147 Sermon Illustrations on Ministry

Wally's witness in the hospital. Wally is 87, rarely sees anyone new, lives with Christians. Wally in the past has often said to me, "Who can I witness to?" Yesterday in the hospital Wally told me he was bothered about something. He had been talking to an old woman on his ward. He told her what good things the Lord had done for him. She dismissed it with a comment that she didn't believe in any Lord.

It doesn't matter what your situation in life is, God gives each Christian a ministry of some kind. You are either in it or getting ready for it or both.

Sharing Goals and Life — Two key functions of ministry teams

“You have to learn to share.” Coaxing from my mom didn’t convince me. Nor did seminary discussions on servant leadership.

Only when I decided to move our church to a team-based ministry did I begin to learn what shared ministry really meant. In the past I would have argued our church was team-friendly, but we weren’t. Teams, I discovered, are mostly about sharing — sharing goals and sharing life. It takes the first to act like a team and the second to feel like a team.

SHARING GOALS

Team members, of course, need to accomplish something to feel productive. Like the players of any sports team, each needs to know that she or he has executed the play and seen some results. But drift and entropy are constant threats.

Each year every staff person develops a MAP — a Ministry Action Plan. These plans are distributed to the entire staff, and then each person discusses his MAP — with his or her ministry team. When the tyranny of the urgent begins to crowd out someone’s stated goals, the team leader explores the reason behind it. One person was recently challenged to evaluate whether the changes in her activities were on purpose or simply covering for the lack of growth in another staff person.

The point is that to function effectively as a team requires process. The management maxim “Your system is perfectly designed to yield the result you’re getting” is true. In an effective system, the leader acts as a catalyst, ensuring there is an agenda for each meeting, that there are individual assignments with accountability, that progress is evaluated and measured. Systems allow a team to be process-oriented rather than people-dependent, freeing up people to do the work of the ministry.

SHARING LIFE

But I had to learn to balance the functional and the relational. For most of our two decades as a church, staff functioned as loosely connected ministry entrepreneurs. We had a bias against meetings, viewing them as time away from true ministry. I had espoused that culture-shaping value, which works against the “sharing life” value.

My team needs to sense that I care for its members beyond their accomplishment. That’s the relational. At our last staff retreat, each leader awarded “medals” (Peppermint Patty mints on red, white, and blue ribbons) to team members, affirming in each a personal quality. Every person had the chance to talk about his or her ministry passion as well as relate a personal struggle or desire for development. Team leaders followed up, assuring each that they were praying for the requests.

Another way I balance the function and relational is to monitor our fun together. Do we have enough of it? Fun mitigates the effects of the inevitable frustrations of ministry. At times fun happens spontaneously when we poke fun at each other and end up laughing until we cry. But I also structure unexpected trips to a restaurant or a day at the lakeshore. Our agenda may include prayer or discussing a book on leadership, but usually it’s the eating at a unique restaurant or the sand between our toes that makes the day.

The secret of life is not what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you..

”Full time” vs “Part time”

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands — Psalm 90:17

Throughout the church, a view of those in full-time Christian work versus those who work “secular” jobs has created a definite class distinction. There seems to be little evidence of this distinction in the Bible. Yet, we often hear testimonies from those who left “regular” jobs to go into the mission field, or some other “full-time” Christian work.

My good friend Rich Marshall, has been a pastor for more than thirty years. He came into this understanding of the walls that existed between sacred and secular. He came to recognize the calling that men and women had to the workplace; so much so, that he began ordaining men and women in his congregation for their call to the workplace. Rich came to realize that so often his fellow ministers had been guilty of training those in the marketplace to do the church’s ministry instead of their ministry. And these are not necessarily the same, nor do they require the same skills. In his book, God@Work, Rich writes the following regarding two words (laity and clergy) that have brought confusion to the true call of men and women to the marketplace —{1}:

Two little words, words that misrepresent God and His plan, have been used by the enemy to bring about the development of a caste system within the Body of Christ-those who are called to “professional ministry” or “full-time ministry”: the “clergy”; and those who are not: the “laity.” It is my conviction that all of us in the Body of Christ are called to “full-time ministry.” When we allow this caste system to disturb our thinking, we create a problem for many who experience the strong call of God on their lives. We need both a terminology and a mindset that works to eliminate the “second-class citizen” concept in the Kingdom of God. John Beckett is a business leader who has written an excellent book for business leaders: Loving Monday. In it he tells of his own journey into understanding the call of God. He writes, “For years, I thought my involvement in business was a second class endeavor-necessary to put bread on the table, but somehow less noble than the more sacred pursuits, like being a minister or a missionary. The clear impression was that to truly serve God, one must leave business and go into ‘full-time Christian service.’ I have met countless other businesspeople who feel the same way.” —{2}.

The often-held view by pastors toward business people was brought home to me when I received a letter from a pastor one day in response to an internet devotional that I was writing for men and women in the workplace. This devotional was being distributed throughout the world and I had a surprisingly large number of pastors subscribed to it. One day I got a very simple note from a pastor that said, “How can a businessman have such wisdom?” This comment spoke volumes to me. Basically, he was implying that clergy were the only ones in tune with the spiritual matters of life, and businessmen and women are focused on the “secular” life. Yet, God has never said this. He is now helping many of us begin to understand our true calling as disciples of the Lord Jesus, but with different roles to fulfill in the body of Christ. And no role is less Holy than another.

When I received Christ in 1974, I was a golf professional. God gradually led me away from golf and into business. In 1980, I considered moving into “full-time” Christian work by attending a short-term Bible school to determine if I wanted to be a pastor. I served briefly as an assistant pastor only to have the position removed. God took me out of that because it was never His intention for me to be a pastor.

It was more implied guilt than a genuine call of God that led me in this direction. I believed I may not have been giving my all to God if I wasn’t full time in the work of the Lord. I have learned since then that work truly is worship to God; work and worship are from the same root Hebrew word, avodah. If you are in a secular job that doesn’t violate scripture, your vocation is just as important to God as is a full-time missionary in India. God calls each of us to our vocation. It is in that vocation that He desires to use us for His kingdom.

In their book, Your Work Matters To God, authors Doug Sherman and William Hendricks state the following regarding holy versus unholy vocations.

The architect who designs buildings to the glory of God, who works with integrity, diligence, fairness, and excellence, who treats his wife with the love Christ has for the Church, who raises his children in Godly wisdom and instruction, who urges non-Christian coworkers and associates to heed the gospel message — in short, who acts as a responsible manager in the various arenas God has entrusted him — this man will receive eternal praise from God. That is what really matters in eternity. In short, God’s interest is not simply that we do holy activities but that we become holy people. Not pious. Not sanctimonious. Not otherworldly. But pure, healthy, Christlike.

This whole idea of secular versus religious is a Greek idea. These Greek ideas, clothed in biblical language, have for the most part, been passed down unchallenged to succeeding generations of Christians. As a result, most of us today bring assumptions to the biblical text, assumptions based on a worldview articulated by Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, and other Greek thinkers. Likewise, if you have been around much Christian teaching, you’ve undoubtedly been influenced by at least some Greek ideas. Nothing overtly or purely pagan. But I suggest that Christianity in our culture has absorbed from its tradition a number of subtle beliefs that trace back to Greek philosophy. Now I am not ‘down’ on philosophy. Nor am I ‘down’ on the Greek philosophers, for they have provided us with many insights into philosophical questions. Nevertheless, reading the Bible through their eyes — through Greek glasses — can severely distort the truth of God’s Word. We will think that the Bible says things it does not say, and overlook important things it does say. The result will be a distorted view of life. And a distorted view of work. Wearing Greek glasses, one would tend to ignore or disparage everyday work. This is how work looks when viewed through these lenses. —{3}.

Sherman makes an excellent assessment here of how much Western societies have been affected by the philosophies and culture of the Greek influence. We in the United States may speak English, but we think “Greek.” Our focus on competition, segmentation of life from the secular to sacred, rationalism and reasoning – all move us to a goal of a more intellectual position in our faith instead of a simple trusting faith. The root of this is the Greek/Hellenistic civilization. It has been so much a part of our thinking and way of viewing life that we have lost our ability to understand God and relate to him as the early church did.

As the church grew and extended its borders outside Jerusalem believers became influenced by a wide array of philosophies. The purity and power of the message were affected by the dominant culture, which became the Greek culture. The time following the two major Jewish revolts of AD 70 and AD 135 saw a Greek, man-centered view of the world reshape the church. Early Greek scholars like Plato introduced dualism, which says that life is divided into two compartments: the spiritual or eternal and the temporal realm of the physical. Plato’s dualism entered the church through many of the church fathers who were Greek philosophers who had converted to Christianity. They attempted to reconcile Greek thought with Christianity.

God takes us through the process of life and allows us to develop specific skills and talents for His purposes. The marketplace is where many of us have the greatest opportunity to display these gifts. When young David went up against Goliath, David was only a small shepherd boy. King Saul offered David his armor to protect him from the big Philistine, but David knew the weight of the armor would be a hindrance to him. Instead, David used the skills he developed as a shepherd to protect his sheep. A slingshot and stones were his weapons. When the time came for David to exercise his faith in God to slay the giant, he used the talents God had trained him to use. The shepherd fields were David’s training grounds. There he learned to fight lions and protect his sheep. Now he would protect God’s sheep. God gives us the same talents to achieve the things He wants us to achieve. However, not all of us will be heroes. Some of us have been called to use our talents to serve others to benefit the kingdom of God. David’s faith was the reason God gave him victory. David declared that he came in the name of the living God and that the whole world would know the God of Israel as a result of the defeat of Goliath by a small shepherd boy. This is why God gave him victory over Goliath — so the world may know the living God. The workplace is a training ground for most of us. It is the place where we deal with the everyday challenges of life. But it is here that God wants to reveal His glory “so that the world might know that He is God.” Someone once said that you will have many “jobs” before you come into the “primary” calling God has for your life. I have seen this principle at work. God uses the early training, like David, to prepare us for future battles and future experiences that God will use for his purposes in our lives.

That is how God wants to use you and me. So, we may proclaim Him wherever we are. And He wants to use the talents and abilities he has allowed us to be trained with for His greater glory in this world. For many of us, these talents were given to provide valuable services to our employers for the glory of God. We can find comfort in the knowledge that there is no higher calling than to be where God calls us. Regardless of whether it is in “full-time” Christian mission work, or working at the local hardware store.

Our Primary Call

We should step back for a moment and remind ourselves again that each of us is called to a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ first and foremost. From this position all else comes. The fruit of our relationship with Christ moves us to the level of our calling in work. That work – whether serving on the mission field-or delivering mail– is a holy calling of God. The reason God holds a high view of work is that He created each person in His image for an express purpose in this world to reflect His glory in ALL aspects of life. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col 3:17). He knows the very hairs of our head and He knows what we are wired to do in life (Ps 139). By segmenting this part of our life, we cut off the expression of His life to that world. And He would never do that because He knows there are many who will never hear the gospel because they will never enter a church building. You and I may be the only representative of God they will ever encounter.

Have you ever considered the diversity of gifts and talents God gave humankind? It is amazing to consider. I sometimes think about someone who is working in a particular profession that does not appeal to me. Yet, God created that person to use their gifts for that express purpose. And, He desires that we see that work as worship to Him and a place where His presence and power can be manifested as a testimony to the world. God is always about creating a testimony of His love and power for the world to see. The Bible is one big record of testimony of reconciling a world unto Himself. Later we will see how God has demonstrated His life through individuals in some dramatic ways in the workplace.

The Value of Secular Work

The Word in Life Study Bible provides some good insights into this question of secular versus sacred work. God values our work even when the product has no eternal value. Christians often measure the significance of a job by its perceived value from the eternal perspective. Will the work last; will it “really count” for eternity? The implication is that God approves of work for eternity, but places little value on work for the here and now. By this measure, the work of ministers and missionaries has eternal value because it deals with people’s spiritual, eternal needs. By contrast, the work of a salesman, teller, or typist has only limited value, because it meets only earthly needs. In other words, this kind of work doesn’t really “count” in God’s eyes. But this way of thinking overlooks several important truths. {4}.

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{1}. God himself has created a world which is time-bound and temporary (2 Peter.3:10,11). Yet he values his work, declaring it to be “very good,” by its very nature (Gen 1:31; Acts 14:17).

{2}. God promises rewards to people in everyday jobs, based on their attitude and conduct (Eph 6:8; Col 3:23-4:1).

{3}. God cares about the everyday needs of people as well as their spiritual needs. He cares whether people have food, clothing, and shelter.

{4}. God cares about people who will enter eternity. To the extent that a job serves the needs of people, God values it, because he values people.

She pleaded on the phone, “My son is dying of AIDS. Will you please come and pray with him?”

“Yes,” said the senior pastor of a large metropolitan church.

“Oh, thank you, thank you,” the woman sobbed. “You’re the fifth church I’ve called.”

“What happened to the others?”

“Two hung up on me. One outright refused. And one didn’t answer at all.”

How will your church respond?

”People are waiting to see what we will do with our lives. If God could use a shepherd boy to witness to a king, and ex-convict 62345 to witness to prisoners, parents, and teens, surely He can use you. There is no limit to what He can do with an individual who is faithful and follows Him, wherever He may lead.” — Ex-convict Harold Morris in his book “Twice Pardoned”

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[The Lift] — “Night Watch” (by Roy Popkin)

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. “Your son is here,” she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened. Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand.

The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.

All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength.

Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital – the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited. Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her. “Who was that man?” he asked.

The nurse was startled, “He was your father” she answered.

“No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied. “I never saw him before in my life.”

“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”

“I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me. I stayed.”

The next time someone needs you… be there. Stay. You’ll be glad you did.

Woodrow Wilson's father was a minister. Rather tall and thin, Wilson Sr. made quite a contrast to his horse, which was well-built. One day with horse and buggy and young Woodrow along, the minister was asked by a parishioner, “Reverend, how is it that you're so thin and gaunt while your horse is so fat and sleek?”

Before he could reply, young Woodrow exclaimed, “Probably because my father feeds the horse and the congregation feeds my father!”

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“Serve Him With Mirth” by Leslie B. Flynn. http://www.gospelcom.net/guide/resources/mirth.php

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[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #26020]

Under the commonly held concept of the balanced life, Jesus was often out of balance. He missed meals, worked long hours, and seemed to have many short nights. We find Jesus getting up early to pray when He probably could have used the sleep (Mark 1:35). He even spent forty days praying and fasting, to the point that the angels had to minister to Him.

Yet as we read through the gospels, we don’t get the impression that Jesus was always pressing Himself and His disciples to the outer limits, continually neglecting physical rest and nourishment. It is interesting to note that it was Christ — not the disciples — who was concerned about the hungry five thousand.

How did Jesus decide when it was time to minister and when to rest? His statement in John 4 gives us a clue.

Jesus and His disciples, on the way from Judea to Galilee, were tired and hungry when they stopped in a small Samaritan village. Yet Jesus set aside His needs in order to lead an adulterous Samaritan woman to the “Living Water.” As His disciples joined Him by the town well, they were concerned about His need to eat, but He wasn’t. Christ responded, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work” (John 4:34).

Jesus determined when to eat and when to abstain, when to work and when to rest by seeking His Father’s guidance. Christ’s drive was not to achieve balance, but to do the will of the Father.

Speaking to a group of seminary graduates, William O. Crews told them they would face times of discouragement in their ministries.

“You are leaving here to lead people ... and it is not always going to be encouraging,” Crews told the graduates.

Citing God's discouraging mission to Nehemiah, Crews noted that the people to whom the prophet was ministering were both tired and without vision.

When faced with discouragement, Crews exhorted the graduates to:

-- Remember: “When discouraged, get a fresh picture of who Christ is.”

-- Resist: “Fight for the family of God.”

-- Rally: “People are discouraged many times because they are by themselves.”

Luke 4:14–30 — Jesus Begins His Ministry « Leader information shown in this fashion »

A. A “wrap-up” on the profile and anatomy of temptation (Dave Coulter)

1. the three groupings of mankind respecting temptation

a. Jesus of Nazareth, Messiah, the Son of God

b. Adam and Eve in the garden before the fall

c. All the rest of mankind

2. Some aspects of temptation

a. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. — James 1:13-14 (NKJV)

(A) is God the source of temptation?

(B) does it take a sinful nature to be tempted?

3.

4.

5.

6. What does Christ’s temptation mean for us?

a. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. — Hebrews 2:18 (NKJV)

b. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)

c. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God [is] faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear [it]. — 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)

B. Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry — Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. — Luke 4:14-15 (NKJV)

1. If Jesus is the Son of God — eternally and intimately one with the Father and the Spirit in the Triune God — why His need or the making mention of His being “in the power of the Spirit”?

a. Phil 2:5–11 « — in the incarnation as Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God laid aside willingly some of His prerogatives as Deity; »

b. John 14:12–18 « — as well as being truly God, He is truly man, and as such relies on that same Resource which He makes available to all who follow Him thereafter. »

2. what are the effects / evidences of Spirit-filled service?

a. « it cannot be hid under a bushel — people will see it »

b. « people will recognize the works and words of God »

C. Jesus Declares His Ministry at Nazareth – So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the LORD [is] upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to [the] poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to [the] captives And recovery of sight to [the] blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Then He closed the book, and gave [it] back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21 NKJV)

1. this appears to be the same incident that is reported in Matthew 13:53–58 and Mark 6:1–6. Either

a. this was a separate incident, or,

b. Luke puts it here to give an example of Jesus’ synagogue teaching and description of the character of His ministry

2. you may have heard preachers or Christian workers say that they were “anointed by the Spirit” to do such and such (as in some special fashion). This is based on a rather questionable application of 2 Corinthians 1:21 (NAS) “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,” as referring to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, and hence on Christian “clergy”. I believe that the word “with” as well as the use of “us” in the very next verse — “who also sealed us and gave [us] the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” — means it applies to all believers. The verse 22 refers to the Spirit in verse 22 and verse 21 doesn’t, suggests “anointed” is metaphorical, that every believer is set aside as a priest and servant (Isaiah 61:6)

3. the passage that Jesus read is Isaiah 61:1-2, read in Hebrew and then explained in Aramaic; what kind of passage is that chapter? Hint, what is the Hebrew word for “anointed”

a. « it is a clearly recognized Messianic passage »

b. what is Jesus’ statement in applying it to Himself? « He is saying, “I am God’s Messiah” »

4. Look at Isaiah 61:1–7

a. which ministries did Jesus, Messiah, fulfil at His first coming?

(A) « healing of the sick of all kinds »

(B) « encouragement of the needy and afflicted »

(C) « proclaim liberty — ie., salvation for sinners »

b. which take place during the church age?

(A) « God’s people are both priests and servants »

(B) « encouragement of the needy and afflcted »

(C) « proclaim liberty – ie., salvation for sinners »

c. which actions are deferred until Jesus’ second coming?

(A) « the day of judgment »

(B) « the restoration of the Jewish people »

(C) « the universal reign of God’s kingdom »

D. The Response His Home Town — So all bore witness to Him, and marvelled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” — Luke 4:22 (NKJV)

1. how would you classify their response?

a. « surprised He could speak with such power and beauty »

b. « unwilling to accept Him as other than a mere carpenter »

E. Jesus Assesses Their Response — He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’” Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, [in the region] of Sidon, to a woman [who was] a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” — Luke 4:23-27 (NKJV)

1. what does Jesus say their motive was in coming to see Him? « — they merely wanted to see healings and signs (1 Cor. 1:22) »

2. what is Jesus’ point in mentioning the widow of Zarephath and Naaman? « — both of these were gentiles, blessed by God, when the people of Israel had forsaken God – to these the people of Nazareth ore being likened; Elijah and Elisha were prophets! »

F. How Nazareth Responds to the Truth — So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. — Luke 4:28-30 (NKJV)

1. their response was … « murderous »

Joy means the perfect fulfilment of that for which I was created and regenerated, not the successful doing of a thing. The joy Our Lord had lay in doing what the Father sent Him to do, and He says — “As My Father hath sent Me, even so am I sending you.” Have I received a ministry from the Lord? If so, I have to be loyal to it, to count my life precious only for the fulfilling of that ministry. Think of the satisfaction it will be to hear Jesus say — “Well done, good and faithful servant”; to know that you have done what He sent you to do. We have all to find our niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive our ministry from the Lord. In order to do this we must have companied with Jesus; we must know Him as more than a personal Saviour. “I will show him how great things he must suffer for My sake.”

“Lovest thou Me?” Then — “Feed My sheep.” There is no choice of service, only absolute loyalty to Our Lord’s commission; loyalty to what you discern when you are in closest contact with God. If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is never the call: the need is the opportunity. The call is loyalty to the ministry you received when you were in real touch with Him. This does not imply that there is a campaign of service marked out for you, but it does mean that you will have to ignore the demands for service along other lines.

During the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, the last runner to finish in the marathon was an athlete from Tanzania. He'd had a difficult race, to say the least. He'd stumbled at one point and ended up bruised, bloodied -– and with a broken leg!

But he didn't quit. Even though everyone else had already finished the race and gone home, he kept at it. Finally, at 7 in the evening, he straggled into the near-empty stadium. There were still about 7,000 people on hand to witness his finish, and all 7,000 stood, giving this battered athlete a standing ovation as he finished his last lap.

When this dedicated marathoner was asked, “Why didn't you quit?” he simply said, “My country did not send me halfway around the world to start the race; they sent me to finish it.” [see #2089 for more details]

When you became a pastor, you clearly entered into an Olympic-level race. Unfortunately, some of your peers will never finish the marathon. They'll get waylaid, sidetracked or distracted or they'll get disqualified. For one reason or another, they'll die with unfulfilled dreams and an unrealized ministry, and they'll fall short of their full leadership potential, never discovering the fullness of their God-given S.H.A.P.E. There but for the grace of God go you and I.

(S.H.A.P.E. is an acronym I developed years ago to explain the five elements that determine what a person's ministry should be: Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences.)

We need to always keep before us the fact that we were made for a purpose. Pastor, God created YOU to fulfill a holy mission here on earth!

So, how do you avoid being distracted from running -- and finishing -- the race?

Hebrews 12:1 exhorts, “Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back ... and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us” (Living Bible).

Note the word “particular” -- that means you have a race in life that is unique to you and your S.H.A.P.E. You're not meant to run someone else's race, and they're not supposed to run your race.

If you don't run the race that God intended for you, it will NOT get run!

So, one critical step toward finishing the race is to make sure you're running the race God wants you to run. There are people who want you to run their race and to become like them. They want you to establish or accept certain traditions, certain methodologies, certain attitudes that are politically correct.

If you allow it, these people will add to your life all kinds of expectations and additional jobs and responsibilities that God never intended for you to have. That's why we all start off as originals, but then many of us end up in life as carbon copies. We get distracted, and we add all sorts of things to our lives and our ministries that God never intended for us to carry. You wouldn't try to run an iron man triathlon in Hawaii while wearing a heavy parka meant to be worn in Antarctica; you wouldn't try to run a long-distance marathon while wearing a suit of armor.

The Apostle Paul teaches that you're to strip off anything that slows you down, eliminate all the unnecessary baggage, simplify your life and do ONLY those things that really count. Otherwise, you'll get distracted by things you were never, ever meant -- or S.H.A.P.E.D. by God -- to do.

What are the types of things that can distract you from your life mission?

The opinions of other people can distract you -- What will people think if we change the way we do this part of the ministry? How many people will I offend if I preach this sermon? If I tell them about Jesus, will they stop visiting the church? Will they fire me if I wear a Hawaiian shirt during the Sunday morning service? Ha!

The desire to have things you cannot have could distract you -- I know of one pastor who became addicted to Internet gambling because he thought he could make a little extra money; it cost him his ministry. How many pastors have been pushed from the race because of pornography or an affair?

A hobby -- even a good one -- could distract you from the race. Beth Moore, a gifted Bible teacher, stopped playing tennis not because it was bad, but because she realized it was distracting her from the ministry God had called her to complete. I'm not suggesting you can't play tennis -- or have a hobby -- I'm simply saying that God wants you to carefully consider how you use your time and energy in light of His eternal plan. As pastors, we must live what Oswald Chambers called “the maimed life,” meaning we cut away anything that distracts us from our godly purpose.

But I'll tell you, after 30 years as a pastor, I've come to the conclusion that the number one thing that keeps people from becoming what God wants them to become is their past.

Frankly, many people in ministry are stuck in the past, and the problem with that is it's impossible to get on with the future while they're holding onto the past.

There are two things that stick you in the past: guilt and bitterness: guilt from things you've done wrong and still feel bad about and bitterness over things others have done to you. If you want to get on with the future -- if you want to finish the race that God S.H.A.P.E.D. you to run -- then you've got to stop rehearsing your past. You've got to stop being manipulated by memories, and you've got to release your regrets and hurts.

You need to give up your guilt and forgive yourself because God has already forgiven you based upon your relationship with Christ. You've got to give up your grudges, and you've got to give up your grief. You need to get on with your future, the one God intends for you -- the essential and eternally important one that God assigned to you and you alone.

If you don't strip off your entanglements with the past, then you're living your life like a man trying to drive a car while constantly staring into the rear view mirror. Eventually, he's going to crash!

“Do not dwell on what happened long ago” is a wise word from the Prophet Isaiah (43:18, TEV).

If any minister had reason to be filled with regrets, it was the Apostle Paul. Before he became a believer, he persecuted Christians, even participating in the murder of one man. Yet, Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14, “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race” (Living Bible).

Paul knew the critical importance of removing all distractions that kept him from his appointed task, and he also knew the kind of struggle a pastor must go through to toss off those distractions. We can all be encouraged to see that Paul -- a man of flesh and blood -- was able to discern God's direction, eliminate distractions and run a race of epic proportions. Because we are S.H.A.P.E.D. by God, we are no less capable of running such a grand race!

In Acts 20:24 Paul says, “I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race and complete the task that the Lord Jesus has given me” (NIV). And in what was likely the last letter Paul wrote before his death, he told Timothy, “I have finished the race” (2 Timothy 4:7, NIV).

Are you going to be able to say that about your life? That you completed your unique mission, the one God created you to accomplish?

My friend, you may have stumbled; you may have fallen, but God still chose you to run the race set before you. He is not ashamed to call you His own.

You may have been knocked out of the race dozens of times, but you're still God's choice. Get up and get back in the race. Keep your eyes on the finish line and keep running!

*

As I watched the movie Twister for the first time, I was reminded of the small Texas town where I grew up. Tornadoes were a common occurrence in Brownwood. In fact, we sometimes had “tornado drills” in order to prepare for the next storm. When ominous dark clouds began to gather and the possibility of tornadoes increased, warning sirens screamed through that quiet little town, sending every man, woman and child scurrying for safety. Our safe place was an old, musty storm cellar in the back yard where my family huddled until the “all clear” siren sounded!

Ministry is filled with storms and twisters — overcrowded schedules, impossible demands, unrealistic expectations, emotional bankruptcy, physical exhaustion and personality conflicts. Chaos often reigns, spinning emotions out of control. Frustration, confusion, stress, and darkness are all too familiar companions.

During those turbulent times, my first reaction is to run and hide until the storm passes over. But I have come to two realizations; first, there will always be another storm and second, what I must do is learn how to prepare for storms before they hit. Storm preparation begins with a balanced life.

As women in ministry we constantly struggle with this issue of balance. We find it difficult to set boundaries, fail to establish margins of time for the unplanned or unexpected, and unwittingly surrender our God-ordained priorities to the empty, vain addiction of just “doing the next thing.”

Balance becomes a casualty of this ongoing battle. Frustration, failure and darkness prosper in an imbalanced life, thriving on the vacuum of clear purpose and sure direction. The pit of despair is a common destination for those who refuse to measure and balance the sometimes-overwhelming demands of ministry, home, family, friends, and personal growth. Frenzy and confusing darkness will reign until a holy balance is firmly entrenched in its place. It is a balance only God can bring and is wonderfully illustrated through the lives of two women in the Bible, Mary and Martha. As women in ministry, Mary and Martha present a profoundly simple but practical three-step plan for living a balanced life of power and purpose.

Now I have to admit that Martha is a girl after my own heart! A perfectionist and recognized by all who knew her as disciplined, strong-willed, energetic and practical, Martha seemed to know who she was and where she was going. Because of her leadership in the community, people listened when she spoke. Martha was single, financially secure and owned her own home which she shared with her sister, Mary, and their brother, Lazarus.

They were a close family, living in a small town named Bethany located two miles from Jerusalem. Martha was a wonderful cook, her home clean and always in order. In fact, she might well have been considered the “Betty Crocker” of Bethany. Martha had the gift of hospitality and entertained often, freely welcoming friends as well as strangers into her home. Religious leaders, business executives, and virtually anyone in need, including her close friend, Jesus, knew that they had an open invitation to this home.

Martha seemed to be an intense woman with deep feelings and sure convictions. She loved truth and was quick to share her strong beliefs, the mark of an unwavering faith. Martha certainly had faults just as we do. I am convinced that, at times, she may have missed some of the higher moments of life because she was “too busy.” Sound familiar?

Now Mary, the sister of Martha, is an entirely different story. She lived for the higher moments in life. A free spirit and strong individualist, Mary probably saw little value in material wealth, a clean house, cooked meals and strict schedules. Nothing could compare to the cherished treasures of quiet, peace and freedom! I don’t think Mary missed many of the “Kodak moments” of life. I suspect she was an avid learner who thrived on anything that compelled her to think and reflect!

Mary was almost childlike in her hunger for truth — especially spiritual truth and like her sister, felt things deeply. Sometimes those feelings drove her to do things that others could not understand! For example, it was unusual for a woman to sit among men. But Mary did. She sat at the feet of Jesus while he taught his disciples. Lost in the wonder of hearing new truth, Mary seemed oblivious to her critics and did not appear to notice or even care what people around her thought. She found it easy to abandon herself to those she loved and thrived on the relationships in her life. Relationships with people like the man named Jesus.

Mary was brave. To go against the “norm,” daring to be so different and perhaps even live in the shadow of her very successful and highly regarded sister took courage. Mary was human and imperfect. To some, she may have seemed lazy and flighty or even given the perception of being a procrastinator.

Mary is often considered the spiritual one while Martha is thought to be the not so spiritual one. We tend to look at their lives and say we should be like Mary. However, I want us to realize that the lives of both women offer invaluable life lessons and truths about balance. God is not the author of confusion nor does he create chaos, setting his children up to drown in the raging seas of darkness, burnout and exhaustion. We do a great job of that all on our own. But we can learn important lessons from Mary and Martha, apply them to our lives today, and experience a balance that will bring peace, purpose and power to our crazed world.

Application point: I encourage you to set aside time this week to spend in solitude. Examine your life in the light of balance. What priorities are obvious? What areas are out of balance? How has this imbalance affected your life and ministry?

The response of King Jehoshaphat as the Ammonite and Moabite armies approached Judah would have stunned the authors of many contemporary manuals on church leadership, noted pastor Alistair Begg at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

As the enemy soldiers drew near, Judah’s king grew fearful, called a national fast and cried out to the sovereign God who had made a covenant of redemption with Israel. God responded by destroying the enemy armies, setting off mass worship of the one true God throughout Judah.

In the same manner as Jehoshaphat, ministers in the 21st century will discover God’s power when they realize their own weakness and their utter dependence upon Him, said Begg, host of the national radio show “Truth for Life” and author of several books.

“God’s purpose is that we might depend entirely upon Him,” Begg said. “Jesus didn’t say, ‘apart from Me you can do a few things.’ He said, ‘apart from Me you can do nothing.’ We cannot do anything as we ought without the help that He gives.”

God often brings adverse circumstances into the lives of ministers to demonstrate their weakness, Begg said. Only when a minister sees, like Jehoshaphat, that “the battle belongs to the Lord” will he be in a position to see lasting fruit born through his ministry, Begg said.

“If we will not come to the point where we flat-out are prepared to acknowledge our weakness and our powerlessness, then God -- because He wants to achieve His purpose, loves His church so much, and is prepared to use strange individuals like you and I -- will bring into our lives that which is necessary in order to bring us to the place where we have to admit that we are flat-out powerless,” Begg said.

“And at that point, there is the possibility for progress. Until that point, we may be apparently influential, we may be strategically involved, we may have all kinds of things apparently going for us, and we may discover on that day [of judgment] what we thought was gold and silver and precious jewels actually was wood, hay and stubble, and the day [of judgment] brought it to light.”

When a minister recognizes his own frailty, his response should not be emotional but theological, Begg said, noting that Jehoshaphat responded to this realization theologically by realizing that God is the gracious sovereign Lord who can be trusted to keep His promises to His people.

Theology -- contemplating the character, attributes and work of God in redemption -- brought equilibrium to Jehoshaphat’s leadership and it will bring stability to the contemporary pastor’s ministry in the local church, Begg said. When a congregation knows God as He is set forth in Scripture, their praise will be God-centered and not man-centered, he said.

“Jehoshaphat takes his emotional reaction [to his own weakness] and sets it within what he knows of God,” Begg said.

“There is a great need for theology to frame our responses, for theology to undergird our praise. It is one of the reasons that our praise is so bad in so many different places, because it is not grounded in singing about who God is and what God has done. We are constantly being asked to sing about who we are and how we feel about things.

“We do not engage with God as a result of a feeling; we engage with God as a result of what has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is our theological framework which not only addresses our problems but gives fuel to our praise.”

Ministers must articulate the weakness of human beings and the power of God, Begg said. The antidote to human impotence, he said, is not found in anxious hand-wringing but in the undiluted proclamation of the Word of God.

“We need the Word of God brought home by the Spirit of God to the people of God in a way that addresses their circumstances,” he said. “[Ministers need to say,] ‘This is what God says. What do we do now?’ Even the king [Jehoshaphat] says he is powerless and clueless. You need to know that the battle isn’t yours, but it is God’s. You need to learn what God does, and you need to know what you are to do.”

*

Acts 18:1–17 — Corinth — (outline by F. F. Bruce, NICNT) — « Leader information shown in this fashion »

{A.} The Birth of the Church (1:1–5:42)

{B.} Persecution and Expansion (6:1–9:31)

{C.} The Acts of Peter & Beginnings of Gentile Christianity (9:32-12:25)

{D.} Church Extension from Antioch & Apostolic Decree at Jerusalem

(12:25–15:35)

{E.} Paul Leaves Antioch & Moves to the Aegean World (15:36–19:20)

{1} Recently Planted Churches Revisited (15:36–16:5)

{2} Philippi (16:6–40)

{3} Thessalonica to Athens (17:1-34)

A. Arrival in Thessalonica (17:1-4)

B. Trouble at Thessalonica (17:5–9)

C. Berea (17:10–15)

D. Athens (17:16–21)

E. Paul’s Addresses the Areopagus, a Court (17:22-31)

F. The Athenian’s Reaction (17:32–34)

{4} Corinth (18:1–17) — Note the key position of Corinth; what natural asset did it possess? « – It had two ports, Lechaeum and Cenchreai as well as setting on the land route from north to south Achaia. It was rich from commerce, was destroyed ~146 BC, rebuilt ~44 BC. Its population about 650–750,000. It was infamous of old (a byword) for its promiscuity and immorality. »

A. Paul Arrives in Corinth (18:1–4, NKJV): 1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

1. Here with Prisca and Aquila, as with Luke, we have evidence of how widely Acts 8:4, the spreading of the gospel, took effect; what was the immediate cause of that? « – Saul’s persecution »

2. Rabbinical saying: “He who does not teach his son to work, teaches him to steal!” How does that enter the picture here? « – Paul supported himself by his trade, not by his teaching. This was in agreement with statements of great rabbis such as Hillel “He who makes a profit fromthe crown of the Torah shall waste away” and Gamaliel III “All study of the Torah which is not combined with work will ultimately be futile and lead to sin”. The Greeks, however, seemed to despise manual labour. »

3. Read 1 Corinthians 9:1–18. Is the self-supporting missionary or pastor supposed to be the norm? … what was Paul’s reason for ministering in this fashion? … did the Corinthians really appreciate it? « – Discuss these points. It is not the norm; servants of God are worthy of being supported in their work. Paul did it to present the gospel freely to unbelievers and not to abuse his authority (so that he, like Samuel, could be free of any accusation of wrong motivation or doing). No, the Corinthians seemed to conclude that Paul’s was a lesser level of apostleship. »

4. What was Paul’s message to these people (1 Corinthians 2:2–5)? « – the crucified Jesus the Messiah »

5. Read 1 Corinthians 1:1–9, the introduction to that book

a. It’s central theme is « … the Lord Jesus Christ »

b. It describes the Corinthian Christians as … « (v2) sanctified (v3) saints (v5) rich in utterance and knowledge (v7) full of gifts (v9) called into fellowship »

B. Paul Spends Eighteen Months in Corinth (18:5–11, NKJV): 5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshipped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. 9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

1. Whence did Silas and Timothy come and why (Acts 17:10, 15)? « – from Berea in Macedonia at Paul’s instruction »

2. What did their coming bring to Paul (2 Corinthians 11:7–9) « – support from Macedonia so Paul could go “full-time” »

3. What does “fellowship in the gospel” mean (Philippians 1:3–5, 4:15)? « – Giving support (here financial, but not so limited). »

4. What was the significance of Paul’s words to the Jews (Ezekiel 3:17–21, 33:1–9)? … his actions (Acts 13:51)? « – Paul had warned them, and now his responsibility was carried out; the shaking out of his cloths, to rid them of the dust of the synagogue, has the same symbolism as shaking the dust off of one’s feet »

5. Why particularly the Lord’s encouragement? « – Paul had been chased out of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea; but not hence »

6. It was, during this stay at Corinth that Paul more than likely wrote both of his epistles to the church at Thessalonica. One piece of evidence to this is that both commence “Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians … “ Another is that Timothy had just come (1 Thessalonians 6–7) bringing news of the churches in Macedonia

7. The letter to the Galatians was probably also written from Corinth at this time. Other possibilities are from Syrian Antioch (on the Orontes) at Acts 14:28 – as this predates the council at Jerusalem to which Galations seems to refer, it seems unlikely – or at Acts 18:22, which is fairly reasonable, and only slightly later.

C. Paul Before Gallio (18:12–17, NKJV): 12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. 15 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.” 16 And he drove them from the judgment seat. 17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.

1. The stay in Corinth was from the fall of 50 AD until the spring of 52AD. This is determined fairly closely by the fact of Gallio. son of Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a famous rhetor, being proconsol of Achaia, which one-year post he took in the summer of 51 AD. Gallio was reputed to be a man of great personal charm.

2. As contrasted with the magistrates of a city or town, what was the effect of decisions made by Gallio? « – it would be effective within the whole province and a precedent in other provinces »

3. Judaism was a permitted (though barely tolerated, at times) religion within the empire; if the Jews had got a favourable decision (to them) from Gallio, what would have resulted? « – the Way would have become illegal, rather than being considered just a form or sect within Judaism »

4. What was the Jews recompense for their charges?

a. They were … « sent away with a flea in their ears »

b. Their ruler … « Sosthenes, a successor to Crispus, was beaten by the crowd (anti-Jewishness existed then as today) … although, note, the Greek texts vary as to interpretation »

5. What does Gallio’s action tell us about secular authority (John 19:11)? « – it can only do what God permits; Paul already had Jesus’ promise of continued ministry in Corinth. »

6. Excepting the final trip home to Caesarea this substantially ends Paul’s second missionary journey.

Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart: Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house. — 2 Chronicles 6:8, 9.

The thwarting of the things on which we have set our hearts makes us better men and women, when we realize the value He puts on our intentions. It was so with David. This refusal of the privilege of building the temple could not but stimulate his memory and quicken him to righteousness. For God told him the reason: “Thou hast been a man of blood.” Nor could David forget that much of that blood-shedding had been unnecessary and unjustified. And David would go softly all his days after God had put His restraining hand upon the cherished project. The very fact that there are ministries from which we are excluded by God is a constant discipline. It is a reminder of our ever-present need of cleansing. — J. S. Holden.

We are content to take what Thou shalt give,

To do, or not do, as Thy choice shalt be:

Forsaking all Thy wisdom bids us leave,

Glad in the thought that we are pleasing Thee.

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same. — 1 Peter 4:10.

Our Lord Jesus gave two parables to emphasize the fact that to each of His own He has given a gift to be developed and used for Him. In the parable of the pounds (Luke 19:12-27) each servant was given a pound, with the injunction “Do business for Me.” In the parable of the talents, each servant was given a different amount “according to his several ability” (Matthew 25:14-30). Thus, while each Christian is alike in responsibility, each is different in ability. Each Christian should make it his business first to discover what his gift is, and then develop it to the best of his ability, so that he may receive from the Lord His commendation. — A. P. GIBBS.

Not a leaf but has its work, not a flower but has its mission,

Not a bee but lends her aid to the autumn’s bright fruition.

Faithful deeds are never lost, though results are often hidden;

Let us work and weary not. It is what our Lord hath bidden.

In 1 Timothy 3:2 the Bible says leaders in the church must be “blameless” (NKJV), “above reproach” (NIV). In recent days a number of stories have appeared in the media concerning well-known ministers forced to resign because of inappropriate or unwise actions.

The cause of Christ has been harmed and the respect for ministers significantly damaged. There are a number of issues addressed in Scripture that speak to the essential nature of integrity in ministry (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4), but let me encourage ministers and others in church leadership to especially guard their lives in six particular areas:

1) Guard your integrity by always being completely honest. Do not pad your resume or reputation with false or inflated accomplishments. The Bible says God hates a proud look and lying tongue (Proverbs 6:17). Be a truth-teller in every area of your life, both in the big things and the little things.

2) Guard your integrity in your dealings with the opposite sex. If you are married, covenant with the Lord and your mate never to be alone with anyone of the opposite sex. Men, be known as a “one woman kind of man” (1 Timothy 3:2; Ephesians 5:33). Ladies, be known as a “one man kind of woman. “ If you are single, be careful in your conduct with the opposite sex. Treat them with the respect due a sister or brother in Christ. Avoid those private places where your hormones can override your will and you make a bad decision that can change your life forever.

3) Guard your integrity when it comes to money. As a minister, require annually a full outside audit of your church finances. On the personal level, have nothing to do with the direct financial responsibilities of the church. Do not have check writing authority. Do not handle or receive money, but direct individuals to the proper persons who handle the finances of the church. Never use a church credit card for personal reasons. Use your own credit card for personal reasons. When you do use a church credit card, always document its use with a receipt and a description of how it was used. Maintain accountability with someone in your church office or on your finance committee. Go the extra mile to be blameless.

Furthermore, realize people who love you will want to be a blessing to you. Develop an attitude of gratitude, but never one of entitlement. Ministers do not deserve nor should they expect special treatment. The Lord Jesus will properly reward them when they stand before Him (1 Peter 5:1-4). If that reward is not sufficient, I would suggest you get out of the ministry and do so quickly.

4) Guard your integrity when it comes to your family life. First Timothy 3:4 says leaders must rule their own house well and have children who are in submission with all reverence. Titus 1:6 adds that they must be faithful, “not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. “One’s family life is often an accurate reflection of their spiritual life. Godly men and women will raise up godly children who love Christ and obey the Bible. Few areas of investment will yield greater reward.

5) Guard your integrity with solid theological competency. Often moral and ethical sins grow out of a defective biblical and theological life. Failing to cultivate a healthy understanding of theological truth like the sovereignty and holiness of God, the sinfulness and depravity of man, the process of sanctification and the necessity of biblical wisdom, and the centrality of Christ and the crucified life, you begin to think and then live in a manner that is foreign to the clear teachings of Scripture. Nothing will be more valuable in avoiding this danger than a steady diet of biblical exposition, whereby you are continually exposed to the totality of God’s revealed truth. What you believe will determine how you live. Belief and behavior always go together.

6) Guard your integrity with the model of ministry you pursue. God calls you to be shepherds of His sheep. You are not called to be CEOs or drill sergeants. You are not called to be ranchers or dictators. You are certainly not called to be spiritual superstars or celebrities.

A word of caution is in order at this point. The greater your natural gifts and abilities, the more susceptible you are to entrapment by these seducing sirens of the world. Men, and women, with charismatic personalities and a commanding presence can operate too easily in the power of the flesh and not the Spirit. They can be deceived into believing their own press and the accolades showered on them by adoring followers. If they are not careful, they can begin to believe they have the right to operate by a different standard. This is the way of foolishness. This is the way that leads to the damage, and potential destruction, of a ministry.

There is no place in the church for spiritual superstars, who, like proud Diotrephes, love to have the preeminence (3 John 9). No, preeminence is rightfully reserved for only One and His name is Jesus (Colossians 1:18). Do not lose sight of the fact that you are sinners saved by grace. Do not lose sight of Who really matters, it is Jesus. Do not lose sight of how you serve, it is with integrity as you imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) in every sphere of your lives.

________

Daniel L. Akin is president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Peter Writes to Pilgrims – 1 Peter 5:1–5 — The Place of Elders

« My translation of 1 Peter is to convey the flavour of the Greek rather than to be for English fluency and literacy. Leader information shown in this fashion »

A. Review

1. Outline, thus far (abridged):

a. 1:1–2:12 – The Blessings of Spiritual Pilgrims

b. 2:13–4:11 – The Duties of Spiritual Pilgrims

c. 4:12–5:14 The Trials of Christian Pilgrims

i. 4:12–19 Suffering to God’s Glory … review …

2. Suffering to God’s Glory, 4:12–19: 12 Beloved, do not consider the burning ordeal among you to be alien — as a random, alien happening — it comes into your midst as a testing; 13 but according as you are sharing in the sufferings of the Christ, rejoice now, in order that also in the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice exuberantly. 14 Blessed are you if you are being reviled for bearing Christ’s name, because the Spirit of glory, even that which is of God, is resting upon you. 15 So, let not any of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as one interfering in other’s affairs; 16 but if it is as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but rather let him glorify God for possessing that name. 17 For now is the season to commence judgement of the house of God, and if of us first, what will be the end of those disobedient to the gospel of God? 18 And ‘if the righteous is saved with difficulty, where shall the impious man and sinner show themselves?’ 19 Consequently, let also those suffering according to God’s will, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator in well-doing.

a. Verse 12: what is the character and purpose of the suffering here? « – it is normal for the Christian, brought into our lives to test (or, better, attest) us, to prove us, to make us spiritually stronger »

b. Verses 13-14: what hope can we take from such suffering? « – as we share in Christ’s sufferings, so we will share in His glory with even now the Spirit of glory resting upon us »

c. Verse 14, 16: what is the name we possess that will bring persecution or suffering upon us? « – the name of Christ, being called a Christian »

d. Verse 19: how are we told to deal with this suffering? « – in saving and persevering faith, leaving to God to right any wrongs that we have received »

B. Words to Elders 1 Peter 5:1–4

1. 1 Therefore, I as a fellow elder A. and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one sharing the glory about to be revealed, encourage the elders among you: 2 shepherd the flock of God in your midst, watching over them not by constraint but willingly, not in a sordid desire for profit but eagerly; 3 neither oppressively ruling your congregation B. but becoming examples C. to the flock; 4 then when the Chief Shepherd shall be manifested, you will obtain the unfading, glorious crown. — Notes: A. presbyter; B. those allotted to you; C. types. « There is not general agreement on the church offices. Some hold that the many New Testament passages are too early to reflect the full development of church structure. We believe, however, that the New Testament is the sole basis of faith and practice, including church organization. My approach reflects this view. »

2. Elders are one of the two offices of the Christian church. The term was borrowed from Jewish usage, those who, along with the priests, made up the Jewish Council or ‘Sanhedrin’, which dates back to Moses’ appointing 70 elders according to the Lord’s command (Numbers 11:16, 24–25). Qualifications for an elder are given here, in 1 Timothy 3:1–8, and in Titus 1:5–9.

a. What is the other office (1 Timothy 3:8–13)? « – deacons »

b. How do these gain office (Acts 6:2–3)? « – selected by the congregation from their number »

c. What is their role (Acts 6:2)? « – ministering to physical needs »

d. Is deacon service ‘second-class’ to elder service (1 Timothy 3:1, 13)? « – no; they represent different calling or gifting but each is considered integral to the mission of the church. There is no such thing as second-class service with God. ‘Served’ indicate a fixed period of service like O.T. Levites. »

3. How do elders gain their office (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5, 1 Timothy 4:14)? « – they are appointed: by God, by apostles, by other elders (as Timothy and Titus), this being indicated by the laying on of hands »

4. What functions do elders fulfill in …

a. … verse 2a, Acts 20:28b? « – shepherding the flock. The word ‘pastor’ (Ephesians 4:11) is another translation of ‘shepherd’. The prophets, priests and rulers were designated as God’s shepherds of His people Israel in the Old Testament »

b. … verse 2b, Acts 20:28a? « – watching over, overseeing. The word ‘bishop’ is another translation. This is akin to God appointing Ezekiel as a ‘watchman’ over Israel. »

c. … 1 Timothy 5:17a (and verse 3 in a negative sense)? « – ruling; more accurately, managing or leading the church. Both deacon and elder are to lead well in their own home, but for the elder this seems to transfer to his function in the church – see 1 Timothy 3:4, 12 »

d. … 1 Timothy 5:17b? « – preaching and teaching »

5. Who in the list in Ephesians 4:11 of men God gives the church fulfilled the role of elder?

a. Did apostles (verse 1, 2 John 1:1, 3 John 1:1)? « – yes; which elder function was Peter given in John 21:15-17? shepherd »

b. Did prophets (1 Timothy 4:14)? « – was part of Timothy’s ‘ordination’ »

c. Did evangelists (2 Timothy 4:5)? « – yes, part of being a pastor (as was Timothy), but some are specially gifted »

d. Did pastor (shepherd)-teachers (1 Timothy 5:17)? « – yes, this appears to be the most common function of elders »

6. ‘Not by constraint but willingly’ – what could wrongly constrain an elder to service? « – (1) need or desire to earn an ‘easy’ living (2) as a family tradition (3) by pressure of friends or church (4) anything other than the call of God’s Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2) »

7. What temptations need elders to avoid …

a. … verse 2? « – serving as a hireling rather than a zealot »

b. … verse 3? « – leading by dominance rather than by setting a gentle example to be followed »

8. What reward, for what (2 Timothy 4:8)? « – unfading crown of righteousness; love for Christ, longing for His return »

C. Words to Young Men about Elders 1 Peter 5:5

1. 5 In the same manner, you younger men, submit yourselves to elders. Indeed, all of you, submitting yourselves to one another, wear a servant-coat of humbleness of mind; because ‘God arrays Himself against the arrogant, but gives grace to those who are humble.’ A. — Note: A. Proverbs 3:34

2. This begins a section on humility, but let us examine in it the relationship between younger men and the elders.

3. The word submit is literally to ‘set oneself in an order under.’ What reasons are given in Hebrews 13:17 for such submission to elders? « – (1) their high responsibility and accountability to God; (2) this will make their work more profitable to the flock »

4. Who does the second ‘submitting yourselves’ comprise? « – all the church of God … younger men, deacons, elders, … »

5. ‘Wear a servant-coat’ is how I have translated what the NAS renders ‘clothe yourselves’. The word has as its base the name of a coarse apron or frock worn by slaves. What then is the character of the humility we are to show? « – one openly displaying our ministry as based on their being bond-slaves of Jesus Christ and on that account servants to His church »

6. Is this a natural ability? « No … by nature we are selfish, proud »

7. What enables us? « – God’s grace »

8. What does this mean? « – God’s first grace is that unmerited favour bestowed upon man in salvation. His second grace corresponds to that display by Jesus who ‘grew in favour or grace with God and man.’ which Peter prays for us (2 Peter 3:18; ‘but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.’ (NAS) This is His sanctifying grace which by the Holy Spirit transforms us, removing those characteristics of our old nature, such as pride and boasting, so that we can evidence a true humility (as opposed to a false modesty). »

Peter Writes to Pilgrims -- 1 Peter 4:7–11 — Living to God’s Glory « My translation of 1 Peter is to convey the flavour of the Greek rather than to be for English fluency and literacy. Leader information shown in this fashion »

A. Review

1. Outline, thus far (abridged):

a. 1:1–2:12 – The Blessings of Spiritual Pilgrims

b. 2:13–4:11 – The Duties of Spiritual Pilgrims

i. 2:13–17 – Living as Earthly Citizens

ii. 2:18–20 – Facing Unjust Treatment

iii. 2:21–25 – Christ the Example

iv. 3:1–6 – A Good Woman (Wife)

v. 3:7–12 – A Good Man (Husband)

vi. 3:13–17 – A Defence in Suffering

vii. 3:18–22 – Peter’s “Creed”

viii. 4:1–6 – Leaving the Old Life … review …

2. Overcoming Sin, 1 Peter 4:1–2: 1 Hence Christ suffered bodily. You also then, equip yourselves (as for war) with the same thinking: because he who has suffered bodily has finished with sins. 2 To this end, that you live your remaining bodily life no longer by evil human desires, but by the will of God.

a. How does this help us to deal with our sin? « – seek to do the Father’s will the way Jesus did; inoculation against sin »

b. What other armour will help us deal with sin? « – God’s spiritual armour, particularly the shield of faith »

3. The Reaction of Old Friends, 1 Peter 4:3–4: 3 For you have passed enough time accomplishing pagan purposes, having conducted yourselves in excesses, in evil desires, in times of drunkenness, in wild parties, in drinking-bouts, and in lawless idol-services. 4 In this the pagans think it to be alien — and speak evil of — your not running with them unto the same excessive abandonment.

a. When someone is converted and the Holy Spirit changes his life style, how will old friends respond? « – ridicule; tempt to sin; consider as odd, weird, ‘holier than thou’ »

b. What responses can be made to such friends? « – testify to the Christian joy vs. worldly pleasures; warn of sin’s results »

4. Just Judgement is Coming, 1 Peter 4:5–6: 5 These will render account to the one in readiness to judge the living and the dead. 6 For unto this purpose it was proclaimed to the dead, in order that though they should have been judged bodily according to men, they are living spiritually according to God.

a. How did Peter warn? – « people must face the Judge on this »

B. An Incentive to the New Life 1 Peter 4:7a

1. 7a But the end of all things has drawn near. … There are « (at least) » three ways that ‘end’ can be understood; what are they …

a. … as being Jews (like Peter and some of his readers)? « – the immanence of the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD) and the cessation of the Jews as a nation »

b. … as being Christians (like Peter and his readers)? « – the return of Christ is promised and considered as immanent »

c. … as being humans (like Peter and all of us)? « – we are only a breath away from death, ending material existence »

d. Which of these do you think fits the context best? « – discuss »

2. In what way is each of these an incentive to Christian living? « – in different ways, each brings us face to face with the fact that all our material relationships and possessions are passing and that we will soon need to give account of our spiritual life »

C. Some Marks of the New Life 1 Peter 4:7b–9

1. 7b Therefore, be healthy minded; be disciplined unto prayers; 8 and first of all, having ‘stretched out’ A. love B. among yourselves, because love covers a multitude of faults C.; 9 hospitable to one another without grumbling. — A. Fervent, extensive; B. Agape; C. Sins, failures

2. ‘Be healthy minded’ – « sane or sober minded; a compound of the root for save and the word to think. » What has God done to permit us to obey this command?

a. 2 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline (NAS) or ‘healthy mindedness’? « – the new spirit of power, love and sound mind He gives us »

b. Isaiah 26:3: The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in Thee. (NAS)? « – His peace »

c. 1 John 4:17-19: By this, love is perfected with us, … because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, … We love, because He first loved us. (NAS)? « – His love »

3. ‘Be disciplined « (watchful, circumspect) » unto prayers’ – « this is plural, but not in the non-biblical idea of ‘saying one’s prayers’ but to paying attention to the places and occasions of public prayer; » what makes this important according to …

a. … John 16:24: Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. (NAS)? « – it is Jesus Christ’s command along with His promise that prayer will be answered »

b. … Matthew 18:19-20: Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst. (NAS)? « – the power of agreement by believers in public prayer »

c. … James 5:16: Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (NAS)? « – it is the one way we can help each other no matter how weak and incapable we are »

4. ‘Stretched-out love’ – « this is agape love extended to its limit; » who is the primary target of this love?

a. John 13:35: By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (NAS) – « other believers »

b. Why, 1 John 4:11: Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (NAS)? « – as a response to God’s love »

c. Why, Ephesians 5:25: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her (NAS)? « – in imitation of Jesus Christ (example of an absolute truth) »

5. ‘love covers a multitude of faults’ (or sins) – some say this means we should hide and gloss over a Christians immoral acts; what is the true biblical practice (Matthew 18:15–17, Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20)? « Seek to restore the Christian, at first privately, and if that fails, publicly in the church body, and finally by withdrawing fellowship; there is also a difference between sins against me, and those against the church body or God »

6. ‘hospitable to one another’ – « literally, ‘friendly to strangers’; » who is the target of this practical friendliness? « – believers »

a. What is to be the mark of this hospitality? « – no grumbling, no murmuring, no muttering under your breath! – or? … generous, open-handed, liberal »

D. Marks of the New Ministry 1 Peter 4:10–11

1. 10 According as each one has received a gift A. minister it among yourselves as good dispensers B. of the many-sided grace of God: 11 if any man speaks, let him do so as speaking God’s oracles; if any man ministers, let him do so out of might which God furnishes; in order that in all things, God should be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and the ruling power unto the ages of the ages. Amen. – A. An ability by grace, charisma; B. Stewards;

2. From the word translated ‘minister’ we get the ‘English’ word, deacon! What is the source of such ability to minister …

a. … according to this verse? « – a gift or grace received of God »

b. … Ephesians 4:11–12a: And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service (‘deaconage’)… (NAS)? « – by equipping through God-given men … ie., from God indirectly through others »

3. The word ‘dispensers, stewards’ is a word for the one who had the ‘rule of the house, the house manager’ – what does this tell us about how God works in the church of Christ? « – delegates to His children, so that every ‘member of the body’ has a role to fulfill, a task to carry out »

4. The word ‘many-sided’ is that which was used in the Greek Old Testament to describe Joseph’s many-coloured coat. How does God work in His church? « – like the variety of His creation so is the variety of the ways God works, even in His church »

5. How should each believer respond to this fact? … cite the two examples and how they can be extended. « – with whatsoever gift a believer has received, a Christian should serve ardently; the two examples encompass both the spiritual and material (compare Acts 6:2–4, minister word, serve tables) »

6. What is the ultimate purpose of such service? « – the same for every kind of service, the worship, praise & glory of God; when ‘me’ enters service, displacing God, that service is empty »

The father of President Woodrow Wilson was a Presbyterian preacher. One day a man observed the Rev. Mr. Wilson riding in a shiny buggy drawn by a sleek well-groomed horse. Noting that the preacher was shabbily dressed, the man remarked, “Mr. Wilson, your horse looks better cared for than you do.”

To this remark Brother Wilson replied, “Yes, that is right, for you see I take care of my horse and my church takes care of me.”

________

Rev. J.D. Grey, EPITAPHS FOR EAGER PREACHERS, Broadman Press, 1972, p. 20; Source: Preaching Now, http://www.preaching.com

Every pastor has gotten the question. Sometimes it’s direct: “So what exactly does a pastor do?” Other times it comes indirectly: “Would you be willing to … (fill in the blank)?”

A couple weeks ago, I heard a beautifully succinct summation of pastoring. I was worshiping with a congregation made up mostly of twenty-somethings who had not been raised in church. As the service began, the pastor introduced himself and his calling.

“My name is Tom,” he said. “I’m a pastor here. It’s my job to pray for you, whether you’re a Christian or not, and to talk with you about Jesus, whether you’re a Christian or not. That’s what I do.”

It’s just that simple, and it’s just that complicated. Because talking about Jesus leads us into all aspects of life. And when we pray for people, the deeper, unresolved parts of their lives inevitably surface. It has always been this way.

Around A.D. 400, famous North African bishop Augustine described a pastor’s job: “Disturbers are to be rebuked, the low-spirited to be encouraged, the infirm to be supported, objectors confuted, the treacherous guarded against, the unskilled taught, the lazy aroused, the contentious restrained, the haughty repressed, litigants pacified, the poor relieved, the oppressed liberated, the good approved, the evil borne with, and all are to be loved.”

How’s that for a job description!

In fact, a vice president of human resources for Motorola once told me, “Pastors have more transferable skills than they realize.” Especially supervising volunteers. “If you can describe your experience working with volunteers, you’d be surprised how quickly that gets the attention of [hiring] managers.”

So, the next time someone asks you what you do, just give them the ABC’s of the pastor’s task. A pastor is …

Ambassador, advocate, administrator, baptizer, building usage consultant, confidante, confronter, community builder, discussion leader, encourager, emotional baggage handler, funeral companion, grace giver, grounds inspector, historian, interpreter, justice seeker, knowledge dispenser, latent gift discoverer, mediator, missionary, nurturer, organizer, opportunity spotter, public speaker, problem solver, questioner, quarterback, reviewer, Robert’s Ruler, spokesperson, spiritual director, teacher, trainer, unifier, utility player, volunteer coordinator, vision caster, wedding ceremony presider, X-traordinary ingenuity with limited resources (like figuring out a way to use the letter X), youth advocate, yule celebrator, zeal stoker, zoo keeper (okay, so it just seems that way).

There were seven characteristics in the life of the Apostle Paul that I think made him the single most effective proponent of Christianity in history. He didn’t have a cell phone, an airplane, or the Internet; yet, he was largely responsible for the spread of Christianity from Israel into the uttermost reaches of the Roman Empire.

Here are the reasons for his S-U-C-C-E-S-S :

S – Sense of direction

U – Understanding

C – Commitment

C – Compassion

E – Enthusiastic faith

S – Service to others

S – Staying power

S – SENSE OF DIRECTION

If you don’t know where you’re headed, you’ll probably end up somewhere else. Paul had a crystal clear purpose. In Romans 15:20, Paul writes, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.” (NIV) I’ve always loved this verse. Like Paul, I’ve always seen myself as a spiritual entrepreneur. Paul was a pioneer. He didn’t want to lead an existing church. He wanted to start something new. But the point isn’t what kind of ministry God had called him to; IT’S THAT HE KNEW WHAT THAT MINISTRY WAS.

Most people don’t succeed because they don’t really know what they want. They do something for a few years, then switch and do something else, then switch again. Finally, they get to 40, 50, or 60 years old, and they’ve done 10 different things. They’ve never focused their lives on anything specific.

We should always be able to answer this question immediately: “What has God called you to do?”

When you figure out the “why” in life, God will show you the “how.” When I started Saddleback Church, I didn’t know how God was going to do it. But I knew why and I knew what. I had the message and the motive, and God came up with the method.

MINISTRY SUCCESS STARTS BY UNDERSTANDING WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO.

U – UNDERSTANDING

In Philippians 4:12, Paul says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation ... .” (NIV) CONTENTMENT MUST BE LEARNED – and it’s a tough lesson.

It might seem like a contradiction to say that you need to have a goal and you need to be content. But it’s not. Contentment isn’t the absence of a goal. It’s being happy with where you are as you work toward your goal. If you think you won’t be happy until you’ve reached your goal, you’ll never be happy.

There’s always a tension in ministry between the real and the ideal. You need to keep the ideal in your mind, but you must live with the real and not be frustrated by it. No matter how good things get in your church, it shouldn’t ever be where you want it to be. We always must keep striving, keep moving, and keep progressing.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:5, Paul says, “May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God’s love and the endurance that is given by Christ.” (GNB) Endurance and understanding go together. When people quit before the job is finished, it shows a lack of understanding – or perspective. They don’t have the big picture about their ministry and just get caught up in the details.

When you understand the problem, you can endure it far longer than when you don’t understand it. Where do you get the kind of understanding that helps you last in ministry? You get it from God’s Word (Psalm 119:105). Fill you mind with God’s Word, and it’ll make you wise.

C – COMMITMENT

In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul says, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (NLT) Paul knew what he was committed to and he held nothing back.

Jesus said it like this, “Count the cost. No man can follow me unless he takes up his cross, denies himself and follows me.” This is what I think that means: Don’t be a wishy-washy, wimpy servant of God. Make a total commitment of your life. We should, once and for all, make a commitment to serve what really matters and be willing to pay any price in our service for Jesus.

In the next issue, we’ll look at the other four characteristics of S-U-C-C-E-S-S.

As many as four in ten pastors will be forced to leave a church -- either by firing or pressured resignation -- at least once during their ministry careers, according to researchers.

But experts in pastoral ministry say many forced terminations can be prevented by wise leadership, and very few terminations disqualify a pastor from future ministry.

“Sometimes the best pastors are still going to be in bad situations, and they have to know how to handle it when it comes and still walk with the Lord,” Hershael York, a preaching professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church in Frankfort, Ky., told Baptist Press. “The main thing a guy has to realize is that even when we go through this, it just cannot affect our faith and trust in Christ.”

Preventing terminations

Between 23 and 41 percent of pastors experience “forced termination” at least once, according to an article published last year in the Journal of Religion and Health. Some 452 Southern Baptist pastors and staff members were forcibly terminated in 2012, according to a forced terminations report compiled by state Baptist convention workers who deal with church in conflict.

The most common causes of forced termination among Southern Baptists are “control issues,” “pastor’s leadership style” and “poor people skills on the part of the pastor,” according to the forced terminations report. Among the top 15 causes of forced terminations, only two are related to sin by the pastor -- “ethical misconduct” at number 8 and “sexual misconduct” at number 10.

The “main cause” of terminations “is almost always personality conflict,” York said. Church members “buy on emotion and justify with facts. If a pastor does something that emotionally ticks someone off, what they’ll often do is start looking for a justification of why they don’t like that guy. It may be something fairly trivial and they know that, and so they can’t say the trivial thing that upsets them. Then they’ll look for the thing they can use” to force the pastor out.

Developing good people skills is a key facet of establishing a pastor’s ministry and guarding against forced termination, York said, noting that ministers must “think on the perceptual level” and determine how they can speak the truth without being “unnecessarily offensive.”

Among the most self-defeating statements a pastor can make are possessive references like “my church” and “my pulpit,” York said. He also cautioned against appearing arrogant and advised pastors to express their love for the church frequently.

“A pastor really needs to tell his church he’s grateful to be there, he’s thankful to be their pastor, he loves them,” York said. “It’s just hard for people to dislike somebody who’s always being grateful and expressing his affection for them.”

Social media and text messages make it easier than ever to stay in touch with church members and express affection, York said, though he cautioned pastors to use social media appropriately.

When conflict comes

Even when a pastor has good people skills, occasions may arise when a faction in the church pressures him to resign. In such instances, Jeff Iorg urged the pastor to seek outside help and pursue dialogue rather than conflict.

Baptist associations, state conventions and independent mediation ministries all offer assistance to pastors and congregations experiencing conflict, Iorg, president of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, told BP. He added that directors of missions and neighboring pastors can be valuable in helping to resolve conflict.

“Sometimes it’s hard for pastors to admit that they’re wrong,” that “they need to adjust” or that “church members are perhaps right” in their perception of problems, Iorg said. “An outsider can help” pastors see their mistakes and adjust.

Iorg acknowledged “there are people who are so entrenched in their opposition or so angry or so bitter or so difficult that [outside help] won’t solve the problem.”

Confrontational meetings and votes are almost never the best forum in which to settle disputes between a congregation and pastor, Iorg said.

“Pastors -- unless there’s a clear doctrinal or moral issue in play -- don’t need to force division into a church, if at all possible,” he said. “So they need to be as patient as possible to bring about a solution that doesn’t involve that kind of public confrontation.”

Roger S. Oldham, vice president for convention communications and relations with the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, said a 1986 article in The Quarterly Review, a publication formerly produced by the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources) proved helpful to him many times in counseling pastors facing pressure to resign. The article advised pastors not to be intimidated into a resignation at the first signs of conflict with individual church members.

“Differences of opinion about vision and leadership within a local church are inevitable,” Oldham, a longtime pastor before assuming his current role at the EC, told BP in written comments. “Though powerful personalities can make it seem the easier way out, uprooting one’s family, with all the upheaval that entails, is seldom the best way to deal with those differences.”

The article, titled “Forced Termination?” and written by Howard V. Pendley III, summarized common arguments made by church members seeking a pastor’s resignation -- including the “it’s better for your family” argument -- and showed how those arguments are often inaccurate.

“It is seldom ‘better’ for one’s family to abruptly sever their friendship networks, move to a new location and face economic uncertainty merely because a few members may be dissatisfied with the pastor’s vision for the church,” Oldham said. Church members who use this line of reasoning “often show their own lack of support within the congregation and hope the pastor will meekly acquiesce to their wishes,” he said.

Other arguments discussed in the article include:

• “A large number of the members have expressed dissatisfaction with your ministry.”

Is the supposedly dissatisfied group “composed essentially of a fringe group of perennial malcontents; or does it represent the most highly respected, mainstream leadership of the church?” Pendley wrote. “If it is the former, the pastor may be intimidated into resigning; but so long as he maintains the support of the latter group, it’s not going to be easy to terminate him forcibly.”

• “Please don’t force us to take this to the church. If you do, there will be a terrible church fight, and the congregation will probably split.”

Pendley noted in response, “Churches do split; sometimes it’s better for everyone concerned if they do. But a church rarely splits over a dispute concerning its pastor. Unless the minister leaves, taking with him a substantial number of the church members, it’s not likely that the church will split. When the smoke clears, however the vote comes out, the composition of the church will usually be almost exactly what it was before the vote was taken.”

• “Pastor, everyone knows that it’s easier to find a job when you’ve got a job. We won’t be unreasonable. We’ll give you up to thirty days (or ninety days, or six months) to relocate. Your next church doesn’t even have to know about all this trouble.”

While it is true that finding a job is easier when a person has a job, “it’s unrealistic to believe that the pastor’s prospective new church won’t have investigated extensively enough to know at least something about the circumstances under which he left his former church,” Pendley wrote.

Pendley also presented do’s and don’ts for pastors under fire, including:

• Don’t panic. “You almost never have to make an instantaneous decision. Don’t let your critics force you to do so.”

• Don’t be intimidated.

• Don’t let the matter come to the church for a vote unless you’re reasonably sure you will be sustained.

• Do conduct a discreet poll of as many of the significant congregational leaders as you can identify.