What if....?

You might enjoy reading this thought-provoking book by Cynthia Cooper... let me know if you liked it and why or why not...

My journey right now is full of researching, thinking and planning as I prepare to be a facilitator for a Strategic Planning with a non-profit organization in my home town. OK, where am I going with this note?

I want to share on a different level (mainly because I am on a different level right now). I want to share my journey from not long ago - which was an experience I will never forget and will always be with me.

In the fall of 2007, I was invited to join a comprehensive leadership study group - L.I.N.C. (Leadership in Newaygo County). 25 people are accepted into the program and my getting into this program was - well, just plain neat - thanks, Lord.

We studied and worked together in groups, learned about healthy leadership, went on field trips, and became acquainted with many programs and leaders in our county. In future notes, I want to share more about that - but this time - I want to focus on one particular area and then leave you with my "what if" question.

This particular evening, our class welcomed various leaders from our community who serve in a variety of positions - all the way from local government to the head of the local library.

The subject that night?

Ethics in the workplace...

I would say most of the people in the room that night were Christian - but not all.

As we went around the room, our guests shared how "doing the right thing" was not always the easiest or the most popular choice, but that maintaining integrity and proper values in the workplace is something that still needs to happen in our society.

A booklet was placed in my hands for me to take - it was a booklet regarding the newest guidelines for non-profit organizations. I devour books - I love to read and learn.

I had already read no less than 12 books as I have this need to conquer any and all information on a subject - Strategic Planning was the subject? I had to conquer it. And my client was a non-profit - so BINGO - more information!

Yes, I can get on "information overload" in a hurry.

I noticed a chapter called "Whistleblower Policies" ... hmmm interesting. I will tuck that away. More on that later...

Fast forward to a workshop I went to during this same period of time as my LINC classes.

A retired executive from a large well-known international company was sharing - we were discussing hiring practices. He said the hiring practices at his former company are very simple:

There is a Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Whistleblower Policy.

Bottom line -the company expects its employees to be ethical, moral, honest and help maintain a high standard of values and continue providing good products the company is known for...

And - the company invites its employees to report any unethical or unlawful conduct internally taking place on any level - executive on down, with no retaliation, firing, alienation or retribution. In other words, employees, if you find out this company is lying, using its money unlawfully, sleeping around, using business money to line our pockets - we want you to hold us accountable and not cover up for us.

"Whistleblower protection should not be viewed only as a prophylactic mechanism designed to avoid employee lawsuits. Instead, protecting whistleblowers from retaliation and encouraging constructive whistleblowing benefits nonprofits by increasing transparency and by giving management the opportunity to learn early on of unethical or unlawful practices directly from their employees rather than from the media, law enforcement, or a regulatory agency. In addition, effective whistleblower protection helps foster a work environment in which all employees are held accountable, thereby improving performance and empowering employees." Non-Profit Risk Management Center

If you study, you will find most reputable non-profits, large companies, and now even many denominational churches are adopting the Whistleblower Policy.

What if...the next time you were hired at a non-profit, church, or company, you asked...

Where's my whistle?

What if...we could only use "The God Card" once a year?

For several months I have been studying and reflecting on an issue that I hope I will be able to convey in a positive, yet enlightening way. This journey I am on has stopped here for a moment and once I say it and express it - I'll move on and not bring it up again. You may regret I brought it up this time.

The "God Card"... what is that...?

Well, it is ...

"God told me.." I think when it comes to using it in the context of "God told me we..." it should only be used once a year - so make it a good one. Just my opinion - just my journey.

No problem if the wording is, "God has been speaking to me about this pertaining to me personally..." No problem - in that, I am a spectator - time will tell if that was God speaking to you - I don't need to judge or challenge that at all - bless you - I am glad God is speaking to you.

But when you say, "God is telling me you should - or, God is telling me we should..." now it puts us in a quandry - a pickle - between a rock and a hard place. And if you are a leader and saying it - here is what happens...

We are raised, and we raise our children, to respect authority. And now we have taught our people in the church on "Submission and Authority" so listening to a leader is taken seriously.

Just a side note - I get uncomfortable with a leader who specifically wants someone to come in and teach his people on Submission and Authority. I feel sometimes it is another way of saying, "Can you just get these people to do what I want without questioning me?"

A good, honest, transparent, Godly leader should not feel so compelled to teach the subject - or at least, not much. People don't have trouble following someone they know loves them and has earned their trust - they can express their opinion - they are valued.

Back to " The God Card"...

So when you say,"God told me you should, or God told me we should - I have a couple things I have to consider -

Either I have to question whether you heard from God, (which will challenge your authority - which I have been trained not to do), or if I don't agree with what you say God told you, now I find myself perhaps "going against God." There is no "wiggle room" here, if you know what I mean...

Sometimes when I am driving in my van by myself, I've said to the Lord, "Man, Lord, people sure say that you told them to do so many things and tell us to do many things - I know there is only one of you, but so many of the things being said don't match - I know there are not 10 of you...I guess when we all get to heaven, you will let us know how much of this was truly you... and I wonder, Lord, in the Old Testament, prophets got stoned if the words they said were from you did not come to pass - I could start saving some stones, but I don't think this is quite what you have in mind in the New Testament." Sorry, Lord, here I go again... me with all my questions."

Story...

A young man is volunteering at a church and keeps getting asked to join the worship team. Asked a lot. Although he appreciates being asked, he really does not have a desire or feels in his heart that is something he needs to be doing.

Then it happens - the pastor takes him aside and pulls out "The God Card."

"I feel God is telling me you should join the worship team."

Now this young man has a decision. He has been taught to respect authority. This is a pastor. Is this God speaking? Is this the leader? What to do?

The young man replied in a very calm way, "Although I appreciate that you want me on the worship team, if that were the Lord, it would confirm something I have in my heart - I don't have that in my heart - so I will need to say no. But if I sense something differently, I will let you know."

What do you think? Did he do the right thing?

I asked my husband something the other day. He does not see my notes until I post them. And he does not know what subject I am writing about until he reads it on a note. I know, this is scary - he is soooo "out there" with me as I am on this journey.

So...I asked him..."Hon, I don't ever recall when we pastored, you ever saying to people, "God told me you should, or God told me we should, or God is saying this and God is saying that... why is that?"

Silence - and then he said...

"God told me not to."

What if.... I recall why I love Him?

I either walk or drive by that church one block from my house most every day... the one where I heard about Jesus. That was March of 1970.

Invited by high school friends to attend a "Youth Sunday"... I went

The only open seat was in the front row. I was not a "churched person", so I had no pre-conceived expectations. I am quite sure the people there realized this was all new to me. I was quite a sight now that I look back.

They never hesitated to serve communion to me at the end of the service. I was not saved ... (now that is what I call "open communion" - I think God was looking at a heart).

I followed everyone to the altar to take communion - well, the crowd was going, I figured I should follow. No clue what that wine and bread were all about, but when it was my turn, they spoke, "The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ broken and shed for you."....

Anyway, took my front row seat when I got there...

Listened to youth sing...

Was intrigued by the little prayer book we read scripture from... as I scrambled to find the pages and turn to them before everyone was done reading...

Sensed something quite strange happening in me as I listened to an older gentleman share at the front of the church...his tone...the way he spoke about a Savior... like he knew Him. Like he so loved Him, he wanted to tell us about Him.

More on all that later....

I am back to "square one" in my journey. I recall why I love Him....because He first loved me.

Maybe people come to Him for different reasons - and they are probably all good ones. My journey reminds me everyday now a reason so simple that it transformed my life.

It was all about my heart seeing and knowing that He loved me...just as I was... He accepted me. He had died for me...

To be loved unconditionally - I did not have to earn it - I did not have to come back next week after I had a week of "being good"...no, right now - as I was - He would accept me.

And seeing that...broke me. I was changed...I had no problem surrendering...I completely trusted (and still do) ... His love for me. And knowing His character helps me judge doctrine or the words from a pulpit.. Sometimes I have left meetings and gone home and said, " I may not know all the scriptures to refute what I heard, but I know it is not the God I know."

That love transformed me. And I know that when I first began my walk with Him, it was my total motivation for everything. I think my walk might have been purer then - probably more effective.

Sorry, Lord - you know I have been on this repentance kick lately - maybe trying to get back to "square one." I know, I know, You still take me "just as I am."

But I came to him in that condition - on those terms...

I did not know He was a healer... so I did not love Him because I thought He would heal me.

I did not know He would prosper me... so I did not love Him because I thought He would provide what I could believe and confess for. I did not love Him because perhaps I would wind up with any riches.

I did not even know I was avoiding hell ... so I did not love Him because I was afraid if I did not, I would go to hell.

I am grateful for His sacrifice for those things - I don't take it lightly - It's just that when this all started for me -

it's wasn't the reason I walked with Him

it wasn't the reason I loved Him

I loved Him - because He first loved me -

What if... the church building is not on the verge of revival?

My journey with the Lord, that I can document, began in 1970 in a little church one block from where live. More about that later. God is so good. I am forever grateful for that little church - which by the way is an Episcopal Church.

Easter Sunday (2007) I walked there and attended church, just to say, "Thank you, Lord. I have not forgotten what you have done in my life." I sat on a hard wooden pew with no cushion, and was not comfortable at all - the air was chilly - but it was a moving experience for me and a wonderful service. The tiny church was alive with the love of God. I saw people I had not seen in years and felt at home. They have a few rituals that my company would probably mock - but I did not find them offensive at all. The Body of Christ is beautiful. There are all kinds of church buildings with all kinds of labels - but when Jesus is in the heart of a person - we are part of the Body of Christ.

In 1970 - new life began in me because of Jesus Christ. I heard the message of His love and sacrifice for me and received Him into my heart. I came to Him just as I was - to Him - just as He was - and is - A Savior - I was transformed on the inside.

Moving along... but in other notes I want to share more about this new life.

I've always had questions about the word "revival."

I think since the middle 90's there have been prophesies about "we're on the verge"; "just on the edge"; "getting ready for the greatest..." and I wonder if it came and I missed it, or it came and I did not recognize it, or maybe it is coming, but it isn't what I thought?

Still looking. Please understand, I recognize there are great things happening all over the world, I am just sharing an issue in regards to my journey.

I am just asking the question because I think about this.

OK, so we ran, we jumped, we shouted, we laughed, we worshipped, and bring me up to speed - are we still on the verge? I had the impression (I may have been wrong) that somehow "something" was going to happen and the church doors would almost magically open and people would flock to the altars and fill the church and that would be "revival." That we needed to get ready to handle this mass influx of hungry people. So for years we have been sitting in the church just waiting for the people - we are ready - we can handle it -

But now that I have been asking questions and searching, I wonder this -

Could revival be somewhere else?

Could it be in my heart? Not something falling on me, but something happening in me?