Being "real" as a Pastor part 1 - I get frustrated with church people who...

decide that the one thing that they can cut out of their busy schedules is either serving the church; or serving those outside the church.

Now, when I talk about the church I'm talking about those of us who claim the name of Christ. Those of us who say that we want our lives to model Christ in all we say and do. Those of us who look at Christ as a servant, as One who loved others in both word and deed.  Those of us who readily acknowledge that if we are going to be like Christ, we need to serve others and love others just as Christ loved and served others.

Look, I know it's not easy.  And what frustrates me even more is that in this world of technology, that is supposed to make life better, life has become even more complicated!  Every moment of every day is filled with some kind of "have to do".  And when it comes down to it, I can't help but get the sense that if something has to be cut to ease our "busy schedule" it's often times either "serving the church", or for some, "going to church" all together.

One thing I have noticed is that serving is directly connected to a person attending church. And when a person stops serving, they often times stop attending.  And before too long they become disconnected all together.  Look, you don't think I want to be at home some Sunday mornings??!!  Yes, I do!  And there is nothing wrong with taking a Sunday or two off now and then.  However, if we (and I sometimes can't believe I even have to say this) truly desire to be like Christ, live like Christ, serve like Christ, model Christ; then I believe that gathering with other believers and serving both inside and outside the church should be a critical part of who we are!  Do we so quickly forget all that He has done for us? That this world is not our home? Do we quickly forget in our busyness that there are those around us who need to know their is a Savior? Children, youth, and adults who need seasoned Christians to teach classes? Disciple others? Minister to the hurting, sick, wounded, and weary who need a hot meal, a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear? Are we so wrapped up in ourselves that we don't have the time to make a difference in someone else's life??

I can hear some of you now... "Well, my family comes first!" OK... Actually, I hope it comes second to your relationship to God, and then after your family would come your relationship to your church family... Look, family does need to be a top priority, but what do we teach our children if we neglect to show them by our example what it means to serve as Christ served, love as Christ loved?  Bottom line is that the priority order should be God, family, then everything else.  And if He is first, and we are following His Word, serving will be at the top of the list.

Now, before I end this blogging rampage, I want to get back to where I began. I believe there are three things that most people assume when they decide to quit serving whether it be a kids leader, a greeter, an usher, a worship team member, whatever...

1. Someone else can and/or will do what I was doing.

2. They really didn't need me because I didn't feel appreciated.

3. Stepping down from serving will give me more free time.

Here's the problem with each...

1. There's a good chance that God called you to do whatever it is you were doing. And there may be someone that can do what you had been doing... BUT eventually the "someone's" will run dry and the ministry will suffer.

2. 9 times out of 10 times this is a lie from Satan himself!  You don't feel appreciated?  Tell whoever it is that oversees you.  I bet you'll find out differently and they will apologize that you felt that way.

3. Nope!  God has a way of giving us more when we give to Him.  I've seen Him give people more money, more food, better health... If you'll put Him first, and give to Him, I believe He'll bless you with more time for being faithful! That's the kind of God we serve!

As I sat here this morning, sulking in my frustration I was reminded of Luke chapter 10:1-11

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’

The call today as it was before is to pray.  My prayer is that God would call out the workers. And that those whose hands need to be on the plow will answer His call. 

PCW

Why r u suprised at the difficulty ur going through? The decline in culture, morals, family, trust, respect? U were warned...

Read...

2 Timothy 3:1-9 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

Christian, you are at war! Take up arms and prepare to fight! But please note...

If you continue going into battle alone, fighting with the weapons of the world, fighting in your strength, you will continue to expereince defeat. No matter what you've done in the past... no matter how many times you've expereinced defeat... put on the full armour of God and you WILL expereince victory! The battle is not yours - the battle belongs to the Lord! Put Him on the front lines and the enemy will be defeated!

Again, the scripture has never been more true...

Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Pray, let go, let God!