Wayne Cox » Ministry

Giving It Up for Lent: Power, Control, and Bullying

Wayne Cox — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:50:29 +0000

As I mentioned in here, I’m reading Maggi Dawn’s book, Giving it Up: Daily Bible Readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day as a devotional guide during Lent.

In reflecting on the third and final temptation of Jesus in the wilderness in Matthew 4:8-11, she writes:

Misusing power to take control is a temptation that comes to all of us in some way or another. Not everyone wants to rule the world but most people at least want to control their own little world … when the human desire for control is mixed with belief in a God of unlimited power, the temptation to abuse power can hit overdrive.

The evidence of God’s power in our lives is shown not through controlling other people but through using the power we have to serve others.

As a leader in our local church, I see various opportunities to “control” through inappropriate uses of power. Following Jesus’ example means overcoming this temptation by choosing the right use of power – the kind that equips and empowers others as a service to God.

Our community is currently in a season of transition. We are renovating an old furniture warehouse to be used for ministry space, doing most of the construction work ourselves. As this process caries on (seven months now), I feel pressure to employ a little of what Maggi calls “benign bullying” to get the work done faster. And while I genuinely wish more people would volunteer and help finish the work faster, I struggle with how to lead through this. I want to use the “power” God has given in the context of our church boldly and authentically, and yet always for the benefit of others, never manipulating toward a self-serving end. So, I find myself praying for the strength of the same Spirit that led Jesus through this test — that I may not seek to control the situation by an inappropriate use of power.

Authenticity and Hypocrisy from the “Pulpit”

Wayne Cox — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:37:29 +0000

As a pastor, I try to be authentic and transparent to people in our community. I’m generally fine with admitting mistakes, confessing sin, and telling people I’m still a work in progress. But, what if I don’t want to be completely transparent? What if I’m going through a rough season (or even a rough morning)? Is it hypocritical to keep this hidden?

Here’s an example …

Yesterday was the third Sunday in Advent and I’ve been preaching about the “rhythm” of this time of year and how it can be an invitation for us to slow down and reject the hectic and harried pace of our culture’s “holiday season.” The problem is my own family’s life has never seemed more rushed. I’m in anything but a peace-ful, Advent state of mind.

I felt strongly that I should continue to present to the community the Advent challenge of preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus. And that’s what I did … and I feel like such a hypocrite. Instead of just admitting that I’ve stunk it up as a husband and father and been guilty of the very thing I’ve been warning the church about, I put on a mask and performed. Ugh …

I’ve blown it in the way I’ve been swept up into the life-draining pace of this season. I just didn’t feel like going into it yesterday with the church. I just didn’t want to be transparent. If I’d opened up, I’m afraid it wouldn’t have stopped with a mere confession of a hurried soul; I think I would have broken down and gone into more stuff that has me depressed and frustrated these days. And then I think, “is that helpful, hopeful, or edifying for the church?”

If I have anything like a “core value,” it’s authenticity, and I just squashed that yesterday. I felt like hiding behind a mask and I’m justifying it in my mind by saying it was “better for the church” as a whole, it “protected me,” and who wants a blubbering preacher interrupting their Sunday morning, anyway?

Clay pot, indeed …

My Email Manifesto, Or “How Email Will No Longer Rule My Life!”

Wayne Cox — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:05 +0000

This is probably a post best suited for a website dedicated to workplace management, GTD, and personal productivity, but I’m going to post it here as my response to the email culture that I’ve been living in for way too long.

Here’s the problem: The demands on time and attention are infinite. There seems to be no end to the amount people will ask of you. And yet, those two precious natural resources, time and attention, are finite. Merlin Mann talks about this, and his Original Inbox Zero Video is the inspiration for many of the changes I’m making.

I’m making some new commitments to myself regarding the email inbox. The changes are for the purpose of increasing my efficiency in time-management, a more disciplined, thoughtful approach to my days, and my sanity.

It’s my Email Manifesto, and it goes like this:

I will maintain an empty inbox. I will respect the sanctity of an empty inbox by getting the inbox count to zero at the close of every work day. A clean inbox leads to greater respect for newly received email.
I will do this by processing every individual email in one of four ways:
1. Delete/archive – in the Gmail age with such search capabilities and online storage, archiving is key.
2. Delegate - if it’s not something I can/should directly handle, I’ll forward it to the appropriate person.
3. Create a task – If it requires action that can’t be done at that specific moment, I’ll add it to the to-do list. I’m beginning to use Google Task list, but am on the lookout for any other application that makes the to-do list work better. Any suggestions?
4. Take immediate action – if this means typing a (short) reply, do it. If it means making a phone call, or setting up a calendar event, do it.
My email inbox will not serve as my “to do” list any longer.
I will check email only twice a day, around 10am and at 3pm.
I will turn off all email notifiers – no more dings while working! All “push” options on my mobile phone will be turned off – only manual email checking from the mobile device. I’ve become too de-sensitized to incoming mail. Maybe it’s important and requires immediate action, but those emails are few and they get lost and drowned out by the dozen less important emails that get the same notification “ding” on my desktop.
I will write 5 sentence replies – no longer. It’s well said here: http://five.sentenc.es/

Email is a just a medium, a tool for communication and productivity. It is not something that should control any part of my daily schedule.

So, there you have it: my (new and, assuredly, evolving) convictions on email!

What is your approach to email? Do you have emails that sit in your inbox for long periods of time? What’s the read and unread count of your inbox right now?! I’d love to have you share any tips on email simplification you use.

Swiping the Offering at Church

Wayne Cox — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:09:35 +0000

I know of other churches that do this, but Tim Stevens blogged about the decision his church made to put “giving kiosks” in their church building. I will say that my reaction to these “money machines” in a church building has always negative, bordering on disdainful.

What do you think?

Take a minute and read what Tim says about the reasons their church did this. He points out the low percentage of people under age 40 that carry cash. If they desire to participate in worship through giving, is the “giving kiosk” simply a natural, culturally-responsive solution? Does this kind of giving present any problems that you see?

Bottom-line question I’m wrestling with: does it promote a giving response (and a spirit of giving) consistent with what we see in the New Testament church?

Evangelism & Social Activism: On Eliminating the ‘&’

Wayne Cox — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:27:41 +0000

For too long, evangelism and social activism have been separated. Followers of Jesus are given the false impression they must choose to be involved with one or the other at a time.

Jesus came with saving love for the whole world. He indwells the church, empowering us to be on mission with him, redeeming the world. He invites us to be a part of his missional community in order to experience his saving love and participate in it.

If that was our view of the larger process called “salvation,” then distinctions like “evangelism” and “social action” would fall away. Both are integrated in our experience of God’s saving love for the world. Those who want to know Jesus, whether through our proclamation or through our demonstration, we invite into community. Those who don’t, we serve in love, fostering peace, joining God in seeking their wholeness.

Prayer for Holy Rebels … [Do I Really Want to Do This?]

Wayne Cox — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:27:12 +0000

I’m beginning to pray for something that just might be filed under the category, “be careful what you ask for!”

As you know, if you’ve been following my blog, the church where I serve as pastor is entering into a major transition. We’re taking the step of purchasing a building. And while it is our deep desire to prevent facilities from becoming the focus, I’m cognizant of the danger that we could become “just like every other church;” that is to say, losing what makes us unique, inattentive to our great (co)mission, and spiritually myopic.

C.S. Lewis wrote, “there exists in every church something that sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence. So we must strive very hard, by the grace of God, to keep the church focused on the mission that Christ originally gave to it.”

This leads me to think we are going to need a few “holy rebels!” We may come to a point where it is essential to receive loving critique in the tradition of the ancient Hebrew prophets and the first century apostles. This would be firmly within the biblical tradition of what is sometimes called, critique-from-within. It’s what Alan Hirsch calls, “holy rebellion.”

Of course, I hope we never need it; but if we do, it will most likely come from someone outside the leadership team. My sense is that if we lose our way, even slightly, God may need to raise up others in the community with a spirit-led prophetic voice. So, I’m asking God to always keep us attentive to the Spirit’s guidance, even if it comes in the form of critique!

Here’s my prayer:

Kind Father, if, in the life of this church, we create or allow structures, systems, unwritten “rules,” or anything that hinders your kingdom purposes, please bless us with holy rebels, empowered by your Spirit, to challenge the status quo and lead us to an even greater experience of life in your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Meditative Prayer

Churches and Debt

Wayne Cox — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:02:12 +0000

In 2006, churches in North America were a collective $28 billion in debt. So says a recent article in the New York Times. I serve on the leadership team of a church in Elizabethtown, Ky that is about to add to that total. In 2003, I was part of the group that started The Bridge Community. And now, after almost 5 years of weekly worship gatherings in rented facilities, we’re preparing to close the deal on the purchase of an old furniture building – our first owned space for ministry. (If you like, you can read more about it here.)

We have taken what I think is a pretty conservative approach to this purchase, but we’ll still be spending nearly a million dollars. And so, a question: should churches go into debt? Almost surely, Dave Ramsey would say no; but voices just as influential say yes. What do you think? Should churches have financial debt?

I’m learning, in the company of a prudent and centered advisory team at the church, what role stewardship plays in this process. I must admit, as one “in the trenches” of ministry, I’ve been much more concerned about monthly cash flow than the ideal of owning something free and clear. The lower the payment, the better – this was my thinking at the outset of this transaction. But now, I’m questioning the wisdom of certain “creative” financing options available to churches like ours – options that would have us pay off less principle early on with the offer to re-finance and borrow more in the future held out like a carrot.

Since The Bridge has never had a permanent home, we’ve always dealt with the issue of how “necessary” facilities are to ministry. We began with, and have maintained an attitude that church ≠ building; church = people. But, now, on the verge of owning property with a couple of big buildings, we’re seeing how ministry can be amplified, how compassion can be more fully expressed, and how hospitality can be extended in ways we could have never imagined. Isn’t this a good thing? Is it worth the debt and all the interest we’ll pay?

What do you think?

Sunday School

Wayne Cox — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:40:08 +0000

From The Wall Street Journal …

The decline in Sunday schools appears to be gradual but steady. A study by the Barna Group indicated that in 2004 churches were 6% less likely to provide Sunday school for children ages 2 to 5 as in 1997. For middle-school kids, the decline was to 86% providing Sunday school in 2004 from 93% in 1997. Similarly, there was a six-percentage-point drop in Sunday schools offered for high school kids — to 80% from 86%. All in all, about 20,000 fewer churches were maintaining Sunday-school classes. And the future does not look bright: Only 15% of ministers regarded Sunday school as a leading concern. The younger the pastor, the study showed, the less emphasis he placed on Sunday school.

What about the church you attend? Is Sunday School advancing or declining?

Who Am I? Why Am I Here?

Wayne Cox — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:00:56 +0000

In Luke 3:21-4:13, we read the story of Jesus’ baptism and temptation. After his baptism, during prayer, Jesus received affirmation from God regarding his identity and vocation. If you’re like me, maybe you’ve struggled with the questions, “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” Don’t you wish you could experience something dramatic like seeing heaven opened up and hearing the voice of God speak, telling you this is who you are, and this is your purpose in life?!

For everyone who makes the decision to follow Jesus, God the Father speaks words similar to those Jesus heard: “You are my child, my dear child! I’m delighted with you!”

As “adopted” children (Romans 8:15-17) in the family of God, the New Testament tells us we have a new identity — who we are is now wrapped up in who Jesus is. All our “credentials” for acceptance have been removed, and that is a very good thing! We are who we are because of God’s grace and the faithfulness of Jesus.

But, if we’re honest, we’ll have to admit that we are often tempted to believe we are who the world says we are, who our paycheck says we are, who our friends say we are, or who our achievements say we are. The temptations we face aren’t exactly like the ones Jesus faced, but every Christian will be tested at the points which matter most: identity and vocation.

A major challenge in our lives is to learn to recognize the voices that seductively whisper lies about who we are and to learn to distinguish them from the voice of God our Father. Then, we can use the direct and simple weapons provided in the Bible to rebut the lies of the devil.

That’s what the following promises are meant to do – list a few of the key truths about who God says we are to combat the lies we’re apt to hear every day.

Because I am an adopted child of God, I am completely accepted:

I am God’s child (John 1:12)
I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)
I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am united with the Lord and I am one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17)
I have been bought with a price; I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
I am a member of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
I have been adopted as God’s child (Ephesians 1:5)
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18)
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:14)
I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)

Because I am an adopted child of God, I am totally secure:

I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:1,2)
I am assured that God works all things together for good (Romans 8:28)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39)
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
I am confident that God will finish the good work He started in me (Philippians 1:6)
I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
I am hidden with Christ (Colossians 3:3)
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a self discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)
I can find mercy and grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)

Because I am an adopted child of God, I am deeply significant:

I am the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14)
I am a branch of the true vine, Jesus, a channel of His life (John 15:15)
I have been chosen to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I am a personal, Spirit-empowered witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am a temple of God (2 Corinthians 3:16)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
I am God’s co-worker (2 Corinthians 6:1)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6)
I am God’s workmanship, created for good works (Ephesians 2:10)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

(These New Testament promises were compiled by Neal Anderson, Freedom in Christ Ministries)

Cycle of Grace

Business Enterprise and Ministry

Wayne Cox — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:34:58 +0000

I’m wrestling with some different ideas for business ventures and thinking about how they mix with my role as a pastor.

First, a couple of things you should know. Over the past 5 years or so, I’ve become convinced that I want to be engaged in “bi-vocational” ministry. One reason is that this approach to ministry frees the church to extend ministry, rather than putting so much toward a full-time salary. Another reason is that it fits my entrepreneurial personality. And a third reason is that it ensures I won’t become cloistered “inside the walls” of the church, becoming irrelevant to people outside the walls.

So, with those things established, let me try to make sense of my struggle. I don’t want to own a business that creates a perception of a conflict of interest with the church. I’m hyper-sensitive to this, because I think many people have been burned by church/finances and pastors/money. I’m considering a business that would rent building space from our church. It’s great for the church because it helps pay the mortgage and it would work well for the business because it is the right kind of space.

Does this set me and/or the church up for problems?

A business run by the pastor of the church will, for many I’m afraid, be “connected” with the church itself (I don’t think this is true or should be that way, but I think many wouldn’t consider the church and the business separate entities). My dealings as the business owner will reflect on the church. And in business, you can’t make everyone happy all the time, so … Do you see my issue?

What do you think? Where are the potential landmines? Is there a way to make it happen?