Less than...

May I be shamefully transparent with you? James says that “we all struggle in many ways” (James 3:2) - it’s one of the great understatements of the Bible. 

I wish I could remember the conversation exactly. Dad said something about making some mistake and he said “I think some of our struggles serve to remind us that we are not perfect. So, I’m glad I still blunder.” 

Some of you will identify with this, others will not. I’m writing this for those who are self-aware enough to. I’ve struggled with weight all my life. I got so skinny as a kid that I was anemic for a while. And then as a young teen, I also got so large that I once had to buy “husky” jeans. As an adult, I have been up and down so often that one dear friend jokingly introduced me as Brother Duncan (you know, like the yoyo, up then down, up then down). 

What most of you, especially those who have never struggled with weight, don’t know is how painful it is when I am, well, big. It adversely affects every part of my life. And, I know I can do something about it, so please, I beg you, don’t send my your latest diet plan. That fact makes it even more painful. 

But where it hurts me most is in my preaching and ministry. See, there are visits I don’t want to make, events I don’t want to attend, times I have no confidence standing in front of an audience because I know some are judging me (of course, saying that means, I’m judging them that they are judging me). There are times when I am not bold enough because I don’t feel worthy to make a bold statement since I obviously don’t have it all together. There are times I feel so irresponsible with my health that I feel like I’m the worst of sinners. 

But the problem with all of that is that I am more embarrassed, because focusing on that, on me, makes it about me (1 Corinthians 2:2). And, this thing we do, it’s not about me/us. When I miss events, hospital visits, chances to pray with others, to influence people and situations because of me, I’m making it about me. 

Remember: His grace is greater, His grace is forgiven. We are more than promoters of His grace, we are parties to that goodness.

I do not know what your thing is that makes you feel less - Education, background, money, a past sin, etc,, I suspect if we are all honest we all have that “thing.” Perhaps it might even be the besetting sin of Hebrews 12. I think the Spirit is right, we’d all be healthier if we’d confess our shortcomings/sins/faults to each other (James 516). I don’t know what is besetting you from making the most of your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5) but pray with me, for me, and I will for you and let’s go forward in the strength of the Lord and do more with His confidence. Because, it’s about Him, not our mess. Yes work on being “better” but remember we are int he shadow of the cross. 

The Best Gospel Meetings...yeah, you should read this

Back around 1966 WA Bradfield published a listing of his best 10 churches to hold meetings in the Gospel Advocate. For some reason as a young preacher, that list fascinated me. As I hear many loud voices decrying the day of the Great Gospel Meeting I am stuck by the simple fact, “the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). According to TJI Research roughly 66% of our congregations still have a Gospel Meeting type event at least once a year. There are reasons why Gospel Meetings OUGHT to still be effective and there are reasons that so many are NOT effective, but neither of those are because of the power of the Gospel. Do you still believe in the power of the Gospel? It does change things!

Throw away what you can’t or won’t or don’t agree with but I do implore you to try to get something out of this. Here are 15 observations designed to help you think about how to have an effective Gospel Meeting:

1. Select a speaker who makes an effort to connect with the listeners and is passionate in his presentation of the Gospel. He needs to talk with the listeners not at them! Find agreement, bring them along in the lesson, enlist their help in learning how to do God’s Will. We must not just be preaching to check boxes or to appease ourselves but to build up the Kingdom. I remember the story of two preachers who visited a church. Both preached about hell, a stubborn old sinner who had eschewed the Gospel responded to the second. Someone asked him what made the difference. The second (T.B. Larimore) told me I was going to hell, but I could tell that made him sad.

2. Know the times! I’ve heard plenty of preachers complain about how people no longer respond to the Gospel and say “I’m not sure what changed, I’m preaching the same sermons I did 30 years ago, people just aren’t responding.” We need to ask what spiritually and RIGHT and true will people respond to TODAY. While in the 50’s and 60’s many were motivated by a fear that the Communists would drop a bomb on us, that day is passed. What motivates people, that we can use for the advancement of the Gospel or to draw attention to it in a good way today?

3. Teach people how to invite others: There are ways to invite and ways not to invite. The best invitations are specific. Think of how you would invite a couple of friends to get together with you to eat pizza. It would be specific (Tuesday at 7), it would be positive (we’ll have a great time).

4. Update your advertising: If you are just reproducing the same old flyer you’ve used for 30 years without success it might be time for a change. Use some color (we’re not Amish), have a designer design something. AND, use Facebook advertising. It is powerful.

5. Focus on WHO will actually invite: From our experience it seems that children and teens are much better at getting their friends to church services than adults. Why not capitalize on that? It would be good to also remember that is the age group most easy to change or influence.

6. Make it a fun night: We all agree that what changed is not Gospel Meetings. You’ve heard it a 1000 times - it’s what people did for entertainment and then TV, sports, other things. We fear “entertainment” so much that it sounds like a disease. Listen folks, Jesus used humor - He created it. I’m not suggesting being disrespectful but emotion is not a sin. It was in the first Gospel Meeting that Peter and the other 11 spoke at in Acts 2. If you start the service like a funeral dirge, if the welcomer has not energy or skills welcoming, if the song leader acts like he being tortured while he directs, who would want to come back? And how about some ice cream or something like that together afterward. Certainly any effort of this nature should be wonderfully enjoyable, fun, something that glorifies God!

7. Target groups: Marketing guru Seth Gooden talks about how person specific products are becoming. One of my best meetings I can remember was when the congregation had different services for different groups. Friday night was for Parents, Saturday night for High School students, etc.

8. Make the most of the guests that are there: Come on, stop visiting with just each other. Be friendly. A church that is friendly to each other thinks they are a friendly church but they are not. Yes, it does have to be said. Why not test your congregations friendliness. Invite a friend to come visit the service, tell them you will not speak to them till after the service. Let them walk in, normal attire, just see how many people are friendly, how many give them the stare down, how many nod but make no effort - I dare you!

9. They need to see God’s People who love - each other, them. Work out your problems as a local body, mature, get healthy.

10. IGNORE, shoot down those who are there just to find any fault they can: We have a long history dating back decades now of individuals who try to elevate matters of opinion into matters of doctrine. The reason this happens is that if we can make something a matter of doctrine then the church HAS to do it because of our high view of Scripture. So make it a matter of doctrine and what you like/don’t like has to happen. The problem is when we so behave we are NOT honoring God, Christ, His Body, or the text. The bigger problem is that often church leaders give traction to those who so behave and thereby give them their energy stifling way.

11. Prepare - not one week: If you have to get in the pulpit the Sunday of the meeting and say, “we want to remind you all that this week begins our Gospel Meeting,” you are not ready to have one. I remember at Woodlawn, growing up, where we always had amazing Gospel Meetings that we would start 6 or more weeks before getting ready for it. We’d knock doors. Do we know that won’t work anymore if we haven’t tried it in 20 years? Here’s a new spin on door knocking. “We just want our community to know we love them and that we are here. Is there anything we can do for you?” Or, “We are out in our community praying for people. Is there anything we can pray for you about?” Write down the request. With any of those leave an attractive, inviting flyer with them about the Gospel Meeting. I had one preacher friend (you’d know him) who preaches MANY Gospel Meeting tell me not long ago that he is cancelling all of his meetings where they were just having one to have one! Listen, if that is your church, then you are probably more discouraging than encouraging, doing more harm (unintentionally) than good. Figure out a plan. Put some work into it.

12. Understand the principles of doors and windows: If the only time your community hears from you is when you invite them to a Gospel Meeting that is possibly why they won’t come. Imagine you are out and a stranger comes up to you and your grandchildren and says, “Hey, I want to invite you to go to a movie and supper.” You’d certainly refuse it. But when a friend does the same, you will react differently. If all we do is have “door events” (where we invite people in) and never “window events” (where people can look in and see who we are) then we won’t get much traction. Learn more about doors and windows HERE

13. Serve your community: We are “created in Christ Jesus to love and good works.” When did your congregation last make an effort to do something good I the community. Maybe a major service event pre-meeting that get some coverage on media or social networks and then follow it with a time to recognize, honor, etc the event, or those affected by it as a part of one of the services? (Acts 2:47).

14. Try to do something different: Listen, I know for some of you restarting Gospel Meetings is a stretch for whatever reason. A church doesn’t have to have an annual Gospel Meeting to be pleasing to God. BUT, what evangelistically have your replaced it with? If nothing, what are you doing to reach your community? Matthew 28 does not go unanswered. How about a 12 Questions weekend, H2H, a special seminar or event that attracts the lost? DO SOMETHING!

15. Pray: Pray for the growth of the Lord’s Family, pray for the lost, pray for open doors, pray for your communities and those around you.

I am blessed to be able to preach in a good number of Gospel Meetings each year and I love doing it, but I’m still striving to learn how to be more effective to this end. I hope you are too.

I don’t claim there are magic. The only thing for sure is that preaching the Gospel is the true secret to any effort to reach people who are lost. These are just some thoughts. 

Living On Past Glory

There’s an old Alabama football joke that went around in the 90’s. 

Q: What do a maggot and an Alabama football fan have in common? 

A: Both can live on a dead Bear for 20 years.

I first heard that little Diddy in the “days of the Mike’s” - if you’re a Tide fan you know what I mean. Even an Alabama fan has to appreciate that good joke. 

Sadly, what people joked about Alabama fans in the 90’s could be said of some congregations I’ve seen. I am thankful beyond words for a godly heritage, for parents and grandparents back four generations who loved the Lord, followed the Word, and respected the Church. I do not believe the doctrine of God has to be reinvented with each generation. I also do not buy the propaganda from the agenda driven individuals who say the church is dying (It’s not, it won’t, and it can’t).  

But far too many of our congregations are living on past glory. And it can happen with ease at most any time.

It says something rich that we actually have a past recently enough to remember it and celebrate it. And, I don’t see where it is bad or wrong to be thankful for and rejoice in the blessings of the past. Throughout Scripture a vibrant remembrance is portrayed as a healthy emotion. 

But today I want to call out any of us who are so reveling in the past that we cannot move forward. Any who have so revered the faith of those of the past that they have not developed their own muscles of faith. Any who are so fearful of the future and taking risks that they belie the faith they proclaim.

Let me share with you three probable’s concerning the glories of the past:

1. It’s probably not true: Preachers of past generations could not quote the whole Bible, they did not walk on water (well, two did), they did not convert whole neighborhoods or preach perfect sermons in perfect congregations. They too were human. One church I preached at had large picture depicting a packed auditorium. I was led to believe that is how it was every Sunday. The truth was, that was a special dedication day for the new auditorium. It is a little trick our mind plays on us that we tend to bunch years of positive memories into one lump sum to which the present can never match. 

2. It’s exaggerated: The good old days, probably weren’t that good. I have a friend who wears a favorite T-Shirt that says: “The Older I Get, The Better I Was.” I know that’s true when I talk about my days at defensive end or small forward. If I was as good as I talk that I was, I’d be retired from a few years in the NBA and preaching for free. Sometimes in the church we exaggerate the past. At my age, I’ve been “the previous preacher” who could do no wrong (sure proof that people can be delusional :)). Funny thing is, when I was there, it certainly didn’t seem that way. 

3. It’s unbiblical to boast about the past: Paul admonished : “Forgetting those things that are behind, and pressing on…” An unhealthy myopia concerning the past paralyzes us, stifles our creativity, and saps our energy in the present. 

WORST of all, it belies our faith, enshrines things that should not be enshrined, and ties our hands from creating efforts that might reach this generation, At some point someone came up with the idea of an extended time of Bible study (we now call them Bible classes). Someone thought a boost in the middle of the week would be effective (we now call it mid-week Bible study). Someone conceived using media (print, radio, the newspaper, tv and now internet) to broadcast the Gospel further, faster. Someone thought of a week long camp like the boy-scouts only in this camp the Bible would be studied by Christian young people each day. Someone thought of a weekly bulletin to keep people informed. If we lionize the past we become enslaved to it and its programs. We suck the energy out of the room and kill creativity. If we anchor in a fear of the future we end up destroying our faith.

So, how about you? What is there that shows evidence in your life that you are a person of faith? What are you doing, handling, dreaming, launching in to that shows you have faith? If we can see the end of everything we do, how we can do it and make it through it, do we have faith at all? Are you a Christian or a Diest? If we can accomplish everything we dream without God, why do we even need Him? 

The opportunities to do more, to reach more have never been greater. The world has never been larger. The ability to connect with others has never been easier. The ability to remain true to God, yet be effective ambassadors to more people has never been as available. Let us never let little thinking, jealousy, our love for our ideas and ways, or traditions of the past handicap us. I love one of our dad’s favorite quotes: “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” By the way, He’s already there. He knows our full potential. And, ultimately, our faith is about a Glorious Future with Him! Go forth, go forth!

The Ministry of Presence

We were recently visiting with a family who have been friends for many years, and they were sharing with us their experience in their home church. They talked about how much they appreciate the preacher for his excellent lessons, but they don’t feel like they know him. They spoke of the fact that he seldom speaks to people before or after the worship assembly. They said they have seen him speak to the same hand-full of members, but that he doesn’t speak to most of the people and rarely to guests.

Aristotle wrote of the three modes of persuasion; logos (the message), pathos (passion), and ethos (credibility or authority). Logos would include the heart and mind involved in the preparation of the sermon, as well as the use of our mind in the presentation.

Pathos is the spirit, the heart, the passion that is used to deliver the sermon.

Involved in Ethos is who we are as a preacher. It would be the ability that allows us to get to know the listener and the opportunities for those who hear us to learn more about us.

As a child, I vividly remember watching my Dad walk up and down the aisles prior to every assembly shaking hands with people, talking with members, and particularly greeting guests. At the conclusion of every assembly he stood at the back door to greet people as they exited the building. One writer spoke of this as, “the ministry of walking around.” I would include this in what we might call, “the ministry of presence.” It’s being there in the moment. It’s hearing the heartache of those who are suffering. It’s seeing the joy of those who have a new baby, those who have become first-time grandparents, or those who are newlyweds. It’s seeing that giant smile on the face of a young person who has won a big game or received a reward for excellence.

There will be times that we will not feel as prepared as we would like to be for the sermon. We won’t hit a home run every time we get up to preach. However, if we practice the ministry of presence, our church families will be gracious toward us during those times.

I also realize that all of us who preach can have bad days when we don’t feel like being present. We may not be well physically, we may have issues in our marriage, or we may have major concerns about our children. As well, there will be occasions when we are struggling with our work or with the leadership in the Church.

Even in these situations, generally speaking, we will be better, and we will do better if we practice the “ministry of presence.”

If ethos includes credibility, that means we can save some up for those times when we are struggling.

One of the great truisms that every preacher needs to remember is that people will quickly forget what we say, but they will long remember how we act. How we treat our people and what we do for them can distinguish us as being the kind of men who build strong, healthy churches.

May God bless you, dear brother, even this week as you practice the “ministry of presence.”

Heroes of the Church?

I love my mentors and they are many. What a blessing these men from dad and Jeff to Jerrie and Jim Bill. Many of us who preach have them. They stretch from a beloved professor, to a well known and respected communicator of truth, to a fellow minister who listened to us when we were young or hurt. So, in no way would any word of this short post shine a shadow on those men and women who have affected your walk with God or mine. 

In 1984 I began my first full-time preaching job. We were like many congregations in that the song leaders liked to skip the third verses on most songs. But it seemed that every time one of the song leaders lead he always selected the song “Lift Him Up” prior to the sermon. And he always led the second verse on it, and seemed to bear down hard on the first line, “don’t exhaust the preacher…” As a young preacher, already lacking in confidence, I found it disconcerting. As an old preacher, I look back at it, and me, and laugh. 

It’s challenging. Trying to get people to respect, revere, and encourage their preacher while at the same time wanting us who preach to maintain humility. As the son of one of those “famous” preachers who was highly revered I want to caution, especially those of us who preach, against deifying other preachers. I can’t tell you the number of times dad would say: “be humble.” And one of my current favorite preachers often says “I know of nothing uglier than a preacher who is arrogant.” 

Without apology I want to share with you this caution and some of the why behind it. I have seen more than one young man with great intellect who was introduced time and again as “one of the best young minds in the brotherhood” or “the future of the church.” This is so dangerous. First because, we tend to believe the press clippings. Second, because if “I” am one of the sharpest, eventually I have to say something different, see an insight others miss, develop a text in a new way, to “prove” the press clippings. And that puts me in a slippery place. So, encourage, build up, let young guys who have worked hard, who have great ability or intellect know you love them, but don’t set them on a pedestal. They’ll fall off or be knocked over. 

Further, we careful about making supermen out of our older preachers. Again, I’ve known more than one who in their public life they were magnificent but in their private life they were not living up to what they taught. Whether it is that they believed they were above others and deserved certain sinful exemptions, they were just evil men with talent masquerading as godly men, or they were just humans who were clay, this is dangerous to all around. See, if we over exalt a guy and his house of cards crumbles then the church is harmed and souls will be discouraged, maybe ours if we put our faith in him more than HIM.

The church is blessed with so many outstanding preachers. But She only has one Savior. The church only has one hero. Let’s never forget that. 

Future Preacher Camps

Do you have a list of "Future Preachers Camps" around the brotherhood? 

Well, yes we do…now. There are a few others that we did not have enough info on to publish, but we will update asap. We want to encourage preachers and to encourage the training of preaching.

May 29-June 2: Graymere Church of Christ (Columbia TN) https://www.graymere.com/fmc.shtml

June 2-5: Walnut Street Church of Christ (Dickson, TN), 6th-12th grades, meals and lodging provided, contact 615-446-2909, Alan Ragan or Troy Williams

June 2-9: Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies (Knoxville TN) http://www.wedopreaching.com/leadership-camp-2019

June 2-8: Little Mountain Ministry Camp (Winchester TN) Ages; Men 10-100. littlemountain710@gmail.com

 June 3-June 9: Rolling Hills Church of Christ (Mt. Sterling KY) https://www.rollinghillscoc.org/camp

 June 9-June 16: Bear Valley Bible Institute (Denver CO) https://www.wetrainpreachers.com/future-preachers

June 21-23: West Virginia School of Preaching, Future Preacher Camp, ages 14-18, http://www.wvsop.com/reference-FuturePreacher_camp.php, contact Andy Robison, 304 845-8001

June 22-28: Memphis School of Preaching (Memphis TN) http://foundations.msop.org/docs/foundations2019.pdf

June 29-July 6: Harding University (Searcy, AR), 9th - 12th grade boys. Contact Devin Swindle.

https://www.harding.edu/academics/colleges-departments/bible-ministry/kerusso-experience

 July 7-12?: Alkire Road Church of Christ (Grove City OH) https://www.alkirechurchofchrist.com/future-preacher-training-camp/ 

July 8-15: Titus Camp, Heritage Christian University, (Florence, AL), Limited to 70 campers:Timothy Campers and Tabitha Campers http://www.hcu.edu/christian-service/churchministry-resources/titus-camp/

July 14-19: Lewisville Church of Christ (Lewisville, TX), Ages 15-Up, contact Jeff Jenkins, jeffajenkins@gmail.com

July 21-26: Brown Trail Church of Christ and Brown Trail School of Preaching (Brown Trail, TX), for 13-19 boys www.browntrailschoolofpreaching.com, contact Jon Warnes warnes_jon@yahoo.com.

July 21-26: North MacArthur Church of Christ (Oklahoma City, OK), Young Men ages 15-22, Costs: $50, http://www.northmac.org/ministry/preacher-training-camp

A Note to To Our Younger Preaching Brothers from Jeff & Dale...

10 Reasons Why

His words were gracious. He had been at a conference one of us had spoken at and had a hesitant question. “Why is it that so many of our younger preachers don’t come to events for ministers?” He talked about not only conferences, but preacher’s luncheons, and Gospel meetings.

We love our young preachers so much but we too have noticed this. If you are younger than us, would you consider some things from a couple of old guys who love you?

WHY is it important that we spend time with other ministers?

• You need to hear from brothers, not just others. Hearing a different perspective, even if you don’t like it, helps you! It will help you down the road of life if you will make the effort to spend some time outside of your comfort zone.

• You will hit a wall at some point that you will not be able to scale alone. You’ll need guys who have poured into each other's lives who are ready to minister to you when this happens. We are in this together. Let’s be in it together!

• There are others who need you. We believe wholeheartedly the day will come when you’ll need other guys, but even if you didn’t we can assure you some of them need you. And when they stumble or when they are hurt, they will turn to be ministered to by those who they already know love them.

• Lone Ranger preachers are more prone to committing personal sin or getting into doctrinal trouble than when we are surrounded by brothers who can help us.

• The connections when something goes awry. It may be a faith challenge or it may be someone challenges your faithfulness, but when we have these connections we are less likely to be torn apart. The evil one would like nothing more than to set God’s Servants against each other. Love believes the best (1 Corinthians 13: 7) and the fact exists that it is harder for me to believe something bad about someone who I know and love. And, it is certainly easier for me to call and talk to someone I know than someone with whom I have no solid relationship.

• When we attend these types of events we are serving as an example for those younger than us, no matter how young we are. Every one of us needs one Timothy or more in our lives.

• A guy once said he wanted to be like us, to get to speak a lot. He was brutal, ‘I’m just as good of a speaker” and he was probably right. BUT he was never at luncheons, lectures. He would call it politics, as he spat out the word. Is it possibly as simple as that we know people we see, people who are connecting with us?

• These times are important because the connections when something YOU want to promote or support needs others come from them. A missionary was in danger of losing property - we had the connections to ask others who knew us to help. Paul could get a lot done because he had so many fellow laborers in so many places.

• Because these Biblical commands are not just for members. They are for preachers as well. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…” Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

• It’s not just about the speakers and the programs. In fact, many times the best part of events like these is the fellowship. We don’t get a lot out of the speakers and may not even be intrigued by the subject, but the time with others who are trying to accomplish the same mission as we are will assure that we get something out of those times.

There’s more that we could say, and we could even be harsh but that is not our goal. One of the greatest blessings in our preaching life has been and continues to be our association with other preachers, younger and older. We want you to benefit from a life of loving and being loved by God’s great servants. You’ll be better, happier and more fruitful because of these precious relationships.

John Wilson on Shepherds

Speaking to the church’s crisis of identity and crisis of leadership, John F. Wilson made the following statement at the annual Restoration Quarterly Breakfast in 1991:

“...the very word ‘shepherd,’ though we hear it from time to time in the church, sounds contrived. This is because the ‘flock’ does not consider itself thus—especially in well-educated or upwardly mobile churches. We feel more comfortable drawing our analogies from the corporate world. We are not sheep, following our shepherds to the fold. Rather, we are individuals who belong to many communities, among them, a church. This church is not our primary group, though it is very important to us, of course. The leaders of this group are not in any sense the shepherds of our lives. Instead, they are the volunteers one tends to find in any organization, who are willing to give some time and energy to keeping the church program going, handling the money, supervising the staff, and so on. They would be quite uncomfortable actually acting like shepherds—and most of us would be very uncomfortable if they were to try.”

7 Questions toward Evaluating Criticism

Jerrie Barber is one of my ministry heroes. I love how he ministers to ministers, I love how he is willing to confront an issue, even if uncomfortable, head-on, I love his willingness to own his own weirdness, and I just love being around him and his unique way of saying things. BUT, there are things I don’t love. I can’t stand how he loves criticism (and he can’t be upset with me saying that, since he loves criticism). I’ve tried, but so far, I can’t. I’ve listened but just can’t get there. From the lady who described me as her fat preacher back 35 years ago (now if she’d said I was her Phat Preacher, that’d be another deal), to the man who offered the elder $500 a week to fire me since I didn’t preach exclusively from his KJV, I struggle with enjoying critics and criticism. 

But, criticism is a part of ministry. Always has been, always will be. As I like to say “I signed up for this.” 

Yet, how you deal with it affects your joy and your joy will affect your effectiveness. Jerrie teaches me that different people will handle criticism differently. I say that to say that not everything I say here will help everyone. But, here are a few questions I’ve collected over the years of being human that help me evaluate how I deal with criticism and critics: 

• Do you try to really see yourself? Can you honestly step back and look into the mirror of yourself and ask: “Is this thing said about me true or false?” If it is false can you reject it? If it is true is it something you can improve?

• Have you grown? Are you stagnate or are you willing to try to become better as a result of your critics? Have you made any effort to change, to improve, to add to your toolbox? I don’t like criticism but when it is correct some of my best growing has been from it.

• Can you admit that you could be wrong about something? If not you are probably heading toward a lifetime of moving boxes and restarts. I heard Aubrey Johnson say that one of the keys of highly effective people is the ability to say: “I could be wrong.” I could be wrong, but I think he’s right! Here’s how you personally test if you can do this: Have you admitted that you have been wrong about something?

• Do you have people in your life who can correct you and speak truths into your life that you then accept and try to correct or improve? Who? When? If you can’t chart a history of learning from the people who you love and respect and who love you and have a vested interest in your improvement then you are quite possibly a fool. Did I say that out loud? I’m just paraphrasing Solomon (Proverbs 12:15; c.f. 1:5; 11:14; 15:22; 19:20). 

• Can you spot it when someone suggests something about you that is wrong and be OK with them not liking you for what they perceive that is a wrong perception? I had a person say to me a few years ago: “You never say that you are a sinner.” I thought, “I think I do that often.” So I asked some people who hear me often and who are honest with me and they all were shocked someone even said that. Now, that someone thinks of me that way has made me more self-aware and to be sure I’ve tried to be even more transparent about my own struggles, but even that can be overdone.

• Can you live with the fact that you will never be perfect here but still keep trying? I remember dad once saying something about making grammatical mistakes when speaking that it was a reminder that he is not perfect. If you knew dad, you know he didn’t make many such mistakes but it made me aware. He went on about people realizing you are not perfect and relating to you. My struggle that is obvious is my weight. A dear friend once joked that he wanted to call me Duncan because my weight was up and down, up and down (like a Duncan yo-yo). Yeah, it’s ongoing. I am not perfect here (and weight is not the only thing), but I do remain in the struggle to be better.

• Can I find some positivity in it? My friend Ryan Gallagher says it helps to try to find the positive even in the negative. 

Hope this little set of questions helps you. What would you add?

What's Right With The Church

author note: I originally wrote this for www on July 19, 2011 at their request. Today I have an even larger view of the church and her health and feel even MORE optimistic about the present and the future.

Any article dealing with what’s good about the church should be gazed at through the lens of:

• The reality that in the mind of God, the gift of Christ, the Pen of the Spirit and the design of the Godhead everything about the church is good, not just good, but great! There are no flaws in the heavenly design of this present bound rocket-ship to eternity (Matthew 16:16-18; Ephesians 3:10-12; Daniel 2:44-45; Acts 2:15-21, 41-47).

• But to acknowledge that reality without being continually cognizant of the constant actuality that the church is flawed from the earthbound human side is nothing more than creating a Pollyanna outlook that will lead to a disappointment severe enough to sink your faith. I have personally been a part of eight wonderful but very real congregations from the time I became a Christian 40 years ago. Each of them blessed my life more than cursing it, and each nurtured my faith while challenging me with differing issues within them. Each at times have been remarkably encouraging causing me to soar, and each at times has disappointed me causing me to question my place in that congregation.

One of the real weaknesses I see in many in our brotherhood is an over-analysis syndrome that often leads to self-hatred. About a year ago, I attended a program on church plantings put on by one of the more progressive para-church organizations out there (Karios, I think they would agree with my adjective). It was a useful time but the highlight was one of the speakers who was not a member of the churches of Christ. He spoke of traditional strengths of the church which was rich because the things he cited as our strengths were the things that many in the room have been running away from. He talked about autonomy, about church governess (i.e. elders, deacons), about a’cappella singing, about the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper. Then he said one of “your” real weaknesses seems to be a “self-hatred of your rich history.” I had lunch about 10 years ago with one of the leaders of the progressive movement in our fellowship. He asked how things were going in my work and as I talked about how much I loved it he said: “That’s refreshing. So many of the preachers I spend time with are unhappy with their work and hopeless about the future.” I remember thinking: “I’ve heard you speak, it is not surprising you attract those who are malcontent.” Why is it that those who seem most progressive in our fellowship are also the most malcontent? I think it begins with a desire to change to make things better – but then it doesn’t know how to stop – so it feeds itself. I get most bashed when I talk good about the church by those at either extreme. Randell Matheny said it well about ten years ago: “From their bashing of the brotherhood, some seem to hate their spiritual inheritance, preferring instead to laud religious departures from the Word” (http://forthright.antville.org/stories/1001252/).

So with a sense of reality I want to write about what is good about the church.

Several years ago, Joe Barnett first put out a tract with the title “Churches of Christ, Who Are These People?” It was always one of my favorites and to this day is a relevant classic. I’ve been around members of the churches of Christ for over nearly 50 years now. I’ve watched them across our country and in over twenty other countries and I’ve noticed a few things.

The churches of Christ, who are these people? They are caring, loving, compassionate people of Christ who respond to any real need whether it be spiritual or physical (They have taken the lead in low maintenance relief efforts. Whether through the local church or para-church organizations like Disaster Relief or Healing Hands, by far the greatest amount of dollars given go to the individuals it was meant to help, not to pay marketers and for marketing plans). Witness the millions given to places like Ethiopia, Poland, Africa, India, Japan, Haiti: Find any disaster and nearby you’ll find members of the churches of Christ standing with loving and meaningful support. They give sacrificially and spontaneously. They give from the oldest to the youngest. They don’t like to see others hurt or oppressed because they genuinely love people like God does. Is it surprising? While we are not a “social gospel folk” our fervor for the Word has made us leaders in social relief!

The churches of Christ, who are these people? They love young people. Their biggest events in the local church and in the larger brotherhood are youth events (Lads to Leaders, Winterfest, CYC, VBS, Bible Camp, etc). We care about our children going to heaven and their faith.

The churches of Christ, who are these people? They are people who want to do right. My experience has been that members of the church of Christ want to do right. They make mistakes, sometimes gross and glaring and hard-to-forget ones, but not because the desire to do right is not there. I’ve never heard a single one of them say they were the only ones going to heaven or claim perfection. I have heard them say over and over that anyone who obeys God will be saved by His grace. Now, they strive for perfection, but isn’t that what we all ought to do?

The churches of Christ, who are these people? They are people who are forgiving. I’ve seen it time and again. Just when a situation looks out of hand, repentance occurs and God’s people rush to the aid and defense of the penitent one. They forgive and accept back people whom others would not. It’s not just a second chance, but a third and fourth and…

The churches of Christ, who are these people? They are people who sometimes argue. They argue because they are passionate about Truth. Seldom are the arguments that I’ve seen engaged in the result of either side not wishing to follow God’s Word, but on how to best follow the Divine Instructions. And they are patient: They may not like where someone lands but they are so slow to cut people off.

The churches of Christ, who are these people? They are not credal. Sometimes people will talk about the church being strict or narrow-minded. My experience is that since we have no creed but the Bible we offer greater freedom than most religious groups. Prove it by the Bible, and there will be no creed to keep your congregation from practicing it.

The churches of Christ, who are these people? They are people who wish to hear the Word of God held up as their authority. They get low marks sometimes in tact, an area where most are sincerely working on improving, but what they lose in tact is often made up for in sheer desire to be true to God’s Word. They want to hear preachers give Biblical evidence to support what they are saying. They are sincere and simple in their pure attempt to remain true to God’s teaching. Most of them are not condemning, or cruel, or judgmental; but patient and kind and searching for God’s truths.

The churches of Christ, who are these people? They are people who wish to see God’s Word preached around the world and will make sacrifices to see that it is done. They will give of their money, time, talent and energy to take that Word to the poorest, remotest village in the world. And they’ll wear a big smile as they go.

The churches of Christ, who are these people? They are my brothers and sisters scattered across the globe. They make mistakes, but they are only human and God knows that. He also knows their intentions and their hearts. I am thankful to be a part of such a people.

The churches of Christ. Why don’t you investigate further? Let me close with a few things I love about the church:

• I love the church local. I love church autonomy. Willard Collins once said that “anything that God wants done can be done through the local church” and he was correct.

• I love the struggling church. I love that we are aware that we are fellow strugglers.

• I love the healthy church – that even when we struggle we still serve.

• I love the young church - full of vigor and vitality. We have so many young people who have a noteworthy commitment to Her.

• I love the church old - who give generously, who never give up, who add wisdom and depth to our fellowship.

• I love the commitment to the Bible – something worth leaning on.

Kindness? In this Climate?

We live in a world of a lot of conflict. It seems the level of mean spiritedness and political divisiveness has spilled over into every aspect of life. We seem to be at a point where every thought, post, comment, like, etc it filtered through political bias. As if a democrat can’t have an intelligent thought or a homosexual can’t be a loving person. The polarization of our nation forum has only served to polarize us even more. May I remind Christians that truth is truth regardless of who says it and error is error regardless of its source.

This has infected even some who profess godliness to the point that they feel justified in being mean, snarky, or unthoughtful in their approaches to others. Some even have defended their ugliness as standing for truth. The fact is true truth has no need to ever be ugly, it stands without a need for any self-righteous or self-serving commentary. Still others in some misconstrued self-delusion think the louder they talk and the more caustic their approach the more they will convince others. And, if you don’t join in their “righteous efforts” they will turn their venom on you as one who is not willing to stand for right. I would remind us that 1 Peter 3:15 that answer we are to be prepared to give is the answer for “the hope that in you lives.” 

When people talk about our dad, Jerry Jenkins, they have two comments. Either they will say, “I’ve never known anyone who led more people to the Lord” or they say, “He was the kindest man I ever knew.” Those two are not accidental or exclusive of each other. In fact, I’d assure you that one fed the other. I cannot remember the number of times dad taught us that how you treat others either opens or closes doors. That if you get ahead of the Gospel you may win some fights but you won’t win as many souls. 

Yes, sometimes stands can and sometimes people’s reaction to truth will make them determine to not accept the Good News, but let it never be our attitudes that affect such.

I want to suggest that we do not have to comment on every social ill and that self-righteousness will harm the cause of Christ more than gentle graciousness. Please know that I do not believe he was perfect but while others were winning little skirmishes dad was opening doors and then treating people with such goodness that he won souls to the Lord. 

I know it is challenging to know when to and when not to post, comment, react, but I challenge you to think before you do if that comment will actually lead to bringing someone to Christ or pushing them further away.

“…we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Books...

On the fly without any time Lonnie Jones, David Baker, Paul Spurlin, Brandon Presnell and I were asked for a list of books that would be most useful for a youth minister. The question was prefaced with an understanding that the Bible is the best book to shape EVERY part of our lives. There is no book that replaces or supersedes it. Second, that any book written by any human will have mistakes and flaws in it but that does not preclude it from having helpful and insightful information in it. And finally, that recommending some of a book does not endorse all of that book nor does it endorse everything else the author has written or said. With those, here is our cold list:

Raising Self Reliant Children in a Self-indulgent World, H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelsen Ed.D.

Sticky Faith, Kara Powell

Lunch Ladies, Philip Jenkins

Sustainable Youth Ministry, Mark DeVries

Just Listen, Mark Goulston

Emotional Intelligence,  Justin Bariso

Pedagogue, Lonnie Jones

Canoeing the Mountains, Tod Bolsinger

 A Failure of Nerve, Edwin H. Friedman

People Styles at Work, Robert Bolton and Dorothy Grover Bolton

Getting to Yes, Roger Fisher and William L. Ury

The Most Loving Place in Town, Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges

The Creative Leader, Ed Young, JR

Do Your Job

It seems some among us find some sort of sadistic joy in pointing out any error or perceived error of our brethren, any short-coming of our brotherhood they can hone in on and then abuse to promote what seems an agenda. As one outsider said: “I have never seen a group who has as much self-hatred as members of the church of Christ exhibit.” I would not, nor have I ever heard any sane brother claim we have everything perfected. Yet it is our noble, right, and righteous goal to strive to restore New Testament Christianity. 

I want to address something that I think we got right in teaching but it seems often have fallen short of in practice. This might be, for some, the truth that we need to practice what we preach. 

The Biggest thing you can do is the best thing you can do and that is do your job. Yes, do your job (Romans 12:3-8).

Preachers/ministers - preach/minister. Speak the Word, study it, prepare for it, learn to present, study every aspect you can of it. Don’t hold back God’s truth because you are fearful or might lose a paycheck, don’t be a hireling, Speak truth in love. Don’t short circuit either of those non-negotiables. Spend more time reading God’s Word than scouring social media or the newest book of cool sermons from some cool preacher. Then preach. Minister. Be there in the big events of people’s lives, love them, listen to them, hear their problems, aid them in their troubles, make time for them. Minister (Colossians 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:2). And, might I add, stop trying to be the elder, shepherd, bishop of the church. Do your job.*

Shepherds - shepherd. Care, lead, and guide with gentleness. Take challenging stands with force and grace, it can be done. Consider each sheep, even the difficult ones (maybe, especially the difficult ones). Lead the sheep to good waters, green fields, over difficult terrain, in the midst of storms. Get them to the ultimate safe place. Take stands against wolves, especially the ones in sheep’s clothing. Don’t spend your energies on deacons’ work, serving tables, or arranging chairs on a sinking ship. Don’t push the hard to the bottom of the agenda or excuse your responsibility because a person might be difficult to deal with. Be diligent in your position against evil with strength and force, and just as diligent in assuring the church is a place of love. Love, know, and tend the sheep. Shepherd (1 Peter 5:2). Do your job. 

Deacons - diákonos, serve. Prove yourself. Take on a job and see it through. Own your area(s) of responsibilities. Don’t quit at the first sign of difficulty. Don’t retreat from your roll just because it may not be as important as you think you are. Do the difficult and seemingly menial so elders can shepherd and ministry can preach. Serve. Show up. Be diligent, creative, and a submissive leader. Serve (1 Timothy 3:8-10). Do your job.

Yes, we have our challenging but the church is the Lord’s let’s all serve in our rolls as if He were the one watching. Remember, Revelation, HE KNOWS our works…do your job. 

*In case you are wondering, I preached this to myself first today.

Boo-birds?

I’ve heard it and i think one of the most classless things that a fan can do is boo their own team. I heard it again yesterday. Our Tennessee Titans were playing. They’ve not been an overall winning team in a long time and at times they are just weak as a team. But they were getting beat at a team everyone thought we should not get beat by. And out came the “boo-birds.” Expectation turned to frustration and then to exasperation. i’ve never heard it, even among the fanbase of the worst teams and thought, “yep, that’s a smart move.” It just makes no sense to boo your own team. Let me give you five reasons why.

1. You’re a fan: You are supposed to be FOR them! While booing may communicate a number of things, NONE of them is support. In the “How To Be A Good Fan” media guide you will never see a fan cupping his hands and screaming “Go Team!!! Booooo!!!!” To quote the Gieco commercial: “That’s not how it’s done, that’s not how any of this is done!”

2. You couldn’t do better, but you are correcting them: Men 40 years past their prime (which wasn’t that good anyway) and 40 pound over playing weight scream their complaints to the guy who are actually DOING it, playing the game. You don’t hear guys in the surgery observation deck (do those exist?) ragging on the surgeon - “com’ on, you can cut better than that! You need to be faster than that!” 

3. Nobody ever got better by being booed: No player ever was interviewed after a win who said, ‘You know, we were playing and really stinking it up, and I heard a large group of our fans in Section R47 booing and I thought, ‘man, we need to get it together.’ I really want to thank them, We couldn’t have won without that boo’ing.” Booing doesn’t make anyone better. In fact, it’d make me worse. It’d make me want to get away, to believe I wasn’t wanted. 

4. The story is not over yet: In the game I referenced earlier the team played pretty pitiful early on and fell behind by three scores. But in the second half they rallied and ended up winning in a super comeback. It made the all those booing look pretty bad. 

5. You may not know everything you think you know. You don’t know if Michael Jordan has the flu or in the star player’s dad just died or if there is conflict they are working through on a team or if a coach has already been dismissed and they are working on the details. There’s often much and important info that you don’t know.

I know you think we’ve been talking about football, but the same can be applied to churches, to ministers, to elderships, even to individual Christians. Read through it again with that in mind. And stop booing the elders and preacher!  

Sermon Checklist Manifesto

This is not a book review, so stay with me. Someone recommended "The Checklist Manifesto" to me a while back and it has been my Audible book for this week. The Seattle Times says that Checklist, written in 2009 by surgeon Atul Gawande is “about how to prevent highly trained, specialized workers from making dumb mistakes.” He not only reviews how something as seemingly simple as a checklist dramatically reduced patient death and other difficulties following surgery, but he also talks to a construction manager, a master chef, a venture capitalist and the man at The Boeing Co. who writes checklists for airline pilots. 

He sold me. I’ve always been a list person. I just do better with lists and deadlines. And it got me to thinking. If there was a checklist for sermons what would be on yours? Here’s my start:

HAVE I PRAYED ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC SERMON? This must be where it begins. Prayer cleanses your heart and focuses your mind. If God is not invited in then it can quickly become your rant, your hypothesizing, your opinions and not HIS Truth and HIS Message. I have about three prayers I pray every Sunday about sermons. One is pretty simple and it part of my prayer driving to the church building. I don’t know, it may not even be right but I take it from Samson’s prayer in Judges 16:28 “Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God…” God, help me again today, this one time to do this well. Some weeks it’s a cry to strength to make it through a difficult sermon, other weeks it’s a prayer to help me communicate a challenging or controversial text, still others it’s a plea for a week where I’ve not found the time I wished to prepare as well as I want. The second prayer I pray right before I get in the pulpit, Rick Warren actually made me think of this: “God, You love these people and I love these people, You love me and these people love me. Help me not to see this as an audience to fear or attack but a people to love. Love these people through me.” And the final prayer I find myself praying most every week is on Sunday night after all the day has died down I’ll begin praying about the next sermon I’m preaching. That is actually a prayer that I will take with me throughout the activities of the week. 

DID I INCLUDE JESUS IN THE MESSAGE?  Argue with me on this statement. If Jesus is not in the sermon it should not be preached. Isn’t He the message? Isn’t He who we are told to preach? Hear Paul “I am determine to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” “We preach Jesus.” I’ve quoted my friend David Shannon’s sermon altering statement often: “The quality of a sermon is determined by how long it is till Jesus shows up in it.”

HAVE I PROPERLY EXEGETED THE TEXT? Have I studied the context? Have I looked at the language? Have I taken apart each word to see what is in it? 

HAVE I TAKEN MY EMOTIONS OUT OF IT? Stay with me on this one. We’ll talk about passion next but for now the question is am I pushing an agenda I am passionate about, am I trying to attack a person I am upset with, do I get anything carnal out of preaching this text, am I pandering to a part of the audience? 

HAVE I FOUND MY PASSION FOR THIS? If you do not preach with passion, go get some! Preaching without passion is pointless. You’ll never convict anyone. I got this from my dad. His ability to bring his passion into a message convicted thousands, I was one of those thousands. 

IS THERE A CHALLENGE IN THE MESSAGE? Stated another way, have I told them what to do with this message? I always include a challenge to respond publicly to the sermon. I don’t think that HAS to be done but I don’t know why someone would not. My personal challenge here is to try to keep that fresh and not just as a tag on line. BUT more than that I want to give the audience agenda item from the sermon. What can they do right now, today, this week, this month that applies to this sermon? This is not always easy but it is, I believe, essential. 

DO I KNOW WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY? I think it was Dr. Lori Barr from Austin who I first heard use the term elevator speech. I didn’t know what it meant but before she was done explaining it I knew it would become a part of my life. In case you don’t know, an elevator speech is your message given in such a short time that you could tell it to a stranger in the elevator between the time the doors closed and they opened again on an elevator trip. Some would call it a thesis statement. But it is the why (and some of the what) of the message. 

DOES THE MESSAGE MAKE SENSE? I like to sometime from Thursday night to Saturday night I try to while my wife and I are sitting at home, go over the sermon in about 2 to 3 minutes and just ask: “Did that make sense?” She sometimes says yes, and sometimes will say “what?”,  and sometimes will have a suggestion or two, and sometimes she will say “no.” I really dread that “no.”  But if I can’t explain what I am trying to get across to her how to I think I will be able to talk to a whole audience who can’t give that feedback that week? 

WHAT QUESTIONS HAVE I LEFT UNANSWERED? This one may be a little odd but a few years ago I was listening to a really good lesson on a text but at some point in working the way through the text he didn’t deal with what seemed to me to be an obvious question. And I got stuck. He left me behind at that question. I missed the rest of his lesson trying to work through what that part of the text meant. You’ll miss this sometimes because the text is familiar to you, but go back and try to ask “if I were reading this text for the first time where would I struggle to understand, what questions would I have?” Don’t let this sabotage the sermon or send you chasing rabbits for too long but don’t let it be a barrier that keeps the hearer from getting the point either. 

HAVE I TOUCHED THE HEART? For a few blessed years my sister sat in the audience. I remember one Sunday afternoon I went to see her. I was feeling all good and chipper about the sermon that day. She said: “It had a lot of good stuff in it but it didn’t touch my heart.” That was powerful. In all of our frothing at the mouth about how how we can’t let our heart guide us (and rightly so, for the Text deals with that too), the heart must be touched, pricked, stirred, quickened or else you’ll both bore your audience and short-short-circuit your effectiveness.

So, there’s my 10 questions on my sermon checklist for now. What would you add? What are yours?

Preachers Love Books!

So, what’s in your library? You’ve probably got a set of GA Commentaries, if you are over 40 you probably have that massive collection of Pulpit Commentaries. I bet you’ve got Guy N.’s Questions and Answers. You have copy or two of Muscle and A Shovel - at least one was given to you. You have a few sermon outline books. I hope you have a copy of a book written by a Jenkins, dad, Jeff, Philip, Ancil, or me (if not, I can tell you where to get one). You have a collection of Bibles. You’ve got a few church growth books and a shelf of books on Marriage and the Family. It’s likely you have a few that are worth something monetarily. You probably have a couple that were written by friends and some autographed by author releases. Preachers seem to have always loved book.  

I’ve been asked several times over the years to share lists of my most useful books, or to contribute to lists that otter’s are compiling. I enjoy doing that. 

Let me give you a few surprising ones to add:

Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day: Like all of these they are short, simple, and children’s books really, but have powerful and important lessons for adults and, maybe especially those of us in ministry. Alexander learns how to deal with tough days.

The Velveteen Rabbit: This is a classic. Nobody I know becomes more “real” than preachers. If you can make it through this and personalize it without a tear - you are a tough dude!

Oh The Places You’ll Go: Some of you knew this would be on here. If for no other reason the section on The Waiting Place. Man. The good Seuss is spot on. For years I have read this book to graduating seniors and had them sign it. My copy has become pretty special to me. 

Bear, Your Manners Are Showing: In this day of Social Media and public meanness. Melanie read this 1987 release most every night to our toddler sons. LIttle Bear has much to say today and, may I say frankly, I know some preachers who need to sit a copy of this book right UNDER their Bible.

How to Be A Grouch, by Oscar the Grouch: Just saying. Sometimes the best way not to be one is to have someone tell you what one looks like.

What silly book(s) would you add to this list?

Unreported Benefits

Do you remember when you got your first real paycheck? I started mowing yards when I was 9 or 10 with my brother but my first job that gave me a paycheck was when I was 12 or 13 and started bussing tables at “The Great American Hamburger and Soda Fountain Restaurant” in Eastwood Mall. I had to get a Work Permit to let me do it. I remember doing the math: If I work 20 hours in a week and I make (I think it was) $2.60 an hour and I get a paycheck for two weeks at a time I will make $104! And then I got that check and it was for like $85-90, what? It had all sort of weird words on it to me like FICA and Alabama State Income Tax, Withholding Tax. So for nearly 45 years now I’ve looked at my pay stubs. Sometimes I’ve thought, “man, I wish I made as much as that first line says.” Other times I’ve breathed a prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings afforded me in this land that some of those taxes help make possible. But I have a confession to make today.

Don’t tell the IRS but all of my pay is not reflected in my pay-stub! No, I’m not getting unreported income under the table or tips for my sermons on Sunday (yeah, I get tips but not the money kind :)). But I am getting stuff for which the IRS has no reporting form.

I get to watch a dad baptize his daughter into Christ and weep tears of joy.

I get to be the first to see a newborn as mom and dad proudly show off and take a picture with the preacher.

I get to pray beside the bed of a deeply loved saint about ready to meet God.

I get to be confronted by the Word of God IN my Work. 

I get to stand in front of people and bring a Message of God’s Grace.

I get to hear a sound more beautiful than angels singing, as I prepare to walk onto the stage each Sunday and listen to our teens praise God with others in song. 

I get to work with the best folks in the world on the best Projects.

I get to be with people at the greatest moments of their lives.

I get to share with people in their hurt. 

I get to get high fives from kids and hugs from little old ladies.

I get grace from God AND His People.

I get a front row seat in God’s working in people’s lives.

I get to be God’s Man in front of people even though I am very human, and their respect spurs me to higher living. 

Not sure how to report all of that to the IRS, so I’ll just tell God thank You and spend the rest of my life “working” off that big ole unrepayable debt. 

SEVEN WAYS PREACHERS CAN ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

It happens over, and over, and over again. We hear about preachers losing their jobs or dropping out of ministry because the pressures are so great.

This article is not about who is right or wrong when a preacher loses his job. I’m certain there is enough blame to go around.

This is a plea from my heart that those of us who are preaching brothers will do everything we can to encourage one another.

With apologies to those of you who are reading this who are not preachers, it is true that there is no one who can understand the life and work of a preacher better than another preacher.

I have talked to more preachers than I can count who are suffering in silence.

They have been chastised by their elders, their deacons, or some well-meaning fellow Christian.

Their feeling is that they are under-appreciated. They feel that few really know all that they do. They feel that few really care about their families, their health, their mental well-being, and their spiritual walk with the Lord.

Okay, take a deep breath. I know that some of you guys who are reading this would say, “Jeff, I’ve never felt that way, and those who have need to get over it.” I’m thankful you’ve never been treated like that or that you’ve never been made to feel that way, but be careful brother, about saying someone who has needs to get over it. At least until you’ve walked in their shoes.

So, most of us who preach understand these thoughts and feelings. This is a plea to all of us who preach to encourage, strengthen, support, and love a fellow preacher who is struggling. Let’s consider how we can encourage and support one another. If you are not a preacher, why not join in with us as we seek to encourage one another.

OFFER WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT. As we mentioned earlier, there are enough negative and critical words spoken in our world. Those of us who are preachers don’t need to add to what has already been said.

Remember that as Christians we have been charged with speaking words, that are “good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Make a phone call or a personal visit, send an email, a letter, a text, or a Facebook message. Sit down with someone who is hurting and just listen. Listen with your heart. Show compassion and concern. There are many ways we can encourage.

ENCOURAGE A PREACHER’S FAMILY. If you know a brother who is struggling, be sure to ask him how his family is doing? If your wife is a good encourager, ask her to call the struggling preacher’s wife. Ask about the children. See if there is anything that can be done to encourage the family.

TALK TO OUR FATHER. It has been my personal practice to keep a running list of preachers who I know are dealing with difficulties, as well as preachers who have contacted me to ask for prayers.

I do my best to pray though that list on a weekly, sometime daily basis. One of the greatest gifts we can give to a brother who is struggling is the gift of knowing we are praying for them. If you tell someone you are going to pray for them write it down and be sure you follow through (If you would like to be added to my list please send me private message, no details needed!)

EXTEND GRACE & FORGIVE. There are times that the preacher who is struggling is the one who is in the wrong. Perhaps he has brought his struggle on himself. I am not writing this to say that preachers are always right.

I know from my own life that all of us have to constantly watch ourselves. Our own decisions and choices can bring pain to our lives and the lives of our family. That is why we must constantly examine ourselves to be sure that we are, “In the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

DON’T PRY OR ASK TOO MANY QUESTIONS. Some people (and this includes some of us who preach) pride themselves in knowing every sordid detail about every problem in the church. They want to be able to “report” to others about the heartaches of those who are suffering.

I have seen preachers who pry into the lives of people just so they will know. Be careful to not “stick your nose,” where it is not needed. Be careful about asking too many questions. Someone who is hurting will tell you what they want you to know or what they feel you need to know to be able to help.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT ONE ANOTHER AFTER THE INITIAL CONTACT. Please don’t overlook this very important part of the helping process. Many times, we reach out to a hurting brother, pray for him, encourage him, and then we forget about him.

Hurts and pains don’t quickly go away. Make another phone call, send another note, reach out again, sometime after the initial contact. When a hurting brother knows that we won’t drop him it will mean the world to him. Since learning about the return of my wife’s cancer, one of my preaching brethren has texted me regularly just to say he is praying for us. It has meant more to us than he’ll ever know.

BUILD UP PREACHERS IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS. Work overtime not to be critical of a preacher in the presence of other preachers, church leaders, or members. If someone hears you “speaking out of school,” they will not feel that they can trust you when they need to be able to reach out.

Brothers, those of us who preach are blessed to be a part of a very special fraternity. The best friends I have in my life are preachers. Some of them are older, some of them are younger, and some of them are my age (some of you are thinking, that would be the same as the older ones)! God has blessed my life beyond measure by my preaching brothers.

Let’s help one another during difficult times. Let’s reach out to one another. Let’s thank God for one another.

Dear Father, we know that we have some brothers who are hurting right now. Help us, dear God to reach out to them. Help us to encourage them in every way possible. Help us to pray for those around us who are hurting. Dear Father, please give a special measure of Your grace to those who need it right now. In the Name of the One who will give us rest we pray, Amen.

 

Odd Interview Questions. “What?”

Ah, interviews. You never know what you are going to get into. Most every preacher has a ton of stories on them. They can be done right and they can be a train wreck. We asked: “What’s the oddest question you’ve ever been asked in an interview for a job with a church?” What follows are some of the most interesting answers we got (and maybe a few comments from us). And, then a crazy story of an interview I had. Remember, primary purpose of THIS post is just foolishness.

“Is your wife submissive to you?” (Uh, let’s see...I think she told me to answer that “yes.”)

Are you for Alabama or Auburn? (I’m not sure why the person that submitted this one thought it was an odd question! It’s obviously a vital question!)

I was asked to accept the work but keep it quiet because they had promised to try out other preachers. (“So, we’re going to lead with deceit?”)

I was timidly asked over the phone by one of the elders, you don’t have any racial things going on do you? (Huh?)

The most recent was "Which day of the week do you take off?"  My response was "I thought I only worked one day a week!"   7 of the 8 elders laughed!  (Well, played.)

Do you know the difference between Coastal Christians and Intercostal Christians? (“Hmmm? One baptizes in baptistries and the other in the ocean?”)

Did I vote in the last election? (“Did you?”)

What is your credit score? (I predict this will be a routine question in the not to distant future.)

Do you use ONLY the KJV? (“No, sometimes I preach out of the Greek text? Is that OK?”)

I was asked if I would be interested in mowing the lawn for the church building along with the lawn for the preacher's house. (Been there, done that.)

"What is your wife going to do?" I asked, "Why do you want to know? Are you going to pay her too?" (And, you didn’t get the job, right?)

Do you preach as good as Dale Jenkins.  Just kidding.  What is the least amount of money you will take to come to this church? (If I had a dollar for every time that first question was asked....I couldn’t buy a Krystal)

Do you play Golf? (“By ‘play’ what exactly do you mean?”) Side note, most every question asked, is the result of a past experience.

What is your view of the Masonic lodge. Asked from a Mason on the search committee. (“What is your view of the KKK?”)

On a scale of 1-10, how conservative are you? (“Your scale or Christ’s?”)

I was young, real young. The congregation did not have elders so they invited all the men into a room and for over 2 hours fired questions at me. Theological questions, practical questions, “how would you” questions. I have always loved Q&A time, so I was loving it. 

Until. BIll asked: “Do you split the sex?” I was confused, stunned, totally unsure of what he meant. Well, he was an older man, maybe I misunderstood the question. “Would you repeat the question?” “Do you split the sex?” Maybe I was being set up, see how this quay handles himself on his feet, if we can trip him up. I paused...as long as I could. I thought, what could he mean? 

In my mind I was thinking: “No, and that would be none of your business.” 

Finally, Ronnie, said. “Brother Bill, I’m not sure I understand what you are asking.” Whew, I wasn’t the only one. He said, “Like, when you preach, do you split the sex. Do you call out the Baptists and Methodists? Do you split the sects?”

Some things sound different than they look!

And, everyone in the room had a relieved laugh.

What’s the oddest one you’ve been asked?