When: Wednesday, May 30, 2018, 9 am to 3 pm.

Where: All Gospel Church in the city of San Fernando, Philippines.

When: April 17-21, 2018

Where: Dallas, Texas (see event website for accommodations and more details)

Is your effort aligned with your level of effectiveness in your business? As a leader, have you considered WHY you’re doing what you’re doing?

Join us at #PL2018 as we equip you with the tools & skills needed to minimize your effort while maximizing your impact! Register today at http://pastorsandleaders.org.

As a Christian youth, the first book I read from cover-to-cover was David Wilkerson’s The Cross and the Switchblade. For my senior paper in college, I wrote about “The Wisdom of the Cross in 1 Corinthians 1:18.” Throughout my life, the theme of the cross of Jesus has appeared in my life and academic studies. My preaching and pastoral ministry became guided by the overarching theme of the cross of Jesus. I believe without the cross, the New Testament contains implausible words with little power. In my research as a pastor-scholar, I have recognized that the central motif of Paul’s message centers on the cross of Christ crucified (1 Cor. 2:2). In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle commenced the correspondence with “the message about the cross” and “power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18, NRSV). This article will consider the power of the cross in a pastor’s ministry with regard to healing. My thesis underscored the need for a robust theology of the cross with the issue of healing. The key thought of this paper is not a new idea for healing is as old as the New Testament. Both the theology and practicality of the cross in healing will be investigated. Salvation overcomes sin through the power of the cross. The apostle’s eschatological doctrine of the cross contains a theology of salvation; subsequently, the preaching of the cross sets the release of the power of God for healing in the church. Therefore, the cross of Christ reveals God’s eternal plan for all people, and that power undergirds his sovereign purposes. As a pastor of a congregation, I believe a firm understanding of the cross remains essential for ministry, especially in the area of healing.

Image: Dennis Ottink

Relationship between the cross and healing

Resilient Ministry commenced as a five-year research project conducted by Bob Burns, Tasha D. Chapman, and Donald C. Guthrie, colleagues at Covenant Theological Seminary. Collectively they evaluated the stresses and challenges of ministry, which resulted in a book revealing how pastors may thrive in their vocation. The authors disclosed five key themes promoting lasting ministry: spiritual formation, self-care, emotional and cultural intelligence, marriage, and leadership development. Each theme contains these thoughts:

1. Spiritual formation: As clergy juggled numerous balls in life, they easily neglected their spiritual health. To stay grounded, the authors encouraged the development of disciplines such as Sabbath rest, prayer, worship, and personal reflection.
2. Self-care: Intentional care of the body, mind, and spirit revealed the range of issues a minister must cultivate creating healthy boundaries and vital routines for daily living. Understanding personal limits and rhythms remained key to survival in the ministry.
3. Emotional and cultural intelligence: An internal awareness of a pastor’s inner thoughts and people dynamics surrounding the ministry continue as a lifetime learning project. The growing diversity of the American society required a pastor to nurture a discernment and respect of varied opinions.
4. Marriage: The examination of the issues of abandonment and unmet needs for a spouse were essential. The concept of family systems insightfully exposed the issues inherent within domestic conflicts. In addition, the authors’ discussion of practical tips concerning contentious situations at home and ministry can produce strength in one’s personal and professional efforts.
5. Leadership development: The authors shared intriguing concepts of ‘poetic’ and ‘plumbing’ leadership. Though the plumbing side contained common sense ideas, the poetic element remained intuitive with a deep learning curve throughout a career in ministry.

In short, Resilient Ministry includes more than a psychological analysis regarding ministry. The authors frequently reiterated that family is of uppermost importance and the “on-the-job” nature of ministry must deal with the unique situation it places upon the spouse and children. Responsible self-care with the family creates better performance in the church and pulpit. Personally, as a pastor for twenty-eight years, I understand the pitfalls of pastoral ministry and watched ministers erode under criticism, and lack of preventative care. Resilient Ministry serves as a clarion reminder of the pressures in ministry but also offers hope and practical acumen concerning “how-to” stay strong and finish in the Lord’s service.

Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Cletus L. Hull, III

Publisher’s page: http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=4103

John Lathrop has written an excellent survey of what is commonly called the “five-fold ministry gifts” of Ephesians 4:11, giving special attention to the ministries of the “apostle” and “prophet” since these are the most controversial in the contemporary Pentecostal\charismatic movement. He carefully examines each ministry in the light of Scripture and brings balance and clarity to what has been, in recent years, an over-emphasis on the restoration of apostles and prophets and their governmental authority.

He brings balance by showing from Scripture why these ministry gifts should be seen as ministries and functions rather than offices and titles. He clearly shows that all who function in these ministries do so as servants, not as despotic rulers. In a unique and clever way he alleviates potential concern about designating people as apostles or prophets by pointing out that these words have taken on unwarranted connotations of magnitude and importance, and reminds his readers that apostle can mean “messenger” and prophet can mean “an inspired speaker.”

Lathrop is not only Biblical and theological in his approach, but also practical. He is very thorough in delineating what a modern apostle or prophet will look like and what they will not look like. He also shows from Scripture that women may also function as prophets, apostles and pastors and points out that, apart from Jesus, no Christian leader in the New Testament is referred to as a pastor.

Overall, I consider this an excellent work and I highly recommend it to anyone who desires to better understand the five-fold ministry in the Church today, especially that of apostles and prophets.

Reviewed by Eddie L. Hyatt

Publisher’s page: www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781606474594

Preview this book: books.google.com/books?id=UmOHZYHbgegC

This book is “A Handbook for Strengthening Ministry Skills,” it is a guide full of good counsel about what pastors will encounter in their careers. Pastor Tucker writes from the perspective of one who has been there and done that. My first reaction was that the book was perhaps targeted more to the new minister, but as I read on, I found myself comparing my own experiences with Tucker’s, and appreciating his insights to the challenge of being all things to all people.

Tucker writes, “Sinful humanity’s twin problems are alienation from God and estrangement from others.” As a pastor, he has spent a lifetime helping people who suffer from those two problems and want relief from them. He was successful in that endeavor, though not every time, and his words will help you be more successful.

I have worked at solving problems and helping others resolve disputes for many years. Often, fortunes accumulated over a life time were at stake. Emotions of every kind resonated through the life of the dispute. I found that in almost every case, the disputants needed to go back to the basics to understand what was really involved in the situations that they faced. Those that were able to deal with the implications of the basics were winners even when they seemingly lost what they sought.

Austin Tucker is a Southern Baptist with more than 30 years of experience. He is not Pentecostal/charismatic or from a holiness tradition in doctrine or experience, and he does close his book with his version of the Spirit-filled life. This discussion concludes with his admonition that we are to ensure we are rightly related to God the Holy Spirit. Tucker tells us that we do this by seeking a Person, not an experience, however great and blessed spiritually that experience may be. Tucker states that we are seeking God the Holy Spirit. Scripture never calls us to seek an experience in Tucker’s view, scripture calls us to seek God. We do not want divine power but to come under divine control. However, I believe we should desire God’s power when we are rightly under His control. Nonetheless, Tucker’s thoughts and perspective on a God-controlled life are worthwhile.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

Reviewed by H. Murray Hohns

Preview A Primer for Pastors: books.google.com/books?id=hpo1WtsL3T0C

Rick Warren in 2004.

Rick Warren, “Pastors Who Lead the Way” Enrichment 9:1 (Winter 2004).

“The good news is that while we may never achieve excellence in administration, we can learn to lead the way.”

In this article, Rick Warren states that he knows his leadership style. He is the big picture, vision-casting leader. Details do not appeal to him so he surrounds himself with staff and volunteers who gifts will compliment his giftings.

He reminds the reader that there is nothing wrong with being a vision-casting leader. What the leader needs to do is recruit team members that will enhance and supplement the leader’s style.

“There is tremendous power in cooperation. We do our best work when, instead of jockeying for position or trying to build a base of power, we work together—building on each other’s strengths and shoring up each other’s weaknesses.

He uses Nehemiah as an example prayer from a leader’s heart in Nehemiah 1.

Secondly, “Must a Pastor Lead?” He quotes from Ephesians 4:11-12 and states that by definition the pastor is a leader. Then he refers to Jesus statement to Peter in John 21:17, “Do you love me? … Feed My sheep” that a pastor must show love and care for his people.

Love being introduced into the picture you will not feel coerced into leadership but rather do what we gifted to do and lead willingly. Leadership is guiding and being an example rather than controlling and being a boss.

Third, Rick Warren discusses, “Can leadership be earned?” “We may know our gifts are clustered in the areas of preaching and teaching, not administration.”

Even though we may not achieve in excellence in administration we can still be effective leaders. He says that we need to practice habits and that habits can be learned. This will enhance effectiveness in the pulpit, in staff meetings, and in interactions with the church board.

“Leading with limited resources” is the fourth principle that he deals with in this article. Rick recognized the need for administrative leadership at Saddleback. The church was in the position in which they were able to hire someone for this position.

Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.

Then they said to one another, “Come let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had bricks for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the earth.”

But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”

So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of the earth.

Genesis 11:1-9 NKJV

The building of the Tower was an unparalleled time of communication and technology. A time when not doing God’s will, filling the earth with God’s glory, was popular. The majority chose to do things the it wanted to. Even those with a godly heritage embracing anything other than what God wanted.

Unparalleled? Perhaps that time so many generations ago is similar to what is happening right now in America. I have been thinking about all the confusion that is going on in our nation. How foolish we must be appearing in the eyes of other nations around the world.

When God came down and looked at what was going on at Babel, He confused the language of the people. I have a feeling in my heart that God is looking down on America and all her sin and is sending a spirit of confusion on our nation. What does this mean for us as Christians? What does it for us as pastors? I believe we need to be in prayer, not only for our nation, but also for the Church. All the events that are happening are pointing to the soon return of our Lord. It seems as His coming gets closer there is more pressure on the True Church. Our people need to deeply know the Lord so that regardless of what may happen before the Lord calls us to Himself, we are ready always to give a reason for the hope that is in us. We need to fearlessly stand up against the adversary, for the worst he can do is kill the body. This is a time for great trust in our God and reliance upon Him.

I pray that we as spiritual leaders will search our hearts so that nothing stands between God and us. In this day of confused leadership, we must stand as “examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). As the people we minister to see us sensitive before God, so they will follow us and they will search their hearts and draw closer to God.

PR

The word paraklesis has some rich meaning in the New Testament (see “parakaleo,” Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged in One Volume), G. Bromiley, ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1985), especially p. 781). When it relates to the proclamation of salvation, exhorting men to be saved, it implies speaking in the name of God and in the power of the Spirit. In the sense that it is used here, paraklesis is exhortation and admonition. Paraklesis is an urgent entreaty that is neither critical nor polemical, but serious and has been infused with the power of the Spirit. With this in mind, this column is intended to bring a word of encouragement to pastors, ministers and all those in Christian leadership.

Do we want the Holy Spirit in our homes? I was listening to a message preached by an evangelist that held services at Trinity Assembly of God in Mt. Morris, Michigan. As he was preaching about our desire to have the Holy Spirit in our homes, the Holy Spirit quickened a few thoughts in my heart that I would like to share with you.

There was a woman whose husband had died and left a debt. She and her two sons were not able to pay off the debt. As was the legal custom of the day, her sons were to be made slaves and they would have to work until the debt was paid in full. The story is found in 2 Kings 4:1-7. This woman poured out her heart to Elisha. Elisha told her to borrow as many vessels as possible. She was instructed to have her sons go out and gather in as many as they could find. The word from the Lord was to shut the door.

PR

The word paraklesis has some rich meaning in the New Testament (see “parakaleo,” Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged in One Volume), G. Bromiley, ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1985), especially p. 781). When it relates to the proclamation of salvation, exhorting men to be saved, it implies speaking in the name of God and in the power of the Spirit. In the sense that it is used here, paraklesis is exhortation and admonition. Paraklesis is an urgent entreaty that is neither critical nor polemical, but serious and has been infused with the power of the Spirit. With this in mind, this column is intended to bring a word of encouragement to pastors, ministers and all those in Christian leadership.