Two Weeks

It’s pretty amazing to think about how significantly your life can change in two weeks.  Actually, I think we all know that life can change in the matter of seconds, but as I write this I’m thinking about two weeks.

On Wednesday, December 7^th, Sandy and I heard the Dr. say, “I’m almost certain you have a tonsil cancer.”  What…I’ve never even heard of tonsil cancer.  But that’s where it began.  Two weeks later on Wednesday, December 21^st, I had completed a needle biopsy of a lymph node, a tonsil biopsy, a laryngoscopy and a PET scan (more about that later).  I had also consulted with an ENT, a Radiology Oncologist and a Medical Oncologist along with numerous people who have had the same or similar cancer.  Two weeks later I had stood before my church family twice, the first time asking for prayers during a time of waiting, the second time asking for prayers during a time of trusting.  Two weeks later I’ve read hundreds of emails, cards, notes, facebook posts and tweets.  Two weeks later and it feels like I have logged more minutes on my cell phone than I had for the entire first 48 weeks of the year.  Two weeks later and I’ve/we’ve prayed, read Scripture and shed a lot of tears.  Two weeks later and I know that God is still sitting on the throne just exactly where He was on Tuesday, December 6^th.

Today is Thursday, December 22^nd and I’m moving forward.  As you probably already know, my PET scan was clear…the cancer has not spread from my neck.  I told Sandy that while I know I’m in a very serious “life and death” situation, I’m going to let that good news carry me through the Christmas holiday and be glad.  However, once Christmas is over I’m setting my sights on what I know will be the most difficult journey of my life.  I will begin a 7 to 8 week series of chemotherapy and radiation to completely eliminate and eradicate this cancer from my body.  My Radiology Oncologist, my Medical Oncologist and my ENT Dr. have all told me that this cancer is treatable and curable.  They can’t make any promises but they are very positive and optimistic.  The treatment will be very difficult…they have not tried to sugar coat that at all.  I will receive my first chemotherapy treatment on December 28^th.  The following week (the first week of 2012) I will have a feeding tube inserted into my stomach and I will begin my radiation treatment.  The chemotherapy will be once a week while the radiation will be daily (Mon – Fri). 

I will be in the pulpit for all three Christmas Eve services as well as for our Christmas Day service.  I hope I can attend at least one of the services the following week when Christ Franklin is preaching but that’s not definite.  After that I may not see you again until sometime in May (I’ll leave that up to God).  Our Elders are strong men of faith.  Alan Baumlein, our Executive Pastor will be leading the staff.  I will be in constant contact with Bill Cragen the Chairman of our Elders and with Alan.  We’ve got some great preachers who will be filling the pulpit.  January will be a special month as my son, Andrew, and my brother Kenneth will both spend some time in the pulpit.  And by the way, I’ve already got a great idea for a new sermon series when I’m back.

Here’s how you can pray for me in the days to come:

1.     Pray for my strength to endure the treatment.

2.     Pray for my family (Sandy, Andrew & Kara, Tricia and Grace) this will be hard on them…pray especially for Sandy).  I will need them to make it through.

3.     Pray that I will not need a temporary tracheotomy.  While the radiation will ultimate shrink and eliminate the tumor in my tonsil the Dr. has told me there’s the possibility of swelling.  My airway is already blocked by the tumor.

4.     Pray for the complete and absolute elimination/eradication of the cancer from my body so that I will be cancer free!

5.     Pray that I along with my family along with all of you will honor and glorify God through all that happens.

I can’t tell you what it means to me to know that all of you are walking with me through this trial.  I love you all, I love this church and I love the God who is bigger and greater than any crummy two weeks that changes our lives.  I love the God who can take the two worst weeks of your life and use them for your good and His glory!

Jesus cares,

Pastor Chris

Youth Group

Recently, a random conversation with a couple of staff guys caused me to think back to my days as a teenager and my high school youth group.  I really  participated in two youth groups.  My first youth group was at the church where I grew up in, in Tulsa, OK, and the second youth group was at the church I attended for a little over a year when we moved to Houston, TX.  Both were great experiences for me.  But in reflecting back on those days, I couldn’t help but think of how much things have changed.

I never went to youth group with anyone who went to the same high school as me.  In Tulsa, we drove all the way across town to go to church because of a long family connection.  In Houston, I didn’t live in the same school district where the church was located, so none of my “friends” went to my youth group.  Not only that, but I didn’t really share anything in common with any of the kids in the youth groups.  When I was in high school, I played football and basketball.  My first summer job was working at an indoor tennis facility.  I was pretty heavily involved in all things sports (that was before that kind of involvement kept you out of church).  The rest of the kids in both of my youth groups were pretty much the original “Geek Squad.”  There were no athletes in my youth groups and, honestly, no one that would have been in the “popular” crowd (whatever that means) in their school.  I never had a young or “cool” Youth Minister.  In my Tulsa church, our Youth Minister had kids older than me, and in my Houston church there was no Youth Minister.  There were no special facilities, no big budgets…nothing. 

Now, that doesn’t sound very appealing, but the truth is, my time and commitment with both of those youth groups were some of the most enriching experiences of my life…certainly my spiritual life.  To this day I continue to have a connection to kids I went to youth group with, as well as some of the sponsors who gave their time to teach and to lead.  But it wasn’t just good for me.  Looking back through the lenses of time and maturity, I can see how my participation was beneficial for others.  I’m hesitant to write that because I don’t want it to sound too self-important, but I know from personal conversations with others that God was able to use me as a witness and example and leader to others. 

What is so sad and disheartening for me today is the reality that many teenagers don’t even participate in church youth group (we call it Student Ministry today).  And if they do, it’s often a classic “consumer-driven” choice or it’s not even a church at all.  I’ve heard all the reasons why over and over again (friends – youth ministers/leaders – time – schedule – popular kids – etc.).  Here’s my response – observation – question – whatever you want to call it.  And I’m not writing this for the purpose of offending or accusing, I’m just expressing my thoughts and experiences (isn’t that what a blog is for?) and I’m asking you to take a minute to think about what I’m writing.  We live in a day and age where everything is measured by how much we get out of it.  That’s the reality of the world.  Shouldn’t the church and our participation…our commitment to it be different?  Shouldn’t the church, which includes the youth group (student ministry), be measured by how much of ourselves we put into it for God?  Isn’t this something that we should be passing on to our children? 

Over the past thirty-plus years, I’ve seen youth programs that were driven by big personalities and by big events.  They’re impressive…there’s no question about that.  But I’ve also seen that when that particular personality is gone or the big events end, there’s a noticeable drop-off in participation.  When Jesus fed hungry people, he had thousands of them pursuing him.  A little later when he began to tell them what it cost to be his disciple, many of them said, “This is a hard teaching.  Who can accept it?”  (John 6:60).  Then the inevitable happened.  “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him”  (John 6:66).

I didn’t go to the youth group with the dynamic youth minister, or with my friends, or even with the kids that I wished were my friends.  Sometimes we rode in an old broken down church bus to a “rustic” church camp or a pizza parlor (which was a big night out in the 1970s).  I saw “Jaws” with Ginger Braun and Deena McCollum, girls I knew from youth group…girls I would never have been friends with in any other setting…girls who became great friends.  I played church league basketball with guys who were terrible basketball players (that meant I got to take a lot of shots).  We had Bible studies, swim parties, youth services, and on and on.  And as lame as those things may sound, I know my life wouldn’t have been the same without them.

Jesus cares,

Pastor Chris

The Solomon Foundation

I want to take a minute to tell you about my personal involvement and our church’s partnership with a new ministry called The Solomon Foundation (TSF).  The Solomon Foundation is based in Englewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.  In December 2010, I was invited to join some other leaders of Independent Christian Church mega-churches for a meeting to talk about the beginning of a new church extension fund.  From that time on, God opened doors for my involvement on the Board of Directors of this new extension fund, as well as our church’s involvement as a strategic partner. 

Check out the website for The Solomon Foundation: www.thesolomonfoundation.org

The Solomon Foundation exists to provide financing for churches to help them grow to the next level in their ministry, thanks to the many individuals and churches that invest in one or more of TSF’s savings and investment plans.

What do you need to know about The Solomon Foundation? 

-       TSF began with and will always have the oversight and accountability of two of the most dynamic churches in our “brotherhood” of churches (Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie, TX, and Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria, AZ).

-       TSF is committed to core values that are simple, biblical, and inspirational: (1) Honor God, (2) Help people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, (3) Help investors get a great return on their investments, (4) Help churches get to the next level in their ministry, and (5) Have fun!

-       TSF has a board that consists of some of the most trusted and respected Christian leaders in America.  The board is a unique blend of some of the top pastors in America, along with other gifted leaders with ministry, finance, and business experience.  Check out these board members at www.thesolomonfoundation.org/board-of-directors.htm

-       TSF is committed to providing financing to churches to help them grow and move to the next level in their ministry.  TSF will only make loans to churches and will not make loans to any church that has not submitted a written plan for paying off the loan as expeditiously as possible.

-       TSF offers savings and investment rates that are beyond competitive with other financial organizations.  TSF is actually an industry leader.  Check out the current rates at www.thesolomonfoundation.org/rates.htm

-       TSF has a vision to partner with Christ in building the kingdom of God by helping churches get financing to purchase land and build facilities so that more people can come to know Jesus Christ.

I want you to know that I consider it a great privilege to be a member of the Board of Directors of The Solomon Foundation.  And I’m thankful that our church is a strategic partner of a ministry committed to excellent interest and eternal impact.

Jesus cares,

Pastor Chris 

Rest

Today is my first day back in the office after my summer break.  It’s interesting that my daily devotion was taken from Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”  (NIV)  When I read those familiar words that begin that passage, it struck me how, as a Christian, my “rest” doesn’t have to come from time away from my role and responsibilities. My “rest” comes from my faith in and dependence on Jesus, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. 

I got some rest while I was on my break (and I’m defining rest as more than simple sleep).  But I also had some times of restlessness.  My restlessness could always be traced to things like worry, a lack of trust, and self-imposed pressure.  I worried that our church attendance and offerings would suffer in my absence.  I had a certain lack of trust related to things that people needed to get done while I was away.  And I spent an entire evening feeling unhappy about an even par round of golf because all I could think about was the three short putts I missed and what might have been (my golf game is heavy with self-imposed pressure). 

Rest can be an elusive thing.  Even as I’m typing these words, I’m thinking about two ministry trips I have on my calendar for August, a new sermon series that will begin in September, different ways I can help my staff be more productive, and on and on.    

Where do you go for rest?  If I understand my Bible, the answer is simple: we go to Jesus…we give him all of our worries, all of our doubts, and all of our pressure, and we trust Him.  We trust His presence in our lives to be the only provision we need. 

Summer breaks, vacations, sabbaticals, whatever you want to call them, are great.  I’m very thankful that the church gives me this opportunity each summer.  But I need to remember that genuine “rest” comes from living in the presence and provision of Jesus, and that’s something that can happen every day.

Jesus cares,

Pastor Chris

Summer 2011

Tomorrow is the first day of July, 2011 and I wanted to take a minute to share with you what I’ll be doing for the next few weeks.  Last summer our Elders put into place the opportunity for me to take a brief break in the summer.  My break will officially begin on Tuesday, July 5^th, and I’ll be out of the pulpit for the next few weeks that follow.  First, I want you to know that I have some excellent speakers lined up while I’m gone.  On July 9^th & 10^th, Robin Sigars will be filling our pulpit.  Robin is the Senior Minister at Carterville Christian Church in Carterville, MO and has been a close friend of mine since college.  For several years Robin worked for Christ in Youth and was one of the country’s most sought after youth speakers.  It’s not an exaggeration to say that God has used Robin to impact the lives of tens of thousands of young people.  Robin brings a lot of energy to the pulpit and he will challenge you with a dynamic message from God’s Word.  On July 16^th & 17^th, Jerry Harris will be filling the pulpit.  Jerry is also an Ozark Christian College graduate that I have gotten to know through our participation in the mega-church roundtable as well as our service on the board of The Solomon Foundation.  Jerry is the Senior Pastor of The Crossing in Quincy, IL.  Jerry has led The Crossing from a church of 200 in a single campus to over 4,000 in six different campuses in Illinois and Missouri.  This is one of the great church growth stories in America and you will be blessed by the passion and vision that Jerry brings to the pulpit.  On July 23^rd and 24^th, Bob Russell will be filling the pulpit.  Bob Russell has been one of my favorite preachers for the past 30 years.  Shortly after graduating from Cincinnati Bible Seminary in 1965, at the age of 22, Bob became the Senior Pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.  At the time the church had a weekly attendance of 120.  When Bob retired in June of 2006, Southeast had a weekly attendance of over 18,000.  Along with being a great preacher, Bob is an accomplished writer and continues to be one of our movements most powerful and sought after speakers.  Believe me when I say it is a tremendous honor to have Bob filling the pulpit at Mount Pleasant.  There is no one in ministry that I respect more than Bob Russell.  Finally, on July 30^th and 31^st, I will be back at church but filling the pulpit that weekend will be my son, Andrew.  I can’t tell you how proud I am to have my son on staff here at Mount Pleasant and how much joy it gives me to listen to him preach.  I know he will be a blessing to each of you.

I hope you will plan to be here each of these weeks and I hope that you will invite family and friends to be here as well.  I’m counting on your continued support while I take this time away.  When I return to the pulpit we will conclude our special series “Next” (Understanding Tomorrow, Today) series by talking about The Great White Throne Judgment, The Reality of Hell and The Glory of Heaven and I have a very special new series planned for September that is based on The 23^rd Psalm. 

Keep me in your prayers while I’m away.  I’ll be at the North American Christian Convention in Cincinnati, around Greenwood, In Florida for a vacation with family and visiting my mother in Texas.  I’ll be busy but I’ll be thinking about and praying for you.

Jesus cares,

Pastor Chris

You Don’t Need God?

Probably many of you have noticed that a very different kind of “ad” campaign has been launched in the Indianapolis area using billboards on the I-465 loop to tell motorists that they “don’t need God” to live fulfilling lives.  The campaign is the effort of a secular humanist group called The Center for Inquiry.  They have purchased space on four billboards around I-465.  The Amherst NY-based group has said it selected Indianapolis because it’s located in the nation’s heartland.  One of the messages reads: “You don’t need God – to hope, to care, to love, to live.”  The CFI says they want to reach out to non-religious people in a positive way.  “We’re not trying to get other people to give up their religion.  We’re just saying that there’s a misunderstanding that some people think if you’re not religious, you can’t even be a good person,” says the center’s Indiana director, Reba Wooden.

I will agree with CFI on one thing:you don’t need God to be a good person.  But according to the Bible, good is not good enough when it comes to your eternal destiny.  No matter how hard you try, your goodness and all of your good works, on their own, will never be enough to overcome the reality of the sin that separates you from God.  That’s why Jesus came into the world and died on the cross.  You can hope, you can care, you can love, and you can live without God, but none of those things, individually or collectively, can create a right relationship with God.  Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (NIV).  And simply being good can’t create the fulfilling life that we all long for, either.  It’s not possible.  The Bible teaches us that we were made to live in fellowship with God.  Sin separates us from that fellowship.  And no amount of hoping, caring, loving, and living can change that.  When you don’t live the life you were created to live, you know — no matter how hard you may try to deny it — you know deep down inside that something’s not right.  That’s why the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22, with all of his goodness (vs.17-20), came up to Jesus one day, desperate to know what he needed to do to get eternal life.

Unfortunately these are signs of the times in which we are living.  My encouragement is to simply use this kind of misguided effort to embolden you to be that “light of the world” and “salt of the earth” Jesus talks about in Matthew 5, because the hope and care and love and life that comes from a someone who knows Christ is unmistakable.

Jesus cares,

Pastor Chris

Lonely?

This past weekend we began a new series called “Questions & Answers in Jesus’ Day” based on the truth that some of Jesus’ most effective teaching happened when he asked and answered questions.  So we’re spending several weeks looking at some of those questions and answers and applying them to life today.

I’ve known for a long time that I was going to begin with Matthew 16:13-17, where Jesus pressed the disciples on the issue of his identity (But what about you…who do you say I am?).  I’ve also known for a long time that I was going to use this as an opportunity to preach a very pointed message aimed those who have never made any kind of profession of faith.  I was prayed up and prepared, but when we closed the final service not one single person had responded to the invitation. 

I’ve got to tell you that I was surprised…very surprised.  Not because I thought my words and delivery were so powerful that dozens of people would stream down the aisle.  I prayed several times that God would just use me as His messenger and that He would speak through me.  I was surprised because, as I wrote earlier, it was a pointed message.  I felt the emotion of how tragic it would be for anyone to reject Christ.  And I asked people to admit the need of their life, step out in faith, confess that faith, and join me in the baptistery to experience a new beginning.  But no one came. 

I received some strong encouragement from different people after each service.  I was genuinely appreciative and encouraged by what they said.  I knew in my mind that “seeds” were planted and that one day there would be a harvest.  But I was still surprised.  Later in the day, that surprise turned into sadness and disappointment. 

Then Monday morning came (it’s Monday at 4:46 p.m. as I write this).  When I got to my office, I began to read the online devotion that comes to me each day.  Today’s devotion was called “Only for the Lonely.”  The Scripture reference was 2 Timothy 4:9, 11, 16-17, and the devotion itself was a prayer for those times when we struggle with loneliness.  Here’s the part of the devotion that was most meaningful to me.  We pray especially for those who are lonely because they are distant from You. We ask You to bring them to a knowledge of Your Son and keep them restless and sleepless and struggling until they have come to that place of faith in Your Son.

This past weekend, 2,908 people were in church.  Of the 2,908 people, 2,195 heard, if they listened, a very pointed message about the need to recognize and confess Jesus as “the Christ…the son of the living God.”  I’m praying that some of them are feeling lonely tonight and that they will one day find the comfort and companionship they need in Jesus.  I hope you join me in that prayer.

Jesus cares,

Pastor Chris