Like you I feel that the day of the mega churches are coming to an end. No longer will churches be lead by powerful leaders who with great skill, form powerful messages that inspire the congregations to walk closer to God. Only the world is is turing more cynical and the image of a perfect society is fading dark.

Our understanding of the world is changing, and so is our embodiment of God’s priestly nation. I think their will always be larger bodies that produce a guiding light, like Highland. I just think they will be filled with smaller bodies that work together as a whole, after all this is based off of the family structure.

In all honesty I have no idea how or where I am going to be living out my ministry. I like to think that God has been preparing me for full time ministry, only I afraid that my accepting views will scare off the churches that best enable my ministry and gifts. (adolescence/production)

I am very excited of the coming future. I have been very great-full to of be taught by people like you. Even though I still have to battle passing greek. I cant wait to be doing the very thing I am designed to do.

Great post, I really needed it after taking a greek test today.

Personally, I think anyone with ADHD needs to have a pass to take a note to someone else or do something that appears to be official. In fact, I think it would be a good idea to install this practice in our public schools, especial in Jr. High.

One of my friends and I at my home congregation develped the idea of the “pass” a several years ago. Only certain individuals possessed one, of course usually our elders and deacons but not always. These men who were lucky enough to acquire one (a process shrouded in mystery and most certainly ritualistic hazing) were allowed to have certain “unrestricted” privileges. For instance, during services they could adjust the thermostat and ceiling fans or enter one of the rooms up by the pulpit to do who knows what. They would also frequently get up during a song or sermon and whisper into the ear of another privileged individual. In our observations it was the same men doing these things time and time again….our only conclusion was that they must have possessed a “special pass”.

I agree with your belief that all born again folks are “ministers”. We all should be ambassadors for Christ and represent Him as well as possible.

Lets not pretend though that of the great throng of believers, a few are called for special ministry speaking to, celebrating with, weeping with, mourning with, and loving the rest of us.

I have seen wonderful pulpit men who didn’t give a wit about those they spoke to on a Sunday morning. On the other hand, I know those men who are not quite so elequent with words but truely have compassion for those who hear them speak.

I read of a Baptist preacher out in Texas years ago who would cry almost every time he preached and being a young man he was embarrassed. So he went to God in prayer and asked God to stop the tears when he preached. God answered his prayer. So after several weeks of preaching with dry eyes and little results in the lives of the people he said he again went to God and begged, “Please God, give back the tears”. Again God answered his prayer and 50 years later he still often wept when he begged men to repent and come to Christ.

I am not making a case for crying. I am making a case for caring.

Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle

How long did it take to receive this pass? And what kinds of things contributed the most toward you receiving this pass?

Your words connect well with all who read your posts. God has gifted you with the ability to reach many hearts and minds. Many years ago, when I was young and single, I pondered whether I was called to go into ministry full time? So many feel that to make a difference that they have to become full-time professional ministers. I loved the comment about tent-making! We need more members as tent-makers who disciple as they work. I ended up going to law school instead. Thirty years later, it has been an incredible journey. I have a brother in Christ here in St. Louis, Scot Williams, who is an ex-preacher who now practices law full time. Yet he preaches somewhere almost every weekend. He loves being able to declare the Word of God…and nobody gets to tell him what to say except the Lord! He speaks at Christian churches, churches of Christ, and all sorts of places that the Lord has opened doors for his ministry. Discipling means spending time with people in their lives. Preachers can’t do it all. We simply need to get the members out of the pews and into the lives of those who are hurting. That is the “pass” as I understand it. Thanks for your thoughts and guided instruction.

Grace and Peace,

Brad Stevens

People don’t have to be like me or act like me or look like me or believe like me to deserve kindness and compassion from me. It takes discipline, though, to notice people and take chances, and the taking chances part is tough for me. Jesus touched and held the lepers, the sick, the diseased, the ceremonially unclean, the children, when he could have healed from a distance.
Why?
I think touch is personal, it’s important, and it makes ministers of each of us. Can you imagine a true minister who won’t touch people? I can’t.
Having never been a preacher or pulpit minister, though, I think I would find the pressure from everyone wanting to touch the preacher (physically, socially, psychologically, spiritually, etc.) would be overwhelming.

Mike, and all you other preacher types out there: I’m glad you do what you do and do it so well. You bless folks in so many ways. I also praise God for every servant in every church, large and small, who find ways to bless those around them. I’m convinced that every member of the body has something to offer, we only need to look for ways to serve others and God will reward our search, every time.

As a dear friend of Mike’s preached one Sunday while I was still in San Diego-La Mesa,

“Shake and Shine, disciples of Jesus, Shake and Shine!”

Re: “missional,” I’m wondering what would happen if each one of us simply became a disciple of Christ Jesus. Carl’s comment about being a disciple is so basic and simple, I think most of us singing those songs have missed it. I’m convicted. Who’s discipling my loner neighbor down the street? I know it’s not me. “Light the Fire in my weary soul….” I don’t want to hide it under a bushel, but does my life say that? GOD’s kingdom COULD encompass the world if every Jesus believer actually discipled. “Joy to the World!”