A “deep bench” is a term from sports that refers to a team’s ability to be successful using players that normally don’t play when the game starts. These players sit waiting on the team’s bench and are brought in when, for one reason or another, the starting players are unable to continue. If a team does not have a “deep bench” and relies on a few “star” players (or at worst a single “superstar”), the team will likely lose without them.
I was thinking about one of our staff pastor’s Sunday morning messages and what a great job he did, and how discovering our “deep bench” was one of the many blessings we’ve received during this transition in finding a new senior pastor. You see, we would have rarely had the chance to hear our pastors preach, and preach so well, had it not been for this time of transition. Our pastors even sound like a sports team: Fiske, Harp, Hintz, Morton, Peterson, and Wilcox. (I’m not forgetting the Escobar brothers, but to follow through on the sports analogy, they’re in their own “league”.)
All of our pastors have done an amazing job and have grown incredibly during this time. They’ve been stretched too, along with us, and I’m proud of each one of them.If you appreciate them too, tell them! And for those of you that would say, “Well, I prefer him,” or “I don’t particularly care for the way he…” may I offer a kind rebuke and suggest that you focus more on the Message rather than the messenger, because…
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
All these men have been anointed to deliver the Word “in season and out of season,” and have done an outstanding job the last nine months.
Another great blessing I’ll mention is that our new pastor will be coming into a healthy, stable church, with a staff of pastors that will be a tremendous help in making it a smooth transition. Our new pastor will be able to focus on preaching the Word while the church continues to run efficiently as he becomes familiar with everything and everyone here.
Finally, I submit that this “deep bench” extends to the entire church body of volunteer staff, prayer warriors, intercessors, (and tithers!), etc., because everyone on the team plays a part in advancing the work of the Kingdom.
So, are you part of Red Mountain’s “deep bench” or are you out of the game? Have you given up? I hope not, because we need you! The game (the battle!) is on, our opponents do not rest, and the Coach is calling you…
by Tim Schalick

The word “focus” can draw many different thoughts when you think about the word. I know I have used it many times lately directing my boys to focus on their homework. I know I heard that many times growing up, too. We have been told so many times in our life to continue to focus on something until it is complete. Focus was always the keyword. When something needs to get done you need to focus. In life, focusing on a task can be very helpful at times but can this direction to focus also hinder us? How can this direction to focus on something reveal our faith?
It seems at times that our focus is a representation of our faith. Do we give it to God and let go or do we tell it to God and then try to work it out ourselves. Our actions after we pray reveal the level of faith that we have. Worry, anxiety, unrest and the like are not based in faith. Joy, peace, patience, self-control and the like are fruits of faith. Our faith is in knowing that God has heard our prayers and we know that God will supply our needs. I have a secret. Since God lead Pastor Jeff to Springfield, He knows we need a Pastor.
Standing on a firm foundation is the key. As the old hymn says, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” If you find yourself worried, anxious or feeling unrest, take some time in prayer and proclaim to God that you know He is in control and you trust Him during this time.
Let’s not focus on God’s timing for a Sr. Pastor. Instead, let’s agree to act on what God is doing right now! God wants to see Red Mountain Christian Center glorify Him and impact the Kingdom with a Senior Pastor or without one. I challenge each person to keep pressing on and let’s grow in our faith together, focusing on the now, with knowing that God holds our future!
On Christ the solid rock I stand!

- Jared Guess

Volunteerism or what I call “steppin’ up” comes naturally to some and others it is a challenge.  My wife has “volunteered” me for duties that did not come naturally to me but after a time or two it was no longer a challenge.   I have heard story after story of so many here at Red Mountain who have stepped up to fill needs during this transition time.  It has certainly been a blessing to me to see this in action.

Recently I had the opportunity to see firsthand how one mother instilled in her children the blessing of serving others as they volunteered (themselves or by their mother?) to hand out candles before the Christmas Eve service.  This seemingly minor act of service could be the beginning of a life time of steppin’ up for one, two or hopefully all of these children.  Did they understand this concept that evening?  Was it just doing something they considered “fun?”  Based on what I saw I would have to believe there is more and Red Mountain will be blessed as a result.

To some the lifeblood of a church appears on the surface to be dependent wholly on the staff members who we see every week up front, out front or behind the scenes.  But as talented as our staff are, they can’t be everywhere and do everything.  They need help and thankfully do have the help of so many who have stepped up.  So I would dare say that the lifeblood can be found in those teachers, greeters, ushers, children’s workers, musicians, singers, and others who fill in the gaps where staff can’t or don’t have the ability to be in two or three places at once.

As we enter a new year and a time when resolutions are made, let us resolve to step up in 2011.

by Loren Geesey

When we have little kids we would like to see them grow rapidly but there is nothing we can do to help them grow faster. We can feed them and give them love but we know that when it comes to growth the situation is out of our hands. Jesus said:

“For apart from me you can do nothing”. (John 15:5 NIV)

I write this word today because many of us as Christ followers think that growth came from our own efforts. Then as we find that our efforts are not working or providing the growth we are hoping for, we grow tired and frustrated.

Today my invitation is to sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary did when Jesus came to visit her and her sister Martha at their home in a village near Jerusalem.  Martha wanted to impress and to serve Jesus – nothing wrong with that – but Mary wanted to simply sit at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to do what only He could  do. The part of the Christian life I enjoy the most, is to sit at the feet of Jesus and receive life, peace and strength from Him.

At the end Jesus replied to Martha:

“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10: 41-42 NLT)

As you sit at the feet of Jesus you will find yourself growing and enjoying a rich spiritual life like you’ve never before experienced. This is because you understand that He is the only one that can provide the life and the power that allow us to grow and bear fruit.

- Obed Escobar

T’was the night before Christmas, the children are nestled all snug in their beds when all of a sudden one of them asks the question, “Mom…is Santa real?” Do we tell them there isn’t a Santa and feel as though we have ruined the spirit of Christmas, or tell them there is a Santa and then try to explain why we have not been honest with them for all those years. And, how can we make sure our kids know the true meaning of Christmas? These are the tough questions many Christian parents ask.
My wife and I were raised with two different viewpoints on this subject. My parents loved the spirit of Christmas and played it up big. Complete with milk and cookies, jingle bell ringing to warn us that Santa was near, the whole ‘better be good or you get a lump of coal’ thing, and a round of “Happy Birthday to Jesus” before opening presents. My wife grew up with a different view. Santa was not a part of their family’s Christmas tradition. Now we have our own children and the question is: What are we going to do for our family? I remember Jody and I having conversations as our daughter was approaching the age of truly understanding Christmas and not just playing with the empty box. Would we tell her Santa is real or not? Allow her to believe or not believe in Santa. Above all else our children were going to know the true meaning of Christmas.
At the age of four it happened, “the question.” I remember explaining to her that Santa was not real, and how there was a real historic figure that brought gifts to kids a long time ago. We still celebrate this today by giving gifts to one another. Christmas is not all about checking off a wish list of presents, but the true meaning of Christmas is celebrating the best gift ever given—Jesus. And what a gift that was! Jesus leaving His heavenly home and coming to earth—from streets of gold to a food trough.
Jesus sacrificed so much for us. And it all comes down to love. Even adults need to be reminded what Christmas is all about. It is so much more than our shopping list or Santa. Our challenge is to find the best way to communicate Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas, to our children and the world around us.
Just recently I came across this article from the Washington Post, written by Mark Driscoll, Preaching & Theology Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle concerning how Christian parents should address the issue of Santa. Click the link below:

“What We Tell Our Kids About Santa” by Mark Driscoll

It’s funny how one’s perspective can become their reality. We just had a Girl Scout troop come by and put on a party for all the kids here at Sunshine Acres (where my wife & I serve as houseparents). It was really cool because it was a different twist on a Christmas party. This party was to allow the kids to choose gifts for their family members and provide the wrapping supplies so that each kid could present their family members with a wrapped gift on Christmas.
Almost all of the kids were very excited. None of them have the money, time or ability to purchase gifts for their families and all of the kids stress about this because everyone wants to give a good gift right?
I was surprised by the attitudes, or more succinctly, the two different attitudes present. Most of the kids were extremely grateful. They chose their presents, wrapped them excitedly and were extremely grateful. But there was another group, granted a very small percentage, that just weren’t happy. They either complained the gifts weren’t what they were looking for or they found some other reason to be displeased.
How could this be? They all were in the same situation. They all attended the same party. They all had the same amount of time to pick and wrap gifts. What was different? Why were some unhappy while the vast majority giddy? It all comes down to perception. Each kid’s perception changed their reality.
So, as we all are together, praying and waiting for God’s gift for Red Mountain Christian Center, let me ask you a question? Are you letting anything change, alter or skew your perception about “the process?” Are you “sitting at your table” patiently waiting for your turn to receive “the gift?” Or are you “sitting at your table” grumbling and complaining that all the good gifts are probably gone?
Just a little real world reminder…stay expectant, trusting God that “our gift” will be just exactly what he wants to give us and our turn will come at just the right time.

- Rob Scharret

I run.  Four to five miles, three mornings a week, I have run regularly since getting ready for Air Force Officer Training School in 1991. (Has it really been nearly 20 years?)

I’ve figured out a few things about running over the years, but the main thing is to keep on running.  Unless you’ve hurt yourself, and continuing would cause greater damage than stopping, keep on running.  If you’re tired, or get that cramp in your side, it’s okay to slow down.  You’ll recover—just keep on running.

I’ve run with a terrible cold and the day after surgery on my hand.  I’ve run in the dry desert heat of Arizona, in the pouring rain in Florida, and during a snowfall in New Mexico, where it was so quiet you could hear millions of snowflakes hitting the ground in a dull hiss.  I’ve run on the streets, on the beach, in the woods, and on a treadmill.  I’ve been chased by dogs—until I discouraged them with a rock or stick—and was nearly hit by a car or two.  I’ve run on my birthday, our wedding anniversary and every holiday.  There have always been distractions too numerous to mention, but I have kept on running.  I’ve stumbled many times, and I’ve fallen a few times, but I have kept on running.

I keep running because it’s part of my quiet time.  (It’s usually pretty quiet at 4:45 AM!)  And I pray, praise, and worship as I run.

Paul must have been a runner—and that’s why he referenced our journey from salvation through sanctification in terms of running a race (1 Cor. 9:24, Gal. 2:2, Gal. 5:7, 2 Tim. 4:7).

So how is your “run” going during this transition as we search for a new lead pastor?  Are you getting tired?  Thirsty?  Do you think it will never end?  Are there lots of distractions?  It’s okay to feel that way—just keep on running.  Praise Him.  Worship Him.  Adore Him.  Pray without ceasing.  Keep on running.  Even if you’re exhausted, emotionally drained, or just don’t feel like it, keep on running.

As our District Superintendent, Pastor Steve Harris, shared with us the first night we met with him concerning our transition (nearly six months ago): “This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”

The greatest thing is we’re not running alone!  He is with us every step of the way—and our hope in Him gives us the strength to keep on running:

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

We’ll see you at the finish line.

- Tim Schalick