Category Archives: ministry

by | February 10, 2012 · 1:45 pm

Yes, I Get Stressed

“How are you doing, Mr. Baker?”

What a question to ask a person lying on a hospital bed, attached to a bunch of colored wires, and aching from a harpoon in the back of his hand!

“Well, If I was doing good I wouldn’t be here, that’s for sure.”

Long story short, my wife took me to the ER because I was experiencing chest pain. The pain (a sharp, sickening feeling in my upper left chest) began to look suspiciously like a heart attack. It wasn’t, though. It’s all related to a possible ulcer, or whatever. Mostly stress.

Stress

Stress can cause a lot of problems, and pastors are subject to some of the most stress of any vocation. Bi-vocational ministers experience even more. And, because I’m lying here as the result of stress, causing my family to worry, racking up more medical bills, and wasting valuable time, I can’t help but feel guilty.

“If stress is the cause of all this,” I said to my wife, “then it makes me wonder how ‘backslidden’ I actually am?”

Now, why would I say that? Well, we’ve all been taught to “cast our burdens upon the Lord.” I’ve preached plenty of times how that “worry is a sinful” because it is “not of faith.” You see, of all people I should be an example of worry-free living. I should be able to testify to the fact that “His grace is sufficient.” But the fact is that I’m human. I do get stressed. I do worry.

Physician, Heal Thyself

It’s easy to say, “don’t worry.” It’s easy to say, “don’t get stressed.” But it’s a totally different matter when you find yourself charged with the keep of men’s souls. It is not only for myself and my family I contend, but the spiritual welfare of many, who at times, could care less.

Some have said, “Well, that’s your own fault…don’t worry about me…you live your life, and I’ll live mine.” What they don’t understand is that watching out for their lives IS my life.

For what it’s worth, if you have a pastor, keep in mind that he cares for you (or at least he should). It’s not only his job, but it’s his heart.

(NLT) Hebrews 13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

In conclusion…I’m doing OK, but I need to keep in mind my God is in control. Other than that, thank you, Liz (my nurse) for getting me out of that “second stick.”

5 Comments

Filed under Christian Living, Christian Maturity, fitness, God, ministry, Preaching

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | February 3, 2012 · 11:44 pm

A Doctrine from Eden Reborn

Once again I am writing a post on my iPhone 4, but this time my words are being composed in a hotel laundry room (believe it or not, there’s a funny story here, but I will save it for later).

And, if you remember, a couple of posts ago I promised to tell you about an unbiblical, heretical doctrine sweeping parts of the church. Since I have 30 minutes left on the dryer cycle, now is a good time.

The Beginning

In order to put things in perspective, we must start with the beginning. And when I say beginning, I mean THE beginning. Please consider the following verses, for they are critical:

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

It should be obvious, according to the above verses, that not only did God create the universe, but that the Word which He spoke was none other than Jesus Christ. The doctrine that Jesus is the “express image” of God the Father, even God Himself (Hebrews 1:3), is at the core of orthodox Christianity. Jesus was not just a good man or prophet, and neither were the words of God at creation just words spoken in faith.

Did you get that last part? That’s the part I want to address.

Faith in Words

There is a teaching still being taught that essentially says, “If you have faith in your words, as God had faith when He spoke the worlds into being, you can also create a miracle, your own reality. You can be like God, if you have the faith of God.”

Excuse me? God had faith? Really? If so, in what?

First, stop and think about this! Do you realize that God is the Giver and Author of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2), not One who puts His faith in something or someone? There is something fundamentally wrong with the idea that Omnipotence would have any reason to have faith, for the very definition of faith requires a sense of dependence. When God speaks, things happen; not because of His faith, but because He’s God!

Secondly, ask yourself, “If God had faith in His Word, then would that make Him the first Christian?” How silly does that sound? But in reality, if we are to believe that God had faith in His words, which brought about creation, then would it not stand to reason, if John 1:1 is correct, that God the Father put His faith in Jesus? Was not Jesus the Word that created all things?

Then, there is the worst part…

Words of the Serpent

Do you remember how Satan tempted eve in the garden of Eden? Remember how he tried to convince her that by eating the fruit, she could “be as gods?” How similar, then, is the promise, “If you have faith in your words, as God had faith in His words, you can create like God did?”

If you think I’m making this stuff up, my friends, consider the following statements by one of the foremost teachers of this false doctrine:

“You have the same creative faith and ability on the inside of you that God used when he created the heavens and the earth.”
Kenneth Copeland, ‘Inner Image of the Covenant,’ side 2.

“God used words when He created the heaven and the earth….Each time God spoke, He released His faith — the creative power to bring His words to pass.”
Kenneth Copeland, The Power of the Tongue (Fort Worth: KCP Publications, 1980), 4.

It may anger some of you, my readers, but please don’t be offended. Do as Paul told Timothy, “take heed unto thyself, and to [thy] doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:16). Please understand, to claim one has the power to create, as God created, is heresy of the highest order! Faith in our words, outside of faith in God, especially in order to bring about our will, as opposed to, or in spite of God’s will, is nothing less than witchcraft. Even more, it is the doctrine of Eden reborn: “you shall be as gods.”

Laundry is Done

Well, my laundry has been done for a while, now. Morning comes early.

I hope this post was beneficial to you in some way. But, if your were a Kenneth Copeland fan, I’m sorry. At least I didn’t mention Joel Osteen, so we can still be friends, right? Right?

6 Comments

Filed under Christian Maturity, cults, God, ministry, Theology, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | February 1, 2012 · 1:49 pm

Give Attention to Your Doctrine

I don’t do this very often on the blog, but indulge me for a little bit. There is more to me than funny monkeys, you know.

Every once in a while I feel the need to do a little teaching. Keep in mind, many who read this blog do not go to a church, never hear a real pastor preach, nor even read a Bible. This might be the only path through which they choose to accept Biblical truth.

I just finished recording the audio for an upcoming radio broadcast. The text from which I preached was primarily the following:

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. … Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. – 1Ti 4:13, 16 KJV

One of the greatest challenges for the preacher is to make sure his doctrine is biblical, not based on human desires, such as the desire to only hear what we want to hear. I am reminded of the what Paul told Timothy in his second letter…

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. – 2Ti 4:3-4 KJV

How many Christians (and I use that term with caution) have literally “heaped to themselves” stacks of books, CD’s, cassette tapes, magazines, study guides, and DVD’s from televangelists, conference speakers, and popular authors who preach what scratches the itching ear? People want to hear what makes them feel good, more encouraged, and can lead to a more prosperous, fulfilled life. Few want to hear the Word of God.

The challenge, then, is for the sincere man of God to give priority to what is true doctrine, not the doctrine of men. This takes serious study, a willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit, and an understanding that what is of the Lord might not be popular.

Next time, I will address what I think is one of the most un-biblical, heretical, and outlandish lies preached by “itching-ear-scratchers.” It is a false doctrine that has captivated many Christians, but is a doctrine of devils, a doctrine which has its roots in the garden of Eden.

 Can you think of what doctrine to which I am referring?  Hint: It has to do with “speaking” and “faith.”

 

1 Comment

Filed under Christian Living, God, ministry, Preaching, Theology

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

by | January 30, 2012 · 12:06 am

Monday Monkey “Monkey Meets Benny” (Episode 14)

Yesterday was the fifth Sunday of the month, and every fifth Sunday we have a singing at the church I pastor.

Our guest for the yesterday’s singing was Benny Berry. He was a tremendous blessing to us all. Check out links to his websites, below.

Anyway, I had plans to do some other stuff for this episode, but things changed when I heard the closing song in the service. The song was I Love to Tell the Story. The “story” is why Mr. Monkey and I do what we do. I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.mccanns.freeuk.com/

http://www.bennyberryusa.com/

Related articles

6 Comments

Filed under God, ministry, Monday Monkey, music, worship

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by | January 9, 2012 · 12:45 am

Monday Monkey Tree House (Episode 11)

In this episode, Mr. Monkey and the Recovering Legalist team head off to Crossville, Tennessee.

What’s in Crossville? The worlds largest tree house, of course!

The Treehouse – The Way

If you want one, there are little business cards available with information. The business card has a picture of the tree house, and right beside are the words The Treehouse – The Way. What does The Way have to do with the Treehouse? Well, as I understand it, according the Horace Burgess, the builder/owner, God told him to build it.

No joke.

A lady we know heard of our trip to the tree house. She said she had been there, so I asked her what she thought. “It was all a bunch of nothing,” she said coarsely. She couldn’t understand why anyone would build such a thing, much less visit it. She saw no value in what Mr. Burgess was doing.

To be honest, saying that God told you to build the world’s largest tree house is quite unusual. But on the other hand, I am sure many thought the same as they made fun of Noah’s ark. Why couldn’t God instruct someone to build a tree house?

Some may joke about the man and the house, but the purpose of the structure is not a joke. As a matter of fact, instead of growing crops in an adjacent field, Mr. Burgess writes the Purpose for all to see – Jesus.

Encouragement

I hope this episode of Monday Monkey will encourage you in a several ways.

First, I hope it will encourage you to something creative, something weird, no matter how silly or strange, even if it means carrying a monkey puppet around in public. Don’t let naysayers squash your imagination.

Secondly, I hope it will encourage you to visit the tree house in Crossville, TN. While there, try to make a donation to help feed the abandoned horses.

Thirdly, I hope it encourages you to pray for Bro. Horace Burgess and his ministry, however strange. If nothing else, pray for those who will visit the tree house. Hopefully, because of one man’s vision, they will also see Jesus.

Related articles

3 Comments

Filed under America, Do not judge, God, Humor, ministry, Monday Monkey, Witnessing

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | December 2, 2011 · 3:06 pm

Bad Week in Lake Wobegon

Yep, it’s been a rough week, here in Lake Wobegon. It seems that all illusions of self-sufficiency are fading away with the realization that I can’t do everything, only a few things, and not many very well.

Lake Wobegon

Some of you never listen to public radio, therefore you are probably googling the afore-mentioned town to determine its location. Don’t bother – it’s fictitious. It only exists in the mind of Garrison Keillor and the imaginations of Prairie Home Companion listeners.

In Lake Wobegon, “all the women are strong; all the men are good-looking; and all the children are above average.” There, somewhere in Minnesota, Norwegian bachelor farmers make flour for biscuits that are “pure, mostly,” and “give shy persons the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.” Everything is great there, even when things are tough. People just know how to handle things in Lake Wobegon…and if they don’t, they just eat more Powder Milk Biscuits.

The Lake Wobegon Effect

Interestingly, there is actually a syndrome which has been called the Lake Wobegon Effect. People that suffer from this think that everyone in their own group are above average, better able to “do what needs to be done.” It is described as “the human tendency to overestimate one’s achievements and capabilities in relation to others.” The effect has been observed among CEO’s, stock market analysts, college students, etc. [1] I bet it is real common with Christians, too; especially pastors.

I Need More than Biscuits

I am not above average. My middle initial is even “C.” Yet, I have been called to do a work that is far above average: imitate Jesus Christ. Now how in the name of all that is Norwegian am I supposed to do that? I’m not even a great actor, much less one who could play the part of the greatest character in the history of history (and before)! I can’t even do all that an average human needs to do, like be a good husband, father, student, or pastor.

This week, if never before, I had to come to terms with the fact that I do not live in Lake Wobegon. In my own strength everything I touch falls to pieces right before my eyes, that is, if it ever gets built in the first place. What am I supposed to do? Eat make-believe biscuits?

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. – John 15:5

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. – Philippians 4:13

Well, that makes sense, doesn’t it? If we are supposed to live like Christ and do what He calls us to do, having His power and presence in our lives would make all the difference. I wonder why I always stress out when I have so much to do, thinking it can’t be done?

Maybe I’ve been getting too many Powder Milk Biscuits, and not enough Jesus. How about you?

P.S. Your prayers would be appreciated.

 

2 Comments

Filed under Christian Living, Christian Maturity, ministry, Uncategorized

Tagged as ,

by | December 1, 2011 · 5:03 am

Keeping Watch at Night

2Samuel 7:4 “And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan…”

2:30 a.m.

Believe me, I am not one who enjoys getting out of bed before the sun even hits the snooze button on its alarm clock. If it were up to me, I would prefer stumbling to the coffee pot in daylight. But that’s not my life – I’m a school bus driver. 5 o’clock mornings are my norm.

But I am also a pastor. A shepherd. And because I am a shepherd of souls, I sometimes have to do like the shepherds of old, keep watch over my flock by night. That requires being on call all the time, including the dark times. And when I say “dark times,” I mean that literally and figuratively.

The Night

Just like the time mentioned above, sometimes shepherding involves looking out for your sheep while they sleep. In the Christmas story we read of shepherds “keeping watch over their flocks by night.” Why? Because evidently wolves and thieves work third shift, too. It’s in the dark times that pastors and intercessors are needed most.

It was in the night that “the word of the LORD came unto Nathan.” What would have happened if Nathan had refused to wake up? What would have happened had he refused to listen, but instead said, “I have GOT to get some sleep?”

This morning, at 2:30 a.m., the Lord placed a prayer on my heart. He gave me a “vision in the night.” I could have griped, rolled over, looked at the clock, and asked, “Why now?” Instead, I sat up on my elbows and began to intercede for the one God placed on my heart, and for a ministry for which he has given me a burden. What would have happened had Nathan refused the word meant for King David, all because it was after working hours? Would the Temple have been built by God’s design?

Your Call

Have you ever woken up at night with another person on your heart? When that happens, what do you do? You see, dark times come at all times, especially when it’s most inconvenient. As a matter of fact, the “darkness” may even be a difficult time in your own life. It may be in the wee hours of your own “night” that God chooses to speak.

Don’t ignore Him. He wouldn’t call in the middle of the night if it wasn’t important.

9 Comments

Filed under Christian Maturity, Christmas, Life Lessons, ministry, Preaching

Tagged as , , ,

by | November 26, 2011 · 12:04 pm

The Season Begins

So, Thanksgiving is behind us. All the cooking and Pilgrim costumes are a thing of the past. Of course, there are still plenty of leftovers to have for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late visitors, desert, bedtime snacks, brunch, and dog treats.

Now, all we have to do is look forward to the holiday renowned for peace (clearing throat in a sarcastic way).

Black Friday

For the first time ever, I actually went shopping in the early-morning hours of Black Friday. I could not convince my wife to stay in bed until the crowds were finished assaulting each other after waiting hours in the cold for the stores to open. No, we had to get up and stand in line for something they had only 50 of, even though we were 150th in line.

Eventually, after whining enough, my wife agrees to drag us to the mall. There, the stores had already been open since 4am, so the stampedes were essentially over. Everyone had a pleasant, cheerful attitude. The rest were already being booked at the county jail.

I have an idea for next year. We need to go stand in line where the first 50 customers get a new iPad3 for $25 and do some witnessing. I bet if we do our best Ray Comfort/Kirk Cameron impressions for a few hours, we’d either have a whole new congregation of believers, or we would be martyred for our faith. If not that, we would be sure to move up in line.

Recording Friday

I heard on the news that yesterday actually set some records. How ironic is that? I made a record (well, I recorded something).

Yesterday, my daughter and I recorded a radio program to be broadcast this Sunday. It was unusual to have my daughter, Katie, on the program, since it is usually a time for me to preach. Nevertheless, it was pretty cool to interview her and talk about what God had showed her in His word.

While we were in the recording mood, Katie wanted to record a song. Actually, it was a medley – “This is My Father’s World / What a Wonderful World.” I am including it in today’s post. Hope you enjoy it.

This Is My Father’s World Medley

 

4 Comments

Filed under God, ministry, Relationships and Family, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, Witnessing, worship

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | September 12, 2011 · 1:43 pm

Glass or Wood? Depends On What You’re Hiding.

It may have never crossed your mind, but for some it is a question more important than whether or not someone chooses to be a Calvinist…

Glass or Wood?

What am I talking about? Pulpits. Sacred desks. Lecturns. The piece of furniture behind which preachers stand and do battle with the devil, not to mention anoint the blessed on the front row with sanctified spittle.

Believe it or not, many have nearly gone to fists over whether the wooden pulpit should be replaced with a more modern, see-through, beautifully-etched glass one. I don’t know why it is such a big deal, except for pastors who might feel totally naked with nothing to hide behind.

On the other hand, glass pulpits have one major disadvantage – you can’t put stuff in them. If you don’t think that is a problem, then you have never looked inside one. Or, maybe you have never been in a service that required the items contained behind those sacred doors.

I’ll never forget the first time I took a pastorate and decided to inventory the items in the pulpit. I opened the doors, sat down on the floor, and quickly realized that this was a place few ever saw. If they had, they may have claimed some of the items in there for themselves, if not for the owners (which had probably been buried in the church cemetery 10 years ago).

There were old bulletins, vials of olive oil, broken pencils and pens with dry ink. There were 20-year-old mother’s day poems, and stale breath mints. In one corner was a single gold earring, a half-stick of hard chewing gum, and a dead ant. To one side was a hymnal with pages missing and a Gideon Bible. To the other side were the minutes from a 1980 business meeting and a cassette tape. There were even old illustrations typed on 3×5 cards, a laminated obituary, three Happy Meal toys, and ten broken crayons.

None of those things would look good in front of a preacher’s knees, so a see-through pulpit would be unacceptable. Even if I had a big, rotating, golden skeleton of the earth behind me when I preached, someone would get distracted. You never see Joel Olsteen standing behind stacks of paper and old candy, do you? NO!

But if we are going to keep the old pulpits in many of our churches, shouldn’t we make better use of them? Why hide away useless memorabilia, tasteless mints, and dead bugs? Why not make it a tool shed? Why not store things that could actually be used in an emergency?

Here are some suggestions:

1. A cooler. Wouldn’t that be more convenient than having a deacon bring you water that sits out and gets warm during the message?

2. An air horn. This would be to wake up the 3rd-shifters that nod off in the service.

3. Altoids.

4. Kittens. You would never have to worry about losing anyone’s attention again. When the message starts to get dull, bring out a kitten and everybody wins.

5. Flame Thrower. Would be good for self-defense and an awesome illustrative tool for evangelistic services.

6. A Fire Extinguisher. For when illustrations go wrong. Safety first, you know.

7. Sermons that Work. For those days when nothing else seems to do the trick, a book of pre-written messages could help keep the preacher from looking like he didn’t study.

Well, whichever you choose for your church, just keep one thing in mind…

2 Timothy 4:2-4 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

4 Comments

Filed under baptist, General Observations, ministry, Preaching, Southern Baptist

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | September 8, 2011 · 1:55 pm

Barriers to Church Growth. #3

A very revealing study was done, leading to a book detailing how 300 churches went from declining or dying, to growing. In Comeback Churches, written by Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, there is a list of 30 different barriers to church growth. Having received permission from the publisher (B&H Publishing Group), I would like to discuss a different barrier each week.

“God withdraws Himself from the church because of sin. He hardens hearts and gives the people over to sin (Isa. 63: 15-19; Heb. 3:12-13).

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” – Hebrews 3:12-13 KJV

Have you ever thought it possible for a church to be given over to sin? I am not talking about the “liberal” church down the street (every town has one, I suppose), but your church – my church. Is there no growth taking place? Maybe it is because of sin. Maybe it’s because of a hardened heart.

Do churches sin?

You know they do. Many times, however, the sin is not viewed as such. It is seen differently from something that smacks of unbelief. It is rarely seen as a departure from God. More often than not, the sin that churches commit is hidden or disguised with terms or labels meant to justify “an evil heart of unbelief.” Here are a few phrases you may have heard. If so, it might be time for a hard-heart check.

  • “We can’t do that.”
  • “We don’t have the funds for that.“
  • “That area of town will never be receptive.”
  • “Maybe we should just pray about it, for now.”
  • “Why do we need to change? They need to change!”
  • “We’ve never done it that way before.”

Can churches have their hearts softened?

Absolutely! God is in the forgiving business, you know. All it would take is our churches turning away from the sins that so easily beset us, like legalism, traditionalism, racism, envy, and pride…not to mention fear that God will not provide for us the ability and means to accomplish His work.

“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.” – Lamentations 3:40

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:6-7

7 Comments

Filed under book review, Christian Living, Christian Maturity, Christian Unity, General Observations, legalism, ministry, Uncategorized, worship

Tagged as , , , ,