WHAT MUST ONE DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE? The only path to salvation is through Jesus Christ. One must acknowledge their sinfulness. Then ask the Lord to forgive not only sinful acts, but also the sinful condition. Finally, accept that forgiveness for yourself and live accordingly.
HOW HARD IS IT TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN? Ask. Believe. Receive. Pray something like this:
Heavenly Father, You know me. You know my struggles. You know my pain. You know my past. You know my present. And I know my future should I continue as I am. You have clearly stated that in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." I ask You to forgive me for living the life You gave me without allowing You to direct me. You gave me my life. I want to give it back to You. Please forgive me for living a life that does not bring You honor. I ask for the the gift of salvation and the real life that only comes by accepting Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND JUDGMENT? My entire concept of church revolves around the idea that church should be a “messy” place. Our focus should be to attract “messy” people (those in sin), help them to recognize that messiness (sin) and their need for “cleansing” (salvation). Therefore, it must be a central theme of weekend worship.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU REFERENCE SCRIPTURE IN YOUR SERMON? A sermon without scripture is a just a nice talk. Nothing wrong with nice talks, but a Bible-based church needs Bible-based preaching. And Bible-based preaching cannot be Bible-based without the Bible.
WHAT EVANGELISM PROGRAMS HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN? Evangelism Explosion, Purpose Driven CLASS 401, Going Public with Your Faith, Becoming A Contagious Christian, and G.R.O.W
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR VIEW ON THE CHURCH’S INVOLVEMENT IN MISSIONS. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).
You want to know what God wants you to do? Do that. Go, make, baptize, teach, and obey. If you are doing that, you are in God’s perfect will. Congratulations!
We all have a call on our lives. Each of us has something that God wants us to do, and that God has created us especially to do. I encourage everyone to get involved in some ministry. Not all of us are called to the foreign missions field. And it is likely that not many of us will be martyred for our faith. But, we are called to do something.
The church’s involvement ought to be to do whatever it can to “help them find bread”.
DO YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE CONTAINS ERRORS AND CONTRADICTIONS? Absolutely Not.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN A LITERAL HELL AND ETERNAL PUNISHMENT? Yes.
WHEN YOU DISTRIBUTE THE LORD’S SUPPER, DO YOU EMPHASIZE THE NEED TO EXAMINE YOURSELF? Yes.
CAN A PERSON WHO IS LIVING IN A PERSISTENT LIFESTYLE OF SIN INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE? No. A real encounter with Jesus will lead to holiness. And holiness is living your life now as practice for life then, living by “What would Jesus do?” However, grace extends to those who are making an honest effort but whose “weak flesh” occasionally stunts their spiritual growth. Fortunately for us, “God knows the intent of the heart”.
WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS OF THE FAITH? Salvation is through faith in Jesus alone as the only Son of God, crucified in our stead, resurrected on the third day, and ascended into Heaven. It is free, not earned.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRAYER AND DEVOTIONAL LIFE. Briefly, this would include daily prayer and Bible reading, intercessory prayer, meditation, praise and worship, Bible or topic study, book reading, sermon and lesson writing, and vision development.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE SPIRITUAL GIFTS? YOUR BOTTOM THREE? From the Purpose Driven SHAPE Profile
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Spiritual Gifts:
- Preaching / Teaching
- Knowledge
- Leadership
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Heart:
- Organization
- Leadership
- Designing and Developing
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Abilities:
- Recruiting
- Researching
- Planning
- Teaching
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Personality and Experiences are detailed below.
From the Modified Houts Questionnaire and the Discover your Spiritual Gifts test
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Top 3:
- Wisdom / Faith / Teaching
- Leadership / Discernment
- Pastor / Administration / Helps and Service
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Bottom 3:
- Missionary
- Hospitality
- Mercy
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WHAT IS YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE? I have recently completed Inscape Publishing’s DISC Classic Profile. This shows me to be Steady and Conscientious. According to this I focus on maintaining stability, being accurate and orderly, and make decisions in a deliberate and analytical manner. I am a systematic, precise, and rigorous thinker and planner. I have the ability to produce predictable and accurate results. From this profile, the following is a list personality traits that could be used to describe me: mild, quiet, modest, poised, confident, convincing, observing, reflective, patient, loyal, predictable, team-builder, fact-finder, diplomatic, systematic, and courteous.
This places me in their Perfectionist Pattern. In their words, “Your tendency to follow clear procedures and rules in both your personal and professional life means that you are usually restrained in your emotions. In fact, an aura of cautious deliberation may often surround you. Even under pressure, you are likely to remain tactful and diplomatic. In addition, you may frequently keep your focus on maintaining high standards. Such an approach ensures that you will probably be seen as competent and reliable. Others may value you as a precise thinker who relishes a systematic method for solving problems.”
PERSONAL CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE: IDENTIFY AND DISCUSS THOSE EXPERIENCES THAT YOU VIEW AS HAVING BEEN ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR OWN CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE. INCLUDE YOUR SALVATION EXPERIENCE. My Dad went into the ministry when I was six years old. Our first move was to Denver, CO to assist my uncle in his church. After a little while, the denomination offered my Dad a little church in LaJunta, a small town about 2oo miles away. At the time, my Mom was awaiting the birth of my brother, so my Dad and I would drive down to LaJunta, do the weekend services, then drive back Sunday late night so he could go to work and I to school. One Sunday evening he gave an altar call. I responded and gave my heart to Jesus.
His denomination had a Wednesday night adult training curriculum. These courses included basic Bible studies, doctrine, church history, and denominational teachings. When I was about ten, I began to read some the books he would teach the adults. Most Wednesday nights I would be the only kid my age at church, so I would listen to him teach. When he would finish the course, there was a test. I started taking, and passing, those tests. By the time I was 12-13, I became the youngest person in the history of the denomination (to that point) to complete what they called a “Masters Certificate" in those courses.
At the age of 28 I was shaken out of the possibility of ever getting complacent in my faith. I saw my Dad lose his family and ministry. I immediately recognized it as being the result of complacency. I had watched for years as the “fire went out”, but didn’t know that was what I was observing. In the 15 years since I have seen just how difficult it was for him to reclaim any sort of spiritual footing. Even now, although he has been reinstated in the ministry, it is still hard for him to get traction. And while we have a good relationship, that is not the case between him and my siblings.
This episode points out to me how important it is to take the call and the ministry seriously. To be observant of those circumstances that might cause damage to my faith. To pay attention to keep my heart and life focused on God.
PHILOSOPHY OF LEADERSHIP: DISCUSS YOUR PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF LEADERSHIP. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE ROLE OF A PASTOR IN A LOCAL CHURCH, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO OTHER LEADERSHIP PERSONS IN THE CONGREGATION? According to the Barna Research Group’s Christian Leader Profile I am a Strategic Leader. By their definition this means I am proficient at accumulating, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting factual information as it related to the vision. A summary of this report suggests the following:
- I have a calling to lead
- I have the kind of character that pleases God and that qualifies me to lead
- My leadership strengths are vision, mobilization, direction, evaluation, delegation, team-building, multi-tasking, resource management, and environmental assessment
- I am an effective communicator
John Maxwell’s 360-Degree Leader Profile rates a person on the ability to relate to leaders above themselves (Leading Up), the ability to lead peers (Leading Across), and the ability to lead followers (Leading Down). A brief summary:
- Leading Up – 4.5 out of 5. Very often or always I exhibit the behaviors and practices that enable me to work well with those leaders who are above me.
- Leading Across – 4.5 out of 5. Very often or always I exhibit the skills necessary to lead peers and colleagues.
- Leading Down – 4.375 out of 5. Very often or always I exhibit the capability to lead others.
