A monthly message from Fred Lynch. Fred is the founder of GodStyle Productions, a ministry committed to changing youth culture. For more information on Fred, visit his website or check out his latest project, The Epic (the gospel of John translated into rap).
June 2007
We just recently concluded the annual UYWI (Urban Youth Workers Institute) convention in sunny California and I must say that the gigantic mountains, the beautiful trees, the laid back feel that's so 'Cali' (along with the Rosco's Chicken and Waffles) was enrapturing! It was great to be back in California just because of the vibe, but match that with some of the greatest minds in Urban Youth Ministry on the planet and you have a weekend that you'll remember for a long time. During one brief moment of chill time, I looked around and saw some of the 'heavy hitters' walking around me. I mean people that we all admire and pay to listen to. I picked up the phone and called a friend back home in Texas and began to rattle off names of all of the high profile personalities that surrounded me; and while I was enjoying my groupie moment I took another look around and was surprised by what I saw...I saw countless regular people, folks who may not have a nationally known name, but they do have passion. I saw a dedicated army committed to the cause of changing youth culture and I had such a good feeling about the next generation of leadership that God is bringing forth. Looking around at that group of young up and coming leaders gave me such a peaceful assurance that I felt like I heard the Father saying that this world was going to be alright. Each generation God has a group of leaders called to connect with their world and make a change. Nothing feels better than the moment that a leader can look out and see those emerging leaders ready to take their place at the helm and run with the vision. This month I am dedicating my article to the next generation of leadership that's ready to answer the call of the Holy One. If I may offer a few quick tips on how to maintain your call and survive the ups and downs of the ministry world and actually move on to the next level from success to significance.
Seeking God must become a lifestyle that never ends.
M.U.D. Tip #1: Don't Forget the Lord
I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but I've seen so many who've began to make it out here in ministry, a few people begin to speak their name and sing their praises and the deceptive undertow of the praise of men lures them away from their walk with God. It would be a terrible thing to finally make it after endless trials and tests only to lose everything that really matters because you forgot the Lord. God's major warning to the Israelites was to make sure that they always remember the Lord once they get into the Promised Land. Seeking God must become a lifestyle that never ends. If everyone else walks away you must determine that you will never ever forget the Lord your God.
M.U.D. Tip #2: Keep Your Sense of Humor
I remember that a preacher told me this when I was a young zealous minister ready to change the world and take no prisoners. He told me to relax and learn how to laugh. The funny thing is that I didn't have to learn how to laugh, I loved to laugh: I just thought that in order to be 'deep' you had to look stoic and serious like God had an attitude most of the time. After twenty years of ministry I've discovered that one of the best medicines for stress is a healthy dose of humor. I'm not saying to be goofy all the time (my wife made me put that in) but you must develop the ability to see the funny side of life and not sweat the small stuff all of the time. Decide to laugh deep from the belly for the next 21 days and you'll never be the same.
M.U.D. Tip #3: Don't just make a statement, make disciples
Wouldn't it be great if you created the next cool statement that takes off across the nation and becomes the hippest 'notable quotable' of the day? Us preachers love that kind of stuff because we live in a 'zinger' society where we want it all in neat quick packages that we can put on a bumper sticker. The only problem is that you can't fit what life is really all about on a bumper sticker and if you could, it wouldn't accomplish our real assignment which is to make true disciples. If you are fortunate enough to make the latest greatest hook to reel them in great! However the most rewarding and significant task isn't to simply develop a great message; it is to develop followers who give a great response to the message.
Conclusion...
Remember God; keep a sense of humor; make disciples. Of course there are many more tips, but just mastering these three can take you a long way. I wish that sometimes I could see the beautiful sight that God sees when he looks upon the earth and finds those whose hearts are turned toward him. I wish that sometimes I could feel that surge of hope and the release of anointing and power as he begins to show himself strong in them. If it's anything like that day in LA watching the next generation of emerging leaders soaking up all that they can to make a difference then I got a feeling...that everything is gonna be alright.
FREDDIE FREEBIE:
I have a great little e-book that I'd like to help distribute. It's called the Customer Evangelist and it's a secular view of the concept of evangelism. Not spiritual evangelism, they're talking about the evangelism of goods and products. I'd encourage you to check it out and as you read it, compare the customer evangelist to the average church member 'evangelist' and I bet you'll have a fiery message to help your disciples go out and make disciples! You can find it on my site www.godstyle.com and visit the download page and you'll find it along with many other goodies.
Sharing the gospel from 'Street to Street',
Fred Lynch III
GodStyle Productions
Fred Lynch is the founder of GodStyle Productions, a ministry committed to changing youth culture. For more information on Fred, visit his website or check out his latest project, The Epic (the gospel of John translated into rap).
