Pastor’s Ponderings: New & Old, As Long as it’s About Jesus! (Sept. 2024)

Posted by on Sep 1, 2024 in Pastors Ponderings | 0 comments

Pastor Mike submitted the following thoughts for the September 2024 issue of Steeple Notes (PUMC’s monthly newsletter). In changing times, different audiences, and shifting circumstances, what is our constant message?

 

 

Rev. Mike Chapman became our senior pastor in July 2024, and this  “Pastor’s Ponderings” article is Pastor Mike’s first submission.  Previous “ponderings” were written by our former pastor, Rev. Jim Bolton. 

The following message is  from Pastor Mike’s first Steeple Notes newsletter message, which appeared on the cover of our newsletter’s September 2024 edition.  

 

Change and the Unexpected

Jesus is so much more than just our savior. As we look at His life on Earth, we find him so fascinating. In some ways, so beyond our understanding, such as fully God and fully man, but in other ways so much like us as Jesus wept in John 11:35 at the news of Lazarus dying.

Jesus is Eternal, but He knew His Audience…

Have you ever noticed that Jesus never healed and did miracles the same way, they always were so different? Sometimes it was in private and sometimes it was in a crowd. Sometimes he would seek them out and sometimes he would let them come to him. Sometimes he would command evil spirits out with great authority and sometimes he would heal with compassion.

Jesus seems to have always approached the situation according to the situation, but the end result was always bringing people to Himself.

  • To the Pharisee who was full of pride, Jesus was very stern (see Luke 18:9-14)
  • But to the Pharisee like Nicodemus, compassion filled his heart and encouraged him with love and hope. (see John 3)

 

Church in the 1950’s vs. Church in the 2020’s…

I was talking with another young minister and we were commenting on how we are entering a new way of ministering. Due to the cultural shift we must change the way we minister.  Today, the key must be that we point them to Jesus and being born again. We talked about how at one time going to church was part of the culture and everything was closed on Sunday morning. Now, many things compete with Sunday morning church service.

Church Abroad vs. Church at Home…

Missionaries have always been accustomed to thinking about traditional and new ways of doing things. If missionaries ignore the tradition in the area, they will not be able to connect with the people, but if they do not consider new ways of communicating Jesus, souls will not be saved. Yes, you will make new friends and connect but what about Jesus? Missionaries are always thinking of the old and the new.

 

Our Mission in the “New Age”…

I have heard many people say, “America is not what it use to be,” and they are right, it has changed, but with this change comes the Holy Spirit to guide us in this task. God is great and has been through this over and over again. As we go through this “new age” of our time the key task has not changed;

SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS, FOR HE IS THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE (John 14:6)

This is what makes us who we are as Christians, as Christ followers.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20

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Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

 

Familiar and Unfamiliar…

Some of what we do will be familiar as we go and preach and make disciples as a church and some things may be new. We are going to let the Holy Spirit guide us through these days and situations and let all that we do point to Jesus. I am not about a “traditional” or “contemporary” church, but a church that reflects every generation seeking after Jesus.

  • To the person who only likes traditional, I challenge you to embrace something new as it points to Jesus.
  • To the one who only wants the “latest and greatest,” please understand that it is not about us, but about Jesus.

 

“Traditional” and “Contemporary”…

As a pastor, I have embraced contemporary and traditional elements as long as it points to Jesus. You will find that I love the contemporary praise and worship and the hymns of old. Both are an important part of my walk with Jesus because they both point to Jesus and his saving grace. Our methods must always follow and be in agreement with the bible, but according to the situation and according to the spirit they may change. The only extreme that I desire, is to have one holy
obsession to know Jesus and to tell the story of His saving grace.

 

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Jesus never healed the same, but it was always about bringing people to Himself. Some things may not always be familiar and sometimes it will be nice to do the familiar, but I desire to reflect every generation for the glory of Jesus. Let us continue to make room for every generation and seek Jesus. Let us continue to make this place a place where Jesus is lifted high.

Make Jesus Famous!

Rev. Mike Chapman

 

 

Not all of Pastor Mike’s “Ponderings” are of the written variety; he also posts music, prayer, and other “ponderings” in his weekly videos of “Catacomb Praise.” 

To see these videos, click this button :   Catacomb Praise  

(the “Catacomb Praise” page is under the “GROW: In Worship” menu)

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For other “Pastor’s Ponderings” articles, click this button:  Pastor’s Ponderings  

 

 

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