I'd like to know what Peter was thinking as he clung to the sides of the boat and stared at the dark form moving toward him on the waves. Was he remembering something Jesus had said or done earlier? Did he experience a sudden rush of faith? Was he scared out of his wits? Whatever it was moved him to call out, "Lord, bid me come!"
Bid me come.
"God, this storm is so strong that I can't keep my boat on course, but tell me to leave the only security I have and face it head-on."
"God, the waves are rising higher than my boat, but tell me to get out and walk on them."
"God, the night is so black and I am more than a little disoriented, but tell me to leave my friends and march into the darkness alone."
"God, the howling wind is mocking me, but tell me to get up and walk to meet it."
What in the world was he thinking?
While I don't know what ran through Peter's head on that dreadful evening, I have learned that relationships are strengthened during storms. Soldiers sharing a foxhole in battle. Neighbors huddled in a basement riding out a tornado. Teenagers crammed in a dormitory during their first semester in college. Tough times forge unbreakable bonds.
Bad times build good relationships - and strong people. Peter may not have known exactly why he said what he did that stormy night, but his cry to the Lord is a sermon for you and me.
Dark nights provide opportunities to draw closer to Jesus. Resisting contrary winds builds spiritual stamina. Facing storms develops courage. Walking on waves lifts faith. Hearing His voice above the wind says He is near.
So in the storm, ask Him to call you closer. In the process of enduring the hard times, you get all you need - and He gets a disciple He knows He can trust and depend on.
I love the way Edgar Lee Masters says it.
"I have studied many times the marble which was chiseled for me. A boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor. In truth, it pictures not my destination, but my life. For love was offered me and I shrank from its disillusionment; sorrow knocked at my door, but I was afraid; ambition called to me, but I dreaded the chances. Yet all the while, I hungered for meaning in my life. And now I know that we must lift the sail and catch the winds of destiny wherever they drive the boat. To put meaning in one's life may end in madness, but life without meaning is the torture of restless and vague desire. It is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid."
(This post is taken from a book I am writing called When The Last Leaf Falls. You may read other chapters at my website.
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
When The Preacher Is Finished
This past Thanksgiving, I spoke at our community's annual Thanksgiving service. Here is the rough draft I prepared. It is unedited and sloppy, but I wanted to share the thought.
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We gather tonight to celebrate another year of God’s blessings upon our families and our community. I realize that much of our blessings are the result of a direct and consistent application of hard work, yet I know that the good sense to appreciate the value of work, the knowledge to know how to work, the skill to apply that knowledge, and the health to accomplish it all comes from the Lord.
As I ponder His goodness, I eventually get to the thought ‘How do I make sure that God’s blessings continue in the years to come?” How do I insure that my children enjoy His benefits even when I am gone?
I found some help in a sermon Moses preached.
Deu 5:33 Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.
Knowing a good bit of the story, I remember that Israel didn’t always follow Moses’ advice. The writer of the book of Hebrews also noticed.
Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
They had the good news preached to them, but because they only heard it but did not live it, they never experienced it.
The same opportunity is presented to us.
I realized that my blessings, and my children’s blessings, are not sealed and delivered by the preacher’s words. My blessing is determined by what I do once the preacher is finished.
What makes our country great and our families blessed is not the endless supply of good sermons that are preached every week. But the fate of nations and the quality of lives are determined by what we do when the preacher is finished.
I want to establish at the very beginning that a preacher is necessary.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
I am not saved because I heard a preacher tell of Jesus and His cross. What I did when the preacher was finished will determine my eternal future.
I am not a Christian because I hear my pastor preach twice each week. What I do when the preacher is finished is what makes me whatever I am.
I am not a good father just because I take my family to church. What I do when church is over is what identifies what kind of man I am.
I am not a good citizen because I’ve heard sermons about praying for governors and paying my taxes. What I do when the sermon is concluded defines what kind of citizen I am.
I am not honest just because I said amen when the preacher said we should always tell the truth. What I do after the preacher sits down reveals the depth of my integrity.
Your relationship with God is not defined by how well you listen to the sermon; your relationship with God is determined by what you do when the preacher is finished.
In hindsight, we criticize the Israelites for not listening to Moses and refusing to accept his leadership, yet with all that history to enlighten us, we forget what our preacher said before Deacon Willet has said the closing prayer. And by the time we hit the food bar at Ryan’s, we’ve already decided that his opinion is really no better than anybody else’s, and so we’ll just keep on doing like we’ve always done.
Let me remind you again of what the writer of Hebrews was trying to tell us. If we ignore the Word of the Lord like Israel did, we will wind up like they did. Always wandering, but never finding their place. God supplied all their needs, but they were never content. They never found that rest, the peace their soul desired.
In the morning service this past Sunday, we set aside a few minutes to allow anyone who wanted to stand and state what they were thankful for. For most of us, the list went like this: Salvation, Family, Country, Friends, and Things.
Preserving these blessing depends on what we do when the preacher is finished.
Salvation
The Book of Acts is the only book in the Bible that contains sermons preached to those outside the church telling them how to get in. But in each instance, what the preacher said was not the deciding factor. It was what those listening did after the preacher was finished. From Jerusalem to Samaria, to Ephesus and beyond, churches were established when men and women responded when the preacher was finished.
Beginning with the book of Romans, the apostles sent letters to those who responded to their preaching telling them how to transition from a law-based to a faith-based relationship with God.
Your salvation depends upon you taking action after the preacher is finished.
Family
Just because the preachers says “till death do you part” does not mean it will automatically happen. The success and happiness of your marriage, and ultimately your family, depends on what you do once the preacher is finished.
Love is not the rush you get when you see that cute new girl at work. Love is the responsibility that makes you get in your truck and drive home to your wife and kids when you know that you could have made it with that sweet young thing.
Don’t pat yourself on the back because you finally got the courage to shake loose from the restraints of your dull old life and are now chasing your dreams. It might not be too many mornings before you wake up and realize you are living a nightmare.
True meaning and self-esteem flows from your relationship with Christ. Without that in place, everything else will eventually disappoint.
We seldom come to church…the name of Jesus is only spoken in our homes when we are either scared or mad…and then we wonder why our families are fractured.
We won’t miss a ball game, school dinner, turkey shoot, or square dance, but think nothing of skipping church. When the fair is in town, some will rush to the fairgrounds every evening as soon as they get off work and will stay until the gates are locked that night. Every night they’ll throw their money down for the same old hot dogs and cotton candy, they will ride the same old carnival rides, listen to the same old blaring music, and throw a ball and miss the same old target.
But come to church three times in one week? I’ve heard the lesson on tithing 36 times. I can recite the 23rd Psalm and I know all the pieces of the Great Commission. Why do I need to hear it again?
"Tell me, again, Brother Graves, why do you come to church? You can’t distinguish the words of the sounds or enjoy the music, and you can’t quite make out what the preacher says. Why do you come?"
“I come because I want the devil to know what side I’m on.”
Your family’s future depends on what you do when the preacher is finished.
Country
The prophet said if we would turn from our wicked ways and pray that God would heal our land.
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Just listening to the preacher describe it will not make it happen. Bowing your head reverently while the pastor prays the Sunday before Election Day is not enough. You need to find your own quiet place and ask God’s blessing on our nation and commit your ways to Him.
Friends
Luk 6:27 -35 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luk 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
You may have wished I’d have talked about something different, but when we gather this time next year I want to be still enjoying the blessings of salvation, family, country, friends, and things. But whether we do or not all depends on the choices we each make. And all those choices take place after the preacher has finished.
Your future hinges on your response to God’s Word.
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
--------
We gather tonight to celebrate another year of God’s blessings upon our families and our community. I realize that much of our blessings are the result of a direct and consistent application of hard work, yet I know that the good sense to appreciate the value of work, the knowledge to know how to work, the skill to apply that knowledge, and the health to accomplish it all comes from the Lord.
As I ponder His goodness, I eventually get to the thought ‘How do I make sure that God’s blessings continue in the years to come?” How do I insure that my children enjoy His benefits even when I am gone?
I found some help in a sermon Moses preached.
Deu 5:33 Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.
Knowing a good bit of the story, I remember that Israel didn’t always follow Moses’ advice. The writer of the book of Hebrews also noticed.
Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
They had the good news preached to them, but because they only heard it but did not live it, they never experienced it.
The same opportunity is presented to us.
I realized that my blessings, and my children’s blessings, are not sealed and delivered by the preacher’s words. My blessing is determined by what I do once the preacher is finished.
What makes our country great and our families blessed is not the endless supply of good sermons that are preached every week. But the fate of nations and the quality of lives are determined by what we do when the preacher is finished.
I want to establish at the very beginning that a preacher is necessary.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
I am not saved because I heard a preacher tell of Jesus and His cross. What I did when the preacher was finished will determine my eternal future.
I am not a Christian because I hear my pastor preach twice each week. What I do when the preacher is finished is what makes me whatever I am.
I am not a good father just because I take my family to church. What I do when church is over is what identifies what kind of man I am.
I am not a good citizen because I’ve heard sermons about praying for governors and paying my taxes. What I do when the sermon is concluded defines what kind of citizen I am.
I am not honest just because I said amen when the preacher said we should always tell the truth. What I do after the preacher sits down reveals the depth of my integrity.
Your relationship with God is not defined by how well you listen to the sermon; your relationship with God is determined by what you do when the preacher is finished.
In hindsight, we criticize the Israelites for not listening to Moses and refusing to accept his leadership, yet with all that history to enlighten us, we forget what our preacher said before Deacon Willet has said the closing prayer. And by the time we hit the food bar at Ryan’s, we’ve already decided that his opinion is really no better than anybody else’s, and so we’ll just keep on doing like we’ve always done.
Let me remind you again of what the writer of Hebrews was trying to tell us. If we ignore the Word of the Lord like Israel did, we will wind up like they did. Always wandering, but never finding their place. God supplied all their needs, but they were never content. They never found that rest, the peace their soul desired.
In the morning service this past Sunday, we set aside a few minutes to allow anyone who wanted to stand and state what they were thankful for. For most of us, the list went like this: Salvation, Family, Country, Friends, and Things.
Preserving these blessing depends on what we do when the preacher is finished.
Salvation
The Book of Acts is the only book in the Bible that contains sermons preached to those outside the church telling them how to get in. But in each instance, what the preacher said was not the deciding factor. It was what those listening did after the preacher was finished. From Jerusalem to Samaria, to Ephesus and beyond, churches were established when men and women responded when the preacher was finished.
Beginning with the book of Romans, the apostles sent letters to those who responded to their preaching telling them how to transition from a law-based to a faith-based relationship with God.
Your salvation depends upon you taking action after the preacher is finished.
Family
Just because the preachers says “till death do you part” does not mean it will automatically happen. The success and happiness of your marriage, and ultimately your family, depends on what you do once the preacher is finished.
Love is not the rush you get when you see that cute new girl at work. Love is the responsibility that makes you get in your truck and drive home to your wife and kids when you know that you could have made it with that sweet young thing.
Don’t pat yourself on the back because you finally got the courage to shake loose from the restraints of your dull old life and are now chasing your dreams. It might not be too many mornings before you wake up and realize you are living a nightmare.
True meaning and self-esteem flows from your relationship with Christ. Without that in place, everything else will eventually disappoint.
We seldom come to church…the name of Jesus is only spoken in our homes when we are either scared or mad…and then we wonder why our families are fractured.
We won’t miss a ball game, school dinner, turkey shoot, or square dance, but think nothing of skipping church. When the fair is in town, some will rush to the fairgrounds every evening as soon as they get off work and will stay until the gates are locked that night. Every night they’ll throw their money down for the same old hot dogs and cotton candy, they will ride the same old carnival rides, listen to the same old blaring music, and throw a ball and miss the same old target.
But come to church three times in one week? I’ve heard the lesson on tithing 36 times. I can recite the 23rd Psalm and I know all the pieces of the Great Commission. Why do I need to hear it again?
"Tell me, again, Brother Graves, why do you come to church? You can’t distinguish the words of the sounds or enjoy the music, and you can’t quite make out what the preacher says. Why do you come?"
“I come because I want the devil to know what side I’m on.”
Your family’s future depends on what you do when the preacher is finished.
Country
The prophet said if we would turn from our wicked ways and pray that God would heal our land.
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Just listening to the preacher describe it will not make it happen. Bowing your head reverently while the pastor prays the Sunday before Election Day is not enough. You need to find your own quiet place and ask God’s blessing on our nation and commit your ways to Him.
Friends
Luk 6:27 -35 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luk 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
You may have wished I’d have talked about something different, but when we gather this time next year I want to be still enjoying the blessings of salvation, family, country, friends, and things. But whether we do or not all depends on the choices we each make. And all those choices take place after the preacher has finished.
Your future hinges on your response to God’s Word.
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
Friday, November 17, 2006
90 & 9 Article
For those who have been confused by the comments left on my Chaplains For Preachers post, I wrote a companion piece on 90 & 9, but instead of writing a straight-forward article, I used satire: "a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule." I have gotten some very interesting responses from folks who have never been exposed to satire. Instead of carrying on a lengthy discussion via the comments section, I'll address them here.
First, I want to thank those went to the trouble to write. I have read and appreciate each comment. If any of you come back to read this, visit my website and look over the books offered there. I'll send you one - free. You don't have to identify which position you took in our little discussion. Just tell me which book you want and give me a shipping address. And don't worry. None of the four listed there use satire.
Now, back to the 90 & 9 article.
Do we toss out writing techniques just because some folks aren't comfortable with them? No. They are all essential to effective communication. I understand that certain elements appeal to different audiences, but if people aren't familiar with them, we need to educate them.
How can anyone understand the Bible if they are not familiar with figures of speech and methods of literary expression? If you know nothing about Point of View, for instance, how do you teach from the book of Job? How do you explain Jesus saying that we should hate our parents (Luke 14), or Amos calling women cows (Amos 4)? If this generation doesn't understand figures of speech, how do you explain to them that when the Bible says "you will go to your fathers" it means you will die - not go home for the holidays?
As for satire, Paul may have used a little himself in Galatians 5:11-12. Elijah used elements of it when he taunted the prophets of Baal. So let me use my little piece, though poorly written it may be, to discuss the basics of satire.
1. When the message you are getting is opposed to what you know the source (in this case, 90&9) believes, the messenger is probably being sarcastic or using satire. I think I am correct in assuming that 90 & 9, while encouraging open expression, does not engage in people bashing.
2. When the title is a lie ("It Doesn't Happen Here!"), look out! The author may be using satire.
3. When the first line of the article is "It's good to see you all again" realize that the writer is creating a setting. He is transporting you to another place. That is a big clue that he wants to show you something.
4. When the writer uses abnormal expressions like "thankfully, we still had time to get together and kick him around a bit," he is probably giving you an important hint.
5. When he makes absurd comparisons, such as "(these preachers) are all alike. Start a church in their basement, work hard at it for years, build the weekly attendance up above 10,000..." there is a real good chance that the author is trying to illustrate how ridiculous some critics can be. (Do you know any preacher, other than Ted Haggard, who started a church in his basement and grew it to a congregation of more than 10,000?)
6. When the writer tosses in something that doesn't fit, such as "We've got to keep our shoulders back, faces grim, suits black, and lips stiff," a caution light should begin to flash.
7. When concluding the article, if the author says "I hate to leave so soon," he is probably reminding you that you have been transported from this real world into a make-believe one and that the journey is ending and you are about to be booted out of the travel machine.
There are a few more clues we could consider, but you didn't sign up for an english composition lecture and I'm not John Grisham.
I understand that the letters section of 90&9 will be interesting come next Monday.
Does anybody remember what we were talking about?
First, I want to thank those went to the trouble to write. I have read and appreciate each comment. If any of you come back to read this, visit my website and look over the books offered there. I'll send you one - free. You don't have to identify which position you took in our little discussion. Just tell me which book you want and give me a shipping address. And don't worry. None of the four listed there use satire.
Now, back to the 90 & 9 article.
Do we toss out writing techniques just because some folks aren't comfortable with them? No. They are all essential to effective communication. I understand that certain elements appeal to different audiences, but if people aren't familiar with them, we need to educate them.
How can anyone understand the Bible if they are not familiar with figures of speech and methods of literary expression? If you know nothing about Point of View, for instance, how do you teach from the book of Job? How do you explain Jesus saying that we should hate our parents (Luke 14), or Amos calling women cows (Amos 4)? If this generation doesn't understand figures of speech, how do you explain to them that when the Bible says "you will go to your fathers" it means you will die - not go home for the holidays?
As for satire, Paul may have used a little himself in Galatians 5:11-12. Elijah used elements of it when he taunted the prophets of Baal. So let me use my little piece, though poorly written it may be, to discuss the basics of satire.
1. When the message you are getting is opposed to what you know the source (in this case, 90&9) believes, the messenger is probably being sarcastic or using satire. I think I am correct in assuming that 90 & 9, while encouraging open expression, does not engage in people bashing.
2. When the title is a lie ("It Doesn't Happen Here!"), look out! The author may be using satire.
3. When the first line of the article is "It's good to see you all again" realize that the writer is creating a setting. He is transporting you to another place. That is a big clue that he wants to show you something.
4. When the writer uses abnormal expressions like "thankfully, we still had time to get together and kick him around a bit," he is probably giving you an important hint.
5. When he makes absurd comparisons, such as "(these preachers) are all alike. Start a church in their basement, work hard at it for years, build the weekly attendance up above 10,000..." there is a real good chance that the author is trying to illustrate how ridiculous some critics can be. (Do you know any preacher, other than Ted Haggard, who started a church in his basement and grew it to a congregation of more than 10,000?)
6. When the writer tosses in something that doesn't fit, such as "We've got to keep our shoulders back, faces grim, suits black, and lips stiff," a caution light should begin to flash.
7. When concluding the article, if the author says "I hate to leave so soon," he is probably reminding you that you have been transported from this real world into a make-believe one and that the journey is ending and you are about to be booted out of the travel machine.
There are a few more clues we could consider, but you didn't sign up for an english composition lecture and I'm not John Grisham.
I understand that the letters section of 90&9 will be interesting come next Monday.
Does anybody remember what we were talking about?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
He's Been There
We trust Jesus' sacrifice on Calvary. We rejoice that He rose from the grave. These events bring us into His presence and into a thriving relationship with Him.
But He did more during His 33 years on Earth than just become the sacrifice for our sins. His life, though short by our standards, was filled with experiences that make Him familiar with the paths we often trod.
Follow Him through the book of Matthew.
In chapter one, He leaves heaven and comes to Earth.
In chapter two, He is born in Bethlehem, then moves to Eygpt.
Chapter three finds Him in the wilderness of Judaea being baptized by John.
In chapter four, the Spirit leads Him into the wilderness, and then along the coast of Galilee.
Chapter five, He heads to the mountains to escape the crowds.
Eight, He ministers in the town of Capernaum, then takes a ship across the sea.
In chapter nine, He boards another vessel to return to His hometown, and ministers in villages.
He ministers in various cities in chapter eleven.
In chapter twelve, He goes through the corn.
Chapter thirteen finds Him sitting by the sea shore.
Chapter fourteen, He goes to a desert place, then walks on the water.
Chapter fifteen, He goes to Jerusalem, then to the sea, then to a mountain.
In chapter seventeen, He leads Peter, James, and John to an even higher mountain.
In chapter nineteen He crosses the Jordan River.
In chapter twenty-one, He visits the Mount of Olives, then throws the moneychangers out of the temple.
In chapter twenty-six we find Him back in Bethany, at the home of a friend, then to a special place for the Passover, then on to Gethsemane.
He's in court before Pilate in chapter twenty-seven. He is led to Calvary, then buried in the sepulchre.
But chapter twenty-eight finds Him back in Galilee and on yet another mountain!
And then, for the benefit of any one who still thinks he walks alone, Jesus closes Matthew's account with the promise "I am with you always. Even unto the end of the world."
No matter where you've been or where you are going, He's already there. You'll travel no new roads. He's already been there.
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
But He did more during His 33 years on Earth than just become the sacrifice for our sins. His life, though short by our standards, was filled with experiences that make Him familiar with the paths we often trod.
Follow Him through the book of Matthew.
In chapter one, He leaves heaven and comes to Earth.
In chapter two, He is born in Bethlehem, then moves to Eygpt.
Chapter three finds Him in the wilderness of Judaea being baptized by John.
In chapter four, the Spirit leads Him into the wilderness, and then along the coast of Galilee.
Chapter five, He heads to the mountains to escape the crowds.
Eight, He ministers in the town of Capernaum, then takes a ship across the sea.
In chapter nine, He boards another vessel to return to His hometown, and ministers in villages.
He ministers in various cities in chapter eleven.
In chapter twelve, He goes through the corn.
Chapter thirteen finds Him sitting by the sea shore.
Chapter fourteen, He goes to a desert place, then walks on the water.
Chapter fifteen, He goes to Jerusalem, then to the sea, then to a mountain.
In chapter seventeen, He leads Peter, James, and John to an even higher mountain.
In chapter nineteen He crosses the Jordan River.
In chapter twenty-one, He visits the Mount of Olives, then throws the moneychangers out of the temple.
In chapter twenty-six we find Him back in Bethany, at the home of a friend, then to a special place for the Passover, then on to Gethsemane.
He's in court before Pilate in chapter twenty-seven. He is led to Calvary, then buried in the sepulchre.
But chapter twenty-eight finds Him back in Galilee and on yet another mountain!
And then, for the benefit of any one who still thinks he walks alone, Jesus closes Matthew's account with the promise "I am with you always. Even unto the end of the world."
No matter where you've been or where you are going, He's already there. You'll travel no new roads. He's already been there.
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Chaplains For Preachers
If you are one who preaches so that afterward you can boast of how well you laid it out, then you won’t be interested in what follows. If, on the other hand, you preach to effect change, read on and see what you think. You macho guys who have it all together won’t agree, but here it goes anyway.
It is time for the UPCI to do something about failing ministries and ministers besides conducting last rites. Our policies mirror the child abuse laws our various states so proudly enforce. It looks good on paper, but the practical application results in unlimited resources being available to tear a family apart, while precious little-to-nothing is expended to put the pieces back together once the investigation is concluded. Our manual tells us precisely how to obliterate those who commit sin, but all we do about prevention is a local license seminar every spring and an occasional message from an organizational official reminding us of how cold it is outside the fellowship and how hot it is in hell.
I concede that we all should be strong and invincible, standing in the full power of the Holy Ghost 24/7/365.25. The sad truth is – we aren’t. Even some of those macho types have been found grazing in pastures that didn’t belong to them.
What happened? Were they rotten to begin with? I don’t think so.
The thing that Paul feared would get him kicked out of the church was his own lustful flesh (1 Cor. 9:27), about which he spent a good bit of time writing to the church at Rome. Other New Testament instructions warn of the flesh’s ability to thwart the work of the Spirit even to point of suggesting that we remove those body parts that we cannot, by the Spirit, control.
James says that we should confess our faults to one another and pray for each other so that we can be healed (James 5:16). Preachers have used this verse to promote public confession, but I don’t believe that is what James intended.
Since I’m running out of room, let me cut to the chase.
1. Ministers seldom have anyone to whom they can admit that they have a problem. Because ours is such a macho environment where only the weak fail, in some circles admitting a weakness is committing ministerial suicide. Because our organizational officials are charged with defending and protecting the fellowship, a struggling preacher will not feel comfortable seeking one out. So, where does he go?
Most of the time – no where. In his mind, there is no place where he will not be judged and sentenced.
2. For that reason, each of our districts should establish a council of proven and trustworthy elders who will act as chaplains and coaches to struggling ministers. Ministers would be able to contact one of these elders and the entire conversation and plan kept confidential. (Remember: this is a preventive measure. It is not about correction or restoration. This is not a confession service that trumps the judicial procedure.)
3. Ministers who seek help must agree to full disclosure with the elder (which he will keep confidential). They cannot remain anonymous or hide behind a telephone hotline.
4. The minister must agree to follow the plan of action prescribed by the elder. He must cooperate with the accountability the elder will demand.
There is more, but you get the idea. I realize there are holes in this plan and issues that I haven’t even considered, but I haven’t heard anything else being offered, so I decided to toss it out. It just makes more sense to me to stand with my brother while he is struggling than to wave goodbye when he leaves in disgrace.
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:12
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
I concede that we all should be strong and invincible, standing in the full power of the Holy Ghost 24/7/365.25. The sad truth is – we aren’t. Even some of those macho types have been found grazing in pastures that didn’t belong to them.
What happened? Were they rotten to begin with? I don’t think so.
The thing that Paul feared would get him kicked out of the church was his own lustful flesh (1 Cor. 9:27), about which he spent a good bit of time writing to the church at Rome. Other New Testament instructions warn of the flesh’s ability to thwart the work of the Spirit even to point of suggesting that we remove those body parts that we cannot, by the Spirit, control.
James says that we should confess our faults to one another and pray for each other so that we can be healed (James 5:16). Preachers have used this verse to promote public confession, but I don’t believe that is what James intended.
Since I’m running out of room, let me cut to the chase.
1. Ministers seldom have anyone to whom they can admit that they have a problem. Because ours is such a macho environment where only the weak fail, in some circles admitting a weakness is committing ministerial suicide. Because our organizational officials are charged with defending and protecting the fellowship, a struggling preacher will not feel comfortable seeking one out. So, where does he go?
Most of the time – no where. In his mind, there is no place where he will not be judged and sentenced.
2. For that reason, each of our districts should establish a council of proven and trustworthy elders who will act as chaplains and coaches to struggling ministers. Ministers would be able to contact one of these elders and the entire conversation and plan kept confidential. (Remember: this is a preventive measure. It is not about correction or restoration. This is not a confession service that trumps the judicial procedure.)
3. Ministers who seek help must agree to full disclosure with the elder (which he will keep confidential). They cannot remain anonymous or hide behind a telephone hotline.
4. The minister must agree to follow the plan of action prescribed by the elder. He must cooperate with the accountability the elder will demand.
There is more, but you get the idea. I realize there are holes in this plan and issues that I haven’t even considered, but I haven’t heard anything else being offered, so I decided to toss it out. It just makes more sense to me to stand with my brother while he is struggling than to wave goodbye when he leaves in disgrace.
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:12
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Do You Really Know Him?
Is it just me or does everyone equate sacrifice with getting to know God? All I hear lately is how tough it is to walk with God and to be a disciple of Jesus and how you have to give up so much to walk in His Word.
How different this sounds from Christ's invitation. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus seems to be saying the opposite of what I'm hearing. He promises rest and an approachable Savior and Friend. Not weariness and conflict.
The ancient rabbis' doctrine was called their yoke. Jesus said that His yoke is easy.
We learn of Him by taking on His yoke (His Word). And when we really get to know Him, we will understand that living by His Word is not a sacrifice at all, but is the gateway to peace and contentment.
**If you've got an extra ten bucks, go to www.nooma.com and buy Rob Bell's DUST project. It will change the way you think about being a disciple.**
How different this sounds from Christ's invitation. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus seems to be saying the opposite of what I'm hearing. He promises rest and an approachable Savior and Friend. Not weariness and conflict.
The ancient rabbis' doctrine was called their yoke. Jesus said that His yoke is easy.
We learn of Him by taking on His yoke (His Word). And when we really get to know Him, we will understand that living by His Word is not a sacrifice at all, but is the gateway to peace and contentment.
**If you've got an extra ten bucks, go to www.nooma.com and buy Rob Bell's DUST project. It will change the way you think about being a disciple.**
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