Jun 05

In Only a Week

It started last Wednesday afternoon, when Amanda received a text that her 45 year old aunt, Cindy Green, was put into ICU.  She had only been diagnosed with cancer less than 5 weeks before.   Now they were saying she may not live through a test that was necessary.  Amanda, and her sister Ashley, headed to St. Louis.  They were with her and the family for her final days.  She passed early Friday morning.  Amanda returned to Kentucky and we all went to MO to be with family.  We spent the weekend grieving, helping, and preparing.  The sorrow and grief on her husband and family was tremendous.  Over 816 came to the visitation service held in the elementary school gym.  Cindy was a beloved school counselor, farmer’s wife, and one of the most energetic, smiling, beautiful, and engaging persons you will ever meet.  She was so hard-working and packed 80 years of living into her short 45 years.

During the visitation I set and talked to Bruce and Melanie Hays for about 10 minutes.  They had come to support the family, especially their daughter-in-law, Ashley and son Wes.  They left and went to meet some other family members who were heading to Branson for a girl’s trip.  Bruce was returning to Kentucky to work.

We woke on Monday morning and were emotionally and physically preparing for Cindy’s funeral when we learned tragic news.  Melanie Hays and her mother Shirley Philips (Wes’ mother and grandmother) were killed in a car accident on their way to Branson.  Others in the van were seriously hurt.  It felt unbelievable.  It seemed like the scene from Job when sorrow is just piled on top of sorrow.  We prepared their necessities, and I drove Wes and Ashley to meet some of his family in Dexter who were heading to Springfield.

At 4 p.m. we celebrated the life of Cindy Green in a very appropriate, moving, and special funeral service.  We received updates from the family about the injured through the day.

On Tuesday morning we headed to Springfield.  We spent the day with the Hays family at the hospital.  They are a great and faithful family with seven children.  But it was all so sorrowful, being with them in their great grief and concern for the hurting.  Their was a hole as wide as Texas through the heart of their home.  We were missing and trying to wrap our own minds around the fact that Melanie and Shirley were gone to heaven, never to walk this earthly sod again.  We had to stop by Wal-Mart and buy cloths for Valerie, the 10 year old daughter of Bruce and Melanie.  She was being released and needed cloths.  It was sad, doing the job a mom does.  Knowing Melanie, we should have gone to Goodwill or bought off the discount rack, because she was a deal finder!  I could just see Melanie there with us.  It was so sad, realizing she was gone and her husband and children must go on without her.

On Wednesday we returned home to Mayfield.  We gathered with our church family, prayed, and worshipped.

It had only been a week. . . 

Oh how a week can change decades.

Oh how a week can change heaven’s role.

Oh how a week can bring unbelievable sorrow, loss, and confusion.

Oh how a week seemed to change everything, yet the King is still on His Throne.  One day he will change it all and set everything right.  It will not take him a week, only a moment, like the twinkling of an eye.

Oh how a week makes life seem so fragile, vain, and uncertain.

Oh how a week reminds us of our great enemy — death.

Oh how a week has caused us to long and look forward to the return of Jesus.

Join me today and especially this next week in prayer for these families.  The Green family, the Hays family, the Phillips family, and Dillingham family.

Natalie, the 18 year old daughter is still in critical condition in ICU in Springfield.  Angie and Emma Dillingham are still in the hospital, but both are improving and doing much better.  The family will conduct funeral services on Thursday and Saturday for their losses.

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May 29

How to Get Your Elders to Say “Yes” – Part 2

ELDERS Pt 2.001I am sharing 7 steps to get your elders to say “Yes” to your proposal.  In the previous post we shared the first three steps.

Step 1: Keep the overall good and goals of the church as priority.

Step 2: Don’t wear out your welcome.

Step 3: Prepare thoroughly and have it in writing.

Now in this post we will share the final four.

Step 4:  Anticipate Objections

In your preparation for the proposal consider all of the possible objections.  Can this ministry be divisive?  Is there any portion of the proposal that may be unscriptural?  Elders are concerned with peace and unity of the church.  Elders are great at figuring how why a program will not work and potential problems.  They are going to consider how the proposal will impact the overall church.  Is there any segments that the proposal will neglect or offend?  Is the proposal doable?  Is it financially wise? How much will it cost, and how will the money be used?

Your attitude displayed as you consider these objections, and others you did not anticipate may very well determine if you get a “yes.”  Don’t be forceful or dogmatic.  Certainly do not speak in a condescending manner or with a lack of respect.  Adopt a learning and cooperative posture as each objection is raised.  One hint on anticipating objections; consider the history of the church and how your proposal may relate to past situations in the church.

Step 5:  Make the Pitch Concisely and Clearly

Dr. Earl Edwards tells the story of when he was raising funds for mission work in Italy.  A group of elders had a significant amount of money to allocate and were looking at various works.  They invited various missionaries to come and present their proposals.  They asked that they keep their initial proposals to 10 minutes.  The person before him went much longer than 10 minutes.  The meeting was getting late and the elders were getting tired.  Dr. Edwards went in and laid out his plan concisely and clearly with written materials in 10 minutes.  He got the “yes.”  Elders don’t have to know all that you know!  They don’t have to know how to run the ministry, mission effort, or educational program.  They just need to know the overall plan and how it fits into the budget and the work of the church.  Be concise and allow time for discussion.

Step 6:  Trust your Elders to know the Flock.

When you are making a proposal for a cause you feel important to the Lord’s work it is easy to get emotionally tied to the proposal.  But we must always remember that the elders know the flock and are given a high charge by God to oversee the church.  We may not understand their objections.  We may not like the modifications they ask us to make.  We may think they were stingy with money or overly concerned about a minority clique of the church.  But we must remember they are the elders.  They are watching over the souls of the church.  They will give an account for their stewardship.  It is our duty to trust them.  They know more than the preacher, deacon, or ministry leader.  They may not be able to share all of their reasons, but trust them.  When you trust them, in the long run, you will be able to get more “yes” answers and the church will benefit!

Step 7:  Be United as a Team

In far too many churches their is competition born out of pride between elders and preachers or elders and deacons.  Elders can feel threatened by preachers, and preachers often are disrespectful and subversive to elders.  These attitudes harm the church.  If you want your proposals to get a “yes” you need to have an attitude of a team player.  Don’t make demands, but make requests.  Don’t just tell the way it is going to be, but solicit advice and help for doing it right!  Present the proposal, but allow them to help you make it better.  Work on the project together to craft it into a powerful ministry or tool for the Lord’s kingdom.  If you receive a “no” or “let’s wait a bit” then leave the room determined to support the elders.  Don’t leave and begin bad mouthing them to others.  See yourself as a part of the team desiring the church to go forward.  So no matter what happens own the outcome and be mature and Christ-centered.

What other thoughts and suggestions would you have for presenting proposals to church elders?  I would love to hear from some church elders on this one as well.

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May 28

How to Get Your Elders to Say “Yes” – Pt. 1

ELDERS.001Michael Hyatt wrote three posts on how to get your boss to say “yes” in the marketplace (see links in footnote).  These posts have been successful for him and helpful to many.  I wanted to take these concepts, and some of my own thoughts, and write a couple of posts as well.  Before sharing my thoughts, let me say that this is not intended as a way of manipulating elders to do the solicitor’s will.  That is not my intention, but rather to help the deacon, preacher, or ministry leader to know better how to make the presentation and things to consider in asking a group of elders to approve a project.

7 Steps to Getting Your Church Elders to Say “Yes.”

Step 1:  Keep the overall good and goals of the church as the priority.  

Godly shepherds are primarily concerned about the church.  They want the church to grow in spiritual strength and physical number.  They want current needs to be addressed.  Elders are not interested in seeing the preacher expand his popularity in the greater brotherhood.  They are not keen on a deacon’s latest hobby-horse he picked up while visiting another church. They want to know what will help their congregation.  The project needs to be focused on the local congregation.  Even when it is a mission proposal or humanitarian effort in another place, the proposal must still consider the goals and desires of the local congregation.

The key pitfall to avoid is personal arrogance and a self-serving spirit.  Elders can spot a program that benefits the requestor, yet has no real merit or benefit to the local congregation in fulfilling their God-given directives.  Make sure the good of the church is always considered and desired by all parities.

Step 2:  Don’t Wear Out Your Welcome

If you want to get a “yes” don’t go to the well too many times.  Ministers with a congregation need to learn to prioritize their work and focus.  A shotgun approach can at times be effective, but most of the time a rifle will have more of an impact.  It is key to finish your projects and see them through.  The point is simple:  Don’t ask too often.

For example if you are a missionary being supported by a church, there will be times when you have special needs for the work.  Let’s say you need extra funds to purchase some radio airtime or need a down payment on a facility.  Most elders are generous and understand the occurrence of special needs.  But there are only so many times you can go to the well!

So whether it be a raise, a new computer, or proposing a new ministry for the church, the less you ask the more likely you are to receive it!  Elders are inundated with worthy requests, so they have a natural desire to spread their resources.  Let them know you only ask when you have an important reason, understanding there are many other worthy programs.

Step 3:  Prepare Thoroughly and Have it in Writing

We had only been married for two years and were planning to go to the mission field of Asuncion, Paraguay with a team of six others.  We were going to be trained by the Continent of Great Cities Ministry.  We needed to raise our salary and work fund.  The experienced missionaries at Continent gave us lots of information. We put together a packet that included our financial needs, mission plans, and personal information.  We gained a meeting with the North Jackson Church of Christ elders.  They had all of our information and were aware of our plans.  We made the proposal and asked for all the support they could give including oversight of the work.  They chose to support us completely.

That was a great blessing for us at the time involving many factors.  But one of the key factors in those elders saying “yes” was the thorough preparation and a written document.  I learned a needed lesson in dealing with elders.  Always be prepared when you are making a pitch.  For my 10+ years at Seven Oaks, I have made many proposals to our elders.  I will always try to do thorough research, prepare the information in writing, and share the intended outcomes of the proposal.

Let’s be honest, elders are busy people who have a lot of responsibility.  They are trusting the preacher, missionary, deacon, or ministry leader to do their homework.  They expect you to know more about it than them.  If you are going to lead it, then you need to be prepared.

In the next post, we will continue our list of steps to get your elders to say “yes.”  Do you have any thoughts or ideas to add to this post?

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Links to Michael Hyatt Posts

Part 1 

Part 2

Part 3

 

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May 27

Keeping It Positive in the Strawberry Patch

Brooke getting ready to pick.

Brooke getting ready to pick.

It is an annual tradition of our family to go pick strawberries.  We go each year to a place near the Kentucky/Tennessee border.  The kids always enjoy going and have gotten good at picking them.  We try to make it fun by creating a contest to see who can pick the biggest strawberry and the weirdest one.  Austin and Landon, the two boys, are competitive.  Austin sets out to accomplish the task with vigor and determination.  Landon, the 4 year old, spends his time worrying he will not win.  In order to do so he solicits the help of the adults to give him their biggest or weirdest.  This year he had several adults to schmooze since his Papa and Nana and aunt Ashley came on the trip.

But it is Brooke, our 7 year old little girl, that is the subject of this post.  Brooke is our least competitive, and henceforth, the most easy-going.  In golf, when she was young she could miss the ball 10 times and never get upset, just laugh and keep swinging.  If the boys missed the ball 3 or 4 times, they were throwing the club down and pouting.  When Amanda was picking near Brooke, Brooke offered this pearl of wisdom, “I just keep telling myself that we are not here to just find the biggest and the weirdest, but we are really just here to pick strawberries.”

This is Brooke’s secret that we all need to adopt!  She would not allow herself to be drawn into the pressure of having to win!  She released herself from the pressure, by telling herself the real reason we were there was to pick strawberries.  Thus, it did not matter if she won or lost the contest, because she knew it was just a silly, fun contest.

This is positive thinking at its finest.  It is a great perspective!  While Landon worried and Austin sweated over the contest, Brooke didn’t worry or sweat and just had fun!  I think there is a lesson there for all of us!  We can get so wrapped up in the contests of life, that we forget the real purpose.

By the way, we never declared a winner, but there were some big and weird strawberries found by all participants, but in the end our goal was just to pick strawberries and we left with a small fortune of them! 

Austin with a Big One!

Austin with a Weird One!

IMG_7682

Landon with his bucket!

IMG_7695

Caleb helping Brooke look for big ones!

 

Our family with the haul. This was not just for us!

Our family with the haul. This was not just for us!

 

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May 22

Do For One, What You Can’t Do For All

"Hunger and Gratitude" by leonalim at free images.com

“Hunger and Gratitude” by leonalim at free images.com

How many times have you heard, “Well we can’t do it for everyone, so we can’t do it for anyone”? 

How many times have you thought, “Well, I would do that, but it really isn’t very much, and there is so much more that needs to be done, so I won’t do anything”?

Although there is value in fairness and seeking to treat all persons equally, often we use these thoughts as excuses.

[important]I want to suggest that you practice the following servant-oriented principle in your life — “Do for one, what you cannot do for all.” [/important]

Your resources are limited, your time is tight, and your talent specific. Therefore, you cannot meet every need, but you can make a difference. 

Jesus didn’t heal every sick person in Palestine, nor did He personally counsel and teach every family in Israel, but He did heal some and teach some (Mark 10:45).  Likewise, the Apostles did for one through teaching and healing what they were not able to do for all.  Be a servant!

Make a difference in your family, at your job, in the church, and in the community by choosing to give of yourself and serve.  Do for one what you cannot do for all!  You will bless others and be blessed yourself.

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Credit – I heard this line “do for one, what you cannot do for all” by Andy Stanley in his Leadership Podcast years back.

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May 18

Heaven will be a Place of . . . .

Fleecy Clouds by alfi007 at freeimages.com

Fleecy Clouds by alfi007 at freeimages.com

I was thinking about heaven and these thoughts came to my mind.  I hope they spur your thoughts of heaven.  Feel free to share your thoughts or questions with me.

  • Heaven will be a place free from money.  We lay up our treasures in heaven, but it is not monetary treasures (Mat. 6:19-21).  In heaven, God will be “all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28).  Heaven knows no currency, because God will supply all we need.  Think about a world without money.  It will be a place free of financial worries, social classes, poor people, and fusses over money!
  • Heaven will be a place where we will not be sexual beings.  We are sexual beings now.  We are male and female.  God made us to have sexual desires.  It seems from Luke 20:34-37, that since there is no marriage in heaven, then we will not be sexual beings.  Sex has a divine purpose of procreation and drawing the married couple together in one flesh intimacy.  So in heaven it doesn’t seem to need that purpose.  Now consider a world without sex.  So many of the sins of our world are through Satan’s abuse of sex.  But also consider that this allows for a place were people are loved for truly who they are and not their sexual appeal or beauty.
  • Heaven will be a place of great fellowship.  All earthly relationships and friendships are bound by time.  All of us have friends and family that we cannot see now because of their death.  We have others who we cannot see because of space and distance.  Heaven is a place of rest.  Heaven is not run by the clock like our world.  It is a place of no goodbye’s and eternal fellowship with God and fellow saints.
  • Heaven will be a place of incredible worship.  Worship is great here on earth, but there is still a physical element that hinders our worship.  We humans struggle to stay focused.  We make mistakes. Songs are off-tune, sermons are boring, and the prayers are sometimes repetitious.  There exists  a barrier between the physical and spiritual realm for us.  In heaven this barrier will be removed and we will be with God (Rev. 21-22).  Worship will be incredible in the presence of God with the countless multitudes of angels and redeemed gathered around the throne.
  • Heaven will be a place free from sin and death.  Jesus defeated death through the resurrection.  He will one day destroy this “last enemy” at his return.  There will be no hospitals, funeral homes, or caskets in heaven.  Heaven will never hear of marriages dissolving with affairs, Christians becoming unfaithful to the church, or being addicted to drugs and alcohol.  Heaven will be a wonderful place free from greed, hatred, malice, jealousy, and bitterness.  It will be a place where love reigns supreme.

We need to think about heaven more.  I hope this has helped you consider the heavenly home God has prepared for those who love Him.

Are you on the path to heaven?

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/heaven-will-be-a-place-of/

May 14

The Longing of Your Soul

Eye for Detail by asifthebes at www.freeimages.com

Eye for Detail by asifthebes at www.freeimages.com

For what does your soul long?

I asked some teen boys that last night. They said a variety of things.  One heartbreakingly wanted his father who had passed away.  Others  said typical teen boy things like cars, college, graduation, and independence.  I am sure girls were probably a part of the list too!

John writes in Revelation about the collapse of Babylon and the harlot: [important]”The fruit for which your soul longed, has gone from you and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again.” (Rev. 18:14).  [/important]

He is talking about the Roman empire which was consumed with greed and lust.  The earlier verses list off an array of material treasures that they had sought like gold, silver, jewels, spices, horses, chariots, and slaves.  They had put all of their hope and energy into seeking these possession and now they are all taken away in their fall.

That is how it is with sin!  If we long for something that is ungodly and sinful, once we attain it, we will not have satisfaction.  

Remember the story of Amnon and Tamar his half-sister.  He longed to have her so much that he plotted how he could get her.  After she was sent to prepare food for him, he forcibly raped her.  Then the Bible says, “Amnon hated her with a very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.”¹  This story has been repeated in various ways countless times through the centuries.  Though it is not always a rape, but any immoral sexual encounter.  Sex outside of God’s boundaries is going to leave your soul empty and not attaining your longing.  It promises satisfaction, but leaves an unfilled longing and lots of other problems!

How many people have longed for riches and wealth only to be miserable once they attain it, having exchanged their soul for the world!

God is the only longing that will truly satisfy.  A longing for righteousness, goodness, love, mercy, and peace.  A longing for holiness and purity.  A longing for seeking first the kingdom of God.  This longing will fulfill.

But sadly, most of our world is like the great Harlot of Revelation the fruit for which their soul longs has gone from them.  What is sadder yet, is that they still keep chasing it and other vain longings.  

[important]The real question for you and I is:  “For what fruit do we long?”[/important]

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  1. 2 Sam. 13:15

 

 

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May 13

10 Ministry Ideas for Your Church This Summer

Hand Idea by miracle at www.freeimages.com

Hand Idea by miracle at www.freeimages.com

I wanted to share a list of ideas for your church to consider this summer.  This is certainly not an exhaustive list and I welcome any ideas you may have that we could use here at Seven Oaks.  You probably have heard of these before, but they may be a good reminder.

  1. Have some “Church/Eat/Church” Sundays.  For the past several years we would have three Sundays in the summer where we would have a fellowship meal and then an early afternoon worship.  We would bring in a local guest speaker for the afternoon service.  It allowed us to hear some local preachers and not conflict with their regular speaking schedule.  It affords good fellowship and allows people to have an open  evening in the summer.
  2. An Ice Cream Supper night. This has been a long standing tradition at Seven Oaks and many congregations.  We typically have visitors and I try to coordinate my sermon around this evening.
  3. Special Sunday and Wednesday nights.  Summer is a good time to change up the typical order of activities for Sunday and Wednesday nights.  Many churches have a summer series where they invite guest speakers.  For years we have done a summers series with our own men on Wednesday nights.  You can spruce up Sunday nights some in the summer with special reports, prayer nights, singing nights, and fellowship afterwards.
  4. Bible Investigators.  This was a program Amanda and I developed.  We are not using it this year, but you can read this post to find more information about it.  You could use our program with slight modifications or take the idea and make it better.  It is a program for kids through 6th grade that focuses on memory learning.
  5. Family night.  We move our evening service to 5:00 and have a cookout afterwards for families and kids.  We have organized games and activities for the kids.
  6. Video Sermon Series.  Adam Faughn and the Lebanon Road Church of Christ have organized and developed this new ministry.  It is a video series that can be used by churches for free.  The topic is “Building Godly Families” and involves a list of very capable speakers, except for one who did not feel like his lesson went well!  You can find out more at this link.
  7. We Are the Sermon.  This is a community service project where your church finds projects in the community to do on a Sunday afternoon.  We are doing two of these this year.  We have worship at 2:00 and then go serve.  We mow yards, clean forgotten cemeteries, trim bushes, and take appreciation gifts to health care workers.
  8. Day Camp for Youth.  Ryan and other youth leaders did this ministry last year.  Simply invite children from area churches and the community and have a day camp for a week.  Plan games, devotionals, and other activities.  Let your teens serve as counselors and have a great time.
  9. Summer Reading Series.  Most libraries do a summer reading program.  Churches could take the idea and have a reading time for young preschool children.  If you have a playground you could allow time for play and have parents bring a sack lunch.
  10. A Give Away Day.  Your congregation could do a free yard sale like items give away on a Saturday morning.  You could collect back to school supplies and do a community give away or provide free vegetables from church members gardens to the needy.

 What ideas can you share?

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/10-ministry-ideas-for-your-church-this-summer/

May 08

It is NOT Gossip because . . .

"girl on a cell phone" by apatterson from www.freeimages.com

“girl on a cell phone” by apatterson from www.freeimages.com

We have all heard the line, and we are all skeptical of it.

It is the sentence that starts something like this:  “I am not gossiping when I tell you this …”

Often after the conversation, we don’t feel good about it!

But there are some reasons for sharing negative information about others.  In fact, I believe that many who are often accused of gossiping or believing gossip are actually trying to do good.  Elders and preachers in the church are at times accused of such, but they are trying to do right.

In the last post, I discussed what is gossip, now in this post I want to share what is NOT gossip.

I want to share with you four biblical reasons for telling negative information.

  1. To communicate the truth to someone who needs to know.  There are times when people need to know the truth.  You should tell the boss if another employee is handling money unethically.  The elders may need to be made aware of a situation that is affected a family in the church.  Someone may have only heard one side of a story, and they need to know the rest of it.
  2. To seek consolation for personal hurt and pain.  It is not gossip to need to share your burden and hurt with others.¹  If a relative has been unfaithful in their marriage to your family member, you will likely need someone to talk to about your hurt and pain.
  3. To seek help or assistance to deal with a problem.  There may be a time, when you have a problem that you don’t know how to handle.  Or you need the assistance of others to handle.  Paul had heard about the two ladies at Philippi who were in a disagreement.  He implored them to be united and he asked his friend to help them as well.²  Jesus told us that if you cannot work your problem out with your brother yourself, then to take one or two others, and if this attempt fails tell it to the church.³
  4. To aid a person who is being overtaken with sin.   Like many issues of the Christian faith our heart and intentions make the difference.  If we speak information to someone with the intention of helping the person spoken about; then this is not gossip.  Paul says we are not to “repay anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”¹¹ The Bible has examples of people sharing negative information with the desire of helping the other person.  Many of Paul’s letters come from his hearing about issues and conflicts in the congregation from someone.  If someone in the church gets into sin, the church has a responsibility to talk about their choices and to seek their restoration.²²

Gossip is a tough issue because it has a subjective component.  I believe that well-meaning Chrsitians in our tolerant-loving society, are often accused of gossip, when they are only trying to help.  We must always check our heart when we are sharing information and discussing someone else’s life.  But we must not let the fear or accusation of gossip, keep us from talking about the wayward Christian who is struggling with sin.

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¹ – Gal. 6:2, Rom. 12:15

² – Phil. 4:2-3

³ – Mat. 18:15-17

¹¹ – 1 Thes. 5:15

²² – Gal. 6:1;  James 5:19-20;  etc.

 

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May 06

Just What is Gossip Anyways?

Gossip Girls 1 by Lusi at www.freeimages.com

Gossip Girls 1 by Lusi at www.freeimages.com

Gossip or slander was condemned in the Old and New Testament.¹  Gossip is the spreading of rumors or idle, fruitless tales.  It is usually negative and involves “juicy” details that incite our interest and curiosity.  Proverbs talks gossip being the divulging of personal information and secrets.²

Four Questions to Use in Helping You Identify Gossip.

  1. Is it judgmental, hyper-critical, or fault-finding in nature?  Christians are not to be judgmental, cynical, and hyper-critical people.  We should not always find fault with others and be negative towards them.  We are to be merciful and treat others as we want to be treated.  Gossip often finds its roots in a condemning attitude rooted in pride.
  2. Is it false?  Gossip can be either true, false, or most commonly, a mixture of the two.  So often when gossip is being spread, the party speaking only knows half of the story.  If we do not know something is true, then we certainly should not be spreading it!
  3. Is it intended to cause harm to the individual who is being spoken about?   Gossip is often spoken because of a personal disdain, hatred, or jealousy for the other person.³  Slander and gossip are spoken because they just don’t like the other person.  When we find ourselves getting a sinful pleasure or joy out of spreading someone else’s problems, even if they are true, we are in the wrong.
  4. Is it intended to entertain? A chief part of the draw of gossip is its entertaining nature.  It entertains us, and we also are able to become the “star of the show” and entertain others.  We are the one in the know who has some information, still unbeknownst to others.  The New Testament speaks about idle people who occupy their time with gossiping.¹¹

These four questions will help us control our tongues and avoid the sin of gossip.  Gossip is not a light issue, it is a serious sin that hurts people and the church badly.

In the next post, we will clarify when sharing negative information is not gossip.

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¹ – Lev. 19:6, Prov. 6:19; Mat. 12:36, 15:19; 2 Cor. 12:20, Titus 2:3, 3:2; 1 Peter 2:1, 3:10

²  – Prov. 11:13, 20:19

³ – 1 Tim. 3:11, 1 Thess. 5:15, James 4:11

¹¹ – 1 Tim. 5:13, 2 Thess. 3:11

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