Daniel Ausbun
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15 Truths in 15 Years

4/17/2020

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Today is 15 consecutive years as a pastor. Two churches, 15 years. I'm typing this in one of the most unique seasons - COVID-19 has created nationwide stay-at-home orders. I've become an internet preacher. The online audience is now the primary audience. This year's top 15 are in light of the coronavirus.

Here are 15 truths I believe:

1). Pastoral care continues to be important. Social media serves as an online commercial - folks still appreciate a call, email or text.

2). Online audience is just as important as the physical audience. You're speaking to those watching at home and in the pew.

3). The days of "packed in like sardines" could be over. For the next year or so, folks likely will want to sit one pew away from another worshiper. Months of social distancing will have a lasting impact.

4). Pastors are content creators. Whether it's a sermon, blog post, Facebook story, Instagram picture, or teaching handout - I'm constantly creating content.

5). TV, movies, sports, stock market, politics, video games = total waste of time. I love sports, but have realized I can live without watching Major League Baseball in April. I'll never forget when Andy Stanley was asked about how he had time to write a book. He answered, "I write them while you're watching TV."

6). Globalism is impacting the local church. Laws and events that occur in Europe and Asia, eventually impact people in Lexington, Kentucky. For example, our mission trip to Vermont this summer has been postponed because of the coronavirus. I never would have imagined in January or February, our trip in July wouldn't occur because of a virus that broke out in Wuhan, China.

7). Local missions excites people. Christians love serving their communities. Partnerships with schools, social services, sports teams, and immigrant communities - are all opportunities to meet needs and share the Gospel.

8). It could be July until churches are permitted to meet again. The reopening of the economy will likely come in stages, with churches being opened last.

9). The church's mission is not to create worship services for the lost. The presence of God is what folks find attractive.

10). Shorter becomes better. Alot of folks aren't going to listen to a 45-minute sermon on their laptop or phone. There are likely more distractions while trying to worship at home.

11). Event ministries could struggle - at least for a year or so. People will think twice about getting on a bus, sleeping in bunk beds at camp, and going out to dinner in large groups. The attractional model of church ministry, might not be as attractive.

12). Folks will find comfort in the old hymns of the Christian faith. During times of uncertainty, "How Great Thou Art," "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "Blessed Assurance," and "It Is Well with My Soul" will be songs believers desire to sing.

13). Community is king. What keeps people attached to a local church are relationships. One of the ways our church is creating community - during the month of April, everyone's reading one chapter of Proverbs a day.

14). Online giving is the new offering plate. The 2020 usher doesn't pass a plate, he shares a link online to give.

15). Spiritual disciplines need to be preached and taught as priority. Bible reading, fasting and prayer - believers have more time to grow in these disciplines. Alot of believers are going to emerge stronger from this quarantine.

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14 Days (from Sherri)

4/6/2020

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The coronavirus has an incubation period of 14 days. What if we could see into our future and ascertain that we would acquire this virus and our lives would dramatically change in a 14-day time period? What would we would differently? Would we squirrel away our earthly possessions in our garage to make sure there is plenty. Would we focus inwardly on ourselves and worry about the future; or perhaps focus outwardly so that our appearances to others were pleasing? If we were given 14 days before being hit with a possibly fatal virus that would take us here from earth, what would we reflect on as being the most important matters to invest in?
This question is hard, because I have to internalize it, and look at my own life. Am I investing in what really matters here on earth? Do I spend quality time with my children, do I pray for them daily, do I ask God for discernment, direction and guidance? Do I spend daily time with the Lord and pour over the scriptures to obtain direction? Do I look outside my home at the lost and dying people over this entire nation and globe that do not know the Lord. The hard answer is: not nearly enough.

Instead, I look at what is in front of me and become a Martha. Jesus tells a story about two women He was friends with in Luke 10:38-42. Mary wanted to sit at Jesus’ feet and spend time with Him. Martha wanted to serve. She wanted to make dinner, have the house clean, and make sure everyone was satisfied. Martha became upset with her sister Mary because she felt that she was not properly helping to pull her load of work. But Jesus told Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I have always struggled with this story, because I want to side with Martha. Children must always be bathed, clothes must always be washed, dinners must be cooked, dishes must be put away, crumbs are always on the floor and the list goes on and on. All of these chores must be completed, but if you were given only 14 days on earth what would be most important?

For me this question causes me to shift my focus.

If I was to contract the coronavirus and become deathly ill within a 14-day time period I would want to dive deep into my relationship with God. I would want to spend quality time with my family. I would want to live the most genuine life possible so that others could see God’s love through my actions. I would not want to be known by my children, family and friends as the person who kept a tidy house and looked good. I would want to be known as a person whose fate was sealed by the blood of Jesus with complete assurance.

God has given us a rare gift. He has given us a time period to be still in a normally chaotic and crazy world full of activities and errands. Literally the United States has shut down except for essential workers. What are we doing with this gift of time? Lamentations 3:25-28 states, “The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble. Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 14:27 tells us, “Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Instead of fretting and worrying, watching the news and getting the latest updates through the internet, lets focus on God and the peace He freely provides.

Friends, I challenge you to look at your life and see what is most important. It is estimated that approximately 1 in every 3 people in the United States will contract COVID-19. Will they all be fatal, certainly not. Should would be afraid? God tell us not to fear. Mark 5:36 says, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” But should we consider how we live our lives and what is most important? I would resoundingly answer, “yes.” We are mortals, only given a short time on this earth. We are not promised tomorrow. In the end what is most important? I am challenging myself with this question. What about you?

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