Develop Other Preachers

I love to preach. Preaching is my jam.

Personally, my personal time with the Lord in scripture is always different from what I’m preaching through on a Sunday at Storehouse McAllen. In my personal bible study, it’s great communion with God and a great time of prayer and reflection. But when I turn to study the passage I’m preaching on, I let all of the nerd out. I love studying God’s word and I love preaching God’s word to my church. And as much as I love studying, teaching, and preaching I need to remember that I need to be taught and I need to sit under sound preaching too.

In my short experience, I have seen many pastors crave the pulpit and turn it into an unhealthy platform for their own personal gain while at the same time suppressing other aspiring preachers. I don’t want to do that. I need to remember that just as personal time with the Lord is good for my soul, sitting under the preached word alongside of other brothers and sisters is refreshing for my soul too.

Since the replanting of Storehouse McAllen, I have been and currently serve as the main preacher. And as we have grown and by God’s grace, as I have begun to develop other men, I try to get out of the pulpit a few times a year. I’m not a preacher first, but a disciple. Additionally, me stepping out of the pulpit is good for my church.

Here are five reasons why stepping out of the pulpit is good for me (and you) and good for my church (and your church).

1. Recovery
When I became the primary preacher and teacher at Storehouse McAllen, in a word, I was stoked. I was excited to be preaching every Sunday; carving time out throughout the week to go full nerd and creatively construct a message of redemption for the people of God. I would hear other pastors and preachers share about the ongoing deadline of Sunday and taking time off from preaching was necessary. For me, I was in a position and season where I wasn’t able to step out of the pulpit and if I’m honest, I don’t think I would have wanted to because Sunday didn’t feel like a deadline…at the time.

It wasn’t too long before feeling like Sunday was a deadline and the pressure was constant and exhausting on top of my other responsibilities. And there were several Sunday’s where although I had prepared a sermon, I just didn’t want to get out of bed because I was mentally and emotionally gassed. I asked for help from other pastors in the Valley and then slowly began to develop another preacher at our church and the first time I didn’t have to preach a Sunday was fantastic. It was a wonderful moment of rest and recovery. In a sense, preaching is like working out. You’re looking at several hours of study and prep time during the week (along with other pastoral responsibilities) and having an “event” at the end of every week. Over time, that taxes your body and it simply isn’t healthy because the body doesn’t have adequate time to recover. It’s the same thing with preaching. This is both necessary for you and your spiritual adrenal glands, but also important for your church. They need to see and know that you can’t do it all.

Your mind and emotions need an adequate time to recover for the purpose for continued advancement. In short, recovery is vital.

2. Family Time
There are many pastors and preachers that arrive to the church gathering with their family, but have to leave them shortly after to tend to Sunday responsibilities. For me, my wife and I drive separately because I need to be at church a little earlier and often stay late. Further, as a preacher, and although I get to sing and worship along my wife and son, I don’t get to stay with them because I need to preach. When I’m preaching, my time and attention isn’t centered on my family, but is shared with my congregation and is devoted to the teaching of Scripture.

When I’m not preaching, I love showing up and leaving with my family. I enjoy getting to spend the time with them and them alone because I don’t always get to on a Sunday. And my church needs to not only see that, but know that. My family is my first church and I need to be intentional about guarding time such as this.

3. Guard Against The Culture of “The One”
When we first replanted, one of the things I wanted to implement as soon as I could was either inviting other preachers to our pulpit or develop other preachers. In part, this was so that I could time off as I’ve mentioned, but also so that we could guard against, what could be a “celebrity” preacher. I use the word “celebrity” loosely, but my point is that I have seen men embrace their role as a preacher with unhealthy and idolatrous motives. While I believe that preaching is the central ministry of Sunday mornings, many preachers, I think, can use their pulpits to elevate their own status rather than the glory of God.

Additionally, when a preacher guards the pulpit well, it also protects the church. There are many people who attend church because their eyes have been fixed upon the preacher and not fully on the God of the Bible. I think when you have other preachers in your pulpit, it helps to protect the church from the “celebrity” preacher culture.

4. Developing Other Preachers
Similar to guarding from an unhealthy preaching culture, when you develop other preachers there are two great things that happen, in my opinion. First, it shows the church that you have a culture of developing other leaders, preachers, and pastors and they get to be a part of that process. Second, you provide other men with an opportunity to practice their gifting. Preaching on a Sunday morning is a different environment than the monthly preaching lab so you get to help develop preachers in a different setting with unique pressure.

5. Inviting Others
I understand and aware that if you have just planted or replanted your church, you may not have one or two other men who you are developing to preach just yet. My encouragement would be to develop friendships with other pastors in your city and develop close friendships with other pastors in your network or denomination. I have invited other pastors from neighboring cities to preach at Storehouse McAllen and it has been a great blessing to me and my church. For instance, not only do I get a Sunday off, but our church also sees that we value friendships and partnership with other churches. This year, I’m inviting a few friends from Acts 29 to come and preach for me and I’m excited for our church to hear them lead us in the teaching of God’s word and for our church to meet them!

REMEMBER, RECOVERY

At the end of the day, developing other preachers, building friendships within your city, and guarding your pulpit culture will take time. I would recommend making it a priority because preaching week after week will eventually take a toll on your body. Recovery isn’t meaningless and it serves a great purpose, advancement. You’ll be able to accomplish more when you prioritize development and recovery in your ministry, with your family, and for your soul.

I’d love to chat to hear about what you do or if you’re looking for help, I’d love to be a resource. What do you do at your church?

What's So "Good" About Good Friday?

For many in the Valley, Holy Week is a sacred time and while less than 10% of the population in McAllen are Christians, there is a strong religious observance and “reverence” toward many seasons in the church calendar. And as Good Friday approaches, I thought it would be helpful to walk through the meaning behind it as it is a huge part of history and a cultural value for many Valley Natives.

To clarity, Good Friday is paramount for the Christian because it is the day in which Jesus willingly suffered, was crucified on a wooden cross, and died as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice for sinners (1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21) followed by the Resurrection (Easter) where Christ, after three days and according to the Scriptures, was raised from the dead conquering sin, hell, Satan, and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-5; 55-58)

On Good Friday, Jesus cried in a loud voice, “It is finished!” which marked a turning point in redemptive history. The loud cry of Jesus meant that the work by which we are reconciled to God was not satisfied through His atoning sacrifice.

WHY “GOOD FRIDAY”?

There are many discussions surrounding the origins of the name “Good Friday.” For some, the word “good” is a derivative of the word “God” suggesting that the origin of this day was actually “God’s Friday.” For others, “Good Friday” is a unique contradiction as Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, dies crucified on a cross, but through His death provides redemptive hope (more on this in a minute).

Here are two reasons why Good Friday is so good in spite of the terrible sequence of events that occurred leading to the death of Jesus:

1. Good Friday and The Condition of our Hearts

One of the things that Good Friday should lead us to recognize and understand is that we are a sinful people who are under condemnation. When we read the law of God, we quickly learn how holy He is and how depraved we are. This doesn’t mean that we can never do moral good, but it does mean that apart from Christ, we are enslaved sin. It’s not that we’re simply human and imperfect, but that we are enslaved by nature (Romans 6:16). Good Friday is a reminder lifts our eyes to our need for a savior. The gospel of Jesus is what brings us grace and the relief of salvation.

2. The Joy of The Resurrection

As terrible as the events of this day were—Jesus beaten and whipped, his beard plucked, a crown of thorns placed over his head, deserted by his closest friends, and crucified—we could not receive the hope and joy in the resurrection without it. The significance of the cross isn’t only that Jesus died, but that the wrath of God was poured onto him on our behalf in order for forgiveness and reconciliation to take place.

Paradoxically, the day that is filled with blood shed, grief, sorrow, and what looked like a triumph for evil was actually a day where God’s glorious plan of redemption was accomplished.

Good Friday is where Jesus endured the cross knowing that it would lead to His resurrection and our salvation (Hebrews 12:2). Good Friday marks the day where wrath and mercy met at the cross. And that is why Good Friday is so good.

Not All Tacos Are Created Equally: A Brief Look at Hispanics and The Church

During an Acts 29 function, I was asked to speak and introduce the context of the Rio Grande Valley to a small group of pastors. Many of these pastors are from large urban contexts here in Texas such as San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas and the majority of our group had never visited or heard of the Valley. Those that did have knowledge of the Valley had gained it from what they saw on the news concerning immigration or had, at some point, taken a short term mission trip down here.

As I began to speak on the culture of the Valley, I made a few jokes on the pursuit of a multiethnic congregation saying that I believed that I had reached my quota by hiring a white guy from Indiana. Afterward, I spent some time speaking on the unique complexity of the term “hispanic.” I shared that this term is really a junk drawer for people from Spanish speaking countries and that not all Hispanics are Mexicans. Apparently, many minds were blown.

NOT ALL TACOS ARE CREATED EQUAL

I think the American church can impose and assume that all cultures are the same. In other words, what works really well in the suburbs of a predominantly white community should work the same if not as effectively in a place such as the Valley, Mexico, or Latin America. It doesn’t.

Culturally, there are many things about hispanic cultures that overlap, but not every culture is the same. Rather than taking the time to learn and invest, much of the American church has confused assimilation for discipleship. This model, for my hispanic community, is quickly sniffed out and the church is rejected.

So, what can the church do?

1. OBSERVE

One of the primary roles of a missionary isn’t to disrupt the rhythms of a people, but to learn them by asking questions, observing people in the daily, and listening carefully. The church is not a religious police, but a royal priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:9-10). who, at one point, did not belong to God, but through His mercy they now do. The church must be zealous in doing good while speaking with gentleness and respect.

2. CULTURE

While many areas of hispanic cultures overlap, there are also significant differences in values, morals, and customs in between.

3. LANGUAGE

Many of the Spanish terms coined here in the Valley are non-existent in Mexico and many words in Mexico mean something completely different in Guatemala. When my brothers and I were growing up, our parents taught us four different Spanish dialects. We learned Valley Spanish, formal and proper Spanish, Chilango (a general mix of Spanish from Mexico and Spanish from Chile), and Spanish from Monterrey (speaking ridiculously fast in Spanish. If you know what a fresa is, then you know what I mean).

It’s not uncommon to meet another Hispanic and have zero clue at what they’re saying. For me, understanding a Cuban is one of the hardest things this side of heaven.

4. SOLDADERAS

Often, Hispanic culture is associated with machismo. And to be clear, it exists in many families and it’s toxic. But depending on the country and family, the head of the house isn’t always the man and his “authority” may be limited. When we were growing up, all of the men would gather to execute a big decision for the rest of the family AFTER my grandmother would make the call.

Looking back, it reminds me of a scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and while I don’t remember the characters, I’ll never forget what the bride’s mother said to her daughter (a paraphrase), “The man may be the head, but the woman is the neck and she can turn the head wherever she pleases.” I think, when put differently, the men are captains and grandparents are the generals (especially grandmothers).

5. RELIGION

In many spheres of Hispanic culture, religious rites, tradition, and customs can be universal and widely embraced; all without ever having a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When an individual confesses Christ as Lord and begins to speak of faith and repentance, there is a sense of betrayal toward the family and in many ways, individuals are socially rejected because of the gospel. The fear many Hispanic families have is that those who become Christians are going to assimilate and abandon their cultural identity.

EAT TACOS

If the American church is going to reach Hispanics, then there must be cultural awareness and patience. Hispanics’ love language is quality time and if the church is more passionate about preferences and assimilation and not discipleship and acculturation, then the gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to be resisted.

If you’re a church leader, planter, or just curious about engaging Hispanics then you need to hang out with Hispanics, in the backyard, while eating some tacos.

And here’s a pro-tip: if they start making fun of you, then you’re in.

Trust me.

Saturday Coaching And Your Garage Gym

Over the weekend, a friend of mine invited me out to help him coach a small group of athletes at Bronc Fitness in Edinburg on the positioning and dynamics of the clean and power clean. If you’re unfamiliar with these barbell movements, check them out here and here.

Needless to say, I was pretty thrilled at the opportunity. It’s been a little more than two years since I have coached any group of athletes or ran anything Bear Stout related. Unsurprisingly, I missed being in a strength and conditioning gym and I missed having a group of athletes eager to learn a few nuggets here and there for their pursuit of a personal record.

In 2017, I brought all things strength and conditioning to an abrupt halt in order to focus and give all of my attention to replanting Storehouse McAllen and caring for my family in the midst of a new season. I really wanted to figure out a way to continue Bear Stout, but something had to give and it wasn’t going to be my family and the Lord had made it very clear to me through His word to lead our church by serving them.

Perhaps, some day in the future, the doors will open again for Bear Stout and I’ll have another small group of athletes that I’ll be privileged to coach. I love seeing the light bulb turn on for an athlete or seeing them achieve their goals—big or small. I love the grunt work the barbell forces upon a person and the spin on a good bar is one of the most pleasant sounds to my ear.

Nowadays, I get to satisfy my coaching itch when friends come over and workout with me in my garage gym which is one of my favorite places. It also seems as if the trend of a garage gym is gaining more popularity and I’m often asked what should be the “must have” pieces of equipment. So, in honor of this weekend’s clinic. Here are my top 5 pieces of equipment you must have in your garage gym:

GARAGE GYM ESSENTIALS

1. SQUAT RACK

In my opinion, the best kind of squat rack you can purchase is a yoke. A yoke is going to be one of the most, if not the most, versatile pieces of equipment you can get. On a yoke, here are some of the things you can accomplish:

1. Carries (you’re looking at 3-4 variations);

2. Squats, Bench (any press, really) and Deads: The yoke can be setup for your squatting preference, variations of the bench press, and rack deadlifts;

3. Sled: The yoke already has ski’s at the bottom so you can push or pull it like a sled;

4. Pull Ups: depending on your height and the height of the yoke, you can bust out some nasty fat-bar pull ups;

5. Accessories: You’ll need to purchase j-cups for squatting or pressing (not expensive), but you can always add rings to the yoke to get ring dips or rows in;

6. Storage: If you’re limited on space (or cash), it’s a great piece of equipment that can store your bumpers;

If you have the cash or can save a little extra, I would seriously consider buying a yoke. A general squat rack is great, but you may be limited on what you can do.

2. BUMPERS

I love the sound of metal plates clanging and banging, but for some they’re not as optimal because you’re going to drop some good money and the last thing you want to do is drop some metal plates from the overhead position and see them crack. Additionally and depending on the brand, metal plates can rust. So, in my opinion, you should purchase a set of bumper plates.

There’s so much competition out there that you can find some really good deals off of places like Fringe Sport or Titan Fitness. Further, bumpers were made to be dropped and they may (depending on the brand) last you longer.

3. A GOOD BARBELL

Because you’re keeping it simple, you’re going to want to purchase a good bar. You want a bar that can take a hit, spins well, and is designed for a variety of lifts and lifting styles. One of the very first bars I bought was the Wonder Bar from Fringe Sport and I love it. It’s one of the more economic bars, but it does such a great job and is a versatile bar. A good barbell is going to run you a little over $200, but if this garage gym is going to be your jam, then you want to load it with good equipment.

I’m not saying everything in your gym needs to be top of the line, but there must be a few pieces of equipment that are special buys and a good barbell is definitely one of them.

4. STRENGTH BANDS

Strength bands are amazing because like everything else I’ve listed, they’re versatile. Strength bands help you with everything from assistance exercises, accessory movements, dynamic warm-ups, therapy, and mobility. Go buy some.

5. ACCESSORY ESSENTIALS

I actually struggled to think of the 5th essential because the yoke takes care of so many of your needs. However, here are a couple of accessory pieces of equipment I would consider:

1. J-Cups: You’re going to need these for setting up your squats or presses on a yoke;

2. Rings: Buy wooden rings (they’ll last longer); rings can hang from your pull-up bar and serve a multitude of exercises;

3. Pull-Up Bar: If you’re unable to purchase a yoke, then be sure to get a good pull-up bar;

4. Dumbells or Kettle Bells A good pair of dumbells can go a long way;

5. Chalk: Don’t be the person that doesn’t have good chalk in their gym;

6. Sleeves: Knee sleeves, elbow sleeves, etc.

7. Mobility Equipment: If you’re mobility sucks, invest in some good rollers

There are a ton of accessories that you can purchase, it just depends what you’re going for and how simple you’d like to start off.

COST

If all of this is intimidating and sounds pretty expensive, that’s because it is. BUT in the long run, you’re actually saving a great deal of money. And since I love data, here’s an infographic from Garage Gym Reviews to help give you a rough breakdown of owning a garage gym verses paying for a monthly membership at a local gym:

A garage gym, I think, is the best way to go especially if you have that busy life-style. It’s really convenient and best of all, it’s yours. You make whatever you want out of it with the music set at “11.” I hope this helps you with your strength and conditioning needs. And one last thing I would encourage: be diligent in your research; don’t just listen to what I’ve written here or even the infographic. Find out what you want to do and what’s going to work for your goals.

And if you have any questions on the garage gym life, I’d love to chat. If you need help with a couple of recommendations on equipment, then I’d love to chat there too.

God At Work In The Ordinary

Later this Spring, we’re starting a new sermon series called Revival: Renewal In The Ordinary. While I’m certainly loving our 1 Peter series, I’m really excited to be studying the many topics that this new series is going to cover. More than anything, I’m looking forward to this series because I believe our church communities are in need of revival.

In my opinion, many churches in the United States have boxed “church” to only on Sunday’s and have further boxed God to an entity who provides creative inspiration through clever uses of social media and attractional preaching where people can get their fix of daily or weekly goodness. I think, in many ways, the gospel of Jesus Christ has become water downed in our churches and assumed in our families and communities.

WHAT IS REVIVAL?

I’m going to define “revival” as a work of God in the people of God through the ordinary means of life. When we look back at church history, particularly during the Great Awakening, revival broke out in church communities all over New England and it wasn’t that pastors and preachers were doing anything spectacular or new, but simply faithfully preaching the word of God and shepherding their congregations.

Through the ordinary means of daily life, God convicted the hearts of His people and they cried out to Him, people came to know Him, and the church thrived.

If you’re like me, when you hear the word “revival,” you may think of large tents that are set up on the fringes of a city where people gathered and preachers created a revival through special events. This is not revival. When men try to manufacture revival through techniques, tactics, and wonder, they are relying on the power of persuasion and manufactured emotion.

In revival, God the Holy Spirit is the primary agent; awakening His people through faith and repentance. In revival, it is the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer that produces renewal, not technique or tactic.

MORALISTIC THERAPEUTIC DEISM

In their 2005 book, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, sociologists Chad Smith and Melinda Denton coin the term “moralistic therapeutic deism (MTD)” to define the spiritual condition of teenagers in America. They argue that our teenagers have actually been listening well and have adopted moralistic values, but with the absence of God. Additionally, this view has bled into other “Christian organizations and institutions” .

In short, the American church has reduced the depth and beauty of the gospel and Sunday’s have become self-therapy.

Here’s a breakdown MTD:

1. A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth.

2. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.

3. The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.

4. God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.

5. Good people go to heaven when they die.

So, what’s the problem with MTD? If our churches have embraced MTD (even if they don’t call it that), then we will have sacrificed theological conviction for individualism. Revival is necessary because it begins with faith and repentance not moralistic therapy. Revival is a transformational work of God through the Holy Spirit that compels us to make much of the person and work of Jesus so that more can come to know and worship Him.

And rather than the pursuit of moral therapy, the church seeks and pursues holiness that is deeply rooted in what God has done for us and who He says we are.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

When we embrace MTD, we end up redirecting our sin and not repenting of it. And when the cultural value is individualism, we end up counseling our sin and not mortifying it.

Church, we need revival.

RECOMMENDED READING

• Revival and Revivalism: The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism 1750-1858 by Ian Murray

• Moralistic Therapeutic Deism: The New American Religion by Albert Mohler Jr.