Pastor, We're Leaving!!

#24 July 26, 2010

Part 1

Some of the most troubling words that a Pastor hears are "Pastor, we are leaving." That is of course when the Pastor is even informed. Usually, people just disappear and speak to every one in the county EXCEPT the Pastor about their departure. This list is designed to bring perspective to the reader and encouragement to every godly Pastor.

GUEST POST from Jason Helopoulos (Between Two Worlds, July 26, 2010) THANKS to Jason & to Justin!! - Appreciated

Part 2

“What right do you ever have to leave a church?” I can remember that question being asked by my ecclesiology professor in seminary. It is a good question and one that would benefit us all to wrestle with. As Kevin has recently pointed out on this blog, there is biblical warrant and there are practical reasons for entering into covenant through local church membership. Having entered into that covenant our breaking of it should never be done lightly. Clearly, there are reasons to leave a local church. But what are they? I have been thinking about this for the past ten years and this is my attempt at answering the question:

Good Reasons for Moving On—The Four P’s

1. Providential moving—If my job, family, or life has moved me from Dallas to Austin then I should probably find a local church in Austin, let alone if I moved from Michigan to North Carolina. It is right and good to belong to a local church and covenant with brothers and sisters in my own “backyard.”

2. Planting another church—It may be that I haven’t left my home town, but the church I belong to has decided to send me out with others to plant another church in the area. Notice though, that I am being sent out by my church, not leaving with a group of people because I am disgruntled or think it is a good idea.

3. Purity has been lost— It may take different forms, but primarily this occurs when the Word is no longer proclaimed. It could be that heresy is being taught, the Bible is never read or preached, or a much more prominent manifestation these days is that the Word is no longer seen as sufficient; it is used as a seasoning for the message of the week rather than the diet by which the congregation is fed and nourished upon. However, we must be careful here; patience should always be exercised and I must always test my own heart to see if I am “making a mountain out of a molehill.”

4. Peace of the church is in jeopardy due to my presence— This “reason” is hard to suggest for fear of it being abused, as it is by far the most subjective “reason.” However, there are cases where an individual/family can personally become a hindrance to the ministry of the local church and it is best for that person/family to move-on. If this is the reason I am contemplating leaving the church, then I must first test myself and discern whether it is because of sin on my own part. If that is the case then I must be quick to repent rather than move-on. This “reason” should always be approached with trepidation,

Possible Reasons for Moving On – The Three S’s

1. Spouse—An unbelieving or non-church attending spouse is not willing to attend this church, but will attend another with you.

2. Special Needs—Every family has special needs, so this one needs to be handled with care. A possible example may be that my family has a disabled child and another faithful church in the area has a wonderful ministry to disabled people which can help us.

3. Special Gifts—Another faithful church in the area may have asked for you to use your special gifts in their midst for the building up of the body (i.e. organist). Never decide this one on your own. If it is a possible reason, then it is too easy to think too highly of oneself and go running to the greener pastures. This is always something that should be taken to the leadership of your current church and wrestled through.

Reasons Often Used Which are Insufficient

1. Children’s Ministry—The Children’s ministry at another church is better. This cannot be a reason for changing churches. It is rather an opportunity for you to get involved in the children’s ministry of your church.

2. Buzz—Many people will flow to whatever church in town has the current “buzz.” The argument will be that the Spirit is at work there and we want to be part of it. But buzzes come and go. And so do the people that follow them.

3. Youth Group—The unhappiness of our teenage children in the current Youth Group, because of activities, other youth, etc. is not a reason for leaving the church we have covenanted with. I know this one will be controversial. Believe me, I have empathy as a parent and a former Youth Pastor. But our children are not the spiritual directors of our home. They should not be choosing the church we attend based upon their social status and network.

4. Church has changed—Churches always change. Unless the changes are unbiblical than we don’t have a reason to move on. We don’t move on when our wife or husband changes! We are we so quick to do so with the church we have covenanted with.

5. New Pastor—A new pastor is not a sufficient reason to change churches. It doesn’t matter how stiff, impersonal, unfunny, etc. he is. The list is endless. It doesn’t even matter if he is not the most interesting preacher. He is the man God called to this church for this time. And this is your church. Again, unless he is unbiblical why move on? You haven’t covenanted with a man, but with this body.

6. I’m Not Being Ministered to—I tell every one of our new member classes, “If we all walked into church each week and had a list of people we were going to try and ‘touch,’ encourage, or minister to, do you know how dynamic this church would be? Just on Sunday mornings, let alone if we did it during the week. If we each were concerned about the other person and walked in each Sunday with that in the forefront of our mind instead of, “Why didn’t he talk to me?,” “Why doesn’t anyone care about me?,” “Why isn’t anyone ministering to me?” Start ministering to others and you will find that you are being ministered to.

7. Music—Not a reason—whether it is slow, fast, traditional, contemporary, Psalms, hymns, or gospel choruses. Stop using it as an excuse!

8. There are others…we haven’t even mentioned the service is too early, the coffee is terrible, the pastor doesn’t know how to shuck corn (Yep…those are all true ones I have heard).

Swimming in a Pool of Caramel

#23 July 19, 2010



Part 1

Things here are about the same. I feel like ministry here has been like swimming in a pool of caramel the past four years. Everything has been harder than it has to be.

This is a response I recently received to an inquiry I made of a Pastor asking how he was doing.

When you encounter this scenario, and it is pervasively common, rest assured that the ministry he refers to is not ordered by the text of Scripture and enabled by the Holy Spirit. God's work is simply not of that sort. This is not to say there are not obstacles in ministry but they should not come from the people of God that are supposed to be serving with us. If they do, change of a radical magnitude is in order.

Part 2

Herein is the problem. COURAGE - - simple God given raw courage is lacking in most so called leaders. They fear men plain and simple. They tell me, "Tom, if I do that they will fire me." Really! You would be blessed. What are you afraid of? How do you know what they will do.? Proverbs says that the farmer did not plow because he thought he may have seen a few clouds in the air. What shameful cowardice.

Please understand, I am not promoting over-lording or leading as a thug rather than a compassionate shepherd. But, when you continue to promote swimming in a pool of caramel and call it ministry without addressing the causal factors you sir are a COWARD!

Change, institutional change from cultural lethargy to biblical effectiveness is a process not an event. it is accomplished by loving and teaching not by fiat declaration. It takes time, lots of time.

My point is, almost none of the pseudo leaders I encounter have taken even the first baby steps in the direction of change. They are filled with fear (the most frequent command in all of scripture is "Fear Not" - 366 times).

So Pastor, what is in your pool? Just thought I would ask now because there is a day coming when Jesus will ask you that very question.

Boccie Ball & Intentional Disciplemaking

#22 July 12, 2010

Part 1

This past Sunday was my wife's birthday. Our second son and family joined us for a celebration. Eric & I went to Verizon to address several issues with our phone service through that provider. Got EXCELLENT service from a competent and pleasant Verizon Representative. Refreshing.

Not wanting to waste the ambiance of such excellence we then went directly to STARBUCKS and enjoyed a coffee together sitting in those comfortable leather lounge chairs reading the sports page and enjoying the phenomenal relationship that God has blessed us with as Father/Son. As a wimpy act of pseudo-repentance and confession, Eric got his wife a sugary STARBUCKS to go.

Part 2

Nic & Drew wanted to have a little testosterone stimulation so we played a round of Boccie Ball. This is where the application enters the story. Intentional Disciple-making is a life-on-life endeavor. Those Boccie Balls are just colorful excuses to joust and 'buck up' as only guys understand. Pops kicked their kiester but good. Old but wise.

The fruit of this is evidenced in Drew choosing to 'ride home with Pops' after our Sunday AM service. We first put some icing on the cake in my main office. I talked with Drew about the thousands of books in my library. I showed him the obituaries inside Elements of Style by E.B. White, The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker, an essay by William Buckley in my huge Random House Dictionary about the absolute meaning of words. He noticed his picture on my credenza. He remembered what I had said at his Veterans Day Celebration at his school two years earlier and quoted my words back to me verbatim! He simply wanted to 'be with me'. What an honor.

Unknown to them but known to our God is the fact that earlier that Saturday morning while Nic & Drew were sound asleep, I stood in the bedroom and thanked our God for their lives and asked that He use them richly to glorify Christ. There are no words to describe adequately the joy of interceding for those who bear your name in the quiet of the morning. A treasure that exceeds accounting.

You see, those Boccie Balls are just a convenient way to throw a little testosterone around and do some life on life stuff. What a joy. Make Disciples and do it life on life - the only way!

Insane Metrics

#21 July 5, 2010

Part 1

Valedictorian - in schools and college, the student, usually the one ranking highest in scholarship, who delivers the valedictory address at graduation. (Websters New Twentieth Century Dictionary, p. 2016).

Please notice that the honor referenced in this definition is singular. There is one person who is accorded this honor.

There is a 'dust up' in Texas because a school has honored 100 graduates as the valedictorian. What? A spokesperson appealing for sanity in this post-modern insanity stated and well so - "this is more about equity than rewarding excellence". They are correct.

Matthew 25:14-30 is the account of the Parable of the Talents. Some received 5, some 2 and some 1. There is clearly a quantitative distinction in the distribution of talents as there is in the accounting that must be rendered as to what the recipients did with the talents they received.

This is simply a biblical principle and specifically in this parable it is the discretion of the Master as to who receives what, how many and what expectation there will be in the accounting for the application of these talents. The reward is comensurate with the actual accomplishment.

Part 2

Post-Modernism as a philosophical system is hell-bent on destroying any semblance of absolutes. Therefore, the metric they seek to apply is flawed. Student A's performance did not exceed Student B's performance so we will blur reality by giving everyone a big lolly-pop and call them Valedictorians plural. This defies reality and makes the honor a non-honor.

When Jesus returns in the Second Coming there will indeed be levels of reward. If your service was in fact in His eyes worthy of a certain level of honor He will bestow same. If you have been a sloth and not invested the opportunities God gave you He WILL NOT wink and make everyone Valedictorian. Get over it. Live life according to reality.

Even so, come LORD Jesus! MARANATHA!!

The JOY of Pastoring

#20 June 28, 2010

Part 1

I am often asked about the Structure for a Healthy & Effective Church. This is a trick question. Why? Because most of the time the person or group making the inquiry really thinks that there is a "Magic Bullet" hidden away in my brief case. For a small fee (usually they are thinking very small) I will work some voodoo magic and they will be robust, thriving and healthy in about 90 days max! WRONG!

There are essentially three (3) ministry venues that MUST function with excellence for a church to achieve both numerical and spiritual growth. They are:

A. Worship - warm, vibrant lively rejoicing in the God who alone is God. All ages, ethnic groups and genders can join together in this expression of praise and devotion to the Sovereign of the Ages.

B. Fellowship & Instruction - fellowship that is transparent but not threatening. Instruction that systematically equips people in the TRUTH of God's Word. Not what someone thinks about God's Word but God's Word. Those being taught must participate in active learning.

C. Intimacy & Accountability - small groups must build trust. People must reach the point of trusting one another so that they share the deepest life issues. They not only permit but long for accountability that they know will enable them to overcome the selfishness of sin. All participants know and practice the one another commands of the NT. They voluntarily submit themselves to an on-going accountability structure that actually produces spiritual transformation. They love one another as Jesus described in John 13:34-35. **NOTE - Small Groups are not defined on where you meet, how the chairs are arranged, curriculum, etc. They are defined by Intimacy & Accountability. This takes time, Transparency & Vulnerability.

Part 2

Today we enjoyed all of this and more. We focused in our worship assembly on God's Word and the joyful privilege of distributing thousands of Bibles to the BILLIONS of people in China. We received an offering that will purchase 100+ Bibles for those people. When the service 'ended' there were people still loving one another and sharing for at leat 30 minutes. There was a new little man there (4 weeks old). He never made a peep in 90 minutes. What a champion.

This service was followed by our Sunday afternoon Small Group. We ate lunch together. 7 'guys' ate lunch together and talked about their earthly fathers. Talk about rare! It was a joy to me as a Pastor to be part of this level of disclosure and how our fathers shaped our lives. Topped this off with Breyers Ice Cream and Pecan Sandies. Talk about blessing!!

We then viewed session #7 of Paul Tripp's War of Words - a study on proper Christian Communnication. One of our Interns added some additional material that equipped God's people to both listen as well as speak. Good Stuff.

We closed with prayer for one another and for Pastor Greg Dowey who is in China this week distributing Bibles.

Then, I came home and THE TRIBE smacked the deads (Cinn. Reds) right square in the CHOPS! Please understand the reality of this Ministry Structure. It has taken 13 years, much spiritual energy and many many battles to reach this joyful condition. But, it is absolutely worth the struggle. I plead with Pastors reading this to invest themselves in a group of people and pursue this profile. Sola Deo!

Straining at Gnats

#19 June 21, 2010

Part 1

I pastor a Southern Baptist Church. The SBC just conducted their annual Convention held in Orlando FL. Like so many Denominations, there was much harumphing and pious pronouncements - -ad-infinitum, ad nauseum.

The faithful anticipated this assembly with high expectations. The focus of their (our) expectations was the initiative known as Toward a Resurgence in The Great Commission. After many years of corporate denial, finally someone found the courage to serve as 'the little boy at the parade'! They shouted to the world - the Emperor has no cloths. No, the Emperor is Butt Naked!! There were many promises made that real substantive issues would be addressed, corrected and implemented in our ministry future. This writer personally corresponded with personnel serving on the Task Force. I received assurance that this would indeed be the case.

The statistical decline has been a Documented Indisputable Fact for decades. But, the establishment continued to substitute genuine fulfillment of the GC with the number of reported baptisms (both Jesus and Paul found affirmation of ministry in NOT baptizing - they were focused on making disciples!). The lie on this point is that according to our own research on those reported baptisms, fewer than 10% of those baptized could even be located one (1) year after their baptism. If you cannot find them, it is quite evident that you are NOT engaged in intentional effective discipleship.

So, in light of this discovery there was instant repentance, a modification of our theology of evangelism and our methodology in qualifying people for entering the waters of baptism correct? WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Why?

The SBC reports a membership of 16.3 Million. However on our best Sunday we may get 6.7 million in attendance. We must continue this charade at all costs. Never mind that it is not just the little boy at the parade that knows this is a BIG FAT D_ _N LIE! The whole bloody world knows this pathetic Truth and they scoff by the millions. We express a pseudo concern for the lost when we perpetuate such shameful accounting. This kind of duplicitous and shameful accounting destroys the integrity of the Gospel in the eyes of lost and redeemed people alike. But, when you insist on doing ministry with a corrupt theology and a corrupt metric, you are satisfied with the husks of the pig pen. We could go back home and find the Father rejoicing to forgive us and receive us but PRIDE prevents this wise and prudent action.

There was pontification on the evils of the oil spill corrupting the environment and of divorce corrupting the family. Resolutions were adopted on these issues - - only to get stuck in some dusty file drawer never to be seen again. But, there was no action taken on the issues that are corrupting the message of the Gospel; a seriously flawed Doctrine of Soteriology (the majority practice a synergistic rather than a monergistic approach to salvation). To bolster the sagging numbers (those numbers to be worshiped and preserved above all else) the trend is to baptize children at younger and younger ages. One report indicated that 38% of the reported baptisms were children five (5) or under. Ed Stetzer had an article titled Toward Paedo-Baptism written in alarm at this trend.

Part 2

The issues that flash like neon lights in the night that should have been addressed in deep humble repentance and contrition are:

1. The loss of church discipline. Not punishment at the end of the line but Life in Community and people holding one another accountable at the first hint of sin and departure from the narrow way; cf. Life Together by Bonhoeffer.

2. The corruption of the gospel in permitting the 'sinner's prayer' as a substitute for genuine Holy Spirit generated repentance and confession. Pseudo conversions have filled the pews of our churches with unregenerate people who are at ease in Zion. Evidence of this is we need entire departments in our State Conventions titled "Conflict Resolution". If the Holy Spirit does not dwell in the members, no Department from the Baptist Building is going to calm the troubled waters!

3. The use of one a dimensional metric - numbers as the sole dynamic by which we measure ministry effectiveness. More is better - - Buildings, Budgets, Baptism and Butts; or, the ABC's Attendance, Baptism and Cash. God is interested in the Transformation of His people into the fullness of the Image of Christ not mere numbers.

4. Classifying Sin. We will bust you in a minute for drinking an ounce of alcohol but you can be a glutton and weigh 450 pounds and all is well. What would happen to the pulpits across the SBC if we applied some sort of wellness standard to our Pastors that included a BMI index?

5. A Corrupt Polity. The church is not a democracy. No wonder there is chaos. People who have not attended for 5-6 years return to reap havoc via the practice of so called Congregational Polity. Ludicrous.

6. Unqualified Leadership. What would happen if all those who wear the mantle of "Leader" were to be examined by the text of Scripture as to qualification for service in the Body of Christ as a Leader? I work with hundreds of churches each year, many SBC and this is an undisputed fact.

7. The Absence of the Authority of Scripture. There is precious little exegesis to support ministry practices. When there is a credible attempt to apply the principles and precepts of the clear and unambiguous expressions of Scripture, those promoting such are shouted down or perhaps summarily dismissed.

Seven is the perfect number so I will cease. Not because there is not more to say, but enough is enough. I remain an SBC Pastor. But, I will no longer serve in silence. I intend to appeal to those in positions of Leadership to act. I will do so with Grace. I will do so with Passion. I will do so with Tenacity. Those who have served with me know full well what "Tenacity" means.

I invite any who read this post and find affinity with what I have written to join me. I plead with my brother Pastors to be found as Joshua and Caleb. The other ten were miserable cowards and their carcasses rotted in the wilderness. Rightly so.

My prayer is that God will not do less than bring the full splendor of His Holiness and Mercy to bear on our pilgrimage. When He does, we will be TRANSFORMED for His Glory! Amen.

Listening FOR the Word of God

#18 June 7, 2010

Part 1

This article is in many ways a study in the use of prepositions. A preposition is:

A preposition is a word which shows relationships among other words in the sentence. The relationships include direction, place, time, cause, manner and amount. In the sentence She went to the store, to is a preposition which shows direction. In the sentence He came by bus, by is a preposition which shows manner. In the sentence They will be here at three o'clock, at is a preposition which shows time and in the sentence It is under the table, under is a preposition which shows place.

A preposition always goes with a noun or pronoun which is called the object of the preposition. The preposition is almost always before the noun or pronoun and that is why it is called a preposition. The preposition and the object of the preposition together are called a prepositional phrase. The following chart shows the prepositions, objects of the preposition, and prepositional phrases of the sentences above. (quoted from the Interlink Language Center).

There was a time when Christian people gathered together to hear a Sermon could listen TO the Word of God. In the present culture you now must listen FOR the Word of God. What passes for preaching is very often an eclectic collection of alliterated outlines, poetry that has utterly no basis in sound theology and illustrations and stories, very often of an apocryphal nature; no credible citations of source or the identification of people and places . The purpose of such methodology is to produce an emotional buzz. The speaker then gives what is commonly known as an invitation. They plead with pseudo earnestness for the listener to 'respond'. To what? An objective analysis of 50 sermons chosen at random will prove this thesis in spades. There is precious little careful exegesis evident in what passes for 'preaching'. Follow the links for validation of my thesis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBwBG3brj1I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKN4EgMPY_g&feature=fvsr

Part 2

The following simple principles will serve as a guide for those who want to hear, apply and obey what the Special Revelation of God, The Scriptures say to mankind.

1. Does the speaker actually read, explain and apply what the text says?

2. Does the speaker do so "in context". Does the interpretation fit the text when examining what appears immediately before and following the pasage being proclaimed?

3. Would the original hearers understand this passage as the speaker is explaining it?

4. Has orthodox Christianity understood this passage as the speaker is applying it?

5. Does the speaker's explanation lead the listener to a common sense meaning of the text?

I close with the words of one of my favorite OT Prophets, Amos.

"Behold, the days are coming", declares the Lord God, "when I will send a famine on the land -- not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. (Amos 8:11)
We are there and it is devastating. Listen with discernment. As John instructed us, test the spirits (1 John 4:1).