The past weeks have been spent studying the effects of power in leadership, specifically negative effects. It has been almost 10 years since the fall of the church & ministry known as Mars Hill, Seattle, Washington. It is height of impact and popularity it was referenced as a model of being effective for church planting, church leadership, etc. Honestly, in those days I did not engage in the materials or embrace the cultish following, so when it fell, I was not directly impacted. I did, however, have a curiosity on how such a highly touted ministry could crash so dramatically.

The fall of Mars Hill became quite a focal point in Christian journalism. It was Christianity Today that connected with my curiosity. There is a CT Podcast series entitled, The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill. I have listened to the series, hosted by Mike Casper. The introduction paragraph describes the purpose of the podcast as, “to break down how the technology shaped the messaging and marketing of Mark Driscoll and how personal brand can isolate a leader even as it fuels a ministry growth.” That was the hook used by overseers to follow Mark Driscoll, church growth. Here we are, almost 10 years down the road from the fall of Mars Hill, and yet I still hear and see such enticements used to “encourage” pastors to grow churches, be successful.

I also searched, read, and listened to other reports on the Mars Hill collapse. Far and away, most came to similar conclusions as CT’s investigation. You too can find these articles and recordings should you desire such. Why would I spend such time and energy researching such an old story? Because I see it now coming to another season in the rural/small town ministries. I see and hear similar sayings and motives in young pastors who were college age or younger at the time of the Mars Hill collapse. I wonder what we have learned from the Mars Hill story and the many other such ministry stories of that era.

When the church or its leadership focuses on “leadership for effect” over a theology that guides their leadership, or churches that change their theology to fit their desired outcome for leadership, we are in a dangerous place. I hear the pleas for “young leaders” over the call for shepherds. The call for “bright young minds” over the humble & spiritually gifted.

There is still much to share on what my heart aches within the study of catastrophe of Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll. Consider this the introduction of topics to come for us to consider and pray over. Take time to listen, remember the fall of the ministries that fell in collapse as you might have remembering the twin towers of New York. The impacts of that incident still are with us today. The same is true of Mars Hill and other such ministries. Lets not repeat the past, but learn from it for the glory of God and the ministries to come.

The Blog- What is Coaching

Coaching. What is that? Many today see the term in our professional world. Upon seeing this word, our minds go to a sporting event, seeing a man or woman with their team, dictating instructions, a play to run or the like. One image that comes to mind is that of former Indiana University coach Bobby Knight. Coach Knight is a legend in the sport of basketball. Few can think of his name without recalling his temper and the famous chair-throwing incident. (Fewer still can recall who the Hoosiers were playing against that night.) Keith Webb summarizes what he discovered about the history of the term.

Our modern-day use of the word “coach” is actually a metaphor. As the coach wagon was a means to carry goods from one place to another, the term “coach” evolved and began to be applied to education. In 18th century England, tutors prepped students to pass their exams. The slang reference for tutors became “coach” because tutors quickly and comfortably carried students to their goal of passing their exams. It wasn’t until the late 1880s when the term coach was applied to athletic coaches. They were called “coachers.” The image of sports coaching became more of an army drill sergeant than a comfortable carriage or even a tutor. This association is unfortunate. Let’s get that image out of our minds so we can tap into the extraordinary power of coaching in leadership. (Coaching In Ministry - Keith E. Webb. emphasis mine)

Ministry coaching is not like that. There are a few variations of how coaching is expressed and done. I want to share how I was trained as a coach. The how and by whom impacts the expression of coaching just as how and by whom discipled us impacts how we disciple others. It is the job of the coach to assist the learner to get from one place to another.

I was trained in pastor coaching by Dave Jacobs of Small Church Pastor Coaching. SCPC is different that many of the main line coaching training services. The greatest difference being, Dave acknowledged my professional training in counseling and other ministry courses. The training is administered as a college class with a variety of readings, reports and then oral review of the materials. Upon completion of the coursework, there was the 25 hours of clinical work. This entailed using the coaching content and skills in a variety of settings and relationships. Once this was completed a summary paper was written and submitted, followed by a conversation as a type of final exam.

The above is the background of what and who, and here is the how-what. Coaching brings clarity and growth to another through listening and asking questions. The coach is not the “answer man" but rather a relationship to sift thoughts, ideas, frustrations, and goals through. Coaching is a unique relationship that focuses on the leader being coached. It is the leader who sets the agenda for the coaching opportunities. 

Coaching is not counseling, nor is it giving advice. Coaching is to grow the leader from within, aiding them to see blind spots or a lack of follow-through. Sometimes, it is the post for the leader to lean on in a season of difficulty, stress, or fatigue. Coaching is not goal setting, though goals are usually established. Coaching is not learning skills. It is a means to enhance skills that are already present or not as disciplined as they could be.

I have found that most pastors already know what needs to be known. What many are missing is that special relationship that has the desire to value them, embrace them, and hear them. Pastors are men and women who are bright, intelligent, and gifted for their calling. Yet sometimes, these need honing and polishing from years of repetitious usage.

Pastors tend to desire assistance on various topics: time management, not having enough time for children, spousal strain, establishing boundaries, what is disciple-making, church leadership stresses, personal sin & shame, financial stress, discouragement with self, and success. This list is incomplete, but maybe you can identify with one or two topics.

If you want to talk about coaching for your ministry, contact me at https://www.town-country-pastor-coaching.net/ or email me at terry@town-country-pastor-coaching.net. I hope you have a new image in your mind when you hear the term coaching. I'd be interested in hearing what that image is. I currently have a New Year's special happening for the first five pastors who sign up for coaching. This special is four free coaching sessions. Beyond this, pricing is tailored to your situation. Pastor, you are not alone. If you feel you are, let's connect.

The Sabbath Day, The Neglected Gift of Pastors.

As pastors, we know the topic of the Sabbath Day. We can trace it from the words of Jesus, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath” (Mark 2:27). We can explain it to our congregation. We teach that it is a day of rest and worship. We can trace its origins back to the creation story of God rested from all of his labors (Gen. 2:1-3). And let's not forget that God also stated that the seventh day was holy because God rested from his works. “Completion of intent is the trigger for cessation in both cases. “This suggests that the sense of  should not be restricted to the simple cessation of activity; it should also be bound to the completion of intent.”⁷.”¹ Perhaps we have missed the uniqueness of the gift by overlooking the element of completion of work.

We see all around in our culture the working of a seven-day week. This affects our ministries, services, and the general health of our churches. There is always more to be done. Pastor, too many of us have bought into this mindset. Too many of us neglect the gift of the sabbath- - that Seventh-day of rest period. Many of us have not seen it modeled; therefore, we have lost the intrinsic value of the gift. Pastoring is difficult and intense work. We need this special rest. I submit that many pastors would admit the need, but in all honesty, do not know how to do a sabbath day. Before we get to the how-tos, let’s address some myths that pastors have accepted.

Myth 1.  The Day Off: As myths go, there must be an element of truth in them. For this myth it is the “day off” phrase. It is only a day off because we are not doing what we do on the other days of the week. The myth is that changing activities is rest. In the secular mind, the day off is normally Saturday. So, naturally, we see our intended sabbath as a day-off. But we also copy the secular in doing other activities that are actually work, toil. “They” get to mow the lawn, go shopping, fix the leak etc. Since “they” get to do these things, we accept that the day-off is our day to catch up on the to-do list. This myth damages us more than we realize. First, we do not take time to mimic what God himself had done on his rest day. He stopped and admired the work that had been fulfilled. When God gave Moses the commandments, one was;

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Ex. 20:8-11).

The full context connects six days to the seventh. When we buy into this myth we miss the opportunity of the gift of sabbath. This connects to the second myth.

Myth 2.  The day off is my day to do what I want. This myth changes the focus of the day from time with God to us. We protect our time from our congregation. Some of you may have established rules of not being called or visited on “your day off.” Consider what Jesus did on the sabbath. He did many miracles on the sabbath. It was a day devoted to God (holy) to do with God what he deems doing that day. Throughout the gospels we read of Jesus doing works of compassion on the Sabbath. Those who argued with him regarding “these works” he clarified that the law permitted such activities. When we shut people out, we shut out potential opportunities of love and compassion.

Myth 3- My spouse works on my day off: This removes God from being the day's focus. This myth precludes the agenda of being active with your spouse-shopping, traveling, etc. We are doing many things that are not ministry-related, but neither are we resting. We believe that if we refresh our relationship with our spouse, then we will be refreshed for the next week. We want our spouse to do what only God can do for us. Only in Jesus will we find true “rest for our weary souls.”

New York Times writer, Tish Harrison Warren reported this summation in August of 2022.

A recent study from Barna, a Christian research organization, showed that pastors are struggling with burnout at unprecedented levels. Barna reports that in March 2022, “the percentage of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year sits at 42 percent.” This sharp rise was first seen in November 2021, with the number of pastors who reported that they were considering resignation up nine percentage points from January 2021.

Younger pastors are particularly affected by burnout, the study said, noting that “46 percent of pastors under the age of 45 say they are considering quitting full-time ministry, compared to 34 percent of pastors 45 and older.” There were also higher levels of burnout among clergy women, compared with those for men.

If this myth or any of the previous are true, these statistics would not be present. The reality is that pastors are not resting, being settled in the mind, body, or spirit. Maybe we just don’t know how.

What is Sabbath Rest? First, we need to recognize the elements for a Sabbath-Rest. In all truth, it must be planned for in advance. Surprise! The first element is not to stop working.

1. Plan your week’s work ahead of time. This is similar to budgeting but with your time. As Dave Ramsey says, you are the master of your money, it works for you. For our topic, you are the one in charge of your time. This is where you state your Sabbath Day. Determine its placement. This is your special day with God, and his day with you. Then, look at your primary responsibilities, then your secondary. These should include your home and family. Estimate the time needed to fulfill each one. Begin scheduling these into your calendar. The following steps will connect with where these should be.
2. Plan how much time is a day’s work. Not everyone will or should do a 12-hour day nor should you depend on doing such. Guard your home time for their health. By this I mean, mark off your family meals, children's activities, and alone time with your spouse. These may be flexible from week to week.
3. Plan time for productive work that fits your season of life and personality. Some of us are more focused on studying in the mornings. Others are slow to get the brain functioning before 10:30 a.m. If your primary study focus is in the evening, then do that work after the kids are in bed and the spouse is doing their thing. As we age, our production hours will change. What worked in my 30’s no longer is as effective in my 50’s.
4. Look forward to your day with God, not a day off. As you live your work week, keep in mind and heart that there is a day coming that you get to be with the One whom you are working for. He desires that time so much that He created a special day to be with you. On this day, the whole day, you do not work. This means, no toils of labor. You and the time are set for resting, settling, and admiring. You have fulfilled your weeks’ time allotment. Look back at those past six days. You praise God for your accomplishments. You pray to God for those things that were not as successful or are still incomplete. Rest with God and listen to his words about your work. Did you love people? Did you bless those who needed a gift of blessing? Did you love your neighbor as yourself? Did you take the time to teach and admonish your children and cherish your spouse? These are all pleasing to God. Take time to hear him pronounce your work as good as he did in the creation. But what else can be done on Sabbath? Here are a few ideas.
5. Ideas for enriching your Sabbath Day: What is there that you and God can do together? The Sabbath is not about sitting dormant or studying lint. It is a day of being. Here are some ideas of being and doing.
   1. Go to a place where you are refreshed. This may be a park, a woods etc. Some of us hunt or fish, do that thing. Maybe instead of using a firearm, use a camera and sit in a tree stand/ground blind and shoot pictures of creation.
   2. Embrace a hobby that you do on this special day. For me, I have taken to whittling. The picture at the top of this article is my first project. It became the mascot of my Sabbath. Recently I discovered the rest I was missing and had an entire day of rest. This rest was doing all that I have described above. I was in the autumn colors and scents, sitting by a fire outdoors. My wife was there as well. And there was an extra chair. It is the Jesus chair. It was the invitation to join us in a day like no other.
   3. Hobbies to explore cooking for others. I know a pastor in Minnesota who was a chef. We shared how he missed cooking those special meals. In our conversation, he discovered he did not need to give up that skill but use it to bless others. It was his de-stressor for the week. As with Brother Andrew, he felt God’s nearness in the kitchen. Some other hobbies may be art, taking up marksmen shooting (gun or archery), photography, baking, pottery, poetry, or loving people at a shelter… the ideas are endless. They may also last a season, then find another.

Pastor, God has given you a gift. It is not a gift of work or distraction. It is the gift of special time with him. He knew we needed it. He knew we would not seek it, so he created it for us. Lets not neglect it.

¹Haynes, Matthew, & Krüger, P. Paul. (2017). Creation rest: Genesis 2:1-3 and the first creation account. Old Testament Essays, 30(3), 663-683. https://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2017/v30n3a8

John Oswalt, ""כלה ,"," TWOT 1:439.

The Blog- Undercover Boss:

What is a pastor? Many today who are outside of the church and even a few within do not know what we are. We use terms that encapsulate the many responsibilities that we carry. A few weeks ago I was in a conversation with another pastor on this topic. Within that conversation the statement was made, "Isn't the pastor the boss of the church?".  In the context of the conversation, the statement wasn't meant to be abrasive. He was only stating that the pastor is the one responsible for everything under his charge. However this label is not used in scripture. I want to offer some clarity for this matter. One the one hand, yes, we as pastors are responsible for all that is under our charge. The "boss" concept is not of the Kingdom of which we serve. In short, being bossy is an exposure of a condition of the heart. That condition is that one is tired, or has begun taking on the systems of the natural man/culture to achieve goals. "It (ridicule) is effective because it strikes at the hidden insecurities or weaknesses that almost everybody has."1

Here are a few statements from Jesus regarding being in charge and connecting with those we lead.

1. Servants and Managers- Jesus used the terms of servants and managers (stewards) to give labels to the positions in his Kingdom. In Mark's gospel, chapter nine,  a conversation is recorded. 

Who Is the Greatest?

33And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

First it is human to be aware of who is really in charge. The disciples argued about this. (Who is the the greatest?) Who is the lead dog as they used to say or who is alpha male. We need to remember that these are of the natural mind. Jesus has a different view of leading and being in charge for his kingdom. We are familiar with the truth nugget that Jesus gave: "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” With this being known, we as pastors, are the chief servants of Christ for the congregation we are charged to lead. We need to be creative in how we express our position. We serve the Master through caring for and leading his people. We must do our responsibilities as Jesus would do them. Jesus spoke on a similar topic in Matthew's gospel: 

Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave' just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.' (emphasis mine)

The human tendency is that of lording over others. Power is the desire and topic. We as pastors must be careful of culture's definition of power, authority, and being in charge. It is not for us to have ourselves look good, but to have Jesus look amazing. It is not for us to have a desire of having people jump when we say so, rather it is to be examples as the chief servant of quick and humble laying down of our desires for the sake of the Master. Jesus says, "the rulers of the Gentiles, lord it over them". That is to be bossy. Ours is not to be as those. 

Our greatest challenge is to lead the heart of those we are leading and serving. We can find many sources for getting things done. These range from time management to motivational speaking. Scripture says little to nothing on these concepts. Scripture speaks much on the human condition, namely the heart. You can discover those passages. Friend, the greatest difficulty in leading from the heart to their heart is that we need to know them, and they know us. This principle is similar to what Dr. Elmer Towns said regarding education. "You are not teaching a lesson. You are teaching students." We are not doing things. We are doing special things with people. Training of people is revealing of how we are trained. 

Pauls could say, "Follow my example as I follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1-2)." And in Col. 3:23-24, "do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." We train others by instruction and example. We are raising up servants. Why is this? "Jesus said, He who would be the greatest must be the servant of all (Mark 9:34)." 

Psalm 123 says; "To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us (emphasis mine)." The eyes of the servant are to the Master.  The eyes of those in this passage are fixed upon their master. "As we read this psalm we discover that the people are in circumstances in which they could lose heart, but they are not cast down or defeated by their circumstances, because they are looking beyond them to God."2

As Jesus trained the next generations of servants, he was clear what they were not to be or be like. Greatness is in the opportunity of serving. This serving is not to man, but unto the Lord. Do you remember the show, Undercover Boss? How can the premise of that show connect with our being a servant of God? If God went undercover and after a few weeks we had a meeting with him on ow we had done our job, would that meeting be enriching for us as overseers of God's people? How would you like that final scene to play out? 

1  Boice, James Montgomery. 2005. Psalms 107–150: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

2. Ibid.

The Blog-- Responding to Criticism

Criticism is all around us. It is in the atmosphere of culture. Much of the time it is hidden under the guise of "being a critical thinker." Being a critical thinker is a good skill. It does not mean that we have license to criticize people. This often dehumanizes them or at diminishes them. A critical thinker is one who evaluates ideas or concepts. Ideas should be examined. Yet, culture exalts the former and sees little use for the latter. As pastors, we deal with these situations and people often that we would care to admit. If we are not careful, we too can fall into the culture trap of criticizing rather than having a critical mind. A critical mind is a mind that seeks to learn and understand. 

As representatives of Jesus and as leaders of his people, we must reflect the character of Jesus. How did Jesus respond to those who were critical of him? Our responses need to be of grace, humility, and truth. As Kinnaman, David, and Gabe Lyons. 2007. UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity … and Why It Matters; (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books). "If young outsiders say they can’t see Jesus in our lives, we have to solve our “hidden Jesus” problem.
This may be the hardest thing in the world to get right. We have difficulty just admitting that we have a problem.1 From this book they give a few suggestions.

The authors share how we can change our perspectives to use statements of criticism as opportunities. "Most people, including Christians, do not know what to do when people find fault with them. They blow it off, minimize it, point to other people who caused the problem, some other way to bury the blame."

Each of these can be found in the life of Jesus.

1. Hold on to the right perspective when facing criticism. Jesus was not bothered by his critics as we are today. "When Jesus faced criticism, he did not merely dismiss it as unwarranted persecution. Sometimes he talked; other times he responded with silence. Occasionally he told a story (or a parable) to answer a question; in other instances he quoted Old Testament Scripture. Sometimes he told his listeners what to think; in other settings he would retort with blunt questions, deflecting blame or forcing inquirers to “discover” the truth themselves.2 Simply put, I don't always have to be right. Maybe you have heard it said, "Be more concerned with what happens in you than what happens to you."
2. Jesus was not willing to be defined by his critics. As was the practice of Jesus, he often did not directly answer his critics. He might ask them a question or redirect the topic to the greater need. (You have heard it said, but I say....) His sayings were often established on the primary text, the Law of Moses.
3. Jesus seemed to be aware of motivations that were below the surface. Hostility and hurt can be easily confused. A hurting person can come across as hostile, emotional. Engaging in a healthy dialog with them can uncover the hurt and begin a healing not only in their soul, but in relationships as well. A hostile person is one who has a motivation that furthers their cause, identity or influence. They need to be the smartest person in the room or the one with the authority. Again, asking questions in these moments of criticism is key. 

There have been times when a person has come to me to let me know that the Bible says something different that what I had just taught or spoken on. In these times I will ask the person to show me their point in the Bible. In this way I can learn more than what I thought I had known. Secondly, if they cannot locate the passage etc. I have an opportunity to instruct them in a healthy manner. Either way I am in a position of having a positive impact in this relationship. 

The authors conclude this section and topic with a good word. "Like Jesus we have to learn to respond to criticism appropriately and with the proper motivation. Negative responses should not debilitate us; nor should we shy away from tough decisions or unpopular positions. But we should consider whether our response to cynics and opponents is motivated to defend God’s fame or our own image."

Jesus was always focused on the will and glory of His father. We are to be as well.

1Kinnaman, David, and Gabe Lyons. 2007. UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity … and Why It Matters. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

2 Ibid.

3. Ibid

The Blog: All the Things We Do!

The other day I was thinking of all of the duties and activities that we T&C Pastors do in our serving of our congregations and the Kingdom at large. It is not to say that other ministry contexts do not have similar lists. In fact, I believe that many on this list are done by any pastor in a small church. Here is the list that I have generated thus far:

• I raise sheep
• I train Servants
• I Wash People
• I train Mixed Martial Arts
• I train Marathon Runners
• I do First Aid
• I raise children, sometimes as their parent
• I Feed the homeless
• I Counsel 
• I Coach Life 
• I Coach Relationships
• I Chaplain the Community
• I am a Community Cheerleader
• I am a Recruiter
• I am the IT guy
• I am a secretary
• I am a publisher
• I am a news reporter

I hear the phrase, "I,we didn't sign up for this." To you who are saying or thinking this thought, I empathize with you. We have romantic view of what pastoring is about. We go to Bible Schools or Seminaries to learn the calling. How many of us have had actual classes on these topics and functions? All of these expressions come under the headings of pastor, teacher, shepherd, and discipler. In the next few Blogs I will be writing on these duties and how they affect us. I want to encourage you that this is indeed what we signed-up for, we were just not informed of the special connections that these expressions contain.

Lets start with raising sheep. I am not a sheep person, a shepherd by upbringing. I was raised on a dairy farm and worked on dairy farms in our community. I know somethings of cows and caring for them. Sheep are "a different animal." There are not many sheep farms in comparison to cattle farms. Yet, it is shepherding sheep that Scripture uses as the picture of caring for God's people. "Sheep were domesticated in the ancient Near East in 7000 bc. They are mentioned more than any other livestock in the Bible, indicating their economic importance as a source of food, wool, and hide. With the primary responsibilities of leading and protecting their flock, the occupation naturally lent itself as a symbol for those in leadership and God." (Faithlife, LLC. 2023. “Logos Bible Study Factbook.” Logos Bible Study. Computer software. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, LLC.) Catch that, "a symbol for those in leadership and God." We are a living symbol of leadership, and God. Caring for and raising sheep was mundane in the world, but in Scripture it is a high calling. 

More than a symbolism of representing God, Scripture uses sheep as images of humanity.

Mt 9:36  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Mt 25:32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Mt 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Jn 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jn 10:12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

"The principal duty of the shepherd was to see that the animals found enough food and water (cf. Psalm 23); and it was important that he guard the sheep, since they were easy prey for wild animals (1 Sam 17:34–35; Amos 3:12). There was also a danger that thieves might sneak among the sheep and carry them off (John 10:1)." (Vancil, Jack W. 1992. “Sheep, Shepherd.” In The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, edited by David Noel Freedman, 5:1187. New York: Doubleday.)  Sheep are needy. They are known as passive, wandering, and careless in the routines of life. Sheep need shepherds. As we shepherd sheep, we are enacting an imagery of Jesus in John 10. This responsibility is not given to just anyone, it is a calling and a trained skill. One unique attribute for the shepherd is the willingness to die for his sheep. From David in the O.T. to Jesus in the N.T., we see examples of this conviction. Jesus compare "mere hirings" to true shepherds by their courage to die for the sheep in their charge. Jesus is the example of being the Good Shepherd, and we are to be good shepherds of his flock. In caring for your "flock", you, my friend are being like Jesus. In this expression, not everyone will be like Jesus to people as we are.

The N.T. states the powerful impact of shepherding God's people--your congregation.

Based on the view that Jesus was the great Shepherd and Guardian of souls (1 Pet 2:25; 5:4), the early church used the symbol to describe the work of its leaders, who were expected to pattern their life and work after that of their chief Shepherd (1 Pet 5:1–4; Heb 13:17, 20–21).
Church leaders were instructed to “tend the flock of God” (1 Pet 5:2), and the titles which were applied to them, such as elder (presbyteros) and guardian, bishop, or overseer (episkopos), are directly linked to the work of shepherding (cf. Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4; 20:17, 28–29; 1 Tim 3:2; 4:14; 5:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet 5:2–3; and the church was to be sustained by the responsible oversight of these leaders, who were the shepherds over God’s flock. 

(Vancil, Jack W. 1992. “Sheep, Shepherd.” In The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, edited by David Noel Freedman, 5:1190. New York: Doubleday.)

Pastor, shepherding the sheep of your care is what you did sign up for. You had a passion to be like Jesus and to love like Jesus. Our culture seems to want us to be dissatisfied with this calling...to be shepherds of sheep. Culture seems to want us to CEOs of organizations and businesses. But you are called to personal contact. You are called to care for the People-Sheep of God's great flock. But how do we embrace this with a sense of fulfillment and competence. I suggest a couple of resources.

Phillip Keller's wonderful work called, A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm, Zondervan, 2007. This work will speak into you the wonder of caring for sheep in the culture of the middle east. Shepherding in the western world is out of context with what the Bible describes.

Shepherding God's People, by Jay Adams, Zondervan, 1986. THis work is more of a textbook, but it combines many of the duties of pastoring into the expression of being a shepherd.

The classic work, In The Minister as Shepherd, Charles Edward Jefferson (1860–1937). Here is the review of this work from The Digital Puritan,  http://digitalpuritan.net/book/the-minister-as-shepherd/

In The Minister as Shepherd, Charles Edward Jefferson (1860–1937) calls pastors to view their primary role not to be as mere preachers, but more importantly, to be shepherds of the flock of God. This he illustrates with examples from Scripture and history. He describes the work of the shepherd: to prod, provide for, and protect the sheep. He also makes sense of the pastor’s two greatest temptations, and how they may best be avoided. Jefferson concludes the book by encouraging pastors to seek the bountiful reward promised to those who shepherd the flock with gentleness and faithfulness.

This book is an encouragement to pastors everywhere who are often discouraged by the challenges unique to pastoral ministry. It is heartily recommended to both the student in seminary and the pastor who has served his congregation for decades—both will find its refreshing and direct message comforting.

Start with these resources. Send me your feedback on how they effect your thoughts and ministry. 

One last thing. We are all sheep, even as pastors. We need shepherds. We need the care of The Good Shepherd and we need the care of a Shepherd-Pastor in our lives. I hope that you have a Shepherd-Pastor in your life. If you don't, lets get that resolved. 

Again, contact me with your thoughts or questions. If you need someone to listen, I am here.  Blessings to you my Shepherd-friend. 

The next post will be on "knowing our sheep." The adage is, what makes for a good leader is good followers. I think the same is true for us as shepherds. Good sheep make good shepherds. And there's the next challenge.

The Blog- tic-tock, tic-tock

In the middle season... the middle of summer. The middle of a transition. The middle of a growing or harvest season. In the middle can be a strenuous place to be. Why is this a difficult place?

First, it is difficult because of the waiting. Waiting on something or someone. Waiting is difficult for the most of us. Whether the waiting be in a check-out line, a drive through or a car wash. Waiting means a loss of time or productivity. 

Second, waiting is difficult because we feel as if we are wasting time. Time, the commodity that we cannot get back. Once spent, it is gone. Most of us are rewarded for our production. Incentives are placed around us to inspire greater production. If we are not producing, then we are losing out on a reward.

Third, waiting is difficult because it focuses on what we wish we had or were doing. This generates a dissatisfaction with te current status or placement. Contentment is with godliness is "great gain" according to Paul. Dissatisfaction builds into resentment and other expressions of a negative life.

Fourth, waiting can imply that I am missing out on something that I could be engaged in. This is more that "doing something else." It is the there is life happening that I can never get back. 

These are just a few things on waiting. I am sure there are others that can be added to the list. And yes, waiting is difficult for me.

Think of all of the waiting that took place in Scripture. Abraham waitined approx. 25 years after the promise given, for his son. Israel had to wait 400 years for their release from Egypt. Israel had to waity the 70 years through the captivity. There is the 400 years of silence when humanity was waiting for a word from the Lord. And we, awaiting the return of the Lord, the second advent. 

You know how the first century church struggled with waiting. Peter reminded them that the wait is because God is more patient that we. He does not want any to perish, so he waits. While Israel was in captivity, they were told to occupy until their release. Along with this they were "to pray for the prosperity of the city." That had to be a challenge. I am sure that you can find other examples. 

Paul wrote to the Galatians about waiting and God's timing.

There is a fullness of time for what God wants to bring about. The waiting that Paul writes of was a difficult wait. Whatever the waiting is for, it will have a perfect timing. A fullness of time that will be just right for that expectation. But I want to offer another element to the "fulness of time." God is also waiting on us to be "just right" for whatever is he bringing. Israel was humbled, Abraham was emptied of himself, and the world needed to see that political and military might was not the answer for its problems. How are you preparing while in the middle of the waiting? 

Are you waiting for a change of call or appointment? Be prepared. Are you waiting for the results of medical test(s). Get prepared. Are you waiting for a decision from an authority. get prepared.

I remember the opening line to an old soap opera, The Days of Our Lives. The narrator said, "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives." Are you focused on the sands of time. They are still running out. Each grain of sand falls at the same rate. The thought is this. What can we do with the sand of time? How can you prepare yourself, your church for what you expect God to do? 

Here is a word of hope. You do not need to wait alone. If you do not have someone to talk with, pray with, evaluate life & ministry with,call me. We can do this. What would you have to lose? My contact info is on the site. I'd enjoy sitting in the waiting room with you.

The Blog-

Reconstruction and the Rural Church:

Many of us have heard the term "deconstruction," but few of us know what it actually means or is. " This phenomenon is a process called deconstruction—an academic term for the systematic pulling apart of the belief system you were raised in. It’s what happens when the questions you’ve pushed down your whole life finally bubble over the surface, and you’re forced to stare honestly at your doubts.1

As the culture at large deals with the concept of deconstruction, so do many pastors. Davis speaks of this happening in times of crisis. Elements of our faith we had taken for granted as true or real, but not tested in the context of adversity. The reality is we all face the deconstruction phase at various times. It is what makes our faith genuine and our own. Connected with deconstruction is the presence of the "emergent church." "Emerging Christians is a discernable, transnational group who share a religious orientation built on a continual practice of deconstruction.”2

With these terms in mind but not going into a full review of either, the opportunity for the rural church is to consider the options within these concepts. Davis, in the book Sea Change, Equipping Rural Churches for the Tides of Cultural Upheaval, shares some optimistic views. "Over time, the impact of postmodernity on rural areas will increase, just as bathtubs and lightbulbs slowly made their way across the countryside. A tidal shift is on the horizon for rural churches, and none will escape the impact of emerging global culture. Such shifting tides deserve careful thought and evaluation from church leaders.3 Davis gives quite an extensive description of the postmodern elements of Christianity.

The challenge is knowing how to relate to the emergent believer in conversation on viewing them as a friend in the gospel. "The postmodern values they identified are emotion and aesthetics over reason, environmental concern, strong preference for diversity, building individual identities, preserving and promoting cultural heritage, social/communal participation, solidarity, and tolerance.188 Please take note that these values are not inherently conservative or progressive, which speaks to the fact that they are deep cultural impulses that permeate all of society. If you can measure a church’s affinity for these values, you may be able to gauge the church’s affinity for new expressions of ministry and worship."4 It is not a matter of conservative or progressive labeling things in a context of contrast. It is more about implementing our doctrines and theology in tangible, life-engaging manners. An example of this for the rural church may be in the context of stewardship of the created world. What is one's theology of caring for the earth? In Gen. chapter one, God says to Adam, be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” How does your church live out the dominion aspect of being "in charge" of the earth? The emergent person would look at what is being implemented that connects to what is being taught. Another might be the relation to the poor. When we consider the many Old Testament laws given for the care of the poor or the foreigner and then the New Testament teachings, we can see a strong focus on its emphasis. The emergent, postmodern person would want to see how your ministries connect to this emphasis.

The awareness of the era of the church is as essential for the rural church as it is for the urban. Emergent churches, emergent believers, and postmodern theology is connecting to our rural areas via the information superhighway. Our rural churches need to connect and adapt to the era that we are serving in. Davis says, "Adaption does not mean we forsake our convictions, but it may mean we evaluate them critically. Adaption does not mean we become moral relativists, but it may mean we embrace the radical grace of Jesus more fully. Adaption does not mean we are giving up on the Bible, but it may mean we listen to the Spirit more deeply when interpreting the Bible. Adaption may even look like moving from boisterous and triumphant certainty to humility and a willingness to dialogue with those we’ve long “othered” and ostracized in our faith communities." 5 Dan Kimball says, “We’ve got to realize that in our emerging culture, we are now in a different culture, and we need to view it and the people in it as a missionary would. Christians are now foreigners in a post-Christian culture, and we have got to wake up to this reality.” The emerging culture surrounds us, even in rural and small towns. These people are not the enemy but seekers. They seek the gospel in action and in loving expressions. Oddly enough, it is in the context of relationships that this usually occurs. And relationships are one of the most vital elements of the rural, small-town setting.

1Davis, Jonathan. Sea Change: Equipping Rural Churches for the Tides of Cultural Upheaval (p. 150). Freiling Publishing. Kindle Edition.

2Marti and Ganiel, The Deconstructed Church: Understanding Emerging Christianity, 6, Kindle.

3Davis, Jonathan. Sea Change: Equipping Rural Churches for the Tides of Cultural Upheaval (p. 144). Freiling Publishing. Kindle Edition.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid. (Pg. 147)

6. Dan Kimball, They Like Jesus but Not the Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007), Kindle Edition, Location 405.

Seasons Change, I Wish My Life would.

Here is a song called, Seasons Change, https://www.google.com/search?q=seasons+change&oq=seasons+change&aqs=chrome.0.0i355i433i512j46i433i512j0i512l3j46i512j0i512l3j46i512.2691j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:e8909b29,vid:F7k5pqBVinA

We become either excited or dismayed by change...or the lack thereof. In the rural church, we see the natural order of the seasons around us. Yet so often we are as the faithful farmer, waiting for seeds to rise through the ground. You've done everything right- tilled the ground, prepared the soil, removed weeds, planted the seeds, fertilized, and water consistently. Yet, the ground is barren. You know where those seeds are because you marked the row. I am describing the situation I have in my garden. I know what I did, yet the seed and stalk remain hidden. Over time, this becomes discouraging, especially in the pastoral ministry. In our world, we don't get to replant. We wait. 

You know the passage from the apostle Paul, " I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸ He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor (1 Cor. 3:6-8)." But we still desire to see that growth. We accept the sovereign agent of God, but we still want to know that we are worth the wages of our labor. We can also recall the parable of the soils & seeds. We prepared the soil etc... Yet we still wonder what happened. I is amazing how quickly critters can steal the seeds. Jesus spoke of birds taking it. I have discovered the unseen critter is worse. The mole, the worm, the grub. 

We must reman faithful to the call of acceptant planting and watering. Be prepared for that first sign of the tender shoot of faith or curiosity in Christ. Some seeds take a long time to grow. Some seeds need great pressure or extreme conditions to pop the shell due to the context of the soil.

How do we nurture the sprouts? Here are a few suggestions. 

1. have a presence in that area of the field-- community. 
2. tend the soil around the lives of those to which you have planted the gospel seed. Prayerfully design ways to cross these individual's paths. Speak words of encouragement to them, share life with them.
3. be near them in times of stress. This may be seasons of illness, job change, or a death in the family.
4. ask to see where they work. Learn their world.
5. Invite them to share in a hobby or activity that you enjoy. 

Pastor, your role is not to grow the field. It is to care for the field. Each stalk or plant will, by the creator's design and plan, create the harvest. The unseen bad is there. But there is also an unseen Good. The Holy Spirit is at work in the unseen depths of the heart working to release the seed of the Kingdom. Prepare your kingdom group (church) to receive the potential of the new harvest. Prepare your people for the fully unchurched. What will your church need to change, modify should 5 or 6 new people enter your ministry center? 

We are now in the season called Summer. It is the time of growing, nurturing of plants. It is also the time of preparing for the harvest and all that this entails. There is another thing about the rural setting that need to remember. That is that we are not alone. Help another farmer for the faith care for his yield as you await yours. Connect with another pastor, church to see if you can help them. Maybe it is in a community ministry such as a food distribution. Ecclesiasticus 3 says, "10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

God is in the process from beginning to end. Hang in there pastor. Be faithful. If you need to talk, send me a note. You are not alone.

The Blog- Returning from RHMA, Rural Home Missions Association

As with any return from a conference, you come away with books, notebooks, a few contacts as acquaintances, and dreams of what could be. Then we re-enter our study/office, the reality envelops us, and we exhale. Realizing that we have been in a special place for a special opportunity, we are tired, though energized with thoughts and ideas...yet we are back in the reality of normal. It is easy to allow that normal to overtake our new found zeal. What can one do to take that zeal and interject it into that "normal" making it not-so-normal? This is what I struggled with upon my return to my church, ministry, and congregation. After experiencing 5 plenary sessions, 6 workshops, countless conversation exchanges and too many visits to the bookstore onsite, I came away with more than my mind could process and was amerced back into the reality of those who had not experienced what I had.

Pastor, you too may be experiencing conferences this year. Here are a few things that helped me to re-enter into my normal.

1. Take a day to sort out all of the materials you have returned with, placing each book, note sheet etc. in its proper place. Some will go onto shelves, others will go into files. Maybe you can scan the handouts and file them on your computer so that you can do a search of a topic and recall specific documents.

2. Reflect on all of the topics & studies  you took in. Not every lesson/presentation is as impacting as we may have once thought it to be. Set aside the lesser impacting materials for deeper self consideration. You can research these items at a later time. If they are as important as you first thought them to be, you will dig deeper into them as self-study.

3. From the more impacting items, which ones can you engage in quickly into your ministry setting. This may a presentation of opportunity to your leadership, an idea you came away with that you can engage/begin, or a new view of ministry that you had not considered. Which ever it may be, find a leader of your church, or a ministry contemporary and share it with them. Unload your thoughts & ideas. In this setting, listen for feedback of possible initiating of the idea.

4. Pastor, you made a number of contacts with men like yourself. Possibly you exchanged emails or phone numbers. In the first week of your return, write or text one or two of these contacts. This contact can be for prayer for them, a thank you for their interaction or to invite to reflect upon the conference and their return to normal. In these contacts you have resources for reflection and encouragement. You went to that conference alone, but you have returned with connections. These are gifts, engage them. 

Now, as I am in my first week of returning from RHMA, it is time for me to do as I have shared. Items 1 & 2 are complete. Items 3 & 4 are on the docket for today & tomorrow. I think I will begin with item 4. I wonder how Jeff from North Dakota is doing with his return.

1 Kings 19:18 Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel— all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

The point of this verse is Elijah though he was alone, yet there were others, many others. His normal was one of aloneness. What might his view of life and ministry have been like if he knew of them and had reached out to them?  Pastor, you are not alone. You do not need to be alone. You can connect. If you truly believe that you have no-one to connect with, contact me. That is why I am here.

Enjoy your future conferences etc. Take in what you can. Take home what you can. Take to heart the gifts God has for you through them.

Blessings to all.

Dr. T.

The Blog: The chaos of differences

During my studies for my D.Min I had to do some readings and assignments regarding the issues, connections, and differences of the the generations that coexist in this world and the church. These generations must make purposeful and intentional connection points to the other generations within their world if we are going to do more than merely get along. This is especially true of us who lead the church. We hear or even use the term multi-generational or inter-generational. The truth is, we need to understand that these terms mean more than putting differing age groups into the same room or at the same event. The beginning of understanding these unique differences is in getting some purposeful information. This information must include our own generation as well as others. It is for these reasons that I am posting this topic. 

     As you engage in discussions of the differences of our generations, the first thing to be mindful of is defensiveness. This defensiveness is in us as well as in others. We might find ourselves justifying why we are the way we are or stating how things are better or worse when we were the main generation fueling the world of life. Be aware of these expressions in yourself as well as in the others in the discussion. Along with educating of ourselves, we need to bring education into the lives of others. Once you are aware of the tendencies and characteristics of other generations, you have an opportunity to go deeper in relationships and pastoral care. You can discover areas of fears of the olders and youngers in your church. You have opportunity to connect and coordinate harmony that is the distinctive of the Kingdom of God. Jesus prayed for unity in John 17. We as pastors can be facilitators for bringing the answer to that prayer.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

The resources are in the Resources Page of my site. I trust that you will find these helpful as your church engages with the generations that live among us.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2016. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

A New Book Review: 

Book review: Barney Wells, Martin Giese, Ron Klassen. Leading Through Change, Shepherding the Town and Country Church in a New Era.  ChurchSmart Resources, 2005.

        The book, Leading Through Change, is the work of three pastors who have lived their callings as pastors in rural and small-town cultures. This work is a compilation of their wisdom gained through experiences of success and distress. Each author has a background that gives a sense of authority on the subject, yet each expresses their contribution in humble and “neighborly” ways. It is not a difficult read as it has only 112 pages. It is however a book that is deep. It is deep in its real context of the town & country ministry setting. The average reader may take two days to read the book.

       The book itself is one of application in the t & c context. The first section, “Town and Country Megatrends,” introduces the impact of change in the t&c setting.  This section “ what we believe are the noteworthy changes that have a direct bearing upon town and country churches.”[1] Small changes in rural settings can have huge implications and impacts. The factors that drive change is presented. One key element is the “dissatisfaction” factor. “Dissatisfaction-motivated change starts when someone is able to envision a more desire able alternative.”[2] The other factors are quite common (discomfort, coercion, displacement). Oddly enough the challenges of these factors will be delivered through the new people whom we add to our congregations. The nugget in this section is the advice and truths on how a pastor can connect to these factors and be a proactive leader.

       The next section is focused on leading through change. There may not be a great deal of new information here for the pastor who studies, but there is a dimension that is often overlooked. This is chapter 8, Spiritual Steps Leading to Change. In the portion focusing on relationships, the author states, “If the quality of relationships isn’t there, put the proposed change on hold and concentrate on strengthening relationships. Unfortunately, many town and country pastors and leaders do not understand the importance of this.”[3]

     The Rural Home Missionary Association uses this book for coaching and pastor workshops. This practical book will remind us as pastors of our culture-reality and the impacts of change in our reality. I recommend any pastor new to the town & country church setting read this book.

      This book may be purchased through Amazon or other digital outlets as well as through ChurchSmarth.

[1] Pg. 15

[2] Pg. 19

[3] Pg. 85

How did I get here?

Do you or have you ever wondered, “how in the world did I end up here”? We look around and realize this is not what we imagined or dreamed of as a place of ministry. As a pastor, you are most likely a change agent, somewhat driven to achieve. Maybe you were invited to your charge because that is what the church saw in you and what they said they needed. You desire movement. You feel a rush as development is happening. But the reality is that development in rural places is slow. We can out-pace our place. Yes, we are to set a pace. But we must be aware.

If we are not careful, we can devalue where God has placed us. If we become fixated upon the things that are not, we can lose sight of and value of what is. Popular books, journals, podcasts, etc., are often generalized to the metro areas. Maybe even our denominational leadership doesn’t see a deep value for a church to be where you are. I look out my office/study window and see a community. I can also look out my office and not see any good coffee places in my town, not a Starbucks or any such café. Isn’t that where the young hang out and the “new connection” are to be found? I need to go up the highway to be at such places. There isn’t a chain restaurant in my town, go a few miles north or south, and they are there. Again, but not here. But what do I see as I look out my window? I see a community that God said is essential and of value to his heart.

            It was to my community and yours that Jesus spent most of his time. It was to villages and the byways that Jesus sent the disciples. Such places had value to him and apparently the Father. In Luke 5, Jesus went to isolated, desolate places to pray. If you describe your place as such, Jesus might be found praying there. His presence changed the desolate place into a holy place. Moses was in the wilderness, a desolate, unwanted place. Then God showed up in that not-so-burning bush. At that moment it became a holy place. So holy, Moses was to remove his shoes. As God has placed is Spirit in you, you make that desolate place a holy place as if Jesus were to arrive there to pray.

            I picked up a book at a Rural Home Ministries Association a few years ago. It is titled God's Country: Faith, Hope, and the Future of the Rural Church, by Brad Roth. It is powerful and encouraging work on the uniqueness of the rural culture and its potential for the glory of God. It is a work and seeing the presence of God in our places of ministry. Here are two quotes from chapter two of the book.

Here’s the problem: as rural places are devalued or even despised, rural pastors and lay leaders can experience burnout and despair, and rural congregations can become overshadowed by a diminished sense of significance and self-worth. I’m convinced ‘that one way we discover a cure is by coming to recognize that God delights in and is present in rural places and that all places can offer authentic praise to God. We are somewhere because God “is somewhere. Rural pastors and congregations are called to live and minister as if this were true because it is.¹

Rowan Williams puts it this way: “The world without the sacred is not just disenchanted but deprived of some kind of depth.” It is not just the sacred as such that has been lost, however, but also the doxological Inaction. The doxological imagination is our ability to perceive places as praise-able: fitting spaces for praising God, places that offer praise to God. Instead, rural places frequently become at anthropologist Marc Augé speaks of as a “non-place.”. They become indistinct places, impersonal places. “The end result,” writes Norman Wirzba, “is that our senses become deadened. Our affections wither.

Pastor, I have felt the feelings and thought the thoughts I began this post with. I can see myself as overqualified for these people, this place. But then again, Jesus was overqualified for humanity and earth. Paul describes the choice of Jesus to come to earth in Philippians 2. In refocusing our sight to see what is present rather than what is not, by setting aside the garments of our grandeur, we become more like Jesus in life than many can do in the executive/metro/happening pastorate or any such style. As you and I look out to the fields, streets, sidewalks, and parks see where Jesus would pray. Go there. Meet him there. You with him will change that place from a desolate place to a holy place. It may not be a happening place, but it will be a place where he wants to be.

Matthew 25:35-40;  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (ESV)

Maybe it is not just to him, but with him. You are in a holy place. Rejoice!

¹ Brad Roth, God's Country: Faith, Hope, and the Future of the Rural Church,

Published September 19th 2017 by Herald Press

²Rowan Williams, Dostoevsky: Language, Faizh, and Fiction (Waco, TX= Baylor University Press, 2008), 229, quoted in Norman Wirzba, Food and Faith: A Theology in the face of so much anonymity.

³Citel Virzba, Food and Faith 40.

The Blog  Another book. This book is lighter in style and uplifting in purpose. 

In the book, Revitalizing the Declining Church: From Death’s Door to Community Growth, by Desmond Barrett, you will find a series of ten stories. These stories are not about meg-churches nor provide a silver bullet to solving the problems of the church. Each of these stories is in a setting that any pastor who is pastoring a church that is in need of revitalization. This book is unlike other works on the topic of revitalization. First, as mentioned, it is written in story form. Each of the ten stories is of a church that is at “death’s door.” One such church is actually just feet from the cemetery.

           Desmond writes from the vantage of familiarity with the struggling pastor, the wounded pastor’s heart, and the dissolution of church leaders. Desmond also has a story of his own, though not written as a chapter, which is summarized in the Preface. “Sunday after Sunday standing in the tiny foyer before anyone would arrive, I would stare out the double doors towards the church’s long driveway crying out in prayer for God to send us a family with children to join the church. Week after week, it seemed no one would come except the same eight members. Was God even listening?... Each chapter speaks about a church like yours.”[1]

           The hero is the Holy Spirit. The arrival of this hero was provided through the invitation of praying church members. Sometimes it was ladies, meeting on a designated night. Another time it would be organized into specifically planned expressions. Sometimes it was a group, other times it was the prayers of the pastor. In each of the stories, there is a prayer focus that invites and then surrenders the situation to the Holy Spirit. The diversity of the prayer expressions is insightful and encouraging. “While you cannot control what is happening in society, you can control what happens in your soul. Leading your people in intentional prayer times will recenter the church back on Christ and prepare the way for the future.”[2]

           [1] Ibid.

          [2] Barrett, Desmond. Revitalizing the Declining Church: From Death’s Door to Community Growth (p. 73). Wipf & Stock. Kindle Edition.

The Blog