O O L B OX T H C R U H C
3 commitments for surviving and DS thriving in the ministry CLASSIFIE
PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N GERS W O R D S L I N S & C U LT U R E NEW
/// PREVIEWED ON COVER cons should be well-versed in managing PASTOR, LAWTON, FIRST their own households (1 Tim. 3:4, 12). If an ordained individual failed in this reE S an When I first started out in ministry, I was gard, Paul cast doubt on V O I Csuch whether often amazed by the number of pasto- individual should engage in church leadral failures I witnessed. Now I am not so ership. He asked, “How will he take care of shocked when I hear of those who sputter God’s church?” (1 Tim. 3:5). For the apostle, the home place was the and stall-out. Ministry can indeed be tough proving ground for public ministry. It was and tricky! Apart from the grace and strength of the where one demonstrated his ability to teach, Holy Spirit, no one would last. Betrain, provide a godly example, love, be cause of this, I believe three compatient and lead. mitments are essential for If you want to thrive in the those who want to survive ministry, don’t forget your family. Make them a priority and thrive in the ministry. in your schedule, and make Protect your private them your first ministry. worship. Jesus gave us Be on guard against an example in this rea duplicitous lifestyle gard. Massive throngs through which you are of people regularly jockone thing in the home, eyed to get a piece of His time. On one occasion, and something different in those who wanted to see the church. Date your wife Him actually had to rip a roof off and spend quality time with of a house so that they could gain an your children. Lead family devotions in the home. If you can lead your family to audience with Him (Mark 2:1-5). One could argue that Jesus was much Christ, you will be well-equipped to lead busier and that He had far more demands others to Christ. Stick with Scripture. My grandfather was from people than any modern minister. Despite His responsibilities, Jesus made time to a preacher for more than 50 years. When I pray. Mark records, “Very early in the morn- was scheduled to preach my first sermon, I ing, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, went to him for advice. He told me, “Stick and made his way to a deserted place; and with the Bible, and you’ll never go wrong.” I’ve found that his advice is appropriate for there he was praying” (Mark 1:35). If Jesus protected His private worship, much more than preaching. Throughout my ministry, I’ve relied on the shouldn’t we? Know this, your public ministry will be stale if it isn’t backed by pri- rock of Scripture for counseling situations, cult vate prayer. Though no one may keep tabs diffi R S pastoral care, leading G Edecisions, N I L S D R O on the quality of your quiet time, W the Lord ministry and countless other pastoral situknows. Don’t rob yourself of the strength ations. At times, I’ve often felt helpless to and joy that comes from private worship. encourage, equip and edify God’s people, but I’ve found comfort in the fact that the Be like Jesus; make prayer a priority. Don’t forget your family. For those who Bible is “profitable for teaching, for rebukserve in ministry, the homestead is the ing, for correcting, for training in righteousfrontline of ministry. If we fail with our fam- ness” (2 Tim. 3:16). If you want to faithfully ily, we fail in the church. Paul emphasized S AY Sthe choppy waters of ministry in a E navigate V A D this when he wrote to Timothy. He taught post-modern, relativistic culture, stick with his protégé that aspiring pastors and dea- the standard of Scripture! >> by Patrick Latham
BAP T IS TS OKLAHOMA H IG H L I GH T E C R U O S E R
AD D I C T I O N C AR E
OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ MINISTRY
M US I C M I N I S T RY EVENTS OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY
Learn more about how you or your church can utilize Oklahoma Baptists’ resources to bring healing to areas of addiction in your community, church and home.
Between retreats and training, Oklahoma Baptists can find multiple events to equip their music leaders or worship team.
oklahomabaptists.org/addiction
oklahomabaptists.org/worship-music
Check back with the highlight every issue to learn more about the resources available to every SBC church!
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January 23, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox
BOOK REVIEW: ‘SACRED REST’ BY SAUNDRA DALTON-SMITH D AV E S AY S
>> K AREN KINNAIRD
Are you weak, weary or worn out? Are you maxed out and stressed out? When is the last time you were simply still? These are auS I S Tquestions P Tsome A B ASaundra Dalton-Smith O K L A H O Mthor HT LIG H IG asks inH her book Sacred Rest: E C R U O S E R Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity. Published by Faith Words in 2017, Sacred Rest addresses the epidemic of exhaustion in our culture. It challenges readers to understand the practical aspects of rest, evaluate themselves for rest deficits and encourages them to take steps toward needed changes. The book is written in short, easy-to-read chapters with the tired and soul weary person in mind. It includes science and research, Scriptural wisdom, real life accounts and practical application.
To read the rest of Karen’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/sacredrest
RS RD SLINGE O W To read more blogs with Jesus in mind, visit www.baptistmessenger.com/blog
D AV E S AY S PLAYING THE LOTTERY ROBS YOU OF YOUR FUTURE Dear Dave, T IS TS Ppast BA A M I’ve been struggling fi nancially for the O H A L OK HT few months, so I’ve been playing H L I Gonce IGlottery E Hthe C R U O S E R a week. To me, the chance to win millions is worth a few dollars a month, even if things are tight. —Paula Dear Paula, You’ve told me you’re having money troubles, and at the same time you’re throwing money out the window every week? Honestly, the small amount you’re talking about doesn’t make a difference. Even if it’s just two or three bucks a week, that action represents a lot of financially irresponsible behavior in your life. I’m going to be very blunt with you. The lottery is a tax on the poor and people who can’t do math. Your chances of winning are bleak at best. Did you know the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are about 1 in 292,000,000? There are plenty of other very unusual things that are much more likely to happen to you than winning the lottery. Your chances of making a hole-in-one on the golf course are about 1 in 12,500. Even your odds of having quadruplets are around 1 in 11 million. When times are tough and you’re strapped for cash, the last thing you need to do is spend what little you have on gimmicks. My advice is to focus on working hard, living on a tight budget that cuts out all unnecessary expenses, and saving every penny you can. Unlike the lottery, this is a plan that works every time. When you start living on a budget and get out of debt, it provides a little bit of breathing room in your life. You might even feel like you got a raise! Don’t let your finances—and your dreams—be hijacked by the lottery. —Dave The views expressed by Dave Ramsey do not necessarily reflect those of the Baptist Messenger and do not constitute legal financial advice.