Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 — English Standard Version

I’ve heard many sermons about bringing people into the church. Filling up the building with people to hear the Word of God prayerfully desiring the Holy Spirit to work in all these folks brought into the church building.

I’ve heard many sermons on Matthew 28;

The Great Commission

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20 — English Standard Version

Pastors are great at preaching these things to their congregations but show little or no evidence of practicing what they preach. Oh, the famous ones write books and travel to conferences and have their people arrange cruises on luxury cruise ships in the Mediterranean “to retrace the missionary journeys of Paul” and other such advertising to fill the ship. Of course, in all these matters the pastors are well compensated. Fully compensated for their travel and stays. Cha-$-ching!

But where are most of these in the trenches? Out in the community which is where one must be if they want their building filled and the gospel, the pure true real gospel in the Holy Bible preached to willing ears and receptive hearts and minds.

We must go out before anyone can or will come in.

Many of the mega places are witnessing shrinking numbers of backsides in the seats.

Blaming it on COVID-19, Zoom, and other online sources.

Not looking in the mirror and being objective, honest, and contemplative as to what may truly lie behind decreasing numbers in the mega places and it is the smaller assemblies witnessing growth in numbers.

It isn’t because of COVID-19 or Zoom now is it?

When will many pastors and church leaders finally allow themselves to be objective, think critically, look in the mirror and be ruthlessly honest?

We don’t need any more devotional books. Printing one verse, oft times only a portion of one verse and then a page of their ideas.

We do need pastors to actually spend more time with people. Rather than writing books, at conferences, in meetings within their respective churches.

We need pastors to lead by example. To truly be the shepherds they are supposed to be.

Especially in the times in which we live.

Talk is not only cheap most times it’s uttered. It isn’t effective if it isn’t heard where it needs to be heard. If examples aren’t witnessed by those out in the world, in the darkness. Sincere, humble examples.

Did the Lord Jesus Christ, or any of the apostles plant themselves and think they were doing so well they could remain in place? Or did Jesus constantly, the apostles constantly go out into and among the people, the communities, to take the message of the gospel and to live and lead by example?

I don’t know pastor John Bouquet in Ashland, Ohio but he’s spot on. He’s got the discernment right, the message right, and acting upon it.

I checked. He isn’t begging for bookings on luxury cruises in the Mediterranean where the least expensive cabin starts at over $6,000 and rises to over $30,000. He isn’t coming out with another devotional book or appearing to be on the speaking elsewhere circuit — except in the community in which he lives, preaches, and teaches.

Imagine that…

Ken Pullen, A CROOKED PATH, Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022

Christian Impact on Local Culture

Ohio pastors are a model for defending moral issues in their county.

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

By Matthew White

Reprinted from American Family Association

“I think some of the erosion of our culture is because there are too many shepherds in their offices trying to figure out what happened last Sunday instead of realizing we’re supposed to be out in the community trying to make a difference,” John Bouquet told The Stand. Pastor of Bethel Chapel in Savannah, Ohio, Bouquet is the epitome of the activist pastor – preaching the gospel and impacting the culture at the same time. In fact, Bethel’s logo bears the words “Taking the church to the community.”

History of engagement

Bouquet has pastored in Ashland County for 40 years and is the National Day of Prayer Chairman for the Ashland County Ministerial Association (ACMA).

The ACMA (ashlandcma.org) is a coalition of pastors, local churches, parachurch ministries, and Christian leaders that became active in the early 1990s, organizing to be a positive influence in their area. ACMA meets regularly “for prayer and mutual encouragement, and to coordinate the community outreach of the body of Christ.”

The ACMA has been on the front lines locally since their inception by supporting local law enforcement, Christian health centers, cancer facilities, pregnancy care centers, special needs ministries, and programs to get Bible instruction in public schools.

Current campaign

In March, homeschool mother Laura Bidding took her children to the Ashland Public Library, only to discover in the children’s section a book titled Making a Baby: An Inclusive Guide to How Every Family Begins.

“The book is recommended for ages 5-8,” Bouquet said. “But I’m embarrassed to describe it. It’s just pure pornography and sexual grooming of children.”

Bidding, assuming the book was in the wrong place, took it to the librarian, but was assured the book was in the right section. If she did not like it, she would need to complain to the head librarian, which she did. She was then told she would need to go to the board of trustees, which she also did.

“She was treated rudely and left that meeting speechless, but determined there had to be somebody to help,” Bouquet said. “Someone suggested to her to get in touch with our ministerial association, and she did in May. Since then, we’ve put together a pretty effective campaign to fight against this filth and say ‘No, not now, not ever.’”

Because of ACMA’s efforts, by June, over 200 people attended the Ashland Public Library Board of Trustees meeting (ashland.lib.oh.us), including 16 pastors and representatives from eight local parachurch ministries.

Future challenge

Bouquet’s admonition is to go out into one’s community and serve and make a difference.

“Spiritual leaders across the country must pay attention to their local public libraries and school libraries. Pay attention to what’s going on in your community. Things can slip in that can make your work difficult down the road,” Bouquet cautioned. “There are things happening that are affecting the true spiritual condition of people. And that is our primary responsibility.”

“If the gospel is as real as we believe it is, then it has to show up in Christian leadership,” Bouquet added. “This isn’t just spectator Christianity; people have to get off their butt and stop [only] standing at a street corner holding up a sign that says ‘I’m against this or I’m for that.’ Get involved in the process.”