Pastor Pusch

Our family spent the 4th of July weekend in Gatlinburg, TN. We had a beautiful cabin in the Smokies and scene was magnificent. Scenes like this always take me to two passages in the Psalms: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and all that dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods” (Psalm 24:1) and “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Ps 19:1). Gatlinburg has become one of my favorite places on earth. There is a bit of humor in that because when I was younger, still living in Michigan, I used to ”poke fun” at people who would vacation there as it always seemed to be the “older” folk that made the journey. I know now that it was mistake as Gatlinburg is my number one choice for retreat. Needless to say, we had a great time. I even managed to pick up a couple pairs of cowboy boots for me and a pair for my two-year-old daughter, Jovie.

“Yes! I Love that Sin”
On Saturday, my wife and I ventured downtown to walk the strip and do some “window shopping” (we actually did pick up a couple items). About midway down the strip, we heard someone yelling rather profusely. As we approached the scence, his words became clearer and we noticed he was thrusting a Bible in the air rather intently. (The Bible was nearly the size of the old family Bible we used to have in our living room growing up). It was obvious. This man was preaching on the street corners in Gatlinburg. He was extremely forthright and poignant. His message was clear; yet abrupt. The man was passionate and through his words and demeanor, I believe he thought everyone within the sound of his voice was on a one-way path to eternal damnation. I listened in as we walked along the way.

Two points he made extremely clear:
1. Sinners go to Hell.
2. You are all sinners.

After making these statements, two men walking behind us began to mock and ridicule the preacher quite harshly. Without skipping a beat, one man responded to the preachers second point by blurting out, “Yes! I love that sin.” He said it in such a way in that his “practicing of sin” wasn’t worth giving up, let alone, trading in for this preacher’s message. My heart sank as I listened to the disparaging words of these men as they continued to mock the street corner preacher.

Having been in church all my life and a fellow minister, I understood what this man was saying. His message was true. It wasn’t difficult to understand or put together. A life without Christ is destined to hell. Scripture is clear, “there is none righteous”, “all have sinned”, and “the wages of sin is death.” While I disagreed with some of this man’s methods, primarily his approach, his message was right though in my opinion incomplete. My heart sank because the two men behind me were completely blind to it. I remember looking at my wife and saying, “if these guys only knew.” The street corner preacher was all over the place. He was loud. He was condemning. He was blunt. These two men had a field day with him and I began thinking, while these guys are mocking the man’s method, they are completely missing the truth of his message.

Lord, I am an open book in your sight and yet I try to hide from you as though you could never find me; as if I had privacy while consumed in your presence. When I consider the reality that you truly see all and know all, it’s humiliating, and places me in a most vulnerable position. In your presence, Lord, I am undone and yet you love me and fill me full of your grace and mercy. Lord, you are my only ray of hope in this world. Help me to live and grow in your grace that sustains. You are all I need.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me; and lead me in the way of every lasting” ps 139:23-24.

Overwhelmed.

With every job comes it’s ups and downs. There are portions that you love and elements that you endure. I suppose that can be said about much in life. One part my job I really enjoy, an element that keeps me coming back, is the opportunity to be a pastor to pastors; a minister to ministers. Everyday I get to work with pastors and their churches in all sorts of ministry aspects, especially in the realm of Christian Education and Discipleship, an often over looked ministry in the local church.

If there is one are in the local church where we really struggle, it is in the area of discipleship or ’spiritual transformation’. The phrase ’spiritual transformation’ was introduced to me by some friends/Christian Educators who lead in another denomination. I like the phrase because it accurately conveys the change that is to take place while on the road of discipleship. The Greek word for disciple, “ma-thay-tes”, means “learner” or “pupil”. In other words, a disciple is one who is a learner or student. In the world of Christianity, a true believer is one who submits himself as a learner or student of Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Where is the struggle? There several areas within the church that gives explanation as to why they struggle in the area of discipleship. Here are 5 situations I have dealt with the last 4 years, 1. Sunday School/Small Group is just a time filler 2. It’s all about Big Church 3. The Pastor does not care.  4. HELP 5. People just do not get it.

1. Time Filler – Sunday School/Small Group (whatever you call) is more than just “something” till fill up an hour of time. I would almost rather encourage churches not to have such ministries if the only intended purpose was to fill an hour because “that is what you are supposed to do”.

2. Big Church – One of the elements I enjoy most about church is corporate worship; gathering in one accord, the body of Christ comes together for the sole purpose of exalting the name of the Lord. The problem is that most of our attention is given to this ONE ministry in the church. It seems to be the church’s only focus so much so that more effort, time, and resources are devoted to it while discipleship, spiritual transformation suffers. For too long numerical growth has been the measuring rod to determine the success of a church. The thought is that a church must be successful if they are growing numerically. Numerical growth is not necessarily a bad thing, however, if transformation is not taking place, the size of your church means absolutely nothing.

3. Pastoral Apathy – While the pastor may never come out and say he does not care, his leadership would speak otherwise. Pastor Johnny Hunt of First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA reminds his people repeatedly that if there are only going to give one hour to the church, they should go to Sunday School. He knows that is where the rubber meets the road. It is the pastor responsibility to train and equip people for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-13)

4. Help – Unlike number 3, the pastor really does care about the spiritual growth of his church, but he is having a hard time recruiting help.

5. WE JUST DON’T GET IT! If becoming a Christian means that we believe Jesus is God and by that we accept Him as Lord in our lives then how is it we can ignore the “follow me” imperatives of scripture. By accepting Christ, we are placing our lives in Him, yet the thought of being imitators of Christ is unappealing. It is as if we only want the benefits of what it means to be a Christian without having to become living sacrifices. Instead of placing our lives in His, we place God in our lives. Big difference.

Pastor Johnny Hunt refers to the process of discipleship as becoming “fully devoted followers of Christ.” When we are truly saved, the process of sanctification begins. It is a life long process of become more like Christ.