Becky was an inquisitive 5 year old and was helping her mother prepare the Easter Sunday meal. Before putting the Easter ham in the pot, her mother cut off the end and put it aside.
Becky: "Mommy, why did you do that?"
Mother: "Well sweetie that's the way that Gramma taught me."
Gramma was home for the holiday so Becky went to her and asked,
"Gramma, why does mommy cut off the end of the ham for Easter?"
Gramma: "Well sweetie, that's the way that great gramma taught me."
Great gramma was home for the holiday, as well. So off went Becky to find out why.
Becky: "Great grammie, why does mommy cut off the end of the ham for Easter?"
Great gramma: "Well sweetie, I don't know. I did it because the ham was too big for my pot."
Did I miss something when it comes to celebrating birthdays and anniversaries? Don’t they tend to be on the same day of the year? Christmas works like this and we simply made that one up.
But then again, when it comes to the anniversary of our Lord’s resurrection, why not make it uniquely special. I know, let’s celebrate it on the first day of the week that is closest to the time of a pagan festival, honoring fertility rights. Let’s name this day after the goddess Ishtar (pronounced ee-star). Let’s not have anything remotely Jewish associated with it, like the Hebrew word, “Pesach” (Passover).
Ask your pastor, WHY?
I’m sure he will pacify you with a wonderful answer.
Acts 17:11 (NIV) Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
p.s. Passover starts on April 2, making the anniversary of the resurrection on Wednesday, April 4.
Friday, March 30, 2007
The Back of My Friend's Head
At 15
His hair is long
At 20
His hair is longer and greasier, university
At 25
His hair is short, job interview
At 30
His hair has stuff in it, new baby
At 35
Is that a grey hair?
At 40
Much more grey is showing
At 45
Miracle, no more grey, but less hair
At 50
Dim the lights, there’s too much glare
At 55
I’ve adjusted to the glare but the grey is back
At 60
Not much change, this is getting boring
At 65
No change, but he seems shorter
At 70
I forgot my glasses
At 75
Wait a minute, I think this is a new guy.
Who says going to church is boring?
His hair is long
At 20
His hair is longer and greasier, university
At 25
His hair is short, job interview
At 30
His hair has stuff in it, new baby
At 35
Is that a grey hair?
At 40
Much more grey is showing
At 45
Miracle, no more grey, but less hair
At 50
Dim the lights, there’s too much glare
At 55
I’ve adjusted to the glare but the grey is back
At 60
Not much change, this is getting boring
At 65
No change, but he seems shorter
At 70
I forgot my glasses
At 75
Wait a minute, I think this is a new guy.
Who says going to church is boring?
Who's Your Covering?
I’ve been sharing with some different people lately about my interest in house churches. Before I get to say anything else, the first question that usually comes out of their mouth is, whose covering are you under? A variation of that question is which person do you submit yourself to?
Until looking into house churches, I must confess that that was the first question that came out of my mouth, as well. It’s almost like it didn’t matter if the authority figure was good, bad or an imbecile. I just needed to know that they were under someone’s authority. If they hardly knew the man and the man hardly new them, it didn’t matter as long as they could say, behold the man. He’s my covering.
Many Christians will joyfully declare that the guy in the pulpit is their pastor and their covering. And the guy in the pulpit will say, these are my people whom I preside over. They seem comforted by being able to identify this clear line of authority. The fact that there is no personal friendship or connectedness doesn’t seem to bother anyone. If you do get that personal touch, bonus, but it really isn’t necessary.
Why not buy a sermon series from Billy Graham and declare him to be your pastoral covering? After all, you don’t have to know your pastor to have him as your covering. Why settle for second best?
Other people have figured this problem out and said it’s all about being in relationship. Yes, it’s really, really important to identify your covering, just make sure that it is relationally based.
Here’s the deal, what if your authority figure teaches you crapola. What if he is a manipulative, control freak and keeps you from spiritually maturing? Is it good enough to say, I was under so and so’s covering? What if the man you are under is a really spiritual man of God? How do you know if he is perfect? When you meet Peter at the pearly gates, will he ask you who your covering was?
1Cor 11:3 (NIV) Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
Ephe 5:24 (NIV) Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Paul wasn’t as clear as he should have been. He forgot to include the authority figures we were to have as our covering. It’s fascinating that there is no verse in the Bible that says you are to have a pastor as your covering.
I repent from such an unscriptural teaching. I ask forgiveness from anyone that I taught that they were to come under the authority of a man.
The only authority that we are to come under is Jesus Christ.
Why settle for second best? Let Jesus be your covering.
Until looking into house churches, I must confess that that was the first question that came out of my mouth, as well. It’s almost like it didn’t matter if the authority figure was good, bad or an imbecile. I just needed to know that they were under someone’s authority. If they hardly knew the man and the man hardly new them, it didn’t matter as long as they could say, behold the man. He’s my covering.
Many Christians will joyfully declare that the guy in the pulpit is their pastor and their covering. And the guy in the pulpit will say, these are my people whom I preside over. They seem comforted by being able to identify this clear line of authority. The fact that there is no personal friendship or connectedness doesn’t seem to bother anyone. If you do get that personal touch, bonus, but it really isn’t necessary.
Why not buy a sermon series from Billy Graham and declare him to be your pastoral covering? After all, you don’t have to know your pastor to have him as your covering. Why settle for second best?
Other people have figured this problem out and said it’s all about being in relationship. Yes, it’s really, really important to identify your covering, just make sure that it is relationally based.
Here’s the deal, what if your authority figure teaches you crapola. What if he is a manipulative, control freak and keeps you from spiritually maturing? Is it good enough to say, I was under so and so’s covering? What if the man you are under is a really spiritual man of God? How do you know if he is perfect? When you meet Peter at the pearly gates, will he ask you who your covering was?
1Cor 11:3 (NIV) Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
Ephe 5:24 (NIV) Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Paul wasn’t as clear as he should have been. He forgot to include the authority figures we were to have as our covering. It’s fascinating that there is no verse in the Bible that says you are to have a pastor as your covering.
I repent from such an unscriptural teaching. I ask forgiveness from anyone that I taught that they were to come under the authority of a man.
The only authority that we are to come under is Jesus Christ.
Why settle for second best? Let Jesus be your covering.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Jesus Never Fits
he surprised everyone,
he disappointed everyone,
a prostitute kissed his feet,
his followers were his friends,
he was thoroughly unpredictable,
money came from the mouth of a fish,
he called religious leaders shiny coffins,
he was silent when he should have spoken,
he callously said let the dead bury the dead,
a sermon was a meal with an evil tax collector,
he allowed a year’s wages to be poured on his feet,
he ate with the most hated and was hated by the most esteemed,
when he rose from the dead he made breakfast on the seashore,
he restored his friends when they utterly deserted him,
his ultimate betrayer was his group’s accountant,
he stretched out his hand and said forgive them,
he turned loyal crowds into blood thirsty mobs,
when he healed leprosy he said tell no one,
he never did what he was supposed to do,
when the crowds gathered he fed them,
he had no home to call his own,
no one expected him to die,
he laughed a lot,
he cried a lot,
he made great wine.
How dare we package such a man?
he disappointed everyone,
a prostitute kissed his feet,
his followers were his friends,
he was thoroughly unpredictable,
money came from the mouth of a fish,
he called religious leaders shiny coffins,
he was silent when he should have spoken,
he callously said let the dead bury the dead,
a sermon was a meal with an evil tax collector,
he allowed a year’s wages to be poured on his feet,
he ate with the most hated and was hated by the most esteemed,
when he rose from the dead he made breakfast on the seashore,
he restored his friends when they utterly deserted him,
his ultimate betrayer was his group’s accountant,
he stretched out his hand and said forgive them,
he turned loyal crowds into blood thirsty mobs,
when he healed leprosy he said tell no one,
he never did what he was supposed to do,
when the crowds gathered he fed them,
he had no home to call his own,
no one expected him to die,
he laughed a lot,
he cried a lot,
he made great wine.
How dare we package such a man?
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Holy Institution
Is the church, that we see today, God’s holy institution? I’m talking about the buildings, the services, and the hierarchical leadership, with a pastor/elder at the helm.
Some people think that I am either absolutely disgusting or out of my mind for writing the way I do, about this holy institution.
These same people are well aware of people within the institution that have done all kinds of damage.
It seems odd to me, that they would rather see the inadequacies within the people in the institution, rather than saying, it is the system, itself, that perpetuates the problems. People seem to bow down to this idea: we know people are flawed but we take comfort in knowing, without a doubt, that the system itself is a beautiful gift from the throne of God.
Is this unwavering allegiance and demand for this wineskin any different than those who demanded a king 3,000 years ago? Don't forget, that even though there were times of peace under a king, it was never God's will for the nation of Israel to have a king.
1Sam 8:6 (NKJV) But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8 "According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day--with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also.
Mark 10:42 (NKJV) But Jesus called them to [Himself] and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
How do we interpret Jesus’ words? From the vantage point of what we see today or would His words be better understood through historical realities that are clear within the Bible itself?
Some people think that I am either absolutely disgusting or out of my mind for writing the way I do, about this holy institution.
These same people are well aware of people within the institution that have done all kinds of damage.
It seems odd to me, that they would rather see the inadequacies within the people in the institution, rather than saying, it is the system, itself, that perpetuates the problems. People seem to bow down to this idea: we know people are flawed but we take comfort in knowing, without a doubt, that the system itself is a beautiful gift from the throne of God.
Is this unwavering allegiance and demand for this wineskin any different than those who demanded a king 3,000 years ago? Don't forget, that even though there were times of peace under a king, it was never God's will for the nation of Israel to have a king.
1Sam 8:6 (NKJV) But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8 "According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day--with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also.
Mark 10:42 (NKJV) But Jesus called them to [Himself] and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
How do we interpret Jesus’ words? From the vantage point of what we see today or would His words be better understood through historical realities that are clear within the Bible itself?
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Layman's Job Description
· organize their own affairs (1 Cor. 11:33-34; 14:39-40; 16:2-3)
· discipline fallen members (1 Cor. 5:3-5; 6:1-6)
· warn the unruly (1Thess. 5:14)
· comfort the feeble (1 Thess. 5:14)
· support the weak ((1 Thess. 5:21)
· abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58)
· admonish one another (Rom. 5:14)
· teach one another (Col. 3:16)
· prophesy one by one (1Cor. 14:31)
· serve one another (Gal. 5:13)
· bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)
· care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)
· love one another (Rom 13:8; 1 Thess. 4:9)
· be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10)
· show kindness and compassion to one another (Eph. 4:32)
· edify one another (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:11b)
· bear with one another (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13)
· exhort one another (Heb. 3:13; 10:25)
· incite one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24)
· encourage one another (1 Pet. 4:9)
· pray for one another (Jas. 5:16)
· offer hospitality to one another (1 Pet. 4:9)
· fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)
· confess sins to one another (Jas. 5:16)
If lay people are doing all of these things, why on Earth are we paying a pastor?
· discipline fallen members (1 Cor. 5:3-5; 6:1-6)
· warn the unruly (1Thess. 5:14)
· comfort the feeble (1 Thess. 5:14)
· support the weak ((1 Thess. 5:21)
· abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58)
· admonish one another (Rom. 5:14)
· teach one another (Col. 3:16)
· prophesy one by one (1Cor. 14:31)
· serve one another (Gal. 5:13)
· bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)
· care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)
· love one another (Rom 13:8; 1 Thess. 4:9)
· be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10)
· show kindness and compassion to one another (Eph. 4:32)
· edify one another (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:11b)
· bear with one another (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13)
· exhort one another (Heb. 3:13; 10:25)
· incite one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24)
· encourage one another (1 Pet. 4:9)
· pray for one another (Jas. 5:16)
· offer hospitality to one another (1 Pet. 4:9)
· fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)
· confess sins to one another (Jas. 5:16)
If lay people are doing all of these things, why on Earth are we paying a pastor?
Here Comes the Judge (part 1)
Way back, in 1995, I used an illustration from the “Simpsons”. I think it was one of the few times that the youth at church actually listened to my weakly sermon. I had to apologize to the adults because I was revealing, that on occasion and only for research purposes, did I watch the Simpsons.
It was a simple line from the lips of none other than, Ned Flanders: the do-gooder, stereo typical, judgmental Christian. Someone had asked Ned where his wife was. His reply, “She’s at church camp learning how to judge better.” Alas the world often sees Christians as ones who are only good at judging.
Have we got over our love affair with judging? Let me show you how it was and is and is yet to be.
A long, long, time ago in a land much different than today, it was all the rage to wear suits at church. Hard to imagine but it’s true. A new Christian might foolishly pose the question, why? When the person being asked got their teeth back in their mouth they would give the unquestioned universal answer, “how would you dress if you were going to a wedding?” (back in the day people wore suits at weddings, as well) If you do it there, doesn’t Jesus deserve your best? You could get saved out in a cow pasture, wearing coveralls with holes in them, but by gum, when you show up at church, you better wear a suit. If you wore jeans the evil eye was placed on you and you just knew that you had forfeited all lands in heaven and would never be allowed to date anyone, ever.
(“got their teeth back in” was because there mouth had opened so wide in shock, that someone had actually dared to use the “why” question, that their teeth literally would have fallen out)
Modern day judging. I was at a ministers conference a couple of years back. A few of the ministers who had taught the previous stuff about suits, were waxing eloquent about how foolish some of the other ministers were because they were still in bondage to suit wearing. This crew of guys had been glorious set free. They had seen the light and now they only judge those wearing the evil, uncool, suit.
The church has often trivialized the gospel by focusing on cultural norms as a means of judging people into a sense of belonging. Nothing like good, old fashioned judging to make you feel right at home. There was an old line that went like this, “don’t drink, cuss or chew and don’t go out with girls that do.”
Somebody said this truth to me years ago regarding this type of ugly judging. It went like this, “Christians are no different than anyone else, they just do it 10 years later.”
If you have any fun judging stories of past or present, please post them.
I will get around to what we are to judge in my next post, but for now have fun coming up with all the crazy ways that we manage to kill each other, through ungodly judging.
It was a simple line from the lips of none other than, Ned Flanders: the do-gooder, stereo typical, judgmental Christian. Someone had asked Ned where his wife was. His reply, “She’s at church camp learning how to judge better.” Alas the world often sees Christians as ones who are only good at judging.
Have we got over our love affair with judging? Let me show you how it was and is and is yet to be.
A long, long, time ago in a land much different than today, it was all the rage to wear suits at church. Hard to imagine but it’s true. A new Christian might foolishly pose the question, why? When the person being asked got their teeth back in their mouth they would give the unquestioned universal answer, “how would you dress if you were going to a wedding?” (back in the day people wore suits at weddings, as well) If you do it there, doesn’t Jesus deserve your best? You could get saved out in a cow pasture, wearing coveralls with holes in them, but by gum, when you show up at church, you better wear a suit. If you wore jeans the evil eye was placed on you and you just knew that you had forfeited all lands in heaven and would never be allowed to date anyone, ever.
(“got their teeth back in” was because there mouth had opened so wide in shock, that someone had actually dared to use the “why” question, that their teeth literally would have fallen out)
Modern day judging. I was at a ministers conference a couple of years back. A few of the ministers who had taught the previous stuff about suits, were waxing eloquent about how foolish some of the other ministers were because they were still in bondage to suit wearing. This crew of guys had been glorious set free. They had seen the light and now they only judge those wearing the evil, uncool, suit.
The church has often trivialized the gospel by focusing on cultural norms as a means of judging people into a sense of belonging. Nothing like good, old fashioned judging to make you feel right at home. There was an old line that went like this, “don’t drink, cuss or chew and don’t go out with girls that do.”
Somebody said this truth to me years ago regarding this type of ugly judging. It went like this, “Christians are no different than anyone else, they just do it 10 years later.”
If you have any fun judging stories of past or present, please post them.
I will get around to what we are to judge in my next post, but for now have fun coming up with all the crazy ways that we manage to kill each other, through ungodly judging.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Abnormal
A Christian is part of a large group of believers who gather regularly for a Sunday service. He is also part of a small group that develops deep friendships, who really know and encourage each other.
If such a person were to drop out of the small group, the large group of believers wouldn’t consider this as anything other than his own personal choice. He would still be normal.
But if that same person were to declare that the large Sunday service was no longer for him, and chose to stay with just the small group, some people would consider that abnormal.
Why is that?
If such a person were to drop out of the small group, the large group of believers wouldn’t consider this as anything other than his own personal choice. He would still be normal.
But if that same person were to declare that the large Sunday service was no longer for him, and chose to stay with just the small group, some people would consider that abnormal.
Why is that?
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Magic 8-Ball
In my son’s recent blog, Cynical, he is asking the questions that ripple through our culturally defined and narcissistic Christian experience. Essentially we want a God who leads us perfectly with no mistakes allowed. Why should I think when God will tell me when/where to go to church, where to work, which school should I go to, or the grand-daddy of all questions, who should I marry. Any one of these questions can better be answered, by the just as accurate, Magic 8-Ball.
The 20 standard answers on a Magic 8-Ball are:
Signs point to yes.
Yes.
Most likely.
Without a doubt.
Yes - definitely.
As I see it, yes.
You may rely on it.
Outlook good.
It is certain.
It is decidedly so.
Reply hazy, try again.
Better not tell you now.
Ask again later.
Concentrate and ask again.
Cannot predict now.
My sources say no.
Very doubtful.
My reply is no.
Outlook not so good.
Don't count on it.
Ten of the possible answers are variations of "yes", five are ambiguous, and five are variations of "no". If you don’t like the first answer, shake again and go for two out of three.
Here are questions that are being asked of God in other nations of the world.
If I accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour:
1. Will I lose my job?
2. Will my family disown me?
3. Will my friends stone me to death?
4. Will my husband kill me?
The answers to these questions seem just a little more significant and have a high potential of being answered in the affirmative.
Perhaps we should save some of our questions and get to know God as more than a sugar daddy who wants to make life simple: no thinking required.
Jesus definitely wants to be at the center of your life,
but He will not be, your very own, Magic 8-Ball.
The 20 standard answers on a Magic 8-Ball are:
Signs point to yes.
Yes.
Most likely.
Without a doubt.
Yes - definitely.
As I see it, yes.
You may rely on it.
Outlook good.
It is certain.
It is decidedly so.
Reply hazy, try again.
Better not tell you now.
Ask again later.
Concentrate and ask again.
Cannot predict now.
My sources say no.
Very doubtful.
My reply is no.
Outlook not so good.
Don't count on it.
Ten of the possible answers are variations of "yes", five are ambiguous, and five are variations of "no". If you don’t like the first answer, shake again and go for two out of three.
Here are questions that are being asked of God in other nations of the world.
If I accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour:
1. Will I lose my job?
2. Will my family disown me?
3. Will my friends stone me to death?
4. Will my husband kill me?
The answers to these questions seem just a little more significant and have a high potential of being answered in the affirmative.
Perhaps we should save some of our questions and get to know God as more than a sugar daddy who wants to make life simple: no thinking required.
Jesus definitely wants to be at the center of your life,
but He will not be, your very own, Magic 8-Ball.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Seduced by ...
Caution: Answering the following two part question, biblically, could be dangerous to all that you hold dear.
The Lord’s Supper.
Was it given for people to share individually in a collective? (sounds like the Borg)
Or was it given for the body of Christ to share together as genuine friends?
If I have heard one war story about religious life, I have heard a thousand. We even have an axiom to declare this reality.
"Christianity is the only army that buries its wounded."
I have met some beautiful Christians, within church systems, who are reminding me to keep my head up and not worry about the system that exists. They truly have mastered the huge challenge of keeping their hearts right, in spite of whatever church nonsense is going on around them.
This is all very commendable but I fail to see how this individualistic approach has much to do with the body of Christ, representing Jesus, here on Earth.
Here’s the crux of the matter. Are we to only partake in the Lord’s supper with friends and friends in the making?
Wait just a minute, you're setting me up. I know this is a trick question because if I answer in the affirmative,
that would mean….
if I were to do it that way…
I would have to know others.
Oh my God, it gets worse. Others would have to know me.
But what if there are only a few people that I really know?
Well done, keep that thought.
Doing it in large groups, of more people than one can know, is really a religious counterfeit. For far too many people, it’s comforting to think that in the large setting, that they are doing something that Jesus commanded.
Question: Is it ever right to do it in a large setting?
Answer: In what setting would it be more useful?
Did Jesus really teach individualism? Is that what he died for? Is that what eternity looks like?
But my pastor says…its OK to partake as long as I AM individually perfect.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our…..
taking a thimble and a wafer
and being really, really, really good.
All hail INDIVIDUALISM.
It's what love is all about.
p.s. "thimble and wafer" see Suppertime.
The Lord’s Supper.
Was it given for people to share individually in a collective? (sounds like the Borg)
Or was it given for the body of Christ to share together as genuine friends?
If I have heard one war story about religious life, I have heard a thousand. We even have an axiom to declare this reality.
"Christianity is the only army that buries its wounded."
I have met some beautiful Christians, within church systems, who are reminding me to keep my head up and not worry about the system that exists. They truly have mastered the huge challenge of keeping their hearts right, in spite of whatever church nonsense is going on around them.
This is all very commendable but I fail to see how this individualistic approach has much to do with the body of Christ, representing Jesus, here on Earth.
Here’s the crux of the matter. Are we to only partake in the Lord’s supper with friends and friends in the making?
Wait just a minute, you're setting me up. I know this is a trick question because if I answer in the affirmative,
that would mean….
if I were to do it that way…
I would have to know others.
Oh my God, it gets worse. Others would have to know me.
But what if there are only a few people that I really know?
Well done, keep that thought.
Doing it in large groups, of more people than one can know, is really a religious counterfeit. For far too many people, it’s comforting to think that in the large setting, that they are doing something that Jesus commanded.
Question: Is it ever right to do it in a large setting?
Answer: In what setting would it be more useful?
Did Jesus really teach individualism? Is that what he died for? Is that what eternity looks like?
But my pastor says…its OK to partake as long as I AM individually perfect.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our…..
taking a thimble and a wafer
and being really, really, really good.
All hail INDIVIDUALISM.
It's what love is all about.
p.s. "thimble and wafer" see Suppertime.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Satan Laughs as God Weeps
Millions of Christians gather weakly for something.
Is their love for one another a demonstration to the world that they are disciples of their resurrected Lord?
Satan Laughs as God Weeps
Is their love for one another a demonstration to the world that they are disciples of their resurrected Lord?
Satan Laughs as God Weeps
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Arctic Oranges.com
Here’s a new investment opportunity. Let’s grow oranges in the Arctic.
Absurd you say. Not on your life.
Why should we let our neighbours to the south get all the glory?
The technologies are available; we just need to pool our resources. Wouldn’t it be fun to prove that anything you put your mind to do, you can do.
I already have some ideas about how it could be done. We’d manufacture the best glass greenhouses known to man. We’d get lights that give off natural rays of sunshine. We’d need a lot of oil keep the boilers burning. We’d probably have to fly in some dirt, the Canadian shield is pretty hard. This is just my initial thoughts, but I have a pretty good feeling that we could make it work.
I hope there are others out there who would like to invest with me in this wonderful enterprise. After all, who doesn’t like a sweet, juicy orange from time to time. My initial calculations for the cost per orange would only be $7,000. This is truly a small price to pay for such a delicious product. Israel did it in a desert, we can do it in the Arctic. Top that!
Forget abut buying oranges at 4 for a loonie. We’re doing something, that just in the doing of it, makes it special. Let’s rise to the challenge, dig in with perseverance, and overcome adversity.
Yawn.
OK, if this is such a blatantly stupid idea, then why in God’s name do we build crystal greenhouses called churches?
Wait a minute, we’re smarter than that. We don’t build cathedrals, we build warehouses bigger than Costco.
I know of churches with memberships of 500 people and $700,000 budgets. A good harvest each year is about 10%. Let's see, that’s 50 new converts at $14,000 per.
If oranges were not meant to grow in an artificial environment, why do we think that people should grow in an artificial environment?
Can you not sing, pray, watch a sermon, love your neighbour, …
in your homes?
Stop, stop. I know something that you can’t do in your home. You can’t have people in your home and not know them. Hah, got you on that one.
Yeppers, you got me thar matey.
Absurd you say. Not on your life.
Why should we let our neighbours to the south get all the glory?
The technologies are available; we just need to pool our resources. Wouldn’t it be fun to prove that anything you put your mind to do, you can do.
I already have some ideas about how it could be done. We’d manufacture the best glass greenhouses known to man. We’d get lights that give off natural rays of sunshine. We’d need a lot of oil keep the boilers burning. We’d probably have to fly in some dirt, the Canadian shield is pretty hard. This is just my initial thoughts, but I have a pretty good feeling that we could make it work.
I hope there are others out there who would like to invest with me in this wonderful enterprise. After all, who doesn’t like a sweet, juicy orange from time to time. My initial calculations for the cost per orange would only be $7,000. This is truly a small price to pay for such a delicious product. Israel did it in a desert, we can do it in the Arctic. Top that!
Forget abut buying oranges at 4 for a loonie. We’re doing something, that just in the doing of it, makes it special. Let’s rise to the challenge, dig in with perseverance, and overcome adversity.
Yawn.
OK, if this is such a blatantly stupid idea, then why in God’s name do we build crystal greenhouses called churches?
Wait a minute, we’re smarter than that. We don’t build cathedrals, we build warehouses bigger than Costco.
I know of churches with memberships of 500 people and $700,000 budgets. A good harvest each year is about 10%. Let's see, that’s 50 new converts at $14,000 per.
If oranges were not meant to grow in an artificial environment, why do we think that people should grow in an artificial environment?
Can you not sing, pray, watch a sermon, love your neighbour, …
in your homes?
Stop, stop. I know something that you can’t do in your home. You can’t have people in your home and not know them. Hah, got you on that one.
Yeppers, you got me thar matey.
Designer Pastor
This is a modern version of Find the Pastor. Its much more fun than the old game and you get a real say in the outcome.
In this version I will supply you with a shopping list, so that you can create your very own "designer pastor". The neat thing with this game is that you’re allowed to add to the list.
Don’t put any thought into your answers, go with your gut.
You don't even have to worry about making a mistake, you can always change the design later.
___ Preaches tithing is God's plan for your life.
___ Preaches tithing is wrong.
___ Allows women in ministry.
___ Doesn’t allow women in ministry.
___ Believes in keeping the Sabbath.
___ Doesn’t believe in the Sabbath.
___ The Sabbath is Sunday.
___ The Sabbath isn’t Sunday.
___ The Sabbath is Saturday.
___ Teaches dispensationalism.
___ Teaches eternal security.
___ Teaches that you can lose your salvation.
___ Teaches eternal salvation.
___ Believes in miracles.
___ Uses real wine for communion.
___ The Lord’s supper is a meal.
___ Takes up an offering.
___ Will perform your wedding if you have been divorced.
___ Not allowed to remarry.
___ Uses a box at the back for giving.
___ Doesn’t believe in giving. (LOL)
___ Uses grape juice for communion.
___ Teaches prosperity.
___ Teaches you can’t get sick.
___ Preaches for less than 10 minutes.
___ Preaches for less than 30 minutes.
___ Preaches for less than 45 minutes.
___ Preaches for less than 60 minutes.
___ Wears nice clothes.
___ Has a great voice.
___ Knows your name.
___ Uses powerpoint in his preaching.
p.s. At least you don’t have to make a decision about needing a pastor. They all agree that you do.
Galatians 1:8 (NIV) But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
In this version I will supply you with a shopping list, so that you can create your very own "designer pastor". The neat thing with this game is that you’re allowed to add to the list.
Don’t put any thought into your answers, go with your gut.
You don't even have to worry about making a mistake, you can always change the design later.
___ Preaches tithing is God's plan for your life.
___ Preaches tithing is wrong.
___ Allows women in ministry.
___ Doesn’t allow women in ministry.
___ Believes in keeping the Sabbath.
___ Doesn’t believe in the Sabbath.
___ The Sabbath is Sunday.
___ The Sabbath isn’t Sunday.
___ The Sabbath is Saturday.
___ Teaches dispensationalism.
___ Teaches eternal security.
___ Teaches that you can lose your salvation.
___ Teaches eternal salvation.
___ Believes in miracles.
___ Uses real wine for communion.
___ The Lord’s supper is a meal.
___ Takes up an offering.
___ Will perform your wedding if you have been divorced.
___ Not allowed to remarry.
___ Uses a box at the back for giving.
___ Doesn’t believe in giving. (LOL)
___ Uses grape juice for communion.
___ Teaches prosperity.
___ Teaches you can’t get sick.
___ Preaches for less than 10 minutes.
___ Preaches for less than 30 minutes.
___ Preaches for less than 45 minutes.
___ Preaches for less than 60 minutes.
___ Wears nice clothes.
___ Has a great voice.
___ Knows your name.
___ Uses powerpoint in his preaching.
p.s. At least you don’t have to make a decision about needing a pastor. They all agree that you do.
Galatians 1:8 (NIV) But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Find the Pastor
Here's a little game for you. Find the pastor. Or even the sermon for that matter.
Hebr 10:24 (NKJV) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one] [another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
1Cor 14:24 (NIV) But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
1Cor 12:21 (NIV) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Matt 23:9 (NIV) And do not call anyone on earth `father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called `teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.
Huh?
Hebr 10:24 (NKJV) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one] [another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
1Cor 14:24 (NIV) But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
1Cor 12:21 (NIV) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Matt 23:9 (NIV) And do not call anyone on earth `father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called `teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.
Silly game. We all know we need a pastor. Our pastor told us so.
Oops, maybe we’re supposed to build each other up as Jesus teaches us.Huh?
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Contributor Instead of Observer
I've been taking aim at a rather defenseless target lately. As Rick Warren is fond of saying, "Holy cows make great hamburger." It is especially not hard to do when one has been in church as long as I have (30 years). Did I say defenseless? What arrogance to think one can kill 450-1700 years of church tradition so easily.
But is there a remedy? Yes. What will it cost us? Everything.
One of the key ideas that I'm trying to grasp are gatherings that are led by Jesus. Here is a brief excerpt from the book, "Meetings in His Kingdom", to try to help you along if you are wanting to journey further. The book is about what it means to have Jesus' life flow through you, in the here and now, with other like minded saints. It is free on the net. No strings attached. The link is at the bottom of this post.
Meetings in His Kingdom (an excerpt)
As one in a Priesthood, no longer a “spectator” at “services,” how do you become a contributor and not just an observer in a gathering? One essential practical issue is this: as you read, study or listen to the word of our God outside of the meeting, never listen or read “to share,” but only to be changed. The way of God is this: no matter how profound the Truth you have heard or learned happens to be, He only truly values the work of those who are currently applying the Word of God to their lives. Please take the time to let this sink deeply into your heart and mind. This is so crucial! He can only overflow from your life if you “abide” — make your dwelling place — in Him and His Word. Your words will be His if He is filling who you are storing up of His Life in a trusting and obedient heart.
http://www.housechurch.com/seed.cfm?id=29958
But is there a remedy? Yes. What will it cost us? Everything.
One of the key ideas that I'm trying to grasp are gatherings that are led by Jesus. Here is a brief excerpt from the book, "Meetings in His Kingdom", to try to help you along if you are wanting to journey further. The book is about what it means to have Jesus' life flow through you, in the here and now, with other like minded saints. It is free on the net. No strings attached. The link is at the bottom of this post.
Meetings in His Kingdom (an excerpt)
As one in a Priesthood, no longer a “spectator” at “services,” how do you become a contributor and not just an observer in a gathering? One essential practical issue is this: as you read, study or listen to the word of our God outside of the meeting, never listen or read “to share,” but only to be changed. The way of God is this: no matter how profound the Truth you have heard or learned happens to be, He only truly values the work of those who are currently applying the Word of God to their lives. Please take the time to let this sink deeply into your heart and mind. This is so crucial! He can only overflow from your life if you “abide” — make your dwelling place — in Him and His Word. Your words will be His if He is filling who you are storing up of His Life in a trusting and obedient heart.
http://www.housechurch.com/seed.cfm?id=29958
Our Facilities are Too Small
Lord, you know how much we love people. We want them all to be able to know You. And Lord, you know our facilities are too small to allow new people to feel comfortable. Please show us how to continue to reach out effectively.
God: Allow the mature saints to stay home and have brunch with each other on Sunday mornings. Your pastor won't get burnt out with multiple services. The money that you save by not expanding can be used for helping widows and orphans.
p.s. Pastor, you don't have to be threatened: the people that really want your sermon can download it off of your website.
Lord, you know how much we love people. We want them all to be able to know You. And Lord, you know our facilities are too small to allow new people to feel comfortable. Please show us how to continue to reach out effectively.
God:
God: Allow the mature saints to stay home and have brunch with each other on Sunday mornings. Your pastor won't get burnt out with multiple services. The money that you save by not expanding can be used for helping widows and orphans.
p.s. Pastor, you don't have to be threatened: the people that really want your sermon can download it off of your website.
Lord, you know how much we love people. We want them all to be able to know You. And Lord, you know our facilities are too small to allow new people to feel comfortable. Please show us how to continue to reach out effectively.
God:
The Weakly
How did Jesus get His message to the people? The reason I ask is that we don’t tend to think about how Jesus did things. When I was in Bible College I took a lot of “deep” courses in theology but I never studied something as superficial as Jesus’ methodology. We never asked the “how” question. Seriously, what would He know about methods?
The greatest sermon ever spoken on this earth is the “Sermon on the Mount.” (Matthew 5-7) It takes about 10 minutes to say. It is the longest recorded sermon by Jesus. It isn’t really a sermon about listening, it is a sermon about “doing/being.” I get the distinct impression that Jesus expected the people to leave and figure out how to “do/be” these things. When they had this stuff lived out in their lives, they could come back for more. It wasn’t about getting their weakly “pep” talk. Interestingly enough, Jesus doesn’t indicate the requirement of attending the weakly sermon.
Why then do we have the “weakly”? I believe that the “idol” of the sermon has even replaced the higher value of love for one another. You can miss the former and be forgiven for the latter. But don’t continue to miss…
Did I say “idol”? Try being part of a traditional church and not be part of the weakly “pep” talk. You will only be a fringe observer at best. People will be sad for you that you have fallen from “grace”. They will sincerely desire that you come back into the fold. Some have even told me that I hate the church because I speak this way of “precious”. Even when I was studying 30-40 hours a week at Bible College, I would have been thrown out if I didn't show up.
It seems that the core mechanism of determining your true love for Jesus is that you “show” up for the “show”. I dare you to stop attending the Sunday “sermon” for six months (1 month would likely be sufficient) and see if you are considered a card carrying member of any traditional church. Can you be a “key” leader without attending? Could you live guilt free without it?
We would counsel recovering alcholics not to be around booze. How would you counsel a "weakly" addict? I know, only attend "bi-weakly."
You could do all of these things:
develop great friendships
have dynamic prayer times,
have in depth discussions centered on the Bible,
give all your money to the poor,
love your family with every fiber of your being.
But if you miss the weakly, without a note from mummy, people would think that you have missed out on serving Jesus.
Some have figured out how to do this. See my post, “Top 10 Ways to Not Sit Through the Sermon”. Nevertheless, I would say you could never be honest and declare that your allegiance is not to the “sermon.”
Could the weakly be an idol?
p.s. "weakly" is not spelled wrong
The greatest sermon ever spoken on this earth is the “Sermon on the Mount.” (Matthew 5-7) It takes about 10 minutes to say. It is the longest recorded sermon by Jesus. It isn’t really a sermon about listening, it is a sermon about “doing/being.” I get the distinct impression that Jesus expected the people to leave and figure out how to “do/be” these things. When they had this stuff lived out in their lives, they could come back for more. It wasn’t about getting their weakly “pep” talk. Interestingly enough, Jesus doesn’t indicate the requirement of attending the weakly sermon.
Why then do we have the “weakly”? I believe that the “idol” of the sermon has even replaced the higher value of love for one another. You can miss the former and be forgiven for the latter. But don’t continue to miss…
Did I say “idol”? Try being part of a traditional church and not be part of the weakly “pep” talk. You will only be a fringe observer at best. People will be sad for you that you have fallen from “grace”. They will sincerely desire that you come back into the fold. Some have even told me that I hate the church because I speak this way of “precious”. Even when I was studying 30-40 hours a week at Bible College, I would have been thrown out if I didn't show up.
It seems that the core mechanism of determining your true love for Jesus is that you “show” up for the “show”. I dare you to stop attending the Sunday “sermon” for six months (1 month would likely be sufficient) and see if you are considered a card carrying member of any traditional church. Can you be a “key” leader without attending? Could you live guilt free without it?
We would counsel recovering alcholics not to be around booze. How would you counsel a "weakly" addict? I know, only attend "bi-weakly."
You could do all of these things:
develop great friendships
have dynamic prayer times,
have in depth discussions centered on the Bible,
give all your money to the poor,
love your family with every fiber of your being.
But if you miss the weakly, without a note from mummy, people would think that you have missed out on serving Jesus.
Some have figured out how to do this. See my post, “Top 10 Ways to Not Sit Through the Sermon”. Nevertheless, I would say you could never be honest and declare that your allegiance is not to the “sermon.”
Could the weakly be an idol?
p.s. "weakly" is not spelled wrong
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Square Pegs Round Holes
This post seeks to reveal how the absurd conclusions from my previous post, Hockey Rules, is actually lived out in the modern day church. During the time of the New Testament, people lived out their new found faith in their homes, with likely not much more than 20 people being gathered together (ekklesia). (The greek word "ekklesia" is where we get the term 'church'.)
He who has an ear to hear, let him hear.
This is an excerpt from www.housechurch.com.
http://www.housechurch.com/seed.cfm?id=31049
1 Corinthians 5
We talked in another city recently about 1 Corinthians 5 and how that is such a clear indicator that, by and large, the religious world doesn’t have any idea what the Church is, and, therefore, is totally incapable of understanding a lot of the Scriptures. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 5 it says to get out the old yeast from among you (speaking of one caught in immorality with his stepmother), and Paul goes on to say that he wanted all slanderers, all grumblers, all idolaters, all the greedy, and all the sexually immoral put out of the Church, and for nobody to eat with such a person. “Expel the wicked ones from among you.” He wanted all of those people out, so that they could be a pure batch as they actually are.
Now, in the framework of the church system that exists today in America (pick your denomination or non-denomination, if you want to call it that), what you’ll find is that 1 Corinthians 5 in the framework of most people’s reference is absolutely impossible to keep. They’re going to look at 1 Corinthians 5 and say, “Well, we can’t throw out all the slanderers because we don’t know if there would be anybody left! We wouldn’t know one if we saw one anyway, and it sure would be awfully hard and cruel to do such a thing. So, we dare not obey the Scriptures.” If we are not going to obey 1 Corinthians 5, then we might as well forget about Acts 2:38, John 3:16 and the rest of them, too. You can’t throw out the Word of God and still claim to be the Church of the Living God.
In 1 Corinthians 5, it says that he wanted all idolaters, all slanderers, all grumblers, all the greedy, and all the immoral—every last one of them—out of the Church. Not those who don’t claim to be brothers, but every last one of them who do claim to be brothers have to leave. We are to expel them. The purpose, of course, is that their souls would ultimately be saved through the pain and the agony of being taken away from their life source—taken away from the people that they know would die for them in a minute. The agony of that would cause them to repent. That’s GOD’S method. Jesus Himself talked about it in Matthew 18 as well.
The point is this: If we claim to be the Church of Jesus Christ, but it is impossible to deal with 1 Corinthians 5 (we have to throw it out the window and not do it), if that’s true, then we’re not really the Church. We’re coming from the wrong framework. We’re trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. You’ve got a square peg in 1 Corinthians 5 and a round hole of the religious system today, and there is no way that they’re going to fit. They can’t fit.
If it’s impossible for us to deal with 1 Corinthians 5, then we are not the Church that Paul was writing to, that the Holy Scriptures refer to. We’re doing something totally wrong if we can’t deal with the slander. If we wouldn’t know a greedy person because everybody says, “We can’t judge…,” then we’re not Jesus’ Church. If there is not enough relationship to know who’s greedy, to know who has a bad attitude, to know who’s immoral in their mind or in their life… if we are not close enough to be able to keep that Scripture with one another, then we are not the Church of Jesus Christ. We might be Christians, but we are not Jesus’ Church. Again, I need to point that out because the reason a lot of these Scriptures about women are so difficult is because we are trying to pound a square peg into a round hole.
He who has an ear to hear, let him hear.
This is an excerpt from www.housechurch.com.
http://www.housechurch.com/seed.cfm?id=31049
1 Corinthians 5
We talked in another city recently about 1 Corinthians 5 and how that is such a clear indicator that, by and large, the religious world doesn’t have any idea what the Church is, and, therefore, is totally incapable of understanding a lot of the Scriptures. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 5 it says to get out the old yeast from among you (speaking of one caught in immorality with his stepmother), and Paul goes on to say that he wanted all slanderers, all grumblers, all idolaters, all the greedy, and all the sexually immoral put out of the Church, and for nobody to eat with such a person. “Expel the wicked ones from among you.” He wanted all of those people out, so that they could be a pure batch as they actually are.
Now, in the framework of the church system that exists today in America (pick your denomination or non-denomination, if you want to call it that), what you’ll find is that 1 Corinthians 5 in the framework of most people’s reference is absolutely impossible to keep. They’re going to look at 1 Corinthians 5 and say, “Well, we can’t throw out all the slanderers because we don’t know if there would be anybody left! We wouldn’t know one if we saw one anyway, and it sure would be awfully hard and cruel to do such a thing. So, we dare not obey the Scriptures.” If we are not going to obey 1 Corinthians 5, then we might as well forget about Acts 2:38, John 3:16 and the rest of them, too. You can’t throw out the Word of God and still claim to be the Church of the Living God.
In 1 Corinthians 5, it says that he wanted all idolaters, all slanderers, all grumblers, all the greedy, and all the immoral—every last one of them—out of the Church. Not those who don’t claim to be brothers, but every last one of them who do claim to be brothers have to leave. We are to expel them. The purpose, of course, is that their souls would ultimately be saved through the pain and the agony of being taken away from their life source—taken away from the people that they know would die for them in a minute. The agony of that would cause them to repent. That’s GOD’S method. Jesus Himself talked about it in Matthew 18 as well.
The point is this: If we claim to be the Church of Jesus Christ, but it is impossible to deal with 1 Corinthians 5 (we have to throw it out the window and not do it), if that’s true, then we’re not really the Church. We’re coming from the wrong framework. We’re trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. You’ve got a square peg in 1 Corinthians 5 and a round hole of the religious system today, and there is no way that they’re going to fit. They can’t fit.
If it’s impossible for us to deal with 1 Corinthians 5, then we are not the Church that Paul was writing to, that the Holy Scriptures refer to. We’re doing something totally wrong if we can’t deal with the slander. If we wouldn’t know a greedy person because everybody says, “We can’t judge…,” then we’re not Jesus’ Church. If there is not enough relationship to know who’s greedy, to know who has a bad attitude, to know who’s immoral in their mind or in their life… if we are not close enough to be able to keep that Scripture with one another, then we are not the Church of Jesus Christ. We might be Christians, but we are not Jesus’ Church. Again, I need to point that out because the reason a lot of these Scriptures about women are so difficult is because we are trying to pound a square peg into a round hole.
Hockey Rules
You have just been hired as the new the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Management tells you that they want all of the players to have these values:
plenty of playing time
develop great esprit de corps amongst each player
monitor any infractions of the players handbook
well run practices with all the players on the ice at the same time
each player needs to show genuine concern for all of his teammates
a players talents are to be used (a hefty salary has been paid for this asset)
You’re very excited because they were the best team in the league last year and management has told you that every player is coming back.
Success breeds success is your motto. You are really pumped with this opportunity.
Management adds one more thing. They know how successful they were last year and have discovered a sure fire way to be even more successful this year. They have tripled the number of players for you to work with. It doesn’t matter the cost, success is the goal. With that number of talented players you should be able to have the best season ever.
But…no buts about it. You’ve signed your contract. Now get going and make sure you do everything that you have been commanded to do.
plenty of playing time
develop great esprit de corps amongst each player
monitor any infractions of the players handbook
well run practices with all the players on the ice at the same time
each player needs to show genuine concern for all of his teammates
a players talents are to be used (a hefty salary has been paid for this asset)
You’re very excited because they were the best team in the league last year and management has told you that every player is coming back.
Success breeds success is your motto. You are really pumped with this opportunity.
Management adds one more thing. They know how successful they were last year and have discovered a sure fire way to be even more successful this year. They have tripled the number of players for you to work with. It doesn’t matter the cost, success is the goal. With that number of talented players you should be able to have the best season ever.
But…no buts about it. You’ve signed your contract. Now get going and make sure you do everything that you have been commanded to do.
Small Beginings
Tears were flowing down my face in the parking lot of No Frills after some last minute buying of plastic wine cups and “sparkling grape juice”. Why?
Some friends of mine were getting together at my place to have a meal and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. My son, Dave and his friend, Derek had decided to put into action some words that I had been droning on and on about.
Richard and his crew of kids, Jennifer, Bruce, Brittanny, Brandon, Jordan, Tyler and ? were joining us. Dave and Derek, with Jamie joining us much later, was the total number of our little gathering (ekklesia).
The smell permeating the kitchen was wonderful. You can’t celebrate the Lord’s Supper without food. Dave was the chef of course and he made something that was fabulous called, Mexican pizza. Grilled steak put on tortilla shells with nacho cheese and salsa, and then baked in the oven.
It seemed a little strange to be calling this time of hanging out, the Lord’s Supper. We’ve never been down this road before, but as for me, I was actually over the moon with anticipation.
Naturally with all the kids there, they made a beeline downstairs to play pool and Wii on the 50” plasma that Dave is renting from Costco. Oddly enough, the younger ones wanted to play pool and the older kids were into the Wii. Richard and I stayed upstairs of course, solving all the problems of the world.
Finally, everyone got back together in the kitchen for next part of this auspicious event. Derek gave a brief overview of why we were here and then it was on to the great eats. After everyone had their fill, I called our attention to the bread, wine and grape juice that were on the table.
As I broke the pumpernickel bread, I wanted everyone to picture what it would have been like to be with Jesus at the last supper. Was it a somber meeting? Was there joke telling and a few well told stories that the disciples had experienced over the past few years?
I wanted everyone to say something as we passed the bread around. It was like watching deer caught in the headlights of a car. They were immobilized. What, you want all of us to participate in this time? Nevertheless, everyone did and when we got through this time of sharing, I was the happiest man alive.
Richard then shared some things about wine/gape juice that we were about to have. He cried as well. Richard and I have dreamed for a long time of getting together in simple ways like this, to share in the joy of our Lord.
Did we get the meal right? I don’t know. Did I experience God in this simple meal? Yes.
Most of the crew went downstairs for more games. Derek, Richard and I stayed upstairs once again solving all the problems of the world.
Eventually the kids made their way back to the kitchen table, where Dave taught them the fine art of playing poker. Derek, Richard and I continued to talk.
Enough of poker and downstairs they went, once again to watch a movie. Richard had to leave but Jamie joined Derek and I, for more profound discussions.
What will happen the next the time we do this? I don’t know. I just want us to learn to be friends around the Lord’s Supper.
Some friends of mine were getting together at my place to have a meal and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. My son, Dave and his friend, Derek had decided to put into action some words that I had been droning on and on about.
Richard and his crew of kids, Jennifer, Bruce, Brittanny, Brandon, Jordan, Tyler and ? were joining us. Dave and Derek, with Jamie joining us much later, was the total number of our little gathering (ekklesia).
The smell permeating the kitchen was wonderful. You can’t celebrate the Lord’s Supper without food. Dave was the chef of course and he made something that was fabulous called, Mexican pizza. Grilled steak put on tortilla shells with nacho cheese and salsa, and then baked in the oven.
It seemed a little strange to be calling this time of hanging out, the Lord’s Supper. We’ve never been down this road before, but as for me, I was actually over the moon with anticipation.
Naturally with all the kids there, they made a beeline downstairs to play pool and Wii on the 50” plasma that Dave is renting from Costco. Oddly enough, the younger ones wanted to play pool and the older kids were into the Wii. Richard and I stayed upstairs of course, solving all the problems of the world.
Finally, everyone got back together in the kitchen for next part of this auspicious event. Derek gave a brief overview of why we were here and then it was on to the great eats. After everyone had their fill, I called our attention to the bread, wine and grape juice that were on the table.
As I broke the pumpernickel bread, I wanted everyone to picture what it would have been like to be with Jesus at the last supper. Was it a somber meeting? Was there joke telling and a few well told stories that the disciples had experienced over the past few years?
I wanted everyone to say something as we passed the bread around. It was like watching deer caught in the headlights of a car. They were immobilized. What, you want all of us to participate in this time? Nevertheless, everyone did and when we got through this time of sharing, I was the happiest man alive.
Richard then shared some things about wine/gape juice that we were about to have. He cried as well. Richard and I have dreamed for a long time of getting together in simple ways like this, to share in the joy of our Lord.
Did we get the meal right? I don’t know. Did I experience God in this simple meal? Yes.
Most of the crew went downstairs for more games. Derek, Richard and I stayed upstairs once again solving all the problems of the world.
Eventually the kids made their way back to the kitchen table, where Dave taught them the fine art of playing poker. Derek, Richard and I continued to talk.
Enough of poker and downstairs they went, once again to watch a movie. Richard had to leave but Jamie joined Derek and I, for more profound discussions.
What will happen the next the time we do this? I don’t know. I just want us to learn to be friends around the Lord’s Supper.
The Work of the Ministry
In a previous post, “Let MY People Go,” Jamie took exception to the way I seemed to define “the work of the ministry.”
I wrote this:
The 20/80 statistic is even scarier when it is broken down into function. Ushers, greeters, nursery workers, coffee makers, Sunday school teachers (don’t the kids have parents to do this job) etc., etc. Very few of the positions or workers are actually in the ministry component of the church. They are being kept too busy to be equipped or activated for the “work of the ministry.”
Jamie responded:
I'll review this in more depth later. For now, suggesting that the "work of ministry" does not include the roles you listed...um, I don't agree. You seem to have applied some intangible rating system to these things. And it may be the same rating system that makes people think that washing toilets is beneath them.
In order to clarify what I was trying to say I realized that I did not have a clear definition of “the work of the ministry”.
I was a little shocked and embarrassed with myself as this term comes out of a passage that I deem key for defining everyone’s purpose within the body of Christ.
Ephe 4:12 (KJS) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
And then it happened for me. I had an epiphany. It wasn’t really something new but it was like I was seeing it through the Spirit for the first time.
What is the “work of the ministry?”
Growing up in our friendship with Jesus and our friendships with each other.
Steve Pye commented in a previous blog (Sermons: A Precious Jewel):
So why are so many pastors and leaders so critical about families that don't come out for a few weeks? One time, I spent a Sunday morning helping a friend move in to town who needed help. That felt like real church to me... serving someone wholeheartedly in their time of need. But on Monday, I heard "missed you at church on Sunday" from a church leader, not because this person actually missed me, but rather because they were trying to encourage me to make sure I'm there next Sunday for the "pep talk". Meanwhile, I was out doing church in the world.
What does it mean to “miss someone on Sunday?”
I’ve seen you for the past 20 years at church but we’ve never even had coffee together. I don’t remember you calling me at home. I certainly don’t remember ever calling you. “Why did you miss me?”
What kind of revolution would take place if everything that we did was examined by the quality of our friendships?
I wrote this:
The 20/80 statistic is even scarier when it is broken down into function. Ushers, greeters, nursery workers, coffee makers, Sunday school teachers (don’t the kids have parents to do this job) etc., etc. Very few of the positions or workers are actually in the ministry component of the church. They are being kept too busy to be equipped or activated for the “work of the ministry.”
Jamie responded:
I'll review this in more depth later. For now, suggesting that the "work of ministry" does not include the roles you listed...um, I don't agree. You seem to have applied some intangible rating system to these things. And it may be the same rating system that makes people think that washing toilets is beneath them.
In order to clarify what I was trying to say I realized that I did not have a clear definition of “the work of the ministry”.
I was a little shocked and embarrassed with myself as this term comes out of a passage that I deem key for defining everyone’s purpose within the body of Christ.
Ephe 4:12 (KJS) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
And then it happened for me. I had an epiphany. It wasn’t really something new but it was like I was seeing it through the Spirit for the first time.
What is the “work of the ministry?”
Growing up in our friendship with Jesus and our friendships with each other.
Steve Pye commented in a previous blog (Sermons: A Precious Jewel):
So why are so many pastors and leaders so critical about families that don't come out for a few weeks? One time, I spent a Sunday morning helping a friend move in to town who needed help. That felt like real church to me... serving someone wholeheartedly in their time of need. But on Monday, I heard "missed you at church on Sunday" from a church leader, not because this person actually missed me, but rather because they were trying to encourage me to make sure I'm there next Sunday for the "pep talk". Meanwhile, I was out doing church in the world.
What does it mean to “miss someone on Sunday?”
I’ve seen you for the past 20 years at church but we’ve never even had coffee together. I don’t remember you calling me at home. I certainly don’t remember ever calling you. “Why did you miss me?”
What kind of revolution would take place if everything that we did was examined by the quality of our friendships?
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Let My People Go
The prevailing statistic, that is virtually unchallenged in the church world, is that 20% of the people do 80% of the work.
Pastors coddle, poke and bribe and yet it seems that the most gifted can barely dent that percentage. When they do it is usually short lived or is based on the beginnings of a new church.
The 20/80 statistic is even scarier when it is broken down into function. Ushers, greeters, nursery workers, coffee makers, Sunday school teachers (don’t the kids have parents to do this job) etc., etc. Very few of the positions or workers are actually in the ministry component of the church. They are being kept too busy to be equipped or activated for the “work of the ministry.”
Is it possible that the traditional model actually produces this result? After all, how many new positions of leadership open up once a church is established? You can only have so many lifelong elders or so many deacons. As the leadership group quickly gets to a relatively small, cohesive size, new applicants are no longer needed or desired.
The answer that addresses this bottleneck is small groups. The motto is, “if you want to grow big, you must grow small.”
Usually a hierarchical model of some form is used to govern these groups. Some don’t like the militaristic language and state that the lines of authority are purely relational. However, letting them completely go is really not what the structure allows. Nevertheless, there are some very bright signs as churches explore these new possibilities.
In Latin America, cell churches, as big as 250,000+ , are experiencing a very interesting/disturbing development. Small groups are experiencing Jesus in intimate, life changing ways, in their homes. When they go to church, the living Christ isn’t being experienced this dynamically. Some are actually questioning the ongoing need for the weekly, large gathering. It seems they no longer need (blasphemy) its ministry to find the joy of serving Jesus.
It’s kind of like going to university. Once you have your “nursing” degree, do you continue in the university model? I’m not saying that lifelong education is not to be desired; it’s just that there are other, more flexible options.
What is the purpose of the Sunday sermon model? I have upset some people in saying this, but I will say it again. Do we go to Sunday worship or do we WORSHIP Sunday?
Somehow the Sunday sermon church model is not willing to relinquish its dominance. But as the people themselves are maturing, they are recognizing that they really can do the work of the ministry without it. Children are supposed to become adults.
Why not prepare them for departure? Instead, they are usually labelled as rebellious, power seekers to be shunned for their sin of leaving Sunday services.
Why do churches demand a lifelong commitment to Sunday services? Pastor, why would you want the same person to stare in rapt attention at you for a lifetime?
It seems that there is some form of symbiotic relationship between pastor and parishioner. It’s almost like they need each other to exist. The term, "Momma's boy" comes to mind.
Jesus understood the potential harm of this type of relationship.
John 16:6 (NKJV) "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Even Jesus had to get out of His disciples way.
Why not, “Let MY people go.”
Pastors coddle, poke and bribe and yet it seems that the most gifted can barely dent that percentage. When they do it is usually short lived or is based on the beginnings of a new church.
The 20/80 statistic is even scarier when it is broken down into function. Ushers, greeters, nursery workers, coffee makers, Sunday school teachers (don’t the kids have parents to do this job) etc., etc. Very few of the positions or workers are actually in the ministry component of the church. They are being kept too busy to be equipped or activated for the “work of the ministry.”
Is it possible that the traditional model actually produces this result? After all, how many new positions of leadership open up once a church is established? You can only have so many lifelong elders or so many deacons. As the leadership group quickly gets to a relatively small, cohesive size, new applicants are no longer needed or desired.
The answer that addresses this bottleneck is small groups. The motto is, “if you want to grow big, you must grow small.”
Usually a hierarchical model of some form is used to govern these groups. Some don’t like the militaristic language and state that the lines of authority are purely relational. However, letting them completely go is really not what the structure allows. Nevertheless, there are some very bright signs as churches explore these new possibilities.
In Latin America, cell churches, as big as 250,000+ , are experiencing a very interesting/disturbing development. Small groups are experiencing Jesus in intimate, life changing ways, in their homes. When they go to church, the living Christ isn’t being experienced this dynamically. Some are actually questioning the ongoing need for the weekly, large gathering. It seems they no longer need (blasphemy) its ministry to find the joy of serving Jesus.
It’s kind of like going to university. Once you have your “nursing” degree, do you continue in the university model? I’m not saying that lifelong education is not to be desired; it’s just that there are other, more flexible options.
What is the purpose of the Sunday sermon model? I have upset some people in saying this, but I will say it again. Do we go to Sunday worship or do we WORSHIP Sunday?
Somehow the Sunday sermon church model is not willing to relinquish its dominance. But as the people themselves are maturing, they are recognizing that they really can do the work of the ministry without it. Children are supposed to become adults.
Why not prepare them for departure? Instead, they are usually labelled as rebellious, power seekers to be shunned for their sin of leaving Sunday services.
Why do churches demand a lifelong commitment to Sunday services? Pastor, why would you want the same person to stare in rapt attention at you for a lifetime?
It seems that there is some form of symbiotic relationship between pastor and parishioner. It’s almost like they need each other to exist. The term, "Momma's boy" comes to mind.
Jesus understood the potential harm of this type of relationship.
John 16:6 (NKJV) "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Even Jesus had to get out of His disciples way.
Why not, “Let MY people go.”
Called
What does it mean to be “called” into the ministry? Does your phone ring one day with God on the line?
Preachers tend to make this into something unique and only for the very few. How can I have a special “calling”, if it’s for the many?
How many churches have had résumés sent to them with some aspiring preacher declaring he has been “called” to their church? Quite perplexing for the pulpit committee to work through, especially when there are 12 different résumés declaring the same “call”. The larger the church, the more the "calls".
It's even way cooler for a preacher when he recieves the "call" from a larger church declaring that they know God has "called" him to their church. Usually not a difficutly except when after accepting the "call", he is "called" three months later by an even larger church. No problem if its a smaller church "calling".
I’m always impressed when the sons of preachers are “called” to carry on in their father’s pulpit. Mind you the “call” usually only happens in large churches, with large salaries. This has been a tried and true practice in other settings. They were “called” kings. It certainly saves the pulpit committee a lot of trouble in finding the next guy.
What if you are “called” but there aren’t any vacancies? God really needs to take better inventory of His stock.
I have a deep feeling (call) in my gut, that many are “called” but our system of doing church doesn’t know what to do with them.
Preachers tend to make this into something unique and only for the very few. How can I have a special “calling”, if it’s for the many?
How many churches have had résumés sent to them with some aspiring preacher declaring he has been “called” to their church? Quite perplexing for the pulpit committee to work through, especially when there are 12 different résumés declaring the same “call”. The larger the church, the more the "calls".
It's even way cooler for a preacher when he recieves the "call" from a larger church declaring that they know God has "called" him to their church. Usually not a difficutly except when after accepting the "call", he is "called" three months later by an even larger church. No problem if its a smaller church "calling".
I’m always impressed when the sons of preachers are “called” to carry on in their father’s pulpit. Mind you the “call” usually only happens in large churches, with large salaries. This has been a tried and true practice in other settings. They were “called” kings. It certainly saves the pulpit committee a lot of trouble in finding the next guy.
What if you are “called” but there aren’t any vacancies? God really needs to take better inventory of His stock.
I have a deep feeling (call) in my gut, that many are “called” but our system of doing church doesn’t know what to do with them.
Deprived
Mark Twain once said, “Never let public schooling deprive your child of an education.”
My spin, “Never let going to church deprive anyone of being the church.”
My spin, “Never let going to church deprive anyone of being the church.”
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Sermons: A Precious Jewel
Stories about God (parables) brought to people who have never heard or do not yet understand, should be our natural way of interacting. Open air meetings, like Jesus had in the feeding of the 5,000, should be the norm.
People are dying to hear the gospel in a way that they can understand it. Great preaching is designed to do that. Where would we be without the “Sermon on the Mount”? We need great sermons.
Roma 10:14 (NIV) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Great sermons are for reaching those who have not yet heard.
Why should great teaching for Christians be packaged the same way?
People are dying to hear the gospel in a way that they can understand it. Great preaching is designed to do that. Where would we be without the “Sermon on the Mount”? We need great sermons.
Roma 10:14 (NIV) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Great sermons are for reaching those who have not yet heard.
Why should great teaching for Christians be packaged the same way?
The Circulation of the Saints
My initial experience in discovering the gospel was 30 years ago. Since then I have been observing trends in how people mature spiritually.
The church that I attended was highly evangelistic. Sunday mornings were filled with messages such as,
Zacchaeus was a wee little man
And a wee little man was he
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see
And as the Lord came passing by
He looked up in that tree
And He said, “Zacchaeus, you come down!
For I’m going to your house today
For I’m going to your house to stay”
We loved it. Every week someone else came to know Jesus. We were enthusiastic. We were always trying to see how many more people we could get into our car to get to church. Our pastor would ask the question, “who here today has known Jesus for less than 5 years. Three quarters of the congregation of 280+ would raise their hands. It really was a magical time. I thought it was normal Christianity.
But then something began to happen in the people that were there. Zacchaeus was no longer a fun song. They wanted more depth in the preaching. They abandoned the call of “grin and bear it” and began looking elsewhere. The Word Faith movement was emerging in the early 80”s and many were allured by the promise of the “meat of the word.” The teaching was fabulous. People were serious about knowing the word. Standing on faith and the word was the mantra. It was great for many. Mind you, God help you if you got sick and weren’t healed.
So another change was needed. Another movement was available. They promised intimate worship times. These churches were part of a fellowship called “Vineyard”. (Vineyard music is still my favorite) Wonderful times of intimacy with God but what about discipleship?
Cell churches emerged with the mantra of growth in small packages. People were activated to do the work of the ministry. People were really interested in you. Lines of authority were broadened but not abandoned. (we do need a king) Apostles are now in fashion. You can go forth with the blessing of your very own Apostle. And for some burn out became a distinct possibility.
With this smorgasbord of church emphases available how could anyone not find their place in the body of Christ? Oops, something changed in society. My original evangelistic church no longer works. Unchurched Harry is no longer attracted to any of these things. And so seeker sensitive churches exploded onto the scene. They promised a painless, guilt free, entry into the world of church. People love the contemporary music, flashy powerpoints, movies, dramas, theater style seating, etc…
But what about deep teaching… intimate worship… real relationships… designed discipleship...
For those who have passed through this circulation of the saints model they aren’t really wanting to repeat the process. You do get tired with all the changing. So ultimately you settle on one of the components that you like best and thar you be.
Oops, I forgot. One last group has emerged. They have given up on all of these systems. They still love God but going to church is no longer a value for them. They have determined that, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” How will this happen? They don’t know. They only know that they don’t want to settle or be part of the circulation of the saints.
The church that I attended was highly evangelistic. Sunday mornings were filled with messages such as,
Zacchaeus was a wee little man
And a wee little man was he
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see
And as the Lord came passing by
He looked up in that tree
And He said, “Zacchaeus, you come down!
For I’m going to your house today
For I’m going to your house to stay”
We loved it. Every week someone else came to know Jesus. We were enthusiastic. We were always trying to see how many more people we could get into our car to get to church. Our pastor would ask the question, “who here today has known Jesus for less than 5 years. Three quarters of the congregation of 280+ would raise their hands. It really was a magical time. I thought it was normal Christianity.
But then something began to happen in the people that were there. Zacchaeus was no longer a fun song. They wanted more depth in the preaching. They abandoned the call of “grin and bear it” and began looking elsewhere. The Word Faith movement was emerging in the early 80”s and many were allured by the promise of the “meat of the word.” The teaching was fabulous. People were serious about knowing the word. Standing on faith and the word was the mantra. It was great for many. Mind you, God help you if you got sick and weren’t healed.
So another change was needed. Another movement was available. They promised intimate worship times. These churches were part of a fellowship called “Vineyard”. (Vineyard music is still my favorite) Wonderful times of intimacy with God but what about discipleship?
Cell churches emerged with the mantra of growth in small packages. People were activated to do the work of the ministry. People were really interested in you. Lines of authority were broadened but not abandoned. (we do need a king) Apostles are now in fashion. You can go forth with the blessing of your very own Apostle. And for some burn out became a distinct possibility.
With this smorgasbord of church emphases available how could anyone not find their place in the body of Christ? Oops, something changed in society. My original evangelistic church no longer works. Unchurched Harry is no longer attracted to any of these things. And so seeker sensitive churches exploded onto the scene. They promised a painless, guilt free, entry into the world of church. People love the contemporary music, flashy powerpoints, movies, dramas, theater style seating, etc…
But what about deep teaching… intimate worship… real relationships… designed discipleship...
For those who have passed through this circulation of the saints model they aren’t really wanting to repeat the process. You do get tired with all the changing. So ultimately you settle on one of the components that you like best and thar you be.
Oops, I forgot. One last group has emerged. They have given up on all of these systems. They still love God but going to church is no longer a value for them. They have determined that, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” How will this happen? They don’t know. They only know that they don’t want to settle or be part of the circulation of the saints.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Covering/Smothering
In many church circles it is common to talk about lines of authority. This is sometimes referred to as covering. The popular teaching holds to the idea that we must be under someone’s authority. For the blessing to be received you need to be in relationship to an apostle or at least a pastor. Thank God the Galatians had a phone line to their Apostle Paul.
3 Questions
1. Under whose authority did Jesus do His ministry?
2. Under whose authority did John the Baptist do his ministry?
3. Did the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39) go and tell the good news and perhaps even start churches? If so, whose authority was he under?
Somene might say that this line of thought might produce anarchy or rebellion. Possibly.
Can you guarantee that the system that is in place today never produces control or apathy?
3 Questions
1. Under whose authority did Jesus do His ministry?
2. Under whose authority did John the Baptist do his ministry?
3. Did the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39) go and tell the good news and perhaps even start churches? If so, whose authority was he under?
Somene might say that this line of thought might produce anarchy or rebellion. Possibly.
Can you guarantee that the system that is in place today never produces control or apathy?
It's MY Church
I just finished reading a book by Gene Edwards called, “How to Meet in Homes.” I was looking for the 12 steps to meet in a house church and instead was slam dunked in a way that turned everything I’ve learned about leadership on its head.
An example of Gene’s simple observations goes like this. Paul and Barnabas go to an area called Galatia. The gospel has never been heard of prior to this. They raise up 4 mega churches. (between 15 and 20 people in each church) No mention is made of establishing who the pastors/elders would be. After 4 months they cold heartedly leave them for the next 2 years to fend for themselves. A problem of legalism occurs and they return for the incredibly long time of two weeks. Then its, “hasta la vista, baby”.
Paul are you an idiot? Don’t you know that it takes 4 years of Bible school or 10 years of ushering before anyone can be trusted? Paul you really need to take a seminar on church planting. Don’t you understand that tent making is supposed to transition into a full time salary?
Oops, did Paul understand something that somehow we have overlooked? What about his responsibilities to his babies? Was he really going to trust the real owner with the right to lead His church? Gulp, that would mean he would have to trust "others" with the gospel that he had proclaimed.
Jesus said, Matt 16:18 (NKJV) "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
An example of Gene’s simple observations goes like this. Paul and Barnabas go to an area called Galatia. The gospel has never been heard of prior to this. They raise up 4 mega churches. (between 15 and 20 people in each church) No mention is made of establishing who the pastors/elders would be. After 4 months they cold heartedly leave them for the next 2 years to fend for themselves. A problem of legalism occurs and they return for the incredibly long time of two weeks. Then its, “hasta la vista, baby”.
Paul are you an idiot? Don’t you know that it takes 4 years of Bible school or 10 years of ushering before anyone can be trusted? Paul you really need to take a seminar on church planting. Don’t you understand that tent making is supposed to transition into a full time salary?
Oops, did Paul understand something that somehow we have overlooked? What about his responsibilities to his babies? Was he really going to trust the real owner with the right to lead His church? Gulp, that would mean he would have to trust "others" with the gospel that he had proclaimed.
Jesus said, Matt 16:18 (NKJV) "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Top 10 Reasons for a Big Church
10. The potted plants are much nicer.
9. The parking lot makes for better skateboarding.
8. The LCD projector and giant screen make for great times watching the latest pirated movie download.
7. You don’t have to clean toilets, paid janitors do that kind of stuff.
6. The mega dollar sound system is way, way better.
5. Hopefully, you don’t have to listen to the same old stories, from the same guy each week.
4. You can leave without ever being noticed.
3. You don’t have to welcome anyone, somebody else will do it.
2. Nobody knows your name.
1. The senior pastor wears nicer clothes.
9. The parking lot makes for better skateboarding.
8. The LCD projector and giant screen make for great times watching the latest pirated movie download.
7. You don’t have to clean toilets, paid janitors do that kind of stuff.
6. The mega dollar sound system is way, way better.
5. Hopefully, you don’t have to listen to the same old stories, from the same guy each week.
4. You can leave without ever being noticed.
3. You don’t have to welcome anyone, somebody else will do it.
2. Nobody knows your name.
1. The senior pastor wears nicer clothes.
Holy Crap
This happened to me many years ago. My wife, Therrie, was pregnant with our third child (Laura) and wasn’t feeling well on a Sunday morning. Being the spiritual head of the home I went off to church with my oldest son, Jamie, who was less than 3 at the time. My second son, Dave, stayed home with Ma.
Our church had completed a building project about a year earlier and we thoroughly enjoyed the services in our new sanctuary. Being the zealot that I was, I was unfortunately sitting in the second pew from the front. The furthest you could get from the exit doors. I think this was the organist’s pew and I liked to sit there to tick her off.
Jamie was with me and kept tugging on my pant leg during the song service. Being the spiritual Dad that I was, I tried desperately to focus on God and ignore my son. He continued to harass me to the point where I finally asked what the problem was. He said he needed to go to the bathroom. Not giving it a second thought I told him to go by himself. After all he was a young man now. He waddled out by himself leaving me to bask in the presence of God.
Our new church had a convenient new design. We no longer had to go down the stairs to get to the bathroom. Unfortunately for me, the wall of the bathroom was connected to the sanctuary.
The song service ended and the pastor was revving up for his sermon. The preacher is Tim Schwindt’s dad. He paused and almost on cue, a voice could be heard coming from the back of the sanctuary. In fact it was coming through the wall connected to the bathroom. The voice said, “Daddy, come clean my bum.” In a flash, the glory of God faded from my thinking and I was desperately trying to scheme my way out of this.
No one would know that I was the Daddy. After all, there were many dads present. As Bruce was about to begin speaking again, the voice came again, but much more insistently, “Daddy, come clean my bum!”
What to do, what to do? The voice would stop and reason would prevail. But sure enough at the next pause in the sermon, the voice came through louder and sounding a little angry. “Daddy, COME CLEAN MY BUM!”
I sheepishly got out of, what I thought was the most comfortable pew in the entire universe. And like a man sentenced to the gallows, walked out of the service.
Doing God's will is not always what it's cracked up to be.
Our church had completed a building project about a year earlier and we thoroughly enjoyed the services in our new sanctuary. Being the zealot that I was, I was unfortunately sitting in the second pew from the front. The furthest you could get from the exit doors. I think this was the organist’s pew and I liked to sit there to tick her off.
Jamie was with me and kept tugging on my pant leg during the song service. Being the spiritual Dad that I was, I tried desperately to focus on God and ignore my son. He continued to harass me to the point where I finally asked what the problem was. He said he needed to go to the bathroom. Not giving it a second thought I told him to go by himself. After all he was a young man now. He waddled out by himself leaving me to bask in the presence of God.
Our new church had a convenient new design. We no longer had to go down the stairs to get to the bathroom. Unfortunately for me, the wall of the bathroom was connected to the sanctuary.
The song service ended and the pastor was revving up for his sermon. The preacher is Tim Schwindt’s dad. He paused and almost on cue, a voice could be heard coming from the back of the sanctuary. In fact it was coming through the wall connected to the bathroom. The voice said, “Daddy, come clean my bum.” In a flash, the glory of God faded from my thinking and I was desperately trying to scheme my way out of this.
No one would know that I was the Daddy. After all, there were many dads present. As Bruce was about to begin speaking again, the voice came again, but much more insistently, “Daddy, come clean my bum!”
What to do, what to do? The voice would stop and reason would prevail. But sure enough at the next pause in the sermon, the voice came through louder and sounding a little angry. “Daddy, COME CLEAN MY BUM!”
I sheepishly got out of, what I thought was the most comfortable pew in the entire universe. And like a man sentenced to the gallows, walked out of the service.
Doing God's will is not always what it's cracked up to be.
Reaching Out: 1st Century Style
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Good bye.”
Lucious: “Yes, you do. I hear laughing and singing coming from your house every night.”
Phillip: “That’s just us having a few friends over. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Good bye.”
Lucious: “Wait a minute. You let Justus come. He was the most hated tax collector in the city. Now people are saying he’s the most generous man around.”
Phillip: “He’s just helping me with my tax returns. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “Why do you keep pestering me.”
Lucious: “I heard about the miracle with Lydia. Her hand was crippled since birth and now she can use it.”
Phillip: “I can’t talk about such things. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “You don’t know what you’re asking me.”
Lucious: “Yes, I do. I know Bartholomew. He’s changed so much. I want what he has.”
Phillip: “No, you don’t. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “Please go away. It’s illegal for you to come. Some of us have been killed already.”
Lucious: “I don’t care, I need what you have.”
Phillip: “Answer me this. Are you willing to give up everything to join us? You could lose your job or be sent to prison. Your friends may hate you. We’ve had friends killed just for saying the name, Jesus.”
Lucious: “Yes, when I see what you have, nothing else matters.”
Phillip: “You may join us, but you still can’t come to church.
Lucious: "I don't understand."
Philip: "We are the church.”
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Good bye.”
Lucious: “Yes, you do. I hear laughing and singing coming from your house every night.”
Phillip: “That’s just us having a few friends over. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Good bye.”
Lucious: “Wait a minute. You let Justus come. He was the most hated tax collector in the city. Now people are saying he’s the most generous man around.”
Phillip: “He’s just helping me with my tax returns. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “Why do you keep pestering me.”
Lucious: “I heard about the miracle with Lydia. Her hand was crippled since birth and now she can use it.”
Phillip: “I can’t talk about such things. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “You don’t know what you’re asking me.”
Lucious: “Yes, I do. I know Bartholomew. He’s changed so much. I want what he has.”
Phillip: “No, you don’t. Good bye.”
Knock, knock, knock
Phillip: “Who’s there?”
Lucious: “Lucious, I want to come to your church.”
Phillip: “Please go away. It’s illegal for you to come. Some of us have been killed already.”
Lucious: “I don’t care, I need what you have.”
Phillip: “Answer me this. Are you willing to give up everything to join us? You could lose your job or be sent to prison. Your friends may hate you. We’ve had friends killed just for saying the name, Jesus.”
Lucious: “Yes, when I see what you have, nothing else matters.”
Phillip: “You may join us, but you still can’t come to church.
Lucious: "I don't understand."
Philip: "We are the church.”
Suffering anyone?
Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.”
A modern day translation is often quoted on Sunday mornings,
“Let the little children (and adults) suffer.”
What more of a sacrifice could He possible want from us?
A modern day translation is often quoted on Sunday mornings,
“Let the little children (and adults) suffer.”
What more of a sacrifice could He possible want from us?
Size Matters
How big is big enough? It seems that every preacher faces this question at some point in his career. Does he have the skills, desire, stamina and most importantly, charisma to keep building "his" church?
Joel Osteen is now the shining beacon of what many preachers are aspiring towards. He is the “pastor” of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
In July 16, 2005 Lakewood Church moved to its new 16,000 seat worship facility which was the former Compaq Center home of the NBA World Champion Houston Rockets. Joel and Victoria have transformed this arena that once crowned champions is the world of sports, to a beacon of hope and inspiration that are helping people of all ages and backgrounds become Champions in Life.
Take heart Pastor it is possible to grow bigger. I hope you measure up.
A shepherd muses: “them thar are a lot of sheep to shear.”
Joel Osteen is now the shining beacon of what many preachers are aspiring towards. He is the “pastor” of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
In July 16, 2005 Lakewood Church moved to its new 16,000 seat worship facility which was the former Compaq Center home of the NBA World Champion Houston Rockets. Joel and Victoria have transformed this arena that once crowned champions is the world of sports, to a beacon of hope and inspiration that are helping people of all ages and backgrounds become Champions in Life.
Take heart Pastor it is possible to grow bigger. I hope you measure up.
A shepherd muses: “them thar are a lot of sheep to shear.”
Protect them!
Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago is considered the lead church in the seeker sensitive model. As such they're well aware of the church "gap": people's fascination with the person of Jesus and the dissatisfaction of many with local churches.
In the early days they suggested, however humorously, a sevenfold strategy of evangelism.
1. Spend quality time with non-Christians
2. Protect them from the church.
3. Witness to those new friends about Jesus Christ.
4. Protect them from the church.
5. Lead them to Christ.
6. Protect them from the church.
7. When they have matured a bit and are ready for a culture shock, introduce them to the church for the first time.
This is a quote from, "Houses that Change the World," by Wolfgang Simson
In the early days they suggested, however humorously, a sevenfold strategy of evangelism.
1. Spend quality time with non-Christians
2. Protect them from the church.
3. Witness to those new friends about Jesus Christ.
4. Protect them from the church.
5. Lead them to Christ.
6. Protect them from the church.
7. When they have matured a bit and are ready for a culture shock, introduce them to the church for the first time.
This is a quote from, "Houses that Change the World," by Wolfgang Simson
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Suppertime
Why thimbles and yucky wafers?
Answer: That’s the way Jesus did it.
I am currently exploring the significance and practice of the Lord's Supper. My understanding is that bread and wine were simply the most common elements at the meal and that referring to them referred to the entire meal filled with joyful banter, personal reflection, and a glorious mish mash of whatever friends (who are in love with Jesus) do when they thoroughly enjoy each other's company.
I have this assumption that religion tends to take the best of ideas and somehow makes them into something akin to a dead man's tomb. Jesus did warn us of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. I'm exploring this distinct possibility when it comes to the Lord's Supper.
Answer: That’s the way Jesus did it.
I am currently exploring the significance and practice of the Lord's Supper. My understanding is that bread and wine were simply the most common elements at the meal and that referring to them referred to the entire meal filled with joyful banter, personal reflection, and a glorious mish mash of whatever friends (who are in love with Jesus) do when they thoroughly enjoy each other's company.
I have this assumption that religion tends to take the best of ideas and somehow makes them into something akin to a dead man's tomb. Jesus did warn us of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. I'm exploring this distinct possibility when it comes to the Lord's Supper.
When I first began exploring the meal idea of the Lord's Supper, I was even wondering when it would be best served? Could the word "supper" be a clue? A post resurrection breakfast at the lake might be healthy from time time, just so we don't get legalistic about the timing of the "supper". I even wondered, if it's a meal, when do you do the ceremony part? Could it be the meal itself?
Did Jesus and then Paul re-enforce the idea that we are to have a thimble and wafer service once a month to remember him? Or is it possible that the early, unsophisticated church think that every time they got together in their homes that they were to remember the Lord's life and death until He returns?
Is it possible that we have taken the phrase "as oft as you do this" to mean whenever you have a special thimble ceremony which is scheduled by a holy man, in a holy place, at a holy time, that we are to remember the Lord's death and return. Or could it mean that anytime (often) you get together (ekklesia) that you can enjoy remembering His life, death, resurrection and return.
I am intrigued about why a 12 week study about God, called Alpha, is so successful. Is it only because of Nicky Gumbel's teaching? The innovative approach in Alpha is that it includes a meal with a sermon and people actually got a chance to talk with each other about it. This "revolutionary" idea is kind of in the category of Quiznos' genius idea of toasting submarine sandwiches?
Did Jesus and then Paul re-enforce the idea that we are to have a thimble and wafer service once a month to remember him? Or is it possible that the early, unsophisticated church think that every time they got together in their homes that they were to remember the Lord's life and death until He returns?
Is it possible that we have taken the phrase "as oft as you do this" to mean whenever you have a special thimble ceremony which is scheduled by a holy man, in a holy place, at a holy time, that we are to remember the Lord's death and return. Or could it mean that anytime (often) you get together (ekklesia) that you can enjoy remembering His life, death, resurrection and return.
I am intrigued about why a 12 week study about God, called Alpha, is so successful. Is it only because of Nicky Gumbel's teaching? The innovative approach in Alpha is that it includes a meal with a sermon and people actually got a chance to talk with each other about it. This "revolutionary" idea is kind of in the category of Quiznos' genius idea of toasting submarine sandwiches?
The most frequently asked question that I usually got from people who did Alpha was "what's next?" To this I could only put my head down and mumble, "Not what you just experienced." I didn't have the heart to say thimbles and wafers, 10% admittance fees, no more sleeping in on Sundays, yadayadayada...
I say this in the context of the early church exuberantly meeting daily for the "breaking of bread" ceremony. This obviously was all about thimbles and wafers, holy men and a holy place.
Jesus' disciples must have thoroughly enjoyed the 3-4 years of thimble/wafer services, especially the last one.
If the Lord's Supper, really is a supper, and the bread and wine are really the basic elements of the meal, why have we taken this and obliterated it from anything that even remotely looks human? It seems to me that the thimbles (cup) and wafers cause us to focus on our individuality within a corporate setting. Considering others, if done at all, is only done in a very limited and restrictive way. Partaking “unworthily” is sometimes interpreted to mean, “have I confessed all my sins from the past week?” Is it possible that Jesus wants us to interact with each other in such a way that we actually know and yet still love each other?
I say this in the context of the early church exuberantly meeting daily for the "breaking of bread" ceremony. This obviously was all about thimbles and wafers, holy men and a holy place.
Jesus' disciples must have thoroughly enjoyed the 3-4 years of thimble/wafer services, especially the last one.
If the Lord's Supper, really is a supper, and the bread and wine are really the basic elements of the meal, why have we taken this and obliterated it from anything that even remotely looks human? It seems to me that the thimbles (cup) and wafers cause us to focus on our individuality within a corporate setting. Considering others, if done at all, is only done in a very limited and restrictive way. Partaking “unworthily” is sometimes interpreted to mean, “have I confessed all my sins from the past week?” Is it possible that Jesus wants us to interact with each other in such a way that we actually know and yet still love each other?
I was intrigued by a church I recently heard of that is trying to make communion somewhat more human by having people break up in groups of 3 or 4 to partake together. One comment was, “we don’t know what to do in the group.” We have literally been trained not to interact in this context.
It's difficult to make any kind of change from tradition. For some it may feel like they are betraying the past and for others, communion has always been a very special spiritual time. I am not trying to invalidate past experiences, I'm just wondering if we have potentially limited a wonderful practice.
Jesus gave us an extraordinary command,
John 13:34 (NKJV) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Would it be wrong for ordinary people, to meet in ordinary homes, to have an ordinary meal with ordinary bread and ordinary wine, to celebrate the Lord's life and death until He returns? And perhaps, just perhaps we may learn to love one another in such a way that people who do not know God, will glorify God.
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened." Winston Churchill
"The Institutional church has killed only two kinds of people: Those who do not believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ and those who do." Will Durant
"If you speak the truth when everyone else believes and is practicing the opposite, make sure you are sitting on a very swift horse." Turkish proverb
F.U.B.A.R.
D-day. June 6, 1944, Omaha Beach. In the beginning scene of horrific slaughter, Tom Hank’s character, John (Jack) H. Miller, utters the words “if you stay here you’re a dead man.” Those words in that setting seem so very obvious. The movie depicts the total senselessness of war graphically showing limbs being severed, heads decapitated and countless young men being mercilessly mowed down by machine gun fire.
The beach landing scene has some strange fabrications of steel strewn about it. These things are the only protection to be found. Why would anyone choose to hide behind a 6 inch wide piece of steel as if that was their best protection? Nevertheless it took the obvious statement of move or die to push the men forward into the unknown.
This movie is a great allegory about Jesus' church (ekklesia). When I consider the ideals of what I think God is saying to His church, what I sometimes see in reality is not much different than the insanity of hiding behind a 6 inch wide piece of steel with bombs and bullets flying all around. This story of senseless bloodshed and men laying down their lives for each others moves me mysteriously closer to understanding God’s call in my life.
John Miller is depicted at the beginning as a closed book, known for his raw determination to fulfill whatever mission is handed to him. He’s a man that gets the job done no matter the cost. Near the end of the movie we discover that his decisions have led to at least 94 deaths. He wants to rationalize this by hoping that in sending men to their destruction that many more men have been saved. But then he gets his next and last, tough assignment. Take 7 of his best men and scour war ravished Europe to save one man, Private Ryan. Ryan’s 3 brothers had been killed in action and the army feels that this is more than enough sacrifice for any mother and therefore Ryan is to be given a ticket home.
Jack, faithful to his duty gathers 7 men (ekklesia) whose only connection is a uniform and blood on their hands. They are not impressed with their marching orders. The only thing that allows them to go forward is the understanding of the acronym F.U.B.A.R. They all agree to this and head down a perilous path, unaware of the final outcome or mutual sacrifice that would be required.
An outsider, Corporal Upham,is brought into this fraternity. The reason for this invitation is that he speaks French and German. He has not been baptized in blood up to this point in the war and is therefore not trusted. He was simply a clerk working behind the frontlines. Nevertheless, without his agreement, he is thrust into this most improbable of missions.
As the movie takes us on this group’s journey of finding Ryan, it shows the challenge of taking 8 individuals and forging them into a bonded unit that eventually knows how to lay down their lives for each other. It actually goes out of its way to reveal the well known truth that men do not easily let other men into their lives.
Jack Miller’s strength is the mystery of his past life. What could such a cold hearted man have done prior to this insanity? In a pivotal scene when the group is disintegrating because of the senseless death of one of their group, Jack lets down his guard about his past. He tells them why it is important to go on with the mission of saving Private Ryan. “If saving Ryan earns me the right to get back home to my wife then it’s worth it.” Being cold hearted and unknown is not enough mystery to keep these men going. They needed to see something of value in the process itself, if they were going to continue on sacrificing their lives. The revealing of Jack’s heart rallies the troops to somehow push forward.
One of the few points of humour in this story of men going off to war is Cpl. Upham’s trying to understand the groups obvious understanding of F.U.B.A.R. He is kept out of the secret that seems to make everything make sense to this strange band of men. What right does he have to enter into the secrets of this elite group? Leading up to final climatic event he is finally let in on the secret. The man who was most closed to showing any feeling of humanity, gives Upham the secret code. (If you don’t know the code you’ll have to watch the movie) Ultimately the right to belong hinges upon the willingness to sacrifice oneself for another.
This is not a comfortable story of church but nevertheless it is church. In the final battle, Jack (Tom Hanks) is dying. He whispers something to Ryan. We find out what those words were through the voice of Ryan as an old man. “Don’t let our deaths be wasted.”
I believe this is the message of the cross. Church (ekklesia), if this is the message that your meetings produce then continue on. If you are hiding behind a 6 inch wide piece of steel or a beautiful box then go forward into the unknown because if you stay there you’re dead.
The beach landing scene has some strange fabrications of steel strewn about it. These things are the only protection to be found. Why would anyone choose to hide behind a 6 inch wide piece of steel as if that was their best protection? Nevertheless it took the obvious statement of move or die to push the men forward into the unknown.
This movie is a great allegory about Jesus' church (ekklesia). When I consider the ideals of what I think God is saying to His church, what I sometimes see in reality is not much different than the insanity of hiding behind a 6 inch wide piece of steel with bombs and bullets flying all around. This story of senseless bloodshed and men laying down their lives for each others moves me mysteriously closer to understanding God’s call in my life.
John Miller is depicted at the beginning as a closed book, known for his raw determination to fulfill whatever mission is handed to him. He’s a man that gets the job done no matter the cost. Near the end of the movie we discover that his decisions have led to at least 94 deaths. He wants to rationalize this by hoping that in sending men to their destruction that many more men have been saved. But then he gets his next and last, tough assignment. Take 7 of his best men and scour war ravished Europe to save one man, Private Ryan. Ryan’s 3 brothers had been killed in action and the army feels that this is more than enough sacrifice for any mother and therefore Ryan is to be given a ticket home.
Jack, faithful to his duty gathers 7 men (ekklesia) whose only connection is a uniform and blood on their hands. They are not impressed with their marching orders. The only thing that allows them to go forward is the understanding of the acronym F.U.B.A.R. They all agree to this and head down a perilous path, unaware of the final outcome or mutual sacrifice that would be required.
An outsider, Corporal Upham,is brought into this fraternity. The reason for this invitation is that he speaks French and German. He has not been baptized in blood up to this point in the war and is therefore not trusted. He was simply a clerk working behind the frontlines. Nevertheless, without his agreement, he is thrust into this most improbable of missions.
As the movie takes us on this group’s journey of finding Ryan, it shows the challenge of taking 8 individuals and forging them into a bonded unit that eventually knows how to lay down their lives for each other. It actually goes out of its way to reveal the well known truth that men do not easily let other men into their lives.
Jack Miller’s strength is the mystery of his past life. What could such a cold hearted man have done prior to this insanity? In a pivotal scene when the group is disintegrating because of the senseless death of one of their group, Jack lets down his guard about his past. He tells them why it is important to go on with the mission of saving Private Ryan. “If saving Ryan earns me the right to get back home to my wife then it’s worth it.” Being cold hearted and unknown is not enough mystery to keep these men going. They needed to see something of value in the process itself, if they were going to continue on sacrificing their lives. The revealing of Jack’s heart rallies the troops to somehow push forward.
One of the few points of humour in this story of men going off to war is Cpl. Upham’s trying to understand the groups obvious understanding of F.U.B.A.R. He is kept out of the secret that seems to make everything make sense to this strange band of men. What right does he have to enter into the secrets of this elite group? Leading up to final climatic event he is finally let in on the secret. The man who was most closed to showing any feeling of humanity, gives Upham the secret code. (If you don’t know the code you’ll have to watch the movie) Ultimately the right to belong hinges upon the willingness to sacrifice oneself for another.
This is not a comfortable story of church but nevertheless it is church. In the final battle, Jack (Tom Hanks) is dying. He whispers something to Ryan. We find out what those words were through the voice of Ryan as an old man. “Don’t let our deaths be wasted.”
I believe this is the message of the cross. Church (ekklesia), if this is the message that your meetings produce then continue on. If you are hiding behind a 6 inch wide piece of steel or a beautiful box then go forward into the unknown because if you stay there you’re dead.
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