I'm on the fence on this one. Not sure I have a favorite, but I'm pretty sure I don't have a least favorite either.

Thank you.

I wish there was a Christian version of Jay Z, Survivor (CBS series), Beyonce, and Ketchup (the condiment).

Audi R8 aka Smoker - Lust
Volvo V70 aka Disguised - Selfishness
1972 Cadillac Sedan Deville aka Stopper- Pride (It's a little ironic that Pride comes in the form of a '72 Cadi, isn't it.)

Now you need to write a post about what pastors should do when they see a member of their congregation in public...maybe that's already in the works. I laughed out loud again. It never fails.

I am involved in mentoring a Kindergartner, a High School Sophomore, and a few Twenty-Somethings. I'd love to read this especially if it is free. :) In 2010 I will be beginning a mentoring program for elementary school students in our community, and I would also like to challenge our elders to rethink their roles in terms of mentoring.

Man, Shaun, freakin huge question!

I always have to look at Christ first and the Apostles (specifically Paul) second when I think about this question.
1. With the exception of Judas Iscariot I think Jesus pretty openly punched them in the face when it came to them stepping out of line.
2. Paul dealt with people who were unrepentant within the church pretty harshly.

So my answer has been and always will be, "Is there evidence that the people who want to serve, either as a staff or volunteer, have been transformed by Jesus and are living lives of repentance and continual transformation?

As a leader, if you know of sin, and fail to confront it in love then you fail to lead. We have to remember that helping people find freedom from sinful habits and desires is what Jesus is all about in this time and place. It is in their best interest that their sin is confronted. Just like it is in our best interest for someone to confront our sin in love.

Let's turn the question around. Should you still be the pastor of the church if everybody knew you were cheating on your wife?

IMHO, if you know somebody is lighting up, then they forfeit the privilege to serve if they will not repent. It's not our sin that keeps us from serving, but the attitude of our heart toward sin.

Sometimes I think that we fail to recognize that God is in control, and so even in breaking fellowship with someone who refuses to repent is a good thing even if it causes that individual to go through some really difficult times because in the end it may be those times that God uses to bring them to repentance.

It's a culture problem. In America we live in a culture of entitlement, "it's not my fault," "it's somebodies fault," "I'm gonna get mine" philosophy. So, every organization has learned the hard way that in order to keep from being bogged down in courtroom battles and losing serious amounts of money fighting frivolous lawsuits made by those looking for "their ticket" out of whatever situation they find themselves they have to carefully select who operates underneath their umbrella.

As far as the Samaritan's Purse issue is concerned I think Michael has the right answer.

Who cares! Can a three year old lead a thirty-three year old, or a 103 year old lead a three year old? To me, these are not the questions.

If the heart is full and if a person can connect with people in order to lead them collectively to praise God, lament our condition, and be in wonder of the great and mysterious God we serve then why are we concerned with their age?

Let's be honest, the reason we don't do it is because we just don't value training them up. It's a whole lot easier and takes less risk to just let the accomplished and mature do the work.

However, if you get a couple of adults to pour into one or two or many young people and they'll be able to lead anyone to the throne of Grace. It's just a matter of what we value as leaders, and has little to do with their age or the age of the congregation they are leading.