Church and Leadership Summit

It was a full but also fulfilling Sunday at Church.   The sermon built on the Easter celebrations of the resurrection of Christ, by covering the 40 days of post-resurrection appearances.  While the disciples went home, not really believing at first, when the women reported the empty tomb; it later becomes clear that there is ironclad evidence for the resurrection:

• There was only a short time lapse between the resurrection and the writings, so the writings were based on eyewitness accounts, not circumstantial evidence.  And there were no dissenting views, except the one lie that was recorded about the guards being paid to say the body was stolen.
• Peter, James, and Paul were unlikely candidates to testify to the resurrection due to shame and brokeness after denial, skepticism during Jesus' lifetime, and being the "least of all"
• Appearance to many people at different times - twelve disciples and 500 people at one time - all with the same story

The twelve post-resurrection appearances of Christ were to:

1. Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11, John 20:11-18) - though she was still looking for a dead body (NOTE:  "In the Garden" was written with Mary's encounter with Jesus in mind)
2. The other women (Matthew 28:9)
3. Men on road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32; Mark 16:12-13)
4. Simon (Luke 24:33-35; 1 Corinthians 15:5)
5. The eleven disciples in the Upper Room (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25)
6. Thomas and the disciples (John 20:26-31; 1 Corinthians 15:5)
7. The disciples on shores of Galilee (John 21) - Jesus reminded them of the real calling
8. 500 people on mountain top in Galilee (Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 28:16-20; 1 Corinthians 15:6) - Jesus gives them all the Great Commission
9. James (1 Corinthians 15:7) - he became a leader of the Church in Jerusalem despite being a skeptic before the crucifixion
10. The disciples (Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8)
11. Disciples before Ascension (Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:5-53; Acts 1:9-12) - Jesus tells them He will be coming back again
12. Saul - special encounter after the Ascension 

Then for the Leadership Summit, I just consider it a privilege to be included as part of that.  I have much respect for my Pastor and Assistant Pastor, and it is wonderful to be able to learn from them and to see their vision for the church as revealed to them by God.

My Pastor talked about how churches can be in any of the following:

• INCLINE - where the mission is emphasized (e.g. L.E.A.D.)
• RECLINE - where programs are emphasized
• DECLINE - where structure and policy are emphasized

It is our goal to continuously be in INCLINE.  A Church should be a growing Movement with power, not a decreasing Institution that is calcifying.  A Church also needs to reach outside of its four walls, and go into all the World.

As Youth Pastor talked about multi-generational engagement, relationship building, and discipleship; we were reminded that one of the most identifying characteristics of being made in the Image of God is that we are to be Relational, like the Trinity is.   He gave the Apostle Paul as an example of someone who exhibited many relationship roles - evangelist, mentor, writer, etc.  We also spent time defining Discipleship - like an "intentional relationship where Christ is the foundation", "equipping and training", or "being 1) identified with Christ and 2) progressing toward Christ-likeness (living it out)."

There were a few things that I also noticed.  At my church, we represent the oversight areas with the acronym "A WIFE" (for the Church is the Bride of Christ):

• Administration
• Worship
• Instruction
• Fellowship
• Evangelism

When we were asked to break up into our Ministry Teams, I realized that I could join either "A" for being on the elder selection committee, or "W" for being on the AV Team, or "I" for teaching class.   While I may peripherally be involved with Fellowship and Evangelism, I'm not formally involved with either at Church.  There are interesting things I could learn about myself upon further analysis of that (e.g. those are not my stronger areas personally either).

Also, as the Chairman of the Board of Directors was leading the last section of the summit; I was surprised that he did not have as strong leadership skills as I thought he did.  It gave me a different view of this person that I had great respect for, from afar.  This teaches me something about my "thorn" as well.  While I am waiting for God's best for me, I realize that my standards are high and there really are not many whom I have ever met who embody that.  Just Saturday night, I started the process of "letting go" of the person I was praying about during the week.  In some ways, I can see that I really can be more effective for God as I am; and that I should be content in my circumstance.