Learn to Play with Others

Remember when we were kids, and we would go to a friends house or school to play. If they had a toy we wanted we would get very upset if they wouldn't share. If you don't remember, then perhaps its time to spend some time in the church nursery, and observe the behavior of children.

The real problem is that we do not outgrow such behavior very well. Many adults are still trying to learn to "play well together". I was reminded of this recently in looking at the account of the disciples arguing over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Isn't that just like us, to argue over who gets the best, the most, or our way. Maybe we never learned to play with others in the fun things of life, so it hurts us in working with others in the hard things.

One nice things about children, is that they often forget in a short while why they were angry with another child. A new toy or new interest comes and they are off with life. The problem with adults is that we are locked on the problem, and life can't move on for us. We become consumed with the situation, instead of loving the people God has blessed us with in our lives.

May you put aside your differences in life. May you play and have fun with the people you are a part of. May those blessings encourage love, as God intends it with in His family.

Keep on your Journey with Jesus today.

Technology Is The Pastor's Friend

I know that there are differing views of technology. Many Christians fight change in how we do thing. The fear of the unknown keeps us from trying a new recipe or trying new technology in a church. We as ministers can sometimes be too far one way or the other on the issues of technology in the places we are called to minister.

I do not consider myself a trend setter by any means, but I do try to keep up where I see benefits to those I am shepherding. This week I have been attending a class on ministry using the Web, and I am challenged in my own ideas of how to use technology in a real way to touch lives and help others on their own spiritual journey. In recent months I have improved our church website, by adding online links to daily devotionals, which some in our church already enjoy. I have also recently started a devotion Pod cast to offer encouragement to people through out the week. The devotions are based around whatever the Lord is leading me to preach on the prior week. It is my hope that this additional contact will be picked up by some in my congregation who could use some extra encouragement in their own spiritual walk.

Last night after uploading my message from Sunday onto my free sermon.net account, I checked my status. I was not worried about the number, only to know if anyone is still accessing the weekly messages. Three people are regularly listening to the message. I was thrilled to know that there are others outside the pews, or maybe those listening again to what was being said. I will likely never have the draw of Billy Graham or Andy Stanley, but I can use this web-technology to give extra encouragement to those I minister to in my own small community of the world.

I utilize email for regular contacts, and reminders. I Face Book to keep in touch with many of the younger crowd, who no longer email. I use the church web page to promote and show our church, and now to offer additional spiritual growth to those I am called to shepherd. John Wesley used a horse to get into the world with the message of God. How much more should we not use the vehicle of the internet to carry the message of Christ today.

God bless your journey with Him today.

Billiards and Church Fellowship

I have been thinking a lot about fellowship with in churches this past few weeks. Today a thought came to my mind. In a way this thought is a lot like billiards or the game of pool. A church may be made up of several individuals, and a few groups of people (at least in a small town church like my own). Imagine those groups and individuals represented by several scattered balls, and a few setting side by side. They may go along for several years in their little cliches or groups, and the individuals remain solitary.

The first change I thought of was of a new pastor or leader coming into the church. Being an outsider in most cases these new leaders are accepted, at least at some level by everyone. By virtue of their influence they may make connections with groups and individuals. Unfortunately many times this is really like the pastor being the cue ball on the billiard table. The pastor interacts, attracting some, setting others off, and building new groups or clusters. In the end this may actually cause scattering in view of the table, and new groups form into new clusters over time.

This may happen again, with the change of pastoral leadership in a church.

The second thought is similar, but in regard to visitors to our church. Instead of bouncing balls around the table, these new families and faces do not have the influence or acceptance. All too often they come into a church, and instead of causing separation of groups or clusters in the church they are the ones bounced around. Groups, clusters, and individuals in the church have a mysterious force field or glue holding them together. Since the new person or family can not get into a group they either must become individuals or all too often they drift away from the church to another in search of a place of acceptance.

I pray that our churches are not made up of cliches, but of Christians who are filled with Christ and the Fellowship principle of the Bible. Opening their hearts and lives to one another, and any person who comes into the fold. May we always be open, loving, and accepting in our churches.

The Team Needs You

There was a young man who wanted walked by the basketball court in his small town. He watched, as other children played the game. He recognized some of his friends from the neighborhood, and so he watched for a while. It was surprising to him how many people he knew at the game, and how many people were playing together and having fun. Even more important was the surprise at how everyone cheered one another no matter how well they played. The boy wanted to be a part of the game, and so he walked toward the court and asked the coach if he could play.

“Of course you can play, we are always open to new players. Our team never closes it’s roster, and we don’t even care if you’ve never held a ball before in your life. We do expect a few things though,” The coach said gladly.

“Sure,” the boy said with a smile. “What kind of things do you expect?”

“Well when you are part of a team that means you are accountable to one another. You are responsible to practice to the best of your ability, and you must be at every game. You see every person on our team plays, and every person has a part. We not only carry the ball, but we cheer one another on in our practice and our play. We need one another, and that is what makes us a team.”

“Every game?” The boy asked, “But when do you play?”

“We meet the first of every week to play. We offer a variety of times to practice through out the week, and we sure would benefit from having you join us.”

“Okay. I want to be a part of the team.”

What do you think would happen to a boy who joined a team, and then didn’t show up for the game? Some of us have been a part of a ball team, a theater group, or other team. We understand the importance of being there when the game is played. We understand the importance of cheering one another on, or helping one another learn.

Do we have the same thought about our Church team? In Christ we are a Body, and we are a team. Do we make it a priority to be a part of the team? Do we make sure we are there when the team is meeting? No team is perfect, and no church is either. However, we come together to encourage one another, to challenge one another, and to cheer one another in serving our Savior and King.

When we are missing from the team our lives seem less joyful. When we are missing our team feels the loss. Ask God to help you in your walk with Him. Ask Christ to help make you a stronger part of His team.

May God bless you on your Journey With Jesus,

Daniel Shipton.

Celebrate often

Celebration is always a good thing. We had our annual Harvest Day Celebration. With a lot of singing and personal sharing I don't think anyone really realized that we went over about thirty minutes. The dinner and fellowship after were a blessing too.

Sometimes we need to pause and celebrate life together in the family of God.

Keep on your Journey with Jesus today

Working the Bi-vocational ministry

We, as average church pastor's often face the challenge of making ends meet. Many of us have experienced the concern for the financial state of our church, and concern for making ends meet for our own families. Many of us have to supplement our income through work outside of the church. Many churches understand this need, while others seem hard pressed to understand that the minister's family has needs.

I have worked in a variety of jobs through out my time in ministry and in training for ministry. I always tried, as most ministers do, to work a job that would not interfere too much with my ministry needs for the churches I have served. I have worked as an early morning stock person, which left afternoons and evenings to minister and visit in the church. I have worked as a substitute teacher, which if you get to know the school well, offers flexibility to say no if there are emergencies that arise. I spent time working in restaurant work in the overnight hours, which again offered afternoons and evenings free for ministry. Then there was a couple years I worked a few days a week in grocery sales. While the grocery sales called for a full days commitment, it left most of my week free.

Some things I learned early on in regard to Bi-vocational work. First, keep your church informed of what you are doing and the hours you are making available to them. One of the concerns of parishioners is when and how they can get in contact with you for counsel or needs. You may want to print regular office hours, or available times in your bulletin, or other obvious place.

Second, be honest and upfront with your employer from the get go. There will likely be minor conflict with in your heart when crisis' arise; however, these times are less than we often think they are. You need to let employers know your first priority is your ministry, but that you will work diligently in all that you do. We must remember our witness in our work will be scrutinized more, because we have made our stand of faith. When you are upfront about who you are and what you do I have found for the most part that my work has not overshadowed my ministry.

Third and most important have faith that God will see you through. It takes faith to be honest with employers at the start, because we all know there are hundreds of people applying for the same job. Yet, I have found that God will open the right door of opportunity to meet your needs and fit your schedule. Often living in faith becomes a good witness to your church and those you work with at your job. It also helps you in facing your church with the reality that you have to work to add support to your family, which unfortunately seems at times to be the hardest part of the whole situation.

Remember you are not alone in your plight. There are probably more pastors working at least part-time outside of the church than do not. Be encouraged that Paul supported his ministry as well. Trust God and be diligent in the care of your family, as well as the care of your ministry. May God bless you in your ministry, your witness, and your work.

Keep on your journey with Jesus today

Busy Summer, but I am back

It was an extremely busy summer this year. I took two Master's classes through Asbury Seminary, one on campus. I had the pleasure of spending a week in Wilmore, and through out much of the surrounding area. It was good to learn about the rural ministry of the Appalachian area in the class. It was inspiring to see small communities and churches in a fresh light. It was also encouraging to remember we are not alone in our work as small town pastoring.

Keep on your journey with Jesus