Superman!!??

Superman!!?? I think not!  Ministry in this culture has taken a real toll on me in the past 30 years.  Oh please, I'm not the victim by any means.  I recognize mistakes I've made along the way and the ever changing attitudes, healthy and unhealthy in many churches.  Edward Bratcher wrote a book several years ago called The Walk on Water Syndrome.  He addresses some of the pitfalls in ministry.  He postulates two problems. 1.  People can put pastors on pedestals to only be let down when that "human" fails to walk on water, and 2.  Pastor's sometimes start to believe all the hype and get themselves in deep water and discover they cannot walk on water.  It's a frustrating venture to say the least.

There have been and are today some great ministers and preachers of God who are doing a fabulous job of reaching a lost and dying world.  God has richly blessed them.  I am, however, concerned about a new phenomenon of the "celebrity" pastor.  It is very real in the area I live.

I'm reminded of Matthew 20:21

"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom"

Wow, I suppose this has always been an issue for a long time when we cast our own will and desires into what we think ministry should be and including God in our plans as an afterthought.

I'm no hero by any means - I have learned my lesson.  I have been pastor to several congregations, both large and small.  All I want to do now is just serve Him everyday in whatever way HE wants to use me.

Oh, by the way -- concerning the above scripture verse...this mother wanted her sons to be equal to Jesus...Is that what a generation of "celebrity" pastors are doing?  Pastor friends of mine...come down from the left side and the right side and sit with me at the FEET of Jesus and let's learn of Him together.

Blessings,

Charlie W.

From the Pulpit to the Fryer: Becoming a Better Person

The mission statement for Zaxby's is one that carries over to more than the back of house and front of house, and as such it bears a closer look for me today.

"Consistently Create Encore Experiences That Enrich Lives One Person At A Time"

Every once in a while we get to participate in the BIG events in life.  You know those things that make a huge difference in one swoop. Oh, they don't come often, and for some of us, those BIG events just elude us completely.  "ENCORE" is a huge undertaking if we really grasp its full meaning.  We are asked to create this enormous task and do it consistently?

In over 30 years of ministry, I have always been overwhelmed with the responsibility of trying to enrich lives, create life altering experiences for people, and make a real difference.  It is and has been an exhausting task to say the least.

Today, I share a few nuggets with you that not only will enrich others, but we will also experience that "Encore Experience" if we put them into practice daily.

• It's the small events we create that make the real difference. (A sincere, encouraging word for example. Or maybe just being there for someone is all that is needed).
• Help the person who comes to do your job next. (It's the do unto others...teaching. Leave everything better than you found it).
• Swallow your pride! We're all on the same side.
• Attitude, Attitude, Attitude! It's contagious! (Both good and bad)

"Encore," what does that mean?  To me it means the best possible everything for the sole purpose of making lives better.  When we reach out to help others (to create encore experiences) a funny thing happens without realizing it.  Our lives are enriched, because we dared to make a difference.

Blessings,

Charlie W. 

From the Pulpit to the Fryer: Work with All Your Might!!

I continue my journey in ministry recognizing, of course, ministry is not limited to the pulpit of my church.  As a reminder to my few readers, I am a bivocational pastor who works at Zaxby’s.  Needless to say, there are many real life opportunities to do ministry while there 40 or more hours per week. 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

I continue to learn much at Zaxby’s and really want to succeed.  The job, for me, is very physically demanding.  Sometimes it can take up to a day and a half for me to recover from a full shift in the kitchen.  I have truly learned to depend on God for strength on those tough days and continue to work at it with all my heart.

Honestly, there are times I feel so very inadequate doing something I have never done before. Especially, when there are those at work who remind me constantly of all the things I need to do better or “Charlie, you’re making progress but it will take you a few years to get to where you need to be.” It is very disheartening to say the least.  Then I am reminded of Paul’s word to the Colossians – “work for the Lord…  Do my best…Not for human praise…but for the Lord.”

A gentleman once wrote Marilyn vos Savant with a question about life. Ms. vos Savant is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records Hall of Fame for highest IQ, and has a regular column in Parade. This particular inquirer said his life was "more exhausting than he ever imagined" and wanted to know, "Is this normal?" Marilyn told him his life was indeed normal and then gave the following analogy about life. She said, "Much of the time, life is like going through the airport steering a loaded luggage cart with one bad wheel. Sometimes you just feel ridiculous, sometimes you actually look ridiculous, and sometimes all you can do is just try to push it in generally the right direction." (Parade, Oct. 12, 1997, p. 8)

So…What now?  I will march in the other room, get my shower, shave, put my Zaxby’s uniform on with my manager badge..go to work, smile…knowing I have an opportunity to honor my Lord by “working at it with all my might.”

You too, get up… stop pouting, and moping about your job…go show people Jesus in you…

Blessings,

Charlie W.