Mark Waltz | ...Because People Matter

How Safe is Your Church?

Early today our connections staff was discussing security, boundaries, and grace.

What's our responsibility to our people? To our children? We know have ex-offenders who attend our church. We know they matter to God. Many of them have experienced life transformation by the work and wonder of the Holy Spirit and their cooperative steps in community, study, and surrender. But, transformed or not - when an offender has harmed a child, sexually transgressed another person... what then?

We have a stellar security team. They're well trained and competent. But is that enough? What's the awkward but appropriate mix of grace and boundaries? How do you decide who should have background checks and who doesn't? How do you treat people who matter to God? What's our responsibility to the individual seeking new life... or seeking new prey? What's our responsibility to the people who could be harmed?

This afternoon I came across this article by Bob D'Ambrosio at Church Solutions. Here is most of the article:

Churches Must Screen, Background-Check Volunteers, Staff: Could It Happen At Your Church?

Imagine your worst-case scenario. You discover one of your youth ministry volunteers hid a history of sexual abuse and you never knew about it – until it was too late. You didn’t think it could ever happen, at least not at your church. According to GuideOne Insurance, in a typical year one in 100 churches will experience an allegation of sexual misconduct.

The days of thinking that nothing like this could happen at your church are long gone. Churches weren’t asking these questions just a few years ago. But recent attention to clergy sexual misconduct has forced the church to not only ask the questions but also to act with diligence to protect the people it serves. Paul warned the Ephesians to “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5: 11). Background checks have become the new screening tool of the church to expose the darkness.

A survey conducted by Church Law and Tax Report found that church volunteers commit 50 percent of all incidents of sexual abuse in churches; paid staff commit 30 percent; and other children commit 20 percent. Many risk-consultant professionals agree that the church is now the pedophiles’ last refuge because screening doesn’t exist in many churches. In a recent Barna study, only 57 percent of the pastors who were polled said their church conducts background and reference checks on those who work with children and youth. Failing to screen out a potential predator may not only bring harm to those in your care but also cause damage to your reputation in the community, in addition to the financial strain of a potential lawsuit. (The average jury award for negligent hiring is more than $8 million.)

The courts describe an organization’s screening responsibility as “due diligence,” meaning you did everything expected in the screening process to demonstrate you weren’t negligent in placing someone in a position where he or she could harm another person. This would apply to those who work with vulnerable groups, such as children, youth, and the elderly and disabled.

So, how do you implement the process of background checking? Here are steps to get started:

Bob then offers this 7-point checklist to implement background checking. You can read more on each of these points here.

Create a written policy.

Determine whom to check.

Include screening requirement in ministry descriptions.

Start at the top. 

Consider your budget.

Work your plan.

Keep Records.

You’ll never have a 100 percent guarantee that conducting background checks will prevent all bad things from happening at your church, but it will help to reduce the risk. Make safety a priority in your church – as Paul warned the Ephesians – and reap the benefit of a secure and caring community.

Bob D’Ambrosio is a 25-year church leader and veteran who is certified in volunteer administration. He currently serves as a consultant and training director for Church Volunteer Central and is assimilation pastor at his church in northern Colorado.

What you doing to a safe environment at your church?

Stories of Impact

For the past week and the greater part of today (that'd be Monday) I've been talking with and viewing recorded video of stories. Personal stories. Stories of personal impact. These stories are from people who consider themselves simple people. Honored people to be used in God's story.

They are doctors and nurses and drivers and dock workers and pastors turned utility workers.

Their stories are impactful.

And I get to help share them this weekend.

It's going to be some weekend. If you're in the area at all, you'll want to prioritize the services.

Life to the Max

We just wrapped up another series of Journey Bible Classes at Granger Community. This run was a two-week series, intentionally encouraging our people to engage family next week over the holiday.

I had the privilege of leading the class, "Bound: Freedom & Forgiveness." It was an intense two weeks, working through issues of brokenness, revenge, justice, forgiveness and grace. Ultimately Jesus' parable in Matthew 18 helped us consider what it is to embrace forgiveness, allowing us to extend it to others. We can choose a prison of bondage, giving control to offenders, or we can choose the experience of grace where we're free!

Here's another sound byte from Paul about what it is to live in the freedom Christ brings us:

Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!                        2 Corinthians 6.11-13

Still Crazy After All These Years

This is my bride, Laura, of 27 years - today, November 20. We met 31 years ago in high school. I had my eye on her for a couple of years, but she was beyond me. No way she'd want to date me. She was a good friend of my sister, so I finally avoided all risk and begged my sister to tell me what Laura thought of me. Would she go out with me?

Like I said, that was a couple decades or more ago.

Today, we're best friends and passionate lovers (with each other!). Here are 27 reasons I'm proud and grateful to be your husband, Love:

1. You show me what grace looks like. I see Jesus in you.
2. You are faithful. Period. Ups, downs, dark and sunshine - you've been at my side.
3. You make me laugh. You're one funny lady!
4. You made a beautiful baby girl with me.
5. Your voice on the phone closes the physical space between us.
6. Your vocal talent inspires me.
7. Your gifted worship inspires thousands.
8. You're organized. I need you.
9. You've never met a stranger. I need you.
10. Watching you with your friends makes me smile. You understand friendship.
11. You always look smashing! You're the queen of accessorizing!
12. Your willingness to share you with me - your heart, your fears, your hopes, your questions. It honors me and us.
13. Your common sense logic is soooo necessary in our marriage.
14. Your coaching of Liv is brilliant.
15. Your trust-filled relationship with her is mysteriously wonderful. She's so fortunate.
16. You help me be honest. I hate it, need it, love it.
17. You pray for me. Thank you.
18. You cheer for me; you want the best for me; you call it out of me.
19. You take the party with you!
20. You love being with me - shucks. And, thank you.
21. You show me the value of family with your parents and family.
22. You are so responsible, so diligent, so tenacious, so full of integrity.
23. You help me laugh at myself.
24. You support not only me, but what I'm doing, what I'm leading. You share it with me.
25. You are radiant! You glow! You're freakin' hot!
26. You really do put the sizzle in our, er, bedroom. It's true. That's all I'm saying, but it's true.
27. You share the covenant with me to grow old together... 'til death us do part.

I'm looking forward to celebrating over the next several days with you, Laura. Thanks for sharing life with me! I thank God for you!

Catalyst ONE DAY | Session 4 | Andy Stanley

I listened well to Craig Groeschel's last session. I stayed as long as I could (through some engaging conversation between Andy and Craig), but had - not only the obligation, but - the opportunity to get my daughter, Olivia, to dance class. It's what I do every Thursday afternoon. And I love it!

I'll be grabbing notes from my friends. You can follow session 4 notes from Tim or Mark.

Catalyst ONE DAY | Session 3 | Mark Beeson with Andy Stanley

Mark was brilliant, engaging, and clear. I started to summarize his responses to Andy's questions, but there's one summary for me.

Bottom line: I love hearing Mark Beeson articulate vision and mission. It refreshes me to hear from him again - here's what we're doing; here's how we're doing it. I love this team, love this church, love serving with Mark Beeson!

Catalyst ONE DAY | Session 3 | Craig Groeschel

Creating Personal Spiritual Momentum

This is one of those heart-hitting sessions where you just climb up on the operating table and let the knife dig deeply. I don't think I can have my personal leadership challenged enough. None of us can. Craig delivered strong and courageously!

Key to personal momentum: I will do today what I can do, to enable me to do tomorrow what I can't do today.

4 Things to Do Today

• Do something to defeat your dark side.
• What is your dark side? Easily hurt? Lash out when hurt? Prideful? Fear? Lack of confidence?
• Move into the dark side with an intentional step to confront it.
• In our weakness, God's strength is made perfect.
• Create artificial ministry deadlines (example - not every media can be Passion of the Christ quality/masterpiece; think evening news). Think "vacation prep schedule." We get much more done the 3-4 days prior to vacation - because there's a deadline. This creates margin to observe, reflect, and enjoy.
• Making these deadlines force you to...
• make faster decisions
• intentionally
• disregard unimportant activities
• Delegate what someone else can do
• Don't delegate responsibility. Delegate authority.
• Otherwise, we only gather doers and followers around us, rather than leaders.
• Delegating responsibilities creates leaders
• Control and see little momentum. Loosen up and see growth.
• Delegating authority creates margin in our own life.
• Do something only you can do
• You're the only one who can care for yourself.
• Practice refreshing activities
• You're the only one who can care for yourself by taking time off.
• If you don't - it's an issue of pride and poor leadership.
• You can care for yourself by spending time with God.
• You can care for yourself by eating right and exercising.
• You're the only one who can lead your ministry.
• My teams and our people need my leadership more than my writing or teaching.
• You're the only one who can do something that honors Christ that no one else knows about.
• You're the only one who can be a dad to my daughter and husband to my wife.

Catalyst ONE DAY | Session 2 | Craig Groeschel

Busting Barriers with Mindset Changes

The longer ministry has been stalled, the more effort (and maybe time) required to create mom

Romans 12.2... "be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

• What got us to where we are, will not likely get us to where we need to be.
• Like a family must shift paradigms when it grows from 2 children to 6 children, a growing church must formulate new ways of thinking in order to sustain momentum.

Think differently about your church culture.

• Our church, our people won't _________________.
• Whatever that blank is - it's the big clue about what in your culture must shift.
• Must shift from excuse mentality... to "We haven't led them to __________________________.
• Our people are not merely stubborn, selfish, uncooperative, or generous.
• What are leaders modeling and practicing in those areas? What stories are we telling?
• How's generous am I?
• Who am I inviting to come to church with me?

Think differently about programming.

• Many churches think, "we must do more to reach more." This mind set must shift.
• Craig talked about their commitment to be a "full service" church.
• Men's ministry
• Women's ministry
• Christmas pageant
• Concerts
• etc...
• They had to ask: What programs are resulting in the spiritual growth and development we want.
• They settled on these key areas:
• weekends
• students
• children
• groups
• missions

Think differently about the mission.

• Are you worried more about the mission or people's feelings?
• Shift to: We cannot let the right person in the wrong place hold back the mission of the church.
• Who needs to be released? Repositioned?
• Someone has to have the guts to go beyond people's feelings!
• When Craig considers a church's potential, he looks beyond the senior leader to the team he / she has surrounded him/herself with...
• Leaders must care enough about the mission to gather strong leaders around them - people who will carry the mission forward.

Think differently about people leaving the church.

• We tend to think: We can't let anyone leave!
• Rather - the mind set must shift to: "We can grow when people leave."
• Often we merely move "cancer" to a different place in the body. Unthinkable. We really want the cancer gone. Then the body can grow.

Think differently about church limitations.

• We think: "we can't because we don't..."
• Must change: God often provides by what he doesn't provide.
• Ask: What is God up to?

Craig gave these three assignments:

• Find someone 1 or 2 steps ahead of you and learn how they think - not merely what they do.
• Identify 1 wrong mindset and ask God to renew your mind with truth.
• Identify 1 painful decision you've been avoiding and commit to make the decision regardless of the short-term pain.

I'm committed to the first assignment; a bit timid about the second one; frightened about the last one.

Good stuff. Real stuff.

 

BONUS: Craig and Andy carried on a conversation with each other at the end of the session. Very engaging because it wasn't an interview, rather they posed questions to each other from their sessions or most-asked-about questions.

In that conversation, Andy continued his risk of being perceived as "not Spirit-guided", "bathed in prayer", etc. by saying that when he's worn, needs down time - more prayer and study doesn't necessarily do it for him. Paying attention to how God created him is the key. Andy's ongoing teaching about honoring God's creation of systems - in the human body, in the universe... in the church, in our lives. God is at work. God's Spirit is real.

Catalyst ONE DAY: Q & A with Andy Stanley

I've resisted very much of this kind of Q & A in our Journey Bible Classes, fearing that a few questions from the many would alienate the many who never asked a question. However, the questions following Andy's specific talk are focused and helpful as prompts for Andy to say more about the topic.

A primary observation experiencing this: Andy delivered his talk completely, but quickly. He was clear and concise. The Q & A allowed the crowd to press into the outline where they wanted more info. Obviously, this didn't necessarily get every question possible from the floor - no time. However, it's an interactive approach that felt helpful.

Those of you in other churches:

• Where are you using Q & A in your environments?
• What hasn't worked?
• How has it worked when it's worked?

Catalyst ONE DAY | Session 1 | Andy Stanley

Momentum = forward motion fueled my a series of wins

Andy leveled the playing field for us, acknowledging that...

• all of us have faced seasons where we know that there's no buzz, no explosion, no rush of energy and movement.
• if you experience momentum, and you don't know what the driving force is, you are one stupid decision away from squelching the momentum - or what God is blessing. Must ask: what is God blessing?
• churches with no momentum stay right where they are, because they don't perceive there's a problem.

3 Components of Sustained Momentum:

• New
• This triggers momentum. Even if it's not so great, there is initial movement!
• The momentum can be positive or negative.
• Negative event / negative momentum: 9/11 is an example of negative momentum.
• Negative event / positive momentum: a rescue from a very bad situation.
• Negative circumstances are always the fertile soil for a burst of positive momentum.
• Positive event / positive momentum: a new sports team or arena in a city
• Organizational momentum is often triggered by one of three things:
• New Leadership
• Often in church world, we jump to "need a new leader." However, it's often a system problem.
• New Direction
• New Product
• Momentum is never triggered by tweaking something old.
• Sustained momentum isn't guaranteed...
• Improved
• Must be a noticeable improvement over the old. Must be significant - otherwise it will just be more of the old in a different suit. It will not be sustained momentum.
• Improving
• Momentum is sustained by continuous improvement.
• Consumer loyalty has much to do with the company who is continually improving the product or service. We can rely on their commitment to change for the better.
• In church world we tend to rely on the fact that church people will just keep coming and participating.
• There must be constant evaluation. It must be factored into our schedules. It must be a priority.
• And that evaluation must be unfiltered.
• No one and nothing can be off limits.
• Not the leaders
• Not the messages
• Not the methods

Explore all the potential ideas:

• New series
• New look
• New times
• New services
• New campuses
• New... (what are your ideas?)

Stuff that kills momentum:

• Disengaged leaders
• Overactive managers
• Too much complexity: it must be reduced... and it naturally grows the longer the church exists.

There is much to ponder, talk through, struggle through, wrestle with in creating momentum and sustaining it at Granger. In fact, we've been in months of process over this very topic. Yesterday was an entire spent on evaluation of some new efforts at GCC.

Powerful stuff from Andy. What an honor to have him and the Catalyst team on our campus!

Sabbath in the Snow

I just sent a text to our senior pastor, Mark Beeson, telling him I hoped he had a great day in the woods. He sent this picture back to me.

I think he's having a good time.

Mark has preached some of the best messages I've heard about finding and  practicing Sabbath: know your pathway to rest; take time - no one else can do it for you; experience God in the rest from the usual, the routine.

Mark's practicing what he preaches. And he knows how to use that gun (do you see that scope?)!

Bambi, you're safe - it's your grandpa he's after. Can you say venison?

Thanks, Mark for modeling well.

Happy Birthday, Laura!

This is my bride of 27 years (next week). Today is her birthday - and I'm so grateful to be spending the day with her!

I keep getting older; she keeps looking hotter than ever!

I know something of the grace of God because of her grace, her acceptance, her unconditional love. She is my best friend. My confidant. I don't work through a day without several phone calls to her. I'd rather spend time with her than anyone.

She is brilliant, compassionate (she would say she doesn't have the gift of mercy), thoughtful, witty, and gregarious. She takes the party with her, engaging people - any people. She's my favorite people!

Happy Birthday!

Obama, Our Country and the Church

I've been disappointed (that's putting it mildly) by the boorish comments made about our new president-elect Barak Obama by people carrying Jesus' name. Where's the voice of leadership among the Christian community in contrast to the fear-filled judgment of alarmist conservatives? This past weekend our senior pastor, Mark Beeson spoke to our people about an election past, our new leader, and the future ahead of us. What do you think of Mark's comments? What should be capturing a people of Hope at this time? Watch this - let me know what you think...
Beeson's Thoughts from Granger Community on Vimeo.

(Thanks Tim Stevens for capturing and posting the video, so I could share it, too.)

Challenge of Forgiveness: JBC Tonight

Journey Bible classes (JBC) begin tonight for the month of November. It's only a 2-week run this time because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but people are still committed to this venue of study and next steps. Over 1,000 adults plus students and kids are expected this evening.

I'm teaching the class, Bound: Freedom & Forgiveness. It's a topic I'm too familiar with: I've had to practice forgiveness more than I've wanted... and I am a big user, too (yes, of forgiveness). I'm wrapping up my prep this morning, certain there won't be enough time in two weeks to explore all that I want to on this topic.

I'm excited that our people get in on classes tonight with Ron VanderGriend and Jason Miller, too. Ron is a pastor's pastor. He works with Mission India and has been a pioneering partner with GCC in our work there. He's a scholar who understands application and journey. It's great to have him in the line-up. Our people will love him! Check out Ron's class, titled, "Jump-start to Growth" here.

Of course Jason Miller has proven himself to be in his zone in this Journey Bible class environment. He is as down-to-earth and real as always. His handling of the scriptures is trustworthy and his invitation for others to join him there is accessible and compelling. This month he's leading the class, "Spiritual Disciplines: Celebration." Check it out here.

If GCC is your church home, I look forward to seeing you this evening at JBC!

Don't Read This Book: The Fine Line

Kary Oberbrunner's third book will hit the shelf in the next couple months. With the economic squeeze on, you may be a little more cautious about where your media/library dollars go. Or maybe you're making your reading decisions based on your schedule and the limited time you have with the holidays around the corner.

However it is you're making choices about your reading material these days, I offer this list of reasons to not read Kary's latest book. Don't invest your time or money. Here's why...

• Kary simplifies "relevance" ... right down to the personal daily rub. He doesn't allow us to keep the topic of "relevance" limited to our church talk.

He says, "relevance isn't about the brand of clothing we wear or the music we listen to. It's not about our vocabulary or even the exact shape of our theology. These are externals. Relevance is fundamentally internal. It's having the courage and the grace to look at a wounded man and stop to help. From that internal decision flows our relevant actions. As depicted in the story of the Good Samaritan, what makes us relevant is our love for God and people."

• Kary messes with the fine line between culture and Christianity.

He notes, "The perceived opposition between Christianity and culture stems from a dualistic, Western worldview that divides life into categories - categories like sacred and secular...God shows up in spiritual places, like church and nature; he is absent from secular venues, like sports arenas.

" This type of worldview is toxic on multiple levels." I'll stop there. Nuff said.

• Kary holds up a mirror with an often painful reflection. I saw my own life image as he talked about being a recovering Pharisee (that's his card-carrying title). I winced at the notion that I've spent too many years of my life as a separatist. I recoiled at the revelation that I've been guilty of swinging the pendulum in the opposite direction, happy to live as a conformist. I hate the fact that there's such a fine line between the two.

He observes, "Walking the fine line looks different for every person. God intends for you to wrestle with him through what it means to live in the world, not of the world. This is true especially of those "Christian liberty" issues where there is no standard answer that applies to all people, an idea that Separatists are none too happy about."

• Kary writes with an honest vulnerability that compels an equally honest and vulnerable look into your life. You'll find yourself wrestling with questions of relevance related to your ministry, and you won't escape the illumination of your internal motives as you interact with God and people on a day-to-day basis.

Finally, I'll make it really simple:

• If you don't want to wrestle with buzz topics of church world like relevance, pop culture, and relationships - don't read this book.
• If you don't want to re-read scriptures that you've sewn up and put behind you - don't read this book.
• If you want to stay comfortable in a separatist mindset that keeps you safely in a sterilized, Christian bubble - don't read this book.
• If you want to stay comfortable in a conformists mindest that keeps you immersed in culture with no balance - don't read this book.
• If you don't want a layman's guide to Dallas Willard's, The Divine Conspiracy - don't read this book.

It hits shelves on December 5th. You can pre-order it for only $10.19. You can learn more here. Watch the video here.

I warned you. It's a fine line.

Truth: Wielded Weapon or Lifestyle of Wholeness?

My good friend and fellow pastor, Jason Miller, just passed this quote to me:

“We often reduce the message of Jesus to a timeless, abstract statement of generalized truths, which we carry around with us and which are, frankly, boring. And then those of us who are theologians and teachers assume we have something called ‘truth’ in our back pocket, which we produce and shove down people’s throats. In fact, the truth about God being seen in Jesus is not like that at all. Truth is more like health. A doctor doesn’t keep ‘health’ in his or her back pocket simply to throw at people. A doctor can work to create conditions for health and reduce the possibilities of illness. But ultimately health is a strange, mysterious thing that is part of God’s gift of life. It is just the same with truth. The truth as it is in Jesus is personal truth, and Christians are not only summoned to see God in Jesus but also to know God in Jesus.  Ultimately, we must learn to love God in Jesus.”

Introduction to Reflecting the Glory, N.T. Wright

I want to experience life with God as the ultimate reality, the ultimate truth. I want to personally experience Jesus in my marriage, family, friendships, recreation, finances, church, work, and well, everyday life.

Jesus is the WAY. He is the LIFE. He is the TRUTH. He doesn't know the way. He didn't just create life. He doesn't merely hold truth. He is the Way, Life, and Truth.

Thanks, Jason... Thanks, N.T. Wright.

Volunteering... as Staff

Twenty years ago I worked in human relations in a non-profit agency for six years. During those tenures I volunteered in local church ministry. I led students, taught classes, and chaperoned youth events. Then I spent half a dozen years on a church staff as a youth pastor. From 1997 to 2000 I worked in the marketplace in retail management. Those years were fulfilling years, but they also reminded me of the tremendous contribution our volunteers make.

For the past nine years I've served on the senior management team at Granger as pastor of connections. My entire week is given to serving the church's mission to reach and disciple. I've empowered volunteers. I've trained volunteers. I've celebrated volunteers. Volunteers who give time, energy, and talent for the cause of Christ.

So, a couple weekends ago I strapped a radio to my belt, slipped a headset on and served in the volunteer role of "point person" for our weekend services. I volunteered.

Our point persons run command central for the weekend. They are the communication hub for coordinating needs and requests from children's ministry, ushers, greeters, traffic team and more. They fulfill an enormously responsible role every weekend... as volunteers.

Here are some observations about my volunteer weekend:

• I walked miles around the church campus. I went home Saturday night with a blister on my left heel. Band-aid on Sunday.
• I handled more radio calls than a Bell operator on a party line in 1957 (I have no idea what that means. I just know the radio on my belt kept the headset chirping with activity.).
• People will let you know what you're supposed to do if you don't.
• Timing matters.
• Prompt timing matters.
• People will let you know what you're supposed to do if your timing isn't prompt.
• I touched more volunteers and staff than I ever do when I'm merely roaming hallways and being "present."
• Our volunteers are phenomenal. They give and give and give. And smile all the while.
• People really do create the "wow."
• When volunteers are empowered, they will lead, sacrifice, serve, and make a profound difference with their lives.
• It was a ton of fun!

I will "volunteer" again in the role of "point person." I'll wear different shoes, but I will volunteer again.

Fanning the Fire at the Core

I posted this on Wednesday. Then I read Don Reynold's post. Don volunteers his time and gifts on our vocal team at Granger. He's a good friend with a heart for God and people. Don writes:

There is a fire burning.  It’s smoke can’t be seen.  It’s heat can’t be felt.  It’s light won’t change a dark room.

Or will it?