Man, I have so many thoughts running through my mind! God is doing so much in our church and it is rocking my world! I am humbled to have the opportunity to do life with such a great group of people.
Yesterday I simply tried to share my heart about where we are as a church and where I see the Lord leading us. I don't know why, but I was really nervous! That's weird. The more I thought about it, I think the nervousness was the tension I feel every moment of my life over where we are versus where God is calling us.
I know for some that might seem crazy, but I live with this aching feeling that people are dying and going to an eternity separated from God! That tears me up! Just to think about OU's stadium being filled to capacity and that number representing the amount of people in Norman alone that don't know God. WOW! It messes with me.
I appreciated everyone's encouragement yesterday. It feels good to lead an organization with a massive group of people that are willing to surrender to something bigger! God is honoring that in a BIG TIME way!
I look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks and months about what God is doing to help us in some areas of weakness. I love that God has given us a team that is capable of chasing after the dream hard!
You are an incredible church!
WOW! I was out of town yesterday, so I didn't get to see your message yet (still waiting on it to be uploaded on the website). You are really coming down hard on that one person that left negative feedback. Why not focus on all the POSITIVE remarks you got? For some reason, our leaders really have a problem accepting criticism, either constructive or destructive. "How can someone be so stinkin selfish" you ask...why do you have to be so stinkin defensive? Lighten up a bit, rise above it, Clark!
Posted by: Joe Visitor | November 03, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Clark: You talk about ministering to adults and then get hostile when adults tell you what they need. Your "talks" are getting more and more shallow - you seem to think the church is something like an Amway oranization where you need to continually grow your network instead of a place for people to come and be fed on the word. I think your hostility stems from the fact that you are an uneducated youth minister that is in way over his head. Get into the word, "study to show yourself approved, a workman rightly dividing the word of truth". Read books on theology instead of books about how to be a leader of some sort of "organization".
Posted by: Hungry Too | November 03, 2008 at 02:37 PM
You folks are big and brave. you call out Clark but you have to hide behind the anonymity of ficticious names like a little kid. that is offensive by any standard.
i don't pretend to speak for the church nor Clark, but you guys need to find another church. you think he enjoys talking about the church finances? i assure you not. does he step on our toes? absolutely. but that's our fault. additionally, we need to know as a church where we are a few times every year.
if you are not 'fed' enough, buy a bible. the church was not created to be your sole source.
Posted by: David Little | November 03, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Apparently, the Nov 3 posts from "Hungry Too" and myself really hit a nerve as later this week, the original "Brain Dump" blog entry by Clark was edited, and all the negative references to the "selfish pig" member has since been removed. The comments from both of us are merited. And now, Hungry Too is being attacked by the recent daily blogs by Clark (does this remind you of the Obama campaigns unmerited assaults on Joe the Plumber???)
I wasn't criticizing Clark's messages, I enjoy Clark's messages and respect him a lot!! I was just pointing out that he seemed to grossly overreact to a member's comments and take it way too personal. Journey staff really needs to get off of their pedestal and learn that they are not beyond reproach. Feedback is not always positive and warm and fuzzy. Sometimes it is negative, but sometimes it's the truth and we need to hear it!
Clark's comments were so out of line and unfair to the member that he labeled as "so selfish and a pig"! We look up to our pastors to exemplify the love of God, and Clark's attack on that member was definitely not an example of God's love for his people. I understand that our pastors are not perfect, and I forgive Clark for his rude comments on his blog, but I do think a public apology to the selfish pig is definitely in order.
(FYI to David Little...my name is Joseph David, so why is that anonymous?)
Posted by: Joe Visitor | November 07, 2008 at 06:54 PM