Where's a Tour Guide When You Need One

Whew! It’s been a tough month, actually a tough summer. For the first time in a LONG time I have had several pastor’s Monday’s (smile if you know what that is). It’s a tough job and anyone who has ever been in ministry knows it. Thank the Lord He provides guidance through His Word and through the counsel of other ministers and their writings.

One that I often turn to was recommended to me by another pastor; it is Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro. Listen to this excerpt;

I hadn’t realized that as a pastor I was involved in a vocation that had a dismal track record. It might be the pressures involved, or it could be the high expectations. But in either case, I found that a large number of those in pastoral ministry did not finish well.

In H.B. London Jr.’s great work Pastors at Greater Risk, we find these startling statistics:

* 80 percent believe that pastoral ministry affects their families negatively.

* 33 percent say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family.

* 75 percent report they’ve had a significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.

* 50 percent feel unable to meet the needs of the job.

* 90 percent feel they’re inadequately trained to cope with the ministry demands.

* 56 percent of pastors wives say that they have no close friends.

* 45 percent of pastors’ wives say the greatest danger to them and their family is physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual burnout.

* 52 percent of pastors say they and their spouses believe that being in pastoral ministry is hazardous to their family’s well-being and health.

* 70 percent do not have someone they consider a close friend.

Yes, those are statistics, and it’s easy for us to shrug off a list of numbers. But it’s a different story when instead of reading the statistics, you find yourself on the verge of becoming one.”

Some days of ministry are rough. You deal with betrayal, disappointment, unreasonable expectations (your congregations and your own), and of course failure. If you’ve faced that ministry Monday just remember you’re not alone. Your greatest heroes of the faith went through the same valleys you’re in right now. Just look at these statistics and know the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues in spite of the road being a hard one to travel.

If you find yourself in a time of “giving up” I say give it up. Find another minister in whom you know you can trust and talk it out with them. An experienced guide always knows the road better than those who are traveling it for the first time.

I have found strength in Bro. Cordeiro’s book and he found it in Bro. London’s work as well. This is a needed and never ending chain. We all need our mentors so if you’re down preacher, go find yours!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and remember, YOU ARE LOVED!

It's Still Afloat!

Just recently I visited some new folks from my church and had a great visit.  There was one thing that came up I wanted to share here that I've heard a lot that has been bothering me.  One of the folks talked about some people who once attended our church but no longer do so because they were hurt.

C’mon guys, enough of this.   If the church were perfect not a one of us could walk through the door. I told my church last week if I hear one more person tell me how they were “hurt by the church” (a phrase I’ve used myself WAY to often) I'm gonna throw up!  We’ve all been hurt, we’ve all been disappointed but we’ve all hurt someone and we’ve all disappointed someone as well.  I doubt ANY of it was totally intentional, but it happened.   If the church deserves an “F” for its behavior and performance in this generation we’re all part of the blame.  We cannot judge someone by their actions and ourselves by our intentions.  In 19 years of ministry I have failed people an immeasurable number of times.  I failed to return calls or visit the sick.  I misinterpreted what people needed when they talked to me.   I hate those failings but know I will do them again (God help me! ) because no matter how hard I try I will never be perfect.

That knowledge of my limitations MUST influence the way I receive the wounds that others place on me - intentional or otherwise.

If men drive you away from God you’re closer to them than Him.  What happened to me as a pastor almost killed me (seriously) and once I even gave up my credentials with no intent of ever pastoring again.  It was tough but I finally realized it was the Lord who called me and not men.  I won’t let them stop me.

Keep going folks, we were called to be a separate people, offer the other cheek over and over, and you all know a dozen more scripture.  Jesus said “If you love Me you will obey my commands” and if no one else follows or supports us that’s just tough luck.  Faith isn’t about our perception.

Let me finish with this, Edmund Burke is quoted as saying “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”  The church will never be perfect but it is the best thing afloat.  If it's messed up it needs YOU to fix it.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and remember, YOU ARE LOVED!

My Daily Devotion

I'm always encouraging people to start their day with a devotion.  It doesn't have to be a long drawn out part of your day.  There are wonderful books filled with 5 minute devotions that often don't take even that long.  My favorite is one that is free and furnished to me by our church; "The Word for you Today".  I love this little thing.  So often it seems to be just what I needed.  It always provides one verse of scripture for the foundation of what it will share, but to keep it in context I always try to read the entire chapter so I know what is going on.  Note: I throw that rule out if it is citing the 119th Psalm.

Today is Wednesday, July 9th and the devotion was so good I wanted to share it with you.  Now remember, these are not my words nor ideas, but as they spoke to me I pray they speak to you.

Proverbs 2:11 "Discretion will preserve you."

EXERCISE DISCRETION

We've all said the wrong thing, at the wrong time, to the wrong person, and ended up regretting it.  A pastor was being honored at a retirement dinner, and a local politician had been asked to make a speech.  The politician was running late so the pastor decided to say a few words: "When I came here twenty-five years ago I thought this was a terrible church.  The first man I talked to said he'd stolen, lied, embezzled, had an affair and done drugs.  I was appalled.  Then I realized everybody isn't like that; this church is filled with good people."  Just then the politician arrived and stood up to speak: "I'll never forget the day the pastor arrived and I had the privilege of being the first church member to talk to him."  Loose lips sink ships!  The Bible says "Discretion will preserve you."  Being discreet means having the ability to keep sensitive information private - including things you may have heard years ago!  The writer of Proverbs said, "He who is trustworthy conceals a matter" (Pro. 11:13 NSA), and in the New Testament Paul cautions believers about discussing "things not proper to mention"
(1 Tim. 5:13 NAS).  Divulging what you know about other people's problems and failures may make you feel good momentarily, but afterwards it has a negative impact on the relationship.  Plus, you get a reputation as a person who can't be trusted.  A wise man said, "If your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care: of whom you speak, to whom you speak, and how, and when, and where."  That's advice you would do well to pay attention to!

Except for me emphasizing some things in colors (that's a note habit for me) that is word for word from my devotion and I heartily recommend your church offer this awesome quarterly devotion.

How I wish I had read those words ten years ago.  Maybe I could have kept myself from saying stupid things to those who turned out to be less than trustworthy.  Perhaps I could have preserved friendships that meant so much to me that their betrayal still haunts me today.  Ignorance may be bliss, but education comes with a cost and I've paid a heavily for my lack of discretion. 

THAT'S why starting each day in the Word is so important.  You cannot depend on your pastor to be there for every moment of your life.  You need to be responsible for your own growth and certain levels of discipleship must be reached alone.

Let me encourage you as never before to learn from my mistakes and avoid you own, daily build your house upon the rock and grow into the person God has called YOU to be.  Hold your tongue and exercise discretion.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and remember, YOU ARE LOVED!

Happy Birthday America!

It has been a GREAT 4^th of July! As our nation celebrated it’s 238th birthday our family celebrated freedom of choice and did basically what we wanted. It all started with sleeping in (always a favorite of my wife’s). At 10:30 I joined a friend for 18 holes of golf and although I wasn’t close to good, for me it wasn’t bad either. When I got home we did some swimming but to be honest it was almost too cold to enjoy.

Did you catch that? On July 4^th in Louisiana it was a cool day! That made the round of golf even more awesome. At one point there was a nice, but not too strong wind that actually gave me a brief shudder! Did I move back to Nebraska and didn’t know it?

Still, swam we did. The whole family basked in the sun on our rafts enjoying the sunshine until I got out to grill some excellent Kansas City strip steaks. My wife fixed up some sweet potatoes and corn on the cob as my boy made a chocolate pie for desert. What a feast!

After that we shot off a few fireworks in our back yard then went inside for a few episodes of our favorite series (this month) until we got sleepy. What an excellent day!

Point? None whatsoever. Just a great day made possible by those warriors who have served our nation ever since that first shot was fired in 1776, those who were willing to pay the ultimate price so that their children could enjoy days like the one we had today.

I LOVE the United States of America!! As we gathered around the dinner table we had a prayer of thanks for our freedom. We thanked the Lord that we were born here and enjoy the liberties that may have been denied us elsewhere. The fireworks, pool, and food were great but I take no pride in them. Today as never before, even with all our problems and division the good ol USA remains the greatest place to live on earth and I proudly proclaim I’m proud to be an American!

Thanks for taking the time to read this testimony (also known as my blog) and remember, YOU ARE LOVED!