- Published on
I have a concern. And it's deep. And well, I just don't know how to talk about it, so here it goes. I'm concerned that so many pastors have joined the leadership cult.
I have an (unprovable) sense there's a lack of deep theological and exegetical skills in order to teach the scripture. (When I'm around pastors they don't talk about what the Spirit taught them in the text. They talk about business -- I mean -- I'm game but I'd like to talk about NT Wright once in a while).
I meet so many sincere pastors that are all into "strategic management"; "organizational leadership"; "executive thinking" and have never studied greek, hebrew, philosophy or Augustine, Calvin, Wesley, or the neo-orthodoxy theologians or in our own progressive pentecostal tradition (Yamamori & Miller 2006) Yong, Macchia, Self or the Archer/Archer(s) work. Which is awesome!
I mean sure the management stuff is important -- it's vital -- I study, teach and test/research that literature. But if you can't exegete, study your history and do theology from the text then what are you managing?
It's so frustrating.
I'm just thinking here and reviewing Sunday's teaching on Luke 1:19 and I'm struck with awe of the phrase "καὶ εὐαγγελίσασθαι σοι ταῦτα". I could probably teach/preach/altar call for 40 minutes on εὐαγγελίσασθαι. "Good News" meant/means so many things to so many people in 1st century Palestine and meant/means so many things in 21st post-modern America.
I wouldn't know that unless I was taught it in my 20's -- the careful & skillful craft of scholarship. With that great detailed learning comes the humility to listen to the doctors of the church for guidance. Those "doctors of the church" are the professors at our universities and seminaries that study for a living. Listen to them.
My humble thought is simply this: Pastor, before you do that MA in Leadership do that MA in Theology. Know your stuff. You're accountable to King Jesus for your teaching before you're accountable for your management.
jame jamé bolds
I have an (unprovable) sense there's a lack of deep theological and exegetical skills in order to teach the scripture. (When I'm around pastors they don't talk about what the Spirit taught them in the text. They talk about business -- I mean -- I'm game but I'd like to talk about NT Wright once in a while).
I meet so many sincere pastors that are all into "strategic management"; "organizational leadership"; "executive thinking" and have never studied greek, hebrew, philosophy or Augustine, Calvin, Wesley, or the neo-orthodoxy theologians or in our own progressive pentecostal tradition (Yamamori & Miller 2006) Yong, Macchia, Self or the Archer/Archer(s) work. Which is awesome!
I mean sure the management stuff is important -- it's vital -- I study, teach and test/research that literature. But if you can't exegete, study your history and do theology from the text then what are you managing?
It's so frustrating.
I'm just thinking here and reviewing Sunday's teaching on Luke 1:19 and I'm struck with awe of the phrase "καὶ εὐαγγελίσασθαι σοι ταῦτα". I could probably teach/preach/altar call for 40 minutes on εὐαγγελίσασθαι. "Good News" meant/means so many things to so many people in 1st century Palestine and meant/means so many things in 21st post-modern America.
I wouldn't know that unless I was taught it in my 20's -- the careful & skillful craft of scholarship. With that great detailed learning comes the humility to listen to the doctors of the church for guidance. Those "doctors of the church" are the professors at our universities and seminaries that study for a living. Listen to them.
My humble thought is simply this: Pastor, before you do that MA in Leadership do that MA in Theology. Know your stuff. You're accountable to King Jesus for your teaching before you're accountable for your management.
jame jamé bolds
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Why a Mission's Trip
This summer Pastor Jennifer and I were asked to visit one of Victory Church's missionaries -- Gabby Munoz at Living Water Teaching in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Our Ministers in Residence, Mark and Stephenie Shanks journey to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala every Christmas for their shoebox ministry and encouraged us to come. If all goes well we'll start doing annual church wide mission trips.
Theology and Economics Collide
At dinner a few nights before we left I asked my children, "Babies, do you know what poverty smells like?" My children looked at me with the strangest look.
A few days later they understood what I was saying as we stood in a "basurero". A basurero is city dump. And it is here where Gabby Munoz's ministry happens as she cares for colony of 100 families (300 people) that call this place home.. As we stood there in the basurero I was put in conflict with myself. The pastor trained in theology and the executive trained in economics seems to be at odds.
My heart was torn because I know that God will always side with the poor and oppressed (Psalm 12:5) and these people need to be loved and comforted for they truly are the least of these. Conversely, I can see there is a vicious cycle of declining rate of foreign investment, scarcity in production increase and that combination negatively decreases incomes. At bottom, it's a lack of productivity growth from domestically created capital and the inablity to be part of the larger global marketplace. (World Bank, 2014.).
I could see it and it wasn't simply data on a spread sheet it was a live in flesh and blood. Pain. Despair. Lack of Hope. That's what I saw.
This summer Pastor Jennifer and I were asked to visit one of Victory Church's missionaries -- Gabby Munoz at Living Water Teaching in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Our Ministers in Residence, Mark and Stephenie Shanks journey to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala every Christmas for their shoebox ministry and encouraged us to come. If all goes well we'll start doing annual church wide mission trips.
Theology and Economics Collide
At dinner a few nights before we left I asked my children, "Babies, do you know what poverty smells like?" My children looked at me with the strangest look.
A few days later they understood what I was saying as we stood in a "basurero". A basurero is city dump. And it is here where Gabby Munoz's ministry happens as she cares for colony of 100 families (300 people) that call this place home.. As we stood there in the basurero I was put in conflict with myself. The pastor trained in theology and the executive trained in economics seems to be at odds.
My heart was torn because I know that God will always side with the poor and oppressed (Psalm 12:5) and these people need to be loved and comforted for they truly are the least of these. Conversely, I can see there is a vicious cycle of declining rate of foreign investment, scarcity in production increase and that combination negatively decreases incomes. At bottom, it's a lack of productivity growth from domestically created capital and the inablity to be part of the larger global marketplace. (World Bank, 2014.).
I could see it and it wasn't simply data on a spread sheet it was a live in flesh and blood. Pain. Despair. Lack of Hope. That's what I saw.
Applying Economics to Faith
After a few days of thinking prayer, we had a conversation with Gabby about applied economics and a sustainable development model to fund her ministry. We started thinking about raising our own "foreign investment" from American churches to create some working captial.. Our thought was to buy two buildings: one for ministry and the other for investment. Renting out one building to local businesses for passive income and using that income to house a preschool and tuition for the basurero children.
We are still in that process so pray for us.
Merging the disciplines could be completed. Though as long as the focus is on real people I'm positive the Spirit will lead, guide and direct this journey of pastoring faith, work and economics.
After a few days of thinking prayer, we had a conversation with Gabby about applied economics and a sustainable development model to fund her ministry. We started thinking about raising our own "foreign investment" from American churches to create some working captial.. Our thought was to buy two buildings: one for ministry and the other for investment. Renting out one building to local businesses for passive income and using that income to house a preschool and tuition for the basurero children.
We are still in that process so pray for us.
Merging the disciplines could be completed. Though as long as the focus is on real people I'm positive the Spirit will lead, guide and direct this journey of pastoring faith, work and economics.
- Published on
During December of 2015 I lost my mentor Dr. Arnold Lastinger. He was the long term Pastor of First Assembly of God Gainesville, FL and after his retirement he became President of Evangel Theological Seminary, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Dr. Lastinger had two mentee's Mike Patz, now Lead Pastor of Greenhouse Church and myself. I was mentored by Paul, grew with Timothy and I became Titus. I miss you pastor -- I answered the call to, "Come and Follow Me."
Dr. Lastinger had two mentee's Mike Patz, now Lead Pastor of Greenhouse Church and myself. I was mentored by Paul, grew with Timothy and I became Titus. I miss you pastor -- I answered the call to, "Come and Follow Me."
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A few months ago, I was asked by some faculty at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary to write a chapter in their book, Your Call to Work and Mission, it was a real honor and was privileged to do so. The following is an excerpt from my chapter, Business in the Purposes of God.
Jennifer, our Family Care Pastor, walks into my office to show me a message that “Aunt Jenny” from Aunt Jenny’s Cupcakes had called our church to ask about renting our kitchen to start her business.
“What?” I react in amusement.
Jennifer responds, “Well, everyone loves cupcakes".
Jennifer, our Family Care Pastor, walks into my office to show me a message that “Aunt Jenny” from Aunt Jenny’s Cupcakes had called our church to ask about renting our kitchen to start her business.
“What?” I react in amusement.
Jennifer responds, “Well, everyone loves cupcakes".
“Whatever,” I reply, shaking my head and chuckling, “But don’t give Aunt Jenny an appointment unless she has a business plan.”
As Jennifer walks out of my office, she turns and says, “Well, you like business and putting deals together. Let’s see what this is all about."
It’s true that I like business. Though I’ve been a lead pastor for ten years, a Gordon-Conwell graduate, and also studied economic development at Rutgers, worked as a management consultant, and encouraged the development of small businesses through public-private partnerships.
Why do Christians engage in business? The most obvious reason is to provide for their families and themselves (1 Tim. 5.8). Also, in Genesis 1-2 God reveals himself as one who engages in creative work. Created in his image, we find satisfaction in doing the same. Business is a form of work which organizes people’s energies and abilities, resources, and finances to provide needed and desirable products and services more effectively than individuals could do on their own. Besides the need to care for our families and personal fulfillment, in this chapter I will show how business serves seven other important purposes of God. In the process you will meet some business people whom I have pastored, with whom I’ve had association, or who partnered with me in my public affairs consultancy. These business leaders will show us how their businesses serve God’s purposes.
Many business leaders don’t think about the connection of faith to their business. Though Christians believe God is at work in the world, many fail to see how this could be happening through their business. Being a Christian in business should produce both positive economic, practical, and spiritual results. Practically and economically, how we manage people, negotiate a deal, or sell a product or service affect the lives of others.
As Jennifer walks out of my office, she turns and says, “Well, you like business and putting deals together. Let’s see what this is all about."
It’s true that I like business. Though I’ve been a lead pastor for ten years, a Gordon-Conwell graduate, and also studied economic development at Rutgers, worked as a management consultant, and encouraged the development of small businesses through public-private partnerships.
Why do Christians engage in business? The most obvious reason is to provide for their families and themselves (1 Tim. 5.8). Also, in Genesis 1-2 God reveals himself as one who engages in creative work. Created in his image, we find satisfaction in doing the same. Business is a form of work which organizes people’s energies and abilities, resources, and finances to provide needed and desirable products and services more effectively than individuals could do on their own. Besides the need to care for our families and personal fulfillment, in this chapter I will show how business serves seven other important purposes of God. In the process you will meet some business people whom I have pastored, with whom I’ve had association, or who partnered with me in my public affairs consultancy. These business leaders will show us how their businesses serve God’s purposes.
Many business leaders don’t think about the connection of faith to their business. Though Christians believe God is at work in the world, many fail to see how this could be happening through their business. Being a Christian in business should produce both positive economic, practical, and spiritual results. Practically and economically, how we manage people, negotiate a deal, or sell a product or service affect the lives of others.
- Published on
Thank You Southeastern
I just returned from Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL and it was pretty surreal. I was a student there in the late 90's and returned to attend the Society of Pentecostal Studies (SPS) annual conference. SPS is an academic community where pentecostal scholars present papers and exchange ideas.
As I walked around I was taken back by how much the campus has changed. The new leadership put millions into the campus and the place looks like Disney World. My college roommate "Hawk" and I even went and sat in the lobby of our old dorm. We sat in silence and listened to the laughs of the past. As we sat; we started to tear up. I was just kid then and now I represent my church as a pastor/professor at my college. My worlds collide.
As I walked around I was taken back by how much the campus has changed. The new leadership put millions into the campus and the place looks like Disney World. My college roommate "Hawk" and I even went and sat in the lobby of our old dorm. We sat in silence and listened to the laughs of the past. As we sat; we started to tear up. I was just kid then and now I represent my church as a pastor/professor at my college. My worlds collide.
Then & Now: Macchia, Kuzmic, & Hackett
Frank Macchia, Southeastern University (early 90's)
In the early 90's I was privileged to study under Frank Macchia now at Vanguard University, CA and Ph.D. advisor at Bangor University, UK. (So that's why I'm so Barthian in my theology) Though back in the day he was a newly minted Basel Ph.D. He went from Switzerland to Florida - that's some transition. Over the years, usually at SPS, Dr. Macchia has been gracious with his time and has continued to take interest in my pastoral leadership and social justice research. Throughout the years we've continued to email and dialogue. Though this time our conversation was different. It wasn't like Duke, Marquette or Minneapolis, no we were in Lakeland. At the end of the conference Frank Macchia would be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award and it was so fitting it would be in Lakeland.
As we sat in the Disney like campus we both felt the reality that this is where it all started. He as a professor. Me as a student. Twenty years of life stopped. As the student, I asked questions. He as the professor, crafted theology. The brilliant yet humble professor started pouring into me again, asking me the same questions as he did twenty years ago. I learned from my professor that the best of theology always speaks to the complexities of life. I asked about my Ph.D. research and family life. He answered with his normal profound clarity. As I shared my thoughts, he shared his reflections and in the words of Bonhoeffer we shared "life together".
As our time closed, I read him an email that he sent me over a decade ago that now is taped to the inside of my preaching Bible. In this well crafted paragraph contained encouraging words from a now seasoned theologian, Dr Macchia, to his second year seminarian, Me. As I finished, we both sat glassy eyed.
Where two or more are gathered there is the Spirit and the Spirit was there.
Peter Kuzmic, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
During dinner, I sat in a private dinning room with some dear friends from Assembly of God Theological Seminary.
As I was reflecting on today's events with Dr. Macchia. I looked up and in his intellectual European ethos strolls in Dr. Peter Kuzmic! My dear missions and ecumenics professor at Gordon-Conwell.
My worlds collide, again. My seminary meets my college.
Dr. Kuzmic, told me all about his mission and seminary in Eastern Europe as well as his teaching load at Gordon-Conwell. (I've always found his neck breaking ministry fascinating. Who commutes between Osijek and Boston? Kuzmic does.) I told him about my teaching post in Kiev, Ukraine; he was grateful for that contribution. As we had dinner, he shared is heart, he asked about my family and I asked about his, we laughed and carried on.
It was great to visit Boston in Lakeland.
William Hackett, Southeastern University (Present)
As I entered the chapel for the evening plenary session. I instinctively moved and sat in "our" row. It's on the left hand side, a third of the way up in the middle. That's where my "boys" and I would sit. Where else would I go? I sat down and the evening worship started. As it began, I started tearing up. Again. I was flooded by the memory of my spiritual formation at such a young age. Music at Southeastern has always been good. And it was world class. I have no idea what they were singing. I was in the moment, I turned to my left and right I saw memories of Josh, Ham, Chad, Chuck, Hawk and -- where's Brad? And later the "girls", Necole, Jules, Jennifer and the other Jessica & Kelle's that would enter our story.
I just stood there in the Spirit much like John did. (Rev 1:10)
I looked up and saw Dr. Hackett, my first homiletics professor before I had Haddon Robinson. I went up and touched Dr. Hackett's shoulder, he turned and immediately recognized me, "Jamé!!", he said with a warm pastoral expectation.
I lost it.
I mean.
I started to sob. Hard.
The collision of my worlds was completed.
"Doc Hackett" as we called him, asked me, "Are you Ok?" I stated I'll be "Ok". It's just all so surreal. We hugged. He told me he had watched my educational journey, pastoral and social justice ministry, as well as my teaching at Southeastern. In his quiet nod, he smiled and said, "I'm proud of you".
I emotionally collected myself, returned to my seat and sighed.
I began to settle down and listen to the plenary lecture on globalization.
Later that evening, as I mentioned to my colleagues that Macchia had once again breathed life into his student; Kuzmic encouraged my teaching post in Kiev; and Hackett validated my Southeastern professorship.
My heart was full.
My colleague said, "Jamé, early in your life, you had some wonderful people pouring into you."
I nodded in agreement and whispered, "And...I didn't even know it".
I sat under some master teachers and I owe them a debt that can never repay.
Thank You Southeastern.
jame bolds jamebolds.com pastor jame bolds jame bolds nj
In the early 90's I was privileged to study under Frank Macchia now at Vanguard University, CA and Ph.D. advisor at Bangor University, UK. (So that's why I'm so Barthian in my theology) Though back in the day he was a newly minted Basel Ph.D. He went from Switzerland to Florida - that's some transition. Over the years, usually at SPS, Dr. Macchia has been gracious with his time and has continued to take interest in my pastoral leadership and social justice research. Throughout the years we've continued to email and dialogue. Though this time our conversation was different. It wasn't like Duke, Marquette or Minneapolis, no we were in Lakeland. At the end of the conference Frank Macchia would be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award and it was so fitting it would be in Lakeland.
As we sat in the Disney like campus we both felt the reality that this is where it all started. He as a professor. Me as a student. Twenty years of life stopped. As the student, I asked questions. He as the professor, crafted theology. The brilliant yet humble professor started pouring into me again, asking me the same questions as he did twenty years ago. I learned from my professor that the best of theology always speaks to the complexities of life. I asked about my Ph.D. research and family life. He answered with his normal profound clarity. As I shared my thoughts, he shared his reflections and in the words of Bonhoeffer we shared "life together".
As our time closed, I read him an email that he sent me over a decade ago that now is taped to the inside of my preaching Bible. In this well crafted paragraph contained encouraging words from a now seasoned theologian, Dr Macchia, to his second year seminarian, Me. As I finished, we both sat glassy eyed.
Where two or more are gathered there is the Spirit and the Spirit was there.
Peter Kuzmic, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
During dinner, I sat in a private dinning room with some dear friends from Assembly of God Theological Seminary.
As I was reflecting on today's events with Dr. Macchia. I looked up and in his intellectual European ethos strolls in Dr. Peter Kuzmic! My dear missions and ecumenics professor at Gordon-Conwell.
My worlds collide, again. My seminary meets my college.
Dr. Kuzmic, told me all about his mission and seminary in Eastern Europe as well as his teaching load at Gordon-Conwell. (I've always found his neck breaking ministry fascinating. Who commutes between Osijek and Boston? Kuzmic does.) I told him about my teaching post in Kiev, Ukraine; he was grateful for that contribution. As we had dinner, he shared is heart, he asked about my family and I asked about his, we laughed and carried on.
It was great to visit Boston in Lakeland.
William Hackett, Southeastern University (Present)
As I entered the chapel for the evening plenary session. I instinctively moved and sat in "our" row. It's on the left hand side, a third of the way up in the middle. That's where my "boys" and I would sit. Where else would I go? I sat down and the evening worship started. As it began, I started tearing up. Again. I was flooded by the memory of my spiritual formation at such a young age. Music at Southeastern has always been good. And it was world class. I have no idea what they were singing. I was in the moment, I turned to my left and right I saw memories of Josh, Ham, Chad, Chuck, Hawk and -- where's Brad? And later the "girls", Necole, Jules, Jennifer and the other Jessica & Kelle's that would enter our story.
I just stood there in the Spirit much like John did. (Rev 1:10)
I looked up and saw Dr. Hackett, my first homiletics professor before I had Haddon Robinson. I went up and touched Dr. Hackett's shoulder, he turned and immediately recognized me, "Jamé!!", he said with a warm pastoral expectation.
I lost it.
I mean.
I started to sob. Hard.
The collision of my worlds was completed.
"Doc Hackett" as we called him, asked me, "Are you Ok?" I stated I'll be "Ok". It's just all so surreal. We hugged. He told me he had watched my educational journey, pastoral and social justice ministry, as well as my teaching at Southeastern. In his quiet nod, he smiled and said, "I'm proud of you".
I emotionally collected myself, returned to my seat and sighed.
I began to settle down and listen to the plenary lecture on globalization.
Later that evening, as I mentioned to my colleagues that Macchia had once again breathed life into his student; Kuzmic encouraged my teaching post in Kiev; and Hackett validated my Southeastern professorship.
My heart was full.
My colleague said, "Jamé, early in your life, you had some wonderful people pouring into you."
I nodded in agreement and whispered, "And...I didn't even know it".
I sat under some master teachers and I owe them a debt that can never repay.
Thank You Southeastern.
jame bolds jamebolds.com pastor jame bolds jame bolds nj
- Published on
Being a pastor is hard. There are days I say to myself I should have stayed in law school or finished that Ph.D.
And there are days where those thoughts are fleeting. This past Sunday was one of those days.
On Sunday, I had the rare privilege of baptizing my children in the church that my wife (also a pastor) and I serve.
It was surreal.
It was their decision. We talked about it. What does it mean and why we do it.
It was at our nightly prayer time, when my wife said, to our children, "Do you love God and want people to know it?" Their answer was, "Yes". I am often amazed at the practicality and simple theology of a childlike faith.
I pray they continue to seek the God that loves them, they encounter the love of a personal Jesus, and the Holy Spirit empowers them to do justice so they see what love looks like in public.
In some mysterious way, I kind of understand when God say's "This is my Son/Daughter, whom I love; with him/her I am well pleased.” Amen.
And there are days where those thoughts are fleeting. This past Sunday was one of those days.
On Sunday, I had the rare privilege of baptizing my children in the church that my wife (also a pastor) and I serve.
It was surreal.
It was their decision. We talked about it. What does it mean and why we do it.
It was at our nightly prayer time, when my wife said, to our children, "Do you love God and want people to know it?" Their answer was, "Yes". I am often amazed at the practicality and simple theology of a childlike faith.
I pray they continue to seek the God that loves them, they encounter the love of a personal Jesus, and the Holy Spirit empowers them to do justice so they see what love looks like in public.
In some mysterious way, I kind of understand when God say's "This is my Son/Daughter, whom I love; with him/her I am well pleased.” Amen.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
~ Matthew 3:13-17
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I recently received a email from one of my friends in the New York City area sharing his fatherhood adventures in fielding questions like:
"Is Santa real?"
"Are Bible stories real?"
"What about Angels appeared to Joseph?"
"Where are those Angels Today"?
Here's some rambling thoughts of pastoral life, hope they help:
My Response.
I think some of the same things and often have some of the same thoughts. Let me start by quoting St. Augustine, a north African theologian who formed so much of western Christianity. He once famously said, “fides quaerens intellectum” as in the life of the Christian is “faith seeking understanding."
So let me craft a few lines that may present some clarity in thinking.
Crisis of Faith in Santa
The Santa lore in my book is fantastic! It’s the magic and lore of believing in the Christmas spirit. It’s wonderful how every child believes and looks forward to Santa and then one day in 5-th-6th grade there’s a quiet revelation that children slowly grow out of — and then "believe" themselves because it represents a wonderful western world concept of Christmas. I remember in high school we still put cookies and milk out! (For then my middle school sister of course.)
In my mind, childhood goes by so quick and the media driven world as we know continues to show us just how strange and complex a place we live. Given these things, this western institution needs to be preserved. I certainly don’t want to live in world driven by only reason, logic and mathematics. Though these things are important, I also want a world full of art, music, and lore. And as a parental confession, I work to preserve a prolonged age of innocence filled with ice cream, silliness and yes even Santa. We will have many years with our adult children but we only really have a few short years of raising children. These sacred years are to be treasured and enjoyed before they slip way in our northeastern pace of life.
On this premise, I say, long live Santa!
Crisis of Faith.
Let’s start with the, "Why not today question?” Ironically this is the same question that Mary asked, “How can this be?” Luke 2:34. In her day there was 400 years of “silence” from the rebuilding of the wall in Nehemiah to the Birth of Christ where God did not speak, no prophets, no angels, no sages. Only war. It was the Persians, the Greeks, the Hasomeans, and then the Romans this was a time of doubt, distrust, murder, and all manner of mayhem.
But in that mist of oppression — God spoke. God became Man. Salvation became Human. We had Christmas.
On this side of the cross, we have a fulfillment of Joel 2 in Acts 2: 17-18
17“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18even on my male servantsc and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
The reality is that Christians in the global south still experience these things. I personally have seen angels in our home, pulled a demon out one of wife's clients (she's a therapist), and after service I saw someone’s leg grow while God was healing her. These phenomenological things still occur and are alive and well!
So let me anticipate an objection, “Great. Why don’t we still see them regularly?”
Well, they are normal in global south church life, it’s just harder for God to move in our western STEM culture. People must be open to the phenomenological work of the Spirit. John 14:13 states, "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Simply put, if we ask, God will show himself. Though in our STEM culture we are simply not open to such things primarily because we would rather have God put super on our natural then ask for the supernatural.
And “No” we are not left to seek Jesus in the oddities of life or answer the problem of evil with a “that’s God’s will”. I think Simeon of the Christmas story in Luke 2:25-26, helps us understand such things:
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.”
Simeon was righteous and devout and no doubt wondering why the Romans were in the Holy Land. Yet, somewhere in life and in prayer he asked God for the phenomena and God gave it to him. I think if we ask for God to reveal himself then He will. And while we wait for the signs we can live St. Augustine’s advice of "faith seeking understanding”.
So that note, Merry Christmas!!
"Is Santa real?"
"Are Bible stories real?"
"What about Angels appeared to Joseph?"
"Where are those Angels Today"?
Here's some rambling thoughts of pastoral life, hope they help:
My Response.
I think some of the same things and often have some of the same thoughts. Let me start by quoting St. Augustine, a north African theologian who formed so much of western Christianity. He once famously said, “fides quaerens intellectum” as in the life of the Christian is “faith seeking understanding."
So let me craft a few lines that may present some clarity in thinking.
Crisis of Faith in Santa
The Santa lore in my book is fantastic! It’s the magic and lore of believing in the Christmas spirit. It’s wonderful how every child believes and looks forward to Santa and then one day in 5-th-6th grade there’s a quiet revelation that children slowly grow out of — and then "believe" themselves because it represents a wonderful western world concept of Christmas. I remember in high school we still put cookies and milk out! (For then my middle school sister of course.)
In my mind, childhood goes by so quick and the media driven world as we know continues to show us just how strange and complex a place we live. Given these things, this western institution needs to be preserved. I certainly don’t want to live in world driven by only reason, logic and mathematics. Though these things are important, I also want a world full of art, music, and lore. And as a parental confession, I work to preserve a prolonged age of innocence filled with ice cream, silliness and yes even Santa. We will have many years with our adult children but we only really have a few short years of raising children. These sacred years are to be treasured and enjoyed before they slip way in our northeastern pace of life.
On this premise, I say, long live Santa!
Crisis of Faith.
Let’s start with the, "Why not today question?” Ironically this is the same question that Mary asked, “How can this be?” Luke 2:34. In her day there was 400 years of “silence” from the rebuilding of the wall in Nehemiah to the Birth of Christ where God did not speak, no prophets, no angels, no sages. Only war. It was the Persians, the Greeks, the Hasomeans, and then the Romans this was a time of doubt, distrust, murder, and all manner of mayhem.
But in that mist of oppression — God spoke. God became Man. Salvation became Human. We had Christmas.
On this side of the cross, we have a fulfillment of Joel 2 in Acts 2: 17-18
17“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18even on my male servantsc and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
The reality is that Christians in the global south still experience these things. I personally have seen angels in our home, pulled a demon out one of wife's clients (she's a therapist), and after service I saw someone’s leg grow while God was healing her. These phenomenological things still occur and are alive and well!
So let me anticipate an objection, “Great. Why don’t we still see them regularly?”
Well, they are normal in global south church life, it’s just harder for God to move in our western STEM culture. People must be open to the phenomenological work of the Spirit. John 14:13 states, "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Simply put, if we ask, God will show himself. Though in our STEM culture we are simply not open to such things primarily because we would rather have God put super on our natural then ask for the supernatural.
And “No” we are not left to seek Jesus in the oddities of life or answer the problem of evil with a “that’s God’s will”. I think Simeon of the Christmas story in Luke 2:25-26, helps us understand such things:
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.”
Simeon was righteous and devout and no doubt wondering why the Romans were in the Holy Land. Yet, somewhere in life and in prayer he asked God for the phenomena and God gave it to him. I think if we ask for God to reveal himself then He will. And while we wait for the signs we can live St. Augustine’s advice of "faith seeking understanding”.
So that note, Merry Christmas!!
- Published on
Dr. Joseph Castleberry is President of Northwest University Welcoming us to Victory Christian Center
Here are President Castleberry’s remarks on our Pastoral Installation Service at Victory Christian Center. Dr. Joseph Castleberry is President of Northwest University, Kirkland, Washington.
- Published on
This year while I was preparing for our Mother’s Day event at our church I was searching for a something different something with a new angle on the day. After an hour in the blogosphere the world opened up to me. I saw all kinds of people that were frustrated with the “dog and pony” show of Mother’s Day, the “parade” of Mom’s on Mother’s Day,
and my favorite was “Why Mother’s Day Sermons are the Worst”. Oh Ok. Wow.
There’s a lot to overcome I thought.
Though the one blog that was the fiercest was a blog by a millennial (late 20-early 30 something) woman who was lamenting the fact that she couldn’t have children. To this end she stated that she actually skipped church on that day because churches were insensitive to her situation.
I was left dumbfounded.
Really?
I probably stared at my screen for 10 minutes. I had never heard of such things. Really. My initial reaction was, “Doesn’t she have a mother?” “Can’t she honor her friends that are mothers?” “That’s ridiculous?” “How me centered and narcissistic.”
Pretty harsh, huh?
I thought about it for a day. And decided to take it to social media and ranted for a couple lines about the “Me centered culture”, “the victimization culture”, “the it’s always about me”, blah, blah, blah, hoping to invoke some emotion. Wow did I get it.
The responses were split right down the middle. Half the respondents thought I was right on, “A symptom of our me-centric culture — A teaching moment” one wrote; another wrote “It’s now a right not to hear things I don’t like.” Yet the other half wrote, “Is it too much to expect pastors & church leaders to have at least a modicum of
sensitivity & respect for their feelings?” and another noted, “You can chose to be negative and ignore what this woman (in the blog) kindly laid out, or receive it as a challenge”.
Huh. That’s pretty good, so I accepted the challenge.
So here’s what I did. We thought about “Mom: The Three Images of God”. We started thinking about Eve, Hannah, and Mary the mother of Jesus as three different aspects of how Mother’s are made in God’s image.
We started with Eve in the sense that God made Eve in the image of God and she was given the task “to multiply, subdue and fulfill the earth” in some theological circles that’s the “Cultural Mandate”. Essentially it’s the call for the “first mother” Eve, to create and mother children as to create culture. Think of that, mothers were created to be in charge of creating cultural simply by raising children that become responsible adults. So if every mother took this idea seriously then making a great culture would be easy. Just raise great babies! I wish it were that easy.
The second mother was a where I picked up the respondents challenge. Hannah was the mother of Samuel and Hannah could not conceive (1 Sam 1:6). And she felt it. It pained her so much that she cried so hard that she didn’t have any more words to say (1 Sam 13).
Here is a clear picture of what some women feel on Mother’s Day. In 1 Samuel we see what real pain looks likes when it becomes real and human. I am starting to see the bloggers point. At this point the priest asks her if she’s drunk because she’s just mumbling. She wasn’t. She was simply exhausted. Emotionally, spiritually, physically exhausted. As the story unfolds, as in good Hebrew tradition, God does bless Hannah with child. And when God blesses her she gives that child back to God. “I prayed for this child, and the Lord answered my prayer and gave him to me. Now I give him back to the Lord. He will belong to the Lord all his life.” And she worshiped the Lord there.” (1 Sam 1:24-28). What a remarkable women.
There’s a couple of takeaways here. Sometimes God does bless us with our hearts desire and when God does bless us, we need to figuratively and spiritually, give that blessing back to the glory of God. Sometimes mothers (and Fathers too) simply need to give their children back to God where they came from.
Other times, God simply doesn’t answer and when there is silence we need to let people cry it out. Be sensitive. Listen if need be. Don’t pity them. Sometimes saying nothing is the best thing we do and simply “being” is often better then “doing”. Some things are a mystery. Sometimes I guess you can miss Mother’s Day when the pain is too raw and too real. I see the point.
Later we see a Mother who felt real and raw pain. A mother who had a child, gave him back to God and then later lost him to the cross but to gain him for eternity. Mary felt pain. It was real. It was priceless. Mary the mother of Jesus models for us how to work through the pain of motherhood when tragedy strikes. I am sure Mary had big questions as to why God choose her path. Though what Mary shows us is great maturity and leadership. Mary models for us how to work through the pain of the past. Notice that Mary was in the upper room when the church started in Acts 2. With time she overcame her pain and became a leader in the early church.
Looking for that new angle for Mother’s Day we learned that mothers’ have a responsibility to create culture by raising strong children. Mother’s can cry out to God as they overcome pain and give back to God what was given to them. Mother’s show us how to lead through pain in a mature and thoughtful manner. Mother’s
show us how to overcome because these three mothers’ overcame a lot.
Happy Mothers Day!!
and my favorite was “Why Mother’s Day Sermons are the Worst”. Oh Ok. Wow.
There’s a lot to overcome I thought.
Though the one blog that was the fiercest was a blog by a millennial (late 20-early 30 something) woman who was lamenting the fact that she couldn’t have children. To this end she stated that she actually skipped church on that day because churches were insensitive to her situation.
I was left dumbfounded.
Really?
I probably stared at my screen for 10 minutes. I had never heard of such things. Really. My initial reaction was, “Doesn’t she have a mother?” “Can’t she honor her friends that are mothers?” “That’s ridiculous?” “How me centered and narcissistic.”
Pretty harsh, huh?
I thought about it for a day. And decided to take it to social media and ranted for a couple lines about the “Me centered culture”, “the victimization culture”, “the it’s always about me”, blah, blah, blah, hoping to invoke some emotion. Wow did I get it.
The responses were split right down the middle. Half the respondents thought I was right on, “A symptom of our me-centric culture — A teaching moment” one wrote; another wrote “It’s now a right not to hear things I don’t like.” Yet the other half wrote, “Is it too much to expect pastors & church leaders to have at least a modicum of
sensitivity & respect for their feelings?” and another noted, “You can chose to be negative and ignore what this woman (in the blog) kindly laid out, or receive it as a challenge”.
Huh. That’s pretty good, so I accepted the challenge.
So here’s what I did. We thought about “Mom: The Three Images of God”. We started thinking about Eve, Hannah, and Mary the mother of Jesus as three different aspects of how Mother’s are made in God’s image.
We started with Eve in the sense that God made Eve in the image of God and she was given the task “to multiply, subdue and fulfill the earth” in some theological circles that’s the “Cultural Mandate”. Essentially it’s the call for the “first mother” Eve, to create and mother children as to create culture. Think of that, mothers were created to be in charge of creating cultural simply by raising children that become responsible adults. So if every mother took this idea seriously then making a great culture would be easy. Just raise great babies! I wish it were that easy.
The second mother was a where I picked up the respondents challenge. Hannah was the mother of Samuel and Hannah could not conceive (1 Sam 1:6). And she felt it. It pained her so much that she cried so hard that she didn’t have any more words to say (1 Sam 13).
Here is a clear picture of what some women feel on Mother’s Day. In 1 Samuel we see what real pain looks likes when it becomes real and human. I am starting to see the bloggers point. At this point the priest asks her if she’s drunk because she’s just mumbling. She wasn’t. She was simply exhausted. Emotionally, spiritually, physically exhausted. As the story unfolds, as in good Hebrew tradition, God does bless Hannah with child. And when God blesses her she gives that child back to God. “I prayed for this child, and the Lord answered my prayer and gave him to me. Now I give him back to the Lord. He will belong to the Lord all his life.” And she worshiped the Lord there.” (1 Sam 1:24-28). What a remarkable women.
There’s a couple of takeaways here. Sometimes God does bless us with our hearts desire and when God does bless us, we need to figuratively and spiritually, give that blessing back to the glory of God. Sometimes mothers (and Fathers too) simply need to give their children back to God where they came from.
Other times, God simply doesn’t answer and when there is silence we need to let people cry it out. Be sensitive. Listen if need be. Don’t pity them. Sometimes saying nothing is the best thing we do and simply “being” is often better then “doing”. Some things are a mystery. Sometimes I guess you can miss Mother’s Day when the pain is too raw and too real. I see the point.
Later we see a Mother who felt real and raw pain. A mother who had a child, gave him back to God and then later lost him to the cross but to gain him for eternity. Mary felt pain. It was real. It was priceless. Mary the mother of Jesus models for us how to work through the pain of motherhood when tragedy strikes. I am sure Mary had big questions as to why God choose her path. Though what Mary shows us is great maturity and leadership. Mary models for us how to work through the pain of the past. Notice that Mary was in the upper room when the church started in Acts 2. With time she overcame her pain and became a leader in the early church.
Looking for that new angle for Mother’s Day we learned that mothers’ have a responsibility to create culture by raising strong children. Mother’s can cry out to God as they overcome pain and give back to God what was given to them. Mother’s show us how to lead through pain in a mature and thoughtful manner. Mother’s
show us how to overcome because these three mothers’ overcame a lot.
Happy Mothers Day!!
- Published on
9:07pm Tuesday, May 20th Kiev, Ukraine.
I am currently writing this article in my 10 step by 8 step apartment in Kiev, Ukraine and my body is aching with jet lag. It is mid May and by the time this goes to print it will be the middle of summer so I wanted to capture the emotion of what I am seeing and feeling.
I’m struck with this question of where is our hope?
Kiev is a tough place.
What in the world is local pastor doing in Kiev, Ukraine? Great question. My calling is that of pastor but the second half of the calling is that of a professor.
Part of working out that calling is serving as a visiting professor at Evangel Theological Seminary here in Kiev. Here I teach a core class called, “Design for Critical Thinking”. Practicing pastors from all over Eastern Europe travel to Kiev to study with me where we race through a master’s level class in five days. It’s a whirlwind of activity!
I have been doing this for a few years now and it’s very different this time around. As you might know, Russia has annexed the Crimea Peninsula of Ukraine, eastern Ukraine continues to be a war zone, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was thrown out of office last month.
The country is on edge of a revolution and here I am. Joy.
Frankly, it’s not a great time to be traveling. Though this was my week to teach and students are flying infrom all over Eastern Europe — so it’s go time.
Yesterday, my students were all settled and ready to learn so we went through the syllabus and the first question that went up was, “If Russian evades us will America come to help?”
Sigh.
My answer when something like this, “Everyone knows the history of my country and Russia. Also in my country I live in a Republic where we elect others to govern on our behalf. So I am not privy to that kind of information. I know that’s not what you want to hear but that’s what I have”. The reason thequestion was asked is because it’s Tuesday and elections are on Sunday.
I can tell that my students, all whopastor churches through out Eastern Europe, are on edge.
Yet they are pastors and know that whether this or that government falls. They will continue. They care deeply about their churches and face many of the same cultural shifts we do. Europe continues to pull them in a socially liberal direction but the Ukrainian people are very conservative and traditional. Russia continues to call them culturally one of their own but they as a people wish to leave the “Iron Curtain” in the past. It’s crossroads between Eastern Russian empire and the liberal attitudes of Western Europe.
These pastors struggle. They all work jobs and pastor their churches on the side. And yet they are effective. Peopleare coming to Jesus. One of my students is a Syrian national, who is a Ph.D. (music) student at The Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine and he pastors a church in Kiev that reaches Arabic speaking peoples. What an amazing ministry. One of my other students is a Ph.D. (history) student at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and has a heart to teach pastors as a seminary professor. They are effective but nervous of course.
I was speaking with a staff member at the seminary and they stated, “A month ago our seminary president was called back to the United States because he is an American, his government deemed Ukraine unstable. American government protects its people. But who comes for us? Who makes sure we’re safe? Who watches my children?”
Speechless. I. Had. Nothing. To. Say.
It raised this question of hope for me. Where do I put my hope?
I think as an American we put our hope in our military, our hope in our money, our hope in our government but if history is any guide to the future, the truth is that governments rise and fall.We are fortunate that for 238 years our Republic lives as the longest lasting government the world has ever seen. We are blessed. But we shouldn’t put our hope in earthly things but it heavenly things. Matt 6:19-21.
I was continually amazed in my students hope in the Gospel.
On Thursday I was asked if I would address the seminary staff during their morning devotion. Being a good visiting professor, I gladly accepted.
I tired to encourage them and spoke out of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, where Paul encourages them to not grieve like people who have no hope (v. 13). But rather believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died(v. 14).This is a classic passage where early Christians are concerned about those who have died and are missed — some that even died under governmental persecution.
I then transitioned to Augustine who reflected in his book, “City of God, City of Man” that even though Rome burns God’s Kingdom continues. I tired to encourage them that no matter what happens on Sunday’s election the Kingdom of God will continue. Whether a solid western democratic president is elected or a Russian puppet candidate is elected, the Kingdom of God will continue.
And our hope is not in these earthly things but in the things that are eternal. That’s what matters. The Ukrainians gladly accepted that message and deeply understood it. I thought it was the perfect word for them but what I realized was it’s the perfect word for me. True hope is in the resurrection of the Christ not the resurrection of a government. That’s what these Ukrainian pastors taught this American professor. They live it and believe it. What a challenge for us.
Continue to pray for the people of Ukraine.
Photo: 2014 Independence Square, Kiev, Ukraine. Where in April Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted.
I am currently writing this article in my 10 step by 8 step apartment in Kiev, Ukraine and my body is aching with jet lag. It is mid May and by the time this goes to print it will be the middle of summer so I wanted to capture the emotion of what I am seeing and feeling.
I’m struck with this question of where is our hope?
Kiev is a tough place.
What in the world is local pastor doing in Kiev, Ukraine? Great question. My calling is that of pastor but the second half of the calling is that of a professor.
Part of working out that calling is serving as a visiting professor at Evangel Theological Seminary here in Kiev. Here I teach a core class called, “Design for Critical Thinking”. Practicing pastors from all over Eastern Europe travel to Kiev to study with me where we race through a master’s level class in five days. It’s a whirlwind of activity!
I have been doing this for a few years now and it’s very different this time around. As you might know, Russia has annexed the Crimea Peninsula of Ukraine, eastern Ukraine continues to be a war zone, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was thrown out of office last month.
The country is on edge of a revolution and here I am. Joy.
Frankly, it’s not a great time to be traveling. Though this was my week to teach and students are flying infrom all over Eastern Europe — so it’s go time.
Yesterday, my students were all settled and ready to learn so we went through the syllabus and the first question that went up was, “If Russian evades us will America come to help?”
Sigh.
My answer when something like this, “Everyone knows the history of my country and Russia. Also in my country I live in a Republic where we elect others to govern on our behalf. So I am not privy to that kind of information. I know that’s not what you want to hear but that’s what I have”. The reason thequestion was asked is because it’s Tuesday and elections are on Sunday.
I can tell that my students, all whopastor churches through out Eastern Europe, are on edge.
Yet they are pastors and know that whether this or that government falls. They will continue. They care deeply about their churches and face many of the same cultural shifts we do. Europe continues to pull them in a socially liberal direction but the Ukrainian people are very conservative and traditional. Russia continues to call them culturally one of their own but they as a people wish to leave the “Iron Curtain” in the past. It’s crossroads between Eastern Russian empire and the liberal attitudes of Western Europe.
These pastors struggle. They all work jobs and pastor their churches on the side. And yet they are effective. Peopleare coming to Jesus. One of my students is a Syrian national, who is a Ph.D. (music) student at The Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine and he pastors a church in Kiev that reaches Arabic speaking peoples. What an amazing ministry. One of my other students is a Ph.D. (history) student at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and has a heart to teach pastors as a seminary professor. They are effective but nervous of course.
I was speaking with a staff member at the seminary and they stated, “A month ago our seminary president was called back to the United States because he is an American, his government deemed Ukraine unstable. American government protects its people. But who comes for us? Who makes sure we’re safe? Who watches my children?”
Speechless. I. Had. Nothing. To. Say.
It raised this question of hope for me. Where do I put my hope?
I think as an American we put our hope in our military, our hope in our money, our hope in our government but if history is any guide to the future, the truth is that governments rise and fall.We are fortunate that for 238 years our Republic lives as the longest lasting government the world has ever seen. We are blessed. But we shouldn’t put our hope in earthly things but it heavenly things. Matt 6:19-21.
I was continually amazed in my students hope in the Gospel.
On Thursday I was asked if I would address the seminary staff during their morning devotion. Being a good visiting professor, I gladly accepted.
I tired to encourage them and spoke out of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, where Paul encourages them to not grieve like people who have no hope (v. 13). But rather believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died(v. 14).This is a classic passage where early Christians are concerned about those who have died and are missed — some that even died under governmental persecution.
I then transitioned to Augustine who reflected in his book, “City of God, City of Man” that even though Rome burns God’s Kingdom continues. I tired to encourage them that no matter what happens on Sunday’s election the Kingdom of God will continue. Whether a solid western democratic president is elected or a Russian puppet candidate is elected, the Kingdom of God will continue.
And our hope is not in these earthly things but in the things that are eternal. That’s what matters. The Ukrainians gladly accepted that message and deeply understood it. I thought it was the perfect word for them but what I realized was it’s the perfect word for me. True hope is in the resurrection of the Christ not the resurrection of a government. That’s what these Ukrainian pastors taught this American professor. They live it and believe it. What a challenge for us.
Continue to pray for the people of Ukraine.
Photo: 2014 Independence Square, Kiev, Ukraine. Where in April Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted.
