The Weekly Perspective
by Burke Shade, Associate Pastor
Pastoral reflections I shared with fellow presbyters at our recent Presbytery meeting.
“First, don’t maliciously attack other Christians. They are not the enemy; Satan is. Immorality is. Unbelief is. Other religions are. As a pastor, build the kingdom/church by respecting Christ’s other soldiers with different units. Jesus is pleased to have many different stripes of Christians around the globe. So honor him and don’t attack them because they aren’t aligned with your exact views of theology or interpretation or practice. Work for unity among Christ’s people.
Secondly, while growing in depth, remember that much of your flock needs the basics of the Christian life reiterated on a regular basis. People really need encouragement to faithful and consistent in Bible reading, daily personal prayer, loving their wives and respecting their husbands, not exasperating their children, throwing off anger and replacing it with kindness and patience, the Golden Rule, Etc etc. So regularly come back to those things in your ministry.
“Thirdly, I don’t think I’ve ever argued anyone into the kingdom with apologetics. But hospitality is a different story. People are lonely and want community; having people into your home, or taking them for coffee or lunch, opens the doors to what you have to say and lowers the barriers. Then use apologetics bring them along in a loving and caring manner. Encourage and teach your congregation how to do so by having them in your home. Encourage singles to be hospitable and to bring food to people’s homes, and not always be moochers. That is not a ministry calling!” (to be continued)