Exercise for a Healthy Church: Proclaiming
This week, I’m publishing a series about the kind of “exercise” that helps churches remain (become) healthy. (If you haven’t read it yet, here’s the “introduction” post.) This series goes along with my series from last week called “A Healthy Diet for the Church.”
There are many different types of exercise which go above and beyond the normal things necessary for existence. This series focuses on three such exercises: 1) trusting, 2) giving, and 3) proclaiming. In this post, I investigate how the exercise of proclaiming is necessary for a church to remain (become) healthy.
For the last few months, our church has been studying the book of Acts. We have been reading and discussing one chapter per week, and we’re currently up to chapter 14. One thing that has become clear through this study is that those early Christians eagerly proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ wherever they were and to everyone they met, regardless of the consequences.
They did not proclaim the gospel because they felt obligated or because it was some kind of duty for them. They proclaimed the gospel because of the excitement and joy that knew in Jesus Christ. They knew the freedom and peace and hope and life they had in Jesus Christ, and they wanted to share that with others.
Thus, an exercise of proclaiming the gospel follows both from trusting God and from an attitude of giving sacrificially. Because they trusted God with every aspect of their lives, they were not concerned with the ramifications or consequences of sharing the gospel. Because they wanted to give everything (time and energy and talents as well as money) to others in order to help and serve them, they also wanted to give them the same hope and freedom that they had in Christ.
Often when we study the Book of Acts, we focus on the work of the apostles, especially Peter and Paul. But, when it comes to proclaiming the gospel, Luke also focuses on others, specifically others who were not apostles.
For example, after saying that everyone except the apostles (the Twelve) had been forced to leave Jerusalem because of persecution, Luke writes:
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. (Acts 8:4 ESV)
Then, a little later, he says the following about that same group (who were not part of the Twelve):
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. (Acts 11:19-20 ESV)
Then, when Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch of Pisidia, they first proclaimed the good news to the Jews, then when many of the Jews rejected their message, they began share the gospel with Gentiles. What was the result?
And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
Proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to unbelievers was a normal aspect of the lives of these Christians and the churches in each city. Today, when Christians think about proclaiming the gospel (preaching), they typically think about preaching to the church first. This is backwards.
In order for the church to remain (become) healthy, proclaiming the gospel to those who are not in Christ must become a normal everyday aspect of our lives… but not because of some feeling of duty or obligation. Instead, like the Gentiles in Acts 13, it must flow from our joyful response to what the Lord has done and is doing in our own lives.
What would you add to my discussion of proclaiming as a necessary exercise to help the church remain (become) healthy?
Looking for interesting ways to make disciples? Here are some…
Felicity Dale at “Simply Church” has written a very good article called “How can you start a simple/organic/house church?”
She gives several examples, but, interestingly, the examples are about making disciples. In other words, someone went into a certain context in order to disciple others. As people were discipled and helped to walk in Jesus Christ, there was a church.
I think her post may be a great encouragement to others who want to reach out beyond their comfort zones, who want to find opportunities to disciple others, but who may find themselves currently trapped in a Christian bubble – always spending time with other Christians.
Here are some of the examples that she gives in her post:
- We pulled together a group of not-yet-believing businessmen to study business principles using the Bible as our textbook. They all found the Lord–a church was born.
- We started a kid’s Bible club–on a Sunday morning so that we reached the kids from non-Christian families because the Christian families were in church. When some of the kids found the Lord, some of their parents asked to join in too.
- I started a couple of churches in retirement centers. (I didn’t use the word “church” when approaching the management). Fairly soon, they were led by the residents.
- We have started several churches with our kids and their non-Christian friends.
- A new-Ager was led to the Lord by a friend who asked us to follow up with her. She pulled a group of her friends together and they too became believers. Right from the start it was led by the new believer (who we mentored).
- We followed Luke 10 principles to start a church in the low-income housing projects.
- We have started church at work.
What do you think of these examples? Can you think of other contexts where people may find others who are interested in learning more about following Christ and becoming his disciples?
Exercise for a Healthy Church – Giving
This week, I’m publishing a series about the kind of “exercise” that helps churches remain (become) healthy. (If you haven’t read it yet, here’s the “introduction” post.) This series goes along with my series from last week called “A Healthy Diet for the Church.”
There are many different types of exercise which go above and beyond the normal things necessary for existence. This series focuses on three such exercises: 1) trusting, 2) giving, and 3) proclaiming. In this post, I investigate how the exercise of giving is necessary for a church to remain (become) healthy.
To begin with, I need to specify that I’m talking specifically about giving to those who cannot give back. I’m not talking about giving that primarily helps ourselves or giving to friends/family who will repay what we give.
Also, when I say “giving,” I’m not just talking about giving money. In fact, at times, giving money may be the least helpful type of giving. I’m talking about giving any kind of resource, time, energy, talent… any kind of “gift” that will benefit others – not ourselves – and particular benefit others who cannot repay the gift.
Jesus talked about this kind of giving often. Here’s one example:
He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14 ESV)
The same idea is found in this passage, but within a broader context of showing love, where Jesus says:
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? (Matthew 5:43-47 ESV)
This is the kind of giving that stretches us toward maturity in Jesus Christ. It is giving that, as Jesus says in that last passage, is motivated by love, which always focuses on others and never on the self. It is giving/love that is willing to do without for the sake of others.
This kind of giving would urge Barnabas (among others) to sell property and give all of the proceeds to those who were in need. (Acts 4:32-37) A counterfeit of this kind of giving will give a little (though not all) but pretend it is giving much, much more. (Acts 5:1-11) Counterfeit giving may be based on pride, selfishness, fear, conceit, religion/duty, etc. The kind of giving that is based in love finds its real source in trusting God completely.
What would you like to add to my discussion of giving as exercise for a healthy church?
New disciples = new disciple makers in Acts 13
In Acts 13, Luke begins by describing how both the Holy Spirit and the church in Antioch sent out Barnabas and Paul. (Acts 13:1-4) The two traveled from Antioch to the port of Salamis, and from there they took a ship to Cyprus.
Once they spent some time in a couple of cities on the island of Cyprus, they boarded another ship and sailed to Perga. (Acts 13:5-12) From there, they traveled to another city called Antioch. This Antioch was in the region of Pisidia. (Acts 13:13-14)
On the first Sabbath that they were in Antioch of Pisidia, Barnabas and Saul proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ to Jews who were gathered as a synagogue. (Acts 13:15-41) People begged Barnabas and Paul to come back the next Sabbath and teach again concerning the gospel. Some took it a step farther and followed Paul and Barnabas, and, as the text insinuates, begins living in the grace of God. (Acts 13:42-43)
But, then, things get ugly. You see, according to Luke, “the whole city” becomes interested in the message of the gospel and show up at the synagogue meeting the next Sabbath. The Jews get jealous and begin reviling Paul and Barnabas, who then begin to share the gospel directly with the Gentiles. (Acts 13:44-47) The Gentiles (non-Jews) are overjoyed at hearing the message of Jesus Christ and many believed. (Acts 13:48)
This brings me to the point that I want to consider in this post. After Luke says that many Gentiles believed, he makes another interesting statement:
And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
How was it possible for “the word of the Lord” to spread throughout the whole regions (not the city… but the region)? Were Paul and Barnabas responsible for spreading the message of the gospel throughout the region? No, it would be logistically impossible.
Instead, these new believers – these Jews and Gentiles who had only heard the gospel a few days previously – these immature believers who had not had disciples classes or evangelism training or Bible schools or anything like that – these people shared the good news of Jesus Christ to the region around their city and discipled those who believed. And, they did it immediately after they believed.
Oh, how things have changed…
Exercise for a Healthy Church – Trusting
This week, I’m publishing a series about the kind of “exercise” that helps churches remain (become) healthy. (If you haven’t read it yet, here’s the “introduction” post.) This series goes along with my series from last week called “A Healthy Diet for the Church.”
There are many different types of exercise which go above and beyond the normal things necessary for existence. This series focuses on three such exercises: 1) trusting, 2) giving, and 3) proclaiming. In this post, I investigate how the exercise of trusting is necessary for a church to remain (become) healthy.
As with the other aspects of “exercise” in this series, trusting God is one basis for the existence of the church. There is no church without faith in God, that is, without trusting God.
But, remember, when Jesus was talking to the epileptic boy’s father, the father said, “I believe; help my unbelief,” or, “I trust you; help me when I don’t trust you.” (Mark 9:24)
Thus, when the church “exercises” it’s faith (or trust) people learn to trust God even more as they live their lives.
It’s one thing to trust God for eternal salvation, but it required even more faith to trust God with money, decisions, disagreements, jobs, spouses, children, etc. Even James, when writing his letter to scattered Christians, put helping brothers and sisters in need in the realm of trusting God. (See James 2:14-17.)
When someone (a church leader perhaps) feels he/she needs to be in control of everything (a church meeting or teaching the church perhaps), it demonstrates a lack of trusting God. When someone (a wealthy business person perhaps) finds it necessary to invest in their business or portfolio before helping others, it demonstrates a lack of trusting God. When someone never finds the time to teach others or proclaim the gospel because they’re not “gifted” in that way, it shows a lack of trusting God.
Trusting God reaches into much more than these kinds of things that some would normally consider “spiritual.” As we learn to trust God even more, we find that there is no difference between “spiritual” and “secular” matters, but instead God is present and working through all situations and in all circumstances. But, it requires us to continually and increasingly trust God to both recognize his presence and to submit to his working.
Don’t confuse this kind of trust with agree with certain facts about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Scripture, etc. That’s not the kind of “faith” I’m talking about, and it’s not the kind of trust (i.e., faith) that we read about in Scripture.
Instead, I’m talking about an active faith (trust) that affect every aspect (or a growing number of aspects) of the life of someone who is following Jesus Christ. Now, this kind of trust will also affect what we think, believe, or confess about God, but that thinking, believing, and confessing is not the extent or the defining characteristic of trusting him.
Consider this passage for instance:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23 ESV)
There are five different aspects of “faith” in this one sentence (a command, actually). 1) Holding fast, 2) confession, 3) hope, 4) without wavering, and 5) he who promised is faithful. The first four depend upon the final one. The only reason that we can “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” is because we trust God because he is faithful to do what he promises. In other words, we can trust God, therefore we do not waver in what we believe, hope, or confess concerning him.
At a time when a person’s “faith” is determined by their attendance at meetings, participating in Bible studies and other programs, or giving to organizations that benefit themselves, we need more Christians and churches exercising a trust in God that goes beyond these religious expressions into every area of our lives.
What would you add to my discussion of trust in God as an exercise to help the church remain (become) healthy?
Speaking of complacency… be careful what you pray for
So, last Friday, I published a post called “Complacency infects simple churches as well as institutional churches.” The point of the post was the Christians and churches can become so busy doing other things that they forget the importance of reaching out to those who are not in Christ.
While some may have thought I was ranting against others in the church, I was actually writing from the conviction that God had placed in my own heart. So, that day, I continually prayed that God would break me out of my own complacency and give me opportunities to seek and serve others.
Friday evening, just before sunset, as has been my routine for the last few weeks, I walked around our neighborhood for exercise. Sometimes my wife joins me, but I was alone this time.
Throughout the walk, I continued to pray that God would give me opportunities to reach out to others, and I tried to pay attention to what was going on around me. Toward the end of the walk, when I was pushing myself to complete my 50 minute routine, I saw a neighbor working in his yard. He had recently had some trees cut down, and he was trying to remove some of the stumps… alone… in the heat… dirty.
I did not know this neighbor. I had never met him or his family. I had never been to his house or waved at him as we walked by.
There is a short road that ends in a cul-de-sac beside this neighbor’s house. I turned onto the road and argued with God the entire time I was walking into and out of the cul-de-sac.
Yes, I had just been begging God for opportunities, and now I was explaining to him why I could not take advantage of this one that he was giving me. I didn’t like this opportunity. This is not what I had in mind.
When I returned to the road beside my neighbor’s house, I walked into his yard, introduced myself, and began helping him with his yard work. He told me he was going to work on the stumps again Saturday, so I helped him then also.
But, that’s not the point of this post.
Are we willing to reach out to people on their terms? Are we willing to do whatever, whenever, wherever God gives us opportunities? If not… (and again, I’m talking to myself)… aren’t we still stuck in our complacency?
Exercise for a Healthy Church – Introduction
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post called “A change in diet and exercise for me… and for the church.” I explained that the doctor had recently advised me to change my diet and exercise, or I might be headed toward an unhealthy life. I’ve learned more about what a healthy diet and exercise means for me. But what about for the church.
Last week I explored the question, “What would be a healthy diet for the church?” (Follow this link for the introductory post of the series.) This week, in another series, I’m going to investigate the question, “What exercise helps the church remain (or become) healthy?”
Before I begin, we must think about what kind of exercise I’m talking about. For example, every day I do things (necessary and good things) that burn calories (to a point) but are simply a part of existence. Sleeping burns calories, but most people would not consider sleeping a form of exercise.
Sleeping, standing, breathing, eating… all of these things burn calories and are (technically) a form of exercise. But these are not the kinds of exercise that I’m talking about. I’m talking about the kind of exercise that goes above and beyond simply existing. I’m talking about the kind of exercise that stretches you, that causes you to lose your breath, that makes you tired and sore and sweaty.
But, in a way, exercise is simply an extension of the normal things of life. In fact, there are some people who do not need special times of exercise because their lives are already filled with “exercise” type activities.
Followers of Jesus Christ exist through the presence of the Holy Spirit, and this existence demonstrates itself in prayer, reading Scripture, spending time with other believers (i.e., the “one anothers” – teaching, edifying, serving, rebuking, forgiving…). These are the things that are part of a Christian’s (and a church’s) existence, like eating, sleeping, and breathing are part of a person’s existence. (hmmm… maybe that’s why so many Christians – and churches – seem to be dead…)
Instead of looking at these “normal” things as exercise, we need to look beyond these aspects of existence and look for things that can help us remain (or become) healthy. As with our own bodies, these kinds of things will stretch us, cause us to lose our breath, leave us tired and sore and sweaty.
Again, like with people, some Christians and churches are already doing these kinds of things. These things are part of their lives, and they don’t have to add anything specific. However, even for those who “exercise,” you may find aspects of your lives that still need work.
So, what kinds of “exercise” does the church need? Well, there are many different kinds, just as there are different kinds of physical exercise (for example, build muscles vs. cardiac). But, I’m going to focus on three things that individual Christians and churches should practice to remain (become) healthy: 1) trusting, 2) giving, and 3) proclaiming. (By the way, I don’t mean “tithing” and “preaching”, but I’ll get to that later.)
I’d love to hear your thoughts as I begin this series.
Complacency infects simple churches as well as institutional churches
Whether you’re more comfortable in a pew listening to a sermon or on a sofa dialoging with others, complacency can infect any group of believers. In fact, we’re often so complacent we change things just so we don’t have to actually change.
We change the teacher or the location or the type of music. We add classes, meetings, media, or meals.
But in the end, very little changes… we remain huddled together, focusing on serving one another, while God is consistently and continually pushing us toward others who are not in Christ.
We meet and meet and meet… and think we’re doing something great. But our meetings (even the best of them) are like practice for a sports team. Nothing actually happens until the team takes the field.
We study the same passages of Scripture again and again and call it discipleship. Meanwhile, who is proclaiming the gospel to those who do not know Jesus. Who is helping the lost, the hungry, the homeless, the prostitute, the addict, the unemployed grow in maturity in Jesus Christ?
Oh, I know, that’s the job of the evangelist, the pastor, the apostle, right? Wrong.
Look around you… look at your life… examine how you spend your time and energy and resources. Do these things show that you are complacent? Are you intentionally investing your life into the lives of those who are not in Christ?
I know that I don’t like what I see in my own life.
A Healthy Diet for the Church – Conclusion
As I said in the introduction to this series, I’ve decided to look at the source of the “food” that the church needs to take in to be healthy. I’ve divided the sources into three types: 1) directly from God, 2) from other believers, and 3) from others. Now, in reality, all “food” for the church comes from God. However, in some cases, God works more directly; but in other cases, God communicates in a more indirect manner.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness just after he was baptized by John, at one point he responded, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 ESV, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3)
Our goal, then, should be hearing what God is saying to us. That is the “food” for the church, and the more we hear (and obey) whatever God is saying to us, the more healthy the church will be. For a balance meal, we would seek to hear from God anytime, anywhere, in any way. Whether God chooses to communicate directly to us, or through other believers, or through nonbelievers, or even through aspects of our culture or society, our goal should be the same: understanding what God is saying to us and responding to that.
Now, almost every believer would agree that the church should listen to God. The difference is in how different believers (and especially different groups of believers) think that God communicates with them. I’ve show examples from Scripture of God communicating in many different ways, and I’ve also suggested that discernment is necessary for understanding and interpreting any time someone believes God is “feeding” them. Often, in Scripture, this discernment, understanding, and interpretation are done in community, that is, with other believers.
So far, then, there are two parts of being “fed” by God that is often overlooked by groups of believers: 1) God can and does communicate in different ways through different sources and 2) Discernment, understanding, and interpretation are best carried out in community with other brothers and sisters in Christ. If the church continues to overlook these two aspects, then I think the church will continue to take in an unbalanced diet and will be unhealthy.
Finally, being “fed” by God is not the end of the story, just as hearing from God is not the end of the story. Hearing from God demands a response. Thus, being fed by God demands exercise. Next week, in another series, I will investigate several types of exercise that will help the church remain healthy.
What would you like to add to my discussion of a healthy diet for the church? Besides dividing this diet into “sources” (i.e. directly from God, through believers, and through nonbelievers), what other ways could we categories the church’s food? What is the danger of seeking to be fed from God only in one way or another?
A Healthy Diet for the Church Series
1. Introduction
2. “Food” given directly by God
3. “Food” given by God through other believers
4. “Food” given by God through nonbelievers/society/culture
5. Conclusion
I wish someone would show me how to… what?
Two aspects of modern American church culture are hindering people from maturing in their life with Jesus Christ. I’m not saying these are the only two aspects of our church culture that hinder maturity, and I’m not saying this only happens in American church culture.
What are those 2 aspects of modern American church culture that hinders maturity among the body of Christ? 1) Self-dependence, individualism, and isolationism, and 2) Lack of sharing life and discipling by example.
I’ve talked with many, many (oh so many) people who desire to share their lives with others in community and learn from the examples of others, but I’ve also found few mature Christians willing to give their lives and examples to others. We’ve been taught for so long that they best way to help others is to stand before them and expound on Scripture. This type of “teaching” may be good at times, but it is only a small fraction of helping people live and mature in Jesus Christ.
So, for those of you who want community and example, I’m going to encourage you to take the initiative. Yes, the more mature should be taking the initiative, but they may need help in this area also.
Ask yourself this question: If there were someone available, what would I want them to show me how to do?
It could be as general as “pray” or as specific as “pray for my family member who is not in Christ.” I could be something like “share the gospel” or it could be “balance my checkbook and live within my means.” Perhaps you’d like help with something like “interpreting Scripture” or you may need help “controlling your anger/emotions.” Maybe you’d like to be better at “showing hospitality” or perhaps it’s “living a healthy lifestyle (diet/exercise).”
Whatever it is, ask yourself, “If someone were available, what would I want them to show me how to do in order to live more like Christ?” Once you have your answer(s) begin praying that God would show you who can help you in that. Keep your eyes open for people who display those qualities. Then, guess what… you may have to approach that person as ask for help!
Finally… why not share it here. Let us know what you’d like help learning to do in order to mature in your life with Christ. Then, we can encourage you and pray with you.