May 2012 to May 2013 : A Ministry Look-Back

May 15, 2013 2 Comments

mayEvery May, at the beginning of my summer break, I try to stop and look back over the past year and reflect on the opportunities the Lord has opened for me to do what I love and was called to do.  This particular 12 months has been a little bit of everything.  Ministry opportunities have flowed from all sides.

From…

  • Traveling to Greece, Turkey, and Switzerland with the Apostles & Epistles Tour.  You can’t beat teaching Revelation 1 on the Island of Patmos overlooking John’s cave.  Indescribable.
  • Finishing one interim pastorate at Lancaster Bapt Church and beginning and finishing another at Living Grace Church.
  • Training young pastors for LifeWay’s CentriKid Camps and then being a camp pastor myself for a couple weeks.
  • Preaching in various pulpits around KY like Corinth BC in London, Immanuel, Pioneer, Hopewell and Bruner’s Chapel BC all in Harrodsburg, Simpsonville BC, and First Bapt Clarksville, TN.
  • Leading training workshops for Eubank BC, Beechland BC, Pioneer BC and First Bapt Clarksville.
  • Teaching breakout sessions at ministry conferences – the CU Transformational Church Summit, the KBC Seminary for a Day, and CU Louisville’s Contagious Churches & Leaders.
  • Serving alongside the tireless LifeWay VBSi & Preview Team as a speaker & breakout session leader in 4 cities: Ridgecrest, NC, Fort Worth, TX, Nashville, TN, and Kissimmee, FL.  This opportunity has been one I will never forget.
  • Great times of sharing with my students outside of class like doing the DNow Team training, teaching alongside Jennifer for BCM about relationships, pre-marriage counseling in our home with Chris Price and Anna Step, witnessing Jacob Howard, one of my guys, ordained to the Gospel ministry, and taking a group of 13 to LifeWay’s headquarters in Nashville for CU Day at LifeWay.
  • All the while completing two amazing semesters with my students in class after class.  Year 5 was my best in class teaching year so far.

It is simply amazing for me to see what God has done in my life, if I would make myself available to Him and His purposes.  As I reflect back, I am overwhelmed by God’s grace and kindness toward me and my family.  This is way more than I could have ever imagined back in 1996 when I surrendered to the call of ministry.  God has taken my 3 loaves and 2 fish and multiplied them time and time again.

Where will God lead from May 2013 to May 2014…who knows?  But wherever He leads, I will follow.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching, Travel

My Experience as a Campbellsvillian

May 2, 2013 5 Comments

Teaching in Druien Hall.

Rampant news has been swirling – some true, some false – about my alma mater and employer Campbellsville University with specific attention directed toward my area the CU School of Theology.

I have not had any desire to pour more fuel on this raging fire and have actually encouraged my students to stay out of the fray, however, I have been encouraged to speak about my experience at CU as a student back in the 90′s in the School of Theology.

I offer three truths about my alma mater and school.

1.  As a student, this place changed my life forever by exposing me to Christ, to his calling for my life, to the truthfulness of Scripture, to the ministry of serving others as unto the Lord, to the task of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and to the role of loving people who are from every Christian tradition.  As I had the opportunity to serve Christ in closed countries, in major urban centers, and down dirt paths, I learned that you shouldn’t get too bothered about who is a Methodist and who is a Baptist.  You are just happy to serve alongside people who, like you, love Jesus and want to tell others about Him.

2.  As a student, I was trained by great men and women of God who loved Jesus, His Word, the Gospel and the mission of the church.  Faithful men like Dr. Ted Taylor who has served 40+ years in local church ministry and Dr. John Hurtgen whose passion for the New Testament and Christian fellowship are as evident today as they were back then.  Also outstanding Christian women and scholars like Dr. Paula Qualls who loved the Old Testament more than anyone I’ve ever met and showed me how to love it as well.

3.  As a student, I formed lifelong friendships with many brothers and sisters in Christ who are now serving around the world as missionaries and in our nation as pastors and ministers.  These friendships continue to model one of the School of Theology core values: partners in enduring fellowship.

Lastly, I want all to know that I came to faith in Jesus through the ministry of a KBC church in Lewisport, KY.  I was baptized, discipled and called to ministry in a KBC church.  I have served on two KBC church staffs.  I have been an interim pastor for three KBC churches.  I have four CP-supported theological degrees – one from CU, two from SWBTS and one from SBTS.  I am a Southern Baptist and KY Baptist through and through.

I believe the Bible is true.  I believe the Gospel is the only means of salvation.  I believe that my role as a man, husband, father, pastor, and professor is to offer and explain this glorious Gospel to every person I meet.   These biblical convictions have never been questioned or prevented while attending, or now while teaching, at CU.  They have only been encouraged and enhanced.  I have a platform that most pastors never have.  I get to teach unbelieving young men and women the Gospel in class every day and they have to come and listen.  This is a wonderful mission.

I am proud to be a small part of the CU story.  I love my alma mater and employer.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching

Jesus and the Cross Verse 6

March 30, 2013 Leave a comment

Part 6 of 6 Jesus and the Cross Holy Week Reflections

Acts 4:12    And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

The last verse of the six Jesus and the Cross Holy Week Reflections tells us there is only ONE way to be saved.  “Saved from what” you might ask.

We must be saved from the very just, very holy wrath of God which will rightly judge sin.  We must be saved from the sin that “so easily entangles us” (Heb 12:1) and causes us to be in direct opposition with a holy God.

We must be saved from the place of torment, a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Jesus’ words), a place of eternal fire called Hell which has been prepared for those who reject Christ as Lord and Savior.

We must be saved from thinking that we can somehow save ourselves with our good deeds, our family connection, or our acts of charity in this world.  We can’t do anything to out weigh our sin debt.

We must be saved.  The Bible, God’s inspired Word, tells us there is only ONE way for sinners to be saved.  That one way is by placing our faith, trust, hope, heart and life into the loving arms of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and was risen again to life.

That is what Easter, or as I prefer to call it Resurrection Sunday, is all about.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Preaching

Resurrection Sunday Invitation

March 28, 2013 Leave a comment

Jesus and the Cross Invitation

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Jesus and the Cross Verse 4

March 28, 2013 Leave a comment

Part 4 of 6 Jesus and the Cross Holy Week Reflections

Mark 10:45   For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

The paying of a ransom creates an interesting picture in our minds. We think of a kidnapper leaving a ransom note or a plane being high-jacked and the assailants delivering their ransom demands.  Some form of payment must be made for the child or the passengers to be freed.

Sin has kidnapped us.  Sin has high-jacked our lives away from God.  Therefore a ransom had to be paid.  Something had to be exchanged to ultimately deal with our sin-filled soul.  Yet there is nothing we could ever payback for our wickedness.  Our lives are tainted with ongoing sin and our hearts are wildly corrupt.

So God paid the ransom.  He gave one life to be the ransom for all who believe.  The perfect given for the imperfect.  The sinless savior given for sinful humanity.  The death of God’s one and only Son was a ransom paid in full for those who trust Him by faith.

That happen on the cross.  But how?  You shall see in verse 5.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Preaching

Ending Interim No. 4

March 23, 2013 1 Comment

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Children’s Sermon @ LGC

On April 14 (4 weeks away), I will be concluding interim pastorate no. 4 at Living Grace Church here in Campbellsville.  I served Living Grace Church as interim pastor back in 2008-09 during a previous pastor search process and again this time around for the past 9 months.

The people of Living Grace Church are wonderful.  They have been so kind and gracious to let me learn alongside of them what it means to be a church that is intergenerational, inter-denominational, multiracial and from every socioeconomic level in our community.

I have been stretched in my understanding of the primary Christian doctrines, built up in my belief in the sufficiency of God’s Word, and saw how stabilizing church administration is essential for a 10-year old church plant.

I give thanks to the previous pastors of Living Grace Church: Pastor Phillip Kelley and Pastor Jason Fox.  The time between my first interim and my second showed how much leadership, blood, sweat, and tears these men invested in LGC.  Thank you my dear brothers for giving your hearts (and probably lots of nights of sleep) to this people.

I also give thanks for my worship leader for the first 6 months Mr. Benson Sexton and his dear wife Kristin, our church media guru.  These two leaders have been invaluable friends to me and my family and diligent co-laborers in the Gospel ministry.

I give thanks to our youth minister Mr. Mike Humphress who has a tender heart before the Lord and a true passion to develop leaders who love students.  I am also thankful for Mrs. Anne Sanders who leads the children’s ministry.  I have been impressed time and time again with her organization and vision for our GraceKids.  Ms. Debbie Ruggles, the church secretary, has been my helper, encourager, and faithful supporter through thick and thin.  She has been a peace-giving force in my life.

I will miss seeing the smiling faces on Sunday mornings.  I will miss the warm hugs from those ladies (and a few fellas) who gave me a hug every week no matter what was going on.  I will miss watching the children of LGC run all over the place after worship.  I will miss being called “pastor” which is a term of endearment and devotion, which blessed me every time.  And “step-pastor” by one dear friend which always made me smile and laugh.

But unlike other interim pastorates which have been in other towns, when this one concludes I will still get the chance to see the people of LGC out and about in our little community, which will always be a treat.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

Spring Tour of KBC Churches

March 19, 2013 Leave a comment

rural-church-on-cape-breton-islandFor the past few weeks (and the next few months ahead), I’ve been on a little tour of KY Baptist churches teaching and preaching on youth and children’s ministries and VBS.

A couple Sunday’s ago I had the great honor of being at Hopewell Baptist Church in Harrodsburg with pastor Doug Wesley, a CU alum and now a CU dad, talking about raising up the next generation for Christ.  They had kids running everywhere.  God is working to help them reach children and families in their rural community.

Then onto Eubank Baptist Church in Pulaski Co this past Saturday to spend the morning with pastor Shelby Reynolds, youth pastor James Griffith (CU alum), family pastor Jeremy Johnson and a great group of parents discussing how to disciple our children in Christ.  We had parents from EBC, Beacon Hill BC and Polly Ann BC join us.  Great time together.

Looking ahead a few weeks to April, I get the privilege to spend an evening with the fine people of Hillcrest Baptist Church in downtown Lexington with pastor Tony Hancock and his sweet wife Mrs. Rhonda, the children’s director, sharing about VBS and helping them train their leaders for the upcoming summer.

Then back to Mercer Co. and to Bruner’s Chapel Baptist Church for their spring revival April 21-24.  I will be joined by my dear brothers and fellow CU alums Brandon Carrier, Jason Dunbar, Tim Hervey and Zach Rice of Sola Grace leading the revival.

Finally at the end of April, my wife Jennifer and I doing a family conference for Beechland Baptist Church in Louisville for youth pastor Corey Young, one of my former CU students.  Corey and his wife Jessica are approaching their first year at Beechland and are doing a tremendous job with the students and families.

With all this, I have to mention Seminary for a Day April 13 at Greenwood Baptist Church hosted by the KY Baptist Convention and Campbellsville Univ.  I will be leading a morning session on preaching, which I am really excited about.  It is always a pleasure to be with bi-vocational and part-time pastors encouraging them in their service to the body of Christ.

Ministry opportunity abounds.  God is gracious and kind.

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching, Travel

Mr. Eddie Price Visits Campbellsville University

October 17, 2012 Leave a comment

I had the great privilege of visiting with my former Hancock Co. High School world history professor Mr. Eddie Price on Monday.  He was selling his new book Widder’s Landing at the Campbellsville University Barnes & Noble and we got a chance to talk and visit.

Mr. Price was an inspiration teacher from my high school years.  He was always lively and energetic in his teaching and story-telling.  I remember well sitting in his class spell-bound as he told of adventures and conquests from the past.  I wish him all the best in his retirement and great sales of his book.  I am through the first chapter and it is really very good.

Mr. Eddie Price at his book signing at Campbellsville University

Filed under Life, Teaching

Hurricane Isaac on the Soccer Field

September 13, 2012 Leave a comment

Just a couple pictures from last Saturday, Sept. 8, for Isaac’s first game in the Campbellsville Youth Soccer U8 league.  His team is navy blue.  These were taken by the league photographer.

It was a downpour, but the kids got out there and played like champions.

Far Right.  Notice the height on his jump.  That is some serious vertical lift.  All of 3 inches.

“Watch the ball.  Track the ball.  Be the ball.”
He ended the day with 3 or 4 goals.  They don’t keep score, so we really never know.

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The First 60 Days

September 10, 2012 Leave a comment

You are always welcome to join us Sunday @ 10:30 AM.

I have been serving as Transitional Pastor at Living Grace Church here in Campbellsville for just over 60 days.  Just 2 months in and I am really enjoying ministering together with these fine brothers and sisters in Christ.  With the return of the CU & LWC college students, we have seen many more faces come and engage with our faith family just in the last two weeks.

On the occasion of the first 60 days complete, I thought I would share a few reflections and observations I am experiencing so far.

  1. Words will never truly express how thankful I am to Pastor Jason Fox and Pastor Phillip Kelley, the previous two pastors of LGC.  Their leadership from 2009 (when Pastor Phil came) till June of this year (when Pastor Jay left) is quite remarkable.  There hasn’t been a week gone by yet where I haven’t noticed something new and improved that wasn’t present back in 2008-09 when I served before.  The congregation is more mature, more balanced, more healthy, more faithful, more committed to missions, more generous, and more focused on the needs of youth and children than ever before.  I am indebted to these my brothers, friends, and fellow pastors.  Phil and Jay, thank you for laboring so well in this harvest field.
  2. The expanded and ever-improving worship team have been very encouraging to me.  Under the leadership of our Worship Leader Benson Sexton, I am thoroughly impressed each week at this group’s commitment to worship that engages the congregation and lifts high the name of Jesus.  From those on stage to the servants behinds the scenes in the sound and media booth, I love that they are open to trying new forms of worship.  In my very short time, we had reflective and celebrative, somber and serious, passionate and powerful worship times and each week gets better than the week before.  Variety is the key.  Variety builds anticipation.  Variety meets different people preferences.  Variety doesn’t allow the church to get stuck in a “style.”  Great work so far.
  3. The children’s, student and college ministries are thumping.  When was I at LGC before, the children’s ministry was just getting going and the student ministry was slowly gaining momentum.  There wasn’t much of anything for college-age young adults.  But with the church only being 6 years old, those ministries were still in their infancy.  Now in year 10, these three avenues of ministry are growing every week.  Our leadership and volunteer teams for these ministries continue to grow and get better at ministering to these vital groups.  What a change 4 years has made!
  4. Finally, I am thrilled at a renewed passion for missions and outreach.  Every week I see and hear a desire to send people out with the Gospel around the corner and around the world.  From helping widows  and orphans, to mission work in Haiti and Ghana, in supporting local missions through The Blessing at the Well and outreach to our lakefront friends with Green River Lake dock ministry or downtown with the Family Fun Zone.  This heartbeat to go and be the church in the world has really challenge me in my personal walk with Christ.  A huge thank you to Mrs. Emily Fox for her tireless work to promote and lead mission endeavors for LGC.  You too are one of my heroes.

I am so excited about what is happening.  I believe this faith family is maturing to be what God intended her to be – a place that is committed to producing fully devoted followers of Christ.  Thank you for letting me come along for the ride.

Grace, SG

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

Finding a College Church

August 31, 2012 Leave a comment

Members of Living Grace Church helping move in students to Campbellsville Univ.

It’s the beginning of a new college semester. Moms and dads with loaded-down pickup trucks have dropped off their students with everything in tow. Those parents will talk to their students about study habits, time management, social responsibility and financial restraint. But the one conversation most parents will never have with their college student is about how to seek and find a local church while at school.

Students who are committed believers in Christ will be left with two options: go to the church where all their friends attend or just venture out to some random church that sounds vaguely familiar to what they had back home and see what happens.

Both options leave much to be desired. So here are five tips for finding a college church from a guy who loves college students and the church deeply.

First, the most popular church is not always the most healthy church. Simply because “everyone” goes there does not necessarily mean the church is a good place for you. Every college town has a “sexy” church that attracts the masses. But in my experience, sexy churches are often pretty and alluring on the outside, but not so healthy on the inside. Be cautious in going to the place that everyone is talking about. There’s a reason they are talking.

Secondly, consider the lead preacher/pastor’s preaching style. Students must put on their theology thinking caps here and try to discern where the lead preacher/pastor stands on the Bible. Students should ask: “Are they committed to teaching God’s word or do they use the Bible to teach modern pop psychology? Do they open the scriptures and explain their meaning to the lives of their people or is the Bible something that sits on the pulpit opened, but not taught from.” The use and treatment of scripture is a good indicator if the church is conservative or liberal in its theology.

Third, consider the atmosphere and authenticity in worship. When you go in and everything starts, do you sense that the vast majority of the people are there because they love Jesus and want to grow closer to him or are they there out of duty and obligation? This cannot be determined by counting the number of people who sing loudly or how many make some response at the end of the service. You must look for something deeper. Try to look past physical appearance and discern a person’s heart. It’s tough, but it can be done.

Fourth, pick a church where you can serve somewhere immediately. The most dangerous thing for a young believer to do during the college years is to become a church consumer. You were not a consumer in your hometown church or in your previous youth ministry. You were out serving others, going on mission trips, making a difference in the world. Do not put your spiritual gifts on the shelf during these four years of college–they might dry up.

Finally, try not to visit too many. The more you visit, the more likely you are to keep changing, and the consumer mentality grows. As Joshua Harris, pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Md., eloquently stated, “Stop dating the church.” Visit two or three times, make a decision and stick with it. Your delay in commitment will severely stunt your growth in Christ.

Remember the church is Jesus’ bride and you need to find one quickly. Godspeed on your search.

Originally posted for http://kyforward.com

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching

Life at the Garrison Ranch

August 28, 2012 Leave a comment

A short video I made for my opening day of class.  Jennifer is quite jealous of my skills.

Filed under Family, Life, Ministry, Teaching

The Celebrity Pastor and the Potential of Pride

August 28, 2012 2 Comments

Originally published for http://kyforward.com

Five thousand followers on Twitter. Two thousand “likes” on Facebook with another 750 friends. Hundreds of weekly downloads of the sermon via podcasting. Ten thousand hits on the blog per month. Up and coming musician? Hollywood superstar? I think not. It is your pastor and he has a following.

In our world of media-saturated marketing, the celebrity pastor has become all the rave. For decades, a public preaching ministry was confined to live radio preaching on Sunday mornings or possibly cassette tapes being sent via the mail. Only those pastors who served in larger churches in a major city were able to get these messages broadcast over the national airwaves.

Then came the era of the tele-evangelist and Christian cable stations such as Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) and the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) with its flagship show The 700 Club. While many of these stations are still going strong today, they have lost much of their appeal to a consistent cycle of scandal and the dominance of the prosperity gospel, which is slowly going out of style. The general public’s interest is waning in “watching” others worship in a TV studio and being constantly tapped for donations.

Yet ministry through media is not slowing down. As the digital age blossoms and social media takes over the world, pastors are getting in on the rising tide of digital ministry. Nowadays any pastor, from the smallest congregation in rural America to the megachurch in a metropolitan area, can broadcast, podcast, video-cast, tweet and blog sermons, articles, Bible studies, devotions, teaching, anything all for free.

With nothing than a flip camera, a laptop and a bit of time, they can expand their listening, reading, watching audience far outside of the walls of their church. They can reach people on the other side of the world with a cheap website and great domain name. They are stretching farther than TV or radio ever imagined.

The question, then, is what might result with such digital opportunities? What temptations lurk in the dark with such media venues at their pastoral finger tips? The answer, I believe, is pride. With this power, comes arrogance, ego, an infatuation with oneself, self-directed idolatry, envy, jealousy, and a lust for more and more followers.

Temptations abound with such opportunities and the pastor should carefully discern his heart before proceeding. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” James 4:6 says “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” The slippery slope toward pride and destruction is being greased up daily as the digital age accelerates.

Nevertheless, I believe modest and humble pastors who use digital media can do so with pure and righteous hearts. They can seek to serve the Lord and their flocks by hoping to provide more and more avenues for people to hear the Gospel and be strengthened in their relationship with Jesus.

If they see their role as a servant of God holding the greatest news ever told and not some megastar, celebrity pastors with an ever-growing following, they can be of service to the kingdom. It is all about attitude and motivation. If your attitude and motivation is to build up your legacy and name recognition, then you have stepped over the line into idolatrous sin. But if your attitude and motivation is to proclaim Jesus and make his name famous, then you are on safe ground.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:8 help us here, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Purity of heart — that is going to the standard for pastors in the digital age because the avenues in the digital age are only going to increase.

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry

Summer 2012 Recap

August 7, 2012 1 Comment

Riding a hot air balloon on the 4th of July.

When the blog went down in July, I frantically tried to get it back up and running.  And when I finally got the thing going again, I just didn’t have anything interesting to say or post.  So I haven’t.  But now the summer is nearly over, so I thought I would fire some one-liners about life, ministry, parenting, and the culture.

  • The Olympics – Team USA is awesome, but the Chinese are machines. 
  • Living Grace Church – I am 1 month in and am having a very good time.  The health of the church is tremendously better than compared to 3 years ago when I was here before.  That goes in a very large part to the leadership of Pastor Jason Fox.  His steady hand and commitment to biblical health for the church paid off.  I tip my hat to you my friend.  Well done. 
  • Jennifer’s father – Earl – was in the hospital nearly all of July with a serious infection through out his body.  He is home now and we are very thankful.  God spared his life.
  • CentriKid Camp - Getting to be camp pastor of CentriKid camp was way too much fun.  3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders are so sweet and gracious.  They actually paid great attention to the messages each morning and evening, which I didn’t expect.  Organized Mass Chaos (OMC) was pure craziness.
  • Both boys in school - Isaac started 1st grade, Ethan started pre-K.  For 3 hours each morning, not one kid is in our house.  Very strange phenomenon.  I think Jennifer likes the quiet mornings.
  • Chick-Fil-A - Americans can’t spell the name of the store, but they sure do love themselves some Jesus chicken.  The original and the spicy are my favs.
  • Summer movies - Didn’t see anything at all.  Not Batman, not Spiderman, not Brave.  Nothing.  Nada.
  • Books – Great reads this summer mostly from the secular world.  Into Thin Air by Jon Krakaur, Moneyball by Michael Lewis, Theodore Roosevelt – an Autobiography, and The Rise and Fall of the Anabaptist by E. Belfort Bax.
  • Downtown Abbey Season 1 - Extraordinary.  Season 2 needs to get on NetFlix asap.
  • Jennifer’s book – The Leaders Guide to “Christian History Made Easy” – was released in July and we got a copy.  I am so happy she beat me to the publishing punch.
  • Greece/Turkey Trip – The May study tour has really helped in preaching and teaching.  I will start my series on the 7 churches of Revelation in September and have tons of video to show.  The dates for Israel/Jordan 2014 are available if you’re interested in traveling with the School of Theology.
  • My sister Crystal got married.  Small, sweet ceremony in a quaint Methodist chapel.  Congrats Sis.
  • Finally Turning 35 – With July came my birthday and officially rolling into the middle-age demographic.  All demographic studies have 21-34 and 35-54 as categories determining young adults and middle adults.  10 years of marriage, 2 kids, a mortgage, a Buick sedan.  Yup, we are middle adults.

Cheers to Summer 2012.  You’ve been a wild one.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Study, Teaching, Travel, Writing

Favorite Picture from Lancaster BC

June 26, 2012 Leave a comment

I stumbled upon this photo on the website of lanbaptist.org.  This is a great memory for me.  The setting was a children’s choir presentation and for the sermon portion, I invited Grayson to come sit by me and talk about Jesus.  It was awesome.  He stole the show.  His facial expression is priceless.  (Thanks Sky T. for sharing.) 

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

When the Glasshouse Cracks

June 13, 2012 Leave a comment

News cycles reeled last week after the arrest of well-known prosperity preacher and pastor Rev. Creflo Dollar Jr, pastor and founder of World Changers Church International in College Park, Ga. Dollar was released on bail after allegedly choking his 19-year-old daughter during an argument in their home.

Pastor Dollar came to the pulpit the following Sunday to a packed auditorium and to the reception of a standing ovation. His congregation showed unfailing support for their leader and believe he is innocent of all charges. Prior to his sermon, Pastor Dollar denied all allegations saying that there was a family argument that got “emotional” but nothing more. He asserts he was simply disciplining his daughter and things “escalated.”

This brief look into the private life of a celebrity pastor has brought to bear the undeniable interest of the media and public in the domestic affairs of spiritual leaders. The pastor’s home life, no matter if one is leading a church of 50 or 5,000, always generates a lot of attention.

Some have even named the pastor’s house a glasshouse where everyone wants to look inside finding out what really happens behind closed doors. Church members, neighbors, complete strangers are eager to get a look what the preacher does in private.

There is something voyeuristic about seeing how a pastor treats his spouse and kids. Undoubtedly people want to know how he deals with everyday pressures in comparison to their own lives. Does he yell in frustration at his kids? Does he spank with his hand or a belt or at all? Do he and his wife get into heated debates using swear words? The world wants to know.

Even the more mundane daily rituals are tantalizing tidbits of information. Does he do chores around the house like laundry or dusting? Does he watch R-rated movies? Do they have a filter on their internet? Is the checkbook organized or are bills laying everywhere? Inquiring minds want to know.

But when the glasshouse cracks, when obvious sin seeps into the pastor’s family, it becomes headline news. As the glasshouse shows signs of wear and tear, the peeping eyes increase.

However, two overarching principles about ministry and family need to be identified and spoken to. First, pastors, ministers, priests and their families are sinful, morally broken people. They make mistakes. They have conflicts with each other and within themselves. They have real issues that arise at times, inevitably making their way out in the public square.

This should not be a surprise to anyone, no matter if a believer or not. The Bible is very clear on this issue. No one is perfect. Everyone is sinful (Romans 3:10). That is life. That is the reason Jesus came, died and was raised again. Sin was the human problem that the Gospel, or the Good News of Jesus, came to fix (Luke 19:10).

Secondly, pastoral ministry has and will always include living in a glasshouse. So here’s my personal invitation: look in and enjoy. You are free to take a peek. There will be cracks at times in the walls. There will be messes and mistakes strewn all over the living room floor. There will be good days and not so good days, and you are free to witness them all.

But remember when you look in, the Christian life is not a journey into perfection for those in ministry or otherwise. The Christian life is a continual walk with Jesus in grace and in truth, through growth, correction, failure, forgiveness, reproof, assurance – all surrounded by God’s love and mercy.

You are welcome to look inside the glasshouse, but don’t be surprised by what you see. Our house, like your house, always needs to be fixed up.

Originally written for and posted on www.kyforward.com – June 12, 2012

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching, Writing

Living Grace Take 2

June 8, 2012 Leave a comment

Starting July 1, I will begin a second stint as Transitional Pastor of Living Grace Church here in Campbellsville.

I served LGC way back in 2008-09 for about 6 months as they went through a pastor search process.  That was my first year back in Campbellsville after being away for 10 years.  It was an interesting re-introduction to the community I’d hoped to raise my family in and to the radically diverse nature of church dynamics in the lil’ ville.

While my first stint with LGC was rather short, I have stayed in decent contact with the church and its leaders over the past few years.  I was honored to be friends with both Pastor Phillip Kelley (who came right after me) and also with Pastor Jason Fox (who I will be following).  Actually Jason’s daughter Stella and my boy Isaac are quite the item.

I’ve spent time with both brother-pastors and learned about how things were going at the church.  Maple Trail, my consulting firm, was hired on back in 2009 to do a ministry consultation which gave me more insight into the workings of LGC.

As with any transitional ministry, I will keep my interim ministry philosophy intact with this one…
1.  Don’t change anything unless asked.  And only change things that you can see through all the way till the end.

2.  Don’t start anything new unless asked.  Actually transitional ministry can be a great time to winnow ministry offerings choosing the most essential over the unnecessary.

3.  Only give input when asked.  And when giving input offer more solutions than problems.  There is no need to add burdens onto the lay leadership in the midst of pastoral change.

4.  Pass the baton well by not getting confused about my role.  I am not the starter of the race nor the finisher, just one of the men running a middle leg.  Therefore I do everything possible to help the search team, support the lay leadership, and establish stability across the body.  That way when I leave, everyone is happy knowing we reached the intended goal.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

Apostles & Epistles Tour of Greece & Turkey

May 28, 2012 Leave a comment

Here is the first installment of pictures from my trip to Turkey & Greece with the CU School of Theology.  More photos and videos are coming.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Teaching, Travel

My Last Mid-Week Article to LBC

May 7, 2012 Leave a comment

Copied from LBC Mid-Week Informer May 7, 2012

 Dear Friends and Family of LBC,

With a heavy heart but a rejoicing spirit, I offer to you my last Mid-Week Informer article.  My final day as interim pastor of LBC will be Sunday, May 27, and since I will be out for two weeks on the study tour of Greece and Turkey, this will be my final weekly installment.

When I arrived back in August 2011, only 10 months ago, I found a church in need of love and care.  From all accounts, emotions were raw, tension was thick and conflict was brimming on all sides.  Walt Browning and Bill Oliver tried to prepare me for the difficult situation the church was facing.  I sensed I was coming into a battlefield. 

Yet when I arrived, I found something very different.  There was an immediate connection between us.  I didn’t find a church engaged in battle, I found a people wanting to love their leader.  I was told by Walt early on, “Our people want to love their pastor and want to be loved by their pastor.”  Those words became the hallmark for what I believed God was calling me to do at LBC – simply love the people. 

And you, my dear brothers and sisters, returned that love immediately back upon me and my family.  There wasn’t a Sunday or Wednesday that went by where I didn’t “feel the love” in our midst.  In our times of worship, in prayer, in Bible study, in meetings, when eating around the table, with the children, the teenagers, the senior adults, the various Sunday school classes, with the staff, the deacons, the ministry teams, everyone showed us amazing, abundant love. 

I’ve often been reminded of Paul’s words to the churches in Galatia when thinking about you, my LBC family.  He writes, “For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.” (Gal 4:15b)  I think you might have done the same for me if I asked.

Deep love and kindred spirits are hard to come by these days.  For that I am so grateful to have shared this time with you.  I will look back on our Wednesday night studies with sincere fondness and a smile on my face for every time I made you do something new.  I will cherish the times I spent with Pastor Nehemiah & Stephen on our Google+ video conference staff meetings.  I will remember with joy walking up and down the aisles on Sunday mornings talking with you, shaking hands, asking how your week has gone.  I will continue to celebrate the increase in giving and attendance, the number of children baptized, and the explosion of community awareness and outreach.

Pastor Harold & his family are going to be so blessed because I know you will extend to them the same love you’ve extended to our family. I love each of you and will be praying God’s best for you in the days to come.

Grace and peace,   Shane

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

Saying Goodbye to LBC a Second Time

April 30, 2012 1 Comment

Lewisport BC - LBC 1

My home church was LBC – Lewisport Baptist Church.  I love my 1st faith family at LBC with all my heart.  They led me to Christ, grew me up in Jesus, and adopted me as one of their sons in the faith.  I am, and will always be, eternally grateful for the people and minister of LBC.

Lancaster BC - LBC 2

But over this past year, I got a chance to meet and love another LBC – Lancaster Baptist Church.  My new faith family at LBC 2 has become so precious to me. 

They allowed me to lead them in worship, teach them from God’s word, challenge them to lean on the power of God, and reach their community in new ways.  They opened their hearts to me and for a second time I was adopted as a LBC son.

I will officially be completing my fourth interim pastorate later this month.  Each has been a new experience for me.  Living Grace Church in 2008 was all about learning how pastoral transitions work.  Parkway Bapt Church in 2009 taught me what it means to teach on a larger scale to wider diversity of people.  Bethany Bapt Church in 2010-11 stretched me personally and spiritually.  I always thought ministry in a major city would be easy because of all the people and needs, but it was much harder than I expected.

And now Lancaster Bapt. Church.  LBC 2 taught me it is possible to deeply love a people in a short amount of time.  I learned that I really love ministry when people love to be loved by their pastor.  I have teared up more than once thinking about these fine brothers and sisters in Christ who I’ve only known for 9 months, but feels like we’ve been friends for a lifetime. 

Thank you LBC 2.  Your new pastor is going to be awesome.  Your ministry in the future is going to be bright.  You will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

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