Drew Boswell

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Be Nice and Buy A Book; Being Right is Not Enough

Church is All About Me? Really?

I usually do not write about differences in doctrine amongst Christians (i.e. the current drama with Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll) – there are just too many other more important issues to focus on. Being a Christian is hard enough without the world seeing us fight amongst ourselves (it doesn’t help to reach those who have not met Christ yet).

The world really has little concern about our worship wars and dress codes. If we address an issue that we disagree over then it should be done privately with grace, empathy (as we are also sinners), and love. When we love a fellow believer then we should not “slam” them publicly. The truth is that most of those who do such things would never do it to their face, and it is much easier to critique someone “from their mom’s basement.”[1]

Also, when the church stands together we are able to make significant changes in our culture, and when we are divided the world picks us apart. John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”[2]

(Yeah,  you knew it was coming) With that being said . . .

you know something’s up when Benny Hinn is attacking your doctrine.

so here’s the clip that is getting much attention right now amongst Christians. Victoria Osteen, the co-pastor of the largest church in America, said, “when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God, it’s for our self.” Now before you line up with your stones to throw, how many have said, “I don’t like the style of music,” or “can you believe what she is wearing at worship?” or “I don’t have time to serve right now, we’re too busy.” How many times have we echoed Osteen’s comment in our lives thinking but never saying, “church is about me and my feelings.”

This is not the first quote, or false idea to have surfaced from Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas that has caused doctrinal ripples. To say she was confused, said something she didn’t mean to say, or that the clip was taken out of context is simply not true. There are too many other quotes (and entire books) that say otherwise.

The reason I reference it is because I meet so many Christians that seem to be losing their way, especially in the area of doctrine.  1 Timothy 4:16 “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

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What’s the big deal? Isn’t this just a matter of opinion? 

Culture keeps driving us to the truth of the gospel. Issues like baptism, church membership, alcohol, even the hotly debated music wars seem to have drifted into obscurity — many simply say “who cares?” Church attenders seem to not understand basic Christian tenants. Many essential doctrines have become, “well, that’s just your opinion.”

The danger of a weak doctrine among the church is that groups like Mormons and other truly false gospels are thought of as having the same beliefs as Christians. The church is so weak in it’s understanding that it becomes very vulnerable to believing the lies of the deceiver. Know this, that if you believe a false gospel you are not saved. Should we not do as 2 Timothy 2:15 says to, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

Let’s take Victoria Osteen’s comment that has gone viral. Why has it gone viral?  Is it not because of how far it goes away from what the Bible clearly teaches? But she remains in her position of co-pastor. Then we have Mark Driscoll, the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington who has solid doctrine but he is being asked to step down from his position for how he has treated others.[3]

But there we have it really in a nutshell. If you preach good feelings and happy thoughts but teach a false doctrine it is overlooked in Christendom. If you teach accurate doctrine but are a mean person, you will be asked to disappear. According to the current Christian culture it is more important for us to be nice than to be solid on our Bible.

Let’s look at that 1 Timothy passage again; “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

The ultimate issue is salvation “both [for] yourself and your hearers.” (those are pretty big stakes if we get this wrong).  We must watch our own lives — we typically think of this in reference to sin. But could it also reference how our lives affect those around us (attitude, hospitality, generosity, compassion, etc.?) If you are a genuinely loving person then others will be open to what you have to tell them (i.e. Joel Osteen). But what you tell them must be doctrinally sound because there is only one gospel.

John 14:6 “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” 

Therefore, be nice, study your Bible, and buy a book on doctrine. It doesn’t sound fun but it is essential to understanding the things of God. It is much easier and fun to “claim” wealth, healing, and fame — the Bible and solid doctrine keeps you from seeking after the deceptions of this world. Solid doctrine keeps you focused on what is really important because you have as your foundation — truth.

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[1] To reference Driscoll.

[2] Please no comments about how if we love one another then we should hold each other accountable with proper doctrine (I get that).

[3] articles relating to this topic tend to show that Driscoll is being asked to step down due to his rough treatment of staff and crude comments from the pulpit.

Mentoring Those Who Feel Called to Ministry

In the course of serving as “pastor” in various capacities I have been approached over the years by several men who feel they are called into ministry.  Since there is no fill-in-the-blank or multiple choice test one can take, it becomes more of a “feeling” or specifically a “knowing” that God has called one to ministry.

We know the Bible commands all to ministry, but there are some he calls to leadership of the flock as a position of authority. Some are attracted to this position because they desire “to lord over” people.[1] These individuals want others to call them “pastor” and crave power over people. Others want to lead and have control.  But are not ready for this responsibility, and in their “ignorance on fire” they are reckless and destroy people’s lives without even knowing it.

As an established leader you should have a heart to mentor and guide someone else into serving the Lord and His church, but where do you start? You may even feel like you “don’t have it all together” yet, and you say to yourself, “who am I to lead anyone else in ministry?” I often times feel this way, but I also recognize that the Lord has taught me many things over the years, often times because of my ignorance and pride I ran into situations and obstacles that often times were creations I built myself. I do not want another brother in Christ to do the same things.

So the following are some suggestions from someone who “doesn’t have it all together” yet and is still in a lifelong process of learning.

 ______________________________

Suggestions on How to Mentor 

First, just because a person tells you they are called to ministry and has approached you, doesn’t mean they are actually called. I would suggest at least a year long mentoring relationship where you introduce them like “this is ________________ and he is seeking the Lord’s will for his life.” Not, “This is __________ and he is called to ministry.” It’s hard to gracefully back out of the second one. It may be that they just want to go deeper in their relationship with the Lord, or that up to this point have not really been discipled in their faith.  What they perceive as a call may actually be a desire for a closer walk with the Lord.

I have mentored two men who because they held a position of leadership too soon and I moved them too fast went on to destroy churches and people’s lives. Be extremely careful who you give a title and position to. Watch out for your own pride in wanting “to show them off” as a person you are mentoring — watch your heart.

Don’t immediately begin with topics of study like leadership, political maneuvering, preaching, etc. – these are advanced topics. Instead, begin with determining where they are with the Lord – it has been my experience that few are very well equipped to accurately handle the Word of God.[2] So for the first six months you could focus on topics like Bible study, being a godly husband, time management, being a godly friend and father, prayer, etc.

These topics of discussion should be considered basic Christian life topics but you will be amazed at how few Christians actually are living a godly life and displaying maturity in spiritual matters among those who desire to lead others in the church.

But do immediately give them a service in the church. It should be a non-visible task that will require them to truly serve the church. If a guy Is not willing to regularlly set up chairs for a service, clean toilets, clean up after a fellowship dinner, etc. then they are not going to be worth much in ministry in the long run. If they are only happy if they are up in front of people, receiving others praise, then this will give you an early indicator of their heart.  This will also more than likely give some much needed relief for a ministry leader somewhere in the church.

But do have a plan in your mentoring. Don’t sit too many times over coffee in idle discussion. This will not help them in the long run. If they are called they are going to want to get started as soon as possible.

Now after six months of basic Christian living topics you are now going to move into other topics. After meeting regularly (even weekly) you should have a pretty good idea of the call upon their life. Even if you help them determine that they are not truly called, they will have a greater discipleship life, they will be stronger men of God in their homes and community, and their walk will be stronger with the Lord because of your mentoring. If they are not called, just tell them how you feel, and let your sessions end.

But if you feel you should continue, it is at this point that I would give them a “ministry. “ Again it should not be too visible, and how they handle the ministry will give direction as to how you should mentor them. [3]  If they are not faithful in doing minor ministry tasks, they should never be allowed to have responsibility for greater tasks that will affect people’s lives.[4]

I would suggest meeting weekly at this point and give the mentored a homework assignment in between meetings. If they are not willing to read a chapter or two of a book and be prepared to talk about it, put a lesson together, or make a visit in the hospital (or something like these things) then this will tell you where they are in the searching process.

I once had a man come and tell me he wanted to have a deeper Bible study and that he wanted to meet regularly with me. So I told him to read the first few chapters of John and that we would meet to discuss them.  I told him to let me know when he was finished with these few chapters, but weeks dragged on to months – which showed me that he really did not want to have a deeper walk with the Lord – he wanted me to do all the work and unload information on him. If someone is truly called to ministry they will do the work.

The mentoring process takes a great amount of time, so just be aware of this when you commit yourself to a man who says they feel called to ministry.  But it is a much needed responsibility that pastors bear.

It is at the one year mark (or other designated point) that the relationship changes from mentor to coach. You stop meeting regularly, and you become available for occasional questions, discussion, and moral support.  The apprentice needs to find godly friends, other than you,  who they can have regular support to make the transition to a place of leadership.

It is not an understatement to be extremely careful with who you place into leadership positions, and whom you attach your name and reputation to. It is better to be without a leader than to have the wrong leader or to put someone in a place of leadership before they are ready.


[1] Matthew 20:20-28

[2] 2 Timothy 2:15

[3] 1 Timothy 3:6

[4] Matthew 25:21

"Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts." Rick Warren

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