the reluctant leader

Urgent Emails, Urban Legends & Barak Obama

A few of weeks ago, I received several copies of the latest email that is getting forwarded everywhere. This one was a warning about US presidential candidate, Senator Obama, accusing him of being a radical Muslim.

It had urban legend written all over it. CNN even had a story about the misinfo in that now infamous email.

I forwarded it to a politically astute friend – Forrest Berry - to see what he thought about it.

Here’s his response:

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…Interestingly enough, my Mom forwarded the same Obama email to me earlier in the day so I had just researched it when I received your email. In short, it is greatly distorted and mostly urban legend. The email said that it had been checked out on www.Snopes.com <http://www.snopes.com/> but it obviously had not. Here is their link where they analyze this particular email line by line and identify which parts are true and which parts are not.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

I know you know most of this stuff, but you may wish to forward it back to those who sent the piece originally.

As Christians, we ask people to believe our testimony about God and our experiences with Him. We are witnesses to His reality. If we expect people to believe us, then we must have credibility. When we distribute false information because we are too lazy to verify it, we seriously undermine our credibility and therefore our Christian witness.  Think of how many courtroom dramas you have seen in which an attorney tries to discredit a witness. One has to wonder if the accuser of the brethren may not sometimes use internet hoaxes and urban legends to discredit us. When we promote (by forwarding) untrue information, we are telling the world that we cannot discern truth from lies and thus discredit ourselves and our testimony about God.

Therefore, if you receive an email that seems outrageous (you know, the kind that you just can’t wait to forward) take a few moments to investigate it before you hit the send button. You can be sure that someone down the line will. When that happens, you will be discredited. On the other hand, if you research a piece before sending it, and find it to be untrue, you have the opportunity to set the record straight and in doing so, increase your credibility.

For more information about hoaxes visit www.iiiip.org <http://www.iiiip.org/>  or www.snopes.com <http://www.snopes.com/> 

Forrest Berry
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I tend to agree with Forrest. What do you think?

Latest on my accidental missionary blog: 40 Million Reasons I Will Not Vote For Obama or Hillary

What is God Saying to the Church in 2008?

I attended Emanuele Cannistraci's annual "International Apostolic Summit" - thirty “apostles and prophets” from all over the world sat around a big square table having a “round-table” discussion about this question: “What is God saying to the church in 2008?”

There were many good and interesting answers to that question. Here’s my summary: 

“Be a disciple. Make disciples.”

And, what is a disciple? Someone who carries a cross, follows Jesus, goes into all the world and helps others follow Jesus.

Besides re-connecting with long-time friends Emanuele & Shirley Cannistraci and Mel & Heather Mullen, I especially enjoyed listening to…

- - Jay Swallow – Native American leader. Cheyenne tribe. He told amazing stories about God moving among the Indian tribes he has served for 37 years.

-- Hormoz Shariat – Iranian-born former Muslim. Now a pastor in San Jose with satellite TV ministry focusing on the Middle East, especially Iran. Over 800,000 Iranians have come to Christ through his broadcasts in the past few years. Wow!   

-- Bill Hamon – Prophetic pioneer. As always, Bishop Bill presented rhyming alliterated prophetic insight for leaders. I don’t always agree, but I always appreciate his faith, energy, sincerity and graciousness.   

Here’s a good summit quote from Emanuele C:
“I travel all over the world and I don’t find many happy pastors and ministers, and I’m asking God why. After 60 years in ministry, I’m still happy. I still love the Lord. I still love the church. I still love the ministry.”

I hope to be able to say that when I’ve been in ministry for 60 years.

***New accidental missionary blog: "Why I Will Not Vote for Obama or Hillary"

The 2008 Charismatic Leadership Summit

While in Orlando visiting Filipino missionaries and Every Nation church planters, I participated in the Charismatic Leadership Summit, hosted by Steve Strang and Lee Grady of Charisma magazine.

Two things happened while I worshiped, prayed and talked with those 60 Charismatic leaders.

First - I felt kinda like an outsider. While I believe in the current reality of charismatic gifts, I don’t think I do life, church or ministry like traditional American Charismatics. Maybe I’ve lived overseas too long.

Second - I realized that while I may not do church and ministry in the same way, these men and women are sincerely and passionately seeking God wholeheartedly. The more I listened to them and prayed with them, the more I respected and appreciated them – most of them anyway.

I was particularly surprised by and/or impressed with:
- the practical wisdom and humor of Mike Bickle – didn’t expect the 24 hour prayer guy to be practical or funny
- the passionate fire of Wellington Boone – that guy hates compromise & isn’t afraid to name names
- the compassion of Rodney Howard-Brown – his love for people was contagious
- the quietness of Rick Joyner – he hardly spoke a word, but furiously took notes every time anyone spoke
- the quiet/strong leadership of Steve Strang – this guy gave all these preachers a 10 minute time limit, and no one violated it - a modern miracle!
- the fire in Lee Grady’s bones

Most of the discussions were about the health of the Charismatic movement. After hearing everyone’s opinions, I am convinced that the key to health is quite simple – honor God and make disciples.

The Charismatic movement in America has not done either very well lately. 

Coming in a future blog: summary of Emanuele Cannistraci’s annual “International Apostolic Leadership Summit”

Rewards of Fasting

Here’s what Jesus said about fasting:

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Jesus said that our heavenly Father rewards fasting. Following are seven rewards of fasting:

1. Fasting turns back God’s wrath and judgment.
Moses recorded that God was angry enough to destroy Aaron and the children of Israel because of their gold cow idol (Dt 9:18-20). But, as we know, God’s wrath was turned back after Moses fasted and prayed. There has been much said and written the past few years about God’s wrath and judgment on different nations. I’m convinced that Christians can turn back God’s judgment through fasting and prayer. Of course that will never happen unless God’s people get more concerned about the next generation than their next meal

2. Fasting releases prophetic strategies for victory.
The Moabites, Amonites, and several other hostile nations were arrayed against Israel. (See 2 Chr 20:1-30.) King Jehoshaphat called for a fast. You know you are in a desperate situation when a guy nicknamed J-PHAT calls for a fast. During the fast, a prophetic word was given that laid out God’s strategy for their battle. “No swords. No shields. No spears. Get your tambourines ready, we’re going to war!” I’m sure there were some battle-hardened warriors who thought that word was way off. After all, “We’ve never fought a battle like that before.” As always, God knew best. If we are willing to skip a few meals, we may receive prophetic strategies to influence our cities for God’s glory. They may be new and untried strategies, but if they are from God, we can be confident they will work.

3. Fasting activates people and provision for God’s work.
Nehemiah’s building project was preceded by corporate fasting. Would it have been as successful without the fasting? I don’t think so. In 1984, God opened the door for our fledgling Manila church to have its own (rented) building in Manila’s crowded University-Belt as we fasted and prayed.  Each time our church has expanded to a new building to own or rent, a vital part of our fund-raising strategy has been prayer and fasting.

4. Fasting releases wisdom and favor.
Daniel and his friends went on a partial fast (vegetables and water only). At the end of the fast, they were compared with the rest of the young men of Babylon. The results are recorded in Daniel 1:20. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. Would you like to be ten times better than your competitors? Just lay off the pizza for a few days and seek God wholeheartedly.

5. Fasting clarifies and redirects callings and ministries.
Paul, Barnabas, and a few other Antioch church leaders were me eting together, and while they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said: set apart for me Barnabas . . . (Acts 13:1-3). While they were fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke. Would He have spoken this new direction even if they had not fasted? Probably. The real question is: Would they have been sensitive enough to hear the Holy Spirit speak if they had not fasted? Maybe. Maybe not. Are you seeking God for a new direction in your life or ministry? Good time to fast.

6. Fasting breaks demonic strongholds.
On one occasion, the disciples unsuccessfully attempted to cast out a demon. When they asked Jesus why they had failed, He responded:  this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting (Matt 17:21). This seems to indicate that there are certain demonic situations that, for one reason or another, can only be defeated through fasting. Isaiah said that true fasting will loose chains . . . untie the cords of yoke . . . set the oppressed free and break every yoke (Is 58:6). Have you ever encountered a stubborn demonic situation? Maybe it’s the kind that only goes out by prayer and fasting.

7. Fasting increases spiritual power.
Luke records that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and that He was led by the Spirit.  After His forty day fast, He returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit (Lk 4:1,14). How many Christians do you know who are full of the Spirit and led by the Spirit, but do not walk in the power of the Spirit? Need more power? Spiritual power is one of the rewards of fasting.

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This blog was originally an article called "Freedom From the Stomach God" written for Evangelicals Today magazine. I edited it, made it much shorter and posted it here. Hope it helps those who are starting 2008 with a season of fasting and prayer.

Also, I recently wrote several fasting blogs on my "accidental missionary" site. The first was called "I Hate Fasting."

(Note: We encourage only healthy adults to fast. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not fast. If you have any medical condition, you should check with your doctor before fasting.)

Top 10 New Years Resolution Blogs

I don't go to the gym in January. I go 3-5 times per week the rest of the year, depending on my travel schedule. But never in January. It's just too crowded. But by early Feb, all the new year's resolution folks have given up on the perfect body, until next year.

I'm not much of a new year's resolution kind of guy. From my observation, most NYRs last about 2 weeks. My 2008 NYR is to try to remember and do at least a few of last year's resolutions.

If you are a NYR person, here are some good NYR blogs for you:

New Year's Resolutions of Bible Heroes by Bishop Jovie Galaraga.

New Year's Resolutions of Bible Heroes Part 2 also by Bishop JG.

Goals for 2008 by Perry Noble, who does goals not resolutions.

10 Steps to Setting Goals by Mark Batterson, who also does goals. 

New Year, New Start by Gary Lamb who is trying to get organized in 2008.

Starting Right & Finishing Strong by the Clueless Church Planter, Dennis Sy. While this blog may not technically be a NYR blog, it is close enough and worth reading. 

A New Leaf for a New Day by my friend, Mike Watkins from Kiev, Ukraine.

Hope Renewed by Myra Watkins, Mike's wife.

New Year's Resolution: God's Will Be Done by Ron Miller.

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions list. It's the same every year, which means no one did any of it last year.

As always, many of us are starting the year with a week of prayer, fasting and consecration. I'm blogging about it on my "accidental missionary" site.

Top 10 Books of 2007

In 2007 I read a pile of books. I’m usually reading two or three at a time. I keep one by my bed, one on my desk, one in my briefcase and a couple in my office.

Here are the top 10 books I read in 2007, in random order.

The Corporate Blogging Book – Debbie Weil 
The blogger’s bible.

When Crickets Cry - Charles Martin
Best novel I’ve read in a long long time.

Lone Survivor - Marcus Luttrell
True story. Don’t know if my non-American friends will appreciate this one, but I couldn’t put it down.

When Charity Destroys Dignity - Glenn J. Schwartz
Every missionary and every person who supports missions should read this one. Might be most important book on the subject I’ve ever read. 
 
I Am America, And So Can You - Stephen Colbert
Made me laugh. And laugh. And laugh.

Simple Church – Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger
Probably the most helpful book ever written on doing church.

Breaking the Missional Code - Ed Stetzer & David Putman
Probably the most helpful book ever written on doing church, besides Simple Church.

Natural Church Development – Christian Schwartz
Probably the most helpful book ever written on doing church, besides Simple Church and Breaking the Missional Code.

Confessions of a Reformissional Pastor – Mark Driscoll
Made me laugh, and wonder how he can get away with saying/writing things all pastors think, but are afraid to say.

Communicating for a Change – Andy Stanley
This one really helped my preaching - at least I think it did.

That’s my ’07 list. What are the best books you read in the past 12 months?

New post on the accidental missionary site - "2007 @ a Glance"

How Did I Get So Busy?

Here's one from the archives. I think I wrote this for Evangelicals Today magazine 7 or 8 years ago. I edited it - basically cut it in half. Hope it helps you get off to a good start in 2008.

How did I get so busy? A few years ago, I was "just a nice guy trying to help people" through a small campus ministry at Mississippi State University.  Now, I’m this stressed-out guy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Who put all that weight there anyway?

Ever feel that way -- like that guy at the circus trying to keep all those plates spinning? Ever feel you can’t possibly do it all? If you’ve been in ministry more than a few years, I’m sure you have.

Somehow in the midst of my worry, God helped me refocus on what really matters and what absolutely has to be done the next twelve months - and there’s not all that much that has to be done.

When it comes to the ministry, for me, there are basically four things I have to do:

Read the Bible. This is the starting point not just for success in ministry, but for success in all of life because God’s word is useful not just for church stuff, but so we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16,17). I will be prosperous and successful to the degree that I daily read, meditate on and apply God’s word to my life (Joshua 1:8). 

Pray. If nothing else gets done, this must. If I can’t personally go to Bangladesh, Afghanistan, or Iran in the next twelve months, I can certainly pray for our missionaries, as they minister in some of the most difficult nations in the world.

Make disciples. This is so obvious that many pastors miss it. I often ask pastors: "Specifically, who are you currently discipling?" Unfortunately, some can’t really answer this question because they think they are discipling the whole congregation. No wonder we are so stressed. Jesus only discipled twelve. Making disciples is about helping specific people follow Jesus. It cannot be general or random and it cannot be done in huge groups. If we have a shortage of leaders, ministers, or missionaries, it is because we have failed to make disciples.

Train leaders. The measure of success for me is not how many show up on Sunday, but how many leaders are equipped and empowered. The goal is not to fill the building with warm bodies, but to fill those warm bodies with God’s fire. Like disciple making, leadership training must be deliberate and specific.

I can’t do everything that needs to be done this year. But I can read my Bible, pray, make disciples, and equip leaders. If I do these four, all the other stuff will take care of itself.

Here's the original unedited version.