An SBC Pastor’s Joy…

I thought that after writing a somewhat scathing post, calling out our fellow SBC pastors to forsake their shallow approach to/philosophy of ministry, I thought that I would write of a joyous Sunday with our Mothers!

 

Last Sunday we recognized our Mothers and I took text from 1 Samuel  chapter 1 and preached on Hannah and her life as we know it from Scripture.  Here was my outline… Hannah’s Heartache (v.5); Hannah’s Humility (v.6-10); Hannah’s Honor (v.11-16); Hannah’s Hope (v.17); Hannah’s Happiness (v.18-20); Hannah Handlings (v.21-23); Hannah’s Homage (v.24-28)!  We had a great time and at the end of the service we had some very precious people present with us, our little ones.  Now we are a very small church, about 50-75 depending on the Sunday, weather, or what’s on TV, and about 95% retired!  But we had 6 kids that were dedicated to the Lord.  It was a great time and we presented the families with a gift (Voddie Baucham’s new book: Family Driven Faith) and then the shepherds of the Church came down and we prayed for the families!

 

The best part of the day, however, was that I was able to baptize my first professing believer!  Hold on to your hats readers…. She is a 66 year old woman!  That’s right!  After her inquiring about church membership, she and I met for counseling (as customary).   We talked for over an hour and I explained what true salvation is and what it means to follow in baptism.  After listening to her she confessed of her salvation when she had her heart surgery a few months ago.  We then talked about baptism.  Then on Mother’s Day I will never forget when we were waiting to walk in the water, I was fidgety and a little nervous, but I looked to the other side (were she was waiting) and saw her praying silently with tears running down her face as she was about to be baptized.  In that moment, I could only thank the Lord for such great joys…

 

An SBC Pastor who has had enough…

 

 

Please forgive me if my rantings are offensive.  My fed up, sick to the core, discussed heart is broken after the tireless dealings with my ‘so called’ fellow brothers, who are SBC Pastors!  Please, by all means……Stop it!!!! Stop giving me numbers to validate your ministry!  Stop telling my people that they need to build or remodel to grow!  Stop telling me that I need to have some special event to gather visitor so that we can show them that SBC churches are fun! Stop telling me that some churches are doomed, just because they don’t choose to have a dog and pony shows during the services!  Stop telling me that I should not worry with my inactive members and just pray for them because I wouldn’t want to cause trouble!  Stop telling me to preach shorter sermons!  Stop giving me advice that will only kill the ministry God gave me and snuff out the little fire my people have to love and serve the Lord.  Stop trying to help with your damming counsel that only kills, steals, and destroys…

 

…and instead why don’t you take time to get on your knees and pray with me, and challenge me to be faithful to the Word of God!  Help me by pointing me to men in the ministry who have gone through rough times in church & life, and yet, who have remained faithful to Christ and His ministry!  Show me how I can rightly divide the Word of God from the pulpit.  Show me how to usher into heaven, members that are dying with cancer.  Model for me a ministry that stands on the Gospel of Christ instead of the backbone of the World.  Show me what it is like to be a man of courage when I feel like a total faithless failure. 

 

Please my SBC Brothers, I pled with you… stop finding your answers to ministerial problems by going to the world, and then advising other pastors to do the same!  Go to the Bible and see what God says!!!!!!!!  It kills me, I mean it absolutely kills me how I am surrounded by older men in the ministry (some who have been in the ministry longer than I have been alive) and yet I am the old fashioned one, who holds that the Bible demands to be preached not just talked about as true!  Who longs to see quality in his people above quantity in our buildings.  Who believes that ministry ought to be by the Bible not by “that’s the way us Baptist do things.”  My people need God, not cokes and jokes!  They need to know the character and nature of God, and love Him for who He is, not for who they think He ought to be!

 

“O God send an awaking to our hearts…I beg you!  Please don’t give us what we deserve.  Continue to make Yourself known!  Help me not to grow impatient with shallow, weak-minded brothers.  They are deceived and I am no better.  I am just as shallow and weak-minded in my own way… yet my heart breaks as others make Your ministry superficial.  We want Your ministry done Your way, for Your Glory… this I pray.  Amen!”

 

Questions for Ministers, Of Self-Denial, Humility, Mortification, and Patience (5-8)

OF SELF-DENIAL, HUMILITY, MORTIFICATION, AND PATIENCE; 5-8

5. Do I, as a man of God, whose business is heavenly, flee from covetousness and the inordinate desire of gain; not seeking my own things so much as the things of Christ? 1 Tim. 6.10,11. But having food and raiment, have I learned therewith to be content? 1 Tim. 6.8.

6. Am I willing ‘to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ?’ 2 Tim. 2.3. and am I learning to bear whatsoever God calls me to, ‘for the sake of the elect, that they may obtain salvation with eternal glory?’ 2 Tim.2.3. 10.

7. Am I more and more fortified against shame and suffering for the testimony of my Lord Jesus Christ? 2 Tim. 1.8-12.

8. Am I willing ‘to spend myself and to be spent for the good of the people, or even to be offered up, as a sacrifice for the service of their faith? and do I count nothing dear to me, that I may fulfil the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus?’ Phil. 2.17.2 Cor. 12.15. Acts 20.24.

 

Grand Canyon, A different view - by: Tom Vail

Grand Canyon, a different view was written and compiled by a canyon river tour guide by the name of Tom Vail.  He is the Canyon Ministries group leader for seasonal tours.  Canyon Ministries is a Christ-center ministry that affirms the Scripture’s teaching of a six day creation (i.e. a young earth view).  They have conducted tours for both Answers in Genesis and Institute for Creation Research. 

They have seats available for those of you who are still looking for the perfect vacation.  Here he is, doing what he does best.  You can check them out by clicking here.

 

The book has an impressive list of contributors ranging from scientist, geologist, engineers, to theologians.  Some of the contributors are:

• Steve Austin
• John Baumgardner
• Ken Cumming
• Duane Gish
• Werner Gitt
• Ken Ham
• Bill Hoesch
• Russ Humphreys
• Alex Lalomov
• John MacArthur
• Henry Morris, and about twelve others! 

The subjects include the rocks, the fossils, the water, the plants and animals, the bedrock, and also Tom’s story (very interesting how the Lord saved him). 

Here is the bottom line; this is more of a coffee table book.  It has some of the most beautiful pictures and well written articles.  It is academic enough to keep the “theologian” in you interested but very appealing to even a five year old.  One can keep it out on the coffee table for discussions with family and guest.  I hope you get your copy and enjoy!

 

Questions for Ministers, by Isaac Watts; Sec. VI: Of Self-Denial, Humility, Mortification, & Patience (1-4)

Isaac Watts brings us to our knees in asking us ministers these very personal, and very potent questions!

IV. OF SELF-DENIAL, HUMILITY, MORTIFICATION, AND PATIENCE

1. Do I endeavour to please all men for their good, and not make it my business to please myself? Rom. 16.2. But to become all to all, that I may win their souls, so far as is consistent with being true and faithful to Christ? 1 Cor. 10.23, and 9.19, 22.

2. Do I behave myself before men, ‘not as a lord over God’s heritage but as a servant of all for Christ’s sake?’ and do I treat them not as having dominion over their faith, but as a helper of their joy? 2 Cor. 4.5. and 1.24.

3. Am I ‘gentle and patient towards all men, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves?’ 2 Tim. 2.24, 25.

4. Do I ‘approve myself in all things as a minister of God; in much patience possessing my own soul,’ and having the government of my own spirit? 2 Cor. 6.4     

Enjoy