Shepherding

Distracted Shepherds?

By in Shepherding, Technology

Sheep are distracted and harassed. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). What happens when the shepherds that serve the church are also distracted and harassed?

Over the past decade people and pastors alike have been wowed by an endless stream of “time saving” devices. Have you ever noticed that every “time saving” device you add to your life seems to leave you with less time? It is one more thing to manage, one more thing to distract.

Technology certainly speeds things up, but not all of the effects are good. Pastors are not exempt. With our desire to stay “connected” and “be in touch with everyone at all times” we end up falling into this same trap. When I am in touch and connected with everyone 24/7 is it really possible to have a meaningful relationship with God? With my wife? With that One person who really needs my undivided and uninterrupted attention to address the needs of their frazzled soul? I don’t’ think so. I don’t think it is possible.

Once again, we as pastors are victims of the same sins of busyness we observe in others. We are occupied with many things and so begin to believe that we are being spiritual and productive. Who are we kidding? Christ made it a regular habit to pull away to the quiet, undistracted place because he knew that without that he would never enjoy the richness of the relationship with his father. All meaningful relationships need that. We all need that – sheep, and their shepherds.

“In the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35).

Are you taking time to “unplug”?

I would love to connect with you! If you have any questions or would like to connect please use the contact page.

No Better Adventure

By in Church, Shepherding

After eleven years of being away from a shepherding role in the local church, I have the opportunity to reengage in that work! I am incredibly thankful to the Lord for directing Diane and I to the college environment this past decade where we could serve alongside some amazing people and invest in a future generation of young leaders. Now we transition back to where our hearts long to be—the church. More and more we see how God has most perfectly designed this living body as His way to bring glory to himself by making disciples of all nations.

We find ourselves more excited today about the future prospects of ministry than we were in our early twenties driving to Colorado for the first time to start a new church. We have a fuller perspective now—and this has enlarged our comprehension of the incredible needs and unlimited opportunities that are in the west, particularly in the Boulder Valley of Colorado. We look forward to our first Sunday at Valley Community Church in Louisville, CO, on November 10, 2013.

I plan to continue writing from the local church perspective—what we have learned and what we are learning. I look forward to that.

I would love to connect with you! If you have any questions or would like to connect please use the contact page.

Greatness

By in Leadership, Shepherding

We all want to be great, do great. We want to be successful in who we are and what we do. But the pursuit of true greatness is the antitheses of everything the world will tell us – and it is impossible to escape that ubiquitous influence.

I find that every morning the Word is there to correct my thinking, and I hope, my behavior. Diane and I have been reading The One Year Bible (NLT) together. This morning’s passage in the New Testament was another reminder of the paradox of the Christian to greatness.

The Greatest in the Kingdom (Mark 9:33–37)

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”

“Be Great, Serve”

A Perfect Pastor

By in Leadership, Shepherding

This past weekend Diane and I had the opportunity to visit Brookside Baptist Church in Milwaukee and see Ken Keltner installed as senior pastor. Ken and Kathy have been our friends for many years and partners in two different ministries (Denver and Northland). Diane and I have also been friends of the Brookside family since its earliest days. We have such great love and respect for Ken and believe him to be the perfect pastor for Brookside at this time in its history. I say a “perfect” in the sense that he is God’s choice manifesting itself through the working of the local church there. Even superstar status (perfect in the eyes of men) in no way substitutes for the true realization of God’s appointed servant. It is a beautiful thing to see take place.

Here are the things that I have appreciated most about Ken:

  1. Integrity: He has it in his character and in the way he functions.
  2. Love: He has a love for God and His Word, a love for God’s people, and a love for every lost soul on earth.
  3. Servanthood: He leads in humility.
  4. Disciplemaking: He pours into the lives of others.
  5. Family: The ministry is a family thing… Ken, Kathy, Kyle, Kevin (and new wife Becka, yes, she does have a K in her name :)), Keith, and Kurt.
  6. Joy: This would describe the experience of working together with Ken—a lot of fun.

Congratulations to Ken and Kathy as well as to the folks at Brookside!

I would love to connect with you! If you have any questions or would like to connect please use the contact page.

Around the Web (May 27 – June 1)

By in Around the Web, Books, Leadership, Shepherding, Translation

Desiring God | A Cure for Lame Table Prayers

This post was from last week but we just found it this week. An interesting post on prayer at the dinner table. Take a look at how Tony Reinke at Desiring God discuss this.

Theologically Driven | Churches Should Adopt a Modern Version of the Bible

A little bit of a heated discussion over on the DBTS blog about Bible versions. This is one of those debates that is likely not going to die in our lifetime.

Crossway Blog | 10 Helpful Books for Pastors

“While this list is by no means exhaustive, we think the following 10 books would be valuable for every pastor to read and have in their library. Feel free to leave a comment and let us know which books you would add to the list—we’d love to hear your recommendations.”

Also check out Crossway’s post on “What Does Paul Mean by be ‘Able to Teach?'”

Paul Tautges | No Hot Dogs Allowed

Paul looks at the Scriptural basis and mandate for team ministry. This is a good and practical post for those considering church planting and other ministries.

I would love to connect with you! If you have any questions or would like to connect please use the contact page.