T,T,T,Team Ministry

Lately through the blowing winds in the forest of ministry in VO you can hear the sounds of plateaued leaders saying, “Let’s do team ministry.” It seems like people are starting to figure out that the day of the one man show is over. We are entering into a day where ministry is shared, decisions are collaborative, ideas do not just belong to the upper-eschelon. No. Team is in full motion.  But here is the question? How are teams being activated? What is the leaders function over a team? How do I know if I am really doing team ministry or not? I want to share:

Listen, here is what team ministry is not:

1. Team ministry is not people sitting in rows looking at the team leader. It is people sitting in circles looking at each other. A staff meeting is not a church service or leadership training. A team meeting is a discussion with a desired outcome set by the team leader.

2. Team ministry is not appointing people to responsibilities or appointing someone to a position and saying, “You are a part of the team, brother.” True team ministry is: Sharing the authority, resources, time, influence and a whole bunch of other stuff. Team ministry is everyone functioning on the same level. Team members have some decision making power.

3. Team ministry does not have a label like “Richard’s team”, “John’s team” “Kobe’s team”. A true team is bigger than the leader. Remember, we don’t play for the name on the back, we play for the name on the front.

4. Team ministry is not led by hierarchy but by accountability. Each team member must have a responsibility, and each team member must produce. Including the team leader. So called, teams that are run by seniority usually struggle with production. Age is a factor in any teams production. But if a leader is still able to produce, then a team can be powerful and effective. Oh yeah, and preaching doesn’t count.

Elevate.

Evangelism. Change.

Lately, I have thought of all of the things that we are dealing with in the world. I must say, things look pretty grim. Television news is bombarded with negative features from world politics to the latest small town scandal and it doesn’t seems to be getting any better. That is why I feel an urgency to reach out to the hurting in an unconventional way. Unconventional you say? Absolutely. If the world around us is changing, shouldn’t we change as well? If the world around is more open then ever to the gospel, shouldn’t our methods of evangelism become more personal? Our greatest time for change is at hand. Here is how we can change to reach a hurting world around us:

1. Make evangelism more personal. Talk to people about their problems. People want to talk. People want to express how they feel about the government, about society, about life. This will create a great opportunity for the presentation of the real Jesus in us all.

2. Take time to volunteer. Effective evangelism is not a radical, over the top street rallying cry. That is what is happening in Iran and in other demonstrations around the world. We don’t want to look like them. We need to look like Jesus right now. Take some time to volunteer in your church or to meet needs in your neighborhood. This is our chance to demonstrate God’s love through our generous example.

3. Live as a powerful example of victory. Now is not a time to be down in the dumps. Keep your “torn garments, sackcloth & ashes” in the closet. Now is the time to live for God, even under the most discouraging pressures. As believers we know that God can do miracles. If we were to activate our faith for someone else, what could God do for us? I believe that our answer may just lie in that reality. Take care of someone else, let God take care of us.

4. Mentor someone who wants to grow. Someone once said, “Evangelism is incomplete without discipleship.” This is what the great commission is all about. We can make a great impact by simply taking someone under our wing and loving them and teaching them. If we all got busy in discipleship, we could change the world for Jesus.

5. Be generous. Anyway you slice it, evangelism cost. It takes finances to reach hurting families. To develop programs that touch people and to create materials that will impact our society. One great way of doing evangelism is to give and to give big. Recently, I have come to find that churches are doing more to reach out and meet the needs of hurting people. That means that people are opening up their wallets or pocketbooks to advance the kingdom. That is encouraging.

Have a great week. Elevate.

Pastor Al

The Journey of a Great Church.

It’s seems that everyone is on a journey these days. Whether its a journey of self discovery, personal achievement, or destiny. Everyone is trying to get somewhere for God. But what if there was a church that could say. We have reached our goals to a certain extent.  We  have seen the hand of God move in fulfillment of His promises. We have tasted victory. We have climbed the mountain & have seen its views. Victory Outreach Mother Church can say that with confidence. This year Victory Outreach Mother Church is celebrating its 42nd year of ministry. And what have they decided to do after climbing the mountain of fulfillment for over 40 years? They have said, “Let’s climb another mountain.”

In their prior 42 years of ministry, Victory Outreach Mother Church has given birth to several church movements, planted thousands of churches, leaders & missionaries. They have financed world evangelism by the millions. They have hosted some of the world’s greatest leaders and they have impacted the world through their example. One might think it is time to sit back and inherit God’s goodness, but under the leadership of Pastor Sonny & Kim Arguinzoni, they have refused to settle. They have taken on a new challenge: Set a model for a new generation of leaders. Build a church that will impact this generation & beyond. Live by faith for a bright future in Christ.

According to Gary L. McIntosh, “The challenge for a large church is to renew their vision. To make the vision compelling once again.”

 

 

 

 

Mother Church @ Ontario High School

 

 

 

I was given the honor of speaking at VOMC this Sunday on a special assignment by Pastor Sonny Jr. He was ministering in a small church plant in Las Vegas. In just a short time in Las Vegas, Mando & Janine Garcia have seen great results. They are moving towards 200 and have just moved into a larger building.

My assignment was to encourage the church to continue to give as they awaiting the construction of their 1500 seat, state of the art building being constructed on 10 acres of land in Chino, California. For 2 years the Mother Church has been meeting at Ontario High School with wonderful results.

As Georgina & I were welcomed, we were warmly greeted by people we have known most of our lives. It was such a joy to see that the “oldie” were still involved & excited about the church. I am sure it has been tough for those that could not make the 10-15 mile journey east from the San Gabriel Valley, but it seems that those who did not make the transition have settled in other area VO Churches. However, there are still many original members in the church and you could definitely feel their presence.

The Choir

As service began, you could still sense the level of quality that the church has developed through the years. The music was powerful & impacting, as it weaved in and out dynamically. The people were excited about God. I saw many new people in the church and it seemed like the church is taking on a different look. You could sense that once the building is finished, there will be an explosion.

At the conclusion of my sermon, I challenged the people to give. I wanted to encourage the people. I have to say that it was not very difficult. You could sense the momentum and excitement for the future. I was sent to encourage them, but I think I left feeling encouraged myself. As I invited the people to come to the altar to give, it seemed as if every single person came up to the alter to give of their tithes, offerings & pledges. I was absolutely blown away.

For Victory Outreach Mother Church, soon to be Chino, the journey has been exciting, fresh & challenging. It has been an example to us all once again. 40 years have past, but it seems like we have just begun. This weekend Victory Outreach Mother Church will be joining VOSD in our Sunday night service for a powerful explosion. Our hearts will be locked, and our passions will be renewed. Keep up the good work Momma, the world is watching.

Pastor Al

Vision Killers

Here is the truth; satan hates your vision and he will do anything he can do hinder or frustrate your vision. His tactics range from sickness to spiritual dryness to outright opposition. However, we can overcome his tactics by recognizing how he will hit us. Sometimes Vision Killers don’t come from outside the church but from the inside. Here are a few that will try and hinder your vision.

1. Tradition. God uses tradition in ministry to provide a people with a semblance of stability & consistency. Traditions can serve as a bride between the past and the future, but God has no use for traditions that block progress.

2. Fear. If there is not faith than you can be sure that there is fear. There can be no middle ground. We either can or we cannot. Many times fear is caused by past failures or a lack of self-confidence. Now don’t wax all super-spiritual on me, “I thought we were supposed to be God confident?” Well, thats a given, but we are not waiting for God…God is waiting for us.

3. Stereotypes. Here is the reality. People have a tendency to place stereotypes on others. If we are going to reach our vision, we need to break out beyond the stereotypes. Think of all those things that “they” said you would never do… start doing it. God is with you and He will give you the strength according to His Word. I don’t think we should allow peoples opinions to hinder our vision. Haters are everywhere get used to it.

4. Complacency. We may need a renewed passion & vigor for the mission. Complacency comes when we neglect the importance of our responsibility. We become lazy in our approach and we no longer do our best. I want you to know that God does care how we do in ministry. He can see if we are working hard or not. He has a tendency to provide for those who are using what He has already provided.

5. Short-term thinking. We must remember that we are not after the temporal but we are after the eternal. The everlasting. Short-term thinkers do not think of the next generation, they only think of the present. We must not cash in on current resources for short-term benefits, leaving nothing in place for the long-run. We must have the attitude, “NOT ON OUR WATCH.”

Pastor Al