Constructive Criticism

Over the years I have had unsolicited feedback concerning my sermons, and some have been memorable, to say the least. The man who shook my hand after the service and said, "I thought you would never shut up" is definitely at the top of the memorable list.  The visitor who, between services, decided to tell me that my sermon was the worst he ever heard. He was a retired minister.  The church member that had my wife and me over for dinner to kindly tell me that I needed more humor. And then there's the letter I received after a church member moved away to basically tell me my sermons where to long.

Honestly, I initially didn't receive this criticism too well. But stumbling upon it six years later, I think it's not bad advice. So let me share his constructive criticism with you.

Brother Patrick,

            I hope this correspondence finds you doing well today.

            I am writing because I desire to follow where I am led by the spirit (though I would find it easier to not do this ☺).  I hope that as you read this you will view this positively as constructive feedback.  If you are not in the mood or mindset to deal with this, by all means, toss it away.  This is not intended to make you feel bad. 

            First the good stuff:  You have a wife that supports you passionately and children that look up to you.  That is a good indication that you are truly a good man and not just putting on a show.  I know you are proud of them.

            You have excellent speaking qualities, specifically, you have the good tonal quality (I’ve always wanted to sound like James Earl Jones myself but alas it is not so ☺) which means you are easy to hear, you have good pronunciation, enunciation, and inflection and you articulate well.  Feel good about this as well, not all public speakers have these qualities.  In your sermons, you also have good points with a clear understanding of those points you want to drive home.

            Now for the constructive feedback... Patrick you seem to have a proliferation of

verbiage surrounding those good points you want to drive home resulting in an excess of supporting conversation.  Please let me say this is not a complaint of time or duration (though this can sometimes be received back as time complaints).  And I know you have sometimes joked about your sermon lengths in a self-deprecating way (There is always some truth in humor and it is good to laugh at ourselves sometimes).  Let me put it this way, think about your sermon as a cake, the meat of the sermon are the key points and your supporting conversation is the icing.  You have a really good cake ☺.  I believe you have a really thick icing.  While some folks love the icing, too much tends to hide the cake itself.  The cake is what you want them to remember.

            Scientifically it is known that people process only a set amount of incoming information in a given time period.  If you want them to remember the meat of the subject try not to overwhelm them with supplemental extraneous speech to process least they remember the icing and not the cake.  An alternative response is seen as a person becoming bored or inattentive if they already get the point which runs the risk of them not being pulled back in when you get back on point leaving them saying later now what did he say ☺.

            A good historical example of this is the Gettysburg address.  The main speaker was Edward Everett who spoke eloquently for 2 hrs, Lincoln spoke for only 2 minutes, we remember everything of what Lincoln said but nothing of what Everett said.  I want people to remember your words.

            That is it like I said, to begin with, feel free to react to this in any way you deem fit.  If I am truly being led by the Lord you will react appropriately.  Now if you do act on this it will take weeks, more probably months and potentially years for you to realize the far-reaching effects.  I pray that God gives you the patience that I sometimes don’t have.

            Patrick, I love you as a brother and (since I have a real brother in the ministry) I know that the leadership role you have taken on is extremely taxing at times and I respect you immensely for taking on this role.  Please continue to do good and know you are making a difference.

Funny The Way It Is

What if your worst season of life is your best season of life?  The Spirit of God stirred this upon me during worship last Sunday morning. It was one of those moments where I knew God was speaking to me.

Honestly, the season I have been in over the last four years is has been tough, to say the least, not only for myself but also for my family.  I have often questioned if it is ever going to end, and sometimes I still do.  The current period I'm in is one of those you don't really want, and possibly hope you never have to go through it. Have you ever experienced one of those moments when the last thing you thought you needed was what you received?

Ironically, God is showing me that the last thing I thought I needed is actually required on so many different levels.  Hence, the impression in worship yesterday, "What if your worst season is your best season?" Truthfully, the things I am learning during this season are preparing me for greater days ahead in ministry.

Suffering accompanies anointing, which results in a greater anointing. If that is the case then the season I have pegged as "my worst season" is actually my best season. Funny the way it is, if you think about it, how suffering can be a blessing.

Obeying the Spirit's Direction

"As I approach my year anniversary, I  must tell you that I have been wrestling with God over many things that God has put on my heart concerning our church, our facilities, and the future.  I am burdened in my soul because we have lost ground on the devil.  God has burdened me with urgency for us as congregation to get our focus on reaching people, and to do whatever it takes to reach people."

I preached those words approximately nine years ago to the congregation of First Southern Baptist Church in Bryant, Arkansas.  I was approaching my first anniversary with the church and God was putting a burden and vision in my heart for the future.

One of the challenges I had was discerning what God wanted the church to do with two properties.  One property was located near the highway and the other south of town.  The highway property was the future vision of the church under a previous pastor.  The southside property was going to be sold, which resulted in a property that wasn't being maintained very well (This was another challenge).

It became apparent within the first year that God was impressing me to lead the church to stay put at the south property.  For several years the church had sold out to the former vision of moving north, but now God was leading a different direction.

When I finally communicated the vision of staying at the south property, God affirmed the direction most effectively, unknowing to me at the time. The Bryant School District purchased the Hill Farm, just south of the church, and was planning on building a new elementary and junior high in the future.

The future is now. I have been driving my wife to the bus lot, which is located on the old Hill farm property.  I am in awe of the new elementary and junior high (pictured above).  But mostly, I am in awe of how First Southern Baptist Church is strategically positioned to be a great witness in the area.

God kept that congregation there for a reason, to introduce as many people as possible to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. I continually pray for FSBC to make an impact for Jesus.

    

Only One Life, Twill Soon Pass by C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

— extra stanza —

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee

Living with Purpose

You are here at this time in history for a purpose.  Do you believe that statement? Do you think that God has a plan for your life, one directed by his desire for your life? Every person is created by God on purpose, with a purpose, and for a purpose.  God's divine design for every human is why life is precious, even unborn life.

A relationship with God, through his Son, Jesus Christ, brings this divine plan to realization.  God desires that every person recognize his or her sinfulness, resulting in repentance and faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  It's true that many find purpose in life apart from this saving relationship, but only God's purpose will stand the test of time.   What exactly is this eternal purpose?

When a person responds to the call to salvation, he or she is also responding to a call to serve God's purpose here on earth.  The mission of the church is multifaceted, but in its simplest form, it is this: witness to the ends of the earth concerning the amazing grace of God found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  God not only calls but also empowers to serve and witness.   The Divine purpose fulfilled, then, is God working through believers to advance his kingdom.   Now that you know the how of living with purpose, it's essential to grasp the where of living with purpose. 

Where do followers of Jesus advance the kingdom? The short answer to this question is everywhere you go, and everything you do is a mission field to promote the gospel of God's kingdom. Your family is a mission field.  How you spend your money and time becomes a mission field.    Community involvement, social gatherings, work, church, all of these are mission fields.  As you can see, living with God's purpose doesn't' consume your life, it is your life.

The apostle Paul described this all-consuming mission when he said, "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21). God created you for a person, his Son, Jesus Christ.   Living with purpose is allowing Christ to become your life.   You are here at this time in history for a Jesus! Give your life to Jesus and allow Jesus to become your life.
In the words of C.T. Studd: "Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee."

Do You Struggle with Doubt?

As a follower of Christ, do you struggle with doubt? If you're like me, then, the answer is yes.  In my personal experience, doubt comes in seasons or waves.  Times of strong faith followed by seasons of enormous, overwhelming doubt.  The preacher was correct when he penned, "For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  I'm currently in a season of doubt, but God's using it to strengthen my faith, and to help others with the same struggle. 

I'm learning that my struggles with doubt are not with God's ability, but his willingness to act on my behalf.  I believe in the promises and power of God but doubt his willingness to do anything for me.  Realizing the nature of my doubt enabled God to bring clarity and revelation concerning the source of doubt. 

The source of my doubt was God's inactivity or activity concerning my life circumstances.  Interestingly, I started believing that God was no different than my earthly father, who's aloof, uncaring, and by his actions, or lack of actions, unloving.  Actions speak louder than words. I believed that God, just like my dad, didn't care or love me; therefore, he's unwilling to help me.  I hope you can see, doubting the willingness of God is different than doubting God's ability.  How? Doubting God's willingness is linked to your self-worth, whereas, doubting God's ability is connected to the attributes of God.

God revealed that my perceived unwillingness on his part stems from disbelief concerning my position in Christ, which is the result of the poor relationship between my dad and me.  Over the years, I have allowed my dad's actions define my self-worth.  After forty-nine years of neglect, I, subconsciously, define my self-worth as unlovable.  When I doubt God's willingness, mostly in the midst of a tough season, it's a result of transferring my earthly father's neglect upon God. 

This revelation came through a season, one that I'm in now, of suffering.  Every external thing that I once allowed to generate self-worth is gone, except family.  Ministry provides so much to build one's self-worth.  Having people tell you how great a preacher and pastor you are goes a long way.  Mark Twain said, "I can live two months on a good compliment."  But there is more; experiencing success in ministry,  financial stability and other things can have the same self-worth building influence. 

I have a confession.  The season that I'm in is the toughest to date.  It's tough because my struggle is with my faith, and the God of my faith.  I'm convinced that just like every good marriage, our relationship with God grows through struggle.  It's tough because there are moments I don't see how God is going to get me through this season.  Thankfully, I see progress, even though each step of progress is met with much more progress to achieve.  My goal is to share my progress with the hope of helping others. 

Jesus, The Uber Rider

If you like people watching, and conversations with people you don't know, then Uber driving is for you.  People from all walks of life request rideshare services and end up in the back of your vehicle.  

Recently, I gave a model from Brazil a ride from the airport to the Dillard's studios for a two-week photo shoot. It was her first time to Arkansas.  The conversation covered a variety of topics like the number of men with beards, gun ownership, wildlife, rednecks, and religion. 

Driving weekend nights is a world of its own.  Most riders are using the service because they intend to become incapacitated by excessive alcohol consumption (I am thankful that they have the right sense to use Uber), which provides fascinating conversations. 

Five young ladies, probably in their mid-twenties, provided an intriguing discussion, as I drove them to the Alan Jackson Concert.  Conversing with each other, one of the girls dropped a few "F" bombs.  She then turned to me and said, "I hope you are not one of those committed Christians offended by my language." I responded, "I have one better for you, I am a pastor, but I am not offended."   I went on to tell her, "I'm your Uber driver, not Jesus.  You just be yourself." I have learned not to expect people to conform to a particular moral standard without first experiencing the transforming power of the gospel. Otherwise, I would be offended all the time.   Nevertheless, my response opened the door for an invite to church.  

The most fantastic rider, to date, has been Jesus.  In his book, A Praying Life, Paul Miller writes about seeing Jesus throughout your day; maybe it is a kind word received, or how another person responds to a challenging situation.  I saw Jesus in an Uber rider. 

If you are going to make money driving for Uber in Little Rock, then you will have to work the airport.  It provides an excellent resource for rides.  When a driver arrives at the airport, he or she is put into a queue by the app.  A driver can wait ten minutes or forty-five; it all depends on queue placement and incoming flights.  

On the day Jesus rode, I was number nine in the queue.   Therefore, I thought to myself, "I have enough time to go to the airport and use the restroom."  So, I started my way to the terminal from my usual parking spot when I received a ride request.  It was a rider at the airport.  I said to myself, "How can this be; there must be a mistake."  But it was no mistake.  I went from the ninth person in line to first. 

Arriving at Gate D, I waited for Julie.  After about a minute wait, she exits the terminal with no baggage.  She, who was from Frisco, Texas, was in Little Rock for a quick meeting at Baptist Hospital.  She would fly back later that afternoon. 

We immediately had common ground with us both being from Texas.  We spoke about the growth of Frisco over the years and other Texas trivia.  Eventually, she asked what brought me to Arkansas.  I shared with her that I'm a pastor and some of the things I've experienced over the past eight years in the Natural State.

Approaching her drop off, Julie said, "I feel compelled to pray for you."  I gladly accepted and listened as she prayed.  Julie prayed things for me that I had not shared with her.  It was at that moment that I realized that this ride was a divine appointment, orchestrated by God.  God winked at me with that visit, merely to let me know how much he loves me.   

I'm learning to look for Jesus every day. For me, on this day, he showed up as an Uber rider named Julie.  Are you looking for Jesus? What Jesus encounters have you experienced?