I'm sure I am breaking some sort of unwritten blogger rules by posting twice in one day, or perhaps it is just the excitement - akin to that proverbial new car smell that is going to wear off. But I don't give a rip, I need to talk about stuff.

At church we are in the midst of a series called "Old Time Religion". The idea behind this series is simple: let's revisit some of the modes and ideas that got us where we are today. The set-up for the stage has been incredible - follow the links to Wade Joye's website if you want to see them. Last week was a great challenge from Pastor Furtick to come together as an Old and New Generation of Church goers for the purpose of the gospel. He referred to Ezra 3 when the new temple was built and the old generation lamented and wailed at the site of the temple because of what it used to be, but the new generation shouted for joy because they had never had anything like it. The problem, however, was that because both sides were so loud it was just noise to those that heard. Indistinguishable noise. The challenge was to come together and to stick to "what has been written" (a recurrent theme in Ezra 3) and to leave or be willing to leave other non-essential items such as how things are run.

Today was a continuation of the topic of sticking to what has been written. Clayton King took us to Acts 6 and spoke about the Place of Priority that Preaching should have in the church. I have several friends in the ministry whose congregations would do well to hear what Clayton had to say. But this passage lays out the idea that the Preaching of the Word should be the primary task of the Pastor (or elder) - and that other church tasks, while being important, can fall to someone else in the Church - in this case it was caring for widows (which Clayton did so well in laying out the context of this situation.

Clayton went on to point out the 3 Priorities of a Pastor
1. Get alone with God
2. Get a Word from God
3. Speak to the people of God on the behalf of God

When laid out like this - Ruth Graham's words to Billy become really apt: "When God has called you to be a preacher - you shouldn't stoop to be a King or a President". Thanks Clayton for really laying out and setting up for our church the way to view our pastor. Thanks for being honest in elevating (no pun intended) the pulpit and causing us to take a realistic look at what goes on during the rest of the week.