In all honesty I never saw myself being the Pastor of a traditional Baptist church. I believed I would continue in Student Ministry for a few more years (5–8) and then move into a Minister of Missions or even student evangelism. I love proclaiming the Word to students and adults and I love missions; not just going but helping others go as well. So when my Student Ministry days ended abruptly, my thoughts and desires began to change as well.
I saw my friends endure different trials and deacon’s meetings while they served as the Pastor or their churches. Who wants to put themselves through that garbage? I know I didn’t. I was always under the impression that church was a place where people loved the Lord and loved each other and loved sinners to salvation. I guess I was just too naive. I had no idea that the church was a place where grown men and women belly-ached and complained when they thought the color of the carpet should have been brick and not burgundy. (For those of you not familiar, brick and burgundy are EXTREMELY similar.) When people complain because the Pastor is talking about going to one restaurant but forgets to mention that he went to another where a church member really enjoys THEIR tacos instead. Regardless, “church” has become a four-letter word to many people, even though it has six letters (actually it has four because “c” and “h” are repeated.) I sit back and think why would anyone, if they knew how Christians really were, would want to come here?
That is where my calling has come into play. Because of God’s great mercy, and probably His humor, He has allowed me to become a Pastor. I believe He has called me to help lead the church to be different than it has been. To be focused on what really matters. You may ask, “Scott, what really matters?” I’m glad you asked. Sinners coming to a place of repentance and salvation. That is what really matters! The color of carpet and the restaurant you go to have nothing to do with eternity. BUT, our petty differences in God’s church can make the difference between someone spending an eternity in Heaven or spending a life damned in hell. The church must wake up and realize that what we are doing is hurting Christ. Let’s be real men and women and dismiss our petty differences and strive forward to win the lost to Jesus. Are you with me? I CAN’T HEAR YOU!!!! Are you with ME?!?!?!
Scott
Acts 4:13
Friday, August 8, 2008
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2 comments:
Yep. I was bored enough to read your blog. It was kind of like a car wreck, you don't want to look but just can't help it. :-) I'm expecting great things from our clean up project. See ya' Saturday.
We agree and would love to see changes in the church. Such as seeing not just the church grow as a whole, but with the children, youth, and the young adults as well. They are soon to be the backbone of the church. If we could incorporate into the lessons that differences in people shouldn't be brought out to hurt them but to help the church be stronger. We should be more involved in the communities around us. We haven't really been that way in a while. I would b=like to see that happen again. If there is anything I can help with then let me know.
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