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Powder Puff Christians

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Dr. Blue declares rightfully that a “Soft society makes for soft Christians.”

Soft Christians
Never should a Christian put their trust in the government (Amos 6:1).  They should always put their trust in God else they become like those of Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49).  With an abundance of idleness comes a lack of grace which is manifested in many ways.

The average Christian wants an easy Christian walk with the Lord.  They would like everything to be wonderful all of the time, but that is not the true Christian walk.  Jesus walked a road of adversity that many soft Christians shy away from, and when they do, they are shying away from Christ.

The purpose for adversity is to prepare the Christian for more adversity.  Every Christian will be confronted with adversity sooner or later.  The soft Christian will turn away from it as fast as they can, and therefore not grow in Christ likeness.

For some reason, young people have developed this idea that when you get old, then you can grow up and live for God.  They neglect to think of the difficulties that an old saint has to deal with; things that they can so easily do in their youth.  The adversity of their youth has prepared them to live a life as an hardened soldier for the Lord during their time of greater adversity.  If they have developed well when they were young in the Lord, then they will have a much easier time serving the Lord in their old age.  But, if they have not faced adversity in their youth, then they often fall away.  Mostly they fall into some form of Christian facade like ministry, or they will back slide altogether.

Start living your life for God NOW!  Don’t become a soft Christian. You may not make it!

SERVICE IS THE KEY

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It’s All About Service #1

service

By Ken Blue

A few years ago I visited the Eagle Hardware store in our town. It was a man’s shopping paradise, with tools everywhere! As I entered the large double-doors, a man wearing an employee vest came out of an aisle on my left. We almost collided. I asked where I could locate a particular electrical item. He said, “Come with me.”

I followed him down the main aisle about one hundred feet, and then we turned to the right and walked another hundred and fifty feet. He then turned left and we walked fifty feet to the place where he knelt to the floor on one knee and took the item from the bottom shelf. He smiled and said, “Here you are sir.” I asked, “Are you the owner of this store?”  “No sir,” he said, “I only work here, but I do want you to come again.” I assured him I would. Not only would I return, I would tell all my friends.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Wouldn’t it be great if the people who visit our churches left feeling like they had received same special service?[/pullquote]

Wouldn’t it be great if the people who visit our churches left feeling they had received the same special service I received from a hardware employee? Instead of telling our guest where the bathrooms are, or where the nurseries are, why not train our greeters and ushers to walk with them and help them with their smallest needs. You may not be the preacher, but you will be telling the guest, “You are valuable to us, and we really want you to come again.”  Not only are they likely to return, they will also tell their friends. You see, it’s all about the service.

THE OLD CROSSCUT SAW

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TEAMWORK AND THE CROSSCUT SAW

crosscut saw

By Ken Blue

I am old enough to remember my Grandpa and others use the crosscut saw to cut down trees, and cut them into firewood. As a boy, I even tried my hand at it. There were a few lessons I had to learn.

Each saw was about eight to ten feet long. Upright handles were on both ends, and were long enough for a man to use both hands when sawing. It was virtually impossible for one man to use this saw. It was made to be a two man operation.

Some agreement was necessary prior to beginning. Which trees would be cut? Where do we want them to fall, and what length should each piece be? Once these were decided, it was time to go to work.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Some church members want to pull when they should relax, and others relax when they should be pulling.[/pullquote]

Some skill was needed when working with a crosscut saw. Each man takes hold of the handles. One man will pull the saw towards himself. The other will simply keep his hand on the handles at his end of the saw. Once the man who pulled the saw has reached his limit, the other man begins pulling the saw back toward himself. This back and forth motion moves the saw through the largest of trees.

If both man decide to pull on his end of the saw at the same time, all movement will stop. In addition, if either man pushes the saw from his end, the saw will bend and bind up. So teamwork was vital if things were to operate, as they should.

Some church members want to pull when they should relax, and other are relaxed when they should be pulling. It really isn’t hard work when everyone knows their job, works as a team, and has the same objectives. Wouldn’t it be great if each member of your church knew what his tasks were, and would work as a team? You are the teacher.

 

 

THE CHURCHES SECOND GREATEST NEED

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The Greatest Need is not Always Preaching

By Ken Blue

Recently I wrote an article about a pastor who responded to a question about the church’s greatest need, other than prayer and the Word of God. He informed me that the need of his church was more finances. We dealt with that need and suggested some things that might ease that burden. That blog is on this website.

The second greatest need, in most churches, is people to do the work of the ministry. After 40 years of preaching and pastoring, I am convinced that we have been misinformed that preaching is the most important part of the ministry. I am sure, if you love preaching, you will disagree with me and insist that preaching is the most important. I too, believed that for many years. But, as I step back and observe churches, I have changed my mind.

Preaching is a vital part of the ministry, but by itself, it will not produce or develop workers. The right kind of preaching will create a conviction to work in a ministry, but someone must recruit, train, inspire, and assist men and women in their task.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]People want to be an important part of an important organization.[/perfectpullquote]

Before you start preaching about service, decide on as many areas as possible to serve in the church. Have a job description for each ministry so people will know what is expected of them. Two things I learned years ago. People want to be an important part of an important organization. Secondly, “use me or loose me.” Provide training for workers. Make much of how important it is to serve the Lord and others in the church.

Yes, you must have money, but if you aren’t training and using your people, you are failing them. Stop being a one man show and let people serve where they are most fitted and comfortable. Don’t ever citizen them to anyone, rather, help them do a better job. Remember, Jesus preached to the multitudes, but He trained the Twelve.

BOOK: How To Assist Your Pastor

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Why is it so many assistant pastors fail in the ministry? Thirty five years of pastoring by Dr. Ken Blue has given him keen insight to what is lacking and what is needed to succeed in the ministry. In this book, Dr. Blue has gleaned information from both the Old and New Testaments and has skillfully and interestingly pointed out why assistants fail in their ministry. This book should be read by every person who serves in the local church. 47 pages an excerpt: History and Experience prove the impossibility of extending one’s influence beyond one’s personal reach without the help of others. And the key word in that sentence is “others.”

How To Assist Your Pastor
How To Assist Your Pastor

A pastor can only do the work of one man. He may fell that he is doing the work of others, and in fact, he may be doing the work that others should be doing, but he is still doing the work of one man. I am reminded of the frustration executive, who went to his boss and said, “I want a raise for I am doing the work of ten men.” His boss said, “Tell me who the ten men are and I will fire them.” The only way a pastor can hope to get more done is with capable, loyal leaders working for and with him. Order today.