What We Believe
The Following Questions and answers are ones we submit for any and all ministry positions. They are taken from Don Whitney’s Questionaire which is found on his site. This is not all that we believe about the faith, but this covers a wide range of topics. If you have further questions you can contact us at: crazydougfam@yahoo.com
1. There are many who profess to know Christ who are mistaken. What evidences do you have that you have been given life by God?
Without doubt the fact that I love my Savior, love His people, and hate my sin in ways I never did prior to conversion. I also believe God has gifted me in ways only His children are gifted.
2. What does it mean for a person to love God? In what ways do you see true biblical love toward God demonstrated in your life? Do you see true biblical love toward God in the lives of your wife and each of your children?
Loving God is rooted in calling righteous what He calls righteous and calling what He calls rebellion sin. Of course, simply proclaiming these truths is only part of faithfully loving God. As James clearly shows we must also, by the grace and empowerment of God, live righteous lives and abhor unrighteousness. As for Larissa, the boys, and Petra it would perhaps be better that others determine that. So I asked Larissa this question and here is her typed response: Will has grown in his patience, mercy, and service to us over the years and I have seen real growth in Will’s loving us as Christ loves the church especially as evidenced most recently with my pregnancy with Petra. It was especially encouraging for me to see Will grow in the midst of this difficult time for us.
3. How does your wife feel about your commitment to pastoring? How do your children respond?
Larissa is convinced that I should be a pastor primarily because she believes that God has gifted me in ways that are best utilized in pastoral ministry. As for my children, they just love being at church.
4. Why do you believe God wants you in the pastorate?
I have zero doubt about whether or not I should be in pastoral ministry due in large part to God’s sovereign working and spiritual gifting in my life. I have also had churches and other believers affirm this calling. In short, I believe God has called me to shepherd His people because of what He has done and revealed in my life, not because of my ability.
5. Closely examine each of the Bible’s qualifications for pastors and deacons (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Which are you strongest qualities? With which requirements do you have the most trouble? Why do you believe these areas of difficulty do not presently disqualify you from ministering? (Note the phrase “must be” in 1 Tim. 3:2.)
My strongest qualities would be temperate, able to teach, and I am not quick tempered. On the side of weaknesses, I think that my family is the most difficult area of struggle me. I love leading my family but it is enormously difficult knowing how to lead each of the individuals in my home all the time, knowing what is best for them individually, and knowing what they need best to hear. I think also when you take into consideration the reality that there are six sinners, including myself, living under one roof. it will probably always be one of the hardest areas where my weaknesses are often revealed to me as well as areas of needed growth in my own life. This is not to say that I believe my wife to be unruly or my children, simply that it is the area of greatest difficulty, in terms of investment and consistency. In general however, it must be noted, that none of the qualifications are easy. Though redeemed, a pastor is still a sinner and will continue to struggle with the path to glory. I do not foresee a time in my earthly life that I will not battle my own flesh and have to turn away, again, from sin and toward my Savior. Needless to say, the realities of my reliance on grace will always be before my face.
6. A pastor is charged by God to preach to the church and to shepherd the people in a more individual way. Which aspect of the ministry appeals to you the most? What are some specific ways you could be helped to develop your skills in either of these areas?
I can not choose between the preaching of the word of God and the shepherding of God’s people. In a sense the two are (or certainly should be!) interwoven to the point both are faithfully, passionately, and tirelessly carried out with a compassionate heart. I would say that the greatest way I could be helped in these areas would be by praying for me. One of my greatest hopes is that God will take me to a church that prays for me and then prays some more for me. I also believe I could be helped by having other men around me holding me accountable. Thirdly, I could be helped by continuing my education in the future.
7. What are your methods for involving yourself in the lives of your people as their shepherd and overseer of their souls?
By being a real person, while patiently and humbly asking others to do the same. I am a redeemed sinner who has a long way to go to glory and this is true of all of us. Wherever God takes my family, I want my new church family to know I want to be a part of their lives and I want them to be a part of mine. I want them to eat at my table, cry with me on my couch, pray with me, rejoice with me, just be my brothers and sisters. Not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many. (1 Cor. 10:33)
8. What activities characterize your evangelistic interest? What is your approach to personal evangelism? corporate evangelism?
My evangelistic focus begins in my home and flows out to my community and the world at large. At the present time I have four little sinners I desperately want to see come to know the Savior I love, but I also love sharing the gospel with my co-workers at my secular jobs and also random people I meet.
9. What is your approach to counseling? How do you handle your counseling load?
My approach to counseling is purely cross-centered and bible-based. My professors at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation have said it best when they adopted as their motto “Restoring Christ to Counseling and Counseling to the Church.” This is a great counseling focus and one I thoroughly affirm, especially in a day and age of much that is unbiblical and spiritually unhealthy in the counseling world. As for a counseling load, I intend to limit counseling sessions to no more than 4 hours a week. However, I am a firm believer in the fact that counseling can and does take place outside of “official” times when appointments between the pastor and counselee are set. Some great counseling “sessions” can happen when two people are watching their children play football or while chatting at a neighborhood BBQ. For this reason, I intend to be a replicating counselor, one who teaches others to “speak the truth in love” to others. I believe true counseling is mandated of all believers and must be biblical, relational, and transferable to others. So, in short, I would allot certain hours for official counseling sessions and training other counselors, all the while being flexible and open to unforeseen, informal opportunities to “speak the truth in love” to others.
10. What are your specific and regular practices regarding the spiritual disciplines (e.g., personal prayer, Bible study, meditation, stewardship, learning, etc.)?
Though I am always thankful for my times in prayer and in God’s word, I firmly believe that the “spiritual disciplines” as we know them must never be thought of a vehicles in pursuit of grace but rather natural outpourings of those pursued by grace.
11. How would you describe a successful pastor? How would you describe a successful church?
A successful pastor is one who is faithful in loving His Savior, the universal church, and the precious people of the local church entrusted to him until death. He preaches the word boldly and serves his heart out (2 Corinthians 4). A successful church is cross centered, hungry for the word and things of God, humble, and passionate about seeing the lost come to know Christ and all the riches of His kingdom.
12. How is the pastor held accountable? What relationships in your life currently provide accountability for responsible attitudes and behavior, both personally and as pastor?
The pastor is helped to be held accountable by maintaining friendships with other godly men and especially other elders in the church and by seeking the counsel of his wife. Currently, for me I am blessed to have an honest and godly wife who tells me the truth even when it hurts. I am also blessed to have several godly men that are helpful in keeping me accountable.
13. Who are your favorite Christian writers, commentators, theologians, etc.? Why? What books have you read in the past year?
D.A. Carson, Gordon Fee, C.H. Spurgeon, Paul Tripp, John MacArthur, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Paul Washer, and Richard Baxter just to name a few.
2010 reading- Hebrew Bible and my Greek NT, specifically 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, 1 Peter and currently reading 2 Peter along with several commentaries (I Corinthians by Barrett, 2 Corinthians by Barrett, 2 Corinthians by David Garland, 1 Peter by Achtemeier, and 2 Peter by Green). I have also read in the past year Citizen Soldiers, D-Day, The Treasure Principle, Power Through Weakness, A Shepherd Leader.
2011- reason For God by Tim Keller, The Man Who was Thursday by GK Chesterton, Do Hard Things by the Harris Brothers, 1 and 2 Peter in the Greek with commentaries,
14. Describe an instance when you made attempts to reform the church in some significant area. What were the results? What did it cost you personally?
During my most recent pastorate, I took a stand on the authority of God’s word and was told to stop preaching certain portions of the scriptures or lose my job. Because I did not stop preaching, teaching, or standing on God’s authoritative word a petition was circulated to have me fired. When I asked why I was being fired the answer was simply that I was not a good pastor. I then stated that I knew I was not a perfect pastor because no pastor was, but I did not understand why I had not been a “good pastor” when all I had done was preach, teach, and stand on the word of God. I was then interrupted and told that they were not saying that I was not a biblical pastor just that I was not a good pastor. Because I believed and still believe that a biblical pastor is a good pastor I did not resign and was fired a week later.
15. Describe your leadership style. What have been some weaknesses? Strengths?
To be humbly bold, and to lead by example while coming along side others to encourage them. I am not the type of leader that thinks he can or should do it all. Administrative stuff is definitely a weakness for me. I can be impatient at times and not take the time I should to wait. Strengths are not wanting to be a quitter; I want to persevere, even when it gets hard. I also will not back down on the truths of the gospel; I will stand firm on the God’s truth.
16. When you have met with opposition, has it been mostly related to your style of leadership, your personality, your beliefs, or something else?
My beliefs have met with opposition, specifically my beliefs in the inerrancy and total sufficiency of scripture, as well as my beliefs in the doctrines of grace, especially how these truths play out in every day theology, not just on paper. Most people seem to assume many conflicts in churches are caused by personalities clashing, that has not been my experience, although there have been clashes because of beliefs.
17. According to your observations, what doctrines needs special emphasis in our day?
The doctrine of Christ, the authority (not just inerrancy) of the Bible, the costliness of grace as opposed to the error of cheap grace (in short really following Jesus), the reality of suffering for sake of the gospel, the doctrine of the church, and God's working humility in our lives.
18. What is true biblical repentance?
Repentance consists of rightly seeing your sin, rightly confessing your sin, rightly seeking forgiveness (not just saying sorry) from God and others, and turning from that sin by the empowerment of the Spirit, to a life of righteousness.
19. What is true biblical faith?
It is being known by Him and knowing Him. Such vital faith translates into some very real vital signs and will never cease to be found in the life of a genuine Christ-follower.
20. Explain justification by faith. What is the difference between the Catholic view of justification and the biblical view?
Catholics believe in grace plus sacraments, the bible is clear that our justification is based not on any action that we have, but solely grounded on the work of Christ; his righteous/sinless life and his work of redemption on the cross. The whole work of salvation, justification, sanctification, and glorification is founded in Christ’s justification. Christ is all!
21. Please explain your view of sanctification. What are the various means God uses to sanctify the believer?
Sanctification is a work of grace the same as justification and glorification. The Lord works out our sanctification in the same manner. He has imputed his righteous nature to us and it is through His righteous life living in us that we are able to run to the end and able to live a holy life. God uses all manner of things to sanctify. We are sanctified when God brings us under pressure through trials and tribulations and refines the gold and burns away the chaff.
22. Can a person have Christ as his Savior without submitting to Him as Lord? Explain.
No, but I still do believe that there are carnal/backslidden Christians who need to be confronted in love and brought back to the fold. Corinthians is clear (although many godly men would disagree with me) that there are genuine brothers and sisters in Christ who, for a season, don’t submit to Christ the way they should, but if they are true believers and are confronted they will repent and return.
23. What is your position on the inerrancy of Scripture?
The Old and New Testaments in their original autographs are completely a work of God, without error and incapable of being erroneous.
24. Explain the biblical term “baptism of the Spirit.” When does this baptism occur?
It is instantaneous to conversion and synonymous with the reception of the Spirit. When you receive the spirit you are baptized in the spirit.
25. What are your views on baptism by water?
Baptism by immersion in water is the only biblical mode of baptism. Baptism in itself is an outward display of an inward work (one of two) and, therefore, serves not a means of salvation but as a response to salvation.
26. How does the Bible relate the sovereignty of God to salvation?
Every aspect of our coming to know God is a work of God. (John 6:44)
27. What does the Bible teach about the extent of man’s depravity?
We were dead in our trespasses and sins in which we once walked (Eph 2). We are dead at the bottom of the pool and God must not only drag us up but also breathe new life into us (borrowing R. C. Sproul’s analogy). In short, man is completely and totally depraved.
28. What does Christ’s atonement accomplish?
For believers, an absolute demolition of the enmity between them and God. A transference of our sin to Christ and His righteousness to us. I am absolutely sure that the Bible is clear only believers eternally profit from Christ’s atonement, yet I am somewhat unsure that Christ’s atonement did nothing for all people. I don’t know what precisely Christ did for all (I believe this is a mystery in scripture), just that it was something not nothing.
29. What does the Bible teach about the perseverance and preservation of believers?
Every genuine believer will be brought to glorification. God will not forget and cannot forget even one of His elect.
30. What is the proper use of the Old Testament law?
It is to teach us that we are sinners in need of a Savior, and to remind us to be humble before our great God after conversion.
31. How do you articulate your present view of end-time or eschatological issues?
I am Post Tribulational, Pre-Millennial -- but ultimately I, as they say, am a pan-millennialist (I am pretty sure it‘s gonna all pan out in the end!). Let me say, too, that I would never break fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who disagreed with me on this issue.
32. Do you believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin? What is the significance of your belief?
Yes, you have no God-man without a virgin birth.
33. What is your interpretation of the biblical teaching on Hell?
I believe in a literal hell.
34. Do you believe that the events described in Genesis 1-11 are factual or symbolic?
Factual.
35. What does the Bible teach concerning spiritual gifts? Please delineate your views about prophecy and speaking in tongues.
Although many spiritual gifts are abused, the bible no where says that they have ceased. Therefore we must be careful not to say more, or less, then scripture says. I do believe that prophecy and speaking in tongues are still useful and utilized for edification in the church, when strictly biblically practiced.
36. What is your view of divorce and remarriage? How strictly will you follow this view in practice?
I don’t ever believe that divorce is a godly choice, though I do believe that God can heal those damaged by divorce and that He is providential enough and good enough to work through the most painful of divorces. I believe every situation is specific to those individuals and I will work toward relational restoration as much as I am able, while always leaning towards grace and not condemnation. I will strictly try to cling to the cross and encourage others to do the same concerning this issue.
37. What is your view of the phrase, “The bishop [pastor] then must be...the husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2)?
A lot has been said by many a commentator regarding this verse. This is true in large part because the phrase in the Greek is difficult as a stand alone phrase. In context, however, what is clear is that an elder/bishop/pastor must maintain marital fidelity. Though it would perhaps be helpful for me to say more, I am confident that the Greek text will not allow me to add anything more to the fact that an elder must be faithful to his wife.
38. What are your requirements for performing a marriage ceremony?
Any couple that would like me to marry them must first agree to pre-marital counseling with me. Such counseling would be conducted over the course of no less than 6-8 weeks (1 session a week for 2 months). It should also be noted that I will not marry an unbeliever to a believer, nor will I refrain from presenting the gospel during the course of the ceremony or the counseling.
39. Please explain your views on church discipline. Relate any personal experience.
I have had personal experience with church discipline. The most recent instance was initiated on a rebellious “sister” who slandered two other church members, made demands rooted in fear, and left the church when denied. Matthew 18 was followed all the way but eventually rejected at the church business meeting. This lady is currently still on the church roll. Though very unpopular by most and abused by some, church discipline is something that must be practiced in order to protect God’s people from those who seek their spiritual demise and to bring genuine but wayward brothers and sisters back into the fold via repentance and restoration. The actual process of church discipline should be done in accordance with God’s word (Matt. 18 for example) and in a spirit of a love and humility.
40. How would you handle a case of scandal or immorality by a church member?
I would follow the course of action outlined in Matt. 18.
41. What is your view on abortion?
It should be illegal, is murder and abhorrent.
42. Many children who appear to be converted at an early age show no evidence of knowing Christ later. How do you handle children when they come to you for counsel concerning conversion? What is your advice to parents?
This is a great example of why church membership should not be approached cavalierly. Whether you are talking about children or adults, certain “safeguards” (like meetings with the elders and a membership class) should be in place to allow the elders to determine as much as possible whether or not a potential member is truly converted and understands the requirements of membership in that church. Having said that, I would not treat a child any different than an adult and I would encourage parents to share the gospel with their children and help them as much as possible to understand the truths of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
43. What is a useful plan for receiving new members into the church? What are prerequisites?
I would say that a 6-8 week Sunday School class and/or comparable weekly meetings with the pastor for potential members is a good place to start. It would allow those desiring membership to be reminded that the Bible requires conversion to be a prerequisite for church membership. It would also allow the potential member to gain a better understanding of the church’s doctrinal/practical outlook (i.e. the church’s statement of faith, constitution, by-laws, requirements for membership, etc.) Then an interview and application process followed up by the elders in the church, to give the church a better vision of the prospective member and to provide accountability for that new member as well as accountability and protection for the church. A public confession of conversion (either recorded or live) is also required as mandated by scripture.
44. What are your views on styles of church music?
Whatever leads us to worship God and magnify Him. I love both hymns and contemporary music so long as it glorifies God truthfully and isn’t based on unbiblical ideas.
45. Who should direct the worship of the church? Why? Which methods of leading corporate worship are appropriate? Which are inappropriate?
Ultimately the leadership of the church should lead by supplying the content and structure of all aspects of the worship. Having said that, I am perfectly okay with faithful, truly regenerate church members helping facilitate the worship (music) on Sunday mornings. I see no prohibition against such a practice and I am equally convinced any method that is biblically sound is God-honoring and any method that runs counter to His word should be done away with.
46. What does the Bible teach is the purpose of the church’s weekly gathering?
To corporately worship God and grow more like His Son.
47. What are your views regarding raising money for various projects within the church? Should the church solicit those outside the church?
I am not against using any funds that have been obtained honestly, diligently, and without unfair strings attached by either those within the church or without.
48. What are your convictions about the local church and debt?
I would say that the ideal is always that the church avoid debt.
49. What does the bible teach about women in pastoral ministry?
Women have an important place in ministry within the church, but the office of pastor/elder is reserved for men.
50. What does the Bible teach about how churches should make decisions?
Scripturally, a plurality of qualified men (elders) are to make decisions within the church, but never without the support and awareness of the congregation as a whole.
51. How should a pastor and his church relate to other churches locally and (if denominational) to the larger body? Do you feel comfortable cooperating with other denominations? Do you draw any lines?
A pastor must always remember that whatever church he serves is only a small part of a larger fellowship of believers. I would absolutely work with other churches in my denomination without question and any church outside the SBC, as long as they affirm the essential doctrines of the faith.
52. What are the biblical responsibilities of elders? Are there any distinctions between elders, pastors, and overseers? If applicable, what distinctions exist between staff and non-staff pastors?
The responsibilities of the elder are to provide leadership and protection to the church. In a certain sense, elder, pastor, and overseer are synonymous terms, but some allowance should be made for slight differences. Many small churches only have one pastor on staff, but that doesn’t mean that a non-staff elder is any less important or any less authoritative then that one paid individual. Also, each elder, though equal, is gifted differently. Each elder has their own ability and spiritual gifts. For some, this may mean preaching, for others it may be administration, or counseling, etc. Every member of the body is essential.
53. What are the biblical responsibilities of deacons? How are deacons and elders to relate?
Deacons are biblically to be servants who allow the elders to do the work of leadership as they have been called by God to do so. They take care of the people of the church and community based also on giftedness and qualification.
54. What emphasis do you give to the leadership of fathers with their families, especially in terms of family worship? Do you personally engage in family worship with your wife and children?
I put a very high emphasis on fathers loving their wives as Christ loves the church and recognizing that their children are their greatest ministry and they are called to disciple those children. I consider family worship to be very important. But family worship, although essential, is only a part of a father and mother discipling their children and being present in engaging their children daily, addressing sin, carrying out discipline, and approbation. During family worship we have a prayer time with our children, read a portion of scripture (currently Acts), memorize new scripture and/or go over previous memorized scripture, and answer questions. Our children are still very small and as they grow I hope to add more depth and to our family devotions.
55. What is your missionary vision for the church? How are you currently demonstrating missionary interest and involvement?
I believe that a church should be locally and globally minded. Without doubt a church must plant churches all the well aiding other churches to do the same. I have every intention of helping to cast a vision to be a church that plants churches as well as planning an overseas mission trip for whatever church the Lord takes me to. Larissa and I have several friends serving as missionaries overseas who are looking for groups to come. This would not be my only focus, however. Whatever community that I enter as a pastor will be a focus of my efforts to share the Savior that I love. I am also a supporter of the cooperative program. As I said before there are many people in ministry that we are close to who have benefited from the amazing work that the SBC cooperative program does.
