Faithful Excellence

When I was a sophomore in high school, I had the honor and privilege of making the basketball team for the second straight year. I was extremely happy about our coaches returning and for the chance to pick up where I had left off the previous year, as I concluded my freshman year with one of my most productive games. However, as the year wore on, it became very clear that I would not be playing very much and for reasons that still remain unclear. Since basketball takes from the third week of October to the third week of February, I quickly came to the conclusion that I did not want to be on the team if I was not going to get the chance to play. My parents, however, had another idea, as parents tend to do. They told me that I had committed and that I would honor that commitment, even though it was hard and extremely difficult. They told me to be “the best bench warmer the school had ever seen.” While I was not thrilled at this prospect, I did go about the job with a better attitude the rest of the season. Little did I know that that decision would impact the rest of my life, and has vastly changed my mindset since I have been working as a youth pastor.
As the year transgressed, I did get my chance to play, but because my attitude had changed while playing the bench, my attitude continued to change as I gained minutes and points. I was more grateful for the chance to play. I was more hungry for points and the chance to just play with my teammates. I remember my coach telling me that if I stopped shooting, he would take me out. Well, I wasn’t going to have that happen, so I kept chucking up bricks, knowing that I didn’t want to sit the bench. I was grateful for every second to bounce a ball in front of my family that I would do anything to help the team and coaches keep me in. My attitude of being faithful with the small thing (sitting the bench), was fueled to greater heights once I got to play. Not only that, but my attitude even impressed my coach to such and extend that he apologized to my parents (who had been faithful to attend every game) for not playing me as much. Faithfulness and commitment are watched because so few of us see these two traits anymore.
I bring this story up not because I wish to brag or share my past, but because I was reflecting the other day when the question, “Does faithfulness in ministry lead to excellence?” popped into my head.
In the Old Testament, faithfulness “speaks of someone who has shown themselves trustworthy in the execution of duties” while in the New Testament, the meaning of faithfulness was slightly enhanced, “requiring someone proven to be reliable and trustworthy in and by the execution of a given action.” Obviously, doing a job well and for a long time seems to be at the core of faithfulness. As Eugene Peterson wrote, it is a “Long Obedience in the Same Direction.” Yet, I’m convinced the reason Excellence is not achieved or gained is because Faithfulness is so intertwined with the other that it is difficult to distinguish the two from each other.
You can’t have excellence if you are not faithful, and you can’t be faithful if you don’t value excellence. They are intertwined. And since they are so closely connected, I began thinking about what prevents youth workers from obtaining “Excellent Faithfulness.” These reasons include: Time, Paths, Priorities, and what I call “the Splash.”
Most of these reasons are straight forward. Both excellence and faithfulness take extended amounts of time. In the case of Moses, both elements took his whole life, and some will question whether he was even an excellent leader, as he had a temper and took on way more than he should have.
The “paths” we walk while we are in the trenches is another reason we never obtain faithfulness. As Andy Stanly writes in his excellent book “Principle of the Path,” he writes that it is our “Direction, not our intentions,” that leads us to our destinations. We may want to be faithful, but if we have no habits that show or prove this, then we will never be faithful, which is why Jesus spoke of the small things, and doing those things well, before taking on more. We have to show we can do the one before we can do the other. The same can be said for priorities. We have to put people and relationships first, before we get into programming and leading. People won’t follow someone that doesn’t care, nor will they follow someone who has not shown great skill in the small things.
Finally, the subtle, but hurtful “Splash.” So many times in our media soaked culture, we feel that a “huge, big splash” will help get us over the hump in regards to an event, gathering or ministry. Yet, as seen throughout Scripture, Faithfulness is not about the “big” production or that life changing element. Yes, those things are a part of the ministry “pie.” However, it is the day to day following of Christ that leads to faithfulness, as you can’t have one without the other. Just because you do the “big” thing does not make someone spiritual or even more faithful then another individual. Heck, there will be people better at one than the other, as we all have different spiritual gifts. What makes the difference is the attitude, the “long obedience in one direction.” It all comes down to, will you keep going, no matter what?
When I was playing basketball in high school, my attitude dictated the rest of the season. I would even argue that it changed my life, the decision to follow through with the commitment with a better attitude than anyone could imagine. It was and is all about attitude. When it comes to faithfulness and excellence, will you do whatever it takes to be faithful, knowing that that is excellent in the eyes of the Lord?
Do you thirst to be thirsty? Is an adequate, final question, as your attitude of wanting faithfulness and excellence will play a pivotal and life altering role in your quest.

Kung Fu Panda 2, Pirates and X-Men First Class

I had been asked and told by several friends that i needed to get back on the "movie review wagon," as i was thought dead due to my inability to get some reviews out there. So here goes, not just one movie review, but 3, and in only 4 paragraphs.

First up is the delightful, no, "bodasiously awesome" Kung Fu Panda 2. This movie has a few tricks up its sleeve. First, it is much better than the first because the story deals with the human condition that all of us must come to terms with: Where did i come from? While the first movie was solid and dealt with purpose and how to fit in, this movie focuses on who we choose to be once we know our origins or family history. With Jack Black returning as Po, this movie has the voice talent squared away. As if that weren't enough, Gary Oldman nearly steals the show with his villainy. He portrays the peacock Lord Shen, who was turned away by his parents, and thus, tries to over take China with what appears to be a canon like weapon. It is not until Jack Black learns to find "inner peace" that he can defeat this evil...peacock. Again, this movie is solid and will be an enjoying evening for the whole family, so go see it...and don't pay for 3D, as it is excellent in 2D. As my buddy Austin Thingvall says, "Rango is still better," Kung Fu Panda 2 is still "Supremely cool."

Up next is the movie everyone has seen, but will still earn millions because, well, "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow...savvy?" Yep, Jack is back with the fourth installment of "Pirates." I can't believe i'm saying it, but this movie is solid, will entertain and should have been the rightful sequel. The "Dead Man's Chest" movie was way too long, made no sense and was never really resolved anything. This movie, while still sending a huge "Deja vu" vibe, is straight forward: Jack and everyone else want to find the fountain of youth. Jack, of course, has a new cast and some funny lines as he goes about his voyage. As long as Jack Sparrow is played by the excellent, don't-take-him-for-granite-Johnny Depp, this franchise will always have something to smile about. Anyway, the movie gets 3 out of 5 stars because it is enjoyable and is not nearly as long as the other ones. But again, it is not until one of the characters finds themselves or has "the right motives" can the fountain of youth be found. Hmmm....this is a pattern....

Finally, the best for last: X-Men: First Class. This movie is truly a delight. First, it not only "remakes" the series, but it gives each character a decent story that we can relate with, while also feeling fresh. I may not like Magneto, but hey, i can't hate him either. I mean, wow, his family was murder in an internment camp and he was used as a weapon. Magneto is played by the excellent Michael Fassbender. When he grimaces, i sense a bit of hate, anger and confusion, which i find myself relating to, if i were in his shoes. James McAvoy plays Xavier before he becomes Professor X, and he lends a great sense of charisma and charm to the role. I truly enjoyed seeing the two friends work together to better the world. However, this is also the biggest fault of the movie. These two have great ideas and discussions, two of which could have truly helped define the series for several movies, had the writers allowed the discussion and dialogue to continue. Instead, we get two quick discussions and then battles. When will Hollywood understand that it is the characters and their internal drive that makes movies, not CGI? Spider Man 2 and The Dark Knight set the standard, but this movie could have been up there with them, had McAvoy and Fassbender been given the chance, especially since many of there scenes revolve around the two playing chess. I mean, talk about symbolism that can be used. This is where Mike Nolan is truly becoming a visionary director. Batman became a Christ like figure because he took on someone else's crimes. But i digress... Anyway, the movie revolves around Kevin Bacon wanting to start a massive war, which will lead to mutatants being the final new "rulers." Magneto agrees with Bacon, but can't join him until he kills him, because well, you can't join the team or leader that killed your mother when you were 10. While the movies is solid and fits nicely into the overall whole of the series with Patrick Steward and Hugh Jackman, the issue of what is inside man permeates this movie, as well as the other. Xavier tells Magneto--while playing chess--that "we have it in us to be the better man," while Magneto argues that "We already are."

I want to pause here and say that i have been quite pleased with movies this year. First, while many are cliches and plain dumb, they have cut back on the vulgarity. All 3 of these films, while violent at times, cut back on the swearing and promiscuity. Yes, Xavier flirts with girls, but he is "torn down" by his sister for such an act, which is good. Jack Sparrow actually saves a girl, while a mermaid actually helps a pastor in Pirates. Yes, the philosophy of Hollywood should always be questioned, these movies at least show a bit of restraint. With that in mind, I want to veer off and ask: Can we find inner peace, as all of these movies imply? Do we have it in us to be better?
The answer is NO! We can't be better because we are evil by our very nature. We lie, cheat, steal and covet on a daily basis. On a "good day" we have still done things that are harmful, both to ourselves and others. It is not until we believe that Christ can change us through His death on the cross that we will begin to see our lives in a new way. Again, as i have been harping on for the past few weeks, it is not until we have a new mindset that we can begin to see things in ourselves that we must change, which comes because Christ died for those evil things in us. We can change because He has the power to change us. Period. Without Christ, "Hope and Change" or "Inner Peace" are simply bumper stickers.

Enjoy the shows!


-to god be the glory for great things he has done!