Pseudo Pastor?

July 9, 2014 Leave a comment

 

crazylove

“In our culture, even if a pastor doesn’t actually love people, he can still be considered successful as long as he is a gifted speaker, makes his congregation laugh, or prays for ‘all those poor, suffering people in the world’ every Sunday.” Francis Chan in Crazy Love, p. 93.

Francis Chan’s observation is a sobering reminder that a pastor must have a pastor’s heart, not just a pastor-like game plan. Lord, give me a heart for your people. Help me do more than go through the motions or put on a good act. I want to offer more than pseudo pastoral care. Give me Your heart for Your people whom You’ve called me to serve on Your behalf. Amen.

 

 

 

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Soul Care

July 3, 2014 Leave a comment

 

soulkeepingI just finished reading Soul Keeping by John Ortberg. In it he frequently quotes Dallas Willard. I’m doing a two-part sermon series on the soul, inspired by John’s book. I’ll be preaching the insights I’ve gleaned from my own recent spiritual journey. Soul care is so important for all Christians, but it’s key, in a special way, for those of us who pastor and preach. How can we tend to the souls of others unless we tend first to our own soul?

“In one of his books, Dallas has further explained, What is running your life at any given moment is your soul. Not external circumstances, not your thoughts, not your intentions, not even your feelings, but your soul. The soul is that aspect of your whole being that correlates, integrates, and enlivens everything going on in the various dimensions of the self. The soul is the life center of human beings.” (Soul Keeping, e-book loc 493)

 

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