Ministry

Whether you work at a church, walmart, or a Fortune 500 company. You’ll be faced with a decision that will determine your leadership ability and integrity.

Here’s what’s going to happen, your boss will make a decision or change a procedure and in those moments your leadership ability and integrity will be challenged. Here’s why, your other co-workers are not going to be happy with the decision or change, then complain to you about it. They’ll begin a conversation about how your boss is an idiot or how the new policy is dumb. You’ve got to decide, will you partake in it and put more fuel on the fire or will you lead.

If you partake in it, you aren’t leading anymore and you’ve just dishonored your boss. Both will discredit your leadership ability and integrity.

Even if you don’t agree with the changes or decision. It doesn’t matter. You and your co-workers aren’t the decision makers. It’s your job as a leader to embrace the changes and lead those around you to do the same. It’s a matter of integrity if you will tear apart your boss with words or build them up. This is probably one of the easiest situations to compromise your leadership and integrity and not even realize it. I’m challenging you to think about these situations before they happen and plan to lead!

{ 2 comments }

I might sound old school in this. But, I still make every attempt to refer to pastoral staff as Pastor. Some accept it, some can’t stand it. But, for me it’s about reminding and recognizing their call.

I want bring honor to these men.
I want people to know the call and responsibility God has given them.

It might be old fashion, but for me it’s about honor.

{ 0 comments }

I saw this quote a few weeks ago, via a Twitter post, from Pastor Jon Tyson. It’s hit me to the core and challenged my philosophy and drive in ministry. I hope it does for you as well.

{ 0 comments }

Over the next week, I’m continuing to share why you shouldn’t start a church. Part one is here, and the back story is here.

Lesson #2 :: You aren’t called to start a church

I have had numerous interactions with different aspiring church planters, each with very noble and admirable reasons to plant or continue planting. But, I always challenged each man to determine in their heart did Jesus really call them to plant a church. I dare to ask you as an aspiring church planter, ‘Did Jesus really call you to start a church or is there a deeper issue at hand that needs to be dealt with?‘

If you are wanting to plant a church, you’ve really got to dig deep and check your motives and calling. I know we have a lot of noble reasons to plant churches, but our noble reasons are nothing apart from a calling.

What I mean is that, often aspiring planters will want to plant for the following reasons:

• Pride or leadership submission issue
• To be the next North Point, Elevation or Newspring
• To be invited to speak a church leadership conference
• To prove something to your parents, old church, and/or current staff you are competent

Now, no one will say this. But, rather hide it behind some ‘noble’ sounding cause. This is where I believe you’ve got to dig deep and search your heart. I truly believe if we reflected on that, some of us would get confirmation in planting, but others would realize that they aren’t called to plant a church. And, it’s ok if Jesus didn’t call you to plant a church. It just means he has another assignment and calling on your life!

For me, I honestly, don’t know right now if I should plant a church. Maybe at some point in my ministry, but I know right now that’s not the calling nor the season. And I’m okay with it.

{ 2 comments }

I shared earlier this week that we shut down our church plant towards the end of last year. Through that process I learned a good bit about church planting, that will hopefully be encouraging and helpful for aspiring church planters.

Lesson #1: You might be called to plant, just not right now.

I know that the world and your city desperately needs you today. You are heaven sent and the people will cheer as you walk down the street because of your arrival and launch of your new church…just messing, excuse my sarcasm.

But, just because God put a vision, dream, and burden in your heart doesn’t mean he has called you to do it today. It might be another six months or six years before you get the opportunity to plant. Please don’t be discouraged during the waiting period, but rather embrace it. It will be valuable time for you to learn and grow.

You might be called, but maybe the Lord needs to work in your life some. He needs to fine tune your theology, motives, and heart. Maybe he is building a team and network around you that it isn’t quite ready yet. Be patient!

If God truly called you to plant a church, it won’t hurt to wait a little longer. You might just be surprised out much better things will be.

Any church planters have some wisdom you could impart about waiting on God’s timing before planting?

Tomorrow, I’ll share why some of you might not be called at to plant a church.

{ 2 comments }

Most of you know last year, my wife and I, transitioned off staff of Rivertown Church to plant Jacksonville City Church. We started meeting as a core group in July of 2010. We had six families and a good thing going. Except, a few things.

As the leader of this group I was beginning to sense a little bit of hesitancy going further with the plant. I was wrestling daily with two things: Is this the right time and is the right city?

I couldn’t shake it. I’d have numerous conversations with my wife about it each day. I finally had to make a painful, yet freeing decision. That was to pull the plug on Jacksonville City Church. I always wanted to be a leader that leads with integrity and I knew I couldn’t do that with the doubts I was having. I will assure you of this, there was no scandal! I didn’t steal any money or cheat on my wife. It was a timing and calling issue.

We ended up pulling the plug around the beginning of November. We had a great crew of people and things were looking great for the church plant. It is hard at times to not be planting, but we are eagerly waiting for what the Lord has next.

Another great thing is, a good friend of mine, Michael Smith, is planting a new church on the other side of town. And, we were able to help them get a head start by providing them with a church name and equipment! We are excited for them as they take over the Jacksonville City Church name. You can check them out here!

I’ve learned a handful of lessons through this process that have been very humbling, painful, and yet joyful. I hope to share and impart on the blog over the next week or two. I hope that it will be beneficial to aspiring church planters.

{ 1 comment }

Hello Boydbettis.com readers.
It’s been a while since this place has seen an update.

The last few months have been a little bit of a roller coaster.
But, I’ve got a lot of updates to share and some changes coming to the blog.

Thanks for checking in!

{ 0 comments }

Everyone knows the economy is crazy right now.
So, people are doing what they can to make things happen.
Here's two things I'm doing to make some ends meet.

1. Traveling Preacher
- If you need someone to preach for you, a church service, a student weekend event, college night, etc. please let me know.
- Here's what I'll guarantee for you:
I'll be on time, prayed up and prepared, a committed 15-20 hours of
prep time per message, plus the time involved in the engagement, and a
challenging message for your people.
- I take preaching serious and want to be used in a mighty way.
-
All I ask, is if you can help support me in whatever way possible. If
you can support me financially to come preach awesome, I have no set
fee, but I do ask you consider the time I put into each message.
- You can contact me here. You can see my speaking schedule and what people have to say about me here.

2. Graphic Design
- If you need some graphic design work. Let me know.
- I've done web design for companies like Updatable and I do all the graphic design work for Rivertown Church.
- Prices will vary per project.
- You can contact me here about graphic design.

I've got a new baby on the way, so we are doing whatever we can to be prepared for the day he/she comes!

{ 0 comments }