Many now say we have moved from a postmodern society to a post-truth society. Postmodernism believes that there is no absolute truth. According to postmodern thinkers you can have your truth and they can have their truth, and both can be true even if they contradict each other. Elementary logic teaches that cannot be correct, but why let logical thinking stand in the way of a worldview?
But now we have slid into becoming a post-truth society. This philosophy doesn't necessarily discount absolute truth, but makes it less important than one's personal preferences. If the facts supports one's preferences and opinions, good, but if not then thost facts are considered offensive. This mindset has become so pervasive in today's culture that in 2016 a major dictionary named "post-truth" as its word of the year.
We certainly see plenty of evidences of post-truth thinking in today's political arena. One freshman House member was recently called out for her factual mistakes. She responded that moral truth was more important than factual truth. To her, and countless others of her generation, facts are not important if they get in the way of their preferences. Unfortunately, this is only one example of this type of thinking coming out of Washington today.
Post-truth thinking is also seen in much of the discussion around gender issues, sexual issues, the latest decisions regarding abortion, and many other topics impacting our nation today. In each of these issues many refuse to let facts stand in the way of their preferences, and anyone who dares talk about the facts will be accused of offensive language and attitudes.
Unfortunately, we find this same mindset in too many churches. To preach the Word of God is to offend many people. These people do not go to church to hear what God has to say about how we live our lives; they go to have their preferences approved. How many times have you heard someone say, "Well, I know the Bible says..., but I THINK or I BELIEVE...?" At that point you know they don't really care what God's Word has to say on any topic because if it contradicts their preferences they are going to reject it anyway.
This is why it is so difficult to help our church members grow as disciples. It's why so many churches and denominations cannot take a biblical stand on the issues of the day. Too many of their members elevate their personal preferences over the clear teaching of the Scriptures.
What do we do in the midst of a post-truth culture? In the political and social arena we must refuse to allow people to ignore the facts. Just because someone says they believe one thing doesn't mean the discussion has ended. We need to keep insisting that the truth be heard whether people want to hear it or not. We also need to stop electing people to office who want to pass laws based on their preferences while ignoring the facts of the matter.
In the church we need to keep preaching and teaching the truth. We need to be clear about what the Scriptures say about the social issues of the day. Some won't like it because it will violate their preferences, and some may even leave. But, if the church cannot take a biblical stand for truth what organization will? The church has been called to be a light in the midst of darkness. I don't think anyone can deny our society is growing darker. It's time we let the light of truth begin to shine.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
Watch what you say
Last week I posted an article on this site about Christians using social media in ways that bring damage to their testimony and the Christian faith. Specifically, I wrote about how Christians are as guilty of posting inaccurate information and slandering those who disagree with us as non-christians. Today I want to address another issue that concerns me about Christians and social media.
The next day I unfriended two Christians on Facebook because of vile language that was contained on a post they shared. This was not their writing, but it was a post they had seen somewhere and felt the need to share it with their friends. The post contained a word that has no place in Christian dialogue. This was not the first time these two individuals had shared questionable material, but this one went over the line of acceptability. I had been uncomfortable with some of their posts before, but this one was the final straw for me. I immediately unfriended them.
Some Christians have no problem with using profane language. I do. It's not that I am shocked by it. As a young man I cursed a lot before becoming a Christian. I've had unbelievers intentionally curse in front of me looking for a reaction. They never got one. But, when Christians are unable to express themselves without using profanity it does bother me. I also do not want it on my social media pages because I don't want anyone thinking that I condone it.
As Christians we are to reflect the person of Jesus Christ in all we say and do. I realize that we all fail to do this as we should. I am certainly not pretending to be perfect in this endeavor either. But, it seems that it should be a simple thing to control the words that come out of our mouths or the ones we write for all the world to see.
Non-christians judge the gospel we proclaim based in large part on the lives of those who claim to believe it. They are quick to point out any inconsistencies they think they find. It may not always be fair, but it is a fact. It should be noted that this is not only true for Christians but for anyone in the public eye. In recent weeks there have been numerous social media posts made by entertainers and politicians that have been removed but not before someone got a screen shot. Critics of these entertainers and politicians used these posts to attack them and their views. Non-christians do the same with the things we post, and just because we remove the post doesn't mean that it goes away. There's always a chance that someone has taken a screen shot of something we post before we can remove it.
Is it really that difficult for Christians to communicate without using profane language? The answer is no, if we care what others think about the things we say and write. I encourage you to think about who will read what you post on social media and what they will think about you after they read it. If you still want to use profane language I guess you're free to do so. Just don't send it to me. If you do I'll feel the same freedom to not receive anything else from you.
The next day I unfriended two Christians on Facebook because of vile language that was contained on a post they shared. This was not their writing, but it was a post they had seen somewhere and felt the need to share it with their friends. The post contained a word that has no place in Christian dialogue. This was not the first time these two individuals had shared questionable material, but this one went over the line of acceptability. I had been uncomfortable with some of their posts before, but this one was the final straw for me. I immediately unfriended them.
Some Christians have no problem with using profane language. I do. It's not that I am shocked by it. As a young man I cursed a lot before becoming a Christian. I've had unbelievers intentionally curse in front of me looking for a reaction. They never got one. But, when Christians are unable to express themselves without using profanity it does bother me. I also do not want it on my social media pages because I don't want anyone thinking that I condone it.
As Christians we are to reflect the person of Jesus Christ in all we say and do. I realize that we all fail to do this as we should. I am certainly not pretending to be perfect in this endeavor either. But, it seems that it should be a simple thing to control the words that come out of our mouths or the ones we write for all the world to see.
Non-christians judge the gospel we proclaim based in large part on the lives of those who claim to believe it. They are quick to point out any inconsistencies they think they find. It may not always be fair, but it is a fact. It should be noted that this is not only true for Christians but for anyone in the public eye. In recent weeks there have been numerous social media posts made by entertainers and politicians that have been removed but not before someone got a screen shot. Critics of these entertainers and politicians used these posts to attack them and their views. Non-christians do the same with the things we post, and just because we remove the post doesn't mean that it goes away. There's always a chance that someone has taken a screen shot of something we post before we can remove it.
Is it really that difficult for Christians to communicate without using profane language? The answer is no, if we care what others think about the things we say and write. I encourage you to think about who will read what you post on social media and what they will think about you after they read it. If you still want to use profane language I guess you're free to do so. Just don't send it to me. If you do I'll feel the same freedom to not receive anything else from you.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Staying true to our mission
It is no secret that many view the church today as irrelevant to life in the twenty-first century. Fewer people attend worship services. The number of people who state they have no religious affiliation continues to grow. The values and morals traditionally taught by the church are dismissed by a large percentage of our population, including many within the church. Our nation is spiraling downward in many respects, and it does not appear the church has any answers. If we try to give biblical answers to those problems the response is often to shout us down.
Why has the church lost its ability to influence society? Why do so many see us as irrelevant? No doubt, there are many reasons. One is that, for many people, their view of the church and its teachings are based on what they see on television. If the only thing I knew about the church and the teachings of Jesus was what I saw on TV I probably wouldn't believe any of it either. The false teachings heard on many of these shows (I can't call them worship services) and the flamboyant lifestyles enjoyed by the ministers would quickly turn me off. Somehow I could not make the connection between what is seen and taught there and the life Jesus lived and taught.
Another reason might be that the church has tried so hard to be relevant that we became irrelevant in the process. Somehow we equated relevance with showmanship. We thought if we brought in smoke machines, rock music, huge video screens, and wore jeans with holes in them we would connect with the younger crowd. Rather than providing a worship service we wanted to be entertaining.
In Jim and Casper Go to Church: Frank Conversation about Faith, Churches, and Well-Meaning Christians the Christian Jim takes Casper, an atheist, to visit some of the largest and best known churches in America. They talk with some of the leaders and attend their worship services. After attending the church they debrief the experience. Nothing Casper experiences convinces him the Christian message is true. He is not impressed with the services and most of the messages. They all come up short of what he thought they should be if people truly believed the message of Christianity.
Perhaps the reason many view the church as irrelevant is that we have abandoned our mission. Before Christ ascended into heaven He told us that we were to evangelize the world, leading people to faith in Christ and helping them grow as disciples. Rather than doing that we have instead attacked those with whom we disagree, built great monuments to ourselves in which to "worship God," pursued political alliances to advance our agenda, and compromised the Gospel so as not to alienate people.
As I travel the countryside I see many small buildings boarded up that once housed churches. They closed as people sought something more than what these small churches could offer. Whenever I see these buildings I often think of the lives changed in those simple churches where the Gospel was proclaimed and people experienced true community. No comforts. No frills. Often, just a piano in the corner and a preacher behind a simple, wooden pulpit proclaiming the message of hope found in the Gospels. And people responded turning their lives over to Jesus Christ.
If the church wants to become relevant once again it must return to the mission God has given it. We don't need to be entertained; we need to worship. We don't need the Gospel changed to not alienate people; we need it preached without compromise so that people's lives can be changed. We don't need wealth, prestige, and political power to do the work God has given us; we need the power of the Holy Spirit permeating our lives and our churches. If we have that we won't need to worry about being relevant.
Why has the church lost its ability to influence society? Why do so many see us as irrelevant? No doubt, there are many reasons. One is that, for many people, their view of the church and its teachings are based on what they see on television. If the only thing I knew about the church and the teachings of Jesus was what I saw on TV I probably wouldn't believe any of it either. The false teachings heard on many of these shows (I can't call them worship services) and the flamboyant lifestyles enjoyed by the ministers would quickly turn me off. Somehow I could not make the connection between what is seen and taught there and the life Jesus lived and taught.
Another reason might be that the church has tried so hard to be relevant that we became irrelevant in the process. Somehow we equated relevance with showmanship. We thought if we brought in smoke machines, rock music, huge video screens, and wore jeans with holes in them we would connect with the younger crowd. Rather than providing a worship service we wanted to be entertaining.
In Jim and Casper Go to Church: Frank Conversation about Faith, Churches, and Well-Meaning Christians the Christian Jim takes Casper, an atheist, to visit some of the largest and best known churches in America. They talk with some of the leaders and attend their worship services. After attending the church they debrief the experience. Nothing Casper experiences convinces him the Christian message is true. He is not impressed with the services and most of the messages. They all come up short of what he thought they should be if people truly believed the message of Christianity.
Perhaps the reason many view the church as irrelevant is that we have abandoned our mission. Before Christ ascended into heaven He told us that we were to evangelize the world, leading people to faith in Christ and helping them grow as disciples. Rather than doing that we have instead attacked those with whom we disagree, built great monuments to ourselves in which to "worship God," pursued political alliances to advance our agenda, and compromised the Gospel so as not to alienate people.
As I travel the countryside I see many small buildings boarded up that once housed churches. They closed as people sought something more than what these small churches could offer. Whenever I see these buildings I often think of the lives changed in those simple churches where the Gospel was proclaimed and people experienced true community. No comforts. No frills. Often, just a piano in the corner and a preacher behind a simple, wooden pulpit proclaiming the message of hope found in the Gospels. And people responded turning their lives over to Jesus Christ.
If the church wants to become relevant once again it must return to the mission God has given it. We don't need to be entertained; we need to worship. We don't need the Gospel changed to not alienate people; we need it preached without compromise so that people's lives can be changed. We don't need wealth, prestige, and political power to do the work God has given us; we need the power of the Holy Spirit permeating our lives and our churches. If we have that we won't need to worry about being relevant.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Christians and social media posts
Once again the media jumped to conclusions based on inaccurate information when they began reporting on a group of high school students who supposedly disrespected a native American in Washington DC. The media was quick to attack these Catholic high school kids wearing MAGA caps, but as if often the case, they based their stories on incomplete information. When the longer video clips appeared the story was quite different, It's sad that our major news sources seem to have lost their journalistic integrity and want to report news before they actually investigate if it is true.
As might be expected, many in the entertainment industry jumped on the bandwagon joining in attacking these students. So did some in Congress. Even after the story had been debunked by the facts one recently elected member to the House of Representatives continued to attack these young people. Apparently, facts do not matter to people with an agenda. Such people are infected with an ailment known as confirmation bias. They seek anything that would confirm what they already believe regardless of whether it is true or not.
Unfortunately, in the times in which we live we can expect more of this in the future. As one member of Congress has recently said, moral truth is more important than factual truth. Attack, attack, attack until people believe what you're saying is true.
It is even more unfortunate that Christians are not immune from confirmation bias. I read a lot of social media posts from Christian people that make me shudder. We are as guilty of reporting fake news as anyone. Christians post articles that were long ago proven false giving the critics of Christianity more ammunition to use against the Gospel. We share articles written by others without verifying the truthfulness of the articles because they confirm what we believe. We share articles with profane language in the headline or in the article. Sometimes there is a disclaimer warning of profanity, but usually there is not. Regardless, why share it with such language? I have unfriended more than one person because they constantly were sharing articles with such language. I don't need that on my page.
Not only do we share information that isn't true, we are just as guilty of attacking our opponents as the media does. We vilify those with whom we disagree. We characterize them in an attempt to discredit their views. Rather than debate the issues we portray them as evil people thinking somehow this will win the discussion for our side. This doesn't win arguments; it just makes us look petty and ill-equipped to engage in a serious discussion of the issues.
Many people today view Christians as mean-spirited people who believe they are better than others and have all the answers. From some of the social media posts I read it's not hard to see where they get that idea. It's time to tone down the rhetoric, validate the facts before we post something, and stop attacking those with whom we disagree. If we can't do that then perhaps we should limit our social media to posting pictures of our cats.
As might be expected, many in the entertainment industry jumped on the bandwagon joining in attacking these students. So did some in Congress. Even after the story had been debunked by the facts one recently elected member to the House of Representatives continued to attack these young people. Apparently, facts do not matter to people with an agenda. Such people are infected with an ailment known as confirmation bias. They seek anything that would confirm what they already believe regardless of whether it is true or not.
Unfortunately, in the times in which we live we can expect more of this in the future. As one member of Congress has recently said, moral truth is more important than factual truth. Attack, attack, attack until people believe what you're saying is true.
It is even more unfortunate that Christians are not immune from confirmation bias. I read a lot of social media posts from Christian people that make me shudder. We are as guilty of reporting fake news as anyone. Christians post articles that were long ago proven false giving the critics of Christianity more ammunition to use against the Gospel. We share articles written by others without verifying the truthfulness of the articles because they confirm what we believe. We share articles with profane language in the headline or in the article. Sometimes there is a disclaimer warning of profanity, but usually there is not. Regardless, why share it with such language? I have unfriended more than one person because they constantly were sharing articles with such language. I don't need that on my page.
Not only do we share information that isn't true, we are just as guilty of attacking our opponents as the media does. We vilify those with whom we disagree. We characterize them in an attempt to discredit their views. Rather than debate the issues we portray them as evil people thinking somehow this will win the discussion for our side. This doesn't win arguments; it just makes us look petty and ill-equipped to engage in a serious discussion of the issues.
Many people today view Christians as mean-spirited people who believe they are better than others and have all the answers. From some of the social media posts I read it's not hard to see where they get that idea. It's time to tone down the rhetoric, validate the facts before we post something, and stop attacking those with whom we disagree. If we can't do that then perhaps we should limit our social media to posting pictures of our cats.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Crossroads
I have to admit that I am at a crossroads with this blog, and I'm trying to decide whether to continue writing it or not. Since starting the blog I've written over 1,600 posts, but they do not seem to be drawing much of a following. The number of people who follow this blog stopped growing some time back. Few posts ever have more than 50-60 views. The last one was read by 22 people.
The original purpose for the blog was to develop a community for bivocational ministers to share their thoughts with me and one another. An extremely low percentage of the posts ever had a comment. Some have privately written saying how much they appreciate the blog or a specific article I've written, but there hasn't been much dialogue or much community.
Much of my life and ministry has been in support of bivocational ministers. The numbers of such folk continue to grow across denominations, but we seem to be an isolated group of people. Having served 20 years as a bivocational pastor I know how busy we are, but I've never understood why we seem so reluctant to relate to one another in community.
When we eat at a new restaurant that is really good we tell everybody about it. If we find a store that offers good quality items at fair prices we want to tell others. If you have found the articles in this blog helpful, have you told anyone they need to follow it? Have you shared it with others through your social media connections? I know a few of you have because I follow you on FB and see where you've shared the articles, but I'm not sure how much of that happens.
Within the next few weeks I'll make a decision about whether to continue this blog. Your responses will help me make that decision. If there is something I can do to make it more helpful to you, let me know.
The original purpose for the blog was to develop a community for bivocational ministers to share their thoughts with me and one another. An extremely low percentage of the posts ever had a comment. Some have privately written saying how much they appreciate the blog or a specific article I've written, but there hasn't been much dialogue or much community.
Much of my life and ministry has been in support of bivocational ministers. The numbers of such folk continue to grow across denominations, but we seem to be an isolated group of people. Having served 20 years as a bivocational pastor I know how busy we are, but I've never understood why we seem so reluctant to relate to one another in community.
When we eat at a new restaurant that is really good we tell everybody about it. If we find a store that offers good quality items at fair prices we want to tell others. If you have found the articles in this blog helpful, have you told anyone they need to follow it? Have you shared it with others through your social media connections? I know a few of you have because I follow you on FB and see where you've shared the articles, but I'm not sure how much of that happens.
Within the next few weeks I'll make a decision about whether to continue this blog. Your responses will help me make that decision. If there is something I can do to make it more helpful to you, let me know.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
What is truth?
When Pilate asked Jesus Christ, "What is truth?" he was asking the most important question he had ever asked. Unfortunately, he didn't stay long enough to hear Jesus' answer.
This is a question that is being asked a lot today. The media is called out for its fake news. The White House is often challenged by statements coming from the spokespeople there. People in Congress, from the leadership to its incoming freshmen, struggle to understand truth and its importance to a society.
Perhaps no one elected to office in recent history has generated more interest that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an incoming freshman from New York elected to the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, much of the interest surrounding her has been the fact that she is a Democrat Socialist who struggles with the truth and with how the American system works.
During a 60 Minutes interview she was challenged by a statement that she had made that earned her four Pinocchios from the Washington Post. She responded that being morally right was more important than being factually right. What? Even CNN criticized her reasoning. Perhaps she doesn't know that one can be both morally right and factually right. In fact, I would argue that you can't be morally right if you are not factually right. The ends do not justify the means. Let me quickly state that anyone can make mistakes and say things that later prove to be not true, and to be fair, the same thing happens from Republican speakers as well. The problem is that she makes such errors on a fairly regular basis, and it doesn't seem to bother her.
Perhaps she just enjoys the attention. More than one person in the public eye has said that the only thing worse than bad press is no press at all. Or maybe she just doesn't know the truth because, like many of her generation, she has been misinformed.
In a 2016 article in The Washington Times it was noted that one-third of millennials believe that during his time in office George W. Bush killed more people than Joseph Stalin. Although exact numbers are not available, most historians believe Stalin was responsible for the deaths of 20-60 million people. The article also stated that one-third of millennials had never heard of Vladimir Lenin, and another 25 percent of them viewed Lenin favorably. A stunning 42 percent had never heard of Mao Zedong.
When one stops to realize that American Civics is no longer taught in most schools anymore and, evidently, neither is world history we can see one reason why this nation is in the trouble it's in today. We have a nation of young people who do not understand what makes this nation unique and how it functions. These are now being elected to the highest offices in the country by voters who evidently do not care if they are qualified for those offices or not.
As upsetting as this is, the same thing is happening in many of our churches today as well. Every study of persons identified as Evangelical Christians find that many are uninformed of basic biblical teaching and principles. Many seldom, if ever, read their Bibles, pray, or do anything that would help them grow as a disciple. Younger people in particular are ill prepared to defend their faith when they leave home for college or the work force. We have failed to pass the faith on to young people in a way that will enrich their lives and prepare them to live in a world that rejects that faith.
It's time that the church becomes serious about teaching truth to our people. The Bible is the truth. It is the Word of God. Preach it. Teach it. Without apology. Without compromise. We don't need to know what some pop psychologist says about life's issues. We need to hear what the Bible says about them. Teach the morals and ethics found in Scripture. You will run into people who don't like the truth. Preach it anyway! You will run into snowflakes who will have their feelings hurt. Love them, but preach the truth anyway! If ever there was a time the church needed to stop playing games and standing for the truth it is now.
This is a question that is being asked a lot today. The media is called out for its fake news. The White House is often challenged by statements coming from the spokespeople there. People in Congress, from the leadership to its incoming freshmen, struggle to understand truth and its importance to a society.
Perhaps no one elected to office in recent history has generated more interest that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an incoming freshman from New York elected to the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, much of the interest surrounding her has been the fact that she is a Democrat Socialist who struggles with the truth and with how the American system works.
During a 60 Minutes interview she was challenged by a statement that she had made that earned her four Pinocchios from the Washington Post. She responded that being morally right was more important than being factually right. What? Even CNN criticized her reasoning. Perhaps she doesn't know that one can be both morally right and factually right. In fact, I would argue that you can't be morally right if you are not factually right. The ends do not justify the means. Let me quickly state that anyone can make mistakes and say things that later prove to be not true, and to be fair, the same thing happens from Republican speakers as well. The problem is that she makes such errors on a fairly regular basis, and it doesn't seem to bother her.
Perhaps she just enjoys the attention. More than one person in the public eye has said that the only thing worse than bad press is no press at all. Or maybe she just doesn't know the truth because, like many of her generation, she has been misinformed.
In a 2016 article in The Washington Times it was noted that one-third of millennials believe that during his time in office George W. Bush killed more people than Joseph Stalin. Although exact numbers are not available, most historians believe Stalin was responsible for the deaths of 20-60 million people. The article also stated that one-third of millennials had never heard of Vladimir Lenin, and another 25 percent of them viewed Lenin favorably. A stunning 42 percent had never heard of Mao Zedong.
When one stops to realize that American Civics is no longer taught in most schools anymore and, evidently, neither is world history we can see one reason why this nation is in the trouble it's in today. We have a nation of young people who do not understand what makes this nation unique and how it functions. These are now being elected to the highest offices in the country by voters who evidently do not care if they are qualified for those offices or not.
As upsetting as this is, the same thing is happening in many of our churches today as well. Every study of persons identified as Evangelical Christians find that many are uninformed of basic biblical teaching and principles. Many seldom, if ever, read their Bibles, pray, or do anything that would help them grow as a disciple. Younger people in particular are ill prepared to defend their faith when they leave home for college or the work force. We have failed to pass the faith on to young people in a way that will enrich their lives and prepare them to live in a world that rejects that faith.
It's time that the church becomes serious about teaching truth to our people. The Bible is the truth. It is the Word of God. Preach it. Teach it. Without apology. Without compromise. We don't need to know what some pop psychologist says about life's issues. We need to hear what the Bible says about them. Teach the morals and ethics found in Scripture. You will run into people who don't like the truth. Preach it anyway! You will run into snowflakes who will have their feelings hurt. Love them, but preach the truth anyway! If ever there was a time the church needed to stop playing games and standing for the truth it is now.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
When should you compromise?
There are some things that never be compromised. Your integrity for one. Your relationship with your family is another. The Word of God should never be compromised. We could quickly list many more, but we should not think that we should never compromise.
America is currently experiencing a partial shutdown of our government. "Non-essential" employees are laid off. Others are working but without pay. I cannot think of a good reason why members of the Coast Guard and TSA workers are not being paid. I can only chalk it up to poor planning by the House and Senate when they identified who would and who would not get paid during a shutdown. If anyone should not get paid it's those in the House and Senate. Take away their salaries and I can almost guarantee you there would be very few government shutdowns. Of course, that won't happen because the people we elect to represent us only represent themselves and their lobbyists who keep the money rolling in.
Democrats blame President Trump for the shutdown, and the Republicans blame the Democrats. The president stands firm that the American people want the wall built which is one reason he was elected. The House and Senate Democrats insist the wall would not be effective even though just a few years ago they approved spending far more to build such a wall that is currently being requested. The blame game goes on as both sides point fingers of blame at the other while refusing to budge. All the while, Americans are not getting paychecks while the wealthiest among us have their little tantrum.
There have been reports from some within the White House that the president might be willing to compromise, but we've heard no details of what that might look like. There really hasn't been any reason for details to come out since Schumer and Pelosi have flat out said there will be no wall. Obviously, a compromise only works if both sides are willing to give up a little, but if one side isn't willing to budge there can be no compromise. If those reports from the White House are true then I have to put most of the blame for this shutdown on Congressional leadership for their refusal to work for an agreement that would put government workers back to work. As I wrote recently, this nation suffers when political parties refuse to do anything that might seem like a "win" for the other side.
Any time one side takes an "all or nothing" approach to any disagreement there will be little movement forward. It's true in government, it's true in business, and it's true in churches. I've seen parties in churches just as adamant on issues as we're now seeing in Washington. One side wants to do one thing, and the other side firmly opposes it, and neither side is willing to sit down and work out a compromise.
A pastor suggested changing the structure of the church to help it move forward with fewer roadblocks. A minority in the church opposed the change, but they opposed it so strongly that the majority would not oppose them. The church remained stuck in old ways of doing things that were no longer effective. A new pastor came along, suggested a very similar change, and this time it was approved.
What made the difference? Rather than making the change permanent the second pastor recommended trying it for a couple of years and then voting on whether to make it permanent or not. The church was willing to try it out and then decide rather than voting to make an immediate change. When the trial ended the church recognized the new structure was much more effective and voted to make it permanent. This second pastor and those resistant to the change were each willing to compromise to test it out. As a result, the church now operates much more smoothly and is enjoying an effective ministry in its community.
Although there are some things in life that are non-negotiable, leaders should not be afraid to compromise on everything else. Sometimes a little compromise will get you what you want without costing you more than it is worth. I wish our government "leadership" would learn that lesson.
America is currently experiencing a partial shutdown of our government. "Non-essential" employees are laid off. Others are working but without pay. I cannot think of a good reason why members of the Coast Guard and TSA workers are not being paid. I can only chalk it up to poor planning by the House and Senate when they identified who would and who would not get paid during a shutdown. If anyone should not get paid it's those in the House and Senate. Take away their salaries and I can almost guarantee you there would be very few government shutdowns. Of course, that won't happen because the people we elect to represent us only represent themselves and their lobbyists who keep the money rolling in.
Democrats blame President Trump for the shutdown, and the Republicans blame the Democrats. The president stands firm that the American people want the wall built which is one reason he was elected. The House and Senate Democrats insist the wall would not be effective even though just a few years ago they approved spending far more to build such a wall that is currently being requested. The blame game goes on as both sides point fingers of blame at the other while refusing to budge. All the while, Americans are not getting paychecks while the wealthiest among us have their little tantrum.
There have been reports from some within the White House that the president might be willing to compromise, but we've heard no details of what that might look like. There really hasn't been any reason for details to come out since Schumer and Pelosi have flat out said there will be no wall. Obviously, a compromise only works if both sides are willing to give up a little, but if one side isn't willing to budge there can be no compromise. If those reports from the White House are true then I have to put most of the blame for this shutdown on Congressional leadership for their refusal to work for an agreement that would put government workers back to work. As I wrote recently, this nation suffers when political parties refuse to do anything that might seem like a "win" for the other side.
Any time one side takes an "all or nothing" approach to any disagreement there will be little movement forward. It's true in government, it's true in business, and it's true in churches. I've seen parties in churches just as adamant on issues as we're now seeing in Washington. One side wants to do one thing, and the other side firmly opposes it, and neither side is willing to sit down and work out a compromise.
A pastor suggested changing the structure of the church to help it move forward with fewer roadblocks. A minority in the church opposed the change, but they opposed it so strongly that the majority would not oppose them. The church remained stuck in old ways of doing things that were no longer effective. A new pastor came along, suggested a very similar change, and this time it was approved.
What made the difference? Rather than making the change permanent the second pastor recommended trying it for a couple of years and then voting on whether to make it permanent or not. The church was willing to try it out and then decide rather than voting to make an immediate change. When the trial ended the church recognized the new structure was much more effective and voted to make it permanent. This second pastor and those resistant to the change were each willing to compromise to test it out. As a result, the church now operates much more smoothly and is enjoying an effective ministry in its community.
Although there are some things in life that are non-negotiable, leaders should not be afraid to compromise on everything else. Sometimes a little compromise will get you what you want without costing you more than it is worth. I wish our government "leadership" would learn that lesson.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
When there is no leadership
One of the problems that some churches have is a lack of leadership. Weak leadership results in weak churches. As many, including myself, have written, everything rises and falls on leadership. No organization can rise any higher than the lid of its leadership. This includes churches. If a pastor has a leadership lid of a three, the church can never rise above a two in its effectiveness. The problem is further compounded by the fact that it will not attract lay leaders who have leadership lids above a two either. Strong leaders will not remain in an organization led by weaker leaders. Why would they?
Why do many pastors struggle being leaders? One, is that many were never trained to be leaders. Seminaries primarily teach people how to be managers, not leaders. A minister can graduate from many seminaries and never take one leadership course. They might know everything about Christian and denominational history, but they are never taught how to lead a church into the future.
Some ministers do not want to be leaders. They do not see it as their calling. They focus on providing pastoral care and sound sermons, which are both good, but they are not enough. If a church wants to provide excellent ministry in the future, it must be led to do so. Seldom does any organization stumble into excellence. Leaders have a clear vision of where God is leading them and have a plan for going there.
Another reason that some pastors refuse to lead is that they are too codependent on what others think about them. Some ministers do not want anyone to think less of them, and leaders will make decisions that will upset some people. If you are not occasionally making some people upset you are probably not leading. Codependent people cannot stand to have anyone upset with them, so they refuse to lead and take the chance that someone will get upset.
There are some churches that won't let the pastor lead. They may claim they want a pastor who will lead them into the future, but many are simply looking for a chaplain to tend to their needs. This is especially true in smaller churches. I've said in seminars that some small churches are not only seeking chaplains, they are seeking hospice chaplains. They want someone to help them die with dignity. This may seem harsh, but I've worked with too many with this attitude. If a pastor went to many of these churches and actually tried to lead them, he or she would be quickly dismissed.
Our churches need strong pastoral leaders if they want to remain relevant and effective in the 21st century. They need pastors who are seeking a fresh vision from God with the ability to communicate that vision, and the courage to lead the church in the fulfillment of that vision. Only then will the church recapture its rightful place in our world.
Why do many pastors struggle being leaders? One, is that many were never trained to be leaders. Seminaries primarily teach people how to be managers, not leaders. A minister can graduate from many seminaries and never take one leadership course. They might know everything about Christian and denominational history, but they are never taught how to lead a church into the future.
Some ministers do not want to be leaders. They do not see it as their calling. They focus on providing pastoral care and sound sermons, which are both good, but they are not enough. If a church wants to provide excellent ministry in the future, it must be led to do so. Seldom does any organization stumble into excellence. Leaders have a clear vision of where God is leading them and have a plan for going there.
Another reason that some pastors refuse to lead is that they are too codependent on what others think about them. Some ministers do not want anyone to think less of them, and leaders will make decisions that will upset some people. If you are not occasionally making some people upset you are probably not leading. Codependent people cannot stand to have anyone upset with them, so they refuse to lead and take the chance that someone will get upset.
There are some churches that won't let the pastor lead. They may claim they want a pastor who will lead them into the future, but many are simply looking for a chaplain to tend to their needs. This is especially true in smaller churches. I've said in seminars that some small churches are not only seeking chaplains, they are seeking hospice chaplains. They want someone to help them die with dignity. This may seem harsh, but I've worked with too many with this attitude. If a pastor went to many of these churches and actually tried to lead them, he or she would be quickly dismissed.
Our churches need strong pastoral leaders if they want to remain relevant and effective in the 21st century. They need pastors who are seeking a fresh vision from God with the ability to communicate that vision, and the courage to lead the church in the fulfillment of that vision. Only then will the church recapture its rightful place in our world.
Monday, January 14, 2019
Sermon ideas
This past Saturday afternoon a pastor sent me a text asking if I was available to preach for him the next morning. He had the stomach flu and didn't feel like he would be able to preach. I was glad to fill in. My wife asked if I had a sermon I could use. I've been preaching now for 38 years so, yea, I've got a few sermons. However, I also have some new sermons that I've written since finishing as a Transitional Pastor. I explained to her that just because I'm not preaching every week that doesn't mean I'm not preparing sermons. Scripture tells us to be instant in season and out of season. I always want to be ready to share the Word of God when I have opportunity.
As a younger pastor I probably had more sermon ideas than I ever developed. I would read something or hear something and think that would be a great message. But, I wouldn't write anything down and would soon forget the idea. That doesn't happen now. If I'm reading or listening to something and it triggers a sermon idea I immediately write down a note to remind me.
During my devotional reading this past week I ran across a great thought for a sermon. I stopped my reading, pulled out other resources, and in 2-3 hours had a completed sermon. At some point there will be an appropriate time and place to share it, and if not I've still benefited from the study that went into the message.
I've written elsewhere about the time challenges bivocational pastors face. The fact is, most pastors are busy. Many struggle with finding time to prepare good messages. One way to maximize your sermon preparation is to always be on the lookout for sermon ideas, and when you find them make notes that will remind you of your thoughts. In a perfect world you would stop what you are doing and develop the message right then. That may not always be possible, but at least make notes. I've always heard that a dull pencil is more valuable than a sharp mind. The chances are good if you just try to remember your ideas about the message, you'll forget them. Write them down!
If you regularly preach you should always be looking for sermon ideas or illustrations everywhere. Those ideas do not have to come out of your Bible reading. Some of the best messages I've developed have come from common life events. After all, didn't Jesus often teach some of his best lessons from events that were going on around Him? Of course, you'll want to make sure your thoughts are supported by Scripture and use your study resources to properly prepare your message, but the germ of the idea can come from common, ordinary events that happen to everyone.
By always looking for sermon ideas and developing those ideas whether or not you need a sermon for the next week, you'll always be ready to preach. You never know when you'll get a text on a Saturday evening asking if you can fill in for a sick pastor or when you'll have an unusually busy week that interferes with your study time.
As a younger pastor I probably had more sermon ideas than I ever developed. I would read something or hear something and think that would be a great message. But, I wouldn't write anything down and would soon forget the idea. That doesn't happen now. If I'm reading or listening to something and it triggers a sermon idea I immediately write down a note to remind me.
During my devotional reading this past week I ran across a great thought for a sermon. I stopped my reading, pulled out other resources, and in 2-3 hours had a completed sermon. At some point there will be an appropriate time and place to share it, and if not I've still benefited from the study that went into the message.
I've written elsewhere about the time challenges bivocational pastors face. The fact is, most pastors are busy. Many struggle with finding time to prepare good messages. One way to maximize your sermon preparation is to always be on the lookout for sermon ideas, and when you find them make notes that will remind you of your thoughts. In a perfect world you would stop what you are doing and develop the message right then. That may not always be possible, but at least make notes. I've always heard that a dull pencil is more valuable than a sharp mind. The chances are good if you just try to remember your ideas about the message, you'll forget them. Write them down!
If you regularly preach you should always be looking for sermon ideas or illustrations everywhere. Those ideas do not have to come out of your Bible reading. Some of the best messages I've developed have come from common life events. After all, didn't Jesus often teach some of his best lessons from events that were going on around Him? Of course, you'll want to make sure your thoughts are supported by Scripture and use your study resources to properly prepare your message, but the germ of the idea can come from common, ordinary events that happen to everyone.
By always looking for sermon ideas and developing those ideas whether or not you need a sermon for the next week, you'll always be ready to preach. You never know when you'll get a text on a Saturday evening asking if you can fill in for a sick pastor or when you'll have an unusually busy week that interferes with your study time.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
What's to like about small churches?
When some people talk about smaller churches almost everything they say is negative. They won't change. They are too small to have a good (fill in the blank). Their music is stale. The building needs repairs or upgrades or both. The list goes on. While some of these might be true in some churches, there is also a lot to like about smaller churches. In my 35 years of mostly working in such churches here are some of the things I appreciate about them.
- There is a sense of family. No one feels like they are a member of an organization but part of an intimate family. People care about you. They know your name. Does this remind anyone of the old Cheers television program? You are missed if you are not there. When I resigned as pastor of a small church where I had served for 20 years I felt I was leaving my family.
- There are opportunities to serve. One should not attend a smaller church if they want to be invisible. It won't work! In some larger churches you might be a member for years before being asked to serve in some capacity, but that won't happen in the smaller church. I used to joke that we Baptists will work someone to death until they learn to say no! People quickly find that there is a place for them to serve and use the gifts God has given them.
- There is rapid communication when there is a need. Whether a small church has an official prayer list or not, when someone in the church or community has a need, the word gets out quickly, and people respond just as quickly. Meals are prepared. Other needs are met. Those with the needs feel loved. One older gentleman often told how much the church ministered to him and his wife when their home burned to the ground. He said they might not have made it without their church family.
- In most smaller churches you are with people very much like you. Some might criticize this, but it makes for a comfortable feeling when you are together. The church I served was primarily blue collar. When I went there we had one person with a college degree although that did change later. Many of our folks were retired. We shared much in common. I often joked that we would not be the church that would reach the professors at a nearby college, that was why God made Presbyterians. We would reach people most like us, and we did.
- People are more important than programs. What is important in the small church is not how talented you are but that you are a part of their family. You don't have to audition to sing in most small church choirs. Just show up. You don't have to have a degree to lead a Bible study. Just be willing.
- There's not room in a blog post to list everything, but one more thing must be noted: pitch-in meals. I've attended a lot of catered meals in larger churches, and I wouldn't trade any of them for the pitch-in dinners I've enjoyed in smaller churches. These women know how to cook!
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Finding balance in preaching
A pastor friend of mine once told me a member of his church commented that he wished the pastor would preach stronger sermons. He didn't feel the minister challenged the congregation enough. Another person spoke up and responded that he had sat in churches for 30 years and heard nothing but sermons that beat him up every week. He appreciated hearing sermons that encouraged and lifted him up.
I nearly walked out of a service a few years ago. A member of the church had told me their pastor pounded on them every week. People were leaving the church, and she and her husband, long time members, were thinking of doing the same. I went to see if what they were telling me was true, and it was. I knew this congregation, knew its history and all the good ministries that they had done over the years, and yet for 45 minutes he did nothing but attack them. By the time he finally resigned from the church a few months later it had been reduced to a fraction of what it once was.
Turn on certain preachers on Sunday morning and you'll find the biggest smiles and sermons guaranteed to warm your hearts and empty your pocketbooks. Everybody is OK! God loves you and only wants to bless you! Don't worry! Be happy!
I find more balance in the Scriptures than in the illustrations I've given. Jesus spoke very tenderly to the hurting, but He could also let loose a blistering attack on religious hypocrites. He could bless small children and insist they be allowed to be brought to Him, and there were times when He turned over the tables in the Temple and drove out those who abused the ones who had come to worship God. This balance is what I have tried to maintain throughout most of my ministry.
Quite a few years ago I was reviewing the sermons I had preached at our church during the previous several months when I noticed that they had been very negative. This probably reflected more of what was going on in my life than the church's, but I was immediately convicted. That next Sunday I apologized to the congregation explaining what I had discovered about my messages. I made them a promise that they would never have to be afraid to invite a friend to a service in the future.
I committed myself to preparing messages that were more balanced. There would be Sundays when the messages would be uplifting and encouraging, and there would be messages that addressed issues in our culture. I still preached against sin, and I still warned people of a coming judgment. Even the strongest sermons came from a positive perspective, not a negative one.
I told people that I loved them enough to tell them the truth, and I tried to do so in a loving manner. I also told them that God loved them even more and gave His only Son so they might live and escape the final judgment. Every sermon ended with an invitation giving people an opportunity to respond to the message as God led.
Balance does not mean compromise. I've never been accused in over 35 years of preaching of having compromised the Scriptures. If we preach the Word of God we will be bringing our people balanced messages that will transform their lives. That should be the goal of every minister. Not much transformation occurs when people are attacked every week or when the Gospel is watered down for people with itching ears. We can help transform people's lives when we point them to Jesus Christ, and that happens best when we deliver balanced, biblical messages.
I nearly walked out of a service a few years ago. A member of the church had told me their pastor pounded on them every week. People were leaving the church, and she and her husband, long time members, were thinking of doing the same. I went to see if what they were telling me was true, and it was. I knew this congregation, knew its history and all the good ministries that they had done over the years, and yet for 45 minutes he did nothing but attack them. By the time he finally resigned from the church a few months later it had been reduced to a fraction of what it once was.
Turn on certain preachers on Sunday morning and you'll find the biggest smiles and sermons guaranteed to warm your hearts and empty your pocketbooks. Everybody is OK! God loves you and only wants to bless you! Don't worry! Be happy!
I find more balance in the Scriptures than in the illustrations I've given. Jesus spoke very tenderly to the hurting, but He could also let loose a blistering attack on religious hypocrites. He could bless small children and insist they be allowed to be brought to Him, and there were times when He turned over the tables in the Temple and drove out those who abused the ones who had come to worship God. This balance is what I have tried to maintain throughout most of my ministry.
Quite a few years ago I was reviewing the sermons I had preached at our church during the previous several months when I noticed that they had been very negative. This probably reflected more of what was going on in my life than the church's, but I was immediately convicted. That next Sunday I apologized to the congregation explaining what I had discovered about my messages. I made them a promise that they would never have to be afraid to invite a friend to a service in the future.
I committed myself to preparing messages that were more balanced. There would be Sundays when the messages would be uplifting and encouraging, and there would be messages that addressed issues in our culture. I still preached against sin, and I still warned people of a coming judgment. Even the strongest sermons came from a positive perspective, not a negative one.
I told people that I loved them enough to tell them the truth, and I tried to do so in a loving manner. I also told them that God loved them even more and gave His only Son so they might live and escape the final judgment. Every sermon ended with an invitation giving people an opportunity to respond to the message as God led.
Balance does not mean compromise. I've never been accused in over 35 years of preaching of having compromised the Scriptures. If we preach the Word of God we will be bringing our people balanced messages that will transform their lives. That should be the goal of every minister. Not much transformation occurs when people are attacked every week or when the Gospel is watered down for people with itching ears. We can help transform people's lives when we point them to Jesus Christ, and that happens best when we deliver balanced, biblical messages.
Monday, January 7, 2019
The hope for America is not in Washington
In 2009 President Obama was addressing a joint session of Congress promoting his plan to reform health care when Representative Joe Wilson shouted out, "You lie." Congress was appalled at the outburst at the time and later people from both political parties condemned it as improper. Although Wilson apologized the House voted to reprimand him for his comment.
Compare that to a recent statement made by a freshman member of the House of Representatives who used a vulgar term to describe President Trump as she announced the House would impeach him. Although some Republicans have condemned her remarks, her fellow Democrats have stood by her. Ocasio-Cortez issued a statement on Twitter supporting the remarks, and Nancy Pelosi said that while she didn't use such language she did not police what her colleagues say. I've heard no other comments from Democrats and few from Republican leaders.
President Trump's response was that her comments caused her to dishonor herself and her family. I think they also dishonor those who voted her in office and the entire nation. It is one thing to criticize the President's policies or his actions, it is another thing to refer to him in such disrespectful and profane language. Had someone publicly used such language to refer to President Obama Congress would have responded quickly and strongly as they did when Wilson called him a liar.
It saddens me that America has become such a crude and uncivil place, but we've been going in that direction a long time. It is becoming increasingly difficult to discuss differences without entering into personal attacks, name calling, and behavior that used to be found only on playgrounds.
In an interview Pelosi said that the name that President Trump was called was no worse than some of the things he has said. Actually, it's much worse, but I do not appreciate him calling people names either. I didn't like it in the primaries, and I don't like it now. It's not becoming for a president to speak of people that way. But Pelosi's comments reminded me of how small children act. "You started it." "No, you did." Any parent can probably relate to such arguments, but it's wrong in either case.
My fear is that this kind of childish behavior is what we can expect going forward to the next election. America faces serious problems, and our political leaders seem to be not the least bit concerned. Their attention is focused on childish behavior, name calling, an impeachment process that won't go anywhere, and doing whatever to get re-elected. Let the wars continue with no end in sight. Let the stock market bounce around like a yo-yo putting working people's retirements at risk. After all, no political leader in Washington has to worry about retirement. Let many of our nation's schools continue to graduate people who can't read their diplomas. Let the gang violence continue. Let the drugs continue to flow into the nation. Ignore the increased suicide rates. Neither political party cares if they solve any of these problems as long as they don't let the other side get a "win" that might jeopardize the next election results.
Yes, America is in serious trouble, and we need to realize the solution to our problems will not come from Washington. Our only hope is that God would have mercy on us and pour out His Spirit upon our nation once again. It would be good if we would begin to elect adults to political office who were committed more to solving our nation's problems that promoting their agendas and fattening their pocketbooks. But the real solution will come when we begin to take 2 Chronicles 7: 14 seriously and do what it says. Only then will God heal our land.
Compare that to a recent statement made by a freshman member of the House of Representatives who used a vulgar term to describe President Trump as she announced the House would impeach him. Although some Republicans have condemned her remarks, her fellow Democrats have stood by her. Ocasio-Cortez issued a statement on Twitter supporting the remarks, and Nancy Pelosi said that while she didn't use such language she did not police what her colleagues say. I've heard no other comments from Democrats and few from Republican leaders.
President Trump's response was that her comments caused her to dishonor herself and her family. I think they also dishonor those who voted her in office and the entire nation. It is one thing to criticize the President's policies or his actions, it is another thing to refer to him in such disrespectful and profane language. Had someone publicly used such language to refer to President Obama Congress would have responded quickly and strongly as they did when Wilson called him a liar.
It saddens me that America has become such a crude and uncivil place, but we've been going in that direction a long time. It is becoming increasingly difficult to discuss differences without entering into personal attacks, name calling, and behavior that used to be found only on playgrounds.
In an interview Pelosi said that the name that President Trump was called was no worse than some of the things he has said. Actually, it's much worse, but I do not appreciate him calling people names either. I didn't like it in the primaries, and I don't like it now. It's not becoming for a president to speak of people that way. But Pelosi's comments reminded me of how small children act. "You started it." "No, you did." Any parent can probably relate to such arguments, but it's wrong in either case.
My fear is that this kind of childish behavior is what we can expect going forward to the next election. America faces serious problems, and our political leaders seem to be not the least bit concerned. Their attention is focused on childish behavior, name calling, an impeachment process that won't go anywhere, and doing whatever to get re-elected. Let the wars continue with no end in sight. Let the stock market bounce around like a yo-yo putting working people's retirements at risk. After all, no political leader in Washington has to worry about retirement. Let many of our nation's schools continue to graduate people who can't read their diplomas. Let the gang violence continue. Let the drugs continue to flow into the nation. Ignore the increased suicide rates. Neither political party cares if they solve any of these problems as long as they don't let the other side get a "win" that might jeopardize the next election results.
Yes, America is in serious trouble, and we need to realize the solution to our problems will not come from Washington. Our only hope is that God would have mercy on us and pour out His Spirit upon our nation once again. It would be good if we would begin to elect adults to political office who were committed more to solving our nation's problems that promoting their agendas and fattening their pocketbooks. But the real solution will come when we begin to take 2 Chronicles 7: 14 seriously and do what it says. Only then will God heal our land.
Friday, January 4, 2019
Would having a coach benefit your ministry?
My DMin thesis was "Coaching Bivocational Ministers for Greater Ministry Effectiveness." For my project I coached six bivocational ministers located throughout the United States and
Canada. The paper explored the issues we discussed and the solutions the persons being coached discovered that would address those issues. Each minister was asked to write a two page report on how the experience impacted their lives and ministries, and in each case the impact was positive. That paper was later rewritten and published in my last book The Art and Practice of Bivocational Ministry: A Pastor's Guide. I added four more ministers to the book whom I have coached over the years and added their stories to the ones in the thesis.
For a number of years many major corporations have provided executive coaches for their leaders. These companies recognized the benefits of their top executives receiving coaching far exceeded the costs. It was an investment they were willing to make knowing these coaches would add value to their executives and companies.
Many individuals today have life coaches to help them address challenges in their lives or to help them improve certain aspects of their lives. Some have financial coaches to help them make wise decisions about their money and investments. Some have physical coaches to help keep them accountable for their workouts and diets. A growing number of people today are willing to invest in having a coach help them grow in every aspect of their lives.
Unfortunately, few ministers have seen the same value in having a coach. The Lone Ranger syndrome that plagues many ministers is at work in this area of our lives as well. This is a shame. In my doctoral project I coached some ministers who were really struggling in various areas of their lives and ministries. They had no one to talk to and no answers to their problems. Yet, in a series of brief coaching sessions they began to find the answers they had been seeking. In some of the conversations I had with them over the telephone I could almost hear the light bulb go off as they suddenly discovered those answers. In our next coaching session I knew I was going to hear a great story of a breakthrough in their lives, and I was seldom disappointed. Yet, despite the positive things that can happen when one has a coach, few ministers are willing to work with one.
It should be noted that coaching is not exclusively for those having problems. A coach can help a person grow in areas in which the person is already strong as well. In fact, some of my favorite coaching times comes when a person wants to work in areas of their strengths. They want me to help them improve things they are already doing well.
As part of my coach training I worked with a coach for nine months. It came at a perfect time in my life because I was at a crossroads in my ministry. I had told no one, but I was literally at a fork in the road and wasn't sure which direction to take. My coach helped me work through that. I am convinced that because of being coached at the time I made the right choice.
There are a number of good ministry coaches out there who can be a great asset to your ministry. Some will work with just the minister while others are willing to work with the entire congregation. If you wonder if having a coach would benefit you, read the stories in my book and see how coaching helped them. Or feel free to send me a direct message asking to talk to me about how having a coach might help you in the coming year.
Canada. The paper explored the issues we discussed and the solutions the persons being coached discovered that would address those issues. Each minister was asked to write a two page report on how the experience impacted their lives and ministries, and in each case the impact was positive. That paper was later rewritten and published in my last book The Art and Practice of Bivocational Ministry: A Pastor's Guide. I added four more ministers to the book whom I have coached over the years and added their stories to the ones in the thesis.
For a number of years many major corporations have provided executive coaches for their leaders. These companies recognized the benefits of their top executives receiving coaching far exceeded the costs. It was an investment they were willing to make knowing these coaches would add value to their executives and companies.
Many individuals today have life coaches to help them address challenges in their lives or to help them improve certain aspects of their lives. Some have financial coaches to help them make wise decisions about their money and investments. Some have physical coaches to help keep them accountable for their workouts and diets. A growing number of people today are willing to invest in having a coach help them grow in every aspect of their lives.
Unfortunately, few ministers have seen the same value in having a coach. The Lone Ranger syndrome that plagues many ministers is at work in this area of our lives as well. This is a shame. In my doctoral project I coached some ministers who were really struggling in various areas of their lives and ministries. They had no one to talk to and no answers to their problems. Yet, in a series of brief coaching sessions they began to find the answers they had been seeking. In some of the conversations I had with them over the telephone I could almost hear the light bulb go off as they suddenly discovered those answers. In our next coaching session I knew I was going to hear a great story of a breakthrough in their lives, and I was seldom disappointed. Yet, despite the positive things that can happen when one has a coach, few ministers are willing to work with one.
It should be noted that coaching is not exclusively for those having problems. A coach can help a person grow in areas in which the person is already strong as well. In fact, some of my favorite coaching times comes when a person wants to work in areas of their strengths. They want me to help them improve things they are already doing well.
As part of my coach training I worked with a coach for nine months. It came at a perfect time in my life because I was at a crossroads in my ministry. I had told no one, but I was literally at a fork in the road and wasn't sure which direction to take. My coach helped me work through that. I am convinced that because of being coached at the time I made the right choice.
There are a number of good ministry coaches out there who can be a great asset to your ministry. Some will work with just the minister while others are willing to work with the entire congregation. If you wonder if having a coach would benefit you, read the stories in my book and see how coaching helped them. Or feel free to send me a direct message asking to talk to me about how having a coach might help you in the coming year.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Pastoral counseling
A number of years ago I was involved in helping develop a training program for lay leaders and bivocational pastors in our judicatory. A two-year and three-year program was offered with classes we felt would benefit our students. It wasn't long before we began to be asked to add a class on counseling to our program. We refused to add the class. As I explained to those requesting the class, one counseling class is not going to equip you to counsel people.
Many churches have counseling as part of their pastor's job descriptions, and many pastors do offer to counsel people. I think this is a mistake for most pastors. Unless the minister has been trained in counseling my advice has always been it is usually best to refer those who need this help to a trained pastoral counselor or Christian psychologist.
People who need counseling often require much more time and expertise than the average pastor can give them. In severe cases persons may need years of therapy and extensive help which the minister is not trained to provide. In such cases it is often best to provide pastoral care and refer the person to someone trained to provide the assistance the person needs.
A possible scenario might go like this. Someone comes seeking counseling, and the minister quickly recognizes that a referral is in order. The minister can suggest capable counselors for the person to contact while offering to meet with the person on a regular basis to see how they are progressing. I would ask the person to contact me after they've had their first session with the counselor. This would allow me to find out their initial thoughts about the counseling they are receiving and gives me an opportunity to provide pastoral care. I would then want to set up regular meetings, perhaps every couple of months, to see how they are progressing. This lets them know I care about their situation and it provides them with the type of counseling they need to resolve their problem.
If a minister is a trained counselor then he or she can offer counseling, but most of us received just enough training in counseling to be dangerous. We do no one any good if we try to work outside the areas of our expertise. The person does not receive the best assistance available, and the minister's time is being used doing things he or she is not equipped to do.
I write more about this and other ways to reduce the pressures of ministry in my book The Healthy Pastor: Easing the Pressures of Ministry
Many churches have counseling as part of their pastor's job descriptions, and many pastors do offer to counsel people. I think this is a mistake for most pastors. Unless the minister has been trained in counseling my advice has always been it is usually best to refer those who need this help to a trained pastoral counselor or Christian psychologist.
People who need counseling often require much more time and expertise than the average pastor can give them. In severe cases persons may need years of therapy and extensive help which the minister is not trained to provide. In such cases it is often best to provide pastoral care and refer the person to someone trained to provide the assistance the person needs.
A possible scenario might go like this. Someone comes seeking counseling, and the minister quickly recognizes that a referral is in order. The minister can suggest capable counselors for the person to contact while offering to meet with the person on a regular basis to see how they are progressing. I would ask the person to contact me after they've had their first session with the counselor. This would allow me to find out their initial thoughts about the counseling they are receiving and gives me an opportunity to provide pastoral care. I would then want to set up regular meetings, perhaps every couple of months, to see how they are progressing. This lets them know I care about their situation and it provides them with the type of counseling they need to resolve their problem.
If a minister is a trained counselor then he or she can offer counseling, but most of us received just enough training in counseling to be dangerous. We do no one any good if we try to work outside the areas of our expertise. The person does not receive the best assistance available, and the minister's time is being used doing things he or she is not equipped to do.
I write more about this and other ways to reduce the pressures of ministry in my book The Healthy Pastor: Easing the Pressures of Ministry
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
A new year, a new start
Let me begin by wishing my readers a Happy New Year. For some of you, you were probably glad to see 2018 end. You think that the new year will have to be better! Overall, our family had a good 2018, but we are praying for an even better 2019 as well.
The new year is always exciting for me because I see in it the opportunities for new beginnings. I start off the year with a fresh, clean calendar on my desk ready to be filled with exciting opportunities. And that is what a new year brings: new opportunities. 365 of them in fact.
I do not make New Year's resolutions. I prefer setting goals, written goals, to help make me more accountable than resolutions. One of my goals this year is to focus more study time on theology. Some might argue that everything a minister studies is theological. That may or may not be true, but we seldom focus our attention on theology itself. It seems I am especially drawn to studying systematic theology. The good news is I have shelves of theology books to read so I don't have to buy new ones unless I run across something I simply must read!
Last year I did not play one round of golf due to my busy schedule. When my schedule eased up a little, I broke a bone in my right foot and still couldn't play. I don't intend to let that happen again this year. Not only do I plan to play golf, but I want to take my wife fishing this year, another thing we didn't do last year due to our schedules. There's not a lot of great places to fish near us, but at least we can drown some worms and relax.
In the past I would set 8-10 goals for the year, and I would work very hard to accomplish each of them. I'm at the stage of my life when I don't need to set that many goals. I want just enough to stay productive and be a good steward of the life God has given me but not so many that every moment is taken up with things I must do.
There is one more thing I still hope to accomplish this year: publish another book. My regular publisher has decided to not publish this one due to a severe cut-back in the number of books they now publish, so I have to find another publisher. I have a proposal ready to go out in today's mail to a new publisher. Pray for me as I think this book will be very helpful to smaller churches and those who lead them.
The new year is always exciting for me because I see in it the opportunities for new beginnings. I start off the year with a fresh, clean calendar on my desk ready to be filled with exciting opportunities. And that is what a new year brings: new opportunities. 365 of them in fact.
I do not make New Year's resolutions. I prefer setting goals, written goals, to help make me more accountable than resolutions. One of my goals this year is to focus more study time on theology. Some might argue that everything a minister studies is theological. That may or may not be true, but we seldom focus our attention on theology itself. It seems I am especially drawn to studying systematic theology. The good news is I have shelves of theology books to read so I don't have to buy new ones unless I run across something I simply must read!
Last year I did not play one round of golf due to my busy schedule. When my schedule eased up a little, I broke a bone in my right foot and still couldn't play. I don't intend to let that happen again this year. Not only do I plan to play golf, but I want to take my wife fishing this year, another thing we didn't do last year due to our schedules. There's not a lot of great places to fish near us, but at least we can drown some worms and relax.
In the past I would set 8-10 goals for the year, and I would work very hard to accomplish each of them. I'm at the stage of my life when I don't need to set that many goals. I want just enough to stay productive and be a good steward of the life God has given me but not so many that every moment is taken up with things I must do.
There is one more thing I still hope to accomplish this year: publish another book. My regular publisher has decided to not publish this one due to a severe cut-back in the number of books they now publish, so I have to find another publisher. I have a proposal ready to go out in today's mail to a new publisher. Pray for me as I think this book will be very helpful to smaller churches and those who lead them.
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