What Makes a Great Leader Great?

If someone were to ask you what makes a great leader?  What would you say?  Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, and Steve Jobs were all considered great leaders.  Why?  Vision, innovation, love, courage, energetic, transformational, servants?

Consider the example of the greatest leader of all time, Jesus Christ.  Philippians 2:3-8 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"  A good leader is humble...like Jesus.  A good leader has courage...like Jesus.  A good leader has love...like Jesus.  A good leader prays...like Jesus.  A good leader listens...like Jesus.  A good leader is transformational...like Jesus.  A good leader means what he says and does what he means...like Jesus.

You may not consider yourself a leader, but you are.  If you are a teenager, grade schoolers are following you.  If you are a college student, high schoolers are following you.  If you are a parent, your children are following you.  If you are a co-worker, your fellow workers are following you.  If you are an employer, your employees are following you.  If there is anyone in your life looking up to you, you are a leader whether you realize it or not.

My prayer for all of us is that as we lead, we follow.  We follow Jesus who not only forgives us for our failures in leading, but also motivates us and exemplifies for us what leadership is all about.  Thank you for your humble leadership!  May God continue to give you strength to lead others closer to Him! 

I'd like to hear from you: What do you consider to be the greatest quality of a leader?

Update from the Lead Pastor

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 


Upcoming Series

A new year often brings new opportunities to help friends and family members on a spiritual journey.  One of the best things you can do is invite them to attend a worship service with you.  The next sermon series is designed to help believers experience a different quality of life and help others find new life in Christ.   I’m challenging you to bring at least one friend to the following series:

Three Fingers Point Back series – March 9

"It's not my fault, my parents didn't have a lot of rules."  "I think it is a dumb law anyway."  "It’s not that bad, everyone does that!"  Personal responsibilities.  We all have them. But we don't to claim them. Let's remember when we point the finger of blame at someone else, three point back.  It's time to stop the excuse-making. 

Praise Report

One of the goals for the Grow & Go vision at St. Mark is that by June 2016 we would have had 50 different people on a mission trip.  We currently have 28 people signed up for our Buffalo, NY mission trip, 3 partners who are planning on going to Haiti and one who just returned from Africa.  That’s awesome!  Thank you for your prayers, support and involvement.

Another goal for Grow & Go vision was to have 500 people involved in community service in Jesus’ name.  As of January 2014, 286 people have been involved in community service.  Should have set higher goals!

See you this weekend as we continue ACTS: Be Part of the Movement series!

John Parlow

Why Go to Church?

<sup>Have you ever heard or maybe thought, "I can be a Christian without Church"? As I pondered this question recently I went back to God's Word for answers and here is what I found. 

42</sup> They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

This is the first instance in which the Bible talks about new believers after Jesus ascended into heaven. With a world to witness to and good news to share they found strength and power in God’s Word and the community of believers. Did you catch the difference it made for them?  

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

Support and Belief is fostered in the community those early Christians enjoyed. The apostles were doing miracles and verified the message of the New Testament believers. Jesus is real and is their Savior and even though they faced a huge, unbelieving world they could rely on God’s love received through each other. They lived in a community where they were known and loved and celebrated and transformed. On those days when they most wanted to give up, they could lean on their God and their group the most.

⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. In a Community group they Shared Purpose. It is not that they suddenly were cookie cutter personalities but in their close knit community they connected because they shared the same focus and purpose. They together believed they were the flesh and bones church that followed the direction of its head, Jesus.

⁴⁵Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. The sky was the limit to the love they were willing to share with each other. In Community that is focused on God’s glory and his kingdom you can do amazing things beyond what you may have thought possible because you have others to Push your Limits. They can give you encouragement and support so that we are not content with mediocrity.

⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. This was not a once a week social club, this was a lifestyle. This church did not only meet at the building of worship, they met in their homes. They lived life together. It was not drudgery but Genuine Joy as they continued to connect because they knew what they were doing had significance to their primary audience, God.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Take a moment to ponder what it would be like for our church to live this list out regularly. People were being saved daily – just by observing and finding about who these groups held so dear! There was no magic formula and no persuasive gimmicks; they simply loved God and loved others. By God’s blessing it was contagious.

I think often times people get frustrated with the church organizations they grew up with because they've lost sight of who that church is created by and for. Jesus loves his church and knows they gain strength and encouragement from gathering together regularly (not just Sundays) to listen to his Spirit talk to them through his Word. Invest your time and energy into getting to know some other Christians on Sundays and throughout the week. It's amazing the difference it makes in your faith walk.

Is this something you've noticed? Is this something you've wrestled with?

Take it to the Enemy

Do you wish you were better equipped to defend yourself, your family and the people you care about from the enemy of your soul, Satan?  Then mark your calendars and join us for a six-part sermon series called “Taking it to the Enemy!” beginning Wednesday, March 5, Ash Wednesday!   This series is based on Jesus’ last words to his disciples in John chapters 13-18 just hours before he gave his life on the cross!  Each Wednesday of Lent we will be focusing on one particular area of our life in which Jesus equips us to defend ourselves against the enemy.  Do you realize that Satan wants nothing but hell for everyone, including you?  He is the enemy of your soul!  It’s time to be better equipped to take it to the enemy!

The following is a modern day parable by Francis Chan that describes our need to be equipped and how to equip others.  “Once upon a time, a powerful and victorious king gathered his four most trusted knights together in the great dining hall of his castle. “I’m going on a journey,” the king said. “While I am gone, I have one command for you. Build me an army. I want you to scour the land looking for those who are truly loyal to me, and then teach them how to fight, how to properly use a sword and shield. All of my resources are at your disposal.”

Each knight glanced down at the battle-worn sword that hung by his side. Years ago, the king had hand-selected these four knights and had spent countless hours teaching them the art of defending the king. When each man had mastered the craft, the king had presented him with a gleaming new sword—complete with a jewel-encrusted hilt. The swords had lost some of their luster, but none of their significance. The four knights promised the great king that they would do just as he commanded. 

The first knight zealously assembled a group of men and women. This knight realized that it took too much time to actually train all the subjects individually. He built a facility where he gave lengthy demonstrations on sword technique. He dazzled them with his speed and strength, slicing with a single blow through huge tree branches as if they were melons. Each of his subjects had been given a sword and shield, which they diligently brought back for each demonstration but they never actually used. They watched in amazement as the knight accomplished feats with his sword that they only dreamed of doing.

The second and third knights decided to work together. Things had been going well until they caught one of their subjects training with a new weapon, something the subject had invented called a bow and arrow. The soldier shot brilliantly with the bow, but the two knights couldn’t agree about its use.  “The king specifically said that we were to train people how to use the sword,” the second knight said.  “Yes, but this new weapon wasn’t invented when the king gave us his order,” replied the third knight. “I think the bow and arrow will serve our king’s army well.”  The knights argued for hours and eventually decided to split their camp. Those who wanted to fight with only swords followed the second knight. Those who fought with swords and bows followed the third. Over time, the followers of each of the knights ended up spending most of their energy and resources fighting against each other.

The fourth knight diligently set to work training a few good men. As the king had done for him, he patiently worked with this small band of warriors until they too became masters with the sword. Once they had proven their skill, the fourth knight presented each warrior with a new sword. Instead of jewels, each warrior’s sword had the king’s crest emblazoned on both sides of the handle. 

“As I have taught you, go and teach others,” the fourth knight said. “Make sure that every warrior you teach, when ready, receives a sword with the king’s crest. We must remember for whom we fight.”  Many years later, the king returned. He walked into the training facility as the first knight was finishing a demonstration. No one in the crowd stood, for they had no idea who this foreigner was. The king made his way down to the stage.
“My trusted knight, I see that you have been busy in by absence,” the king said. He then turned to the audience, “Who will come down and spar with me?”  After a few minutes, someone from the crowd shouted, “Fight the knight, for he’s the only one here truly ready for combat.”  The king turned to the first knight. “You have not done what I asked. None of the people here are ready to be useful in my army.”

Hearing of his return, the second and third knights gathered up all their warriors and presented themselves to the king. The second knight and all the “sword-only” people stood to the right. The “sword and bow” crowd stood with the third knight to the left.  “See here, king,” said the second knight. “I have been diligent to carry out your order with perfection. No other soldiers can rival my division with the sword.”  “I too have been busy,” said the third knight, stepping in front of the second. “My army consists not just of swordsmen, but also of warriors competent with the bow and arrow.”  The king embraced both the knights. “What happened to you two? When I left, you were close like brothers. Now your pride has crippled your effectiveness. Had you worked together, you could have presented me with a group of battle-ready soldiers ten times the number I see before me.”

That evening, the fourth knight met the king in the great dining hall, and bowed down on one knee.  “How large is your army?” the king asked.  “Your majesty, I don’t know,” the fourth knight replied. “I have taught only small groups of warriors ever since you left. I have tried to honor your command.”  “Yes you have,” the king said. “On my long and arduous return, in every village I stopped, there were well-trained warriors that all carried a sword adorned with my crest. When I asked who had trained them, the reply was always different. No one ever mentioned your name, or the names of the other knights. I was curious, so I inquired of the royal blacksmith. In all, there are now over a million swords with my crest in the hands of capable soldiers, thanks to you.”  The king helped the fourth knight to his feet, and embraced him. “Well done, good and faithful knight.”  (Author: Francis Chan)

So tell me, which knight are you?  It’s time to be better equipped so that we can equip others!  Mark your calendars for March 5 as we launch this series: Take it to the Enemy!

-Pastor Chris

Why We Give Gifts at Christmas

I love watching my kids light up as they open their gifts on Christmas Eve!  What’s even better is watching them beam with joy as they give the little gifts they purchased for each other from the Dollar Store.  They give so thoughtfully!

Before we give our gifts though, we open the first gift of Christmas.  After we come home from church we gather everyone around our Nativity Scene.  Then we open a little gift box that contains the baby Jesus figurine which we place into the Nativity Scene.  Then we have the older boys read from Luke chapter 2 the account of the birth of Jesus.  It’s such a simple yet wonderful way to remember why we give gifts at Christmas.  

It’s easy to forget.  I must confess, sometimes, I fall into the stress of this time of the year.  Get a gift for this person.  Try to get a list from that person.  Fit in time to get to a store.  Wade through crowds.  Spend too much money.  It gets pretty crazy at times.

I don’t think that’s quite what God had in mind when He sent the first and greatest gift of Christmas, His Son, Jesus Christ.  This is what God had in mind, “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).  God the Father had in mind to give up His Son to make us His.  From cradle to cross, Jesus had in mind to give us peace, love and forgiveness.  Can you think of a better gift?

I’d love to hear from you how you keep your family centered on the greatest gift of Christmas.  What’s your family tradition?  No matter what your family tradition is this Christmas, my prayer for you is that you remember why you give gifts.  It’s all because God gave us His greatest gift.  He gave us Jesus.  He gave us love.  He gave us peace.  Take time to enjoy it not just at Christmas time, but all year long.  The gift of Jesus never gets old.    Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

-Chris Johnson, Outreach and Young Adult Pastor

Jesus at Home with Your Children – Let’s Do Some Myth-Busting

Over the last three years we've been in the process at our church of transitioning from in-class lecture based confirmation to an in-home, parent directed confirmation class. For such an emotional and traditional ministry like confirmation change has been a mixed bag of tears and triumph with plenty of adjustments being made along the way. (Especially in our area where confirmation is considered a Sacrament by the Catholic church. The Lutheran church has used Confirmation to affirm agreement to the faith that babies were first brought into at Baptism. We do not consider confirmation a Sacrament but it comes with a lot of tradition.) We desire the change to see if we can change something that is leading youth to fall away in high school, change something that is adding to the disconnect between parents and youth, change something that has added to the consumer mentality affecting many church members, and empower people to use God’s truth’s outside the church doors and in the real world. I thought it would fun to speak to some of the resistance and myths that we've come up with so far. 

These are some of the things I’ve heard through the last couple years from parents and others.

“Teach Confirmation at home? Isn’t that what the Pastor/Teachers get paid for? He’s the expert that God called to do this. What is Pastor going to be doing if the parents are taking over teaching?”
In Ephesians 4:11-13 God tells us through the pen of Paul that God gives leaders to his church in order to bring God’s people to maturity through the use of His Word. A Pastor’s call is to perform certain tasks that the typical Christian, because of their other duties (working at Wal-Mart, the local business, etc.), is unable to do. We preach, teach, write blogs, etc… We have dedicated our lives to study and sharing God’s Word with the goal that we would share it with people who then in turn will share with others. It is our job to train parents and students. We dare not take over for parents. Because God has given parents the calling to not just take care of a child’s food, clothes, and physical care but also nourishment with God’s Word. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Ephesians 6:4 are pretty clear that the responsibility to share God’s truth is primarily with the parents and specifically fathers. It is my prayer that our adjustments to class allow parents to walk alongside of their children’s biblical studies and further apply God’s truths in the everyday issues that pop-up. We will give them resources in paper, online, and in person. We will hold them accountable for the training of their children through large group, small group, quiz’s, tests, papers, volunteer opportunities, and one on one’s.

“I don’t know enough. I will mess up my child and their soul is too important for that.”
 (“There are some parents that really should not be teaching…” ~Some Pastor friends of mine)
There are some new Christians or weak Christians who have been given children. They feel overwhelmed because they don’t think they could do a good enough job covering material. I think they feel this way because they are pressuring themselves to know it all. The truths that you share and read and research with your children in the Bible especially for Confirmation homeschooling are meant to be the basics to grow off of. Just because you don’t feel you know everything is no reason to give up. It is actually the reason why you should be actively involved in the Biblical training of your child. You learn a whole lot more when you teach than when you are the student. (Philippians 3:12-16 – When we dig into God’s Word we are not alone. The Spirit does guide his people. Pastors are still available when you don’t know something. They may not know either – it is okay to say you don’t know something.)

"If my children are not in class they will not develop a relationship with the Pastor."
I’d rather have them develop a relationship with Jesus. I may get a call somewhere else, they may leave for school/work/marriage someday, and I might die before them. If they’ve honestly studied alongside of their parents then they’ve fostered a relationship (with Jesus and with parents) that will most likely be around a lot longer than any Pastor. There are plenty of other opportunities to get to know a Pastor than class. Check out youth group, mission trips, come early to church, stay late at church, volunteer at church, come on a hospital visit, or come to one of our intergenerational studies.

"I don’t have time."
I can understand that parents are extremely busy. The work force demands a ton of time from fathers and mothers and single parents. Add to this sports, special events, and school activities. I’m a parent and although my children are young yet I know how hectic life can be. In Luke 10:38-42 Jesus reminds Martha about priorities and invites us to take time to sit at his feet and let some other seemingly important things be left undone. I’d ask families to take a normal week and categorize what all goes on. Where is the time going? What percentage is in glory to God and what is for the glory of our self? What can be cut out as a fragrant sacrifice to God? I wish I could say I’ve mastered this but I have plenty of room for improvement too. Is there ever a time that we’re too busy too share some bible truth with our children? It is a privilege to have a Savior who loves us enough to die and rise for us. He made us a priority so that we can make him a priority. 

What are your thoughts about bringing Bible training into your home?

-Pastor Eric