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Thursday, November 06, 2008

Looking for a preacher?

I am an experienced preacher looking for a congregation where I may work full-time in a local setting. I wish to preach the gospel and I wish to help the local church to grow numerically. I also wish to help such a church grow spiritually. This is done by “sound” teaching from God’s word. There is an interesting and challenging facet of working locally as the preacher. One gets to know the brethren–the members and families of the local church. This is exciting. It also brings challenges when families or individuals have problems. For a number of years I have looked upon the work of preaching as a matter of solving problems, educating brethren, and winning souls to Christ. Sin is man’s biggest problem (Rom. 3:23), and sin brings a load of additional problems as the consequence of violating God’s word (Rom. 6:23).

Finding a congregation where one may labor for the Lord is not always easy. I am just as certain that it is not easy for a church that is seeking the services of preacher to find the one they feel is “right” for them.

In this blog and others that may follow, I wish to set forth some pitfalls or problems that are faced by the preacher in his quest to find a congregation where he may work. I also wish to help enlighten some who may not understand many of the difficulties faced in seeking such employment.

First, when a preacher is looking for a place to preach local churches that are looking for a preacher need to realize that they are on “trial” as a prospective congregation just as much as the preacher is “on trial”. Sometimes I think that some brethren in local churches assume that all the advantage is on the side of the local church and that every preacher who is “looking” wants to preach for them. However, that is not the case. The preacher is also inspecting the prospective church. The matter is not all one-sided. This is a two-way street. Some churches are not as much to be desired as other congregations. The same is true with preachers who are looking for employment. So, let it not be assumed that the congregation has all the advantage and that preachers are at their mercy. When a prospective preacher goes to visit a church that is looking for a preacher he is gathering information about that congregation. Just because he is there, as a guest, does not mean that he definitely wants to preach for that particular congregation. He and his family are getting a “feel” for that church as they meet the members, evaluate the attitudes of the leadership of the church, its doctrinal soundness, and inspect the membership and its works, plans, goals, vision, potential, conduct toward one another, friendliness, etc. So, all of this is not just a matter of whether the church wants the preacher who is “trying out,” it is also matter of whether the “trial” preacher is finding what he is seeking! I have been to a number of churches where I have thought (after spending some time with them), “Well, I do not want to work with those folks.”

A second matter is something that many brethren never think of, but if it is applied to secular business, it is often thought of and discussed. I realize that not all legal matters in business can be applied equally to the church, its business, and work. But, there are some things that brethren need to seriously think about. These are matters of discrimination. “Discrimination?!” one replies. Yes, discrimination! What about “age” discrimination, “race” discrimination, “physical” discrimination (looks, weight, etc)? I suppose that many of my brethren never thought about it before, but there is more of this kind of discrimination that is practiced in the church than some are willing to admit. In secular work, it can be a violation of some law or code to discriminate–and it can bring heavy penalties. But, brethren who speak long and loud about following the “law of the land” are often too easily willing to discriminate against preachers on the basis of age or looks in matters involving preacher selection.

In these matters, I wonder what happened to the Golden Rule, Mat. 7:12? To treat others as you would wish to be treated.

My experience has been that when some (some!) brethren cannot find a doctrinal problem with a preacher, but they really do not want him, the next thing they will do is to scour his life, personality, or family for some excuse not to hire him. They will then seek to exploit his flaws and emphasize them in an effort to turn others against him and prevent him from being hired.

Many churches today say that they are looking for “young preachers with children still at home.” They think this will attract the younger families in their community to come to their worship services. They believe this will be an incentive for families with small children to become prospects for baptism. In some cases, that might be true. But, it is definitely not true in all cases! There are many churches that have found some young families in their community who like to have an older, experienced preacher who can give their family a sense of security and who can speak wisely to their problems and needs. There is something positive about experience and wisdom in the pulpit. A young preacher may not be able to do this. I am not opposed to young preachers (I was once a young preacher with a young family), but I am opposed to the thinking that only a young married preacher with children at home is the solution to a church’s need for numerical growth. This thinking is often ill-advised and short-sighted. It may also overemphasize the numerical growth angle while overlooking matters of equal or greater importance.

Another matter about this kind of thinking is that it overlooks the reality of the demographics of the population of the United States. First, fewer men are becoming gospel preachers. Most of the preachers within churches of Christ are older men. Many parents do not want their sons to become gospel preachers because (looking at it from a purely worldly viewpoint) there is no financial future in it. Because fewer young men are becoming preachers there are fewer young preachers that are married with children at home! That is simply a fact of life. Therefore, there are fewer young preachers with families available to churches looking for preachers!

Along with this demographic reality is another–the average age of Americans is older rather than younger! Also, the average age of gospel preachers is older. Thus, we should be cautious about looking only for a young man to be our preacher. And, let us be careful about age discrimination when looking for a preacher. From personal experience, I know that many churches with older preachers have many young families with children in those congregations. If your congregation is looking for younger families, maybe your emphasis is not what it should be. The weight or burden of drawing young families should not be on the basis that “we have a young preacher with a family.” That sounds so shallow! Our experience has been that Christians are looking for sound doctrinal teaching, and the rest follows. What about drawing from the middle-aged or the older people in your community? Are their souls not as precious and valuable as the young?

Another matter when looking for a preacher in the discrimination area is that of how people “look” physically. All of us are not prime physical specimens with bodies that would grace the cover of a health magazine. We may wish we had such a body, but most of us are not perfect. Some of us are overweight, and many of us are working on that problem. However, we should not (as was implied by one young man awhile back) equate a person who is overweight with being a glutton or a winebibber! There are many reasons for a person being overweight, and there is no excuse for gluttony, but being overweight can be caused by many factors, and it is not always gluttony! To assume that all overweight people are gluttons is to pass an unrighteous judgment upon them (to judge without facts, John 7:24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” I do not know what Jesus looked like, but He was accused of winebibbing and gluttony! The Scriptures tell us that Jesus was not handsome to look at. Isaiah 53:2 says, “… he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” Does that mean He was short, gawky, ugly, overweight; did He walk with a limp? I do not know, but I do know there were accusations leveled against Him that were not true! (Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:34).

When a king was being selected to reign over Israel, it was thought that a strong, handsome physical specimen of a man was to be chosen, but God made it clear that such was not His criteria for the King of Israel. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Let this be a lesson to us to be more humble and to try to see more as God sees others. It is believed that Paul, the apostle, had bad eyesight (Gal. 6:11; 2 Cor. 12:17). We do know that he had at least one physical ailment because he referred to it. Would we turn him away as our preacher because of some mere physical problem? Far too much emphasis today is made on physical matters than should be. What does it say about brethren today when they emphasize the “looks” of a man rather than his heart, his knowledge, and his ability? Perhaps many are too materialistic or worldly in their thinking! Do we allow such small-minded men to hold sway in local churches in matters of such great importance as hiring a preacher? If so, we allow spiritually weak men to control the church, and a church will grow no stronger than its weakest link!

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Calling The Prodigal

Calling The Prodigal

Charles H. Gabriel

God is calling the prodigal, come without delay,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee.
Tho’ you’ve wandered so far from His presence, come today,
Hear His loving voice calling still.

Refrain

Calling now for thee, O weary prodigal, come;
Calling now for thee, O weary prodigal, come.

Patient, loving and tenderly still the Father pleads,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee;
Oh! return while the Spirit in mercy intercedes,
Hear His loving voice calling still.

Refrain

Come, there’s bread in the house of the Father, and to spare,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee;
Lo! the table is spread and the feast is waiting there,
Hear His loving voice calling still.

Refrain


Lead Me To Calvary

Lead Me To Calvary

Jennie E. Hussey

King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.

Refrain

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,
Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed
Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.

Refrain

Let me like Mary, through the gloom,
Come with a gift to Thee;
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary.

Refrain

May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.

Refrain

Speed Away

Speed Away

Fanny J. Crosby

Speed away, speed away, on your mission of light,
To the lands that are lying in darkness and night;
’Tis the Master’s command; go ye forth in His Name,
The wonderful Gospel of Jesus proclaim;
Take your lives in your hand, to the work while ’tis day,
Speed away, speed away, speed away.

Speed away, speed away with the life giving Word;
To the nations that know not the voice of the Lord;
Take the wings of the morning and fly o’er the wave,
In the strength of your Master the lost ones to save;
He is calling once more, not at moment’s delay,
Speed away, speed away, speed away.

Speed away, speed away with the message of rest,
To the souls by the tempter in bondage oppressed;
For the Savior has purchased their ransom from sin,
And the banquet is ready, O gather them in;
To the rescue make haste, there’s no time for delay,
Speed away, speed away, speed away.


Rescue The Perishing

Rescue the Perishing

Fanny J. Crosby

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Refrain

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.

Refrain

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

Refrain

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

Refrain

Send The Light

Send The Light

Charles H. Gabriel

There’s a call comes ringing o'er the restless wave,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
There are souls to rescue there are souls to save,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Send the light, the blessèd Gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light, the blessèd Gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden offering at the cross we lay,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Let us pray that grace may everywhere abound,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a Christlike spirit everywhere be found,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Church of Christ, O Sleep No More

Church of Christ, O Sleep No More

Fanny J. Crosby

Church of Christ, thy Lord is calling;
Ope thine eyes, behold and see,
Precious souls, in chains of bondage,
Pleading now for aid from thee.
Up and work for those that perish,
Haste, the time will soon be o’er;
Fold thy arms of love around them,
Church of Christ, O sleep no more.

Lo, again thy Lord is calling;
Preach the Word, its truth proclaim;
Lift thy voice and, like a trumpet,
Sound aloud Jehovah’s Name.
Boding clouds are in the distance,
Billows foam, and surges roar,
Dark and wild the night is coming,
Church of Christ, O sleep no more.

Still again thy Lord is calling;
Take the lamp that once He gave;
Let its beams of peerless glory
Shine afar the lost to save.
Do His will and do it quickly,
For the time will soon be o’er;
He may come when least expected,
Church of Christ, O sleep no more.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

What to do when your faith begins to waver--from First Peter

1. Remember the precious inheritance promised to us (1:4)

2. Remember that your faith is more precious than gold (1:7)

3. Rejoice in the Lord (1:8).

4. Remember the faithfulness of the Old Testament characters (1:10-12)

5. Gird up the loins of your mind—be sober (get your mind—thinking— together) (1:13)

6. Obey God and avoid worldly lusts (1:15)

7. Be holy (1:15-16)

8. Remember that your redemption was purchased at great sacrifice—the death of Jesus as the spotless sacrificial Lamb (1:18-19)

9. Put your faith and hope in God (1:21)

10. Love your brethren with a pure heart fervently (intensely and genuinely) (1:22)

11. Remember that God’s word abides forever, and it was through His word (the gospel) that you were saved (1:23-25)

12. Desire the sincere word of God in order to grow and be strong spiritually (2:2)

13. Don’t forget to render acceptable spiritual sacrifices to God (Worship Him) (2:5)

14. Remember that your spiritual foundation is Christ, who has chosen you as royalty (2:9)

15. Be honest and do good works (2:12)

16. Give honor when and where it is due (2:17)

17. Serve God faithfully—don’t give up (2:16)

18. Follow Christ’s example—walk in His steps (2:21)

19. Live righteously—There is no excuse for sin (3:10-12)

20. Be ready to give an answer (This requires study of the word) (3:15)

21. Faithfully speak God’s word to others (4:11)

22. Don’t stray from the flock or be a cause of grief or heartache to elders (5:1-3)

23. Be humble (5:6)

24. Cast all your cares upon the Lord—He really cares for you (5:7)

25. Watch out for Satan and his devices—He will do you no good—resist him (5:8).

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Materialism--a sin rarely confessed

The Bible warns frequently about the dangers and sin of materialism–the love of “things,” greed, avarice, the obsession of wanting more and more. Jesus taught the following, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” Luke 12:15. Jesus had much to say about people and their possessions. He had much to say about how we deal with our possessions, how we look upon them and value them. In Luke 12:15-34, Jesus taught very clearly about the priorities in one’s life. He taught concerning placing so much value on “what we have” in contrast with the really important matters in life–primarily, the priceless value of one’s own eternal soul. All of one’s life is not composed of his material possessions, according to Jesus. Yet, so many people fail to realize that fact. Their lives revolve around how much land they own or can own; how many vehicles they have or can have, and how much more they can put into their bank accounts and other accounts. Some will even steal or gamble to obtain more money or goods. Some will lie on their tax return to avoid having to part with any of what they have.

As stated above, materialism is a sin rarely confessed, and it is such because the materialist, the greedy person obsessed with what he has or can obtain materially, cannot see himself or herself for the greedy, obsessed vulture that he is. Others can see it in him, but he rarely sees himself as greedy. In fact, if one were to confront him with his sin of evil desire and obsession, he would probably become so angry that he might even try to physically strike one who confronted him about the matter! He is blinded spiritually and is not objective about his own desires. It is a blessing to be able to have material things, but it could also be a curse. Much of it depends on how one obtains what he has, and what one does with what he has. That was what Jesus was saying in the text in Luke 12. The man in the story was so wrapped up in himself and his possessions, and in obtaining more and more that he never once mentioned God. He never considered his eternal soul and its destiny. He never considered his fellowman who might have need of his assistance.

Are we saying that having things or that going through the legitimate process of obtaining things is wrong? No. In First Timothy 6:17-19, the apostle Paul wrote,
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

These verses imply that a Christian may, indeed, have material wealth. But, they also tell us what must be done with such wealth!

The apostle John warns us in First John 2:15-17,
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Do you see the warning about “the things that are in the world”?

In all of my years of teaching and preaching (over 40 years), I can only recall one person publicly confessing the sin of greed or materialism, and that occurred immediately after preaching on this very subject. Generally, people who are guilty of this just never can see themselves as being guilty of it, perhaps because they rationalize away what is really in their heart. Maybe they reason within themselves that they are emphasizing material things so they can have much to provide for their adult children after they are dead. Whatever the reason, love of money and obsession with material things is still a sin.

In dealing with this sin and related sins, Paul wrote in First Timothy 6:5-12, the following words:
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Do we see the contrast in the sinful, money-obsessed, things-obsessed person and what God really expects of His people?

Paul also mentions this sin again his writings to the church at Colosse in Colossians 3:5-6,
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (NKJV)
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, (NKJV)

Covetousness is idolatry, according to the inspired apostle. Paul said that this evil desire in our hearts (worship of material things) is something that must be put to death so that we may be true disciples of our Lord Jesus. Many religious people pride themselves on their righteousness and they count their righteousness based upon how often they attend the worship services, Bible study classes, and how much they contribute monetarily on Sunday. True righteousness comes from right actions and right attitudes of heart that are molded and shaped by the proper application of God’s word in our lives.

Jesus again warned in Matthew 16:24-27,
24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

What is your attitude toward money, possessions, lands, etc., and toward how you obtain them? How much time do you spend thinking about such things? How much time do you spend involved in such things?

In contrast to that, how much do you really contribute to the cause of Christ on the first day of the week? How much do you give, personally, to worthy mission efforts? How much do you provide for the widows and orphans on an individual basis? How hospitable are you in opening your home to the needy? How much time, energy, and personal finances do you spend in seeking to help save those who are lost? What do you do more than others to help your fellowman and glorify your Father who is in heaven? Jesus taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

SPW

Monday, January 14, 2008

Tell the truth about the candidate and others

I recently received several “forwarded” email attachments from well-meaning people concerning a certain candidate for President of the United States. I do not agree with the particular candidate's political or moral stand, and I do not plan to vote for him/her should that person become the nominee of his/her party. But, I am very concerned about people telling the truth. I may not agree with a person’s politics, but I believe that it is immoral to purposely lie, or tell an untruth, or half-truth in order to turn people against someone. Usually, there is enough clear truth, facts, and evidence to properly use to persuade people not to vote for someone, or to vote in favor of someone.

Some of the email attachments I have received claim that the website “snopes.com” has verified the truthfulness of the outrageous claims made against the candidate in question. The fact is that when I went to "snopes.com" to see if the attachment I received was true, I found that it was NOT true! “Snopes.com” has NOT verified such information, and in fact, “snopes.com” has shown such claims to be false. The statement that "snopes.com" had verified the claims of the attachment was a lie, and the attachment itself was a lie. When people begin to simply “forward” email attachments without checking out the veracity of such claims, it may be said that such “forwarders” have perpetuated a lie, a slander, or a libel. It usually only takes a few minutes to check out a story or a claim to find whether it is true or false.

Politics is bad enough as it is without people thinking they have to lie, smear, and denigrate one candidate in order to have their own choice for candidate win an election.

Many people receive email attachments daily. Some foolishly believe that just because someone sent them an email the contents of the email must be true. After all (they reason), it was on the internet! And, they somehow feel an obligation to carbon copy it and forward it to a few dozen other unsuspecting people. Maybe this comes as news to some people, but the internet is used for all kinds of evil, including lies. Often, the contents of emails are simply the figment of someone’s imagination. A person should always check out the truthfulness of an email before sending it to others. But, remember this, some emails are just not worth sending on to others anyway, even if they are true.

Why not be a truth-seeker and truth-teller rather than a slanderer, or libelous, or a talebearer? Don't you be guilty of forwarding an attachment to a host of email recipients without checking the truthfulness of what you are sending. Check it out before sending it to others! Also ask yourself, is it really necessary to send this on? In the overall scheme of things, what good will it do?