Tag Archive for: Mike Foster

Scandalous Grace

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Second chances in life and leadership can often be viewed as scandalous. But, if you study the Bible, the message of Grace is scandalous. I mean just think about, without the act of radical grace in our lives we would have no second chances. Without the act of love and grace, why would churches be in business? Churches are not made for the righteous, but made for the sinner — people who have failed and missed the mark, just like you and me. Through Jesus’ work on the cross and by His love for mankind, Grace is given to every man and woman —to every liar, fornicator, stealer, adulterer, bank robber, money embezzler, etc…

I like quoting what my pastor, Rob Koke of Shoreline Church, Austin, TX says about grace, “The message of grace is that even though we can’t go back for a brand new start we get a second chance at a brand new future.”

A few days ago, I wrote an article about my thoughts concerning the Ted & Gayle Haggard scandal and about Gayle’s new book, Why I Stayed – The Choices I Made In My Darkest Hour. You can read the article by clicking HERE. In my article I said, “What if the church thought as chess players and saw the Haggard scandal as a opportunity and decided to leverage the crisis to impact and reach more hurting people that struggled with drug addictions, immorality and other issues of life that are in need of the love and grace of God?”

What I forgot to include in my article was how will the church-at-large pre-determine its response and actions when we see the next leader fail in their integrity or in immorality (whether it be a politician, nationally known pastor, professional athlete, etc..). Because the truth is more leaders will fall and more scandals will happen. It breaks my heart to say that, but it’s the truth. The questions should not be: When will it happen? Who do you think it will happen to? The real question should be:  “How will I respond when it does?” Will I respond in love, compassion and grace or will I be self-righteous and act as if they got what they deserved? ImpelMinistry.com has pre-determined our decision and our response towards leaders who fall, to be one of grace, compassion and one that encourages a second chance in their personal and leadership journey.

There is a grass-root new movement that God is beginning to raise up, called People of the Second Chance – Radical Grace in Life & Leadership. The founders are Mike Foster & Jud Wilhite and they have been speaking at conferences and events to rally a movement that give leaders a second chance to share their story and their struggles. We encourage you to follow and connect with what they are doing.

The mission of the church is to be one of love and grace to people of all walks of life. It’s amazing when you think about the power of the cross, you begin to think who Jesus has forgiven… the adulterer, the tax-embezzler, the murderer, etc… His grace is scandalous.

God Uses Ugly by Mike Foster

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This past weekend I was listening to the amazing song “Healer” written by Mike Guglielmucci. Worshipers all over the world were crazy about this song and called it anointed by God.

That was until Mike’s world fell apart when he admitted to fabricating a story about having cancer. A story that negatively impacted the song “Healer” and the opinions about it.

People were rightfully angry and felt deceived. And so the song Mike had written just sort of disappeared and was dropped from worship set lists across the world.

So here is the idea I want us to discuss. It revolves around our temptation to dismiss the work of a fallen individual.

I believe whatever we are creating is in a constant state of redemption. Why? Because God sees the invisible pride, arrogance and deceit in our hearts as we are creating it. Even when no one else does. And yet he still chooses to use our stuff for beautiful things.

Read the rest of this article by visiting People of the Second Chance

About the Author: Mike Foster is co-founder of People of the Second Change. He also serves as the Creative Principal at Plain Joe Studios, a design firm that specializes in strategic ideation, interactive media, and environmental design. In addition to his role on Plain Joe’s executive team, Mike leads an innovative non profit organization called Ethur. He and his wife Jennifer live in Southern California with their two children. Follow Mike on Twitter HERE and Friend him on Facebook HERE.

What is People of the Second Change?

People of the Second Chance gives voice to a scandalous movement of radical grace in life and leadership. We challenge the common misconceptions about failure and success and stand with those who have hit rock bottom in their personal and professional lives. We are a community that is committed to stretch ourselves in the areas of relational forgiveness, personal transparency, and advocate for mercy over judgment.

We are not ashamed of our scars, wounds, or failures and leverage them as a source of strength and character development.

People of the Second Chance have experienced a second chance so we  actively support social justice organizations and advocate for the vulnerable, forgotten, and left behind.

We are People of the Second Chance.

Guest Bloggers: Mike Foster & Jud Wilhite “People Of The Second Chance”

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Today something starts anew.

It is the first small step into officially beginning People of the Second Chance.

What is People of the Second Chance? Truthfully, we’re still sort of figuring that out.

But we do know this…we have dreamed for years about a movement of people that would let radical integrity and radical grace consume them in their life and leadership.

And in God’s perfect and ironic timing, People of the Second Chance is no longer just a nice concept with some stickers and tee shirts, but the very story we are living out right now.

In the past few weeks of learning, loss, tears, and experiencing a significant valley in our lives, we are more certain than ever that God does his best work in brokenness.

But let us be very clear here. This isn’t about us. It never has been. You see we have this simple belief that deep inside of all us we are desperately wanting grace, forgiveness, second chances and a fresh start.

We realize this is a little sloppy, unclear, and a bit rough around the edges. Even so, we still want to humbly and with sincerity invite you to join us.

Every journey must begin somewhere. This is our very simple somewhere. Welcome to the People of the Second Chance.

Mike Foster (Left)  is the Creative Principal at PlainJoe Studios in Southern California. He also leads a non-profit organization called Ethur. He is the co-author of Deadly Viper Character Assassins and founded these organizations: XXXchurch, Junky Car Club, and People of the Second Chance.

Jud Wilhite (Right) is the Senior Pastor at Central Christian Church, Las Vegas, NV. He is the co-author of Deadly Viper Character Assassins and co-founder of People of the Second Chance.