The Heart of a Pastor Blog

"For God So Loved"

2009-12-14T02:00:00-07:00

"Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world ... stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death ... and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem 2000 years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

"Then, you can keep Christmas! And, if you keep it for a day, why not always? But you can never keep it alone."
— Henry VanDyke

What does that thought mean to you, my colleague, as you prepare for Christmas Sunday? I hope you will approach this magnificent day in remembrance of the greatest gift of all — the gift of love ... God's love.

John would write, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are" (1 Jn. 3:1).

I would often say to my congregations at the beginning of a worship service, "God loves you today as though you were the only one in all the world to love, and that makes you very special." I really do believe that. I don't understand it, but that becomes the mystery of the Virgin Birth.

"God is love!" (Jn. 4:16) How do we respond to that love? There is really no way to repay it, but there is a way to reflect it: To love your God with all your heart and to love His children — your brothers and sisters.

God's love never fails!! May His love be real to you this Sunday. Merry Christmas!

(P041217)

Gifted Counselor and Channel of Peace

2009-12-07T02:00:00-07:00

I was reading through the Isaiah chapter 9 passage today — you know, the one you have preached from many times.

"For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (v.6).

Two phrases in that sixth verse really jumped out at me — Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. Jesus is truly the difference between light and darkness. He can turn sadness into laughter, and He can break the chains of bondage (v.3-5), but He has also gifted you with the insight and wisdom to be a counselor to those who seek guidance, and an instrument of peace to those who are troubled and perplexed. Like someone said, "I know about Jesus and His love for all of us. I know He loves me, but sometimes I just need someone with skin on to give me a hug."

You are that one! You reflect the characteristics of Christ. He gives you great wisdom to help your people through the maze of circumstances that often seem too broken to mend. He also gives you the courage to be His channel of peace. As St. Francis prayed, "Lord make me an instrument of your peace." That is you!

There may be someone under your pastoral care that could use some gifted counseling or some tender direction. Think about that one person, and be Christ "with skin on" to him or her before next Sunday.

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth"(1 Jn. 3:18).

I pray this beautiful time of the year is becoming increasingly more meaningful to you and your family.

(S071217)

Peace -- To You!!

2009-11-30T02:00:00-07:00

May I take the liberty of wandering into an area that is probably very sensitive? The subject is PEACE. My hope is that you live and abide in an atmosphere of PEACE this Advent Season.

Jesus said to his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (Jn. 14:27). What was Jesus saying? We experience His peace as we commune with the Father and the Son in love.

How many times have you prayed with a hospital patient or someone who has lost a loved one, and you prayed that they might have peace? What were you really praying? Probably that the situation might be surrendered to the One who loved them and had the answers to their suffering and sorrow. That, as you prayed and they surrendered, there would be a lifting of heaviness, a realization that there was Someone who entered into their personal world with a divine presence.

This past year, I have encountered so many of you struggling with a prodigal child or a troubled marriage. I have talked with you who were uncertain as to your "call" — unhappy in your assignment. I have prayed with you over an issue of addiction or moral failure. I have listened as you spoke of a contentious church, and, for some of you, the situation ended in a loss of ministry. I know about your troubles firsthand because I have experienced as a pastor some of your similar challenges.

Yet, in all of this, there is the assurance that is echoed in Hebrews 13:5, originally from Deuteronomy 31:6, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." That is the atmosphere of peace that I am talking about. The assurance of His love, His presence, His direction, His understanding of your situation, and His willingness to become involved in your life as though you were the only one He had to care for. The challenge is in the surrendering, isn't it? In the letting go.

I am sure this thought does not resonate with all of you, but hopefully it does to one who might be in turmoil or spiritual distress.

As you preach and teach about PEACE this Christmas Season, may you experience that same PEACE in your own life.

Grace and PEACE be yours in abundance. Merry Christmas!

(P051216)

The Altar — Is It a Safe Place?

2009-11-23T02:00:00-07:00

Every now and then, I will read a report that Southern Baptist pastors (and others) still give an altar call or extend an invitation at the end of their sermons. The purpose: for people to accept Christ or renew their commitment to Him. Do you use the altar area for such purposes?

I grew up in an environment where the altar area was used much like the "mourner's bench" in Methodism. As a pastor, I used that area for evangelism, but also for times of emotional and physical healing. I don't see that as much as I used to. I wonder why?

It might be because ...

Invitations take time and, with multiple services, time is of the essence.
We do not address the "sin" issue like we once did. It is not politically correct.
Many pastors do not know how to "draw the net" or extend an invitation.
There is a "what if no one comes" syndrome.
We have either grown much too sophisticated or the altar is not a part of a church's tradition.
Small groups are used more for the purpose of allowing the searcher a safe place to pray, or decision cards are made available after a church service.
The seeker-sensitive approach makes moving forward too threatening.
Evangelism is not emphasized as it once was.
TV preachers have sensationalized the altar almost as a prop rather than a sacred place.
Fewer and fewer sermons are being preached with a decision expectation in mind. Our emphasis might be on "feel good" rather than Godly conviction for rebelliousness or disobedience.

I could go on, but I'm sure you get my point. If we do not give people an opportunity to seek God in a quiet safe place, at what point in their lives will they? Do we make an attempt to "close the deal," so to speak, or just leave it up to chance? Just asking. More people would turn to Christ if someone would just ask them to.

Personally, I think many people are frightened by the altar area. One way to overcome that is by using it as a "place of prayer" during the service — not just for those who are seeking, but for those who just need to feel closer to God and receive the support of a church family, as long as it is a safe place.

What say ye? Please leave a comment below.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

(P070202)

Mr. Haggard and His New Church

2009-11-16T02:00:00-07:00

On Thursday evening of this week, there was, for all intents and purposes, a new church plant in our town of Colorado Springs. Ted Haggard gathered a group of people in his home for a prayer meeting that will, in time, constitute a nucleus for that new church.

And so, it is nearly three years to the day from Mr. Haggard's admission to indiscrete behavior — that resulted in his resignation as senior pastor of New Life Church — that a new congregation begins, located just one mile from the church he once pastored.

The irony of all of this is that, from the very beginning, Mr. Haggard had been counseled to go to another city, complete his restoration program, experience healing in his family and with his addiction, and only then begin again. But, he has made a choice not to do that.

We, who were members of his restoration team and those who served New Life Church as overseers, wish he would not do this. We feel it to be insensitive to a church that provided generously for him and his family for over a year after his misadventure. But, more than that, he violates his own words that he would not begin a new church. Evidently, he changed his mind a week or so ago, and now calls the new endeavor a church rather than a Bible study.

Pastor Brady Boyd, the present senior pastor of New Life Church, has been very gracious to Mr. Haggard. As I talk with Pastor Boyd, there is more concern expressed for Mr. Haggard than there is about the new church plant. Let me ask you:

From what you know about the Ted Haggard situation — and knowing it is a free country — would you consider Mr. Haggard's actions proper and ethical? How would you respond if Mr. Haggard asked for your opinion? Please, let us know at pastors@family.org.

Prayers should be offered for all parties involved.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

(P091113)

Walking With Faith, Grace and Wisdom

2009-11-11T17:05:27-07:00

As most of you know, Focus on the Family will soon enter into the final phase of a multi-year plan to move forward after the ties with its founder, Dr. James C. Dobson, are officially untied. Phase 1 occurred in 2003 when Dr. Dobson stepped down as president of the ministry, turning over the reigns first to Don Hodel, and ultimately to Jim Daly. Phase 2 took place early this year when Jim and Shirley Dobson resigned from the board of directors and Dr. Dobson's position as chairman of the board. Phase 3 was announced a week or so ago, and sets the end of February 2010 as the date when Dr. Dobson will no longer be officially a part of this ministry, most notably relinquishing his job as host of the daily "Focus on the Family" radio broadcast. He will still be around from time to time, perhaps even as a guest on the broadcast. You will also hear some of his classic broadcasts from the past. You will probably see a new book or some other writings from him. And, I imagine, he will still occasionally be a guest on various TV and radio programs as he stands in the gap for families in our nation. In other words, he will probably be busier than ever serving his Lord.

A transition of this nature is very difficult. To leave a ministry one has birthed and nurtured into adulthood brings heartfelt tears to the most composed of us. You can relate somewhat if you have ever left a church you loved or maybe even one you planted. And the organization being left behind is full of mourning, too. Everyone hurts; everyone grieves; and everyone eventually learns to move on.

Earlier this week, Dr. Dobson sent a short note to the staff of Focus on the Family to let us know how he was doing. I'd like to share it with you here.

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your email messages and expressions of love and concern. This has been a very difficult week, with many stresses and challenges for everyone involved. However, the Lord has answered our prayers and we all have come to a better understanding of one another. I am still leaving the ministry on February 26th as planned, because the Lord is clearly leading us in that direction, and because the board agrees that it is the thing to do. But the hurt associated with the decision is gone. We had a wonderful conference call last night that began with prayer and ended with unity, forgiveness, and singleness of purpose. Please continue to be in prayer during this difficult time of transition.

I wish I could answer your emails and expression of concern personally, but I am receiving hundreds and hundreds of messages. I have tried to reply to them one by one all week, but I’m drowning. You may know that I am sequestered away from Colorado Springs to work on Bringing Up Girls, but haven’t written a word on it in the four days I have been here. I simply must set aside all the Focus goings-on and get to the task at hand. I say that to explain why I have written this generic letter to you all. Forgive the impersonal nature of it, and understand my dilemma.

Change is always difficult to manage, but we are determined to walk through this transition with faith, grace and wisdom. Please do hold Shirley and me, and the great ministry of Focus on the Family and its leaders, before the Lord. We all belong to Him anyway.

Thanks again for being there for us.

Jim Dobson

As our president Jim Daly said, "Needless to say, we're all thankful for the way the Lord has unfolded these events over the past several days. We're looking forward to a time of honoring Dr. and Mrs. Dobson in the months ahead, and we're also enthusiastic about what God has in store for Focus in the future."

Please pray for Dr. and Mrs. Dobson as they begin to let go of their "baby." Please pray for Jim Daly and the rest of our ministry leadership as they listen for God's guidance on where we should go next. Pray for the rest of our staff as we make the adjustments to not having our founder around or involved as much as in the past. And pray for those around the world who have come to love Dr. Dobson and all he has done to make a difference in their personal and family lives. May they rest assured that Focus will continue to be here and will continue to espouse the principles and teachings of our founder. Thank you.

(D091111)