Trash Talk

It's everywhere. You see it in the way people dress, the way they take care of their cars and houses. It's become a way of life. We call it keeping it real. But it's really something else.

In today's laid back, casual culture, we've become slothful. In our pursuit of authenticity, we've become authentically lazy. In our attempt to keep it real, we've become real sloppy.

In my travels this summer, I've been amazed by the levels of cleanliness in different churches and ministries. Or I should say the lack of it. I was recently at a facility that has amazing potential. But because it wasn't kept up, it was a far cry from what 1 Corinthians 14:40 says, "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."

We have a responsibility in the Church to maintain a level of cleanliness. And it doesn't take much to ensure that happens.

Take a Regular Trash Tour
Delegation without investigation is merely relegation. So I regularly walk around our church (yes, all 5 campuses) to see what things look like. One thing I look for is signage. We don't allow any signs to be taped to doors, windows or walls. It just looks sloppy. I also look for work spaces that are untidy or cluttered. And if I see something that's sloppy, I make sure it gets corrected.

Don't Think That Excellence Equals Expense
It doesn't cost any money to organize a desk, pick up some trash or tidy up an office. You don't have to have a big budget or large staff to have clean facilities. Every buiding, work space or entryway can glorify God, no matter where your church is or how many resources you have.

Make Sure Everyone Contributes
It doesn't matter what it is, people will trash stuff that isn't theirs. But if you are part of a church, it is your responsibility to contribute to keeping the facilities beautiful. That's especially true for staff members, from the senior leader on down. I learned this lesson a long time ago from my father, who reprimands any staff member who walks by a piece of trash without picking it up. It takes a contribution from everyone to make sure that the buildings and grounds continue to reflect the greatness of God.

If someone walks onto one of Fellowship Church's campuses, I don't want anything to get in the way of them hearing the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. That includes the cleanliness of the environment.

I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. So let me know your experiences with cleanliness (of the lack of it) in the church. And I look forward to hearing your trash talk soon!

Comments

[Angela and Henry Johnson]

I am not sure we are placing these comments in the right place, but the scripture that came to mind for us was, "If you have done it unto the least of these, then you have done it unto me." We love Christ and know at Fellowship that you do too by your love. After going through barrages of layoffs from post 911 (we made it out alive) through June of this year with American Airlines, so many of our financial plans were shattered. We lost our life savings and retirement and with no family or other support, went from making over 200,000 dollars a year in lifelong jobs to having literally no income for almost 1 and a half years now, with both of us out of work. The children have no healthcare or dental care and we take care of my 79 year old mother who is disabled, has high blood pressure, osteoporosis and can barely walk. But, we have never stopped trusting God, tithing, fasting and praying and will begin serving in the ministries again this fall. Our greatest hope in the Lords miraculous work has been through the staff and members at Fellowship. Our 10 year old was able to attend camp and it was the love within the hearts of God's people there that ignited change in our lives. We are so sincerely grateful, words could not even describe our love in return for you. We will be your biggest cheerleaders and supporters for eternity. Keep up the good work, Elohim, Yeshua Yeshiva sees all and will reward you openly.

Love you much,
Sincerely,

The Johnson Family
Flower Mound, TX

[Tara-Leigh]

I was a first time guest at Fellowship in Grapevine yesterday. I can tell you from a "clean freaks" perspective your facility is amazing. Even using the restroom didn't give me that scrub my hands, don't touch anything feeling. For me and others like me, cleanliness adds to the overall church experience.

[Jenna Ryan]

This is really good, and you know what they say... "Cleanliness is next to godliness." I appreciate your call to excellence and practical neatness. Thanks for the nudge in the right direction.

[RT]

A certain youth pastor from a certain church in Melbourne, Australia, was told by the manager of a certain camp facility that Christian youth groups always left the place in a worse state than school groups.

Interesting...

[Vivian]

Ed, it is so amazing how tonight I would read this blog. I just got home from serving and cleaning at our church. We are hosting a district conference and we served a "Mexican Fiesta-themed" meal tonight. After the dinner was over, I cleaned the tables, chairs, and swept the floor. I was hot and tired and questioning why only a handful of people came to help, especially when our church is so big. I guess the sermon on servanthood has not yet sunk in. Anyway, Ed, I think reading your blog was God's way of telling me that He appreciates the efforts of the few who do care and desire to keep God's house clean. Bless you, your family, and your ministry! You make a difference!

[Wes Watson]

It's amazing... when we are disciplined in one area, we tend to be disciplined in others. Pick up a piece of paper on the ground out of discipline and you'll find yourself becoming more disciplined in other areas as well. Very well written Pastor Ed.

[Kevin Walker]

Great post!
This is a BIG TIME pet peeve of mine. I can't stand to see a church be sloppy and unkept. We have to remember - how we keep our church buildings IS a reflection of our commitment to God. That may seem a bit harsh or out there, but in reality it's true - and it certainly is the perception that we give others.

[Mike]

One word - CONVICTING. I and WE need to do better.

[Sue]

Our minister of our church is a bit sloppy. I too feel a clean and tidy environment is the only presentation at a church that is acceptable. I am going to show him your post on Trash Talk, which says it all very well, and...well, it's a start.

[Laura]

I agree 100% and I am so proud to be a part of my church. I heard a message a long time ago when I was a teenager about all thing belonging to God and we are just managers of His property. I have always tried to take care of "my stuff" that way. If have always thought that if you take care of what He has entrusted in you well, He will entrust you with more. I get a little obsessive with it making sure my house and car are perfect at all times. I don't think it is a bad thing.

[GatorGar]

if your looking to volunteer at fellowship, look for the groundskeeper ministry. we do some trash cleaning, flower planting (not my fav), tree trimming..etc etc. great way to keep our church clean and be the example Ed is talking about.

[Steve Caronna]

Hey Ed!
Greetings from Raleigh!
I used this at staff meeting last Thursday to inspire all of us to step up in this area. My hope is that it will filter doen from the staff to the rest of the Church. Thanks!
Steve

[Brandon Johnson]

This is such an important topic! I've attended churches where this was not a big deal and let me tell you, it was frustrating. When my wife and I moved to DFW and began attending FC, we immediately noticed how clean and well maintained the facilities were (at every campus). Now that we're volunteers, we feel obligated to do our part to keep the campus clean. When we see trash, we pick it up. No one asked us to do it but the reality is they didn't have to. It was clear from our first Sunday that FC values a spotlessly clean campus. We all have a part to play in making that happen.

[jason]

Fantastic post. Very insightful. God is a God of order, and I think it's good stewardship of His resources to keep things looking excellent!

Blessings,
Jason

[Paul]

Ed,

I agree, shoot look at heaven! Streets of PURE gold! Pearl gates! Mansions HA! you know that it isnt going to be trashed. Talk about not just doing something, But doing it RIGHT. Talk about doing it "with all thy might" (as recently stated). Besides the bible talked about cleanliness alot. One big one is that when we ask for forgiveness that our sins are no more and we are as White as snow. Not YELLOW snow, Pure WHITE. So anyway, ED, I appreciate all that you say and do. God is doing many awesome things through you. I know its blessed me and my wife tremendously. God bless

[JO BAKER--NEWELL BAPTIST CHURCH, CHARLOTTE, NC]

I READ YOUR E-MAIL TODAY AND I AGREE 100%. OUR CHURCH BURNED IN DEC OF 2006 AND WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING. WE HAVE HAD MANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD BUT HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE BY SEPTEMBER 2008. OUR CHURCH IS OVER 100 YEARS OLD, AND OUR MEMBERSHIP HAS FALLEN OFF OVER THE YEARS,BUT THE LORD IS STILL WITH US EVERY DAY. WE HAVE A YOUNG PASTOR WHO HAS GREAT IDEAS FOR OUR CHURCH. I AM HEAD OF THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMM. AND THIS SATURDAY WE WILL HAVE A WORK DAY ON THE GROUNDS. MY FIRM BELIEF IS THAT GOD EXPECTS HIS HOUSE TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND CLEAN.

[Jhare]

Ed,

Great insight!
I think we as a church should be the pinnacle of professionalism ("decently and in order").
Not so we can look down our noses at anyone, but rather so the world can see that we have taken God's Word to heart("...do it with all thy might.")
Thanks for your blog

[Dan]

Ed,
You have indeed addressed a very practical matter. However, you have provided a very nice "stepping stone" into an issue that i have become passionate about: recycling.

I attend FC FW, and until about a month ago when a staff member initiated a recycling rountine, i must say i was appalled at the waste generated. I'm unsure what the bible says about "reduce, reuse, and recycle" (of which your trash talk addresses a reduction in filth), but i am certain that if there is an action we can take to preserve God's earthly kingdom (as well as for our own posterity), then we are called to do it.

In my own apartment since march, i have started salvaging paper, plastic and aluminum that would usually go to trash. I was shocked at the amount of "stuff" i have set aside to take to a recycling facility. And i live with me, myself, and I :). I can only imagine the magnitudes of volumes of recyclable items that families, communities, cities and so on produce on a daily basis!!

Furthermore, in latching on to the recent ONE PRAYER series, I would pray that this ONE WORLD could be more eco-friendly. It starts the same way, locally, inside our domiciles and local churches, recycling what we can to reduce the waste slowly crippling our earthly HOME.

In our efforts of cleanliness and tidiness, may we also participate in waste reduction through recycling.

[Jeff Mc.]

Good one.

I too am a PK. Dad (and Mom) were pastors in the Salvation Army. Dad, who ran Adult Rehabilitation Centers in the latter part of his service, always used to stress keeping the place clean; "a place that the residents could be proud of". I've got to admit that Ed's comment ain't the first time I've heard that it doesn't COST to be CLEAN.

I attend FC Plano. Last Sunday, even though we were in the "Family Room", where it's perfectly fine for our 8-month old to, uh, express herself. I thought she needed a little distraction. So we retreated to the atrium to view the service on a remote screen. As I put my daughter down on the sealed concrete floor, my fatherly instinct took over as I scoped the nooks and crannies for any trash, dust bunnies, dead crickets, ANYTHING that my little Hoover of a child would consider a snack. Ed, I'm pleased to report that that floor was cleaner than the table we had lunch on!

Great job to you and all your "Ministers of Clean" (props to Terry Hill for that moniker).

[Matt Ansell]

Haha Terry Hill, sounds like we have something in common. I'm a pastors kid who tried to scrap a few bucks every week during my jr high and high school years doing janitorial work for the church. I was under the authority of a vietnam war veteran, talk about cruel and unusual punishment...I practically cleaned every square inch of that place with a toothbrush. I would complain to my dad and he would put me right back in my place. I learned a ton. Now, as a college student and one of the youth pastors, I find myself super picky with the smallest of things. The environment has to be just right! Not a single chair can be crooked. Cables and wires zip tied and taped down nicely (black only). No scuffs on the walls or foot prints eight feet off the ground? Crazy kids! Not a spec of dirt on the floors. Every thing has a proper place. People have to walk in and already be impressed. Anyways, thank God for 1 Corinthians 14:40, I'm not so crazy after all. By the way, Ed, your awesome. I steal the best parts of your messages, adapt it a bit and add my own touches and turns out I am a creative genius.

[Cameron Smith]

Aside from my personal obsession with having a clean desk in the office at church; I wholeheartedly agree that our facilities need to show our committment to excellence for the Kingdom. I love the comment about not needing a big budget to keep your campus clean... it's so true! Churches around the country need to be reading this little article and getting their campus in order!

[TERRY HILL]

Ed,
I'm also a PK. Not only was the senior pastor at our church my Father he was also my boss, as I was the church janitor for several years during my high school years. In the begining I dreaded the "white glove" test he would do on my work. But after a while i really began to understand...I was the minister of clean at our Church. Presentation is a crucial part of "reaching out" and a clean orderly enviroment removes any simple distractions that could take away from a visitors experience. Lets "keep it real"...real clean.

[Candy]

What a great topic to take the time to mention! My pastor has a wonderful, effective quote. "If you see a need, don't take the time to share it. Take care of it." That rings in my ears every time I see something that needs attention, and it only takes a couple extra moments to go ahead and "take care of it."

Love your show; love your blog!

[Ben Kuder]

Pastor Ed,
You are right about taking responsibility for the cleanliness of our church grounds. Recently, my wife and I attended the kickoff of the new Rush ministry and we were amazed to watch 9th grader after 9th grader just drop their little bottles of Ozarka where they stood and then walk away. My wife and I went over to the basketball courts and picked up about 20 empty water bottles. We as the adults need to do a better job of setting an example to the future of the church.

[Elva Lee]

I was greatly impressed as I visited several of Fellowship's campuses. They are well kept in every area.
Whoever does your landscaping does a great job.
The enteriors reflect your concern for order, function and cleanliness.
Your staff does a great job.