May 2009 Entries
What Pastors are to Do!!!

OK...I know that I am not perfect....some of you are shocked by my humility!! I know that I have plenty to work on from today until glory.....BUT....one of the things that I have set out to excel in is to create a culture and create an expectation that being a part of a church means you will be properly shepherded. Going to church or being a member of a church does not mean you are "preached" at.  It is not joining a "relationally-optional" organization, where I can come and go and no one knows who I am or what is happening in my life.  This atmosphere is fostered by competent and committed shepherds.

Recently I found an article that John MacArthur wrote on shepherds....be encouraged -- I hope this is the kind of pastor you have at your church and the one that you pray to become....

Shepherd the Flock
What is the pastor’s responsibility, besides preaching and studying?
The answer to your question lies in the title you used—pastor. That title is rich with meaning and sets out the chief responsibilities of a godly minister.
One of Jesus’ favorite metaphors for spiritual leadership, one He often used to describe Himself, was that of a shepherd—a person who tends God’s flock. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects—responsibilities that belong to every church leader. In fact, the word pastor means shepherd.
Peter wrote these words to elders who would have been familiar with sheep and shepherding:
I exhort the elders among you . . . shepherd the flock of God . . . exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
To give you a more complete picture of your pastor’s role, here’s a look at the nature of sheep, the task of shepherds, and how they compare to the pastor’s role among the church. Note the principles of church leadership it contains—they determine what should fill a pastor’s schedule.
Shepherds Are Rescuers
A sheep can be totally lost within a few miles of its home. With no sense of direction and no instinct for finding the fold, a lost sheep usually will walk around in a state of confusion, unrest, and even panic. It needs a shepherd to bring it home.
And so when Jesus saw the crowds, lost, spiritually disoriented, and confused, He likened them to sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). The prophet Isaiah described lost people as those who, like sheep, have gone astray—each one turning to his own way (Isaiah 53:6).
Like lost sheep, lost people need a rescuer—a shepherd—to lead them to the safety of the fold. A pastor does that by pointing the lost toward Jesus, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Shepherds Are Feeders
Sheep spend most of their lives eating and drinking, but they are indiscriminate about their diet. They don’t know the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous plants. Therefore the shepherd must carefully guard their diet and provide them with pasture rich with nutrients.
In His encounter with him described in John 21, Jesus drove home to Peter the importance of feeding the sheep. Twice in His command to Peter, Jesus used the Greek term bosko, which means “I feed” (vv. 15, 17).
The pastor’s goal is not to please the sheep, but to feed them—not to tickle their ears, but to nourish their souls. He is not to offer merely light snacks of spiritual milk, but the substantial meat of biblical truth. Those who fail to feed the flock are unfit to be shepherds (cf. Jeremiah 23:1–4; Ezekiel 34:2–10).
Shepherds Are Leaders
Peter challenged his fellow elders to “shepherd the flock of God among you” by “exercising oversight” (1 Peter 5:2). God entrusted them with the authority and responsibility of leading the flock. Pastors are accountable for how they lead, and the flock for how they follow (Hebrews 13:17).
Besides teaching, the pastor exercises oversight of the flock by the example of his life. Being a pastor requires getting in among the sheep. It is not leadership from above so much as leadership from within. An effective pastor does not herd his sheep from the rear but leads them from the front. They see him and imitate his actions.
The most important asset of spiritual leadership is the power of an exemplary life. First Timothy 4:16 instructs a church leader to, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”
Shepherds Are Protectors
Sheep are almost entirely defenseless—they can’t kick, scratch, bite, jump, or run. When attacked by a predator, they huddle together rather than running away. That makes them easy prey. Sheep need a protective shepherd in order to survive.
Christians need similar protection from error and those who spread it. Pastors guard their spiritual sheep from going astray and defend them against the savage wolves that would ravage them. Paul admonished the pastors at Ephesus to stay alert and to protect the churches under their care:
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:28-30)
Shepherds Are Comforters
Sheep lack a self-preservation instinct. They are so humble and meek that if you mistreat them, they are easily crushed in spirit and can simply give up and die. The shepherd must know his sheep’s individual temperaments and take care not to inflict excessive stress. Accordingly, a faithful pastor adjusts his counsel to fit the need of the person to whom he ministers. He must “admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
The Good Shepherd and His Undershepherds
Jesus is the perfect example of a loving shepherd. He epitomizes everything that a spiritual leader should be. Peter called Him the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). He is our great Rescuer, Leader, Guardian, Protector, and Comforter.
Church leaders are undershepherds who guard the flock under the Chief Shepherd’s watchful eye (Acts 20:28). Theirs is a full-time responsibility because they minister to people who, like sheep, often are vulnerable, defenseless, undiscerning, and prone to stray.
Shepherding the flock of God is an enormous task, but to faithful pastors it brings the rich reward of the unfading crown of glory, which will be awarded by the Chief Shepherd Himself at His appearing (1 Peter 5:4).
If your pastor is faithfully carrying out the duties required in his job title, remember to follow this admonition of Scripture:
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17) 
 
posted @ Friday, May 29, 2009 1:56 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Church Authority Pastors John MacArthur
Mohler on RESPECTING other Religions!

John MacArthur called Al Mohler the smartest evangelical in our life time -- that is saying something....just read this from Al's blog and you will probably agree!

The world we now know is marked by religious pluralism and the clash of worldviews.  The modern world brings individuals and groups of different belief systems into both proximity and potential conflict.  How should Christians respond when asked about this?  Should Christians "respect" other religions?
Headlines throughout the world announced this week that Pope Benedict XVI, while visiting Jordan, spoke of his "respect" for Islam.  This came on the heels of the Pope's notorious 2006 speech at Germany's Regensburg University.  In that speech Benedict quoted Emperor Manuel II, one of the Byzantine monarchs, who said:  "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
The outrage throughout the Muslim world was immediate and overwhelming.  The Pope issued clarifications and explanations, but Muslim outrage continued.  This week, with the Pope scheduled to make his first papal visit to an Islamic country, the sensitivities were high.
The Vatican's official transcript of the Pope's comments at the Amman airport records him as saying:
My visit to Jordan gives me a welcome opportunity to speak of my deep respect for the Muslim community, and to pay tribute to the leadership shown by His Majesty the King in promoting a better understanding of the virtues proclaimed by Islam.
There are so many different angles to this situation.  First, we have the spectacle of a Pope being received as a head of state.  This is wrong on so many counts.  Second, we have the Pope speaking in diplomatic jargon, rather than in plain and direct speech.  Third, we have the Pope speaking of "respect" without any clear understanding of what this really means.  Does the Pope believe that Muslims can be saved through the teachings of Islam?
Actually, he probably does -- at least within the context of a salvific inclusivism.  The Roman Catholic Church officially teaches that Muslims are "included in the plan of salvation" by virtue of their claim to "hold the faith of Abraham."
In the words of Lumen Gentium, one of the major documents adopted at Vatican II:
But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Mohamedans, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind.
The same language is basic to the current official catechism of the church as well.  Within the context of the document, this language clearly implies that Muslims are within the scope of God's salvation.  While the Roman Catholic Church teaches that Islam is both erroneous and incomplete, it also holds that sincere Muslims can be included in Christ's salvation through their faithfulness to monotheism and Islam.
Thus, when the Catholic Pope speaks of "respecting" Islam, he can do so in a way that evangelical Christians cannot.  Within the context of official Catholic teaching, the Pope can create a fusion of diplomacy and doctrine.
While evangelical Christians face a different context to this question, the urgency is the same.  We are not playing a diplomatic role as head of state, but we are called to be ambassadors for Christ and his Gospel.
In this light, any belief system that pulls persons away from the Gospel of Christ, denies and subverts Christian truth, and blinds sinners from seeing Christ as the only hope of salvation is, by biblical definition, a way that leads to destruction.  Islam, like every other rival to the Christian gospel, takes persons captive and is devoid of genuine hope for salvation.
Thus, evangelical Christians may respect the sincerity with which Muslims hold their beliefs, but we cannot respect the beliefs themselves.  We can respect Muslim people for their contributions to human welfare, scholarship, and culture.  We can respect the brilliance of Muslim scholarship in the medieval era and the wonders of Islamic art and architecture.  But we cannot respect a belief system that denies the truth of the gospel, insists that Jesus was not God's Son, and takes millions of souls captive.
This does not make for good diplomacy, but we are called to witness, not public relations.  We must aim to be gracious and winsome in our witness to Christ, but the bottom line is that the gospel will necessarily come into open conflict with its rivals.
The papal visit to Jordan points directly to the problem of the papacy itself and to the confusion of Roman Catholic theology on this very point.  To understand Islam is to know that we cannot identify Muslims as those who "along with us adore the one and merciful God."  To deny the Trinity is to worship another God. 
Respect is a problematic category.  In the end, Christians must show respect for Muslims by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit of love and truth.  We are called to love and respect Muslims, not Islam.
posted @ Thursday, May 28, 2009 12:09 PM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Church
For Those Getting Married
I can remember where I was four years ago when I heard about the “run away bride” – do you? Was it only me or were the rest of you pretty skeptical when you heard about Jennifer Wilbanks (aka the Runaway Bride) missing just days before her pending wedding? I was not surprised when she surfaced a few days later and not at all surprised when I learned that she simply ran from the pressure she was under from her upcoming nuptials! When I heard the initial descriptions of the wedding I instinctively knew she was a runner! So what was the tip off?
 
When I heard that Jennifer was planning to have 600 guests at her wedding, 14 bridesmaids and 14 groomsmen, I knew that she had little time or energy to invest in preparing for a strong and happy marriage. Her focus was on the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony – instead of focusing on what really mattered – she and her husband-to-be’s relationship. It is a common symptom with runaway brides that they have not had the opportunity through premarital counseling to discuss their fears and anxiety about marriage. More details have shown that John and Jennifer had just a couple of meetings with a pastor and little to no premarriage counseling. As I have often stated: “Couples invest too much in their weddings, which lasts only one day, rather than in their marriage which is intended to last a lifetime.”
 
However, the good news is that Jennifer showed her complete unpreparedness for marriage before standing at the altar….unlike many couples who because of peer pressure (or family pressure or self-induced pressure) fail to stop a wedding if they are not ready. Instead they make the fatal mistake of entering into the marriage covenant even though in their heart, they are not sure the relationship is God’s will.
 
Early on in our church I made a commitment to NOT MARRY couples if they were not serious about preparing for their marriage. Forget about preparing for the wedding….that lasts one day!! A marriage is supposed to be for a life time! That is why we have developed a very unusual but highly effective process to prepare couples for marriage called “pre-commitment counseling.” I made a decision a number of years ago to only marry those couples that would begin this process of preparation before they got engaged. Why? Simple! Once there is a ring…there is undue pressure on the couple to get to the altar. When there is no engagement ring – there is no expectation to force a marriage. It gives me, as the counselor, time needed to challenge the couple and help them work on issues. It also gives each person the freedom to end the relationship without the social stigma of “breaking an engagement.”
 
Along with when the counseling should begin – what do I expect of a couple….
Six Commitments Prior to Marriage.
a.    I will only marry a born-again, growing Christian. 2 Cor. 6:14 says that believers should not be unequally yoked, so getting married to another believer is a no-brainer. But both individuals should also show signs of growth: faithful to church, involved in ministry, growing in the Word, prayer and witnessing. Apart of this commitment is for sure that the bride and groom are members of a church that is committed to shepherding and disciplining them if necessary!
b.    I will keep myself sexually pure. 1 Thess 4 commands us to keep our vessels pure and that we must learn to control that vessel. Self-control is not automatic with a wedding license! But the premarital time is excellent for teaching that discipline!
c.    I will seek my parents’ approval and have harmony in our homes. We are to honor our mother and father and wisdom tells us that our parents, whether believers or not can be used by the Lord to give us God’s counsel! Also 9 out of ten couples that enter into a marriage without parental harmony, end up with major marital issues later.
d.    I will marry someone who has quality relationships and friendships with others, especially of the same gender. The groom should have a good track record of friendships with other men; and vice versa for the bride to be! Relational capabilities are seen early through normal healthy friendships.
e.    I will wait to get married if the timing is not right. There is no need to rush – and you don’t want to start the marriage off on the wrong foot. Having no job, needing to finish school, or any unresolved conflicts should cause a couple not to rush but to wait till the best situation to occur.
f.      I will only marry when I am ready to remove any option of separation and divorce. For twenty years every couple I have married has had to add that phrase to their vows. For believers, the door to divorce should be slammed shut with no provision to crack the door! Every believing couple must have answered the question – “is it ever right for a believer to divorce a believer?”
 
One last commitment…. I will start my pre-marriage counseling before I get engaged!!! Why am I writing about this? Recently I have talked with a half dozen couples struggling in their marriage and everyone had little to no pre-marriage counseling! Also we have a lot of people NEW to the church and you may not know about the process of preparation that we are committed to. We have a lot of teenagers that need their parents encouragement – when the time comes – to utilize this proven method for marital preparation! I also have had many of our couples recently thank me for the way we handle pre-engagement – it is demanding, but the fruit is worth it!!! Finally, I want to say that it is never too late to do what is right or even to go back and “back fill” what you did not get at the beginning of your marriage. I have taken many a “married” couple through the same process I take engaged couples!
 
A week after being found, Jennifer agreed to pay $13,000+ to the police department for her hoax and she lost all kinds of money on the wedding. It was a costly thing not to prepare for her marriage. But broken relationships are much more costly!! You see I don’t want to see any of our brides to become a “run away bride.” If that were to happen – Fox News or CNN would ask to interview me and you know I have a “face for radio???” But more so I don’t what you to experience the cost of a broken marriage. Let’s be committed to building great and healthy marriages!!!
 
PS: She never married the guy….
posted @ Thursday, May 28, 2009 12:06 PM | Feedback (0) | Tags: NewSong Counseling Marriage
Jon and Kate PLUS The Church

My son has a very different taste in TV programming. He has been drawn to shows like Trading Places, American Chopper, Dirty Jobs and Meanest Catch. We love the Discover and Learning Channels. He loves Little People, Big World and Jon and Kate Plus 8.  Jon and Kate has been especially interesting because the Gossellins live near by and they claim to be Christians.  As a matter of fact, Kate's books are published by Zondervan and they state that they are members of Glad Tidings Assembly of God.

How sad my son and the rest of us have been seeing Jon and Kate on the front page of the tabloids in the alleged claim that there has been marital infidelity.  Monday night, while coming back from Keswick, Alex was talking about the season premiere of JK8 and that J & K were going to discuss the situation and what was going to happen.  I watched it and was completely grieved.  How sad for them to have to air their marital difficulties. But as a pastor I was more pained by the fact that NO PASTOR HAS STEPPED IN AND TOLD THESE TWO TO CEASE AND DESIST!!!  The last thing they need to do is talk about the possibility of divorce...not sure they will be together....Jon not being very repentant...neither was Kate. They stated why they think the break down has occurred and nowhere was God, their pastor, their church or Biblical restoration ever mentioned.

What a black eye this is on the evangelical community.  You would hope that a pastor would drive over to their home, appeal to them to turn off the camera and get this thing under control.  Maybe it is happening behind the scenes -- I hope that is the punch line.  I looked up the church's phone number and was going to call out of concern for the Christian community. Pray for them -- pray for their family -- their adorable children -- I hope they start spending the 70K per episode and get some serious counseling.  I pray that their church will step in and place them under discipline and that Jon and Kate will humble themselves. Here is the time that the church should be potent and flex their ecclesiastical authority -- instead we see impotence and ineffectiveness.  I hope the film will roll and prove me wrong and the church will be used to rescue this failing marriage.

posted @ Wednesday, May 27, 2009 2:12 PM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Church Family Cultural Conflicts
Memorial Day Matters!

I spent a wonderful weekend at America's Keswick speaking with my friend Ray Pritchard of KeepBelieving.com. It was a thrill to sing in their production - "I Love America!!"  i am a hopeless, sappy patriot -- i love this country and I can not take the way some of our own politicians speak in condescending ways of this great country.  Even on a day where we are to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom, some in high office make apologies for Americans having to "take life unnecessarily."  Like our soldiers' lives were wasted or unnecessary!  This morning I recieved this blog for James MacDoonald -- RIGHT ON!!  Not bad for a Canadian!!  Maybe some of us who were born in this great land should have the same philosophy.....

  • Posted By James MacDonald on May 25, 2009
I hope you have a great day with your loved ones today. I received a comment on one of my blogs from a guy named David. He took a piece of message shrapnel that he claims is a quote from one of my messages and it reminded me how careful I need to be in making a ‘passing comment.’ Here’s what he wrote:
Well - so what does the famous pastor think about torture? You mentioned in church that you supported Bush’s War On Terror (I bet you would love a never ending war). What is your stance on water boarding? Still supporting US soldiers being sacrificial lambs in Iraq?? How come your sons are not in Iraq-Afganistan? You want honesty - u got it.
1. I am a patriot not a party member so I support whomever is president with prayer and belief in a God who is bigger than their errors in judgment and even bigger than their unbiblical, in some cases, evil policies.
2. I am not a pacifist. I believe America has a right/obligation to defend itself and that governments have been ordained by God with the ‘punishment of wrongdoers,’ as one of their highest responsibilities (Romans 13:1-7).
3. I was privileged to attend several private White House briefings where President Bush made a very strong case that the war on terror and the ongoing battle against insurgents in Iraq was the same thing. I do believe Americans are killing terrorists and establishing a potential foothold for democracy in an area of the world that threatens both America and our allies.
4. I believe that war involves, and even requires, levels of brutality that are beyond the ability of the average citizen to comprehend. I do not believe the cause of our soldiers or our government is advanced by the sensationalizing of an issue of interrogation for the sake of political gain (i.e., House Speaker Pelosi who has now apologized).
5. I believe that President Obama is naively heading down a very dangerous road thinking that we can reduce terrorist intent through compassionate reason. His error is rooted in a failure to understand the true nature of evil.
6. I believe we have seen that America is also capable of cruel actions toward enemy combatants, but I do not believe that harsh interrogation methods are examples of that cruelty (as the Abu Grabe prison etc. would be).
7. I am thankful for a country where freedom is worth fighting for. I am thankful to have my home in a place where the debate over what is legal and legitimate in times of war can be carried on by its citizens and elected officials in a civilized and mutually respectful manner.
8. Most importantly. I believe today is a very difficult day for families whose children are serving in a war they may or may not agree with and certainly have many legitimate issues to object to. Nothing touches us like the lives of our children do, and I pray for every family with an empty place at the table today, especially for those facing a future where that place will never again be filled.
I’m gonna go pray about all this. Have a good Memorial Day.
james
posted @ Tuesday, May 26, 2009 12:51 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Politics Patriotism James MacDonald
Johnny Mac on the need for godly pastors!
Wanted: a Few Good Shepherds (Must Know How to Wash Feet)
John MacArthur
Grace to You
Some modern church leaders fancy themselves businessmen, media figures, entertainers, psychologists, philosophers, or lawyers. Those notions contrast sharply with the way Scripture portrays spiritual leaders.
In 2 Timothy 2, for example, Paul uses seven different metaphors to describe the rigors of leadership. He pictures the minister as a teacher (v. 2), a soldier (v. 3), an athlete (v. 5), a farmer (v. 6), a workman (v. 15), a vessel (vv. 20 21), and a slave (v. 24). All those images evoke ideas of sacrifice, labor, service, and hardship. They speak eloquently of the complex and varied responsibilities of spiritual leadership. Not one of them makes leadership out to be glamorous.
That's because it is not supposed to be glamorous. Leadership in the church - and I'm speaking of every facet of spiritual leadership, not just the pastor's role - is not a mantle of status to be conferred on the church's aristocracy. It isn't earned by seniority, purchased with money, or inherited through family ties. It doesn't necessarily fall to those who are successful in business or finance. It isn't doled out on the basis of intelligence or talent. Its requirements are blameless character, spiritual maturity, and above all, a willingness to serve humbly.
Our Lord's favorite metaphor for spiritual leadership, a figure He often used to describe Himself, was that of a shepherd - one who tends God's flock. Every church leader is a shepherd. The word pastor itself means "shepherd." It is appropriate imagery. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects. Those are responsibilities of every churchman.
Shepherds are without status. In most cultures, shepherds occupy the lower rungs of society's ladder. That is fitting, for our Lord said, "Let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant" (Luke 22:26).
Under the plan God has ordained for the church, leadership is a position of humble, loving service. Church leadership is ministry, not management. Those whom God designates as leaders are called not to be governing monarchs, but humble slaves; not slick celebrities, but laboring servants. Those who would lead God's people must above all exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission, and lowliness.
Jesus Himself gave us the pattern when He stooped to wash His disciples' feet, a task that was customarily done by the lowest of slaves (John 13). If the Lord of the universe would do that, no church leader has a right to think of himself as a bigwig.
Shepherding animals is semi skilled labor. There are no colleges that offer graduate degrees in shepherding. It isn't that difficult a job. Even a dog can be trained to guard a flock of sheep. In biblical times, young boys - David, for example - herded sheep while the older men did tasks that required more skill and maturity.
Shepherding a spiritual flock is not so simple. It takes more than an unskilled laborer to be a spiritual shepherd. The standards are high, the requirements hard to satisfy (1 Timothy 3:1 7). Not everyone can meet the qualifications, and of those who do, few seem to excel at the task. Spiritual shepherdology demands a godly, gifted, multi skilled man of integrity. Yet he must maintain the humble perspective and demeanor of a boy shepherd.
With the tremendous responsibility of leading God's flock comes the potential for either great blessing or great judgment. Good leaders are doubly blessed (1 Timothy 5:17), and poor leaders are doubly chastened (v. 20), for "from everyone who has been given much, much will be required" (Luke 12:48). James 3:1 says, "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment."
People often ask me what I think is the secret to Grace Community Church's phenomenal development over the past decades. I always point out first of all that God sovereignly determines the membership of a church, and numbers alone are no gauge of spiritual success. In the midst of tremendous numerical growth, however, the spiritual vitality of our church has been remarkable. I'm convinced God's blessing has been on us primarily because our people have shown a strong commitment to biblical leadership. By affirming and emulating the godly example of our elders, the church has opened the door to extraordinary blessings from the hand of God.
The leaders of Grace Church have endeavored to withstand the preoccupation some churches seem to have with self esteem and the selfishness of our contemporary society. Our elders both model and proclaim Jesus' call to discipleship: "He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:38 39). And a commitment to self-sacrificial discipleship produces an attitude that is antithetical to selfishness - humility.
Here is the prescription for a healthy church: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3 4). How are God's people to minister to each other? By seeking to honor other people and meet their needs. If the people of a church are fighting for positions of authority, there will be the same kind of chaos as among the disciples when they were arguing over who would be the greatest (Matt. 20:20 28; Mark 9:33 37; Luke 22:24-30).
As elders, we must lead our people humbly. The shepherd determines the direction of the flock. No church can be successful if its leaders fail in their task. And no flock can survive and prosper if its shepherds try to trade their staffs for thrones.
Adapted in part from The Master's Plan for the Church. © Copyright 2004 by Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
posted @ Tuesday, May 26, 2009 12:16 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Church John MacArthur
Obama at the Golden Dome

Recently our president spoke at Norte Dame Univ.  It was controversial at best.  Days after I received a letter from the Life Issues Institute, I thought it was excellent....here it is:

The controversy surrounding President Obama and Notre Dame University culminated with his speech Sunday in Indiana. I had returned from Washington, DC just in time to drop my bag and tune in to watch the address. 
His most pronounced message—certainly the one emphasized by the media—was that we shouldn’t demonize those who disagree with us on abortion. I couldn’t agree more, but wonder why the President doesn’t follow his own advice. Certainly his memory isn’t that short. Only a few weeks ago his administration released a memo cautioning against “rightwing extremists”. In the crosshairs of its inflammatory remarks were pro-lifers. 
How can the President claim verbal high ground in the abortion debate when his administration is demonizing individuals as “domestic rightwing terrorists” when they—in the words of the memo—are “dedicated to [an] opposition to abortion”? 
The President also said that those who “speak out against [embryonic] stem cell research may be rooted in an admirable conviction about the sacredness of life, but so are the parents of a child with juvenile [type 1] diabetes who are convinced that their son’s or daughter’s hardships can be relieved.”
Mr. President, allow me to speak from experience here. Last year my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It literally turned his world upside down. But neither he nor his parents would advocate killing human embryos to pursue an experimental cure. The difference between us and you, Mr. President, is we are living our expressed belief that innocent human life is sacred. 
The president lamented the fact that “the strong too often dominate the weak”, but that’s exactly what abortion does. The strong not only dominates the weak—they kill them. Mr. Obama made a clarion call to “work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions”, while at the same time he aggressively uses his powerful position to expand the number of abortions being done in America and around the world. 
Words have meaning Mr. President. You can’t reduce the number of abortions while funding the expansion of abortion with our tax dollars by abandoning the Mexico City Policy and funding the UN Population Fund which supports forced abortion in China. 
Filling your staff, Mr. President, with hard-core, pro-abortion advocates from Emily’s List, the National Abortion Rights Action League and Planned Parenthood isn’t the way to find common ground with those who respect life. Further, your support of the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which would wipe out any law that protects unborn children and their mothers—such as parental consent, partial-birth abortion or tax funding of abortion-on-demand—leaves no room for even the tiniest compromise. 
Words have meaning. Mr. Obama is called the most pro-abortion president in the history of our nation for good reason. During his first months in office he has aggressively pursued a pro-abortion agenda. These are undisputable glaring facts. Whether or not Americans pay attention remains to be seen. I pray you will. 

As for Notre Dame University, it’s tragic that so-called friends of unborn babies would give Mr. Obama such a visible platform to promote his deadly agenda.

posted @ Wednesday, May 20, 2009 3:59 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Politics Cultural Conflicts
Encouragement Quickie!

Every now and then I need a quick thought or verse or word to get me through a difficult moent.  I don't need a lecture....a counseling session...or to be preached at!  Last summer I heard this verse quoted -- it has been a great help when I needed a divine cup of water to cool a dry soul.....

Psalm 27:13..... "I WOULD HAVE DESPAIRED.....UNLESS I BELIEVED....THAT I WOULD SEE....THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD.....IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING!"

Despair is a reality.....what are you troubled by today....what difficult situation are you trying to navigate around?

My beliefs affect my behavior....what do I truly believe in...God is good!!

I would see...an emphatic word....a guarentee!

God's goodness....He is good all the time -- but I don't always see it right away!

Land of the living....not before death, not in heaven, NOW and while I am here!

Memorize that verse....it may get you thru what ails you!

posted @ Friday, May 15, 2009 7:03 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Encouragement
Measuring Your WISDOM

This blog's name is an acronym of the essential ingredients of what it means to be spiritually mature.  Years ago a pastor helped me understand that making disciples and helping Christians reach maturity needs a target.  So he developed, and I later "stole" and implemented, the W.I.S.D.O.M. matrix. W.I.S.D.O.M. stands for Worship, Instruction, Stewardship, Discipleship, Outreach and Meaningful fellowship...each is vital to a healthy christian life.  Many have balked at the notion that you can "quantify" spiritual growth, yet without a target you have no way to determine direction or measure progress.  Recently a buddy of mine sent me the following articles....it is excellent!  It validates what I have been saying for years, you have to determine what a disciple looks like and plan a course of action to move them towards growth....

 

Many Churchgoers and Faith Leaders Struggle to Define Spiritual Maturity
 
America may possess the world’s largest infrastructure for nurturing human spirituality, complete with hundreds of thousands of houses of worship, thousands of parachurch organizations and schools, and seemingly unlimited products, resources and experts.
 
Yet, a new study from the Barna Group identifies an underlying reason why there is little progress in helping people develop spiritually: many churchgoers and clergy struggle to articulate a basic under-standing of spiritual maturity. People aspire to be spiritually mature, but they do not know what it means. Pastors want to guide others on the path to spiritual wholeness, but they are often not clearly defining the goals or the outcomes of that process.
 
The research was conducted by Barna Group in partnership with Living on the Edge (www.livingontheedge.org) and included a nationwide, random sample of adults and a similar national
survey among Protestant pastors, exploring definitions of, perceptions about, and perceived barriers to
spiritual maturity.
 
Five Challenges
The study showed five significant challenges when it comes to facilitating people’s spiritual growth.
 
1. Most Christians equate spiritual maturity with following the rules.
One of the widely embraced notions about spiritual health is that it means “trying hard to follow the rules described in the Bible” – 81% of self-identified Christians endorsed this statement, and a majority agreed strongly (53%). Even among those individuals defined by their belief that salvation is not earned through “good works,” four out of five born again Christians concurred that spiritual maturity is “trying hard to follow the rules.”
 
2. Most churchgoers are not clear what their church expects in terms of spiritual maturity.
An open-ended survey question asked churchgoers to describe how their church defined a “healthy,
spiritually mature follower of Jesus.” Half of churchgoers simply said they were not sure, unable to venture a guess regarding the church’s definition. Even among born again Christians – that is, a smaller subset of believers who have made a profession of faith in Christ and confessed their sinful nature – two out of five were not able to identify how their church defines spiritual maturity. Among those who gave a substantive response, the most common responses were having a relationship with Jesus (16%), practicing spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study (9%), living according to the Bible (8%), being obedient (8%), being involved in church (7%), and having concern for others (6%).
 
3. Most Christians offer one-dimensional views of personal spiritual maturity.
A second open-ended question probed self-identified Christians’ personal definition of what it means to be a healthy, spiritually mature follower of Jesus, regardless of how they believe their church defines it. One-fifth of self-described Christians were unable to offer an opinion. Other identified elements included: relationship with Jesus (21%), following rules and being obedient (15%), living a moral lifestyle (14%), possessing concern about others (13%), being involved in spiritual disciplines (13%), applying the Bible (12%), being spiritual or having belief (8%), sharing their faith with others (6%), and being involved in church activities (5%). Born again Christians were similar in all respects to self-described Christians except they were more likely to mention having a relationship with Jesus (30%) as the sign of spiritual maturity.
 
 
Further reflecting a lack of depth on the subject, the open-ended questions typically produced, on average, just one response from survey respondents, despite the fact that interviewers repeatedly probed for additional or
 
4. Most pastors struggle with feeling the relevance as well as articulating a specific set of objectives for spirituality, often favoring activities over attitudes.
The research among pastors highlighted several inter-related challenges. First, while nearly nine out of 10 pastors said that a lack of spiritual maturity is the most significant or one of the largest problems facing the nation, a minority of pastors believe that spiritual immaturity is a problem in their church. A second challenge is that only a minority of churches has a written statement expressing the outcomes they are looking for in spiritually mature people. A third challenge is that pastors often favor activities over perspectives in their definitions of spiritual maturity. Their metrics for people’s spirituality include the practice of spiritual disciplines (19%), involvement in church activities (15%), witnessing to others (15%), having a relationship with Jesus (14%), having concern for others (14%), applying the Bible to life (12%), being willing to grow spiritually (12%), and having knowledge of Scripture (9%).
 
5. Pastors are surprisingly vague about the biblical references they use to chart spiritual maturity for people.
One of the reasons churches struggle with making disciples may relate to the lack of clarity that pastors have about the underlying biblical passages that address the process of spiritual maturity. This is most clearly reflected in the huge proportion of pastors who give generic responses when asked to identify the most important portions of the Bible that define spiritual maturity. In fact, one-third of pastors simply said “the whole Bible.” Other generic responses included “the gospels” (17%), the New Testament (15%), and Paul’s letters (10%). In all, the survey showed that three-quarters of pastors mentioned some type of generic answer to this query. In addition, one out of every five pastors gave a semi-generic response, such as “Romans” or the “life of Christ.”
 
As for verse-specific responses (mentioned by just one-fifth of pastors), the most common passages
included: Galatians 5, John 3:16, Ephesians 4, Matthew 28, and Romans 12:1-2. Just 2% of pastors
specifically identified the Galatians 5 passage relating to the “fruits of the Spirit,” which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Theme specific answers represented just 7% of responses, including the Sermon on the Mount, the Great Commission, the Great Commandment, and the Beatitudes.
 
Five Opportunities
The research also identifies a number of opportunities that can be leveraged to address the problems related to spirituality maturity.
 
1. Christians and pastors have clarity about the major boundaries that must be addressed to tackle the problem.
What are the perceived reasons that people do not grow spiritually? Self-identified Christians were asked about the obstacles they experience while pastors were queried to see how well they understand the barriers facing their congregants. Church leaders believe the three primary obstacles to people’s engagement are lack of personal motivation (32%), other competing obligations and distractions (26%), and lack of involvement in activities that nurture growth (19%). In this respect, they do not seem too far off in their perceptions. Born again Christians identify distractions (24%), lack of motivation (20%), and lack of involvement (13%) as challenges they face, even if two of the three are mentioned less frequently by adults than pastors. Born again Christians, however, are more likely than pastors to identify sinful behaviors and habits as tripping them up (14% of believers versus 8% of pastors).
 
 
2. While most Americans are relatively content with their spirituality “as is,” millions aspire to grow spiritually.
Most adults think of themselves as both spiritually healthy as well as spiritually satisfied, which is both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is that most people’s satisfaction can lead to complacency. One opportunity is to connect with the 18 to 20 million Americans who describe themselves as spiritually unhealthy or as dissatisfied with their personal spiritual maturity. Still, a majority of adults say they are “completely” (14%) or “mostly” healthy when it comes to spirituality (40%); nearly two-thirds of Americans describe themselves as “completely” (22%) or “mostly” satisfied with their spirituality (43%). The opportunity among these individuals is to help them move beyond complacency and embrace a deeper understanding of spiritual growth.
 
3. Compared to older believers, Christians under the age of 40 are less satisfied with spirituality and less “rule oriented.”
Young Christians show signs of spiritual openness that older adults do not. People under the age of 40 are different than those Christians over 40 by being less satisfied spiritually and also rating their spiritual health less favorably. In addition, the generational difference over rule-following was striking: most Elders (ages 63+) and Boomers (44 to 62) strongly endorsed the spiritual metric of rule-following (66% and 56%, respectively); however, fewer than half of Busters (25 to 43) and Mosaics (18 to 24) embraced this view (45% and 33%). Among the young, this signals a dangerous propensity to rethink the Bible’s standards, but it also shows unique responsiveness to grace and forgiveness.
 
4. Pastors realize they need more help when it comes to assessing spiritual health.
Just 9% of clergy said they were completely satisfied with their ability to measure and assess the spiritual health of their congregation. Still, few pastors (8%) were expressly dissatisfied, leaving a majority of leaders moderately satisfied. Perhaps churchgoers would become less complacent about self-evaluation as pastors embrace more effective forms of evaluation for their congregations.
 
5. Pastors tend to be harder on themselves than are congregants.
About 1 out of 10 pastors said the church itself was a barrier to people’s growth, while none of the
Church-goers offered a similar critique. Similarly, when asked to rate the church’s ability to help people grow spiritually, pastors were significantly less likely (6%) than churchgoers (33%) to give the organization high marks, reflecting the fact that pastors are often their own toughest critics. The opportunity is to forge a greater sense of partnership and mutual esteem between leaders and laity to address the challenges, to work against self-deception in the process, and to craft deeper, more appropriate routes to spiritual maturity.
 
Implications
David Kinnaman, President of the California-based research firm, directed the research project. He pointed out several implications of the study:
 
“America has a spiritual depth problem partly because the faith community does not have a robust definition of its spiritual goals. The study shows the need for new types of spiritual metrics. One new metric might be a renewed effort on the part of leaders to articulate the outcomes of spiritual growth. Another might be the relational engagement and accountability that people maintain. Of course, spirituality is neither a science nor a business, so there is a natural resistance to ascribing scientific or operational standards to what most people believe is an organic process. Yet, the process of spiritual growth is neither simplistic nor without guidelines, so hard work and solid thinking in this arena is needed.”
 
 
“As people begin to realize that the concepts and practices of spiritual maturity have been underdeveloped, the Christian community is likely to enter a time of renewed emphasis on discipleship, soul care, the tensions of truth and grace, the so-called ‘fruits’ of the spiritual life, and the practices of spiritual disciplines. A related challenge is that as spiritual formation becomes ‘trendy’ it will inevitably become ‘watered down’ with products that over-promise or are simply counter-productive. Leaders have to take on this issue more effectively, and part of that task is weeding out the good from bad.”
 
Research
This report is based upon nationwide telephone surveys conducted by The Barna Group with random
samples of adults, age 18 and older, and Protestant clergy. The survey among adults was conducted in
August 2008 among 1005 adults randomly selected from across the continental United States. The maximum margin of sampling error associated with the aggregate sample is ±3.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The survey among pastors included 611 clergy, with a maximum margin of sampling error of ±4.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Statistical weighting was used to calibrate the sample to known population percentages in relation to demographic variables.
 
“Born again Christians” are defined as people who said they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today and who also indicated they believe that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their
savior. Respondents are not asked to describe themselves as “born again.”
 
posted @ Wednesday, May 13, 2009 1:47 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: WISDOM Spiritual Growth
How the internet has made us cowards...

Last week I wrote a "Response to a Response" concerning my college trip entry.  I took the time and wrote what I (and a number of trusted, very honest friends) thought was a fair and thorough response. I was not attacking, but answered the best and most honest way that I could with someone who was pretty antagonistic and trying to make a point. At the end I said that I wished they would have stated their name and not written anonymously but bravely attached their name.  Since last week, my mystery comment bomber has run for cover and has not answered back. 

Sad in this day of the internet and anonymity that people make comments and state things with little accountability.  They are the cowards of airwaves.  Obviously if they believed what they wrote they would stand up and be counted. Or they were someone who just wanted to blow smoke and were too afraid to be identified!

This is a good reminder....if you have something to say....you believe it....and you are willing to stand up for it -- identify yourself.  Don't hide in the shadows.  Don't hide behind the anonymous title -- like the "Cowardly Lion" on OZ....get some cowards!  Justa thought!

posted @ Tuesday, May 12, 2009 8:06 AM | Feedback (4) | Tags: Life Lessons
Work Wisdom

I just read a really good article on Yahoo! for those looking for a job....and the rest trying to keep theirs!

Seven Career Killers
Erin Burt, Yahoo News Friday, May 1, 2009
 
You worked hard to get the education, the skills and now the job. Don't let these mistakes sabotage your climb up the career ladder.
Lying on your résumé, stealing office supplies or failing to show up for work will surely dampen your career prospects. But young workers need to beware of less-obvious mistakes that can sabotage their careers. Your behavior, attitude and appearance will play important roles in finding success, not only in your first job, but also throughout your entire working life.
As someone just starting out in the work world, you probably don't have a reputation yet. Take advantage of this blank slate. "You want to be seen as an up-and-comer, not the stereotypical young slacker," says Marty Nemko, a job coach in Oakland, Cal., and columnist for Kiplinger.com. Avoiding these seven career killers will help you craft a stellar reputation and keep your career on track.
1. Procrastinating. Remember the first time you put off studying for a test then crammed at the last minute and still got a decent grade? Many of us have been procrastinating since grade school and have done just fine, but that's a habit you have to break. "There's no grade inflation in the workplace," says Nemko. If you pull together a report or presentation at the last minute, your shoddy preparation is going to show. And if something unexpected happens -- say your computer crashes or a key contact fails to return a call -- the old "dog-ate-my-homework" excuse isn't going to cut it. "Procrastination is an ingrained habit," Nemko says, "but if you don't kick it pretty quick, you're going to find yourself on the corporate slow track."
2. Having a sense of entitlement. Our generation was raised on instant gratification -- we're used to getting what we want, and getting it now. Yet when it comes to our careers, no matter how hard we work, we cannot get five years' worth of experience in one year. Younger employees tend to feel entitled to quick promotions, says Randall Hansen, founder of Quintessential Careers and associate professor of marketing at Stetson University in Deland, Fla. Falling into that trap can hinder a climb up the career ladder. If you carry the attitude that you deserve to be promoted or else, you may find that "or else" is your only option, says Hansen.
If you're lucky enough to even have a job in this economy, remember that fresh out of school, you're on the bottom rung of the career ladder. That means you're going to have to pay some dues, such as taking on jobs others don't want or working days others want off. But that doesn't mean you should accept your low status forever. Learn more about how to know when it's time to move up -- and how to pull it off.
3. Settling into your job description. You may have your set responsibilities, but you should always be on the lookout for opportunities to shine. Going above and beyond your mundane entry-level tasks can demonstrate your untapped talents and show your boss you're not afraid to take initiative. Settle into your job description for too long and your reputation may be cast as a low-level lackey.
You may have to do a little self-promotion, but try not to come off as a braggart. Nemko's daughter, for example, got her first job working for Hillary Clinton -- but her job description was to answer letters to Socks, the Clintons' pet cat. Soon after starting, she approached her boss and said she was willing to pay her dues, but that she had good research and writing skills. She pointed out that she might be useful on some other task. A few days went by and her boss asked her to research a topic and write a one-page brief for Clinton. She ended up spending a year as a researcher -- that certainly beats handling feline fan mail.
4. Avoiding office politics. When it comes to playing office politics, there is naughty and nice. Naturally, you shouldn't engage in backstabbing and gossiping. But avoiding politics altogether can be deadly for your career. Like it or not, every workplace has an intricate system of power, and you can -- and should -- work it ethically to your best advantage. To get a promotion, avoid downsizing or get a project approved, you need co-worker support. Get that backing by building relationships, asking others for advice, offering your help and showing sincere interest in others, advises Nemko. (Learn more about how to make yourself fire-resistant in the workplace.)
It's also crucial to identify your workplace's hidden pockets of power. On paper, a certain person may be in charge, but you need to know who else in the office has influence so you can be sure to impress the right people.
5. Not being a team player. Getting stuck with this label is one of the fastest career killers, says Hansen. But young workers face a delicate balance. "You can't be so much a member of the team that your individual efforts are not recognized and rewarded," Hansen says. You still need to demonstrate your skills and abilities to successfully build your career without giving the appearance that you're interested only in looking out for yourself.
6. Not dressing the part. In an ideal world, you would be judged by your merits alone. However, we live in a visual society. How you present yourself can play a crucial role in the progress of your career. You want to look professional and in control, not sloppy and indifferent. Keep your hair and nails trimmed, your clothes ironed and your breath smelling nice.
As for your apparel, take your cues from what others are wearing -- you don't want to show up in a suit and tie if jeans are the norm. But it doesn't hurt to dress for the job you want, advises Nemko. It can set you apart from the rest of the crowd and subtly help higher-ups visualize you in a position of more power and responsibility. If you want people to take you more seriously and build influence, you've got to dress the part. See Dress for Success for Less for tips on pulling this off on a budget.
7. Failing to network. You've heard that networking can be a good tool to help you find a job, but maintaining your contacts after you're hired is critical to the continuing success of your career. Keeping in touch helps you stay atop the latest issues in your field and gives you people to call on when you need advice. And a contact just may help you land your next job.
When you're starting out, you probably don't know many people in your field, but there are plenty of ways you can plug into the grapevine:
a)           Check out the resources offered by your college alumni association.
b)           Join a professional organization or club.
c)           Subscribe to a trade magazine.
d)           Find online discussion groups for your industry through groups.google.com.
e)           Keep in touch with college acquaintances in your major, especially those who may have graduated before you.
f)             Don't be a wallflower at conferences and other functions. And always keep a business card on hand when you're outside the office. You never know when you might run into a potential contact.
 
Don't forget to build rapport with higher-ups in your office. You can introduce yourself at informal company socials or even while riding in the elevator. Then send them an e-mail or stop by their office to ask an occasional question or to follow up on something you chatted about previously. You never know when that friendship could come in handy down the road.
posted @ Sunday, May 10, 2009 12:05 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Workplace
Responding to a Response on College Wisdom

To be honest I don't get too many comments on this blog. Occasionally a word of praise and very few critics.  However, when someone criticizes what I wrote, I have no problem dialoguing about it.  After writing some "Lessons Learned" about choosing a college, I received an anonymous comment.  Here is what they wrote:

I agree with all except TWO of your points.

Where do you get off on the idea that YOU the parent gets to CHOOSE the college for the son or daughter?! That's utter nonsense! You have raised that child from birth up until the age of 18 and once that child graduates high school, he or she is responsible for their own life from that point on! mommy and daddy DO NOT get to have any say in the college choice. You can gab on and on all you want about what you think their choice should be, etc etc, but guess what? its THEIR decision to make, and if they choose to go to a college THAY like, it doesnt matter what YOU think. Are you going to pick out their spouse, their house, their food, and tell them how to wipe their butt too? give me a break!

Second, If in fact the child chooses a non christian university (oh no!) there isnt going to be much of a "spiritual temperature" on campus, and guess what? theres nothing wrong with that! So what if its a school full of atheists and buddhists and what have you, the education might be great, and thats whats important. If you think for one second that a college bound senior would choose a christian college with a really awful program in their field over a secular college with a notable and recognized reputation in their field, your nuts!

This is pushing the limits of the parental role. Once your kid is 18, its their turn to live life, without you holding their hand. Good as your intentions may be....you need to let this nonsense go!

 

Let me respond. First, there is obviously a very different view on the role of a parent and the relationship between a child and parent. The Bible is very clear that we are all "under authority" and that God has established and ordained some "social order" whereby we are under the authority of another person. Your employer, the government, church leaders and your parents. This authority is limited, yet there is authority and therefore accountability. One of the main reasons that God established these authorities is for direction, protection and wisdom. In the case of parental authority, there is no "age limit." As a matter of fact, biblically speaking, when a child got married there was a shift of authority to the NEW home being established by the marriage.

Therefore, I believe and think modern society proves that parents need to be involved in their children's lives, and should thru adolescence and young adulthood, then release them once they are truly "on their own." Just look around and consider the plight of this generation and you see young people "left to their own devices" too soon with no sense of respect and accountability to authority -- therefore no sense or fear of consequence. All in all, I have witnessed too many parents who have a "hands off" philosophy who are broken-hearted today. They did not raise a responsible, respectful, submissive independent adult -- they raised an independent, rebellious young person who is still trying to find themselves and continues to be a burden on their parents.

I am a little baffled where you get the idea of "18 yrs old" being the magic age -- the fact is, our government sees that 18 yr olds aren't responsible enough to purchase cigarettes, alcohol or even rent a car. Insurance companies know for a fact that 18 yr olds are the highest risks in their rating system. Either you are 18, or you are a parent who relinquished your child too early and now live with guilt -- I cannot figure out your logic.

Now let me answer the "choosing" issue that you brought up. On one hand I have the right and responsibility to choose or have great influence in my son's decision because I am helping him pay for college. I want to help him with that. Statistics tell us that 75% of graduating college students are so in debt that they have to work for 12 years in order to work off the college debt. We are working as a family so that my son does not have to be hampered with that encumbrance.  But as I said in my entry -- my son is 16 going on 17 and he doesn't have the breathe of life experience to ask the right questions or even know what would be best for him. Do you know that over 80% of college grads in 2008 did not go into jobs for which they studied for. I don't want to see him make poor choices or unintelligent decisions because as a young person he follows his feelings and impulses (refer to my point of why God established parents). Just so you don't think I am "Attila the Daddy" -- I talk with my son - constantly! We discuss why, what, how, when...I don't hand down decisions and he mindlessly follows (you don't know my son!). But when push comes to shove -- I will overrule my son's desires -- if I don't think they will be profitable.  Just last night, he came home after being asked to go to a ball game on Thursday night. He wanted to go. I just asked questions - "Isn't it a school night?...What time will you get home?...What do you have in school the next day?...Did you check the weather?"  In the end, he saw that it would be unwise and declined.  However, if he did not come to that decision -- I would have made it for him!

I get the sense that you resist any kind of input or don't like anyone suggesting "better or best" options -- especially if you are unaware of it.  I know that I appreciate input in my life.  I value it. I have that value because I had a father who did exactly what I am doing with my son to me.

Finally, let me address the "Christian college" concern. You might be surprised to know that my son is looking at two non-Christian colleges. I have no problem with that. He goes to a non-Christian public school now. However, even on a non-Christian college you can determine the "spiritual temperature" on that campus. There are Christian ministries available, there are churches that outreach to campuses and there are groups of like minded people of faith on every campus. Because "mostly" Christians read my blog, I am a pastor, and I WAS visiting a Christian college -- that is where that question comes from.  However, I am also not jaded to think that on "Christian College" campuses there is a vibrant spiritual atmosphere occurring!  That is why you need to ask.  I know a Christian college that has a "non-believer" teaching -- I have a problem with that, more so than sending my son to a secular university.

I respectfully disagree with your final words -- "let this non-sense go" -- sorry, doing what I do and having counseled and watched families for the past 25 years as a pastor, I am convinced without a shadow of a doubt that permissive, absentee and hands-off parenting is an exercise in futility. I have never seen anything but pain and disappointment come from it. We have our kids for a short time and we need to be involved, engaged and provide the leadership they need.

I welcome your response -- next time have the courage to identify who you are so we can have a personal and forthright conversation.

posted @ Thursday, May 07, 2009 4:34 AM | Feedback (1) | Tags: Family
MacDonald on the Gospel

I had the joy of being with and hearing one of my favorite preachers, James MacDonald. Pastor James is rockin' the flock in Chi-Town again and feeling well. (He was diagnosed with prostate cancer and went thru aggressive treatment this winter.) Here is a recent entry on his blog -- excellent.  It matches up with my recent teaching in Romans....

Five Distortions of the Gospel in Our Day
1) The Cake Mix Gospel: If we leave out key ingredients our souls will never “rise” to God. We don’t need the message reduced to some irreducible elements, we need the whole gospel. You don’t expect your car to run without all the parts. You don’t expect your body to function without all the organs working properly. You don’t expect a cake to taste right if it’s rushed and readied without the right ingredients. The gospel without repentance is not the gospel. Acts 18:26, And he [Apollos] began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
2) The Cultural Gospel: Skip the postmodern sales job and go for the heart where human need never changes. Understanding the ‘culture’ is much less important than knowing what the Bible says about every human heart separated from God. We don’t need slick sales people giving out the gospel. We need bold, Spirit-filled messengers with a deep heart of compassion for lost people. The gospel without authoritative/binding truth is not the gospel. Acts 17:30, In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
3) The Cool Gospel: Jesus transcends fashion trends. Marketing Jesus is cheap and powerless. We don’t need to ’spin’ the message, we need to say it. We need to stop shaping Jesus in some misguided effort to make Him appealing. Jesus doesn’t need to be like us; we need to be like Him. The gospel wrapped in stylistic packaging is not the gospel. Revelation 3:17, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”
4) The Carnal Gospel: What Jesus can do for me: health, wealth, always happy, never hurting? Jesus solves those issues, but not in the way we may think. He’ll change what you want a lot more than what you have. The selfish gospel that promises things Jesus doesn’t promise is a lie and is sentencing the lost who listen to a shocking surprise in eternity. The gospel of “me before Jesus” is not the gospel. Mark 8:35, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”
5) The Careful Gospel: Let’s not upset anybody, just keep ‘em comfortable and coming back; there’s lots of time for folks to figure it out. The gospel of “get them to church, and in time everything will come together as long as we don’t offend them” is a dangerous gospel. Well-intentioned is not enough. The gospel without urgency is not the gospel. 2 Corinthians 6:2, Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION.”
Do you understand the implications of a distorted gospel? What horror to imagine many people thinking they are ready to meet God only to find out they never were because they believed a distorted gospel. Matthew 7 predicts just a scene of shocking surprise. Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.”
I wrote a little poem called, “I Want the Whole Gospel,” I’ll share it with you on Monday. Have a great weekend of worship and the Word!
 
I Want the Whole Gospel
Every single ounce of truth; give it to me straight just like it is in the Bible.
I want the whole gospel:
Don’t dilute the living water—it might not quench my thirsty soul.
I want the whole gospel:
Turn on the light of Jesus Christ and don’t shield my view—I need every beam of His radiant glory to dispel the darkness in me.
I want the whole gospel:
Don’t block the door, or I might not get through.
I want the whole gospel:
I need an accurate map to the narrow road, because only a few are finding it.
I want the whole gospel:
Because I am wholly lost, God’s verdict is wholly just, and my damnation is wholly certain.
My heart is wholly depraved and my sin is wholly mine.
My efforts are wholly futile and my escapes are wholly hopeless.
I need a whole Savior, whose whole suffering, wholly satisfies a holy God.
Please, please don’t cut the corners. It’s appointed unto man once to die and I have to be sure I get it right.
I have to have the whole gospel—give it to me straight. Nothing else will do!
Yes…God help us, let’s give the whole gospel.
posted @ Tuesday, May 05, 2009 12:17 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Gospel James MacDonald
Getting Back to the "Son's Life"
We had a great weekend of training at NewSong with Rev. Don Roscoe and the Sonlife "Growing a Healthy Church" seminar.  Sonlife started in the early 80's and focused on doing ministry like Jesus did. We all know stories about Jesus and what He did and said -- but have you ever considered HOW He did it? Well, Sonlife has, and it is revolutionary.  Don took most of our senior leadership through a process of considering the purpose, product and process of developing a Great Commission ministry and multiply the ministry of the Master.  Again, it was, and has been for 30 years, timeless and priceless!  Thanks Don-o
posted @ Tuesday, May 05, 2009 12:11 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: NewSong Church
Sproul on Worship

RC Sproul is one of the great minds in evangelism. His early works like "The Holiness of God" and "Getting the Gospel Right" are just glimpses of his deep understanding of the person of God and the doctrines of grace. Some have called him  - "The Calvin of our Day!"  I found this article on worship worth reading....

Worship in the Light of Eternity

R.C. Sproul

Renewing Your Mind

 
People use various adjectives to differentiate styles of worship. Some speak of high liturgy or low liturgy, or they speak of formal worship in relative degrees, depending on whether the ministers or priests wear vestments, whether printed prayers or spontaneous prayers are used, whether the music is classical or contemporary, and other criteria. These adjectives are employed because different styles of worship have arisen as a reaction against what could be called a high liturgy or a classical, traditional pattern of worship. Why has that reaction occurred?

At the time of the Reformation, some people in Protestant churches reacted against the traditional Roman Catholic style of worship. Some of that reaction was theological, but not all of it. Some of it was based on a zealous desire to do nothing in the way Rome did it. For instance, during the time Martin Luther hid at Wartburg Castle and translated the Bible from the original languages into German, one of his disciples in Wittenberg, Andreas Carlstadt, started vandalizing churches, smashing stained-glass windows, overthrowing the furniture, and doing all sorts of damage in the name of reform. When Luther heard of this, he was upset and disciplined Carlstadt for his over-zealous reaction against the sacred things of the past.

Carlstadt erroneously directed his ire against the "form" of Roman Catholic worship. The problem was not with the form but with the formalism into which Rome had fallen. The word formalism means that the form becomes the end in itself. Another word that means much the same is externalism, which is the condition that exists when all that exists are the external elements, while the internal elements, the heart and soul, are absent. The Reformers' true goal was to cure the formalism and externalism of the Roman Catholic Church.

In the same way, the Old Testament prophets were vehement in their denunciations of the dead, empty formalism into which Jewish worship had degenerated. As a seminary student, I had to read two books on worship, one that favored a low liturgy and another that favored a high liturgy. The book that favored the low liturgy was presented as an expression of "prophetic" worship in the church, whereas the book that advocated a high liturgy presented itself as following the priestly tradition of worship. After reading these books, we students had to defend one or the other style of worship. I was astonished to discover that I was the only person in the class who favored the high liturgy and the priestly tradition. My professor was equally surprised at me, because he knew that I was a committed evangelical Christian, and evangelicals traditionally shy away from liturgical worship.

Why did I choose the high liturgy position? The author of the book on the priestly tradition convinced me by showing that when we go back to the prophetic critique of the deadly forms of worship that God rejected in Israel, the prophets were reformers but not revolutionaries. What's the difference? The prophets nowhere rejected the liturgies of worship that God had ordained for His people. Instead, the prophets denounced the decadence of the people's practice in following these liturgies. The problem wasn't with the liturgies; the problem was with the worshipers, who came with cold hearts and went through the liturgies simply by rote, with uninvolved and untouched hearts.

Jesus, too, was a reformer in this sense. Exhibit A of externalism in the Bible is the Pharisees, who went through all of the outward rites, all of the liturgies that God had prescribed, but their hearts were not in it. They skated on the surface of superficial lip-service to God. As Jesus said of them, "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me . . .'"(Matt. 15:7–9a).

There is no doubt that God wants His worship to have form, so the question is not whether we will have a liturgy or not. The issue is whether the liturgy is biblical in its content, and ultimately, whether we are using the liturgy to worship in spirit and in truth. No matter what the liturgy is, whether it's a plain liturgy, a simple liturgy, or a complex, highly symbolic liturgy, it can be formalized and externalized so that it is corrupted to the point that God despises it. As we seek out the forms of worship that please God, we must be vigilant lest we fall into formalism or externalism.

Excerpted from A Taste of Heaven: Worship in the Light of Eternity. Used by permission.

 

posted @ Tuesday, May 05, 2009 12:08 AM | Feedback (0) | Tags: Worship