The common practice of ministers being unethical,immoral and criminal may very well cause each of us to lose a financial benefit in the days ahead. The housing allowance provision is already in the court system and it isn't looking good.
rgh
"When pastoral scandals hit the mainstream news, often the first item cited as evidence that a minister is misusing his or her position is the housing allowance tax break that allows pastors to deduct housing expenses from their income. Sometimes the pastor in question will claim his entire salary as housing allowance. For others, its the sheer size of the allowance that raises suspicion.
At the request of Senator Charles Grassley, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) will lead the independent commission to investigate and offer recommendations to lawmakers on a list of eight issues related to ministry ethics and finances. Housing allowances are near the top of the list.
A 2009 lawsuit filed in California by the Freedom from Religion Foundation argued the housing allowance tax benefit violates the Constitution's Establishment Clause. A government request to dismiss the case was rejected in 2010, allowing it to proceed to trial. Experts like Richard R. Hammar, an attorney and senior editor of the Church Law & Tax Report, are concerned that its outcome may spell the demise of the benefit."
— Church Law & Tax Report
http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-news/65-news-main/19143-housing-allowances-on-thin-ice
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
10 Simple Things We All Should Say
Saw this posted by Justin Taylor. May our hearts be postured with such humility and character.
rgh
1. Please forgive me.
Better than "I'm sorry," which can often be followed with an "if" or a "but," these words indicate a humble heart. Bad pastors hide their faults behind the cloak of their authority, practice self-defense against all charges, and basically pretend. Good pastors know they're sinners and admit it.
2. You're right.
Good pastors know they're not always (not usually?) the smartest, most "spiritual" person in the room. They are zealous to give credit and acknowledge achievement and intelligence, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it encourages and empowers others.
3. You're wrong.
Bad pastors chicken out when it comes to calling people on sin or biblical ignorance. Good pastors brave potential conflict and hurt feelings and say "You're wrong" in gentle but firm ways when necessary.
4. Jesus loves you.
Why did we stop saying this? I think because it became cliche. I'd love to see a recovery of the art of "Jesus loves you." Strategically said at times of others' admissions of failure, sin, or trouble, "Jesus loves you" is a fantastic way to speak the gospel into people's lives.
5. I love you.
I think one reason we stopped saying "Jesus loves you" to people is because we don't really love them ourselves. Might as well save the hypocrisy, eh? But good pastors lay their lives down for the sheep. Telling people you love them is a reminder to them and to you that sacrificial love is your calling.
6. Me too.
Next to "Grace is true" (see below), these might be the most important words in pastoral counseling. Bad pastors trade regularly in "Not me." In the pulpit and in the office, bad pastors set themselves apart from their congregations with tales of adventure, spirituality, and personal holiness. In the pulpit and in the office, good pastors talk of sin and trials and utter ineptitude and say, "Me too." I have seen entire countenances change when I've said some variation of "Me too."
7. Any time.
Of course you don't mean it literally. But you kinda do. Good pastors are available.
8. Thank you.
Bad pastors think they're owed. Good pastors know everything is a gift.
9. Grace is true.
I think deep down we all want to hear "You're approved" (see below), which is why we find "Grace is true" such a radical statement. You probably won't use the words, of course. But good pastors take the opportunity to glorify God by "talking up" his amazing grace every chance they get. Just 30 minutes ago, my writing of this post got interrupted by a visitor who wanted to talk about works and grace. I relished the chance to confirm his suspicion that grace is true. Bad pastors may say grace is true but the context of their teaching and the expectations in their leadership say "Your works must be this high to ride this ride." I know some of my friends hate it when "gospel" is used as a verb, but I just have to say it: Good pastors gospel their people. :-)
10. You're approved.
Everyone wants to believe they have what it takes, which is why it's such a bummer to hear the first half of the gospel and learn we really don't. Don't leave your people hanging. Be a good news pastor. Bad pastors beat their people up with their failures. Bad pastors are always disappointed. Good pastors know grace is true and Jesus is Lord, so they are ready to challenge every self-despairing soul with the wonderful truth that in Christ we are approved by God. Good pastors tell people they do have what it takes when they have Jesus' righteousness. Do you trust Jesus? You're all set, then.
http://gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com/2011/05/10-simple-things-good-pastors-say.html
rgh
1. Please forgive me.
Better than "I'm sorry," which can often be followed with an "if" or a "but," these words indicate a humble heart. Bad pastors hide their faults behind the cloak of their authority, practice self-defense against all charges, and basically pretend. Good pastors know they're sinners and admit it.
2. You're right.
Good pastors know they're not always (not usually?) the smartest, most "spiritual" person in the room. They are zealous to give credit and acknowledge achievement and intelligence, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it encourages and empowers others.
3. You're wrong.
Bad pastors chicken out when it comes to calling people on sin or biblical ignorance. Good pastors brave potential conflict and hurt feelings and say "You're wrong" in gentle but firm ways when necessary.
4. Jesus loves you.
Why did we stop saying this? I think because it became cliche. I'd love to see a recovery of the art of "Jesus loves you." Strategically said at times of others' admissions of failure, sin, or trouble, "Jesus loves you" is a fantastic way to speak the gospel into people's lives.
5. I love you.
I think one reason we stopped saying "Jesus loves you" to people is because we don't really love them ourselves. Might as well save the hypocrisy, eh? But good pastors lay their lives down for the sheep. Telling people you love them is a reminder to them and to you that sacrificial love is your calling.
6. Me too.
Next to "Grace is true" (see below), these might be the most important words in pastoral counseling. Bad pastors trade regularly in "Not me." In the pulpit and in the office, bad pastors set themselves apart from their congregations with tales of adventure, spirituality, and personal holiness. In the pulpit and in the office, good pastors talk of sin and trials and utter ineptitude and say, "Me too." I have seen entire countenances change when I've said some variation of "Me too."
7. Any time.
Of course you don't mean it literally. But you kinda do. Good pastors are available.
8. Thank you.
Bad pastors think they're owed. Good pastors know everything is a gift.
9. Grace is true.
I think deep down we all want to hear "You're approved" (see below), which is why we find "Grace is true" such a radical statement. You probably won't use the words, of course. But good pastors take the opportunity to glorify God by "talking up" his amazing grace every chance they get. Just 30 minutes ago, my writing of this post got interrupted by a visitor who wanted to talk about works and grace. I relished the chance to confirm his suspicion that grace is true. Bad pastors may say grace is true but the context of their teaching and the expectations in their leadership say "Your works must be this high to ride this ride." I know some of my friends hate it when "gospel" is used as a verb, but I just have to say it: Good pastors gospel their people. :-)
10. You're approved.
Everyone wants to believe they have what it takes, which is why it's such a bummer to hear the first half of the gospel and learn we really don't. Don't leave your people hanging. Be a good news pastor. Bad pastors beat their people up with their failures. Bad pastors are always disappointed. Good pastors know grace is true and Jesus is Lord, so they are ready to challenge every self-despairing soul with the wonderful truth that in Christ we are approved by God. Good pastors tell people they do have what it takes when they have Jesus' righteousness. Do you trust Jesus? You're all set, then.
http://gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com/2011/05/10-simple-things-good-pastors-say.html
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Five Myths About Forgiveness!
These Five Myths about Forgiveness are written by Dr. Sam Storms.You will
find his writings promoted on John Pipers Desiring God, Monergism, Driscoll's
Acts 29, and AdrianWarnocks site.
I mention all of this so that you can sense the weight of this brothers influence
in the Kingdom and why each of you brothers should prioritize reading the entire
article.
You will discover that the article supports the doctrinal position advocated
during our Redeemed Community days together and which is consistently the
same today. Note that it certainly applies to a relatively recent attack upon
our doctrinal position via a public venue.
.
Be encouraged, we are not alone my friends. There continues to be a broad
and deep remnant of kingdom oriented citizens.
rgh
1. Contrary to what many have been led to believe, forgiveness is not forgetting.
2. Forgiving someone does not mean you no longer feel the pain of their offense
3. Forgiving someone who has sinned against you doesn’t mean you cease longing for justice.
4. Forgiveness does not mean you are to make it easy for the offender to hurt you again.
5. Forgiveness is rarely a one-time, climactic event.
http://www.acts29network.org/article/forgiveness-what-it-is-what-it-isnt/
http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/MP3-Audio--Multimedia/All-Speakers-Lectures-and-Sermons/Samuel-Storms/
find his writings promoted on John Pipers Desiring God, Monergism, Driscoll's
Acts 29, and AdrianWarnocks site.
I mention all of this so that you can sense the weight of this brothers influence
in the Kingdom and why each of you brothers should prioritize reading the entire
article.
You will discover that the article supports the doctrinal position advocated
during our Redeemed Community days together and which is consistently the
same today. Note that it certainly applies to a relatively recent attack upon
our doctrinal position via a public venue.
.
Be encouraged, we are not alone my friends. There continues to be a broad
and deep remnant of kingdom oriented citizens.
rgh
1. Contrary to what many have been led to believe, forgiveness is not forgetting.
2. Forgiving someone does not mean you no longer feel the pain of their offense
3. Forgiving someone who has sinned against you doesn’t mean you cease longing for justice.
4. Forgiveness does not mean you are to make it easy for the offender to hurt you again.
5. Forgiveness is rarely a one-time, climactic event.
http://www.acts29network.org/article/forgiveness-what-it-is-what-it-isnt/
http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/MP3-Audio--Multimedia/All-Speakers-Lectures-and-Sermons/Samuel-Storms/
Laughter Commensurate To Humility: "A Tribute To Joe Sacco"
When I received the videos of my recent visit to Teen Challenge, the first
response was to watch the introductional part where I attempted allow the
students to enjoy laughter at the expense of Joe Sacco.
As I began to watch, I was so overcome with hysterical laughed that tears
were rolling down. What would cause such a reaction? Hearing Joe Sacoo
laughing louder than everyone else in the room, even though he was the
strategic target of the humor. This quote decribes why my special friend
could laugh loudly with 250 other men in the room.
[rgh]
Terry Lindvall writes in Surprised By Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis:
"Laughter is a divine gift to the human who is humble. A proud man
cannot laugh because he must watch his dignity; he cannot give himself
over to the rocking and rolling of his belly. But a poor and happy man laughs
heartily because he gives no serious attention to his ego….Only the truly
humble belong to this kingdom of divine laughter…Humor and humility
should keep good company.
Self deprecating humor can be a healthy reminder that we are not the center
of the universe, that humility is our proper posture before our fellow humans
as well as before almighty God…"
http://trevinwax.com/2011/05/02/humility-and-humor/
response was to watch the introductional part where I attempted allow the
students to enjoy laughter at the expense of Joe Sacco.
As I began to watch, I was so overcome with hysterical laughed that tears
were rolling down. What would cause such a reaction? Hearing Joe Sacoo
laughing louder than everyone else in the room, even though he was the
strategic target of the humor. This quote decribes why my special friend
could laugh loudly with 250 other men in the room.
[rgh]
Terry Lindvall writes in Surprised By Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis:
"Laughter is a divine gift to the human who is humble. A proud man
cannot laugh because he must watch his dignity; he cannot give himself
over to the rocking and rolling of his belly. But a poor and happy man laughs
heartily because he gives no serious attention to his ego….Only the truly
humble belong to this kingdom of divine laughter…Humor and humility
should keep good company.
Self deprecating humor can be a healthy reminder that we are not the center
of the universe, that humility is our proper posture before our fellow humans
as well as before almighty God…"
http://trevinwax.com/2011/05/02/humility-and-humor/
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
We Are Not- We Do Not!
Brothers,
Please review these "We Are Nots" extracted from the "Acts 29"
doctrine site. While knowing who we are and what we believe is primary,
being able to articulate who we are not and what we do not believe is just
as essential in today's church culture.
Full explanation of each statement is explained on the site below.
rgh
•We are not liberals
•We are not fundamentalists
•We are not isolationists
•We are not hyper-Calvinists
•We are not Dispensationalists
•We are not egalitarians
•We are not Open Theists
•We are not religious relativists
•We are not nationalists
•We are not moralists.
•We are not relativists
•We are not Universalists
•We are not naturalists
•We are not rationalists
•We are not evangelical feminists
•We are not embarrassed
•We are not ashamed
•We are not polemicists
http://www.acts29network.org/about/doctrine/
Please review these "We Are Nots" extracted from the "Acts 29"
doctrine site. While knowing who we are and what we believe is primary,
being able to articulate who we are not and what we do not believe is just
as essential in today's church culture.
Full explanation of each statement is explained on the site below.
rgh
•We are not liberals
•We are not fundamentalists
•We are not isolationists
•We are not hyper-Calvinists
•We are not Dispensationalists
•We are not egalitarians
•We are not Open Theists
•We are not religious relativists
•We are not nationalists
•We are not moralists.
•We are not relativists
•We are not Universalists
•We are not naturalists
•We are not rationalists
•We are not evangelical feminists
•We are not embarrassed
•We are not ashamed
•We are not polemicists
http://www.acts29network.org/about/doctrine/
Monday, April 25, 2011
New Identity: Reformata Family of Ministers
While we bless the inauguration of the Redeemed Community site that solely
seeks to bridge relational connection of former friends and members,
we wisely see the potential for confusion since it does so void of the foundational,
historical, doctrinal,and covenantal identity that was the DNA of the ministry and
which RFM continues to model today.
That being the concern, we are making a slight but substantive name change so as
to maintain clarity for our ministerial identity while minimizing possible secondary
connectivity through name recognition.
"Reformata" simply means the church reformed and was used as the battle cry during
the Reformational era. Thus, the term intentionally maintains covenantal continuity
with our original "agents of change" ethos while communicating the covenantal,
doctrinal and missional substance of our relational identity as a Family of Ministers.
Therefore, our "Antiochian Identity" is now Reformata Family of Ministers
and will continue to be abbreviated as "RFM". Shout!
For The Kings Honor!
richard g. hanner
seeks to bridge relational connection of former friends and members,
we wisely see the potential for confusion since it does so void of the foundational,
historical, doctrinal,and covenantal identity that was the DNA of the ministry and
which RFM continues to model today.
That being the concern, we are making a slight but substantive name change so as
to maintain clarity for our ministerial identity while minimizing possible secondary
connectivity through name recognition.
"Reformata" simply means the church reformed and was used as the battle cry during
the Reformational era. Thus, the term intentionally maintains covenantal continuity
with our original "agents of change" ethos while communicating the covenantal,
doctrinal and missional substance of our relational identity as a Family of Ministers.
Therefore, our "Antiochian Identity" is now Reformata Family of Ministers
and will continue to be abbreviated as "RFM". Shout!
For The Kings Honor!
richard g. hanner
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Kind Of Leaders We Want Around Us!
Perry Noble points out a strategic truth RFM ministers should embrace,
emulate, and advocate. In other words, "we" must "be" this kind of leader
to one another.
rgh
Proverbs 16:13
Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.
Leaders MUST value people that are honest and speak the truth.
However, one of the things I always say is that a leader cannot listen to everybody…but the “somebody’s” that he/she does listen to MUST be willing to speak unfiltered truth in love.
With that in mind here are the qualities I believe a leader should always be looking for…someone who is…
Trustworthy – Can you trust the person who is speaking truth to you? Have they, over time, demonstrated a consistent love for Jesus, for His church and for you? A leader should ALWAYS listen to people they trust–period.
Respectable – I have found that it is nearly impossible to listen to people you do not respect. So, with that in mind take a look at the people you have around you…do you respect their CHARACTER (incredibly important) and their COMPETENCE level? (It is REALLY sad when leaders who purposefully surround themselves with people they feel superior to in regards to competence. If you are always positioning yourself to be the smartest person in the room then you either struggle with pride, insecurity…OR BOTH!) Even if someone doesn’t know me that well…I have always found myself still listening to people whom I respect.
Understanding – A leader should always listen to someone who understands the entire situation. People who take shots at you because they heard a rumor about you or have based their opinion off of a 30 second soundbite that was taken out of context should simply be ignored. However, someone who comes to you in love with a desire for a sincere understanding of something you said or a decision you made is someone that you should definitely listen to.
This is, in no way, a complete list…but, just wanted to share these three characteristics.
http://www.perrynoble.com/2011/04/13/the-kind-of-leaders-i-wantneed-around-me/
emulate, and advocate. In other words, "we" must "be" this kind of leader
to one another.
rgh
Proverbs 16:13
Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.
Leaders MUST value people that are honest and speak the truth.
However, one of the things I always say is that a leader cannot listen to everybody…but the “somebody’s” that he/she does listen to MUST be willing to speak unfiltered truth in love.
With that in mind here are the qualities I believe a leader should always be looking for…someone who is…
Trustworthy – Can you trust the person who is speaking truth to you? Have they, over time, demonstrated a consistent love for Jesus, for His church and for you? A leader should ALWAYS listen to people they trust–period.
Respectable – I have found that it is nearly impossible to listen to people you do not respect. So, with that in mind take a look at the people you have around you…do you respect their CHARACTER (incredibly important) and their COMPETENCE level? (It is REALLY sad when leaders who purposefully surround themselves with people they feel superior to in regards to competence. If you are always positioning yourself to be the smartest person in the room then you either struggle with pride, insecurity…OR BOTH!) Even if someone doesn’t know me that well…I have always found myself still listening to people whom I respect.
Understanding – A leader should always listen to someone who understands the entire situation. People who take shots at you because they heard a rumor about you or have based their opinion off of a 30 second soundbite that was taken out of context should simply be ignored. However, someone who comes to you in love with a desire for a sincere understanding of something you said or a decision you made is someone that you should definitely listen to.
This is, in no way, a complete list…but, just wanted to share these three characteristics.
http://www.perrynoble.com/2011/04/13/the-kind-of-leaders-i-wantneed-around-me/
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