Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

I have another confession to make. I have changed my approach to evangelism. I know I will get hammered by some of my former churches but I have changed! I used to be the Evangelism Minister at a large church in a metro area in the Southeast. It was my job to train our church how to do evangelism. Each week our pastor, who truly has a passion for lost people, had us turn in a list of people we had shared our faith with that week. The staff had to have a least three people listed and one had to be a gospel presentation. Because I was the “Evangelism Guru” I had to have at least 4-5 on my list. I am all about accountability, but this got to be a burden that the staff couldn’t handle. We would go knock on doors in a very afluent area of town and offend just about everyone. The only people who liked us coming were already Christians, but even most of them didn’t like our visits.

In order to find 3 people to write on our list the staff would find contacts anywhere we could. We would write down the name of Abdul or Hank at the 7-11 if we handed our business card. If one week you had 7 contacts, you would “bank” 3-4 so you could put their names down on another week.

I have the gift of evangelism. When I share my faith, more times then not people make decisions for Christ. Although, the way we did it here felt very fake or even shady. I felt like a Used Car Salesman trying to “earn your bidness!” Our goal was to get them down the isle and “close the deal!” I taught an evangelism program that is popular in many circles today. I was at a conference and 2 ministers asked me at dinner to show them how it worked. They dared me to share with the waitress. I went thru the process and she accepted Christ. Evangelism works, but I had no relationship with this lady and it was in Naples, FL so how could I follow up? I was able to put another notch on my belt but something is missing.

I feel much better about how I share my faith today. I hang out @ Starbucks and other secular places in order to build relationships with the un-churched. A New Kind of Christian was a book that shared my thoughts. Today, I want to meet my neighbors and become their friends. And because I am their friend, I will tell them about Jesus. I’m no longer out to put more Notches on my belt!

Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty of Tulsa, OK greeted a man during the invitation Sunday and was belted in the face by an obviously disturbed man. Pastor Daugherty was dazed but kept preaching and fogiving! WAY TO GO PASTOR DAUGHERTY!! With so many pastors and Christian leaders embarrassing the “church” it is refreshing to see a man of God!

I hope I could act as graceful as Pastor Daugherty. Pastors are human and we hurt and bleed like everyone else. Just look at the picture. Words and gossip hurt worse than getting punched. When we act like Christ, we may be vilified but in the end Christ is honored. Grace wins! Love wins! Prudence wins! God wins!

This morning a couple who is not even in my ministry area came by to take a photo of me. They are an older couple who just came to thank me for my ministry and attitude. Now I have ranted on my blog but I have not said one word in the church about our situation. I visited the man’s father in the hospital on several occasions and he passed away. They were grateful to me for visiting their father. It was my honor.

I have learned the hard way doing things Christ’s way wins in the end. I have not always done it His way. Even recently, I strayed in my attitude. Thanks to my friends for reminding me. Jason your the best! Your email was prophetic! Christ-like attitudes win in the end!

Look, I know I am a sinner. I have a long way to go in my faith. I don’t ever want to be famous because I’m afraid of the pressure it will bring. My brother in law(David) and sister(Jenn) were on staff with Athletes in Action (part of Campus Crusade) for many years. David said he was tired of lifting up athletes because the higher they got the further they fell.

Now, I’m beginning to understand. Michael Irvin formerly of the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Hurricanes was arrested again yesterday, this time for speeding. The officer found a drug pipe in his car. He claims it is not his. I really hope it is not. You see Irvin has suppose to have become a Christian. Now I realize we all fail. I do it everyday. But before we go on the 700 Club and TBN promoting our faith we had better watch what we do. I really like Michael Irvin. I will pray for him. Even if he messed up, I will love him as a fellow Christian. But I am done pointing out Christian Celebs to my children friends and my church.

Thanks to MMI at Church Staffing.com I have some more great ideas for the Pharisee in your life. Todd Rhodes said these are things he doesn’t want for Christmas which means they would be perfect for Pharisees.

This is the IWJO pin which stands for I Watch Joel Osteen. Now I actually do love to watch him, but please this goes a little far.

I can’t even comment on this one.

I didn’t know that God and the Bible were against Rock Music. I would like to see the passage of Scripture that shows it.

“ONE-OF-A-KIND item from the now closed Heritage USA Christian Theme Park which was run by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.

How many millions did they milk little old ladies to help pay for their greed!

I hope these were helpful to you as you make your Christmas purchases for your favorite Pharisee.

TMI or TOO MUCH INFORMATION! In the circles I run when a person tells too much we say that was TMI! I confess, I am guilty at times. I am thankful for friends who aren’t afraid to tell me the truth. I appreciate Jason and Angela for lovingly rebuking me for my rants this weekend. There will be no buts accept my foot kicking mine! I thank God for my friends who love me enough to point out my rough areas. I am truly blessed. My dad will keep me in line. Thomas Hammond has gotten in my head on many occasions. Cass will point out when I’m out of step with reality. I appreciate the care that these people have for me. I’m not perfect. I am a work in progress. I fail! I’m just grateful for God’s grace. I’m thankful for friends and family who love me enough to be honest! Thanks!