You are here: Home / Archives for TRAINING MEN FOR THE MINISTRY

PASTORS DRIVING IN THE FOG

by

PASTORS WITHOUT GOALS OR OBJECTIVES

pastorsBy Ken Blue

The longer I live and the more I talk with pastors, the more confident I am that many of them are driving in a fog; if they are moving at all. We all know what it is like to try to drive in those blinding conditions. Sometimes fog lights help, but the fog line on the right side of the road may be the best guide. That line gives you some point of reference as to where you are.

It appears that pastors do not want a clearly defined purpose, or stated objectives for fear of failure. Perhaps they like being in the fog, that way no one can figure out where they are going. You would think they would be eager to establish these, and clarify them to their members.

What must a pastor do to get out of the fog and see clearly his purpose, objectives, and goals? First of all, he must have a stated purpose for the church. Can you put in a simple sentence why your church exists and what you believe God wants it to focus on; if not, you are still in the fog. An example of a purpose statement is that of Open Door Baptist church. “We exist to bring families from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity.” That statement is clear and defines what the churches main business will be. Everything else they do moves the church toward that purpose.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The purpose statement declares why you exist.[/perfectpullquote]

Once the purpose is established, clearly stated objectives must be put in place. The purpose declares why you exist. The objectives state what actions are necessary to carry out your purpose. Pastors should have no more that 5-7 objectives. Objectives are not goals. They are simply the major areas you must focus on to support your purpose.

Once the objectives are in place, goals must be set in each one of them. Some goals may be set for what you want the church to be in five years. Goals must be broken down to 12, 6, 3, and 1-month segments. They must be on the pastor’s calendar, and on your desk, or they will be ignored.

Also, goals have a beginning and ending date. They must be measurable, attainable and have ownership. From your calendar, you know what you are to do each week and every day. If you have done it right, your calendar will become your boss. You no longer are in the fog. If things get a little fuzzy, get your calendar out and bring yourself up to date.

Why do pastors ignore this kind of planning? One, it requires you to think and work. It won’t allow you to fly by the seat of your pants. It holds you accountable. It shows where you are failing, and the bottom line is fear.

CHECK OUT AUDIO SERMONS AND SONGS

STRIVING ABOUT WORDS

by

STRIVING INSTEAD OF GETTING OUT THE GOSPEL

By Ken Blue

 

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 2 Timothy 2:14.

 One way to discredit an individual is to give a word an alternate meaning from its intended context. There are several such words; and the brethren who use them have been segregated into a class of their own. I am reminded of the man who said, “Thou art stubborn; he is obstinate, and I am persistent.” Each word has much in common, but who wants to be thought of as stubborn or obstinate? “Persistent” always sounds more acceptable.

One word that has fallen into ill repute among the brethren is the word fundamentalist. The reason is its connotation and use. Fundamentalist have been associated with terrorist, fanatics and Kooks. This is unfair and unfortunate, but it is the way it is. Thus, many Bible believers, who embrace the fundamentals of the faith, are reluctant to be associated with some who call themselves fundamentalist. The fundamentals must be embraced, some fundamentalist need the boot.

Another word is the word share. One argument is that it isn’t a Bible word. Are we going to confine our vocabulary to words found only in Scripture? I don’t think so. We know the words rapture and trinity are not found in the Bible, yet we use them constantly because we know those truths are taught. The same principle is found in the word share. This truth and example is found from Genesis to Revelation. Perhaps a dictionary definition will help some. “share: A part or portion belonging to, distributed to, contributed by, or owed by a person or group. To accord a share in (something) to another or others: shared her chocolate bar with a friend. To have a share or part: shared in the profits.” This attack is another nail in the coffin of unity between believers.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Be careful when preaching to the Pharisees! To stay out of trouble, you must be political![/pullquote]

A young college student criticized his pastor because he used the word Philosophy. The pastor had pastored for about 15 years; the student had been out of college about six months. Below is a list of synonyms from the American Heritage Dictionary on the word, philosophy: “A system of belief, principles, or opinions:  • creed • dogma • faith • religion • doctrine • credo • canons • gospel.” All these words are used by pastors and no one complains. But if you say the word philosophy, you are related to the Antichrist. This is nonsense. It is the world’s philosophy one must reject, not the word!

The word Liberal is anathema among Bible believers. However, the word does not always have a negative connotation.  “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:25. “Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;” 2 Corinthians 9:13. Wouldn’t you like to have these liberals in your church? Our objection should be against those who take liberty with the Word of God and deny its teachings and Truth. Again, the word liberal is not a negative word, like all words, it depends on how it is used.

 Do you know what a fag is? Let me give you a dictionary definition. “1.a. A student at a British public school who is required to perform menial tasks for a student in a higher class. b. A drudge. 2. Chiefly British. Fatiguing or tedious work; drudgery. 1. To work to exhaustion; toil. 2. To function as the servant of another student in a British public school. –tr. To exhaust; weary: Four hours on the tennis court fagged me out.” American Heritage Dictionary.  Sodomy is the sickest sin on earth. So call it what it is, and stop trying to be “cute.”

The word Contemporary is another word that we must abhor. How contemporary are you? Some time ago I visited an Amish village in Illinois. All tools were of wood, carts were pulled by horses, and electricity was rejected. Are the Amish more in line with Scripture than you, since you are more contemporary? There was a time when all musical instruments were rejected by the church, and most of the music in your hymnal was rejected because it was contemporary at the time.  This is not a suggestion that you throw all caution to the wind. However, we need to stop acting like a donkey when it comes to words and methods.

The final word under fire is the word Entertainment. When used in relation to the church, it means that you must not have certain musical interments, Power Point, quartets, solos, songs under 100 years old, and more than one special.

Pastor, if you don’t entertain your congregation, you will lose it. All speakers and singers are trying to entertain and edify their listeners. That is why they use the style, words, and methods when presenting their message. I am aware that prayer, the power of God, the Word of God, the love of God, and the grace of God must be present. But, let’s stop hiding behind these, while pretending that the human element is not important. Many pastors need never worry about entertaining church members. Even the Devil would sleep through their service; everyone else is.

I have also discovered that you may quote certain leaders and get a course of “amen’s.” Just don’t mention the names of the men you quote. You may use their words, but you must know your crowd, or they will treat you like the Jews at Jerusalem treated Paul when he mentioned the word Gentile. So, be careful when preaching to the Pharisees! To stay out of trouble, you must be political!

THE TRADITION TEST

by

TRADITION IN YOUR MINISTRY
tradition

By Ken Blue

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 .

It is possible, like the Jews, we too have allowed tradition to hinder our outreach and the Word of God. A good question is what would we give up or add in order to win more souls for Christ. I believe our answer may reveal just how strongly we are bound to tradition.

1.         Would you be willing to have services on another day instead of Sunday, if it meant you would reach more people?

2.         Would you be willing to change the order of your Sunday service, if it meant you would reach more people?

3.         Would you be willing to change the time of your service on Sunday, if it meant you would reach more people?

4.         Would you be willing to change the style of your preaching, if it meant you would reach more people?

5.         Would you be willing to change the decor and arrangement of your building, if it meant you would reach more people?

6.         Would you be willing to have your choir wear robes, if it meant you would reach more people?

7.         Are there musical instruments you would not use, even if using them meant you would reach more people?

8.         Would you be willing to change your music, if it meant you would reach more people?

9.         Would you be willing to use background music, if it meant you would reach more people?

10.       Would you be willing to face the wrath of the brethren, if it meant you would reach more people?

Now, there is no guarantee that any of the changes would lead to reaching more souls for Christ. The point is, would you be willing to change if you knew it would? Your answer will reveal your value of souls and the ruts of tradition in your ministry.

TRAINING MEN FOR THE MINISTRY

by

WHERE MEN FOR THE MINISTRY COME FROM

By Ken Blue
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2.

 God has blessed Open Door Baptist Church over the years by calling young men from the membership into the ministry. Most of the men in the above picture were saved, trained, and ordained at Open Door. God continues to do this under the leadership of Pastor Jason Murphy. In addition, some of these pastors are training and sending others out to serve the Lord in the ministry. God’s plan is that the process continues.

Brother Tim Shanks and Ken Stewart are also from Open Door. Pastor Shanks has trained and ordained three men who are now in the ministry. Brother Stewart has taken the leadership of God’s Word Baptist Church and Pastor Shanks has been called to replace Pastor Ken Bates in Corona, CA.

Our job as pastors is to reach the lost, train them for ministry, and help them get established in serving Christ. God’s grace had been poured out abundantly on Open Door, and we praise Him for these and many others who are serving Him.

THE ALIAS

by

HOW TO DEAL WITH ALIAS, ANNONYMOUS CRITICS

alias

By Ken Blue

The American Heritage Dictionary defines alias as; “1. An assumed name: The swindler worked under various aliases.”

During my forty years of pastoring, I have received many letters and notes sent by mysterious souls who refused to attach their names, or they used names of others to hide their identity. My advice to pastors is that they have their secretary screen their mail. If it is of the above nature, have it diverted to the garbage can.

One individual did everything within his power to destroy my family and ministry. The membership list was stolen and letters were sent to them with an alias attached. The nature of all letters was to turn the members against me. He was arrested for stealing thousands of dollars from the church offerings. People who use aliases are usually hiding more than their name.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”People who are ashamed to put their name to their comments, ought to be ashamed to make them.”[/perfectpullquote]

In most cases, I put the alias in the same category with the terrorist. These men and women hide under the cover of darkness while attacking others. Usually, they are self-righteous and hiding something in their own life.

Occasionally, you may receive letters or emails with the only identity; bible believer. Those who use this alias are neither Bible believers nor Bible doers.

You cannot stop the anonymous critics, however, you can refuse to read their dribble, and send it to the trash bin. People who are ashamed to put their name to their comments, ought to be ashamed to make them. Rest assured, God sees behind the mask of the alias. Pastor, don’t allow these vermin to disturb you.