Some people think the world is in terrible shape. To a certain degree I would agree with them. The world would, however, be in a lot worse shape if it were not for the fact that Jesus Christ calls his disciples to take care of those who are hurting, lonely, poor, or hungry.

Jesus said we will always have poor people around us and that we are to help care for them. Acts of compassion and institutions of healing have sprung up throughout the course of history, all in the attempt to care for those who are in need physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

When it comes to providing assistance, Christians need to be discerning in their response. There are far too many unscrupulous persons who go from church to church looking for free money. They don’t have an emergency need, but rather a desire for someone else to pay their bills or support a habit.

In my 35 years of being a pastor I have heard some pretty wild and creative stories people have concocted in attempts to elicit an emotional response so I would turn loose church funds to them. I have also heard some simple and compelling explanations for a request for help. While listening, I ask for God’s discerning spirit so I can make a proper and good decision.

I believe we need to be discerning because I do not believe we are called to throw money at persons who could otherwise care for themselves but have chosen the ways of deception, self-perceived entitlements, and/or laziness. Even Jesus said “no” to some persons.

We are called to aid those who have truly fallen on hard times. In our communities there are those who are desperately in need of food, clothing, and shelter. They are often ignored by their families, their friends, and have very few places to which they can turn. They do their best to eke out a living. But there are times when circumstances cause them to seek extra assistance.

The Body of Christ is called to aid those who are less fortunate, to help people find a way out of their predicaments, to seek justice for those who are treated unfairly and to work for equality for those who are victims of prejudice.

Jesus said, “When you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.”

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Helping those in need

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Don’t tell me what to think.”

“Don’t tell me what to believe.”

“You have your beliefs, I have mine. And if you don’t believe the way I do … well, you’re wrong!”

These sentiments have grown so strong around the world, people are being killed for not believing the “correct” religious or political doctrine.

Even within Christianity there are divisions among people because of different interpretations of the Bible. These divisions have created over 40,000 different Christian denominations worldwide.

It is a shame there have been so many splits, ultimately caused because one person debates with another about a minor point in the Bible, they cannot agree, and the two part ways.

The devil is in the details. Debates and divisions rage because of minute details.

Take, for example, the debates over the account of creation in the Book of Genesis. Some say everything was created in seven days. (Actually it was six days because God rested on the seventh and didn’t do anything that day.) Some say the story of creation is only a humanistic way of explaining the unexplainable. Some ask which account of creation is the correct one, because there are two in the Bible.

People should not be concerned about such minutiae regarding the account of creation. Such squabbling gets in the way of understanding the underlying truth of what the account is about: God created! Big bang? If so, God lit the match! Six days? God certainly could do it! The truth of the matter is God created! He is the Creator! Period.

Does it ultimately matter how God created, or is it truly enough to know that God did create?

Take a look at the virgin birth. Some say, “Mary was a virgin.” Some say, “Mary was not a virgin. Scientific empirical evidence shows a virgin cannot conceive a child without intercourse.” This debate distracts attention from God’s truth: God came to this earth himself as a human being in the person of Jesus Christ, born through Mary.

Does the debate about Mary’s virginity ultimately matter when it comes to the truth that God came to this earth in Jesus Christ? I think not.

Again, the devil is in the details.

If Christianity is going to survive the continuous attempts to destroy it, we are going to have to set aside human pride and ego — the need to determine whose interpretations are correct and whose are wrong — and simply hold onto, promote, and preserve the truth of the gospel.

God is our Creator. Jesus Christ is our Savior. God’s Holy Spirit is God’s presence and power working in us, through us, and round us in the world. What would happen if all Christians focused on just that for the next 5 years – and not the issues that divide the Body of Christ?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: The devil is in the details; focus on the big picture

North American Christianity's worship seems to have become self-centered.

A popular televangelist recently declared that worship is not really about God. Attending worship is all about how it makes us feel; when we are happy, God is happy.

This is a grave distortion.

Worship is to focus on God. In the Hebrew language, “worship” means to serve, to bow down, to prostrate oneself. In the Greek language, it means to revere, to serve, to wait on, and to venerate. When our own desires and expectations distract us, we neglect to focus on the Lord, who is the source of our life.

Worship's corruption is not new. In the gospel of John, we read about how Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem and found people selling cattle, sheep and doves. Making a whip of cords, Jesus drove all of them out of the temple. He also poured out the money changers' coins and overturned their tables.

The meaning and purpose of worship in the temple had become obscured, hidden under heaps of greed. Instead of fulfilling its purpose as the place of divine worship, the temple became a tool of distraction, of corruption.

When we gather in churches, we are called to worship the Lord. He is to be our lives' sole focus. Focusing on God allows us to remember the generosity of God, who is greater than we are.

May I suggest that instead of wondering what you can get out of worship, ponder what you will put into worship.

How will you worship God?

How will you bow down before him, revere him, serve him, venerate him?

How will you let God know of your undying gratitude for all he has done for you in Jesus Christ?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: When you worship, focus on God alone

Have you had something on your to-do list, but every time you wanted to do it, something else got in the way?

Have you begun a project only to run into one roadblock after another? 

Frustration from such times can be very distracting. However, have you noticed that with most things that don’t unfold in your timing they seem to turn out better than if you forced your way through? 

This is because God’s timing is perfect; ours can be flawed. While we may be in too much of a hurry, or we may not think through the details, or we may believe something is a good (or bad) idea, God knows better.

Does this mean we cannot exercise our own timing on matters?  Absolutely not. We can push through roadblocks. We can procrastinate. The results might be disastrous, but the choice Is ours.

When you make your projects a matter of prayer, God will answer with yes, no or slow.

If you push your own desires and fall flat, seek forgiveness, and ask God to guide you as the mess is cleaned up.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Place prayer at the center of all projects

While the father waited in line for popcorn at the movie theater, his family went inside to find some seats.

By the time the father purchased snacks, the theater's lights were so low he could not find his family.

Finally, in frustration, he called out, “Does anyone recognize me?”

This is the often silent cry of most people who seek fellowship. "Does anyone see me?" "Will anyone help me through this journey of life?" "Will I be accepted even if I have questions and doubts?"

Often, when people are“church shopping,” they seek a congregation that will welcome them, nurture them in their faith, provide shelter from the world's pitfalls, and extend a helping hand in times of challenge.

Nothing else matters. This includes the number of programs a congregation offers, the number of people packing pews or the number of Biblical scholars who grace the Sunday school program.

All Christians are called to have Jesus Christ's eyes, heart, hands and feet. We don’t represent a particular denomination or theological frame of mind; we represent him and him alone.

Allow your eyes to look at the people around you with Jesus Christ's eyes. Who do you see? What do you see them wrestling with?

Let your heart be led by Jesusand determine the best ways to engage your hands, feet and words as his representative.

Allow yourself to offer nurture, shelter, and spiritual fellowship in Jesus Christ's name to further the work of his kingdom here on this earth.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Church members represent Jesus to the world

In 311 A.D., Constantine the Great legalized Christianity. Christians no longer had to hide their faith or fear dying.

Because Constantine made Christianity the empire's official religion, everyone wanted to be a Christian so they would be in the emperor's good graces.

Unfortunately, church leaders could not keep up with the kind of deep, thorough teaching and indoctrination necessary to erase pagan practices so people would understand and live Christ's faith.

As a result, pagan practices infiltrated church life. People joined a church simply because doing so was politically correct. There was no full understanding of the kind of sacrificial or generous life called for by Jesus.

One day, a young, rich, respectable man approached Jesus. It seems as though he wanted to boast about all his good deeds and pious behavior, and be recognized for all the fantastic ways he had kept all aspects of Jewish law.

Surely that would be worthy of praise from this great rabbi.

Jesus told this young man that he had done pretty well. Jesus also knew what was in the man’s heart. Jesus said there was only one thing left for the young man to do: sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. Then he could follow Jesus.

The man went away sad because he had many possessions. He could not give them up. There would be nothing left for him.

Jesus knew what was in the young man’s heart, and how painful his words would be to the young man. But Jesus spoke the words anyway. And he did it in love.

Jesus knows our intentions of giving ourselves to him completely are good, but there often is something — or more than one something — that prevents us from giving ourselves completely to him.

What do you need to give up to make Jesus first in your life? Where is your heart? Are you part of a church because it is the proper or popular thing to do, or because the Lord has transformed your heart?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Following Jesus requires giving up other things

What is the Body of Christ supposed to be about? The answer will most likely vary with each person.

Some people with a physically or emotionally abusive father may be unable to imagine a loving and caring Heavenly Father. People squeamish about blood or suffering may have difficulty recognizing the horror of the sacrifice Jesus made when he died on the cross. Some who do not like to be told what to do or have their choices challenged will pick and choose what in the Bible they will incorporate into their lives.

Still, the Body of Christ is supposed to be about:

•Proclaiming the good news of who Jesus is and the fact that he offers love and forgiveness to humanity

•Making disciples, nurturing them and building strong relationships among believers

•Preserving and promoting the truth of God’s message

•Maintaining the integrity of our worship, so we do not focus on ourselves or our needs in worship, but focus on God’s greatness

•Caring for the needs of God’s children

•Demonstrating the presence of God’s kingdom here on Earth.

Is this what you are doing as a part of the Body of Christ? Or is your faith all about you instead?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Your work as part of the Body of Christ

Bad habits are hard to break. Just ask anyone trying to give up using tobacco products. Ask anyone needing to change eating practices. Ask anyone attempting to cut back on playing video games.

Bad habits are hard to break even when it comes to life in the Body of Christ.

One such habit is taking a secular business model and couching it in religious terminology.

Church leaders might say, “We need to grow this church with an evangelism program!” Business professionals say, “We need sales representatives to push our product.”

Church leaders might say, “We need to increase our members’ giving to support our staff and programs.” Professionals say, “We need more paying customers to improve our bottom line.”

Church leaders might say, “We need more programs to attract more people.” Professionals say, “We need a better advertising campaign to expand our customer base.”

A company's CEO has an office. So does a pastor. The pastor’s office used to be called a study, but rarely is it called that anymore, because the congregation often views the pastor as the church's CEO.

When did the Body of Christ start conforming to various ways of the world?

I think it happened when society began to define success by greater membership, income and power given to people in leadership positions.

It is time to break bad habits. The church was not called into being to compete among itself for greater numbers. It was not called into existence to be rich and flashy. It was not called into existence to dumb down the gospel to show how easy being a Christian can be.

The church was called into existence to represent Jesus Christ in every aspect.

Was Jesus flashy? No — quite the opposite. He was humble.

Was Jesus rich? No, he came from humble beginnings.

Was Jesus powerful — at least according to worldly standards? No, he was a person of weakness to the world’s powerful, but powerful in God's eyes.

Did Jesus live an easy life? No, he was beaten, whipped and crucified.

How does your congregation represent Jesus Christ? How do you represent Jesus Christ? What bad habits need to be broken for his love, grace, mercy and peace to shine through?

Imagine what the church would be like if we shunned all bad habits.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Let's take the business model out of Christianity

Bad habits are hard to break. Ask anyone who is trying to give up using tobacco products. Ask anyone who is needing to change eating practices. Ask anyone who is attempting to cut back on playing video games.

Bad habits are hard to break – even when it comes to life in the Body of Christ. One habit within the Body of Christ? Taking on a secular business model and couching it in religious terminology.

Church leadership might say, “We need to grow this church with an evangelism program!” Business says, “We need sales representatives to push our product.”

Church leadership might say, “We need to increase our members’ giving to support our staff and programs.” Business says, “We need more paying customers to improve our bottom line.”

Church leadership might say, “We need more programs to attract more people.” Business says, “We need a better advertizing campaign to expand our customer base.”

The CEO of a company has an office. So does a pastor. The pastor’s office used to be called a “study” but rarely is it called that anymore. Why? Because often the pastor is viewed by the congregation as the CEO of the church.

When did the Body of Christ allow itself to be conformed to various ways of the world?

I think it happened when society began to define success in terms of greater membership, financial income, and power given to persons in leadership positions.

It is time to break bad habits. The church was not called into being to compete among itself for greater numbers. It was not called into existence to be rich and flashy. It was not called into existence to dumb-down the message of the gospel to show how easy being a Christian can be.

The church was called into existence to represent Jesus Christ in every aspect. Was Jesus flashy? No – quite the opposite. He was humble. Was Jesus rich? No – he came from humble beginnings. Was Jesus powerful – at least according to worldly standards? No – he was a person of weakness to the world’s powerful, but powerful in the eyes of God. Did Jesus live an easy life? No – he was beaten, whipped and crucified.

How does your congregation represent Jesus Christ? How do you represent Jesus Christ? What bad habits need to be broken in order for his love, grace, mercy, and peace to shine through?

Imagine what the church would be like if all bad habits were shunned.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Taking the business model out of Christianity

I am pretty naïve. I don’t always have a grasp on the larger picture of what is taking place in society, various subcultures' hurts or frustration from various prejudices.

My thoughts and reactions to various incidents locally and around the globe are pretty much based on my naiveté. I hurt for people whose lives are torn apart by violence and hatred. But I also am confused by the need some have to respond with the same level, or a greater level, of violence.

Many, including I, have lifted prayers for the family of the young man in Ferguson, Missouri, whose life abruptly ended this past week. No parent should ever have to bury a child.

Prayers have been lifted for a law enforcement officer whose life has changed forever. 

Prayers have been lifted for a community left reeling in violence in response to this tragic event.

I understand hurt and pain — but not to a level that leads to violence or hatred. I do not understand why people who do not know the deceased young man's family rioted, looted, spoke words of hatred, or attempted to maim or kill others.

I don’t understand why people who were not present when the tragedy occurred speculate about events, turning rumor into fact, stirring up trouble so needlessly and with such horrific results.

Jesus Christ calls us to make peace with our enemy. We are called to not jump to conclusions or spread rumors. We are called to right wrongs when they occur, but not through acts of violence.

Jesus had much to say about turning the other cheek, praying for one’s enemies, treating others the way you want to be treated, and striving for peace.

His words apply wherever violence occurs. Retribution is the world's way, not God's.

Continue praying for the hurt, anger, hatred and violence so prevalent in our world.

Pray for God’s Holy Spirit to bring peace.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: A lesson from Ferguson — pray about it