Why I Stay

As my 30th anniversary as a ‘card-carrying’ preacher looms just beyond the horizon, two haunting questions keep replaying in my mind. Where did the years go? is the first one. All the old timers told me that I’d ask myself this question someday. I guess someday finally got here, but it didn’t take nearly as long as I thought it would. No sense wasting time talking to you about this question. You are either asking yourself the same question, or are wondering why people keep telling you that you one day will. If you are there, you already understand. If you aren’t, nothing I say will make much sense. So I guess I’ll move on to question number two.

Why do some preachers take their organizational affiliation so lightly? No, I don’t think that only those who join up with me are the only ones going to heaven, so let’s set that aside right up front. But for the life of me, I can’t understand how some use their affiliation like it was a poker chip in some high stakes stand-off. I’ve heard statements like, “If that passes, I’ll toss my card on the floor and walk out!” Not long ago I heard someone say, “This card is just that: a card. I can preach with it and I can preach without it. Makes no difference to me.”

Maybe I was born in the wrong era, but I thought you signed up with a specific denomination for a reason. When God called me to preach, He seemed mighty serious about it. So when I felt it was time to launch out, I took a serious look at all my options. I could go it alone and build my own church and fellowship group. I liked the idea of having the whole world gathered around my pulpit without me having to jump through all the organizational hoops or upsetting another pastor who thought I was getting on his turf. But the longer I pondered things, the more I realized that there was a better way. So here is why, after almost 30 years, I am still carrying a card and I can’t use it as a bargaining chip.

1. I choose this denomination because it best represents what I believe the New Testament church should be. Namely,believers committed both to the message the Apostles preached and to making disciples on every square inch of the Earth. I didn’t join because it’s a family tradition or because all my friends gather here. I didn’t sign up to become an organizational lackey hoping someday to inherit a position. I got on board because I sincerely believe that this machine, though slow and awkward it may be, is the best option available to reach the world with this message.

2. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;" (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus did not come so that I might have a group of buddies to preach for and pal around with. He came to save sinners. Jesus did not come so that a congregation would form and pool their tithes to support me. He came to save sinners. Jesus did not come so that I would have conferences to attend to keep me stirred and anointed. He came to save sinners. Jesus did not come so that I could find some measure of fame as a preacher or orator. He came to save sinners.

If He came to save sinners and I say I am called to continue His work, how can I treat my organizational affiliation with casual indifference? Either we are aggressively trying to save sinners or we aren't. If we are, then everything else is secondary and we can work our differences out. If we aren't, then nothing else matters and we need to get with a group who is.

My choice to stay or leave will effect how successful I am at accomplishing what He has called me to do. How can I shrug my shoulders and say it's no big deal?

***More To Come***

©2007 Doug Ellingsworth

On Preaching

Stan Cook, of the McGruders and Tupelo Children's Mansion fame, spoke at a banquet I recently attended. As he described what people deserve from preachers, I combined a couple of his points about preaching and came up with the following statement on the process of preaching.

"People know if you are delivering the mail or just picking up a check."

Resolutions

Some folks plan to remodel their lives every December 31st. All that's wrong will be made right, all that's bad will, in a few short days, become good.

I don't object to New Year's Resolutions, but most are not resolutions at all. They are wishes and cravings; things desired, but not required. If we can acquire them without too much personal effort, we will embrace them and rejoice. But if the pursuit turns into work, we'll let them go, content with what we have. Until next December 31 when we'll start the process all over.

This year I've resolved to read the Bible through again. I laid out my plan and I'm off and running. (Waddling is more like it.) And wouldn't you know it? Right at the start, the very first verse, I got a lesson on resolutions.

"In the beginning God" is how the Bible begins. May everything that we resolve to do originate with God. Earning more money, starting a new career, becoming a better father - all of these are are splendid decisions, but unless the motivation comes from God's Word and call, next December will find us, perhaps with a new job and more money, but, still dissatisfied.

At the beginning of creation, the earth was a lifeless and shapeless mass. But when God spoke, His Word brought light, form, and purpose. The potential had always existed, but it took the spirit and word of God to give it life.

Those resolutions that spring from the principles of God's word and are molded in a soul full of God's spirit have the potential to expand far beyond the resolver's initial intent. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," (Ephesians 3:20).

It important to have God at the beginning and in the middle of all that we do.

But what about the end?

I haven't finished reading the Bible through this year, but I cheated and skipped to the back. Remember what it says? "Surely I come quickly" (Revelation 22:20).

If we resolve to keep Him at the beginning of every decision and allow His spirit and word to shape and define our lives, we will not be caught by surprise at His quick return.

If we keep Him at the beginning and in the middle, He will take care of the ending.

He said He would keep that which was committed to Him (2 Timothy 1:12). And He keeps His resolutions.


©2007 Doug Ellingsworth