What a Way to Start the Week
Man, if Rick Warren came to DC and gave us a pep talk every Monday ministry would be so much easier! That was one of the most meaningful conversations about ministry I've ever been part of it. So much great stuff.
One of the big take aways for me was this: we grow by making commitments. Rick said you don't grow to commitment. You grow through commitment. Every weekend at Saddleback they ask for some kind of commitment. Everybody is asking us for commitments. If the church doesn't ask, people will commit to other things! One of the most important tools for spiritual growth at Saddleback is a simple commitment card.
I think we experienced that this weekend with our message on fasting. We asked people to commit to two things: 1) a 40 day fast 2) a twenty-four hour food fast and give $24 toward the Convoy of Hope we will be hosting this year in DC.
It is so easy to walk out of church and do nothing with what we've heard. We audit the Bible. But spiritual maturity is not head knowledge. If it was the Pharisees would have been the most spiritually mature people in Jesus' day. It's about transformation not information.
One of the big take aways for me was this: we grow by making commitments. Rick said you don't grow to commitment. You grow through commitment. Every weekend at Saddleback they ask for some kind of commitment. Everybody is asking us for commitments. If the church doesn't ask, people will commit to other things! One of the most important tools for spiritual growth at Saddleback is a simple commitment card.
I think we experienced that this weekend with our message on fasting. We asked people to commit to two things: 1) a 40 day fast 2) a twenty-four hour food fast and give $24 toward the Convoy of Hope we will be hosting this year in DC.
It is so easy to walk out of church and do nothing with what we've heard. We audit the Bible. But spiritual maturity is not head knowledge. If it was the Pharisees would have been the most spiritually mature people in Jesus' day. It's about transformation not information.
9 Comments:
Mark:
Thanks for hosting that meeting! It was a huge blessing to be able to be a part of that!
It was our privilege!
What a rich experience. The combination of humility and wisdom packs a powerful punch. Definitely a double-whammy yesterday!
Mark
Mark,
Yesterday was life giving and transformational! God spoke to me in many ways. I could have blogged about it all night...and nearly did! Check it out if you want at www.noahkaye.com. Thanks for the connections that you share with us!
Noah
Yes Mark, thanks for hosting that session. Rick's message was even better than the Bolivian coffee, and that's saying a LOT!
Mark,
It was truly fantastic...maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of us. I'd love for it to be a twice in a lifetime event. No pressure though! :)
Thanks for using what God has given you to help us. May God bless all the pastors who were there. And it is a great feeling knowing that Rick is praying for us as well. That is sweet!
Mark,
Thanks so much for planning and hosting this - what a powerful day of spending some time with a true man of God who spoke words of truth and love. Our team heard the voice of God clearly through Rick - that's a day very well spent. Thanks for making it happen!
--William
I wish I could have been there. Wow... that's cool. Did you happen to record? Plan to release to public somehow? I'd love to hear.
What you've shared here is valuable.
/TC/
Mark,
Thanks again! My staff is practically laughing at me as I trying to tell them what it was like and all that he said. I'll remember it for a long time.
BTW, any info on the May event he mentioned?
Rusty
Mark -- I must admit that as I drove to Ebenezer's to hear Pastor Rick my expectations were not all that great. Afterall, we are so frequently disappointed by "megastars" of various types. But, what a phenominal WOW it turned out to be! Thanks tons for hosting the event and for the positive impact you're having on our nation's capital with your church and your thoughtfulness in sharing Pastor Rick with us. Ron Furgerson <><
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