On The Other End...

Over the past few weeks, I've had opportunity to listen to a number of great preachers deliver some incredibly powerful sermons. Tossed in to the mix have been a number of episodes of a radio show called "Equipped with Chris Brooks". He can be found on the Moody Radio Network and I've thoroughly enjoyed the shows that I've heard so far as well as the interviews and conversations he has engaged in along the way.

Yesterday, he interviewed John Stonestreet, whose latest book is titled A Practical Guide To Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today's World.

Over the course of the interview, Christ fielded a phone call from a listener, who shared with them the situation she is facing with her daughter, who is struggling with an incredibly difficult and controversial topic facing our culture... gender identity.

I know... you're wanting to know what this has to do with #pray4pastors and #deaconThursday. Well, we're here.

During their conversation with her, John mentioned having a similar conversation with a woman who facing the same situation with her child. Of course, John gave some of the same advice, which at the top of the list, was to continue to pray. But then he shared with the caller, the question he posed to this other mom. Are you getting any support from your church?

The mom looked at John, as if to say, are you kidding me? She responded verbally, with:
"Oh, I could never tell my church." They wouldn't know what to do. As if she would be ousted or shunned if anyone at church knew this was the situation she was facing on the home-front.

As I've stated in the past, deacons and church administrators and staff are on the front lines of both the church and the community. People in these positions, fielding phone calls and other conversations literally have their fingers on the pulse of what is going on with families and people in need... dare, I say, perhaps more-so than the pastors themselves. It's exciting to see what churches are accomplishing through "life groups" and small groups, helping people to connect at deeper levels of faith and fellowship, but at the same time, such a response is a pretty strong indictment against a church... both for the concern that love and grace would not be extended at such a challenging time and/or that the church is not equipped to help people through such a process and conversation on any level, let alone spiritual.

I don't know how to explain this dichotomy?

We want to the church to reach out to the lost and needy and share with them, that their brokenness is the result of Jesus not being present in their life, but then after they come to faith in Christ, they don't feel comfortable in coming to the people within the church and asking for assistance with the brokenness that exists in other areas of life as they work through their faith.

Does this make sense? Do you see the problem? What's the solution? Prayer... for starters.

As we embark on this first #deaconThursday of the third year of daily praying for pastors, will you join me once again? Pray that those in these critical church positions would indeed have the pulse on the church and the needs of the people, both inside and outside the four walls. Pray for wisdom and guidance as they converse and help people navigate life's difficulties. Pray that they would be equipped with resources and tools that will be practical and effective; that would help bring them through the challenge rather than feeling as though the battle will never end. May the church never forget, that everyone under the roof is in various states of repair and rebuilding by the Hand of God.

None of us are complete, fully-restored projects.
For God is at work in all of us.
Not making mistakes;
But using every detail and decision
To accomplish His purposes
That He may be glorified
In every life and every day that is nothing short of a miracle.

- PNC

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