Found myself focusing yesterday on the State Farm ad that talks about being at the intersection of life. Talked about being at the intersection of who I was, who I am and who I want to be/who I can be through Jesus. This current study of the book of James has been lighting a serious fire under me about how I interact with other people. James put its pretty bluntly when he says, “Faith without works is dead!”
The longer we sit in the pews without doing something with our faith the more we fit into James category of being dead. This generation needs two things. First, Pastors that are grounded in scripture and understand Theology. Second, they need Pastors that don’t sit in their studies all day long, but are willing to get out and interact with cultural and use the knowledge and practice the faith.
My Pastorate is a part time position, my full time job is stay at home dad and I find it hard to get away from the house, especially in a cheerful mood. I realize that if I do not interact with people, I can not impact people!

I just watched a video on Ed Young’s blog on communication. I thoroughly enjoy Ed Young, not always for his content, but for his creative way of sharing the Gospel. Much of what he does is on a too large scale for smaller churches to do, but the premise of thinking outside of the box is important for all churches.
With that being said I was highly impressed with the premise of his post. His theme was that way too many younger pastors get caught up on utilizing swear words and other attention pleas to fit in, or seem cool. Their sermons and personality end up becoming part of show to entertain those in the pews.
As a young pastor myself, all of 30 years old, I find myself looking for ways to be relevant. I’ve learned that the more we attempt to put a show from the pulpit the more likely we are to get burnt out.
I’m preaching through the book of James right now and the underlying theme of my messages are “Becoming the Real Deal.” I believe that many Christians today find themselves at a cross road of who they are, who they were, and who they want to be. We are becoming burnt out, because the best words to describe the Christian walk right now are multiply personalities. The more we try to compartmentalize our life the more we find ourselves confused about how we are to act in certain situations.
I’ll never forget going to a Christmas party with my wife. One lady had a bit too much to drink, and was slurring her words and hitting one of my wife’s co-worker’s husbands. This all occurred while she was sitting beside her husband. After the co-worker had enough she was quick to point out to the lady that Laura’s husband (me) was a pastor. I have never seen someone sober up so quickly in their life.
If we could learn to be authenticate in our life we wouldn’t have to sober up quickly. Too often we are too confused with our own life when it comes to following Christ we aren’t sure which one of our personalities should be following Christ. Yet when we come to Christ it is to be every part of us coming to him, not just the personality traits we deem worthy enough.

“But when He heard this, He said, ‘Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”