Well…I really don’t know where to start for the first time. I’m really just looking to put down some thoughts. My family and I just returned from two weeks of vacation a couple of days ago. It was a remarkable time! We spent the 1st week watching my girls compete in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics. We then headed for a week in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was a great time being with my family and watching them have so much fun. I had a great time as well but not as great as it should had been. I’ve had ups and downs in my life but last week was a really rough one. Sunday our family headed to Myrtle Beach. The original plan was to drive about 8 hours day one and complete the remainder of the drive day two. I decided last minute to go ahead and push 12 hours day one and stopped in Nashville, TN for the night. The next day we continued on our adventure to Myrtle Beach and was driving along through South Carolina when I witnessed the worst accident I’ve seen with my own eyes. We were about a 100 yards away when I saw a jeep run off the road and start flipping. No one else in my car saw it so when I yelled, “wow” they had no idea what I was talking about. As we got closer I pulled over to the side of the road and ran over to the accident where I came to a young lady clearly hurt laying on her back in the high grass. I immediately asked her where her most pain was and her name. I then ran back to the car where my wife had 911 on the line and I passed on what I witnessed. When I ran back across the highway that is when I noticed there was a second individual in the jeep. He was laying on his stomach, grunting and murmuring he needed to get up. I could tell right away he was in worst shape than the young lady. Of the group of us who stopped we agreed it was important not to move any of them. An E.R. nurse on the scene then came to our assistance and stated she would stay until the ambulance arrived. I then returned to our vehicle and started back on our venture.

Once we arrived to our destination and hotel I started searching the internet trying to find information on the accident. I’ve never witnessed anything like this and needed to know how the two strangers were. I kept replaying in my thoughts is there something I could had done to better assist. This routine continued later that evening and numerous times the next day. I did find time to enjoy some time on my vacation but my thoughts were far away from it…I only wanted to know how were those two. Late Tuesday evening I finally found an article on-line however the news I read was not what I was hoping for…the man, a 28 year old young man had died from the accident and the young lady, his wife was critically injured. My heart sank. For the next few days I experienced a sense of guilt. What if I would had saw him right away and not a few minutes later? What if I would had turned him over and attempted to help him? Why didn’t I stick to the original plan then I wouldn’t even had been there at that time? What if I would had called 911 right away instead of after I went and checked on them? I had so many questions and felt absolutely horrible. I then found out the couple were returning from the place we were currently at after celebrating their one year anniversary. That hurt.

I was reminded through this incident of how the Lord is truly sovereign. While I struggled through some guilt of my own, a brother in the faith reminded me if there was something I could had done the Lord would had revealed it to me in clarity. Though its hard to understand, the Lord was there the whole time and things happen according to his plan and purpose. In the midst of feeling sorry for ourselves it is so easy to miss and forget that is indeed the truth. My boy reminded me there was a purpose in me being there…it could be to be able to assist future families who go through tragic events as I prepare to lead a church. It could very well be to remind me life is fragile. Heck, it might even be to remind me not to text and drive (don’t stone me). One way is to be able to share the love of Christ and His message with the young lady in the accident. I don’t know her relationship with the Father but I was able to find her FaceBook page and reach out to her. We’ve been able to have a couple of conversations since the accident. I’ve continued to remind her to trust in God alone and allow him to hold her close. If she doesn’t have that relationship with the Father I pray to be faithful in ensuring the gospel message is relayed.

This incident reminded me to cherish my family. In a twinkling of an eye your life can change dramatically. These events reinforces something I say often…spend every second you have for the Lord to be glorified in such a way if you left this earth He will say, “well done good and faithful servant”. More than anything it reminds me the Lord is in control of every aspect of our lives…the good and the bad. We must accept the things we don’t appreciate as much as the good and remember to use those bad times for opportunities to grow in His grace. I know its reality but I wish no family to go through the events of last week as victims or witnesses. However, if we must go through them, use them for the Lord’s glory and trust Him to intercede to help get through. Thanks for bearing with me and my thoughts. I ask you to continue to pray for Kelly and her family. I also ask to keep me in your prayers going forward. Thanks

Thanks also to my brothers Pastor D.J. Dangerfield and Pastor D.A. Horton for their insight and prayers.

This morning I joined by wife and oldest daughter to a recognition event for many who spent numerous hours over the last year serving. This event was hosted and held at the Salvation Army. I really didn’t want to go but I thought about all the times I have dragged (not literally) my wife to things she maybe didn’t really want to attend! I’m glad I went! I heard some great stories like a gentleman who has volunteered his time with the Salvation Army for the last 30 years and this past holiday season raised/collected $30,000…I know right, big bucks! I then listened to a story about a young man who through his last minute work helped get gifts for 300 kids who otherwise would had woke up Christmas morning without a thing. It was such a joy to hear these stories on the selfless deeds of all of these individuals! The best story to me though I heard was at the table I was seated at…

I had the pleasure of meeting a 14 year old young man named Joe. For privacy reasons I won’t tell you Joe’s last name (even though I don’t know it). At first I didn’t know if he was just there joining his mom but after conversing a little I learned Joe spent last Christmas season volunteering as a bell ringer in western KCK. Yeah, you read that right…14 years old and volunteered his time as a bell ringer. I asked Joe why did he spend his time volunteering. He basically said one reason was he needed to collect some volunteer hours so he thought this would be a good way to do such. In my head I thought of all the ways to volunteer he decided to use his evenings and weekends (in the winter…when its a little cold outside) to stand outside ringing a bell not knowing if people would give because it is the Christmas season. He could had easily went to a retirement home where it was nice and cozy and not much standing. No, he chose to stand outside a location and ring a bell (which could be annoying at times). I came away with a few things after talking to Joe.

1) Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number: If you are around my age you remember this song even though the context is much different. What I was reminded by Joe is there is no age limit on what age we need to get young people involved. We constantly look for opportunities to get our daughters involved in serving the community. I remember even having our 6 year old when she was 5 doing little things at Harvesters. When looking at the scriptures we see how Christ himself put an emphasis on serving. Never in the scriptures do I see an age requirement! (Matt 20:28, Eph 6:7, 1 Peter 4:10-11. As parents/mentors/teachers we need to continuously look for opportunity to get our young people engaged in the community. We can’t use the excuse they aren’t old enough! Cook a meal for a neighbor and let your 2 year old carry a portion of it over there. Teach your 4 year old to clear the table for others. How about going to a neighborhood park and picking up trash? Be creative in your thinking but I feel most kids can learn early the mindset of serving.

2) Be A Model: I know some of you feel good about your looks but I’m not talking about a fashion model or magazine model! Model what it is we expect and want for your young people to do. One thing I heard when talking to Joe and his mom is Joe’s older brother used to serve in the same capacity. Joe watched individuals older than him spend time serving those around them at no cost so when Joe got of age to serve he jumped in feet first. It makes little sense for me to tell my kids to go serve and I sit at home watching tv all day and night. I look at this as a form of discipleship. I go on and on about how discipleship is NOT just sitting down in front of a bible and surveying the scriptures. Discipleship is life on life! When Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2, “the things you have heard me say”…I’m confident Timothy also saw Paul model a way of life that would be pleasing to the Father. As adults if we hope to see our kids serve their community it is important for us to model it. Husbands and wifes…serve each other faithfully in front of your kids…the best example starts at home.

3) Humility: The young man I met this morning happened to a humble guy! It is not often I hear a young person not willing to tell everything they have or is doing. I’m sure the bell ringing is not the only thing he is doing. Not once did he on his own talk about how many days or hours he spent ringing a bell. He didn’t tell what all he gave up in order to serve as a volunteer. He didn’t receive an award this morning but joyfully applauded all the others who received recognition (Phil 2:3, Col 3:12). He served and didn’t expect anything in return. Luke 17:10 tells us to serve and when done just say we have done our duty. As believers we shouldn’t expect recognition or pats on the back. We should be happy in the fact the Lord decides to use us in any capacity to bring glory to himself. When we serve, do it with humility and gratitude!

Joe more than likely didn’t expect this today when he woke up but I walked away highly encouraged. I was encouraged knowing all young people aren’t self seeking hedonist. We live in a time where most young people spend their time watching tv, playing videos games, or hanging out on facebook. If we model servanthood and continue to provide opportunities for our young people we can do great things in our communities. I challenge the parents…get your kids involved with SOMETHING! There are too many opportunities out there and organizations needing help. I challenge the parents…YOU do SOMETHING! You are your child’s best example. Show them the importance of serving and giving of themselves for the sake of others. I thank Joe for his service and not being content with doing something safe and comfortable.

Remember…Fear God, Keep His Commandments…this is the duty of all mankind

PastorV

One evening in early March I had a conversation with my wife about what my co-worker was giving up for lent. I’ve never considered giving up anything but my wife challenged me with giving up twitter. I said if I’m going to give up twitter I may as well give up facebook…and the journey began! When I decided to give up these social media worlds I had no clue what I was going to receive in return. During this time I returned to conscious effort in the studying of God’s word. A return to enjoying the hours of fellowshipping with the ladies in my life. A renewed passion and fire…a renewed spirit! I’m thankful for the convictions the Father showed me during this time of solitude. I’m also thankful for the clear vision and direction He showed moving forward in ministry. I’m overly excited about the doors being opened and opportunities He’s given to serve His people. This will be an extensive blog so reader be aware. As I prepare to come off of my social media break I’m going to outline some of the things revealed during my time away as well as the future in ministry for myself and my family.

Things reinforced…HMMM! Honor Master Mission Mate

I. Master. The Most important thing to remember…True devotion and relationship with Him is the key ingredient and must remain most important. I can admit I have a lot on my plate…quite possibly too much. It’s easy to get busy in kingdom business and feel you are doing something for God. It’s always good to remember God doesn’t need us to do something. He can use anybody and anything for Him to receive glory. What he wants from me is relationship! It makes little sense to try to do a thousand things to please Him but fail in my pursuit of an intimate, personal devotion to Him. My time away from social media forced…yes forced me back to the scriptures from a study standpoint. I know it sounds backwards but I can admit I would spend more time reading updates and feeds than “studying” the word. I make sure to spend time reading the word…but understand me when I say the return to “studying” of the word. My excitement for studying God’s word should be there at all times…not just when I have nothing else to do. During this time away I was reminded without the daily devotion to God and his scriptures nothing else works out the way it was intended.

II. Mission. Make Disciples…in all the world. Men At The Cross (MATC). You may have seen me discuss or mention Men At The Cross in the past. MATC is a national men’s discipleship movement hitting cities across the U.S.. The ministry focuses on equipping and challenging men to enter into a one to one discipleship with a man near them and love them to Jesus until that man is ready to love another man to Jesus. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also”. That is the heartbeat of MATC…that is the Mission in HMMM…Make Disciples! I’ve been blessed to have done ministry with the group for a few years now and am leading the movement here in Kansas City. We are excited about the fact this conference will be in Kansas City October 22, 2011. This should be one of the missions in the lives of all believers…discipleship. I will discuss later some other ways we plan to build young disciples in our city.  

III. Mate. Family First Ministry. I have always felt I’ve done an ok job over the years but time without my wonderful EVO4 in my hand also allowed me to be even more engaged with my family. My mate along with my girls are a very important part of ministry. They have to sacrifice much in order for the Lord to use me in the arenas he has chosen. I’ve always made a conscious effort to never put them on the back burner with all the work, late meetings, travel, and etc. During my break I’ve found myself hanging out more with the fam even if its just watching tv, playing games, and etc. This break has been a gentle reminder that though its important to share the gospel to the world which I have done via social media, the gospel must be lived out first and foremost with my family. This time has allowed me to “date” my wife again like back in the old days…sit around and conversate and not holding a phone in my hand seeing who said what and when.

The Present and Future

I. Church Planting. Those close to me are familiar with the fact years ago I felt God was calling me to plant a church in Kansas City, Kansas…a diverse body of believers not being divided by race, neighborhoods, money, denominations, and etc. In 2004, I was fortunate with a team to plant a church in the Argentine community of Kansas City, Kansas. This was a wonderful experience as we attempted to do many of the things I mentioned above. In 2007, I first felt the Lord was calling me to plant a Church in the central region of KCK. Even though shortly after that the Lord moved my family and I to Fremont, Nebraska. I was a little confused at first about why if the Lord wanted me to plant a church in KCK then how the heck I end up in Nebraska. Well as I mentioned earlier this church He wants me to plant is to be diverse…diverse in race, neighborhoods, money, and etc. Nebraska was a learning opportunity to prepare me for this calling…I will be frank…it’s mainly white people in Nebraska…in the town I was in it was all white people! I learned so much from our time there but the fact was the Lord wanted me in KCK. In 2009 he returned us to the area. During my break from social media the Lord spoke clear the time is soon approaching. On March 20th, I found myself digging into Acts 2 and got stuck on verses 42-47. These scriptures point to the focus of the early church. It shows their desire to be tight knit in fellowship, devoted to prayer, learning from each other, and serving together. While I feel this is the desire of most churches, it is my desire to see this as priority. With all of that said, we are in preparations to launch, “Believer’s Fellowship” in 2012. I couldn’t make this story up if I tried but after receiving this word from the Lord I texted my wife and told her how the Lord just gave me the name of the church along with the scripture that ties. About two weeks later our pastor at the church we fellowship at preached a sermon discussing the “Pristine Church” and his scripture reference was Acts 2:42-47! My wife and I immediately looked at each other and smiled knowing this was a confirmation on what the Lord is doing. This church will be planted in the mid-KCK region…explanation of location coming next!

II. Urban Scholastic Center Mid-KCK? Well, the name is not official but the desire to model is! You more than likely are not familiar with The Urban Scholastic Center (www.theusc.org). This is a ministry that has been in existence since 2004 in Kansas City, Kansas.  If you are familiar with KCK this ministry is located at 29th and Minnesota. This ministry exemplifies what serving your community is all about. What this group understands is its much bigger than tangible items and trying to fill kids with only biblical knowledge, but life skills! How can we expect our kids to read a Bible if they can barely read? How can they focus on reading if their stomach is hurting from hunger? What can we do to assist high school kids stay in school and improve their grades? The USC is a leader in working to help solve these problems. The USC, along with Servant Community Church (the church affiliated with USC) strategically placed themselves at their location to serve the community and the kids that attend the schools near by. This is why we are planting our church in mid-KCK…to replicate what they are doing for the community and schools within. I can’t write about all the things they do or you will be reading for days but I want to touch on a few.

A. Literacy. USC sends mentors to Mark Twain Elementary numerous times a week to work with fourth and fifth graders indvidually with improving their reading skills. These mentors spend one hour a week up to two to three days a week in this effort. This helps the teachers greatly who are already dealing with large class sizes and couldn’t possibly sit down with every kid. If kids can read, grades improve, self confidence improves, chances of staying in school improve.

B. After-School Mentoring. USC also picks up kids from Mark Twain via vans to the USC and provides tutoring as well as meals.

C. Beautiful Feet. As we all know to play sports you must be eligible. To be eligible you must have good grades. Some students want to play sports but don’t have the access to equipment or shoes to do such. The USC provides some of these things for the students at Wyandotte High School.  If kids are able to participate in these sports statistics show they work harder in school to stay eligible to play. If they are working to stay eligible to play they have a higher chance of not dropping out of school…something so small provides such long term success.

D. Pre-Game Meals/Gospel. The USC also serves pre-game meals to the sports teams prior to home games. After the meal a presentation of the gospel is delivered.

E. Bryant Apartments Neighborhood Outreach. It was this event that showed me why I needed to model what the USC is doing. During the summer they perform an outreach at this apartment complex. One of the early things the USC did was replace basketball goals, barbecue pits, and other activities for the children to be active. The USC goes into this complex during the summer months and do these things. They first start off playing games and activities with the kids. After about 30 minutes of playing they feed the kids barbecue. After the kids eat they also feed the parents who are standing around as bystanders. Once everyone has eaten each volunteer will take 3-5 kids to an open area at the complex and sit down and read with them. The volunteers will read to the kids and the kids to the volunteers. Again, working to increase low literacy rates. These are typically children books talking about things of the Bible so they are being introduced to the gospel at the same time. It was a wonderful sight!

Needless to say…we want to duplicate this and do it in a different area of the city which is why we feel God calling us to the location we are targeting. We will have the opportunity to serve the students of Hazel Grove Elementary, Coronado Middle School, Schlagle High School, and the residents of Crestwood Apartments. Please pray with us as we begin meetings with administrators and officials of these places.

III. And Finally…the last of these new endeavors. My good friend and Pastor of Servant Community Church and founder/executive director of The Urban Scholastic Center Chuck Allen approached me recently about something the Lord laid on his heart. Pastor Chuck is a phenomenal guy the Lord has used greatly and I’ve been blessed to do ministry with him since moving back to KC. He’s asked me to speak at his church on occasions and we’ve built a great relationship. Chuck and I had talked last month in more detail about the church plant and my desire to model what the USC is doing. Since moving back to KC in 09 I’ve been asked by a few pastors to join their staffs or teams in some time of role…all I turned down because I knew God was calling me to plant a church soon. Chuck recently asked me to consider joining him for a season, even if it was only for the summer. He requested that I work with him and co-teach this summer. We would work together on a few sermon series and give him some much needed rest. Though we know its for a season I couldn’t argue with the benefits it would bring both the local body at SCC and myself as we prepare to launch Believer’s Fellowship. Since I have a strong desire to model what they do this gives me a first hand look and gives me a hands on opportunity to do such. This gets me back in a routine of consistent sermon prep since I will preach once or twice a month. In my time I spend traveling and preaching now it generally consists of what I label as a travel message. Since I’m invited to a bunch of different locations I preach this travel message over and over so little sermon prep. And finally I love to partner with any church where their is a sincere desire to reach and serve the community outside of just tangible items a few times a year. There is nothing wrong with that but I desire to build relationships which opens up opportunities to genuinely share the things of Christ.

So…in my time away much has happened. We are greatly excited where the Lord is leading us and our prayer is we are used for His utmost glory. I covet your prayers as we prepare to transition to these new areas and responsibilities. We pray we remain faithful and good stewards to all He lays in our paths. As I return to social media I plan to do it in a more responsible effort. I hope to still have a good time in the Lord…laugh with the fam, talk sports, and etc. However I will still not spend as much time on as before. Though I like using it to communicate the gospel I will pick my times wisely. So going forward…If you have a passion for the urban core, a desire to help kids and see them succeed, a goal to see more kids reading on grade level…and more importantly if you have time…get at me and let’s begin something big!

Impact Player

This is my favorite time of the year…March Madness! Every year we get the opportunity to learn of stars on teams we typically don’t follow (why follow any team other than KU?). During this time we learn how valuable they are to their teams and how announcers will say they wouldn’t be here without them. On the heels of March Madness we are near opening day of the major league baseball season as well as one of my new favorite sports, soccer. Then of course we are also close to finishing the regular season of the NBA basketball season. During the NBA draft we here the commentators say often how the player drafted is going to make an immediate impact. As a sports fanatic, I love this time of the year! With all of the sports I touched on we learn of each teams “impact player(s)”. The people on the team that at any moment can change the scope of a game or series due to their ability. Now look at yourself…are you an impact player? Are you able to change the flow of your work place, school, or community based on your ability or what you know?

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been giving the challenge to make a major impact in the world around us. We are directed to be faithful with the gospel and share it with believers and unbelievers alike. We are challenged to make disciples. What better way to be an impact player in the kingdom of God than by creating disciples, who disciple disciples, until disciple cycles (lil Lecrae for you)? Many of us men had dreams as boys growing up to be a star athlete, be a difference maker. We had dreams of being that impact player who gets all the accolades and praises. How many times did you shoot that turn around jumpshot as time expired? What about the game ending catching in the front yard? Do you remember each of those moments then yourself saying, “And the crowd goes wild!” Now think about this, What better praise can you receive than from the Father himself when he says, “Well done good and faithful servant, you have been faithful with few (disciples) and then I trusted you with many (disciples)”. Do you want to be an impact player? Following the Great Commission is a great start…make an impact that will last for eternity…remember we aren’t here today if the 12 didn’t decide to be impact players…who are you impacting?

Men At The Cross - Kansas City / October 22, 2011 / www.menatthecrosskc.org

“I don’t want to be on the top if they put him at the bottom/ Sho you just faking to be humble and poor-in hopes that the LORD will be pleased and bless you with more/ No homie I just keep my face to the floor- when he opens that door my views will be the same as before” - Sho Baraka from the track Overrated

I wasn’t thinking of the lyric above when I began thinking about writing this blog last night but it immediately jumped in my head while sitting down to write this morning. Over the last few years in sports, entertainment, and ministry we have seen many “great” people fall. From our favorite athletes, actors, pastors, and musicians…the mighty have fallen. I take no joy in seeing others fall but in many you can see the road or behavior in which it occurred. To me, it is important to stay grounded and try your best to remain the same person you were when nobody knew who you were.  I’ve seen folks change and develop an arrogance about themselves in which you knew they were going to need to be rocked some way or another. As people say all the time, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall”…that’s if you don’t remain true to what you believed and who you were in the beginning.

The Lord started using me as a minister of the gospel back in 2004 when I started a bible study for high school kids in KCK out of a movie theater. Shortly after that I accepted the position of Youth Pastor at a local church. I will never forget in 2005 I was asked for the 1st time to minister to youth at an event in Indiana. I state I will never forget it because it was the first time I knew pride could sneak up and be an issue even in the life we call ministry. See, immediately I thought I must be a pretty decent speaker if somebody requested to pay my travels, put me in a hotel, and even give me a thing I learned to be called an “honorarium”. As immediately as those thoughts came to me the Lord rocked me as I opened the text and saw, “Let him who boast boast in the Lord”. That became the words in which I decided I would approach public ministry.

If I was to have a major downfall in ministry it would be because of pride. I do ministry in the way I do today because I know my weakness. See, my whole life I’ve been told how good I was in something. I started playing sports at age 4 and have always been good, placed on all-star teams. I was recruited by several colleges offering me scholarships because they thought I was worth it because of my talents. I earned a starting position as a freshman on a division 1 baseball team because the coach thought I was one of the best freshman he’s seen come along. I played on a college baseball team years later that went to the college world series because of how good we were and we had people from fans to pollsters telling us this over and over again. My ego has been getting stroked my whole life! This is why this can be damaging to me as a minister of the gospel. This is why I choose the right to remain nameless.

I mentioned I’ve decided to do ministry in a different approach. I am no way saying this is the way to do things but it works for me. Regardless of the number of request I have received over the years it is important for me to do things as close to how I did from the beginning as possible. Many people don’t know me…and I love that. I in know way want to be a Francis Chan or John Piper. I just want to be Vernon Birmingham or the nicknamed given years ago, PastorV. I am quite confident half of the followers I have on twitter are from the fact a Lecrae, Sho, or Tedashii may have said something to me therefore people think I’m important because they follow me. I’m not! When I think back to who I was in 04 to where I am in 2011…I’ve grown as a believer, husband, father, and minister of God’s word. In many ways though I am the same guy and that’s important to note. I mention this to these guys a lot but I will share with you. I first met the guys I mentioned a few sentences up in 2005. Today, in 2011 they are the same dudes I met back in the day. You must agree…their platform and recognition has grown tremendously…but they are much the same people. Other than honorariums…stuff is done the same. They treat folks the same way as they did back in the day which is huge. You can begin to see when people are getting too big for themselves when they begin to treat people they’ve known for quite some time as a hassle. These are cats I try to continue to keep company.

Pride can quickly become your ruin (James 4:6). When you start to get the “big head” and doing the Lord’s work at some time He will have to knock you down a time or two. He will not let you take His glory and try to deflect it to yourself. He will not allow you to think you are bigger than the cause. As much as we work to remain humble it takes one comment to have you thinking you are somebody you really are not. I want to give a quick insight on things I’ve done and will continue to do so I don’t fall to the “pride punch in the throat”.

* I will never has a personal website. Is that a problem…No! But for me its not a necessity. To be quite honest facebook and twitter is enough of a problem for me some days! If I didn’t have a personal website in 04 and 05 I feel there is no need to have one now. What would I put on the website…a bunch of stuff about me and my accomplishments? That’s ok. I feel just because I’ve had more people request for me to speak doesn’t mean I need a website. If people have found me over the last few years…they can find me today.

* I very rarely post video or audio of myself. If I was at an event and they recorded it and posted it that is there right to do so. For me to post something it would be a short clip of something I felt could be really edifying to the body. For me to post video after video of myself so others can hear me can be a good thing but because I do struggle with pride, I personally view it as a form of narcissism.

* I very rarely post all of the locations I speak. Last year in 2010 I spoke at 34 different events. I spent a lot of time with college football, basketball, and volleyball teams. I think I posted eight events total. Why…I’m a firm believer that just because you have a lot of events or shows doesn’t mean you’re being effective…maybe you’re just being busy. Sometimes the posting of your events can come off as bragging…look at what I’m doing type thing. If I know people in the area I will hit them up personally but no need to broadcast for others…that’s not my job. I pray the Lord will draw the people to the event He needs and wants to be there.

* My honorarium amount has not changed in six years. That amount is what the Lord places on their hearts to give me that is cool. Is that dangerous…not at all if you are truly doing it to further the gospel (1 Cor 9, 1 Tim 5). Can you complain about what amount you get when you’ve been giving the privilege to share God’s word? And to add, I’ve always been taken care of. People who host ministry events are servants first and foremost and in their hearts know the importance of doing things right.

* I don’t repost compliments given to me. I’ve received notes, letters, and etc of people saying good things about a message or event. I didn’t do nothing on my own. I don’t retweet compliments either…it’s just lame and nobody can convince me otherwise.

Some may think I’m taking it to an extreme…and that’s ok if I am. When you know you have an area you struggle, extreme measures it must be. If one struggles with porn I wouldn’t find it strange if they got rid of their computer (Matt 18). I’m aware that a website, posting dates, and etc can be edifying to others. If that is the case but allows me to stumble in the process its not beneficial to my growth (Rom 14). I never had a desire to want to travel and preach the gospel. It was not something I sought out or positioned myself to do. I was just doing the Lord’s work and he opened up doors. So why do I need to change anything I did prior? I was a nobody then…I am a nobody now. Over the years I’ve gotten to know many “well-known” people from Christian musicians to pastors. I rarely talk about them because it gets me no where. Will I lie and say I don’t reach out to them to get into doors I couldn’t before, I will not. The point I’m making is for me to continuously post on blogs and social media sites I know such and such does not benefit me at all. My only job is to preach the gospel when called upon and do it with as little limelight and fanfare as possible (1 Cor 2). If I shall boast in anything it will be that of the great work the Lord is doing. We have many great people out there doing the Lord’s work who are known and famous…considering my struggles, I just choose the right to remain nameless.

*** Disclaimer: Understand I am not saying posting dates, having a website or anything I said on here is wrong and a sin. What I am saying is they are and would be a struggle for me and my walk.***

2011 for some reason already seems like its going to be a strange year. I mean, some people are looking at all the dead animals all over the place and think the end of the world is near. You look at the tragedies in Omaha, Tucson, and Baltimore in one week time. We have letters catching on fire suddenly at post offices across the nation. This all in the first two weeks! This year is going to be different!

This evening I sat working on some things for Men At The Cross. Men At The Cross is a ministry where the the focus is discipleship. We believe Men At The Cross is first off a CALLING that seeks to fulfill the Great Commission in America and the world by equipping every committed believer to “Love a man to Jesus until he’s ready to love another man to Jesus”. Our one main mission and purpose is to provide an INTENTIONAL pathway for men to grow in Christ and lead others in Christ. That simple…every man who believes in Matthew 28:19 will live it by it. This is as easy as grabbing ONE man and walk with him until he’s ready to walk with a man then you grab another. Imagine that! What if we all grabbed just one this year and walked with him for some time then that man grabbing a man and leading him until he grabs a man but at the same time all the original men are grabbing men and so forth! Might sound confusing but imagine the impact that would have in homes! Imagine the impact that would have in neighborhoods and communities. Then how that transfers to cities and states. Just one!

There are a few things I personally like about Men At The Cross. I personally have been walking with them since year one. The men who attend these events will hear from some solid biblical teachers. If we are going to talk about discipleship and biblical manhood, better to be from some of the most respected teachers around. What is refreshing also about Men At The Cross is you are not expected to have attended bible college or seminary to disciple a man. You need to have a passion to see men grow in the faith. Men At The Cross gives each man copies of the “One2Won” Crosstraining book, which will give you the tools to help you walk with that man for 25 weeks. And finally, one of my favorites is the sessions for the young men or teens. After the opening session, these young men are taking to a session by themselves where they will be encouraged and challenged to live out their faith and defend God’s word. Starting them early!

This year begins year four of this ministry! Men At The Cross is not trying to take over churches and men’s groups. Men At The Cross is walking side by side with these groups to make an impact for Christ around the world. If Matthew 28:19 is something that you believe in…you have no choice but to move on it. I’m not saying Men At The Cross is that ministry that knows it all or the only way to get it done…but we are here to serve alongside you and make disciples. You can find Men At The Cross coming to cities all over the US in 2011, starting Jan. 22 in Memphis, TN. I have the opportunity and privilege to lead the conference that is coming to Kansas City in the fall. At the same time I am burdened because it is evident around the city biblical manhood and discipleship is lacking. What if we all  grabbed just one. It is not an option but a duty. It is extremely easy to say I don’t have time…how can you afford not to have time? Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others”. By the Lord’s grace we have been given valuable information we aren’t to hold to ourselves but to use to help other men live this thing out. Don’t be the 3rd guy in the parable of the talents caught holding on to it. If you are in Kansas City and want to get plugged in, help in the grassroots effort, or just learn more about this ministry please reach out to me. The goal in 2011 for us all is to grab just one!

www.menatthecross.org

www.menatthecrosskc.org

PastorV

“If people have to be “pushed” to worship the one that died for them…then maybe the people being “pushed” have yet to die for Him”.

This is what I quoted after the corporate music worship session this morning. I attempt to worry about myself during worship but the last few weeks have been difficult. I think it may have something to do with me spending an evening watching Hillsong worship on Youtube and wanting to be in that type of worship environment. I must admit I have been thinking about others and their worship of the Lord. Is it my concern? I believe it is the concern of every believer to encourage others to be committed to the worship of the Lord…in what ever way seems fitting to that individual. My focus during worship should be in the Lord but I have been grieved over the last couple of months about what seems like the lack of worship during this time period in our services. I sit in the front so at times I look around between songs and wonder where is everyone only to look back later and see a packed congregation. There are quite a few days I don’t hear a thing behind me. I am guilty for one, thinking the extent of worship is measured by how loud one sings. I am guilty for two, this morning deciding to sit near the back of the congregation for my personal research project. I wanted to see what worship looked like from the back. I guess I can say it was what it sounded like from up front…Many people standing around looking at the worship band with blank stares on their face. Could this be their form of worship? Possibly. I honestly don’t know. I know there are times I don’t sing but will just stand with my eyes closed listening to the singers, or the guitar, the saxophone, or etc. Worship is different for others which I am aware of. Maybe its not their cup of tea with the music. We do have people who could be more comfortable with traditional hymns. Others could maybe just not like the loud drums and heavy guitars. I’ve been there before when I just thought the music was wack (not at my current church though). What I did have to get over was its not about the music or style but about MY worship and God. However, I believe worship time encourages and helps all in the building.

This is what occurred today for me to make the statement I did via twitter/facebook. Our pastor after the last worship song went up and pretty much said what I stated earlier…the worship has been kind of weak. Again, I don’t know how we can measure worship but I just feel its been evident, its been dead. He challenged the body to sing this song again and sing with a meaning. Sing with a heart as one wanting to praise the Living God. So I watched the congregation bust back into the same song and I wish you could had heard it! It seemed like everyone was singing! It was loud, hands waving, and etc. I was honestly in a state of disbelief! Why? Why couldn’t this excitement, this worship of the Lord, the adoration for Him been there before pastor had to get up and say something? Is God not enough? Is the God who gives us breath not worthy of our total and complete all? Should we have to “push” others to worship Him considering all He has done in our lives? That was my only frustration with the whole thing. Why come to church early if you are not coming with a desire to worship Him in song? I have no problem seeing people coming in for the word if that’s what they want to do. I don’t see how one can enter into a worship session and considering all He is to us to then just stand there. I’m not saying you have to wave your hands, to sing loud, or sing at all…but just worship the Lord! I want to see believers who come in excited to spend time in the presence of a Holy God. People singing of His praises and weeping over their sin. People reflecting on the lyrics of the songs and realizing how fortunate we are to be in communion with Him. When you realize all He is you give up all you are to be one of His. You die to your desires and live for His. If I ever need to be pushed to praise Him for his mercies and everlasting grace then I need to check myself. That was the second half of my statement…we need to do some self examining if God alone is not enough for me to sing my heart out to Him. God is enough. If He did nothing else for us He is worthy of all we have to give. So give it to Him without the push…push yourself because you want to not because you have to!

PastorV