FAQ
Here are a few answers to some commonly asked questions. Don't see your question there? please hit the contact tab above and drop me a line. Thanks
What are your hobbies?
I really enjoy drawing, graphic design, making movies, playing guitar, reading, cooking, eating, hanging out with friends, watching movies and surfing the web.
What are your greatest strengths?
They are the things I am strongest in. Just kidding. I would like to think that my strengths are found in my character first and foremost, but I suspect any strength is in really found in Christ.
What are your greatest weaknesses?
My weaknesses in ministry lie mostly in the area of administration. That's not to say that I don't or can't do it. I have to put a lot of work into that side of ministry. I simply don’t enjoy it. (Who does?) I would rather spend time with people than things, though I realize that this is an essential part of ministry. This is not something that I would say is out of control by any means and I have improved drastically over the years with the help of my insanely administratively gifted late wife, yet I still count a weakness.
What are your spiritual gifts?
Preaching the Gospel is my passion - regardless of who may be in the audience. I enjoy the study and preparation as well as the creative delivery of motivational content. I feel blessed to have others confirm the gift of preaching in me. Lately, more and more i have been encouraged in it. My present Senior Pastor, Elders, and other good friends have really encouraged me to pursue a preaching position.
I know that I’m not the master teacher our Savior is, I can only go by what I figure to be confirmation. People have trusted Christ and reported that they have grown in Christ through my teaching. I have also been amazed when kids remember and repeat what I taught months ago. I love hearing them integrate what they have learned. Recently I’ve been told by parents that their kids reported to them that my teaching is enjoyable and that kids are excited to hear it not because it’s funny or plain fun, but because they like the fact they the messages are substantial and relevant. I recently asked my students how they would be able to tell if I am a false teacher and one student chimed up, “because what you teach is straight from the bible.” Another student said that a recent series about Jesus’ radical teachings made the Bible feel like it was a soap opera because it was entertaining and engaging and not dry.
Strategic Leadership is one of the more recently discovered and confirmed gift that the Lord has given me. He allows me to see the wise path that a church should take and gives me clarity on how to communicate that in a way that will motivate people. In my last post, I was able to help crystallize the vision and direction for the church as well as some of the processes and values that we needed to establish.
I know that I’m not the master teacher our Savior is, I can only go by what I figure to be confirmation. People have trusted Christ and reported that they have grown in Christ through my teaching. I have also been amazed when kids remember and repeat what I taught months ago. I love hearing them integrate what they have learned. Recently I’ve been told by parents that their kids reported to them that my teaching is enjoyable and that kids are excited to hear it not because it’s funny or plain fun, but because they like the fact they the messages are substantial and relevant. I recently asked my students how they would be able to tell if I am a false teacher and one student chimed up, “because what you teach is straight from the bible.” Another student said that a recent series about Jesus’ radical teachings made the Bible feel like it was a soap opera because it was entertaining and engaging and not dry.
Strategic Leadership is one of the more recently discovered and confirmed gift that the Lord has given me. He allows me to see the wise path that a church should take and gives me clarity on how to communicate that in a way that will motivate people. In my last post, I was able to help crystallize the vision and direction for the church as well as some of the processes and values that we needed to establish.
Who are some of your top Christian influences? (apart from Jesus and the obvious bible characters)
Even Grammy award winners must thank their Mom and Dad first and cite them as their biggest influence, and I'm no different. My mother served to introduce me to many of my other top influences like C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer to name a few. I am also a fan of John Piper , Mark Driscoll, Andy Stanley, Greg Steir, Francis Chan, Matt Chandler, James MacDonald, Tim Keller.
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
That is such a dangerous question for a two reasons. First, I don't want to limit God's power or direction in my life. I want to be open to do whatever he has for me wherever that may be, even if it is not what I might want at first. Second, I don't have the power to see the future, so I can only guess where I could be. That really could be any number of possibilities. So I'll tell you what I think so far. I love Gospel ministry. From my experience, gifting and the affirmation of others I believe that the Lord has Shaped and gifted me to be pastor. I used to say that I was called only to the youth ministry until God directs otherwise since I never viewed it as a stepping stone to a bigger title. I have always thought that attitudes like that are dangerous. A pastor is one who pastors regardless of their title and having had an education that most pastoral positions require and taking what i did most seriously, I have always through of myself as a pastor. I can tell you this, I am in the ministry for the long haul and most recently my friends and colleagues have been suggesting that my gifts and skills might better suit a Senior or Preaching Pastor role. Partly because of that, I am making progress towards that goal.