The Story of the Art Wall

I’ve led every building project at GCC since the early days, and I often get asked, “Do you regret any part of the design?”

I always say, “Yes, I regret the ‘Art Wall’. In fact, I will be able to die a happy man when the Art Wall gets torn down.”

Let me tell you the story of the Art Wall…

Sixteen years ago I was sitting with GCC’s building committee in our rented offices, and we were discussing details about our first building, already under construction. We originally were going to build a small auditorium to the east of the Atrium (the location where we are currently building the Commons)–but had to make the difficult decision to wait on that addition. We just didn’t have the money. So we ended up with a large, flat wall. It looked as though the building had been cut-off.

Discussions began: What do we do with this wall? None of us could imagine it being very long until we continued building that direction, so we didn’t want to spend a bunch of money on it, only to tear it down within a couple years. Let’s just do something temporary with the wall. The architect spoke up and said he would give it some thought.

The next week he came to the meeting and laid down a colored brick design for the end wall (yes, I still have it). None of us had any idea what it was. Then he told us how he drew it: “I was getting really frustrated, and couldn’t figure out what to do. So I fell asleep, or partially asleep, actually I was in a meditative state, and my hands just started moving around the page. It was like an out-of-body experience where I was watching myself draw. When I came fully awake again–this is what was on the paper.”

I should have known right then that we were in trouble. But who is going to argue with a man who just designed your building in a coma? None of us had a better idea. And it was a temporary wall, right?

A couple months later the wall began to go up. And I regretted it from the very first day. The #1 question at GCC became, “What’s that supposed to be on the wall?” People would drive by and crash in the ditch trying to figure it out. Men would be ready to give their life to Jesus but just had to know the full meaning of the wall first. Some saw an angel, others saw praying hands. I heard it described as a flower, dragon, variou body parts, and even the parting of the Red Sea. The only thing I could see was the architect in a coma and I wanted to send him back there.

Mark, in true Beeson-style, began to take the catastrophe and make it an event. So he answered, “It’s just art!” And it became known thereafter as The Art Wall.

In the early days, in addition to saying “It’s just Art!” — we would tell people, “It is only temporary!” But months became years. The congregation grew too fast to put a building that direction, and the Art Wall became permanent.

I have looked forward to the day when the Art Wall would come down. And that day is here. Today the builders began at the top, removing the Art Wall brick-by-brick, preparing for the Commons addition that is underway. Others heard the jackhammer, but I’m pretty sure I heard angels singing. In fact, the clouds parted, and a dove descended and landed on the shoulder of the man doing the demolition. No one else saw it, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

Don’t Worry About the Needs of the World

I’ve been thinking a lot about the principle of proximity.

Here is Tim’s definition:

• I have a greater responsibility to care for those I’m close to than others do who are not as close.
• I have a greater responsibility to care for those I’m close to than I do for those I am not close to.

God so loved the world, but I am to love my neighbor. Jesus healed people in front of Him. There were probably hundreds of thousands of sick and crippled and diseased people who were alive when Jesus walked the earth–and yet the ones He healed were the ones who He actually met.

Sometimes the excessive needs in the world overwhelm us and shut us down. And we do nothing. I’m suggesting you don’t need to focus on the needs of the world. That is God’s job. Just focus on the ones in front of you–the ones that you know about and that He can use you to meet.

As I think about the principle of proximity, I come to these conclusions…

• It is more my responsibility to care for my neighbors than it is for others who do not live as close.
• It is more my responsibility to care for my family than it is for others who are not in my family.
• Like the Good Samaritan, there will be times when I will cross paths with someone I have never met who is in need. At that moment, the principle of proximity compels me to listen to God and see how I can meet a need.
• Because of the principle of proximity, Faith and I set aside a percentage of our money every month to be available to meet needs. It is how we could help Cherise get to Africa, the residents of Monroe Circle study the Bible, kids in our community get to summer camp, and the ministry of Joppa in downtown Des Moines.
• I pay attention to my passion and sometimes ask God to let me cross paths with people or organizations who I can partner with to meet needs in that area.

You might be thinking, “Well, if we all operated that way, no one would ever help the people in India or Sudan, because we would never be in close proximation to those people.” That is why giving to my local church is so important to me. My tithe (10%) to my church allows me to give way beyond myself. It allows a community of people to pool their resources and help meet needs of people they will never know. It is how I’ve helped plant churches and drill wells and train children in southern India. It is how I was able to help with the earthquake in Haiti and the hurricane in New Orleans. The principle of proximity would never have made it possible for me to help in those locations–but my commitment to live in community through a local church enables me to also be a part of meeting needs way beyond my location.

So the principle of proximity does not negate all other principles–but I do think it is worth considering.

One of the teachers of the law came and…asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this…’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:30-31

What Goes Around Comes Around

I’m not that old, but I’ve voted in 7 elections. And it seems like there are some constants…

• In every election, we are told it is the most important election in history.
• In every election, the candidates tell us they won’t go negative.
• In every election, the candidates always go negative.
• In every election, the media tells us the candidates are going more negative than ever before.
• In every election, there is someone running who is painted as a “crazy” (Ross Perot, Howard Dean, Ron Paul)
• In every election, we are told the young voters will make the difference.
• In every election, those same young voters don’t turn out in as high of quantities as predicted.
• In every election, there are predictions of a landslide victory.
• In every election, the vote ends up pretty close (oh, except for 1984 when Reagan received 95% of the electoral votes).
• In every election, we are told the nation is more deeply divided than ever before.
• In every election, the winner claims a mandate from the electorate.
• In every election, there are accusations against both sides of voter fraud.

Work Here? Attend Here.

I remember way back when I was first hired at Granger that Mark Beeson talked about the importance of attending the church where you work. At first I thought he was joking–I had never heard of anyone working at a church where they did not attend. He told me of several situations where that was unfortunately true.

I wrongly assumed it was a dying pattern. In fact, the number of churches I’m hearing about who hire staff members to do “jobs” rather than “ministry” is increasing. Recently I learned of a large church that had a senior-level staff member who attended a different church. He sat on the leadership team, making decisions about starting and stopping ministry programs at a church he did not even attend. I learned of another church where staff members in the accounting department were prohibited from attending the church. I know of another church with a preschool where the teachers do not attend the church–in fact, they even bad-mouth the church to the parents of the children.

I think I know where this comes from. I think pastors have been burned, and so they make policies to reduce potential conflict. Somewhere along the way they had to fire someone, and that person left the church in a huff with all their friends and family members. And so they said, “Never again.” They figure it will be easier to manage conflict if the individual doesn’t get rooted in the church.

What a miss! I would much rather deal with potential conflict than have staff members who are just doing a job. I want every person on staff to care about the people of the church as much as I do. I want to “do life” with those on staff, walking with them through the ups and downs of life, knowing there are people around them to love them, challenge them and encourage them. I want staff members who handle the money, take care of the facility, lead the kids, and make decisions to do so with high integrity because it’s not only their employer–it is also the place where they worship.

It would be easy to slip on this conviction. We are getting ready to open an Early Learning Center. It would be easy to let it run as a school (i.e. “business”) within our walls. With about 20 hires in the plan, the case could be made for hiring the best educators in town, regardless of their church affiliation or faith walk. But we have made the decision for this to be high-quality learning center that is faith-based and highly integrated with the ministries of our church. We want teachers who love the church.

But that’s just me. What are your thoughts?

How About a “Masters-Level” Course on Being an Executive Pastor?

I’ve said it before and it’s still true today: One of the most enjoyable things I get to do is lead a Coaching Network for Executive Pastors. In a couple of months, I’m going to offer this again. I will be meeting with 12 church leaders for a coaching experience which begins in March and concludes in May. I’m designing it specifically for Executive Pastors (or leaders in a similar role) who want to take their leadership to the next level. I’m not quite sure how to describe it, but here is my best attempt…

• It will be personal. Highly practical. Intensive. Relational. Collaborative.
• Think less conference or workshop–and more hands-on graduate study program.
• We will drill down on building teams, hiring and firing, developing a healthy staff culture, leading change, budget and money issues, communication strategies and more.

It’s not going to be cheap or easy. It will involve an investment of money and time, and a commitment to travel (Granger isn’t “on the way” to anywhere). But for those who join me–I promise it will be an experience that will enhance your ministry and take you to the next level of personal leadership. Here are some comments from my most recent group that just finished up last month…

“It was like getting three masters-level courses on being an Executive Pastor.” (Dale Roddy, Crossroads Church, Oakdale, PA)

“The leadership resources that Tim provided and led makes me feel like I jumped a few years in the process of development.” (Billy Creech, Lake Center Bible Church, Portage, MI)

“Without the opportunity to learn from the workshop sessions and the other pastors, it would have taken me nearly a decade (of successes and failures) to learn it by experiencing it first-hand. This saved us money by a factor of at least 10!” (Anonymous)

“The full disclosure and transparency shown to us was very much appreciated. Add to that the networking with other Executive Pastors, and the Granger resources that were given to us, and the entire experience has been the best investment to my growth since being in ministry!” (Tim Hastings, Oakridge Baptist Church, Salisbury MD)

If you are interested, there is good news and bad news. The good news: This the first day I’m talking about it publicly. If you act quickly, there is a good chance you can be involved. But here is the bad news: In past years, the slots have filled up very quickly, and so we added a second network to an additional 12 leaders. In order to balance my time with my family and ministry responsibilities, I will not be adding a second group. There will be only one group this Spring. Once these 12 slots are gone…the network will be closed.

Download information here: Executive Pastors Coaching Network Spring 2012

I’m really praying that God will put together an amazing group and can’t wait to see what happens!

Holiday Burn-Out

Guest Post from Dr. Paul White, co-author of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

The holiday marathon from mid-November to early January is challenging for most pastors and ministry leaders, and unfortunately, the goal often is just to survive.  The demands from Thanksgiving through New Year’s are intense – time-wise, emotionally, relationally, organizationally and spiritually.  And if the demands of the holidays aren’t managed well, a minister may either blow out (usually with their family) or come out of the other side looking like a cat caught under the hood of a car started unexpectedly.

Can anything be done to alleviate the stress level and make life more live-able?  The obvious answer is “yes,” ministry leaders can survive (and even thrive) during this stressful time, and there is also hope for those who are being ministered to. The core concept here is appreciation, which is applied differently for leaders and lay members.

Feeling appreciated by the staff and volunteers who minister with you and those to whom you minister serves to inoculate leaders from the hardships of the holidays.  When a pastor feels valued for who they are and their ministry to others, it’s like bubble-wrap around a holiday package: it protects them from experiencing every little bump, criticism or disappointment along the way.

Think of it this way:  do you think you would minister more effectively if you felt genuinely appreciated by your staff and congregation?  Sure, you would.  You would be more energized, passionate, committed and be able to persevere through difficult circumstances if you knew those around you truly valued what you are trying to accomplish.

So what is a pastor to do?  Cue others, “Hey, how about a little appreciation here?”

While I wouldn’t recommend that approach, it is true that one of the best things ministry leaders can do is to let those around them know how to encourage and support them.  Most team members and congregational members want to support their ministers, and try to, but often they miss the mark.  For example, a congregation member might tell you, “Great sermon, pastor!” or write you a thank-you note, but words of appreciation might not do much for you. You might be more encouraged if people showed their appreciation through action, helping you get the storage room straightened up or shoveling the sidewalk before a service.

We know that different people experience appreciation and encouragement in different ways – through different languages of appreciation, such as words of affirmation, gifts, or acts of service. But how are your church members and staff going to know how to encourage you, unless you tell them what is meaningful to you?

We have found that when leaders open up and share – “If you want to do something that would encourage me, or really make me feel supported, you could … “ – then a wonderful synergy is set into action:  people start to communicate appreciation in the ways that are meaningful to the leader, the minister is effectively encouraged, and then they also feel good about meeting their minister’s needs. It’s a win-win scenario.

Think of it as telling your family members what you would like for Christmas.  You aren’t saying: “You should buy me a gift,” but rather, “If you are going to get me something for Christmas, here are some things I’d like.”  Don’t you think people want to give you what is meaningful to you?  Then let them—you’ll enjoy your holiday season a lot more.

Author Bio: Dr. Paul White is a business consultant and psychologist, and is the coauthor of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace with Dr. Gary Chapman. For more information, check out AppreciationAtWork.com.

Dear Satan

It’s not going to work. I’m on to you. We are on to you.

I know you are not omni-present. You can only be in one place at a time. For decades I’ve watched you wreak havoc around the world, but rarely have I felt you in my town, messing with my friends, focused on my church. But it seems like you planted yourself squarely at our doorstep over the past few weeks. It’s almost like Someone said to you, “Consider my servants in Granger–there are many there who follow Me without question. And I am getting ready to do some really big stuff through them.”

And so you came. And you might still be here.

• Two weeks ago I learned that a friend on our staff lost his mother. She died suddenly the day after Thanksgiving.
• Two days later I learned that a couple on our staff is struggling through the very scary reality of breast cancer.
• The next day I learn that my sister’s husband has been diagnosed with ALS. No cure.
• Then I learn that one of my closest friends–a guy who I thought I’d be working beside for the next 20 years–can no longer stay on our staff.
• A day later, another friend finds she may be facing skin cancer.
• The next day, one of our senior team members drops suddenly to the sidewalk vomiting, and spends the night in the ER.
• Then he learns a couple days later that his grandma died.
• This this morning we learn that Mark’s mom died.

There are moments, sometimes hours, even days, when I think it’s working. I am shaken to my core. It’s hard to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It’s hard to see the hand of God.

Like last Tuesday night when I sat with hundreds of students and parents as they learned their youth pastor would no longer be their youth pastor–that the man they looked up to had let them down. At that moment, it was hard to see the hand of God. Instead, I saw your hand. Someone said to me, “All things work together for good!” But I wasn’t ready to hear that. I watched a row of high school girls in front of me hear the news as tears streamed down their faces, and I wanted to scream. I imagined you standing in the back of the room with a grin on your face.

Two days ago I sat with my brother-in-law and sister, as he told his church that he is facing a life-ending illness–and quite possibly has a very short amount of time to live. I looked around at the teens in his church, who he has led faithfully for 12 years, as they learned for the first time of their pastors’ disease. And I wondered if you were in the back of the room, praying to whoever you pray to that the faith of these kids would be irreparably shaken: “Surely they won’t follow a God that allows this to happen.”

At the end of that service, I sat next to my sister as the congregation was led to sing “Blessed Be The Name of the Lord.” Honestly, I wasn’t ready to sing it. My heart was too heavy. My strength too sapped. So if that was your goal, then put a point in your column.

But you need to know, you aren’t going to win. I don’t have the energy right now to pray some Heavenly words of faith against you. But I know in my heart that you are the ultimate loser. You may discourage us; you may win some battles; you may cause some to lose their way; you may distract us for a season; you may even take people away from us that we love–but in the end, you lose.

Since I know you hate Scripture, let me quote some:

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

I am convinced more than ever that God is preparing to unleash His power and work through the people of Granger Community Church like never before.

I would suggest you get out of the way.

Tim

When You Can’t Trace His Hand, Trust His Heart

When I was 15 or 16 years old, I discovered New Song–a “Christian rock group” as they were known at the time. Their music gave words to me as an introverted teen who didn’t know how to express what was going on inside. A song called Trust His Heart was especially helpful to me when a teacher and close friend was killed in a car accident. I’ve never forgotten the words.

It has all come back to me again in the past couple weeks as we’ve been facing pain as a church family, and as my personal family is facing some difficult days ahead. When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don’t see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don’t see Him
Remember you’re never alone

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart

He sees the master plan
And He holds our future in His hand
So don’t live as those who have no hope
All our hope is found in Him
We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry
He’s weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart
He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart

Listen to the song Trust His Heart (Album)

Learning from Teens

Last night the teens in our church received some very difficult news. You might think Facebook and Twitter would be full of whining, complaining and gossip from those who are hurting.

Quite the contrary. The words I’m reading today give me confidence, once again, in the amazing students in our church.

Some examples:

• “You are not the mistakes you’ve made.” (Olivia Usenick)
• “Through prayer, time, and tears, we will continue to trust our Lord God.” (Ashley Tucker)
• “It’s mighty comforting that our response is love. That’s what a church body should do…We love like Christ loves us. I feel honored to be a part of a family who supports each other.” (Sam Petersen)
• “Romans 6:11 – ‘in the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus’.” (Jacob Powell)
• “…Forgiveness is the first step toward acceptance….” (Austin Arredondo)
• “Stay strong, family. We know the end of the story. Jesus wins.” (Eden Wittendorf)
• “Stand together.” (Theodore Thatcher)
• “We are all here for each other and to continue this awesome ministry!” (Cory Wonderly)
• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13) #tenfingerprayer” (Brittany Jacquay)
• “I’m so thankful for such an awesome GSM family. We are all here for each other, and we will always be.” (Ashleigh Nicole Mattei)
• “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).” (Linsey Allie)
• “Matthew 5:4 – ‘God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’ Get into the Bible people, it’s very clear and will help.” (Ben Bartkowiak)
• “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything – James 1:2-4″ (Megan Stevens)

The Most Amazing Wedding Proposal Ever

Adam Tarwacki has officially caused every other married man on the planet to look like a loser. No wedding proposal stacks up to what Adam pulled off when he asked Jeanna Tripp to marry him.

They both work on our church staff together, so when we sat down to watch a video together as a staff–no one knew what was coming. Well, some people knew, but Jeanna didn’t know. And we captured it on video. Check it out. It’s only 6 minutes. You’ll enjoy it!