The Barnabas File

“Congregations will gather around a pulpit from which living water is flowing!” –E. Stanley Jones

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

Now, just because I quoted E. Stanley Jones, don’t go around saying that he is my favorite role model in ministry. I certainly do respect him for laboring 66 years as a missionary evangelist to the upper castes of India, but I do have a problem with much of his theology. But when he said that “congregations will gather around a pulpit from which living water is flowing,” I just had to say, “Amen!” [Read more…] about Living Water

Luke Chapter 24

Though the term Easter is found but once in the King James Version (Acts 12:4), and is translated “Passover” in nearly all other translations of that text, it is a term that is commonly acknowledged as representing the day of the week in which our Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected from the grave. Certain chapters of the Bible seem to bear a theme that helps us to recognize their content, such as Hebrews 11 is the “Faith” chapter; I Corinthians 13 the “Love” chapter; Luke 15 the “Lost & Found” chapter; Ephesians 6 the “Soldier’s” chapter; John 3 the “New Birth” chapter; and Luke 24 is often called the “Easter” chapter. [Read more…] about The Glorious Account Of Easter!

A sizable share of my ministry over the past several years has been to assist churches find pastors. The question that I am often asked regarding prospective candidates is, “What are their strengths and what are their weaknesses?” Strengths have a tendency to be more observable while often weaknesses more imperceptible. Strengths are generally visible while weaknesses are more hidden. Strengths often can be detectable through casual acquaintance, weaknesses, on the other hand, usually only surface when there is a more familiar relationship. It is not uncommon to converse about our strengths while discussing our weaknesses lies outside our comfort zone. [Read more…] about Weaknesses!

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. -Acts 16:25

George Morrison (1866-1928) was a Presbyterian pastor and preacher who was born in Scotland. The pastor of Wellington Church, Glasgow, for twenty-six years, his ministry primarily consisted of personal visits, postcards and letters for all those in his care who were sick or in sorrow or in trouble. He chose not to serve on committees, preferring to spend his time in what he considered the most important responsibilities to his church – mornings in study and afternoons in visiting his congregation. Many of his sermons and devotional thoughts have been put in print. In his volume entitled, Wind on the Heath, he has a sermon entitled, “Unconscious Ministries,” wherein he states that all of us exercise unconscious ministries. He references Paul and Silas, who sang at midnight while under adverse circumstances, not particularly paying attention that the prisoners were listening to them. [Read more…] about The Power of the Midnight Song!

VI. During times of failure we must not forget the purpose of our call

Note: Times of failure are gentle reminders to reexamine our call, renew our commitment, stop having pity parties and remember that failure is not a person – it is an event! From time to time it is very important for us to truly examine our hearts and be reminded of our call to ministry. In each of the lives of these three men who sensed failure and wanted to quit, “The Word of the Lord came…..” This is why it is so important for us to stay in the Word of God. God’s instruction to Moses was “Go teach….” – to Elijah, “Go touch….” and to Jonah, “Go tell…” This is about as simple as it can be explained. In fact, if I am not mistaken, this is basically, in reverse order, the Great Commission!
[Read more…] about Failure Is An Event – Not A Person! – Part 4

V. During Times of Failure We Must Remember The Greatness of God

Note: The greatness of God is the primary factor in ministry – it is not ministry if God is not in it!

– Psalm 145:3: “Great is the Lord…His greatness is unsearchable.”
– Daniel 3:17: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us.”
– If we do not expect the greatness of God to be exhibited in our ministries, then we
have failed and should quit. We are only weak vessels. [Read more…] about Failure Is An Event – Not A Person! – Part 3