Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
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.
Continue reading “Why Stand Firm against Homosexuality, but Surrender to Divorce?”
“It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28).
I must admit frustration. I often hear that my generation needs to move aside and make way for the millennials. I’m told that I’m a dreamer and the millennials are visionaries. I guess that means I’m tired and sleepy? Certainly not!
Continue reading “Visionaries and Dreamers”
Warning – this blog entry concerns an agenda item for the Church of God International General Assembly in Orlando. It most likely will be of little interest to many readers. (-:
As the presenter of the primary motion, I am disappointed with the report. The agenda recommendations from the committee are not germane to the primary motion. In fact, the report does not address the primary motion, but summarily dismisses it as a “mere prequalifier.” Think of that – ten years of pastoral experience is but a “mere prequalifier.”
Continue reading “More Reflections on “State Overseers Qualifications Report””
This is a common question among Pentecostals. In fact, many Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians will gladly acclaim an inspired and gifted preacher who falls short on knowledge of the Word. This may sound somewhat patronizing, but it may be that Pentecostals would prefer to feel the Word, rather than think about the Word. I’m not opposed to feeling the Word. The preached Word of God should provoke a range of emotional responses from lamentation to rejoicing. But, the authenticity of the emotional responses should correspond to the veracity of the preached word.
Continue reading “If I’ve got the Spirit, Why Do I Need Training?”
Warning – this blog entry concerns an agenda item for the Church of God International General Assembly in Orlando. It most likely will be of little interest to many readers. (-:
Continue reading “Reflections on the “State Overseers Qualifications Report””
My last blog was the most read and shared that I’ve ever written. It struck a nerve among over committed and over worked ministers. But even as I was writing it I worried that some would use it as an excuse to justify sloth. So, please allow me to offer a few suggestions by which a pastor may examine his/her self as one who has been “approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
Continue reading “Are You a Lazy Pastor?”
I typically don’t write blogs like this. But right now my heart is bursting. I have given my life to Christian ministry. I love God and his people. I usually tell people that I have no regrets. But here I confess that I have some regrets.