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“Go Preach Em Happy”

by Pastor Roy Barnhill

Pastor Roy Barnhill

I introduce to you Rev. Virgil Cox. Some may not know him, so allow this short biography.

Virgil Cox was raised in St. Louis by his parents Virgil (Deacon) and Christine Cox. As a family, they attended White Way Tabernacle, pastored by Walter Guinn.

Virgil Jr. was 16 years old in 1945. The “merger” of two oneness organizations was in progress and Virgil was a teenage witness to this historical moment that was being held at White Way. In those days, ministers did not stay in three or four star hotels but rather, were invited to stay in the saint’s homes. Several highly esteemed elders stayed in the Cox home.

During the “merger” and young Virgil was privileged to meet many of them who had come to this historical conference, which convened in St. Louis.

Virgil Cox pastored in Vichy, Missouri and later in Jefferson City, Missouri. From Jefferson City he was asked to come to Bogalusa, LA where he pastored until his retirement. His son, Kevin Cox, is now District Superintendent of LA.

Through the years, I kept contact with Bro. Cox and would call him on a regular basis just to hear him tell again how things use to be in the “good ole days” and how times have changed.

We never talked about church growth principles, as such, but the advice he gave me before each call was ended, has been some of the best advice on growing people and growing a church. His closing words would always be, “Roy, Go Preach ‘Em Happy”.

After hearing this advice for several months, my curiosity got the best of me and I asked, “Bro. Cox, what do you mean, “Go Preach ‘Em Happy”?

What I heard next should be achieved in People Principles 101. Bro. Cox shared with me how people are beat up and beat down by life’s hardships and hurts, so when they come to your church on Sunday, they need to hear a message of hope.

Their week may have included a loss of a job, a foreclosure notice, a rebellious teenager that is dealing them much heartache or a companion that has walked out.

Bro. Cox continued, Preach encouragement. Preach hope. Preach they can make it. Preach that Jesus loves them. Preach that prayer changes things. Go Preach ‘Em Happy.

Life’s greatest discovery is, if you will love people, they will love you in return. People gravitate to someone who will tell them there is hope in this life and in the life to come. Step One in growing a church is…

Go Preach ‘Em Happy!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

November 9, 2011 at 12:49 pm

Posted in Comfort, Ministry, Pastors

Tagged with Encouragement, Happiness, Hope, Joy

Some Did, Some Didn’t

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Some Did, Some Didn’t

Fall is a beautiful time in Indiana. The farmers have little roadside vegetable stands set up that stay busy with city slicker customers looking for fresh produce.

By this time of year, most crops have already been harvested. Well, except for maybe soybeans, pumpkins and the field corn.

The average crop of field corn is beautiful when it is harvested. Trucks can be seen hauling the yellow corn to the ethanol plants and to the local Co-op.

For the most part, all the ears of corn look very much alike. But what catches the eye, are the ears of corn that don’t look like the others. Some cobs are full with golden kernels; others are not. There are ears of corn of varied lengths and descriptions. In every truck load.

What these ears of field corn have in common, is that:

They all were planted by the same farmer.
They all were purchased at the same feed store.
They all were planted in the same field.
They all received the same amount of fertilizer.
They all received the same amount of sunshine.
They all received the same amount of rain.
They all received the same amount of wind.
They all received the same amount of weeding.
They all received the same amount of irrigation.
They were all planted the same day.
They were all harvested the same day.
They didn’t all turn out the same.
Why?

Was it difference the farmer’s fault? Was the problem with the seed, or was it the soil? I’ll never know. The harvest shows the disparity of each ear.

There is another harvest that comes to mind. That one is a Harvest of Souls.

Apostolic churches are beautiful in spirit and worship. They are lovely in holiness and truth. Their love and fervor for the name of Jesus is without equal.

Yet, not every church member looks and acts the same. Here and there exceptions are found in every congregation.

Some don’t pray like the rest.
Some don’t worship like the rest
Some don’t pay tithe like the rest.
Some won’t dress like the rest.
Some won’t live like the rest.
Some won’t be faithful like the rest.
Some won’t witness like the rest.
Some don’t love holiness like the rest.
Some won’t obey God’s Word like the rest.
Why?

What made them different from all the others? How come others connected with God, the church and the pastor and they didn’t? I can’t answer that, and you may not be able to either.

They all went to the same church.
They all sang the same songs.
They all prayed at the same time.
They all had the same pastor.
They all heard the same sermon.
They all received the same encouragement.
They all received the same correction.
They all were given the same love.
They all were given the same hope.
They all attended the same revivals
They all came forward to pray at the end of the service.

Yet some got on fire, and others did not. Some submitted to God, and others did not. Some got a good experience of the Holy Ghost, and others… who knows?

Some lived a life of carefulness. Others did not. Some looked godly. Others did not. Some dressed modestly. Others did not. Some knew God. Others… who knows?

Some women had uncut hair. Others did not. Some men were clean-shaven. Others were not. Some always said ‘Amen”. Others did not. Some had a fiery testimony. Others did not.

Some day, some will hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Others may not.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

September 27, 2011 at 1:00 am

Posted in Christian Living, Ministry, Obedience, Old-Time Pentecost, Personal Evangelism, Personal Growth, Submission, Tithes, Witness, Worship

Tagged with Spiritual Growth

I Hope You Brought Your Lunch

with one comment

“I Hope You Brought Your Lunch”

While that comment is normally made in jest, it is made here in great earnest.

The Bible story of Jesus feeding 5,000 men, besides the women and children, started out very simple. They were all hungry.

No food was in sight.
No manna fell on the ground.
No food was catered in.
No one knew what to do, except Jesus.

He asked them if anyone had any food. The Disciples made inquiries and discovered that some kid had brought his lunch and some cbd dog treats for his dog. What were the others thinking when they left home that morning?

Just one kid out of the thousands of listeners had brought his lunch.

It was his lunch that was the very foundation for a miracle.
It was his lunch that Jesus blessed.
It was his lunch that fed not only him but also everyone else.
It was his lunch that was the focal point of the day.
It was his lunch that blessed the hungry.
It was his lunch that he carried when no one else carried one.
It was his lunch that stood out.
It was his lunch that Jesus called for.
It was his lunch Jesus held in His hands.

John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

John 6:10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

John 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

John 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

It is possible to be intimidated by those we worship with at our church. People will sometimes stare and whisper because we are the only ones that brought our lunch.

Unspiritual people make a habit of coming before the Lord with nothing in their hands. According to this passage of Scripture, If all of us come with nothing, we all quite possibly may leave with nothing as well.

Any one of us could be the key to a miracle today in God’s House. Even if all we have is a little homemade, nothing fancy, lunch.

What did you bring today?

I Hope You Brought Your Lunch!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 24, 2011 at 10:06 am

Posted in Christian Living, Faith, Ministry

Tagged with Expectations, Miracles

Preach Me The Gospel

with 4 comments

Preach Me The Gospel

Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Ours is a day of dilution of sacred truths. The importance of our basic tenets of faith is being challenged. Compromise is seen in every too many areas. Some sermons are not much more than an exercise in Pop-Psychology. Word preaching is non-existent in too many places. Doctrine is scorned by some and called ‘old school.’

It may be ‘old school’ to the compromiser, but doctrinal preachers, believers and practitioners are still here and doing well.

They are still living ‘the life.’
They haven’t caved in to compromise and worldliness.
They were blessed to have heard some old-time Doctrinal messages on the New Birth. They got it in their heart.
They heard teaching and preaching about Holiness, Separation from the World, Church Government, and Standards. They loved it.
They were taught why the New Birth was important.
They were taught why separation from the world was important.
They were taught why it is important to live holy.
They were taught why they should worship.
They were taught why they should be faithful.
They were taught why they should honor God with their tithes.
They were taught why they should honor God with their modest apparel.
They said Amen to the preacher.
They believed it.
They received it.
They got in the Word and the Word got in them.

Some churches, organizations and fellowships have neglected the Word and turned to gimmicks and programs to distract from the obvious void and lack of a move of God.

The lack of Word preaching is evident by what is seen in the lives of many at conferences, camps and rallies. If preachers ‘get what they preach,’ someone must not be preaching very much.

There will always be a constant need to preach on worship. Please do not stop. I fear however, that our heavy emphasis on worship demonstration promotes the belief that our best services are always runaways.

Thank God for a runaway. But to me there is no measure of the lasting blessings the Word has on our lives. A shout can be forgotten. But the engrafted Word can be hidden in the heart until we die.

It is easy for some to jump up and down and run the aisle. Yet these same folks seem lost and uncomfortable in a deep move of God. Why?

Every pastor has seen folks shout in church, and then heard of them sinning before the night was over. They had the ‘physical exercise’ part down. They just didn’t get much on the inside. No root.

Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Some pastors only want to teach doctrine (or anything that isn’t evangelistic) in ‘closed door settings’. They must be afraid to stand up and preach it to their whole congregation. The shallowness of church membership today is alarming.

Psa. 119:161 …but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Psa. 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a story of two houses. One house was built on the rock. The other was built on the sand. All was well until the storm came. Only the house on the rock remained standing.

Without a solid foundation, we too will fall apart when the storms of worldliness come against the church.

2Chr. 15:3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

God give us a season of the teaching priest. Give us a season of loving thy law.

Paul’s Gospel was the New Birth. The Death, Burial and the Resurrection.

Thank God for preachers who just stand up and preach the Word. Thank God for saints who want to hear preaching. Singing doesn’t save us, preaching does.

The Apostle Paul didn’t say to Timothy, “Discern someone’s phone number, their name or medical condition.” He just said to preach the Word.

Carloads will drive miles to hear a preacher call out folks and pray over them. (I can tell you ahead of time what he will say. He will prophesy blessings, healing and prosperity over those he prays for. He will never discern the sinfulness they are living in.)

The same folks that go gaga over that type of ministry get easily bored listening to a ‘Word’ preacher. Some wouldn’t drive across town to hear him.

Take some advice from an old man. If you are a preacher and have a choice between being a feeder or an exhorter, be a feeder. Because a feeder will build a church.

2Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Don’t stop the worship, but at the same time, preach the Word. Keep preaching about Worship, but let Doctrine showcase your ministry.

Preacher, there are still plenty of saints out there that bring their Bibles to church.

There are still plenty of saints that bring a notebook and pen to Church just waiting.

There are still plenty of saints that will readily say, “Preach Me The Gospel.”

Written by Martyn Ballestero

June 8, 2011 at 12:47 am

Posted in Baptism In Jesus Name, Believe, Christian Living, Compromise, Doctrine, False Prophets, God Head, Holiness, Holy Ghost, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Old-Time Pentecost, Personal Growth, Tithes

Do You Love Your Doctor More Than You Love Your Pastor?

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Do You Love Your Doctor More Than You Love Your Pastor?

It seems like people love their doctor more than they love their pastor. There is a great disparity of respect in the hearts of society between the two. This is openly demonstrated in the way their advice is treated.

That was a sentiment shared with me in a recent conversation with my friend, Pastor Jerry Rowley Jr. I have taken great liberties attempting to expound on his comment.

†††

The role of a doctor is greatly honored by our society. A doctor’s diagnosis and his orders are so respected that state laws support him. In extreme cases some states have been known to incarcerate individuals for their non-compliance to the doctor’s orders.

A pastor is greatly honored as well. The members of the congregation can choose to heed his advice. His words are sometimes received with suspicion or outright rejection. The following fictional scenarios may help describe the difference:

PATIENT 1

The new patient sat anxiously in the examination room while the doctor looked over the file holding all the test results. He made notations every now and then. Without a word, he picked up a thick book and thumbed back to the index. He located the reference he was looking for and made a few notations on the chart.

The doctor then asked a few pertinent questions, and checked the patient’s vital signs. He then turned and began to write several prescriptions.

The doctor folded the top cover back over the chart and in his best bedside manner broke the news to the patient and his spouse.

“As you know, your blood work came back and I didn’t like what I saw. So, that’s why I ordered the MRI. The bad news is, you have a mass that concerns me, it’s still contained, but if it is cancer and left untreated, it will be fatal.”

The patient then willingly goes through several months of chemo treatments. They endure more moments of pain and nausea than they wish to remember. They change their eating habits and strictly adhere to the diet the doctor gave them.

They also go back every week or so to the doctor’s office for checkups. The journey to recovery may be years. They will pay the cost and tolerate every inconvenience just to survive. They brag on their doctor and sing his praises when they go into remission.

The cost of the treatment: It varies, but sometimes runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The weekly office visits aren’t cheap either.

Patient 2

The Holistic Doctor looked at her patient. She told him that the cancer had spread. Her prescription was not written on paper, but she advised her patient to drink nothing but a mixture of carrot and asparagus juice. Eat no solid food, and drink only water and the carrot juice cocktail.

She then sells the patient an expensive juicing machine. The patient goes home and ingests nothing into his body but water and the prescribed juice for one year. Friends shake their heads at the patient’s willingness to follow through with the strict regimen.

Visits are made to the office to monitor his progress. After a year, the results are in. The patient is cancer free. He testifies openly and brags on the results. The diet worked.

The costs of the doctor’s visits weren’t cheap either. Even though the health insurance wouldn’t pay, he happily refinanced his house to pay for his recovery.

In both scenarios, the patient did whatever was asked of them, and willing paid for their costly treatment. They had no problem doing weekly or monthly follow-up visits. They love their doctors. They are healed.

Church Scene 1

The pastor sits in the office with a crying young man. He tells the pastor what has happened. He is ashamed.

The pastor had great hopes for him. He had shown so much potential. Now there’s much damage and others will be affected.

When the crying ends, the pastor prays with the man and then says, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to take you off the platform and set you down for a while. I want to help you recover yourself”

“How long will I be set down?”

“We’ll see. It depends on how you do. I want to see you in the prayer room before every service. I don’t want you having anything to do with the people we just talked about. I want to see some evidence of your repentance. You can recover. I will be here for you. Call me anytime if you need me or feel yourself getting weak again. I love you.

When the office visit is over, the pastor/saint relationship is over too. Rather than submit to the pastor’s prescription for recovery, and be set down for a while, the man changes churches.

The cost was nothing to the church member. The pastor gave of himself to no avail. The church lost money, a member and quite possibly, a soul.

Church Scene 2

The pastor stood behind the pulpit, his sermon had been impressed upon him in prayer. The Lord stirred his heart to preach against the things of the world that were in the church.

Signs of worldliness had shown itself here and there in the congregation. He preached the essentiality of Acts 2:38. He said when you get this Holy Ghost experience, your life changes. Your friends change. You dress holy. You don’t do the things you used to do. You no longer go to the places you used to go.

The lack of response from the audience loudly stated their reaction to the sermon. A few members looked sideways at their friends and family to catch their reaction. They mostly just looked at the preacher without visible reaction.

After service a few phone calls were made. A private meeting was set up. Then a formal meeting was arranged. The pastor was voted out.

The cost? Whatever it was, the people refused to pay it.

†††

I am not talking about bad doctors or bad pastors. I am addressing how even good doctors and good pastors sometimes get treated differently.

There are many people alive today because they followed the good doctor’s advice. There are many people spiritually alive today because they followed the advice of their good man of God.

Thank God for every saint that loves his or her pastor enough to obey him.

You follow the advice of those you love.

Jesus said: John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Do You Love Your Doctor More Than You Love Your Pastor?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 27, 2011 at 12:29 am

Posted in Love, Loyality, Ministry, Pastors, Respect

Tagged with Honor, Love, Respect

Preaching To The Right-Ear

with 3 comments

Preaching To The Right-Ear

The right-ear advantage has come to light in recent tests done in Europe. Dr. Luca Tommasi and Daniele Marzoli from the University “Gabriele d’Annunzio” in Chieti, Italy had a young woman ask random strangers in a disco for a cigarette in a 2009 experiment. The clubbers were almost twice as likely to hand over a cigarette if the request was made in the right ear whether they were male or a female.

They demonstrated that the right ear shows dominance in responding to verbal stimuli. The brain’s left hemisphere has superiority for processing verbal information. The way the human body is configured; the right ear is connected to the left-brain, so when you talk to people they process it different from when they read or get information from online websites or advertising that business do with marketing companies as WordTree online.

When trying to listen to someone speak in a noisy situation it is common to turn your head to present one ear closer to the person speaking.

The left-brain reasons and responds more often to requests. If you want to get something done, talk to people in their right ear. That’s known as the ‘right ear’ advantage.

Apologies are received better in the right ear than the left ear.
Requests to perform tasks around the house are received better in the right ear.
People are more helpful when you speak into their right ear.
Selling to the right ear is more productive than the left. If more than two are dining, the sales person should sit to the right of the decision-maker.

Left brain language dominance, which is responsible for producing the right ear advantage, is present in about 90% of people.

If a wives and husbands make their requests into their spouse’s right ear, scientists believe they will have a much better chance of getting what the want. The same is true for parents and teachers talking to children.

That then brings me to the subject of preaching. I know the Bible says ‘he that hath an ear let him hear’ seven different times.

Do you suppose we should find a way to preach to the congregation’s right ear? You know, like placing powerful P.A. Speakers on the right side of the auditorium so their right ear can hear?

We have a lot of preaching going on today and not many people seem to be changing. Do you suppose some folks have been listening at church with the left ear? Maybe that’s the problem. They might change if we can preach to their right ear, because the left isn’t listening!

References:

1. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623090705.htm

2. http://www.spring.org.uk/2009/06/persuasion-the-right-ear-advantage.php

3. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/7134873/Apologies-go-down-better-through-right-ear-study-finds.html

4. http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/articles/right-side-selling.htm

5. http://the-gist.org/2011/03/talk-to-the-right-because-the-left-isn%E2%80%99t-listening/

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 16, 2011 at 12:15 am

Posted in Ministry

Tagged with Hearing

My Grandfather Was An Idiot! My Dad Was Crazy Too!

with 18 comments

My Grandfather Was An Idiot! My Dad Was Crazy Too!

“My grandpa was old school. His ways may have worked back in the 60’s, but this is a new day! They won’t work now. Gramps was sincere and I love him, but bless his heart he didn’t do it right. Since he is gone, and now that I’m the pastor, I’ve had to make changes that will reach my generation. Grandpa’s ways just won’t work today. This is a new day!”

That’s what he said. He laughed and openly made fun of his grandfather as he talked to me about the old-time Pentecostal church services ‘back in the day.’

I knew his grandfather. I’d even preached for him. My father knew his grandfather and preached for him too. Yes, he might have done things different according to the grandson’s ‘enlightened’ thinking, but he still had over 700 in Sunday School having church the old-time way.

(You and I aren’t the finally judges of things, I know. But why can’t some people see what is so obvious and apparent to the rest. It’s seems simple when you do the doctrinal math.)

Grandpa’s “Old Time Pentecostal” Type Leadership Was,

Preaching “Holiness” and naming sin.
Preaching “Modesty in dress”.
Preaching “Separation from the world”
Preaching “Standards”.
Preaching “The essentially of Acts 2:38 experience.
Preaching “You must repent!”
Preaching “You must be baptized in Jesus Name!”
Preaching “You must be filled with the Holy Ghost speaking with other tongues!”

Because Of What He Preached, Grandpa Had Over 700 In Church Membership.

The Grandson’s “Emergent Church” Type Leadership is,

No “Standards” preaching.
No “Holiness” preaching or naming of sin.
No “Modesty” preaching.
No “Requirements for Salvation except Believe” Holy Ghost = optional.

With All His ‘Progressiveness’ He Only Has 40 In Membership.

The bulk of the saints scattered when the grandson tore down what the grandfather had built. Yet in the grandson’s blindness, he still thinks his grandpa was an idiot for preaching the old-time Pentecostal ways. And he still thinks his grandfather did it all wrong. Even though most of the saints have left, he still rejects everything that is, and everything that looks Apostolic.

Nevertheless, Grandpa Was Right!

†††

A Son’s “Enlightened” Pastoral Style

His father pastored a revival church. A growing church, but he got old and retired. The people wanted his son to be their new pastor.

Today, all evidence the father’s holiness preaching has been removed. What once was a Pentecostal showcase in the area and made true Pentecostals smile, now only makes them shake their head in dismay.

The difference is unbelievable and unacceptable to all of the senior saints. Even ministers that grew up in the church, no longer want to go back even for a visit. They now would never consider taking members from their own congregation over for a visit. The church is so shockingly different; it is even shunned by many liberals.

The choir members look just like the sinners they are singing to. All standards have disappeared.

To top things off, the son dangles a weekly retirement check over his aged father’s head in an effort to keep his dad silent. He cannot afford to ever let his father preach again. It’s a shame to see the old man of God treated with such disrespect.

He believes his dad’s doctrinal preaching of the new birth was unnecessary. He also believes preaching about any kind of dress standard is unnecessary too.

The church is not growing, but the son would rather have the smaller church and be free of standards. So, he is happy because his wife is happy. They are free at last.

Nevertheless, Dad Was Right!

†††

I don’t expect one compromiser or hater of holiness to change because of my post today. But I would like to remind my readers of an old scripture.

It’s A Promise And It’s A Prophecy!

1Cor. 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

There’s coming a day…

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 26, 2011 at 1:04 am

Posted in Baptism In Jesus Name, Christian Living, Compromise, Doctrine, God's House, Holiness, Holy Ghost, Ministry, Old-Time Pentecost, Pastors, Prophecy

Tagged with Compromise

When Is It A Bad Time To Call Your Pastor?

with 9 comments

When Is It A Bad Time To Call Your Pastor?

My father stood at the pulpit and explained his preferences to the congregation. “It’s OK to mow your yard. You don’t have to call and ask me if it’s the Lord’s will.

“Don’t call me to ask if you should change the baby’s diapers. It’s God’s will. Don’t call me to see if it’s OK if you to go to K-Mart. You don’t have to call and ask permission, it’s OK.

“Don’t call me if your cat has pups. Well, actually if your cat has pups,” He said, “Call me. I’d like to see them.”

Every pastor has been ‘blessed’ with untimely phone calls. There apparently is a button on the pastor’s behind that makes the phone ring when he sits down for a family meal. He knows what it’s like to get calls in the middle of the night as well.

Too often, phones ring 24 hours a day in a Pastor’s world. Not only does he have a house phone, his cell phone makes a tether that ties him forever to the needs of everyone.

Some callers only focus on their needs and feel like calling the Pastor is somehow equal to calling Directory Assistance. It’s there, so why not call if the thought strikes you. They feel that Pastors are paid to answer all their phone calls.

When is the best time to call? When is it ever a bad time? I would never advise someone not to call the Pastor when they really do need help. But I do ask that your Pastor’s personal life be respected.

Ask yourself:

Is this call an emergency?
Are you sick and need prayer?
Do you just need advice or have a question that needs to be answered?
Are you going on a trip and need to let him know?
Do you have to miss the church?

Cell phones were invented in the 1970’s. Phone Mate introduced their Answering Machine in the 70’s. Caller ID was invented about the same time. Until that time, Pastors only had house phones and if they were out, you had to wait until they came home.

Now days, we have somehow developed the idea that he is at everyone’s beck and call 24/7. No wonder the stress level in the parsonage rises above acceptable levels at times. At some Pastor’s homes, it seems the phone never stops ringing.

Society regards your Pastor as a Professional. He is treated by the outside world with deference and respect. We should do the same. Speaking of Professionals…

What hours do Professionals accept phone calls from their patients, clients or contacts?

Doctors have office hours, something like 8:30am to 4:30pm. And, do not call during lunch because it will go to directly to voicemail. After hours, your call to the good Doctor will connect you with his Answering Service. They determine if it is a worthy enough message to pass along.

Dentists have a similar setup.

Lawyers and Private Detectives follow suit.

Government Officials like State Representatives and Congressmen do the same.

Bankers, well you know about them.

Even the Mayor will get back with you in the morning.

Yet we unknowingly invade our Pastor’s personal time and rob him of family moments on a regular basis. It’s wrong and unfair. His wife and children are often robbed of one on one time with him because of the phone calls.

Please, before you pick up the cell to call or text your Pastor, look at the clock. Then ask yourself if the call is really that urgent. Can it wait? Be considerate. If it’s mealtime, don’t call at all.

If it’s after supper, realize he too enjoys his home and his family. Let him. Let him have time to rest and recoup from the day. Call him during the same hours you would call any other Professional.

A rested and strong Pastor will always be able to serve your needs better. Thank you for remembering and being considerate.

God bless you for your thoughtfulness, and God bless your Pastor.

By The Way… If you happen to have your pastor’s cell phone number or his private line at home, do NOT give it out unless he has made that number public. Guard his privacy. Thank you!

(On the other hand, I’m an Evangelist, and Evangelists are willing to receive phone calls and invitations and from Pastors any time of the day!)

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 15, 2011 at 12:11 am

Posted in Christian Living, Ministry, Pastors, Respect

Tagged with Don't Be A Pest, Pastors, Phone calls, Privacy, Respect

Are The Heroes Here Yet?

with 6 comments

Are The Heroes Here Yet?

Pastor Brandon Hartzell is my son-in-law. He’s just the best one a father-in–law could ever have. I love him.

He was not raised in a pastor’s home, yet he deeply loves and respects the ministry. He treats me with more honor than I deserve.

He’s often had his picture taken with great men he’s revered. In his office there are pictures on the wall or on his desk of men like Bro. J.T. Pugh, Bro. Wayne Huntley and others who have made positive influences in his life.

Bro. Hartzell deeply loves the ministry and the godly men he has met. He also has a great gift of remembering what they taught him.

Pastor Brandon Hartzell & Ainsley

He also tries to instill into his children and his congregation in Cary, North Carolina that it is a privilege to have these great men of God visit their church and minister to them.

Pastor Hartzell openly tells his people that these men have given their lives to the Gospel and are modern day heroes of the Faith.

He recently announced to his church that the next Sunday, a Missionary would be in visiting in service with them.

Ainsley, his four-year-old daughter, wanted to ride to Sunday School with her Daddy that morning. Upon arriving early at the church, she walked into the auditorium and looked around for the Missionary. She didn’t see anyone she didn’t already know. Little Ainsley looked up at her daddy and said, “Daddy, are the Heroes here yet?”

(Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all Pentecostal kids felt that our Missionaries were Heroes? Maybe they would, if we taught them.)

Written by Martyn Ballestero

November 16, 2010 at 7:21 pm

Posted in Family, Ministry, Missions, Respect