The Runaway General and the Longest Match in Tennis History!

Today I was planning to write about the 'firing' of General Stanley
McChrystal, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, until I was
sidetracked by the record-breaking Wimbledon tennis match between
Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and American John Isner (I was glued to the TV
yesterday afternoon). I asked myself 'What do these two compelling
stories have in common?'

General McChrystal committed a career-ending mistake by making
derisive comments about his commander-in-chief, President Obama.
Resignation in hand, he was 'called on the carpet' of the Oval Office,
and left in shame. Failing to accomplish his mission in Afghanistan,
he also failed, more importantly to "finish his race" well (Heb.
12:1-3). Whether it was the stress of leadership, an inability to
resolve differences between himself and his civilian bosses—whatever
the reason—he didn't finish well.

Coincidentally, at the exact time of the failure of this great
general, comes the inspiring story of two tenacious tennis
competitors. Both low-seeded performers, they will be forever known in
tennis history as two of its greatest players. It almost didn't matter
who won this match. [The 23rd-seeded Isner's 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6
(3), 70-68 victory was merely a first-round match between two
relatively unheralded players. Yet it will be remembered far more
distinctly -- and discussed far more frequently -- than many a Grand
Slam final...] [1] For over the 183 games they did not take their eye
off the ball—they are both winners. Everyone says they finished well.

The Bible is full of stories of men and women who did not finish well.
The Apostle Paul knew this: I have fought a good fight, I have
finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Tim. 4:7). Will we
also be able to say we finished well?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[1] ESPN report
Greg Burts http://dyingtoliveabundantlife.blogspot.com/ June 24, 2010
edited - JBW

The Need for Equipped Pastoral Counselors

Dr. Cary Lantz sent in this quote from Caring for Souls: Counseling Under the Authority of Scripture by Harry Shields and Gary J. Bredfeldt (Acknowledgments section):

While teaching a graduate school course in pastoral care and counseling, I was struck by the selectivity that students employed when describing their ministries. They used glowing terms to portray the joy they experienced when preparing and delivering weekly sermons. They spoke with a certain degree of confidence when they talked about their successes in crafting mission statements, creating programs, and leading the church into new dimensions of change and growth. But when those same students talked about the work of pastoral care and counseling, they expressed obvious apprehension. When I asked them to elaborate on the reasons for their reluctance to engage in the work of soul care, the majority said that they simply did not know what to do with people who were depressed, fearful, anxiety-ridden, or in conflict with spouses and children. Obviously they were taking a class in caregiving, but they admitted they would rather refer "people-problems" to other counselors. 

I am not a professional counselor by training. However, I am convinced that pastors have been all too willing to surrender their role as spiritual counselors. (Emphasis mine, again—Cary) I affirm the contribution that professional counseling can have in the community at large. But the apostle Peter's exhortation for pastoral leaders to shepherd God's flock still stands. Pastors will want to continue to prepare biblically sound messages and manage church tasks as effectively as possible. However, these same pastors must also be concerned about spiritual counsel that enables every believer to live a Christ-centered life that is shaped by the truths of God's Word.