Truth, Action, Truth through action...

So back to the big questions. What then are we as Christians to do, how are we to be? And to my self (which you answer for yourself), what am I specifically to do, how shall I serve and make use of the grace, faith, and gifts I have been given by God.

I am taking a class entitled "Kingdom, Church, and World" where we have been discussing the importance of the Church witnessing to the world about the Kingdom of God through it's loving community and help for the poor, sick, etc. The fact that churches I have been part of seem to be weak in the areas of authentic community and Christlike care has been weighing on my heart. Should Mother Theresa really be an extreme example of a Christian, should not such selfless love be our hallmark. Should not one of the first words to pop into the mind of someone playing a word association game and responding to the word "Christian" be "loving or compassionate"? Sensing this error in the church in general the question then arises, well what am I to do about it?

Well, I have an assignment that helps me answer that- I have to do some kind of project where I am helping the poor, visiting those in prison etc. I do not mind such a project because I am looking forward to incorporating more of that into my life pattern.

The question is, what about after that? How does that affect my ministry? As I pursue the pastoral ministry, will my ministry look like mother Theresa, spending my life with the hurt and suffering? If you are still reading, hold this thought for a moment while I introduce another person who has influenced my understanding of personal ministry and vocation.

For a few years now, I have been listening to several radio preachers and found Alistair Begg (despite his sometime Calvinistic slant) to be a great model of humility and skill in expositing the word of God. I have often felt at least part of my ministry would include presenting God's word with the conviction and love that he does. (I really wish I could have the cool Scottish accent too but that just would not be right.) Here's the thing, he preaches what I consider to be the whole council of Scripture, tackling many issues being talked about in Christian circles.

However, he hosts a boat cruise every year, where people from his church or who listen to him on the radio can vacation on the boat and hear him exposit the word. Here's my rub...I cannot see Mother Theresa taking a boat cruise. As I have been taking the KCW class, I found my self really trying to figure out if this Allistair guy is really a great model of ministry. Does indulging in a cruise render void the balance of his ministry? I could see where a Native missionary in India would have an issue with this because he is trying to find money to buy more gospel literature. Yet I could see a pastor like Allistair (who undoubtedly makes finacial sacrifices for the kingdom) seeing this as an opportunity to get some well needed relaxation, enjoying God's grand creation (Alaska), and shepherding God's people at the same time.

Today I was listening to a different radio preacher whose comments helped me a bit. He exposited the portion in Acts where the Apostles decided that instead of trying to feed the gentile women themselves, they appointed godly people to over see the ministry while they continued to devote themselves to prayer and studying the word. After the sermon, the preacher gave info for the teaching cruise his ministry was hosting.

Still there seems to be some truth here, we are a body, we need those who study God's word and give vision and purpose to guide and inspire the other parts of the body. Still, I cannot help the strange feeling I get when we sing the song, "If we are the body...why aren't these hands reaching..." We do seem to be in need of more hands and feet. I guess to some extent we all need to be hands and feet, but to some he gave them to be teachers and preachers. Can a pastor teach his congregation that helping the poor is important if he doesn't do so himself? But should he spend a lot of time doing it?

Any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions?

What makes a good teacher-check out Frazz

Teaching is important. Teaching is hard or confusing. I found a helpful model in the cartoon "Frazz". (comics.com)

Frazz works at an elementary school and is probably the best teacher there. However, he is actually just the janitor.

Yet he has raport with the students, listens to them, and shares openly with them.

Its just a comic strip.