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For consistency and convenience we have moved my blog to our church web site.  You can find it at...

http://site.ourhcc.org/category/pastorsblog/

Thank you!

Brian

Why do we have a Christian school?

Among the many ministries of Hollywood Community Church is Hollywood Christian School.  For more than 50 years the school has been a major part of the church’s ministry and outreach.  Often, I am asked why we have a school.  Why don’t we just concentrate our efforts on reaching our community through HCC’s various outreach ministries?  Those are great questions that I believe need to be answered.

      1. We do not have a Christian School for financial gain.

It is so very important to clarify that HCS does not exist in order to bring in additional revenue for Hollywood Community Church.  Let me state with conviction that HCC and its ministries are not a business.  Although legally a corporation, we do not function with the purpose of making money or increasing revenues.  Yes, we need financial resources to pay our employees and fulfill our financial obligations.  But, revenue has never been, nor ever should be a factor in fulfilling God’s mission for our ministry.

In I Peter 5:2 pastors and elders are commanded to not minister for what they can get out of it.  Quite frankly, far too many churches and schools exist or close down because of financial blessings or economic restraints.  Money must never be the driving factor in what we do.

That does not mean, though, that we should not be fiscally responsible.   Not being able to pay bills and increased debt should definitely be signs that God is not blessing.  God has definitely promised to meet all of our needs according to His infinite riches (Phil. 4:19).  The old saying goes, “Where God guides, He most certainly supplies!”

2.  We do not have a Christian School because we are against public schools

Public schools are not our enemy!  I know that there will be some Christian educators that will disagree with me.  That is not to say, though, that there is not much in public education with which we disagree.   There are many aspects of public schools that frighten me: The rise of secular humanism, the rejection of absolute truth and the embracing of anti-biblical lifestyles to name a few.  Nevertheless, everything is not bad in public school education.  There are many tremendous and godly teachers that have given their lives to serve in public education.  To them, public schools are a mission field. I applaud them and commend them for their dedicated service.

In addition, many families just are not able to afford private education.  Their only option is public schools.  I myself am a product of public school education.   Quite frankly, the fact that I needed to stand up for what I believed in a secular environment increased my boldness and strengthened my faith.   Therefore, we joyfully partner with families that have chosen to enroll their children in public schools.  

3. We have a Christian School to reach families for Jesus Christ and to make disciples

Without apology, the number one reason why Hollywood Christian School exists is to reach students and families for Jesus Christ!  Our purpose statement clearly articulates our vision…

Hollywood Christian School, a ministry of Hollywood Community Church, exists to produce passionate disciples of Jesus Christ that will achieve spiritual, academic, and physical excellence and make a dynamic impact upon our world.

By conviction, we are not a covenant school.  That simply means that we do not only receive families that are believers and active participants in a local church.  We intentionally reach out to un-churched families inviting them to enroll their children in our school.   Why?  Because we want to reach them for Jesus Christ.  Through the years there have been many non-believing families that have enrolled their children at HCS, and as a result of the ministry of HCS, they later gave their lives to Christ and are now passionate followers of Jesus.   That is our goal! That is what we are called to accomplish!

Matthew 5:13, 14 tell us that we are both the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  That means that there are times in which we penetrate the darkness for the purpose of accomplishing spiritual transformation.  We have not been called to isolationism.  We have not been commanded to avoid the world, but to live differently in it (John 17:15).  Thus, we reach out to an unbelieving world through HCS for the purpose of producing passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.

      4. We have a Christian School to train future leaders

Every generation is entrusted with the momentous task of training the next generation.  Glen Schultz in Kingdom Education states, “The future body of Christ will be influenced by how we educate future generations.”  As a church and school we assume this sacred trust with seriousness and with conviction.  We believe that our calling to train future leaders does not just come from society, but more importantly, it comes from God.

II Timothy 2:2 – You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses.  Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

As a school, we commit to training our students towards excellence in three areas:

• Spiritually

We desire for each student to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.    Secondly, every student and future leader must have a biblical worldview.  A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. Thus, a biblical worldview is based on the infallible Word of God. When you believe the Bible is entirely true, then you allow it to be the foundation of everything you say and do. How important is it for our future leaders to have such a foundation?  I can think of nothing more important!

• Academically

Our task is not just to change the heart, but the mind as well.   We must not allow our pursuit of the spiritual to hinder our development of the mind.  After all, even Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)  We commit to offer a quality education that will prepare our students for future careers that benefit the society in which we live. Not every believer has been called to be a pastor or a missionary.  We need Christian doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, accountants, teachers, electricians, and plumbers.  The list of potential careers paths is endless.  We desire to prepare our students to become whatever it is that God has called them to do.

• Socially

In Romans 14:7 Paul said, “We don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.” We were created to be part of a community.  In fact, the Bible spends much time teaching us how to be caring, viable and productive members of the community in which we live.  At HCS we desire to instill within our students a love for their fellow man, a Christlike disposition toward others and even a burden for the poor.

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus said, “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” When students are taught to live in such a way, their very lives become a vibrant testimony of the Gospel.  Just think how such a future generation could impact their world for Jesus!

So, I hope that you can see the reason why we have a Christian school.  It is not antiestablishment or for convenience or even for profit.  No, it is by conviction.  From the bottom of our hearts, we believe it is one of the ways that God has called us to produce disciples and impact our community, in the present and in the future, with the transforming power of the Gospel.

May God bless and use Hollywood Christian School!

What have I been up to?

Ok, I know that it has been quite a while since I updated my blog.  I do have a good excuse, though.  We have been on vacation!  This year, I made a commitment to my wife that I would completely disconnect for the 2 ½ half weeks that we were away.  That meant no work, no phone calls and no blog posts.   We had a tremendous time! Below is an update on what kept me busy for the past few weeks.

We spent time with family. 

This was the most important aspect of our trip.  While in Ohio we were able to spend time with both of our parents.  This was the first time that I saw my dad since his recent open-heart surgery.  It was great to see him doing so much better.   We also enjoyed our time with Vickie’s parents.  They live on a beautiful lake, which offers a great opportunity for fishing and relaxation.  Although, we had little success with catching fish, we were able to relax. 

From Ohio we traveled to Naperville, Illinois to visit with our kids.  We had a blast!  Justin and Jenny are finishing up their time at Gracepoint Church where Justin has served for the past seven years.  We were able to hear him preach both Sundays we were gone.  What a blessing!  Mark is living and ministering there as well.  We spent some quality time with him and his girlfriend, Dara who also lives in the area.  We love our kids and were so grateful to spend a few days with them seeing how God is working in their lives.

We did some site-seeing

While in Naperville, we visited the Museum and Gardens of Cantigny.  While there we were able to explore American history as seen through the eyes of the First Infantry Division and gain a renewed appreciation for those who serve to protect our freedoms.  Cantigny is also home to some of the most beautiful gardens.  It was so relaxing to stroll through the gardens and experience the beauty of God’s creation.

While in Ohio we were able to go to the Carroll County Fair.   As a farm girl, Vickie especially enjoyed that trip!   We strolled through the animal barns, watched the horse pulls and horse races and ate fair food (I will say more about that in a minute!). 

We ate and ate and ate and then ate some more!

How can you not eat on vacation?  While in Chicago we ate Lou Malnati’s famous Chicago style deep-dish pizza.  We ate at Portillos, home of the famous Chicago style hot dog and ate ice cream from Andy's Custard.  Mmmm was it good!   In addition, we benefited from the tremendous cooking of our moms and Jenny, our daughter in law.  We are now in recovery mode trying to lose the weight that we gainedJ.

I was able to catch up on my reading

One of the goals of the trip was to spend some quality time reading some books that I had wanted to read for some time.  Here is a list of the books that I was able to read either partially or in their entirety…

C.S Lewis, A Life:  Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet – Alistar McGrath

Killing Kennedy – Bill O’Reilly

Christians and Politics; Uneasy Partners – Philip Yancey

The Associate – John Grisham

Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis

The Story of Christian Theology – Roger E. Olson

As I mentioned in a tweet the other day, it is great to go on vacation, but it is better to come home!  With our bodies and batteries recharged, we are ready to jump back into the ministry that we love so much.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for us while away.  

Preaching to myself!

Most pastors wear many different hats.  On most weeks the average pastor visits church members, communicates with visitors, speaks with missionaries, counsels those with needs, disciples a few men, prays with those who are hurting, meets with church lay leaders, marries or buries, leads staff meetings, participates in community events, administrates a tight budget and resolves conflicts.   I could mention a myriad of other responsibilities, but you get the picture.  A pastor has much to do.

In the midst of all of those pastoral tasks, though, the pastor also must prepare and deliver several sermons each week.  Now, if the pastor is not careful, it is very easy to put personal study and sermon preparation on the back burner.  After all, there are congregational needs that must be met.  Right?  I am afraid that many pastors, this one included, often allow the demands of the pastoral schedule to keep us from adequately feeding the flock of God. 

Pastors, we must realize the extreme importance of giving ourselves adequate time to pray, study and prepare to feed our people.  The reality, though, is that I do not study and prepare just for the benefit of my congregation.  No, sermon preparation helps me.  My preaching must speak to me.  God first must change me before He can use the message to change others. 

Here are four personal benefits that I receive from studying for my sermons each week.

1.    Teaching Scripture keeps me learning

An outsider would think that after four years of Bible College and four years of Seminary that I would have pretty much exhausted all there is to know about God and the Bible.  That simply is not the case.  The more that I learn about God, the more I realize how much I need to learn.  Proverbs 1:5 says “a wise man will hear and increase learning.”

As pastors and leaders, not only should we be expanding our minds theologically, but we should also be reading and learning about leadership, administration, social issues, and relationship dynamics.  There is so much to read and so much to learn.   In I Timothy 4:13 Paul challenged Timothy to “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”   If you struggle with what to read, here are a few links with recommended lists for pastors and leaders…

http://www.ordinarypastor.com/?p=11839

http://pastors.com/7-books-for-pastors-who-want-to-last/

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/what-are-some-books-that-dg-recommends

2.    Teaching Scripture makes me examine myself

Personal Bible study must first be self-convicting before it can become transformational preaching.   John Maxwell calls this the “Mirror Principle.”  What is the Scripture teaching you?  Paul told Timothy in I Timothy 4:16 to “keep a close watch on how you live and your teaching.  Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.”

3.    Teaching Scripture stretches me spiritually

Not only must I be willing to examine myself in the light of the verses I am teaching, but I also must be willing to do what the say.  I must be the first to obey them.   How hypocritical it is for us to teach and not practice, for us to exhort and not execute.  As the preacher, I must be the first to put the challenge of the text into practice in my life.

As a result, God has stretched me.  I have become a more generous giver.  God is teaching me to be more gracious and forgiving.   I must be a man of prayer and a man of faith.   Yes, my preaching of God’s Word is stretching me spiritually and I am so excited about what God is doing in my life!

4.    Teaching Scripture keeps me dependent on God

The more I preach, the more I realize that I need God.  Exhaustive preparation can never take the place of God’s power.  I am learning that I am not witty enough, smart enough, or eloquent enough to accomplish life change.  Only God can do that!    Jesus said it this way in John 15:5 – “For apart from Me you can do nothing.”  That pretty much wraps it up.  I must be dependent on Him.

So, whether you are a full-time pastor or a part-time preacher, whether you have preached for years or whether you are just beginning, learn to preach to yourself first.  Preaching that changes lives changes the preacher’s life first.   Be assured that as God changes you, he will change others also. 

A Prayer for Spiritual Victory

Heavenly Father, I realize that today, like every day, I am in a spiritual battle.   My fight is not with those that I can see, but it is against the spiritual forces of evil in the unseen world.  Help me to comprehend that I cannot win the battle alone.  On my own, I almost always will fail, and if I do succeed, it will only give me a false sense of self dependence.  So, help me to recognize how much I need you.

Today, I put on the belt of truth.  Help me to saturate my mind with the truth of God’s Word and remind me to speak the truth at all times.  I claim the righteousness of Jesus Christ that I received at the moment of my salvation.  Help me to display that righteousness in my thoughts and actions. 

I put on the shoes of the Gospel of peace.  Even in the midst of the fiercest battle, help me to stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel.  I addition, I take the shield of faith.   Realizing that my faith is solely in Jesus Christ, I deflect the flaming missiles of temptation that the enemy throws against me.  

Today, I rest in the assurance of my salvation, knowing that the trials and tribulations of this life are only temporary.  There is a better day coming.  How I look forward to the fulfillment of my salvation!  Help me to take up my sword and to use Your words as my offensive weapon.  I know that hiding Your words in my heart will keep my from sin. Therefore, I claim and use the truth of Your Word as my offensive weapon.

Finally, help me pray at all times.  Please do not let the struggles and the problems of the day disconnect me from You.

I ask all of these things in the all-powerful name of Jesus who has already won the victory for me.

The Role of the Sending Church

 

Yesterday at Hollywood Community Church we had the privilege of hosting Mike and Amy Riddering, our missionaries to Burkina Faso.  What a blessing it was to hear how God is using them to impact the lives of the Burkina Bay for the cause of Christ.  If you missed Mike's message and ministry update you can watch it here www.ourhcc.org.

 

I as listened to Mike's first hand report, I was reminded, once again, of the importance of the sending church.  Not only has Mike and Amy been called to Burkina Faso, but we have been called to partner with them.  As Mike repeatedly said yesterday, "their ministry is our ministry."  We are partners in spreading the Good News (Philippians 1:5).

 

Unfortunately, many do not understand the significant role that the sending church plays in the success of the missionary. Several years ago, while serving with a Mission Agency, I wrote an article on the importance of the sending church.  Although, the article was written almost 15 years ago, the biblical truths still apply.  Let me challenge you to take a few minutes and read the article.  The link is below.  My prayer is that God will help us to be the sending church that God wants us to be.

 

http://www.bimi.org/worldMag/299A2.php



Submitting and Resisting

 We live in a time in which personal self-defense has become a major issue.  Across our community children are taking martial arts classes, adults are encouraged to take some type of self-defense training and others are simply purchasing hand guns.  The message that is being conveyed is crystal clear – if you don’t defend yourself, no one else will.  

 If we are not careful that same self-protective mindset can creep into our spiritual life.  Instead of relying on God’s strength and power to give us the victory, we can resort to spiritual self –defense tactics that will not produce the necessary results.   Consequently, we experience continual defeat and discouragement wondering why we cannot be victorious.

 The prescription for spiritual victory is found in James 4:7-10.  In this brief passage James gives us ten quick-hitting commands, that if applied, will result in victory over our hated enemy.   The ten commands are summarized in verse seven, “So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  Quite frankly, this is one of the most neglected prescriptions for spiritual victory that is offered to Christians.   Here are a few thoughts that I trust will be helpful.

 1.      Make sure that you get the command in the right sequence.  

 Whatever you do, never resist God and submit to the devil.  How tragic it is when believers get those two commands reversed.  In reality, salvation is a change of ownership.  Whether cognizant of it or not, before giving his life to Christ the unbeliever was loyal to the devil.  At the moment of salvation, though, that loyalty changes; the Christian exchanges Christ for the devil.  Jesus becomes the new Lord of His life. Consequently, daily spiritual victory comes when we recognize to whom we should submit and who we should resist.

 Romans 6:16 – Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?  You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

2.     Make sure that you do both

 Submitting to God and resisting the devil is not an either or proposition.  Fulfilling 50% of the formula is not enough.  The commands go hand-in-hand.  They function together.  You must do both in order to be victorious!

 Quite frankly, I believe there are many Christians that try to resist the devil with the best of intentions.  They frequently make commitments and personal promises to not give in to temptation.  Yet, their attempts prove to be unsuccessful because they fail to realize that they cannot do it alone, they desperately need Gods help!  Remember that Ephesians 6:10 says that we must be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  It is only when we practice both disciplines that we are promised that our enemy will flee.   

 3.     How do you “submit” and “resist”?

 The habit of submitting to God and resisting the devil is a practical one.  It is a daily exercise which involves three factors.

 ·        You must trust in God’s character

 When I fully realize how magnanimous, altruistic, benevolent, compassionate and innately good our great God is, it is so easy to humbly submit myself to His leadership.  As I come to intimately know Him I learn to trust Him with all of my heart and not depend on my own understanding and abilities (Proverbs 3:5).

 ·        You must claim God’s promises

 The Word of God is filled with precious promises the believer can claim and appropriate during the moments of spiritual attack.

 II Peter 1:4 – And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises.   These are promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

·        You must apply biblical truth

 Applying biblical truth means that I do what the Bible says and don’t do what God’s Word prohibits.  I heed its warnings and listen to its commands.  David realized the power of applying biblical truth when he said, “I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)