“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 – NIV) Today, I launch a new clergy collegial blog. I hope we will encourage and empower each other toward success and excellence in pastoral ministry. As I sit in the Pastor’s Study at Cambria Heights Community Church, I often ponder the possible feedback of clergy colleagues as it relates to preparing sermons, counseling in particularly difficult situation, designing fresh worship, balancing competing priorities of ministry, marriage and family, maintaining self-care, pursuing personal dreams and private interests outside of ministry and family, and finding resources to meet the ever evolving and changing needs of the people whom I serve. After a sustained period of prayer, reflection and meditation, I realize I can invite you to come “In The Pastor’s Study” for an exchange of ideas.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011


A Book Review – Marianne Williamson’s Miracles at Mid-Life

"A problem of midlife is the temptation to be redundant, simply imitating ourselves by doing the same things we've always done but with less verve."

Often, traditional and conservative Christian disciples rigidly differentiate between sacred and secular.  This firmly drawn line usually results in tunnel vision which in turn yields an officious myopia.  Christians denigrate spirituality, art, wisdom, beauty and many other edifying pleasures in life because of a naive adherence to an elementary worldview.  Mostly, an insistence upon faithfully following the rules of Christianity with a grade school desire to earn an "A" on the latest report card results in dismissing much of the joy Almighty God offers in the natural world and through human creativity.  I posit it is very misguided of disciples to restrict the definition of "Christian" to their particularly limited prism of experience.  In so doing, they inadvertently omit people and activities that glorify our Lord who graciously gives artists, musicians, writers and entrepreneurs the inspiration and gifts to enrich humanity.  Essentially, I suggest Christian disciples appreciate the height, breath, depth and width of divine inspiration embodied in arts, humanities and natural sciences even if they would not normally label an activity as "Christian." To that end, I offer clergy can empower congregants with genuine spiritual wisdom they may not ordinarily characterize as "Christian." 

Adding to the voluminous self-help literature, Marianne Williamson's Miracles at Midlife offers helpful, ageless and substantive spiritual advice for clergy and laity as they enter the afternoon of life. Admittedly, this text is not "Christian" in any traditional sense.  Nevertheless, she encourages readers to embrace the spiritual opportunities which a mid-life crisis offers.  Realistically, a person will not answer the existential questions relating to faith, vocation, love and work in the afternoon of life in the same manner in which he or she did in the morning.  Among the countless books in the self-improvement genre, this stylistically simple book, written in conversational prose, primarily encourages its readers to seize the midlife crisis as a proactive and affirmative defining moment with potential to experience joy, healing and wholeness.

This book contains a rather powerful thought.  In the early afternoon of life, Almighty God returns the script of your life and allows rewrites.  We internalize many lessons of ego deflation and diminishment emerging through failures and mistakes such as termination from a job on unfavorable terms, divorce due to immaturity, inability to gain admission to a graduate school program, and consistent personality and relational clashes with colleagues as a result on unresolved childhood pain.  A formidable and unrestrained ego contributes significantly to the adverse consequences of self-sabotaging behavioral patterns.  In contrast, Williamson assures us of the limitless possibilities of a new start.  These new beginnings with divine compassion and guidance are miracles at mid-life.

Should you continue to collide with life's myriad brick walls or repeatedly enroll involuntarily in classes in the school of hard knocks, you will find wise, helpful and practical answers in Williamson's book.  She encourages you to grasp your life's script and eagerly start rewriting.  Developing a genuine spirituality is the primary step in the editing process.  As God is "the giver of every good and perfect gift," He greatly desires your success, excellence, joy and wholeness in life.  As you resist dependence upon ego which popular spiritual literature translates "easing God out," you open your mind and heart to divine creativity which enables you to live the life you have always imagined.

Unquestionably, Williamson's book is not without problems.  Its fundamental flaw is the chapter in which she depicts the historical, institutional Church as constitutionally misogynist.  She paints with very broad brushstrokes; thereby declaring the Church guilty of historical crimes without reasonable and reliable evidence to substantiate her polemical claims.  As I read this chapter, I dismissed her assertions as unfounded.  I realize she is not offering an academic analysis of these important issues in the history and contemporary life of the Church.  Nonetheless, as many of her readers may fall prey to the temptation of accepting uncritically her statements, her failure to reference a few authoritative sources is most regrettable.  Inadvertently, she disparages clergy and churches that have accomplished much in establishing equality between men and women as it relates to ecclesiastical and secular leadership. I recommend readers seek a more balanced view.

Williamson’s book offers pastors a few practical tools for preaching and Christian education.  Transforming a midlife crisis into a defining moment parallels the metamorphosis of the crucifixion into the resurrection.  Redemptive suffering is one of the major motifs of the Christian gospel.  Williamson’s thoughts offer disciples a pragmatic and practical means of utilizing their past pain to mature spiritually and develop personally.  Rewriting the script of one’s life begins with a commitment to a process of thorough and perhaps difficult self-examination.  In the spiritual disciplines of prayer, meditation, Bible study and worship, disciples acquire encouragement and empowerment to persevere towards inner healing and wholeness.  Pastoral counseling or clinical therapy and other interpersonal relationships such as mentoring, coaching or small groups are necessary supplements.  Regardless of the mountainous depth and breadth of a disciple’s past problems, he can level it by appropriating Williamson’s ideas into a genuine Christian spirituality.

Each generation of Christians faces the challenge of articulating the gospel in an intellectually respectable way.  Even within the Church, fundamental assertions of creationism, biblical inerrancy and the Apostles Creed are no longer sanctioned uncritically by any number of congregations or individual disciples.  Just as the Church must argue forcefully and respectfully for the gospel within public discourse, disciples strive to internalize Christ’s teachings in an authentic and reasonable way.  Williamson argues genuine spirituality emerges from honestly asking the tough questions of faith.  Life’s daily complexities present theological inquiries beyond the traditional academic problems of reconciling God’s existence with prevalent evil or the theoretical dilemma of employing the scientific method to prove biblical claims.  Existential crises such as cancer, bankruptcy, extended unemployment, betrayal and bereavement compel disciples to seek fresh answers in the afternoon of life.  Disciples do not inherit faith and spirituality from their forebears as they would money, real estate and other resources.  Whereas they are appreciative for the foundational tenets of Christianity and their ancestors’ very best traditional practices and legacy, contemporary disciples have the same challenge of defining and cultivating a very personal and authentic spirituality.  Williamson insist embracing the obstacles of midlife as opportunities is a most reliable means of reaping the rewards of miracles God performs in a person’s life.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Prayer - Biblical Themes and Passages


Prayer: Biblical Themes and Passages
(Adapted from the Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible)


General passages


v  Genesis 18:23-32
v  Genesis 32:23-40
v  2 Samuel 7:18-29
v  1 Kings 8:22-61
v  Luke 11:1-13
v  Luke 18:1-8
v  John 17


First biblical reference to prayer                 Genesis 4:26

Universal need of prayer                              Psalm 65:2 and Isaiah 56:7

The Holy Spirit Aids in prayer                    Romans 8:26-27

Prayers of the Saints as precious                 Revelation 5:8

Prayers ascend as incense before God        Revelation 8:3


God commands prayer


v  1 Chronicles 16:11
v  Matthew 7:7
v  Matthew 26:41
v  Luke 18:1
v  John 16:24
v  Ephesians 6:18
v  1 Thessalonians 5:17
v  James 5:13


Examples of answered prayer


Moses                          Exodus 15:24
Gideon                        Judges 6:39-40
Hannah                      1 Samuel 1:27
Samuel                        1 Samuel 7:9-10
Solomon                     1 Kings 9:3
Elijah                          1 Kings 18:37-38
Hezekiah                    2 Kings 19:19-20
Jehoshaphat               2 Chronicles 18:31
Ezra                            Ezra 8:23
Zechariah                   Luke 1:13
The Early Church     Acts 4:31


God promises to answer prayer


v  Psalm 91:15
v  Isaiah 58:9
v  Isaiah 65:24
v  Zechariah 13:9
v  Luke 11:9
v  John 15:7


Causes of failure in prayer


v  Secret sin                          Psalm 66:18
v  Indifference                     Proverbs 1:28
v  Neglect of mercy              Proverbs 21:13
v  Despising the law             Proverbs 28:9
v  Bloodguiltiness                 Isaiah 1:15
v  Iniquity                             Isaiah 59:2 and Micah 3:4
v  Stubbornness                   Zechariah 7:3
v  Instability                         James 1:6-7
v  Self-indulgence                James 4:3


Prayers are sometimes refused because they do not accord with the divine will.

v  Exodus 33:20
v  Deuteronomy 3:26
v  2 Samuel 12:16
v  Ezekiel 20:3
v  2 Corinthians 12:8

Social and Family Prayers


v  Matthew 18:19
v  Luke 1:10
v  Acts 1:14
v  Acts 4:24
v  Acts 12:12
v  Acts 21:5

Conditions necessary for successful prayers


v  Contrition                        1 Chronicles 7:14
v  Wholeheartedness           Jeremiah 29:13
v  Faith                                 Mark 11:24
v  Righteousness                  James 5:16
v  Obedience                        1 John 3:22

Notable Biblical Prayers


v  Abraham for Sodom and Gomorrah                                        Genesis 18:23
v  Jacob at Peniel                                                                             Genesis 32:24
v  David when denied the privilege of building the temple          2 Samuel 7:18
v  Solomon at Gibeon                                                                      1 Kings 3:6
v  Solomon at the dedication of the temple                                   1 Kings 8:22
v  Hezekiah in response to an invasion                                          2 Kings 19:15
v                                                                                                        1 Chronicles 17:16
v  Ezra for the sins of the people                                                   Ezra 9:6
v  Daniel for the captive Jews                                                        Daniel 9:4
v  Habakkuk’s Prayer                                                                    Habakkuk 3:1
v  The Lord’s Prayer                                                                      Matthew 6:9
v  Christ’s intercessory prayer                                                       John 17
v  Paul for the Ephesians                                                                Ephesians 3:14


Brevity in Prayer


v  Elijah at Mt. Carmel                               1 Kings 18:36-37
v  Jabez                                                        1 Chronicles 4:10
v  Hezekiah in sickness                                Isaiah 38:2-3
v  The tax collector                                      Luke 18:13
v  Jesus on the cross                                    Luke 23:34
v  The dying thief                                        Luke 23:42
v  Stephen                                                    Acts 7:60


Examples of secret prayers


Moses                                      Deuteronomy 9:25

Samuel                                    1Samuel 15:11
Elijah                                      1 Kings 17:19-20
Daniel                                     Daniel 6:10
Christ’s command                 Matthew 6:6
Peter                                       Acts 10:9
Cornelius                                Acts 10:30

Private devotions of Christ


v  Morning devotions                      Mark 1:35
v  Evening prayer                            Mark 6:46
v  Solitary Communion                   Luke 5:15
v  All night prayer                           Luke 6:12
v  Only the disciples near                Luke 9:18
v  Gethsemane                                 Luke 22:41-42


Boldness in prayer


v  Abraham                                      Genesis 18:32
v  Jacob                                            Genesis 32:26
v  Moses                                            Deuteronomy 9:18
v  The Canaanite woman               Matthew 15:27 & Luke 18:5
v  Jesus                                             Luke 22:44
v  Royal official                               John 4:49
v  The Early Church                       Acts 12:5
v  Elijah                                            James 5:17


Sermon Outline - The Purpose of Prayer


Below, I offer a sermon outline on prayer utilizing the method of Professor Ralph Hillman.  This method essentially encourages a three-point sermon with sub-points for elucidation. 


The Purpose of Prayer - Luke 11:1-13

Introduction

Preview


Body

Three Main Points

1.  Conforms us into the character of Christ

2.  Affirm the will of God

3.  Renew our relationship with Christ

4.  Empower us to do the will of Almighty God

5.  Sustains our lives


Sub-points within Main Points


I.  Conform to the character of Christ

(A) The Lord’s example of a disciplined prayer life

(B) Christ’s persistence

(C) Seeking to fulfill the will of the Father



II.  Affirm the will of God

(A) Hallowed be Thy Name

(B) They will be Done

(C) On earth as it is in heaven


III.  Renew our Relationship with Christ

(A) Daily communication

(B) Clarity

(C) Confidence


IV.  Empower us to do the will of God

(A) The gift of the Holy Spirit

(B) The fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit

(C) Prayer is spiritual dynamite

(D) The practical tools of wisdom, discernment and courage


V.  Sustains our Lives

(A) God provides our daily bread

(B)  He meets our needs

(C)  He is the giver of every good and perfect gift

(D)  He is an Ephesians 3:20 God!


Review

God’s CARE emerges within our prayer lives.


Conclusion

The purpose of prayer






Monday, November 14, 2011


A  Finished Work – John 20:1-7

(Easter Sermon 2004)

Humbly, I beseech the gracious bestowal of the anointing of the Holy Spirit who breaks every yoke that binds God’s people.  With all due humility, I ask to decrease so that You may increase within me.  Open the eyes and ears of our hearts and reveal Your “good, pleasing and perfect will” for our lives.  O most gracious and benevolent Master, give knowledge of Your will for us; and the mental willingness and spiritual power to carry it out.  May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our strength and redeemer.  Amen.

The smallest details are usually the surest clues that a job has been finished.  To determine whether a table has been set for dinner, ascertain whether the napkins have been folded and put in their proper places.  The clearest sign the dishes have been done is a wrung and folded dishtowel left over the sink.  What is the major indicator the laundry has been finished?  You open your chest of drawers and find clean, fresh and neatly folded undergarments.  The fold in a bedspread means the bed has been made.  These minute and simple yet significant details certify a job has been completely and meticulously finished.

Carpenters in the Ancient Near East:  In his research for his novel, The Weeping Chamber, the Christian fiction writer, Sigmund Brouwer, discovered another small but tremendously important detail to demonstrate the work of salvation has been meticulously accomplished.  Brouwer discovered that carpenters of the first century had a distinct way of letting their employers know that the carpenters had completed the job.  Since the average carpenter was illiterate and thus could not leave a note with an invoice, he devised a system of communication to relay his message of a finished job and request for payment.  The carpenter would leave a folded cloth in one of the corners of the job.

John 20:1-7 - The Folded Burial Cloth:  Most interestingly, the Johannine evangelist shares this detail of the folded cloth in his resurrection account.  In John 20:6-7, he writes, “Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside.  He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying to the side.”  On the first Easter Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and the other disciples find an empty tomb with the clearest sign that the work of salvation had been finished.  Like the good, industrious and faithful carpenter that He was, Jesus took His burial cloth and folded it neatly and left it in a corner.  Thereby, He indicates that He has totally defeated death and built an eternal home for all who believe.  That folded burial cloth demonstrated “It is finished!”  Although he was a carpenter by trade who had an incredible insight into the laws and character of God, Jesus’ followers misinterpreted His purpose and mission.  They thought Jesus would be the One to overthrow Rome militarily and politically.  They anticipated the restoration of Israel to the days of King David.  Members of the inner circle, Peter, James and John, had already asked for coveted positions.  Yet, they failed to see the house that this particular carpenter was building.  By taking the time to fold his burial cloth, Jesus shows He completed His eternal work by destroying death, itself.

Many of us still live in the graveyards of past sins, failures and mistakes; we are existentially dead.  The odor and stench of death surrounds us.  We suffer from “stinking thinking” as doubt, cynicism, negativity, and gloom and doom permeate our minds and poison our hearts.  We ask fellow disciples, “Where is God?”

Fulfillment of the Earthly and Eternal Destiny of the Lord Jesus Christ:  In John 19:30, as he dies on the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ says, “It is finished!”  The evangelist says further, “Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  With His atoning death, which is the sacrifice of His life as the propitiatory “Lamb of God without blemish or defect,” Jesus finishes the work of salvation.  He eliminates the chasm between Creator and creatures.  He reverses the curses, condemnation and separation of Eden.  He restores relationship between God and humankind to its status before sin, infidelity, and rebellion of the Fall of humankind.  In so doing, Jesus becomes the “Second Adam” who begins a new life for any who believe in His salvific work (1 Corinthians 15:21-23).  He inaugurates a totally new creation.  Thereby, Jesus offers a fresh start to everyone who believes in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Essentially, Jesus cries, “It is finished!” to assure us every detail of both His earthly and eternal destiny is now complete.

Rejoice over the Folded Burial Cloth:  Today, we rejoice over that folded burial cloth.  It assures us that death does not possess any lasting power over us.  We share the hope of the resurrection from the dead.  Hallelujah!  The Lord Jesus is “the first fruits” of those raised from the dead.  As the “Second Adam” of a new and eternal creation, Jesus finishes building an eternal home for all believers (John 14:2-3).  We have a reserved place in the heavenly realms.  There is enough space for everyone. 

In a sense, Jesus builds and completes a new “ark” on which all of God’s children can board enroute to the New Jerusalem.  Practically speaking, this revelation of the folded burial cloth liberates us to pursue any dream or goal that accords with God’s “good, pleasing and perfect” will.  In the end, failure, disappointment, defeat and even death itself cannot conquer us. The folded burial cloth reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us eternally (Romans 8:28-29).  We need not live in fear of loss.  We will win no matter what!  The folded burial cloth is the surest sign that victory is always embedded in the effort.  Therefore, we freely pursue our visions and ambitions with the blessed assurance of God’s gracious bestowal of triumph in all things.

Grace for Us:  Personalize the resurrection.  The Lord Jesus Christ equally calls all of us to come forth!  He calls us to a process of growth - personal development and spiritual maturity.  It includes these eight daily spiritual disciplines.

  • First – A growing relationship with Almighty God
  • Second – True friends whom you trust unconditionally
  • Third - Knowledge because it is the answer to fear which is fundamentally grounded in irrationality and ignorance
  • Fourth – Deal with the ‘Baggage of the past”
  • Fifth - Accept responsibility for your life
  • Sixth – Submit to mentoring
  • Seventh - Make a commitment to growth
  • Eighth - Continue on the path of growth and new life


In conclusion, I pray we realize the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us.  Accordingly, the folded cloth enables us to live to the fullest.  It empowers us to realize the potential of our God given talents and abilities to the fullest extent of our natural endowments and personal application.  It is the annual reminder to any believer God in Christ conquers death.  Thereby, He eliminates the fear that so easily entangles and the sin that so easily burdens us.  The folded burial cloth remains the surest sign of Christ’s finished work of salvation.



Saturday, November 12, 2011


In The Pastor’s Study Inaugural Posting

Dear Colleague in Ministry,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  I hope this letter finds you in good health, spiritually and physically.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 – NIV) The King James Version reads “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”  Today, I launch a new clergy collegial blog. I hope we will encourage and empower each other toward success and excellence in pastoral ministry. 

As I sit in the Pastor’s Study at Cambria Heights Community Church, I often ponder the possible feedback of clergy colleagues as it relates to preparing sermons, counseling in particularly difficult situations, designing fresh worship, balancing competing priorities of ministry, marriage and family, maintaining self-care, pursuing personal and private dreams and interests outside of ministry and family, and finding resources to meet the ever evolving and changing needs of the people whom I serve.  After a sustained period of prayer, reflection and meditation, I realize I can invite you to come “In The Pastor’s Study” whenever and from wherever you wish.

I envision this blog as a constant clergy collegial colloquium in which we converse with each other, sharing ideas, links and resources to enable all of us to serve our Lord and the body of Christ.  In time, I hope you will consistently visit this blog as it will be a vocational tool box.  Additionally, I hope our continual exchange of ideas will yield experiential learning and practical methods for success in ministry equal to any seminary course. 

During four year spanning, 2003 to 2007, I was privileged to participate in the Nashville Institute for Clergy Excellence, a continuing education colloquium which emphasized experiential learning.  We traveled throughout the major cities (Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Chicago) of the United States to meet with clergypersons who are “succeeding” in their ministerial contexts.  Our group of nine pastors held twenty-five degrees, had more than a century of combined ministerial experience and shared a commitment to maintaining an authentic and intellectually respectable Christian identity within the twenty-first century context of religious, cultural and ideological pluralism of the global village.  I pray this blog will offer you similar benefits.

Practically speaking, I will post sermons, sermon outlines, illustrations and other preparation resources, Christian education and Bible study resources, book reviews, and other pastoral materials.  I earnestly desire your frank yet respectful feedback as all followers of this blog may reap residual and helpful insights from your perspective.  Feel free to send any contributions you wish to share.  Parenthetically, I rightfully retain full editorial prerogative relating to any content, comments and other materials, on this blog. 

More specifically as it relates to exchange of ideas and contributions, I hope we will “think outside of the box.”  Do you have any insights from Broadway and stage theatre, music performers and stand-up comedy that may help our colleagues with sermon preparation and delivery?  Do you have any technology and web resources that will aid pastors in working smart and not hard?  Have you recently had a public speaking tune-up; do you have any helpful hints?  Do you often consult a pastor’s manual; what resources would assist any pastor? 

What are you reading outside of religion and pastoral ministry; would you share your bibliographies?  Have you recently had a conversation with the teenagers, collegians and young adults in your congregation?  Please share the conversations so others may glean techniques that my suit their ministerial setting.  If your youth ministry Friday night gatherings consist of playing Xbox 360 and Connect along with sharing about the latest electronic toys and gizmos, please share what the rest of us may be missing.  What is your success with church, pastoral and personal Facebook pages and other forms of social media?  Do you recommend any online match-making sites?  Have you been able to garner the cooperation of lay leaders in using Skype for late fall and winter meetings?  Essentially, how do you succeed and excel in ministry within our technological global village with rapidly and constantly shifting population settings?

Pastoral counseling absorbs a considerable amount time and presents the most complex challenges in daily ministry.  In addition to utilizing continuing education, mentoring and spiritual direction, we have access to effective and supplementary methods to serve our congregants when collaborating collegially.  Accordingly, I hope you will share failures and successes within this online clergy colloquium.  Earnestly, I solicit your ideas concerning a panorama of pastoral counseling issues:  marriage, family, parenting, finances, time management, vocational discernment, unemployment and underemployment, depression, lack of self-acceptance and dysfunctional childhood.  Any useful books you have read would be a good starting point for many clergy colleagues.

When I retreat to my pastor’s study, I do so primarily to grow personally and develop spiritually.  As you daily visit with our colleagues throughout the world “In The Pastor’s Study,” you will find encouragement in practicing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, personal Bible study and self-evaluation.  If community activism and social justice ministry are major components of your ministry, you have a kindred spirit in me and I pray you will find other similarly minded colleagues here.  More significantly, in clicking on this blog, you will interact with an international community of pastors who understand the crucible of serving faithfully in ministry. 

As ministry begins at home and spreads abroad, I periodically refer to my wife and family as “First Congregation.”  Oftentimes, a pastor’s marital and familial obligations compete numerically and intensely with his ministerial duties.  Each day presents new and unique challenges.  As you enter “In The Pastor’s Study,” you will find a safe, serene and sacred space to assist you in attaining the summits of success even as you occasionally traverse challenging cliffs.

Finally and wholeheartedly, I offer genuine prayers for your success, excellence and fulfillment in pastoral ministry.  As I am in my twenty-fourth year of ordained ministry, I know the purpose and pain as well as joy and sorrow of a divine and gracious call to serve our Lord through meeting the needs of humankind.  It is a privilege to enter the inner chambers of congregant’s hearts where their most private and personal pain resides.  God mysteriously utilizes pastors, in many cases “Wounded Healers,” as His instruments of grace, healing and love.  Ironically, the persons whom we serve the most sometimes become agents of deep and lasting wounds.  To that end, we follow our Lord’s inimitable example.  Yet, I pray God will recompense any gift of time and consideration you offer when visiting with me and your colleagues “In The Pastor’s Study.” 

Until we meet here again, I pray laughter, joy, peace, love and wholeness will be your constant companions.  In Christ’s ministry to the whole person and with warmest personal regards, I am always
  
Your Brother in Christ,

Victor M. Singletary

The Reverend Victor Michael Singletary