Be a Fanatical Spiritual (Christian) Athlete

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

It's interesting that this same principle is still at play in our world today.  It's okay to be fanatical if it is for the sake of sports.  If our children participate in sports we expect them to push themselves to the limit; mentally, physically, and emotionally.  We expect them to train like crazy every day.  We expect them to discipline themselves in their diet, sleep schedule, entertainment consumption, etc.  It goes without saying that they cannot become successful athletes by spending hours a day in front of the t.v., playing video games, and staying up to date on Facebook.  So why do we think that we, or our children, can be high level Christian "athletes" by indulging those lazy habits and ignoring fanatical discipline?

In the text above, Paul compares the Christian life to running a race.  Who in their right mind would sign up to run in a race without diligently training every day?  Guess what,  life is a race.  We didn't sign up for it, we were elected to it by the Lord God almighty, Creator of the universe.  That makes it even more imperative to run this race to our absolute best ability.  God has elected us to run our race for His glory!  If that's the case, don't you think we should be training and disciplining ourselves daily so that we can run our best race possible?  After all, we only get one shot at this race.  There is no re-match.  There is no do-over.  There is no tomorrow.  Judgment Day will be upon us in the blink of an eye.

How do we run our race "so as to get a crown that will last forever"?

1. Strict Training
1. Read from God's Word every day.
2. Attend a Bible study at least once/week.
3. Seek out Bible classes that go deeper into the truths of Scripture.
4. Enroll in the Congregational Assistant Program from Martin Luther College.
5. Find a spiritual mentor.
6. Read from Luther's Small Catechism every day.
7. Intentionally develop your leadership skills every day.
2. Running the Race
1. Share the saving truth of God's Word at every opportunity- with friends, family, co-workers,etc.
2. Become an active participant in the ministry of God's Word.
1. Get active in your church.
2. Volunteer with a ministry that is in fellowship with your church body.
3. Start a Bible study in your home (when your mentor agrees that you are ready).
3. Look for ways to use your talents and abilities in service to others, for God's glory.
4. Be the salt and the light in this world.  Strive to live a Godly life every day.
1. Love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
2. Love you neighbor as yourself.  

Treat your life like an athletic competition.  Be as fanatical about building yourself spiritually as a professional athlete is about building himself physically.

God bless and Merry Christmas
Jason Fredrick

Who's Job Is It to Keep the Leader on Track?

The answer to this question seems like it should be obvious.  For some reason there is a lot of confusion that surrounds this topic, though.

The obvious answer is:  It is EVERYBODY'S responsibility to keep the leader on track.
The leader is supposed to be the servant of all.  That means the leaders is to SERVE everyone in the community, not demand that everyone in the community serves him.  That also means that each member of the community has a responsibility to serve each other, "Everyone is called upon to lead in some capacity sooner or later in life." (Woodward/Brady: Launching A Leadership Revolution).  One of the crucial ways that members of a community serve each other is by keeping the leader in check, making sure that he stays on track and isn't leading individuals, or the organization to it's doom.

This is a great responsibility that is shared by everyone within the community.  There is only one way that this can, and will, happen:  life-long learning.  If every member of the community hasn't made the commitment to a lifetime of growth and development then the members of the community aren't capable of checking the leader (ex. citizens of the United States checking government at every level:  local, state, and federal).

It is only by every individual making the commitment to be a lifelong student that this can actually happen.  People who don't read every day, listen to educational audios every day, and associate with other leaders on a regular basis are not equipped to check anybody.  Watching 4-6 hours of TV every day will not equip your community with the skills they need to become effective leaders and overseers.  It is only through an intentional plan of self-education that leaders grow and develop.

Learning and growing yourself is essential because when it comes time to check or question the leader you have to be ready to give answers for your opinion or challenge.  You especially need to be prepared if you are checking an out-of-control ego:  "Who do you think you are questioning me?  Don't you know who I am?"  Sadly, these egocentric leaders surface in every kind of community:  families, volunteer organizations, churches, corporate America, government, etc.

It is when checking the egocentric leader that you really need to be sure of yourself.  Don't be intimidated by their arrogance, but make sure you are prepared to defend every one of your criticisms and concerns.  Be prepared for a continuing barrage of superficial counter-attacks.  Don't get distracted by that.  Stay focused on the points that you are making.  Keep the main points in front of you and don't get caught running in circles.  No matter how he attacks you, keep coming back to the point that you are making.

If at the end of your conversation it is clear that the leader's heart is hardened and his ears are closed, it may be time to leave the community.  Leaving should only really be considered as a last resort.  If you have tried to address the same issues two, or three, or even four times with no positive results, then it may be time to leave.

If you need to leave don't keep it a secret that you are going.  Don't launch a smear campaign against the leader or the community, but be open to sharing why you are leaving if anyone asks.  Be available to meet privately with individuals to help them understand the decision you have made.  You owe it to them to make sure they know what's going on.  You don't want people to be blind-sided when they find themselves in the same exact situation that you did.

God bless
Jason Fredrick

Pursuing Your Purpose: When is it Time to Make A Pivot?

When you're on the path of pursuing your life's purpose there will be times when you need to make some adjustments.  You will need to reassess what you're doing, how you're doing it, and why you're doing it.  This is something that should be done frequently, weekly or monthly; as well as taking the time once or twice a year to really evaluate whether or not you are still passionate about what you're pursuing.

Most of the time, this yearly evaluation will just be an opportunity to recommit to yourself, and your team.  Sometimes, however, that evaluation will be a time to make some tough decisions:

• Is what you're pursuing for God, or for yourself?
• Are you impacting the world in the way that you know you can, or want to?
• Is what you're pursuing fulfilling, or is it just chasing more money?
• Has it simply become an inconvenient obligation to others that is actually blocking you from pursuing your true calling in life?
• Which would require more courage:  stay the course and work harder, or change your course and pursue your true calling (if your current pursuit isn't actually your true calling) with everything you have?

These are tough questions.  Sometimes the answers are even tougher.  What I have learned is that if what you're currently doing is not your true calling, the sooner you make that pivot the better.  Don't use other people as your excuse to not pull the trigger on making a life changing decision.  In the end, you're not really helping anybody by not living your calling in life.  Your courage will empower those around you to do the same.

Change is tough.  Don't ever make a big decision like this without careful thought and a lot of prayer.  I am not talking, here, about chasing every fleeting fancy that dances across your brain.  I am talking about battling yourself internally as to whether or not your current pursuits are going to take you all the way to your God-given purpose.  Sometimes, what you are currently doing is just preparatory experiences for the next phase of your journey towards your purpose.  Don't take this lightly.  Give it a lot of serious thought time.  Discuss it with your spouse and your mentor.

Most importantly, exercise the courage to do what you need to do.  Make the tough decision; whether that means continuing on the path you're currently on, or making the pivot that you need to make.

God bless

Jason Fredrick