Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)
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Again, ad nauseum, I've just been
scratching the surface of my relationship with Jesus since a week with Eugene and
three brothers back in October 2011.
It wasn't
anything that he or they said/did.
I really don't
know what happened.
All I know is I
read Matthew 23 with refreshed spiritual eyes and haven't put down the Bible
since; exorcising my academic/ecclesiastical religion and praying/trying
to exercise/experience/express a relationship with Jesus informed by the best
witnesses to Him (66).
Indeed, I've been
getting rid of as many books about the book about Him as I can so I can learn
more about the real Jesus "before it was covered with the dust and debris
of two thousand years" (Kung) of religion
about Him that has often been more auto-suggested than divinely
apocalyptic.
Or something like
that.
Previously, I
studied, reflected, lectured, preached, wrote, and sometimes even prayed about
freedom from/in/through/for Him.
Presently, since
October 2011, I'm just scratching
the surface of my relationship with Him as
informed by the best witnesses to Him and realizing I don't know much about Him
but what I'm learning is a lot better than previously assumed.
It's kinda Pentecostal in an Acts 2
kinda way as opposed to the religious Pentecostalism that's as auto-suggested
as the other mainline and sideline religions about Jesus often only
coincidental to the One in the Bible.
The preceding is
probably pretty obtuse to people who've already figured out everything about
Him.
I'm sorry for not
communicating better.
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One of my recent
discoveries about undershepherding
after the pattern of the Good Shepherd - and please note that I'm only scratching the surface and may be wrong and don't mind being corrected by the Word
- is faithful undershepherds
unleash people gifted for ministry instead of inhibiting/controlling 'em.
While I've been
increasingly/sadly aware of too many pewsitters and pulpiteers who can't serve
unless they lead - I've witnessed sooooooo
many who can't be in the choir or praise team unless they're
directing it or can't be in Sunday School unless teaching a class or can't be a
member without being on the board or won't be on the team unless named captain
or... - I've also been guilty with sooooooo
many of my peers of inhibiting/controlling people from
exercising/experiencing/expressing their gifts for ministry; especially when
it's part of my/our charismata.
Specifically,
I've been guilty with sooooooo
many of my peers of assuming only I am privileged to provide
the message or lead the liturgy or teach the class or...
Catch my drift?
Instead of
identifying charismata in
a Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 kinda way, I've too often inhibited/controlled
charismata in
the vain attempt to somehow legitimatize my role as undershepherd and justify my remuneration.
Now, and please
go back to the hyphenated clause in the first sentence of this section if I'm
horrifying you by this, I realize my role as the, uh, undershepherd is more of a
gatekeeper or steward or unleasher
of gifts for ministry that are not exclusive to moi so that the
Kingdom may expand by divine intention rather than being retarded by my
retarded/selfish/egotistical/arrogant sense of everything and everyone
revolving around me more than Him.
Or something like
that.
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Ella Jane wrote
about this on 4/5/13 in Thought
for the Day: "God has set you apart and called you for His
purposes...You were born with and for a purpose."
She wasn't
talking just about pulpiteers.
She was talking
about pewsitters who
also have gifts for ministry that must be identified and unleashed to bless
others as blessing Him.
She continued,
"Commit your life to pursing Him. Don't worry about the hows and
whys and whens...God has all that worked out."
She ended,
"You are set apart, called out and chosen - hand picked by the very
thoughts and hand of God. Trust Him. It's your time!"
Write to Ella
Jane via PastorsHeartbeat@aol.com
and she'll send the whole thing to you!
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Moses complained,
"Why do I have the great burden of these spiteful people?...Why should You
tell me to carry them - as a nanny does some suckling infant?...I simply cannot
keep carrying them along. They are too heavy."
God provided,
"I will provide more leaders...so they can help you with the burden of
this people."
Now read Romans
12 and 1 Corinthians 12 again.
Now...unleash!
Exercise/experience/express that/His freedom!
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Blessings and Love!
1 comment:
Bob
Its always about Jesus and how he wants every member that is connected to the vine to produce much fruit...and bring him glory. Its my personal desire for every member to actively get involved.
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