Pastor/Shepherd thoughts

Recently, I was ordained into the ministry. I’ve always suspected that an ordination would come, although I never sought it for myself. Ministering is part of who I am. It’s what God designed me to do. Nothing really changed with my ordination because all I know how to do is minister, lead, and serve. It’s part of my “spiritual DNA” and there’s no escaping it for me.

Ever since the subject of my ordination became a possibility, I’ve been thinking about the job of “pastor.” First of all, a definition seems in order. We all know what a pastor is, what a pastor does…or do we?

According to dictionary.com, a pastor is (1) “a minister or priest in charge of a church”; and (2) “a person having spiritual care of a number of persons.” The origin of the word roots in Latin (pāstor)…meaning, literally, “shepherd.”

So, where do we get this concept from? Well, the concept of tending sheep is nearly as old as time itself. Genesis, chapter 4 is the first mention of it. Abel, the murdered son of Adam and Eve, was a shepherd. Sheep/shepherding is mentioned numerous times throughout the remainder of Genesis. Sheep were an important business in the ancient world and remained that way for centuries.

After the time of the judges, the people of Israel demanded a shepherd from God (1 Samuel 8). They got king Saul. After Saul, came David, who spent his youth working as a shepherd, where he defended his sheep against lions and bears. David never forgot his time with his sheep and often drew parallels, most prominently in Psalm 23.

In the time of king Ahab, the Israelites are compared to sheep without a shepherd, lost, and “scattered upon the hills” of Israel. Ahab was an evil king and did more to provoke God’s wrath than any king before him, but set a standard of poor leadership, poor pastoring, that lasted generations (1 Kings 16).

The Prophet Ezekiel is highly critical of the shepherds of the people of Israel. Under these irresponsible shepherds, the people were scattered as sheep without a shepherd, but the time would come when the sheep were gathered back together in their own land (Ezekiel 34).

The first announcement of Jesus’ birth was to shepherds (Luke 2:8-20).

Jesus called Himself the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11).

But none of that answers the question of a pastor’s job responsibilities.

Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, are among the first disciples and when Jesus called them, he “spoke their language.” When seeing them casting a net into the water, Jesus said “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-20). Peter is a fisherman who is turned into a shepherd over 3 ½ years. I’m sure it was beyond Peter’s comprehension to see how this could occur.

Everyone in 1^st century Israel understood the job of herding sheep…and it was undesirable. Shepherds were seen as the lowest members of society. They were smelly and, when not herding sheep, worked at the public latrines. Nobody wanted to be a shepherd, but here was bold and brash Peter, becoming identified with humility and the lowest of social status.

The last chapter of John, right after the resurrection, Jesus explains Peter’s position:

“Peter, do you love me? Feed my lambs.”

“Peter, do you love me? Tend my sheep.”

“Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep.”

Just 40-50 days before preaching at Pentecost, Peter is given his job description…”be a shepherd.” In the 5^th chapter of his first epistle, Peter encourages other pastors to “feed the flock.” This is where Peter ceases to be a fisherman and becomes a shepherd. Notice the difference compared to Matthew 4:18-20.

The thing about sheep is, well, we’re dumb, fat, and lazy. Sheep tend to wander away from the flock. Sheep are easily frightened. They’ll lay in their own poop to avoid having to move. If a sheep were to fall on it’s back, it cannot right itself and will die. Sheep need a LOT of tending. Sheep need to be led to good grazing and fresh water.

We’re all sheep who’ve gone astray. Even the shepherds among us are sheep. That does not, however, negate the responsibilities of being pastors or shepherds.

So, again, what are the responsibilities of a pastor? According to John 21, it’s to feed and take care of the sheep. We have cast upon our shepherds responsibilities that aren’t designed for them. It’s a pastor’s job to give us a good diet of the Word of God. The pastor’s job is to keep us healthy and disciplined. Sometimes, the crook of a shepherd’s staff is needed to get a wayward sheep’s attention.

It is NOT the primary job of a shepherd, to produce baby sheep. Healthy, well-fed sheep should have a desire, a drive, to reproduce. Instead, we expect evangelism to happen behind the pulpit. We say “that’s what he’s getting paid to do.” Part of the fault for this attitude lies with the sheep. Some of the fault lies with the shepherds for allowing it.

Today, our churches are full of timid, wimpy, co-dependent sheep who, not only cannot, but WILL not share their faith. Why do we settle for this? Why have we allowed this in our own lives, in our churches?

Healthy sheep will reproduce. Your pastor has his job, and you have yours. If you’ve never shared your faith…if you are not compelled to see others come to Christ, you may not be healthy…or you may not actually be a sheep.

Thoughts? Comments?

hospital thoughts

What she specifically said isn’t important. How it was phrased is simply between us. Her motivation is her business.

It was a statement brought on by pain, heavy medication, maybe some fear and uncertainty. There could have been some remorse mixed in. But I’m not sure that’s the point either.

In 7+ years of knowing this lady, I’ve spent more time in hospitals than I care to think about…but never as a patient. I’ve caught myself fearing whether I’d survive without her, if something should go wrong. We’ve laughed together in hospitals. We’ve cried together. We’ve held each other and cried out to God for grace and mercy in hospitals. We’ve even snuggled together in a tiny patient-bed in a hospital.

But tonight was different.

We’d had visitors all day…and their love and concern was much appreciated. But after everyone went home, and it was just us, I pulled a chair beside the bed and just held her hand. She thanked ME for taking care of HER. Then, in her own self-deprecating way, she said what she said.

If you’d heard her, you’d think she believed that she walked into the hospital as one person, and a few hours later, she was someone else.

Now, I don’t claim to be able to imagine the changes she will undergo over the next days/weeks, nor how it will affect her mentally, emotionally, or physically. I do know it won’t be easy, and that I am totally unequipped to help her.

Anyway, the point is NOT what she said, how she said it, her motivation, nor my ability to understand what’s coming.

The point was my response…and my surprise at that response; the simplicity of it, and the depth of it's truth for me.

I said, “We knew this day was coming eventually. It was inevitable. Frankly, I’m surprised we got what we got. I mean, we are so blessed! God gave us 2 beautiful daughters, who just so happen to be miracles. The odds are astronomical against them even existing…but God reached past the statistics. TWICE. Life is about changing and adapting, and that’s all we can do now. This is just life. We just go on.”

It surprised me because I rarely say the right things. I hardly ever say things the right way. I am direct and blunt and only occasionally temper my words with the proper emotion. I think I got it right this time…but it was just my heart talking to hers.

I reinforced to myself today that I don’t love my wife. Rather, I am IN LOVE with her. As I sit here pecking away on my laptop while she sleeps uncomfortably in a hospital bed, I realize how desperately I need my rib…and how incomplete I’d be without her. It’s strange to think of the times I considered having found my rib before I met Christy.

I understand even better tonight that the fairy-tales we read as children don’t translate to the real world.

Real life is yucky sometimes. Real life is hard, often. It’s made up of many messy situations, failures, apologies, and the occasional victory or success.

Earlier, when she thanked me for taking care of her, I asked her “Where else would I be?” The truth is: I don’t want to think about where I’d be without her.

Chris, I’m glad that I could say what you needed to hear tonight. I’m even-more glad that what you needed to hear was the truth, straight from my heart. Thanks for taking this crazy journey with me. I don’t want to imagine it without you.

I love you.

Frustrating period in history

Ok, so it’s been a long time since I’ve added to my blog. More often than not, when I’m not writing, it’s because I’m being lazy…and not that I’m uninspired.

Lately, I’ve been disheartened by a number of “Christians” who are having some vastly un-Christ-like attitudes toward our government and our president. From flippant talk of revolution, to disrespectful attitudes and speech, to having the gall to call the President of the United States the “antichrist.”

I use a phrase quite often: “perception is reality.” What we believe to be true is typically a product of what we expect to see. We enter most situations with a presupposition of what is real…of what is true. That taints our objectivity. It molds our perception. Ultimately, we each see different details and aspects in virtually everything. It’s natural for us to perceive things differently. It’s ok for us to disagree on some things. However, I don’t believe this is one of those things.

I cannot find ONE instance where Jesus Christ, the One we claim to follow and emulate, encouraged (or advocated) revolution. NOT ONCE. Rather, He said “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what is God’s.” Jesus never led a revolt against Herod, Pilate, nor Caesar. He didn’t picket anyone. Jesus never held a sit-in nor a boycott. If He is our ultimate example, where do we get off doing things He wouldn’t have done? How can we call ourselves Christians and act like we HATE our government or our President? What happened to “love your enemies” or “do good to those who persecute you?” Today’s Christianity has become political in nature…and we, for the most part, have forgotten what we are supposed to be…reflections of our Savior.

By the way, here’s a simplified civics lesson for anyone who may need it. We live in a Representative Republic…NOT a Democracy. A “republic” is a political unit governed by a charter (the Constitution). A “democracy” is a government whose prevailing force is always “majority rule.” If we, as American Christians, are going to be upset at our government, it’s the abandonment of the Constitution that should draw our ire. Some of our Founding Fathers may have advocated periodic revolutions…to protect citizens from out-of-control government. That said, it is not the reaction Christians should have.

The Bible is clear on what our attitude should be toward those in authority over us. Romans 13:1-7 (NIV) says “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” That, to me, is pretty CLEAR.

Which brings me to the next thing: we don’t know a lot about our President. Because so much has been hidden from public view, there have been a tremendous number of wild allegations. I don’t know if he was born in Hawaii or Kenya. (Is that important? ABSOLUTELY…if we believe in our Constitution…see above concerning Republic vs. Democracy.) After 20+ years as a member of Jeremiah Wright’s church, we can easily conclude that Barack Obama is not a Muslim…yet because of his name, there are people who refuse to believe he’s anything other than Muslim. Jeremiah Wright is a socialist, a Marxist, and our President’s policies and subsequent statements show that he, too, is a socialist. For those who have done less homework than I have, Socialism and Islam are incompatible. One cannot be Muslim and a socialist. They are opposites at the heart. While I don't agree with many of his policies, Barack Obama is still the President of my country. It is my responsibility to PRAY FOR HIM...especially if I believe that he needs Jesus.

There are people out there who have actually claimed that they believe our President to be THE Antichrist. What??? Read your Bible and quit listening to alarmists. Go get some commentaries on Daniel and Revelation so you can understand what the Bible says about the identity of the antichrist.

If you hate our president, that’s between yourself and God…and you will answer for it.

But please stop hating in the name of my Jesus...who died for ALL and is not willing that ANY should perish.

It’s time to stop fulfilling 1 Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.”

If you’re a Christian who is frustrated with the state of America, claim 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Helloooooo! “My people…called by My name” means ANYONE claiming to be a Christian! If Christ is my Savior, I choose to be called by His name! God PROMISES that if we, His people, humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our sin, that He will forgive us and HEAL OUR LAND. It’s not a difficult concept to grasp. It’s about where our faith rests. Have faith in Him who is eternally faithful!

Otherwise, it’s time to shut up and quit whining.

gorgeous song

Free Doughnuts

a friend of mine sent this to me. i think it paints a vivid picture. i do not know who authored this, but if i find out, i will credit them.


There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major. Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going on to seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. 'How many push-ups can you do?' Steve said, 'I do about 200 every night.' '200? That's pretty good, Steve, ' Dr. Christianson said. 'Do you think you could do 300?' Steve replied, 'I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time.' 'Do you think you could?' again asked Dr. Christianson. 'Well, I can try,' said Steve. 'Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it,' said the professor. Steve said, 'Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it.' Dr. Christianson said, 'Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind.'

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, 'Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?' Cynthia said, 'Yes.' Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?' 'Sure!' Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, 'Joe, do you want a donut?'
Joe said, 'Yes.' Dr. Christianson asked, 'Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?' Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, 'Scott do you want a donut?' Scott's reply was, 'Well, can I do my own push-ups?' Dr. Christianson said, 'No, Steve has to do them.' Then Scott said, 'Well, I don't want one then.'

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?' With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, 'HEY! I said I didn't want one!' Dr. Christianson said, 'Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it.' And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.

Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, 'Jenny, do you want a donut?' Sternly, Jenny said, 'No.' Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, 'Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?' Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, 'No!' and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Dr. Christianson, 'Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?' Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, 'Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want.' And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, 'NO! Don't come in! Stay out!' Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, 'No, let him come.' Professor Christianson said, 'You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?' Steve said, 'Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut.' Dr. Christianson said, 'Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?' Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. 'Yes,' he said, 'give me a donut.' 'Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?' Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, 'Linda, do you want a donut?' Linda said, very sadly, 'No, thank you.' Professor Christianson quietly asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?' Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. 'Susan, do you want a donut?' Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. 'Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?' Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, 'No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.'

'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?' As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, 'And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten.'

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

'Well done, good and faithful servant,' said the professor, adding, 'Not all sermons are preached in words.'

Turning to his class, the professor said, 'My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not His only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid. Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?'

The real lesson of "Doubting Thomas"

“Doubting Thomas” really brings up a negative connotation. I find it interesting how the main thing we remember about the disciple Thomas is his doubt. 

John, chapter 20, tells the story of Jesus’ resurrection. We’re told that He appeared to Mary Magdalene first, and then to a group of His followers. We know that not all of the disciples were present when Jesus appeared to the group. While we cannot know for certain who was there, we do know that Thomas wasn’t present. After hearing the eyewitness accounts, Thomas still didn’t believe. He said “I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side." 

A whole week passes, and the followers of Jesus are meeting again, behind locked doors. Suddenly, Jesus appears among them. He approaches Thomas and says, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop being an unbeliever and believe." 

Did Jesus admonish Thomas for his doubt? Was he ridiculed for his lack of faith? Absolutely not. Jesus dealt with Thomas in a “whatever it takes” mode. Jesus said “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." He did NOT say “Because you had to see me to believe, you are less blessed than those who believe without seeing.”

Thomas wanted to believe. Were that not the case, why would he have still been hanging around with the disciples over a week after Jesus' death? Thomas was desperate to believe, but he needed more than “word of mouth.” Thomas needed a personal encounter with the risen Savior. 

There is no indication that Thomas’ faith was any different (or any less) than anyone else’s. It just took something different to bring Thomas to that point. 

Doubts aren’t evil. Questions aren’t bad. If you have doubts, face them constantly.  If you have questions, keep asking them. 

God may not answer every question you pose to Him, but He will give you what you need if you are sincere...just like Thomas.

Grace

When I was 18, I met Craig Sayle and we became fast friends. Craig viewed God differently than anyone I'd ever met. On the subject of grace, Craig explained that salvation wasn't about me, but about Jesus' sacrifice on my behalf. I responded with something like "yeah, when I was lost and didn't deserve His love, He loved me anyway." Craig said "you don't deserve it now, Jason...but He loves you anyway. The only difference is that you've accepted His gift...but you're still undeserving of it. THAT is the beginning of grace."

In the years since, I've seen God's grace demonstrated in more ways than I can count. As my understanding of grace has become clearer, it's become more evident that it's not about me. I am beginning to understand Paul's plea that he decrease and Christ increase in his life. 

If not for the reality of grace, I have no hope. If not for the evidence of grace, I have no peace. If not for the presence of grace,  I have no purpose. Without the example of grace, I don't have the capacity to love.

In short, there's one thing I'm sure of: without grace, I have nothing. If I don't extend grace to others, I cheapen the reality of the grace in which I survive. Unless I share grace, I take for granted the very grace that allows me to take my next breath. 

Life in the reality of absolute grace is a learning, and humbling process. I wish I was farther along than I am.