PART OF WHY WE GATHER

I'm quote-filing this morning after reading several books recently. I just typed this in after reading it in Michael W. Smith's book, a simple blessing.

When we continually expose our minds to the standards of the culture, those standards begin to seep into our lives. The fatal change comes so gradually that, like the frog in the kettle, we don’t even notice it. First we are no longer shocked by evil. Then we become accustomed to it. Then we tolerate it. Then it’s only a tiny step to accept it as normal.  [p.76]

It immediately occurred to me that this is one of the key reasons that we get together for worship every week!

Through the course of the week we are inundated with the impact of massive and consistent cultural change! Many of us are realizing that we can't keep up with it. It's overwhelming. We may despair over the way younger generations seem to adapt and adopt trends that we are wary of.

Debbie and I love watching good dramas on television, but so often they are beyond what we consider acceptable. If you would examine our television, you would find a host of TV series and movies that we watched for five or ten minutes and then bailed out! This is because we ran into language, sexual situations, violence or moral issues that conflict with the values that we hold as precious. So, we move on...

The internet is an 'out-of-control' issue for people today. It provides a measure of anonymity and voyeurism that is high-risk for anyone who wants to maintain godly standards and behavior! Strict controls and accountability are necessary to maintain appropriate viewing patterns!

Just watching the news can fill a person with despair! 

But before this disintegrates into a "Woe is me! - the sky is falling" diatribe, let's make a right turn.

It occurred to me - as I typed this quote into my file - that one of the reasons we meet together regularly as believers in Jesus, is to serve as a correction for this onslaught of corruption and vulgarity. 

We meet to refocus!

We meet to confess our failures.

We meet to assess our spiritual vigor.

We meet to hold one another accountable.

We meet to remind ourselves of that which is good and holy!

We meet to be challenged to stay faithful and serve as a role model for the culture.

And if we're serious about our involvement, we are likely to be rewarded by the One Who forgives, cleanses and restores our souls!

It serves as a righting of that which is wrong! 

...a clarification of our intention.

...a renewal of determination.

...a reminder of decisions we've made.

...a sharing of responsibility for those who are part of our worshiping community.

...a statement of unity with a global community.

...a submission to divine Love

[This list could go on...]

We need this! We desperately need this! There are no 'lone rangers' in the Bible! Community is essential to maintaining commitment and promises! Wise men seek accountability; I suppose wise women do the same. 

Leaders and pastors who plan worship need to review this aspect of Sunday worship and be purposeful in structuring the time to accommodate these needs. 

The structure of our worship tends to prohibit engagement. We all sit facing the front. There are only a few people who could name everyone in the sanctuary. Most of our participation is a response to directions given from those on the platform. We may - or may not - connect with people before or after worship. 

In my last novel, Never Unreachable, a retired couple are invited to attend a 'house-church' that meets in a home. He immediately meets guys from the community that he knows from the hardware store, or school days, or the gas station. He loves the fact that food is always available and you can grab some when you want it. The atmosphere is casual. The leaders sit close - on the same level. New people are introduced and welcomed. There's ample time, before the structured time begins, for people to mingle, share stories, get acquainted and establish a comfort zone. He is surprised to find that he actually looks forward to Sundays!

I digress...

We need help to diffuse the pervasive impact of the ever-changing culture in our lives! 

Participating in worship can provide that help by reminding us of the standards that we revere and the fact that we are part of a community of faith that extends around the globe!

COULD THEY BE ANGELS AND WE DON'T REALIZE IT?

A few years ago, when the illegal immigration was beginning to have a dynamic impact on our American culture, I was still working as a Lyft driver.  I clearly noticed an increase in riders who could not speak English.  The more I encountered this phenomenon, the more I realized the opportunity it offered for relevant and evangelistically aggressive congregations to make a difference in their broader community by offering ‘English-as-a-second-language’ classes.  Although this could have been done in the churches own facilities, I felt that it would be more effective if these classes were offered in a neutral setting. 

Now we realize that our culture was flooded with millions of immigrants who were struggling to find a means of survival in a strange and complex culture.  Churches could have stepped into that gap to help.  After all, many of these immigrants were actually Christian people and families who were routed to various parts of our country with no associations and few resources. 

Although my purview is strictly limited, I did not become aware of any churches that took advantage of this opportunity to serve.  Nor did I read of or hear of churches offering this vital service to a needy part of our population. 

Our holy scriptures include clear instructions for how we are to behave when situations like this confront us:

Leviticus 19:33-34  [NASB]

“When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.  The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD”

Matthew 25:35  [NASB]

“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in…”

Hebrews 13:2  [NASB]

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Galatians 5:14  [NASB]

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”

However, for those churches – as well as us as individuals – who did not respond to this language barrier crisis, there is a looming crisis of even greater magnitude on the horizon today! 

The newly installed Trump administration will inevitably remove many of the support systems and funding programs that proliferated under Biden’s leadership [whether or not we agreed with these funding priorities]. 

It only takes a little imagination to recognize that there are millions now living among us who will – as of today – be living in fear of being discovered and deported from this great country.  It is likely that these immigrants will go to even greater extremes to be invisible and under the radar! 

Ah, what a great comfort a church family could be to individuals and families living under this constant threat of eviction complimented by diminishing resources and the high level of disdain expressed by the majority of Americans. 

Re-read the verses above!  Not all of these people crossed into our country illegally.  Many were processed at the border by official border agents.  They were, in turn, offered bus tickets to major U.S. cities where – in many cases – they were provided housing and even financial support.  Although President Trump is right in saying that some of these individuals have been dumped on our culture by countries that were trying to rid themselves of undesirables, that is not the case for all of these people.  Many simply saw that the door was open to one of the greatest countries in the world!  Why not try to improve themselves?

But consider the potential for church families to create a safe haven for those living in this fear.  I’m not suggesting that we harbor these individuals and families.  I’m simply suggesting that making inroads to this community could allow us to be a great blessing to those who will now be living in daily fear. 

It is likely that we are all in agreement with a plan to locate the horrific criminal and gang-related immigrants who have done unspeakable harm and have proliferated the increase in fentanyl deaths in our country. 

However, there are many others who came simply because the door was open for four years.  Have these ‘strangers’ and ‘aliens’ been welcomed by the American Church?  Have they been embraced?  Have they found us to be a welcoming and helping part of the American community? 

You can answer that question by looking at the impact of your own church…

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How many are hovelling together in cramped conditions trying to survive this terribly frigid winter that is such a new experience from these who have come from significantly warmer climates?  How many are sorry that they made this venture?  How many long for the comforts they may have left behind in their own homeland, but have no resources to return?  How many are struggling to survive – or who will be with the withdrawal of support systems that have been sustaining them?  How many will now be living in fear of ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents showing up to brutally remove them from the small haven they’ve been able to carve out as unwelcome visitors? 

But don’t look for an overwhelming response from our American churches.  They’re too focused on planning the Sunday worship service and maintaining the traditions and distinctions that are so important.  Like it or not, it’s a VERY rare church in America that is actually acting on the scriptures listed above!

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY!

I just read a Facebook post about a homeless man who walked into a Chick-fil-A and asked if they had any extra food.  The manager told him that he would get him a full meal, then asked if he could pray with the man.  He put his hand on the man’s shoulder and prayed a beautiful prayer over him!  A father/daughter was sitting very near seeing and hearing the whole event.  He talked with his daughter about what had just happened.

Everybody is somebody!  Not only somebody, but somebody’s son or daughter.  [If we thought seriously about that, the problem of pornography would go away overnight!]  They might also be somebody’s brother, sister, friend – you can see where this is going!  They’re NOT a NOBODY!  They’re a SOMEBODY!  

Can we keep this in mind as we move through our day? 

Keep in mind that you will not cross paths with a single NOBODY during this entire day!  You will, however cross paths with a lot of SOMEBODIES! 

How will you treat the SOMEBODIES that you encounter?  Will you offer to pray with them?  Will you arrange for them to have some lunch?  Will you show a genuine interest in their words and actions?  Will you try to encourage them? 

Out of your abundance, will you make a significant effort to meet whatever need has them stressed? 

Everybody makes an impact – for good or for bad!  What will your impact be today? 

Will God be pleased with the decisions you make today?  Or will He drop His head and wonder how He can get your attention and change your heart? 

One of the good things about church is that it generally gets us to repeat words like:

    o  I love You, Lord
    o  I will serve You
    o  Have Your way, Lord
    o  I am Yours, O Lord
    o  I surrender all

But, do we leave church and forget what we’ve just agreed to?  Could it be possible that we are modern-day Pharisees?  We say one thing, but act out another?  We are pretenders?  We are posers?  We try to look good, but inside we’re selfish and prideful? 

Are we occasionally mean?  Do we gossip?  Are we stingy?  Do we hide hatred in our hearts? 

Do we treat SOMEBODIES like NOBODIES? 

Do we swap insult for insult? 

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A woman walked into The Foundery Church [give her credit – do you realize how hard it is to walk into a church for the first time?] 

As the leader explained the prayer card, she took it out of her bulletin and spent some time writing on it.  When the offering was received by our precious children, she dropped her card in the plate.   

It was retrieved by the leader of our First Impressions Team who called her later in the day to clarify the address [so that she could deliver fresh-baked cookies].  They had a nice talk as the woman expressed how she had experienced God’s presence and enjoyed the message. 

Her card stated that she’s suffering from “emotional pain caused by gossip from believers at another church.” 

How sad is that?  Driven away from the church by people who supposedly love Jesus but think that gossip and nastiness is permissible! 

She’s damaged – perhaps even crushed, but - God bless her - she's still hopeful that by trying another church, maybe she’ll find a healing and an accepting environment.  Her response card indicated that she was encouraged by the message and “almost came up to speak to the pastor”. 

The few of us who see the prayer needs have been praying for her!   

WHY?  

Because she’s a SOMEBODY!

Just remember today that EVERYBODY IS A SOMEBODY!  Keep that in mind as you bump into people today! 

COVID-19 EFFECTS ON THE CHURCH

We may never be able to determine the full impact that the COVID 19 pandemic had on the church worldwide. 

One facet alone is that almost every church had to quickly discover how to project worship services online!  For small congregations with limited resources and little or no equipment, this was a major stretch.  

We’ve all likely seen poorly produced worship services with many empty seats and little zoom capability.

Churches that had already begun to use the internet had a huge leap on all others!  Some were quite adept and polished in their presentations.  Using multiple cameras, on-stage cameras, a coordinated mixer and the ability to fuse camera shots became the dream of all. 

Congregants were taught to worship from home in the same way that workers were encouraged to work from home!   Churches suffered from a lack of attendance.  Churches closed because of a dearth of tithes and offerings! 

In many places, evangelism faltered as churches struggled just to keep the doors open! 

Even now, with the pandemic behind us, the church continues to struggle in many places.  Congregants always have the option of staying home to worship.  Does that really substitute for the exchange of greetings, fellowship, and contagion that results from worshiping in a ‘live’ environment?  This question could be actively debated. 

I read regularly of the goals and growth of my home denomination across Asia.  Pictures are posted almost daily of new believers being baptized into the body of Christ.  A goal has been set for a million new believers in the next several years!  Country leaders are ‘zooming’ prayer and strategy meetings as they encourage one another.  Large groups are being impacted as a result. 

But we rarely hear of or see this kind of growth and impact in the United States.  It is happening in rare pockets that have resisted the lethargy of sameness that has infected the American Church!  Copying successful platforms and models has been debilitating to the church for several decades now!  Local creativity and adjustment is listless!  Those who are innovative and quickly adjust to the needs and desires of their people are thriving and few! 

No paradigm will work in every situation!

Our buildings are considered a blessing, but the church’s greatest days – the first four centuries – had no buildings!  This is a fact that we often overlook!  During a pandemic, a building becomes an albatross! 

I have written about the ‘house-church movement’ in other places.  It is a viable alternative for the American Church that will not likely evolve because of our dependence on our facilities!  Yet it is exploding across Asia and has been for multiple decades! 

What will it take to see similar growth and life in the American Church? 

If you’re in an environment where convert growth is occurring – REJOICE!!!!!  Not only rejoice, but enlist in the momentous task of mentoring, coaching and befriending these new converts!  Your own life will be indelibly impacted as you walk alongside someone who is exploring the faith in all its newness! 

If you’re not in a place where vital faith is being expressed and experienced and new converts are coming in line with Christ – TWO OPTIONS:

1.       Talk with leaders and others from your church!  See if there is any interest in seeing a Spirit-Renewal.  Could an investment of energy and effort make a difference.  Will the structure of your church allow for this to occur?  God can bring revival ANYWHERE!  Are others seeking something more meaningful?  Are others discontent?  Is this just a drought period?  Is there a history of vibrancy that could be renewed?

2.       If you deem that it is not likely that renewal will occur where you are, then SEARCH!   Your own spiritual health and ultimate destination may depend on it!  Find a group who share your concerns and desires.  Be genuine!  Get close to God and His Word!  Share openly and honestly.  Become a God-directed catalyst for the development of something that will shake the earth and birth new lambs! 

Nothing will catalyze your life (and the life of your family) more than involvement in a vibrant, faith-filled, body of believers who are intent on seeing God’s will be done and His mission accomplished! 

WHAT IS OUR END GOAL?

Colossians 2:6-7  [NASB]

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."

Two brief verses, yet so much implied!

FIRST

This life-changing, transforming relationship begins with receiving Christ Jesus as Lord.  That reflects the opening of one’s heart to receive Jesus as Lord!  Although we don’t understand all of the implications of that when we initially make the decision, we have put our feet on a path that will have massive implications! 

SECOND

Start walking with Him!  This is a dynamic relationship that includes give-and-take.  Open frequent dialogue with Him!  Start and end your day in conversation with Him.  Ask for help or guidance when you need it.  Listen for His warnings and counsel.

THIRD

Engage in the discipleship process enthusiastically.  It helps to have a guide with skin on; someone who can show you the footsteps and explain the reasoning.  Sometimes it is a class, but a one-on-one relationship is most effective.  Someone who can ask you the hard questions and respond reasonably to the tough questions you have!  It inevitably involves engagement with the Word of God!

FOURTH

With time, effort and persistence, you become established in your faith!  This process cannot be rushed!  Other believers will affirm this reality when it begins to show itself.  It must not generate pride or arrogance.  As this goal is reached, we are now eager to help others navigate the early steps of engaging the faith!

FIFTH

This process culminates and is oiled by frequent – nearly constant – expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving to God!  He has orchestrated this entire process and we owe Him everything!  Our worship is a manifestation of our thanksgiving! 

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Where are you in this clear process of maturing in our faith?

Take note:  each step has pitfalls!

1.      Some make the commitment to serve Christ – but then never really start walking with Him.

2.      Others experience the joy of walking with Him, but easily and quickly get drawn back into old patterns of behavior.

3.      It’s very easy to give up if a person doesn’t enter into the process of engaging the Word and growing through accountability.  Spiritual immaturity is common in the American church!

4.      There is no time limit or final test to tell you that you have arrived at spiritual maturity!  It requires great patience and submission.  Too much desire can actually delay this process. 

5.      Reaching spiritual maturity is not the goal!  Too many believers fail to recognize this!  The goal is reproducing the faith you have acquired in a seeking person!  This takes courage and boldness.  The vast majority of American believers have never made it this far!  The joy of walking another person through this process is remarkably satisfying!  It also brings great joy to Jesus!

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 A FEW TAGS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT:

 Ø  Churches make a great deal out of membership!  A long list of questions are usually required with commitments of allegiance to a denomination.  I am hard-pressed to find much in scripture that relates to this process.  I’ve advocated consistently that the only two questions that should be required are:

1.      Are you determined to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength?

2.      Are you persistently purposed to love your neighbors as you love yourself?

 Ø  I grew a great deal over my ministry years.  Eventually I came to the place where after preaching, I made a clear explanation of how to receive Christ as your Savior and Lord!  Answer the question: “How do I become a Christian?”  Make it clear!  Give an opportunity for people to respond!!!!!  Making a public expression of enlisting with Christ helps to set our course and resolve! 

Too many times, a pastor gives a great message and then calls for the offering.  What does this say to new people who might be present?  It’s time to pay the church’s bills?  Are you kidding me?  Where is the call to discipleship?  Where is the opportunity to indicate a public confession? 

Ø  Those who are effective at progressing through the above steps of faith should be recognized.  Not by positions of leadership, however.  Positions of leadership in the church will likely remove them from the crucial interactions with lost people, and instead deploy them to serve the predictable tasks of the local church.  When a pastor recognizes that a person has excelled through discipleship and become a major influencer for Christ, the last thing we want to do is distract them from their soul-saving mission!  There are plenty of others who have not yet matured to this point who can take and count the offering, serve communion, be greeters, and populate the many committees of the church. 

We must think through these things and use wisdom in deploying the assets and resources that God has placed within our influence!  We will be held accountable for the way we utilize our people!

DOES GOD TEXT?

DOES GOD TEXT?

In the Old Testament book of Zechariah [next to the last book], this creative, imaginative prophet of God uses every mechanism he can to get the people’s attention!  He is a visionary and for most of his book he uses his visions to motivate the people to rebuild the Temple of God after returning to a destroyed Jerusalem following seventy years of captivity in Babylon. 

But in chapter 8, he tries a new tactic – always trying to impact the people with the reality and presence of God!  In this chapter Zechariah delivers what we would consider text messages from GOD!  They are brief, relevant, direct messages intended to encourage and motivate the people.  Samples follow:

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“I am zealous for Zion – I care!”  [Zion = Jerusalem]  [v.2 TM]

GOD’S Message:

“I’ve come back to Zion, I’ve moved back to Jerusalem.”  [v.3 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Old men and old women will come back to Jerusalem, sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move around safely with their canes—a good city to grow old in. And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing—a good city to grow up in.”   [vs.4-5]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Do the problems of returning and rebuilding by just a few survivors seem too much? But is anything too much for me? Not if I have my say.” [v.6 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“I’ll collect my people from countries to the east and countries to the west. I’ll bring them back and move them into Jerusalem. They’ll be my people and I’ll be their God. I’ll stick with them and do right by them.”  [vs.7-8 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

    Sowing and harvesting will resume,
    Vines will grow grapes,
    Gardens will flourish,
    Dew and rain will make everything green.  [v.12 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

Don’t be afraid. And now here’s what I want you to do: Tell the truth, the whole truth, when you speak. Do the right thing by one another, both personally and in your courts. Don’t cook up plans to take unfair advantage of others. Don’t do or say what isn’t so. I hate all that stuff. Keep your lives simple and honest.” Decree of God.  [vs.16-17 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“Lots of people, powerful nations—they’ll come to Jerusalem looking for what they can get from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, looking to get a blessing from God.”  [v.22 TM]

A Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

“At that time, ten men speaking a variety of languages will grab the sleeve of one Jew, hold tight, and say, ‘Let us go with you. We’ve heard that God is with you.’”  [v.23 TM]

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Imagine if you had been removed from your homeland for seventy years and then were suddenly allowed to return and rebuild your former life. 

Wouldn’t it be encouraging when your prophets delivered a series of brief, encouraging messages from the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies?  Your God is encouraging you!  Your God is with you!  Your God cares!  Your God is restoring you!

Now, for us here in the United States, we’re on the opposite side of this situation.  We’re watching things deteriorate daily and feeling the despair of powerlessness.  We’re facing the reality of corrupt leaders and unjust government agencies!  We deal with the daily fear, despair and hopelessness of a once-strong country that is gradually – but consistently – unraveling before our very eyes! 

Does the God-of-the-Angel-Armies see us?  Does He feel our pain?  Does He hear our prayers [you are praying about our dilemma, right?]  Is He sending us any messages [you are listening, right?]  Does His Word offer us any guidance [you are reading it regularly, right?] 

I’m no prophet and certainly am not as creative or connected-to-God as Zechariah, but I believe – with all my heart – that God is watching and waiting for us to lean into His strength and wisdom!  From what I can see, we can’t look to the organized church for direction and guidance through this maze of chaos. Unfortunately, most churches have lost their authority and power and are struggling to keep their doors open.  Most church growth today is 'transfer growth', not 'convert growth'.  But remember:  the church isn’t a building or an organization – it’s a body!  It’s a body of believers!  We are the Church! 

And God will use us and our families – along with other believers and their families – to stand against a flood-tide of opposition, evil and compromise!  We WILL pay a price!  There WILL be suffering!  But GOD WILL be with us and He WILL be texting us throughout the fray!  We’re in GOOD HANDS!

RE-IMAGINING THE CHURCH

Ephesians 6:10-23

Eugene Peterson [in The Message Bible] gives us a fresh look at a familiar passage.  He removes the ancient references to Roman armor and weaponry – which some will miss and even criticize – but he sustains the intensity of the battle that rages daily in our lives between the Devil and God!  Sometimes a fresh rendering gives us a renewed awakening!

^10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

^13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Wouldn’t it be great if Christians could get together once a week to share how the battle is going, where they’re weak, where they’re strong, to what extent we need help and how, and to pray specifically for and resource one another in these areas? 

Okay, okay, I’ve got my tongue in my cheek.  We do get together weekly – to a large extent – but there’s very little sharing about our struggles, weaknesses, failures and needs.  Instead, we fulfill a structured form of worship and listen to the results of one person’s study and reflection on the Word.  [I was that person for over forty years.] 

Two decades into the twenty-first century, I'm thinking that it might be time for a new reformation that sends the church back into the home [where it started in the first several centuries].  I’ve said for many years that one government decision could immediately close well over fifty percent of our churches.  That decision would be to tax the church!  We are vulnerable in a liberal, socialism-drifting culture!  The unimaginable has become the expected! 

The ‘underground church’ has met for centuries in secret in homes and other hidden places.  It still meets this way in many countries.  In reality, we might be wise to begin to reorganize the church in America to survive even tougher times that might lie ahead! 

Either way, we need to recapture the kind of environment that Paul portrays in this chapter!

·         Decreased formality

·         Increased intimacy

·         Consecrated and focused, specific prayer

“Be prepared.  You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.  Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet…Pray hard and long.  Pray for your brothers and sisters.  Keep your eyes open.  Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”

MUSTARD SEED AND LEAVEN

Romans 14:18-20

Jesus said, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?” [v.18 NASB]  “How can I picture God’s kingdom for you?”  [v.18 TM]

He then lists two very commonplace items that the people of Israel would have been familiar with:  a mustard seed and leaven. 

        

     

The implication is obvious – right?  Jesus' teaching clearly describes the kingdom of God as something that increases – that multiplies – that grows!!

Isn’t it fair to say that a body of believers who identify themselves with Christ as His Church – would grow?

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In 2009, my conference superintendent, Paul Walters, came to visit me at New Middletown, Ohio.  We had seen good growth and were occasionally breaking the two-hundred barrier.  There was a great deal of excitement in the air and new believers were coming to faith in Christ and being trained and deployed.

He questioned me about the future for the church.  In all sincerity, I told him that if in three years the church was still a church of less than two-hundred, I would turn it back over to him to appoint a new pastor who could keep it growing and multiplying. 

Three years later, the church had plateaued at around 160.  It was still a vibrant church with exciting things happening, but something was wrong and I couldn’t figure it out.  Even though Paul was no longer my superintendent, I kept my word and left the church to new pastoral leadership.    

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If we are adhering to the principles that Christ taught and modeled, then we should see growth!  There should be a continuing influx of new believers who add enthusiasm, joy and new gifts and ideas to the body of Christ! 

However, this kind of growth is hindered in many churches by an entrenched guard who are reluctant to give up their role of influence and leadership.  New people are almost forced to endure a long period of waiting before they are given a ‘voice’ and an opportunity to flavor the ministry of the church.  This is NOT a good thing!  Even the youth of the church are rarely given an opportunity to express their opinions about the direction and life of the church – even though, in some cases, they are the maturing  sons and daughters of the key leaders! 

The wise pastor and church will ease the restrictions on participation in the leadership and influence of the church!  If a person shows the fruit of following Christ and has earnest desire to participate, they should be welcomed and given an opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions!  This is key to keeping the church growing!  

Terms like “the old guard” and “senior saints” are offensive and speak of an unwillingness to change!  Terms like this speak of a seniority that comes with time spent as part of the congregation.  They sound the death knell of the church if unchecked! 

New people and youth representatives –gauged by maturity and wisdom – need to be deliberately placed on decision-making boards and teams so that their influence can be considered and evaluated. 

Over forty+ years of pastoral leadership, I’ve had to deal with stubborn and ungodly leadership structures again and again.  It takes courage to challenge these entrenched systems.  People who have attained leadership and influential position can be very carnal and mean!  Manipulation, intimidation, and even threats of violence can characterize their behavior.  I could tell you stories!

Romans 14:17-20a [NASB]

“…the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God…”

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Lord of the Church,

There are many churches that haven’t had a new convert in years!  Wake them up!  Stir them into salvation-action! 

There are many churches experiencing leadership strife!  They are distracted and are filled with people who hold grudges and plan subversively.  Recapture their hearts and revolutionize them through Your love and compassion! 

Today we see lots of churches that are big enough to hide in!  And people go to these churches as consumers, knowing that they won’t be asked to do anything or accept any responsibility for the ministry of the body!  They want the benefits without making any investment.  Shake up their world enough to make them dependent on You again and then deploy them to serve!

Lord, the Church in our culture is weak and ineffective.  And as a result, it is shrinking!  Call visionary leaders who will be willing to work outside of established parameters – exercising dependence on only You!  Grant them Your favor as they influence others to give their lives to the kingdom of God! 

Help us to see a spiritual revolution in our land and in our day! 

For the Kingdom’s sake!  Amen.

TRANSITIONING A CHURCH

The Apostle Paul stood between two groups as a type of mediator.  This is wonderfully illustrated in Ephesians 2 [especially noticeable if read in The Message].  Here he tries to bring together Gentiles and circumcised Jews [water and oil]!  This delicate work takes wisdom and a deep, unquestioned commitment to both groups!  No bias can be shown or his work will be nullified.  The Jews and the Gentiles need to know that Paul is totally for them!  Paul performs this task masterfully!  Just observe his tact:

^14-15 The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.

16-18 Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.

Paul - like Christ - has a deep longing for these long-separated groups to be unified in the love of Christ and the fulfillment of His mission! 

On a massively different level, as a pastor I too have stood between these two kinds of groups.

·         New, excited, passionate believers and mature, established, lukewarm believers.

·         Pentecostal believers who long to see gifts exercised and traditional believers who are suspect of anything new and extreme.

These groups need one another more than they realize!  Each group has strengths that the other group needs! Yet often the communication lines are clogged or broken! 

One of the great challenges for me through the years was trying to preach to a growing congregation [which, by the way, is a pleasant challenge!].   How do you meet the needs of those who don’t know the Word yet and need to be taught the basics and encouraged in their new-found faith;  as opposed to preaching to those who’ve been walking in ‘the way’ for years and are looking for ‘meat’ and not just ‘milk’? 

When you focus on the needs of the new believers, the old believers already know this and lose interest.

When you focus on the mature believers, the new believers are lost and don’t understand the concepts.

[Of course, this is only an issue in churches where THERE ARE new believers!]

As with Paul, both groups need to know that you love them and are committed to them.  As the leader of both groups, you cannot show bias.   However, you also cannot allow yourself to be pushed around or manipulated by either group!  You must stand strong in the faith, committed to the Word, and accepting and caring for all involved!  It is a gargantuan task that requires an intimate walk with God! 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.      IF YOU’RE PART OF A GROWING CHURCH, pray for your pastor as she/he tries to bring unity to the body and give everyone a sense of common direction!

2.      Be deliberate about getting to know new believers/attenders and helping them to – as quickly as possible – assimilate into the ‘body’!  [After four years of attending our current church, I’m still struggling with names and a sense of ‘belonging’.]  Long-term attenders (members?) are known, revered and have a voice.  New attenders (members?) are often unknown, ignored and have no voice.  We must ALL work to change that! 

3.      Develop a church wide attitude that looks at new people as God-sent to add to the beauty of the body and to equip the body for even greater service in the future!  New people are not a threat to established leaders, they are an asset to those currently leading and may represent the potential for new ministries and new directions for the church! 

SPIRITUAL AR-15's

Isaiah 54 is a very reassuring chapter for Israel.  God admits that He has been angry with the Israelites, but He also promises them that He is for them.  God is aware that they are suffering under constant persecution from the Assyrians.  He announces that this will soon end. 

God makes a promise to them, reminding them of the promise He made with Noah!  Essentially God says that He will protect her when bad things happen and will never walk away from her again!  God invokes images of heaven as He envisions her future!

In the midst of all this, God makes an interesting statement: 

No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper… [NASB]

I found myself searching for II Corinthians 10:4,

…for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses…  [NASB]

To be fair, you always need to check out the context of these verses!

I had never connected these verses before. 

God seems – in both contexts – to be reassuring His people [the Israelites AND the NT Christians] that He has provided us with powerful weapons that will enable us to be victorious! 

The Holy Spirit is clear as He speaks through Paul (to the Corinthian Church) that these weapons are not of the flesh.  We’re not talking about automatic rifles here!  But we are talking about divinely powerful weapons that are capable of destroying the fortresses of our enemy! 

Now, I’m thinking that if we’re destroying fortresses, then we’re not on the defense, but rather, we are on the offense!  We’re the aggressors!  We’re assaulting the strongholds of our opponent! 

In Matthew 16, Jesus affirms Peter for having the spiritual insight to see that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God!  Then, Jesus makes a curious statement:  I will build My church;  and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it  [16:18 NASB]. 

Many have observed that “gates” don’t attack;  they defend!  The implication of our Lord is that we will be the attackers!  We will assault the gates of Hell – or the enemy of our souls! 

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

We – as the Church – are to use the powerful, spiritual weapons that God has created for us to assault our enemy and his strongholds with courage and confidence in victory as promised by our Lord! 

Friends, this is happening in many parts of our world!  True believers are banding together and meeting in spite of resistance.  Attending church for many of these dear saints [biblically, saints = believers] is RISKY!  They could lose their lives for doing so!  Some DO lose their lives for doing so!  L

Check out Voice of the Martyrs for more details:  The Voice of the Martyrs (persecution.com)

SO – WHAT ARE THESE POWERFUL WEAPONS?

So much could be said here, but let’s keep it brief for now:  [You know these anyway!]

1.       Prayer! 

This can be done alone or with other believers.  When it is done with other believers, it is far more powerful  [Matthew 18:20]!  It can be done anytime, anywhere and under any circumstances!  When Jesus faced His deepest trial, He spent a whole night in prayer and asked His disciples to join Him!  What does that tell us?    

2.       God’s Word!

Psalm 119:11 talks about hiding God’s Word in our hearts!  How well off would you be if suddenly someone confiscated all of our Bibles?  How much of it do you have hidden in your heart.  This hints at treasuring the Bible and it’s content!  Do you treasure it?  Do you know where your Bible is right now?

Do you read it?  Do you love it?  Do you apply it?  

Do you recall when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted?  After forty days of fasting, His enemy came with three specific temptations.  Do you remember how Jesus overcame these temptations?  Sure, you do!  He quoted scriptures [Matthew 4:1-11]!!!!!

3.       Community!

Not enough can be said about this!  Take note:  Community does NOT equal church!  Most churches fail to provide genuine community!  The New Testament word is koinonia, for which there is no English equivalent.  The best we can do is ‘fellowship’, which connotes many wrong concepts (such as pot-luck dinners or game nights). 

Koinonia is communion by intimate participation!  It is a genuine connecting and sharing that is rarely found in our culture.  The strength that can be gained through koinonia is phenomenal!  It’s characteristic is:  when one suffers – all suffer;  when one rejoices – all rejoice  [I Corinthians 12:26]! 

Our world is desperately in need of KOINONIA!!!!!!!

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There are others, of course, but maybe we shouldn’t move on until we’ve mastered these basic ones?  Most of us have a ways to go to do that….