Today, I Quit My “Job” - But, Not Like You May Think.

Well, there’s a real shocker for you! Likely you wondered, what’s up? You might’ve read the headline and drew your own conclusions but before I go any further let me explain to you in as clear of language as I can. Please don’t send comments and messages that spreads rumors. I am still employed! 

What I am discovering is that I cannot our off living until I am ready or have enough to retire. Strange isn’t it that we work all our lives for just the last few years we have to live? 

I’m still employed at my current role serving as Director of Church Engagement at White’s Residential and Family Services. I am still performing the function of my role and even expanding opportunities. Yet, something is going to be different in 2020. I can see with a renewed vision; that the why of work has little to do with my job! 

Now that I’ve got your attention however, let me take you a bit further to explain what this is all about. 

For many people their job is a chore. Many people take the attitude that they have to go to work so that they can make a living. They look at their job as a routine and often forget that it is more than that! I have heard it said that if you love what you’re doing than you are not just doing your “job” but rather you find meaning and purpose in life. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson left us a quote worthy of one of those inspirational wall posters: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Read more.

I resolve that I go to “work” not to make a living but the make a life! There is a difference between just living to work and being alive at work. 

Life is about purpose, meaning, and mission. It has little to do with a pay check. It has little to do with logging hours. It has even less to do with titles and tasks. 

Colossians 3:23-24 (New International Version) reminds us: 

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

I am reminded as 2020 is underway that just doing is not living but rather it is about being truly alive. If our job is as sacred as our purpose and mission, we will find satisfaction as well as life. 

You see, I am quitting my job of endless chores and tasks; it is not just about doing. I choose to make it about something eternal. I find joy in work because in that I discover ministry.  

What I do is with all my heart; as I am serving Christ by my daily activity. 

Pull Together!

Ecclesiastes 4:9 reads, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.”

There I was in yet another muddled matter where I had thought that I had it all together only to find out that I needed a second set of hands. I thought to myself that I could manage this heavy recliner by myself until I got to the doorway. with no place to set it down and no way to open the door I was in a difficult situation.

Human ingenuity can get me out of this, I thought. Maybe if I kick the door with my foot someone will hear me? Maybe I could haul it back to the truck and prop the door open? Maybe if I just stand here somebody will see my need and come to my rescue? 

I was barely able to stand so kicking the door with my foot was impossible! Well, I couldn’t muster the strength to carry it back to the truck! Waiting for somebody to rescue me never happened.

What happened next was a disaster. You could imagine! I just got in over my head!

Bad planning on my part. Being a Lone Ranger is not healthy. I know that about myself and yet I continue to behave this way. Instead of making several trips I try to carry all the groceries in at one time. Instead of asking for assistance I try to muscle it all on my own.

So what’s my point? Read on. 

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” - Andrew Carnegie

I think that’s the metaphor for what often happens among our churches. We tend to believe that because we have an existing congregation and because we have resources that somehow are able to carry the entire load by yourselves. Pastors are often overwhelmed. I traveled over 40,000 miles in 2019 meeting with Pastors. I met with hundreds of Pastors one on one. I’ve averaged well over 17 ministerial groups each month. I think I know something about Pastors. Besides all that, I served as a pastor for years.

We find ourselves carrying a heavy load all by yourselves with no one to rescue us and with not even enough strength to carry-on. When it comes to reaching our communities we tend to believe that “if only” they would come to my church; and we know how that goes. Yep, just like my own experience I illustrated, it results in a disaster.

Most churches average under 100. Churches that are large struggle with the prospects of finding enough volunteers to carry on the ministry. 

What if I told you that there’s an easier method?

In John 17 we find that Jesus prayed for unity. He took his disciples to a higher level of thinking. It wasn’t about who is greatest among them but about who is willing to serve. Jesus demonstrated true love by laying down his life and often we fight about preferences and ideas that don’t really matter in His Kingdom.

I believe that there should never be alone ranger in God’s kingdom. God doesn’t call us to be isolated but calls us into community. We act as if we can carry it all alone but if we are truly honest we would realize that we need each other; even if they’re from another denomination.

Recently I have been caught up in reading an incredible book that I recommend every pastor and church leader read. The book, entitled, Rooting for Rivals explores this very topic. It’s a book that challenges us to work together. As one of the authors puts it: “To focus on our unified mission and tenaciously pursue it. To do more together than we ever could do alone.”

Looking at this from the outside in, many question why the church seems to be more divided than ever before. Having been involved in ReviveINDIANA, doing prayer and evangelism, one of the biggest questions that people ask is what church are you from. The look of amazement comes over their face when we say, “We are actually from several churches.”

The authors of the book, “Rooting for Rivals” shares a startling statistic: 

When they began doing the survey in 1973, 43 percent of Americans said they placed a “great deal” of trust in “the church or organized religion.” Today, just 20 percent do. In 1973, just 7 percent said they placed “very little” trust in the church. Today, 24 percent do.

The authors, and I agree with them, believe that there’s a reason that the general public don’t trust us (the church). It is because we are not unified as described in John 17.

No matter the ministry thrust, like that of ReviveINDIANA, what matters most is that we come together. My fellow prayer partner and friend, Brian Daehn recently said, “There is no unity without a purpose.” 

So, I invite you to help me, and I help you. Instead of carrying the load all alone and isolated from community, let’s do it together. I’m certain that it starts with prayer but what happens next is up to us in cooperation with God! 

For now, let’s pull together!

Roadside Ramblings: Mission Jungle, Part 2 - God Can Use Anyone or Anything.

In my previous blog entry, I shared with you a story about doing a memorial service at the John Hancock Center in Chicago. In that story, I shared with you about how God directs us in ways that are often unexpected but that He will also be with us. 

In this edition, I want to continue the story that is  perhaps likened to times when the Lord used the most undeserving and unusual means to get His message through to people. To our surprise He may even use a donkey to convey His Will to people so undeserving of His grace. 

Read more about that story here.  Leo’s Memorial

Let me tell you the rest of the story that came as a result of doing the memorial service in the most unlikely of ways.

After preaching and praying at a memorial service a gentleman approached me and said to my amazement, “If it wasn’t for Leo, I would never have come to the Lord.” certainly with a look of interest and perhaps even shock I said to him, “Tell me more!“

If you read the first article you will undoubtedly understand my reason for amazement. The memorial service was of a man who never had a personal relationship with the Lord but in fact had the most unusual of acquaintances. One of which was a personal friend, Hugh Hefner. Likely you recognize that name; he is the founder of Playboy magazine and has established the iconic brand of the Playboy Bunny.  Leo was in the advertisement and created incredible and iconic household brands. 

The gentleman shared with me that he had known Leo his whole life. He went on to share that one of the things that Leo did for his employees was encourage them to have experiences that are outside the norm of their daily life. He would take members of his team on field trips so that they could have an understanding of how the world operated. 

One such trip that they took was to the Joliet prison. This prison is for hardened criminals! The man told me that as he went into the prison in the doors slammed behind him that, “Something shuttered within my own soul,” He offered. He described that his life was a mess and that he had done things that were tantamount to being in prison himself. 

He shared with me that as they toured the facility and he met different ones that his heart was grouped with great fear and that he couldn’t wait to get out of the place. Because of his personal relationship with Leo he told him all about it and questioned what this could mean. He shared with me that Leo simply said, “I don’t know. Do I look like a preacher to you?“

That put this gentleman on a quest to find someone who could help me understand what was going on. He said that he questioned his sanity or perhaps he needed counseling but all Leo recommended was to go see one of those preachers because they seem to have an opinion about everything.

One of the places that he went to was a church just down the road from where he lived in downtown Chicago. As he went in to chat with the pastor, he was amazed of the boldness that the pastor had about his situation. He told me that the pastor simply said, “You need to get saved. God is calling you to repent of your sin and become a follower.”

At that very moment my newly introduced friend told me that he humbled himself to accept Christ into his life. With tears in his eyes he wept as if that journey had just begun. He told me that he experienced this transformation 20 years earlier. As we stared out from the large windows at the John Hancock Center he sadly stated that he did not believe that Leo knew the Lord.

He stated that, “I often told him of the peace that I experience through that experience and the hope that he too could know of this joy.“ Yet, he shared that Leo would often say, “Good for you but that’s not for me.”

My new friend and I shared some quiet moments together as we each looked out to the Chicago skyline from those windows on the 44th floor of the John Hancock Center. He told me that, “Even God could use a man like Leo, if for no other reason but to bring me into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” He continued, “Yet, while denying himself the same joy and peace that I experience every day in my walk with Jesus.”

I am often reminded of how Nicodemus sought Jesus out in the evening and how Jesus said that you must become like a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven. It also reminded of how God not only uses miracles in our lives but sometimes even tragedies to convey his message to us because you see, God can use anyone or anything He chooses for His glory.

As Christians we as challenged to allow God to use us to make a difference. He is looking for the most humble and undeserving. That is you and that is me! 

Roadside Ramblings: Mission Jungle in Chicago - Part 1.

I drove only 17 miles from my home in the suburbs of Chicago and found myself in a mission jungle. Sometimes you just never know where God leads yet, as you remain obedient you are given an opportunity to have an extraordinary experience that forever changes your life and shapes your ministry worldview!

Let me back up for just a moment. I received a phone call from a friend of mine who said, “Hey Rick, what are you doing Sunday afternoon?” I answered, ”Well, what do you have in mind?”

At first I was thinking that perhaps my friend wanted to buy me dinner but instead he offered me an opportunity that has stuck with me now for over 13 years. My well respected friend and mentor, Rev. Howard Robbins is a pastor and ministry leader. His ministry has taken him around the world. 

He told me that there is an opportunity for me to give a eulogy and prayer at a service in downtown Chicago. Of all places, and to my surprise, this event occurred at the John Hancock building on the 44th floor. He said that he received a call from the niece of a man who was prominent. He told me just to prepare and to arrive early so that I could chat with those organizing the event but more details would follow.

Up to a challenge and a little bit naïve, I quickly wrote down as much information as I could and begin to make contact with family members. They knew to expect me but told me very little about how things would be organized. Yet, in spite of challenge, I made my way to the parking garage of the well-known Chicago high-rise, the John Hancock building. 

Entering the lobby I was escorted further to the location where the ceremony was to occur. I briefly made introduction with members of the family and was further introduced to the gentleman giving lead. The gentleman that I met had an outgoing personality with a beaming smile. He said to me, “Hello young man, I’m your emcee for today’s events!”

I thought to myself, what have I gotten myself into? I wasn’t sure if I was even in the right location because the atmosphere was rather unique. There was an open bar for anyone who wanted an alcoholic drink and some appetizers that were being catered as well. Chairs were assembled in rows like a theater with a traditional podium at the front but this was no traditional experience I ever had at a Funeral/Memorial Service. Nearly everyone was dressed in a very professional tailored attire and the crowd looked to be very wealthy. The leader, a.k.a. emcee, gave me the rundown for “today’s activities”

My emcee simply said, “I will give opening remarks and invite you to come forward to pray and then I will make other remarks and invite you to come up again and give your speech.” He encouraged me to be brief and to the point and wondered if it was OK to just simply introduce me as, “Our local padre.” Nodding my head in disbelief I was anxious just to get things underway.

Looking out the large glass windows, overlooking the Chicago Skyline, I wondered what planet I was on. Everything seemed very strange to me. I lifted up a word of prayer and ask the Lord to give me a message that would speak to everyone in attendance. The message that I had prepared for this occasion just did not seem appropriate. This was an unusual experience and likely a tremendous opportunity for those in attendance, especially for me!

The memorial service begin with a strange introduction by the emcee. While lifting up his glass of champagne for a toast to our dear departed one named Leo, I sank into my seat still praying!  

To my shock and amazement the emcee began to describe his relationship with Leo. That was the first time that I ever learned who Leo was. ”Oh, Leo!” our emcee muttered. “What could be said of a man that has done so much in his 90 years of living?“

He continued, “Leo has built the business from the ground up. He created the brand that we know as the Marboro man he promoted the sale of cigarettes that launched him into a marketing guru. He has dined with celebrities including Hugh Hefner himself. From the time they would meet in this very room & they grew an industry of the likes few can aspire to.”

I sank deeper into my seat! 

He went on to say, “Our local Padre will now open our meeting in prayer.” 

Gulp! 

With further remarks that were made by the emcee, I had wondered if I had entered a mission jungle because I understood nothing about the life and experience of nearly everyone in the room. It’s as if they spoke a different language in their customs were far from my own.  As my mind drifted and my heart beat out of my chest I continued to pray and especially as the emcee read a personal letter from Hugh Hefner. The letter was, well, let me just say that it was not G-Rated.

What suddenly brought me out of my racing mind were the words that the emcee said next. He simply said, “Well, Padre, come and give your speech!“

I was completely dependent on the Lord at that moment as I shared a message about God‘s love and plan for our sinful state of existence. I assure you that whatever I said, It had to be from the Lord because I was truly dependent on His leading at that moment. 

Remarkably, the attendees responded very well and especially as the emcee said in his own words, “Padre, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Good words!“

I mingled a bit with others including a man who had worked for Leo his entire life at the company. He remarked that he wished that Leo knew the Lord. He told me that he tried often to share his Christian faith with him but that Leo would generally reply, “That’s good for you but I’m different.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hancock_Center
Now called 875 North Michigan Avenue (175 E Delaware)

To my surprise however this gentleman told me that Leo saved his life! He said to me, “I wouldn’t be a Christian today if it wasn’t for Leo.“ With a look of shock on my face I simply replied, “Tell me more!”

He shared a remarkable story that I’ll have to pick up with you on the next edition but simply to say in his own words; “Even God could use a man like Leo, if for no other reason but to bring me into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He continued, “Yet, he denied himself the same joy and peace that I experience every day in my walk with Jesus.” 

This experience has informed me and my ministry over the years to be willing to share the good news with everyone no matter where the Lord leads you.