1 Timothy 2:1-7, September 18-24, Year C:

First of all, Paul tells Timothy that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for all people, for "kings and all who are in high positions." And he gives a very good reason why these prayers should be offered. It is for the purpose of aiding us in leading a quiet and ordered life. It is conducive to the process of evangelization. God desires that all those who are predestined for salvation will come to a knowledge of the truth; but this process is made more difficult when society and nations are in turmoil. In our culture and throughout western civilization, we are more likely to criticize those in authority than we are to pray for them. We act as though we know everything we need to know and can pass judgment on those we don't like. Certainly, we may share our opinions; but the greatest tool we have in our efforts to encourage godliness in life and government is the weapon of prayer. The prayers should not be simply that everybody does what we want; but that all in authority--in church, government, or business--should seek the will of God. In this way, the spread of the Gospel can be facilitated and societal transformation can occur. We will not bring in the kingdom; but we can pray for those who may be seeking to hinder God's purposes. And note that Paul even urges that "thanksgivings" be made for the subjects of our prayers. This gives credence to the idea that even a bad ruler is better than none. All of this is important because, as Paul reminds Timothy here, "there is one Mediator" between God and men; and that Mediator is Christ Jesus. The testimony of this fact was given in God's own time, at the proper time; and it was for this purpose that Paul was made an apostle. Our pluralistic world today resists the notion that there is only one Mediator between God and humanity. This goes against our human pride, our desire for autonomy, and our sense of fairness. However, this is the clear teaching of Scripture that was affirmed throughout the history of the early church. It is presumptuous of modern man to think that we have some understanding that corrects or transcends the apostolic teachings. Let us again consider the context of this chapter. Paul is saying that because there is just this one Mediator, we need to be especially careful to pray for the conditions that will aid in worldwide evangelization. Clearly, this would be to the glory of God and for the good of His creation. Would we not prefer a Christian world to a world of clashing conflict and noisy confusion? It is not arrogant of us to desire those things which God Himself desires. We should pray that all would come to a knowledge of the saving truth of Christ Jesus.

Dinosaurs in the Parsonage?

I heard of a pastor who writes articles each week for a weekly newspaper--only, he apparently doesn't write them! He confessed to someone who complimented him on his article that he got it from an outside service of some sort! In this blog, we have previously discussed the rethinking that is occurring about the pastor's home visits. A lot of pastors get most or all of their sermon material from sermon books or Internet services. Many pastors do very little counseling because they refer their counseling cases to specialists in various fields. I even know pastors who don't train their own officers, but have someone from the outside come in to do the work. Is the local pastor becoming a dinosaur in the parsonage--or, in the case of Presbyterians, the manse, or the rectory for Episcopalians, or--well, you get the point? I doubt if very many ministers are guilty of all these omissions. And certainly, there is some value in using various "tools of the trade," so to speak. I have used some illustrations from on-line services. And I often follow the lectionary, which means that I don't necessarily have to ponder over choices of Scripture the way I did twenty or more years ago. (I do often vary from the lectionary, however.) But when I think of ministers who don't even put their own sermons together or write their own thoughts, or train their own officers, or do any significant counseling, I wonder what in the world they are doing. but then, I remember. Someone told me of a minister in another Texas city who is fighting for the rights of illegal aliens to get preventive health care! Ministers are increasingly involved mostly in public relations and community service organizations. Many are expected to be their church's youth leader. Many seem to find plenty of time to push their own social or political agenda--be it conservative or liberal. I believe it is a good thing for ministers to be involved in the activities of their denomination. I even think that community involvement, with the right motivation and the best interests of the local congregation at heart, can be a positive thing. It does seem however that the local ministers have drifted farther and farther away from their major responsibility. Didn't Jesus say something about "feeding my sheep?" Do we really think he was talking about soup kitchens? There are areas of ministry that others can do better than I. Certainly, some counseling situations are handled best by professional counselors who are trained in a particular field. For ministers, however, simply to abdicate that whole aspect of ministry would have been inconceivable fifty or 100 years ago. Increasingly today, we even have churches with worship leaders! Can't the minister even lead his own worship service? Obviously, mministers are finding themselves in a self-conscious crisis of confidence and competence. Do we have dinosaurs in the parsonage, or do we just have men and women who need to be renewed in their sense of call and purpose? I truly don't know; but for my part, I don't plan to become a dinosaur yet. My sermons are my own work, hopefully under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. If I write an article for a newspaper, it will be my own writing. If someone comes to me with tears streaming down their face in need of counseling, I won't automatically assume that I am totally useless. I will visit as much as I can, seek to facilitate the youth work and encourage the leadership, train my officers, and try to be as good in administration as possible. I have personal interests in many areas outside the church; but those shall remain outside the church. My ministry is not the perfect ministry. I am guilty of many flaws, oversights, and shortcomings; but at least, I won't borrow those flaws and shortcomings from anywhere else. "Out-sourcing" is big today; but I would hope that it would stop at the minister's study!