Pastoral Reflections from the Farm

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A friend who is preparing to serve as a pastor recently sent me some of his reflections on pastoral ministry drawn from his work on his farm. I thought I would pass them on.

As I told you, I have cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, and yes, dogs and cats on our farm. The sheep have taught me so much. It seems that the more time you spend with them the more they trust. They are the most frightened of the farm animals. A beautiful Barbado Blackbelly ram took seven months to be able to pet and even now he will not come to me if others are present. Sheep are without question the dirtiest of the livestock. They have a film over them and they have glands that secrete a waxy substance. Goats are quite beautiful and sleek, very curious, and always the first to greet you to see if you have a treat. A few weeks ago I went down to the pasture to check on all the livestock before Sunday worship and I did so without a feed bucket. The goats greeted me and did not follow for I visibly had nothing for them. I proceeded further and came upon the cows who stared intently but also found no reason to follow. As I approached the sheep and spoke to them they recognized it was me and they stood together and stared like the other livestock but as I begin to walk back to the gate they followed. As we passed the cows they too followed and the goats as well. What an example of the Church, if we follow faithfully, if our shepherds lead faithfully; will not others follow also? Shall we not do all these things for the sake of the elect? Will not the Lord of all the earth do what seems right to him? He is faithful and will not deny himself. Oh, that we endure that others may obtain Christ!

Other items of interest: sheep are prone to intestinal worms and must be medicated much more than goats and cows, the more they are handled the more they trust but after some time of neglect they grow more like but not exactly like the goats and cows in action. Sheep are very easy to herd for the most part especially in comparison to goats. Goats must be led by some trinket which usually is sweet feed in the trough. Goats are fun and lively and run all over the pasture while sheep remain close together. Sheep love to graze especially together while goats love the brush and exotic- whatever around the pasture edges. Sheep when being fed with goats will come to the trough last; they will wait until the goats have hoarded first. A goat mother will leave her little one to feed but a sheep will not and when doing so will not go far. Lambs are tender at birth and more susceptible to death while generally goat kids are hearty. Goats respond to sight while sheep respond more to sound.

Ross Guthrie on Baptism of Children

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This past Sunday my friend, Ross Guthrie, gave the following homily preceding the baptism of three children at his church. I sought permission to post this here for two main reasons. First, the age at which children should be allowed to be baptized is an issue of significant discussion and debate. While this is not a full scale theological argument for one position here, it is a very pastoral defense of the view my church has settled on as well.

Second, I think this is simply a beautiful example of pastoral address. This is very clearly a shepherd speaking. The blessing and encouragement to the families noted here and the tenderness with the children is compelling. I hope it encourages and blesses you as it did me.

Baptismal Homily by Ross Guthrie
for Emma, Katelyn, and Karrah Jean

For just a moment, observe our candidates for baptism. A nine year old, an eight year old, and a seven year old. Children. Not only children, but children from Christian homes where following Christ is prayed for, is hoped for, is discussed frequently, and is encouraged regularly. So, I’ll ask the questions that are often on people’s minds when they see a child baptized: How can we know the child has real, saving faith? They haven’t been tested seriously by sin and the world. Do they really understand what they’re doing? Don’t they believe just because their parents believe? Is their belief really prompted by a need for Jesus? I obviously believe that these little ones should be baptized, so I’ll make an attempt to defend them from these questions often asked.

How can we know the child has real, saving faith? They haven’t been tested seriously by sin and the world. Frankly, how can I know if anyone has real, saving faith? I can present the message of Jesus’ death, burial, and bodily resurrection from the dead for the forgiveness of sins to a person and they may confess with their mouth that they believe that Jesus is Lord. But I can’t possibly know if they believe inwardly. I can only accept their testimony as an evidence of their inward belief. Accepting their testimony only assuages my own conscience in entering these waters to baptize a person. God alone knows the belief that exists or doesn’t exist within the person.

Well, these little ones haven’t been tested seriously by sin and the world. I recently heard of a congregation that set the age of eighteen as the age that they would baptize someone who had grown up in their congregation. They instructed their young ones and teenagers thoroughly and baptized them into full membership when they were eighteen. They could then begin partaking of the Lord’s Supper with their brothers and sisters in Christ. I shared this with the elders here at Christ Community Church and Walt’s response was, “That’s too late.” We then began, once again, the age debate. What is too young? What is too old? Shouldn’t they have time to prove that their faith is real and that they will withstand sin and the world? Maybe we should wait until someone is eighteen like that congregation. The teenage years are tough. Or maybe we should wait until they are twenty-four, after they’ve experienced some hardship, trouble getting employment, trouble finding a husband or wife, etc. Or maybe we should wait until they’re thirty-five to see how they manage the death of a parent, or an announcement of a birth defect in their child, or an addiction that doesn’t seem to let go. Or maybe we should wait until their sixty, seventy, or on their death bed. You see my point.

Do these little ones really understand what they’re doing or do they believe just because their parents believe? Well, did any of us really, really understand what we were doing when we followed Christ? Did the apostles understand that it would cost them their very lives to follow Christ? Did Patrick and Lana really understand all that it would cost them daily to serve their family and the families of their brothers and sisters in Ethiopia? Did Katherine Guthrie really understand when she was ten what it meant to take up her cross daily and die to herself and come follow Jesus? Well, she does now. Do these little ones simply believe because their parents believe? Yes. We all come to Christ through various means. The gospel of Jesus Christ reaches us all in many different ways through the mouths of many different people. Chris and Karen are God’s grace to Connor, Cameron, and Katelyn. Being placed in a Christian family is no guarantee of eternal life, but it should be acknowledged as God’s kindness and mercy, His favor to those whom He saves through Christ-like parents.

That’s a lot of words and human reasoning and at some point I should quote some Scripture. It’s probably where I should have begun. If people were to ask the questions I addressed to Jesus on why should a child be baptized, His tone is simply, “Why shouldn’t they be?” I want to once again remind you of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Is their faith real? These little ones have expressed to their parents that they want to follow Christ. They trust their parents and they trust God through Jesus Christ. This is the kind of faith that Jesus exhorts us to have. My heart for you in this moment is that you will look on these little ones and desire to have faith in Jesus like they have faith in Jesus. You want to help them in every way you can in their life in Christ. That is right and good. But let them help you as well. Let them be your little sisters in Christ who model a faith to you that Jesus commends.

Finally, brothers and sisters, I’ll close with these words of Christ: “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” Things are all backwards in this world. We are all enamored with professional athletes, movie stars and musicians, those who acquire great wealth and power. In the church, we admire the strong leader of the large church who touches us with his eloquent preaching and latest book. Celebrity-ism and professionalism are unfortunate marks of the church that can hardly be separated from the rest of the world. Therefore, we are more in need than ever of having our minds reworked on what it means to be great in the eyes of God. This morning, in these waters, let our little sisters serve you in reworking your mind. Let them help you think thoughts that are like God’s thoughts. In these waters, everything about greatness in God’s eyes will be made clear. These little ones who seem to be the least among us, in truth, they’re actually the greatest. “For the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” If you want to be like Christ, be like Emma. If you want to be great in the kingdom of God, be like Katelyn. Let your minds be reworked, renewed, transformed. Your hero shouldn’t be Billy Graham, John Piper, Walton Padelford, Cindy Denker. No, no, no. Model yourself after Karrah. The one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.

My little sisters, bless you for your faith. We bless you for following Christ. Come and be baptized and remind us of when we first believed in Jesus. Come and follow Jesus.

The Pastor & Worship

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Here is a great quote from Louis F. Benson, The Hymnody of the Christian Church (1927), preface, vi-vii:

“A good Providence has committed to the hands of every pastor, for such use as he can make of them, the three arts that lie nearest the human heart, – speech, poetry and music. The mission of poetry and music no doubt transcends the limits of congregational singing, but nevertheless it proves most spiritually effective in a self-expression by the people themselves in common song. . . .
Hymnody, then, is a spiritual function, and its welfare proceeds from the heart. Nevertheless its congregational expression needs guidance and a thoughtful ordering as much now as at Corinth in the days of St. Paul. Most of all it needs the inspiration which can only be imparted to preoccupied hearts by a pastor who cherishes it as among the best of God’s gifts, and understands it because he has learned the lessons of its chequered history, has measured its resources and traced the different lines of its ministry; and who is resolute to cultivate the spirit of song among his people.”

Note these points:
1) The pastoral value of poetry and music
2) The importance, value and power of congregational singing
3) The need for leadership in guiding the people to properly understand and appreciate the songs so that they might arise freely from the heart. It is true that authentic worship must arise from the heart, but it will not properly flow from “preoccupied hearts” without teaching and nurturing. And that, pastors, is our job.

May we too be “resolute to cultivate the spirit of song” among our people. Appreciation of congregational singing is no mere personal “taste.” It is a spiritual issue, a deep need of our people; and we must lead, teach, and nurture so as to inculcate this value for the good of the souls of our people.

Greek Among Laymen in 18th Century America

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I am currently reading and enjoying Kevin J. Hayes’ recent book, The Mind of a Patriot: Patrick Henry and the World of Ideas (Univ. of Virginia Press, 2008). I like Patrick Henry, and there are many fascinating aspects to the book. One aspect just jumped out to me the other day.

In discussing Patrick Henry’s family background Hayes refers to a letter by John Henry, Patrick’s father.

“One of John Henry’s known letters amply illustrates his extensive interest in biblical scholarship. John informed his brother that he had been in contact with two of the most learned men in Virginia, Commissary James Blair and Colonel Richard Bland. Debating the doctrine of eternal punishments, all three had turned to their Greek testaments for support, but none could agree upon the connotations of some Greek terms. John asked his brother’s thoughts on the matter.” (19)

John Henry was a surveyor had held several civil posts. Richard Bland served in various civil and military posts. James Blair was a pastor as was John Henry’s brother to whom the letter was addressed. What is particularly interesting to me, then, is that in a debate about theology these three men, only one of whom was a pastor, “turned to their Greek testaments”! Each of them own a Greek New Testament and apparently have them at hand. Then each of them is familiar enough with the Greek text to carry on a debate. The two laymen are confident enough to engage in debate this leading clergyman who held a Doctor of Divinity and was the founder of the College of William and Mary.

This is another good encouragement to those of us who lead the people of God to know the NT in its original language.

The Formative Role of the Psalms

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Eric Smith has posted today a great quote from Jack Collins’ notes on the Psalms in the ESV Study Bible and his own contemplation. I agree heartily. We need these inspired songs and prayers to teach us to worship appropriately.

From “The Psalms as Scripture” in the introductory material about the Psalms in the ESV Study Bible:
“Their primary function has already been mentioned: the Psalter is the songbook of the people of God in their gathered worship. These songs cover a wide range of experiences and emotions, and give God’s people the words to express these emotions and to bring these experiences before God. At the same time, the psalms do not simply express emotions: when sung in faith, they actually shape the emotions of the godly. The emotions are therefore not a problem to be solved but are part of the raw material of now-fallen humanity that can be shaped to good and noble ends. The psalms, as songs, act deeply on the emotions, for the good of God’s people. It is not ‘natural’ to trust God in hardship, and yet the Psalms provide a way of doing just that, and enable the singers to trust better as a result of singing them. A person staring at the night sky might not know quite what to do with the mixed fear and wonder he finds in himself, and singing Psalm 8 will enrich his ability to respond.”

The purpose of the psalms, then, is not just to express the way we already feel; it teaches our hearts how they ought to feel, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, shapes our hearts so they do feel as they ought to. This is the purpose behind all Christian worship, which we should keep in mind as we gather together from week to week. Are we purposefully shaping our people into the right kinds of worshipers, and are we ourselves being so shaped? We should have a deeper grasp of our sinfulness and God’s mercy after six months of corporate worship than we did before. We should be more quick to forgive, more patient in suffering, more grateful in abundance, more hopeful for the future in our every day lives as a result of steady participation in corporate worship. May it be so.

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies

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2 Timothy 2:23 -“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” (ESV)

This is an important though oft neglected admonition from the Apostle Paul. It is clear and forceful. There are certain types of controversies which we are to avoid all together. This means there will be certain “hot” conversations on blogs to which we ought devote none of our time. There are certain “big” debates which we ought to ignore entirely.

Of course, Paul is not saying to avoid conflict at any cost. This is the same Paul who opposed Peter to his face, publicly (Gal. 2:11-14). This is the same Paul who wrote 1 and 2 Corinthians which are sustained arguments in the face of conflict. When necessary, Paul was fully willing to wade into conflict. But he is warning here that not all conflict is worthwhile.

It requires wisdom to know which controversies are worth engaging and which are not- sometimes much wisdom! But it is important to begin with the awareness that not all deserve engagement.

Here are some questions we can ask to discern whether or not we ought to involve ourselves in specific controversies:

1) Is the gospel or the souls of men at stake? This was Paul’s motivation in Galatians and the Corinthian correspondence.
2) Is this the sort of wrangling over words “which does no good, but only ruins the hearers” (2 Tim 2:14)?
3) Even if this is a worthwhile controversy, is it something I personally need to weigh in on now? Do I have something to contribute helpfully or do I just want to be “in on the conversation”?

UPDATE: I have been asked if in this post I had this or that current controversy in mind. For the record, I had no specific controversy in mind- just how easy it is to be drawn in unnecessarily to arguments that either don’t matter or even important arguments to which we can add nothing of value.

John Newton on Work

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In the latest newsletter from the John Newton Project, I appreciated this quote from Newton:

“Through mercy, we and our family are in tolerable health, and peace. I never was better. I preached four times this week, since Sunday, and seem as stout and strong for tomorrow, as if I had not preached at all. Notwithstanding all this, I am near 70 years of age. I am going, going, just a-going. The wheels of time, the carriage which is bearing me to my journey’s end, how swiftly they roll…. It is yet day with us, as to this life, that is, our opportunities of adorning our profession, and being useful in our places are still prolonged. But the word speaks to me that am old, and likewise to you that are young – Work while it is day for the night cometh. May our Lord find us so doing – so watching, waiting, hoping for his appearance, that his approach may be a joy and not a surprise to us.”
(From Newton to the Rings of Reading, 3 January 1795)

While there is no value in being hectic, there is much value in steady, faithful labor knowing God has us here for a purpose.

Grace Points from Ortlund

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Ray Ortlund is a regular reminder to me of the centrality of grace. Two of his recent posts speak directly to the theme of my last two posts (one, two). First, in words I have heard him use elsewhere Ortlund presses the implications of being under grace and not law. He writes:

You are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14
If I am not under grace but under law, then the burning issue in my life moment by moment is, Am I sinning?
If I am not under law but under grace, then the burning issue in my life moment by moment is, Am I forgiven?

Then in another post he cites this powerful excerpt from Luther, who is so helpful on this point. This is good preaching to contemplate and take deeply into our souls:

“God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We however, says Peter (2 Peter 3:13), are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that through God’s glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins?”

Martin Luther, writing to Philip Melanchthon, 1 August 1521.

Believe the Love of God

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Following on from my previous post, here is my recent attempt to proclaim the reality of God’s love for His people from Isaiah 43. I read from and alluded to Isaiah 42:18-43:21, but focused the exposition on 43:1-7 which says:

43:1 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you.
6 I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

This is a beautiful and amazing text full of gospel promises. I am aware that some OT scholars would be displeased with my handling of the text, but I am unapologetic. I move very quickly from these statements directed to Israel centuries ago to applying them to the people of God today. I know that the return from Exile is in view, but these statements are not confined to that situation. This is the reiteration of the covenant promises of God for the people of God, and they apply directly to the people of God today.

As we wrestle with sin and are subtly tempted to believe that we remain saved by our own worthiness, we need to be reminded that God says to those who are in Christ, “I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Yes! The God of the universe, who does not need me has chosen in his inestimable mercy to say to me, a sinner, “You are mine!” What beautiful words! What soul enriching words! What freeing words!

And, in spite of what I know about the deceitfulness of my own heart and about my own unworthiness, the Lord of all creation declares, “you are precious in my eyes,and honored, and I love you.” This is what we struggle to believe. It is so good that it seems it cannot be true.

Brothers, let us believe this amazing truth and proclaim it to our people. They are dying to know it- even some who have heard it all their lives.

What a message! What a privilege to proclaim it! What a God!