MikeOharaLive the intersection of faith and life

14Oct/100

The Social Network

Julie and I went to a movie last night, our first movie in a theater in a long, long time.  We watched The Social Network, the story of the beginning of Facebook.

I like the scene where Facebook co-founders, Zuckerberg and Saverin, began to understand the enormity of Facebook's potential.  Saverin wanted to start earning money with the site by selling ads.  Zuckerberg wanted to keep the site ad-free and maintain its "cool" factor, and incorporating advertising would make the site uncool.

I thought Zuckerberg showed incredible patience and discipline in holding off from advertisements.  He wasn't sure what they had on their hands with The Facebook site, all he knew is that it was gaining momentum fast.  I think there's something to be learned from this.  Sometimes we can settle for the good when better is just down the road. Often, we don't know what's down the road -- it's not so clear -- but there's something to be said for delaying immediate gratification and waiting for the "other thing."

This is why the Bible says to "wait on the Lord", which means to align myself to God's timing and purposes. This means not jumping at every opportunity, idea,  fad, or innovation.  It means having patience and faith that God's best plan and purpose is sometimes just down the road.

Tagged as: , , No Comments
8Oct/10Off

Defining moments

Defining moments are those times in life that determine or alter your life's course.  Defining moments can be big decisions or events such as getting married, having a baby, or choosing your career.  These are defining moments that definitely determine your life's direction.

However, defining moments also happen in smaller, less tangible ways, yet they can have huge outcomes, both good and bad.  For example, the small, simple decision to read the Bible daily has massive benefits for a person's relationship with God.

I feel GBCK is emerging into a defining moment in her history.  While there's no big event or decision that I can specifically point to that makes this a defining moment, I feel we're at a time that we will look back on as a game-changer.  How will it be a game-changer?  All I can say at this point is GBCK will be a church that is more and more glorifying to God. I think this defining moment is a culmination of the lessons we are learning as a leadership, the clarity of our mission, the people God is reaching and sending to GBCK, our passion for the Gospel, and God's sovereignty.

So, what do we do?  Nothing different.  We just keep making disciples by reaching and leading others to develop their faith, to deepen their connections, and to devote their lives to God's mission.

Tagged as: , , Comments Off
11May/100

Five Major Trends for Amercian Churches…

There's an interesting article at the ChristianPost.com about research that identifies five emerging trends in U.S. churches.

Here are the five:

1. Our nation will see the emergence of the largest generational mission field in over a century.

2. The dominant attitude of this huge generation toward Christianity will be largely indifferent.

3. Senior adult ministries in churches will experience steep declines.

4. The large Boomer generation will become more receptive to the gospel.

5. Family will be a key value for both of the large generations.

The question is how do churches adjust to these trends?  Should churches adjust?  How should churches respond?

Here are some of my thoughts:
• Whatever the trends are, make sure the gospel is preached.  Self-improvement messages are catchy and attractive, but the gospel is God's power for salvation.
• People reach people, methods and programs do not.  Continually communicate the truth of every believers responsibility and privilege to reach out to others.
• Prayer.  No matter the flow of the cultural current, prayer is the driving force that transcends culture.  More prayer, more power.
• Focus on making disciples.  It's our job description.  It's easy to be distracted by more "flashy" programs and events because disciple-making is repetitive and lacks pizazz.  But always remember: changed people change culture.

You can read the full article here.

Tagged as: , , No Comments
6May/100

Gospel-driven ministry

Some good thoughts on ministry/church practices...

Gospel 101 from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.

Tagged as: , , , No Comments
5May/100

Know your role

I love John's response to his disciples over their concern that they are "losing" people to Jesus' ministry:  "God in heaven appoints each person's work." (John 3:27)

John had a confidence in and a clear understanding of his God-appointed role in ministry:  To prepare the way for Christ - "that is all." (v.28)  Nothing more, nothing less.

In a highly-pressurized ministry culture that says do more, grow more, multiply more, expand more, etc., can pastors and ministry leaders every say "that is all"? I think one of the keys to ministry is to know your appointed role, find satisfaction in your role, and stop trying to become like someone else or their ministry.

There is a distinction between "that is all" and "it is finished".  To be clear, the work of the Kingdom is never finished until Christ's return.  When John said "that is all" he wasn't declaring mission accomplished; he was simply saying I know my role on the grander stage, and I won't try to overreach and play someone else's role.

In short, know your role.

Tagged as: , , , No Comments
   Older Entries »
Mikeprofile_black

Recent Posts

Categories

Tags

5 purposes Catalyst West Coast church church leadership Church planting communication Compassion International direction Discipleship dreams Erwin McManus Faith fatih fortress gbck God God's will Gospel grace Grace Bible Church Kapolei guidance hearing God Jesus Kapolei kids Leadership life life's storms Message Series ministry Parenting Pastor Mike Ohara poverty prayer preaching purpose rick warren rock security small groups success third space video vision Wired

GBCK Bloggers