Church Redone - Always Reforming

Doing what is right

Two years ago I was faced with a situation where a teenage friend realized he was being groomed for sexual exploitation by an adult. For those of you not familiar with “grooming” in this context, it’s a process by which a predator gives affection and builds trust with a child (or parent) in order to increase access and decrease discovery. The teen looked to me for counsel and I took the burden of responsibility to do what was right. However, it was a very complex scenario that involved internet chats, an international component, the state department, foriegn law enforcement and a predator who was a youth minister, that had acted inappropriately with sleeping children under his care. Plus it honestly didn’t help my stress level that I considered this guy a friend.

During this period, James 4:17 was my mantra. “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”
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Knowing when to change

My life is replete with change. I move apartments just about every year and have made several state-to-state moves. Even within ministry I have experienced numerous changes as God has grown me and moved me about to different opportunities. However, having change thrust upon you and independently recognizing the need for change are two very different things.
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The 8 Levels of Church Ownership / Involvement

Recently while speaking with other leaders I came up with what I call the “Levels of Ownership”. With most volunteer ventures, and especially in churches, there are things left undone because there simply aren’t people willing to do them. Every church I’ve visited or been a part of seems to have a large percentage of pew-sitters who rarely serve or engage and a very small percentage of people that feel ownership within the church and give of their time and gifts. Then there are a bunch of different levels in between. So let’s take a look at them…

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