Miscellanies | CJ's View from the Cheap Seats

A Model for Pastoral Ministry

January 28, 2016

In this series I want to draw your attention to this Trinitarian benediction of 2 Corinthians in order to remind you of what has always been true: the character and work of the triune God define and inform the heart of pastoral ministry. In 2 Corinthians 13:14, hidden in plain sight, is a wonderfully succinct model for pastoral ministry. Paul’s pastoral ministry was theologically informed. Moreover, it was thoroughly Trinitarian—he references each member of the Godhead in his benediction. And…

From Mourning to Marveling

January 27, 2016

“Amid the incessant whirl of pastoral activity, the telephone call comes-one of the members of the congregation has died. The servant of God is abruptly halted in his ordinary spectrum of ministerial duties. Death may have come with shocking unexpectedness and untimeliness, snatching away a child, a youth, or one in the full flower of adulthood. Or it may have come to pluck away one who was advanced in years. However it comes, the true servant of God is brought…

Hidden in Plain Sight

January 25, 2016

It happened in my hometown, in a Washington DC Metro station. And I’m sure, had I been there, I would have walked past it without a single glance. In 2007, the Washington Post organized an experiment. During the morning rush hour, world-famous violinist Joshua Bell stood incognito in the entrance to the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station and played a brilliant classical repertoire for forty-five minutes. It was, as Post reporter Gene Weingarten explained, “an experiment in context, perception and priorities—as…

When a Pastor Loses Heart (Full Text)

January 21, 2016

“Pray that I would not bomb so often when I preach,” said my friend after I inquired how I could pray for him. My pen froze. I looked up, incredulous. I could not bring myself to write it down. But the expression on his face was serious; he was not joking. He wanted me to ask God that he not bomb so often when he preaches. Mind you, this was not a seminary student in his first homiletics class or…

When a Pastor Loses Heart, Part 4

January 18, 2016

What does a pastor do when he begins to lose heart for his role and task? In 2 Corinthians chapter four Paul provides us with three heart-protecting, heart-strengthening realities for the disheartened pastor. We have already looked at The Call of Christian Ministry and The Context of the Christian Ministry. The hope of Christian ministry is an eternal perspective. It’s all about knowing where to look. 3. The Hope of Christian Ministry Finally, Paul’s heart was strengthened by the hope of Christian ministry. We see…