We saw husbands and wives, children, aunts and engaged couples all follow Christ’s commandment in baptism. As I stood and watched this remarkable display of families being transformed by their new found faith in Christ, the words of Scripture from Acts 16 echoed in my mind:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. Acts 16:31-32

What an inspiring sight to see whole family trees transformed through the power of the Gospel! Two of the couples baptized are engaged to be married over the next few weeks. What a way to start a marriage! Every week just gets better and better with Jesus Christ and the VALLEY Family. I can’t wait to see all that God does this week.

1. The person you marry will have more to do with ministry success or failure than any college/seminary professor will ever tell you. I LOVE MY WIFE!!!
2. Spiritual Leadership is about personal growth as a Follower of Christ. If you’re not growing daily in your relationship with Him, you’ll never be able to lead anyone else.
3. Ministry is all about Jesus, not about you. Lose sight of Him, and pride quickly fills in the vacuum.
4. You can’t want it more for someone than they want it for themselves. Having experienced many “wins” over the years, it’s crazy how clearly every “lose” is vividly remembered.
5. The greatest sin of pastors is maintaining and playing it safe.
6. Pastors who are “people pleasers” should find a different line of work.
7. Put your wife and children ahead of ministry, you’ll never regret it and your ministry will have a much greater impact.
8. To be an effective pastor, you must be “thick skinned”.
9. When we truly follow Jesus, we will experience much of the same experiences he did. He’s not just our example, he’s also our navigator, healer, counselor and friend.
10. Perseverance is one of the most overlooked Christian virtues.
11. There are very few people who start with you, who can accompany you all the way on the journey. When you find someone who can, you have found a true friend.
12. Empowering someone else is more gratifying than receiving praise for personal accomplishments.
13. A pastor’s children reflect more accurately who they are than their ministry or church does.
14. Real leaders produce leaders, not followers.
15. At the end of the day, every honest pastor knows deep down, that every success, accomplishment, achievement, was because of God’s grace and had very little to do with him personally. It’s just Jesus following through with his promise, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).

After 22 years, I can whole-heartedly say, there’s nothing else in this world I’d rather do than pastor! I can’t wait for the next 22 years! -GW

If you haven’t been baptized since making the decision to become a follower of Christ, you can sign-up HERE. We have a required information class for all those being baptized on the 20th that will give each person added understanding and information about this important act of obedience in walking out their faith in Christ. In the meantime, here are a few points about Water Baptism that may prove helpful:

1. The Standard: The biblical pattern is to repent of one’s sin, receive Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross as payment for sin, and be water baptized as soon as possible afterwards.  (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47-48, Romans 6:4)

2. The Source: The practice of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. They declared to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.

3. The Symbolism: Water Baptism is an outward act that symbolizes an inner work of salvation.

4. The Significance: We are free from the power of sin. We now have the power to say “yes” to God and “no” to sin.  We are declaring that we are new creations in Christ.

Here are the five questions they were asked,

According to the Bible,

1. What is The Gospel?

2. What is Repentance?

3. What is Justification?

4. What is Regeneration?

5. What is Sanctification?

This was a great test for me and my leadership (and preaching) as well as those who took the test. Although these words are very theological, they are also Biblical and doctrinal. Teaching and preaching these truths are a major responsibility of every pastor (see 1 Tim. 1:2-4, 1 Tim. 1:9-11, 1 Tim. 4:6, 1 Tim. 6:2-4, Titus 1:8-10, Titus 2:1-3, Titus 2:9-11, Hebrews 6:1-3). How would you do on this test (Each answer is worth 20pts each)? If you’re a pastor, I encourage you to consider giving this exam to some of those placed in your care. You may be surprised to see the results. Either way, it’ll help to keep us focused on what the Scripture exhorts Christians to focus on.

If we don’t know what the Gospel is and what salvation really is, can we really be making disciples of Jesus Christ?

1. Last week I invited three buddies of mine to church that I know through coaching football. They don’t attend church regularly, and as I prepared for the message, “Man Up!” they came to mind,  and I thought they’d really connect with the message. Two out of three of my friends attended and really loved it. One offered up, that he’ll be attending weekly from now on! God is awesome!!!

2. We had another huge day, as far as first-time guest at VALLEY. Eight families visited with us for the first time. The excitement and energy that comes by seeing people connecting with Christ is just incomparable to anything else in life! Our attendance was back up close to 600 (583 to be exact). The significance of that number was honestly lost on me, until one of the other pastors on staff pointed out that 583 was our Easter attendance in 2011. We also averaged 615 a week in attendance in April! WOW!!!

3. Last night, 101 adults completed our first Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey. The last 10 weeks have felt like a Sunday PM gathering for VALLEY. We’ve all experienced a huge paradigm shift in our thinking on financial matters and it will have a big impact on each of our family trees. A big “Thanks” go to Nnamdi Oparanozie who did a great job organizing and leading our class.

4. We continue to receive numerous stories, almost on a daily basis, of marriages that were on the brink of divorce that God is bringing real hope and real transformation as a result of our REAL Marriage campaign.

God is pouring out his grace upon The VALLEY Family during this season, and He is blowing my mind just as much as everyone else’s. Even though it’s Monday (my day off), I find myself eager for next Sunday already. With Christ, life is always anything but boring!

1. There are no tricks, gimmicks or shortcuts in Kingdom work. It’s work, and the fact is, more time is spent plowing, sowing and watering than reaping. Nothing replaces good ‘ol fashion prayer, sacrifice, denial, serving study and generosity!

2. No one does it alone. Ministry (and life) were created by God to be done together. The stronger the team, the greater the impact and the more shared responsibility and reward.

3. Give it away. If it’s not your strength, find someone who has the strength and give the job to them. Delegation is a humbling and necessary part of leadership. “Jack of all trades” is often a title that Control Freaks cling to.

4. Perseverance is one of the most undervalued character traits of a Christian. People with tenacity demonstrate character over the long haul, week after week, year after year. Some of the greatest Bible giants were all bout perseverance (Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua and David to name a few). Surround yourself with people who persevere.

5. Simplify. Every sermon, every meeting, every ministry should have a clear, simply expressed goal or purpose. If you can’t explain it simply, you’re not really sure what you’re doing and you’ll never experience success (Kingdom fruit).

This is just a quick list of what I’m learning these days. My heart is full of gratitude to God in this season and I’m enjoying every minute of it realizing it is just that, a season. More truths are sure to follow in future posts.

I heard this quote a couple of weeks ago on a TV show (Blue Bloods) and have been pondering it every since. There’s a lot of truth to it, which leads to a bigger question, “How does a genuine leader mold consensus”? Considering the rich examples of leadership in the Bible, here’s what I came up with. Even though these are based on Scripture, it seems like these principals may be applied inside and outside of the church for leadership.

Listen – This is a “dual antennae”. Listening to God and listening to what those you are leading are struggling with, asking or talking about. What is the need or issue?

Understand – It is not just what you hear, but what does it mean. If a leader fails to understand, no decision or action after this will succeed.

Study/Prepare – This is the stuff of leadership. Every good leader takes multiplied more time in preparation than in presentation. Most weak leaders are lazy in their preparation and doom their plan before it is ever attempted.

Connect - No one likes something being forced upon them. Take time to connect on a personal level before presenting the plan or idea or action.

Present - Make sure your presentation is made with excellence. Quality communicates value and commitment to the listener.

Persuade – This is the point weak leaders generally overlook completely. Ask for questions. Answer questions clearly and completely. Consider suggestions from others and implement or make changes that are prudent. It is at this point the “buy in” comes from the larger group you are leading. They feel heard, understood, connected to and excited about the new plan or idea (that you actually molded for them).

Execute – Plans mean nothing unless they are met with action and follow-through. Assign responsibilities, communicate expectations and create “mile-markers” along the way to ensure progress. In short, “Lead Leader Lead“!!!

Good Friday was really special for VALLEY. We had a packed house and it was amazing to see so many new faces in the crowd. Thoughts of two services next year are already being kicked around. There’s just something about focusing on the cross of Christ that makes Resurrection Sunday all the more meaningful. Remember, “He Did It For Us!” Interesting to see many Evangelical churches around the country beginning to have Good Friday services. We’ve had one for over 10 years now, I guess VALLEY is a trend setter

Saturday, a team of volunteers were out early setting up for the start of our Real Marriage campaign that kicks of April 15th. Look for signs and a lot more while you’re out and about this week, as we blitz our community to get the word out! Thanks for all the hard work Real Marriage Campaign Team!

Easter, was another record breaking day or VALLEY as we celebrated Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, “Just As He Said“. We had 615 in attendance and were flooded with friends and family experiencing VALLEY for the first time. It was mind blowing to have a translator in our Fireside Room for some first-time guests who needed translation from English to Spanish. They said they would be back next week, even with the language issue because they felt such peace, love and God’s presence while at VALLEY. One of the things I love about Easter at VALLEY is the fact that we just do what we do every week; be who we are. It’s been said, “Whatever it takes to catch people is what it takes to keep people”. If that’s the case, all those returning next Sunday for our gatherings at VALLEY will once again experience what they did on Easter (as well as week in and week in our gatherings).

Thanks to the MANY volunteers (100+) who served Jesus by serving VALLEY this week! There is no way we could have done it without each and every one of you! The best is yet to come!

“Why do we need to designate a day to remember the cross? We do it every week on Sunday when we gather as a church, right? We should be remembering Christ’s death as we read the Bible as individuals and families, right? After all, He’s not dead, He’s ALIVE!”

Sure.

But God gave his people celebrations, feasts, days of mourning and days of remembrance for a reason. While we may think that we’re really good at appreciating things consistently on a day-to-day basis, we really aren’t. We are creatures of habit and people of comfort who deem the day doomed if deprived of morning coffee/morning paper/morning whatever. We need holidays to break us from our routines. I never stop appreciating the cross, just as I never stop loving my wife. But on our anniversary, my wife and I take special time to remember the greatest day of our lives. We remember how much we mean to each other and mark the day as a celebration, not because we have been discounting our marriage all year, but because our marriage is worth celebrating.

In the same way, Good Friday isn’t about forgetting the cross all year until Easter weekend. It’s a declaration that the day of our atonement is a day worthy of special remembrance.

Here are some things to keep in mind as we come together this Friday.

Good Friday is Really, Really Good

The term “Good Friday” is a bit dated in that the word “good” used to have a definition more closely associated with “holy” in the English language. Now, while it seems almost irreverent to call the day our savior died “good”, it’s more like the biggest understatement of all time. Jesus went to the cross as the final and perfect sacrifice, taking our sins upon himself, so we could be could be clean and presentable before a holy God. That’s the greatest good that anyone has every done.

Good Friday is Really, Really Old

Christians have been celebrating this day since at least the fourth century. As we join together, we join with them and all other brothers and sisters in Christ throughout history and today who take time to worship and remember the reason why we have grace.

Good Friday Gets Us Ready for Easter

The Resurrection is the zenith of our faith, without it our belief is in vain. The excitement of Easter, though, is superficial without an understanding of the cross. Before Jesus conquered Death, he had to die and suffer in our place. We live out the Gospel when we worship together on Friday and Sunday.

Consider What The Scripture Tells Us

And I, when I came to you, brothers,did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. ² For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Interesting how the Holy Spirit doesn’t inspire Paul to squeeze in “He’s not dead, He’s alive” in his words here. Also, when explaining the reason and importance of The Lord’s Supper, Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes:

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26

All Christians agree on the importance of Communion as an ordinance or sacrament of the church. The Holy Spirit speaking through Paul makes it clear, The Lord’s Supper is meant to celebrate and “proclaim” Christ’s death! These are just two of the many examples throughout the New Testament that speak to the importance of focusing on Christ’s death on the cross.

So, join us Friday, April 6th at 7pm @ VALLEY Christian Church as we obey God’s Word and celebrate Christ’s crucifixion, death and sacrifice for our sins!