Last Wednesday Morning: Duane W.H. Arnold, PhD

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25 Responses

  1. Linn says:

    Duane,

    Just a funny aside on the fire alarm-many years ago I taught in a low-income school where most of my kindergartners had very few experiences outside their mobile home park. On the first day of school, as the principal led the pledge of allegiance over the intercom, a little voice said, “Is that God?” I explained it, but they were convinced it was God right up until Christmas.

    When I went to Colombia so many years ago, no one cared about my college degree. They did care about my interest in them and my love for their children. Even those who were suspicious of gringos in general came to understand that I was there to serve God and them. i made mistakes, but the bottom line of trust was maintained as I asked for forgiveness and advice on how not to repeat my mistakes. It really made a difference. So did listening. Yes, I have some fantastic teaching strategies, but you know your kid-his/her likes, dislikes, delights. It made a big difference in ministry. I often wondered what impact I had there after I came home so abruptly (family emergency), but when a bunch of my old friends found me on Facebook, I found out. God did so much in those seven short years that has lasted into the future.

    I didn’t learn that all by myself. The best advice I ever got was from an elderly missionary friend was, “Listen-you are there to serve, not to have all the answers. You do have answers, and God will show you when they are ready.” It was very good advice.

    I trust you will be up and well soon!

  2. Duane Arnold says:

    Linn

    I am more and more convinced that real ministry is not a matter of having “all the answers” (we never do, anyway!). It happens, however, when people know that we actually care…

  3. Em says:

    My neighbor is recovering from spinal surgery – praying for both of you
    God keep

  4. Captain Kevin says:

    “…if matters went south.”

    Glad they didn’t, and nice to hear about the great care you received. Praying as you recover.

  5. pstrmike says:

    Thinking about the church as a hospital for sinners, I attended a Medical Healing Conference at Bethel Church in Redding, California back in May 2017. I was there for research on my dissertation. Most of the attendees were medical professionals. They were the nicest people to be around. The general attitude of kindness and professionalism far exceeded anything I ever experienced at any pastor’s conference. It was then that I starting thinking that hospitals and medical centers just might be the church for broken and sick bodies.

    Praying for a full and fast recovery for you Duane.

  6. Duane Arnold says:

    CK

    Many thanks! Starting to recover motor skills on my right side. I was typing left handed most of last year..

  7. Duane Arnold says:

    Em

    Praying for your neighbor…

  8. Duane Arnold says:

    pstrmike

    “The general attitude of kindness and professionalism far exceeded anything I ever experienced at any pastor’s conference.”

    I’ve experienced the same in such gatherings. It used to be said that there were only three ‘professions’ – clergy, doctors and lawyers – that is, groups that bound themselves by an oath or ‘professed’ a calling. Medicine may be the last refuge…

  9. Michael says:

    When I was a child my doctor was a very committed Seventh Day Adventist.

    The waiting room was full of children books from a Christian perspective.

    He made a fifty mile round trip every week to check on me at my home…and didn’t expect payment.

    It was as close to pastoral care as I’ve ever experienced.

    He was revered among the people…and is revered in my heart to this day.

    Now, when I go to the doctor, they check me in behind bullet proof glass…

    We have lost our way…

  10. Duane Arnold says:

    Michael

    “We have lost our way…”

    I’m not sure we’ll find our way back, but some people give me hope.

  11. bob1 says:

    Duane,

    Thanks for sharing your hospital experience and insights. So glad you’re back home recovering. I’ll be praying that your continued recovery will go well.

    From what you said about the medical staff, this really spoke volumes:

    Despite being tired, overworked and sometimes even attacked by those they were trying to help, they were more concerned about their patients than they were about themselves.

  12. Duane Arnold says:

    bob1

    You got it…

  13. Steve says:

    Duane, I’m glad your surgery went well. Good word about pastoral care. It is what I expected and needed for years while attending Calvary chapel. But I never once received it. Instead, I was told my expectations were too high and was told to submit to their authority and follow spiritual disciplines because that’s what I needed especially if I desired to be like them who appeared to have it altogether. I look back on these experiences and I realize that my expectations were too high. They were right. Although, all I needed was a simple gesture of kindness, a pinch of humility and an ounce of encouragement it was way too much to ask for from a Narcissistic Moses model pastor to give. These pastors are equivalent to the hospital CEOs who get paid millions but delegate all the actual care to the staff. But in the church the subordinates are learning the tricks of the trade from their boss. Maybe the hospital CEOs serve a useful purpose and deserve the high pay in a hospital but I’m convinced we can completely do away with the pastor CEOs in church. We mainly need pastors who are care givers.

  14. Duane Arnold says:

    Steve

    Pastoral are is not an unreasonable expectation. The CEO model barely works in health care… In the church, the CEO model is what I would call a “structural heresy”.

    Here are some other thoughts on pastoral care:
    https://www.phoenixpreacher.com/pastoral-care/

  15. Steve says:

    Duane,. Thanks. Yes, I agree not unreasonable expectation but when it comes to Calvary Chapel it seems to be.

  16. Duane Arnold says:

    Steve

    It begs the question, what is is about some church systems and polities that mitigates against pastoral care?

  17. Steve says:

    Duane, I think much of it revolves around idolatry rampant in American churches. One aspect is consumerism that is empowering this idolatry. We are all a product of this culture we live in which seems to put leadership on a pedestal. Ironically though we have a leadership vacuum almost everywhere. The church is no exception.. This vacuum though is quickly filled with the least qualified but most charismatic personalities perpetuating the viscious cycle. Calvary Chapel is easy to explain. Its all based on pragmatism which is why they have been successful. However, it also explains the lack of pastoral care. Basically it’s too inefficient to care for people. There are no requirements at all for the pastorate. None for elders or deacons either. No moral or education requirements. You don’t need seminary education. Infact, you don’t need any training at all as long as you can draw a crowd and convince enough folks to follow you. The results are devastating but the building facilities are impressive.

  18. Em says:

    Steve @ 7:59… Wise words – good Wednesday ponder for a definitely straying church

  19. Xenia says:

    The “Once Saved, Always Saved” doctrine works against a serious investment in discipleship. If you think nothing you do or don’t do has any bearing on your salvation, why bother? Too much emphasis on discipleship sounds a lot like “Salvation by Works” in some evangelical ears, so better just “Follow as the Spirit leads,” whatever that means, with no real guidance.

  20. Steve says:

    Xenia,. It’s good to work in light of your salvation not for your salvation. This has nothing to do with discipleship. Pastors though should fear being disqualified. There is no such thing as a once a pastor always a pastor doctrine although I think some think that way.

  21. bob1 says:

    What about gratitude as the basis for discipleship?

  22. Em says:

    if one is taught “once saved always saved,” i see no problem with that, BUT
    with that goes the obligation, which should also be taught, that one does not stop there, but must develop the mind of Christ or else they are useless children…. not sure what God does with useless children? hmmmm

  23. Duane Arnold says:

    In terms of church leadership, I think one’s motive matters. If pastoral care and service to others is not part of that motive, I fail to see how one can exercise any leadership in the church. It is not just a job, or providing entertainment, or “being a good teacher”… it’s a calling that carries with it the responsibility of care.

  24. Linn says:

    Em (at 1:39 pm)
    James 2:14-25 always puts the faith/works dichotomy into balance for me. If there are no works, then faith is suspect; if there is no faith, then works are suspect. If a Christian really is not living a godly life, it might be possible to-carefully-call into question their salvation.

  25. Em says:

    Linn, no problem with that at all…
    IMX…. Salvation brings with it an appetite to grow in wisdom and understanding, SO?
    One can question the redemption, if the one claiming it just thinks of it as a ticket out of helll…. or so it seems from here
    God keep

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