For today’s article I want to share with my readers a letter I emailed to our church membership on Friday the 11th after the election.  I received many comments of appreciation and so thought it might be good to share with a larger audience now two weeks later as some of the dust has settled. I understand that some of you will not agree or appreciate all my sentiments.  I respect that.  I understand that there are many perspectives in an election as contentious and frankly painful as this one.  Ultimately, I’m not as concerned about political unity as I am about the unity of all born-again believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.  I hope this letter will help to that end.  ​

Marks of a Faithful Pastor, Part 3: I Thess. 2:9-12

In our current series we’ve seen four marks of a faithful pastor thus far. He shows up armed with God’s good news, not empty handed (2:1-2). He’s God-tested and approved (vv.3-4a). He seeks to please God, not man (v.4b). He’s all about giving, not getting (vv.5-8). Now, if he does these well enough long enough, he will achieve the final mark of a lasting legacy (vv.9-12).

Studies in I Thessalonians: Marks of a Faithful Pastor, Part 2

Jesus is the good and great shepherd of the sheep, the faithful, model, exemplary and perfect pastor. Christ is the Teacher, Leader, Visionary and true Senior Pastor. Jesus and Jesus alone is the perfect Head of all true churches. Even on our best day, every poor pastor is but a dim reflection of the Sun, a faint echo of the Voice.

Studies in I Thessalonians: Marks of a Faithful Pastor, Part 1

What makes a model, faithful, exemplary pastor? Like many areas of contemporary church life, much confusion reigns in the congregation as to how to answer this question. Even among pastors, distractions, discouragements and detours abound. Entertainment culture mandates he be smooth, attractive and most of all, funny. Business culture says he must be a strong leader who can fill the pews and grow the bottom line. Celebrity evangelical culture says he must have some published books under his belt and be popular on the conference trail.

We humans beings are highly skilled at avoiding the unpleasant and unwanted. Like the wimpy parent with powder-keg kids: “oh, you want to eat ice cream before supper, that’s ok.” Or the professional germaphobe taking all manner of precautions to avoid a germ. Or a driver who nearly wrecks to avoid hitting a squirrel!

Sometimes people simply refuse to convert. I moved to Texas in 2000 as a Pittsburgh Steeler fan (since around 1973). I’m still one today. I could live in the Jerry Dome and I would not convert!

I arrived a Spurs fan, thanks to David Robinson and Tim Duncan. I’ve simply added tee shirts, attended games, and learned more about the team to know that the Spurs are the best team in the NBA, no matter what happens on the court! Conversion leads to actions.