Change

One of my favorite thinkers/leaders, Tony Morgan had some great thoughts about change over on his blog. Here are some of my favorites:

It’s a lot easier to embrace change when you’re the one initiating it.

Change without vision is chaos.

Many times the most successful or positive changes also produce the most criticism.

Change doesn’t happen unless someone is responsible to deliver it.

It’s easier to embrace change when we see it rather than when we hear about it.

Change, even the best kind of change, will always generate some measure of fear and anger and sadness. In other words, someone will always despise the change and let you know about it.

It’s almost impossible to change a change that previously worked.

Organizations that don’t change die.

Slow change is rarely positive change.

If the change is easy, you’re probably not changing enough.

If everyone already recognizes the need for change, you’re obviously not the leader.

You can see the full post HERE.

- Brad

"Rightly Dividing the Truth"

OK, every church has those people who...shall we say 'think' they are spiritual, but are in all actuality some of the most nonspiritual Christians you could ever meet. It should be noted that they feel their way is the only way, their music is the only good music, their preference is the best, them, them, them etc.

Every now and then they feel 'lead by God' to be anonymous prophets - AKA, spineless critics. They send unsigned letters, notes etc to you. This week one of those precious people posted a religious news article on the bulletin board in the church hallway for people to read. The article which you can see below is critical of churches and "so called" pastors who adjust their service schedule or show the Super Bowl inside the "Sanctuary". Normally I just grin at this sort of thing and move on, but the title of this column is "Rightly Dividing the Truth." I take issue with article because it is pathetically Non-Biblical. I'm TOTALLY OK with someone having different preferences or traditions than me, but you better not try to distort God's Word in the process. The other reason I would like to draw attention to the article is because for the last month in our student ministry we have been discussing what the 'church' is and is not from a Biblical viewpoint.

So, I'm asking our students to comment on this post and point out the errors you can find based on the teaching we've been examining in the Bible during FUEL over the last month. Let's see how many you can catch.

- Brad.

Helping the People of Haiti

Looking for a way to help the people of Haiti? Below are links to great organizations who are helping to provide aid. Click on them to donate and see how else you may be involved in reaching out to those in need right now.

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF

BAPTIST GLOBAL RESPONSE (SBC)

- Brad

Some thoughts

It's been a long while since I've done some serious thought dumping at www.bradraby.com, so here goes!

Thought #1: I've never said "I wish I had a fever and was sick to my stomach" until today. My little girl Rylee is really sick for the first time. I hate her being sick. I wish I could take it away from her. I'd gladly be sick in her place.

Thought #2: Youth in Revolt, the latest R-rated high school debauchery comedy comes out this Friday. I noticed under the ratings the phrase, "Parent's strongly cautioned." Dear parent, If you let your child be entertained by this garbage - it is the child who needs to be strongly cautioned. Cautioned that their parents lack of wisdom can result in a generational slide filled with bad decisions that lead to pain and regret. Dad and mom...Be Smart. Kids, be smart even when mom and dad aren't.

Thought #3: I spent 4 hours helping an 82 year old woman install a new computer and sync her IPod with podcasts she had downloaded. I really enjoyed it. I like helping elderly people with technology, and I really find it awesome that an 82 year old likes using a computer and IPod. Plus, we had some great theological conversation ranging from dispensationalism to reformed theology.

Thought #4: I don't think wearing a suit and tie on Sunday is a sign of spirituality as a Christian minister. I do think it is a sign that one is lacking in spiritual maturity if they think it does.

Thought #5: Traditions that at one time make local churches very effective for the Kingdom, can eventually over time and several cultural shifts force those same churches to be very ineffective for the Kingdom.

Thought #6: It often takes more energy and effort to convince people to "buy in" to a vision, than it actually does to carry out the vision.

Thought #7: The reason for #6: We are not very good at Philippians 2:3.

Thought #8: The Smokey Mountain Brewery's Ale Steak is delicious.

Thought #9: I married a woman above my league. By far my most significant accomplishment.

Thought #10: The BCS/Bowl System isn't about money so much as it's about the % of the money that goes to the big power schools/conferences. You see a playoff system would produce huge money, but the pieces of the pie would end up being more evenly distributed to smaller schools/conferences that had great seasons. The bowl system guarantees the SEC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10 etc a HUGE piece of pie with guaranteed bowl tie ins. A playoff system couldn't guarantee that. Ironically the NCAA is a non-profit organization.

Feel free to share your thoughts!

Good night,

-Brad

The Big Give Video

- Brad

Who cares? We do.

HT: Mint.com

The Big Give Update

Our Students have given over $800 to The Big Give Initiative to help needy families at Christmas.

FUEL will be mobile this coming week. We'll start here in the Upper Room at South Harriman Baptist Church, then we're going to Walmart to purchase toys, shoes, clothing etc. for families this Christmas. It's going to be fun showing the Love of Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas to people this year.

If you still would like to be involved in this project send me an e-mail HERE.

Merry Christmas,

- Brad

The Big Give

I hate to admit this, but every now and then I get inspired by something Oprah does. I was espeacially inspired when she did "Oprah's Big Give". It birthed the seeds of a vision for The Big Give in our Student Ministry here at South Harriman Baptist Church. Come along with me for a few seconds on a journey to show Big Love to needy children this Christmas.

We are partnering with a local elementary school to make this Christmas season the best ever for some local children.
Here's the plan: We want to raise $500.00 to take a family, specifically the kids to Walmart for a Christmas shopping spree. Imagine the look and emotions of a needy child running through Walmart picking out what they want for Christmas. We want to capture it on video, and make it a memory to last forever.
How can you help? Would you be willing to sacrifice to make this the best Christmas ever for some needy families? We know it's not about the gifts, but the love of Christ shining through us.
Would you be willing to partner with us for $10, $20, $50 or even a $100?

How many people can we bless this year? It's up to us. If you would like to donate to this cause please send a check made out to: South Harriman Baptist Church by December 9th, with the notation "Big Give" in the memo portion of the check. You can mail the check to:

South Harriman Baptist Church
626 Ruritan Rd.
Harriman, TN 37748

I hope you'll be a part of "The Big Give" Check back often for details, and the video!

- Brad

Tips to Guarantee Failure

1. Always try to do what is fair.

It is amazing how many bad decisions, or non-decisions are made based on the merits of what is 'fair'. It can seem at times that being fair has become the ultimate virtue. Only problem is - doing what is fair isn't always the same as doing what is right. Too many times we get locked in this box of trying to be fair, instead of just doing the right thing. Employers don't want to give a high performing employee a bigger raise than under performing employees because - "It's not fair". I don't know who come up with the idea that - What you can't do for all, don't do for anyone - but it's idiotic. What you can do for one, do for one.

If you always try to be fair, failure is sure to be achieved. Do what is right.

2. Never hurt any one's feelings.

Do you or your organization often find yourself making decisions based on what will do the least harm to people's feeling instead of what will do the most good to the cause? If so, failure is all but assured. I'm not suggesting that we should be insensitive to people's feelings, but that we should choose the best path, not the path of least resistance. I've counseled many people who allow inappropriate conduct to go on with with the opposite sex in the workplace because they didn't want to 'offend' their co-worker. Offend better to offend? Your spouse and kids or the flirt?

If you're the boss and you allow a poor employee to hurt the company because you don't want to 'hurt feelings', then you need to fire yourself.

Bill Cosby said, "I don't know what the key to success is, but I know that the key to failure is to try to make everyone happy."

3. Appoint people with position and entitlement to be the decision makers.

If you don't have the best leaders and most discerning people around you, you are sure to fail. Yes, it's a paradigm shift, but get over it. If you're a church and the people who've been there the longest to be the only voices that get heard, say hello to failure. Get the best, brightest, most skilled, wisest people in decision making positions - not necessarily the most liked, longest tenured, loudest, well funded people.

4. Compromise the mission to get everyone on board.

Unity is sometimes best achieved by subtraction. There is only power in numbers if everyone is going the same direction.

- Brad

Perry Noble on the Churches future...

Perry Noble, Senior Pastor of NewSpring Church in South Carolina recently posted this article on Why he thinks the best days of the Church are ahead.

I Agree! Amen, Perry!

As I survey the landscape of church in America I am not buying into to the “doom and gloom” that some people seem to take joy in declaring…

IN FACT, I believe the opposite…I seriously believe the churches best days are ahead of her.
Acts 2 wasn’t something that happened that we are supposed “to get back to,” it was where we STARTED FROM…and should be FOUNDATIONAL and not just some ideal we strive for…
And I’m seeing that!

I see leaders stepping up and leading with CONVICTION and PASSION…and begging God for HIS permission instead of begging committees for their approval!

I see Jesus being preached and repentance being demanded…and people RESPONDING in droves because THE GOSPEL, not some non-eternal agenda, has taken center stage.

I see churches being planted and video campuses getting started by people who are more interested in seeing birth given to babies rather than trying to resurrect the dead.

To read more, and I encourage you too see his full post HERE.

- Brad

Before there was Twitter...

There was the pithy public bathroom stall inscriptions usually tallying 140 characters or less. Not to totally disgust you right now, but I had to visit a Walmart public restroom this week and found myself starring at this little work of graffiti. As you can see it reads, "Jesus died for you...What can you do for Him?...John 3:16."



















The answer that initially came to my mind was, "We can quit vandalizing other people's property!" After all at some point there will be a man or woman who has to clean or repair this door because of some one's really poor attempt at spreading the gospel message - what will their thoughts be?

Maybe the problem in the church today isn't a lack of spreading the message that Jesus saves, but how we do it.

- Brad

Why Churches Fail

Found this very stimulating article on why churches fail. I've seen this very pattern happen many times.

Why We Fail…Don Dudley
First reason: Vision.

Regardless of who you are or what books you have read, if you attend a church, they have a vision. I don’t care if they are a house church, mega-church, mainline, or inter-denominational; at one point, there was a vision. If it is / was a good vision, it starts with the Gospel and transformation. Everything else (aesthetics, methods, music style, etc.) comes secondary.
It’s all down hill from here.

The problem is, most people do not pick out what church they go to based on vision. Instead, they pick through secondary things. Very few people research what the church stands for before they go. They research the style and MAYBE the doctrinal stances.

This leads to dissension.

When we jump into a church with both feet only to find we, ourselves, do not align with the vision, we burn out quickly. We think of all the activities as pointless. The outreach events are not our idea of a “good,” so we dislike it (our pride comes into play here too). Soon we start bashing the church: “You know, I like the people, and the music is good, but it is too….[you fill in the blank].”

Often, we are left with only a few people who still see the vision and chase it. The rest are just consumers. Arguments flair up between those who have completely bought into the vision, and the rest. People get upset and leave the church.

Then the church panics.

Once people start their exodus to another church (which they will probably not like), we adapt our vision into marketing so we can fill the newly vacated seats. Instead of reaching the ones we originally were called to reach, we start reaching those who will give us committed attendance. Then the cycle starts over again. On average I would say most people spend about a year at a church before it becomes boring to them and they move on. After many cycles, most churches will fall apart and close their doors. Others will just continue to go through the motions as long as the people will let them. Anyone who still clings to the vision is looked at as an odd ball and “old fashioned.” The pastor is no longer regarded as the one who leads the vision (even if it was his in the first place) but as the “face” of the church for marketing purposes.

JUST STOP DOING IT.

Really. Stop jumping from church to church because of their style and methodology. Instead of going to the churches website to find out what the church looks and feels like, go and look at the vision. Go for something other than secondary things. Does the vision hold true to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)? Do they do it in a way that seems to emphasis your current gifting? Do you feel you could be a beneficial part of their mission? If you answer no to any of these, either the church is not good (because it lacks the element of spreading the Gospel), or you are not good for it.

If you are looking for a social club or just similar demographics, church is the worst place to find them. All you will be doing is ruining the ability to accomplish the vision. You will become the “problem” with the church. Instead of helping them do what God has called them to do, you will become an advocate for the enemy and a hindrance.

Think long and hard before you join arms with a church.
You really have to ask the question: “Why am I going there?”

-----
- Brad

Think Big!

Ever heard the expression, "That's good enough"?
I sure have...truth is I've used it before. Lately I've been forcing myself and encouraging others to ask another question..."Good enough for who?"
Good enough for Brad, or good enough for Jesus Christ? I believe many times it is easy for us to become complacent with "good enough."

God deserves better though. Especially when it comes to how his body, the church, goes about it's mission to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. It's time we stop accepting, embracing and even celebrating mediocrity. It's time to strive to make a BIG impact on our culture.

This Sunday at South Harriman Baptist we're launching a new series titled "Think Big." Let me encourage you to be there at 11 am.

It's time to do away with "good enough" and begin Thinking BIG!

- Brad

Stop Time

Tony Morgan had this insightful word on his blog. I need some Stop Time...what about you?

In music, there’s a term called “stop time.” It’s when, temporarily, all the music accompaniment stops in order to highlight a solo vocalist or instrumentalist. It’s not unusual for jazz artists to use stop time. For a moment, the rhythm stops, all the other instruments pull back, and the band creates space for the soloist to improvise.

I’ve seen “stop time” work with my kids as well. Instead of planning every moment of their waking hours, from time to time we push the pause button and create space. We don’t set the agenda. We give them time to do their own thing. We don’t respond to the “I’m bored and have nothing to do” pleas. We let them figure it out. It’s fascinating to watch how creative our kids get when we give them time to improvise.

I love long car trips. When the drive is long enough, my mind will start to wander. I do some of my best thinking driving down the highway. Some of my most creative moments have been behind the wheel. Sometimes I wonder if I need to schedule regular road trips just to be more disciplined about creating thinking time in my life.

In an age when email, social networking and mobile technology make us continuously available, we probably need to create more stop time. In a season when there are always more meetings and task lists and projects to complete, we probably need more stop time. If you are frustrated by the lack of creativity in your organization or your personal life, it’s probably because the rhythm is constant and the accompanying instruments are too loud and you haven’t created space to improvise.

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”

When was the last time you scheduled some “stop time?”

--

- Brad

A little sabatical

I've been a relatively avid blogger for 4 years or so now, which amounts to around 350 posts here at BradRaby.com, but I needed a little break. It was unannounced, so for those who come here regularly - sorry I didn't give you any notice. In the last three weeks here's a little of what has transpired for me:

1) My baby girl Rylee has turned 6 months old! Wow, she has changed my life. I love her and her mother so much.

2) I've accepted the role of interim preaching pastor at South Harriman Baptist Church while we look for a senior pastor. South Harriman is a great local expression of the body of Christ and it is my honor to preach the Word of God every Sunday. We're in a series called Directionally Challenged...check it out HERE.

3) In the Student Ministry we've been excitedly watching the Construction of our new Student Center. Check out the progress for yourself HERE.

4) Hey, IT'S FINALLY FOOTBALL SEASON BABY! Go VOLS! And what would football season be without some drama from Brett Favre!

5) Did I mention that I will be attending the Colts vs. Patriots game on November 15th. So pumped.

Hey, isn't God awesome?!

- Brad

SHBC Student Center Update

This weekend about 30 students and adult volunteers from South Harriman started swinging sledge hammers and destroying some walls to renovate/create what is going to be an awesome environment for Middle School and High School students in Roane County and beyond.

Check it out. - Brad

This Sunday @ SHBC

Sometimes the things that can hurt us the most are unseen. Be here this Sunday as we examine the dangers of "What Lies Beneath"

- Brad

In Remembrance

This weekend is the one year anniversary of passing of Mike Ward. I didn't know Mike well at all, as a matter of fact we had only had a couple conversations. However, the legacy he left in his family and friends make me feel like I knew him.

Watching the grace that Bev, Logan and Abby have lived this past year has been inspirational to me. Logan the student has discipled his youth pastor by living for and proclaiming the Glory of God. Bev's words at church after camp demonstrated the strength of a woman who is clinging to the cross - the Anchor of our Hope. Abby's infectious spirit of joy...well it's a joy to be around.

I love you guys. And in remembrance here is the repost of "Painfully Beautiful from 1 year ago.

Painfully Beautiful - Originally Posted, July 23, 2008

Many of you readers out there have seen the news story of Mike Ward. Mike and his family were on vacation in Florida where a strong rip-tide current began sweeping his daughter several yards into the ocean. Mike went in to save her, and another girl. The girls were saved, but Mike was overwhelmed and did not make it.

Mike, his wife and two teenage children are members of South Harriman Baptist Church, which I now serve in as an Assistant Pastor.

I spent a couple of hours with the Beverly, Logan, and Abby yesterday. It is a dreadfully painful time. The heartache and the shock is still very real. There was weeping from dozens of family and friends there to support them. The grief of a lost husband and father ran deep, very deep.

Yet, as I stood there praying silently, what I saw was beautiful. A band of brothers and sisters in Christ providing unending support, care, and love for this family. Men who drove through the night to escort the body of their deceased friend back home. A 14 year-old teenage man who told me, "God will give me the strength, I know it." A broken family trusting in a loving God. A mountain of food and provisions for the week. People I've only known for a couple of weeks - people I'll now remember for a lifetime.

What I witnessed last night was the arms of Jesus, in the form of the church, wrapping this family tight with with His love. Love for a family, whose husband and father, had lived just as the Savior:

Giving his Life for another.

- Brad

I Like Free Stuff

Especially really good free stuff!

The book Crazy Love by Francis Chan has really challenged my view of God lately. Actually it has challenged my view of the relationship I have with my God. I haven't talked it up much...I'm not sure why...maybe because it is pretty intense...maybe because it's message is just sinking in...I don't know.

But, today I learned that the audio version of the book is being offered for FREE!, so I thought I would get the word out. Let me HIGHLY encourage you to visit THIS LINK and download this audio book. Hey, go by the paper version too.

Let me warn you. Don't read it/Listen to it if you're not ready to get uncomfortable with your Christian life. It may shake you up, really, it's Crazy.

- Brad

Camp Highlights

Here is the highlight reel from FLiP!:

SHBC Camp 2009 - FLiP! from Brad Raby on Vimeo.

- Brad