Category: Pastoral Ministry
Fellowship, Worship, and Cooperation

Fellowship, Worship, and Cooperation

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Last evening, our joint Good Friday service was filled with wonderful genuine worship and fellowship. As First Baptist and Northside Nazarene joined our worship teams, pastor Lynn Nichols led the Lord’s Supper, and I was privileged to preach the message. On Saturday morning, I’m still full of joy as I reflect on the service and prepare for Easter Sunday morning. So much so that I look forward with excitement the prospect of a joint service later this year with the goal of reaching out to the community. 

A Warm Welcome

As I arrived to preach, I was welcomed at the door of the Northside Church of the Nazarene by Pastor Rebecca Aleman and others. Pastor Rebecca was wonderfully warm and welcoming as she invited me into the foyer of their building. In fact, I’d say the Holy Spirit emanated from her countenance!

I am “complementarian” in my view on church leadership (though not as hardcore as some). The Northside Nazarene church is more “egalitarian.” Lynn and I had even touched on this over breakfast one morning. Does this issue preclude us from fellowshipping, worshipping, or evangelizing the community together? Absolutely not! It’s okay to hold differing views on some issues as we serve together in His kingdom. Believe it or not, not everyone at FBCW agrees on all points of doctrine – some of which are much more central to our faith.

I’m grateful that Pastor Lynn, Pastor Rebecca, Pastor Guy, the worship leader Colin, and others were so overwhelmingly gracious and generous to us cantankerous baptists as we worshipped our one true King together. (Pastor Lynn says we are not cantankerous, but “sweet and wonderful”). I only wish other baptists might be so gracious to one another. 

The Truth and Love that Matters Most

We can all agree that without the forgiveness extended on the cross to all of us, we’d be dead and doomed in our sin. Without the hope that we celebrate tomorrow morning on Easter, we’d have no future. Thank you Lord for the hope and blessings we share! And thank you that You love us all, even when we act foolishly, failing to love one another as You love us.

7 Pastoral Principles from the Church’s 1st Pastor

7 Pastoral Principles from the Church’s 1st Pastor

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7 Principles for shepherding the local church

Peter served the early church as its first pastor. He had followed Jesus, failed Jesus, and been restored by Jesus. When Peter penned his first epistle to the church, he gave instructions to his fellow elders that speaks to pastors in every generation. For Peter, these seven principles came out of his training from Jesus and his experience as a pastor in the early church. For us, they are preserved in God’s Word in 1 Peter 5:1-5.

I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Pet. 5:1-5 CSB

Stewardship – (God’s flock)

First and foremost, the flock belongs to God. Every individual sheep is precious to Jesus who died for them. God has given the pastor the profound privilege of serving as His steward of His precious sheep. The Lord expects His undershepherds to love and care for His flock as He does. When a pastor understands this incredible privilege, he will also understand the incredible responsibility that is on his shoulders.

Proximity – (those among you)

Second, a pastor must live among the sheep. Jesus is the greatest example as He came in the flesh to live among us. Pastors are called to live among their people in order to serve and lead them. A pastor can preach from the pulpit, but he cannot be a shepherd unless he is with his people.

Oversight – (overseeing)

Third, the pastor must accept the responsibility to watch over the flock. This will require his diligent attention and sometimes administrative skills. Pastors are called to care for the church as administrators, visionaries, and leaders. Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”

Enthusiasm – (willingly)

Fourth, Peter commands pastors to serve their sheep willingly. Peter’s to obedience Jesus’ call to “shepherd His sheep” was grounded in the truth that Peter loved Jesus. A pastor’s greatest motivation for faithfully shepherding God’s flock should be his love for his Master. When the pastor loves the Lord, an enthusiastic love for the Lord’s flock will closely follow.

Generosity – (not from greed)

Fifth, a pastor should serve with a heart of generosity and not greed. Any man who serves the Lord’s flock “out of greed for money” is not a shepherd, but a hireling (John 10:11-13). A true shepherd surrendered to the call of God will sacrificially serve God’s flock. Paul warned against the false teachers who would serve for monetary gain (1 Tim. 6:1-10). 

Humility – (not lording it over them)

Sixth, Peter called pastors to serve with humility. Peter demanded that pastors lead with a servant’s heart “not lording it over those entrusted to you.” When a shepherd and his church are rightly serving the Lord, there will be no need for politics or power plays. Pastors will accomplish much more by serving their church with a gentle spirit than by demanding submission.

Exemplary – (being an example)

Seventh, pastors are called to be an example to their sheep. Peter found his example in the sufferings of Christ that he personally witnessed (1 Pet. 5:1). As a shepherd living among his sheep, the pastor must lead by example. The sheep will learn to follow their shepherd. When he serves, they will learn to serve. When he evangelizes, the sheep will evangelize. If the pastor expects the sheep to live a Christ-honoring life, he must do so in before their eyes.

God’s Eternal Reward

After admonishing his fellow elders, Peter encouraged them with a promise. “When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4).” Whatever the pastor may give up on this earth as he submits in service to the Lord’s the flock, he will regain in endless reward from the chief Shepherd. Peter begins his next paragraph with a reminder in verse six to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time.”

Click the image for Pastor Dennis’ short study on this topic.
Pastoral Principles from the Church’s 1st Pastor

Pastoral Principles from the Church’s 1st Pastor

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Jesus fulfilled the promise of God from the Old Testament to provide a messianic shepherd to lead His people (Jer. 23:3-4; Ezek. 34:23-24). As the Good Shepherd, Jesus set out in His ministry to train shepherds for His church that arise following His ascension. He did this by example and through his teaching—even having the disciples practice under His direction (Matt. 10).

The New Testament uses the image of the shepherd to describe men called to lead the church.

Jesus Chose Peter

After His resurrection, He would need to leave someone in charge to serve as shepherd to the new church He was about to launch. Jesus chose Peter. The same brash Peter who said he’d never leave and then denied Him the morning of His resurrection. Peter who had seemingly chosen to go back to his old profession of fishing after things settled down in days following the resurrection.

In John 21, Jesus singled out Peter with an opportunity to affirm his love for Jesus three times–the same number of times he had previously denied him. Peter’s affirmation of love preceded a single command expressed three different ways: “feed my lambs,” “shepherd my sheep,” and “feed my sheep.” Jesus called Peter to leave behind his boats and nets to become a shepherd—a shepherd of Jesus’ flock. Jesus ended the discussion with a simple command, “Follow Me.”

Peter Led the Church

Peter obeyed. He followed Jesus away from the shores of Galilee into the role of a shepherd. His life changed forever as the church exploded onto the scene. Peter served in the key role as the lead pastor for the early church. He led the church in the selection of a new disciple (Acts 1:13-15). Peter stood and proclaimed the Gospel following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). He took the lead when serving with John as they faced imprisonment (Acts 3 and 4).

Peter was on the place of authority as the Holy Spirit poured out discipline on Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5). He represented all the apostles when he proclaimed, “We must obey God rather than people (Acts 5:29).” Peter led in receiving the Samaritans into the church (Acts 8:14). He dealt with Simon’s misunderstanding in Acts 8:20. The Lord used Peter to reach out to the Gentiles and encourage their acceptance into the church Acts 10 and 11. Even in Acts 15 when James is functioning as the lead pastor, Peter still had influence during the Jerusalem Council.

Peter Didn’t Disappoint

What Peter saw as he walked with Jesus, he modeled as he led the church. When he seemed bull-headed, he must have been listening and watching. When he failed miserably, broken and humbled by his own sin, Jesus restored Peter to a place of health and leadership. Given a second chance, Peter didn’t disappoint. He followed the example of the Good Shepherd as he obeyed. He led the early church through treacherous waters to see thousands saved and discipled.

The Privilege of Pastoral Ministry

Pastors are not expected to be perfect. They are expected to follow Jesus. Walk with Him and point your church to Him. Jesus has given all of us a second chance at life through His death and resurrection. Some of us have been called to follow Him as shepherds of His sheep. That is an incredible privilege and a great responsibility.

When Peter wrote his first epistle, he shared some of what he had learned with his fellow elders. We will look at those seven principles in part two of this blog.

Follow this link to watch Pastor Dennis’ study on this subject.
Father Forgive Them

Father Forgive Them

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This Good Friday service can be found here.

Jesus spoke seven times while hanging on the cross outside the gates of Jerusalem. The first of those seven sayings are found in Luke 23:34. “Father forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.”

Who were “they”? Who was it Jesus had on His mind when He spoke these words to His heavenly Father. Though it is impossible to know the mind of Christ beyond what He has revealed in His word, I believe there are many of us on His mind.

The Tormentors

Jesus had just been nailed to the cross with spikes driven through His wrists and feet. In the previous hours, He had been stripped naked and publicly scourged to the point of exhaustion. He had a crown of thorns driving into His scalp with rods. His beard had been torn from His face as He was spat upon. Could Jesus have had these tormentors on His mind when He called out, “Father forgive them”?

The Materialists

All four Gospels tell us that a group of soldiers took His clothing. Then they gambled over His outer tunic by casting lots. With three men suffering above them and mourners gathered around them, these cold-hearted men focused on what they could gain in material goods. Like them, we often worry about material things in this world while men are dying and people are suffering all around us. Could Jesus have on His mind those who were too focused on this world to see what mattered for eternity when He cried, “Father forgive them”?

The Betrayers

Hours before His trusted disciple Judas consummated his betrayal of Christ with a kiss (Matt. 26:49). Judas had been the treasurer of Jesus’ band of twelve disciples. He had walked with the Lord for three years. Jesus invested precious time teaching Judas and caring for him. Yet, Judas chose to turn his back on His teacher for a small sum of money. Was Jesus thinking of Judas’ betrayal, or all of us who may eventually betray Him, when He spoke those first words on the cross?

The Deniers

Jesus had three most trusted followers – Peter, James, and John. The night before the cross Peter made the boldest promises of commitment. Regardless, it was Peter who denied ever knowing Jesus when Jesus was on trial (Luke 22:54-62). It had only been a few hours. Was Jesus thinking of Peter and all those who would deny knowing Him when they faced the threat of persecution? Jesus forgave Peter and restored Him in the days to come. Maybe it was those deniers for whom Jesus asked forgiveness, because we “don’t know what we are doing.”

The Unfaithful

Mark tells us that when the soldiers arrested Jesus to the garden all of His disciples disappeared. Mark 14:50, “Then they all deserted him and ran away.” Judas had already betrayed Him and Peter would soon fervently deny him. Additionally, all of the other disciples simply ran away at the time of Jesus’ greatest need. Only John would eventually appear at the foot of the cross where he stood alongside Mary (John 19:26-27). Was Jesus thinking of His close friends who fled when trouble came as He said, “Father forgive them”?

The Religious

In the verse following Jesus’ statement, we find the religious leaders scoffing. These men claimed religious superiority. They were supposedly followers of Jesus’ heavenly Father. They had memorized the sacred texts that would point to Jesus as the Messiah. Yet, their hearts were so hardened by religion they completely missed the Christ when He stood before them. Does Jesus look upon the religious with tears and cry out, “Father forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing”?

The Onlookers

In Luke 23:35, we also find the ambiguous group simply referred to as “the people stood watching.” These were the onlookers. They were not involved in Jesus’ crucifixion. They had not betrayed Him or denied Him, because they simply did not know Him. They were observing the spectacle with interest but had no “skin in the game.” Yet, what happened on the cross that afternoon would have a direct impact on their eternity. Like “the people” in verse 35, we stand gazing upon Christ on the cross and our eternity will be determined by what we do with His death.

The Two Criminals

The passage also has two other key figures – the criminals who died on either side of Christ. Those two men represent us all. Like us, they had committed “crimes” and deserved to die. God’s word makes clear that we all have sinned and our sin separates us from God “for the wages of sin is death.”

One of those criminals looked at Jesus and yelled insults at Him. The other looked to Jesus and asked for mercy. He confessed that he was a sinner and deserved to die. He recognized that Jesus had done nothing wrong. In that moment, he made a simple request, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responded with what must have been the sweetest words that criminal ever heard, “Today I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Those Who are Forgiven

Jesus had all of us on His mind when He cried out, “Father forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.” He fulfilled His purpose on the cross crying out, “It is finished.” He died to complete His mission of atonement for your sin and my sin. He died for the tormentors, the materialistic, the betrayers, the unfaithful, the deniers, the religious, and the onlookers. He died for us all! He offers the gift of forgiveness for all of us.

We are left with a simple choice portrayed by the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus. We can insult Him with our unbelief. Or, we can accept who we are, our need for a savior, and trust Him with our soul. He has offered the gift of forgiveness. We now choose our response.

What will you choose?

What will you do with Jesus who is called the Christ?
Who Pastors the Pastor?

Who Pastors the Pastor?

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While serving as the pastor of a rural Texas church, this author stood over the bedside while my fourteen-year-old daughter took her last breaths. With a broken heart and my wife by my side, I had confidence and faith in the power of God to carry me through this dark valley. I had stood by many men and women as their pastor in similar, painful circumstances. A hospital chaplain, whom I had never met, stood behind us. He provided his presence and a reading from Scripture that I requested.

Pastoring with a Broken Heart

I was hurting and had a great task before me that would begin with delivering this news to my other three daughters. I was the pastor, but now I needed a pastor. Who could provide that comfort and care to the one who was accustomed to caring for his flock? As a part of the body of Christ, every pastor in his humanity will one day find himself in need of pastoral care.  

Paul Found Comfort in Friends

Neither Paul nor the men who served with him were without fault. Paul’s associates sometimes failed him. Apparently, Paul fell short as his temper was on display in his relationship with Peter, Barnabas, and Mark. This serves as a reminder as well that these were imperfect men. Facing great odds, they were empowered by the Spirit of God to accomplish a great task. In these details of their relationships, we find men who needed each other. They were buoyed by companionship as they suffered together, encouraged each other, and stepped up to provide aid to each other for personal and ministry reasons. 

A Community of Encouragement

This author has found similar strength to remain faithful to the calling of God from other pastors. When faced with the intense grief of losing a daughter after a long illness, I was encouraged and lifted up by the companionship of other ministers. The congregation rendered similar encouragement and aid. The denomination stepped in to help share some of the financial burden. The most important source of strength came from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  

Fellow Pastors Lift the Burden

A crucial part of my healing and ability to stand tall as a father and pastor was rooted in the companionship, encouragement, and aid of fellow ministers. These relationships were forged in ministry years before my daughter’s passing. The encouragement sometimes took the form of direct admonitions to do the tough things required in tough times. There is a special bond that is rooted in the shared connection as ministers of the Gospel.

This one personal incident serves only to illustrate a greater need. The heavy burden may come from the daily responsibilities of ministry, a difficult church environment, external threats, or the weight of lost souls. That burden is always more bearable when the pastor has faithful fellow servants of the Gospel with whom he can share the load.  

This blog includes the intro and conclusion to my pastoral ministry research project. The middle 25 pages is “academic” writing 🙂 that explored Paul’s ministry relationships found in Colossians 4:7-17. The pastor’s ultimate pastor is the Good Shepherd. A case can also be made for the congregation and deacon body to share the responsiblilty to care for a hurting pastor.
A Word that Must be Spoken

A Word that Must be Spoken

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We must proclaim the Good News as if lives depend on it. BECAUSE THEY DO!

A word not spoken or expressed in writing is not a word at all. It is only a thought. The words given to the church by Jesus, its founder, were intended to be spoken so His message could reach lost souls. “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

There is Hope Where the Gospel is Proclaimed

“Son of man, can these bones live?” This question was posed to Ezekiel by the Spirit of the Lord. Ezekiel responded that only the Lord knew the answer to that question. He was commanded to speak the word of the Lord to the bones saying, “I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live.”

The spiritual condition of the North American church in recent years has caused many to prophesy its downfall. Many wonder if there is hope for these dry bones. Hope resides in the same place it did for Israel in Ezekiel’s vision – ultimately an outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord. History teaches us that there must be a proclaimer of the Word of the Lord. Someone who will declare the hope that only comes from God’s life-giving Spirit.

A Burden for Evangelism is Needed

It wasn’t so long ago that the heart of the American church was alive with the desire to proclaim the Gospel. James S. Stewart began his Yale lecture in 1951, “Today as never before there has been laid upon the heart and conscience of the Church the burden for evangelism.”* Though that heart for evangelism is needed more than ever, the Church in America today does not reflect the passion of which Stewart spoke.

The need for believers who would be faithful in proclaiming the Good News is as old as the news itself. While looking over the distressed throngs of people Jesus proclaimed, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.” The streets of every city are filled with people who need to hear the Gospel message. Disciples of Jesus must be “moved with compassion,” as He was in Matthew chapter nine, so they will enter the fields for the harvest.

The Clear Message Must be Proclaimed

The job is not a complicated one. Peter and John were clearly “uneducated and untrained men,” but they were greatly used by God to launch the church. They proclaimed a simple message. Jesus, who was crucified and raised from the dead, is the only “name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”

Stewart proclaimed in the same lecture series, “The first axiom of effective evangelism is that the evangelist must be sure of his message. Any haziness or hesitation there is fatal.” Jesus must be the focus of any true Gospel presentation, because salvation cannot be found in any other name.

There are many plans for sharing the Gospel, but there is a great danger in over complicating the message. The best plan for telling others about Jesus is the simple one that you will use consistently.

The Apostle Paul gave us a simple formula for proclaiming the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.”

Speak the Words of Life

WORDS NOT SPOKEN WILL NEVER BE HEARD. There are many times we are better off not speaking. When it comes to the Good News WE MUST SPEAK. The dry bones need to hear a message of life. The Spirit of God can revive what looks dead. The promise of Jesus is true today. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

JESUS IS THE ONLY HOPE OF SALVATION. Our friends need to hear this crucial news from us.

* James S. Stewart, A Faith to Proclaim (NY: Scribner’s Sons, 1953).
The Good News, Evangelism, and the Authority of God’s Word

The Good News, Evangelism, and the Authority of God’s Word

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The greatest news that anyone could ever hear is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Good News is the story of God’s intervention into history culminating in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Through His resurrection, all who believe in Christ, repent of their sin, and turn to follow Him as their Lord are granted eternal life. This is GOOD NEWS, but what if it’s not true?

Good News or Fake News

The Twenty-first Century world is filled with fake “news.” Social media has opened a “Pandora’s box” where anyone with a smart phone or a computer can instantly spread “news” around the world. In our modern world, the “news” is often skewed to present a particular agenda more favorably. Sometimes it is just out right false – a lie intended to deceive! “News” is only as reliable as its source and many modern sources are outright untrustworthy.

The key to getting things right is finding a trustworthy source. This is where one must turn to God’s Word. The Bible is the inspired word of God. Its message is absolutely trustworthy in all that it claims. Because it is true, Scripture will stand the test of time in the face of the onslaught of fake “news.” Scripture provides us a standard by which all other “news” can be tested.

Liberal Scholarship and God’s Word

In the past couple centuries, liberal theology has brought into question the truthfulness and authority of God’s Word. This liberal theology is dangerous in every way. When the reliability of God’s word is undermined, the Christian’s foundation is shaken.

James Draper summarized four areas that led to the compromise of biblical authority in his book Authority: The Critical Issue for Southern Baptist. These areas included: the historical-critical approach to Scripture; existential philosophy; naturalistic, uniformitarian science; and the study of comparative religions. He summarized that in each of these areas liberal critics have shifted their focus from revelation to reason. They no longer accept the revelation of God’s word as authoritative, but place man’s reasoning in a position over God’s Word.[1]

If Scripture is not reliable, its history becomes mythology, its commands become suggestions, hope is destroyed, and the future is uncertain. Draper wrote, “Without an authoritative divine revelation, worship degenerates into mere form and ritual, ministry concerns itself only with the temporal and the physical, and authority becomes the result of the mind of man rather than the mind of God.”[2]

The Message is Cloudy when Scripture is Undermined

Evangelism is one of the greatest casualties of liberal theology. Evangelism is a huge challenge for many believers at their very best. This is evidenced by the low percentage of Christians who actually share their faith on a regular basis. When doubts about the truthfulness of God’s Word arise, it becomes even easier to excuse the lack of zeal for sharing the good news of Jesus. If the Bible is not true then the evangelistic message is obscured, unnecessary, and may be an impediment to eternal life for millions.

When the truth of God’s revealed Word is brought into question, the message of the evangelist is impacted. If the Bible isn’t true in all areas, then it certainly can be questioned in the difficult areas. First, the message becomes obscured.  For instance, Jesus said, “No one comes to the father, but through me” (John 14:6). If his statement is not absolutely true, then one may suggest other ways to get to the Father – to gain eternal life. Once the door is cracked open, man may rationalize a multitude of paths regardless of the clear message in God’s Word.

If the Bible is not absolutely true, then its evangelistic message becomes unnecessary. The teachings of Jesus may be considered helpful and the epistles and Acts might be useful for understanding history. The message of the Good News of salvation is only necessary if God’s Word is true.

Liberal theology has led some to deny the revelation in God’s Word that all those who die without Jesus are lost. The question is asked, “What about those innocent people who have never heard of Jesus?” There is an assumption that certainly they would not be condemned. The reality is that God’s Word tells us there are no innocent people. “All have sinned” (Rom 3:23). If Romans 3-6 are not true and God provides some special dispensation for those who have not heard, our message becomes an impediment to their eternal life. The rational mind could argue that they are better off if we never tell them what Jesus did for them.

The Motivation is Weak when Scripture is Undermined

A liberal view of Scripture undermines the evangelist’s motivation. If there are other paths, hell is not real, everyone is okay in the end, or everyone’s fate is already sealed, then the motive to share the Gospel is eroded. The evangelist is left without any urgency to fulfill the Great Commission

Peter made clear to those gathered in Jerusalem that “there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The nature of this single pathway leading to eternal life is a strong motivation to share the Gospel of Jesus. When that claim is diminished, the motive to share is diminished as well.

The Biblical picture of eternal punishment is a horrible thing to imagine. When the Christian accepts the truth that there is a place of eternal death for all who are lost, compassion increases and the job of evangelism becomes urgent. Like the neighbor frantically trying to wake those sleeping in a burning house, the evangelist is highly motivated to declare his message.  If he is not convinced that the residents are in any danger, the herald will be less vocal and less urgent.

Likewise, the Universalist has no real motive to declare the Gospel. It is rare that one hears anything at the casket of an elderly grandmother except, “She is in heaven now.” However, Scripture is clear that all do not gain eternal life. In fact, Jesus made it clear that the road to the destruction is wide while the road to the Kingdom of heaven is narrow. If the Christian truly believes that not all are saved, then he is motivated to tell those who are on the wrong path.

Evangelism Flourishes when Scripture is Trusted

Holy_Book_1280x1024

Robert Coleman wrote, “The objective authority for the Gospel is the Bible. The Bible, which is infallible, immutable, and eternal, is the tangible court of appeal.”[3] The Good News must be based on some authority and that authority is the inerrant word of God. When the claims of Scripture are taken at face value, evangelism will flourish.

The message becomes clear when it is not mixed with human rationalizations. Jesus was more than a good teacher. He came to seek and to save the lost. He is the truth and the only way to eternal life.

When the Bible is trusted in its entirety, the motivation to share the Good News is powerful. Jesus is the only hope of a lost and dying world. Eternity with a loving God or eternal punishment awaits every person depending on their response to the Good News. Not everyone is going to heaven, even that precious grandmother who dies without Christ will spend eternity in a sinner’s hell if someone doesn’t share the Good News with her so she can repent and turn to Christ.

The Bible is trustworthy! When the believer accepts the clear teaching of Scripture without trying to rationalize away the parts he does not like, the urgency of evangelism becomes clear. When Christians humbly submit to the Bible as God’s authoritative Word, they are compelled to share the Good News as it commands.

Choosing to Trust the Bible

A turning point came in the life of a young evangelist in 1949 as he struggled with his confidence in God’s Word. Billy Graham later wrote about his struggles in an article in the inaugural issue of Christianity Today, entitled “Biblical Authority in Evangelism.” He began with the statement “I had many doubts about the Bible. Now I see Scripture as a flame that melts away unbelief.”[4]

He recalled in the article that having dealt for a time with doubts about the Bible’s integrity, he humbled himself before God in the mountains outside of Los Angeles, California. He knelt before the Bible and said, “I surrender my will to the living God revealed in Scripture. . . Here and now, by faith, I accept the Bible as thy word: I take it all. I take it without reservations. Where there are things I cannot understand, I will reserve judgement until I receive more light.”[5] In the coming years, he became known as the most influential evangelist of the twentieth century by preaching the simple Gospel message dependent on the inerrant Word of God.

[1] James T. Draper, Jr., Authority: The Critical Issue for Southern Baptist (Old Tappan, NJ: Revell, 1984).

[2] Ibid., 44.

[3] Robert E. Coleman, The Heart of the Gospel: The Theology Behind the Master Plan of Evangelism (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011), 40.

[4] Billy Graham, “Biblical Authority in Evangelism,” Christianity Today, October 15, 1956, Electronic edition accessed December 6, 2017. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1956/ october-15/billy-graham-biblical-authority-in-evangelism.html

[5] Ibid.

This article was originally submitted to Dr. Matthew Queen on December 6, 2017 at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. It was a required assignment in the PhD seminary “Theological Issues in Evangelism.”

My Thoughts On Halloween

My Thoughts On Halloween

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So today is Reformation Day. It is also the popular secular holiday called Halloween. What are Christians to do on this day? My mind is filled with thoughts – dissertation length thoughts, deep thoughts, and shallow thoughts – but I don’t have the time or energy to write them all down here. I won’t answer all your questions here, but I hope to provide some balance. If you don’t have time to read it all, READ the FINAL TWO PARAGRAPHS!

What I Won’t Do

I won’t turn off my lights and hide upstairs because this is “Satan’s day” and I am afraid of him. He doesn’t have a day unless we give it to him! The Psalmist cries out in Pslams 118:24 “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” I believe the Lord created each day and blessed me with the breath to enjoy it.

Further, Jesus tells us that forces of hell take a defensive posture when His church marches forward and the gates of hell cannot prevail against His church (Matt. 16:18). Next, I will choose not to walk in fear of Satan’s schemes. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” In summary, the only way that Satan wins a day is if we allow it. I will not “give” Satan this day. I will choose to seek my Lord’s direction in how to press forward His kingdom agenda.

Heed the Warnings

Satan does want to drag you into His world – of course not just today, but every day. It would be absolute idiocy for a believer to attend a séance tonight. We ought to avoid the sacrificing of cats, drinking of blood, and all other means of directly worshiping the enemy. Ouija boards are out and so are pentagrams. I say this only partly jesting. I have seen Christians who unknowingly walked into Satan’s traps and became entangled in His web. The devil is real and real people really do worship him year round, but especially on this night. Stay out of that garbage.

I don’t believe that precludes a believer from every aspect Halloween. Susan and I plan to hand out candy and a special tract sharing the Gospel of Jesus to every neighbor kid who comes by our house. I hope to meet a few parents and open a few doors to share His kingdom. Maybe I end up shaking hands and fellowshipping with tax-gathers and sinners. Some Christians will take a different approach tonight. I’m not too worried about it, I just want to do my best to follow my Lord’s example and spread his message of Good News. Besides, what other day of the year will I have over 100 kiddos come to my door where I can put the message of Jesus in their hands along with a couple pieces of chocolate?

Don’t let this Day be a Stumbling Block

Some Christians have been given clear convictions that they are to stay clear of this day. OBEY the direction from your Lord Jesus. He knows you best. You may have one of those personalities that would take things too far if you got started. You may have people in your sphere of influence that need to see you completely abstaining from any hint a connection with this holiday. If so, abstain. If you have had any connection with the occult or witchcraft in the past, you may be one who needs to stay home and watch the World Series tonight! I would not encourage a recovering alcoholic to go evangelize in a bar. Likewise you probably need to stay completely away from the “bad” part of this night.

What We Can’t Do

First and foremost, we (the church) cannot let our differing opinions define us and distract from His kingdom work. On social media this week I have seen earnest evangelical Christians regularly post opposing viewpoints. This is okay! Thankfully I have seen very few inappropriate arguments. It’s okay to disagree, but we must be cautious. Jesus made it clear that the world would know that we are His disciples by our love for each other – not by our doctrine.

People are Our Priority!

We must maintain balance in our relentless pursuit of the “truth” and our willingness to offer “grace.” This is tough! Some of us are prophets and teachers by nature (or giftedness) and it is our gift to hammer home “thus saith the Lord.” Others of us are more gifted with the tender hearts of mercy and service. It is our nature to love and come along side of our hurting brothers. Only Jesus was the perfect picture of both “grace and truth” (John 1:14).

I lean more toward the “thus saith the Lord” crowd, but I and the kingdom need the mercy folks. Sometimes I think that they are wishy-washy, but that comes out of their God given desire to show compassion. Sometimes, they think I am too rigid and hard-hearted. I hope they see that comes from my God given nature to preach and speak truth. The bottom line is that because none of us can display all of the characteristics of Christ by ourselves, we need each other. Jesus was the only one who perfectly expressed grace and truth, mercy and justice, leadership and encouragement. If the lost world is to see Christ on earth it will only be when we serve together, putting all of His characteristics on display to form a unified “body of Christ.”

Let’s get Busy with Show and Tell

Let’s show the world what love looks like. And let’s tell them how much God loves them! I won’t be celebrating Halloween, but I will celebrate Jesus on this day. I hope to “redeem the day” by engaging the lost (and saved) who come to my door with a smile, a handshake, and a word from God.

Happy Reformation Day! No tricks, just treats!

Glorify God in Unity

Glorify God in Unity

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When we work together in unity, we are all better for it and the Lord is glorified. In the past couple days, I’ve had the privilege to witness beautiful examples of God’s kingdom work. God’s love shines especially bright in contrast to the darkness of racial division that presently covers our nation.

Unity in Service – Back 2 School Rally 2017

  • >650 Backpacks distributed Saturday
  • Hundreds more going out the door this week
  • 1000 slices of pizza
  • 560 hot dogs
  • 180 free haircuts
  • Eye Exams, Hearing test, balloon animals
  • Hundreds of free Bibles distributed
  • Dozens of Gospel conversations and families lifted in prayer

This list could go on and on! Saturday evening the Baptists, Methodists, Holiness, and other churches in Watauga came together to serve the children of Watauga and the surrounding community. Over 250 volunteers from many different churches and organizations gathered to serve for a common purpose. People of all races gathered as we served the Lord and serve each other.

Honestly, I didn’t even think about the various races represented until this morning. Sure, there were many from El Buen Samaritano who were specifically helping communicate with the hundreds of Spanish speaking families who gathered. But, nobody’s skin color or country of origin made any difference! That’s the way it is when we put our focus on the Lord and serve His Kingdom together.

The common theme from Saturday evening were SMILES. I saw joy on the faces of the parking lot volunteers, the registration team, evangelism team, and puppet show team. The firemen, policemen, and police explorers all served diligently without complaint. Of course, there were the hundreds of smiles on the faces of the kids with new backpacks, popcorn, and pizza!

As I reflected on the Rally this morning in my personal prayer time, I was struck by the stark contrast between what I saw at the event and what I had seen on the news. Those focused on divided agendas in Virginia brought shame on themselves and on their causes. Those serving the Lord and the community in Watauga will likely never make the national news, but they brought honor to the Lord and to the groups they represent.

How Great Thou Art – Worship in Two Languages

As encouraged as I was after reflecting on Saturday evening, things got even better at noon on Sunday. My friend and fellow pastor had contacted me early in the week about using our baptistery to begin their worship time on Sunday. Often, we have our congregation finish up and move out so the congregation of El Buen Samaritano can use the auditorium for baptism. I felt the Lord prompt me to ask Br. Elias to allow us to finish our service with him baptizing so that we could celebrate together this week. I had no idea the events that would darken our national news this weekend.

Immediately after concluding our invitation, El Buen’s congregation began to enter the sanctuary. To my joy, the congregants of FBC Watauga began to clap and welcome our brothers and sisters as they joined us finding their seats. As Br. Elias baptized two new believers, the entire congregation celebrated with shouts of “amen” and “praise the Lord” with cheers and clapping.

To my surprise, Br. Mario who I had meet as he was sharing the Gospel at the Rally the evening before, stood with his guitar to lead us in worship. He chose “How Great Thou Art” so everyone could sing in their own language. What followed was a stirring time of heavenly worship with English and Spanish blended together as we sang in unison to the One True God! One of our congregants tweeted this sentiment after the service.

Assisted by a translator, I closed out with a short “Thank You” to El Buen for their wonderful service in the Back 2 School Rally. I gave a short reference to how beautiful it is when we come together under the banner of Christ to serve Him and our community. What a stark contrast to what we had seen and heard on the news! As we closed the service together in prayer, the Spirit of God was evident in the exuberant joy that filled the “amens” along with the smiles, hugs, and handshakes that followed.

Praise the Lord that in Him we find common ground!

  • Unite in Service
  • Unite in Love
  • Unite in God’s Word
  • Unite in His Redemption
  • Unite in Worship

Let the name of Jesus be praised and lifted up in our words and in our actions!

Baptist Deacons

Baptist Deacons

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Jimmy Youree and Dennis Serratt both faithfully serve the Lord in their role as deacons.
Two deacons cleaning up after they served a meal to our family following my mother-in-law’s memorial service.

 “For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

– 1 Timothy 3:13 CSB

I have had the privilege to serve as the pastor of three Baptist churches – two churches as a full-time pastor for an extended period of time (13 ½ years and 12 + years). In both churches, I have been blessed by those men who serve our Lord in the New Testament role of deacon.

My First Deacon

The first church I “pastored” was a very small rural church in Locker, TX. It had a congregation of about 10 and was set on the edge of a cow pasture that once was a thriving town. They believed their mission was to keep the doors open so that young “preacher boys” would have place to “cut their teeth” in the ministry. It was the one ordained deacon that provided steady leadership for that church. I will forever be grateful for their love and support. It was while serving this church that our first daughter was born. They showed love and compassion that went way beyond their size.

Deacon Jokes

Growing up in the church, it seems that deacons were often the brunt of jokes from various corners. I have even been guilty of a few “deacon jokes” myself (not that they haven’t thrown out a few “pastor jokes” along the way). I have also known ministers who considered the deacon body to be their adversaries in the church. One pastor told me years ago that he started the church and he didn’t want deacons because they “would get in the way.”  I had been warned that the deacons would want to “run the church.”  I have never found this to be the case. In fact, my experience has been much the opposite.

Faithful Servants

In both FBC May and FBC Watauga, I have been overwhelmingly blessed by the deacon body. These guys have been my prayer warriors and support. It is usually among the deacons that I find my best friends in the church. It is usually the deacons who are my first line of help in the ministry. In May FBC, I was challenged to share the Gospel with boldness by the example of a Baptist deacon (thank you Troy). I was taught how to lead people by another (thank you Don).

In Watauga, it has been the deacon body that leads out in visiting prospects and sharing the gospel. They serve and encourage families that have been assigned them for ministry. They lead by example when they chauffer the elderly and visit the hospitals. In both churches, the deacons have been Godly men who loved the Lord, loved the church and worked hard to serve the church and their pastor.

Simply Human

Neither deacons nor ministers are perfect. We all sin and will all make mistakes. But I am confident that these “ordained men” of the church will continue to seek and serve our Lord alongside me. Every day for most of the past 28 years, my family has been blessed in some way by the ministry and service of Baptist deacons. Though we might not always agree, I am continually reminded that we are “on the same side.” We serve the same Lord and seek to see Him rule over the church. We are all servants in a spiritual body where there is only one head – Jesus the Lord.

Serving Together in Christ

Through every struggle, the deacons of the church have been like a “band of brothers” for me as we serve the Lord together. Though we are just men and we won’t always agree, with Jesus as our solid foundation, we will press on to accomplish His kingdom purposes. I recently wrote a tribute to one of these men on this blog site. Those reflections provide a wonderful reminder of the lasting bonds that are created as we serve the Lord together.

Most of this blog was originally posted as a note on Facebook in 2011. I have revised and updated it for this format.