Three Lessons From The Road (part 1)

While driving around the country for the last 8 months, we have been blessed beyond measure! God has been too good to us. So far, we have been to 80+ churches in 17 different states. We have been to churches of all different shapes, sizes, and cultures. We've visited with churches who had 800 people on a Wednesday night, and we have been to churches that have a strong, faithful group of 20 members who are striving to do great things for God.

As we have spent time with these churches and gotten to know them, we have learned some great lessons. Some good... some not so good.... Here are three of the good lessons that we have been able to learn along the way.

1) There are some amazing pastors out there.

A movement or denomination is often generalized by the more notable names within the group ("Big Name Preachers"). Because of their popularity, these preachers are seen as the standard for all preachers within churches of like faith... both, for good and bad. We tend to lift this men of God up as more successful than other preachers because God has given them a large platform. As humans, its difficult to understand that a pastor with a small congregation in the middle of nowhere is just as successful in the eyes of God. Yet, that's how it works.

The more that God allows us to travel, the more that we realize that America is full of some amazing men of God... most of which, you will never meet. These men are the definition of faithfulness. For decades, they have been working the soil that God has called them to.

They spend their time...

• Preaching God word

• Making hospital visits

• Providing comfort to those in need

• Giving the gospel to those around them

• Investing in the next generation

• Serving others

Because of their faithfulness, countless families are going to heaven and have been able to change their lives around for the glory of God. When they preach, God's power is on their life. When they fellowship, God's love is seen through their actions. When they pray, God's ear is bent in their direction. You'll never know these men... but they are heroes.

2) Good ideas exist outside of your bubble.

No matter where our travels take us, we enjoy the commonality that we have as believers. As soon as we walk into a new church, we are able to fellowship, laugh, and relate with other children of God. Most churches feel right at home. While most churches feel like home, there are plenty of things that stand out as "different." Here are some things that we have experienced outside of our bubble...

• New Songs - When you are in the same church for awhile, or even the same area, you get used to singing the same 50 songs over and over again. Did you know that hymnals have more songs than that? A lot more actually.... We have thoroughly enjoyed listening to churches loudly sing their favorite song that we've never heard of before. It's been in the hymnal the whole time. They found it and we didn't... it makes you wonder, have you even sang your favorite hymn yet? Maybe it's still sitting on an unused page just waiting to be sung.

• New Outreach - For years now, I've really enjoyed knocking on doors and being able to talk with people about the gospel. This method of soul-winning has proved to be effective and is the main reason that our church in Texas grew from 20 people to over 100 faithful members. While I'll always enjoy this method of outreach, it's been good to see how other churches are reaching those around them. Some churches hand out free Bibles. This is a great opportunity to have people come up to you and start a conversation. If someone is wanting a Bible... there is usually a reason. Other churches will set up tents and offer to pray for anyone who needs it. This allows you to sit in the shade in a public area and have people come up to you with their needs. Whatever their prayer need is... Jesus is the solution. We've seen great success with these different forms of outreach.

• New Service Structure - For many church members, this may not seem like the most excited point, but after being in full-time ministry for the last 11 years, this was refreshing to see. We've been able to see a variety of ways that churches choose to hold their services. Some differences are small, but have good results. For example, we've seen several churches move their announcements to the end of the service. This allows the information to be fresh on everyone's mind as they leave the auditorium (reduces to amount of "Oh! I forgot to sign up for that!"). Some differences have been bigger. One that we have particularly enjoyed is having a 90 minute service, instead of the traditional 60 minute service. When you sing 3-4 congregational, take up an offering, give announcements, have hand shaking time, sing a special, and preach a full sermon... 60 minutes always feels rushed. An additional 30 minutes really allows the service to feel more relaxed and gives the opportunity to something additional to the service when needed without feeling pressed for time.

This list could go on, but you get the idea. So often, we get so used to the bubble that we serve in that we fail to understand that something can be done differently and still be good... or even better. This point is not about leaving the bubble of good doctrine or practices. It's about seeing how we can improve without changing who we are or what we believe.

3) God's still calling young preachers... and they're still answering!

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times... "These young men just aren't answering the call of God anymore. That don't have what it takes. They're too consumed with video games and the evils of this world." I couldn't disagree more!

As we travel, church after church has young men come up to me and talk about their call to preach. They are excited about what God is doing in their life, they have a church family behind them, and they have a pastor that is investing into them. When a church has a good culture and a pastor worthy of looking up to, they tend to have young men excited to learn from him. I've met many preachers who say, "These young men just don't want to serve God anymore." But when I look at their life and hear them complain about ministry 24/7, I wouldn't want to do what they do either. When God calls a young man to preach, it helps when they have a preacher in their life that is a good example of what they are being called to do.

Instead of complaining about men not answering the call, ask yourself this question... If God called a young man to preach in your church, would he be in good hands?

Would you...

• Set a good example for him to follow?

• Invest time into his call every week?

• Train him how to study, teach, and preach God's word?

• Be worthy of copying?

If we're being honest, many pastors would have to say, "No." If we are going to ask God to call more men to preach and expect men to answer that call... we must be willing to do our part! As we travel, we have met many pastors who are doing just that, and guess what? They all have men in their church who have answered the call to preach. It's not a coincidence. I don't believe we have a shortage of preachers answering the call. I believe that we have a shortage of preachers willing to properly invest in them when God does call them.

I'm thankful for all of the phenomenal pastors who we have met that have a heart for the next generation of preachers and are willing to do what it takes to see them succeed. God's still calling.. and men are still answering!

In Summary

God has been more than good to us. He has protected us, provided for us, and allowed us to learn great lessons along the way. You may not be able to travel as we do, but I hope we can be an encouragement to you along the way.