Review of Every Pastor's First 180 Days

Launch teams are one way authors can get attention for their new books. I wrote this review for a pastor (Charles Stone) I worked on church staff with way back: 1995-1998. I think it is worth a read if you are beginning or contemplating beginning a new ministry in a church or non-profit. 

The overall focus of this book is a guide for a pastor to begin a new ministry with a plan for the first 180 days. Stone recognized that churches move much more slowly than businesses and doing a 6-month plan is wiser than just 90 days. Businesses can implement plans much faster because they are producing a product or providing a service. Churches engage and develop people and the people are the church’s “product.” It operates in a specific culture and geographical environment that impacts its strategy. This is why a ministry-focused book like this is more adaptable than one written for the business environment like Neff & Citrin’s You’re In Charge, Now What?

Stone provides extra resources online that could be adapted by anyone beginning a ministry. His plans are quite detailed and involved as described in the book, but a new pastor could adapt them to his situation with intentionality as he onboards and provide some tools to use the content more easily. This book could also be used by those in ministry who are not the senior pastor. Most ministers leading a particular ministry could use it in their area onboarding into a new ministry position. I think any minister who would like to do an imaginary start over for a renewal in their present place of service could adapt its’ plans, even though that is not the “first audience” of the book.

Stone emphasized the importance of all the “firsts” in a minister’s new place of work and how they will create an impression, good or bad, in the minds of the people that will impact their ability to succeed. People who come under the leadership of a new pastor they do not know may have a fear of the unknown. The pastor’s ability to listen, observe, and learn in the early days will build trust and allay those fears. 

Stone rightly recognized that leading the church staff team is perhaps the most important responsibility he faces in the early days. As a church staff member of several churches, I can attest to the anxiety that occurs with the introduction of a new senior pastor. His attitude, style, priorities, and much more will impact how well those on his team will react and respond. He also reminded leaders to not focus on the “squawkers and naysayers.” These people are in every church and can waste a leader’s time who instead should focus on those who can make a positive difference and help create “wins” in the early days of ministry.

The advice to celebrate early wins is solid. Church leadership and members often go through the calendar year almost by rote if they have been there a long time. Stopping to celebrate is a way that gives a sense of accomplishment and helps the newcomer pastor earn some ministry credibility. It also provides a chance for the new pastor to thank the church for their role in whatever “win” is being celebrated. People want to be noticed so this inclusion is a plus for the entire church, not just the pastor. He reminded that it is not necessary or likely that a new pastor can create a big “win” early on, but to focus on goals that show progress but are not out of reach. If you are beginning a new ministry position, it is worth the read.

I smiled when Stone gave a simple list of basic good advice to the new pastor. Observing these tips like avoiding edgy humor, adhering to a dress code already in place, or being prompt for meetings are useful. The advice to not speak ill of your previous boss or place of ministry and not talking too much about yourself or previous experience is also golden.

You can get a copy here 

Why Practice the Spiritual Disciplines?

One of my all-time favorite books is The Disciplines of the Christian Life by Donald Whitney. I got a copy from a box of books sent to my husband when he was a book review editor in 1997. As a book nerd, I always went through the books to find some treasures to read. This book was used by God to change me spiritually for the better.

Since that time, I have taught through the book with groups 4-5 times and encouraged people to read it. Once when the old edition went on sale for $5, I walked through our Sunday morning groups and told people how it had helped me and offered to order copies for $5. I sold 70 books in about 30 minutes. It happened to be November and some bought not only for themselves but to give to family members. So, was this book so powerful? No. The book has no power; the book points the reader to the power of God.

Brother Lawrence, in his now over 300-year-old work “Practicing God’s Presence” noted that if we are not moving forward in the Christian life, we are moving backward and the illustration he uses is of a sailboat with its’ sails raised to the winds of the Holy Spirit (Elmer, p. 43). I still remember my first time sailing on the ocean, being amazed at how fast we sailed with the strong breeze--the sail placed in the optimal position. Spiritual disciplines helped me get myself in a place daily where that sail is up and my boat is moving in line with what God wants, driven by the wind of the Holy Spirit. I still have dry days, days when I must deal with my sin, and days when I struggle. But, I know how to practice the disciplines or habits that guide my way back on the path in line with what God wants for me.

Habits drive who we are. If we habitually eat a certain way, that will be our default—that is what food we will purchase, prepare, and eat. To change that habit, we have to change more than one habit. If we decide not to eat a particular item, we also have to decide not to purchase or prepare it. If we don’t do all three, we set ourselves up to fight against our default habit and strong temptation to eat the way we have done in the past. (Eating right is my biggest struggle right now—can you tell?)

Spiritual habits work the same way. If church attendance is only if we wake up early enough and have nothing better going—you can guarantee that your attendance will be sporadic. If your Bible is still under the car seat where it slid two weeks ago, it is unlikely you will read it daily. Spiritual disciplines help us align all those little habits to form big strong spiritual habits or disciplines as they are called that help us grow all the time. That is what I want. I hope that is what you want too.

Many books I have read tout similar truths. A recent read on The Daniel Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz talked about her “spot” where she meets the Lord each morning with all her stuff ready and waiting when she gets up. I already have a basket that contains all I need for my time with the Lord. It keeps me from getting up to find a pen or having to locate a Bible or devotional book and journal. It is easily moved to another location if I decide to go out on the porch. Sometimes interruptions are around and I need to move to the bedroom. The basket helps me get to a spot with all my “stuff” quietly and quickly.

Do you have any plans to practice the spiritual disciplines? If you don’t have a plan you probably won’t. Years ago, we travelled to Texas where we would be for two weeks at a seminary for my husband to teach a class. When we walked into the apartment, our then, three-year-old daughter was excited to stay at a new place. She looked around from the door of the apartment and exclaimed, “Mommy, there is a desk. You can have your quiet time there.” I could not believe that she had noticed. Wow! Spiritual disciplines impact us and they also inspire others and help them learn how to grow too.

For many years, I did not tell stories that made me look good or “spiritual.” I felt that was boasting or bragging on myself. An experience taught me that unless I tell people how it happens, they won’t know. But if you know me, you know I still sin, mess up, blow it, whatever you want to call it. I don’t have it together all the time. I’m sharing this because this is how I don’t stay lost in the messed-up stage or the inevitable regression that can happen if we don’t have habits in place. 

Blessings on you,

Donna

What is a Girl Worth?

What is a Girl Worth?by Rachael Denhollander (Tyndale Momentum, 2019, 352 pp. ISBN-10: 1496441338).

Book Review by Donna J. Wright

What is a Girl Worth?is a continuing refrain repeated by Rachael Denhollander as she recounted her costly fight against abuse. Accusations against a serial abuser are tough to make since a repeat offender has practice and skill in covering his tracks and making rational excuses to throw off suspicion. Nasser, the main perpetrator in this instance, was adept at choosing young victims who were under his care and could not clearly discern his criminal actions. Denhollander—I know that is correct, but I want to call her Rachael because she became like a friend as I read her story. As she related her experience, I was pulling for her, for truth, for right, for justice. Her articulate communication through the family, church, sport, civil, and criminal environments told a compelling story that everyone, male or female needs to read. 

In reading this book, Rachael shared her personal story of being victimized first as a young child, then as a teenager. Her boldness and courage to stand up to stop what she realized was a decades-long continued abuse of girls by Larry Nasser was documented in this book. 

The book set the background by explaining her home life, religious upbringing, and described the sport of gymnastics. All were included because it contributed to the foundation of the story. Initially, I wondered if all the detail was necessary but as the story continued, I saw the wisdom of including it all because it helped the reader understand better and answered the commonly-asked questions in cases like these: Why wait so long to report? Why didn’t they realize what was happening? How can it be proven if there are no direct witnesses? Why are those who complain often not believed? It has always piqued my curiosity when a well-known or respected person was arrested for a case of child molestation, that soon after, more victims came forward. This does not always occur, but it appears that when the molester held some esteem or position in the community, this was the case. Now I know why this happens.

As a somewhat sheltered child, Rachael had an early victimization in her church at the hands of a college student. She did not know all the results and ramifications of the abuse at the time due to her tender age, but it pulled her family away from her close-knit church as people disagreed on how the molestation was handled and others did not believe it happened at all. Rachael’s parents, probably due to this earlier experience were more vigilant than most in protecting their children, yet later on in her teens, an evil victimizer was still able to prey upon their daughter multiple times just feet away from her mother. The was a stark and scary reminder of the boldness of evil to operate.

This case made headlines, I even found myself looking up news stories at various times as I read to attempt to see all sides of the story. The part of the book that captured my interest and that I could relate to is that there are more than two responses to abuse. It is commonly held that people will either fight or flight. But the third reaction is “freeze,” a response from people who are not sure what to do and “shut down.” 

Bottom line, I learned from this book. I had a couple of close calls with abuse during my growing up years, but thankfully, I did not experience abuse personally. Rachael Denhollander expertly and articulately told her story. It is hers alone. I would tip my hat (if I was wearing one) to her for her courage to pursue and persevere to stop her abuser from continuing to abuse others. That was the first important lesson: just because you can stop the abuser from abusing you; it does not stop the abuse. A serial abuser will continue to victimize others. The second lesson is how many times a victim had to continue to repeat a very personal, embarrassing, and difficult story over and over again and how their motives were questioned and their needs were not considered. The accused has rights but the victims do not and often were not given attention or resources to help them. 

The most sickening aspect was the realization that Rachael was not the first to report Nasser as an abuser. He had been accused several times across two decades. Most of the time the victims were considered as misunderstanding what medical treatment had been done to them. A much younger non-gymnast had also reported abuse many years earlier--before he had set up his medical treatment method so he could repeat it on a regular basis. This victim’s parents did not believe her so while the abuse stopped for her, the abuser did not.

All of Nasser’s victims grew older, more mature, and wiser over time which became his downfall. Once Rachael’s accusation was out, others followed until they numbered in the 200’s and if the victims who did not report and those pictured in pornography are counted, they represented many more victims. Rachael, after attempting to report several times, decided to report this final time because she felt the environment was one that was right for it to be believed and taken seriously. Once a warrant was executed, 37,000 child pornographic images were seized from his home. 

In this situation, to stop the abuse would be to accuse someone she respected who also had a strong relationship with other people who were important in her life. The strength was in her telling how this impacted every area of her life including her growing up years, dating, marriage, and parenting. Unlike some other books, I never found myself skimming. I read every word. Well done.

Get your copy: What is a Girl Worth?

10 Ways to Protect Your Child at Church

            There has been a lot of discussion in the media in recent days about protecting children in our churches from those who would do them harm. Many of these also apply to teenagers since there have been instances of adults taking advantage of teens who may have mature bodies but their brains are still in the maturing process. 

1.    Do a “quick drop-off” of your own children. It is best if parents or other adults do not hang around in preschool or children’s rooms. You are not readily identifiable to other parents and it is confusing to children as to who is “in charge.” For student ministry, please follow the direction of the leadership to keep students safe. Most ministry leaders would prefer a parent also volunteer in a particular job rather than just hang around for the reasons stated above. In my church, we have arranged classrooms by age so it makes this easier to keep adults in one area and children in another. 

2.    Follow the directions of leaders and security personnel. Sometimes we will ask people to enter or exit a particular door or to stay in certain portions of the building. We have rules against propping unwatched doors open. This helps us secure you better. Please don’t be offended by being given directions.

3.    Keep your children with you who are not being supervised in an activity.  Adults who have ulterior motives can figure out quickly who the children are who are not supervised. 

4.    Do not allow children into areas that are adults only. Most of these are marked but because resources and equipment are left in plain view, many children have difficulty using self-control (not opening candy, using supplies, or drawing on boards) and resources can be damaged or used up. Kitchens, closets, ice machines, office spaces, worship platforms, and sound booths are adults-only areas. Children should always be in visible public areas unless they are in the restroom.

5.    Ask questions if you are unsure of any procedure or if any situation makes you uncomfortable. You may see something that others do not see. Don’t hesitate to speak up. Offer help if you see someone needs it.

6.    Social media is a common method used for people to prey on children. If you have minors in your home, you have the right to monitor all their activity including having passwords, keeping cellphones with you at night, or taking it away. Adults who prey will instruct a child on how to hide their activity on phones or computers from their parents. Don’t think that it cannot happen to your child.

7.    Be aware that adults who mistreat children look just like other adults. It is obvious to beware of the creepy looking guy on aisle 2, but be aware of anyone who has access to your child or teen. 

8.    Use proper words for body parts from a young age and explain which parts are off limits to other people. Often a child who has been abused does not have the vocabulary to communicate what has happened to them. As a teenagers, talking about boundaries with them empowers them to stand up for themselves. If they know the proper words and boundaries, they can communicate better and it gives them courage and confidence to speak up.

9.    Keep communication lines open. I remember my mother giving me instructions to come home or call her immediately if I ever felt uncomfortable. This gave me the courage to get out of several sticky situations that I found myself in through the years. 

10.  Keep everything open and in view. Older church buildings were not built with this in mind and it can be hard to see into all the children’s areas. Add reverse peepholes in solid doors, uncover or add windows, and leave doors open if there is no way to see inside. Parents, please get someone to check on your children for you. When you look in the door or your face appears in the window, a child who was happily playing may burst into tears at seeing their parent’s face or think it is time to go home with you.

This is not a fun subject for discussion. I’m convinced that abuse that we are just now seeing uncovered was partially as a result of us as parents not warning our children or recognizing behavior that should concern us. Remember that victims deserve just as much protection as we offer to those accused. Both sides should be heard and investigated by those trained to do so. 

If you cannot attend the Southern Baptist Convention

If you cannot go to the SBC, you can watch it on livestream on your computer or phone. I did this last year. I had it on my computer in my office or at home anytime the convention was in session. I was a little bummed that I didn’t get to go but there are advantages to doing the livestream.

Back in 1985, I watched one of the first livestream (it wasn’t called that then) of the SBC in Dallas while I was an employee at SWBTS.  We had to walk to a particular building that had a “hook up” to the convention hall. We didn’t have internet in our offices so I’m not sure how it worked but I saw Charles Stanley and Winfred Moore on stage in the presidential election. I have been privileged to attend the SBC most years but now in the years that I don’t, I watch remotely. I’ll post a link right here in a special blog post when I get one but you can always check sbcannualmeeting.net.

You can have a more comfortable experience watching it from afar than you have in the convention hall. You have a more comfortable chair and don’t have to stand in line to use the restroom during convention breaks. I watched last year and invited a coworker into my office during several pivotal points of business debate to watch with me. The downside is you don’t get to vote or see anyone in person.

The Southern Baptist Convention is a denomination that most SBC churches cooperate and participate with sbc.net. If you don’t know if your church is a member or not, ask a minister or look on your church website. The SBC has been in existence since 1845 and cooperates with other like-minded churches to do missions, theological education, and other ministries together. Most churches give either a percentage of all gifts or give set amounts through the year.

As a member of a Southern Baptist Church, you can participate in the missions avenues through the denomination and attend one of their schools and receive a special lower tuition rate. The missionary journeyman program, career mission program, long-term volunteers—all will require that you are a member of a cooperating Baptist Church. 

As a minister of education, I must peruse a lot of curriculum on my job because I have to know what is being taught in each class or group. The existence of LifeWay allows me to cut that job down considerably since it is checked theologically for biblical content. We use other publishers, but it takes time to look through it to insure that the content is within our biblical beliefs and interpretation.

During the annual meeting, it is the only time the SBC exists as a group. It must conduct its convention-wide business during this meeting and otherwise operate through its’ bylaws, trustees, and elected staff. Its’ biggest entities are the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, seven seminaries in the USA, LifeWay, and Women’s Missionary Union. 

The SBC has influenced my life positively in a huge way and I care about it. That is why I go to the meeting because I know that they need people in the seats that keep up with what is happening and care that it continues to operate in a solid healthy way. I grew up in an SBC church, attended a Baptist College, was a summer missionary, attended a Baptist Seminary (SWBTS), taught as an adjunct in two more (GBTS & NOBTS). My husband and I were appointed missionaries at the old Home Mission Board back in 1987 before it became NAMB. My husband worked on staff there for 22 years in various positions and was a journeyman with the IMB (then FMB) before that. We are Christians and we are also Southern Baptists.

The fact that I am a Southern Baptist is not more important than my faith. There are no denominations in scripture. However, it helps us find sister churches, keep faithful to scriptural beliefs, and increase our impact by working and cooperating together. If you are a Southern Baptist, tune it in and watch some of the reports. You will be amazed and what your denomination undergirds. Preceding the convention there is a Pastor’s Conference on Sunday evening through Monday. You can hear some wonderful sermons there. The meeting takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday and tries to stay on a schedule (June 11-12, 2019). Every entity gets a time to report to the convention and all can take questions from the floor. There are microphones set up over the large hall so that anyone can access one. Attenders are called messengers and are not told by their churches how to vote but represent their church and vote their conscience. That is why they are not called delegates. Each church can have up to ten messengers depending on how much monetary support they give.

If you are unfamiliar with the Southern Baptist denomination and are a member of one of its’ churches, I urge you to tune it in. The entities are all run on a trustee system. The trustees are appointed by the convention and voted on at the SBC. These trustees are important in that they represent the people as they provide oversight for our institutions and entities. Through the years, it has been interesting to me to watch the trustee system which at times can look like a rubber stamp but then at other times will rein in an entity or institution that has lost focus or is in financial struggle. There are real world problems as we tackle the Great Commission together in the Southern Baptist Convention.

By the way, Baptists also cooperate with sister churches, in local associations throughout each state, and in state conventions. In Alabama it is alsbom.org. We give to our churches who give a percentage to them and we also receive back resources, support, and help. It is a great cooperative effort that we should not take for granted.

Tune in. 

Southern Baptist Convention Survival Guide

(see my next blog if you are not able to attend the SBC)

I have attended SBC annual meetings since 1989 through many seasons of life. Here are my suggestions for navigating your experience.

1 - Sign up for the free lunch/dinner meetings.To miss out on these is a rookie mistake. Sign up early. Get the free ones first (even if they are early in the morning). Buy a ticket for those meetings you want to attend, particularly if they include a meal. Leaving the convention center for a meal is over-rated. You can eat out another time. If you don’t get a free ticket or tickets are sold out, go hang out at the entrance after everyone goes in and ask if there are more seats available either free or at a cost. The organization may have unoccupied seats with food they paid for and may give you a seat. Worth a try if you want to attend a particular meeting. They may let you stand in the back and listen anyway. 

2 - Wear comfortable shoes.You will be walking and standing a lot. Trust me on this. The parking lot or shuttle entry is a long way from the meeting room and exhibit hall no matter what city you are in. 

3 - Come prepared to take home books and giveaways. When my kids were younger, they loved picking up their favorite candies from the booths in the exhibit hall. The good items go fast. Do a quick walk through when you first arrive at the meeting so you can get the best bag, nicest pen, a highlight marker, plastic cups, and t-shirts. My personal t-shirt collection is restocked at the SBC every year. Our wedding cups were broken long ago but we have the SBC every year to give us new ones. 

Books are given away at some of the meal/meetings. You don’t want to miss these. I have so many great books that I received free at the Southern Baptist Convention. Fun fact: If you are an alumni at your school’s booth, tell them because they sometimes have an extra special gift for you under the table. If you are interested in the topic of the booth, talk to the people because they came to talk to you. Learn something about it. You may find you are talking to the author of a book or a seminary professor and didn’t realize it. I met a lot of people at the SBC that I would not otherwise had the opportunity to speak to. 

4 – Watch and meet people.This is fun. I like to watch to find people I know so I can reconnect but if you are a newbie it is fun to just watch the different people. My favorite scene one year was sitting in the exhibit hall at the tables resting for a bit during a lunch break. A well-dressed elderly couple sat down and she rummaged through her big purse. She pulled out a pack of peanut butter crackers and apples for each of them and they drank cups of water from the water fountain. No restaurant meal for them. I regret not meeting them because I just know I would have made some friends that day.

5 – Go to the meeting.There is a lot going on around the convention that you may be tempted to skip out on the meeting itself. Don’t do this. Get ready, you will learn more about parliamentary procedure by attending business sessions here than anywhere else. Phrases like “speaking to the motion” “call for a vote” and all kinds of behaviors that are otherwise weird the entire rest of the year happen at the SBC. It is made up of lots of different types and kinds of people. You catch that diversity when they speak into the microphone. The meeting is filled with entity reports, videos, music, prayer, and business sessions. Watch the schedule to be sure you are in the room when the meeting happens. If you don’t, you will be embarrassed that you missed an important vote while you were eating a doughnut in the foyer. 

I like to sit in front of a big screen in the ginormous meeting room. If you sit up front, even close, there is so much walking around that you will be distracted. If you are a couple and get split up, you can find each other in the convention hall by using microphone numbers as a guide. They will be clearly marked. “I’m sitting behind microphone 7 to the left of the handicapped section” or “facing front, I’m in the section left of mic 3, row 4, inside seat.” Trust me, it is hard to find people in the masses. If you are meeting someone during a break, the best way is to set a spot at a particular booth in the exhibit hall. Choose a booth that has chairs so you can sit while you wait.

6 - Meet people.I have met so many nice people and reconnected with others at the SBC. That is the most fun part of it all. I tell my son Jason, now 30, that I had him at the SBC in Las Vegas in a stroller. In LV, all the buildings were connected by having you walk through the casinos. It was the only way to stay out of the 110-degree heat. But, we kept getting kicked out and shown the door. I did not understand why until we were taking to a lady who was running a game in one of the casinos about who were were, what we believed, and why we were in LV. She looked up at a monitor and said, “Oh no, they are coming after you.” She explained that security is supposed to keep minors out of the casino but they only enforced it by kicking out little kids (and their mothers) so they could say they were doing their jobs. She said they didn’t bother obvious teenagers who had money to put into the machines. I didn’t realize I was going to learn about gambling and casinos that year at the SBC. It gave me a truth for when I play three truths and a lie: “I have been kicked out of several casinos in Las Vegas.” That same year, I was keeping my son entertained during a free meal keynote speaker. I turned around and saw Jerry Vines (you can google him) at the next table watching my 8-month old and grinning. It made my day that he was not upset there was a kid in the room. I have found it to be a kid-friendly meeting. 

I met a retired missionary in the restroom. I had read a book about her to my kids and I recognized her by her nametag. I hope she was as glad to chat with me as I was with her. (In case you are curious, it was Julia Graham, http://www.baptist.org.il/news/post/160/Celebrating-the-Life-of-Missionary-Julia-Graham who, with her husband Finlay, http://www.bpnews.net/6470/tough-tender-servant-to-arab-world-mission-pioneer-finlay-graham-dies served in Lebanon.) I had to include the links so you would know why I was so excited to run into her—even if it was in the ladies’ room.

I had gifted my son the book “Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life” when he was a college freshman. It impacted him as powerfully as it had me. We were in the exhibit hall one year

when I saw the author of that book, Donald Whitney, walk by and I told Jason who he was. We didn’t meet him but that is the kind of experience you can have at the SBC if you try. If you are a Baptist nerd like I am, you will have a blast.

1969

I was 9 in 1969—turned 10 in November of that year. It was the year that man first walked on the moon. On the same day in July that Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, I made history for myself.

I made a wonderful decision. Nine year-olds aren’t known for that. Nine year olds are known for liking candy and playing house. They are known for waiting for their mamas and daddys to fix them meals and make sure their clothes are clean.

Nine year olds are not known for great decision-making. In fact, they are so not known for it that they are usually supervised by an adult when simply living life. Wherever they go, someone is supposed to be in charge of watching them.

However, besides all that, I made a wise decision at age 9. I decided several things. One, is that I felt very alone in the world. You wouldn’t think that a girl living with a brother, sister, and two parents in a 1200 sq. foot home would feel alone but I did. We had one bathroom but I still felt lonely. Lonely can happen in a crowd.

I searched for a solution to my loneliness. I realized that God made me and made the world. Second, God knew who I was. He knew I was in this world and He loved me. I learned all of this at the Baptist church where my family attended no less than three times a week.

I owned a Bible. I still have it. It was purchased at the five and dime in Manhattan, Kansas when our family went while on vacation in the 60’s. It is the first Bible I remember owning for myself. I’m pretty sure it was a good deal or I wouldn’t have gotten it. It is white with a super tiny font (a word I didn’t know at the time). I’m guessing it is a 6-point font. I can hardly read it now but it is a pretty well-worn Bible. It is not written in. Back then, I didn’t write in my Bible. I write in my Bibles now but I didn’t then. I didn’t know that was something you did so I didn’t.

Back on the subject of wise decisions, I decided to stop doing life my way and to follow Jesus. I thought about it for about six months before and knew I needed to trust God with my life. So, I did. I told the pastor during a church service at Camp Poplar Springs in northwest Georgia on the evening of July 20, 1969. It was an historic day--f

or both me and for Neil Armstrong--best decision I ever made.

You can make history today by following Jesus. We are all sinners so we cannot conquer death ourselves, we needed someone to pay the price for our sin so we can be forgiven. Jesus did that by dying on the cross for all of us. When we recognize our personal need for Jesus, we call on him and ask Him to be in charge and to help us live.

You can read all about it in the Bible. If you don’t have much time, just read John 3. And then, make history.

Review of Here and Now by Robby Gallaty

     This book hits the line between scholarly work and a challenging read. It is not a super easy read but is worth your time to discover what Gallaty shared about the impact of the kingdom of God on the Here and Now. His history and culture foundation is useful for any Bible teacher. If you aren’t theologically trained, this book is for you since it will teach how to understand the life God wants for you right now and how to discover that through the Bible. If you are theologically trained, it gives you a great format and sourcebook to teach this topic to anyone. He does not shy away from the Old Testament culture and background; he embraces it as a way to illuminate God’s message to us through the Bible.

     

This is the fourth Gallaty book I’ve read. I love his approach and the fact that his writing reflects strong research and he doesn’t mind you seeing it in his footnotes. If you are a bit too comfortable staying in the New Testament, this book will stretch you understand scripture in total. Gallaty does not shy away from explanations that make you think. I have never enjoyed a liquid diet because I don’t get to chew anything. This book allows you to chew on theological truths and helps you get the perspective you need as a teacher of God’s Word. Keep on writing, Robby. I’ll keep on reading and using your books.

Why Having Women on Your Ministry Staff is a Good Idea

Back in 1994, I was hired as the first “third staff member” (part-time) of a church that had begun as a church plant several years earlier. Two full time men (senior pastor & music/youth guy) had been serving the growing church when I was hired as Minister of Education & Children. I immediately set about providing some structure to the ministries, implemented background screenings, and conducted a child safety seminar. Even then, all of the staff knew we were mandated reporters of any abuse.

Given that experience, it is difficult to believe that all these years later, churches appear to continue to not take seriously protecting both their people and their staff. Many articles are being written right now that outline how to do it. Allow me to add one more item: hire more women onto your ministry staff.

Women serving on staff as ministers is still uncommon in my denomination (Southern Baptist Convention). As I did my dissertation research on challenges facing women in those churches, the women serving often were not included in leadership meetings where such difficult issues would even be discussed. The churches included in my research were all complementarian and did not have women as elders or deacons. The research did not concern that factor except on background, but it did uncover some issues that occur when women are completely left out of leadership. Input from women is needed in our churches.

I discovered the women ministry staff faced many unique challenges due to their gender like difficulty with work/home life balance, lack of opportunity for advancement, or lower pay. Guarding against abuse is one key area is where the presence of women on the ministry staff can be an advantage. One woman interviewed during research shared that she served with a male student minister who was her supervisor and her role was to focus on ministry to the girls. She was very happy with her ministry, but frustrated to not be included in the “ministers staff meetings” especially when decisions made there directly impacted her.  It is understood that gender precludes them from serving as a pastor, but some churches still only look for men when hiring a minister. 

As a female serving on church staff for over 25 years, I have had many opportunities to serve because of my gender and not in spite of it. Women comprise more than half of the church. When we pay the men to minister and the women to “direct,” what does that say to the church about their importance or the importance of the ministry they lead? I'm not personally in favor of women being ordained, but we should not shy away from allowing women to lead, at least in ministries where women and children are present. An often-repeated phrase in our pulpits is “every member a minister” or “you are now entering the mission field,” but when we hire, we shy away from women or don’t take their contribution seriously. 

As I read the heartbreaking stories of girls seduced by men, young and old, I could easily see how the presence of a woman minister on a church staff could have been a help or a deterrent for someone taking advantage of the situation. It could also guard staff against false accusations. I contend that in addition to sharing information, that churches also consider adding more women to their ministry staff. 

Review of All That's Good

All That’s Good by Hannah Anderson (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2018)

This book made me think. The author is a skilled writer who does not shy away from saying what is on her mind. She wrote from a Christian viewpoint to help us find “all that’s good” in this world. She succeeded in helping me begin that quest personally.

Discernment is not a word I use everyday. In this context, it described the goal of separating the inconvenient from the important; the mundane from the unforgettable. Previous generations did not have the internet, 24 hour television, and instant communication to tell us what was good. This book helped me to recognize that popularity or trendy does not always equal good. Anderson’s discussion of “filter bubbles” that we engage to keep us in our own “informational comfort zones” are real phenomena that can keep us from everything good and from thinking for ourselves.

It was interesting to read in print about the tendency we have to “feel” our way in the world, basing all of our decisions not upon data, research, or wisdom—but only on feelings. It is so common to read “follow your passion” and “follow your heart” as advice to everyone from high school graduates to people contemplating divorce. Feelings are a poor barometer and offer such limited wisdom as people navigate life. She reminded us created beings that we should be looking to our creator instead of an imagined muse for direction.

The chapter on truth brought in the aspect of confession that showed Anderson’s ability to make me think deeply about truth. She encouraged honesty both personally and corporately. The discussion on justice was solid; unlike the mushiness of that word being bandied about lightly. Justice is presented as a value but also as a goal that only God can judge. She fought against the superiority many have who have found themselves the “haves” who look down at the “have nots” who do not realize all we have or attain is the result of God’s mercy and grace.

Purity is undefiled. When there is any impurity in our lives, there is always the possibility to sin—the human condition. The commonly heard phrase “there but by the grace of God go I” may become a more understood phrase for me as I navigate life from this point further. The pursuit of purity is a task of society not just a pursuit of the individual. Anderson calls on us to speak well of what should be spoken well of. Silence cannot defend the oppressed and even helps the tormentor.

From a practical standpoint, Anderson footnoted her sources and showed a well-researched book. Her scriptural undergirding was foundational to her position but did not come off as preachy or condescending at all. The book has a comfortable “homey” feel to it. She pleaded her case with the skill of an attorney and the personality of the mother whose home everyone wants to go to.

Books I Read in 2018

I'll be back with some highlights and lowlights of this reading list in my next blog. Until then, here are the books I read in 2018:

1. Words to Winners of Souls by Horatio Bonar
2. From Heaven to the Real World by Chapman
3. The Corpsewood Manor Murders in North Georgia by Petulla
4. South Beach Diet by Agatston
5. When Leadership and Discipleship Collide by Hybels
6. Lose the Clutter; Lose the Weight by Walsh
7. He’s Been Faithful by Cymbala
8. Saturate by Vanderstelt
9. Circle Maker by Batterson
10. From this Day Forward by Groeschel
11. Do Over by Acuff
12. Uninvited by TerKeurst
13. Together on God’s Mission by Hildreth
14. The Power of Prayer by Ingram
15. Discerning the Voice of God by Shirer
16. Gay Girl; Good God by Perry
17. Where There’s Hope by Smart
18. The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi by Gifford
19. Holiness by DeMoss Wolgemoth
20. How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge by Scroggins
21. Experiencing God Through Prayer by Blackaby
22. Around the Table by Clark
23. The Business of Being a Writer by Friedman
24. The Prayer Saturated Church by Sacks
25. Hope Heals by Wolf
26. Breaking Free by Jeffs
27. How to Sew a Button by Bried
28. Appalachia Serenade by Thomas
29. Fierce Convictions by Prior
30. The Daniel Prayer by Lotz
31. The Minister’s Wife Manual by Patterson
32. The Weekend Book Proposal by Van Cleave
33. Prayer by Keller
34. Workplace Writer’s Process by Janzer
35. The Welcoming Church by Rainer
36. Anxious for Nothing by Lucado
37. All In by Batterson
38. Seeking Allah; Finding Jesus by Qureshi
39. Kill the Spider by Whitaker
40. How to Write a Book Proposal by Larsen
41. Armor of God by Shirer
42. Chasing the Lion by Batterson
43. Uncommon Marriage by Dungy
44. Life After Darkness by Knight
45. All That’s Good by Anderson
46. Life Outside the Boat by Armbruster
47. Martin Luther by Metaxas
48. Get Off the Couch by Reynolds
49. Pray for the Flock by Croft & Fullerton
50. Hidden Christmas by Keller
51. Write Smart, Write Happy by St. John
52. Cowboy Christmas by Connealy
53. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Robinson