If you are of the older generations alive today and were asked for descriptive words of the youngest generations today, what words come to mind? Likewise, if you of the younger generations today were asked for descriptive words of the older generations, what words would you use? Were most of your words negative or positive?

Unfortunately, for far too many people, when thinking of other generations we tend to focus on the negative and we categorize an entire generation (fifty-seventy thousand people) as a whole. “Old, curmudgeon, stuck in their ways.” or “Lazy, ungrateful, entitlement attitude.” Why is it we lean to finding the negative in other generations? Would we not be better off focusing on the positives, the things we have in common and the positive traits of others that may be lacking in ourselves?

Indeed, we would! We need to take the time to understand other generations who may have different thoughts, opinions, and practices. Perhaps the first idea to eliminate is that every person in a particular generation is a clone with all bad traits. Each person in every generation is a unique individual created by the God of the universe to live today in this particular nation, state, and local community for a purpose.

Once we understand this, we should strive with great effort to employ the greatest avenue of understanding others – through genuine relationship. It is only through relationships that you and I can understand each other in our uniqueness. God created us this way and He has placed people of different generations in your life to assist you and for you to assist them, in learning and in life.

As the church we must understand that truth (God’s Word) is best understood in relationship. God created us this way and demonstrated it for us. God Himself came down from the splendidness of heaven to walk among us first in the garden of Eden, and ultimately as Christ, the Messiah, kinsman redeemer.

He could have sent an angel or other messenger, but God created us for relationship. Jesus came in human form to live among us so that we could know the intimacy of a relationship with the God of the universe. Jesus lived life with His Disciples and others. He ate with them, walked with them, went to the market, prayed, attended church services with them. Jesus lived life in relationship with His Disciples and others so that we could all understand loving relationships.

God’s principle remains today, truth is best learned and sustained through relationship. You and I must relationally commit to passing on truth to other generations through our daily interactions with those around us, bringing them into the fold of life and introducing them to God’s truths through loving relationships. We each must teach, practice, and personify God’s truth through fostering new relationships with people of various generations. How will you lovingly practice God’s truth in fostering relationships that please God with other generational people in your life?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

A young man in his early thirties walked up to a pool one day. When he arrived, more than 300 people were already sitting, laying around the pool. This was not a pool of pleasure and enjoyment. This was known as a pool of healing, its proper name, The Pool of Bethesda. The young man was Jesus. He was on a mission that day, a lesson was to be learned by everyone in Jerusalem and for us today.

Jesus is part of the Triune Godhead. He is God. Jesus could have spoken the words and everyone there that day would’ve been healed. Instead, His focus was on one man, one man who had been paralyzed, unable to walk for thirty-eight years. The gospel of John tells the story in chapter five.

In verse six, Jesus asked the paralyzed man a question, a very simple, straight-forward question. “Do you want to get well?” If you had a cold, or something as debilitation as cancer or diabetes and someone asked you that question what would you say? Of course we all want to be well, we want to be rid of any ailment. Yet, this man on this day, does not answer the question posed by Jesus.

Instead, He says, “Sir, I don’t have anyone to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” What was he doing? He was making excuses, much like we do today. For years I thought that was it, he was simply making excuses, and I could relate that to many in the church today. As I was preparing to share with a church last week, I realized it was not only excuses. The paralytic man was making excuses because he could not see beyond the obstacles in front of him.

He did not answer the question because he could not see God’s provision standing in front of him. In the next verse we see Jesus’ response. He did not coddle, sympathize, or empathize with the man. Jesus again straight-forward gives a command. “Get up. Take up your mat and walk.” If you’ve ever had surgery or had your leg in a cast for several weeks, you know it takes time to regain strength to walk. This man had not been able to walk for 38 years, yet he immediately stood straight up – without help, then bent over (another impossibility) and picked up his mat and walked away from the pool.

Jesus looked right past the man’s words and watched for his actions. Today, we make excuses often because we cannot see beyond the obstacles in front of us. “We don’t have enough people or money.” Or “We’re all too old.” If you believe in the God of creation then you should know He is the God who can overcome all obstacles and provide exactly what we need. It’s not your words, but your actions that prove your faith commitment.

Today, what will your prayer consist of asking for God’s forgiveness for the obstacles that you have focused on, keeping you from seeing God’s miraculous victory in your life and the life of your church?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

While most students and adults today seem outwardly happy, happiness is always fleeting. Happiness comes from outside influences and is never lasting. A compliment or gift may bring you happiness, but that happiness will soon fade, leaving an emptiness.  Then we must go searching for something to fill the void. Therefore, searching for happiness is a continuous process. Searching for happiness can bring disappointment and loneliness.

Recent studies have revealed an increasing health crisis, especially in Generation Z (GenZ born 1997-2012). Partly due to technology and instant gratification coupled with an ingrained belief that individualism is the highest certainty (authority) strips people of many needed, well-balanced mental processes. Individualism leads to loneliness.

“Gen Zers have been raised in an age in which speed and convenience rule the day.” Not only GenZ, but many of all our generations today expect instantaneous delivery of every aspect of life, our food, shopping experiences, music, even our healthcare. In the past the attention span of young children was estimated at one minute for every year of age, a five year old can only focus on any one thing for five minutes.

With the speed and convenience of today’s technology, studies show Gen Zers (13-28 yr old) average attention span is eight seconds. Television, the internet, and other venues have designed programming that has shortened attention spans of all age groups. Short attention spans demands more choices, more options, more, more, more, which leads to loneliness.

We know loneliness leads to depression and unnecessary angst. We do not need more studies revealing what we can see all around us everyday, lonely people, more and more on anti-depressants and other drugs. What we as the church need is to help move people from the endless chase for happiness to the pursuit of true Joy.

 While happiness stems from outside circumstances, true joy comes only from God. God’s Joy, the only true lasting joy comes from within, a God-given attribute that fulfills and sustains even in times of struggle. His Joy is not fleeting and will never fade.

Joy comes from God, and it comes through us turning loose of self-desires to serving others without expectation of reciprocity (nothing in return). As the church, the people of God, we must practice and lead others in practicing Joy. Practicing our God-given Joy requires practicing humility, and a gratefulness for this moment we have been given to live in today.

While we are each created as a unique individual, individualism that says I am the highest authority, places a person and a society on a direct collision course with the God of the universe. It is detrimental to an individual and to society. We the church, God’s people, have an understanding of the answer. Will we, will you as an individual, choose practicing God’s gift of Joy by serving and helping others with no expectation of getting anything in return? How will you commit to teaching and leading others to do the same?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

Every Bible study small group should have one. Yet, many people in churches have no clue what a Ministry List is, nor have they heard of one. It is not a list of ministries. As I travel working with churches I seek to find out if the Bible study classes (Sunday School or other) take attendance, make a head count, or do nothing at all. Some people believe that taking attendance is a relic from the past and not necessary today. Others believe it may be okay for children’s classes but not for adults. Rarely is it ever considered that not taking attendance could be part of the cause of the decline in many of our churches today.

A ministry list should be present in every Bible study class. A ministry list is not only for taking attendance, it has many discipleship benefits for the class and each individual.

Minister To & With When your name appears on the Ministry List of a small group Bible study, you are agreeing to Minister To and With every person on that list. A ministry list is not only for one person to place a check mark in front of the names of all present. It is a list of everyone we agree to minister To in our group and that we also agree to carry out active ministry endeavors with, to others inside the church, community and around worldwide.

A second benefit is that disciple maturity comes through ministering & fellowshipping together. With a ministry list you can ensure that everyone is at least invited to serve together in ministry projects. We grow together in relationships and in spirituality when we serve together putting into practice what we study in our Bible study group.

Lessens the chance of Someone Falling through the Cracks A third benefit of a ministry list is it lessens the chance of someone falling through the cracks. With a ministry list in place and maintained properly, you can eliminate speculative conversations concerning absentees.

Not only for keeping up with and caring for absentees, a ministry list can assist the class in making sure no one is left out of planning or participating in class activities, caring for others, or class get-togethers. Too often those quiet or fringe people never get asked or included in participation in things he/she might enjoy and may have a special giftedness.

Gives Everyone Opportunity to Serve Tied in with the other benefits is the fact that a Ministry List gives everyone a place to serve and grow. If your name is on that list, you have agreed to minister To and With every other person on that list. Each person has gifts, talents, and treasures to offer. Not any one person has been called or gifted to meet every need or to respond in every situation. Yet, in your small group, there is someone gifted with meeting individual needs as they arise.

What will it take to activate a true Ministry list for your group(s)?

This post is excerpted from an upcoming book on 7 Essentials for every Bible study small group.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

On this Memorial Day I came across this well-known letter from Major Sullivan Ballou to his beloved wife just days before his death. Ballou’s letter captures not only the passion for life and love of family, but also respect for the divine, and spirit of patriotic righteousness that led many men to enlist in times of war in generations past. This is only part of the letter. Please look it up and read its entirety.

Headquarters, Camp Clark
Washington, D.C., July 14, 1861

My Very Dear Wife:

Indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days, perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write a few lines, that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

Our movement may be one of a few days duration…and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine, O God be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield…, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American civilization now leans upon the triumph of government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution, and I am willing, perfectly willing to lay down all my joys in this life to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.

But, my dear wife, when I know, that with my own joys, I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with care and sorrows, when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it, as their only sustenance, to my dear little children, is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country.

I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night,… I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country and thee.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless. It seems to bind me with mighty cables, that nothing but Omnipotence can break; and yet, my love of country comes over me like a strong wind, and bears me irresistibly on with all those chains, to the battlefield. The memories of all the blissful moments I have spent with you come crowding over me…I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them so long…how hard it is for me to give them up, and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our boys grow up to honorable manhood around us.

I know I have but few claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me, perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, nor that, when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name…

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

Movies have been made, stories have been written, and each one of us could share of personal experiences of poor leadership. Even Jesus’ own Disciples debated of who would come out top of the list of leading for Jesus.

At one point, James and John, brothers, the sons of Zebedee, petitioned Jesus for seats of highest position. Some have said these two even recruited their mother to petition Jesus on their behalf, referring to Matthew 20:20-28. If they did indeed put her up to it, that is pretty low. Either way it shows our desire to be above the rest. The other disciples were caught up in the desire to be “leader of the pack” as well.

One author commented on the exchange this way, “Everybody was caught off guard. Stunned. The commanding General of heaven’s armies looked them in the eyes and made Himself so perfectly clear that not even a child in their midst could have missed the point.”

  “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. ²⁶ It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

Jesus made it clear, Leadership is not about being “the boss”. It is about serving. Leadership is not about lording over someone, it is not about strutting, but about stooping to supply. Leadership is not about demanding from, but caring for.

In this short passage Jesus clarified for us the reality of leadership. He demonstrated this type of leadership for three and a half years.

Leadership is conducted in one of two ways. The first is by fear of punishment. The other is through the art of loving care. One is productive, the other might appear productive, yet not with desired results. Leadership based on love and care will always prove more fruitful and effective.

Too often in the world and in church we miss this tremendous principle of production. We may not realize it but too often we are perceived as strutting around demanding submission rather than stooping into the trenches to show that we care enough to share the workload.

Jesus said of that mindset of control by position, demanding submission, “It shall not be so among you!” Cry out to God asking for the mind of Christ in all your roles of leading and pray for the leaders of your church to be Christ-minded leaders.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

As a child, I heard many sermons, in church three times a week, plus revivals and special meetings. I do not remember most of those, but one that has always stuck with me, though I do not remember who delivered it, Stop Trying, Start Trusting.

Our tendency is to try in our own power what God desires us to trust Him to provide or accomplish. Even in church we see something that we believe God desires and we attempt to do it “our way”.  We don’t wait for God’s direction. “I love God, I know what pleases God, therefore if I go ahead and move forward with the way I think it could be accomplished, then I will please God.”

There is an awful lot of “I’s” in that statement. That is not trusting or waiting on God. God wants and deserves our trust. Yes, it is easier to do what we think would please God, but that is trying in our own power, not allowing God to provide a great learning experience and spiritual growth as He desires.

After forty days in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan three times. Each temptation was an attempt to get Jesus to do something without trusting God the Father for it.

Jesus had been fasting for forty days – without food. No doubt, He was hungry. Satan’s temptation; “Command these stones to become bread.” This is Jesus, God’s Son. He spoke the world into being, certainly He could have turned a few rocks into bread.

Satan’s second temptation for Jesus was, to show Him all the kingdoms of the world and promise to give them to Him. This one to me has always seemed foolish on Satan’s part. Jesus is God, all the kingdoms of earth belong to Him already, though Satan is ruling in this present age.

The third temptation, Satan takes Jesus to the top of the temple and tempts Him to jump off stating God’s angels would not let any harm come to Jesus.

Each one of these temptations was daring Jesus to act in His own power, to turn His back on trusting God. Jesus answered each one with scripture. Each time Jesus was demonstrating for us, teaching us to stop trying on our own to accomplish the things which God desires our trust for His blessing.

Each time you and I act in our own will, trying to do things our way – even good Godly things – we are trying, not trusting God for what He desires for us. How many blessings do you and I miss out on trying instead of trusting?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

Biblical Community, Are You Called to it? Where do you find it? If you consider yourself a Bible believing, Gospel trusting, follower of Jesus Christ, then you must consider yourself a Christian, right? If these things are true of you and you are a Genuine Christian, then you are called to Biblical Community. But what is Biblical Community?

The concept of Biblical Community is predominant to the Christian life. Biblical Community is foundational in the teachings of Jesus Christ and all the writers of the New Testament. In the book of Acts we see the early church – the first Christian believers – in Biblical Community.

Acts chapter one they are in the upper room together for days, praying, living in Biblical Community. In chapter two we read in verses 42-47 of Biblical Community. We see it in Acts chapter 3 & 4 and again in chapter 6, a need is met while living in Biblical Community.

But what is the reality of necessity of Biblical Community today? Biblical community provides a nurturing environment for spiritual growth – discipleship. It is through shared worship, Bible study, and fellowship, believers are encouraged in their own and edifying others in our faith journey.

Not only encouragement, through Biblical Community we find strength and support for living out our God-given purpose daily. God has built within us a desire for relationships. This is where we obtain support, through our relationships. For the believer, Biblical Community is the only place you will ever, in this life, find that needed support.

So, where do you find Biblical Community? In the church? Yes, in a sense, but no matter the size of a worship service, none can fill the innate desire God has placed in your heart. True fulfillment of Biblical Community is only found in relationship fostering in small groups. This is why small group Bible study classes are so imperative to Biblical Community.

Yet, many churches, many Bible study classes, many Sunday Schools, have forgotten or strayed away from Biblical Community. We settle for an hour together, once a week, for Bible study. While Bible study is a huge, intricate part of growing as a Disciple, it is not Biblical Community.

In Acts 2:42-47 we find that Biblical Community extended beyond Bible teaching. They encouraged, supported and cared for one another’s needs. They were ministering to one another. Also, they were sharing with others, outsiders, therefore their numbers were growing – daily, which encouraged every believer even more. They were also praising God, worshipping together. Biblical Community is a complete 7 day a week lifestyle.

How is your Biblical Community? Are you too busy? You need Biblical Community. As a believer, God has called you to Biblical Community. Biblical Community is still as critical today as was the early church. What will you do today to begin praying and studying  about Biblical Community, and engaging in a small Group that truly promotes and lives in Biblical Community?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

You have seen them on theatrical stages and in cartoons. A person standing on a stage in performance, when suddenly they appear to fall through the stage. Reality is a trap door has been triggered to drop the person (character) through the stage floor, disappearing from sight.

There are trap doors in leadership as well. These have engulfed many ministers as well as other leaders. In this article we will look at three.

1, The pursuit of success. We all want to do better, to be “successful” in our work for God. God has indeed planted in each person a desire to succeed. The real issue is not success, but what we do with prospering efforts and outcomes in our lives.

With every small sign of victory in serving God, we must battle the flesh to remain humble, realizing the success is not ours but of God working through us. With each level of fruitful service we are blessed to encounter in life, the more the flesh wants to take credit. “The flesh is never satisfied with our present state of success. We want more. It is easy to become a slave to the pursuit of success – even to the point of stating “we’re doing it for God.”

2, The pursuit of possessions. Growing up I often heard the term, “Keeping up with the Jones’. This was usually spoken of someone trying to outdo their neighbors, attempting to have the newest, biggest of everything, to be the envy of the neighborhood or of the family.

In business and ministry we have a tendency to do the same. Not only ministers, but every believer. We chase after possessions sometimes to the detriment of our witness – and our bank account.

It seems to be a tendency in our society, to chase after more, wanting bigger, better, more. Just a few years ago a 25 inch screen was the norm of all TVs. You had a 19 or 25” screen. Today, it is hard to imagine how one could watch a sporting event on such a small screen. Unless of course you turn the 7” screen on your $1200 phone sideways to watch. We want more, the newest, most advanced of everything.

Unfortunately, this drive has more people living as slaves in a never-ending cycle of debt with no plan of recovery.

3, The pursuit of pleasure. We all desire the good things of life. We desire the opportunities and possessions that bring us pleasure. And like a good dessert, we have a little and we want more and more. We want differing types of this pleasure. The inner self is never satisfied with what we have. What we have leaves us with a longing for more. Pretty soon we are seeking the pleasure, not the will of God.

The first two trapdoors are both tied to this third one. It is a pursuit for happiness and pleasure that lures us from God’s directive and true joy in our lives. God has blessed us with a world of good things that can bring pleasure. Yet, it is our greed that drives us into these never-ending quests for more. More power, more “things”, more pleasure.

What trap doors in your life will you confess to God today to begin your turn around journey to seek the pleasure of His will in your life?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.