Preparing For The Forth Quarter

I'll never forget the night i walked the aisle during a Youth Revival at Westwood Baptist Church in Adamsville, Alabama and surrendered my life to the ministry. Jesus had gotten my attention earlier that year when someone got me thinking by telling me that "God had a wonderful plan for my life!" Those 8 words rocked my world then and 40+ years later they still rock my world. 

Early in 2007 the Lord began to stir in my heart that I was going to spend the rest of my life putting into younger leaders. I have to admit that I don't always fully understand what things mean. Sometimes I am told something for me to know and then I have to trust the Lord to give me the next step to walk it out. About six months later God led me to resign my church of seventeen years and embark on a new assignment. That assignment led to what has been some of the most fruitful times of ministry, not just in a local church but also throughout the body of Christ that I have ever experienced.  About eight months ago the Lord began to prepare me for another part of my journey.  Several years ago I read Bob Bufford's book Halftime about moving from success to significance. It's a great book that I highly recomend for anyone to read especially if you are in your 40's or 50's. Back in March I began to ask myself some questions about if I was truly pursuing significance in my life and using my gifts, talents and abilities the way that I should in the forth quarter of my life.

I love football. There is nothing like the feeling right before the start of a game when you see the crowd, take in the atmosphere and run through the  big sign the cheerleaders made and start the game. Then there's the first quarter, then the second then the halftime. The halftime is the difference maker and gives you a second chance to run back out there (this time with less fanfare and no sign) and just get to work being more intentional and getting what needs to get done, done! The best I can tell as I try to decern my life, it's late in the 3rd quarter and I want to enter the 4th quarter with my head and hands lifted high with 4 fingers up chanting 4th quarter!

Several years ago I learned that in order for me to allow the Lord to lead and order my steps as He has promised to do in His word, I had to think in steps. I'm not sure why I'd rather think in leaps and jumps but it's the steps of the righteous that are ordered by the Lord.
A few weeks ago I took a step that I believe was ordered of the Lord to resign my staff position at World Outreach Church. I am curently coaching 45 leaders in Infuse, + all the other ministries and services I offer through Jim Wideman Ministries. I am also building some partnerships with some other ministries and churches throughout the US that I believe in to consult and work with. I am not retiring, I'm re-focusing. I have been amazed at the way God has opened doors for me to use the gifts He place in me for His purposes. I am so thankful for saying yes to the call of God on my life years ago and also today and look forward to seeing what Jesus has in store for me in the days ahead. I know in my heart, God is not done with me! My best years are ahead and Jesus is going to build His Church and I am thankful that I can be a part of what He is doing in these last days!

More to come...

It's A Good Friday

Today I get to serve communion to individuals, families and even whole small groups at our church- World Outrch Church. It's always one of my most favorite days of the year. We do this at two different times. (11:00-1:00 & 4:00- 7:00)  I am so blessed to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of all wonderful people here in Murfreesboro, TN. I am so blessed. The cool thing is I'll get to serve communion to my family today as well!
It is a good Friday!

A Little Memorial Day History

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem: She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it. Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country. There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.

Yesterday, I was so touched by the way World Outreach Church led us all to remember those who gave their all for our country. The color guards, the field drum, the trumpet, the video images were beautiful. I am so thankful for a church that helps me remember the main thing about main things! Please take a minute today parents to pray with your children for the families of those who have lost love ones and teach your children what Memorial Day is all about!

Happy Mother's Day!

I've always been a mama's boy. I love my Mom! My Mom is one of the most caring, loving and fun people I have ever met. She loves people and loves life and has passed both of those gifts to me.

My wife is also an amazing Mom. It's been easier for me to work and be successful outside the home because of how she cared for our kids and ran our home. The reason we are as close to our kids as we are is because of her. Whatever any of us need she's there providing support! She is simply amazing and such a God sent.

On this Mother's Day I am thankful not only for the woman who birthed me and who raised me by herself for most of my childhood and the wonderful wife and mother of my children that I've shared over 32 years with but I am thankful also for the newest mother in my life, my daughter! It has been a blast watching Yancy be a Mom. The way she looks at my Grandson I see that love in her eyes that only a mother has and it's so cool. 

So Happy Mother's Day ladies, may you know you are love, you are appreciated, and you are special!

This Mama's boy loves you bunches!

What is Orange?

For the fifth year in a row, thousands of leaders will gather in Atlanta to talk, not only about what they are learning, but what they feel compelled to do about it. These are leaders who dare to rethink and who are willing to move in radical ways to influence the next generation. Some have created unique churches. Some have sacrificed immensely to rescue those in crisis. Some have launched innovative ministries. Some have recently stepped out of their comfort zone, to start over. They are pastors, leaders, parents, educators, and innovators who have a burning passion for the faith of the next generation.
I happen to be one of those thinkers! Orange is more than a conference it's more than just a movement. It's a way of life based on a belief that the family and the church can accomplish more together than either one of them can accomplish on their own.

Once again I have the honor of not only attending but I'll also be sharing in five workshops as well as some different fellowship options. Beginning Tuesday, April 26th my good friend and fellow infuse coach Sam Luce is flying into Nashville to drive over with me and my family to Atlanta. When I'm not speaking I'll be hanging out with Sam and others in the blogger's lounge.

Some of the sessions and workshops will be streamed. I hope you'll look for me If you are going. I'd love to connect and talk and dream with you about how we can effectively reach the next generation. I'm posting my schedule just in case you want to connect. Also you can download my workshop notes here as well. If you can't attend this year I hope you'll make plans to join the conversation at http://www.whatisorange.org/orangeleaders/ also feel free to download my sessions as well.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Pre-conference Workshop #3 1:00-1:45pm - How To Get More Done In A Day Room 8

Pre-conference Workshop #4 2:15-3:00pm - How to: Create a Worker Application for Children's & Student Ministries Room 11

Pre-Conference Workshop #5 3:30-4:15pm - How to: Create A Worker Orientation Manual Room 11
Infuse Dinner-  5:30 pm Taqueria Los Hermanos 
4955 Sugarloaf Pkwy Suite # 122 Lawrenceville, GA 30045  (Sugarloaf Promenade Plaza) If you have been in any of my infuse mentoring groups past, present or future join us for dinner and a time of catching up.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28

Live Streaming Interview with Tripp Crosby 12:20(EST) - 12:35PM

Hosting a VIP Lunch @ 1:00PM

Breakout B 2:30-3:30pm Room 1 - Aligning The Children's and Student Departments

I'll be attending the Student Pastors Meet Up @ Dave & Buster's @ 7:00PM

FRIDAY, APRIL 29

Breakout C 11:30-12:30pm Room 8- Recruiting Secrets That Work

Why Can't We All Get Along-part 4

Since we are part of the same family we must practice family living. Judgment must start with us. 1Peter 4:17 says, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? It’s up to us to pray and search our hearts and ask God to show us areas where we have an us verses them mentality. It’s time to be all “us” when it comes to helping the family reach their children no matter what age their children are. We all have to decide to support one another. As a long time children’s pastor I purposed there where some things I needed to do to help the student ministry department long before I was over it. Commit to pray for the youth ministry team. Offer help to them; use your talents, abilities, and giftings to serve them. Ask for their help and input.  Learn to practice Romans 12:15 and rejoice with the accomplishments of others. Dare to be an encourager even better yet dare to be a friend. Proverbs 18:25 tells us  “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. I think it’s also important for youth and children’s ministers to learn to share joyfully. In most churches it is a necessity to have to share

rooms or facilities. That’s also true for resources and even workers. We should also go out of our way to share ideas. For this spirit of sharing to really exist we must be willing to confront wrong thinking and actions and act as a peace maker (Romans 12:18) Admit when there is a problem and always be willing to work out all differences.

Why Can't We All Get Along-part 3

Structure is an amazing study to me. (In fact I'm working on a new book right now on the subject) One of the cool things about getting to travel to different churches is to see how they organize and structure their different ministries. For some reason a lot of churches like to do what they have always done. Because of this they have what they have always had. Just because you adopt a model for a season doesn’t mean you are married to it forever. There are many models to choose from today most I have found are a re-naming or re-positioning of older models. Also I am seeing that many people are moving to a family ministry model but they have not spent time defining what family ministry looks like to them and they put the family ministry name on an old Christian Education model. What you do to aid and assist the family is more important to me than what you call it.

Why Can't We All Get Along-part 2

Ephesians 4:11-12 says “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. I have looked from cover to cover and I can’t find the title Children’s or Youth Pastor mentioned in the Bible other than under the office of the pastor. We both exist to serve and help our pastors. We might work with different age groups but the purpose is the same! Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart. This verse to me doesn’t stop in children’s ministry; it extends to the youth department and beyond. What we do to train children from thirteen to age eighteen is just as important to the process as what we do from three years old until twelve. My good friend Mark Harper says “If Children don’t make close friends at church during forth, fifth and sixth grade they will not stay plugged in the church youth group. I agree with Mark that the things we do with children have lasting affects. 

Why Can't We All Get Along

All of us in ministry are on the same team, at least we are supposed to be!

1 Corinthians 12:14-19 tells us there are many different parts of the body of Christ but we exist for the same purpose. If you look in these verses you’ll see three main points. First you should see that every part of the body is needed and is important. Second there is no place for jealousy in the body! And third God knew what He was doing by creating different parts of the body by His own design. We might have different callings or interests but we have the same purpose. The other day I was looking at some different posts on twitter and after reading some #kidmin posts and also a few #stumin or #youthmin posts and reading some of the blogs they were connected to I felt lead to do my own tweet… “I’m not sure who started the war kidmin or stumin? Doesn’t matter it’s time to end it and work together”. I got several retweets and comments but the fact is it’s time we started working together to reach the family. As long as parents have children to parent I want to help them succeed. 


more to come