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The Christmas Story Never Gets Old

Has Christmas Become Boring for you?

There is a certain creativity that many pastors and leaders have in their churches. God uses our skills and abilities to cultivate new life in our congregations. The desire for normalcy can sometimes be overshadowed by new and innovative ideas. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you’re trying to find something “new” and “creative” about the Christmas story as you prepare to preach Sunday, I have a word of encouragement for you: just preach the Christmas Story. 

No matter how long you’ve been in ministry, you’ve probably studied it sideways, gleaning new information each time. You’ve exegeted Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, John 1:1-14, the fulfillment of prophecies in Isaiah and Micah, and probably some others. You’ve preached it from the shepherd’s perspective, Mary’s perspective, the angel’s perspective, and maybe even the donkey’s perspective. You’ve focused on characters like Zechariah and Simeon. You’ve pulled out historical context, made parallels to the wise men’s gifts, and had several different titles over the years. You have preached on different biblical topics we find in the story: worship, promises, the gifts, etc. 

You may be tempted to think outside the box: “What can I preach this year that my congregation has NEVER heard before?” But the danger in our creativity is when we feel like the Christmas story has “gotten old.” Much of your congregation has been well versed in the Christmas story from scripture, hymns, and culture during this season. So, for fear of boredom, we might think, “I’m going to do something totally new this year.”

Here is my encouragement to you, dear friend. Don’t let your fear of boredom keep you from seeing the simple miracle of Christmas that never gets old: The Messiah was born of a virgin in a lowly manger in Bethlehem, in fulfillment of age-old prophecies, making salvation possible for all people. There are several aspects of the Christmas story that give fresh beauty to God’s word in light of the gospel.

The Miracle: A virgin carried Jesus to full term and gave birth to him.

This is simply incredible! Biology always fascinated me as a student in school. When we think about the way our bodies reproduce through sexual intercourse, and the miracle of life that develops for 9 months in a protective encasing in the mother’s womb, it all starts with the meeting of sperm and egg. Miraculously, this did not happen with Mary. Jesus truly was the son of God, and Mary was a pure vessel that God miraculously and graciously used to carry the Messiah.  

The virgin birth made possible the salvation of mankind. Without the virgin birth, Jesus would not have been sinless, he would have been born into a sinful nature like the rest of the world. Without Jesus’ being sinless, he could have never died a sacrificial death on the cross. Without his sacrificial death, he couldn’t have provided salvation to all who would trust in him. The virgin birth teaches us to trust in God, because it was no human initiative that brought Jesus. It was a work of God alone.

The Fulfillment of Prophecies: God is Forever Faithful.

There are hundreds of prophecies that point to the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of these are in relation to the Christmas story. Here are just a few that were fulfilled: the manner of his birth, the location of his birth, his name, the meaning of his name, the role of Mary, the blessing he would bring to Abraham’s descendants (and the earth), his genealogy and descendants, the role of John as a companion and messenger, and even allusions to Herod and the wise magi. 

The fulfillment of these prophecies hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth show us that God’s hand was guiding and leading this entire narrative for His great glory! It also proves to us that God is reliable, He is trustworthy, and He is faithful.

The Best Thing about Jesus’ Birth: God with Us.

Here is one of the most beautiful truths we find in scripture. God did not create us and then step back to watch creation unfold and the world disperse into chaos. At first, He partook in His creation by leading us, guiding us, speaking to us in shadows and images. But when the gospels open up, we find, in my opinion, the best thing about Jesus’ birth: God came to be with us. 

He did not speak to his people from a voice from heaven, but in the voice of a human. Jesus left heaven to enter our realm and dwell among us. He grew up, walked, and lived just as we did, yet without sin. Jesus was able to sympathize with our weaknesses by living life in the likeness of human flesh. The angel told Mary that one of the names of Jesus would be Immanuel, which means “God with us.” 

No other religion, no other “god,” or religious leader can say the same. The difference between Christianity and every other religion in the world is the deep love that God had for us, that He did not leave us alone to suffer, but He came and dwelt among us so that we could have a restored relationship with Him: not from any righteous works we perform, but by the one righteous act that Jesus performed.

If you are wondering what to preach, how to lead during this Christmas season, or trying to come up with something “new” and “exciting,” take a moment. Pause. Reflect on this truth: the Christmas Story NEVER gets old. Let’s not forget the wonder of this season and all that it means. 

 

EP 170 – CHRISTMAS IS RUINED (not really)

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EP 170 - CHRISTMAS IS RUINED (not really)
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Merry Christmas Bootcampers!  We know that this time of year can a huge challenge for Pastors/Planters/Replanters-and we want to encourage you, amidst all the hustle to connect with the truth behind our celebrations at Christmas time.

  • Jesus’ birth reminds us of God’s great love
  • The most simple story is also the most profound-Jesus came into the world to save sinners
  • Don’t feel the pressure to be unique-just be clear, the biblical account stands on its own

In all seriousness, we pray you have an incredible Christmas.  We’re thankful for you, Bootcamp listener.

 

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EP 118 – MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BOOTCAMP

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EP 118 - MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BOOTCAMP
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Well, Merry Christmas from the Boot Camp Boys! Cue this short, fun episode up on the way to grandma’s house, the Christmas Cantata or when you are in the basement hiding from the extended family!

Some Highlights include:

Win an echo dot from the Bootcamp!  By the following these three simple steps:

  1. Like the Bootcamp on Socials
  2. Create an FB Post or Tweet about why you love the Bootcamp and mention your favorite Episode
  3. Tag @Replantbootcamp in FB or Twitter

Merry Christmas, even though I’m ashamed of you…..

 

Join us in NOLA, Feb 18-19, for an awesome event, Am I a Replanter?

Get your website in gear for the new year by contacting our great partners at One Eighty Digital, they can get you up in running in no time flat. Tell them the Bootcamp Boys sent you!

 

 

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EP 117 – MANAGING YOUR TIME

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EP 117 - MANAGING YOUR TIME
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Well the boys open up with some fun Christmas banter and then get down to the serious business of talking about Time and Task Management.  Wait….don’t bail out, stick with us and we’ll make it fun for you and, we’ll give you some helpful advice for getting your stuff together for the coming year.

Some helpful things to note:

  • Everyone is different-there is not one cookie cutter approach that works for everyone
  • Let your yes be yes and your no be no – don’t overcommit, over promise and under deliver
  • Working on your time management is worth the time it takes
  • Know the warning signs that you are not managing time well: dropped commitments, missed responsibilities, forgotten appointments, frustrated coworkers/supervisors, lack of overall success and productivity.

Some Principles from Raynor’s book

  1. The word before work-start your day in God’s word!
  2. Let your yes be yes – be a person of integrity.
  3. Dissent from the Kingdom of noise – turn off the news/distractions and other noise.
  4. Prioritize your yes – what really matters?
  5. Eliminate all hurry

What are your time management strategies?  We’d love to hear from you.

While you’re at it save time by connecting with our great partners at  One Eighty Digital, they can help get your church website up and running or consult on a strategic refresh, contact them today and let them know the bootcamp sent you

Here are some helpful resources:

Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor

Getting Things Done by David Allen

Nirvana GTD Software

 

 

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EPISODE #66 – DIEHARD, HANS GRUBER AND CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS

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EPISODE #66 - DIEHARD, HANS GRUBER AND CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS
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In this Christmas edition of the Bootcamp the boys answer the age old question of Die Hard being Christmas movie or not, then they get down to serious business of considering the implications of Jesus being born into the world.

Merry Christmas to you from the Boot Camp boys!

Don’t forget to enter to win your very own Replant Bootcamp black ops hat, get all the scoop here.

Fun Links

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EPISODE #64 – COVID CHRISTMAS OUTREACH

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EPISODE #64 - COVID CHRISTMAS OUTREACH
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Don’t let COVID crash your Christmas plans! Today the guys break down some ways they are considering busting through the COVID19 Blues and making the best of what can be done for outreach at Christmas time. Check this one out for some hope, help and encouragement and of course a few laughs!

How can you make the best of the Covid regulations?

  • Take your context into account-do what you can do, don’t get depressed by what others can do
  • Get creative – but know your limitations
  • Do something rather than doing nothing
  • Consider singing/caroling for those who are homebound
  • You might try a Christmas “Adam” service (the day before Christmas Eve)

But what if you can’t do anything at all? Like no public gathering, no public events etc.

  • Make phone calls to people who are part of your church family
  • Write notes-hand written cards mean a lot. Check out the felt app
  • Consider helping or serving at shelters

You might just have to dust off something that seems like it won’t work, something from the past. We encourage you to try something.  Take your five loaves and two fish and give it to God and see what he will make of it.

Fun Links

Make your Christmas a lot merrier by getting yourself a new church website! Our great sponsors at one eighty digital can hook you up! Tell them the Bootcamp boys sent you.

 

 

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Episode #11 – Thankfulness and Encouragement with Mark Hallock

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Episode #11 - Thankfulness and Encouragement with Mark Hallock
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Mark Hallock Lead Pastor, The Calvary Family of Churches, Englewood Baptist Church

In Replanting you can be thankful that 

  • God has called you to the mission of seeing churches raised from the dead
  • You have been called to preach the word
  • You have been placed in a particular community that needs to hear the gospel

The last thing a church needs is a thankless pastor!

How to cultivate thankfulness

  • Your personal devotion life is key-being in the word everyday.
  • Remember and be amazed at how you have been saved by Jesus!

 The Relentless Encourager by Mark Hallock and Scott Iken

  • Encouragement is a differentiator that makes you want to follow a leader!
  • The warmth and love that is experienced through encouragement creates a response to the one who exhibits it from an authentic life.

Best Hallock Quote of the Show:

“Many of us have encouraging thoughts, but we don’t let those translate into encouraging words. Until encouragement flows from my tongue to your ear it’s not encouragement. It’s just a nice thought that you had that no one is blessed by.”  -Mark Hallock

What keeps us from encouraging others?

  • Lack of intentionality
  • Laziness
  • Pride (especially in leaders)
  • Insecurity

Being an effective leader in a small dying church is different than serving in a large church, this is why warmth, hugs, encouragement and healthy touch are important to bring about a new culture.

In the early days of a Replant-just about everyone is discouraged!  It so important to be an encourager!

 

Notable Quotes from Mark:

“What you bleed as a leader, is what your people will bleed in time.” 

“The culture of a dying church is changed by the encouragement and love of the leader.”

“You can’t fake being a loving encouraging person for long! You need to beg God to make you an encouraging person.”

“The lack of encouragement is robbing you and others of joy!”

“Being an encourager is like Christmas everyday!”

 

Mark’s Children’s book: Our Great God! 

Other books by Mark Hallock