Six Words to Live By

By Gordon MacDonald

I am romanced by the simple phrase by which Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) chose to define his life:

Present to God; present to people

 In the morass of mission statements and pithy slogans designed to identify the passions of organizations, churches, and individuals, I think I like this one best. In recent weeks I've tried to awaken to it each morning.

Being present reminds me of the experience my wife, Gail, and I once had while on a walk in a Swiss alpine valley. We had come upon a farmer and his dog who were rounding up a large herd of brown cows (the ones with the huge bells around their necks). The farmer would point to a spot out on the edge of the herd. The dog would race in that direction, then suddenly stop to look back to get a second command. The farmer would sweep his hand to the right or left, and the dog, now furiously barking, would drive the cows wherever the farmer was willing them to go.

Then the dog would tear back to the farmer's side, sit, breathing hard, and look up waiting—almost impatiently—for the farmer's next order. For some reason, that picture of a dog that is so present to his master—ready to respond—shows me what it must mean to fit de Foucauld's definition of life - Present to God.

Present to people? Harder or easier? I find it easy to be present to attractive people, advantaged people, visionary people, intelligent people, likable people. I love being present to people who like me and find me witty and charming. My grandchildren fit this category.

But present to people who are weak, poor, sick, grumpy, unreliable, unthankful, disrespectful? That's another story. My instinct is, all too often, to be absent to them. And it's here that my character and call get challenged every day. Sometimes I win; often I lose in this being present business. Because being present to people means that I must listen extra carefully, listen, and then respond. And that can be inconvenient and too taxing.

So I like de Foucauld's phrase that reduces complex issues and busy schedules to six simple words 

Present to God; present to people

During this season of Christmas craziness try to remember these six words.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

GBACE Conference with Dr. Chuck Lawless, January 24, 2019 at Salem Baptist/McDonough - http://www.gbace.org/annual-conference.html

Resources to help develop your church’s stewardship generosity - https://www.lifeway.com/en/special-emphasis/generosity

FOR CHURCH LEADERS:  FREE shipping on all books, Bibles, and church supplies (over $50) from your friendly LifeWay store? Check it out! https://buff.ly/2vlPn3I

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Adult Group Box for starting new groups - https://www.lifeway.com/en/bible-studies-for-life/adults/group-box

https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/explore-the-bible/adults/group-box

https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/the-gospel-project-for-adults-adult-group-box-csb-fall-2018-P005807563-2018-FAL

FOR CHURCH LEADERS:  Reconnect - Use this simple but effective way to reconnect with those members who have dropped out or are not connected to a Bible study group. https://buff.ly/2LMD0AD

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Balanced Discipleship Plan: A Catalog of Studies to Develop Disciples - https://buff.ly/2Gv3CY6

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Gospel Foundations - https://buff.ly/2MXGCow

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Psalm 23 by Jennifer Rothschild - https://buff.ly/2SrLKAt

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Ministry to Women Handbook - https://buff.ly/2q5Grd3

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  What Matters Most by Karen Ehman - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/what-matters-most-leader-kit-P005802633

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Sign up for the LifeWay Men’s Newsletter - https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/ministries/men

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Johnny Hunt Men’s Conference, January 25 & 26, 2019,Begin making  your plans to host a simulcast at your church or in your home. -   https://buff.ly/2TKHIUF

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Unstuck by James McDonald - https://buff.ly/2vxsLty

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Kingdom Disciples by Tony Evans - https://buff.ly/2GlN9SW

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Gospel Foundations for Students - https://buff.ly/2MXGCow

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Resources for True Love Waits - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/true-love-waits

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Student Life Summer Camps - Try one of the family of Student Life Camps (Rec camp/Mission camp/Beach camp/Smokies Mtn.) for your students next summer. https://buff.ly/2zUxnw8

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: Reaching the Next Generation - https://buff.ly/2AMJ8se

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 2019 VBS Jumpstarts,  go to one of the 9 meetings around the state, January 17-24, 2019 - https://gabaptist.org/vbsjumpstarts

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 2019 Kids Ministry Summit at Jekyll Island, February 7, 8, 2019 - https://gabaptist.org/event/kids-ministry-summit/

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 2019 CentriKid Camps - https://buff.ly/2CWQQjG

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: What does it Mean to be a Christian - Here's a brand new resource to help children understand what it means to be a Christian. https://buff.ly/2NVCqBN

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kid Event Pro – An online Kids Ministry Event Planning system - https://buff.ly/2PaMurS

IS VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL STILL WORTH THE EFFORT?

More church staffs are asking the above question, either verbally or, at least, in their minds. Challenges are increasing that confront churches from providing this summer tradition that has been around since 1894. Difficult scheduling, dwindling volunteerism, and declining budgets all force churches to decide whether VBS is still an effective ministry. 

As your staff contemplates this question consider these statistics that were discovered through a research project at LifeWay, plus the results from this year’s Vacation Bible Schools around the country:

Statistics from a research project surveying 1200 American adults: 

Even If They Don't Go to Church, Americans Still Love VBS 

• 36% attended every summer or almost every summer
• 88% of those that attended VBS had a positive experience and helped them understand the Bible better
• 47% of today’s parents have taken their children to VBS because of the spiritual impact it can have.
• 60% of parents who never attended VBS are open to allowing their children attend a VBS if invited.

Plus look at what was accomplished this past summer:

• 2.5 Million In attendance, experiencing 15 hours of intense discipleship
• 7 months of ministry demonstrated in one week
• 70,135 salvation decisions
• 1,383 responded to God’s call to ministry or missions
• 155,344 prospects discovered
• $6.5 million given to missions through VBS offerings

So what do you think, is providing a Vacation Bible School still worth the effort?   

Just ask those 70, 135!

 

Get a jumpstart on next summer by ordering the kit today!  Click Here!

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

Resources to help develop your church’s stewardship generosity - https://www.lifeway.com/en/special-emphasis/generosity

FOR CHURCH LEADERS:  FREE shipping on all books, Bibles, and church supplies (over $50) from your friendly LifeWay store? Check it out! https://buff.ly/2vlPn3I

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: 12 ways to begin a conversation about generous giving - https://buff.ly/2mrsQej

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Ministry Grid - https://buff.ly/2IoJuER

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Digital Bundle of Ministry Grid, smallgroup.com, and WordSearch - https://buff.ly/2xWTxh1

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Adult Group Box for starting new groups - https://www.lifeway.com/en/bible-studies-for-life/adults/group-box

https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/explore-the-bible/adults/group-box

https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/the-gospel-project-for-adults-adult-group-box-csb-fall-2018-P005807563-2018-FAL

FOR CHURCH LEADERS:  Reconnect - Use this simple but effective way to reconnect with those members who have dropped out or are not connected to a Bible study group. https://buff.ly/2LMD0AD

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Balanced Discipleship Plan: A Catalog of Studies to Develop Disciples - https://buff.ly/2Gv3CY6

FOR DISCIPLESHIP:  Disciples Path: an intentional plan of disciple making - https://buff.ly/2CYS6Ts

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Gospel Foundations - https://buff.ly/2MXGCow

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Psalm 23 by Jennifer Rothschild - https://buff.ly/2SrLKAt

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Ministry to Women Handbook - https://buff.ly/2q5Grd3

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  What Matters Most by Karen Ehman - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/what-matters-most-leader-kit-P005802633

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Sign up for the LifeWay Men’s Newsletter - https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/ministries/men

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Making Space by Jeff Vanderstelt -  https://buff.ly/2MCJjrR

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Unstuck by James McDonald - https://buff.ly/2vxsLty

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Kingdom Disciples by Tony Evans - https://buff.ly/2GlN9SW

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Gospel Foundations for Students - https://buff.ly/2MXGCow

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Resources for True Love Waits - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/true-love-waits

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: Reaching the Next Generation - https://buff.ly/2AMJ8se

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 2019 CentriKid Camps - https://buff.ly/2CWQQjG

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: What does it Mean to be a Christian - Here's a brand new resource to help children understand what it means to be a Christian. https://buff.ly/2NVCqBN

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kid Event Pro – An online Kids Ministry Event Planning system - https://buff.ly/2PaMurS

WAYS TO TURN A CONVERSATION TOWARD CHRIST

We often challenge our people to be ‘on mission’ in their daily lives.   Some churches have simplified their church calendars in order to free their people up to have more time to ‘on mission’.   But we may need to help them open their eyes to …

... a parent at their child’s school. 

... a coworker they eat lunch with.

... a car pool partner.

... the pitcher on your softball team.

... their next-door neighbor. 

... a fellow parent with their child’s sporting team.

These are all people they spend a good amount of time with; people with whom they have developed friendships.

But how do they turn the conversations they have with people such as into door openers for the gospel?  Worldwide Challenge magazine, a publication of Campus Crusade for Christ, suggests these questions for turning talk toward spiritual truth.

1.       People invest time and energy into developing their careers, their bodies, and their relationships, but often neglect the spiritual dimension of their lives.  How do you actively pursue spiritual growth? 

2.       Do you think much about spiritual things? (This usually leads to conversation about what “spiritual” means – i.e. religion vs. relationship.) 

3.       How has this experience affected the way you look at God? 

4.       We’ve never had a chance to talk about your religious background.  Where would you say you are in your spiritual pilgrimage? 

5.       What is your concept of God? 

6.       Do you feel you are satisfied with your spiritual condition or is it something you are still moving toward?  May I tell you how I came to that point? 

7.       Do you find that faith and spiritual values play a role in your work? Marriage? Perspective in life? 

8.       Do you go to church?  Why or why not? 

9.       How do you think a person becomes a Christian? 

10.   Most people in America say that they believe in God.  What does believing in God mean to you? 

11.   We’ve been friends for some time now and I’ve never really talked to you about the most important thing in my life.  May I take a few moments and do so? 

12.   (Bring a friend to your church or a Christian event; then ask) What did you think about it?  Did it make any sense to you? 

13.   I’d hate for you to come to my church and not understand what it’s all about.  Let me tell you what you could expect to see and hear.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

Resources to help develop your church’s stewardship generosity - https://www.lifeway.com/en/special-emphasis/generosity

FOR CHURCH LEADERS:  FREE shipping on all books, Bibles, and church supplies (over $50) from your friendly LifeWay store? Check it out! https://buff.ly/2vlPn3I

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: 12 ways to begin a conversation about generous giving - https://buff.ly/2mrsQej

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Ministry Grid - https://buff.ly/2IoJuER

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Digital Bundle of Ministry Grid, smallgroup.com, and WordSearch - https://buff.ly/2xWTxh1

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Adult Group Box for starting new groups - https://www.lifeway.com/en/bible-studies-for-life/adults/group-box

https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/explore-the-bible/adults/group-box

https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/the-gospel-project-for-adults-adult-group-box-csb-fall-2018-P005807563-2018-FAL

FOR CHURCH LEADERS:  Reconnect - Use this simple but effective way to reconnect with those members who have dropped out or are not connected to a Bible study group. https://buff.ly/2LMD0AD

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Balanced Discipleship Plan: A Catalog of Studies to Develop Disciples - https://buff.ly/2Gv3CY6

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: smallgroup.com - https://www.smallgroup.com/app/index.html#/home

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: James by Matt Chandler – https://buff.ly/2yiJmGs

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  LifeWay Women’s Leadership Forum, Hendersonville, TN, November 8-10, 2018 - https://buff.ly/2mUqCoa

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Discerning the Voice of  God by Priscilla Shirer - https://www.lifeway.com/content/lifeway/us/en/product-family/discerning-the-voice-of-god.html

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Mom Set Free by Jeannie Cunnion - https://buff.ly/2PbDKS7

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  What Matters Most by Karen Ehman - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/what-matters-most-leader-kit-P005802633

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Sign up for the LifeWay Men’s Newsletter - https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/ministries/men

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Making Space by Jeff Vanderstelt -  https://buff.ly/2MCJjrR

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Unstuck by James McDonald - https://buff.ly/2vxsLty

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Kingdom Disciples by Tony Evans - https://buff.ly/2GlN9SW

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/the-armor-of-god-teen-bible-study-book-P005806985

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Unfolded for Teen Guys by Eric Geiger - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/unfolded-bible-study-for-teen-guys-P005799068

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Resources for True Love Waits - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/true-love-waits

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: Reaching the Next Generation - https://buff.ly/2AMJ8se

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 5 Ways to Increase Your Volunteer Base in Kids Ministry - https://buff.ly/2prv3rv

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: What does it Mean to be a Christian - Here's a brand new resource to help children understand what it means to be a Christian. https://buff.ly/2NVCqBN

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kid Event Pro – An online Kids Ministry Event Planning system - https://buff.ly/2PaMurS