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Wake-Up Call for the Church

August 27, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 0 Comments

The church is bleeding members, and young women are leading the exodus. A recent USA Today article published on August 13, 2024, highlighted a grim reality: Americans are becoming less religious. But it’s not just a general decline. There’s a specific and alarming trend that should have every church leader’s attention—young women are walking away from the church, and they’re not looking back. I know full well that some people won’t like this message, others will think I’ve lost my noggin, and a few might resonate here. But the fact of the matter is ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. We need to do something and we need to do it fast.

Why Are They Leaving?

The answer isn’t what many will want to hear and others will flat deny this is real but the church has failed to create a space where young women feel valued, heard, and seen. They’re not leaving because they’re lazy or even because they’re uninterested in faith. They’re leaving because the church in many cases doesn’t recognize their worth. It doesn’t challenge them to take ownership of their faith or provide them with opportunities to lead.

The church has become a place where women are almost expected to be seen but not heard. They’re given roles that keep them in the background at best —hospitality, children’s ministry, maybe a women’s Bible study leader if they’re lucky. But when it comes to real leadership, when it comes to making decisions that shape the direction of the church, they’re often sidelined. And according to the article, young women are tired of it.

It’s time for a revolution in the church, in more ways than one but we’ll stay focused on this one topic. This isn’t about simply checking off a box to say, “We have women in leadership.” It’s about fundamentally rethinking how we structure leadership in the local church to empower women to take ownership of their faith while recognizing them for their contributions.

Ownership of Faith

Young women today are more educated, more connected, and more passionate than ever before. They’re not interested in a passive faith system that has them making jello salad as their contribution to the body of Christ. They want to engage and be engaged. They want to lead. They want to make a difference. But the church has often failed to provide them with the tools and, even more so the opportunities to do so.

It’s time to stop treating young women as though they’re merely the future of the church. They are the church…right now. They have a voice, they have ideas, and they have the ability to lead. But are we listening? Are we giving them the space to take ownership of their faith? Or are we holding onto structures that keep them in the background? Have we taken one Bible verse and broadened it so far that it no longer means what it says?

Recognizing the efforts of young women in the church isn’t just about saying “thank you” or giving them a pat on the back. It’s about giving them the same respect, authority, and leadership opportunities that we so freely offer to men. It’s about acknowledging that the church cannot survive, let alone thrive, without their contributions.

When young women see that their efforts are recognized, that their voices are heard, and that their leadership is valued, they will stay. They will invest in the church, they will bring others along, and they will lead the way in making the church relevant for future generations. Women have quickly become the gatekeepers of spirituality in their homes.

Church, it’s time to wake up. The exodus of young women from our congregations isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a warning. If we continue down this path, we risk losing an entire generation of women who could have been powerful leaders, teachers, disciples, and disciple-makers. We must act now to rethink our structures, to give women the ownership of their faith that they deserve, and to recognize them for their invaluable contributions.

This isn’t about filling pews. It’s not even merely about the survival of the church. If we fail to act, the church will continue to shrink, not because of external pressures, but because we refused to acknowledge the gifts and callings of half of the body of Christ. But it only changes if we wake up and cherish each part of the body as integral to the rest of the body.

It Was an Answer I Wasn’t Expecting

August 26, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 1 Comment

Have you ever prayed for something and got an answer you didn’t expect? Maybe you were looking for a solution, but God gave you something that seemed way off course. All too often God’s answers don’t always line up with our expectations, but they are exactly what we need.

Romans 12:9-21 hits pretty close to home with what it looks like to live out our faith calling. It’s where the rubber meets the road. We love the idea of following Jesus, but when it comes down to living out these commands, it’s like, “Hold on, God, that’s not what I was expecting!”

Hypocritical Love

Verse 9 sets the stage: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Sounds simple, right? But the reality is, this love isn’t the watered-down, feel-good emotion we often chase after. No, this love is genuine, selfless, and sacrificial. It’s the kind of love that Jesus showed us when He gave up His life for ours. Oh and don’t forget he did it while we were still sinners. That’s an answer I wasn’t expecting!

We didn’t deserve that kind of love. If we’re honest, many of us don’t love like that either. We slap on a smile, shake hands on Sundays, but our hearts are far from this sincere, no-strings-attached kind of love. God’s calling us out on our hypocrisy. He’s saying, Stop faking it. Love people like I love you. That is certainly a tough pill to swallow.

Serve NOT Be Served

Look at the next few thoughts from Paul. “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (v. 11). We love the idea of serving God, but when it comes to serving in the midst of our daily grind, to the sacrifices, to the inconveniences, that’s when we start dragging our feet. Jesus served us in the ultimate way by laying down His life. He didn’t just talk about serving—He did it, and it cost Him everything.

Now, God expects us to serve like that. This isn’t about signing up for the easy stuff or doing the bare minimum. It’s not giving those unwanted canned yams that have been in the pantry for a decade to the food pantry and calling it generosity. This is about getting down and dirty for the kingdom. Serving others even when it’s uncomfortable, even when they don’t deserve it. That is definitely an answer we were not expecting. But it’s the answer we need if we’re serious about following Jesus.

Mercy Over Justice

And here’s the kicker: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (v. 14). This one might cause us to pause just a little bit longer. God wants us to bless the people who hurt us? That sounds crazy doesn’t it! But that’s exactly what Jesus did. On the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). That’s a mercy we weren’t expecting!

We want mercy for ourselves, but judgment for others. We want God to deal with our enemies, not bless them! But God flips the script. His mercy for us is the model for how we should treat others, even those who hurt us. Mercy isn’t earned; it’s freely given—just like it was for us.

Romans 12 is a blueprint for a life that is completely counter-cultural. It calls us to be living sacrifices, which means laying down our lives for the sake of God’s Kingdom. Loving without hypocrisy, serving without hesitation, and showing mercy without limits—none of this is what we naturally want. It’s not the answer we were expecting. But it’s exactly what God expects of us because that’s what Jesus did for us.

This quite frankly is the hard road of discipleship. And it’s the only road that leads to experiencing the real life that God intends for us. So when God gives you an answer you weren’t expecting—when He calls you to love the unlovable, serve the undeserving, and show mercy to the unforgivable—remember that He’s asking you to do exactly what He’s already done for you.

God’s love is radical. Jesus’ service was sacrificial. His mercy is limitless. And He’s calling us to do the same. Don’t shrink back from the unexpected answers. Lean into them. They are the path to real life, the life you were created for.

Live it. Serve it. Show it. No more excuses. No more playing church. It’s time to be an unexpected answer in someone else’s life.

Hit Pause or Hit a Wall

August 24, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 1 Comment

When was the last time you just stopped? Not a quick social media break or a mindless TV binge, but a full-on pause? If you’re struggling to remember, you’re not alone! if life is a race, then most of us are sprinting through it without ever catching our breath. But here’s the kicker—if you don’t hit pause, life or your health will eventually hit you. And trust me, it’s not going to be pretty!

The Hustle Myth

We’ve been sold this ridiculous idea that productivity equals worth. Our hustle culture has brainwashed us into believing that slowing down is equal to weakness. We wear busyness like a badge of honor, showing off our exhaustion like it’s some kind of medal. Spoiler alert: It’s not. The constant grind will not make you superhuman. It will make you miserable.

You see, the hustle myth feeds our egos, but it starves our souls. It tricks us into thinking that if we just work hard enough, do enough, achieve enough, then we’ll find real happiness. But where’s the joy in rushing through life like you’re trying to outrun a pack of coyotes? At some point, you need to stop and ask yourself—what the heck is the point? Why are you running?

Your Emotional Health is Begging for a Break

Your emotional health isn’t just something nice to have. It’s something essential to protect. We spend so much time ignoring the warning signs: anxiety that’s a constant hum in the background, irritability that turns us into snapping turtles with fangs like Dracula, and an underlying sense of dread that never seems to go away. These are some of the alarm bells, friends, and for many of us they’re getting louder.

When was the last time you checked in with yourself emotionally? Do you even remember what it feels like to be at peace? Probably not, because you’ve been too busy filling every waking moment with distractions! How do I know? Because that’s me too. But your emotions, our emotions, don’t just disappear. They pile up, and eventually, they’ll demand your attention—usually in the form of a breakdown of some sort.

You can avoid that breakdown by taking control now. That means hitting pause, sitting with your emotions, and actually dealing with them. It’s not easy. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s necessary. Because if you don’t, you’ll be dragging that emotional baggage through life like a dead body.

Mental Health is Not a Luxury

But it’s not just emotional health! Your mental health isn’t a luxury either. It’s not something you can just shove to the side while you focus on “more important” things. There is nothing more important than your mental well-being. Full stop.

The problem is, we often treat our minds like a computer that can keep running as long as we don’t reboot it. We shove more and more into it, thinking it can handle everything without crashing. News flash: your brain isn’t a machine, and burnout is real. And once you’re burned out, it’s not easy to bounce back.

Think of it this way—if you’re running on fumes mentally, everything else in your life is going to suffer. Your relationships, your work, your faith—they’ll all start crumbling because you didn’t take the time to pause, reflect, and recharge. Mental health isn’t something you can “deal with later.” Later will be too late.

Perfect the Pause

So, how do you hit pause? It’s simpler than you think, but it requires intentionality. Start by carving out time every day—yes, every day—to stop. I’m not talking about filling your pause with another activity like scrolling through social media or watching TV. I mean really pause.

Sit in silence. Pray. Breathe. Reflect. Do something that feeds you. It doesn’t have to be for hours, but it does have to be consistent. Use this time to reconnect with yourself, with God, and with what truly matters. Because if you don’t, life will steamroll you, and all the busyness in the world won’t save you from burnout.

The harsh reality is that no one is going to give you permission to hit pause. You’re going to have to claim it for yourself. The world will always demand more from you, but you don’t have to give in. You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to take care of yourself.

So stop waiting for the right time or the perfect conditions because that will never happen. The time to pause is now. Take a break before life breaks you. You owe it to yourself, and trust me, you’ll be better for it.

Imagine That!

August 14, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 1 Comment

If You Can’t Imagine It, You’ll Never Accomplish It – Albert Einstein.

Albert Einstein, one of the greatest minds of the 20th century, wasn’t just talking about complex theories when he said this. He was tapping into a core truth that many overlook in their day-to-day lives: the power of imagination. It’s not just a child’s plaything or a daydreamer’s escape or that ride at Epcot with the purple dinosaur. Imagination is the starting point for every significant achievement in human history.

The Birthplace of Reality

Before anything can become reality, it first has to be imagined. Think about that for a moment. Every innovation, every breakthrough, every great work of art or architecture—began as a thought, a vision, a spark in someone’s mind. If you can’t see it in your mind’s eye, if you can’t picture the outcome, then what exactly are you working toward?

You see, the problem with most people isn’t that they lack the ability or resources to accomplish great things. It’s that they lack the vision, the imagination. They’re stuck in the mud of reality, afraid to lift their eyes and dream of what could be. And that’s a tragedy because imagination is a muscle. If you don’t use it, it atrophies. But if you exercise it, if you stretch it and push it beyond its comfort zone, you’ll be amazed at what you’re capable of.

We live in an age where creativity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. The old ways of doing things are crumbling, and those who can imagine new possibilities are the ones who will thrive. If you’re still relying on rote memorization, following the same tired routines, or sticking to the “this is how it’s always been done” mentality, you’re already behind.

Creativity is the currency of the future. Innovation doesn’t happen without it, progress stalls in its absence, and leaders emerge from it. The world is crying out for fresh ideas, for new solutions to old problems, and for individuals bold enough to imagine what others can’t see.

Stop Playing It Safe

Here’s where it gets real. Playing it safe is the fastest way to mediocrity. If you’re not willing to step out of your comfort zone, if you’re too afraid to take risks, then you’re sentencing yourself to a life of the ordinary. And let’s be honest: the world doesn’t need more ordinary.

Do you want to leave a mark? Then you need to be willing to dream bigger than you ever thought possible. You need to tap into the wild, untamed parts of your mind where creativity and imagination run free. Stop worrying about whether or not it’s practical. Practicality is overrated. The Wright brothers weren’t practical when they imagined humans flying through the sky. Steve Jobs wasn’t practical when he envisioned a world where technology was intuitive and accessible. They were visionaries. And guess what? Visionaries change the world.

Imagine the Life You Want

This isn’t just about business or innovation either; this is about your life. What kind of life do you want to live? Can you imagine it? Can you see it in vivid detail—the places you want to go, the things you want to achieve, the impact you want to have?

If not, you need to start there. Spend time each day imagining the possibilities before you. Get specific. Picture yourself in that future reality. Feel it, taste it, breathe it in. Because if you can’t even imagine it, how on earth are you going to accomplish it?

Don’t wait for permission to dream. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start creating. The perfect moment is a myth. The only thing that matters is that you start, right now, using the greatest tool at your disposal—your imagination.

Make Imagination Your Superpower

Albert Einstein wasn’t just a genius because he was smart; he was a genius because he allowed his imagination to soar. He saw beyond the immediate, beyond the obvious, and dared to dream of what could be. And that’s exactly what you need to do if you want to accomplish anything meaningful in your life.

So, what are you waiting for? Stop limiting yourself to what has been and what is. It’s time to start imagining what could be. Your future is as bright as your imagination allows it to be. Dare to dream, dare to create, and most importantly, dare to imagine a world where your vision becomes reality. Because if you can’t imagine it, you’ll never accomplish it.

No More Apples

August 13, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 0 Comments

Think you’re just an apple in a basket, waiting to be picked or discarded? Wrong. You’re an orchard in disguise, brimming with potential that could feed nations, change lives, and alter the course of history—if you’d just wake up to it.

I recently heard the line Within every apple there’s an orchard. I did not come up with this and its origin is unknown, but I feel there’s power in this thinking. This isn’t just a feel-good quote to throw on social media and forget. It’s a battle cry, a declaration of war against mediocrity, and a direct challenge to the excuses you’ve been feeding yourself for too long.

The Apple Mindset

Too many people are stuck in the “apple” mindset. You know the type. They see themselves as small, ordinary, just trying to get by without making too much noise. They’ve bought into the lie that they’re just one in a million—replaceable, forgettable, insignificant.

But here’s the truth: you’re not just an apple. Inside you is the seed of something far greater. You have the power to grow, to expand, to become an orchard—a force of nature that can produce fruit for generations to come. The potential within you is limitless, but it’s useless unless you recognize it and do something about it.

We can’t stop there either. If you’re a Christian, this concept hits even closer to home. Within every Christian, there isn’t just potential for personal growth—there’s the potential to build a whole community of faith. Just like the orchard in the apple, there’s a church, a body of believers, a thriving community within you waiting to be cultivated.

Too many Christians walk around with a small vision, thinking that faith is a private matter, something personal and contained. We treat ministry like it’s something we can hire someone else to do for us. But the truth is, Christianity is meant to be lived out…in community…by everyone! Your faith isn’t just about you; it’s about the people where you live, work, and play.

Your faith isn’t meant to stay locked in the walls of your heart or the pews of a church. It’s meant to grow, to spread, to multiply. Just like an orchard starts with one apple, a thriving community of faith starts with one believer—one person willing to plant seeds of love, kindness, and truth in the lives of others.

Stop Settling

The problem is, most people settle for the apple when they could have the whole orchard. They settle for a paycheck when they could have financial freedom. They settle for good when they could have great. Why? Because they’re scared? Because they don’t believe in themselves? Because they’ve been conditioned to think small.

You need to start thinking like the orchard, not the apple. The orchard doesn’t just survive—it thrives. It doesn’t just exist—it expands. It takes up space, it demands attention, and it produces more than enough. The orchard is the picture of abundance, and that abundance is within your reach. It’s easy to see the limits of scarcity but Jesus took our scarcity and showed how abundant it truly was.

How to Cultivate Your Orchard and Your Community

I know I poke holes in status quo a lot on here. So here are some practical steps for shifting that focus. How do you tap into this orchard within you? How do you break free from the apple mindset and start living up to your true potential—both in your personal life and as a follower of Jesus? Here are a few thoughts:

Imagination: First, you need to see the orchard. You need to believe that there’s more to you than what meets the eye. You need to imagine what life could be if you stopped settling and started striving. As a follower of Jesus, you need to see the community within you and believe that your faith can impact others.
Farming Framework: Understand that the orchard doesn’t appear overnight. It takes time, effort, and patience. But it all starts with the seed—your potential. Nurture it, protect it, and watch it grow. In the same way, start small in your own circle—share your faith, serve others, and watch as your impact multiplies. Look at the relationships that already exist in your life. Why do you think God put those people here at this moment?
Nike: Stop waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect opportunity, or the perfect conditions. Just Do It! Start planting today. Take action, no matter how small, toward your goals. Every seed you plant today is a tree that will bear fruit tomorrow. Don’t just attend church—be the church. Get involved, serve, and lead. Move from observing the faith in others and start owning the faith in you.
Perseverance: Don’t give up when things get tough. Orchards face storms, droughts, and pests, but they survive because they are deeply rooted. Be resilient. Stay the course. In your faith, hold on to God’s promises and continue to sow seeds of righteousness, even when it’s hard.
Harvest: Finally, don’t be afraid to reap the rewards of your hard work. When your orchard starts to bear fruit, don’t apologize for success. Share it, enjoy it, and let it inspire others to cultivate their own. As a Christian, celebrate the growth of your community and continue to foster the faith in others. Raise up new leaders and begin leaving a legacy of discipleship for those that will come after you.

You can sit there and let life pass you by, or you can realize that you’re carrying an orchard within you. You can choose to stay small, or you can unleash the abundance that’s been inside you all along.

Don’t let another day go by without tapping into your true potential. Don’t waste another minute thinking you’re just an apple when you could be so much more. The world needs your orchard—it needs what only you can provide.

And as a Christian, remember that your faith is the seed of something far greater. It’s the foundation of a community, a church, a movement. It’s time to stop thinking small and start cultivating the orchard within you.

Within every apple there’s an orchard. It’s time you start believing it.

Square Pegs in a Round World

August 12, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 1 Comment

Ever feel like you’re the odd one out? Like no matter how hard you try, you just don’t fit into the mold everyone else seems to slide into so easily? Welcome to the life of a square peg in a round world. And guess what? That’s not just okay—it’s freaking fantastic.

I recently received this pen and immediately my mind started racing. There’s power in being a square peg or in this case pen. This thing won’t roll off my table. It won’t get lost under my desk. But more importantly it’s different which means it reminds me a little bit of myself.

Let’s get one thing straight: fitting in is overrated. And this is coming from a guy who used to bow to the masses and care what the world had to say. I was soft around the edges and tried to fit in and never stand out. But that is no longer who I am. There’s too much to lose by giving in to the powers of culture and society.

Society loves to push this idea that you’ve got to blend in, conform, and smooth out your edges to fit the round hole the world has carved out for you. But what if those edges are what make you, you? What if shaving them off means losing the very thing that makes you unique? Too many people spend their lives sanding down their differences just to be accepted, only to wake up one day and realize they’ve become a dull, lifeless version of themselves that looks like just about everyone around them!

And for what? A fleeting sense of belonging? Totally not worth it.

Standing out because you’re different isn’t a curse—it’s a blessing. It’s your golden ticket to a life that’s unapologetically authentic. So what if you don’t fit in? Who wants to be a carbon copy anyway? Square pegs don’t just follow the path—they carve out new ones. They push boundaries, sometimes break the rules, and even redefine what’s possible. Being a misfit means you’ve got the guts to be true to yourself in a world that’s constantly trying to make you someone else.

The beauty of being a square peg is that eventually, you find your people. The ones who aren’t interested in fitting into the round holes either. You know, the ones who don’t just tolerate your differences but celebrate them. When square pegs come together, they form a tribe that’s unbreakable. A community of people who get it—who get you. And let me tell you, there’s nothing more rewarding than finding those who stand out just like you do. It’s like finding a breath of fresh air in a world that often feels suffocating.

And here’s the kicker: when you embrace your square-pegness, you give others permission to do the same. You become a beacon for other misfits, showing them that it’s not just okay to be different—it’s powerful. Your willingness to stand out becomes a rallying cry for those who’ve been hiding their true selves, afraid to let the world see their sharp edges. You become a leader, not by blending in, but by standing up for what you believe and standing out no matter how much the world around you tries to shave your edges down.

So, stop trying to fit into a mold that was never meant for you. Stop sanding down your edges just to squeeze into a place that doesn’t appreciate your true shape. Own your square peg status. Embrace it. Because when you do, you’ll find a world full of other square pegs who are ready to stand out with you.

And trust me, that’s a world worth living in.

Be bold. Be different. Be the square peg that refuses to fit in.

It’s Not What They Told Me

August 9, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 2 Comments

From the time I was in 6th grade it’s all I wanted to do. Most boys at that age wanted to save the world by being police officers or fire fighters or even join the military. Not me. I didn’t see myself fitting those roles. For me all I ever wanted to do was what I do right now. But all too often it’s not what I was told it would be.

Many joke about it being nice to only work one day a week. Others sit back curiously wondering what it is that I really do. Still others really just don’t care as long as Sunday goes ok and I’m there when their emergency hits. But all too often it’s not what I was told it would be.

No one told me the weight I would have to carry. No one told me the microscope people would put me under. No one told me that real, caring, life-giving friendships would be hard to find, if not downright impossible at times. No one told me how much it would hurt some days, only how rewarding others would be.

You see I knew that I would be there when the phone rang. I knew that I would be there when you were at your worst. I knew that I’d see some dark and somewhat terrifying things. But all too often it’s not what I was told it would be.

I’ll never forget the feeling of holding her hand while she struggled for her final breaths. Pushing down tears of my own because I cared for her more than I could let on. Swallowing hard so I could speak coherently to provide some form of comfort to you as you now say good bye, all the while saying goodbye quietly myself. This isn’t how I was told it would be.

I’ll never forget cleaning up after him when he thought there was no other way out. Seeing someone I cared about end it all that way and try to preserve his dignity by quietly carrying the demons that secretly broke him. This isn’t how I was told it would be.

I’ll never forget sitting there as you broke into so many pieces. I wanted to help put it together but I was powerless. All I could do was sit, pray, and be a shoulder you could cry on. This isn’t how I was told it would be.

I’ll never forget when in a moment of rage you threw the tissue box at me across my desk. You were angry with something or someone but I was the easiest target because I was there. Or the time I was belittled and cursed at for doing my job because you assumed my intent – all this by those who care and without apology nonetheless. This isn’t how I was told it would be.

I could list countless moments that caught me off guard. Relationships that broke fast enough to give anyone whiplash. I could gripe and moan and complain but that’s not who I am.

Some of you will think this is a cry for help, but it’s not that at all. Others will think he’s just being a baby stop complaining, but that’s not it either. The greater point is this. We’re people. It’s really that simple.

I talk to a lot of pastors in my role these days and there’s so much hurt that could be avoided. Offenses given but no apology offered. Those moments provide lasting hurt. Many of us have scars that we see daily but will never reveal to anyone. We’re people. It’s really that simple.

Your pastor isn’t superman. He’s not invincible. He breaks. He hurts. He remembers every single one of those moments. Each of those scars he’ll carry to his grave. He’s not doing it for accolades or praise. He’s doing it because he cares. He cares for you. And sometimes caring means he has to say and do some things you don’t like. But we’re people. It’s really that simple.

It often isn’t what I was told it would be. But I don’t do it for me. And to be honest I don’t do it for you either. The real reason we carry these scars and walk with these weights is because we were called to this work. No other reason would be strong enough to keep us anchored this long.

You can question the outcomes or even the steps we take. You can dislike the way it makes you feel. But just remember we’re people, it’s really that easy.

I Fear We’re Insane

August 8, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 1 Comment

It’s time to wake up. We’ve all heard that insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Yet, how often do we fall into this trap? We cling to traditions, methods, and mindsets that have long outlived their effectiveness, hoping they’ll somehow bring revival. Newsflash: They won’t! It’s time to wake up, shake off the dust of complacency, and start thinking bigger, bolder, and differently if we truly want to fulfill the mission Christ has given us.

The Comfort of Tradition

Tradition feels safe, doesn’t it? It’s that well-worn path we’ve walked for decades, the familiar liturgy, the same order of service, the predictable sermons, the tried and true programs. But let’s be honest—how much of this is bearing fruit? We’re too often wrapped in the warm, comfortable blanket of “how we’ve always done it,” forgetting that comfort isn’t the goal—discipleship is. And discipleship is not the same as pew sitting membership!

Here’s the hard truth: If we keep doing church the way we’ve always done it, we’ll keep getting the same results we’ve always gotten. And let’s face it, those results aren’t cutting it. Look around. Are our churches filled with the lost, the broken, the desperate souls we’re called to reach? Or are they filled with empty seats and stagnant faith? If we want to see change, we need to change first.

Don’t be delusional!

But we’re making progress! is a line I hear from time to time. Sure, maybe your attendance numbers are steady, maybe your programs are running smoothly. But is that the kind of progress Christ called us to? Or are we just busy maintaining the status quo, confusing busyness with real kingdom impact?

I don’t want to burst your bubble here but true progress isn’t about keeping the church doors open. It’s about opening the doors of our hearts and minds to new ways of reaching the lost, discipling believers, and transforming our communities. It’s about stepping out in faith, even when it feels uncomfortable and even dangerous, and trusting that God will meet us in the unknown.

If we’re not constantly evaluating and adjusting our approach, if we’re not willing to disrupt our routines for the sake of the gospel, we’ll find ourselves far from the vibrant, living body of Christ we’re meant to be.

If your goal doesn’t need God, it’s not big enough.

Thinking bigger isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a divine mandate. We serve a God who is infinitely creative, who specializes in doing new things (Isaiah 43:19). If we’re not willing to think bigger, to dream beyond our current limitations, we’re limiting God’s work in and through us. And frankly we’re dreaming man size dreams in a God sized world.

Ask yourself—and your church—some tough questions. What have we been avoiding because it feels too risky? What traditions have we clung to, not because they’re effective, but because they’re comfortable? What new methods, new ideas, new visions have we dismissed because they didn’t fit our comfortable way of doing things?

God is calling us to break free from the mold, to challenge the status quo, and to step into a new level of faith. If we’re not willing to do that, we’re not just stagnating; we’re disobeying the call to go into all the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19).

One small step for man…

The unknown is scary. It’s like standing on the edge of a cliff, wondering if you’ll survive the leap. But here’s the thing: The church isn’t called to play it safe. We’re called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). And faith doesn’t thrive in the familiar; it grows in the unknown. When those men stepped off the shuttle for the first time, it was the largest small step anyone could ever take.

Every time we choose comfort over calling, tradition over transformation, we’re choosing to stay small. But when we take a step of faith, when we’re willing to leave the safety of the boat and walk on water, that’s when we see God move in miraculous ways.

If we keep doing church the way we’ve always done it, we’ll keep getting the same results we’ve always gotten. But if we’re willing to think bigger, take risks, and to embrace the unknown, we’ll see God do things we never imagined.

The church doesn’t need more people who are content with the status quo. We need committed disciples who are willing to challenge the norm, to dream bigger dreams, and to step out in bold faith. Stop settling for the same old results. Start living out the kind of radical, world-changing faith that Jesus modeled.

Because the only thing that’s truly insane is thinking the church can stay the same and somehow, magically, fulfill its mission in a changing world.

Renovating the Church

August 6, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 0 Comments

So it’s time for some tough love. The church is facing a crisis not because the message of the Gospel has lost its power, but because we’ve gotten too comfortable with the way we’ve always done it. Imagine the Church as a house. The foundation and framing—the Word of God and the core principles Jesus laid down—are solid. But let’s be real, some of the internal walls are blocking the flow, making the place feel stuffy and uninviting. It’s time for a renovation. Let’s tear down some walls, open up the space, and let the fresh wind of the Spirit breathe new life into our congregations.

Leave the Foundation

First, let’s be clear: we’re not touching the foundation. The Bible, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the love of God—these are non-negotiable. They are the bedrock upon which our faith stands. But just like a house built in the 1950s, our systems—the way we do church—need updating. We’re talking about moving some walls around to create a space that works for today’s world, which is vastly changing day after day.

We often do one of two things when we starting talking renovation. We mess with the foundation, which is NOT what we’re talking about. We are not talking about changing the structural elements of the faith. And we’re also not just looking at putting a new coat of paint on the walls or adding a few pictures and moving the furniture. The change needs to be significant enough to make a difference but not detrimental to the structure of who we are.

Outdated Systems, Outdated Mindsets

For too long, we’ve clung to traditions that no longer serve their purpose. Programs that once brought life are now lifeless. Ministries that once thrived are now just going through the motions. It’s like living in a house with a beautiful exterior but a cramped, dark interior. It’s time to knock down some walls!

When my family and I moved to our current home, we loved the outside. We loved the quality of the build. We loved the fact that it wasn’t a new build and had some great character. But we also knew that the way it was divided inside wasn’t going to work for us for long. The kitchen was pretty tiny and totally separate from all living spaces. You were pretty much in a dungeon when cooking. We like to entertain and this layout was not inviting at all. So we knocked out some walls. They no longer served their purpose. They were obstructions to a way of life that would allow us to welcome people to our home and have great conversations around food and fellowship.

I’m not going to tell you what walls need moved in your context. That’s not up to me. I don’t know your culture. I don’t know the values of your congregation. I don’t know the way the people in your community receive the best. What follows are a few ideas of some walls that might need to be taken down or relocated. Starting with a solid set of core values and extremely clear mission/vision make this process way easier! If this is something you need help navigating hit me up! I have access to some proven strategies that provide immense clarity and unity in a congregation when it comes to values discovery and a great way to look at vision.

Walls to Consider

Worship Services: Do the times, styles, length of the services hinder people from connecting? Do you use language people understand? Is the message clear and concise when communicated? These are just a few questions to address when looking at the walls that our worship services put up for people new to the church.
Community Engagement: The church isn’t a building; it’s a community or family to use a more biblical image. We need to move the walls that separate the people inside the church from the rest of the world. Host events that serve the needs of your community, be present in local schools, and partner with other organizations. Show the love of Christ in tangible ways. What parts of the way you approach ministry are hindering people from connecting to the life-giving message of the Gospel? Those walls probably need to come down.
Discipleship: Sunday school is great, but it’s not enough. It’s time we create more intimate settings for discipleship. Small groups, mentorship programs, and discipleship triads can deepen faith in ways that a large group setting just can’t. Move the walls that keep people from forming real, authentic relationships. This is a hard one because for many congregations, Sunday School is the way it’s always been done. Asking a church to rethink their Sunday School approach is received like you just asked them to burn down the worship space. Sunday School worked when it worked, but is it still working? Maybe it is, and if so great! But if not you might need to take that wall down.
Leadership: The old model of a single pastor doing everything is unsustainable. It’s time to move those walls and share the load. Empower lay leaders, encourage team ministry, and build a leadership structure that supports growth and innovation. Boards and committees often stifle the movement of the church locally. Tying decision making to meetings stops movement. Widen the lanes of authority so the people doing the work can make decisions. Which means we also have to let people do the work! Completely professionalizing the ministry has become a huge wall that is stopping the spread of the gospel in many communities. This wall is one that in many contexts really needs to be addressed.

Embrace the Change

I know mixing metaphors is a bad idea but I’m going to do it anyway. If someone in Texas needs a hole dug on their land, it’s not going to help them if I dig a deeper hole in Ohio. When we double down on the way we’ve always done it, it’s like digging a deeper hole to help someone far away. Instead of digging a deeper hole, we need to find a way to get to where they are or at least get them a better shovel so they don’t have to dig with their hands.

I know renovating a house is messy, inconvenient, and often frustrating. But the result is a space that feels like home—a place where people want to be. The same goes for the church. Change is hard. It will upset some people. But staying stuck in outdated systems is not an option. We must be bold, courageous, and willing to take risks for the sake of the Gospel.

Friends, it’s time for a renovation. The foundation is firm, but some of the walls need to move. Let’s create a space that reflects the dynamic, life-giving power of the Gospel. Let’s be a church that not only honors the past but also embraces the possibilities before us. The world is waiting. Let’s show them what a renovated, reimagined church looks like. It’s time to get to work.

Olympics My Two Cents

August 2, 2024 / Derrick Hurst / 1 Comment

Pretty sure just about everyone in the world has seen something about the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics. It’s been quite the hot bed of controversy. But why is it such a big deal? Should we even care? And if so, what is the best way to handle it?

Before we dive into the deep end of the pool, we need to set the table appropriately. Yeah there was a bit of a pun intended, sorry…not sorry.

The main image of the ceremony that has really received tons of air time is what many have seen as an open mockery of the Last Supper by DaVinci. Others have explained it away as a visual representation of a festival to a Greek god of wine and pleasure.

No one, except the planning team, really knows the full intent of the imagery. So to say it is for sure one thing or another is a bit of a stretch. However, we can do some quick research to find out which is most likely. I’ll leave that one to you.

We’re going to play a bit of a what if kind of game with this one and just assume it was intended to be an open mockery of the Last Supper. Again, I’m not making accusations just for argument sake going to one extreme here. If it was intended to mock a bedrock sacred piece of the Christian faith, then what does that mean and how are Christians to react?

I’ve seen a few different reactions. There are the silent ones who are just letting the battle ensue without throwing gas on the fire. Admirable to an extent but not sure this is the best option. Sometimes silence speaks to agreement.

Then there are the extremes of the people who call themselves Christians. On one side we hear things like Jesus would have invited these very people to come sit with him at the table so what’s the big deal. While on the other side, there is vitriol and chastisement running rampant.

Let’s look a little more closely at the opposing extremes for a response from someone who calls themselves a follower of Jesus. We’ll start with the condemnatory side that’s slinging some pretty harsh rhetoric across the table.

While I do believe it is the obligation of the follower of Jesus to defend the faith system which they claim, I do not believe name calling, vitriol or slinging damning words is the way of Jesus. If we’re going to call out a wrong in someone else, we very much better make sure we don’t use a wrong to call out a wrong! This is at best a distortion of the way of Jesus.

Jesus didn’t run around condemning the unbelieving world. As a matter of fact the people he spent effort levying judgment against were the self proclaimed righteous believers who didn’t live out what they taught. That’s the whole Pharisee white washed tombs exchange my grandpa liked to reference. This side of the argument is spending a lot of time sitting on some man made throne exhorting a message that was about grace and mercy and using it as a tool to bludgeon others.

We are to call wrong…wrong. No question there. And when a fellow believer errs we are to call that out. But are we really thinking that people who don’t believe in Jesus are going to live lifestyles that mirror his teachings?

Then there’s the other side of the table where there sits a group of hopefully well meaning people who also call themselves followers of Jesus. Unfortunately this group is also very much distorting the words and actions of Jesus. Here’s an excerpt from a social media post by someone who claims to be a pastor.

But what I can say is that every single person at that table would have been invited to Jesus’ table. Jesus not only spent His time on earth with sinners, He invited them to the very table everyone assumes the Olympic table represents. Matthew was a tax collector. Peter was about to deny Him. Thomas was about to doubt His resurrection. Judas was about to betray Him. Jesus ate with them anyway. Jesus was with “sinners” all of the time. In fact, it’s one of the reasons the church people hated Him and wanted Him dead.

At face value this statement seems to have some pretty deep truth to it. It punches the judgmental church folk in the face and tells them we should be more forgiving and welcome people to the table. And to an extent that’s exactly what Jesus did. But this writer stops woefully short of the way of Jesus.

If Jesus just invited tax collectors and sinners to the table for dinner and sent them home that would be one thing, but that’s not what he did. When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, the famous little tax collector known for anything but little fraud, he called him out of his lofty tree and went to his place for dinner. So far it sounds like Jesus shared table with people the believing world didn’t want to embrace. This is where it gets interesting though. Jesus didn’t just hang out with a steak dinner and some wine at Zach’s house!

We don’t have the fullness of the conversation but what follows gives us a pretty good indication that Jesus didn’t come to Zach’s house for dinner and tell him to keep on cheating people out of their money and living a lifestyle that was totally contrary to everything Jesus taught. Zach left this dinner a changed man. When you encounter the way of Jesus you don’t get up from the table the same way.

Or take a look at the woman who was caught in adultery. The crowd of self righteous people was there to throw stones at her for her lifestyle choice. But Jesus halts the stoning and looks at the woman not with condemnation in his eyes but also not with eyes condoning this kind of lifestyle. He didn’t look at her and say oh you’re so beautiful keep cheating on your husband and sleep with every man you meet. That’s ludicrous! He called her to change her life – go and sin no more was the phrase he used.

Look…Jesus calls people to repentance. He calls the believing and the unbelieving world to the same act of repentance. None of us are better than the other. All of us need God’s grace.

So please if you’re claiming to be a follower of Jesus, then let’s do some soul searching before mouth spewing. I’m pretty sure the way of Jesus wasn’t to yell at people and belittle them because they didn’t believe in him. But he also didn’t excuse lifestyles that were contrary to what he taught. He loved people where they were but genuinely loved them too much to leave them where they were.

Would they have been welcomed to the table? There’s a very good chance yes. But if they had encountered the real way of Jesus, they would have left that table different people.

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