Pastor Dan’s Blog

Making Room

Tags: giving up, locked, made room, Shunamite

Decade of Lessons

This past Sunday was truly an epic on for CWC San Jose & Milpitas. We linked both campuses through the internet for the State of the Church Address. In a couple months, it will be a full decade that has passed since we planted CWC in San Jose. This past decade has taught me some wonderful lessons that I do not want to have to repeat in this next decade.

 

It has taught me:

 

1.      The Cost Of Vision

Every vision has a price to be paid in order to accomplish it. There is a cost associated with each dream connected to our lives. Our passion must be greater than our desire in order to see the vision achieved.

 

Throughout the word of God we see Moses vision of freedom for his people was paid for by his discomfort by leaving Pharaoh’s palace. Joshua’s vision of leading his people into the promise land was at the cost of Moses, his mentor & friend dying. David’s vision for a temple for God’s presence was at great financial sacrifice and disappointment of someone else accomplishing the task. Jesus vision to save the world came at the cost of humiliation of the cross.

 

We have paid a steep price for the vision for the people of Bay Area. We left the comfort & security of our home & jobs in Manteca. We dealt with the loss of my daughter Jessica following her three year fight with cancer. Even some friendships were affected as a result of the move. Vision has a price.

 

2.      Must Plan For Success

We came to San Jose with the express determination to succeed but we had no plan for what to do after the initial success. We succeeded at planting a service not a church. If a church closes its doors and the surrounding community does not notice, did that church ever really exist?

 

We had not planned to fail however we did not have a phase two to follow our success which was a failure in and of itself. Every new venture we take now is done so with a follow-up plan to capitalize on the success. Success without a succession plan is failure.

 

3.      Preparation Precedes Promotion

This is one of the deepest truths I have come to understand. It is a truth I try to instill in our interns. It is how you prepare that will determine your level of promotion. Opportunity will not wait for you to prepare yourself once it comes knocking at your door. We must practice like a champion if we are to play like one.

 

The one that saves his best sermon, best song, best effort for the big crowds will never have one. We must bring it strong daily or not bring it at all. Like a coach, God is watching our daily preparation and is determining whether or not we are prepared for the promotions He has in store. The promotion to be married, have a child, get a job, become a manager, own your own business, buy  a new car or start a new ministry.

God is first and foremost a steward. He manages the resources of heaven. He will not send blessings someone unprepared to take care or utilize them properly. Stop burying your gift and use it.

 

4.      Lastly, the Goal is BEcome Not To Come.

For the past decade we focused on getting people to church. Each event, illustrated sermon, production or give-away was focused on get people into the doors of a building. Our success or failure was based on the number of butts in the seats not in lives changed.

 

The next decade my goal is to get people to BEcome the church.  Our focus is not on building a great building but building great people (not that there is anything wrong with builds, I would love another one!). Our focus cannot be on getting people into the doors to come to church but to get them to become the church everyday of the week.

 

If we are going to change the world, stands to reason we must be producing world changers.

 

The next decade will truly be a great one with the new campuses started, new churches planted, Life Houses established, people trained and as a result a world changed. We may not be able to change the whole world but you can change the one you live in.

 

Get ready for a great decade!

Tags: become, decade, plan, preparation, vision. price

Breaking Through Barriers

Barriers are every where, on the roads, airports, stadiums, etc. They are designed to stop people or motorist from gaining access to certain restricted areas. Some barriers are temporary, others are permanent. However, the hardest barrier to overcome is not a physical one but a mental one.

 

Prior to May 6^th,1954 the idea of running a sub four minute mile was consider impossible. Many world class runners and athletes attempted the feat only to falter. That is until Roger Bannister turned his greatest disappointment into his biggest triumph.

 

In 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Roger ran in the mile competition and came in fourth, out of medal contention. This was huge dissappointment. It was that defeat that spurred Roger to focus on his quest to be the first man to break the four minute mile barrier. He set a plan, trained with a purpose and set the goal.

 

Being no man had ever accomplish the feat, Roger had to strategize in order to accomplish the goal. So he found two men to serve as his pace runners. These men would be there to set the pace. They would each need to run a half mile under two minutes. Once the first runner finished, the second fresh runner would the set the pace. As long as Roger kept up with them over the one mile course his goal could be reached.

 

We all need pace setters that can help us reach & breakthrough our previous barriers. We cannot run alone nor do we. As we daily read the word of God, find ourselves running this race with pace setters like Paul, Peter, Daniel, Abraham and Elijah. They set the pace to help us break our personal barriers.

 

This historic event took place on 6 May, 1954 at Iffley Road Track in Oxford. It was watched by about 3,000 spectators. The conditions were not perfect with 25 mile an hour winds but Bannister did not allow the conditions to determine his destiny. There will never be perfect conditions to break thorugh a barrier. Two other runners, Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, provided pacing while completing the race. Both went on to establish their own track careers. When the gun had sounded Roger Bannister had become the first man to ever break the four minute mile barrier at a 3:59:4.

 

Since that time, every world class distance runner can run a sub four minute mile. In fact, just 46 days later another runner John Landy broke Roger’s record at 3:57:9.  What was impossible for years, once the barriers were broken, the four minute mile became the standard not the barrier.

 

Every barrier we breakthrough today will become a gateway for the next generation tomorrow. Breakthrough the barriers. Carve new paths. Release new opportunities.

Tags: barriers, breakthrough, pace setters, Roger Bannister, standard

Death Brings Life

50And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

 

51Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.                 ~ Matthew 27:50-53

 

In Matthew 27 record the series of events that happen at the culmination of Jesus suffering. After experiencing the full range of human emotions & sufferings, He lays His trust back in the One who sent Him, His Father.

 

I notice two things even before the resurrection of Christ that are vitally important:

 

First, the death of Christ tore the veil of separation. It totally and unequivocally removed the barrier between man & God. His death paid the price of redemption of all mankind. In the book “Made According To Pattern” the author details the importance of each piece of the tabernacle Moses was instructed to erect. The veil was placed their by God Himself. The death of Christ tore the veil, not the resurrection. It was completed by His death, the resurrection became our bonus! The book states three simple facts regarding the veil:

1.       Tore from Top to Bottom

§          It was act of God from TOP to bottom, man could not have done so

2.       Torn Completely

§          Totally severed, we can walk right in

3.       Not Holes In It

§          So we could just see what is going on in there, God invites us in

 

He could no more remove it because in doing so He would become a transgressor of the very law He Himself instituted. His death therefore fulfilled the law and allowed Him to institute a better covenant called grace.

 

Secondly, when Jesus died on the cross it immediately gave life to saints who had died previously. All these people who had passed away, decayed and forgotten rise from the dead. Simply put, Jesus paid the price of sin for them which meant even those who had died earlier under the penalty of sin were redeemed. He paid for the back taxes of sin!

 

What is even more amazing however, is that the formerly dead stayed in their graves until Jesus resurrected. Jesus dead, not His resurrection brought you life. He died so that we could live. A life however without Christ might as well stay hidden in a tomb.

 

When Jesus rose from the dead three days later, those who had been raised three days earlier then made their way into the city & homes. You see the death of Christ brings life but His resurrection brings purpose. His resurrection makes our lives worth living.

 

Get out of the dark! You were raised from the spiritual death unto life but when you experience His resurrection power in your life, it makes your life purpose filled.

 

Happy Resurrection Day!

Tags: death, life, penalty of sin, resurrection

Story Teller or History Maker

This weekend Pastor Kerri spoke on the double portion mantle that Elisha received from Elijah. It was a powerful revelation about building off of the anointing of the previous generations.

 

At lunch that after noon Kris reminded us that the mantle of Elisha was not claimed as was Elijah’s before him. He went on to explain that due to greed the man whom the mantle should have fallen never received it. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, was stricken with Naaman’s leprosy after his greed prompted him to accept what Elisha had refused.

 

Gehazi returns to prominence in 2 Kings chapter eight when he is in the presence of the King telling stories of Elisha. Pastor Kris explained that Gehazi must have been healed because there is no way a leper would have been allowed in the kings court, much less talking directly to the king.

 

It was then I realized that when men of God do not claim the mantles meant for them they end up as story tellers rather than history makers. Our church pulpits are filled with story tellers. Jesus was a great story teller but His words produced power.

 

Instead of creating history through his own ministry, Gehazi’s greed stole his calling. Even though he was healed from his leprosy, he had no anointing of his own. Our personal success are meaning less if we cannot help reproduce it in the lives of others. When we lack anointing of the Holy Spirit we are relegated to becoming story tellers of what God use to do rather than showing people what He can STILL do.  

 

I don’t want to be a story teller. I don’t want my legacy to be of a good speaker who lacked the power behind the words. It is not enough to fill the pulpits of today’s churches with tape recorders of what God did in days gone by. Our cities are crying out for an Elijah & Elisha who would display the power of God at a new level. Can we move from discourse to display?

 

Are you a story teller or history maker?

Tags: history maker, Kerri Smith, Kris Vallotton, mantle, story teller, unclaimed

Thank You!

Wow what a weekend.

 

Kris Vallotton was his normal overwhelming self.

Pastor Kerri hit it out of the park (I don’t think it has landed yet).

Napoleon Kaufman took it to the house.

Jake Hamilton & his crew prophesied to our hearts through song.

 

Those are the people you saw on stage but what really made this event successful was the people behind the scenes. Our 3^rd Realm team led by Minister Catalina Lopez was nothing short of phenomenal. Along with her leadership team (Minister Julie Grimes & Greg & Dedra Card) and team members, they handled the details to ensure the event was both professional & enjoyable. Great job 3^rd Realm!

 

Our interns, you served with dedication and passion. You were the type of host that make people want to return home. Your tireless commitment has not gone unseen both on earth & in heaven.

 

To Bill Belaski, thank you for you tireless efforts. You drove back & forth all weekend just to make sure the singers & speakers could be heard clearly. Your ministry of sound help create an atmosphere from heaven.

 

My staff was incredible. Pastor Matt’s graphic design, video & web management were incredible. You are amazing! Pastor Nick, you and your teams prepared the facilities, sound & tech like the pros. Along with Master’s Commission you guys made a difficult task extremely manageable. Thank you guys rock! Minister Rhonda Falcone you handle everything that no one saw but would have noticed if they had not been done. The conference packets, green rooms, hotel reservations and such you oversaw with brilliance. Your attention to detail made this conference shine. Minister Jim, special thanks for coming in when no one was around to ensure a leak didn’t become a flood.

 

Lastly, to my wife. Babe, you administrated the whole event flawlessly. You ensured we stayed within budget and still made sure it looked like no expense was spared. You were our problem solver and MacGyver. You were the jack of all trades but you truly mastered them all! Thank you!

 

There are so many who helped. Too many to mention. Each one sacrificed from Yolanda to Minister Jennie to make this happen. Each one of you placed your heart print on this event to make it special. You have raised the bar high. It is going to be hard to top this one but we will try next year!

 

I am so proud of you all.

 

Con Mucho Amor!

 

PD

Tags: THANK YOU

I’m Not Being Fed!

“I am not getting fed!” is one of the most common reasons people have told me that they have left their respective churches. Although seemingly sincere, they are greatly mistaken. This excuse drives me crazy both as a pastor & as a part time chef (if only for my family).

 

You see when my children were small; their cries let us know when it was feeding time. They were babies. That is how a baby communicates. They could not articulate their hunger so a piercing cry was released to secure our attention. So we feed them.

 

As they matured we would still feed them but they would help. At times they didn’t feel like eating but as their parents we understood the importance of their nutrition so we would coheres them into eating. I would make airplane or car sounds as the spoon of creamed peas made its way toward their mouths. They focused on the experience and opened their mouths to receive what they needed. When they helped they got more food on their face than in their mouths but they were learning.

 

As teenagers & young adults now, they know how to feed themselves. I do not feed my children. I provide a meal but it is up to them to eat it. Even the Shepherd in Psalms 23 only leads us to “green pastures and besides still waters” it is up to the individual to eat & drink. To suggest that it is your pastor’s responsibility to feed you is ridiculous, if you are a mature believer.

 

The key is a mature believer. If a new believer is not being feed it is in my humble opinion “spiritual child” endangerment and the child should be removed from their custody. It is like a partial birth abortion if we do not provide the nourishment necessary for new babes in Christ to develop. So let’s make this very clear, these are not the one’s I am speaking of.

 

As unsightly as it would be to feed a 40 year old man in a diaper sitting in a high chair that is completely healthy & of sound mind, that is exactly what we see in many churches across the globe. People who should be teachers still crying out for the bottle. Pastors are too busy changing the diapers of crying saints, to have the vision to change the world.

 

Sunday morning is not feeding time, it is recipe time. You come to church to find out various ways to prepare your meal for that week. I am to teach you cooking techniques so you can feed yourself!  My job is to equip you and to make you hungrier for the things of God. I am here to make you hungry, not feed you! You cannot rely on a once a week, manna from heaven meal to sustain or nourish you. That is why journaling is so important, Bible studies, CWC Bible Institute & cell groups are available.

 

Hey, do me a favor, if you leave a church & come to ours or you leave ours to go to another (if you are a mature believer) don’t ever tell me you came or you left because you weren’t being feed! (Unless you want to be Bible slapped)

Tags: Feed, Hungry, Maturity, New Believer

Eyes Wide Shut

I was at a conference this past week where I was asked to pray for the prodigal sons to return home. There was a heavy anointing in the auditorium. The altars were packed with people seeking a breakthrough.

 

As I took the microphone, the image of a father intently gazing over the horizon came to my mind. The true hero of the story of the lost son was the Father. He was the only consistent character. I can image him daily looking, hoping for the return of his son.

 

The Lord quickened my spirit and spoke to my heart that many prodigals have started on their way home only to have second thoughts and turn around when they got close to home. You see, the sons want to return but it takes an open eye of a father to lead them home. The father ran to him just in case he had second thoughts. There was no turning away because he had a father who was looking for him.

 

The parable is one of three that focuses on lost things; a coin, a sheep & a son. In each story there was somebody seeking that which was lost. As spiritual fathers over this generation we must open our eyes to see the sons who want to come home. They are everywhere. They just need a father to see them & bring them home.

 

The old saying applies, “Why are you running from God . . . all He is going to do is love you when He catches you!”

Tags: Fathers, Lost, Prodigal, Son

Know Then Grow

The book of Luke tells the story of the young boy Jesus delaying in the Jerusalem temple while his parents started their journey home. A day into the journey they realize Jesus is not in the company that they are traveling with. In a panic they search frantically to find him. When they finally do find Him, He is sitting amongst the teachers asking & answering questions.

 

Just because Jesus was without sin did not mean He never got in trouble. When approached by His parents as to why He would do that to them He simply replies, “Why are you panicking, you should have known that I’d be in my Father’s house.”

 

His answer was simple, this is my purpose. Named Jesus, as instructed by the Angel to Joseph, He was reminded daily of His purpose each time His parents called His name. Jesus meant “savior”. Every mention of His name reinforced His purpose on earth. Imagine as a child already knowing your God given purpose. Jesus’ greatness lied in His ability to identify & embrace His purpose at an early age.

 

What if we instilled the identity & purpose into our children at an early age? What if we released daily prophetic declarations over their lives? Declaring what God intended them to be not what we see. If we do so to our husbands, wives, children, family, friend, co-workers and even enemies we can release them to live their purpose.

 

The kicker is in Luke 2:52, upon knowing His purpose Jesus grows in wisdom & stature, favor with God & favor with man. There is a divine connection between knowing your purpose and growing. You see we don’t grow first then establish our purpose, we acknowledge our purpose then we grow. Purpose promotes growth. Growth does not promote purpose. When you know your purpose it will provide the motivation to grow.

 

Know then grow.

Tags: growth, identity, purpose

Take A Stance On Your Circumstance

Have you ever hung out with people who are just drama? I mean they live from crisis to crisis. There is always a storm in their lives. One circumstance is always followed by another.

 

The Lord loves us so much that sometimes He allows those trials in our lives just to keep us close to Him. Like a shepherd who breaks the leg of a lamb to keep him close, the Lord allows crisis in our lives to keep us close to Him. It kind of reminds me of Gideon.

 

Here is a man who is taking cover when he should be taking over. The Angel of the Lord declares to him not what he is right now but what God intended him to become when he addresses him as “Mighty warrior”. I am sure a warrior was the last thing Gideon was feeling like as he threshed wheat inside the winepress, let alone a mighty one.

 

This declaration is followed by a list of circumstances that he was facing. The Angel of the Lord never disagrees with his troubles but challenges Gideon to change his stance in his circumstance. You see the problem was not the circumstance; it was Gideon’s stance on the circumstance.

 

The focus should not have been on the problem but on the solution. The Midianites were a symptom of the problem, idolatry was the problem. Gideon, according to the Angel of the Lord, the pre-incarnate Christ, was the solution. Gideon was the solution to the problem. It was inside of him. God had made him a mighty warrior but it was up to him to release it.

 

Today, focus not on the circumstance but on your stance. How you stand during times of struggle will determine your success. That is why Paul states, “After doing all you can to stand, stand.” Our stance can set a nation free.

Tags: challenges, circumstance, Gideon, problem, solution