27

Jump Start # 4042

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4042

 

2 Corinthians 11:9 “and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia, they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.”

 

I’ll be honest. It’s hard for me to like the Corinthian church. First, they were a mess and all over the map spiritually. Nearly every page of the first letter to them, addresses some serious problems. These problems were so great that it would cripple many churches. Now, in the second letter, the Corinthians didn’t think much of Paul’s preaching. They challenged his validity as an apostle.

 

You don’t find the deep affection toward the Corinthians like you find with the Thessalonians or the Philippians. Yet, Paul kept going. He lived the words, “endure hardship,” as he would later encourage Timothy.

 

There is a little statement tucked within our verse that needs to be looked at. The passage is addressing financially supporting Paul. The churches in Macedonia took care of Paul. Actually, God took care of Paul. But, there in our verse we find, “I was present with you and was in need.”  I was in need. Did anyone notice how Paul was doing? Did anyone care to ask? Were the Corinthians unable to do anything or was it that they didn’t want to do anything? Were they so consumed with themselves that they couldn’t see anyone else?

 

Those little words, “I was in need,” speaks volumes. It reminds us of what our Lord said, I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. Thirsty and you gave me no drink. Naked and you did not clothe me. Sick and in prison and you did not visit me. I was in need. Did you notice?

 

Let’s put some thought to that expression:

 

First, many will come running if you ask them, but they must be asked first. We need to open our eyes and see. Paul was in need. Couldn’t someone invite him over for a meal? Couldn’t someone offer to let Paul stay with them. Was there no one who could give Paul some money?

 

His words, used twice, not being a burden, implies that Paul wouldn’t ask. He didn’t want someone to feel obligated or that they had to do something. Paul would rather suffer than ask. He was not going to have someone go out of their way for him. He was not going to be a burden. And, sadly, that happens today. Rather than asking, someone will just suffer in silence. They don’t want to be a bother.

 

  • Consider the young family that is struggling. Mountains of health bills. Between the mom and dad, they may be working three or four jobs, doing all that they can. They’d never miss a service. They are always there, encouraging and helping others. Does anyone notice? Does anyone care? Will anyone do anything?

 

  • Consider the new widow. She comes home to an empty house. There are piles of paperwork that she must work through since the death. There are so many decisions to be made. She is overwhelmed but doesn’t want to bother anyone. She doesn’t want to throw a pity party. She works through it but it is so hard.

 

  • Consider the preacher. Week after week, new sermons, busy teaching and encouraging as many as he can. How is he doing? Does anyone ever ask? Is he tired on the inside? Is he stretched thin? Emotionally, mentally and even spiritually, does he need a break? Does anyone notice?

 

Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds.” This is the role of shepherds in the church and dads in the home. How is everyone doing? Are they tired? Are they worried? Jesus felt compassion for the multitudes because they were “distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). Jesus noticed. Jesus cared.

 

In the pew you will find:

Parents that are burdened because of their prodigal child

Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren because if they don’t…

Singe parents facing double duty

Brethren struggling with secret sins and failing again

Smiling faces hoping to hide their depression

A childless couple facing disappointment again

Families dealing with cancer and fears

Parents who have buried a child

Couples who have done everything they know to keep their marriage going, but failed

A brother who has been hurt by the judgmental attitudes of others

A guest who is so confused by the religious propaganda of our times. He just wants to find Jesus.

A widow who sits down as one at a table for two

Wives who harbor the secret of being a battered wife

The lonely, scared and hurting

 

Every week they gather with the people of God to lift their voice to the One hope that they believe in. Brushing away tears, trying to muster courage to walk into the church building, they come to encourage and help others. These are the people in the pew. And, funny, they look just like me and you.

 

Does anyone notice?

 

Roger

 

 

26

Jump Start # 4041

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

  Jump Start # 4041

 

Ecclesiastes 7:2 “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.

 

Throwback Thursday: an article written from the past

 

Today someone I knew died. He had listened to me preach many times. His passing has caused me to wonder…

 

  I wonder if he knew today was going to be his last day? His death was sudden. His death was unexpected.  Did he have a sense that today was different than other days? This is a very humbling and sobering thought. Everything that we do today may be the last time we do it. Does this cause me to count my blessings and thank my Lord?

 

  I wonder if my preaching did him any good? He had heard many sermons. Sermons are vehicles that can instruct us and move us closer to the Lord. Many of us have heard hundreds if not thousands of sermons in our lives. I have preached over 2,000 sermons. I wonder if they have done me any good. Preaching can help us if we allow it to sink deep into our hearts. Preaching can change a person. We are preaching to people who are racing toward eternity. Preachers need to remember that!

 

  I wonder if he was ready to meet God. I think he was. I want to hope he was. There are always things that need to be done. There are always words that need to be spoken. There are always rays of sunshine that we can send to sad and broken hearts. Our work is never over. But a person can live day by day with the Lord. His relationship can be such that he is ready to meet God. We sing, “Are your ready, are your ready…” I wonder if he was ready. I wonder if I am really ready.

 

  I wonder what his family is going through today. All of their plans have been interrupted and changed today. A death has occurred. Funeral arrangements have to be made. Decisions must be made. Important papers have to be found. Phone calls must be made. Flowers must be ordered. Plans must be coordinated to get everyone to the funeral home and cemetery. The family is very busy today. The sun is still shinning and the birds are still singing for the rest of us, but for this man’s family, they won’t notice because their thoughts are with their loved one. I hope they remember to pray today. I hope they thank the Lord for being blessed to belong to such a good man. I wonder what my family would do at my death? I will say a prayer for this family.

 

  I wonder what he is doing right now? I wonder what it is like to be carried by angels? I wonder what he saw the first five minutes after he died? I wonder what “comforted in Abraham’s bosom” really means? I wonder who he has met today? I wonder if he has seen my Mom. Don’t you think he is so glad that he believed in Christ? I wonder if he is singing? If he is, I wonder what song he’s singing? I expect he wishes he could scoop up his wife and bring her up there to show her all the wonderful things he is now seeing. I’m certain that he is so glad that he is with the Lord. He has probably not thought much about his death. His attention is upon the heavenly scene that is before him. Finally home, what a wonderful thought!

 

Do you ever “wonder?” It does a person good to wonder now and then.

 

Roger

May, 2008

 

25

Jump Start # 4040

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4040

 

James 3:9-10 “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.”

 

Charles Spurgeon, the famed preacher from long ago, had a sermon he called, “How Saints help the Devil.” What a conflicting idea that is. Saints are not to help the devil. Saints are to resist the devil. With the full armor of God we are to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the devil. We are to stand firm and hold our ground against Satan.

 

Yet, there are times when it seems that we are helping the enemy. It can appear that we are running the wrong direction and helping the devil score points. Sometimes we just need to ask ourselves which side we are on.

 

Just how can a Saint help the Devil?

 

First, by acting more devilish than saintly. And, there are a number of ways that can be done. In our verse today, James addresses the misuse of the tongue. The passage ends with the words, “these things ought not to be this way.” They ought not, but sometimes they are. How we talk to one another can be more discouraging than encouraging. Are we helping the devil?

 

In the judgment scene Jesus said, the hungry was not fed, the thirsty was not given drink, the naked not clothed, the sick and in prison were not visited. When that points to us, then we have helped the devil. Neglect, indifference and not being engaged and active can be all it takes for the devil to be helped.

 

Second, by remaining silent when we ought to say something. We see something wrong, but feel like it is none of our business. Then, whose business is it? God’s word is attacked and abused and silence fills the land. Error is taught and voices remain quiet. The devil has been helped. Hiding our light under a basket, by being a coward and ashamed of our Lord or what we believe only encourages wrong.

 

Third, by not being fully committed. Some would like to keep one foot in the world and the other foot in Heaven. That won’t work. Just enough faith to be miserable with those who are not Christians and not enough faith to enjoy the company of Christians. Lukewarm is the devil’s favorite temperature. Convinced that we are doing well, while actually doing nothing, the devil has us.

 

The devil doesn’t need our help. He is a roaring lion seeking to devour us. His destiny is set. His future is certain. There is no salvation nor hope for the devil. He is the accuser of the saints. He is a liar and has nothing in common with the disciples of Christ.

 

The devil doesn’t care about you. He doesn’t care that you have a lot of people counting on you. He doesn’t care that you are needed by others. He doesn’t care that you hurt. He doesn’t care that you have made great sacrifices to follow the Lord. He doesn’t care that others see you as an example. The devil simply doesn’t care. Wrecking your faith, your church, your family, doesn’t bother him at all. He is heartless and cruel to the core. Ruining your life, your reputation, your influence and your world, doesn’t bother him at all. The devil doesn’t care.

 

The solution to this is vey simple. Get on the Lord’s side of things. Get busy in the kingdom. Let the world and let the devil know whose side you are on.

 

Roger

 

24

Jump Start # 4039

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4039

 

1 Thessalonians 3:2 “and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the Gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith.”

 

Yesterday in our Jump Start we took a look at the process of hiring a preacher. The N.T. shows us that a preacher can be supported financially, but little is said about the working arrangements and relationship between a preacher and the congregation. Some of this is judgment but it sure seems that a little more thought, prayer and insight ought to be looked at how we do this.

 

Today, I want to take a look at the “two preacher” arrangement. There needs to be some thought into how this ought to be done. In some situations, because of the way things were handled, instead of having two preachers, the church has no preachers.

 

First, having two preachers seems to be the flavor of the month. If the work load demands two, then that is great. The purpose is not so the preachers can do less work. Having a second full time preacher ought to increase the volume of work being done. One man can carry so many boxes. But with another man, working side by side, even more boxes can be carried.

 

So, the first thing to be considered, is “Why do we need two preachers?” If that can’t be answered, then maybe this idea ought to be put to rest. Just because other congregations do is not a reason for you to do this.

 

Second, the purpose for the second preacher needs to be defined. Is the bulk of his work to be evangelism, overseas work, or side by side with the current preacher? Just hiring a second preacher without knowing what he is to do will create problems. The work expectations ought to be defined and outlined clearly.

 

The purpose of the second preacher will define what age of preacher the church is looking for. If it is a legacy program, then the new preacher will learn the culture of that church and in time as the other preacher retires, then the work will continue on. That is the model we follow here at Charlestown Road. I am retiring. But because we brought on a wonderful and powerful preacher eight years ago, the work won’t skip a beat. In time, a younger man will be found and things will continue on and even get better.

 

If the purpose is not legacy, then two men of the same age may work.

 

Third, this is ESSENTIAL and skipping this point determines whether having a second preacher is a dream or a nightmare. The current preacher must take the lead in finding someone to work with him. He must be the point man in this. Much too often, elderships will hire another preacher without consulting the current preacher. Their personalities may clash. They may not even like each other. There may be doctrinal differences. Hiring another preacher without the input of the current preacher is much like a shotgun wedding. And, in most cases, it doesn’t take very long until that church has no preachers.

 

Let the current preacher take the lead. He needs to listen to dozens of sermons. He needs to have many phone conversations. Once he has narrowed down the list to the one he really is interested in, then they need to talk about all the hot button topics to see if they are on the same page. Work ethic, attitudes, relationship all plays into this greatly. Then, and only, then, the prospective second preacher needs to be invited to sit down with the eldership. Lots of conversations. Lots of transparency. Lots of understanding each other and what is expected. How is the new preacher gong to fit in and how is his role going to be presented to the church. Will the second preacher always seem like “Junior?” Will they be considered equals? Among them, they have to understand, some will like one better than the other. And, some won’t like either one of them. How they handle this, their spirit has a lot to do with the success of the work. Are they forever in competition or are they fellow laborers?

 

When done well, it is beautiful. When not done well, it’s a disaster. Large congregations that are really growing and busy in the kingdom, need all the hands possible to do the work well. Excellence in the kingdom needs to be expected in all areas.

 

How can we extend the borders of the kingdom is the thought that needs to be running through this process. We have been blessed and we need to do more. To whom much is given, much is required. Content with average and normal is not acceptable when it comes to kingdom work. Do all that we can for the Lord who gave His all for us.

 

I have been a part of two-preacher arrangements on three different occasions. One was a disaster, without any expectations, understandings or transparency. No one knew what was going on. One was so-so. And, the one I am involved with now is the best. And, one reason it is the best is that we followed the steps necessary to make everything smooth, clear and transparent. We both have our lanes that we operate in. I do my work and he does his work. Together, we are on the same page. We are there for each other. We are more than fellow preachers and co-laborers. We are good friends. We have vacationed together, eaten zillions of meals together, been in each other’s homes, and have had wonderful deep discussions about kingdom work.

 

The church can sense when there is tension within the eldership or among the preachers. But, when everyone is working well, they are friends with each other, and all have the spirit of the Lord about them, it is a beautiful and wonderful thing. People want to be part of such a congregation.

 

May these words help. If you have questions reach out to me (Rogshouse@aol.com).

 

Roger

 

23

Jump Start #4038

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4038

 

Philippians 2:20 “For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.”

 

Here’s a question for you. How do you go about hiring a preacher? There are a lot of churches looking for a preacher these days. Finding the right fit is important. Everyone is looking for a passionate preacher that loves people, is sharp in God’s word and is affordable.

 

For a long time the process of finding a preacher has not been something to brag about. In fact, to be honest, what is done in many places is a broken model that doesn’t work well.

 

Typically, here is what is done. A preacher announces that he is leaving and the search begins. The starting point is for the elders to call the preachers that they know and ask, “Do you know anyone that is looking to move?”

 

Right there, the process has started on the wrong foot. Why does a church look for a preacher that is looking to move? Think that out for a moment. A preacher that is looking to move has either been fired, is unhappy or hasn’t gotten along well with that church. He may be looking for just any church to take him to keep a paycheck coming in. Is that what you want filling your pulpit?

 

So, some names are collected of preachers who might be looking or are looking to move. A few phone calls are made and a date is chosen for the preacher to come and “try out.” He comes in on a Saturday evening, meets with a few of the brethren, they have some small talk about who they know and their backgrounds. On Sunday, the prospective preacher brings out his best sermons. They may not even be his sermons. A potluck or pitch-in is arranged for the noon meal so the church can meet the prospect. The elders meet with him later in the day and within the first five questions, salary is discussed. If everyone likes what they hear, moving dates and starting dates are worked out and the church has a new preacher. He is showcased as the bright and shinning future, even though most don’t have a clue who he is and what his talents are. And, months down the road, out comes a sermon in which some don’t like. The ‘honeymoon’ period comes to an immediate halt and both the church and the preacher begin to wonder if they made a mistake. The preacher hangs on, feeling very uncomfortable until he decides it’s time to move on and he waits for another church to call him.

 

This process fails and will continue to fail because it misses some essential things that could have prevented much heartache and waste of money.

 

Before phone calls are made and someone is invited in, the leadership must decide what they want in the next preacher. For some places, as long as he has breath in his body, that’s all that matters. And, that’s what they will get. Part of thinking through this is understanding where the church is and where do we want the church to go. If it’s a young demographic, getting a preacher near retirement age probably isn’t a good fit. If the church wants to expand into social media, livestreaming, reaching others across the planet, then a preacher who doesn’t like those things isn’t the right guy. Some preachers are interested in certain churches because a university is near by and all they want is a way to get paid and advance their degree. Once they have completed that, they are finished with that church and are ready to move on. Is that what you want?

 

The leadership and the church must understand that they are being “tried out” as well as the prospective preacher. A place that is content to just drift along and doesn’t want to try new technology, new ways of teaching, new ideas, will close the door to many preachers.

 

Shepherds need to listen to sermons on line. That is so easy to do today. Who is it that they like? Listen and listen and listen to sermons. Narrow down the list. Then begin making phone calls. Invite the preacher to come and spend a day with the elders. Get to know him and how he works. Talk about hot button topics to see if everyone is on the same page. Get ideas from him. Show the building. How you take care of the place is often an indication of how you take care of God’s work. Messy, dirty, cluttered is enough for many to say, “No, thanks.”

 

Next, bring the preacher and his family over. No tryouts yet. Just meet and greet. The conversations take a deeper level. More ideas are expressed both ways. Both sides are seeing if this will be a good fit. Now, discussions can begin about salary, moving, benefits, accommodations and what is needed to get the work going.

 

More phone calls. Through this process, a relationship is being built. Trust is forming. The preacher is seeing how that eldership works. Details about the congregation are understood and explained. Finally, a date is set for the preacher to come and preach to the church. By this time, the eldership and the preacher know pretty well that it’s a green light.

 

Now, all of this takes both time and effort. A church that wants to settle this as fast as they can, will find someone, but will it be the right fit? And, just how long will that last? Building relationships. Having private Bible studies. Sharing goals. Talking through troubles. Getting on the same page with one another will ensure a relationship that starts well and is a win-win.

 

Once the right preacher has been found and agreements agreed upon, a written contract, signed by the elders and the preacher, and both having copies, keeps all parties on the same page. People forget. There is a business side to preaching that is unpleasant, but necessary. Treat the work and treat the preacher as professional and you’re off to a great start.

 

I love the story of the little kindergarten boy who was having trouble getting his boots on at the of the school day. He strained, and grunted and just couldn’t get his snow boots on. His teacher came to help. She grunted and strained and finally the boots went on. He stood up, and the boots were on the wrong feet. Off they came. Again, the teacher and the boy grunted and pulled and got the boots on. Hat went on his head. His coat was zipped up. The teacher asked, “Where are your mittens?” The boy replied, “I stuck them in my boots.” Off came the boots. The mittens were pulled out. The boots put back on. Mittens on hand. The boy said, “These are not my boots?” The teacher couldn’t believe it after all that. Off came the boots. “Where are your boots?” she asked. “These are my brother’s boots that mom told me to wear.” The boots went back on. The teacher flopped in her chair, head pounding and wondering why she has days like this.

 

Trying to find the right preacher can be like putting on those boots, if you don’t do it right.

 

Tomorrow, some thoughts on the “Two-preacher” arrangement.

 

Roger