We Can Learn From Francis Chan

This past week I was able to attend Exponential 2010 in Orlando, FL. The last session was hearing Francis Chan speak. For those that do not know, last Sunday he resigned from his church, Cornerstone Church. He didn't resign because he had a moral failure or took money. He was cocky/prideful either. He is leaving because he feels God calling him to step out. This is amazing to me, because in my memory this is the first time a mega-church pastor has left his/her church when it was doing well, and it not be because he/she fell into sin. Francis Chan has finished well. Not because he pastored a big church, but because he has been obedient and is leaving obediently.

This knowledge is the source of this confession. I desire to finish well, no matter what that looks like. I want to complete the task that God has for me. More than having a lot of people in service or in ministry, I want to hear my Lord say "Well Done" when it's all said and done. Seeing Francis Chan complete this encourages me that I can too. I can finish what God has started. I can stay obedient to the call He put on my life. I can be an obedient son and fulfill my purpose in Christ.

I challenge you as the reader to learn about Francis Chan's journey and let it mess your life up. God will not keep you where you are just because everything is going great, He may ask you to leave. In Acts 8 God commanded Philip to leave his successful ministry and ended up ministering to an Ethiopian eunuch. We must remain obedient to where God has us and where God will take us. Follow Christ no matter where He leads you, and make your goal not have big numbers but hearing your Savior say, "Well Done."

What's Ministry Really Like

This is one for the geniuses in the world who wonder about what ministry is like. Ministry is tough. I'm a youth pastor and its tough and frustrating and stressful. It keeps me up late at night thinking and pondering on sermon series, meetings, people I need to meet with or call. I have meetings I need to have growing out my whazo and its almost impossible to have them when everyone will be there. Ministry is hard, its no wonder so many ministers have short or no hair (THEY PULL IT ALL OUT!!).

However I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I love what God has called me to, I love where God has called me. There is nothing like sitting in the back of a sanctuary and watch students lead. Its amazing when I see students praying for one another, coming up to me and letting me know they have a word from God they would like to share during service. It makes every headache, sleepless night, meeting worth it!

I love ministry because it is tough. This way I have to depend on God for my guidance and direction. If it were easy, I would be more likely to do my own thing. I need the Word of God in my life so I can speak truth into myself and others. I need time with God in prayer so I can hear His voice so I can do/be what He has called me to do/be. I need Him, because without Him I'm steering a carriage with no horses. This is what ministry is really like, hard and painful but with God leading you its worth it. I'm reminded of Christ, He had to suffer and die to accomplish God's will.

Are we willing to suffer in ministry for God's will to be done?