Sep 11

The Suffering Shepherd

Being an elder in the Lord’s church is a daunting and stressful task. It comes with sleepless nights, sharp criticisms, and the burden of wayward sheep. While the concept of a suffering shepherd isn’t ideal–Heb. 13:17 encourages sheep to let elders serve with joy and not groaning–it is often the reality for shepherds.

Thus, modern shepherds should take courage from the OT concept of the shepherd. In fact, the major contribution that the OT makes to the NT leadership model is that of a suffering righteous shepherd. When you survey the shepherd leader concept throughout the OT you find the pattern of one who is suffering righteously for the cause of God.

  • Abel, a keeper of sheep, is killed by his brother for offering an acceptable sacrifice (Gen. 4).
  • Abraham is a righteous shepherd who is driven to Egypt because of a famine (Gen. 12:10). He will experience trials with Pharaoh (Gen. 13-15) and conflict with the Philistines (Gen. 20). He is called to leave his homeland and sojourn in tents, while also passing the ultimate test of faith in offering his son Isaac.
  • The shepherd Jacob will face his trials. He deals with family conflict, loss of dear loved ones, and famine.
  • Moses, a shepherd of his father-in-law’s flock, is called while in the wilderness (Ex. 3). He will suffer for decades leading a stiff-necked and rebellious people out of Egypt and wandering in the wilderness.
  • David was a shepherd boy who protected his father’s flock from bears and lions. He courageously slew a Goliath, but gained the jealousy and ire of king Saul. It is in his Psalms that the righteous suffering shepherd is most seen and described as one who is surrounded by enemies (Psalm 22, 23, etc).
  • Jesus, himself, summarizes the theme of suffering shepherd as going all through the OT when he assigns guilt for “all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah” upon the present generation (Mat. 23:34-35). In the ancient book order of the OT Abel was the first righteous sufferer and Zechariah was the last at the end of 2 Chronicles. Jesus simply is saying in our terminology from Genesis to Malachi!
  • Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this typological pattern of the suffering righteous shepherd. As he was the good shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep (John 10:1-18). Peter would call us to follow in his steps (1 Pet 2:18-25).

So what is the point? The point is a very powerful one I believe. Elders do suffer today for their righteous actions and stances they take as leaders. But this should be no surprise! Every time a shepherd suffers today they continue to perpetuate the lineage of the righteous suffering Shepherd that God has always used and always called into His service. When you signed up to be an elder, you joined a heritage of righteous sufferers who imitate OT heroes, NT saints, and chiefly, our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Idea gained from Shepherding God’s Flock by Benjamin L. Merkle and Thomas R. Schreiner Eds. p. 25-31

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/the-suffering-shepherd/

Sep 09

Leading Like Jesus

Was Jesus a great leader? This question may seem blasphemous to even ask, because the answer is so assumed by us today. After all, he has led millions to follow him down through the ages. So let me ask the question more directly, “Was Jesus a great leader by the world’s standards?”

The world’s common standards for great leadership are success, status, and standing. We want leaders who are powerful, good-looking, successful, wealthy, talented, and capable. They need to demonstrate success, maintain social status, and have political standing within their sphere. Jesus’ earthly ministry from a world’s perspective failed at all of these. His ministry ended in crucifixion with his followers all fleeing. He lacked success, status, and political standing. He was crucified between thieves after being found guilty in a court of law. Jesus was no Jack Welch, Knute Rockne, or president.

So if Jesus wasn’t a great leader by the world’s standards how did he lead in such a way that transformed human culture and society from his life down to today? He was a great teacher! The bulk of his work was teaching. His teachings transformed hearts and minds then and now. His teaching demonstrated love and care for humanity. His teaching involved a shepherd model wherein he gave an example for his followers in word and deed (John 10).

His method of leadership wasn’t material success, social status, or political standing. Rather his method was to draw followers and teach them the truth of God. Thus, it is no wonder that when he passes the leadership mantle on to his Apostles he instructs them to “feed his sheep” (John 21:15-19). They were to be great leaders through being great teachers.

The church must be reminded today that great leadership within its buildings and outside in the community doesn’t come through success, status, or standing, but comes through teaching God’s word. Elders lead through teaching. Preachers lead through teaching. Christians lead others to Christ through teaching. Sadly, leadership today has been redefined as vision-casting, influence, administration, and reputation. While these have their place, the leader who desires to follow Christ’s method must realize the greatest and most powerful way to lead other is by teaching them God’s truth.

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Ideas for this post taken from Great Leader, Great Teacher by Gary Bredfeldt (ch. 3).

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/leading-like-jesus/

Sep 04

Fake Enemies

Have you ever heard of the First United States Army group of WWII lead by General Patton in a mission called Operation Fortitude? What about the British 12th Army division which was equipped and trained to move in invading Europe?

Neither of these armies actually ever existed in reality. They were invented by British and American intelligence agency to fool the German army into believing the D-Day attacks would take place at other locations. They worked incredibly well and the Germans believed these were real and substantial armies with large troop sizes and equipment. Operation Fortitude was a complete fake! All of this deception went on while the real mission was being planned in great secrecy.

When I read about this deception of the German army, my mind reflected upon the great deceiver–Satan. Satan is the father of lies and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). I couldn’t help but consider how many fake enemies Satan puts into our minds. Consider these:

  • 1st Infantry of Worry and Anxiety – This fictitious infantry comes to us daily. We worry and get anxious about our health, wealth, friendships, kids, salvation, work, and on-and-on we go. Jesus commands us not to worry and instructs us to trust our heavenly Father (Mat. 6:25-34). Satan deceives us into believing we must worry, it is just who we are, and produces all kinds of things for us to worry about that will likely never happen.
  • 2nd Battalion of “They” and “Them” – Satan uses us to produce this army. We develop a paranoia about what “they” and “them” are saying about us. We believe “they” don’t like us. We interpret their actions as against us and it is because of “them” that we have our problems.
  • 3rd Division of More and More – This division has tremendous resources and finances for advertising. It’s marketing campaign communicates the idea that if we don’t have “it” we will not be happy. The more and more division travels with easy credit, loads of debt, and the underlying belief that stuff is where it is at! Jesus crushed this army by saying, “Man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). But we struggle to believe it when we see the next new thing our neighbor has that we want.
  • 4th Army Group of Value and Goodness – This covert division of Satan works primarily in secret. They attack our minds and beliefs about ourselves. They whisper to us “you are not valuable” or “you will never be any good.” This division hates the doctrine of God’s grace.
  • 5th Armor Division of Disease and Misfortune – This army of Satan operates on fear and insecurity. We live constantly thinking we are about to suffer some misfortune or succumb to a disease. Rather than rejoicing in the Lord and the blessings of the present, we live a hypercondriact life thinking about what is about to happen to us.

Recognize any of these armies? They are fake enemies in your mind and heart. They are used by Satan to steal your joy and faith. Remember, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/fake-enemies/

Aug 28

What a Horse Taught My Daughter

Brooke riding Chief in the yard.

It was the saddest day yet on our farm. As parents we had talked about how difficult that day would be, but imagined it would be a long ways off. Brooke’s horse, Chief–her strong gelding horse who was the love of this 12 year old’s heart–had injured his leg. We thought it was a simple cut, but it turned out to be much more. Through tears, we had to have the horse euthanized. Our whole family was heartbroken, and Brooke was deeply saddened.

Brooke jumping on Chief.

She had only had Chief for about 14 months, but he impacted her life for so much good. He taught her some valuable lessons all of us need to learn.

  • Courage to triumph fear. Brooke had a passion for horses. She just had one problem–she was afraid of them. Her fear would triumph over her desire. She would panic, get upset, and want to quit. Doing a simple task like leading our pony could conjure fear if he acted up in any way. She wanted to ride the pony, but struggled to overcome her fear. Her determined, strong-willed spirit, and Chief taught her to be courageous. She learned to calm her fears and overcome them to accomplish what her heart wanted.
  • Trust is earned. Trust takes time and effort to be gained. Chief taught Brooke that trust is gained through time and experiences together. She grew in her trust of him as they explored and rode daily. He grew in his bond and trust with her as they spent days together. A bond of trust isn’t formed in an hour or over a social media friendship, trust is gained through time, work, and experiences together.
  • Marvelous joy is often accompanied with minor irritations. Brooke experienced sensational joy flying around our farm with hair flowing in the wind. As parents we loved watching her smiling and having such a great time. But Chief was also a horse, and even the best of horses has its quirks. One day he didn’t want to go where she wanted, and he didn’t have energy to run. She got so frustrated and upset with him. She stormed off saying she was done with him, but a few hours later she was back grooming him in the stall. That is love and relationships isn’t it? Nothing is perfect in this world. While there is great joy in riding fast, there is much work in cleaning stalls.
  • The pain of loss and how to grieve. Brooke’s tender heart fell in love with her horse. Death snatched him from her. She felt the pain of searing loss. Not a great tragedy, but the loss of a friend and dear pet. She experienced feelings of grief and sadness. She learned how to handle them maturely and how to reinvest in the future.
Brooke weeping over Chief after his passing.

We buried Chief under a big oak tree on the edge of our farm. His time was short on our farm, but his impact will last a lifetime. He did his job. Brooke is confident and capable now because of Chief’s impact. She is a better person. She is more equipped to handle life because of what he taught her.

Brooke’s selfie with Chief.

Check out Brooke’s horse videos at B Horsecrazy on Youtube. Here is her first video. A second one is coming out soon with her new horse; Beau.

Brooke Standing on Chief

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/what-a-horse-taught-my-daughter/

Aug 20

Get All People to the Table!

John F. Kennedy had authorized the Bay of Pigs invasion into Cuba by Cuban exiles attempting to overthrow Fidel Castro, which was a complete military failure. Kennedy, adopting a CIA plan, had hoped to make it look like there was no US involvement. The entire episode was a failure and heightened the already tense Cold War relationship with the Soviet Union.

Reeling from his failure, Kennedy met with the former President, Dwight Eisenhower at Camp David. In the interchange, Ike asked JFK about his making of the decision. He simply had just taken the CIA’s advice, without fully hearing the debate and allowing opposing views. Eisenhower “always emphasized the need, as he once put it, to ‘get them [the people responsible] with their different viewpoints in front of you, and listen to them debate. I don’t believe in bringing them in one at a time, and therefore being impressed by the most recent one . . .” (Baier, p. 263).

Ike offers some valuable leadership advice for not just Presidents dealing with military missions, but to all of us who find ourselves in leadership. This counsel of getting everyone at the table is so powerful. Consider its application in these church contexts.

  • A youth minister who is trying to plan a date and theme for VBS. The more buy-in and involvement he can gain in planning the date and theme with all participants who make VBS happen present the better.
  • An eldership who is dealing with conflict between two families. Getting them together to facilitate discussion, allowing healthy communication, and being sure everyone knows what is said is generally better than separate multiple meetings, miscommunication between groups, and distrust developing.
  • A family with three children at home trying to make a big family decision; like buying a home, taking a new job, or changing schools. Have a meeting with all your children present. Discuss with them the options and get feedback and allow healthy debate.
  • An education deacon who is dealing with conflict between teachers over classroom space and resource usage. Have a meeting with all present and discuss the common goals and shared desires. Allow everyone to share their opinions and views on solving the problem.

Ike’s leadership advice is Biblical too. Paul believed in getting everyone in the room that had an issue in the problem. He withstood Peter “before them all” in Gal. 2:14. In matters of church discipline he taught the whole church to be involved (1 Cor. 5). He entreated his “true companion” to help Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord (Phil. 4:2). Surely this involves this brother facilitating a meeting between these ladies.

Though leaders often fear the perceived explosive tension that develops in a meeting, often the issue and problems can be resolved much sooner and better in a meeting with everyone at the table. The leader is then able to hear the debate, see the attitudes, and understand the problem better. Communication is clearer, the sin and problem of gossip is lessened, and the goals; be it peace or a solution to a problem can be clearly sought.

To avoid your Bay of Pigs messes as a leader get all those involved in the decision or issue together at the same table!

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Baier, Bret. Three Days in January: Dwight Eisenhower’s Final Mission. 2017. p. 263.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/get-all-people-to-the-table/

Aug 15

Ignoring Good Advice

Lou Holtz, the football coach, quipped, “My athletes always follow my advice . . . unless it conflicts with what they want to do.”

Why is taking good advice so difficult?

Solomon said, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Prov. 12:15). Listening is such a necessary skill for success. Seeking good advice and counsel will propel us forward as we tap into the resources of wisdom and experience that surround us. Yet, we all struggle to do it.

So, why do we ignore good advice and counsel?

Solomon answered this query too when he wrote, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Prov. 18:1). There are three reasons that we ignore good advice found in this one verse.

  1. We isolate ourselves. Have you ever noticed that when you don’t want to hear other’s advice, you just avoid them? Bible strongman Samson is a case study in isolating himself from the Israelites and his parents which lead to him marrying one of his enemies and ultimately to his capture and death. Don’t isolate yourself from others, you need the advice, counsel, help, and love of others.
  2. We are selfish. Solomon says we isolate ourselves because we are selfish. Our pride, arrogance, and downright selfishness causes us to refuse the good advice of others. We want to do what we want to do, even to our own demise. Samson wanted a Philistine wife because she was fitting to his eyes, thus he rejected his parents advice to marry an Israelite because he wanted this particular beautiful woman (Judges 14). Selfishness blinds us to good advice.
  3. We don’t want to do the right thing. Solomon says the man that isolates himself “breaks out against all sound judgment” (Prov. 18:1). Sometimes we reject good advice, because we resist doing the right thing. The fleshly side of our heart wins out! We have a carnal, earthly desire to do the wrong thing. It excites us. It pleases us. It makes us feel good to be a rebel and do what we want. You have probably even said, “I know this probably isn’t the right thing to do, but it makes me happy.” This is dangerous. It cost Samson two eyes–as his enemies poked them out. It cost Samson an embarrassing and persecution-filled prison stay that ended in his own death (Judges 15-16).

When you come to the forks in the roads of your life, stop and ask yourself, “Why am I refusing to take good advice?” Choose to humbly listen to those who love you, love God, know the Bible, and have learned from their successes and failures. Often the good advice is the toughest to follow, but it will bless you beyond measure into the future.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/ignoring-good-advice/

Aug 14

Reconnect!

A preacher’s marriage has a unique set of challenges and needs. No one understands those stresses and challenges except other preachers. Yet, there is nothing currently available for preachers and their wives to get away with other preachers and their wives and mutually share their wisdom and struggles.

That is until now . . .

We are excited to unveil an exciting new project we have been working on for several months. Myself and Amanda have teamed with Adam and Leah Faughn (A Legacy of Faith website) to organize a marriage retreat for preachers and their wives. We don’t know of anything else like this in the brotherhood.

This event taking place on October 10-11th (Thursday @ 1:00 – Friday evening meal) will be located at the Lebanon Road Church of Christ in Nashville. We have a great lineup of speakers and topics including John Thomas, Jerrie and Gail Barber, Dale Jenkins, and our two families.

The focus is on encouraging and renewing the marriages of preachers and the unique struggle they face in ministry. The retreat is for any ministers in the church–preachers, youth ministers, missionaries, education ministers, or those in training to be preachers.

Check out this page – http://www.joshketchum.com/reconnect/ – on my website to learn more, see the complete schedule, and register. The cost is only $30 per couple. You will have to provide your housing.

If you have any questions send myself – jketchum@sevenoakschurchofchrist.com or Adam Faughn – adfaughn@gmail.com a message.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/reconnect/

Jul 30

Mastering Our Temper

Dwight Eisenhower, the future WWII Supreme Commander and U.S. President, was only ten. It was Halloween night and he desperately wanted to go out Trick-or-Treating with his older brothers, but his parents said no. He argued fiercely for permission to go, but to no avail. When his brothers headed off without him, he lost his temper. He rushed into the yard and smashed his fists repeatedly into the trunk of an apple tree until they bled, stopping only when his father physically drug him back into the house and administered corporal punishment. “He was sent to bed, where he lay sobbing, full of humiliation, disappointment, and frustration.”

After about an hour, his mother lovingly entered his room seeking to reassure and secure him. She tended to his bleeding hands, but also tended to his future. She told him that mastering his temper was the task of growing up! She quoted, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov. 16:32). 50 years later, Ike would recall his mother’s advice and noted that it marked a change in his life. He called it, “one of the most valuable moments of my life.”

Ike could always have a temper, but he became far better known for his “calm strength under pressure.” “He developed a simple method for handling rage, an “anger drawer” in his desk into which he dropped slips of paper with the names of people he was angry at. Once in the drawer, the grievance was banished from thought.”

Have you mastered your temper? Part of growing up–and we never quit doing that–is learning to control and master it! The Apostle Paul commanded Christians to “Be angry and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, and give no opportunity to the devil” (Eph. 4:26-27). If you don’t master it, Satan will use it regularly to keep you enslaved.

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This story about Dwight Eisenhower and the quotes are taken from Three Days in January by Bret Baier (p. 21-22).

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/mastering-our-temper/

Jul 10

Wrongful Birth???

A mother in England is suing a British Hospital for “wrongful birth” desiring $250,000 for the cost of raising the child. Her son was born with Down Syndrome, she claims the hospital did not provide her with the proper screening as she desired an abortion.

The child is now four years old! She was reported by nurses to have been angry and upset at the birth of the child. She has lived angry for four years! This case is not new, as a British paper reports that parents have received millions in “wrongful birth” lawsuits.

Several thoughts jump out at me regarding this story from a Christian worldview.

  1. There is no such thing as a wrongful birth! Every human is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Every person is fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). We all have our weaknesses, disabilities, and limitations, but each of us are unique and special. Every person has a divine purpose and meaning to their life (John 9:1-7). Our opposition to abortion comes from a foundational belief in the sanctity and dignity of human life. No person is wrongfully born and it is dangerous for our society to start labeling some people as wrongfully born. This development has come directly from evolution and the removal of God from our western civilization. Wrongful birth language is only a short distance from racism and euthanasia. It isn’t that much different from Hitler’s actions toward “undesirables” in Germany.
  2. Each life is a gift that should be cherished, rather than despised. So much of life is about our attitude in reacting to what happens to us. This mother has spent the last four years being bitter and upset over a precious child she did not want. How would the last four years of been different if she would have received her unique and special son as a special, child of God? Millions of parents have special needs children which they cherish, love, and gain incredible joy from them. To speak of their child being “wrongfully born” is an insult in the highest to their precious gift. Special need persons teach and impact this world in wonderful ways. A world where every special need child was aborted because they would be a “wrongful birth” would be a world lacking and insufficient in its compassion, love, laughter, and smiles. Who are we as an arrogant human society to say those with low IQ or physical disabilities are unnecessary and “less” than us? When will be the point when you will be the unnecessary one to society?

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See “Mother of Son with Down Syndrome sues Hospital would of had Abortion” https://www.foxnews.com/health/hospital-abortion-son-mother-down-syndrome-lawsuit

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/wrongful-birth/

Jul 02

“We The People” Must Guard Freedom!

“We the people” is how our founding fathers chose to open the Constitution. These three words appear in large font on the opening Preamble. For years children across America memorized the Preamble. It speaks to the true authority and power behind the Constitution.

Lincoln would stand on the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg shortly after that terrible battle cost the lives of thousands of Americans. He begins by talking about the birth of this nation “conceived in liberty.” He closed his famous speech by stating “that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish on earth.”

On the 100th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower encouraged Americans to perpetuate those ideals. After referencing Lincoln, he encouraged his generation to “defend, protect, and pass on unblemished, to coming generations the heritage–the trust–that Abraham Lincoln and all the ghostly legions of patriots of the past, with unflinching faith in their God, have bequeathed to us–a nation free, with liberty, dignity, and justice for all.”

Ronald Reagan said it was the reason he went into politics. These three little words–”We the people!” He said it means “‘We the people’ tell the Government what to do, it doesn’t tell us.” Stating further in his Farewell Address, he said, “Our constitution is a document in which ‘We the people’ tell the government what it is allowed to do. ‘We the people’ are free.”

We have a long history of leaders who have understood power to be held by the people. More importantly we have a long history of the citizenry understanding the power is in the people. We must not cede our power to a government or to a given leader. John Basil Barnhill said, “When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty.”

We the people have responsibilities, rights, privileges, and power. We have freedom! This freedom has been paid for and preserved by the blood of our valiant soldiers. “We the people” have to protect and defend our freedoms today so our future generations will continue to enjoy the liberties and dignities that we possess in America. On this Fourth of July holiday 2019, remember freedom comes from “We the people” maintaining it through responsible citizenry and stewardship.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/we-the-people-must-guard-freedom/