Out of the Box

Low Marks and In-Completes

It is easy for faith to become business. I was reading an old transcript when Jim Bakker first was released from prison and appeared on the Larry King show. Larry asked him about his fall. What happened really? It seems what sent him to prison was selling more retirement rooms at a development that was never designed to hold that many people. The legal term is fraud. Larry tried to get Jim to pin-point when it all went wrong. Did he start off with evil intentions? Was it always about the money? As I expected JB couldn't point to an exact moment or day when it started turning into just making money. He told Larry that he started with the best intentions to share Jesus with as many people around the world as he possibly could. When it became successful it also became expensive. Religious organizations really don't have products to sell. You can't ramp up production or cut costs. The only answers are more people giving or people giving more money. Over time the tail began wagging the dog. Before it was over, and I mean prison, Jesus was just a sidebar.

After prison Jim Bakker changed. He became less interested in the dollar and more interested in the person. His demeanor certainly was different. Every word wasn't spoken as he rose repeatedly on his tip-toes. He was slower in his delivery and more deliberate. I think the business of religion had taken a backseat to the person of Jesus in Jim's life. Contrary to popular teaching trials don't enlarge our faith, they test them. The outcome is patience (James 1:3) and patience allows God to perfect us. Trials just allow us to see how far we have come.

This past week I began a trial period in my life. I'm looking at my spiritual report card and I'm not impressed. Lots of in-completes and low marks. More than I even imagined. I visited a cardiologist for the first time in my life though I have known of a problem since I was a child. My home town doctor called it an athlete's heart murmur and said it was common among kids who played a lot of sports; and I did. I have always felt "twitterpations" (to use Thumper's word) and skips in my heartbeat. I thought that was normal for everyone. After all, that is all I've ever known. The doctor, with poor bed-side manner informed me it was much more than and that my heart had enlarged because of it. In a short, ten minute conversation, where I felt I was holding him back from his tee time at the club, he informed me that it would require heart surgery. I asked if that would be invasive and he laughed and said "as invasive as it gets."

I left the doctor's office that day a little stunned. I had gone just to get established with a cardiologist, not that one I can assure you, and left with heart surgery somewhere in my future. But the hardest pill to swallow was how I felt. Being the senior pastor of a mega-sized church I should have walked out of there talking about how confident I was that the Lord would see me through this trial. And that it would all work out for my good. I didn't. The test of my faith was already revealing how far I was from God's honor roll. I was scared and a little bit angry. I have lost almost 40 pounds in the last two years and kept it off. I quit eating fried foods and sugar laden soft drinks and tea. But on the way home from the hospital I observed one beer bellied, cigarette smoking, french fry munching man on the street after another who had not just been told he would have to have surgery where they take out his heart and play with it. I was angry at God. I was mad at myself for being angry with God. I was disappointed with myself how I was reacting. But mostly, I was shocked with the realization my faith had become all about doing and nothing about being.

Now, 5 days later, I'm still not satisfied, but I'm trying to raise my grade point average. I'm trying to pray more and just talking about praying less. I am earnestly seeking a fresh touch from God. Someone mentioned they thought they saw me cry Sunday near the end of my message. They did. It was from frustration about my own lack of faith coupled with my own desire to recapture "my first love." (Revelation 2:4) I desperately don't want my faith to be just a business. I have never stopped believing what I do is the most honorable calling in the world. But I don't want to do it in the flesh. I would appreciate anyone who will to pray that God breathes a fresh manifestation of His power in my life. I'm not opposed to a healing prayer or two either.    

What's In Your Trash Basket?

I get lot's of mail. It litters my desk as it piles up day after neglected day. Other things have priority like sermons, Bible studies, phone calls and counseling. So once or twice a week I take a deep breath and dive in. About 10% are requests from evangelists, comedians, Christian magicians and vocalists who want to preach, perform, sing or play at Dallas Bay. Those can be sorted into file 13 pretty quickly. I only prayerfully entertain those I have personally encountered somewhere along the way or have been referred by a trusted friend or colleague. Another 5% are periodicals or magazines. Some of which I have subscribed to and others are trying to sell me something. Another 10% or so are correspondence from members, convention agencies or local pastors. Let's see if my math is correct that leaves another 75%. The remaining 3/4 of my incoming mail is comprised of requests for contributions from various charitable organizations from either me personally or DBBC. Most of these are legitimate groups who are doing some great work. They consist of orphanages, both domestic and foreign, mission churches needing start-up funds, pro-life groups, independent foreign missionaries, para-church organizations, shelters for the abused and homeless and so many others I cannot even begin to list them all. I have to be honest with you. I do not read them all. It's just frustrating to be reminded that we live in such a broken world and in such difficult times there are too few funds to go around.

So how do you deal with such frustration? How can you toss so many requests for help into the cylindrical file draw under your desk and just keep working? I can only share how I deal with it. I ask God to make me sensitive to any need that He would have me to contribute to. I have learned long ago that a need does not necessarily constitute a call. There are too many good causes and truly needy people to help them all.

 So I guess I should tell you what has prompted these thoughts. This morning I was going through my mail and painfully tossing one request to help into the waste basket after another. I grabbed one and the Spirit prompted me to look further. Being the uber-spiritual person that I am I tossed into the file along with the others. Then trying to get on with "more important" tasks I could not get my mind off the newsletter now next to spent handkerchiefs and post-it notes. Not being able to concentrate on anything else I decided to at least skim the paper and thus alleviate any guilt on my part. Why, I might even pray for the organization or person who sent it. That would sure win me some browny points with my Boss!

As I looked at the newsletter I tried to skim over and get the gist of the articles. Each one drew me into the story. One was about a homeless single mom with an autistic daughter who had gone to college to better her situation. Not only did she get a degree, but she bought a home after finding employment and is now mentoring young women in her neighborhood. Another was a story about a monk who is praying for tents. Not for himself or his family, but for the homeless in Chattanooga. He talked about the homeless having to keep moving from one hiding spot to another to stay ahead of the police. He even quoted Bob Dylan. "How does it feel to be on your own, with no direction home? Like a complete unknown? Like a rolling stone?" Any monk who can quote Dylan is a friend of mine. Then turning to the front page I read of another family who are not poor, nor homeless. As a matter of fact, I'll bet financially they are better off than most of us. So why are they in this newsletter? Maybe because they volunteer at night shelters for the homeless and serve meals at the community kitchen. Then it hit me why the Spirit had prompted me to retrieve this one correspondence. I have been blessed with so much and in return I give so little. No I can't help everyone, but I can help a few. If we all helped a few, then the few would become many.

I decided to write a check and give it to this organization. I thought about how much I should give. Immediately, I came up with a number that would definitely alleviate my guilt for not giving much in the past. But just as the Spirit had caused me to look at the paper the first time He prompted me to put down the pen and reconsider. Now what, I thought to myself. You want me to give more? I looked at the paper again and the Lord directed my attention to a part of the story I had neglected to read before. The paper asked that I consider skipping one meal and sending it to the organization. The Lord said that is what I want you to do. He said this is not about writing a big check. This is about being obedient. So I wrote the check and a note to go with it. I put both in an envelope and sent it if off. I then tossed the newsletter back into the waste basket and there it now awaits the janitor. My prayer for you is that you are more sensitive than I am when it comes to being open to the promptings of the Spirit in your life. My desire is not to have you impressed with what I do. I'm afraid I have neglected God's voice more often than I have been obedient. My desire is that we all work together to share the blessings of God with some of those who are hurting the most.

Matthew 12:20 (NKJV)
²⁰ A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;

   

I'm Glad God is My Judge, Aren't You?

I've been working on the last installment of the summer series "Mirrors." Those of you who attend DBBC can't miss Sunday! The Spirit has really put together an awesome finish to the series including a powerful drama and conclusion. The theme for the last message is the thought that God see us differently than others or ourselves perceive us to be. We can be really hard on ourselves and others can be down right brutal. This has come to my attention in two separate conversations recently.

The first was a few weeks back when the widow of a gentleman who just recently died told me that he died with one question that remained unanswered. This wonderful Christian man wanted to discover why God had allowed such a scoundrel as Solomon to be portrayed so prominently in scripture and to have been allowed to write so much of the Old Testament.

Then last evening I got a call from another gentleman. He too a fine Christian man wanted to know why God had allowed Samson to be included in Hebrews chapter 11 with all the other great believers. He contended that Samson was weak and morally bankrupt, my words not his, and there was no good reason to list him in that chapter with others that lived by faith.

Which brings me to this thought, I'm glad we are not God and He is! We tend to remember only the bad that people have done and push their goodness into the shadows. I'm not talking badly about these two men, but all of us are guilty. We say things like, "Yeah, he or she did some good, BUT..." and we go on to list all the negatives of their lives. Sure Solomon made some bad moves, particularly when it came to the opposite sex. And sure Samson was also prone to get in trouble with the ladies, but God loved them both and more importantly forgave them both. Because God forgave them and did not turn them to toast, as we would probably do, they had the opportunity to turn their lives around. Solomon ended up writing to his son about the stupidity of his actions and the consequences of his immorality and neglect of God's Word. We call that book The Proverbs. Samson, without his two eyes, killed more Philistines in his last act of heroism than he did in all the battles while he was fully functional. He prayed, "O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes." (Judges 16:28) Thankfully, God did remember Samson's heroic acts of the past rather than just his sin.

I'm glad that God is my judge and not others. We are too hard on one another. We are too judgmental and our memories are too extensive when it comes to our screw-ups. Thankfully God exercises grace when it comes to how He sees His children. Grace! Grace! God's Grace! Sounds good, don't you think?

Pastor Ken    

If It Ain't Broke...

What is a church? A community of God? The body of Christ localized and visible? Followers of Christ who band together for the purpose of worship toward God and ministry toward others? All of the above? Yes. Yes. Yes and yes. Churches are different styles and many different sizes, but they all generally can be described by one of the answers above. Now, those who think about such things have begun to delineate between churches not based upon denomination or even size or style, but upon the purpose and place of those churches.

The one we are more familiar with is called the "attractional" church. These churches offer worship, ministry opportunities, fellowship and Bible teaching and preaching typically at one campus. The idea is that people are attracted by the activities to come to that location. DBBC would be in this category.

The second category of church has been labeled "missional." Some refer to this church model as the "house" church. These congregations, if they will allow themselves to be called such, are driven by service given to a city or a portion of a city. These groups often do not own property but often rent or meet in homes. Consequently, these missional churches are usually smaller that attractional ones. 

I honestly believe there are merits to both and there is room in the kingdom of God for each. The issue I have is the conclusion that some in the latter category have about the future of the church. Some in the missional movement claim that unbelievers and younger Christians are no longer attracted by the former model. I have read the term "inneffective" used to describe the programs of the attractional fellowship. My problem is that I see little eveidence to back up that claim. One panel member defending this view stated that "younger people in the city will not be drawn to larger attractional churches characterized by preaching and music." What this panel member failed to recognize is that they were coming to large churches in droves. DBBC has as many people joining in worship between the ages of 18 and 35 as we do 60 and up. 

Advocates of the missional church claim it is more similar to the early church. My problem with that thinking is that I haven't found a missional church yet that is multiplying many converts or birthing new congregations as did the early church. However, I do know that most large attractional churches, like DBBC, are sending out missionaries almost weekly to some place in the world. In the last several months people from Dallas Bay have traveled to Romania, Costa Rica, South Africa, Canada, China, Thailand, Belgium and Malta. Here in the US we have gone to Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia and Tennessee. In a few weeks we are going to activate an army of hundreds of volunteers to do mission work right here in our city. 

Those who say missional churches are the evangelistic tool of the future are seeing a trend that I have not personally experienced. This is my 20th year as senior pastor of DBBC and we are going to baptize more than any year in our history. Missional church advocates also claim that younger people and non-believers are not willing to come to a location like a church and be discipled or taught. I agree there are more ways than one to skin a cat, but once again we have classes on our campus mornings and evenings almost everyday of the week. We have only begun meeting in homes to attract more students and because we have run out of facilities. 

Yes, people are still attracted to good music, children's programs, senior adult activities and Biblical preaching. For that I make no apologies. But there is more to being a large attractional church than just programs. There is also power. When Spirit filled believers gather in one place for worship there is power. When thousands gather to pray and praise God there is power. When the Word is shared with a dynamic and growing body of believers they can turn the world upside down. I'm not saying a lot of people in one place is a powerful church. A mass of people without God is just a mess. But a mass of people who are filled with the Spirit of God and who are fed the Word of God can be a mighty force to be reckoned with.

I hope in the future there are examples of fruitful and multiplying missional churches. I believe there is room in this world for both models. I also know that the old saying is true; "If it ain't broke don't fix it!" So for now I am blessed to pastor a church, of any size or style, where people are coming to know Jesus and lives are being changed for the better. 

Pastor Ken        

Tradition versus Innovation

Last Sunday people filing into the worship center at DBBC were greeted with reflective mylar surfaces and balloons representing mirrors. It was a stark contrast from the bare minimums of the last few weeks whenI spoke of choices in a person's life. The contrast is indicative of a bigger picture. A balance we try to maintain. Tradition with innovation. My natural tendency is to always abandon tradition for innovation, but I know that is not healthy. We all struggle for balance in our lives and this is where I often get out of balance. 

A world without tradition is a world with endless novelty and innovation. While I'm an advocate of both, I also understand a life of no tradition would rob it of meaning and continuity. While life continues to change at an ever increasing rate, tradition can become a bedrock of memory that connects us to those who have gone before us. Like standing at the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag or pulling to the side of the road as the hearse and family car pass by. Yet tradition mindlessly repeated becomes meaningless. I recently read about a soldier in Russia who stood at attention in an empty field. No one knew why he was to stand in such a non-strategic place until the mystery was discovered. It seems an ancient Czar had spotted the first bloom of a crocus flower in that spot andappointed a soldier to guard that spot and had never rescinded his order. Now compare that empty ritual to the meaningful and powerful guard who stands at the tomb of the unknown soldier. One Russian soldier performs an empty ritual while the American soldier performs an honored tradition full of meaning and privilege. 

So please be patient as I struggle to keep traditions that have purpose such as our patriotic presentations at the 4th of July and Memorial Day. Also be aware that God calls me to be inventive and creative as I seek to present the gospel to our generation. Sometimes that means innovative use of media and drama, visuals on the platform, or even my personal dress to get the age old message across to a modern audience. I have been charged by my Savior to use all the tools and gifts at my disposal to do my best. Jesus said it this way, "Every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." (Matthew 13:53) So don't blame me, He said it!

Pastor Ken       

The Art of Negation

Standing before the amazing statue of David by Michelangelo an enthusiastic admirer asked the artist, "How did you carve such an exquisite work of art?" Michelangelo responded, "First I fixed my attention on the slab of marble. I studied it, sketched a few simple pencil drawings on it, and then chipped away all that wasn't David."  The famous artist already saw in the block of rock what existed inside. His task was to uncover the masterpiece inside so that others could see it as well. 

This practice is called the art of negation. It is a process where things are taken away that don't belong or that steal energy from what is best. It is a rough process and includes some disappointments and some failures. However, if viewed correctly, these all are just necessary pains to perfect who you really are inside. I'll never forget that Billy Graham failed at being a pastor, but if he had succeeded the scope of his ministry would have never reached worldwide proportions. 

What has God been chipping away in your life? What, despite your best intentions, keeps failing to deliver? Then ask, "What do people recognize and compliment me for?" What comes more easily for you that some others struggle over? Those things you may do poorly, or even more bluntly you simply stink up, are probably just the chips of marble that need to hit the floor in a heap to reveal the masterpiece you are inside. As much as some people may believe they are the best thing since sliced bread, they probably are not as good at as many things as they think. People often waste energy and time on things God has better equipped others to do and have too few resources left to accomplish their best. But, when people recognize true value and excellence in things you do, it is God's way of revealing the real masterpiece that He has hidden deep inside of you.

Don't be afraid to try. Don't be afraid to fail. These are necessary experiences for you to discover why God put you on this planet after all. And when you get recognized for things you do well begin to pour your time and energy into perfecting these areas of your life. Quit trying to be everything to everyone. You will never be your best or accomplish all God has specifically for you to do if you are worn out doing what others are better equipped to do. I don't know why, but God wanted me to write this because somebody out there needed to read it. So I've been obedient. Now it's your turn. Catch you later.

Pastor Ken         

The Kind of PLace Where Jesus Would Hang Out

Yesterday I was kind of zoned out sitting at my desk. I had just finished one difficult counseling session and was waiting for the next. I was feeling a little fatigued because of some tension around the office that was just then being resolved. I hadn't slept well for a couple of nights and for weeks prior I have been traveling alot. So zoned out is the best description for my state of mind. Suddenly, one of our pastors came through my back door and said there was a lady here that went to high school with me and would like to say hi. He told me her name and I attempted to emerge from my fog to associate her name with a face from more than a couple of decades past. 

As this schoolmate from my past walked in I immediately remembered her face. Remarkably, she had not changed much since high school. She said the same for me and I politely thanked her for kindly stretching the truth. I learned her husband also rode a Harley-Davidson and liked to hunt. She obviously married well. I asked her how some of her friends from high school were doing. She caught me up the best she could since she had also neglected the last several class reunions. Then she said something that caused me to think. She said she wanted to thank me after all these years for being kind to everyone. She had been poor growing up without a father and really struggled financially. She imagined that I was one of the "better off" kids, but that I treated everyone fairly. Then she went on to say that it didn't surprise her that I had become a pastor since that was a necessary trait for ministry. 

Okay, before you think I'm just writing this to blow my own horn I need to share with you something important. I wasn't well off. I really struggled financially too. My car in high school was a ten year old 6 cylinder 4 door Ford. Hardly a babe magnet. My clothes were either hand-me-downs or worn year after year. However, my older brother did have a sweet leather jacket with fringed sleeves that was the bomb! I wore it while he was asleep after work or any other time I was willing to risk life and limb to impress my friends. But I had nothing. No money, no cool car, no cool clothes or shoes. How had this schoolmate ever assumed I was one of the lucky kids? Maybe a better question is why did she think it strange that I associated with and was nice to everyone? Truthfully, I am still pondering those questions today, but that's not the point of my story. My point is why should anyone ever think it strange that we associate with or appreciate everyone? Maybe, I know the answer. I just don't want to admit that I am part of a select group of people who have been characterized as narrow-minded and exclusive. Preachers, I mean. We tend to be critical of everyone who doesn't act, dress, or think the way we do. Kind of reminds me of the Pharisees in the New Testament who were continually condemning Jesus for the company He kept. We often explain this by saying He was just associating with them so that He might get them saved. I thank that is partially true, but I also think He enjoyed hanging out with people who were interesting and different. The religious crowd didn't throw a very good party. They were more interested in who they excluded than those who were there. There is one place in the New Testament where Jesus talked about throwing a party and ended up sending servants out in the streets to invite everyone regardless of their social standing. (Luke 14:21 - 23) 

Wouldn't it be great if we as followers of Christ actually acted like Christ and not like those for whom He had His harshest words of criticism? I truly believe this is one of the most important factors contributing to the supernatural growth of Dallas Bay through the years. On any given Sunday you will find a biker next to a banker, an Armani suit next to a camo shirt, and Escalades next to pickups. I think this is the kind of place where Jesus would like to hang out! Let's keep it that way!

Pastor Ken           

Here's the Scoop for the Next Six Months

I’ve just returned from my semi-annual sermon planning retreat. I know this surprises many of you who thought I just walked up each Sunday morning and shared what’s on my heart. Actually, every message is months in the making with much study and prayer. Twice a year I get alone with a few books and the Lord and emerge with 6 months worth of sermon series and dates. Here is a sneak peak of what the Lord and I came up with:

Mirrors – a 3 sermon series about our true identity in Christ

Solomon’s Prayer – this 4 message series uncovers the secret to Solomon’s wisdom and wealth

Masterpiece – for 8 weeks we will take a verse by verse tour of the Book of Ephesians where we are called “His workmanship”

Better Together – I will reveal Scriptural truths why a united family is best in this 4 week series

Christmas for Dummies – For two weeks prior to Christmas I’ll break down the birth of Jesus so that even an unbeliever can see the mighty hand of God revealed this holiday

The Real Paranormal State – There is an unseen world out there, but not the one that is being peddled by Hollywood or TV. We’ll explore what the Bible says about it and the magnitude of the spiritual world and how we relate to it.

On Wednesday nights at 6 we will be studying the life and times of the prophet Elijah and his protégé Elisha in a series called “Some Say Elijah.”

No Government Bailot for the Church, Please!

Summertime for a pastor is always a difficult time. We thrive on big crowds and opening up overflow rooms. Not a problem in the summer. This year we added about 150 seats to our auditorium which is absolutely necessary three seasons out of the year. Most of that time we have to run a live feed of the service to overflow and then it's not always enough. But the extra seats now just add to the feeling of emptiness in the room. I can handle it for a short while, but then I'm ready to get packed out again. What I have a more difficult time with is the lack of funds. When people vacate for summer they also take their tithes with them. Three months of tightening our fiscal belts around here will eventually cut off spiritual circulation. For example, last month we had 50 less givers than in the Spring. Ouch! So it got me thinking. What would happen if we applied for government subsidies; like GM or Chrysler for instance.

Then I began thinking. Now that DBBC is considered a large, if not mega, church we would probably be called on to redistribute our wealth. As a condition for government assistance, Uncle Sam would probably insist we share our members with less populated churches. What if they insisted that the most optimum size would be 500. We would be asked to downsize by sending 2,000 of our congregants to smaller churches so they could be stimulated. While that would hurt us a great deal, imagine what it would do to Brother Joel out in Houston, Texas. He would have to give up 22,500 members to smaller congregations. I bet it would be difficult to pay the light bill with funds left after such a mass redistribution of wealth. Or what about poor Bill Hybels at Willow Creek in Chicago. Bill would have to sacrifice 16,500 faithful followers to other congregations in and around the Windy City. 

I can imagine if the government did get involved in church bailouts their would be bureaucrats galore. Someone suggested the formation of a government agency called Church Redistribution of Saints and Sinners. (CROSS) They may require pastors of churches receiving government funds to adhere to the government mandated Fairness Doctrine. The Fairness Doctrine would assure that Arminian and Calvinist doctrines be given equal time in Sunday sermons. Balance would be required when addressing issues like pro-life|pro-choice, gay|straight, and conservative|liberal interpretation of the Bible. CROSS would evaluate the church based upon important social issues like tolerance and acceptance. Any smack of standing for absolute values would incur the wrath of big brother. Churches who do not show a financial profit or numerical growth may face an end to their government subsidies or even face nationalization. 

Of course receiving a bailout would mean DBBC would have to comply with OSHA standards as well. Total immersion baptisms could be considered a form of "water-boarding" and strictly forbidden. It would also be difficult to sprinkle or pour since the water would have to be inspected for the presence of organic microscopic creatures who's lives are protected under law. Deacons would have to pass physicals and complete a government certified course on safe food handling before being able to administer the Lord's Supper. 

OK, so much of the above was said with "tongue in cheek, just suggesting these impositions by the federal government may brand me as a rebel. Well, if being a rebel means that I believe the government should stay out of the church's business then I'm guilty as charged. I believe, as did James Madison, "Religion flourishes in greater purity without...the aid of government." So I'll endure a paucity of monies during the lean summer months if it means keeping our independence to worship in freedom and without interference. Seems like some other forward thinking followers of Christ held to those same ideals a few hundred years ago. It worked for them and the God that blessed their determination has never changed. Hang in there pilgrims!

Pastor Ken           

Heads Up from Middle School Retreat in Gulf Shores

Hey, just a word from sunny Gulf Shores, Alabama. I'm here on the DBBC Middle School Retreat cooking for the kids. This is one of my favorite times of the year. All week I get to work in the kitchen 8 - 10 hours each day and serve our young teens. It gives me a chance to meet many of them that I would never get to meet back home. Let me say, we have great kids. The bus drivers, who have driven thousands of kids to camp, said these are the most well behaved teens they have ever transported anywhere. 

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity to baptize 8 of them in the ocean and 2 more in the pool as the other 98 or so stood around and cheered. Last year I baptized in the Jordan River in Israel and this year on the Gulf of Mexico in LA (Lower Alabama). How's that for diversity? Well, I've got to work with the other kitchen help, Dawn Noles and Beverly Stone, to get lunch ready. Keep praying that God moves in the lives of these kids as He has the last few days. We leave in the morning so pray for a safe trip home as well. I will write again next so in the meantime have a happy 4th of July and we'll see you soon.

Pastor Ken