5 Things I have learned on Hispanic Ministry in the USA

One of the greatest opportunities that the Lord has given me is to come back to the US and to begin working towards a Hispanic Ministry.  The work has been a joy so far, I have just started and Im learning and keep seeing my need of learning on this beautiful journey.

What I want to share are some things that have helped me to wide my view of ministry but adhering biblical and contextual perspective of the uniqueness of Hispanic Ministry in the USA. My goal is to encourage your heart and empathize with your journey as you consider to start a hispanic church plant or a ministry, here is some things to consider. I want to also say that this is something I am learning and so this is not a list of must but this is a list of things to navigate and start asking wisdom around you of those who have done it before. So I am going to write these things from the perspective of a student not of a teacher of it.

Now a few things that I have learned about Hispanic Ministry in the US and this list is a compilation of meeting, talking and fellowshipping with pastors who are already doing it. 

1. The Hispanic Community is Multi-Cultural: Sometimes there is things that I have in common with other hispanics culturally and sometimes the only thing we have in common is that we speak Spanish. This is something key to understand for each city has a particular demography for hispanics in the area. Whether is from Central America or South America, big city versus small town, urban area versus rural. You pick. We may find commonalities but we also may be very distinct and at times it will be very marked among us. Its like English speakers around the world, in the USA you have the north, south, west and east accents and idioms. But if you bring English, Irish, Australians and south africans it is another mix of not just accents but also of cultures. Now this is not something that should alarm you or scare you but is something you need to be aware that we can be hispanics and at the same time doing cross cultural work among ourselves.

2. The hosting culture is a big help: Sometimes we think that all you need for a hispanic ministry is someone who speaks Spanish. But what I have seen is the impact of the hosting culture in the hispanic community when they are the ones trying to enter into the hispanic world. Most first generation hispanics can be for decades and never entered into a home of the hosting culture. The isolation its the perfect formula to create misconceptions of the hosting culture and how their christianity is linked. Inviting hispanics to your home is a means of learning but also stating that Christ is above the distinct cultures aiming for the Glory of God through the salvation of people. 

This being said, enter the world, sit at our table, let us sit at your table. Let us learn how you make your meat loaf and learn how to make Lomo Saltado, arepas, enchiladas or pupusas. The cultural exchange of the church is an evangelistic statement to a whole community that the Kingdom of God is not of this world. And for some hispanics, that can be counter cultural of the little they may know about evangelical Christianity. Or sometimes how new it is compared to the tainted view that they have from Christianity because of legalism or prosperity gospel.

3. Multigenerational Gaps: One thing you will realize when you talk to hispanics in the US is that the first, second and third generation are very different. Most first generation immigrants still assimilating as well having strong tendencies of their home culture, which is normal almost anywhere in the world. Second generation are like Missionary Kids. They grow with a culture at home and they have another culture when they do things in the public settings (like school, sports, camps and etc). Third generation tend to gravitate more towards American culture. 

So the question is, if the aim is to keep the families together, should we aim to have something in Spanish and English? Well that is complex, that depends of various factors. But let me talk more about that in our following point

4. There is no just one way to do it: the complexity makes this kind of ministry have different forms. Some English speaking churches decide to have a planter and start an autonomous hispanic church because it makes sense in cities like Miami or California. Some decide to have a Spanish service around the same times, whether with translation or with their own preaching in Spanish and preaching the same text. Or some churches decide to begin a hispanic ministry as a part of the overall church.

Which one is the right one for you? I don’t know. But what I can tell you is to have as much conversations with others who are already doing the work to give you the best advice on how to do this well. As example: I know of a Hispanic Church planting a church in English among second and third generation hispanics that their first language is English but they feel more comfortable with a hispanic culture.

        5. It has a longer incubator period: There is no way to microwave a hispanic church in the US. And that is because of the multicultural aspect of it. Hispanic ministries tend to take long to grow and to establish. Some of them will take twice or three times longer than an average anglo church plant. Which requires patience. Most hispanic churches are not financially autonomous which makes most pastors be bi-vocational. The average hispanic church that has 5+ years has an attendance between 30 - 50. 

Having these things in mind, I want to give three encouragements as we consider this kind of work. 

First: Stay faithful, seeing these kind of work take a lot of time, sometimes feels like beating the air, but remember that God is in control. Be faithful to diligently work, or support the hispanic work but do not grow impatient if there is not a lot people joining or getting involved in the ministry. And if you know of anyone who is doing this kind of work encourage them, take them to dinner, pray for them or do something kind that will refresh their souls. 

Second: Network as much as possible. Because of the complexity of this ministry we need a lot of wisdom on how to do this well. And we would be well served if we pick the brain of those who are faithful and are already doing it. We can pick the mind of those who are already pastoring. And we can even have regular monthly meetings with other pastors to encourage one another. Facilitate these meetings or initiate them. 

Third: If you are a church that knows of a faithful brother or congregation on your area, partner with them financially and work shoulder to shoulder in ways that you can. This is a big relief for the hispanic churches since Pastors can have more freedom to shepherd better or to get resources for discipleship and more. 

I am privileged to work with an amazing church that has loved me well as we began this journey together and we have taken ownership of this work. They have connected me with wise and loving brothers who want to Glorify Jesus that I can go for counsel or questions like Victor, Michael, Alexis and Alejandro. American brothers and sisters are also helping this work by practicing their Spanish and doing life with the people who are starting to come.

Press on, we almost home. But meanwhile, call others to join us in this race where Jesus is the end and the prize.

Questions to ask while you are fighting sin

While we are alive, we are being sanctified and there are times when we start fighting with particular sins that leech unto us in a more frequent way. As we navigate the christian life, we are at times left clueless on how to navigate our fight with sin. We do not know where to start our fight with sin. 

I want to offer a series of questions that you can ask yourself as you navigate your fight with sin with the intention to help you fight better. And this will have scripture that will aid you to navigate these questions in a more practical manner. 

If you are struggling with sin, ask yourself the following questions: 

1. Do you like it? (Romans 3, 7: 14 - 25) I think this is a question where we need to be honest and for some may be an obvious duh, but for some others may be a time where you feel confused because you are trying to avoid this. The purpose of this question has to see the root of your desire towards this particular sin. The drive for sin is sometimes because we have entertained thoughts that have merged into temptations. Acknowledging our enjoyment of sin helps us to see that something is twisted in our thinking, which leads us to our next question.

2. Why do I like it? (Jeremiah 17: 9 - 10, Ephesians 2: 1- 3) We tend to run to sins that we like because we have believed a lie about something. Most sins are the distorted expression of something good that God has provided. The reason for our enjoyment of sin, helps us discern what we really believe about God and His word or ourselves. Maybe we have bought into the lie that we deserve our sin or we victimize ourselves into it.

The purpose is to identify the scam within your heart. You like it because you have been scammed, just like at times some articles may be overpriced on the internet or you may have thought that you bought something and something else arrives. In the same way we are lured into deception by the lies of the enemy. This does not exclude our responsibility but it helps diagnose the heart which leads us to the next question

3. What should I be believing instead? (John 17: 32 Timothy 3: 16 - 17) Identifying the lie will lead you to the Scriptures which will pierce your heart into conviction. Maybe you are believing the lie that God is indifferent to you and your desires because you do not see an answer to something good you want. Or maybe someone whom you looked up sinned against you and now you feel that you deserve to retreat in your sin. Maybe you feel that there is no hope for you and that God is not truly merciful to you. 

This question should lead you to let the word of God speak truth into your life. This could be a time of confession where you can go to other brothers and sisters who can help you navigate God’s word better. And this should lead us to the next question 

4. How can I fight? (Ephesians 6: 10 - 20, Colossians 3: 1 - 11) This question should begin by always leading you up to the Gospel, you begin fighting your sin in light of your identity. You begin reflecting on what Christ has accomplished for you, how this is something you could have never accomplished and how you should live in light of it. 

 But at the same time you start acknowledging your weaknesses and avoid the sins that you are drawn to. You put filters on the internet, you block numbers, you avoid certain kinds of places; the purpose of avoiding is to cut any avenue where sin or temptation may be a possibility. You put off sin in order to put on Christ. Which leads us to the next question.

5. What could I be enjoying? (Psalm 37: 3 - 4)Fighting sin is not just about losing our sight for the things of the flesh but enjoying the good things that God has put before us: creation, His word, prayer, music and more. Do not just grow in your distaste for sin but also grow in your fervor for godly things that nourish you. Enjoy God and His presence in prayer, enjoy spending time with brothers and sisters who are also running the race and fighting the good battle. 

Do not underestimate the power of God in your life to change your affections in order to enjoy other things. But when we are steering towards enjoying God there is another unavoidable question that follows.

6. How can I be serving? (Romans 12: 10, Galatians 5: 13) Maybe you will not have a particular title or a teaching rep but there are many areas in your local church where you can serve: holy supper, childcare, greeting and more. Sin leads us towards self-service, Christ leads us to serve others. The way in which we serve others will help our hearts to grow warmer towards others and towards God. God will use this to remind you of the Gospel as you serve but also as you live life with those whom you serve with. 

Serving can materialize into sacrificing things where dying to our flesh becomes more normal since our mind is set to put our life for others. 

Sin is deceiving and one of the ways that you can see it's through the hopelessness of those who are chained to him. But praise God that we have a Savior who has freed us from His chains, who gives us a new identification in order to live for something greater than ourselves. May the Lord help us.  

10 Libros que Lei en el 2023 y Recomiendo

Esta lista de libros que recomiendo está compuesta por libros que leí para una residencia pastoral como también libros que leí en mi tiempo personal. Pero quiero antes de ir a la lista quiero citar 2 Timoteo 3: 16 - 17

 “Toda Escritura es inspirada por Dios y útil para enseñar, para reprender, para corregir, para instruir en justicia, a fin de que el hombre de Dios sea perfecto, equipado para toda buena obra.”

Voy a recomendar estos libros pero la fuente de la cual debemos constantemente aprender es la palabra de Dios. Por eso al leer estos libros mi consejo es que los disciernas a la luz de la palabra de Dios

1. De parte de Dios, Delante de Dios -  Sugel Michelen: Personalmente creo que es el mejor libro acerca de la predicación que he leído en mi vida. Sugel Michelen resalta el gran llamado de hablar de parte de Dios y delante de Dios. La reverencia y ver el gran privilegio de poder llevar la palabra de Dios a otros. Es un libro que pastorea el corazón de aquellos quienes ven la predicación como una labor delante de ellos. También da unos pasos prácticos para poder armar un sermón. Es un libro que te va a retar pero te va a animar a ver la gran responsabilidad que hay en la predicación.

   
   

2. Sobre La roca - Justin Burkholder: Un libro que nos habla acerca de la plantación de iglesias. El autor retrata muy honestamente la realidad de cómo empiezan las iglesias en latinoamérica. Muchas veces las iglesias empiezan como resultado de una división y no se ve la necesidad de una plantación. El autor nos anima a confiar en Dios en lo que plantamos en otras iglesias para la propagación del evangelio y del reino de Dios. El autor nos da también pasos en cómo esto puede llevarse a cabo.

   
   

3. La evangelización - Mack Stiles: Este libro nos muestra que la iglesia local es el epicentro de nuestro evangelismo y como equipar a las personas que Dios nos da en la iglesia local para que esto se lleve a cabo. Stiles nos ayuda a ver cómo la evangelización personal y corporal se retroalimentan. 

   
   

4. La fórmula del liderazgo  - Juan Sanchez: Levantar líderes es un tema muy común dentro del ministerio pastoral y Juan Sanchez nos ayuda a navegar biblicamente como crear estructuras que nos ayuden a desarrollar líderes dentro de la iglesia local. Juan nos muestra aspectos importantes del carácter que deben ser evaluados con el tiempo y que esto nos ayudará a poder formar a las personas que aspiran entrar. al ministerio.

   
   

5. Cómo pastorear el corazón de tu hijo - Tedd Tripp: La premisa de este libro es que la crianza cristiana se enfoca en el corazón. Tedd da buenos ejemplos de cómo disciplinar, enseñar y criar bíblicamente a los hijos. También recuerda a los padres que la crianza da una oportunidad constante de mostrar el evangelio a los hijos. Y de cómo aprovechar esas oportunidades para que ellos hagan la voluntad de Dios.

   
   

6. Santidad - JC Ryle: Es un libro práctico, bíblico y entendible. Ryle nos muestra la necesidad de la santidad en nuestras vidas y nos confronta al hacernos ver nuestros enemigos que se ponen como obstáculo en nuestra santidad. Y es que la santidad tiene como propósito el disfrutar de Dios.

   
   

7. Siervos para su Gloria - Miguel Nuñez: El Pastor nos ayuda a recordar acerca de lo que somos antes de servir. El servicio en sí no es la identidad del creyente pero el servicio es como la identidad se va a expresar al ver su posición espiritual en Cristo. El problema con identificarnos con nuestro servicio es que podemos ser llevados a descansar en nuestros esfuerzos como reemplazo de la obra de Cristo. El creyente tiene que ver que su identidad recae en la obra de otro y eso es lo que motiva un servicio que busca la gloria de Dios.

   
   

8. El evangelio y la evangelización personal -  Mark Dever: Dever nos ayuda a examinar las razones por la cual no evangelizamos y nos da pasos para poder evangelizar bíblicamente. Es un libro que nos lleva de la mano al examinar nuestro corazón y al instruirnos acerca del evangelismo.

   
   

9. La Iglesia en Lugares difíciles - Mez McConnel y Mike McKinley: Creo que es un libro muy necesario para los contextos difíciles. Este libro es una mirada honesta a contestar bíblicamente a algunos prejuicios que se puede tener al comenzar un ministerio en un lugar difícil. Los lugares que describen, tiene que ver más con lo que es una baja demográfica socioeconómica. Mike y Mez nos ayudan a ver como la esperanza del evangelio y el amor por las almas deben ir al frente. Personalmente creo que este es un libro que todo plantador de iglesia debe leer.

   
   

10. Membresía - Jonathan Leeman: Un libro que nos ayuda a entender la membresía bíblica como un compromiso de amor. Leeman nos enseña que las iglesia locales son embajadas del cielo en la cual recordamos nuestra ciudadanía celestial. Este libro es muy instructivo tanto como para pastores y personas dentro de la iglesia en cómo implementar una membresía bíblica. También nos ayuda a responder preguntas acerca de la responsabilidad del miembro dentro de la iglesia local. Personalmente este libro cambió mi perspectiva acerca de la membresía la primera vez que lo leí.

Estos son los libros que fueron de bendición para mi vida. Sigamos aprendiendo de la palabra y de otros que han caminado antes que nosotros o que tienen más experiencia para poder amar, servir y enseñar mejor a otros. Personalmente he encontrado en la lectura una fuente de gozo al ver cómo otros han hecho cosas más claras para mí.

Bendiciones.

How to Enhance our Sunday Gathering during the Week

 Sunday is the day of the Lord, it is the day when believers collectively gather as a church in order to Worship God and claim their alliance as citizens of heaven. Hebrews 10: 24 - 25 encourages and commands us to not neglect the gathering but encourage good works through it. In the Hebrew mind, there is something significant about gathering together. 

The Sunday service is more than a list of things that we do at church during the service but it is a time where we worship God, Hear the Word, sing the Word to one another, and we disciple one another
indirectly. Now there are some ways in which we can be intentional to experience these things in a more tangible way on Sundays. Here are some steps to enhance our Sunday experience: 

1. Get To Know Your Local Family : This means get to know the people within your church, Scripture commands us to love one another, and the way to love one another is to do life with one another (John 13: 34 - 35, Romans 13: 8). Get to know their lives, their joys and their struggles (2 Corinthians 13:11, Ephesians 4:2, James 5:16). 

Imagine that a brother or a sister discloses ways in which they are fighting with sin, or a critical diagnosis that they have just received, and worshipping together at the same time is a declaration that in spite of the unfortunate events in this sinful world we still plead allegiance to the Kingdom of God. Picture singing “It Is Well” with a sister who has been diagnosed with cancer but despise of her diagnosis, she still trusts the Lord. 

Knowing each other lives and coming to assemble together is a powerful statement of the Gospel to one another. We are together saying: He is still at work (Hebrews 12: 1-2).

2. Pray for the Family : This may sound obvious but one of the ways to enrich one another is to pray for one another (Acts 1:14, 2:42, Romans 12:12, 1 Timothy 2:1). Maybe you can go through a member’s directory and make a list of people in your close circles from your church (small group or core class, etc) write next to their names how you can pray for them. You could reach out to them through a text, email or a call and ask: How can I pray for you this week?

Reaching out to the Family will warm their hearts for Sunday. When we see those whom we reached to or those who reached to us, we will be reminded of God’s care and love towards us. We will recognize our family love to one another through it (Philippians 1:4). 

3. Encourage and Pray for your Pastors:  We need to encourage those who shepherd us, Scripture tells us that those who work and teach well are worthy of double honor. Honor them by asking them how you can pray for them. That will help you to care for the soul of your pastor, and remind you that they are also sheep (1 Timothy 5: 17). 

Encourage them by acknowledging how they have blessed you during the sermon. Maybe there was an illustration or a point in their sermon that made things clear to you. Shoot them a text or an email commending them for it. Look for things that have been genuinely been impactful for you. This will warm the heart of your pastor (Hebrews 13:7).

4. Come Early to Church: You may say what? But, yes, come early. Churches prepare before service for service, and there is time when coming early to help will encourage you as well encourage others. Find tangible ways to serve at church to be a blessing to your congregation. Come early and help your church to move chairs, organize some bulletins or just get together with some other brothers and sisters and pray for the service (Romans 12:11, 14:18; Galatians 5:13). 

5. Listen to the Songs and read the Sermon Text: Some churches disclose their songs for Sunday and the text that they will preach on but there is other that don’t. If they don’t ask if they could facilitate this info to you that it may be helpful. 

Listen to the songs, listen to the lyrics, read the text of the sermon and meditate in the Word. Be reminded of the Glorious Gospel as you do this, maybe you will not have a lot of time for this, that is ok but that you do it a couple of times can prepare your heart (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:15, 150, Ephesians 5:19, 1 Timothy 4:13) . 

This are some ways in which we can enhance our Sunday gathering, and warm our heart as we fight sin together, and we claim our citizenship to the Kingdom of heaven. I am not saying that this is THE Formula to it, but I do believe that this will help us to point one another to look up to the prize who is Jesus.

Every Book of the Bible in one Sentence

 Old Testament: The Works and Promises of God to His chosen People

Genesis: God creates and gives promises to His people.

Exodus: The Lord delivers His people.

Leviticus: God is Holy and Worthy, approach Him as Such.

Numbers: The Lord is Just and Merciful to His people

Deuteronomy: God prepares His people for His purposes

Joshua: Taking the land according the promise

Judges: The Lord judges rebels through their idols.

Ruth: Redemption is an act of love that brings celebration

1 Samuel: The Priest and the beginning of a wanted Kingdom

2 Samuel: The judgement of the sins of the Kings

1 and 2 Kings: Imperfect kings but the Perfect King still on the Throne

1 and 2 Chronicles: God will judge His people and their kings

Ezra: The Presence of God must be a Priority to God’s people

Esther: God in His Sovereignty care for his people.

Nehemiah: Lets rebuild the wall and gather the people

Job: Seeing God more deeply through pain and sufferings

Psalms: The Lord is Worthy to be Praised and Worshipped

Proverbs: All Wisdom begins and ends with God.

Ecclesiastes: Applied wisdom is to enjoy and rejoice in God

Song of Solomon: God is passionate about His intentional love.

Isaiah: The Glory of the Lord makes us see our iniquity.

Jeremiah: The judgements of God brings sorrow to the righteous

Lamentations: His Steadfast love never ceases 

Ezekiel: God will turn the heart of stone into a heart of flesh

Daniel: The Lord Protects those who stand for Him.

Hosea: The Lord is Faithful to unfaithful people who belongs to Him

Joel: God is sending a plague of locusts

Amos: God cares for the oppressed 

Obadiah: Judgement of God comes from the Mountain

Jonah: The Lord extends compassion to every people

Micah: God loves His Justice

Nahum: The Wrath of God has been Announced

Habakkuk: God’s Sovereignty is worthy to be trusted

Zephaniah: Judgment is an act of Mercy when it comes from God

Haggai: God will renew the hearts of the People

Zechariah: The Lord will bring Restoration

Malachi: God is worthy of Worship and Praise

 

New Testament: The Promises of God fulfilled in the work of Jesus

Matthew: Jesus is the King that the Jews were waiting for.

Mark: Jesus’ authority is greater than any human authority.

Luke: Jesus truly is the Son of God

John: Jesus is the light, the truth and the life and the only way to the Father

Acts: The church begins through the power of God

Romans: God justifies sinners through Jesus by faith.

1 Corinthians: Jesus calls to holiness, repentance and faith

2 Corinthians: God gives contentment to struggling saints

Galatians: Jesus saves through the work of the Spirit

Ephesians: The Gospel unifies people who were once apart

Philippians: The Gospel gives joy to those who give their life for it

Colossians: Jesus is Supreme in the glory of His humiliation

1 Thessalonians: God brings encouragement in our Sanctification

2 Thessalonians: God admonish His people to live for His Glory

1 Timothy: Godliness with contentment is great gain

2 Timothy: God hold us by our hands to endure until the end

Titus: The fruit of Regeneration is a holy life

Philemon: God brings Reconciliation to broken sinners

Hebrews: Jesus fulfills perfectly the demands of the law

James: God produces good works as an expression of faith in Jesus

1 Peter: God cares for those who are persecuted in His name

2 Peter: God is patient with sinners who are growing in Him

1 John: God is Love and those who love Him also love others

2 John: Those who remain in the truth have been born of God

3 John: God gives us discernment to remain in the truth

Jude: He is Wise and Able to protect us.

Revelation: God is preparing a celebration unto eternity

Those who have place the bible in the casket of irrelevance, and lowering down unto the ground of disregard, have come only to discover that the Bible outlive his pallbearers. God’s word is unrelenting, His truth is everlasting, His judgements are indisputable, His correction are timeless. This book is fresher than tomorrows newspaper, it is more definite than the constitution, it is the backbone of science, it is the highest aim of philosophy, it is the inspiration of poetry, it is the word of God. ~ Charlie Dates

A Poem: Stay Calm and Confident, So you may rest in God's Work

I Wrote this Poem for one my assignments at the Bible Institute I am Part,



Stay Calm and Confident 
So you may rest in God’s work

 
Unquiet the soul that seeks for answers
Shaken by the fracture in brokenness immerse
don’t rest, don’t sleep, don’t hear, don’t see
restless in the lie that everything revolves within

Tossed by the waves of circumstances 
suffocating in the worries of life 
confused by the worldly noise 
and intimidated by the enemy across

Stay Calm and Confident 
So you may rest in God’s work 

Waiting in the Lord is not the same as spiritual laziness
Waiting in the Lord is to actively seek Him in the Word and Prayer 
So although I do not have an answer
I realize that I have God on my side and that in itself is a comfort.

His Love is my reality
His Power brings respectability
His decrees are Irreversibility
His Forgiveness kills every superficiality

His Faithfulness is Intensionality
His Incarnation brings me in Conductibility 
Rescuing me from my sins futility 
His Sovereignty is Accountability 

Him having the last word is Indestructibility 
He is the beginning of Intellectuality 
Salvation is the expression of His Autonomy 
His Immutability bring irrefutability

His Presence is shocking in radioactibility
Living in His favor is His generosity
The work that He has done is luminosity 
He makes His own cross the centrality 

He loves his people without partiality 
He is patient with me in my immaturity 
He doesn’t expect of his people uniformity 
but He teaches us to live in charity 

To Him belongs all the authority 
Although in this world, His people are minorities
He protects us from the World’s hostility 
So dying in Him is the normality 

Glorious as He made us in complexity 
In His Mercy we can come in Sincerity 
In our condition He brings clarity 
so being like Jesus becomes our Identity

Stay Calm and Confident 
So you may rest in God’s work 

I live less 
When I think that in my flesh 
I could have rest 

The greatest day
is when i found my grave 
and died with me the sin that I was enslaved

I have found comfort in my wounds 
Although I may not get a cure 
I can rest secure 
that in the day when He comes, everything will be made new 

I behold an eternal position that no suffering can overturn
for it has been sealed by the King of the Universe 
who by the sound of His voice made everything into existence 

Stay Calm and Confident 
So you may rest in God’s work
He already gave you Christ 
of what you asked, He already gave you more

Cuando Desconfiar de tu Pastor - Garrett Kell

Una hermana de corazón tierno hizo esta pregunta durante un estudio reciente de 2 Timoteo. Acabábamos de hablar del peligro de los falsos maestros y de la apostasía de pastores como Figelo, Hermógenes y Demas. Ella luchaba por saber cómo responder.

A raíz de las recientes admisiones de informes de abuso, corrupción y encubrimiento en la Convención Bautista del Sur, su pregunta resuena con muchas otras.

 

Cuando los hombres que se supone que representan a Jesús hieren a las personas que están bajo su cuidado, es atroz y desorientador. Ya sea que usted haya sido herido directa o indirectamente por tales hipócritas, todos necesitamos un camino hacia adelante que evite abandonar la fe en Dios o la confianza en su iglesia.

 

9 Señales de Advertencia

Aunque debemos evitar albergar un espíritu de sospecha hacia todo el liderazgo, estamos llamados a tener discernimiento, mente sobria y estar en guardia (1 Ped. 5:8; 1 Juan 4:1). No todos los pastores que exhiben los siguientes rasgos son lobos abusivos. Los pastores que no lo son también son ovejas que luchan. Pero si estos pecados caracterizan a su pastor, es necesario preocuparse seriamente y tomar medidas severas.

 

1. Aislado

Los pastores deben ser conocidos por sus ovejas. Aparecer en el púlpito es sólo una pequeña parte de la responsabilidad de un pastor. Si los miembros de la iglesia no tienen ninguna visibilidad de la vida de sus pastores, no pueden "considerar el resultado de su manera de vivir, e imitar su fe" (Heb. 13:7).

 

Los pastores peligrosos se aíslan para evitar ser detectados, y el pecado florece en el aislamiento. La vida de un pastor debe estar abierta a la observación.

Para ser claros, los pastores deben ser capaces de tener tiempo privado con Dios, la familia y los amigos cercanos. Y no todos los miembros de la iglesia van a tener una amistad cercana y personal con cada pastor. Sin embargo, debe ser claro y observable que un pastor está viviendo en una comunidad cristiana piadosa y madura. Los pastores que evitan las relaciones íntimas con cualquier persona son altamente sospechosos.

 

2. No Rinden Cuentas

Los pastores dignos de confianza piden cuentas. Cualquier pastor que no esté dispuesto a rendir cuentas por compañeros evangélicos piadosos es vulnerable a todo tipo de males.

Un pastor que dirige solo es un pastor facultado para oprimir. Por lo tanto, siempre que sea posible, se debe establecer una pluralidad de ancianos calificados. Obviamente, habrá temporadas y lugares donde los colaboradores pueden ser pocos, pero mi punto aquí es más sobre la disposición que la demografía. Incluso cuando hay pocas manos pastorales en el arado, un pastor puede exhibir el deseo de rendir cuentas a sus amigos y a otros líderes.

 

Dios diseñó la iglesia para tener esta estructura de responsabilidad incorporada por muchas razones, incluyendo la de proteger a los pastores del pecado. Por lo tanto, estos pastores o amigos no deben ser "hombres del sí", reacios a ofrecer críticas. Por el contrario, deben amar con valentía al pastor principal, sujetándolo a la norma de Dios (1 Tim. 3:1-7). Todos necesitamos hombres a nuestro alrededor que nos apoyen y animen, pero debemos tener cuidado si la lengua franca cambia del amor bíblico a la lealtad parcial.

 

3. A la defensiva

Siguiendo con este tema, los pastores piadosos animarán a los miembros a dar su opinión, a compartir sus preocupaciones y a ayudarles a crecer en fidelidad. Tenga cuidado con los pastores que no pueden recibir críticas o que se ponen a la defensiva cuando surgen preguntas. Una iglesia en la que la crítica es tratada como alta traición no es un ambiente espiritualmente seguro para el pastor o los que están bajo su cuidado.

 

Por ejemplo, estoy convencido de que algún tipo de revisión formal del ministerio en el púlpito de un pastor -para alentar y para recibir comentarios constructivos- es tanto una prueba de humildad como un antídoto contra la actitud defensiva. Esto podría tener lugar en una reunión de personal o de ancianos o en un momento reservado para una "revisión del servicio". Independientemente del contexto, debe quedar claro que un pastor está abierto a la corrección, comprometido con el crecimiento continuo y deseoso de aprender de los demás a su alrededor.

 

4. Engreido

En lugar de ver el servicio a Jesús como un alto honor, algunos pastores piensan que son indispensables para la obra de Dios. Se sienten con derecho a un trato especial.

Conozco una iglesia en la que la gente dudaba en presionar al pastor ya que había hecho mucho por ellos. Lamentablemente, cultivaba una vida secreta de indulgencia que se aprovechaba de las ovejas enamoradas. Tuvo un gran impacto en las vidas para bien y para mal.

 

Más que tener derecho, debe quedar claro que un pastor desea un sistema de "controles y equilibrios". Los pastores harán, con razón, un bien espiritual a muchas personas. Pero parte de ese ministerio de discipulado debe implicar el empoderamiento y el estímulo de esas mismas personas para corregirlo si es necesario. A menudo le he dicho a mi iglesia que nunca pastorearía una iglesia en la que no confiara en despedirme si fuera infiel al Señor. Y le he dicho a innumerables cristianos que necesitan personas en su vida que los amen y que no estén impresionados por ellos. Este es ciertamente el caso de los pastores también.

 

5. Codicioso

Los pastores que imitan a Jesús serán generosos con sus recursos y su tiempo; los pastores ingratos estarán marcados por la codicia. Esto puede manifestarse en un deseo de dinero, poder, atención o afirmación.

El abuso sexual es una forma especialmente horrenda de codicia.

 

Los pastores codiciosos utilizan a otros para su beneficio personal, y el abuso sexual es una forma especialmente horrenda de codicia. Los abusadores se preocupan por su satisfacción por encima de todo. Son como sanguijuelas que toman y toman y no les importa a quién perjudican, con tal de satisfacer sus necesidades (Prov. 30:15). El reciente informe de abuso de la CBS está lleno del fruto podrido de hombres codiciosos que codician el sexo, el poder y la apariencia de piedad que niega su poder (2 Tim. 3:5). Este es un mal grave.

 

6. Controlador

Una vez escuché a un pastor bromear: "¡Ya que estoy a cargo, vamos a hacer las cosas a mi manera!". Sorprendentemente, la gente respondió con un sincero "¡Amén!". Los pastores dominantes utilizarán las Escrituras para avergonzar a la gente para que se someta a su voluntad.

 

Sin embargo, no todos los fanáticos del control son duros. Algunos utilizan la adulación para manipular y controlar a los vulnerables. Tales depredadores parecen alentadores, pero sus halagos están alimentados por motivos ulteriores. Esta es una táctica común de los que abusan sexualmente de las personas a su cargo.

 

No debemos confundir esto, ni por supuesto, con la necesidad de un liderazgo valiente en tiempos difíciles. Sería inapropiado hacer sonar la alarma cada vez que un pastor ejerce sus dotes de liderazgo. Pero debemos esperar que ese liderazgo esté de acuerdo con un espíritu de mansedumbre y humildad.

 

7. Duro 

¿Cómo habla el pastor sobre el pecado? ¿Bromea sobre la inmoralidad? ¿Se fija en un pecado y minimiza otros? ¿Descarta las acusaciones de abuso como si fuera la agenda del mundo?

 

¿Cómo habla de las mujeres? ¿Describe de forma machista a las mujeres de manera que las hace menos valiosas? ¿Menosprecia a las hermanas, especialmente a las fuertes?

¿Cómo habla de las personas vulnerables, como las viudas, los huérfanos, las minorías y los extranjeros?

 

¿Cómo se dirige a aquellos con los que no está de acuerdo? ¿Lo hace con delicadeza y respeto (2 Tim. 2:24-26), o es condescendiente y duro?

 

La falta de empatía y gentileza es una señal de alarma evidente. Y cuando falla en alguna de estas áreas, ¿se arrepiente rápidamente? Ninguno de nosotros es Jesús, y todos vacilaremos en lo que decimos y hacemos, pero la falta de sensibilidad a la convicción forjada por el Espíritu o a la reprimenda piadosa es una señal problemática reveladora.

 

8. Tribal

Uno de los aspectos más grotescos del informe de abusos de la CBS es la forma en que los poderosos aparentemente se protegieron unos a otros -a expensas de los vulnerables-, al tiempo que afirmaban estar protegiendo la obra del evangelio. Los pastores que ven a su tribu como los defensores de la verdad se resistirán a los correctivos necesarios de quienes están fuera de sus muros. Los que ven las estadísticas y los informes financieros como prueba de éxito están en grave peligro. No estarán dispuestos a admitir los fracasos ni a denunciar los abusos a las agencias externas por miedo a que la misión descarrile. Pero esto sólo revela lo mucho que malinterpretan la misión. Estar agradecido por tu tribu es razonable -y encontrar un refrescante compañerismo en un grupo con ideas afines es comprensible- pero proteger ciegamente a tu tribu es censurable.

 

9. Un Evangelio Desequilibrado

Un mensaje de justificación que no requiere la santificación es incompleto (Gálatas 1:4; Hebreos 12:14). Si un pastor se enfoca sólo en el evangelismo o la justificación pero tiene poco que decir sobre la búsqueda de la santidad, preocúpese. Jesús nos llama a odiar el pecado (Rom. 12:9), a huir de él (2 Tim. 2:22) y a perseguir a Dios con un corazón puro (Mat. 5:8). Un pastor que evita llamar a la gente a una vida santa -o que se conforma con una mera "santidad" externa (por ejemplo, no beber cerveza, no bailar, no usar pantalones de yoga)- sólo está predicando un evangelio parcial. De hecho, puede estar evitando los claros mandatos bíblicos porque su conciencia está afligida por el pecado oculto.

 

No se dé por vencido con los pastores

Los pastores que carecen de las características de Cristo son hombres peligrosos. Pueden traer severos daños físicos, emocionales y espirituales. Pero los pastores piadosos son uno de los instrumentos de Dios para traer ayuda, sanación y esperanza.

 

Una vez más, parte de la forma en que Cristo cuida de sus ovejas es a través de subpastores fieles que irradian imperfectamente su carácter (1 Cor. 11:1). Cuando los subpastores fieles nos aman, experimentamos un destello del amor de Dios por nosotros. Brotan mansedumbre, no violencia, como Jesús (1 Pe. 5:3). Muestran paciencia, no ira, como Jesús (Tito 1:7). Son un ejemplo de humildad, no de orgullo, como Jesús (1 Pe. 5:5-6). Encarnan la generosidad, no la avaricia, como Jesús (1 Tim. 3:3).

 

Encontrar pastores fieles es esencial y posible. Pero fomentar la confianza no es una fe ciega. La confianza se gana. Conozca a los pastores antes de unirse a una iglesia. Siga a los pastores que siguen a Jesús de manera evidente para todos (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Tes. 2:10).

 

Por supuesto, aunque confíes en Jesús, practiques el discernimiento y hagas todo lo correcto, puede que acabes siendo herido por un pastor. Si esta es su historia, sepa que el abuso de un pastor no es su culpa. También debes saber que Dios no te ha abandonado. Él puede ayudarte a reconstruir la confianza bajo pastores fieles.

 

¿Cómo se logra esto? Confiando en Dios que nunca miente, que nunca explota, que nunca descuida, que nunca nos falla y que siempre es fiel. Confiamos en que el Dios que nos ama -y que ama a su Iglesia- no se ha quedado sin un gran remanente de hombres que no han doblado la rodilla ante sus propias lujurias ni ante los ídolos institucionales (1 Reyes 19:18). Confiamos en ellos confiando en él. Y demostramos nuestra confianza en él confiando en ellos.

 

El viaje a casa será duro, pero el Señor es el Buen Pastor. Él cuidará de nosotros a cada paso del camino.