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ScottsLessons: The Five Lessons I Learned from Scott McCown

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Scott McCown.  The man.  The myth.  The legend.

While he’s not a perfect preacher (there was only one), and he’s actually a sinner (we all are), there are a few lessons we can learn even from Scott.

I’m going to call them ScottsLessons (in honor of his old YouVersion account).

Here are the five ScottsLessons that I’ve learned.

1.  Content Is King.

When you’re delivering a sermon, teaching a class, or otherwise teaching folks, content really matters.   Ok, I already knew that.  But, being around Scott the last few months has convinced me even more.

Content must rely on context.  The key to understanding and presenting a text is using it within the context. See this post on context.

Speaking of context, if you really want to rub Scott the wrong way, misuse Philippians 4:13.  Hint:  It’s not about winning at sports.

2.  Win with a plan.

Have you ever known a preacher that just didn’t seem like he knew where he was going?

Ever known one that never got off his soapbox?

Yeah, well, you can fix that hopefully with a plan.  Scott always seems to have an idea of where he’s going.  Probably because he does an annual preaching plan.  Last year we covered the whole Bible.  This year, we’re covering the New Testament.  There have been textual and topical series.  The plan seems to help.  We don’t have a regular soap boxing.

3.  It’s more than preaching.

Come to a church function at Central, and you’ll see Scott working.  Not just preaching.  I mean stuff like the menial, non-glorious, not front of the church sort of stuff.  Preaching is work.  Teaching is work, but being a member of the body of Christ is about more than just fulfilling your teaching duties.

I think one of the reasons Scott is a a successful preacher is that he doesn’t just give a few pretty lessons a week.  He’s actively involved in the work of the church as a member.  I don’t expect him to do all the work for us.  But, he is a real member of the church.  He’s connected to people with real relationships and isn’t above doing some cleaning and table moving.  That means a lot.

One gets the impression that he would be teaching and working in the church even if he didn’t get paid.   I get the feeling that it’s fun stuff for him.  That’s big.

4.  Marry well.

Let’s be honest.  Central hired Scott for his wife.  She’s really a great asset.  Amy is one of the most dedicated, serving people I know.  I think she really probably brings Scott up a few levels.  I’m not married, but I can only hope to do so well.  I joke with Scott that Amy has written many good sermons.  Truth is, she’s writing them with her life.

5.  Be Authentic.

That’s not a hard one for Scott. He just doesn’t have a fake bone in his body.  If anything, he could probably be a little less transparent at times, but we love him anyhow!  Truth be told, people are hungering for leaders that are real and transparent.  It’s a big deal nowadays.  Not just a buzzword.

So, I didn’t idealize Scott.  Certainly didn’t idolize him.  But, the main thing about Scott that I’ve learned is that he’s a follower.  He’s a follower of Christ.

Truth be told, that’s the job of a preacher.  It’s the job of a Christian.  To say with Paul, “Follow me, as I follow Christ.”  That’s the only way it really seems to work.  And, I can say, that for Scott is seems to be working.

By the way, check out Scott’s blog, The Morning Drive.

 

Becoming

What To Do When You Fall Down an Escalator and Bleed

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I would write something intricate, but you wouldn’t like it.

So, I write something simple.

I tell you a story.

Once I was in the Galleria at the age of five.  I was running up the steps of the escalator.  My grandfather was with me and told me to slow down.  I didn’t.  I fell.  There was blood.  I honestly believe it cut all the way to the bone.  It was one of those escalators that had a really sharp edge on the steps.  Really sharp.   It hurt.  I wanted to sit down, but he wouldn’t let me.  “Keep walking, and it will wear off.”  So, I walked on, and it did.  I felt better.

Life is about moving on.  Even when you bleed.

The writer of Hebrews was writing to some people who knew what it was like to bleed.  They thought about sitting it out.  Giving up.  Here’s what he told them.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”  Hebrews 12:1.

Keep moving.  Keep walking.  You’ll work out the soreness.

The writer of Hebrews tells those Christians that they’re not alone either.  He says,

“So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:6.

One more thing.  One reason I kept walking is that I trusted my grandfather.  And, he was right there with me.  So, I kept walking.

Fishing at Bon Secour
Fishing at Bon Secour

Maybe you’ve fallen down.  Maybe you’ve bled.    The son who never came home.  The love who betrayed you.  The dream that hasn’t panned out.  It cut to the bone, and you bled.  What are you going to do?

Well, I’ll tell you what I did.  I got up and walked.  I saw the new mall.  I saw my family, and told them about how I was walking it off.  And, now I have a story to tell you.  What story will you tell?

flickr photo by MikeKalasnik https://flickr.com/photos/10542402@N06/8089136558 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-SA) license

 

Becoming

Just Say No: Urgent Message to American Christians

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I can’t believe this!  Even Christians are embracing these things!  It’s scary.  It’s real.  It’s time to rise up.  It’s time to start a revolution.  It’s time to say, “No!”

If we don’t, I can tell you where we will end up.  It won’t be pretty.  We’re already headed in that direction.

It’s time to redirect the ship.  It’s time to chart a new course.  It’s time to say, “No!”

Just say, “No!” to

 1.  Trashy Behavior

Have you ever watched the Jerry Springer Show?  It’s pretty sad.  It’s basically people acting as trashy as possible.  The trashier and more ridiculous the guest acts, the more popular they become.

Have you watched the current presidential election coverage?

Notice any similarities?

Think about it.  Winning at Jerry Springer and becoming the leader of the free world should be VERY DIFFERENT.  I’m concerned that it’s basically turned into the same trick.  Why could that be?  Well, we have glamorized the trashy.   We have demonized virtue and exalted vice.

What can we do?  Get yourself a real hero (Philippians 3).  Then, you can set your mind on things above (Colossians 3).  Then, you can rise above all the mess of this world.  You can make it a better place.

2.  Making Egotism a Virtue

Should we set self above others?  Should we be puffed up?

We can take pride in the fact that we have worth greater than the whole world (Matthew 16:26).  We can take pride in the cross.  We should be hard workers.  But, should we be puffed up?

Christ followers are not puffed up.   Why is that?  Well, our worldview just doesn’t allow it.  You see, we see ourselves as we are.  We are imperfect yet loved.  We see the world as it is.  It’s a fallen creation that is being redeemed.  We see God as the awesome Creator who has rescued us and given us mission and purpose.  We see our life work as being driven by grace and God’s Spirit.  We have a great sense of worth, but it’s all wrapped up in our identity that is found in Christ.  And, his story is all about serving.  It’s not about being puffed up.   By the way, the whole book of I Corinthians can be summed up like this:  Don’t be puffed up.  Rather, build each other up.

3. Putting Others Down

It’s obvious that if we’re going to build each other up, it’s not OK to put others down.   One would think this is a given.  But, it seems we need a reminder.  If we are Christ followers, our MO cannot be to put others down.   We must treat others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).  It’s called the Golden Rule.   Christ came to lift us up.  John 3:16.  He sacrificed for us.  We do the same.  We bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6).  We lift up the fallen, and bind up the broken hearted (Luke 4:18).  We esteem others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:1-2).  We put on the same mindset of humility (Philippians 2:5-10).    That’s the way we are  are exalted (Philippians 2:9-11, James 4:10).

Just say, “No!”

Sometimes it feels good to tell someone off.  Just really let them have it.

Sometimes it’s tempting to be a shameless self-promoter.  You don’t have to tell me, I’m trying to promote this blog!

Sometimes the allure of the trashy is real.  It’s entertaining to watch someone tell off color jokes.  It’s funny when adults act like silly kids.  But, in the end, it is not rewarding.

I’m hungry for the reward.  I plead for a prosperous country.  I desire a Christ honoring culture.  And, above all, I want to know Him myself, and be a part of his great Story of restoration and redemption.

Well, when the prize is so great, you realize that you have to deny some of this temporary foolishness.  You have to turn your back on self-serving egotism.  You have to walk away from bullying.  You have to turn the channel away from the trash.

If you’re a Christ follower, sometimes, you just have to say, “No!”

Featured image photo credit:  Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2191241

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10 Rules for Dynamite Christian Blogging

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You start a Christian blog.  It’s a great opportunity to share God’s dynamite message (Romans 1:16).    You hit the “Publish” button.  A like comes in!  Someone shared it!  Wait…it’s your mother.  Then…nothing else.

You feel like giving up.  What do you do?

Don’t despair.  I have a plan for you.    It’s how I’ve had

  • 10,000+ views in a little over 2 months of blogging.
  • 5,000+ visits to a single post in my first month.
  • 1,000+ views on the very day that I’m writing this.

Disclaimer:  I will be posting several links as examples.  This doesn’t mean I endorse everything these authors write.  

1.  It is about you.

If you want to be like Jesus, you have to bleed.  Are you willing to share your story as a passionate, authentic Christ follower?     People want to know a real person.

The post that has gotten me the most views was a very personal post.  I felt a little nervous sharing it.

Here are some examples of people who really bare their soul.

  • Anything Bob Goff writes
  • William P. Young’s blog and books

2.  It’s not about you.

Jesus was all about the needs of others.  He was a master connector.  You have to think beyond yourself.  Here’s your plan:

  • Write things people want and need.  It isn’t just about what you’re interested in.  You could share a post 100 times, and it would stop there.  Share it 1 time, and have 100 people share it,  and then their friends share it…that’s called going viral.

Example:  Jon Acuff – Work Can be Awesome.

  • Build a network with other bloggers.  Jeff Goins did a great job with this.  It involved building a real network and doing lots of guest posting.

Reference:  Goins, Writer on guest posting.

  • Build an email list.  There’s gold in that list.  Wes McAdams of Radically Christian said that this is vitally important.  One reason is that it gives you control.  You’re not relying on an outside source (say, Facebook) to allow you to connect.

Reference:  Michael Hyatt on building an email list.

3. Make it understandable.

Say something important.   Use short sentences.    Break long paragraphs up into shorter ones.   Use words that are understandable.

Jesus used the parables.  You should, too.

Examples:

4.  Make it emotional.

Why is Max Lucado so popular?    He writes in a way that evokes emotion.  He makes you feel.

What about Jesus?  His story is the most emotional of all.  John 3:16.

Not only do you have to bleed and share authentic work, but you also have to make others feel like they are right there with you.    You’ve got to make them feel.

Examples:

  • Max Lucado’s blog and all of his books
  • Look at all of the viral websites (ViralNova, BuzzWorthy, etc.).  They are designed around evoking emotion.

5.  Make it something that connects to people’s deeply held beliefs and identity.

I’m convinced this is why my most popular post is being shared.

You might write informational, instructive posts, but you have to get people emotionally involved.  Not just feeling it for themselves, but feeling a burden to share the message.

You have to address their deeply held beliefs and get right to WHO they are.

Examples:

6.  Hit a homerun with your title.

Readers are deciding fast.  Pull them in with the title.  If the title is emotional and appeals to deeply held beliefs and identity, then you are gold.  They will share that!  But, you have to work at this!

Here’s how:

7.  Don’t forget the little picture.

Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat.   Get the picture?  Make your featured image grab people.

How to do it:

  • Take an engaging picture.  Click here for an example.
  • Find a great picture from a paid stock service.   I use Adobe Stock photos.  Click here for an example.
  • Use a free service like Unsplash.
  • Add a logo and title.  Example here.  I used Lee Snow for my logo, and I am very happy with his work.

8.  Keep their attention.

With a fascinating title and a captivating image, people will click on your post.  But, will they read it?

You have to make their eyes move down the page.

How?

  • Lists
  • Headers
  • Images

I hate lists.  But, they work.  Don’t take out the emotion.  Don’t take out the story.  But, put it in a list.  Use bullets.  Use pictures throughout the post.

9.  Facebook is your friend.

Here are the three things you need to know:

  • Create a Facebook fan page.  Here’s how.
  • Invite all your friends to ‘Like’ your page.   The problem:  It takes forever to select your 2,000 or so friends. Solution:  Do it all at once with a little help.  Here’s how.
  •  Try Facebook ads.  Targeting is key.  Experiment.  This is key to how I got over 5,000 visits to a post my first month.  After you get likes on your post, invite them to like your page.

10.  Wow them.

People invest their time into your posts.  Let’s say 12,000 people invest 1 minute in your post.  That’s about 5 work weeks.  Don’t waste their time.  Give them something of value…not only is it the right thing to do…it’s what makes people share it.

As Michael Hyatt says, “Start with Wow!”

 Why

Here’s why I share this with you.  I believe that most of my readers are involved in the most important work in the world.  We’re doing the work that truly matters.  We’re involved in the bigger story of what God is doing.  Now, given the importance of our message and work, shouldn’t we do our best to make that message attractive?  That’s all this is about.

 After all, it’s not about me.

Worship

Song Leading 101

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This is about leading congregational singing.  The basic thoughts could apply to leadership in general (see point #5).

I’m not fond of the title “Song Leader.”  I like “Worship Leader” better.  So, the first thing is,

1.  Don’t just be a Song Leader.

This is more than a production,  It’s more than a good song.  It’s more than the sound.  It’s about the meaning.  An insightful brother recently said to me that he isn’t into instrumental worship any more.  Why?  Because he isn’t about getting into the emotion via the instruments.  It’s about getting into the real meaning of the songs through the words.  Now, the song leader should bring out the meaning of those words.  He should get to the heart of worship.

2.  Dig deep into the Story.

This means…

  • Being thankful (Colossians 3:16-18).
  • Understanding the meaning  (Ephesians 5:17).
  • Being filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
  • Singing from the heart  (Ephesians 5:18-19).
  • It means getting into the story of what God is doing.

Sing and lead from that place of commitment, passion, and purpose.  Then, bring that deeper story out as you lead people in worship.

3.  Learn the craft.

Yes, there are things to learn about leading songs.   Here are some of them:

  • pitch
  • projection
  • dynamics
  • rhythm
  • singing technique
  • use of hands

This takes time, dedication, and training.  Keith Lancaster is doing a great job with this.  I’m interested in helping with this sort of training as well.  If you’re interesting in talking about that, see my contact page.

Remember:  This isn’t about performance, but it is about excellence.

4.  Excellence comes with preparation.

 

Justin’s iPhone. La Plancha Restaurant, Managua

Seth Godin has an excellent post on this.  Think about a meal.  It takes only a few minutes to cook, but there are countless hours of prep time.  Washing, cutting, chopping, blending, mixing.  When it comes time to cook, it only takes a few minutes.  But, it really took many hours doing the hard work of prep.  It’s training and preparation that make the difference between a so-so meal and an excellent one.  The same is true for leading worship.

5.  It isn’t about you.

I have a confession to make.  I wasn’t going to include this point.   However, I got some really valuable input from a friend (thanks Blake)!   I think it’s probably the most important point of this whole post.

Remember that this isn’t about you.  You can get so prepared, so well trained, and so knowledgeable that you forget the main thing.  Leading does mean leading from the front…but you can’t just run off and leave the folks you’re trying to lead!  You can’t get so advanced in music that you disconnect yourself from the people you’re leading.  Remember that you are leading others.  It isn’t about you.  It’s about other people.  It’s about your fellow worshipers.   Because of that, you must lead them in a way that they can follow!  You must connect with them!  Not only that, but it isn’t just about them.  It’s really about God.

So, don’t get so wrapped up in yourself and getting “good” at leading that you forget the people you lead and the reason you’re doing it in the first place.

Key Element

What do you think about the title “Song Leading 101”?  I was tossing around a few.  I chose this one because I wanted to talk about fundamental elements of leading worship.   This sort of implies I am an expert.  Truth is, I do know some about this topic, but I want to learn more.  I want to grow.  If anything, I think that’s the key element in leading worship or leading anything really.  Are you willing to grow?  Are you willing to learn?  You can’t lead if you’re standing still.

Blessing, Sharing

You Make a Difference: More Than You Think

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  • When you shine your light, you make a difference (Matthew 5:16).
  • When you are different, you make a difference (I Peter 2:9).
  • When are steady and don’t give up, you make a difference (I Corinthians 15:58).
  • When you want more than anything to know Christ, you make a difference (Philippians 3).
  • When you work with passion and excellence, you make a difference (Colossians 3:23; Ecclesiastes 9:10).
  • When you forgive like Christ for gave you, you make a difference (Ephesians 4:32).
  • When you choose to be filled with the Spirit instead of spirits, you make a difference (Ephesians 5:18-19).
  • When you worship from the heart, you make a difference (Acts 16:16-40, Acts 2:42-44).
  • When kids grow up and want to be like Christ because of you, you make a difference (Ephesians 5).
  • When your legacy is eternal and is more valuable than the whole world, you make a difference (Matthew 16:26).

The Star-Fish Story

Loren Eisley tells this story:

A young man is walking along the ocean and sees a beach on which thousands and thousands of starfish have washed ashore. Further along he sees an old man, walking slowly and stooping often, picking up one starfish after another and tossing each one gently into the ocean.

“Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?,” he asks.       

“Because the sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don’t throw them further in they will die.”

“But, old man, don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it! You can’t possibly save them all, you can’t even save one-tenth of them. In fact, even if you work all day, your efforts won’t make any difference at all.”

The old man listened calmly and then bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the sea. “It made a difference to that one.”

Would you make a difference for one today?

It might seem that you’re not making any difference in the world, but remember this.  Man can count the numbers of apples on a tree.  Only God can count the number of trees in an apple.   And, it might not seem that your efforts are making a great impact, but who knows?  Maybe you are changing the world.  And, maybe you are changing the world of one.

Flavil Nichols tells are beautiful story about the power of one.

flavil_young

During the war between the states, a young woman learned the truth and obeyed the gospel. Her sweetheart, J. H. Halbrook, was a confederate soldier. He was captured by the union army and kept a prisoner in Michigan until the war was over. He was given a ticket to Nashville, Tennessee and $2.50. From there, he returned to Centerville and found what was left of his home and family. He found his girlfriend and they were married. His wife studied the Bible with him, and he soon became a Christian. He thought the truth was so good and so simple that he began to teach and baptize many of his friends and neighbors. He began to preach, but he recognized his need for more training, so he came to the original Mars Hill Bible School, taught by T. B. Larimore. Upon completing his studies there, instead of going back to Tennessee, they moved farther south, coming into Walker, Marion, Fayette, and Lamar counties in Alabama. One of his many converts was Charley Alexander Wheeler. His wife taught him to read from the Bible. Along with his wife, C. A. Wheeler obeyed the gospel and soon began preaching to others. He started more than 100 congregations and baptized more than 6,000 people.

But wait, the story is not ended! One of those 6,000 was my father, the late Gus Nichols! Twelve thousand were baptized under his preaching.

Among those baptized by Gus Nichols, no one knows, nor can know, how many began to preach “the glorious gospel of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4); but I personally know several. I, Flavil Nichols, am ONE whom he baptized and whom he encouraged to preach the truth. And under my preaching, about three thousand have been baptized. A few among them preached the gospel, also!

Only eternity can reveal the total results of the conversion of that one girl nearly one hundred fifty years ago. The results are not yet all in! But this shows that TWENTY ONE THOUSAND people have become Christians through this single thread in the fabric of her influence.

“Go, and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). YOU are important, too! Dear reader, if you go to heaven, others probably will be saved by you! “For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?” (1 Corinthians 7:16). “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Each ONE is important.

So, dear reader, know that you can make a difference.   I think I’ll go do that!

Becoming

It’s Possible

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I want to

  • Enjoy my job
  • Do the right thing
  • Be transparent
  • Have real friends
  • Be generous
  • Be successful.

Do you?

There is only one way to do it.  You have to have a holistic view of life.  You have to have a story that ties together all the different pieces of your life and makes sense of it.

If you want to do work that matters,

If you want to have real relationships,

If you want to be authentic and generous,

Then, I believe you have to enter the story of what’s really going on in the world.

I believe that what’s really going on in the world is that love wins in the end. I believe that what’s going on is that intelligence and love is building a better tomorrow.  I believe that what’s going on is that we can do this together in mission, where we have real relationships, real generosity, and we’re doing the work that matters most.

Want to join me?

Blessing, Sharing

More than Decency: Jesus for President

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Max Lucado wrote a very nice piece about decency.   His basic premise is that Donald Trump doesn’t even pass the basic decency test.   Why would we even consider electing him President?  Good point, Max.

Let me ask you something, though.  Are you interested in a minimally decent leader?  If so, then I suggest you support a candidate that is decent.  One that doesn’t go around insulting everyone.  Minimally decent is much better than terribly indecent.

More than Decency

Can you imagine someone saying, “I know he’s not that great of a man.  He lies.  I don’t really agree with him on some basic issues.  But, he has good manners.  He won’t embarass us when he speaks.  He’s decent.  Yes, I want him for my leader!”  Not me.

When you’re talking to your kids about school work, do you aim for decency or excellence?

When a college football program is looking for a coach, is their goal to find a decent one or the very best?

When you purchase music, do you go for decent or great?

Now, if you won’t spend $.99 on a download that is just decent, why in the world would you settle for a leader that’s on the same level? 

Here’s the kind of leader I’m after:

  • He inspires me.
  • He has unending courage.
  • He has great power, but is meek.
  • Great holiness but equally gracious.
  • So committed to my wellbeing that he would literally die for me.
  • So powerful, that death can’t hold him down.
  • He’s smarter than Einstein, stronger than Superman, and wiser than Solomon.

Jesus for President

You are in the voting booth every day.  You vote with your heart.  You vote with your actions.  Are you choosing a leader who is more than decent?  Or, are you settling?  Settling for decency.

You can follow the only leader who can set the world to rights.

You can follow the only leader who is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,” Ephesians 3:20.

You can choose Jesus.    

When you choose Jesus, something happens.  You become like the leader you follow.   This is how you get the very best that life has to offer.  This is how you become more than average, more than mundane.  This is how you embrace all that you were meant to be.  And, you were meant to be a lot more than just decent.

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An Open Letter to Mark Zuckerberg

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Mark,

Thank you for connecting us and making the world more open.

I have to tell you that I believe the greatest connection of all is one that binds us together in love.  I believe that the greatest love story of all is real.

That’s why I’d like issue five challenges.

 1.  I challenge you to help us use Facebook better.

If you could change one thing about how Christians use Facebook, what would it be?  Any tips on how we can use your platform to impact the world for good?

2.  I challenge you to help us show you love.

We love what you’re doing in giving away your fortune.  It’s quite Christ like.  Our basic belief is that Christ gave his all, he rose again, so that he might set us on a path of love.  So, I ask you,

What is your favorite way for us to show you some love?

3.  I challenge you to help us make the world a better place.

As I mentioned, Christ followers are all about doing all the good we can.  You might help us here.  You have great insight into strategy and effective use of resources.  So, if you were to advise us, what would you say is the best strategy for doing good in the world?

4.  I challenge you to the chase.

Really, I challenge you to chase three questions:

  • Is there a God?
  • Who was Jesus?
  • Did Jesus rise?

5.  I challenge you to prove us wrong.

I Corinthians 15 in the Christian Bible makes a central claim.  It says that Jesus rose from the grave.  Followers of Christ live based on that belief.   If we are wrong, we are really wrong.  In essence, we are fools if this isn’t true.  So, I challenge you to prove that the resurrection is wrong.  Are you up to it?

Thanks for reading.

Justin

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The Five Lessons I Learned in Nicaragua

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I recently returned from a trip to Nicaragua.  I went with a group  from the Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, AL.   Here’s what I learned.

1.   Leadership Matters

We saw flourishing churches, growing schools, and dedicated servants.  We saw

  • unity
  • respect
  • contentment

Now, why was that?  I believe it has everything to do with  leadership.

Have you ever seen the picture of the difference between a leader and a boss?  It’s a popular meme going around.  Fundamentally the difference is that a leader is out in the front pulling.  A boss is behind barking orders.  We didn’t see bosses.  We saw leaders (Matthew 20:26).

These leaders were servants who were travelling a tough yet rewarding path.   I met a man who has a a well paying job.  He could be spending his Saturdays eating churrasco on a lazy Pacific beach.   Instead, he is spending his Saturdays on  a motorcyle, traveling dusty roads of a million bumps.  Roads littered with more manure than pavement.  Roads with more cows than cars. Why?  Because he is leading a school,  teaching in the school, and supporting two preachers.   Why?  Because he is a leader (Galatians 6:9).

2.  Networks Matter

I don’t want to make it sound like there were just a few people involved in this work.  There wasn’t just one contact.  There were many.  There were two school directors who were great leaders, and they stood at the hubs of a network of leaders/servants.  At each church that supports the schools, we met men and women who were serving by teaching, working with children, and serving in the community.  They were well connected and unified.

Just think, Jesus took time to mentor 12 apostles.  Why?  He saw the need for a  network of servant leaders.

3.  Make Thankfulness a Priority

One of the thoughtful ladies in our group from Central shared this thought.  She said that the Nicaraguan prayers were different.  Let me explain.  She said that the prayers we (USA) pray are often more about requests.  The prayers that our Nicaraguan brothers prayed contained much more praise and thanks.  Now, I noticed that the folks down there were quite content seeming.  I think it started with thankfulness (Colossians 3:15).

4.  Everyone Can Give

Here’s a picture for you.

San Joaquin – Justin’s iPhone

That’s the church building in San Joaquin.  High atop a hill gather about 25 kids and 8 adults.  They come from the neighboring agricultural community.   Here are some stats

  • Average income: $35/month
  • Average number of children per household: 8
  • The church building is as pictured, and the children meet in the shed in the background.

The roof has holes, the floor is a dirt ground, and they don’t even have hymnals or a pulpit.  All the basically have is the leaky roof over their heads.  Oh, but they have each other.  They have dignity.  They have the Spirit.  They have love.  They have beautiful children.

And, they have watermelons.  Do you see that one in the corner of the picture?  They gave it to us.  They didn’t ask for anything.  They just gave.  My guess…we’ll probably give back to them.

By the way, their picture is the featured image (top of post).

5.  Happiness isn’t a function of dollars.

Why are people so happy in third world countries?  I mean we come back to the US stunned that the people are happy.  I suppose we assume that happiness and net worth are directly related.  I believe there are three reasons they are happy:

  • They are connected to each other.  When you’re a little kid on the top of a mountain and you don’t have a cell phone or a bunch of toys, what do you do?  You play with the other kids.  I think those poor kids weren’t so poor at all.
  • The are connected to the moment.  When you aren’t distracted by technology or fake posturing, you are able to get to the reality of the moment.  That’s all we have after all.  Jesus said some things about that, too (Matthew 6:25-34).
  • They are connected to purpose.  With these schools and churches, the people are working for a greater purpose.  They are involved in God’s greater story of redemption, of setting the world to rights, of sharing the greatest message of all (Mark 16:15).

What About You?

There you have it, these are the 5 lessons I learned from my short trip to Nicaragua.  Have you ever had a learning experience like this (mission trip, etc.)?  What did you learn?