We've more or less gotten into our new house and church, but it remains to be seen whether we are "settled" in. It's hard to believe that the Chisholms have been in Springfield a month, and yes I know it has been "only" a month but that is still an accomplishment considering the journey we have been on. Slowly but surely we are getting adjusted to new people, places, streets, and surroundings. It has been a good adventure thus far.
I'm looking forward to another journey of sorts this week as the CBF General Assembly is held in Washington D.C. I'll be flying out of here mid-week and returning sometime Sunday, so hopefully this will be enough time to get a taste of what is going on in Baptist life of a more traditional bent. It will be nice not having to debate and pass resolutions that aren't even binding on local churchs anyway. Here are a few modest expectations I have for the event:
1. I expect to get reaquainted with some of my friends from around the CBF landscape. It's one thing to keep in touch throughout the year, but there is something special about seeing folks in person and hearing what has gone on in their lives the previous year. In particular, I look forward to touching base with Dr. Joe Trull, Editor of Christian Ethics Today. He went through quite a scare with the health recently and I'm glad he's back in the lineup. I might catch up with some TN and MS people along the way too. I'll try to track down Ircel Harrison and Buddy Shurden along the way too. I'm always surprised to find someone I've met before in attendance at the Assembly.
2. I expect to make new friends as well, especially since I am new to Missouri and will be attending their state meeting at some point along the way. It's important to me to know who our state CBF reps are and how I can lead our church to be supportive on their ministries. I'm always looking for ways to network with like-minded Baptists.
3. I expect to hear good speakers and good messages from the Word of God and focused on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. CBF folks are missions-minded, and a high point of the gathering will be hearing from our new Global Missions Coordinator, Rob Nash, about his vision for reaching people for Christ and how the local church can be part of that (UHBC hosts a reception for Rob this October on his tour through MO). The breakout sessions offer enough variety so that almost anyone can find a subject to peak his/her interest. I do regret not being able to attend the pre-assembly meeting sponsored by Christian Ethics Today about being prophetic without being political. That information should be especially helpful, but time wise I can't work it in.
4. I expect a good introduction to the work of the American Baptist Convention. One unique feature of UHBC is that we are dually aligned: ABC/CBF. The former isn't an organization I know much about, primarily because there aren't that many ABC churches (if any) in LA, MS, or TN. I have checked out their website and confessional statements and already feel a kinship with them, especially their high regard for local church autonomy. The big draw for the ABC this year is their Centennial anniversary, and I'll be around that Saturday to enjoy that experience. The CBF and ABC will share a worship experience one evening, and that definitely looks to be a highlight.
5. I expect to hear less about what is happening in the SBC and more about what is going on with the mission and ministry of the CBF. The farther away from 1990 we get, the better off we will be as far as turning our attention forward to new ways of partnership and service. It's getting better each year, I think, as those who are supporting the Fellowship (not "joining") do so out of an appreciation for its emphasis on Baptist distinctives rather than a reaction to fundamentalism. There will always be this dynamic, but I hope the Fellowship can be more than a home for disgruntled Baptists. I have to remind myself that the younger guard of Baptists do not know about "the Controversy" except through their reading. They haven't lived through it, so the infusion of younger Baptists and energy is a good thing.
6. I expect to have a greater appreciation for being a Baptist. The freedoms we enjoy in our way of doing church are truly precious, and rubbing shoulders with other traditional Baptists will be a blessing. Being a follower of Jesus Christ is far more important than being a Baptist, and I will always identify first and foremost with the former before the latter. CBF people (and ABC I expect) have this mindset, and any effort to focus on what we have in common more than what we don't is welcome. Our uniqueness as Baptists can be celebrated without quenching the ecumenical spirit that unites all of us as believers in Jesus Christ.
That's not an exhaustive list, but it is a good start. I hope to find that my expectations will be met in a few days. There are a lot of things taking place in Baptistland these days, and these are not always positive and honor the God we are called to serve. The CBF and ABC are not perfect organizations by far, but I believe they are closer to what Baptists have historically been and stood for through the years. I'll find out whether this viewpoint is validated in a few days.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Changes in Baptist Latitudes
One of my preacher friends finally caught up with me after our move and mentioned a Jimmy Buffett lyric about a "change in latitude and a change in attitude." That's how I feel about moving to the show me state, even though I am still very much in a learning curve about our church, town, and state. I am excited about what the Lord has in store for our church in the days ahead. Part of the education process has been finding out that Missouri Baptist life is a bit more interesting than what's happening in the Volunteer state. I can see how it would be easy to be consumed by it.
I've been very grateful not to be required to keep up with the events of the Southern Baptist Convention. In fact, I didn't even know the Convention was meeting this month until I stumbled upon it in Marty Duren's blog called "SBC Outpost." Duren has gained quite a readership with his opinions and analysis of the factions now existing in the denomination. It was interesting to find out that after an extended period of time that he is putting down the laptop for good--at least when it comes to SBC news. I appreciated his candor is stating that denominational politics is akin to "trench warfare" and not for the faint of heart. It is easy to allow the topic to dominate one's conversation and thinking. Sorting through his remarks brought back some feelings of frustration when the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message was approved. That moment was an epiphany for me, and I have been able to move beyond SBC politics. I have discovered, however, that there is more than one style of Baptist politics.
Recently I discovered that the Missouri Baptist Convention fired its BSU Directors. It appears the MBC is restructuring its student ministry. This is a shocking development and one that I hope does not compromise our ability to reach the college campus. Regardless, this development has ushered me into a world of Baptist politics that I'd sooner do without. Our church was one of 18 that the MBC booted out last year. Still, it is interesting and sometimes entertaining to watch the implosion of the convention from a safe distance. Both the national and state SBC organizations are caught up in narrowing parameters for participation and partnerships. Even among fundamentalists, there has to be an enemy and I'm amazed that there is still something for Southern Baptists to fight about.
The SBC doesn't have a corner on preacher fights, and Baptists of all stripes have done a pretty good job of starting churches by having existing ones split. Baptists are a schismatic people, and have a rugged individualism that leads to a dogged determination to hang on to one's personal beliefs and not have an outside authority enforce orthodoxy or conformity. Cooperation, not uniformity, is the operative word and one that I hope is demonstrated in Washington D.C. in a few weeks when the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and American Baptist Convention come to town. It has been encouraging to see that each year there seems to be less and less concern for what the SBC has done and more in regard to new ministries and mission efforts of CBFers. When it comes to which side is "right," I am reminded of what my new ministry friend said about it: "They're all wrong!" He maintained that SBC, MBC, and CBF folks all have their problems and it's sad that they can't get along.
I think there is some truth to that statement, and realize there is no perfect organization for carrying out the Lord's work. It is wonderful and sometimes frustrating that denominations exist. I remind myself daily that the headquarters for the Lord's work remains the local church. Still, my hope is that the General Assembly and coinciding Centennial celebration of the American Baptist Convention will lead to new latitudes and new attitudes for support and mutual appreciation. We Baptists must realize that cooperation for the cause of Christ is better than rattling our doctrinal sabers at one another. The age old motto still rings true: "In essentials, Unity. In non-essentials, Liberty. In all things, Charity."
I've been very grateful not to be required to keep up with the events of the Southern Baptist Convention. In fact, I didn't even know the Convention was meeting this month until I stumbled upon it in Marty Duren's blog called "SBC Outpost." Duren has gained quite a readership with his opinions and analysis of the factions now existing in the denomination. It was interesting to find out that after an extended period of time that he is putting down the laptop for good--at least when it comes to SBC news. I appreciated his candor is stating that denominational politics is akin to "trench warfare" and not for the faint of heart. It is easy to allow the topic to dominate one's conversation and thinking. Sorting through his remarks brought back some feelings of frustration when the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message was approved. That moment was an epiphany for me, and I have been able to move beyond SBC politics. I have discovered, however, that there is more than one style of Baptist politics.
Recently I discovered that the Missouri Baptist Convention fired its BSU Directors. It appears the MBC is restructuring its student ministry. This is a shocking development and one that I hope does not compromise our ability to reach the college campus. Regardless, this development has ushered me into a world of Baptist politics that I'd sooner do without. Our church was one of 18 that the MBC booted out last year. Still, it is interesting and sometimes entertaining to watch the implosion of the convention from a safe distance. Both the national and state SBC organizations are caught up in narrowing parameters for participation and partnerships. Even among fundamentalists, there has to be an enemy and I'm amazed that there is still something for Southern Baptists to fight about.
The SBC doesn't have a corner on preacher fights, and Baptists of all stripes have done a pretty good job of starting churches by having existing ones split. Baptists are a schismatic people, and have a rugged individualism that leads to a dogged determination to hang on to one's personal beliefs and not have an outside authority enforce orthodoxy or conformity. Cooperation, not uniformity, is the operative word and one that I hope is demonstrated in Washington D.C. in a few weeks when the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and American Baptist Convention come to town. It has been encouraging to see that each year there seems to be less and less concern for what the SBC has done and more in regard to new ministries and mission efforts of CBFers. When it comes to which side is "right," I am reminded of what my new ministry friend said about it: "They're all wrong!" He maintained that SBC, MBC, and CBF folks all have their problems and it's sad that they can't get along.
I think there is some truth to that statement, and realize there is no perfect organization for carrying out the Lord's work. It is wonderful and sometimes frustrating that denominations exist. I remind myself daily that the headquarters for the Lord's work remains the local church. Still, my hope is that the General Assembly and coinciding Centennial celebration of the American Baptist Convention will lead to new latitudes and new attitudes for support and mutual appreciation. We Baptists must realize that cooperation for the cause of Christ is better than rattling our doctrinal sabers at one another. The age old motto still rings true: "In essentials, Unity. In non-essentials, Liberty. In all things, Charity."
Friday, June 08, 2007
Jim Bakker's Rummage Sale
One of the challenges of getting settled into a new community is learning the new TV channels. With three children, I opted for the "family package" which provides more channels for viewing. This should provide enough differences in programming to please just about everyone in the house. Unfortunately, having more channels in Springfield does not necessarily equate to a greater variety of choices. Getting an increase in channels means receiving a disproportionate number of religious channels along with several home shopping networks. I'm not pleased about this, and I'm not certain what to do about it. We'll see how critical this is when football season starts and when TV viewing gets more serious. I could always use more sports channels. The last thing this preacher needs is more inspirational networks.
Jim Bakker is back on television. His broadcast out of Branson is called the "The New Jim Bakker Show" and his wife co-hosts along the same line as did Tammy Fae and looks like her to some degree. I watched a little bit of it tonight, and they were celebrating 1000 broadcasts by asking people to contribute money to the ministry. Bakker talked about the construction of a Grace chapel and asked folks who believed in grace to give him a $1000. There were incentives to pull out your credit card, as the camera panned over to items that you'd likely to stumble over at a rummage sale. Several pictures of Jesus were available along with nativity figurines and from my estimation, cheap looking jewelry. As Ray Stevens sang, "Would Jesus wear a Rolex?" Let's not forget about the VIP club you can join if the price is right. This offers special discounts and allows you get these items for free. Sounds like a spiritual Sam's Club.
I'm grateful that Bakker is out of prison and proclaiming a message of grace and love to his viewers. His remarks about getting to know his son have been particularly meaningful. Apparently, his experiences in recent years are forging his message, although tonight he was quoting from the Old Testament to get people to give toward rebuilding his ministry. There may very well be place for a broadcast like this one, but the idea of selling material things in exchange for financial donations turns me off. These items looked really tacky to me. Bakker's message sounded like a remix of the old PTL club pitch from decades ago. No doubt he will have his critics, simply because he is back in television ministry after his fall. I'm not criticial of that part of it, as my only acquaintance with him has been watching him on Larry King Live a time or two.
I'll never be on television or know the thrill of reaching into thousands or millions of homes. I'll also never have to stoop to selling trinkets to church members while asking them for $1000 seed gifts that the Lord will surely honor. Do you think we'll ever hear about a televangelist giving away $1000 away in order for the Lord to bless his own ministry? You can figure that one out. I recall Oral Roberts asking for donations to support his TV ministry and locking himself in a room. He said he wouldn't come out until he had enough money and that "God would strike him dead" if he didn't raise one million dollars. Roberts got the money from the owner of a dog racing track. The Lord works in mysterious ways, indeed.
There is a precarious balance between money and ministry, and one cannot love the former and effectively carry out the latter. As a pastor, I have found that there are times to challenge the people in their giving. But, I've never thought of providing pictures of Jesus should church members give up to a certain amount or offer VIP seating in the sanctuary. There shouldn't be material incentives in order to get folks to seek spiritual blessings. Bakker sounded pretty sincere in his appeals tonight, emphasizing that he totally depends on the financial support of his viewers to remain on the air. However, you would think that the request itself would be enough to persuade his supporters.
Bakker is not the only one out there making appeals and I have been an equal opportunity offender when it comes to certain types of religious programming. TV preachers know how to use spiritual language in order to cash in. I wonder to what extent these television ministers would go to bring in financial support. Bakker and others might be selling something, but I'm not buying. The local church is where the real ministry occurs and I'll send my money toward impacting our own community for Christ. Besides, if I had any additional funds they'd be directed towards getting a better cable package. Five religious channels is almost more that I can stand.
Jim Bakker is back on television. His broadcast out of Branson is called the "The New Jim Bakker Show" and his wife co-hosts along the same line as did Tammy Fae and looks like her to some degree. I watched a little bit of it tonight, and they were celebrating 1000 broadcasts by asking people to contribute money to the ministry. Bakker talked about the construction of a Grace chapel and asked folks who believed in grace to give him a $1000. There were incentives to pull out your credit card, as the camera panned over to items that you'd likely to stumble over at a rummage sale. Several pictures of Jesus were available along with nativity figurines and from my estimation, cheap looking jewelry. As Ray Stevens sang, "Would Jesus wear a Rolex?" Let's not forget about the VIP club you can join if the price is right. This offers special discounts and allows you get these items for free. Sounds like a spiritual Sam's Club.
I'm grateful that Bakker is out of prison and proclaiming a message of grace and love to his viewers. His remarks about getting to know his son have been particularly meaningful. Apparently, his experiences in recent years are forging his message, although tonight he was quoting from the Old Testament to get people to give toward rebuilding his ministry. There may very well be place for a broadcast like this one, but the idea of selling material things in exchange for financial donations turns me off. These items looked really tacky to me. Bakker's message sounded like a remix of the old PTL club pitch from decades ago. No doubt he will have his critics, simply because he is back in television ministry after his fall. I'm not criticial of that part of it, as my only acquaintance with him has been watching him on Larry King Live a time or two.
I'll never be on television or know the thrill of reaching into thousands or millions of homes. I'll also never have to stoop to selling trinkets to church members while asking them for $1000 seed gifts that the Lord will surely honor. Do you think we'll ever hear about a televangelist giving away $1000 away in order for the Lord to bless his own ministry? You can figure that one out. I recall Oral Roberts asking for donations to support his TV ministry and locking himself in a room. He said he wouldn't come out until he had enough money and that "God would strike him dead" if he didn't raise one million dollars. Roberts got the money from the owner of a dog racing track. The Lord works in mysterious ways, indeed.
There is a precarious balance between money and ministry, and one cannot love the former and effectively carry out the latter. As a pastor, I have found that there are times to challenge the people in their giving. But, I've never thought of providing pictures of Jesus should church members give up to a certain amount or offer VIP seating in the sanctuary. There shouldn't be material incentives in order to get folks to seek spiritual blessings. Bakker sounded pretty sincere in his appeals tonight, emphasizing that he totally depends on the financial support of his viewers to remain on the air. However, you would think that the request itself would be enough to persuade his supporters.
Bakker is not the only one out there making appeals and I have been an equal opportunity offender when it comes to certain types of religious programming. TV preachers know how to use spiritual language in order to cash in. I wonder to what extent these television ministers would go to bring in financial support. Bakker and others might be selling something, but I'm not buying. The local church is where the real ministry occurs and I'll send my money toward impacting our own community for Christ. Besides, if I had any additional funds they'd be directed towards getting a better cable package. Five religious channels is almost more that I can stand.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
What a Pastor should do for the Church
I'm following up the previous blog to deal with the other side of the pulpit, so to speak. It has been a while since I've sat in a pew on a regular basis, but I have tried to maintain the mindset of the layperson as much as possible. I've been at this over a decade, hardly a lifetime of experience but hopefully enough to forge out a philosophy of ministry. Here are a few modest thoughts about what I think a pastor should do for the church.
First and foremost the pastor should preach the gospel, nothing more and nothing less. This is not as easy as it sounds. It takes a lifetime to learn about who Jesus is and what he has done for us and even then this reality is beyond comprehension. The Apostle Paul called it the "foolishness of preaching" and there are days when I wonder if anything is getting through to the people. It's ironic that the days I don't feel particularly good about a sermon, those are the times people respond to the Invitation for baptism or membership. The Holy Spirit really does draw people to Jesus Christ and I am only the vessel to get the message across.
I've been hearing about pastors, particularly of larger congregations, complaining about the lack of time for sermon preparation and the need to pull manuscripts off the internet. While certainly relating to the time demands, I could not download someone else's sermon and claim it for my own. Plagarism still applies to pastors. Yes, there is vision-casting, visiting, counseling, administration, and public relations to consider and the time can get away from you. While not an avid W.A. Criswell fan, I do appreciate his emphasis on "giving the mornings to God" for sermon preparation. The greatest good for the greatest number of people can occur on Sunday morning.
The pastor should also love the people. Jesus said we are known as his disciples by this characteristic, and the sad reality is that the church doesn't always do a good job at this. Sometimes the pastor doesn't either, but it still up to him to set the tone as much as possible in this area. I wish it were true that this comes easily, and when dealing with most people it does. It becomes more difficult when people hurt you and those you love. Pastors are people too, and must deal with their emotions just like anybody else. Loving people is not only good for them but also good for the pastor too. And it is not optional. It's important not to preach angry, and to check your temper at the door.
Part of loving the church also relates to being honest with them and "speaking the truth in love" as the Apostle Paul told Timothy. Sometimes folks confuse being loved with always being told what they want to hear. Pastors have a responsibility of challenging their people from the pulpit and also being there for them during joys and hardships. Both aspects are important. Members are more likely to listen to a pastor who shows concern for them on days other than Sunday. I may be idealistic, but would like to believe that most church members appreciate a pastor who cares enough about them to challenges to them to deeper walk with Christ. Loving folks who are lovable is not that difficult, it's those other folks you have to work harder on.
Finally I would say that the pastors should lead the people. They are accountable before God for being good stewards of the opportunity to influence people for Christ. Leadership is not dictatorship, and for some reason this has been a problem in moderate churches in particular. Traditional Baptist churches who value the priesthood of believers distinctive sometimes rebel against a pastor who wants to assert himself. Leadership does not diminish the priesthood concept, as our Lord has placed certain individuals in the church for this very purpose. Pastors can become frustrated when they are restrained from using their gifts and abilities to the fullest. I am convinced that not every church wants a pastor to lead them. They may say they want a pastor, but this means someone closer to a chaplain who will take care of sick folks. This is important work but fails to acknowledge the church's role as a headquarters for mission activity in their community.
I'm heard it said that a pastor who is leading his church when no one is following is only out for a walk. There is a mutual accountablity between pastors and their churches, and that is why I believe churches and pastors should listen to each other. It baffles me how many times a pastor will enter a new situation and attempt to make major changes. Sometimes this is needed, but usually it takes time to adapt to new people and earn the respect of the people. Mega-church pastors tend to attempt this shortly after their arrival, sometimes with catastrophic results. On the other hand, some churches resist any kind of leadership from the pastor and don't want to do anything that might "rock the boat." It takes a great deal of discernment to know how much to do and how soon to do, and pastors should take heed to the leadership of the Holy Spirit to set the agenda for their own lives and that of their congregations.
Regardless of what else pastors accomplish, they are responsible for being good role models and being the presence of Christ is their churches and communities. It is an awesome responsibility and privilege to stand before the people week after week, and pastors should take special care of their influence and relationships. It should go without saying that ministers should be above reproach and set a good example for their church families. I mention it because pastors have been known to experience "moral failure" with devastating effects to all those around them. Because of this reality, it's important not to say "that will never happen to me" because pride does go before a fall. We pastors (and ministers as a whole) should pray regularly for the Lord to "keep us from evil."
First and foremost the pastor should preach the gospel, nothing more and nothing less. This is not as easy as it sounds. It takes a lifetime to learn about who Jesus is and what he has done for us and even then this reality is beyond comprehension. The Apostle Paul called it the "foolishness of preaching" and there are days when I wonder if anything is getting through to the people. It's ironic that the days I don't feel particularly good about a sermon, those are the times people respond to the Invitation for baptism or membership. The Holy Spirit really does draw people to Jesus Christ and I am only the vessel to get the message across.
I've been hearing about pastors, particularly of larger congregations, complaining about the lack of time for sermon preparation and the need to pull manuscripts off the internet. While certainly relating to the time demands, I could not download someone else's sermon and claim it for my own. Plagarism still applies to pastors. Yes, there is vision-casting, visiting, counseling, administration, and public relations to consider and the time can get away from you. While not an avid W.A. Criswell fan, I do appreciate his emphasis on "giving the mornings to God" for sermon preparation. The greatest good for the greatest number of people can occur on Sunday morning.
The pastor should also love the people. Jesus said we are known as his disciples by this characteristic, and the sad reality is that the church doesn't always do a good job at this. Sometimes the pastor doesn't either, but it still up to him to set the tone as much as possible in this area. I wish it were true that this comes easily, and when dealing with most people it does. It becomes more difficult when people hurt you and those you love. Pastors are people too, and must deal with their emotions just like anybody else. Loving people is not only good for them but also good for the pastor too. And it is not optional. It's important not to preach angry, and to check your temper at the door.
Part of loving the church also relates to being honest with them and "speaking the truth in love" as the Apostle Paul told Timothy. Sometimes folks confuse being loved with always being told what they want to hear. Pastors have a responsibility of challenging their people from the pulpit and also being there for them during joys and hardships. Both aspects are important. Members are more likely to listen to a pastor who shows concern for them on days other than Sunday. I may be idealistic, but would like to believe that most church members appreciate a pastor who cares enough about them to challenges to them to deeper walk with Christ. Loving folks who are lovable is not that difficult, it's those other folks you have to work harder on.
Finally I would say that the pastors should lead the people. They are accountable before God for being good stewards of the opportunity to influence people for Christ. Leadership is not dictatorship, and for some reason this has been a problem in moderate churches in particular. Traditional Baptist churches who value the priesthood of believers distinctive sometimes rebel against a pastor who wants to assert himself. Leadership does not diminish the priesthood concept, as our Lord has placed certain individuals in the church for this very purpose. Pastors can become frustrated when they are restrained from using their gifts and abilities to the fullest. I am convinced that not every church wants a pastor to lead them. They may say they want a pastor, but this means someone closer to a chaplain who will take care of sick folks. This is important work but fails to acknowledge the church's role as a headquarters for mission activity in their community.
I'm heard it said that a pastor who is leading his church when no one is following is only out for a walk. There is a mutual accountablity between pastors and their churches, and that is why I believe churches and pastors should listen to each other. It baffles me how many times a pastor will enter a new situation and attempt to make major changes. Sometimes this is needed, but usually it takes time to adapt to new people and earn the respect of the people. Mega-church pastors tend to attempt this shortly after their arrival, sometimes with catastrophic results. On the other hand, some churches resist any kind of leadership from the pastor and don't want to do anything that might "rock the boat." It takes a great deal of discernment to know how much to do and how soon to do, and pastors should take heed to the leadership of the Holy Spirit to set the agenda for their own lives and that of their congregations.
Regardless of what else pastors accomplish, they are responsible for being good role models and being the presence of Christ is their churches and communities. It is an awesome responsibility and privilege to stand before the people week after week, and pastors should take special care of their influence and relationships. It should go without saying that ministers should be above reproach and set a good example for their church families. I mention it because pastors have been known to experience "moral failure" with devastating effects to all those around them. Because of this reality, it's important not to say "that will never happen to me" because pride does go before a fall. We pastors (and ministers as a whole) should pray regularly for the Lord to "keep us from evil."
What a Church should do for its Pastor
Starting another pastorate here in Springfield has got me thinking about one of my former seminary professors. Dr. Bob Simmons served as Professor of Missions at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and prior to that was a missionary to the Philippines. He and his wife Mary have meant a great deal to me through the years through their kind words, imparted wisdom, and continued interest in my ministry path. I recall his preaching the annual associational sermon one year in which he told church members what they could do to help their pastors. I've remembered his outline and the general theme of his message.
The first thing churches can do for their pastors is listen to them. Baptist churches, in particular, go through something akin to a courtship leading ultimately to "a call" to be the pastor. Once this occurs, the pastor begins the process of learning the people, community, and mechanics of the church as a whole. It's important to remember the wonder of how God brings a pastor to a local church, working through fallible human beings to accomplish his purpose. Most times this process appears to work well, although there are times that the match doesn't gell. Even so, pastors worth their salt will put the time and energy into preparing sermons week after week. This is challenging task to be interesting, fresh, and have something new to say each time. Churches would do well to tune in to their pastors not only when they preach but also as they lead. Pastors are not perfect, certainly, but something special happens in that preaching moment. I am considering the fact that pastors do their own material and not get them from others off the internet and pass it off as their own.
The second thing churches can do is lift them, and by this I mean in prayer. I haven't been at this work as long as others, but can attest to how important it is for members to pray for their pastor. There are constant demands on time and the hours take a toll physically and spiritually. To be sure, it is a great privilege to be a pastor but there is a relationship and responsibility on behalf of the church. Unfortunately, there have been too many examples of pastoral moral failure and infidelity, both personal and financial. These situations wreak a great deal of damage on the body of Christ and some churches never fully recover. Our battle is primarily spiritual in nature, and therefore we must not overlook our greatest weapons of prayer and the memorized Word. Many pastors wear so many ministry hats that they are frazzled with the work load, not to mention trying to maintain a family life. Wise churches will lift up their pastors daily. It's important that God's people pray for the courage and wisdom of their ministers.
The third thing churches can do for their pastors is love them. This should be obvious and in some regard the very idea of asking a church to love its pastor is presumptious. It's clear from the Bible we are to love one another and the other reason is that "love covers over a multitude of sins." In what is called "the honeymoon phase," pastors and churches can only see the good and positive sides. Over time, the warts and blemishes become more noticeable and it becomes obvious that neither is without flaws. This is where it's important to keep loving each other anyway. Pastors make mistakes, often in an effort to lead and do something constructive for their church. Sadly, I have heard of examples where churches mistreat their pastors and other ministers. This is how I heard about the Ministering to Ministers program (MTM) for clergy who have experienced church abuse. No one really wants to talk about forced termination that much, it's not something denominations want to bring into focus. There are a number of pastors (and staff) working in almost intolerable situations because the people are so unkind.
I came across a book review of Dr. John Killinger's book about what they don't teach you in seminary. One of his statements referred to a meanness in some church members that is simply hard to understand. I can believe this, and it makes me wonder how some church folks can look themselves in the mirror knowing the grief they are putting their pastors through. Fortunately, there are many loving and kind persons in the church but these can be overlooked with there is difficulty. With all the pastors out there having troubles, it makes me appreciate what kind of a situation I have now. I've come to the conclusion that the best way to show love for pastors is to love their families and take care of their financial needs. The spouses and children of pastors come under a lot of scrutiny and there is pressure to maintain a normal family life. It's tough not to bring church stuff into the house, but when the church loves its pastor the stress becomes more manageable.
These aren't the only areas the churches should focus on, but they are keys to overcoming many of the pressures that pastors and congregations face. There are many things pastors wish their congregations knew, and vice versa. But, when churches listen, lift, and love their pastors the work becomes a "joy, not a burden." Pastors who serve these kinds of congregations are truly fortunate and should express their appreciation regularly. Dr. Simmons' words have stayed with me, and I wish that every church could have heard that sermon at FBC Meridian, MS several years ago. It could go a long way in strengthening and lengthening the abbreviated tenures of pastors in Baptist churches.
The first thing churches can do for their pastors is listen to them. Baptist churches, in particular, go through something akin to a courtship leading ultimately to "a call" to be the pastor. Once this occurs, the pastor begins the process of learning the people, community, and mechanics of the church as a whole. It's important to remember the wonder of how God brings a pastor to a local church, working through fallible human beings to accomplish his purpose. Most times this process appears to work well, although there are times that the match doesn't gell. Even so, pastors worth their salt will put the time and energy into preparing sermons week after week. This is challenging task to be interesting, fresh, and have something new to say each time. Churches would do well to tune in to their pastors not only when they preach but also as they lead. Pastors are not perfect, certainly, but something special happens in that preaching moment. I am considering the fact that pastors do their own material and not get them from others off the internet and pass it off as their own.
The second thing churches can do is lift them, and by this I mean in prayer. I haven't been at this work as long as others, but can attest to how important it is for members to pray for their pastor. There are constant demands on time and the hours take a toll physically and spiritually. To be sure, it is a great privilege to be a pastor but there is a relationship and responsibility on behalf of the church. Unfortunately, there have been too many examples of pastoral moral failure and infidelity, both personal and financial. These situations wreak a great deal of damage on the body of Christ and some churches never fully recover. Our battle is primarily spiritual in nature, and therefore we must not overlook our greatest weapons of prayer and the memorized Word. Many pastors wear so many ministry hats that they are frazzled with the work load, not to mention trying to maintain a family life. Wise churches will lift up their pastors daily. It's important that God's people pray for the courage and wisdom of their ministers.
The third thing churches can do for their pastors is love them. This should be obvious and in some regard the very idea of asking a church to love its pastor is presumptious. It's clear from the Bible we are to love one another and the other reason is that "love covers over a multitude of sins." In what is called "the honeymoon phase," pastors and churches can only see the good and positive sides. Over time, the warts and blemishes become more noticeable and it becomes obvious that neither is without flaws. This is where it's important to keep loving each other anyway. Pastors make mistakes, often in an effort to lead and do something constructive for their church. Sadly, I have heard of examples where churches mistreat their pastors and other ministers. This is how I heard about the Ministering to Ministers program (MTM) for clergy who have experienced church abuse. No one really wants to talk about forced termination that much, it's not something denominations want to bring into focus. There are a number of pastors (and staff) working in almost intolerable situations because the people are so unkind.
I came across a book review of Dr. John Killinger's book about what they don't teach you in seminary. One of his statements referred to a meanness in some church members that is simply hard to understand. I can believe this, and it makes me wonder how some church folks can look themselves in the mirror knowing the grief they are putting their pastors through. Fortunately, there are many loving and kind persons in the church but these can be overlooked with there is difficulty. With all the pastors out there having troubles, it makes me appreciate what kind of a situation I have now. I've come to the conclusion that the best way to show love for pastors is to love their families and take care of their financial needs. The spouses and children of pastors come under a lot of scrutiny and there is pressure to maintain a normal family life. It's tough not to bring church stuff into the house, but when the church loves its pastor the stress becomes more manageable.
These aren't the only areas the churches should focus on, but they are keys to overcoming many of the pressures that pastors and congregations face. There are many things pastors wish their congregations knew, and vice versa. But, when churches listen, lift, and love their pastors the work becomes a "joy, not a burden." Pastors who serve these kinds of congregations are truly fortunate and should express their appreciation regularly. Dr. Simmons' words have stayed with me, and I wish that every church could have heard that sermon at FBC Meridian, MS several years ago. It could go a long way in strengthening and lengthening the abbreviated tenures of pastors in Baptist churches.
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