Pastoring
...Adventure! 2022
In the 1983 moving Never Cry Wolf (based on a true story) an inexperienced government researcher named Farley Mowat was being transported by a bush pilot named Rosie to the Alaskan wilderness. In flight the frozen cold is causing the engine to falter and stall. Rosie startsreaching for a tool box, finding a wrench, begins to open the door of the failing plane. As he dos Rosie looks at Farley and says, “You know what the answer is to boredom?…ADVENTURE!. He tells Fowley to take the wheel and proceeds to hang out the door while hammering on the sputtering engine until it returns to full power. Farley stares in amazement and fear.
Well I am on a new adventure. For some pastors reaching their 60’s comes thoughts and planning of requirement. Or they are happy pastoring where they are at and never pay any mind that there is more for them. Not for this pastor. Over the past few years there has been steps taken to raise up a young man and staff that are mature and capable to lead their ministries. This now has allowed me to begin a new chapter of service to the Lord that has opened to me.
Churches and pastors. This new door includes more travel. I am already assisting a church out of state to get re-established as it has been without a pastor for some time. I am advising and teaching as well as involved in the search for a new pastor. I continue to minister out of the country to pastors and leaders in other lands. but even more and with a purpose to encourage discipleship of their church members for the work of the ministry. I am sure I will be coming along side the missionaries of CC Perris Valley but also supporting others.
Publications; An added focus is the publication of discipleship materials for churches in the USA and those in foreign lands. Presently editing is in the works for my first book that will be translated in Vietnamese, Haitian and Spanish. I have established discipleship classes at CC Perris Valley and previously at CC Moreno Valley that will soon become a workbook for churches and mission teams. I have already had contact with some missionaries who are seeking such a book to send to teams in preparation for short-term mission trips to their country.
So there is a lot going on. It is an adventure. Your prayers are appreciated. If you want to know more Contact Me. If you want to support me in my travel and publication expenses you can Support Me.
Leading like Jesus
I recall a story of a friend that was the air-conditioning contractor for Calvary Chapel’,s then newly purchased, conference center in Murrietta, CA. He shared how pastor Chuck Smith regularly came with tool belt on hip and dressed in his work clothes to join in the remodeling, restoring and refurbishing of the historical complex. He was so impressed the example of a pastor who didn’t mind getting his hands dirty with the workers demonstrating the heart to lead by example.
If we pastors desire to follow Jesus as the leader/shepherd he is we would be spending a great deal more of our time with our people showing them how ministry is done. The Law told God’s people how to behave and act and serve. When Jesus came he did so in “Word and Deed” (Lk 24:19). He personally demonstrated how to behave, act and serve to his disciples and the world.
I believe the apostle Paul followed this model with Silas, Timothy and others who joined him. They watched and participated with him while receiving instruction and teaching along the way. he lived out before them the Christian and servant life for them to follow.
A pastor in defending his absence, might refer to Acts 6, where men were chosen to do the practical delivery of food to the widows so that they, apostles, could place their attention to the word and prayer. But is their absence following the example of Jesus who didn’t only speak of the way but led the way.
Jesus’ style of discipleship is not a leading from behind but from a position ahead so those following can watch and learn from our word and deed. So if you are a “pastor” or even a “church leader,” time to show your people how and not just say how. Whether it is going door to door, a mission trip, a hospital visit, or other act of service, remember the clear example of Jesus. AS Paul stated, “Follow me as I follow Christ, (1Cor 11:1).
Blessings
pBob
Pastoring a small church. . . or do I?
So I pastor a small church, or do I? According to the information I have seen on the internet the average church congregation in this grand country is 75-80 adults. In an age of "mega-churches, any church may be perceived as small, but 2000 plus congregation churches are actually few. Yet pastors measure their success by them like a company measuring their market share.
Living in So Cal where there are a number of churches within 30 minutes that have 1000 plus congregations it would be easy to see our attendance as small. But since when was quantity a sign of ministry success unless success is measured by warm bodies rather than actual servants and disciples of Christ ready to take up their cross.
Consider the ministry of Jesus, he had multitudes gathering to hear his sermons, houses filled so that you couldn't get through the front door, throngs so dense that the disciples couldn't get how Jesus sensed the touch of one ill stricken woman. Yet, there was only 120 passionate people gathering in that upper room following His resurrection.
I am of the view that the church was not meant to be gathered in a mass but to spread and so it did with churches in towns, villages and cities from Jerusalem to the outer most parts of the world. Some of which were smaller than my congregation. Sure that was the culture and nature of the times but consider the benefits. Today, I hear pastors dismayed because another church was planted in their town like salesman seeking to protect their territory. But why is this an issue?
But while I am not against another church starting in my town I am more so a proponent of planting churches where the Gospel is not preached or sparsely preached. This is why I emphasis foreign missions so much.
The bottom line is that I do not see our fellowship of believers as small, not in todays terms and not in Biblical terms. This is because I measure size by the spiritual growth and maturity of the congregations and in this case we are growing, growing in His love, grace, truth and Spirit. Is there any other growth to measure a church or a believer? Consider these words of Jesus that set the bar for us as believers. As a pastor my calling is to see His will fulfilled in the congregation He has given me to shepherd.
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32.
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27
Blessings
pBob
Getting Serious about Discipleship
in Pastoring
Discipleship. . . it's spoken about regularly from pulpits everywhere but how many churches actually are discipling as Jesus did? I recall when I first began my pastorate at Calvary Chapel Perris Valley and presented the importance of discipleship in the church and especially to see it seriously developed at CCPV, one of the leaders at that time responded, "You disciple pastor when you teach on Sunday and Wednesday." I wasn't surprised because even pastors I have spoken to consider their teaching from the pulpit as the discipleship in their church. Bit it is a very very limited part of it.
Lets consider the approach of Jesus. First, who did he identify as disciples but those who followed him on a daily and continuously basis. They were identified separately from the multitudes that came, listened and then went home. Look at this words regarding what a disciple is.
"Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “ If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:25-27
"So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:31
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:33
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:5-8
Wow! So being a disciple is a major commitment to follow Christ. The Gospel clearly records that Christ's discipling of the twelve involved their fosaking all to walk with Him to receive personal and regular instruction from Him through word and His example. His sermon on the Mount was not discipleship but was preaching, but his time in the upper room was as he spoke to them of washing one another's feet.
So lets get serious about discipleship. Let's follow our Lord's example to "disciple all nations."
Blessings
pBob
Looking like the heavenly multitude - Being a multicultural church
in Pastoring
On the day of Pentecost the church was strictly Jewish. When Peter entered and preached in the home of Cornelious the Roman centurion the church became Jewish and Gentile. When the Ethiopian was saved through Philipp's ministry the church became international.
My point is that the Gospel transcends the walls of culture, nationality & color. Even the divide between ages and even between men and women are removed. Yet for "the Gospel's sake" the church has become segregated in mind and approach over the years in an attempt to be relative to some particular sector of the population. But at what cost? Let's say, I being Hispanic seek to reach the Hispanic population only. Language, music, family or cultural distinctive to that culture become predominant and become a hindrance to reaching all others. Is that God's intention for his church.
Paul said:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (n ot being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you."
In my endeavor to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28:16-20 I see our world through missionary eyes and so pray that our fellowship be enabled and posess such a character as to reach the lost of every culture. My prayer is being answered but how did we do this? By a commitment of teaching God's word according to the spirit if the text, a strict focus on Jesus and loving all that enter our doors unconditionally. The outcome is a church that is growing culturally and socially diverse. I have a Philippino worship leader, I have a African American children's ministry leader and a Hispanic youth leader. We have those of American Indian descent and who are from India and have mixed racial families. It is an incredible thing to watch and experience as it is heaven on earth when we all raise our voices to our king.
Blessings
pBob
It's Congregation Appreciation month!
Yes, I know there is no such thing as "Congregation Appreciation Month." In fact, it is apparently pastor Appreciation Month. Why?
I couldn't find who started it, so I suspect it may have been Hallmark or some other greeting card company to promote their revenue or by some pastor needing to be validated.
Personally, I see no need for a month or a day to be designated for me to be appreciated. My reason is simple and will let the words of Paul the apostle explain it. He wrote to the Thessalonians:
But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 1Thes. 2:4-6
I'm with Paul. I have been approved by God in my ministry as well, therefore I speak and serve to please Him, for He will be the one that I will have to stand before and give account. Therefore, the glory of men (being praised and exhalted by men), or by my congregation is not needed or expected, nor demanded.
Paul also has taught me that my joy in ministry is not found by being recognized and applauded by my congregation but by their lives lived for the Lord consistently until His return.
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. 1Thes 2:19-20
I can sincerely say, for me to watch my congregation, those God has given to me to serve and teach, take hold of God's truth, to apply it and grow in their relationship with the Lord Jesus, is of great joy to me. The apostle John made similar statements in his 3rd letter.
For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3John 3-4
My congregation is a source of "great Joy" to me for they continually demonstrate a walk in God's truth and so demonstrate their appreciation of me as they glorify the Lord in their lives. Lord bless them and keep them.
Blessings
pBob
Being a Life Saver
You will be touched by this video because of the little kitten being saved by the fire fighter but there is another aspect to this rescue that is not seen.
I served as a fire chaplain for several years and would be called to debrief fire fighters after they experienced a tough incident that was very traumatic, as when there was a loss of life. Fire fighters are not simply trained to put out fires but are trained and have the focus to save lives. When they are not able to do so it can be demoralizing and emotionally traumatic. So whenever they can save a life, even a kitten's, it has a very uplifting and beneficial affect on them.
Their is something very rewarding and satisfying about saving a life even for those of us who are pastors. To be able to lead a person out of their troubles, to deliver a marriage from destruction, to comfort a family who is grieving, is very rewarding and benefits our own souls because that is why we are in ministry. But when the opposite result happens, though he has poured out his heart and used every bit of experience and wisdom, it can be devastating to a pastor's moral and weigh heavily upon him. This is why Paul the apostle listed his burden for the church along with other challenges he experienced in ministry (2Cor 11:28).
But praise be to our LORD that he has not called us to carry that burden but to fulfill our ministry faithfully and do our ministry to our utmost while trusting him with the outcome. Still, every victory counts, every life saved no matter how insignificant the issue, is uplifting and beneficial to the soul.
Blessings
pBob
Sunday sharing about pastor Churck Smith
Being that pastor Chruck went home to the Lord on Thursday October 3, 2013, I was moved to share the story of pastor Chuck to my congregation on Sunday, October 6. There are many in my congregation who have come to the Lord through our ministry and know some of the story or maybe none of the story of how the Lord used pastor Chuck sending him to pastor a small gongreagation of 25 people in Costa Mesa. So it was a a good time to share his story and my experience knowing him as my pastor.
My tribute to pastor Chuck Smith
in Pastoring
Pastor Chuck Smith 1927 to 2013
Pastor Chuck and pastor Bob Ybarra at pastors conference in Murrieta, CA
As my first blog post on my new website I thought it appropriate to share my thoughts and give tribute to pastor Chuck Smith.
After accepting Christ at a home Bible study I began listening to pastor Chuck's teaching. I never attended Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, but for occational visits, yet his teaching impacted me as a young Christian. As pastor Churck would always say, "Simply teach the Word simply."
Later as I served the Lord and became a teacher of God's word I followed pastor Chuck's example of teaching the Word verse-by-verse. Then as a pastor, his words of wisdom would regularly come to mind. "Where God guides, God provides." Always were they so simple yet profound, "Bob, just trust the Lord." The most important influcence was how he loved the sheep. He would stand for some time greeting and praying with everyone who would line up to meet or speak to him after a service at Costa Mesa.
I personally got to know pastor Chuck while I and my family served in Japan as Missionaries. It was the summer of 1991 when pastor Chuck was there for a three day conference on his way to teach in China (How that came about is an incredable story). I and my family were called by the Japanese ministry sponsoring the event and invited us to attend a luncheon. Unexpectedly, I, my wife and my two small gitrls were sat at his table with others. I was stoked! Who would ever think that I would be sitting with pastor Chruch for lunch in Japan, of all places. The conversation was simple at first but when he asked what I was doing in Japan the conversation became more detailed. The conversation is to much info to speak of here and not really needed for this post. However, I will share two momentous things that happened that blessed and ministered to me.
One was how he so patiently stood for more than an hour after the last meeting of the Japan conference, late at night, speaking to each person who stood in line waiting to meet him. They were all Japanese and with translator (This makes a conversation twice as long) listened and shared and prayed and shook their hands. I sat watching and remember praying, "Lord, may I be as patient and kind as this man, if not more." Even when his translator told him it was time to go, Chuck continued to smile and greet each person, never budging. At one point he looked over and saw me, called me over to speak to me, then asked me to join him in praying. "How cool is this," I thought, "I'm praying for people along side pastor Chuck."
The second blessing was later that evening. As I was sitting with pastor Chuck on a garden wall in front of the conference center, my 6 year old daughter came running and leaped onto pastor Chuck's lap as if he was her grandpa. I appologized and attempted to remove my daughter. He immediately waved me off and shared how he missed his grandchildren and welcomed my daughter's attention. So like our Lord Jesus.
There is so much more I could share of my encounters with pastor Chuck that are memorable blessings and learnings, but another time. I will miss writing to him with updates of how our church was going and getting his simple but encouraging replies. I will miss his presence and teaching at our pastor conferences, as will all other pastors. However, God deserves the Glory. As the apostle Paul said,
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1Co 15:10
It was simply God using a man that yeilded his life and by God's Grace God used pastor Chuck.
I pray that the God of all comfort will touch the family and dear friends of pastor Chuck until we all join him in Glory.
Blessings
p Bob
Pastor Chuck Smith Shares His Testimony
Pastor Chuck passionately and emotionally shares his personal testimony of Christ in his life as a small child and throughout his life. I believe this may have been given at a pastor's confernence. I know you will be blessed by it.
p Bob