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From the Pastor This is intended to be an occasional essay from me on whatever topic is on my mind at that moment. I will also share with you some important selections from prominent (and maybe not-so-prominent) Christian writers. Please feel free to contact me with comments at PastorCurt@metrocast.net.
Update
I have not updated this space for some time. There are good reasons. There are several other spaces in which I have recorded my thoughts. You are welcome to visit them - and to make comments.
First there is our weblog at Sermon Audio. That is updated regularly with information about our congregations and an occasional comment.
Next, you can check out my fairly frequent commentary at Coffee With Curt, a blog about a variety of different topics. Finally, to catch up with what's going on with the international ministry of Pastor and Sandra Lovelace, you can navigate over to the Lifework Forum website. Happy reading!
Fathers Are Shepherds
NOTE: This article is reproduced with permission from the Kairos Journal.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) Shakespeare’s King Lear is the prototypical proud, rash father. The play opens with Lear entreating his three daughters to flatter him. His eldest, Goneril and Regan, happily oblige, but Lear sees red when Cordelia, his youngest, refuses. He flies into a rage, disowns her, and divides his kingdom between the two, unworthy, older daughters. Lear’s failure as a father may be the most important theme in the entire play. Shakespeare wanted his readers to see the faults of a father destroy a family and topple a kingdom. This negative example of fatherhood cries out for a positive example—how should a father relate to his children? Paul’s wisdom for the father is twofold. First, “do not provoke your children to anger.” They, though little and immature, are nonetheless still made in the image and likeness of God. So do not bully them or mock them or dismiss them or ignore them. Not only would this provoke them to anger but it would be dishonoring to God. Second, “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Positively, a father is to nurture his children with Scripture. Fathers are not to set themselves up as the standard; they are not to do what is right in their own eyes but are instead to be men of God’s Word, men of Scripture, constantly pointing their sons and daughters to the Bible by tenderly but firmly laying the expectations of Scripture upon their shoulders. This is no small task. Furthermore, it is not a task—according to Paul—that can be finally outsourced to a school, a church, or even a wife. The Lord, in His wisdom, has decreed that the father has the final responsibility for teaching his children Scripture—and the faithful father will not shirk this important duty. For Paul, exhorting the entire congregation to holiness meant exhorting individual families to holiness. In other words, Paul did not separate private family life from public church life. Theologically, the health and unity of the Church is directly related to the health of the marriages and families within the Church. After all, local churches are simply congregations of everyday people: husbands and wives (5:22-33); children and parents (6:1-4); and, in the early church, slaves and masters (6:5-9). If these relationships are dour or unruly, the Church will suffer. Thus it makes sense in a letter where Paul is so concerned about Church unity that he would speak so directly to fathers. What father does not want to be loved and adored by his children? King Lear longed to hear all three daughters—especially Cordelia—sing his praises. But the Christian father’s ultimate goal has to be for the children to sing Christ’s praises. The Christian father cannot, of course, coerce his children into the kingdom. But he can model Christ’s love by not provoking his children to anger, and he can expose them to Christ’s Word by bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Furthermore, as every Christian father guides his own family, he will be helping his own church understand what it means to be in Christ. Indeed, every Christian father is a shepherd. 
Is Silence Golden?
I have been pretty silent in this space for quite a while. This is not because there isn't anything to write about. Quite the contrary, is true. There's so much going on around here that I don't have the time to keep the website as current as I'd like.
"Like what?" you ask. Well we've had three teams go out on short-term missions this year. I accompanied two of them. Our young people did wonderfully on both trips I oversaw. I think I can say the same for those who went to South Carolina for inner-city evengelism, although I wasn't present. You can check out some info and a few pictures at the Missions/Outreach page. As a bit of a side-note, this trip to Providence was something of a homecoming for me. I grew up in the neighborhood in which we were serving. Many of my fellow graduates from the class of 1962, Central High School are no longer living. This fact was confirmed by the classmate with who I was privileged to visit during the week. He still lives in the city, although he has travelled the world, and he has kept in touch with some of our classmates. There were many tragedies associated with that class - and that high school and city. At any rate, our visit was a great one - and I thank God for that time with my classmate, Cleveland Kurtz. Our annual "Series on the Church and Society" is concluding next week (July 29). The title this year has been "What Does it Mean to Be a Man in the 21st Century?" Immediately (literally within minutes) after that concludes our VBS team will meet to put final touches on the program which begins on Monday morning (July 30). Carol and Charlie Reed, old friends (and relatives to some in) the congregation will be leading that outreach. We have a large team of volunteers ready to serve during that week. Despite summer vacation and camping season, our congregation has continued to grow and we have had quite a few summer visitors. If you have never been here before, or if it has been a while since you visited, come on by and enjoy the warm fellowship and heartfelt worship. You are alsways welcome.
Satanism, Starbucks, and Other Gospel Challengers
Interested in a little not-so-light reading for a summer's day? I recommend this interview with Dr. David Wells of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Dr. Wells discusses the interaction of the Church with society - and strongly advises that we return to our roots, the solid preaching of the Word. The beginning of the interview can be found here: 9M: Apostles of church growth tell us that pop culture is our friend and the best vehicle for advancing the gospel. Why do you think that pop culture poses a threat to the church’s ability to hold onto and articulate the gospel? DW: Let me start by saying there isn’t a lot of difference between popular and elite culture at some points. The main difference is in the number who participate. So the real question, I think, is what does our culture, in its different layers, have in its life that is contrary to the truth of God and the gospel? That’s the question we’ve got to be asking. The people that you mentioned are asking the question, "What is it in our culture"—and the more popular the better—"that we can utilize for our own success?" These are the folks who get their surfboards out and wait for any wave that they can ride to the shore. They look at the culture as a means to their own success. What we should be doing, however, is looking at the culture—whether high or low—and asking the question, "At what points is this antithetical to the Word of God?" Now that’s a question not often asked—I don’t really see it. What’s been lost in all of this is a serious working doctrine of sin. If Barna’s numbers are correct, the majority—54 percent—of those who claim to be born again in America do not believe that we are born with a bent human nature. In theological terms, these are Pelagians. If you start with this sort of naďve, innocent view of human life, you will have a naďve and innocent view of human culture. The one carries over into the other. We today in the evangelical church don’t preach as if—and we don’t think as if—we had enemies. And that is a huge mistake.
To read the rest of this interview, click here.
Persecution, Pestilence, and PerilWe are in a strange time. Storms all over the country have wreaked havoc on families and their possessions. A woman and her grandchild were swept away by flood waters not far from our church building. Tornadoes have destroyed parts of the south again. Our nation - and many other counties around the world - are in a fight to protect their citizens from terrorists. At Virginia Tech a mad gunman snuffed out the lives of 32 people, devastating familes and causing more fear to surface. At other schools around the country stories are surfacing about possible copycats and bomb threats. Very few people in this country have any faith in their government. And the religious persecution continues; worldwide. We were warned. Jesus said that we are blessed when people persecute us (Matthew 5:11). He also told us to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Do you think He would have warned us if that persecution were not real? The Apostle Peter also warned in chapter four of his first letter: 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
17 For
it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it
begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the
gospel of God? 18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Persecutions against Christians occur daily in various places around the world. Allow me to direct you to the website of The Becket Fund for Religious Freedom. While this is not an explicitly Christian site, it chronicles cases of religious persecution around the world and therefore an important source of information for us as we pray for our brothers and sisters around the globe.
Strange times, indeed. God's timing is perfect, however. Remember Him and His faithfulness as you face your struggles in your place.
God Bless You.
Curt Lovelace
April 18, 2007
| Losing the Faith in One Generation This article is reproduced with permission from the Kairos Journal ( http://www.kairosjournal.org/index.aspx?L=1). 7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel. 8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110 years. . . 10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. 11 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. 12 And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the LORD to anger. Judges 2:7-12 (ESV) Gertrude Himmelfarb’s Marriage and Morals among the Victorians traces the abandonment of Christianity by certain descendants of the evangelical Clapham Sect, whose members included Henry Thornton and Hannah More. Indeed, so far did their offspring move from Christ that within two generations, Thornton’s great-grandson and More’s goddaughter’s great-nephew, E. M. Forster was a member of the socially dissolute Bloomsbury Set, which included Lytton Strachey and Virginia Woolf. Israel knew all about the failure to pass on God’s ways across several generations. Having brought the people into the promised land of Canaan, led them through many victories, and set a good example of trust in God, Joshua died when he was 110 years old (v. 8). After his death, other contemporaries lived on for a while, but then they too died out (v. 10a). God’s people served God faithfully as long as these eye-witnesses of God’s goodness to Israel preserved the memory of God’s greatness (v. 7). But when Joshua’s generation died out, their descendants lacked that personal knowledge of God and promptly forgot all that the Lord had done for their nation (v. 10b). The new generation’s ignorance led them into idolatry that kindled God’s anger against them (v. 11-12), beginning a cycle repeated throughout Judges (cf. 2:14-19). Somehow Joshua’s generation failed to keep the record of all that God had done for them alive. They had forgotten that the first responsibility of parents after loving God is to store God’s word in their hearts and pass it on to their children (Deut. 6:4-9; 11:18-19). Hence, the parents’ failure to pass on to their children a testimony to the reality of God’s grace and power (cf. Joel 1:3) resulted in a “generational gap.” If God’s people do not constantly ponder and pass on the good news of salvation, their children’s faith will last no longer than the morning dew.1 The Bible contains no guarantee that salvation automatically transfers from parent to child, a fact that should sober even Christ’s most faithful servants. Certainly, a mother or father’s life of holiness and biblical instruction are means by which boys and girls come to know the Lord. But family religion alone is not enough. One becomes a Christian by faith and grows as a Christian only through a deeply personal walk with Jesus, and a life that is hidden in God. It is a lesson so obvious that it is easy to forget. And it most definitely is a leading reason why Europe—once a thoroughly Christian continent—now copes with the emptiness of secularism’s spectre and countless young people who embrace no belief save nihilism. Parents and pastors know within their own families and churches how easily people presume to live on their parents’ spiritual capital. While the Clapham evangelicals are praiseworthy for their gospel stand on many social ills in Victorian England, not least child labor and the slave trade, their descendants stand as reminders that Christ cannot be received by osmosis. | 1 | The Southern Baptist Council on Family Life reported to the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention that 88 percent of children raised in evangelical homes leave church at the age of 18, never to return. |
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The State of Preaching TodayMonday, August 28, 2006 by Dr. Albert Mohler (president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity. . ." With those famous words, Charles Dickens introduced his great novel A Tale of Two Cities. Of course, Dickens had the two cities of London and Paris in mind, and much of his story revealed that the tenor of the times depended upon where one lived. In some sense, that remains true as we consider the state of preaching today. To a large degree, this depends upon where one chooses to look. On the one hand, there are signs of great promise and encouragement. On the other hand, several ominous trends point toward dangerous directions for preaching in the future. In surveying the current state of preaching, my primary concern is for preaching in the evangelical churches of North America. In these circles, preaching is generally considered to be an important part of worship and church life. Furthermore, it is generally understood to be the chief means of instructing the congregation in the Word of God and in presenting the claims of Christ. Even so, there appears to be little consensus about what preaching is to be in terms of shape, structure, substance, and subject matter. This confusion is readily seen when attending conferences on preaching or in listening to preachers talk about their own understanding of the task. Signs of encouragement include a large number of younger evangelical pastors who are unabashedly committed to biblical exposition and represent a resurgence of genuine biblical exposition from the pulpits of churches situated in every part of the country, from the inner city to the suburbs and beyond. This new generation is proving once again that the effective and faithful exposition of the Word of God draws persons to Christ and leads to spiritual growth and to the health of the church. A generation of young ministers, along with others making their way through college and seminary education, may point toward a renaissance of biblical preaching in coming years. On the other hand, several trends represent issues of genuine concern. In the main, the last few decades have been a period of wanton experimentation in many pulpits and preaching has often been redefined and reconceived as something other than the exposition and application of the biblical text. (to read the rest of this article click here).
Who Does God Hate? Warning! Warning! Warning! The material below is graphic and may be upsetting to some. It's also pretty long. I print it here so that people may see some of the sin that is being perpetrated in the name of the Church and Christ, it's Head.
December 6, 2005
Last week someone sent a copy of a URL to one of the boards I frequent. The website was something called “God hates veterans.” It is published by the same people, in Kansas, who maintain the “God Hates fags,” website.
After reading the web page, I was quite offended and I let the people responsible know how I felt. Here is the content of what I sent them:
Mr. Phelps (I will begin addressing you as Reverend on the same day I extend that extreme honor to Jesse Jackson),
I read your God Hates Veterans page. Wow. You’ve certainly got our number.
As a veteran, a confirmed Calvinist, a Christian who does not question his election, and a Baptist pastor, I must congratulate you on being the greatest bigot I have ever encountered – and I have known a few.
Yes, I hate homosexuality, perversion of all sorts, sin, and Satan. I do not, however, spread hate-filled messages throughout my universe. I can’t imagine what is gained by such foolishness. I preach Christ, and Him crucified. Yes, we must be serious and truthful about sin. We must not teach “easy-believism.” But the Gospel is, in fact, a positive message of the offer of salvation from our sinful situation. While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me.
I question your salvation. Read God’s Word as a tonic, not a toxin. Get right with God. May He have mercy on your soul.
In Christ,
Pastor Curt Lovelace
Acton-Milton Mills Baptist Church www.acton-miltonmillsbaptist.org
I was not expecting a reply, but I got one. It’s a beauty! Below you will find that reply in all its glory. I’ll leave any assessments up to the reader.
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. - This is Curt Lovelace
Shame on you!!!!
You call yourself a man of God, yet you pick at the Saints of God? You know NOTHING of God or the Bible. You need to listen to the sermon from December 4. It addresses you -
http://www.godhatesamerica.com/sound/ghfsermons/Sermon_20051204.mp3
Shame on you for volunteering to serve a nation that has forsaken God (Ps 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.) Any God fearing person would run from serving in this evil nations' armed forces. What is the matter with you? Can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Mt 16:1 ¶ The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Not only did you serve in the fag infested, God hating military, you BRAG about it. You've propped up the military and the flag as your idol and have far more reverence for them than you do the Lord your God.
You think FAR too highly of yourself.
Ro 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
You are ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and you don't even know what that means. You have to preach the WHOLE counsel of God, not just what people will pay you for.
Ac 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Mr 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Ro 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Ro 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Where is your spectacle?
1Co 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
How can you be a spectacle when no one knows who you are? It's your job to preach to this nation, and you're not doing it.
Isa 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
You are not the city set on a hill which cannot be hid.
Mt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Where is your banner?
Ps 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
Isa 13:2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
Does the world hate you?
Lu 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
Joh 15:18 ¶ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
1Jo 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
Why don't you love your neighbor?
Le 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Mt 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Your quarrel isn't with us, it's with God. God does not know you, and you're headed straight for Hell.
Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
By the way, you can take your title "Reverend" and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. Was that supposed to be an insult? All you've done is proven your total ignorance of the scriptures. The word reverend is used one time, in reference to God, not man.
Ps 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Only a fool would apply the attributes of God to himself.
It didn't escape my attention that a "Christian", "Baptist pastor", and "confirmed Calvinist" such as yourself didn't put one Bible verse to support your claims. That's incredibly pathetic. Next time you decide to take on the Saint's of God, you might want to at least try and support your claims.
Don't forget to listen to last Sunday's sermon and read all of godhatesfags.com, godhatesamerica.com, priestsrapeboys.com and smellthebrimstone.com.
Thanks for writing. You're going to Hell, have a nice day!
Katherine Hockenbarger
An humble Tachmonite, and thankful member of Westboro Baptist Church
How to Prepare for Worship This essay first appeared in the newsletter of Wallers Baptist Church, Partlow, VA, and was written by their pastor. I have taken the liberty of adapting those section which apply to a specific congregation. Our weekly meetings on Sunday are the most important meeting of the week. The gathering of the saints should be filled with joy, celebration, and learning. Through out the course of the week, we should be preparing for worship on Sunday. This month, I want to give some practical steps to help you prepare for worship.
1. Prepare for worship by spending time in prayer for the services. Throughout the week, it would benefit everyone to take extra time in prayer. A garden grows best when it is well watered and a worship service has the most impact when people are in prayer. Pray especially for the preaching of the Word, the people who will be there, and for your heart to be prepared for the receiving of God’s Word. 2. Read the text I will be preaching. A schedule of my sermon texts for the next several months can always be found at our website. 3. Come prepared to listen attentively—with your eyes, ears, and heart. With your eyes, you should be focused on the central focus of the worship service. With your ears, you should be carefully listening to the message, prayers, and songs. Finally, the heart should be focused on growing in the Lord and self examination. 4. Come equipped to listen. A Christian should bring his/her Bible to worship services – and a pen or pencil. Outlines are usually provided for Sunday morning sermons. A notebook would be helpful for the evening sermons. 5. Come ready to participate. Worship is not a spectator sport but a participatory activity. We sing to the Lord, give to the Lord, pray to the Lord, and respond to the preaching of the Lord. This should be a delight for all Christians to come and actively participate. 6. Come ready to fellowship. The purpose of our church is not only to hear the preaching of God’s Word, partake in prayer and the breaking of bread, but also to fellowship with one another. Be quick to encourage with other members of the body in the Lord and to greet visitors. Come prepared to worship and the worship services will become more meaningful. Come less prepared, while you might still enjoy the services, you miss all God has for you.
Be THE Man. A short Essay on the “Model Model” Several years ago, when I was in Australia, it would have been easy to stay on in that beautiful land. The scenery and the laid-back lifestyle were very appealing. A job would have been no worry, mate. There are so few men in the churches (or at least that was the case at that time), that they were crying out for male leadership. Such is still the case in our country. Most congregations have more women than men, including many single mothers. Why is this? It is because the church needs to do a better job of teaching men to be Godly men. Most of us who have children – and those of you who will yet have them – try to make sure that they have the essentials of life (or at least what we perceive to be the essentials). We see to their medical care; we get them into school (or homeschooling); we buy them clothing, food, bikes and gloves. But the greatest gift we can give them is a Christian dad; an example; a reason to believe us when we present them with the claims of the Gospel. This is what I call the “Model Model.” What our children see, what they experience, is what they learn. No matter what kind of educational setting they are in, we must still be their primary teachers/disciplers. We must also remember that our goal in being their teacher is not just knowledge, not just intellectual stuff. For knowledge must always promote wisdom, that is: seeing things God’s way. God is looking for leaders; not only for the current generation, but for the one after us, too. In speaking of the qualities He wants in men, God DOES NOT use the corporate model. He does NOT set quotas of any kind. He’s seeking leaders of competence and character. If a man is not accepted as a leader in his own household; if he is not viewed as a man of character w/in his own household; then he cannot be a leader – of any kind – in the church; or on any mission field, foreign of domestic. Leadership, according to God’s plan, begins in the home. Let’s look at a few verses on the “Model Model.” In Psalm 127: 4-5, we are taught that children are a gift from God. Let’s remember this “gift” when we get too busy, with life, with work, with the church. When we get too busy for our kids, then someone is going to find time for them. It may be the next door neighbor; it may be the Marxist teacher at his/her school; it may be a judge. Proverbs 31:11 says that a husband has full confidence in his wife. Having full confidence in her gives us a partner who is more likely to be a willing follower and gives our sons and daughters a model to emulate, as they watch how we work together to create a Godly marriage and family. We need to be intentional in the way we approach even the most mundane aspects of discipleship of our own children, youth in the church and other younger people who may view us as “spiritual fathers.” Here are a couple of examples of this intentionality: Submission. The only commandment given to children in Scripture is that they obey their parents (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-2). How do we teach this? How do we pass on to the next generation the concept of submission, in a God-honoring manner? Through books? Through browbeating? No, we do it the way Jesus did it! He taught submission by example. He used the Model Model. How do you relate to civil authority? How do you relate to ecclesiastical authority? Remember who’s watching. Everybody, but especially our own children. Godly Headship. Men who are husbands and/or fathers have special responsibilities – even if they never hold another position of leadership outside the home. You ARE a leader. You cannot escape that role. You can be a good leader – or you can be a lousy leader. Part of leadership is training the next generation. How do we teach leadership? MBA? Boot Camp? Modeling! Wanna teach leadership? Lead! Leadership means making decisions, sometimes hard ones. It means accepting input and treating people as valuable. Discipleship implies much more than teaching or imparting information. Jesus example with the disciples is that He walked alongside them and communicated with them. Communicate with the kids. Make yourself vulnerable, but also help them learn about wisdom. Do you lead a family devotion time? Family Bible reading? Prayer time? God is interested in leaders for today’s church. The family is the training ground He created to prepare men to be leaders.
America's Basic Problem Is A Pastor Problem By Chuck Baldwin
Food For Thought From The Chuck Wagon
May 11, 2005 | This column is especially difficult for me to write. Being a pastor for thirty years, I have come to know, love, and appreciate hundreds of fellow ministers. In fact, some of the dearest friends I have on earth are pastors. Beyond that, since I am a veteran pastor, I know firsthand the trials and afflictions that beset every pastor. I doubt that there is a tougher, more demanding profession than that of local church pastor. A pastor is never "off duty." He is literally on the job "twenty-four seven." For example, I cannot remember the last time my wife and I took a real vacation. It is even hard for me to remember the last time that I had a single day away from work, much less an entire week. In addition, a pastor's work is, for the most part, vastly under- estimated and under-appreciated. And on the whole, his pay is barely adequate. His wife and children live under microscopes and virtually everyone lays claim to his time. Furthermore, pastors are some of the most criticized and denigrated people on the planet! They constantly find themselves at the butt end of jokes and sarcasm from unbelievers and are even castigated and harangued by people within the church. Therefore, it is no wonder that pastors are leaving the ranks at record numbers and are wandering from church to church like gypsies. No wonder so many pastors' children turn out bad, and no wonder so many pastors are having stress-induced heart attacks. With all of that said, however, it still behooves me to very frankly say that America's basic problem today is a pastor problem! Our nation is collapsing from within because pastors are sitting idly on the sidelines, refusing to be trumpets for truth! With all of the duties and responsibilities associated with the pastor's job description, no duty or responsibility is any greater than that of being God's watchman! Unlike any other, the pastor stands as a voice for truth in the midst of a cacophony of lies and distortions. The pastor's job description cannot be written by a church committee, denominational council, the Chamber of Commerce, or the U.S. Congress. His job description has already been written. It is contained within the pages of Holy Scripture. Upon close examination, one can clearly see that one of the most important of all the preacher's duties is that duty which God gave to Isaiah: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression." (Isa. 58:1) Furthermore, Isaiah was not the only under-shepherd to receive such a charge. God told Jeremiah, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jer. 1:10) Remember, too, that John the Baptist went to prison and eventually lost his head, not for preaching the Gospel, but for boldly denouncing Herod's adulterous relationship with his brother's wife. Furthermore, the boldness of men such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist has been the pattern of genuine preachers throughout history. Men of God throughout the ages have possessed the same sort of grit and character as was found in Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Simon Peter, and the Apostle Paul. They were courageous, uncompromising men! They feared no man, be he politician or potentate! They attempted to please no man or group of men! They were untouchable, incorruptible, indefatigable proclaimers of truth! When Germany and Switzerland needed reformation, there was Luther and Zwingli. When Scotland needed liberation, there was William Wallace, supported by numerous Scot preachers. When England needed someone to help rid it of slavery, there was Wilberforce and his band of committed clergymen. America, especially, has enjoyed a plethora of firebrand preachers. In fact, the American revolution would never have taken place but for the preaching of Jonathan Edwards, John Witherspoon, John Leland, and hundreds like them. So, what has happened to the current generation of preachers? How is it that there is such a dearth of leadership from America's pulpits? Where is the loud, clarion call for truth? Where are the preachers who are willing "to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down"? Where are the courageous, fearless, undaunted men who would rather die than compromise? Instead of championing truth, today's pastors champion political parties. They cater to wealthy contributors. They wiggle around controversy and grovel before government bureaucrats. With an all-consuming passion to "succeed," they avoid preaching "negative" sermons. They take great pains to never be confrontational. Their current pastorate is merely a "stepping stone" to the next big opportunity. They read all the latest and greatest "how to" books. Their messages are more noted for what they do not say, and they don't mind talking about sin as long as they don't have to name it. Of course, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that today's avant garde preachers are being cheered on by a host of friends and supporters. After all, look at the "big" churches in America today. What do you see? Do you see "big" pastors marching in pro-life rallies? Do you see them carrying placards outside of abortion clinics? Do you see them rushing to the side of Terri Schaivo? (In this regard, the Rev. Jesse Jackson was willing to do what not one "big-name" evangelical leader was willing to do. Amazing!) Do you hear them challenging President Bush when he refuses to assist Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore or when he increases federal spending for abortion providers or when he appoints numerous open homosexuals to high public office? Make no mistake about it, the actions and inactions of "big-name" pastors are meticulously calculated. They have been well-schooled in the art of what is socially and politically acceptable and what is not. And they are rewarded, are they not, with bigger and bigger congregations and greater and greater notoriety? So, where is the incentive for the "little" preacher to speak out? For example, I could not count the numbers of people who have privately told me how much they appreciate my public stand for this issue or that. They have slapped me on the back and said, "Go get 'em." But, where do they attend church? Where do they give their financial contributions? At the "big" church where the pastor won't say "boo" to the devil. Whether they attend my church or not is not the point, of course. I'm only attempting to point out that the American people have chosen with their feet and with their wallets what kind of pastors they want! However, is not the man of God instructed to be faithful "in season and out of season"? I would further argue that when truth is unfashionable, the true prophet can be counted on to preach it with even more conviction and clarity! As Martin Luther said, "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved. And to be steady on all the battle fields besides is merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point." In addition, has it ever been popular to be God's man? Did not the prophets and preachers in Bible days sometimes pay a horrific price to be faithful? In fact, try to name a Bible preacher that wasn't thrown in jail at least once! I submit that it has never been easy or popular to be a man of God, but what I want to know is, when did men of God decide that it should be? I truly believe that if enough preachers would decide to be the courageous proponents of truth, as were our ancestors, and would determine to preach the truth without fear or favor regarding any person or political party, they could turn our ship of state around post-haste! I further believe that if they don't do it soon, it will be (if it's not already) too late. Furthermore, if and when the funeral wreath is hung on the door of America, historians will correctly record that it was our pastors who let her die. Solve the pastor problem and America's basic problem is solved. © Chuck Baldwin NOTE TO THE READER:
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April, 2005 - Biblical Church Growth Note: This is a very abbreviated version of the fine article by Dever. Basically I have included just the introduction and the conclusion. In between is some good Bible teaching. If you would like to read the whole article – and I hope you do – please click here. And check out the entire 9Marks website starting at www.9marks.org. By Mark Dever How can you have a growing church? According to the advertisements in a recent issue of one prominent evangelical magazine, churches can grow by attending a seminar on effectively training church leaders in the local church; by ordering some new Sunday School literature; by buying electrical communications gear from a store in Alabama; by picking the right study Bible or Christian book, the right college or seminary. One prominent seminary, if you enroll, claims to "empower you to be a world changer." Church growth today is big business. Many people, from bureaucrats in declining denominations, to sociologists of religion, to earnest young evangelical pastors, would like to know what a growing church is like and how to have one. The apostle Paul knew that fundamentally a growing church is made up of growing Christians. And so he took time to pray for and to instruct the Christians he knew. And by God's grace, the church grew. {Here is a fine exposition of 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:12, which I have excluded for the sake of brevity. Please go to the 9Marks website to read it.} Conclusion This is the apostle Paul's example to us for what to do in order to help a church grow. Did you take note of what Paul did, when he wanted to see this church grow? He did what you should do if you want to see your church grow, or any other church, for that matter--He interceded for them to be holy and loving, he implored them to be holy and loving, and he instructed them in how to be holy and loving. It's no accident that Paul was so concerned for these Christians to be holy and loving. Because God has called the church together, in order to be a picture, a reflection of His character. So in being holy and loving, these Christians would reflect the character of their Father, who has shown Himself to be, perhaps more than anything else, holy and loving. The way to be a growing church then, is by reflecting the character of the one who called us to be a church in the first place. After all, if we're not going to do that, we're not growing anyway, however many people may be coming along. If we grow as Christians, or as churches, we grow for His glory--not our own. And I think that is the way we will see real growth. Listen to Paul's closing prayer for the Thessalonians at the end of this letter (5:23-24): "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." At the end of the day, then, our growth in holiness is a promise.
Spring, 2005
- Betterment By Email; The Real Way to Happiness
The Internet is a wonderful thing. It affords common folk
access to information which may formerly have been difficult, if not
impossible, to obtain. It also allows us to exchange messages, sometimes
instantly, with people across the street or across the globe. The Internet
keeps changing and evolving. It’s not possible to know what marvels it will
bring into our lives in the next five, 10 or 15 years.
This technological revolution, of course, brings with it an
attendant set of problems. These are well documented. Pornography, bogus
information, and viruses which can destroy our computers are but a few issues
which have been keeping ethical, technical and legal minds whirring.
Those of us who use email regularly often suffer from the
blight known as spam – email junk mail. Downloading one’s mail can be exciting,
frustrating, or downright infuriating. We employ filter programs and “spam
blockers,” but they only keep a small percentage of the unwanted mail from
reaching our computers. Spammers constantly find new ways to skirt the
parameters of the filters. On any given day, an email user might receive offers
to buy real estate, get a better mortgage rate, gamble, or see pictures of
naked people.
Lately, a lot of the spam has come in the form of
opportunities to better ourselves. Pills are offered which will increase the
size of various body parts, or help us lose inches from the waistline. We can
reduce our debt and get a free digital camera with one easy click of our mouse.
Many of us receive two or three offers each week to help some poor Nigerian
reclaim millions of dollars from banks in Africa
– and receive a handsome percentage ourselves.
Recently an innocuous looking email has begun to recirculate
which offers a booklet – and a form of salvation. Sent by “TWTH,” the email
offers a booklet which can show us “The Way To Happiness.” With a minimal
amount of effort one can find out more about this booklet and the foundation
which publishes it. By its own definition, TWTH Foundation is out to save the
world. Here’s the foundation’s self-description form its website:
The Mission of The Way to Happiness Foundation
International is to bring about a much greater degree of friendship, agreement
and harmony amongst all peoples of earth.
This Mission is accomplished by the distribution of The Way to Happiness
booklet, which gives 21 common sense guidelines for life that bring people,
nations and races into a better understanding with each other.
The Way to Happiness booklet contains the formula for happier living for
the individual – and for all mankind!
At first glance, this mission certainly seems commendable.
There’s something missing however – God. While the publishers claim that this
booklet contains “the formula for happier living for the individual – and for
all mankind,” the formula intentionally excludes God. “The Way to Happiness was
specifically written as a non-religious work,” states the website. They don’t
want to offend people, it seems. Nor will they with this booklet, full of what
its authors call “practical wisdom.”
Just a look at the chapter titles confirms the non-controversial and
non-confrontational nature of the “formula.”
1. Take Care of Yourself
2. Be Temperate
3. Don’t Be Promiscuous
4. Love and Help Children
5. Honor and Help Your Parents
6. Set a Good Example
7. Seek to Live
8. Do Not Murder
9. Don’t Do Anything Illegal
10. Support a Government Designed and Run For All the People
11. Do Not Harm A Person of Goodwill
12. Safeguard and Improve Your
Environment
13. Do Not Steal
14. Be Worthy of Trust
15. Fulfill Your Obligations
16. Be Industrious
17. Be Competent
18. Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others
19. Try Not to Do Things to Others That
You Would Not Like Them to Do to You
20. Try To Treat Others as You Would Want Them to Treat You
21. Flourish and Prosper
Most of that sounds pretty good – and nice. The problem is
that it’s wrong. While following this formula may lead to better
relations with other individuals and maybe even between nations, it cannot lead
to eternal happiness. Theirs is, however, a document which proclaims,
authoritatively, how to end up happy. It’s called the Covenant of Grace. Long
ago, God promised that He would be our God and we would be His people. This
promise was to be “eternal.” It has never been rescinded.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches us that
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” It’s no mistake
that the Westminster Divines put this question and answer first in their
catechism. They knew that it is of the utmost importance that we first glorify
God. All that is good; all that is right; all that is eternally important flows
from the recognition of God as God.
Another recognition missing from the formula of TWTH, is the
fact of sin. That man is a sinner is a foundational fact of life. Because we
sin we are incapable of keeping God’s law. In order to achieve the happier life
promised by TWTH, every person on earth would need to keep each of its
commandments. Though it can be in no way equated with God’s Moral Law, the
formula of TWTH is still too hard. Sin bars the way. Only one way remains.
Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. Without accessing the power of
Christ’s atoning work on the cross of Calvary,
one cannot achieve eternal happiness.
The Way To Happiness is simply another attempt to
takeover; to hijack the truth of God’s Word. There have been many such
attempts. They’ve been know by various names: theological liberalism, cultural
liberalism, “New Age” religion, rationalism, pop psychology, psychiatry,
“modern” science, the new hedonism (you know, the sexual revolution). Each of
these is an attempt to make us feel better; to bolster our self-esteem; to
reach our full potential – to find the way to happiness. This is Satan’s way to
accomplish just the opposite. God’s Word teaches that without Jesus we can all
feel better all the way to Hell.
Christmas, a Family HolidayChristmas means a lot of different things to people. For some it’s shopping. For others it’s receiving the fruits of those shopping trips. For others it means the Football Bowl season. Some folks are sad at this time of the year because they are remembering lost loved ones. Despite arguments regarding the “commercialization of Christmas,” and campaigns to “Keep Christ in Christmas,” I like this time of year. I don’t have any problem with shopping, gifts, lots of food, football, or grieving during this season. None are evil activities in and of themselves. We simply must remember the real focus of the season: Jesus Christ! December 25 is surely not an accurate date on which to celebrate His birthday. I don’t care. I like the idea of celebrating it. I think it is good and proper to remember the birth of the savior of the world. Church services and Bible studies throughout the month of December will celebrate the prophecies of His birth and their fulfillments. We will be reminded that He came to earth as a gentle lad in order to fulfill one task – going to the cross of Cavalry to pay the price for my sins. It is good to be reminded of such things. We have a lot of things right about our Christmas celebrations, so long as we don’t go overboard with any of our traditions. It is a time when families tend to get together, and attention is given to the newest and youngest members of each clan. The giving and receiving of gifts, when kept in a reasonable perspective, is a good reminder of the great gift of salvation which Christ has offered to each of us. This is also a good time of year to invite people to church. We’ve all heard of the “Christmas and Easter Christians,” those who only show up at those two times of the year. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have them in church where they can hear God’s Word and be around Christian families. I’m not one to turn down an opportunity to tell people about the Savior. So, however, you celebrate the Christmas season, do all things in moderation, drive safely, and remember Jesus. After all, it is His party!
Thanksgiving Day – Every DayThanksgiving isn’t a holiday, it’s an attitude; a way of living. It’s the attitude which should be evident in a Christian’s life. Yes, we have to put up with a lot in our daily lives which doesn’t make us thankful. Life can be unpleasant at times. As I write this short message, it’s a lovely fall day in New England. But it has been cold and windy and grey for several days in the past week. Even on those unpleasant, nasty days, we can be thankful to be alive. We can be thankful for the rain, which we usually need. We can be thankful for the roof over our heads and the heat in our homes. It’s a matter of focus. Do we focus on the rain or on the goodness of God in the midst of the rain? Life is so much more than the unhappy incidents and days in our lives. Consider the attitude of Scottish minister Alexander Whyte who was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, “Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this.” Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, “We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this.” God’s Word says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). The key phrase here is “in Christ Jesus.” For those who are in Christ Jesus have a lot for which to be thankful. Christians are part of a worldwide family of folks who are safe from Hell. Jesus died on our behalf. Not only do we have eternity with God to look forward to, but we have many benefits here on earth. In the midst of our daily struggles we can take time to be thankful to God for His mercy and grace to us. It doesn’t mean we walk around with a plastic smile on our faces, denying the realities of the world. It means that we can put things in the proper, eternal, perspective. Thanksgiving Day was begun as a day of prayer and Bible reading. It was intended as a day of reflection on the goodness of God. We can continue that tradition – and still enjoy family, friends, turkeys, pies and football! We can take time during the day to remember the goodness of God. We can also begin, right now, to cultivate an attitude of regular thanksgiving – every day. We don’t need to wait for a day in late November to be thankful to God. He doesn’t wait for one specific day to bless us. He does that every day. Happy Thanksgiving. May you have a wonderful day. Pray for our young people in uniform.
Why I Won’t Be Celebrating Halloween I’ve always been uncomfortable about a holiday that makes light of witches, goblins, and death. The holiday which is celebrated by many in this country at the end of October is viewed as nothing but a little fun, but there are other ways to have fun. In God’s Word we are told, “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Any one who does these things is detestable to the LORD….” (Deut. 18:10-12a). That’s quite a catalog of dabbling on the dark side. While we do not claim that those who dress up as witches are joining them in their detestable practices, we must still ask the question, “why emulate these things which God detests?” This is why I recommend, instead of the prevailing holiday, a commemoration of the beginnings of the Reformation. On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the University Church in Wittenburg, Germany. This set off the chain of events we today know as the Reformation. Many heroes of the faith stood up against a corrupt church and corrupted governments during the sixteenth century. They brought the church back to believing in Christ as the Head of the Church and the Bible as His Word. They also were responsible for the acceptance of the Bible being printed in the languages of the people. The Reformation has spawned many remarkable movements, including free education and modern governmental systems. As with every historical movement, the Reformation had its excesses. Wars were fought, brothers offended, exiled and excommunicated. The Reformation, however, was a movement of saintly men and women being moved by the Holy Spirit of God. I recommend that this be the holiday we all celebrate at the end of the month. If you’re invited to a costume party, why not go as a sixteenth century character. Do some research, be able to tell people about your character. Even better, why not throw a Reformation Party. Sixteenth century snacks (no knives and forks), clothing, maybe even games could be a part of your party. This seems a finer way to honor God’s people than that other alternative. Enjoy, and remember Martin Bucer!
Tempis Fugit - September, 2004Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Time marches on. It’s funny how we can just realize one day that the summer’s almost gone, or the school year’s winding down, or our kids are all grown up. It's time to change the timer on my back porch lights. It’s getting dark earlier – already. Did we have a summer this year? Where does time go? Well, of course time doesn’t go anywhere. It plods along at the same pace, day after day, year after year. Our pace changes, though. Our lives are in constant change – new phases of life, different jobs, new-found friends, deaths, births – and it seems like we’re always in a hurry. It’s true, there’s no time to waste. Man knows not his time (Ecclesiastes 9:2). We might be called away by the Father at any moment. Maybe, though, we need to adjust our thinking about what’s so important, what keeps us so busy. Time’s really precious. It’s a gift. It shouldn’t be wasted. This does not mean, however, that we should always be in a rush to “get important things done.” There are some things that are very important, but don’t have to be done in a hurry. Here’s a very short list. - Spend time with family. God placed us in families. He created the whole concept of family in the first place. We should make time to enjoy the members of our family when we can – and not only when we have an agenda.
- Spend time with our Christian family. God has also made those of us who are Christians brothers and sisters. Spending some leisurely time with one another is no waste of time. It doesn’t have to include making lists of what needs to be done at the church, how much money we need for projects, or how bad the pastor’s tie looked Sunday. It should be with talk that would not dishonor God, but the topics of discussion can be very mundane. This is time well spent.
- Read God’s Word. A little time spent reading the Bible is time well-spent. It doesn’t have to be a deep theological study (although it can be). You don’t have to always have a pencil when you’re reading it. Just spending ten or 15 minutes reading a psalm can be one of the most important times of your day.
- Talk with people about God. This doesn’t take a theologian. Just telling people about your own relationship with God can bring everlasting results.
Ephesians 5:16 tells us that we need to redeem the time, because the days are evil. That means don’t waste time. We need to understand, however, that how we view wasted time and how God views it might be totally different. Yes, there are things that need to be done. Yes, we need to make a living and take care of the everyday things. God calls us to remember what’s truly important, though. Serving God, by serving His people, is of the utmost importance. Sometimes this is accomplished by slowing down – and helping others to do that, too. This way we can listen – and appreciate what He has done for us.
July, 2004 - Morality CountsAs I write this, the US Senate is getting ready to kill the Family Marriage Amendment. This is a simple documents which states: Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.
In other words, this amendment is intended to preserve traditional marriage. But as a result of political naivete on the part of many Christians, infighting among Republican legislators, and turf battles being waged between Christian ministries, this amendment is being pushed aside in the Senate. This is a watershed moral issue for Christians. If we believe that marriage is ordained by God as the union of one man and one woman, we should do all in our power to protect that instuition. I would never advise readers of this website who they should vote for in any election. I would say, however, if your elected officials do not represent your moral standards, then they should be rejected at the polls. Legislators are ignoring Christians who call, write and email about this issue because they feel it's safer to ignore us than the very strong homosexual lobby. That's our own fault. For more information on this issue, follow these links: http://www.bpnews.net/ www.maydayformarriage.com.
May, 2004 - Linebacker Christianity
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death--
even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) …Even death on a cross! That’s what it meant for God almighty to show His great love for us. He left heaven…. Yet, how many of us, who say that we want to imitate Christ, will leave the comforts of home to go out and serve Him by serving His people? Allow me to introduce you to the Rev. Kenneth Hutcherson, a former middle linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, who finished his football career in Seattle.
A middle linebacker is the quarterback of the defense on a football team. He needs to read the offense. He also has to be one of the toughest and most versatile players on the field. When commentators want to indicate how tough a player is, they compare him to a linebacker. Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers, one of the toughest players in the league, is often described as having the mentality of a linebacker.
Pastor Hutch, as he is called, started the Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, Washington after his playing days were done. As a pastor, he’s still acting like a linebacker.
On May 1, responding to the nationwide threat against the traditional – and Biblical – family, he sponsored “Mayday for Marriage.” He and his congregation rented Safeco Field in Seattle for two hours and brought in pro-family speakers. When families in his congregation sought to adopt children, but had problems with adoption agency fees, Pastor Hutch started an adoption agency – charging no fees. This is what I think of as “Linebacker Christianity.” Christians are called to be tough and versatile - and to stand up to the onslaughts of society. We have to cultivate the mindset of the linebacker in order to to be fully obedient in a hostile environment. I nominate The Rev. Kenneth Hutcherson to the Christian Linebacker Hall of Fame. Do I hear any more nominations? Email me your nominations with brief descriptions of why the nominee should be elevated to this prestigious position. I will be glad to post the nominations for all suitable candidates. To make a nomination, click here.
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