I have been having a kind of running conversation with the pastor of the church Debbie and I attend. The conversation goes something like this;

ME: As chaplain of UCOA I believe it is my job to encourage each of you to be your best, and to tell you about a God who loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you. It is not my job to condemn anyone for their actions, whatever they might be. There are plenty of “brothers” around to take care of that.

PASTOR: Yes but, if you don’t tell them the Good News that Jesus died to free them from the penalty and power of sin, which is ultimately the source of our bad choices, then you aren’t really helping them.

ME: I am available to be used by God for whatever He wants me to do or say, and I am more than happy to talk with anyone about their struggles, their relationship with God, or any other subject that comes up.

You see, I think my pastor believes that I don’t challenge y’all enough, but I hope, as I share with you each month what God has been teaching me, you will be challenged to see how God is working in your life.

I have learned that it isn’t my job to save or change anyone. As it says in Jonah 2:9 “Salvation is from the Lord”, and I am only here to help, and to give thanks to God while doing it.