QUESTION RECEIVED >Can a Christian like deadpan comedy?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

Can a Christian like deadpan comedy?

MY ANSWER: 

Comedy in ministry is a sensitive matter.

I have heard jokes so funny that it wiped out sermon concentration.

I have also heard humor that invited friendliness and “broke the ice” in a service.

I have also heard and seen mean edged humor, especially in youth groups, that hurt unity and trust.

Deadpan humor?

Jesus seems to have liked it.

When Jesus called James and John “Sons of Thunder” he was talking about their lively arguing not their great preaching or saying that one of their parents were Thunder.

Markk 3:17  New American Standard Bible

and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges,which means, "Sons of Thunder ");

Like anything else we show or share in ministry it should be edifying to our King.

WHY CHURCHES NEED TO BE LIKE KENTUCKY BASKETBALL FANS >10 Reasons

WHY CHURCHES NEED TO BE LIKE KENTUCKY BASKETBALL FANS >

10 Reasons

This Sunday I went to the SEC Championship Basketball Tournament in the Georgia Dome.  Kentucky had a disappointing regular season by their standards.   They lost by one point to the number #1 ranked Florida Gators in the conference championship final.  I have seen a lot of games and SEC tournaments.  Why did I want to drive down to Atlanta after church?  To see some stars. To see the fans.

Kentucky basketball fans are the stars.   The Big Blue Nation sent the rich executives in jets, farmers, inner city saggy pants kids, grandma’s in wigs talking about guarding the baseline.  All kind of folks were in the group of about 18,000 Kentucky fans made the 380 mile tough mountain drive.  They were super supportive, knowledgeable about their team and your team.  They stood out with their spirit.

Churches can learn from Kentucky basketball fans in these 10 ways.

#1.    They represent their team and show their colors – in Good times and in disappointing times.

#2.    They let you know which side they are on – in a positive way.

#3.     They are convinced there team, their coach their players are the best – despite some downturns.

#4.    They are convinced they will win any game.

#5.   When they lose they are convinced the Big Blue Nation will win again next time.

#6.    When they show disappointment they seem to know what they are talking about

          They know why they are upset  and still support the team and coach.

#7.   They respect and revere their past.

#8.   They think nothing is better than their past.

#9.   They still somehow think their future will be better than their past.

#10. They support the coach.  The old ones were the greatest ever and yet this one now is better.

        Yes they somehow believe this.  I like optimists.

             

About 18,000 Wildcats were in Atlanta 360 miles for home for the SEC tourney.

Q Received >Any thoughts on age integrated church movement?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

Any thoughts on age integrated church movement?

MY ANSWER:

Why yes I have thoughts.

The church has always been age integrated since the beginning.  Recent phenomena of specialized churches seems to counter the "family of God" biblical description of the church. 

If you have a special age meeting you have a club or Bible study and not a church – no matter what the size.

Titus 2

(NIV)

1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

 3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Question Answered: Time to represent > Boast In The Lord

QUESTION RECEIVED:

 Should we advertise or promote our own local church on social media or should we focus more on promoting God and the body of Christ as a whole?

MY ANSWER:

FACT:  No matter how spiritual your church is people will not attend if they simply do not know how to get there.

How about that for some deep theologyJ

I appreciate your concern about how the cause of Christ is presented.

We Americans are in an “either or” mindset.

FOX or MSNBC?  RED STATE or BLUE STATE? Yankees or Red Sox?
In Georgia it is "Tech or Georgia?"

Advertise your church to advertise the glory and mission of Christ Jesus.

To me it does not sound like you are in an “Either OR” situation if it is all to Lift Jesus Up.

2 Corinthians 10:13-18 (New American Standard Bible)

13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, 16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. 17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

The following question is from GotQuestions.org.

QUESTION RECEIVED:

Why  do Christian pastors ask for money all the time?

 I mean they don't just ask for 10% tithes and and offerings.

They want money for books, cd's, auxiliary,  pastoral offering, keep us on the radio offering, the choir needs new robe offering, the pastor is visiting another church and he must give a offering offering.

And the list goes on. I understand it takes money to spread the gospel and don't have a problem giving, but it is getting out of hand.

One can give so much when on a fixed income.

Why can't the pastor get a side job and help out too?

I have invited people to church and have heard more a few times I can't afford to be a Christian you guys want to much money.

Seriously how do I handle this type of attitude when I fill the same at times. Thank you for your services and God bless you and your ministries.

MY ANSWER:

Why do Christian pastors ask for money all the time?

The kids need to eat all the time.

Bills have to be paid all the time.

Less than 2% of church members tithe.

A country can tax.

The church (people) depends on and should should systematically tithe.

Yes there are some superstar-pastors traveling on jets.

More than 80% of pastors are bi-vocational.

I never hear these guys beg for money.

Where do you go to church?

If you have membership in a local church it is a member’s duty to support it.

I believe in the tithe and that it is a principal.

If members tithed there would be no crisis but abundance.

On preacher who was concerned about what people gave put it in print.

Mark 12:41-44  New King James Version (NKJV)

The Widow’s Two Mites

41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

Giving is important and part of a believer’s discipline.

We can join a church and not know the Lord.

Have you trusted the Lord to forgive your sins?

You will receive eternal life and peace with God and citizenship in Heaven.

He commissioned his followers.

Join a local church you trust and understand that they preach and share the gospel.

Support the church with your time in worship, talents and gifts. 

How do you speak against a "man of God"?

QUESTION RECEIVED:
What does the Bible say about speaking against the man of God? Speaking against preachers?

 MY ANSWER:

Brother this could be a loaded question.

Why do I think this?

1.  Some people will support a preacher blindly and use this following verse for support no matter what a "preacher" has done.

1.) Samuel 26:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?”

 2.) Others will viciously attack pastors and use this verse for support no matter what a preacher has or has not done.

Matthew 7:15 

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

A preacher assuming he is saved is a brother.

How should you approach him?

Like Jesus would -  with love and in the man’s best interest.

This is done to restore the man's relationship with the Lord..

Matthew 18:15-20 (New King James Version)

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Q on Dressing For The Devil?> Everybody Loves a Sharp Dressed Man

QUESTION RECEIVED:

I am being troubled by dreams and need help.

I believe dreams tell us things.

This dream makes me think some people I know are devil worshippers.

What can I wear to ward off attacks from the devil?