tylerramsbey Christian Life, Uncategorized

Our World is Falling Apart.

fallingapart

Young children experiencing excruciating abuse & humiliation as victims of sex trafficking.

Babies have bodies destroyed by the viciousness of cancer.

Men & women squeeze the cold steel of a handgun while pointed it at themselves; intent on escaping the cruelty of this world through suicide.

Many are in bondage to addiction – drugs, alcohol, pornography – and are powerless to overcome the chains which choke life out of their souls.

Each of us has experienced the utter darkness of this world. For every moment of joy, there are numerous incidents of earth-shattering pain. We cry out for redemption but it seems to be a distant reality; we scream to God for healing but our bodies continue to decay.

The world we live in is marked by suffering, corruption, and brokenness. It has been this way since the first humans chose to willfully disobey God. Their rebellion unleashed the power of death to reign over all of creation.

It is into this wicked and sin-sick world that God became a man.

The Incarnation. Emmanuel. God with us.

Jesus.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil…” – John 3:19

Today marks the first Sunday of Advent. It in this season that we return our focus to the One who really matters – Jesus Christ. He is the only One who gives hope to this world. I want to encourage you to spend intentional time over the next few weeks considering the incredible reality of the Gospel.

Jesus lived the life we could not live; died the death we deserve to die; and resurrected from the dead VICTORIOUS over the world, Satan, and our flesh.

In the midst of the hopelessness which rules in our culture, Jesus is the embodiment of Hope.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world…” – John 16:33

 

 

tylerramsbey Christian Life, Uncategorized

What You Can’t See is Killing You!

A photo by Sandis Helvigs. unsplash.com/photos/Hy99mEkNjHM

Yards take a lot of work to keep them looking good! One of my first jobs was taking care of my grandpa’s yard – it was GIGANTIC! Each time I came to mow and weed-wack it was a 6-hour ordeal! Those of you that know me understand that I HATE being in the sun… especially when there are wasps in sight!

While the sun marred my skin with ultraviolet radiation (at least that’s how I felt!), I noticed the same weeds always grew back. Regardless of how many times I ripped apart their leaves with the powerful blades from the weed-eater, I had to repeat the process the following week!

I realized the issue is that I was only dealing with the part of the weed I could see. The nourishment and sustainability for the ugly plant came from the root system. These weeds were deeply rooted into the ground; I was dealing with the symptoms and leaving the true problem untouched.

This is true in the Christian life.

We deal with the 10% of ourselves that everybody can see and neglect the destruction wreaked by the sinful root system. Even the Titanic, proclaimed as the unsinkable ship, was utterly ripped apart by a seemingly innocent iceberg.

It’s not what you see that causes destruction, it’s often what is hidden below the surface.

Removing weeds through the root is a painful process. It takes the effort of your full body and leaves you experiencing exhaustion. Instead of the painstaking process of self-examination, many Christians combat the symptoms rather than remove the roots. As we gather around other people, we put on masks in order to appear more righteous than we really are. Each sphere of our life is a different scene, calling for a new costume, all in a grand attempt keep up appearances.

One of the greatest playwrights, William Shakespeare, explains it this way:
All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts…

We began a brand new series this past Sunday at The Rescue Church called Emotional IQ. We are going to spend 8 weeks digging into the root system of our sinful habits. I believe we are going to experience incredible freedom as we expose the hidden parts of who we are to the power of the Gospel!

I preach in the Garretson, South Dakota campus of the church (we meet in the local high school). If you live in the area, it would be an honor for you to join us on this journey. We meet every Sunday morning at 10am; you are welcome to take off the mask and admit your brokenness.

We are a hospital for sinners… not a memorial for saints. 

tylerramsbey Uncategorized

Garretson Spotlight!

Garretson SD Banner

As many of you know, I have the incredible honor of leading The Rescue Church in Garretson. The community of Garretson, SD is filled with amazing people. One of the benefits of a small town is the ability to actually KNOW those around you!

I’m going to begin a regular column on both my website and the Garretson Gazette (the local paper) that highlights community leaders. Some of these people own businesses, work in non-profits, or simply add value to the community!

These short articles will focus on who they are as a person. I want each article to be the kinds of things you would learn over a cup of coffee. I hope it sparks new conversations, forms vibrant relationships, and generates business for the community.

I need YOUR help to make this successful.

Can you please comment or e-mail me the name of a person you think would be an inspiration to read about? My e-mail is tyler@therescuechurch.com – I look forward to hearing from you!

tylerramsbey Uncategorized

Feeling Distant from God?

Current Series

Have you ever felt distant from God? Does it feel like you are just going through religious motions? I have been there… many times.

I had the honor of preaching this past Sunday at the Garretson Campus of The Rescue Church. Here is the message. I pray that it encourages you in your faith and helps you realize just how much God loves you! (if you’re reading this in your e-mail, you will have to go to the actual page to listen or download)

P.S. – If you live in the area, I preach almost every Sunday at The Rescue Church in Garretson. The service is at 10am and our building is on Main Street. I would love to have YOU be my guest this Sunday!

tylerramsbey Christian Life, Music, Uncategorized

On My Grind (NEW SONG!)

grind

Do I still make music? Yup! (If you are reading this in your e-mail, you will need to go to the actual site to hear the song)

Verse 1
I’m grinding, do you know what that means?
You can find me in the studio killing a beat
I dare you to find a rapper that’s iller than me
Cuz I got passion I’m smashing everything that I see
It’s what happens when I snap and attack when I breathe
You thought that you’d laugh cuz I’m a Christian emcee
Expected me to be corny cuz I live for the King
Well you can find me recording and I’ll give what I bleed!
I don’t think you understand
You see impossibilities I see a plan
You ain’t feeling me that’s okay cuz I can’t
Be someone wearing a mask so Imma tear up a track
I ain’t scared of your laugh, so bring your best insults
I will succeed because I see that it’s all mental
And I know a King that I believe will never let go
So Imma breathe while I bleed through this pencil

Chorus
Cuz I’m on my grind
Yeah tell ’em that I’m on my grind
Got a couple jobs go to school full time
And I still kill a rhyme

Cuz I’m on my grind
Yeah, yeah I’m on my grind
Cuz I’m on my grind
You can tell that I go overtime, I grind!

Verse 2
I remember sitting inside of a basement
I was a pre-teen using words to paint this
Bumping Eminem wishing I could replace him
To be the next rapper that’s after the same sin
I studied rhyme schemes while you were on play station
Hours on the web so I could set I how I say things
I learned how to rap from the net, yeah it’s amazing
Now you know I’m back as a vet and I’m gonna break in
Half the rappers in the local scene
Can’t use a multisyllable to hold a beat
I really flow it so complete
But when I do it they get to booing I know the beast
When I mention Jesus they don’t hold the peace
If I kept Him out of it I guarantee you’d roll with me
But that won’t happen I’m laughing at all these cold Gs
While these rappers smoke weed I’m grinding ’till you know me

Chorus
Cuz I’m on my grind
Yeah tell ’em that I’m on my grind
Got a couple jobs go to school full time
And I still kill a rhyme

Cuz I’m on my grind
Yeah, yeah I’m on my grind
Cuz I’m on my grind
You can tell that I go overtime, I grind!

Verse 3
Yeah, this is what I do
Got a full time job and I’m going to school
But I stay on my grind so I’m showing the truth
I still kill a rhyme when I flow in the booth

I grind…

It’s something you ain’t ever seen
I’m aggressive with a message when I wreck the beat
I had depression but I left it with a melody
So music is my medicine step in if I pretend to be
Someone that I’m not, I’m my own worse enemy
A workaholic at times without a remedy
But when I yell it in rhyme my God will tend to me
Or else the penalty is for me to burn mentally
I’m working harder than the rest, wait let me see
It’s not me working but the grace inside of me
So till I RIP, I’m gonna try to be
Bearing fruit for the glory of my only King

Chorus
Cuz I’m on my grind
Yeah tell ’em that I’m on my grind
Got a couple jobs go to school full time
And I still kill a rhyme

Cuz I’m on my grind
Yeah, yeah I’m on my grind
Cuz I’m on my grind
You can tell that I go overtime, I grind!

tylerramsbey Leadership, Seminary Assignment, Uncategorized

Three Qualities of a Go-Getter

fight

This post was inspired by the classic book Go-Getter by Peter Kyne.

Let’s be real. Many people in your organization, whether its a church or a business, are not go-getters. Everybody claims that they are… they just aren’t.

A go-getter is someone who will accomplish an objective in the face of impossible and discouraging obstacles.

Are YOU a go-getter? Below are some characteristics which should be evident in your life!

1. You make decisions!
So often we do not accomplish anything noteworthy in our lives because we are afraid to make decisions. Every time you say yes to something great you are saying no to a lot of good things. This tends to terrify rather than energize people.

It is better to make a wrong decision than do nothing at all. At times it is greater to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. If you are repeatedly consulting your supervisor on how to accomplish an objective, you are not a go-getter.

Go-getters understand what needs to be done and create their own strategy to reach the destination. If you are a go-getter, you will be offended if someone lays out a step-by-step plan on how to accomplish your job; this would be an insult on your intelligence!

2. Obstacles become opportunities!
When you are pursuing the objective, you can become paralyzed by obstacles. These obstacles loom like giants, ready to crush your aspirations. Unfortunately, this is the fate of many well-intended leaders who give up too quickly!

The larger the obstacle, the greater the victory!

In order to be a go-getter, you need to be scrappy. When an objective becomes “impossible”, you should immediately begin figuring out ways under it, around it, or over it. There is ALWAYS a way and you need to FIGHT to discover it!

3. You have an “It shall be done” attitude!
Anytime you are presented with a task or assignment, you should immediately say, “It shall be done.” Regardless of how difficult it seems, you need to rise to the challenge. Rather than listening to how other people have failed before you, you need to forge a new path through the rough terrain.

Ultimately, this comes from a place of faith. A true go-getter is someone whose faith is in the living God rather than themselves. A go-getter disconnected from the purposes of God becomes an arrogant, egotistical workaholic.

The ultimate goal of the go-getter is to hear these words…
“Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” – Matthew 25:21

What are some characteristics you would add to my list? Let me know by leaving a comment!

tylerramsbey Church Planting, Leadership, Seminary Assignment, Uncategorized

Hiring Church Staff with No Money

staffnomoney

This post is the third of a series posts of my reflections on the Small Town, Big Church Roundtable event I attended at The Rescue Church. I encourage you to read the first two:
It Takes ALL Kinds of Churches…
Three Reasons Your Church is Struggling Financially

The pastorate can be incredibly lonely. This feeling is multiplied by the pastor having no team around him to help lead the church. Many pastors are the “savior” of their congregation. The pastor is required to be at every hospital bed, preach every sermon, and fix every technology issue.

This is a toxic system of ministry which will bring death into your church.

Pastors in small churches tend to envy pastors who have multiple staff members. Many small church pastors dream of having a team of people around them helping propel the ministry forward. This is why many pastors see small, rural churches as a stepping stone to a larger ministry.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Everything you need in order to take your church to the next level is already in your church!

One of the concepts that has revolutionized The Rescue Church is volunteer staff. Volunteer staff are church members empowered to help lead the mission of the church. There are many people in your church who would be honored to put their hands to the plow (for free!) but you need to call it out of them!

So how can you do this? I’m glad you asked!

1. Have a clear vision!
Everybody wants to be part of something bigger than themselves. Unfortunately, many churches are content with preserving the 1950s to the best of their ability. No one is going to want to serve for free under an organization that has no vision for the future and is stagnant in its growth.

If you want men and women to step into leadership at your church, you need to have a vision that is clear, compelling, and simple!

2. Call people to HIGH commitment!
Often we try to fill volunteer roles by convincing people of how easy it will be. This is bad leadership! If you do not hold a high standard for the people you place in leadership, they will only do enough to get by.

You need to find dynamic leaders who are willing to pry open doors and wrestle with the impossible.

At The Rescue Church, we call all of our volunteer staff leaders to commit to 5 hours a week outside of their weekend duties. This is a BIG commitment for people! If you recognize leadership in people, call them to a HIGH commitment so that they can grow in their faith and impact the community!

3. Show them the exit ramp!
No one wants to get signed on to a volunteer position which requires them to give up every Tuesday night until Jesus comes back. You need to understand that the people who are going to be leading in your church are probably leading outside of the church as well. They are BUSY people and you do not want to risk burning them out.

We require our volunteer staff members to sign a commitment which says they will serve for one year. At the end of the year, we always give our staff members the option of stepping down. We value our volunteer staff members greatly and want to be sure they are spiritually, emotionally, and physical healthy; this means rest is vital!

Have you ever hired volunteer staff members? What are some things you would add to this list? Let me know by leaving a comment!

 

tylerramsbey Seminary Assignment, Uncategorized

Three Reasons YOUR Church Is Struggling Financially

money

This post is the second of a series posts of my reflections on the Small Town, Big Church Roundtable event I attended at The Rescue Church. I encourage you to read the first one:
It Takes ALL Kinds of Churches…

“If you have a God-sized vision your back will always be up against the wall.”

One of the pastors at the roundtable shared this quote and it hit home for many of the leaders there. It seems as if the kingdom of darkness has no problem funding its programs and organizations while the church is continually in need. Whether it is the need for another staff member or a permanent facility, finances play a vital role in the life of a church – especially a small church.

Jon Sanders, the lead pastor of The Rescue Church, shared multiple reasons your church may be struggling financially. Below are three that resonated with me:

1. You don’t preach about giving.
No one wants to be the pastor who seems obsessed with money. Due to the prevalence of television preachers who urge you to sow a seed into their ministry for a miracle, many pastors simply do not talk about money.

This is cowardly.

Money is the god that many people in your congregation worship. The people you pastor are in the process of sacrificing their families to this false god. The “American Dream” has become a cancer bringing a slow and painful death to those who have placed their trust in wealth.

You need to expose this false god by preaching about money. If Jesus is Lord, it should be reflected in the bank accounts of Christians. Don’t be ashamed to call this god out and expose its hideous effects in order to shepherd the souls of your people.

2. You don’t have a compelling vision.
No one wants to give their money to a church whose primary goal is to keep the lights on and fill a building. Far too many small churches have absolutely no vision for the ministry God has called them to do in the community. If you are looking at your church as a stepping stone to a larger ministry and are only there to pay your dues, you will not invest in the long-term health of the people God has entrusted to you.

Our vision at The Rescue Church is to impact our communities by helping people know Jesus, grow in faith, and go serve others. We summarize this as KNOW, GROW, GO. This is more than a cute catchphrase we can hang on our wall, we structure EVERYTHING around this vision. This encourages people to become part of something bigger than themselves – the church of Jesus Christ!

3. You don’t spend money wisely.
Why are casinos able to manage their finances better than a church? The church should have the most discernment and wisdom when it comes to structuring healthy budgets that ensure long-term success.

You don’t have the gift of faith simply because you are too ignorant to create a workable budget and expect God to come through last minute on your behalf every single time you do an event.

The money that God has entrusted to you must be stewarded with care. If you are faithful in the little that God has given your church, He will provide an abundance to be faithful with (Luke 16:10). On the other hand, if you cannot even manage the limited budget you are working with, why would God provide you with more of HIS finances to squander?

Jon Sanders did a whole podcast on this issue. If this is something that resonates with you, I would highly encourage you to check it out – 12 Reasons Your Church might be Struggling Financially.

tylerramsbey Uncategorized

Do you want to record music?

studio

Do you write music and want to begin recording professionally? Are you a seasoned artist looking for a more affordable studio?

My goal is to offer high-quality recording, mixing, and mastering services at an affordable rate to add value to the lives of music artists. All vocals will be recorded on the Shure KSM44 – a studio microphone which retails at $999.

I have spent 11+ years writing, recording, and mixing music. I would love to work with you on your next project. I specialize in recording hip-hop and vocals. The recording rate is $35/hour. If you are a seasoned artist and are able to record your vocals quickly, you could easily record 2 – 3 songs in an hour.

If you are a new artist, I am more than happy to help structure your song and improve your delivery.

Below are some examples of my work (if you are reading this in your e-mail, you will need to go to the actual page to hear the music). If you are interested in working with me, head to the “Contact Me” page!

tylerramsbey Christian Life, Uncategorized

I had an incredible week!

Work

I spent this past week at Sioux Falls Seminary for the intensive week of the Kairos Project. This was a week of classes, study, fellowship and prayer. On top of that, I finally learned to enjoy coffee today (thanks to Annie’s Coffeehouse in Garretson!)

So… let’s have coffee together for the #weekendcoffeeshare! As I sip on my latte (I can’t drink ‘real’ coffee yet..) let me share with you some of the things I learned this week:

1. Ministry MUST happen in every sphere of life!
Sadly we have promoted a false dichotomy between secular and sacred work within the church. Almost everyone believes that formal, paid ministry is sacred work. On the other hand, other jobs (accountant, custodian, etc.) is secular or worldly work. As pastors, we expect people to use the small amount of leisure time they have in order to serve at the “sacred” church INSTEAD of empowering them to be witnesses in their work place.

THIS MUST STOP!

All of work is sacred if it is beneficial to mankind and honoring to God! We desperately need a new theology of work. All Christians are called to full-time ministry; whether that is in a church or a factory. God has strategically placed YOU in your specific sphere of influence in order to make Jesus known to those around you!

2. There is a difference between VOCATION and OCCUPATION!
To our own detriment, we have ruined a proper understanding of vocation. Vocation is best understood as a call on one’s life. An occupation is the specific way you are living out that call on your life.

For example, God has called me to be a pastor. This can be done in ANY occupation that God places me! Whether it is through paid ministry in a church or paid ministry as a custodian! In other words, our vocation supersedes our occupation.

Rather than becoming anxious over whether or not you are in the right occupation, focus on bringing the full value of your vocation (your calling) INTO your current job. Use your job as a mission field to love God and love people. Do your work to the absolute best of your ability in order to love your neighbor! THAT IS MINISTRY!

Do you agree or disagree with me? Let me know by leaving a comment and let’s continue the discussion!