Author Archives: Andrew Schank

About Andrew Schank

Andrew Schank is an Independent Baptist Missionary/Pastor who loves to blog about spiritual matters! His main ministry website is http://www.togetherinthegap.com. Andrew is also a contributing author to two other blogs/websites including http://linked2leadership.com and http://www.ifbkjv.com. Pastor Schank's Church website is http://www.greatcommissionbaptist.org
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The Attitude Of A Pastor

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Airbus A380Image via Wikipedia

Anyone familiar with flying an aircraft will state that a fundamental, aeronautical truth is that the ATTITUDE of an airplane will have a direct effect on the ALTITUDE of the plane. “Nose down” means that you are headed towards the Earth. “Nose up” means that you are headed skyward. The ATTITUDE of the nose of the aircraft, as directed by the flaps and rudder, will determine the rate of descent or ascent. In other words, “ATTITUDE DETERMINES ALTITUDE!” Such it is with pastoring a church. The quality of ministry in any local assembly is greatly determined by the ATTITUDE of its leadership.

There are two important areas of a pastor’s life which he must be careful with concerning his attitude.

 

#1 – The Pastor’s Countenance

(1 Timothy 4:12) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”  (KJV)

The local church will take on the personality of its pastor. The longer he is there, the more its members will resemble its leader in attitude and such. In view of this truth, answer the following questions about the attitude of your personal leadership as pastor.

  • Pastor, are you repressive or optimistic?
  • Pastor, are you problem oriented or solution oriented?
  • Pastor, are you in despair, or a ray of hope?
  • Pastor, are you tense or are you relaxed?

The attitude which you consistently project will be what you end up working with overall. Yes, there is a learning curve in the ministry, but beware of how you display your attitude. Pretending will wear off after a while. Your true nature will shine forth regardless of how you dress it up. It is best to work on your attitude so it is genuinely pleasing to Christ!

#2 – The Pastor’s Mind

(2 Corinthians 10:5) “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”  (KJV)

My grandma used to say that the idle mind is the Devil’s workshop. I feel that she did not miss the truth by far! One of a pastor’s most valuable assets is his mind. Satan surely knows this and will seek to wage war. The #1 battlefield of a man of God is not with the lost man, the world in general, nor his wayward church family. It is within his own body, and his own faculties. The battlefield is in the pastor’s MIND!

Two dangers to be noted here:

Intimidation –  We should not be intimidated, but many times our attitude lends itself to this. God warned Ezekiel about this issue. Study Ezekiel 2:6 and the context within the surrounding verses. This is surely helpful to the intimidated preacher of God’s Word!

(Proverbs 29:25) “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”  (KJV)

Spiritual Inferiority Complex – When we get our eyes off of Jesus and on ourselves, then we will end up feeliing abnormally inferior. Worry, and its cousins will rob us of the fire and zeal which are so needed to inspire the confidence of those we serve.

(Philippians 4:13) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  (KJV)

Consider a few questions about your mind…

  • Pastor, is your mind clear or cluttered?
  • Pastor, is your mind virtuous or grotesque?
  • Pastor, is your mind sharp or seared with sin’s desensitizing power?
  • Pastor, is your mind occupied with other folk’s needs or just about your needs?
  • Pastor, is your mind centered upon Christ or upon carnal amusements?

Conclusion

Make no mistake about this issue. Attitude determines altitude! Our countenance will reveal what is on our minds and our minds will feed our countenance. It is in everyone’s best interest to faithfully follow Christ and keep a good attitude about life so as to be a sharper tool in the omnipotent hand of our Master!

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4 Ways To Put The Gospel Back Into Gospel Preaching

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Carl Olof Rosenius preaching in Betlehemskyrka...Image via Wikipedia

One is almost moved to nausea when viewing many television ministries today. When comparing the gospel preached on those t.v. programs with the gospel of Jesus Christ, you find a vast chasm between the two. There is such a stark contrast between them, one wonders if their entire motive of ministry should be in question. The emphasis is on man, health and wealth rather than on Jesus Christ. It leaves one wondering, “What is the gospel and where is it?” This post seeks to help the sincere preacher of the gospel with four reminders about putting the gospel back into preaching!

Definition Of The Gospel – Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:3-4) “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”  (KJV)

#1 – Pastor, Remember To Put A Gangplank In Your Sermon!

“We can learn nothing of the gospel except by feeling its truths.  There are some sciences that may be learned by the head, but the science of Christ crucified can only be learned by the heart.” -Charles Hadden Spurgeon

If one is to be saved and go to heaven when they die, then they will have to be saved God’s way. The problem is of the thousands that hear a sermon each week, few hear the gospel preached distinctly. Pastors must put a gangplank in their messages in order for sinner to be saved! Never preach, testify, give a devotion or teach a Sunday school lesson without giving an opportunity for your hearers to be saved!

#2 – Pastor, Preach The Biblical Gospel!

How shall anyone get saved by a false gospel? The Apostle Paul made it clear to his readers in Galatians chapter one that there is but one gospel of Jesus Christ and not another! He went so far as to say that if anyone came to them with any other so-called gospel to let them be accursed. Literally saying for them to be eternally devoted to damnation!

(Galatians 1:6-9) “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”  (KJV)

Pastor, please preach the right gospel! Not only for the sake of your hearers, but for your own soul! The social gospel, health and wealth gospel, and any other you would put in this sort of list is not the true gospel. People must repent of their sins and put their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to be saved. Hell will be hot for those who pervert the truth!


#3 – Pastor, Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing!

Pastor, please keep the right priority when preaching. Yes, we need to rightly divide the truth. Yes, we need to go deeper to a certain extent, but the gospel is very simple. Keep it that way! Many preachers are more concerned about things other than the gospel. I am not sure if the story of Christ has gotten old to them. If it has, then they have a heart problem. At any rate, keep the main thing the main thing! Preach Hell hot and Heaven sweet! Tell folks about the wonder working power of Christ’s shed blood!

(John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (KJV)

#4 – Pastor, Never Substitute Your Opinion For Scripture!

The longer one lives the more one sees opinion in place of objective expository preaching of the gospel! Opinion does not mean one iota! Preaching is not like a basketball game where you send in a substitute occasionally. The coach does not like the results of his teams efforts so he sends in a fresh player with a different strategy. God’s word and preaching does not return void of effect, but opinion will! Stick with the gospel and it will provide results in God’s timing!

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Pastor, Have You Stopped Preaching The Gospel Or Know Someone Who Has?

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Heart To Heart With Pastor Ed Bowen – #11

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Pastor Ed Bowen was saved on March 24, 1957 at a revival meeting at Horse Branch Church in Turbeville, S.C. at the age of 23. Brother Bowen has been married to his wife, Margaret, for over 54 years. After being ordained in 1960, Pastor Bowen went on to preach in various places until he became pastor of Cherryvale Baptist. Having been there for over 43 years, in 2000, he had to slow down a bit due to prostate cancer.

Though unable to do what he used to do, Pastor Ed has just changed venues. For over ten years now, he has been encouraging people via email. He has graciously agreed to be a contributing author to this website. This series of posts entitled, “Heart To Heart” are the fruit of his times with our Lord Jesus! If they mean as much to you as they do me, then EMAIL him and let him know about it!

Be Silent Before The Lord!

(Psalms 37:7-9) “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.”  (KJV)

We are given the precept to “rest in the Lord.” This means to keep our hearts silenced to unbelieving thoughts, such as thinking only of our troubles without seeing the Lord in them. If we do so, then we will utter, as Jacob, “all these things are against me.” Or, possibly, as Elijah, “it is enough now, O Lord, take away my life.”

In these and other unbelieving “suggestions” from the adversary, we are to keep silent before the Lord. The heart is to rest in Him and keep still. Murmuring will not take place. We must not keep silent as to prayer though… for in that holy meditation the heart turns to commune with the Lord.

Resting in the Lord keeps us from… (1) Uttering unbelieving words to influence others in unbelief instead of adding to their faith. (2) What we consider to be justifiable anger. (3) Words uttered in frustration over unfulfilled expectations.

We must see the Lord, through the eye of faith, in all the circumstances of our lives, knowing He is working all things for our ultimate good… as He promised.

Conclusion

Resting in Jesus can be hard to do sometimes as a pastor. That sounds weird, but it is SOtrue! Our pride keeps us from doing the first thing and that is to stay focused… resting… on Jesus!

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361638: Then and Now Bible Maps, Deluxe Edition with CD-ROM Then and Now Bible Maps, Deluxe Edition with CD-ROM

By Rose Publishing

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