Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set. Proverbs 22:28 It is my belief that one of the most significant battles in the church today (perhaps second only to the Calvinism wars), is the divergence in attitude, outlook and approach to ministry between us old fogeys and you young whippersnappers. The older, more traditional, more established folks tend to view the youngsters as half-cocked, wild-eyed radicals and the youngsters tend to view us as hidebound, tradition-mired, stick-in-the-muds. Perhaps it has always been this way. It has been a long time (32 years) since … [Read more...] about Respect the Ancient Markers, Whippersnapper!
Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor Challenge: What’s Your Plan?
So far, 28 men (plus my little baby boy Josh) have signed up for the Fitness Challenge. So, the first question here is: what is your plan? What is your strategy for the "Battle of the Bulge?" I'm headed out for a walk with my wife. My biggest needs are reduced diet and consistent (reasonable exercise). As a former marathon runner, I tend to go at it too hard, get incredibly sore and then can't exercise consistently. I am also trying one more radical thing, for the month of August. I'm carnivorous - I love steak, ribs, etc! But for one month I'm going vegetarian. It's sweet corn and … [Read more...] about Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor Challenge: What’s Your Plan?
It’s ON! The SBC Voices “Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor” Challenge (Updated)
I am only about a week late on this, but seeing that I have an earned doctorate in procrastination, that is pretty good. This is our SBC Voices "Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor" challenge, and it is officially underway (underweigh?). The following men have indicated they want to be in. If you'd like to join us, please feel free - you can get in at any time, though the longer you wait (weight? - sorry, I'll stop now) the more of a head start the rest of us will have. The goal, simply, is to lose weight between now and the end of the year. The challenge is designed to provide support, encouragement, … [Read more...] about It’s ON! The SBC Voices “Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor” Challenge (Updated)
Ministry Migraines: Dealing with Members’ Unrealistic Expectations
Thom Rainer's blog (thomrainer.com) is a must-read for any Southern Baptist pastor. Every post has factual, practical wisdom based on both sound research and biblical principles. (Send the check to my church address, Dr. Rainer). His latest post buttresses a statement my dad used to make about a study done years ago, showing the unrealistic expectations of congregations on their pastors. This one was performed by Dr. Rainer himself with his deacons at a church he served previously. It is entitled, "How Many Hours Must a Pastor Work to Satisfy the Congregation?" - the title pretty much … [Read more...] about Ministry Migraines: Dealing with Members’ Unrealistic Expectations
A Time to Mourn
Jesus was never easy to figure out. John 11 tells the story of one of Jesus’s greatest miracles, but also of some very strange behavior on the Savior’s part. Lazarus, the brother of Jesus’ close friends Mary and Martha, was very sick; near death. But when Jesus got word, he promptly did nothing, waiting a couple of days to leave for Bethany. When he finally arrived at his friends’ home, they were mourning their brother who had been in the grave for 4 days. And they were very confused; almost accusatory. “If you have been here, my brother would not have died,” Martha said. She knew of the … [Read more...] about A Time to Mourn
The United States of Nancy Grace?
The recent George Zimmerman trial and verdict has highlighted to me an unpleasant side-effect of living in the 24-hour news channel culture. We are in danger of becoming a nation of pundits - of self-appointed experts on everything! I can't watch Nancy Grace. She gets a few facts, prejudges a situation, then tenaciously trumpets her position as if it is black and white - clear beyond dispute. She may be the worst of the worst, but the cable news channels are filled with her ilk. Bill O'Reilly. Rachel Maddow. Sean Hannity. Lawrence O'Donnell. Chris Matthews. And the radio airwaves bristle … [Read more...] about The United States of Nancy Grace?
The Inheritance of the Meek
One Sunday an elderly man, an Apostle named John, was carried away in a vision given to him by the Holy Spirit. After being instructed to write down what he had seen, he turned and saw a figure walking among seven golden lampstands. He was dressed regally in a long robe and a golden sash, white hair and piercing eyes that looked like flames of fire. His voice boomed like the sound of mighty rushing waters. Demonstrating his authority, he held seven stars in his right hand; demonstrating his power, a sharp, two-edged sword proceeded out of his mouth, and demonstrating his divinity, the glory of … [Read more...] about The Inheritance of the Meek
Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor Challenge – Are You In?
Tony posted an article yesterday about his weight loss. One more reason to hate the guy - jealousy! This is a struggle I've had since I stopped running marathons back in my seminary days. I am fat. Way fatter than I ever thought I would be. I have been a successful dieter, but never been able to keep the weight off. As Tony pointed out, being fat is NOT good. It drains our energy for ministry. It causes health problems - according to some reports, it is nearly as damaging as smoking. It can damage our testimony to others. It costs everyone. A representative of Guidestone told … [Read more...] about Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor Challenge – Are You In?
A Not-Guilty Verdict, A Restless Nation: Was Justice Served?
Let's admit a fact. Not a single one of us knows what happened that fateful night when George Zimmerman encountered Trayvon Martin. We know that a young man died, but none of us knows whether George Zimmerman intended to kill Trayvon or whether he was defending himself. None of us really knows. You don't. I don't. The prosecutors don't. Even the jury doesn't. George Zimmerman is the only person on earth who really knows what happened that night. Of course, God knows and eventually full justice will be done here. We know that. Until then, we have to live in the realm of uncertainty. I would … [Read more...] about A Not-Guilty Verdict, A Restless Nation: Was Justice Served?
How Much Did the SBC’s Racial Past Contribute to America’s Moral Collapse? – A Comment from Alan Cross
Alan Cross posted a comment yesterday on my "sixty year decline" post. It made a point worthy of its own discussion. Here is the comment, in its entirety. All of this begs the question of whether or not our expansive growth in the postwar decade of 1945-1955 was God’s work or simply a shift in culture – or perhaps a combination of the two? Everything that was stable and conservative exploded in American in those 10-15 years. Then, we had the great unraveling because the children of the “Greatest Generation” largely rejected their values and saw them as hypocritical. We had our chance to … [Read more...] about How Much Did the SBC’s Racial Past Contribute to America’s Moral Collapse? – A Comment from Alan Cross