We're Back! The third annual NINES conference happens next Tuesday, September 27. The NINES is a way for pastors and church leaders from across the world to meet together and learn from each other. The conference is totally online (no need for travel!) and will feature 99 church leaders from all over the country.

Actually... the list of speaker is pretty impressive... people like Craig Groeschel, Mark Driscoll, Rick Warren, Jon Acuff, Dino Rizzo, Ed Stetzer, Scott Williams, Dave Gibbons, Greg Surratt, Rick McKinley, Jud Wilhite, Sam Chand, Perry Noble...and ME! =)

I'll be unpacking some thoughts in a video piece appropriately entitled: Life On Purpose!

Trust me, you'll want all 99 leaders on a steady IV drip. Tuesday, September 27th

I hope you’ll join me and the rest of the team at The NINES. Registration is free... but you have to let them know you’re coming! http://thenines.cc/register-now/


I hope to see YOU at the NINES!

Ralph

Favor IS Fair!

If you've spent any length of time in ministry circles, I'm sure you've said and/or heard the following statements:

Favor ain’t fair!

Favor ain’t fair, but it looks good on you!

fa·vor/ˈfāvər/ - Noun: An attitude of approval or liking

It is powerful when God shows up in a very particular way for a person, at a place or for some thing one might be doing on God’s behalf. In my circles, we refer to this as ‘the favor of God.’

As I watch the ‘favor game’ play out, I’ve wondered, who would NOT want a sign or indication that their life has God’s approval or liking? Can favor be measured, quantified and proven? Who determines the benchmarks? Are we guilty of judging things prematurely before the appointed time? Wouldn’t the mere facts regarding election, salvation and redemption sufficiently demonstrate the favor of God in our lives? I recall the disciples rejoicing over their apparent success on the road and Jesus having to redirect their rejoicing - your names are in heaven! Luke 10:20

I know some of this favor stuff is right up our meritocratic alley. We love the idea of earning stuff based on a system of merit and reward.

I read Proverbs 28:23 this morning…

“He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.”

This is how the verse actually unpacked in my mind as I read it this morning…

He who rebukes (honestly confronts) a man will in the end (long term benefit) GAIN MORE FAVOR (I want more favor) than (a comparison is coming) he who has a flattering (lavish insincere praise and compliments upon, especially to further one's own interests) tongue.

So the proverb pitches a culture of honesty versus a lifestyle of flattery. DING! DING! DING!

Here’s are some of my ever evolving, wet cement musings on the issue...

I’ve gained more favor (not always at the moment) by being genuine and authentic with people – even saying the hard things at times.

The people in my life that have earned my respect are those who have been brutally honest with me about stuff. i.e. character flaws, weaknesses and the like. The honesty has been the ‘gifts’ money can’t buy! While I’ve not always loved correction in the moment, a wise man heeds correction and adds to his learning. Proverbs 1:5 & Hebrews 12:11

People in the long run will appreciate you for being a person who says what they mean and means what they say. For example, it might be better to say to someone, ‘hey man, preaching might not be your deal instead of ‘Yo, you killed it son’! I don’t want anyone to be the Bishop, Founder and CEO of the Handkerchief Ministry – you know, for the stuff that accumulates on the nose!

I recently heard someone publicly honor his pastor at a conference and than privately make fun of him in the green room. It made me sick to stomach! I prayed for him to have a 2 Kings 2:23-24 encounter!

How is it possible? I think we’ve created a culture that fosters and celebrates ‘public displays’ of honoring (GOOD) without actually taking an equal amount of time to ensure our words and hearts are in actual alignment (NOT GOOD). Jesus once said, the people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. Matthew 15:8

I’ve thrown my hat in the ‘honor ring’ and have made a more concerted effort these days to be about the business of giving honor where it’s due. If you honor the prophet, you get the prophets reward! Matthew 10:41 Com’ On Somebody! Hello! That’ll Preach! As my friend, Adam would say, you can't honor God without honoring the stuff he honors!

BUT I also dread the black hole of honoring for the wrong reasons - I've seen this more than I really care to admit! What is the use of public honor and private dishonor? I’d rather honor more in my heart and say it less than honor more with my mouth and my heart be honorless. (new word)

So, do you want more FAVOR? Consider using the powerful tools of tongue and words to engage in honest dialogue with those around you. If you prefer to use flattery as way of garnering “fake favor”, beware the trap you’re setting for yourself!

A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps. Proverbs 29:5

Anyone can GAIN MORE FAVOR (Proverbs 28:23) - and that’s what makes it fair…

Favor IS Fair and it would look so good on YOU!

Rafael ‘Ralph’ Castillo

Orange Conference 2011 Day #2

Andy Stanley did a FANTASTIC job last night launching us off last night...

Thesis:
We are the stewards of the message of eternal AND of a better life. Can you imagine a world or life without Christianity and the church? What we take for granted as 'normal' is actually the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The alternative leads to sin and chaos. Text: Galatians 5:16-24

Main Session #2
Jeff Manion
The Land In Between

+ jr higher trying on different identities - welcome to the land in between
+ after years of fertility followed by a miscarriage - welcome to the land in between
+ bad week marriage turns into a bad years marriage - welcome to the land in between

What is God doing? What is God trying to produce?

+ Between Egypt & The Land Of Promise...Sinai Desert
+ Exodus 3:7 - you're seen, heard, I'm concerned! - God
+ Exodus 3:8 - out of...into! No mention of the "land in between".
+ God has deep affection for you and will not keep you from the desert.

Crisis:

1. Water (Exodus 15)
+ 15:24 - bitter water. desert.
+ God makes the bitter sweet.

2. Food
+ They complain. Prefer Egypt. God provide Manna

3. Water Part II

+ We're sick of tired of the land in between. I'm sick of...I'm sick of...
+ fertile soil for transformation growth OR faith goes to die. It's your move!
+ Will you trust ME? -God
+ How can you represent God in Canaan the God you don't know or trust? THe land in between is faith school.
+ I wrote checks at baby dedication and God cashed them at 18 years old!
+ We are not raising children...we are raising adults...child raisers...
+ Will you honor & respect when you receive no honor or respect
+ Time heals all wounds - it doesn't.
+ choices of the heart are made in the land in between! grace or bitterness?
+ Invite trust when complaints tries to move in. They are incompatible roommates. One will push the other out. Good movement pushes out bad movement.
+ the soil we detest produces the fruit we so desperately want.
+ Identify your land in between!
+ Emerge as a person of grace.

Prayer for You/Us:

Lord, thank you for all the 'land in between' moments, which created opportunities for the transformational growth we've experienced. Thank you for the wisdom, revelation and faith to see beyond the temporal. You are the potter and we are the clay. Please continue to form and shape us into the vessels of honor - instruments fit for the Master's use. We are your people made for your glory! Be glorified in and through us - and all that is connected and entrusted to us...

May the land in between make us better and not bitter...all things work together for the good of them who are called according to your purpose. Romans 8:28

In Jesus Name...

Ralph

Orange Conference 2011

Meet The Bloggers...



Enjoy!

Ego Leak

In the past few months, I've had a few cherished encounters (an hour long phone conversation and an airport rendezvous meeting) with a new friend (at least that's what I tell myself) Brad Lomenick.

His latest blog entry was a great follow up piece to my last post!

Do You Have Ego Leak?

As leaders, one of our biggest struggles many times is our Ego. Those of us who are Type A Leaders really struggle with Ego. Being boastful about our own accomplishments. Arrogant. Untouchable. Always talking about ourselves and making sure everything revolves around us.

No one sets out to be arrogant or to have a larger than life ego, but it just usually happens slowly over time, without us being aware.

And once everyone notices, many times its too late because we have so many things in place allowing our ego to flourish uncontrollably. The more influence you have, the more you are pulled away from reality and having those around you who will keep you humble.

Here is a simple solution: LET YOUR EGO LEAK.

EGO LEAK is a GOOD THING, when it’s focused in the right direction.

Squelch your own ego by focusing ALL of your bragging, arrogance, pride and boasting on and around OTHERS. Talk constantly about your team, about your children, about your spouse, about your family, about your friends, and about your staff.
Brag on God, on Jesus, on the Church. On His goodness and grace.

Let your Ego leak freely on behalf of building others up.

If you are like most of us who consider ourselves to be leaders, your ego will leak out regardless, so you might as well put it to good use, bragging on those around you.

I encourage you to follow Brad on twitter at twitter.com/bradlomenick and twitter.com/catalystleader

Save Me From Myself

I wish I stumbled on it sooner...

It magically and eloquently captures my prayer closet rants before the Lord (over the years) in my ongoing struggle to remain humble, faithful and authentic as God continues to use me...

What's "It"?

I forget at times that His eyes blaze like fire - Who am I kidding? The crowds? In the end, they don't count when the scorecard is being tallied...neither will the amount of friends on facebook, twitter or any other earthly measure- it will all be burned up with the chaff.

I will recite this prayer every day until I die...

What "Prayer"? Keep reading

I also hope and pray that all my now/next generation leader friends will join with me in praying this for themselves and those they serve along side with...

What other weapon do we have to fight against entitlement and the other challenges plaguing now/next generation leadership in the 21st century.

This prayer should be the opening prayer at every conference, hung in every green room, attached to every contract/rider - and tattooed (if your theology is ok with tats) - as a healthy and necessary reminder!

I'll speak for my self...I'm honestly disgusted with how far off course, I've allowed the ever rapidly changing ministry landscape to distract me from what really matters (when the music fades and all is said and done).

I remember the days of ANYTHING, ANYWHERE, ANYBODY, ANYONE (even for 1) motivated purely out of love for HIM and HIS people. Now it's calendars, dates, engagements, gigs, who else is on the circuit, facebook, twitter, contracts, honorariums, meals, hotel accommodations, ROI...#*(#&(*&#(*#&(#*&#(*&#(*#&(#*&#(*&(#*&#(*&#(*&#(*&#(*#&(#*&#(*&# (I believe in the Spirit, but you don't want this interpretation) =)

I'm not complaining and I know to whom much is given much is required - more begets more! It comes with the territory - right?

Well, I'm sorry for the thing I've made it, while continuing to sing in your presence "I'm sorry Lord, for the thing I've made it - and it's all about YOU!" It is about YOU...but not always...not completely...is it ever really possible? I'm tempted to throw in the towel and just call it quits. I don't want it or need it IF the game ends up turning me into Frankenstein. There are already enough self created monsters in the game, enough to flood the annual Halloween parade in NYC - without the other wackos!
(forgive the broad stroke)

God if you never answer another prayer for me, I beg you - PLEASE answer this one. If I'm too far gone - don't do it for me, do it for your name sake (lead me in the path of righteousness FOR YOUR NAME'S SAKE)

(excerpt from A Preachers Prayer by A.W. Tozer)

Lord Jesus, I come to Thee for spiritual preparation. Lay Thy hand upon me. Anoint me with the oil of the New Testament prophet. Forbid that I should become a religious scribe and thus lose my prophetic calling. Save me from the curse that lies dark across the face of the modern clergy, the curse of compromise, of imitation, of professionalism. Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet; not a promoter, not a religious manager—but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity. Save me from the bondage to things. Let me not waste my days puttering around the house. Lay Thy terror upon me, O God, and drive me to the place of prayer where I may wrestle with principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world. Deliver me from overeating and late sleeping. Teach me self-discipline that I may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

I accept hard work and small rewards in this life. I ask for no easy place. I shall try to be blind to the little ways that I could make my life easier. If others seek the smoother path I shall try to take the hard way without judging them too harshly. I shall expect opposition and try to take it quietly when it comes. Or if, as sometimes it falleth out to Thy servants, I shall have grateful gifts pressed upon me by Thy kindly people, stand by me then and save me from the blight that often follows. Teach me to use whatever I receive in such manner that it will not injure my soul nor diminish my spiritual power. And if in Thy permissive providence honor should come to me from Thy church, let me not forget in that hour that I am unworthy of the least of Thy mercies, and that if men knew me as intimately as I know myself they would withhold their honors or bestow them upon others more worthy to receive them.

And now, O Lord of heaven and earth, I consecrate my remaining days to Thee; let them be many or few, as Thou wilt. Let me stand before the great or minister to the poor and lowly; that choice is not mine, and I would not influence it if I could. I am Thy servant to do Thy will, and that will is sweeter to me than position or riches or fame and I choose it above all things on earth or in heaven. Though I am chosen of Thee and honored by a high and holy calling, let me never forget that I am but a man of dust and ashes, a man with all the natural faults and passions that plague the race of men. I pray Thee therefore, my Lord and Redeemer, save me from myself and from all the injuries I may do myself while trying to be a blessing to others. Fill me with thy power by the Holy Spirit, and I will go in Thy strength and tell of Thy righteousness, even Thine only. I will spread abroad the message of redeeming love while my normal powers endure.

In Jesus Name

P.S. Thanks A.W. for your honest candor...it inspired mine...maybe someone else's...

Ralph