Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts

The best problem in the world to have?
26 June 2009


Too much money! Am I the most successful fundraiser in MTS apprenticeship history? Well unlikely... I have however managed to raise extra money above and beyond my wage. In fact more than $2000 extra... this I'm told by MTS minions in high places is pretty rare.

My reason for posting this is two fold.

Firstly I want to again thank all the people who helped and contributed to my MTS apprenticeship over the two years I did it. I am extremely grateful and have been blessed by people's generosity. I am humbled that people believe in my Christian work and abilities.

Secondly I'm faced with the question of what should I do with the money? The Crossroads powers that be have offered the following options.

1. TBT for 2010
2. Jake Bevan and his MTS apprenticeship
3. A Crossroads Data Projector Laptop
4. UFC work by Mikey Lynch

What do you think?

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Being a bloke 101
20 March 2009

I've blogged some stuff about masculinity and christian masculinity before 1, 2, 3, 4. It's a good topic and one I shall continue to follow with interest. I read this just this evening on the Gospel and Culture Project blog.

"...in defining masculinity and femininity in static terms, and then in re-enforcing those understandings, many evangelical writers turn a blind eye to ways in which their own culture has shaped their notions of what seems “natural.”
You can read the rest of the article here.

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Porn Questions...
06 February 2009

Hey Mike,
I’m Christian bloke dating a Christian girl. Should I tell her that I used to have a problem with pornography?
Thanks heaps X
Dear X

It’s really difficult for this situation to go well either way. On the one hand fessing up is the best and most honest thing to do. Being transparent and open in a relationship especially one leaning toward marriage is very important. The point at which to do this in the relationship is harder to pin down (probably not on a first date). Let your conscience guide you.

On the flip side telling your girlfriend about your porn problem nearly always leads her to feeling betrayal and deep mistrust of you for what you’ve done. I also think the longer you leave it to tell her about the problem (eg. When you are married) the greater the damage to relationship. One friend of mine didn’t confess to his wife till after they were married. They needed to visit a counselor to work though their issues.

If you choose to tell her you need to be sensitive to her feelings. You need to validate her feelings and seek to empathise and understand how she feels. It’s right for her to feel shock, anger and betrayal. Explain to her you aren’t proud of your actions. Importantly you must tell her you’ve sought forgiveness from God. Next show her the steps you’ve put in place (accountability etc) to make sure that you don’t make the mistake again.

Finally if you find this becomes a burning issue in your relationship seek help and advice. The best thing for you to do would be to sit down with a Godly married couple preferably younger (I think it’s difficult for older people to understand the problem or porn let alone to talk about it) or alternatively a qualified counselor. They can take you through and help both of you get perspective on the issue.

Trust that helps
God bless Mike

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Bad fashion... Jake Bevan
17 January 2009

Jake is one of the new MTS Apprentices* at Crossroads . Like I did, he has to raise all his own wage for his two year term. He needs your financial and prayer support... also a new pair of black socks for committing this bad fashion crime on Sunday night.

If you'd like know more or send him some dosh see here.


*The same job as I had.

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Way behind I know...
16 January 2009

But this comprehensive article in the New York Times covers Christian preacher Mark Driscoll's phenomenal success and also gives a good explanation of Calvinism and Complementarianism, theological views to which I subscribe.

If you haven't already read this article or linked to it get over now and do it. I especially recommend it if you've not heard of the guy.

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5 christian friends who have influenced me
02 January 2009

  1. Mikey – Pastor of Crossroads church. Taught me much about myself and my relationship to ministry and people. Helped me to move more like a ninja when I talk about my faith and showed great belief in me and they gifts I have.
  2. Seumas – Bible College and language ninja extraordinary. Seumas always thinks outside the square. He’s from Sydney not Hobart and he’s cool but in weird way. Amazing intellect. We chat regularly on Skype.
  3. Benny – Taught me heaps about ministry and University work. He also taught me humility and how to disciple others, helped shape my mind to become sharp. He also stood by me in some really tough times.
  4. Sam Green – For preaching and teaching faithfully good solid theology and grounding me in basic understanding of the Bible over my Uni years.
  5. Paul Chew – Taught me the basics of Romans 1-5 and put up with my annoying questioning of everything in Bible study when I first become a Christian. Thinks outside the square and puts up with my annoying questions still.

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Snowiness in Seattle...
24 December 2008

...has seen attendance at Mars Hill Church fall to the lowest in years. Mark Driscoll pastor of Mars Hill posts some thoughts. I love his post especially the disclaimer. Reminds me of my blog.

Note: This blog is not edited as everyone is on vacation and Pastor Mark had a few final thoughts before watching the Unit, eating chips and salsa, and passing out after the last day in a long and weary year so please forgive the poor grammar and punctuation.

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Thanks Mikey
19 December 2008

I think I first got to know Mikey when I was around eighteen. I didn't click with him straight away, he seemed just a bit too smart. Kinda like people who you are too scared to talk to. He'd just become a Christian and seemed to have a real burning passion for what he believed in. I really respected this especially because I'd grown up as a church kid. Even though he (and most of us) said and did some silly things back in those days, I always had a sense that Mikey's heart was always in the right place.

I got to know him a bit better when he and Nikki moved into "The Castle" my now famous (or infamous) sharehouse. He and Nikki lived in the very top room. He used to sit up in their room writing sermons and long seminars for "Fightclub" our church ministry training course.

I couldn't say we got along really well or that we were close friends during this time but I remember realising that I didn't need to be intimidated by him anymore. Our time at the castle came to a close and we all moved out. It'd been my hope to move with Mike, Nikki and the others to another share house.

Mikey then did something that taught me a very profound lesson. I was about 23 or 24 and didn't have a particularly well rounded understanding of people outside of myself. He took me aside and explained I wasn't the easiest person to live with and it had been hard for he and Nikki to live with me. Although the criticism cut deep and I was pretty upset I knew it was fair . I apologised begged Mikey for another chance. After talking with Nikki, they decided to give me a second chance.

I learned a lot about myself that day, and my treatment of others. Still more I learned about giving people a second chance. I learned about grace. Mikey showed me that being a Christian wasn't just about being forgiven by a gracious God, but about showing that gift to other people.

Mikey has been fantastic in looking after me this year while I've been working at church. He's been patient and careful in his advice. We've even had fun working in the Crossroads office encouraging each other in anal orgnaisationalness. Of course it would be easy to miss Nikki out but if you know Mikey well you learn that she plays a very important role in his work too not just looking after the kids but giving him advice. She lets him give generously of his time and for this I'm grateful.

Mikey has been a great supporter of myself and my work over both the years I've been working. This year particularly he has taught me many things and been very patient. I'm very very grateful to him for his help and the hard work that he's put into me, my church and many other Christians here in Hobart and beyond. Thanks heaps man.

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supportMIKE News IX
17 December 2008

(A recent photo of the happy couple)
Howdy Folks

This letter finds me almost at the completion of my MTS/Ministry apprenticeship. I've just finished preaching a couple of sermons at Crossroads' Tuesday night and Sunday morning congregations. I felt like I was more back in the groove of things and I worked really hard to get both sermons up to my expectations. It was great to feel that connection with people from a preaching point of view.

About a week ago I helped out/organise the Tuesday Crossroads first birthday community event in South Hobart. It was a great success with a number of people from the South Hobart community coming along to chat and grab a free sausage. It was encouraging to be part of putting something back into the community and be able to serve the South Hobart community.

I've also been working hard in the Crossroads office taking some of the painful administration tasks away from Dan and Mikey and applying my sharpness to them. I've been involved with the steering committee with Dan and Mikey, in addition to being responsible for some of the smaller day to day decisions for Crossroads Church. I've tremendously enjoyed working with Mikey and Dan. We've had great fun in the office over the year (although not to begin with). Mikey has done a great job training me and bearing with my 11th hour "freak outs". I'm truly blessed to have worked with these guys. I'm also grateful to Sam Green, FOCUSutas and the AFES head office staff for their hard work particularly in my first year of my job.


(View from our new flat at Jane)

Things with Christine are going well. Her pregnancy has progressed very smoothly. If all goes according to plan we'll welcome Olivia Kious Jolly into the world towards middle-to-end of February next year. Most recently we've been attending parenting/birthing classes that have been long but at times entertaining. On top of completing a couple of classes toward her Master's Degree, she's been mentoring two young women preparing for marriage in the New Year, as well as, co-leading a women's Bible study. Sometimes it’s easy for me to forget how much work she does while I run around being “busy”.

I'll be finishing up my apprenticeship at the end on the 22nd of January. However last three weeks of this will be holidays, that I've been saving up all year. Christine and I had planned to travel to the USA during this time but this become problematic with Olivia's pending arrival. Instead during this time I plan to have a good rest and look for new employment. I'm not super fussed about what job I end up doing. I've committed to working here at Jane for all of next year meaning that I'll have to work my new job around things here.

Many of you may be wondering about whether we're planning to go to Bible College. The short answer is no. It certainly won't be next year but it's definitely one of the options for 2010. There also may be a small possibility of going back down to the University to do Christian work again. Stay tuned to my blog for more details.

I'm really happy with how things have turned out in 2008. It's been a difficult year having to adjust to a new job and new boss. I've been sick a fair bit and things often haven't gone according to my plan. However I've fought on and not given up by God's grace. I've most appreciated the people work that I've done this year particularly meeting with the various blokes. Many students have supported me in my work and I've found very often they have more to teach me than I do to teach them and they've helped and encouraged me greatly. Most of all I am very grateful to Christine and the great support she’s been throughout my whole paid ministry experience.

(Our new home at Jane inside)

Finally I'd like to take the time to say a big thank-you to you. I'd like thank all my readers and friends, family (and critics) all around the world for all your support (both prayer and financial) over the last couple of years. It's been a long crazy road and there have been some highlights and low lights but God has sustained me through all of them.

It has been a tremendously humbling experience to rely on others and God for my daily bread. God has taught me many things during my apprenticeship and for this experience I am truly thankful. It's my prayer that you may have been able to know something (through these newsletters and my blog) of where and what ministry, particularly my ministry, involves.

Please also feel free to pop by and visit my blog as I plan to keep it running in some form for a little longer. It's my prayer that you have a very happy Christmas and that the New Year brings you to walk closer each day to Jesus. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Thanks again and God Bless


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Happy Birthday TBT
09 December 2008



Tonight was the first birthday of Tuesday Crossroads move to the Toilet Block (read Community Centre) in South Hobart. Mikey and I with a bunch of dudes from the TBT tribe worked getting the advertising out to the South Hobart Community.

We letter boxed about 1000 fliers, put posters in local shop windows and on notice boards. A couple of the fellas went and asked businesses for donations. They got a truck load of bread, snags, drinks etc. Our kick arse parents from Crossroads House and Sunday nighters brought along cool stuff for a couple of market style stalls.

And.... the rain stayed away... and people actually came... from the South Hobart Community.

You can see from the pictures it's the most successful event TBT has hosted. I'm happy with how things turned out. You can see all the pictures on facebook. Pop along and tag a nice picture of ya self. Happy Birthday TBT.

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I'm not into theology!
08 December 2008

Back when I was doing my teaching degree we were constantly told to develop our "theory of teaching". One statement I didn't really like but stayed with me was that "Everyone has a theory of teaching. It's just how well it's understood and articulated". I think it's very similar with worldviews.

John Piper says this

Everybody has a creed. All people believe in something and shape their lives around it. Even agnostics believe very strongly that you ought not believe anything very strongly (which is why it is so hard to be a consistent agnostic). We all have a creed that we live by, whether we can articulate it or not.
For the same reason it really gives me the heebie geebies when I talk to Christians who say "I'm not into theology". I understand what they mean but it's a nonsensical self defeating statement.

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I spent too much time...
05 December 2008

Working on the new MTS Tasmania Website. After my hard work hacking today it looks much better. I've also posted some thoughts up there about my MTS experience. Head on over and have a look at my handy work. I'm off to birth centre class.

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The Shack
24 November 2008


I've been hearing mixed reviews of this book. Some Christians I've spoken to rave about this book and others see it as a bunch of post modern rubbish. I haven't read it yet but I'm keen if someone wants to loan me a copy. A couple that I've read can be found below*.

Over at Sola Panel
Or in this months Briefing
Tim Challies

*Disclaimer I'm not saying I agree with everything in the reviews

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Piper on Porn
22 November 2008

The great tragedy is not mainly masturbation or fornication or acting like a peeping Tom (or curious Cathy) on the internet. The tragedy is that Satan uses the guilt of these failures to strip you of every radical dream you ever had, or might have, and in its place give you a happy, safe, secure, American life of superficial pleasures until you die in your lakeside rocking chair, wrinkled and useless, leaving a big fat inheritance to your middle-aged children to confirm them in their worldliness. That's the main tragedy.
(More here)

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Capitalism or Socialism?
19 November 2008

What's the Christian approach? As I promised earlier Mikey answers the question. Below are my sketchy sermon notes. Enjoy.

1. The Legitimacy of Private Property

  • God rules over all
  • God Gives his people "stuff"
  • Incentive doesn't equal greed
  • What about Acts 4:32?
2. Justice and shalom/peace
  • A fair system/method versus a fair outcome/result
  • God can do both
  • God brings justice and judges
  • Bible rebukes unfairness of method
  • We must hear this voice
  • We must be generous
3. A Call to Entrepreneurial Generosity

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Learning to love your inbox
11 November 2008

The average person my age has more technology at their disposal than a CEO of just a few years ago. You’d think that as part of this technology cloud we’d become more effective at communication and organisation.

I believe it’s actually the opposite. The sheer volume of information that get’s thrown at today’s people is huge. Email, msn, skype, gmail, gmail chat, yahoo chat, blogging, rss, twitter that’s even before I get to facebook… I could go on. This wealth of information has a number of implications;

  1. Learning to love Information. We must love information and increase of capacity for handling it. We must work hard at filtering and capturing information. We must build become effective at categorization and systems that allow us to quickly and efficiently handle electronic communication.
  2. Organisation. In order to navigate this tricky world order it’s essential to be organised. Many people forget appointments because they fail to write them down or keep an up to date diary.
  3. Harnessing technology to be organised. The chances are that you have more technology at your fingertips than you know what to do with. It’s essential that you learn how to use it and find a system of organisation that works for you. If you think an iphone will make you organised then bully for you buy it. If you like a paper diary go for it. My point is something is better than nothing. Technology is your servant not your master.
  4. Communication. Multi layered approach to relationships is essential. We can no longer think of relationships as being primarily in person or primarily electronic. Communication takes place many levels we must embrace communication with people using diverse means at our fingertips to prevent misunderstandings. We must also learn the rules of various forms or communication (see my posts on email etiquette).
One could be tempted at this point to simply give up. For example the cry "Why bother? What a waste of time." This is to fall for the false view that because something can be used to waste time, it’s therefore a waste of time in itself. I think often this complaint stems from an inefficiency in the handling information rather then a problem with the thing itself.

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Dawkins debates...
24 October 2008

Many of you may know I've talked about Richard Dawkins before on my blog. In fact if I remember a couple of anonymous commenters took me to task. I've since bought a copy of the God Delusion and it sits partially read along side an ever increasing stack of other partially read books.

Anyway Dawkins recently debated The Existence of God and that God is a delusion with Dr John Lennox in Alabama. Most interstingly in the debate he apparently admitted that

"A serious case could be made for a deistic God."
You can view the debate streamed over here or see a report/blog in the Spectator in the UK.
(ht Craig)

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The hardest words of all
02 October 2008

Fiona says...

I read somewhere recently that “sorry”, “please” and “thank you” should be the hallmarks of a Christian life... more.

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Energy in ministry
25 September 2008

I've been thinking of some useful bits of information to pass onto to the next bunch of guys (and girls) that do an MTS apprenticeship (my job). One of them will be how to keep energised for ministry.

For me I love meeting up with young blokes. I find it gives me energy and helps keep me pumped. I think part of the reason that I struggled so much at the beginning of the year was because I wasn't doing much of this. I like listening to guys and their problems. I enjoy learning things from them. I like giving them advice. I like recommending a good book to read. I enjoy speaking in a plain and straight forward manner that you just can't do in a large group context. In humility and love I love sharing the mistakes I've made in the past in the hope they don't make the same stuff ups.

I enjoy seeing the energy renewed in their eyes. I love seeing hearts that want to serve Jesus and his people. I love hearing what they've been thinking about in the Bible. I love seeing them grow and change. And finally I enjoy praying for them as asking that God would continue to work to grow them to be more like Jesus and less like me.

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Burglary
24 September 2008

Our church office got broken into on Monday just after Dan and I left to go home. They busted the door then broke open our locked filing cabinet before making off with around 20 bucks in petty cash. They didn't touch anything else which was nice. The most annoying thing is that we now have to buy a new filing cabinet.

The funniest part was the female detective who looked and dressed somewhere between Lara Croft and the chick from Alias and was fully equipped with a Stanley tool kit (very un-CSI). That's not her in the photo. Mikey got excited because he got to "give a statement".




Person who broke into the Crossroads Office you are a dumb tool.

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