STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #15

 

Set parameters on counseling—particularly when meeting with women or minors. There needs to be a policy fence put up for your protection. There is the so-called “Billy Graham rule” that ought to be adopted. Early in his ministry, he set a policy where he and his team would not meet with women alone, ride with them, dine with them, and so forth. It apparently worked, as their evangelistic organization was scandal free from charges of immoral behavior, so far as I know.  

Even in the case where one might avoid yielding to temptation, this does not prevent a false accusation from being made—and there will always be those who believe it.  So, DON’T MEET BY YOURSELF WITH A WOMAN OTHER THAN YOUR WIFE!  Be careful what information you share with any lady, and how much time you spend with them.  If David—a man after God’s own heart, who brought down a giant with a slingshot—could fall, so can we.

Another big danger is the internet.  You are always but a click away from being sucked into the cesspool of pornography. Pastors and staff need accountability. Filtering software may help, but accountability software is even safer.  Cable TV makes porn easily accessible.  You don’t have to visit an X-rated bookstore.  It’s good to have your wife with you when you travel, or another preacher room with you, so the hotel room doesn’t become a trap to catch you up in lust.  

“Flee from youthful passions...” (2 Tim.2:22a CSB).  Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!   

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #14

 

A prospective and/or new member class taught by the Senior Pastor is vital. It enables him to establish connections with them at the beginning. Also, he is able to establish expectations for them as they begin their membership journey. More than a remote talking head, he becomes a shepherd among the sheep in a more informal setting. 

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #13

Pray that God would take you home to heaven before you become a stumbling block.  Seek to finish well. Pray this often and humbly cast yourself on the grace of God to keep you!  

Look at the contrast between the end of Uzziah and Paul in their service to God. 

“But when he became strong, he grew arrogant, and it led to his own destruction. He acted unfaithfully against the Lord his God by going into the Lord’s sanctuary to burn incense on the incense altar. ... So King Uzziah was diseased to the time of his death. He lived in quarantine with a serious skin disease and was excluded from access to the Lord’s temple, while his son Jotham was over the king’s household governing the people of the land.”  (2 Chronicles‬ ‭26:16, 21‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.”  (2 Timothy‬ ‭4:6-8‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Both had started well, climbed high, but then in pride, Uzziah surrendered to the flesh and fell, while Paul soared in faithfulness on into glory!

What will your end be?

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #12

 

Resist the success SIN-drome. Design ministry to reach the lost rather than marketing to disgruntled church members. There is a reason why people move from church to church. They often bring their dysfunction with them. Let them bless the church down the road. 

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #11

 Remember you aren’t as good as your friends say you are and you aren’t as bad as your foes say you are.

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #10

Have getaways with your wife and don’t neglect your kids. Be careful about how much and what you share with them concerning church people. When you are home, be all there!

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Read Psalm 1

Until the coronavirus pandemic, I had never heard the term “social distancing.”  The government is calling upon us to distance ourselves from contact with others who might infect us and spread the deadly virus.

While the term may be new, the concept is not. The Psalmist is warning us about an even deadlier virus called sin. If we are intimate with those who have given themselves over to it—embrace their counsel, enter their course, and enjoy their company—the contagion will destroy us.

There is a vaccine for this sin virus.  A daily dose of God’s Word has a power to immunize us. Let Scripture be your counselor, chart your course, and its truths your companions. Delight in the Word and digest its message. 

The word “meditate,” is to ruminate, as a sheep chews its cud extracting all the nutrition from the meal. So, we read the Word, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it—which is transforming.

To change the metaphor, we will be like trees, with roots downward for stability and fruit outward for productivity.  Our branches will be growing and our foliage will be showing—all to the glory of God.  We will not fear death and judgment for we have life, abundant life, here and hereafter—real happiness and prosperity. COVID-19 cannot change that. What if we die?  We can’t really!  All we would do is leave behind the only part of us that gives us a problem and enter the wonder of heaven!

But, not the wicked.  They are not trees. They are tumbleweeds. No root, no fruit, blown along by culture and circumstances—the prevailing winds of the moment. Worse of all, death is a constant fear and judgment a dreadful fate.  They often deny the existence of God because they do not want to consider the consequences of their choice. They did not listen and “shelter in place,” seeking refuge in Christ who alone can save us.

What choice will you make?