Christ follower, Husband, Father, Ordained Elder in the Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Getting good training
I have found a new appreciation for good training. I came across a website with training videos on practically every software you can think of www.lynda.com and I have been studying training materials from Nelson Searcy to help me run a church more efficiently and effectively. I strive to get better everyday and one way to do that is to get proper training. I submit that we are always getting training whether we go to a seminar, college, watch television, or not. Our minds are taking in information and we are forming habits through our actions regularly, we cannot help it. But we can determine what kind of training we are getting. The people we hang around, the books we read, the websites we visit, they all are training us and making us proficient in whatever material they are giving out. Who is training you?
Monday, November 5, 2012
Procrastination and Reading
So I just finished reading a book the other day. God With Us by Mark Allen Powell. Very strong theologian in my limited experience and I am proud that I finished the book, the only problem is I was supposed to finish reading it for my New Testament I class last fall (two semesters ago). I procrastinated in the reading when it was assigned for class and fortunately, the work was not heavily included in the Midterm or Final, but would have helped me participate in lectures. Procrastination got the best of me, but my desire to not quit, made me keep the book, and finally get around to finish it in between everything else I have going on. I don't want to make excuses, I am busy, but everything I am doing, or supposed to be doing is adding value to my life so I should find a way to make it happen. Completing the assigned readings for my classes prepares me for class lectures, sermons, and speaking engagements. They also turn my ramblings into something coherent one day as a theologian. I must do better at completing the readings and I am already doing so.
Some of the ways I have dealt with procrastination is learning to say no. Most of my procrastination comes from the fact that I say yes to a bunch of things and end up not doing any of them. Spreading myself too thin means that no task gets enough attention to complete on time and sometimes, at all. Learning to commit to a schedule also helps with procrastination, if I deal with certain matters on a set schedule they will get completed in a timely matter. Also learning to make decisions quickly. Some tasks pile up because when the information came to me, I sat it down and said I will deal with it later, only later did not come. Making quicker decisions, learning to say no, and adhering to a schedule have helped me deal with procrastination.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Do Not Feed the Trolls
I have been running into a specific kind of troll lately on Facebook. I imagine the troll playbook is posted on 9gag or 4chan, or whatever the hipsters are using today for internet jokes. This particular troll is an attacker of religion and is attacking because
Now a troll is defined as:
"Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion. The noun troll may refer to the provocative message itself, as in: "That was an excellent troll you posted
source: wikipedia.org
Feeding the trolls is what I have been doing by responding to these
There are few primary sources about ANYTHING regarding those times but Christianity seems to be the only thing called into question, called superstition and trolled by someone who just discovered a video and doesn't have the research capacity or presence of mind to research the claims. A person accepts Christianity, then sees a video that says Christianity is fake, they accept that without question, and then tells others to research even though they have done no research themselves. I personally would not want that kind of person in my church to begin with. I can't respect wishy washy people.
A little background on the post, I am a Mason, I was in a Masonic Facebook group and the troll began trolling members of the group as soon as he got in. He broke protocol, was cussing, misspelling words, using poor grammar, and was embarrassing himself and his organization. I commented in embarrassment that this man, had graduated from the same High School as I did. This got some laughs from the other members of the group and then he began to engage me. He made an offhand comment and I asked the troll was the comment addressed to me, if so he needed to "speak up" when talking to me. If I have a question, I tag the person I am referencing, so there is no confusion, he did not. Below is a transcript of my latest encounter with a troll. I changed his name to troll for the purpose not giving them anymore publicity than I already have. I also removed the profanity.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Troll
Im back ja
preacher im talking to u what it do?
October 21 at
10:50pm via mobile · Like
Troll
@johney
October 21 at
10:50pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
????
October 21 at
10:51pm · Like
Troll
What school u go
to wit me?
October 21 at
10:52pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Your profile
says you graduated from Indianapolis North Central High School in 1999. I was
class of 1998.
October 21 at
10:53pm · Like
Troll
Ok great I dont
no u I c u preaching getin rich how many homeless shelters u give to.?
October 21 at
10:55pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
-_____- I'm not
getting rich preaching at all. I actually pay more in tithes to the church I
pastor than they pay me in salary. As far as homeless shelters community
service etc. I do my share, I work shelters, drive for meals on wheels, give
clothes to homeless on the streets downtown, pass out turkeys on Thanksgiving
and toys for Christmas.
October 21 at
10:58pm · Like · 2
Troll
May God bless u
October 21 at
10:59pm via mobile · Like
Troll
What do u preach
on
October 21 at
11:00pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
I follow a three
year calendar called the lectionary. Whatever scripture is selected for that
Sunday is what I preach on.
October 21 at
11:03pm · Like
Troll
Oh ok who is
jesus?
October 21 at
11:04pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
English name for
Yeshua ben Yosef
October 21 at
11:05pm · Like
Troll
Thanks I just
belive in God.no JESUS
October 21 at
11:09pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
To each their
own....
October 21 at
11:10pm · Like
Troll
I always
wondered u sure they wasn't talking about the S.U.N OF GOD?
October 21 at
11:12pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Nope. I have an
analytical concordance and a Greek Bible, all of those English transliterations
and acronyms don't work when you start looking at the actual words used in the
original languages.
October 21 at
11:14pm · Edited · Like
Troll
U tode me to
speak up when talking to u? JESUS WAS AND NEVER DID EXIST.TGE MAN YOU ARE
WORSHIPING IS THE FIRST EUROPEAN TO SET ON THE THROWN OF EGYPT.YOUR BOOKS DIDNT
TELL U THAT.
October 21 at
11:17pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Sure if that's
how you feel fine, I've done the Jesus didn't exist dance before.
October 21 at
11:20pm · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
You not even a
full quarter in and running around like you have obtained all this
knowledge....
October 21 at
11:22pm · Like
Troll
The bible
schools didnt teach u THAT? Ill teech u sence u said speak up when talking to
u.I got 5000 say I can prove JESUS NEVER WALKED THIS EARTH.if he did it would
be a statue of the n---- all over the planet.but u cant live without the S.U.N
for 15 min or the whole earth will freeze.fairytails are for kids the
temptations got a song STEALING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
October 21 at
11:22pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Sir you have no
idea what the "bible schools" taught me or didn't teach me.
October 21 at
11:24pm · Like
Troll
Better yet who
wrote the bible?
October 21 at
11:24pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
No one person
wrote the Bible, it is a collection of texts from multiple sources. Prior to
the "Bible" there were the Masoretic Texts, the Septuagint, and
collections of letters read in various churches.
October 21 at
11:26pm · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
All that is
missing from you is some Ray Hagins videos
October 21 at
11:26pm · Like
Troll
Bs.william
Shakespeare wrote along with 46 other scholars malachi 4 1-3 ant no jesus if
jesus the sun of righteousness the forgot about that
October 21 at
11:30pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Do you even know
what the Masoretic Texts are? Or the Septuagint?
October 21 at
11:31pm · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Let me start a
little slower, do you know what a primary source is?
October 21 at
11:32pm · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Also did you
know there were other versions of the Bible prior to the KJV that you want
attribute to Shakespeare?
October 21 at
11:34pm · Like
Troll
Look I dont care
prove he was real ill donate 5000 to your church ig u can but go to my page
check out ray haggins council of niceia who created jesus and just say thanks
and stay out of it.lies on the lips of a priests
October 21 at
11:36pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
LOL! And there
is the Ray Hagin drop I knew it
October 21 at
11:37pm · Like · 2
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
I'll do without
your 5Gs sir.
October 21 at
11:39pm · Like · 1
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Didn't answer
any questions, gave no primary sources just said a bunch of stuff you picked up
on the street.
October 21 at
11:39pm · Like · 1
Troll
White man got u
preaching his gospel cant tell me about the nubians the land of cush ancient
kemet thay jesus story was wtitten 7800 years bc.noah arch epic of Gilgamesh
2500 bc fairytails goodnite
October 21 at
11:39pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Again, you have
no idea who is teaching me or what I teach. I know very well about the epic of
Gilgamesh, Kushites, Hyksos, Haribu, the Armana Letters and then some, because
that is what they teach at "Bible School"
October 21 at
11:41pm · Like · 1
Troll
U talking bs
about jesus on the net n---- if u ant a mason stay the f#&*$ out the
conversation cowan ease dropping on convo then got the nerve to be a preacher
bacc in the day u couldnt preach if u wasn't a mason or eastern star.European
thinking never again
October 21 at
11:46pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
I actually
haven't said anything about Jesus other than that is the English name of Yeshua
Ben Yosef
October 21 at
11:48pm · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Reading is
fundemental
October 21 at
11:48pm · Like
Troll
Jesus cant save
u n----- Deuteronomy telk u that everybody accountable for his own sin.n---- please
October 21 at
11:48pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
I think you just
wait until you see my name come up on the thread and start typing again,
without actually reading what I type.
October 21 at
11:50pm · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
You just think
what they told you Christians would say in response and you have the next
response locked and loaded.
October 21 at
11:50pm · Like
Troll
ISAIAH 8 1-4
PROPHET WAS BORN WHERE JESUS COME FROM? GOODNITE COWAN
October 21 at
11:50pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
All this talk of
enlightenment but all this n-word talk at the same time
October 21 at
11:51pm · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Why quote
scripture if it was written by a playwright?
October 21 at
11:52pm · Like
Troll
Im grown and its
america stop me.he that has no sin N----(in all caps so I know he means it) cast the first stone!
October 21 at
11:53pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
I have no desire
to stop you, I'm just saying you are contradicting yourself. Also why do you
have to tell me you are grown, your actions should tell that for you? And who
said anything about sin?
October 21 at
11:55pm · Like · 1
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Look man I
understand. You just got into Masonry, its new, its fresh, you are learning new
things. I was like that my first year in the Lodge too, there is no need to run
around with your chest all out, being FB gangsta challenging people on the net,
you will only get laughed at.
October 21 at
11:56pm · Edited · Like · 3
Troll
Thats what im
tellin u.I was brain washed but when getting off them slave ship we as blacks
weren't christians im traveling to find who I am.u should travel also.head east
where the gospels started
October 21 at
11:57pm via mobile · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
Been there, done
that, found my home back in Christianity.
October 21 at
11:58pm · Like · 1
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
That may not be
your path.
October 21 at
11:58pm · Like
Johnnie Simpson
Jr.
I'm not pushing
it on you, nor do I have a desire to.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
He claimed he was going to sleep after that, I was surprised to come back to the group the next morning and see all the other brothers piling on him for his behavior and calling for his deletion from the group. I fault myself for even engaging the troll. These Ray Hagins "scholars" have been popping up recently and they seem to find me and my little clerical collar looking for an argument. I cannot allow them to live rent free in my head, and I cannot at ANY cost feed anymore trolls.
Johnnie Simpson Jr.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Been pretty busy lately, haven't had a chance to blog. I started another semester of seminary, taking Old Testament I, and Christian Heritage I which is basically a history class. I am enjoying this semester a lot more, but I haven't gotten any grades back yet. The church I pastor has a website now, http://www.haven-umc.org/
I have also started podcasting sermons at http://pastorjsimpjr.buzzsprout.com/ and on Itunes under Johnnie Simpson Jr.
Just trying to create a bit of a pastoral web presence for my church and myself. I am not sure how, this happened but after the second batch of 4 sermons were uploaded to the web some of them hit 100 plays in a 4 day span and a Palm Sunday Sermon I preached got 238 plays....wow. I have also got the idea in my head to publish a book. I have started writing it I just have to power through it. I want to keep it around 100 pages, and not be too academic.
Last Sunday was also World Communion Sunday for the United Methodist Church. My church Haven Chapel UMC worshipped with St. Paul AME Church. It was good to get involved with the community, I intend to do a whole lot more. Big plans in store, big plans.
I have also started podcasting sermons at http://pastorjsimpjr.buzzsprout.com/ and on Itunes under Johnnie Simpson Jr.
Just trying to create a bit of a pastoral web presence for my church and myself. I am not sure how, this happened but after the second batch of 4 sermons were uploaded to the web some of them hit 100 plays in a 4 day span and a Palm Sunday Sermon I preached got 238 plays....wow. I have also got the idea in my head to publish a book. I have started writing it I just have to power through it. I want to keep it around 100 pages, and not be too academic.
Last Sunday was also World Communion Sunday for the United Methodist Church. My church Haven Chapel UMC worshipped with St. Paul AME Church. It was good to get involved with the community, I intend to do a whole lot more. Big plans in store, big plans.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Back from Local Pastor School!!!!!
So I just finished my last day of Local Pastor Licensing School (LPLS). For those who may not know, LPLS is pretty much pastoral hazing. It is a one week crash course covering the basics of things I need to know in order to effectively pastor a church. They cover weddings, funerals, sacraments, polity, Christian education, evangelism and a whole lot more. LPLS is supposed to be 80 hours and they try to fit those 80 hours into 9 days most of which are 12 hours plus. I gained 12 pounds from sitting around slamming Dr Pepper to stay awake in class. I feel I am better for it, I came back with some immediate changes I want to make at my appointment and in my ministry. I asked my wife to design a letterhead for the church, I plan to send out letters to the members and supporters of the church this week. I also have some more tools to develop a simple website for the church, and I am uploading some sermons to podcast while I type this blog. (soundcloud.com/pastorjsimpjr). I also have some ideas to better operate the church Facebook page. I have some tips on pastoral care and handling weddings and funerals. Still a Pastor in training, I think I will always be one of those but I came back with a good experience.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Things are coming along well for this pastor in training. I have a better understanding of church administration, I am also getting ready for Local Pastor Licensing School this July. Eight days of training in how to be a pastor and getting my license so I can legally marry people.
Since last post I had to preach my first memorial service. I used 2 Samuel when David's son died, I spoke on what David did after his son passed. David, mourned, then he washed his face, went to worship and fellowship, then he ate, as long we can continue to do those things after the death of a loved one we be able to grieve and deal with our loss. It won't make us feel better immediately but it will help us process. I learned that and what I know about funerals and memorial from two people Willie Lane, and Kirbyjon Caldwell. Working at Windsor Village UMC I probably attended close to 100 funerals in a two year time period, I wouldn't call myself a professional funeral goer but if I was called on to officiate a funeral on short notice I am confident I could do it.
Other than that, preparing for LPLS and working on the vision of Haven Chapel UMC have been my professional focus. I look forward to what God has in store for us.
Since last post I had to preach my first memorial service. I used 2 Samuel when David's son died, I spoke on what David did after his son passed. David, mourned, then he washed his face, went to worship and fellowship, then he ate, as long we can continue to do those things after the death of a loved one we be able to grieve and deal with our loss. It won't make us feel better immediately but it will help us process. I learned that and what I know about funerals and memorial from two people Willie Lane, and Kirbyjon Caldwell. Working at Windsor Village UMC I probably attended close to 100 funerals in a two year time period, I wouldn't call myself a professional funeral goer but if I was called on to officiate a funeral on short notice I am confident I could do it.
Other than that, preparing for LPLS and working on the vision of Haven Chapel UMC have been my professional focus. I look forward to what God has in store for us.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
So I finished my first year of Seminary, exciting stuff, I am pretty sure my GPA is less than stellar. I know that may have repercussions if and when I decide I want to be a doctor but I was really just happy to get out with my head still intact. I have some great tools to use when creating sermons, I have made some good friends in class, I have also learned that I am not the smartest guy in the room sometimes. I haven't been one to try to aim for straight A's but getting pretty high marks in my first Master's degree made me think Seminary would be pretty easy.......-_-......not so much. There is always next year, but I learned a lot about myself, mainly that I have a lot to learn about myself and what I truly believe theologically. Now I have to catch up on the reading I wanted to do 'for fun.' I have a book on preaching I want to read, another one on revitalizing churches in decline, another on prayer, and 6 on the Kingdom of God, I guess I better get started.
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