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You can't enter Heaven until Jesus enters you!

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Think on these Things - July 25, 2021

Spiritual Leadership

Every home needs a husband, every team needs a coach, every nation needs a president, and every church needs a leader.  One of the keys to true leadership is that it is never demanded, but earned.  God has placed in the heart of every congregation the desire to be led by a true under shepherd.  Just yesterday I was sharing with a wonderful Christian leader that my aspiration is to be a shepherd leader.  Now shepherds don't follow the flock, but they lead the flock.  That leadership must be earned.  So how does a true under-shepherd deserve such a blessing as to have sheep following.  Let me share I believe it is earned by the following:

1. Integrity - Sheep want to assure themselves that the person is worthy of their trust.  They want to know the person is truthful, ethical, principled, and honest.  Friends there is too much deception caused by the enemy of our souls so we don't need the shepherd to present with a lack of honesty and integrity too.  Listen sheep, if you follow someone who is dishonest, you will realize you have compromised your integrity too.
2. Faithful ministry and faithfulness to God.   It is inspiring when we know that our shepherd is faithful to us and faithful to God.
3. Practicing True Humility - Rick Warren says, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less."
4. Exemplifying Godliness.  The Bible gives us all a clear mandate, "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord".
5. Engaging in Service.  Pastors, we need to be servant leaders.
6. Faithfully feeding the flock.  The Bible declares in I Peter 5:2, "I urge you then to see that your “flock of God” is properly fed and cared for. Accept the responsibility of looking after them willingly and not because you feel you can’t get out of it, doing your work not for what you can make, but because you are really concerned for their well-being. " (Phillips)

Now, earning and deserving leadership takes time.  I have learned that the longer I pastor a congregation the freedom that is granted me to lead, and friends, the purpose of leadership is to lead and to get things accomplished that will bring Glory to God.  Yes, the concept of a earthly pastor/leader is right!

Think on these Things- June 4, 2021

You are the Key to Others Growth

In 1998, after serving as a full-time pastor numerous years, I can honestly say the best decision I made was not to go to seminary, but to pursue a Master’s Degree in Counseling.  Pastoral counseling and coaching have been a wonderful life changing ministry. God has enabled me to confront the misery of life’s mysteries from a Biblical and therapeutic perspective. I have helped men and women tackle the problem of doubt, infidelity, abuse, depression, betrayal, marital problems, pain and suffering, grief and loss, stress and anxiety, financial bondage, anger management, and much more. God has worked with and through me using His Word, self-talk, imagery, and prayer to enhance the lives of so many. As a pastoral counselor/coach I have learned that the most important element in the counseling process is me and my growth. That is not to reduce the importance of the Holy Spirit and prayer, or the Word of God. Just as in the pulpit, I have learned I can either be a vehicle that helps a person appropriately or I can block God’s effectiveness in changing their lives. The growth, personal characteristics, beliefs, and ethical behavior of the counseling minister are the most important factors that determine success in the lives of those we are working with. So, as a pastor, shepherd, and counselor/coach there are several important characteristics that must be pursued:

1. You must have a sincere interest in others. This one cannot be faked. You either care or you don’t. If you don’t, consider another occupation. Pastors and shepherds, understand that a sincere interest in others can diminish through the process of burnout.
2. Understand that the way you relate to others will indicate if you respect, trust, and value them. David Carder has a linear progression for trust for relationships I have always found interesting…FORGIVENESS==>RESPECT==>TRUST==>LOVE.
3. We are to see in those we minister to the potential and value that God has for them.  Both as a shepherd and a counselor/coach we must give support, express warmth, and issue challenges for those we endeavor to help. Friend, we care for the other person when our time is devoted to meeting their needs and concerns and not our own.

Of course there are many other characteristics important for the pastor/shepherd and counselor/coach, but think on these for a while.

Think on these Things-May 13, 2021

An Atmosphere of Growth

Here are seven characteristics of an atmosphere of Growth:

1. Others are ahead of you. It's a sad day when you discover that, in every group you're in, you're at the top of your class. Such advantage might be good for your ego, but it's not healthy for your personal mental and spiritual development.

2. You are still challenged. It doesn't matter how young or old you are—if you're bored, you won't grow.

3. Your focus is placed in the future. There's nothing wrong with remembering the past, especially if it increases your confidence or helps you to avoid repeating costly mistakes. We all should learn from our past. Growth is impossible if you think your best days are behind you.

4. The atmosphere is encouraging. Think of how you felt the last time someone encouraged you when you were struggling with a difficult assignment or situation. I'm sure you'll agree that encouragement is a powerful motivator, especially in the midst of challenging circumstances.

5. You are out of your comfort zone. It's much easier to stick with what you know, but nobody ever achieved greatness by doing that. Surround yourself with creative thinkers—they stretch you and force you to look for answers outside your normal frame of reference.

6. Failure is not feared. You may be hesitant to venture out of your comfort zone because you're afraid you'll fall flat on your face if you take a risk. Henry Ford once said, "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently."

7.There is a willingness to change. In a growth environment, you'll never hear anyone say, "But we've never done it that way before." Not everyone embraces change with the same level of enthusiasm, but people who are committed to growth don't try to run away from it.

Think on these Things-March 11, 2021

Servant Leadership

I don’t want to be an entertaining, self promoting, personal brand. My calling is to lay my life down, not lift myself up. I am supposed to serve, protect, and equip others for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12) I do not expect people to serve me, protect me, and put me on a pedestal, even in the name of “honor”. Don’t get me wrong, I think honor is important. You should honor your pastor, and your pastor should honor you. But sometimes honor looks more like idolatry, putting a man on a pedestal, clothing him a mysterious veil of Godliness, and delightfully seeking his affirmation & praise. We should prayerfully discern the difference. What is ministry, the purpose of the church, the actual purpose of a pastor? Honestly, I am tired of celebrity culture in the church, the pressure to be cool, the church growth conferences and trainings. I am tired of church shoppers and hoppers who are looking for the next or the nearest church to meet their needs. The false belief that big is better, or the idea that “growth” is the premiere sign of health may be presented by the enemy of our souls, not by the lover of our souls.

Anyway, as I was saying…Pastors aren’t supposed to be cool.  I recently read a posting of a church which stated, after talking about all the great qualities they wanted in a pastor, "we don't expect you to walk on the water".  As I read the posting, I wondered if that is exactly what they expected.   We are not supposed to be “fashionistas” or even “visionaries.” We are ALL called to decrease, so that Jesus can increase (John 3:30). HIS name should be popular, not mine. The church doesn’t need more rich celebrity pastors who get likes and clicks and retweets because of their shoes or stylish jeans. Instead, we need more underdogs who dive on the ball and come up bruised, but make the play anyway. We need more transparency, more brokenness, more humans in ministry who are simply doing the work of feeding, leading & protecting the “flock” God has given them.  I believe what the church needs today more thank anything are pastors who are selfless servants.

We need faceless, nameless, pastors who will never get the adoration of the world because their desire is for Jesus to have all of the glory.

Think on these Things - February 6, 2021

The Call to Ministry vs. The Leading to an Area of Ministry

The verb kaleo, "to call" appears 148 times in the New Testament.  I recently addressed the question, "Do you feel called to our church?"  Let me express as I have in previous articles I am "called" to the ministry.  By that I am aserting that God has "called" me to a specific function or office.  Most of the examples of kaleo in the New Testament within the Gospels come from the words of Jesus and mean to "summon" or "invite" one to repentence, faith, salvation, and SERVICE.  In Paul's epistles Christians are frequently designated as "the Church's first  called out ones".

Also in the NT there are three instances of a special "call" to service.

1. God called Paul to be an apostle according to Romans 1:1 and I Corinthians 1:1.
2. God called Barnabas and Saul to be the first missionaries in Acts 13:2.
3. God called Paul and his companions to take the gospel to Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10).

Let me share that a "vocational call" from God is given to specific individuals at specific times. It is for a lifetime!   That commission from God is unsought and unexpected.  Although most do not have a "Damascus Road" experience, I can honestly say that I did.  The story is too long for this format, but I want to affirm several beliefs about God's call:

1. Leaders in the church must be Christians.   For one to shepherd the Church of God (Acts 20:28, one must first be part of the Church of God.
2. Leaders in the church must be men.  God's order in the church requires this (I Timothy 2:12-14).  When the Bible refers to a leader being the husband of one wife assumes male leadership.
3. Leaders in the church must have two abilities:  to lead and to teach.(I Timothy 3:4-5, Titus 1:6, Titus 1:9, I Timothy 3:2)
4. Leaders in the church must be characterized by a properly motivated desire (I Timothy 3:1).
5. Leaders in the church must manifest spiritual maturity.  According to the scripture, they are not to be a new convert, but an "elder".  They are to be temperate, prudent, hospitable, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, gentle, uncontentious and free of the love of money.  They must also have a good reputation with those outside the church (All found in I Timothy 3).

So, I was "called" into vocational ministry by Almighty God. That is permanent.   On the other hand, I have felt "led" by God's directing hand to various areas of ministry. Those have been temporary.  God calls and God leads.  Jesus was called to be the Savior of the World, but often the New Testament says he was "led" somewhere by the Spirit.  Another church recently asked me if I felt "led" to be their leader.   I connected with that.   I am "called" by God to be in Ministry (a lifetime call) and God then "leads" me where he would have me to follow".  See the November 20, 2020 "Think on these things" for additional thoughts along these lines.    Perhaps I sound picky, but I see my attraction to an area of service as a leading, not a calling.  Pastoral search committees...dig deeply!

 

Think on these Things - January 7, 2021

Worship is a VERB

Have you ever taken the time to rediscover the true focus of worship?  After being in ministry for 40 years, I want to share that worship is not a lecture, nor is it entertainment.  In other words, it is not the sermon, even though the teaching of God’s Word is important to discipleship, nor is it enjoying the music of your favorite praise band.   Worship is focusing on Jesus Christ…his life, his death, and his resurrection.  One of the problems of evangelical worship is the passive nature of many congregations.  There is a great need to break through passive worship and become more active and involved.  Congregations need to experience more active and fulfilling worship.  So, let me make a suggestion…worship is not something done to us or for us, but it is something that is to be done by us.  Have you ever felt the need to be more involved with Jesus, more need to participate with Him in your worship experience?

We need to move from worship dominated by the pastor or by worship bands where the congregation is little more than an audience to being active participants.  When we watch TV we sit passively and are entertained.  We need to move beyond the spectator (listen and watch) mentality to worship where we are active participants with Jesus.  We need to engage once again with the mystery of the presence of Jesus.  In our self-centered culture we need to remove the focus on US and redirect it to the Glory of God and what we have received because of the cross of Jesus.  Friends, Worship is not a noun, it is a VERB.

Think on these Things - November 7, 2020

Called and Separated

In Romans 1:1 we read, "Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God"(NKJV).  The NIV reads this way, "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God".  There are two verbs in this passage of scripture...called and separated, and there are two nouns worthy of our attention...servant and apostle. The word here rendered "servant" or "bond-servant," depending on the translation used is  one subject to the will and wholly at the disposal of another.  The secret to Paul's greatness is indicated in the order of these two nouns in Romans 1:1.  He was first a servant (subject to the will of God, or totally surrendered to the will of God) and following being totally dedicated to Christ, was called to be an apostle.  The word for apostle in the Greek is apostolos which is similar to another English word that came to us from Latin...missionary.  Both apostle and missionary mean "one who is sent".   So, why was Paul so successful and what should we emulate from his life.  First, he was a totally surrendered servant to Jesus Christ and only after that was he call to "be sent" with he precious news of the Gospel.

Paul was "called".   God had chosen him and equipped him for the task.  There is an old story of an old African American preacher who was listening to a young minister who was cocky and sure of him self and when the message was over the older and wiser  pastor said to the young fellow, "Was you sent or did you just went?"  Fellow pastors and ministers, did you know that in the Old Testament there were prophets who spoke without being sent by God and they were sternly rebuked.  In Jeremiah 23:16 we read, " Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the Lord."  In Jeremiah 23:21, Jeremiah goes on to say, "“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied."

To be in the pulpit, a man needs to firsts be a servant of Jesus and then needs to be called!  In other words, his life is subject to the will of God and he has been selected by God to the life of ministry(calling).  As a teenager I remember so clearly the cry from my heart, a cry I was echoing from the Apostle Paul, "Woe, is me if I preach not the Gospel".  How about you?  Are you his servant?  Have you been called to be one "who is sent"?

Think on these Things - November 3, 2020

Calling vs. Leading

It is important that the Church understand the difference between a calling and a leading.  I have had   people in  congregations state that they believe the pastor needs to feel “called” to the church.   I want each of you to understand my belief when it comes to calling and leading.  I believe all who are true pastors are called to God through the Holy Spirit and accept His Son as their personal savior.  Then I believe true ministers receive a calling into ministry.  A calling is an inner conviction from God, confirmed by the church, that you are commissioned to lifelong service as a minister of the gospel.  That generally culminates with Ordination to Gospel Ministry.  God’s guidance to a specific place where you will serve Him in obeying your “calling” to ministry is a leading.  Now, I know many talk about this as the "external calling", but we must remember, God leads us to where we will serve to fulfill his calling.  A calling is lifelong; a leading is usually temporary and specific.  So, I would say that I have been called to a lifetime of ministry, and God has led me to specific congregations over the years to fulfill HIS calling. In other words, I will always be called of God to be His minister; everything along the way is His leading.  Now it is OK if someone says they are “called to a certain place to minister”, but I have always believed that was God’s leading.

God’s Word says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths”.    For me, God's direction is His leading.  God has called me into Ministry, and He is leading me so that I can fulfill the promise of Ecclesiastes 9:10.  The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatever your hand finds to do, so it with all your might".  It was in 1890 that Ernest Blandy wrote the words to that beautiful hymn:

I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
“Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”

Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

Lead on Dear Jesus!

Think on these Things - October 20, 2020

The Problem with Prayerlessness

Some years ago while the pastor of  a multi-staff church, the church secretary came into my office one day to get the notes I had prepared for Sunday's message (It was a blessing to have her type those notes up for me).  We began discussing the content of the message for the following Sunday and she said, "Pastor, it is kind of like the old saying, 'If you are going to talk the talk, you had better walk the walk'".  That is so true in may areas of our Christian lives, and it is especially true when it comes to our communion with God through prayer.  Someone has said, "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."  Christians often say they will pray but do they passionately do so?  When our practice doesn't line up with our proclamation, that is a sign that something is off.

I believe little praying is worse than no praying because little praying is kind of like a make-believe salve for the conscience.  My friend, when prayer is sparse and sporadic, when it is done just enough to ease the conscience and not much more, we have a problem.  I believe in the power of prayer.  What a shame it is that many Christians and many churches do not experience prayer that is purposeful and potent.  Prayer should be like breathing...one sustains physical life, and the other sustains spiritual life.  Let's not be formal, cold, sterile, rehearsed, and rote in our conversation with God.

Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that in the 40 days following Jesus' resurrection and ascension, the disciples prayed differently.  They stopped praying for self preservation and more for gospel faithfulness and boldness.  Friends, if we want to see our churches thrive in faithfulness to God, then we must pray as if our lives depended on it...and they do.  "If you are going to talk the talk, you had better walk the walk".

Think on these Things - October 1, 2020

The Finger Prints of Jesus

In 2000 AD I had the opportunity to work within one of the Public School Systems in the State of Ohio.  As a requirement of employment, it was required that I undergo a background check and have my fingerprints processed by the local Sheriff's department.  I will never forget as they were imaging my finger prints that both consciously and unconsciously I realized that I had left there with an identification tag of myself that would follow me where ever I may go.  At that time I thought of the pages of the the Word of God, our Bible.  Within its pages are the finger-prints of Jesus, the Son of God, endelibly inscribed on every page.  He is the one of whom the scriptures point.   The scriptures continue until this very hour to be the final witness of the person, the work and the claims of Jesus.

So, I challenge you today...search the scriptures because they testify of Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, holy, undefiled, and without sin.  Jesus lived not a natural life, but a supernatural life.He lived not a carnal life but a spiritual life.  He calls us to live as he lived, for we are made to partake of his nature and are transformed by the Holy Spirit into His likeness.   Open the pages of the holy writings...do you see His fingerprints?

 

Think on these Things - September, 2020

What is Your Passion?

Every leader has a God-given passion that drives him.  It is part of that special call placed on His life.  In fact, all Christians have a passion within, a natural stream of response, a distinct wiring inside of them.  That passion is more than doctrine, more than just ideology, more than lifeless theology.  It is a deep-seated burning energy.    In I Corinthians 13 Paul addresses each of four “passions” that drive and motivate all believers and all churches.

What are those distinct tendencies?  People and churches are:

• Prayer Driven
• Spiritual Gifts Driven
• Faith Driven
• Activism Driven

You may know individual Christians or churches of whom one of these passions is the predominant theme.  The Apostle Paul was aware of being driven by one tendency.  He was aware of lopsided focus.  Paul understood that leaders must be driven by all of these, but most of all by LOVE.    Love is more important than you deepest ministry passions, says Paul.  It is the cement that binds us together.  Let me challenge you not to become so preoccupied with the bricks (passions) that you forget that indispensable part – mortar (LOVE).

Think on these Things - September 6, 2020

Sent by God

The Bible says in Hebrews 5:4, “and no man takes this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”  The work of the ministry is a God given grace, or as Paul says in second Corinthians 4:1, It is “a ministry received from God”.  No man should ever think of entering this vocation without a distinct call from God. The ministry is not a profession like law, education, or medicine, but a vocation, a calling from God.  Samuel was called when he was a child.   Jehovah God said to Jeremiah, “say not, I am a child, for thou shalt go to all that I show send thee, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver the, says the Lord.”

God calls his men to be shepherds to his sheep. It is imperative that a preacher wait on God’s call. The question should ring aloud in the heart of any man whether a teacher, pastor, or evangelist, “how shall they preach except they be sent.” There is a powerful truth displayed in Jeremiah 23:32, where the Bible states, “I sent them not, nor commanded them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all, says the Lord.”  Perhaps that might explain the lack of success of some occupants of the pulpit.  It is a terribly deplorable thing for someone to go through life out of the divine order, having somehow missed God’s will.

Let us remember that God’s preacher fills the place he does through no choice of his own.  He is God’s man. It is God’s place. It is God’s timing.  Are you working where God has called you?

Think on these Things - September 2, 2020

A Divine Supernatural Calling

Ministry is not a vocation which is chosen among many options.  Rather, it is a Divine, Supernatural Calling from God.  In John 15:16 we find these wonderful words of truth, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (NIV)  Notice, God calls and God appoints. Everyone has a vocation and a Calling.  Pastors, preachers, evangelists, teachers must have the sense of that Calling from God.   Not only does God call his ministers, but he equips and gifts those he has called.

Pastor/teachers are gifted and equipped to equip the saints to ministry so that the body of Christ might be edified.  God’s purpose for each of us is to find God’s Will and do it.    Referring to the the Old Testament personality of David, the Bible says in Acts 13;36, “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed” (NIV)  David found and knew his purpose and so can we.

Pastors need to have the confidence that they are sent for a specific purpose.  In John 1:6 we find these words, “There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” (NIV).  John was sent for a specific purpose…to be the forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul asks in Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (NIV)

Pastors, we must remember, we are Called, Equipped, Gifted, and Sent.  It is not our Ministry.  We have received it from God.  Therefore, let us not seek the applause of men, but of God.