Paul Clark

Earning Commissions on 'The Great Commission' - WSJ.com

We're doing lots of Business as Mission stuff these days.  It's attracted the best and most successful business people in our church to the cause of missions.  Read the article below and see if this might work for you.

"Christian missionaries have always brought institutions from home and planted them in foreign lands. Schools, hospitals and social services are staples of missionary activity. But recently those who spread the faith overseas have realized that it's not enough to educate and provide health care. In the midst of a world-wide recession, people need jobs, and a growing number of missionaries—many of them working outside traditional missionary organizations—are taking their business skills and starting for-profit companies in the mission fields..."

via online.wsj.com

So cool to be in ministry with my son

Every day I get the privilege of working with my own son, Jeff, in carrying out the ministry of Fairhaven Church. Jeff’s our Director of HelloMedia, our media department. Jeff’s a graduate of Cedarville University with a B.A. in Electronic Media and he started managing our website as a senior in college. When he graduated we snatched him up because he’s incredibly gifted. He can not only program a complex website, but he’s a great graphic designer in his own right.

I’ve watched him grow over the last couple of years as he’s taken on more responsibility managing a staff and budget, working with internal and external customers, implementing processes and procedures, and keeping the media team focused on relevant, quality products that further the mission of the church. He’s an awesome young man who loves God and is growing in his faith. And I love that fact that I can go to staff meeting and see my favorite middle son.

Isn’t it great when life and ministry come together; when your passion for your work and your love for your family overlap? God is good.

Unshakable- I am always with you (week 2)

EXPLANATION
I know your trials and I hear your prayers. I am with you in the midst of your difficulties and you are not alone. In fact, I know your needs before you ask. No matter what you are facing, no matter how you may feel, I am with you and I will provide.

THEOLOGICAL TRUTH
Our union with God through Jesus Christ assures us of God’s abiding presence-- that he will never leave us or forsake us.

MEMORY VERSE
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deut. 31:8

Supplemental Verse: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6

ILLUSTRATIVE STORY
Life of Joseph: Joseph in the pit and in prison. (Gen. 37)

Supplemental Reading: Israel Hananiah, (Shadrach); to Mishael, (Meshach); and to Azariah, (Abednego) in the fiery furnace. Dan. 3
Israel Jesus appearing to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24

Remember the context for the series: The country is in recession. People have lost jobs and wealth. The future is uncertain and those we look to in government offer no consensus on how to respond. People are fearful and unsure about their foundations. People are wondering if faith has an answer in times like these. People want to know what God has to say to them in these uncertain times. They want to hear from God. What would God say to them? What word from God would make their lives unshakable?

Wondering what in the world I'm talking about? See the explanation.

What's better than a business trip to Florida?

Well, how about a business trip to Florida where you get to take your wife?  The colleague that I was planning to go with had to drop out, so at the last minute I was able to add my wife and enjoy two unexpected afternoons at the beach. I love www.priceline.com. Ticket was cheap and we got to enjoy the sun and surf of Clearwater beach around meetings.  Dinner in historic Ybor at Columbia Restaurant was the pinnacle.  Check out our submarine under construction at Wacky World Studios!

Unshakable- I am Never Surprised

Week One of our fall spiritual growth series looks like this...

EXPLANATION
Your difficulty did not take me by surprise. I called you to be mine before the world began. Before one hour had passed, I knew them all. I have a plan that will not be ruined by the trials and difficulties of life.

THEOLOGICAL TRUTH
Sovereignty of God: God is sovereign and knows the beginning from the end. What he purposes will come to pass, and the plans he has for you are secure.

MEMORY VERSE • But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Psalm 33:11

Supplemental Verse: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

ILLUSTRATIVE STORY
Life of Joseph: Being sold into slavery. Gen. 37

Supplemental Reading:
Israel being defeated in the first battle of Ai. Joshua 7
David being pursued by the murderous King Saul. 1 Sam. 18-19

Remember the context for the series: The country is in recession. People have lost jobs and wealth. The future is uncertain and those we look to in government offer no consensus on how to respond. People are fearful and unsure about their foundations. People are wondering if faith has an answer in times like these. People want to know what God has to say to them in these uncertain times. They want to hear from God. What would God say to them? What word from God would make their lives unshakable?

Wondering what in the world I'm talking about? See the explanation.

Unshakable is coming!

We've settled on our fall spiritual growth series topic: it's called "Unshakable."  Here's an explanation:

The country is in recession. People have lost jobs and wealth. The future is uncertain and those we look to in government offer no consensus on how to respond. People are fearful and unsure about their foundations. People are wondering if faith has an answer in times like these. How can faith provide a steady way forward? People want to know what God has to say to them in these uncertain times. They want to hear from God. What would God say to them? What does God want them to know? What word from God would make their lives unshakable?

This will be a six-week series with sermons weaving together with small group curriculum and video vignettes by pastoral staff.  Scripts are being written this month with filming in July and August. I'll walk you through the six week's topics/themes in the next few days.  Maybe something like this could work for you or your pastor.  It's one of the highlights of our church year at Fairhaven. If you're curious about doing something like this yourself, check out my posting on our last spiritual growth series called, "Mythbusters," or take a look at some of the video on YouTube. Have a great Wednesday!

You Asked for It!

Beginning this Sunday, we start a series called, “You Asked for It!” that’s all about the people in our pews! They've determined what we're going to be talking about in the weekend messages. Over the past several weeks, we've solicited questions from the congregation through small postcards and online submissions.  We received about 150 questions, which we then gave to a group of six non-staff people to sift through and pick the top 10 questions that should be answered. So for the next five weeks, we’re going to be answering the burning questions about faith, about God, about life, or about the Bible.  Our first two questions involve the paradox between the sovereignty of God and free will, and the purpose of prayer--if God knows what will happen, why pray?  The cool thing about this series is that it is driven by the issues and questions that our people are struggling with, instead of what we think they need to hear.  It will be fun!!  You can follow along as each message is posted online at www.fairhavenchurch.org.  Messages are posted on Monday mornings.

MissionsFest '09

This weekend we launched our annual missions conference, which we call, MissionsFest '09.  This year, we constructed a replica of a small Congolese church on our stage and had the church service mimic the music, style and culture of a normal Congolese worship service.  Worshipers sat on benches just like in most Congolese churches, wore authentic african clothes, and sang the songs that are normally sung by Congolese Christians. We were tempted to get some roosters and such to strut around the stage like most rural churches have in the Congo, but thought that might be a problem waiting to happen.  Our speaker, Ron Julian, is a home-grown missionary serving in Brazzaville, Congo.  He was able to really allow the congregation a chance to feel what it is like to be in the Congo and attending a Congolese church.  It was a great day and the congregation seemed excited with the whole sensory experience.  Each year we take on an annual missions project, which this year is in the Congo, where we are helping to build a national training center to train Congolese pastors.  So the service setting, the speaker and the whole experience helped to connect the dots for our church family.  Check out our whole MissionsFest '09 experience at our website.

Meeting Job Seeker's Needs

We've started a Thursday morning Job Seekers Support Group to help not only our own people who have been affected by the recession, but those in our community who are looking for help.  This group, which has been meeting for several weeks now, has grown each week such that we have to keep giving them larger rooms.  As you can tell from the picture above, it's a full house.  A couple of the city newspapers have heard about it and written stories.

We have a retired HR specialist here at Fairhaven who is graciously helping us to plan and lead the group.  For this particular session, the facilitator, herself a professional executive recruiter, is reviewing how to work with recruiters to get the most impact.  The group also heard a presentation on writing great resumes.  Networking, encouragement, prayer and community are also components that we are weaving throughout the sessions.  It lasts from 9-11 am each week.

Good theology recognizes that God has not promised us a life free from all pain and uncomfortable surprises.  This recession is causing pain for many people in our church communities.  But God has called us to be his voice of encouragement, hope, help and truth.  Perhaps your church has the resources to step into the gap and offer a "cup of water" (Matt. 10:42) to those who are searching for help and answers.

Update on Financial U Stewardship Series

Now that we are three weeks into our stewardship series, Financial U, I wanted to give a brief update on how it's going. We have approached this as a three-legged stool, one being the weekly sermon series by our Senior Pastor, David Smith, the second being the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University series, and the third being the series of topical seminars we have offered. It has been overwhelmingly well-received. In fact, I don't think we could be happier with it at this point.

Some Stats
We have about 50 families attending the Dave Ramsey 13-week FPU series, which started on February 15. Each family must pay $93 to be a member of Ramsey's FPU. The membership gives them all their materials and access to lots of online resources. It's a quality resource. We knew we would have fewer participants in that offering since the cost is a factor.

We are offering 13 topical seminars on a wide variety of topics, each being taught by industry professionals from within the church family. We wanted to use people from within our church as we felt this would increase the trust factor, as well as allow us to be sure of the integrity and motives of the presenters. We have had over 600 people sign up for those seminars, which was thrilling for us and for the presenters. Of all the seminars, the most popular has been the one on "How to Make and Keep a Budget." I guess that tells you where many people are--they're in need of help with the basics. Why shouldn't the church step in and help with practical issues like that? Here's a file with all the seminars and descriptions you can download: Download Financial U Seminars.

Finally, David has been preaching a sermon series that has been awesome.  It isn't heavy-handed, manipulative, or any of the things that people usually get nervous about when they think of stewardship series.  One of the themes he has repeated several times throughout is, "God doesn't want something from you, he wants something for you." And that nuance has colored his teaching throughout his messages. He's done a great job. Give a listen to one of his messages--or give the link to your pastor and have him contact David through his blog.  I know he'd be glad to share his message notes.

People are worried, they have questions, and some of their foundations are being shaken. The church has to step into this turmoil and help people where they live. They need help with their money, their future, and their faith.  Jesus spoke so much about money, which should tell us that it's an important topic for us to address, especially today. As pastors, we can't have all the answers, but we can do our best to be practical-- and allow the Word of God to provide a spiritual context for what's happening in our world.