Does it matter what an individual’s motive is when he or she acts? Think about it. You happen to witness a woman getting mugged and at the same time realize that your boss is standing some distance away, what do you do? You normally avoid involvement. Yet, knowing that your boss is observing the situation you decide to subdue the aggressor. You protect the lady, return her purse, and aid in the capture of her mugger. You are declared a hero. Your boss applauds your efforts and recognizes your selflessness at an office party.
In light of your self-promotion, which motivated you to get involved, were your actions truly ethical? Read the rest of this entry »
Recently we reached an important milestone for our congregation. Since my arrival as Pastor of Pisgah Baptist Church nearly five years ago, I’ve formally and informally preached toward a proper understanding of what it means to be the Body of Christ. So much of the Bible relates directly to our shared experience, identity, and responsibilities rather than individual issues. God communicates to His people, not to a large number of individuals that are unrelated to one another and ‘flying solo.’ In light of this preaching, we also began working through the practical implications of membership. Working with our staff, deacons, and membership review committee, we started a membership process three years ago that would ultimately bring us to an accurate picture of who Pisgah Baptist really is.
When I arrived, Pisgah had a membership of 958 people. As a result of congregational action on May 12, we are now a congregation of approximately 385 (any given month we see 324+ participate). This did not occur overnight, nor did it occur in one simple vote. The process involved a lot of discussions, meetings, contacts, investigation, and prayer.
What follows is a response to a thoughtful question Read the rest of this entry »
Just as a contractor must pay particular attention to the foundation of a building under construction, so must you and I pay attention to the foundation of our ethical decisions. Begin with a weak or faulty foundation and you will witness the crumbling of your ethical positions. Too often we are pressured to adopt ideals because of the economic impact, societal opinion, political correctness, or self-preservation. Will these bear weight of your decisions? I submit they will not. There must be a better way of discerning right from wrong, ethical from unethical. Read the rest of this entry »