A phone call you never want...

I woke up this morning before the sun came up. I laid there in bed thinking that today is December 18th. My mind quickly raced back to December 18, 1985. It was on that day that I received a phone call that I will never forget. It was around 2 am when the phone rang. The voice on the other end was a nurse from University Hospital. She said, "Mr. Baker, we need you to come to the hospital. Your son is in trouble." It had been a tough week. Patty and I had been with him just a few hours before and the doctors said that things were looking good. In fact, they gave us a 98% chance of him making it. Now, the nurse said the word "trouble".

I called a friend of mine, Ray Jones, and we headed to the hospital. When I got to the hospital, they ushered me into a small private room and I was told that the doctor would be in to talk to me. I knew at that moment what he was going to say. My heart sank. When the doctor came in, he said something like this: "I am sorry. We did everything that we could do."

They handed me his belongings and I went into the room to see his lifeless body. We left the hospital in silence. As we road down Washington Road toward my house, my mind was racing trying to figure out what to say to my twenty-four year old wife who was at home recovering from a c-section.

I walked into the bedroom, took her into my arms and held her as I told her that her first-born son was dead. It was the most difficult moment of our young lives. You can't describe the pain.

We grew up that day. We were kids, but on December 18, 1985 we became adults. Our dream world was shaken into reality. We mourned and grieved. We cried and we embraced the pain. In the end, we grew closer together and closer to the Lord. We stood on Romans 8:28 which says: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God has been true to his word. He has brought good out of our pain. A year later, Stuart was born, then Sarah, and finally Samuel. With each birth, God's goodness has been multiplied. He has been faithful to us and to our family.

For those of you who are suffering through grief this holiday season, I know your pain. I also know that pain will eventually pass, but the beauty remains forever. Cherish the memories and do forget to look for the good.

Sacred Cows Make Good Hamburger Meat

At our house there seems to be two food staples:  chicken and hamburger.  It's amazing how many things you can do with these two food items.  Let's take hamburger meat for a moment.  You can grill it and put in on a bun and eat it as a sandwich or you can wrap bacon around it or cover it in mushroom gravy, add vegetables and have it for dinner. If you don't want to do that, you can ground it up and use it for spaghetti, lasagna, casseroles, soups and on and on.  

We typically keep a few pounds of this relatively inexpensive red meat in our freezer for those days when you just don't know what to cook. During those times, hamburger meat satisfies a real need. Most of the time, we don't wake up and say, "Let's have hamburgers tonight." We use it when we have been focused on things other than dinner all day long. When we get home and realize that we don't have anything to eat, so we reach in the back of the freezer and use what we have stored away. 

Financially speaking, I believe that some folks reading this blog may not be wondering what are we going to have for dinner tonight, but what are we going to do to pay our monthly bills.  I believe that you have money laying all over your house.  It's time to look around and find it.  Then, turn those valuable items into cash.  It does not make sense to carry high interest debt on credit cards when you have money laying all around your house. It's time get on Craigslist or Ebay or the Iwanta.  

Just last week, our oldest son asked me if he could sell on of his guitars.  This guitar had been in a case in his closet for years. We listed it on Ebay and it sold for around $250. Now, he can pay his fraternity dues.  Our youngest son got in on the act and listed some cymbals.  They sold for around $40. Now he can buy the latest video game or something, but more than likely he will stash that money away for a rainy day.  

What do you have under your bed, locked away in a closet? It's time to turn it into cash.  Hmmm.  Now that I think about it, I have a Vintage Selmer Mark VI Saxophone that is worth over $3,000 in my closet.  I have not played it at church since Christmas 1995. I need to sell it.  But, wait a minute. My parents bought that for me when I was in middle school.  It has a lot of emotional sentiment associated with it. It's sacred.  But, then again, sacred cows make good hamburger meat.

The Magic of Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year! The Christmas season is here and with it comes a sense of awe and wonder. At Stevens Creek, the holiday season brings energy, excitement and great enthusiasm. It hasn't always been like it is today. Through the years, we have learned how to maximize this holiday season in order to make the message of Christ attractive (Titus 2:10). In the early days of our church, we had a special service the Sunday before Christmas, but that was basically all we did.

Our second step was to add a weekend Christmas pageant and later we added a Christmas Eve service. The popularity of these two events soared in the community. In fact, Stevens Creek became known for it's Broadway-like productions. People would begin calling for tickets earlier and earlier each season. At the height of it's popularity, we even had corporate sponsorships for the events. The money we raised during this time helped us fund some of the equipment that we use in our weekly ministry today.

Then, everything changed. We read the book Simple Church and started to examine everything that we did as a church. We re-shaped our focus and began concentrating on the mission of Jesus: To love God, love people and serve the world. This emphasis caused us to look at how we do Christmas at The Creek.
We discovered that the way we were celebrating Christmas was not advancing the ongoing ministries of Stevens Creek Church.

We drew huge crowds and received large donations, but when we were honest with ourselves we realized that these people came from other churches and when the last song was sung, they went back to their local church. Not only that, but we discovered that our own people did not attend our Sunday experiences during the holidays because they were simply too tired after investing all of the energy in preparing for the production. You see, practices for the Christmas production began in August. The extra practices for the show affected our on-going ministry. We had to ask the question: what's more important ... a Christmas show or the week-to-week ministry of our church?

Several years ago, we pulled-the-plug on the Christmas Show. People complained, but that goes with the territory. We still had an intense desire to celebrate Christmas but we wanted to do it in a way that would enhance our local church. Todd Sturgell and his incredible team came up with a solution that would strengthen the week-to-week ministry, create enthusiasm in the congregation, increase attendance and honor the season in an appropriate way. What is it?

Today we use the three or four Sundays during December to carry a consistent Christmas story. Instead of a one night drama with three or four scenes, today we present one scene or one act during a weekend service. Then, we tie a message from the Bible to provide a spiritual foundation.

We have discovered the magic of Christmas once again. When you present one act per Sunday, the people in the audience connect with the story line of the drama and they come back the next week to find out what happened. If we can hook them on the first Sunday, then we have them the rest of the month.

We stumbled upon this concept three years ago with the Northpoint series, Christmas with Grace. Then last year we did Velma's Diner. This year, we are going back to our roots and presenting The Gospel According to Scrooge (our signature drama) over a four service format.

This past Sunday, we did the first act and I presented a message on how to handle difficult people. We played off of Scrooge's difficult personality and how all of us will occassionally run into a Scrooge-like person along the way. It was a very special day. We had 1540 people in church on Sunday. This probably represents a 10 - 15 % bump in attendance.

Not only does this increase attendance, but it is easier on the volunteers that we rely on. In the old economy, we did the show and then had to turn around and create Sunday experiences. This method was very tough on our tech team, music team and drama team. The streamlining of our Christmas ministry has made life more bearable for these teams.

What's the end result? Sunday services are better, attendance is up, and our volunteers can enjoy Christmas. The magic of Christmas has returned!

-- Marty Baker

Finding The One

I was recently asked a question: “Pastor Marty, when do you know when someone is the one for you?” Most people would say, you will just know when you have found the one for you. That may be true, but for most of us, it’s better to step back and examine the relationship from more than one perspective.

To determine if someone is the one, you need to answer a few questions.

• Do you have a common faith in Jesus Christ?

The Bible talks about the importance of being spiritually unified. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 says: Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

Most people who are dating outside their faith ignore this verse or they just discount it or look for a loop-hole. They allow their emotions to take precedence over God’s word. Spiritual unity in a relationship is very important. I am not saying that a couple cannot have a happy marriage when their faiths are different, but it will be challenging. A common faith will give you the extra strength that you need to make it through the tough times.

A happy marriage is not only built on a common faith, but there are other key components that you need to consider.

• Are you attracted to one another?
  

Physical attraction is very important, but genuine attraction goes much deeper than you may think. Are you attracted to his or her personality? Do you have common interests? Are you friends? Do you enjoy being with some of the same people?

Are you nice to each other? This sounds elementary but I have counseled many couples through the years that are simply not nice to each other and their lives are miserable. Are you honest with this person about everything about yourself? Do you enjoy being with this person even when either of you is tired or grumpy? Even when you're not doing something special, do you really look forward to this person's company? Would this person be good as a member of your family? Do you trust this person and feel safe with him or her? In an emergency, would you trust this person to handle things? Could this person be your best friend? Does this person have qualities you respect and admire?

How do you know when you have found the one? You know it when both of you are willing to give up life as you know it and embrace a new life together. This is huge. Both parties in the relationship have to submit to each other. We form a partnership. Some people will say, it should be 50/50. The Golden Rule is not God’s standard for marriage. God’s standard for marriage is not “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That’s t 50/50. God’s standard is do unto your spouse as Jesus has done unto you. That’s 100%. In other words, “Don’t hold anything back.”

I believe that you have found the one when you are able to respect the other person for who he is or who she is. I may not agree with Patty 100% of the time, but I respect who she is and I respect her opinion. She, in turn, respects me and my opinion. If she differs, she will state her opinion but in the end she allows me to do what I genuinely feel is the best thing to do. If you want to take respect up a level you will come to the place of honor. Do you honor your mate? Honor is like respect on steroids. At times, I have to remind myself that my wife is a real person with real needs. How can I help meet those needs today?

Speaking of needs, what are the needs of every married man? Sexual fulfillment, recreational companionship, physically attractive spouse, domestic support and admiration. What about the needs of a married woman? Affection, conversation, openness and honesty, financial support and family commitment.

So, how do I know that I have found the one? We have a common faith in Jesus Christ. We are attracted to each other. Then, we must answer the question:

• Can we serve God better together than we could apart?

I believe that God has a plan for your life. You were placed on this earth to make a difference. You are called to contribute, not just consume. We’re all meant to give something back. We’re all meant to make a contribution. The Bible says we’re created to serve, we’re saved to serve, we’re gifted to serve. So, can as you attempt to figure out if this person or that person is the one, you need to consider if you as a couple can serve God better together.

I am thankful that in 1982, I found the one. It is my prayer you will find the one that God has for you too.

What makes a relationship work?

This is the age-old question that continues to be argued, analyzed and developed over the centuries. Here's some thoughts...

1. Good Communication

Communication is a major factor in making a relationship work. It’s important to express what you value, what you like and dislike and what your goals are. Men and women are different. John Gray made millions on his book Men are from Mars and Women from Venus. It’s a book about communication. We all need help in the communication area. When we fail to communicate, we are setting ourselves up for trouble.

2. Respect each other

Happy couples respect each other. Happy couples not only communicate well but they respect each other. If some one respects themselves, it is natural that others will respect them as well. This is key because some one in a relationship cannot respect someone that doesn’t respect themselves. Happy couples respect the other’s ideas, beliefs and interests even though they may be different. Sometimes those differences cause painful situations. That leads us to the next step.

3. Willing to Apologize

Happy couples know how to say “I’m sorry”. Happy couple also know how to say sorry and apologize for something. It is essential that problems are solved before they escalate, and therefore a good relationship revolves around communication and humility. Pride and the need to be right all the time has no place in a happy relationship. There needs to be understanding and compromise, and the ability to analyze and accept another’s opinion.

4. Encourage personal growth

Happy couples challenge each other to grow. Happy couples also challenge each other to grow, which suggests that a mental connection is one of the major factors in making a relationship work. Mental stimulation is essential for growth, where ideas are introduced and pondered together, where two people can come to intellectual conclusions.

5. Spiritually connected

Happy couples are also spiritually connected, where two people understand that there is more to life than materialistic goals and values.

Focusing on the good

Several years ago, a journalist was doing a story on Ruth and Billy Graham. They said, "What was it like for your husband to be gone so much ... one time up to seven months?

Ruth Graham replied: "Five months with Billy is better than twelve months with any other man." She focused on the good. She could have said, "You know he's gone all the time and he doesn't care about me." She focused on the good.

Sometimes the things that attract us to each other are the things that create the greatest stresses. In dating opposites attract; in marriage opposites attack. The very thing that attracted you before marriage is the very thing that repels you after you are married.

For example, I am intense. Patty often says, "Give it a break. Let your mind rest." I am driven. I am punctual. When I was a kid, I put my books at the bus stop thirty minutes before the bus came so I could be first in line.

Patty on the other hand is laid back. The bus would have to blow the horn to get her out of the house. She gets it honest though. She comes from a long line of laid-back people. They are calm. They never get in a hurry. They embrace every moment and chew every bite. They can make a fast food meal last into the afternoon.

When we got married, my world was turned upside down. I've never been late. Now, I am never early. We have both grown in this area, but I have to say that I would rather be late with her than be early with anyone else. Every relationship has its positives and negatives. What would happen if you started focusing on the good and not the bad? If you started concentrating on the good, then you may be surprised at how good it could be.

Thankfulness at The Creek

Today I sat around the table with several Creek staffers and talked about our ministry this year.  It has been an incredible season.  This month we will baptize over 20 people and we will average around 1500 in attendance.  When most churches have seen a significant decrease in giving, the generous folks at The Creek have remained faithful in bringing the tithe to the Lord's house.  On Sunday, one of our Elders said that there are two words that describe this year:  "immeasurably more".  Those words come from Ephesians 3:20 when the Lord says that He will do immeasurably more than we ask or even imgaine according to the power that works in us.  God has exceeded our expectations.

I believe that God wants to do the same in our personal lives.  He calling us to ask.  When have you prayed for something so big that unless God does it, it won't get done.  Today  as we talked, we said that it was time to enlarge the sanctuary.  We need about 1.5 million dollars to do that.  We need God to do a miracle.  Say a prayer today and ask God to do something "BIG" ... ask him to give you an opportunity to have a spiritual conversation with your lost friend.  Then, ask Him to supply the needs at The Creek.  Together, we will see God do amazing things.

-- Marty

Fill Us

Calvin Miller wrote in his book The Table of Inwardness about an antique wooden dynamite box in his home.  The box was made in the nineteenth century and it was carefully constructed to withstand shock so that so the explosive contents could be transported from the manufacturer to a place of use. On the lid were large red and black letters that said, DANGER DYNAMITE!  He said that the last time he saw the box it was filled with common paraphernalia. 

The box is like a lot of us.  We are created to be spiritually passionate people, filled with the energy of God, but instead of having spiritual dynamite inside, we are filled with common everyday stuff. If we are going to be who we want to be and be the people God wants us to be, then we have to empty ourselves of the junk that has cluttered our lives and ask God to fill us with His Holy Spirit.

And the winner is ....

On November 4th, several friends came over to our house to watch the election night returns.  It was truly a historic event.  It was neat to see so many people who felt like their vote really mattered.  

When Barak Obama came on  the scene at the Democratic National Convention four years ago I, like most of you, recognized his star qualilty.  As he entered this year's race and appeared in the Democratic debates, it was evident that not only did he have star quality, but he was a great communicator.   His calm, cool and collected demeanor draws you into his conversation. His message of hope resonated with millions of Americans who feel as though our economic situation teeters on hopelessness.   

Since the vote was counted, pundits have attempted to figure out why Barak Obama won and John McCain lost.  To me it's evident.   Barak Obama was able to articulate a vision and John McCain failed to do so.  If you ask the common Joe what an Obama administration will bring to America, they will say, "Change."   Over and over, Obama proclaimed the concept of change ... a change in our economic strategy, a change in our defense strategy, a change in our tax strategy and so forth.   

What did John McCain communicate?  Hmmm.... that Obama was too risky for America.  Well, that maybe true, but John McCain failed to communicate a vision that was clear enough for Americans to rally around.   In retrospect, John McCain should have waved the banner for lower taxes and less governement.  He should have communicated a passion for personal responsibility and moral integrity.  He should have stood up for the rights of the unborn.

If a leader is going to inspire his followers to move forward, then the vision must be clear. Obama won the vision race and thus won the Presidency.  McCain was unable to communicate a conservative message because he wanted to "cross the aisle" so much that he weakened his message.  In some ways, we had two Democrats running for President this time.  The Democrat that communicated a compelling vision won.  Congratulations Barak Obama.  May God bless you and may you build your leadership team on the principles of God's word.

Deuteronomy 28:13-15

13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Changing of the Guard ... in Knoxville

This past Saturday I sat in Williams Bryce Stadium in Columbia and watched Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks play Phil Fulmer's Volunteers. I told my two sons, Stuart and Samuel, that this was the last time that they would see Fulmer coach UT in Columbia.

We have a saying in Columbia... we hate orange ... meaning UT, Florida, and Clempson. Well, it's interesting that two of the orange nemeses have lost their coaches this season.

It is interesting to me that Tennessee fired (or Fulmer resigned) their coach after losing to South Carolina. I was at the stadium in 1992 when Tennessee lost to South Carolina and the next week they fired Johnny Majors. Hmmm... what does that say about the Gamecocks? Maybe it says when you lose to South Carolina, it's time for a new coach. Oh well... I am still committed and faithful to the team.

Okay, let's talk about Clempson .... I mean Clemson. If the Bible is correct and you reap what you sow, then Clempson needs to pray for a crop failure. They have an inflated view of who they are and they are expecting a top tier coach to come their way. Why would someone want to go to a university that treats their coaches like Clemson does.

Think about it ... they fired Ken Hatfield after going 10-2, 9-2-1, 5-6 and 8-3. That was wrong. Some folks in the Upstate said that they University did not like the fact that he was Assemblies of God. I doubt it. They just wanted Danny Ford back.

This year Tommy Bowden said good-by to Tater Town. In his nine season, he went to 8 bowl games. The only year that he did not go was when they declined the bid because of the brawl with South Carolina. My son Samuel and I were there sitting in the section where the Clemson player's helmet was thrown. That was a game that we will never forget.

Okay, having said that, Tommy has done quite well ... 8 bowl games, but they made his life miserable. They, once again, are wanting Danny Ford. Well, Tater Heads, Danny Ford ain't coming back. You remember him better than it was. The last chapter of his coaching career has been written. He was a tremendous coach in his day, but you cannot go backwards in life. You must move foward.

I think IPTAY needs to drive a tractor to Knoxville and invite Phil Fulmer to come to Tiger Town. That's a perfect fit. It would also keep the Spurrier and Fulmer fued going. If Fulmer won't come, then keep driving down I-40 and talk to Bobby Johnson at Vandy. Bring the South Carolina boy back home, but please be nice to him.

Do I feel bad for Fulmer and Bowden? A little, but not really. Tommy (if I am correct) will walk away with around 4 million and Fulmer (if I am correct) will walk away with about 6 million. It's hard to feel bad for folks when they are compensated at that level.

Now, what's going on in Columbia? I would like to say that all is well. It's okay. Next year (wait to next year ... have you ever heard that saying) will be better. We are 6-3 and have not play Arkansas, Florida or Clemson. Next year will be better because Spurrier has finally found a quarterback in Stephen Garcia. He is young and is developing. His irresponsible behavior off the field cost him practice time this year. If he would have been a little more disciplined then he would have had an opportunity to learn Spurrier's system before the first game. But, his choices not only affected him, but it costs the team this year. He is the third quarterback this season, but he is the best one for the position. He is the quarterback of the future. Garcia will improve with time. We have a great defense already and next year we will add a good running back in Kenny Miles and Garcia will have a year under his belt. We have a lot to look foward to.

In the end, like always .... it's great to be a GAMECOCK!

-- Marty

martybaker@stevenscreek.net

Do You Twitter?

A Call to Follow

Do you Twitter? One of the fastest growing technology trends is called Twitter. It’s a networking program that allows people to connect with each other by merging text messaging and the Internet. Individuals who use Twitter have the ability to follow people and in turn they can have followers. This phenomenon may be new to the Internet, but Jesus encouraged men and women to follow Him when he started his ministry. The individuals who followed Jesus were called disciples. They were committed to learning how to model the character of Christ in their daily lives. Becoming a Christ-follower was not easy for them and it is not easy for us either, but sometimes I wonder if we have made becoming a disciple harder than Jesus intended.

Through the years, I have seen churches introduce some intense discipleship initiatives. These programs often highlight the concept of discipline more than the call to follow. These programs have had a clear objective and that is to communicate that true disciples should read so many chapters from the Bible every day, spend a certain amount of time in prayer, volunteer at the church, share the faith with outsiders and finally train others to do the same. Before you write me off, let me say that I do believe that being a disciple has those elements associated with it, but it’s more than that. Discipleship is not about what you do as much as it is about who you are. Are you follower of Jesus Christ? Are you walking in his footsteps? If so, then you are a disciple.

I, like most pastors, have always had a passion to see people become disciples of Christ, but at times my passion has made the process of discipleship very painstaking. Early on in my ministry, I wanted them to learn our vision and mission then memorize a seven step strategy and then embrace six core values. While all of that is well and good, the discipleship process became very confusing. It focused on what you did more than who you were becoming.

Today, my discipleship plan mirrors the life of Jesus. If Jesus were physically here on earth we would see him doing three things: Loving God, Loving People and Serving the World. As we focus on loving God, we become more like Him. When we make it a point to love people, our hearts become tender and our relational world expands. You were not meant to go through life on your own. Being a disciple is not just a matter of believing; it is a matter of belonging. We all need each other. When we seek new ways to serve, our world becomes a better place. I believe that you were placed on this earth to make a difference. You are called to contribute, not just consume. We are all meant to give something back. We must be willing to help someone along the way. When we commit to serving others, we literally walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

I believe that discipleship is more about becoming than it is about doing, but having said that, I encourage local congregations to develop a process that helps Christ followers take the next step in their spiritual journey. At Stevens Creek Church of God, we communicate this process through a sequential, 4-level curriculum called Creek 101, Creek 201, Creek 301 and Creek 401.

Creek 101 encompasses three one-session classes aimed at introducing people to Christ and to our church: Newcomers Class, Baptism Class and a Membership Class. These classes are designed to quickly and effectively integrate newcomers into the Body of Christ and prepare them to become a participating member of the church.

Creek 201 is an ongoing, 10-part offering covering the foundations of the Christian Faith. It will appeal to those exploring Christ as well as to believers who want to refresh the core components of Christianity. These classes feature sessions about Jesus Christ and his work, what it means to be saved, how to be filled with the Holy Spirit, how to study the Bible and so forth, how to share your faith with others and so forth.

Creek 301 helps people get connected into life-giving relationships. We believe that community happens best in the context of a small group. These groups provide opportunities for spiritual growth, encouragement, accountability and deepening friendship. They meet on a regular basis in homes, in restaurants and at the church.

Creek 401 refers to a 4-part class in identifying and developing spiritual gifts and then putting those gifts into action in the church and the community. This also includes a leadership training track for potential leaders which includes conferences, various training materials and ongoing mentoring relationships with church leaders. Through Creek 401 we hope to equip people to lead, encourage, teach and disciple others. These classes are only tools to help us understand what it means to walk in the footsteps of Christ.

At Stevens Creek, we want to help people take their next step. Discipleship is an ongoing process. We have not arrived. Every day the words of the Apostle Paul become a little clearer for us:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).

Discipleship is a process, so let’s get started. We can change the world … one person at a time. We have the life-giving message of Jesus. It is my prayer that we will follow in His footsteps and that the world would see Christ in us. Now, that’s revival.

MartyBaker@stevenscreek.net

Is God a Georgia Bulldawg?

My Dad instilled a love and a passion for South Carolina football early in my life.  We were Gamecock fanatics.  One of my first memories of attending an out-of-town game was in the early 1970s when we made the 67 mile trip from Abbeville to Athens to see the Gamecocks play at Sanford Stadium.  We arrived at the stadium early ... that was the custom.  We stood near the gate where the players entered the stadium.  I remember my Dad shaking Coach Paul Dietzel's hand as he entered the stadium that day.  I just knew that it was going to be a great day.

My excitement  soon turned to dispair as the game progressed.  Vince Dooley and his Dawgs walked all over us.  When we left the stadium that day, it was 54 - 14.  We left with our head hanging low.  We were embarassed.  That defeat was a defining moment for me. From that moment on,  I wanted to see Georgia lose.  Most people would say, I pull for such and such of a team except when they are playing my favorite team.  Well, I did not have that philosophy.  I wanted to see Georgia lose every time they stepped on the field.  

Through the years, I've held on to my dislike for Georgia through the coaching stints of Vince Dooley and Ray Goff.  Then, Georgia hired Mark Richt.  I did not know much about Mark Richt when he moved to Athens.  I knew that he had worked for Bobby Bowden and he had great success while at Florida State, but that's about it.  I held on to my dislike for the Dawgs.  

As the years have gone by, I have watched Mark Richt turn the Georgia Bulldog program into one of the finest programs in America.  He has done remarkable things on the field, but more than that Mark Richt has been a role model off the field.   Mark Richt has demonstrated to our country what it means to truly follow Jesus Christ.

Today, Patty and I sat in silence as we watched the ESPN story on the Richt's adoption of the two kids from the orphanage in the 1990s.  He spoke how God's word encourages true Christ followers to take care of widows and orphans.    When they went to the orphanage, they asked themselves which child would have a hard time being adopted.  When they saw a little girl with a facial deformity, they knew that she was the one.  They adopted her and another little boy. They determined that they were going to love these kids as their own.  It was a moving story.

I have been reared to dislike the Bulldawgs, but today I struggle.  How can you dislike someone like Mark Richt?  Mark Richt is a man of God who constantly puts his faith into practice.  He models faith and demonstrates the love of Christ in practical ways.

Mark Richt has messed me up.  I want to see the Dawgs lose, but I want to see Mark Richt win. I am perplexed.  I am still a committed and loyal Gamecock, but I am wondering if God is softening my heart for the Dawgs?  Hmmm.  Do you think God is a Georgia Bulldawg?  

No .....  surely not.

MartyBaker@stevenscreek.net

Interesting Article on Sarah Palin's Faith

October 23, 2008
Presidential Prayer
There has been a lot of comments about whether Sarah Palin is experienced enough to be one heart-beat away from the Presidency. That's a ligitimate concern. Could the same be said about Barak Obama? Does he has the experience to be President? If the polls are correct, it looks as though we will find out very soon.

Experience is very important, but it is just one part of the puzzle. It takes more than experience to be the person that God has created you to be. You need to consider: Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Passion and Experience. I realize that some reading this blog would laugh at those qualifications, but if you are looking for a true leader, then those pieces of the puzzle should be considered. Does Barak Obama have what it takes? Maybe. Does John McCain have what it takes? Maybe.

Who, then, should you vote for? Well, when you step into the voting booth, you need to ask God who you should vote for and then do it.

Prayer is an important part of this election process. I ran across this article today and thought that it was interesting.

Palin says election result rests in God's hands
Published: 10/22/08, 2:05 PM EDTBy ERIC GORSKIDENVER (AP) -

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin describes herself as a "hard-core pro-lifer" and expresses confidence that in spite of disheartening polls, "putting this in God's hands, that the right thing for America will be done at the end of the day on Nov. 4."

In an interview with evangelical leader James Dobson that aired Wednesday, Palin said she thought Republican presidential candidate John McCain would implement the GOP platform if elected - "I do, from the bottom of my heart" - but McCain doesn't support the platform on three issues important to evangelicals: abortion, gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research.

The platform calls for a constitutional ban on gay marriage, an issue McCain says should be left to individual states. Similarly, the platform seeks a constitutional ban on all abortions; again, McCain supports allowing states to decide the question. McCain supports research using embryonic stem cells, which the platform opposes.

Palin called it a "strong platform" and told Dobson, "They are there, they are solid, we stand on them and, again, I believe that it is the right agenda for the country at this time."
The Alaska governor talked by phone with Dobson for about 20 minutes Monday while she was in Colorado campaigning. Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program aired the interview Wednesday.
Dobson asked whether Palin was discouraged by polls showing the GOP ticket behind.
"To me, it motivates us, makes us work that much harder," Palin said. "And it also strengthens my faith, because I'm going to know, at the end of the day, putting this in God's hands, that the right thing for America will be done at the end of the day on Nov. 4. So I'm not discouraged at all."
Palin has not focused on her faith on the campaign trail, but it clearly has energized evangelical leaders like Dobson, whose radio show reaches an estimated 1.5 million Americans daily.

Dobson has come around to supporting the McCain-Palin ticket after previously saying he could not in good conscience vote for McCain. He endorsed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee late in the primaries.

Palin thanked Dobson and supporters for their prayers and - when Dobson inquired about the importance of faith in her life - said: "It is my foundation, yes, my Christian faith is."
She also used terms like "prayer warrior" and "intercession" - words that might be unknown to the average listener but are common vocabulary in Pentecostal Christianity. Palin spent 20 years in a Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church, but she usually refers to her faith generically as Christian, not even evangelical.

"It is that intercession that is so needed and so greatly appreciated," Palin told Dobson. "And I can feel it too, Dr. Dobson. I can feel the power of prayer, and that strength that is provided through our prayer warriors across this nation."

She continued: "When we hear along the rope lines that people are interceding for us and praying for us, it's our reminder to do the same, to put this all in God's hands, to seek his perfect will for this nation, and to of course seek his wisdom and guidance in putting this nation back on the right track."
Describing herself as a "hard-core pro-lifer," Palin said the birth of a son with Down syndrome was "this opportunity for me to really be walking the walk and not just talking the talk. There's purpose in this also and for a greater good to be met there."
Palin said the campaign had to have faith that its message will be heard "minus the filter of the mainstream media."

"That filter has to be erased," she said. "So we have to have faith in the wisdom of the people that they'll understand what our message is. But even bigger that then, I have to have that faith that God is going to help us get that message out there."

Building a Great Team …. A Key to Success

The Key to Success … step three

This fall I will mark twenty-one years serving as the Lead Pastor of our church. It's hard to believe it's been over two decades. Patty and I started the church in our mid-twenties with a passion to reach this community. Things have changed, but our passion has remained the same. Now, however, our passion is couple with a little experience that we have gained through the years.

In previous posts, I have mentioned the first two steps of a successful venture … vision and faith. Those are the foundation of any successful ministry or business. Today, we need to take the third step. This step is equally important if you are going to sustain your dreams. What is it? You need people to help you accomplish what you have been called to do. Without a strong team, you will wear yourself out and the people you are attempting to serve will go home frustrated.

There are several Biblical stories that teach the value to team building. In Exodus 18, God uses Jethro to teach his son-in-law Moses critical lessons in leadership. In short, he said, "Build a team and release the work to them." Later on in the Old Testament, we see principles like a cord of three strands is not easily broken. In the New Testament, Jesus developed a team of twelve disciples and then he had an inner circle of three: Peter, James and John.

So, how do you build a team? There are several steps to building a solid team, but the first one begins with you. You have to be confident in your abilities and in your calling or position. If you lack confidence, people will sense it and eventually your lack of confidence will create fear in the group. Be sure of who you are and realize that God has ordered your footsteps and given you influence…use it wisely.

Now, about building teams, there are several ingredients that solid teams have. A good team needs chemistry. At Stevens Creek, when I add someone, whether they are paid staff or let's say the Elder Team, I ask myself, "Do I want to go to lunch with them? Do I want to hang out with them outside of the church?" If I cringe at the thought of hanging out with them, then that's my answer. They are not in my "calling circle". Effective teams need chemistry. I appreciate a diverse team, but like-mindedness is more important than diversity.

Next, one of the most important qualities of any new player on the team is character. In my world, I expect team members to be people that have integrity. If an organization adds people that lack integrity, then their ability to expand their work and sustain their growth is greatly hindered. You cannot build an effective organization on questionable behavior. I want to work with upfront people, people I can trust. I don't have time to be a policing agent. If I can't trust you, then you are not on the team.

When I was just a few years into my pastorate, there was an Elder that came into my office and said, "I think that you have too much power here and I am here to see to it that that changes." Now, I appreciated his honesty, but he did not trust me so I looked at him and said, "Thanks for letting me know. You are no longer an Elder." In fact, he was not the first Elder to play that card; there was one before him that was invited off the board in a similar fashion. That was then; today The Creek is very different. Back then, we did a popularity vote for Spiritual Leadership. Popularity contests do not work. Today, I work with the finest group of folks that you can imagine. They are men of great character in the church and in the community.

Next, when I add someone to my team, I want to know what they will bring to the table. What are their gifts and what are their passions? Are they gifted to serve in the area that they are being asked to serve in? Not only is giftedness important, but are they competent? Can they get the job done? There have been many times that I have not been able to afford competence so at that point you have a choice to either hire / add incompetence, add a young person that you can develop, or do it yourself. I would lean to hiring a young "eagle". Take a chance on quality young people. I appreciate experience but if I cannot afford an experienced person, I will stand in line at the commencement service and try to get the best young leader that I can get.

Stevens Creek is a great organization. It has been very successful because we have built great teams. I am especially proud of the staff and Elders that serve our congregation.

Leadership Team:
Todd Sturgell is one of the greatest team builders in the business. You can look at the volunteers and staff members that work for him and see he is a remarkable leader. I hired Todd when he was 24 years old. I actually offered him the job when he was 23, but he rejected my offer (young and inexperienced). Todd was and is an "eagle". He flies high above the rest of the people in the music field. Todd is even tempered and passionate yet strong and trustworthy. In 14 years of working together, I have never doubted his loyalty, never questioned his character and I have appreciated his friendship through the good times and the bad. Todd is a leader and he often leads me. Let me pull off the mask for a moment. On several occasions, I have stepped back and allowed Todd to lead the church which means that he has chosen the sermon topics and helped provide direction for the organization.

Like I said, Todd is a great leader, but I have discovered that I am not the best follower. I sometimes follow ….kicking and screaming. Todd makes the scripture fromJohn 21 very real at times: Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." I am working on being a good follower. But, before Todd memorizes that scripture, I would remind him that I just may have the spirit of Caleb from Joshua 14:10-11: So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Seriously, I am honored to serve on the same team as Todd.

Kevin Lloyd is one of the greatest leaders in the church world. He is truly an "eagle". He has a unique ability to communicate truth in a way that people can get it. With a home-spun humor, Kevin will capture your attention and help you to see yourself in the situation and then help you understand how God's word has the answer for your situation. What you may not know about Kevin is that he is a process thinker. He knows a good process when he sees it and then he can transfer it to us and make what we do much better. Kevin's leadership role at The Creek will continue to expand. Simply put, he is the real deal. He is a confidant that is filled with great wisdom that I appreciate.

Dave Willis is an extraordinary leader and also the nicest guy on the team. Dave is too nice at times, but that's okay too. We all need grace and Dave gives it out in loads. Dave and Ashley's story at Stevens Creek is supernatural. God brought him to us when we needed it. God prompted me to put an add for a teaching pastor on an Internet board on one day. Dave read it the next day and drove to Augusta uninvited on the next day. He came to experience one of our Wednesday Worship services. I was impressed. Todd was impressed. Then, Dave very casually mentioned that if you want to hear me speak, go to this website. I listened to two minutes of his message and I was hooked. WOW! Dave, like Kevin and Todd, is an eagle that will influence thousands of people for the cause of Jesus Christ. He has a rare gift. Dave is humble enough for God to use him in extraordinary ways. One day, we will all step back and say, "I remember when Dave was in his twenties, look at him now."

These are the guys that I work with closely, but there are other staffers make our leadership team what it is. People like my Assistant Stacy Lewer. I could not do what I do without someone like her. I have to mention Ann Williams. She has been working with our finances for over fifteen years. Ann can be trusted. Ann is faithful and loves to play with numbers and create graphs. She helps us see where we have been so that we can see where we can go. We have recently been blessed with Connie Seviertson. Connie stepped into a very difficult role. Connie serves as the point person for our Guest Services Ministries. The reason that her role is difficult is that she replaced Cindy Lytle who was tragically killed in a car wreck a few months back. God has anointed Connie for this role and she is a perfect fit.

Then, I look at Dave's team. I think about people like Dorna Adams. She is always willing to serve Christ wherever she is needed whether on the mission field or teaching a membership class. In the next few months, it will be Rev. Dorna Adams. Congratulations Dorna! Also on Dave's team is Steve Sturgell. I have always wanted a mature person with a tender heart to help care for our people. We have that in Steve. I think about Christian Walker who is serving in our facilities. He is a portrait of faithfulness. I think about Chris Miller who is serving beside Christian. He is a man of great passion.

Then, I look at Todd's team. His number one team member is his wife, April. My kids have often said that the reason I keep Todd around is for April. Well, that's not exactly true … well not exactly … well maybe…. No… no … no. Let's move on. Todd's assistant is Sharon Hutko. She has been a part of our ministry for over fifteen years and has served as a volunteer and now on staff. Sharon brings joy to the staff. In addition to that, Sharon gets the job done. Sharon's co-hort in joy is Wes Hennings. Wes is our Technical Producer. He makes all of us better. Wes' heart is large; it is filled with love and compassion. Along with Sharon and Wes, Todd's team features Jeff Brotherton. Jeff is one of the newest staffers on the team. He moved to The Creek from Florida earlier this year. Jeff touches people through media. He probably does not realize it, but I am a huge fan of media ministry. Without someone like Jeff, I would be using a flannel graph and a mimeograph. Todd has other leaders that strengthen his team. I think about people like Tony Cooper in drama; Errol Jackson in dance; Paula Toole and Ian in graphics, Annette Berger with lights, CW, Warren and Chris Toole with sound.

Kevin's team features a group of winners. At the top of the list is Melissa. Kevin's wife Melissa quietly keeps everything going. She is a behind the scenes force that breaks out on the main stage on occasion. Not only does Melissa lead and disciple teenagers with her love and care, but she is an awesome worship leader. Nina McMorrow is Kevin's assistant. Nina and her husband James has been a tremendous addition to our staff. Nina, a graduate of Lee University, stepped into a changing landscape and worked diligently to do what she was called to do. She has connected with our teens in ways that few people have. Nina and James are a blessing to me and our ministry.

Kevin's Director of Children's Ministry is the newest eagle on staff. His name is Bob Wilson. Bob brings a wealth of experience to The Creek. He and his wife Tonya have added a peaceful dimension and a quiet confidence in our children's ministry. I am thrilled to see what this department will be like in the coming months. One of Kevin's strongest leaders is Allyson Campbell. Allyson takes care of the Pre-school department. When I say "takes care", I mean it. She has single-handedly navigated that department through an enormous amount of change. It's amazing to see her team at work. I am indebted to Allyson for the "extra mile" that she has walked for me and our congregation.

This is just a sampling of hundreds of Team Members. Stevens Creek is effective in its ministry because there is a great team in place. Now, some may read this post and say, "It's easy to build a team when you pay people to play on it." Well, it's has not always been that way. You've heard the story … we started in a borrowed living room with twenty-four people. Most people do not realize that nearly half of the people that day were less than twenty-one years old. For ministry to be effective, teams must be built. Start with a small group. Instill vision, step out in faith and train up people to carry forth the work. It worked for Jesus and it will work for you.

MartyBaker@stevenscreek.net

The Key to Your Successful Future... step two.

How do you grow a successful life, a successful business or an effective church?   Like I said earlier, successful churches/ successful businesses move forward because they have a vision, but what’s the next step?   Many people have dreams but a dream is not worth a dime unless you do something with it.  There’s a lot of people that spend hundreds of ours planning their next move, planning their strategy and so forth.  I am all for planning, but honestly, there are thousands of stagnant churches that invest large blocks of time planning but nothing ever happens.  What’s up with that?

Here’s what’s up with that … they forget that successful endeavors require faith.  You’ve got to step out in faith.  You must take a risk.  It’s scary to move from the planning room to the playing field, but you will never win the game studying film.  You’ve got to get into the game.  You must step out in faith.

What are you believing God for today?  Most of us are believing God to help us make it through the day … okay that’s a start, but God is bigger than that.  When was the last time that you prayed a pray that caused God to pause and say, “Hmmm, he just prayed a prayer that got my attention.”  Now, granted …. I know that God cares about every detail and he listens to the small prayers that we pray, but when was the last time we prayed a BIG prayer.   When was the last time that we prayed a prayer that said, “God, if you don’t, it won’t.”

Faith is about believing God.  What are you believing God for?  It’s time to take the next step.  Faith is calling those things that have never happened and speaking about them as if they had already happened.  This is what Romans 4:17 says:  ”…the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”

What would happen if we realized that God could raise up our dead churches, our dead careers, dead marriages?  Our life would change … our world would be a better place.   What’s keeping this from happening?  God is waiting for us to ask and He is waiting for us to BELIEVE.

It’s time to take the next step.  Remember, when you take the next step, it can be scary.  In fact, the Apostle Peter got out of the boat and took a step of faith.  Then, fear over took him and he sank.  Jesus reached down and bailed him out.  That sounds like a good sermon series …. beginning October 19,  Stevens Creek’s new series will be BAIL OUT.  Start praying that God will use this series to touch our lives and our church.  Stay tuned for more.

 

Marty

 

martybaker@stevenscreek.net

The Key to Your Successful Future

During a recent management team meeting, we began talking about Outreach Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Largest Church and the Top 100 Fastest Growing Churches.   A question was asked if there was a common thread that ran through the fastest growing churches on the list.  I have not gone through all of the websites of these churches yet (I will probably do that over the next few weeks), but I believe that I will discover a common thread.  

The common thread that runs through all of the fastest growing churches in America is not music style, nor is it drama, nor is it small groups, or even a giving kiosk, but I believe the common ingredients are two things:  Vision and Faith.

This is true not only for growing ministries, but also for growing businesses.  Many of us have heard the verse that says, “Without a vision, the people perish.”  Well, without a vision the church will not grow.  Without a vision, your life will not be what it could be.

What is vision?  Vision is that mental picture of the future.  You need to know where you are going.  Vision is the ability to see beyond the majority of people around you.  Vision is the difference between a stagnant church and a growing church.  

For a church, specifically Stevens Creek Church, I see vision as who we are becoming.  We are a church that helps people say “Yes to God!”  We help people take their next step in their spiritual journey.  We communicate this in a famiiar phrase:  We want you to Love God, Love People and Serve the World.  We are becoming a church that does that.  I say that we are becoming that church because I know that we are not there yet.  Every day we take our next step in living out that dream.

Do you have a vision?  If you don’t, you will be marking time.  Without a vision your life will drift from one season to another season.  Stop for a few hours and really think through and pray through this idea.  What is God’s vision for me and how am I embracing it?

I say it frequently, “God wants to do immeasurable more than we ask or even imagine.”  The problem with that concept is this: “We seldom take time to imagine the possibiliites.”  If we don’t think it, then we can’t see it.  If we can’t see it, then we cannot go there. What are you seeing?   If you can tell me what you are seeeing, then I can tell you where you are going.

How do you get a vision?  First of all, you ask God for it.   It begins with a simple prayer that goes like this:  ”God, help me to see what you see.”  I am sure pastors reading this blog would say, “That’s a no brainer, but what’s my next step?  Not only do you need to ask God, practically speaking, you need to hang out with people who have been where you want to go.  You need to talk to leaders of growing ministries.  You need to walk on their property and see what God can do.

For years, I have visited successful and effective churches and I have prayed, “God give me this anointing. Give me the ability to do this and even more.”   If you want to grow in your vision, then get outside of your weekly routine and see what successful people are doing.  Then, go back to your place and dream new dreams.  Allow God to use those experiences to formulate a vision for your life.  Don’t cut and paste someone else’s dream, but allow God to birth a new one in you.  Stay tuned for the next step….

Marty 

martybaker@stevenscreek.net