Guest Blog from Dan Blankenship Executive Pastor

have been thinking lately of how hard ministry has been with all of the “problems” that seem to have taken place. Truthfully, it has been a huge stress and drain.

But you know what, I think I realize I just really need an attitudinal Adjustment. Maybe you find yourself from time to time going through the same emotions and reactions that I have of late. If so, maybe you want to think through some of this with me

The Book of James says the following:

2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Maybe you have considered quitting, giving it up, throwing in the towel when you have people attack you for all the changes that are constantly going on around here….like….for heavens sake, can’t you guys make up your minds about where and when to have church ?

I mean, talk about hard…its tough taking all this heat

Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers evicted prominent house church leader Pastor Hua Huiqi and his family from their home in Beijing, China.

According to China Aid Association (CAA), “Hua and his family were resting in their rental apartment when PSB officials led by Officer Yang Jian used a 10-pound hammer to break down the doors and locks of the apartment. Hua’s brother was beaten by police officers and suffered severe damage to his eye. Hua and his family, including his 90-year-old father, were forced onto the street with their furniture.
Maybe you have considered quitting, giving it up, throwing in the towel when you have people attack you for having lousy music….can’t you guys just do something more worshipful, more “of what I like”….

Talk about hard…it’s tough having people attack you and then leave because of the music

China Aid Association reports that the Chinese Communist government recently launched a strategic campaign against house churches in Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

As a result of this campaign, 46 Christians were arrested by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials on April 13, during a Bible class and worship service in Kashi city, Xinjiang province.
Maybe you have considered quitting, giving it up, throwing in the towel when you have people attack you for not getting fed.

Talk about hard…it’s tough having people attack you for not providing all the food through church programs they need to grow

On June 21, 16 Christians were abducted by Muslim extremists when they gathered to pray in Academy Town, Peshawar, Pakistan


Maybe you have considered quitting, giving it up, throwing in the towel when you have people attack you for having a lousy ministry that you lead. Not enough this, not enough that…they are dropping out

Talk about hard…it’s tough having people attack you for not having the biggest, best and most awesome ministry on the planet

On March 9, 2006 Pastor Bentar was visiting relatives in West Java when he was attacked by a group of Muslims who beat him severely. They rolled over his van and helped themselves to its contents, including the new clothing merchandise. As the melee continued they were joined by other Muslims and began shouting, “Burn him!” They set fire to his van before police arrived just in time to rescue him.


Maybe you have considered quitting, giving it up, throwing in the towel when you have people attack you for …..(add your experience here)


OK, well…as you can see, this was somewhat tongue in check…but I think you get my drift. We do get bombarded and discouraged on a regular basis when doing ministry at LQ. And yes, we do think its hard and we do get tired, discouraged, upset and forlorn. But really folks…what can we really say when we compare our “tests and challenges’ to those MOST Christians face worldwide.

I for one, want to have perspective…and that is clearly to me…that we got it made in the shade, so how could I ever complain ?

Now to change gears. Another random thought that I have been pondering

Chris said not too long ago in one of his messages - something to the affect – “who in our community would care or miss us if LQ was gone tomorrow” Except for seeing a few green signs around town or an occasional big event, who would even know ?

I am wondering like never before if we have fallen in the trap of self promotion for promotion sake. We push getting bigger and bigger so we can minister to more and more (which is a good thing) but along the way in trying to accomplish this goal, we are only promoting ourselves…not actually serving and making a difference outside our walls. My goal as a pastor in the north is to do two main things we don’t currently do in the south: 1. Figure out how to make our services interactive and participatory rather than a consumer event, and 2. Figure out our niche in the community and do it every single month, year after year. Just think if LQ had a caring, loving, serving ministry that became world famous just like others who started out that way (salvation army, Samaritans purse, the light house, etc)(ok, don’t care about being world famous…but belton famous would do). So, instead of wasting effort on large, self-promoting events to let people know WHO we are, we would put our efforts on large ministry events to let people know WHAT we are (special note so as not to think I am talking out both sides of my mouth…I do think it important to self promote in the early stages, like we did and will do up north so you can make people aware you are there…but after you become well known like we are now in belton, we should be able to switch).

Dang Chris…maybe I should be doing this blog thing more often…feels good :-D

Kinda fun torturing others reading this too !!!