tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.comments2013-10-05T08:12:47.308-05:00Musing About MinistryPastor Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12082526791739643120noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-72407970901491871592010-12-18T07:39:53.405-06:002010-12-18T07:39:53.405-06:00Thanks Ben, that is a good point. When done in sp...Thanks Ben, that is a good point. When done in spirit of self sacrifice this is entirely different than what I was discussing.<br /><br />But I will also point out that there are many, many pastors today who are assisting smaller works without the benefit of financial security. They live at risk, but confident of Paul's testimony in Philippians 4.10-20. (Incredible passage everytime I read it.)Pastor Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12082526791739643120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-1733674504637235082010-12-17T18:51:46.706-06:002010-12-17T18:51:46.706-06:00Tim, I'm glad to see you began blogging again!...Tim, I'm glad to see you began blogging again! Much more disciplined about it than I could ever be :) I don't know if you considered it, but there is another side to the not paying the pastor that is not about saying whatever you want and that is being able to take no or a greatly reduced paycheck in order to assist a smaller work or a church plant until they can get on their feet and afford a full time pastor. I see that as a huge benefit to the church, not to get them out of paying a pastor, but to allow them to funnel money into outreach towards growth.<br /><br />-Ben HowardBen Howardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-50335445609232521612009-07-08T00:27:08.225-05:002009-07-08T00:27:08.225-05:00YES, YES, YES and AMEN! great thoughts, Tim. I be...YES, YES, YES and AMEN! great thoughts, Tim. I become less and less political every year, and more concerned that the church focus on Christ and proclaiming him. I know the post is months old, but I couldn't resist commenting.<br /><br />BenBen Howardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-14873471408762707022009-07-08T00:01:21.258-05:002009-07-08T00:01:21.258-05:00Tim, glad I found your blog. Boy, do I wish I cou...Tim, glad I found your blog. Boy, do I wish I could go on a long run with you and discuss this on the road. Oh well, that's life. I do see it a little bit differently and did sign it myself. I agree with Tom that a major focus of it is on the need to restructure the SBC entities, which is what Dr. Chapman strongly objects to in article 9. (it was a much stronger statement in that regard until it was watered down) I think that are state and national level entities are bloated and taking up fewer and fewer dollars that should be used in direct Great Commission endeavors. When you see that only about 2% of all CP dollars given last year made it to the IMB, to me that shows signs of needed adjustment in our structure. I don't think it needs to be scrapped, just refined. Also the GCR document addresses the fact that there are many different ways that we "do church", all of which are valid as long as we all come together in agreement around the fundamentals agreed to in the BFM(2000). As a final point of strong agreement, there are definitely many pastors in our Convention, some that you and I are both familiar with, who are anything but good expositors of God's Word. Sorry to voice a little disagreement with you on my first response, but I do love the discussion. God bless you, brother! Best wishes on getting back to running as well!<br /><br />In Christ,<br />Ben<br /><br />PS: wow, I just realized I disagreed with Joel...I may have to completely rethink my position :)Ben Howardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-56710931796535139592009-05-07T10:02:00.000-05:002009-05-07T10:02:00.000-05:00If we sign it, we won't have to do it. :-(
I ha...If we sign it, we won't have to do it. :-( <br /><br />I haven't signed it either although I want to, but I remember that in 2000 with the blueprint for a new century or whatever it was called, the same kind of over the top enthusiasm has produced not just no noticeable effect, the indicators show a downward trend.<br /><br />Now the Trustee chair for NAMB is saying to join NAMB and IMB into one big board. I think much of it has to do with restructuring rather than repentance and evangelism.Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-8314880226094292872009-05-06T09:16:00.000-05:002009-05-06T09:16:00.000-05:00Right on, my brother! I've felt the same way since...Right on, my brother! I've felt the same way since the hoopla began a couple of years ago. All I can figure is that the SBC wants to take the "Battle for the Bible" to the next level, and at least say so in print. The fact of the matter is that winning the controversy over biblical authority hasn't produced the numbers of baptisms that the SBC was hoping for (though, hopefully, we'd agree that those numbers could be abysmally worse had the biblical authority issue not been addressed). That may be due to a lack of evangelistic zeal, a more sincere approach to baptisms (not so easy-believism), a greater challenge to postmodernity, or more, but the emphasis from GCR hasn't changed my approach to sharing the gospel and yet God has seen fit to lead our church in more mission trips and greater giving and praying and lives surrendering to Him. Thus, the biblical authority issue demands a Great Commission approach, even if it doesn't look like what the SBC wants it to look like. Keep blogging!<br />Joel BreidenbaughAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-33643463877273820642009-05-01T07:34:00.000-05:002009-05-01T07:34:00.000-05:00That quote by Gordon makes me think about the perc...That quote by Gordon makes me think about the percentage of my messages where a person could walk and say what my main thrust was. I like the "quotable Thursdays"Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-63006818914368970842009-04-29T08:33:00.000-05:002009-04-29T08:33:00.000-05:00Pastors especially need those kind of relationship...Pastors especially need those kind of relationships but not only with other pastors but also with people in our own church.Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-23192760571063171062009-04-10T09:38:00.000-05:002009-04-10T09:38:00.000-05:00Good quotes, but Chuck Kelly's was excellent.Good quotes, but Chuck Kelly's was excellent.Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-66174421979233737792009-04-01T13:56:00.000-05:002009-04-01T13:56:00.000-05:00StevenI enjoyed reading some of your resurrection ...Steven<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed reading some of your resurrection debates on your blog. <BR/><BR/>I appreciate that you recognize that the resurrection question is a really big deal upon which everything hinges.<BR/><BR/>May the truth find as you search for it.<BR/><BR/>TimPastor Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12082526791739643120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-36634118433184877682009-04-01T10:03:00.000-05:002009-04-01T10:03:00.000-05:00Can we really be certain that Paul was right when ...Can we really be certain that Paul was right when he said that Jesus 'became a life-giving spirit'?Steven Carrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11983601793874190779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-35719371265264092312009-03-31T09:49:00.000-05:002009-03-31T09:49:00.000-05:00Thanks for the feedback guys.So maybe conflicted i...Thanks for the feedback guys.<BR/><BR/>So maybe conflicted is too kind of a description for Jonah at the end.<BR/><BR/>I don't know if I see rebellion at the end. I'm not saying it is what I want for me or my church members, but I think it is different from rebellion.<BR/><BR/>His prejudice and selfishness are robbing him of great joy. They are keeping him from seeing things as God sees them.<BR/><BR/>He is still wrestling with God (and losing) when he should be yielded. Which I guess is rebellion.<BR/><BR/>It is so possible to do the right thing and completely miss the blessing. Particularly for the minister.Pastor Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12082526791739643120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-67219713958088476112009-03-31T07:11:00.000-05:002009-03-31T07:11:00.000-05:00Tom: He may be running away faster, because his ba...Tom: He may be running away faster, because his bad attitude has hardened. He doesn't even answer God at the end. Tough, but instructive case study.<BR/><BR/>Tim: Great insights. I really enjoy Jonah, and you gave me reason to go back and review and study it. Thanks!Jeremy Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598418439914012036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-72318956364594260252009-03-30T17:49:00.000-05:002009-03-30T17:49:00.000-05:00Good comments. I am finishing Jonah this Sunday AM...Good comments. I am finishing Jonah this Sunday AM. In the end he is still running as fast from God's will as he was in ch. 1.Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-77610801522206776832009-03-29T04:15:00.000-05:002009-03-29T04:15:00.000-05:00Great insight. Thanks for sharing this. I'm goin...Great insight. Thanks for sharing this. I'm going to share it with my pastor here in Oklahoma. Maybe we can get him to come here. selahVselahVhttp://selahvtoday.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-1493377127815779392009-03-24T17:32:00.000-05:002009-03-24T17:32:00.000-05:00This is very good. It's a terrific series for Wedn...This is very good. It's a terrific series for Wednesday nights.Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-56514501862873657222009-03-20T09:29:00.000-05:002009-03-20T09:29:00.000-05:00A thought provoking idea on that imbalance of powe...A thought provoking idea on that imbalance of power. This should motivate more of us to actively pray for Christians in political life and for the pastors who serve our country in a real way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-76890560173615763322009-03-20T08:21:00.000-05:002009-03-20T08:21:00.000-05:00Moff -- thanks for sharing your experience. I hav...Moff -- thanks for sharing your experience. I have been tremendously impressed with Jindal and after reading your blog, I am a fan!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-55689528352919747372009-03-16T09:06:00.000-05:002009-03-16T09:06:00.000-05:00These last 2 posts are really connected. Ministry ...These last 2 posts are really connected. Ministry is messy and has little to do with our preparation except, of course, our spiritual prep work.<BR/>Really good stuff!Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-56220385774021598022009-02-25T12:00:00.000-06:002009-02-25T12:00:00.000-06:00Thanks for your thoughts. We seem to have similar...Thanks for your thoughts. We seem to have similar thoughts and questions. (Which surprises me about the silence of the commentaries.)<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed preaching it but I may not ready to build an entire theology out of this passage.Pastor Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12082526791739643120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-91922565037195771052009-02-25T07:08:00.000-06:002009-02-25T07:08:00.000-06:00A good question, and like you said, most commentar...A good question, and like you said, most commentaries fail to even try to answer the hardest questions.<BR/><BR/>I think that although Jesus was concerned with the man's illness, He knew what was really bothering the man and those carrying him, his sin. So just as Jesus knew what His enemies were thinking, He knew what his friends, including the sick man, were thinking also.<BR/><BR/>I also wonder about this conversation about Jesus seeing the other men's faith and forgiving the man. It may be that this was one of those situations where God made a special exemption (which also bothers me a little). <BR/><BR/>It may also be like Peter and John being asked for money but gave the man healing (Acts 3). <BR/><BR/>I'm probably no more help than the commentaries.Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-18386633664962061472009-02-21T12:21:00.000-06:002009-02-21T12:21:00.000-06:00You said, "In his book Authentic Spiritual Mentori...You said, "In his book Authentic Spiritual Mentoring, Larry Kreider tells the story of a child who apparently has fallen out of bed during the night. When his parents asks what happened the child replies, "I guess I stayed too close to where I got in."<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, that seems to also describe the faith of so many who fill our pews each Sunday morning. Believers, but still not far from the point that they "got in"."<BR/><BR/>I say AMEN!! It is sadly an accepted behavior in our churches. In my own life, as I am reading Attributes of God (Tozer), I am astonished at how this all seems so new to me.. Like a fresh idea. I often times feel very childish in the things of Christ when I grew up surrounded by him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-26205892726518197692009-02-04T17:14:00.000-06:002009-02-04T17:14:00.000-06:00I came back because something hit me a few days ag...I came back because something hit me a few days ago... <BR/>The MOST amazing part of your post was in the first sentence: "our quarterly business meeting didn't take very long this evening" <BR/><BR/>Amazing!Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-91939412241628362762009-01-29T08:22:00.000-06:002009-01-29T08:22:00.000-06:00Good stuff. I am preaching on Revival from Nehemia...Good stuff. I am preaching on Revival from Nehemiah 8-9 this week. I am afraid that we have wanted revival/awakening because it will deal with social wrongs. God wants revival/awakening because it connects us to Himself and brings glory to Him.Tom Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02012097109190501582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871920111311048760.post-77825098625754970992009-01-29T08:02:00.000-06:002009-01-29T08:02:00.000-06:00Amen! Last week I read the 2nd chapter in the boo...Amen! Last week I read the 2nd chapter in the book The Truth War by John MacArthur. I came away thinking how often when we think we're standing up for the "right" thing we're really being distracted and missing sharing the gospel! Exactly what you said here. Thanks for writing that and for God giving you the opportunity share His truth with your congregation after the meeting!<BR/>Lisa in MIAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com