Category Archives: Pastor

PASTOR’S KID

Barnabas Piper, son of famed preacher, John Piper, shares honest insights about his upbringing in a new book.

Barnabas Piper (on the left) is one of John Piper’s sons.  Barnabas has recently written a candid account of being a pastor’s kid (PK), especially the PK of a famous pastor.

Here is a revealing answer to a question (rest of interview below):

Religion News Service: What is one thing people would be shocked to learn about the Piper household?

Barnabas Piper: Depends on who you ask. Those who are huge fans might be surprised to know that our family has a lot of tensions and quirks. We have dysfunction and conflict. We don’t always get along very well. It’s not the idyllic repository of peace and knowledge they might have painted a picture of in their heads.

Those who see him as a heavy-handed fire breather would be surprised to know that he loves movies like “What About Bob” and is fiercely competitive. He even got a yellow card for berating a referee at one of my brothers’ soccer games one time.

http://jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2014/07/01/john-pipers-son-discusses-dysfunction-conflict-upbringing/

 

 

PASTOR TURNED SKEPTIC

A short time ago I read an article about a former pastor who became a skeptic.  The post 9/11 world did not make sense to him.  He figured there could be no God in such a world.  This kind of struggle of course is nothing new.

Andrew Delbanco has famously said Americans went from believing in the providence of God prior to the Civil War to believing in luck after it.  Too much carnage took place for one to keep believing in a God who is both good and in control of all things.

I also struggle to make sense of these realities, yet I am perplexed by those who choose to bail on the Christian faith.

The Bible makes it clear that we are living in a broken world where the most hideous things imaginable will take place.  Make sure to digest that important truth.  If “delicate women” will boil their own children for food (see Deut. 28:53-57), we know there is the capacity for all kinds of evil.

Further, if God had not made it clear that I will not understand many things this side of heaven, I also would consider bailing on the Christian faith.  However, God has made it clear we will only know in very small part.  There is quite a bit in Scripture on this truth (for example Deut. 29:29; Job 38-42; Isa. 55:8,9; I Cor. 13:12)

Luther, like the Psalmists (note plural) struggled with the silence of God, even the God who seems to hide Himself at times.  We should be glad for the candor of Scripture, but also chastened to remember we only now see in a “mirror dimly.”

So I wonder what Bible the pastor who bailed was reading.

TRYING TO RUN THE DAMN CHURCH

Eugene Peterson has written many books which have greatly blessed me.  His combination of insight, honesty, prophetic distance from the culture, and humor make him an author who truly brings the goods.

Here is a wonderful interview which will benefit pastors and all those who love their pastors.  I love that he was tired of simply “running the damn church.”  

HT: Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEH3-xAezP0

 

DISCIPLESHIP AND DODO BIRDS

The Dodo, of course, is well known for two things: being ugly and being extinct.  Discipleship where you invest long-term in a few relationships seems to have gone the way of the Dodo.

On Scot McKnight’s blog, he posted a poll on what top ten things pastors like about their calling.  I list them here with the comment I posted over at Scot’s Jesus Creed:

  1. Seeing lives transformed.  
  2. Preaching. Frankly, I expected this response to be number one, but it was a distant second. Preaching is very important to these pastors, but transformed lives are the most important. Of course, some of them noted that preaching transforms lives.
  3. Personal evangelism. Though distant to number one, sharing the gospel one-on-one was a clear number three. Here is a fascinating facet of this study to me: Over 85 percent of the pastors named one of these first three as their response. The next eight were named by less than 15 percent of the pastors.
  4. The people/members.  
  5. Developing new relationships.  
  6. Ministering in the community.  
  7. Ministering to members.  
  8. Casting a vision.  
  9. Staff relationships.  
  10. Mentoring or discipling one-on-one.  (Study by Thom Rainer)

As a former full-time pastor and now itinerant, I find it disheartening (if this poll is any real indication) that discipleship is tenth and no comment made about that changing lives.

My own interaction with many pastors does reflect what the poll is saying. Few pastors seem interested in the non sexy work of long-term discipleship. Thankfully, I know some notable exceptions to what may be the general rule.

 

 

BIG KAHUNA OR PASTOR?

I have posed the following concern to several pastors and New Testament scholars: If you serve as a pastor, it is taken for granted by the apostle Paul that you are also an elder.  Ironically, most “Bible” churches have only one or perhaps a few of their pastors on the elder board.  I have asked why this is and the common refrain is that people are worried about all the pastors forming some kind of voting bloc.  What kind of message does this send about the trustworthiness of the pastors?  Not much, I’m afraid.

Further, I have looked at many evangelical church web sites and the vast majority only list the “staff.”  It is common to find the elders not even mentioned!   Prominently featured are the pastors, but where are the elders?   Some list the elders, but give no background while there is lots of ink spilled on the “senior pastor.” 

We don’t need Big Kahunas, but pastors!

 

PASTOR HITS HOME RUN…FOR HIS FAMILY!

J.R. Vasser is the founding pastor of Apostles Church in New York City.  God has used J.R.’s leadership to be a blessing to many.

This past Sunday Vasser mentioned he was leaving Apostles.  Not because of immorality.  Not because of some other ministry.  Not because he is discouraged. 

So why is Pastor Vasser leaving?  He is leaving for his family’s emotional and spiritual well-being.  Read his resignation letter and pray for more men like him!

http://www.apostlesnyc.com/event/460675-2013-06-10-important-update-from-pastor-jr-vassar/