The title alone is surreal. Has it really been 2 years? March 4, 2014 will be the date.
God impressed me to write this blog the other day and I have been making notes since then. I do want to iterate that this is not an all inclusive list and should not be the expectation of your Church Planting, or similar endeavor.
There's just some things that are non-negotiable when it comes to this walking with God stuff. One is to never question God's voice. If it's God that you're hearing don't worry about the rest of it. He will make it happen. Your questioning doesn't validate God nor His omnipotence. Period.
I'm a quote fanatic and my favorite one at the moment is one that I seen on social media not long ago. "No one is greater than us". I can't do this Church thing as a one man show. I can't do everything that needs to be done in the Church, but the Church itself can. I've learned to empower people, it takes time but it allows you more time in the long term. Here's the kicker...people want to be used, but this is key-SET THE EXPECTATION. Never assume someone knows what you expect of them.
There's some people that want what I call in-directive positions. Simply a title but no true responsibility. They love to flaunt a title without pulling their weight in the overall direction of the Church. I've learned to use them in their strengths, try to develop them through their weakness and let God do the rest. God never called me to remold people, but he called me to lead them. It's not a bad thing if someone doesn't work in a position. That doesn't make them a bad person, it just simply means that their strength lies somewhere else.
Everyone that seems to have the gift of walking on water really don't. The super spiritual, holier than thou folks. You know...the ones that brags about how much they pray or how much that God uses them. These folks have to be handled carefully or they can cause much harm with little effort through this type of mentality, it's easy for others to latch a hold on it. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their super spirituality. What you do doesn't have to be sounded with a trumpet, God has ways of taking care of that.
Most folks that I've gotten to know in this Church plant truly want to be humble. Their desire is to like Christ, "Christ-Like", Christian. But one of the biggest things that I've learned in 2 years is being humble enough to apologize for things that you were unaware that you done, or said. I've found it much easier to apologize for something that you didn't do or are totally unaware of to keep ill feelings from being harbored. I know some in our movement have the mentality that this displays weakness in your position. I beg to differ, and God keeps record. Isn't it worth it to reconcile someone through a situation to see them saved versus the alternative?
From day 1 in our city we've been taunted, talked about and even told that people can't be saved in our Church. I'm so glad that God says differently. When Jesus said in Luke 6:28 to bless them that curse you, He said what He meant and meant what He said. It really works! My call isn't dependent upon what others opinions are...and for that I'm thankful!! It's one of the greatest feelings in the world to know that you are doing EXACTLY what God wants you to be doing. Are you doing what He wants you to do?
As a Church planter you learn to do without big buildings, a full suite of music...as a matter of fact you learn to have Church with NO music! You learn to have Church without new sound systems, a full Church staff, having the time to put into the Church that you feel like you need to. Here's the beauty-YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THIS TO HAVE CHURCH! The manifestation of the Holy Ghost has nothing to do with your sound system or whether or not your in a cathedral. The Spirit is made manifest when there's a hunger for the supernatural in you and your people. God wants it, we must also.
You can't afford, Spiritually, to have a bad Church service. Every service is like being on the front line of a heated battle. People are dying. People are making erroneous decisions. We DO NOT have time for ceremonial services with religious rhetoric. We are in a town that is heavily involved with traditional denominationalism. Very ceremonial. Fabricated by man. However, we MUST hear from the Almighty. We must hear a prophetic utterance from Heaven. Someone's eternal fate is in my hands when they're at my Church. We must treat it like that...every single service.
This is just a few things that I've learned in 2 years of planting a Church. Hope it helps, inspires and encourages someone. If you're a Church planter keep your head up and keep doing what God has placed upon you.
If you want to be a part of more than just another religion, you need to come to TurningPoint! Our anniversary services are less than 2 weeks away with some of the most dynamic preachers in Pentecost! Feb 28th - March 2nd.
In His Service,
Pastor Brian D. Young
TurningPoint Apostolic Church
606-584-7010
pastor@maysville.cc
www.maysville.cc
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
It was nearly 11 years ago that my wife
and I first walked into an Apostolic Church. Both coming from
denominational backgrounds this was different and at first, scared
us. It was different, people shouted, people lifted their hands in
worship....and then there was those tongues that I was always taught
were not of God. But how could all of these people be wrong? They
weren't!
So began our walk with God. It was a
new dimension, it was more than tradition-it matched the Church that
was in the Bible.
Fast forward to July 19th,
2013. We accepted our call to ministry, we accepted the call of God
to start a Church and now we have our 1st “big”
Revival scheduled. Our little Church that has been labeled
backslidden by some in our town was serious about this revival. We
prayed, fasted and sought God. We experienced great opposition. We
experienced spiritual attacks during the week leading up to the
Revival. But we continued praying, fasting and seeking God.
Bro. Tim Greene's name was given to me
by a good friend in St. Louis. I was given a list of names but there
was something that grabbed me and wouldn't let go when I heard Bro.
Greene's name. Up to that, to my knowledge, I don't know that I've
even heard his name. I picked him up on Friday morning without even
really knowing what he looked like. We had a few previous
conversations about the pick up times, pricing and such. That was it.
We arrived at the Church Friday night
for Church. Really not knowing if anything great was going to happen.
I was fighting a very tough Spiritual battle leading up to the
Revival, to the very minute that service began. Major attacks of the
mind was going on. Did I choose the right man or did I miss God? Will
we have the breakthrough that we need as a Church? What's going to
happen? Was the outreach and the Social Media Ad campaign just a
waste?
It wasn't until the altar call that I
knew something special was transpiring right before my eyes. After
the music, after the announcements, after the exhorting from guest
ministers...Bro. Greene got on the floor. He began to preach. I was
expecting the Pentecostal fluff. The screaming that's generally
called “good preaching”. The cookie cutter, recycled messages.
But his approach was significantly different.
He preached a phenomenal message that
touched the people. Did he get exuberant? Absolutely. But he
connected to people. As he was finishing his message he asked
everyone to get into a state of worship. That's easy for Apostolics,
right? Right. But this worship opened the doors for the miraculous
and the supernatural.
I feel great sorrow for the folks that
haven't experienced Pentecost. There truly is nothing else that I
would rather be. As Bro. Greene began to minister to individuals and
prophesy to them I was taken back to I Corinthians 12 when Paul began
to expound upon the gifts of the Spirit. Specifically verse 7, “But
the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal.” To
profit, or to gain. I witnessed people profiting from the
manifestation of the Spirit that was in our sanctuary. It wasn't a
show. It wasn't a put on. It was a genuine, heart felt move of
God...like none that I had witnessed up to this point.
Folks
began to weep as he spoke what God was revealing to him. As I
overheard the prophecies I couldn't hold the weeping back. I stood in
awe of God's wonder-working power. I've been to a lot of conferences,
revivals, camp meetings, this meeting and that meeting. However, I
never witnessed the pin point accuracy of prophecies and the gifts
that's often not sought after, the Word of Wisdom & the Word of
Knowledge. There's some things that folks had shared with me that
only them and myself knew. But when God began to use His man that He
sent to Maysville, KY there were things that transpired that I only
heard talk of until then.
People
were having breakthroughs that they thought were never possible. Some
folks received long sought for confirmation for their lives. Others
were placed on mountain tops after being in valleys for far too long.
I've
been asked many times since the revival, “how did it go?”. I
couldn't answer them with great detail due to the magnitude of the
Heavenly bombshell that fell on all 3 Revival services. I'm still
trying to sift through everything that God done...though I truly
believe that eternity will be the only medium to convey the full
effects of what transpired.
There
were many that weren't there that needed to be. A few left without
receiving what God wanted to give them. But most left with the
greatest experience that they've ever had with our Savior. Regardless
of what has been-TurningPoint Apostolic Church is marching towards a
closer walk with God and ultimately authentic Apostolic Revival in
our city and region.
To
all the folks that read this that haven't received or has
reservations about this Pentecostal stuff, allow me to assure you
that it's really real and I urge you to experience it. If you are
hungering and thirsting for more of God don't hesitate to contact
me...I just so happen to know Him! I can tell you how to be filled
and quenched!
Still
in awe,
Pastor
Brian D. Young
Saturday, June 15, 2013
More Change A Comin'!
What a ride it's been for the last 18 months or so!
Change, change, change & more change....and more coming.
When we started the Bible Study group in March 2012 we were unsure of it's end result. We knew that God had called us, we knew that in His timing that everything would work. But what? when? how?
God has blown our minds with all that He's done since the humble beginnings in a hotel conference room to a full blown Home Missions Church in a region that is lacking an Apostolic presence. Here's a few highlights surrounding God's Hand in and on our infant work!
* We went from a hotel conference room to a remodeled store front with a seating capacity of 75 folks. (2 year lease, hope to be filled up before then!)
* Every door in the city limits has been knocked/door hung.
* We started with an average of 6 to an average of 31 in May 2013.
* 25 precious souls have been baptized in Jesus Name (10 of which has been from our jail ministry)
* 5 souls have been filled with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Several others refilled)
* 71% of our attenders were not attending any Church at all before coming to TurningPoint. This was our goal from the beginning as it was NOT to build a Church from already established saints; but rather to win new souls to the Kingdom. God has helped us do that.
* Our retention rate is approximately 55%.
* A Youth Group is in waiting and a Hypen group is being assembled from ground up.
* Our 1st staff position has been put in place, an outreach coordinator, Bro. & Sis. Dave Fyffe.
* Many other exciting things are in the works and will be coming to fruition soon!
The thing that is most impressive and gives credence to God's work is the Pastor hasn't even lived in the city. That will soon change! I am walking away from job security to answer the call of God and we're taking it to another level. After being at my current job for nearly 9 years with great pay and even greater benefits it came to a point that I had to either forsake the earthly calling of a job or forsake the divine calling. I chose to follow God's plan for my life.
I will be leaving my current job on July 1st and will be working and living in Maysville. I've never had a more difficult time with anything. It's been very emotional.
Our precious gift and promised of the Lord, Matthias Andrew "Andy", is now 2 weeks and one day old. He's been to 5 Church services, a hospital visit & a funeral. My job as a dad is to make sure He knows Jesus. I'm going to give it all I've got to be the dad that I never had. I love him and want to dedicate Him back to the One that gave him to us.
While change is hard, it becomes a little easier knowing that God is in the midst of it guiding your every step.
Until I blog again.....
Thanks,
Brian
Change, change, change & more change....and more coming.
When we started the Bible Study group in March 2012 we were unsure of it's end result. We knew that God had called us, we knew that in His timing that everything would work. But what? when? how?
God has blown our minds with all that He's done since the humble beginnings in a hotel conference room to a full blown Home Missions Church in a region that is lacking an Apostolic presence. Here's a few highlights surrounding God's Hand in and on our infant work!
* We went from a hotel conference room to a remodeled store front with a seating capacity of 75 folks. (2 year lease, hope to be filled up before then!)
* Every door in the city limits has been knocked/door hung.
* We started with an average of 6 to an average of 31 in May 2013.
* 25 precious souls have been baptized in Jesus Name (10 of which has been from our jail ministry)
* 5 souls have been filled with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Several others refilled)
* 71% of our attenders were not attending any Church at all before coming to TurningPoint. This was our goal from the beginning as it was NOT to build a Church from already established saints; but rather to win new souls to the Kingdom. God has helped us do that.
* Our retention rate is approximately 55%.
* A Youth Group is in waiting and a Hypen group is being assembled from ground up.
* Our 1st staff position has been put in place, an outreach coordinator, Bro. & Sis. Dave Fyffe.
* Many other exciting things are in the works and will be coming to fruition soon!
The thing that is most impressive and gives credence to God's work is the Pastor hasn't even lived in the city. That will soon change! I am walking away from job security to answer the call of God and we're taking it to another level. After being at my current job for nearly 9 years with great pay and even greater benefits it came to a point that I had to either forsake the earthly calling of a job or forsake the divine calling. I chose to follow God's plan for my life.
I will be leaving my current job on July 1st and will be working and living in Maysville. I've never had a more difficult time with anything. It's been very emotional.
Our precious gift and promised of the Lord, Matthias Andrew "Andy", is now 2 weeks and one day old. He's been to 5 Church services, a hospital visit & a funeral. My job as a dad is to make sure He knows Jesus. I'm going to give it all I've got to be the dad that I never had. I love him and want to dedicate Him back to the One that gave him to us.
While change is hard, it becomes a little easier knowing that God is in the midst of it guiding your every step.
Until I blog again.....
Thanks,
Brian
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The wait is OVER!!!
Well, it's been a long time since October 10th! (The day we found out we were expecting)
We've prayed for health and we've received that. The ultrasound today looked amazing from what the tech said. The heart was beating beautifully, the skeletal system looked great as well.
The baby is very active and has been on every ultra sound that we've had. You could see the little hands moving and even appeared as if it was trying to get the thumb in the mouth. It's truly a miracle. I question someone's logic and sanity to say that this isn't life.
We did find out the gender of the baby! To my knowledge the last time we celebrated the birth of a baby boy that will carry the last name Young was February 9th, 1981. That was my brother Derek. (Correct me if I'm wrong family!)
However around the last part of May or the 1st part of June we will welcome a baby boy into our lives and family! Yes, I'm one excited Papa!
We do covet your prayers throughout the pregnancy. Up to now everything has been extremely well other than some significant sickness that's being experienced from my wife. She's such a trooper and has taken it like a champ! To say I love her is an understatement. She has helped to ground me in so many ways. She's endured mental & emotional turmoil to get to this point.
19 weeks to go! Thanks for your continued prayers!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The Possibilities with JESUS!
My wife and I would like to share some news with our facebook friends and family. A few of you may already know....but we wanted to make it facebook official!
This Sunday will be our 12th wedding anniversary. Throughout the 12 years we have spent 8 of those years battling infertility. We have spent thousands of dollars trying to beat infertility. My wife has had 2 surgeries, medically induced men
opause, endless shots and has asked why thousands of times. We have battled depression, emotional nightmares, more downs than ups. Hearing of someone getting pregnant would deepen our emotions. We were never envious of them personally. But we were envious of the experience of becoming parents. (We've repented)
Earlier this year our friends Mark D. Sanders & Contessa Sanders recommended a Dr. in Cincinnati to us that was successful with helping them have a baby. We went in August and after meeting with Dr. Awadalla he highly recommended IVF due to the extreme endometriosis and PCOS. Having one of either of these is bad news for someone trying to conceive, having both is 99.8% certain you'll never conceive. For those of you that do not know this costs between $10k and $15k. We didn't have that kind of money but he assured us that his office would help us with applying for grants from organizations that would assist us with the associated costs. So we agreed, he gave my wife some instructions, a prescription of Metformin (to regulate how her body handled insulin, she's not diabetic) and a date to be back to him to begin IVF procedures. Today was that day.
A couple weeks ago my wife began having some weird things happen. We took her to the ER and it was confirmed that we are PREGNANT!!!! We were confirmed pregnant in the very hospital that my wife was told 18 months ago that we have a 1% or less chance of ever getting pregnant. This happened without drugs, doctors...it was JESUS CHRIST!
So we showed up at the Dr.'s office today and Dr. Awadalla walks in to start the IVF procedures. That is until we informed him that we didn't need IVF now! (We had called the office 2 weeks ago but they obviously didn't relay the message!)
I have it documented on video of the Dr. saying that this was in fact a MIRACLE. He was blown away. Speechless at first. While doing the ultra sound he stated that the heart beat is "very strong and looked great".
We would like to thank everyone from the bottoms of our hearts for praying for us through this torturous season called infertility. Please continue praying for us. Especially for my wonderful and beautiful wife and baby Young. It is still a sort of a shock even after seeing the ultra sound. I'm going to be a DADDY!!! :-)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Baptism in Jesus' Name is supported by historical accounts
Why the controversy over one of the most plain accounts in the Holy Scripture? Why do folks not invoke the Name of Jesus in Baptism?
Most folks says it doesn't matter if you are even baptized at all. The Bible speaks very clearly that it does matter.
Some say that it doesn't matter how your baptized. The Bible says differently.
Then there's some that has the made up mind of baptism is absolutely necessary. The Bible supports this, if done correctly.
Below you will find historical accounts, published, of the faultiness of the trinity formula of baptism. The Bible does not support it, nor was anyone ever baptized using that method. The Name of Jesus was the only formula used in the Bible and remains as the only Biblical formula to be used in our day.
The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics:
As to Matthew 28:19, it says: It is the central piece of evidence for the traditional (Trinitarian) view. If it were undisputed, this would, of course, be decisive, but its trustworthiness is impugned on grounds of textual criticism, literary criticism and historical criticism. The same Encyclopedia further states that: "The obvious explanation of the silence of the New Testament on the triune name, and the use of another (JESUS NAME) formula in Acts and Paul, is that this other formula was the earlier, and the triune formula is a later addition."
Edmund Schlink, The Doctrine of Baptism, page 28:
"The baptismal command in its Matthew 28:19 form can not be the historical origin of Christian baptism. At the very least, it must be assumed that the text has been transmitted in a form expanded by the [Catholic] church."
The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, I, 275:
"It is often affirmed that the words in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost are not the ipsissima verba [exact words] of Jesus, but...a later liturgical addition."
Wilhelm Bousset, Kyrios Christianity, page 295:
"The testimony for the wide distribution of the simple baptismal formula [in the Name of Jesus] down into the second century is so overwhelming that even in Matthew 28:19, the Trinitarian formula was later inserted."
The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, page 263:
"The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century."
Hastings Dictionary of the Bible 1963, page 1015:
"The Trinity.-...is not demonstrable by logic or by Scriptural proofs,...The term Trias was first used by Theophilus of Antioch (c AD 180),...(The term Trinity) not found in Scripture..." "The chief Trinitarian text in the NT is the baptismal formula in Mt 28:19...This late post-resurrection saying, not found in any other Gospel or anywhere else in the NT, has been viewed by some scholars as an interpolation into Matthew. It has also been pointed out that the idea of making disciples is continued in teaching them, so that the intervening reference to baptism with its Trinitarian formula was perhaps a later insertion into the saying. Finally, Eusebius's form of the (ancient) text ("in my name" rather than in the name of the Trinity) has had certain advocates. (Although the Trinitarian formula is now found in the modern-day book of Matthew), this does not guarantee its source in the historical teaching of Jesus. It is doubtless better to view the (Trinitarian) formula as derived from early (Catholic) Christian, perhaps Syrian or Palestinian, baptismal usage (cf Didache 7:1-4), and as a brief summary of the (Catholic) Church's teaching about God, Christ, and the Spirit:..."
The Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge:
"Jesus, however, cannot have given His disciples this Trinitarian order of baptism after His resurrection; for the New Testament knows only one baptism in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:43; 19:5; Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 1:13-15), which still occurs even in the second and third centuries, while the Trinitarian formula occurs only in Matt. 28:19, and then only again (in the) Didache 7:1 and Justin, Apol. 1:61...Finally, the distinctly liturgical character of the formula...is strange; it was not the way of Jesus to make such formulas... the formal authenticity of Matt. 28:19 must be disputed..." page 435.
The Jerusalem Bible, a scholarly Catholic work, states:
"It may be that this formula, (Triune Matthew 28:19) so far as the fullness of its expression is concerned, is a reflection of the (Man-made) liturgical usage established later in the primitive (Catholic) community. It will be remembered that Acts speaks of baptizing "in the name of Jesus,"..."
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, page 2637, Under "Baptism," says:
"Matthew 28:19 in particular only canonizes a later ecclesiastical situation, that its universalism is contrary to the facts of early Christian history, and its Trinitarian formula (is) foreign to the mouth of Jesus."
New Revised Standard Version says this about Matthew 28:19:
"Modern critics claim this formula is falsely ascribed to Jesus and that it represents later (Catholic) church tradition, for nowhere in the book of Acts (or any other book of the Bible) is baptism performed with the name of the Trinity..."
James Moffett's New Testament Translation:
In a footnote on page 64 about Matthew 28:19 he makes this statement: "It may be that this (Trinitarian) formula, so far as the fullness of its expression is concerned, is a reflection of the (Catholic) liturgical usage established later in the primitive (Catholic) community, It will be remembered that Acts speaks of baptizing "in the name of Jesus, cf. Acts 1:5 +."
Tom Harpur:
Tom Harpur, former Religion Editor of the Toronto Star in his "For Christ's sake," page 103 informs us of these facts: "All but the most conservative scholars agree that at least the latter part of this command [Triune part of Matthew 28:19] was inserted later. The [Trinitarian] formula occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, and we know from the only evidence available [the rest of the New Testament] that the earliest Church did not baptize people using these words ("in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost") baptism was "into" or "in" the name of Jesus alone. Thus it is argued that the verse originally read "baptizing them in My Name" and then was expanded [changed] to work in the [later Catholic Trinitarian] dogma. In fact, the first view put forward by German critical scholars as well as the Unitarians in the nineteenth century, was stated as the accepted position of mainline scholarship as long ago as 1919, when Peake's commentary was first published: "The Church of the first days (AD 33) did not observe this world-wide (Trinitarian) commandment, even if they knew it. The command to baptize into the threefold [Trinity] name is a late doctrinal expansion."
The Bible Commentary 1919 page 723:
Dr. Peake makes it clear that: "The command to baptize into the threefold name is a late doctrinal expansion. Instead of the words baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost we should probably read simply-"into My Name."
Theology of the New Testament:
By R. Bultmann, 1951, page 133 under Kerygma of the Hellenistic Church and the Sacraments. The historical fact that the verse Matthew 28:19 was altered is openly confesses to very plainly. "As to the rite of baptism, it was normally consummated as a bath in which the one receiving baptism completely submerged, and if possible in flowing water as the allusions of Acts 8:36, Heb. 10:22, Barn. 11:11 permit us to gather, and as Did. 7:1-3 specifically says. According to the last passage, [the apocryphal Catholic Didache] suffices in case of the need if water is three times poured [false Catholic sprinkling doctrine] on the head. The one baptizing names over the one being baptized the name of the Lord Jesus Christ," later expanded [changed] to the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit."
Doctrine and Practice in the Early Church:
By Dr. Stuart G. Hall 1992, pages 20 and 21. Professor Stuart G. Hall was the former Chair of Ecclesiastical History at King's College, London England. Dr. Hall makes the factual statement that Catholic Trinitarian Baptism was not the original form of Christian Baptism, rather the original was Jesus name baptism. "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," although those words were not used, as they later are, as a formula. Not all baptisms fitted this rule." Dr Hall further, states: "More common and perhaps more ancient was the simple, "In the name of the Lord Jesus or, Jesus Christ." This practice was known among Marcionites and Orthodox; it is certainly the subject of controversy in Rome and Africa about 254, as the anonymous tract De rebaptismate ("On rebaptism") shows."
The Beginnings of Christianity: The Acts of the Apostles Volume 1, Prolegomena 1:
The Jewish Gentile, and Christian Backgrounds by F. J. Foakes Jackson and Kirsopp Lake 1979 version pages 335-337. "There is little doubt as to the sacramental nature of baptism by the middle of the first century in the circles represented by the Pauline Epistles, and it is indisputable in the second century. The problem is whether it can in this (Trinitarian) form be traced back to Jesus, and if not what light is thrown upon its history by the analysis of the synoptic Gospels and Acts.
According to Catholic teaching, (traditional Trinitarian) baptism was instituted by Jesus. It is easy to see how necessary this was for the belief in sacramental regeneration. Mysteries, or sacraments, were always the institution of the Lord of the cult; by them, and by them only, were its supernatural benefits obtained by the faithful. Nevertheless, if evidence counts for anything, few points in the problem of the Gospels are so clear as the improbability of this teaching.
The reason for this assertion is the absence of any mention of Christian baptism in Mark, Q, or the third Gospel, and the suspicious nature of the account of its institution in Matthew 28:19: "Go ye into all the world, and make disciples of all Gentiles (nations), baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." It is not even certain whether this verse ought to be regarded as part of the genuine text of Matthew. No other text, indeed, is found in any extant manuscripts, in any language, but it is arguable that Justin Martyr, though he used the trine formula, did not find it in his text of the Gospels; Hermas seems to be unacquainted with it; the evidence of the Didache is ambiguous, and Eusebius habitually, though not invariably, quotes it in another form, "Go ye into all the world and make diciples of all the Gentiles in My Name."
No one acquainted with the facts of textual history and patristic evidence can doubt the tendency would have been to replace the Eusebian text (In My Name) by the ecclesiastical (Catholic Trinitarian) formula of baptism, so that transcriptional evedence" is certainly on the side of the text omitting baptism.
But it is unnecessary to discuss this point at length, because even if the ordinary (modern Trinity) text of Matthew 28:19 be sound it can not represent historical fact.
Would they have baptized, as Acts says that they did, and Paul seem to confirm the statement, in the name of the Lord Jesus if the Lord himself had commanded them to use the (Catholic Trinitarian) formula of the Church? On every point the evidence of Acts is convincing proof that the (Catholic) tradition embodied in Matthew 28:19 is a late (non-Scriptural Creed) and unhistorical.
Neither in the third gospel nor in Acts is there any reference to the (Catholic Trinitarian) Matthaean tradition, nor any mention of the institution of (Catholic Trinitarian) Christian baptism. Nevertheless, a little later in the narrative we find several references to baptism in water in the name of the Lord Jesus as part of recognized (Early) Christian practice. Thus we are faced by the problem of a Christian rite, not directly ascribed to Jesus, but assumed to be a universal (and original) practice. That it was so is confirmed by the Epistles, but the facts of importance are all contained in Acts."
Also in the same book on page 336 in the footnote number one, Professor Lake makes an astonishing discovery in the so-called Teaching or Didache. The Didache has an astonishing contradiction that is found in it. One passage refers to the necessity of baptism in the name of the Lord, which is Jesus the other famous passage teaches a Trinitarian Baptism. Lake raises the probability that the apocryphal Didache or the early Catholic Church Manual may have also been edited or changed to promote the later Trinitarian doctrine. It is a historical fact that the Catholic Church at one time baptized its converts in the name of Jesus but later changed to Trinity baptism.
"1. In the actual description of baptism in the Didache the trine (Trinity) formula is used; in the instructions for the Eucharist (communion) the condition for admission is baptism in the name of the Lord. It is obvious that in the case of an eleventh-century manuscript *the trine formula was almost certain to be inserted in the description of baptism, while the less usual formula had a chance of escaping notice when it was only used incidentally."
The Catholic University of America in Washington, D. C. 1923, New Testament Studies Number 5:
The Lord's Command To Baptize An Historical Critical Investigation. By Bernard Henry Cuneo page 27. "The passages in Acts and the Letters of St. Paul. These passages seem to point to the earliest form as baptism in the name of the Lord." Also we find. "Is it possible to reconcile these facts with the belief that Christ commanded his disciples to baptize in the trine form? Had Christ given such a command, it is urged, the Apostolic Church would have followed him, and we should have some trace of this obedience in the New Testament. No such trace can be found. The only explanation of this silence, according to the anti-traditional view, is this the short christological (Jesus Name) formula was (the) original, and the longer trine formula was a later development."
A History of The Christian Church:
1953 by Williston Walker former Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Yale University. On page 95 we see the historical facts again declared. "With the early disciples generally baptism was "in the name of Jesus Christ." There is no mention of baptism in the name of the Trinity in the New Testament, except in the command attributed to Christ in Matthew 28:19. That text is early, (but not the original) however. It underlies the Apostles' Creed, and the practice recorded (*or interpolated) in the Teaching, (or the Didache) and by Justin. The Christian leaders of the third century retained the recognition of the earlier form, and, in Rome at least, baptism in the name of Christ was deemed valid, if irregular, certainly from the time of Bishop Stephen (254-257)."
On page 61 Professor and Church historian Walker, reviles the true origin and purpose of Matthew 28:19. This Text is the first man-made Roman Catholic Creed that was the prototype for the later Apocryphal Apostles' Creed. Matthew 28:19 was invented along with the Apocryphal Apostles' Creed to counter so-called heretics and Gnostics that baptized in the name of Jesus Christ! Marcion although somewhat mixed up in some of his doctrine still baptized his converts the Biblical way in the name of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19 is the first non-Biblical Roman Catholic Creed! The spurious Catholic text of Matthew 28:19 was invented to support the newer triune, Trinity doctrine. Therefore, Matthew 28:19 is not the "Great Commission of Jesus Christ." Matthew 28:19 is the great Catholic hoax! Acts 2:38, Luke 24:47, and 1 Corinthians 6:11 give us the ancient original words and teaching of Yeshua/Jesus! Is it not also strange that Matthew 28:19 is missing from the old manuscripts of Sinaiticus, Curetonianus and Bobiensis?
"While the power of the episcopate and the significance of churches of apostolical (Catholic) foundation was thus greatly enhanced, the Gnostic crisis saw a corresponding development of (man-made non-inspired spurious) creed, at least in the West. Some form of instruction before baptism was common by the middle of the second century. At Rome this developed, apparently, between 150 and 175, and probably in opposition to Marcionite Gnosticism, into an explication of the baptismal formula of Matthew 28:19 the earliest known form of the so-called Apostles Creed."
Catholic Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger:
He makes this confession as to the origin of the chief Trinity text of Matthew 28:19. "The basic form of our (Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian) profession of faith took shape during the course of the second and third centuries in connection with the ceremony of baptism. So far as its place of origin is concerned, the text (Matthew 28:19) came from the city of Rome." The Trinity baptism and text of Matthew 28:19 therefore did not originate from the original Church that started in Jerusalem around AD 33. It was rather as the evidence proves a later invention of Roman Catholicism completely fabricated. Very few know about these historical facts.
"The Demonstratio Evangelica" by Eusebius:
Eusebius was the Church historian and Bishop of Caesarea. On page 152 Eusebius quotes the early book of Matthew that he had in his library in Caesarea. According to this eyewitness of an unaltered Book of Matthew that could have been the original book or the first copy of the original of Matthew. Eusebius informs us of Jesus' actual words to his disciples in the original text of Matthew 28:19: "With one word and voice He said to His disciples: "Go, and make disciples of all nations in My Name, teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you." That "Name" is Jesus.
******************************************************************************************************
I beckon you to search the scriptures. Friend it's there. Just read the Book, forsake tradition, forsake pride and follow Jesus' Name Baptism.
(Thanks to a friend, Lee Wells, for sharing the above references.)
In the only Saving Name of Jesus,
Brian Young
859.334.0070
Most folks says it doesn't matter if you are even baptized at all. The Bible speaks very clearly that it does matter.
Some say that it doesn't matter how your baptized. The Bible says differently.
Then there's some that has the made up mind of baptism is absolutely necessary. The Bible supports this, if done correctly.
Below you will find historical accounts, published, of the faultiness of the trinity formula of baptism. The Bible does not support it, nor was anyone ever baptized using that method. The Name of Jesus was the only formula used in the Bible and remains as the only Biblical formula to be used in our day.
The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics:
As to Matthew 28:19, it says: It is the central piece of evidence for the traditional (Trinitarian) view. If it were undisputed, this would, of course, be decisive, but its trustworthiness is impugned on grounds of textual criticism, literary criticism and historical criticism. The same Encyclopedia further states that: "The obvious explanation of the silence of the New Testament on the triune name, and the use of another (JESUS NAME) formula in Acts and Paul, is that this other formula was the earlier, and the triune formula is a later addition."
Edmund Schlink, The Doctrine of Baptism, page 28:
"The baptismal command in its Matthew 28:19 form can not be the historical origin of Christian baptism. At the very least, it must be assumed that the text has been transmitted in a form expanded by the [Catholic] church."
The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, I, 275:
"It is often affirmed that the words in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost are not the ipsissima verba [exact words] of Jesus, but...a later liturgical addition."
Wilhelm Bousset, Kyrios Christianity, page 295:
"The testimony for the wide distribution of the simple baptismal formula [in the Name of Jesus] down into the second century is so overwhelming that even in Matthew 28:19, the Trinitarian formula was later inserted."
The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, page 263:
"The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century."
Hastings Dictionary of the Bible 1963, page 1015:
"The Trinity.-...is not demonstrable by logic or by Scriptural proofs,...The term Trias was first used by Theophilus of Antioch (c AD 180),...(The term Trinity) not found in Scripture..." "The chief Trinitarian text in the NT is the baptismal formula in Mt 28:19...This late post-resurrection saying, not found in any other Gospel or anywhere else in the NT, has been viewed by some scholars as an interpolation into Matthew. It has also been pointed out that the idea of making disciples is continued in teaching them, so that the intervening reference to baptism with its Trinitarian formula was perhaps a later insertion into the saying. Finally, Eusebius's form of the (ancient) text ("in my name" rather than in the name of the Trinity) has had certain advocates. (Although the Trinitarian formula is now found in the modern-day book of Matthew), this does not guarantee its source in the historical teaching of Jesus. It is doubtless better to view the (Trinitarian) formula as derived from early (Catholic) Christian, perhaps Syrian or Palestinian, baptismal usage (cf Didache 7:1-4), and as a brief summary of the (Catholic) Church's teaching about God, Christ, and the Spirit:..."
The Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge:
"Jesus, however, cannot have given His disciples this Trinitarian order of baptism after His resurrection; for the New Testament knows only one baptism in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:43; 19:5; Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 1:13-15), which still occurs even in the second and third centuries, while the Trinitarian formula occurs only in Matt. 28:19, and then only again (in the) Didache 7:1 and Justin, Apol. 1:61...Finally, the distinctly liturgical character of the formula...is strange; it was not the way of Jesus to make such formulas... the formal authenticity of Matt. 28:19 must be disputed..." page 435.
The Jerusalem Bible, a scholarly Catholic work, states:
"It may be that this formula, (Triune Matthew 28:19) so far as the fullness of its expression is concerned, is a reflection of the (Man-made) liturgical usage established later in the primitive (Catholic) community. It will be remembered that Acts speaks of baptizing "in the name of Jesus,"..."
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, page 2637, Under "Baptism," says:
"Matthew 28:19 in particular only canonizes a later ecclesiastical situation, that its universalism is contrary to the facts of early Christian history, and its Trinitarian formula (is) foreign to the mouth of Jesus."
New Revised Standard Version says this about Matthew 28:19:
"Modern critics claim this formula is falsely ascribed to Jesus and that it represents later (Catholic) church tradition, for nowhere in the book of Acts (or any other book of the Bible) is baptism performed with the name of the Trinity..."
James Moffett's New Testament Translation:
In a footnote on page 64 about Matthew 28:19 he makes this statement: "It may be that this (Trinitarian) formula, so far as the fullness of its expression is concerned, is a reflection of the (Catholic) liturgical usage established later in the primitive (Catholic) community, It will be remembered that Acts speaks of baptizing "in the name of Jesus, cf. Acts 1:5 +."
Tom Harpur:
Tom Harpur, former Religion Editor of the Toronto Star in his "For Christ's sake," page 103 informs us of these facts: "All but the most conservative scholars agree that at least the latter part of this command [Triune part of Matthew 28:19] was inserted later. The [Trinitarian] formula occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, and we know from the only evidence available [the rest of the New Testament] that the earliest Church did not baptize people using these words ("in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost") baptism was "into" or "in" the name of Jesus alone. Thus it is argued that the verse originally read "baptizing them in My Name" and then was expanded [changed] to work in the [later Catholic Trinitarian] dogma. In fact, the first view put forward by German critical scholars as well as the Unitarians in the nineteenth century, was stated as the accepted position of mainline scholarship as long ago as 1919, when Peake's commentary was first published: "The Church of the first days (AD 33) did not observe this world-wide (Trinitarian) commandment, even if they knew it. The command to baptize into the threefold [Trinity] name is a late doctrinal expansion."
The Bible Commentary 1919 page 723:
Dr. Peake makes it clear that: "The command to baptize into the threefold name is a late doctrinal expansion. Instead of the words baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost we should probably read simply-"into My Name."
Theology of the New Testament:
By R. Bultmann, 1951, page 133 under Kerygma of the Hellenistic Church and the Sacraments. The historical fact that the verse Matthew 28:19 was altered is openly confesses to very plainly. "As to the rite of baptism, it was normally consummated as a bath in which the one receiving baptism completely submerged, and if possible in flowing water as the allusions of Acts 8:36, Heb. 10:22, Barn. 11:11 permit us to gather, and as Did. 7:1-3 specifically says. According to the last passage, [the apocryphal Catholic Didache] suffices in case of the need if water is three times poured [false Catholic sprinkling doctrine] on the head. The one baptizing names over the one being baptized the name of the Lord Jesus Christ," later expanded [changed] to the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit."
Doctrine and Practice in the Early Church:
By Dr. Stuart G. Hall 1992, pages 20 and 21. Professor Stuart G. Hall was the former Chair of Ecclesiastical History at King's College, London England. Dr. Hall makes the factual statement that Catholic Trinitarian Baptism was not the original form of Christian Baptism, rather the original was Jesus name baptism. "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," although those words were not used, as they later are, as a formula. Not all baptisms fitted this rule." Dr Hall further, states: "More common and perhaps more ancient was the simple, "In the name of the Lord Jesus or, Jesus Christ." This practice was known among Marcionites and Orthodox; it is certainly the subject of controversy in Rome and Africa about 254, as the anonymous tract De rebaptismate ("On rebaptism") shows."
The Beginnings of Christianity: The Acts of the Apostles Volume 1, Prolegomena 1:
The Jewish Gentile, and Christian Backgrounds by F. J. Foakes Jackson and Kirsopp Lake 1979 version pages 335-337. "There is little doubt as to the sacramental nature of baptism by the middle of the first century in the circles represented by the Pauline Epistles, and it is indisputable in the second century. The problem is whether it can in this (Trinitarian) form be traced back to Jesus, and if not what light is thrown upon its history by the analysis of the synoptic Gospels and Acts.
According to Catholic teaching, (traditional Trinitarian) baptism was instituted by Jesus. It is easy to see how necessary this was for the belief in sacramental regeneration. Mysteries, or sacraments, were always the institution of the Lord of the cult; by them, and by them only, were its supernatural benefits obtained by the faithful. Nevertheless, if evidence counts for anything, few points in the problem of the Gospels are so clear as the improbability of this teaching.
The reason for this assertion is the absence of any mention of Christian baptism in Mark, Q, or the third Gospel, and the suspicious nature of the account of its institution in Matthew 28:19: "Go ye into all the world, and make disciples of all Gentiles (nations), baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." It is not even certain whether this verse ought to be regarded as part of the genuine text of Matthew. No other text, indeed, is found in any extant manuscripts, in any language, but it is arguable that Justin Martyr, though he used the trine formula, did not find it in his text of the Gospels; Hermas seems to be unacquainted with it; the evidence of the Didache is ambiguous, and Eusebius habitually, though not invariably, quotes it in another form, "Go ye into all the world and make diciples of all the Gentiles in My Name."
No one acquainted with the facts of textual history and patristic evidence can doubt the tendency would have been to replace the Eusebian text (In My Name) by the ecclesiastical (Catholic Trinitarian) formula of baptism, so that transcriptional evedence" is certainly on the side of the text omitting baptism.
But it is unnecessary to discuss this point at length, because even if the ordinary (modern Trinity) text of Matthew 28:19 be sound it can not represent historical fact.
Would they have baptized, as Acts says that they did, and Paul seem to confirm the statement, in the name of the Lord Jesus if the Lord himself had commanded them to use the (Catholic Trinitarian) formula of the Church? On every point the evidence of Acts is convincing proof that the (Catholic) tradition embodied in Matthew 28:19 is a late (non-Scriptural Creed) and unhistorical.
Neither in the third gospel nor in Acts is there any reference to the (Catholic Trinitarian) Matthaean tradition, nor any mention of the institution of (Catholic Trinitarian) Christian baptism. Nevertheless, a little later in the narrative we find several references to baptism in water in the name of the Lord Jesus as part of recognized (Early) Christian practice. Thus we are faced by the problem of a Christian rite, not directly ascribed to Jesus, but assumed to be a universal (and original) practice. That it was so is confirmed by the Epistles, but the facts of importance are all contained in Acts."
Also in the same book on page 336 in the footnote number one, Professor Lake makes an astonishing discovery in the so-called Teaching or Didache. The Didache has an astonishing contradiction that is found in it. One passage refers to the necessity of baptism in the name of the Lord, which is Jesus the other famous passage teaches a Trinitarian Baptism. Lake raises the probability that the apocryphal Didache or the early Catholic Church Manual may have also been edited or changed to promote the later Trinitarian doctrine. It is a historical fact that the Catholic Church at one time baptized its converts in the name of Jesus but later changed to Trinity baptism.
"1. In the actual description of baptism in the Didache the trine (Trinity) formula is used; in the instructions for the Eucharist (communion) the condition for admission is baptism in the name of the Lord. It is obvious that in the case of an eleventh-century manuscript *the trine formula was almost certain to be inserted in the description of baptism, while the less usual formula had a chance of escaping notice when it was only used incidentally."
The Catholic University of America in Washington, D. C. 1923, New Testament Studies Number 5:
The Lord's Command To Baptize An Historical Critical Investigation. By Bernard Henry Cuneo page 27. "The passages in Acts and the Letters of St. Paul. These passages seem to point to the earliest form as baptism in the name of the Lord." Also we find. "Is it possible to reconcile these facts with the belief that Christ commanded his disciples to baptize in the trine form? Had Christ given such a command, it is urged, the Apostolic Church would have followed him, and we should have some trace of this obedience in the New Testament. No such trace can be found. The only explanation of this silence, according to the anti-traditional view, is this the short christological (Jesus Name) formula was (the) original, and the longer trine formula was a later development."
A History of The Christian Church:
1953 by Williston Walker former Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Yale University. On page 95 we see the historical facts again declared. "With the early disciples generally baptism was "in the name of Jesus Christ." There is no mention of baptism in the name of the Trinity in the New Testament, except in the command attributed to Christ in Matthew 28:19. That text is early, (but not the original) however. It underlies the Apostles' Creed, and the practice recorded (*or interpolated) in the Teaching, (or the Didache) and by Justin. The Christian leaders of the third century retained the recognition of the earlier form, and, in Rome at least, baptism in the name of Christ was deemed valid, if irregular, certainly from the time of Bishop Stephen (254-257)."
On page 61 Professor and Church historian Walker, reviles the true origin and purpose of Matthew 28:19. This Text is the first man-made Roman Catholic Creed that was the prototype for the later Apocryphal Apostles' Creed. Matthew 28:19 was invented along with the Apocryphal Apostles' Creed to counter so-called heretics and Gnostics that baptized in the name of Jesus Christ! Marcion although somewhat mixed up in some of his doctrine still baptized his converts the Biblical way in the name of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19 is the first non-Biblical Roman Catholic Creed! The spurious Catholic text of Matthew 28:19 was invented to support the newer triune, Trinity doctrine. Therefore, Matthew 28:19 is not the "Great Commission of Jesus Christ." Matthew 28:19 is the great Catholic hoax! Acts 2:38, Luke 24:47, and 1 Corinthians 6:11 give us the ancient original words and teaching of Yeshua/Jesus! Is it not also strange that Matthew 28:19 is missing from the old manuscripts of Sinaiticus, Curetonianus and Bobiensis?
"While the power of the episcopate and the significance of churches of apostolical (Catholic) foundation was thus greatly enhanced, the Gnostic crisis saw a corresponding development of (man-made non-inspired spurious) creed, at least in the West. Some form of instruction before baptism was common by the middle of the second century. At Rome this developed, apparently, between 150 and 175, and probably in opposition to Marcionite Gnosticism, into an explication of the baptismal formula of Matthew 28:19 the earliest known form of the so-called Apostles Creed."
Catholic Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger:
He makes this confession as to the origin of the chief Trinity text of Matthew 28:19. "The basic form of our (Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian) profession of faith took shape during the course of the second and third centuries in connection with the ceremony of baptism. So far as its place of origin is concerned, the text (Matthew 28:19) came from the city of Rome." The Trinity baptism and text of Matthew 28:19 therefore did not originate from the original Church that started in Jerusalem around AD 33. It was rather as the evidence proves a later invention of Roman Catholicism completely fabricated. Very few know about these historical facts.
"The Demonstratio Evangelica" by Eusebius:
Eusebius was the Church historian and Bishop of Caesarea. On page 152 Eusebius quotes the early book of Matthew that he had in his library in Caesarea. According to this eyewitness of an unaltered Book of Matthew that could have been the original book or the first copy of the original of Matthew. Eusebius informs us of Jesus' actual words to his disciples in the original text of Matthew 28:19: "With one word and voice He said to His disciples: "Go, and make disciples of all nations in My Name, teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you." That "Name" is Jesus.
******************************************************************************************************
I beckon you to search the scriptures. Friend it's there. Just read the Book, forsake tradition, forsake pride and follow Jesus' Name Baptism.
(Thanks to a friend, Lee Wells, for sharing the above references.)
In the only Saving Name of Jesus,
Brian Young
859.334.0070
Friday, March 30, 2012
A few ramblings on leadership and Church stuff!
This blog is for the general manager, team leader, Pastor, Youth pastor or for pretty much anyone that is in charge of managing a team. It’s just a few ramblings and may be a sparse to some.
I realize that it’s impossible for one person to do everything. I, at one time, thought I could do everything.Therein lies the common issue I’ve observed that most pastors/youth leaders have yet to overcome. That’s the issue or thought that YOU must be the one to do everything. If we are truth lovers as much as we say we are please accept this truth, one person can’t do everything and that includes you Pastor, youth leader, sales manager, sales associate, banker, restaurant worker, convenient store clerk…we must have a collaborative approach in nearly every aspect of any position!
Being in management for the better part of my working life I have learned how to build teams. The very first thing I had to surrender in order to become an effective manager and to accomplish building a team was my will to do everything in my store. As leaders we just simply cannot do everything. You will eventually burn out and not have the will to do anything or to even lead your team, which in return affects everyone around us negatively and lead to great sorrows in the days to come.
It’s really no secret on how to produce results. There’s no hidden gimmicks or pyramid schemes! Here’s a sort of an outline of the plan I’ve had as a manager/leader.
· BUILD A TEAM. I had a regional manager make a statement to me one time and it went like this, “Brian, you are only as good as those you surround yourself with”. Be picky on who you ask to be on your team. If you made the decision to bring them on then trust them to do the job! Yes, coach, direct, but instill the vision in them and let them do the job. You CAN NOT have the mentality of I’ll do it all! In Churches use others outside of the family. Often times the reason people leave Churches is because they feel like there’s a secret squirrel club and they’re not a part of it. There’s no room for “my 4 and no more”! If they mess up coach them IN PRIVATE! If there was ever a morale killer it is correcting/correcting someone in front of others. Use common sense when coaching. It's as necessary as breathing, but do it sensibly. Don't compliment them on a job and then correct them on the same job. This confuses people and creates a trust issue.
· I realize I don’t have all the right ideas. No one has all of the right ideas. Listen to your people! You will be surprised at the hidden talent sitting in your Church or section or organization! It’s a sad thing to see many talents going to waste simply because we choose not to listen to them. Whether you realize it or realize it and don’t want to admit it, you NEED other people and they NEED you!
· Plan your work and work your plan. Proper planning prevents poor performance. Some great people, companies & Churches have not survived due to a lack of planning and organization. Somewhere in Pentecost we’ve missed this part. It’s not a sin to plan! It’s not a sin to be organized! Though I’m not the greatest, I do plan things on a sectional level and get detailed. Be meticulous. I would rather over plan and not need it than to under plan and need it! Even in speeches or sermons it’s better to know 40% more than you will ever use. When all eyes are on you-BE PREPARED! When a new person/customer walks into your Church or company what do they see? First impressions are lasting ones and often times make or break that person’s interest in ever coming back.
· Communicate and get good at it. The people that you surround yourself with expect and need proper and effective communication. Don’t blame failures on those around you when it could have been prevented with proper communication from YOU! I have never heard a complaint from anyone in my section or on my sales team that I’ve communicated too much. Communication also builds trust with those you’re communicating with.
· Finally, be open to new ideas. Don’t be fearful of scraping an idea if it isn’t working, even if it was your idea. Another HUGE failure I’ve observed is a Church/organization doing what they’ve always done and it just simply isn’t working. Open your mind! Pray! Embrace innovation! It’s not wrong to be wrong, it’s wrong to stay wrong!
I truly pray this helps someone and will motivate you to become a better leader, communicator and team builder!
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