Reb Rev's Blog

I am in the (VERY slow) process of writing a book. The working title is “Bi-vocational is not a dirty Word.”

You see, I serve as a bi-vocational pastor. That simply means I have two vocations. There are many of us who serve in such a capacity, yet there still seems to be a stigma associated with the role. So, I’d like to attempt to help clear up some common misconceptions.

Bi-vocational does not mean “part-time.” If you pastor a congregation, regardless of size, it is a full time job. In fact most mega-church pastors do less “pastoring” than smaller congregation pastors. That is not a slight toward them, but you just can’t minister one on one to 5000 folks the way you can 50-100.

Bi-vocational pastors, at least the ones I know, are serving in their capacity because that is where God has called them. We aren’t in a bi-vocational setting because we “can’t get a big church.” Some of the best sermons I’ve ever heard were preached by bi-vocational pastors. We aren’t bi-vocational because we “don’t trust God.” In fact, I think one could argue you have to trust God a whole lot more to be able to keep it all together when serving in both roles.

There are many challenges to being bi-vocational. Time management is one of the greatest which goes hand in hand with maintaining perspective and priorities. A short list of advantages to being bi-vocational include, a greater understanding of the current culture and challenges facing church members and greater opportunities for evangelism.

So , whether in a “fully-funded” position or bi-vocational, the blessings of serving in the place to which God has called the pastor far outweigh the challenges!

Okay, I’m not passing out cigars or having to change diapers – but we do have a “birth announcement.” A new blog has been born. And we all know the world needs more bloggers, right? J

My wife, Eileen, has kicked off her art blog. Eileen has always been an artist. Sometimes her art is expressed through drawing, sometimes in cooking, sometimes in painting and, at times, through music. I have always been one of those blessed by her creations.

Her blog can be found at http://www.psalmart.wordpress.com

Now, you can join in her in on her journey. I know, you’ll be blessed as well.

I just wanted to let you folks know I am potentially available to endorse you for any office you may be seeking this political season.

In the interest of full disclosure, I think I should tell you that as a pastor, I:

1. Do not cuss. So, if there is something attractive to you about a preacher who cusses and takes God’s Name in vain from the pulpit, you should look elsewhere
2. Do not demean people for their race. Regardless of what race that may be. DC Talk’s song “Colored People” is still a favorite. So, if you want someone who will run down folks for being white, black, red, yellow – I ain’t your man.
3. Do not promote individual candidates from the pulpit. While addressing issues which may be political in the sense that politicians have delved into promoting or taking sides on a moral issue, I don’t do politics in the pulpit. That place and time are for promoting only one Person and that is Christ. So, I’m not going to do you any good there.

I guess this may explain why the phone isn’t ringing.

Have you ever heard the statement – when you see a turtle on a fence post you know he didn’t get there by himself?

The essence of that quote is that every one of us are who we are, what we are and where we are first by God’s mercy (otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this) and then by the contribution of so many folks who have built into our lives.

Think of that Sunday School teacher who, for absolutely no pay, prepared and came every Sunday to share the truth of God’s Word. Or that school teacher who, for far too little pay, patiently taught not only the subject matter but valuable life lessons of perseverance and pushing farther than you thought you could go. A parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or even a neighbor who believed in you and supported you when no one else even gave you a chance, much less a kind word or helping hand.

All of those folks helped you get on the fence post. Take time today to write a card or letter (yes, an old fashioned pen and ink letter) to let them know you remember what they did and you appreciate them for it. It’ll do more for them than you can imagine.

I’d like ya’ll to meet my dog – Reb. (OK so I’m not all that creative when it comes to names – but he picked that name). He’s a red beagle we “adopted” when he was a pup.

We had great visions of making a rabbit dog out of him. But “Reb” has a problem. He has hay fever. Oh, he loves to go after a rabbit and he can trail with the best of them. But, when he does, his eyes swell up and he sneezes until it seems he’ll never stop. So, Reb doesn’t hunt. He does like to sleep and eat and go for walks and get his belly rubbed and just be a “lap dog.” He doesn’t seem the least bit disappointed that he isn’t in a dog pen sneezing his head off. In fact, I think Reb enjoys being a part of the family. And that is just fine with us, too.

God has used Reb to teach me a lot about myself. You see, God adopted me into His family as well. The scriptures say He CHOSE me. But, unlike when we chose Reb, God did not choose me with any great expectations in mind. He chose me not for what I could do for Him, but simply because He loves me.

In fact, his agape’ love is based solely on what He can do for me. And, what He desires to do through me.

All of this is found in Ephesians 2:8-10. Sometimes, when we get discouraged, it does us good to remember to Whom we belong – to think of where we are and where we could be. How refreshing and encouraging to remember that we are now a part of His family. He calls us His own.

And that my friends, is better than a belly rub. 

A local gas station recently had a “little” problem. It seems, when setting the price on the pump, that “little” thing called a decimal point was in the wrong place and for 1 ½ hours they sold Exxon premium gas for 3.9 cents a gallon! (I’m sorry I missed out on that deal!!)

A decimal point is such a little thing. It can’t really matter that much, can it? Now, if I were buying the gas and it was $39.00 per gallon, that wouldn’t be funny at all.

So, I guess “little” things can mean a lot. Sometimes it’s a little word of encouragement for a friend, a little act of kindness or a little smile. A little thing in the right place can make all the difference.

Have a great day.