Up Periscope

Building through a Storm

Dr. Eddie Hare Jr.

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781098035068
• eBook ISBN: 9781098035075
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

The purpose of this project is to share my story and encourage other ministry leaders in their work with the church. The calling to follow Jesus is easier said than done. Conflict isn't pleasant, but it is necessary. Church ministry in today's environment is like running a corporation. Conflict and crisis arise in every ministry. As in the corporate world, people are the greatest assets. Exploring how to deal with difficult, combative, complacent, and evil people is a true reality. From the pulpit, it is often said that God will not call you to do anything He has not equipped you for. Nevertheless, it is also prudent to develop your leadership skills to deal with numerous aspects of church ministry. God never promised us this life would be easy, but He is bigger than any storm we face in this world. And He's always working for our good, even in the places where we can't see, even in the circumstances that we don't fully understand. It's hard to put a storm, periscope, and the idea of building something together unless you are in a submarine on a covert or clandestine mission in which the periscope rises to check out the landscape. This is a strange analogy to try and put together; nevertheless, we need to up our periscope, build a solid foundation and know that the only thing that will last is that which is done for the kingdom of God.

CHAPTER 1: In the Beginning

1.1 The Statement of the Problem

Since taking the position of senior pastor at an established church, Unity Southern Baptist Church (USBC) in Stockton, California, the struggle and hostility has grown and continues to grow like a storm. The storm levels, otherwise known as trials, are fluctuating constantly in the spiritual realm as does the storm in the earthly realm. Even though this church has been in existence for over forty years, it had become stagnant and complacent. Come to find out, the church was surviving on God’s grace.

There were several plans along with the day-to-day efforts of maintaining a church in progress. First, the Zettie Miller’s Haven Project which was about ten years old and had not progressed beyond having multiple extensions. Then, the structure of the church as a recognized entity at the city, state and federal level was non-existent; followed by the financial deficiency of the church and the lack of biblical understanding.

In the physical, a storm is any disturbed state of an environment or astronomical body’s atmosphere affecting its surface implying severe weather. It may be marked by significant disruptions, to normal conditions such as strong wind, tornadoes, hail, thunder and lightning (a thunderstorm), heavy precipitation (snowstorm, rainstorm), heavy freezing rain (ice storm), strong winds (tropical cyclone, windstorm), or wind transporting some substance through the atmosphere such as in a dust storm, blizzard, sandstorm, etc.

Storms have the potential to harm lives and property via storm surge, heavy rain or snow causing flooding or road impassibility, lightning, wildfires, and vertical wind shear; however, systems with significant rainfall and duration help alleviate drought in places they move through. Heavy snowfall can allow special recreational activities to take place which would not be possible otherwise, such as skiing and snowmobiling.

Storms are created when a center of low pressure develops with a system of high pressure surrounding it. This combination of opposing forces can create winds and result in the formation of storm clouds, such as the cumulonimbus. Small localized areas of low pressure can form from hot air rising off hot ground, resulting in smaller disturbances such as dust devils and whirlwinds.1

The storm (battle) in the spiritual sphere has a strong influence on events on earth. Paul explained this in his letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 6:11–12 states, Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle (storms) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Paul reminds us that when we are dealing with people and events on earth, they are being manipulated by spiritual forces that we cannot see. The spiritual powers of evil are attracted to authority and people with authority. If they can influence a person with authority, they can amplify their power on earth.

The Bible teaches us that there are three kinds of storms in life: storms that we bring on ourselves (like Samson), storms that God causes (like Lake Galilee), and storms that other people cause (as when Paul and Silas were thrown into prison). When you are the innocent party in a crisis, that last kind of storm is especially hard to take.

God put the apostle Paul, as a prisoner, on board a ship headed from Palestine to Rome. After the ship ventured through the Mediterranean Sea and docked at the island of Crete, God told Paul to advise the crew not to leave the harbor because there was going to be a great storm. But the sailors were impatient to get to a better harbor, so they ignored what God had told them through Paul (Acts 27:9–12).2

Therefore, working through the issues of life with a periscope and to build in the mist of storms is challenging, difficult, scary, and weakening. Comprehension and unfaltering knowledge of God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence is the obligation of each of us and appears to be the most difficult for many of us to accept; nevertheless, it is the least we can do (strive to obtain) while on this side of the sun.

1.2 The Statement of Limitations

It is difficult to articulate the unholy alliances that operate within a church (defined in Chapter 2). The storms of life look different depending on the situation, circumstances, and environment allowing us the opportunity to change and make a difference. God is the Only One who has the power to take what seems debilitating and devastating to turn it around for good.

1.3 Project Survey

The survey created was to get an indication of the participants’ viewpoint on their understanding of biblical leadership, teaching, and unity within church ministry. The method of presentation may be utilized in class room presentation or Bible study groups. The success or failure of this approach is dependent on the use of this document. The intent is to promote understanding and encouragement to ministry leaders which cannot be measured; and can only be determined over a period of time, usually as a result of personal annotations. The goal is to increase the consciousness of ministry leaders in a depraved and deceived culture. The survey statements used in this project are listed as follows:

Please circle the number that represents your opinion of ministry leadership:

1. I have a leadership role in the church such as pastor, deacon, usher, auxiliary leader, etc.

Strong disagree—1—2—3—4—5—6—7—Strongly agree

2. I am an active participant in my church missions and outreach programs.

Strong disagree—1—2—3—4—5—6—7—Strongly agree

3. I use discernment and biblical knowledge to enable me to endure life’s storms.

Strong disagree—1—2—3—4—5—6—7—Strongly ag...

Table of contents

• CHAPTER 1: In the Beginning
• CHAPTER 2: Giving Rise to an Idea (Zettie Miller’s Haven Project)
• CHAPTER 3: People Can Be Messy
• CHAPTER 4: Church Leadership
• CHAPTER 5: Grace to Overcome
• CHAPTER 6: Resting in a Storm
• CHAPTER 7: Research Summary