A Vehicle for Progress

I love my bike. I’m an avid cyclist and I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend involved in the sport. For me, the opportunity to experience the outdoors, its scenery and air, are a wonderful way to unload concerns. I look forward to the physical investment in cycling. Over the past few years I’ve logged over 9,000 miles on that bike. It’s a great form of exercise that I intend to maintain for the rest of my life.

But bikes are more than sporting gear. They are vehicles for progress. They are modes of transportation. One can use a bike to get from point A to point B. In fact, in most places around the world, that’s exactly how bicycles are used; for progress.

Part of my venture into cycling has been to understand that the best bike to ride is the one that fits you best. Sure, there are different bikes for different styles of riding. But the biggest revelation to the cycling newcomer is that there are different sizes of frames for different sizes of people. Far beyond the ‘off the rack’ bike of the typical department store, specialized bike shops offer numerous sizes of bikes to very closely fit the individual rider. In fact, those with plenty of money, and the desire to spend it, can be measured and uniquely fit for a custom-made bike. The reach to the bars, the angle of the fork, the stand-over height; every detail is created exactly for that owner.

Why?

Because cyclists know that the most successful cyclist is the one who rides a bike best fit for him. Cycling comfort and achievement is directly proportional to riding a bike that fits the rider. Even the most talented, able or gifted athlete will not meet her full potential as a cyclist if she is not correctly fitted to her bike. The rider will not progress as far or as fast if riding a bike that doesn’t fit his frame. The success of the rider is connected to the fit of the bike.

Organizations are also tools for progress. They exist to take their constituents from point A to point B. Assuming that all the participants know where point B is, they still can not be effective in reaching their destination if their organization does not fit them properly. The most effective group, the one that readily and often meets its goals and gets to its destination, is the one whose organization fits its size.

A transportation company that is just getting started with two small client contracts doesn’t need a fleet of 25 trucks and a logistics program to service thousands of monthly deliveries. That level of organization wouldn’t fit the size of the business. Likewise, a food service company serving a 2,000 bed hospital will not be successful with two residential grade ovens and three employees. This business is much too big for that scale of organization.

Here’s the bottom line. Organization is distinct from the business just as the bicycle is distinct from the rider. Organizations, like bicycles are merely vehicles for progress. If a business, or a group, or a church, is going to continue to operate successfully, it must continue to allow its organization to grow accordingly. While the business, church or group might be a wonderful, healthy, even God-ordained entity, it will not achieve its greatest success unless it is correctly fit to the proper organizational structure. The success of the business is connected to the fit of the organization. Thus, businesses must be willing to reorganize as the scale of business or ministry demands.

A Public Service Announcement

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did (2 Timothy 1:3, NIV).

Public Service Announcements (PSA’s). You’ve heard them. Those educational commercials that are offered simply to make you and me, the public, aware of some particular issue, activity, or opportunity. There are PSA’s on the airwaves to warn teens against smoking, in the newspapers to notify potential plaintiffs in a class action suit, and plastered on billboards to make voters aware of the issues espoused by various candidates. These declarations, by design, are made to concisely and clearly state the facts. They are prepared to allow the public to be informed.

In his brief writings to Timothy, Paul issues a PSA of sorts. He makes a public announcement that he serves his God. While his declaration may have numerous implications, I believe that two become readily apparent. Primarily, Paul was not at all ashamed to state publicly his allegiance to the Lord. It’s one thing to say what we believe and in whom we believe in private, but it is quite another to state the same publicly. It is easy to declare our allegiance when among those of like precious faith, but more challenging to make the same statements among those who have differing beliefs. Paul was not satisfied to be a private follower of his Lord, but rather made his faith known to all. His was a public declaration. Similarly, as children of God, we are called to make the same declaration. It is not enough to stand for our God and His truths only among fellow saints, but we must make our commitments a matter of public record.

Additionally, in making this public announcement, consider Paul’s choice of words. He said that he served his God. Service. Many in our society cringe at the concept of men serving God. Instead they would prefer the opposite: God should serve men. It’s great to be told of an Almighty God who is at the disposal of mankind, but it isn’t as exciting to be asked to submit my life in service to Him. We are comforted to know that He can deliver from addictions, renew broken relationships, heal illnesses and endue with Holy Ghost power. In contrast, we are challenged when called to serve the Lord in various capacities. He has called us to teach His doctrines, preach His message, witness to the lost, work in the fields and fight spiritual battles in order to expand His Kingdom. These things demand our efforts, talents and time. In the face of what might be inconvenient, or against human nature, serving God is a pivotal part of His plan. We are called into His service.

Reviewing the life and accomplishments of the Apostle Paul quickly reveals the profound effect that he had for the Kingdom of God. He was a man who started churches, trained disciples, wrote books and made converts. Quite a resume. Indeed, he served his Lord in a very public way. Jesus Christ is still in need of people who will willingly follow the path of Paul. Our current culture needs Christians to respond to its pressing concerns. In fact, the Lord’s church will always need those who will interrupt their typical programming to make a Public Service Announcement.

In our cultural climate, publicly stating one’s beliefs is not always acceptable. Time and again preachers have pointed out the double standards that are applied to the Bible in our world. It seems fine to state Bible doctrines openly as long as they are in line with the current philosophies. Otherwise, believers are told to tone down our message or we are simply labeled intolerant. Regardless of the attitudes and inequities in our world, we can not relinquish our obligation to openly declare that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. He lived, died and rose again so that we can find salvation. This is our Public Service Announcement.

Lessons from Mr. Gore

On a typical afternoon, two typical teens walked along a typical sidewalk in a typical town. Typically, they talked of things on the minds of teens. During their conversation, Bobby, age seventeen, began to speak of particular matters going on in his life. Things he was thinking, things he was saying, and things he was doing. As the slightly younger Jesse listened to Bobby, his heart was quickened. He realized that Bobby had sin in his life. Quite candidly Jesse told Bobby that he needed to remedy his sin situation. The plain truth of Jesse’s words brought conviction upon Bobby. In response, he suggested that they pay a visit to Mr. Gore. Even though Jesse didn’t know Mr. Gore, he agreed to go along.
 
Arriving at Mr. Gore’s home, they walked onto the porch and knocked on the door. Mr. Gore greeted them kindly and invited them inside. In no time, Bobby was explaining his predicament to this godly man. Then, as if knowing the answer but needing encouragement, Bobby asked if they could pray, right there in Mr. Gore’s living room. Mr. Gore was happy to oblige the two teens.

As they entered into prayer, Jesse was somewhat surprised to hear the others praying out loud, as if in conversation with other men. Jesse had never witnessed this type of prayer. However, he decided to join in this fervent effort. As they proceeded, the Spirit of the Lord entered into that home. Before long, tears were rolling down the faces of all three seekers. Jesse and Bobby spent time weeping in deep repentance. After some time Mr. Gore approached Jesse and laid his hands on him in special prayer. Within moments, Jesse was baptized with the gift of the Holy Ghost! A few minutes later, Mr. Gore and Jesse united in prayer for Bobby. As the two laid their hands on Bobby, he too received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Before the prayer meeting came to a close, passersby heard the prayers and entered into the house to join in the blessing. In no time, the living room was filled with hungry hearts. That afternoon was marked by a mighty move of the Lord upon Mr. Gore, Bobby, Jesse and all those who joined them in prayer.

I was privileged to hear this testimony from the one who experienced it. A gathering of young ministers sat reverently, gladly receiving each comment the preacher shared. Though many years removed from that prayer meeting, its effects still reverberated through the speaker’s message. Rev. Jesse Williams was impacted long ago by a man who was willing to open his home for prayer. A man named Mr. Gore. On that typical day, two typical teenaged boys were forever changed by an authentic move of God.

As those who are interested in youth, more and more I am concerned with the challenge of reaching today’s teens. When one considers all of the opportunities and pleasantries that clamor for the attention of youth, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and to get discouraged. How can the church get the attention of this generation? How can we persuade young adults to grant us some of their time? We can’t compete with the technology of Silicon Valley. We don’t have the financial resources of Wall Street. Our retreat announcements and rally flyers cannot contend with the fancy flair of Madison Avenue. We have neither the budgets nor the staff to offer comparable programs to those of the public schools and community centers. Hollywood’s entertainment machine cranks out material at an ever-increasing pace, far faster than we can create and implement new programs. Now, to make matters even more challenging, it appears that many characteristics of a United Pentecostal Church are no longer unique. We are not the only church in town offering exuberant, contemporary worship. It is not the only church in the area with an active youth program. Ours is not the only pastor who delivers his sermons in a passionate, charismatic style. Other churches are offering multimedia presentations, missions experiences, youth choirs and summer camps. In the midst of so much activity, how will our youth programs stand apart?

I believe that three low-tech, low-budget, yet legitimate lessons can be learned from Mr. Gore. These lessons can allow our youth ministries to make a profound impact in the lives of youth. On a typical day in Mr. Gore’s life, he made himself available, he expressed a heartfelt interest, and he fostered a move of God. Applying these characteristics will cause our programs not only to rise above the crowd, but also to make a victorious difference.

Mr. Gore allowed his day to be interrupted. When two teenagers knocked on his door, he was not too busy to give them his attention. Before he lectured the young men, or gave them his opinion, he took the time to listen. His schedule of duties and responsibilities was not more important than the individuals who had come to his home. Mr. Gore had a vision of the gospel that was more than a distant view of a lost world. He had not fallen prey to the belief that evangelism was only a grand and extravagant affair. He knew that God not only touches people in crusades and revivals, but He also changes lives one on one. So rather than excuse himself from the largess of global evangelism, he chose to affect a lost soul personally. He made himself available.

Mr. Gore was not put-off by young people coming to his home. What was it that caused Bobby to consider going to Mr. Gore’s residence? Why did Bobby and Jesse feel free to knock on his door? Likely it was more than an announcement that proclaimed Mr. Gore’s interest in youth. It was probably more than a sign on his door welcoming teens to approach. Something had been done on Bobby’s behalf that made him realize Mr. Gore was interested in young people. Maybe it was the time he spent chaperoning youth events. Possibly he had taken time off work to be a counselor at Bobby’s youth camp. Maybe he was a Sunday School teacher that showed his burden well beyond Noon on Sunday. It could be that Mr. Gore often prayed around the church altar, laying a hand on the shoulder of struggling teens, encouraging them in the Lord. Whatever the specific action may have been, Mr. Gore expressed clearly and visibly that he was interested in young people.

It was typical to pray in Mr. Gore’s home. Somehow people in the neighborhood knew that he was comfortable with prayer. This man cultivated his reputation as a man of prayer. Prayer was not only practiced in his church, it was a part of his home life. His was not the type of prayer that one fell asleep uttering. His was the kind of prayer that summoned a move of God. Prayer that was genuine and desirous. When he sought the Lord, he meant business. He expected a move of God’s Spirit. It did not matter what other events were taking place, when there was a move of God, people would take notice. Folks would hear from the street and desire to join in. Mr. Gore expected and cultivated a real move of God.

While it may be unlikely that one will be able to finance his youth program like Wall Street, market events like Madison Avenue, or use the very latest technology of Silicon Valley, he can learn and apply the lessons lived by Mr. Gore. Each one can make himself available to youth, show an interest in their lives, and foster an authentic move of God. Certainly there are many more typical teens like Jesse and Bobby in our neighborhoods. The question is, will I be a Mr. Gore?