What are our Roles????

I am always attempting to re-asses my role with my Sr. Pastor. If possible, I'm trying to "put a bug in your ear" for good discussion. What is the role of an Associate Pastor? I have been an Associate for about 4-5 years and am still attempting to define and refine the role of an Under-shepherd or Ass. Pastor. I think this is helpful for us to figure out while in this position because one day, we may have our own Ass. Pastor's working with us in the ministry.

1. What is your role to the Sr. Pastor?

2. What if there are theological disagreements affecting philosophy of ministry?

3. What if there is are complete theological agreement affecting differences in the philosophy of ministry?

4. How do you maximize your gifts and weaknesses under the leadership of the Sr.?

5. Having a class to teach, how do you preach expositionally through books of the bible where you come across a theological disagreement with the Pastor, or a controversial topic, though there is agreement with the Sr. Pastor?

6. How do you express loyalty to the Sr. Pastor, when there are people in your fold considering you as their pastor (as opposed to the Sr.)?

7. How do you approach the Sr. Pastor if there are problems with his Theology and/or Philosophy of Ministry (no sin issue).

8. How do you respond if the Sr. Pastor approaches you over problems of your theology and/or philosophy of ministry (no sin issue).

9. How do you use the Sr. Pastor to identify strengths and weakness in the Ass. Pastor?

10. How does the Ass. Pastor identify strengths and weakness in the Sr. Pastor?

11. How does the Ass. Pastor minister to the "whole" church when there is a small allotment of people assigned to his shepherding roles?

12. What should or should not the Ass. Pastor preach from the Pulpit when the Sr. Pastor is absent?

He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions

May this hymn based on Isaiah 53 bless your soul as you consider our Lord's suffering and sacrifice this Good Friday.

He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions

Hymn lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm,
Music by Merrill Dunlop,
Copyright Status unknown

Verse 1

He was wounded for our transgressions,

He bore our sins in His body on the tree;

For our guilt He gave us peace,

From our bondage gave release,

And with His stripes,

And with His stripes,

And with His stripes our souls are healed.

Verse 2

He was numbered among transgressors,

We did esteem Him forsaken by His God;

As our sacrifice He died,

That the law be satisfied,

And all our sin,

And all our sin,

And all our sin was laid on Him.

Verse 3

We had wandered, we all had wandered

Far from the fold of the Shepherd of the sheep;

But He sought us where we were,

On the mountains bleak and bare,

And brought us home,

And brought us home,

And brought us safely home to God.

Verse 4

Who can number His generation?

Who shall declare all the triumphs of His Cross?

Millions, dead, now live again,

Myriads follow in His train!

Victorious Lord,

Victorious Lord,

Victorious Lord and coming King!

Keepin' it Strange

Our students love playing games together, especially outside. Of course we have fun playing all the usual games (football, Frisbee, etc). However, as a student pastor, I think it is my duty to provide them with fun, goofy, strange, out the ordinary, “what in the world is that thing?” games. I found this link to The Top 5 Yard Games to play before club each week or any other time with the students. http://younglifeleaders.blogspot.com/2011/04/doing-club-outdoors-part-2-yard-games.html

Nursery Narcissism

There comes a time in every church where you must place special attention on the nursery. To most pastors the nursery is like Cinderella, the forgotten step child who stays in the attic. Grandma Betty has been keeping the kids for 40 years and I have never heard a complaint, if it's not broke don't fix it. But, will growing young families feel comfortable in your church and what happens when Grandma Betty dies.

We have had a large influx of young families and I am now officially the pastor over nursery. These are the moments when you ask yourself. Where are the Hyons? I wonder if George needs and job. :-)

I need some help! Please take a moment to answer the following questions, feel free to get your wives involved on this one:

1) How do your nursery classes break down? New Born - Pre K (0-4 years)
2) Do you have a nursery coordinator? The Latona and Gertrude of your church.
3) Do you pay your coordinator?
4) How do you make sure your "teachers" get to the main service?
5) What is something your church does very well in this area?
6) What is an area of improvement for you?

The Atonement...what do you think?

To quote our beloved Dr. Farnell, "Rebuke me!"

What is the atonement?

Romans 3:25: God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.

Hebrews 2:17: that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

What was the intent or purpose of the atonement.

2 Corinthians 5:18: All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

So that, 2 verses later...

2 Corinthians 5:20: Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

The atonement was to reconcile sinners to Himself so that they will be ambassadors and implore others to be reconciled.

Who did Christ have in mind as he vicariously substituted His life?

The whole world (1 John 2:2), all (1 Tim 2:3), everyone (Heb 2:9)?

The church (Eph 5:25), sheep (John 6:37), the ones given (John 17:9)?

I don't think any system adequately explains this. Truth is we don't know what happened on the cross, Scripture doesn't tell us exactly what was in the cup.

If you receive Christ Jesus as Lord then He has canceled out the certificate of debt having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:6, 13-14. If you do not receive Him as Lord then His wrath abides on you. John 3:36.

Does the Bible use the words “world” or “all” in a limited sense?

I think this is a very week argument for limited atonement. You can't pick and chose where you apply that limit.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

All have sinned, All may be justified.

Did God limit the atonement?

Scripture teaches that God elects those who will be saved. But, I do not see that this limits the efficacy of His work on the cross. Scriptures do not reveal this. Any limits placed on the atonement becomes a philosophical argument not a biblical one.

Did Christ pay for the deserving death of those who will not believe?

This seems to be what Scripture teaches. Hebrews 2:9 - He tasted death for everyone.

The argument is, "Christ paying the penalty for the sins of people who would also have to pay the penalty for the same sin in effect it makes God unjust." But I don't see this in Scripture and we have to be careful about equating God's throne with an American court e.g. Double Jeopardy.

Conclusion:

Christ paid for everyone. (Heb 2:9)

No one would believed. (Rom 3:11)

By God's sovereign grace it is applied to a few. (Eph 1:5 ff)

I don't need a system - I have the Scriptures.