“Good to Great” and Missions

Our executive staff at EvanTell has been reviewing “Good to Great”, a book by Jim Collins that analyzes 11 average businesses that suddenly experienced explosive growth that was sustained over a 15 year period. The purpose of the book is to summarize what these companies had in common that led to such a dramatic turnaround.

One of the common reasons for the success of these companies is what Collins refers to as “level 5 leadership.” We normally think of great leaders as being highly charismatic, able to lead by the sheer force of their charismatic personality and persuasive skills. However, Collins points out that in most of the companies that experienced sustained growth, this was not the case.

Here is a list of some of the traits of a “level 5” leader:

• Embody a paradoxical mix of personal humility and professional will.
• Ambitious, but first and foremost for the company and not for themselves.
• Display a compelling modesty, are self-effacing and understated.
• Resolved to do whatever it takes to make the company great, no matter how big or hard the decisions.
• Reflect a workmanlike diligence—more plow horse than show horse.
• Unwavering, doing what must be done for the sake of the company, even in the face of enormous obstacles and opposition.

It occurred to me that these same traits and work habits of level 5 business leaders are the same ones displayed by many of the great leaders in missions throughout history. Mission leaders such as William Carey and Hudson Taylor were in fact “level 5” leaders and these characteristics were part of the reason for the tremendous impact of their endeavors.

All truth is God’s truth. Many of the principles listed above are Biblical in nature and apply both in the worlds of both business and ministry. In the next few posts, we will more closely examine this correlation.

Reachlife Ministries Podcast – Part 2 of 3

We continue our three-part podcast series features conversation with two of the passionate, creative leaders from ReachLife Ministries:

BJ Thompson is the Outreach Coordinator for ReachLife Ministries where he spends his time evangelizing, discipling men, and training leaders. BJ grew up in inner-city Dallas and trusted Christ as a freshman in college. Not long after, along with the Hip-Hop artist Lacrae and Executive Director Ben Washer, BJ helped create Reach Records. BJ has been married six years and he and his wife are raising two wonderful children to be God-honoring leaders.

Miguel Davilla is the Curriculum Director for ReachLife Ministries. Miguel grew up in New York City in the Bronx; immersed in the Hip-Hop culture with virtually no contact to authentic Christianity or any connection to church. It was while serving in the Navy that he trusted Christ through a Bible Study led by a friend. Having discovered a passion for Christ and desire to minister full time, Miguel attended seminary after completing his service in the Navy. Shortly thereafter, through God’s providence, Miguel connected with the team at ReachLife. Miguel grew up in New York City and served in the U.S. Navy. He came to know Christ while he was serving in Norfolk, VA. After his naval service, he attended seminary and is currently working as curriculum director for ReachLife Ministries.

Responding to the Comment - “I Don’t Believe the Bible.”

In this episode of the Evangelism Encouragement Podcast, Dr. Larry Moyer responds to the comment - “I Don’t Believe the Bible.” This episode on personal evangelism will encourage believers to remember a few basic concepts that will increase their confidence when sharing the gospel.

How Do I Reach My Relatives with the Gospel?

Few things are more distressing to a Christian than the realization that, unless something happens, those who are part of their family on earth will not be part of their family in heaven. Out of concern and compassion and often discouragement and distress, individuals ask, “How do I reach my own relatives with the Gospel?” Several things must be kept in mind. First and foremost recognize that you, in and of yourself, cannot bring your relatives to Christ. Christians often take responsibility upon their shoulders in this area. This concern for their salvation is healthy, but the inner frustration is not. You must recognize that unless the Spirit of God dispels the darkness from their minds and eyes and causes them to see their need, they will never come to Christ.

Another thing to consider is that relatives who will not listen to what you have to say may instead look at the way you live. Live the kind of consistent Christian life that attracts non-Christian family members to the Savior. The God who brought you to Christ can save any non-Christian relative. God has never met a person His heart did not love or His arm could not reach. If you do your part, God will do His. Sooner than you may think, as they trust the Savior they may say, “Thanks for not giving up on me,” as you welcome them into the forever family.

Reachlife Ministries Podcast – Part 1 of 3

Reach Records and now ReachLife, has a tremendous impact contextualizing the Christian message into the Hip-Hop culture through music and curriculum. Featuring Hip-Hop artists such as Lacrae, Trip Lee, and the 116 Clique, Reach Records continues to impact a generation heavily influenced by not just the music, but the culture of Hip-Hop. Seeing a greater need for discipleship, the leaders at Reach records branched out and formed the ministry of ReachLife.

This three-part podcast series features conversation with two of the passionate, creative leaders from ReachLife Ministries:

BJ Thompson is the Outreach Coordinator for ReachLife Ministries where he spends his time evangelizing, discipling men, and training leaders. BJ grew up in inner-city Dallas and trusted Christ as a freshman in college. Not long after, along with the Hip-Hop artist Lacrae and Executive Director Ben Washer, BJ helped create Reach Records. BJ has been married six years and he and his wife are raising two wonderful children to be God-honoring leaders.

Miguel Davilla is the Curriculum Director for ReachLife Ministries. Miguel grew up in New York City in the Bronx; immersed in the Hip-Hop culture with virtually no contact to authentic Christianity or any connection to church. It was while serving in the Navy that he trusted Christ through a Bible Study led by a friend. Having discovered a passion for Christ and desire to minister full time, Miguel attended seminary after completing his service in the Navy. Shortly thereafter, through God’s providence, Miguel connected with the team at ReachLife.

The Prosperity of Pluralism

Pluralism is doing quite well while Christianity seems to be feeling a little ill.

A couple of weeks ago I touched on the spread of mainstream populist tolerance for Islamic law and the potential effects on Christianity in the public forum. Evidence of the complete breakdown of orthodox Christian doctrine in American life is, of course, everywhere. However, it is interesting to note that even within the ranks of those who would state that they believe Jesus’ claim to be The Way, The Truth, and The Life, many also believe that Christ does not have a monopoly on the concept.

In a recent survey of 35,000 adults, a full 57% of “evangelical church attenders” believe that the teaching of other religions can also lead to eternal life. It’s important to avoid a clever play on words—implying that yes, although everyone has eternal life we won’t all be enjoying it—because I don’t think that’s what they had in mind.

The following percentages may not be as surprising, but are nevertheless of concern:

“Nearly across the board, the majority of religious Americans believe many religions can lead to eternal life: mainline Protestants (83 percent), members of historic black Protestant churches (59 percent), Roman Catholics (79 percent), Jews (82 percent) and Muslims (56 percent).”

It is interesting to note that the smallest percentage belongs to the Muslim group—once again; the commitment to their religion should make us look inward.

Furthermore, and perhaps even more interesting,“Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent “absolutely certain” of it.”

WOW—isn’t that telling?  So do not give up on those atheist friends of yours—most of their talk is defensiveness and insecurity anyway.

“The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep,” said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion. “There’s a growing pluralistic impulse toward tolerance and that is having theological consequences,” he said.

The consequence, or perhaps the cause, is that Americans jump from one belief to another. There is a lack of commitment to their faith and an avoidance of the deep waters of theology where one can truly grow roots and therefore grow strong in their convictions. Without convictions, no one stands on principals—when it comes to anything. Therefore, they are easily swayed—the first clever orator to come along captures their attention, and soon their lives.

Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput offered a quote which I believe applies to all in the Christian faith:

“Being Catholic means believing what the Catholic church teaches. It is a communion of faith, not simply of ancestry and family tradition. It also means that the church ought to work harder at evangelizing its own members.”

We should all work harder at evangelizing our own members—an often overlooked field ready for the harvest and sometimes desperate to be fed the truth—as painful and exclusionary as it may be. That Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life and NO ONE can go to the Father except through the Son.

-AJ Rinaldi

Dr. Larry Moyer – Are Evangelical Church Attendees Right or Wrong?

The Associated Press on Monday, June 23, 2008, released a statement that caught the attention of millions, Christians and non-Christians alike. The statement read, “Among the most startling numbers in the survey conducted last year by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: 57% of evangelical church attendees said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.”

Once again, the issue comes back to a very simple question. Is Jesus Christ the One He said He was? If He was, the evangelical church attendees could not be more wrong. If He wasn’t, anything evangelical church attendees say has as much authority and credibility as what He said.

He declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:26). If He was indeed the Son of God and the only one who can extend eternal life, then there is no other way to God except through Him. If He wasn’t the Son of God, what He said about being the only way to God is of no value whatsoever.

How do we know if He was who He said He was? The issue is bigger than the Bible. It’s the resurrection and the empty tomb the third day. That is the issue on which everything Christ said stand or falls. The Bible declares itself ot be the Word of God, without error or mistake (II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:20, 21). But the proof behind the empty tomb is far wider than the Bible. In fact the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most attested fact of history. Thomas Arnold, who was author of a three volume history of Rome and appointed to the Chair of Modern History of Oxford said, “I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by letter and fuller evidence of every sort to the understanding of a fair inquirer than that Christ died and rose again from the dead.”

Therefore, before anyone, anywhere can say, “There are many religions that can lead to eternal life,” they must disprove the empty tomb of Christ. So far, nobody has. In fact, I personally do know of one person who objectively studied the evidence behind the empty tomb that did not become a believer. That means they came to God as sinners, recognized Jesus Christ paid for their sins on a cross and rose again, and trusted Christ alone as their only way to heaven.

eToolbox: Where is “Tampering” Allowed?

R. Larry Moyer

It was an experience of a lifetime. A commercial airline pilot invited Tammy and I to go through the new assimilator at the DFW Airport. I piloted the plane into various airports, under varying weather conditions, through night and daylight situations. Never have I been so grateful for an experience. Never have I been so grateful it wasn’t a real plane!

The pilot warned me, “Don’t touch this button.” He showed me how it would send the plane into a nosedive. Pointing to other controls he said, “You may touch these.”

In piloting people in evangelism, there is a control you dare not touch. It’s called the gospel. That gospel is defined in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 and can be reduced to ten words: Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. That gospel is so close to God’s heart that He gives a severe warning to whoever tampers with it. Galatians 1:8 says, “But even if we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” In other words, “Let him suffer the discipline of God.”

However, methods do change. When it comes to the message, no change allowed. When it comes to the methods – be creative, think, brainstorm, and use variety. Change is allowed and even encouraged.

Changing Lives with the Gospel

AJ Rinaldi

Global warming, neo-Darwinism, casual sex, homosexuality, drug-addiction, moral relativism, abortion, pornography, instant gratification…the list goes on and on. These examples of “hot-button” topics illustrate a few of the issues that Christians deal with intellectually and emotionally every day at work, school, church and other social interactions. News stories center on these topics and how they impact American culture.

This word culture signifies something of importance to everyone, yet has many definitions. Of all the definitions for the term “culture” the following three best summarize the idea for discussing what all these issues mean today:

1. A particular form or stage of civilization, as that of a certain nation or period. (Greek Culture)
2. The behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group. (youth culture, drug culture, pop culture)
3. The sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another. (Anthropology)

Differentiating between Western, Eastern, and developing cultures is no longer practical in certain applications. The world is fast becoming a global society. Although major differences still exist and need to be understood, when it comes to issues of morality and lifestyle - isolationism is a thing of the past. Therefore we must be aware of what impacts a culture and how to respond.

How do we do that while operating through a biblical worldview? The answer is deceptively simple. We follow the example of Jesus and his disciples.

Throughout the New Testament, the gospel is the consistent solution to what ails the world. Jesus did not organize a protest. Paul did not advocate dissent and rebellion to the governmental authorities. The writers of the New Testament clearly state that the power to change the world was in changing individual lives with the gospel—Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.

Christians can be reasonably involved in society with grace and truth. However, believers can be most effective by exercising leadership within their sphere of influence; sharing the gospel to change hearts and minds one at a time…

Join the discussion at the Redeeming the Culture blog.

How Did Paul Adapt to His Culture?

R. Larry Moyer

How did Paul adapt to his culture? Did he give each person he met a “piece of his mind”? Did he talk about the wickedness of the society and engage in a pious people pity party? Did he talk about the evils of idol worship? No! Acts 17:16-21 tells you what he did. Two things are striking.

The first is that he took the offense, not the defense. To Paul, false worship and foolish philosophy were opportunities, not obstacles. Verse 17 says, “Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.” Paul knew that when people are talking, we can talk. So he met the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles in the synagogues and the philosophers in the heart of the city. But he led the discussion.

We need to be willing to tell people where we stand on current issues, such as abortion, homosexuality, immigration, etc. – right after we tell them, “Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead.” We need to take the offense, not the defense.

The second noticeable thing is that he kept the message clear. His methods varied, his message never did. Paul preached about Jesus and the resurrection, because that was the message he had received from God (Galatians 1:12).

Our message transcends all generations and cultures and can be reduced to ten words: Christ died for our sins and rose from dead. People may misunderstand some things we say. But there is one thing we should say so loudly and clearly no one misunderstands. Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.

Do you want to be relevant to your culture and adapt to changing times? Do what Paul did. Take the offense, not the defense and keep your message clear.

2008 – What a year of opportunity. Go for it!

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