Archive for October, 2006
Blogging – a Good or Bad Thing!
Posted by: | CommentsI have written an article like this before. So this is a repeat. However, from time to time people question why pastor’s blog and some question the content. This is a perfect time to reflect.
Blogging is something I do in spurts. THings happen in my life, my ministry, community, nation, the church etc. These things build up in my soul and I form ideas, thoughts, insights etc. I am a very transparent person. I wear my faith on my sleeve like a flame in the night. I like it that way. Sometimes people don’t like my transparency, some are uncomfortable with that. But to me…I want to be real! I want the people to relate with me, my life and my ministry! That is important to me.
So why do I blog. To communicate my heart to God’s people. To let them see the real me. To see that I am human, I can get hurt, I have ideas, I have opinions, and yes, I even have struggles. But I also what people to see that God is at work in my life, their lives, and this church. God is real and God is in every moment of every day. I also want people to see that God is good and that we are so blessed.
There are so many reasons why to blog. But I cannot think of any sufficent reason why not to blog. Can the things I write offend someone…perhaps…although that is not my intent. I think that blogging is more good than bad. I think it is true and pure and honest. I think it shows the real me. I think it connects people with their pastor in a supernatural and natural way!
So this blog is for you Broadman…I love you!
PC
Judgment House – Nothing is hidden!
Posted by: | CommentsJudgment House was once again very awesome. The ability to use drama to create a real life scenario that touches teens and adults is a grea and mighty tool to use for God’s glory.
This year Broadman took more people than ever before. We had 62 people go…42 of them being youth! Everyone was touched by the experience.
As a result we had a total of seven that either accepted Christ, want to be baptized or rededicated their lives to Christ. These are just the ones that publically acknowledge what God was doing in their lives. I cannot wait to see what God did in all of us! I know it motivated me to share my faith more. I need to be more forward with my faith and deliberately sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I praise God for this experience! I praise God for the youth! (No church our size as a youth group like ours…I say that with sincerity, not pride!) May we all learn to walk closer with our Lord and less in the flesh as a result of this experience.
PC
Things that make you go hum!
Posted by: | CommentsRecently I sat down and reviewed my minsitry. I thought about the things that make me go HUM!
In my ministry I have always been honest with myself and God. Those who know me know that I am a person of integrity and that I have strong convictions. As a preacher I really try to be in the midst of God’s people delivering His Word with power, conviction, confidence and boldness! I do not believe there is any room to mix up words or water things down when it comes to the Word of God…that is just me!
Although I should not be surprised or hurt when people don’t like this or have issues with my ministry I must confess it still makes me go hum! I began my pastoral minsitry in 1997 as a youth pastor and have been the church pastor of two churches. Throughout those experiences I have ran into people who have viewed my ministry has either condeming or compelling. Most have chosen the later. Most view my preaching and minsitry as refreshing, Christ exalting and God focued. They like that I edify the body of Christ through both encouragment and rebuke at times. It is refreshing to see people who are spiritually uplifted and those who truly yield themselves to the teachings of Christ.
However, the thing that makes me go hum the most is the opposite side. How can the vast majority be moved by my preaching…even when I admit the topic may be strong, and someone else see it totally opposite? It baffles me how God’s people can question the Word of God or question the autority of God? It blows me away that people will not yeild themselves to the teachings of God!
I realize I should not feel this way. God tells pastors to be prepared for this. Some prophets will be rejected. Some messages will convict. Some messages need to be preached and God is looking for a few men of God who will have the boldness to preach His truths. What I have learned is that I do just that! As a result some will reject that…even Christians will reject that message!
I have learned that I have to leave the results to God…that does not mean the things people say or do does not hurt…I am human! It does hurt when a family leaves or when someone says my message was condeming…even when the truth was spoken in love out of conviction. It does concern me when someone walks away with the wrong idea or rejects God’s truth. But I trust that God is in that moment. Only He can change someones heart…but the Word of God is one way in which He does that…so I preach to transform by the power of God.
Broadman you're the Best!
Posted by: | CommentsBroadman Baptist…I just wanted to tell you…you are the best! I love you guys! Thanks for being by my side and lifting me up as your pastor! Your kind words, prayers, support and faithfulness keep me going!
SO be encouraged because YOU are the best…never forget that you are a Child of God!!!
Loving People
Posted by: | CommentsThese past couple of weeks have been challenging for me as a pastor, but very rewarding. I have had a lot of opportunities to love people for Jesus. Some throught the loss of a loved one, others in the hospital, some through marriage issues and others through conflict. Loving people is rewarding but exhausting. But I just wanted everyone to know that when you love someone and see God move through that love it is an awesome feeling!
SPOOKE
Posted by: | CommentsHalloween is coming up! How should we Christians respond? Should we pray? Should we crawl under our beds? Should we participate? Should we let the Devil have his day? Good questions…all with answwers.
We should pray…without a doubt. But on Halloween we should not be hiding in our prayer closests. Rather our prayers should lead us to participate for the KINGDOM OF GOD. God is the maker of this universe and everyday belongs to HIM!
Let’s take the spooke out and turn people to Jesus. As we pass out Track or Treats once again this year…may God bless the Harvest. May we see people come to Jesus and our church as a result!
God Bless!