SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #82 ---- 8/9/99
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #82 ---- 8/9/99
TITLE: "What Keeps You Going?" (Part One ---- Short Tenures)
Greetings, Fellow Warrior, in our Commander's Name:
Again I find joy in just knowing I have this privilege of sharing my
heart with you, and encouraging you to cheer up if things are bad, perk
up if things are dull, get up if things look dead, and stand up if things
look threatening.
I'm reminded of a story my father told of going to a regional church
leader's office one day and seeing a poster of an old sorrowful looking
bloodhound lying on the floor, jowls on the carpet, pity-filled eyes
flooded with misery and woe, and his paws crossed over his nose.
The caption read: "Someone told me, 'cheer up ---- things could be
worse'. So I cheered up ---- and sure enough, things got worse."
I hope that isn't your plight today. This really is an exciting day ----
maybe the most important of your life. Check it out.
IMPORTANT Y2K PREP INFO:
Just had to pass this very helpful bit of information on to you, shared
with me by Ted Burr of Christian Awake Ministry. I followed the
directions on both my computers and found both of them needing the
changes described. Very easy to do. Read on.
From: Ted
Date: Tuesday, August 03, 1999 12:01 AM
Subject: Y2K CHECK... FRIENDS.. THIS IS IMPORTANT
You may think your PC is "Y2K" compliant, and some little tests may have
actually affirmed that your hardware is compliant, and you may even have
a little company sticker affixed to your system saying "Y2K Compliant"...
but you'll be surprised that Windows may still crash unless you do this
simple exercise below. Easy fix but something Microsoft seems to have
missed in certifying their software as Y2K compliant.
This is simple to do, and but VERY important.
1. Click on "START".
2. Click on "SETTINGS".
3. Double click on "Control Panel".
4. Double click on "Regional settings" icon (look for the little world
globe).
5. Click on the "Date" tab at the top of the page. (last tab on the top
right)
6. Where it says, "Short Date Sample", look and see if it shows a "two
digit" year format ("YY"). Unless you've previously changed it (and you
probably haven't) -- it will be set incorrectly with just the two Y's..
it needs to be four!
7. That's because Microsoft made the 2 digits setting the default
setting for Windows 95, Windows 98 and NT.
8. This date format selected is the date that Windows feeds *ALL*
application software and will not rollover into the year 2000. It will
roll over to the year 00. (*)
9. Click on the button across from "Short Date Style" and select the
option that shows, "mm/dd/yyyy" or "m/d/yyyy". (Be sure your selection
has four y's showing, not just "mm/dd/yy).
10. Then click on "Apply".
11. Then click on "OK" at the button.
Easy enough to fix. However, every "as distributed" installation of
Windows worldwide is defaulted to fail Y2K rollover... Pass this along to
your PC buddies... No matter how much of a guru they think they are...
this might be a welcome bit of information!
Ted
MORE THOUGHTS ON THE MILLENNIUM:
Well ---- I'm glad to know there are others who feel as I do about the
year 2,000. In fact, just Saturday I actually heard ABC's newscaster
Elizabeth Vargas note the possibility that the new millennium may not
actually begin until 2,001. Here are parts of two letters I received
with some additional interesting information from, first, a young mother,
and then a guy who knows Computers and works in the aero-space industry.
#1. "Not that I really care a lot about this, but as I read your
thoughts on the millennium starting in 2001, I thought about our baby
girl. She turned one in June. This did not mark the beginning of her
life, but the end of her first year. In the same way didn't the year 0
A.D. mark the beginning of the first millennium, and 1 A.D. was its first
birthday? Then the year 2000 truly would be the "birth" of the next
millennium, and 2001 the end of its first year. I've never thought about
this before, but it seems to make sense."
The only questions I have about that letter are 1) was there a year )
A.D.?, and 2) the word "millennium" means ---- 1,000 years. To complete
a millennium of years, you must have 1,000 before it is completed. So,
to me, the year 1,000 A.D. would be the 1,000th year of the First
Millennium, and 2,000 A.D. would be the end of the Second. Oh, well . .
.
#2 "I want to support you in your thinking that the upcoming January 1st
is not the beginning of the new millennium but that event is still over a
year away. Too many folk jump on the bandwagon without checking out what
the wagon stands for or where it is going. (There may be a sermon topic
here...)
"You are correct that the year 2000 (aka Y2K) holds some potential
problems for the computers (which man made) but there are other dates
that may also cause some impact. Dates start with this Sep. 9th (9/9/99)
because some old main frame programs use 9999 as an "End Program" code.
"The new year carries problems with the two digit year and not knowing
1900 from 2000.
"Later in the year, 2/29/00 causes problems because 1900 was not a leap
year.
"The hype has been over the computer problem and the impact to the
financial arena. Others have jumped on the wagon without checking the
facts. Keep thinking along the lines you have been. You are right.
There have been a few folk that have tried to correct the general public
but have been overcome by the wave of computer hype.
A MEDICAL NOTE:
A couple days ago Jo Ann received some information from a friend about a
certain type of breast cancer that is an often misdiagnosed external
form. Obviously I don't feel comfortable posting that in my letter, but
if you'd personally like a copy of the report she received, I'll be happy
to forward it to you if requested.
ON TO THE MAIN THING:
The church where I am now serving as interim pastor is 47 years old, and
has had ten pastors, plus several interims. That means the church has
changed pastors an average of about every 4.5 years. Without belaboring
the point that no church can develop mature stability with that kind of
track record, I am arrested by a troubling thought.
It is my understanding that Southern Baptist church pastorates average
about 2 years. All pastorates, regardless of whether the churches use
episcopal, presbyterian, or congregational forms of polity, average every
20 Months! When you consider the growing number of churches who
experience longevity in their pastorates, that statistic is even more
mind boggling.
I once pastored a church in Iowa that had nine pastors in 20 years. Now
I was there seven years and another man was there four ---- so that means
the church had seven pastors in the remaining nine years. It is evident
that something kept some of us going while others didn't. I don't think
we can place it all on "the Lord led me on to other ministry" ----
especially if we really understand the role of local shepherding ministry
vs. an apostolic or evangelistic ministry.
Back to the church where I currently preach.
One of the men with whom I had coffee recently commented about their
plight of having such short pastorates. It took me back a bit when he
said, "Bob, what's wrong with pastors that they don't stick around here
when we call them?" He was totally sincere ---- but incredibly naive and
blind, in my opinion.
The first thing I wanted to say was, "What's wrong with Pastors!?! With
Pastors??? Maybe it's not the pastor; maybe it's the church!!!"
But I didn't.
You certainly understand that there are many dynamics that contribute to
the tenure of any vocational minister, and this is something so
comprehensive that I'm not sure we could ever cover all the facets, even
if I wrote on the subject for the next five or ten years.
However, I do want to address one fundamental issue which I have observed
for many years ---- first in my own personal life, and then in the lives
of numerous friends and acquaintances in ministry.
One reason ministers have short tenures is because of the battle they
face with their own sense of identity, where it comes from, and how they
feel about themselves ---- and they often don't like what they see or who
they are.
A MAJOR MINISTRY MALADY:
>From the depths of my grieving heart, I believe that people in
vocational ministry, especially pastors, are some of the most insecure
people I have ever know. I have seen some reports indicating that of all
professional people, the clergy are some of the most unhappy (regardless
of what external appearances may seem), insecure, and rejected folks in
the world.
Of all people in the world, ministers of the Gospel should be just the
opposite ---- happy, secure, and full of confidence.
That is often not the case.
Often our self esteem and our self worth are not the same things. This
requires some definitions.
1. My Self Esteem is My estimation of myself, based on experiences, what
others think or say, my past, and what I think about it all. At best, my
self esteem is simply an opinion I have about myself, and is a variable,
changing from moment to moment, occasion to occasion, based on how I
value my performance. OPINION.
2. My Self Worth, on the other hand, is God's estimation of me based on
who I have become and what I can become in Christ. My self worth is not
just an opinion ---- it is a fact that God has declared, and though I may
have my ups and downs, it is a constant that never changes. It is the
actual truth as to my value in God's eyes. FACT.
Now there are three other definitions I need to throw in ---- Self
respect, Self confidence, and Self control.
3. My Self Respect is my attitude of love and appreciation, or the lack
thereof, for myself, based on how I interpret either my self esteem or my
self worth, and which is the more predominant in my thinking. Based on
faith, it is also a variable responding to my faith. FAITH.
4. My Self Confidence is the certainty and assurance I have in myself
and my abilities, based on how I interpret my self esteem or my self
worth. Based on my faith in either my opinion of my self esteem or on
the fact of my self worth, my confidence level will rise and fall.
FEELINGS.
5. My Self Control is my capacity to master and direct my attitudes,
actions, and conversation in harmony with God's estimation of me and His
plan for me as His child. It is a variable based on my act of my will
when it comes to choices of conduct. MY WILL and HIS POWER.
Note the contrasts of the words in all capital letters.
FOUR SOURCES OF SELF ESTEEM:
My sense of value and competence that I develop as self esteem actually
comes through a system of pictures, feelings, images, and emotions that I
put together about myself. Hence, another term ---- Self Image.
Proverbs 23:7 says "For as a man thinketh within his heart, so is he."
If this is true, then where do these pictures, feelings, images, and
emotions originate? I believe they come from one or more of four basic
sources:
1. My Inner World ---- that part of me originating in God's Unique
Design. Psalm 139:14 says, "I will give thanks to Thee, for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, and my soul
knows it very well."
Because I am body, soul, and spirit, God works in all three areas ----
but so does Satan.
Everything from my DNA to spiritual gifts are things God has done to show
me in the recesses of my heart just who I am and how valuable I am.
At the same time, wounds, hurts, fears, and disappointments are used by
the enemy to paint a distorted picture of my sense of value.
2. My Outer World ---- external factors that mold us. Things such as
family, childhood experiences, peers, jobs, family size, ethnic
background, economic status, birth order, gender, etc., all play a part
in molding my attitude about who I am.
3. Satan ---- constantly accusing me (Rev 12:11) and deceiving me (II
Cor 4:4), this enemy of God is committed to killing, destroying and
stealing (Jn 10:10a) as he roams about like an old toothless lion seeking
whom he may intimidate (I Pet 5:8), usually doing it with out and out
lies (John 8:44). Tragically, we often listen to him more than to God.
4. God and His Word ---- the only true picture of who we are and what we
are worth. When you think about it, the designer and owner would
certainly be more trustworthy than any third party.
Jesus declared in John :8:31-21 that knowing the Truth is a liberating
and freeing experience. So ---- what does God say about me? Here are
just few facts God has established.
1) II Cor 5:17 tells me that when I was saved by His Blood, I became
a New Creation with all the old stuff done away with.
2) Romans 6:6-7 and Galatians 2:20 both tell me that my old self has
been crucified in order that my propensity to sin would be destroyed and
I would no longer be slaves to sin.
3) Romans 6:14 tells me that sin is no longer a necessity, but only
an option, and I do not Have to sin. Because I probably will, however, I
John 2:1 tells me there is an advocate, Jesus Christ, who will forgive,
cleanse, and give victory.
4) Romans 8:1-2 says that because I am in Christ Jesus, there is no
longer any condemnation against me on God's part ---- NONE!
5) I Samuel 16:7 reminds me that while man may look on outer
circumstances and appearances (size, skin color, performance, education,
etc.), God looks on the heart ---- where the facts are and where the
truth is.
6) Romans 12:1-3 warns me, in the process, to not think more highly
of myself than I should.
EXPLAIN IT TO US, DAVID:
Psalm 139 is one of my favorite scriptures. One reason is because of who
God used to write it ---- David, a vulnerable man characterized by all
human weaknesses and many human failings, yet someone described as "a man
after God's own heart", and one willing to let himself be exposed through
scripture with all his frailties and failures, warts and all.
The second reason I like that Psalm is because it also shows us some
incredible things about God, Who He is, and What He is like.
If you like to exegete scripture, you can divide this Psalm (or song)
into four stanzas, each having six verses as we divide them up.
1. Stanza One (verses 1-6) Describes David's Encounter with an
Omniscient God who Knows everything about everything, and everything
about me.
1) In verse One He knows my Character. He just doesn't know, ---- He
"Knows".
2) In verse Two He Knows my Contemplations, my thoughts ---- even my
most hidden and distant ones.
3) In verse Three He Knows my Conduct. He isn't just aware ---- He
knows the finite details. And, He Knows All of them ---- not just some
of them.
4) In verse Four He Knows my Conversation ---- even before I speak
them. While I'm trying to figure out what to say and how to say it, He
already knows it ---- and knows the truthfulness of it, the meaning of
it, and the intention of it.
5) In verse Five He Knows My Confinements, my limitations. And, He
knows that He put them there for His purposes, even though I gripe about
it, get frustrated over it, and try to meet the expectations of others,
even though He didn't create me to be able to do so. My limitations,
often unbeknownst to me, are there to protect me and to remind me to
trust in Him only.
2. Stanza Two (verses 7-12) describes David's Encounter with an
Omnipresent God Who is Everywhere all the time, and, therefore,
everywhere I have ever been, everywhere I am, and everywhere I will ever
be.
1) In Verse Eight He is in the incredible Heavenly ecstasies.
2) Also in Verse Eight He is in my painful Hellish experiences.
3) In Verse Nine He is in the "East" of the beginnings of things.
4) Also in Verse Eight He is in the "West" of the ending of things.
5) In Verses Eleven and Twelve He is there in my darkest hours and
makes them seem like high noon on a cloudless day.
3. Stanza Three (verses 13-18) describes David's Encounter with an
Omnipotent God Who Has All Power For All Things.
1) First the power of Birth and Life ---- to create and give life.
(13-16)
A. He "Formed" me (13) ---- "divided/multiplied" (Cell
reproduction?)
B. My "Inward Parts" (13) ---- literally "kidneys"
C. Thou didst "weave" me (13) ---- "fenced/laddered" (DNA?)
D. My "frame" (15) ---- literally "bones"
E. My "unformed" (16) ---- "embryos" (embryo?)
F. "Substance" (16) ---- literally "intricate parts"
2) Next the power of God's incomprehensible and unsearchable Mind
(17-18a)
3) Finally, the power of God's Salvation (18b)
4. Stanza Four (19-24) Gives David's Mixed Reaction.
1) First is his indignation toward evil (19-22) ---- "You can count
on me, God! If they hate you, then they hate me, too. And ---- I hate
them back with a 'holy' hatred!"
2) Finally, as he comes up short over the reality of his reaction,
you see his brokenness over his own sin, and his cry for God's inspection
rather than settling for his own introspection (23-24) ---- "Search Me, O
God!"
You may ask what all this has to do with the issue of why people in
ministry struggle so often with longevity of tenure. Well, as I said
earlier, I believe one reason is because far too often we don't really
know who we are and how we are to live as ministers of the Gospel.
David's ultimate conclusion concerning those issues should be ours as
well ---- the sum and substance of who we are will be found solely in the
Lord Jesus Christ and our covenant relationship with Him.
You see, my friend, far too many of us gain our sense of value from the
muddled mess of our inner world, the contradictory circumstances of our
outer world, and the intimidating influence of Satan's strategy, rather
than from our miraculous entry into the life of Christ through His
Covenant act of the Cross.
Churches have certain expectations. Comparison among our peers force us
to adopt certain expectations. Even our denominations, through how they
promote the agenda, can put expectations on us. Our families also can
contribute to our system of expectations. Local culture and custom
establish expectations. And, last but not least, we have certain
expectations of ourselves that are self imposed.
Driven by the desire for approval and acceptance, those expectations
become our motivations, and, when unfulfilled, often become our demise,
the fuel that feeds our discouragement, and ultimately become the
entrapment of our own downfall.
Therefore, we must look elsewhere for a sense of fulfillment and
accomplishment in ministry. It is my personal opinion that virtually
every question we can have about God, our relationship to Him, and our
calling to serve Him can be answered only within the parameters of His
Covenant relationship with us.
So ---- if we want solid answers about our respective ministries, their
settings, their circumstances, their struggles, their victories, and
their tenure, we must see it from how we have entered into our total and
full identity in Jesus Christ.
And, that's where we'll pick up next letter.
In the meantime ---- have a wonderful week in His presence and in His
service.
In Christ's Bond,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright August, 1999. All rights reserved.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know.
__
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(_/____)
/ ^ ^
{ (O) (O) }
------oOOOo--------U-------oOOOo------
Hang in there! I'm with you!
-------.ooooO--------------- Ooooo--------
( ) /
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Bob Tolliver ---- Rom 1:11-12
Life Unlimited Ministries
E-mail: [email protected]
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