Correcting With Grace

I caught part of an interview with Chuck Swindoll the other day, regarding his latest book, on getting the most of the Scriptures. Pretty much from the onset, it took an interesting turn, as they talked about his childhood and growing up in the Swindoll home looked like. Amidst the description was his conveyance, that his parents rightly applied the Scriptures when it came to discipline and that it was indeed, a home where the grace of God was displayed, even when correction was a part of the conversation.

It prompted introspection even for me, to consider how well (or not so well, at times) I am leading my children.

At the same time, they started discussing the difficulty that permeated an entire generation within the church. They discussed the longevity; for how long and how quickly, for a time, parenting within the church turned to legalism and how often Scripture was not properly used for correction. Furthermore, the element of grace may or may not have been as present as it probably should have been... perhaps missing altogether. Are we missing a more effective church as a result?

Add to this, if we can, the difficulty of ministry legacy. In subsequent generations of pastors coming into the ministry from homes where parents were church leaders; how has the health of their home-life impacted how they approach pastoring? Even now, I'm trying to think of preacher's kids who, when they've stepped into ministry on their own, haven't started out working with kids and teens.

Thus, if they're coming into ministry having come for a home where the element of grace may have been lacking in matters of correction and discipline, one must consider how that will impact the next generation of kids.

I'm thinking of some of the challenges in my own home and thinking I need prayer! (insert smile)

Will you join me once again, this #youthPastorWednesday? Pray for kids and youth pastors that are struggling with ministry, because of the challenges they faced in their younger days. May God help them overcome, perhaps feelings of inadequacies or inferiorities... may their setbacks become the set-ups for their comeback. Pray God would grant them wisdom and discernment as they lead the next generation in spiritual matters and in the faith. May the pressures of a legacy ministry not weigh them down or burn them out, but inspire them; as they have witnessed the grace and goodness of God, may they be moved to share that experience all the more.

May healthy homes
Lead to healthy ministries.
That build healthy churches.
To impact healthier communities.
For the advancement of the grace of the Gospel.
For the glory of the kingdom of God.

- PNC

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