Simple Success

POSTED IN Blogs November 9, 2011

Personal & Corporate Ministry DA Vidal

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There is a burning desire, in many believers, to live a life of impact and influence. We have a healthy longing to make positive and lasting change in our communities, churches, and in our homes. In my book Kingdom Creators, I discuss in detail just how simple Kingdom lifestyle is. After all, God said that He would set a table for us in the midst of our enemies, anoint our heads with oil, and fill our cup to overflow. It gives the notion that His idea of Kingdom lifestyle differs greatly from our idea of plotting, scheming, planning, and preparing. I will get back to this idea in the sections that follow.

Our church here in Casper Wyoming, is called Strong Tower. One of our core values is “being real”. As a matter of fact, our heart in ministry is “Real People, Real Journey, Real God”. My family and I were called here to identify, raise-up, train and send forth revivalists. We believe that Holy Spirit is leading us to develop a prophetic culture while simultaneously creating a Grace Culture (that’s another thing, I refer to the Holy Spirit as “Holy Spirit”. After all, people don’t call me “the David”). It’s also best if you smile while you read.

Step into my office; don’t be shy, c’mon in. As you look around the first thing you will notice is my wife’s baby-blue ijoy massage chair, complete with ipod adapter, surround sound, sub-woofer and beverage holder. You will see certificates and accolades on the wall, a large comic-book super-hero collage, a sword, a surf board, a pseudo-organized desk as well as a rather extensive library. If you find it odd that the first thing you see in “my” office belongs to my wife, you must be single man. A closer inspection of my bookshelves will reveal material like, The Revival Primer, The Complete Work of John G Lake, God’s Plan For Man, The “newest coolest thing from that church you keep hearing about”, at least a twenty different bible translations, monthly mailers and various 3-ring-binders filled with many intriguing topics. I also subscribe to numerous blogs and visit ministry web-pages to collect insight, information, and wisdom about ministry.

If there is one thing a minister strives for, (in the natural) it is a successful ministry. A successful ministry is usually defined in simple terms as, “lots of people”. So where do we look for advice? To the other big ministries of course! How are they doing it? What kind of topics do they speak on? What kind of verbiage do they use? On and on we compare and adjust making great efforts to do our best impression of “them”. This is not about bashing “them”. Nor is it about bashing you; quite the contrary as a matter of fact. The words that follow may just be the most uplifting and encouraging thing you have read in some time. That is biblical right? We are supposed to provoke each other. Sad to say most stop there- we are to provoke each other to acts of love and good deeds. Hopefully this short book will provoke you to do just that.

By the way, “lots of people” isn’t necessarily what a successful ministry looks like.”

 

Friend or Foe?

Here are some other books you will find in my library: Why Church Matters, Why Men Hate Going to Church, Simply Strategic Growth, Why Church Has become Irreverent, as well as pamphlets on how to make flyers that attract and many similar materials. On my computer screen you will see the latest Barna statistics, Blogs from ministers and church goers talking about their recent Sunday experience, daily prophecies, and… Facebook.

I am absolutely overwhelmed with numbers and materials stating the obvious fact that people are not attending church. “Top 10 reasons your teen hates church”, “How you can connect”, Ministry that matters”. Is there no end to this list!?! We are supplied with a constant stream of resources that declare how irrelevant the church has become to any given age, sex, or color of a particular individual. It has occurred to me recently that I have read many books and articles over the years about current culture trends, do’s & don’ts, and ministry pit-falls. The problem is that this information can become quite caustic to a minister.

Reading all these “helpful” books and articles has not really helped me to become a better influence. I try to learn from them, but I always walk away feeling inadequate for the task at hand. I feel like a failure when I look at the article vs. my ministry. I just end up staring at the wall battling depression and saying things like, “yup… just another thing I suck at.” Or “yet another failing of our church.”

I know they mean well, but when is someone going to recognize the beauty of the church? When will we admit to its great success in ministering to the hearts and needs of a community of believers? The bible says that there is nothing new under the sun. So how are all these ideas “new”? How are all these problems we face “new”? Here are some good questions: When will we ever actually get it right? Did the early church have similar challenges? Is there REALLY a way to be “all things” to “all people”? I Realize I promised this would encourage you. Hang in there while I make my case. These questions are troubling, I know.

Being Real. This is one thing Strong Tower does well. Part of being real is the freedom to ask difficult questions. Asking difficult questions will often lead you to the right questions. So the real question we face here is this: What does it take to create a Kingdom atmosphere, where the power of heaven freely flows?

The answer is so simple, so crazy, in fact that it just might work…

 

“Ibles” & bits

Start by being real… or not. You can always just imitate the ministry you think is doing it right. After all, this will defiantly provide you with some instant gratification. The problem is that it never works out in the long-term picture. That is what we are called to you know; the endurance race? Don’t be foolish! Learn from, glean from, and even echo ministries that you find yourself under. You are like what you rub-up against, so start rubbing-up against some ministries that you like- but by all means- do not try to imitate or create your best impression-of. Be real. Be you. Trust Holy Spirit inside you, to lead guide and direct you.

The answer is RELATIONSHIP. This is the key to being real, and the only secret to ministry. The trouble is that I can’t just “do” relationship. It takes time, testing, success, failures, victories, and defeats. It is developed during an inter-course between you and Creator. I remain flexible, teachable, and as moldable as possible. However, in all my “ibles” I will seek God with all my heart, spirit, and soul. I will seek Him for what really matters: for the POWER of heaven to be made manifest in all of our meetings. Remember “as it is in heaven…”? I believe this is the key to breaking generational, social and economic boundaries.

Our times are no different, more complicated, or new; even though it sure does give our ego a good stroke to think so. We have not come so far or advanced in our thinking or abilities. The core struggles and questions of a person are the same today as the ever were.

I am challenging you ministers to become God Chasers. Seek him in every avenue and area of your life. Live, laugh, love, and DREAM! Turn your imagination loose and let it sore in heavenly realms! Discover what it looks like to be a prayer warrior. The real kind. The kind that agonizes over what God agonizes over; dares to feel the sense of longing the Father feels for His children upon the earth. Challenge yourself to become a modern day revivalist! May the individuals you encounter say they have encountered Holy Spirit Himself, as He is with you!

Remember in the beginning when I told you about God’s idea of Kingdom lifestyle? That He would set a table for you in the midst of your enemies. Try taking up a posture of responding to God rather than reacting to the world around you and all her culture-twists and fads. Become a student of Love and Grace! Let Joy be your banner and be strong in your convictions.

If you are in the ministry trenches, you are my HERO. God Bless you, Sir/Ma’am. Don’t be put off by our current state of being. Your troubles are not uncommon in this hour. You were born for such a time as this and God has seen to it that you are WELL equipped for the task at hand! What you do matters. The world does not need another expert in it’s “language. The world needs what it has always needed, the POWER of the living God active and throughout.

Yes, it is in truth and in fact, that easy. And that difficult. Master your relationship with God and you will see the answer and solutions you seek. There is no quick-fix, and pretending to be a ministry you are not is tiresome at best. Your ministry should feast primarily on the fruit of it’s relationship with the God who lives.
One last thing,  The section titled “Friend or Foe” may have left you questioning. I say with a resounding chorus, “FRIEND!” Not even “well meaning” friend, but actually, FRIEND! All those wonderful authors, Barna group, and I as well as hundreds of churches around the world are all on the same team. We are all toiling in the same fields for a common and united goal. Next time you read a report on the 5 reasons “this certain group” doesn’t come to church, don’t beat yourself up or rewrite your ministry strategies. Add the information to your heart in prayer and let Holy Spirit sort it out. You are only responsible for YOUR relationship with God.