Ministry Match results

Just finished a process called Ministry Match. It is a tool that a ministry called Center for Church Effectiveness uses to help church staffs find their talents, strong sides and leadership styles among other things.

I have put the Definitions Booklet online along with my results. According to this tool, the areas in which I best serve in the Kingdom of God are discipling/mentoring, faith, cross-cultural communication, and interpersonal communication. Character evaluation, expediting (?), and self-management are also strong points of mine.

Ministry values which were highlighted as most important to me are: mobility, creating/innovating, pioneering, risk, influencing/impacting, teaching/training, cross-cultural ministry, designing, overcoming challenges, hard work, working with people, developing potential, persuasion and performance.

For clarification or more information on these, download these files and read it all:

My Ministry match results: http://www.bighouse.org/kellyblog/khshattuck_report.pdf

For the Definitions Booklet (explanations of each of the ministry values, gifts, etc.): http://www.bighouse.org/kellyblog/definitions_book.pdf

I’d appreciate any feedback on this!

The Sunflower -- forgiveness

I’m reading another book -- No, I haven’t finished all of the other ones listed in an earlier blog, but I am making progress!

This book is entitled “The Sunflower” and is written by (if I recall correctly) Simon Wiesenthal. It is the story of a Jew in a concentration camp who is faced with the dying request of an SS officer to offer him forgiveness for all of the travesties he committed during his short life (21 years old) as a soldier and SS officer.

Simon wrestles with the question (I won’t tell you his decision -- it’ll spoil the book) with some others in his community. One man argues that Simon did not have the right to forgive the SS officer for all of the travesties he committed against other Jews, but that he could forgive him for any that he committed against Simon.

The book brings up an intriguing question: Can we as believers in Jesus Christ rightfully offer forgiveness to anyone for any crime, sin, horror, etc. committed against anyone? Do we have that right? Or are we imbued with the right to forgive only those who have offended us? And the right to forgive anyone for anything committed against anyone else is left in the hands of our Savior and God, Jesus Christ?

What do you think?

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Does it really matter?

Talk about a controversial topic! WOW! In some circles of evangelical Christians, to wish them “Happy Holidays” is the same as cursing them!

What is the big issue here in the midst of this controversy? I could be wrong or way off target, but I think that the issue is that Christians feel like Jesus is being squeezed out of Christmas when people use the phrase “Happy Holidays.” Uh, is that such a big surprise?

Since when has the general society within the borders of the USA really celebrated only Christ during the Christmas season? Maybe some view that using the phrase “Happy Holidays” is the final straw, the last bastion, the Alamo so to speak of a Christian holiday.

I tend to view it from this perspective -- and it may not be anything new to you. Christians have always been, are currently, and always will be, persecuted for taking a stand for Jesus Christ. However, we shouldn’t foist upon the general society our values & traditions.

Let me clarify this... We can’t legislate morality. We can’t legislate philosophy. We can only set a foundation upon which we build our society.

Legislation -- political legislation -- only works insofar as people uphold the law. As good citizens, we have the right (& responsibility) to vote and put into office the best men/women for leading our country. We Christians have to realize that they will not always make decisions commensurate with our desires. Another factor to keep in mind is the sovereignty of God. It is possible that He has reasons unknown to us to allow changes that are not to our liking to take place in order to accomplish another part of His sovereign plan.

Let’s face it, folks. This “controversy” is just another ploy by Satan to create a greater divide in our relationships with those who don’t know “the Reason for the season” -- and it’s working!

Instead of communicating the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Christians are fighting for “their rights” to display nativity scenes, wish people “Merry Christmas” and more. A wise saying that I heard many years ago goes something like this: “Choose wisely the hills upon which you’re willing to die.”

I choose not to be offended by someone wishing me a “Happy Holidays” or “Happy Hanukkah” or “Merry Christmas.” I choose to see the heart inside the individual granting me the heartfelt wish.

Sure, I wish everyone experienced a relationship with Almighty God through the Lord Jesus Christ like I am blessed & privileged to live. Sure, I wish everyone held the same morals, values and priorities that I have (doesn’t everyone?). But that’s not reality. That’s not the USA. And it never will be.

Rather than burning bridges over issues that are symptomatic of deeper issues, let’s use these kinds of controversies to open dialog & discussion and opportunities to introduce more people to the Savior of the world - the Lord Jesus Christ, the heart of Christmas (whether others acknowledge Him or not.).

So much for my musings today....

Spiritual gifts and the body of Christ

I’ll try to keep this (3rd) entry of the day short... ha! ha!

In discussing the issue of spiritual gifts this past weekend, I was challenged to consider whether the gift of the Spirit was really the action/function (i.e. teaching, giving, etc.) or the resultant blessing of the body being edified through the gift.

Is that fuzzy? Let me re-cap a little and explain...

The Holy Spirit is the One who gives the gifts. He distributes them as He desires to whom He desires. This we all know, right?

One debate is whether the lists of the gifts in Scripture are complete or not. Another debate is whether or not we receive certain gifts and “that’s that” -- we have those pretty much for the remainder of our lives OR whether we receive a gift for a time (as the Lord deems necessary, fit or useful for His purpose(s)) and then, later, we “receive” other gifts.

Another debate is that we really don’t “receive” gifts, but that the Holy Spirit uses us in a time & place (as we are obedient) according to the need of the body at that time & place. Briefly (and certainly not well enough to give credence to this viewpoint), WE don’t have spiritual gifts, but rather the Holy Spirit uses us as we are obedient to go and serve and in that serving, through whatever means necessary to the body at the time, we edify the body.

Though I have misgivings about this perspective on the spiritual gifts, there is one emphasis that I find very Biblical and very invigorating as a child of God. The focus is on the BODY, not the individual believer. The motivation is on SERVING, not on finding my spiritual gift. The emphasis is on OBEDIENCE, not on self-fulfillment. That’s quite a turn-around from the “I’ve-got-to-find-my-spiritual-gift(s)-so-that-I-can-serve” mentality.

What’s my point? Go serve! In that serving you’ll find how God has made you and enabled you with abilities, talents, desires and gifts. And in that, you’ll discover how He wants to use you in His Kingdom work (not ONLY in the church meetings/ministries). Go serve!

Dr. Jim Cook, my homiletics professor, pastor and college president many years ago in Honolulu, Hawaii, told his “preacher boys” to serve whenever possible for that is the nature of our Savior Who “came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45). He taught us that no task was too low or demeaning for the servant of Christ.

So, go -- go serve!

Nickel Creek concert

Just a quick note....

Last night, Linda and I had the privilege of attending a concert put on by Nickel Creek (opened by Andrew Bird).

N.C. is incredible. What an amazing blend of 4 instruments and voices! Very enjoyable music, performance and people. Great harmonies!

I commented to Linda on the drive home, “Their music obviously belongs to a particular category of music, but it was impossible to tire of their style, instruments and voices. And with their incredible talent, they never let you get comfortable. Just when you begin to settle into a rhythm, zing, they throw a twist -- sometimes miniscule in size, but just enough to jar you back into giving full attention to their mastery of voice and music.”

I highly recommend attending Nickel Creek for listening pleasure -- but especially a concert if you have the privilege.

Maybe it’s because I haven’t been to a concert in the USA for 15 years, but I thought they put on one “heckuva” show!

San Jose, Christmas giving and more

We (Linda & I) were out of town last weekend, so posting to our blog is more difficult -- because time more than anything! Spent the weekend in Silicon Valley visiting old friends, supporters, supporting churches and even making some new friends! Fun but exhausting!

The Christmas season is in full swing and we’ve already been the recipients of many gifts! Read on to see how God uses His people in a variety of ways to bless and provide for folks like us who depend on His body for prayer, finances and special gifts.

Special friends/supporting couple from one of our smallest supporting churches purchased new computers for our Big House Ministries’ Team (that makes 3 laptops, folks!) What a fun blessing!

Another couple from a different church decided to bless us with a special gift of $2,000 towards our support needs!

And from Church on the Hill (formerly known as First Baptist -- San Jose)..,

We were privileged to speak for 10 minutes in the Junior High Sunday class, Senior High Sunday class and the Adult Bible Fellowship and then an interview time during the main worship service. Wow. What changes have taken place there! Praise the Lord for His continued work in that body of believers.

As well, at a special Christmas party with some older brothers and sisters in Christ, we were blessed with a suitcase-full (yes, we had to obtain another suitcase) of very lovely and useful gifts for our home in Slovakia! As well, some financial gifts were passed our way. And, of course, we had the opportunity to share stories from our time in Slovakia.

The best time, though, was sitting at a table, chatting with and fellowshipping with Randy & Linda Pyle (missionaries to Kosovo), Larry & Laura Wildemuth (missionary/chaplain in San Jose, CA) and Susan Ellis (missionary to Poland -- currently home on health leave -- please pray for total healing so she can return to her ministry in Poland).

Church on the Hill also provided us with new sheets, t-shirts, soap, shampoo, shaving cream, stationery, some office supplies, tupperware, and so much more. As well, they provided a mini-van for us to use for the weekend free of charge, took us to lunch at Sonoma Chicken Coop on Sunday afternoon and blessed us with tickets to their Christmas program on Sunday night!

When we left for San Jose on Friday morning,we each had a check-ins bag and a carry-on. When we returned home on Tuesday, we each had 2 check-in bags and 2 carry-ons. Thank the Lord for Southwest Airlines -- they allow 2 carry-ons!

The best part of the weekend was re-uniting with old friends, deepening relationships with new friends and hearing stories of God’s work and blessing across the world -- literally! To sum up those hours and hours of conversations would be virtually impossible and would cheapen the depth of the relationships. We wept with some who have lost family members and with others who are struggling with caring for aging family members and friends.

We rejoiced with others who shared incredible stories of personal turn-arounds and ministry blessings in San Jose, Europe, Asia and elsewhere. And we marveled as we listened to story after story of God’s provision for new friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, material/financial/prayer blessing and so much more.

One thing is for certain -- God is alive and well and working in and through the lives of His children to bring the Gospel to a needy world!

We want to offer a special thanks to Ray & Angela for housing us for the weekend -- in spite of their busy schedule! Thanks. You guys are great and the fellowship was stimulating and encouraging -- as always!

War -- God's Tool?

I’m plodding my way through the Psalms in my morning devotion time and today came across Psalm 60:1-3.

In that short passage, David communicates his feelings of displeasure of being rejected by God and the struggles he is having with the “hard things” of life. David was a warrior of warriors. He was a king of one of the greatest nations on earth. He knew victory and defeat.

Here is an excerpt I wrote for myself from my journal as I reflected on David’s experiences in light of my life today:
“David clearly knew and taught that God gives victory & defeat in war. I believe that the same thing holds true in life. We (evangelical Christians) think that just because we walk with God (whatever that may mean) that that will guarantee success (victory) in all areas of our lives. What fallacious thinking. God uses defeat, failure, others’ victories & successes & failures to teach us (the body of Christ) who He is, what He is about and who we are in Him.”

Now, whatever your stance on the issue of war in general, I’d like to consider these questions: “Because the USA was founded on Christian principles, does that guarantee that we will be victorious in war? Always? Is the USA guaranteed prosperity, growth & advancement because we are/were a Christian nation? Or is it possible that God has been using the USA to lay the groundwork in the world for something else of which we are -- at this time -- totally clueless? And with that, is it possible that the USA could be taken over by another nation or nations in the next several years or decades?”

What I mean by these questions is for us to consider that God HAS blessed the USA and that is obvious. However, are we taking the attitude of the favored son and now expecting God to always bless us in every endeavor? What about learning from defeat? Serious defeat? How would we as Americans respond to an army invading our land? How would we view that? How would we view that as Christians? Politically & militarily that would clearly be a defeat, but in the long-term view of things, is it a defeat for God’s Kingdom? In God’s economy, is it failure if it leads to the fulfillment of His grander plan for this planet?

There you have it. More rambling musings from a missionary.....

Racing Stripes

I watched the movie “Racing Stripes” over the Thanksgiving weekend. (For those of you who haven’t seen it, a quick summary): A zebra (not knowing that he is a zebra), ends up living on a farm near a horse race course. His interactions with race horses leads him to try out his abilities at running fast. He loves it and thus begins his own “training” to become a great race horse.

What a great movie. Sure the acting was okay, but the one thing that was cool was the message that in spite of what others may think, you are gifted. And the responsible thing is to use that gift to it’s fullest measure.

I came away from the movie asking myself, “Self, what is your greatest gift? What has the good Lord given to you to do that only you can do and that you must do in order to fill out the needs of the body of Christ in this world?”

I’m still wrestling with this question. I know that I have some spiritual gifts, the most prominent being “leadership” among others. But what, for example, is to be the application of that gift (and the others) in my personal, family & ministry life? What is it that I must do each year, month, week, day in order to fulfill my calling in the Lord’s ministry & body?

Need to spend some more time thinking on that one....

Current reading list & post-modernism

Just a quick note to inform you as to what I’m currently reading. I’m one of these people who reads several books at one time -- maybe there’s a smidgin’ of A.D.D. in my blood! ;-)

Wild at Heart -- John Eldredge (started this one 2x already!)
True-Faced -- (a Leadership Catalyst book)
Titus Coan’s biography on his mission work in Hawaii
Velvet Elvis - Rob Bell
Hurt - Chap Clark
Transitioning -- Don Southerland
An Unstoppable Force -- Erwin McManus
The Emerging Church -- Dan Kimball
Reformission -- Mark Driscoll

Of these, Reformission has been the most stimulating with Unstoppable Force running a close second. McManus and Driscoll seem to have a pulse on the culture of North America and an ability to penetrate that culture with ministry foci. As well, they both have an ability to peel away the layers of evangelicalism that are unhealthy and still remain faithful to the local church. Even though I sense in them a desire to radically reform the local church, I don’t get the flavor that they have given up on her as some of the other “post-modern” writers/speakers seem to do.

Any thoughts on “post-modern”? Are we trying to box in this generation with another label that enables us to sell books, go on speaking tours, etc? Or is there truly a significant character to this generation that is so very distinct from previous?

From much of what I have read on the “what” of post-modernism, I get the feeling that I am more post-modern that I would have ever thought.

Is the post-modern generation really that -- a generation? Or is it a movement of people who want to reform the Bride of Christ? Is it a style of worship/church? A paradigm? World view?

I have my own thoughts, but I’d certainly enjoy hearing from others who have wrestled with these -- and other -- questions.

Tattooing -- where do you draw the line?

I just read a thought- provoking article on the issue of tattooing. I have to say, that at first read, I am inclined to believe that tattooing is one of those areas (like pierced ears) where it can be sin, yet it does not have to be sin. The link to the article is: http://www.ransomfellowship.org/bodymod.html . The article is titled “Decorating or Desecrating the Temple?” and is written by Travis Scott.

I’m not going to rehash the entire article as it was quite lengthy and thorough (on some fronts), but I will say that I now have less of a knee-jerk reaction to all tattoos as desecration of the body/God’s temple.

1st post - Kelly's blog

Hmm, I guess it's not too bad when an "old dog" (this one's almost 48!) can learn a new trick and blogging is a new "trick!"

I'm interested in dialoging about the local church and it's fulfillment or lack of fulfillment (that's not an indictment on the present status of the local church -- just a realistic observation that not ALL churches are doing all that they can to fulfill the Great Commission) of the Great Commission and to live out the great commandment (John 13:34, 35 and Matt. 23:37-40).

I'll post more as I get accustomed to this new communication tool.

Blessings,
Kelly