Eric Camp

We are working on a new series / season at Action Church that we are calling “The Pursuit.” The idea is to look at the Biblical Early Church and see what Jesus expects for us as His followers and then compare that to what we actually do.

It will be a challenging, inspiring and transformative season as we will also begin a 21 Days of prayer and fasting as we pursue God more in our daily lives.

One of the key Scriptures that has stuck out to me in my study is this:

Acts 2:42-47 NLT

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

⁴³ A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. ⁴⁴ And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. ⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity ⁴⁷ all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Emphasis being on “devoted”. 

Could it be that we aren’t seeing “The Church” look like Jesus because our devotion is lacking?

We will see as we begin this journey on Sunday, August 30 at 9:00 and 11:00. Hope you can join us!

If you are anything like me, everyday there are opportunities for frustrations. It is easy to get frustrated over what we see happening in our nation and world, on the job, in our schools, the political arena, etc. We tend to get frustrated with church and church leaders and sometimes, just everything!

Ever wondered why?

Other than the fact that we are living in tense times and everyone seems to be on edge,  we are naturally always looking for the negative in every situation, conversation, social media post and comment.

I am trying to live my life by the principle I am sharing with you today. It’s a challenge and it’s a discipline.

We tend to be frustrated due to our level of expectation. We “expect” high and “experience” low and therefore we get frustrated, withdrawn, negative, complacent, defensive and rebellious.

We naturally want to defend ourselves and our feelings along with dwelling on things as we see them, however, the truth is, the way we see things are not the same as reality many times.

I can’t tell you how many times I was convinced social media posts, rants, and comments were directly related to me or about me and our church, (and some probably were) and it is also amazing at how many people think that something I post, say, or comment about, was directly throwing shade at them. It’s a bizarre way to live that is exhausting and also extremely demonically divisive.

For one, I am trying to practice what I preach here. The graph says it all. Thinking better of people is one way to also not step into that trap.

Also, maybe we need to lower our expectations and then reality wouldn’t sting so bad.

What do you think?

If we didn’t expect our spouse to do this or that or our kids to do this or that, then when they did or didn’t, there would be less of a surprise and less of frustration.

Expectations without communications is a fairy tale.

Let’s always have the conversations of what we expect and never assume or expect someone to fulfill something without clarity and understanding.

Just this small tweak can free us from a prison of emotional baggage and help our relationships be healthier and stronger in the long run.

Have a great week!

I will try to keep this as short as possible, but I hope you take the time to read all the way through and give me your feedback.

November and December is such a special time each year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, family time, Christmas Experiences (Services) at church and all the many other reasons that makes the season special. I love the spirit of the season.

However, there is also a dark side of the season. As we have stated each year and we read more and more about each year, people struggle with depression at an alarming rate and suicide numbers are equal to or more than the rest of the year January-October combined! There are many reasons for this, one being the loneliness that people feel because of the absence of a loved one and the isolation that the season can bring to those who don’t have family and friends to share the love of the season with. Financial burdens are also a part of the realization in one’s life this time of year. I don’t want to address those things in this post though, I want to write about a more widespread epidemic that is absolutely paralyzing people, dividing homes, causing division in marriages, churches and relationships abroad. The issue that I see becoming more and more of a hinderance to even a true witness of Jesus in our lives is the issue of OFFENSE.

We get offended about everything! A post we read, a statement someone says, an expectation that we had the went unmet, you name it, it is becoming more and more of a problem and it must be addressed or this issue in itself can be the root of all the seasonal pressures that I stated above.

No longer can we agree to disagree on a subject matter. No longer can we agree to disagree on a theological opinion. If we can’t agree, we just simply remove those people from our lives that dont think like we do, believe like we do, like everything we like, and it is paralyzing and it is also, in my opinion, very immature.

Offense will come. Jesus told us that Himself in Luke that it is impossible that no offenses should come. Meaning that offense will come, opportunities to be offended will arise, it will happen! So knowing this truth, we need to safeguard ourselves on how we deal with it when it does come. The enemy would love to divide us, get us frustrated and unforgiving towards people, get us angry and upset all the time, but the interesting thing about it is that when we do get offended, most times I know in my own life, it is because of my own pride and ego. I am choosing the offense over the opportunity. I am choosing to be offended instead of humbling myself to have an understanding or even be enlightened to a different perspective than my own.

If we are wanting to be offended, and it appears many of us live our entire lives this way, you wont have to wait long before the opportunity to do so will come knocking.

We get offended at our co workers, our bosses, our friends, our spouses, our kids, our church family, our classmates, our family, the person in the checkout line at Wal-Mart, the drive through person that doesn’t give me the exact attention I think I deserve, the teacher that doesn’t highlight my kid on the student of the week board every single week, the coaches that don’t recognize my talents and abilities, the pastors who preach us truth that we can’t receive because we cant handle truth, the person that didn’t open the door for us when we were walking into the building, and the list can go on and on.

So what? What can we do? First of all, we can recognize that we have an offended spirit. We should be conscience of it because it is a weak area of our spiritual lives that the enemy will capitalize on to get us alienated and disconnected from people. Secondly, we pray and ask for understanding and strength in the area of my offense. Then, we have actual conversations with those whom feel offended by or hurt because that is what Christ-followers should do anyway!

The reason I see this as a paralyzing predicament for most is because I have known people to leave a church family just because they were offended about something that could have had peaceful resolve had conversations been had. It is unbelievable for me to look back at all the people that have chosen to leave the church I get to pastor because of offense and unresolved bitter emotions. We seem to always be looking for the wrong in people instead of the right in people. We always seem to be looking out for our best interest and our egos instead of humbling ourselves to the reality that we don’t know every detail or every situation with every person. Most times there is a “why” behind the “what”.

I remember one time a family in our church invited us along with the entire staff over to their home for a Christmas party. This was the first time that my wife and I and most of our staff had ever been to these people’s home. It was a nice evening, all were having fun, then came time for the food to be served, and as you would expect, the host would ask their pastor to pray over the food as that is what you do when your pastor is in your home for the first time, right? I was preparing to pray and the host asked our student pastor to pray instead of me. The student pastor looked at me in surprise, as well as the rest of the staff, as it was a bit awkward. I didn’t dwell on it as those people were always offended about something as I learned throughout my time trying to lead them, I just made the decision to overlook it and pretend it was no big deal. Which really, it wasn’t. It was just a slap of dishonor by the host to me because the host themselves were offended about something with me. It wasn’t my issue or problem, I just chose to overlook it and never said a word about it until now. Those people have since left our church because they found every reason to be offended about something all the time and it really does break my heart because I can’t imagine living that way. We all can slide into that if we aren’t careful. Do as I did, Let it go. Move on. Forgive, pray and carry on.

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‘Tis the season for the greatest time of the year, but also for increased opportunities to be offended and hurt.

Let’s choose healing and hope. Let’s choose understanding over agreement. Let’s choose to be a victor and not a victim. Let’s choose to resolve conflict in a timely manner. Let’s choose to look at people with compassion and sympathy, not as egotistical and rude. If we all do our part, the world could be a much better place and more joy and life could be experienced by all.

Paul said in Romans 12:18 NKJV; If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Your life does depend on you. Your peace may depend on your attitude and actions towards others and you too could bring peace and joy to others if we would just take ownership of our own shortcomings in the area of having an offended spirit!

We will be revisiting this subject in a teaching series soon at Action Church. Stay tuned.

Leadership is a challenge regardless of how much experience you have in it. Leading people in itself is a challenge and especially as a leader in the church. Expectations most of the time are higher than what we are able to fulfill, therefore, frustration with those we are leading is birthed.

As a leader, I always have to evaluate my leadership and take a look in the mirror on what I am doing and if I am being effective. I have learned a few things in the 20+ years of church and corporate leadership that I want to share with you.

20 Ways to Know You’re Not a Leader

1. You’re waiting on a bigger staff and more money to accomplish your vision.
2. You think you need to be in charge to have influence.
3. You’re content.
4. You tend to foster division instead of generating a helpful dialogue.
5. You think you need to say something to be heard.
6. You find it easier to blame others for your circumstances than to take responsibility for solutions.
7. It’s been some time since you said, “I messed up.”
8. You’re driven by the task instead of the relationships and the vision.
9. Your dreams are so small, people think they can be achieved.
10. No one is following you.
11. You always have an excuse to justify mistakes.
12. You have to be the only one talking all the time. #LeadersListen
13. Procrastination is your middle name!
14. You get “too busy” to complete assigned projects and deadlines. #LeadersMakeItHappen
15. Passion is the name of a fruit to you. #LeadersArePassionate
16. You do just enough to get by. #LeadersGoTheExtraMile
17. You expect all honor, but don’t live a life of demonstrated honor.
18. You don’t have accountability. #LeadersFollow
19. You feel as if there’s nothing more to learn. #LeadersAreLearners
20. Your desire is to be known (famous) instead of keeping your eyes on the vision and mission of your influence.

There are leaders, and then there are real leaders. Some leaders think of themselves as leaders because they have a title. Others don’t need a title. They understand that leadership is really about influence anchored in integrity and humility.

You don’t need to wait for someone to give you a position and a private office to lead. If you want to be a leader in the future, start acting like a leader today.

How will you invest your influence?

16 Easy Ways to Know You’re Not a Leader

1. You’re waiting on a bigger staff and more money to accomplish your vision.
2. You think you need to be in charge to have influence.
3. You’re content.
4. You tend to foster division instead of generating a helpful dialogue.
5. You think you need to say something to be heard.
6. You find it easier to blame others for your circumstances than to take responsibility for solutions.
7. It’s been some time since you said, “I messed up.”
8. You’re driven by the task instead of the relationships and the vision.
9. Your dreams are so small, people think they can be achieved.
10. No one is following you.
11. You always have an excuse to justify mistakes.
12. You have to be the only one talking all the time. #LeadersListen
13. Procrastination is your middle name!
14. You get “too busy” to complete assigned projects and deadlines. #LeadersMakeItHappen
15. Passion is the name of a fruit to you. #LeadersArePassionate
16. You do just enough to get by. #LeadersGoTheExtraMile

There are leaders, and then there are real leaders. Some leaders think of themselves as leaders because they have a title. Others don’t need a title. They understand that leadership is really about influence anchored in integrity and humility.

You don’t need to wait for someone to give you a position and a private office to lead. If you want to be a leader in the future, start acting like a leader today.

How will you invest your influence?

I am writing this blog to state the official stance of Oasis.Church on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where I have the honor of being the Sr. Pastor along with my wife, Toni. First of all, what The Lord is doing at Oasis is AMAZING!!! Great Growth! Great Team! Great God!!!

HOWEVER… One thing you won’t see us do on social media is post our attendance numbers, number of salvations, number of baptisms, etc… WHY? For several reasons.

One of those being that “The Church” is much BIGGER than Oasis! There are some great churches on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and I happen to have relationship with many, not all, but many of the Sr. Pastors of these churches. The last thing I want to do is appear to be bragging or prideful about what our “numbers” happened to be each Sunday. I don’t want to let pride swell up in me or our team nor do I want to alienate myself from other pastors and churches in our area and abroad. (We pastors are competitive and insecure sometimes!) I want to celebrate what Jesus is doing in other houses of worship as well as Oasis!

I admit, I haven’t always been at this place because when we first started Oasis.Church, we posted everything and even counted everything that was moving on campus as part of our “numbers”. I felt conviction about this as I was able to recognize that it wasn’t to honor and celebrate what Jesus was doing as much as it was to feed my ego and pride based on the “numbers” in comparison to other churches not only in our area, but abroad.

Some will say that it is important to encourage and motivate people that are a part of their church, and I get that, however, we must always remember that people from other areas and other pastors and other church people are also watching your every move and measuring you solely by your social media platforms. Not always the best practice, but it is reality.

At Oasis, we will celebrate the “wins” during our Sunday Experiences with the people who are present in house and on our online campus. Not on social media platforms.

Pastors and church leaders, we all need one another and should celebrate one another so we can actually demonstrate uniting “The Church” as a whole.

I haven’t arrived by any means, but the older I get and wiser I pray that I become, there are just some things that are not significant in the landscape of the influence that I have been entrusted with by The Lord. I don’t want pride to be any part of my spiritual DNA or motivation.

We don’t do massive advertisements anymore, we don’t allow stories to be printed about us in magazines that are trying to add us to a “list”, we are content on “Reaching people right where they are so we can connect them to everything that God has for their lives!”

Let’s build and unite HIS Church!

Have a great week!