About Me
Hi and thanks for checking out this blog!
I’ve been a pastor for about 14 years now, spending about 8 1/2 of those years as an associate pastor working with youth, children, music, etc… Currently, I am the senior minister at Mountain View Christian Church in Mountain View, Missouri. Previously I was the pastor of Plains Christian Church, in Kansas, and was honored to write a chapter at that time for the book “Releasing the Power of the Smaller Church” by Standard Publishing.
I grew up in a Christian home with a father who served as a part-time pastor (still does) and a full-time high school teacher and school administrator (now he’s retired). Going to a church camp or two every summer was normal, as was attending conferences, revivals and more throughout the year. I was teaching my first Wednesday night High School class when I was in High School, and listening to visiting missionaries stay up late at night telling my dad their stories.
Even so, I didn’t start out for the ministry. My plan was to make money in the business world, but God hasn’t let me go. Ever. In the university, I found myself arguing over the evidence supporting the Bible, or the reality of Bible prophecy, or the usual debates about evolution versus creation, and on and on… Afterwards as a newly married guy, with a new job and starting a new life, I found myself being asked to preach at the churches we would attend. My wife and I started programs for youth, or small Bible studies for adults, and eventually I found myself in the ministry full-time.
My background includes the independent Churches of Christ and the Christian Church, with a little bit of charismatic and baptist sprinkled in over the years. But basically, I only really care what the Bible says, not what a tradition tells us. I believe the Word of God, rightly divided and understood, trumps any of our man-made policies, traditions, and denominations.
And I believe people should step out in faith and follow God more instead sitting in those comfortable pews as much. That’s just me.
Anyway, here’s the five things I live by. Well… try. It’s sort of my philosophy of life, the universe, ministry and everything. I haven’t perfectly followed these principles in the past, but I’m getting better.
First, I believe in integrity. Practicing what you preach, following through on what you say you’ll do, and living the faith instead of merely talking about it.
Second, I believe the Bible is the authority. You can actually change my mind if you can show me where I’m wrong from the Bible. I believe in taking the Bible for what it says, literally, and I do believe it continues to stand up to the issues of our day, as well as any scrutiny we can throw at it.
Third, I believe in relying on the Holy Spirit because it’s not our talent, or our great organizational skills or personalities that make a difference, it’s God. So prayer is huge, and so is a careful dose of humility in your walk and standing with Jesus Christ. He’s in charge, not me.
Fourth, I believe in pursuing our purpose. The purpose Christ gave us when He said to go and make disciples, teach them everything He’s taught us, and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In other words, no matter what, our churches and lives should be centered on proclaiming the message of this Jesus. Too many lives and churches are sidetracked on Me-Centered issues and promises. Just sayin’.
Finally, I believe in having fun. Living for God is an adventure that has taken me to some wild places, and given me the excuse to purchase pyro-technics or promote concerts or … ski through trees. Besides, it’s a blast to see God change lives and see people completely rescued from addictions, sin, hopelessness, and all the usual junk.
My favorite music is Thousand Foot Krutch. and Disciple. And of course, my man Toby. But I love hymns as well. If it praises the Lord, I’m good with it.
Oh, and I’m a severely die-hard Dallas Cowboys Fan.
Whether you believe like I do, or you’re simply curious about the point of view you find here, stick around and share your opinion! I think Jesus is worth the look. I’ve staked my life on Him and what the Bible says, because it is my true and sincere hope that the claims are true, the story is true, and Jesus is for real. I haven’t got everything figured out, but I know what I believe.
I believe in Jesus.
hey brian sry that u r moving hope to see you soon! you were a good neighbor!
Thanks jackie! Take care!
HI DAD THIS IS SHELBY
Hey! It’s the other short person who’s smarter than me!
Speaking of integrity — I love this one:
A just man walks in his integrity; His CHILDREN are blessed after him. (Proverbs 20:7)
(Found this verse after my dad died. I KNOW I’m blessed by the way my earthly father chose to live in this life with God. What a challenge to me to pass that blessing on to my kids………..)
Great, great verse. I’m going to use that one!
Brian,
I am currently being interviewed by a Christian church in Florida. My philosophy is that I am willing to go and serve the Lord, near or far…..anywhere. I do not have a bible degree and that is what is hurting me for the time being. I plan on getting one, but I am finishing up a Assoc. of Science in Human Services because I like the school a lot.
Anyways, sorry to babble. My question to you is how I can show this church my heart, my desires to lead them as a Minister of Youth & Family. I feel ready to go and serve and I’m in the Word daily. Most importantly, it is all about God’s timing.
Any encouraging words you could send me??
Hey Timmy! Congregations who consider you as a possible minister listen for what you say, and how you talk about your past ministry experiences, besides just the education part. If I’m thinking of hiring you, I look first at how long a person may have stayed at their last several churches. If they stay 2 years tops, and have been at 5 different jobs, -not so good. (That goes for just about any employer)
If I’m looking at someone who is coming out of a secular college, I look at their church background and try to get a grasp of their level of understanding the Bible. By church background, I mean what ministries have they already been involved with or leading? What did they learn? Do they have a good grasp of youth & family ministry in general besides just what they’ve already done? (can they tell me what some other ministry has been doing in that field… etc..) Generally speaking, experience and knowledge tends to make up for any lack of a degree so make sure they know what you’ve done, and try to give them a good idea of what you’ve learned and what you know.
I would encourage you, and anyone who is thinking about the ministry, to volunteer for ministry NOW, and enjoy the ride that God will take you on. By the time I was hired for the first time as a youth minister years ago, I had already preached many, many times (at the homeless mission in Springfield, at my dad’s church, at the church my wife and I began to attend while it was inbetween ministers, etc…) by simply volunteering as the need arose. I had already been a deacon, a Sunday School Superintendent, a Chairman of the Board, and I had already started a Sunday night youth program on my own.
God uses these things to prepare you, and the more of that sort of thing you have done, the more experience you have built up -even while working a normal job, the easier it is for a church to see what they’re getting when they hire you.
Besides, I was like you bro. I just wanted to do something for God. So when God opened a door, I went through it, and if God gave me some little idea, I bounced it off the right people and tried it. It wasn’t until later that I started getting paid for it. One thing leads to another and today I’m a senior pastor. Enjoy the ride. May God bless your search! And believe me, His timing is better than ours, so trust Him and keep working for the Kingdom wherever you are!
Thank you very much for your response. Keep the faith!
Hey Brian,
Just wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for me.
I can really say that prayers do work. Thank you again and keep in touch.
KS
Brian,
Thanks for the link on the blogroll.
And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise…it’s okay to be a bit crazy.
james
I finally found your blog, Brian. My blog has suffered a lot of neglect this summer. I understand to struggle of fitting in the time to write. I look forward to following your ideas on your blog. What I’ve read so far looks interesting.
You wrote: I believe the Bible is the authority. You can actually change my mind if you can show me where I’m wrong from the Bible.
You also wrote: I believe in integrity. Practicing what you preach, following through on what you say you’ll do
Given that, I would like to challege you to consider some biblical evidence that argue against an unbiblical tradition of yours. But just one has to take off their own shoes before they can take a walk in someone else’s moccasins, similarly, when it comes to a case of The Bible vs. Tradition, one has to be willing to let go of the traditions of men in order to see the truth that is hidden in plain sight in the text of scripture.
SearchTheScripturesDaily.com has a free eBook that compares scripture with scripture in order to highlight the facts in the plain text of scripture that are usually overlooked about the “other disciple, whom Jesus loved”. You may want to weigh the testimony of scripture that the study cites regarding the one whom “Jesus loved” and may find it to be helpful as it encourages bible students to take seriously the admonition “prove all things”.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” Psalms 127: 3-5 (NKJV)
Boy my uncle David sure knew how to fashion an arrow!
Hey, I just read your sermon on tithing, excellent!. We’re a small conservative community church looking for a pastor in nw minnesota any ideas?.
Most Bible colleges (at least the ones we work with) will have a place somewhere on their website where churches can post a ministry opening. It’s usually free and fairly effective at getting the word out to prospective candidates. That’s where I’d go first. The nation-wide online listings for ministry positions do a good job too, but they cost a bit.
Hi Brian,
I am a pastor of some 37 years experiene. I have ministered to small and larger congregations alike. I like what I am reading..please keep it up.
God bless.
Pastor Paul
Thanks Paul. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with blogging, but I enjoy it, and greatly appreciate the feedback. Take care brother.
please contact me about helping to protect and defend children, families and communities from pornography and other dangerous content… thanks Crazy Pastor.