Love His Bride
Upon listening to some bold preaching from an SBC pastor, I emailed him and told him how powerful and blessed his message was to me. But, as any young Southern Baptist would these days, I asked him the predictable and crucial question - "Hey, how do you preach so boldly in such a traditional, SBC congregation and not get fired?" His response in part is well worth public attention:
Perhaps it hit me because the first part of his statement is something I've heard a couple times this past week from a friend, as well as our professor Dr. Lawless who said, "you have no right to criticize the church if you don't love it." May God give all His people, especially His ambassador shepherds a heart and love for the bride of Christ.
As far as surviving in SBC life I think a key is to genuinely love your people and teach from where they are when you arrive. Do not overreact to what you find but see it as a challenge to move your people closer to Christ as He is revealed in Scripture. Then, always know that your life and job are ultimately in the hands of God. He gives and takes away and He provides for His people so you can trust His providence.
Perhaps it hit me because the first part of his statement is something I've heard a couple times this past week from a friend, as well as our professor Dr. Lawless who said, "you have no right to criticize the church if you don't love it." May God give all His people, especially His ambassador shepherds a heart and love for the bride of Christ.
