Steve Brown Etc.

Steve Brown Etc. is a nationally syndicated talk show featuring discussion, comedy, and interviews designed to explore what it’s like to live out Steve Brown’s teaching on grace and freedom. Visit SteveBrownEtc.com to get past programs, download interviews, read Steve’s blog, hear comedy bits, and a whole lot more!

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Pooped Pastors

At any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. 1,500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations. 70% of pastors do not have a close friend with whom they can openly share their struggles.*

Chances are that your pastor is pooped. And if you are a pastor...well...you know. It’s a uniquely tough job, and Steve has just launched an equally unique website to help.

Now there’s a safe place of grace and help for the shepherds of God’s flock. Stop by PoopedPastors.com and spread the word!

Visit PoopedPastors.com

* Statistics from Focus on the Family, Fuller Institute of Church Growth and Church Resource Ministries

Easter Magazine: When Getting Better Doesn't Matter

The gospel of free sins makes getting better sort of irrelevant. In fact, the constant pressure to "get better and better, every day in every way" is driving people away from the truth of the gospel. It's not about getting better.

Let's start with a principle: almost everything of any importance is found while we're headed somewhere else. I know that runs counter to the common wisdom of most leaders, but nevertheless, it's true. We are admonished by almost everybody "who knows" that goals are important and if we don't aim at something, we won't hit anything.

While setting goals is a good thing and setting laudable goals even better, if you get neurotic about it, you probably won't achieve your goals, and you'll make yourself and everybody you know miserable in the process. Christians, by and large, are neurotic about purity, obedience, and holiness. It is probably the main reason we're not very pure, obedient, and holy. And in order to maintain our witness, we have learned to fake it.

The book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible is a realistic and, I believe, accurate view of the world as it is-especially when God isn't factored into the equation. The writer of Ecclesiastes has been there, done that, and has several T-shirts. He allows us to see what is important and what isn't. Let me give you a verse from that book: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (9:10). That means your life is too important to waste on trying to do the impossible. Best to do what you're called to do, what you do best, and what is put in front of you. Then the impossible might become possible. In other words, almost everything of any importance is found when you are headed somewhere else, and that includes getting better.

I want to give you two truths that can change your life and maybe even make you better. Then again, maybe not on the "better" part, but that's okay...

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Steve's Letter: May 2012

I've been thinking about death.

Of course you have. You're old.

Well, yes, but not that kind of death. I've been thinking about crucifixion.

Has it come to that? I know your new book is controversial and some people are angry; but, surely, they won't go that far.

No, no, no. I've been thinking about what Paul said in Galatians 2:20. He was crucified with Christ but it was okay because, while he no longer lived, something far better happened. Paul said that Christ lived his life through him.

As soon as I finish writing you, I'm driving over to speak for a missions conference at Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church in Port Orange, Florida. I already prepared, but then I started thinking about death and have decided to go in a different direction.

It started with my devotional reading of John 12:23-26 where Jesus said: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."

That sounds like a major downer. And it sounds like a marvelous text for a preacher wanting to motivate people in the church to be more missional—to serve, to give, to sacrifice, and to change the world. I get that, but it doesn't work and, in fact, isn't what Jesus said at all...

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