Contrary to Hollywood’s opinion, Barack Obama is not the savior. He is our newly elected president, and deserves our respect and honor for that. Even if we didn’t vote for him, we should do our best to show proper respect to him in words and actions. It’s the right thing to do.

                However, not much respect and honor has been shown our outgoing president. There is so much bitterness and hatefulness pointed at George W. Bush. It’s disturbing. Even some of our own local aspiring politicians have been photographed with “impeach Bush” signs.

                The above paragraph likely will upset a few people. After all, statistics indicate that there are more Bush haters than there are Bush lovers. Yet, even if we disapprove of our president, can’t we treat him or her with respect, honor, and dignity? Surely Obama supporters would be all for that right about now, but many couldn’t bring themselves to treat Bush the same. Why not?

                It’s called a double-standard or hypocrisy. Bush supporters cried foul when people crossed lines in being inappropriate with their words and actions against their guy. Now, will they treat Obama the way they wanted Bush treated, or will they act the same? Many Obama supporters were outspoken Bush haters. Will they be understanding when the Obama haters begin their rhetoric?

                Why not just stop the hatred altogether? Why not lose the bitterness? Sure, there will be people all around behaving hatefully and bitterly, but we don’t have to be that way. We can control how we behave, not how they do. Just because an increased number of people disrespected George W. Bush doesn’t make it right for anyone to be that way towards Barak Obama. We can disagree and disapprove without being disrespectful.

                Barak Obama’s campaign certainly gave many Christians cause for alarm. He does have a history of taking stands that are uniquely anti-Christian, despite his claims of his own faith. However, he is our 44th president, and must be respected. May I remind Christians who may be reading this and may be upset at a pastor, suggesting we get behind Barak Obama… God clearly teaches us to honor and respect those in authority (Romans 13:1-7). I implore you: please live out your faith, Biblically. We’ve given the world far too much ammunition against Christ’s church. Let’s behave as Christian citizens should – no matter what the others do. Let’s lift up our new president by praying for him – even when he makes choices we cannot support (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Certainly, my hope and prayer is that Barak Hussein Obama does a good job and is a good president for our great country.

Jeff Adams is pastor for Paramount Christian Church in Yelm and Lacey. Yelm services are held 5 p.m. Saturday at the The Coffey Place, 311 Yelm Ave. W, Yelm.

            Nationally recognized executive trainer and author, Ken Blanchard, is credited with spreading at least the incipient teachings of adaptive leadership styles. However, it was Jesus the Messiah who first exemplified these great methods.

            Even novice Bible readers notice Jesus handled different kinds of people different ways at different times. Sometimes He would abrasively and harshly confront religious leaders. Other times He would gingerly correct a struggling pagan. In one moment He would rebuke with sternness, and in another He would do so with great gentleness.

            He was very effective as a leader. Long before Ken Blanchard’s or any other’s teachings on adaptive leadership styles Jesus was illustrating it. He knew His audience’s needs, so He met them where they were.

            The Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the law were so judgmental of everyone else, they needed harsh correction in order for them to be able to examine themselves, and for others to see God’s total disapproval of that kind of pride. Likewise, the Apostles thought of themselves more highly than they should have, so Jesus had to continually and firmly remind them to change and become more humble. Yet, wandering, aimless souls were so often handled with a calm gentleness, drawing them closer to Him.

            There is a clear distinction between how Jesus customized His leadership between people who should know better and people who didn’t. This is a clear pattern carried on by the church, thereafter. The letters to the Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians address clearly and carefully the spread of Judaic legalism for these newer Christian congregations. Yet, veteran Christian, Apostle, and elder, Peter, found himself confronted harshly, publicly and face to face by Paul on the same issue. Once again, these are similar situations, requiring different approaches.

            We see the same thing in the handling of two distinct religious organizations – both of which followed the God of Israel. Jesus and the Apostles knew key differences between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Jesus and His Apostles used this knowledge to better handle situations involving both groups, thereby being more effective in creating new converts.

            Parents use adaptive leadership styles, today, almost naturally with their own children. When a parent teaches a teenager how to drive, much work goes into instructing them on the basics before ever putting them behind the wheel. Today, we send them through a driver’s education course. After some training, we show them how to drive, pointing out how to anticipate this and that, and how to handle things as they surface. Then, we move on to switching seats and allowing them to try while we simply coach them along. Finally, when they are ready with a driver’s license and insurance in hand, we release them. Each step requires different levels of involvement. Our leadership is determined by the need – much the way Jesus did it with the establishment of His church.

            So it is with these columns. If I am to be effective, I must know my audience – like Jesus did. I must realize all people who read this are not necessarily the same as those who attend church services. After all, this is not a Christian periodical, but a newspaper with a religious column.

            Additionally, I would do well to note the purpose in such a column. It is to provide religious insight on practical matters – not to always give a picture of what a church service is like. It should be no surprise to anyone that Christianity is very practical and relevant. This is why many other organizations, individuals, and even countries such as ours use Christian principles. If these columns do what they are intended, they will most often provide a very real benefit to readers and give a snapshot of the wisdom of God as contained in the Bible. I hope and pray it continues to have the effect of drawing others to Jesus as it has over the past year.

            So, do not assume Jesus did “bait and switch” when He gently called His disciples to Him, and harshly rebuked them, later, when He had them alone and under His wing. He knew His audience. He knew His style of leadership had to morph with the changing needs of developing Christians.

            The Jesus I serve meets me where I am. He’ll do the same for you. He knows your needs, and wants to meet them.

Reading a religious column alone will never be sufficient in keeping you close to Christ. Once again, I encourage you to follow Scripture (not someone’s opinion) which says to meet together with other Christians. You cannot get all that God has for you from reading a newspaper column or sitting at home, watching television.

For those well-meaning souls still resisting the idea that there are different levels of spiritual maturity, here’s a word for you:

“I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong (Hebrews 5:12-14, Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.).”

This is a special note to PCC members. It could be quite an encouragement to guests, too…

There is an excitement continually building around here. You can attend any of our three services on either campus and sense it. The momentum is increasing, and we all know it.

Part of our amazing story is that we are doing better than many of our peers, financially. Even though the struggling economy has impacted us individually just like everyone else, we are still in the black. Both campuses are in the black. This time last year we were already feeling the pinch of the early economic downturn. We were in the red by this time and it was a little unnerving.

We entered into March, having to renegotiate our loan (the deal was to renegotiate it in 5 years), and facing an even worse economy. Of course we tightened our belts and really had to watch things for this year’s budget. Not only did staff not see any cost of living or pay increase of any kind, we actually cut the secretary’s position to part-time and went on to hire a new one.  Our new one had to take a serious pay cut to accept our offer – in the hopes we would bring her on full-time someday…

We ended last year with very limited funds – especially since we missed the last two weekends for offerings due to snow. So, we communicated needs directly to the PCC members. Everyone did their part. Even our own Heather Worrall contributed full-time hours for months to help us make a smooth transition. She and many other volunteers donated their time and energy to the office.

Additionally, the PCC members kept giving. We are one of those rare churches that doesn’t even pass an offering plate, yet we are doing better than many other churches who do pass offering plates. It’s truly amazing.

The Yelm campus has been quite encouraging, as well. They started with no financial help from the CEA or any other church planting organization. We simply donated volunteer and staff hours, and some anonymous souls donated to help us get going. Yet, at the end of the  year, that brand new church finished in the black – not owing a dime to the main campus or anyone else!

So, here we are: a church that is pumped and primed for even more exciting days ahead. Most ministries are firing on all cylinders. Our worship services overall are going very well. Guests are coming and staying. They, too, can sense that we really are on the verge of growth we have not seen before.

Some of us have been praying hard for some time, now, for specific things like: an increased evangelistic thrust; God to send us some more gifted, willing servants – especially some with leadership skills; new and exciting vision, and for financial increases. Some of us obviously prayed those things with faith because these prayers are being answered, amazingly.

From what I understand, if the giving remains good and we increase only a little with time, we will be not only be able to increase our ministry efforts and build stability, but we’ll be able to pay off the loan within 3.5 years!

Yelm is on task to expand their facility and still stay in the black (if all things fall into place) by the end of this year!

Additionally, the leadership is prayerfully considering how we can expand our facilty to accommodate the growth. No kidding. Parking issues, sitting together issues, etc., it’s all clear we must prayerfully examine how we can accommodate the current and future growth of PCC. The wait has been far too long. Right now, we are considering all possibilities, including a full-sized gym/multi-use facility where we can worship and do many other things. There are no clear plans, but be sure we are looking ahead – maybe farther than ever before!

Please keep in prayer your leadership team as they aim to please God by recognizing His vision for His church. The task ahead may look daunting at times, but Christ can tackle it. I’m pretty confident we should put the debt to rest and build a fund some before we take on any major building projects. I’m also confident God’s people can fulfill God’s purpose when they determine to follow Him – even if the economy is weak.

Last year we had the most evangelistic year in PCC’s history with more converts and transfers than ever. This year, it appears even more momentum is building. Thank you for doing your part.

Know that I am quite pumped, myself! Thanks for your encouragements and prayers. You people are impressive. God is using you in big ways, and I believe He will in even bigger ways in the days, months and years to come.

FYI: Personally, I would like to see us moved into a new facility by 2012. I pick that year because 2013 will be the 40th year for PCC. It would be nice to have a facility that could accommodate everyone who would want to come for that – current members & guests, former members and guests, former staff, other churches, etc. It could be huge and incredibly encouraging to many. Please join me in prayer about that. To do something so grand in such a short period of time is a little lofty. However, I really do have the faith to believe Jesus can do this through His people here. I’m serious.

                Physical exercise does have value, but getting your soul right has even more lasting results (1st Timothy 4:8).

                Keeping fit is a great thing. Eating right, getting enough exercise and rest, etc., is all very important. Having a healthy lifestyle certainly can curb stress and help a person work on his or her spiritual condition. However, working on one’s spiritual condition does not come only as a direct result of being fit. Spiritual fitness and physical fitness can enhance each other, but neither necessitates the other. You actually have to work at both.

                Know that I am a Christian preacher and my bias is clear. I totally and wholeheartedly believe in Christ and the Bible. So, I believe there is no other way to spiritual wholeness except through Jesus (John 14:6). I don’t believe in a lot of fluff. I am not one who discards words people say in order to smooth over things to make sure “we all agree.” We don’t all agree.

                Religions in this world are varied. Some try to be all inclusive, but that is difficult when you embrace religious and non-religious groups that are intolerant of any other. In other words, there are those spiritual groups even in our own community who are filled with bitter hatred towards all other religious and non-religious organizations. They cry out, “Tolerate me,” yet they don’t tolerate those outside their group.

                Know that I fully agree with the Bible’s teaching to love others and to not be judgmental. Our instructions are clear – that we are to love people to Christ, not judge them away from Him. So, unlike other organizations, Christianity does not desire to harm other people in other religious groups. We, who believe the Bible, want others to know the peace, hope, confidence, and assurance we have.

There really is a spiritual wholeness available to those who really want it. I’m not talking about a whole lot of hokey, fake stuff. I mean very real, attainable spiritual fulfillment.

Certainly, there are flawed individuals who have damaged the effectiveness of some churches over the years. Every organization has people in it, and all people make mistakes. Don’t judge the whole based on the mistakes of a few. Look at the overall effectiveness of the whole.

Some organizations including some churches promise healing and never really deliver. Religious organizations are quick to judge the individual who is not healed, accusing them of not being spiritual enough. Yet, even Jesus healed people who had no faith whatsoever (John 5:1-14).

To find spiritual wholeness, you may want to ask the leaders in an organization from where their authority comes. Is it from some figure that can’t be substantiated in any historical documents outside of their own religious writings? Is it from a corrupt or highly questionable person? Is it from claims of some individual just like you and me? Is someone making a ton of money off of their “spiritual guidance?”

The Bible has stood the test of time. Sure, there are many who set out to try to disprove or discredit it. Yet, the attempts prove futile. No other ancient book has had more archaeological, historical, scientific, and logical evidences to substantiate its claims. No other book has been attacked more vehemently than the Bible.

If you find a church or individual claiming authority, yet sidestepping or undermining the Bible, I suggest you look elsewhere for your spiritual guidance. My main authority is the God of the Christians. He has been so trustworthy and true. I highly recommend to you in your quest for spiritual wholeness, look closely at the Bible. You’ll find great value in it.

Most importantly, though, you need Christ as your Lord and Savior. Many who are reading this were raised with a faith in Jesus, but somewhere along life’s journey, stepped off the path of spiritual fulfillment. Some feel abandoned by God. Some have lived in a hopeless pit of despair, uncertain of his or her purpose or destiny.

Grab this visual: Jesus never left you. He has always been there, reaching out his hand to you. He still is. If you want spiritual health… If you want your soul to be whole, reach back to Jesus. Your peace, hope and fulfillment is right at your fingertips. Reach back to Him, today. You’ll be so glad you did!

If you do not know how to reach back to Jesus, contact a local church and ask someone there. Don’t give up if you don’t find what you need with the first few phone calls. If you truly want to get spiritually fit, be diligent about it. You will be rewarded in the end.

Jeff Adams is pastor for Paramount Christian Church in Yelm and Lacey. Yelm services are held 5 p.m. Saturday at the The Coffey Place, 311 Yelm Ave. W, Yelm.