All posts filed under: Miinistry
The mission of God is too important to leave to missionaries
The Mission of God is too important to leave to missionaries . Christopher Wright What is The Mission God? The Mission of God is to seek and save those who are lost, it is to rescue, to heal, to restore through love and compassion and the finished and redemptive work of Christ, all people to a relationship with him. This “missio dei” is the sole purpose of the church and the Modus Operandi of every follower of Jesus Christ. Who are to carry out The Mission of God? The Mission of God is not for a hand full of people to fulfill, it’s a mission to which God has called all of us to fulfill. We acknowledge, celebrate, and support the call of those commissioned by God to foreign and homeland missions. But we are obligated by God to remind us all that the sacred and the secular divide is a hindrance to God’s mission and it prevents Christians from impacting the culture around them. We must reject the idea that there are jobs out there that are more …
Pooped Shepherds: Blind leading the blind
You cannot put straight in others what is warped in yourself. —Athanasius of Alexandria, Patriarch of Alexandria and Church Father (c. 293-373) Athanasius, in On the Incarnation; submitted by Kevin Miller, executive vice president, Christianity Today International
listening: a greater service than speaking.
Christians, especially ministers, so often think they must always contribute something when they are in the company of others, that this is the one service they have to render. They forget that listening can be a greater service than speaking. Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not find it among Christians, because these Christians are talking where they should be listening. But he who can no longer listen to his brother will soon be no longer listening to God either; he will be doing nothing but prattle in the presence of God too. This is the beginning of the death of the spiritual life, and in the end there is nothing left but spiritual chatter. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together (New York: Harper & Row, 1954), pages 97-8.
God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called!
Isaac was a day dreamer, Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper and denied Christ, David had an affair and tried to cover it up with murder, Noah got drunk. Elisha was suicidal, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer and he was way too religious. Timothy had too many ulcers, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossiper, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sara was impatient, Elijah was moody, Rehab was a prostitute, Samson – he liked prostitute. Isaiah preached naked for three years, John the Baptist ate bugs and had second thoughts about the very Messiah he baptized. Jeremiah was way too emotional, Moses stuttered, Zacchaeus was too short, Abraham was old and Lazarus was dead. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called! I picked this up from a friend’s Facebook status. I don’t know if it is his original stuff, but it sure got my attention. Never say to yourself, “God can never use me.” God is not looking for the qualified, he’s looking for people who would …
Pastors in the order of Antiochus Epiphanes
I would hate for this little post to come across as another pastor bashing other pastors. So I hope you will take this post as just notes of a pastor who is trying to avoid the mistakes of a historical figure and at the same time sounding the alarm for others to avoid as well. This historically, scriptural figure, Antiochus Epiphanes, is the little horn in Daniel 8:9. The name Epiphanes means the Illustrious One and the prophecies of Antiochus Epiphanes you can find in Daniel (Dan. 8:9-14; 23-25; 11:21-35). I am going to take or use different episodes or events in his life to urge myself and others to avoid. Here we go – Pastors in the order of Antiochus Epiphanes: 1. They forget where you came from… Antiochus grew to become a great power from a small beginning. Notice that the little horn of Daniel 7:8; 8:9 waxed exceedingly great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great even to the host of heaven (Dan. 8:9-10a). Unfortunately, he forgot where he came from. Pastors in …
10 Sacred Reminders Before You Step Into The Pulpit
1. It is foolish to think the gospel message you are about to preach will not offend your audience. 2. It is foolish to presume that after you’ve preached, everyone will like you, friend you on Facebook or follow you on twitter 3. It is foolish to think that everyone in you audience is on the same level of spiritual maturity..therefore will understand what you are saying 4. It is foolish to believe that anything of eternal significance can happen through the flesh 5. It is foolish to act like you are indispensable or anything better than an ass…excuse me…I meant donkey…because God can speak through them too… 6. It is foolish to approve the guy taking notes as super spiritual or a great student of the word 7. it is foolish to act like your personal style of communication, is the only way to preach or teach…the only way God can save or bless others 8. It is foolish to lead one-self into believing that what you are about to preach is only for your audience and not for …
Pastors need Allies too
I made the effort, over the last two days, to look for 5 new blogs and read as much as i could on each blog. I was looking for something fresh and something that would challenge, encourage and inspire me. I must say that it was worth my time. So let me share with you an article on Blaine Hogan’s Blog! That I found very encouraging. He writes, _______________________________________________________________________________ In 2002, on Christmas Day, Charlie Rose sat down to interview Martin Scorsese and Daniel Day Lewis about their recent film, Gangs of New York. The whole interview is fantastic, but around the 14 minute mark, something really interesting happens. Charlie begins a line of questioning about Day Lewis’ 5-year hiatus from acting and subsequent re-entry into the craft. Lewis is a bit reluctant at first to the obvious question for a recluse. Essentially what Charlie was asking was why this film, why this director, why now? Eventually, he shares this: “I really wanted to feel that if I went into this tunnel with Martin that I could …
Lost in Translation
I think every
true leader wants to make a God-sized impact. At the core of our hearts is the
desire to be a part of something truly bigger than ourselves. But
sometimes what started out as a God size dream can easily become egocentric and
void of God himself.
Modesto Manifesto!
It is not uncommon now a days to hear about scandals in the lives of good christian ministers. Many have fallen into temptation and have lost their credibility in disgrace, not to mention the shame brought to the name of Jesus and his church. But there is a leading pioneer and church figure named Billy Graham that have made a difference over the past fifty to sixty years. Don’t get me wrong, Billy has had his share of criticism over the years, having come under intense scrutiny, but there has not been any scandal that has rocked his name or ministry. I believe one of the reasons why Billy Graham and his ministry has been able to remain rock steady has to do with a simple meeting that happened in a hotel room in Modesto, California. In that room on the night of November 1948 was birthed what they called “The Modesto Manifesto.” We will never criticize, condemn, or speak negatively about others… We will be accountable, particularly in handling finances, with integrity according to …
Walter Bright 
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