I was usually standing by his side when he'd tell fellow seminarians, "It's my desire to find a pastorate in the Midwest due to the lack of Reformed teaching there." I thought I understood what Brian meant at that time, but I really had no clue. It's only now, two and a half years into our ministry in rural Iowa, that I understand (and grieve over) the lack of Reformed tradition here in the Midwest.
How do I know that I'm finally "getting it"? One way I know that I "get" what it means to be Reformed is because I cringe when other sources (Christian magazines, sermons, speakers, books, etc.) aren't Reformed.
For example, I subscribe to a magazine for pastor's wives edited by Jill Briscoe called "Just Between Us" and the primary authors reside in the Midwest. At first, I really enjoyed it and now it just drives me crazy. In this season's issue, there's an article titled "Help! I'm Burning Out!" by Amy Nappa. Her suggestions for avoiding burnout at home and in ministry are helpful (such as communicate more, delegate tasks, encourage one another with kind notes/emails, etc.) However, not once does she mention anything Christian until the last paragraph:
Especially as you look forward to a new year, why don't you carve out a chunk of time and sit down with your schedule...Decide how you're going to intentionally avoid burnout so you can enjoy the life God intends for you to live and enjoy the people He's given you to love both at home and in your ministry.
That's fine and true, right? So why are my undies in a bunch? Because it's so man-centered. It's all about me - my schedule, my homelife, my priorities, my vision, my my my. When we lose focus of Christ - who He is and what He has done - that's when we go astray. I wish she'd encourage us to spend time in God's Word and seeking Him in prayer as we reevaluate our lives to avoid burnout. You see, all of her suggestions are fine - and some of them probably work - but Christ needs to be at the forefront of a Christian's life - including her schedule, priorities, vision, communication, etc. I know that I can't succeed on my own, not even to keep myself from burning out. That's what ministry women need to hear; you can't do it on your own. Yes, plan; yes, schedule; yes, reevaluate.
But put Christ first because He's the One through which you will avoid burnout.
I'm reading Michael Horton's
Christless Christianity now, and it's incredibly eye-opening to see American evangelicalism disappear from before our eyes. A quote in Horton's book from George Barna states:
In short, the spirituality of America is Christian in name only...We desire experience more than knowledge. We prefer choices to absolutes. We embrace preferences rather than truths. We seek comfort rather than growth. Faith must come on our terms or we reject it. We have enthroned ourselves as the final arbiters of righteousness, the ultimate rulers of our own experience and destiny. We are the Pharisees of the new millennium.
It's so pervasive - Christless Christianity is everywhere. Even in so-called "ministry" magazines. It drives me crazy. I'm praying for a
Modern Reformation! ;)
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