A Preacher's Confession Vol. 4
by Neil Brown
I had finished preaching and was at the back of the church with my
mother in a receiving line with the membership telling me how much they
had enjoyed the sermon on that particular Communion Sunday. One of the
mothers approached me to encourage me. She said some wonderful things that
had spoken directly to my heart, but then an unusual turn of events took
place: she asked me my age.
At that time I was 28. At that time, I was still somewhat new to my
present church, and was still getting to know names and faces. It took my
by surprise to discover that my age was so important. She was in shock
that a young man “my age” could deliver a passionate and authoritative
message to the church body.
I had never given it a second thought. I never realized that church folks
all over town had been seeing me this way. And I suppose that at one point
or another it has become a detriment and an advantage. I am 32 but I look
like I'm probably 25. One of the ladies on my job guessed that I was 22
which made me blink 132 times and shake my head in complete disbelief.
CONTINUES BELOW
I find it amazing that we still equate age with wisdom,
I
find it amazing that we still equate age with wisdom. I'm not
discounting elders, for I enjoy senior citizens. They have a richer and
fuller understanding of history because, for them, history was an
experience. Books can never tell me what experience has lived. But, even
with all of that, I believe that I have some degree of wisdom at “my
age.”
I will tell you it makes it more difficult to deal with people who feel
that I'm too young for the work of God. I was called to the ministry when
I was 23, and people were happy for me, but they were more consumed with
what I could do for the “young people".
What about the elders? Why is there a feeling that someone “my age” has
nothing to say to an older generation? Paul told Timothy to let no man
despise your youth, but rather told him to be an example and to rely on what
he had been taught. Paul told him to have a stick-to-it-and-persevere
attitude. But as a young man in the ministry, I must admit that it is
discouraging to think, to know, and to experience discriminatory attitudes
in the church regarding how old I am. I have to work harder to get my
ideas across. I have to study twice as much and twice as hard to achieve
understanding of scripture and figure out the best way to teach it.
My mission in life is to destroy the myth that young people have nothing
to say and nothing to contribute to the body of Christ. I have had some trials and tribulations that I wouldn't wish
on anybody no matter what your age. I'm a firm believer that my
experiences serve as a ministering opportunity. I'm a firm believer that
we can learn from one another, and age has nothing to do with that. I
cannot think any less of you or any better of you because of your birth
year. The brevity and certainty of life has nothing to do with how many
years I've lived, but have everything to do with how I lived with the
years I've got.
I struggle with getting people to take me seriously. And, I figure, if I
have problems, what about those even younger than me who have more to say
than I do? When do they get their chance? What do they have to do in order
to be heard by their churches, their leadership and their community? What
does it take for us to meet each other on level ground without
preconceived notions and ideas?
The Bible is full examples of young people serving God and making a
difference in the lives of their communities. From the Hebrew Boys to King
David. Reflect on Jeremiah and the prophets. Mary, Timothy: these were all
young people who believed in God and had strong faith and convictions.
And, whether we believe it or not, our faith is not only based on Jesus
Christ but also these young people who, though ordinary, did extraordinary
things.
I don't have to do extraordinary things, I just have to walk by faith and
not by sight. So I'm no longer discouraged by the fact that people are
more interested about my age than my ministry. And I don't expect things
to change overnight, but I'm committing myself to dispelling the myth that
young people have nothing to say about Jesus Christ and their faith.
Neil M. Brown
30 November 2003
holla@neilbrown.org
A Preacher's Confession
I wonder why people often hold me to a
greater level of responsibility, why they
get disappointed in me when I don't live to
certain expectations, while claiming
they're, “Only human,” when they mess up? My
mission in life is to destroy the myth that
young people have nothing to say and nothing
to contribute to the body of Christ. I'm a
firm believer that we can learn from one
another. The brevity and certainty of life
has nothing to do with how many years I've
lived, but have everything to do with how I
lived with the years I've got.
Yes, it is good to
live a celibate life. But because there
is so much sexual immorality, each man
should have his own wife, and each woman
should have her own husband. ...This is only
my suggestion. It's not meant to be an
absolute rule. I wish everyone could get
along without marrying, just as I do. But we
are not all the same. God gives some the
gift of marriage, and to others he gives the
gift of singleness. Now I say to those who
aren't married and to widows – it's better
to stay unmarried, just as I am. But if they
can't control themselves, they should go
ahead and marry. It's better to marry than
to burn with lust.
—1 Corinthians 7:1-9
Audio
Fix It
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Meditation by Neil M. Brown. Copyright © 2003 Neil Brown Ministries /
Helen Joyce Music. All rights reserved.
Not Everyone Walks Away
The Secret Disciple
A Place Called Gethsemane
I Just Want The Scraps
What Are We Going To Be?
Fix It
Excuse Me
Trouble Don't Last Always
Master Of My Storm
Recent
Sex: A Preacher's Confession
If your child wants to do something bad
enough, they will find a way. Things that
are expressly forbidden become fruit we deem
to be real tasty. It's like a dangling a
carrot; we will chase it until we can catch
it, taste it, eat it and digest it. It is
critical then parents that if you tell your
child no, that you explain to your child
why. God is only as real to your kids as
your testimony.
Jealousy: A Preacher's Confession
It's not your fault that others are jealous
of you. Some people exist in silent
frustration with you because you make things
look easy or you have a way with words or
your spirit is gentle; no matter what,
certain folks only want to deal with you. At
some point, we have to realize that we are
playing for the same team. Our goal should
be to help edify God's people and build the
Kingdom. But, sometimes, we get distracted
by human weakness. God's strength is made
perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians
12:9). Our trials along the way exist only
to make us patient, sure, and secure in our
faith.
Anger: A Preacher's Confession
“What do you do when living right don’t
work?” That’s what Bishop Jakes said once in
a sermon about silent frustration. I felt
deserted, cold and alone. Because I could
see saying no when you’ve come around one
too many times. I could see no when you
continue to ask for handouts. But, I didn’t
ask for a handout, I asked for a hand up
because I had no where else to go. I would
have worked off the benevolence or paid it
back. I was in a real jam, a real rock in a
hard place. I went home that evening after
being told no and— I kid you not— cried like
a baby. I just broke, and then I got livid.
I got pissed off and all I could do to
release was scream and holla out loud. And I
got to church on Sunday and felt like
everyone was looking at me and giggling
behind my back. I tried to worship, I tried
to give praise…but I felt angry. I felt
like, in a way, that I was being crucified.
That my self-worth was under attack, that my
faith was under attack, that my life had
been put on trial and was sentenced to
death. It was awful.
Insecurity: A Preacher's Confession
I used to think that preachers were the
craziest people on Earth, until I became
one. Why do you constantly keep praying and
ministering and preaching and hoping for
people who really seem like they don't want
to be bothered? And when God called me to
the ministry, that's exactly what I asked
Him, “...Why?” Why can't somebody else go?
Why can't you use Brother Over There who
needs the call more than I do? Why can't You
use Sister That Everybody Loves? “Because, I
want you", He said. You have unique giftings
and abilities that will be an asset to me in
the very near future. That was January 1994.
By July of that year, I was sitting in a
service at New Life Church of all places
when He spoke to me again at the altar call
that evening. All He said was, “Your
time is drawing near, get ready for work.”
And suddenly, the Word of God opened up to
me like never before..
Privacy: A Preacher's Confession
I got hurt in a very public way, in a very
public relationship that never existed. She
thought one thing, I thought another. I
thought I was clear. I wasn't. The result,
embarrassment, hurt feelings, and the loss
of a friend. We speak, but not like we used
to. And that pains me. I'm not saying that
I'm the good guy. I don't have to be the
hero of the story. The reality is that once
I knew there was a fondness, I should've
acted more proactively to protect myself, to
protect my ministry and to protect her. I
didn't do that. I vowed that it would never
happen again..
Channels
The Précis: Faith, Community, Hope.
In Color
Christian Culture in the African American
perspective, distributed to over 160,000
readers by the Colorado Springs Independent.
eStyle: Empowering Spiritual
Thinking In
Young Lives
A progressive and engaging online ministry
to youth and young adults, containing
proactive essays, bible studies, media
reviews and more.
Holla! At Neil Brown
A collection of sermons and no-holds barred
essays from a long-time minister to youth
and young adults dealing with issues
confronting teens and young adults.
Keeping It Real With Dr. Henry Johnson
A collection of sermons and essays from the
late Reverend Dr. Henry F. Johnson, a
teacher and pastor and founding partner of
PraiseNet.Org.
Brace Yourself By Joy Banks
A collection of proactive, in-your-face
studies engaging women's issues by Christian
Counselor Joy O. Banks.
Boys And Girls: Straight Talk About Sex
An unflinching examination of issues of love
and sexuality confronting teens and young
adults.
Except As Noted, Text Copyright © 2001-2010
Neil Brown Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
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