What do I mean by "Church Seasons"? I'm referring to particular chunks of time in church history. There are many ways to divide church history, but as I listened to a summary of the three ecumenical creeds recently, I realized that the church has had an interesting historical flow that may relate to mission outreach--and the hesitance to reach out--during our era of church history.
An initial season of church history can be called a season of doctrine. For the first 800 years or so of the Christian Church's existence, teachers asserted ideas that were opposed to Biblical orthodoxy. Marcion didn't like anything Jewish, so he started to slice sections out of the Bible. Montanus advocated adding to the Scriptures through the revelations of his ecstatic prophets. Valentinus promulgated Gnostic teachings. Arianism led to the first ecumenical council in Nicaea in 325 A.D. There are plenty more, but you get the idea. Biblical orthodoxy was being defined in response to unscriptural teachers. Ecumenical councils were convened. Doctrine was being sorted out.
The next season to develop was a season of corruption. The institutional church became a place of power and control. Political and Ecclesiastical lines became blurred. Human traditions and inclinations supplanted Biblical mandates and emphases. The church was a mess. Money, sex, and power became the prevailing themes within the church. It was an ugly season.
The third major season of the church was a season of reformation. While many voices of reformation cried out during the season of corruption, Martin Luther stands out as the person who led a season of reform in the church. Luther sought to bring the church back to the Bible and back to the cross of Christ. It was a season of refocusing on God's will, His ways, and His gifts.
The season of reformation led to another season of doctrine. As the new phenomenon of protestant movements and denominations developed, departures from the historic teaching of the Scriptures came on the scene. The church wrestled with the definition and nature of the sacraments, teachings on millennialism, the nature of church and ministry, and more. Some older heresies resurfaced and caused the church to wrestle anew with ancient issues. Stretching into the 1800's and 1900's everything from Biblical liberalism to the development of false "Christian" groups presented the church with doctrinal challenges.
This second season of doctrine fueled another season of corruption. Religious charlatans, money-focused televangelists, and a sexual scandal laden Roman Catholic priesthood mark our present era. In addition, a desire for fame, power, and control in the church taints and distracts from the Christocentric aim of the body of Christ.
So, as one of my professors used to say, "Cui bono?" In other words, "To whom for good?" "What's the point?"
Here's the bottom line:
- While all these seasons happen to some degree all the time in the church, we are living in a time poised for another season of reformation. Will this mean a recovery of the mission of the church? Will it mean a return to authenticity versus institutionalism? I don't know, but we are moving toward reform.
- When the rumblings of reformation begin to happen, the people caught up in the season of corruption believe that change equals heresy instead of reform. This is very important. Corrupt church leaders try to cast Biblical and Gospel reforms as doctrinal errors. This is done to prevent change and to maintain control. The Roman Catholic Church excommunicated Martin Luther on doctrinal grounds. Instead of adopting a spirit of repentance based on an honest look at the Scriptures, the church in Luther's time did not want to surrender control and, therefore, misinterpreted reform.
It is important that we do not make the same mistake. The big question is: Can we recognize when change is true reformation and welcome it with a spirit of repentance?
What changes in the church today are moving us back to the cross of Christ? What changes are bringing us back to what the church was designed to be by its head, Jesus?
We're running into a season of reformation. We need to watch carefully.
Showing posts with label Church Planting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church Planting. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A Life-changing Event
I was walking in a parking lot in Florida a few weeks ago and saw something I had never seen in my life.
It was early morning. Sprinkler systems had shut off fairly recently and the pavement was puddled but drying. About a foot from the grass was an earthworm. He was stranded on a dry patch of pavement, wiggling slowly. Death was not far away as the sun rose, the temperature grew warmer, and the moisture disappeared.
Suddenly, the worm jumped! Yes, it leaped about an inch off the ground, springing closer to its grassy goal. With a mighty contraction, the worm got some air. Unbelievable.
I’m not sure if the worm made it back to a moist and muddy haven, but this was an unusual action for an earthworm. Trying to free itself from certain shriveling, dehydration, and death, the worm was pushed to go where no earthworm had gone before. It was a catalytic occurrence in the life of that worm. It was a life-changing event.
The church is being ignored more and more. Fewer people are deciding to go to church. The reputation of the church is suffering. By some it is considered boring and irrelevant. By others it is viewed as corrupt and cliquish. The organized church, it seems, is like a worm on drying pavement.
Mind you, the Bride of Christ is alive and well. Christ’s body will advance so that the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. But the outward organization and expression of the church is hurting. My questions are: Will it jump, and where will it land?
Will the church lay down and die or will it spring into a catalytic, life-changing event that renews its relevance, outreach, and vigor?
Will the church leap from dry outmodedness into the living water of Christ crucified, risen, and reaching a lost world?
What will that jump look like? Where will the church land? Will the church be less building centered and more community saturating? Will the church be more servant focused and less consumer driven? Will the church release people for ministry instead of controlling a group for maximum uniformity? Will the church rejoice in Biblical truth instead of watering down its uniqueness and blending with the culture? Will worship services be means of celebration, refueling, and encouragement as believers are sent to their people and communities instead of being the end point of what a believer is supposed to do?
What will the earthworm bride do? We know that God will preserve His Church no matter what. Will the old worm have to die or will it burst into the air to live another day?
(Church Planting Series, Part thirty-four)
It was early morning. Sprinkler systems had shut off fairly recently and the pavement was puddled but drying. About a foot from the grass was an earthworm. He was stranded on a dry patch of pavement, wiggling slowly. Death was not far away as the sun rose, the temperature grew warmer, and the moisture disappeared.
Suddenly, the worm jumped! Yes, it leaped about an inch off the ground, springing closer to its grassy goal. With a mighty contraction, the worm got some air. Unbelievable.
I’m not sure if the worm made it back to a moist and muddy haven, but this was an unusual action for an earthworm. Trying to free itself from certain shriveling, dehydration, and death, the worm was pushed to go where no earthworm had gone before. It was a catalytic occurrence in the life of that worm. It was a life-changing event.
The church is being ignored more and more. Fewer people are deciding to go to church. The reputation of the church is suffering. By some it is considered boring and irrelevant. By others it is viewed as corrupt and cliquish. The organized church, it seems, is like a worm on drying pavement.
Mind you, the Bride of Christ is alive and well. Christ’s body will advance so that the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. But the outward organization and expression of the church is hurting. My questions are: Will it jump, and where will it land?
Will the church lay down and die or will it spring into a catalytic, life-changing event that renews its relevance, outreach, and vigor?
Will the church leap from dry outmodedness into the living water of Christ crucified, risen, and reaching a lost world?
What will that jump look like? Where will the church land? Will the church be less building centered and more community saturating? Will the church be more servant focused and less consumer driven? Will the church release people for ministry instead of controlling a group for maximum uniformity? Will the church rejoice in Biblical truth instead of watering down its uniqueness and blending with the culture? Will worship services be means of celebration, refueling, and encouragement as believers are sent to their people and communities instead of being the end point of what a believer is supposed to do?
What will the earthworm bride do? We know that God will preserve His Church no matter what. Will the old worm have to die or will it burst into the air to live another day?
(Church Planting Series, Part thirty-four)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Your Ministry Finds You
Dr. Zhao Xiao, a leading Chinese economist, was sent to the United States on a mission. The Chinese government asked him to investigate why the American economy was so successful. After several months of study, Dr. Xiao came to a startling conclusion. In an essay entitled "Market Economies with Churches, and Market Economies without Churches," Dr. Xiao stated that the Christian faith and the existence of Christian churches were key to America’s commercial success.
Dr. Zhao Xiao brought this message back to China—along with a newfound Christian faith. His findings persuaded the Communist government to acknowledge the need for the church—even including a new statement about the church in the Communist platform.
How in the world did this happen? Who could have planned such a turn of events?
Not any of us. It’s a perfect example of how the Mission of God (Missio Dei) works. God is in mission. He is sending Himself to redeem the world. Sometimes we identify what He’s doing and join in His work. Other times His work finds us. In fact, I think this is what happens most often.
Look at the Biblical accounts of God’s movements. God called and sent Abraham. God called Moses out of hiding. God sent Jonah to complete a plan Jonah had no desire to be involved with. God sent Jesus to a world of darkness that didn’t accept Him, to disciples who flunked out of Rabbi training who didn’t understand Him, to people who would have never put their lives on the line for the kind of Kingdom God designed.
Look at God’s movements in your life. I can’t tell you how many times my ministry bright ideas weren’t my ideas at all. Usually God sent someone to pester me into implementing some kind of outreach initiative. I ended up being called a wise pastoral leader when I really stumbled into, or was dragged into, the ministry idea in the first place.
That’s the beauty of God’s Kingdom. And that’s a liberating principle of God’s action for everyone who wants to serve Him. The wise theologian Michael Jordan once said, “You’ve got to let the game come to you.” If you say, “Here I am! Send me!” or even if you don’t, God will show you where He is leading you to serve.
For Dr. Zhao Xiao, it was bringing an economic study with surprising conclusions back to his atheistic Communist country—along with a life transformed by the Gospel.
For you, it may be serving your family. Or reaching out to the neighborhood. Or being Christ’s light at work. Or serving the poor. Or helping the lonely and aged in a local nursing home. Or being a witness at school. Or brining Jesus to your hospital room.
If you watch and pray, your ministry will find you!
Dr. Xiao will be speaking live at the Global Leadership Summit. Click here to register for attendance at a Texas venue.
You can watch a two and a half minute clip from a Frontline story about Dr. Xiao and read his groundbreaking essay by clicking here.
(Church Planting Series, Part thirty-two)
Dr. Zhao Xiao brought this message back to China—along with a newfound Christian faith. His findings persuaded the Communist government to acknowledge the need for the church—even including a new statement about the church in the Communist platform.
How in the world did this happen? Who could have planned such a turn of events?
Not any of us. It’s a perfect example of how the Mission of God (Missio Dei) works. God is in mission. He is sending Himself to redeem the world. Sometimes we identify what He’s doing and join in His work. Other times His work finds us. In fact, I think this is what happens most often.
Look at the Biblical accounts of God’s movements. God called and sent Abraham. God called Moses out of hiding. God sent Jonah to complete a plan Jonah had no desire to be involved with. God sent Jesus to a world of darkness that didn’t accept Him, to disciples who flunked out of Rabbi training who didn’t understand Him, to people who would have never put their lives on the line for the kind of Kingdom God designed.
Look at God’s movements in your life. I can’t tell you how many times my ministry bright ideas weren’t my ideas at all. Usually God sent someone to pester me into implementing some kind of outreach initiative. I ended up being called a wise pastoral leader when I really stumbled into, or was dragged into, the ministry idea in the first place.
That’s the beauty of God’s Kingdom. And that’s a liberating principle of God’s action for everyone who wants to serve Him. The wise theologian Michael Jordan once said, “You’ve got to let the game come to you.” If you say, “Here I am! Send me!” or even if you don’t, God will show you where He is leading you to serve.
For Dr. Zhao Xiao, it was bringing an economic study with surprising conclusions back to his atheistic Communist country—along with a life transformed by the Gospel.
For you, it may be serving your family. Or reaching out to the neighborhood. Or being Christ’s light at work. Or serving the poor. Or helping the lonely and aged in a local nursing home. Or being a witness at school. Or brining Jesus to your hospital room.
If you watch and pray, your ministry will find you!
Dr. Xiao will be speaking live at the Global Leadership Summit. Click here to register for attendance at a Texas venue.
You can watch a two and a half minute clip from a Frontline story about Dr. Xiao and read his groundbreaking essay by clicking here.
(Church Planting Series, Part thirty-two)
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Oscar and Making Heroes
Church Planting Series, Part thirty
It’s Oscar time of year! Yes, you may be a connoisseur of the red carpet, a viewer of the very famous, a watcher of designer outerwear, a groupie of the acting-gifted. Or maybe not.
I’ll be honest, whenever I see Hollywood awards shows, I feel like they’re very self-indulgent. An award extravaganza amounts to actors throwing a big party and patting each other on the back publicly in order to self promote, create more revenue, and position themselves for bigger and better contracts.
But in the midst of the glamorous gowns, the insipid speeches, and the drawn-out demagoguery, could there be a bright spot? Is there a lesson to learn?
Recently, I heard Reggie McNeal speak about apostolic leaders. Addressing what was created to be a living organism, the Church, McNeal commented that the Church needs to celebrate the right things. The living, breathing, changing, on-the-move Church needs to rejoice in the risks it takes. It needs to share success stories of outstretched arms of salvation being brought to the hurting and lost.
McNeal said that apostolic leaders and a truly apostolic Church “make heroes of the right people.”
Could it be that the Oscars are closer to apostolic leadership than the Church?
Think about what the Church does with its risk-takers, change-agents, and new idea people. Too often, it buries them beneath criticism. It shuns them. Even when these on-the-edge entrepreneurs are solidly proclaiming Biblical truth, the Church has responded with complacency or cruelty.
A local pastor may suppress the gifts of a layperson. A denomination may hiss over the newest local church that is growing. Why? It may be that no one wants to risk compromising the glory of God. But I think there’s another reason. I believe that the Church, in part, is imprisoned in unhealthy fear and ungodly egocentricity. Instead of lifting up others for the sake of the Kingdom, the church has fallen into the trap of pushing others down for the sake of itself. It is madness. It is contrary to our calling.
So, as we create enemies, Hollywood makes heroes. As we decline, Hollywood identifies and lifts up its best to increase its market share.
What if we decided to follow Hollywood’s lead? Not in Hollywood style, of course, but in God’s style. What if we made heroes of good and faithful servants? What if we celebrated and learned from missional risk takers? What if we listened to people who had new ideas—-and tried them out! What if we lifted up exceptional Kingdom advancers to increase Jesus’ market share?
How will you lose yourself and make a hero of one of Jesus’ servants this week?
It’s Oscar time of year! Yes, you may be a connoisseur of the red carpet, a viewer of the very famous, a watcher of designer outerwear, a groupie of the acting-gifted. Or maybe not.
I’ll be honest, whenever I see Hollywood awards shows, I feel like they’re very self-indulgent. An award extravaganza amounts to actors throwing a big party and patting each other on the back publicly in order to self promote, create more revenue, and position themselves for bigger and better contracts.
But in the midst of the glamorous gowns, the insipid speeches, and the drawn-out demagoguery, could there be a bright spot? Is there a lesson to learn?
Recently, I heard Reggie McNeal speak about apostolic leaders. Addressing what was created to be a living organism, the Church, McNeal commented that the Church needs to celebrate the right things. The living, breathing, changing, on-the-move Church needs to rejoice in the risks it takes. It needs to share success stories of outstretched arms of salvation being brought to the hurting and lost.
McNeal said that apostolic leaders and a truly apostolic Church “make heroes of the right people.”
Could it be that the Oscars are closer to apostolic leadership than the Church?
Think about what the Church does with its risk-takers, change-agents, and new idea people. Too often, it buries them beneath criticism. It shuns them. Even when these on-the-edge entrepreneurs are solidly proclaiming Biblical truth, the Church has responded with complacency or cruelty.
A local pastor may suppress the gifts of a layperson. A denomination may hiss over the newest local church that is growing. Why? It may be that no one wants to risk compromising the glory of God. But I think there’s another reason. I believe that the Church, in part, is imprisoned in unhealthy fear and ungodly egocentricity. Instead of lifting up others for the sake of the Kingdom, the church has fallen into the trap of pushing others down for the sake of itself. It is madness. It is contrary to our calling.
So, as we create enemies, Hollywood makes heroes. As we decline, Hollywood identifies and lifts up its best to increase its market share.
What if we decided to follow Hollywood’s lead? Not in Hollywood style, of course, but in God’s style. What if we made heroes of good and faithful servants? What if we celebrated and learned from missional risk takers? What if we listened to people who had new ideas—-and tried them out! What if we lifted up exceptional Kingdom advancers to increase Jesus’ market share?
How will you lose yourself and make a hero of one of Jesus’ servants this week?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Making Room
Church Planting Series, Part twenty-eight
Where will new Kingdom leaders come from? Are we developing them? Are we making room for their ideas and mistakes? Do they have a significant place around the leadership table? Two observations make this question even more urgent.
Observation #1: I was on a run in Florida recently and saw a group of 70-year-olds whiz by me on road bikes. Each was dressed like Lance Armstrong. These guys were flying.
I turned a corner and saw a man in his eighties dressed in his technical running gear, adjusting his playlist selection on his iPod.
These guys are not like my grandparents were. They’re still center stage, grabbing the gusto, and living life to the full.
The result? A good number from the late Builder generation and early Boomer generation still hold strong places of leadership in the church. They will be actively leading for a long time. The key questions are:
Will they make room for the leadership voices of new generations?
Will they intentionally identify and mentor new leaders?
Observation #2: My older brother is like many in our generation. He and his wife waited to have children. He is now 50-years-old and has a 5-year-old child.
A significant number of people in the U.S. are getting married older, waiting to have children, and having fewer children.
The result? The age gap between parents and children is growing. Instead of 30 or 40-year-olds succeeding their parents’ generation in leadership roles, many 20-year-olds will be in that position. The key questions are:
Will these 20-year-olds have access to a faith-maturing, leadership development process from their parents’ generation?
Will these young leaders be given a chance to reach their generation for Christ in new ways that fit who they are?
If we don’t make room for a new generation of leaders, share leadership and Kingdom lessons with them, and allow them to have a meaningful voice, they may find themselves alienated from the church and ill-equipped to bring Jesus to a broken world.
Are you actively making room?
Next Time: Making Room for the older and younger, together in the church.
Where will new Kingdom leaders come from? Are we developing them? Are we making room for their ideas and mistakes? Do they have a significant place around the leadership table? Two observations make this question even more urgent.
Observation #1: I was on a run in Florida recently and saw a group of 70-year-olds whiz by me on road bikes. Each was dressed like Lance Armstrong. These guys were flying.
I turned a corner and saw a man in his eighties dressed in his technical running gear, adjusting his playlist selection on his iPod.
These guys are not like my grandparents were. They’re still center stage, grabbing the gusto, and living life to the full.
The result? A good number from the late Builder generation and early Boomer generation still hold strong places of leadership in the church. They will be actively leading for a long time. The key questions are:
Will they make room for the leadership voices of new generations?
Will they intentionally identify and mentor new leaders?
Observation #2: My older brother is like many in our generation. He and his wife waited to have children. He is now 50-years-old and has a 5-year-old child.
A significant number of people in the U.S. are getting married older, waiting to have children, and having fewer children.
The result? The age gap between parents and children is growing. Instead of 30 or 40-year-olds succeeding their parents’ generation in leadership roles, many 20-year-olds will be in that position. The key questions are:
Will these 20-year-olds have access to a faith-maturing, leadership development process from their parents’ generation?
Will these young leaders be given a chance to reach their generation for Christ in new ways that fit who they are?
If we don’t make room for a new generation of leaders, share leadership and Kingdom lessons with them, and allow them to have a meaningful voice, they may find themselves alienated from the church and ill-equipped to bring Jesus to a broken world.
Are you actively making room?
Next Time: Making Room for the older and younger, together in the church.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Fame or Service?
Church Planting Series, Part twenty-seven
My nephew is really good at basketball. He’s in fifth grade and scores most of the points for his team. He’s a good sportsman, has lots of fun, and absolutely loves the game.
I suspect you know, however, what every parent, coach, and observer says to his parents:
“He’s really good. You should sign him up for an AAU team.”
“He’s got talent. He may be able to get a scholarship to a major university.”
“With his skill, he may make you rich one day by playing in the NBA.”
I understand that it’s good to think about goals, plans, and using your gifts. I understand that you need to look ahead. But I also see a great danger in always dwelling on the next step. If my nephew gets too far ahead of himself, he’ll become miserable. He’ll end up hating basketball.
The same issue exists among servants of the church. When using gifts, talents, imagination, and initiative to serve the local church, the devil whispers:
“Hey, you’re really good. This might make you famous.”
“You know, you shouldn’t waste your talent here. You should hit the conference circuit.”
“With abilities like yours, you should stop messing around in your insignificant ministry. You should cash in on your talent.”
The temptation to fame attempts to replace the dedication to service. And if the desire for notoriety takes control, the servant of the church will become miserable, empty, and ineffective. Glorifying God will be replaced by trying to make an impression. Serving people will be replaced by lusting after personal prominence. Transforming lives will be replaced by gaining approval.
It’s a dangerous trap.
The answer? A renewal of faith. Jesus didn’t count equality with God something to hang onto. He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2). And what happened? His humble, short-term ministry in a little corner of nowhere saved us.
Do you believe that your humble ministry in a little corner of nowhere will bring salvation to people in need? Do you believe that God has you there on purpose for His purpose? Do you believe that your gifts will not be wasted there, that the purpose of your energy and talent is for serving God’s precious people, not for getting your name on a marquee somewhere?
Do you believe in THIS step—-not just the NEXT step?
It’s wonderful when God lifts up servants to reach many people. It’s a blessing when we can reap the benefits of people’s great talents on a large scale. Renown can bring the result of widespread ministry impact. But let’s not miss the here. Let’s not miss the now. Let’s not allow a lust for fame to dilute the high calling of serving God's people in a local ministry that the world may never see…until that day!
My nephew is really good at basketball. He’s in fifth grade and scores most of the points for his team. He’s a good sportsman, has lots of fun, and absolutely loves the game.
I suspect you know, however, what every parent, coach, and observer says to his parents:
“He’s really good. You should sign him up for an AAU team.”
“He’s got talent. He may be able to get a scholarship to a major university.”
“With his skill, he may make you rich one day by playing in the NBA.”
I understand that it’s good to think about goals, plans, and using your gifts. I understand that you need to look ahead. But I also see a great danger in always dwelling on the next step. If my nephew gets too far ahead of himself, he’ll become miserable. He’ll end up hating basketball.
The same issue exists among servants of the church. When using gifts, talents, imagination, and initiative to serve the local church, the devil whispers:
“Hey, you’re really good. This might make you famous.”
“You know, you shouldn’t waste your talent here. You should hit the conference circuit.”
“With abilities like yours, you should stop messing around in your insignificant ministry. You should cash in on your talent.”
The temptation to fame attempts to replace the dedication to service. And if the desire for notoriety takes control, the servant of the church will become miserable, empty, and ineffective. Glorifying God will be replaced by trying to make an impression. Serving people will be replaced by lusting after personal prominence. Transforming lives will be replaced by gaining approval.
It’s a dangerous trap.
The answer? A renewal of faith. Jesus didn’t count equality with God something to hang onto. He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2). And what happened? His humble, short-term ministry in a little corner of nowhere saved us.
Do you believe that your humble ministry in a little corner of nowhere will bring salvation to people in need? Do you believe that God has you there on purpose for His purpose? Do you believe that your gifts will not be wasted there, that the purpose of your energy and talent is for serving God’s precious people, not for getting your name on a marquee somewhere?
Do you believe in THIS step—-not just the NEXT step?
It’s wonderful when God lifts up servants to reach many people. It’s a blessing when we can reap the benefits of people’s great talents on a large scale. Renown can bring the result of widespread ministry impact. But let’s not miss the here. Let’s not miss the now. Let’s not allow a lust for fame to dilute the high calling of serving God's people in a local ministry that the world may never see…until that day!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tiger and Integrity
Church Planting Series, Part twenty-four
Although our culture cries out, “Anything goes! There is no truth! You have a right to do what you want!”, advertisers aren’t so sure about that.
By now you’ve been inundated with news about Tiger Woods. He is in the difficult position of dealing with his infidelity. He must face his own flaws. He bears the weight of inflicting deep hurt on his wife and family.
Tiger was not exempt from the expectation of integrity and faithfulness. Society’s voice may play fast and loose with morality, but advertisers serve as a social conscience. People won’t buy duplicity. The lack of integrity doesn’t sell. Just ask his sponsors who are ending their relationship with Tiger. The reason? Tiger doesn’t represent the qualities the advertisers are trying to convey.
No one is exempt from integrity.
Church planters, servants of Jesus, missional workers take note!
It may be exciting to ride the challenging and entrepreneurial wave of reaching out for God’s Kingdom. You may enjoy seeing people hang on your every word as you teach and lead. You may revel in the life-change you witness as you serve. But a lack of integrity will make your message hollow. A lack of integrity will destroy God’s work through you. Where do you need to watch carefully for integrity—-an integrated, whole, and truthful life?
Body integrity: This includes sexual purity. It also means you take care of yourself.
Soul integrity: This means you practice what you preach. You’re a person of the Word and prayer.
Heart integrity: You’re called to be a person of peace, kindness, and compassion. You speak the truth—always with a loving spirit. You refrain from being mean.
Thought integrity: What images and ideas are you letting dominate your thinking? You are called to dwell on whatever is pure, right, praiseworthy, etc.
Tongue integrity: You keep promises, don’t tell lies, refrain from gossip, and do not speak profanely.
Family integrity: You honor your wife; you actively parent your children. Family does not get leftovers after ministry.
Communication integrity: You answer phone calls and e-mails. You respond to people as best you can. You don’t ignore people whom God has placed in your life.
Work integrity: You live an industrious life, serving faithfully and going beyond the base expectations of those who entrust you with tasks.
Relationship integrity: You practice impartiality, not playing favorites. You don’t intimidate or abuse your position of authority. You build others up as a mentor and encourager.
What additional areas of integrity are we called to as followers of Christ, redeemed by Him, new creations in Him? Let me know your thoughts.
Although our culture cries out, “Anything goes! There is no truth! You have a right to do what you want!”, advertisers aren’t so sure about that.
By now you’ve been inundated with news about Tiger Woods. He is in the difficult position of dealing with his infidelity. He must face his own flaws. He bears the weight of inflicting deep hurt on his wife and family.
Tiger was not exempt from the expectation of integrity and faithfulness. Society’s voice may play fast and loose with morality, but advertisers serve as a social conscience. People won’t buy duplicity. The lack of integrity doesn’t sell. Just ask his sponsors who are ending their relationship with Tiger. The reason? Tiger doesn’t represent the qualities the advertisers are trying to convey.
No one is exempt from integrity.
Church planters, servants of Jesus, missional workers take note!
It may be exciting to ride the challenging and entrepreneurial wave of reaching out for God’s Kingdom. You may enjoy seeing people hang on your every word as you teach and lead. You may revel in the life-change you witness as you serve. But a lack of integrity will make your message hollow. A lack of integrity will destroy God’s work through you. Where do you need to watch carefully for integrity—-an integrated, whole, and truthful life?
Body integrity: This includes sexual purity. It also means you take care of yourself.
Soul integrity: This means you practice what you preach. You’re a person of the Word and prayer.
Heart integrity: You’re called to be a person of peace, kindness, and compassion. You speak the truth—always with a loving spirit. You refrain from being mean.
Thought integrity: What images and ideas are you letting dominate your thinking? You are called to dwell on whatever is pure, right, praiseworthy, etc.
Tongue integrity: You keep promises, don’t tell lies, refrain from gossip, and do not speak profanely.
Family integrity: You honor your wife; you actively parent your children. Family does not get leftovers after ministry.
Communication integrity: You answer phone calls and e-mails. You respond to people as best you can. You don’t ignore people whom God has placed in your life.
Work integrity: You live an industrious life, serving faithfully and going beyond the base expectations of those who entrust you with tasks.
Relationship integrity: You practice impartiality, not playing favorites. You don’t intimidate or abuse your position of authority. You build others up as a mentor and encourager.
What additional areas of integrity are we called to as followers of Christ, redeemed by Him, new creations in Him? Let me know your thoughts.
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