July 17, 2023 "I Came Here to Do Something"

7-16-23 “I Came In Here to Do Something….?” 2 Kings 7:1-11 (Unison);  Romans 8:1-11     
Sermon Preached by Rev. Dr. J. Ben Sloan at Eastminster Presbyterian in Columbia, SC, USA

 I heard a comedian once speak of turning middle aged.  He said when you turn middle aged your brain starts having some electrical shorts So you walk into a room intent on doing something but when you get into the room you forget why you came in there.  Fortunately, he said there is this button that God has invisibly installed on your backside.  So when you go back to sit down, you press the invisible button and you remember why you were supposed to go into the room. 
    Many people illustrate this in their lives.  At one point they had a purpose- a reason- that motivated them forward, but then when they got to some point, they got distracted, or they just forgot what their purpose is.  We are not here by accident.  We are the Bible and shorter catechism says, put here to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.   That is our purpose.  We are not here to be made comfortable, to be entertained, to waste our lives.  Don’t get me wrong, God also put us here to enjoy life- which is part of enjoying Him.  But God does not exist just for our own comfort.  We exist for His pleasure.  Our passage says that those who live according to the flesh- as if there is no God- no spiritual sense at all- have their minds set on the what the flesh desires- whatever their feelings dictate.  He says the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God and is death.   Gang violence is death; abuse of our bodies leads to death; not valuing others made in God’s image- thinking you have the right to shoot them- is death; the way of selfishness is the way of death.  The way of Christ is the way of life.  You and I in this room are stewards of the Good News- that there is a way of life.  There is a way to eternal life- and it begins right now. 
      I love this story from 2 Kings 7.  The people were starving to death in a siege of their city.  They had run out of food.  People were becoming desperate for food. The king was mad at God for the disaster- and wanted to kill Elisha- God’s prophet. Elisha told them they would have more food than they could handle by the next day.  No one believed him. 
     But two lepers totally separate said, we’ll climb over the wall and go to the Arameans and surrender, but at least eat.  But when they climbed over the wall- they realized whole Aramean army had fled out of fear of an illusion- the army thought they heard horses and chariots.  So, the lepers were just having a feast on all the food the enemy army left behind.  Only when they were full did they begin to think of those in the city still starving to death.  The people were starving to death- but they didn’t need to starve. They didn’t know the good news that the army had left a feast on just the other side of the wall.  There was abundant food for everyone.   The lepers finally went back and the people didn’t believe them at first.  But finally they realized what happened and there was a stampede out of the city to get food.  We are called to not keep good news to ourselves.  The world is starving for hope and good news- we have it, and we don’t need to keep it all for ourselves. 
           The United States surgeon general said that loneliness is an epidemic in America.  It is aggravated by staring at cell phones even in the presence of family and others; and loneliness and isolation was aggravated by Covid.  But now the pandemic is over, and people are still left with loneliness.  One leading Psychiatrist, Daniel Amen (known for his 11 brain clinics and 12 NYT best sellers) said there is one simple step we can take- go to church or go back to church!  Church is the place where we learn to love one another- despite our imperfections and differences.  We want to love them by helping them physically, and mentally- but the church has something to say no one else can say.  No government agency can say it.  No civic club will say it.  We are the only ones who can say that there is a way beyond the grave for sure.  We know it is sure because our leader- Jesus has already made it through the tunnel of death and came back to tell us that it is ok.  He has been over the wall- and the enemy is gone- there is a way to life.  No one else will dare to say that there is life on the other side of the wall of death- but us.    We have a purpose- we have come into this generation- with this knowledge and this love in our hearts to tell others of the Great Love that can give life- now, and in the life to come- that is Jesus.   So how do you share faith?  Pray for others who say they do not believe or will not go to worship (Ro. 10:1); Identify with Christ (Ro. 1:16)- put an Eastminster magnet on your car, or say you go to Eastminster on your about info on social media; Then invite folks when you have the opportunity;  Be ready to share your story (testimony) of why Christ is important to you and then look for opportunities to do so; Know the Gospel and be ready to share it and look for an opportunity so share that Christ died for our sins on the cross.  
     We also are urged by Paul in this passage to set our minds in the right place.  The selfish person has their mind set on what they can get- more stuff, better stuff, fancier stuff.  The spiritual person has their mind set on what they can give- how can I love, how can I serve God better.  Your mindset is how you make sense of the world.  If you make sense of the world only by what you can touch and see- then you are leaving out faith, hope, and love.  Carol Dweck is a Psychologist at Stanford and recently wrote a bestselling book called “Mindset- How to fulfill your potential.”  KJV Prov. 23:7 (As a man thinketh so is he.”  God cares not just about our actions and words, but also about our thoughts.  One of Kay’s and my verses for the year is Philippians 4:8 which says, “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.”  If we practice this way of thinking it changes us.   Pray, Identify, Invite, Be ready. Live the life (last)
     I am so excited to be the pastor for missions- and outreach for the next year.  I am excited that we can build a church building in Mexico where the church is outgrowing its buildings.  As someone who has come back to Eastminster after many years of ministry- I can say I am so proud of how this church cares for the hungry, the homeless, the hurting all around us.  I am so grateful to be a part of a church that doesn’t think only of itself, and to have pastors who lead in this way.  I hope you are excited too.  Let us look into how we can set our mind on the Spirit  I am excited that in this post covid time- we can come together and invite other people over the wall to join us in the feast of God.  

July 4- Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord

 The fourth is behind us, but many of us are still celebrating at the beach or mountains, or hearing leftover fireworks.  

At worship on July 2, one of the elders and I quoted Psalm 33:12: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."  Some would say this only applies to Israel, but the word "nation" in Hebrew is purposefully neutral (haggow)- which could be translated "any nation."  In fact, the Psalmist wants "all the earth to fear and revere him" (vs. 7).  The idea is that it is great to know who God really is.  He is not an idol, or some self-help advisor to help us feel more comfortable.   It is not a call to theocracy but a call to believe and be blessed.  

In some Christian circles, we have been so embarrassed by the sins of the church, that we become paralyzed, or even ashamed to be who God calls us to be.  There are many who are embarrassed of "Christendom" as they call it.  But, as the Psalmist points out, there is joy, hope, strength, and energy found in knowing God.  No church, people, or religion is perfect on this side of heaven.  But when we purposefully choose to follow God, let us follow not half-heartedly.  Revelation condemns lukewarmness.  Jesus said to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness."   When we live as if our faith does not matter, the world sees.  Instead of being inspired to be better, the world yawns at half-heartedness.  

Historically, when the church is lukewarm and half hearted, the mores of society dissolve.  The vacuum of meaning will seek to be filled by other things- like drugs, or gangs, or sexual licentiousness.  But when the people of God focus, the world becomes better.   

Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation."  Salvation is not just what comes when we die, but we are saved from a life of meaninglessness, depression, inability to know who we are or why we are here.  Faith in Christ has historically changed the world for better- improving education, health care, family life in this life.  Jesus said, "I have come to give you life, and have it abundantly."  That life is now, and we can pray and work for  His kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.  None of us is perfect, and no church is perfect, but that should not paralyze us into lukewarmness or to slack off.  The world needs Christ.  I know that because I need Him- and I'll bet you know that because you also know you need Him.  It is indeed a blessing for me, for my family, for my community, for my nation, and even for the world to know the love, grace, faith, and hope of Christ.  

Pentecost- Memorial Day The Spirit Speaks to the Churches

 

Hear what the Spirit says to the church 5/28/23  Revelation 2:18-29
Ben Sloan’s sermon Eastminster in Columbia SC USA

Today is an amalgamation of metaphors. Today is Pentecost- considered the birthday of the church;  Today is Memorial Day- we remember the sacrifices of those who died in service to our country.  In our broader community we remember the fallen firefighter , Michael Muller, who died putting out a blaze this weekend.  Today is also considered the kickoff of summer- where pools start opening, school starts winding down, and we start getting ready for vacation..  So here is a bad dad joke to kick off summer.  Where do sheep go on vacation?  To the Baa hamas.   Now that I’ve said that bad joke, I hope you’ll remember Eastminster is sending a group of youth to the Bahamas not to relax as much as to rebuild from Hurricane Dorian.  They still have tremendous need there.  Then we will send an adult group in November to continue the work.  Next week we will begin our study of Revelation in earnest, but I wanted to give you a foretaste by focusing on the longest letter to the seven churches- to Thyatira.  Thyatira- small town known for its industry- bronze and copper furnaces that made idols and coins.  One coin found there referred to the “Son of God” as the emperor of Rome.   There was much paganism there- which involved idolatry and sexual immorality. Rev. 2:24-29;

18To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze.19I know your deeds—your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance—and your latter deeds are greater than your first.20But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling.22Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. 23Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

24But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned the so-called deep things of Satan: I will place no further burden upon you. 25Nevertheless, hold fast to what you have until I come. 26And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. 27He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like potterya —just as I have received authority from My Father. 28And I will give him the morning star.

29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

It is not an accident that the very last book of the Bible has Jesus speaking and the Spirit of God speaking and the Father on the throne in heaven.  God is not dead nor is He static.  He still speaks to the church and He still speaks to you. 

I have a friend who has a hearing problem.  They have had it for years= over a decade.  She has had a lot of frustration asking “what”, to the point that she just tries to read lips and stops asking “what” much.  She tried hearing aid after hearing aid. But one day she went all out and bought the very best hearing aid out there- and her world opened up to her.  She admitted that it was like being set free.  She was not frustrated any longer by what she couldn’t hear.  She could hear the birds, the TV, the radio clearly- all of which was muffled and frustrating before. 
7 times in the Book of Revelation, it says, “He who has ears let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  How do you get ears?  How do you get this special set of devices in order to hear God speak?
Isaiah spoke of it, Jesus spoke of many of the people of His day as having ears but not hearing.  The organ to hear and the device to hear is working, but people don’t want to listen.  It comes when you come to God and really seek Him.  You can hear God only when you are alive to Him.  You have to turn onto God- get on His frequency.  Wireless microphones are great devices.  But if for example, don’t turn them on, I will look like I am miming my words.  If I am on the wrong frequency as the receiver and amplifier, it won’t matter how much I speak- you won’t hear me- especially online.  Jesus longs for us to listen to Him- to listen to the Spirit of God.  To do that, we must tune our hearts to His.  We should say, “Lord, I’ve been going my own way and now I want to go yours.”  We want to say, “Lord not my will but your will be done in me.”  The motto of John Calvin, the founder of the Presbyterian Church was, “My heart I offer to you, Lord, promptly and sincerely.”  If you want to have ears to hear, then have a heart that goes after God’s heart- that is listening on His frequency.   RCA has a mascot- a dog named chipper who is sitting by a stereo- we would say today-a Bluetooth speaker- listening for and to His master’s voice. It is funny how sheep and pets know their person’s voice.  Isaiah (1:3) says, “The ox knows its owner, the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know – my people do not understand.” Are you willing to listen- to stop and come to worship and listen to the One who promises to come when two or three are gathered in His name.
    The other thing is we must be willing to listen whether it makes us comfortable or not.  The Spirit, the Bible says, convicts us of sin- that is not comfortable.  Conviction is like a sword piercing our hearts.  The Bible says of itself that the Word of God is living and active- like a double edged sword penetrating the heart.  The Spirit of God’s job is not just to make us feel good.  The Spirit, wants us to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  Sometimes that means- husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her- that is not comfort, that is sacrifice.  Sometimes the Bible calls us to come and die.  Jesus said, “If anyone will come after me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me.”  Certainly the Spirit told the people of Thyatira uncomfortable words.  I hold this against you.  Sometimes- the best thing we can do is leave our comfort zones- go help the homeless, go feed the hungry, go build a house or take a church on a mission trip, or go on a challenging but educational trip to the Holy Land.   We have been unable to do much in 2020, 2021, and into 2022.  But now, I believe, the Spirit is calling us to get out there. 
   In most of these letters to the churches, the Spirit says something positive, something negative, and then a promise to those who overcome and listen to the Spirit.  In this passage to Thyatira, God says, I know your deeds- your love and faith and your actions- doing more than you did before.  It was an active church. It was a loving church that had faith in God.  But it had in it the false teaching of Jezebel.  In the Old Testament Jezebel was the queen consort of Ahab who encouraged the worship of Baal the fertility god.  They believed the practice of sexual immorality with Temple prostitutes would bring rain, good crops and blessing.  Jesus was saying this is not my way.  Now what were the people who were faithful and listening to the Spirit to do when they heard this teaching?  The word translated “the rest of you” is “loipoi” which means remnant- the ones left.  Were they to leave and go start another church down the road?  Were they to migrate to the next church over?  I would challenge anyone to show me in scripture where it is right and we are encouraged to leave and divide churches over disagreement.  The stunning thing is Jesus- and the Spirit says something we may not expect.  He says, only do not hold to the false teaching but hold on to what you have until I come.  This is similar to the parable of the wheat and tares and the parable of the nets found in Matthew 13.  Don’t separate the wheat from the weeds- that’s not up to us.  Don’t separate the good fish from the bad- we are not called to be the judges and separators even when we see evil.  The amazing thing is the Holy Spirit calls us to value unity and love above putting ourselves in a position that we think is pure.  Unfortunately, we live in a world today that elevates our consumer desires and our own comfort ahead of love.  Jesus said He will take care of the Jezebels.  Of course, What we do matters.  What we believe matters.  But our job is not to judge and it is not to get mad and leave.  Our job is to stay in, hold on to what we until He comes- to persevere. The Greek word is “krateo” which means hold tightly or firmly to the faith- especially in the midst of pagan mores and pressure to compromise. Similarly Jesus said (Mt. 24:13) “the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”  Now this is not easy.  We don’t hear this often- in fact you may not have ever heard this- but here it is: Choose love over judgmentalism. Value perseverance over division.   Never in scripture does it encourage us if we don’t like one church or what is taught in one church or how it is taught to go to another church.  There is a place to move to another church- starting new churches, having to move, but Jesus, Paul, and in Revelation are all about love and perseverance.  In fact 1 Cor. 13 says “Love perseveres.”  Hold tightly is good advice most of the time when you disagree- hold tightly to your parents, your spouse (when you disagree- and you will), to the church and each other.  When we don’t persevere in church it hurts the church, hurts our own souls, and hurts the witness of Jesus.   No pastor likes church hoppers.  I called one pastor about one of his members who was coming to my previous church.  He said, yeah- she’ll stay with you for awhile and then stir things up, get mad and leave.  He could have been a prophet because that is exactly what happened.  Jesus said, “They will know you are my disciples by their love”- NOT by how many times they get mad in the name of finding a pure church.”  We know there were multiple churches in cities like Ephesus, Corinth, and Antioch. Some may accuse the people of Thyatira of being in that “Jezebel church.”  Some may not hear what the Spirit says to persevere and love the imperfect church for Christ’s sake.  There is no perfect church.  There may be a church that gets 5star reviews from its adherents, but no church is perfect.  What He promises them is that those who persevere, who are the remnant, who overcome will win in the end- and triumph.  He but also promises them the Morning star.  Now the Morning Star is the first sign that the night is almost up- and that morning is coming.  Christ Himself is called “the bright and morning star” (22:16).  It’s as if Jesus says, “If you are faithful to me where I place you, you will have more hope and I will be with you.”  I remember Charles Stanley, a prolific pastor of First Baptist Atlanta who just died last month. He had a kind of funny style.  He would stop several times in his sermon and say, “are you listening?”  So I am asking you- do you have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to you- what the Spirit is saying to the churches. 
      

              On this Memorial Day weekend we give thanks for those who sacrificed for us to preserve our freedoms- including the freedom to speak to pray and to worship as we please.  Since the Revolutionary War  Over 1.1 million have died in service to our country.  They persevered unto death for our country.  We should seek to appreciate the sacrifices of those who have gone before us.  I remember the movie, “Saving Private Ryan.” A movie about soldiers sacrificing themselves so that the last remaining son of a mother would make it home to her.  He stood at the graves of his comrades who died that he might get home saying, “I hope I have lived my life in a way to have earned what you all have done for me.”  All of us here rest on the shoulders of those who have gone before us both in the military and otherwise.  Here at Eastminster there are no charter members left from 75 years ago.  It takes great perseverance to start or build a family- a church.  It takes a thirst for doing God’s will.  We do not earn their sacrifices.  But we appreciate them.  We want to pass on the torch of the Gospel light to the next generation. 
Some say the church in America, like the church in Europe is dying.  Crazily, the places with the greatest hardships are growing churches.  They have learned the secret of perseverance.   But here many are not persevering in the faith.  We are not holding on until He comes.  But on this Pentecost Sunday that coincides with Memorial Day- we can pray that the Spirit will begin to move- even in us- to bring this nation back to the God who has blessed us in the past and can bless us again.  I pray that the Spirit who called the first 171 people to gather to worship in this place is once again at work in your heart to give you ears to hear and a heart to respond to the living God.  I want to close with the words from Rev. 22:17- The Spirit and the Bride say come.  And let the One who hears say, “Come!”  Let the one who  is thirsty come; and let whosoever will take the free gift of the water of life.  After we have come, let us hold firmly to the faith until we see Him face to face. 

---

 [BS1]Ichael

Election Day

 "I urge...that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving  be made for all people-- for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  (1 Tim. 2:1-7)

Pray about all things ( 1 Thess. 5:17)

Thoughts:  It is time to elect officials for our midterm elections.  CNBC notes that spending on the USA midterm elections "will top $16.7 billion making them the most expensive midterms ever." This is an increase of almost $2 billion over 2018.  The Hill pointed out that 10 wealthy individuals spent a half billion themselves on the elections.  This spending is greater than the Gross domestic product of 16 different African nations in a year.  Why are we willing to spend so much?  Control.  The lust for control is important to human beings.  

How should Christians respond?  Pray- for those in authority.  In the end there is only one King of kings and Lord of lords.  To not ask for His mercy, help, grace, and leading would be to think we are only in it ourselves and it only depends on us- and we just don't need Him.  We should pray for fair and undivisive elections.  
I am convinced God does not care which party wins.  But He does care about the direction and decisions of our nation- as He does for every nation.  We are not responsible for the directions of other nations, but as voters we have a say and a prayer for ours.  God care about the individuals who run and their families and friends as well.  When we are told to pray about all things- this means do not limit your prayers.  Simply lift them up and let God say "yes", "No" or "wait."  But if we do not pray, we impoverish our thought of God's care and our own soul shrinks a bit.  
By the way- pray about all things- may include the little things in your life- even the entertainment and games.  But God sees a wider arc and answer according to what is best- not for a team's winning or a selfish gain as much as for His glory.  

So, pray.  Be informed.  This means not just go to your favorite sources but even sources you do not like to hear from.  It means have an educated vote. 

Then go vote.  We are called to be the very best citizens- and this means taking part in the vote and the government.  

Afterwards, pray that God will guide the newly elected officials to listen to Him and to His Word, and for a full equipment of wisdom, strength, health and direction.  

Prayer: Lord, bless the coming election.  May those who are elected listen to your voice.  Lead us through the ones elected.  In Christ's Name and for His Sake.  Amen.  

Plastic Skeletons and the Embracing of Death

     About every fifth house in my subdivision has a plastic skeleton in it.  Some have plastic tombstones to boot.  Halloween has evolved into one of the biggest holidays behind Christmas in America.  
     My point in this is not to bash it or to hallow it (pun).  But simply to point out the great irony, and to maybe point to something in our psyche about it.  We have come a long way in the last generation (40 years) of a pumpkin on the porch.  
      After all, we have for the last century, tried to hide death.  We spend billions on trying to fake people into thinking we are younger than we are.  Think about the millions spent on adding (or at least keeping more) hair.  Some buy plugs, some buy wigs, some buy color- all in the name of looking younger- and thus more attractive.  Why is young attractive?  It is not just the sexual motivation.  Most, older adults have moved way past wanting more sexual adventures, yet the push to look younger is more prevalent among those who are not so young.  Let me add- wrinkle cream, botox, plastic lifts of all kinds.  The object of this is not just for actual health (which going to the gym adds) but a kind of fake health.  Of course there are more subtle motivations to try to look younger- beautiful people tend to be thought of more positively and get a good first impression, tend to be more popular, etc.  
      When someone actually dies, we try to hide the gruesomeness of it.  The mortician is called in to make them look and smell good so we will feel good (or at least better) about their passing.  
      So why are we now adding plastic death decorations to our yards?  Most would say it is just part of the fun, and smile with a call to "lighten up."  But I am just curious... why are plastic skeletons fun?  
      Truth is, death is something that comes to us all- even more certain than taxes.  It is the great equalizer- despite the eulogies, great coffins, and parades of queens and leaders.  In a hundred years the street signs named after someone have lost their meaning. 
      Here are some statistics:  About 70% of Americans celebrate Halloween.  $10.6 billion is spent up about half a billion over the year before.  We may not spend more on Halloween, but we decorate more- second to only Christmas.  
      So my theory of our love for scary and death in October is simply letting our fear and fascination of death have an outlet.  But like most things, if we lose our balance, and are overly fascinated with death- we can begin to give more power to death than it ought to have.  I think about that Blue Oyster Cult song, "Don't Fear the Reaper" which encourages worship of the god of the dead.  There is a God of the dead, but it is the God of life.  The Resurrection of Jesus (and his raising of others) is a reminder that God makes life out of chaos and gives hope even in the hopelessness of death.  Christian martyrs are a great image here.  They died- and died a brave death.  For the Romans (and for others today) death is the final punishment.  But Christians believe we conquer even in death.  So don't fear the reaper- not because it is simply inevitable- but because there is the hope of life in and after death in (and with faith in) Christ.  

Prayer: Lord, Help me to be one who emphasizes life in the face of death.  We pray for those who are afraid of death and of the things around death. Let your light of life shine through me.  
   

Why Would Anyone Want to Be a Pastor?

 I am now two weeks into my official retirement from my pastorate I held for 18 years, and am officially retired in my denomination.  In the Roman Catholic Church the number of priests has declined from 59,000 in 1980 to 35,000 today despite the population and number of Catholics increasing in that same period.  In my denomination there were four ordained pastors for every opening in 2010 (https://pres-outlook.org/2017/09/pastoral-pipeline-will-enough-ministers-serve-presbyterian-church/), but now in 2022, despite the membership declining, there is a pastor shortage.  The Presbyterian (PCUSA) seminaries saw this coming and for the most part opened up their seminaries from being Presbyterian with a sprinkling of outsiders to being open to anyone who wants to come to keep their professors employed, buildings kept, and their endowments coming.  I get a look agape often if I identify myself as a minister.  It is almost like we are rarer than bigfoot.  
   Let's look at some reasons for this.  1) Theological malaise.  There is little zeal these days to be a minister in an increasingly secular society.  Despite all those Christians who try to celebrate the ending of Christendom, there is the danger of the ending of enthusiasm for the moral, helpful (to the poor/needy), and spiritual zeal the church once furnished.  Once we began winking at behavior and choices, the zeal of the church to influence behavior and choices waned.  The Ten Commandments became the Ten Suggestions.  The belief that belief can make a difference in behavior slides, and thus, those who want to invest their lives in making a difference in behavior (like ministers), decrease. 
2) Secular reasons- a) Money- in terms of real dollars, the amount a minister gets paid has decreased sharply over the last forty years.  The rule of thumb of the past was that a minister should get paid the amount a principal in the town gets paid (with similar education credentials).  b) Respect- In our graceless age, the Church has been under a microscope looking for sin- and Calvinists are not surprised that sin is found!  But social media and others think they have the right to demand perfection in ministers- in grammar, in etiquette, in availability (on call 24/7), and service.  Whereas ministers were often asked to be on community boards (chamber, school, etc), they are not asked as often these days- another sign of lack of respect. c) Hyper criticism.  There has always been criticism.  They locked up Peter and John and told them not to speak Jesus' name anymore.  Diocletian (5th century)thought that if you could get rid of all the Bibles and clergy, you could get rid of the faith (he was unsuccessful).  Today there are those who don't want ministers to pray publicly (do it anyway), or even exist- they are part of a sinful, patriarchal past.  But the alternative of secularism has been tried before and failed sharply (guillotene of the French Revolution or the Gulags of the USSR or the millions who died in the cultural revolution of China).  The best way foward is to go back to the One who made us and listen.   3) Many current ministers do not see their calling as important.  If ministry is just a job, then you will work up to what you think you'll get paid.  There are many more reasons.    
      Yesterday one of my grandchildren said they wanted to be doctor- but not a physician doctor.  I asked if they wanted to be a teacher who held a doctorate (her mom is a teacher), or a preacher who held a doctorate (like me), but she said a "veterinarian."  Thus, I am inspired to think, pray, and write this piece.  While my children and grandchildren believe, none have chosen to go into ministry.  It is, frankly, hard work for little pay.  But as I often say, "The benefits are out of this world."  Colossians 3:23,24 "Whatever you are called to do, work at it with all your heart, working for the Lord and not for your human bosses.  Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."  Perhaps a deeper question is, "Do you believe God blesses people who serve Him?"  I believe it.  I have experienced it.  It is not always (and in fact rarely) financial or worldly.  But in terms of meaning and passion, there is nothing like serving God in ministry.  I think- even after 40 years- that it is the highest calling God can give someone in life.  I say that knowing there is the priesthood of all believers, and every call is honored by God.  But there is also the promise that those elders who serve the church well are worthy of double honor- especially those who preach and teach (1 Tim. 5:17).  
       So let me expound very briefly- lest I lose anyone.  1) In Christian ministry you get to concentrate on what will last.  People today talk about their "legacy."  In 100 years or even 300 years there is no such thing for the vast majority of us.  Most kings, presidents, popes are forgotten by then.  Even if we talk about people building on what we have done, that too will become miniscule and forgotten.  We are but dust and to dust we shall return.  But two things on this earth last, the Word of God and eternal souls. If you lead someone to Christ, that is an eternal work, that makes an eternal difference.  If you give someone hope, encouragement, inspiration to love their family (the closest neighbor), then you are doing important stuff.  Go to Rome and look at the ruins of that great civilization, or to other areas.  The clay soldiers of China (Quinshihuang of 210 BC) were meant to last forever but many didn't make it.  The pyramids were meant to be sealed tombs, but tomb raiders found their way into almost each one.  
2) Beliefs do influence behavior.  So the relatively new belief in climate change has solicited trillions of dollars from science and the government to turn things around.  In America and the West we have forsaken our inheritance of faith.  To me, what that means is that there is work to be done.  The Harvest is still white- the Lord needs the best to do the best work.  While there is theological malaise, that doesn't mean that there should be, and the way out is found by those willing to step in and not just hold the line- but lead the charge.  3) It is a privilege to be like Jesus.  Paul said he considered all the worldly things he gave up- his educational, rabbinical, wealth and prestige as rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of serving Christ (Philippians 3:8).  Jesus was criticized, mocked, despised, had no wealth, but more people know the name of this humble teacher from Galilee than any other name in the world.  He is worshiped and followed in every country.  There is so much more to life than being popular.  The basketball star is popular until they lose their speed and defense.  The movie star or musician/singer are popular but quickly can be replaced and forgotten.  The most popular politician can dive bomb within four years.  What is much more important than being popular or entertaining?  It is being faithful and helpful- serving the God who made us.  The word of the title are not honorific titles, but their origin is servitude- a bishop, a pastor- comes from being a lowly shepherd to a flock;  a minister means a servant.  Jesus said "now that I your Lord have washed your feet, so you should wash one anothers' feet (John 13:14).  Humility and meekness are not valued much today.  But the meekest man said, "The meek shall inherit the earth."  In fact, when ministers are honored highly, often that is when corruption and pride creep in.  A cross-less minister is not a good one.  Alas, not many want to make that sacrifice even if it means blessing from God.  But I would still say, there is no better or higher calling.  

Lord of the harvest, raise up laborers for the harvest field.  May your church learn to encourage people to go into the great work of serving you.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.  

The Importance of Pastoral Care

 A secular person would have no idea what "Pastoral Care" means.  But today, many church people have become confused as well.  Many think they do not need it anyway.  What people say they need is a counselor, psychologist or at best a spiritual advisor.  But Pastoral Care is the care for the soul, by a person who is called to be a shepherd of the soul.  The word "Pastor" means shepherd.  
      We all need someone to shepherd us- like a shepherd takes care of their flock.  They need to be gathered together and spiritually fed; the sick need to be tended and helped toward healing; they need to be brought back when they stray away; 
     So good pastoral care goes after those who are straying away, pointing them back to the right way. Pastoral Care is not just caring for the sick- though that is important.  Jesus healed people when he walked on this earth.  The church has always had a role in healing- praying for people, encouraging them to get the best possible physical care.  People need to be reminded where their purpose/reason for living abides- in the Lord.  He is the chief purpose.  When we lose sight of that, we need to be reminded- and that is part of pastoral care.  
     The act of pastoral care involves listening; pointing to help- especially from God; Praying for their need;  Then following up on their need.  Symptoms of someone without pastoral care are: purposelessness, hopelessness, self-centeredness, short sightedness, a concentration on the things of this world (greed, hate, dissensions, breaking the commandments, etc).  Pastoral care given properly, lifts them up from selfishness to God.   While we may find our soul in conversion, and build up our soul through Christian education, the care of the soul is very important.  

Ezekiel 34: 

2“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? 3You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock.

4You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. 5They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. 6My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’

7Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because My flock lacks a shepherd and has become prey and food for every wild beast, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but fed themselves instead, 9therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!’

10This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand from them My flock and remove them from tending the flock, so that they can no longer feed themselves. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.’

11For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. 12As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock.

I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. 14I will feed them in good pasture, and the lofty mountains of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in a good grazing land; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a good shepherd. Keep me from simply feeding myself and not caring for others.  Let me model myself after you, the Great Shepherd of the sheep.