Today (Tuesday), my association had a pastor’s lunch. Several of us gathered together in the private room of a restaurant and enjoyed plates that filled our bellies. It was easy to complain in part, though, for the restaurant is not accustomed to hosting groups at that hour on Tuesday, therefore the service was slow. Half of the table finished eating before the other half even sniffed their own food. And sitting among us was this guest from Brownsville, TX (we met in Butler, MO). A man who pastors a church there and has also planted three churches across the river in a now drug-war-torn … [Read more...] about Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised…
Bringing Joy to Your Pastors
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.—Hebrews 13:17 Recently, there’s been some talk about the discouragement pastors face in their ministry. Even though discouragement is the reality of what is, it’s not what should be. But as much as God places the accountability of care and shepherding into the hands of men called pastors, he also places the accountability of bringing joy to pastors into the hands of the … [Read more...] about Bringing Joy to Your Pastors
Stop Doing That!
It seems that with almost any child, ‘no’ becomes one of the first words learned. After all, they hear it quite frequently. Most of us Christians probably have at least mild familiarity with the criticism that we are more well known for what we stand against than what we stand for. Any reading of the sacred Scripture undoubtedly shows that lists of “do not’s” and “avoid this” indeed exist. As his children, God does tell us “No!” and there are certain things we must stand against. But, generally speaking, should the path of spiritual growth in the Christian life be coated with “no” or is … [Read more...] about Stop Doing That!
The Lord’s Supper and “Rethinking” Church
Let’s admit it: as much as we Southern Baptists like to talk about the Bible being our sole guide for faith and practice, we sometimes have some strange practices. The Lord’s Supper for example—4 of the 5 Southern Baptist churches I’ve been involved in do the Lord’s Supper once a quarter (and maybe another time or two around special occasions—usually the Christmas and Easter holidays), put the little piece of something that I think is supposed to be bread and the little cups of juice in shiny containers, and then cover it all with a white sheet. And, of course, when it comes time to serve … [Read more...] about The Lord’s Supper and “Rethinking” Church
We’re Called His Brothers (and he is not ashamed)
We give the idea lip service—the church is the family of God. When we gather and sing songs and pray, we gather with our brothers and sisters. Yet, can you claim you know the people worshiping next to you as well as you know your brother? Is your house open to share your life with them and theirs to share their life with you? One of the riches we find over and over in the Bible is that by coming to Jesus and his church we come to a new family. Hopefully our physical family can come with us as believers as well, but even if they don’t—even if they reject us for our faith—we have a new … [Read more...] about We’re Called His Brothers (and he is not ashamed)
Where two or three are gathered…
Matthew 18:20—probably one of the most oft quoted and yet misunderstood verses I can think of. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (ESV). It is a great promise of Jesus along the lines of Matthew 28:20, “behold I am with you always!” He is the Lord who will never leave us or forsake us and indeed he dwells among us as we gather together in his name. But…I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve heard this verse referenced to somehow comfort us in the fading numbers of a Wednesday night prayer meeting (which, by the way, I’d like someone to give me a good … [Read more...] about Where two or three are gathered…
What If?
I’m going to be straight up from the start: this post is as much (if not more) directed at me than at anyone else. I’m just the average Joe…or, um…Mike (hey, my first name was the most common boy’s name in America for years on end, only recently usurped—you can’t get much more “average” than that!). I have no fancy letters before or after my name and I pastor an average-sized church in a typical small town. There are days I wear a plastic smile, there are days I lay awake at night staring at the ceiling and wondering “is this worth it?”, and there are days I just want to take my dog and … [Read more...] about What If?
Christians and the Environment
As I sit in the middle of near-zero temperatures with over a foot of snow on the ground, a particular topic comes to mind that produces strong opinions in religion, politics, nightly news, etc…how should Christians think in regards to environmentalism, global warming, earth’s resources and so forth? In other words: what should our role be in relation to the environment? Sometimes it seems if you mention the words “environmentalism” or worse “global warming” it tends to conjure up pictures of left-wing zealots with political agendas who hug trees and try to scare little children with stories … [Read more...] about Christians and the Environment
What does your church do to make disciples?
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”—Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) When we think about the primary purpose of the church, I say it has to be that we glorify God by making disciples. Of course with this famous “Great Commission” passage that is the exact command Jesus gives us—make disciples; and Jesus … [Read more...] about What does your church do to make disciples?
Why I love serving in established churches…
Not long ago a blogger who had faced some difficult times in his ministry wrote: “I would rather be a missionary in the most dangerous, anti-Christian place in the world than try to revitalize an existing, traditional Southern Baptist church.” Though I don’t personally know that blogger, I have friends who share his sentiment and lean the direction of church planting. I myself have been tempted by the wiles of church planting (don’t jump on me about the temptation language—I value church planting, I’m just trying to be cute!), but have chosen the route of pastoring in established and … [Read more...] about Why I love serving in established churches…