For the Religious Social Justice Warriors

This thoughtful response to so-called "social justice warriors" cautions against conflating politics with religious belief and practice.  An act done all too lightly, because we're busy people.

Progressivism is Not Judaism

Of course, one has to translate this into one's own faith, as is encouraged in the article. 

Jesus is the Best Wine

It is no secret, and certainly no scandal, that North Carolina is swimming in craft beer, regional wines, and now even Mayberry Moonshine !  What would Otis think?  These wonders go along with our ever increasing desire for recreation and escape from today's troubles.
The most famous regional wine came from Cana, and was made by Jesus from bathwater.  It was so good that the headwaiter at a potentially disastrous wedding thought it was the best (the best he'd ever tasted?)  This headwaiter fortunately didn't know that it was made from bathwater and served out of one of the nasty stone pots.  He complimented the host for "keeping the best wine until now" when most people with common sense serve the best wine first, so people who are inebriated won't notice the quality of the wine dropping as the feast progresses.
This first sign of Jesus is filled with intent and symbolism, and still speaks to us today if we have ears to hear.
The sign shows us that Jesus' ministry was intentional, not haphazard or some "plan B" situation.  Jesus is giving a semi-private sign that is designed to build faith in the disciples prior to beginning his public ministry.  Jesus' divinity, confirmed by the miraculous wine-making, is the fact that created faith among the disciples, enabling them to later be called Apostles.
The miracle at Cana shows us that Jesus' ministry had a point besides the miracles and miraculous, which was the climactic crucifixion in Jerusalem (the ultimate eschatological event).
Jesus is teaching everyone that He has the power to take their lack, their nothing, their bathwater, and turn it into the greatest things, the most needed things, those things which bring glory to God.  Jesus redeems even impossible situations.  Where something looks hopeless, through our prayers (like the Mother of Jesus asking for his help) He will give us hope and provision.
So how is your bathwater?  Are you drinking the "lesser wines" of this life?  Do you fall for the trendy promotions of merchants offering distraction from the real issue (that the wine has literally run out)?
In the words of Dr. Herman Ridderbos, "Jesus is the good wine, reserved until now."  Drink freely.

Pastor Russ Moyer

News-Record Obituary for Pastor Russ Moyer

See the audio player on the right for "Meditations for Pastor Russ Moyer" from Rolling Roads Baptist Church on Sunday March 15, 2015.

Blessed by PBA Annual Meeting

Last night's Piedmont Baptist Association meeting was a great experience.  I really enjoyed seeing several people that I hadn't seen in a while, some in ten years!  What's not to like about being among people who truly are "friends in the business" of Christian ministry and outreach?  Especially when they come up to you, remember your name from years ago, and genuinely express interest and best wishes for your work!  Not to mention the encouragement of knowing others who are not only plodding along in pastoral ministry, but also who are active and intentional in support ministries that reach our church members outside of the walls, encouraging them during the week.  The (sort of selfish) take away from all this is that I'm almost certain to reduce the feelings of isolation that have dogged me during ministry.  If I will plug in firmly to this family of Christians to which I obviously belong, God will use them to help me stay encouraged.  Unhealthy isolation is no good in any context; and it is abundantly clear to me that in pastoral ministry it leaves one wide-open to big time discouragement.  And we all know where discouragement leads.  Will you help hold me accountable to this PBA family?  Will you consider taking an active part in locally cooperative activities along with me?

Also, this meeting was historic in that it was the first time the annual meeting has been hosted in a predominantly black church. This enabled us to have a likely unique worship experience with the St. Paul's Youth Choir.  One concern that was expressed openly was that many on the 2015 leadership team are sporting bald heads (on purpose mostly). What does this mean? 2 Kings 2:23 says "Go on up, you bald-head! Go on up you bald-head!" but in this case let's hope for much different results as a truly cooperative PBA impacts the Triad in every way, in every nation, every neighborhood, and every neighbor.

Urgent: Ephesians 2:8-10 needed badly!

So people say, "we have a lot of churches needing pastors."  And I say, "Well, ain't nern called me yet."  Then they says, "Problem is ain't none them churches y'ed want no how."

This is coming from people and clergy who ought to know better, and is being repeated, sometimes meaner than others:  "You wouldn't want to go there and pastor."  [The meanest was, "They ought to close down and give their property to (local megachurch wannabe)."]

Well, call me dumb, but I think that attitude is a problem.  It reveals an insanely unspiritual corporate job/career/professional viewpoint of Christianity that STILL creeps me out.

The issue has never been whether or not churches have problems.  Or whether some got's more problems than others.  Or whether Christians got problems.  Or whether churches can sin like crazy. 

The fact is Christians is people.  And people in groups can sin much more efficiently than they can by themselves.  Isn't it all about redemption and healing through dependence upon God? "...and that not of yourselves...."

How do I know this?  Because I am one of em.  Yep, ministers is people, too.  And people sin, some more one day, some less the next day, some quite well, some with difficulty.  Point is that there ain't no church more broken than I have been, or even am. Welcome to earth!

So what church is good enough for me?!?  That is the criteria for a call in this modern megachurch goin' straight to h^ll, world loving man-centered religion?!?

Better this: What church am I good enough for?  Now THAT question only God can answer, folks.  

Our attitude ought to be one of dependence on God and not our own perfections.  If churches have to be "good enough" to call a pastor, then God help us all.  We all have to come to the end of ourselves spiritually, realize that we have a need for God as individuals and in community, humble ourselves, give over our sin to the power of God, and accept and receive his forgiveness and redemption.  This is about love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.  I hope.

Now, don't that sound better than "get your act together or die?"  I'm telling you, there is no grace left in modern megachurch goin' straight to h^ll, world loving man-centered religion.  It's all about performance, perfection, and spiritual self-sufficiency. "How do you stack up against the big dogs?"  No one tells you that the "big dogs" got that way by...(the spiritual equivalent of free beer).

Here's to all them imperfect churches out there without perfect pastors, waiting for Superman. (He ain't coming, especially if he says he is.)  "...we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we might walk in them..."

I just mean...dern y'all.  Fix this attitude now and stop discouraging one another.

Life Statements

Here are some of my main "life statements."  I consider these to be full of personal meaning that I continually rediscover with the changing circumstances of life...

• To be is to be in relationship.
• Who you are is how you minister.
• Every translation is an interpretation.
• Do something, if it's wrong.

Hurry Up and Wait?

The church has an open door!  We are called to be a Kingdom of God community that operates in the public interest. It is vital, therefore, that we continually organize ourselves for mission at the same time that we carry out the mission.  We have no desire to sit out the game while we think about how to play.  Summer is moving on, opportunities are passing by.  What are we waiting for? The next rapture?

Encouragement from 2 Timothy 4

Is church ministry work a popularity contest?  Many people think so- since their personal opinion is the one most often considered!  But the Bible doesn't leave us bewildered, it gives us power through encouragement to "hang in there."  Check this out, all you discouraged people...

"So, with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. But you must stay calm and be willing to suffer. You must work hard to tell the good news and to do your job well."

This is from the Contemporary English Version, a great modern reading version that was actually the product of some hard work, not just computer manipulation.  I'd encourage people who don't read the Bible much to grab a CEV and dig in!  Start with Leviticus and see how neat it is!