Who Do You Follow?

I preached this past Sunday on 3 John and the encouragement and praise given to John’s dear friend Gaius, as well as, the warning of Diotrophes the inhospitable, self-centered church leader. The verse directly following John states “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” The question I proposed to my church family was “Who do you follow, or imitate or even mimic?” We all take on certain attitudes, life philosophies, theological viewpoints, mannerisms and even clothing styles from those we follow: parents, teachers, professors, writers, speakers, TV personalities, etc. However, this question has remained with me this week in whom do I follow as a pastor/shepherd and preacher?

Who is my model, who do I emulate, who do I hold in high esteem, who do I follow? Certainly Christ first and foremost, but others have influenced me as well. As a writer I value Max Lucado’s life revealing style. I appreciate Calvin Miller’s depth of study and insight into exegesis, homiletics and preaching. I like the academic teaching style of Dr. Del Tackett (The Truth Project). I enjoy the preaching of Bob Coy (Ft. Lauderdale) and the leadership principles of John Maxwell. They have all influenced me, and if I am honest, I do imitate (maybe not very well) them in my role as shepherd, pastor and teacher.

But here is the challenge for me…there is a large and growing church population that loves, and I mean almost fanatically loves popular ministry personalities of Joyce Meyers, Joel Osteen, John Bevere, T.D. Jakes, and seniors love Benny Hinn and still even Jimmy Swaggart (which has always perplexed me). I recently saw John Bevere speak and he was very entertaining, compelling with an enticing message of empowerment. Putting doctrinal issues aside, most from the word-of-faith camp, I know that I would become instantly popular if I followed, imitated and mimicked them in my preaching style and content…guaranteed. I would hear “Amens” throughout the sermon, they would be nodding and smiling with approval, they would run to the altar, and they would slap me on the back and say “Now that’s anointed preaching” and “The Holy Spirit showed up today Pastor”. Because of their zeal, I know our church would grow in attendance and I would be their new spiritual hero. Who doesn’t want to see their church grow, to be successful and have their preaching admired by others?

John’s words tether me to the post of sensibility “imitate what is good”. For me, I have reservations with the above for many reasons, and I need to examine who I follow and if their actions, teaching, theology and style is good. Good for what God has called me to be and minister as his Shepherd for our specific church and community present and future. I am thankful for the good influence of Lucado, Maxwell, Miller, Coy, and Tackett in my life and I feel good about the direction God is leading me to be as his shepherd.

I know I will never fulfill the expectation of those who fanatically follow Joyce Meyers, Joel Osteen and the like, and I will always fall short in their eyes. This is true because they remind me often, “Oh, Pastor I watched John Bevere this morning and his message was the most powerful, anointed, life-changing prophetic Word of God, I have ever heard…I recorded it for you.” Still I aim to be faithful to God’s leading in my life as his Shepherd in writing, leading, preaching and teaching and to follow that which is good.

Campfire Question: Who influences you? Who do you imitate, follow or even mimic?

The Joy of Preaching

I gripped the pulpit as if I were being launched into space as I defended myself behind its authoritative structure. My legs felt weak and voice squeaky as I spread out my notes and fumbled with my Bible. I looked out on the 500 or so faces in the congregation, and my mind went blank as I desperately tried to remember my witty, side-splitting, and insightful introduction…nothing but silence as the folks looked on. “Let’s pray”, I muttered. After the prayer I stumbled through the Bible passage and began to read point one from my notes, then point two. At this rate I would be wrapping it up in 4 min. and 32 seconds. But something miraculous happened mid-way through my novice attempt at preaching, I began to feel a little more confident, to relax, to feel less self-conscious, and as I shared a personal story some even laughed. I could feel that I was beginning to connect, and there was a rising confidence to share God’s revelation and Truth. After the response and closing prayer, I felt completely spent, emotionally, physically and spiritually, but there was also a deep sense of fulfillment and joy. This was my first sermon outside of my home church, over 10 years ago as a staff pastor in Port Orchard, WA.

The fulfillment and joy I felt afterward gave me the initial confidence that I could fulfill God’s nudging on my life to be a preacher. Years later, after preaching to adults on a regular basis, this joy sustains and, at times, rises up as a refreshing cool drink of encouragement. As shepherds feed the Word of God to his sheep, this joy flows from listening to his leading, being obedient, and sharing his message of hope, love and restoration in a way that connects. It is the joy of Christ springing up from within my soul. John 15:11

The Apostle Paul emphatically stated “Preach the Word”. Jesus said to Peter “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.” We have an awesome calling and opportunity to share God’s eternal Truth to those who trust us on a weekly basis. This is a sacred responsibility. It is also fulfilling and full of joy when we have served faithfully as 2 Tim. 2:15 states. This joy is not dependent upon comments of others, who fell asleep, who nodded in approval, or said “Amen”, or even in how many were there, but simply in our obedience to Christ. My fellow shepherds hold onto, celebrate, and be encouraged by the joy we have in Christ as you preach the Word this Sunday.

Campfire Question: Do you still feel the joy of preaching? Share a joyful preaching moment.

 

Precious Father...

When our family needs to laugh, or have a distraction from the busyness of life we watch (again for the hundredth time), refer to, or quote lines from Nacho Libre, 2006. It is one of those wacky movies that has become a part of our family culture and inside joke between us when someone incidentally quotes a phrase or word from the movie, “but I do”, “duties”, “nitty-gritty”, or “it’s the best”. My favorite line in the movie is when Nacho is in the chapel, kneeling and praying at the altar, after a long night of losing badly in the wrestling ring. He prays, “Precious Father, why have you given me this desire to wrestle and then made me such a stinky warrior? (sniff, sniff) I smell cookies.” Nacho’s robe catches on fire from an altar candle, and he runs out of the chapel leaving a trail of smoke.

From the first time I watched this corny, slapstick movie that line grabbed my attention, for I can relate to Nacho’s prayer. “Why God did you call me here to be your man to lead your sheep when I am such a stinky shepherd?” I don’t know about you, but there are days when I feel that statement echo in my heart. When I feel like I messed up, when I feel like I let somebody down, put my foot in my mouth, delivered a dry, forgettable sermon, or just generally feeling like I am losing ground as God’s Shepherd to lead and care for His flock. For me, the danger of staying in the treacherous bog of discouragement and insecurity could easily lead to frustration, anger, defensiveness, apathy, overcompensation, disillusionment, cynicism, and becoming demoralized. That’s not good. From those feelings often exaggerated responses come to mind: going to the happiest place on earth (Disneyland) for two weeks by myself where everybody is smiling at me, watching Veggie Tales videos all day with Larry the Cucumber, repeating “God made you special and he loves you very much”, yelling at someone, or even dreaming of driving an airport shuttle full-time.

…but God doesn’t want me to linger in that bog of discouragement. He wants to reach down, lead me out, and encourage me as His undershepherd. So, when I find myself muttering Nacho’s prayer under my breath, “Precious Father, why have you given me this desire to wrestle and then made me such a stinky warrior?” I need to pause and remember the one who called me to his service will equip, strengthen and encourage me each step of the journey like others he called: Noah, Gideon, David, Peter to name just a few. I am sure you have many scripture encouragements that now come to mind.

Writing the blog is cathartic and healing in many ways, and my hope is as you take a few minutes to read it and respond, that you may find encouragement and safety in our gathering as Shepherds around the campfire.

Campfire Question: Got a verse, a personal story, an encouragement to another shepherd who may be thinking “Why did you make me such a stinky warrior?”