Today, the Presbyterian Church USA voted to change their doctrinal wording on marriage and open the door to allow their clergy to marry homosexual couples. You can read the story from Detroit here.
No doubt some people will say that this is the first of many to follow this path. You can count on other changes being made by mainline denominations. The press will declare that we Christians are finally waking up. Mark my words, the above comments will come even stronger than I have written. And I say "ok, no problem!"
Some of you may ask me how in the world I could say that?
It is simple!
Votes by man nor words by people and the press mean anything. Only the Word of God matters! And the Bible is crystal clear that marriage is between one man and one women! Human nature affirms this reality regardless of what people may say.
God has no need of we humans to get enlightened on culture and grow in our interpretation of His Word. The Bible is the same yesterday, today, and forever! It does not and will not change!
I do not hate homosexuals. I do not want them to be miserable in life! I am not homophobic. I simply believe the Bible. I do not place homosexuals as second class citizens. I just read and know that God said in Matt 19:5-6
"4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,'
5 "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?
6 "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
(NKJ)
And then speaking of the natural, the Bible tells us clearly:
Rom 1:20-32
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-- and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
(NKJ)
I dare not mess with what God has clearly spoken! And regardless of trends or votes by large groups of people, I and I alone answer to God for following His Word or not. Jesus will not say to God that "poor ol Tim had to deny the Bible because a group of people voted to change what it says - thus let him off for his disobedience."
Every Pastor and every church better settle this now. Either you will follow God or you will be in direct disobedience to Him.
No one knows what the consequences will be for standing with the Word of God in the area of marriage. Frankly, I do not care!
This I know - I will stand with God and His Word and no one will be able to force me to do otherwise. And if I go to jail for it? I will be in great company with the Apostle Paul and others.
Votes by people mean nothing in changing or altering the Word of God!
And it is here that I will loving and courageously stand!
How about you?
Blogging for the purpose of Spiritual Growth and Edification
Showing posts with label SBC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SBC. Show all posts
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Speaking the TRUTH in todays America (Series)
Part 1
Over the past week I have made clear my perception of today's America - it is not pretty. In noting this, the simple fact that the change we are seeing did not occur overnight was also front and center. So now we must ask the question as Christians trying to reach people in this new era of "neo-anything can be truth" culture, HOW?
American Christians have perfected the speech approach to teaching. Even in our social media use can be found the clear and often blunt ugly use of this method in telling people what is wrong with their ideology and where they will go because of it. We make our points well yet we are failing to impress or influence even a few. It is time we seek to understand the needed approach required if we are to really make a difference today.
And for many Christians, this is going to be a tough road to travel!
Our learning begins with some simple facts. People without Jesus, do not have a foundation that we can build upon. People without Jesus, need Jesus first! Never should we compromise the truth with anyone. But understanding that only in a relationship with Jesus is the foundation upon which truth is built can we expect any glimmer of accomplishing lasting life change. This is Biblical truth. Hard to realize that we Christians must first accept a truth before we expect others to do the same. But this is a must. The journey begins with this hurdle at the starting line.
Many American churches are facilitating this hurdle by abandoning Evangelistic outreach endeavors. We talk much about reaching the nations. Preaching to the nations is the new modern day battle cry! A simple analysis of our current trends in methods and thoughts on evangelism reveal that we are doing little to reach individual people regardless of the intent of the battle cry. The popular growth of Reformed Theology and the New Calvinism of our day are not helping either. The more this spreads the fewer people that will be reached. Sharing Jesus is the beginning. It is more than preaching/teaching. Sharing Jesus is more than telling someone to turn or burn. Sharing Jesus is sharing Jesus story and what He did for all of us. It is making it clear that Jesus offers a free gift called salvation to all who will receive. The gift is offered, but we each must chose to accept or reject.
Rom 6:23
Rom 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(NKJ)
Over the past week I have made clear my perception of today's America - it is not pretty. In noting this, the simple fact that the change we are seeing did not occur overnight was also front and center. So now we must ask the question as Christians trying to reach people in this new era of "neo-anything can be truth" culture, HOW?
American Christians have perfected the speech approach to teaching. Even in our social media use can be found the clear and often blunt ugly use of this method in telling people what is wrong with their ideology and where they will go because of it. We make our points well yet we are failing to impress or influence even a few. It is time we seek to understand the needed approach required if we are to really make a difference today.
And for many Christians, this is going to be a tough road to travel!
Our learning begins with some simple facts. People without Jesus, do not have a foundation that we can build upon. People without Jesus, need Jesus first! Never should we compromise the truth with anyone. But understanding that only in a relationship with Jesus is the foundation upon which truth is built can we expect any glimmer of accomplishing lasting life change. This is Biblical truth. Hard to realize that we Christians must first accept a truth before we expect others to do the same. But this is a must. The journey begins with this hurdle at the starting line.
Many American churches are facilitating this hurdle by abandoning Evangelistic outreach endeavors. We talk much about reaching the nations. Preaching to the nations is the new modern day battle cry! A simple analysis of our current trends in methods and thoughts on evangelism reveal that we are doing little to reach individual people regardless of the intent of the battle cry. The popular growth of Reformed Theology and the New Calvinism of our day are not helping either. The more this spreads the fewer people that will be reached. Sharing Jesus is the beginning. It is more than preaching/teaching. Sharing Jesus is more than telling someone to turn or burn. Sharing Jesus is sharing Jesus story and what He did for all of us. It is making it clear that Jesus offers a free gift called salvation to all who will receive. The gift is offered, but we each must chose to accept or reject.
Rom 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(NKJ)
(NKJ)
Rom 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(NKJ)
Sharing truth requires each of us who know Christ to begin sharing His truth. It is not turn or burn. It is begging and pleading with people to see what God did for them in His Son Jesus. It is sharing the love of God for all people regardless of where they have been or what they have done! It is leaving the judging to God while living as one changed so as not to cause anyone to stumble so that the message of Gods love in Christ, can be seen and thus received.
This is the starting point! No moral or political change is possible of lasting value without Jesus first!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Brentwood Benson does VBS RIGHT!
It is normal for people in church life and ministry to think about VBS in February or March. I have done this for most of my life - even as a child attending every summer VBS of childhood. But what about actually doing VBS in October? Now that is totally out of the box. And that is totally just what we did! This is a short story of our journey into Fall VBS and the results thereof.
To begin with, Lifeway ending it's relationship with Jeff Slaughter played a huge role in what I will share. There is none better than Slaughter at developing VBS material and music that shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly and effectively with children. None better anywhere! And since Slaughter was picked up by Brentwood Benson to put together their first ever VBS material offering, our staff got a little curious. Our curiosity led us down a new path for VBS. We decided to go with a Fall VBS and see what would happen. We contacted Brentwood Benson and asked if we could premier this new offering. They agreed. We contacted Slaughter and secured him to be live on stage for two nights of VBS worship and celebration. He agreed! Fall VBS would indeed occur.
The following is what we gleaned from this adventure:
1. Slaughter - still NONE BETTER. Lifeway really blew it with this one. His heart for children and the gift and blessing on his writing and arranging cannot be denied. He is in person as he is on stage - the real deal. He wants to see people reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And he gives his all to see that this takes place. The music was beyond good with this material. Our adults even loved it and get this - it led to a VBS Flash Mob in both morning services this past Sunday. it was incredible!
2. The material - what Brentwood Benson has put together is the BEST ever! My wife who has the same track record as I do in VBS said it this way: "this material in structure, ideas, how to's, and message was the best ever!" She loved it. And so did our other workers. It was done by people who know VBS and know what is needed. Often those who write VBS material make the structure difficult and the message seems to get lost in the implementation. Often the ideas for sharing do not relate to the children of today. Often, VBS does NOT really get a clear message across. Not with this one. The message was clear and powerful! The children got it! I have never heard children so get the theme and message of VBS like I did this year!
Since the theme was a world tour, missions was all over this material. Our leaders decided to up it even more by Skyping in Missionaries from each of the countries that the tour visited each evening during the group times. And this was awesome! The children heard first hand from people doing mission work and prayed for that person and country! You would not have believed the prayers that went up from these children.
The snacks were even designed to fit the countries each night on the tour and allowed for total theme involvement! And man were they good!
3. Evangelistic - everything about this material was evangelistic from start to finish.
4. Theology - this material is sound and void of the modern hangups found in much material these days. There are NO worries with theology here! Straight Jesus and His gift to all who will receive!
5. Cost - we actually did VBS with less money spent this year than in years past.
Conclusion:
If you want a VBS material that your workers will love, that will clearly and easily share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that will have your children engulfed in VBS and actually "getting it", then you need to call up Brentwood Benson and get your order in! You will love it!
To begin with, Lifeway ending it's relationship with Jeff Slaughter played a huge role in what I will share. There is none better than Slaughter at developing VBS material and music that shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly and effectively with children. None better anywhere! And since Slaughter was picked up by Brentwood Benson to put together their first ever VBS material offering, our staff got a little curious. Our curiosity led us down a new path for VBS. We decided to go with a Fall VBS and see what would happen. We contacted Brentwood Benson and asked if we could premier this new offering. They agreed. We contacted Slaughter and secured him to be live on stage for two nights of VBS worship and celebration. He agreed! Fall VBS would indeed occur.
The following is what we gleaned from this adventure:
1. Slaughter - still NONE BETTER. Lifeway really blew it with this one. His heart for children and the gift and blessing on his writing and arranging cannot be denied. He is in person as he is on stage - the real deal. He wants to see people reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And he gives his all to see that this takes place. The music was beyond good with this material. Our adults even loved it and get this - it led to a VBS Flash Mob in both morning services this past Sunday. it was incredible!
2. The material - what Brentwood Benson has put together is the BEST ever! My wife who has the same track record as I do in VBS said it this way: "this material in structure, ideas, how to's, and message was the best ever!" She loved it. And so did our other workers. It was done by people who know VBS and know what is needed. Often those who write VBS material make the structure difficult and the message seems to get lost in the implementation. Often the ideas for sharing do not relate to the children of today. Often, VBS does NOT really get a clear message across. Not with this one. The message was clear and powerful! The children got it! I have never heard children so get the theme and message of VBS like I did this year!
Since the theme was a world tour, missions was all over this material. Our leaders decided to up it even more by Skyping in Missionaries from each of the countries that the tour visited each evening during the group times. And this was awesome! The children heard first hand from people doing mission work and prayed for that person and country! You would not have believed the prayers that went up from these children.
The snacks were even designed to fit the countries each night on the tour and allowed for total theme involvement! And man were they good!
3. Evangelistic - everything about this material was evangelistic from start to finish.
4. Theology - this material is sound and void of the modern hangups found in much material these days. There are NO worries with theology here! Straight Jesus and His gift to all who will receive!
5. Cost - we actually did VBS with less money spent this year than in years past.
Conclusion:
If you want a VBS material that your workers will love, that will clearly and easily share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that will have your children engulfed in VBS and actually "getting it", then you need to call up Brentwood Benson and get your order in! You will love it!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Dont Ask, Trust Us! We are in trouble!
In the convention "vetting" of the Presidential pick by the Search Team of MWBTS we have an email sent out in response to a question asking the Theological leanings of the proposed candidate. The response simply says trust us, we got this, wait until the man is voted on to learn his Theology. Was it not the Democrats in congress who said when asked what was in the health care bill to trust us, let us vote it in and then we will see what we actually have in the bill? Just a thought!
The heart of my concern over such a response goes to the heart of the SBC - Cooperative Program giving. We are hearing that giving is down due to the economy. What we are not hearing is that churches are lowering their percentages due to SBC power plays as the email mentioned above reveals. The people in the pews are losing faith in the SBC leaders at an alarming rate.
Why?
Little occurs from the SBC anymore that really meets the needs of local churches. The only clear voice I hear week in and out is "send more money to the IMB and forget the rest!" This voice is from the pews of the our churches. Even retired missionaries are sounding this call at a shocking level. Could it be that our institutions have lost the trust and faith of the people in the pew?
When one sits back and simply lists the events, the people placed into lead roles, the sealing of documents, the don't ask - trust us approach, one sees why few care anymore. And if someone raises a question, that person is labeled as a trouble maker and quickly attacked in an attempt to silence their voice. Last time I checked the above did not fit the definition of accountability.
No doubt this type of maneuvering has been around for some time. It is almost human nature when one looks at large groups that must somehow find a way to work together. Yet no excuse should be allowed to triumph such a conduct. The people in the pew are tired of the junk. The people in the pew are fed up with their churches being forced into battles over theology they do not hold to. The people in the pew will respond to missions and ministry. They will reject political plays every time.
It might be a more prudent decision for the search team to answer the questions now, not later. Dr. Allen and his family deserve better than this. We live in the age of instant information and communication. I thought our leaders knew this. To role this selection out in a manner that does not reinforce the selection is institutional abuse at its finest. If the search team truly believes this is their man, then they should be out front promoting and highlighting why they believe this. We have seen and heard little. Sad!
Instead, we are told NO ANSWERS, TRUST US.
I have one question: Please tell me how we can trust when you handle the process in this manner.
I think more than MWBTS is at stake in this decision. We are seeing in a vivid way why CP giving is dropping. The real clue is not in the total dollars but rather in the percentage that a church gives. The percentage is the key issue and it is speaking loud and clear!
Will someone wake up and realize the damage being done? When only Pastors care about this stuff the problem is already bigger than we realize!
The heart of my concern over such a response goes to the heart of the SBC - Cooperative Program giving. We are hearing that giving is down due to the economy. What we are not hearing is that churches are lowering their percentages due to SBC power plays as the email mentioned above reveals. The people in the pews are losing faith in the SBC leaders at an alarming rate.
Why?
Little occurs from the SBC anymore that really meets the needs of local churches. The only clear voice I hear week in and out is "send more money to the IMB and forget the rest!" This voice is from the pews of the our churches. Even retired missionaries are sounding this call at a shocking level. Could it be that our institutions have lost the trust and faith of the people in the pew?
When one sits back and simply lists the events, the people placed into lead roles, the sealing of documents, the don't ask - trust us approach, one sees why few care anymore. And if someone raises a question, that person is labeled as a trouble maker and quickly attacked in an attempt to silence their voice. Last time I checked the above did not fit the definition of accountability.
No doubt this type of maneuvering has been around for some time. It is almost human nature when one looks at large groups that must somehow find a way to work together. Yet no excuse should be allowed to triumph such a conduct. The people in the pew are tired of the junk. The people in the pew are fed up with their churches being forced into battles over theology they do not hold to. The people in the pew will respond to missions and ministry. They will reject political plays every time.
It might be a more prudent decision for the search team to answer the questions now, not later. Dr. Allen and his family deserve better than this. We live in the age of instant information and communication. I thought our leaders knew this. To role this selection out in a manner that does not reinforce the selection is institutional abuse at its finest. If the search team truly believes this is their man, then they should be out front promoting and highlighting why they believe this. We have seen and heard little. Sad!
Instead, we are told NO ANSWERS, TRUST US.
I have one question: Please tell me how we can trust when you handle the process in this manner.
I think more than MWBTS is at stake in this decision. We are seeing in a vivid way why CP giving is dropping. The real clue is not in the total dollars but rather in the percentage that a church gives. The percentage is the key issue and it is speaking loud and clear!
Will someone wake up and realize the damage being done? When only Pastors care about this stuff the problem is already bigger than we realize!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Missing from the Calvinism Advisory Team
This post is more about an observation than it is a gripe. Yes I am going to highlight something I think is missing in the formation of the Advisory Team but not as a fuss to or about Dr. Page. Rather the reality of what I see missing is due to the current climate in SBC life and Evangelical churches as a whole.
The team that will study the issue of how Traditionalists and Calvinists will move forward together in the SBC may be more challenging than the Name Change or even the GCR report. The list presented in Baptist Press shows some balance. There are people representing Educators, Entity Heads, Pastors, Ethnic groups, and Denominational people. There are mid size church Pastors and Large church Pastors. Southern Seminary is covered with the largest group (those with close ties to Southern) and representatives from New Orleans and Southwestern. We have Northern representation and even the East Coast (and Beltway at that).
But who do we NOT have?
As I looked at the list and discussed the breakdown on a call last night while driving, something jumped out at me and screamed loud and clear. In the whole of the debate/discussion/elephant one group has been missing all along. This group finds itself on the front lines of this issue right along with the turmoil in churches. For over ten plus years now this group has been being left out of the Convention conversation on most issues simply because they are being left out of most church life.
In Ephesians we find this group given a clear Biblical role and place in New Testament churches. Read the following verses:
The team that will study the issue of how Traditionalists and Calvinists will move forward together in the SBC may be more challenging than the Name Change or even the GCR report. The list presented in Baptist Press shows some balance. There are people representing Educators, Entity Heads, Pastors, Ethnic groups, and Denominational people. There are mid size church Pastors and Large church Pastors. Southern Seminary is covered with the largest group (those with close ties to Southern) and representatives from New Orleans and Southwestern. We have Northern representation and even the East Coast (and Beltway at that).
But who do we NOT have?
As I looked at the list and discussed the breakdown on a call last night while driving, something jumped out at me and screamed loud and clear. In the whole of the debate/discussion/elephant one group has been missing all along. This group finds itself on the front lines of this issue right along with the turmoil in churches. For over ten plus years now this group has been being left out of the Convention conversation on most issues simply because they are being left out of most church life.
In Ephesians we find this group given a clear Biblical role and place in New Testament churches. Read the following verses:
Eph 4:11-16
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-- Christ--
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
(NKJ)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-- Christ--
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
(NKJ)
So who is missing?
Where is the voice of the Evangelists?
I think this missing voice speaks volumes to where we are today more than we may be willing to admit.
Monday, July 26, 2010
"Get Real"
In my early years I was given the opportunity to work as an umpire. At the age of fourteen, wearing the uniform and calling people out though cool, was nothing compared to getting paid. At $10 per game (in the 80's), two games per night, and averaging 3 nights a week, I was doing alright. I umpired all through High School and even built an Umpire Association that handled games all over the DFW area. It was awesome and yet I learned quickly that the money was not as easy as it first appeared. Often I would hear the phrase (among others) "get real!" And as I was reflecting on that today I realized something incredible.
We know an umpire has to make tough calls, deal with dads reliving their youth and moms who can scream like no one else, and grandparents who just cannot see from the bleachers what can be seen on the field. Most nights there will be that one or two calls that make for some fireworks. I actually loved all of it. I did not worry when I got home and I never was scared during some of those intense moments (though I would be in 2010 I think!). Calling a play or a pitch was just that. I called them like I saw them. Umpires back then did not have instant replay as they do now. You saw the play and you called it. Some calls were good while others were pathetic. One's perspective usually decided one's response.
Perspectives have always played a role in sports and I am learning that today perspectives are playing a major role in churches and ministries. The human factor, as in umpiring, is prone to mistakes. But more than mistakes, the human factor can also be a path for missing God. In umpiring, it is just a game. In ministry, it is heaven or hell for people.
We are now living in the midst of one of the most challenging times in ministry. People no longer look to God's Word for their marching orders. Ministry is driven by human desires, likes, and preferences. Evangelism is often relative to one's perspective instead of God's directive. Trying to discern what REAL ministry is, and what REAL evangelism is can be troublesome it seams. Even the largest gathering of Baptist in the world approved a report this summer called the Great Commission Resurgence. But in passing the report, I wonder how many people realized that no where in the report was a definition of the Gospel or Evangelism?
We have churches today who take "mission trips" that are really glorified vacations. We have church members who will refuse to support reaching people in their own community for a number of reasons and yet dare to call the church they attend a ministry. We will send money all over the world and clothes the same, but will not spend more than 2% of a church budget (on ave) to reach children in our community.
We need an umpire like moment. The REAL is missing from Biblical Missions and Biblical Evangelism. America is proof that American Christianity loves the glory but will not sweat or sacrifice much to do the REAL. I Pastor a church that is breaking out of this norm. I serve and lead a national ministry that is charting the course of lean for the sake of churches and ministries all over America. Neither are easy. But the fruit of REAL compared to the norm of human ideas is staggering.
Try allowing God to be the umpire of your life. He NEVER makes bad or wrong calls. This week join me in asking some tough questions about life, ministry and evangelism. Is ministry and evangelism REAL or more about you? Are you a person who promotes and encourages your church to do more REAL ministry and evangelism? As our supreme play caller, only God should be leading us in these areas. Self should be out! Are you allowing God to make the calls?
People here at home and around the world need us to get busy doing the REAL ministry and REAL evangelism that God has so called each of us to.
It's time we "GET REAL!"
We know an umpire has to make tough calls, deal with dads reliving their youth and moms who can scream like no one else, and grandparents who just cannot see from the bleachers what can be seen on the field. Most nights there will be that one or two calls that make for some fireworks. I actually loved all of it. I did not worry when I got home and I never was scared during some of those intense moments (though I would be in 2010 I think!). Calling a play or a pitch was just that. I called them like I saw them. Umpires back then did not have instant replay as they do now. You saw the play and you called it. Some calls were good while others were pathetic. One's perspective usually decided one's response.
Perspectives have always played a role in sports and I am learning that today perspectives are playing a major role in churches and ministries. The human factor, as in umpiring, is prone to mistakes. But more than mistakes, the human factor can also be a path for missing God. In umpiring, it is just a game. In ministry, it is heaven or hell for people.
We are now living in the midst of one of the most challenging times in ministry. People no longer look to God's Word for their marching orders. Ministry is driven by human desires, likes, and preferences. Evangelism is often relative to one's perspective instead of God's directive. Trying to discern what REAL ministry is, and what REAL evangelism is can be troublesome it seams. Even the largest gathering of Baptist in the world approved a report this summer called the Great Commission Resurgence. But in passing the report, I wonder how many people realized that no where in the report was a definition of the Gospel or Evangelism?
We have churches today who take "mission trips" that are really glorified vacations. We have church members who will refuse to support reaching people in their own community for a number of reasons and yet dare to call the church they attend a ministry. We will send money all over the world and clothes the same, but will not spend more than 2% of a church budget (on ave) to reach children in our community.
We need an umpire like moment. The REAL is missing from Biblical Missions and Biblical Evangelism. America is proof that American Christianity loves the glory but will not sweat or sacrifice much to do the REAL. I Pastor a church that is breaking out of this norm. I serve and lead a national ministry that is charting the course of lean for the sake of churches and ministries all over America. Neither are easy. But the fruit of REAL compared to the norm of human ideas is staggering.
Try allowing God to be the umpire of your life. He NEVER makes bad or wrong calls. This week join me in asking some tough questions about life, ministry and evangelism. Is ministry and evangelism REAL or more about you? Are you a person who promotes and encourages your church to do more REAL ministry and evangelism? As our supreme play caller, only God should be leading us in these areas. Self should be out! Are you allowing God to make the calls?
People here at home and around the world need us to get busy doing the REAL ministry and REAL evangelism that God has so called each of us to.
It's time we "GET REAL!"
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