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During the mid-morning hours of my work day, I work in a preschool classroom of 3-4 year olds at a private Christian preschool. Today the other teacher in the room asked me to sing songs with the children as we cleaned up from morning snack. The children love music and we have a long list of songs to share with each other. After singing several songs of my choice, I asked the children to choose the songs. Four-year-old Isabella asked if we could sing the “Our Father” song. I said I didn’t know that one and told her to start it off and we’d all follow along. She insisted that we did know that song and then I realized she was talking about “The Lord’s Prayer,” not a song. So we started off “The Lord’s Prayer” as follows:

“Our Father who art in Heaven” then Isabella came to the next part and said “How do you know my name?” instead of “Hallowed be thy name.”

It was so cute that she was hearing that part of the prayer as “how do you know my name.” I used that as a Christian education teachable moment to explain to Isabella that God knows her name because He made her and loves her very much. Even at age 4, children can learn about God’s love and His special attention.

Tags: Educational, Ministry, Personal by Brenna Phillips
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New Orleans, Louisiana — April 27, 1996.

Twelve years ago, at Lakeview Baptist Church in New Orleans, David and I began our married life together. It’s been a great 12 years of sharing up and down moments together. We’re partners in life, ministry, work, and home.

Thank you for the best dozen years. We’re working on many more years and moments together.

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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The last chapter of The Church of the Perfect Storm was written by Len Sweet. If we’re going to be Jesus storm-chasers, we must get out of the harbor. We can’t do much from the shore. We might think we’re playing it safe by staying close to the shore, but “the shore is not safer” (page 147). “Hugging harbors leaves a church in a lurch. A church in the dock is a church in lockdown.” (page 147)

To be a Jesus storm-chaser and follower, we must take risks. It’s not an easy life. Jesus walked directly into the storm, and He will walk with us into and through the storm. He will put others in our lives to walk with us as well. “Small boats fare better than big supertankers and cruise vessels” (page 152). Studies show that the larger a church grows, the smaller it must become. That statement means that as churches increase in numbers in large corporate worship gatherings, then the small groups must also increase. The small groups (small boats) are going to make it through the storm together.

Churches must throw excess cargo overboard to make the load lighter to sail through the storm. They need to cut back some of the old roots and methods for new shoots to grow.

Just like in the story of the tortoise and hare, slow and steady wins the race. Churches need to steadily steer the boat to maneuver through the storm. No sudden moves or jerks to get off course in the wind. Keep our focus on Jesus Christ and the cross. He is our lighthouse for direction in the storm.

Most of all, enjoy the ride. It’s bumpy, wavy, and always an adventure, but God is in the storm and on the calm sea. Let Him drive the boat and guide you.

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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Chapter 10 of The Church of the Perfect Storm was written by Mark Batterson. “God is calling the church out of the church and back into the middle of the marketplace” (page 110). Years ago church was the thing to do; it was the place to go. Not anymore. Generations today have other interests and many things to do and see.

According to George Barna, 61 percent of young adults who grew up going to church stopped going to church sometime during their 20’s (page 111). We learn from Dan Kimball why these adults stop going to church: They Like Jesus But Not The Church. Why don’t they like the church? One word: relevance. The church must be relevant to all people. If we ignore, imitate, and condemn culture, then people will do the same with the church. We must create culture. “We’re called to redeem” (page 114). Churches must be creative in how they minister to others. They must be creative in meeting locations, in activities and events, and even in their jobs. All Christ-followers are ministers, not just the paid church staff members. Every career should be a God-ordained calling: doctors, teachers, business people. We can build relationships and minister to others through our daily jobs, not just at the church building.

The author says, “There are ways of doing church that no one has thought of yet” (page 118). Be creative. It’s hard work to keep church alive, interesting, fresh and relevant, but we need to chase the lion of church creativity and keep it relevant to reach the generations of today and those who have stopped going to church.

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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Chapter 9 of The Church of the Perfect Storm was written by Michael Blewett. When we head straight into the storm, we’re going to get wet. We’re going to have to get wet in relationship. “We are intimately and ‘indissolubly’ connected to Jesus and those whom Jesus loves” (page 104). Jesus loves difficult people; therefore, our lives will be difficult, yet merciful and memorable. These relationships will make us stronger. The storm waters are like glue that seals the broken bones of the Body of Christ back together again. (page 104) It’s not about where you’re going or how you’re getting there; it’s about with whom you’re traveling.

Like the Capital One ad says, “what’s in your wallet?”

Who’s in your boat? With whom are you traveling through the storm?

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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Chapter 8 of The Church of the Perfect Storm was written by Bill Easum. In this chapter, he lists many equations for ministering in mid-storm. For his list of equations, see pages 92-97. I want to highlight a few of the most-interesting points of these equations.

The 21st Century church will take on a more organic than institutional form. We are beginning to see more house-churches being formed as church planting takes on multiple forms. Not every person learns by the same method and not every region attracts the same personalities; therefore, it requires multiple methods to reach people. Many times we only need a small space and a small group and we have a church. Sometimes there is no need for large mega facilities. The small group relationships are often appealing to younger generations where they feel they can make a difference in other people and causes.

Throughout this entire book, we’ve read that Jesus storm-chasers head straight into the storm. The author of this chapter is no exception. He explains that “the established church that survives mid-storm will be in continuous chaos until emerging on the other side of the storm, only to find another storm waiting” (page 93). Risk-taking leaders face the storm and create just enough chaos to destabilize the status quo to instigate changes. These leaders are big dreamers, flexible, and quick to respond.

The biggest dreamer and risk-taker of thriving churches is the pastor. “They pastor as spiritual leaders who listen to God rather than as corporate leaders who lead based on democratic rule” (page 94). Pastor-led churches are much more effective in building God’s Kingdom than congregational or democratic churches.

Every believer and Christ-follower is a minister. The church leader’s responsibility is to equip those believers to reach and teach others. The church must be engaging in the community, not sitting in church buildings in meetings. (See previous post on another chapter … In/Out-Out/In.)

Churches don’t have to be stuck on annual events and ideas. Generations today don’t plan in advance; they’re more spontaneous with events and activities. I find that true in the northeast/mid-atlantic region of the U.S. Previous churches where I’ve worked had an annual calendar and we planned one time each year for the entire next year. That doesn’t work in the mid-atlantic states. I can only plan events in 3-6 months time, and 6 months is stretching it. At best I plan 2-3 months in advance because of the fast-paced schedules, transient lifestyles, and changing interests of younger generations.

As we all head straight into the storm, let’s focus more on what we’re doing as Jesus storm-chasers instead of the method of riding the waves. It is more beneficial to build relationships to reach people, not be stuck with the traditional ways and events.

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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Chapter 7 of The Church of the Perfect Storm was written by Earl J. Pierce. “Paradigms are mental constructs–frameworks for understanding and answering questions posed by the task at hand” (page 82). They are built through experience. As long as answers are provided and there is continued progress, then the paradigm remains in use by the individual who developed it. When there are no longer answers or progress, then there is a paradigm shift leading to a different experience.

One common paradigm shift is from cognitive to affective. From chapter 7, we learn that there are two primary domains of human behavior: affection (emotion) and cognition (reason). The affective paradigm provides answers based on feeling and emotion while the cognitive paradigm provides answers based on reason and logic. Both are in constant conflict within an individual.

An example of this paradigm shift is seen in the titles given to Christian leaders. In Judaism religious leaders are called ‘rabbi’ or teacher. The Christian term for these leaders is ‘pastor’ or shepherd. Even in these titles we see the shift from cognition to affection (reason to emotion). (page 85). Faith became the standard of living, instead of logic or reason.

Experiences play a great role in growing churches and building relationships. We must have the affective domain of growing relationships and experiences or individuals will pull away and find other ways to meet those needs. We must hold on to the experiences of Jesus and the cross and grow relationships as He did to survive the perfect storm.

For more information on this paradigm shift, please deposit 20 cents into this great book.

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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Chapter 6 of The Church of the Perfect Storm was written by Younglae Kim. In this chapter, he says that he is hoping for a mission rediscovery church that will become a milestone for Western and Eastern churches looking for a 21st Century reorientation (page 73). ‘Orient’ meaning east; therefore, pointing churches toward the East - churches in Asia - and freeing churches from Western captivity and methods of ecclesiology, soteriology, and Christology.

So, how do we make a mission rediscovery church? That is determined by the direction in which the church is guided in its goings and comings (page 73).

Churches need CPR: congregating, praying, and reading the Bible. Korean churches already have an established method of CPR. They congregate for early morning prayer meetings (4-5 A.M.) or overnight prayer meetings (Friday 10 P.M.-Saturday morning). They pray loudly. They read the Bible through completely, all 66 books as one book as a whole.

Churches need to be participatory. They need an “In/Out-Out/In” method. All believers must live missionally and serve as active missionaries of Jesus daily. They must go out to bring others in and then send them out again to continue that missional living. “They scatter to gather, then scatter again” (page 80).

This chapter is a true example of the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV): (italics mine)

19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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Chapter 5 of The Church of the Perfect Storm was written by Dries Lombaard. In this chapter he explains the purposes of small groups in churches. What is the main purpose of small groups? The author gives the answer that we all already know … community. But what is community? Some people say community is a polite, friendly group while others say community is to share deep struggles and happy moments.

The author reminds us that “the first church never ‘did’ community; they ‘were’ community” (page 63). We aren’t supposed to ‘get’ everyone in small groups and call it community. We’re supposed to follow Jesus’ model and use the word ‘love’ as a verb. Jesus modeled and taught love in action. “The only acceptable motive for small groups is ‘agape’ love: unconditional love” (page 64). This is the kind of love that comes from Jesus from the cross.

Ministers, especially, must model this agape love of Jesus by remembering that our authority comes from God and we cannot teach and serve others if we don’t love them first.

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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Chapter 4 of The Church of the Perfect Storm was written by Alan Jamieson. In this chapter, he explains that “the storms approaching the church demand seasoned sailors of faith with much experience, skill, intuition, courage, fast thinking, and thoroughness” (page 54). Who are seasoned sailors and how do we become seasoned sailors?

Seasoned sailors are those people of faith who have weathered the storms. They have improved by life struggles, challenges, and crises. Not only does seasoning refer to people who have conquered and met the challenges of life, seasoning refers to salt as it adds flavor and improves the taste of food. People become seasoned by “having the salt rubbed in many times” (page 54). We become seasoned sailors by getting beat up a bit by jobs, situations, and people.

I’ve had my share of challenges and “beatings” in jobs and ministry positions. Directly in the middle of those situations, I wonder why things are happening this way and things aren’t working out the best way. Looking back on those situations, I sometimes still don’t know why things had to happen that way, but I see that those challenges have made me stronger and able to handle future situations. In new positions we think we have it all figured out and we know what we are doing. It takes speed bumps and waves along the way to slow us down and rely on God to steer the boat.

During each storm we become more seasoned sailors and more prepared to handle the next storm and trusted to come alongside others in their own storms. We have to remember to be prepared. We can’t wait till storms hit to read the manual or ask for advice. “Only the experience, skill, and courage of seasoned sailors will do” (page 61).

So come on. Let’s go sailing!

Tags: Books, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
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