REFLECTIONS ON MINISTRY AND STRAIGHTLINE’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY

This past Sunday Pastor Tyrone Reeves and Straightline Church celebrated one full decade of faithful service to the Kingdom.  I was blessed and honored to fill the pulpit of Straightline’s Church on this very special day.  The theme for the weekend was “Behold I do a new thing,” which was my text.  Strange how you go into a service with a plan and then God changes the arrangement and content of the plan.  LOL!  The Spirit brought to the sermon a number of illustrations relational to Straightline’s present situation and their future.  It was so amazing, actually “wonderful – beyond understanding, absolutely and thoroughly miraculous in every way.” 

Sheryl and I have been in the ministry now for over 38 years.  We have watched people come and go, ministries start and fold, pastors come and go, men and women called into full-time service in the local church and mission field.  Absolutely beautiful to behold!  I wish I did not have to say this, but in more cases than not far too many who come to a church or alongside of a Senior Pastor do so with an agenda, and when that agenda is not met they are gone.  It’s simply the way of life.  But then there are those, both in the pew and leadership, who have no agenda other than, “Pastor, this is my home, my place of service, whatever you want me to do if I can do it let me know – I’m here.”  And through thick and thin they are there – present, serving, praying, giving and available. 

When Throne felt called to pastor a church in his hometown he said, “Pastor, this is what I believe God is saying to me.  However, you are my covering and I will not leave without your approval and blessing.”  A rare and precious moment!  One of integrity!  It is a cherishable moment for any Senior Pastor.  Tyrone and Omega are a true treasure in the Kingdom.  We are blessed to know them.

Here’s an eternal truth: God is not going to judge a man solely on what he accomplishes or doesn’t accomplish.  Granted all of us have been given gifts and abilities for bringing Him pleasure, and we will give an account of how we used those talents for Him here on earth.  With that said, the far bigger picture is motive: why and for whom did we use our talents?  Did we serve God with integrity or did we crush others on the way to success?  Were we so concerned about our agenda that the feelings of others and the unity of the Kingdom were sacrificed?  This is the far bigger and more eternal picture. 

Personally as I have observed life and ministry “motive” is central to “love.”  They are one and the same.  God’s motives are pure because He is “holy, love and faithful.”  The apostle Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 13:

² And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, ⁵ does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, ⁶ does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. ⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; ¹⁰ but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. ¹³ But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (NASB77) 

With this in mind, may ‘my’ prayer, may ‘our’ prayer be: “Lord, search my heart and purge any wicked way in me for Your glory and the well-being of others and myself.” 

WHY NO REVIVAL

I don’t blog often, but when I do it is something truly pressing upon my heart.  In this instance, the article below, which found its origin as an email to my Dear eSermon Friends, came out of a conversation with friends.  We were discussing the continued drifting of America from the God of the Bible, the lack of influence the church has upon our culture, and an overall distain for the things of God. The result of which is this blog. In fact, it was the basis for our prayer time this week at IMP (If My People).  

Revival!  Doesn't it seem strange that as a Nation we have more mega-churches than ever in America's history, and yet, in my observation, the Church at large has less influence than anytime in my lifetime.  In fact, the media portrays the Church as a joke, less than 8% of people 30 and under even go to church — of any kind, and the government looks at Church as a nuisance (we're in the way of their controlling socialistic agendas).  Furthermore, clergy are portrayed as weak effeminate men who have no true identity let alone a grip on what life is all about.  

Why?  Why is the church powerless to change our culture? Could it be that: 

1) Most churches are prayer-less.  (It is prayer that moves the arm of God.)  James 5:16

2) When we do pray we are not heard because we have compromised "holiness?"  ("Without holiness no man shall see the LORD.")  Hebrews 12:14

3) There is sin in our individual lives and our faith-community at large?  2 Chronicles 7:14 & 1 John 1:9  

(Personally, I know that over the past few months God has been dealing with me about things — some of which are good, but not best — to put away anything that stands in the way of becoming more like Him and accomplishing what it is He's called me to do.  (He doesn't do it all at once. LOL! And that's a good thing.)  

These things could be harmless: hobbies, sports, shopping, TV, a relationship, too busy in or out of Church, work … even family.  What stands in the way of YOU and GOD?  I have found that putting away good things but not beneficial things (in God's book) can often be quite painful. 

1 Cor 10:23

4) To satisfy a culture that continually speaks of tolerance (as long as you agree with it) and says God's Word (the Bible) and its "rules for life" are antiquated.  Why don't churches with 10K plus memberships and national exposure speak out on issues such as: abortion, homosexuality, same sex marriage, racial equality — on all fronts, unfair taxation, and the mistreatment of the poor?  

1 Corinthians 6; 1 Tim 1; Matt 11:5; Nu 25:10

Are we afraid of offending someone?  How about offending God?  By saying nothing about these grievous sins do we not then by omission commit sin ourselves.  As the late Chuck Colson said, "Who then speaks for God?"  Believe me, most in history that spoke for God were not all that popular and many lost their lives for doing so.   

Are we at that time in history when the true church will be forced underground?  Even give up their lives for what they believe?  As you know, I am "pre-wrath" and not "pre-trib" in my view of last days events.  What happens when the church is truly persecuted — even unto death — will people be able to give their lives up for Christ.  Why will the Western World not have to face what the "believer" — Old and New Testaments — had to face throughout history? Even the God Man was not exempt.

Indeed, we need a REVIVAL.  Well, enough of my ranting. Although, they are true and good rantings. :-)  

Blessings.  Keep looking up! 

PB

Pastor Bruce

Loyalty is a man's best friend. Josh 1:5Hello Pastor

THE DEATH OF THE SEQUOIA TREE VISION

A few months back I wrote and asked that we pray for the Sequoia tree just north east of the East Lobby entrance – it was not looking good.  I know that sounds weird, but follow me.  My desire was – since we could not put a steeple on the roof of the church (maximum height in Washington TWP is 65’), we would plant a Sequoia tree that would grow 150 to 200 feet.  We would then light the tree so that it could be seen from miles away.  A type of lighthouse if you please.  The facts have revealed that even if we are able to keep the tree alive (Longwood Gardens has four Sequoias), it will never reach more than 40’ – it’s the New Jersey climate.  There is a reason why Sequoia’s reach 250 feet in southern California.  LOL! 

So, as Bill Gothard so profoundly taught, there is life in the death of a vision.  e.g.: Abraham – no child at the age of 99 (God gives Abe and Sarah, Isaac), Joseph – sold into slavery and imprisoned (God makes Joseph prime minister of Egypt and he literally saves the known world), etc.  In other words, we have a vision and God lets it die so that He can bring it to pass in glorious fashion.  

Longwood’s suggestion: Plant a Red Oak: it’s native to NJ, our state tree, and can reach heights over 125’.  Now, my Yahoo search tells me a Red Oak is too wide to place where the Sequoia is now located.  Anyone have a suggestion for a tree that reaches to the sky that’s relatively narrow and VERY tall?  God we’re calling on You!  And, as in the past, You have more often than not worked through ‘man’.  (Oh, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Ray Groff for making every human effort possible to keep Mr Sequoia alive.)  Can't wait to see what God has in mind -- for He will bring His word to pass.

GET DIRTY

Greetings from Gatlinburg TN!

This has been a very full but rewarding week.  Those of you who have who follow me on Twitter (@brucesofia)and/or Facebook (Joseph Bruce Sofia) have watched this divinely orchestrated week unfold from Philadelphia to Gatlinburg where ECA’s (Evangelical Church Alliance) Annual Conference was held.

I would be remiss if I did not share the highlight of the event – the ordination of 17 ECA graduates (27 with spouses), the majority of Korean decent; there was also a strong delegation of military personnel going into the chaplaincy.  I don’t believe there was a person present who did not shed joyful tears at the laying on of hands (commissioning).  God’s presence was so “there.” 

As a staff we go to large conferences where ministry leaders by the thousands gather – e.g.: Andy Stanley’s Catalyst and Bill Hybels’ Globel.  They are inspiring and motivational, however this conference was different, 'deeply' different.  Let me explain.

While catching a quick lunch with Dr Rob Schenck, ECA’s Board Chairman, I said, “What this conference did that the ‘big conferences’ do not do is ‘get dirty’.”  Here’s what I mean: Ruth Bell Graham shared the pain of two divorces (Down But Not Out); Walter Wally had to leave ministry for 10 years, today he ministers to those broken in or by ministry; Chaplain (Colonel) Dr Elmon Krupnic and his wife addressed how every deployment is a loss both on the home front and again on foreign soil.  And the Jamaican, Huntley Brown, featured pianist for the Billy Graham association, blessed us with his incredible gift.

What do I mean by deeply different?  Ruth confronted the question: “Where does a person in the ministry go when life isn’t treating him/her to kindly?”  Hey, remove the “all is well mask” at your church and in your community, and most likely, in many cases you’re packing bags.  Yet, ministers, like all of us, are not absent from the ‘uglies’ of life.  The battle is never won alone, that's why God has given us the body of Christ. 

Some of the ‘Breakout’ sessions looked at the power of social media (planningcenter.com and zipskinny.com) and its necessity in today’s age, and the need for a biblical understanding of marriage.  Powerful stuff!  Stuff that dealt with the "nitty-gritty" of life.

  

Personally I had the privilege of conducting a breakout session on "suicide" and the honor of bringing the keynote address to the Ordination Graduates.  For all of you who prayed for me – THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  The (my) address was noticeably bathed by your prayers.  Oh, and I left Tennessee having sold every book (Hope Beyond Suicide) shipped.

I’m not sure what God intends to so with the associations made at this conference, but I’m sure none of them were without purpose.  Oh, one more delight – just before I spoke I asked Huntley Brown to play (my schedule did not provide me the opportunity to hear him), he said: “Only if I can come to your church?”  I told him he had a deal.    

PB

Pastor Bruce

Loyalty is a man's best friend. Josh 1:5

HISTORY OF THE 4TH OF JULY & 5 FACTS WORTH NOTING

THE HISTORY OF THE 4^TH OF JULY

"Taxation without representation!"  That was the battle cry of the 13 colonies in America that were forced to pay taxes to England's King George III with no representation in Parliament.  As dissatisfaction grew, British troops were sent in to quell any signs of rebellion, and repeated attempts by the colonists to resolve the crisis without war proved fruitless.

On June 11, 1776, the colonies' Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia formed a committee with the express purpose of drafting a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain.  The committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston.  The document was crafted by Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer.  (Nevertheless, a total of 86 changes were made to his draft.)  The final version was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4.

The following day, copies of the Declaration of Independence were distributed and, on July 6, The Pennsylvania Evening Post became the first newspaper to print the extraordinary document.  The Declaration of Independence has since become our nation's most cherished symbol of liberty.

On July 8, 1776, the first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia's Independence Square to the ringing of bells and band music.  One year later, on July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks.

Congress established Independence Day as a holiday in 1870, and in 1938 Congress reaffirmed it as a holiday, but with full pay for federal employees.  Today, communities across the nation mark this major midsummer holiday with parades, fireworks, picnics and the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and marches by John Philip Sousa.

4^TH OF JULY – FIVE FACTS WORTH NOTING

1. It is America’s biggest non-religious holiday.

2. America celebrates July 4 as Independence Day because it was July 4, 1776 that the members of the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

3. In 1777, Philadelphians remembered the 4^th of July by ringing bells, firing guns, lighting candles and setting off firecrackers.

4. When the War of Independence ended in 1783, July 4^th became a holiday in some places – Boston being one of them.  Speeches, military events, parades and fireworks marked the day.

5. In 1941 Congress declared July 4^th a Federal Holiday.  Today it is celebrated throughout America in every State.