Before You Quit the Ministry: Learning to Count Like Jesus.

Before You Quit the Ministry: Learning to Count Like Jesus. Some helpful biblical instruction from Pastor Mathis.

We have over two hundred pastors in this room, and if Barna’s recent report is accurate, then about 85 of you considered quitting in the last twelve months. This past March, Barna’s survey on pastoral confidence and vocational satisfaction reported that 41 percent of the pastors they queried thought about walking away in the last year. That was down 1 percent from 2022, which was up 13 percent from 2021.

But most of us don’t need survey numbers to know that these last few years have been hard times to be a pastor and to endure in the challenges of pastoral ministry. And in such times, Philippians is a great choice for a pastors’ conference.  In particular, I love the pairing of “the epistle of joy” with this theme of endurance. Paul wrote while enduring incarceration, and he wrote to a church enduring opposition. And yet Philippians is known for radiating with joy. No other epistle, and maybe no other biblical book, shines so brightly with so many explicit mentions of joy and rejoicing and gladness in such short space. So we are set up very wisely and wonderfully for illuminating both this theme and this letter, and for learning to count the joys of ministry, not just the costs.

Unity, Humility, and Joy:  Chapter 2 continues the focus on unity begun in Philippians 1:27, with exhortations to unity within the church (verses 1–2, 14–16), and humility in the soul (verses 3–4), and with four personal examples.

Verses 1–2 extend the charge to unity, and verses 3–4 commend humility as the channel to such unity. And the Philippians are not on their own to obey, but God himself is at work in them (verses 12–13) to humble themselves, and so, in the face of external opposition, to strive side by side for the gospel, not against each other.  For the Philippian church, opposition was not new. Acts 16 tells us how quickly persecution followed on the heels of the gospel first coming to Philippi. Paul cast the spirit out of a slave girl, and he and Silas were soon beaten with rods and imprisoned. What’s new, and newly threatening, is that Paul has heard of some emerging divisions inside this local church. So Paul, imprisoned again, now in Rome, writes with the burden that the Philippians freshly seek unity and humility, and follow four tangible examples of humble, joyful endurance.

Chapter 2 is wonderfully concrete with these four personal examples: Timothy and Epaphroditus in verses 19–30, and Christ himself in verses 5–11 — which is the heart of the chapter and the Christian faith. And it’s where we’ll focus in this session, and see not only that Jesus endured but ask how. And there’s a sneaky fourth personal example, Paul himself, in verse 17.

If we try to capture Paul’s essential structure in this chapter of exhortations and examples to a church newly encountering tensions within, perhaps it would go like this: pursue (1) unity in the gospel, (2) through humility in your minds, (3) learning foremost from Jesus’s enduring to the cross. So: unity in the gospel, through humility of mind, like Christ at the cross..."

“...In pastoral ministry, unity, not conflict, is our long game. We’re not angling for conflict. We angle for real peace and unity in the gospel. Our calling is not to spoil the peace, but to pursue true peace, -even when- it requires tension and conflict to get there. At heart, pastors are peacemakers, not troublemakers. And we sometimes (if not often) discover trouble that regretfully requires more trouble, in order to pursue true unity and, in the end, have less trouble. But we don’t delight in trouble. Nor do we seek to add unnecessary trouble to the sad amount of necessary trouble we already have in this age. Rather, we delight to be unified in the gospel — and unity in the gospel is precious enough that we’re willing to endure intermediate tensions and conflicts along the path to peace and unity.

Which presents us as pastors with countless needs and challenges for wisdom. We need to know when to handle challenges to gospel unity with one-time private conversations, and when to give trouble more extended private attention, and when to address trouble with public attention in some form, as in a sermon or sermon series, or in a congressional letter, or via church meetings.

In other words, how much attention do we give to sin and error and for how long? These are some of the most difficult challenges in pastoral ministry. And this is why plurality in leadership is so important and precious. Alone, none of us makes such decisions perfectly. We need a team of brothers to help discern what challenges in our own congregation to unity in the truth are worthy of our attention, and how much attention, and for how long.

And is this unity uniformity? Twice verse 2 says to be “of the same mind” and “of one mind.” We might call it like-mindedness, a shared perspective or cast of mind. It doesn’t mean sameness, that everybody believes all the same things about all the same things, but that at the heart, and in the end, there is a like-mindedness in what matters most..."

"So, we are not afraid of relational tensions in ministry, and we check ourselves to make sure that our part in those tensions is owing to the long game of unity, not division, and especially those divisions that stem from selfish ambition and conceit….

On listening to and spreading gossip

On listening to and spreading gossip- Satan, the archenemy of Christ, seeks to distract, discourage, divide, devour, and destroy the true church. One subtle way he divides the people of God is through the tongue.  James 3:6, "The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body."

The Word of God has much to say about gossip, slander, and bearing false witness against one’s neighbor (Proverbs 6:16-19; Exodus 20:16).  Pastor Mike Riccardi provides a helpful biblical overview concerning these "respectable" sins and explains why Scripture describes gossip and slander as serious transgressions against God and man (James 3:9; Proverbs 17:4). I've expanded Pastor Mike's post turning it into a full article.  In effort to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” we humbly ask that you prayerfully consider the following biblical precepts.  

Riccardi writes: "Scripture calls those who give false testimony 'worthless’ (NASB, ESV) or 'vile' (1 Kings 21:10, 13). So also the one who devises evil and spreads strife (Proverbs 6:12-14), and who digs up evil (Proverbs 16:27). 'Worthless.' 'Vile.'  Severe language in Scripture is reserved for serious sins.

It also calls the one who 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴 to gossip “an evildoer” and “a liar” (Proverbs 17:4).

In a fallen world, it does seem unavoidable that there will be vile people who happily publish (spread) hearsay in an attempt to stir up dissension and attract attention to themselves. But it’s especially grieving to see so many who name the name of Christ eat up the dainty morsels without a moment’s hesitation or discretion. And even worse, to pass them along as if it were biblically permissible to give them any consideration at all! Still worse: to treat them as if they were settled fact!

Refusing to give heed to unsubstantiated claims is not optional, or some application of advanced Christian maturity. It is a basic, ground-level principle of Christian decency."

You could call it Christianity 101 with respect to receiving reported information:

1) Should I involve myself in this conflict? Proverbs 26:17 teaches, "Like someone who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel (conflict) not their own." Much wisdom from above is needed before entering a battle zone. Prayerful consideration and sound judgment are essential (Prov. 3:5-6).

2) Confirming facts via biblical corroboration.  "In general, every matter is to be confirmed by the mouth of two or three truthful witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:15-16; 1 Timothy 5:17-19)."  Sometimes you may not be in a position to receive all the relevant facts.      

3)  Proverbs 18:17, "Be careful, one seems right until another comes and examines him."  There’s often two (or three) sides to a story/conflict/dispute.

20+ years ago a pastor-professor told a seminary class of a time when a neighbor lady came over during a family yard sale with bruises on her wrists. This man and his wife were naturally very concerned. "What happened to you? Are you ok?" Their neighbor went on to explain that her husband was responsible. "Last night he grabbed me and hurt my wrists!" This loving pastor quickly marched over to his unbelieving neighbor's house believing he needed to courageously confront this tyrant of a man.  “Someone needs to hold this guy accountable for his actions.” But after interacting with his neighbor he heard the complete story (Prov. 18:17).  He found out that this man's wife had been drinking before this incident transpired. When the husband confronted his wife over her drunkenness, she angrily came after him with two kitchen knives. When his wife raised her right and left arms to stab him, the husband grabbed unto her wrists, and did not let go until his wife dropped the kitchen knives. This pastor apologized for sinfully rushing to judgment.  He then circled back to confirm that these new details were true. The neighbor lady said, "Sadly, what my husband shared is true."  She then apologized for misleading them.  She also noted, “I'm actually very grateful my husband did not call the police.  Had they, I would have been the one arrested.” 

For another example of why applying Proverbs 18:17 and 26:17 is so important, compare and contrast Netflix's, "Making a Murderer" docuseries with the Daily Wire's, "Convicting a Murderer" docuseries.  Liberal, lesbian activists seemingly duped millions of Netflix viewers into believing that Steven Avery was a good man.  A victim that was wrongly convicted of kidnap, rape, and murder by a corrupt legal system. Once all of the pertinent facts were presented many humbly admitted that they had drawn the wrong conclusion. They wrongly assumed Netflix was presenting the evidence fairly.  Suffice it to say, if you do not have access to the pertinent facts, it is difficult to draw just conclusions, especially if/when it involves judging a fellow believer? 

In church disputes, there are generally three sides to a story:  1) Person 1 or group A; 2) Person 2 or group B; and 3) The position of your shepherd-leaders (1 Thess. 5:13-15). For many reasons, a believer must join a local church that has biblically qualified, pastors and elders; (hence 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5f).  It’s essential because these human shepherds are called by God to serve as the “overseers” and human “guardians of the flock” (Hebrews 13:17).  When moderating conflicts, church leaders often make difficult decisions based on private information and facts that the entire church is not privy to.  Malicious gossip and serious slander sometimes forces leadership to share details that they’d rather not trouble the entire congregation with. 

4) Be discerning and cautious before rendering judgment.  Proverbs 18:13, "To give an answer before you hear is folly and shame to you."  See points above. Note Matthew 7:1-5.

5) “Do not associate with a gossip (Proverbs 20:9)." Puritan Thomas Watson said, "The scorpion carries poison in its tail, the slanderer in his or her tongue."

Pastor Riccardi concludes with some cautionary words of wisdom- "Therefore, when someone makes disparaging claims about anyone or anything without meeting the biblical standards of corroboration, that person is displaying his own wickedness and discrediting his reputation. To people of Christian character, such behavior should be like a blinking neon sign that reads: Don’t take me seriously. I refuse to meet ground-level standards of Christian behavior and speech. 

Such a person has disqualified himself from being taken seriously.

But when Christians of good conscience fail to do that—when they do lend credence to unsubstantiated accusations and claims of secret knowledge—they culpably (even if unknowingly) participate in the worthless man’s wickedness.

But understand, dear brother or sister: to do this is to expose yourself—not only as one who fails to grasp the basics of Christian conduct, but also as one whom Scripture calls an evildoer and a liar (Proverbs 17:4).

Why? Because with his 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 the godless man 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘴 his neighbor (Proverbs 11:9).

If a good name is to be more desired than great wealth (Prov 22:1), then maliciously acting against someone’s good name—speaking 𝘰𝘳 listening—is to act against his very life (Leviticus 19:16)."

 Serious sin that impacts the unity and health of the Body OR that unfairly destroys someone’s good name, demands a serious, biblical response; (hence Titus 3:10; Matthew 18:15-17; Proverbs 9:7-8; 17:4; 1 Cor. 5:11-13; Exodus 20:16).

 

 

 

Comfort Others with the Comfort You Have Received from the Lord.

As a pastor of nearly 20 years, and as a pastor's kid, I know first hand that truly biblical, pastoral ministry is a highly, hazardous vocation. It's one reason why so many church leaders compromise (to save face) or leave the ministry altogether. The way many faithful shepherds are treated by professing Christians is a source of much sorrow and grief (read 2 Corinthians). I am currently blessed to pastor a wonderfully loving, biblical flock (such is Lake Country Bible Church)! With that said, it is a special joy and honor to come alongside these two (faithful) pastors, from different states, to encourage them in the Lord. The Lord knows, sees, and will reward faithful shepherd-expositors like Pastor Michael and Pastor Will. 1 Peter 5:4, "When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." Press on brother-shepherds in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Thess. 5:12-13. "But we request of you, brothers and sisters, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another."

2 Corinthians 1:3-12, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is working in your perseverance in the same sufferings which we also suffer. And our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even to live.  Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not have confidence in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who rescued us from so great a peril of death, and will rescue us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet rescue us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers on our behalf, so that thanks may be given on our behalf by many persons for the gracious gift bestowed on us through the prayers of many.  For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

I am most grateful for faithful men who encouraged me during particularly difficult and painful seasons of ministry.  It is my heart's desire to extend such love and care to fellow shepherds who are hurting.  It's one reason why I agreed to serve as a regional leader within the Master's Fellowship.

Pastor John MacArthur: Longtime Pastor, Mentor, and Friend!

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). “Imitate me, (in so much) as I imitate Christ.” The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 11:1.

When it comes to ministry mentors and pastoral role-models: Choose wisely!  For “the student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” Jesus, Luke 6:40.

Dr. John MacArthur became my pastor in 1991.  I still consider him to be my primary ministry mentor, my faithful shepherd, and my humble friend.  Pastor John has been the lead shepherd at Grace Community Church steadily leading the same flock for over fifty years now; (he began his ministry at GCC in 1969)!  When my entire family moved from Wisconsin Rapids to Los Angeles in the early 90’s, little did I know the impact Pastor John MacArthur would have on my life, my wife/family, and on my own future pastoral ministry.  How could I? Seeing I was not genuinely converted until Jr. High (and only God knows the future).  Looking back, one of the greatest privileges in my life was growing up at Grace Community Church, sitting under the expository preaching ministry of John MacArthur, and attending the Master’s University and Seminary.  Here I learned the in’s and out’s of biblical Christianity and the ABC’s of pastoral ministry and expository preaching.  At this faithful church, under this faithful preacher, everything my Christian parents taught me from Scripture was reinforced and fortified (2 Timothy 3:15-4:5).

Over the past thirty years I have corresponded back and forth with Pastor MacArthur often via handwritten letters.  Despite an unbelievably demanding ministry schedule, Pastor John has always taken time to write me back (albeit sometimes through his church secretary).  As a child/teenager many of my chicken scratch notes included "difficult" bible questions, such as, “Pastor, how do you explain the discrepancies with regard to numbers recorded in the same bible verse in different bible translations?”  “Dear Pastor John, if God is absolutely sovereign, how do we reconcile ____.”  After many gracious and thoroughly biblical responses I realized that it was unlikely that I would be able to stump (my) Pastor John.   

In the 90’s my (pastor) father had the privilege of serving as missions/outreach pastor (while attending seminary) and I had the honor of serving as a deacon (a decade or so later).  During college, when the Lord changed my career trajectory from sports broadcasting to pastoral ministry/preaching, my love and appreciation for Pastor John MacArthur increased a hundred-fold.  He was now not only my favorite preacher, he was also a ministry hero in the faith.  Like Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Pastor John was a lion in the pulpit and a lamb outside of it when interacting with his beloved congregation.  As I was able to see him live out his faith in private (doing life with his children and grandchildren) my respect for him only grew.  Like my own father, he was the same godly man at home as he was behind the pulpit.

One of the most memorable highlights of our married life is when Pastor John and Patricia visited our 1-bedroom dorm apartment (see picture above) for dinner before I graduated from seminary and moved to the Midwest to pastor a local church.  

Suffice it to say, no “jar of clay” has had a greater impact on my pulpit ministry, my theological convictions, and my (biblical) philosophy of ministry than Pastor John MacArthur.  This partially explains why Andrea and I named our son Jude MacArthur Kolstad. 

Many people who find/visit Lake County Bible Church do so via the Master’s Seminary church finder or by calling “Grace to You.”  It is a tremendous stewardship and honor to receive referrals from any of Pastor John’s ministry volunteers and pastors/professors (1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:11).  To be called a "Master's man" is a great privilege and a great responsibility.

In view of the massive influence of The Master’s Seminary/University and Pastor John MacArthur on me (and all of our pastors) we believe it is quite fitting to highlight this special relationship on my ministry blog page and church website.

Included are a few of my favorite memories/pictures with Pastor John; (unfortunately I did not save any letters from my childhood/teen years).