When You Feel Like a Failure or a Loser

By now you have heard me say that GRACE ADVENTURES exists to reach Political, Business and Spiritual leaders for CHRIST. The last few newsletters have emphasized the political thrust. This month I will touch on caring for pastors and missionaries. I care for spiritual leaders. However, many people don’t realize the price leaders pay to carry out their callings. Who shepherds the shepherds? Where can missionaries unload when times are tough?

Consider these statistics:

·         40% of pastors in North America considered leaving the ministry in the past three months.

·         For every 20 pastors who go into the ministry, only one retires from the ministry.

·         1,500 pastors leave ministry for good every month due to burnout, conflict or moral failure.

Why are there so many third degree ministry burns and relational smoke inhalation? I count it a privilege to reach out to numbers of pastors and missionaries, especially those going through trying circumstances and even disasters. These leaders need encouragement to stay in the game. They are not crazy to carry out their calling.

A Failure Conference?

Last month I spent two unique days at an Epic Fail Pastor’s Conference. Who would ever host a FAILURE conference … right? Yet, aren’t most people desperate to talk about their failure? Don’t most need a new theology and definition of success and failure? Isn’t there a need to process fear of failure and a place to let go of being super pastor, superman, and super leader? Shouldn’t conferences stop worshipping at the throne of the world’s definition of success and up the ante on simple devotion and faithfulness to Jesus? So the Epic Fail Conference was … no frills or thrills. Just sacred space ... The undeniable presence of Jesus … Raw stories … Failure experts … and much grace and truth.

The host site was initially going to be the eerie, closed down prison where the film, Shawshank Redemption, was filmed (somewhat fitting, don’t you think). In the end we met in a former church that failed and was bought by the town Bingo enterprise. The cross and steeple were removed and Bingo packed the place. Recently an African American pastor started praying for this building. In fact, he bought it. After scrubbing cigarette smoke off the walls and restoring the cross to prominence, he reopened the church. The house that failed and had Jesus stripped away was restored to a place of hope and inspiration. The winds of the Spirit started to blow again and God saved and restored the lives of people once again. The geographic location of Epic Fail spoke volumes as to what God is up to in leader’s lives. Dry bones can come back to life. Many opened up veins and bled into the microphones.

Stumbling friends of Jesus grieved, but found healing, hope, restoration and intimacy with God. New definitions of ministry success emerge, replacing buildings, bodies and budget size with faithfulness. Vulnerability and brokenness that many regard as weakness get redefined as healthy, courageous and human. Shame from failure can get put off and minds can be renewed in resurrection life.

At the end of the two days this prayer was prayed over us: May all your expectations be frustrated. May all your plans be thwarted. May all your desires be withered into nothingness that you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child and sing and dance in the love of the Father, the Son and the Spirit. Amen.

I concluded the Epic Fail gathering was a success and life transformative. I’m thinking about sponsoring an EPIC FAIL PEOPLE’S retreat in the fall or spring. Any interest? Is this crazy or needed? What do you think, my friends? Do you know any failure experts that have experienced the grace of God, or need too?

It took a few days to get Israel out of Egypt but many years to get Egypt out of Israel. How many people today are captive to some real or imagined failure? It is often easier to release a person from prison than from the prison mindset. The message of GRACE ADVENTURES is that redemption is available through Jesus Christ who says that we can know the truth and the truth will set us free.

Please Pray:

 

·         For the wounded pastors and missionaries I meet with who need grace and encouragement.

·         For many upcoming speaking opportunities.

·         For our state leaders who are in session.  Pray for good contacts with key leaders.

·         Wisdom as I consider putting together my own Epic Fail Retreat in our area to encourage people to experience freedom and redemption.

·         For Donna who carries a huge load in ministry and our lives.

·         That Jesus – the courageous, gracious, truth-filled Jesus of the Bible, is lifted up and people are drawn to Him.

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

It's Really Happening

Michael & US Senator David Vitter

The mission of GRACE ADVENTURES is to reach out to political, business and spiritual leaders, one leader at a time. As much as possible, I am trying to meet with leaders outside of the conventional church arenas. Pastor types have that covered. I’m trusting God for the highways and byways. Unpioneered ground. I want to meet with the seeker, the confused, the left-out, at times the notorious, the up-and-outer, and the influencers … the leaders who most overlook. The open doors are incredible. I’ve spoken to a wide range of professional societies including lawyers, doctors, state representatives, dentists, writers, business and community leaders. The mission to reach leaders is happening especially in two areas:

1.   Discovering Amazing Grace

There is something about GRACE that when you finally get it … it is truly AMAZING. I’m running in mostly non-churchy circles where people have heard about performance, earning, competing and striving. Many know the world works this way and think that God works this way, too. Leaders are hearing, often for the first time, about grace. When the light bulb turns on … it is awesome to behold. Many say, “I’ve never heard that before.” The spiritual buzz I get from seeing this happen never gets old, never is stale. NEVER.

There are sooo many dead leaders running. Great people, yet running on fumes. People empty, yet thirsty. Sometimes leaders are looking in all the wrong places to quench their thirst. When they encounter the ONE who offers living water … it is a new life … a new energy … a new destiny.

                                                                                                     

2.   Discovering a New Calling

Recently I said to a businessman, “Most of the people in the Bible that God used were not pastor types or priests, but business people, farmers, soldiers, government workers, fisherman, IRS guys, etc. You are called to be on the frontlines. You are commissioned.” Stunned. Dazed. He never heard that before, but the light bulb was being lit. I’m seeing this week after week. Leaders are getting it. Fishing or whatever may be an occupation, but the people business is to be our preoccupation.

Acts 1:1 speaks of the things Jesus began to do and teach … implying that there is an unfinished work of Jesus … something He started but didn’t finish. This is not the work of redemption. That’s done. Complete. However, the work of discipleship was started and still needs to be finished. God asks us to partner with Him in the UNFINISHED work of discipleship. If Michelangelo finished his sculpture and said to me, “Done, except Michael, here is the chisel, just chip in the nose.” No way, I would ruin the whole thing. If Rembrandt said, “I’ve finished the portrait … Michael, take the brush and paint in the eyes.” No way. I’d ruin it. Yet, God asks us to partner with Him in discipleship and help Him complete the Commission. I say to leaders, “Why can’t the next five years be our very best run? Can’t we run the race with a sprint and hit the tape one day with gusto? Why should we hobble to the finish line? Why go out with a whimper?” Leaders are getting it and being unleashed. Imagine a full-fledged partnership of envisioned, humble business, spiritual and political leaders who are about the Great Commission and Great Commandments.

Prayer

1.   Pray for the small groups and speaking opportunities that are coming up. Check out the list at Grace Adventures. Three men’s retreats are already scheduled for the fall and two more are possible.

2.   Our state political leaders are in session for the next couple of months. Pray for open doors in Baton Rouge.

3.   Pray for my dad who is recovering from an automobile accident.

4.   Pray I will be bold, courageous and discern what God is doing. Pray this ministry is carried forth by the work of the Spirit and not built upon ego, competition or what can be explained by human ingenuity.

5.   Pray for Donna who carries a huge load in the ministry and in life.

6.   Pray that Jesus, the real Jesus of the Bible, is lifted up and people are drawn to HIM!!

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

P.S.  Pray for our leaders.  Leaders I meet with tell me, “You are the first person who has ever prayed with me or asked me how my family is doing.”

Pinching Myself in 2012

“Devote yourself to prayer … praying … that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ.” (Colossians 4:2-3)

Some of you are PRAYING BIG on our behalf, because God has opened up incredible doors this month. I began the New Year committed to visiting our state leaders, praying with them and offering the opportunity to start a small group Bible study if they were interested. Here’s how I start, “I don’t want one penny from you, I don’t want any favors, I’m not here to tell you how to vote, I don’t have an agenda, and I don’t want to be another pain in your backside.” I tell the leader about Grace Adventures and my conviction that every leader needs to connect to Jesus Christ, the wisdom of the Scriptures, and have a supportive group of friends because if they don’t, leaders often turn into the people they don’t want to be by little rationalizations and slippage. If they don’t have a group, I offer to facilitate one for them. From here I will see what doors God opens. I thank God for:

1.   An opportunity to speak at a retreat for many of our newly elected state officials. When I looked at the invitation, I saw that the speakers listed for the retreat were Gov. Bobby Jindal, Mayor Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans, the head of the New Orleans Hornets and a Senate leader and me. I was pinching myself. Only God. I had an hour to speak to thirty-three of our 105 state representatives about creating space for God and tending to their souls. I used King Solomon as our political case study.

2.   I contacted the Chaplain of the Louisiana House of Representatives about doing an internship with him when the March-May session is in full session in Baton Rouge. He will take my name to the Speaker to inquire about the possibility. PRAY.

3.   I met with a mayor and he desires for me to help him put together a prayer breakfast.

4.   Donna and I participated in the National Prayer Breakfast this past week. What an honor. Jesus is doing things behind the scenes that you would never read about in the paper. On Wednesday night, we had the privilege of having a meal and praying with our United States Senator Vitter. Thursday we got to visit the office of our United States Congressman Steve Scalise and pray with him. Only God. Pray for our leaders. The Bible calls us to do this in 1Timothy 2:1-4. Beyond this, the halls of power are amongst the loneliest anywhere. These leaders have families and needs like all of us. Pray for revival, renewal and 2 Chronicles 7:14. It was fun in Washington to get to meet others like RG3 (Robert Griffin, III, the Baylor Heisman trophy winner in college football), Anne Graham Lotz, political leaders, and to be near the President.

5.   I continue to lead the many weekly Bible studies, meetings with community and business leaders, and encourage missionaries and pastors. Interesting speaking engagements have come like speaking to the literary society, legal society, Impact University, two men’s breakfasts and a men’s retreat. My book DISASTER: Betting the Farm on God in Life’s Storms is opening doors as well.

As you can tell…it has been quite a month. I am still pinching myself. God is good. My desire is to lift Jesus up and see leaders drawn to HIM. I desire to communicate REAL FAITH and not PHONY RELIGIOSITY. I want people to personally know the REAL JESUS. The One who was so compelling and dangerous they had to kill Him. The One who was scandalous, who said outrageous things, who was accused of nearly everything, who was railed against and is the enemy of dead religion. The One who died on old timber 2000 years ago in an obscure part of the world and has impacted everyone’s destiny. The One who is still available for all to know.

How can you pray for us? Pray the Colossians passage at the top of the letter. Pray our ministry will be successful like the rabbit on the left. There is weariness when we slip into performance driven, formula-style, man-centered cravings for success. There is freedom and fruitfulness in abiding in Jesus and letting Him bring real fruit that abides. Jesus is the Adventure, the Life and the Way!!!

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

P.S. I thank God for every one of you. You are partners in ministry and my friends. There is much delight Donna and I experience because of you!!!!!

Check the Grace Adventures website at www.graceadventures.info for current speaking opportunities and Bible studies.

 

Speaking at the Southern Christian Writers Guild

Speaking to the Southern Christian Writers Guild-Part 1&2

2012 Grace Adventures Commission

Scripture COMMISSIONS us to reach leaders with the GOSPEL of GRACE.

• “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear my name before the Gentiles and KINGS and the sons of Israel.” Acts 9:15
• “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers and petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for Kings and all who are in authority…who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  I Timothy 2:1-4
• The Book of Acts-The Ethiopian Eunuch-Treasurer ; Cornelius- the Centurion; Blastus- the King’s Chamberlain; Sergius Paulus-the Roman Provincial Governor; The Philippian Jailer; Dionynius- The Areopagate Judge; Publius-The Governor of Malta; Caesar’s Household.

This ministry to leaders is at the heart of our mission and purpose. GRACE ADVENTURES is intentional about reaching out to political, business and spiritual leaders. Spiritually malnourished leaders will not produce strong communities or a strong nation. The Word of God must go out if we are going to produce strong leaders. Nehemiah’s need Ezra’s to rebuild the foundations in our great land.

2012 Prayer Requests

• Pray for a speaking opportunity at a retreat for incoming state legislators (January 20-21). The topic is Pitfalls of Leadership. I have 50 minutes to address this significant topic for our new government leaders. The other speakers are Governor Jindal, Mayor Landrieu of New Orleans, the leader of the Senate and the head of the Hornets.
• Pray for the opportunity to help lead the Louisiana delegation to the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC on February 2.
• Pray for a wonderful opportunity to return to Forcey Bible Church on February 4^th to speak at their men’s breakfast. All are welcome. Call the church at 301-622-220 to reserve a spot.
• Pray for a new opportunity to speak to January 14th to the Southern Christian Writer’s Guild.
• Praise for continued opportunity to partner with SEARCH ministries.
• Pray boldly with holy anticipation for open doors for new Bible study and conversation with leaders in the area. You never know how God is going to answer, but the promise is He will answer. If God could make an ancient P.O.W. named Daniel Prime Minister of the country that took him prisoner…then God can give favor today.

Thank You Partners

Grace Adventures is almost one year old. I have seen that when God closes a door, He is able to open a bigger and better door. I am going places and meeting people and I say-ONLY GOD. You, too, are on the front lines of life and have been given a Great Commission. These are great days to live, and there are so many people to reach. Don’t give up. Persevere. Every seed sowed counts. God will use you. If there is any way I can partner with you, pray for you, help equip you, suggest materials, speak to your group or church, etc. just let me know!!! Let’s go for it in 2012. 

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Michael, Patricia, Jonathan and Donna, June 2011

What a difference a year makes. At the end of 2010, I was officially unemployed with much uncertainty about the future. 2011 began with the seed of a new calling. GRACE ADVENTURES sprouted with a dedication to reach Political, Business and Spiritual leaders for Jesus, one leader at a time. This ministry is like a tiny, tiny, tiny mustard seed that gets planted in the ground. No one says, “Amen” to a mustard seed. Nobody says, “Yeah, slow organic growth.” So many want the Kingdom style to be swift, forced, visible, and powerful, but Jesus says go with the mustard seed approach, emphasizing slow, steady, stealthy, healthy planting, watering and cultivating. In time the Kingdom bursts forth with fruit 30, 60 or 100 fold. The grand vision is to serve behind the scenes to reach and train up leaders so that these Christ followers from the political, business and spiritual arenas become fruitful in the community.

The Kingdom is Bursting Forth:

·      A political leader recently verbalized he was born again and is now starting a new outreach in the community.

·      A business leader has caught the vision to multiply and asked me to assist him in designing a way to share his faith with his many friends and family.

·      A group of city leaders has caught the message of GRACE and asked me to train them to do evangelism for fruitfulness the rest of their lives.

·      A man’s wife wondered what was different about him. He said, “I think I have Jesus in my life.”

·      A leader who came to his first Bible study ever said, “Can we get together for lunch and talk about Christ?” We did and he committed to getting together one-on-one.

·      A business leader told me, “In the many years of getting together for lunch with people, I’ve never had anyone who didn’t want something from me.” He said, “Michael is the first person not to ask me for anything, but instead he asked, ‘How can I serve you?’”

Michael speaking at Men's Retreat
in Lake Geneva, WI

I thank my God for each of you

I could go on and on. The Kingdom is breaking forth. The Business and Political world is virtually an untapped mission field.  It is amazing. My approach … I make appointments with leaders. I say, “I don’t want one penny from you.  I don’t want to tell you how to vote. I don’t have any agenda. I just want to help you with your soul if you need the help.” The doors are wide open. Many leaders don’t have many people in their lives who don’t want anything from them. I aim to be that person. I am there to care for them and tend for their souls.

Do You Realize that I have only been able to do this because you have prayed and supported the Ministry? You make it possible. You share in the fruit of the Kingdom.  You are an indispensable part of the team. You are valued and appreciated deeply and dearly.  Thank you!



Covington Bible Study

Financial Update

I have not mentioned finances since the ministry first began in January-February.  For a man who has been called “pathetic” at fundraising, God gave us enough to get started. Amen. The core of the ministry has been supported by people making monthly commitments to GRACE ADVENTURES, and this has been supplemented by one-time gifts. I am grateful for your partnership. As I go into 2012, I have monthly commitment for 67% of my needed support, but still need to raise 33%. As a faith-based ministry, I am responsible to raise all of my monthly support.

Please pray for:

·      New monthly commitment to join the team.

·      Those who committed to one year to consider on-going support.

·      End-of-the-year special gifts for special projects.

Two year-end projects for 2012:

·      Funding to minister to pastors and mayors in natural disaster spots with encouragement, hope and awareness that God’s greatest ministry is often done in the midst of crisis.

·      Funding for radio ministry to target the unconnected, irreligious, turned-off-to-religion and introduce them to the real Jesus.

Can You Help with the Needs of Grace Adventures?

·      Prayer Partner

·      Monthly Financial Support to help meet the 2012 need

·      Donate Air Miles to Grace Adventures

·      Know of a church or group you can refer Michael to for preaching, speaking or retreat leading

·      Spread the word about the book, DISASTER: Betting the Farm on God in Life’s Storms

·      You would like help in talking to someone about Jesus.  This is what my ministry is all about!

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael

Are you a Frog or a Lizard?

Isn’t it fascinating how Jesus has His way of turning our callings upside down? William Garrison has helped me clarify my new paradigm, and maybe you will see yourself in this as well. Have you ever noticed how differently frogs and lizards acquire their food? The frog sits and waits for unlucky insects to come to him, and he sticks out his tongue and reels it in. If the lizard sat around like the frog, he’d starve to death...so the lizard goes into the world and hunts.

 The frog in the illustration is the traditional pastor role. He gets a degree and a church and ministry opportunities come to him. He ends up with his hands full. The lizard is a different breed. The lizard is the lay worker. He moves around, builds friendships and shares the hope within. What a great analogy. Sure, we need a few frogs, but most of us are called to be lizards. When lizards catch the vision, they will never totally give the ministry back to the frogs again.

We need to make sure we don’t define ministry in frog terms alone. Frogs need to make sure they don’t steal the show but rather release the lizards to GO. I feel a lot like I’ve moved from being a frog to a lizard. It is exciting to move out of the four walls and go out into the highways and byways. Sometimes, lizards even end up in King’s palaces (Proverbs 30:28). Thus, the ministry of Grace Adventures exists to reach political, business and spiritual leaders, one leader at a time and to equip people to be lizards! How about you? May the lizards (lay people) be unleashed.

PRAISE AND PRAYER

1.   PRAY for upcoming speaking opportunities: Men’s Retreat in Wisconsin, Chiropractic Annual State Conference Prayer meeting, nine ongoing Bible studies, wedding, baby dedication, and Pastor’s Meeting.

2.   PRAY for the Hebert family as their 12-year-old son, Jeremy, was recently taken to Heaven. At the memorial service, many trusted Christ after I shared the parent’s hope and the biblical message of hope. Pray for follow-up. On the day Jeremy died, I was a guest for an hour on a Moody radio program. The host focused the entire program on Jeremy and the topic of suffering. The switchboard lit up and calls came from two families who lost family members to suicide, other calls included a recent miscarriage, divorce and a non-religious hurting seeker. What opportunities to speak about hope to people in all 50 states! 

3.   PRAISE – all the Bible study groups have been transformed from strictly teaching to equipping people in either discipleship or apologetics and outreach. LIZARDS we will be.

4.   PRAISE for outreach to political leaders. God has given a wide open door of opportunity. Everyone I have spoken to has said they want to be in a Bible study. Praise for leaders who have discovered the GRACE PLAN.

5.   PRAY for ministry opportunity to pastors. Their load is great. Pray that I can have a continual ministry of encouragement to Shepherds.

6.   PRAY for the planning of open-forum outreach groups for early next year and the possibility of having a weekly radio program for the community.

7.   PRAY for follow-up from the annual mayor’s prayer breakfast last week. Over 200 leaders were in attendance. There are about 50 response cards to follow-up with.

8.   Pray for Urban Impact as they take next steps to renovate newly purchased property in Central City, New Orleans. This urban ministry is one of the best in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city. Pray for me as I have the new opportunity to serve as Chairman of the Board. Pray for funds to renovate and build.

9.   Pray for Donna and me that we stay focused upon Jesus and maintain a vital connection with Him…pray that nothing interferes with that (John15:1-5). Pray we do not love humanity but men and we do not love Christianity but Christ.

10. My book DISASTER: Betting the Farm on God in Life’s Storms is selling. It opens up doors of opportunity. Let me know what you think. Many are purchasing books for family, friends, and hurting people and as Christmas gifts. If you want to get a book:

a.   If you are out of the area or local and want the book/books mailed to you - $20 will cover the book and shipping costs. Make the checks out to GRACE ADVENTURES and send the request to:  Michael Sprague, 701 Rue Marseille, Mandeville, LA   70471.

b.   If you are local you can pick up the book at a cost of $16.99. I'll have books available at the house and with me while doing ministry.

c.   Books are available at SIMPLE GOODNESS Christian Bookstore in Covington, LA. It can be purchased through Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. I've been told AMAZON takes 60% off the top, so utilize the other options first. The book will be at all the big bookseller's conventions in the fall, so hopefully it will be picked up by some retailers. 

d.   The book will be available for eBook publishing devices such as Kindle, B&N Nook, Microsoft and Sony e-reader, Mobi, Adobe Digital editions, etc. More information to follow.

e.   If you are on Facebook or email…consider sending your friends or church leaders the book trailer to acquaint them with the book. This gets the word out. Many have already done this and it helps. The trailer is found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEoyY2CQyeA 

THE MISSION AND STRATEGY OF GRACE ADVENTURES

The Mission: Reaching and Unleashing Political, Business and Spiritual Leaders for Christ, one leader at a Time (Matthew 22:36-40; 28:19-20)

The Strategy:

A.  Outreach: Communicating Christ in non-threatening, grace-filled situations for those searching for meaningful answers to life’s tough issues 

Open Forums

Business Forums

Outreach Events

Adventure Trips

Beginnings Investigative Study

Explorations

B.  Discipleship: Life on Life ministry either one-on-one or in small groups

Foundations

Other Discipleship 

C. Training: Reproducing Reproducers and equipping for a lifestyle of ministry in ones sphere of influence

Heart for the Harvest Seminar

Questions

Connextions

The Search for Meaning

Short-Term Missions Opportunities

Consulting/Mentoring 

D.  Speaking and Communication 

Preaching

Men’s Retreat

Seminars

Blog and Website

Book - DISASTER: Betting the Farm on God in Life’s Storms 

E.  Strategic Partnerships:  

     TouchGlobal

Urban Impact

SEARCH Ministries

Life Resources

Christian Legal Society

Athletes in Action

National Prayer Breakfast

Local Church/Pastor Partnership

Follower Foundation, Inc.

Betting the Farm on God,

Michael