Have you ever seen "Criminal Minds" the CBS TV show on Wednesday night? There is a character named Garcia who works computers and has like 6 or 7 monitors in front of her. I wish I had that stuff. I've got 4 windows open to different places on the web and can only see one at a time, but need them to interact with each other, so it's pop up, then pop down, and over, etc. frustrating.
Someday....
--Ben
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Discover the River
I'm really psyched right now about the Discover the River class coming up on Saturday. DTR is the first step class for people wanting to become members of SRC. I'm really looking forward to expanding our church's strength. I believe our people are our greatest natural resource. If you're interested in coming to Discover the River you can come, it's from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and lunch is provided. Check out information by clicking Discover The River .
Just to be clear, because there might be some confusion. If you were part of the small group that met throughout the summer you're already a member. This is our first step in adding more members.
--Ben
Just to be clear, because there might be some confusion. If you were part of the small group that met throughout the summer you're already a member. This is our first step in adding more members.
--Ben
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Movie Review
Well, I don't often get to play movie critic, but today is an exceptional day. I took the offer of a pastor's only screening of a movie to be released on February 23rd. It's called Amazing Grace . It's the story of William Wilberforce who was a slavery abolitionists in Great Britain. He led a bill to parliament for many years before it was finally accepted. The movie chronicles his journey. The abolishment was sparked by a group of itinerant preachers who helped in creating a groundswell of public support for the banning of the slave trade.
This movie was filmed with top-notch English Actors. There are many faces familiar to moviegoers. This film fits the categories Historical Drama and Political Activism. This is a movie with a message. It is really trying to draw attention to the slavery issue. There are more people enslaved today than during the height of the British/West Indies/American slave trade. This movie is connected with an effort to end slavery everywhere.
One of the most interesting parts of this movie was the role of John Newton. Newton wrote the historic hymn Amazing Grace. The song makes an appearance several times throughout the movie. And it was fascinating to see the author's depiction of Newton's own interaction with his guilty past in the slave trade, and the words that he has written in the famous song.
Pastor's were invited because they believed that we would have an influence on others to see this movie. I will offer this recommendation...Go to this movie. I was shocked at how I personally responded to it. If you're weak hearted concerning the degradation of humanity (I am) bring tissues, you'll need a couple.
Fantastic movie, I'd like to go see this again in the theater. It was a great joy to see it today at Ebeneezer's Coffee House in Washington, D.C. with Matt Boyer and Jeff Man. CHECK THIS MOVIE OUT!
--Ben
This movie was filmed with top-notch English Actors. There are many faces familiar to moviegoers. This film fits the categories Historical Drama and Political Activism. This is a movie with a message. It is really trying to draw attention to the slavery issue. There are more people enslaved today than during the height of the British/West Indies/American slave trade. This movie is connected with an effort to end slavery everywhere.
One of the most interesting parts of this movie was the role of John Newton. Newton wrote the historic hymn Amazing Grace. The song makes an appearance several times throughout the movie. And it was fascinating to see the author's depiction of Newton's own interaction with his guilty past in the slave trade, and the words that he has written in the famous song.
Pastor's were invited because they believed that we would have an influence on others to see this movie. I will offer this recommendation...Go to this movie. I was shocked at how I personally responded to it. If you're weak hearted concerning the degradation of humanity (I am) bring tissues, you'll need a couple.
Fantastic movie, I'd like to go see this again in the theater. It was a great joy to see it today at Ebeneezer's Coffee House in Washington, D.C. with Matt Boyer and Jeff Man. CHECK THIS MOVIE OUT!
--Ben
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Who do you know, Joe?
Today at SRC something out of the ordinary happened. I didn't ask for people to raise their hands in response to the message. I spoke on Communion and challenged the people that some of them would choose to become a follower of Jesus teachings when they approached the table. One man was dissappointed that I didn't ask people to raise their hand and this is why...
5 years ago or so a family began attending Pasadena A/G. Their son was in my youth group, and the mother had given her life to Jesus. And an oddity happened. The Father began attending weekly services at the church. He became the first of many people I began to meet who attended church regularly, while openly admitting they had not made a decision to follow Christ.
As years past this man helped build staging and sets for events at PAG, he volunteered to help clean and work on the property. One day his wife told me, "Pastor Ben, my husband said that if you ever left PAG, he'd stop coming to church." Well, I'm not a fan of that kind of thinking. I don't think that I'm an especially good leader, and I don't want people following me anyway, unless they follow me as I follow Christ.
I will admit that that statement weighed on me when I was making the decision to announce I was leaving. I didn't really think that this family would come with me to help start the church, but I really hoped that he would still attend church and one day give his life to Christ.
When I made the announcement about SRC he and his family decided to come and help. It was odd to me to have an admitted (he was very clear at our meetings over the summer) non-follower of Jesus on our team. But he stood firmly, that there were still questions he needed answered.
One of the things we believe at SRC is that people can belong before they believe. And today he made the transition from belonging to believing. We're glad to welcome Joe to discipleship. Stories like Joe's are what SRC is all about, "Making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey God's word." The pool is gonna fill up on Baptism day.
It was a BIG DAY.
--Ben
5 years ago or so a family began attending Pasadena A/G. Their son was in my youth group, and the mother had given her life to Jesus. And an oddity happened. The Father began attending weekly services at the church. He became the first of many people I began to meet who attended church regularly, while openly admitting they had not made a decision to follow Christ.
As years past this man helped build staging and sets for events at PAG, he volunteered to help clean and work on the property. One day his wife told me, "Pastor Ben, my husband said that if you ever left PAG, he'd stop coming to church." Well, I'm not a fan of that kind of thinking. I don't think that I'm an especially good leader, and I don't want people following me anyway, unless they follow me as I follow Christ.
I will admit that that statement weighed on me when I was making the decision to announce I was leaving. I didn't really think that this family would come with me to help start the church, but I really hoped that he would still attend church and one day give his life to Christ.
When I made the announcement about SRC he and his family decided to come and help. It was odd to me to have an admitted (he was very clear at our meetings over the summer) non-follower of Jesus on our team. But he stood firmly, that there were still questions he needed answered.
One of the things we believe at SRC is that people can belong before they believe. And today he made the transition from belonging to believing. We're glad to welcome Joe to discipleship. Stories like Joe's are what SRC is all about, "Making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey God's word." The pool is gonna fill up on Baptism day.
It was a BIG DAY.
--Ben
Friday, January 26, 2007
The Economist Who Would Change The World
Yesterday at lunch I met a girl (21) who has just graduated from U. of MD and is headed to George Mason University to get a Master's degree in Economics. (For those who wonder why I read FORTUNE magazine, it's for conversations like this.)
Her ultimate goal is to finish school and go in the Peace Corps. She wants to go into an underdeveloped country and help teach principles of business and economics as a way of improving their lives. She came down solidly on the left of many social issues referring to herself as a liberal. I talked to her about her background, where she was from, schooling, faith, the role of business in Society, and then the role of the Church in meeting the needs of the world. I told her about Severn River Church, and shared some of my story with her. It was a great conversation.
I had never thought of the Peace Corps dealing with economic development. I always thought of them digging wells and hosting clinics. What an interesting thought. Her hero is a man named Muhhamad Yunus, who won the Nobel Prize this year. He broke into the Indian caste system by lending small amounts of money to women. The women invested in their trades and education and though they had been turned away by every other lending institution were treated with dignity by Yunus. They paid him back and he started a new banking system for the poor. Fantastic world.
Anyway, I hope that you take opportunities to meet people, and share your story and the story of SRC. Let's be inviters.
--Ben
Her ultimate goal is to finish school and go in the Peace Corps. She wants to go into an underdeveloped country and help teach principles of business and economics as a way of improving their lives. She came down solidly on the left of many social issues referring to herself as a liberal. I talked to her about her background, where she was from, schooling, faith, the role of business in Society, and then the role of the Church in meeting the needs of the world. I told her about Severn River Church, and shared some of my story with her. It was a great conversation.
I had never thought of the Peace Corps dealing with economic development. I always thought of them digging wells and hosting clinics. What an interesting thought. Her hero is a man named Muhhamad Yunus, who won the Nobel Prize this year. He broke into the Indian caste system by lending small amounts of money to women. The women invested in their trades and education and though they had been turned away by every other lending institution were treated with dignity by Yunus. They paid him back and he started a new banking system for the poor. Fantastic world.
Anyway, I hope that you take opportunities to meet people, and share your story and the story of SRC. Let's be inviters.
--Ben
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Grade
I know that many of you were tracking my progress last week on my grad. school work. I just thought I'd post that I received my grade on Sunday and I received a 95.9 or "A" in the class. I'm very excited about that, but sincerely believe that I owe this grade to you for praying for me.
Some of you may not know the story of my Master's work, so I thought I'd share it briefly. When I graduated from Valley Forge Christian College I didn't have a real interest in pursuing higher education. I did have a friend though who told me that he felt it was important for me to continue my education, because he regretted being later in his career that he hadn't pursued it. My wife also started hounding me to live up to the potential of education that God had created me for. So then I decided to look into it. I chose AGTS because they had an extension campus at VFCC and offered one week intensive modules. After making my choice, my friend convinced Pasadena A/G to pay for half of my tuition and books, and give me the weeks away to pursue my studies. That was a great blessing.
Now I'm only 6 classes from completion of a 60 credit MA in Christian Ministries. But why am I doing it? Well here are the reasons:
1. I believe that as a leader I must be a life-time learner. I don't believe that education is ever wasted, and pays immediate returns as well as long-term dividends.
2. Anne Arundel County is one of the most educated counties in America. As we reach out to Well-Educated, Professional Families. I feel that a master's education is a platform to reach them.
3. The Pay Raise (Actually that's a joke. My pay will not change based on a degree of higher education.) It doesn't work that way in ministry.
My future aspirations? Well, I'd like to finish my MA. I am currently juggling the wishes of "Fast tracking" into a Doctorate of Ministry (D. Min.) <-- I think it's cool that Pastors can be D.Min.'s (sounds like Demons) and another MA in Contemporary Communication at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. So the choices are ahead of me. We'll see where my journey takes me. It will be a journey of choice. Life doesn't just happen, we make it happen. But I have some time to make this decision.
--Ben
Some of you may not know the story of my Master's work, so I thought I'd share it briefly. When I graduated from Valley Forge Christian College I didn't have a real interest in pursuing higher education. I did have a friend though who told me that he felt it was important for me to continue my education, because he regretted being later in his career that he hadn't pursued it. My wife also started hounding me to live up to the potential of education that God had created me for. So then I decided to look into it. I chose AGTS because they had an extension campus at VFCC and offered one week intensive modules. After making my choice, my friend convinced Pasadena A/G to pay for half of my tuition and books, and give me the weeks away to pursue my studies. That was a great blessing.
Now I'm only 6 classes from completion of a 60 credit MA in Christian Ministries. But why am I doing it? Well here are the reasons:
1. I believe that as a leader I must be a life-time learner. I don't believe that education is ever wasted, and pays immediate returns as well as long-term dividends.
2. Anne Arundel County is one of the most educated counties in America. As we reach out to Well-Educated, Professional Families. I feel that a master's education is a platform to reach them.
3. The Pay Raise (Actually that's a joke. My pay will not change based on a degree of higher education.) It doesn't work that way in ministry.
My future aspirations? Well, I'd like to finish my MA. I am currently juggling the wishes of "Fast tracking" into a Doctorate of Ministry (D. Min.) <-- I think it's cool that Pastors can be D.Min.'s (sounds like Demons) and another MA in Contemporary Communication at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. So the choices are ahead of me. We'll see where my journey takes me. It will be a journey of choice. Life doesn't just happen, we make it happen. But I have some time to make this decision.
--Ben
Back Home
As many of you know I've been away for the last two days in NYC. The sponsoring church of the conference (The Journey Church) is in Manhattan, but the conference was held in Queens. The conference was designed to help church planters who are about to start their church. It was the retreat I wish I had attended prior to our launch. I think that they have some really good perspectives on church launches and we would have benefited from it.
As it stood, I was sharpened by this event and would recommend it to future church planters. Matt and I agreed last night on the trip home that the best part of the trip was being with the other church planters who attended from our group. Paul Drost is a pastor in Bel Air and a great supporter of SRC. Patrick Grach is a pastor of The LifeHouse in Hagerstown, MD. He has only one speed, Faster. Justin is about to launch in Hagerstown, LifeHouse West. Andy Casper is going to launch in Easter '08 and is one of my heroes. Ray Cowell (no relation to Simon) is a church planter of several years down in the Round Hill area. Randy came with Patrick and roomed with me. He's a great guy who is serving as an administrator for Patrick. Andy was a friend of Paul's. He is a recent graduate from VFCC and looking for a position in youth ministry.
It was a great time, and I'm glad that I got to attend.
Some thoughts:
1. I thought a lot this week about my Team. Our leadership team is the great strength of our church going forward. I'm so thankful for them. Doug, Christine, Janet, Matt, Drew, Jessica and more to come...I love you guys.
2. I wished that I could take our Team to some conferences like this. I think that it gets the creative juices flowing. It helps you think in new ways about new things. It was a bit frustrating that all kinds of ideas were birthed in me, and will translate to them. I wish they could have just been there. We'll be planning to get to something together soon.
3. I heard a lot of positive things about our church this week. I think that sometimes when you're in the middle of it you can lose a grasp on how significant what you're doing is. We look at 40 people and think, "We need to grow." I shared our story with others who think that averaging 23 people in November and around 40 in January is tremendous growth. So I wanted to mention to everybody at SRC that you are inspiring other churches. Keep it up! The difference we make is not only measured on the Broadneck Peninsula but is helping change the world.
4. I was so glad to have Matt with me.
Finally, I'd like to say thank you to the man who paid for our lodging, transportation, and food costs for the free conference.
--Ben
As it stood, I was sharpened by this event and would recommend it to future church planters. Matt and I agreed last night on the trip home that the best part of the trip was being with the other church planters who attended from our group. Paul Drost is a pastor in Bel Air and a great supporter of SRC. Patrick Grach is a pastor of The LifeHouse in Hagerstown, MD. He has only one speed, Faster. Justin is about to launch in Hagerstown, LifeHouse West. Andy Casper is going to launch in Easter '08 and is one of my heroes. Ray Cowell (no relation to Simon) is a church planter of several years down in the Round Hill area. Randy came with Patrick and roomed with me. He's a great guy who is serving as an administrator for Patrick. Andy was a friend of Paul's. He is a recent graduate from VFCC and looking for a position in youth ministry.
It was a great time, and I'm glad that I got to attend.
Some thoughts:
1. I thought a lot this week about my Team. Our leadership team is the great strength of our church going forward. I'm so thankful for them. Doug, Christine, Janet, Matt, Drew, Jessica and more to come...I love you guys.
2. I wished that I could take our Team to some conferences like this. I think that it gets the creative juices flowing. It helps you think in new ways about new things. It was a bit frustrating that all kinds of ideas were birthed in me, and will translate to them. I wish they could have just been there. We'll be planning to get to something together soon.
3. I heard a lot of positive things about our church this week. I think that sometimes when you're in the middle of it you can lose a grasp on how significant what you're doing is. We look at 40 people and think, "We need to grow." I shared our story with others who think that averaging 23 people in November and around 40 in January is tremendous growth. So I wanted to mention to everybody at SRC that you are inspiring other churches. Keep it up! The difference we make is not only measured on the Broadneck Peninsula but is helping change the world.
4. I was so glad to have Matt with me.
Finally, I'd like to say thank you to the man who paid for our lodging, transportation, and food costs for the free conference.
--Ben
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Busy Conference
This has been a busy conference. It makes me feel for those I lead. I typically am leading, which puts command and control probably in my hands (at least my team let's me believe that.) And I find things I lead are less busy because I know what's coming so I know how to pace myself. But this week, I was not in charge of planning. I'm in a group of 9 and someone else paid, and so they planned it, and I just kinda follow their directions.
I've been busier than I thought, so I haven't been able to update this site as often as I'd like.
Sorry,
Stay tuned.
--Ben
I've been busier than I thought, so I haven't been able to update this site as often as I'd like.
Sorry,
Stay tuned.
--Ben
Monday, January 22, 2007
Giddy like a school girl.
I've never really known what that title means, but I think I experienced it last night. I was so excited that I was leaving early this morning for New York. I'm in the Big Apple this week for a special conference by Nelson Searcy of The Journey Church
They are offering a FREE conference on church planting. Great stuff, I look forward to updating you on what's going on here. I'm here with 9 pastors from the Potomac District. Someone donated money for us (Matt and I) to come and paid our hotel and transportation fees. Thank you.
So anyway the giddy part. I can't sleep the night before I have to wake up early. I get so nervous that I'm going to oversleep. I toss and turn, and everytime I wake up, I look at the clock. It's horrible.
--Ben
They are offering a FREE conference on church planting. Great stuff, I look forward to updating you on what's going on here. I'm here with 9 pastors from the Potomac District. Someone donated money for us (Matt and I) to come and paid our hotel and transportation fees. Thank you.
So anyway the giddy part. I can't sleep the night before I have to wake up early. I get so nervous that I'm going to oversleep. I toss and turn, and everytime I wake up, I look at the clock. It's horrible.
--Ben
Sunday, January 21, 2007
County Wide Prayer Gathering
Sorry, but the prayer meeting has been canceled tonight. Stay tuned for a new date. Enjoy your evening, drink some hot chocolate.
--Ben
--Ben
Friday, January 19, 2007
This too shall pass
Alright, the big daddy's done. Just the two little guys to finish up. A short book review, and a 4 essay exam. No problem. 3 1/2 hours to go. (beep, beep)
BTW,
My dad sent me a .wav file of Jack Bauer saying, "I've got to finish this." I've listened to it many times today as motivation.
--Ben
BTW,
My dad sent me a .wav file of Jack Bauer saying, "I've got to finish this." I've listened to it many times today as motivation.
--Ben
Thanks
No nukes have gone off yet, and I have had to bite anyone's jugular, though I came close to biting the heads off of some people I live with this morning. BUT I DIDN'T. Please no hate mail. I was just tired from only a few hours sleep. Then my daughter came over to me and wanted to crawl up on my lap. She only had her Pull-ups on (mommy, wow, she's a big kid now), and she smiled at me and put her hands on my cheeks to feel my beard, and then I was like..."You know what, it's not their fault that I'm under the gun." So I decided to be nice, and I was. Attitude is a choice....
...So is procrastination.
--Ben
...So is procrastination.
--Ben
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Under the Gun
Well, I'm officially up against the deadline tomorrow. I've been writing pretty well, with the exception of a loss of half my work due to a presonal error of not saving my work. Thankfully I had printed out a hard copy so it didn't take long to re-input. I used XP's voice technology for this one. I did several trainings so it understood my voice rather well. Especially good for an outline project like this.
The project is an outline of a leadership class, I've mentioned it before. I hit a wall when writing though, maybe some of you have too. It's like a saturation point where I have no motivation to write anymore. I feel like no step in the project is any more valuable than any other step. Well, I'm there, but the pressure of the deadline should kick in tonight after small group.
Then I'm gonna go Jack Bauer on this project: (beep, beep) and the 24 hour countdown will begin.
If you see me with a gun in the next 24 hours, stay out of my way.
--Ben
The project is an outline of a leadership class, I've mentioned it before. I hit a wall when writing though, maybe some of you have too. It's like a saturation point where I have no motivation to write anymore. I feel like no step in the project is any more valuable than any other step. Well, I'm there, but the pressure of the deadline should kick in tonight after small group.
Then I'm gonna go Jack Bauer on this project: (beep, beep) and the 24 hour countdown will begin.
If you see me with a gun in the next 24 hours, stay out of my way.
--Ben
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
American Idolatry
Does it get any better than the first few episodes of American Idol? So many people are so horrible. I've heard that they hire people just to be that bad, but I don't see how they would need to...
--Ben
--Ben
Inauguration Day
Today is inauguration day, and I have a confession to make. I love rhetoric and radio. I love the art of speaking. I love to study it, and compare the good with the bad. And I like radio. I prefer listening to seeing, and I like the personalities on the radio better, maybe because they're more constant companions. BUT Today during the radio coverage of the Inauguration I heard a couple things that I thought were hilarious.
1. While introducing Nancy Pelosi, Eli Cummings said that she brought financial restraint to the congress. The funny thing was that there was an open mic at WBAL that caught Allan Walden laugh out loud at that comment. I personally thought that was funny and laughed with him, even though they killed his mic really quick.
2. Nancy Pelosi said that Martin O'Malley would make a wonderful governor of California. Oops she meant Maryland. Hilarious.
--Ben
1. While introducing Nancy Pelosi, Eli Cummings said that she brought financial restraint to the congress. The funny thing was that there was an open mic at WBAL that caught Allan Walden laugh out loud at that comment. I personally thought that was funny and laughed with him, even though they killed his mic really quick.
2. Nancy Pelosi said that Martin O'Malley would make a wonderful governor of California. Oops she meant Maryland. Hilarious.
--Ben
Great morning
I had a great morning preaching at Arnold Christian Academy. I love speaking in their chapel. The kids are great. They always make me feel welcome. Meghan Edwards, an SRCer, is the Phys. Ed. Teacher there and I always make comments about how she "dresses up". She typically has some witty comeback as well. But my highlight???? The 8th graders. They are the cream of the crop at ACA, so I always bring them forward to ask them their educated opinions on my message before I speak. It's great fun, and the rest of the student body loves it as much as I do. Casey, Ethan, Matt, Lydia, Kelly, Mary, Celia, and Roxanne are brilliant.
Much love to them.
--Ben
Much love to them.
--Ben
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
A call for vigilance
Every blogger has a difficult task in sorting through what will be shared with our readers. I tend to keep it light, and share the really great things that happen. But I will also admit that I tend to keep clear of the sad things that happen. No one wants to be a downer.
However, I want to be authentic in my presentation to you, so let me show you the season we've found ourselves in here at SRC:
Great things:
1. Jenna's Salvation
2. Kevin signing up for baptism
3. People signing up for membership class
4. Large Group Training day
5. momentum in our Sunday gatherings, (40 people last Sunday)
6. SRCers inviting people
7. Guests coming
A ton of awesome things.
But in the last week and a half in the midst of all those things...
We've had an eruption of terrible things: Immorality, hurting marriages, and family pain.
It's all been hard to handle, the tipping point was last night when I received a call during our operations team meeting from someone so broken they couldn't even speak. We prayed together over this person's situation on speakerphone. Christine prayed a fantastic prayer. Matt and Doug and I agreed with her. Then we concluded our meeting and drove to that person's house and talked and cried together. And in the middle of that something amazing happened...
Someone in the group began to speak to our host explaining God's forgiveness and the hope of his forgetfulness. When they finished the host shared that Billy Graham in a TV program earlier that evening had said the same thing. It's why I love being pentecostal. Here in these minutes of our small group feeling powerless, and unsure of ourselves or what to say and do, the Holy Spirit prophesied through my friend to confirm the words that God was trying to help our host hear.
What a great God we serve.
And so I call you to vigilance. We are under the attack of the enemy. So as my friend Carol would say, "Pastor Ben, you must be doing something right, and the devil doesn't like it." If this is what we have to go through, consider what it will be like on the other side. It reminds me of a verse from Pastor Matt's message from Sunday "2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
The Operations Team began a group study in December discipling us to share our faith with others. As part of that first lesson I shared that we would most certainly come under spiritual attack because of our dedication to this process. Well, we certainly have, but if this is the price of greatness, of becoming without spot or wrinkle then so be it. In the mean time, I follow the example of Christ who when seeing the moneychangers in the temple, made a whip, and then went on the offensive. Bind up your whip in prayer and pursuit of God, and let's go for it. Satan can attack us,but he can't occupy us. We give no place to the Devil.
--Ben
However, I want to be authentic in my presentation to you, so let me show you the season we've found ourselves in here at SRC:
Great things:
1. Jenna's Salvation
2. Kevin signing up for baptism
3. People signing up for membership class
4. Large Group Training day
5. momentum in our Sunday gatherings, (40 people last Sunday)
6. SRCers inviting people
7. Guests coming
A ton of awesome things.
But in the last week and a half in the midst of all those things...
We've had an eruption of terrible things: Immorality, hurting marriages, and family pain.
It's all been hard to handle, the tipping point was last night when I received a call during our operations team meeting from someone so broken they couldn't even speak. We prayed together over this person's situation on speakerphone. Christine prayed a fantastic prayer. Matt and Doug and I agreed with her. Then we concluded our meeting and drove to that person's house and talked and cried together. And in the middle of that something amazing happened...
Someone in the group began to speak to our host explaining God's forgiveness and the hope of his forgetfulness. When they finished the host shared that Billy Graham in a TV program earlier that evening had said the same thing. It's why I love being pentecostal. Here in these minutes of our small group feeling powerless, and unsure of ourselves or what to say and do, the Holy Spirit prophesied through my friend to confirm the words that God was trying to help our host hear.
What a great God we serve.
And so I call you to vigilance. We are under the attack of the enemy. So as my friend Carol would say, "Pastor Ben, you must be doing something right, and the devil doesn't like it." If this is what we have to go through, consider what it will be like on the other side. It reminds me of a verse from Pastor Matt's message from Sunday "2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
The Operations Team began a group study in December discipling us to share our faith with others. As part of that first lesson I shared that we would most certainly come under spiritual attack because of our dedication to this process. Well, we certainly have, but if this is the price of greatness, of becoming without spot or wrinkle then so be it. In the mean time, I follow the example of Christ who when seeing the moneychangers in the temple, made a whip, and then went on the offensive. Bind up your whip in prayer and pursuit of God, and let's go for it. Satan can attack us,but he can't occupy us. We give no place to the Devil.
--Ben
24
Unfortunately I was a little distracted last night (Not by the golden globes) and wasn't able to see the 2 hour postmiere (that's the second half of a premiere) of Jack Bauer in 24.
Does anyone have it recorded so I could catch up?
--Ben
Does anyone have it recorded so I could catch up?
--Ben
Monday, January 15, 2007
Hacking my Blog
I was very surprised when I saw the third comment on my last post. Mainly because it had been posted by me, except it wasn't by me. Someone had hacked my blog and then made a comment about my daughter on my blog. It was wierd, but not to worry. It was just my mom (the hacker that she is) who left the comment. I guess I had logged on at her terminal, and never logged off. No worries.
--Ben
43 seconds to post
--Ben
43 seconds to post
My Daughter, My Smile
Yesterday I had lunch with my family after church. (A weekly tradition for us) We ate at Bennigan's Restaurant. It's an Irish Applebees, so to speak. And since our daughter is from an Irish linage I thought I'd write her a Limerick.
My Daughter, My Smile
There is a small girl that I knows
With pigtails tied on her with bows
She sings and she smiles
And I sit all the while
and my love for this little one grows.
--Ben
Thanks (e-mail)
Dear Readers,
Thanks for e-mailing me. The problem was fixed shortly after I posted. Must have been a problem with google.
Thanks,
--Ben
Thanks for e-mailing me. The problem was fixed shortly after I posted. Must have been a problem with google.
Thanks,
--Ben
What a week
Well, I have to admit that this week has been a crazy one, and I'm on guard because there are so many ups and downs. Have you ever had times like that? "Emotional Rollercoaster" is so cliche' but there is something to it. In the midst of major highs and lows your can get jerked around pretty good.
I have been dealing with families that are hurting in marriage and parenthood, and at the same time seeing really great things happen at SRC including people signing up for membership, people inviting friends to church, and having a great service yesterday including a huge attendance for us of 40 people.
The ups and downs make me hold on tighter. I'm not a throw your arms up and scream person. I'm more the steady look of steely determination; white-knuckle grip on the bar, that's me. In this case the bar is the only immovable, and the immovable in my life is Jesus Christ. Holding onto the bar is following His teachings. That's the value of saying for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (but not yet.)
--Ben
I have been dealing with families that are hurting in marriage and parenthood, and at the same time seeing really great things happen at SRC including people signing up for membership, people inviting friends to church, and having a great service yesterday including a huge attendance for us of 40 people.
The ups and downs make me hold on tighter. I'm not a throw your arms up and scream person. I'm more the steady look of steely determination; white-knuckle grip on the bar, that's me. In this case the bar is the only immovable, and the immovable in my life is Jesus Christ. Holding onto the bar is following His teachings. That's the value of saying for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (but not yet.)
--Ben
Friday, January 12, 2007
e-mail problem
My e-mail address has been down today I guess. 2 people have told me so. Would you do me a favor and e-mail me. I'm hesitant to put my e-mail address out here, but its myname at mychurchesname.com. I'm sure that's cryptic enough. Anyway, if your e-mail gets returned please post a comment saying so. Thanks.
--my name
--my name
Writing
I never fancied myself a writer. I've always felt I had a deficiency for stepping over the chasm from telling to showing with the written word, an important talent for successful writing. But more and more I find myself writing. I'm currently working on a lecture series on Leadership. It is a school assignment, but one that I have great interest in. I'm looking forward to finishing this project on leadership called, "Leadership: From Here to There". It is a ten-week class on leadership principles designed for moderate leaders. The class intends to help leaders that already have leadership positions, to troubleshoot and improve their performance through discovery of self-leadership and interactive leadership with others.
I'm planning to utilize this training for Severn River Church, and hoping to offer it to other organizations for their leadership development needs. More information to come...
--Ben
I'm planning to utilize this training for Severn River Church, and hoping to offer it to other organizations for their leadership development needs. More information to come...
--Ben
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Pastor's Growth Group
Well, I'm out. It was a meeting apparently set to laugh about the generation gap I've created. The rest of the pastors are much more related by affinity. I significantly affected the median age of the group. (no offense to anyone who attended).
They laughed at me for showing up with a laptop, made fun of my cellphone/handheld PC, and couldn't get over that I posted a blog on the internet during the meeting. BUT I made it through.
I really enjoyed myself. Gary Butler is a great presenter and has a lot of wisdom to share. I was disappointed by the number of rabbit trails we went down, and confronted by a differing paradigm of leadership/management, but I think that it's a great move for the section to have this group. The real influence of the group is what I heard from several of the pastors, the value is the relationships among the group that are growing. I think there's great potential in pastors/leaders who are open to listen to others in similar situations.
Today's lessons focused on managing good conflict. Some people would think that's an oxymoron. I think that you either promote good conflict or you have dirty conflict and you don't want that. It's why at SRC we meet with our leaders and have an open floor for disagreement. Monday night in fact we had a very reasonable (though I might be biased) proposal about an improvement and someone jumped right in and let me know why it was a bad idea and wouldn't work. Because of the conflict I think we're going to end up better than if everyone had just said ok to my idea. Janet R. has commented that one of her favorite things about SRC is that she can disagree with her pastor. She's welcome to in our meetings. Once we come to an agreement though we're on the same team. We walk away loyal to the decisions we reach.
That's a great thing about the Operations Team here. I'm so thankful for them. They make the ministry great.
--Ben
They laughed at me for showing up with a laptop, made fun of my cellphone/handheld PC, and couldn't get over that I posted a blog on the internet during the meeting. BUT I made it through.
I really enjoyed myself. Gary Butler is a great presenter and has a lot of wisdom to share. I was disappointed by the number of rabbit trails we went down, and confronted by a differing paradigm of leadership/management, but I think that it's a great move for the section to have this group. The real influence of the group is what I heard from several of the pastors, the value is the relationships among the group that are growing. I think there's great potential in pastors/leaders who are open to listen to others in similar situations.
Today's lessons focused on managing good conflict. Some people would think that's an oxymoron. I think that you either promote good conflict or you have dirty conflict and you don't want that. It's why at SRC we meet with our leaders and have an open floor for disagreement. Monday night in fact we had a very reasonable (though I might be biased) proposal about an improvement and someone jumped right in and let me know why it was a bad idea and wouldn't work. Because of the conflict I think we're going to end up better than if everyone had just said ok to my idea. Janet R. has commented that one of her favorite things about SRC is that she can disagree with her pastor. She's welcome to in our meetings. Once we come to an agreement though we're on the same team. We walk away loyal to the decisions we reach.
That's a great thing about the Operations Team here. I'm so thankful for them. They make the ministry great.
--Ben
Pastor's Growth Group
Today I'm attending a pastor's growth group. The eastern section has invited Gary Butler to meet in cohort with pastors from across our section. I'm sitting next to our presbyter Don Cox, who is sharing great wisdom. (Thanks Don). I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Forwarding Emails
As most of you know. I'm against forwarding emails and dump about 99.9% of forwards I receive. However, there is an exception. You're welcome to forward the E-newsletter to people you think may be interested in seeing it.
--Ben
--Ben
Moore's Law
Are you familiar with Moore's Law? I read about it a few years back in Fortune Magaizine, but was reminded of it this week in a conversation I heard on the Radio. In light of the MacWorld convention this week I thought it would be a good time to discuss it.
I know that many of you may be wondering who Moore is, why I (a pastor) read Fortune Magazine and what these have to do with McDonalds (MacWorld is actually a conference of Apple computers). Here's why I bring these up. Because our world is increasingly filled with stuff. Many of us get more stuff, and Moore's law helps us in that regard.
Moore's Law was discovered in 1956 by an engineer who worked for Intel corp. He realized that essentially ever 24 months the number of transistors in a chip could be doubled. And that gave way to the retail side which states that the cost of current technology will drop by half every 18 months. That's a simplified version of Moore's law, but let me show you the money.
Yesterday Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers makers of the iPod, announced the iPhone. The iPhone is a fully functional Mp3 player, Cell Phone, Internet Browser, and hand held computer. It is navigated by next generation touch screen technology, and runs full-blown operating system and web browser which means that this hand held phone about the size of a video iPod is as capable of surfing the web as your wifi enabled computer.
I recently had a conversation where I said, "I'm not really a tech junkie." and the other person laughed and said he thought I was. This is my manifesto about technology. I enjoy technology stuff based on Moore's law. I don't get it until the next generation. I'm about 18 months to 2 years behind. I will never pay $500.00 for the iPhone, but in about 3 years I might be considering an iPhone for $200.00 especially when Cingular is offering me a deal to re-sign my contract and drops the price even more.
But what does this have to do with SRC? I think that if I'm about 2 years behind technology, the general public is probably 4 years behind. BUT!!! That is on an escalated rate. For the reason that Cassette tapes are obsolete and CDs are just about there. CD sales declined again this year, but itunes downloads grew from the first billion over three years to one billion in this last year alone. Technology is as much the growing language of the USA as Spanish in some ways. Therefore I believe that if we're going to speak the language of our world in order to share the gospel we must speak the language of technology. This is why we offer our sermons on the website in Mp3 and we don't offer CDs. It's why we invest in dual projection, improving our audio and video capability. Why is it such a big deal? Because while I'm about 2 years behind and the average person is 4 years behind I believe the average church is about 6-8 years behind. And even though many churches would agree that the language of the King James Version of the bible needed to be updated, I believe that the language of technology is leaning on the accelerator and we need to Habla Technology. (a little Spanish lingo for you)
--Ben
I know that many of you may be wondering who Moore is, why I (a pastor) read Fortune Magazine and what these have to do with McDonalds (MacWorld is actually a conference of Apple computers). Here's why I bring these up. Because our world is increasingly filled with stuff. Many of us get more stuff, and Moore's law helps us in that regard.
Moore's Law was discovered in 1956 by an engineer who worked for Intel corp. He realized that essentially ever 24 months the number of transistors in a chip could be doubled. And that gave way to the retail side which states that the cost of current technology will drop by half every 18 months. That's a simplified version of Moore's law, but let me show you the money.
Yesterday Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers makers of the iPod, announced the iPhone. The iPhone is a fully functional Mp3 player, Cell Phone, Internet Browser, and hand held computer. It is navigated by next generation touch screen technology, and runs full-blown operating system and web browser which means that this hand held phone about the size of a video iPod is as capable of surfing the web as your wifi enabled computer.
I recently had a conversation where I said, "I'm not really a tech junkie." and the other person laughed and said he thought I was. This is my manifesto about technology. I enjoy technology stuff based on Moore's law. I don't get it until the next generation. I'm about 18 months to 2 years behind. I will never pay $500.00 for the iPhone, but in about 3 years I might be considering an iPhone for $200.00 especially when Cingular is offering me a deal to re-sign my contract and drops the price even more.
But what does this have to do with SRC? I think that if I'm about 2 years behind technology, the general public is probably 4 years behind. BUT!!! That is on an escalated rate. For the reason that Cassette tapes are obsolete and CDs are just about there. CD sales declined again this year, but itunes downloads grew from the first billion over three years to one billion in this last year alone. Technology is as much the growing language of the USA as Spanish in some ways. Therefore I believe that if we're going to speak the language of our world in order to share the gospel we must speak the language of technology. This is why we offer our sermons on the website in Mp3 and we don't offer CDs. It's why we invest in dual projection, improving our audio and video capability. Why is it such a big deal? Because while I'm about 2 years behind and the average person is 4 years behind I believe the average church is about 6-8 years behind. And even though many churches would agree that the language of the King James Version of the bible needed to be updated, I believe that the language of technology is leaning on the accelerator and we need to Habla Technology. (a little Spanish lingo for you)
--Ben
Monday, January 08, 2007
A monster gift
Dear Everyone:
I wanted to mention something special to you. A friend of our ministry (I actually don't know who), but someone at PAG gave the largest personal gift we've ever had. Someone gave $4000.00 to SRC in December. What a blessing. I don't know if they read my blog but I express my thanks for their partnership in the mission. And I'm confident that the Lord will meet all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus. (Philipians 4:19)
--Ben
I wanted to mention something special to you. A friend of our ministry (I actually don't know who), but someone at PAG gave the largest personal gift we've ever had. Someone gave $4000.00 to SRC in December. What a blessing. I don't know if they read my blog but I express my thanks for their partnership in the mission. And I'm confident that the Lord will meet all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus. (Philipians 4:19)
--Ben
Why read this thing?
Why read this blog? It's a question that someone asked me the other day. About half our our church reads through the blog weekly or more and while talking to someone about that they asked, why do you think it's important to read the blog?
So I thought I'd mention it again because from time to time things like that need to be revisited. Please don't take it as a point of self-importance. The real reason is because I began to wonder "What would happen if a church really knew what their pastor thought." Pastors preach weekly to try to tell you something that God wants you to hear, but really that's so limited. What if you could hear what your pastor thought on any given Tuesday? or the day a friend of his died? or a great day in his life. What if he could plug you into those messages that he'll never be able to preach. What if he could tell you about things happening in the church. Not just the what but the why. What if he could direct you to major influences in his life? Reflections from scripture or other books he's reading. And what if during that reading you could respond and interact not just with your pastor but with others in the commenting community? And what if the mission of SRC wasn't just the pastor's but everyone who called SRC their church home, and we were really united in thought and passion?
That's why I blog. That's why I'm thankful you read.
--Ben
So I thought I'd mention it again because from time to time things like that need to be revisited. Please don't take it as a point of self-importance. The real reason is because I began to wonder "What would happen if a church really knew what their pastor thought." Pastors preach weekly to try to tell you something that God wants you to hear, but really that's so limited. What if you could hear what your pastor thought on any given Tuesday? or the day a friend of his died? or a great day in his life. What if he could plug you into those messages that he'll never be able to preach. What if he could tell you about things happening in the church. Not just the what but the why. What if he could direct you to major influences in his life? Reflections from scripture or other books he's reading. And what if during that reading you could respond and interact not just with your pastor but with others in the commenting community? And what if the mission of SRC wasn't just the pastor's but everyone who called SRC their church home, and we were really united in thought and passion?
That's why I blog. That's why I'm thankful you read.
--Ben
Friday, January 05, 2007
Friends
Last night I got to do something that I've wanted to do for a long time. I enjoyed a dinner with my family at large (3XL in my case) and friends that I had not seen in a while. Well, it's not that I hadn't physically seen them. In fact, I pass one of them almost every morning in some cases while he's headed to a local donut house and we wave at each other. But I hadn't seen them in quite a while. The way that you sit and talk about things important , and not important. And hear thoughts that stimulate you, and idiosyncrasies that make them, them and you, you.
These weren't just friends though. They were closer than that. They were there when I was born. I was there when their children were born. Their children when my children were born. Just Close.
Life however has a tendency to lead us in different directions sometimes and it's hard to line things up to be together, but what a great night.
---
A note about Sabbath...
I've been practicing my Sabbath on Fridays and have really enjoyed them over the last couple weeks with renewed effort at rest (oxymoron? or just a moron?). Anyhow, one thing I've been challenged with is that for the Christian there should never really be a time where we say, I don't have time for... (you can fill in your own blank) because we have a sabbath rest to do whatever that is. Christians should enjoy their hobbies more than anyone. How does this relate? Well I was just thinking about my friends from above and how I don't have time to see them. AND that's when it hit me the nice thing about being a nation with a set day for Sabbath really opens up the most important "hobby" (if you want to call it that) PEOPLE. If everyone is resting on the same day than do it with friends and family and pass the Stromboli. God is brilliant.
Searching for Sabbath,
--Ben
These weren't just friends though. They were closer than that. They were there when I was born. I was there when their children were born. Their children when my children were born. Just Close.
Life however has a tendency to lead us in different directions sometimes and it's hard to line things up to be together, but what a great night.
---
A note about Sabbath...
I've been practicing my Sabbath on Fridays and have really enjoyed them over the last couple weeks with renewed effort at rest (oxymoron? or just a moron?). Anyhow, one thing I've been challenged with is that for the Christian there should never really be a time where we say, I don't have time for... (you can fill in your own blank) because we have a sabbath rest to do whatever that is. Christians should enjoy their hobbies more than anyone. How does this relate? Well I was just thinking about my friends from above and how I don't have time to see them. AND that's when it hit me the nice thing about being a nation with a set day for Sabbath really opens up the most important "hobby" (if you want to call it that) PEOPLE. If everyone is resting on the same day than do it with friends and family and pass the Stromboli. God is brilliant.
Searching for Sabbath,
--Ben
Thursday, January 04, 2007
District Day Of Prayer
Today is our district day of prayer. I'll be gathering with pastors from all over the Potomac District, and praying for the needs of the year, and current events. I'm looking for a time of spiritual refreshing. Like that cup of coffee when the waitress comes and fills the half empty mug back to the top and it's hot. I feel like I've got all the components of spirituality, I'd just really like to get topped off to overflowing.
--Ben
--Ben
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Killing me Softly
I know you're wondering about the title. Let me fill you in.
A repeat button
itunes has a feature called party shuffle, and I clicked on it last night. I saw a song that was unchecked (meaning it wouldn't play) scrolling up through the list, and it was Roberta Flack (would know her if I saw her) singing "Killing Me Softly". Well I checked it so that it would play, and remembered seeing it in a movie.
A chick flick
Yes it was a chick flick. I think it was called "about a boy", but I could be wrong. A good looking Brit, (I don't remember his name..Hugh Jackman?) somehow ends up befriending a boy and sings in a talent show with him the song "Killing Me Softly". A kid in the crowd starts heckling them because it's a girl's song. I remembered that as I listened to the weak feminine strain of singing by Roberta Flack.
A mother's song
But it wasn't really Roberta's voice that I heard. It was my mother's. This song played at my sister, Sarah's, wedding. And I heard my mother sing it. Probably only like the end of one verse into the chorus of the song, but it's burned into my mind as the most beautiful song that I ever heard my mother sing. I asked my sister last night if she had ever heard mom sing it. She laughed and said, "Mom? No. But I've sung it for Karaoke." It was written for my mom's kind of voice.
I know that it's ridiculous, but that's the song in my head and on the repeat button of itunes for me right now. I've downloaded the chords and strummed her pain on my guitar. My office has been converted this morning to an easy listening station.
"This one will take you back, you crazy cats....Debi Rainey singing Killing me softly."
--Ben "the Rain-man" Rainey of wgbtw 1040 am (get back to work)
A repeat button
itunes has a feature called party shuffle, and I clicked on it last night. I saw a song that was unchecked (meaning it wouldn't play) scrolling up through the list, and it was Roberta Flack (would know her if I saw her) singing "Killing Me Softly". Well I checked it so that it would play, and remembered seeing it in a movie.
A chick flick
Yes it was a chick flick. I think it was called "about a boy", but I could be wrong. A good looking Brit, (I don't remember his name..Hugh Jackman?) somehow ends up befriending a boy and sings in a talent show with him the song "Killing Me Softly". A kid in the crowd starts heckling them because it's a girl's song. I remembered that as I listened to the weak feminine strain of singing by Roberta Flack.
A mother's song
But it wasn't really Roberta's voice that I heard. It was my mother's. This song played at my sister, Sarah's, wedding. And I heard my mother sing it. Probably only like the end of one verse into the chorus of the song, but it's burned into my mind as the most beautiful song that I ever heard my mother sing. I asked my sister last night if she had ever heard mom sing it. She laughed and said, "Mom? No. But I've sung it for Karaoke." It was written for my mom's kind of voice.
Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
I know that it's ridiculous, but that's the song in my head and on the repeat button of itunes for me right now. I've downloaded the chords and strummed her pain on my guitar. My office has been converted this morning to an easy listening station.
"This one will take you back, you crazy cats....Debi Rainey singing Killing me softly."
--Ben "the Rain-man" Rainey of wgbtw 1040 am (get back to work)
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
2006 Annual Survey
Sunday we distributed the first round of 2006 Annual Surveys. I've been influenced in this by National Community Church. But I thought it was worth the experiment. It is a way of determining statistical data to see SRC through a different lens.
The Operation's Team (OT) has been working through setting up a measurement system, and sorting through what we want to track and how often. The survey is part of that system.
If you have attended SRC 3 times in 2006, please take the survey. It will be re-distributed this Sunday. See you at SRC.
--Ben
The Operation's Team (OT) has been working through setting up a measurement system, and sorting through what we want to track and how often. The survey is part of that system.
If you have attended SRC 3 times in 2006, please take the survey. It will be re-distributed this Sunday. See you at SRC.
--Ben
Back in the Saddle
Well, it seems like forever since I've done any real work. I'm sure that most of you can testify. The holiday's just don't lend themselves to accomplishing much. I was reading the blog of another church planter in Utah, and this is something he said,
" Last year we were not able to have our Sunday gatherings on Christmas and New Year's Day. Renting a movie theater has ups and downs.
This year we were able to have our Sunday gatherings on Christmas Eve and today, New Year's Eve. The problem...most of our team members were missing for the holidays. They were out on vacation, visiting family, etc. It made for two interesting Sunday gatherings.
Skeleton Production Crew, late arrivals, misunderstandings through the holidays...
I'm glad to say it is over. Our team worked hard and did a great job of working with what we had. The holidays can be rough for churches and no one really realizes it.
I'm taking a big sigh of relief....it is over.
BIG SMILE on my face."
I can definitely relate, but we're past the holiday's and moving toward bigger and better things. In two weeks we have a training day for all of our setup team and production team on how to get the most out of our setup. Small groups will be reforming soon, and the next couple weeks has a teaching from a variety of speakers. So, it should be good.
I'm amped about working now. Yesterday I fought the desire to do any SRC work because of my New Year's Eve Rest-solution. BUT I'M BACK BABY, I'M BACK.
--Ben
" Last year we were not able to have our Sunday gatherings on Christmas and New Year's Day. Renting a movie theater has ups and downs.
This year we were able to have our Sunday gatherings on Christmas Eve and today, New Year's Eve. The problem...most of our team members were missing for the holidays. They were out on vacation, visiting family, etc. It made for two interesting Sunday gatherings.
Skeleton Production Crew, late arrivals, misunderstandings through the holidays...
I'm glad to say it is over. Our team worked hard and did a great job of working with what we had. The holidays can be rough for churches and no one really realizes it.
I'm taking a big sigh of relief....it is over.
BIG SMILE on my face."
I can definitely relate, but we're past the holiday's and moving toward bigger and better things. In two weeks we have a training day for all of our setup team and production team on how to get the most out of our setup. Small groups will be reforming soon, and the next couple weeks has a teaching from a variety of speakers. So, it should be good.
I'm amped about working now. Yesterday I fought the desire to do any SRC work because of my New Year's Eve Rest-solution. BUT I'M BACK BABY, I'M BACK.
--Ben
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