The Journey

Seek First the Kingdom

For the last several days I have been thinking being a spiritual shepherd--a pastor leading people to actively and effectively pursuing the things that matter to God. Being a pastor is more than preaching a message on Sunday morning. Don't get me wrong, preaching is very important. Paul instructed Timothy to "preach the Word" (2 Timothy 4). However, a pastor not only instructs, he leads--he helps people follow Christ.

The great challenge of ministry is helping people take seriously the importance of seeking first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Too many people are becoming content in observing, spectating, and being an audience, rather than being a full participant in God's Kingdom. A couple of days ago someone asked this question (aimed at himself and the people of our church): "How much time do you devote in spiritual pursuits?" Implied in this question is this: if a person is just spending a couple of hours a week (during Sunday services) in seeking God, it is not enough. I think when people are not seeking God like they should, it affects our faith, our trust in God, our confidence that God heals, delivers, sets free, etc...

I believe the time is now for us to change and focus on what really matters: GOD!

Church and State

In the last month two issues have placed the Constitutional freedom of religion front and center. First, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanomously that the government violated a church's right to select or remove a minister. The second issue was a ruling by the President to force the Catholic Church to provide controceptives, even though this goes against Catholic teaching.

Over the years, as athiestic and secularistic groups have gained more influence and power, there as been the threat of the Government to place more limits on the right of religious freedom. These two issues illustrate that when government interests conflict with the people's right to worship, assemble, and proclaim, the government has no desire for self-restraint.

As a Christian and a pastor, I must, out of a matter of conviction, side against our government's desire to marginalize the church and religion. In otherwords, I am convinced that this government, when it is faced with a conflict concerning the church, it's commitment is: "Church, you lose!" God help us.

Vision and God's Word

I recently viewed on on-line "devotional" by a pastor who suggested that too many Christians are taking the Bible too seriously. He seemed to argue that Bible study gets in the way of having a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. I beg to differ.

It is the careful study of God's Word that will lead the follower of Christ into an authentic, God-honoring relationship. Our feelings and emotions can and will lead us astray unless we are guided by the precepts of Truth. God's word is truth. "Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18) As followers of Jesus Christ, we need to be committed to faithful study and obedient application of the Bible. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). The next verse gives us a strong word of caution: "But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene." In other words, let's keep our life and conversations aligned with Scripture.

Fan or a Follower

Over the last several months I have been praying over my congregation concerning authentic discipleship. My heart has been heavy concerning people struggling to be real in their relationship with God. I came across a quote from Kyle Idleman, in his book "Not a Fan." I believe it is more true than I have thought in the past:

"The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren't actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them."

A Church's New Year's Resolution

If a church was to make a New Year's resolution, what would it be? I thought about this question and compiled a list of seven resolutions--resolutions that every Christian should put into practice.

1. The church resolves to know and do God's Word. The Bible is the church's operating manual and by far the best church growth handbook.
2. The church resolves to be compassionate to the poor and hurting. If this was Jesus' passion, it should be ours as well. The church resolves to be the light in darkness.
3. Evangelism still needs to be a common practice of believers in Christ. The church resolves to genuinely worship God.
4. Too often the focus of our worship has been to entertain the saints rather than glorify the Lord of heaven and earth.
5. The church resolves to help people grow in maturity and faith. Are we making healthy disciples or are we focused on making people feel good about their sin?
6. The church resolves to pray, and pray, and pray. Are we seeking first His kingdom, or are we focused on building our own kingdom?
7. The church resolves to be the Bride of Christ: pure, holy, righteous, and ready for her Groom.