A Moving Tribute

Today I attended the funeral of Bob Hughes, a long-time friend. When I was a teenager in the mid-1990's I remember Brother Bob walking the aisle of the church to receive Christ, and was witness to the change that took place in his life. One of the great strengths of the church I grew up in was the connection among families, so that I spent much time at the Hughes house playing with his son and grandchildren.

Later I got to serve the church there on staff, and that gave me a perspective on his leadership in the kingdom of God. I prayed with him time and time again, heard him cry out to God, and saw him lead others to new experiences with Christ on the missions trips he led so many times.

Today's service was an uninhibited expression of Mr. Bob's life and deepest passion, his relationship with Jesus Christ.

--Ben

Budget Meeting

Just got out of our budget committee meeting, and WOW. Tough conversations tonight. I was so proud of the guys that I met with though the way they approached the issues, and their approach to decision-making.

It's definitely different than previous years. Thanks Drew and Ryan for working hard and dealing with tough questions.

--Ben

Arnold Flicks

I've got a video project that I'm working on for Invite Arnold To Church, our church-wide effort to reach out to Arnold in an unprecedented way. We gave a brief introduction last Sunday, and next Sunday we're giving the full explanation, so I hope you'll be there. My homework is to gather some Arnold Schwarzenegger flicks, and work on a little video project.

--Ben

Invite Arnold To Church

Budgets, We Don't Need No Sticking Budgets!

It's budget time, and I'm thankful to be working with Drew and Ryan on the 2010 budget. Next year is going to challenge us in ways we've never experienced before, but it is that challenge that causes us to grow forward in deeper maturity; either that or kill us. ;-)

At the beginning of 2009 we asked our partners to cut their giving by half, and to conclude it at the end of this year. In real dollars that about $1300/mo. Our goal was to see our church's giving rise to meet that deficit. This month we crossed that threshold, and if giving stays at that pace we'll be in the shape we expected to be in. But you can imagine the anxiety related to seeing our partner dollars disappear. (I would like to say an informal "thank you" to all of you that have faithfully supported us from the beginning.)

We are facing the type of future that is going to make us become more conscious, contemplative , and creative with our approach to finances next year. That's what excites me about this process. I think this years budget will serve as a vision tool to strengthen our faith. We'll need to stretch our wings a little further, and flap a little harder, but I believe that where God guides he provides. That has certainly been true thus far.

--Ben

Sad News

I was very sad to find out this morning that Bob Hughes has gone home to be with the Lord today. Brother Bob was wonderful part of Pasadena Assembly of God Church, and a supporter of Severn River Church. Over the years I got to witness his devoted love for God and his family, and hear him cry out prayers of intercession.

We will miss Brother Bob, but know that we'll join him again in Glory.

--Ben

Prayer Partners

After one week of gather prayer partners we now have over 25 signed up. I'm so grateful for those who have quickly come to my side in prayer. I've been really encouraged by a number who have told me that they haven't stopped praying for us since their involvement three years ago in our Prayer Partner effort.

I want to invite you to join our effort as well. If you would like to become a Prayer Partner with SRC for our prayer initiative over the next year please click the link to sign up:

CLICK HERE

Invite Arnold To Church

Tomorrow we are going to be sharing an introduction to an outreach effort called, "Invite Arnold To Church." I can't wait. We're heading into a season of an unprecedented effort to reach out to Arnold. Can't wait to start sharing the details tomorrow morning. Catch Pastor Ariel's announcement first thing in tomorrow's service.

--Ben

Tips On Saving Money

Got an email today from a friend who is trying to save money, and not been doing real well at it. I sent him three tips on saving money, that I thought I'd post here:

Here are some tips on Saving Money:
1. Save Automatically: set your account up online so that it automatically takes money out each month. That way you don't have to trust yourself to save as much. Set it and forget it.
2. Don't save in the same bank you check with: You may want to keep some money there to cover accidental overdrafts, but if you use an online bank like INGdirect or others, then you aren't as likely to raid your savings.
3. Start with smaller amounts: Start with $50/mo, then in January increase it to $75, then in June increase it to $85. You'll notice that you will naturally adjust to spending less money and will live accordingly.

Hope this helps.

--Ben

Big News

Well, I have some news of the personal nature. Yesterday Corie and I went to her doctor, and found out that we are going to be adding a new child to our collection in seven months or so. I know there was some speculation, and we've known for several weeks, but until we had been to the doctor and seen the sonogram we didn't want to make it public.

We told our girls this morning before work, and when I left they were all on the couch looking through Sydney and Ellie's baby books.

Expanding Prayer

We're launching a prayer initiative for the next year at Severn River Church. It involves connecting 100 Prayer Partners to a coordinated prayer effort. It started last week when Rev. Ken Burtram offered some insight as to where we needed to go as a church. It is the type of movement that can only be accomplished through the power and favor of God. Ken volunteered to be the first to start praying for us over the next year. I left that meeting energized, but knowing that I had to have much more prayer support to see the vision become a reality. So I've begun soliciting Prayer Partners to join us. So far 14 people have agreed to partner with me in prayer. But we need more. I'm putting out the offer here to ask you to become part of our Prayer Partner Team.

We are raising 100 Prayer Partners to join us for a specific prayer initiative over the next year. Will you join the effort? We're looking for: 1. Regular Prayer (5 or more times a week), 2. Contact Info (So we can keep you informed of how to pray), 3. A One Year Commitment. If you're interested, please sign-up below. NO INFORMATION WILL BE SEEN PUBLICLY. I will be the only one gathering names and information. Thanks for your help.

SIGN-UP CLICK HERE

--Ben

Understanding Evangelism

In church circles we are very comfortable with the term evangelism. It is the act of carrying the good news of Christ to the world around. It is the marketing department of the church. Getting the message out, pushing our product.

Do you remember those fundraiser sales that your school used to make you do? Selling candy or wrapping paper door to door, calling grandma and grandpa, and hating every minute of it? Well, not everyone did; some people were really motivated by that incentive flyer that came with the sale. The people who really liked it now work in sales, the rest of us have plainer jobs.

The fact is Evangelism is not my first language. It's not what fires me up, and my efforts to share my faith with others doesn't often lead to the types of dramatic changes in people's lives that set the church on fire. But all of us are called to share the gospel of Christ with others. So how do we approach Evangelism if we're not salesmen by nature.

It is helping me to think in terms of three phases of evangelism: Presence, Proclamation, and Persuasion Evangelism.

Presence: There is a part of evangelism that is just about being among people and meeting their needs. It's the principle of giving a cup of cold water in Jesus' name. It is not about verbalizing our faith, it is about demonstrating our faith.

Proclamation: This is the phase where a relationship has developed with those we've been serving when they begin to ask questions about faith, and we verbalize the answers. We begin to proclaim the gospel to those we've had a presence with.

Persuasion: This is a setting when those questions have been drawing those we've been with and shared our faith with confronts them with a choice for them to embrace Christ for themselves.

You may be like me and feel that you're weak with the Persuasion phase, but that is probably because we only try to work in that phase. Perhaps we'd be better served to make sure we start with presence evangelism. Each time you're around a Friend, Business Associate, Family Member, or Neighbor pray that Christ will be with you, serve them, and meet their needs. Doing that while praying over time will prepare you and them for the proclamation phase. When they get there they'll be on their way to a time of being persuaded to follow Christ.

This is helping me, I hope it helps you as well.

--Ben

LinkedIn

I was invited to join LinkedIn today. I saw it on a Sprint commercial, but hadn't really checked it out. It is an online networking tool that connects business people. Interesting tool. I just signed up, but I'm not sure how I'll use it.

I'll keep you posted.

How do you use LinkedIn?

--Ben

Dollar For Dollar

This morning I heard about a consultant who is a devoted member of his church. He travels constantly for his business, but always arranges to fly home on Saturday night so that he can attend his church. He attends the first morning service, attends Sunday School, and then stays for part of the second service before driving to BWI to fly out on business again.

Why would somebody make that kind of effort and go through that kind of inconvenience?

Because he says, "Nowhere else in the world is there an organization that gets this kind of bang for the buck." He observes that dollar for dollar there is no other organization in the world that makes the difference and develops people the way that the Church does on the resources it brings in. It is worthwhile.

Thought it was an interesting perspective.

--Ben

It's Cohort Time Again

I've been privileged to participate in the Church Life Cohort over the last year. This week I'm rejoining the group for our last session. Today we'll be covering Discipleship and Ministries, and then tomorrow we're covering Evangelism and Public Relations.

I'm looking forward to the discussion and learning. I'll probably be posting quotes that I hear throughout today and tomorrow through Twitter.

--Ben

Good Lord WIlling And The Creek Don't Rise

There is an old saying that country folk say, "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise." It's a statement that basically accompanies an RSVP. Some credit Benjamin Hawkins with being the first to use it, and it turns out the Creek is a reference to the Creek-Indian nation. But others differ. You can read more CLICK HERE. Most of us would probably think of creeks rising and flash floods.

I expect there are a lot of flooding creeks right now, but I wanted you to know how excited I am about preaching tomorrow at Severn River Church. We're going to be moving into the central part of the book of Genesis and looking at the life of Abraham tomorrow. Don't let the rain keep you away. Come out and worship God with us tomorrow.

--Ben

Ethics And Morality

My FORTUNE magazine came in the mail yesterday, I got to tear it apart this afternoon and digest it. In another go around at life I may have enjoyed a carreer in the financial industry. (I like to pretend sometimes and for that FORTUNE serves as a platform.)

This week there was an article by David A. Kaplan entitled "MBAs Get Schooled in Ethics". It brought up an issue that I have heard a lot about since the financial collapse that started a year and a half ago; namely business schools should be teaching ethics and morality. Perhaps if you live in the greater Baltimore area you've heard the radio ads by Loyola's MBA fellows program claiming that ethics has been part of their culture and curriculum since the school was founded by Jesuits. Ethics is becoming a buzzword it seems around the business world. And many people looked at those in the Big Business America and harbored resentment for what they see as an obvious lack of moral direction that resulted in the recession that we've been enduring.

Ethics is not a new part of many business school's curriculum. My father several years ago drove the buss for a U of MD business class that went to visit imprisoned white collar criminals to warn them against breaking the law in business. But now there is a call that comes from many angered people for more, more, more instruction in ethics and morality.

Here's the thing that gets me. Why is it so easy in our society to point fingers and blame everybody else. It seems that the same crowd that is hollering for more ethics and morality education for MBAs is the same crowd that would say, "You can't legislate morality".1 Do you really think that if people are simply taught morality at their graduate school these things wouldn't have happened? Perhaps we should be more concerned that people are not learning morality in their homes, from committed parents, and churches. Just sayin'.

Ok, that's the rant that came from reading FOTUNE mag. I enjoyed the column btw, Mr. Kaplan.

--Ben

1 I wanted to mention that the statement, "you can't legislate morality" is something that I have said, and perhaps have even written at an earlier date on this blog. However, I have come to realize how absurd a statement it is. In fact, all legislation is an effort to legislate morality. It is a means of expressing what we believe to be the right and moral way for a society to function. Our laws may not reflect biblical morality, but it is a reflection of societal morality. For example, what are civil rights laws if not an effort to legislate morality and prohibit immorality.

Invite Arnold To Church

In a couple weeks we're launching an initiative called, "Invite Arnold To Church". I'm not going to go into all the particulars right now, but I wanted to break the ice and let you know it is coming. It is going to go along with our series, "Deep And Wide" during the month of November.

I'm really excited to work with Pastor Ariel on putting it together, and as I've shared it with some small groups, and SRCers seem to be energized by it. I can't wait.

--Ben

The Office

I had an office once that was static. It seemed exactly the same every day. The angle of the building related to the path of the sun kept the light pretty even year round, so I was used to the florescent glow that filled the room when I flipped the switch upon entering.

Then I moved into my home office, and for those of you that don't know, that was three different places in my home over the course of three years. That office experience was always changing. I could never count on how warm or cold I'd be, whether crickets would chirp at me, or if a bird might fly in through a window.

So I've experienced an office setting where nothing really changes, and one where everything changed all the time. My office right now is showing me that it is in between. The seasonal change has had a big impact on my office. I am surrounded by windows and I love that, but the daylight change has made the sun pass my side of the building much quicker than it used to. I think I'll need to bring in a lamp to insure that I have enough light, especially on overcast days like this.

I can't say how much I appreciate having this office. It provides me a place to really focus on the things I'm working on and for meeting people. It has been a great step for moving my best to a higher level for the church.

--Ben

Prayer Partners

Three years ago when I started SRC I found a group of people that committed to pray for me. I did an occasional correspondence with them, and many were very faithful, and I'd go so far as to say that some still pray for us regularly.

As I look back on that I think I did it because I was told that it was something I was supposed to do, but I wonder if I really sensed the desperation of needing that prayer support like I do right now? This week I was given a very specific directive by an advisor, and it was coupled with a call to prayer. The bottom line is if I don't have the steady, faithful, and timely prayer of my prayer partners releasing the favor of God, I can't do what I've been called to do. I'm more fervent now than ever in seeking partners to pray for me. I feel a much greater need to stay in touch with them and really keep them informed of how to pray.

To that end, I'm going to be re-enlisting prayer partners to join with me in a very specific prayer project. If you would like to volunteer please send me an email at ben(at) severnriverchurch.com.

--Ben

Signature Cafe

This morning I attended the Signature Cafe at Severna Park High School. It was my pleasure to meet so many from the community, and lend whatever I could to the cause. Each school in the county is trying to coalesce their curriculum around one common theme, or Signature, that will serve as the common trait of the students they produce.

After a year and a half of preliminary studies the group met this morning to brainstorm about narrowing the themes. The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce was invited, so there was definitely a strong representation of business oriented opinions. The most prominent theme that has emerged from the previous discussions is Leadership. However, what I heard at the tables was more about personal development of life skills than Leadership. The term Leadership is ambiguous enough to encompass many of the skills that people want their children to learn: character, critical thinking, learning, expression of passions. But the exhaustive list of skills leaves me scratching my head a bit asking, "Doesn't everyone want these things for their child?" And perhaps most perplexingly, "Is Leadership really congruent with all the skills?"

There is a lot of overlay with Leadership skills and the life skills that I heard expressed around the tables today, but creating a concise term to cover those life skills is difficult. I would just hate to see the school settle for a term like Leadership that doesn't truly represent the product that we hope to create for our children.

I always enjoy the process of these focus groups, I learned a lot from observing the professionals from the Board of Education, and I hope to be involved in the future with the development of this Signature.

--Ben

Leakin and Creakin

After 10 years of service my HP inkjet is starting to show signs of retirement. Ink is leaking out of it, and as the pages run through they are making the machine creak like my father's remaining natural joints. ;-)

Everything wears out I suppose, but what a hassle to have to replace this machine.

--Ben

Voices

Are there voices in your life that you can trust? In our society we are very familiar with the idea of schizophrenia and the voices in people's heads that influence them to behavior that we deem not normal. I've even seen t-shirts that make clever jokes about what these voices are telling the person wearing the shirt.

What voices do you listen to? There are, I suppose, those who don't listen to anyone. Mainly, I expect, there are voices that we will listen to and some of us seek the voice of someone that is trustworthy that can express to us advice, correction, instruction and a number of other valuable things.

Today I went and met a man whose voice I trust. He is an older man now, and his wealth of experience is something from which I can benefit. He has lived the kind of life I live, and approached it with similar values. His is a voice of "been there, done that and this is what I know because of it". But he shared it with a constant inquiry so that he could understand where I uniquely am coming from.

I'm thankful for a trusted adviser like that. I would encourage everyone to find someone that they can enjoy the same kind of conversation with. Those voices are out there if you'll listen.

--Ben

Apple Picking Postponed

The ladies apple picking event has been postponed due to the coming weather. For more details tune in Sunday and hear from Sarah Gilt.

Thanks,
--Ben

Quiet Time

Do you have a regular quiet time in your day? A time to get alone with God? A time of prayer, meditation, study? I do, and I find it to really help me keep my balance. When things get swirling, I get closer to God.

There seems to be so much going on right now, and so much that it seems God is about to do, that I'm taking more time than ever to grew closer to Him, know him better, and recognize His voice.

Here's the deal: He must increase, I must decrease. That's the simple truth always has been, always will be.

--Ben

Coming Soon: Food Drive

I was so excited to get back from my trip and hear from Pastor Ariel that the Food Drive has been scheduled. Last time we did it we filled the back of a Ford F150 pick-up truck and the food pantry that we donate it too had to squeeze it into nooks and crannies. They ended up sharing some of it with another local food bank.

In November we'll be partnering with the local Giant supermarket to collect donations for those in need. More details to come.

--Ben

Jabez

While reading 1 Choronicles 4:9-10 last week, I came across a familiar passage. It is the story and prayer of Jabez. Until the late 1990s Jabez was as familiar a character in the Bible as Shamgar or Peleg. No one knew who Jabez was. Then a book was published called The Prayer Of Jabez, and suddenly everyone in church circles knew his story, prayed his prayer, and gave the book to each other as gifts.

Now years later when I read this passage it is set in my mind in the context of all that hubbub. But this time when I read it I came away with a very different sense of it then ever before. Jabez was given his name because his mother said that he was a pain in childbirth. Can you imagine having a name like, "You hurt me" or "Painful"? Or introducing yourself, "Hello, my name is Pain In The Neck"? Or hearing your name called each morning at school during roll call, "Head, Melon" and you answer, "Here"?

Jabez's whole life was marked with a reminder of something that he had no control over. Did you know that a person's name is the key to unlock their heart? Learning someone's name and addressing them by name makes them instinctively respond differently in conversation. There are few things more personal than your name. You have written it thousands of times, even practiced how you want it to look. You've said it over and over when introducing yourself, and you've thought about the proper way it should be said. Perhaps you've come up with some clever way of associating it so that when you tell someone your name they'll remember it. (i.e. "Rainey" like the weather.)

That most personal expression in Jabez's life was the impression of a mother at childbirth. When I was born they had to break my collar bone to get me out of my mother. I'm glad she didn't name me "Wide Load". (No matter how appropriate that might have been.)

Here's the thing that really struck me: Jabez chose not to be defined by the label of his past, instead he relied on the grace of God. When his story is told it is noted that he was more honorable than his brothers. He may have come from a birth story of pain, but his mother got it wrong. "Child of pain"should have been called "Most honorable son".

What label do you carry around? Alcoholic, Divorced, Angry, Incompetent? Jabez's life serves as an example your heritage, past, or label can't hold back the grace of God. Receive God's grace, and He'll rename your future.

--Ben

The Message

I've adopted The Message for my Bible reading this year. Each year I try to read through the Bible at least once. It always speaks to me, and at times of my greatest desperation comforts me. Usually I pick a different version each time I read through.

The Message has been particularly enjoyable to read. I am constantly coming away from the reading with new insights, or thinking about the scripture in a new way. Often I'll read it and go back to the NIV or KJV to read it again to see if those texts agree. It has created a wonderful parallel for my bible knowledge and understanding.

If you are not reading the Bible regularly, I think you're missing out. It is one of the daily habits of spiritual discipline that believers have practiced since the printing press made the Bible available. Even before that scripture meditation was practiced by devout followers of Jesus.

I would recommend The Message if you've had difficulty understanding another version of the Bible. It is written in understandable language and is formatted like any other book you would read today.

Read the Bible, it will change your life.

--Ben

The Cough

Apparently a lot of people have been tracking my health on my blog, twitter, and Facebook. I'm asked regularly if I'm doing alright. I thought I'd pop on and let you know that I'm fit as a fiddle with a cough. I feel great, and have no virus in my system. But I do continue to cough. I think that there is something in my bronchial tube that agitates when I breathe. Not sure how to get it out, but I'll be meeting up with the doctor later this week or next to discuss it further.

Thanks for your concern.

--Ben

Weekend

The weekend is coming, and I can feel the anticipation growing for a great day on Sunday. I hope that you'll join us. Remember that this weekend is Friend Day and we're starting a new series called: Genesis: First Book Of Second Beginnings.

Hope to see you there.

--Ben

This Sunday

This Sunday is going to be great at Severn River Church. I can't wait for the weekend. We're starting a new series called, "Genesis: First Book Of Second Beginnings". To kick it off we've made it a Friend Day and have some really cool elements planned for the service.

One that I'm particularly excited about is the dedication of Abbi Harrah. It is thrilling to see God's hand on the Harrah family, and they have a crew of people coming out for this special part of our service.

It's going to be great so here's what to do:

Invite your friends, come to AACC on Sunday morning, and enjoy one the best services of the year.

--Ben

Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce Meeting

This afternoon I enjoyed attending the annual membership meeting of the GSPCC. This was my first opportunity to attend. It was very nice at the Chartwell Country Club in Severna Park. I got to meet and network with a number of people.

Ed Reilly the State Senator was the keynote speaker.

It's nice to establish new friendships in the community. Severna Park is a great community. I'm glad to serve it.

--Ben