“What Do You Do?”

Recently I was contacted on my Facebook page by a young missionary.  We are now “friends” – if you know anything about Facebook.  He asked, “What are you doing in ministry right now?”  So I told him what I’m doing, and then I had a brainstorm.  I thought, “Maybe others are curious about what I’m doing right now, too.”

Lowell speaking at Trinity

Whether you are or your aren’t … here goes.  My letter to Jerod.  I replied:

Before I answer that question let me give you some of my background.

I’m 55 years old, and have been an A/G pastor since I was 20.  Good grief!  Just writing that made me feel old … for about 2 seconds.  Anyway …

In 35 years I’ve served four churches and one parachurch organization.  Because I’ve been the following:  an Associate, Senior/Lead, parachurch assistant director, and Pioneer Pastor … I’ve been able to encourage pastors who find themselves in any one of those positions at this time.

I’ve had the good fortune of traveling the world – seeing foreign missions operations first hand, and I’ve worked with inner-city parachurch organizations everywhere I’ve lived as well.  I can safely say, I believe in the Great Commission … and I’ve lived it as well.

So … what sort of ministry am I involved in?  That’s complicated.  I formed a small ministry – it’s call E-Perspectives International Corporation … or EPIC.  It serves as the umbrella for the following “activities” – writing, conference and seminar speaking, pulpit supply, and counseling. 

Teaching in Belize

My favorite part of what I do is counseling … but that’s a misnomer … it should read, “listening.”  By that I mean I’m a safe person to talk to about dreams and visions … before an idea is taken to a board (or a spouse).  Usually when pastors envision something the first response they get from their leadership team or the wife is, “Are you nuts?!”  So … I listen … and help a guy process – OUT LOUD – what he’s been thinking up to this moment.  I’d say I’m a better than average listener – and that makes pastors feel secure.  They know I don’t have an agenda of my own – I don’t want their church or their pulpit.  I just want to help them accomplish what God

I love pastors.  Oh, and let me add – I’m a pastor’s kid.  That’s another dynamic I bring to the table.

When I’m invited to speak my favorite messages are the ones most (if not all) pastors HATE to preach.  I’m referring to the sermons about money, giving (especially to Missions), and how a congregation should value their leadership – especially their pastor.  (Most guys I know shy away from saying things like, “You know, folks, I’m a gift from God.  Ephesians 4 says so.  How ’bout treating me better.”  You know what I mean?  Ha!)  I also take assigned topics – because Pastors know what their people need to hear, and maybe hearing it from another source will get a better response.

 

That’s me, in a nutshell – me being the nut.  If you’d like to talk, give me a call.

Oh, and the “E” in EPIC stands for “Eternal.”  I try to describe, using God’s own language, how He feels about things that do and don’t last forever.  We Christians spend way too much time and energy on temporary things.  (2 Cor. 4:16-18)

If any of you – my blogging friends – know of a pastor or missionary I can help out, minister to, speak for, etc., let me know.

When Is A Church Too Big?

I opened the Editorial Page in my local paper – The Richmond Times-Dispatch – and read the following opinion.  Since I’m attending a large (mega) church, I was fascinated with the perspective of the writer.  The title of the Op/Ed is “All Size.”  Think about it.

“A new study has documented what many parishioners at megachurches already knew: Such houses of worship are neither cold nor impersonal, and can offer as much community as many smaller churches do, if not more.

“Those findings help explain the explosive growth of megachurches, which — according to another newly released survey — shows no signs of abating. Other factors might be at work, too. Megachurches are not doctrinally narrow or rigid, but they are clear about certain points of dispute. In anage when many mainline churches have drifted toward cultural relativism and liberal theology, 92 percent of megachurch members believe hell is a real place, and four out of five believe the Rapture really is coming.

“Most megachurches work hard to create intimacy within the congregation by offering dozens, if not hundreds, of small groups that focus on everything from Christ-centered personal finances to motorcycle riding. (That might help explain why the megachurch member is more likely to have friends in the congregation than the member of a traditional church.) The churches often grow by attracting people who come for the community — and stay for the communion.

“Megachurches have their critics, who point out (often with some justification) the emphasis on worldly issues rather than otherworldly reverence. But megachurches clearly have found a formula that draws many who otherwise might spend Sunday morning on the golf course. Based on our limited understanding of the Scriptures, the Final Arbiter will be pleased if more people come to Him — no matter which route they take.”

I agree with the writer.  Large churches have some down sides, but there are a slew of ups.  I’m not suggesting anyone abandon their small(er) church for a larger one – NO, no, no.  Not for a minute.  What I am saying is, let’s stop the criticism of larger churches – and the comparing, competitive spirit in the criticisms – and let’s get on with “being the Church.”  United.  Loving.  And humble.

The Persecuted Church in India – Part 1

I found this news article at the British Broadcasting Company site:  ”Arrests over India church attacks.”  Does this series of incidents send a chill up your spine?  What do you think about what is happening in India?

“Police in the southern Indian state of Karnataka have arrested over 60 people in connection with attacks on churches and clergymen over the weekend.  More than a dozen churches were ransacked by alleged activists of the radical Hindu group Bajrang Dal.  The Bajrang Dal claims that Hindus are being illegally converted to Christianity in the area.

“Last month, anti-Christian violence in the eastern Orissa state led to the deaths of at least 20 people.  The police in Karnataka say that churches were attacked by mobs in the districts of Udupi and Chikmagalur on Sunday.  Over 60 people have been detained after outraged Christian groups protested and called for a shutdown in the coastal city of Mangalore, which is the worst affected by the violence.  … More than 2,000 schools run by Christian organisations in Karnataka shut down for a dayin protest against the anti-Christian violence in Orissa.

“Karnataka is ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, which has close ties with the Bajrang Dal.  ’The BJP is responsible for the attacks. It is creating social disharmony,’ the main opposition Congress party leader Mallikarjun Kharge said.

“Meanwhile in Orissa two more people were killed and 12 injured when police opened fire on a rioting mob in Kandhamal district on Saturday.  The district has seen large scale violence since 24 August in which at least 20 people have been killed and dozens of churches and thousands of houses torched.  Saturday evening’s incident took place at Kurtamgarh village where a mob went on the rampage burning houses and prayer halls.  When security forces tried to disperse the crowd, somebody from the crowd shot and injured a policeman, the police said.  The police say they were forced to open fire, resulting in the deaths of two people.  On Friday night, six houses and a Christian prayer house were torched by a mob in Kandhamal district, the police said.

“The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described the violence in Orissa as a ‘national disgrace’.

“Correspondents say Hindu groups have long accused Christian priests of bribing poor tribes and low-caste Hindus to change their faith.  Christians say lower-caste Hindus convert willingly to escape the Hindu caste system.”

[Story from BBC NEWS:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/7616314.stm   Published: 2008/09/15 10:17:50 GMT;   © BBC MMVIII]