More Amateurs Needed

September 7, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Did you know that the origin of the word clergy comes from the Latin meaning “learned men”? These are the men and women who are supposed to lead our churches, because they have the education that others don’t. They are professionals.

Now compare that with the definition of laity: “the people outside of a particular profession, as distinguished from those belonging to it.”

Did you catch that? The laity are outside and uneducated. They are amateurs.

The origins of clergy is traced back to the 12th century, and laity first appears in the 16th century. But long before this, the Apostle Paul had a different idea —

Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? (1 Corinthians 1:26-28 from The Message, emphasis added)

There is a HUGE PROBLEM when we think that only the professional clergy is equipped to do the ministry of the church! What makes a healthy church (like the first century church we read about in the book of Acts) is when EVERYONE is actively involved in ministry.

These words from Howard Hendricks are tough to hear, but right on target:

“I believe a great problem in evangelicalism today—whether in the local church, missions, seminary education, or what have you—is we have too many big-time operators! And too few servants. … 

“The typical church hires a clergyman to rob them of the privilege of exercising Christ’s gifts. … The greatest curse on the Church today is that we are expecting a small group of professionals to get God’s work done.”

I hope I haven’t stepped on too many toes with this one. My intent is not to offend, but to get the church thinking. I want to see EVERYONE that calls themselves a Christian actively involved in ministry.

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Glorify God Where You Are

June 27, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

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I love this word from Charles Spurgeon—

“Some persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible women. … Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the gospel to noblest ends. … Therefore be not discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position, or your work, abide in that, unless you are quite sure that He calls you to something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power where you are.”

No matter what you are doing, if you’re doing it to glorify God, that is your ministry.

You don’t have to be a pastor/missionary to be a great minister!

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Average Joe (book review)

May 23, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

There’s nothing wrong with being an average Joe. And there’s certainly nothing “average” about Troy Meeder’s book entitled Average Joe!

For some time I’ve been concerned about the “feminization” of men. Particularly I’m concerned with how Christian men have bought into culture’s wrongheaded idea of what it means to be a real man. Should a real man be gentle? Yes! But “gentle” is not a code word for a passive sissy. Real men understand their God-given role to be the provider and protector for their family, which at times means they have to toughen up.

Being an average Joe for some guys has become a license to simply let life happen to them. Just take things as they come. Don’t get too worked up about anything. Don’t stand up too strongly for anything. Don’t make waves. As a result, average Joes then become another face in the crowd.

But not according to Troy Meeder. Real men stand up for what’s right. They don’t wait for life to come to them, they go and make life happen. They make good things happen, and they keep bad things from happening to those they love. A real average Joe looks a lot like Jesus Christ.

Average Joe is a collection of observations – almost individual essays – about what Troy sees as being a Jesus-honoring, family-loving, honest-to-goodness real man. I was challenged to look in the mirror with each chapter I completed.

This is a wonderful book for any REAL man to read. But the study guides in the book would also work very well as conversation starters for a men’s ministry, or even for small groups of men who are holding each other accountable.

I am a Multnomah book reviewer.

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The Right Person For The Job

December 13, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Employers and pastors both have the important task of putting people into positions of responsibility. Employers do so to make their businesses more profitable; pastors do so to expand the Kingdom of God.

But employers do something that pastors often miss: They hire the right person for the job.

Check out this verse:

Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.

Simply put: Kenaniah was in charge of the singing because he could sing; he could carry a tune; he had skill; his singing was pleasant to the worshippers in the tabernacle. This word skillful also implies that he knew how to teach others too.

You give someone the job because they are skillful at it. Not because their feelings would be hurt if you gave the job to someone else, not because you hope giving them the job will boost their self-esteem. This is just as true in the church as it is in the business world.

The way I read the Bible, everyone has a talent. One of the roles of a shepherd leader is to find the right place for every person’s talent. Pastors do a disservice to both the individual and to the whole church body when they give someone a job for which they do not have the God-given talent.

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Your Most Important Ministry

October 12, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

These thoughts are especially targeted at pastors. If you are a pastor, tighten your chinstrap because this may hit you a little hard. If you aren’t a pastor, perhaps you could help your pastor in this vital ministry.

Pastor, what is your most important ministry?

Think about it. Get it clear in your mind: what is the most vital ministry you have every week?

Let me give you a little hint: if your “most important” ministry has anything to do with your church, you chose poorly. Your most important ministry is at your home with your family.

I hate to burst your bubble, but someone else can pastor your church. As much as you might think, “These ministries won’t get done if I don’t do them,” trust me, they will get done with or without you.

But, my dear friend, you are the only one who can be your mate’s spouse, you are the only one who can be your kids’ Dad or Mom.

I love studying the life of David. There is so much to learn from him: his passion for God, his military strategies, his prayer life, and other important things pertaining to leadership. But we need to also learn from David’s failures. For all of David’s success as a king, he was an abysmal failure as a husband and father. He spent so much time “at the office” that he neglected his family.

I don’t mean to condemn anyone, but I know that when things are right at home, things will go well at church. Too many people in our churches are getting short-changed because their pastor works so hard on ministering to them and doesn’t work hard enough on ministering to his family. Just like with David, this will come back to bite you. So here are the tough questions:

  • Do you spend more time thinking about how to grow your church than you do thinking about how to grow your marriage?
  • Do you read more books about church growth than you do about marital communication?
  • Do you put more effort into discipling new believers than you do discipling your kids?
  • Are you more attentive in keeping appointments with church members than you are in keeping family time protected?
  • Do you know more about the struggles of the people in your church than you do about the struggles your spouse and kids are facing?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to refocus. EFFECTIVE MINISTRY BEGINS AT HOME WITH YOUR FAMILY!!! Do you want to grow your church? Start at home. Do you want to be a more effective pastor? Be a more effective spouse and parent.

Did I step on anyone’s toes? Good, ‘cause I just stepped on my own too. Now, let’s get to work on our most vital ministry.

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Yummy

August 25, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

It’s noon, He’s hot and thirsty after a lengthy journey and some intense ministry, so Jesus sits down by a well to get a drink. He’s hungry too, so He sends His disciples into town to buy some lunch. Along comes a woman from the town, whom Jesus engages in conversation about eternal life. (It’s a really cool story—read the whole thing here.)

While this woman runs back into town to invite others to come hear what Jesus has to say, the disciples return with lunch.

“Here, Jesus,” they say, handing Him some food, “eat something.”

“No, thanks,” Jesus replies, “I’m not that hungry right now.”

The disciples start talking among themselves, “What? Where did He get food? Did someone bring Him something to eat?”

Jesus overhears them and makes this fascinating statement:

The food that keeps Me going is that I do the will of the One who sent Me, finishing the work He started.

What nourished Jesus was feeling the Father’s approval.

What energized Jesus was seeing other people begin to understand the Father’s love for them.

What motivated Jesus was to take every opportunity to tell someone else about God’s love.

Finishing the work that God started is good and good for you.

It’s yummy and it’s nourishing!

So I’m asking myself:

  • What nourishes me?
  • What energizes me?
  • What motivates me?
  • What is so fulfilling that I cannot go a day without it?

My prayer—my heart’s desire—is that the answer to all of these questions every single day is finishing the work of God in my generation.

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Comparative Religion Class In Sudan

March 22, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Guest Author: Dick Brogden

There is a wonderful Egyptian Mission agency active in Sudan that exists to give Christ’s living water to the last, least, and lost.  One annual ministry they provide is a Book and Bible exhibition in the middle of downtown Khartoum.  They sell Christian books and Bibles, show Christian films, and host lectures on aspects of the Christian faith.  The exhibition is set up in an empty lot that opens on the major downtown avenue and is open to all.

Last month during the exhibition, five buses pulled up and 150 veiled-to-the-eyes Muslim women plodded out.  They were the first year students from a local Islamic University.  Their professor of comparative religion, Dr. Yathrub, decided they needed to interact with some Christians.  The 150 women were respectful, participated in the events, and took home some free literature as a gift.  Dr. Yathrub asked if she could return with the 4th year students.

A couple days later, five more buses, and 150 more Muslim women, most veiled-to-the-eyes showed up.  One hundred of them marched right to the lecture tent and asked if the lecturer could address the issue of the unity of God and the Trinity.  The staff obliged and a wonderful question and answer time followed.  Again, all the students were kind, earnest, and respectful in their interaction.  They too were given a free Christian book titled, “Did Jesus ever claim to be God?” and went home happy.  Dr. Yathrub asked if she could bring the entire year 2 and 3 students, and of course the staff of the event agreed.

The next day Dr. Yathrub called to apologize.  She could not make it nor bring the other students.  Evidently, 300 veiled Muslim women marching around the campus happily reading, discussing, and sharing Christian material was too much for the administration and they opened an investigation of censure against Dr. Yathrub.  To her credit she did not back down, insisting that in comparative religious studies you must be free to compare religions.  A novel and dangerous idea.

Would you join us in praise and prayer.  Praise God that 300 Muslim women were gracious and brave enough to visit the exhibition.  Pray that the words they heard, and the literature they now posses, would be used of the Holy Spirit to delight their hearts in Jesus and unveil their spirits.  Praise God for the courage for Dr. Yathrub.  Would you pray with us that God would reward her with Himself and unveil Jesus to her.  Praise God for the Living Water Team.  Please pray that they continue to be bold and loving in witness and that as a result they too experience a mighty refreshing.

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