October 30, Sunday Service

How is a pastor supposed to be, or look, or even operate? How are people who go to church supposed to be, look or even operate?

We all seem to have stories or have friends who have stories of churches or pastors where something really wasn't right. Last year a pastor in New York of a very influential Hillsong church made the news because he was caught cheating on his wife. Journalists covering the story, started to paint a horrible picture of the culture that existed and Hillsong NYC. A culture that valued the pursuit of fame, celebrity connections, green rooms, marketing and VIP sections. This pastor was more fashion model than spiritual model, and the truth being revealed toppled the first domino of many within the global Hillsong brand.

This year, another New York pastor was robbed on stage, while preaching, of jewelry and other items valued at 1 million dollars...

These are only 2 in what is hundreds of recent stories where pastors have not just failed, but failed publicly and given Jesus' church a huge black eye. It isn't hard to see why the church in the US is failing.

Paul has a lot to say about this in 1 Thessalonians and shows how he (along with us) must value being real, having character and truly caring for others. Join me as we get a picture of how Jesus wants his church and leaders to be.