A Methodist couple involved in sacrificial ministry write that they sometimes feel "on the shelf," and that their efforts frequently go unappreciated. Perhaps these words of encouragement to them will connect with some other hearts which share this couple's godly desires and human frustrations. * * * Never forget that God is using and will use you both, according to his sovereign will. Part of my problem (and perhaps I am not alone in this) is in regarding as meaningless the one-on-one encounters and small, obscure events, the daily good deeds and common acts of obedience which go … [Read more...]
SCHOLARSHIP AND PIETY
A Christian worker bemoans the fact that religion professors too often do not instill faith or encourage piety in students, and that the academic study of the Bible in institutions of higher learning sometimes even diminishes faith and stifles spirituality. A religion professor responded, in effect, that scholarship and piety do not mix. * * * Every disciple of Jesus is called to a life focused on God, patterned after Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. When that life is healthy and unhindered, it manifests itself in a bouquet of beautiful traits, including inner faith, personal piety, … [Read more...]
BIBLICAL HELP IN PREACHER SEARCH
A Northeastern subscriber writes, "Our pastor has retired after a lengthy tenure and we are seeking a replacement. Can you offer any biblical suggestions to help us in this process?" * * * I honestly know little to suggest from a biblical standpoint concerning the search process itself. The modern institutional church with buildings, budgets and professional staff is an invention more recent than the Bible, so we lack specific scriptural guidance in these matters. However, we can derive a biblical picture of the kind of person we might wish to occupy the pulpit and to provide leadership … [Read more...]
TEN TRAITS FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS
"I want to serve God as the preacher or pastor of a local church," someone asks. "Do you have any suggestions for my personal and professional goals?" * * * Following are ten traits of successful Christian leaders -- not necessarily "success" as the world measures it -- which I have adapted from a "want list" I drafted for our congregation several years ago in a search for a preaching minister. The scripturally "successful" Christian leader is an individual who: 1. Evidences a warm personal commitment to Jesus Christ as living Savior and Lord. 2. Desires to follow the Holy Spirit, by … [Read more...]
GATHERED IN JESUS’ NAME
While considering Jesus' promise in Matthew 18:20 to be present wherever two or three gather in his name, a gracEmail subscriber thought of two questions. "If a specific gathering lacks the Lord's presence," he asks, "how can we know that he is not present, and what is the cause of his absence?" * * * One might suspect that Jesus is absent from a meeting when nothing is accomplished that requires his presence or participation. This is true regardless of the gathering's stated purpose -- whether for prayer or for praise, to make decisions or to make converts, to study the Bible or to equip … [Read more...]
CHURCH DISCIPLINE
A gracEmail subscriber in Europe asks about the purpose and practice of church discipline. Is it ever proper to exclude someone from the faith community? If so, when? * * * Because Christian fellowship and hospitality are so meaningful to believers, it is a very significant matter to exclude a professing disciple from the Christian "family circle." But sometimes it must be done. The person who is equipped to carry out church discipline effectively -- and hopefully to restore the wayward brother or sister -- is the one who seeks to build up others and not tear them down (2 Cor. 12:19); who … [Read more...]
CONNECTING AT THE HEART LEVEL
A brother involved in a new church ministry writes that his parishioners are "older and nice," although they don't verbally respond much to his teaching. This minister friend has been teaching in Romans, and wonders how much of it is sinking into his congregation's minds. A church elder, who has missed several classes due to illness, keeps reminding him that "we must do our part to stay saved." * * * Let me encourage you not to miss the opportunity (if it comes along) to connect with this older brother and others like him at a heart-level which will enrich both of you forever. Perhaps you … [Read more...]
LENGTHY SERMONS
A parishioner in one state wants to tactfully suggest that his minister shorten the sermon, while a preacher in another state inquires how to make his sermons more effective. Both invite my opinion on the subject. * * * I am instinctively sympathetic toward preachers, having personally delivered two sermons each Sunday for about 20 years and still enjoying the pleasure of preaching from time to time. The truth is that a few listeners are bored by a sermon of any length and they need our love and prayers. However, preachers also need to remember the truth discovered by an African missionary … [Read more...]
REBUKE AND BALANCE
A missioner in South America writes: "I sometimes preach messages of rebuke to people who tend to be lackadaisical in their walk. How do I do this with a balance helpful to the hearer and pleasing to God?" * * * The New Testament Scriptures themselves certainly contain various rebukes -- for indifference, failure to grow and learn, immoral conduct, improper attitudes and twisting the gospel. When contemporary life circumstances parallel the circumstances to which such scriptural rebukes are addressed, I believe that it is appropriate for us to repeat and apply those scriptural rebukes. We … [Read more...]
RUDE MINISTER NEEDS PRAYER
A gracEmail subscriber writes that his minister is very knowledgeable but he is sometimes mean and rude to anyone who crosses him or gets in his way. To make matters worse, no one seems bold enough to confront the preacher about his destructive attitude and manners. Can I offer any counsel? * * * All who follow Christ are called to imitate the Savior in his humility, gentleness and self-restraint as in other godly traits (Matt. 11:29; Phil. 2:1-8; 1 Pet. 2:21-23). Knowledge can be useful, but without love it feeds arrogance and amounts to nothing. By contrast, love builds people up … [Read more...]