UNDERSTANDING JOB

Having just completed reading the book of Job, I am once again deeply impressed with this ancient man’s testimony.           

There are only seven main characters in his report:

   o   Job [his wife plays a minor role]

o   God

o   Satan

Distant living friends of Job:

o  
Eliphaz from Teman  

o  
Bildad from Shuhah             

o   Zophar from Naamath

o   Elihu – Job’s angry younger friend

The key to understanding this narrative that probably took place around the time of Abram [in Genesis], is recognizing that Job was a righteous man who loved and served God so thoroughly that God bragged about Job when Satan showed up one day in Heaven’s court. 

This set in motion Satan’s abuse of this man and the terrible things that occurred in quick succession to thoroughly upset his life!

I suggest that understanding this book is dependent on realizing two key points:

FIRST, it is essential to observe that at the end of chapter two, it is clearly declared that “Not once through all of this did Job sin. He said nothing against God.” [2:10]  All quotes from ™ unless otherwise noted.

SECOND, Job was confused because he KNEW that he had not sinned. In his confusion and having faced phenomenal loss, he became depressed! But depression is NOT a sin!

For the next thirty-five chapters, Job’s four friends [named above] confront him essentially with the same argument: that Job had either willfully or negligently sinned and was therefore experiencing the corrective wrath of God! 

HOWEVER, we know this cannot be true! [See the box above!]

Finally, in chapters 38-41, God confronts Job gently but directly! God craftfully explains His sovereignty and rulership over all of creation!

In the midst of this God-monologue, He turns to Job and says:

“Now what do you have to say for yourself?

Are you going to haul me, the Mighty One, into court and press charges?”

To which Job immediately answered:

“I’m speechless, in awe – words fail me.

I should never have opened my mouth!

I’ve talked too much, way too much.

I’m ready to shut up and listen.”

God then continues to make it clear to Job that He – and He alone runs this universe! ^{[see 41:11]}  In doing so, God references the awesomeness of His creation!

The final chapter reveals Job’s response to God:

“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.

Nothing and no one can upset Your plans.” [42:1]

Surprisingly, God then turns to Job’s friends and scolds them for their random babblings. He instructs them to go to Job for reconciliation so that they can be spiritually restored!  They did so!

Then God restored Job’s fortune – and doubled it!

I personally feel that these final verses of Job’s restoration are frequently exaggerated!  I will admit that there it can be cited as an example of God restoring what Satan has taken away from us. But to make this the major truth of the book is a travesty!

There is a final footnote that intrigues and delights me.  The author – who is unnamed – seems to want us to know in the final verses that Job had ten more children to match those he had lost earlier: seven sons and three daughters. But more important, we learn that Job treated his daughters as equal heirs with their brothers – providing the same inheritance. [42:15]  This stands in stark contrast to the limits placed on women as equals in many of our churches today! 

A DYNAMIC YOUNG LEADER

Reading II Chronicles 34 is a delightful change from its surrounding chapters because it finally presents a king of Judah who was thoroughly faithful to God! His name was Josiah and he became king when he was twelve years old.  Although it doesn’t say so, he was surely mentored by the priests.

When he had been king for eight years – he was still only a teenager – he began to seek the God of David his ancestor. [v.1]

Four years later, the twelfth year of his reign, he set out to cleanse the neighborhood of sex-and-religion shrines, and get rid of the sacred Asherah groves and the god and goddess figurines, whether carved or cast, from Judah. He wrecked the Baal shrines, tore down the altars connected with them, and scattered the debris and ashes over the graves of those who had worshiped at them. He burned the bones of the priests on the same altars they had used when alive. He scrubbed the place clean, Judah and Jerusalem, clean inside and out. [vs4-5]

Then he turned his attention toward the Temple and had it cleaned out of all its profane false gods and offensive items! His cleansing of the nation extended not only throughut Jerusalem but to the other cities of Judah!

Throughout Israel he demolished the altars and Asherah groves, pulverized the god and goddess figures, chopped up the neighborhood shrines into firewood. [v.7]

It was at this point that the men working on The Temple found the Book of God’s Revelation! It was brought to Josiah and as his servant began reading it to him – he ripped his robes in dismay. [v.19]

He immediately sought prayer from his associates who consulted the prophetess, Huldah,, to see what the king should do. 

It’s always interesting to me that God was willing to use female prophets in the Old Testament, yet some question the use of female pastors today.

Her immediate response was to remind them of how angry God was with the people of Israel and Judah because of their horribly offensive turning to other gods!  She reminds Josiah’s messengers that God had already pronounced judgment against His people for their chronic sinfulness.

Then she proceeded with a message specifically for Josiah:

 “And also tell the king of Judah, since he sent you to ask God for direction, God’s comment on what he read in the book: ‘Because you took seriously the doom of judgment I spoke against this place and people, and because you responded in humble repentance, tearing your robe in dismay and weeping before me, I’m taking you seriously. God’s word. I’ll take care of you; you’ll have a quiet death and be buried in peace. You won’t be around to see the doom that I’m going to bring upon this place and people.’” [vs.26-28]

The chapter ends with the following:

Josiah did a thorough job of cleaning up the pollution that had spread throughout Israelite territory and got everyone started fresh again, serving and worshiping their God. All through Josiah’s life the people kept to the straight and narrow, obediently following God, the God of their ancestors. [v.33]

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I keep reporting a truth that Christian teachers need to incorporate into the closing of their lessons!

We must always end our lessons asking our students what we can learn from what we’ve studied today!  This is essential! What’s the value of knowing all of the details of the Bible unless we unpack its meaning for us TODAY?

I’ve had many good teachers in the churches that I’ve served, but few who understood this principle!

 

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM II Chronicles 34?  Some suggestions:

·         Young people need mentoring if we hope for them to turn out healthy, balanced and with good perspective!

·         Maintaining a strong, consistent, meaningful relationship with God assures us of His presence and blessing on our lives!

·         Surrounding ourselves with wise, godly, faithful advisors assures us of a worthy legacy!

·         Godly advisors [even female] can be God’s way of directing our path and assuring us of His continuing presence!

·         Our spiritual impact is larger than we realize! God used Josiah’s innocence to direct the soul of the whole nation of Judah!

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Kind and gracious God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

Thank You for Your faithfulness in watching over us!

 

For those of us who had godly direction in our younger years – WE ARE SO GRATEFUL!

 

For those who did not have that direction – but still found Your Way,

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE THE HOUND OF HEAVEN

AND SOUGHT THEM OUT TO ENJOY ALL OF YOUR BENEFITS!

 

Give us the wisdom to seek out models – like that of Josiah –

to order up our lives in ways that will be pleasing to You!

 

Magnify our witness on Your behalf so that others may be directed – by our example –

to Your great and marvelous grace! We SO want to be a fruitful branch!

 

Above all:

Help us to live honorably before You 24/7/365!

We don’t want a record spotted by inconsistency and periods of back-sliding!

 

Give us the wisdom to seek You daily – even hourly!

To let our light shine persistently!

 

Day by day, dear Lord,
of thee three things I pray;
to see thee more clearly,
to love thee more dearly,
to follow thee more nearly,
day by day.

 

AMEN!

TAKE THOU AUTHORITY TO PREACH THE WORD

I’ve learned a lot about differences in the ways that ordination are observed across various denominations just by being part of the Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church for the past seven years.

Actually, it hit close to home for us as a couple. Several years ago, Debbie was ordained as a ruling elder in this church. She served for three rather explosive years as a member of the ’session’.  She felt the burden of leadership throughout this experience. One interesting caveat was the fact that the ruling elders serve Holy Communion to the congregation. So, for the first time in our lives, she served me communion – instead of the vice versa!  I am proud of the respect she has garnered as a result of her leadership investment.

In the Wesleyan movement, elders are ordained by bishops and are enabled thereby to lead local churches, marry, serve Holy Communion, and hold a vote in their annual conference.

When I was ordained, the Free Methodist Church practiced an ordination of submission that included a first step of being ordained as a ‘Deacon’. After a minimum of satisfactorily serving in this role, one could then be fully ordained as an ‘Elder’.  I was fortunate to receive both ordinations by a bishop that I highly respected and admired: Bishop Paul N. Ellis. 

I must admit that I don’t recall much of the specifics of those events. The one memory I do have is negative. Debbie was invited to stand [and kneel] with me during this rite of passage. When the service concluded, my conference superintendent congratulated us and told us that it would have been better if Debbie had not worn that flashy, beaded necklace! He was NOT one of my favorite leaders.

The ordination service typically takes place at our annual conference. Our leaders designate the final service of worship to include this sacred time in the lives of our prospective candidates who have been voted on by the entire conference after the answering of the required questions. 

Typically, the worship leads to a message by the bishop who then presides over the ordination service. The candidates are called forward along with their spouses where they publicly respond to the required questions for ordination and are then invited to kneel before the bishop and congregation. Any elders present are also invited to move forward and participate in the ‘laying on of hands’.

The presiding bishop – along with the elders - then lay their hands on the ordinand while speaking the following words:

“The Lord pour upon you the Holy Spirit for the office and work of an elder in the Free Methodist Church now committed unto you by the laying on of our hands.”

Then, the bishop holds the ordinands Bible out to them. As they together grasp the Bible, the following charge is given:

“Take authority to minister the Word of God. Faithfully proclaim His Word, declare His forgiveness, celebrate the sacraments, shepherd His people.”

The service is usually brought to an end by a prayer and an opportunity for the worshipping community to come forward and offer congratulations to the newly ordained elders and their spouses. 

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Debbie and I recently attended a special Tri-Conference event involving the Harvest Conference [Pittsburgh area and West Virginia], the Keystone Conference [Northwestern Pennsylvania] and the Ohio Conference [Nearly the whole state of Ohio]. Bishop Kaye Kolde presided over this special event.

Those who know me and read my blogs will be aware that I have been a lifelong advocate of women in ministry. The Free Methodist Church has been ordaining women since 1911.

Eight individuals were called to the platform during the Tri-conference ordination service: four women and four men – all accompanied by their wives/husbands. One at a time, they were brought before Bishop Kolde.  All elders had been invited to fill the area in front of the platform so that they could participate in the laying on of hands. There were surely one hundred elders crowded across the front of the worship center. At the appropriate moment we all laid our hands on one another’s shoulders bringing us into symbolic contact with the ordinand. 

Surely someone took a picture of this event; I wish I had that picture! I ended up right in front of Bishop Kolde and about five or six feet from the place where she spoke to the ordinands. 

It was surely a powerful moment for those being ordained! You could sense their humility and the responsibility they were accepting as they interacted with Bishop Kolde.

______________________________

I have always had a penchant for observing the differences between males and females. It’s a topic that I have written about frequently. 

Although this event took place several weeks ago, I am still contemplating the difference between the ways the men and women responded to Bishop Kolde.  I’m not sure yet what this difference implies.

The Free Methodist Church has MANY women in ministry! 

My first hire while leading a growing church was a young woman – Raeanne Thompson – who had just graduated from college. She was an outstanding ‘Youth Pastor’ and was responsible for growing the Oakland Church significantly over the next several years. She is still active in ministry today!

I also worked for six years with Lead Pastor, Brenda Mason Young, at what was then the Cornerstone Free Methodist Church in Akron, Ohio,  During that time the church grew from an attendance of 400 to over 700. Her exemplary and dynamic leadership was the primary catalyst for that growth! They were the most exciting years of my overall ministry!

In an age when the church is in serious decline and many denominations are having difficulty finding enough pastors to fill their churches – one wonders why they are not turning to the vast number of women who are responding to God’s ‘call’ to ministry!

I’ve wandered…let’s get back to my ordination observations:

In the case of each of the men that Bishop Kolde ordained, the men knelt with the heads bowed. When the bishop offered them their Bible for the second part of the act of ordination, they looked up briefly and then bowed their heads again. 

There was a distinct difference in the way that the women responded. They also bowed their heads while the bishop laid her hands on their heads. However, when Bishop Kolde offered the women their Bible, each of them continued to look up into Bishop Kolde’s eyes! I felt like I could sense the communication flowing between these women!

The bishop drank in their gaze with deep sincerity. They showed admiration, respect and the experiencing of a divine moment as they returned her gaze!

I walked away with the sense that these women – in particular – would NEVER forget that moment!

May each of these new elders follow through with passion and integrity! May they see the churches to which they are assigned flourish with rich, robust and sincere commitments to serve the Lord of the Church!  May they each brng joy to the heart of God! 

THE WINDS OF THE SPIRIT!

Debbie and I were in a blessed setting for Friday and Saturday! We attended the first ever Tri-Conference Session of the Harvest, Keystone and Ohio conferences of the Free Methodist Church!  

It was held at the Living Water FMC in Dalton, OH, which accommodated us with amazing hospitality and grace! Their worship team appeared at set times throughout the conference to lead us in meaningful times of experiencing the presence of God! The meals served were wonderful and done with speed and grace!  Host pastor, Mark Hirst, personally greeted each guest as we entered the church; he was also a frequent participant in the sessions.

Bishop Kay Kolde led the conference with assistance from two retired bishops. 

The Free Methodist Church – founded in 1860 – has been ordaining women since 1911. The first female bishop in any Free Methodist General Conference was Rev. Dr. Linda Adams. She was consecrated in 2024, marking a historic milestone in the denomination’s 160-year history.

Bishop Kolde ordained eight ministerial candidates as elders at the conclusion of the conference. Four candidates were male and four were female. Over one hundred elders present were invited to come forward and participate in the ‘laying on of hands’ during these ordinations! It was a visually powerful period!

The purpose of this tri-conference was to address the concerns of the need for greater cooperation and focus between conferences that actually share many common goals and purposes. Discussions have been held with key participants from each area out of a desire to change the momentum of the Free Methodist Church.

Bishop Kolde reminded us that the number of FM churches in America have fallen from 1050 to 825 over the past fifteen years [a decline that is mirrored in most – if not all – Christian denominations in America].  Leaders are consequently considering coordinated changes in emphasis and organization to address and reverse these declines through increased focus, evangelism and discipleship!

The spirit of support for these epic changes was tangible throughout the meetings in spite of the complexities involved in changing leadership structures, financial systems, and territorial alliances. The delegates clearly see the need for radical change in order to see the continuation of John Wesley’s call to “spread Scriptural holiness across the land and to preach the gospel to the poor.”

As a retired pastor in the FMC, it was refreshing to see the youthful surge of leaders and their willingness to cooperate and make concessions in order to see a return of biblical holiness and cultural impact as we move forward!

The conference ended on a totally positive note with an extended prayer time during which MANY went forward to be prayed with by the bishops and superintendents who were present!  No one left early! The presence of God was too captivating and engaging to even consider leaving Living Water’s massive sanctuary!

Bishop Kolde’s messages were challenging as she addressed the tri-conference from two key passages:

·         Isaiah 6 – where Isaiah is caught up in a powerful vision of heaven and responds to the call of God by saying: “Here am I – send me!” [v.8].

·         I Kings 19f – where Elijah is threatened by Queen Jezebel after killing 850 of her prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth.  After fleeing in fear, God ministers to him in unique ways and then sends him to Mt. Horeb – the mountain of God! Once there, Elijah witnesses the presence of God and is reassigned by God to return to ministry!

Debbie and I were proud to experience this influential conference along with our son, Troy, [later joined by his wife, Missy]. Troy was a delegate from Freedom Church in New Middletown, OH [where I served as pastor from 2003-2012].

Although these kinds of gatherings are a huge challenge to me because of my hearing issues, I am so glad we chose to attend and participate. Yes, the frustrations were great, but experiencing the presence of God is so worth the investment! We are refreshed and renewed with hope for the future and will continue to pray for our leaders as they direct us into a fruitful future! 

WOMEN IN MINISTRY

Why do I write as much as I do?

I suppose that I have several reasons.

I write to preserve family history, foremost.

I write to share my thoughts with others – who may agree or take issue with my thinking.

I write to entertain! Use the ‘Search’ bar on my blog to explore the topic, HUMOR.  [You’ll find 45 posts listed on about five successive pages. 😉]

I write for pleasure to preserve my thoughts while reading scripture. [My ‘Bible Study’ notes serve as a great starting point for those who may teach or preach upon occasion.]

But today I write to clarify.

Like many others, I do not thrive on confrontation or conflict. However, I am willing to openly share my thought processes. It is – after all – important, at times, to take a stand.

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There is a topic that is frequently debated in our culture. The topic is whether or not women should be given the right to lead in ministry settings.

Take notice that it is a cultural debate! Other countries, such as the Philippines, do not see this as an issue whatsoever!  Women ministers abound in quite a few cultures.

For background, I was raised in the Free Methodist Church. It was founded in 1860, and has been ordaining women since 1911. 

But, I’m a free-thinker, and my thoughts are not based purely on my denomination’s stand. I’ve attended a conservative theological seminary and a liberal theological seminary. I’ve read the Bible through many times. I’ve led growing churches and have served with women in ministry and also hired women to serve alongside me! I served – for six years – in conjunction with a woman lead-pastor whom I highly value and consider a mentor!

My point: I’ve thought about this topic a great deal.

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Since my purpose with this blog is to clarify my process of coming to conclusions on the topic of women in ministry, I will try to be succinct.

It seems clear that sometimes we may come to different conclusions even after considering the evidence presented in scripture. This has been solidly demonstrated by the fact that we have so effectively divided ourselves into far too many denominations.

I have tried to form opinions on the foundation of God’s Word. I am well aware of the passages that are quickly quoted from the Corinthian letters, such as:

· “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” – 1 Timothy 2:12

· “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

· “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach.” – 1 Timothy 3:1-2

[This is a sampling only. There are other scriptures that convey the same thoughts.] 

However, there are other verses that seem to counter the thinking in the above verses: I’ll cite three of them, as well, for consideration:

>     “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.” – Romans 16:1

[We could extrapolate on the words used in the Greek text (of which we have no actual ‘originals'). However, this is not the place for textual criticism.]

>     “He [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” – Acts 18:26

[This scripture highlights Priscilla’s role (she is always named first – ahead of her husband) in teaching Apollos. It exemplifies how women can teach and clarify the faith, even while maintaining supportive roles in partnership with their husbands.]

>    “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.” – Philippians 4:2-3

        [This verse acknowledges two women who worked alongside Paul for the Gospel!]

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MY PERSONAL THOUGHT PROCESS

At the core of my discerning process was the clarity I observed when reflecting on the above scriptures AND those that I will now mention.

FIRST

I have always been deeply impressed with the prophetic utterance of Mary, the mother of Jesus, recorded in Luke 1:46-55. This has been carefully preserved for us in God’s Word. The words are precious to us!

Hmmm…the first words spoken under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – after Jesus’ conception – were divine words spoken by His own mother!

SECOND

I am struck by the message preached by the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost, when he quoted the prophet Joel, saying:

“And it shall be in the last days,” God says, “that I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour fourth of My Spirit…”

THIRD

The last thing to push me over the line are the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians:

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

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 I think we can come to different conclusions on the topic of women in ministry and still have fellowship. I don’t think we need to exclude one another over this issue.

After studying in a Catholic community for two years and making MANY precious friends there with whom I worshipped regularly, we had to politely and with discretion, avoid the discussion of certain points from our various traditions. I was not going to change them, and they were not likely to change my thinking and practice. BUT, we had deep and rich fellowship and loved one another in Christ!

I hope my words today have helped and not hurt. I labored to be fair and gracious! I don’t need to convince anyone in order to have rest and peace of mind. Again, my purpose in writing today is to clarify how I came to hold my current position on this topic. Let’s put our hope in the following words from John 16:13,

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;

for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears,

He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.