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Will You Finish Well? (Part 2) by Maxie Dunnam

Will You Finish Well? (Part 2) by Maxie Dunnam

In my last article, I took the long way around to getting to where I really want to be in my sharing with you. Often the Holy Spirit speaks to us in some very personal way to lift us out of discouragement – but not only so, calls us to make an on-course adjustment in our pattern of life and ministry.

I don’t know who Thomas Fuller is, but I owe him an enthusiastic expression of gratitude. He provided a warning that has become a kind of motto for me. I came upon it about eight months before I accepted the presidency of Asbury Seminary. Here is his word: “Let not thy will roar, when thy power can but whisper.”

Let that register solidly in your mind: “Let not thy will roar when thy power can but whisper.” I discovered that statement in my devotional reading in May of 1993. Putting a date on it has meaning. With that in mind, let me share a confession that will put it in perspective and signify why that admonition is so meaningful to me.

 

From Poverty to Perfectionism

I grew up in rather severe poverty in Perry County, Mississippi. My mother and father did not go to high school. I felt myself culturally, socially, and intellectually, as well as emotionally, deprived. In reaction to that I developed an almost sick determination to achieve. To get out of that situation, to be a success. So I’ve spent a great part of my life driving myself unmercifully. The game I have played through the years is this: “See here, I am worthy of your love and acceptance.”

Throughout my life, until a few years ago, I had a recurring dream. I’m sure some of you can identify with this. The recurring dream expressed itself in different ways, but always there was the same dynamic. The setting was that I had to be somewhere to preach. It all centered in my deep feelings of inferiority, my inadequacy, and my drive to be an excellent preacher. So in my dream I would need to be somewhere to preach.

Sometimes I would be at home; the service of worship was to begin in ten minutes and I would be struggling to button the collar of my shirt, unable to do so, knowing that I was running out of time. Or, I wouldn’t be able to tie my tie. Or I might discover that the cleaner had mixed up my clothing and I would put on a pair of pants and find the coat didn’t match. Or even discover that the pants might be three or four inches too short. Or that I couldn’t button them around my waist – things that would be preventing me from getting to the church in time to preach.

The dream expressed itself in all sorts of ways which demonstrated my struggle, my fighting, the pressure and the stress, the drivenness of my life – all circling around my own feelings of inadequacy and unpreparedness, as well as the limitations of my past – yet with the drive for perfection.

 

Interpreting Anxiety Dreams in Ministry and Leadership

Well, I had not had that dream for a long, long time; in fact, for many years. But it happened again on Tuesday night, July 27th, 1993. I recorded that date in my journal. I felt as though the dream went on all night long. When I woke at five o’clock in the morning, I was in a sweat and I was worn out. There was no logic to the dream and the sequence made no sense. Again, it was the same old thing. I had to preach at a great convention attended by a lot of people. I had not had time to make the kind of preparation I’m committed to making; I was just too busy. I kept saying to myself, “Well, undoubtedly, I’ll get some time and I can put something together.” But time was not given and the evening for my speaking came. I threw some sermon manuscripts into a file. Now listen to this. I believe that different things in our dreams have special meaning. I put the sermons into the kind of file my wife uses for domestic work – an accordion-type file, usually brown, with ten or twelve compartments. The lesson? I need to be more dependent upon Jerry. We need to accept the care of those who love us and admit our need for that care. 

I put all the sermons and notes in that file, jumped into my car, and headed for the convention hall. I got there 15 minutes before it was time to preach and I knew I had to be by myself and get some notes ready for my speaking. I went into the first door that was available and found myself in a kind of canteen. There were chairs and tables and a counter. I sat down at a table and I began to go through the file and find something I could use that night. 

I suddenly became aware that there were three women seated at a table in the room. I don’t know where they came from, but there they were. One of them brought me a glass of milk. It was a beautiful gesture. The lesson? Life is not a competitive battle. We’re all gifted. We don’t have to constantly prove ourselves. We can’t live independently; we need each other.

Then I became aware that there were four men sitting at a table over in a corner of the room. One of them looked at me, recognized me, came over immediately, and introduced himself as a minister. He told me he had been reading all of my books and using them in his church and how much he appreciated my ministry. Instead of saying to him, “Look, why don’t we have some time together after the service tonight?” I was very rude. I cut him off with some angry words about being interrupted. The lesson: we can become so frazzled that we cannot perceive opportunities to give and receive love, so involved that we can’t discern priority issues.

In desperation, I returned to my effort to find something to say. Then it was time – time to go on. I grabbed some notes and started to leave the room and go to the podium. I had on a freshly starched white shirt and my best suit – so I thought. The truth was I had on my coat, but I looked down and discovered I was wearing the pants of a jogging suit. The dream ended.

 

Spiritual Surrender: Let Not Thy Will Roar When Thy Power Can But Whisper

I went to my study for my morning time of prayer after that dream, having received a message from God, a message to surrender, to let go. In retrospect, I knew why I had had that dream. I was the Chair of the Committee on Evangelism for the World Methodist Council, and I was supposed to leave that coming Sunday to visit our congregations in the Czech Republic, to speak at a conference in Estonia, and to visit a congregation in Russia. I was also chairing the Board of Trustees and the search committee to find a new president for Asbury Theological Seminary. That process was just getting underway and was a huge responsibility. I was working on a book manuscript which had a deadline four weeks later. A lot of things were going on in the life of our church, Christ United Methodist in Memphis. We were growing and expanding in so many ways, adding new staff and planning a building expansion. The opportunities for ministry were almost overwhelming. On top of all that, my mother had had a stroke the Sunday afternoon preceding the dream.

So God was speaking to me again, and on that Wednesday morning I renewed my commitment to the Lord. The word from Thomas Fuller, which I had underscored in a book I had been using in my devotional time, and which had been God’s word for me, came alive. If it didn’t hint at irreverence, I would say, “The word became flesh.” “Let not your will roar, when thy power can but whisper.”

I yielded to him, I let go and I let God. I canceled my trip to Russia. I said to the Lord that I was going to do my best and be a responsible chairperson for the search committee at Asbury, but I was not going to get all stressed out about it. Some folks may be wondering about all that, since I became the president. That’s another story altogether. I accepted the fact that it would not be catastrophic if I missed my book deadline and I committed my mother to the Lord. I would continue to be the best leader I could for my congregation, but I was not going to carry the weight of it on my shoulders. God doesn’t intend that for any one of us.

So I surrendered. I realized again how limited I am and how dependent I am upon the Lord; how yielded I must be to Him if His power is going to be perfected in my weakness. The line that I had marked in my devotional reading a few days before had been made powerfully alive by my dream; “Let not your will roar when your power can but whisper.” 

 

Finding Strength in Weakness: Lessons for Christian Leaders

Now here’s the kicker. A year after that dream, I became the President of Asbury Theological Seminary. I accepted that call kicking and screaming, because I became convinced that it was God’s will for this particular season of my life.

How many times during my first years at Asbury did I recall that dream – and that word of the Lord from Thomas Fuller, which was connected with that dream: “Let not your will roar when your power can but whisper.”

Dreams sometimes lead where you had not intended to go. Where do you need to surrender? Where might your power yield to the Holy Spirit’s roar?

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Will You Finish Well? (Part 1) by Maxie Dunnam

Will You Finish Well? (Part 1) by Maxie Dunnam

There are some experiences or encounters that are so solidly lodged in our memory they continue to invade our consciousness – to haunt us – to help us or to hinder our Christian walk, to call and challenge us to be more than we are. 

John Birkbeck is a person around whom for me a whole cluster of memories is gathered – memories that invade my immediate awareness now and then. John was a Scot Presbyterian preacher. During a part of my tenure as the World Editor of The Upper Room, he was the editor of the British edition of The Upper Room. He was a marvelous preacher in the classic style of the Scot divines.

I remember long walks in the evenings through the streets of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. I remember extended hours across a table in a café over coffee – talking and talking and listening and listening. We were never together without my probing him about Christian doctrine, his own insight into Biblical truth and preaching, and the wisdom of the Scot divines. It was John who introduced me to the Scots preacher Robert Murray McCheyne. I hope I will never forget what John brought to my attention in one of McCheyne’s books. Listen to it: “The greatest need of my congregation is my own personal holiness.”

 

The Role of Personal Holiness in Effective Ministry Leadership

I want to lodge that solidly in all our minds. I found it true in all my years of pastoral ministry, “The greatest need of my congregation is my own personal holiness.” 

I remember a time in my life back in the early ‘60s when I was confronted with this shocking fact: I am as holy as I want to be. I was a young Methodist preacher in Mississippi. I was the organizing pastor of a congregation which had known amazing growth. It was also in the midst of the Civil Rights upheaval in the South – and Mississippi, of course, was a constant powder-keg. The church was a kind of Cinderella story – a dramatic demonstration of church growth. It became one of the success stories of Mississippi Methodism.

 

Overcoming Pastor Burnout and Spiritual Exhaustion

Back during those days there was no church growth literature. There was no testing of persons to see if they would make good candidates for church planting. We did it intuitively, by the “seat of our pants” as we would say down in Perry County, Mississippi. I worked myself to the bone. I was worn out physically and emotionally. I kept asking myself a lot of questions – “What is the difference between this congregation and the Rotary Club? Is there a quality of life here that is not present wherever people meet together? Why is it that most of these people have the same ideas about race relations that people outside the church have?” And on and on the questions went. 

It was a tough time and the fellowship of the church was splintered by my involvement in the Civil Rights movement. I didn’t think there was anything radical about my involvement, but many folks in the church could not understand my commitment and participation. I couldn’t understand their lack of understanding. The Gospel seemed rather clear.

The pressure, stress, and tension wore me out. I was physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted, and ready to throw in the towel – even had thoughts about giving up the ministry. My resources were no longer adequate. Then, one of those God things happened – you know the kind of experience I’m talking about – a signal occasion that sets us on another path or at least sends us in a different direction than we had been going.

I went to a week-long retreat/conference, a Christian Ashram, led by the world-famous missionary/evangelist E. Stanley Jones. I will never forget going to the altar one evening, to have Brother Stanley lay hands on and pray for me. He knew my story – we had shared together during the week. As I knelt, he asked me the probing question: “Do you want to be whole? Do you want to be holy?”

That was a signal sanctifying experience in my life, changing forever the direction of my ministry. Through the years since, I have constantly asked myself: Do I want to be holy? and I have constantly reminded myself that I am as holy as I want to be.

 

How to Manage Discouragement in Ministry

I want you to keep that tucked away in the back of your mind as I share with you about personal growth. My overall theme is “Staying Alive All Your Ministry Life.” An overarching question is, “Will you finish well?” 

I’m at the age when I can look back and plot the zigzag course of my journey and hopefully share a bit of wisdom for those who are beginning, as well as for those who have been at it for a while and have made the saving discovery that our calling and our performance in ministry require on-course adjustments all along the way. Let me illustrate by addressing just one area of ministry life – the fact that the very nature of our work makes us vulnerable to drastic moods, and one of our disciplined responses to life must be the master of our moods. 

Consider one of the most common moods: discouragement. Anybody know anything about that? Of course you do. I want you to know that it manifests itself in the greatest of leaders. You remember Moses. At one time he would express his willingness to die for his people. Listen to him as he speaks to the Lord in Exodus 32:31-32: “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold, but now, please forgive their sins – but if not, then blot me out of the book You have written.” That’s the same person – willing to die for his people – who at another time wanted to die in order to get away from them. Listen to him in Numbers 11:11-15: 

Again he’s speaking to the Lord: “ Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you’re going to treat me, put me to death right now.” 

It’s true, isn’t it – that we whose ministry involves seeking to lift others, and keep their eyes focused on “higher things,” have our turn trying to conquer the destructive moods in our own life. Moffatt has a wonderful translation of Job 4:3-5, which describes our situation: “You have yourself set many right, and put strength into feeble souls; your words have kept men on their feet, the weak-kneed you have nerved. But now that your turn has come, you droop; it touches you close and you collapse.” We know about that, don’t we? 

 

Biblical Strategies for Sustainable Ministry

I’m using this only as an illustration to get to a personal confession – but since I’ve raised the whole issue of discouragement, let me offer two hurried suggestions that may help us triumph over the deadly mood of discouragement. First, we need to recognize that the mood of discouragement is often the psychological reaction to extreme mental and physical fatigue. When you’re seeking to deal with discouragement, be sure that you are adequately rested. Second, discouragement often results from an impractical idealism, an illogical attempt at perfectionistic activity. Now, I know about that. You will be hard-pressed to find a more optimistic, idealistic person. How often have I had to cry out, “Oh, hopeless idealist that I am: who will deliver me from the bondage of believing that in this life all ideals can become realities!” 

We need to constantly make a valid distinction between a philosophical idealism and moral responsibility. Just because we know all that can be done, and just because we desperately want to do it, does not necessarily mean that we have to do it. Sometimes doing what we see needs to be done may transcend our human capacity – particularly when other human beings are involved.

The greatest need is your own personal holiness. Be encouraged. It is God who sustains. You are not alone, the Holy Spirit comes alongside in a very personal way to guide us. Seek His rest and consolation. Sanctification and encouragement will follow.

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Workers For The Harvest by Jorge Acevedo

Wesleyan Accent

Workers For The Harvest by Jorge Acevedo

In the economy of the Kingdom of God, many of the ways the followers of Jesus are invited to live are counter intuitive. For example, Jesus taught his students strange things like, “If you want to be first, then be last” and “If you want to be great, then serve.”  We also see this counter-intuitive way of living in Jesus’ invitation for his apprentices to join him in Kingdom expansion work. In Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV), we read:

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

First, notice that Jesus models a Kingdom lifestyle of teaching, preaching (proclaiming) and healing birthed from deep, gut-felt compassion. Second, notice how our Rabbi charged his disciples to partner with him in this Kingdom harvest work. And third, note that Jesus does not ask them to pray for harvest, but instead to pray for harvest workers. This seems to me to be a counter-intuitive impulse. Honestly, for most of my ministry, I’ve prayed for harvest. “Lord, please send us more people!”  Counter-intuitively, my Rabbi is inviting me to pray for harvest workers. 

Can I honestly suggest that this seems to be an absurd command from our Rabbi? I thought harvest was the goal. Isn’t making more followers of Jesus our assignment as the Church? The answer is of course “Yes,” but Jesus here couches harvest work in how we pray. He inverts our strategy. Instead of praying for more harvest, he invites us to pray for harvest workers. I think Jesus understood that the heavy lifting in expanding the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven would require more workers. The harvest is plentiful. It’s ready for harvesting. What Jesus calls for is more workers. He needs more women and men from every station and strata of life to join him in this harvest work.

 

John Wesley and the Power of Lay Leadership

Dr. Kevin Watson has given contemporary followers of Jesus in the Wesleyan stream of Christianity a great gift by summarizing the Wesleyan Standard sermons on his blog. His comments on the 33rd sermon, “A Caution Against Bigotry” are captivating. The message is based on the biblical text Mark 9:38-39 (CEB): John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.” Jesus replied, “Don’t stop him. No one who does powerful acts in my name can quickly turn around and curse me.” Dr. Watson remarks on this sermon:*

This sermon is written in the context of Wesley’s leadership of Methodism as a renewal movement within the Church of England and the tensions that were often just below the surface between his ordination as a priest in the Church of England and his leadership of Methodism. Wesley’s use of lay preachers, in particular, was controversial and is an important part of the background of this sermon…

As committed as John Wesley was to the Church of England and all things Anglican because of the sovereign movement of God through the people called Methodists, he refused to diminish it by sequestering the work of ministry to the ordained alone. This robust lay preacher strategy made and kept the fires of the Methodist revival stoked. This sermon defends his strategy to train and deploy lay preachers regardless of ecclesiastical pushback.

Watson also points out that Wesley’s argument for using lay preachers was the undeniable fruitfulness in the ministry of lay preachers. He comments, “…the sermon should be read in part as an appeal for not interfering with lay preachers whose ministry bears fruit [they are “casting out devils”] by leaders within the Church of England. The sermon has a variety of intriguing applications in the contemporary context.” 

 

Fruitfulness as the Proof of God’s Call

Watson discerns that the “key quote” in this sermon is:**

‘But what is a sufficient, reasonable proof that a man does (in the sense above) cast out devils?’ The answer is easy. Is there full proof, first, that a person before us was a gross, open sinner? Secondly, that he is not so now; that he has broke off his sins, and lives a Christian life? And thirdly, that his change was wrought by his hearing this man preach? If these three points be plain and undeniable, then you have sufficient, reasonable proof, such as you cannot resist without willful sin, that this man casts out devils. [III.3]

To quote a much-used southernism, “The proof is in the pudding.” The irrefutable personal life transformation and abundant ministry wrought by lay preachers was Mr. Wesley’s defense. But it wasn’t always this way for Wesley.

An incident in 1741 with the Assistant at the Society in London captures Wesley’s change of heart regarding lay preachers. Thomas Maxfield was a gifted young leader whom Wesley left in charge of the Society. The young, inexperienced leader took it upon himself to gather the entire Society and preach. This was beyond the scope of Maxfield’s responsibility and authority. Wesley quickly returned and scolded the young leader. Susanna, John’s mother, challenged him on his actions. Thomas Coke and Henry Moore record the incident like this:***

His mother then lived in his house, adjoining the Foundery. When he arrived, she perceived that his countenance was expressive of dissatisfaction and inquired the cause. ‘Thomas Maxfield,’ said he abruptly, ‘has turned Preacher, I find.’ She looked attentively at him and replied, ‘John, you know what my sentiments have been. You cannot suspect me of readily favouring anything of this kind. But take care what you do with respect to that young man, for he is surely called of God to preach as you are. Examine what have been the fruits of his preaching, and hear him also yourself.’ He did so. His prejudice bowed before the force of truth: and he could only say, ‘It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth good.

Upon carefully examining the preaching ministry of Maxfield, Wesley could not help but to see that God indeed had given the young leader gifts and graces for the preaching ministry. This was a defining moment for Mr. Wesley.

 

Raising Up Emerging Leaders for Today’s Harvest

I think we can infer from all of this that both Jesus and Mr. Wesley would affirm the need for fruitful, gifted workers for harvest work if the harvest is going to be “brought in.” Jesus modeled this with his apprenticeship of the disciples and Mr. Wesley rather begrudgingly at first, but enthusiastically later enlisted harvest workers to join in harvest work. Neither Jesus nor John Wesley embraced a caste system in their approach to leadership development.

So, what does a spiritual leader 2000 years removed from the ministry of Jesus and 275 years since the movement of the early Methodists do about enlisting, training and releasing emerging leaders? In reflecting on my experience of 40 years as a spiritual leader enlisting younger and newer leaders to join me in harvest work, I’ve noticed six common cries of emerging leaders. Wise and prayerful recruiters to harvest work intentionally hear these cries and build systems to careful harness them for harvest work. The six cries are:

  1. “Perceive me. Acknowledge and see me and my potential.”
  2. “Pick me. I want to be mentored and led well and honorably.”
  3. “Prepare me. Pour into me. I want to learn from you.”
  4. “Promote me. Give me opportunities that stretch me.”
  5. “Platform me. When the time is right, push me to the front.”
  6. “Pass it on to me. I need your blessing for my future.”

In enlisting, preparing and releasing younger and newer leaders for harvest work, we join in answering Jesus’ prayer for harvest workers and stand in the center of the stream of our Wesleyan tradition. The harvest is still plentiful. The cries of emerging leaders still echo. Will we be the ones who perceive, prepare, and pass on the mantle to the next generation of Kingdom workers?

 

 

*Kevin Watson. John Wesley’s Sermon “A Caution Against Bigotry: A Brief Summary.”

**Watson. John Wesley’s Sermon “A Caution Against Bigotry: A Brief Summary.”

***Adrian Burdon. Authority and Order: John Wesley and his Preachers.

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We Can Never Gain As Much As God Gives by Rob Haynes

Wesleyan Accent

We Can Never Gain As Much As God Gives by Rob Haynes

A celebrity was being interviewed on a TV talk show. The host asked, “Can you recall the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?”

“Yes, Next question!”

 

When Embarrassment Leads to Transformation

Most of us would like to forget our embarrassing or humbling experiences. We would like to move past the things that we aren’t proud of, or don’t put us in a positive light. However, the Bible is full of stories where people share their highest highs and lowest lows. That is because the thing that came after the embarrassing situation was worth more than anything in the world. One such story that is often overlooked is found in Daniel, where King Nebuchadnezzar proclaims to “people of every race and nation” that “’I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations.’” (Daniel 4:1-3, NLT)

 

The Humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar is more often known for his conquest of Judah, his prophetic dreams, his construction of idols, and his attempt to punish Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for their refusal to worship a giant idol. It is also worth taking a closer look at the transformation that happens to him in chapter 4. We have an account, mostly in his own words, of another prophetic dream and the subsequent works of God that transform his life. This dream tells him of his own pending humiliation, if he does not give glory to God. The king fails to do so, instead looking upon the riches of his capital city and the empire and claims these to be works of his own “majestic splendor.” (v. 30)

Babylon was, indeed, a majestic city. It was the center of the known world in the areas of art, music, science, mathematics, and literature. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are still considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. True to the vision God gave Nebuchadnezzar he lost it all in an instant. He suffers the fate that so many fear: exclusion, alienation, and abandonment from family and friends. He is forced to live outside for seven years and even eats grass like a cow. He proves that too many times we try to climb ladders of success only to find that we have been leaning them against the wrong walls.

 

Success Is Not Proof of Righteousness

While many of us may not state it this way, an incorrect thinking can sneak in among Christ followers that goes something like this: “”If success is not by might nor by power, then it must be by my righteousness.” God answers through Nebuchadnezzar that our achievements are not by our might nor our own righteousness, but only through his grace. The Lord will use our obedience to bless us, but he is not obligated by our obedience to grant us earthly success.

If we have accomplished anything, it only takes a little reflection to see “worse” people who have done far better—and better people who have done far worse. It would be foolish to claim that our accomplishments are because of some sort of moral superiority. Nebuchadnezzar was the richest, most powerful man. Was he morally good? Absolutely not. He was a cruel, wicked, vindictive man. This flies in the face of a supposed cause-and-effect relationship between our “good works” and big successes.

That must mean that the only explanation for earthly success is God’s gracious provision to us. You see, we can never gain as much as God gives. Nebuchadnezzar had more of an earthly kingdom than most of us could ever imagine and will ever obtain. And he was spiritually bankrupt. In an instant, he lost all those material blessings as well.

 

God’s Grace Is Greater Than Our Failure

But God did not leave Nebuchadnezzar there. God’s extravagant grace breaks in. Nebuchadnezzar is restored, both spiritually and physically. So much so that he proclaims: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.” (v.37)

All of us are just one step away from that lowly state ourselves. It only takes:

One phone call from the boss

One rejection from our children

One heartbreak from a loved one

One change of health

That same Grace that transformed Nebuchadnezzar’s life is available to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. God’s grace is above or below any place you may find yourself today. No pride is too monstrous to block it. No humiliation is beyond his redemption.

What are you training to gain that only God can give? The Good News is that God is more ready to give than we are to ask. So let’s start asking.

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Prevenient Grace and God’s Calling by Luciano Pereira Da Silva

Wesleyan Accent

Prevenient Grace and God’s Calling by Luciano Pereira Da Silva

I remember as if it were today, the day I entered the house of the youth leader and participated in a small discipleship group. My life was never the same after that moment. Until then, I was a teenager full of problems and doubts, marked by my father’s abandonment, the wounds of violence, and vices. I knew bitterness, sadness, feelings of rejection, and deep confusion about my identity.

At that time, I was convinced that my life would not last long and that there was no hope for me. The only way out, or so the lie beckoned, was to drown myself in alcohol and start experimenting with other drugs. However, what I didn’t know was that the Holy Spirit was searching for me, wanted to free me, and offer a new life.

I am a living witness of what we call prevenient grace. God was reaching out to me in the midst of darkness before I even had a clear understanding of Him. In the late 1980s, while I was completely drunk in a nightclub, I heard the voice of God saying: “Leave this place; this is not where you belong.“

At that moment, I thought it was just my imagination or the effect of intoxication. However, over the years, I understood that it was God searching for me, just as He did with Adam in Genesis 3:9: “Where are you?”

God, in His grace, was calling the fallen man to return to Him. That voice impacted me so deeply that I left the nightclub and never returned to that kind of life. It has not been easy, but it has been so good. Praise be to God.

I continued attending the small group and started going to church. Then, one day at a youth retreat, the Holy Spirit took hold of me so powerfully during a prayer vigil that I fell to the ground. When I got up, I had the certainty that heaven was open for me. I began to pray for others, and God started using me—those I prayed for also received the Holy Spirit.

From that day on, I understood that God had called me into ministry and wanted to use me. I was set free from sin and the demons that had bound me. I started preaching, and with the support of my church, I was sent to seminary, where I studied theology. I became a pastor, fully convinced that my calling was the path I needed to follow, obeying God without needing anything else.

Throughout my ministry, I have faced difficulties, but always with the certainty that God was guiding me. I have witnessed the move of God and have preached in many places around the world, seeing the work of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of His power.

If someone were to ask me: “What is the secret to ministry?” I would answer without hesitation: surrender.

People often see ministry as a matter of achievements, results, numbers, and success. However, this mindset has led many to discouragement and frustration because they have begun to act as “gods of their own ministry,” believing that their performance and efforts are the key to success.

The apostle Paul asks a crucial question in 2 Corinthians 2:16: “And who is sufficient for these things?“

With this, he highlights human incapacity for ministry without total dependence on God. Paul himself lived with an attitude of surrender, considering everything as loss for the sake of gaining Christ (Philippians 3:8). He also taught that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We should not be afraid to be honest and recognize our limitations. God did not call us because we were capable, but He loved us when we were still sinners and brought us out of darkness for His glory.

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Passing The Light: Mentoring Lessons from Elijah, Elisha, and John Wesley by Larry Frank

Wesleyan Accent

Passing The Light: Mentoring Lessons from Elijah, Elisha, and John Wesley by Larry Frank

“We transfer this mantle from our generation to the young, indicating that the responsibilities of the older generation will be caught up and carried on by the young, and that the spirit of today’s Elijahs will rest on today’s Elishas.” Nearly a decade ago these words rang across the retirement service as a retiring elder handed me a symbolic lantern.  

I had been selected by my peers as the ordinand to “receive the mantle” and carry on the light from the retiring class. I’ll admit I had often tuned out of that particular service, often opting for coffee with friends. But when it came to the moment for me to actually receive the lantern and hear those words, I felt the full weight of the handoff. That day 31 gifted and dedicated pastors were retiring, collectively representing over 950 years of service to Christ and His Church. I imagined all the sermons preached, the lives changed, the baptisms, funerals, and weddings. I thought of all the joy lived out in their churches, all the hard transitions and moments of grief. And with the passing of a lantern, over 950 years of combined ministry was symbolically passed to 4 newly ordained elders. 

The lantern felt heavy in my hands as I barely squeezed out my response, “we who come after you say, may we receive a double portion of your spirit.”

The emotion of the moment pierced me as I realized that given the state of the world, and of the church, we were going to need at least a double portion. That day was a confirmation in my spirit we needed a new way to operate.  Much of my training for ministry set me up to be a solo-heroic leader. I needed mentors. I needed to mentor others. This has become a drumbeat for my life and ministry ever since. 

In wrestling for a way to share this idea of calling wrapped up in mentorship with my church, I found direction in 1 Kings. The Biblical story of Elijah and Elisha offers a beautiful narrative on mentorship and handoff, emphasizing the deep, transformative relationship needed for spiritual maturity. This narrative, intertwined with John Wesley’s emphasis on communal spiritual growth and accountability within micro-communities, reveals the enduring power of mentoring in nurturing a committed, maturing faith. 

Elijah and Elisha: A Model of Spiritual Mentoring

The relationship between Elijah and Elisha serves as an exemplary model of the mentoring relationship. Elijah, a powerful prophet of God, had been used by God in powerful and dramatic ways to purge the land of Baal worship. After defeating the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18), an act that in Elijah’s eyes should have been the final triumph over idol worship, Elijah finds himself pursued by Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-2). In God’s goodness, Elijah is cared for (nap and a snack, amen?), and shown how his calling would play out in the next phase of God’s unfolding plan. Elijah learns that he would soon be used in less dramatic, more subtle ways. In other words, Elijah had to accept the reality that while he was a part of God’s plan, he was not the plan (1 Kings 19:3-18). God’s ultimate triumph over Baal worship would be accomplished through the intentional (and rather unremarkable) act of prophetic succession. 

Elijah is told to anoint Elisha as his successor. And without much explanation, Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha, signifying the transfer of prophetic authority and an invitation into a new way of life (1 Kings 19:19-21). This simple moment marks the beginning of an intimate and transformative relationship. 

Elisha’s own journey of being mentored by Elijah would be characterized by learning, observation, and deep discipleship. Elisha faithfully serves and follows the elder Elijah, witnessing his prophetic ministry while growing in his understanding of his own call. The relationship is about far more than passing on knowledge; it is about Elisha experiencing and embodying the ministry of a prophet. The climactic moment of their relationship is when Elijah is taken to heaven in a whirlwind, and Elisha receives that double portion (2 Kings 2:9-12). This is the culmination of their mentoring relationship, with Elisha now fully equipped to continue the work of God begun by his spiritual father. 

John Wesley and the Power of Group Mentoring

For all that is made of John Wesley’s genius in innovation, perhaps the most valuable facet was his grasp of communal spiritual growth and accountability. Group mentoring in societies, classes, and bands were foundational elements to the early movement. These groups were designed to foster spiritual maturity through mutually practiced accountability, prayer, and the study of Scripture. Those early methodists saw that true spiritual growth and preparation for a life of ministry happened best within the context of community, where all members were supported and challenged in their faith journeys. 

In these groups, the mentor (class or band leader) would guide and support individuals in their spiritual formation. Through teaching biblical truth and modeling a life of holiness, they helped those in their care navigate the challenges of life, discern God’s will, and apply scriptural holiness to their daily lives. 

These groups were the secret sauce of the Methodist-Wesleyan movement. Francis Asbury, reflecting on these groups, referred to them as “our universities for the ministry.” Wesley himself believed that the neglect of this group mentoring experience would tear at the fabric of the entire movement:
Never omit meeting your class or band; never absent yourself from any public meeting. These are the very sinews of our Society; and whatever weakens, or tends to weaken, our regard for these, or our exactness in attending them, strikes at the very root of our community.

Wesley’s approach to communal spiritual growth and mentoring aligns with what we read of Elijah and Elisha’s relationship. Both the biblical account and the group model of Wesleyanism emphasize the importance of close, personal relationships in nurturing spiritual maturity in mentoring relationships.

Mentoring: Handing Off Deep, Transformative Faith and Leadership

Mentoring, as illustrated by Elijah and Elisha and emphasized by Wesley’s practices, is not merely the impartation of knowledge. It involves nurturing deep, transformative relationships that foster spiritual and emotional maturity and a deeper commitment to following the call of Jesus. A true mentor invests time, energy, and resources into the mentee, guiding them along the way. 

This time of relationship requires vulnerability, trust, and a willingness to be shaped by the wisdom and experience of another. For Elisha, following Elijah meant leaving his former life behind and embracing a new identity. In much the same way, members of Wesley’s groups were challenged to live out their faith authentically and transparently within their communities. 

Building a Legacy: Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders

The impact of such mentoring relationships extends beyond the spiritual and leadership growth of an individual. It plays a crucial role in the development and expansion of faith-sharing movements, like World Methodist Evangelism. Elijah’s mentoring of Elisha ensured the continuity of the prophetic ministry in Israel. Elisha’s subsequent ministry, while quite different from Elijah’s, showed the effectiveness of Elijah’s guidance. 

In the case of the early Methodists, Wesley’s emphasis on small groups and communal accountability and mentoring led to a vibrant and growing movement. The strength of the movement lay in its ability to cultivate committed disciples who were in turn equipped to lead and mentor others, multiplying the impact of the gospel. 

This type of relational investment not only deepens discipleship, but also enhances effective evangelism. Mentored individuals are equipped to articulate their faith, engage in faith-sharing, and invite others into a similar journey. 

With every handoff, we hold in tension remembering one’s own calling while at the same time embracing the handoff to those coming behind. When I think of someone who has done that well, I think of Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam. As a young pastor, I knew Maxie as someone who was working tirelessly for renewal in the Wesleyan way. Several years ago, we happened to be at the same conference in Chicago. One evening, we were waiting for dinner and I took the opportunity to say thanks for working so hard for a better Church for my generation and that I realized that I was standing on his shoulders. I’ll never forget his reply, “Larry, I may not get to see the whole thing, but you will. I get to hand it off to you.” 

Later, through Flame Fellows, I got to spend a year being mentored by Maxie. In preparation for a sermon titled ‘Handoff’, I wondered if Maxie even remembered that conversation in Chicago. So we had a zoom chat about it and I shared the last few minutes of our conversation with Grace Church. (You can view the sermon here  – the conversation with Maxie is at the very end). 

If not for mentors like Maxie (and several others) who have invested in my life, I would not be the follower of Jesus, pastor, husband, or father that I am. I am grateful for my current mentors who continually push me to be the best version of me I can be. And in these days, I take very seriously my responsibility to be that person for others. In a recent staff meeting, our Executive Pastor and I had a wonderful realization that at 40 and 37 years old, respectively, we are among some of the older staff. We must pour into our Elishas as they hone their own call and leadership style.

In a world increasingly dominated by individualism, the biblical and Wesleyan models of mentorship remind us of the profound importance of community, accountability, and relational investment in nurturing faith and calling. The time to act is now; we cannot afford to wait until a retirement ceremony to pass the torch to the next generation.

Taking Action: Practical Steps to Embrace Mentorship

Here’s some practical steps:

  • Become a Mentor:
    If you have experienced the transformative power of a mentoring relationship, consider becoming a mentor yourself. Reflect on the wisdom and experiences you have gained and seek out those who might benefit from your guidance. Whether it’s within your church, workplace, or community, your investment will make a significant impact.
  • Seek Out Mentorship:
    If you are seeking to grow in your faith and leadership, find a mentor who can guide and support you. Look for someone whose life and ministry inspire you and approach them with humility and openness. Express your desire to learn from their experiences and be ready to commit to the journey of growth.
  • Join or Form Small Groups:
    Small groups are the heartbeat of communal spiritual growth. Join an existing small group at your church or consider starting one. These groups provide a safe space for mutual accountability, prayer, and study of Scripture. They are fertile ground for mentoring relationships to flourish.
  • Invest in the Next Generation:
    Identify potential leaders within your community and invest in their development. Create opportunities for young people to take on responsibilities, learn from experienced leaders, and grow in their faith. Encourage them, support them, and let them know that you believe in their potential.
  • Commit to the Handoff:
    The handoff is not a one-time event but a continuous process. Commit to regularly assessing and renewing your mentoring relationships. Stay engaged, be adaptable, and continually seek ways to support and empower those you mentor.

Lighting the Way Forward: A Call to Mentorship and Legacy Building

By embracing the call to mentor and be mentored, we can ensure the continuity and vitality of our faith communities. The church is too precious, and our calling too significant, to wait any longer. Start the handoff now. Let’s build a legacy of faith and leadership which will endure for generations to come.

Who are your Elijahs? Reach out to them and express your gratitude. Who are your Elishas? Begin investing in their journey today. Together, let’s light the way forward.

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A Prophet Present Among Them by Maxie Dunnam

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A Prophet Present Among Them by Maxie Dunnam

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This is the season in many denominations when changes take place in clergy leadership. I’m in a good bit of conversation with clergy and lay leadership about the nature of ordained ministry. I urge clergy and lay leadership to read and consider chapter 2 of Ezekiel as a part of the experience of “clergy appointment.” 

A few years ago I was smitten by a word I heard in the ordination service of the Free Methodist Church. It was verses 4 and 5 of Ezekiel 2 that made me give special attention:

The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says.’ And whether they listen – for they are a rebellious house – they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (NIV)

In his story, Ezekial sees the “glory of Yahweh” coming down from heaven and it is so overwhelming that he falls on his face. But the Lord will not let him remain there. “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” And the Lord does speak. The message which Ezekiel is to preach is given to him in a kind of scroll. So, Ezekiel receives his appointment. It is not a promising situation. Not the planting of a new church that is sure to grow in an exciting fashion. Not to be the senior pastor of First Church downtown which has tremendous influence in the entire community. Not an appointment to a rapidly growing church in suburbia. 

It is a hard call and God makes it clear. In exercising his prophetic office, Ezekiel will have to preach to deaf ears and dwell among scorpions.

Now all of us clergy have preached to deaf ears – but very few have dwelt among scorpions – though one of our student pastors told me recently he had “some polecats” in his congregation. There was no prospect of success laid on the prophet in his initial call to ministry. And that burden of no prospect continues to increase as God continues to speak.

In this call of Ezekiel, there are some lessons, especially some directions and powerful promises to us clergy as we contemplate our leadership.

First, God says, “Stand on your feet and I will speak to you.” (2:1) The lesson? We are to listen. Our stance must always be a receptive one. “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”

Note a second thing. After hearing God tell him to “stand on his feet,” so that He might speak to him, Ezekiel says, “As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet and I heard Him speaking to me.” The lesson? It is not our ability to do what God calls us to do, but our willingness to respond, to yield, to attempt what He calls us to that releases God’s power. God called Ezekiel, “Stand on your feet” but then – as Ezekiel says – “a Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet.

God does not call us to a ministry or a mission that we can accomplish in our own strength and with our own resources – but only with His divine aid. In that way, we’re kept on our knees, dependent upon Him.

Then there is a third lesson and a promise that comes in Ezekiel 3:1-3: 

And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.”  So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.  Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. (NIV)

The lesson? We pastors must become one with God’s word. What we say must be matched by how we live. 

Regardless of our location, we must offer a listening stance, a yielding and willing posture, and a life lived by the Word. When these are seen in the pulpit and on the street, people will know that a prophet is among them.

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Remembrances of Training Leaders in Cuba by Winston Worrell

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Remembrances of Training Leaders in Cuba by Winston Worrell

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For 25 years, I was blessed to serve as Director of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute.  Through service to the local church, I was blessed to travel the world and see our good God at work.  It is good to remember the work the Lord has done.

In 2001, I coordinated with Dr. H. Eddie Fox of World Methodist Evangelism and with Cuba’s Methodist Bishop Ricardo Pereira to teach at the Cuba Methodist Church’s training seminar at their Canaan Camp for several Methodist pastors and lay persons from across Cuba.  At this seminar, we presented several lectures and workshops on evangelism. We worshiped together with wonderful singing, great music from several musical instruments, and great enthusiasm for evangelism. In the workshops I led, I was privileged to share the love of Jesus and to teach the pastors and laity the emphasis on practical faith-sharing. I remember handing out outlines of my presentations, which had been translated into Spanish, that focused mainly on a wholistic understanding of evangelism and faith-sharing. There was great receptivity to teachings on evangelism.

Then three years later, in 2004, I coordinated our Institute’s “Evangelism Conference of the Americas” in Havana, Cuba. The 250 pastors and laity who attended this conference on evangelism were from all the Americas (North America, Central America and South America). Again, we focused on presenting several lectures and workshops on different evangelism themes. Bishops, pastors and laity from across the entire Americas also presented lectures and workshops. Again, we worshiped with wonderful singing, great music, use of several musical instruments, and great enthusiasm for evangelism, and again, there was great receptivity to teachings on evangelism.

Under normal circumstances, once we have led a seminar in any country, we move on to leading seminars in other countries. After a season, we would normally receive follow-up reports from a few key leaders, but we didn’t often hear from regular attendees regarding the impact of our seminars.  We believed we were sowing seeds for a Kingdom harvest our eyes may never see. By the grace of God, this all changed a year ago during a return trip to Cuba after almost 20 years.

In February 2023, I returned to Cuba with another group of World Methodist leaders. Our time there included visits to several local congregations. It was truly refreshing to again experience the vitality of the Cuban Methodist congregations in worship. During this visit, we attended worship at one of the congregations which was packed to overflowing. We were asked to share with the congregation who we were. I shared my name, briefly about my former visits, and a general word of encouragement. The other leaders shared as well and the microphone was returned to the pastor of that local congregation, Pastor Armando. He shared about how God had been doing a mighty work through this congregation by the power of the Holy Spirit. He specifically noted how they were practicing evangelistic practices he learned at a seminar nearly 20 years earlier. I did not recognize him, but he was a past attendee of our 2001 training seminar in Canaan. He had immediately remembered me and was very happy to introduce me to the congregation as one of his former teachers. He thanked me openly for the training that he had received and said that he was still using some of the handouts that I had given him so many years ago to move his congregation forward.

Here is a part of the email that Pastor Armando sent me on my return to Atlanta from Cuba last year:

Dear Brother Winston, it has been a great blessing for me to be able to share with you after so many years of having met you at the Canaan Camp in May 2001. I thank our God for your visit to our church and for being able to testify how useful it has been for my ministry your ‘Workshop on Sharing the Faith.’ Thanks for praying for us. We will also be praying for you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your life and ministry.”  ~Armando

Thanks be to God for God’s blessings in our ministries, especially where God continues to multiply the witnesses for Christ through your ministry and mine for the sake of the Gospel of Christ and his Kingdom.

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Embracing the New Wine: Reflections on the Changing Landscape of Ministry by Larry Frank

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Embracing the New Wine: Reflections on the Changing Landscape of Ministry by Larry Frank

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“In the crushing, in the pressing

You are making new wine

In the soil I now surrender

You are breaking new ground…”

New Wine by Hillsong Worship

My story of crushing and pressing really began in the middle of the pandemic. That’s when I gradually realized that the seminary training I received no longer aligned with reality. The U.S. Church faced successive shockwaves – COVID, the tragic death of George Floyd, a tumultuous general election, January 6, and more. One of my mentors describes those days as marked by disease, disaster, disorientation, and division. The fallout exposed the fault lines in most churches, including my own shortcomings as a leader and follower of Jesus.

For nearly 15 years, I served as a pastor, climbing the “leadership ladder” with zeal. A few years ago, I found myself as the Lead Pastor of one of the larger churches in my conference. I thrived on metrics like average worship attendance and professions of faith. Everything seemed to trend upward until it didn’t. It all abruptly changed. The division stemming from polarizing events made it challenging to sustain congregational unity. Beloved members left the church. Many chose alternative activities over Sunday morning services while we operated solely online. Many never returned.

The limitations of the attractional church model, which I was trained to implement, became glaringly apparent. Regardless of the soaring music or meticulously crafted sermons, attendance didn’t rebound. Beautiful buildings, student ministry programs, affinity groups, classes, and bible studies lost their effectiveness. As I grappled with this realization, I came to understand that the future church would not be the same I encountered as a 14-year-old new believer.

I initially resisted change, echoing Mr. Wesley’s tension toward the established church of his era. Wesley was simultaneously committed to its structure while acknowledging its need for renewal. In his Letter from Dublin in 1789, he wrote, “In religion I am for as few innovations as possible. I love the old wine best.”* But this wine was no longer good for the table.

I began to press into what it would look like for tradition and innovation to coexist. In my research on church structure and strategy, I leaned into an approach of “both/and.” Could there be a sacred synthesis of attractional and incarnational, established and emerging, all existing together?

This journey led to an awakening in my spirit. The emerging church in our context could look more like field preaching of Wesley’s day than anything else. While the Sunday morning gathering remains relevant, church in pubs, coffee shops, breakrooms, under shade trees, and in homes also finds its place. Yes, there will be vocal detractors. However, the misconception lies in viewing established churches and emerging forms as mutually exclusive; they can and should coexist, enriching and shaping one another to share the gospel in diverse contexts.

I still find some of these more innovative ways of doing and being church strange, so I continue to find great comfort that John Wesley was still uncomfortable with field preaching many years after its beginning. He would write in his journal, “What marvel the devil does not love field preaching? Neither do I – I love a commodious room, a soft cushion, an handsome pulpit. But where is my zeal if I do not trample all these under foot in order to save one more soul?”** Two decades of field preaching and he still had difficulty reconciling the practice. Still, Wesley was willing to embrace it as he saw the gospel reach people.

Last June marked a significant change for my family as we departed from the familiar confines of our state and the denomination we had always called home. We bid farewell to the “commodious room” and “handsome pulpit” to embark on a new journey as part of the pastoral team at a multisite church located in southwest Florida. Here, the principles of attractional and missional converge seamlessly. Our Sunday gatherings are vibrant, drawing in many souls. Yet, amidst the effectiveness of traditional ministry programming, I find myself engaging in more and more field preaching. Nowadays, this entails sitting on a sidewalk, sharing a simple bottle of water with a homeless couple, lending an ear to someone’s story, or assisting them in finding their way to detox. It involves sharing a meal and embracing individuals whose lives and perspectives differ vastly from mine. These endeavors provide the same gospel space as the pulpit on Sunday morning. 

My affection for traditional brick-and-mortar churches remains unwavering. There’s undeniable passion and vitality in that model. However, I’ve come to realize that the future of the church, especially in reaching new people, lies in smaller, more adaptable structures grounded in authentic relationships. 

Reflecting on Christ’s command to spread the gospel, I invite you to ponder with me the sacrifices we must be willing to make (trample under foot) in order to make room for reaching even one more.

The new wine is worth it, can we make this our prayer?

“Jesus, bring new wine out of me…

‘Cause where there is new wine there is power

There is new freedom

And the Kingdom is here

I Lay down my old flames

To carry Your new fire today.”

* Letter from Dublin, June 20, 1789, The Letters of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M., ed John Telford (London: Epworth, 1931), 8:145.

** John Wesley, Journal and Diaries IV, (1755-1765), ed. W. Reginald Ward and Richard P. Heitzenrater (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1992), 21:203.

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Christ Between Us by Joseph Seger

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Christ Between Us by Joseph Seger

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“Good morning, pastor.”  “I am so glad you are my pastor.”  “If only we had a different pastor.”  “It must be nice to be a pastor and work only an hour a week.”  “Sorry, I shouldn’t say that in front of a pastor.”  “You, are a pastor?”

I have been a pastor for more than a decade now. The comments no longer surprise me even if the emotions raised may linger. The blessings of the calling far outweigh the predictable misunderstandings of the many. I get to meet so many gracious people and bear witness to meaningful moments in their lives. Through this, I have learned the intimacy held in sharing the gospel is not so unique. I joke with people that I get to be a ‘professional Christian.’ Laughter often follows, but then a pause, as the thought clicks. There is something about pastoring that all Christians can be about. It can be found by anyone who places Christ before them. And this is good news for all.

As a pastor, I have many stories and received many blessings as I attempt to be faithful to the office. I appreciate Eugene Peterson’s vision of a pastor, “The role of the pastor is to embody the gospel. And of course to get it embodied, which you can only do with individuals, not in the abstract.” Diving into the everydayness of people’s lives creates an intimacy which is singular, and ever present.  The uniqueness comes with the privilege of the calling. People who love Jesus grant me an unearned peak into the vulnerability of their lives. The good, the bad, the ugly, the downright scary, and the tucked-away, hidden dramas that yield great hope and great pain in what’s to come.

I knew of this before being a pastor, but it becomes more profound as each encounter reframes and refreshes this truth. Encounters made possible by the name of Jesus – not me and my own glory. Many of those I encounter are meeting me for the first time. Why would I have any intimate connection with the person who just met me? Why would anyone feel at ease in sharing guarded truths of life and the longings of the heart with a stranger?

I can point to training, title, theology – no matter.  It’s not earned. It remains a privilege. Because of Jesus. One more closely guarded the more we hear of people who abuse the office of pastor. (Lord hear our prayers) Peter knew long ago the temptations which come with such unearned trust, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)  

Before being a pastor, I thought they (do not ask me to tell you who I thought ‘they’ were) taught pastors exactly what to say to earn this trust. Like a reference book in which one could look up ‘teenage drama,’ ‘dying friend,’ ‘’moving across the country,’ ‘childhood trauma,’ ‘wedding nerves,’ ‘unexpected cancer diagnosis,’ ‘family dysfunction,’ etc. – find the phrase, posture, or prescription – and then fix what is broken. Indeed you can find these books on shelves, but no matter how many are obtained, are appropriate, or have the perfect post-mortem point – none ever fit. Real life never imitates the precision of a crafted scenario or the cold analysis of what should have been.

Seminary does not prepare you for the intimacy the gospel provides in ministry. It can be a wonderful and formative experience. It can teach all about how others have thought and acted throughout history about matters near and dear to your life. Indeed good seminaries will open, challenge, and guide your perspective into expansive mysteries previously unknown. However, they do not then live your life, make your decisions, or wrestle with the reality of a broken world in real-time. They do not address the administrative challenges, random conversations, and frequent interruptions to a perfectly planned day of abstract theological reflection. Only time with Jesus and others does this.  And this happens in the reality of everyday encounters common to all.

Real life is so much better than ivory-tower abstractions and self-help scripts. There are imperfect people sharing with each other about real matters which have temporal consequences and eternal implications. I have found the words shared in those holy moments often seem unpolished and sparse, far from the theological precision and self-help wordsmithing of the guidebooks and classroom. Yet, they become the right words, for they bear witness to the uniqueness of a moment entrusted to our mutual faith in Jesus. And though I can share the entire journey and humbling experiences which brought me to my current role as pastor – it is still the people’s love of Jesus, entrusted to the local church, which connects us.

I thought this was unique for the few called and privileged who got to be a “professional Christian.”  Only, I hear stories. Good news about how God is working in and through people who never went to seminary. People who often could not quote chapter and verse to back up their unorganized theology. They have the audacity to believe their love of Jesus and His love of them is enough to meet strangers on the road of life. Without theological training, prescribed psychological approaches, or prior experience they sense the Holy Spirit calling them to share their love with others. Because Jesus is enough.

Venturing into the real world, I hear of prayer in office break rooms and school hallways. I know of studies amongst friends and families which no church has organized. I see testimonies on social media which no pastor curated. I know of strangers who have prayed for me in public. Time and time and time again, without knowing who I was or what I did, people have prayed for me in airports, provided for my family in a moment of need, and ministered to me because of their love for Jesus. Jesus is a bridge between us all.

As a pastor, I am deeply moved and humbled by this.  I still see clearly the need for pastors in Christ’s church in this muddled, distracted world. It remains a privilege to ‘professionally’ preach the Word, sit with others, listen, share, and challenge to live like Jesus. I am just astonished and joyful this ministry happens so often outside of the church, and by so many. God may have known what He was doing when he put the world peace plan on the line with ‘love your neighbor.’

There is something about the good news of Jesus which compels us – no matter our calling – to share beyond ourselves and into community with others. There is something about Jesus that connects us, no matter our calling. 

And this is good news for all.

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