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GOOD PREACHING AIN’T GOOD PASTORING

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By Ken Blue

Bible colleges may be turning out good men who can preach, but most of them get an “F” when it comes to producing men who know how to pastor. One of the reasons for this failure is that none of the teachers or professors are pastors themselves; they are only textbook educators.

The dictionary definition of “preaching” is to deliver a sermon. However, Vines says the “pastor” is: “a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks” (not merely one who feeds them), is used metaphorically of Christian “pastors,” Eph. 4:11. “Pastors” guide as well as feed the flock; cp. Acts 20:28, which, with ver. 17, indicates that this was the service committed to elders (overseers or bishops); —Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Preaching then, is one part of pastoring. It is the feeding aspect of the ministry.

If a young man thinks winning a soul to Christ or standing on the street corner preaching will qualify him to pastor; he is in for a rude awaking once he becomes the pastor. To be sure, soul winning and preaching are vital parts of the ministry, but they are just a part of it. I personally know many young men who are outstanding preachers and great soul winners, but their church never grows beyond 15 people. The number one reason for this is their lack of pastoring skills.

On the other hand, I know men who pastor large churches; but they are not outstanding preachers or teachers. The average response to this fact, by those who have not learned to pastor, is that those pastors with the larger churches are not giving the flock biblical meat; while the reason his own church is not growing is because the people can’t take strong Bible preaching.

If a pastor is killing his flock with strong meat, wouldn’t he be wise to feed them milk until they are mature enough for the meat? If you are adding new converts to your church each week, your task is to bring them from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity. This takes time, patience, and know-how. How do you get a person from where he is spiritually to where you want him to be spiritually? That is what pastoring is all about. Your deep sermons, alone, will not do it.

I recommend that a young man work for a pastor who knows how to pastor his flock. He should commit to at least five years and involve himself, over time, in every aspect of the ministry. If you can’t learn the things you need in Bible College; learn them from a pastor who is building a good church.

Finally, let me assure you that I do not believe a church is spiritual because it is large or small. However, some smaller churches could increase in members and maturity if the pastor would determine to learn all he can about pastoring and leadership. He must understand that preaching ability and pastoring are two completely different things.

DELEGATE OR ABDICATE?

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By Ken Blue

An employee said to his boss, “I’m doing the work of ten men, I want a raise.” His boss responded, “Tell me who the other ten are, and I’ll fire them.” Sometime the pastor feels like he is the only one doing the work in the church and in some cases that is true.

I’ve seen pastors who are busy doing everything at the church. There are several reasons for this. One is, they believe they are getting paid to do them. Another is, they like doing those things. Many pastors think none of the members are willing or are capable of doing church work.

I know many pastors who open every letter, turn the lights and heat on and off, and they unlock and lock the buildings at every service. Some mow the laws, vacuum the carpets, straighten up the auditorium, lead the singing, print the bulletin, make the announcements, take the offering, preach the sermon, and then wonder why they are about to have a nervous breakdown.

The key to solving this problem is to acknowledge that a problem existence and then fix it. Sad to say, some pastors don’t know how to fix it. I was one of those pastors for a few years. Just before I burnt out, I discovered the secret.

None of us are too important to do the list of things above, but the sooner the pastor realizes that none of them are his job, the easier it will be for him to get about the main task God called him to do.

The pastor should write down every task he is doing. Then he should mark things that could be done by someone else. Pray and ask God to show you those within the church to whom the task could given. If someone can do the task half as well as you, give it to them. With training and your help, they will get better. Give away everything you can to faithful men and women. You cannot give away your responsibility for the overall ministry of the church, but you must give responsibility with each task. Let each person know exactly what is expected and then meet often, if necessary, to see that it is done.

Delegation and abdication are two completely different things. You delegate in order to train others to serve Christ; and so you will be able to do more ministry leadership. Those who abdicate, abandon ministries and the workers in order to do less. They are selfish and lazy, and their sin will find them out.

Pastor, your church and your people will never grow spirituality if you don’t learn the fine art of delegation. Many who are excellent preachers and Bible teachers are not doing a good job as pastors. “And he gave …pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12. Your job is to perfect the believers for the work of the ministry. This takes far more than knowledge of the Bible. There are dozens of ways to teach men and women how to do the ministry. So, start now by giving jobs to every person you can.

(If this article was helpful, you should read the author’s book, How To Assist Your Pastor).

THE INNER SANCTUM

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GETTING THE INNER SANCTUM CLEAN

Inner Sanctum

By Ken Blue

“Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.” Ezekiel 8:12.

Because of their wickedness, the nation of Israel had been taken captive to Babylon. Ezekiel was among those deported. While in captivity, God spoke to him and transported him, in spirit, back to Jerusalem to show him the extent of Israel’s corruption and idolatry. Much of the wickedness was observable and practiced by the members of the nation, but the greater sins were unseen and hidden from view; they were in the inner sanctum.

Within the inner chambers of the temple were drawings on the walls which portrayed every kind of evil imaginable. These images were symbols of the false, perverse gods which Israel had incorporated into their temple worship. Some are too vile to mention, others are described by the Apostle Paul. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” Romans 1:21-23. Do you know any religions that practice these things?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Americans are more concerned with their appearance than they are their character.[/pullquote]

Not only had they descended into the worship of creation and the creatures, they embraced a philosophy that there were no absolute standards of morality. “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” Romans 1:26-28.

Although the temple appeared respectable, and men marveled at its magnificent construction; when God was through with it not a stone was left standing. God does not judge according to outward appearance. Many Americans are more concerned with their appearance than they are their character. They have confused being nice or loving animals with spirituality.

Jesus makes it clear that it is not that which is without that corrupts the man; it is that which proceeds from within the chambers of imagery that defiles and destroys. Let us make sure that we get the inner sanctum clean; the rest will take care of itself.

HOW THE IMPORTANT ESCAPES US

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THE IMPORTANT OR THE URGENT

importantBy Ken Blue

“And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be….” 1 Kings 20:40.

Former President, Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The important is seldom urgent and the urgent is seldom important.” Most of us never figure out what was really important until it has escaped us; then it is too late.

Instead of smiting wicked Benhadad, Ahab made a covenant with him and let him go. The prophet, in the parable, said the above words to King Ahab. Unbeknownst to the king, his response was his own death sentence. Because Ahab had his mind on everything else, except the will of God, he lost that which God had delivered into his hands, and his own life.

How sad, that most of us have lost opportunities and relationships because we were too busy here and too busy there. The Lord tells us what is most important. “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.” Matthew 22:37. The following explains how we are to do this: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Men and women have lost what is most valuable by making a covenant with the world, the flesh and the devil.[/pullquote]

No one can tell you what the will of God is for your vocation or individual choices. But, when the love of God and the will of God become first in our lives, we will not be busy about secondary issues.  Many men and women have lost that which was most valuable while making a covenant with the world, the flesh and the devil. Every marriage is destroyed because one or both parties were not paying attention to that which God had given them and they lost it. Prisons are filled with young men and women because the most important was ignored.

Being busy is not a virtue. There is no music without a rest and there is no spiritual renewal without a pause. I insert the following for your meditation. “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.

The message is simple and clear; God has delivered into your hands that with which you can do–His will. Don’t be negligent or foolish. I know many who are busy here and there, but God is not in their plans or thoughts at all. Therefore, do not be surprised when you discover the most important things in life have escaped you.

Contemporary Christianity

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Contemporary Christianity
Richard Sandlin

(Disclaimer: I cannot vouch for the salvation, sanctification or sound doctrine of this writer, but the article seem appropriate for the time)

“Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee”

Generally, we speak of Christianity in collective terms, but actually, it is distinctively individual. From our salvation at the beginning, till the Judgment Seat of Christ at the end, God deals with us one on one. And this is true of all that goes on in between.

Most certainly, our Heavenly Father has some basic rules that all the family is to adhere to, but these are for their well-being. Like any wise father, God does not dictate to his children’s preferences in tastes and likes. He allows them to be their own men or women in these.

One mark of a cult is seen in its strict regimentation. As one of my daughters used to say as a child, “They’re same-a-likes.” There is no elbow room in such collectivization for individualism. If you’re different in any way from the other robots, the Gestapo will report you to the Fuhrer.

Another characteristic of a cultic Christianity is that dedication is gauged by the things you give up. It matters little what kind of person you are, subtraction of things is the criteria for acceptance. These morbid members cannot give up a thing, without wanting everyone else to give it up.

There is a little tract entitled, “Others Can; You Can’t.” It leads one to believe spirituality is based on asceticism. But how about, “You Can; Others Can’t”? What a servant can or cannot do is between him and his Master, not another slave (Ro.14:4).

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