The Overopinionated Pastor: Recent Episodes
Jonathan Burris
This month, I celebrate my 45th birthday. More importantly, this month marks 29 years since Christ did a marvelous work of salvation in my life and called me into the ministry. As I reflect on 29 years of ministry, I want to offer some advice to those who are in Christian ministry from a guy who has learned the hard way by making about every mistake one can make. Here are five tips for every young preacher (and old preachers too).
Today's episode is not for the faint at heart. Grab your big boy pants, buckle up, and grab something to hold on to. It's about to get rough.
In this launch episode, we tackle four issues:
- The United Nation's backed group that suggests minors can consent to sexual acts with adults.
- The shooting in New Mexico by officers at the wrong house.
- Pastor Stacey Shiflett's tweet about the "sinner's prayer".
- Commenting on my video on Biblical Tongues vs Modern Tongues.
Is the Drying Up of the Euphrates River a Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy? A recent Internet craze has people all in an uproar. Why is the Euphrates drying up, and most importantly, is this a fulfillment of Bible prophecy? The Euphrates River, is nearly 1,740 miles long. It flows from Turkey into Syria, Iraq, and empties into the Persian Gulf. It is one of the most important rivers in human history as the land around it and the Tigris make up what we know as The Fertile Crescent that spans several Middle-Eastern countries. The Euphrates River originates in southeastern Turkey and is the main source of clean drinking water as well as hydroelectric power for around 12 Million people that live along its banks. Additionally, it is a critical means of navigation and transportation of people and goods. But recently, social media has been bombarded by posts that say that the Euphrates is drying up in fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Before and After Photos: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/80613/freshwater-stores-shrank-in-tigris-euphrates-basin
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average undergraduate student graduates with about $25,000 in student debt. Under the plan, the Education Department would provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Individuals would qualify if they make less than $125,000 a year, and married couples would qualify if their combined income is less than $250,000. There is nothing more unfair or unbiblical than transferring the debt of some to others without their consent. That is not Christianity. It is redistribution of wealth. It does not build strong societies, it divides. It does not produce equality or equity. It kills cultures and cripples societies. The free bread of the Romans merely made the poorest poorer and the dependent more dependent. It was not a hand-up. It was a hand-out. Redistribution of wealth inhibits hard work and honest gain. And worst of all, it teaches that there are no consequences for our actions if we choose to live irresponsibly, and that there is no value in working hard and paying what you owe.
A more theologically conservative branch of the Methodist Church known as the Global Methodist Church launched on May 1, 2022, following a split from the United Methodist Church denomination over LGBTQ-related issues. This new denomination is made up of former United Methodists from North America, Africa, Europe and elsewhere who uphold the authority of Scripture. For years, the UMC had been divided over the ordination of LGBTQ clergy and the performance of same-sex marriages. In recent years, the growing division reached a breaking point, leading the denomination to split, with progressive and conservative Methodists, announcing new denominations. The UMC postponed its General Conference for a third time earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The denomination is supposed to talk about the denominational schism during the conference. In response to the continual delays, the Global Methodist Church, or GMC, decided to launch its denomination ahead of the rescheduled conference, which will now take place in 2024. After repeated postponements, the GMC grew tired of waiting and officially launched in the Spring of this year.
What is a Seeker Sensitive Church? Does it matter and should your church be following that model? The unsaved do not need blurred lines of a diluted Gospel that has had sin, righteousness, and judgment removed. It is a core part of the Gospel. No one will ever be saved until they know why they must be saved.
Leftist celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg and Al Sharpton are now using God to defend and support abortion. Does their position have merit or basis in truth? Listen to Pastor Jonathan Burris address the issue and identify the reason why they are doing this.