The Pastor's role in God's House Part II

You can find Part I here  Pastor's role in God's house Part I

I am currently reading a book titled 5 Ministry Killers and how to defeat them by Charles Stone.  He talks about how the demands of parishioners often hurt pastors and drive them out of the ministry. 

I agree with Charles!  Too many ministers have been mistreated and are so starved for love and appreciation that they leave the ministry in despair.  Shame on any congregation that doesn't take care of their ministers.  We will discuss you later in this series.  There's an old saying - "Christians are the only organized group that shoots their wounded!"  It's true -- and it must stop!

However, as kind as Christians need to be - we do have a duty to require certain standards in our churches.  That standard must start with the Pastor.  I'm an only child and both my parents are ministers.  They built three churches and pastored many more.  They have been great examples of sticking close to the Bible and its demands for pastors. 

I observed an "unspoken" requirement for a good pastor.  I don't recall my parents ever talking about it, but it rang loud and clear for me.  As a child I witnessed the problem with bad marriages and bad parenting within other pastoral homes.  Some ministers were even ask to leave because of their homelife or rebellious teens.  How can you lead your congregation to a closer walk with God when you are unable to lead your own family? 

If I was the administrator of a college or university, I would add marriage and parenting classes to the requirements for a divinity degree.  In those classes I would insist that young pastors pray long and hard about their spouse.  After all....she will be called into the ministry - by marriage.  You can't fake ministry.  At some point the light will shine on your spouse and he/she will have to show the congregation the personal side of your faith.

Look at it this way.  If I belonged to a church where the pastor can't control his teens, why would I think I could control mine?  His lack of expertise would make me think that the task is impossible and can't be done.  I wouldn't have any reason to continue to try. 

Why is that important?  Pastors are our example of "how to do it right".  If he can't resist temptation, resist anger, grow children who love God, have a great marriage, love people.....what hope do I have of doing those things?  Everyone agrees that we need "spiritual role models"....but contemporary churches want to look outside the church for those role models.  The Bible however, demands that our role models be closer to home.  The entire chapter is enlightening, but let's look at I Timothy 3:1-5 specifically.

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer (Bishop-Pastor), he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)

It is important that any congregation be loving, kind and helpful when the pastor is experiencing stress.  But maybe it is just as important for a young pastor to "plan" for the dangers ahead by building a strong family as he goes along.  He will need that family to support him when the job is overwhelming.

I ended my last post with three questions.  How does a discussion about the homelife of a pastor fit with the question - What are the Biblical goals of the church?  Goals must come from the top down.  If your pastor isn't leading the life God has called him to.....neither will the congregation.  I've had to counsel with many people who have been hurt and spiritually destroyed by a pastor who was not living like he should.  The Pastor is our earthly Shepherd.  If he can't get it right - neither will we!  If he walks down a rocky path and eventually off the cliff - if we are following him - we will too!

But Debbie....we aren't supposed to follow our pastors...we are supposed to follow Jesus!

That's right, with an exception.  Our eyes should be on Jesus but when you sit week after week and listen to your "pastor" explain the scriptures - he will be preaching what he feels.  Little by little his problems will leak into his sermons and into your hearing and eventually into your life or worse....the life of your children. 

Plus....if your pastor isn't living a Godly life and he isn't engaged on a daily basis with spiritual enlightenment from God - why would God show up on Sunday morning?  Go back to our last discussion....God's house must be sanctified.  If your pastor isn't - how can God show up and bless the service?

Several years ago a friend complained about his church.  He said they were growing as in adding members - but he just didn't "feel" the spirit like he used to.  The services were more "excitement" oriented but he just didn't feel like it was touching his heart.  Just three months after that conversation, the pastor announced he was having an affair and yet wanted to continue as pastor while he went through his divorce.  Hum...."Sin" isn't the way to invite God into your services.

The Biblical goal of the church is first and foremost to follow the teachings of Jesus and then to evangelize the world.  If your pastor isn't following those teachings - how can God bless the church spiritually?  Remember, numbers are NOT an indication of spiritual blessing.  Go back and look at the picture above.  Does it remind you of a spiritual meeting - or more of a show or concert?  Church is not about outdoing secular shows - church is about spiritual growth! (more on that later)

What should my pastor be teaching?  The full Bible, the teachings of Jesus and the love and forgiveness demonstrated on the Cross.  He should be teaching about sin and how it pulls you away from a Holy God, how your life would be better without sin and how to avoid separation from God.  He must teach about Heaven and Hell.  If he avoids that subject, something is wrong.  He should also give a regular alter call.  If he avoids that, something is wrong.  The teachings of Jesus demand repentance.

My grandmother (a minister who built six churches in the south) used a neat illustration.  An elderly woman needed to hire a driver.  Three men showed up.  She asked only one question.  "If you had to drive me up a steep mountain, how close could you drive to the edge of the mountain without going over?"

The first driver said he could drive within 2 feet of the edge of the mountain.  The second driver said he could drive within 1 foot of the edge of the mountain.  The third driver said he wouldn't go near the edge of the mountain.  Instead he would drive as close to the yellow line as possible.  The woman hired the third man.

This illustrates how we should view the role of the church.  Do we want to attend a church that takes us as close as possible to the cliff that leads to Hell?  Do we want to trust that a "contemporary" pastor can show us how to cheat God and get away with as much as possible and yet hopefully God will smile and let us into Heaven anyway? 

Or in contrast, do we want a pastor who says, "Perhaps you could go to an "X" rated movie and still make heaven, but why would you want to?  Why not stay here with me, clinging to the cross and begging God to keep me safe.  Why would you want to take a chance with eternity?  You may think that avoiding some things in life is boring - or unnecessary.  But this life is only 90 years at best.  Wouldn't you want to be positive that you will have all of eternity to enjoy every good thing? 

Our last question is....How can I tell if I'm at the wrong church?  Are you growing?  Do you feel closer to God now than when you first joined the church?  If the answer is no....you are at the wrong church. 

If you can't tell any difference in your life now and when you first began attending....you need to look for a Pastor that will challenge you to grow.  Why?  God never leaves you where you are.  He insists on growth. 

Yes, growth will depend on your involvement in the process.  But...if the pastor does not challenge you or preach sermons that "convict" you to change, something is wrong.

I'm 58 years old (agh...) and I've been in the church all my life.  I gave my heart to God when I was six and I've been growing for 52 years.  About the time I think I've learned all my lessons, God hits me with something new. 

When I was a teen I decided to write down all the scriptures I could find that commanded me to "do something".  After 280 scriptures I stopped recording.  I figured that God has so much for every Christian to do that there's no way to do it all.  We are required to grow through this life and graduate into the next.

Are you growing?  When God comes back or when you face the pearly gates will he be able to say..."Well done thy good and faithful servant!"

God loves you,

Debbie

Is America Incompetent?

I loved growing up in the 50's-70's.  Yes, we had to suffer through Hippies, Vietnam and assassinations - but basically, life was still good and most families prospered. 

The thing I liked the most about those years was the drive for excellence.  I personally believe that's why life was so good.  Criminals and idiots weren't given the spotlight and public opinion looked down on them.  Now unfortunately... we elevate stupid to the point of making movies like Dumb and Dumber. 

In my day no one talked about the "bozo" in the family that went to California in a van painted with psychedelic flowers.  Instead we talked about, praised and applauded the accomplishments of the valedictorian who went on to college to become a doctor! 

The bum that banged on a tin can with two sticks he found in the yard wasn't going to be asked to do a concert.  People hurried past and knew that he was just foolin' around.  The concert pianist and the gal that could sing like songbirds not only received compensation for their hard work, they received rave reviews in the press.  When did we decide that the bum deserved money for lack of talent?

And my favorite 50's trend was the craftsmen that stood behind their work.  If you bought a table from "Al's furniture store" you could be sure your great-grandchildren were going to eat off that table.

My parents provided a nice home and I had a very nice bedroom.  However, it had somewhat childish decor and the bedroom suit was eclectic with a table hand-me-down from my parents and a headboard that we found at a garage sale.  They still worked...but I wanted something a little nicer.  Something that said I was a young adult.  So at age 14 I asked my parents for a new bedroom suit.

My Dad thought it was a wonderful idea.  However, he felt that if I was old enough to ask for and make a large purchase, I was old enough to pay for it.  After all, when I married I would surely want to take it with me.

Mom and I went to a great "mom and pop" furniture store and I found the perfect bedroom suit.  I even promised mom that with so many drawers, I could keep my room clean without even trying.  The bed, the dresser and a nightstand cost a whopping $400.  I was given a 30 year warranty but the manager smiled and added, "We stand behind our work.  If you have any trouble with this you let me know and I'll take it back and replace it!"

I worked 800 hours at $.50 an hour babysitting.  I charged $.75 if I did laundry or cleaned house.  I paid it off all by myself and on time!  (And I was taught to take care of it and not beat it up.)

What a fantastic claim.  "I stand behind my work!"  I still have that bedroom suit.  It's in wonderful condition and will probably outlast me.  Every drawer, every door....works perfectly and I'm four years past the warranty date.

What has happened to America?  We praise, worry and coddle teen idols that don't have a clue about history or decency.  We spend hundreds every year supporting the movie industry that continues to spout garbage that's hurting our teens.  We accept the fact that any item under $300 is probably going to break within a year.  We tease about being a "throw away" nation. 

We turn our head when people who can't sing and have no real talent - pick up a mike, spit and sputter while yelling obscenities....and our children pay $20 a pop to listen to their rant.  And...then that angry generation has the gall to fuss at me when I say it is not music!

We allow our children to graduate when they can't spell, can't read and can't count.  We give them jobs they are not qualified to do in order to appease the government or some special interest group.  What they really need is a tough love program that kicks them on the behind when ever they act stupid. 

We allow smart children to be put down while we coddle and don't want to hurt lazy stupid children.  Then America is surprised when those stupid young people go into the work force and can't do their jobs.  Have you ever called a company for help and got a stupid person who makes matters worse.

My uncle was Vice President of a very large company.  He had given a young lady almost a year to learn her job.  Finally he called her in and said he was going to have to let her go.

"Why?"
"Because you can't do the job."
"Just 'cus I can't do the job doesn't mean you gots to fire me!"

My son Ken introduced me to a heartbreaking phrase.  "You can fix almost anything in this world.....but you can't fix stupid!"

We find ourselves using that phrase to calm down every time we meet someone who just doesn't get it.  But...the problem remains that if we aren't at least trying to fix stupid we are probably sealing the downfall of our country. 

It's time to step up to the podium and demand "Excellence".  We need to demand it from our children, from our spouses, in our churches, in the workplace and above all....we desperately need it in the political arena.  Without it this country is doomed to an avalanche of "Stupid" that will not be able to solve the issues we face. 

I received an e-mail today from a ticket agent in DC.  You won't believe the junk he has to deal with.....from political figures!  Out of the 15 or so examples he gave, here's just a few.

***A senior Vermont Congressman (Bernie Sanders) called, furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that's not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state.


He replied, 'Don't lie to me. I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state!'' (OMG)

***An Illinois Congresswoman (Jan Schakowsky) called last week. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:30 a.m., and got to Chicago at 8:33 a.m.


I explained that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois, but she couldn't understand the concept of time zones. Finally, I told her the plane went fast, and she bought that.

***A Senator John Kerry aide (Lindsay Ross) called to inquire about a trip package to Hawaii. After going over all the cost info, she asked, ''Would it be cheaper to fly to California and then take the train to Hawaii?''


***Senator Dianne Feinstein called and said, ''I need to fly to Pepsi-Cola , Florida . Do I have to get on one of those little computer planes?''


I asked if she meant fly to Pensacola, FL, on a commuter plane.

She said, ''Yeah, whatever, smarty!''

***Mary Landrieu, Louisiana Senator, called and had a question about the documents she needed in order to fly to China . After a lengthy discussion about passports, I reminded her that she needed a visa. "Oh, no I don't. I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those.''


I double checked and sure enough, her stay required a visa. When I told her this she said, ''Look, I've been to China four times and every time they have accepted my American Express!''

And you wonder why Washington can't get anything done!  Duh!
 
God loves you,
 
Debbie

The Pastor's role in God's House

I may not be the most popular gal at parties....but I love to ask questions like the following and I'm always amazed at the answers.

Why did you decide to go to your current church?

"I like the music.  It gets me all excited and I have a good time."

"I have small children and Sunday is my day to turn them over to someone else.  My church has a large child care facility.  I'm sure they are okay and I get a full hour to sit quietly without someone pulling at me."

"My teens insist they don't like church.  I let them pick.  Even if I don't like the church or don't agree with them on certain issues at least my teens are happy.  They picked a church with a large youth group and lots of activities."

"My husband likes sports and our church has a large sports team.  Better to go there and have him with me than go where I want and leave him at home."

"My son likes rock music.  He won't go anywhere that won't let him play his electric guitar.  (whispered to me) I have a nice set of ear plugs."

"I'm a singer and I picked a church with a large choir so I can sing."

Unfortunately for people who believe the preceding answers are good reasons to attend a church - they are betting their eternal souls on their choice!  There is absolutely nothing in the Bible that instructs us to pick a church based on anything it offers us in the way of fun! 

There are only two reasons we should choose a church.  (1) The pastor adheres to and preaches from the full Bible.  His knowledge and understanding of Biblical principles is not based on his congregation's desires but on the truth contained in the word of God.  (2) God is leading you there in order to be a servant and to participate in the outreach of the Gospel.

That's it!  

Organized church isn't a big topic in the Bible.  But when it is talked about, the Bible is clear about the holiness of the church body and its pastors.  Read the book of Corinthians.  The members of the Corinthian church were rebuked and chastised for their crooked and unchristian ways. 

For example, Chapter 10:14-22.  In this passage Paul was asking the people to "flee from idolatry".  The contemporary church today doesn't pay much attention to this verse.  After all, how many Protestants believe in idols.  But if you read verse 18-22, you might get a different take on the scripture. 

"Consider the people of Israel:  Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?  Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?  No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God and I do not want you to be participants with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.  Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy?  Are we stronger than he?"

I read that and had to sit back in my chair as I felt conviction.  I'm not an extremist.  I'm not sure we have to avoid everything this world has to offer.  I censor the type of movies I watch, but I love a good movie and it doesn't have to be a specifically Christian movie.  I censor the type of music I listen to, but I love Dean Martin, Perry Como and of course Elvis Presley.  So I wonder what does this scripture have to say to me.  Am I wrong?

Continuing in the article by Lorin L. Cranford on Sanctification she writes....
"Sanctification is vitally linked to the salvation experience and is concerned with the moral/spiritual obligations assumed in that experience. We were set apart to God in conversion, and we are living out that dedication to God in holiness."

Wow!  If we are set apart in holiness, how much more should our church be set apart?  I've heard stories of pastors bringing actual circus acts into the sanctuary in order to increase attendance.  Some pastors approve professional dancers, zoo animals, local secular bands and any other "show" type efforts - not for edification of the body but just to fill the pews on Sunday morning.  Pastors want to look cool and contemporary.  Yet, when I search the scriptures I can't find one verse where Jesus, Paul or any other writers thinks it's our duty as leaders to "blend". 

The scripture in Corinthians is about Sanctification and perhaps we all need to rethink our priorities.  But what about the church?  Not only should we be careful about sanctifying our own lives to God....but we must not and can not bring anything that has been offer to or used by demons into the house of God!  God will not share his house with the unclean.  You can bring your unclean friends for salvation and for God to save them....but our house of worship must be consecrated and sanctified in order for God to be there.  How?  (More on that later)

This subject then is where we desperately need a pastor who has not only given his life to the service of God....but also is "living" in the constant stream of enlightenment from God.  The pastor you choose will have to sort out all the details of how your church service is presented, how the business of the church is administered, who can be a member and how to present the Gospel to your community. 

Again I asked a deep question.  Once I asked a pastor, "What is your week-day schedule like?"  I was amazed that 90% of it was business.  He started his day with devotions and a prayer with his staff, but the rest of the day was business.  He didn't visit the sick; he passed that to someone else.  He rarely called members - that was someone else's job.  After listening for a few minutes, I felt that his main function was to come up with ideas that would build membership.  (Notice, I said membership - not evangelism.)  He based his decision to sort of distance himself and only deal with his "inner circle" on Rick Warren's teachings.

I did some research on Rick Warren.  While I don't know the pastor personally and I don't want to say anything bad about him....I can NOT agree with his philosophy that the church is a business.  The Holy work of God is not a business.  The Holy work of God is about preparing us to approach a divine being.  I do NOT believe (as Rick teaches) that the Bible supports the idea that we need to give the congregation what they want so they will be happy.  (2 Timothy 4:3  For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.)


Most important however is that your pastor has been charged with taking care of "every one" of the sheep in his congregation!  He is responsible not only for you but for everyone that attends his church.  That means that like the good Shepherd, he must be able to go out and leave the 99 and look for the lost sheep.  (Matthew 18:12 What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?) Your pastor must be just as concerned about the elderly as he is the newborn.  He must visit the sick as much as he visits the well.  He must participate in the lives of his congregation as much as he participates in the local baseball game. 

The worst lie spun by Satan is that the head of any church is not responsible for the sins within that church.  Matthew 18:6-7 is for all of us...but how much greater is it for a pastor - God's man to lead his children?  But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!

Pastor, your main function is to prepare your congregation to live a life holy and acceptable to God.  If you aren't doing that - you are not doing the work of God.

Whew!  Debbie that's kind of strong.

Yes it is.  But losing your soul is even stronger!

Don't think that I'm suggesting we all go fuss at our pastor.  I'm not.  You must respect him and allow him to lead your church.  But....we must be sure that in our constant request for what we personally want that we are not "pushing" our pastors to step back from teaching the hard stuff and instead become a "people pleasing" pastor.  We need to ask for and appreciate it when our pastors preach about living a "Holy" life.  We need to require him to answer first and foremost to God and the Bible on which all of this is based!

And....it's imperative that when choosing a church, we look first to the teachings of the pastor and determine where those teachings will lead us.

Join me tomorrow for Part II of this discussion.  We'll discuss the following topics.

What are the Biblical goals of the church?
What should my pastor be teaching?
How can I tell if I'm at the wrong church?

God loves you,

Debbie

The Importance of Sanctification

We have to get this one right.  If we don't, the result could be hell. 

Not too many people think about God's house this way.  They have been conditioned by Hollywood, the media and even some pastors - to believe that "God not only loves everyone but that he will keep on loving us no matter what we do.  Unconsciously...many live as if they believe that God will give us a free pass to heaven if we just come close to obeying his commandments."  In other words, we can skip over much of the teaching of the Bible and not take it too literally. 

But...that's not what the Bible really teaches.  Yes, God loves the sinner as well as the Christian.  After all, he went to the cross for the sinner.  But loving them doesn't mean they get a free pass on their sins.  If God "accepts" everyone regardless of their actions, why would he provide the Ten Commandments?  The beatitudes? Why would there be so much teaching about our daily lives, consequences and personal interactions?

If God "accepts" every action just so you "believe" on him, why would he take the lives of so many people in Sodom and Gomorrah or turn Lot's wife into stone just because she took a second look (Genesis 19:24) or when Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark of Covenant (2 Samuel 6:6-7) from rocking over, why was he instantly killed?

God's standards are very high for people that call themselves Christians.  His standards for those entering his presence are even higher.  He cannot tolerate sin in his presence.  He requires sanctification.  That's not a word you hear too much today, but it's probably the most important thing to learn about being a Christian. 

I suggest that you read the entire first chapter of Isaiah for your Bible reading today.  Parts of it sound a lot like America today.  I would like to center on Isaiah 1: 13-16

Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations-- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong.

"Oh come on Debbie....the Old Testament doesn't count.  We live under grace in the New Testament."

Hum.....study your Bible dear.  The New Testament simply made things easier by allowing us to talk directly to God and to skip the sacrifice routine.  It did not wipe out all the teachings of the Old Testament.

I don't want to get into the argument about when sanctification happens or if it totally comes with salvation or not.  I personally believe that we are given all the tools we need at conversion to take our spiritual journey.  But...I also believe that a lot of people find the first bench along the road and instead of taking a small rest, they pitch their tent and immediately begin to build a house.  (Hebrews 5:11-14  6:1-8)

Your spiritual journey is about changing you.  Once you become a Christian, there's a lot to do.  You don't just join a party.  It's not about meeting once a week to enjoy music that will leave you feeling like you want to dance or hyperactive like you've just left a rock concert.  It's not your pastor's job to give you an inspirational pep talk so you feel good about yourself.  His job is to help you see the areas of your life that need changing so you can walk into the presence of a Holy Righteous God.

Your spiritual journey is about preparing you to stand in front of a holy God and present Him with the gift of your life.  It's about God looking at the changes you have made and saying, "Well Done!  You've been a faithful servant.  You've learned your lessons.  You've learned a lot about your God and you "deserve" to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Your graduation party is ready for you.  Now that the work is over, come on in and enjoy the fruits of your labor!"

That in a nutshell is the goal of your spiritual journey.  That's sanctification.  Let's take a look at an article from the Holman Bible dictionary by Lorin L. Cranford.  She defined Sanctification as "the process of being made holy resulting in a changed life-style for the believer."

She goes on to say... The English word sanctification comes from the Latin sanctification, meaning the act/process of making holy, consecrated. In the Greek New Testament, the root hag- is the basis of hagiasmos, "holiness," "consecration," "sanctification"; hagiosyne, "holiness"; hagiotes, "holiness"; hagiazo "to sanctify," "consecrate," "treat as holy," "purify"; and hagios, "holy," "saint." The root idea of the Greek stem is to stand in awe of something or someone.

The New Testament usage is greatly dependent upon the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, for meaning. The hag- words in the Septuagint mostly translated the Hebrew qadosh, "separate, contrasting with the profane." Thus, God is separate; things and people dedicated to Him and to His use are separate. The moral implications of this word came into focus with the prophets and became a major emphasis in the New Testament. 

Wow!  You may not have followed all the translations and root word stuff....but did you get the last two sentences?   God is separate.  Things and people dedicated to Him and His use are separate! 

I want to leave this discussion today with two important questions.

1.  How many times have your friends, family or co-workers singled you out and said..."His/her life is different.  I know they are a Christian because...."  If no one has ever said that about you, is your Christian life "separate" from the average life of a sinner? 

2.  How many times have you felt in awe while sitting in a church service?  Does your church service reflect the HOLY Separate Righteous God?  Or do you feel so comfortable with everything around you that there would be no difference if you were sitting at home, eating popcorn and watching TV?  Is your church service "dedicated" to being separate?

The answer to these questions may determine why Julia Duin, religion editor for the Washington Times, writes, "Many evangelical Christians are slipping out or barely hanging on to their churches."  Duin herself dropped out of church for a while and remarked that when she did, she was "surprised to find out how little (she) missed going to church."

If God has left the building....why would we want to be there?

God loves you,

Debbie

God's House Series

 God's House

In this blog series we will discuss every element of Christian activity.  We will discuss every areas of church activity with one goal in mind...."How does this activity bring us closer to God and will it help us not only with our outreach to the world but with our personal relationship with God.  How will this activity help to pave the way to Heaven."

We appreciate all your comments and hope this series will inspire you and bring you closer to God.

The following links will take you to all the articles written about God's House.


What's wrong with America?

The Importance of Sanctification

The Pastors role in God's House - Part I

The Pastor's role in God's House - Part II

The Pastor's role in God's House - Part III

The Pastor's role in God's House - Forgiveness

What's wrong with America?

I love this country!  I want my free America back.  I want to feel safe.  I want to feel like my grandchildren (nope...none yet - but hopeful) will have the same wonderful opportunities that I had.  I want to feel like my children will be able to make a living and have the same great life that I had.

Last week a friend confided.... "I feel like America is going to Hell in a hand basket and there's nothing I can do about it.  I'm so depressed."

I think we all feel that way.  We are being pushed around by political correctness, hatred, greed, sin, anarchy, corruption, crime, personal assaults and.....we don't even feel safe within our own church communities.  Add to that the economic pressures and trying to argue with spoiled liberal brats and it can feel like the good life is ending.

I'm currently reading a great book, 5 Ministry Killers and how to defeat them.  (Use my amazon link to purchase this book)  In his book, Charles Stone gives a lot of statistics from the Barna Group as well as other polling institutions.   Stone stated, "If the Barna Group is right about the twenty million who sit in the pews each week, and leave wondering if church is worth their time, then plenty of them probably sit in my church as well."

Wow....20,000,000 unsatisfied Christians.  That's a lot of people who aren't being fed.  Now before we jump on pastors too hard....I agree with Stone that it's not totally up to pastors.  I bet half or more of those 20 million aren't prepared to "receive" anything even before the pastor takes the pulpit.  (More on that subject later).

I would like to suggest that before we run out the door to protest all the things that are wrong in our society - maybe we need to do a little research on the roots of problematic people.  For example, take this picture I received from a friend.  The poster says..."Give us Free Healthcare, Jobs, no taxes, house, food, You owe us America!  We will shoot more police in Arizona until we get free!"

I'm not going to jump on my justified soapbox and ask - "Who does he think he is?  No one should have the right to "shoot more policemen".  Why should I support him?  He looks well enough to work.  Which brings up the question.... "Has he shot policemen before?"  Why wasn't he taken in for questioning?

The question I am going to pose is....what brought this guy to the protest?  What is his past?  Why does he feel he has the right to force his way on Americans who built this country?  Why does he feel justified in his hate...in his need to kill authority figures?  Does he have a faith?  Is he a criminal?  Does he know about our constitution?  What did his mom teach him about society and how to live within a society?  Did his parents teach him about hard work and obeying laws?

Those questions are important.  Without answering them we don't really know the people that are trying to hurt us as individuals and destroy us as a nation.  Where is the church in all this?  Are we spreading the message of the gospel so thoroughly that other nations want our faith as well as our country?

Where are parents in this fight?  Are we training our children to be good citizens?  Are we training them to grow up and build a stronger government that will reach the goal of our founding fathers....to be a light on the hill - a beacon to the world?

As we protest and as the Tea party movement grows, we must answer many of these questions.  As a teacher and family specialist - I am concerned with two huge segments of our society.  I'm concerned with the declining influence of the church on individual lives.  I'm also concerned with the declining influence of parents on the future of their children. 

I hope you will join me for a series of posts on God's House.  We will be asking some huge questions about the validity and power of the church in a contemporary society.  Tomorrow we will discuss "Sanctification" and if it plays a role in today's church.

I've already discussed parenting as an important factor in changing America.  Children will always throw temper tantrums when they don't get what they want.  Debbie's definition of a temper tantrum is when a child or adult refuses to listen to the facts or reasons and chooses physical action and selfishness over intelligent understanding. 

Hum....does that apply to the protest on immigration?  No one in America is denying the "lawful" path to citizenship.  Just because a task is hard doesn't mean that it's wrong.  Does "temper tantrum" apply to political correctness and much of the liberal agenda? Hum....  Does "temper tantrum" apply to areas of the church?  Hum....

Let me know what you think.

God loves you,

Debbie

Open Letter to Glen Beck

Dear Mr. Beck,

I agree with everything you teach on your show.  I believe in Faith, Hope and Charity.  I believe in America and her founding fathers.  I believe there has to be a hidden motive for why so many politicians are pushing the progressive agenda and I don't believe that it's for the common good.

I think you are a highly intelligent man and I'm grateful that you are so quick to highlight other intelligent people. 

But....America will NEVER turn around and be the country it once was unless you talk about the complicated area of parenting.  Honor can't be demanded, it can't be legislated and it can't be part of a business plan. 

Honor and many of the other traits you encourage your listeners to demand - must be learned.  I was so impressed when you had the men from Liberty College on your show.  Great show!  Great men!  But even faith doesn't always overcome dishonor in humans. 

Do you know what you call a jerk who becomes a Christian?  A Christian Jerk!  I've met a lot of those types over the years. There are times when God chooses to change a man 100%, deep down, over and under, in every way.  But that's not the norm.  Most of the time God saves the soul and it's up to training, pastoral care and determination of the individual to change the temptations lurking deep in his personality.

Real honor is learned and perfected over time.  An adult that has been disciplined and trained from day one will have an easier time being honorable.  It takes time to create an honorable adult.  Honor is learned when we "lose" as well as when we win.  Honor is learned when we have heroes like your Dad and mine to set the pace.  Honor is learned when we are required to be compassionate and to care.  Honor is learned when we are required to be intelligent and to look for the facts - "question with boldness".  Honor is learned when we are required to sacrifice for the good of others. 

It takes a long time to create an honorable adult - that's why it must begin with parenting.  It must begin when a child enters the toddler stage. 

I look at some politicians and all I can see is a spoiled child trying to be a bully.  I put the blame squarely where it belongs....their parents.  Parents can cause children to have a distorted view of others.  Some children become bullies and those usually wind up in juvenile detention.  Others don't like the crime route so they learn to play the system.  They figure out how to cover their bully tactics with a betraying smile.  They slither and move in circles that allows them notoriety and fame while deep inside they are as cruel and deadly as any enemy.

I watch your show everyday as you point out crime, inc. and every other vermin that wants to destroy our freedoms.  I understand that while apathy got us to this point, if we don't stop it - America is doomed.  Progressives like to say they are willing to co-exist and that if we just give them this amount of space they will be fine.

That's a lot of garbage.  Evil and good cannot co-exist.  It's not possible.  The very definition of evil is that it must conquer.  Evil is not a passive state.  Progressive is not a passive state.  We must understand that there are many causes that sound good on the surface but they are not passive causes.  They are causes that must conquer.  And that's where America really needs to wake up.  We need to be teaching our children to be strong and how to fight.  They must be honorable - yes - but if an honorable man can't fight for what is right....he will be conquered - honor or not. 

We have to be stronger and rise to the top or we will be conquered.  All the awakening in America is great!  I am so thankful for the things you are doing to train America!  But without parents learning how to raise honorable men and women - the future is not secure.

One last point....learning how to raise that child is the most important thing a parent can do - and it's where a parent is the most venerable.  If a new parent doesn't have a good role model and chooses a contemporary parenting book loaded with styles that will prepare a young child to accept progressive thinking....a parent can do his best and yet the child will rebel.  Most contemporary psychology is progressive and there's a lot of foolish advice for parents floating around.  Unless parents seek out non-progressive ways to view and raise their families, they will set the stage for progressives to inch into their homes. 

I wouldn't write this letter if I didn't have answers to the questions I've raised.  How can a parent raise an honorable child that will not rebel and won't accept progressive ways?  That's a huge subject and would take a book to cover it.  I covered a lot of specific ways in my book, Discipline Exposed - surviving fried worms and flying mudballs.  Here are a few general tips that will help.

1.  Your child isn't going to fly if he's tethered to the ground by your bad habits.  If you want your child to grow into an honorable adult, you must be his role model.

2.  Discipline invades 100% of anyone's life.  Your child's future marriage depends on discipline.  His job success depends on discipline.  Your child's children and their success will depend on discipline.  Your child's ability to accept your faith will depend on discipline.  Your child's ability to be an honorable person will depend on discipline.  Your child's grades will depend on discipline.  Your child's relationship with you will depend on discipline.

If you don't get discipline right - you and your child will suffer!  Please read my book!

3.  Expose your child to those in need and require them to sacrifice to help.  Don't just give your child money to put in the Salvation Army bucket...help him be excited about giving part of his allowance.

4.  Teach your child how to find the truth.  Make TRUTH and living by values that are TRUE a goal for your family.  Don't just make rules....teach your children the TRUTH behind those rules and why they should be in place.

5.  Point out the end results of other lifestyles.  Don't just wait for your child to head down a destructive road without any information.  Start when they are young to help them look around at others and their lifestyles and ask the question...."Will that bring me happiness and joy even at the end of the road."

I have many more suggestions....but this letter is probably already to long.  My website, book and three blogs (including Mommy Detective blog) are here to help.
I appreciate what you are doing but I hope you will give parents more information on "how" to raise an honorable "future".  And for those of you who are reading this....check out the 80 relationship classes I offer at http://www.debbiejansen.com/
 
God loves you,

Debbie Jansen
Mommy Detective