Posts by Scott Shoopman
Unloved
As God continues to move through The Bridge Church to heal and restore the hearts of men and women, I thought this video would be a great reminder. Breathe in Grace, breathe out Grace…
Enjoy.
Read MoreConnected?
How connected are you?
I am not talking about the connectedness that is typically associated with career advancement, I am thinking more along the lines of a connected group of people that will support and encourage, strengthen and sharpen, but also weep and pray – with you.
There is a fundamental difference in these two types of community. The career community is typically a marketplace for favors. You engage in a “relationship” for the purpose of networking – for the mutual benefit of both your career and the career of the person(s) within the community. If there is little career benefit from a relationship in this community, it is typically left to fade away. Nothing wrong with this arrangement, it is actually “good business practice”, but we need to recognize the difference from a biblical community.
True biblical community focuses on the whole person. It can be a type of networking, even into a business arena, but that is not the main function. We are to provide a “safe” haven for those in community with us. A place to open our lives in front of other people with the assumption that Grace will be extended and unconditional love will be given. This is a place where we learn how to grow in areas of our lives that most “communities” cannot provide any wisdom. That is not their design or function.
Why do I point this out? Simple. If you are not in a House Group you are missing what could be a life-saving community. In my opinion, this should take priority over other communities that may exist in your life. Consider it a type of life insurance – what would you do if…
I know this probably sounds “over-the-top” and just what you would expect from the Connections Pastor, but seriously – where would you turn during the darkest times of a life? Do you have the community around you to weather the storm? There are many stories just within The Bridge where people will tell you how important these communities can be, just ask around – I dare ya!
Get connected…
scott shoopman
Read MoreVital Factors
I have been (slowly) reading a book called “Vital Factors” by Lee Froschheiser and Paul Chutkow. The book contains stories about people in business using a process called “MAP” or management action programs. The book is a great read for a business book and has many ideals that are applicable to everyday life. The catch-phrase on the book cover claims “The Secret to Transforming Your Business – And Your Life” and the stories inside have proven this to be true for a variety of people, businesses and careers.
Without trying to summarize the book for you, let me provide one concept of the MAP system. Focus on the “Vital Few” and ignore or manage the “Trivial Many”. Sounds simple, and it is to a degree, but the genius is in defining the Vital Few. These are the “things” that create the results we desire – whether in business, home, or church – these Vital Few are components of success.
In business, one of the Vital Few may be to monitor and control expenses to maximize profit (truthfully, I have not finished the book, so this may not drill deep enough, but you get the idea). For home-life it may be “time” – focused, intentional energy on those in our home. But here is the question I want to pose to YOU -
What would you consider a “Vital Few” element of the church and/or The Bridge?
scott shoopman
connections pastor
The Bridge Church
Read MoreEquip for Discipleship
I am going to steal some of Josh’s thunder and blog about tonight’s Equip class!!
First, WOW!!! The presenters/teachers did a fabulous job with the VERY short time frame they were asked to work within. For a 2 hour “class” the time seemed more like 45 minutes at the most. The material was packed full of great advice and practical insights as well and challenging us to a higher level. Christopher Stedman said that one of the greatest things about tonight was the amount of material we were able to take with us to continue to unpack after the class – Great insight and so very true!
Thank you to Josh Howerton, Rick Howerton, John Howard and Eva Howard for investing in The Bridge family.
One insight that I had personally reinforced this evening for me personally has been on my mind for a couple of weeks. I need more personal time with Jesus.
My work is virtually all within a ministry context. Connections Pastor, Warehouse Manager for World Vision, Trainer for LifeWay and Real Estate. Well, not as much in the RE world, but you get my drift. It is WAAAAYYYYY too easy for me to let my personal relationship with Jesus slip into a “trellis” type of relationship instead of tending the “vine” as Jesus has explained in John 15:5; “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
All the “stuff” I do is great for the Kingdom and probably counts as “good works” for me. BUT – the works do not improve my relationship with Jesus anymore than mowing the grass helps my relationship with Marianne. It is a “good work”, but if all I did toward our relationship was do “stuff”, our marriage would suffer greatly. Conversely, if I did not do any “stuff” I don’t think Marianne would fall deeply in love with me as everything around us continued to decay. As Josh often says, the answer is often in the middle…
Balance = continue the “good works” but spend more time with just the two of us, Jesus and me, heart to heart.
Read MoreMercy
Recently, I started working for a company (Williams & Associates) that supplies the management for a warehouse for World Vision. So, I am working part-time managing a World Vision warehouse in Franklin – and loving it! It’s like God ordained my life’s experiences to culminate into this job. I have learned much about World Vision in a short period of time and am amazed at the depth of their commitment to the world’s poor and marginalized.
Rich Stearns, the CEO of World Vision, has written a book called, “The Hole in Our Gospel”. In this book, he details the events leading up to his acceptance of the position at World Vision. Reading this book, I cannot help but think of Susan Howerton (Our Missions Minister), her gift of Mercy and her “heart for missions”. I have known Susan for 7 years – since I started at The Bridge. Immediately, I knew that Susan’s heart was Missionally minded and throughout the years, I have often commented how I just didn’t SEE the needs like Susan. Susan is simply “gifted” in this area. My level of Mercy is on the low end of the scale… True, she is Missionally minded, but this week I read a passage quite differently than I have ever read.
Yesterday I read a viewpoint from Rich Stearns about the “Good Samaritan” (click here) that really took me out at the knees. The way the Priest and Levite acted toward the wounded man, is too much like the way I have viewed the “needy” in my world. Have I walked to the opposite side of the road so I wouldn’t have to see the need? Is the simple fact of being intentional of extending mercy to our “neighbor” so hard to adopt?
World Vision does great work around the world caring for the poor and marginalized. Susan Howerton has the heart of World Vision and lives a life worthy of the “Good Samaritan”.
Thank you Susan for your example of missional living and self-less devotion to Jesus.
Read MoreMore Information
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