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Pastoral Bonds are Never Broken

Throughout life and ministry we meet many people. One of the things I have learned through the years is that it is amazing how certain people continue to cross our paths. My first pastorate was in Attapulgus, Georgia, a small town just north of Tallahassee, Florida. We served there just less than two years. But in those two years we met people that remain a part of our lives today. When we left Attapulgus, it never occurred to me that we would return over twenty years later as their district bishop. In that capacity, I was responsible for guiding them through a pastoral appointment process. The families of that small church continue to be a significant part of our lives.

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God on Trial

On occasion we witness events that command the attention of the world.  We hear the reports of genocide, but it seems that the nations of the world cannot act to bring peace. When governments do act, often events quickly descend into even more chaos. Iraq and Afghanistan come to mind. When the passenger jets crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center we began to ask, “Why?” and “Who?” Shortly thereafter we became familiar with the names and faces of the leaders of Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Our national anger was expressed in acts of war. Human evil often has a face that is easy to hate. But how do we cope when the evil we experience has no face? How do we wage war when the tragic event that commands our attention is an “act of god?”

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Pentecostal Mission: From Pentecost to Parousia

Several years ago, I accepted the pastorate of a Church of God congregation of about 120 people in a city of about 8000 people. The church was over fifty years old. Soon after settling in as the new pastor I attended the local ministerial association and introduced myself as the new pastor at the Church of God. One of the members gave me a surprised glance and exclaimed, “Church of God! I didn’t know there was one of those churches in this town!” A few years later, I was invited to preach at a Church of God congregation of about 140 people in a small Georgia town of about 2000. The congregation had been established in that city for more than sixty years. As I drove into the town, I stopped at a local store to buy gasoline. While paying for my purchase, I asked, “Can you give me directions to the Church of God?” After several seconds the clerk replied, “Sir, I’ve lived here all my life, but I don’t know where that church is located.” Of course these stories are anecdotal, but they serve to illustrate a very troubling fact; that is, too many of our local churches do not have a meaningful presence in their community.

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Christmas only makes sense if…

… there is a blessed hope – the second Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When Christ was born in Bethlehem the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Anyone who is familiar with human history is painfully aware that the promise of “peace on earth” remains an unrealized hope. The “Prince of peace” suffered a violent death. The resurrection did not establish peace on earth. Within several days, the resurrected Prince of Peace ascended into the heavens. A few days later, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit was given. But, instead of universal peace the church was plunged into conflict and tribulation in which its leaders were imprisoned and martyred. For two thousand years the message of Christ has been proclaimed throughout the world. Violence and death continue to prevail. Even as we gather with family and friends for Christmas festivities, many will gather in sorrow. So much for “peace on earth.”

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The Christmas Propaganda War

I first noticed the Christmas decorations in department stores before Halloween. Soon after, I began hearing the Christmas mood music. Then some radio stations began doing their “all Christmas” schedule. The TV specials and Hollywood’s annual Christmas releases began to appear. By now we’re in full holiday mode. Parties, food, presents… and the new sign of the Christmas season – the Christmas propaganda war, aka, the war on Christmas.

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