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You are here: Home / Archives for Grace

Is Perfection the Right Standard for Pastors?

September 6, 2014 By R. Brad White 1 Comment

What happens when a pastor falls short of perfection? What happens when a weakness is revealed for all to see? Do we love, support, empathize, encourage, and work to help them or do we find a way to escort them out the door seeking another pastor who will be perfect?

I can imagine that for many pastors, there is a great fear that their congregation will discover that they are merely human like the rest of us… full of flaws and weakness.

I like what Jesus said in Luke 18:19, “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”

And in Hebrews 4:15-16, where it is written, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

The point here is that we sometimes put pastors on a pedestal of perfection. And when they fall short, we don’t always extend them the same grace and mercy that God shows us in all of our imperfections. Pastors have doubts, fears, and temptations just like the rest of us. Sometimes they stumble like the rest of us.

When that happens, love them through it. If they confess and seek forgiveness, we should be quick to forgive, as God is quick to forgive us.

Lastly, create an environment at your church and a relationship with your pastor that would enable them to speak freely about their imperfections. They need not isolate themselves in an attempt to hide their flaws for fear of what their congregation might think. Be a loving, grace-filled church to your pastor, just as you are taught to be to the rest of the world.

Filed Under: Christian News and Insights, Judgmental, Opinions and Editorials Tagged With: condemnation, forgiveness, Grace, love, mercy, pastor

“Prayer Works” and 2 Other Things Christians Should STOP Saying Now

May 7, 2014 By Guest Admin Leave a Comment

Vintage Christian button, Prayer worksThis article originally appeared here on the Church Leaders~ Pastors Blog. By Carey Nieuwhof

 

 

 

One reason people stay away from Christianity is not because they don’t know any Christians.

It’s often because they do.

Our actions and our words as followers of Jesus have the power to attract or repel people from Christianity.

The number of people who never go to church or follow Jesus keeps growing. And their thinking keeps changing too (I’ve outlined 15 characteristics of unchurched people here).

So what can we do about it?

Well, in addition to modeling humility, grace, truth, love and so many other things that describe the earliest Christ followers, we Christians can watch our words…  Click here to read the rest of the story on the Church Leaders ~ Pastors Blog site.

 

 In addition to serving as Lead Pastor at Connexus Community Church north of Toronto Canada, Carey Nieuwhof speaks at conferences and churches throughout North America on leadership, family, parenting and personal renewal. More from Carey Nieuwhof or visit Carey at careynieuwhof.com

 

Filed Under: 2 Minutes to Christian Maturity Tagged With: blessed, blesses, christian, Grace, helper, men, mentor, old, Prayer, prayer works, prescense, presence, programs, stress, virtue, women, young

Where Mentoring Goes Wrong

April 16, 2014 By Brad Leave a Comment

Mentorship Concept.This article originally appeared here on the Christianity Today blog.

Why do good discipling relationships derail?

 

 

Through the mentor’s eyes

Sharon scooted between cars, hurrying through the stifling parking lot to make the meeting on time. Although only August, she already felt the pressure of a busy fall schedule. She was unsure how becoming a mentor would fit, but involvement in the life of a younger woman interested her. At least she was willing to attend the training meeting and see what it was all about.

Refreshed by the cool air in the room, Sharon found a chair. Looking around at other women, a wave of nervousness rushed over her. Was she even qualified to mentor?  During the next hour, she learned the requirements of the mentoring program, looked over the recommended mentoring resources, filled out a personal profile, and signed up to bring a dessert for the kick-off event. Still the question nagged:  Did she really have enough wisdom to do this?  Probably not, she thought, but her love for God and young women encouraged her to press on.

Two weeks later at the kick-off event, an eager greeter handed Sharon a bright green crayon and instructed her to find the young woman with the same color crayon as hers—”‘Caribbean Green.’  Isn’t it peppy?” Sharon returned the beaming smile, grateful for a game to help her find her mentee. The energy-filled room lifted her spirits. This was fun! She leisurely worked the room, smiling and displaying her crayon as she went…

~ By: Sue Edwards and Barbara Neumann

Click here to read the rest of the story on the Christianity Today Leadership Journal Blog.

Filed Under: 2 Minutes to Christian Maturity Tagged With: christian, Grace, helper, men, mentor, old, programs, stress, virtue, women, young

In what area(s) do you need to be more like Jesus Christ?

March 31, 2014 By Brad Leave a Comment

Jesus pouring water from a jug

 In what area(s) do you need to be more like Jesus Christ?

Filed Under: Question Of The Week Tagged With: believers, Change, Christians, definition, forgiveness, godly, Grace, homeless, hope, hopeless, Jesus Christ, lost, mercy, worldy

Can you be a peacemaker and correct someone in love at the same time?

March 24, 2014 By Brad Leave a Comment

Wise Father

 Can you be a peacemaker and correct someone in love at the same time?

Filed Under: Question Of The Week Tagged With: believers, Change, Christians, definition, forgiveness, godly, Grace, homeless, hope, hopeless, Jesus Christ, lost, mercy, worldy

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