Article
The following quote bothers me:
"When a pastor becomes a pastor, essentially he becomes a pastor for people who like him and agree with him and subscribe to what he teaches," he said. "When a person becomes a president, he's the president of people who agree with him and don't agree with him. I think the net has to be a little wider."
Why? It is wrong. It is almost saying what Timothy tells us about tickling people's ears.
When a preacher become a preacher, essentially he becomes a spokesperson for God and speaks and teaches what God says in His Word. The problem is that the president has to appease to get elected. Thus he has to not be "Christian" essentially at all.
Why didn't the author or those being quoted just phrase it like that?
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Pastors and Presidential Candidates!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Racism, the Church and You
interesting article
Question - why is Sunday Morning considered sometimes the most segregated hour of the week?
Why I'm a Restoration Movement Minister!
I'm part of the Restoration Movement
It
has been a part of my heritage.
I went to a Christian Church
growing up.
My preacher Terry Tanner
was a great man of God - who influenced me.
My Alma Mater
was RM in and out!
And I like its plea
though some would disagree with the issue of baptism.
I believe we are save by grace, through faith, (We confess, repent), in baptism, unto good works.
And of course some of the best authors I've read out there go by the names:
Jack Cottrell, Denver Sizemore, Don DeWelt, Mark Moore (I do like Jeff Walling too)
Speakers: Bennett, Bousman, I always liked David and Ronnie Jones.
In my first ministry in Ohio, I never forgot meeting Clarence Mansfield and Ben Merold. Great mentors.
When I was in Indianapolis - it seemed all the churches were too busy and not alot going on ....except for the wisdom I gained from my friend, Guthrie Veech.
I moved to Virginia and well lots of great preachers all around there. Those preacher meetings were ones were they treated me with respect and I admired these guys being in ministry and what they were doing for the Kingdom.
In North Carolina - there was times where I felt alone - but God was there and still alot of influence from RM preachers like Phil Curry and gaining insight from the guys from the triangle and triad area.
I believe I'm RM because I believe in its tenants and its plea. We are to be people of the Word.
That's all I want to do is people to say of me: Gerrard was a follower of the Word.
My Rant: Candidating.
Mind if I rant for a minute or two?
I'm in a tough spot. Some discrimination going on. People think I'm either too old to be a youth minister or too young to be a senior minister or not enough experience.
One guy even after I just asked a question and not even a potential candidate said to me: Better polish up that resume and because I didn't have Senior Minister experience of 5yrs in a church their size (They were only 200) or saw some holes which I filled in. But basically it was God shutting that door.
The issue still remains and got me thinking.
I'm in my late 30s.
Jesus was only 33 and didn't have 5 yrs ministry plus experience (Then again He was God's Son) would churches hire him?
The Apostle Paul didn't stay in one place very long.
The Apostles when they started their ministries were very young.
And well candidating takes a long time and well that's one thing I don't have.
I thought a potential church was almost a go. Even felt good about the face to face interview and everything. And well God shuts another door.
It sure has been faith stretching.
I'm thinking about the transition and boy does it look scarey for me and my family. Prayers appreciated. Any ministry leads - let me know - let alone Job leads!
This step of faith stuff sure isn't easy!
Ways Baseball Can get past the Steroids Scandal
I've been a casual baseball fan. Think the kid from the movie, Sandlot. I've heard the Big names growing up. Toronto just became an expansion team. I followed the Expos (Now Nationals) and remember the Kansas City Royals and still have my Mr. October (Reggie Jackson) baseball card.
While in college, my team (The Jays) won back to back championships. Then the whole lockout, homerun chase and now the whole investigation into steriods and well anyone else remember Darryl Strawberry?
As Ken Griffey, Jr
is nearing 600 homeruns - everyone is silent.
Sure there is getting past some of the ** next to possible steriod use and even the whole what to do with Barry Bonds issue.
Now here is what MLB can do to help not only gain support of the fans but to forget the past scandals.
Oh, there is the whole Evil Empirse
But if MLB
really wanted to move on from these recent scandals ...they would need to just do one thing within their own power to bring integrity and respect and grace and forgiveness back to the game.
Want to know what it is?
Extend - grace and mercy and forgiveness with boundaries and unbann the banned players.
That's right. Those that have been banned from Baseball can be brought back in.
Induct Pete Rose
into the Hall of Fame. Don't just do it as a class but in a special ceremony.
Make it your own idea. Pete
deserves it.
The fans deserve it.
It would be a great way to get past the whole recent steriod scandals and to celebrate the past to move on to the future.
What do you think?
Octopus Tradition Banned - How Rude!
Story
SAD!! Like a famous Queen once said "Let them eat cake .." I'm saying let them swing the octupus!
The Snorks
For some reason I've got this song stuck in my head ..now its in yours.
Kids love this show and the Smurfs!
Friday, May 23, 2008
So the Year Round Debate continues
Back and Forth
Not to mention the waste of money mailing letters. Though they could just email or send the letters home with the kids instead of mailing them. Probably never thought of that option!
Churches Joining the FREE Gas giveaway
And no it isn't that type of Gas.(I can picture the Middle school jokes now)
Story
A church decides to giveaway over $10000 worth of gas etc.
So question is: Is this a good marketing gimmick? Good stewardship?
Would Jesus give away FREE Gas?
Thoughts?
Top 10 DOs & DON'Ts for a Missions Trip.
Top 10 DOs for a Missions Trip.
1. Do take it seriously.
2. Do make the trip worth taking.
3. Do take students that are ready. There is nothing like spoiling a missions trip by having a student there that doesn't want to be there.
4. Do have an application process. Screening and questioning why the want to go.
5. Do have team building together. Gets them prepared for the trip.
6. Do fundraising together.
7. Do your scheduling and when everything is to be done.
8. Do investigate the site and do some prep work before forming the team.
9. Have all the RIGHT paper work, applications, liability forms and passports together and deadline.
10. Do have alot of prayer time and effort both individually and as a group. Pray up and never Give Up!
Bonus: Do have Fun! Be yourself and try to make an impact on the Kingdom of God recognizing it is bigger than any one congregation.
Top 10 DON'Ts for a Missions Trip.
1. Don't treat your missions trip as Site sighting or Cruise. If you want a trip or to travel do it yourself. Missions Trips aren't the time or place or focus for such.
2. Don't waste or be invading of the missionary's work. You being there sometimes hinders the work being done. So try not to be in the way.
3. Don't send students unless they want to have a life change and want to impact the world.
4. Don't Go. Sometimes the best investment isn't spending all the $$$ to go on the missions trip but to invest and raise $$ for the mission and missionary themselves and sending good over to help them achieve what needs to be done. With rising gas prices and the extra fees for luggage and airport travel sometimes the mission can best served if you just send the funds.
5. Don't glorify. Sure the pictures are nice and we like to pat ourselves on the back and say what a wonderful job we did on such and such missions trip. We've seen the powerpoint presentations of look what our teens did (and they did do some good things). But problem is sometimes it glorifies and boosts egos rather than Glorifies God and saying "Look at what God did through us."
6. Don't pray! Sometimes we forget the power of prayer and investing in. We think the funding and the going and reaching people on this missions trip is impossible. Until we reach out in faith and pray - we won't see God work. So if you don't pray - don't expect great things.
7. Don't expect everything to work out! Emergencies happen. Be flexible. Not everything will come together as you would like. Plan to fail at times.
8. Don't be surprised at what God can do. Sometimes the best trips have been what God has done and not even regonizing it until later.
9. Don't use Missions organizations. Afterall who wants to be organized and have an organization that actually sweats the details for you? (I suggest this as a Do use mission Organizations: places like Missions Alive, CIY, Group Workcamps are great)
10. Don't take the trip lightly. Do take it seriously. It could be the one trip that helps your students decide they want to impact the Kingdom. Continue on missions and share and be the hands and feet of Jesus to others.
Others you would add?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
All the stats!
My resume was revised and looked at by at least 12 people.
I have one for ministry positions, one for secular, one long and one short version.
I've officially been out of the office for about 2 months.
Been gone from the church over 2 months. Almost 3months this June since I resigned.
I've searched and used for secular jobs: 12 different websites: Including career builder, monster, triangle help wanted idealist, and non-profit center.
I've used 10 different sites for ministry include: Cincy, jbc, crosslink. CCT, OCC and others.
I've made over 200 carbon copies of my resume.
I've been to about 5 Job Fairs.
I've had about 20+ interviews.
I've applied to probably 70+ ministry positions.
I've applied to over 200 positions for secular.
And out of those I've received .... less than 12 rejections via email or snail.
And have one or two possibilities.
I've done about 6 questions. Was a finalist for a church of 1500 but they went with another candidate. Had one church leader almost blast me ... (at Least I know I didn't want to go there) Done too many applications and just as I blogged about this out of the blue a church calls me about possibly applying for their Senior Minister position in MD.
And still on the journey where God would have me!
How about you?
Next step - House for sale?
A picture Share!
Me in a Super Hero mask from Group's superhero event and one day training about 8yrs ago I got the mask and found in the midst of supplies this week and put on and later gave to my son.
Outside of Penn State's stadium!
My Daughters are in the Class of 08!
Did you know they have preschool, Kindergarten, Five Grade (Going into Middle school) 8th Grade (Going into High School) and High School, College (Associate or Bachelors), Grad School graduations?
Man I'll run out of money or graduation cards pretty soon!
My daughter graduates tomorrow from preschool and another from K next week! How exciting!!
You have Poison!
Ah the famous words of the doctor yesterday!
Turns out I have Poison oak
Must of got it when I was in PA. Man that rash itches!!
And get this I'm allergic to most ointments for it so have to take medicine.
What a ride!
I miss Mike Yaconelli
He didn't take himself too seriously!!
I think he would just laugh at this picture.
Some words about him
My own tribute
Mike loved Jesus. What a ride!
Marko
Had a Caption contest on his blog for this Pic and All I can think of was the Words of Mike - "what a ride!" And boy what a ride has it been for him; ourselves and this faith we have called a journey.
I'm still experiencing it and still amazed at the things God is doing in my own life and in others.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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