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The shift from pastor as shepherd to pastor as CEO has had devastating effects on the "sheep." They've wandered off. So what are the pastoral basics again, and how do we become "retro?"
Recent Entries
Making Sense Of It AllJanuary 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Suffering Saints
January 25, 2012
We get nervous thinking about it - suffering for the sake of Christ. How necessary is it, and what does it produce in us?
George Herbert on Prayer Meetings
January 21, 2012
Prayer Meetings are a thing of the past. Or so it seems. What has been lost? Maybe more than we realize.
When Fear Is Good
January 7, 2012
NO FEAR, we are told. And the point is well taken. But fear can be healthy, at least when it comes to eternal matters.
Happy, Happy, Happy
January 4, 2012
The declaration of independence holds up the pursuit of happiness as a right. Did you ever consider the reading the bible might be the one source that will never let you down?
The Twelve Signs Of Grace
December 22, 2011
Self-examination is not easy to do. The tendency is to let ourselves off easy. But examine we must, for eternity is at stake.
"Ouch!!"
July 22, 2011
Spiritual pride is hard to detect. Jonathan Edwards gives some tips. The process can be painful, but necessary.
A Pastor After God's Own Heart
October 22, 2008
George Barna in REVOLUTION starts with the bad news - the church has failed. His "good news?" Christians seem to be finding their way just fine without it the aid of the church, thank you very much! Not to worry.
THE IDEAL SHEPHERD:
....he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth nd nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness and turned many from sin. Malachi 2:5-6
THE SHEPHERD WHO HAS LOST HIS WAY:
The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the Lord; SO THEY DO NOT PROSPER and all their flock is scattered. Jeremiah 10:21
"A minister should spend the major portion of his time in the study. He cannot read too much, pray too much, or think too much." Kenneth McRae, Scottish pastor
No question, the church, in order to be relevant, has wandered through several decades of naval-gazing. Methods and strategies have drained the pastor of the most life-giving fundamentals - those of knowing God and nurturing that relationship - what has earlier been referred to as "communion with God."
Advice to pastors from John Calvin....
"Let the pastors boldly declare all things by the word of God, of which they are constituted administrators."
"Let them constrain all the power, glory, and excellence of the world to give place to obey the divine majesty of this work. Let the enjoin everyone by it, from the highest to the lowest. Let them edify the Body of Christ."
"Let them pasture the sheep, kill the wolves, instruct and exhort the rebellious. Let them bind and loose, thunder and lightening if necessary, but let the m do all according to the word of God." Sermon LXI on Deuteronomy
How wonderful of a privilege is this? Listen to Henry Vaughn, the poet (1621-1695)....
What function is so noble as to be
Ambassador to God and destiny?
To open life, to give
Kingdoms to more
Than kings give dignities
To keep heaven's door?
How brave are those,
Who with their engine (methods skills, technique, study, effort, intentionality, giftedness)
Can bring men to heaven
And heaven again to man?
Spurgeon wrote:
"We want ministers who, however various their talents, have but one spirit, and that one spirit must be the Spirit of God. They must be filled with love - love to the church and to these yet to be ingathered out of the world; brethren of deep humility, who feel their need of divine help, but men of triumphant faith, who feel assured that the Lord works with them.
We want men of self-sacrifice, willing to put up with all sorts of inconveniences, and even sufferings, to attain their end; men of dogged resolution, who mean to be successful and cannot be put off track; men who have given themselves wholly to God, spirit, soul and body, without reserve, doing one thing only, preaching among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, that God may be glorified in their mortal bodies, whether they live or die."
C. H. Spurgen SWORD AND TROWEL, Volume 3, page 222
THE IDEAL SHEPHERD:
....he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth nd nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness and turned many from sin. Malachi 2:5-6
THE SHEPHERD WHO HAS LOST HIS WAY:
The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the Lord; SO THEY DO NOT PROSPER and all their flock is scattered. Jeremiah 10:21
"A minister should spend the major portion of his time in the study. He cannot read too much, pray too much, or think too much." Kenneth McRae, Scottish pastor
No question, the church, in order to be relevant, has wandered through several decades of naval-gazing. Methods and strategies have drained the pastor of the most life-giving fundamentals - those of knowing God and nurturing that relationship - what has earlier been referred to as "communion with God."
Advice to pastors from John Calvin....
"Let the pastors boldly declare all things by the word of God, of which they are constituted administrators."
"Let them constrain all the power, glory, and excellence of the world to give place to obey the divine majesty of this work. Let the enjoin everyone by it, from the highest to the lowest. Let them edify the Body of Christ."
"Let them pasture the sheep, kill the wolves, instruct and exhort the rebellious. Let them bind and loose, thunder and lightening if necessary, but let the m do all according to the word of God." Sermon LXI on Deuteronomy
How wonderful of a privilege is this? Listen to Henry Vaughn, the poet (1621-1695)....
What function is so noble as to be
Ambassador to God and destiny?
To open life, to give
Kingdoms to more
Than kings give dignities
To keep heaven's door?
How brave are those,
Who with their engine (methods skills, technique, study, effort, intentionality, giftedness)
Can bring men to heaven
And heaven again to man?
Spurgeon wrote:
"We want ministers who, however various their talents, have but one spirit, and that one spirit must be the Spirit of God. They must be filled with love - love to the church and to these yet to be ingathered out of the world; brethren of deep humility, who feel their need of divine help, but men of triumphant faith, who feel assured that the Lord works with them.
We want men of self-sacrifice, willing to put up with all sorts of inconveniences, and even sufferings, to attain their end; men of dogged resolution, who mean to be successful and cannot be put off track; men who have given themselves wholly to God, spirit, soul and body, without reserve, doing one thing only, preaching among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, that God may be glorified in their mortal bodies, whether they live or die."
C. H. Spurgen SWORD AND TROWEL, Volume 3, page 222
