Not As Easy As it Sounds

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Somethings are pretty straightforward. You read or hear about them and it is fairly easy to implement. Other things sound pretty easy and make sense, but implementing them is difficult if not impossible because obstacles and attitudes stand in the way.

I agree with this sentiment article and I have for years. However, this is easier said than done. What is a pastor to do if he or she tries to raise up others for work, but they don’t want to work? What if they have other priorities? Family, work, entertainment, etc., all take time and energy. Many cite that 20% of people do 80% of the work. The other day I heard a lay person say that 10% of the people do 100% of the work. Sometimes it seems he might be right. If so, the pastors have a lot of work to do…

Here’s a quote from the article. The full article is linked for your convenience:

The pastor really has one job, and it has nothing to do with running committees, hospital visits, service bulletins, capital campaigns, and all other sorts of craziness that has become pastoral tradition. Based on Ephesians 4:11, the pastor isn’t supposed to be the doer of all ministry, but rather the equipper of people who do all of the ministry. As simply as it can be put, the job of the pastor is to raise up other people to do the work.

via Ministry Matters™ | Articles | The Lie of Well-Roundedness.

Have we gotten heaven all wrong? – N. T. Wright

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N. T. Wright is my favorite biblical scholar. He has helped me work through many issues regarding biblical faith. Here’s an article where Wright addresses the concept of Heaven and how we have gotten it wrong. I highly suggest to not just read this article, but also work through the belief systems that have created a Heaven that keeps us from living out God’s life now. The Good News in all of this is that we don’t have to die in order to live!

First-century Jews who believed Jesus was Messiah also believed he inaugurated the Kingdom of God and were convinced the world would be transformed in their own lifetimes, Wright said. This inauguration, however, was far from complete and required the active participation of God’s people practicing social justice, nonviolence and forgiveness to become fulfilled.

 

Once the Kingdom is complete, he said, the bodily resurrection will follow with a fully restored creation here on earth. “What we are doing at the moment is building for the Kingdom,” Wright explained.

 

Indeed, doing God’s Kingdom work has come to be known in Judaism as “tikkun olam,” or “repairing the world.” This Hebrew phrase is a “close cousin” to the ancient beliefs embraced by Jesus and his followers, Wright said.

via Religion News Service | Faith | Doctrine & Practice | N.T. Wright asks: Have we gotten heaven all wrong?.

We’re Dying…but Still Vital

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NYC Pastor Ruffles Feathers With Obama Is Evil Church Sign

This is from an article about a pastor from New York who put “Obama is Evil” on his church sign. What caught my eye was the bit at the end. I was a bit perplexed when the pastor said “In over 30 years we’ve had over 4,000 members” but when I got to the end of the article I realized why he phrased it that way. I guess how you look at things can make a difference!

Perhaps the UMC should start counting all the members over the past 30 or 40 years. I’m sure it would help our statistics. Now that I think about it…we’re also dying…but we’re still vital! I guess his statement isn’t as strange as I first thought. Some food for thought.

Manning, ordained as a Baptist, has served as a minister for more than 30 years and has baptized over 1,000 people during his time at ATLAH.”In over 30 years weve had over 4,000 members,” Manning told CP.The pastor admitted that his anti-Obama stance has contributed to the church “dwindling down to a scant 100 members.”"But were still vital,” Manning added.

via NYC Pastor Ruffles Feathers With Obama Is Evil Church Sign.

Using God for Our Gain

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I’m sure not all of the facts are out yet…regardless, it is very sad. Here is a quote from the article. To see the full article, follow the link:

Whoever built the headquarters of the Bible-thumping Trinity Broadcasting Network in Southern California appears to have overlooked that famous passage in the Good Book about rich men, large camels and the eyes of needles. The Christian ministry, which provides a platform to some of Americas most popular television evangelists, occupies a compound so stupendously ostentatious that, to a casual observer, it might be mistaken for a Las Vegas casino resort.

via Preachers in the eye of a storm – Americas – World – The Independent.

Morning Reflection 3/27/12 – Psalm 32

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Psalm 32

A psalm of David.

1 Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin,
my body wasted away,
and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude Continue reading →

Morning Reflection 3/26/12 – Psalm 31

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Psalm 31

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O LORD, I have come to you for protection;
don’t let me be disgraced.
Save me, for you do what is right.
2 Turn your ear to listen to me;
rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
a fortress where I will be safe.
3 You are my rock and my fortress.
For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.
4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,
for I find protection in you alone.
5 I entrust my spirit into your hand.
Rescue me, LORD, for you are a faithful God.

6 I hate those who worship worthless idols.
I trust in the LORD.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love,
for you have seen my troubles,
and you care about the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not handed me over to my enemies
but have set me in a safe place.

9 Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am in distress.
Tears blur my eyes.
My body and soul are withering away.
10 I am dying from grief;
my years are shortened by sadness.
Sin has drained my strength;
I am wasting away from within.
11 I am scorned by all my enemies
and despised by my neighbors—
even my friends are afraid to come near me.
When they see me on the street,
they run the other way.
12 I am ignored as if I were dead,
as if I were a broken pot.
13 I have heard the many rumors about me,
and I am surrounded by terror.
My enemies conspire against me,
plotting to take my life. Continue reading →

Morning Reflection 3/23/12 – Psalm 30

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A psalm of David. A song for the dedication of the Temple.

1 I will exalt you, LORD, for you rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,
and you restored my health.
3 You brought me up from the grave, O LORD.
You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
6 When I was prosperous, I said,
“Nothing can stop me now!”
7 Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain.
Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.
8 I cried out to you, O LORD.
I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,
9 “What will you gain if I die,
if I sink into the grave?
Can my dust praise you?
Can it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me.
Help me, O LORD.”
11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!

via Psalm 30 NLT | YouVersion.

It’s good to look back to see where we’ve been. That’s what David does here. He has had many troubles, faced many enemies, and prayed many prayers of distress. In this psalm, the one for the temple dedication, he looks back and sees God’s mighty presence. The times he felt alone, he was not. The times he was powerless, he was not. The times when he thought God had left him, God had not. Life is easier to figure out in the rear view mirror.  Continue reading →