You Don’t Agree With Me? – You’re Gone

While looking at news on the internet today, a story appeared that showed what may occur in America with an Obama presidency. It would be a tragedy if the American people make the wrong choice by putting this extremely liberal Illinois senator in the Oval Office. If he does win, it will certainly be with the help of left-wing media and people who’s judgment can only be considered suspect.

The story regards journalists from three major newspapers who happen to have endorsed Senator John McCain. The papers who no longer get to fly on Senator Obama’s campaign plane are the Washington Times, the New York Post and the Dallas Morning News. It is to be understood these papers have been covering the Obama campaign for a long time.

Washington Times Executive Editor John Solomon told FOXNew.com what the Obama campaign told him regarding this issue, that were not enough seats on the plane. Were seats taken out of the plane during the last week? It seems Washington Times was kicked off just two days after endorsing Senator John McCain. Hmmm. That just doesn’t sound right to me.

Let me say something on this issue that may not set well with some people. The plane belongs to the Obama campaign, and they have a right to carry whomever they want as they travel about the country. The manner in which it was done, and the particular papers kicked off the plane seems to be suspect. Please, just be honest and tell the real reason: they were kicked off because the Illinois senator wants to ban anyone who opposes his viewpoint.

Is this what’s in store for America if the most liberal Democrat in recent history is pushed into the White House by the mainstream media’s bias machine? Is this what conservative talk radio is headed for if Mr. Obama is elected to the highest office in the land? We better get on our knees before Almighty God now, asking for grace and mercy in the face of the crisis before us.

Kicking journalists off the campaign plane is not disastrous in and of itself, but adding all the other left-leaning rhetoric from the Obama/Biden ticket is certainly cause for alarm. To put it in terms the left can understand, Senator Obama would like nothing better than for our country to be turned into a nation we can no longer easily recognize. He would like radical judges to sit on benches making law instead of making judgments in reference to the law. He wants our nation to be like Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest – take from the rich and give to the poor.

America, this man is just wrong for our country, and we would all be better served if he loved the country enough to just go back to organizing communities.

Pastoral Covenant Group Retreat – 2008

My Pastoral Covenant Group met for our annual retreat earlier this week. What a time we had! We came away with a renewed purpose and tools to effectively lead our congregations in developing ministry in a new and exciting way. According to Dr. James P. Bowers, Executive Director, Center for Pentecostal Leadership and Care, this is part of the process that brings “pastors, congregations, and denominational leaders together to support pastoral excellence.”

There are about twenty covenant groups here in Florida, each led by a facilitator chosen by Church of God state staff. Each group consists of between 6 to 10 pastors who are invited to be a part of this phenomenal process. This journey is strictly voluntary; those who choose to participate have found fellowship, training and a sense of belonging many have never experienced.

Our group is beginning Phase 3, Developing Congregational Ministry. It is vitally important to lead our congregations into not only a deeper walk with God, but also direct them in the process of reaching out beyond the walls of the local church. This phase in Pastoral Leadership Development concentrates on bringing each pastor’s church into a covenant relationship and stresses congregational excellence.

The goal of this post is not to give details about the process or journey; rather, it is meant to express the pastors’ enthusiasm about our retreat. Each of us left renewed and filled with high expectations regarding this phase of our journey with the Lord and each other. Our retreat would have just been another few days away from home and sitting around the table without God being in the center of our efforts. Without God directing us, it would be a fruitless endeavor, and would only serve to take up time.

We are determined to help our respective congregations begin to focus on missional needs in our communities and beyond. Each pastor is committed to the prospect of pulling in key leaders in order to facilitate changes which will surely begin to take place. There is an excitement in the air!

Why would we care about developing congregational ministry? Here is a quote from noted author, pastor and teacher Bill Hybels:

There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community. It builds bridges to seekers and offers truth to the confused. It provides resources for those in need and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, the disillusioned. It breaks the chains of addictions, frees the oppressed and offers belonging to the marginalized of this world. Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness. No other organization on earth is like the church. Nothing even comes close.

Source: Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, Zondervan 2002.

Yes, we had a great time. How was your week?