Monday, April 28, 2014

The Christian Work Ethic

I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man. -Proverbs 24:30-34

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. -Exodus 20:8-9

A man had trouble sleeping. He told his doctor, “I sleep fine at night, and I sleep pretty well in the morning. But in the afternoon I just toss and turn.”

Perhaps we should all go back and read the Little Golden Book about The Little Red Hen.

Some responsibilities are yours alone. Some struggles you are going to have to deal with. Work hard; provide for your family; serve the Lord; give to church and to others. Also get some rest and fun along the way. Make this world a little better, because you were here.

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. -2 Thessalonians 3:10-11

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. -1 Timothy 5:8

See also: Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; Proverbs 10:4; 12:24, 27; 13:4; 21:5; 23:21; 27:23; John 9:4; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 10:31; 1 Timothy 5:18.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 28, AD 2014.

Other articles in lower right margin.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Robert L. Sumner at Grace Baptist, Brazoria, TX

Robert L. Sumner; The Biblical Evangelist

Dr. Robert L. Sumner will be preaching at:

Grace Baptist Church of Wild Peach
5050 CR 353, Brazoria, TX 77422

Host Pastor - Mark Brumbelow
979/798-0305

Wednesday, April 23, 2014
at 7pm

R. L. Sumner is an evangelist, author of over 30 books, and editor of The Biblical Evangelist. He was formerly associate editor of the Sword of the Lord with Dr. John R. Rice. At the time, the Sword of the Lord had a circulation of over 400,000. Copies of the Biblical Evangelist, and books by Dr. Sumner will be available.

A copy of The Biblical Evangelist will be given to each family. It is filled with sermons, Bible studies, and sermon illustrations. You can subscribe to it for free. It was one of Adrian Rogers favorite publications and Adrian ordered hundreds of Sumner‘s pamphlets for his church. Dr. Sumner is independent Baptist, but he is not anti-Southern Baptist. A number of Southern Baptist Leaders subscribe to his paper.

He is 90 years old and still going strong! Dr. Sumner has been preaching in California, and is stopping in Texas on his way back home to Lynchburg, Virginia.

For those in the Houston, Brazoria, TX area, this is a great opportunity to hear and meet one of the most influential conservative Christian leaders of the 20th and 21st centuries. I will be there. I hope you will too.

*******

Books by Robert L. Sumner:

Bible Translations

Biblical Evangelism in Action

Fights I Didn’t Start, And Some I Did: Round 1 (Foreword by Ergun Caner)

Fights I Didn’t Start, And Some I Did: Round 2 (Foreword by Bailey Smith)

Fundamentalist Foibles!

Hell Is No Joke

Commentary on Hebrews (recommended by Adrian Rogers, Warren Wiersbe, Charles U. Wagner, Elmer Towns)

Commentary on Ephesians (recommended by Hyman Appelman, Baptist Bible Tribune)

Commentary on James (Foreword by Paige Patterson)

An Examination of TULIP: The Five Points of Calvinism

Jesus Christ is God

Biblical Essays by a Historic Evangelical Fundamentalist (Foreword by Jerry Vines)

And many more.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 14, AD 2014.

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Tuesday, April 1, 2014

How To Keep Your Pastor

One of the heartbreaking things church members go through is losing a pastor they love. The church may not even notice the Pulpit Committee (Pastor Search Committee) that quietly shows up one Sunday. They may not notice the pastor missed a Sunday or two to preach “in view of a call” at another church. They may not know the pastor wanted to move; they thought everything was fine. And the pastor has good reason to keep things quiet until another church has called him as pastor. So often the first information the church has that their pastor is leaving is when he stands in the pulpit and formally announces his resignation. 

How do you keep a pastor? 
To the deacons and laymen out there who want to keep their pastor, these are a few things that might help. And these are things your pastor will probably never mention.

1. A cost of living adjustment for your pastor each year. Not really a raise in salary, just keeping up his salary with inflation. Over several years, a set salary seriously declines. And like you, the pastor has to support his family and pay his bills. Give him some pride and ability to do so.

2. Consider a real, live, honest to goodness raise in his salary. After all he’s doing a good job, is experienced, and you want to keep him.

3. Take him aside and tell him what a good job he’s doing. Better yet, tell it in front of the church.

4. Get the church to add to his monthly retirement contributions to GuideStone. If you don’t know about Guidestone Financial Services of the SBC, check with a fellow pastor or your Baptist Association’s Director of Missions. If he is not contributing to his GuideStone Retirement, have the church begin doing so for him.

5. Check with the pastor and his wife about things needing improved in the parsonage. Provide the money, but if they prefer, let them take care of it. After all, as long as they are there, it’s their house. Give them some privacy. You wouldn’t want someone else running things in in your house.

6. Make sure the pastor and his family are free to take a couple of days off each week. Make sure the church knows and supports this.

7. Seriously pray for your pastor. He has burdens and stress you will never know.

8. Bring others with you to church.

9. Be present, with a good attitude, at every church service; Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, or whatever schedule your church has. A good crowd is encouraging and helps him preach better.

10. Allow the pastor the funds to buy at least one new book each month.

11. Support his plans to reach more people for Christ.

12. Faithfully give your tithes and offerings to your church.

Make things so good for your pastor he’d be crazy to go anywhere else.

But know that sometimes under the best of circumstances, God will lead your pastor elsewhere. If so, use the above to encourage your next pastor.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 1, AD 2014.

Articles:
How to Get a Life When Ministry Drains it Out of You
Church Buildings - Dos and Don'ts #1
Earth Day
The Girl Who Saved His Ministry
Wit And Wisdom Of My Dad
More Articles in lower right margin.