Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Sadly but Certainly
This blog has been disabled due to unwanted, unwarranted, unsolicited comments from a group of people who have chosen to use it for perverse puposes. You are invited to follow me on Dan's Digital Desk. You can find that at tdanielboggs.blogspot.com.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Need to be needed
In my recreational reading I’ve been engrossed in a book entitled, “The Essential Church”. It’s a book written by Sam and Thom Rainer who have done a great deal of research concerning church growth and the patterns within the religions of our nation. This particular work is focused on trying to regain those who were once members but have chosen to “drop out”, particularly those in the 18 to 22 year old range.
In that book the Rainer’s point out what ought to be obvious to us. People simply will not stay in a church where they don’t feel important or needed. In other words, in order to simply maintain the members that are already there, we have to make sure they have meaningful things to be involved in and know that they are important to the success of the work that is going on.
As I read that section of the book I began to think about our congregation and whether or not we have made it clear to everyone that they are loved, appreciated and truly needed. Almost every week we have people visiting our assembly. When they walk through the door what do they experience? Do they see a group of Christians that are really engaged with each other and happy to be working arm in arm for the Lord? Or do they see a bunch of individuals who come in, sit in “their” seat and hurry out after the last “amen” so they can get on with life?
When YOU walk through the doors what do YOU see? Do you feel like you are a valuable part of what’s happening here? Have you “pulled back” from the work you once did? Are you going out of your way to make sure others really feel welcome, and know they are loved and needed?
It’s often the case that the leaders don’t make clear the things that need to be done in a congregation. But it’s also often the case that we as members don’t ask the leaders for an assignment or task.
We probably all feel like every person here is important. But we probably don’t all feel like we’re needed. As we look to the future we see challenges to our abilities because of our age or because we are tired, poor, lonely or (you fill in the blank). But the truth is the more individual members choose to be active with the group of Christians the more work we can accomplish and the happier we will all be.
YOU need to know…you loved AND needed! (Dan Boggs)
In that book the Rainer’s point out what ought to be obvious to us. People simply will not stay in a church where they don’t feel important or needed. In other words, in order to simply maintain the members that are already there, we have to make sure they have meaningful things to be involved in and know that they are important to the success of the work that is going on.
As I read that section of the book I began to think about our congregation and whether or not we have made it clear to everyone that they are loved, appreciated and truly needed. Almost every week we have people visiting our assembly. When they walk through the door what do they experience? Do they see a group of Christians that are really engaged with each other and happy to be working arm in arm for the Lord? Or do they see a bunch of individuals who come in, sit in “their” seat and hurry out after the last “amen” so they can get on with life?
When YOU walk through the doors what do YOU see? Do you feel like you are a valuable part of what’s happening here? Have you “pulled back” from the work you once did? Are you going out of your way to make sure others really feel welcome, and know they are loved and needed?
It’s often the case that the leaders don’t make clear the things that need to be done in a congregation. But it’s also often the case that we as members don’t ask the leaders for an assignment or task.
We probably all feel like every person here is important. But we probably don’t all feel like we’re needed. As we look to the future we see challenges to our abilities because of our age or because we are tired, poor, lonely or (you fill in the blank). But the truth is the more individual members choose to be active with the group of Christians the more work we can accomplish and the happier we will all be.
YOU need to know…you loved AND needed! (Dan Boggs)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
July 4th
Fireworks, picnics, beach parties and sunburns are a large part of many July 4th celebrations. I wonder how many folks take the time sometime on the 4th to explain to their children what we are really celebrating. How many of us take a few minutes out of the day to say a special prayer of thanks for the freedom that is ours? Like so many of our national and state holidays, it doesn’t take very long for us to forget about what is being celebrated and just enjoy the time away from our routine.
The Lord understood the problem that people have that allows them to forget significant events the further they get away from them. Whenever He would declare a holiday He made sure to remind the people to take the time to teach following generations about the purpose. For instance, Exodus 12 records for us the origin of the Passover Feast. It was to be celebrated each year on the same day. Very specific instructions were given concerning what foods they were to use, how they were to dress and even how much food to prepare. But those weren’t the only instructions they were given.
“When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when He struck down the Egyptians” (Ex 12:24-27). That’s right, God made sure that the REASON for the holiday would be passed down through the generations as well as the celebration itself.
In Paul’s third person recollection of the first Lord’s Supper, he tells us that the Lord indicated the bread and cup were to be taken as an ongoing memorial to the freedom Christ granted us through His death (1 Cor 11:23-26). The implication is that the REASON for celebration and the celebration are to live on throughout the generations.
This year we just happen to celebrate our national independence the same day we celebrate our spiritual freedom. Let’s be sure that we pass on to the generations that follow us the significance of both those celebrations…with major emphasis on the spiritual battle that Jesus won through His death, burial and resurrection. You are loved. (Dan Boggs)
The Lord understood the problem that people have that allows them to forget significant events the further they get away from them. Whenever He would declare a holiday He made sure to remind the people to take the time to teach following generations about the purpose. For instance, Exodus 12 records for us the origin of the Passover Feast. It was to be celebrated each year on the same day. Very specific instructions were given concerning what foods they were to use, how they were to dress and even how much food to prepare. But those weren’t the only instructions they were given.
“When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when He struck down the Egyptians” (Ex 12:24-27). That’s right, God made sure that the REASON for the holiday would be passed down through the generations as well as the celebration itself.
In Paul’s third person recollection of the first Lord’s Supper, he tells us that the Lord indicated the bread and cup were to be taken as an ongoing memorial to the freedom Christ granted us through His death (1 Cor 11:23-26). The implication is that the REASON for celebration and the celebration are to live on throughout the generations.
This year we just happen to celebrate our national independence the same day we celebrate our spiritual freedom. Let’s be sure that we pass on to the generations that follow us the significance of both those celebrations…with major emphasis on the spiritual battle that Jesus won through His death, burial and resurrection. You are loved. (Dan Boggs)
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Yes...I'm still here!
I was reminded yesterday that it has been a LOOOOOOOONG time since I posted to this blog. No excuses...just haven't gotten to it.
My weekend was full of reminders of how blessed I am. Included in the weekend was a visit with some people from my first full-time ministry. They supported Sue and me so well during those early days. Their love and encouragement continues to be a cherished part of our life. In fact, the support those three elders gave to me in the early days set the standard by which we measure our relationship with elders today.
I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am with relationships of people God has put in my way. From elders and their wives to members that continue to love us over many years we have been given in every church we've served.
Thank you Lord for godly people who show their love for you by showing their love for us!
My weekend was full of reminders of how blessed I am. Included in the weekend was a visit with some people from my first full-time ministry. They supported Sue and me so well during those early days. Their love and encouragement continues to be a cherished part of our life. In fact, the support those three elders gave to me in the early days set the standard by which we measure our relationship with elders today.
I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am with relationships of people God has put in my way. From elders and their wives to members that continue to love us over many years we have been given in every church we've served.
Thank you Lord for godly people who show their love for you by showing their love for us!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Interesting but...
Today I became a victim! No...it wasn't a hate crime or violence or even being left alone...instead my e-mail was hacked...and now I'm hacked!!!
I have no idea how this stuff happens. All I know is my e-mail address was used to harass my friends, family and business associates. Now, as a result of this event my e-mail has been cut off, keeping me from communicating with people I love, people that I need to talk with. It really stinks...
The fact is, this hacking event is very much like what happens in our daily lives. Satan finds a way to hack into our lives, working hard at stealing our personal relationships. He poses as someone he's not. He lies in order to get what he wants. He uses others to cut us off from the ONE that we really need.
My e-mail will recover. I'll get a new address and I'll press on as if never hacked. But Satan's attack will continue...relentless attacks...hacking into our lives and stealing our joy. But our Lord is better protection than any anti-virus program ever thought of being. As Paul says, "I am convinced that NOTHING can separate me from the love of God through Christ Jesus!" (Romans 8).
I have no idea how this stuff happens. All I know is my e-mail address was used to harass my friends, family and business associates. Now, as a result of this event my e-mail has been cut off, keeping me from communicating with people I love, people that I need to talk with. It really stinks...
The fact is, this hacking event is very much like what happens in our daily lives. Satan finds a way to hack into our lives, working hard at stealing our personal relationships. He poses as someone he's not. He lies in order to get what he wants. He uses others to cut us off from the ONE that we really need.
My e-mail will recover. I'll get a new address and I'll press on as if never hacked. But Satan's attack will continue...relentless attacks...hacking into our lives and stealing our joy. But our Lord is better protection than any anti-virus program ever thought of being. As Paul says, "I am convinced that NOTHING can separate me from the love of God through Christ Jesus!" (Romans 8).
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
God's Ways
As I think back over the events and decisions of the last few weeks I find myself contemplating a passage from the Book of Isaiah. Eugene Peterson translated it this way in The Message: "'I don't think the way you think. The way your work isn't the way I work.' God's Decree. 'For as the sky soars high above the earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beynd the way you think.'" (55:8-9).
We have NO IDEA how God has orchestrated the things that have happened. Some bring us to tears as we think about them. The death of my father carries with it the pain of separation but the overwhelming joy of knowing he's with Jesus. Other events make us scrath our head in wonder as we look at the timing and answers to what we've asked for.
As I've made preparations for my move to Van, TX I've seen again that God's ways and thoughts far exceed what I could ever achieve. He has worked in the lives of the leaders of the church I'm leaving to move the church forward without so much as a single missed day of full-time ministry. With their decision to employ a dear friend with a heart for God's people they have done a slingshot leap forward.
Oh sure, there are those critics who say, "We didn't get a vote!" But they haven't heard the prayers of the leaders as they petitioned God for wisdom, guidance and answers. They haven't stopped to think about the bigger picture of the entire congregation and the unique needs that are presented in ministry to this body.
God's ways are ALWAYS far beyond our feeble imaginations. His thoughts constantly run circles around what we could ever dream up. We simply have the challenge of stepping back and letting His ways direct our paths as we serve Him and the people He put in our way.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Anticipation
Life continues to bring new opportunities and with each one we can choose to anticipate the best or dread the worst. In my line of work it's easy to become cynical and find the things that are "wrong" with the church and the people that are part of it. But the truth is, if we'll accept that fact that every human being has their own way of doing things, their own style, beliefs, biases and desires, then we'll go a long way toward putting aside the judment that sends us toward the dark side of dread.
I am anticipating with great excitement the change that is coming in our life. We are about to move from a city of over 200,000 to a town of about 3,000. I'll be working with a church of about 120 instead of 220. We could wring our hands and worry about the services that aren't available in that small town or we can choose to settle in to the lifestyle that comes with being removed from the hustle and bustle of the larger city. We could worry about whether or not there will be enough people and money to do the things the church needs to do or we can look forward to unifying the body for involvement that in percentages far exceeds what most churches experience.
Anticipation brings excitement and renewed strength. Dread pulls us down and blocks our desire to move forward. As we anticipate our new home, work and area of play we are excited for the opportunities we have been presented.
I am anticipating with great excitement the change that is coming in our life. We are about to move from a city of over 200,000 to a town of about 3,000. I'll be working with a church of about 120 instead of 220. We could wring our hands and worry about the services that aren't available in that small town or we can choose to settle in to the lifestyle that comes with being removed from the hustle and bustle of the larger city. We could worry about whether or not there will be enough people and money to do the things the church needs to do or we can look forward to unifying the body for involvement that in percentages far exceeds what most churches experience.
Anticipation brings excitement and renewed strength. Dread pulls us down and blocks our desire to move forward. As we anticipate our new home, work and area of play we are excited for the opportunities we have been presented.
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