Pastor Paul Unplugged!

Lessons from a Great Communicator

2012-02-16T21:26:00.000-05:00

LESSONS FROM A GREAT COMMUNICATOR

To learn from the greatest communicator, the only one whoever communicated perfectly, we can read the New Testament and study Jesus. He could give a graduate seminar on communicating. When he spoke, crowds gathered to hear what he had to say. When asked a question, he didn't always answer the question that was on a person's lips; he answered the question in his heart. After studying the Gospels, I think the most instructive passage on communication is also the first example of Jesus being at the center of a crowd:

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers (Luke 2:46-47, KJV).

In this example, Jesus is only twelve years old. Mary and Joseph have started the long walk back home after the Passover holiday not yet realizing that Jesus isn't with them. He stayed at the Temple to talk with the doctors and rabbis who met there regularly for debate and discussion. Four things are important to learn from this passage. What was Jesus doing in the midst of the doctors? Well, the passage says that he was hearing them and asking questions.

Those are the first two important things: hearing and asking questions.
This led him to understanding, and then he was able to give them answers. Understanding and answers are the third and fourth things to notice in this example. Jesus was there to hear them and ask questions, which led to understanding and his ability to give answers. Think about the sociological context of this period. In the Judean culture, women and children had no place with these rabbis who were sitting around stroking their long beards. So how did Jesus earn the right to sit in the middle and hold court? What allowed him this special treatment? To the community at large, Jesus was nothing more than Mary and Joseph's son; and, frankly, those rabbis probably didn't even know or care who Joseph was, let alone know his son.

What gave Jesus his entrÃ©e to this elite crowd? I can tell you what his entrÃ©e was. As those rabbis and doctors met and discussed these deep issues, this little twelve-year old kid named Jesus stood on the edge of their great theological debate and listened. The longer he listened, the more he heard. After awhile I imagine there was a pause in the conversation; and Jesus spoke up and said something like, "Rabbi Moshi, could I ask you a question, sir?" Indulging the child who had been listening for so long, they allowed him a single question. But when he asked the question, it revealed such deep insight and power that the scholars were soon asking themselves, "Where did that question come from? Boy, that's a deep question for a twelve-year-old." And with his insightful question, he had earned the right to an answer. So they answered him. Then he asked another penetrating question, and then another, and that continued until Jesus understood their position.
Soon they wanted to know more about what he thought. The conversation changed course, and they began to ask him questions. Then he was ready with the answers; and the discussion continued until three days had passed and his parents came back to collect him. Jesus was holding court with these learned men, but the situation didn't start that way. It started with him listening, observing, and hearing what they had to say.

What do we typically do when we come across a discussion? Many of us jump right to the answer giving. We miss some of the best opportunities to communicate because everywhere we go, we talk. We never go simply to listen. When there are three or four people in the hallway, we never stand there and become part of the group; we want to be the one who gives the answers. As leaders, we need to do more listening. We need to resist being the one who knows it all. By listening to others, we learn how to communicate more effectively with both abstract and concrete communicators. We receive better information from those around us, and then we gain a greater understanding of the situation.

(Taken in part from: What's Shakin' Your Ladder by Dr. Sam Chand

Sunday Notes for 2/12/12

2012-02-12T15:02:00.000-05:00

"...As my soul burns deep within me, I feel Jesus in this place."

We certaintly felt His presence and power at MZBC this morning. As worshipping community we continue to go higher and higher in the Lord.

I am thankful for the praise team that led us into the presence of God this morning and set the atmosphere. They sung powerfully "Give myself Away" and "When I think about the Lord!" I am thankful for those anointed voices that are so committed to the Kingdom of God and willing to share their gifts with this branch of Zion. I continue to be strengthened by the prayers and songs lifted at MZBC and pray they are a "sweet aroma" to God.

Doubly excited today that my baby girl gave her life to Christ today. I am also excited by all that have joined our fellowship since the beginning of the year. As i am apt to say, God is up to something!

Grateful for all of the visitors that attended our worship experience. And pray that whatever they stood in need of they recieved in Jesus name.

I started a new series of sermons entitled WHAT EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD KNOW, I preached today from Romans 8:28 and entitled the sermon, We Will Win. I focused the sermon on Pauls transitional phrase "And we know." I argued that we know, because of what God has done before and what He is doing right now because God is actively involved in our lives. I look forward to continuing that series of sermons next week.

Preparing now for our Wednesday Bible Study. We are studying through the Gospel according to Mark. This Wednesday we will be in the eight chapter. If you are not to busy come grow in with word with us. We would love to have you.

The role of the Holy Spirit in building the church

2012-02-11T15:01:00.000-05:00

The Holy Spirit carries out the will of Godto buld the church. This is the objective truth of the pastoral ministry: the church is the work of the Holy Spirit...Since this is the case, all of the church leaders, and pastors in particular, must be sanctifie, directed and empowered by the Spirit to do the owrk o the Spirit, which is to build the church into the blessed household of God.

David Hansen, The Art of Pastoring: Ministry Without All the Answers,45.

Enduring Hardship like a Good Soldier

2012-02-09T19:49:00.000-05:00

David Hansen in his book The Art of Pastoring: Ministry without all of the Answers writes concerning ministry that "the ministry in all its parts---preaching, teaching, visitation, spiritual discipline, church politics works under the Lord's sovereign hand to excise the pernicious tumor of sin from the parishoners we love. This process causes the Old Man to scream, bite, claw, threaten,slander and accuse." He further remarks "enduring this abuse is quite necessary. No pastor in his or her right mind likes it."

This is probably what Paul understood about the dynamics of ministry. I submit this is why he seeks to encourage his protege in the ministry Timothy to "endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Surely, Paul's own ministry stood as an attestation that this proess of calling, challenging and confronting our "OLD" ways of being, doing, thinking, acting and speaking will cause some to react and retaliate in ways that our antithetical to what and who we profess.

Unfortunately, clergy are too often the recipients of congregational abuse as a result of their mandate to challenge and confront persons within the congregation to embody in action the lives they express in profession. Despite the negative reactions and retaliatory nature of some the challenge is clear that we must "endure the hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

Sunday Worship Notes for December 18, 2011

2011-12-18T19:36:00.000-05:00

I have been away for a while. My focus and attention has been on the completion of my Doctoral Dissertation. I am now in the final edit phase and am preparing my dissertation for final submission by the end of the month. I plan to be more faithful in my writing.

Nevertheless, We had a powerful worship experience today at the MZBC. The glory of God filled our sanctuary. His presence was powerful. Rev. Heiskill preached today and preached a powerfully prophetic message from Matthew 1:18-25. It is an honor to see how God is using this young man for His glory.

Our male chorus led us in song and ushered us into the presence of God in a powerful way.

I am thankful for the "Love" offering that was raised for me today. As i reflected on that act of love and kindness, i was reminded how grateful i am to serve as pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Humbled by the visitors that worshipped with us today.

I am not sure what 2012 will hold for us as a community of faith but am excited because i believe God is always up to something.

How to Get Out of Your Own Way!

2011-07-08T07:45:00.000-04:00

I read somewhere that Charles Spurgeon would read up to six (6) books a week. I have certainly not reached that milestone but do admire the discipline of this great expositor of God's word.

My own practice of reading generally finds me reading two (2) to three (3) books a week. I must admit this has become an easier task since the advent of the Kindle and Nook E-Reader Applications i have downloaded to my IPAD.

One of the books i have recently read was "How to Get Out of Your Own Way!" by Tyrese Gibson the R and B singer who first came to our attention as a teenager singing an R and B inspired Coca Cola jingle.

In that book Tyrese outlines several ways, in his estimation, that we can get out of our own way and live the life God has called us to and created us for us to live. And as i reflected on that title and his suggestions, i discovered that God through the wisdom of the proverbial sages had already provided for us a way to get out of our own way.

It is found in the 3rd Chapter of the book of Proverbs beginning with the fifth (5th) verse. He outlines three steps we must take to get out of our own way. They are:

1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
2. Do not depend on your own understanding.
3. Seek His will in all that you do.

And what this writer promises us is this, when we get out of the way and allow God to have His way, "He will show us which path to take." (NLT)

Are you living a disciplined life?

2011-07-06T11:20:00.000-04:00

Are you living a disciplined life?

No one would argue that in life to obtain any measure of success requires discipline. It is safe to assume that our ability to achieve acclaim and accolades is in direct proportion to our disciplining ourselves. It has been asserted that discipline is what you do when no one is watching. This is true of every area of life and every endeavor of undertaking.

This is seen most aptly in sports. I remember reading an article and watching a subsequent report on Gilbert Arenas. I marveled at the discipline he displayed in striving to become a better basketball player. It was reported that Arenas took thousands of jump shots a week, however, the impressive part was not the number he took the number that he disciplined himself to make. You see, he would stay in the Gym until he had hit a certain number of shots per day. The results were evident by the number and variety of shots he would take and make during the course of a game.

Well if this is true of sports than it is certainly true of our spiritual lives. It is my contention that if we want to grow spiritually and mature in Christ, we too must be disciplined. The spiritual fathers and mothers called them spiritual disciplines. And as we endeavor to become more life Christ, we must acknowledge our need for a steady diet of prayer, solitude, silence, Bible reading and study, fasting and sabbath rest.

It is also through these disciplines that we can experience God through his the Spirit on a deeper level. In fact, it is through these disciplines that we come to experience deeper dimensions of the Divine and create sacred space to commune with our creator. For as Howard Thurman asserted in his essay, The Quiet Ministry of the Spirit, "it is good to experience the quiet ministry of the living spirit of the living God." This quiet ministry in his words buffets us from the worries, winds and whims of life. This ministry fortifies us against the anxieties, angst and apprehensions, which seek to threaten our peace. It is through our "discipline" that we come to experience this quiet ministry of the Spirit. And it is through the Spirits ministry that we are assured of a "miracle of relief and we are released. The danger is passed, the conflict is over. it is good, so very good to experience the quiet ministry of the living spirit of the living God."

Endeavor today to live a more disciplined life and begin to reap the benefits of renewal, relationship and restoration.

Insight from Tony Morgan on eight characteristics of healthy church systems

2011-06-27T23:52:00.000-04:00

I found this article insightful and informative. I have dedicated the better part of this year evaluating and strengthening the systems at MZBC. I pray you will find it useful. For more information and resources reference TonyMorganLive.com.

8 Characteristics of Healthy Systems for Churches

1.They empower leaders to accomplish ministry without always having to get permission. Without systems, every decision must go back to the senior pastor, the senior management team, the committee, etc. In his book Making Ideas Happen, Scott Belsky said it this way, “The more people who lie awake in bed thinking about your idea, the better. But people only obsess about ideas when they feel a sense of ownership.” Good systems will give leaders the freedom to make decisions within established boundaries.

2.They are embraced and championed by the top leadership. It does absolutely no good for systems to be established that top leadership doesn’t support and encourage everyone to use. If the top leaders can’t endorse the system, you’re not ready to implement the system.

3.They mobilize many people rather than leaning on a select handful of talented individuals. If your system is “contact Joe for more information”, you don’t have a system. If your system is “go hear Joe teach on the topic”, you don’t have a system. You have a gifted individual. Good systems point people to next steps (processes, tools, resources, etc.) rather than specific people.

4.They simplify the path. The objective is to create just enough of a framework to make it easier for people. Good systems are intuitive. Typically the fewer the steps, the better the systems. If you want to improve a system, challenge your team to figure out how to reduce the steps required. And, whatever you do, make sure your “customer” doesn’t have to guess where to go next.

5.They are established around key touch points in your organization. Think about your overall ministry. Do you want people to connect in ministry? Find a group? Communicate an event? Become a member? Join your staff? Those are all key touch points where people typically take a next step. Those are the places where you need strong systems.

6.They improve over time. If you feel like you have to wait until the system is perfect, you will stay stuck. You need to roll out the beta version. Test-drive it. See what works and tweak the rest based on the feedback you receive.

7.They need to change over time. This is the challenge that many mainline churches are facing. They’re still trying to use systems that worked years ago, but are no longer effective today. It’s a dangerous place when we start protecting the systems to the detriment of accomplishing the overall mission.

8.They are measured and monitored for trends. You’ll need to capture both numbers and stories. The objective, though, is to look at outcomes (life change) rather than inputs (church activities).
Good people using bad systems will never produce good results. Normal people using good systems can produce great results.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

2011-06-26T22:03:00.000-04:00

We had a powerful worship experience today. The praise team set an atmosphere of praise and worship, the Total Praise Choir sang the songs of Zion with passion and power The Rev. Fuller of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Mechanicsville spoke to our students who were promoted to the next level and reminded all of us of how to "position" ourselves for success using selected text from Isaiah 60.

While, I am not surprised by what God will do with a totally surrendered life and people I am still awe-inspired by the ways in which God answers prayers, manufactures blessings, and express mails miracles. And, as Pastor/Servant Leader I am always thankful and grateful for the ways in which God shows himself mighty in the life of our congregation. I am also often overwhelmed by the love that is displayed in our fellowship. Even today when we received the news that death has again invaded our ranks, the overwhelming support and expressions of concern were further evidence that ours is a community that is loving, caring, helping and sharing.

I continue to be excited by the new faces we see in the place and for the one that came to give her life to Christ today.

I certainly invite your prayers as we open the revival for First Bethel Baptist Church tomorrow and as we bring to a conclusion our study of James on Wednesday.

S.D.G

Service Notes 11/21/10

2010-11-21T17:02:00.002-05:00

"Amazing Grace shall always be my song of praise!" As a community we celebrated God's goodness in our individual and collective lives. Our Male Chorus sung to the glory of God and we truly experienced the presence and power of God today. I continued our sermon series, "I AM all that you need" inspired by the 7 I AM statements of Jesus in the Gospel according to John where we looked at Jesus' statement of self-determination and revelation, I AM the door. I added a subtitle to the title today of Access Granted! I argued that there are several guarantees for those who recognize that Jesus is the door or the gate, which grants us access to God the Father.

As i write this blog i am preparing to attend a pre-thanksgiving service tonight with our sister churches in what is affectionately called the "old church" community. I am excited to have the opportunity and humbled by the experience of worshipping ecumenically with our brothers and sisters from the Bethlehem and Immanual churches respectively.

Ultimately, I thank God for those added to the church today and i eagerly wait to see what God will do next in the life of our church family!

Sunday Notes for November 7, 2010

2010-11-07T16:16:00.002-05:00

We had a tremendous service today at Mount Zion.

We baptized one of our young and as a community shared in the Lord's Supper. I began a series of sermons on the 7 I AM statements of Jesus found in the Gospel according to John. The series is entitled "I AM all that you need!" Todays message was entitled "I AM the bread of life" found in the 6th chapter of John's gospel. Next Sunday, we will focus our attention on Jesus' assertion that "I AM the light of the world." It is truly a blessing to be able to serve in a place, with a people who love God and the word of God.

Personally, I am grateful for all of the persons from the worship team, hospitality, ushers,greeters and culinary teams who made this service possible and set the atmosphere of worship today. After our service, we honored our She-ro's and Heroes who have served our country faithfully and unselfishly. It was a time of food, fun and fellowship.

Finally, I rejoice over all of the souls that were saved today and for those who were added to the church. To God be the Glory for the great things He continues to do in us and through us.

To God be the Glory!

2010-10-25T10:08:00.003-04:00

God did it again. His presence and power filled the sanctuary of Mount Zion Church on yesterday. "Worship Experience" led us into worship and set the atmosphere. Every fourth Sunday we celebrate our youth and they definitely represented on yesterday. I am grateful for the young children whose boldness for the Lord blessed us as they led us in the reading of the announcements and even led us in a musical jubilation of "Hosanna." The blessing was they sung the song with no musical accompinement. And When we thought we couldn't go any higher. "Total praise" took us to an even higher level. It was exciting to see some persons return to the choir and some new voices joining the choir. All singing to the Glory of God!!

Our very own Rev. Abrams-Wallace blessed us with a message from Psalm 121 and reminded us all of God's saving and sustaining power in the midst of our trouble, turmoils and tragedies. When she finished there were not many dry eyes in the sanctuary.

What a blessed message and blessed service we had as we experienced God in a deeper and more intimate way. I continue to thank God for the way He continues to bless Mount Zion and am excited about those who committed or re-committed their lives to Christ on yesterday. To God be the glory!

Please pray for us this Wednesday as we serve as the guest of the Providence Park Baptist Church during their fall revival.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Paul

2010-10-19T15:16:00.003-04:00

God continues to show himself mighty in our lives. We had a powerful service on Sunday and felt the presence of God. The Mighty Men of Zion led us in worship and ushered us into the presence of God.

I preached from Psalm 46 and dealt with "Why we don't fear!" I love the book of Psalms and the 46th division is one of my favorites. I had actually been meditating on those first three verses for two weeks. I pray that it was helpful and I thank God for using me and for allowing me to serve at Mount Zion.

I was also excited because Andre took first place in his AAU Karate Competition in Hampton.

In the afternoon we were the guest of the First Shiloh Baptist Church with my friend, Pastor Dexter Cannon. I was tired from the morning service but as usual God's strength is seen in our weakness. God moved in a mighty way during that service. As i am apt to say what a migthy God we serve.

It's all faith

2010-09-26T14:27:00.003-04:00

I am sitting in my family room reflecting on the worship service at Mount Zion Baptist Church, which we affectionally call MZBC. We were blessed today by the Reverend Gwendolyn Wright who spoke to our youth but ultimately had a message for the young and the young at heart. Using the context of Jesus feeding the multitude in John 6, she reminded us that when we are willing to trust God with our little bit God can bless us beyond our wildest imaginations. As disciples of Christ and as a community of faith determined to develop disciples this was a timely message.

As i listened to her and as i now reflect on her message, I am reminded anew that we can not do anything without faith. I define faith as feelings aside I trust Him! It is faith that allows us to turn over to God our hopes, dreams and aspirations. It is faith that strengthens us to move out of our comfort zones and it is faith that anchors us when it looks like it won't work out. I was reminded today that this is a walk of faith. In fact what i was reminded of is that it's all faith.

2010-07-15T12:11:00.001-04:00

Larry Osborne asserts "we will never be healthier than our leadership team." I perceive this to be the most important indicator of organizational success.

A time of renewal, relaxation and reflection

2010-07-15T00:22:00.002-04:00

I just returned home from a week of study and fellowship at the E.K. Bailey Conference on Expository Preaching in Dallas Texas. It was a remarkable conference and served as a time of renewal, relaxation and reflection. It also served as a time of remembrance of what we as proclaimers of the Gospel are called to do namely, preach Christ. I was reminded again and again of the importance of the primacy of Christ in our preaching and our teaching. While this may seem obvious to you, i was reminded of how often "our understanding" is trumped by our desire to be liked and well received. As a result, we often preach a watered down gospel, which seeks to soften the obligation of the Gospel message and in effect cheapen the message and mandate of our maker and master. In short, we do more harm than good by placating the pathologies of persons in the pews. Ultimately what happens is our proclamation sounds more pathetic than prophetic as we seek to appease persons with a gospel message that is pleasing. We inadvertently become accomplices after the fact for those whom Paul said would be infected and affected by "itchy ears." I am thankful for the E.K. Bailey conference for providing a forum, whereby the next generation of pastors, proclaimers and preachers can be reminded of their prophetic calling.

2010-05-25T14:27:00.001-04:00

"The kingdom of God is..the rule of God in every area of life, including the church, home, workplace and neighborhood." Henry and Richard Blackaby

Antioch's Friendship Seminar ..James Sailes pastor

2010-05-17T18:38:00.000-04:00

Pastor Paul, addressing audience at the Antioch Baptist Church sponsored Relationship Seminiar, "Am I ready for we?

Antioch's Friendship Seminar ..James Sailes pastor

2010-05-17T18:32:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my Blog

2010-05-12T21:54:00.004-04:00

Thank you for visiting my Blog. I hope you will subscribe to my blog. That way you will get an alert everytime I post a Blog. Also, check out the Mount Zion Baptist Church official website at http://www.mymzbc.org/. Be blessed and remember, Prayer changes things.