Update - Launching of Burdened Consulting

Friends and family, I'm excited to share a new chapter in my life of service. As many of you know, my heart has been in ministry since I was 16, and I deeply love serving my congregations and really look forward to continuing this work. I am adding to it by formalizing efforts I have already provided to folks over the years.  I'm extending my ministry in this new way by launching Burdened Consulting! 

This new business is an extension of my ministry, as I believe deeply in serving others not just with prayers but with practical help. Whether it’s supporting a business through growth, leadership changes, helping families work together, or simply offering guidance with a values-based approach, I’m honored to use my business brain, education, and experience to make a difference in the community beyond the walls of the church.  

Whether it's succession planning, conflict resolution, or leadership development, I'm here to walk alongside business owners and families, just as I do with my church family. 

Thank you all for your continued love and support. I'm excited to see where this journey leads and how it will further my mission to serve others. 🙏 

Feel free to reach out if you want to know more or just to chat about this new adventure! 

Blessings, 

Pastor Jacob 

When Helping Hurts - How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting The Poor... And Yourself

One of the things that has quickly become a favorite thing to do is to connect people with books, with information, ideas that can change their minds and their lives.

In this post I want to share with you a book, By Steve Corbett, whose title I found quite provocative.

WhenHelping Hurts - How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting The Poor... AndYourself  

While I certainly disagree with the Author on a few points, this book is a necessity for Christians who have a heart for the poor (that should be all of us by the way). The benefits that this book provides in perspective and practical/actionable information is unmatched when thinking about ministry for/with/by the poor.

You can get yourself a copy and form your own opinions to argue with me if you want.

Or

You can read my review of the book and just send a copy to a friend who you think should have it on their shelf

   

 Here Is My Review:

Christianity and Democracy are opposing ideas

Over the last several months, I have been bothered by the political rhetoric of Christians on both sides of the political aisle. The sermon (below) was influenced by the frustrating divisions that exist in our culture, even among Christians.

I must say that I do put forward my political position in this sermon and I will be even more direct right here.

Christianity and Democracy are opposing ideas. Christians are to pledge their loyalty to Jesus Christ as Lord. Jesus, therefore, is who we acknowledge as the sovereign of our own lives. By doing this we are claiming that we do not put our trust and hope into a democratically elected political figure but instead we entrust our lives to a benevolent monarch.

Furthermore, although not addressed in the sermon below, Christians should have a heart for minority concerns as Jesus himself advocates for the least and the lost. While admittedly many utilize democratic process to try and advocate for those in the margins of our world, democracy itself gives no concern for the minority. That is a basic civic statement that I am confident some will find controversial but it should not be. Think about it… anytime you put a matter to a vote, the majority wins and inversely the minority loses.

Nonetheless, faithful Christians are not excluded from participation in democracy. Personally, I encourage participation in politics in whatever setting you are governed by. I also believe that democracy is the next best thing to a benevolent monarch and Jesus is the only one history has ever seen that has lived up to the standards of a king that our scripture provides. So really a democracy, while imperfect, is the best we have and our participation in it should be influenced by our faith in Jesus Christ.

*** This in no way means that we should vote for a person because of their stated faith. It means we should vote for who we believe can execute the office to which they are being elected in order that they may bless the entirety of the people they serve***

My point in the post is this – We as Christians are called to love even the people we disagree with.

Check out the sermon below and accept the challenge.

Madeline's Baptism

I have had the joy and pleasure of baptizing two of my three children. The following video is the special occasion that it was to baptize my daughter Madeline at Lake Cities UMC in January of 2017. It is a gift to be in covenant with a group of people who will live in loving community to help raise your child to know God.