I pastor a small non-denominational church North of Atlanta. My church is more or less Pentecostal (but not with the rules about the dress codes and all of that) in its style. I am NOT ashamed of that, but I don’t like labels.
For three years I have been the senior pastor. About five years before that I was the associate pastor. For a few years before that I was the head usher, but my earliest experiences came from being a children’s teacher and then eventually a children’s pastor.
I was born-again in 1990 but have been in some form of ministry most of that time.
Like you, I get kind of bogged down using a bible with the commentary included. I am not opposed to them, but my main bible is a giant print NKJV with no marginal notes or commentary at all.
We should look to see what others have to say about an are that they have studied thoroughly, but like you would say, we need to trust in the Holy Spirit to give us some revelation as well.
Thanks for this enjoyable conversation!
At the end of my enlistment I was stationed at Fort Benning Ga. That is where I met the Lord as an adult. I was raised to go to church, but my family was anything but Christian, even if they stated so.
Anyway, after my enlistment ended, I stayed in Columbus for a couple of years until 1979. I went back down in “85” for awhile, but ended up in Montana where my ancestors were homesteaders. I was raised in Minnesota, but always wanted to live in MT. I did, and realized I needed to work. Now I live in Chico Ca where I moved to in 1988.
I began attending a Calvary Church in 2004, led Bible Study at Windchime retirement center, and then started doing the Sunday sermons for about 5 years. Then a new director was hired who is an avowed. I knew then my days could be numbered. They told me I was not wanted the week leading up to Easter in 2010.
I understand what you mean about the dress codes having a negative habit of labeling people. Like the angst they have against using modern worship songs, many of these same Christians will rail against the lax of dress code that they claim allows the message to be dumbed down.
As if Jesus was speaking to the well dressed of his time. Those who followed him, and later the Apostles were on the lowest ladder of society. The Roman Empire was changed one slave and riffraff at a time....LOL
It was through them that the upper classes learned the truth about the sect we know as Christianity.
I too enjoyed our conversation. God bless you and yours.
Chuck Ness
Meant to say the new director of the retirement center was an avowed lesbian. I saw the writing on the wall and it was just a matter of time before they told me not to return. It mattered not that the residents wanted me back.
I wasn’t going to water down the gospel truth just to appease her, my hope and trust is with Christ and I will not deny Him lest He deny Me one day.