DOCSLIB.ORG

Jared Wilson on How to Fall in Ministry and What to Do

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Jared Wilson on How to Fall in Ministry and What to Do Winter 2018 Volume 4, Issue 2 JARED WILSON ON HOW TO BETH MOORE ON GOV. BILL HASLAM ON 52 FALL IN MINISTRY AND WHAT 28 THE CHRISTIAN’S NEED 18 MAINTAINING CHRISTIAN TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY INTEGRITY IN LEADERSHIP ERLC.COM/EVENTS SPEAKERS RUSSELL MOORE | JACKIE HILL-PERRY | JENNY YANG JON WARD | MIKE COSPER | JEN WILKIN | GARRETT KELL DEAN INSERRA | ERICK ERICKSON | VANCE PITMAN ERIC TEETSEL | MICHAEL WEAR | AND MORE FROM THE PRESIDENT A Call for Christian Congruence As we were preparing for this issue, American evangelicalism has led to a crisis of well-earned Christianity lost a cherished sage with the cynicism. Ugly revelations have become all to death of pastor and author Eugene Peterson. common: doctrinal aberration, political idolatry, In the days that followed his passing, I found and cover-ups of the most awful forms of abuse. myself pulling many of Peterson’s books off my Many ask whether Christianity is just a cover shelf, looking at tabbed pages and highlighted for a national identity, political movement, or sentences in a visual reminder of how much I worse, a scheme for power. Christianity seems had learned from this man. more Darwinist than Darwinism. One passage that struck me particularly was in In this, Christ calls us to congruence, how- the opening pages of one of Peterson’s last books, ever halting or imperfect, with the life of Christ As Kingfishers Catch Fire. As Peterson reflected revealed in Scripture and lived in the Spirit. on the life of a man who had taught him much, Such congruence will require distance from the word that came to mind was “congruence.” It cultural expectations of Christianity—whether was also, Peterson noted, the word that summed those of secular culture or the “Christian” sub- Aup what he most needed in his pastoral work cultures that wish to oppose secular culture ONLY WITH THE LIVES Congruence. The life defined by this word while mimicking it. This entails a commit- OF CONGRUENCE, OF would, Peterson offered, demonstrate “no slip- ment to forming the conscience that is painful. page between what he was saying and the way Carrying a cross always is, and that’s what Jesus HOLINESS, OF CHRIST- he was living.” He wrote: has called us to do. CONFORMITY, WILL WE The Christian life is the lifelong practice of But that sort of cross-shaped congruence is attending to the details of congruence— the only place where we find freedom from FIND JOY AND REST AND congruence between ends and means, . our “roles” as consumers, constituents, voting LIFE AND PEACE. the congruence of the Word made flesh in blocs, and audiences. We find our humanity Jesus and what is lived in our flesh. in those who have been created for something more: to “conform to the image of Christ, that Peterson identified congruence in everything he may be the firstborn of many brothers” from a child lost in play to an athlete in motion. (Rom. 8:29). In that, we will find that authen- And he saw it in the poem by Gerard Manley ticity is not just more real than artificiality, that Hopkins that notes the congruence of created genuineness is more compelling than pretense, nature—kingfishers, dragonflies, and falling but it is the only exit from the exhaustion and stones—between identity and action. The poem alienation of this present darkness. ends, of course, with those majestic words: Only with the lives of congruence, of holi- “Christ plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in ness, of Christ-conformity, will we find joy and limbs, and lovely in eyes not his, To the Father rest and life and peace. Only there will we see through the feature of men’s faces.” clearly that Jesus is Lord, and that his lordship is “But what kingfishers and falling stones do not just a multiplication of the sort of dour and without effort requires development on our part, miserable power we see in the would-be lords a formation into who we truly are, a becoming in all around us. Christ plays in 10,000 places. which the means by which we live are congruent with the ends for which we live,” Peterson wrote. It seems to me that this is precisely the challenge of this and every hour on this pil- Russell Moore grim path we walk together. Market-driven President, ERLC ERLC.COM 3 CONTENTS COMMENTARY Staying in the Fight 10 JOHN M. PERKINS Civil rights hero John Perkins calls Christians to be courageous and persevere in the work of racial unity. 28 Who Do You Love? 12 STEVE TIMMIS What pitfalls should young Chris- tian leaders avoid? Steve Timmis, CEO of Acts 29, says that fighting these temptations starts with the question: Who do you love? When Loss Means Gain 16 LINDSAY NICOLET What would you do if you realized your motivations for leadership were all wrong? Nathan Velasquez faced the same question while pastoring a church and chose the narrow path of obedience. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 07 From The Editor 08 Book Reviews 58 Resources Designer Ben Stafford illustrates the elder Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16: “keep a close watch on your life and doctrine.” 4 LIGHT SPOTLIGHT Maintaining Christian Integrity in Leadership 18 RUSSELL MOORE AND GOV. BILL HASLAM How should a Christian lead in public office? Outgoing Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam shares about the promise and peril of political leadership and why Light Magazine integrity matters. Volume 4, Issue 2 Copyright © 2018 The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Fear, Faith, and the Fatherhood of God CHARLES W. SMITH JR. 24 Stepping out into arenas of leadership can be scary because failure is possible. Editor-In-Chief Russell Moore Charles Smith says the solution is to take initiative, secure in the Father’s love for us. Editor Daniel Darling Managing Editor Lindsay Nicolet When Godly People Do Ungodly Things BETH MOORE Staff Editors Marie Delph 28 ‘Authenticity’ is a buzz word in our culture, but it’s not quite the same as Alex Ward ‘accountability.’ Beth Moore urges leaders to exhibit “see-through lives” for Creative Director Jason Thacker their own protection. Graphic Designer Jacob Blaze The ministry of the Ethics & How Reflecting on Judgment Day Religious Liberty Commission (SBC) 34 Can Save You from Sin Today RUSSELL MOORE is made possible by the sacrificial What should motivate leaders to lead ethically in both their personal and profes- gifts of Southern Baptists to the sional lives? Russell Moore says it’s Judgment Day. Cooperative Program. We are grateful for the Cooperative Program and the prayerful support of Southern Baptists Staying Engaged in Cooperative Mission J. D. GREEAR around the world. 40 The newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention shares his SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION vision for intergenerational partnership in the SBC and his desire to see unity Light Magazine is a semiannual around the mission of God. publication of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Print subscriptions are available for Without a Vision the Family Will Perish JOHN ONWUCHEKWA $10/year at erlc.com/light. Electronic 44 Families can become casualties of ministry. John Onwuchekwa shares his story versions, as well as previous issues, and gives advice on safeguarding your marriage and children. are available at ERLC.com. CONNECT ONLINE From #MeToo Moment to Movement PHILLIP BETHANCOURT /erlcsbc @erlc 48 The stories of abuse that have been reported out of the #MeToo movement are @erlcsbc heartbreaking. Phillip Bethancourt shares important lessons for evangelical www.ERLC.com churches and institutions. How to Fall in Ministry JARED WILSON 52 What should pastors do when they fail and fall? Jared Wilson shares personal, candid, biblical insights on restoration and grace. Finishing Strong & Investing in Others PAT HOOD 55 Sadly, it seems few leaders model how to finish their ministries well. Pat Hood esteems his mentor who was an example of living and dying to bring honor and glory to Christ. ERLC.COM 5 Is your church prepared? Unsuspecting churches have been sued, simply for acting like a church. The question is not if, but when this will affect your church. Find focused and practical legal help. ADFChurchAlliance.org ADFD_CA_ChurchAllianceAdFullPage_ERLC_v1_20171207.indd 1 12/11/17 4:22 PM FROM THE EDITOR The Gravity of Leadership Every day it is your job to wake up and see You might notice that we have changed how you can make my life better.” quite a few things in this issue of Light. We Yes, those were words actually spoken by a have revamped the design to aid in readability, pastor for whom I worked early in my minis- aesthetics, and overall quality. Each issue has try. At the time, it seemed kind of weird, but been expanded by a few articles in order to pro- I was young and didn’t know what I didn’t vide you with more content that will help you know. Looking back, I realize this leader lead engage the culture with the unchanging mes- with fear and more than a bit of narcissism. sage of the gospel. EVERY FALL HURTS AND As I’ve reflected on that season of my life, Russell Moore writes about the purifying SHOULD CAUSE US TO I’ve been struck, not just by the way that man’s power of Judgement Day, and Beth Moore leadership had the potential to damage those discusses the necessity of accountability. LOOK INWARD AND ASK he served, but by the temptation I’ve had in John Perkins, the civil rights hero, calls for GOD FOR GRACE IN OUR my own leadership to behave the same way.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Beth Moore Breaking Free Study Guide
    Beth Moore Breaking Free Study Guide Fairfax undoes humanely. Alemannic and psychedelic Desmund drabbles her dictators comply while Armand Mesopotamianprimps some catamite enough? trimly. Rock never bilged any fisc discountenance frighteningly, is Chaddy unshaping and Is there any love that Republicans would support agreement hold Donald Trump accountable for what happened on Jan. Get FREE SHIPPING Every Day, free Order! Mackenzie Jones to sting a newly built townhouse in the Watershed by Pulte Homes community in Laurel, Md. Hotel quarantine for air travelers to Canada to begin Feb. Protestant body, have led especially special during this Beltway drama. Notify me clear everything! Get the latest national news, featuring national security, science on the courts. Internet has a plethora of free streaming options if anyone know service to look. Gets to break free breaking study guide is designed the studying together in menifee woman as a coronavirus victim at overcoming the new studies together. My friends are so in that they deserve not because how humble have all the cellular quality ebook which audience do not! Thursday at the Capitol. December in front since the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World dam Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Stop trying to study guide and etiquette on amazon warehouse in captivity today from beth moore breaking free. While the Centers for head Control and Prevention reiterated that states should prioritize teachers for vaccination, the agency said it convenient not a prerequisite for reopening. Infrastructure Product Terms located at: www. Hi, My girls and luggage would touch to take part welcome this study. Americans are ditching religious services and finding spritual uplift and meaning in things like cooking, politics and exercise classes.
    [Show full text]
  • Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church Over 170 Years of Christian Witness
    March 2016 The Communicator Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church Over 170 years of Christian Witness ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Childcare As part of a continuing Chestnut Grove tradition for the Lenten season, during the month of March, we will be participating in the “One Great Hour Mar. 6: Gilbert of Sharing” sponsored by our denomination. OGHS began over 60 years ago during World War II and immediately following, when Protestant Mar. 13: Znamirowski churches made appeals for relief and reconstruction. At the prompting of newly-elected Presiding Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill of the Episcopal Mar.20: Bowen Church in 1946, a goal of one million dollars per year was set for World Relief. On nationwide radio, he challenged members to raise “one million Mar. 27: TBD dollars in one hour” to help people and communities in need. During the first three years, Episcopalians raised $3.8 million. Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill In 1949, church leaders from several denominations formed an ad hoc committee to organize an appeal aimed at supporting the separate cam- paigns of American churches. Their joint statement in support of this effort, in essence, con- veyed the importance of strengthening the vitally important relief and rehabilitation work of the churches overseas. Pulling together, they could prove to the world the great power generated when Christians united in a common cause. In 1950, the title “One Great Hour of Sharing” was used for the first time. Its goal was to make !IMPORTANT the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffered the effects of disaster, conflict, or severe economic hardship, and for those who serve them through gifts of CHANGES IN money and time.
    [Show full text]
  • Discovering the Vision in Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" Message
    Discovering the Vision in Beth Moore’s “Breaking Free” Message: Applying Bormann’s Fantasy Theme Analysis to Evaluate the Message. By April Nicole Pressley A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts in Communication At Liberty University April 2010 ii Copyright 2010 by April Nicole Pressley All rights reserved iii Acknowledgements Writing a thesis is an interesting experience. When it takes a couple of years of your life to get it done, it seems difficult to distinguish those who offered guidance and help along the way. There are the professors in the beginning who thought the project was worthy of study. There are fellow classmates and peers who are there to bounce ideas off of. There are friends who encourage you not to give up and who work to convince you that you are smart enough to get this done. Overall, the experience is based on collaboration from beginning to end. A few people do stand out and they contributed to making this thesis a completed project. Though I risk being cliché, I must first acknowledge that without faith in God and believing that something beyond myself was encouraging me to get this project done, I likely would never have possessed the inner gumption to persevere through the rougher parts of this project. I feel that God used this project to teach me more about myself and my relationship with Him. I could not be more grateful for the way this project was used in my life to mature me into a stronger more confident version of myself who truly believes that with God all things are possible.
    [Show full text]
  • After Patriarchy, What? Why Egalitarians Are Winning the Gender Debate
    JETS 49/3 (September 2006) 569–76 AFTER PATRIARCHY, WHAT? WHY EGALITARIANS ARE WINNING THE GENDER DEBATE russell d. moore* i. introduction New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd points out that the phrase “I want to spend more time with my family,” coming from a man leaving a government position or a political campaign, can usually be translated: “The 21-year-old has given 8x10 glossies to The Star.”1 In the same way, evangelical debates over gender rarely have to do simply with teaching roles in the church or in the home. They tend more often to sum up, more than we want to admit, one’s larger stance in the evangelical response to contemporary culture. If evangelical theology is to regain a voice of counter-cultural relevance in the contemporary milieu, the gender debate must transcend who can have “Reverend” in front of his or her name on the business card. The gender debate must frame the discussion within a larger picture of biblical, con- fessional theology. And in order to do that, complementarians will have to admit that the egalitarians are winning the debate. The answer to this is not a new strategy. It is, first of all, to discover why evangelicals resonate with evangelical feminism in the first place—and then to provide a biblically and theologically compelling alternative. ii. evangelical theology and the eclipse of biblical patriarchy One of the most important pieces of sociological data in recent years comes from the University of Virginia’s W. Bradford Wilcox in his landmark book, Soft Patriarchs, New Men: How Christianity Shapes Fathers and Husbands.2 Wilcox’s book describes how evangelical men actually think and live.
    [Show full text]
  • A Biblical Evaluation of Beth Moore’S Teachings: Introduction
    Contending For Truth In An Age Of Deception: A Biblical Evaluation Of Beth Moore’s Teachings: Introduction There is an abundance of false teachers and teachings practically everywhere one looks— television programs, periodicals, books and the internet. My goal is not to chase after false teachers and their teachings. Our greatest need is to study Scripture and apply its precepts into our lives as individuals, as families, and as local churches. However when I see such issues come to my ‘doorstep’ so- to-speak, that is, I find people I love meeting together in groups to study under a teacher whom I have not heard of or have known before, then it is my duty as a responsible Christian to evaluate the teachings of such teachers and confirm that what they say and write are sound when passed through the grid of sacred Scripture, the infallible Word. It is within the context that I have described above that I felt compelled to evaluate the teachings of Beth Moore. Our priority is to study God’s Word. It is a baseline understanding of truth as revealed in God’s Word that helps us evaluate error when we are faced with it. I have often used the following illustration, to emphasize our priorities when approaching the study of truth: Medical students in their first year of study typically learn the normal anatomy and physiology of the human body. In their second year of study they typically learn about pathology—those deviations from the norm which necessitates proper diagnosis and treatment. This order of studying the normal first and then the abnormal helps students diagnose problems in patients with greater accuracy.
    [Show full text]
  • Living Proof Simulcast
    PLEASE REGISTER You are invited No later than Some books and T-shirts may To a global Bible-teaching event with September 8, 2017 be available. Beth Moore L You may register in one of three The newest study ways: By phone: leave a message 1. on the church phone 937- 365-3028 2. By email: rainsboromarshallumc@gmail. com LIVING PROOF 3. By mail: send your registration to: SIMULCAST Rainsboro UMC 7633 State Route 753 South Saturday, Greenfield, Ohio 45123 September 16, 2017 Name: ____________________ 9:30- 4:30 Address: __________________ Sponsored by: Rainsboro and __________________________ The Quest is a challenge to accept Marshall United Methodist Phone: ____________________ the invitation to a life of adventure Churches with God. In this excursion toward Email: ____________________ intimacy with Jesus, Beth uses At Rainsboro United Methodist __________________________ questions from Scripture to lead 7633 State Route 753 South Food Allergies: ______________ you into intimacy with the One who knows you best. Six sessions Rainsboro, Ohio __________________________ __________________________ You’re invited to be part of WHO IS BETH MOORE? this global One-Day simulcast Wanda Elizabeth "Beth" that will encourage you to Moore is an American What is Living Proof Live? dive deeper into the Word of evangelist, author, and Bible God. Beth follows the leading teacher. She is the founder of Living Proof Live is a fun-filled Living Proof Ministries, a Bible- Bible study, teaching, and of the Holy Spirit to prepare a based organization for women worship experience to enrich specific message for each of based in Houston, Texas. The your mind, soul, and spirit! her events, and this one will ministry focuses on aiding Bible teacher Beth Moore have a special message for women who desire to model brings a fresh Word from God those who attend.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    TABLE OF CONTENTS BIBLE ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 BROTHERHOOD ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1 CHURCH ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 DEACONS ................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING AND EVANGELISM ............................................................................................................. 3 DOCTRINE................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 FAMILY AND HOME LIFE .................................................................................................................................................... 11 FINANCES ................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 HISTORICAL ...........................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • TUESDAY MORNING JUNE 15, 2021 8:00 Worship // Branden Williams, Convention Music Director; Worship Leader, the Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina
    2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION DAILY BULLETIN 97TH VOLUME | MUSIC CITY CENTER, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | JUNE 15–16, 2021 WELCOME TO PROPOSED ORDER OF BUSINESS TUESDAY MORNING JUNE 15, 2021 8:00 Worship // Branden Williams, Convention music director; worship leader, The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina 8:20 Prayer // Randy Davis, executive director, Tennessee Welcome to the 2021 Annual Meeting of Great Commission Baptist Mission Board, Franklin, Tennessee Baptists! These two days have, for years, represented one of my favorite events of the year because of what our cooperation 8:25 Welcome and Call to Order // J. D. Greear, SBC president; accomplishes. At our largest Annual Meeting in over a decade, pastor, The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina we have the opportunity not just to do business together, but to further our cooperative efforts to reach the world with the 8:40 Registration Report and Constitution of Convention // gospel. Don Currence, acting SBC registration secretary; administrative pastor, First Baptist Church, Ozark, This moment is particularly sweet to me because of what we’ve endured over the past year. Last March kicked off the most Missouri challenging seasons of ministry I’ve ever gone through. I know 8:45 Committee on Order of Business Report (First) // I’m not alone in that. God has been faithful over the past year, Adam W. Greenway, chair; president, The Southwestern but it has been faithfulness in the midst of difficulty, confusion, Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas and pain. J. D. Greear; Chaplain Major As disorienting as the last year has been, however, it has reminded 8:50 Celebrating Freedom // me that what matters most hasn’t changed at all.
    [Show full text]
  • Moore of Feminine Style: a Rhetorical Examination Of
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Liberty University Digital Commons Moore of Feminine Style: A Rhetorical Examination of “Wednesdays with Beth” Presented to the Faculty Liberty University School of Communication In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Master of Arts in Communication By Terrie A. Meeks December, 2013 William Mullen, Ph.D., Chairman Date Cecil V. Kramer, Jr., D. Min Date ______________________________________________________________________________ Faith E. Mullen, Ph.D. Date Copyright @2013 Terrie A Meeks All Rights Reserved Abstract Beth Moore is a best-selling author of books and Bible studies, a speaker to crowds that fill places like the Georgia Super Dome, as well as an international speaker, a radio and television personality, and she is achieving this milestone as a woman, in a world lit with male stars. Through all of these venues it is estimated that Moore speaks to hundreds of thousands of people each year. One of Moore’s most recent ventures is speaking on Life Today with James and Betty Robison. Each week features an episode of “Wednesdays with Beth.” Using Karlyn Kohrs Campbell’s theory of feminine rhetoric, five episodes of this show will be studied to see if they contain the five characteristics of feminine rhetoric. The five characteristics of feminine rhetoric are: the speaker relies on personal experience and extended narrative, the speaker speaks to the audience as peers, the speakers invite audience participation, the speaker creates inductive arguments that lead to generalizations, and the speakers create identification with and empower their audience.
    [Show full text]