Yes, Sandra Bullock won the ACADEMY AWARD for Best Female Actress this weekend for the inspirational movie “The Blind Side.” I saw the movie three times and enjoyed thrice as nice. However, this post will not be about the Hollywood hit and modern day cinema classic.
Special props go out to my friend and fellow Evangelist Clayton King who has consistently reminded all whom he comes in contact with to PROTECT THEIR PASTOR. Jesus is our Coach but the pastor of your church is the Quarterback. At times, I have been too harsh on ministers (even as one) and for that I apologize when wrong. Like Jesus, I am short with Pharisees but show great grace to pastors, people and even prostitutes in need of a touch from God.
Without question, the Shepherd of the Flock may live “by faith” but still lives as flesh. The fact is, we chase Divinity but are still sidelined as humanity until we get our “Glorified Body” in Glory. Ministers are no different. It is easy to play arm-chair quarterback from the comfort of our couch or Monday morning moderator by the water cooler at work and continually criticize how the QB (aka senior pastor or youth minister) missed the “open man” en route to a game scoring drive. Like it or not, 265 lbs line-backers want to bury you on national television and since they sprint like a cheetah one doesn’t always see the “wide open” receiver. Magnify that with the barrage of temptations, stress of life, critics from deacons, complaints from Mrs Jones and un-ending undermining from an un-controlled, callous tongue our pastors deal with more than concussions. Worse, the repercussions are so riveting and damaging that many ministers are throwing in the towell at record rates (not just interceptions).
The “blind side” is the area of the helmet where peripheral vision is blocked and one doesn’t see the heat sinking missles coming from the corner (or worse, BEHIND). What sparked my desire more than ever to touch briefly on this subject today is a tweet RICK WARREN posted on Twitter tonight. He noted he was at a funeral today for a pastor in Texas whom committed suicide. This should not be. How tragic! Years ago, I heard an evangelist say: “How you love, honor, pray, support and protect your pastor is a direct gauge to read how your walk with God is at the present time.” If that doesn’t prick your heart - CPR won’t either.
Like Jesus, I have no time for Pharisees but preachers are precious to me. Actually, they are priceless. In ministry, we either get too much credit or not enough and honestly, I dont have the answers how to find the balance. However, I do know that almost all the ministers I know and been blessed to preach for have a deep love for God and compassion for people. Sadly, but some (if not all) at times find themselves empty emotionally, drained physically, weak spiritually and on fumes financially. Ministers are known to give and give and give but (sad but true) feel as if no one either understands them or folks don’t know how to minister to them. A recent survey showed the alarming rate that 87% of senior pastors feel like they don’t have one real friend that they can confide and just be themselves. Yes, it is true that we find only one road to Heaven and that is through faith in Christ but it shouldn’t be a ONE WAY street for our pastors.
My humble request to you this post is to do three things: 1) READ my college friend, Evangelist Clayton King’s blog on PROTECTING YOUR PASTOR www.ClaytonKing.com 2) PRAY to God and ask how you could in the very near future minister to your minister. We have folks that read this blog and my MOTIVATIONAL MINUTE from Kansas to Kenya, La Plata to Los Angeles, Washington, DC to Spokane, Washington, Dunkirk to Dallas, Indiana to Illinois and a few stops in between (no joke) but wherever you are and whoever your pastor may be; please surprise them and bless them. Reach out to them, invite them to dinner, send a gift, pay their utility bill out of the blue one month (some of them are in the red), mow their grass, baby-sit their child(ren) so they may have a date with their spouse. In a nutshell, show some love to the ones who loved you and lead you to Jesus on a daily, monthly, weekly and yearly basis.
They will be shocked, you will be blessed and Jesus will be pleased. No more preachers need to retire prematurely, no more clergy need to die tragically because they felt unloved and Christians can emulate Christ like never before by practicing what their preacher preaches and to love not only the “least” but those who love you the most: Jesus and your pastor. 3) Maybe send them on the cruise I have the privilege to speak on May 30 - June 4, 2011, with CASTING CROWNS, Dr Johnny Hunt, Pastor John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Jason Crabb & others for a much needed PASTOR APPRECIATION gift for some much deserved Rest & Relaxation. Its a tax-deductible gift and they can relax in the Sun while being refreshed in the Son. Contact me directly for more info Frankmotiv8s@aol.com and CRUISE INFO www.CruisewithaCause.org
For the record, outside of Christ and my family, my heroes are friends like Pastor Marvin Harris, Dr Herbert Fitzpatrick, Rev. Jim Wood, Dr Jimmy Painter, Pastor Jay Hurley (formerly from Stevenson UMC) in Berlin, MD, Dr Johnny Hunt, Dr Johnny Pope, Dr Lee Roberson, Evangelist Tim Lee, Dr David Ring, Dr E.G. Jack, Evangelist Eric Fuller, Dr Ergun Caner, Tony Nolan, David Edwards, Evangelist Junior Hill, Jamey Ragle, Nikita Koloff, Dr Matthew Dunaway, Michael English (music), Scott Bailey Smith, Scott Newton Smith, Rev Marcus Tillman, Wayne Layfield, Pastor Frank Santora, Pastor Jeff Thornley, Clayton King, Sam Glenn, Stevie Prather, Guy Latimer, Mike Cramer, Terry Klein, Billy Griffiin, Michael Gottselig, Randy Collins,
Acton Bowen, Robbie Robison, Dr David Jackson, Evangelist Randy Hogue, Dr Richard Logsdon, Dr Wayne Kempson, Rev Randy Accord and countless clergy who not only ministered to me but so many others while lifting up our Lord.
In closing, I want to give a special shout out to my wife, family, parents and countless friends (yes- YOU) who pray for me on a regular basis. We do take some shots and have had our share of horrific hits but we sincerely appreciate your ongoing prayers. These ministers (like me) are just JARS OF CLAY promoting the only God who got up on THIRD DAY and when we said MERCY ME came to the POINT OF GRACE and now just a NEWSBOY with a NEWSONG promoting the Prince of Peace & King of kings! And when we meet Jesus we will be CASTING CROWNS at His Feet because He is the reason we dedicate this short season of our lives. To the contrary what some critics may suggest ministry is not about us but ALL ABOUT HIM (Jesus). We walk by faith and not by sight and that is why we need each other to not only protect our pastor but look out for THE BLIND SIDE.
Ruth & Andrew on my birthday
Recently, I shared that I may not die with tons of money but will certainly leave with many memories. It is true: “Whatever we do for self will pass but what we do for Christ will last.” Last week, it was my pleasure to minister in the Bahamas (see post below) and on Thursday, I fly (LORD WILLING) to Birmingham, AL to attend the Board Retreat for PRAISEFEST MINISTRIES - “Cruise with a Cause.” We’re discussing plans for our upcoming seven day cruise next year to Jamaica aboard Carnival’s largest vessel and we are praying to reach over 50,000 Jamaicans for Jesus! Bob Marley sang: “No Woman No Cry” but the fact is without Jesus in death everyone will cry. Not popular but the Gospel Truth!
Confirmed speakers include: Dr Johnny Hunt, Pastor John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Bishop Paul Morton, Josh McDowell, Dr Ergun Caner, Jamey Ragle, Nikita Koloff. Artists: CASTING CROWNS, Donnie McCurkin, Jason Crabb, Martha Minuzzi, Anthony Evans, comedian John Gray, SONICFLOOd, Hezekiah Walker, Ayiesha Woods, & countless others! More to be released soon. God has blessed me to speak on all three of their cruises to the Bahamas and I’m HONORED to help bring Jesus to Jamaica as one of their featured speakers on the ship to Jamaica on May 30-June 5, 2011! If you would be willing to sail the seas for the Son let me know and this is the most affordable cruise available and it would be perfect for singles, married couples, churches, youth groups, mission trip and/or a treat to send your pastor for some R&R as an appreciation gift.
Ruth and I, will meet this Saturday, Feb 27 in Nashville, TN and we will be attending the NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS convention at the famed Opryland Hotel. It will be great to spend time with her and fellow friends in ministry. PRAISE THE LORD - last week, I learned that I’m now also an endorsed speaker for UPWARDS www.Upward.org and they have a wonderful sports outreach. It’s my honor to be linked with them.
Next month, I have been invited to Guatemala with COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL for five days to love on the poverty-stricken children. Those that some consider the least matter most to God. It took three years, but I am now one of only a few speakers nation-wide to be one of their ambassadors and speakers for Compassion. Others include: Michael W Smith, Rebecca St James, Jeremy Camp, David Edwards, my buddy - Grant Norsworthy, formerly of SONICFLOOd and Justin Lookadoo and I, will be flying to Guatemala on this upcoming trip overseas. If you would like to donate to this great group and sponsor a child please click the COMPASSION link.
En route to Florida last week, I was on the phone with one of my childhood heroes - Harlem Globetrotter legend and Evangelist Meadowlark Lemon and he made me feel like an “un-official” Globetrotter willing to travel the world bringing God’s Word. It is neat when your heroes as a kid know Christ and call you friend as an adult. Thank you JESUS! Please pray for open doors and our desire is to exalt Christ, encourage Christians and minister to clergy while in town. It would be my pleasure to minister at your next church outreach. For booking contact Stacy@TheRobinsonAgency.com or visit www.FrankShelton.com
Again, thanks for making my birthday extra special and when our gaze is UPWARD we cannot help but have “COMPASSION on the multitudes.” God bless and go with God.
One of my favorite friends & singers in the world is AYIESHA WOODS. She is amazing and her smash hits “HAPPY,” “BIG ENOUGH” and “LOVE LIKE THIS” have blessed me untold times. Ayiesha sang at my Celebrate Jesus! Texas Crusade in July 2007. We rented out the Arlington Convention Center (near Dallas) and I invited Ayiesha, Michael English and former 1992 Miss USA to minister in music.
Ironically, it was Ayiesha’s birthday that night and following the crusade we all went out for a steak dinner and that is a night I will not soon forget. Her parents came with us and it was an honor to watch her do her thing for God’s glory both on and off the stage. The following year, I was blessed to re-connect with her and minister in the Bahamas with her on PRAISEFEST “Cruise with a Cause” and for the week we witnessed over 10,260 come to Christ.
A GRAMMY® nomination, a Dove Award nod for New Artist of the Year, appearances in a number of high-profile tours, and universal acclaim were some of the highlights of Woods’ initial time in the limelight. It’s a winning streak that is bound to continue with Love Like This, her second Gotee Records release.
Ayiesha took the time to be a call in guest on my radio show “FRANKLY SPEAKING” earlier this year airing on AMERICAN FAMILY RADIO and she is the real deal. Listen how she chased the call of God on her life, discovered by Toby Mac and now singing at WOMEN OF FAITH and REVOLVE tours. She talks about her favorite Bible verse, the story behind her songs and her favorite shopping stops. Ultimately, Ayiesha is filled with life, laughter, love but most important our Lord and Savior, JESUS - the biggest “STAR” of all.
For more info visit www.AyieshaWoods.com
One of my favorite Christian singers of all-time is multiple Dove Award Winner - NICOLE C MULLEN. Her smash hits: “Redeemer,” “I AM,” and “When I Call on Jesus” have ministered to millions and her tracks exalt Christ while breaking down barriers.
It was my pleasure to meet her on the PRAISEFEST “Cruise with a Cause” in 2007, to the Bahamas and she was a featured singer and it was my pleasure to preach on the ship. This interview aired in May 2009, on my radio program “FRANKLY SPEAKING” on American Family Radio and Nicole was so gracious to be a guest to share about life, love and the Lord.
A special thanks to her husband, David who made the connection for Nicole to call in. Nicole is not only an amazing singer and song writer but quite the preacher too! She gets rolling during our interview. LOOK OUT Bishop TD Jakes! Visit www.NicoleCMullen.com for more info. The video below is Nicole singing at a WOMEN OF FAITH event and you better put on your seatbelt because this sister can flat out sing. God bless you & Enjoy!
Aaron & Amanda Crabb w/ Frank
They are considered one of the most respected and requested Christian artists in the Country. The Crabb Family are both appointed and anointed “for a time such as this.” They are humble, gracious and the “real deal.” Jason Crabb is Aaron’s brother and very few sing like this AMAZING family!
ATTN: Pastors, Youth Leaders & Church leaders: Aaron, Amanda and I, would love to come to your church to share the vision for Praisfest Ministries this summer for a concert. For more info visit www.AaronandAmandaCrabb.com or www.PraisefestMinistries.com or www.FrankShelton.com
Frank Shelton & Dr Ergun Caner
www.FrankShelton.com