by James Hunt | Nov 2, 2015
God is still a Father to the fatherless (Ps. 68:5), and the church is becoming more aware of this reality and its practical implications for followers of Jesus.
Orphan Sunday[1] is upon us – an internationally observed day in which many churches focus on the Father’s heart for orphans and highlight ways to serve marginalized children. There is a very healthy, gospel-centered, organization that the Lord is using to resource churches to move toward the orphan and vulnerable child in Jesus’ name.[2]
Yet, even though God still loves orphans and the church is increasingly coming alive in practical desire to love and change the destiny of orphans, the need is not diminishing. Take for instance legal orphans[3] in our own state system.
Check out some of the latest statistics as follows:
- As of last reporting on 10/25/15, there are currently 11,027 children in Foster Care in Oklahoma
- For fiscal year 2016, which started on 07/01/15, OKDHS[4] projected the need to be 1054 new homes/beds, by the end of the fiscal year, which ends on 06/30/16. Currently they have only signed up 174 new homes/beds the first 4 months of the fiscal year. To stay on track, they needed to sign up at least 351 new homes/beds by now.
- OKDHS lost 167 foster homes since this time last year:
- 174 New homes – 167 lost homes = 7 net gain over this time last year!!!
- As of last reporting on 10/06/15, there are currently 351 children “available” to be placed in an adoptive home statewide. They have many more children “eligible” to adopt, but they are already placed in an adoptive home.
- Of the 351 children available to adopt only 42 of them are ages 0-5, all of the others are over the age of 6.
- Region 1, (which includes Logan county where I live and serve as pastor), currently has 69 children available to be placed for adoption are ages listed as follows:
- There are 6 children available between 0-2
- There are 5 children available between 3-5
- There are 36 children available between 6-12
- There are 22 children available over the age of 13.
I realize this is not your problem. It’s not my problem. After all, these aren’t my kids and probably aren’t yours. Right?
Jesus may not have the same opinion:
An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:46-48).
To receive Jesus in a deeper way into your home through fostering or adopting you may apply to become a foster or adoptive family by either calling the Bridge Resource Support Center at 1-800-376-9729 or apply online at www.okbridgefamilies.com.
Imagine if there were so many Christians – lovers of Jesus – that offered themselves to this great work … that there was no more need. Currently there is a need. Will you prayerfully consider what part God wants you to have in expressing the Father’s heart for orphans?
[1] www.orphansunday.org
[2] www.cafo.org
[3] Legal orphan – I am applying this to those who are in temporary custody as a foster child as well as those who have had lost their parents through the legal system due to parental failure (abuse, neglect, etc.)
[4] OKDHS stands for Oklahoma Department of Human Services
by Angela Sanders | Oct 26, 2015
“Here, let me introduce you to my pastor (youth minister, music minister, children’s minister, church administrator, etc.)…”
To the one being introduced, few words are as affirming and intimidating as these, for vocational ministers know the title they bear carries with it both the divine responsibility they knew about from the first and a certain amount of human expectation that they have learned to consider. Those with any degree of experience know that the latter is sometimes more difficult to satisfy than the first. All too often, in the hearts of these dedicated men and women, the joy of obedient service is squelched, at least in part, by the nagging suspicion that they have, in spite of their best and most passionate efforts to serve the Church faithfully, let someone down.
Want to ease their burden? In honor of Pastor (Church Staff) Appreciation Month, give them a gift, the best gift they could ever receive: Remember they are human. Don’t just know it on an intellectual level. Think about it. Let the truth sink in until it changes your expectations of and informs your interactions with them.
Remember, just like you, vocational ministers
- Mean well. The media loves fallen ministers and makes much of them, but the truth is ministers who harbor evil intent or wield their influence carelessly are few and far between. Most feel the weight of the calling they have received and, laboring under it, do their very best to carry out their responsibilities in a way that glorifies the Father. Their methodology might differ from yours, but they have the health and wellbeing of the Church in mind. Give them the benefit of the doubt until you have a valid reason not to. Even then, focus on restoration of church unity and the spiritual healing of individual rather than on proving who was right, who was wrong, and/or what should have been done differently.
- Make mistakes. Sanctification is a process that begins the moment a person surrenders their life to Christ and ends only when that person reaches Heaven. That means, no matter who we are, how hard we work, or how much progress we make, we are going to make mistakes from time to time. Imagine making all of yours, big and small, in the fish bowl of vocational ministry, where ripples and whispers are far-reaching. Yikes! Be patient. Forgive as you hope to be forgiven. Forgive as the Father has forgiven you.
- Crave fellowship. Although their job descriptions often require vocational ministers to spend a significant amount of time interacting with church members, much of that time is spent solving problems, taking the burdens of others upon themselves, casting vision, and motivating or inspiring others, all of which can be very taxing. A week or two of such interactions is all it takes to leave a minister feeling flat, discouraged, and half-starved for the kind of mutual edification and encouragement that other church members seem to enjoy as a matter of course. For the good of your church, make sure that you encourage and invest in your ministers as much as you lean on them.
- Need rest. Vocational ministry is a marathon, not a sprint. To run their race well, ministers must discipline themselves to rest, refuel, and set a sustainable pace, things that are particularly difficult for passionate people-pleasers to do. Help them by recognizing the potential for and warning signs of fatigue in them. Help them establish healthy habits by encouraging them to delegate responsibility, allowing them enough time alone with their families and closest friends, and requiring them to take the time off they are allowed so they can “kick it in” when circumstances call for it.
- Want to please the Father. only way do this is to study His Word diligently, pray faithfully, and obey the Holy Spirit’s leading, disciplines you would expect to be at the top of every vocational minister’s to-do list. They are, but natural disasters often creep up in the Body and demand their attention, grassfires of gossip, financial freeze, infestations of immorality, avalanches of apathy, quakes of competition, pandemics of pride, and the like. In those moments, importance is trumped by urgency, leaving vocational ministers vulnerable to spiritual fatigue, fluctuating emotion, and human opinion. Help them maintain their focus by doing your part to prevent and curb those natural disasters in their early stages, pursuing those disciplines yourself and encouraging others to do the same, and allowing vocational ministers at least as much time as you need to pursue the Father with excellence.
To love someone is to extend mercy and grace, and Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:39). That shouldn’t be so hard in this case, should it, considering all we have in common?
by Angela Sanders | Oct 7, 2015
October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and rightly so, as these devoted servants do so much for their flocks and bear so much more than most of us would be willing to take on, their being the ones directly responsible to God for the spiritual health of their congregations, but I can’t help noticing that there is no such thing as Minister of Music Appreciation Month, Youth Minister Appreciation Month, Children’s Minister Appreciation Month, Custodian Appreciation Month, etc.
It bothers me more than a little bit, as those who serve alongside the pastor are often those who do the most to bring the pastor’s vision and the church’s programming to fruition, serving behind the scenes, often without the same kind of recognition, encouragement, reward, and thanks that the pastor receives as the one behind the pulpit, the one whose name is on the sign out front.
This being so, I encourage you to consider October Church Staff Appreciation Month. Express your appreciation and thanks to your pastor, but don’t stop there. Take a peek over his shoulder, consider those who make up his dedicated team, and express your appreciation and thanks to them as well. If your church has a large ministerial staff—I think ours is up in the mid-teens now—focus on those who lead the ministry area where you serve or where your family is served.
Not sure what’s expected of you? The answer is “nothing.” Those who serve on church staff do so to please the Lord, not to win the approval of men. That’s precisely what makes blessing these selfless people so much fun! So, get involved. Make this October a month your pastor and the rest of your church staff will always remember.
Here are a few ideas:
- Tell them how you feel. Eye to eye. Face to face. Start with “I’m so thankful for you” or “Thank you for all you do,” but don’t leave it there. Prove that you’ve given their service some real thought by finishing sentences like “I want you to know that I see how you…,” “You are really good at…,” “I am challenged by your…,” or “I will never forget the time that you….” This may feel a little awkward—for you AND for them—but they will be touched, whether or not they respond the way that you hope they will.Remember, these folks don’t do what they do to receive recognition or praise, and many of them don’t know what to say back. They don’t want to take credit for what God has done through them or come across as being conceited, so they stammer, over-explain, or argue with you. It took my mother and me about ten years to teach my husband just to smile and say “Thank you” to people who compliment him.
- Pat a back, shake a hand, or hug a neck. Unless the church staff member you want to thank is a touch-me-not (and that’s okay!), express your appreciation through appropriate touch, as touch is the primary love language of some folks, and you don’t want to leave them out. Not sure what is appropriate? Generally, you should only offer hugs to people of your same gender. If you happen to be very good friends, side hugs are appropriate. When in doubt, go with a back pat or a handshake.
- Do something nice for them. Help them cross items off their to-do lists by taking on tasks that you can shoulder for them, whether that be in the office or around the house. If you prefer to help in the office, you might offer to do mail-outs, make phone calls, organize, clean up, set up, decorate, unlock, lock up, transport, etc. If you prefer to help around the house, you might offer to mow, pull weeds, babysit, dog walk, window wash, decorate, cook, bake, clean, wash or fold laundry, or iron. If your offer to help is declined, don’t take it personally, as the reasons for their declining probably have nothing at all to do with you. Know that your offer is appreciated whether or not you get the chance to follow through.
- Spend time with them. Of all of the suggestions given, this may be the most difficult to do, as most of us are busy these days and the demands on your church staff members’ time are likely already more than they can manage with so many people depending on them. Still, letting them know that your interest in them goes beyond their service to you as a church member is invaluable. Invite them to attend a social activity with you, offer to take them to dinner, or treat them to a cup of coffee at their convenience. Should they accept, spend that time getting to know them as an individual and, no matter how much veer back to their conversational default, don’t let them “talk shop.” Leave church chatter for a later time!Again, be sensitive to social propriety here. Only spend time alone with church staff members of your same gender. If the church staff member you want to thank is of the opposite gender and you are unmarried, bring a friend with you, ride in separate vehicles, and remain in the public eye for accountability reasons. If the church staff member you want to thank is of the opposite gender and you are married, let your spouse do the inviting and make sure your spouse is present at all times.
- Give them a gift. Cost isn’t important. Spend as much or as little as you are comfortable spending, as it truly is the thought that counts. If you don’t know what they like, ask around so you can give something they will actually use/enjoy. If you don’t know whom to ask or want to make sure that your gift is not misinterpreted, go with something universally appealing like movie passes, candles, restaurant gift cards, or gas cards. Even better than a gift of monetary value—although you don’t have to forgo one to give the other!—is a card full of words that show thought and careful consideration in the selection, words that they can share with a spouse and/or children and reread when they most need it. Resist the urge to simply sign your name to a prewritten verse. Take the time to include hand-written sentiments specific to your experience with the person you are writing the card to. Not sure what to say? Look back at the sentence starters in idea #1 in this list.
- Most importantly, pray! Thank God for these individuals and ask Him to bless them for their faithful service. Pray for their marriages and their family members one by one, putting yourself in their shoes and considering what their needs might be right now. Ask God to strengthen them and protect them from an Enemy that would love to see them fail publicly. Ask God to refresh them daily as they pour themselves out for the Kingdom and to restore to them the joy of their salvation even as they grow in their faith and challenge others to do the same. Just imagine! If we all prayed faithfully for our church staff for an entire month, they would have to feel it, wouldn’t they? And wouldn’t that be the greatest blessing of all?
Happy Church Staff Appreciation Month, everyone! Let’s let them know they’re loved.
by James Hunt | Sep 9, 2015
Recently we took our kids to a rodeo. It was a pretty predictable event overall, bucking horses, roped calves, barrel racing, clowns joking, and bulls – big, bad, snot-flinging bulls. We’ve been to many rodeos over the years, and I thought I’d seen it all. This time, however, there was a first experience for us. The announcer invited all those who were 18 and older to consider participating in “The Ring of Fear.” I had no idea what that was, and I certainly wasn’t going to jump into the ring! But I figured I’d stay around to see what it was.
As the time drew near for the Ring of Fear, my wife told me that they were planning to release a bull into the ring. I was convinced that due to insurance purposes (and common sense) there was no way they’d actually do that. The announcer said to the two young ladies who’d signed up to participate that the last one left in the ring would win the $100 prize. Still, I thought it just had to be a joke on the crowd – that some clown would come out of the bull chute. I mean, who would intentionally put themselves in harms way? But I was most definitely wrong!
The sound went off and the bull chute opened. About 1,800 pounds of ticked-off bull came charging out of the chute, went straight for one of the young ladies and slammed her backwards onto the ground. The reason for her wearing the protective vest became painfully clear. Thankfully she got up and walked away. I walked away too – shaking my head incredulously at such foolishness (that I enjoyed immensely!).
I recently was in a conversation with someone about foster care and adoption. The person politely listened for a bit and then said reflectively, “I would think that you are opening yourself up to a lot of pain and heartbreak.” To which I responded, “Yes, of course you are. But since when is our goal in life to avoid all pain and heartbreak?”
Jesus said, “Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily and follow me.” It sounds like Jesus expects us to intentionally choose a path of cross-centered, Gospel promoting, mercy-laden living with a view to impact the marginalized in Jesus’ name. “Follow me!” Jesus said. And then He went to the cross. Why should we take a detour when the shadow of the cross looms across the sunlight of our ease and relaxation?
Jesus also said on more than one occasion, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy; not sacrifice.’” Perhaps the cost of mercy is the blood of the benefactor? It certainly was for Jesus. Maybe it includes the shedding of our own pursuit of the self-life and embracing pain and heartbreak.
There are many ways to impact the marginalized in Jesus’ name. But when you choose the path of caring for those who are powerless you open yourself up to the pain and heartache associated with the brokenness of their lives. It should come as no surprise that when we step into the mire of messed-up people’s lives that some of the hardship they have experienced splashes onto us, disturbing our peace.
Adoption and fostering is a path of choosing which type of heartache and pain you’ll experience for Jesus and His eternal Kingdom. Jesus stepped into our pain and calls us to honor Him by stepping into the pain of others. In doing so God’s Kingdom advances in the lives of people one hurt heart at a time. Let’s embrace pain and heartbreak together for the glory of God.
The temporal prize ($100) given to that young lady brave enough to face the wrath of the bull is probably already spent. The eternal prize of the souls of the suffering made whole in Jesus is of ultimate value.
by Karen Kinnaird | Aug 26, 2015
After well over a year of prayer and preparation it was finally here –the weekend of Oklahoma City’s Good News Festival at the Chesapeake Arena. I’ve been in the arena many times before, but this time it was different. Almost like electricity, there was excitement and expectancy in the air. We were told that there were prayer teams from all over the world praying for this event, and it was evident that God’s Spirit was there already working in the hearts of those who would attend.
Hundreds of volunteers arrived hours in advance to take their place for this two-day event. Some were ushers, some organized literature, some praying and some prepared to counsel. My husband and I took our places. I lined up in a separate area in a line clearly marked for Women’s Counselors. My husband was assigned to greet counselors, placing them in groups and assigning groups to sections of the arena.
Last spring, along with many other Christians across the city, we enrolled in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Life and Witness course. This free three-night training has been taught all over the world. It helps Christians reignite their faith and equips them to share their faith in daily life and as counselors during the Festival. After completing the course, securing a pastoral reference and completing the application, I received my badge by mail to serve as a counselor.
After going through the line, my group proceeded to our assigned section of the arena. It was a pleasure to meet other like-minded people from various evangelical denominations who were all there for the same purpose – to lead people to Christ. We prayed over each seat in our section asking God that each and every person would know for certain that they have eternal life. Of all the thousands of people entering the arena, I wondered who God would place me with to counsel.
Each service took on its own distinct personality. Saturday’s event, designed for youth, literally shook the foundation of the arena. Popular bands, deafening noise, powerful testimonies and a clear explanation of the Gospel by Franklin Graham filled the program. Youth responded enthusiastically to the message of God’s love for them, His specific plan for their life, His forgiveness and offer of eternal life.
I slipped out of my seat and made my way to the very front of the brightly-lit arena floor where I was paired with Lori. Lori is 34 years old, and I could tell from her appearance that life had been hard. She was visibly broken over her sin and eager to get her life right with God. I reviewed the Gospel with her – that we have all sinned, that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sin, that He rose from the dead and is ready to forgive if we’ll just receive Him. With tears in her eyes, she prayed to accept Christ in her life saying, “I need to and I want to”. This sweet lady went away with the peace that she was right with God.
Sunday’s event, geared to families, was complete with bands, testimonies, a massive state-wide Oklahoma choir and a clear Gospel message from Franklin. At the invitation, I was paired with a sweet 13-year-old girl who had just moved from out-of-state to a rural town in Oklahoma. She and her family had been attending First Baptist Church. I could tell the seeds of the Gospel had been planted and watered there. The message from Franklin brought in the harvest. I reviewed the Gospel with her, and she invited Christ into her heart.
There are many things in life that bring joy and satisfaction, but nothing compares to the joy and peace of knowing that your sins are forgiven and that you will go to Heaven when you die. And nothing compares to leading others to have that same assurance. In all of life, this is the most important thing. If you are not absolutely certain that you have eternal life and are interested in learning more, I urge you to go to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s website http://peacewithgod.net/.
by James Hunt | Jul 29, 2015
It’s been said that he who frames the question wins the argument. In similar fashion, perhaps he who creates the headline frames the conversation?
There is a growing movement of fellow believers promoting the idea of, “Take back America for Christ.” Are they trying to say that somehow Christ lost America? Has Jesus been actively working hard to win a culture war in the United States only to find Himself on the losing side of the issues? Was Jesus driving down the road of time and in a distracted moment lost His grip on the steering wheel of our nation? Is Jesus now calling His saints to lead the charge with the banner of the cross with the Constantinian motto, in hoc signo vinces (in this sign conquer)?
I applaud the desire to influence society with godly ethics, morals, and values. After all, who loves Jesus and His Word and is not grieved by the sin so flagrantly being celebrated in our courts and culture? But I have to wonder if Christians are better off when we have the majority rule in our nation. We desire to see God’s truth promoted in the public square. After all, Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). But does this mean that we need to try to recreate a majority nation of Christendom in America? Is “Win Back America for Christ” the new “Moral Majority”? Are we heading toward the establishment of a re-made religious right movement? Is that what this is? If so, I surely hope it has better lasting success than past iterations!
It is much more comfortable to live in a land where Christians and Christian principles are at least respected. It’s challenging to experience minority status as followers of Jesus. Evangelical Christians (and others claiming the moniker Christian) are now treated with suspicion or outright rejection. But so was Jesus. Is that so surprising?
Perhaps one unintended consequence of the national casting off of restraint and God’s Law is that, as other commentators have opined, the true church will be purified. Maybe the grace of God in Jesus will shine more brilliantly against the flaming darkness of despair – the inevitable end of sin, though at first delightful? Perhaps the sharper contrast between the path of right and wrong will open a door of light for sinners seeking escape?
It is my contention that as we move back toward the moral and religious climate experienced by our fellow travelers in Jesus of the first century we might be increasingly in a position to see the gospel spread rapidly. We who are American Christians need to reframe the headline to read: “Bear Witness to Jesus.” Maybe we need to start with Jesus and continue on with a commitment to winsomely share His good news despite the ire of those in majority culture. It’s not a culture war but a heart war we’re fighting.
Let’s not miss the fact that this nation has always been filled with sinners on their way to a Christless eternity. We have had a veneer of Christianity in our land, and, when it shined brightly we felt as if we were respected and heard. Perhaps we should accept the Spirit’s invitation to go outside the camp where Jesus is and worship and serve Him there. Maybe we’ll discover millions of other Christians already persecuted and waiting to welcome us.
Victory is not for the boldest, brightest, and brashest (or the most politically influential). Victory in Jesus is won person by person as the Holy Spirit draws sinners to repentance.
While we seek rightly to bring justice to our nation and morality back to the public square let us not forget that even if our country becomes more moral that doesn’t mean Christianity is winning! It just means that people who are morally cleaned up and ethically correct are going to split hell wide open as they enter into eternity without Jesus. Let’s keep the gospel the main thing even as we seek to influence the culture.
How I long to see truth on the rise in our nation! I desire to see abortion outlawed and homosexuality and greed denounced. However, whether these things are repudiated nationally or not, Jesus has not lost America and He doesn’t need our help winning it back. But we do need to seek for the souls of men and women, boys and girls and win them to Jesus.