Two conversations worth reading…
Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, posted a great blog called “Real and Present“. In this post, he discusses the presence of God with individual believers and as believers gather together. We use different terms and different methods to focus on the really, real presence of God. Consider this paragraph:
The only God I know of in the Gospel is a God who is real, a God who is present, a God who promises to be with his people corporately and individually, and a God who has given us multiple ways to focus on the particulars of his presence and the particular kinds of reality that involves.
I agree with him here. God is real and God is present. This is the God of Scripture – the God of the Gospel. This is the God who has called us into his family. He has promised to be with us – never forsaking us. Now, do we live as if God is present with us, or do we live as deists – God is far away? Do we live as if God is present with all believers just as He is present with us? Would our attitudes towards and discussions with other believers change if we spoke as if God was present with them just as he is present with us?
Also, robbymac writes about a fictional conversation about leadership in a post called “Through the Looking-Glass“. In this conversation, he has an Elder believer discussing leadership with a Younger believer. The Younger gives his definitions of strong/weak leadership and mature/immature leadership. The Elder responds:
The gaze of the Elder turned to look in the eyes of the Younger. “Well,” he began, “I just can’t help but notice that the characteristics of what you label ‘immature’ most closely matches what you also described as ‘strong’.”
“And I wonder, is it possible that a truly strong leader might actually reflect your idea of ‘mature’, coupled with your version of ‘weak’?”
The noise of the busy cafe seemed to recede into the far distance. For several moments, nothing was said.
Then the Elder continued, “What if a truly strong leader is one who is un-threatened enough to actually, honestly listen to the input of those around them, precisely because (a) they are secure in their identity in Christ, and (b) they know they need the voices of others to adequately hear what God is saying to the whole group? What if the ‘weak’ leader is really the one who insists on his or her own personal vision, and is too threatened to consider the voices of anyone else?”
“Maybe it takes more cajones to NOT insist on the leader’s ‘vision’, or ‘strategy’, and to trust that the Spirit speaks through the Body, hmm?”, he asked, gesturing with open hands.
I agree that leaders who trust the Spirit to speak through the body – and I would add to work through the body – are demonstrating true traits of strength, maturity, and wisdom. Meanwhile, those who feel that they must push a vision or an agenda themselves demonstrate a lack of relying on the Spirit and immaturity. Where do we find characteristics of good leaders? Do we look for them in the business world or in Scripture? Do we look for people with A-type personalities, or people who are Spirit-led and humble? Do real leaders make things happen, or wait for God to make things happen?
LitJ: Your everyday, ordinary life
Over at “Life in the Journey“, I’ve posted a new blog called “Your everyday, ordinary life“. I hope you’ll take the time to interact with us there as we attempt to learn more about this abundant life we have in Christ.
Prayer…
If you have not read it yet, Lew – my good friend and co-contributor over at “Life in the Journey” – has written a thought-provoking article about prayer called “What about Prayer?” I hope you will take the time to read his article. While you’re at it, add a comment about what God has taught you about and through prayer.
Michael Bay should be "Pastor of the Year"…
-How’s your church going?
-Great! We had 120 in the service Sunday morning!
-How’s your church’s discipleship?
-Wonderful! We’re up to 1500 in attendance now!
-How well is your church evangelizing?
-Terrific! We had 25 people last night at visitation!
I’m sure you’ve heard – and possibly been part of – conversations such as these. Why do we measure success and obedience by attendance numbers? If attendance is an indication of spiritual growth, then Michael Bay, director of the movie “Transformers” should be voted pastor of the year.
In an article on “Out of Ur” called “The Measure of a Ministry“, Skye Jethani suggests that attendance is not a significant measurement for a church. He says:
It has become very popular to talk about “life transformation†as the purpose of the church, and numerous studies have shown that worship attendance alone does not seem to impact people’s behavior or values. (Ron Sider’s book The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience comes to mind.) However, people who connect in meaningful and transparent relationships, the kind possible in small groups or with a mentor, do show more evidence of life change. Wouldn’t this be a much better and more helpful number for church leaders to measure? Do you know how many people in your church connected relationally with another brother or sister in Christ last week? Probably not, but I bet you know how many sang songs and passively listened to a sermon.
Granted, Sunday worship attendance is easier to measure than small group attendance or relational connections but I don’t think that’s why we do it. Dallas Willard has said that most churches are designed to grow their ABCs (attendance, buildings, and cash) not disciples. The ABCs form an unholy trinity; a cycle that cannot be escaped easily. Sunday attendance is vital and meticulously measured because that is what funds the church—people give money on Sunday. The money is necessary to pay for institutional needs such as buildings, staff, and programs. And, of course, these tangibles are needed to attract more religious consumers to pay for more buildings, staff, and programs.
If our primary measurements are the ministry ABCs one must ask if the mission of the church is really life transformation or institutional expansion? I believe the first step toward breaking this cycle is to change what we measure. Rather than making Sunday worship attendance the most important statistic we need to emphasize something else.
How do you measure the success of a church or the growth of a believer? By attendance? How would you attempt to measure “life transformation”? Can you separate spiritual growth and life transformation from “institutional expansion”? These are interesting questions that should cause all of us to consider our priorities and the way we encourage other believers to obey Christ and grow toward maturity.
Any opportunity to "one another"…
A couple of weeks ago, we were able to spend time on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with other believers. We love to get together with one another to share meals, to talk, to serve… really, any “excuse” to spend time with one another.
Last week, Margaret, my wife, was sick for a couple of days. Then, I caught the bug from her and was sick for a few more days. During that week, we didn’t spend much time with other believers. (Actually, Margaret was able to attend our regular Sunday meeting, and she was also able to have lunch with another couple on Sunday. But, that was all of the interaction that we had with other believers that week.)
So, when Monday rolled around – and we were both finally feeling better – we jumped at the chance to have dinner with some friends of ours. This time, we went to a restaurant, and not just any restaurant, one of our favorites! On the ride to the restaurant, during dinner, and on the way home we had a great conversation about many different topics – from spending time at the beach, to their influence in the lives of our children, to hearing and knowing and following the will of God, and many other topics that flowed naturally (supernaturally?) from our relationships with one another and from our mutual relationships with God.
Occasionally, when we think of church, it is easy to get stuck on the big things: big groups, big meetings, big projects, big results, big presentations, big themes, big sermons… But, if we continue in our life stuck on the idea that “church” is only in the big things, then we may miss some of the most important things that God has for us, those things that can only be found in the intimate relationships that God is building between us and other brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sometimes, God teaches us more from a few words from a friend than from a 30 minute sermon. Sometimes, God uses us more in a simple hug than in an afternoon of working hard with a large group. Sometimes, God reveals himself more in the tears of a friend that we’re consoling than in a large group of people that we do not know as well.
I like the big things. I like to gather with a large group of believers and hear about the many ways that God is working and changing and moving and teaching. I like singing with a large group of believers. I like the big things.
But, God is also – and at times even more – in the small things too. I hope this encourages you to take any opportunity to “one another”. Even “small” opportunities… you might just find God there.
There he goes again…
Several days ago, in a post called “God’s sense of humor, or sense of timing?“, I recounted how God had “coincidentally” arranged for two neighbors to end up knocking on our door and asking to come into our house. We did not know one of these neighbors, but we had been (and continue) trying to get to know the other neighbor for some time. We have very little in common, so it has been difficult. We knew if something was going to happen, God would have to do it. He did, and she ended up sitting in our living room talking to Margaret, my wife.
In that post, I rhetorically asked, “Do we force these relationships, or do we again allow God to provide those additional opportunities?” The comments were great, and I want to share a few before I continue this story.
Brandon from “Eleutheros” said, “If it’s God who has opened the door (so to speak) then ask Him to grow these friendships. This way all you have to do is be available.”
Steve from “Theological Musings Blog” said, “So, be faithful (I’m speaking to myself, too, here) when those opportunities are there, but don’t force the relationship.”
I truly appreciate this encouragement, and the recognition that anything that we do is faulty. We have to wait for God to move in someone’s life – including our own – because only he can affect transformation. So, we have prayed and we have watched for opportunities.
A few days ago, Margaret went to the mailbox… and our neighbor’s mail had been delivered to us by mistake… coincidentally. Of course, she HAD to go to their house and deliver the mail to them… and invite them to dinner in the course of the conversation. They didn’t accept her dinner invitation this time. But, once again, God worked to bring our families together. I’m looking forward to his next “coincidence”.
Jesus abides with me and I can abide with him
I was tagged by Bryan at “Charis Shalom” to post five things I dig about Jesus. I enjoyed thinking through this meme, so I decided to blog about each of my five things. The last thing on my list is that Jesus abides with me and I can abide with him. I have been meditating on this for a few weeks now. I have many questions, but I’m going to save those for another blog post.
Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden. Enoch walked with God. Noah walked with God. Skip ahead, and we see the apostles, other disciples, and other people walking with Jesus. Jesus stayed in people’s homes. He lived with them. God – in human form – lived with people – what an amazing act of love!
Just before Jesus’ death, he told his disciples something important and extraordinary. First, Jesus promised that he would abide – dwell with – remain with his follower. Then he said, “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 go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7 ESV) First, Jesus explained how the Helper – the Holy Spirit – would convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.
But, the coming of the Helper would bring another advantage to those who belong to Christ: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13 ESV) According to Jesus, having this Spirit of truth, this Helper, was more advantageous to his followers than having him there in the flesh.
This is the same Helper that we have with us today. Jesus abides with us today. He abides with us today even closer than he lived with believers while he was physically present on this earth. His spiritual presence is better for us than his physical presence. We don’t understand everything that means, but he promised us that it was true.
Because Jesus abides with us through the Holy Spirit, he could promise, “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20) Because we are indwelled by the Spirit of Christ, the author of Hebrews can quote God as saying, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV) Then we can respond, along with the author of Hebrews, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6 ESV)
Because Jesus abides with us, we can abide with him. We can walk in the Spirit and walk in the light. His words can dwell in us richly. We can deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. Because we have fellowship with Christ through the Spirit, we have fellowship with the Father, and we have fellowship with one another. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Because Jesus abides with us, he speaks to us, and we can hear him and speak to him. He directs us, and we can follow. He enables us, and we can serve. He teaches us, and we can be encouraged and encourage others. He changes us, and we can mature into Christlikeness – becoming more like him.
We do not have to go anywhere to get to God. We do not have to do anything to summon God. We do not have to say any incantation to speak to God. We do not have to possess any trinket to access God. God dwells in us through the person of his Holy Spirit. Here. Now. Real. True. Close. Closer.
When we fail… when we sin… when we fall… when we lose hope… when we are angry… when we are discouraged… when we are hurt… when we are frightened… when we try and try and try… Jesus abides with us, and he speaks his words to us: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
When we are immature… when we are teachable… when we listen… when we are growing… when we follow… when we stop trying… Jesus abides with us, and he speaks his words to us: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 ESV)
When we are pressured… when we are busy… when we are harried… when we are burdened… when we are religious… Jesus abides with us, and he speaks his words to us: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30 ESV)
Jesus abides with us. And, we can abide with him.
Jesus cares more about people than rituals
I was tagged by Bryan at “Charis Shalom” to post five things I dig about Jesus. I “dug” this meme so much that I decided to blog through my five things. Number four on my list is that Jesus cares more about people than rituals.
God commanded the Israelites to carry out certain rituals. The most important of these rituals were the sacrifices and offerings. In fact, the children of Israel were required to sacrifice certain animals, food, or drink. But, the prophets tell us something interesting.
According to Isaiah, God did not delight in the sacrifices and burnt offerings. Instead, God wanted his people to “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause”. (Isaiah 1:17 ESV)
Similarly, the prophet Micah rhetorically asks what delights God:
“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6-8 ESV)
Micah recognized that God required justice and kindness toward others before sacrifice.
In Malachi, God accepts the sacrifices of Israel when they do not lie to each other, when they do not oppress the hired worker, the fatherless, and the widow, and when they do not misuse the immigrant. (Malachi 3:3-6)
God cares about people more than sacrifices and offerings. God cares about people more than rituals. The children of Israel could carry out all of the sacrifices and offerings and all of the rituals required by the law, but those rituals were worthless if they were not treating people properly.
What about Jesus? What did Jesus think about ritual? Remember that many of Jesus’ healings occurred on the Sabbath. Why? Because Jesus cared more about the people than following the rules of the Sabbath. Certainly, these rules were man-made, but they were rituals that the religious people kept. Jesus did not keep rituals in order to be religious. He healed people and cared for people.
But, these were man-made Sabbath rules. What about God ordained rituals? Did Jesus put people before God ordained rituals? Jesus told the man about to offer his sacrfice to first reconcile with his brother. To Jesus, relationships came before ritual. In fact, this parallels with what the prophets taught. Sacrifices and offerings are meaningless if people are not treated with justice and kindness. (Matthew 5:23-24)
Remember also that Jesus used the priest and the Levite – those responsible for carrying out the rituals – as negative examples in the story of the good Samaritan. Many believe that the priest and Levite refused to stop because they would become “unclean” and would not be allowed to carry out their ritual duties. (Luke 10:30-33)
Let’s be honest… there are alot of rituals associated with the organized church. Attend on Sunday and Wednesday… sit down, stand up, kneel… Bow your heads and close your eyes… Read this passage, sing this song, pray this prayer… Put your money here… Rituals.
Are there good reasons for these rituals? Certainly, just as there were good reasons for the sacrifices and offerings. But, people must come before rituals.
Jesus puts us before rituals. His compassion for us does not depend on standing the right way, or sitting just so, or bowing our heads and closing our eyes, or singing well. His love for us does not rise and fall with the frequency of our attendance at certain meetings. Jesus cares more about people than rituals.
Jesus demonstrates God’s love even towards those who reject him
I was tagged by Bryan at “Charis Shalom” to post five things I dig about Jesus. It was very interesting thinking about five things, so I’m blogging through my list. The third “diggable” item on my list was that Jesus demonstrates God’s love even towards those who reject him.
Jesus is the supreme demonstration of God’s love toward us – not a mental, philosophical, idealistic kind of love, but an active, moving, giving, doing kind of love. Jesus’ love cannot be earned, cannot be repaid, cannot be lost, cannot be duplicated.
According to Jesus, the entire Hebrew Bible can be wrapped up in one two-fold command: Love God and love your neighbors. (Matt 22:38-39; Mark 12:30-31) According to Luke, a Jewish expert in the law agreed with Jesus. (Luke 10:25-28) James combined the two-fold command into one: If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (James 2:8)
Love is important… love is necessary… love is central. And, God demonstrated his love for us in Christ’s death on our behalf. Notice, Christ did not die for us because we were righteous; he died for us while we were sinners. He did not die for us because of our worth; we were worthless without him. He did not die for us because we deserved it; we deserved only death, condemnation, and damnation. Christ died for us because he loved us.
There remains nothing in us to earn God’s love; and yet he loves us. In fact, though we cannot earn his love, we also cannot be separated from his love. God’s love for us through Christ is complete and eternal. This love is granted to us by grace; lavished on us despite ourselves.
But, what about those who reject Jesus? Sure, God loves those of us who are in Christ. He loves those who are new creations. He loves the sheep; but what about the goats?
There was once a rich, young man who came to Jesus. He asked Jesus a very important question: “Why must I do to have eternal life?” After a short conversation, Jesus told the man to sell everything he had and follow Jesus. The man refused because he had great riches. (Matt 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22) The man rejected Jesus in favor of the riches of this world.
Mark, as he often does, adds a piece of information that is not found in the other accounts. Mark said that Jesus loved the young man. (Mark 10:21) Jesus loved the man who rejected him. God-in-flesh, worth of glory and worship, loves someone who rejects him for land and money. This is the same God-Man who would look at those who were crucifying him and ask his father to forgive them.
I have chosen to follow Jesus. And, sometimes, I do. Hopefully, I follow him most of the time. But, honestly, like Peter, I often follow other voices that are not the voice of my father in heaven. During those times, I reject Jesus. And, Jesus loves me.
Sometimes, by my words and actions and attitudes, I deny and even attempt to separate myself from Jesus – again, much like Peter. And, Jesus loves me.
God demonstrates his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. And he loves us, and loves us, and loves us, and loves us…
We can’t measure the fullness of Christ’s love for us – we will never reach the end, never find the boundary, never cross the line, never go too far, never find that last straw. (Eph 3:18-19) Nothing will separate us from Christ’s love – not Satan, not demons, not sin, not ourselves. (Rom 8:35-39)
When others forsake us, God loves us. When others disparage us, God loves us. When others hate us, God loves us. When others shame us, God loves us. When others forsake us, God loves us. When others are more holy, righteous, mature, godly, spiritual, efficient, practical, committed, involved, knowledgeable, smiling, Christian… God loves us – with an active, moving, giving, doing kind of love.
Whenever… Whatever… Wherever… God loves you!
Jesus is the Great Shepherd (Senior Pastor)
I was tagged by Bryan at “Charis Shalom” to post five things I dig about Jesus. I enjoyed thinking through my five things so much that I decided to blog about each one. The second thing that I “dig” about Jesus is that he is the Great Shepherd – or, as I like to translate it, the Senior Pastor.
Jesus called himself the “good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). The author of Hebrews called Jesus the “great shepherd of the sheep” (Heb 13:20). Peter called Jesus the “shepherd and overseer (pastor and bishop) of your souls” (1 Pet 2:25) and “the chief shepherd (senior pastor)”. (1 Pet 5:4) What does it mean for Jesus to be our shepherd?
In John 10:11-13, the good shepherd is the one who lays down his life for his flock. While this points to Jesus’ death, it points to much, much more. Notice that in the picture of the “hireling”, the hireling runs away when the wolf attacks the sheep. But, the good shepherd does not run away. Instead, he gives his life in order to protect the sheep. This is the picture of Jesus’ death that we need to keep in mind. Jesus, the good shepherd, died protecting his sheep – that’s us. There was real danger in our lives, but the good shepherd died protecting us and destroying the threat.
In Hebrews 13:20, the great shepherd is the one who died but was raised from the dead in completion of his work on earth. This is then tied back to our perfection. (Heb 13:21) Because God was able to raise our great shepherd from the dead thus perfecting his work on earth, God is also able to perfect us in good works. The resurrection is not simply an historic event (though it is an historic event). The resurrection is a present reality in the lives of believers. The resurrected great shepherd leads us toward perfection through his Spirit.
In 1 Peter 2:25, the shepherd and overseer of our souls is the one who gathered us to himself. He sought out each lost sheep until he was able to carry that sheep back into his fold. He continues to care for those sheep teaching them how they might “die to sin and live to righteousness”. (1 Pet 2:24) This is a shepherd and overseer who is active and powerful and able and personal and working and caring and energetic and listening and forceful and loving. We all strayed from God, but our shepherd and overseer has returned us to our fold and keeps us there in his care.
In 1 Peter 5:4, the chief shepherd (senior pastor) is the one who is physically returning to his sheep. Currently, he shepherds us through his Spirit; then he will shepherd us in our physical resurrection reality. He is also the model for other believers, teaching us how to live a life surrendered to the will of God as an example to others. His return is our hope in times of discouragement and our joy in times of trial.
This is our Great Shepherd! He is the one shepherd over his one flock (John 10:16; cf. Ecc 12:11; Ezek 34:23; 37:24; ) – the head of the church. He is real, living, present, and able to lead his sheep.