Pastor, Refuse the “isms” of Life and Ministry
The worst disease in ministry is the “isms” disease. I have seen this disease ruin pastors, stealing life and joy from them. Pastor, refuse the “isms” of life and ministry.
The “isms” of life and ministry
Every person and pastor can contract this disease. The “isms” disease is beyond epidemic, even getting close to a pandemic level. What are these “isms”?
Skepticism
Skepticism occurs when we doubt the truth about something. As pastors, we have to deal with people who cast doubt upon the truthfulness of what is being said or done. Usually, this skepticism is more about the practical side of ministry and how we are leading something, or questioning why we would do something. Yet, there is also a growing skepticism about the truth of God’s Word and why we would believe and teach certain truths.
I have discovered the skepticism of others can become contagious. When someone casts doubt or creates suspicion, I have to work hard and pray daily that I will not become skeptical toward them, others, or situations. There is nothing attractive about skepticism. It is a terrible disease for any Christ-follower to have, especially church leaders and pastors.
Criticism
Criticism occurs when we pass severe judgment about someone or something, usually resulting in faultfinding. All leaders lead through the grind of criticism. Politicians, community leaders, educators, coaches, CEOs, and yes, pastors, are under the eyes and within the voices of critics. Criticism has become such a part of the American lifestyle that it is out of the norm to be positive and encouraging to others.
Skepticism usually leads to criticism. When we begin to cast doubt or create suspicion, we move into the mode of evaluating others or situations severely and unfairly. It also endows us, or at least we think so, to evaluate prematurely. By the way pastor, James 1:19 was written for us also,
“Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,”
By the way, there is nothing that attracts people to someone who always wants to evaluate everything and everyone. Above all, pastors and church leaders need to be people who are quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Cynicism
Cynicism occurs when we have an attitude of scorn about others that leads to a general distrust of their integrity or motives. This open dislike or disrespect of others is demeaning and never God-honoring. Pastors can easily become cynical because we are often asked our opinion about something, and we are always the recipients of the opinions of others. Quite honestly, a cynical pastor or church leader will never be maximized for God in His work.
Skepticism that leads to criticism always leads to cynicism. Who do we think we are, to question the integrity and motives of others? Who do we think we are, to openly demonstrate our dislike and disdain of others, often showing complete disrespect? We can stand for the Bible and God’s Truth without being disrespectful and cynical toward others. When you are around cynical people, you will become cynical. You are not immune to this disease!
God is never attracted to skepticism, criticism, or cynicism. As pastors and church leaders, we need to run from each of them. Do not believe the devil’s lie in trying to spiritualize these “isms” in any way.
Pastor, REFUSE the “isms” of life and ministry
Aggressively refuse to take the “way of the flesh” in relating to others or situations. How do you refuse the “isms” of life and ministry?
- Pray for discernment.
- Seek a clean heart.
- Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Be wise in your friendships and influences.
Pastors and church leaders, it is time we listen to the advice we give to our children: The vast majority of people become what they read, watch, listen to, and who they hang around in life. We are no exception to this grim reality.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
The Sacredness of Life
The fact that the lives of unborn children have become a political football is surely a scar the history of America will never be able to cover. I would not be surprised if future generations look back on our generation with the same shamed bewilderment we have when we look back the generations who owned slaves. Will we feel the same deep wound as when we look back on the Holocaust? Or when we think about the genocide in Rwanda? We should.
The Bible tells us that humanity was the crowning point of God’s creation. God made Adam and Eve “a little lower than the angels” (Ps. 8:5). Humans, because we were created in the image of God, are separate and distinct from the animal kingdom. No animal was created in God’s image. As such, followers of God have always considered human life to be sacred.
The writer of Psalm 139 perhaps said it best:
“For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well. My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began” (vs. 13-16, HCSB).
In this beautiful poetry, we see the heart of God revealed. Humans have His eye even before we are born. How captivating! How humbling!
And how saddening that so many have so little respect for the unborn.
Satan quickly enticed violence
Not long after entering the human story, Satan enticed one to murder. Cain slew Abel (Genesis 4:1-9) and set the whole course of humanity on a murderous slaughter. If history has revealed anything, it is that humanity knows no limit of violence and carnage.
Murder of our fellow humans, child sacrifice in pagan religions, abandonment, human trafficking, modern day slavery, and myriad other abuses plague our race. It seems there is no lack of people willing to abuse other people for power or the almighty dollar.
Perhaps it has never been more important for God’s people to exemplify what it means for life to be sacred. Culture will not discover God’s passion for humanity without the light of the gospel.
It is up to us
Demonstrating love within our own families, caring for unwed mothers, leading them toward preserving human life, caring for orphans, ministering to war refugees; it’s all speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves. “Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy” (Proverbs 31:8, 9, HCSB).
Recognizing and standing for the sacredness of life can be costly. Humanity gone astray, convinced that humans are equal to animals and as expendable as last week’s trash, will not lightly accept the biblical message of humanity’s innate worth. However, faithfulness to stand is what God demands.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.