John Stumbo's Blog

I want to use another blog like I did last week. This blog comes from John Stumbo, who is the Pastor at Salem Alliance Church. John has been through a “Job-like” journey with an unknown illness and disease that almost took his life. Maybe you have prayed with me for him. He is on a very slow path to recovery. At the same time, God is stirring in his heart and mind some deep thoughts. His blog is entitled, “An honest look into a mysterious journey.” About a week ago, he wrote these words:

For the past 25 years I went to church because I “had” too – after all, I was the pastor. For the past two months I’ve gone to church because I’ve needed to.

I confess that I sometimes don’t feel like attending. It is work to get out of my chair, haul my sore body and walker out to the van and get into church. It doesn’t feel convenient. I couldn’t get there without my wife. But it is good and essential. Looking back over the last few months, I realize that by attending church …

…I think thoughts I would not otherwise think
…I hear truths I would not otherwise hear
…I sing songs I would not otherwise sing
…I meet people I would not otherwise meet
…I give offerings I may not otherwise give
…I rejoice in mission’s efforts and in new followers of Jesus that I would not otherwise know about
…I receive encouragement and challenge I would not otherwise receive
…I shed tears I would not have otherwise shed
…I receive a blessing I would not otherwise have received
…I pray prayers I would not have thought to pray
…I meet God in a way I would not have met Him had I stayed home in my chair.
…And, perhaps, my attendance is an encouragement or testimony to someone else.

When I’m there, I may not like every song or agree with every word spoken. But that’s not the point. I may have wrestled with Him all week; but come the weekend I publically present myself again to acknowledge my allegiance to Him.

I now understand how easy it is for people to slip out of the habit of church attendance. And I now understand even more fully the significance of the words in Hebrews admonishing us,
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another— and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

House of Cards

It is amazing what we can find on the internet these days. I punched in house of cards and found several YouTube clips of the world's tallest house of cards to the "domino effect" of a house of cards. I enjoyed viewing the amazingly intricate and fascinating ways to build from normal playing cards. There is actually quite a lot of interest in this hobby. I think that it fits our society really well. Lots of people are building their lives with a sense of fascination similar to the excitement of building a house of cards. But then you see one card kicked out and how all the other cards follow in place leaving just a pile of cards. Jesus said, "If you hear my words and do not put them in practice you are like a man who builds his house on the sand" . . . like a house of cards. What is the key to a strong life? Jesus the teacher wants his followers to have a life that works - a life that is built on the rock - a life that is more than knowing the right things, it's doing the right things.

Serving God

The Lord has put on my heart the challenge to encourage our church body to engage in the service of the Lord. I have this vision that you and I will stand before the Lord one day in eternity, and I want you to experience the joy of recognized service which according to the Scriptures is "gold, silver and precious stones." The Bible says this kind of ministry will be rewarded.

But in actuality, I find that many people respond to this kind of message with excuses. There were people in the Bible that had plenty of excuses. They could have avoided being involved in ministry, because as Rick Warren said in his book The Purpose Driven Life: "Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Sampson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric (to say the least), Peter was impulsive and hot tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had many failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health and Timothy was timid." That is quite a variety of misfits but God used each one of them in his service. Obviously, the point is that he will use you too if you stop making excuses. "For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

Disciple or Apostle?

Would you rather be a disciple or an apostle? I am sure you think that is a very curious question, and in some ways it is. In fact, the choice might not even be yours, but it is an interesting analogy. Disciple is a very nice term and a great title that was used of those that followed Christ. Apostle was a more select term. But when I look at the definition of the two, I would suggest that most of us unknowingly prefer to be a disciple more than an apostle. Who is a disciple? Someone who believes the right things. Who is an apostle? Someone sent on a specific mission. Do you see the difference? Get ready for some contrasts as I speak on Jesus and his beginning as the Messiah. What does that mean? The title - "What's Next?"

Let me share this story with you. There is an old story that when Jesus arrived in heaven after the ascension, a member of the heavenly hosts asked him who he had left in charge and what institution he had placed to carry out his work now that he was no longer walking the earth himself. Jesus replied, "Well, I have left about 120 followers." The heavenly host member looked at who those 120 were and said, "That's it? They aren't a very impressive band. Their leaders are just fisherman, tax collectors and the like. What if they fail? What's Plan B?" And Jesus replied, "If they fail there is no Plan B; I have no other plan." Jesus left about 120 people, barely the size of a small congregation. That small entourage, empowered by the Holy Spirit, accomplished God's purpose and it's still going on today.

Looking For Love

The subject of love is real for everyone. We all long for a genuine love that will touch us deep within. The most prevalent definition of love in our world is about the love that is shared between a man and a woman. This is the love that we emphasize at Valentine's Day most often and that's a very good kind of love. For example, the prince was enraptured with Cinderella's intelligent, sensitive conversation; he was smitten by her wardrobe and her teeny, tiny feet. The same theme goes for Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. This love is known as "eros" love. It's the love of a treasure hunt - a love that grows out of need, admiration and desire. It is real, but it is a love that has to be earned. Does your soul long for a more giving kind of love? I know it does because that's the way God made you. Welcome to a service where we express the most satisfying love . . . the Bible calls it "agape."

Ask yourself, "What is real love? In what ways has your soul been nourished by love?"

Honest Blogging

I have had an interesting experience as a father . . . I’ve been reading my oldest son’s blog. He told me the next step is to actually make a comment about his blog. We’ll see . . . What I have noticed about my son’s blog is that he is very honest. He is not afraid to question the traditions of church, whether his own church, or the church in general. He will talk about his own questions and struggles. His readership has grown from a few to hundreds. I am proud of him and I am inspired by his honesty.

Let me attempt at being that honest – I have a love/hate relationship with being a pastor. There is a sense of fulfillment and excitement that is really energizing. For example, on January 11th we reenacted the response that we saw in the Magi by offering our own personal gifts to the Lord for 2009. There were a couple hundred sacrificial responses within our church body, indicating our desire to give our all to the Lord. As I read through some of them I was so encouraged and inspired. It was the mountaintop. But my heart sinks when I experience the prevailing discouragement that so many live with – an apathy about God and a wondering in life, pulled in every direction . . . losing one’s grip with the Lord. I struggle with the responsibility of the spiritual well-being of people that call New Harvest their home. People have told me that I don’t have to carry that weight, but I do. I have a love/hate relationship with being a pastor.

As I was reading ahead in 1 Samuel, these words got my attention, “Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.” (1 Samuel 15:35) Samuel is God’s appointed prophet, as the first several chapters of 1 Samuel indicate. Samuel mourned for Saul. (15v35) Saul had drifted far from his original humility and obedience to God. I guess mourning is part of the call to leadership in the church because you see people drifting away, like a guy named Saul. I mourn like that for those who drift. However, the words “the Lord was grieved that he made Saul king,” were even stronger for me. I am a pastor because God has called me to be a pastor, and my commitment is to finish well. I pray that I will not be a man that would grieve God. I don’t like the travail that sometimes grabs my heart concerning the condition of the church . . . New Harvest and the church in general. But more than anything else I want to please the Lord. He has called me to be a pastor and I will continue to say yes.

If I can't eat

There was a little boy with a quarter to give during a Sunday offering. This Sunday, however, happened to be Communion Sunday, and as the elements were being passed the boy’s parents told him not to take any. “You’re not old enough,” they explained. Later, when the offering plate came by, however, the boy’s parents urged him to put in his quarter. He responded emphatically, “If I can’t eat, I won’t pay!”

I thought I would begin with a little humor as a way of announcing to you that we have the privilege of participating in the Lord’s Table this Sunday. Pastor Perry will lead the service, which will highlight the significance of participating in Communion. There is no doubt that Communion has been a very important part of the church and a reminder of what the Lord Jesus has done for us. The invitation to come to the Lord’s Table has been one that has thrilled the hearts of believers for centuries and I hope that you anticipate the worship, the meaning and the teaching that will surround the Lord’s Table this Sunday.

This Sunday will also highlight Pastor Perry Webb. Because of the membership vote of approval for our new budget, Perry is now serving as Associate Pastor of Care on a part-time basis and will receive compensation for his service at New Harvest. Perry has been as a volunteer pastor for two years, and now we are excited to acknowledge him in this new way to our church body. His ministry will focus on visitation, prayer and pastoral care, along with missions. Perry will work in partnership with John Doan, our new missions director. I look forward to you getting to know John as well.

These are exciting days at New Harvest Church. You can see the growing attendance and the hand of God at work.