How To Care For Your Pastor

Last night I finished reading one of my latest acquisitions, "How To Care For Your Pastor: A Guide For Small Churches" by Kent Philpott. Kent has been a pastor for over 40 years and has seen a lot of things in his time. He has seen the ups and the downs of pastoring small churches and has much great advice for congregations who care about their pastor and his mental, physical and spiritual health.

The book is pretty small (5x8" footprint) and its 120 pages are broken up into 16 chapters. It was published in 2008 by Evangelical Press (who I am not familiar with). I was quite pleased to see that Kent used the English Standard Version (ESV) when quoting Scripture.

While the book does start off a little slow, it picks up the pace as you read on. I read the book in 4 sittings but read the last 10 chapters in one sitting! While the earlier chapters are pretty much the cut and dried stuff most of us have already read (the pastor is a sinful human being like the rest of us and not some kind of superhero, etc.), the last half of the book is just great at relating the triumphs and struggles of being a pastor. Kent tells many stories about the failings of both he and his congregation and how all of God's people must be willing to learn and forgive. He provides many details of his own life while not going into particulars that might make some uncomfortable.

Chapter one starts off by pulling no punches in proclaiming that the pastor's job is to teach and to preach. And it's the congregation's job to help him get this done. For pastor's who teach Biblical truth, these actions can have repercussions to those who would rather believe their own theology over that of God's Word. Preaching the truth that Christ is the only way of salvation and that the duty of His disciples requires discipline and sacrifice is bound to win you some enemies. And Kent is eager to talk about not only having Satan as an enemy but also those who work with him to oppose the truth. Persecution is a definite possibility for both the pastor and those who support him.

Chapter two is pretty straight forward in trying to convey to the masses that the pastor is just a man and not some kind of perfected saint who is constantly surrounded by angels and an invisible, impenetrable spiritual force field. Chapter three is a good follow-on in that it explains that pastors are a work in progress like the rest of us. He explains how pastors grow emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and theologically. Chapter four follows by explaining how new believers mistake the pastor for a super-Christian and when reality sets in, it can come as quite a shock that they are not the perfect representation of mankind!

Chapter five begins to forge into new ground as Kent relates how pastors, according to God's Word are to receive double honor (1Ti 5:17) and are due respect and support. But after reading the last few chapters, some may be hard pressed to do so but since God is our source of truth, this must be done without thinking and it is not something that must be earned.

Chapter six talks about how pastors of small churches are busy people (since they must usually hold down several positions within the church) but if he is supported by the congregation, he will always have time for those who truly need him. Chapter seven goes along with this theme in stating that the pastor is not the only minister in the church. A mature congregation will understand their need to bear the burdens of church work, using their time, energy and spiritual gifts to make it run as it should. Chapter eight discusses the many roles the pastor must fulfill and this extends beyond the church doors out into the community which is an area few people in the church fully understand for the time and effort it takes.

Chapter nine relates the struggles the pastor will face battling the world, the devil and, unfortunately, even wolves within the congregation itself. Pastors need our prayers, our comforting and our support. Chapter ten reminds us not to forget the pastor's family and all they must endure with having to share their husband and father with the church all while standing in the spotlight themselves. But Kent makes it very clear that God comes first, the pastor's family is second and the church gets third place.

Chapter eleven talks about a difficult subject; seasons of life which leave us "spiritually bankrupt." And pastors are no exception. Many pastors can hide this well but those who are close to him should be able to detect subtle signs and provide help accordingly. What is needed most often is simply understanding, caring, discussion and patience.

Chapters twelve and thirteen delve into the areas of leadership and failure. As Kent puts it, "Failing is not the problem; failing to lead is the problem." The body must give the pastor freedom to lead and, as we have all experienced, failure is sometimes a result but it is not a reason to give up and give in. He also talks about failure in ministry, becoming "burned-out" and
even failure so total that, gulp, the pastor resigns from the ministry.

Chapter fourteen addresses monetary needs of the pastor and his family. While they do not need to live in the lap of luxury, the don't need to live like paupers either. Too many times Kent has seen those who feel the pastor should have to scrape by on bread crusts and, many times, get a second job, a secular one, just to keep his family housed and fed. But the Bible makes it clear that the body is to pay the pastor wages and we are therefor the ones to blame when financial burdens put an undue strain on the pastor and, as a result, his ministry.

Chapter fifteen is unusual in that it addresses the issue of anger. As established in the first few chapters, pastors are people too. They will lose it sometimes and if they do, we are responsible for loving him, forgiving him and reconciling him back into the ministry (obviously depending on how far off the handle he flew! ;-)

Chapter sixteen is a wonderful closing to this book and a counter point to the previous chapter in that he explains the joy of doing his job. He explains why he finds his work so much fun and if it wasn't, he wouldn't have made it through the trials. In a roundabout way, what I think he's trying to say is if the pastor ain't happy, ain't no one happy!

Overall I have to say that I enjoyed this book and the brief glimpse it gave into the life of a man who has filled the role of pastor for many years. Even if it is only a 30,000 foot view, it is a start and more of us in the body would do well to read something like this every now and then to make sure that he who shepherds us is looked after as well.

Kent also wrote a book back in 2000 titled "For Pastors ... Of Small Churches" which is what prompted him to write this book. He has also written a few other titles, a few of which I will want to look into further: "Are You Really Born Again?: Understanding True and False Conversion", "Why I Am A Christian" and "Are You Being Duped?".

I will leave you now by closing with two tidbits contained in the Afterward:

It is not my desire to have churches develop plans to facilitate ministry to pastors, but rather to help individuals within churches understand the nature of the pastoral ministry and then, in whatever means suitable and appropriate, put the caring into practice on an individual basis.

My view has been that a book like this was needed because it is not always evident to many in the congregation that they are to love and care for pastors. I did not want this point to trump or overshadow the mutuality of loving and caring in the Body of Christ.

Grace & Mercy

I continue to be amazed on a daily basis by God's grace and mercy. And I pray that this will always be the case. Two news articles, one yesterday and the other today, got me to thinking about this and, unfortunately, how shallow and caught up in my own world I can get at times. How far I have yet to go in being anything even remotely resembling Christ. And there I am once again, thanking God for His grace and mercy in the form of His patience. I have every reason to be gracious and merciful yet rarely am, yet He always is and has no reason to be toward me, the rebel and sinner.

I see so much brokenness, pain, suffering and misery in the world and I know why because I believe in God's Word and His explanation of the fallen nature of mankind and the universe we inhabit. So much I take for granted and then I read another headline, or hear about family or friends who are going through a trial. It is sad that it takes such things, or even drastic events in our own life, to make us appreciate what He has given us out of His loving kindness and grace. I deserve nothing that I have in life. I deserve the death penalty and eternal punishment for sinning against an eternally holy and righteous God.

But thank GOD for the cross! In what is surely the most miraculous event in history, the God of the universe stuffed Himself into a mortal body and lived as one of us. Knowing full well what awaited Him in persecution and suffering, not only from man but from the Father as well, He came anyway and gave up all He had to redeem us. Why would He do that? I don't think I shall ever know or even understand this either now or in eternity. But I do know it is real, I have experienced it and He has changed me for all time. Thank you, Lord Jesus! I shall never be able to thank You enough.

Thank You for my beautiful wife whose patience and love are only second to Your own. Her love for You makes we want to be a better husband, father, friend and servant. Thank You for my precious children who invoke in me feelings and wishes for them I had never thought could be possible. May the day come soon when they will repent and trust in You so that they may know the blessings and assurance that only You can give. Thank You for godly in-laws who have given me great encouragement over the years with their service in Your honor. May they continue to be a beacon of light and hope serving You by serving others.

Thank You for my church home that has, even after a short time, already provided me with an abundance of blessings. May I never hesitate in giving back to them that which I have to give (which, again, is all thanks to You). Thank You for the many brothers and sisters in Christ I have been blessed with throughout the years, who have helped me see You in different ways and stretched me to see more of You and life than my own myopic viewpoints. The list, it seems, could go on forever. One day it will, when we stand before Him in the bliss of His presence and enjoy Him forever.Everything old will truly pass away and this life, the blink of an eye it is, will seem so pale in comparison to His glory in person and the rewards He will bestow upon us.

If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please, take a few minutes to get alone before Him and truly meditate on Him and all He has done for you over the years. Confess all of your sins no matter how new or old, let the blood of Christ cleanse you of all unrighteousness, enjoy the forgiveness that only He can grant and then spend time before Him in thankful prayer. Lift Him up in gracious adoration, thank Him for all that He is, all He has done for You and tell Him how much you look forward to being in His presence one day; even if you are like me and have a hard time of understanding exactly what that will be like. But it WILL be good and glorious because that is all that He is. It is all He has ever been and ever will be.

Soli Deo Gloria! To God alone be all glory, honor and praise. Forever and ever.

Chick-fil-A Owner Doesn't Press Charges
(Be truthful, could you be this gracious and merciful?)

Should You Pass On Bad Reports?
(Talk about shining the light of conviction into the depths of your soul!)

Fireproof

No, this entry will not be a topic for parents to help them prevent their children from burning down the homestead. What I'll be chatting about is the upcoming movie from the makers of Facing the Giants. This is a Christian film with a Christian message and one that is so needed in today's dark society where marriage (the main topic of this movie) is treated like nothing more than a fond friendship that's picked up and put down with little thought.

I originally heard about this movie back in November of '07 when I reported it on my News Headline site. I was very excited given what the directors, producers and screenwriters were talking about back then. And I'm even MORE excited now after learning more, watching the trailer and listening to interviews of the main star, Kirk Cameron (I will dedicate future posts to Kirk regarding his salvation, his wife and family, their involvement in Camp Firefly, his involvement in The Way of the Master evangelism, TV show and radio program, as well as his recent autobiography which I finished a few weeks ago). I mean, I loved Facing the Giants and although it was a bit "corny" in places, it had a very good story and was suitable for the entire family. How often does that come along?

And while the budget for Facing the Giants was limited to $100K, Fireproof is much better looking and has a more professional polish since they had a budget of $500K! The movie has been show several times to select audiences and it started with a screening at the SBC Pastor's Convention this past June. They actually started this convention a half-day early so that they could watch the film, then get together to discuss how they could support it in their churches!

At the helm of the project are the Kendrick brothers, Alex and Stephen. When asked why they were doing this movie, they replied:

"The foundation of marriage has been attacked, devalued and redefined by many in our culture," he said. "It is our desire to tell a story that would allow the audience to relate to common marital issues, and then to take them down a path toward understanding principles for unconditioned love through the roles of husband and wife. Our hope would be that after viewing the film, couples and singles hoping to marry would be challenged and exhorted to pursue God-honoring relationships that reinforce the foundations of marriage in light of a relationship with Jesus Christ. We want people to realize that fireproof does not mean the absence of fire, but the ability to withstand it."

As far as support from the religious sphere, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Focus on the Family and FamilyLife are backing the film and urging people to go see it.

One little tidbit I found funny when listening to an interview with Kirk about the film and which he also discusses in his autobiography regards a scene near the end of the movie. In this scene he and his movie wife are to share a passionate kiss but Kirk admitted to the Kendrick brothers that he simply could not do this. The solution? They flew in Kirk's real wife, put a wig on her to make her look more like the movie wife and dimmed the lights so they could film the scene using Kirk and his real wife! Gotta love a man of integrity and faithfulness!

Here are a few older articles that give some background info:

Kirk Cameron Joins Movie-Making Church for 3rd Film

'Giants' Makers Working On New Movie

Here are the articles that came out at the SBC Pastor's Convention:

Pastors' Conference: Prepare For Revival

'Fireproof' Set To Be 'Giant' In Theaters

Here are a set of the most recent articles put out by the Baptist Press:

Makers Of 'Facing The Giants' Tackle Marriage In 'Fireproof'

'Fireproof' Offers Churches Unique Chance

Kendrick Brothers On Track For Another Hit

Volunteers Called Backbone Of 'Fireproof'

Here are two reviews:

'Fireproof' A Big League Film

Tim Challies

Last but not least are the two official movie websites. The first is where you'll find a very good trailer (large size, great audio) and the second, according to the makers, "provides information about marriage-strengthening resources scheduled to be released simultaneously with the Fireproof DVD in January 2009."

Fireproof movie website

Fireproof My Marriage website

So, please, spend some time reading these articles, watch the trailer to get a glimpse of what's in store and then start talking to everyone you know! As one person associated with the film put it:

"The opening weekend is the key and is so critical," Catt said. "Unfortunately, we live in a society with movies where it's market driven and box-office driven. Sept. 26 is huge. That opening weekend determines how it spreads. We had a great opening weekend with Facing the Giants, and so it spread to other cities. We started in 400 theaters and ended up in over 1,000, and a lot of that was based on what happened the first weekend, because it let people know this is a legitimate film. The key to that was churches, the key to that was pastors standing up in their pulpits and saying, 'We gripe about Hollywood. Here's something positive. It's a film we can go to and support.'"

Get your pastor, elders, deacons, church family, friends and coworkers excited about this movie. Pass along some links and have them view the trailer. Then think about spending some time in prayer for God to be glorified through this and help those lost in darkness either directly through the film, its web site or by using us as we take the plunge to talk about this movie and why it's so important to bring our faith in God to the table.

Two Headlines

In my headline scrounging today, two stuck out especially so.

The first gives us an idea of how fast we are falling in regards to the sanctity of life and where it's likely to go in the next decade or two:

Oregon Offers Terminal Patients Doctor-Assisted Suicide Instead of Medical Care

And no, it is not April Fool's nor is this some type of urban legend. A similar headline came out of Oregon about a month ago and this makes things even more grave. This is here, today, in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We must hang our heads in shame.

What immediately came to my mind was this passage from Proverbs 8:

"And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death." [Pro 8:32-36 ESV]

The second article is also a great source of pride for all of us North Carolinians. Nothing like the State putting our hard-earned tax dollars to good use:

No. Carolina Funds Movie With Child Rape Scene

Make sure you read the entire article to understand this isn't the first time NC has funded such wholesome family entertainment.

This movie made all the Christian headlines a while back when it was learned that Dakota was doing these scenes herself (not using an older "stunt" double) and neither she nor her parents had any problem with it. All in the name of "artistic expression." And I would have to imagine that these parents also wouldn't mind allowing Dakota see another recent film from the Sundance Film Festival which celebrates bestiality in an effort to promote sympathy about the real life struggles of a man who loved his horse (I kid you not).

What will it take for God's people to stand up and speak the truth? How long are we willing to just sit on the sidelines with our heads buried in the sand, hoping that perverse and dark things won't effect our little part of the country? What good and righteous things will be around for our children and their children to enjoy? It is time for God's people to be doers of His Word and not just hearers only. We need to be reading and meditating on His Word daily, putting it into practice, giving a reason for the hope that lies within, preaching, teaching and defending the one and only truth which can change people's lives and thereby alter the course of a nation. And we need to do it simply because we were created by Him to fulfill our chief duty in life which is to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.

America, America, God shed His light on thee...

Free Book

OK, here's one for all you cheapskates out there. It's an easy way to land a coupon to get John MacArthur's next devotional book for free! It will be available in September and is titled "Daily Readings from the Life of Christ."

Free Book Offer!

Many thanks to Tim Challies for making this offer known!

What's America's Idol?

No, I'm not talking about the Fox TV show. I'm talking about the idol that most of America has come to worship instead of the one, true God. Some recent articles I came across for my news headline web site help to bring this issue into focus:

Economy's Stuck, But Business Is Booming At Therapists' Offices

Woman Kills Herself Before Foreclosure

Foreclosures' Financial Strains Take Toll On Kids

And, of course, the solution is never a return to the God of the Bible which can help us put this life into perspective, but it's always a fix created by mankind itself. Somehow our evolved intelligence continues to think that since we got ourselves into this, we should be able to get ourselves out of it. A mad hamster running on the treadmill of life and getting nowhere fast (except maybe to exhaustion and hopelessness).

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. " [Mt 6:24 ESV]

That's where we, the true followers of Christ and partakers of God's kingdom on Earth, need to step in.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. [Ecc 12:13 ESV]

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." [Mt 5:14-16 ESV]

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants R14 for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [2Co 4:5-6 ESV]

The more I think about it, the more I have come to agree with many commentators on today's life in America and what we like to call Christianity. We are, by far, the richest nation in the world. And this immediately brings to mind Jesus' warning:

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." [Mt 19:23-24 ESV]

Thoughts?

Obama, Obama He's [Not] Our Man!

My third post and I'm already stirring up controversy! I would have to say in my defense that I would consider this more of being a dutiful watchman on the wall than trying to stir up trouble.

Keeping up with all of the daily news for my Christian news web site, I get to see just about everything that's going on in the world. And you'd have to be pretty daft not to know what's going on now that we're in full swing for the upcoming presidential elections.

In one corner is the Democratic Obama and in the other, the Republican McCain. Where's Huckabee when you need him?

Now, I surely don't cast my vote for the next President based on how good a Christian they are. If I did that then I likely wouldn't be able to vote for any of them. There are many skills and attributes that need to be weighed before a decision can be made. But seeing as how one of the candidates is trying to pass himself off as a devout Christian who also happens to be Biblically illiterate, this gives me reason to pause (the little clues are how he has managed to mangle Scripture the few times he's dared to quote it and his attitude that all "moral" people will be allowed into heaven regardless of whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist). What I see is a man who is SEVERELY lacking in morale character when it comes to things which I think true Christians should be paying attention to. Then I have a good idea of who I will NOT be voting for rather than who I will be.

Searching through the press articles I've archived over the past year, Mr. Obama has made it VERY CLEAR that he is 100% for abortion, he's FULLY behind the GLBT movement, he REFUSES to defend marriage as being between one man and one woman and, like his former Democratic opposition Mrs. Clinton, has LITTLE REGARD for the sanctity of life.

Here is a man who, under the guise of "defending a woman's reproductive rights" is proud to have been given a 100% rating by NARAL:

"I was proud to get Planned Parenthood's endorsement [July 9], but I have to say that when you look who's got a 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood, and you've got another candidate [McCain] with a zero percent rating from Planned Parenthood, then it's not really a nail-biter [in deciding whom to support]," he said to laughter.

Not only has he voted against a ban on partial-birth abortion multiple times, he's also shown his true depravity by actively opposing the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act. This was to be a little piece of legislation which would help babies who manage to survive a botched abortion and are born alive. But instead of treating such babies and rushing them to a hospital for emergency care, they are simply thrown into garbage buckets to die of exposure or are left to drown in toilets. How sweet. Thank you for showing us your true colors, Mr. Obama. May the one true God of creation have mercy on your eternal soul.

This is also the man who has said that if one of his daughters were to get "accidentally" pregnant, he would want them to have the option of "terminating the pregnancy" instead of "being punished with a baby." Now there's a father figure and male role model. Don't punish a girl, just take a life instead. Besides, it's just a piece of tissue.

Mr. Obama is also very chummy with the homosexual movement. He actively supports homosexuality and has promised to pass pro-homosexual legislation if elected.

What follows are just a few of the articles I've compiled which help to display Mr. Obama's "Christian" character for all to see. Please, take some time to educate yourself on his positions. Then spend some time in prayer to see if this man has the type of character you want to be running and representing the United States of America.

Obama Tells Group He'll 'Never Back Down' In His Support Of Legal Abortion

Barack Obama: Fact vs. Rhetoric on Abortion

Obama Makes Promise To Planned Parenthood

Faith Group Condemns Obama For 'Punished With A Baby' Quote

The Audacity Of Death

Obama Promises 'Gays' 'Strongest Possible Bill'

Obama: If Elected I Will Use The Bully Pulpit For Gay Community

Obama's Statement On Pride 2008!

Obama Tells Debate Audience He Regrets Schiavo Vote

Obama Calls Vote To Help Terri Schiavo Biggest Mistake

Obama To Say Iraq War Is Dangerous Distraction

Michelle Obama's Insult To Stay-at-Home Moms

If you have a half-hour to listen to an archived radio broadcast on the web, please take the time to listen to Dr. Dobson and Dr. R. Albert Mohler (one of my modern-day heroes) talk about Obama (mostly) and McCain on a recent episode of Dobson's radio program, Focus on the Family Action.

What will America be if Obama gets elected? An Obamanation. Funny and terribly sad all at the same time.

UPDATE: Just ran across this article which fits right into my theme.