The Rungs of the Church Ladder

There is a ladder illustration used to describe the various types of people who come to church based on their primary area of focus or involvement. The first or lowest rung of the ladder represents men and women who come for personal needs. How will this church meet my needs? Do they have a good children's ministry for my kids? These are the types of questions someone on the first rung of the ladder asks. There is nothing wrong with this but it is the responsibility of the leaders to encourage people to climb the ladder.

The second rung of the ladder symbolizes the church itself. These are people who are passionately dedicated to building up the church. They serve on committees, sing in the choir, make food, usher, and even clean the bathrooms. Second-rung members are often faithful in attendance, giving, and service. Every congregation desires these types of individuals but it is the responsibility of the leaders to challenge them to climb higher on the church ladder.


The third rung of the ladder represents community. People on this rung recognize that ministry must extend beyond the walls of the church and into the surrounding neighborhood. These members get involved with evangelism, feeding the poor, and helping the homeless. They realize that faith without deeds is dead and therefore intentionally demonstrate their faith even to non-believers. As amazing as these people are, it is the responsibility of the leaders to instill a vision for climbing even higher.

The fourth rung of the ladder is about nations. These members understand that the gospel must go out into the entire world and the church should impact the nations. This is more than an effort to send out short-term mission teams or raise up missionaries. Fourth rung believers embrace the Great Commission and believe their mandate is not simply to make disciples in all nations but to ultimately disciple nations. The body of Christ is called to transform society, advancing the kingdom of heaven with signs, wonders, and supernatural love in the power of the Holy Spirit. Leaders are entrusted with the responsibility to convey this vision and help the body reach the top of the ladder. May we become a Church of fourth-rung history makers!

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." Matthew 28:19

The Nations- Our Inheritance

I recently came back from teaching a class in Korea entitled "The Renewed Mind: Living Naturally Supernatural". It was a wonderful experience as God moved in powerful ways through 10 sessions in three days. I returned home with a greater appreciation not only of my mother country but also God's love for nations. The Bible teaches us that the nations of the world are actually our inheritance. Psalm 2:7-8 says, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession".


I have intentionally started asking my Father for specific nations that I may go and serve- releasing the supernatural power of God, advancing the Kingdom, and sowing into the native people. When we tap into the heart of our Father, we will realize his passion for the nations. They are our inheritance. He commands his children to ask for countries until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord. I have already asked for the United States, Korea, and several others. It doesn't seem like there is a limit. What nations are you asking for?

"Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him." Genesis 18:18

Honoring the Presence

If the President of the United States made an announcement that he was going to visit your home, you would probably get prepared regardless of how you felt about his politics. It would most likely be a focused and intentional endeavor to clean the floors, make the beds, dust the blinds, and pretty much make sure attention is given to every possible detail. On one level, this diligent effort stems from a desire to look good but the main reason people would "roll out the red carpet" is to honor the President.


One greater than the President is wanting to visit with us. It is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the Creator of the universe and lover of our souls. The dwelling He longs to enter is our heart. What is our response to the King of glory who deserves honor more than anyone or thing in this world? I pray we would make every effort to prepare the home of our heart so that His presence would be honored and cherished. Treasure, protect, and cultivate your secret place. God is not looking for a one-time visit, He is yearning for a habitation.

"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:6

Pressing In for the More

I was recently ministering at a church where several people got miraculously healed but some did not. There was a young boy with a deaf left ear who was so desperate for healing and was confused at why others were getting touched but not him. I did my best to encourage him that we will not give up for his miracle and we will never stop believing in the goodness of God. We will persevere.

"What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

(Copyright Front Line Art Publishing, 1996)

God is good- all the time. That is the foundational, bedrock principle for my life. Although I don't fully comprehend His goodness, the revelation is growing. I have learned that what this really means is there is never a time in our lives when God is not good. I must hold on to the Father's goodness especially in times of seeming "failure" such as when we prayed for the boy with the deaf ear. I know it is not a matter of begging God because His will is for all to be healed. We are called to persevere, seeking the more in the secret place and taking risk in public. I believe Jesus that we will do the "even greater things".

I am encouraged by the lives of people from the past who understood the importance of perseverance.

"Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." Thomas Edison

"It is always darkest just before the Day dawneth." English Theologian Thomas Fuller

"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense." Winston Churchill

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail". Ralph Waldo Emerson

May we press in for the more, because there is always more. May we persevere for the more because there is so much need around us. May we seek the more because God is always good!

"Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up." II Corinthians 4:1

Glory to Glory

God has hidden powerful spiritual truths within nature. The concept of a tiny seed growing into a gigantic tree that produces thousands of seeds is amazing to consider. The potential within one seed is almost immeasurable because of its ability to reproduce itself. Jesus even talked about this principle in John 12:24. He said, "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." Our call is to be like a seed. When we willingly lay down our lives to follow Him, we become stronger and more fruitful than we could ever imagine.


Seeds follow a process of germination where they sprout roots, stems, branches, leaves, and ultimately more seeds, often in the form of fruits or nuts. Though it may be a slow process, each day the tree grows stronger and more mature. It is the same for the believer. When we are rooted in Christ and maintain fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we will experience growth. In fact, we are better today than we were yesterday. This is the reality of going from glory to glory. Our lives are meant to improve every day! No matter where we are in the process, our identity and destiny remain unchanged. We were created to be strong, majestic, and mature. The world will find rest in our shade, protection and shelter from the elements, healing in our leaves, and nourishment from our fruit. Our seeds will produce more trees until the knowledge of the glory of the Lord covers the earth. May we be encouraged that today's journey is glorious and tomorrow's will be even greater!

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." II Corinthians 3:18

Three Years Old!!!

When my wife and I found out we were going to have a second baby almost 4 years ago, we were certain the baby was going to be a boy. I felt more comfortable with boys and I thought a brother would be good for Isaac. When our doctor told us we were having a girl, I was shocked. The thought of raising a little girl, watching her grow up into a young woman, protecting her from boys, and eventually giving her away to a husband seemed overwhelming. After Abigail Joy was born, everything changed. All my fears melted away as I held my amazing daughter in my arms. She has transformed my life. She is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen, with perhaps a little bias...

Happy 3rd Birthday, Abigail!

Abigail lights up my life with her smile, singing, dancing, laugh, and playfulness. If I'm lying down on the couch she will gently put a blanket on me and kiss my cheek. She is my Princess Abby, Miss Curiosity, my joy, my beautiful one. My daughter, you are destined to bring hope, healing, happiness, love, and reconciliation to a broken world.

Abby with her favorite monkey

"...our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace."Psalm 144:12

The Key to Worship

To those who don't know Jesus, singing praise songs is a foreign concept. In high school I recall sitting in church during worship completely unengaged because I didn't know God. Worship is basically adoring the Lord. I John 4:19 says that "we love because He first loved us". In order to love God we must first experience the love He has for us. When we do, our natural response will be to worship. Even though the Father loves all people, not everyone has received His love and are thus unable to reciprocate the sentiment. This is why the Church is to be an ambassador of love to the lost.

Interestingly, the same concept holds true for Christians. Many believers go through periods where they just don't feel like praising. The main reason for this loss of desire to engage in adoration is because people have somehow shut themselves off to receive the Father's love. In those moments it is our responsibility to turn our hearts and affections to the Lord in order to once again experience His overwhelming passion, pride, and agape for us. It is when we are filled with His love that we are moved to pour ours back to Him.

Here is perhaps one of the best praise songs of all time led by the angelic voice of Brooke Fraser. May we be moved to greater intimacy and worship!

"Hosanna" by Hillsong

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” John 12:12-13

Raising Families

I recently read a letter from prominent leaders in the Presbyterian (PCUSA) church describing how the "denomination has been in steady decline for 45 years, now literally half the size of a generation ago. Most congregations see far more funerals than infant baptisms because we are an aging denomination." The Presbyterians are not alone in this trend as many of the major Christian denominations are experiencing the same decline. As one who grew up in a Presbyterian church, even completing its ordination requirements, I am aware of what has been going on and interceding for a renewal. Although I honor and respect people from different denominations, it was never God's intention for his church to be so fractured.


There is a move of the Spirit in the world today that is building faith communities centered around family rather than doctrine. Denominationalism is about gathering people through shared beliefs. If anyone disagrees with a basic tenet than that individual is either rejected or breaks off to find/start a church that believes the same thing. This has happened so many times throughout history that there are thousands of different denominations in existence today. Churches gathered around mothers and fathers don't break apart if there are disagreements. They work through them because a son isn't disowned for believing something different than his parents. Obviously there are core beliefs of the Christian faith but many of the divisions within the church are often caused by relational issues- believers unable or unwilling to resolve differences. We pray that spiritual mothers and fathers will be raised up to guide, nurture, protect, and release sons and daughters to walk in their divine destiny. May the Spirit of unity blow through the Church to bring reconciliation, healing, and oneness so that the family of God may be restored and Jesus' own prayer be fulfilled!

"Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name- the name you gave me- so that they may be one as we are one." John 17:11

Destined for Greatness

The heart of a father is to see his children grow into greatness. Parents can hold their newborn son or daughter in the arms and envision the potential within their offspring. They may dream about the child taking his first step, riding a bike, graduating from college, or even becoming President. All of those possibilities are in seed form within the life of their baby. It is the parents' responsibility to love and nurture their children to allow greatness to be unfolded. There was a day Isaac couldn't even hold a bat in his hands- now he is swinging for the fences, or at least the bushes...

Isaac swung and missed many times before he learned how to hit. What if during this process I told him he was no good and unfit to play baseball? It would be considered bad and cruel parenting. I also would have placed a limitation in his mind of what he could and could not achieve. We have a Father who encourages us that we can do all things. Jesus even said we would do even greater things than him. God doesn't instill constraints for our potential but rather removes them so that we may dream about and ultimately experience greatness. It is our divine destiny. May we recognize the image of our Father in us and live to the fullest expression of His glory!

This post is dedicated to my son who turned 5 last Saturday. I love you and am so proud of you, Isaac! You will be a world-changer. Happy Birthday, son!

"For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him." Colossians 1:19

Being Led by the Spirit

Paul says in Romans 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God". I am learning daily what it means to be my Father's son. I love it! It is often unfamiliar and out of my comfort zone but I am encouraged by the Comforter. Being led by the Spirit is what moved us to Redding and ultimately what brought us back to Pasadena. A few months ago Jenney and I felt like we were supposed to move back home. In one night we discussed the matter and decided to act upon it. In the coming days, although we told no one about our decision, people started contacting me to do ministry down in Southern California. I spoke at a youth retreat right before Christmas and a session retreat for a Presbyterian church in January. I have been asked to minister at an Egyptian church next week and I will be traveling to Korea at the end of the month to teach a class at a ministry school. These were not opportunities I sought out or pursued. They only came after we obeyed the Spirit's prompting to move.


Being in a Father/son relationship is wonderful, especially when you have the best dad in the whole world. It's not so much about the doing as it is in the being together. Shared experiences are the heart of life. Being led by the Spirit who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving is actually fun. He enables us to do and see things we could never have experienced on our own. This is going to be the best year of our lives yet!

"For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed." John 5:20