MINISTRY STORIES: Saved In Sunday School

My years of being on staff at the Cornerstone Church in Akron, Ohio, were some of the most fruitful and exciting days of my life!  Under the influence of Pastor Brenda Young – and her dynamic teaching and leading - this church had become a fast-growing, Spirit-filled, dynamic center for conversion and spiritual growth!

As hard as it is to believe, the foyer would pack with people before the three services that we offered. When the doors were opened, they would run to get the best seats and save them for their family or friends.  The anticipation and expectation were unbelievably high!  

The excitement was palpable as everyone waited for the worship team to begin playing.  The church had gathered and was ready to worship! The make-up of this congregation was 75% ‘first-time believers’!  I’ve never known a church like it! 

During each of the three worship services there were Sunday School options for all ages.  Many would attend Sunday School either before or after worship.  As Lead Associate Pastor, I had the privilege and responsibility for overseeing our adult, youth and children’s ministry leaders. Recruiting and training leaders was an on-going challenge!

As part of my role, I visited every class during each service.  During the first-of-three services I would do so quickly and then participate in worship.  During the other two services I could take more time and observe the classes before moving on.  This also gave me time to welcome and mingle with people arriving for the next service which became a productive time of relationship building.

One of our adult classes met in a small, odd-shaped room adjacent to the worship center. While the worship team was playing, it was often amusingly difficult for the teacher to be heard.  This class was led by one of our younger lay leaders. His name was Ron and he was a charming and engaging leader who also contributed – during periods – on the worship team as a remarkable drummer.

This class was largely made up of newer young and middle-aged couples who had begun attending Cornerstone.  One of the men was known to us all as ‘Skeeter’. He was a highly knowledgeable mechanic and had been attending with his wife for a couple of years.  One Sunday, at the end of the class as Ron was beginning to wrap things up, Skeeter asked Ron a question.

“Ron, I’ve been attending here for a long time now and I hear all this talk about ‘getting saved’.  Just what does it mean to ‘get saved’?”

Ron turned his attention to Skeeter while the rest of us remained silent and prayed.  He carefully and briefly explained the gospel to Skeeter and then asked him if he’d like to be saved right there.  Skeeter indicated that he would, so Ron led him in a prayer of confession and acceptance!  I hope you know how thrilled this class was!  It was SO EXCITING! 

Pastor Brenda always gave a benediction/send-off at the end of each service by raising her hands over the congregation and speaking words of challenge and encouragement. Skeeter immediately began responding to this by raising his own hands to ‘receive’ the good words that she was speaking. 

When questioned about it, he simply said that it was his way of receiving the blessing that the pastor was speaking over him.  It began to catch on until nearly every person in every service also started raising their hands to receive the blessing from Pastor Brenda. 

I haven’t been to Cornerstone in many years, but I often wonder if that’s still being practiced there today?  Maybe someone reading will let us know…

A PRINCIPLE FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

There’s an odd story in Leviticus 10 that few will have ever read.  This is NOT one of the great chapters of the Bible!  Even if you read this chapter, you would be unimpressed – and likely left scratching your head.

Essentially, we must realize that in the years that followed the children of Israel’s escape from Egypt, they had a lot to learn about being God’s chosen people!  They had not been a godly people while serving as slaves in Egypt, although they did know enough to cry out to God for deliverance. 

[God speaking to Moses in Exodus 3] “I have seen the troubles my people have suffered in Egypt, and I have heard their cries when the Egyptian slave masters hurt them.” (v.7)

But the Israelites had no structure for worship.  They were homeless, countryless wanderers who had been liberated from Egypt, but were forced to live as vagabonds in the wilderness.  They lived in tents and moved frequently under God’s direction.

Moses was their leader.  Gradually – under God’s direction – he shared leadership with Aaron and his sons.  Apparently the sacrificial system began at some point after Moses delivered the Law from Mt. Sinai.  He was instructed by God to make special clothing for Aaron and his sons.  Moses instructed them in the intricate details of making sacrifices.  God has now provided a way for the Israelites to be forgiven for their sins and reinstated under God’s favor.

This new system was complex.  Aaron and his sons were new in their roles.  Moses was determined that everything should be done precisely as God ordered!

In these early days, we learn that two of Aaron’s sons did an offering wrong.  Details are thin.  We can assume that they knew what they were doing and that there was some rebellion involved in their actions.

Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their pans for burning incense, put fire in them, and added incense; but they did not use the special fire Moses had commanded them to use in the presence of the LORD. So fire came down from the LORD and destroyed Nadab and Abihu, and they died in front of the LORD.  [Leviticus 10:1-2 All quotes from the NCV unless otherwise noted]

 Moses was not happy and his next words to Aaron were:

This is what the LORD was speaking about when he said, ‘I must be respected as holy by those who come near me; before all the people I must be given honor.’  [v.3]

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It is appropriate to ask: Is this still true today?

Are spiritual leaders held to a higher standard?  As those who lead and teach the people, are these pastor/teachers expected to have an exceptional regard for God and relationship with Him?

Do we expect purer behavior from our spiritual leaders today?  Are we right in doing so?

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I think on some level we want our pastors and spiritual leaders to be holier and more committed to following Christ faithfully.  And yet, we also recognize that they – like us – are human.  They have faults. They make mistakes.  They sin.

However, it isn’t wrong for us to hope that those who serve us Holy Communion have a deep and vibrant connection to the Holy One! 

When we turn to a pastor or spiritual leader for counsel, we anticipate that they will guide us in ways that are pleasing to God and will correct us in our thinking and ways. 

Yet, we have observed – very painfully – the reality that some spiritual leaders have been wickedly deceptive.  They have presented a false image while living in abominable ways in secret.  They have deceived the crowds for years while leading despicable lives! 

The results of these situations have been devastating!  People are caught in disbelief!  They feel betrayed – even ashamed.  Their confidence in the Church is diminished and they often find it difficult to trust again.  This is a sad reality that many have had to deal with. 

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Pastors and leaders must recognize that they have a trust with God that directly impacts the people they minister to.  To violate that trust is a travesty! 

Some [myself included] believe that certain violations of trust should bar that person from the role of pastor permanently.  This is a sacred trust between God and the man or woman who serves Him in His Church!  Some breeches of this sacred vow simply disqualify a person from holding that office again.

Wait, Pastor Hal, are you saying that there is no forgiveness?

Absolutely not!  Indeed there is forgiveness – full and free!  However, the path to a restored role as pastor/spiritual leader may not be available to this person. 

There have been cases where grievous sins were committed, but after sincere remorse and genuine confession they were restored to their leadership role.  I could cite several cases where accountability and counseling were required during a period of reconciliation and restoration.  Some of these individuals – once restored – have used their platform to write and teach about the unique vulnerabilities of pastors and leaders today! 

It seems essential that these kinds of cases require forethought on the part of denominational leaders.  A process must be maintained and adhered to faithfully in all cases.  This process must surely involve:

§  Genuine confession and restitution - if appropriate and possible.

§  A complete surrender to leadership who will direct the person through an extensive process. 

§  Strict, extensive accountability by trusted, respected, peers.

§  A process that will continue – in some form – throughout the person’s ministry.

§  An ongoing submission to leaders for the duration of their ministry.

In my own faith tradition I have not seen this kind of response.  Bishops and superintendents have practiced leniency with no consequences.  I am aware of several cases where such a leader went on to commit further, grievous sins and have further tainted the name of God and the effectiveness of the church. 

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Ministry in the church is a unique role!  Guiding others in their spiritual development and walk is a significant responsibility!  It must be taken seriously.  Most churches require an educational and experiential process to be ordained into the ministry.  When they have engaged meaningfully in this process, they are ultimately questioned publicly as to their commitment and then - in a worship setting - are ordained into the ministry after having made public vows to be faithful to God and the Church! 

This is why significant breeches of responsibility must be dealt with carefully, judiciously and with the protection of the church in mind!   This is frequently the responsibility of synods, presbyteries, bishops and superintendents [depending on the denomination’s structure]. 

BOTTOM LINE:

Spiritual leaders and pastors ultimately answer to God!  But they also must answer to governing bodies that are responsible for them and their character.  These leaders must accept the fact that there are appointed people [or bodies of leadership] who will hold their feet to the fire and administer correction, discipline, and possibly a path to restoration. 

LORD OF THE CHURCH: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Bless Your leaders with integrity, determination, and genuine compassion as they solemnly lead Your Church!

Grant them wisdom, humility, and grace as they fulfill the awesome responsibility which is theirs as the preach, teach, counsel, cast vision, and oversee the growth of Your Kingdom!

Give overseers, bishops and denominational bodies divine insight as they exercise responsibility for maintaining the high standards for those who directly impact the growth of Your Kingdom on earth!

Preserve those who lead churches and denominations as they seek to maintain exemplary lives as a model for those who sit under their teaching and influence!

FOR YOUR GLORY AND THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF YOUR KINGDOM

AMEN.

WHEN GOD DRAWS NEAR

I grew up in a church where worship was vibrant and meaningful.  Sunday mornings were a little more formal, but Sunday evenings were more relaxed and casual with a good bit more singing.  Testimonies were common in the evening service where people would give a report of how God had helped or blessed them recently. 

These testimonies were often expressed with great creativity and passion.  Significant joy would be expressed over the way God had intervened in their life to solve a problem, meet a need or answer a prayer.  Some had a unique ability to tell a story with great suspense – even cultivating humor. Occasionally the congregation’s response would be with applause and a chorus of ‘Amens’! 

The congregation clearly had favorite hymns or gospel songs.  Even as a child, I observed that certain songs were highly likely to create a deeply spiritual response.  These times were frequently described as moments when the Spirit fell on the people.  The congregation would sing with passion and enthusiasm!  Full attention was brought to the worship of God!  Even when I was very young, I was sensitive to these times and knew that something supernatural was going on.  Some songs that had great potential to evoke this response were:

·         “It Is Well With My Soul”

·         “And Can It Be”

·         “The Wonderful Grace of Jesus”

·         “Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord”

As the years passed, I went to college, married, attended seminary and then entered the ministry.  Being a twenty-three year old pastor was a challenge.  But gradually, I gained experience and soon started to see kingdom growth in the churches that I served. 

Eventually, I learned new language for what I had experienced so often in my childhood.  It was largely initiated by a book I read titled EXPERIENCING GOD, by Henry Blackaby.

What I had experienced as a child/youth growing up in my home church were simply incidents of experiencing the presence of God!  He drew near to His people – often initiated by the creativity, sensitivity and passion of His people! 

I learned that my role as pastor was to plan and prepare in such a way that we would hopefully be enabled to experience His presence frequently in our worship.  This in no way implies that we could or would manipulate God!  Rather, It meant trying to create an environment of sincerity, deep meaning and worship that would somehow open a divine portal that would allow us to sense the presence of the Divine One! 

This became central to my planning for worship, preaching and involvement of others in the leadership of our worship! 

While leading the Free Methodist Community Church in New Middletown, Ohio, we received an odd request from an organization that was conducting a survey of growing churches across America.  After deliberating on their request to have our people fill out a 10-minute survey DURING WORSHIP, we agreed to participate.  Part of our motivation was that we would receive a complete report of our people’s responses along with an analysis of these responses.

In spite of the awkwardness, our people cooperated on the designated Sunday and the forms were packaged up and mailed the next day.  Weeks later, our Ministry Council received the results and poured over them with great interest!

We gained so much insight from this report and reviewed it repeatedly over the next year. 

The one thing that pleased me most was the fact that a large majority of our people reported that they EXPERIENCED THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN WORSHIP either regularly or frequently!

This became nearly our sole purpose for times when our people met for worship.  How could we plan and prepare in ways that would de-emphasize any one person or group of people – but, instead, keep the focus on God and His consummate goodness!

OBVIOUSLY, at times we were more effective at this than others times.  But our goal remained the same! 

For six years, I served as the Lead Associate pastor of the Cornerstone Church in Akron, Ohio, under the leadership of Pastor Brenda Young.  The church had doubled in size by the time I arrived on the scene, and would double again in the next six years! 

There is no way that I can describe this church adequately in a brief form!  It involved:

·         New converts EVERY WEEK!

·         Three packed out services every Sunday!

·         Powerful, educational, need-meeting preaching!

·         Dynamic prayer ministry!

·         Focused discipleship opportunities – with dynamic, dedicated leaders!

·         Massive, highly organized lay leadership!

You get the picture – right?

Brenda and I had frequent new attenders approach us and report that they couldn’t stop crying throughout the service.  Repeatedly we had the privilege of explaining to them that what they were experiencing was the PRESENCE OF GOD!

I am currently reading through Leviticus in the Old Testament.  It’s a dry, hard read that involves lots of rules about how the sacrificial system worked.

After four verses giving detailed instructions for how the priests should sacrifice a bull and a goat, I ran across these words in chapter 9:

[Moses speaking to Aaron – the high priest – and his sons]

Offer all these things to the LORD, because the LORD will appear to you today.

THAT CAUGHT MY INTEREST!

Then it immediately became boring again as the people were instructed to bring their sacrifices, prepare them properly and – with the help of the priests – offer them to the Lord!  This consumes seventeen verses!!!!!!!!

But then “Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them.” [v.22].

Then Moses and Aaron went into the Meeting Tent!!!!!

Then they came out and blessed the people, and the LORD”S glory came to all the people.

Fire came out from the LORD and burned up the burnt offering and fat on the altar.

When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and bowed facedown on the ground.

[vs. 23-24]

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WOW! WOW!  I’m thinking that nobody ever forgot THAT day!  What a memorable experience of the presence of God!

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I wish I could end this differently, but I have to admit that I don’t experience the presence of God very often anymore. 

One of the most disappointing things for me when I attend worship is when we are asked to sing songs that we don’t know!  Singing is one of the most engaging ways for me to enter into the vibrant worship of my God!  I’ve noticed that more hands are raised – in praise to God - while singing, than at any other time during worship.  What does that tell us? 

When I can’t sing [because I don’t know the song], I am deprived of the opportunity to worship!  Needless to say, this frustrates me!

In New Middletown, we introduced new music through offertories, special songs, and pre-service recordings for weeks before we ever asked the people to sing it in worship!  And we never introduced more than one new song at a time!  This allowed the congregation opportunity to be familiar with the song before being asked to sing it.

With music being so crucial to the effectiveness of worship, there is no room for ‘performers’ to ‘show off’ their skill and ability!  Worship teams can be very effective in facilitating meaningful worship, IF THEY MAINTAIN A HUMBLE SPIRIT AND SERVANT ATTITUDE! 

Worship is about PARTICIPATION not PERFORMANCE! 

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There’s SO MUCH MORE THAT I COULD SAY HERE, but I must limit myelf to keep this from becoming a book!

Another important factor to helping people to experience the presence of God is by allowing them an opportunity to respond!

My ‘growing-up-church’ encouraged altar prayer!  Everyone knew that you could go to pray at the altar at any time during worship.  If you did go to the altar to pray, there was a high likelihood that someone would come and offer to pray with you.

ALSO – after the message, there was almost always an opportunity given to respond to what we just heard!  Typically, this response was signaled by a raised hand [with all eyes closed and no one looking around], or by coming forward to kneel [or stand] at the altar [where someone – perhaps even the pastor would come and pray with you]. 

It’s easy to notice that many churches are being built today with NO ALTAR!  What does that scream?

Why bother preaching if there’s no call to change?  In so many churches that I’ve attended, the sermon is delivered and then the offering is taken.  WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES THAT COMMUNICATE?  Common sense seems to have gone out the window! 

I hope you realize that there are so many other things we could discuss regarding experiencing GOD in worship:

·         The order for worship: three songs, announcements, prayer, the message, another song and the benediction!  Where is the creativity that is so marvelously illustrated in creation by our AWESOME GOD?

·         Lay participation: In some churches the pastor does just about everything – except for the music.  What about the gifts, passions and ability of our people?  Don’t they have something to offer to the leadership of worship? 

·         Efficient technology: How many times have you been unable to sing in worship because the words aren’t on the screen when you need them?  Make no mistake about it – anger and frustration are the response to this problem!

·         A message that is well-prepared and engaging: This is NOT a Bible study time.  It is a planned, prayed-over, carefully and creatively constructed message designed to educate and challenge people to follow Jesus more faithfully!  Being boring is unacceptable!

This is obviously a topic that I am passionate about. There is so much more that could be said. 

BOTTOM LINE:

People need to experience the presence of God regularly!  Churches and pastors need to prepare with great focus and effort to make the worship experience something that meets people at their points of greatest need! 

Bring your hurts
needs
questions
problems
anxieties
brokenness
frustrations
anger
disappointments
sorrow
grief
pain…

This place is not about a dynamic pastor
an amazing facility
a talented worship leader
an awesome worship team
a gifted speaker

This place is for meeting and experiencing a loving God!  He cares about YOU and wants to walk with you through this life and into the next!

HOW STRONG ARE YOUR CONVICTIONS?

I just read a story about a French village that intervened from 1940-1944 to save Jews from the Nazi holocaust.  This story may be known by you, but it was all new for me.  I read it with tears, admiration and pride! 

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Le Chambon was located in south central France.  With a history of being a refuge for persecuted Protestant Huguenots in the 17th century, it was primarily a Presbyterian town in 1940. Six years earlier Andre Trocme and his wife Magda arrived to become pastor of their church.  He gradually revived the air of excitement in the deprived community, and established the first secondary school in the town. In 1938, he met Edouard Theis, who became his assistant pastor and took a position in that secondary school.

In May 1940, German Nazi forces successfully occupied the French area. On 22 June 1940, Nazis and the remaining French cabinet signed an armistice. As a result of the treaty, France was divided into two areas: the north and west area as the “Occupied Zone”, subjected to direct Nazi control, and the remaining area as the “Free Zone” [including Le Chambon], under the control of the Vichy regime of Marshal Petain. Under Nazi supervision, Petain enforced anti-Semitic laws that handed over Jews that the German government demanded.

Trocme and Theis, men guided by religious principle, thought that inaction in such time of crisis was transgressing the commandment of God. Consequently, they agreed to accommodate the Jews and establish their town as a refuge. Upon returning to Le Chambon, they preached to people, persuading them to agree with their plans. Trocme told people to “obey God rather than man when there [was] a conflict between the commandments of the government and the commandments of the Bible.”

Instead of turning their backs, most Chambonnais accommodated the Jews asking for help. The Chambonnais didn’t even bother asking the refugees their ethnic background. These Jews were hidden in various places including farms, public institutions, and private houses. The mission was not an organized one. Although Trocme and Theis took a concurrent leadership role, neither written records nor hierarchical administration existed, because people deemed it dangerous. Instead, unconventional strategies were used in order to carry out this mission. 

The operation relied on accurate memories and face-to-face conversations of Chambonnais. When they sent letters to one another, encryption was used. For example, Theis printed up postcards that had a picture of Tower of Constance (the symbol that every Chambonnais knew because the tower served as a Huguenot refuge in the 17th century). As he sent the postcards, he wrote “I’m sending you five Old Testaments [Jews] today.” Moreover, Roger Darcissac, the director of the secondary school, led an effort to provide false identity cards for the Jews. 

They assisted the Jews in escaping to Switzerland by train. Tickets were provided to get them to the next station where they would be hidden by locals in the resistance.  The fear was that tickets bought straight to Switzerland would raise suspicion. The journey was arduous and carefully planned and executed. 

At one point a German official became suspicious and demanded that the hidden Jews be turned in.  Pastor Trocme refused stating that he didn’t know the names or ethnicity of the refugees.  Meanwhile, he sent a group of Boy Scouts to the surrounding farms instructing the Jews to flee to the wooded areas for safety.  Two were eventually discovered; one was released because he was only half Jewish. 

This humble, obedient town eventually saved the lives of nearly 5,000 Jews!

[Heavy dependence on https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/french-christians-save-jews-nazi-holocaust-le-chambon-1940-1944]

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This wonderful example of Christian responsibility challenges us in the 21^st century!  With anti-Semitic vitriol running so strongly in our world today, we have to ask ourselves if we would take a similar stand? Have we – do we – would we stand up against hateful speeches, marches, and actions against Jews in our culture today? 

Do we share the spiritual DNA of the Chambonnais?

I fear that our answer to that question may not be what we would want it to be.  We have been enculturated by an atmosphere of social intimidation, personal comfort, wealth and privilege. and anemic Christianity. 

I confess that I was deeply moved by the narrative of the Charbonnais.  As stated above, it was new to me.  It immediately raised questions in my mind about what I would have done had I been in that village. 

It didn’t escape my notice that the whole intervention was ignited and led by two pastors!  Have I been that kind of pastor?  Would I be that kind of pastor today?  As a godly man, do I stand up for the weak, the marginalized, the oppressed, the many desperate ones in our society?  Do I make a difference? 

I’m so glad that by reading Os Guinness’ book THE JOURNEY, I was introduced to this sacrificial story!  I needed to be challenged!  Maybe you do too?

JESUS KNEW!

I stumbled across two verses this morning that really got me thinking. 

Our major celebration of the resurrection of Christ – the highest, holiest day of the year for His followers – is just a month away.

Some are aware of this upcoming observation; others are just happy that spring is knocking on our door. 

If traditions persist, then attendances on that Sunday will be strong.  Sanctuaries and worship centers will be filled with lilies and decorated with empty crosses and tombs. 

Meanwhile homes will be decorated with bunnies, fancy eggs, and an occasional cross, while our observations will bring families together for big meals. 

But today – following my normal schedule of Bible reading – I read the following words from John 13.  Keep in mind that these words were recorded by one of Jesus’ inner three!  It’s a POWERFUL CHAPTER that leads to several more that include Jesus’ deepest teaching before He went to the cross.

Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. He had always loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them all the way to the very end….Jesus knew that the Father had given him power over everything and that he had come from God and was going back to God.  [13:1,3]

Debbie and I lived in northeastern China for three years, where we taught English at the Changchun University of Science and Technology.  We lived in a hotel that lodged all of the international students and teachers.  We walked to classes and entertained students regularly in our apartment.  Some students became more than just students!  They came to our apartment frequently bearing gifts and sharing meals.  We played games and talked endlessly.  The bonds of connection became very strong! 

And then, it was time to return to our American home.  It was hard leaving these friends and students.  It was hard saying goodbye to our hotel neighbors from so many nations!  As much as we were anxious to come home to family, we also experienced tremendous sorrow at leaving our nest in Changchun. 

Five girls that had become quite close followed us to the airport and waved to us constantly as we prepared to depart.  At one point, we were confronted with a problem getting through security.  The girls recognized that we were having a problem.  Daphne immediately pushed through the crowd to get to us!  She intervened with the officials and soon, after another brief hug, we were out of their sight! 

I struggled for several months readjusting to American culture upon our return in late July.  The struggle was only magnified in October by the death of our son, Travis.

Leaving the familiar is hard!  The ending of relationships affects us deeply! 

Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world and go back to the Father.

But it’s important for us to recognize that Jesus knew a great deal more than this!  He also knew HOW He was going to leave this world!  He knew there was a cross in His future!  He knew that mockery and beatings awaited Him!  He knew that His followers would run into the darkness abandoning Him to the Temple guards.  He knew He would be publicly humiliated!

Yet, He had so much yet to teach His followers!  Some of His most important lessons had yet to be delivered.  He had to strengthen them and prepare Himself for what was about to happen later this very evening! 

So – knowing full well that His time was drawing to an end – Taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the follower’s feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. [vs.4-5]

And, of course, you know the rest of the story…

A GIFT WE FAIL TO APPRECIATE!

The extent to which we have benefitted from two thousand years of theological reflection, scholarly thought, and vigorous debate is inestimable!  But no period was more foundational than the period between the years 30 through 400 A.D.

30 A.D. is the commonly accepted date for the death and resurrection of Christ!  The four gospels describe His life and ministry.  Acts records the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ taking us up to the time of the Apostle Paul’s and Peter’s deaths – 65 A.D.  About this same time, Emperor Nero launched vicious attacks against the Christians. Remember that the Temple in Jerusalem was totally destroyed in 70 A.D.

The deaths of the other apostles would follow before the year 100 A.D.  By this time, all of the books of our New Testament would have been written, however, they would not have been collated yet or referred to as the New Testament!

It seems apparent that the apostles were realizing that Christ’s return was not going to occur during their lifetimes.  Consequently, some began training younger people so that the propagation of the gospel would continue into the next generation.  Paul trained Timothy and others.  Peter worked closely with John Mark – who gave us the Gospel of Mark – likely the first gospel written.  John doesn’t name trainees, but he frequently refers to his associates as his ‘dear children’ and ‘dear friends’.

What most of us don’t realize and rarely think about is the massive amount of reflection and consolidating that had to have taken place in these early centuries.  There are so many areas that demanded consideration and thoughtful reflection – we cannot possibly consider them all [or no one would bother to read this blog 😊]. 

Therefore, let’s consider just three – and only briefly.

1.    Establishing a Christology [a study of Christ]

How did God become a man?  How was it possible for Jesus Christ to be wholly divine?

One of the first theories considered was that of adoption. God saw that Jesus was a good man, so God adopted him to be his Son by giving him a special blessing.

So, when did this ‘adoption’ take place? 

·         At His baptism?

·         On the mount of transfiguration?

·         In the Garden of Gethsemane?

·         While suffering on the Cross?

Eventually, the adoption view was replaced by the consideration  of a divine birth.  How did THAT happen?  How could a human baby be divine?  The prophecies were merged with Mary’s report to Luke and the concept of a virgin-birth was developed – confirmed by Old Testament prophecies regarding the timing and location of this birth!. 

All of this took great thought, discussion and Biblical study! 

We have inherited two thousand years of development that has just been handed down to us!  But these early followers of Christ were engaged in a deep, focused, laborious and passionate search for understanding and truth!

2.    Establishing the Church

The history of the development of the church fills volumes of books!  The progression from a ragtag group of followers to a rapidly expanding body of believers made up of both Jews and Gentiles demanded significant focus, effort and agreement! 

The first great council of the New Testament Church took place around 50 A.D. in Jerusalem.  We have a recording of the deliberations of this group recorded in Acts 15.

Many councils would follow, some of which met and deliberated for over a year!  They debated and protected the developing church from many heresies that were rapidly expanding across the then global Church!  They discussed ways that the Church should structure and maintain unity and accountability. 

Several of these ‘councils’ capped their work by the dissemination of a creed:                

·         First Council of Nicea (325 A.D.) – Nicean Creed

·         Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.) – Chalcedonian Creed

What we commonly refer to as ‘The Apostle’s Creed’ seems to have been fully developed by the fourth century.  It is not clearly connected to a council, but rather the common acceptance of the Church and its leaders - based on the teachings of the Apostles!  It has become the litmus test for groups that identify themselves as ‘CHRISTIAN’. 

The conversion of the Emperor Constantine (312 A.D.) freed the Church from persecution and gave it official recognition across the Roman Empire!  Consequently, Leo the Great was consecrated as the Bishop of Rome (440 A.D.) - a key leader in the foundling Church.  In 590 A.D., Gregory the Great was elected to be Pope of the new Church. 

This, of course, coincided with the beginning of what we know as the ‘Dark Ages’ [roughly 500 – 1500 A.D.]  This was characterized by three important developments:

A.   The emergence of the Roman Catholic Church.  The first major divide occurred in the mid-seventh century over a controversy regarding the use of icons in worship.  This led to the first major split of the Church into the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

B.   The Dark Ages also ignited the feudal system of government particularly across Europe. 

C.   The establishment of monasteries focused on the development of clergy and the protection and duplication of the Holy Scriptures – by hand!

 3.    Establishing an agreed upon group of writings as our current Bible!

Scholars refer to this collection of approved scriptures as the ‘Canon of Scripture’.  The process of producing an approved list of scriptures [Old and New Testaments] was not done in an official manner.  Various lists of ‘approved’ scriptures began to emerge in the writings of the early church leaders. 

This process has had much written about it.  Until the middle of the 15^th century, the Roman Catholic Church had approved a list of scriptures: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. 

This coincided with Guttenberg’s invention of the printing press that infinitesimally increased the production of Bibles across the world! 

The Protestant Reformation was not a highly structured rebellion against Catholicism. Although it began with Martin Luther’s scholarly disagreement with many positions and practices within Catholicism [primarily the sale of indulgences], it was rather the emergence of several divergent directions of belief that would develop during this century:

o   Protestantism

§  Martin Luther – Lutheranism

§  John Calvin – Calvinism [Presbyterian/Baptist]

§  The Anabaptist movement – many leaders [Amish, Mennonite, Brethren]

§  In the following century, the British ecclesiastical revolt under King Henry VIII, leading to John Wesley’s Revival [resulting in Methodism]

Today’s protestant Bible includes the 39 books of the Old Testament [omitting the apocryphal books previously included in the Catholic OT] and the 27 books of the New Testament [as commonly printed and recognized].  The Catholic OT Canon included - Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, I and II Maccabees - plus sections of Esther and Daniel which are absent from the Protestant OT. 

These developments have impacted us immensely today, yet we had practically nothing to do with their evolution.  This is why John Calvin felt it essential to regard the tradition of the Church as a key way of learning about God! 

We are blessed to have had so much done for us so long before our engagement in this world! 

Thank You Eternal God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

 

For guiding these processes from the earliest days until the present!

Thank You for the investments that so many made over the years!

Thank You for the work of scholars and leaders.

Thank You for overseeing and guiding the many councils that formed our theology!

Thank You for courageous reformers who corrected and directed the path and trajectory of The Church!

Thank You for those who illustrated and taught us the Truth as we were growing up!

 

Help us to be faithful to these traditions,

to protect them as a precious gift,

to pass them carefully and accurately to the next generation,

and to regard them as a holy treasure as we live our lives to Your glory!

 

BLESSED BE YOUR WORD, YOUR CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD!

AMEN!