Frank Damazio's Conviction Paper

How do you us the word “conviction”? Do you use it to criminalize someone, or do you use it to show your faith in something? With a single word you can send out a message of guilt, or you can send out a message of sureness. Conviction is a symbol of courage, decision, and action.

The book was very well put together with principal concepts, but it was not always easy to follow and some sections had to be read twice for clear comprehension. The message could have been portrayed using straightforward writing that would enable undergraduates and others that are not seeking higher levels of education to process the information. In simpler terms, this book can be essential to pastors, for personal relationships, and other professions if the language is simplified and made more user-friendly.

In the church, the pastor or preacher has an innate responsibility to address sin and nominalism without hesitation or fear of retribution. The church’s focus on mere building membership, no matter the cost, overshadows God’s abhorrence of sin. Further, both sin and nominalism seems to have intensified as many point to the religious concept of being a Christian without having a changed heart or life through Jesus Christ. Charles Spurgeon shares, “There will always be trouble in the churches as long as men are afraid to denounce sin and error. To confront sin, it is without doubt a pastor’s responsibility to challenge the sins of this present time.

People who are wrongfully convicted suffer the loss of privacy and free will as well as may encounter the same violence that most felons encounter, while actually being innocent. In addition to this, inmates cannot have access to parole and certain other privileges unless they confess to committing the crime and because often people who are wrongfully convicted are put in a unique position where they are either forced to admit to a crime they did not commit or denied these privileges.

As a pastor it is imperative to possess a desire to be successful in the up building of God’s Kingdom. However, often times there become a very thin line between success for God, and success for self-gratification. At this point, one would need to re-look the purpose for their calling.

“An effective pastor is a servant shepherd-teacher who has earned the trust of his congregation over many years

Introduction The word pastor comes from the Latin word pāstor, meaning shepherd. Pastoral care was modeled through the life of Jesus and continues to be shaped as culture is constantly changing. There are many ways that the name Pastor is unpacked into various other roles. When most people hear the word Pastor they immediately begin to think of the ways this name is used within the context of the four walls we call church.

Pastors and elders, and deacons are God’s people set in from of the congregation to show forth God’s will through His Word and their lives. In other words, they are to practice what they preach. What I have gleaned from this passage of scripture has convicted me and I have to repent by being more mindful of the responsibility that God has given me to minister in His church. God is the author and finisher of our faith and He is the one who giveth and taketh away. That special anointing that God gives His leaders can easily be taken away if obedience reigns in their

The New Testament leaders are an example of how church leaders of today should also behave and work[8]. They ought to be able to teach, guide the believers in the way of God and nurture their spiritual gifts. The New Testament leaders had to boldly defend the word of God in case of any false teaching. Basing on this New Testament leadership, it is important to make sure that any believer appointed to the leadership office has the laid down qualifications[9].

Convictions are defined as: 1. An unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence. 2. (Criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed; "the conviction came as no surprise". 3. The act of convicting; the act of proving, finding, or adjudging, guilty of an offense. 4. A judgment of condemnation entered by a court having jurisdiction; the act or process of finding guilty, or the state of being found guilty of any crime by a legal tribunal 5. The act of convincing of error, or of compelling the admission of a truth; confutation 6. The state of being convinced or

Kevin Kanouse, a gay US bishop, confirmed that he knew the scriptures that condemned homosexuality, but he began to realize , ”God loves me just as I am.” (Lodge). People protesting for a gay methodist minister who was forced to resign, advocated for him based on that idea of creating a more inclusive church (Tomlin). Gay pastors are looked at as an example of the acceptance that Christ has for everyone, no matter what they may be “labeled” as. Although to many it seems contradictory to God’s Word, many pro-gay clergy have prayerfully considered it and were “lead by the Holy Spirit” to come out (Lodge). Even though some Christians are becoming more supportive of homosexual clergy, others are standing firm in what the Bible clearly states on homosexuality. Since pastors are in the position of teaching God’s Word, some believe that fully living out homosexuality goes against the Bible that they are teaching. “If we are willing to compromise God’s Word in any way, we open ourselves to deception.”

"Integrity is simply telling the truth or staying true to a set of values" (Dees, 2013, p80). Integrity is essential in the effectiveness of a leader. “Integrity is often cited as a critical component of leadership”(Palanski, Simons, & Treviño, 2011). An effective leader understands the need to be an example of honesty and truthfulness.” While leaders may wholeheartedly agree with the concept for a subordinate to fully embrace effective followership, he or she must trust in the leader/follower relationship”(Satterlee, 2013, p. 7). Followers will place their trust in a leader that act upon values, moral principles and beliefs. Leaders should understand that every decision would have an effect on those around themselves. “The more choices you make based on integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your relationships with family and friends, and finally, the fundamental acceptance of yourself”(Dees, 2013, p.

A person of integrity does exactly what he says and says exactly what he means. There is no conflict between his thoughts and actions. His actions are consistent with the values he professes. According to Dr. William Manninger, A building without integrity may receive structural damage, or even collapse, in a storm. Similarly, people without integrity are blown about by the winds of misfortune and destroyed by catastrophes, for they lack the firmness, solidity, and strength of character to weather any storm. This means that integrity is one of the six essential qualities that are the key to success.

Christ is the leader of the Church, Paul in Ephesians 1:22 said “God placed everything under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the Church” however, God entrusted the authority to lead to his servant whom he set them aside to lead the community. Pastor as a public Leadership is to lead community. A person who is called by God to lead public has a responsibility to be in the community, with the community and for the community. One of best questions raised in the class during public leadership discussion was “How we can be a community pastor rather than just a church pastor?” This really a kind of question we are to consider as pastor especially as rural congregation pastor. In most cases when pastor are called to

An issue many pastors face today is the definitive difference between a called professional clergy and a called laity and the necessary responsibilities for the empowerment of laity within their specific missional context. This issue of empowerment for ministry among the laity has long been a problem debated within the ranks of church leadership and the field of practical theology. The average believer is faced with the challenge of developing a biblical understanding of the “call of God” that is received from God for the fulfillment of their ministry, which is necessary to form a clear understanding of the role of the laity within the church in light of the professional clergy. This paper will focus upon the biblical understanding of the “priesthood of all believers,” as the laos, or people of God and the role of the professional clergy to equip, empower and encourage laity to flourish in the work in which God has called them to do. The development of the historical views of lay ministry within the local church is also a necessary component that will be addressed in dealing with this dilemma. This paper will also seek to present biblical narratives presenting the importance of the role of both a called clergy and a called laity for the successful continuation of a biblical model of the church within today’s society.