The Non-reverent Non-Reverend

Before you get started -- I know that irreverent is the correct word usage. It's just that non-reverent fits better in this case.

I serve on a couple of teams in our local Southern Baptist Association that are made up of mostly pastors and professional clergy. I have never pastored a church, nor have I been to seminary. In truth, I probably bring more of a lay person perspective than preacher perspective even though I am a preaching evangelist and have (on rare occasion) been referred to as Rev. Hill.

I never really thought about it in these terms until the other night when my place on a newly formed advisory board (made up of pastors and church staff) was described as -- he brings a non-Reverend point of view.

I asked if that was non-Reverend or non-reverent and was told it could be either one.

I know that it was meant to be a positive thing since it was said by the person that put me on the board, but it did get me thinking ...

In a lot of ways I'm kind of an anti-church, anti-American Christianity kind of preacher.
Even while I say that, I need people to know that I am most definitely a pro-Jesus kind of preacher.
And while I certainly hear a lot of Jesus talk from conservative Christians in the media and conservative politicians that would have you believe that conservative politics and Christianity go hand in hand, I don't see a lot of Jesus action from those people and I am afraid that their constant message is changing the face of Christianity in America.

I'll be the first to admit that I am a poor representative of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. The good thing about that is that nobody is really looking to me for an example of how to follow Jesus. Unfortunately, there are many more visible clergy and politicians that wear the Christian label that people are following as some kind of spiritual role models.

If you are a follower of Jesus, then I suggest you ... well, follow Jesus. You don't have to do what other people tell you Jesus would do; you can read for yourself what Jesus would do. If you don't have a Bible your own to read, you can always read online. Here is a good place to begin -- the Gospel of John in an easy to read English translation. Go from John's gospel back to Matthew and then continue with Mark and Luke. If you have questions along the way, I'd be happy to help you out. Send me an email or text (info in About Me) and we'll work through it together.

Whether I am an irreverent Reverend or a non-reverent non-Reverend I will be happy to share the Biblical Jesus as best as I can.

John <><