STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #23

 ENGAGE YOUR MIND BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH

You have likely heard that God gave you two ears and only one mouth for a reason—listen more than you speak. James tells us that is vital, and connects it with controlling your temper. Fiery words often ignite furious wrath, and that is not productive. Someone may argue, “I just say what I think!”  I think we ought not think some of what we think and despite the claim may have engaged our mouth ahead of our mind!  But, like squeezing a tube of toothpaste, once it is out you cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube. So, when those words go out, you cannot grab them and retract them.

But, do people talk anymore?  We do produce a steady stream of words, but often in an email, text, or social media post. If I blow up face to face with a person—that is bad, but the damage may be limited, and based on their reaction I can see, I can begin to deal with what I said.

The internet is a different matter. When it goes out, there is a permanent record. The tone of voice and body language are absent. The means of emojis may compensate a little, but not a lot.  Some people will read it and not respond, while in their heart be offended and “unfriend” you.  They can screenshot it and share it widely.  Like a cancer, malignant words can be deadly.

Have an honest, wise friend read your email, text, or social media post before you hit send, if you have some concerns. When in doubt—don’t!  It is so easy to get in the fortress at our desk and launch flaming arrows of verbiage as a keyboard warrior.  I fear I have done it too.

Some things need to be said, even if it makes people upset and angry. Truth can do that. But, make sure the conviction is accompanied by compassion, and packaged in the best way for the content to be hopefully received and not rejected.  Maybe you have seen the acrostic: THINK: before you speak ask, “Is it True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind?”

Engage your mind before you open your mouth—and before you hit, “send”!

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #22

Don’t demand of members what you are not willing to do.  I am not saying you should do everything. Some things you aren’t equipped to do. There are not enough hours in a day to do all you might do. Some can do it better than you. But, we should never have the attitude that a particular task is beneath our dignity. Laziness has no place in ministry.  If we expect our lay people to work a job, raise a family, plus do church ministry, then we can’t say, “I’ve put in my 40 hours this week and I’m not going to that committee meeting.”  Remember as you are planning church activity (and we need those) that our people have a life besides the church.  They might make a Gospel impact in their community, if they occasionally had time to be there!  Just a thought.  

Stephen Olford: The Prince of Preachers

This man’s ministry impacted mine in a profound way. Get acquainted with him. Read his writings and listen to his sermons. You will be blessed. Here is an introductory bio. https://www.preaching.com/articles/past-masters/stephen-f-olford-expositor-of-the-word/

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #21

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Ask yourself, “Will this matter in a hundred years?”  Before you dig in your heels inquire, “Is this a matter of principle or preference?”  If principle, then you cannot afford to compromise, but if preference it may be too costly not to compromise.  There are some things in church life where we must say this way or no way, but also a goodly number where we can ask, “is there a better way?”

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #20

Establish men’s and women’s mentoring groups for the purpose of life on life discipleship. Life on life is a principle that I first heard from Randy Pope of Perimeter Church.  He offers Journey resources for this purpose. It is excellent material.  The doctrinal content is reformed, amillennial, Presbyterian—which is the only negative for me as a Baptist. But, whatever material you use, do something!  We are failing to disciple men and women. Mixed groups in the old Sunday School model, while having some value, cannot substitute for the accountability found in gender specific groups with the freedom to study the Word together. Pope uses the TEAMS acrostic for the organization of the weekly meeting.  T is for Truth—a study of Scripture is first and foundational. E is for Equip—the practical application of the text to daily life. A is for Accountability—as the members of the group discuss how the text has been applied that week and plan for ongoing response to the truth. M is for Mission—to prevent the group from a mere inward focus, in demanding a missional component to the group. S is for Supplication—intense prayer together and for one another.  For the sake of the Kingdom, we must act now!

DOCTRINAL DRIFT

I doubt we ever drift toward doctrinal fidelity. We drift from it. Little by little, pulled by the gentle current of the culture—a desire to be accepted, a longing to get along, compromise in the name of compassion. At first, we claim to still believe “those things,” while failing to identify what those things are.  It seems safer not to rock the boat, and the boat drifts downstream from theological clarity until faster and faster the pull gets stronger and stronger.  The end is to become like Hymenaeus and Alexander who, “concerning the faith suffered shipwreck” (1 Tim.1:19-20).

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #19

Put the cookies on the shelf where people can reach them.  The preacher is not there to bewilder with theological terms, awe with Hebrew and Greek words, or impress with English eloquence. That is not to say lofty doctrinal concepts cannot be presented, but that the intent is not to amaze the audience with our oratorical splendor rooted in seminary speak, but to make truth accessible to understanding and applicable to daily life. 

Think of Jesus setting a child on His lap and illustrating the simplicity of faith or pointing to fowls in the sky and flowers in the soil as evidence of God’s care for His children. No wonder that “the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37 NKJV). When that can be said of your sermon, then you have preached like Jesus!