Pastor David Smith

Pastoral Ethics

2012-02-28T22:50:00.006-05:00

In just a few weeks, Kim and I will be celebrating 15 years of ministry at Trenton Ministry Center. I have had the honor during most of those years to also serve as a District Overseer for my denomination. God has given me a deep love for pastors and a passion to sow into their lives. I make an intentional effort each week to encourage one of my peers in some way. Last November, our church joined with our local Methodist church and First Baptist Church to have several joint services. Those services made a huge impact upon our community. Many people asked how we were able to make such an event happen. It is because the services were birthed from a strong relationship of trust between each of the pastors. I am blessed to consider these men my friends, and I know that their motives were genuine. The scripture says that a three strand cord is not easily broken.

I am thrilled to see a new generation of young ministers who are stepping into the role of a pastor. It is an exciting opportunity for a young man or woman with a passion for the lost and a vision for their church. I am always energized by the passion that these young pastors convey. They have not yet faced many of the challenges and wounds that so many of us “veterans” have had to overcome. As a result, they are not encumbered by the scars and inhibitions that develop along the way. That is often a positive, in that they lead by vision rather than caution that is developed by those tough experiences that a more seasoned pastor has most certainly faced.

I have been blessed to see several ministers that we have set forth from Trenton Ministry Center enter into Pastoral ministry. It is a blessing for me to see each of them develop into mighty men of God and to see the fingerprints of our ministry upon their lives.

One of the biggest concerns that I see within a younger generation of pastors, is a lack of teaching and training on pastoral ethics. This is primarily due to a lack of emphasis and even a disregard for the Apostolic ministry within the church (Another blog for another time). However, there is a biblical code of ethics that is clear and clearly missing within the pastoral ministry.

I want to share a few things that every pastor should follow if they want to see God’s favor upon their ministry.

1. Don’t visit people of another church.

It is fine to have friends in other churches, and to have casual visits with members of other churches who are friends. What I am referring to, is visiting with the member with the intention of recruiting them to your church. Do you want other pastors stealing your people? Do unto others, as you’d have them do to you. There is a God in heaven who can build your church. Don’t build your church on proselytizing. Build it on soul winning. People will be loyal to you if you are loyal to your pastor. ‘What you sow you reap.’ (Galatians 6:7).

2. Don’t make an appointment with a member of another church without a letter from their Pastor.

If someone wants to talk to you about their problems at their current church, you need to let the person know that it is not your job to take sides in an issue. As long as they are a member of the other church, it is inappropriate for you to speak to them without the other pastor being aware of the that he is the topic of conversation. I’m not going to be unethical. There’s a God of justice in heaven who can reward you for your ethics or discipline you for your greedy lack of ethics. You’ll be blessed if you are “blessable”. God can send people your way.

3. Do not hire someone from another church unless you have permission from his Pastor to talk with him.

When an Assistant Pastor or a member leave a church and complains about how bad the pastor was, don’t assume the Pastor was hard to work for. You may wrongly assume the fight was the Pastor’s fault. The sports world is often more ethical than some pastors. You should contact the pastor and discuss the situation so that you can make a proper assessment based upon both sides of the story (I Timothy 5:19).

4. Do not hire a worker without a good reference from his former employer.
Most secular employers will trust the former employer more than pastors trust another pastor's opinion. Get a reference for everybody you employ. This stops difficult workers from wrecking your church. This principle can also be applied to those who come from another congregation and want to be involved in the ministries of your church. Receive the blessing of the former church upon the new staff member. He or she will carry that blessing with them into the position.

5. Cut ties when you leave a church.

This does not mean that you no longer speak to people with whom you have made lifetime relationships. However, if you phone people from a former congregation to talk about church issues, you make it difficult for the new pastor to be accepted as the pastor. This causes the former congregation to compare Pastors, and creates a difficult challenge for the new pastor.

6. Treat you predecessor ethically

This will get God’s blessings. If you take over an existing church you get your predecessor’s buildings and people that he has nurtured. Never criticize the previous pastor. Many of your congregants still want to love the previous pastor. Your ministry and leadership style may be drastically different from the previous pastor. Nevertheless, you should honor him/her and build upon the foundation that they have laid.

Church growth depends more on a pastor’s ethics than on outreach programs. You cannot be right with God and wrong with His people. You better keep your heart right and your relations with others right.

‘Be not deceived evil communication corrupts good manners.’ (I Corinthians 15:33).

The truth is that the future of your ministry depends more on your ethics and manners than on your oratory. You are likely to have a long and happy ministry if you try to be ethical, love your congregation and those who labor with you in the kingdom. Your future in the ministry depends on your ethical behavior to others.

What Is Wrong With Being A Mormon?

2012-01-30T20:02:00.008-05:00

I came across the following information this afternoon, and thought I would post it first without commentary. Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney is a Mormon. Is this information surprising or troubling to you? Would having a Mormon President concern you? Let me know how you feel.

MORMONS BELIEVE:

God, One of Many Gods, is An Exalted Man, Who is Married with Many Wives
Mormonism teaches that God is a an exalted man, that he used to be a man on another planet and he is only one of countless gods and that God is married and he brought one of his wives to this world and produces spirit children who then inhabit human bodies at birth.

God Had Sex with Mary
Mormons say God had sex with Mary and produced Jesus! According to Mormonism there was no virgin birth. "The Father came down from heaven...and begat the Savior of the World; for He is the Only Begotten of the Father which could not have been if the Father did not actually beget him in person...The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood." (Brigham Young, Journal Of Discourses, Vol. 1 page 238 and8:115)

Man Can Become God
Mormons believe that man can become God! "The Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming Gods like Himself." Brigham Young (Journal Of Discourses 3:93).

Jesus Was A Polygamist
The reason people "persecuted Jesus Christ, was because he had so many wives; there were Elizabeth and Mary, and a host of others." [Journal of Discourses, Vol 1. ppl 345-346] "The Scripture says the Lord, came walking in the Temple, with HIS TRAIN; I do not know who they
were, unless his wives and children." Brigham Young [Journal of Discourses,Vol.13.pg309]

Jesus and Satan Are Spirit Brothers
Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers. [Journal of Discourses, 93:21]

Salvation through Joseph Smith
"No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith...every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith." [Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p.289-91]

The Bible Is Not Infallible and Is Not Reliable
Mormons teach that the Bible has many errors and is unreliable and was corrupted in translation and it is not infallible.They believe their Book of Mormon is God's Word. It is “the most correct of any book on earth and the keystone of our religion." Joseph Smith

Polygamy Marriages in Heaven
Mormon’s believe that you can be married to many wives in Heaven.

Baptism for the Dead
Mormon's baptize people in water on behalf of dead people for the forgiveness of their sins.

Mormon's Holy Underwear
Mormons have a Temple Ceremony where the person is given "Mormon
Underwear" that is to protect them against the Evil One.

Joseph Smith, Mormon Founder, Met Jesus
In 1820 Mormon founder Joseph Smith was 14 years old and he said God the Father and Jesus met him outside of New York. Three years later he said an Angel named Moroni inspired him to write the Book of Mormon, which is "another Bible" and "new revelation" of Jesus Christ and it is about an ancient people who came from the middle east to the Americas. The Mormons follow 2 other books, Doctrine & Covenants & Pearl of Great Price.

Joseph Smith Met John the Baptist
In 1829 Joseph Smith said John the Baptist appeared to him and ordained him.

Christians Are All Wrong...Their Creeds Are An Abomination
Joseph Smith said, Christians were "all wrong... all their creeds were an admonition."

Joseph Smith Greater Than Jesus
Smith said, "I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam...Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I"

Joseph Smith:"I Am Impregnable...God is My Right Hand Man"
Smith said, "The whole Earth shall bear me witness that I, like the towering rock in the midst of the ocean, am impregnable...I combat the errors of ages... I solve mathematical problems of universities, with truth, diamond truth; and God is my right hand man... you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves,"

Brigham Young, Mormon's 2nd Prophet, Creates New ScripturesYoung said, "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good a scripture"

Mormon Polygamy
After 1852, when the Mormon Church was openly practicing polygamy, the leaders of the church were declaring that it was absolutely essential for exaltation. A revelation given by Joseph Smith, "Ten virgins given unto him [Solomon] by this law, he cannot commit adultery...therefore is he justified."

Joseph Smith - A Polygamist...An Adulterer...and A Pedophile Joseph Smith had 33 wives! He married several who were married to other men." Nancy Marinda Johnson married Joseph Smith while her husband, Orson Hyde, was on a mission to Jerusalem." Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner, the wife of Adam Lightner, said that Joseph claimed an "angel" came with a "drawn sword" and told him that if
he did not enter into polygamy "he would slay him."

Joseph Smith's - youngest wife, Helen Mar Kimball, was 14 years old!!!!

Joseph Smith - Wife Da-ned If She Doesn't Accept Polygamy

Joseph Smith - prophesied his first and only legal wife Emma would be da-ned or destroyed if she did not accept polygamy (Doctrine & Covenants 132).

Brigham Young - 55 Wives and 57 Children Brigham Young, the 2nd Prophet of Mormonism had 55 wives and 57 children!!

Must Commit Polygamy to Become Gods
Brigham Young said, "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 11,269) "If you want to become a god one day you must violate the already given law of God now. "[Doctrine and Covenants132 Verses 62-63]

Must Commit Polygamy or You Will Be Da-ned and Not Enter God's Glory
"He that abideth not this law (polygamy) can in no wise enter into my glory, but shall be da-ned, saith the Lord." (D&C,132:27). "Now if any of you deny the plurality of wives, I promise that you will be da-ned." Brigham Young

Mormonism is Not Christian
"Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." - Jesus Christ - Mt. 24:11

People That Should Pray

2012-01-16T20:57:00.000-05:00

I had the opportunity several months ago to attend the funeral service of a historic and legendary leader of my denomination. Dr. Ray Hughes served in many capacities of leadership in the Church of God, and was a modern day apostle. As I heard all of the wonderful accomplishments and testimonies about Dr. Hughes, there was one particular statement that stood out to me. Ray Hughes Jr. spoke about his father's prayer life. He stated that he remembered the many times that his father would put the children to bed and sit in the middle of the living room floor with a quilt over his head and pray for hours. He said that there were many times that he would pray through the night.

I have heard many other stories from those who were impacted by the prayer life of Dr. Hughes. The day after the funeral service, I attended a session of a conference that was led by Larry Stockstill, an incredible Pastor from Baton Rouge, LA. I was greatly impacted as he spoke about prayer. Later, I returned home with a renewed passion to increase my prayer time with the Lord. I have designated a portion of my day to prayer for several years. I considered myself a person of prayer. However, I have never been more personally challenged to pursue through prayer. Here are some thoughts that the Lord has given me regarding prayer. It is somewhat lengthy. I pray that you will read through it, and be challenged to prayer.ple

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."--Jer. 33:3.

Moses cried out to God, and God spared Israel from judgment. Joshua’s prayer made the sun stand still. Hannah’s prayer was answered with a baby boy. Solomon got wisdom in answer to his prayer. Fire came down from Heaven when Elijah prayed and devoured the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. Jonah’s prayer brought him out of the belly of the whale. Elijah had the great power of God upon his life. But when Elisha prayed for a double portion of the Spirit, God did not bat an eye when He gave it to him. Jabezprayed for God to bless him, enlarge his coasts, for God’s hand to be with him, and keep him from evil, and God granted his request! Ten lepers prayed and were instantaneously healed. Peter prayed, and Dorcas arose from the dead. The thief on the cross prayed and was saved immediately. The early church prayed, and the place was shaken where they were gathered together. Peter got out of jail in answer to the early Christians’ prayers. The door of the Phillippian jail fell off when Paul and Silas prayed.

It is fascinating to read of the accounts of the prayers of the saints of God in the Bible. But don’t we serve the same God? Shouldn’t we also pray?

It was Abraham Lincoln who said, "Many times I have been forced to my knees, realizing there was simply no other place to go." George Washington met the crisis of Valley Forge on his knees in prayer. In a speech to the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin reminded the delegates of the daily prayer to God for the guidance and protection that they had offered. Stonewall Jackson said, "I have so fixed the habit in my mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without lifting my heart to God in thanks and prayer for the Water of Life." I recently had the invitation to pray over the legislative session of the Georgia State Senate, and reminded them of the prayers of these men.

Remember that prayer is the Christian’s greatest privilege. It is his greatest tool, his greatest weapon and his greatest opportunity. It is the key to God’s storehouse, the switch to God’s power station and the greatest work in which one can become involved.

May all of us say, with Samuel, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you" (I Sam. 12:23).

· Only prayer can turn a life around.
· Only prayer can sober the alcoholic.
· Only prayer can clean up the drug user.
· Only prayer can change a hardened criminal.
· Only prayer can cleanse our minds of old thoughts.
· Only prayer can summons angels into conflict.
· Only prayer can break through the heart of stone.
· Only prayer can pull a person from despair.
· Only prayer can break the yoke of bondage.
· Only prayer can give sight to the spiritually blind.
· Only prayer can give strength to the weary.
· Only prayer can bring in our lost loved ones.
· Only prayer can overthrow the attack of satan.
· Only prayer can unlock the doors to God’s storehouse of blessing. 　

1. People in Trouble Ought to Pray.The psalmist said, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles" (Ps. 34:6).
So, why don’t we really pray?

2. People Who Need Wisdom Ought to Pray. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).

3. People Who Need Power Ought to Pray.
Jesus said, "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:11-13)..

4. People Who Want Revival Ought to Pray"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (II Chron. 7:14).

5. People Who Want Cleansing Ought to Pray. David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23,24).6. People Who Want to Know God’s Way Ought to Pray.
Moses prayed, "Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people" (Exod. 33:13)..

7. People Who Want to Be Saved Ought to Pray
Peter cried out, "Lord, save me" (Matt. 14:30). The Apostle Paul admonished us to "Pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17). Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).Someone has said, "God waits to do the will of praying men."

If anything happens…somebody prayed!
If you are saved, somebody prayed.
If you are healed, Somebody prayed!
We ought to pray! WE MUST PRAY!

The Healthy Pastoral Leader

2011-04-02T00:57:00.002-04:00

In his research of leaders, both historical and contemporary, author Robert Clinton found that few leaders actually finish the race well. His two books, The Making of a Leader (NavPress) and The Mentor Handbook (Barnabas), explain that finishing well could be defined as a life that until its end is increasingly more in love with Christ, more committed to His service and more devoted to godly leadership.

What causes a leader to continue to grow, to stay on track and to finish well in life and ministry?

Five Habits of effectiveness. Effective leaders learn to become intentional about their character growth and formation. In this development of a leader we can make three general observations:

1. God develops a leader over a lifetime;

2. God uses people, circumstances and ministry assignments to shape the life of a leader; and

3. Leadership plateau is often indicative of a growth issue within a leader's life.

To help us become more intentional about our health as leaders, let's explore five insights from leaders who have finished well.

1. Healthy leaders are lifelong learners. Leaders pursue three types of training: personal training, (personal growth, projects, personal research); informal training (workshops, seminars, conferences); and formal training (continuing education, degree programs).

2. Healthy leaders are committed to serve and develop others. Be alert to potential leaders in your sphere of influence (II Cor. 1:3-4; II Tim. 2:2).

3. Healthy leaders have a dynamic view of life and ministry. There are three key elements to a personal mission statement - biblical purpose, values and vision.

4. Healthy leaders experience repeated times of renewal. Effective, godly leaders develop intimacy with God, which in turn overflows into all areas of their ministry. The essential ingredient of leadership is the powerful presence of God in a leader's life and ministry. Leaders incorporate the spiritual disciplines into their walk.

5. Healthy leaders have a life perspective. God brings along many destiny experiences to shape a leader's ministry. Leaders manifest a growing awareness of their sense of destiny.

Ten Procrastination Traps To Avoid

2011-03-30T23:42:00.004-04:00

It has been said that if you kill time that you murder success. In an ever increasingly busy world, it is vital that we as leaders have a disciplined time management system. Here are some foot- dragging steps that I have learned are sure to keep you buried in things to do.

Floundering - The failure to focus attention and efforts in a single direction. The cause is a lack of clear-cut goals. This trap can be avoided by crystallizing your goals. Try writing them down on paper. Make them as specific as possible and give them accomplishment dates.

Wheel-Spinning - Trying to do something so you'll feel busy but accomplishing little or nothing. This usually happens when we let ourselves get behind in our work and try to assuage out guilty feelings by doing everything at once. You won't solve the problem by frantic activity. Survey your list and make a schedule to accomplish everything in a realistic time frame.

Fire-Fighting - Living in a state of perpetual crisis. We often end up like this due to a lack of planning and goals. It's important to include in your schedule planning time. Take the time to sit down and review your schedule and you goals on a daily and weekly basis.

Vacillation - Indecision. This happens when we fail to weigh the alternatives or consider the possibilities. Get tough with yourself. Weigh the pros and cons, write down all the possibilities and make decisions. Trying to do something and failing is better than trying to do nothing and succeeding.

Dawdling - Drifting, daydreaming, dilly-dallying. This is a failure to keep your goals clearly in mind and make them a priority. Give yourself a deadline and stick to it. Promise yourself a reward when you've done it.

Spraying - Diverting your efforts to many tasks instead of one; spreading yourself too thin. This is also the result of a failure to focus on your goals. After you've written down your goals, focus all your energy on accomplishing them one at a time.

Switching - Starting one project and getting diverted to another one half-way through. Again, you've lost the focus of your goals and plan. Don't let yourself be satisfied until the job is done.

Acquiescing - The inability to say no. This can be caused by the desire to please other people, guilt, timidity, lack of self-discipline. You must learn that you don't have to please everyone. When someone makes a request of you that delays or interferes with your plans, politely but firmly refuse. And this includes yourself. Don't give in to self indulgence.

Rehashing - Dwelling on past accomplishments, problems or failures. Here you have an unwillingness to deal with the present. Let the past go. Concentrate on what is and what can be. You do now live in the past. You live in the present. The future will become the present faster than you think.

Perfectionism - Unwillingness to compromise; unrealistic expectations. When we set our goals too high, we run the risk of becoming intimidated by our own goals. Learn to strive for excellence, not perfection. You want to be sure to set realistic, not idealistic, goals.

Ten Principles for Getting Along With Difficult People

2011-03-29T22:17:00.000-04:00

1. Maintain your confidence by being in right relationship with God. You can’t be objective or discerning if you’re not in good standing with God. A strong relationship with God gives you the grace and confidence to deal properly with difficult people.

2. Remember over-reacting will only accentuate the conflict and confuse the issue.

3. Hold realistic expectations. Make sure the difficult person can reach your expectations. You may be expecting him to do or be something that is impossible.

4. Quit trying to change the difficult person. Give up your rights and expectations regarding this person. Accept the fact that you can’t change him, but you can change your reactions to him.

5. Refuse to play his games. He may attempt to use you or make you feel guilty or obligated. Recognize the emotional games, and don’t participate.

6. Don’t allow yourself to become the difficult person’s slave. Be honest with yourself and learn to say no.

7. Keep a proper spirit and attitude. Maintaining credibility is the greatest struggle. Don’t let bitterness, anger, or resentment grow.

8. Allow God to lead you in dealing with the difficult person. There are no easy answers or set patterns to dealing with Him. The Holy Spirit will give guidance.

9. Confront immediately. Don’t put off facing the conflict. It only makes matters worse.

10. Demonstrate Godly compassion. The basis for getting along with people is found in Jesus’ words. A religious leader asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus responded, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself”. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:23-40, NIV).

It’s easy to love those who love us and those who are easy to get along with. But how do you treat the stranger, the difficult person, that person you don’t really understand, can’t relate to and don’t really care about? Jesus said that is the true test of our character and love.