Jan
20
flotsam & jetsam (1.20.10)
Posted by Jon Trainer at 10:59 amFiled Under blogdom
The Gospel Coalition on principled self-denial and leadership in the church. How is it measured? Taking a quick initial shot…church leaders should be among the most willing to limit the exercise of spiritual liberty for the sake of the weakest sheep in the flock. I am also discovering many of my personal hobbies and interests must be replaced by loves related to the church; this is a painful process. Regarding leadership selection along these lines–we don’t do a good job.
On Sunday we collected an offering for a couple of mission organizations in Haiti, but for some, sending money to Haiti is not a no-brainer. Stewardship issues bubble up to the surface when a country is racked by political corruption and built on a foundation of crumbling infrastructure. The RAND Corporation recommends fundamental reform; it is going to be a long haul. Tough love required. Update: The real damage in Haiti occurred before the quake.
I enjoy politics; I keep politics out of the pulpit (see self-denial above). However, it is difficult to ignore the scene change occurring yesterday in Massachusetts. Mort Zuckerman’s resulting admonition to the President is stinging. How do we respond when a friend tells us we are wrong?
The DoD report on the Fort Hood massacre refuses to address the elephant in the room.
From the NYT, “If Your Kids Are Awake, They’re Probably Online.” Hello.
No cognac and roses were left at Edgar Allen Poe’s grave yesterday, the 201st anniversary of his birth, breaking a tradition that began around 1949. Is the raven saying, “Nevermore?” If so, someone should pick up the ball bottle.
The concept of “principled self-denial” would be a lengthy discussion topic indeed. My mind goes to Puritan teaching on piety, the risk of asceticism, accusations of or Lord being a drunkard and glutton, etc. I don’t believe this is an open-and-shut issue that forces a church leader to give up enjoyable “hobbies” because someone would be offended, or caused to stumble. I think the balance between liberty and self-denial can be complicated. I would like to hear more on this.
Spurgeon on his open admission of his enjoyment of cigars:
“I am told that my open avowal will lessen my influence, and my reply is that if I have gained any influence through being thought different from what I am, I have no wish to retain it. I will do nothing upon the sly, and nothing about which I have a doubt.”
Mike,
Thanks for the comment. Carson was pointed in his focus on self-denial, in that it was “for the sake of others.” My mind naturally went to the exercise of liberty or the lack thereof. I guess a full exposition of Romans 14 is in order, but blog comments is not exactly the right spot.
I can’t recall a leadership interview where a topic like this was discussed: “How have you denied self for the sake of others?” Perhaps we assume the reality.
Personally, I have been challenged to clear the decks a bit more in my life. I realize these should be the most fruitful years of ministry, so a lot of the clutter needs pushed aside. Some of the clutter looks fairly innocuous, but sometimes I trip on it.
j