On Spiritual Formation Done Right, Part 1

Posted on June 12, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Three powerful posts on the same topic popped up in my Google Reader.

The first one is from some kid named Chris Guin (strange last name) who’s in Boston and about to see his dad on vacation. Remarkably precocious that kid is. I could never have written such a profound thought at his age. Whither Perseverance.

The second is a video posted by Bobby Valentine, dealing with the same topic. God Is Enough.

(You can’t skip the links.)

(Psa 73)  A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Continue reading →

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What Is “Gospel”? The “Gospel” and “Kingdom” in Acts, Part 2

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Jay F Guin

emptytomb2Paul before the Jerusalem council

(Acts 15:7-11) After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

(This sounds just like Galatians.) Paul summarizes the gospel —

  • It is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved
  • The receipt of the Holy Spirit confirms God’s acceptance of a person Continue reading →
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MDR: A Reader’s Question

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Jay F Guin

I received this email from a reader. Your input would be appreciated.

Jay,

I need your advice on an issue concerning divorce.  Let me first give you the background.

Growing up I was taught the “traditional” view of MDR. Basically, the teaching was divorce is wrong but you can divorce.  If you want to remarry then you must have had a “scriptural divorce.”  “Scriptural divorce” means that adultery was involved in the dissolution of the marriage.

I was never very comfortable with this position. It never struck me as very Christ-like.  I’ve struggled for years with this and finally came to the realization that it’s just wrong.  My position now is very close to yours.  I believe God hates divorce, period.  I believe we need to be doing more to teach one man, one woman for life. I don’t believe that marriage after divorce is unforgiveable.  God’s grace is big enough to cover all sin.   Continue reading →

Posted in Divorce and Remarriage, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

Tonight’s Elders Meeting — and New Poll

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Jay F Guin

PROPOSAL

A two-day seminar in Tuscaloosa, Alabama beginning Friday morning and ending Saturday at 5:00, to make certain our guests can return home in time for church on Sunday. Classes would be taught by elders, ministers, and members at the University Church (and a few special guests) on a variety of topics focused on practical guidance on how to be the church God wants.

POLL

(I realize you can’t make a firm commitment without a date. This is just to determine if the idea is worth pursuing.)

Continue reading →

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Church Finances and Business: The Annual Review

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Jay F Guin

collection.jpgThis is from a great post by Todd Rhoades at “Monday Morning Insight” regarding how to conduct a periodic review of church employees. But before getting to Todd’s advice, some background thoughts.

1. Many elderships don’t do annual reviews of their ministers. Some say that job reviews are too much like a business. Others don’t like conflict. Others say they have a continuous mentoring relationship with the staff and so don’t need a formal review. Well, business isn’t inherently evil, conflict avoidance is dangerous, and I don’t believe you. Even if you have a heavenly relationship with your staff, it’s unlikely that you’ve covered all the points that matter. Moreover, speaking as someone who was once an employee, there’s no such thing as too much feedback.

2. Some ministers hate performance reviews. For some this is because they hate being reminded they answer to someone other than themselves. Grow up. Others resent the reviews because they’re done poorly. Fine. Help your elders get some training. (ElderLink or maybe a training course at the local Chamber of Commerce. Seriously.)

Elders should periodically review the performance of their ministers, at least annually. Continue reading →

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What Is “Gospel”? The “Gospel” and “Kingdom” in Acts, Part 1

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Jay F Guin

emptytomb2Acts is, of course, Luke’s sequel to the Gospel According to Luke. I figure it would help us better understand Luke’s “gospel of the kingdom” if we see how the words are used in Acts.

The words are used lots of times, and so I’ll skip merely incidental mentions.

The apostles’ mission

(Acts 1:3-8) After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Continue reading →

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Youth Ministry: What I Would Have Done Differently

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Jay F Guin

YouthThis is from an article by Chris Folmsbee, former youth minister, titled “If I Were to Do It Again.”

•    Act theologically before methodologically
•    Be more of a spiritual director than a program director
•    Hire a parent to be a part of our youth staff
•    Spend more time investing in interns/co-pastors
•    Experiment with more learner-centered education models
•    Ask less of my volunteers and yet equip them more
•    Communicate change to the church leaders, staff and parents more
•    Create more opportunities for students to “learn up” instead of me “teaching down”
•    Celebrate the successes in the lives of students with greater regularity and intensity
•    Worry less about the retreat themes and spend more time with the students on the retreats.
•    Take students on way more spiritual retreats
•    Work hard to be more collaborative with the youth workers in my city
•    Take more time off to be with my wife and kids
•    Be more intentional with a confirmation process
•    Find time to laugh and play more
•    Be more grace-filled with students who were goofing off and causing trouble
•    Try to learn more from the staff instead of thinking I have all the answers
•    Take the criticism of others more seriously and less defensively
•    Meet with my spiritual director more often
•    Take personal retreats more often
•    Be way more missional and a lot less attractional in my approach or model
•    Try and get more pulpit time to advocate for the students in the church and community
•    Pray more and develop a team of people to pray with
•    Provide inspiring training for the parent of the students
•    Call the students to greater levels of holiness
•    Spend a lot more time creating opportunities for students to practice justice
•    Allow the more artistic students opportunities to express themselves and their love for God.
•    Teach much more conversationally
•    Try to enter into the joy, pain, loss, doubt, hurt, etc. of the students and their families Continue reading →

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What Is the “Gospel”? The “Gospel” According to Luke, Part 4

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Jay F Guin

emptytomb2Little children

(Luke 18:15-17)  People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

We learn — Continue reading →

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Second Elder Training Poll

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Jay F Guin

For the last two weeks, I’ve had a poll on elder training at the top of the blog. The results are in. 88% of those answering would like additional training beyond the excellent, one-day per year ElderLink program offered by ACU and Lipscomb at sites across the country.

Now I need to know what format you prefer —

If more than one option is acceptable to you, vote for each. The software will only let you check one box at a time, so you’ll need to vote as many times as you make choices.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Ministers Guilty of Sexual Sin: This Month’s Christian Chronicle

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Jay F Guin

crying-preacher.jpgThis month’s Christian Chronicle has a fascinating article about how to deal with a minister caught in sexual sin. Now, until you’ve had to deal with this, you likely don’t appreciate how truly terrible these situations are. And while there are no statistics, I can say with some confidence the rate at which ministers get trapped by sexual sin is astonishingly high.

The article is based on interviews with Thomas Jackson and David Lane, authors of Low Motives in High Places: A Survivor’s Strategy for Wounded Healers. The article (available only to subscribers at the time of this posting at http://www.christianchronicle.org/pdf_archive/2009-06.pdf, pages 3 and 16) states, Continue reading →

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