There are a few blog articles that I’ve not published.  I want to tell you why.

• They were funny.
• They were true.
• They were a major window into my world.
• They were helpful.
• They were constructive toward leadership.

YET, with all these GOOD REASONS, I didn’t pull the trigger.

Why?  Because they had the potential to hurt someone.

Did you know you can be RIGHT and still be WRONG?

I had some wonderful people in my life who encouraged me to think twice before posting.

I vetted some of these through various filters…

• I read them out loud and repeated the process.
• Susan is my #1 filter.
• I prayed about it… If I couldn’t shake the reservation, I don’t pull the trigger

I’m more interested in UNITY than ATTENTION.

I’m sure I’ll have the opportunity to make the same points at some time in my leadership life.  I’m also sure this was not the time or the place.

I WILL get it wrong from time to time… but not today!

This weekend we had a huge GUACAMOLE BAR at Keystone.  It was a blast!

You may wonder: “What does that have to do with church?”

You may ask: “Are you resorting to gimmicks to score cool points?”

Here it is.  We took a creative edge on an essential core belief: We are SOFT on the edges and STRONG in the center.

It’s like an AVOCADO!

A ripe avocado is SOFT ON THE EDGES & STRONG IN THE CENTER!

The Aztecs called the avocado ‘God’s fertility fruit.’

If you are walking in a FRUITFUL relationship with God you will be soft on the edges & strong in the center!

Here is an overview:

SOFT ON THE EDGES:

Jesus had a SOFT HEART toward those who were FAR from God!

See:

• Zaccheus (Luke 19)
• Woman caught in adultery (John 8 )
• Woman at the well (John 4)
• Calling of Matthew (Aka, Levi… Matthew 9)

Jesus himself said:

• Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28 NLT)
• Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds,“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! (John 7:37,78 NLT)

STRONG IN THE CENTER

Jesus leads us into a PASSIONATE relationship with God.

This relationship CHALLENGES US to die to our sin & find new life daily in Christ! (Matthew 10:39)

The STRONGER we move into a passionate walk with Jesus, the more we SACRIFICE… not out of DUTY, but DEVOTION! (Luke 14:27)

This ever-strengthening walk with Jesus is a DELIGHT, not DRUDGERY.  It literally produces an increasing obedience AND joy! (John 15:9-13)

In other words…

Come as you are!

But DON’T STAY THAT WAY!

I have a long grudge with some notions associated with a ‘healthy church.’

Sometimes people think a healthy church:

• Has 100% of its weekend attendance participating in small groups
• Is saturated with people carrying their bibles to church
• Is dominated by the biblically literate

And so on…

What if we surveyed Keystone, and it was determined that 95-100% of our attendance was:

• Tithing
• Reading their bibles regularly
• Inviting people to church
• Serving on the weekend?

I would consider that an UNHEALTHY CHURCH.

Consider the avocado… You want SOFT EDGES as well as a STRONG CENTER.  If all you have is a STRONG CENTER, then that’s a DYSFUNCTIONAL AVOCADO!!!

Check this out:

Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. (Proverbs 14:4 NLT)

If the stable is IMMACULATE, then you aren’t HARVESTING.

It’s important that we remember that God desires that a good portion of our church be the ‘not yet or the recently converted.’

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” (John 4:34-38 NLT)

Churches that have God’s tender heart for the lost can’t help but bring people to Jesus.  They can’t help but bring people to church.

That complicates things.  Perhaps as much as 1/3 of the weekend attendance won’t bring the bible they don’t have.  We recently had someone bring their huge family King James bible (coffee table size) because it was the only one they had.

The lost aren’t in community groups… yet.

The lost aren’t memorizing scriptures… yet.

The lost don’t have a vibrant prayer life… yet!

Things get messy when you are harvesting the crop God has already planted!



Months ago I was with a prominent spiritual leader and their entourage.  He is a big personality in the Christian evangelical movement.  I asked one of his crew where they all went to church.  It’s a common question for me as I engage in small talk with ministry peeps.

The answer went something like this:

Well, it’s difficult for us to really connect to a church.  It’s been impossible.  Every church he (the leader) attends ends up disappointing him.

I wonder if they could read the shock and disappointment on my face.

Recently, I asked about another Christian service company: “Where do those guys go to church?”  Again, small talk – no big deal… no agenda.

The answer:

WHEN they go, it’s ___________.

I LOVE PARTNERSHIPS. At Keystone, we have found great value in para-church partnerships.  The ones I love the most have a heart for the local church.

Most grieving to me are those para-church ministries that espouse biblical acumen, yet do not even GO TO CHURCH.  It’s astounding to me.

Listen, THE CHURCH IS GOD’S BRIDE!

• Technology is not God’s bride.
• The BIBLE is not God’s bride.
• Media is not God’s bride.
• Awesome soup kitchens?  Not God’s bride!

THE LOCAL CHURCH IS GOD’S BRIDE.

When God speaks of the church it is dominantly LOCAL.  It is ALWAYS PERSONAL.

Let’s embrace & love the bride!

It’s football season, and we are already INSPIRED by the many comebacks.  Fourth quarter comebacks are SO MUCH FUN to watch.

Yet, in the midst of the high-fives and chest-bumping, we sometimes forget that the team came back… from FAILURE.

TRUTH: You will fail.

Failure is a reality in life.  Sometimes we evaluate someone’s success based on their ability to AVOID failure.  I believe that anyone who achieves their God-given potential will be marked with the scars of failure.  You either FAIL as you attempt the impossible or you FAIL by refusing to boldly follow God into his will for your life.

Either way, you will fail!

So… Plan your COMEBACK… NOW!

Who are the voices in your life? Are your closest friends those who rotate to your because of success or position?  Do you have a small group of ‘mighty men / mighty friends’ who will walk WITH YOU through the tough times?

What is your definition of success? If your success is anything less than a clear, biblical mission by God then you are uber-vulnerable.  Money, status and comfort are great blessings but horrible indicators of success.

Are you singular-minded? Do you have your eye on God’s mission for your life to the extent that it will endure hardship?

Considering these issues will help you plan your eventual comeback!

I read this verse this morning:

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin… (Zechariah 4:10)

I am so inspired by this Scripture.  I’ve seen so many people downplay their small beginnings.  “Yeah, but I’m not…” or “Well, we don’t have…” and so on.

Here, we learn that God is PUMPED about our small beginnings!  He CELEBRATES our START!  This verse reminds me that God is all about our potential.  He sees our upside.

So, be encouraged!

BE ENCOURAGED…

If you are starting a new job, beginning at the bottom of the ORG chart…

BE ENCOURAGED…

If you are a first-time parent and you feel like you HAVE NO IDEA

BE ENCOURAGED…

If you are planting a brand-new church, and the growth is SLOW & STEADY…

BE ENCOURAGED…

EVERY great endeavor had a beginning!  Your FUTURE is being written on the pages of your PRESENT!

Now, get after it!

The CREATOR of the universe sees your future!  He celebrates your barbaric spirit.  God LOVES your new beginning… Now, run into your future!  Time spent whining and comparing is WASTED TIME.

GO FOR IT… GOD IS FOR YOU!