From Ministry "For" to Ministry "With" Christ

A study done a few years ago rated doctors, lawyers, and pastors as having the most [long-term] stressful careers. Obviously, this is due to the fact that the function of each of these roles is to assist people as they walk through extreme life-changing and/or life-threatening seasons in their lives.

While [secular] lawyers and doctors deal with issues that remain within this world’s boundaries of time and space, pastors are faced with dealing in issues which are mortal and immortal, timely and timeless, intellectually factual and spiritually faith-based, human and Divine, etc.

In the course of our ministry (lit. defn: “service”) it is easy for us as pastors to shift from serving with Christ into a mode of serving for Christ. Even though we deal with very challenging situations on a daily or weekly basis, situations that require us to call upon the Lord for His help and guidance, it is easy to lose our intimacy connection with Christ.

I would like to challenge all of us who serve in the ministry [as a career] to plan for a change. Let’s not seek the Lord for a momentary and refreshing touch in the midst of our stressful career moments… let’s seek the Lord for a permanent transformation whereby our ministry returns to being with Him.

After all, on the last day there will be plenty of minister-types who will remind Christ of all that they have done for Him, but He (Christ) will not have any recollection of their ministry works because He only remembers ministers that ministered with Him.

“’Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?”

Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Matthew 7:22-24 (NIV)

Thanks for reading. See you at the altar of ministry with Christ where ministry is truly satisfying in this age, and in the age to come!

If We Were God...

If we were God, what kind of church services would we want our church to have?

Loud, or Soft music?  Long, or Short services?  Big, or Small congregation?  Suits, or Polo shirts?  Sitting, or Standing during worship?  Piano, or Organ music?  Seeker-Sensitive, or Hell-Fire preaching?  Pentecostal, or Evangelical atmosphere?  Topical, or Expositional teaching?  Cutting-edge, or 1980’s?  White Hankies, or Colored Banners?  Missionaries, or Singers?  Projection, or Handouts?  Pass-the-Plate, or Take-It-to-the-Altar offerings?

And the list could go on, and on…

Fortunately, we aren’t God.  I say fortunately, not because of all the potentially difficult decisions that the above list represents, but because the list contains all the wrong questions when it comes to God considering what kind of church services He wants.

• While we are measuring the volume of the music coming from the platform, God is looking for any measure of a cry from a heart in the sanctuary.
• While we are hoping our service will be dismissed by noon, God is hoping our sin will be dismissed sooner rather than later.
• While we are convincing ourselves we don’t have to go to the altar, God is already convinced of all the alterations we need to undergo.
• While we wonder where the good ol’ days went, God is wondering why His wonders of today are much less appreciated.
• While we bring in the latest worship songs to help us dance and banner-wave, God remains kept outside the doors of our hearts - in the cold – looking for another way in.

Today, let’s each bring our own error-filled list of church service defining questions to the altar.  And while we are at it, let’s not forget to bring our hearts too.

See you at the altar of alteration.

A Letter to my Son, a New Pastor

"Sam, the joy I have as you begin your ministry at First Southern Baptist Church in Floyds Knobs, Ind., is beyond description. You are on a great and exciting journey, and I am praying for God’s hand to be upon your life and ministry. I hope you don’t mind your old man sharing with you a few words of advice. I have made many mistakes in ministry, so I hope my experience can be useful to you."

Click to read more ...

New Paradigm is Here

After pastoring Mount Hood Christian Center for almost 8 1/2 years, I have announced my resignation, effective Sunday, September 24.  While I am going to miss the opportunities that pastoring provides when it comes to serving God and helping people, I am very excited about what is ahead.

My excitement, however, is not based upon knowing what all is next!  There is still plenty of "wait and see" that will have to take place, but the peace of Christ that transcends all understanding and circumstances has found a home in my heart and mind.

I'll write more about this later.  I am currently building a website that will articulate this paradigm shift.

SermonSpice.com

A website called SermonSpice.com is one that is creatively done to help illustrate various aspects of the Christian life and of Church life.  Check it out, I don't think you will escape being blessed!

"Heart & Path Ministers to 1 Billion People!"

Please do not misunderstand, I am not berating anyone's efforts to broadcast the good news of Jesus Christ through any of the available media streams. I do however want to make a point of saying to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that when it comes to making statements as to how big our ministries are, let's keep it real.

Click to read more ...

Reversing Our Biblical Illiteracy

A Barna poll indicated that at least 12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah's wife. Another survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that over 50 percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife. A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham. We are in big trouble.

Click to read more ...

Our Team is Back from Louisiana!

Our church recently sent a team of 10 volunteers to Lake Charles, Louisiana to help with relief efforts following the two hurricanes. They returned last night at about 3:00am and most of them were in church this morning!

Click to read more ...

My Appreciation for Pastor Jack Hayford

I have been reflecting recently on those people in my life whom have had tremendous influence on my heart and my mind. While there are many (!) and they all certainly would be a joy to write something about in an honoring manner, I would like to take a few moments to mention Pastor Jack Hayford.

Click to read more ...

A Theological Treatise for Hosting a Super Bowl Party at Church

Okay, this journal entry isn't that formal, so please don't be afraid to continue reading...

Click to read more ...