Field Notes of an Ordinary Pastor
At Banstead Community Church (in addition to our Sunday Services and weekly Prayer Meeting) we have a monthly Bible Study where we are working through a book of the Bible ‘Line By Line’ – currently it’s the letter of Ephesians.
Download the study on Ephesians 4:11-13.
More Line By Line Bible Studies can be found HERE.
(Photo: Ben White)
10 links to check out over the weekend…
(Photo: Ryan McGuire)
Notes and quotes from Pray for the Flock by Brian Croft & Ryan Fullerton.
1. Prayer is a way God’s shepherds protect the flock.
2. “True shepherds love the flock when present with them, and they love the flock when present with no one but God. And one of the ways they show this love is by bringing their needs – known and unknown, tangible and spiritual, individual and congregational – to Jesus the Good Shepherd in prayer.”
3. Prayer is the most difficult aspect of pastoral ministry to maintain.
4. “Those who are not prayed for aren’t aware they are forgotten.”
5. A real danger is going week after week without praying for the church.
6. Prayer should be among your top priorities as a pastor. Why? Not praying for your people is a sin; praying for your people glorifies God; we are called to imitate leaders who pray for their people; praying for your people reflects the priority of the early church; praying for God’s people will lead them to change; and prayer is how ordinary men do extraordinary things for God.
7. “Pastors can never be happy tolerating prayerlessness in their lives.”
8. “To leave God’s people unprayed for is to leave them uncared for, unprovided for, and unled – “like sheep without a shepherd.”
9. “The Christian life is full of trouble. You are either just coming out of trouble, in the midst of trouble, or on your way into trouble.” Trouble gives opportunity to glorify God by praying for help.
10. Prayer is one of “the primary means of promoting the sanctification of God’s people.”
11. Praying with people and pleading on their behalf before the Father are essential aspects of shepherding God’s people.
12. “God’s word leads us to prayer, and prayer leads us to God’s word.”
13. We won’t be motivated to pray unless we have the overwhelming conviction that God alone is the one who can truly help me.
14. “Continually checking our smartphones robs us of time we can devote to prayer.” Set aside undistracted time to pray for our people.
15. It is helpful to have a deliberate system to remind me to pray for my people. Have a list that represents the realistic, active membership roll of the church broken up in 28 days. “After praying for them, I try to make personal contact in the form of a home visit, email, handwritten card, phone call, Facebook note, or text message to let them know I prayed for them on that day.” Following this system will lead to you praying and making contact each month with everyone entrusted to your care.
16. “When pastors fail to pray during their weekly public gatherings, they miss a huge opportunity to model for their members how to pray for one another.”
17. The pastoral prayer allows us to pray about biblical burdens, for specific needs, for specific people (including sick and suffering), and can be tailored to fit specific occasions. Beneficial to pray for evangelistic efforts, other local churches, government, mission efforts.
18. “Praying for these needs publicly also helps the congregation be aware of what is happening in the life of the church and community and allows the pastors to model how the congregation can spiritually understand these issues and pray for these needs.”
19. Schedule time monthly or weekly to pray for the flock with your elders.
20. A question to regularly ask is “Are we praying for those outside of our flock?” It is good to pray that God will use our people to fulfil the commission to reach the nations. “Because we are wired to forget the world, we should use our prayers for our flock to nudge them to engage with the universal church and learn to expand their vision of what God can and will do.”
21. Spurgeon: “The preacher who neglects to pray much must be very careless about his ministry.”
22. “When you sense the desire to pray, respond quickly to that soft voice in your heart. Over time, you will learn to develop a habit of prayer, and prayer will become a greater priority in your life. Create daily disciplines that systematically enable you to pray for all of your people. And involve others in this work.”
Some notes as I work through J. L. Dagg’s Manual of Theology (1857) one chapter at a time.
Book 2, Chapter 2: Attributes of God (Part 8 – Truth)
1. Truth = God is a being of inviolable truth.
2. Two aspect of God’s truthfulness is His veracity and faithfulness. “Veracity in his declaration of things as they are, and faithfulness in the exact fulfilment of his promises and threatenings.”
3. Humans make errors. “In their testimony from mistakes of facts” and “fall through inability to fulfil promises which they have made with honest intentions.”
4. God does not make mistakes because He is omniscient. God does not fail to fulfil His intentions because He is omnipotent and unchangeable.
5. The truth of God denotes “the agreement of all the revelations or manifestations which he has made of himself, with his mind and character.”
6. “We can have no knowledge of God, except by the manifestations he has made of himself. When we receive these, however made, as expressing to us the mind and character of God, we exercise faith in God. But when we close our understandings and hearts against these manifestations, or, through disrelish of them, misinterpret them in any manner, we are guilty of the great sin of unbelief, which rejects the testimony of God, and makes him a liar.”
(Photo: Ben White)
This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing for a weekly assembly in a local junior school. The plan is to tell the story of the Bible over 4 years.
The Big Bible Adventure #9 – Genesis 15:1-21
Powerpoint Pictures: Milky Way; Sun
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If you go out into the countryside at night and look up you might see the sky filled with stars.
Just think for a moment about the stars.
Does anyone know how many stars there are in our galaxy the Milky Way? [200-400 billion stars].
Can anyone tell me what the nearest star to earth is? [The Sun].
But the sun isn’t particularly near is it? It would take 221 days to reach the sun by space shuttle, 177 years by car and 3000 years by walking.
Stars are important in the next part of the true story of the Bible.
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So far we’ve seen that God spoke to a man named Abram and told him to leave his home, his country and go to the place He would show him.
He also made two wonderful promises: a great nation would come from him and also a Saviour who would mend this broken world.
But there was a problem. Sarai his wife could not have children.
Abram travelled to the land God showed him. While he was there, years passed by, and still no child. Abram began to wonder whether the promise would ever come true?
Then we read that “God took Abram outside and said “Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.” Then God said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5)
Look up at the stars and count them. Can you count them? No, there’s too many. Well, Abram, that is how many people there will be in your family, and one of those stars represents the Saviour!
To show that He was going to keep this promise, that He was serious, God made a covenant with Abram (a bit like making a deal and shaking hands on it). Instead of shaking hands, they did it a bit different. They would get some animals, cut them in half, and walk between them, and by doing so what they were saying is that what happened to the animal will happen to you if you break this promise.
However only God passed between the animals.
God was promising that He would keep His promise. But how is He going to do this?
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More talks from The Big Bible Adventure can be found HERE.
(Photo: bigal101)
Equip Men is the Men’s Ministry at Banstead Community Church. Each month we meet to discuss what it means to be godly men, with help from David Murray’s Christian Man Academy and other resources.
The format is a mix of upfront teaching and discussion in groups, with the idea being that older and younger men in the church interact and learn from one another.
This third session looks at how Godly Men pray. Download the handout.
(Photo: Hermes Rivera)
Advent – What does The Snowman teach us about Christmas?
Powerpoint Pictures: Various scenes from The Snowman including the final scene of the melted snowman.
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You can’t beat a good Christmas movie!
Every year there are plenty of good and plenty of not so good Christmas films to watch.
And some of these movies remind us about what Christmas is all about. Why it is that Christmas is about good news of great joy that is for all people to hear.
Over this period of advent, we are going to think about 4 Christmas movies and what they teach us about Christmas.
The first film is The Snowman.
Do you remember the story?
One winter’s day, a young boy builds a snowman. At the stroke of midnight, he discovers that the snowman has come to life, and a night of fun and adventure begins, including a flight to the snowman’s party. At the end of the night, they return to the boy’s home and say goodnight.
The next morning, the boy wakes up after the best night ever. He can’t wait to do it again. But this dream is shattered. The snowman has melted and the boy’s adventure is over.
The Snowman is a story that needs a happy ending.
And it seems that Christmas story in the Bible does too.
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Jesus whose birth we celebrate, grew up to have exciting adventures with His followers, but ends up dead and lying in a tomb.
Like the little boy, those who followed Him, were devastated.
A couple of days after Jesus died, two of His followers were taking a journey to Emmaus when they were joined by a mysterious man.
They said to Him, “but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” (Luke 24:21)
They thought that Jesus was the King who had come to save His people from their sins. But with Him dead, that hope was gone.
Christmas is story that appears to need a happy ending.
But soon these two followers of Jesus would soon discover that it does have a happy ending.
Because what happened next was that, for the two followers of Jesus, “their eyes were opened and they recognised him.” (Luke 24:31)
The mysterious man they were talking to was Jesus, risen from the dead. He is the Saviour after all, which means we can be saved from our sins.
Unlike The Snowman, the Christmas story in the Bible is a story with a happy ending, and it can be for you!
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More Advent/Christmas Kids Talks can be found HERE.
(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)
2/12/M
Logos has as its free book of the month Acts in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible series, plus some bargains on a couple of others in the series.
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One more Christmas Videos from Speak Life: The Coming – A Christmas Poem.
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Gavin Peacock: “Toxic masculinity isn’t the problem! Sin and a lack of biblical masculinity is the problem. Where true masculinity prevails women flourish, families flourish and societies flourish. We must encourage men to be masculine. Women should affirm this and men should embrace it.”
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Benjamin Gladd: “East of Eden, Adam and Eve were “kings without a kingdom, priests without a temple, and prophets without the intimate voice of God.”
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Helpful UK Election Prayer Guide from Christian Concern.
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Dustin Benge: “What would the historical church say to the church of today? Early Church: Jesus is worth dying for; Medieval Church: Jesus is worth waiting for; Reformation Church: Jesus is worth standing up for; Puritan Church: Jesus is worth living for; Let our message be: Jesus is worthy!”
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Mark Dever: “Patience is a Christian’s super power.”
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I enjoyed this thread from David Gibson giving a few theological reflections on the proto-evangelium in Genesis 3:15.
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Jeremy Walker: “So much “church growth” in the UK is people moving to a trendier church; so much “church planting” is people moving to a trendy new church. We should pray and work for conversions!”
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Jonathan Leeman: “Two ways false teaching gains traction in church: 1) thru evangelistic impulse: “If we put it this way, non-Ctians will listen.” 2) thru friendship: “His teaching is a little off, but he’s a good guy. I know him. He loves Jesus.” God uses bad for good; Satan uses good for bad.”
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This talk by Pete Jackson is one I need to find time to watch – Why I teach my congregation about abortion once a year.
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Buck Parsons: “O Emmanuel—God with us; O Sapentia—Wisdom; O Adonai—Lord; O Radix Jesse—Root of Jesse; O Clavis David—Key of David; O Oriens—Dayspring; O Rex genitium—King of Nations; Monks sang seven antiphonal chants each beginning with a long “O” expressing a deep yearning for the advent of Christ.”
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Dutin Benge: “What does “Incarnation” mean? “became flesh” (Jn 1:14), “coming in the flesh” (1 Jn 4:2), “sent in the flesh” (Rm 8:3), “suffered in the flesh” (1 Pt 4:1), “died in the flesh” (1 Pt 3:18), “risen in the flesh” (Mt 28:6). There is nothing Satan hates more!”
A prayer based on Matthew 1:1-17.
Our faithful God,
We praise You that You are absolutely trustworthy;
That the promises You make to people, You really do keep.
You promised King David, that one of His offspring would rule from his throne for ever.
Through Isaiah we learn that this child will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace;
that His reign would be marked by righteousness and justice.
You also promised Abraham that from the great nation which his family would one day become, would be a Son who will bring blessing to all the nations on earth;
who would undo the curse that came upon humankind at the Fall when sin entered the world, by bringing lost people back into relationship with their Creator.
Thank You that these promises were kept with the announcement that the Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the son of David and the son of Abraham;
that Jesus is this righteous King and Rescuer.
We recognise that this relationship with You that Jesus makes possible is not something we deserve.
We have all rebelled against You, the God who is just and holy and who must punish sin.
We are all sinners.
Even the great king David was a sinner too, committing adultery with Uriah’s wife, and orchestrating his death.
How we all need Jesus to save us.
For His death on the cross to take the wrath our sins deserve so that we can receive the blessing of being in relationship with You.
Thank You He will if we have repented and put our trust in Him, because He has promised that He will save all who do this.
Jews and Gentiles.
Men and women.
Not just the good guys – those who have shady pasts as well – prostitutes and murderers and adulterers and those who come from the wrong part of town with messed up parents.
Thank You that no matter who we are and where we are from and what we have done, He can be our Saviour if we believe in Him.
Help us, by Your Spirit to trust in the King You have sent to save us.
Help us, by Your Spirit to follow the King You have sent to save us, by obeying everything He has commanded.
Especially help us, by Your Spirit, to take the news to people of all nations and of all backgrounds, that the King You have sent to save sinners is here, and that He will save all who ask Him to.
Forgive us for so often faltering and failing to do this.
Thank You that because of Your love and faithfulness You will.
Give us a fresh awareness of this today we ask.
In the Name of Jesus.
Amen.
(Photo: Freely)
At Banstead Community Church we’re following a church-wide Bible Reading plan called The Big Read. (You can read about it here).
This month – December – we are reading through Job together.
Here are some resources that might help you as you read this book:
Bible Reading Plan: Read 2 chapters a day and you’ll easily get through the book in a month. ESV Scripture Journal.
Scripture Listening App: Dwell
Overviews: Job Video; The Big Read – Jesus in Job; Kids Talk
Bible Reading Notes: Family Worship Bible Guide; Explore App
Commentaries: The New Matthew Henry Commentary; Christopher Ash – Job; Preaching Job
(Photo: Freely)
One of the things at Banstead Community Church we’ve been trying to do more of is sing the Psalms.
This Sunday we are going to be singing Psalm 34.
One of the challenges of singing this psalm is its length. There are two versions in The Trinity Psalter Hymnal both having 7 verses. Sing Psalms has 13 verses, and Seedbed Psalter has 10 verses. The Book of Psalms for Worship divides the psalm up into 3 parts, with each having a different metre.
We could have chosen to sing a few verses of Psalm 34, with plenty well-known tunes that could be used. Instead, we’re going to sing a paraphrase, Through all the changing scenes of life.
Through all the changing scenes of life,
in trouble and in joy,
the praises of my God shall still
my heart and tongue employ.
Of his deliv’rance I will boast,
till all that are distressed
from my example comfort take,
and charm their griefs to rest.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me;
with me exalt his name;
when in distress to him I called,
he to my rescue came.
The hosts of God encamp around
the dwellings of the just;
deliv’rance he affords to all
who on his succour trust.
Oh, make but trial of his love,
experience will decide
how blest are they, and only they,
who in his truth confide.
Fear him, ye saints, and you will then
have nothing else to fear;
make you his service your delight,
your wants shall be his care.
From Praise! which can be sung to the tune for Come Thou Long Expected Jesus:
Tell His praise in song and story,
bless the Lord with heart and voice;
in my God is all my glory,
come before him and rejoice.
Join to praise his name together,
he who hears his people’s cry;
tell his praise, come wind or weather,
shining faces lifted high.
To the Lord whose love has found them
cry the poor in their distress;
swift his angels camped around them
prove him sure to save and bless.
God it is who hears our crying
though the spark of faith be dim;
taste and see! Beyond denying
blessed are those who trust in him.
Taste and see! In faith draw near him,
trust the Lord with all your powers;
seek and serve him, love and fear him,
life and all its joys are ours:
true delight in holy living,
peace and plenty, length of days;
come, my children, with thanksgiving
bless the Lord in songs of praise.
In our need he walks beside us,
ears alert to every cry;
watchful eyes to guard and guide us,
love that whispers ‘It is I’.
Good shall triumph, wrong be righted,
God has pledged his promised word;
so with ransomed saints united
join to praise our living Lord!
(Photo: David Beale)
10 links to check out over the weekend…
(Photo: Ryan McGuire)