There are time in our Christian walk when we are in the classroom. The classroom being the church setting such as the preaching and teaching of the Word, Sunday School or a special classes for a particular group of people. The classroom is also found outside the four walls of the church with special meetings of all kinds that help us to understand the Scriptures, who Jesus is, who we are in Christ, our commission and call and a long list of other subjects that are endless. All of these are good in our quest for knowledge, wisdom and understanding. However there is another aspect of our walk other than the classroom setting.
In Mark chapter 4 Jesus was teaching the people including the disciples by parables about the kingdom of God until verse 35 where a transition takes place. He takes the disciples into the practicum experiences with Him that reveal some truths about Jesus and the kingdom by demonstration. Jesus does this with us as well.
Several lessons are to be learned in the lab work with The Lord.
1. Jesus sets the agenda. vs. #35
2. Jesus is in the boat with them. vs. #36
3. Storms come into our lives. vs.#37
4. Things can look hopeless. vs. #37
5. It might appear that Jesus who is with you doesn't care. vs. #38
6. Jesus is able to calm your storm and still the waters. vs. #39
7. Our walk is a faith walk. vs. #40
Jesus is Lord over the elements, trust Him - He is in your boat, in this first portion of the practicum.
This is continued in Mark chapter 5. We will look there next.
Be blessed
Pastor Kitner
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Saturday, April 27, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
REPENT!!!
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38 KJV)
REPENT seems to be a forgotten word in the "Christian" vocabulary.
IIChronicles 7:14 - and turn from your wicked ways..... that is to repent!
How can you obey God and still carry on in sin. Paul says shall we continue in sin.... God forbid.
Do you truly want change in our nation? Then it starts with REPENT....!
Do you want change in your life? Then it starts with REPENT....!
If you are truly following Christ then you will obey Him. Repentence is a turning from sin to righteousness, a turning for rebellion to obedience, a running to God and not from Him.
Repentence shows a heart that started to desire truth in the inward parts, one that desires true change in their life so they can walk in the light as He is in the light.
The church needs to stand up and shout REPENT - and.............!
Be blessed in Christ
Pastor Kitner
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Getting the Facts
Information Literacy Today
Having recognized the need for information: Information Literacy is the ability to obtain, judge the quality of and use the information obtained.In today's knowledge driven society one needs to be literate in several different ways. Not only knowing how to read, which unlocks the door to knowledge, but also one needs to be literate in accessing and retrieving information from a much wider variety of sources than in years gone by. The old card catalog is dead, so to speak. Everything has been digitized, for the most part, in the major libraries, the college and university library systems. This combined with sources on the Internet, the World Wide Web and the modern software versions of encyclopedias and books, has demanded that one either learn or relearn the methods to attain the information that is needed. Information literacy includes knowing how to utilize the tools, that are available to us today, to get the information that we need.
The Internet could be called the "Gateway to the Future". Today the potential of the vast resources of the Internet and all that it is comprised of, is like the era of the invention of the automobile, the telephone or the launching of the space program. The avenues are many and the opportunities abound in the new realms of the yet untapped potential of the Internet and it's multitude of uses. There have been so many added resources for information that we have to develop the skills necessary to mine the gold and leave the unprofitable waste where it is. The mind has yet to unlock all the potential that is there and harness it for the "Greater Good" of all mankind.
Unlike the "good old days" when reading, writing and arithmetic were the mainstay of learning, we must now add, at least basic computer knowledge. Information literacy must include knowing how to use the library tools such as,Electronic Information Network(EIN), EBESCO host, Infotrac Search Bank, and others found in the Online Reference Center in the Point Park College Library Center. The main Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Free-Net with the Current Magazine and Newspaper and other Mediasection are all welcome helpers at our disposal as well. Other resources include information from other Library Centers, State and Federal Government information sites and the different educational sites that are available to us. The knowledge of and use of Internet tools such as the many search engines and directories is a must in "the information age" in which we live. These, used to their fullest capabilities, become very useful to aide in narrowing down our searches for specific classifications and types of information.
Part of the utilizing of these tools is the basic knowledge of the computer it's operation and some of the software that is available for our convenience. Application software such as Word Perfect Office, MS Word, Excel, Access, Netscape, Internet Explorer, different e-mail programs, and website builders/editors can all be valuable tools in our hands as we increase our knowledge of their use.
The Internet has a tremendous amount of information available but not all of it is reliable. Knowing a criteria for evaluating the Internet offerings is a critical part of information literacy in our ever-changing technological society.Numerous books and web sites are available for us to see how some have done this. One good web site resource page, giving us some criteria for judging the information offered for our use is, Ten C's for Evaluating Internet Sources. All of these things, working together, can make our access to and retrieval of good reliable information for our personal, business and research use faster, easier and more reliable.
In printed matter, such as books, periodicals, magazine articles and such like, one can readily identify the author, subject matter, reference materials and sources, and the publishers. On the Internet it is more difficult to gather all the information that you need. At times the critical helpers that aide us in identifying viable material just aren't there.Here is a helper site for one to identify properly the place where information is obtained.
The age we live in is one of media hype, sound bytes and powerful influence. The dissemination of information that used to take days, weeks and even months can now, literally in seconds be sent around the world in text, picture, video and TV formats. One can e-mail a friend in Germany in seconds instead of waiting for the regular mail to reach them 5 to 7 days later. We are living literally on "The Breaking Wave" of technology today.
The better equipped we are to both find and judge the available information with the guideline of a good solid criteria the better able we are to handle it correctly. Information Literacy is a must for everyone.
Monday, January 21, 2013
A Coming Storm!
As I sat in the cancer treatment center The Lord spoke to my heart some things that I want to share here. I was not asking about such things but this word came to me as I sat waiting for chemo.
There is a coming storm to our country. It will be within our country and the fury of it could be likened to the force of 10 category 5 tornados.
What was spoken to my heart was that there will be a major division in our country. Not like a north/south or east/west division but a neighborhoods division and a type of mass confusion. Which is from the major divide of "IDEALS".
People will begin to look at one another as potential enemies because of the divide. A great cloud of distrust will blanket the nation. Deception will get worse.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:4 Take heed that no man deceive you.
Don't get caught up in the world but seek those things that are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
Blessings on Ya
Pastor Kitner
There is a coming storm to our country. It will be within our country and the fury of it could be likened to the force of 10 category 5 tornados.
What was spoken to my heart was that there will be a major division in our country. Not like a north/south or east/west division but a neighborhoods division and a type of mass confusion. Which is from the major divide of "IDEALS".
People will begin to look at one another as potential enemies because of the divide. A great cloud of distrust will blanket the nation. Deception will get worse.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:4 Take heed that no man deceive you.
Don't get caught up in the world but seek those things that are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
Blessings on Ya
Pastor Kitner
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Ham Salad Recipe
Ham Salad Recipe
Buy a chunk of pressed ham (like chipped ham is cut from) and a piece of balogna then run it through a chopper. Usually I get a 1# piece of ham ( like the old Isaly's ham) and 1/2 # piece of Bologna ( inexpensive brand).
Next cut it into cubes and I just use a small food chopper to chop it fine.
Next mix the chopped meats with sweet relish about 2 tablespoons or to taste and add some mayo, just to mix enough to hold together. You should be able to taste the relish.
If you just want a smaller quantity then use about 1/2 # ham and 1/4 bologna adding relish and mayo to taste. It is easy, we grew up on it with our Mom and Grandma.
It is good on buns, bread or toast with lettuce, tomato and even swiss cheese if you like it. It is easy to make and once you get the taste you like the next time is easy to duplicate.
Hope you enjoy it I know we sure do.
Pastor Kitner
Buy a chunk of pressed ham (like chipped ham is cut from) and a piece of balogna then run it through a chopper. Usually I get a 1# piece of ham ( like the old Isaly's ham) and 1/2 # piece of Bologna ( inexpensive brand).
Next cut it into cubes and I just use a small food chopper to chop it fine.
Next mix the chopped meats with sweet relish about 2 tablespoons or to taste and add some mayo, just to mix enough to hold together. You should be able to taste the relish.
If you just want a smaller quantity then use about 1/2 # ham and 1/4 bologna adding relish and mayo to taste. It is easy, we grew up on it with our Mom and Grandma.
It is good on buns, bread or toast with lettuce, tomato and even swiss cheese if you like it. It is easy to make and once you get the taste you like the next time is easy to duplicate.
Hope you enjoy it I know we sure do.
Pastor Kitner
Saturday, October 13, 2012
"Last Straw - Un Friend Me"
I have a Face Book page and have some posts that speak to the more conservative views at times. I posted one that was sent to me by another friend that spoke of a former Obama supporter that went to see the movie about the year 2016 after a second set of 4 years under Obama and speaks of his mindset etc. It is not written by me but by someone who has changed their mind. It is more or less a man's opinion after he saw the movie.
A relatively new FB friend has an opinion that is different than the one expressed and has asked me to unfriend him because it was a last straw for him. Intolerance of opinions that differ with our own opinion is something I am thinking about, because I see that it is growing. From a political side that cries about intolerance as it suits them without giving tolerance to others. In the marketplace of free speech shouldn't we be able to express our thoughts without being so closed of that we can't allow others to voice themselves too?
If your friendship is so shallow then you tend to be like the old saying "Birds of a feather flock together" to the exclusion of all others.
I don't think that kind of seperation allows people to understand the others that are not of there same "feather". I am truly saddened by what I see happening.
John 15:12 (KJV) 12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Pastor Kitner
A relatively new FB friend has an opinion that is different than the one expressed and has asked me to unfriend him because it was a last straw for him. Intolerance of opinions that differ with our own opinion is something I am thinking about, because I see that it is growing. From a political side that cries about intolerance as it suits them without giving tolerance to others. In the marketplace of free speech shouldn't we be able to express our thoughts without being so closed of that we can't allow others to voice themselves too?
If your friendship is so shallow then you tend to be like the old saying "Birds of a feather flock together" to the exclusion of all others.
I don't think that kind of seperation allows people to understand the others that are not of there same "feather". I am truly saddened by what I see happening.
John 15:12 (KJV) 12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Pastor Kitner
Friday, September 28, 2012
10 Things about Pastors
Here are ten things every pastor wishes the congregation knew but doesn’t know how to say: I borrowed these from Brenda, Elaine and Josh - 2nd Generation and Mike Wilkins
(1) Your pastor has feelings. No seriously, he really does! Dealing with troubled marriages, addictions, mean-spirited congregants, constant complaints, and troubled spiritual lives can really weigh heavy on a person. It’s no small thing for a pastor to get up in the pulpit on Sunday with a smile on his face after he’s just visited a young man in jail, been witness to parents letting their children know they are getting a divorce, or counseled with that man dealing with a pornography addiction. It can break the strongest person. And if you say hurtful things to the pastor, even if you think you are right, learn to say: “I’m sorry.” If you do have criticism, never do it publicly (a cowardly way), but go to him privately and season your speech with grace.
(2) Your pastor needs encouragement. Don’t expect a pastor to ask for it, just give it. If your pastor does something meaningful that you appreciate, don’t take it for granted, let him know how much it mean to you! Discouragement is real! It is discouraging to watch people “fall by the way-side” after you have spend days and maybe weeks or months investing in them as a pastor. Your pastor always gets discouraging calls; maybe you could give him an encouraging one (without asking anything of him). A few simple words of encouragement can do more good than many voices of discouragement.
(3) Your pastor is probably under-paid. (Just assume he is and its the church’s responsibility to provide for him and his family.) I know people think pastors ought to be paid minimum wage so they can “rely on the Lord.” The pastor does rely on the Lord, there’s no need for further ‘testing.’ Pastors, when considering their education level as well as the ordination process of some denominations, have a very rigorous process to undergo before being fully ordained! The level of support that most churces provide is not even comparable to the amount of time, resources, education, giftedness, etc that it takes to become a pastor. Many pastors struggle to even pay off their under graduate or graduate education with the financial support they receive while pastoring a church. That, along with family responsibilities, financial expectations to give to the local church in every special offering (above & beyond tithe), and other financial issues, places a huge burden on the pastoral family. How many people would complain about the pastor’s atire if he wore the same suit every Sunday or drove a ‘clunker’ while out visiting parishners? Yet, if we’re not careful, we hold financial expectations on our pastor that are unfair. In many cases, when pastors retire from ministry, they are left to live off a social security check or the retirement fund of their spouse (shame on us). If we do not honor God’s spokesperson to the local church; God will not honor the church.
(4) Your pastor is under constant spiritual attack. Yeah, they deal with temptation too. It’s kind of like this: If you were fighting in the revolutionary war and you had one shot at the army charging at you would you shoot (1) the hundreds of foot soldiers charging or (2) the man riding the horse with a big plume in his hat? You got it! The pastor is in a place of leadership and if a pastor falls morally it causes a lot of discouragement and damage to the kingdom. Of course the Devil is going to target your pastor… especially if he is leading with integrity and the anointing of the Holy Spirit! Pray for your pastor. He needs it. Who will stand in the gap for their pastor?
(5) Your pastor’s spouse has the hardest job in the church. I can’t leave this one out. The spouse is not technically a staff person of the local church. Problem is, “pastor’s wife” is its own position! Expectations are high for this non-paid position. Too many people believe the pastor’s spouse ought to be a wonderful pianist, the friendliest greeter, a proficient Sunday School teacher, a fashion icon, a model of humility, a compassionate counselor, and the list goes on and on. There are few things that are difficult for the pastor’s spouse: unfair expectations from the congregagtion, everything they say or do is under scrutiny, their kids have to behave and act better than everyone elses kids, they get no down time, if they were really transparent their mate might be out of a job, and so much more. Being a pastor’s spouse can be one of the most lonely roles in the church. They often cannot even afford to have friends in the church for fear of betrayal or gossip. Try to make things pleasant for your pastor’s spouse: let them know they are appreciated and do not make them the “back-up plan” for every ministry in the church. Protect your pastor’s spouse, because your pastor needs their spouse more than they need you.
(6) Not everything is the pastor’s fault. This is hard to believe, I know. The pastor is certainly an easy one to blame everything on because they are the visible leaders of the local church. Don’t point fingers at the pastor every time something goes wrong or someone in the church is mad about something. If his preaching isn’t up to par maybe its because he is spending too much time vacuuming the sanctuary. If he isn’t visiting enough maybe its because he’s too busy putting out the fires of discontent that you or others are starting. Do something to help cover for him! If more people need to be visited; visit them. If a Sunday School class needs to be taught; teach it. If no one will do the power point; volunteer. Step up and into a place that you can be part of the solution instead of the problem. Blaming someone else for the church’s lack of effectiveness does not work! (Blame did not solve anything for Adam & Eve either.)
(7) Your pastor wishes he was Superman, but he is lucky to pull off Clark Kent some days. There are some things he just won’t be good at… sorry. Not every sermon will be a home run (that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen to them). Generally, he won’t be strong in every single area of pastoral ministry. It doesn’t mean he is a failure, it means the church needs to function as a body instead of “paying the preacher to do it all.” If a good pastor is guilty of anything, it is trying to be good at everything and then failing at everything. When you see your pastor trying to take on one more thing, that is the time to be stubborn and demand that he not add another thing to his list (tell him to add it to yours). This may be a shock to some, but your pastor does not know everything… the problem occurs when people treat him like he does not know anything.
(8) Your pastor is on call 24/7; try to be sympathetic when it comes to his time. Be considerate. Do not call your pastor before 8am or after 9pm except in an emergency. Try to work out the small stuff on your own. Do not be a “tattle tail” either. If there is a serious moral short coming, sure, that needs to be dealt with. But your pastor probably does not even care that someone looked at you cross-eyed during the offeratory. If that teenager keeps talking during service you deal with it or get over it. You know that guy you keep complaining is dropping cigarette butts in the flower bed, the pastor is trying to lead him to Christ. One day you may need the pastor in a real emergency so do not be the person always crying wolf! (As a side note, I might add that an over whelming majority of what people think is major, is in fact minor. Get a life, get a job, get out of your little world and try to catch the big picture of what Jesus is doing in the world around you!) Your pastor really cares about you, probably, but do not take advantage of that fact.
(9) Quit being so sensitive about EVERYTHING! This is a hard truth to swallow, but your pastor is not sitting around all week thinking of ways to offend you in his sermon on Sunday (and if he is, you must be a huge problem in the church). Keep in mind that the church is a family so we sometimes have conflict. Conflict is not bad in and of itself, it is what we do in that conflict that matters. Try giving your pastor the benefit of the doubt. Do not take everything personally. That chip on your shoulder may be restraining your pastor from doing what he needs to do to see the church move forward. Who wants to be a stumbling block? The reality is, your pastor wants what is spiritually the best for you and the church.
(10) Don’t make your pastor stand alone. If your pastor has really been called of God there will be times he must make a stand for truth. When he does that, your responsibility is to be a supporter of biblical truth. Stand with him. Complainers, slanderers, gossips, and those causing division in the church are always vocal, why not be vocal about supporting your pastor if he is standing up for what is right? Too many people hide in the trenches and let the pastor lead the charge into the lines of immorality while they sit safely in their bunker silently “admiring” their martyr pastor and discussing who they can find for a new pastor when this one gets eaten alive on the battlefield fighting for truth. Your pastor will only be able to take so many bullets with everyone hiding behind him before he will have to leave your church… wounded. Then you’ll get a pastor who may or may not stand up for what is right and you will have a wake of unsolved moral issues in your church that you will expect the next pastor to deal with alone as well. Sometimes this is as simple as letting him know verbally that you support him standing for truth. (It is not ever about sides, but it is about whether your pastor is doing right!)
(1) Your pastor has feelings. No seriously, he really does! Dealing with troubled marriages, addictions, mean-spirited congregants, constant complaints, and troubled spiritual lives can really weigh heavy on a person. It’s no small thing for a pastor to get up in the pulpit on Sunday with a smile on his face after he’s just visited a young man in jail, been witness to parents letting their children know they are getting a divorce, or counseled with that man dealing with a pornography addiction. It can break the strongest person. And if you say hurtful things to the pastor, even if you think you are right, learn to say: “I’m sorry.” If you do have criticism, never do it publicly (a cowardly way), but go to him privately and season your speech with grace.
(2) Your pastor needs encouragement. Don’t expect a pastor to ask for it, just give it. If your pastor does something meaningful that you appreciate, don’t take it for granted, let him know how much it mean to you! Discouragement is real! It is discouraging to watch people “fall by the way-side” after you have spend days and maybe weeks or months investing in them as a pastor. Your pastor always gets discouraging calls; maybe you could give him an encouraging one (without asking anything of him). A few simple words of encouragement can do more good than many voices of discouragement.
(3) Your pastor is probably under-paid. (Just assume he is and its the church’s responsibility to provide for him and his family.) I know people think pastors ought to be paid minimum wage so they can “rely on the Lord.” The pastor does rely on the Lord, there’s no need for further ‘testing.’ Pastors, when considering their education level as well as the ordination process of some denominations, have a very rigorous process to undergo before being fully ordained! The level of support that most churces provide is not even comparable to the amount of time, resources, education, giftedness, etc that it takes to become a pastor. Many pastors struggle to even pay off their under graduate or graduate education with the financial support they receive while pastoring a church. That, along with family responsibilities, financial expectations to give to the local church in every special offering (above & beyond tithe), and other financial issues, places a huge burden on the pastoral family. How many people would complain about the pastor’s atire if he wore the same suit every Sunday or drove a ‘clunker’ while out visiting parishners? Yet, if we’re not careful, we hold financial expectations on our pastor that are unfair. In many cases, when pastors retire from ministry, they are left to live off a social security check or the retirement fund of their spouse (shame on us). If we do not honor God’s spokesperson to the local church; God will not honor the church.
(4) Your pastor is under constant spiritual attack. Yeah, they deal with temptation too. It’s kind of like this: If you were fighting in the revolutionary war and you had one shot at the army charging at you would you shoot (1) the hundreds of foot soldiers charging or (2) the man riding the horse with a big plume in his hat? You got it! The pastor is in a place of leadership and if a pastor falls morally it causes a lot of discouragement and damage to the kingdom. Of course the Devil is going to target your pastor… especially if he is leading with integrity and the anointing of the Holy Spirit! Pray for your pastor. He needs it. Who will stand in the gap for their pastor?
(5) Your pastor’s spouse has the hardest job in the church. I can’t leave this one out. The spouse is not technically a staff person of the local church. Problem is, “pastor’s wife” is its own position! Expectations are high for this non-paid position. Too many people believe the pastor’s spouse ought to be a wonderful pianist, the friendliest greeter, a proficient Sunday School teacher, a fashion icon, a model of humility, a compassionate counselor, and the list goes on and on. There are few things that are difficult for the pastor’s spouse: unfair expectations from the congregagtion, everything they say or do is under scrutiny, their kids have to behave and act better than everyone elses kids, they get no down time, if they were really transparent their mate might be out of a job, and so much more. Being a pastor’s spouse can be one of the most lonely roles in the church. They often cannot even afford to have friends in the church for fear of betrayal or gossip. Try to make things pleasant for your pastor’s spouse: let them know they are appreciated and do not make them the “back-up plan” for every ministry in the church. Protect your pastor’s spouse, because your pastor needs their spouse more than they need you.
(6) Not everything is the pastor’s fault. This is hard to believe, I know. The pastor is certainly an easy one to blame everything on because they are the visible leaders of the local church. Don’t point fingers at the pastor every time something goes wrong or someone in the church is mad about something. If his preaching isn’t up to par maybe its because he is spending too much time vacuuming the sanctuary. If he isn’t visiting enough maybe its because he’s too busy putting out the fires of discontent that you or others are starting. Do something to help cover for him! If more people need to be visited; visit them. If a Sunday School class needs to be taught; teach it. If no one will do the power point; volunteer. Step up and into a place that you can be part of the solution instead of the problem. Blaming someone else for the church’s lack of effectiveness does not work! (Blame did not solve anything for Adam & Eve either.)
(7) Your pastor wishes he was Superman, but he is lucky to pull off Clark Kent some days. There are some things he just won’t be good at… sorry. Not every sermon will be a home run (that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen to them). Generally, he won’t be strong in every single area of pastoral ministry. It doesn’t mean he is a failure, it means the church needs to function as a body instead of “paying the preacher to do it all.” If a good pastor is guilty of anything, it is trying to be good at everything and then failing at everything. When you see your pastor trying to take on one more thing, that is the time to be stubborn and demand that he not add another thing to his list (tell him to add it to yours). This may be a shock to some, but your pastor does not know everything… the problem occurs when people treat him like he does not know anything.
(8) Your pastor is on call 24/7; try to be sympathetic when it comes to his time. Be considerate. Do not call your pastor before 8am or after 9pm except in an emergency. Try to work out the small stuff on your own. Do not be a “tattle tail” either. If there is a serious moral short coming, sure, that needs to be dealt with. But your pastor probably does not even care that someone looked at you cross-eyed during the offeratory. If that teenager keeps talking during service you deal with it or get over it. You know that guy you keep complaining is dropping cigarette butts in the flower bed, the pastor is trying to lead him to Christ. One day you may need the pastor in a real emergency so do not be the person always crying wolf! (As a side note, I might add that an over whelming majority of what people think is major, is in fact minor. Get a life, get a job, get out of your little world and try to catch the big picture of what Jesus is doing in the world around you!) Your pastor really cares about you, probably, but do not take advantage of that fact.
(9) Quit being so sensitive about EVERYTHING! This is a hard truth to swallow, but your pastor is not sitting around all week thinking of ways to offend you in his sermon on Sunday (and if he is, you must be a huge problem in the church). Keep in mind that the church is a family so we sometimes have conflict. Conflict is not bad in and of itself, it is what we do in that conflict that matters. Try giving your pastor the benefit of the doubt. Do not take everything personally. That chip on your shoulder may be restraining your pastor from doing what he needs to do to see the church move forward. Who wants to be a stumbling block? The reality is, your pastor wants what is spiritually the best for you and the church.
(10) Don’t make your pastor stand alone. If your pastor has really been called of God there will be times he must make a stand for truth. When he does that, your responsibility is to be a supporter of biblical truth. Stand with him. Complainers, slanderers, gossips, and those causing division in the church are always vocal, why not be vocal about supporting your pastor if he is standing up for what is right? Too many people hide in the trenches and let the pastor lead the charge into the lines of immorality while they sit safely in their bunker silently “admiring” their martyr pastor and discussing who they can find for a new pastor when this one gets eaten alive on the battlefield fighting for truth. Your pastor will only be able to take so many bullets with everyone hiding behind him before he will have to leave your church… wounded. Then you’ll get a pastor who may or may not stand up for what is right and you will have a wake of unsolved moral issues in your church that you will expect the next pastor to deal with alone as well. Sometimes this is as simple as letting him know verbally that you support him standing for truth. (It is not ever about sides, but it is about whether your pastor is doing right!)
I might be able to add to this list later, but I hope this might give insight to some lay person on how they can better be a Aaron or Hur for their Moses (Exodus 17:10-13). And to any of my current or past congregation members who might think I am talking about them… you bet I am.
Brenda, Elaine & Josh
2nd Generation
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