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Living Forward
“Do you want the peace that comes from knowing what matters most to you – and how to fill your days, weeks, months and years with actions that will enable you to make the greatest difference possible?”
I was challenged by this question as I read Living Forward by Michael Hyatt. The reality for my life (and possibly for yours) is that drift happens. We can start out headed in one direction and we drift away from it.
When we drift off course, it can result in confusion, expense, lost opportunity and pain.
- Without a plan for our health – physical, mental and spiritual – we can end up sick and without energy.
- Without a plan for our marriage, we can end up distant and miserable.
- Without a plan for our ministry or career, we can end up unfulfilled or stalled.
- Without a plan for our parenting, we end up with estranged relationships.
Drifting can also bring a string of regrets. We end up with a grocery list of “IF ONLYs”…
- If only I had eaten better, exercised more or taken better care of my body…
- If only I had prayed more and meditated on the Bible…
- If only I had spent more time to connect with my spouse, listening rather than talking, seeking to understand rather than being understood…
- If only I had been more present with my kids – going to games and recitals, taking them camping, explaining how to navigate life…
- If only I had been more generous, giving away my time, talent and money, trying to help those who needed a hand…
You’ve heard it said – “Life is not a dress rehearsal.”
Here’s the good news – our decisions are the one thing we can control.
As you look ahead to the rest of 2020 (and the rest of your life) – make choices that really count. Make a plan with purpose. Know what really matters in your life. When you have a plan, every day becomes an opportunity to move toward your goals and dreams.
This past week, I had the opportunity to speak to pastors and spouses in the East Central Region of the Missionary Church. I shared with them how they can develop a LIFE PLAN – and I want to share this powerful process with you. Here’s a simple definition…
A LIFE PLAN is a short, written document, usually eight to fifteen pages long. It is created by you – for you. It describes how you want to be remembered. It articulates your personal priorities. It provides the specific actions necessary to take you from where you are to where you want to be in every major area of your life. It is most of all a living document that you will tweak and adjust as necessary for the rest of your life.
Here are 3 Important Questions to consider:
- How do I want to be remembered?
- What matters most?
- How can I get from here to where I want to be?
If you’d like to invest some time in developing your Life Plan – download this helpful template to get started. And feel free to email me or call me with any questions. I’d love to encourage you as you live out your calling!
For the King and His Kingdom,
Dave DeVries
Regional Director
Missionary Church Western Region
[email protected]
(661) 312-1203 – Mobile | (805) 523-9085 – Work
www.mcwesternregion.org
From Chuckk Gerwig…
Andrea and I are excited about the new and unscripted journey we’re on and glad to trust Jesus (yet again) as we follow him wherever he leads. Over the last 18+ months, I’ve sensed God stirring in me and calling me to listen to him about the future. After enormous amounts of time in prayer / journaling / reflection and counsel it became clear God was calling me to step out of my role as Planter / Lead Pastor at Elevation, the church we planted 12 years ago. In it all, there is a crystal-clear sense God said “it’s time” – even though we don’t know where we’re headed next. The Elders and I chose a short timeline for this transition. The budget at Elevation was unsustainable, so I elected to resign my post quickly to keep the church from going bankrupt. The cost of a full-time pastor in the VERY expensive area was too great a burden on this small church at this time. These changes give Elevation a sustainable future! My final day as Lead Pastor was December 31st.
Andrea and I have now embarked on a wild new faith-journey. Heading down this track & into the future there will be two rails. One rail will involve me seeking a new full-time lead pastor role. The other rail will be serving part-time with Global Training Network – training international pastors and leaders to reach their regions for the great King! I plan to be part of training 200+ Majority World leaders in Ethiopia and Cambodia in 2020 as I get started with GTN. The big idea is that I would be able to have an ongoing global impact going forward along with a local pastoral ministry. Pray for us as we seek to raise support for my Global Training Network ministry and as I seek out another lead pastorate. We’re not sure where it’s all going but He knows. He laid the track down!
– Pastor Chuckk Gerwig
Prayer requests:
I’m working on ministry partner development / support raising as I get started with Global Training Network in earnest. I’m praying for God to provide long-term, prayer-filled partners and all the financial resources needed for the ministry. I’m also seeking a lead pastoral role and asking for prayer that God would guide that search. For wisdom in managing major life-changes financially (in the interim at least).
If you would like to support Chuckk and Andrea financially, you can do that…
Online: https://globaltrainingnetwork.org/who/chuckk-and-andrea-gerwig
By check: For those who prefer to mail paper checks, the GTN mailing address is: Global Training Network PO Box 6507 Peoria, AZ 85385. Checks need to be made out to Global Training Network, not to me personally. In the memo it’s vital to include my name and ACCOUNT NUMBER #50322 for support to make it to my personal account.
“None can believe how powerful prayer is, and what it is able to affect but those who have learned it by experience.” – Martin Luther
We believe in the power of prayer! We want you to join our MCWR Prayer Team. If you’d commit to pray each week for our pastors and churches – sign up here and we will send you a weekly text or email with updated requests.
Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe
Simon Sinek
I watched this video and I thought – “I want to be a leader like this – and lead an organization like this.” I hope this video inspires you as you lead those around you in 2020!
If there is anything we can do to encourage and strengthen you as a leader – let us know.
– DaveDV
New Free Service for Missionary Church Pastors and Members
In today’s sexualized world, we believe that all of us are in need of proper strategies and support to maintain our purity and prevent us from acting on sexual temptations. In an effort to meet this need, the Missionary Church has announced a ground-breaking partnership with Before It Begins, an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and restore the church from sexual sins “before it begins” to destroy us and the ones we love. For pastors struggling with sexual temptation, Before It Begins offers free and confidential access to trained advocates who help provide accountability, prayer, practical coaching, and crisis support. Before It Begins also offers free and confidential access to certified sex addiction therapists for more serious situations. Before It Begins even offers resources and services for your entire church!
We encourage all of our pastors to visit beforeitbegins.org or call 805-507-5511 to learn more. A great place to start is to watch this short video from our President Steve Jones. Note: all Before It Begins services are confidential and independent from your local church, the MCWR and the MCUSA.
Upcoming Events
MCWR Regional Leadership Conference 2020
This is going to be an amazing conference for all leaders, staff, volunteers and pastors in our family of churches. Register now and get the Early Bird price of $229.
Need a partial scholarship for the conference?
You can apply for a scholarship to attend this year’s conference. Pastors and leaders are eligible for a partial scholarship based on need. Here’s the link.