In these days, what do we need as believers more than anything else in this world? How about the need for a personal realization of the power of God resting upon us as stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where Paul is describing the revelation God had given him of this very thing? …read more
The last few days of February and the first few days of March, 2015, found me shredding the slopes of Vail Mountain in Colorado. For the past few years, my wife and I have spent a week with our oldest son, his wife, and their two boys skiing somewhere in the Rockies. …read more
As we look at the world around us, there is little doubt that our culture has changed dramatically in the last several years. When I first attended Bible school back in 1979, the training I received was fine for that day but there was no way of knowing what significant changes would take place in our world in the more than thirty years following. …read more
After preaching a service this past May in Thonon-les-Bains, France, I was looking around the church bookstore as we waited for the pastor to finish visiting with the people. The titles were all in French, but I recognized some names of the various authors and one of the titles caught my attention. I don’t know exactly what it said, but I could tell it was something about trusting God for the impossible. …read more
With technology changing at a rapid rate, it seems confusing trying to find the right user-friendly software to handle the giving records at church. I wonder what church software the different churches are using and why? Also, what apps and other systems of giving are churches using, and how are they working? Are such avenues creating an increase in donations, and if so, how much? There are so many ways today to give like cash, check, credit card, online, phone apps, etc.
Despite all the negative things that we are hearing and seeing happening, God is miraculously expanding His Kingdom in the hearts of Iranian Muslims in Iran under the strict ruling of Islamic government, which harshly opposes the Gospel and openly persecutes Christians. Even with all these challenges, Iranians are coming to Christ at an unprecedented rate. Read this article by Massoud Sadeghi
Risks are necessary, but they are not to be done without caution or wisdom. Taking risks does not mean we blindly leap from the cliff, and hope there is a safety net somewhere. We must value what former US General George Patton observed, “Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.” Read this article by Marvin Yoder
In life and ministry settings, we often have young, potential leaders around us. Some are young in age, others are young in experience or leadership roles. But, can we identify and develop these diamonds-in-the-rough? Not only can we do this, we must! Read this article by Hayne Schurz
Have you ever seen someone playing the game called Whack-a-Mole? They stand before the game board with a padded hammer, just waiting for one of the little critters to pop its head up, and they try to whack it before it goes back in the hole. The longer they play, the faster and more erratic the moles are in popping up their heads. …read more
I believe I need to do some more end-time teaching than I have in the past. What are some of the approaches that other pastors take in teaching on such issues, and what are the basic things that pastors teach along these lines? I realize there are many different views when it comes to eschatology – how can I teach my people healthy, wholesome doctrine that avoids weirdness? What resources are recommended?
It looks like I will be doing my first funeral as a pastor in the very near future. I’d love to hear from some seasoned pastors about what they’ve learned from their experiences in conducting funerals? How can I most effectively minister to the family and those in attendance? Are there some do’s and don’ts I should be aware of in conducting funerals? I’d also be interested in hearing the experiences of pastors who’ve had to do “difficult” funerals. Thanks for the tips and advice.
Heaven has not had an appeal to many people simply because it seemed so “other worldly.” As I child I somehow picked up the idea that Heaven would be everyone in a big room in choir robes singing songs. What a bore! Who wants to spend eternity in a never-ending church service? …read more
The world is comparison crazy! People compare almost every physical quality or material possession. I wish I could tell you the church is exempt from this wicked worldly attribute but unfortunately I can’t. We compare preachers, programs, facilities, congregational size, and … read more
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” It is easy to preach against something, but it’s better to show people a way out, a way to something better. The idea for our “I Do” service came from a series I did called “Ask Anything.” The purpose … read more
We have a choice to make in what we “savor;” what we delight in or take pleasure in. We can choose the things that be of God, or the things that be of men. Unconsciously we make those decisions all day long and I’ll speak for myself here, I bet I savor the things that “be of men” more often than not. It can be so automatic, so mindless, this pleasing of our flesh. …read more
I probably don’t need to explain the title since most people have heard the phrase, “Liar, liar, pants on fire,” but if that snippet was actually true, there would be a lot of people these days with serious injuries to the lower half of their bodies. …read more
As missionaries for over 25 years, my wife and I have experienced many kinds of worship styles in a variety of circumstances and situations, from the underground church of China, to Eskimo and Chukchi villages in Arctic Russia, to churches in modern cities in various parts of the world. …read more
Pastors Duane and Mary Hanson dedicated their lives to Christ over 30 years ago and have committed themselves to helping people know God through His Word. Having come from Protestant and Catholic backgrounds, the desire of their heart is to help people become established in the truths of God’s Word rather than the traditions of men. Helping pioneer a church in Minneapolis in 1977 gave them an opportunity to develop their teaching ministries. They responded to the call of God on their lives in 1979 and began making preparations for full time ministry. In 1982 they pioneered Established Heart Ministries in the Highland Park area of Saint Paul. The Hanson’s have lived and been actively involved in the local community of Highland Park for two decades.
Both are graduates of RHEMA Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and hold ordination with RHEMA Ministerial Association International (R.M.A.I.), as well as the Association of Faith Churches and Ministries (A.F.C.M.). You may visit their church website at www.establishedheart.org.
If you’ve been around the “Word of Faith Movement” for any length of time, you’ll have heard a few messages that use the following passage.
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Even though we’re all familiar with this basic message, I’d like to specifically address the fundamental issues of our faith. Let’s look and see how the Message Bible translates this verse, which might help us look at it differently than we have in the past.
Hebrews 11:1 (MSG)
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living.
This translation brings out the fact that Faith is our firm foundation. That our Faith should be built upon the basic fundamentals found in the Bible. That these fundamentals should influence the way we live, and make life worth living!
In 2 Peter 1:1, we are told that through our righteousness with God, we have “obtained a like precious faith” which we share with other Christians. When writing to Titus, Paul makes a point of saying that he considers him to be “a true son in our common faith.” [Titus 1:4 NKJV]
Paul is acknowledging that they shared the same fundamental beliefs about Jesus Christ and His Word. He then begins to lay out instructions that will help Titus identify the more mature believers that can be trusted with positions of leadership. It appears that both Peter and Paul were concerned that people in positions of influence within the church should share The Fundamentals of the common faith, and be of like precious faith! They had recognized that immaturity had resulted in people not being Established in the Faith! [Colossians 2:6-8, 2 Peter 1:12]
Why is this important? Because earlier in the Book of Hebrews, the writer challenges the reader to go beyond the basics of the common faith, and to press deeper into spiritual growth and maturity. The Lord is telling us that we should all strive to become well established in what have been called “The First Principles” of God’s Word.
Hebrews 5:11-14 (NLT)
There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
Hebrews 6:1-3 (NLT)
So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
The Church should not ignore the basic principles being defined by the writer of Hebrews. There are basic Fundamentals found in the scriptures that every Christian should accept as absolute Truth.
Over a century ago, Christian leaders from various denominations realized the damaging influence that both progressive seminaries and liberal theologians were having on the Body of Christ. Collectively they determined to identify the basic principles that should be the foundation of our Christian faith. Many Christian organizations have similar principles, or what we know as “The Tenets of Our Faith.” These Fundamentals defined their doctrinal positions and helped guide their decisions, as they had to respond to a changing religious culture. If that was true one hundred years ago, how much more does the Church of the 21st Century need to know and stand upon these Fundamentals of faith! These basic Fundamentals were eventually established and published as a way for every Christian to take inventory and strengthen their Biblical Foundation, regardless of their religious persuasion, affiliation or denomination.
Here’s the Five Fundamentals that were published back in 1908 that every Christian should acknowledge and use as the building blocks of their Faith Foundation:
| 1. The Inspiration and Infallibility of Scripture |  |
The Integrity of God’s Word |
| 2. The Deity of Christ [Including His Virgin Birth] | |
Jesus Christ Is the Son of God |
| 3. The Substitutionary Atonement of Christ’s Death | |
Christ’s Substitution and Identification |
| 4. The Literal Resurrection of Christ from the Dead | |
The Literal Resurrection of Christ from the Dead |
| 5. The Literal Return of Christ in the Second Advent | |
The Return of Jesus Christ In His Glory |
As you can see, I’ve added some terminology that might be used today to express these same principles of truth. If you can agree with all five of these basic Fundamentals, then you’re on the right track to grow and mature as a believer. Purpose to let the Word of God be the solid foundation upon which you build your faith. Then you can trust every promise found in the Bible ~ absolutely, completely, and without question!
Let’s consider what Paul wrote to Timothy about these basic Fundamentals, the first of which we’ve labeled as “The Integrity of God’s Word.” Paul’s simple instructions to Timothy are just as true and applicable today as when he wrote them nearly 2000 years ago. [See 2 Timothy 3:1-17] After giving a specific warning about the “last days” in the first part of this chapter, Paul concludes that the best way for the Church to confront those who are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,” and “have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof,” is by holding firm to the truth that he taught and lived out as an example before them. [See 2 Timothy 3:10-15]
To understand what Paul’s point is, we have to read the full chapter in context, which he wraps up with this foundational truth…
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete [perfect & mature], thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Unless we hold fast to this truth concerning The Integrity of God’s Word, which is the primary foundation upon which all the other Fundamentals rest, then religious leaders and immature believers have the ability to alter and redefine the meaning of any verse they dislike, or find disagreeable to their lifestyle. The Church has been dealing with a “crisis of faith” for some time now, and yet, adhering to these Fundamentals would solve any questions that might arise due to our “evolving moral culture.” However, if every Christian accepted the validity of this passage, then it must be understood that no one has the right to edit or change what God’s Word has established as absolute truth.
As Hebrews 5:14 above makes so clear, it’s the immature believer that has not learned how to “recognize the difference between right and wrong.” In the same sense, it’s the deceived Christian leader (or possibly just ignorant) that has denied the faith and failed to discern between “truth and error.” [1 John 4:6] As we learn to trust what we read in God’s Word, and become convinced that God’s Word does not change or evolve because of our culture, then we’ll be equipped to “recognize the difference between right and wrong,” and believe, declare, and act upon every Promise of God.
[For further Biblical evidence of this First Fundamental Truth, see 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Galatians 1:10-12, 2 Peter 1:16-21].
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV)
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Galatians 1:10-12 (KJV)
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:16-21 (KJV)
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Rev. Jim Herring is gifted Bible teacher who ministers God’s Word in a passionate, powerful, and practical way. The focus of Jim’s ministry is to help believer’s overcome the trials of life, walk by faith, and reach their full potential in life.
Jim graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma specializing in Pastoral ministry. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Church Ministry from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Texas.
Jim and his lovely wife, Samantha, are the founders and senior Pastors of Abundant Life Family Church in Fort Worth, Texas. They lead a vibrant, thriving, and multi-cultural church in the heart of Texas. Jim and Samantha are also the proud parents of two children, Annabel and Andrew.
The world is comparison crazy! People compare almost every physical quality or material possession. I wish I could tell you the church is exempt from this wicked worldly attribute but unfortunately I can’t. We compare preachers, programs, facilities, congregational size, and the number of multi-site locations.
Paul addressed this very issue in the book of 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
God specifically tells us not to compare and rarely does it produce anything beneficial. Besides, God does not consider any of those things when evaluating our life. He does however, consider a few things when examining our life.
What separates people in the eyes of God? What does He use to evaluate our life?
There are three major markers and they all start with the letter “C”.
In our last article, we addressed the subject of character (click here to check it out). Character answers the question, “Who am I?”
The second thing that separates people in the eyes of God is our calling.
Character answers the question, “Who am I?” Calling answers the question, “Why am I here?”
Here is the good news. You have a calling from God and He has a lot to say about this important subject.
Ephesians 4:1 (NKJV)
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
God instructs us to “walk” worthy of the calling with which we have been called. If I can walk “worthy,” I can walk “unworthy.” The word “walk” is the Greek word “peripateo” which means to “conduct your life”. In other words, God is telling us to live and conduct our life worthy of the calling we have received.
The New Living Translation says, “I…beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.”
Paul also spoke of the call of God as “holy” and “according to His own purpose.”
2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV)
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
You are saved and called for the purpose of God. I want to break down your calling into three specific categories that need our attention and focus.
This is your highest calling. Notice what Paul said in the book of 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV)
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Every believer is called by God into regular fellowship with God. It is staggering, humbling, and encouraging to know that God loves you and wants to spend time with you. Even if other people reject you, God covets time with His kids. How do you spend time in fellowship with God? You do it through prayer, worship, reading the Word, meditation, attending church, and getting quiet before the Lord.
The Lord does not want you to just know facts about Him. He wants you to spend time with Him and get to know Him. Facts don’t automatically translate into relationship. For instance, I know facts about Michael Jordan, but I don’t have a relationship with him. Relationship requires consistent, focused time and effort.
Not too long ago I was reading through the New Testament and I was struck by the actions of Jesus. He taught the multitudes, cast out demons, healed the sick, and trained the twelve. However, over and over again you see something else. Jesus spent time fellowshipping with the Father. The Bible tells us that Jesus left the multitude and went on the mountain to pray (Matthew 14:23). Jesus frequently demonstrated how to fulfill our highest calling – fellowship with God.
Every day that you pray, read the Word, and spend time with God, you are fulfilling your highest calling.
General callings are the ones communicated to us on the pages of Scripture. These principles apply to all of God’s children. Notice what the Bible says regarding our call to live a holy life.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NLT)
God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.
Here we find a general calling that God has for every child of God. This calling does not just apply regarding this command, but all of God’s commands.
We are called to:
Often we don’t think of these things as our “calling.” However, they certainly are. In Tony Cooke’s book, “Qualified,” he speaks to this very issue.
“Misconceptions abound concerning what it means to be “called” by God. Many Christians tend to think of the “calling” as something that applies only to preachers, but God has called all of us to be His children and to reflect His glory and honor in the earth.” (Qualified, p. 11)
God makes this very clear in the book of 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (The Message)
All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.
We are called to become more and more like Him.
Every Christian has their highest calling – fellowship with God.
Every Christian has general callings given to us in the Word of God.
Your specific calling deals primarily with your vocation. Here are a few things to remember about your specific calling.
It is specific!
General callings are easy to discover – they are found in the pages of the Word of God. However, your specific calling will not be found in the Word of God.
For example, God has called my wife and me to pastor a great church in Fort Worth, Texas. However, we never read in the Bible, “Jim and Samantha, I have called you to Pastor the Body of Christ, in Fort Worth.” That is something we had to receive in prayer and fellowship with God. It is His specific will for our life.
Your specific calling is something you have to receive from the Spirit of God. Since your specific calling is not on the pages of Scripture, the only accurate way you can know your specific calling is be making your highest calling a top priority. Remember, your highest calling is spending time with God. When you spend time with God (your highest calling), He will reveal His specific call to you.
Let’s examine the life of Moses and discover some common facts regarding our specific calling.
Exodus 3:1–8 (NKJV)
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.
There are usually three things involved when it comes to your specific calling: a place, a people, and a purpose. Notice, Moses had a place, Egypt and Canaan’s land. Moses also had a people, the Israelites. Moses also had a purpose, to deliver his people from Egyptian slavery.
The same principles can be seen in my own life. I have a place, Fort Worth, Texas. I have a people, Abundant Life. I have a purpose, pastoring and making disciples.
You also have a place God wants you, a people that God has called you to, and a purpose to fulfill. You may not know immediately what those are but don’t be discouraged. Remember this: ignorance of purpose is not an indication of the absence of purpose.
You have a purpose because you are a child of God.
In conclusion, I want to dispel a misconception that has caused many to feel inferior. Your calling to work in the world is just as sacred as my calling to pastor in the Body of Christ. God has called you just like He has called me. Every day that you live for God and go to work in this world, you are making a difference for the Kingdom of God. You are helping serve others and influencing them for God.
The fact is, the work of every believer is sacred, not secular.
Sacred means “directed and devoted to God”. God calls His people to serve in this world.
God calls teachers.
God calls nurses.
God calls doctors.
God calls pilots.
God calls roofers.
God calls salesmen and women.
God calls electricians, plumbers, farmers, and contractors.
I love something Martin Luther once wrote.
“A cobbler, a smith, a farmer, each has the work and the office of this trade, and they are all alike consecrated priests and bishops, and every one by means of his own work or office must benefit and serve every other, that in this way many kinds of work may be done for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the community, even as all the members of the body serve one another.” – Leadership journal article “Refocused Vocation” Winter 2013
When God directs your life, you step into your job everyday fulfilling your specific calling.
Let’s all “walk” worthy of our calling.
Let’s all be focused on fulfilling our highest call by spending time with God.
Let’s all fulfill our general callings by obeying the Word of God.
Let’s all discover and fulfill our specific calling and make a difference in this world.
Tests, trials, afflictions, persecutions, the fiery darts of the enemy: all these and more are sufferings that every Christian experiences in their lifetime. We are to “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to test you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (1 Peter 4:12 KJV). …read more
Those two words—multiplication and mobilization—have been strong on my heart in recent times. One of the verses that powerfully conveys the idea behind these two words is what we call “The 222 Principle” found in 2 Timothy 2:2, which reads, “And the things that you have heard from me… commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” …read more
I’m curious how other pastors develop their leaders, and how they delegate responsibilities to others. I’d like to increase my proficiency in these areas, and would love to get insights from other pastors.
What three skills help you the most in carrying out your pastoral ministry? How do they help you, and to what degree did you feel gifted in these three areas, and how much did you have to work to acquire and or develop them?
