Pastor Phil Sallee

New Beginnings Disciples: Speaking the Message

2010-07-06T14:34:00.000-05:00

New Beginnings Disciples: Speaking the Message: "This week New Beginnings Disciples are studying Acts 16:6-15. Each day we will explore a feature of this passage. This coming Sunday, this p..."

Read the following verses:Answer the following question in the comment section below:

Join the New Beginnings Disciples

2010-02-23T06:24:00.000-06:00

Join the New Beginnings Disciples on the new web log http://newbeginningsdisciples.blogspot.com . Every day we discuss a brief bible study devotional. We seek to transform into the image of Jesus Christ.
Read:

Mark 8:34,

Discipleship is the process God uses to accomplish His transforming work in us. Some define discipleship as the lifelong journey of obedience to Christ that transforms a person’s values and behavior and results in ministry in one’s home, church, and the world.

Answer the following question in the comment section below:

In Mark 8:34, what did Jesus say a disciple must do to follow him? Is this a literal request? If this request is symbolic, what does it symbolize?

Adding a Scripture function to the site.

2010-02-09T16:36:00.004-06:00

Trying this out. I ask the staff to memorize: 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12; Josh.1:8 today.

2010 the year of digital communication

2009-12-31T16:02:00.003-06:00

Things are changing. Are you ready?

New Beginnings Church leadership has anticipated the changes in traditional forms of communication and have been intentionally slow about beginning communicational vehicles which are dying out (printed church newsletters. etc). We still have a first-class weekly bulletin. However, I believe it's days are numbered.

Digital Social Media is a reality. This reality is increasingly important when you consider that communicating the gospel message is our church’s main purpose.

All of us can create documents, notes, status updates, news feeds, and videos that can spread exponentially over the Internet. At New Beginnings Church, every member is encouraged to join the social media revolution and promote Kingdom causes.

If you haven't already started your Facebook and Twitter account, it's only because you have yet to realize the power of this new reality.

We are here to share the good news and good news has never been easier to share. Let me encourage you not to check out on this cultural revolution simply because it is new to you. As a result of your stubbornness you will become increasingly isolated from people who need to hear your story.

What is next for student ministry at New Beginnings?

2008-11-19T17:07:00.002-06:00

I have recently learned that our church was like a majority of other evangelical churches regarding frequent and disruptive Student Ministry leadership transitions. Most churches require more of a full time Student Pastor than they are capable. Subsequently, student pastors either disappoint, burn out, or move on in 2 or 3 years, after having initiated their student ministry program – leaving a vacuum of leadership and volunteer adults scrambling to fill in.

It is my desire to, stop this unfortunate pattern, and ask the parents of students to take responsibility for Student Ministry at New Beginnings (No one is more invested in Student Ministry success than the parents). Only then, should the church hire a Student Pastor based upon the specific needs of the ministry. It is a biblical model. It is a smart model. And it is time to make student ministry something the parents have confidence in.

I wished I had thought of this concept but I learned of it through one of, Church Business Administrator, Terry Langenberg’s network connection. His name is Mark Riddle. Mark has written a book, soon to be published called, “Inside the Mind of a Youth Minister.” It is a good read and very informative and enlightening.

So, the New Beginnings Personnel Committee and the Finance Committee has approved hiring student ministry consultant Mark Riddle of the The Riddle Group to help us.

Terry Langenberg and I met with Mark Riddle on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 for about an hour and a half. We were both impressed and saw how he could help us with this transition. Terry called his references and each were confident that he could help us.

Mark will conduct the following data through:
1 Question - for congregation
Teen Survey
Parent Survey
Stat / History Survey

Mark do the assessment the first three weeks of December. Then He’ll deliver a full report in writing, and in person the week of January 5th.

Sounds interesting? New Beginnings plans, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, to maintain our leadership in Student Ministry for our community. Pray that God will direct our steps for His glory.

CH, CH, CH, Change, Change, Change?

2008-09-04T13:56:00.000-05:00

Churches and mission organizations often approach change in one of two ways. Some pursue change in increments. They go slow. They make small changes over a long period, and though they are changing, such changes are hard to perceive. They seek to change without creating debilitating disruption to their church or organization. Others pursue change in revolutions. They do not believe that they have the time it takes to make incremental changes; change must come now. They are willing to live with the disruption, the confrontation, and the tension that comes from quick and radical change. Sometimes, these two ways to making changes merge into a third way that involves a combination of the two—sometimes changing in increments and sometimes changing dramatically and radically. Comment on making change in light of Bosch, Kuhn, and the present realities in your ministry setting.

Change occurs whether we like it or not. As the Information Age force-feeds new ideas, new methods, new styles, new statistics, new polls, new research (not an exhaustive list), every segment of society must react or be left behind. Church methodology, and worship styles have always a changing product of culture, again, like it or not.

I believe the rate of change should correlate with the context’s ability to tolerate the changes. The motivation for change must be the redemptive plan of God. Should a church change if changing means it would be more effective in evangelism and missions? Absolutely! If this is the case, refusal to change constitutes rebellion.
The New Beginnings Church, where I have been pastor for 13 years, is a fairly new work. I challenged the church to think that change for God’s cause is a honorable Kingdom value. For 13 years now we have valued the creative methods of Rick Warren, Bill, Hybels, Ed Young Jr., Erwin McManus, Marc Driscoll, and the like. We don’t embrace every new method, however, we are open to do whatever we must do to build God’s Kingdom – what ever the costs.

Is the Great Commission Great?

2008-08-25T13:23:00.000-05:00

This week we discuss the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and its relationship to Christian and church practices.

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

In view of Mt. 28:18-20, what are the essential elements of the Great Commission? The following 5 features are essential elements of the Great Commission:

1. Authority – The issue of authority is settled. Every king, kingdom, principality, power, ruler and responsible individual must submit to this commission.
2. Discipleship – Conversion is the first step of regeneration. However, genuine regeneration should be followed up with a discipleship emphasis which results in spiritual growth, transformation and eventual effective service in the Kingdom of God.
3. Baptism – While not essential for salvation, it may be the first step of obedience. Through baptism, a new believer obediently symbolizes and identifies with his new faith and family.
4. Education – Education and discipleship overlap in their emphasis and responsibilities. Genuine transformation ought to be the result as a believer is trained and engaged with the Word of God.
5. Presence – The presence and power of God through the Holy Spirit ought to be a significant feature in the conversion, regeneration, transformation and ministry of every believer.

Effective practices or methodologies for implemented the Great Commission will change depending on the context and culture (i.e.: The Apostles Peter and Paul on the Book of
Acts).

A Christian or church can know they have successfully implemented the Great commission when the pure gospel has been presented as effectively as possible in a given context. Conversion of sinners is the goal, but obedience to the mandate is effective seed planting. God gives the increase.

Is it possible to neglect or revise one of the elements of the Great Commission and still fulfill it? Although neglecting or revising any of the 5 noted essential elements is to be fervently avoided, the Great Commission mandate must compel us to obey at whatever level we can, even if some evangelical contexts reduce opportunity for all of the essential elements.

Olympic Gold

2008-08-18T22:36:00.002-05:00

Athletic people are impressive. Swimmers, runners, gymnasts, even peculiar sports that I never knew were Olympic events are impressive. The Apostle Paul often used illustrations with athletic themes. Physical fetes of athleticism have finite, limited value. But spiritual fetes have infinite, eternal value.

Although most of us will not experience competing in the Olympics, we can make an eternal difference every day. Run the race!

Planning a Wedding

2008-08-13T13:42:00.000-05:00

I am lost in a foriegn country. In this country they speak a different language. They speak of gowns, veils, orchids, lillies, votives, etc.. Even with great effort, I know not of what they speak. What could be I missing? Have I been taken hostage?

Nevertheless, this world has been discovered by many foriegn explorers before me. And no option should be ignored to celebrate this new marriage. Marriage is a metaphor for God's love for the church. Marriage, rightly done, reflects God's character, His love and mercy, His grace and glory, His protection and provision - potential to reflect all of His Godly character.

So plan away. Perfect the plan. Make it beautiful. God deserves our best effort to reflect His attrtibutes to His glory.

Carol's Birthday

2008-08-11T12:33:00.000-05:00

She didn't ask or tell me to write this. I have been married to Carol for 28 years. We have successfully navigated life - good and bad, easy and difficult, young and midlife - together with a secret secular culture is missing.

If a couple will make thier marriage a metaphor for God's love for the church (Ephesians 5:21-31) they will continue to grow deeper in love. This increasingly deeper kind of love grows in spite of life's difficulties. I am crazy in love with my wife. This is not an accident. This is God's plan and promise.

Happy Birthday Carol! I can't wait for the next 28 years.

Back from Fort Worth, Texas

2008-07-26T21:58:00.001-05:00

This was my first week back from my doctoral studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I enjoyed the fellowship with the group of 13 other men from across the world (1 from Africa, 7 from South Korea, 2 from Texas, 2 from Oklahoma, and 1 from Mississippi). We studied the movement of God throughout history.

It was interesting learning how God moved His redemptive plan along shifting the particulars every 300 - 400 years. Since the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (the hinge of history and the single most important event of God's redemptive plan ) God utilizes humanity to spread His gospel (Good News).

Persecution under the Roman Empire.
Eastern Orthodoxy second.
Roman Catholicism third.
Protestant Reformation forth.
The modern era fifth.
And finally the post modern era.

God is soverign and He has and will move His plan to redeem humanity throughout history.

I don't want to miss out on being utilized as God's redemptive plan.

Jill Sallee Graduates Summa Cum Laude from UCO

2008-06-19T00:08:00.000-05:00

Dentist Visit a Pleasure

2008-05-27T12:21:00.001-05:00

I just returned from a dental visit and I couldn't be happier. I asked the dentist to investigate some tooth discomfort to see what the solution might be. Extraction? Filling? Crown? Cap? Bridge? Injection? Pain ad suffering? An evaluation of progressing decay is neccesary to solve the problem. Ingoring an evaluation can cause a small problem to blossom into a full grown crisis. The same it is for our spiritual health. Evaluating the reason for discomfort ad decay can stop small issues frm spiraling into a big crisis. The reason for the succesful office visit today is that no decay was discovered. No pain or crisis in the immediate future. May we experience the divine blessing of spiritual evaluation and renewal.

Graduation Tonight

2008-05-22T21:39:00.000-05:00

What is the best part of a graduation ceremony? The anticipation? The speech? The throwing of the morter boards? No. It is when your imortant person gets their name read publically. Every year each family looks with focussed intensity on the one they came to see as if the entire multitude gathered to see them too. We love our graduating seniors and the time of their departure draws near. If we will, we can get a sense of the feeling God must have had when he sent His Son to become a human. He was certainly proud but also grieving for the looming sacrifice. Congratulations seniors you are in good company.

These are two of the three ladies.

2008-05-20T14:01:00.001-05:00

The Perfect Lunch

2008-05-20T12:55:00.002-05:00

Today I eat Bar-B-Que! I'll be enjoying red meat, smoked flavor and 6 different kinds of sauces. If you think food is what makes lunch perfect you would be mistaken. I am eating with 3 beautiful ladies that I love very much. My mom (Shirley), my wife (Carol), and my daughter (Jill) are joining me for lunch. I am at a place in my life where planning 3 generations to meet with me is a rare treat. The joy of the lunch is the opportunity to see 3 enormously important ladies in my life - interacting, laughing, and loving one another - while I eat bar-b-que!

My son's first double-eagle

2008-03-19T22:15:00.001-05:00

Today on hole 11 at White Hawk Golf Club, Josh Sallee made a double-eagle. He hit a 6 iron 185 yards into the cup. That's my boy!

Big 12 Basketball is FANtastic

2008-01-21T21:37:00.001-06:00

I got to go with some friends to the OSU home basketball game versus Texas tonight. The game is tied at 51. I thought I should send this while the game is still exciting and I didn't want and try to forget the loss. This is a tough year for OSU. Go Pokes!

Another Blessing Sunday

2008-01-20T17:26:00.001-06:00

I just drove past the church on my way to watch the NFC championship with some friends. Can I share some blessings I experienced today? Seeing people who share my excitement about, "Going Big," for God is always a blessing. Praying with people in the middle of a storm or for others who are fresh out of hope is too. Eating lunch with a couple who will have been married 65 years is a blessing. Meeting with a group of men who challenge me to build phase 2 bigger than I was thinking is a blessing too. Blessings are often taken for granted. May we be humble and thankful as we count our blessings.

Come to Costa Rica

2008-01-18T22:20:00.000-06:00

I Love This Guy's Message

2008-01-18T14:41:00.000-06:00

God Tube Video Blog

2008-01-04T11:13:00.001-06:00

First Day of 2008

2008-01-01T19:00:00.000-06:00

Today I was reminded how important it is to focus on the things that matter most. A new day, a new year, the possibilities are exciting. Allow me to direct your thoughts. My daughter gave me some some CD's for Christmas. Both my daughters are good at knowing what music I like and buying it for me. Their selections are usually songs for my era. This was no exception (James Taylor).

I was asked to conduct a funeral for a young lady, 15 years of age, who was tragically killed in an auto accident. Today I met with her parents. We planned an appropriate service. Tough meeting.

On my way to meet with the grieving parents I listened to my new CD. The word's to James Taylor's classic song "Shower the People," seemed more urgent than ever.

"Shower the people you love with love

Show them the way that you feel

Things are gonna be much better if you only will"

Another classic from James Taylor is "Fire and Rain." He sings of his grief for a friend he lost to suicide. the chorus is.

"I've seen fire and I've seen rain

I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end

I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend

But I always thought that I'd see you again"

Lesson? Love people while you still can. Start this new plan today - the first day of 2008 (1 Cor. 13).

Last Day of 2007

2007-12-31T13:06:00.000-06:00

I am exhausted. The writer's strike has caused an outbreak (yes, like infected acne) of reality TV. So the holidays give you more television time to sit and watch train wreck life after train wreck life. To me, the moral and cultural slide in the U.S. is frightening and disheartening. I tire of hearing Christians (like me) whine about these kinds of things - so I'll stop.

We, the salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16), have a big job ahead of us. We must ignore the distractions and focus on being effective ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:11-21). Join me in 2008?

Vacation Not Intended to Miss Ice Storm

2007-12-29T22:50:00.001-06:00

This is a photo of the sunset from the beach in San Clemente, CA. We didn't plan to avoid the ice storm but it happened. It's nice to know that New Beginnings Church has a capable staff that responds well in the face of adversity. Good job team! It is GOD to be home.

Mobile Blogging Now Available

2007-12-29T21:23:00.001-06:00

I think I may be able to blog from my mobile now. Will this help? Time will tell

New Blog Begins

2007-12-29T20:15:00.000-06:00

I recently attended a missions and evangelism conference in Nashville, TN. One of the breakout sessions that I attended was "Evangelism and the Social Media." The discussion emphasized the importance of expanding one's influence through new media opportunities. So I have committed to beginning a blog in 2008. I will be discussing matters of faith, philosophy, theology, and psychology. There will be some links to website I read for information and some I read for fun. I want to create a place where a seeker could explore and examine the claims of Jesus Christ in an anonymous and non-threatening way.