TimSpivey.com

Big or Small?

I am a big fan of large churches.

I am a big fan of small churches.

For completely different reasons.

Small churches can bring with them a sense of family, close fellowship, and opportunities for inter-generational engagement, and close fellowship. They also bring opportunities to serve that allude some in larger churches.

Larger churches tend to offer better programming, higher spiritual vitality, the capacity to tackle huge challenges and opportunities. Frankly...tend to do more effective ministry.

Here's what I predict: those who hear those descriptions and prefer either large or small will think I'm generalizing...that big churches, for example, offer close fellowship as well. Others will say, "Small churches do just as good a ministry as the big ones." Let me say that these are generalizations.

I have served in churches with attendance of 70 up to 2000. All are awesome in their own way. Here's the question: What size, if any, should aspire to? My opinion is that it isn't a particular size that should be aspired to, but health, depth, and growth through conversions and "recoveries" (i.e, the "dechurched."). This should lead a church to grow with time.

Some believe that growth is virtually irrelevant. Some even believe growth can be harmful when it causes the church to get so big that the "family feel" goes away. What do you think? Is growth a part of God's plan for all churches, some churches, or no churches? And, is there a particular size that God prefers the church to be? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

The Turnaround Churches series will continue tomorrow.

Stand and Shout

It's been a traveling week. Monday - Friday was Louisville, Kentucky for the North American Christian Convention. Saturday and Sunday was Long Beach for the 30th anniversary of my home congregation - the Los Altos Church of Christ. I must confess...I'm spiritually full :)

In Louisville, I got to catch up with old friends, have my vision expanded, hear some of America's greatest preachers, and see how some of America's greatest church leaders are doing things. Those of you who know me well understand that this is virtually heaven for me. 

In addition to Tim Woodruff's tremendous session on preaching, two of my buddies get hyper-kudos for hitting the extra-long ball this week:

• Jeff Walling taught a typically awesome 3-day class on church simplicity and discipleship. However, it was his side-busting storytelling class with Wayne Smith and his impromptu session on preaching that were particularly great. When a presenter didn't show up, NACC staff grabbed Jeff and asked him to talk about preaching to a room full of preachers off the cuff. It was terrific.

• The sermon of the week had to go to Matt Proctor (President of Ozark Christian College). It was bible-based, humorous, substantive...and homiletically tight. Matt is not only a great guy and a father of six...he made us all want to be better preachers with that one.

Next year's convention will be in Indianapolis. Can't wait.

This week, North County starts a new sermon series from Joshua entitled, Stand and Shout. I've never preached through Joshua, but am really looking forward to it. I get to kick it off this coming Sunday. Hope to see you at 9 or 10:30 in English or 10:30 en Espanol.

I love these verses:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9

If you don't want to preach on a passage like that...turn in your preacher card :)

I Love Preachers...But...

I love Preachers. Always will. But...

Today, I sat through an amazing presentation by Tim Woodruff on preaching at the NACC. It really was tremendous. In it, Tim talked about the importance of quality preaching.

Then, during the Q & A, a Brother who I'm sure loves the Lord...said,

"Tell me if you think I'm wrong. I believe that 80% of church members can't tell the difference between a good sermon and a bad sermon. That's been my rationale (i.e, for not spending much time in prep)"

Huh?

Let alone that even if he was right--that still doesn't excuse poor sermon preparation. Do you think he's right about the percentage? I don't. If anyone really can't tell the difference, the number can't be high...no more than 5%. What do you think? Is he right? Am I wrong? What percentage would you say can't tell the difference?

Please tell me why you think they can't tell the difference...and why you think they can?

In general, I think preachers are more guilty of preaching beneath the church, not over it's head.

There, the pot is officially stirred :)

Live from Louisville

Tonight was the opening session of the North American Christian Convention--the largest annual gathering of independent Christian Churches. I attended for the first time right here in Louisville back in 2006, when there was a concerted effort on the part of some in the Acappella churches and instrumental churches to build bridges toward one another that had been burned in 1906 over the instrument. That year was amazing. I've been every year since.

Since that time, I have developed some absolutely amazing friendships with my brothers and sisters in the Christian churches--and it's hard for me to imagine my life in ministry without them. I now actually serve as a part of the Continuation Committee of the Convention.

I hope that as time goes on, God will bring His success to both Churches of Christ and Christian Churches, and that he will continue to bring love and unity to His people. We have a lot to learn from one another and a lot of catching up to do. We don't need to do or see everything the same way, but we need to submit ourselves to God's Word by, "making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace." Our lives will be richer. Our ministries we be more effective. Our God will be more pleased.

Let's not wait til 2106.

Who's Got Your Back?

I loved Keith Ferrazzi’s first book, Never Eat Alone. I am in the process of reading his second, entitled, Who’s Got Your Back? It’s a book about how important “lifeline” relationships are to personal and professional success. “Lifeline relationships” are relationships with people who have a real interest in your success, and are willing to offer you their input, resources, and loyalty as you go about the process of life. They are an invaluable resource in providing insight, accountability, and a feeling of security—they have your back.

This doesn’t mean that these lifeline friends are uncritically supportive of whatever one does or says. In fact, they are there to point out bone-headed moves, hopefully, even before they are made. They are free to do so because they are trusted confidants, committed to helping you be successful. They mean you no harm—only good. They help you by telling you tough truth, celebrating victories, and encouraging you to take bold moves to be all God has created you to be. In Who's Got Your Back? Ferrazzi offers some steps to help in forming such relationships.

God has blessed me with a number of these relationships over the years. I cherish them beyond measure. When God has blessed me with “success,” they’ve cheered, and helped me take next steps. When the chips have been down, they’ve been there to help—while not letting me off the hook. At the same time, I’ve never doubted their desire to see me succeed. At the same time I’ve been the receiver of such a blessing, I hope I’ve been able to provide such a relationship to others.

As I read the book, I realized that many of my lifeline relationships have a few cobwebs on them—and the fault is entirely mine. I am worse off for it. I miss the insights, redemptive critique, and encouragement those relationships provide. In ministry, it’s often come from other ministers who have seen something positive in me and have been willing to be generous with their time and insight. They are those who are more gifted, have a deep walk with Christ, more wisdom, possibly (but not necessarily) older. They have been there to help me take the next step; to say, “Dude, what were you thinking?”, or to say, “Tim, I just want to tell you did an exceptional job there.” They can say whatever they want to, and I’ll listen, because I know they mean me no harm. I know they have my back.

Though some of the book needs Christianizing, on the whole, I recommend the book as a helpful tool in personal growth. Relationships are a gift from God.They bring richness to life and ministry.

Step one is to give, not receive. Ferrazzi even quotes Jesus at this point. Give first. This is most important. Offer lifeline relationship to others. Offer whatever you have to give. Learn to have someone’s back before asking anyone to have yours. Very interesting stuff.

Question to ponder: Do you have any lifeline relationships? If so, can you name them? And, if not, are there some steps you can take to initiate these relationships?

 

 

Michael Jackson

To many who didn't know him when, Michael Jackson was weird, spooky, or worse. For those of us who grew up in the Thriller or Jackson 5 years...he was awesome. Michael Jackson's popularity in the 80's is the only thing to come close to rivaling that of the Beatles or Elvis. To make grown men want to wear red leather jackets and white sequin gloves on one hand...you've got to be special :)

I'm sure the media will do a much better job analyzing his life than I could...but there's no question that Michael was a tortured soul.

R.I.P Michael.

What was your favorite Michael Jackson song?

For me...there were so many:

• I'll Be There
• ABC
• I Want You Back
• PYT
• Beat It
• Man in the Mirror
• Human Nature

What's yours?