David Murray

David P. Murray is professor of Old Testament and practical theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Murray blogs regularly at Head, Heart, Hand: Leadership for Servants.
 

Mar

13

2012

David Murray|10:00 PM CT

The Old Idea Still Causing Us Problems
The Old Idea Still Causing Us Problems avatar


Time recently published its 2012 list of 10 ideas that are changing your life. Some of the usual suspects appear: "Computers are destroying our brains," "Humanity is destroying the earth," and (hold the front page!) "We're destroying ourselves with stress." There's also the bizarre: new food preservation techniques can keep meat edible for up to seven years (think I'll give that BBQ a pass). But at least half the entries mask a core idea that's been causing us problems for 6,000 years---the self-centered desire and demand for independence. Here are its latest disguises.

Living Alone Is the New Norm: In one of the biggest societal changes ever witnessed, the number of Americans living alone has increased from 4 million in 1950 (9 percent of households) to 33 million (28 percent of households) today.

But don't...

 
 
 
 

Jul

16

2010

David Murray|10:33 AM CT

Turn the Ministry You Have Into the Ministry You Want
Turn the Ministry You Have Into the Ministry You Want avatar

According to a recent survey of 5,000 U.S. households, only 45% of those polled say they are satisfied with their jobs—down from about 60% in 1987. Yet, due to the promotion-freezing job-slashing recession, people feel stuck in these unsatisfying jobs.

You could always quit.

But Yale Professor Amy Wrzesniewski proposes an alternative solution in the Harvard Business Review: "Turn the job you have into the job you want." Try transforming your current job by changing one or more of these three things instead:
1. Tasks. You can alter your job by taking on more or fewer tasks, different types of tasks, or by simply changing the way you do the tasks you currently have.

2. Relationships. Change the nature and degree to which you interact with others. Take on a mentee, or spend more time getting to know people in other departments.

3. Perception. Think about your job in a different way. If
...

 
 
 
 

Jul

14

2010

David Murray|8:14 AM CT

Why do believers have to die?
Why do believers have to die? avatar

On Saturday I stood at the graveside of my dear Christian friend Ellen Bazen. Before addressing the gathered family and friends, I once again pondered the question, "Why do believers have to die?"

Why do believers have to die? The wages of sin is death, and believers have sinned. However Christ has paid the full penalty for our sins. So why do believers have to die?

The simple answer is, "They don't."

Believers do not have to die, because Christ has died in their place. There is not an atom of penalty left to pay. Therefore, God could translate believers to heaven without them having to pass through death; just as he did with Enoch and Elijah, and as He will do with the believers who are living upon Christ's return.

So, believers do not have to die, as Christ has purchased deliverance from physical death and the redemption of our bodies. But, in...

 
 
 
 

Jul

08

2010

David Murray|5:42 PM CT

The Sinkhole Syndrome
The Sinkhole Syndrome avatar



Here's an excellent article by Don Whitney that is well worth reading, especially if you are a busy...

 
 
 
 

Jun

21

2010

David Murray|2:12 PM CT

I'm now a "permanent resident." (Or am I?)
I'm now a "permanent resident." (Or am I?) avatar

WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

This is to notify you that your application for permanent residence has been approved. It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to permanent resident status in the United States.

That's what I read in the the first letter I opened on my return from Scotland on Saturday. Three years after arriving here with my family we have been granted our "green cards," moving us from "resident alien" to "permanent resident" status.

There is a tremendous psychological boost from such news. It gives me and my family a sense of security and stability. We can plan our future with a bit more certainty. We can begin to orient our hearts and minds to really making our home here and eventually applying for citizenship in five years time. We are also encouraged to see the providential hand of God in the immaculate timing of this notice...

 
 
 
 

Jun

07

2010

David Murray|6:59 AM CT

Am I Called to the Ministry?
Am I Called to the Ministry? avatar

I'm often asked, "How can I know if I am called to pastoral ministry?" Here is a very quick checklist of questions I would want to ask in any discussion about a call to the ministry.

1. Do you have a holy desire (1 Tim. 3:1)?

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a pastor. In fact, when God calls a man, he usually implants a strong desire for the work in his heart.

A holy desire for the pastoral ministry will be motivated by a passion for the glory of Christ and the salvation of precious souls. To a certain degree, every Christian should have these desires. But potential pastors should have them to an unusually high degree.

Sadly, many want to be pastors for unholy reasons: these include a love of books, an ambition to make a name for yourself, or wanting to become a Seminary professor. On that last point,...

 
 
 
 

Jun

01

2010

David Murray|8:15 AM CT

A "Normal" Pastoral Visit
A "Normal" Pastoral Visit avatar

A few weeks ago, in response to a question, I posted a rough outline of a "normal" week of pastoral ministry. Since then I've been asked a few times to describe a "normal" pastoral visit. So, with apologies for the delay, and with the usual caveat that what's "normal" for me may not be "normal" for you, here's my answer.

First, I prepare for visitation with prayer. I take a few minutes or so to pray for the family I am about to visit. During that time I make sure I know the names of both the adults and the children, I remind myself of what each is doing in their lives, and I make a mental note of any special needs or concerns that we had previously talked about.

Second, for the first 15 minutes or so of the visit, I try to chat to the family about what's going...

 
 
 
 

May

17

2010

David Murray|9:15 AM CT

How can I compete with Internet sermons?
How can I compete with Internet sermons? avatar

How can “ordinary” pastors compete with the vast range of well-known and greatly gifted preachers who are just one mouse-click away from everyone in their congregation? I know this is a sore point for many discouraged pastors. They visit their flock and all they hear are comments about the latest Internet sermon by Pastor Faimus and Dr Bigname. The only sermons that people seem to get excited about are ones preached hundreds of miles away!

However, I want to remind pastors of a huge advantage they have over the “popular” preachers of our own day. That advantage is, simply, personal relationship.

I was reminded of this recently when I was asked which preachers I would choose to sit under for a year of teaching. As I reflected on this question, I realized that the men I would chose are the men I know best, both in Scotland and in Grand Rapids. They...

 
 
 
 

May

13

2010

David Murray|7:56 AM CT

A Leader's Mic is Always On
A Leader's Mic is Always On avatar


Shortly before the British General Election, Prime Minister Gordon Brown was filmed in conversation with 65-year-old Gillian Duffy who expressed concern about the number of foreign workers entering the UK. Brown remained calm and polite throughout, complimented Duffy and her family, finished with "Very nice to meet you," then jumped in his car to be whisked off to the next photo-opp.

And that's when he utterly destroyed his already-fading chances of re-election.

Because, forgetting that he was still wearing a microphone from a previous Sky News interview, he complained to an aide about having had to speak to such "a bigoted woman." Sky News recorded the comments and promptly broadcast them. No amount of apologies or spin could rescue the situation for Brown. His ashen face spelled "political death."

Reflecting on this, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, at the Harvard Business Review, urges leaders to "act...

 
 
 
 

May

03

2010

David Murray|6:04 AM CT

Help For Hurting Churches in Dealing With Apostasy
Help For Hurting Churches in Dealing With Apostasy avatar

What would you say to a church where two of its most promising young "Christians" had not only left the faith but had turned against it with mockery and hostility? That's the very real scenario I was asked to address recently at a small gathering of pastors and elders. It is undoubtedly one of the most agonizing and disturbing experiences in the Christian life when a dear friend or family member, abandons his/her profession of faith. I've known this very personally and painfully, both among my relations and in my pastoral ministry.

I was asked to give some guidance to these pastors and elders on how to deal with such situations in their own congregations. I assumed that every attempt had been made to recover the lost "sheep," and that the members had been excommunicated. So my advice was really limited to how to minister to the hurting and puzzled sheep...

 
 
 
 
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