It was a rare occasion to not have this passage quoted when I was in a prayer meeting.
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18:19-20
A different passage is quoted almost as much to prove the need for regular church attendance.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25
When a Christian asks me, “where do you go to church?” and I answer I’m at church right now, they look at me with a puzzled expression on their face. Why is that?
Somehow the definition of church has been morphed into meaning the place where I go on Sundays to hear a sermon with many others.
Whereas, according to Matthew 18:19-20 anytime I am with another Christian, Jesus will be in our midst. And according to Hebrews 10:24,25 the purpose of gathering together is
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24
Jesus never commanded us to go to church on Sunday to hear a sermon. He does desire for us to get together with as little as one other person to see Him in our midst. The purpose of these gatherings is to simply love one another and to spur each other on to good deeds.
The only legitimate number that the New Testament reveals as an official gathering is two or three. Would we limit it to these numbers? Of course not. But we must guard against the lie that bigger is better. What can be better than Jesus in our midst?
When should we want this to happen? As often as possible.
Do we need multi-million dollar facilities to experience these vital gatherings? Of course not. Even though some leaders think that that they, their building and their large gatherings are essential. Some even give the impression that God thinks their building is of utmost importance. How else would one raise funds with religiously minded folks?
Doesn't it ever seem odd to you that God delights in diverting funds from starving children around the world so that we can build our edifices and make a name for ourselves?
Don’t be deceived by large numbers bringing more glory to God and definitely don’t be deceived by a leader that wants to call you together in his own name or in the name of his church. That may be important for their own ego but it is too small an understanding of the church that Jesus is building. It is also demeaning to the value of every member of the body of Christ when we exalt a few above the many.
Let us remind each other that there is only one church and Jesus said He would build it. His church is way bigger than anything we or any leader can personally envision.
Our only desire should be to experience Jesus in our midst. How many people does it take? Where two or three are gathered…
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Hierarchy and the Trinity
I’ve been intrigued of late with some of the controversy surrounding the book, The Shack. With over 4 million copies in print in just over a year it’s safe to say that this book is not ordinary. One of the arguments that has been used to prove how heretical the book is, is that it doesn’t portray the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in a way that shows a hierarchical form of ruling. The pastors who are condemning the book on these grounds believe in their role as defenders of the faith and rulers of their flock. In a benevolent kind of way of course.
What’s interesting is what Jesus thought about hierarchical leadership. He gave a clear teaching on what he wanted His church to be ordered upon.
"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:41-44
It’s strange that He would speak this way when according to those attacking the Shack, the trinity is the clearest examples of hierarchy.
The basis seems to be the idea of the language that the Bible has given us to describe God, especially the terminology, Father and Son.
For some, the Father rules over the Son. But here’s the challenge with this picture. Even though the relationship is defined as Father/Son it doesn’t mean quite the same as our idea of a father being first and the son second.
In terms of understanding the eternal God, there was never a time that there was Father without the Son and there was no Son without the Father. They are both God and have need of nothing or anyone to teach them.
Even in our natural thinking the idea of father and son as a hierarchy doesn’t really hold true. My dad is now 80 years old. Our relationship is not defined by who is in charge. Nor is my relationship with my sons defined by who has ultimate say or power over the other. We are equals. Sometimes, I’d like my sons or my father to do something. If they choose to it’s because of our relationship. If they choose not to, our relationship is not diminished because of that refusal. The same holds true when something is asked of me.
One of the great tragedies that we see in organized religion is the use of those in leadership roles thinking they have power over their flock. The very thing Jesus said for us to never do. In fact He said just the opposite.
Using the trinity as an excuse to show the need for hierarchy is a major cause of much of the dysfunction that is seen within the body of Christ.
No doubt exploring our understanding of God and the trinity is a big subject, filled with wonder and mystery. The one thing I’m pretty sure of though is this, God is not in any way, shape or form wanting to Lord it over us, nor does this idea of Lording over or even a hierarchy exist within the relationship of the trinity.
The Father’s passion is to please His Son. Jesus’ passion is to please His Father. Their passion is to serve us. And that's an incredible idea to consider.
What’s interesting is what Jesus thought about hierarchical leadership. He gave a clear teaching on what he wanted His church to be ordered upon.
"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:41-44
It’s strange that He would speak this way when according to those attacking the Shack, the trinity is the clearest examples of hierarchy.
The basis seems to be the idea of the language that the Bible has given us to describe God, especially the terminology, Father and Son.
For some, the Father rules over the Son. But here’s the challenge with this picture. Even though the relationship is defined as Father/Son it doesn’t mean quite the same as our idea of a father being first and the son second.
In terms of understanding the eternal God, there was never a time that there was Father without the Son and there was no Son without the Father. They are both God and have need of nothing or anyone to teach them.
Even in our natural thinking the idea of father and son as a hierarchy doesn’t really hold true. My dad is now 80 years old. Our relationship is not defined by who is in charge. Nor is my relationship with my sons defined by who has ultimate say or power over the other. We are equals. Sometimes, I’d like my sons or my father to do something. If they choose to it’s because of our relationship. If they choose not to, our relationship is not diminished because of that refusal. The same holds true when something is asked of me.
One of the great tragedies that we see in organized religion is the use of those in leadership roles thinking they have power over their flock. The very thing Jesus said for us to never do. In fact He said just the opposite.
Using the trinity as an excuse to show the need for hierarchy is a major cause of much of the dysfunction that is seen within the body of Christ.
No doubt exploring our understanding of God and the trinity is a big subject, filled with wonder and mystery. The one thing I’m pretty sure of though is this, God is not in any way, shape or form wanting to Lord it over us, nor does this idea of Lording over or even a hierarchy exist within the relationship of the trinity.
The Father’s passion is to please His Son. Jesus’ passion is to please His Father. Their passion is to serve us. And that's an incredible idea to consider.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tithing Paradox
Teaching tithing is a tricky game to play. First, you must understand all of the tithes of the Old Testament (total = 23.3%). Secondly, all tithing was to be done through food. Changing this to money equivalents misses the principle of "the scriptures must mean what they always meant." You end up teaching a rule that even you have altered. When you change something that directly benefits yourself, you do put your integrity on the line. I know you can blame God and say it's His rule but don't forget that you have had a part in reformulating what God has said.
But the greatest challenge you have with teaching tithing is that it begs this question. What do you think of the people that don't tithe? In Malachi 3, God called them robbers. Approximately 83% of people in churches that teach tithing, don't tithe. Therefore, you end up pastoring a group of people that are mostly thieves.
The paradox is that non-tithers are happy having you think of them as thieves.
But the greatest challenge you have with teaching tithing is that it begs this question. What do you think of the people that don't tithe? In Malachi 3, God called them robbers. Approximately 83% of people in churches that teach tithing, don't tithe. Therefore, you end up pastoring a group of people that are mostly thieves.
The paradox is that non-tithers are happy having you think of them as thieves.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Cultlike Practices
I was often accused of having joined a cult when I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour. I laughed at the idea since I knew what the Bible said about salvation. Rom. 10:9,10. Upon reflection, I now think my experience of salvation was and is very real but with some very cult like practices mixed in.
Isolationism
Some of these practices were lifestyle issues like not playing cards, not dancing, not drinking and not working on Sundays. Other groups have other lists to be adhered to. These issues tended towards isolating one from others outside of the group.
I didn’t start out going to Sunday School, a morning service and an evening service, Wednesday night Bible study, men's fellowship? (another bible study with just men), plus a score of volunteer positions and evenings out. It was a process of aligning myself with these practices in order to show that I belonged. Spending a minimum of 12 hours a week at church was normal, lots of weeks were 20+.
These rules were not written down but to advance (grow) in maturity or leadership they were required. Faithfulness meant living within the boundaries of the group’s standards. We did not find these things a hardship but rather a joy to practice. We wanted to belong and this was proof that we did.
Conformity to the group was all that mattered. Not having a beer was more important than building friendships outside of the group. Our glorious message to our unsaved friends was accept Jesus and cut out the evil beer drinking.
Elitism
My group has the best interpretation of the Bible. Wow, I was one smug dude over this one. The idea that “we don’t know what we don’t know”, never occurred to us. If I didn’t have the answer our pastor surely did.
PRIDE trapped us into a rigid belief system that could not be challenged. Everyone was told to “grow” but that simply meant accepting the group’s values (almost always the unwritten ones), one point at a time. Groups tend to have a paralyzing effect on new ideas. Amazingly, even groups with completely opposing ideas manage to use the Bible to justify them.
If I saw something in the Bible that the leader didn’t believe, obviously it was an error on my part. The idea of the Holy Spirit leading us into all truth was constantly emphasized, but in reality simply meant following the leader as he was “led” by the Spirit.
There is an unstated but real belief that when we finally get to heaven the way our group functioned will be the blueprint for everyone else. And we’ll be able to say, “See, I told you so.”
Leadership
Aligning oneself with the leader is of utmost importance. Don’t expect to advance or belong if you don’t. His interpretation is final: including how one interprets the Bible or how one interprets a prophetic word. Failure to do so will result in not being trusted and set aside. The secret of disagreeing and being able to belong at the same time is to keep your mouth zipped tight.
The leader has significant influence since their voice is the one that everyone hears religiously. The amount of time and money devoted to a leader’s speaking unquestionably gives them a significant amount of power. Not surprisingly, these monologues are not meant to support an open learning model but in reality manage to isolate everyone to only hearing a very one sided view.
Some leaders are very gracious in their style of leadership while others are very autocratic, the point is that it is their vision that is to be followed. Gather a few people in your church to look after an orphanage without the leader giving his ok and test this out. The smooth leaders will include this type of plan into the overall vision of the church and will even give it their blessing so that they can be seen to be leading this worthy cause. Other leaders will be jealous that people are spending money on something they didn’t start and may be seen to compete with what they are doing.
Money
The lion’s share of all giving should be done within the group. It doesn’t matter if the group teaches tithing or free will giving. The way God chooses to bless the world through our finances is through giving to the group. Ironically, 80-99% of offerings are spent on the group and not the world. The amount of money spent on buildings and leaders (in the name of evangelism, of course) is astounding.
Relationships
Friendships only exist within the confines of agreement within the group. If you leave the group expect to be shunned: either overtly or quietly. From the more gracious groups there will be a genuine feeling of sadness that you left and that you didn’t get how important they really are. I’ve been fascinated by how fragile friendships (if that's what they ever were) are compared to the idea of solidarity within the group’s thinking.
The Church as the Body of Christ
This is often talked about but is rarely embraced. A group’s identity is far more important. The single greatest unifying factor (Jesus is a distant second) practiced by all groups is that one should belong to a group. What is shocking about this is that the New Testament never mentions the name of a single church but only identifies Christians by the city which they live in. Try telling some Christians you're simply part of the church of (name your city) and watch the weird look that comes on their faces.
Maturity
Growing as a Christian should be a lifelong adventure. No group can ever say they have all that Christ has for an individual. Sadly, because of a group's need for identity, thus the cultlike practices that strengthen that idea, tend to snuff out an individual's development and growth in Christ. Not many groups have ever celebrated an individual's growing beyond the group's limitations. To do so, would reveal the tenuous house of cards that any group's identity has been built on.
Can you grow beyond your group's limits? Of course you can. Just don't tell anybody.
Isolationism
Some of these practices were lifestyle issues like not playing cards, not dancing, not drinking and not working on Sundays. Other groups have other lists to be adhered to. These issues tended towards isolating one from others outside of the group.
I didn’t start out going to Sunday School, a morning service and an evening service, Wednesday night Bible study, men's fellowship? (another bible study with just men), plus a score of volunteer positions and evenings out. It was a process of aligning myself with these practices in order to show that I belonged. Spending a minimum of 12 hours a week at church was normal, lots of weeks were 20+.
These rules were not written down but to advance (grow) in maturity or leadership they were required. Faithfulness meant living within the boundaries of the group’s standards. We did not find these things a hardship but rather a joy to practice. We wanted to belong and this was proof that we did.
Conformity to the group was all that mattered. Not having a beer was more important than building friendships outside of the group. Our glorious message to our unsaved friends was accept Jesus and cut out the evil beer drinking.
Elitism
My group has the best interpretation of the Bible. Wow, I was one smug dude over this one. The idea that “we don’t know what we don’t know”, never occurred to us. If I didn’t have the answer our pastor surely did.
PRIDE trapped us into a rigid belief system that could not be challenged. Everyone was told to “grow” but that simply meant accepting the group’s values (almost always the unwritten ones), one point at a time. Groups tend to have a paralyzing effect on new ideas. Amazingly, even groups with completely opposing ideas manage to use the Bible to justify them.
If I saw something in the Bible that the leader didn’t believe, obviously it was an error on my part. The idea of the Holy Spirit leading us into all truth was constantly emphasized, but in reality simply meant following the leader as he was “led” by the Spirit.
There is an unstated but real belief that when we finally get to heaven the way our group functioned will be the blueprint for everyone else. And we’ll be able to say, “See, I told you so.”
Leadership
Aligning oneself with the leader is of utmost importance. Don’t expect to advance or belong if you don’t. His interpretation is final: including how one interprets the Bible or how one interprets a prophetic word. Failure to do so will result in not being trusted and set aside. The secret of disagreeing and being able to belong at the same time is to keep your mouth zipped tight.
The leader has significant influence since their voice is the one that everyone hears religiously. The amount of time and money devoted to a leader’s speaking unquestionably gives them a significant amount of power. Not surprisingly, these monologues are not meant to support an open learning model but in reality manage to isolate everyone to only hearing a very one sided view.
Some leaders are very gracious in their style of leadership while others are very autocratic, the point is that it is their vision that is to be followed. Gather a few people in your church to look after an orphanage without the leader giving his ok and test this out. The smooth leaders will include this type of plan into the overall vision of the church and will even give it their blessing so that they can be seen to be leading this worthy cause. Other leaders will be jealous that people are spending money on something they didn’t start and may be seen to compete with what they are doing.
Money
The lion’s share of all giving should be done within the group. It doesn’t matter if the group teaches tithing or free will giving. The way God chooses to bless the world through our finances is through giving to the group. Ironically, 80-99% of offerings are spent on the group and not the world. The amount of money spent on buildings and leaders (in the name of evangelism, of course) is astounding.
Relationships
Friendships only exist within the confines of agreement within the group. If you leave the group expect to be shunned: either overtly or quietly. From the more gracious groups there will be a genuine feeling of sadness that you left and that you didn’t get how important they really are. I’ve been fascinated by how fragile friendships (if that's what they ever were) are compared to the idea of solidarity within the group’s thinking.
The Church as the Body of Christ
This is often talked about but is rarely embraced. A group’s identity is far more important. The single greatest unifying factor (Jesus is a distant second) practiced by all groups is that one should belong to a group. What is shocking about this is that the New Testament never mentions the name of a single church but only identifies Christians by the city which they live in. Try telling some Christians you're simply part of the church of (name your city) and watch the weird look that comes on their faces.
Maturity
Growing as a Christian should be a lifelong adventure. No group can ever say they have all that Christ has for an individual. Sadly, because of a group's need for identity, thus the cultlike practices that strengthen that idea, tend to snuff out an individual's development and growth in Christ. Not many groups have ever celebrated an individual's growing beyond the group's limitations. To do so, would reveal the tenuous house of cards that any group's identity has been built on.
Can you grow beyond your group's limits? Of course you can. Just don't tell anybody.
Monday, November 24, 2008
The High Cost of Low Prices
These are some points I had after listening to a lecture entitled, Youth and Globalization by Dr. Anton L. Allahar, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, at the University of Western Ontario.
He gave an example from his native country of West Indies to show how corporations manipulate people for their own gain.
The West Indies had a fully functioning dairy industry that supplied milk to the population for 18 cents a liter. It also bolstered the economy with decent jobs for many of the people.
The U.S. dairy industry had a surplus of milk and decided to “bless” these people with cheaper powdered milk that cost about 11 cents per liter. The people were so thankful for this improvement in their cost of living. That is everyone, except those whose livelihoods depended on the local dairy industry. Farmers went bankrupt and labourers were unemployed.
Once the local dairy infrastructure was completely destroyed something surprising happened to the cost of powdered milk. It nearly doubled in price to 21 cents a liter.
Due to the higher rate of unemployment, factories that supplied retailers like Walmart could come in and offer the people less pay than they had been making on the dairy farms. A simple way to Roll back the prices.
He also talked about factories that make Nike shoes where the workers that make the shoes can’t even afford the laces for the shoes.
The worst story was what Dr. Allahar called the long shift in Indonesia. It’s 36 hours long with a break at the 16 hour mark. The workers, usually women, have plastic bags under there work table to go potty in. They make less than $5 for this entire shift.
Each one of us has likely bought something made by these workers.
We are thrilled to shop at Walmart because they have RRRRolled back the prices. We should be outraged by Walmart’s Rollback campaign but our ignorance manages to pacify us with cheaper soothers.
He gave an example from his native country of West Indies to show how corporations manipulate people for their own gain.
The West Indies had a fully functioning dairy industry that supplied milk to the population for 18 cents a liter. It also bolstered the economy with decent jobs for many of the people.
The U.S. dairy industry had a surplus of milk and decided to “bless” these people with cheaper powdered milk that cost about 11 cents per liter. The people were so thankful for this improvement in their cost of living. That is everyone, except those whose livelihoods depended on the local dairy industry. Farmers went bankrupt and labourers were unemployed.
Once the local dairy infrastructure was completely destroyed something surprising happened to the cost of powdered milk. It nearly doubled in price to 21 cents a liter.
Due to the higher rate of unemployment, factories that supplied retailers like Walmart could come in and offer the people less pay than they had been making on the dairy farms. A simple way to Roll back the prices.
He also talked about factories that make Nike shoes where the workers that make the shoes can’t even afford the laces for the shoes.
The worst story was what Dr. Allahar called the long shift in Indonesia. It’s 36 hours long with a break at the 16 hour mark. The workers, usually women, have plastic bags under there work table to go potty in. They make less than $5 for this entire shift.
Each one of us has likely bought something made by these workers.
We are thrilled to shop at Walmart because they have RRRRolled back the prices. We should be outraged by Walmart’s Rollback campaign but our ignorance manages to pacify us with cheaper soothers.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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