Letters from a Pastor: Discipleship

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Dear Pastor and People,

My name is Michael. I am a pastor of a congregation of about 200 members. Since I arrived at the church over 17 years ago, I have been the only individual that can be considered the ‘church staff.’ I am beginning to see a real need for discipleship in our church. We have never had a structured program for the discipleship of new Christians. Can you provide some resources and thoughts on how to begin an effective discipleship program in our church?

Blessings,

Michael A.

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Dear Michael,

Your question and thoughts hit the bulls-eye of what is lacking in most of our churches today. In my experience and observation most church’s never disciple new Christians but expect them to blend into the

Filed under: Bible Study, Discipleship, Letters from a Pastor, Sunday School, The Christian Life, The Church

Letters from a Pastor: Balancing Ministry and Family

Pastor and People,

I have been a pastor for about 6 years in a church in Virginia consisting of a membership of about 125. Besides a part-time secretary I am the only individual on the church staff. Needless to say, I am a very busy man as I strive to meet the needs of our members and reach out to our community. I have two Sunday messages to prepare, a Wednesday night Bible study, weekly counseling sessions, committee meetings to attend and much

Filed under: Family, Letters from a Pastor, Ministry, Pastors, The Church

Letters from a Pastor: Seminary Students in Ministry

Dear Pastor and People,

How do you overcome the notion that some churches look at seminarians as “just another seminary student” and do not give them the ministry opportunities during their training time? Most do not see credibility until after one has graduated. I would not say that this applies across the board, but to a majority from what I have observed.  Currently as a pastor it is my sincere desire to assist seminary students find areas in which to serve, even before graduation.  What are your thoughts?

Terry

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Dear Terry,

Your question is a question I have asked for years. I am currently attending The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.  I have been richly blessed in both by Bible College and Seminary training.  However, the New Testament does not speak of a seminary but emphasizes the church as the training ground of which God blesses. I pray to God that churches would recognize the great need to use seminary students in training. When looking for a pastor I think the problem is that many churches look more highly on educational training than they do on their calling to the ministry and practical training experience. How do you get a church to notice you and your desire for ministry while in seminary? If you find out please let me know because this has been my problem for years and continues to be so.  It often seems seminary students are put in the background and not “worthy” or “qualified” to do anything until they graduate. I consider this a great travesty and see a church that is not living up to the NT standards to teach and train ministers of the word; after all it is the churches job to do so.

I suppose we can only be patient and trust in the kind providence of God to open doors of opportunity for us to serve Him in the church. Personally speaking, I have wanted to preach so bad sometimes and the Word has been such a fire within me I walk around my house preaching or take a walk in the woods. In other words, there must be an outlet for what God has called you to do.  If He has called you He will not leave you in the training mode forever but has a grand plan for you in His kingdom and the advancement thereof.  I appreciate your desire to assist seminary students find a place of service.  What is wrong with being in full-time ministry while also attending seminary?  A man’s usefulness is not measured by the fact of whether he has graduated from seminary.

Dustin

Filed under: Letters from a Pastor, Pastors, Seminary

Letters from a Pastor: Pastoral Depression

Dear Pastor and People,

I am at a place in ministry where I feel depressed and devoid of any desire to do ministry. How can I get help and still be effective in ministry? I feel like I am losing hope but have to act like everything is OK with my fellow brothers in ministry. They just have a get over it attitude.

Jeffrey

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Dear Jeffrey,

Your situation is the same as numerous pastors around the world. You feel as if you are ineffective in ministry because of your current state of mind and heart. You give and give and never get anything back. I know, I have been in the same exact place.

I would suggest first, to take a small break. Take a few weeks off from your pastoral and ministry duties. You are not quitting on God but simply refueling yourself. Set under good preaching and teaching during this break. Go to the outdoors and enjoy God’s creation as you read, pray, and refocus your thoughts upon His glory and call upon your life.

Your fellow brothers in ministry who feel as if you need to “get over it” do not understand the problem of pastoral depression and emptiness but will before their ministry is over. Seek the counsel of a wise older pastor who has been in the ministry for many years. Someone who understands what you are going through.

Unfortunately this is not a quick fix and one that will take much prayer, discipline, and devotion on your own part. I pray you rise forth from this valley soon!

Dustin

Filed under: Depression, Letters from a Pastor, Ministry, Pastors

Letters from a Pastor: Preaching the Old Testament

Dear Pastor and People,

I am the pastor of a wonderful, growing, and thriving church.  However, we have a situation that I would like some advice on.  We have an occasional visitor that interrupts anytime, anything about the Old Testament is being spoken of as a reference, or support chapter.  He claims that reading anything from the OT is wrong since Christians are no longer under the law. He only wants to hear about the NT.

As any pastor knows that we should never add nor subtract from the word of God, we have mentioned this to him but he rejects the OT so much that he is in some frame of mind that does not seem Godly. We are not sure where he got this from but it is surely interrupting our ministry and we are praying for him. I was wondering if you might pray about this matter and send us any advice on how to address this matter without hurting this man since he claims he was offended and rejected from his previous Pastor. He even refuses to accept the matter of tithing and only accepts the word offering.  Please advise.

Scott G.

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Dear Scott,

Thank you so much for visiting Pastor and People and asking such a good question.

A careful study of the Greek phrase (logos theou, “The Word of God”) finds over forty uses in the New Testament. It is equated with the Old Testament in Mark 7:13. It is what Jesus preached (Luke 5:1). It was the message the apostles taught (Acts 4:31 and 6:2). It was the word the Samaritans received (Acts 8:14) as given by the apostles (Acts 8:25). Paul acknowledged that it was the source of his preaching (Col 1:25; 1 Thess 2:13). In other words, your husband as a preacher of the “whole counsel of God,” must include in his preaching the Old Testament. There is absolutely no way around this.

The Old Testament is biblical history and biblical history is not an objective reporting of purely human events. It is an impassioned account of God’s acts in history as He works in the world to save his people. The OT is theological, prophetic and historical and should be preached in through this framework. The study of the OT is for the purpose of bridging a gap between the Old and New. A primary text encouraging such an approach is found int he gospel of Luke. In his post-resurrection appearance to two unnamed disciples, Jesus remarks, properly, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Lk 24:25-27). Then again to the broader circle of disciples Jesus said, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” (v. 44). It is therefore evident that in both cases Christ was speaking of the entire Old Testament. In other words, the OT does not simply provide proof texts for the coming Messiah. Its major themes point forward to Christ’s coming suffering and glory and therefore must be including in preaching. I could go on with biblical evidence for OT preaching but I will address your visitor at hand.

It sounds to me as if he does not understand the Bible with a historical and theological perspective. The Apostle Paul said he could not know his sin unless it was for the Law. If we do away with the Law we have no sin. I understand your desire to minister to this man but he must subject himself to the teaching of the Word of God, Old Testament and New, if he is to be apart of your fellowship. I would pray first and foremost that he is a Christian. Please remember as you strive to minister to him that he cannot hinder your husband from preaching the “whole counsel of God” or deprive the other members from hearing the “whole counsel of God.” Do not let him be a hindrance to the church and cause division among the other members. If he is not willing to be taught and shown the importance of the OT then the problem goes deeper than him simply disagreeing the OT. The problem stems from his view about the Bible as a whole.

Be assured of my prayer for this man and I hope this advice, what little it is, helps in some way. Please keep me updated on this situation.

Dustin Benge

Filed under: Bible Study, Letters from a Pastor, Old Testament, Pastors, Preaching