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I’ve read a lot of books on ministry and had yet to find one that I really felt served as a true primer for pastors.  Will Willimon’s book simply titled, Pastor has ended my search and should be read by every Bible college student and aspiring minister.  Willimon is widely respected as a preacher and curch leader.  He presently is the bishop of Alabama for the United Methodist Church but is most well-known for his long tenure as the Dean of Duke University’s Chapel.  He has spent considerable time in ministry and preparing others for ministry.  This book seems to be a collection of his theology of ministry and his advice to ministers.  It is heavy in spots but reads as sage advice from a veteran practitioner.

What sets this book apart from so many other books on ministry his Willimon’s high regard for the laity.  He is quick to point out that the baptism of all believers calls them and equips them to ministry.  He then moves on to the particular and peculiar role that “clergy” have among the priesthood of all believers.  He deals sensitively with the struggles of the pastorate.  He challenges complacency and urges a strong grasp on the word as the source of life and power for the pastor.  He has thought through the roles of the minister, the pitfalls of ministry and guides the reader through them.  If you are a pastor, beginner or veteran – read this book.  If you know someone preparing for ministry – buy this book for them.  This book is truly a gift and an encouragement.  It is one that I will keep and read again.

“I will make my heart and home comfortable for the Spirit.”

“I will make our church welcoming to believers and seekers.”

Corporate hospitality starts with personal hospitality.  We can’t expect to have unfriendly people make up a friendly institution.  Hospitality must start with me as I open myself up to God and those he directs in my path.  Scripture tells us that God is present among assembled believers, so God is in our churches.  I wonder if he always feels welcome?

Too many believers have too many restrictions on what God can do  they limit his work and restrict his true nature.  When we start defining how God can work by human terms like charismatic or liturgical, emotional or cerebral we limit his presence and expression.  How comfortable can God feel when we tell him when to speak, where to sit and when to leave?  Hospitality is a spiritual discipline that starts by welcoming God into our lives and ministry.

If this happens in my spirit, then I become receptive to others and can empower our church to be welcoming as well.  We must first learn to welcome God and then we can learn to welcome others.  Welcoming others doesn’t mean impressing them, it means accepting them.  Hospitality requires sincerity, not showmanship. We should do all we can to make our homes inviting and our churches welcoming.  Realizing that our homes and churches are not the focus, the relationships are.  Hospitality challenges us to make people feel welcome, coming into the presence of God is tough enough.  Let’s not make the church an obstacle.  Let us express the hospitable heart of our Savior by welcoming Him and his children into our homes.

This post is for the members of Bowling Green Christian Church who are journeying  me this week through Haggai and 1 Thessalonians.  I am including my thoughts here not as a proof or model but a primer – something to get you going in study.  If you are looking for the introduction to this journey and need the Bible study instructions please click here.

Prayer – Lord as I come to this text I pray that I would be empty of myself.  Forgive my sins, heal my thoughts and fill my with your Holy Spirit as I read you word.

Reading – 1 Thessalonians 4

Meditate/Memorize – After a time of contiued prayer and careful reading the verse that kept coming to mind was 1 Thessalonians 4:9:

“Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.”

What I love about this verse is that it gives perspective on the gospel – it’s about love.  We don’t need someone to teach us about what’s important – we know and we know that it’s love.  What we may need is someone to teach us how to love, that’s where it gets difficult.

Live It Out –

Lord help me to remember the simple message of the gospel – love.  Show me how to love the people in my life that are difficult and those who I take for granted because they are familiar.

This post is for the members of Bowling Green Christian Church who are journeying  me this week through Haggai and 1 Thessalonians.  I am including my thoughts here not as a proof or model but a primer – something to get you going in study.  If you are looking for the introduction to this journey and need the Bible study instructions please click here.

Prayer – Lord as I come to this text I pray that I would be empty of myself.  Forgive my sins, heal my thoughts and fill my with your Holy Spirit as I read you word.

Reading – 1 Thessalonians 3

Meditate/Memorize – After a time of contiued prayer and careful reading the verse that stayed with me was 1 Thessalonians 3:13,

“And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”

When I think of the heart I think of love and desire – not righteousness.  Righteousness to me is a code of conduct, actions, something controlled by right decisions – my brain not my heart.  Paul here prays for the Thessalonians that their hearts would be strengthened in righteousness.  What he is praying for is that they would love righteousness and desire righteousness in their deepest being.  Paul knows that when we desire righteousness in our deepest being right actions will follow.

Live It Out –

Lord you alone know that my desires are not always after you and that my heart desires things that offend you.  I can’t transform my desires, but I ask that you would transform me, strengthen my heart by your righteousness.  Today would I see sin the way that you see sin, would I see people the way that you see people and in seeing things as you do would you transform my heart to make it more like yours.

This post is for the members of Bowling Green Christian Church who are journeying  me this week through Haggai and 1 Thessalonians.  I am including my thoughts here not as a proof or model but a primer – something to get you going in study.  If you are looking for the introduction to this journey and need the Bible study instructions please click here.

Prayer – Lord as I come to this text I pray that I would be empty of myself.  Forgive my sins, heal my thoughts and fill my with your Holy Spirit as I read you word.

Reading – 1 Thessalonians 2

Meditate/Memorize – After a time of contiued prayer and careful reading the verse the stuck with me was 1 Thessalonians 1:8:

“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:8a

I’m moved by this verse and the example of Paul.  He wasn’t content to just teach but share his life with the church in Thessalonica. Just today someone came to the office, a stranger in need and I held him at arm’s length.  God please help me to lower my guard and allow your grace to flow out.

Live It Out – I pray that I would allow God to use me, not just his word in scripture but his word spoken in and through me.  I pray that my life would be surrendered to his will and the needs of those around me.