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Ramblings from Retirement – Deacon’s Wives and Kids! By Lee Hemen, Retired Pastor March 19, 2021 I remember when I had been a believer for several years when my church came to me asking if I would be considered to be a Deacon. I was surprised and flattered. Having served as a Yokefellow (Deacon in training), as a Deacon, Ministry Leader for College and Discipleship, and finally serving as a pastor for 35 years I have seen a lot of men called to the ministry and to be Deacons. I have served on many selection committees over the years for Minister of Music, Deacons, Associate Pastor and Pastor. And as I was sitting here having my devotion I was reminded of what Paul wrote Timothy concerning men who were being considered for being a Deacon in the church. Paul would write, “Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be t...

Hebrews 13:7-17 – We’re following the Leader! By Pastor Lee Hemen February 3, 2013 AM In the Walt Disney cartoon “Peter Pan”, the Lost Boys sing a song entitled “Following the Leader.” The lyrics are “Following the leader, the leader, the leader; we’re following the leader wherever he may go! Tee dum, tee dee, A teedle ee do tee day. Tee dum, tee dee; It's part of the game we play! Tee dum, tee dee, The words are easy to say. Just a teedle ee dum a teedle ee do tee day!” It continues by relating, “We're one for all and all of us out for fun! We march in line and follow the other one! With a teedle ee do a teedle ee di tee dum!” And sadly, this can be the mantra of far too many in our day and age as they blindly follow politicians, the media, and superstars. We want to be very careful when we blindly follow earthly leaders. Hebrews is ending his sermon and desires to leave his listeners with some advice they won’t soon forget. With all the voices trying to gain thei...

A Proper Christian Witness -- Titus 1:5-16 By Pastor Lee Hemen October 26, 2008 AM Leadership in America suffers because there is no longer any standard by which people hold their leaders to. It may be said that the church today also is sadly lacking in leadership. Few church leaders can honestly stand in front of their congregations and ask them to look closely at their personal lives. How do I know this to be true? Look at congregations as a whole. As leadership goes, so go the people. Jesus asked, “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?” (Luke 6:39) And that is true. Leadership in the church begins with a proper Christian witness. Paul wanted Titus to pick leaders that would display a proper Christian witness in every area of their lives. He knew that as the leaders goes, so goes the church. People follow their leaders. Jesus once asked his followers a very interesting question: “Who do people say I am?” (Mark 8:27) This is a great question for those i...

Do You Qualify to Serve? - 1 Timothy 3:1-15 By Pastor Lee Hemen May 4, 2008 AM Has anyone ever said to you, “Do as I say, not as I do!” Perhaps that person did not use these exact words, but their life demonstrated the haughty attitude these words reflect. Leaders who demand standards of behavior that they themselves are unwilling to meet discredit their own leadership. This principle, however, also works in reverse. Many followers have demanded standards of their leaders to which the followers themselves are unwilling to adhere. One purpose of high standards in leadership is so that leaders can help their followers develop strong character as well. Paul’s letter to Timothy encourages leaders to set a strong, positive example of Christian leadership. It also encourages followers to meet those same standards. Paul was addressing some problems Timothy had allowed to continue when he as a pastor should have handled. Women had been teaching the men about being leaders within the church, wh...