I Choose to Follow Jesus!

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Lamentations 4-5
NT: Philippians 2
W&W: Psalm 109.21-31

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 1
NT: Philippians 3
W&W: Psalm 110

Today’s Reflection:

The following questions were submitted to me at the Towne Hall Meeting by “An Old Lady” (I discussed anonymous communication in an earlier question. See my posts from August 17, 18, and 19 concerning “Openness”):
Are you visiting the sick from Church? Pastor Roberts is a hard one to follow. We were told you wanted to get back to visiting again.
Have you ever been on a mission trip?

This is a tough one to answer, because I know that there is no right answer. I read once that whether or not you think your pastor is a good pastor depends on if that pastor is doing what you think he or she should be doing. That makes sense. But, it sets the pastor up to fail – if he or she tries to model his ministry based on what others think.

But, let me hasten to say that I am glad that I am not “following” Pastor Roberts in this regard. If I placed that burden on myself, it would not be fair to me or to Pastor Roberts. It would certainly not be fair to you or to the Lord of the church who called me here to take the next step in our church’s great history.

I model my ministry based on what I understand Jesus did, based on what I read concerning how the Apostles and Paul conducted their ministries in the early church, based on Paul’s letters to the churches and pastors in the New Testament, and based upon what I feel the Lord leading me to do for the good people of Bethel Nazarene Church. If we finish these questions tonight – and as the Lord leads – perhaps I will preach a message next Sunday night on the role of the pastor. I’ve always wanted to do that, but I’ve been a little hesitant – even fearful. But, a dear friend of mine called me fearless last week, and I don’t want to disappoint her. Besides, it would only be helpful to us all to understand the biblical view together.

That said, I am visiting the sick from the church. I find it a little harder to do, but I also try to visit the sick of the church! And, yes, I am glad to be in a position where I can invest more in the pastoral care of my flock. I feel that that is an area of giftedness for me. At times, Lana joins me on those visits, but not always. I’ll get back to this in a moment.

Concerning mission trips, yes, I have been on several. Two out of the country – in Trinidad and in Canada, and two in the country – in Chattanooga and in Iowa.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Let’s put Romans 3.21-25a together: 21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.