So yesterday I was pointing out what looked like an attempt by the Methodist church to "re-think" church by avoiding the gospel. A friend sent me a video which adds further weight to my evaluation of the re-think campaign and I assume all Bible/gospel lovers will find it quite terrible from a content standpoint. This may be hard to believe, but the last blog post I wrote prior to taking up this re-think church topic was called "A High Five from the Devil", which was about what we get for rejecting God, ironically this video is called of all things, A High Five for the Local Church!
I invite you to watch the video and evaluate it based for how focused it is on the work the church is called to do, after being reminded what the church is supposed to be doing from God's word:
Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
2 Cor. 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that
is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not
imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of
reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Now that you have been reminded of the church's mission, here is a link to the video- A High Five for the Local Church
A high five from who?
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by
Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
How bazaar?
I know the American church has long been distracted from its primary duty - to be the means by which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is carried to the ends of the earth. Two interesting examples came to me this morning of how we might be off track.
First a new commercial I saw several times during the morning news. It gave several examples of good works the Methodist church has done over its history and then encouraged people to "re-think church" and they could start by visiting their website rethinkchurch.org.
When I visited the website it had a rotating banner at the top declaring these various works, things like "introducing innovative teaching methods into the early 20th century" and "providing education resources to new immigrants in the 1920s". At the bottom of each of these accomplishments it says - "That's church!" Is it really? I'll get back to that in a moment.
OK, the other interesting thing that happened was a person called my office wanting to know when the "bazaar" was. I told the caller I was not entirely sure what a bazaar is, so she explained it was when our church had crafts and chicken. I am sure there is more to it than that, but I had heard enough to let her know she had called the wrong number. She quickly said sorry and I assume went back to searching for the church with the bazaar.
Do I think a church having a "bazaar" is necessarily bad - no. Do I think the Methodist church and other churches have done good and Christ honoring work by meeting the practical needs of people - Yes.
So what is my problem? Well, I hope the church know for its "bazaar", also is known for proclaiming the gospel. The re-think church website is actually free of the gospel as far as I can tell, and that is far more troubling. If you go far enough by following some links listed in the body of their FAQ's section, you can find Jesus mentioned. What I could not find was any mention of sin or our separation from God, or of how Jesus Christ is necessary to solve these problems.
They seem to be very careful to present themselves as a church that is totally open to all and without controversy, they are clear that their focus is on meeting people's needs and helping them find ways to help others. However, I fear that they have left out the most important need people have, to be redeemed by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. That is bazaar, sad and certainly not doing Jesus' will.
Consider Jesus' description of how the church would be viewed by the world, as it made proclaiming His words the primary task -
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
The re-think church folk seem intent on being loved by the world, and if they are, I hope they would consider if it is because they have done great humanitarian works, because they are so inclusive or is it because they have removed the gospel and the offense Jesus promised it would bring?
It could be they have re-thought church to the point that it should not be called church at all!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
First a new commercial I saw several times during the morning news. It gave several examples of good works the Methodist church has done over its history and then encouraged people to "re-think church" and they could start by visiting their website rethinkchurch.org.
When I visited the website it had a rotating banner at the top declaring these various works, things like "introducing innovative teaching methods into the early 20th century" and "providing education resources to new immigrants in the 1920s". At the bottom of each of these accomplishments it says - "That's church!" Is it really? I'll get back to that in a moment.
OK, the other interesting thing that happened was a person called my office wanting to know when the "bazaar" was. I told the caller I was not entirely sure what a bazaar is, so she explained it was when our church had crafts and chicken. I am sure there is more to it than that, but I had heard enough to let her know she had called the wrong number. She quickly said sorry and I assume went back to searching for the church with the bazaar.
Do I think a church having a "bazaar" is necessarily bad - no. Do I think the Methodist church and other churches have done good and Christ honoring work by meeting the practical needs of people - Yes.
So what is my problem? Well, I hope the church know for its "bazaar", also is known for proclaiming the gospel. The re-think church website is actually free of the gospel as far as I can tell, and that is far more troubling. If you go far enough by following some links listed in the body of their FAQ's section, you can find Jesus mentioned. What I could not find was any mention of sin or our separation from God, or of how Jesus Christ is necessary to solve these problems.
They seem to be very careful to present themselves as a church that is totally open to all and without controversy, they are clear that their focus is on meeting people's needs and helping them find ways to help others. However, I fear that they have left out the most important need people have, to be redeemed by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. That is bazaar, sad and certainly not doing Jesus' will.
Consider Jesus' description of how the church would be viewed by the world, as it made proclaiming His words the primary task -
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
The re-think church folk seem intent on being loved by the world, and if they are, I hope they would consider if it is because they have done great humanitarian works, because they are so inclusive or is it because they have removed the gospel and the offense Jesus promised it would bring?
It could be they have re-thought church to the point that it should not be called church at all!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
A "high five" from the devil?
Ever wonder why we are so naturally rebellious against God and/or what we think we will get for our rebellion? I know the easy answer is because we (in our unconverted state) are by nature haters of God who desire to live free of His rule. The Bible says this in several ways:
Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Rom. 3:10 As it is written:
Look at how this anti-God attitude is also a pro-Satan attitude:
Eph. 2:1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
So, for our rebellion against God we get what? A "high five" from the prince of darkness! We get a pat on the back from the one who desires our constant and eternal misery as we enter into his realm finally, fully and forever.
By contrast, for humbly coming to God by faith in Jesus Christ and becoming His servant, we get what?
Rev. 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Rom. 3:10 As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
13 “Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
13 “Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Look at how this anti-God attitude is also a pro-Satan attitude:
Eph. 2:1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
So, for our rebellion against God we get what? A "high five" from the prince of darkness! We get a pat on the back from the one who desires our constant and eternal misery as we enter into his realm finally, fully and forever.
By contrast, for humbly coming to God by faith in Jesus Christ and becoming His servant, we get what?
Rev. 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Monday, August 26, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
"Get to the next level faster"?
I have received emails from Church Staffing for years. I signed up for it at some point, but have not actually read any of their emails in years. These are the kind of emails I delete without thinking about it and sometimes wonder why I don't take a moment and remove myself from their list.
Today I was both glad and sad that I still receive their emails. Glad because it is good to know what people are thinking in the ministry world and sad, because I got a glimpse of what people are thinking in the ministry world.
The email itself was pretty much an invite to use their services, but the subject line of the email, "get to the next level faster" is troubling. I am not against a pastor moving from a smaller church to a larger church, nor am I against a pastor moving from a larger church to a smaller church, the issue is why would we take a ministry position at any church, how long should we stay at a church and why should we leave one when and if we do?
Now I am sure that pastors with much skill at preaching and good leadership skills will often end up at larger churches and those with less to offer may end up at smaller churches. However, there is something troubling about going to a church that you see as only a stepping stone to the ministry you really want and/or feel you deserve.
I must not cast the first stone, in my flesh I have sometimes thought I deserve a bigger church and sometimes like I am very inadequate for the church I pastor now. When I am thinking rightly about it, I know I am inadequate accept for God's empowerment, and I believe God has brought me to this church in His time and for His own reasons.
Why would a pastor seek to move to the "next level"?
Greater influence? Maybe that is good?
Provide better for my family? That could be reasonable?
It is between the pastor and the Lord to sort out what is right in any given situation, but a passage of scripture suggests great caution before we try to "get to the next level faster".
Jesus said:
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
There is only one "good Shepherd" who "owns the sheep"! However, we, as under-shepherds, need to put the safety of the sheep above our own desrie to "get to the next level faster"!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Today I was both glad and sad that I still receive their emails. Glad because it is good to know what people are thinking in the ministry world and sad, because I got a glimpse of what people are thinking in the ministry world.
The email itself was pretty much an invite to use their services, but the subject line of the email, "get to the next level faster" is troubling. I am not against a pastor moving from a smaller church to a larger church, nor am I against a pastor moving from a larger church to a smaller church, the issue is why would we take a ministry position at any church, how long should we stay at a church and why should we leave one when and if we do?
Now I am sure that pastors with much skill at preaching and good leadership skills will often end up at larger churches and those with less to offer may end up at smaller churches. However, there is something troubling about going to a church that you see as only a stepping stone to the ministry you really want and/or feel you deserve.
I must not cast the first stone, in my flesh I have sometimes thought I deserve a bigger church and sometimes like I am very inadequate for the church I pastor now. When I am thinking rightly about it, I know I am inadequate accept for God's empowerment, and I believe God has brought me to this church in His time and for His own reasons.
Why would a pastor seek to move to the "next level"?
Greater influence? Maybe that is good?
Provide better for my family? That could be reasonable?
It is between the pastor and the Lord to sort out what is right in any given situation, but a passage of scripture suggests great caution before we try to "get to the next level faster".
Jesus said:
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
There is only one "good Shepherd" who "owns the sheep"! However, we, as under-shepherds, need to put the safety of the sheep above our own desrie to "get to the next level faster"!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Sodom and Gomorrah had nothing on the U.S.
I still can't believe this is true - California Gov. Brown signs transgender student bill
Thursday, August 1, 2013
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