the postmodern pop pastor

"For every great problem, there is a simple solution - and its wrong."

Labels: leadership

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An exerpt from Bono essay in Time magazine.

Labels: community, justice, money, poverty

The central task of church pastors and overseers is the creation and shepherding of disciples according to God’s word, the most important tool a pastor has. Scripture is useful for learning not only sound doctrine and belief about the truths of salvation and the identity of Jesus as Messiah, but also how to think in a Christian way about our world and ourselves, by studying and imitating the lives of those God approved. And we know that God’s word has a great deal to say about our money and possessions.

In his letters to Timothy and Titus, the apostle Paul designates teaching on money as a role of pastors. One vital aspect of this role is that of preaching and teaching what God’s word says about a Christian’s relationship to money and possessions. The best way to teach about this matter is by example first: “not loving money” or pleasure or being desirous of riches (1 Timothy 3:3, 8; 2 Timothy 3:2, 4; Titus 1:7). This sinful “love of money” is particularly acute when pastors who are adequately provided for in their present positions are tempted by ever-larger offers from more prosperous congregations that hope to lure them to a new pulpit with money. Paul’s pastoral letters suggest that leaving churches for a better financial position may be a sign of worldliness and love of gain, not godliness (see also 1 Peter 5:2; Zechariah 11:17). On the other hand, congregations should care for pastors’ financial needs whenever possible, enabling them to serve without the stress of another job. But regardless of a pastor’s income, contentment “with food and shelter” (1 Timothy 6:8) must be the order of the day as we learn to find pleasure in Jesus and his kingdom, not the kingdoms of earth.

In many churches the role of training the congregation financially is often ignored altogether. In others the training is left to professional advisors, organizations or lay leaders. But Scripture is clear that shepherds themselves must take an active role in learning what God’s word says about our finances. They must free God’s people accordingly from “the love of money” (1 Timothy 6:9-10) and the slavery to “all kinds of passions and pleasures” (Titus 3:3).

Some Christians are not slaves to the desire for money—they are afraid of their own wealth; however, they shouldn’t be (1 Timothy 4:3-4; 6:17) though they may well be afraid of their own sinful hearts. Rather than fearing their wealth, they should be using it generously for Christ’s kingdom. Paul’s exhortations to Christian generosity also extended to his directing of generosity, and he tells his trainee Timothy to direct his church as well (1 Timothy 5; 6:17-18). His favorite targets of generosity are “cases of urgent need” (Titus 3:14), such as widows, orphans and the imprisoned (including himself in his imprisonment, 2 Timothy 1:16-19) and other kingdom commitments such as pastoral support and missionary support. It is important to keep in mind that Christian giving to such causes is not indiscriminate. We must carefully consider who really needs our gifts and who does not, as Paul instructs in 1 Timothy 5.

Pastors must be acutely aware of the dangers of our generation and wealth-saturated environment, as people are lovers of self, pleasure seekers (2 Timothy 3:4), ungrateful (2 Timothy 3:2), lovers of money (1 Timothy 6:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:2), lazy gluttons (Titus 1:12), enslaved by worldly passions and pleasures (Titus 2:12; 3:3) and thieving employees (Titus 2:9-10). The role of pastor in such an environment requires him to pay careful attention to God’s word on money and possessions and careful attention to the needs of the world (1 Timothy 5 and 6). Paul teaches that our attention must be drawn away from our indulgence and toward the needs of others. Pastors must lead the way in teaching and example, knowing that the pastoral life—as with every Christian life—will require sacrifice (2 Timothy 2:3-10; 3:12), and that God takes care of those who are his own.

From Generous Giving

Labels: leadership, money, pastor, spiritual disciples

Jesus Died to Create a Community

We sometimes hear it said that Jesus would have dies for each of us if we had been the only person in the world. This significant thought emphasizes that Christ knows and loves each one of us in a special way. To him, we are not members of a faceless mass of people but individuals, each one known in details and loved personally and specifically.

In going to the cross, however, it was not His purpose to redeem a disconnected collection of people but rather to create an entire community of followers, bonded to him and linked to one another. Jesus died to create a community, and this community was not an extra, added element in His plan but the very essence of it.

Guy Saffold, The Godly Leadership Community: Developing a Community of Committed Servants, Leaders, and Followers

Labels: community, leadership

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George Herbert (1593-1633)

Teach me, my God and King,
In all things Thee to see,
And what I do in any thing,
To do it as for Thee.

Not rudely, as a beast,
To run into an action;
But still to make Thee prepossest,
And give it His perfection.

A man that looks on glass,
On it may stay his eye;
Or if he pleaseth, through it pass,
And then the heav'n espy.

All may of Thee partake:
Nothing can be so mean,
Which with his tincture (for Thy sake)
Will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine:
Who sweeps a room, as for Thy laws,
Makes that and th' action fine.

This is the famous stone
That turneth all to gold:
For that which God doth touch and own
Cannot for less be told.

Labels: poetry, writing

The speaker is Jayber Crow in Berry's novel of the same name.

For a while again I couldn't pray. I didn't dare to. In the most secret place of my soul I wanted to beg the Lord to reveal himself in power. I wanted to tell him that it was time for his coming. If there was anything at all to what he had promised, why didn't he come in glory with angels and lay his hands on the hurt chchildren and awaken the dead soldiers and restore the burned villages and the blasted and poisoned land? Why didn't he cow our arrogance?...

But thinking such things was as dangerous as praying them. I knew who had thought such thoughts before: "Let Christ the king of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Where in my own arrogance was I going to hide?Where did I get my knack for being a fool? If I could advise God, why didn't I just advise him (like our great preachers and politicians) to be on our side and give us victory? I had to turn around and wade out of the mire myself.

Christ did not descend from the cross except into the grave. And why not otherwise? Wouldn't it have put fine comical expressions on the faces of the scribes and the chief priests and the soldiers if at that moment he had come down in power and glory? Why didn't he do it? Why hasn't he done it at anyone of a thousand good times between then and now?

I knew the answer. I knew it a long time before I could admit it, for all the suffering of the world is in it. He didn't, he hasn't, because from the moment he did, he would be the absolute tyrant of the world and we would be his slaves. Even those who hated him and hated one another and hated their own souls would have to believe in him then. From that moment the possibility that we might be bound to him and he to us and us to one another by love forever would be ended.

And so, I thought, he must forebear to reveal his power and glory by presenting himself as himself, and must be present only in the ordinary miracle of the existence of his creatures. Those who wish to see him must see him in the poor, the hungry, the hurt, the wordless creatures, the groaning and travailing beautiful world.

I would sometimes be horrified in every moment I was alone. I could see no escape. We are too tightly tangled together to be able to separate ourselves from one another either by good or by evil. We all are involved in all and any good, and in all and any evil. For any sin, we all suffer. That is why our suffering is endless. It is why God grieves and Christ's wounds still are bleeding.

Labels: fools, social action, wisdom

Erwin McManus, The Unstoppable Force

A wonderful thing about being around new believers is that they haven't discovered the limitations the church has embraced. Their ability to believe in God is so pure it sometimes terrifies older Christians. Do you remember when you believed God could do anything? that God actually heard your prayers with an intention to answer them? when you believed that Elijah was an ordinary person just like you and that if you prayed like he did, God would answer your prayers, too?

The first century church was founded on the adventurous journeys of men like Paul and Barnabus. It was never intended to be a place of safety from the rapidly hanging world. The church should be the greatest revolution ever initiated on this planet. She moves from generation to generation through the dreamers and visionaries who believe that nothing is impossible with God. And like prophets, they call God's people to live their lives as if God is truly God.

The only force that can stop the church is the church. Are we doing what we should be doing? Are we dedicated as we ought to be dedicated? Are we as revolutionary as we need to be in a secular culture? Do we have enough faith to spend and be spent for the mission of Christ in the world? Or have we gotten sidetracked and are spending and being spent on ourselves? McManus goes on about speaking to his own fellow leaders...

I had to tell them that we might even, in the midst of our efforts, find ourselves failing; that there is no promise in the Bible that any one local church will accomplish everything that God has on his heart; and that God's greatest purpose for us might be that we fail falling forward. But could we consider that even our death would be an act of faith if the direction of our bodies pointed the way to God's future?

Labels: church, leadership, missional

out the window one morning on our temecula retreat. how many pics did I take of that statue?

Labels: photos

6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, baptizes them into union with Christ and adopts them into God's family. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.


7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated twoordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. When celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances strengthen the believer, but they are not a means of justification.
8. We believe that God's justifying grace also has sanctifying power to conform us to the image of Christ. Commanded by Christ to love God supremely and others sacrificially, we are to live out our faith with compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s final commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.

Our congregation takes a long and slow view of outreach. We seek to be good neighbors and love others as a corrolary of loving God. Part of the way we do this is by working shoulder to shoulder with our friends and neighbors to make Corona a better place.

In the coming weeks we will be involved in our community's Town Hall on youth alcohol use. Continuing the Conversation: TALKING and LISTENING to youth about alcohol and other drugs. Our local school district stats report that 46% of 7-11 graders have had at least one full alcoholic drink in the last 30 days. We are adding our voice, the voice of Christ, to this important conversation. If you are local, please join in. Details on flyer linked above.

Labels: community, evangelism, gospel, social action

3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinful by nature and by choice, alienated from God and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.

Labels: gospel, kingdom, theology

From the 3rd draft of the EFCA revised statement of faith.

The Evangelical Free Church of America is an association of autonomous churches united in a common commitment to God’s evangel--the gospel of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to give us eternal life. To God's glory, the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Our essential theological convictions are vitally connected to this gospel.

God’s gospel is authoritatively announced in the Scriptures.

2.We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires and trusted in all that it promises.

Labels: gospel, kingdom, theology

Tim Challies is doing a live blog of this year's Shepherd's Conference at Grace Community Church. John MacArthur's opening salvo has seemed to cause as stir. How's this for a warm and inviting title for a pastor's conference, "Why Every Self-Respecting Calvinist is a Pre-Millennialist."

That's bound to win friends and influence people.

Labels: eschatology, pastor, preaching

My soul lept this morning as I read about The Celtic Way of Evangelism. Here is a prayer attributed to St. Patrick.

I rise today: in power's strength, invoking the Trinity, believing the threeness, confessing the oneness Of Creation's Creator.

I rise today: in the power of Christ's birth and baptism, in the power of his crucifixion and burial, in the power of his rising and ascending, in the power of his descending and judging.

I rise today: in the power of the love of Cherubim, in the obedience of angels, in the service of archangels, in hope of rising to receive the reward, in the prayers of Patriarchs, in the
predictions of prophets, in the preaching of Apostles, in the faith of confessors, in the innocence of holy virgins, in the deeds of the righteous.

I rise today: in Heaven's might in Sun's brightness in Moon's radiance in Fire's glory in Lightning's quickness in Winds swiftness in Sea's depth in Earth's stability in Rock's fixity.

I rise today: with the power of God to pilot me, God's strength to sustain me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look ahead for me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to protect me, God's way before me, God's shield to defend me, God's host to deliver me: From snares of devils, From evil temptations, From nature's failings, From all who shall wish to harm me, far or near, Alone and in a crowd.

Around me I gather today all these powers: Against every cruel merciless foe to attack my body and soul, Against the charms of the false prophets, the black laws of paganism, the false laws of heretics, the deceptions of idolatry, Against spells cast by women, smiths and druids, and all unlawful knowledge that harms the body and soul.

May Christ protect me today: Against poison and burning, Against drowning and wounding, So that I may have abundant reward; Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me; Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me; Christ to right of me, Christ to left of me; Christ in my lying, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising; Christ in the heart of all who think of me, Christ on the tongue of all who speak to me, Christ in the eye of all who see me, Christ in the ear of all who hear me.

I rise today: in power's strength, invoking the Trinity, believing the threeness, confessing the oneness, Of Creation's Creator.

For to the Lord belongs salvation, and to the Lord belongs salvation, and to Christ belongs salvation.

May your salvation, Lord, be with us always.

Labels: community, evangelism, prayer

More from Sanders...

Suppose that we allot ourselves a generous eight hours a day for sleep (and few need more than that), three hours for meals and conversation, ten hours for work and travel on five days. Still we have thirty-five hours each week to fill. What happens to them? How are they invested? A person's entire contribution to the kingdom of God may turn on how those hours are used. Certainly those hours determine whether life is commonplace or extraordinary.

Labels: leadership, time

FName LName City State Age Sex ChipTime ClockTime Overall SexPl DivPl
Tammy Beatty Ventura CA 33 F 05:33:08 05:42:20 9733 2703 441
Tad Beatty Ventura CA 31 M 05:33:10 05:42:21 9736 7032 969
John Silvis Upland CA 31 M 04:31:31 04:32:14 3814 3040 464

Congratulations you nut jobs, way to go! :)

Labels: family, friends, insanity

Had to post this. My friend Pete linked to this piece from Justin Taylor, who does alot of work gathering data. Here is one of the facts listed.

"If you listen to the answers provided by major opinion research firms, the answer usually hovers around 40%. (National Opinion Research Center: 38%; Institute for Social Research’s World Values: 44%; Barna: 41%; National Election Studies: 40%; Gallup: 41%.)...It seems that it’s more accurate to say that 40% of Americans claim to attend church regularly...actual percentage of Americans attending church from the mid-1960’s to the 90’s was about 26%."

Go here for more.

Labels: church

Re-re-re-reading J. Oswald Sanders’ book Spiritual Leadership. These questions are for evaluating our potential as leaders.

• Have you ever broken a bad habit? To lead others, you must master your appetites.
• Do you keep self-control when things go wrong? The leader who loses control under adversity forfeits respect and influence. A leader must be calm in crisis and resilient in disappointment.
• Do you think independently? A leader must use the best ideas of others to make decisions. A leader cannot wait for others to make up his or her mind.
• Can you handle criticism? Can you profit from it? The humble person can learn from petty criticism, even malicious criticism.
• Can you turn disappointment into creative new opportunity?
• Do you readily gain the cooperation of others and win their respect and confidence?
• Can you exert discipline without making a power play? True leadership is an internal quality of the spirit and needs no show of external force.
• Are you a peacemaker? A leader must be able to reconcile with opponents and make peace where arguments have created hostilities.
• Do people trust you with difficult and delicate situations? Can you induce people to do happily some legitimate thing that they would not normally wish to do?
• Can you accept opposition to your viewpoint or decision without taking offence? Leaders always face opposition.
• Can you make and keep friends? Your circle of loyal friends is an index of your leadership potential.
• Do you depend on the praise of others to keep you going? Can you hold steady in the face of disapproval and even temporary loss of confidence?
• Are you at ease in the presence of strangers? Do you get nervous in the presence of your superior?
• Are the people who report to you generally at ease? A leader should be sympathetic and friendly.
• Are you interested in people? All types? All races? No prejudice at all?
• Are you tactful? Can you anticipate how your words will affect a person?
• Is your will strong and steady? Leaders cannot vacillate or cannot drift with the wind.
  Can you forgive? Or do you nurse resentments and harbor ill feelings toward those who have injured you?
• Are you reasonably optimistic? Pessimism and leadership do not mix.
• Do you feel a master passion such as that of Paul, who said, “This one thing I do!”? Such a singleness of motive will focus your energies and powers on the desired objective. Leaders need a strong focus.
• Do you welcome responsibility?
• Do other people’s failures annoy or challenge you?
• Do you use people, or cultivate people?
• Do you direct people, or develop people?
• Do you criticize, or encourage?
• Do you shun or seek out the person with a special need or problem?

Some of these are quite convicting. I will reflect more on them in the days to come.

Labels: community, forgiveness, friends, identity, leadership, pastor

The arches in front of Jefferson Elementary in Corona.

Labels: photos

Preview of the Proverbs study guide I have been writing for our men's and women's studies.

3:5-12 The first relationship that wisdom works in is our relation with God. Of course, this is our most fundamental relationship. We live and relate to God because we are created in God’s image and live in God’s world. If we are wise and have hearts that fear the Lord then we will trust in the Lord entirely, with every part of our being, in every part of our lives.

Trust of verse 5 and lean of verse 6 are nearly synonymous terms. Support yourself on Him (Kidner, Proverbs, 63), rest on Him, trust Him.

Francis Schaffer use to tell the story of the 2 chairs. The chair of faith and the chair of unfaith. We can choose to sit on one. To sit is to trust. To sit is to believe that the chair will hold you up. Go ahead, put all your weight upon the Lord. Do not hold back. This is wisdom. Fools keep some corner of life for themselves, trusting in self. Trusting Him in Your heart will move naturally into following Him in your ways. The Bible makes no room for one without the other. To fill up and not spill over is to remain a fool.

Acknowledge Him. That is, know Him or have His ways written upon your heart. Because what is in the heart shows itself in life. This is the father’s call in 3:1. It is Moses’ call in Deuteronomy 30 and it is the promise of the new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34). The spirit of God writes the wisdom of God upon our hearts as Christian people. We live and we obey, not from moral obligation, but out of living, vital relation with our God, opened for us in Christ, who’s blood inaugurated the new covenant.

Labels: Bible, Proverbs, wisdom, writing