Here’s the email I sent the elders and deacons of Crestview today:
In Chapter 8 of Paul Tripp’s book Dangerous Calling entitled Familiarity, he warns his readers of the dangers of becoming overly familiar with the things of God. We have an awe-of-God crisis that must be engaged. Later in the chapter, Tripp highlights what the awe of God will produce in the heart of a pastor that are vital for effective, God-honoring, productive ministry. One area he points to is humility.
Here’s how Tripp introduces this idea: “There is nothing that will put you in your place, nothing that will correct your distorted view of yourself, nothing that will yank you out of your functional arrogance, or nothing that will take the winds out of the sails of your self-righteousness like standing, without defense, before the awesome glory of God.”
He continues: “Somewhere along the way in ministry, too many [church leaders] have forgotten who they are. They have a bloated, distorted, grandiose view of themselves that renders them largely unapproachable and allows them to justify things they think, desire, say and do that simply are not biblically justifiable. I have been there and at times fall into being there again, and when I am there, I need to be rescued from me. When you are too much in awe of you, you set up to be a self-righteous, controlling, overconfident, judgmental, unfalteringly opinionated, ecclesiastical autocrat, unwittingly building a kingdom whose throne will be inhabited by you, no matter how much you are able to convince yourself you do it all to the glory of God.”
This week, we transition on Sunday mornings into Revelation 4-5. Take some time and read through seeing how great God is. As you see that reality, realize that this awe is meant to drive you in ministry. Have a great week living out of this reality.