A disease runs through...

When I became a Christian at 21 years old I had a lot to learn. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever envision becoming a pastor. I was never that person that said that I was going to lead people to Jesus, and in fact I rarely had the desire to speak in front of people. I was more skeptical about pastors more than any other group of people (they reminded me more of used car salesman or door to door salesman). But when the call came, I reluctantly answered. It took me three to four years to walk out on real faith and trust this calling God seemed to think I was made for. The rest is history and I have been in full-time ministry for 3 years with 6 years of various ministry/leadership experiences. As much as I was a skeptic of pastors I had a pastor that began to grow on me. He could preach the word with excitement, and passion. He was always willing to answer biblical questions or difficulties people had and shepherded the flock of our church (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 5:2-5).
As good as this pastor was something deeper was brewing: many members began to get their Messiah complexes mixed up This disease runs in many churches including yours. Let me explain.

Many people love Christ, many people love their pastors, but sometimes there is an unnoticed disease where the church thinks that if they hire this pastor he will solve all the problems, issues, breaks, and cracks within their church. (insert the not my church here). Obviously not everyone does this, but it does creep in a subtle way. The end result can be an overworked, sometimes underpaid, stressed, ineffective pastor who either stays or leaves because of it.

One thing congregants (members) must understand is that pastors are people too. (sounds like a bad infomercial for PETA).

1. We fail just as much as you do.
Just ask their wives, or family. We fail constantly. We let preaching get to our head sometimes, we get so wrapped up in our knowledge that we think we are better than others, or that a bible study isn't up to our intellectual snuff. We get angry, say stupid things, and exclude people, and compare ourselves to other pastors. We can be a very insecure bunch!

2. Sometimes we just don't know how to interact with people.
You would think that being a pastor one would be socially adept to having conversations and talking openly and freely. Unfortunately this has not been my experience. Those who can flow from the pulpit or from behind a makeshift music stand, seem to be quiet, and reserved and act like its the first day of school. They can be awkward, timid and down right weird in social situations. This is something as pastors we must overcome through His Spirit

3. We get tired and need time away.
An important aspect of my ministry has always been rooted in quantity does not always equate quality. Many pastors are tempted with the feeling to take or lead too many ministries (esp. if they are not good ministries or being led well). They feel the need to have several events, trips schedule their lives up, and leave very little time for themselves by using a pious thought of I am doing it all for the kingdom. I do not deny that various events, trips, and ministries help our members but we are not only commanded to rest, and reflect (Gen.2:1-4) but in the end we will be more effective by doing this. It can also lead us to a deception of the more I "do": which quickly puts a emphasis and focus on us and OUR labor.

It is easy to schedule time up and spend too much time at the office, or more time with congregants than filling up on Christ and His Spirit. Any engaged or married pastor will have to understand that God comes first then his wife, then his family. If we neglect tending to our families, how can we be effective with our spiritual family? (1 Tim. 3:4-5) This verse also can become a good model for single pastors.
This aspect begins the downward spiral of fatigue, being burned out, and let's be honest when dealing with people they frustrate you. Pastors need a retreat, to get away, and to manage their time wisely. I understand that most pastors are understaffed or no staffed, with no help from parents, no support, its a lone ranger type of ministry. But as leaders we must take care of ourselves (see my blog on empty tanks)through nourishment of the word, rest and time off.

1. Now pastors are called to a list of character/teaching qualifications that set him apart as it is a calling. (1 Tim. 3:1-7)
2. Pastors are also called not to take the call of leadership lightly (James 3:1)

Both lists could be endless of the things pastors endure,(and are called to) but I just wanted to remind people that pastors are people. We are called to a position unlike any other. A position very similar to a quote I saw on an article made by Ernest Shakelton used in an advertisement for his expedition to Antarctica in 1914:

"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful...."

Be Blessed

A Life Worth Celebrating

Tomorrow is a day that millions upon millions of Christians will be in celebration. Not because they get to eat chocolate from a bunny with a basket, but because the culmination of God's plan from the beginning of time will climax in Jesus Christ' resurrection from the dead. This time in history is so critical and is the crux of the gospel message. Just ask Paul in 1 Corinthians 15: 12-18: if the resurrection didn't happen then our "preaching is useless, our faith is useless, we are false witnesses, there is no hope beyond this life for death has not been defeated and we are still in our sins."

Not only that but the death and resurrection is also the main driving force behind our transformation and conformation as a people and church to Christ (or at least should be). For example:

"If we believe that we have died with Christ then we will live with Him"...(Romans 6:8)

"Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24)

"Be imitators of God...and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us..." (Eph. 5:1-2)

Constantly Scripture points to the newness of life we have in Christ, because of His death and resurrection we are made new, made alive as Paul says in Ephesians 2 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.

This not only excites me and even brings tears to my eyes knowing that a God would love me that much, go through all that pain, agony, rejection so that I would grasp how much he loved me (see Paul's prayer in Eph. 3:14-21 and Romans 8:31-42). Such a simple concept yet so difficult to grasp sometimes in our busy schedules, our desires, our goals.

This Easter also brings up emotions of sadness. Not sadness in the sense of Jesus dying, or being tortured, though the emotions of excitement as stated earlier come with this price and realization. I pray that every person that steps into the church this Sunday takes a hard look at themselves. Pastors, deacons, lay leaders and members of the whole body: the church. Because what happens during this time of year is very similar to X-mas, an over produced or under produced life. Let me tell you what I mean:

1. The person who has been never missed church their whole life, sat in the same place, does their duty of paying the tithe, prays and goes home. Yet there is no regeneration, no radical love, no service, nothing outside of a Sunday service.

2. The person who has given their life to Christ, struggles, doubts, fights for joy, serves in their church, uses their gifts and talents, who tries to walk as hard as they can with Christ, failing, but repentant, forgiven and keeps running.

3. The person who thinks (though not consciously) that if they show up once or twice (three of four or even fives times---BTW if your keeping a tally of how often you go to church you probably have other issues) a year that action will fulfill the "go to heaven criteria" because they were a good person and showed up. It says I am giving God one day of my life which constitutes a life lived for Christ.

I hope and pray that churches, like ours who triple their attendance this Easter, will do so because people are seeking this Risen Lord, who changes hearts, breaks the toughest people, and loves loves loves loves his children unconditionally. I pray that we see new faces because they are seeking the heart of God. They want fellowship through the gathering of believers. And yes these 3 types are in churches all year round, but I find that the "holidays" bring more out of the woodwork.

This is my point: Surely the death and resurrection of Christ warrants more than our petty religious actions! Surely the cross demands more than simply showing up one time and saying look I did it. (Plus when you stand before God do you really want to start out with: Well I did come that one time in 2011.) Surely the magnificence of Christ' glory and resurrection moves us more than putting money in a plate or sitting in our "spot" at church for the last 50 years. Certainly more than our religious language and talk or what we think as being "good enough" to please God. Surely the cross demands that we celebrate the resurrection in our lives all year!

I hope this Easter (like X-mas) reminds us (Christians) of what we are here for. What our mission and our purpose on earth is: to display God's glory daily through EVERYTHING we do, so that people will see our lives, our deeds and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). To expand the kingdom through Christ-like living, Christ-like service, Christ-like speech, and Christ-like death to self.

Have a Happy Easter

Be Blessed

Being a Superhero

The other day I was watching a movie. It had a commercial for a dvd that chronicled the history of DC Comics and how superheroes were developed, and the ideas behind them. That spurred my heart to some times I can remember clearly as a child. As most young boys I loved living in a fantasy world. This was propelled of course by the numerous Saturday morning shows like the original animated Transformers, GI-Joe, He-man, Batman, Superman (Chris Reeve version), the Hulk (TV version), and Thundercats and movies like Star Wars or Indiana Jones. I remember running around the house pretending I could fly with a towel tucked into my shirt for a cape. I specifically remember jumping off a couch trying to fly and at one time contemplating the whole: if I use a blanket like a parachute could I jump off the roof? Being like these characters or transporting myself to another world felt safe, secure and I was always there to save someone or something if it went wrong.
Just think about what Suprheroes do: They can fly, jump high, have super-human strength, run super fast, and in the end they are dramatically different than everyone else. I think people love them because they administer justice, keep order, punish the "bad" guys and care for the good guys. They protect you, teach you, and look way better than we do in spandex.

But as I got older, my fantasy world got smaller. My love for fantasy was muddled and crowded with growing up, getting a job, paying bills, going to school. But my NEED for someone stronger, someone bigger, someone louder, someone who cares for me, someone who protects me, love mes only got BIGGER.

In now way am I trying to relate Jesus' to a superhero, He's better. And I don't have to go in depth for this: He has no flaws! Did you read that: no krytonite, no damsels in distress, no weaknesses, He is all powerful (Luke 1:27), all knowing (Psalm 44:1), and all sufficient (2 Cor. 12:7) for everything we need. I think the kid still in me takes a lot of comfort in that. He is my Father, who loves and protects me, He guides me, He shows me where I need to be and what I should stay away from. He doesn't need a cape, He doesn't need super fast speed, or super strength because He is the author of speed, and strength: He is my superhero.

Flat out He is my God, my King. His Lordship and grace are completely sufficient enough for me and for you. Remember that. And about fantasy worlds: I sometimes still find myself drifting off into a land of fantasy but rather I think it is a longing for heaven (as C.S. Lewis once commented on our longing for fantasy worlds).

Be Blessed.