“Iron Sharpens Iron”

Pastor Andrew SchankIn the course of ministry, we come across people of varying personality types. Some are easier to deal with than others. The same holds true with other [intlink id=”12″ type=”post”]pastors[/intlink], evangelists and missionaries. I have come to the conclusion that some preachers are just not my “cup of tea”. I feel that this is okay as long as I do not hold a grudge and sin with my lips and thoughts toward these dear men of God. After all, I am not everyone’s “cup of tea” either. Continue reading

There Is A Famine Of Old Fashioned Pastors

Make no mistake about it, there is a famine of “old fashioned” pastors. Even with casual observance, it does not take long to surmise the devastating impact this has made upon our society as a whole and our world in general. I suppose the term “old fashioned” is relative to what one deems as “old fashioned” by their heritage and experience. If we use the objective Word of God as the standard, then we can certainly expound what “old fashioned” was, is and what it should be forth going. This post seeks to prod your thinking about this important issue. Borrowing a common phrase of our sitting President, Mr. Obama, “Let’s be clear”, every pastor should seek to be “OLD FASHIONED“!

Take A Look Around You

Wherever you hang your hat you will find compromising pastors. They may walk with God, and be moral people, but when it comes to preaching it straight, they take the long way around the barn. To “tip toe through the tulips” with God’s Word is to compromise. Many stick their finger to the wind to find out which way the wind is blowing, as it were, in order to know what to preach. Face it, two thirds of the time a pastor’s message is going to be considered negative according to the flesh. (Jeremiah 1:10 & 2 Timothy 4:2)

(2 Timothy 2:15) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  (KJV)

Paul said to “rightly divide” the Word. That phrase means to cut straight. When you cut it straight, you will offend people; not that that is what we want to do. Pastors who rightly divide God’s Holy Word will feed the sheep and have God’s blessing. They may not have the high attendance, and huge offerings that other churches have, but they will be a New Testament church.

Christians Are Constantly Moving The Proverbial Landmarks

(Proverbs 22:28) “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.”  (KJV)

Man is always trying to improve on what God has said, done or provided. No matter what is spelled out in Scripture, people will seek to do it their own way. In the modern era, we have seen many pastors move the boundaries in many aspects of ministry. One example is this new “seeker sensitive” and “purpose driven” philosophical dogma. It is counterproductive and most do not see this. Paul said to preach the Word. (2 Timothy 4:2) “Old fashioned” pastors do this very thing! Think about it… why should we bow down to every new whim that some author comes up with?

Many pastors would never claim to be a gnostic in their statement of faith, but they sure operate under it’s influence while they seek to promote “their new way of doing things” (i.e. Higher knowledge). When we exalt man and his ideology, we undermine the foundation on which we historically lay. With each generation of pastors that comes along under the influence of men who have moved the markers we get further away from “old fashioned” preaching and ministry.

Are You Ashamed To Be Called “Old Fashioned”?

(Romans 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  (KJV)

Many pastors want folks to think that they are educated and refined. Seeking to fit into the politically correct mold of the modern day mainstream church, pastors have drunk the “kool-aid” of liberalism. They have sought to distance themselves from so-called “old fashioned” pastors. They think these godly people are ignorant and beneath them. The mannerisms, style of preaching, clothing, and age of many “old fashioned” pastors is looked upon with disdain.

If you are a pastor who is tired of fitting into some sort of man-made mold, then “MAN UP“, as they say! Throw off the modernistic philosophy and stick with God’s Word. You may not be liked by everybody, but they will respect you. People know a phony when they see it. Be real and be “old fashioned” according to the BIBLE!

Conclusion

The world does not need another form of counterfeit religiosity. It needs the truth! “‘Thus sayeth the LORD” will get the job done. To be an “old fashioned” pastor does not mean you have to be uneducated and  ignorant, nor does it mean you have to use improper grammar and preach like your pants are on fire. It does mean that you are passionate about the Word of God and you give 1,000% when you minister for the Lord! It means that you are seeking to please God and not man! “Old fashioned” pastors do not care what the world thinks and they do not concern themselves with being politically correct. One thing matters… GOD’S APPROVAL!

_______________________________

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Pastor, Do You Trust Your Leaders?

Pastors MUST be able to TRUST their leaders. Leaders, in the church, MUST be able to TRUST their pastor. This relationship between the pastor and others in church leadership must grow, and it must remain intact if the ministry is to perpetuate in a Christ-like way!

Without a doubt, being a pastor of any size of congregation is difficult. A man who would take this responsibility on should be commended! With this commendation in mind, it is also universally understood that many of the problems of ministry that lead to catastrophic failure stem from issues in the church leadership team. Though, many of these issues can be examined in later posts, it is the intent of this post to expound on ONE of the root causes of success or of failure in the leadership of a local church.

Introspection: TRUST or LOVE

George MacDonald said, “To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.” Could it be that the Achilles Heel of a pastor’s heart is this very thing? A pastor usually desires to be loved in the same measure, if not more than, in which he loves. After all, he pours his heart out to them in every public speaking engagement! This can be perceived as being a selfish love, but it is true and also reasonable to think in this manner.

Imploring of SCRIPTURE

The Bible teaches us in numerous places that we should, without reservation, place our trust, confidence, love, etc. in God alone. We cannot stake our existence in the promises of politicians, government entities or any other human being. We can, however, stake our lives upon God and His promises! Consider just a few of the many verses on this subject…

(Psalms 118:8-9) “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”  (KJV)

(Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  (KJV)
(Matthew 22:37)  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”  (KJV)

Implication of DELEGATION

Nobody is disputing the aforementioned verses, but their is a “trust issue” involved in the arena of discipleship, and in stewardship. The famed Apostle Paul understood that he was given the responsibility ministry because he could be trusted. Consider 1 Timothy 1:12. When Jesus gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-10), as we term it, He implied through His command that He was entrusting this “commission” to His disciples. This is seen in the fact that He reminded them of His abiding presence to enable them to perform the command. Think about it! If He did not trust them, then He would not have commanded them nor would He encouraged them by His perpetual watch-care as they performed the task. 

Institution of TRUST in CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Though we cannot stake our existence solely upon the word of man, we must extend a measure of trust to individuals every day. When it comes to working with anybody, you have to trust them. We see this in Law Enforcement, Military, Hospital and churches alike. As a pastor, you have to be one who people can trust and respect, and you have to be able to develop this in people whom you disciple and entrust with leadership responsibility.

Trust is an issue that few really understand. For most of us, we have no problem trusting “Christian” people, whom we do not know, until they compromise our trust. As a pastor, this is amplified many times over. You have to be able to trust people OVER and OVER again… even though you are disappointed many times. This was the issue the Apostle Paul had with John Mark. Paul did not trust him while Barnabas did.

In conclusion, remember:

  1. You have to TRUST people if you are going to be an effective pastor. 
  2. Yes, you will be disappointed numerous times by the same offenders. (If this bothers you, just reflect upon what God received when He saved you!)
  3. You have to be someone whom people can TRUST. Do not presume that people do and will keep on trusting you. 
  4. You have to earn this respect not demand it.
  5. Create an environment for people that you are entrusting responsibility to rise and fall on their own merits. TRUST THEM!
  6. If your church is to be effective over many generations, then those in leadership must be people the congregation can TRUST and those in leadership must TRUST each other.
  7. Do nothing that would violate the TRUST of others!

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