I Sweat A lot
So this past Sunday we concluded the Q series by allowing our Cross Point attenders to text in their questions. The questions were presented to me live to answer with no preparation.
I got asked some of the toughest questions I’ve ever been asked. From questions about homosexuality, suicide, and dinosaurs to marijuana and masturbation. Funny how you can put together a pretty good answer to some of these questions when you’re sitting at the table with your friends and have about 30 minutes to talk through them. I found out it’s a lot more difficult when you have 3 seconds and you’re starring at hundreds of people.
I’ve had friends ask, “Why did you do it this way? You know if you knew what questions were coming you could have prepared and give a very polished answer.” Well, this forum really wasn’t about the answers for me. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a pastor that loves God’s Word and believes there’s important answers to be found for most of these questions. However, sometimes we focus so much on the answer that we begin to belittle the questions. We make people feel “less than” if they have questions about faith and life.
My prayer all day was not that I would answer all the questions correctly. My prayer is that people would see that while questions are important we don’t need to feel like we have to have all the answers to them to have faith. I want them to see that we shouldn’t be afraid of the questions. Even the ones we don’t have great answers for. We can still live a vibrant faith for Christ in the midst of the questions and in the midst of the doubts.
To say I sweat a lot would be an understatement. While I wish I could have another stab at a few of these questions I think the day turned out pretty good, but I’ll let you be the judge of that. The questions from all 4 services were combined into this one video.
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well done Pete.
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My wife swears that each of my pores are personal watering systems cause I sweat so much. As a young man, I worked in the construction field and there were times while I was roofing that I would have a stream of sweat flowing down the roof behind me.. I know, I know.. TMI.
Why do people think that sweating is disgusting?
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I was a the 6PM service and it’s so great to hear the other questions and answers. I hope we do this series again, I really enjoyed it.
For me, the coolest thing about it.. is the reassurance that it’s possible to have a strong faith and still have questions.
WOW – I just played that while I sat at my desk working on papers and even shared highlights with my husband via IM while I watched. That was a great video to share with many great topics and a job well done by those answering.
Thanks for the food for thought!!
~Kate
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What a great idea…our pastor recently did something similar, but it was a series on Family and he had his entire family up on the “hot seat” taking questions for him, his wife, and their kids.
I love what you said about there just being some questions that don’t have answers, and that’s okay.
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Pete,
Just watched the video and was moved to laughter and heart-brokenness.
You received one question that I have heard many times before concerning the people who don’t hear about Jesus and die. I have wrestled with that one myself and God is good that in His word He shows us His grace.
Psalms Chapter 19 and Acts Chapter 17 have been enough of an answer for me.
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Dear Pete,
The two things that impressed me the most in this video were your willingness to say you don’t know and ask for help in answering some questions, and your consistent prayer for others. That model is way more important than having the answer at the top of our heads, and I think will be a good one to follow when asked questions by others.
I really loved the video. I tweeted it twice.
(And you know I never kiss up, so I really mean this!)
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Just wanted to send you a quick compliment! Your responses were heart-felt, and I definitely appreciate that! I really enjoyed this service!!!
@Helen, thanks so much!
I am so glad you did this! I was hoping to get to hear the other services. Were those survey results real?? I find some of them hard to believe!!
Thanks Pete for showing us that you struggle with some of the same things we struggle with and for making me laugh all morning at work. It also gave me a chance to introduce this video and Cross Point to some people at work. This should give us some great lunch topics. HA HA
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Thanks for posting this Pete! I was planning on finding it online to listen to anyway…you did a great job. I actually felt nervous for you a couple of times
As the video finished up I thought:
holy cow…he deserves to take a month and not teach!
I’ll be praying for God to fill you up in the coming weeks..thx for the candid answers.
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I only got through the first 8 minutes and I am having to log off due to lovely thunderstorms right now…..and I am anxiously awaiting picking up where I left off as I know this is going to be awesome.
But I had to quickly comment about how this statement you wrote:
“We can still live a vibrant faith for Christ in the midst of the questions and in the midst of the doubts.”
It was like a “twap to my head” as I *just* poured out on my blog today about my struggles with the “whys” in life.
wow.
OK, over and out…….until the lightening stops….then coming back is one of the first things on my agenda.
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@Michelle, that is so encouraging to me. Glad it could be helpful.
Pete,
One of the reasons I haven’t been in church in a long time is my experience with leaders in the church being arrogant. It was nice to see you being authentic and honest in front of your church….even when it was uncomfortable or you were unsure. Thanks for being open.
Thanks for the honesty & transparency of your responses – the ones you were passionate about, the ones you honestly didn’t know the answers to.
Its good to see someone in a position of leadership in the church address the fact that even the pastors don’t know all the answers! I’m thankful to attend a church with a pastor who seeks God & speaks truth from His word to us each week, & it’s refreshing to hear another example.
Dude you rocked it and even though I know its hard to not re-think your answers to every question you did a great job and no one can top that as a Pastor!
Pete,
I don’t go to CrossPoint but I do enjoy reading your blog and listening to you speak. I enjoyed this video for many of the same reasons other people have mentioned. I do have one question and I know this might sound like a critique but it isn’t intended that way. “Why set up a format where it is about your opinion instead of setting up the format where you have the time to study and plainly layout what Scripture teaches?” I know you spent lots of time developing your talks the other weeks in this series and I know that some of those questions with proper time to prepare could have been handled more thoroughly. Just a thought since what we really are trying to get at is Scriptures opinion and not really our own. Thanks again for all you do and really enjoyed the video.
@Chris, great question. There were really a couple reasons. The main reason though I mentioned in the above blog. It really wasn’t about having a polished answer. It was about helping people understand they can have faith in the midst of their questions. It was about helping people understand there aren’t always easy, bumper sticker answers to everything.
As far as my opinion…I tried to stick to my opinion of what Scripture teaches. Pastors that always seem to know exactly the right answers to every single question make me a little nervous. The reality is for a great deal of the questions asked there are very smart, well respected pastors, with very different answers. Even after decades of studying certain issues in Scripture. For instance, I shared my opinion about what Scripture teaches about homosexuality. It wasn’t my opinion on homosexuality but my opinion on what the Bible says regarding homosexuality.
Great question though. I can promise you the regular format will be me taking my time to study scripture and come as prepared as possible.
Thanks so much for reading the blog and listening to the messages Chris.
Pete, I live in Athens, Ga and go to Redeemer Presbyterian (PCA). I love reading your blog….found it through Bring the Rain. Just wante to say that I found your answers genuine and you still pointed to your view of Scripture. I especially think you handled the homosexuality question beautifully…I think Scripture is clear that it is sin, yet so is murder, lying, coveting, fornication, etc…. of which all of us were/are. w/out Jesus’s blood, none of us could come to him. It’s the sinners who need a savior, not the righteous. So, thank you for dealing w/ that question and showing how it’s about sexual sin, not just homosexuality.
Athens is a great town….come visit Redeemer someday!
Pete,
I want to thank you for sharing your thoughts on homosexuality. I thought it was brilliant. I’ve never thought about it in that way, but you are so right. This is such a tough issue, and I’m so glad you spoke from your heart. I’d like to join you in your apology, too. We, as an entire body of Christ followers who have been called to Love, are going to have a lot of explaining to do one day for the way this has been handled. It’s completely horrifying. Thanks for being real.
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GREAT JOB PETE!!! We were out of town so I’m so thankful all the questions were posted online to view. You even answered one of mine! (I won’t say if it was you or one of your lifelines that answered though)
Enjoy your time with God and your family for the next month – it’s well deserved and I know, much needed.
PS – as with Rachel, thank you for your honesty on the issue of homosexuality. As a Christian, I’ve had many of gay friends and have always done my best to love them as any other friend, while also being honest about my beliefs. The odd thing is, I’ve had so much criticism from other Christians for my “acceptance of such behavior”. I’ve had more difficulty explaining to them that my job is simply to love them as God loves us. Your explanation will help me deliver a stronger backing to them – and hopefully will allow them to see that they can love while holding strong at the same time – and lose the judgement.
Your purpose had it’s effect on me. Over the past several months my life has kinda turned upside down and been shaken like a snow globe. I’ve had a TON of questions. I came away with the reassurance that it’s okay to ask questions, and it’s almost reassuring that we all have them. Though all the questions given in the audio/video didn’t resonate with my heart, some did… I came away with a “Pete’s Opinion” answer. It gives me a basis now to seek the scriptures.
It was encouraging… Not merely to see a pastor squirm and sweat on stage, (sorry Pete, deep down, it’s comforting to know you’re a REAL person without all the answers) but to know that God is with us in our questioning. As I listened to the combined question audio and spent time with God afterward pouring out my heart with my questions, it was such a blessing to know He is in every answer. Even if I don’t know what the answer is yet.
I’m on a journey with Him right now that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Thanks for sacrificing your sweat and squiring for a Sunday for my journey. God used you to help solidify some things for me in my heart and mind.
Blessings,
Heather
Thanks for posting this.
I’m sure it was pretty intense up there for you.
Personally, I’m not confident enough in what I’ve learned to even begin to think about doing a service like that.
Also, I would have IMMEDIATELY sent the masturbation question to Blake.
No question how I would have handled that one!
#FistBump & Great Job Pete!
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@Rachel and @Paula, thank you guys. There is still so much for the church to learn about the issue of homosexuality. I’ve been on a journey for a couple years now and I know I’ve still got a lot to learn and understand but we’ve got to start somewhere.
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WOW!!!! Thank you so much Pete for posting this video. I absolutely loved all of the questions…many I have struggled with over the years and some my daughter likes to pepper me with especially when she knows I dont have the answers. I have been a christian for 10 years, and so often I find that not growing up in the church has left me with fewer of the answers than the vast majority. It was so comforting to hear that you too struggle with some of the answers that the Bible offers…. thank you!
I have been trying to subscribe to the podcast but apparently I am so technologically inept that I cannot figure out how to do so even using the link that you provided. I have actually been trying to link to it for a few months but thought that it was not possible until your latest post…can you help me?
And finally, I dont know if you remember me but I am on bedrest because I have a leak in my brain. Since posting here the last time, I have had all of the tests required but I am still waiting for a surgery date. My daughter is 11 and really struggling with this 9 month lapse of really living life. Please pray for her understanding and patience in this challenge that God has faced us with…I understand that the struggles shape our character, but I she is definatley not understanding this idea at this time.
Thank you for all that you do in your church and for the rest of that are unable to attend. I look forward to your blog posts, both for the humour and the lessons. You have been a gift to me over the last months, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
L
Pete, WOW!! I enjoyed watching this! It never ceases to amaze me how God has molded you and used you in your ministry! I just love how Real you are, especially with those questions being fired at you, but also how Real you are in your blog and showing your congregation that you are human just like everyone else!
May God continue to bless you and your family. Be blessed these next few weeks as you re-energize yourself and delve into the Word!
God Bless,
Susan
AMAZING STUFF!!! I wish half the pastors in this world would have the courage to do what you just did. You are such an inspiration. The movement I have found with this church and Lifepoint in Fredericksburg,VA there is just something different… something that is going to take over the Christian church. The preaching, the church, the spirit, there is something special about all of this. Please keep what you are doing!!! You are touching lifes! Enjoy some time off!!!
@Scott, thanks so much man. I’m glad God is using what He’s doing at Cross Point to bless your life. I’m also glad you’ve found a local church to be a part of! I hope you and your family have a wonderful 4th of July.
Pete,
I am a gay man. I do not belong to your church. I admire your honesty and your frankness. We may not agree on all points but your willingness to be open and welcoming is step in building understanding and friendship in our community that has been so fractured. I have been an admirer of your ministry simply because you come from a place of honesty and sincerity. We are all in a journey here on earth. I believe we should try to to help lift each other despite our differences. Thank you for being welcoming to the LGBT community.
I enjoy watching your podcasts and reading your blog. However, I believe you rely too much on your personal opinions instead of the Word of God. I would like to hear my Bible and less of your beliefs. Aside from that, you are doing a great job and bringing people into the fold who may never go to a “regular” church. But, should something happen to you where would they be? They are not learning the scriptural voice of God but are learning your take and opinions. There are learned scholars in this world who have studied in the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, everything who can answer questions not based on personal opinion. I take nothing away from you, kind Sir, because what you are doing is far more than I am doing at this time but I miss hearing the scriptures to back up your ideas.
Thanks for your comment and concern Jennifer.
However, I see this one a little different unless you’re speaking of just this one message. The format of this particular message obviously made room for my opinion more than your average message. However, I like to believe that my opinion is based on years of studying Scripture.
To be fair, I think if you listen to our messages weekly you will discover they are taught directly from Scripture and not opinion.
Yes, there are scholars who study Hebrew, Greek and Latin however they are giving you their opinion of what each one of these languages states. That’s why so many of these brilliant scholars disagree on the answers to many if not all of these questions.
I’m nowhere near Nashville, and I’ve never actually attended a Cross Point service, but I still watched all 80+ minutes of this video straight through. I found it fascinating, and I really gained (even more) respect for you, Pete, for the honesty and humility with which you answered the questions.
Thanks for putting in the time and effort to minister to those of us who are far outside of your physical location. I don’t know if it’ll ever happen, but if I’m ever in the Nashville area, stopping by a Cross Point service will be on my must-do list.
Pete,
Amazing!! I just watched all 86 minutes and it flew by. Oh for the body of Christ to really understand God’s grace and mercy. I am not trying to put you on a pedestal but it’s obvious that “you get it”. We are walking this thing out together, none of us any better than the next guy. And it’s so great that all of those people were able to ask their questions knowing there would be no condemnation.
Thanks so much for what you do. I love that I get to “do church” with you all the way from Michigan. Praying that you have a wonderful, restful next few weeks.
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