When Artists Fall...

Let's face it. Nobodies perfect - even artists'! I know...I was just as surprised as the next guy!

And when we're not perfect people notice. It's even more noticeable for those of us who lead from the platform each week. So what do we do when artists fall, when sin creeps in? How should they be treated when they're not completely walking in the way of Christ?

Two words - with love. Just because they're out front doesn't mean they/we are any better than the guy sitting in the third row from the back on the left that's going through a nasty relationship battle. We're all in this journey together, and we're all going to have these moments where our 'halo' has slipped - again.

So we love them back to the right place by being there for them when they need us...by listening to them and giving them good, spiritual guidance...by pointing them back to God's Word for the hope and restoration they need...and yes, there may be a time of sitting out until they are in a better place spiritually. That's accountability and that's Biblical. 

I had one of my younger team members call me recently to say that maybe he should sit for a spell. He recognized some behaviors in his life that we're of God and decided that it was more important for him to get right with God before he served up front. WOW! If only half of our adults could figure this out...

Understand that we, as a team, talk about this a lot. If you're not right, before I have to say something to you or ask you to sit, search your heart and make certain you can lead like Jesus. It's an expectation that we have of each other on the team. And this has served our church well in the past, and will continue in the future. Our worship is better because of the awareness and commitment to self-select when things are not going well.

Does it impact the sound or flow of the worship on Sunday? Yes...but the Spirit fills in the gaps in ways that I simply cannot put into words.

So when we fall - artists - we don't allow Satan to keep us down and tell us we're worthless because of sin. We stand up under the power and grace of our Savior, press on to that which He has called us, and through repentance and forgiveness get back in the game. Don't EVER let him tell you that you don't matter or that you let someone down. As I preached on this past Sunday, YOU ARE VALUED AND LOVED BY GOD!

I get knocked down, but I get up again, ain't nobody gonna keep me down!!! (Name that song,,,)

See ya in church...

Leading Artists...

I actually got to lead some artists last night at rehearsal! Reminds me how much I love doing it and how I've missed it over the past months. Now that Pastor Mike is on board I can truly focus on developing and growing artists who love to honor God with their skills, abilities and talents.

Leading involves listening to what they have to say and the questions they ask. Just because we say something doesn't mean that it gets heard the same way we said it.

Artists by themselves are a different bunch. Creative thoughts flow regularly through our minds...concepts connect at the most inopportune time...solutions pop up in the weirdest and strangest places. We're much like Doug, the dog from the movie "Up!". We are easily - Squirrel! - distracted...

But what I've discovered from most artists in church ministry is this - they want the freedom to express and share, but they want to do it in a way that points people to the Truth of the Gospel, not to themselves. They desire direction that will help the bigger picture be seen, not just what they're doing.

That's such a welcome twist from the culture around us - notice me, notice my stuff, look how pretty...Squirrel! (sorry) We're taught to do stuff that gets us noticed, to make noise so our voice gets heard above the crowd.

The Bible teaches that we are to be content in everything. We're not supposed to be drawing attention (pun intended) to our abilities or skills, but instead using those things to point people to the One who gave them to us.

As I lead our team of artists here, my prayer is this:

• May we never forget the One who gave us the ability, skill and passion for our art (all forms).
• As we offer our art as an act of worship, may we always point people to Him as our source.
• As we take our place on the stage/platform each week, may we do so in humility and in honor of the King.

Have fun leading - whether out front or behind the scenes. Do it all for the glory of God.

See ya in church...

He IS Worth The Risk

Had a great time Sunday teaching on Risky Living for God. It's not always an easy subject to talk about when you really break down what Jesus is calling us to do. He challenges our priorities on many different occasions. Even to the point of saying that even our family should not get in the way of serving Him. (Luke 9:57-62) 

But if we, Christians, really were willing to risk our lives and our beliefs for the Kingdom of God, I have to wonder if we'd still have all the problems we have today.

Christianity is under attack like never before in our country. And the really sad part about it is the church - the Christians - aren't doing much about it. In fact, there are many who say the most silent voice in our country now is the Christian. Why is that? Why are we allowing evil to win on so many fronts? Why aren't we willing to take the risk to be the voice? 

You've heard the famous line, "the best way for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing" (Karl paraphrase).

Well, welcome to the time of good men doing nothing.

But that's about to change around here. We've decided that, as a church, we're going to BE salt and light to a dark world. We're going to SHARE the gospel with those who need to hear it. We're going to STAND in the gap when justice needs to be done. We're going to SERVE those who need our help, be it the poor, the widow, the fatherless, the downtrodden - whomever may need it.

And no one's going to tell us we CAN'T do it. We're not going to back away from threats or persecution. (By the way, we have no clue what that looks like here in the states. Don't know the last time an American lost their life for the gospel on American soil...)

We know that He is worth the risk. We know that we DON'T go it alone when we stand for truth. We know that we go with the strength and power and grace of Christ - so we go without question.

I hope that each of you that read this will take a moment to reflect on your own walk with Christ. Are you willing to risk relationships for the sake of the gospel? Are you willing to risk the 'comfort' of your life if God called you away today? Are you willing to give EVERYTHING you have for the sake of the call of Christ?

He's worth it...

New Times = New Sound

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we are in a new and exciting time here at FBC Pocatello!

That also dictates a new look, sound and feel to how we do music and other creative art thingies...

But what doesn't change is the heart of who we are and what we do as musicians.

• The focus is and will always be to bring glory to God through our songs.
• The goal will be to invite and include the people gathering weekly to worship with us. (I know that we will never get 100% of our people to sing along, clap or do whatever form of worship works for them. But that is NOT our goal. That is unrealistic to expect that kind of buy-in from any church.)
• The heart of the team members each week will be on display, like it or not. It's my job to make sure that hearts and minds are focused on Him before we take the stage.
• We will present the best we have in worship music each week, no matter how many or how few musicians we have. 
• All of our artists' - from painters to sculptors to drama - will be prepared to bring their skill and ability to glorify the King.

Read through the book of Psalm(s) and see how diverse the worship music was. From no music to cymbals, drums, stringed instruments and many voices (choirs) - different sounds to convey different moods or tones; different sounds to communicate with different groups. All for the glory of God.

Worship Leaders, musicians, artists - don't try so hard to be the newest or hottest sound or art out there. Do what God speaks into your heart. Listen to the heart of the church and try to meet that need for art. Whether it's music, artistic renderings, drama, dance - whatever - do it all for the glory of God. And do it in such a way that it connects to WHO your church is NOW, not who you want to be tomorrow. That will come in time.
Focus on NOW.
Focus on connecting to today's body.
Build that foundation and then see what God brings to help you 'expand' your horizons.
Trust me...it'll blow you away!

See ya in church...

In Case You Haven't Heard...

I have the cutest grandson in the universe!
Oh, and he knows it, too.
This picture was a few months back and he was starting to figure out the camera thing was pretty cool to look at and play with.

Daniel is amazing. He's as perfect as a baby can be...he's got parents who love him more than he will ever know...he's got grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, great grandparents, etc. who will do anything for him and love him with an unending love. And he hasn't got a clue - at least not yet - how deep and how vast this love is for him.

It makes me wonder about our relationship with God. As the years go on, how 'comfortable' do we become with His love and care for us? How often is that taken for granted? Are we coming to God each day with this same awe, this same curiosity and desire to know Him as little Daniel does to everyday life? Or is it simply becoming routine?


How great is the love that the Father has for us? How deep and wide and far His love reaches. Beyond the depths...beyond the highest peaks...beyond the farthest star, His love is there. On my darkest days, during my most difficult days this love is what carries me to the next step I need to take. It's not always easy - but it's ALWAYS there.

Just like Daniel will never be able to lose the love I have for him, my Father will never stop loving me. What an amazing gift!

I pray you'll have an encounter with the One who loves you more than you will ever know, and that it will impact you in such a way that you can't help but share it with everyone you meet!

See ya in church...

And We're Back...

Been a long, long time since I last wrote or read anything in the land of blogs! With the new changes here at FBC Pocatello, it's time to get back on track with my posts'.

It's been an amazing journey over the last two years of transition. God has been here doing some incredible work in my heart and life, as well as in the body itself. It certainly is a new day and a new year for ministry, for change, for growth and for the Kingdom growth. We've seen many new faces come and begin to connect with us...we've seen some old faces return and recognize the health and heart of the body in its new place...we've seen hurt and pain be replaced by healing and hope. God is moving...God is working...God is in control!

Since my last post, many things have transpired:

• A new senior pastor, Mike Popovich. Great pastor, great leader, great man of God, great husband and father. He is God's man for us and it was God's timing that made this a perfect fit.
• A new vision and direction that has focused us on the right things first - "FBC Pocatello exists to invite people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and help them become fully devoted followers of Him." Pretty straightforward and simple - and yet just what the church needs to be doing.
• A renewed passion to serve the poor and least of these in our community. The Food Pantry team is growing and meeting some simple needs. In January alone they served close to 1200 people. Who knew we could do something like that? God did!
• A heart to give and serve is growing in unique ways...we had a family donate a car to the church and on Christmas Eve gave it away to a single mom who's care (ironically) blew up two weeks after we received the car. AND, there may be another vehicle in the works very soon...
• A need arose in our congregation for some work on a home. Started out to be a fairly major bath remodel which then turned into the roof needing to be completely torn off and replaced. So the body rose up...a dozen volunteers showed up on a Saturday at 9 and by 6 that evening the entire roof had been torn off, resurfaced with OSB board, papered and re-shingled. WOW!

I don't say this to 'show off' what we are doing. I don't say this to get 'points' for Kingdom admission.
I want people to know that God IS in control - even when we don't or can't see it. I have to admit that, before now, we really weren't allowing God to be God or to be in control. We all had our agendas, our ideas, our 'pet projects' that we wanted to protect. But we - rather I didn't stop to focus intently on what He wanted. And it cost me...it cost us, the church...and it broke the heart of God. I'm glad to say that those days and attitudes are behind us now. As I mentioned there has been much healing around here and a renewed hope for the next steps.

We're back - not just to be here to be here. But we're back as a body to make an impact for the Kingdom of God in Pocatello. We're committed to being the church that gets after it for God's sake, not ours. We're committed to being the church that takes a risk for the Kingdom, no matter how the world may look at it. We're committed to taking the Gospel to the places it needs to be taken to, locally and abroad.
It's an exciting time for FBC Poky...and it's really good to be back!

See you in church...

The Man I Hope To Be...

I often talk about my dad in various places and situations. I came across this article that ran after his funeral and thought it would give you all some insight as to the kind of man I pray I will be like. He was the greatest and most godly man that I have ever known - period. This was written by one of the reporters who went to several funerals in the course of a week...

" ...next is Dean Pettit. I have known him all my life as he was a relative. I did not attend the funerals of Jan or Darlene but did attend Dean's. I have attended more funerals than I like, but none quite like Dean's. A true celebration of his life. Several speakers sharing touching and humorous stories involving him. What impressed me was the fact that his children were able to with composure speak of their dad and his teachings. When I stated that to one of the boys, his response was "that is how dad taught us." I came away from his service wishing I had known him much better and also wanting to know his God much better and to become closer to him. And after listening to each speaker, that was what Dean was all about, what he wanted each to take away from being around him and knowing him.  Dean will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him, all those that worked beside him as he served the various organizations as a volunteer. Our church as well as the Blue and Gold center will miss him greatly."

Every time I read this article I am in tears. Not just because I miss him, 'cause I do, but also because of the honor it brings me to be called his son. When I think of Christian character and what it looks like in life, I don't have to look far. Dad was that model. Was he perfect? No. But he knew where he was deficient and allowed God to mold in him the character of Christ as was needed. Everything about dad emulated a man of Christian character, purpose and devotion. It showed in his love for mom, for us and for those he knew and loved. I don't ever recall dad having any 'enemies' in life. He didn't like some people sometimes...but he knew how to forgive and love them to the next point in their relationship.

Man...have I got a long way to go. But that's what I'm striving for. To be known as a man of God in all situations, all arenas of my life - starting at home. I pray that my influence begins with Sue, then Kia and Austin and Missy, next flows to Daniel and our next grandchildren (not in any hurry) and then into the lives of those I have the privilege of serving in ministry in various places.

The man I hope to be is seen in the character of my Risen Savior, modeled for us boys in Dean Pettit, Sr. Help me, Father God, to be like the man you created in him...

The Poor...the Orphan...the Widow

We've all seen the pictures - faces of kids going without food, dirty and looking like a child from a third world country. Older women sitting on the edge of a road with bags and bundles of personal belongings. Children seemingly abandoned on the street...Problem with the pictures today is they are right here in the United States. You can't go one block, let alone one or two doors down from where you live, and NOT find someone living in or on the edge of poverty. 

On top of that, the faces continue to be blended into our weekly church gatherings all across this great country.

• The family sitting next to you in church doesn't know where their next meal is going to come from...
• Parents will go without food while their kids eat what little they get.
• The neighbor next door is barely getting by due to a series of events that have cost them hours/pay. Fear of losing a car, a home, even the kids they are trying to raise.
• The widow wondering if her money will make it this month and if she'll have enough to turn the heat on before the really cold temps roll in.

So where are these people supposed to turn for help? Is there family that can and SHOULD step up?
Is there a government agency that's supposed to step in and save the day? Is there some relief anywhere? If so, how can they find it and connect to it?

What about the one place where they should ALWAYS find respite, where they should ALWAYS find hope?

Where is the local church? Is the church doing ALL it can or only what it THINKS it can? Is there a vision, a plan to reach out and BE the church?

We are commanded in scripture to care for the poor, the orphan and the widow...more than once! And yet week after week we walk past them in the grocery store or see them on the street and look at them with pity and the slightest twinge of sadness. Then we get on with our day and forget about them.We're just grateful that it isn't US on the receiving end.

Pastor Mike hit it on the head this past Sunday. We have learned to LOVE money and USE people in this country. And it has infected everyone, including the church, across this land.
We need to learn how to LOVE people (like Jesus did) and USE money to be a blessing. FBC Poky is trying to do it's part, as are other churches in our community. BUT IT NEEDS TO BE THE WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD, not just five or six groups.

I challenge us ALL to step up our game and our giving. Are we serving those in our community and neighborhood who we know are in need? Are we joining other groups to be a larger, more impactful force? Are we giving of our finances FIRST to God? Is there room to increase, even a little more to help others?

The local church IS the hope of the world - time to BE the hope!

"Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother." Zechariah 7:10 (NKJV)

Praying for a Miracle...

We have been experiencing high numbers of late in our FBC Food Pantry. We are averaging serving over 500 people each month, getting over 600 at least once in the last 4 months. This is a great ministry that has truly touched lives and made life bearable for many that take part.
Our main source of food is from the Idaho Food Bank, who rely purely on donations from the community, businesses and food drives. They too have been hit hard and are running short on supply.

As of this writing, we will have to close our Food Pantry this week due to the lack of food. What little we did get on Sunday will supply us for less than 1 hour on Tuesday, our longest open day (til 7 pm).

SO, I'm praying for a miracle and invite you to pray with me.

I am asking God to provide us with $5000 so that we can continue to serve our community at least through the end of the year, possibly into 2012. In addition, this will allow us to better serve the poor, the orphan and the widow - the main groups who use our food pantry - into the Thanksgiving holiday season.

Our hope is and has always been to move folks from consumers of the program to self-sufficient individuals. This will be the next step in growing this ministry. Plans and programs are being evaluated and studied as I write this.

But in the meantime, we're in a bind. With the oncoming fall/winter season in Idaho, the job situation not improving as we'd hoped and growing families in our valley, it WILL take a miracle to continue.

Please pray with me for God to provide the funds that HE desires us to have - hopefully around $5K!

I will post updates here as we see God move and direct us...

What Corporate Worship is NOT...

I am one who will always be looking for ways to include people in the Sunday worship experience. Whether it be a form of art or music, or even sign language and dance, if it fits with what our focus and goal for worship is, I will find a way to use it - but it will always 'fit' or be intentional.
Our worship experience must be intentional in pointing people to God through various mediums - but ONLY if it makes sense. Our worship experience should never be about showcasing talent. If you look at 1 Corinthians 14, you'll see where Paul talks a lot about worship being done in a fitting and orderly way to glorify God and not man.

• The Sunday experience must be about GIVING our best to God in our worship. Sometimes that best place of giving is from a seat or pew. When the unbeliever or lost person comes in to worship, they need to hear and see people leading from the seat right next to them.`

1 Cor 14:24-25 reminds us that the unbeliever WILL be impacted by our worship.

• The Sunday experience is NOT about what you or I want. As Rick Warren starts out the Purpose Driven Life book, "It's not about you." The worship that we are all supposed to be sharing in each week is about God, for God and to God. Period. This issue of worship wars and music style arguments comes from a selfish heart and attitude. We all have it. But it does NOT belong in God's house. We BRING the sacrifice of praise - Hebrews 13:15 
• The attitude and heart of people leading out from a platform must be aligned with God. I have a huge responsibility to make sure that the people leading out from the platform each week are doing so out of the proper 'motivation' and heart. I take heat all the time because I won't put so and so up to 'do special music'. First, as I said before, I just don't throw someone up because it's nice to hear them sing. That's not the purpose. Does it fit with what we're doing, where we're going? But beyond that, what's the persons walk been like? Are they involved in our church? Are they serving somewhere? Do they have a servant attitude or a serve-me attitude?

If you had a football player who was really talented and could do just about anything, but didn't come to practice or participate regularly with the team, how much playing time would he really get? If he didn't regularly hit the weight room or work on his cardio, how effective would he be if he actually did get in the game?

It's the same with 'just putting people up front because they sing good or can DO something"...if the walk is not there, if the devotion to God is not there, the offering is offal (crap) to God.

Nowhere in scripture do I find direction or instruction that says to 'showcase' the 'talent' on Sunday during worship. God is our audience of one.

And since He is the audience, NOT US, then our focus must be one of intentionality, reverence, honor and praise TO Him, OF Him and FOR Him. Please, church, don't turn Sunday into the church version of America's Got Talent.

Honor God above all with your life in ALL places, not just Sunday morning. That's the church that a desperate world is dying to see!