The benefit of pastor-professors
January 26, 2010
One of the criticisms of seminaries is they are out of touch with the realities of ministry and its current cultural challenges. While that may be true of some schools (that point can certainly be debated), it is not true of Golden Gate Seminary. One of the unique things about our school is the number of professors who are vigorously engaged in pastoral leadership or other significant leadership roles in local churches.
One of those is Dr. Paul Smith, pastor of First Baptist Church, Chandler, Arizona and associate professor of Old Testament for Golden Gate. Dr. Smith teaches primarily at the Arizona campus, but as a trustee-elected faculty member, works in various capacities in our overall academic program across all campuses.
Dr. Smith is certainly not out of touch with current ministry challenges. He assumed his pastorate seven years ago with a discouraged church of just over 100 members meeting in transitional facilities (having sold their former location). Today, their Sunday attendance is over 600 at their new location on 35 (yes, 35) acres in Chandler, Arizona. They only have one building (and another one on the way) so they also use the high school across the street for Sunday school. The church is healthy, growing, and meeting the needs of people in their community. They are giving generously to missions, supporting multiple local ministry projects, and building a new campus – all at the same time.
When you are in Dr. Smith’s classes, the work is demanding. He cuts no corners in requiring students to prepare thoroughly for future ministry. But he does it with a pastor’s heart and a practical perspective that helps students learn so they can do ministry, not just so they can claim to know a lot about the Bible. His students know they are learning from someone who believes the Bible, teaches in passionately, and also knows how to help others learn it and apply it to today’s challenges.
So, if you are reluctant to come to seminary because you think it will be a purely academic exercise designed to swell your head, deaden your heart, and weaken your hands – think again. Golden Gate’s professors are well-trained scholars, tempered in the crucible of field leadership. Come study with them if you have the courage to take on the challenge!
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Civil Rights Issues
January 19, 2010
This past Sunday, it was my privilege to worship with my friend Pastor Rondall Legget and the First Missionary Baptist Church in Marin City, California. Pastor Legget is a recent Golden Gate graduate. His church had some struggles prior to his arrival that left the fellowship discouraged and scattered. In the past few months, Pastor Leggett has done a remarkable job of leading the church to new health and growth. The story is so encouraging it was featured in a front page story in our local newspaper. Churches in this area don’t often make the paper unless there is some scandal involved.
Worshipping with this predominantly African-American church on Martin Luther King holiday weekend was an added blessing. Celebrating our progress as a nation on civil rights is especially meaningful in a community whose ancestors bore the brunt of our nation’s prejudice. It was a good Sunday.
During this past week, the most recent court procedures related to the issue of homosexual marriage in California have also been front page news. One of the most frustrating claims of the gay marriage proponents is equating homosexual behavior with civil rights. Read it thoroughly and you will not find the right to marriage tucked in among the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness! Marriage, in any form, is not a civil right granted to all. It is a covenant relationship acknowledged as a contract by the state.
Laws have always, and will continue no matter what is decided about gay marriage, limited who can marry. Limits on age, mental capacity, and family connections are part of marriage restrictions. The entire “civil rights” argument assumes homosexuality defines a class of people, not a kind of sexual practice.
Sexual choices are not rights, but responsibilities. All humans are responsible to manage their sexual desires and practices. You can’t manage your race or ethnicity. It is what it is. You can control your sexual choices. Claiming homosexual marriage is a civil right is an insult to every person who sacrificed – some even their lives – to extend civil rights to all Americans.
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Solomon’s prayer
January 11, 2010
Preaching at Pole Line Baptist Church in Davis, California this past weekend provided a special, and unexpected, encouragement for me. One of the clear goals at Pole Line is involving many people in worship leadership. Various elements of the service were led by men, women, teenagers, and children. This was not haphazard participation. It was carefully planned to include many members in appropriate ways.
After the invitation, the church had their “missionary prayer” just prior to the offering. It was led by Solomon, an African-American boy about twelve years old. He came to the microphone, unfolded his notes, and gave a one-minute summary of the history and ministry of Golden Gate Seminary. It was clear, concise, articulate, and genuine. Then, he prayed a sincere prayer of blessing on the seminary and its leaders, while voicing two requests about current seminary needs. We had been contacted earlier in the week to provide those.
The whole experience was moving and encouraging. First, it was good to be in a church that intentionally plans worship experiences. Second, it was very meaningful to see so many different people involved in worship leadership – including a young man like Solomon. Third, it was encouraging to be prayed for so specifically and earnestly. Finally, it was nice to hear someone summarize our work so succinctly, and so accurately!
Many people say, “I’ll pray for you.” They mean well, but I sometimes wonder how sincere they are. Solomon not only prayed for me, it was evident he prayed about his prayer leadership in the service. Such careful spiritual preparation ministered to me. Thanks Solomon for a great prayer. I look forward to seeing God’s answers as they materialize in the next few months.
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Family Matters
January 5, 2010
About 30 years ago, Ann and I made a decision we hoped would provide long-term benefits for our family. We decided to prioritize parenting during our children’s formative years and subordinate other desires, plans, projects, and goals to our objective of producing “emotionally healthy, spiritually growing adults.”
Having just spent a week with our young adult children, their girlfriends, and best friends – we can report the project was successful and we are glad we made the choice to prioritize parenting. It was a tough choice. There were many days we doubted ourselves and wondered if the sacrifice was worth it. We tired of coaching games, going to recitals, holding the line on behavioral issues, guiding homework assignments, refereeing arguments, and making do with less so our children could have what they needed. Sharing life now with adult children who are a delight makes those sacrifices worthwhile.
If you are a young parent, your most important job is successfully shaping your children toward adulthood. Whatever you have to give up in time, energy, and money will be worth it if your children are a delight, rather than a drain, when they are older. We ache for our peers who have children in rehab, serving jail time, floundering without future goals, or otherwise struggling to find direction. Some of those parents worked as hard at parenting as we did, so the results aren’t always collated to parental efforts. The choices our children make are an important part of the equation.
But this much is sure – when parents don’t make the effort, there is little hope their children will thrive as children or transition well to adulthood. So, young parents, be encouraged! Your children need your best effort now. You may be weary with the well-doing of one of life’s most demanding roles. Hang in there! Your children’s future depends largely on your efforts when they are far too young to appreciate all you are doing for them.
While our children are far from perfect and our family has its share of struggles, being together is still very fulfilling. We enjoy each other’s company, give each other the space adults sometimes need, and find ways to overlook our weaknesses and celebrate our strengths. While we see each other infrequently, we share a bond too profound to put into words. It’s a bond of love, struggle, forgiveness, patience, and lots of laughter.
If you have younger children, you are in the throes of the challenges of prioritizing parenting. Stay strong! In a few years (yes, a very few years), you will be glad you drove old cars, worked fewer hours, and otherwise sacrificed for your children. What seems like drudgery today produces delight in a few years, and for many years to come.
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