Full Time Ministry Paid Employment - Rewarding Ministry Work With a Paid Salary For Missions Minded

Traveling and ministering throughout the world for over 15 years has taught me a lot about money management. I've given of myself physically, emotionally, and greatly financially to fulfill my God given ministry. At the end of the day my wife has questioned God's ability to provide and compensate me His servant.

Such disillusionment sadly is commonplace for many ministers and their families. The way out of this depth of dispair and mental anguish is to do what the apostle Paul did - be a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). In modern day vernacular that means work while ministering. One of the keys to sustaining ministerial success is to creatively find a way to finance your ministry.

I have done numerous things from working at restaurants, nursing homes for the elderly, serving incoming patients at the Emergency Room during the graveyard shift, and teaching English abroad. My experience has been that teaching English overseas has given me the most ability to speak, impart, and impact the people to whom I am called.

Since missions and ministry is a people business, ongoing daily interaction is vital to build relations and influence your target group. That being said, teaching English is a wonderful way to love, lift, and leave people with the eternal message of God's love.

I was amazed when I stumbled upon Christian schools wanting to hire English teachers and willing to pay them well. Serving as an educator provides a huge open door to impact the hearts and minds of today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.

Spread your wings and trust Jesus as you "launch out into the deep" (Luke 5:4) to go into all the world and bring the good news to a hurting humanity. Jesus ordained every believer to be a disciple and bear much eternal fruit (John 15:16). As you seek first the kingdom of God, you will be financially taken care of and blessed abundantly (see Matthew 6:33; John 10:10).

Fear not. Just embrace the heart of God (John 3:16) for the peoples of the world and be willing to give of yourself. As you do expect continual miraculous personal breakthroughs and countless blessings to flow and come unto you!

Be a full-time minister and compensated with a wonderful salary and free apartment, while performing rewarding ministry work overseas.

How to Become a Minister

Some think of a minister as someone that gives a sermon on Sunday. However, there is much more to the profession than that. They also can perform functions like weddings, funerals, and baptism, and the duties do not stop within the church. Ministers provide spiritual guidance and assistance within the community as well. If this rewarding career sounds like a good fit for you, listed below are some tips on how to become a minister.

While some of the requirements for becoming a minister may vary between the different denominations, typically they are quite similar. Most require an advanced degree of a masters or doctorate in divinity.

However, prior to enrolling in a graduate program double check to see what bachelor's degree they will accept for entry because not all will be accepted. In addition, check all of the admission requirements. Most will require that you have a recommendation from an ordained minister.

While in school, volunteer with your church for positions of more responsibility. Some options are leading youth groups, after school programs, and bible studies. This will allow you to gain experience in the inner workings of the church.

When you have finished all of your schooling and internship, you will need to check with your state's licensing board for your denomination. Licensing requirements do vary by state, so this is a very important step to remember.

Being a minister has been said to be one of the most rewarding careers. You can use your faith to guide and aid your congregation and the community.

Minister's Housing Allowance

Churches often provide ministers of the gospel with the free use of a home, which is often called a parsonage. The value of the parsonage is not subject to income tax up to the rental value of the home. The value of the parsonage is subject to self-employment tax.

Alternatively, a church may provide a minister with a cash housing allowance as a part of the minister's compensation. Such a housing allowance, up to the fair rental value of the house and associated furnishings, is not subject to income tax. In addition, money the minister receives from the church for utilities is not subject to income tax. However, the minister's housing allowance is subject to self-employment tax.

Who is a minister for the purpose of this exclusion? While determining who is a bona fide minister for this purpose dependsd on the facts and circumstances, a minister is usually an individual who conducts worship services, serves as a church administrator, or teaches at a religious school or seminary.

Although a taxpayer usually cannot deduct expenses incurred in connection with the production of tax-free income, a minister may deduct mortgage interest and real estate taxes for income tax purposes on a home the minister owns. The law allows the minister these deductions even though the housing allowance is not subject to income tax.

If the minister owns and lives in the home as the minister's primary residence for two or more years out of the last five years, and then sells it, the minister may use the exclusion of the gain on the sale of the home up to $250,000 if single or up to $500,000 if married.

A minister receives all the benefits of owning a home that any other homeowner receives. The ability to avoid income tax on a housing allowance adds to the benefits of owning a home for a minister. Therefore, a minister should generally prefer to own a home rather than receive the free use of a home owned by the church.

The exclusion from gross income of a housing allowance for a minister is a generous provision of Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code. The tax benefits allowed to a minister are magnified with the ability to deduct mortgage interest and real estate taxes and exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 if married) of the gain on the sale of the home. Ministers of the gospel should take advantage of these provisions so that they can minimize what they must render unto Caesar.

Chief Minister Consistent on Development of Lahore's Infrastructure

The chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, has always been consistent on the development of the infrastructure of the capital city of Punjab, Lahore. This consistency of CM has been a positive step in the development of Punjab. Various projects have been completed and many others are in progress. This consistency has started boosting the values of Lahore Real Estate.

One of the big projects which are almost completed is the Ring Road project. This project was started at a huge level and has helped citizens in many ways. Countless societies and Pakistan properties have seen surge in their real estate values due to its construction. The Ring Road is being constructed around the Lahore, which will help commuters to travel easily from one place to another. Another recently completed project is the construction of Kalma Chowk flyover. With the construction of Kalma Chowk, the real estate values of adjacent properties have experienced an instant surge.

Now CM has given 15 September as the deadline of the Multan Road project. This project will offer better travelling facilities for the citizens. In past, the property values of that area were at the lowest level due to poor travelling system but now with the completion of this project, the Pakistan real estate values have started soaring high and the property trading has become a hot trend in its nearby areas. According to one of the Pakistan estate agents, their business was totally halted before the introduction of Pakistan real estate project. No one was buying a property in an area, which had heavy traffic on the broken and bumpy road. Now with various projects going on in many places, real estate market has seen activity again. He also added that he is quite happy with the construction work as the citizens have gotten a chance to live in a better place.

CM has also granted approval of further projects such as flyover at the canal on Ferozepur Road and underpass at Qainchi Chungi Amar Sidho. CM has also directed city government to provide full resources to complete projects in expeditiously and transparent manner. Experts are of the view that underpass at Qainchi will greatly effect the properties and societies located near Kahna and Kasur side.

Ring Road's Ghazi Interchange has also been recently inaugurated by CM. CM stated that Pakistan is going through a critical phase and different development projects should be started in order to make the citizens of Pakistan feel more comfortable and let them enjoy high living standards. CM with the help of Punjab Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa has also approved the proposal for auction of land for trade and finance center. CM has also urged LDA and other authorities to prepare a comprehensive plan, which is expected to make a major business hub of the city.

This plan will also help Lahore properties to boost up, as Expo centre will attract attentions of foreign investors also. Sources also reported that government is currently planning to build area around the Expo centre such as Motorway, Ring Road, Raiwind Road and Kanal Bank Road. This effort is mainly done to follow the international standards of trade centres. All these efforts by CM are ultimately helping real estate sector of Pakistan to get in a better condition.

Guilty Conscience and the Supportive Minister

A guilty conscience does not improve necessarily when the minister uses 'supportive' interventions to ease the person's conscience.

A troubled conscience is one that is having boundary problems...should I do this or that?...how can I make reparation for doing what I did? An active conscience is our personal guide, our internal spiritual director, helping us make right decisions about how to act toward others, and how to correct mistakes when we make them.

Most ministers want to be 'supportive' of the people who come to see them. Often, a minister untrained in counseling interventions, will be 'supportive' when the person is acting incompetently in his or her life. For example, to tell a person who keeps shoplifting "you are a good person" changes the meaning of "good person" to include the troubling behavior.

But there is another side of the coin...the minister who is 'supportive' in a way that encourages incompetency when the person is acting competently. For example, a minister who was tempted to infidelity with a woman in a troubled marriage, and whose conscience was sorely troubled, acted competently when he sought spiritual guidance. He was encouraged by his supportive spiritual director not to be so disturbed at the idea because the woman's marriage was "on the rocks anyway."

The spiritual director's lesson was to diminish the role of conscience as a guide to moral boundaries in behavior. Instead of minimizing the troubling questions from the man's conscience...the spiritual director should have encouraged the minister to pay attention to and follow his conscience as a guide to behavior.

You can click on the link below to see how a young teenage actor, with a troubled conscience about a part he agreed to play, was also directed by a supportive spiritual director not to follow his conscience as a guide.

Follow the link to read the story...then go to our contact page and tell us what you think the boundary issue is when a minister deals with someone's conscience.

A Political Firestorm For Prime Minister Gordon Brown

In June of 2007 Gordon Brown became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. After a decade working as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Brown had developed a reputation of competence. Low national unemployment, reform, and a decade of growth of nearly 3% per year can work wonders for a political resume, especially for a politician in charge of the Treasury.

In politics, a individual of integrity who can technically get the job done, can overcome a lack of personal charisma. Gordon Brown is not known in the United Kingdom for charisma. He was known for having a record of competence. However, his reputation, and that of the Labour party, has been badly shaken since September 2007. The problems at a bank called Northern Rock and the disclosure that the Labour government has lost the personal financial data for about half of the country's citizens have created a political firestorm and a crisis of confidence in the United Kingdom's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

Indeed, over the last several months, government incompetence has been front page news in the United Kingdom. Even worse for the Prime Minister, the incompetence is focused on the procedures of the Treasury and the competence of the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling.

Consider the political nightmare of a panic by depositors and a run on a bank. The daily news of the Northern Rock banking crisis for the last several weeks has even made world headlines. The scenes of thousands of people lining up to withdraw savings were reminiscent of the worst financial crises of the last century. However, Brown is being criticized in the United Kingdom for making the Northern Rock banking situation even worse. As Prime Minister, Brown changed the process for dealing with financial turmoil by involving the Bank Of England, the Financial Services authority, and the Treasury.

In effect, the Northern Rock crisis has become a potential United Kingdom government bailout. Since Brown's first action as Prime Minister just five months ago was to grant the Bank Of England independence, the recent bailout arrangement for Northern Rock demonstrates that the Bank Of England is not really independent at all.

Next consider the Labour government's disclosure that it somehow managed to lose financial data on 25 million people. Two disks that were not encrypted were put in the regular mail and have disappeared. The data relates to details about families with children, including names, dates of birth, addresses, bank account information, and insurance records.

The Chancellor's office admitted that procedures were not followed and that low level officials had access to, and improperly mailed, aggregate financial data of millions of people. Also, it was disclosed that the same mistake had been made several times in the past six months. The banking industry issued a security alert recommending that people immediately change any passwords associated with family member names. Meanwhile, the disks have been lost in the mail since October. Police are continuing their search in the tax offices in Newcastle, where the disks were apparently mailed.

Here is the apology to the United Kingdom from Gordon Brown: "I profoundly regret and apologize for the inconvenience and worries that have been caused to millions of families that receive child benefits. We have a duty to do everything that we can to protect the public".

The latest public opinion poll numbers (Populus poll for The Times) from the United Kingdom show that the problems at Northern Rock and the government's incompetence in the loss of half of the country's private financial data have taken its toll on public opinion. The number of voters who trust Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling to handle the economy has fallen from 61 percent to just 28 percent since September 2007. A further 64 per cent questioned "the basic competence of the government".

People pay attention when they feel that their life savings are at risk. People pay attention when their personal identity and security are compromised. They pay attention when their tax dollars are used as bailout money for bad decisions in the private sector. This is not the type of attention that a politician or his party needs. It is also something that the voting public does not soon forget.

The Labour Party has been in control of the United Kingdom since 1997. A decade in politics is historically a long time for any one party to govern. The voting public may feel the need for a change of direction. The next election in the United Kingdom is currently an event scheduled for 2009. If these types of problems persist into next year, Labour could be vulnerable at the ballot box.

Indeed, a change in government in the United Kingdom in the next election may well be traced to this current political firestorm of governing incompetence surrounding the Labour Party and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Nuclear Deal - The History So Far

The nuclear deal has been in the eye of controversy right from its inception. Right from the first atomic test conducted by India at Pokhran in 1974 under the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi to the Vajpayee government's revival of the nuclear debate, it has traversed a story path. The Indo-US nuclear deal headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W. Bush has suffered the same fate. Let us trace the history of the nuclear deal so far.

The first nuclear test explosion by India, code named The Smiling Buddha, was conducted at Pokhran on May 18th, 1974 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership. For the test the plutonium produced came through the CIRUS reactor (Canada-India Research U.S.) and was donated by Canada in 1960. The nuclear test caused a public outcry in Canada, and the Canadian government cut off exchange of nuclear materials and technology with India. Another consequence of the Pokhran test was the formation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). After 1974 India did not conduct any nuclear test till the successful Operation Shakti in 1998 by the Vajpayee government.

On 11th and 13th May, 1998 India successfully conducted a series test explosions of five nuclear devices at Pokhran. These tests, code named Operation Shakti, came at a time when different treaties such as LTBT, NNPT, CTBT etc. were ensuring that the Non-Proliferation regime remained strong. In the wake of the tests by India debates centering on nuclear energy and nuclear weapons heated up once more. Several sanctions by major states were imposed upon India, even though within the country the scientists at the helm of affairs as well as the BJP government won accolades and appreciation for taking a bold decision and successfully carrying out the tests.

International reaction however, was of unanimous condemnation. The United States, Canada, Russia and the UN expressed their disapproval; China vociferously condemned the tests, as did Pakistan who vowed to give a suitable reply to India. Barely fifteen days later Pakistan responded by conducting its own nuclear test.

The kick-start given to the Indo-US nuclear deal by PM Manmohan Singh and President Bush goes back to 2005, when India and USA signed a Joint Statement regarding the civilian nuclear deal and now it has reached its final frontiers, awaiting final approval by the US senate. For the history of the Indo-US nuclear deal, keep track of the next article.

Parable of the Prodigal Son

A teenager came to his pastor for advice. "I left home," said the boy, "and did something that will make my dad furious when he finds out. What should I do?" The minister thought for a moment and replied, "Go home and confess your sin to your father, and he will probably forgive you and treat you like the prodigal son." Sometime later, the boy reported to the minister, "Well, I told Dad what I did.""And did he kill the fatted calf for you?" asked the minister. "No", said the boy,"but he nearly killed the prodigal son."

It is important for us to see that in this parable Jesus is not interested in teaching us something about shepherding or keeping our money or even being good parents. What he is trying to do is give us a snapshot of God. He is seeking to answer the age old question, "What is God like?" The parable shows us the true nature of repentance and the Lord's readiness to welcome and bless those who return to him. It sets forth the riches of grace and encourages us to repent.

As I was doing my research for this sermon, I was amazed about how much this parable reminded me of the hymn "Amazing Grace" and the upcoming movie by the same name. I was particularly amazed by the words of the author, William Wilberforce, wrote in the first verse, namely:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

Like the prodigal son, Wilberforce was lost and blind, but he saw the error of his ways-and, like the prodigal son, he came home to the love and grace of our heavenly father.

The prodigal son's recovery from misery was a turning point in his conversion. When we turn from the darkness of sin to the light of eternal life, God opens our eyes and convinces us of our sin. This causes us to view ourselves and every object in a different light from what we did before. God was not in the prodigal son's life-he squandered God's grace. The prodigal son saw the light and decided to return in repentance to his father. This is the first step of true repentance.

The elder son in this parable was a metaphor of the Pharisees. His hatred of his brother is a metaphor of those who hate repentant sinners. This springs from pride, self-preference, and ignorance of a man's own heart. There is unspeakable happiness of all the children of God who keep close to God, because they are, and ever shall be, ever with him. God's receiving of a sinner who repents is no loss to those who have always served him. The father in the parable cut short his son's confession because he could not wait to forgive him. God is the same way. He can't wait to forgive those who repent and turn away from sin. The prodigal son was dead to sin, but was raised to new life. Now he is found and will be a comfort. He is a metaphor of a sinner who refuses to depend on, and be governed by, the Lord.

What does it mean to be lost? It means you have gone astray, you are wandering, you suffer from neglect, you are rebellion against God, and you are self-righteous. It also means that God is seeking you both in dangerous places and domestic places. Most important; however, is the fact that sinners should be saved.

Jesus mentions that sin has serious consequences and leads to dire circumstances. The prodigal son went through the seven degrees of the misery of sin:

1. Losing sight of God and becoming distant from him.
2. God's love was replaced by carnal love and impure desires.
3. Spiritual riches were squandered.
4. Poverty, misery and want.
5. Becoming a slave to the devil
6. Hardship and rigor of slavery.
7. Insatiable hunger and thirst.

Once he saw the light, he went through the eight degrees of conversion and salvation, namely:

1. Knowing and feeling misery, guilt and corruption.
2. Resolve to forsake sin.
3. Looking toward God as a compassionate and tenderhearted father.
4. Confession of sin.
5. Coming in spirit of obedience to the word of God.
6. Putting resolutions into practice.
7. God receives a sinner with a kiss of peace and love, blots out sin and restores him to the heavenly family.
8. The sinner is clothed with holiness, united to God and has his faith shod with the shoes of preparation of the Gospel of peace.

Sin is a failure to keep a loving relationship with God, community, family and neighbour. The far country is a metaphor for looking for love in the wrong placed. It is only fun for a season. Eventually, it turns sour.

We are more like the Pharisees who criticized Jesus for associating with tax collectors and sinners. He accepted these people as people. He did NOT write them off. They mattered to him; they did not matter to the Pharisees. He was able to communicate what mattered to him-i.e. that God wanted to include them. The Pharisees were like the elder son in that they took God for granted. The elder son was so inflated by a sense of entitlement that he refused to eat with someone who did not earn his place at the table. The elder son is also a metaphor for the hypocrite of our time. Jesus uses the parable to teach about God's grace and acceptance of people who have been rejected by society. All of us fall short of attaining salvation. When we grow in our understanding of God's grace and understand more about how Christ has freed us from sin's condition, we respond with joy, praise and gratitude.

The joyful feast thrown by the father is a metaphor for the rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents. Real repentance teaches us to hate sin and to love righteousness, holiness and purity. Jesus invites us to "Be compassionate as your father is compassionate". In other words, be like God and show some compassion to others as he shows to us. We are to be like the prodigal son who ran away and not be like the elder son who stayed at home. The spent pieces of the prodigal son's dead life were gathered up in the life-giving arms of his father. This is a metaphor of both Christ's crucified body gathered up and raised to a new life AND the re-gathering of the scattered disciples who were gathered up under a new and Holy Communion.

The welcoming home, acceptance and inclusion of the parable runs counter to the broader perspective of society, especially concerning the inclusion of gays and lesbians. Jesus teaches us to see each other as God sees us and love each other as he loves us. We must do more than just minister to the outcasts of society-i.e. by donating to the local food bank. We must actually be a friend to them like Jesus is; however, we must live a pure and holy life. In other words, we must bring them to our level without stepping down to theirs. Christ calls us not to separate ourselves from those who seem farthest from God's reach but to get right into the centre and change lives by giving hope to those who need such hope.

The older brother is also a metaphor of a Judaism that condemned God's acceptance of outsiders, particularly the Gen tiles. God's love has no limits, is patient, is eager, is a joyful love, and focuses on the sinner, NOT on the sin. This may not seem fair. The real prodigal is the person who stays outside the loving God. Life with God is a party to be shared with others. The older son was lost and dead because he saw himself and right and righteous. He can't see that his self-righteousness means that he cut himself off from the source of life like his brother did. The older son could not see that without his father, he was also dead. We are all like the older son because we are dead without God. God is the continuing, abundant source of life. The pain of rejection is devastating, but we must remember these four things:

1. The feeling is only temporary. Talk it over with someone.
2. The person rejecting you is the one with the problem.
3. Remember how to laugh.
4. God accepts and loves you.

The heart of the story is the older brother. He did not understand why the father welcomed the younger son back. Perhaps there was a tinge of jealousy over how the younger son was living. Do we think, like the older son did, that God measures sin? The answer is no, because we are also outside the kingdom until God forgives us and brings us into the kingdom.

This parable is the story of our lives. We have all had times when we have been far from God. God loves us enough to let us go and welcome us with open arms when we return home. We must not let God's blessings become commonplace. Like the story of the footprints in the sand, we must remember that God is with us always, even in life's deepest, darkest times. When we come to God, excuses won't do. The only way to return is humbly, with repentance. Our sin was paid for with a heavy price-Christ's death on the cross. We can see ourselves in the lost brother. Jesus tried to draw a picture for the Pharisees of themselves. He wanted them and us to see what the real spirit was in their hearts. The older brother was disturbed by both the return of his brother AND his father's reaction. This a metaphor of those who hate to see people saved-and there are probably lots of people whose hearts have never been broken in true repentance.

When we become Christians, we are changed like the prodigal son was. Our way of thinking also changes, much like an enemy can be changed into a friend and vice versa. This change encourages us to share and spread the Good News of salvation and God's grace.

Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu (1589-1642), also known as the Duke of Richelieu, was a great French cardinal and statesman under whose leadership France achieved a position of dominating power in Europe.

Born into a noble family, Richelieu became a cardinal in 1622. He also was a statesman and became successively the adviser to Madame de Medicis (the queen mother), the Secretary for War and Foreign Affairs, and then in 1624 the Chief Minister under King Louis XIII of France.

From the time that he became Chief Minister, Richelieu dominated the king and was himself the effective ruler of France.

Richelieu had two aims:

firstly, to ensure strict obedience within France to the Bourbon monarchy (the monarchy to which Louis XIII belonged); and
secondly, to increase France's power on the international stage.

To achieve his first aim, Richelieu destroyed the political power of the Protestant Huguenots and put down the various conspiracies being hatched by France's nobility against Henry XIII and against himself (for example, the conspiracy launched by the Queen Mother and the House of Guise and the conspiracy set in motion by Henri Cinq-Mars).

The Huguenot city of La Rochelle was besieged and that of Montaubon was destroyed. Once he had conquered and disarmed the Huguenots, he showed them mercy and allowed them freedom of worship.

The conspiracies and rebellions of the feudal nobles of France were put down savagely and no such mercy shown to the conspirators. The leaders of the conspiracies such as Cinq-Mars were executed and their fortresses demolished.

In the end, Richelieu had achieved absolute power for the French monarchy. This policy was called absolutism.

To achieve the second aim, Richelieu constantly attacked the power of the Bourbon monarchy's rivals - that is, the Hapsburg monarchy that was based in Madrid, Spain and Vienna, Holy Roman Empire.

He invaded their domains, including Catalonia, Rousillon, Lorraine and Turin. He made alliances with the powers of the north - the Netherlands, the German states and Sweden. In 1635, he entered the Thirty Years' War by directly attacking Spain. By these actions Richelieu ultimately succeeded in checking the power of the Habsburgs while increasing France's territory, power and prestige.

To pay for his extensive wars, Richelieu introduced a wide range of taxes and attempted to expand France's industries, trade and commerce.

He also carried out a series of financial, military and legal reforms.

On the cultural front, Richelieu patronized the arts and in 1635 he set up the celebrated French Academy which still exists today.

Richelieu was highly intelligent, ambitious and iron-willed. He was a Minister whose life was devoted to the service of the French state. By the time of his death, he had largely achieved his aims of creating an all-powerful absolutist monarchy within France and of making France the most powerful country it had ever been.

Good Spiritual Help From an Un-Supportive Minister

Spiritual help...using spiritual support...like therapeutic support....has its place in ministry interventions. But...the generally supportive minister will support the incompetency of the troubled person...and at the same time support their competent thinking and behavior. This creates subconscious contradictory messages for both minister and the one ministered to.

When a minister gives spiritual help by using supportiveness selectively to help a troubled person obtain some outcome or goal...then the spiritual support will most likely bring desired results.

However, many helpful ministers want to appear to others to be supportive and encouraging. But this has to do with developing the minister's persona...and not with helping others.

The minister should consciously choose what to support or reinforce because a counseling 'policy' of general supportiveness never helps anyone improve their troubling situation. A generally supportive approach to dealing with troubled people may cause the troubled person to like his or her supportive minister...but it reinforces the person's incompetent behavior.

Supportiveness is not a necessary quality of the minister's personality. It's an intervention specifically chosen to reinforce competent thinking and behavior in troubled people.

All ministry interventions are boundary crossings. And to cross boundaries and intervene in a person's life by shoring up incompetent thought patterns...attitudes...and behavior is really an unwitting and unintended boundary violation.

Such boundary violations...even though unintended by the minister...can create subtle...complex...and difficult to change thinking and behavior for troubled people.

By clicking on the link below...you can read a clear example of how a supportive minister giving spiritual help to an abused woman...reinforced the woman's contradictory idea that she was loving her husband by letting him abuse her.

Wanted - New Pastor for Small, Country Church

We couldn't help but laugh when we read this supposed want ad:

"Wanted: Pastor for small, country church. Must be 28 years old with at least 30 years preaching experience. Sermons are to be life-transforming, enjoyable to all and no more than 20 minutes long. Must have a heart for the youth, work well with the elderly, participate in all church sports, visit every hospitalized member, run board meetings according to Robert's Rules of Order. Needs successful negotiating skills, quality singing voice and spouse who play's piano or guitar. Skills needed for repairing all computer and sound equipment, church van and bathroom plumbing. Office hours 6a.m. to 12 p.m. Salary $100 per week after all church bills have first been paid. Will preferably tithe $50 per week not including fellowship offerings, wear Armani or Brookes Brothers suits, bring along a large loaning library and drive a Kia. Regular ministries will include evangelistic outreaches, 30 house calls per day on church members, continuous availability in the church office whenever parishioners phone. Raising the dead on Sunday mornings a plus." Whether you're looking at churches in Singapore, Buenos Aries, Ukarumpa or the township of Chevy Chase. . . when reading this "want ad", pastors all over the world will laugh out loud at its penetrating truth! (And then, maybe, some might cry!)

What underlies this "want ad's" humor is that the job of a local, church pastor is usually defined by the people in the congregation. Before a pastor is hired, someone official in the church organization (a Board, a Presbyter, etc.) most likely has checked to see if the potential pastor has all his or her credentials, licenses and doctrinal agreements in line.

But once the pastor is hired and hits the ground running, the people in the congregation begin to lay out their expectations on the performance of the new pastor and spouse. And these demands are very often, very similar to those in the faux "want ad" above! But the work of a true pastor in the Lord is never defined by the congregation. It's not even defined by the Board, either! The Truth is that God has already defined the character and responsibilities of a local congregational pastor.

One of the words the Bible uses for what we call "pastor" is "overseer" (like in 1 Tim 3.1.) Here it gives a list of characteristics that God considers important, and it doesn't even include "good preaching", "running a Sunday School" or "visitation"!

Here's what God considers important: "The pastor is to have a good reputation, have only one spouse, be self-controlled, serious-minded, live a respectful life, be freely hospitable to guests, a ready teacher; not an excessive drinker or violent, but gentle; not quarrelsome or a lover of money; able to manage the household and children well so they are respectful." Look that over well -- do you see anything about the pastor's end-times' theology? His political affiliation? His clothing or his office hours? Does God indicate whether his suits must be Armani or Brookes, or his theology Calvin or Arminius? Not here! And nowhere else in the New Testament, either!

Another strong "hint" as to a pastor's God-given responsibilities is found in Heb 13.17: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you." Pastors are called "leaders", and they are exactly that: "spiritual leaders" given by God to watch over their congregations -- lovingly giving their people guidelines, counsel and spiritual teachings to help them live more spiritually successful lives. So it says, "Obey them..." In the Bible's original language, the word "obey" literally means, "yield to your spiritual leaders" or "comply" with them.

If you ever find yourself needing to write a want-ad for a "new pastor", how about using this one? "Wanted: Someone who the people in the local congregation can follow -- even as that pastor follows Christ."

Those Prosperous Pastors - When to Say No

There is little on the planet more disgusting and infuriating than the in your face prosperity of Televangelists, Christian College Executives, Healing Hedonists and Mega-Church Ministers. I see it locally here when a pastor type comes into visit the sick with a gold ring on each finger, gold watch, gold necklace and dressed to kill. Of course, they always carry a dog eared Bible to send the correct message when the lay it up on the counter for all to see.

Recently the self appointed Apostle of the Restored Church of God in Wadsworth, Ohio has given his clarion call sermon for the faithful to cash in what they can, including equity in homes, retirement funds and property resources and "send it here!" Time is short you know, and the minister has a great work to do on behalf of the people. He just needs the bucks. Of course, this formula is a disaster waiting to happen, so we'll see. He's not asking for a mere 1, 2 or 3 thousand either. How about 10, 20, 50 or 100 thousand is more what the Pastor has in mind. It's actually quite sickening. But self appointed Gurus, Pastors, Apostles and Watchmen get to do such things without much oversight. They seem to know the members won't question it, and if they do, there are plenty of scriptures to make them feel faithless for doing so.

And now we have another declaring...

"Jesus Died So We Could Be Rich! Declares Biblical Expert and Best Selling Author
Dr. Norman Robertson Believes U.S. Investigation on Mega-Church Pastors is Unjust Because God Wants Us to Be Rich

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The recent investigation of several mega-church pastors has some people happy that the Senate is finally getting involved and forcing the pastors to account for their lavish material possessions and lifestyles. Others think the targeting of these pastors is unfair and unmerited. One such advocate of pastors and other Christians living prosperous lives is Dr. Norman Robertson, an acclaimed authority on biblical finance and biblical concepts of successful living. Dr. Robertson, who has been teaching and writing about God's financial plan and "The Prosperity Gospel" for more than 20 years, is an expert who maintains that the Bible declares that God wants His people to prosper."

So there you have it. Jesus died so you could be rich. God runs a huge pyramid scheme so you can be rich evidently. Evidently God's plan falls a bit short of reality for the vast majority on the planet, but it's good to know he has this plan for us all. Perhaps the "We" for Dr. Norman Robertson are just pastors who pull this stunt on the faithful.

Of course, no Jesus died so you could be physically rich. If that is so, then he should have save his breath as the plan failed miserable anyway. However, the Jesus of these types of Pastors may well have died so they could prosper, which they have very well.

Let's be reminded of what the average member of a congregation, where a pastor is asking or even demanding their money needs to remember.

1. Never loan money to someone who announces to you that they are "a good Christian." You'll probably never see it again.

2. Never allow a good Christian to give you something and "we can work it out later." You might find you have lost your home and three of your children.

3. Never give a church or minister what you have not got! No use of credit cards to help the church and no taking out of personal loans for the group or local minister, no matter how much you are told "the church" will pay your right back. They won't and make you feel badly for ever asking to be paid back.

4. Never will your property and resources to your church, unless you have absolutely no one else on the planet to share it with. It is not worth it and it is impossible to undue. Many Churches want members to include the church and make some promise to share with surviving children etc. Don't do it! People change churches, circumstances and affiliations change over a lifetime and you will have hell to pay in trying to straighten it all out and your survivors never will. Churches I know have left the children of members swinging in the wind with no seeming conscience about the the whole thing.

5. Never give what you have not got. One more time. Never give what you have not got.

6. Never offer to pay for things for the minister, his home or his family that you cannot afford. A man that would allow you to do such a thing should be avoided as a pastor anyway. If the church can't pay him an adequate salary, don't offer to make up the differences. It never ends and encourages the minister to not do his part when he could.

7. Be sure that any offer to give freely or at a discount to the church or pastor is YOUR idea first and you have not been goaded, guilted or suggested into it. "Yes I can help," or "No, I can't afford it," go a long way in keeping you out of these weeds.

There are also reasons NOT to give to a Church.

1. Don't give when the motivation is "time is short" so you may as well help the church

2. Don't give to a church where you are told once you give it, it is God's to decide what to with it. In this case, just throw your money up in the air and what does not come down, is God's, the rest is yours.

3. Don't give to a church where only ONE Pastor, Minister or Apostle gets to account for it all. That is a formula for foolishness and your hard earned money being spent on anything from horses for the kids, to gold and toys for the pastor.

4. Don't give to a church where after you give, it is NONE of your business.

Of course there are many fine ministers out there who would not behave this way. But those are not the ones that are going to leave you and your family crying behind closed doors. If you give to a minister or organization that displays no sense of accountability for what they are actually doing with your hard earned money...

Stay Home From Church...Save 10%

Politics For Beginners

I am amazed by some of the people whom I encounter every day who do not know anything about politics. Everyone should know how their government works so I am writing down my old college notes as a beginner's guide. As it's the credit crunch some of you will feel too busy and confused by the political situation and the criticism of the government on financial and borrowing matters. This is why everyone should take a little time to understand government rolls and why they affect everything from your home insurance to your grocery bill.

The United Kingdom is run with a democratic government. The House of Commons and The House of Lords hold the government in check although the House of Commons is the more powerful of the two houses.

We live under 'Prime Ministerial' rule - this means the rule of one person.
The powers that the P.M has depends on five key factors.

- The personality of the P.M
- Majority that the P.M has in the House of Commons
- The success of the P.M's policies
- The unity of the P.M's party
- The effectiveness of the Opposition party

Unlike in America where there is a deputy president, in the UK there is constitutionally no such role as a deputy Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister is the leader of the House of Commons. He appoints and dismisses members of the government. He is also the Chairman of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister has his own offices and advisors and is the most important representative of the Government. The P.M holds wide powers of patronage and also chooses the date of the general election.

Now for a bit of economics. There is no excuse not to pay attention to this part if news coverage of the credit crunch has left you baffled. Economics basically means the study of using scarce resources as efficiently as possible so that society's unlimited demands for goods and services can be met.

The term that we so often hear in the news 'the public sector' refers to the sector run by the state like Government departments, Local Government and Nationalised Industries. The main role of the public sector is to provide efficient and adequate services.

The term 'the Private Sector' refers to organisations that are privately owned such as companies, clubs, partnerships etc. The main role of the private sector is to maximise profits.

Recession is a state of affairs that indicate a down turn in the business cycle. Output and investment has dropped, demand has dropped and unemployment has risen. This can be caused by a number of factors i.e. external factors such as a world oil crisis.

Reflation is a policy to combat recession. The policy may include reducing interest rates, reducing taxes, increasing public spending and devaluing the currency.

Serving the Master in Worship Ministry

Proverbs 27:18 - He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. (NIV)

As I was preparing to hold a worship keyboardist workshop one day, the above verse just came to me. It really expresses very well my major emphasis as I train and equip worship musicians, giving the worship leader what he/she needs.

What would you think of a man who tries to tend a fig tree without knowing about trees in general and fig trees in particular? Not very wise, right? But that is what is common in worship training these days. Very little (if any) emphasis is given to what worship leaders actually need. How well can you serve worship leaders if you don't know what they need?

And please don't give me the cliché of "My master is Christ, not my worship leader." There are people use that as an excuse to not work with their worship leaders, expecting their worship leaders to conform to their whims and fancies. They then throw in the claim to be led by the Spirit to do things that give their worship leaders problems (such as play their musical instruments in a disorderly manner, drawing attention to themselves rather than to God) and you have the right mix for dissension, division and conflict.

That such things can be accepted or tolerated is the result of the idea that the Holy Spirit's working in praise and worship is an unpredictable, anything-goes, anti-technicality kind of thing. The poor worship leader is often relegated to a backseat position, someone who doesn't appreciate the genius/spirituality/anointing of that worship musician, rather than someone we serve as onto the Lord in worship ministry.

So when I talk about looking after your master and how it applies to you, as the worship minister, let's get specific. If you are serving only as a worship musician, you are serving the worship leader directly and the congregation a close second. Therefore any training as a worship musician has to specifically teach you what a worship leader needs and how to use your music to provide that for him/her. And this also means that you need to know what a congregation needs so that you can provide that.

Any worship training that doesn't include those two closely linked elements doesn't deserve to be called worship training. I'm serious. You can get music training using worship songs, and even have deeply spiritual devotionals as part of the course, but if you are not taught how about the people you serve in order that you may serve them better you've been led up the garden path...

Now, because of all the current confusion about what worship music is about, what your worship leader wants may be very different from what he/she needs. And at that point of time, please don't get all offensive on them and tell them "My job is to give you what you need, not what you want. And because you're so misled you don't know the difference! Junjie said so..." Please, this is an offensive message already and I already am an offensive person, with frequent bouts of Foot-in-Mouth Disease. Don't help me make things any worse!

What you could do in such a situation is to refer your worship leader to my articles. And if he/she resonates with what I write there we could get in contact and see how I can best serve your congregation and worship ministry. If there's an opening for me to serve more directly I've prepared workshops that introduce various facets of what I teach in a simple to understand manner. And we can see how things go from there.

Now what if you are a worship leader? Then besides knowing how to serve the congregation you'll also have to understand how your pastor thinks and study what your pastor needs. And what I said about worship musicians not getting me into any further trouble with worship leaders also applies to you too. Don't go telling your pastor "You don't tell me what you want! I'll give you what you need! That's what Junjie taught me!" Please, I have enough enemies of my own. I don't need help in getting some more...

In today's terms I'd be seen as being very unspiritual, very materialistic, because I emphasize the specific technicalities that minister to the congregation. There will be people who feel threatened by my emphasis on understanding the congregation and worship leader (because they don't teach that but want to pass off what they do as worship training). They may say that you need to understand worship from God's point of view (which is true) and imply that if you know that you don't need to understand it from the congregation's angle (which is not true).

In reply to them I'll say that when Jesus was asked to choose ONE commandment as the most important, he couldn't. Think about it, the living Word of God himself couldn't narrow the commandments to one. He said the most important is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, your strength and your mind AND to love your neighbor as yourself. He had to give two. If you read the account in Mark 12:29-31 he said that loving your neighbor is just like loving the LORD your God.

So if we see worship leading as part of serving God and loving him, how can we leave out from the equation what Jesus himself could not leave out, the loving (and serving) of our neighbor?

Armor Bearer In Modern Days: What is It? p1

Saul liked him very much and David became one of his armorbearers. --1 Samuel 16:22b

In biblical days, an armorbearer was one who actually carried the shield and armor of his leader as he went into battle, often acting as his personal assistant. For example, King Saul had several armorbearers assigned to him.1 In our modern-day, I see no one walking around fully suited in the classical armor of the early centuries.

Nevertheless, in the spiritual realm, we continue to need our armor. The Ephesians' writer commands us to put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes.2 Just as much as our early century counterparts, we in the ministry of service are to suit up in the Armor of the Spirit and carry the armor of God's leaders in the battle of faith.

The term armorbearer was originally translated from the Hebrew word, nasa, meaning to figuratively or literally lift up, support or simply help.3 On occasion, Bible translators have translated the word, "help", from the Hebrew word, nasa. In light of these defining terms, we can see an armorbearer is one that helps or supports the arms of an assigned leader during the times of battle.

A modern day armorbearer is one called by God to serve and help his assigned leader in life, ministry, and especially in the fight of faith.4 In essence, an armorbearer is called to attend to, minister to, care for, help, be of use, assist, benefit, promote, support, make easy for, nourish, and encourage their leader.

Furthermore, God calls others to walk in the spirit of armorbearing. They may not be assigned specifically to one leader, but they possess the mindset and attitude of an armorbearer. The attitude of an armorbearer is one of servanthood. The mindset of an armorbearer, as well as those operating in the spirit of one, is to do what it takes to serve and support their leadership.5 Operating in the spirit of armorbearing can also be described as operating in the principles or pervading qualities of an armorbearer. The qualities that top the list are servanthood, commitment, attentiveness, support, help, loyalty, and faithfulness.

Armorbearing in the attitude of service is not just the performing of humble tasks, but is an effort to serve Christ in the Kingdom of God. Jesus said, "The servant of all is the greatest of all." Among my favorite examples, are the great men in Old Testament scripture, many who were faithful armorbearers before their public ministry. King David, King David's mighty men, Elisha and Joshua exemplified the armorbearing spirit in excellence. Even Elisha's assistant, Gehazi, offers us an example of what we do not want to do as an armorbearer.6

One need not think our Father God only called armorbearers or helpers to assist in the ancient battles. Look at New Testament Joseph of Cyprus, nicknamed "Barnabas," or "Son of Encouragement." The most popular view is that Joseph of Cyprus gained these names because he constantly encouraged those to whom he and Paul ministered. Recently, I have considered another thought as to why he was called "Son of Encouragement." Perhaps it was because he persevered by Paul's side through shipwrecks, stoning and much rejection.

Do not overlook Stephen and Phillip among the seven appointed to wait tables for the early church apostles' feeding program. The leaders assigned them to help while their apostles gave greater focus to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Throughout the Bible and today, God is still calling helpers and armorbearers to lift up the arms of our Church leadership.

Operating in the spirit of armorbearing is fulfilling a ministry of help, watchfulness, and intercession on behalf of our leadership. I believe God has issued a fresh call to serve and support our leaders in this way. Only He knows the spiritual effort and sheer hard work it will take to accomplish the vision of His Church.

The Apostle Paul encouraged us to excel in the gifts that build up the Church. As we in the ministry of helps excel in the gift of service and supporting our leaders, we will come into the unity of faith like never before. When we each take our place and share the load our men and women in leadership will suffer less weariness and burnout, giving opportunity for a greater refreshing from the Lord.

Are Women Supposed to Minister in the Pulpit?

People who become Christians and are filled with the Spirit OFTEN assume God can and does move through the women in a church as well as the men. Typically, it isn't until some older Christian grabs them and starts telling them that "women can't do this" and "women can't do that" -- pointing to an apparently clear Scripture, that they start restricting women in ministry in the church.

Let me lay out a perspective that may appeal to your spirit.

To most Believers (especially new Believers who haven't been taught old customs) the verse that seems most natural (in a supernatural way!) about the ministry of women is found in Galatians where Paul says,

Gal. 3.26-28 -- Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Christian newbies will read this and oddly enough will tend to think that men and women in the Body of Christ are spiritually equal. In other words -- There's a person up front of the congregation, who is declaring the Word of the Lord in the Spirit... Is it a man? Is it a woman? Is it a Jew or Greek, slave or free? Who cares? The only real question is, is it the Spirit of God?

In a sense, it's almost repulsive to claim that the Spirit of the Lord can't flow through a person in ministry to the Body, because she is a woman. It's such a repulsive idea, there'd have to be very clear instruction in the Scriptures to support that exclusive viewpoint.

"But," many men claim, "there are Scriptures that teach the submission of women -- in marriage and in ministry!" Actually, there's just one. Our key verse is found in the letter to Timothy:

1 Tim 2.11-14 -- But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Right off let me point out that this verse is peculiar in the history of doctrine. Most teachings that are broadly accepted by the Church are found in a number of places throughout Scripture -- traditionally, at least three -- places which clarify and confirm that teaching. In other words, if this teaching (that of women not teaching) were found in several places in the Word, these verses could be compared and we'd have a lot more clarity on it.

But this verse stands alone in its apparently misogynist admonition. Curiously, what gives it so much weight isn't that other Scriptures "back it up", but that this one, lone verse is backed up by our culture!

In fact, "culture" is the true key to making sense of this verse. So let's consider the cultural framework in which Paul wrote this admonition.

Paul was writing to Timothy in Ephesus, 2,000 years ago. Ephesus was the world center of paganism at that time, ruled over (in the spiritual realm and in popular worship) by the mother goddess, Artimus (whom the Romans called "Diana" as in, "great is Diana of the Ephesians!" in Acts 19.) This is the same "Diana" whose temple housed thousands of religious prostitutes because they believed that indiscriminate and frequent sexual acts brought fertility and prosperity into the land.

In Ephesus, this cultic, fertility religion dominated the society including its temple life and business activities. Not only did the Ephesians lift up a female goddess into the highest place of worship there, but they taught that women were the true spiritual leaders -- not men. In fact, Ephesian Jews who were bringing out the first teachings of Gnosticism already considered "Eve" to be the true "hero" of the Creation account since she was the one who received True Knowledge and Illumination from the Serpent -- who was superior to God. This embryonic Gnostic teaching fit hand-in-glove with the prevailing, cultural belief that women were the only true spiritual teachers.

Into this mass of cultic confusion, Paul brought the Truth of the Gospel. The fact that Paul preached salvation through a "man" (Jesus) in and of itself insulted the female dominated spiritual teachers of Ephesus! When he wrote to Timothy, instead of focusing mostly on the daily conduct of the people of God in that city as he did in most of his other church letters, instead he focused strongly on the need for Timothy to resist false teachers and their false "spiritually enlightened" teachings. That was the greater problem faced in Ephesus.

1 Tim 1.3 -- As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on where you are at Ephesus in order that you may warn and admonish and charge certain individuals not to teach any teaching different than mine.

Or here...

1 Tim 6.20 -- Timothy -- Guard and keep the deposit entrusted to you! Turn away from godless chatter, with its vain and empty phrases, and the subtleties and contradictions in what is falsely called, "knowledge" and "spiritual illumination".

Actually, by taking the stand that he did, Paul also came into a place of violent opposition to his own culture and that of the Pharisees (of which he had been a part) when in 1 Tim 2.11 he said, "Let women learn... The Rabbis and Pharisees in Paul's day had FORBIDDEN WOMEN TO BE TAUGHT SPIRITUAL TRUTH. Women were deliberately excluded from instruction in the Scriptures (Torah) and the study of the things of God. If a woman so much as touched a scroll of the Torah, it had to be burned as unclean! The mere fact that Paul said about women, "Teach them.." in itself had to be shocking!

Jewish women in Ephesus were not taught about spiritual things, and Gentile women were taught the powerful false teachings related to their goddess -- including superiority over men as well as worship of the Serpent as the origin of all Wisdom.

When women -- either Jewish or Gentile -- became Believers, they were at a serious disadvantage in respect to men. The typical method of teaching in those days was a question-and-answer format -- whether in pagan assemblies, Christian churches or Jewish synagogues. In these generally heated debates -- as ideas were tossed back and forth in debate and confusion could pile up on confusion -- these women who had little or no knowledge of Scripture were seriously limited. (In fact, in 1 Cor 14, Paul tried to reduce some of the noisy confusion in Christian assemblies by telling wives to be quiet and wait till they got home to ask their husbands for clarification.)

Both 1 Tim 1.4 and 6.20 speak of these characteristic debates in which Paul says to Timothy to "guard the spiritual Truth which has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless discussions and the claims of false knowledge that people use to oppose the Christian faith". And Paul went so far as to demand of Timothy that he "order certain people to stop teaching false doctrine and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These myths and genealogies raise a lot of questions rather than promoting God's plan, which centers in faith."

Think of the spiritual climate at Ephesus: Women, who were new Believers, had either NO understanding of spiritual things or were steeped in "goddess teachings"... they were sitting in the midst of the newly planted Christian churches... and Paul said the women needed to be "in silence". It already begins to make more sense to understand that the fantastically popular and false teachings about Artimus were endemic in Ephesus, and the open discussion and debate of Christian services were the wrong place for women trained in Artimus worship to be allowed to try and dominate the spiritual teachings.

Actually, there's another serious problem with the "just shut-up" interpretation. The word "silence" doesn't carry the same meaning in today's culture as it did in ancient times.

In fact, "silence" is a good word to show how quickly you and I can make a wrong guess as to the meaning of a word in the Bible. After all, if women are to "keep silent", wouldn't you think that means they have to keep their mouths shut? But the Greek word used for "silence" (hesuchia) is the same word used in 1 Tim 2.2 in which we're told to pray continually "for kings, and for all that are in authority; so that we may lead a quiet [hesuchia] and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

The word hesuchia (according to Strong's Dictionary) describes the life of "someone who stays at home doing his own work" and doesn't meddle in the lives of others." In 1 Tim 2.2, it would obviously be wrong to say it means the kind of "silence" that we usually talking about -- you know, "pray for kings, and for all that are in authority; so that we may all shut up and live in peace..."? It doesn't make any sense.

But when you apply the correct meaning in 1 Tim 2.12, it makes perfect sense that Paul would tell women to participate in the meetings "quietly", not "meddling" with the teachings that Paul had given them about the Gospel, Jesus Christ, etc.

"I do not permit a woman to teach"... In the spiritual atmosphere of Ephesus, women (especially women) needed to sit quietly and learn. And Ephesian women needed especially to not be allowed to "usurp authority" over the men who were teaching -- attempting to perpetuate the cultic teachings of female, spiritual authority and thereby taking control of the young, Ephesian church. What Paul is saying here to the Ephesian Believers, in light of the extraordinarily difficult circumstances facing this Asian church, was that women (steeped in these false teachings) needed to just be quiet, sit and learn from the men. Remember: Paul doesn't tell women this anywhere else. It is a word of instruction for Ephesus

"Usurp authority" is also interesting. It's the word authenteo (Strong's again) which literally means "one who acts on his own authority, autocratic; an absolute master."

This phrase, "usurp authority" doesn't refer to a woman -- what, preaching on Sunday? Prophesying? Ministering in a Word of Wisdom or interpreting a tongue? "Usurp authority" means (following the teaching of the Ephesian "goddess" cultus) that such a woman tries to take over the church -- "exercising absolute control and mastery". This, of course, would be exactly in line with what the priestesses of Artimus would try and do!

By the way -- When people are reading this passage and go from "not usurp authority" to "For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression", it just seems really weird. Exactly why does Paul launch into this peculiar argument from Genesis -- an argument he uses here and only here?

It's because the incipient Gnostic teachings -- which fit so well with the Artimus cultus -- taught that Adam was the one who was totally deceived and Eve (by means of listening to the serpent) became the Source of True Spiritual Wisdom and Knowledge!

So, in light of this teaching at Ephesus, Paul says, basically, "NO! Adam was formed first, then Eve, and it was Eve who was deceived!"

Overall, after taking into consideration these cultural issues surrounding these instructions to the Ephesian Believers, the case for male-dominated ministry in the Body of Christ is weak. In a sense, you could say these particular instructions would still apply today to any culture in which women were trained to take over a place of absolute spiritual leadership and teach the doctrine of demons. In such a case -- they need to learn quietly and humbly receive instruction according to the truth!

But this is simply NOT the case in most of the Body of Christ today. In fact, the male-dominated perspective doesn't really fit well with other passages in the New Testament. Some that come right off the top of my head include (a) Acts 16.7 which mentions the apostle "Junias" (which in that day is a typically female name); (b) Gal 2 where there is no "slave nor free" or "male nor female" in Christ; and (c) where the well-known preacher Apollos "spoke and taught the things of the Lord diligently, knowing only the baptism of John. And Aquila [man] and Priscilla [woman heard him, and they took him and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly". (That last one is powerful -- since Jews believed women shouldn't be taught spiritual truth, yet it was the husband/wife and man/woman team of Aquila and Priscilla who corrected Apollos theologically!)

Anyway -- when culture is taken into consideration -- there's just too much uncertainty about the 1 Tim 2 text for me to simply "accept" the teaching of our culture in restricting women from full and free ministry in the Church. It'd be different if there were other verses -- numerous and clear -- to that purpose, but there aren't.

So, do I have any problem with women preachers? I have to admit, there's a whole lotta preachers I have trouble with -- but they're mostly men!

And do I have a problem with a woman prophesying in the congregation? Well -- if Paul finds it acceptable (see 1 Cor 11.5!), then my only issue is testing the Word as to whether it's from the Lord or not.

And that has nothing to do with gender. Just Spirit.

Your Question on Call to Ministry

Amen! Over the years of my teaching God's Word in the area of mentoring, adjusting and building the man that makes the ministry. I have discovered that the major problems of many young ministers are in the areas:

· Answering the question of the how, the when, whom and the where of their ministry.

· The question of am I called

· The question of how do I know that am really called

· The question of how do I fulfill my ministry.

I have preached/taught several messages answering these questions, but by the grace of God this articles will be giving an answer to the above questions as the Spirit will help because much cannot be said in article form.

AM I CALLED?

Jesus gave a commission that all should go and preached the Word. The Bibles says 'you did not choose Me, but I chose you and appoint you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain' John 15:16.

Jesus instructs us all to partaker in this calling, but this does not mean you are called into ministry like many will call it. God does the setting and the calling not man. You don't enter into ministry-any phrase of it- just because you feel it is a Holy calling and you'd like to respond.

You cannot make yourself a ministry gift and it is dangerous to do something just because you want to do it.

You don't enter into ministry because someone else tells you that you are suited for it. I have seen people in church that who were apt to work for God and I believe some of them are called. The calling to serve in the ministry is not determine by your service in the vineyard of God, some church members will even come around says 'Bro/Sis, hum you are wonderful I could see you are called', but who told them?

You don't go into ministry because somebody else called you.

Don't go into ministry because your wife or husband is called and want to put you into ministry; don't make a pastor out of your husband or wife.

Don't go into ministry because you father, mother or your pastor called you.

There is a divine call to the ministry. You determine whether or not it is on your life. Don't try to go into ministry without a calling from God to do so.

How can I tell a divine call?

The truth is this, you will know it.

You will have the conviction in you spirit.

You will have the witness in your heart.

You will have the spiritual equipment- gifts of the Spirit- that go along with the office or offices to which you are called.

God deals with man's spirit, learnt to learn to your spirit. Young minister miss it in this area. Many young ministers are waiting for a till voice that will come saying 'I have called you...' waiting for that prophecy and dreams and voice. Fine, these are good, but they might not come the way you thought.

Some young minister thought that the way Pastor 'A' was called I will be called also. Our God does not work in that way, our God is dynamic, mystery and full of knowledge.

Personal Experience: I entered into the ministry without any kind of 'supernatural' (if you want to call it that- actually, everything about our God is supernatural) visitation. I entered into the ministry will an inward intuition, a knowing.

Learnt to listen down on the inside of you and you will know many things you don't know. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, but God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

1 John 2:20, 27 say 'but you have received an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Wonderful! When we walk in and by the Spirit we will understand and know the things that have been freely given. And there is a place of the Anointing of the Holy Spirit on every ministry.

Don't try to function in the ministry you are not called, graced into and anointed for or carry the anointing for. (Read my article or order for 'The Significance of Anointing and The Minister and the Anointing)

Check yourself if you are just playing neither cold nor warm. If you are fully dedicated and consecrated to God to do anything He want you to do, you will become conscious of that something inside you.

There will be a divine compulsion on the inside of you.

The methods to which men are called are not important but are all about obedience.

If you are not called into full-time ministry, don't try to get into it; you will be a misfit.

The Bible says 'And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it' Colossians 4:17.

This is wonderful. Some Bible verses render it in this way 'the ministry that was delivered to you, the ministry that was given to you.

That shows that you don't make a ministry, but God gave, delivered it. Seeing a need is not a call into ministry only the ministry given of the Lord can be fulfilled.

Note that having a ministry does not make you a Pastor or to build and pastor a church.

THEN HOW, WHEN, WHOM AND WHERE OF A MINISTRY

The most important is knowing that you are called and having this understanding that you are called is not enough but answering the question of how, when, whom and where of your ministry.

To everything we do there is always a question:

How do I go about it? (In preparation, what to use...)

When to set out? (The timing)

The target and location

So also these are important to God. When God calls a man He doesn't leave him alone, He tells him how to go about it, things that are needed and necessary he put him through in order to fulfill his calling.

There is a place of preparation, everybody God calls He prepare and equip. Jesus was prepared, Moses was prepared, Daniel was prepared, and Elijah was prepared...

Personal Experience: when I was in the University, my friend normally tells me this 'I know you are called and you have the ability, but there a place for you to prepare...' That was true.

God call is different from God sending, there is an interval that exist between the calling and the sending, the interval is called the stage of preparation. In fact, the process of answering these questions is like the process involve in making of a vessel (read my article on the making of a vessel or order for my tape).

It is very important we understand this stage. Everybody wants to get to the top, getting to the top is not the problem but how long we stay at the top matters and preparation will tell.

When God calls a man, He gave him a kind and a special message to a set of people, a minister is not sent to everybody but a set of people, so it is important you know the people you are sent to.

God respects location, so when God calls a man, He sent him to a location. The call of God upon you life does not mean you are sent to everywhere.

It is important for you to know that at any point never have the thought that 'maybe am out of the will of God, even while you check yourself remember He said 'Go'.

Like what Wigglesworth said:

I am not moved by what I see.

I am not moved by what I feel.

I am moved only by what I believe.

In fulfilling your earthly ministry, The Bible says in Colossians 4:17 'And say unto Archippus. Take heed to the ministry I have given to you that thou might fulfill it.

The fulfillment of a ministry is necessary and a ministry can only be fulfill in line with the caller or the way the caller has given it i.e to the standard the caller gave it.

The only ministry that can be fulfilled is the ministry that was given of the Lord, the ministry you received, that was delivered to you. Not a ministry out of demand, seeing a need, out of desire.

In fulfilling your ministry, these laws will help you:

· Law of Divine Commandment

· Law of Mentorship

· Law of Focus

· Law of Total Abandonment

Fulfilling ministry also is all about bearing fruit and that the fruit should remain.
Read my article or order for my tape on 'Fulfilling your earthly ministry.

Hallelujah! Much cannot be said in article, because there is a place of understanding and being under the influences of the Holy Spirit. For further ministerial support and clarity or for ministerial engagement on several ministry topics I have preached:

Use Christian Marriage Counseling Before You Reach Your Wedding Date

As you plan your wedding date, consider using Christian marriage counseling before you and your partner take the vows. More than likely you will learn some things about marriage that could cause the union to last much longer.   Using Christian marriage counseling before you reach your wedding date can solidify an already strong bond. Usually, you can ask the minister who will perform the ceremony to do the counseling. In case you are going to use someone other than a minister to perform the wedding, you could call some local pastors and ask them to do the counseling.   What will the Christian counseling sessions be like? Most often a minister wants to have at least four or five, one-hour sessions with the bride and groom. If the pastor doesn't know the couple, he will usually meet with the bride and groom alone for part of the first session. Then he will meet with both bride and groom from then on.   This private session gives each person a chance to point out what he/she considers his partner's major strengths and weaknesses. It also allows for the minister to learn what goals and objectives the two of you have set individually.  

In the first meeting the pastor usually discusses your spiritual and career goals for this union. Do you plan to attend church together or separate? He probably will advise that the two of you need to decide on a specific church or denomination so that you can attend together. Children tend to be less confused about religion if both mom and dad attend the same church.  

One meeting will be devoted to raising children. Do you plan to have children? Do both of you want them? He may advise you to wait a few years before you start a family, but then again, he may not touch on the subject of when.  

Another important part of one meeting will be the discussion of family finances. Does one of you owe money on credit cards or for a major purchase? How do you plan to alleviate the debt? Are you going to have separate bank accounts? If not when do you plan to make the accounts joint-before or after the wedding? Who will handle the finances in the home? Have you considered the amount of money you will be spending on the wedding and the reception?   I

f the minister is truly advising you in the right way, he will ask you in private if you have any misgivings about the marriage. Or he may simply ask, why do you want to be married? If you do have misgivings, now is the time to discuss them. Marriages should be made to last. Especially when children come along!  

Why should you use Christian marriage counseling before you reach your wedding date? The men who do the counseling are generally professional, and they will show you the ins and outs, the ups and downs, the good and the bad of marriage. Maybe the big reason for using one could be that it will help solidify the union into which you are about to enter.  

Lent - A Spiritual Point Of View

The period known as Lent is the beginning of a shift of energy on the planet. From a Spiritual standpoint, during that time people tend to release or surrender things that they no longer want in their lives, or things that have too much negative control in their lives. In doing this, you make room for the things you do want, from a much higher vibration. You can release or surrender procrastination to make room for stronger decision-making skills and the ability to handle the task at hand.

This is a powerful year. In numerology it is a 3 year, a year of clarity, communication, creativity and consciousness. It's a year to get clear and communicate creatively what you want in your life and anchor it in your consciousness. You may have to step out of your comfort zone. You may have to give up an old habit like procrastination, or the attitude of one day I'll do this. Lent gives you an excuse to think big and act bigger.

During the 40 day period of lent think of a goal that you would like to manifest that is doable if you focus and put your energy into it. You can write 40 articles in 40 days. You can lose 10 pounds in 40 days. You can submit your project to 10 or 20 viable companies in 40 days. You can change a habit or your consciousness in 40 days.

It Requires Desire, a Plan, and Constant Action.

This is not a period to judge yourself as to whether or not you deserve the good that you are seeking. This is a period to give thanks for the good that is coming. The good that is yours by your birthright.

You can release or surrender candy to make room for a healthier body temple, or to experience the true sweetness in life. You can release or surrender alcohol so you can more clearly hear the voice of God or your Higher Mind. You can release or surrender negative thinking or particular words from your vocabulary, so you can embrace love on a higher vibration, or draw to you positive situations in any or every area of your life. You can release or surrender a person or a type of relationship that you know isn't good for you, so you can experience unconditional love. Release or surrender ego, or boastful self-talk, so you can embrace who you really are - a more powerful Being than you could ever imagine.

When you are surrendering something, know why you are giving it up. If you have something positive that you want to affirm in your life, this will make it much easier. What you surrender does not have to have anything to do with the positive you are evoking. You can surrender smoking to draw to you a new job, or prosperity. Feel free to create an affirmation or mantra that you recite daily to remind you of what qualities you are anchoring in your life, what it is you want to manifest. Always state it in the "now." I am now financially solvent. I am now at my ideal body weight. I am now surrounded by uplifting, positive people. I am now vibrating on a higher frequency and draw to me loving situations in every area of my life. I am now... you tell me!

Lent is from march 9th through Palm Sunday April 17th. It is followed by what is known as Holy Week. A week you can commune with your Spirit and give thanks for the many blessings in your life. A week to be in gratitude for everything and everyone in your life. This is a week to visually see yourself filled with light. In doing this you are replenishing the void. The void left by what you released or surrendered. You are replacing it with light, with love, and with power from the Most High. This is actually something you should do on a regular basis to fill the void of what you are releasing. Then Easter of course is your rebirthing. The new YOU emerges.

Ask yourself, what do you need or desire in your life? Then ask yourself what are you willing to give up, or release to obtain it? This is the power of Lent, Forty Days and Forty Nights to release something known or unknown that is blocking the resurrection of your soul on a higher vibration. Forty Days and Forty Nights to obtain a new or better quality in yourself, or something you desire in your life. Forty Days and Forty Nights to a better YOU.

Tribute to an Imperfect Father - A Son's Reflections on Father's Day

It will soon be two decades since he suddenly left us. I was just thirty-nine at the time, a minister, as he had been for nearly half a century. But, as it does to everyone, time had caught up with him. When it did, Dad reluctantly retired from the pastorate. They made Louisville, Kentucky their retirement home and, although they lived across town from the church I served, seldom did a week go by but what they'd be in church on Sunday. One day, they surprised me and joined. Unquestionably, it was one of the happiest days of my life.

But, the happiness and pride I felt was short-lived. By nightfall, Dad suffered a massive stroke, lived ten days and died. We held a memorial service for him in the church where he had been a member only a very few hours. Dad's influence was far-reaching, much more so than we ever imagined. More than a thousand people showed up to pay their respects. Someone told me later it was the largest funeral service in the church's history. My older brother gave the eulogy, my younger brother sang, and I gave the funeral sermon.

I once heard Barack Obama say, "A son is either trying to live up to his father's expectations or make up for his father's mistakes." For a long time after his death, I viewed my father's unexpected passing one big cosmic mistake. I was confused and angry at him for leaving. My life began to unravel. As a consequence, I left the ministry altogether, changed careers, and, since my marriage had not been a priority in my life either, when Dad died, so did it.

Furthermore, I wondered where God was in all of this. In fact, over time, I grew mad as hell at her. "Why would you take my father? What kind of God are you, anyway?" I had counseled others to look to their faith in times of crisis. In my own crisis, I found little help in my faith. Where does a minister turn when he/she has doubts? Fears? Anger? Sadness? For many months following his passing, I was the proverbial basket-case. For about two years to be exact; but, time heals and I eventually did.

In the last few days, I've been thinking much about Dad. So, on this Father's Day, I've found myself expressing personal thanks for the many priceless things I learned from my father.

I learned early on that Dad was not a perfect man. He made his share of mistakes. One of them was that he was so busy with church work he had little time for us. He would sacrifice just about anything, even time with his family, if he thought it would enhance his image in front of others. What's interesting to me is that, while I grew up recognizing these flaws in him, and resenting him for them, once I became an adult, a minister, and a father myself, I pretty much repeated the same pattern with my own family.

My Dad used to say, "Son, there's not much about life, about yourself, or about God that you'll ever understand. Learn to live with ambiguity, be at peace, and forgive yourself and others when you make mistakes, and don't forget to forgive God, too." I've long since forgiven him for leaving, forgiven God for taking him, and today, I am at peace. I still miss him and it doesn't take much to make me cry whenever I think about him. But, I no longer regard his death as a mistake. I've learned so much from Dad, especially how to forgive. How could I be anything but grateful for this?

I learned to laugh at life, with others, and at myself from Dad. He had a joke for every occasion. My brothers and I had heard all of them dozens of times. But, he'd say, "Did I ever tell you about the time..." and we'd say, "Only about a thousand times." Then, he'd proceed as if we'd never heard it before. At the punch-line we'd laugh as if we never had. It's a funny thing but, today, I'd give almost anything to hear him tell a story I've heard a thousand times before.

Dad taught me the value of hard work; the importance of charity, too. I got my first job at age twelve, delivering the Lexington Herald-Leader. At five every morning, my older brother and I folded the newspapers, then rode our bicycles around the neighborhood delivering papers before daylight. That first month, I think I made twenty bucks. As I was basking in my financial windfall and imagining all I would buy with it, my Dad handed me an offering envelope for church and said, "A tithe of twenty bucks is two dollars. That much is God's part. Put it in this envelope and drop it in the offering plate on Sunday."

The good book says, "God loves a cheerful giver." Well, maybe so, but my Dad didn't believe God was too particular about how we gave. The funny part is this: that was more than forty years ago and today, whenever I receive a paycheck, the first check I write is the charity check. And, what's really funny is that today I actually enjoy writing it.

Dad was a very devout man. And, he wanted his sons to grow up being devout, too. But, he was wise enough to know what many religious parents do not. You cannot simply tell a child what to believe and then think you've successfully transferred the faith from one generation to the next. Dad knew instinctively what Deepak Chopra expressed beautifully: "Beliefs are a mere cover-up for insecurity. You only believe in the things you're not certain about."

He knew that, until you have forged a faith in the crucible of your own experience, you might grow up with a a religious identity, but you'll hardly be a spiritual person. Dad modeled for us the spiritual values that were important to him. Instead of telling us what we should believe or how we must live, he left it to us and to God to work out together. As a consequence, I am a deeply devout person today because I choose to be, not because I've been cloned or coerced into being religious.

My Dad took serious the teachings of Jesus. Instead of qualifying or explaining away the radical things Jesus said, such as, "Love your enemies," Dad put it into practice. Were he here today, he would be among the few who are actually embracing our Islamic brothers and sisters and calling for an end to all wars, the majority of which are religiously instigated anyway. He'd be among those pleading for equality and justice for all, whether you're gay or straight, Palestinian or Jew. He'd remind people that authentic faith is about being fully human and learning to live in the here and now and at peace with others; not escaping this world and living in some imaginary place in the future.

In an age of religious dogmatism and thoughtless fundamentalism, whether in Christianity, Islam, or any other religion, it is my sincerest wish that every child within the human family would have the opportunity of being raised, as I have, by a father who, though not a perfect man, is worthy to be remembered and so honored on what we call Father's Day.

Get Married in Snohomish County, Washington - 3 Easy Steps For a Quick and Fun Wedding Ceremony

Snohomish County, Washington is a beautiful County in Washington State for a wedding ceremony. Just a short drive North from Seattle, couples love to be married in Snohomish County as it has offers not only waterfront vistas but mountain and rural country wedding venues as well.

If you are being married in this County, here are 3 easy steps to help you coordinate a quick and easy wedding ceremony.

3 EASY STEPS FOR YOUR QUICK AND COMFORTABLE SNOHOMISH COUNTY WEDDING CEREMONY

1) Get Legal ~ Your Marriage License: To get legal, you will need to secure a valid Washington State marriage license at least 60 days before your wedding day. To apply for your license in Snohomish County, contact the County's Auditor's office for information. You will need to apply in person and there is a 3-day waiting period to use the license from the date of application. Cost for your license is $62.

If you are being married in Snohomish County, you may apply for your marriage license in any other County in Washington State. The way that things work in Washington State is that a marriage license purchased in one County is good to be used in any other County of the State.

2) Location/Venue For Your Snohomish County Wedding Ceremony: If you are seeking a sweet and inexpensive venue for your wedding ceremony, one of the best kept secrets of Northwest engaged couples is a newer wedding website sponsored by the Snohomish Tourism Bureau: http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Auditor/Divisions/Recording/Marriage/

This website features locations and venues for wedding ceremonies of all shapes and sizes in Snohomish County and is your easy "go to" resource to make your search for a location or venue easy and fun.

3) Find An Officiant Or Minister To Get You Hitched ~ If you are being married outside of a church or other religious institution in Snohomish, you have a grand variety of non-denominational wedding officiants and ministers to choose from to officiate your wedding ceremony.

Do a quick search on the Google under "Snohomish County Wedding Officiant or Minister" and you'll find a number of men and women who may appeal to you. Create a short list and if possible, set up an interview with three Officiants or Ministers so you can select the person whose personality and approach to ceremony resonates most strongly with you. On average, officiant services range from $250 - $650, depending on what you want and/or desire for your wedding ceremony.

Wedding Minister Etiquette

Etiquette has always been sort of a touchy subject, especially when it comes to weddings.

Weddings are usually filled with traditions and customs and the ceremony is no exception. So it's no wonder that people are nervous about what do to with the wedding minister. Since ministers deal with a world filled with religious customs and traditions, many couples are afraid to directly ask sticky questions and yet they don't want to commit some etiquette faux pas. This is where I come in. As an insider, I'm here to help couples navigate the world of wedding minister etiquette.

Etiquette Question #1: Do we invite the minister to our rehearsal dinner? Generally, an invitation to the rehearsal dinner is not necessary even though it is a thoughtful gesture. The exception to this would be if you've known the minister for a long time or if the rehearsal dinner is being held on church property, but even then it's more of a friendly gesture and not a hard etiquette rule.

Etiquette Question #2: Do I invite the minister to our reception? This one is a little tricky. How do you tell the most important person at your ceremony that they aren't welcome to stay for dinner?

Traditionally, it's proper to invite the minister to the reception, especially if that person has a special connection in your life. Generally speaking, most ministers don't expect to be invited to the reception unless they have known the couple for a long time and many will only stay for cocktails and/or h'or deourves.

Etiquette Question #3: Where do we seat the minister? It's generally not required that the minister sit at the head table. Having them seated with your family, either parents, such as parents or grandparents, is a good idea especially if they are affiliated with their church.

Etiquette Question #4: Do we tip the minister? It's easy to see why this is a questions couples hate to ask. You sign a contract and pay deposits and fees just like any other vendor, but somehow it always seems strange tipping a minister like you would any other vendor. Tipping is never mandatory, it's to reward exceptional service. The minister's fee is all you're required to pay and that's all they expect from you. If you feel they have done a wonderful service, feel free to add money to an envelope to deliver to them after the ceremony is finished. Again, tipping is not required or expected for the minister.

I hope that this clears up some confusion and helps every couple navigate the wedding minister etiquette world a little better. When in doubt, however, don't be afraid to ask your minister what they are comfortable with. Don't forget that they deal with weddings all the time and although you may feel strange asking, they are comfortable answering.

The Music Never Ends

"They say that breaking up is hard to do,
Now I know, I know that it's true.
Don't say that this is the end,
Instead of breaking up...."

Neil Sedaka wasn't talking about the leave-taking of a Music Minister, but instead of the breakup of a love relationship. Wait...isn't that what this is about anyway? We learned the other week that Minister Wayne Robinson is leaving The First Cathedral, where he has served as Music Minister since April 1, 2006. Now he's breaking up with us. Women in the choir are weeping at the thought. What's the cause of all the turmoil, the emotional outpouring, the shock?

One thing that is evident is that Wayne Robinson has been an extraordinary blessing to the ministry of The First Cathedral. In order to find out precisely what is behind all this turmoil, I surveyed a few of the faithful. Janine Scott, who "joined the choir at a turning point" in her life said she is "nothing but thankful for the opportunity to have worked with such a Prince." Ester Delmonte loves that "his mom meant us much to him as my mom does to me." He has blessed Shelby Bradford, "because of his kind spirit. He is very touchable and real" and "his kindness permeates the room." From Dionne Welch, "what I witnessed was that he always seemed to handle his load with grace."

Here is a man graced with a special spirit. He would enter the Chapel with a flourish, holding promises of another lively rehearsal full of mirth, extraordinary music, prayer, love, instruction (and correction); and a visit from the Lord was imminent on every Thursday. Rare was the evening that didn't include at least one praise break, at least one testimony.

There has been a breakthrough at The First Cathedral, and a major contributor to that breakthrough is Wayne Robinson. In October of 2008 (October 31 to be precise), the Praises of Zion gathered together in the sanctuary to record, live. Traditionally known as Halloween, this night was turned into a night in which we were able to stomp on the devil instead. It was a long haul, but "I Believe," the freshly-minted recording, was released on February 28, 2010, to terrific reviews. Of course, we all know whose hand was in the mix - one Wayne Robinson. Songs such as "Your Grace," "In Your Will," "All of the Glory," and the title track, "I Believe," among others, came from the pen of our beloved Minister of Music.

There is so much more to be said. He is the consummate teacher; so many have learned so much at his hand. As trumpeter Robert Alvaranga noted, he leads and directs with panache. A multi-instrumentalist, he is also proficient in a variety of styles. Listening as he plays the piano, you can hear influences from the worlds of jazz, rhythm & blues, classical, rock all tied in with traditional gospel, spirituals and contemporary Christian. We may not have recognized them, but it's a good guess that some folk, zydeco, country and jug-band music made its way into the POZ repertoire as well.

James Ingram intoned, once:
"How do we keep the music playing?
How do you make it last?"

Wayne Robinson has nothing to apologize for, nothing to concern himself with as he leaves The First Cathedral - gone, but not forgotten; away, but never really gone; out of sight but never out of mind; forever a part of the ministry and the lives of all those who he has touched, in so many ways.

To wit, Janine Scott said he has "poured so much into my life and family, it's crazy. He taught my son, Aaron, to play the piano; and not only that, he instilled confidence and a sense of pride in him that he didn't get anywhere else." "He cares about each and every member (of POZ) and will drop a line, make a call or just say the right thing when one of us is hurting," said Antoria Howard. Angela Griffin, while extolling his musical and teaching prowess, pointed out that he "ministers to the choir members during rehearsals, is a strong advocate for youth leaders in praise and worship." From Jasmine Jackson, "he gave me the motivation and opportunity to sing...gave me gold nuggets of advice that I will continue to use." Markeyse Hill - "he's been a father to me. He's very kind, leads you down the right road and is there to guide you back when you head in the wrong direction."

Our outgoing Minister of Music is a praying, God-fearing man. He reveres what was inculcated in him as he grew up - to praise and worship God, to honor Him in his actions, his words and his thoughts. His teaching is unparalleled. For this writer, I found that what I thought I knew about praise and worship was very little. He truly turned me from a loud singer to a vibrant praiser. I knew why to praise God, but knowing how to do so is something he gave me through instruction.

How to thank such a man? Here's what some others have had to say about Wayne.

Druscilla Williams: "You taught us how to breathe properly; now, as a result of learning that, I no longer need an inhaler."

From Dionne Welch, "He never spoon-fed me when I felt inadequate; instead he encouraged me to "give myself away so that God could use me. Whenever I sing, that's what I do."

Barbara Ward offered that Wayne's "enthusiasm for the Lord's work, whether in music or in general, was absolute infectious and inspiring."

Regina Moye: "I have learned more from him vocally - more than he will ever realize."

Talonie Daniels: "Min. Robinson's gift, integrity and leadership have taken my gift and that of the Praises of Zion and the music ministry to the next level."

Michael Walton said "it's been a pleasure working with Min. Wayne. His style has been refreshing in that he brought 'old school' music out with a twist on it to enhance the services." Vanessa Walton added, "My confidence level has increased greatly because of his subtle encouragement, pushing me forward in the gifts God gave me."

Berlyn Trusty offered, "We both found that we knew some of the same people from Gospel Music Workshop of America, and I'm grateful and honored to have been asked to help with Praise & Worship on Saturdays."

Keith Simmons, bassist - "coming from a Jamaican church, I was unfamiliar with the style of traditional and contemporary Gospel music; in light of that, Min. Wayne has been patient with me, and I have learned a lot."

The Doors' ominous words were:

"This is the end, beautiful friend;
This is the end, my only friend, the end
Of our elaborate plans, the end..."

'Nuf said? I don't think so. Min. Peter Thomas left us with an anecdote the other day. Apparently, there was a day when Wayne was leaving the Cathedral and the door didn't close properly when he left, something that Min. Thomas brought to his attention. His response? - "Well, close it, Preacher. And do me a favor, please - pick up this scripture later - 1Thessalonians 4:11-12, which reads as follows: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." It's clear that having a sense of humor will take a person far in this life.

Friendly's has what they call a "Happy Ending" sundae. We are anticipating a happy ending here as well. The First Cathedral and all its ministries have been enhanced by the presence of this humble servant, who thought it not robbery to take from numerous musical genres and bring the Praises of Zion to yet another level. Rather than be ensconced, immovable, from that level, it is abundantly clear that we are on an ascending scale, ready to reach even higher heights.

Once again, as James Ingram so eloquently sang,

"If we can try with every day
To make it better as it grows,
With any luck, then I suppose,
The music never ends."