Are you noticing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ seems to be coming from sources that you would never expect?
Justin Bieber, American Idol, Survivor, Tim Tebow, The X-Factor, and even the Queen of England’s annual Christmas address. In his blog, Steve Addison commented that the Queen’s words voiced a more profound understanding of Jesus than the messages from England’s clerics (read it here: http://www.movements.net/2011/12/26/the-queens-christmas-message.html).
What’s going on?
I wonder if the stones are starting to cry out. Remember in Luke 19, as Jesus entered Jerusalem to the praise-filled shouts of the people, the church leaders tried to quiet the people down. Jesus replied to these representatives of chosen Israel, these holders of the keys to the Kingdom, these shepherds of the flock, these keepers of the Word: “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (vs. 40).
What happens when the church starts to suppress the Gospel? What happens when the actions of God’s people do a disservice to the sacred message? What happens when those who are appointed to represent Christ focus more on representing themselves? What happens when the church turns inward, removes itself from its role of being a city set on a hill, and busies itself with survival and control instead of sacrifice and outreach?
The stones cry out.
I get a little scared about this. God sent Israel into exile because they squelched the message and mission. He had people like Nebuchadnezzar and Darius proclaim the Savior to the world. The “stones” cried out when the church forsook its first love.
So, back to Justin Bieber, Survivor, and Tim Tebow. As the stones begin to cry out, shouldn’t we in the church be shaken enough to remember our first love, repent, and get back to risking it all for God’s mission? What will that look like for you?
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
You Do Make A Difference
On the Friday night before Thanksgiving week, a friend of mine, his wife, and his mother were killed in a fiery crash when a semi tractor and trailer plowed into their car on the interstate. They were traveling home from his daughter’s wedding. He just walked her down the aisle and whispered “I love you” in her ear. The highway patrol had to find where the young couple was honeymooning in a mountain cabin to break the tragic news to the new bride and groom at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday.
These are the kinds of events that take your breath away and cause you to look up to the heavens and ask God, “What are you doing?” and “Where are you?”
My friend’s brother suddenly went from planning Thanksgiving dinner for the family to helping to plan three funerals. After I sent him a message of sympathy in which I could barely find the words to express my sorrow to him, he replied with steady words of faith and hope. He said:
“On Friday night, God said ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’ Jesus sacrificed everything so that we could have the promise of eternal life with our Heavenly Father. I KNOW that my redeemer lives!”
Then he went on to say that the main reason his faith is so strong is because of the pastor he had throughout his childhood and young adult years. He said that his pastor never wavered in his faith. This faithful pastor was a rock for him as he grew up. Through some of the toughest times, this pastor helped him. In fact, he said that he asks himself even today: “What would pastor think of this?” Besides his parents, his pastor continues to be one of the most influential people in his life--even though his pastor retired years ago and lives far away.
What does all this mean? Pastors, servants of Jesus, you who invest yourselves in the lives of others for the sake of Jesus Christ: YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. During this season of reflection, don’t give up. Keep going. Trust the Lord of the church. You do make a difference!
These are the kinds of events that take your breath away and cause you to look up to the heavens and ask God, “What are you doing?” and “Where are you?”
My friend’s brother suddenly went from planning Thanksgiving dinner for the family to helping to plan three funerals. After I sent him a message of sympathy in which I could barely find the words to express my sorrow to him, he replied with steady words of faith and hope. He said:
“On Friday night, God said ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’ Jesus sacrificed everything so that we could have the promise of eternal life with our Heavenly Father. I KNOW that my redeemer lives!”
Then he went on to say that the main reason his faith is so strong is because of the pastor he had throughout his childhood and young adult years. He said that his pastor never wavered in his faith. This faithful pastor was a rock for him as he grew up. Through some of the toughest times, this pastor helped him. In fact, he said that he asks himself even today: “What would pastor think of this?” Besides his parents, his pastor continues to be one of the most influential people in his life--even though his pastor retired years ago and lives far away.
What does all this mean? Pastors, servants of Jesus, you who invest yourselves in the lives of others for the sake of Jesus Christ: YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. During this season of reflection, don’t give up. Keep going. Trust the Lord of the church. You do make a difference!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Reformation Rumblings
Not long ago, I heard Felicity Dale, co-author of “The Rabbit and the Elephant,” make this comment: “During the Reformation God put the Bible into the hands of ordinary people. Today, God is putting the church into the hands of ordinary people.”
The content of the comment struck me as thought provoking. But the fact that she brought up the Reformation also struck me as very interesting. I’m hearing a lot of talk about the Reformation these days.
As a Lutheran, I observe that we tend to claim the Reformation as “our thing.” Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress,” “Here I stand, I can do no other,”--we celebrate, remember, and treasure the Reformation.
More and more, however, I am hearing Reformation talk from broader Christian circles. They’re making it more “their thing” too.
Why? What’s happening?
Let’s answer the question by looking at five key phenomena happening then and now:
1. Technological Innovation: 75 years after the invention of the printing press, the dissemination of information was at a new level. Today, immediate digital communication is in the palm of people’s hands. Something new is happening and the church is wondering how this might impact the mission of God.
2. Institutional Fatigue: As the Roman Catholic Church battled corruption and financial desperation for in-house projects, today’s mainline denominations continue to hurt financially and disintegrate theologically. The church is wondering what this might mean for a post-denominational and post-congregational mindset.
3. Personal Conviction: Luther was gripped by the Gospel. The message of salvation by grace through faith drove him to be a voice for God’s true Word. Today, many are being gripped by mission, the sentness of God’s people into a lost world. New voices are being raised to advocate outreach action and sentness versus inreach complacency and isolation.
4. A New Location: Rome was the epicenter of the church during the pre-Reformation era. Germany was on the fringe of where “it was happening.” But change happened from outside the institutional safe-zone. Today, Asia, Africa, and South America are demonstrating rapid movements of Kingdom expansion while the church in the west is, at best, trying to figure out the key to church multiplication and, at worst, distracted by its own inward thinking.
5. Transitional Times: The Reformation was a messy time of new communication modes, new ways of life, new thoughts, and re-developing theology. We live in a similar time--in-between conventional and new methods of communication, in-between the old analog and new digital, in-between store and online shopping, in-between church the way it was and church reinvented. It’s a messy time of transition, and we don’t know how it will end up.
The times are very similar to Reformation times. Do we realize it? Are we engaging in asking questions, lifting up our prayers to the Head of the Church, and listening for His guidance? Are we willing to be courageous as the ways of man are cast aside and the ways of God break through into our lives?
During these Reformation days, are we willing to be a part of it or will we resist it to preserve our comfort levels and control?
The content of the comment struck me as thought provoking. But the fact that she brought up the Reformation also struck me as very interesting. I’m hearing a lot of talk about the Reformation these days.
As a Lutheran, I observe that we tend to claim the Reformation as “our thing.” Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress,” “Here I stand, I can do no other,”--we celebrate, remember, and treasure the Reformation.
More and more, however, I am hearing Reformation talk from broader Christian circles. They’re making it more “their thing” too.
Why? What’s happening?
Let’s answer the question by looking at five key phenomena happening then and now:
1. Technological Innovation: 75 years after the invention of the printing press, the dissemination of information was at a new level. Today, immediate digital communication is in the palm of people’s hands. Something new is happening and the church is wondering how this might impact the mission of God.
2. Institutional Fatigue: As the Roman Catholic Church battled corruption and financial desperation for in-house projects, today’s mainline denominations continue to hurt financially and disintegrate theologically. The church is wondering what this might mean for a post-denominational and post-congregational mindset.
3. Personal Conviction: Luther was gripped by the Gospel. The message of salvation by grace through faith drove him to be a voice for God’s true Word. Today, many are being gripped by mission, the sentness of God’s people into a lost world. New voices are being raised to advocate outreach action and sentness versus inreach complacency and isolation.
4. A New Location: Rome was the epicenter of the church during the pre-Reformation era. Germany was on the fringe of where “it was happening.” But change happened from outside the institutional safe-zone. Today, Asia, Africa, and South America are demonstrating rapid movements of Kingdom expansion while the church in the west is, at best, trying to figure out the key to church multiplication and, at worst, distracted by its own inward thinking.
5. Transitional Times: The Reformation was a messy time of new communication modes, new ways of life, new thoughts, and re-developing theology. We live in a similar time--in-between conventional and new methods of communication, in-between the old analog and new digital, in-between store and online shopping, in-between church the way it was and church reinvented. It’s a messy time of transition, and we don’t know how it will end up.
The times are very similar to Reformation times. Do we realize it? Are we engaging in asking questions, lifting up our prayers to the Head of the Church, and listening for His guidance? Are we willing to be courageous as the ways of man are cast aside and the ways of God break through into our lives?
During these Reformation days, are we willing to be a part of it or will we resist it to preserve our comfort levels and control?
Monday, November 14, 2011
Accidental Pharisee, Part 2
As we become weary with a culture that drifts farther away from Christ's ways, our own souls can become sour. At a recent conference, Larry Osborne gave a talk about becoming an “Accidental Pharisee,” stumbling into a critical and bitter life that becomes angry at unbelievers instead of showing compassion.
In part one of this article, I mentioned the trap of arrogance. Osborne highlighted five additional pitfalls for Kingdom workers:
1. You trust in your own righteousness, your work performance, your knowledge of doctrine, and your “give-it-all” attitude as you grow bitter at people who don’t perform like you. You may even take credit for God’s successes. The answer? Remember who you really are: a broken sinner who has received the precious gift of God’s grace in Jesus. This levels the playing field in a big way.
2. You raise the bar that Jesus came to lower. It’s so easy to become frustrated when people don’t take the church as seriously as you do. In fact, you can become downright angry, coercive, and rude. You may even start to despise “carnal Christians,” nominal believers on the fringes who don’t perform for the church. The answer? Jesus didn’t come to enhance our spiritual performance. He went to the cross to lower the bar! His yoke is easy and burden is light. It’s time to reflect that grace to the world and to bless the world, not curse it.
3. You demand from others what you fail to do yourself. This is the curse of hypocrisy. We can’t pretend to be what we aren't and teach people to do what we don't. The answer? Not perfection. Not expertise in every area of life. The answer is simple authenticity, acknowledging that you are a fellow struggler sitting at the feet of your Savior.
4. You idolize the past. This will cripple your ministry. The Pharisees loved everything the way it was. But God put us here right now. He wants us to live right now. The answer? Give God thanks for the past, but ask Him to give you wisdom and grace for this time and this generation.
5. You put sacrifice and rules above mercy. The Pharisees turned the gift of the Sabbath into a set of regulations. As we become more passionate about God’s gifts, we may also get more black and white about living out the Gospel. The answer? Remember what God requires: To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Mercy, not sacrifice. The Bible is not a rulebook. It is written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, we may have life in His name.
As the culture becomes less church-like and as you get more passionate about God’s work, be careful that you don’t wake up as an accidental Pharisee. If you find yourself getting angry about Kingdom work, you may need a good dose of the Living Word--leading you to repentance and the refreshing grace of God for us sinners.
In part one of this article, I mentioned the trap of arrogance. Osborne highlighted five additional pitfalls for Kingdom workers:
1. You trust in your own righteousness, your work performance, your knowledge of doctrine, and your “give-it-all” attitude as you grow bitter at people who don’t perform like you. You may even take credit for God’s successes. The answer? Remember who you really are: a broken sinner who has received the precious gift of God’s grace in Jesus. This levels the playing field in a big way.
2. You raise the bar that Jesus came to lower. It’s so easy to become frustrated when people don’t take the church as seriously as you do. In fact, you can become downright angry, coercive, and rude. You may even start to despise “carnal Christians,” nominal believers on the fringes who don’t perform for the church. The answer? Jesus didn’t come to enhance our spiritual performance. He went to the cross to lower the bar! His yoke is easy and burden is light. It’s time to reflect that grace to the world and to bless the world, not curse it.
3. You demand from others what you fail to do yourself. This is the curse of hypocrisy. We can’t pretend to be what we aren't and teach people to do what we don't. The answer? Not perfection. Not expertise in every area of life. The answer is simple authenticity, acknowledging that you are a fellow struggler sitting at the feet of your Savior.
4. You idolize the past. This will cripple your ministry. The Pharisees loved everything the way it was. But God put us here right now. He wants us to live right now. The answer? Give God thanks for the past, but ask Him to give you wisdom and grace for this time and this generation.
5. You put sacrifice and rules above mercy. The Pharisees turned the gift of the Sabbath into a set of regulations. As we become more passionate about God’s gifts, we may also get more black and white about living out the Gospel. The answer? Remember what God requires: To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Mercy, not sacrifice. The Bible is not a rulebook. It is written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, we may have life in His name.
As the culture becomes less church-like and as you get more passionate about God’s work, be careful that you don’t wake up as an accidental Pharisee. If you find yourself getting angry about Kingdom work, you may need a good dose of the Living Word--leading you to repentance and the refreshing grace of God for us sinners.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Walking Sacraments
Dr. Jack Preus gave an excellent presentation at the 2011 Professional Church Workers’ Conference in Houston. His talk about incarnational witness caused me to recall Luther’s entertaining the idea that confession and absolution could very well be a sacrament. The command from Jesus is there. The promise of forgiveness of sins is there. Luther wondered what might the visible means be. Perhaps the pastor. Luther ventured into the sacramental, incarnational work of Jesus through people!
God established His incarnational, sacramental presence immediately as He interacted with His precious creation. He walked with Adam in the Garden of Eden. After the Fall He continued to be present with His people. The burning bush, the pillars of fire and cloud, the smoke in both tabernacle and temple. This was God--present for the purpose of salvation.
Add to that sacramental presence the person of the prophet--his word and action. See the incarnational, sacramental presence of God reach a high point in the Word made flesh who made His dwelling among us, Jesus Himself. Note that instead of leaving us with no incarnational presence, Jesus instituted and gave the gift of the Lord’s Supper.
God is always present for the purpose of His salvation. Look at baptism. See the living Word of God.
And look at people--believers in Christ. Luther was on the right track. We are “walking sacraments.” We’ve been commanded to go. We’ve been “instituted” to forgive the sins of others. We’re visible and tangible. Believers are God’s sacramental, incarnational presence in the world.
Instead of merely sitting in church waiting for God to show up in the world, we’re called to get out into the world as walking sacraments, as the incarnational “showing up” of God where He is needed most. When God’s redeemed people show up, He shows up. His real presence is made manifest through us to bless the world, to give the world the hope it needs, and to send more “walking sacraments” to people who desperately need to see that God is truly with us!
God established His incarnational, sacramental presence immediately as He interacted with His precious creation. He walked with Adam in the Garden of Eden. After the Fall He continued to be present with His people. The burning bush, the pillars of fire and cloud, the smoke in both tabernacle and temple. This was God--present for the purpose of salvation.
Add to that sacramental presence the person of the prophet--his word and action. See the incarnational, sacramental presence of God reach a high point in the Word made flesh who made His dwelling among us, Jesus Himself. Note that instead of leaving us with no incarnational presence, Jesus instituted and gave the gift of the Lord’s Supper.
God is always present for the purpose of His salvation. Look at baptism. See the living Word of God.
And look at people--believers in Christ. Luther was on the right track. We are “walking sacraments.” We’ve been commanded to go. We’ve been “instituted” to forgive the sins of others. We’re visible and tangible. Believers are God’s sacramental, incarnational presence in the world.
Instead of merely sitting in church waiting for God to show up in the world, we’re called to get out into the world as walking sacraments, as the incarnational “showing up” of God where He is needed most. When God’s redeemed people show up, He shows up. His real presence is made manifest through us to bless the world, to give the world the hope it needs, and to send more “walking sacraments” to people who desperately need to see that God is truly with us!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Accidental Pharisee, Part 1
At a recent conference, Larry Osborne gave a talk about becoming an “Accidental Pharisee.” He promised a book would be coming soon. When the book comes out, I would recommend reading it.
The subtitle of his talk was: “The hidden dangers of high-commitment Christianity.” In other words, what starts out as a very good thing can become toxic and harmful. As Osborne pointed out, the Pharisees excelled in the qualities of what a disciple of the true God should be. But they went from passionate, to becoming self-appointed defenders of God, to morphing into the enemies of God.
This can happen to us, too.
In his talk, Dr. Osborne highlighted six danger signs that indicate you might be in “Pharisee-land.” The first is:
A tendency to look down on everyone else.
This is the sin of arrogance. Dr. Osborne pointed out Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. He emphasized that it is a small step from being discerning to becoming critical. What are some symptoms that you might have stumbled into “Pharisee-land”?
1. No one matches up with you except those in your tribe--and, sometimes, just a subset of your tribe. If your overall attitude toward fellow believers is to test their doctrine as a first step, you may be in serious danger. If you feel like you can’t even trust your own tribe, arrogance may be a serious issue in your life.
2. You begin to lose grace for blind spots people might have. Even God forgave people’s blind spots and weaknesses. Some of His most effective servants had blind spots. If everyone else is unworthy and flawed in your view, you may be falling to the sin of arrogance.
3. You lose your mercy for the struggling. Pride is really a big deal. Osborne made a dramatic point by saying: "Jesus would rather have you struggle with porn than pride. Why? Because he says he hates pride. This is what caused Lucifer to be cast out from the presence of God.” Neither sin is acceptable, but pride is more destructive than we realize.
Dear friends, be on guard against becoming and accidental Pharisee! Take refuge humbly and repentantly in living Word of God. Let the Good Shepherd restore your heart and soul.
Next Installment: Danger Sign #2: You Trust in Your Own Righteousness.
The subtitle of his talk was: “The hidden dangers of high-commitment Christianity.” In other words, what starts out as a very good thing can become toxic and harmful. As Osborne pointed out, the Pharisees excelled in the qualities of what a disciple of the true God should be. But they went from passionate, to becoming self-appointed defenders of God, to morphing into the enemies of God.
This can happen to us, too.
In his talk, Dr. Osborne highlighted six danger signs that indicate you might be in “Pharisee-land.” The first is:
A tendency to look down on everyone else.
This is the sin of arrogance. Dr. Osborne pointed out Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. He emphasized that it is a small step from being discerning to becoming critical. What are some symptoms that you might have stumbled into “Pharisee-land”?
1. No one matches up with you except those in your tribe--and, sometimes, just a subset of your tribe. If your overall attitude toward fellow believers is to test their doctrine as a first step, you may be in serious danger. If you feel like you can’t even trust your own tribe, arrogance may be a serious issue in your life.
2. You begin to lose grace for blind spots people might have. Even God forgave people’s blind spots and weaknesses. Some of His most effective servants had blind spots. If everyone else is unworthy and flawed in your view, you may be falling to the sin of arrogance.
3. You lose your mercy for the struggling. Pride is really a big deal. Osborne made a dramatic point by saying: "Jesus would rather have you struggle with porn than pride. Why? Because he says he hates pride. This is what caused Lucifer to be cast out from the presence of God.” Neither sin is acceptable, but pride is more destructive than we realize.
Dear friends, be on guard against becoming and accidental Pharisee! Take refuge humbly and repentantly in living Word of God. Let the Good Shepherd restore your heart and soul.
Next Installment: Danger Sign #2: You Trust in Your Own Righteousness.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Casual Church
A Christian in India said to Francis Chan: “How can you be casual about something you’ll lose everything for?”
This Christian was asked why his faith in Christ spilled over into every area of his life and conversation.
In China, Chan described a uniquely Western phenomenon: “Where I come from people go to services in buildings and switch if they want a better speaker or better childcare or better music.”
The underground church participants laughed hysterically. Impossible, they thought.
In our Western bubble, we sometimes believe that the United States’ expression of the Christian Church is the norm around the world. We think that because of the freedom of Christian development, we represent what the world should conform and aspire to. Organization, education, strategy, you name it: we can begin to believe that we’re doing everything the way it should be done.
But the facts are much different. The United States comprises only 4% of the world’s population. The way “we” do it is, in fact, a minority expression of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Of course, Biblical principles are to remain consistent in the body of Christ. But a number of non-biblical attitudes and practices have taken hold in the cultural development of Western Christianity. These attitudes and practices are not necessarily all bad, but they may skew Western Christianity’s congruence with what the Scriptures show the Church is to be.
One skewed reality is casual and compartmentalized Christianity. As one Asian believer stated: “To have people come into a room who do not want to be disciple-makers doesn't make sense.”
Will we as Western believers defend all we’re doing and vehemently declare that in the area of Church we have no sin? Or will we humbly and repentantly consider the question we started with: “How can you be casual about something you’ll lose everything for?”
This Christian was asked why his faith in Christ spilled over into every area of his life and conversation.
In China, Chan described a uniquely Western phenomenon: “Where I come from people go to services in buildings and switch if they want a better speaker or better childcare or better music.”
The underground church participants laughed hysterically. Impossible, they thought.
In our Western bubble, we sometimes believe that the United States’ expression of the Christian Church is the norm around the world. We think that because of the freedom of Christian development, we represent what the world should conform and aspire to. Organization, education, strategy, you name it: we can begin to believe that we’re doing everything the way it should be done.
But the facts are much different. The United States comprises only 4% of the world’s population. The way “we” do it is, in fact, a minority expression of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Of course, Biblical principles are to remain consistent in the body of Christ. But a number of non-biblical attitudes and practices have taken hold in the cultural development of Western Christianity. These attitudes and practices are not necessarily all bad, but they may skew Western Christianity’s congruence with what the Scriptures show the Church is to be.
One skewed reality is casual and compartmentalized Christianity. As one Asian believer stated: “To have people come into a room who do not want to be disciple-makers doesn't make sense.”
Will we as Western believers defend all we’re doing and vehemently declare that in the area of Church we have no sin? Or will we humbly and repentantly consider the question we started with: “How can you be casual about something you’ll lose everything for?”
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
This is Hard
I received a note from a friend of mine who has served as a missionary in Burkina Faso, West Africa for twenty years. He shared the news that for the very first time in history, the local people who are now believers will be praying for their people. Most of the Koromba people are either animist or Muslim. A small band of about 30 believers in an area of over 100,000 people will be lifting them up in prayer that all may know Jesus and the life He gives.
This is a big deal. It’s taken decades to get to this point. It’s been a challenging, stretching, high-effort, persistent, relational outreach. Little by little fruit is being borne.
When we in the U.S. hear about the growth of Christianity in Africa or Asia, we rejoice, but we also may veer off in two directions.
First, we may think it’s easy. We think the Western cultural barriers don’t lend themselves to a movement of Kingdom expansion. We imagine that our lives are much more complex, fragmented, technical and advanced. People in our culture, we conjecture, aren’t as amenable to the Gospel. But in Asia and Africa--well, life is simpler, more networked and, therefore, “easy pickings” for the spread of the Gospel.
Second, we may miss the point. Instead of marveling at the work of the Holy Spirit in the Southern Hemisphere, we may start to worship the movement. We may become enamored with the numbers and lust after the phenomenon as an idol. Crying out “We want a movement, too!” may be more about possessing success than seeing God succeed in people’s hearts and souls.
Two truths need reinforcement among us in the West. First, the movement of the Gospel in Africa and Asia is hard work. It’s a difficult journey. The blood of many believers cries out from the ground of those nations and forms a foundation for what is happening today. The living Word continues to pound against spiritual and cultural barriers that we can’t even imagine.
Second, a primary weakness in our lives is the production of idols. The book of Deuteronomy opens with a dissection of our souls, making us aware of the fact that we always lean toward idol development and worship. As the Church expands around the world, we need to keep our eye on the ball--the cause of the Gospel, and not lapse into competing for the best world mission movement.
Around the world, every believer in the East, West, South or North has been called by Jesus to deny himself and take up his cross and follow. It’s hard. And it’s all about Jesus, not about us.
This is a big deal. It’s taken decades to get to this point. It’s been a challenging, stretching, high-effort, persistent, relational outreach. Little by little fruit is being borne.
When we in the U.S. hear about the growth of Christianity in Africa or Asia, we rejoice, but we also may veer off in two directions.
First, we may think it’s easy. We think the Western cultural barriers don’t lend themselves to a movement of Kingdom expansion. We imagine that our lives are much more complex, fragmented, technical and advanced. People in our culture, we conjecture, aren’t as amenable to the Gospel. But in Asia and Africa--well, life is simpler, more networked and, therefore, “easy pickings” for the spread of the Gospel.
Second, we may miss the point. Instead of marveling at the work of the Holy Spirit in the Southern Hemisphere, we may start to worship the movement. We may become enamored with the numbers and lust after the phenomenon as an idol. Crying out “We want a movement, too!” may be more about possessing success than seeing God succeed in people’s hearts and souls.
Two truths need reinforcement among us in the West. First, the movement of the Gospel in Africa and Asia is hard work. It’s a difficult journey. The blood of many believers cries out from the ground of those nations and forms a foundation for what is happening today. The living Word continues to pound against spiritual and cultural barriers that we can’t even imagine.
Second, a primary weakness in our lives is the production of idols. The book of Deuteronomy opens with a dissection of our souls, making us aware of the fact that we always lean toward idol development and worship. As the Church expands around the world, we need to keep our eye on the ball--the cause of the Gospel, and not lapse into competing for the best world mission movement.
Around the world, every believer in the East, West, South or North has been called by Jesus to deny himself and take up his cross and follow. It’s hard. And it’s all about Jesus, not about us.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Five Challenges for the American Church
In a recent presentation, David Olson, author of “The American Church in Crisis,” highlighted five outreach challenges facing the American church today. Below are the five challenges along with five questions for your planning process as you enter a new season of ministry:
1. The Population challenge - America is the only highly developed country that is seeing population growth. Over the past twenty years, the population grew by over 56 million people. The church's net gain during the same time period was 400,000. How is your church planning to reach the growing population with the Good News?
2. The Regional challenge - In a study of some key Texas Roman Catholic diocese, it was found that only 8.7% of Hispanics attend Mass on a given weekend. If you think Texas’ Community churches gather mass amounts of the population, the fact is that only 10.5% of people attend an Evangelical Church in Texas on a given weekend. The harvest is plentiful. How will you reach the ever-growing number of non-churchgoers and disenfranchised Hispanic Roman Catholics with the Gospel?
3. The Vitality Challenge - On the average, all churches over 40 years of age are declining. The 40-year mark is the break point. The only ways for the church to make progress is to get younger people or plant new churches. When and where will your next church plant be?
4. The Multi-ethnic and class challenge - The American church is becoming more suburban, more affluent, more educated, and more Anglo. The greater the poverty in the community, the worse the church is doing (this seems backwards). Monoethnicity can warp the gospel. The church's ability to really see the Scriptures is impaired when there is not a presence of the many cultural and class voices. What plan do you have for reaching “the least of these” during this new ministry season?
5. The Generational Challenge - Traditional American Christianity is feeling the "quakes" from secularization and new expressions of Christianity. Half of each new generation has the potential to connect with established churches, the other half will need new church plants--new expressions of Christianity. What new expression of Christianity will your new church plant focus on?
What progress can you make in answering these questions as you plan ministry this year and for the next five years?
1. The Population challenge - America is the only highly developed country that is seeing population growth. Over the past twenty years, the population grew by over 56 million people. The church's net gain during the same time period was 400,000. How is your church planning to reach the growing population with the Good News?
2. The Regional challenge - In a study of some key Texas Roman Catholic diocese, it was found that only 8.7% of Hispanics attend Mass on a given weekend. If you think Texas’ Community churches gather mass amounts of the population, the fact is that only 10.5% of people attend an Evangelical Church in Texas on a given weekend. The harvest is plentiful. How will you reach the ever-growing number of non-churchgoers and disenfranchised Hispanic Roman Catholics with the Gospel?
3. The Vitality Challenge - On the average, all churches over 40 years of age are declining. The 40-year mark is the break point. The only ways for the church to make progress is to get younger people or plant new churches. When and where will your next church plant be?
4. The Multi-ethnic and class challenge - The American church is becoming more suburban, more affluent, more educated, and more Anglo. The greater the poverty in the community, the worse the church is doing (this seems backwards). Monoethnicity can warp the gospel. The church's ability to really see the Scriptures is impaired when there is not a presence of the many cultural and class voices. What plan do you have for reaching “the least of these” during this new ministry season?
5. The Generational Challenge - Traditional American Christianity is feeling the "quakes" from secularization and new expressions of Christianity. Half of each new generation has the potential to connect with established churches, the other half will need new church plants--new expressions of Christianity. What new expression of Christianity will your new church plant focus on?
What progress can you make in answering these questions as you plan ministry this year and for the next five years?
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Believers are sons of...
I was reading Matthew 16 this week and noticed how Jesus responded to Peter’s confession. Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven” (vs. 17).
Most attention in Jesus’ response revolves around Simon’s name change to Peter and to Jesus’ proclamation that “on this rock” (“Peter” is related to the Greek word for “rock”) He will build His church.
But, as I read the entire chapter, I noticed that Jesus told the crowd that no sign would be given to the generation except the sign of Jonah (vs. 4). That got me thinking about Jesus’ strategic reference to Peter as a “son of Jonah.”
It appears that Jesus was priming Peter and all believers for God’s mission to reach the world--all nations. Peter, with a newly minted Greek name standing out conspicuously in a Jewish crowd, was a son of Jonah. You know, the guy sent to pagan Ninevah. Yep, that guy who had a very hard time swallowing the fact that he had to proclaim the name of the Lord to a bunch of rotten outsiders who didn’t deserve the time of day let alone the time of God. But after Jonah got swallowed by God’s facts, the reluctant prophet went and spoke up. The result? More than 120,000 people confessed their sin and were saved.
Peter was now in the Jonah family business. As evidenced by the Cornelius episode in Acts 10, Peter finally realized that “God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (vss. 34-35). Peter was a son of Jonah, confessing the Christ to the whole world. The gates of hell would never hold up against that onslaught.
Perhaps we need to remember that we’re all sons of Jonah. Yes, we’re stubborn. Yes, we don’t understand God’s ways and plan. Yes, we rebel and try to foul it up. But, still, we are called. We are sent. We are given the Word of the Lord to voice--even in places and situations and ways we would never design or choose. We are God’s redeemed people meant to be in a mission bigger than we can imagine, sent to bring the light of Jesus into every corner of the culture and society that our abundantly loving God dreams up.
So, you--Jonah’s kid, remember the family business!
Most attention in Jesus’ response revolves around Simon’s name change to Peter and to Jesus’ proclamation that “on this rock” (“Peter” is related to the Greek word for “rock”) He will build His church.
But, as I read the entire chapter, I noticed that Jesus told the crowd that no sign would be given to the generation except the sign of Jonah (vs. 4). That got me thinking about Jesus’ strategic reference to Peter as a “son of Jonah.”
It appears that Jesus was priming Peter and all believers for God’s mission to reach the world--all nations. Peter, with a newly minted Greek name standing out conspicuously in a Jewish crowd, was a son of Jonah. You know, the guy sent to pagan Ninevah. Yep, that guy who had a very hard time swallowing the fact that he had to proclaim the name of the Lord to a bunch of rotten outsiders who didn’t deserve the time of day let alone the time of God. But after Jonah got swallowed by God’s facts, the reluctant prophet went and spoke up. The result? More than 120,000 people confessed their sin and were saved.
Peter was now in the Jonah family business. As evidenced by the Cornelius episode in Acts 10, Peter finally realized that “God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (vss. 34-35). Peter was a son of Jonah, confessing the Christ to the whole world. The gates of hell would never hold up against that onslaught.
Perhaps we need to remember that we’re all sons of Jonah. Yes, we’re stubborn. Yes, we don’t understand God’s ways and plan. Yes, we rebel and try to foul it up. But, still, we are called. We are sent. We are given the Word of the Lord to voice--even in places and situations and ways we would never design or choose. We are God’s redeemed people meant to be in a mission bigger than we can imagine, sent to bring the light of Jesus into every corner of the culture and society that our abundantly loving God dreams up.
So, you--Jonah’s kid, remember the family business!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Reaching the Uncomfortable
What if 80% of the population had claustrophobia? You know, complete fear and discomfort of small spaces.
What if you were head of a WiFi company and decided to build tiny cubicles in which the public could access the WiFi connection it needed in a fast, affordable, and convenient way? But in a very tiny space.
20% of the population would amble into your miniature WiFi cubicles and rejoice. At last! Cheap, affordable and convenient WiFi access, with charging stations for all my gizmos, to boot!
80% of the population would sweat, shuffle, hesitate, think long and hard--and head to a spacious Starbucks. There is no way they would step into that cubicle no matter how pretty it was, no matter how nicely they were invited, and no matter how badly they needed WiFi. It just wouldn’t happen.
The church faces this issue today. 20% of the population is comfortable stepping into church. They feel it is important and they follow through. 80% of the population thinks the roof would cave in on them if they walked through the church doors. They hesitate, sweat, or write off the need for what the church provides. They’re not coming inside.
How do we reach people with the Gospel who have written the church off? How do we communicate the Good News so it looks and sounds like good news to them?
Some churches are going to the uncomfortable. Moving outside of claustrophobic cubicles, believers are thinking creatively about what the church looks like in the community. They are inviting the uncomfortable into the wide and open spaces of serving others in the name of Jesus. They are entering into relationships with the 80% and are praying and watching for Jesus to show up.
Believers need to remember that inviting people to church, while very worthy and important, will only resonate with two out ten people. But inviting people to make a difference in the lives of others, to dedicate their lives to a worthy pursuit, will resonate with nine out of ten people. Statistics show that, while only 20% of the population wakes up in the morning with a desire to attend a church service, 90% of the population wants desperately to make a difference in the world. Isn’t Christ’s Church the biggest difference maker in history?
What if the uncomfortable became gripped with Jesus’ grace while participating in a Gospel act? What if that new blessing led them to worship the One who shows such love?
How are you rethinking your company strategy so that 100% of the people have access to eternal life?
What if you were head of a WiFi company and decided to build tiny cubicles in which the public could access the WiFi connection it needed in a fast, affordable, and convenient way? But in a very tiny space.
20% of the population would amble into your miniature WiFi cubicles and rejoice. At last! Cheap, affordable and convenient WiFi access, with charging stations for all my gizmos, to boot!
80% of the population would sweat, shuffle, hesitate, think long and hard--and head to a spacious Starbucks. There is no way they would step into that cubicle no matter how pretty it was, no matter how nicely they were invited, and no matter how badly they needed WiFi. It just wouldn’t happen.
The church faces this issue today. 20% of the population is comfortable stepping into church. They feel it is important and they follow through. 80% of the population thinks the roof would cave in on them if they walked through the church doors. They hesitate, sweat, or write off the need for what the church provides. They’re not coming inside.
How do we reach people with the Gospel who have written the church off? How do we communicate the Good News so it looks and sounds like good news to them?
Some churches are going to the uncomfortable. Moving outside of claustrophobic cubicles, believers are thinking creatively about what the church looks like in the community. They are inviting the uncomfortable into the wide and open spaces of serving others in the name of Jesus. They are entering into relationships with the 80% and are praying and watching for Jesus to show up.
Believers need to remember that inviting people to church, while very worthy and important, will only resonate with two out ten people. But inviting people to make a difference in the lives of others, to dedicate their lives to a worthy pursuit, will resonate with nine out of ten people. Statistics show that, while only 20% of the population wakes up in the morning with a desire to attend a church service, 90% of the population wants desperately to make a difference in the world. Isn’t Christ’s Church the biggest difference maker in history?
What if the uncomfortable became gripped with Jesus’ grace while participating in a Gospel act? What if that new blessing led them to worship the One who shows such love?
How are you rethinking your company strategy so that 100% of the people have access to eternal life?
Monday, August 8, 2011
Recalibration, Part 3
Resistance vs. Repentance.
“It was very hard for me to see clearly, and though I never spoke about hell or only jokingly so, I woke up one day with the realization that I was living in a very dark place and that the term ‘burnout’ was a convenient psychological translation for a spiritual death” (Henri Nouwen, “In the Name of Jesus,” p. 11).
The Apostle John said, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1:8). But as Henri Nouwen commented above, there are times in life when it is very hard for us to see clearly. Sometimes we work so hard to get good at what we’re doing, to accomplish all the tasks before us, and to justify our existence and worthiness, we do not see where we are faltering. In our efforts to please God, others, and ourselves, we may end up living a life without genuine repentance.
This can happen to me personally when I become so occupied with tending to other people’s lives that I can no longer see myself accurately or confess my own failings with accuracy and sincerity. This can happen to the church when it becomes focused on its own agenda so completely that it never asks the questions, “Of what do we need to repent? How are we failing?”
If we ever think we have everything completely right, we are, in effect, saying we have no sin. That means we’re in serious trouble. The truth is not in us. We have lost the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
This, as Nouwen said, is a very dark place.
When Peter decided to go off on his own and rebuke Jesus for talking about the cross, Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan. You do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men” (Matthew 16:23). “Get behind me” means to get in line, to follow behind Jesus (opiso mou). Instead of running on ahead by ourselves with our own twisted GPS, we are called to follow in the steps of the One who is the Way and the Truth and the Life. Instead of resisting the Truth, we submit ourselves to Him and follow where He leads--even if it does not square with our agenda.
In Revelation 11:3, the Church is portrayed as a prophetic body, always wearing the sackcloth of repentance. How do you need to stop and examine your own failings? How can we as a church face in an honest way where we fall short and, instead, follow in the footsteps of Jesus for the answers?
Will we resist the redeeming call of Christ and end up as spiritual wreckage or will we live a life of repentance?
“It was very hard for me to see clearly, and though I never spoke about hell or only jokingly so, I woke up one day with the realization that I was living in a very dark place and that the term ‘burnout’ was a convenient psychological translation for a spiritual death” (Henri Nouwen, “In the Name of Jesus,” p. 11).
The Apostle John said, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1:8). But as Henri Nouwen commented above, there are times in life when it is very hard for us to see clearly. Sometimes we work so hard to get good at what we’re doing, to accomplish all the tasks before us, and to justify our existence and worthiness, we do not see where we are faltering. In our efforts to please God, others, and ourselves, we may end up living a life without genuine repentance.
This can happen to me personally when I become so occupied with tending to other people’s lives that I can no longer see myself accurately or confess my own failings with accuracy and sincerity. This can happen to the church when it becomes focused on its own agenda so completely that it never asks the questions, “Of what do we need to repent? How are we failing?”
If we ever think we have everything completely right, we are, in effect, saying we have no sin. That means we’re in serious trouble. The truth is not in us. We have lost the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
This, as Nouwen said, is a very dark place.
When Peter decided to go off on his own and rebuke Jesus for talking about the cross, Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan. You do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men” (Matthew 16:23). “Get behind me” means to get in line, to follow behind Jesus (opiso mou). Instead of running on ahead by ourselves with our own twisted GPS, we are called to follow in the steps of the One who is the Way and the Truth and the Life. Instead of resisting the Truth, we submit ourselves to Him and follow where He leads--even if it does not square with our agenda.
In Revelation 11:3, the Church is portrayed as a prophetic body, always wearing the sackcloth of repentance. How do you need to stop and examine your own failings? How can we as a church face in an honest way where we fall short and, instead, follow in the footsteps of Jesus for the answers?
Will we resist the redeeming call of Christ and end up as spiritual wreckage or will we live a life of repentance?
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Recalibration, Part 2
In his book, “In the Name of Jesus,” Henri Nouwen did some self-assessment as he entered the second half of his life and ministry. One area he highlighted was the tension between coasting and character development. Nouwen commented:
“Everyone was saying that I was doing really well, but something inside was telling me that my own success was putting my own soul in danger. I began to ask myself whether my lack of contemplative prayer, my loneliness, and my constantly changing involvement in what seemed most urgent were signs that the Spirit was gradually being suppressed” (p.10).
Sometimes what everyone says is completely inaccurate. Typically, “everyone” will let you coast. They will not insist on accountability. They will not sharpen you as a servant of God. They will not thoughtfully speak the truth to you with love. It is very difficult to get genuine feedback as you progress in years. If you accept what “everyone” says and coast easily down the path of no recalibration, you may end up in a place where the Spirit is being suppressed.
If you are caught up in the flow of hurried prayer, an isolated life, and constantly shifting urgency, you may need to pause and be attentive to Jesus’ words, “Come away with me to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). Is there margin in your life for stillness and authentic conversation with God? Do you have someone in your life who can speak hard truths to you? Are you growing into new and fresh learning from God’s Spirit or are you recycling the old standbys of your past?
Summer is a time to recalibrate. Your Savior leads you to paths of living water and soul restoration. Are you coasting or are you positioned for character development? What recalibration needs to happen in your life?
“Everyone was saying that I was doing really well, but something inside was telling me that my own success was putting my own soul in danger. I began to ask myself whether my lack of contemplative prayer, my loneliness, and my constantly changing involvement in what seemed most urgent were signs that the Spirit was gradually being suppressed” (p.10).
Sometimes what everyone says is completely inaccurate. Typically, “everyone” will let you coast. They will not insist on accountability. They will not sharpen you as a servant of God. They will not thoughtfully speak the truth to you with love. It is very difficult to get genuine feedback as you progress in years. If you accept what “everyone” says and coast easily down the path of no recalibration, you may end up in a place where the Spirit is being suppressed.
If you are caught up in the flow of hurried prayer, an isolated life, and constantly shifting urgency, you may need to pause and be attentive to Jesus’ words, “Come away with me to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). Is there margin in your life for stillness and authentic conversation with God? Do you have someone in your life who can speak hard truths to you? Are you growing into new and fresh learning from God’s Spirit or are you recycling the old standbys of your past?
Summer is a time to recalibrate. Your Savior leads you to paths of living water and soul restoration. Are you coasting or are you positioned for character development? What recalibration needs to happen in your life?
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Recalibration, Part 1
Years ago my wife and I established the habit of getting away for two weeks as a family to a quiet place. Part of this vacation was recalibration. We evaluated life together and talked about what changes might be needed. We settled down, got some perspective, bonded as a family in an unplugged environment, and sought God’s guidance for our lives in the coming year. The results were as small as agreeing to stop watching the television news in the evenings as part of our routine and as large as working through major changes in the flow of life. The time to reflect and to evaluate was a lifeline for us.
In his book “In the Name of Jesus,” Pastor and teacher Henri Nouwen offered an evaluation of his own life as he passed fifty years of age. Having just turned the big 5-0, I resonate to his reflections and believe that his words can help lead all of us into some healthy recalibration. Allow me to highlight three areas of personal evaluation:
Performance vs. Personhood.
Nouwen said, “As I entered into my fifties and was able to realize the unlikelihood of doubling my years, I came face to face with the simple question, ‘Did becoming older bring me closer to Jesus?’ After twenty-five years of priesthood, I found myself praying poorly, living somewhat isolated from other people, and very much preoccupied with burning issues” (pp. 9-10).
Isn’t it strange how life can become all about “proving something” instead of developing into a better person? A focus on activities and achievements can supplant the focus on character and faith development. Religious know-how and busyness can become substitutes for a genuine and meaningful relationship with God the Father. As a good Father, He doesn’t look to you for a list of personal accomplishments. He looks to see signs of reciprocated love and indications of a life lived as His redeemed and grateful child.
How can you rediscover your life as a child of God and be rid of the burden of striving for worthiness in the eyes of the world? As you’ve grown older, have you also grown closer to Jesus?
In parts two and three of this blog post, I’ll continue Nouwen’s self-evaluation and look at the areas of Coasting vs. Character development and Resistance vs. Repentance.
In his book “In the Name of Jesus,” Pastor and teacher Henri Nouwen offered an evaluation of his own life as he passed fifty years of age. Having just turned the big 5-0, I resonate to his reflections and believe that his words can help lead all of us into some healthy recalibration. Allow me to highlight three areas of personal evaluation:
Performance vs. Personhood.
Nouwen said, “As I entered into my fifties and was able to realize the unlikelihood of doubling my years, I came face to face with the simple question, ‘Did becoming older bring me closer to Jesus?’ After twenty-five years of priesthood, I found myself praying poorly, living somewhat isolated from other people, and very much preoccupied with burning issues” (pp. 9-10).
Isn’t it strange how life can become all about “proving something” instead of developing into a better person? A focus on activities and achievements can supplant the focus on character and faith development. Religious know-how and busyness can become substitutes for a genuine and meaningful relationship with God the Father. As a good Father, He doesn’t look to you for a list of personal accomplishments. He looks to see signs of reciprocated love and indications of a life lived as His redeemed and grateful child.
How can you rediscover your life as a child of God and be rid of the burden of striving for worthiness in the eyes of the world? As you’ve grown older, have you also grown closer to Jesus?
In parts two and three of this blog post, I’ll continue Nouwen’s self-evaluation and look at the areas of Coasting vs. Character development and Resistance vs. Repentance.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Doing Nothing
Former Hootie and the Blowfish lead singer, now country artist, Darius Rucker has a new song out called "Got Nothin'." In the song he details how he has nothing left to offer as a relationship falls apart. It's a sad song, but it reflects an important reality in our relationship with God. We've got nothin'; He's got everything. We're dead in our sins; He makes us alive with Christ (Ephesians 2). We sit around and do nothing; He gives growth to the church.
Wait a minute! That's not what the Bible says. The Bible says that we plant and water (1 Cor. 3:6). The Bible says that we are God's fellow workers (1 Cor. 3:9). The Bible says that we're sent (Luke 10:2-3, Mark 16:15, etc.). The Bible says that we are to let our light shine (Matthew 5:16). The Bible says that we don't sit around and do nothing.
Recently I was told that challenging believers to action was doctrinally unacceptable. If that's the case, then the Bible is doctrinally unacceptable.
There's a message in the church that is confusing and immobilizing God's people. Instead of allowing grace and faith to flow into the works God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10; the book of James!), the message of grace is being used as an excuse for immobilizing the church. Justification is being used in place of sanctification. The message is: "You, dear people of God, are justified by grace alone! Therefore, you are justified by grace alone." The refrain goes on with the announcement of the free atoning work of Christ. But sanctification is neglected, omitted, and removed from the message. Walking in the newness of life, being a new creation in Christ--His ambassador, living in the power of the resurrection with the knowledge that our labor in the Lord is not in vain is excised from the proclamation of the Good News. Only half the news is given and the church sits on its hands, doing nothin'.
But as the redeemed people of God, we've got somethin'! We are called, gathered, enlightened and sanctified so that we can declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). By His grace, God shares His mission with us. He makes us fellow workers. He entrusts us with His Word and sacraments, not so we can sit in fear that Kingdom action might get messy, but so we can go out into the world with these tools and see the darkness shrink back and the gates of hell buckle in the wild and messy adventure of God's Kingdom action.
If we really stand for truth and purity of doctrine, let's take the gift of a sanctified life seriously. Let's give a voice to faith that works. Let's stop doing nothing.
Wait a minute! That's not what the Bible says. The Bible says that we plant and water (1 Cor. 3:6). The Bible says that we are God's fellow workers (1 Cor. 3:9). The Bible says that we're sent (Luke 10:2-3, Mark 16:15, etc.). The Bible says that we are to let our light shine (Matthew 5:16). The Bible says that we don't sit around and do nothing.
Recently I was told that challenging believers to action was doctrinally unacceptable. If that's the case, then the Bible is doctrinally unacceptable.
There's a message in the church that is confusing and immobilizing God's people. Instead of allowing grace and faith to flow into the works God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10; the book of James!), the message of grace is being used as an excuse for immobilizing the church. Justification is being used in place of sanctification. The message is: "You, dear people of God, are justified by grace alone! Therefore, you are justified by grace alone." The refrain goes on with the announcement of the free atoning work of Christ. But sanctification is neglected, omitted, and removed from the message. Walking in the newness of life, being a new creation in Christ--His ambassador, living in the power of the resurrection with the knowledge that our labor in the Lord is not in vain is excised from the proclamation of the Good News. Only half the news is given and the church sits on its hands, doing nothin'.
But as the redeemed people of God, we've got somethin'! We are called, gathered, enlightened and sanctified so that we can declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). By His grace, God shares His mission with us. He makes us fellow workers. He entrusts us with His Word and sacraments, not so we can sit in fear that Kingdom action might get messy, but so we can go out into the world with these tools and see the darkness shrink back and the gates of hell buckle in the wild and messy adventure of God's Kingdom action.
If we really stand for truth and purity of doctrine, let's take the gift of a sanctified life seriously. Let's give a voice to faith that works. Let's stop doing nothing.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
UnLutheran, Part Two
Is a layperson or a group of laypeople able to read the account of Daniel and the Lion's Den and not fall into serious theological error? Is it possible to evaluate the account of the Tower of Babel (or any other Bible story, for that matter) without the guidance of a trained theologian?
Bottom line: who can read the Bible safely?
You may recall that, in part one of this blog post, I mentioned a doctrinal reviewer's comment that reading and expressing opinions about Bible stories without a trained theologian present may lead readers into dangerous theological errors. Okay. That may happen. But is it possible that it wouldn't happen? In fact, doesn't the reviewer's opinion push very hard against the Biblical doctrine of the Scriptures? Let's take a look:
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone):
• Their efficacy: Being wary about laypeople "messing" with the Scriptures shifts the emphasis of the Word of God from being HIS living Word, powered by the Holy Spirit, to being a Word dependent on human control. True, correct teaching is essential, but the Word is that which contains the power to bring truth, produce faith, and lead someone into correct understanding. Laying down the law that a trained theologian must be present militates against the Scriptures themselves and denies the access to the Scriptures won during the Reformation.
• Their sufficiency: The Bible contains everything needed to make us "wise unto salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15). While the pastoral office is divinely created and essential to God's plan for the church, it is not lord over the Word of God and it doesn't exclude the Scriptural doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. The Bible can do the job God intended it to do.
• Their perspicuity: The Bible is clear enough so that every reader and hearer can understand God's truths. As Edward Koehler said, this teaching is "over and against the view that the Scripture is obscure, waiting for a priest and Pope, theologian and council, to demonstrate its real meaning" (p. 14, A Summary of Christian Doctrine).
Trouble always results when fear and control take the wheel of Christ's Church. Biblical balance gets lost. The doctrine sought to be protected becomes corrupted and denied. When fanaticism takes command, the fanatic creates layers of human-created teaching that eventually obscures and destroys Biblical doctrine.
Making Bible stories off limits to regular laypeople causes the heart of Lutheranism to crumble. Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Sola Scriptura get left in the dust. Suddenly, the voices that cry out for pure Lutheranism become unLutheran.
Bottom line: who can read the Bible safely?
You may recall that, in part one of this blog post, I mentioned a doctrinal reviewer's comment that reading and expressing opinions about Bible stories without a trained theologian present may lead readers into dangerous theological errors. Okay. That may happen. But is it possible that it wouldn't happen? In fact, doesn't the reviewer's opinion push very hard against the Biblical doctrine of the Scriptures? Let's take a look:
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone):
• Their efficacy: Being wary about laypeople "messing" with the Scriptures shifts the emphasis of the Word of God from being HIS living Word, powered by the Holy Spirit, to being a Word dependent on human control. True, correct teaching is essential, but the Word is that which contains the power to bring truth, produce faith, and lead someone into correct understanding. Laying down the law that a trained theologian must be present militates against the Scriptures themselves and denies the access to the Scriptures won during the Reformation.
• Their sufficiency: The Bible contains everything needed to make us "wise unto salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15). While the pastoral office is divinely created and essential to God's plan for the church, it is not lord over the Word of God and it doesn't exclude the Scriptural doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. The Bible can do the job God intended it to do.
• Their perspicuity: The Bible is clear enough so that every reader and hearer can understand God's truths. As Edward Koehler said, this teaching is "over and against the view that the Scripture is obscure, waiting for a priest and Pope, theologian and council, to demonstrate its real meaning" (p. 14, A Summary of Christian Doctrine).
Trouble always results when fear and control take the wheel of Christ's Church. Biblical balance gets lost. The doctrine sought to be protected becomes corrupted and denied. When fanaticism takes command, the fanatic creates layers of human-created teaching that eventually obscures and destroys Biblical doctrine.
Making Bible stories off limits to regular laypeople causes the heart of Lutheranism to crumble. Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Sola Scriptura get left in the dust. Suddenly, the voices that cry out for pure Lutheranism become unLutheran.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
UnLutheran, Part One
Recently I received comments about a simple Bible study I submitted for doctrinal review. The Bible Study asked participants to read a specified Bible Story at each gathering, reflect on it, try to find Jesus in it, and discuss what it meant then and in their lives now. The point of the Bible Study was to get people into the Word of God, build their Biblical literacy and understanding, practice applying Scriptural truths to their lives, and reach out to others with the Word of God. Something our society needs these days--or so I thought.
The assertion of the reviewer was that the study wasn't Lutheran because it did not mention Law, Gospel or the sacraments. In addition, the reviewer commented, the study could lead the participants into dangerous errors. Without a trained theologian leading the way, the people studying the Bible stories might not be able to make their way through questions they have.
After reading the comments, I was struck how Lutheranism has become so un-Lutheran. Some of the doctrines that seem to be lost or crumbling are:
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone):
In his book "Here We Stand," Herman Sasse asked the question, "What does it mean to be Lutheran?" To be a Lutheran does not mean to focus on a hero (Luther) or a nation (Germany). It does not mean to be a product of a historical movement (the Reformation) or a cultural shift (the enlightenment). Lutheranism is not simply an expression of morals or knowledge or religious practice or observance of God's law. The heart of Lutheranism is the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. As I observe Lutherans trying to get the "buzzwords" correct, but forgetting to teach and apply those words from the divine source (the Scriptures), I see a pathway leading to works righteousness. The mention of the phrase "word and sacraments" earns the stamp of approval (ex opera operato). These are means of grace, however. They are tools of God. There is a time for the craftsman to talk about his tools, but there is also a time for the craftsman to let the tools do the work. I hear much talk, but do not see a great deal of craftsmanship. I hear the buzzwords, but I don't see a great deal of trust in, or application of, the living Word that empowers them.
Sola Fide (Faith Alone):
It is no surprise that people crumble into a frightened legalism. That, after all, is the nature of the sinful flesh. Command and control usurp walking by faith. I grieve, however, when fear drains faith from the Lord's Church. Fear attaches the label "Law and Gospel" to everything in order to protect the Scriptures. Faith is confident that the Scriptures speak the Law and Gospel because that's what the Scriptures do! We have received that teaching from the Bible; we didn't invent it and unnaturally foist it upon the Bible. Fear keeps people away from studying the Bible without a trained theologian. Faith embraces the priesthood of all believers who are able not only to study the Word of God, but to teach it to others! Fear believes it has to protect God. Faith receives the gifts God gives and stewards those gifts. Are we being stewards or have we killed the son and taken over the vineyard?
The next installment will focus on how the doctrine of the Scriptures (Sola Scriptura) may be crumbling.
The assertion of the reviewer was that the study wasn't Lutheran because it did not mention Law, Gospel or the sacraments. In addition, the reviewer commented, the study could lead the participants into dangerous errors. Without a trained theologian leading the way, the people studying the Bible stories might not be able to make their way through questions they have.
After reading the comments, I was struck how Lutheranism has become so un-Lutheran. Some of the doctrines that seem to be lost or crumbling are:
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone):
In his book "Here We Stand," Herman Sasse asked the question, "What does it mean to be Lutheran?" To be a Lutheran does not mean to focus on a hero (Luther) or a nation (Germany). It does not mean to be a product of a historical movement (the Reformation) or a cultural shift (the enlightenment). Lutheranism is not simply an expression of morals or knowledge or religious practice or observance of God's law. The heart of Lutheranism is the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. As I observe Lutherans trying to get the "buzzwords" correct, but forgetting to teach and apply those words from the divine source (the Scriptures), I see a pathway leading to works righteousness. The mention of the phrase "word and sacraments" earns the stamp of approval (ex opera operato). These are means of grace, however. They are tools of God. There is a time for the craftsman to talk about his tools, but there is also a time for the craftsman to let the tools do the work. I hear much talk, but do not see a great deal of craftsmanship. I hear the buzzwords, but I don't see a great deal of trust in, or application of, the living Word that empowers them.
Sola Fide (Faith Alone):
It is no surprise that people crumble into a frightened legalism. That, after all, is the nature of the sinful flesh. Command and control usurp walking by faith. I grieve, however, when fear drains faith from the Lord's Church. Fear attaches the label "Law and Gospel" to everything in order to protect the Scriptures. Faith is confident that the Scriptures speak the Law and Gospel because that's what the Scriptures do! We have received that teaching from the Bible; we didn't invent it and unnaturally foist it upon the Bible. Fear keeps people away from studying the Bible without a trained theologian. Faith embraces the priesthood of all believers who are able not only to study the Word of God, but to teach it to others! Fear believes it has to protect God. Faith receives the gifts God gives and stewards those gifts. Are we being stewards or have we killed the son and taken over the vineyard?
The next installment will focus on how the doctrine of the Scriptures (Sola Scriptura) may be crumbling.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Captain Bill's Appeal
I was at a friend's memorial service recently. He was a prominent figure in the community, so the funeral chapel was packed. In addition to fellow believers, the place was filled with people from virtually every conceivable walk of life. My friend's business and personality connected him with an amazing variety of people. Suits and ties sat next to tattoos and piercings. Conservative Evangelicals spoke words of sympathy alongside adherents of alternative lifestyles.
As someone who craves opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with people, I felt my heart beating fast over the possibility of hearing words that could transform many lives.
After some preliminary levity, some words of introduction, and some kind words from the family, I wondered if the opportunity would be seized. That's when Captain Bill stepped to the microphone.
I wondered who this guy was. He was standing in the back. Clearly, he wasn't a family member. He wasn't the pastor, but he held a Bible and strode purposefully to the podium. He introduced himself as Bill, a charter captain and good friend of the family. Fishing trips for hire had morphed into a close bond between him and my friend.
Bill was a military veteran who suffered chemical poisoning in Vietnam. He almost died a few years ago. My deceased buddy sat by his side and drove him home from the hospital. They had a special bond. Bill went on to talk about the bedrock of that bond. This common man with skin made leathery by the sun and a body gaunt from illness so his suit hung baggily from his body, began to lift up the name of Jesus Christ.
This man had been through the ringer, and with the authority of someone who had been beaten up by the rigors of life, he urged the group to the only hope we have. His Scripture-saturated language carried love and truth without sounding pious or self-righteous. His call to trust in Jesus Christ came across as a testimony to his deceased friend, not as an attempt to put more souls on his scorecard. Captain Bill's appeal captured the moment for Jesus. It was authentic, moving, appropriate, and caring.
As I listened, I realized that two things had happened in this man's life. First, he was discipled very well. Someone had shown him the way to walk with Jesus and let the Word of Christ dwell in him richly. Second, someone had given him permission--perhaps a mandate--to go and share, to make disciples, to never let the Gospel stop with himself.
Captain Bill's appeal showed me that a serious effort to equip and send the saints is of utmost importance. Pastors and professionals will rarely be in the situation to reach people who are far outside the borders of the church. Pastors and professionals will not always be heard as attentively by those outside the borders, either. We need people like Captain Bill. The Kingdom of God needs people like Captain Bill. A lost world needs people like Captain Bill.
Do you think you are here to do it all yourself? Are you saving the great opportunities for you? Or are you letting go of your pride by respecting God's people, equipping them passionately, and sending them urgently to do what Captain Bill did?
As someone who craves opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with people, I felt my heart beating fast over the possibility of hearing words that could transform many lives.
After some preliminary levity, some words of introduction, and some kind words from the family, I wondered if the opportunity would be seized. That's when Captain Bill stepped to the microphone.
I wondered who this guy was. He was standing in the back. Clearly, he wasn't a family member. He wasn't the pastor, but he held a Bible and strode purposefully to the podium. He introduced himself as Bill, a charter captain and good friend of the family. Fishing trips for hire had morphed into a close bond between him and my friend.
Bill was a military veteran who suffered chemical poisoning in Vietnam. He almost died a few years ago. My deceased buddy sat by his side and drove him home from the hospital. They had a special bond. Bill went on to talk about the bedrock of that bond. This common man with skin made leathery by the sun and a body gaunt from illness so his suit hung baggily from his body, began to lift up the name of Jesus Christ.
This man had been through the ringer, and with the authority of someone who had been beaten up by the rigors of life, he urged the group to the only hope we have. His Scripture-saturated language carried love and truth without sounding pious or self-righteous. His call to trust in Jesus Christ came across as a testimony to his deceased friend, not as an attempt to put more souls on his scorecard. Captain Bill's appeal captured the moment for Jesus. It was authentic, moving, appropriate, and caring.
As I listened, I realized that two things had happened in this man's life. First, he was discipled very well. Someone had shown him the way to walk with Jesus and let the Word of Christ dwell in him richly. Second, someone had given him permission--perhaps a mandate--to go and share, to make disciples, to never let the Gospel stop with himself.
Captain Bill's appeal showed me that a serious effort to equip and send the saints is of utmost importance. Pastors and professionals will rarely be in the situation to reach people who are far outside the borders of the church. Pastors and professionals will not always be heard as attentively by those outside the borders, either. We need people like Captain Bill. The Kingdom of God needs people like Captain Bill. A lost world needs people like Captain Bill.
Do you think you are here to do it all yourself? Are you saving the great opportunities for you? Or are you letting go of your pride by respecting God's people, equipping them passionately, and sending them urgently to do what Captain Bill did?
Friday, May 6, 2011
Counterintuitivity
In a thought-provoking book review, Andrew Stark of The Wall Street Journal, reviews John Kay's book "Obliquity." The premise of the book is compelling. Kay asserts: "When it comes to major goals, whether in life or in business, one can pursue them best by deliberately not pursuing them."
Stark summarizes Kay's case studies of a variety of companies and historical figures as the author establishes his premise that "we can attain a desired goal only by pursuing it indirectly." (Thank you to Rev. Robert Holaday for the link to the article which you can read in full here)
This counterintuitive direction offers us some Easter clarity. Jesus was never desperate to build a following, but many followed. Jesus never tried to woo people to a religious system, but many put their faith in Him. Jesus never set out to change the world, yet His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection changed everything.
What does this mean for our Easter existence? It reinforces good old Lutheran counterintuitivity. You know, paradox.
- If you see to save your life, you'll lose it. But if you lose your life for Christ, you'll find it.
- If you pretend your sins don't exist, they'll take on a life of their own and crush you. If you confess your sins and bring them out into the open, you will be completely cleansed and freed.
These are a couple of the beautiful paradoxes of life in Christ.
What does it mean for your ministry?
It means that keeping the main thing the main thing will lead to a God-pleasing and effective ministry. It means that when you live out the reason you've been sent, the details will come together. As Jesus said in Matthew 6, "Seek first the reign of God and His righteousness, and all your needs will be provided to you as well."
You've been sent to spread the reign of God and His righteousness. This mission ("mission" is the Latin word for "sent") flows from the living Word of God that testifies to the risen Christ. If you spread the reign of God to people around you and to your community, much follows:
- people who worship God
- church life
- active prayer
- healthy giving of money for the mission
- orthodox belief
- mutual affirmation and consolation
- justice and righteousness among humanity
- passionate outreach to people who don't know Christ
- persistent multiplication of Christian community
Of course, you rejoice in and fuel these developments. But you pursue one thing: the reign of God.
What might be getting in the way of this counterintuitive pursuit? Your need for self-assurance? Your fear of unorthodoxy? Your hesitance to do more work? Your desire to be in complete control?
What do you need to stop pursuing so you can seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and let God establish the fullness of His reign?
Stark summarizes Kay's case studies of a variety of companies and historical figures as the author establishes his premise that "we can attain a desired goal only by pursuing it indirectly." (Thank you to Rev. Robert Holaday for the link to the article which you can read in full here)
This counterintuitive direction offers us some Easter clarity. Jesus was never desperate to build a following, but many followed. Jesus never tried to woo people to a religious system, but many put their faith in Him. Jesus never set out to change the world, yet His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection changed everything.
What does this mean for our Easter existence? It reinforces good old Lutheran counterintuitivity. You know, paradox.
- If you see to save your life, you'll lose it. But if you lose your life for Christ, you'll find it.
- If you pretend your sins don't exist, they'll take on a life of their own and crush you. If you confess your sins and bring them out into the open, you will be completely cleansed and freed.
These are a couple of the beautiful paradoxes of life in Christ.
What does it mean for your ministry?
It means that keeping the main thing the main thing will lead to a God-pleasing and effective ministry. It means that when you live out the reason you've been sent, the details will come together. As Jesus said in Matthew 6, "Seek first the reign of God and His righteousness, and all your needs will be provided to you as well."
You've been sent to spread the reign of God and His righteousness. This mission ("mission" is the Latin word for "sent") flows from the living Word of God that testifies to the risen Christ. If you spread the reign of God to people around you and to your community, much follows:
- people who worship God
- church life
- active prayer
- healthy giving of money for the mission
- orthodox belief
- mutual affirmation and consolation
- justice and righteousness among humanity
- passionate outreach to people who don't know Christ
- persistent multiplication of Christian community
Of course, you rejoice in and fuel these developments. But you pursue one thing: the reign of God.
What might be getting in the way of this counterintuitive pursuit? Your need for self-assurance? Your fear of unorthodoxy? Your hesitance to do more work? Your desire to be in complete control?
What do you need to stop pursuing so you can seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and let God establish the fullness of His reign?
Friday, April 8, 2011
Let It Change You
My very first grandchild was born last weekend. She's a beautiful little girl, a miracle and gift. I haven't felt feelings like this since my own children were born. Suddenly, everything else pales in importance. Suddenly, life is different.
You may know how it goes:
- You want to tell people. E-mails, photos, videos, texts, tweets, phone calls, and personal conversations multiply as you eagerly share the news.
- Your priorities change. Money, time, your thoughts--everything--becomes oriented to one thing: that new and precious little life.
- You adjust your actions. All at once you become aware of what you're watching on TV, what's on the radio when you drive, what you're eating, the way your speaking, and how you live in front of a new and impressionable life.
- You remember your purpose. Life isn't about acquiring things, being comfortable, or paying the bills. It's about shaping another life, giving her the best, doing all you can to make sure she receives life in its fullness here and forever.
Of course, you can resist the changes new life brings. You can live it for a couple of days or a few weeks, but revert back to the old ways. You can ignore the excitement, the love, and the life-changing wonder of the miraculous spring of water God sent rushing into your wilderness.
Or you can let it change you.
The same is true for churches. Into the life of the church comes the living water of Jesus Christ. Springs of Living Water rinse barren and hopeless souls. New life begins. New hope springs eternal. Suddenly, life is different:
You need to tell people. Your priorities change. You adjust your actions. You remember your purpose.
Of course, you can resist the changes new life brings. You can become inward looking. You can settle into a business as usual mindset. You can focus on paying the bills and keeping insiders happy. You can stay safe and never risk trying something to reach the lost. You can fill your days with attending to e-mail and thinking about theology.
Or you can let it change you. You can think about theology AND put theology into action. You can share the beauty of the Gospel.
Studies show that in established churches it takes 60 people to reach one new person with the Good News of Jesus. In new churches, it only takes 10 people to reach a new person with the Gospel.
Is this because we become so accustomed to the miracle of the resurrection and so caught up in day-to-day distractions that we forget the miraculous new life right under our noses?
If Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead, will you let it change you? Will you let it change your church?
You may know how it goes:
- You want to tell people. E-mails, photos, videos, texts, tweets, phone calls, and personal conversations multiply as you eagerly share the news.
- Your priorities change. Money, time, your thoughts--everything--becomes oriented to one thing: that new and precious little life.
- You adjust your actions. All at once you become aware of what you're watching on TV, what's on the radio when you drive, what you're eating, the way your speaking, and how you live in front of a new and impressionable life.
- You remember your purpose. Life isn't about acquiring things, being comfortable, or paying the bills. It's about shaping another life, giving her the best, doing all you can to make sure she receives life in its fullness here and forever.
Of course, you can resist the changes new life brings. You can live it for a couple of days or a few weeks, but revert back to the old ways. You can ignore the excitement, the love, and the life-changing wonder of the miraculous spring of water God sent rushing into your wilderness.
Or you can let it change you.
The same is true for churches. Into the life of the church comes the living water of Jesus Christ. Springs of Living Water rinse barren and hopeless souls. New life begins. New hope springs eternal. Suddenly, life is different:
You need to tell people. Your priorities change. You adjust your actions. You remember your purpose.
Of course, you can resist the changes new life brings. You can become inward looking. You can settle into a business as usual mindset. You can focus on paying the bills and keeping insiders happy. You can stay safe and never risk trying something to reach the lost. You can fill your days with attending to e-mail and thinking about theology.
Or you can let it change you. You can think about theology AND put theology into action. You can share the beauty of the Gospel.
Studies show that in established churches it takes 60 people to reach one new person with the Good News of Jesus. In new churches, it only takes 10 people to reach a new person with the Gospel.
Is this because we become so accustomed to the miracle of the resurrection and so caught up in day-to-day distractions that we forget the miraculous new life right under our noses?
If Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead, will you let it change you? Will you let it change your church?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Rob Bell - Love Wins
Judging by initial reviews, I thought my first response would be to shout, "Heretic!" Or perhaps to start a book burning drive. Or maybe to call for excommunication, boycotts and protests--you know, the things Christians typically do to their own these days.
But after reading Rob Bell's new book, "Love Wins," a few different responses welled up in me:
- I could relate to Rob Bell's heartbreak as he wrestles with the extreme suffering and brokenness of precious lives in a chaotic, fouled up, and corrupted world. He hurts for hurting people and he hopes God hurts for hurting people, too.
- I was delighted to see how he emphasizes the expansive grace and love of Christ--love that surpasses knowledge. The love of Jesus always surprises us, always exceeds our expectations, always breaks through the barriers we set up around it. And, unfortunately, we do set up barriers around it.
- I could hear how Rob Bell is struggling with the rationalistic structures of Reformed theology. From decision theology to double predestination and from lists of faith requirements to rationalistic clichés, his reading and study of the Scriptures have pushed him beyond what he's been told, into the uncharted territory of the mysterious and beyond-rationalism God doing things His way.
- I was sad to see that Rob Bell, in some cases, tried to discover the mysteries of God by going beyond what the Bible reveals and teaches, holding on to some magisterial-reason-based Reformed tenets and bending some Biblical themes.
- It delighted me to read an honest dialog about some big eternal questions.
- In a creative way, I could see Rob Bell reaching out to people disillusioned with the church, doubting God's existence, and disgusted with the way Christians behave. He emphasized trust in God and the need for a Savior. He identified that Savior as Jesus and dismissed the inclination of humanity to be all about self.
Was this book perfect? No. Was it perfectly orthodox? No. Was it meant to be? I don't think it was. I think it was meant to stretch the thinking of Christians who are making a mess of Jesus' mission here and now. I think it was meant to help hurting and broken people take another shot at God. I think it was meant to help Rob Bell work through some major doctrinal questions. I think it was meant to get people talking and blogging about what is true and what really matters.
I think it worked.
But after reading Rob Bell's new book, "Love Wins," a few different responses welled up in me:
- I could relate to Rob Bell's heartbreak as he wrestles with the extreme suffering and brokenness of precious lives in a chaotic, fouled up, and corrupted world. He hurts for hurting people and he hopes God hurts for hurting people, too.
- I was delighted to see how he emphasizes the expansive grace and love of Christ--love that surpasses knowledge. The love of Jesus always surprises us, always exceeds our expectations, always breaks through the barriers we set up around it. And, unfortunately, we do set up barriers around it.
- I could hear how Rob Bell is struggling with the rationalistic structures of Reformed theology. From decision theology to double predestination and from lists of faith requirements to rationalistic clichés, his reading and study of the Scriptures have pushed him beyond what he's been told, into the uncharted territory of the mysterious and beyond-rationalism God doing things His way.
- I was sad to see that Rob Bell, in some cases, tried to discover the mysteries of God by going beyond what the Bible reveals and teaches, holding on to some magisterial-reason-based Reformed tenets and bending some Biblical themes.
- It delighted me to read an honest dialog about some big eternal questions.
- In a creative way, I could see Rob Bell reaching out to people disillusioned with the church, doubting God's existence, and disgusted with the way Christians behave. He emphasized trust in God and the need for a Savior. He identified that Savior as Jesus and dismissed the inclination of humanity to be all about self.
Was this book perfect? No. Was it perfectly orthodox? No. Was it meant to be? I don't think it was. I think it was meant to stretch the thinking of Christians who are making a mess of Jesus' mission here and now. I think it was meant to help hurting and broken people take another shot at God. I think it was meant to help Rob Bell work through some major doctrinal questions. I think it was meant to get people talking and blogging about what is true and what really matters.
I think it worked.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A Super-model of Mission
It all started when supermodel Niki Taylor and her team lost their task competition. What usually follows is a brouhaha in the boardroom with Donald Trump. Accusations fly. Cut-downs dominate. Arguing, crying, and merciless self-justifying assertions saturate the paneled walls of the Donald's inner sanctum of power.
But Sunday night was different. Supermodel Niki Taylor sat composed and confident. She said that her team worked together. Each person pulled her weight in the task. They did the best they could, but did not prevail in the end. With that, she let Donald know that she was the only one who could be held responsible for the loss. She should be fired.
And Donald fired her. The boardroom was quiet. Each member of her team could be heard saying, "What a class act." "That woman is pure class." Donald echoed the same sentiment. Then with head held high, Niki Taylor exited Trump Tower and returned to the life she loved as a hard working wife and mother.
Wow. What if the church behaved like Niki Taylor? What if God's people focused completely and wholeheartedly on the mission? What if it wasn't about arrogance or position or seeking personal status and adoration, but was totally about the sacred mission to reach the lost and broken with the wholeness and hope of Jesus Christ?
We have a problem with that sometimes. As church people, we let pride get in the way too often. We seek attention and adulation through our accomplishments. We try to be Luther-like by stirring up controversy so we can make our personal mark in history. We get arrogant about what is right. We covet power and positions of prominence. It's the dark side of the institutional church. It's sinful.
God declared in Isaiah 42:8, "I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another." You see, the glory will not be ours. We are the created ones. We are the clay. We are the servants. We were dead, but now are alive because of God's mercy and amazing grace.
With humble and repentant hearts, we are called to live transformed lives--no longer ourselves prevailing, scrapping, and fighting--but Christ alive in us. It's the life of Jesus. It's the life of love. It is patient, kind, not envious, not boasting, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13).
It's what Niki Taylor demonstrated on Sunday night: mission focus, mission humility, mission integrity, mission words, and mission deeds. Oh that each of us could be led by the Holy Spirit to give up our own glory; move away from our self-absorption, fear, and haughtiness; and move forward in the mission that matters. Oh that each of us might emulate this supermodel of mission!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A Deployed Church
Those phrases describe the DNA of Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
In 1838, 1,100 Saxon Lutherans left Europe for the United States. They were on a quest for religious freedom, resisting the pressure to compromise Biblical teaching fueled by the Prussian Union. Only 750 of these daring and entrepreneurial immigrants made it to New Orleans. One ship was lost at sea.
After weathering their personal grief, the rigors of a new land, and their leader's corruption and sexual misconduct scandal, the group of believers did not collapse in failure and despondency. They grew stronger. Not yet 30-years-old, C.F.W. Walther became the leader of the group. He helped a Biblical model of church and ministry take hold among this group of Kingdom focused Christians.
What was important to this fledgling church?
Being People in Ministry and Mission: The church saw the danger of the old European hierarchical system. They followed the Biblical model of church and ministry, an active balance of people and pastors reaching out and serving.
Discipleship: Christian and theological education became a cornerstone of its existence.
Kingdom Unity: Walther's vision of a Lutheran Church across the United States resulted in the formation of the LCMS in 1847.
Kingdom Expansion: Loehe's "sent ones" (Sendlinge) set the pace for outreach, beginning with Native Americans and culminating in World Mission efforts of Lutherans that continue today.
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has been a deployed church from the beginning: Sent ones, sending more and more people--both young and old--to share the news of Jesus Christ and equip more missionaries for the Gospel. The LCMS is a deployed church: crossing the ocean and intent on infiltrating every corner of every land with ministry for Jesus Christ.
That's the church I know.
Complete and radical change. Being totally uprooted. Sacrificing home and family. Risking life itself. Empowering young leaders. Trusting the people of the church to be the church. Total devotion to God's Word and readiness to sacrifice tradition. Always on the move, bringing Christ to every corner of the community and world.
How are you doing as you are entrusted with that legacy in your community, for your state and nation, and for the world? How will you deploy your ministry in 2011?
Some churches are bringing church to nursing homes and youth shelters. Some churches are starting preschools in newly populated area. Some churches are implementing multi-site strategies. Some are planting new churches. Some are flooding neighborhoods with missional communities that form relationships and break through the barrier of the anti-institutional post-Christian culture. Ministry at local universities, the raising up of ethnic leaders to create a movement in another culture, Alpha groups that introduce people to the Christian faith--it's the DNA of the LCMS.
Complete and radical change. Being totally uprooted. Sacrificing home and family. Risking life itself. Empowering young leaders. Trusting the people of the church to be the church. Total devotion to God's Word and readiness to sacrifice tradition. Always on the move, bringing Christ to every corner of the community and world.
What's your next step?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
What's Our Brand?
A few weeks ago I watched the very first Larry King replacement show hosted by Piers Morgan on CNN. Piers interviewed Oprah Winfrey. While I wasn't wowed by Piers, I was taken by one of his questions. He asked Oprah, "What's your brand?"
Piers Morgan pushed Oprah to respond with words and phrases like: Power, Influence, World Domination, Political Clout, A Network that Controls the World. Oprah wouldn't go for those. After being pushed to summarize her "brand," Oprah responded with one word:
Love.
She went on to describe her heartfelt hope that people feel loved because of who she is and what she offers. She wanted that love to be transmitted to others in an unbroken chain of "paying it forward."
Piers was shocked. He pushed back. But Oprah wouldn't budge. Love it was. That is what would define her to the world.
You probably see where I'm going. What if Piers Morgan asked the church what its brand is these days?
What might outside observers answer?
What might the church itself answer?
I wonder if the word "love" would come up at all?
Jesus made the brand He desired very clear: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).
Read John 17 and you'll see Jesus' branding effort all over the place. Review the entire book of 1 John and see the direction the Scriptures send us. Take a look at the book of James and ponder how God wants our faith to be worked out in love.
But is love (Gospel love, the true love of God) really what we're about? Henri Nouwen said, "Power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life" (In the Name of Jesus, p.59).
In "The Divine Conspiracy" Dallas Willard commented that perhaps our outcomes are not in spite of what we do but because of it. Could the stalled and suspect church of the western world be an exact result of what we're making it?
What if the brand spoken of by Jesus took hold in our hearts and actions? What if love prevailed in congregations and communities? What transformation would take place? What new and exciting ministry would result? Who might be rescued from eternal death and live a lifetime of contagious love as they traveled the road to eternal life with Jesus?
Piers Morgan pushed Oprah to respond with words and phrases like: Power, Influence, World Domination, Political Clout, A Network that Controls the World. Oprah wouldn't go for those. After being pushed to summarize her "brand," Oprah responded with one word:
Love.
She went on to describe her heartfelt hope that people feel loved because of who she is and what she offers. She wanted that love to be transmitted to others in an unbroken chain of "paying it forward."
Piers was shocked. He pushed back. But Oprah wouldn't budge. Love it was. That is what would define her to the world.
You probably see where I'm going. What if Piers Morgan asked the church what its brand is these days?
What might outside observers answer?
What might the church itself answer?
I wonder if the word "love" would come up at all?
Jesus made the brand He desired very clear: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).
Read John 17 and you'll see Jesus' branding effort all over the place. Review the entire book of 1 John and see the direction the Scriptures send us. Take a look at the book of James and ponder how God wants our faith to be worked out in love.
But is love (Gospel love, the true love of God) really what we're about? Henri Nouwen said, "Power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life" (In the Name of Jesus, p.59).
In "The Divine Conspiracy" Dallas Willard commented that perhaps our outcomes are not in spite of what we do but because of it. Could the stalled and suspect church of the western world be an exact result of what we're making it?
What if the brand spoken of by Jesus took hold in our hearts and actions? What if love prevailed in congregations and communities? What transformation would take place? What new and exciting ministry would result? Who might be rescued from eternal death and live a lifetime of contagious love as they traveled the road to eternal life with Jesus?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)