emergencies and criminal activity.  According to the nation’s leading church crime statistician Carl Chinn of M7; from 1/1/1999 through 9/15/2010 there were 167 deadly force incidents resulting in the death of others in churches. Of those incidents only 5 were stopped in process by law enforcement, 7 were stopped in process by others and the remaining 155 were stopped when the attacker was finished.  When emergencies arise you don’t need opinions, you need a checklist of viable options. How do you determine if an incident is an emergency? When should a church call 911? These type of questions paralyze people if there is not proper training to respond correctly.  Most likely there is a police officer, fireman, doctor or nurse that would be very helpful in putting a team and plan together for your church. Don’t wait until something happens and it’s too late. Be diligent in putting together your response team and implementing a plan for emergencies.

2. Does your church have a Communication Plan? Fear is the absence of peace.  Where there is fear there is confusion. Does that sound like a Sunday morning service or church big event at times?  A good communication plan will calm fears and  bring order to chaotic situations.  Your church should appoint a spokesperson or point person to interact with law enforcement, fire department and other medical professionals when emergencies occur. Another part of your communication plan should involve how to inform the congregation of emergencies they need to know about or evacuation plans without causing a panic.

3. Does your church have a Security Technology Plan? When we discuss technology in a church we are usually talking about audio visual and lighting systems.  Security cameras, check-in systems, alarm systems should be a part of that conversation. Efficient security technology will deter criminals, help capture them and save people’s lives! Standalone digital video systems record acts of vandalism and theft. Having digital video church security systems deters most potential wrong doers and prevents a person like an on call pastor or a maintenance person having to intervene in what could be a dangerous confrontation.

If you listen to the reports of the heroics during the Boston bombings the three common threads you will hear consistently is about the readiness of the first responders, the clear communication between law enforcement agencies and the technology that helped identify the suspects almost immediately. If we could take any good from a bad situation it is responding and being prepared like Boston! As the Body of Christ we have a responsibility to be prepared for the coming hostility and the safety and security of the people who attend our churches and events. Will your church prepared?