Uncle Bob.

 

We all have that one uncle. The one we adore, and treats you like royalty. That is Bob Russell for a lot of preachers. He's been at Southeast Christian for years and retired. I think one of the best things he's done wasn't preach, nor teach (though he's great at those things) but was after his ministry at Southeast to pour into ministers. 

Bob has become an uncle to a lot of preachers. He has mentored, supported, travelled all over to encourage, equip, and send out Kingdom workers. He loves the church, God's people and most importantly his family. One of the best compliments I got from Bob was "You remind me of my Dad." Basically rough background, but  overcame and loved God. I'll take that any day. 

I recently reconnected with Bob at a seminar called "Art of the Sermon." We had a brief conversation on which he talked about his home church, one of the ministers we both knew: Jerry Yorks. It was with fondness that we looked back at how people handled rough times and God uses it for his good.  

I wonder though as people look to Bob Russell for wisdom, who will be the next Uncle to our church leaders? Then I got thinking  we already got that person. It is who Bob and other preachers been talking about, preaching and teaching about: Jesus. As much as I love Bob Russell and his influence, I love the God and Jesus whom we both serve more. And I think that's the way Uncle Bob likes it.

Self Care Covenant

 Covenant for self-care. Here are some suggestions for self-care for those in ministry:

1. I will keep, as a regular practice, the following spiritual disciplines (beyond sermon and teaching preparation. List at least 2.

2.  I will regularly set time aside for family meals (at least weekly) and family activities (monthly).

3. I will take regularly scheduled days off and set a standard for vacation (time away).

4. I will pursue Continuing Education by scheduling seminars, conventions, conference at least one a year.

5. I will work towards maintaining my health with guidelines outlines by my practicing physician. Taking medications, exercise, eating healthy, sleep habits.etc. Briefly describe exercise program:

6. I will maintain close relationships with the following people (Family, friends) and whom I can go to in times of stress.

7. I will maintain my administrative life through the establishment of legal documents and the appropriate circumstances of such. eg. personal will, power of attorney, living will, Make known to where documents be found to 2 individuals.

8. I will have a checkup on my spiritual, emotional, (Through counselor/therapist), financial, and relationship/ social  (marriage/family) health.

9.  I will have a peer group in which to confide and learn from for accountability.

Other suggestions? Thoughts?

Christmas

One of my favourite Christmas movies is A Christmas Story. So much so is that I own the Leg lamp (Yes, that leg lamp) and went to where the movie was filmed for vacation one year. "You'll shoot your eye out kid."

There is so much going on during Christmas time. For me a year ago we were getting ready to spend a few days away in New York City for New Year's Eve. This past year has been a whirlwind. 

It was a year of transition. Valerie from her job. Brian graduated High school and is now at VCU. Nicole is in her apartment at Virginia Tech and Kendra is working at Panera. As for me, I'm still Mr.G at ACA helping out and in the midst of ministry. The church has had its Ups and Downs.  We've had some people come and others go in our transition year and trying to reach others. A small church trying to make a difference. One of the greatest Joys is that the church is making a difference one life at a time. We've had a few baptisms and visitors come. This next year I see some great things are ahead as we have laid a good foundation on which to build upon. May you who need Jesus embrace Him.

 

Great Churches

We frequently hear about or read about great churches. So what makes a great church?

Here are some observations about great churches:

1. One that never thinks itself in the terms of greatness. One of the Lord's teachings is that the great ones are those who serve, not there for stardom in the kingdom.

2. A Church that abides in the truth. A great church is not drawn into "Spiritual highs". Truth is the fountain of freedom in Christ from which the church freely drinks.

3. A great church preaches the only message God ever commissioned any church preach, the gospel of Christ. It is the power of the gospel to preach in season and out.

4. A church that is doing the works given by the Head of the Church. It cares for the poor, the orphan, the widow, the lonely, and the lost sheep. These occupy the mind and soul. Builds and grounds are viewed as tools of service, never ends within themselves.

5. A great church is a loving church. They will know you are Jesus' disciples by your love for one another. Size only compounds the love, doesn't determine. The golden rule and greatest commandment apply.

6. A knowledgeable church. It is not just knowing the word of God but the author of the Word. It is easy to know facts and figures but to put the Word into practice.

7. It is not tied to customs or traditions. It will not ignore the values found in traditions and customs But always be willing to become all things to all men for the gospel's sake.

Only God can build a Great Church. No church can ever become great without God in it. We all have to be willing to give God the glory and work for Him.

 

He Was ...

 He was a Dreamer ....

raised in the Restoration Movement, tempered in the school of Hard knocks, trained in the school of work ethics, graduated in the school of common sense, believed in the school of Christ, buried in the school of Spiritual Revival, raised in the school of Immersion, humbled by the school of Jesus' feet, hailed in the school of self-sacrifice, survived in the school of the Blessed. All this to be called a Follower of Christ.

The Critic

 

The Critic

anonymous

A little seed lay on the ground
And soon began to sprout.
"Now, which of all the flowers around,"
It mused, "shall I come out?
The lily's face is fair and proud,
But just a trifle cold.
The rose, I think, is rather loud,
And then, its fashions old.
The violet is all very well,
But not a flower I'd choose;
Nor yet the Canterbury bell —
I never cared for blues."
And so it criticized each flower,
This supercilious seed,
Until it woke one summer morn,
And found itself — a weed.

Combating Generalizations of Preachers/ Pastors

 Preachers sometimes have a bad reputation in society. Another scandal, another stereotype, another falling short of expectations. There is even a discussion on physical stereotypes of ministers: skinny jeans, polo shirts, and sometimes out of shape white males.

I thought I'd take a few minutes to bring up generalizations I often hear about a preachers' character and work traits. Here are the expressions of angst and some reasons behind the generalizations I often hear for the dislike of those in ministry work.

1. The often come off as knowing it all, they've been there and done that and think they can change the church overnight. Very prideful, and Big heads, unapproachable.

2.  They're always out for your wallet. All they want is your money and to get rich. Bigger is better. Thus the more $$ the more they look good.

3. They lack personal and unbalanced work skills. Extremes - either too lazy (work only one hour a week) or overwork but never take a day off and neglect their family.

4. They tend to be program centered. They focus on the next BIG thing, the next Big Event, Try to get people to come to them. What you win them to is what you have to keep them with.

5. They have poor conflict resolution skills. They try to avoid the conflict.

6. They spend too much time talking about ministry, but are they actually doing it? Oh, pastors like to talk, and get feathers in their cap, but what are they actually doing? 

7. Their EGO. (See #1) I hear comparing of churches. so what size is your church? How many did you have on Sunday? How many staff members? etc. It becomes a competition, rather than partnership.

8. Lack of planning. Accountability, stewardship, Vision, mission, etc. come to mind but also so does the everyday. Sermon series, plans etc.

I hope this doesn't come across as I dislike those in the ministry. I am in the trenches. The reasons above are just a drop in the bucket of what I've seen and heard. There are great many preachers and teachers of God's Word out there who have dealt with these criticisms in their lives and go above and beyond the Call. I really do love Preachers, but the generalizations like the above give the ministry a bad reputation, let's try to do better. Who's with me?