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My “Toy Story” Story

As a young man I had three goals in life: to be good husband, to be a good father, and to be a good pastor. Only my wife can judge the first goal. Only God can judge the last. Only my two sons can judge me as a father. The churches we served have no idea of how serving as pastor can stress a marriage and harm children. Planning a vacation? Then someone dies, the pastor is called to preside at the funeral and the family vacation is canceled. Planning a family picnic? Someone invites you to their family reunion and your family time suffers. I’ve often had to remind well-meaning church members that I have a life outside of the church. For the conscientious pastor it takes great wisdom and patience to carefully negotiate the pitfalls. I’m sure I failed from time to time. But one episode in particular demonstrates the tension that exists when one desires to be a good father and a good pastor.

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The Agony of Hermeneutics – Part 2

The Gospel is not defined by our personal narratives. Instead, the Gospel breaks into our personal narratives so that we may be transformed by Jesus Christ.

My previous post was written in reflection of the recent Church of God General Council discussions. Specifically, the discussion regarding the credentialing of ministers with more than one previous marriage. Most of those who spoke in favor of the motion did not bring Scripture to the table, but their personal stories. Many of those stories were heartbreaking and I have great sympathy for them. Some who brought Scripture to the table did so practicing a selective hermeneutic in which their personal narrative informed the text. This is called eisegesis – the process of interpreting a text so that one’s own presuppositions, agendas, or biases shape the biblical text.

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The Agony of Hermeneutics

Writing to the elders of the Ephesian Church the Apostle Paul declared, “I did not cease to admonish each one with tears” (Acts 20:31). Here Paul displays the pathos of the pastor. The pastor is called to faithfully preach and teach the Word of God and exercise profound compassion towards the people of God. The call to be a faithful teacher with a compassionate heart can be agonizing for the pastor and congregation.

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Who is Israel?

This is the text of a speech I offered on the floor of the General Council of the Church of God in response to a resolution in support of the State of Israel. The attempt here is not to make a political statement, but a theological statement.

The Apostle Paul referred to himself as a “Hebrews of Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5). He insisted that Israel is not the children of Abraham by the flesh (Romans 9:6); but the children of Abraham by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:7). Not those who are circumcised in the flesh; but those whose hearts are circumcised by the Holy Spirit (Romans 2:28-29). The promises of God to Abraham are not fulfilled in the nation state of Israel; but in the revelation of God’s Son, Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). God loves the world (John 3:16) and God’s promise is not limited to the land of Palestine, but that the meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).

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A Pastor’s View of the State of the Church

This morning, Sharon and I leave for the 75th International General Assembly of the Church of God in Orlando. As I prayed this morning I found most of my prayers dedicated to the state of the Church of God. I admit that what follows are the reflections of a single pastor. But I have more than three decades of service to the church as pastor, missionary evangelist, and service on regional and national denominational boards.

If fear that we are caught in a spiral of missional self-destruction for which we are all responsible.

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Why Stand Firm against Homosexuality, but Surrender to Divorce?

As the Church of God International Assembly convenes in Orlando on July 29, the agenda before the General Council demonstrates a disjointed biblical hermeneutic. It also demonstrates how the culture provokes the church to action, and inaction. I refer to agenda items 30 and 44. Item 30 concerns divorced and remarried applicants for ministry. Item 44 concerns homosexual marriage.

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