A digital commonplace for a Regular Guy called Charlie Pharis
…for a self-satisfied, excuse-making, status-quo-loving pastor, serving in a self-satisfied, excuse-making, status-quo-loving church…
About Church Finances…
What about the finances? Do you want Me to give you enough money to meet your pared-down budget? Or do you want Me to call you to an incredible mission and provide what you need to pay for it?
First, a story…
Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there lived and breathed a race of men unmatched in all of pastoral history. These men were the mighty men of the Redneck Pastors. Much like the Jedi of old, these men were scattered – by schedule and circumstance – throughout the universe. Left to fend for themselves, they very rarely managed to congregate for jollity and mutual encouragement. The northernmost participant in this noble race is one Roger Blackmore, in the far reaches of civilization, otherwise known as LawnGUY-land.
OK, why am I thanking Roger today? Because he’s perfected the art of the gut-punch, along with Andy Stanley. Don’t believe me? Well, you can see for yourself. Twice.
(Warning: If you’re a self-satisfied, excuse-making, status-quo-loving pastor, serving in a self-satisfied, excuse-making, status-quo-loving church, go ahead and brace your abs…your gut punch is coming.)
I’m pretty sure this isn’t an original thought, but it’s a thought that’s on my mind today…
A prayer list isn’t the same as a prayer life.
In case you missed it, my buddy Tony McCollum brought down the house with his American Idol audition! Oh, wait…I think that’s “SHUT DOWN the house.”
That’s what you call “shifting pair o’ dimes.” Let the reader understand…
When you say “traditional” (as in “traditional music”), what do you have in mind?
See, because if you Google “traditional music” you come up with around 111,000,000 matches…folk, Celtic, Japanese, Irish, world, Iranian, Oklahoma City, and the hits just keep on coming!
Whose tradition do you mean?
When you say “choir”, what do you have in mind?
Just wondering…
When you say “organ” (as in, “A church without an organ is not really a church”), what do you have in mind?
Just wondering…
God has been gracious enough to let me cross paths with several folks who are out there on the cutting edge of Kingdom work, planting brand-new churches that are making a huge impact in this culture. Almost every one of the church planters I know is facing great challenges. I pray for the ones I know almost daily. I try to help carry their burdens and more than anything, I want to be a friend and encourager to them.
BUT…
Tonight, I think if I hear one of them say anything about how much tougher they have it than pastors of established churches have it, I just might commit a felony!
Yes, to quote one of my church planter heroes, church planting is the extreme sport of ministry. Yes, there are challenges planters face that guys like me don’t face.
BUT…
Tonight, I am once again convinced that the absolute toughest, most dangerous assignment in ministry is trying to lead an established church through a transition to make an impact for the Kingdom right now.
Just in case you were wondering about the progress of the flood recovery efforts, I went into the office today and checked in with our Servpro folks. Get this…they told me they’ve removed over 500 gallons of water since Sunday morning!
Oh, and here’s anew concept for you. You know that stuff you make interior walls out of?
What’s it called…DRYwall? NOT!
Ours is now WETwall! Nice, huh?
It’s a-MAZ-in’, ain’t it, Tom, what one little tyke-sized toilet can do! There’s gotta be a sermon illustration in there somewhere!