March 2008 #3

A SAD, SAD DAY – Before I resigned from Grace Baptist Church in Sunbury 4 years ago we endeavored to close the church and sell the properties to be used in helping other works of like faith. By one vote we failed to accomplish the task because a couple that had not attended the services for several months participated in secret meetings to gather the people to prevent such a decision when the called business meeting was scheduled. He wanted the work for himself and he got it, but he was not able to handle it and turned it over to a friend who was a Grace Brethren pastor who illegally changed the church into a Grace Brethren Church. That was contrary to the churches constitution. March 10, 2008 this same man was charged with raping a fifteen-year-old girl who had come to the church offices for help with her studies. His picture and that of the church building has been shown on TV news several times. Thankfully, there was no longer a Baptist Church sign on the property. The few remaining people would have been far wiser to have closed the church and allowed the resources to be used to promoted works of like faith.

NEW CARS OR OLDER USED CARS – A good number of years ago I decided to make the effort to purchase new cars rather than used cars. I was not always able to do so but for the most part I was able to do so. I know some had raised eyebrows over my doing so. Here was my reasoning: I am not mechanically inclined, nor did I have the tools necessary to try and maintain an older car. Further, being in the Lord’s work that often required doing visitation and taking others to meetings, I needed a dependable vehicle. I had also observed pastors spending much time trying to repair and maintain their older cars. I had known some who drove older cars that broke down while caring children or young people to camp and youth meetings. That was trouble I didn’t want to have, nor did I consider it a wise chance to take. We never had a large income that might justify purchasing new cars but when you begin comparing the cost of parts, repairs, tools and the expenditure of time, I decided it was less expensive to make care payments.

WOULD YOU CHANGE CHURCHES – Up to now Barack Obama has gotten a free ride by the liberal media and his popularity has exploded in the Democratic primary race. The tide for Obama may now be changing as he now finds himself under fire for his church membership and the hate America sermons of his pastor and mentor, Jeremiah Wright. I cannot imagine a pastor, black or white, in these United States of America, repeatedly crying out “God d—n America” and accusing our government of purposely spreading HIV among blacks and saying the chickens have come home to roost when over 3000 died on 9-11. On and on the news media (particularly Fox) are playing video segments of Wright’s sermons and his accusations against the nation. They are appalling. Obama is claiming to have never been present when these types of sermons were preached. I canÂ’t imagine being a member of a church for twenty years and not being aware of this type of preaching. Barack has now publicly denounced or repudiated Pastor Wright’s radical preaching. Personally, if I found myself a member of such a church I’d make a quick departure and seek out a different one to attend. I don’t know how Obama will be able to escape the necessity of leaving the Trinity United Church of Christ while continuing to seek the presidency. If he does end his membership he will then probably be accused by some of doing so for political expediency rather than for personal convictions. Barack Obama has a serious problem that goes far beyond his liberal politics.

DEPUTATION & FULL SUPPORT FOR HOME MISSIONARIES – I have observed over the years missionaries that shunned deputation and endeavored to start churches on a part time basis. Some said it was too difficult for home missionaries to gain full support. I believe some lacked the faith to believe God was able to meet their needs as they left secular work behind to undertake deputation. Others simply wanted to cling to their particular employment as they ministered in the local church. It is a known fact that church planters here at home do have a more difficult task in raising support than those going to a foreign field or for those having a specialty ministry at home such as ethnic or deaf ministries. I did find myself dealing with the attitude of some churches that felt the home missionary could always take a secular job to support their ministries, something that missionaries going abroad could not do. Most countries will not allow missionaries to take up secular employment. Going beyond that kind of mindset, a home missionary without full support limits their capability of establishing a church, not being able to put in the time and effort necessary to accomplish the task. There are many little struggling churches that never got off the ground and continue to struggle for years due to the inability of the church planter to put his full efforts into the establishment of the work. The task of deputation and raising full support is not easy but the home missionary, the same as for the foreign missionary, can do it even if it does take longer to do so. There is a certain security and peace of mind that comes from having full support as well as being able to put the proper time and effort into the start of a work. In many church plants problems arise where the missionary has to take a stand for principle and sound doctrine and not be threatened by the loss of salary from the local work by taking the necessary stand. Many a pastor and under supported missionaries have been forced to leave in the face of such circumstances in order to meet the needs of his family. Thankfully, home mission agencies are taking a more forceful stand on requiring the obtaining of full support by their approved candidates. If God calls someone to ministry He also provides for him to do so. If you don’t have the type of faith to believe God will provide, maybe you shouldn’t become a home missionary.

MORE ON THE ABOVE – Having said the above, I want to also recognize there are exceptions to what I have said. Sometimes there are circumstances where God may lead an individual to support his ministry through secular work. There may be health issues, family issues and assorted matters that God will use and bless. Even though the tasks may appear to be difficult undertakings that combine ministry and secular work. I have had to do both, ministry and secular work in the early days of my ministry. That was a learning time for me. I have observed others that have had an amazing amount of stamina to do both but they are rare souls. Home mission agencies like Baptist Church Planters are now opening up ministries for those who take up support ministries with church planting missionaries, supporting the team ministry by their secular work. Retirees are filling in the gaps with short-term ministries, etc. that are proving very effective. God uses willing servants in many different circumstances and capacities, so don’t think I am being judgmental by the previous paragraph.