I love the church, and I owe my life to it. I owe my life to God, those he chose to disciple me, and the church that nurtured me. Before I go on, please understand my love for the church. I am offended when people just church bash, so know that that is not at all my aim.
I am afraid of something though. As a church, we are losing a lot of people to mediocrity. High school students, who are seemingly on Christian beast-mode, are getting into college and falling flat on their faces. It isn't even a long process. These former leaders in their youth group are easily swayed by popularity...maybe someone reading this is one of those people. What went wrong?
We are encouraging people to make decisions all the time. At church, youth group, and emotionally charged camp environments we are asking a similar thing-- decide. Of course you have to make a decision at some point, but we make a lot of decisions and then what? CIY (no dog on them at all) is a prime example. Kids get all worked up and make grandiose decisions for God. Then they are at home, the dopamine has receded, and the same temptations/situations are in their lap. It's obvious how powerful the call was by how quickly the call is dropped. They have made a decision.
That isn't necessarily the bad part. The bad part is when they get home, we show slides at church, give them a Bible, pat them on the back, then send them back out. That is like giving a soldier a gun (that he doesn't know how to use correctly), giving them an army I.D., then sending them to war. It would be ridiculous to expect much out of that soldier. Why are we doing this to real people? There has to be discipleship. This is our responsibility and commission.
Discipleship takes time, effort, and passion. We need to be discipling people and filling them up. We can make all the decisions we want, but discipleship is the marker of a Christian. Post-modernity (the evil nemesis) would lead us all to think that faith is strictly personal, private, and relative. I'm calling you all out right now. Faith is NOT private, having an opinion and taking a stand are NOT always wrong, and it is NOT an option to apply Christianity to certain parts of your life and not the other. Christianity is who we are, not just what we do. How can people understand that if there isn't discipleship?
We need to be discipled, and be disciplers. If we aren't doing that, you can expect to be empty. If you are one of those people who have made a decision that hasn't moved you to action, don't give up. There is some reason you made that decision to follow Christ. Rediscover that reason and come be discipled. Some of my friends need to do this; you have lost sight of your purpose. Please come back. You have seen what God has done, don't forsake that for the flesh. God is not a decision you make in different situations, he is "Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
(Credit to Chad Ragsdale, and therefore the Holy Spirit, for teaching me this concept.)
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Post This, Post That
In America we are noticing an obvious decline in Christian prominence in politics. There is a lot of people wondering what happened to our so-called "Christ country." As you well know, we are in a post-modern society. If you didn't know that, then you probably don't know what post-modern even means. So, basically, it is a philosophy with the mantra "To each his own." In other words, don't tell me how to live me life and I will do the same for you. Morality is relative, values are relative, faith is relative, and we are all gonna die anyways.
If you thought that was bad, we are also becoming post-Christian society. We are moving into an interesting transition. The baby-boomers (people who are roughly 50+) are a group of people who grew up in church. On Sunday, you went to church with your family. That is simply what you did. Those people still go to church every Sunday. Everyone in that generation at least knows of basic Bible stories. Specifically in the Bible belt it means that everybody is "Christian." Christian is more of a cultural norm that a religion around here. But now kids aren't growing up in church. Lot's of kids never have even been to church. Most kids know nothing about the Bible and know nothing about the face of true discipleship.
That seems really bleak, doesn't it? Maybe not. Maybe this is a good thing? It is fine to disagree with me, but I would like to propose that it is perhaps not a good thing, but it is okay.
Post-modernity, if lived even semi-consistently, is open to interpretation. That is apathetic and pretty lazy, but could be helpful. The modern era, which we have moved out of, was much more rigid. That was the era of science versus religion. That was the era of mocking religion. Post-modernity is the era of "we'll see." There is a lot more curiosity, openness, and hopefully more honesty. It is refreshing to hear more of the answer "I don't know." People are starting to break away from the rigid and look for answers. I believe, as I hope you do, that Christianity has the best, most adequate answers to all of the most important questions in life. So I am not afraid to of openness, if I am ready to go out and get the lost. Take courage from that. There is an opportunity here!
The fact that we are becoming post-Christian is a little rougher, but I still see the potential. I said that everybody was "Christian" for the longest time in America-- it was just what we did (similar to Jewish or Muslim traditions today). Christianity was more of a uniting cultural norm that a sanctifying corporate faith. Now people are being forced to be more honest. I had a friend tell me that in the northwest of America you are either a Christian or you aren't; there is no middle ground. I would posit that that's how it should be. I think that when we begin to become more post-Christian we will be forced to either give up a no-longer-convenient faith and cash it in for the humanism that we have been practicing all along, OR we will have to take a stand for the radical calling of Christ. I think it could be revolutionary to the American church. It would shrink massively, but I am convinced more and more that size is a very limited indicator of discipleship. God desires true disciples, not numbers.
Like coffee, we will have to go through a filter. That filter keeps all the distasteful grinds from falling down into your hot coffee. only the coffee, the good stuff that has stayed on the narrow road that leads to life, will remain after the strain. It will eliminate worthless lip-service churches. It will scatter those who go to church for a social gathering. I think the church would be forced to be genuine or die.
I think that Christianity has been taken for granted and abused by us Americans, at times. However, I am hopeful that we will continue to head the right direction. I think the landscapes and the strategies are going to evolve, but Christ will remain the cornerstone of the true church. I am excited to have the opportunity to deliver the Gospel to the open minds of our generation. I would like to invite you to join in with me. If you aren't sure if your faith is genuine, ask the mature Christian who knows you because it's time to find out. If you are true, let's do our job and go out to get people. We have a mission field everywhere we step.
If you thought that was bad, we are also becoming post-Christian society. We are moving into an interesting transition. The baby-boomers (people who are roughly 50+) are a group of people who grew up in church. On Sunday, you went to church with your family. That is simply what you did. Those people still go to church every Sunday. Everyone in that generation at least knows of basic Bible stories. Specifically in the Bible belt it means that everybody is "Christian." Christian is more of a cultural norm that a religion around here. But now kids aren't growing up in church. Lot's of kids never have even been to church. Most kids know nothing about the Bible and know nothing about the face of true discipleship.
That seems really bleak, doesn't it? Maybe not. Maybe this is a good thing? It is fine to disagree with me, but I would like to propose that it is perhaps not a good thing, but it is okay.
Post-modernity, if lived even semi-consistently, is open to interpretation. That is apathetic and pretty lazy, but could be helpful. The modern era, which we have moved out of, was much more rigid. That was the era of science versus religion. That was the era of mocking religion. Post-modernity is the era of "we'll see." There is a lot more curiosity, openness, and hopefully more honesty. It is refreshing to hear more of the answer "I don't know." People are starting to break away from the rigid and look for answers. I believe, as I hope you do, that Christianity has the best, most adequate answers to all of the most important questions in life. So I am not afraid to of openness, if I am ready to go out and get the lost. Take courage from that. There is an opportunity here!
The fact that we are becoming post-Christian is a little rougher, but I still see the potential. I said that everybody was "Christian" for the longest time in America-- it was just what we did (similar to Jewish or Muslim traditions today). Christianity was more of a uniting cultural norm that a sanctifying corporate faith. Now people are being forced to be more honest. I had a friend tell me that in the northwest of America you are either a Christian or you aren't; there is no middle ground. I would posit that that's how it should be. I think that when we begin to become more post-Christian we will be forced to either give up a no-longer-convenient faith and cash it in for the humanism that we have been practicing all along, OR we will have to take a stand for the radical calling of Christ. I think it could be revolutionary to the American church. It would shrink massively, but I am convinced more and more that size is a very limited indicator of discipleship. God desires true disciples, not numbers.
Like coffee, we will have to go through a filter. That filter keeps all the distasteful grinds from falling down into your hot coffee. only the coffee, the good stuff that has stayed on the narrow road that leads to life, will remain after the strain. It will eliminate worthless lip-service churches. It will scatter those who go to church for a social gathering. I think the church would be forced to be genuine or die.
I think that Christianity has been taken for granted and abused by us Americans, at times. However, I am hopeful that we will continue to head the right direction. I think the landscapes and the strategies are going to evolve, but Christ will remain the cornerstone of the true church. I am excited to have the opportunity to deliver the Gospel to the open minds of our generation. I would like to invite you to join in with me. If you aren't sure if your faith is genuine, ask the mature Christian who knows you because it's time to find out. If you are true, let's do our job and go out to get people. We have a mission field everywhere we step.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Grind
If you are reading this blog right now, odds are that you are doing just fine. I'm doing fine, and if I know you half-way then you are probably okay too. Sure I have my problems, and I don't want to belittle your pains too much, but we're all doing okay.
I am being expanded in my understanding of the world lately. I lived in the suburban part of Topeka for 18 years and always drove past the "ghetto" with locked doors and rolled up windows. Out of sight, out of mind. Now I live in Joplin, a small town in southwest Missouri, USA. People are different here. There are a lot of homeless people here, and there are a lot who are close to it. There is a large working class here. There are lots of single moms, jailmate's children, and so many kids with a divided household. People are striving day-to-day to provide for themselves and their kids.
What I hope you realize is that we live in a fairytale. Everyone that I know, especially those willing to read my blog, is a capable, able-minding, physically stable person. I am ashamed to talk about any trials that I've had in my life. I have no horror stories, no drug-addicted parents, no homeless or foodless nights. I am ashamed of any complaint that I've ever had. We are living a fairytale in the sense that we have never been found wanting. Call me a liar after you turn off your computer and you lay in your own bed tonight. Also, in reality we are the minority. Most people are constantly grinding and striving for meager wages. I am sitting in a college dorm on my own laptop, none of which I paid for...don't take that for granted, but don't feel so "blessed" that you think the simple acknowledgement of your blessed status gives you the right to shrug an apathetic shoulder toward those in the gutter.
Now, my Christian family, there is even more to the story. I was doing some training for work, and my instructor told a story of a man who lost mobility from an accident. Another man in my class said, "Wouldn't it just be better to die? I mean you can't do anything on your own?" I laughed quietly, like a fool. Because I thought this guy was so short-sighted that it was laughable. That's because I've lost sight of the grind. People without Christ have no idea to deal with catastrophe. I am that arrogant jerk who forgot to relate to those lost people who need what I so readily take for granted. I'm know I don't deserve saving, but I really should give it to someone else who will love it more than I do. I need to beg for forgiveness for all that I have taken for granted.
Please friends, don't ever forget how fortunate we are; Christian or not you are not meant to serve yourself. Please don't read this and take it as "good thoughts." I don't care if this feeds your desire to think about how fortunate you are if you aren't going to do anything about it. Stop being afraid of homeless people and remember that society once considered them just as much "real people" as you and I. Let's stop turning a blind eye and staying in our dream world. Life is truly a grind outside our fairytale.
I am being expanded in my understanding of the world lately. I lived in the suburban part of Topeka for 18 years and always drove past the "ghetto" with locked doors and rolled up windows. Out of sight, out of mind. Now I live in Joplin, a small town in southwest Missouri, USA. People are different here. There are a lot of homeless people here, and there are a lot who are close to it. There is a large working class here. There are lots of single moms, jailmate's children, and so many kids with a divided household. People are striving day-to-day to provide for themselves and their kids.
What I hope you realize is that we live in a fairytale. Everyone that I know, especially those willing to read my blog, is a capable, able-minding, physically stable person. I am ashamed to talk about any trials that I've had in my life. I have no horror stories, no drug-addicted parents, no homeless or foodless nights. I am ashamed of any complaint that I've ever had. We are living a fairytale in the sense that we have never been found wanting. Call me a liar after you turn off your computer and you lay in your own bed tonight. Also, in reality we are the minority. Most people are constantly grinding and striving for meager wages. I am sitting in a college dorm on my own laptop, none of which I paid for...don't take that for granted, but don't feel so "blessed" that you think the simple acknowledgement of your blessed status gives you the right to shrug an apathetic shoulder toward those in the gutter.
Now, my Christian family, there is even more to the story. I was doing some training for work, and my instructor told a story of a man who lost mobility from an accident. Another man in my class said, "Wouldn't it just be better to die? I mean you can't do anything on your own?" I laughed quietly, like a fool. Because I thought this guy was so short-sighted that it was laughable. That's because I've lost sight of the grind. People without Christ have no idea to deal with catastrophe. I am that arrogant jerk who forgot to relate to those lost people who need what I so readily take for granted. I'm know I don't deserve saving, but I really should give it to someone else who will love it more than I do. I need to beg for forgiveness for all that I have taken for granted.
Please friends, don't ever forget how fortunate we are; Christian or not you are not meant to serve yourself. Please don't read this and take it as "good thoughts." I don't care if this feeds your desire to think about how fortunate you are if you aren't going to do anything about it. Stop being afraid of homeless people and remember that society once considered them just as much "real people" as you and I. Let's stop turning a blind eye and staying in our dream world. Life is truly a grind outside our fairytale.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Excuse Me
If there's one thing I really get tired of hearing it's the phrase "that's just how he/she is." Another example is the idea of coming to church "just as you are." I totally agree that you don't wait until you're sanctified to start going to church, and church is a place for sinners and saints alike. However, I beg you to come as you are, but don't leave the same. Come broken and tired, but leave closer to Jesus than before. In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul talks about a man who is immoral and the church who is boasting about their acceptance. Acceptance is good, but tolerance won't cut it. Paul is essentially saying that that man knows better and has done nothing to change. Paul's conclusion is that that brother must be left to destruction, so that maybe he will be saved. That's kind of a tough love concept.
Back to the first statement though. "That's just John man..." If you're a Christian, that phrase is a total load. I probably harp on tough love more than is necessary, but bear with me in this. I don't understand the Biblical basis for that phrase. When did Jesus ever challenge a crowd to do something radical and say, "Except you, Ned, I know how you are...You...you just do your best." Not once. He calls all men everywhere to account. I dare you to stand before the thrown on the final day and say, "You gotta understand, Jesus. You know how I was raised. My parents were out of the picture, and..." God won't look at you and agree to let you slide by.
Don't get me wrong, there is a time when upbringing issues are relevant. They are relevant as a baby Christian, and they are relevant as explanations but never excuses. Your behavior can be explained by a poor upbringing, but never excused by a poor upbringing. Jesus understands, but he also calls us to new life.
When you truly give your life to Christ, your past becomes irrelevant. It's not where you come from, but where you are. There are many examples of the old you being gone (Gal 2:20, 5:24; Rom 6; Eph 2:1-3). If you are truly in Christ the old you is dead. That person never existed as far as Christ is concerned. That's crazy hard for us to grasp. But we need to grasp it and start living a redeemed life, not a redeeming one. So when someone says, "Well that's just the way I am," they are discrediting the work of the cross. That is why the excuse doesn't stand. You are being renewed!
If anybody could use their upbringing as an excuse, it would be Paul. He was considered beyond righteous for his persecution of the heretical Christians. He made it to middle-adulthood with the same mindset. He was set in his ways, and ignorant to the truth. Yet, he never once excused himself on the grounds of ignorance or upbringing. He took responsibility for his actions and changed so radically. If we were Paul, we could throw excuses out for every mistake we made. Romans is testimony against our excuses.
We have lost our right to excuses. Take responsibility for your actions. Shoot, let's admit when we are wrong! The challenge for all of us is to root out all the excuses in our lives. That may mean going back in the past to admit wrongs and own up for our mistakes. This isn't easy, but that's the cross. Responsibility is a part of our new life in Christ. Romans 12:2. I love you guys, thank you for reading!
Back to the first statement though. "That's just John man..." If you're a Christian, that phrase is a total load. I probably harp on tough love more than is necessary, but bear with me in this. I don't understand the Biblical basis for that phrase. When did Jesus ever challenge a crowd to do something radical and say, "Except you, Ned, I know how you are...You...you just do your best." Not once. He calls all men everywhere to account. I dare you to stand before the thrown on the final day and say, "You gotta understand, Jesus. You know how I was raised. My parents were out of the picture, and..." God won't look at you and agree to let you slide by.
Don't get me wrong, there is a time when upbringing issues are relevant. They are relevant as a baby Christian, and they are relevant as explanations but never excuses. Your behavior can be explained by a poor upbringing, but never excused by a poor upbringing. Jesus understands, but he also calls us to new life.
When you truly give your life to Christ, your past becomes irrelevant. It's not where you come from, but where you are. There are many examples of the old you being gone (Gal 2:20, 5:24; Rom 6; Eph 2:1-3). If you are truly in Christ the old you is dead. That person never existed as far as Christ is concerned. That's crazy hard for us to grasp. But we need to grasp it and start living a redeemed life, not a redeeming one. So when someone says, "Well that's just the way I am," they are discrediting the work of the cross. That is why the excuse doesn't stand. You are being renewed!
If anybody could use their upbringing as an excuse, it would be Paul. He was considered beyond righteous for his persecution of the heretical Christians. He made it to middle-adulthood with the same mindset. He was set in his ways, and ignorant to the truth. Yet, he never once excused himself on the grounds of ignorance or upbringing. He took responsibility for his actions and changed so radically. If we were Paul, we could throw excuses out for every mistake we made. Romans is testimony against our excuses.
We have lost our right to excuses. Take responsibility for your actions. Shoot, let's admit when we are wrong! The challenge for all of us is to root out all the excuses in our lives. That may mean going back in the past to admit wrongs and own up for our mistakes. This isn't easy, but that's the cross. Responsibility is a part of our new life in Christ. Romans 12:2. I love you guys, thank you for reading!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Why I Hate Word Games, but Love Jesus
Everybody and their mom has seen the video Why I Hate Religion, but Love Jesus. It has got quite an incredible amount of views, attention, and flak. I watched it and loved it, but when I looked at some of the reactions to the video I had to change position. This isn't cause I think he is wrong, but the word games he plays are harmful. I don't think people can see past the wordage to see the heart of the message. So let me try to explain the heart of Jeff's message and tell you why the message may not have been done the best way.
I think we have to consider Acts 17 when Paul is in Athens when we talk about religious people. Paul tells the men of Athens that "in every way you are very religious." Of course they believed in false gods, but he calls them very religious. From the way the Athenians lived their lives you probably wouldn't have been able to tell that they had any sense of morality. So although they are very religious, they're lives didn't reflect it. I think this is the kind of thing Jeff was trying to address. So to avoid the horrific word games, and debate over terms, I would like to rephrase his point. Why I hate being churchy, but love being the church.
I understand the desire to play these word games, but they are easy to see through and leave the point behind. Religion has gotten a black eye, and that's why all of us get uneasy when mentioning "religion." Religion has brought pain, bigotry, elitism, ignorance, violence, hatred, factions, war, crusades, 9/11, and on-and-on. So many horrible things have been done in the name of religion. I understand all that, but all that stuff is a result of corruption. Because of religion's poor track record, we feel the need to protect ourselves by disassociation. I understand completely, but word games are not the best solution.
I think we can all admit (it is obvious in my life) that we are a highly cynical bunch. We live in a time where criticism is all we offer- vague compliments and specific criticisms. It is a cardinal rule of the Christian walk that if you have a criticism, you offer a solution. So let's solve the problem.
If we are defining terms, and being real about it, Jesus was a religious figure. I think Jeff would never argue against that. Strictly speaking Jesus is religious. However, he brought forth such a different kind of religion. He broke the status-quot of religion by initiating in a relationship with man. The whole "it's not a religion, it's a relationship" idea is what I think Jeff is going for. I don't like cheesy little sayings like that, but Jesus was really a game changer. The religious people of Jesus' day were his biggest problem. The sinners acting like sinners is understandable, but the religious? There lies the heart of the issue. Jesus doesn't require us to be religious, per-say, but he does require us to live by a set of moral standards (which is part of a religion). Religion is seen nowadays as something much different than a lifestyle; rather something that you can put down and pick back up when convenient. That doesn't mean we have to throw away the term religion, but we do have to redeem it.
I think the biggest thing people are worried about is the church. A lot of criticism towards Jeff comes from people who think he is anti-church. It is obvious from his other videos and sermons that he is not against the church. We are all anti-mediocrity. Churches have been fairly underwhelming, but again that is something to be redeemed. Accountability to the church is not debatable whatsoever. The rogue Christians like Bono are an alarming reflection upon the corruption of churches. However, such churches that leave seekers jaded are likely becoming just a cultural tradition (like most Islamic and Hebrew traditions) and can hardly be considered a church in the first place. Or perhaps people just don't like the authority of the church, in which case it's a sin issue. The church is God's plan A and I find it very humbling to be a part of that. Thank God for the redeeming agency called the church.
I think there is great encouragement to be found in this new video. Firstly, the fact that this video has so many views so fast. Secondly, that although there is so much criticism, there is a lot of critical thinking happening as a result. People obviously care about this issue! Check out what he has to say for himself on Facebook. There is just a lot of emotion and mess involved when word games get involved. It can really betray the heart of your issue. That is why I hate word games, but love Jesus. Grace and peace to you all.
I think we have to consider Acts 17 when Paul is in Athens when we talk about religious people. Paul tells the men of Athens that "in every way you are very religious." Of course they believed in false gods, but he calls them very religious. From the way the Athenians lived their lives you probably wouldn't have been able to tell that they had any sense of morality. So although they are very religious, they're lives didn't reflect it. I think this is the kind of thing Jeff was trying to address. So to avoid the horrific word games, and debate over terms, I would like to rephrase his point. Why I hate being churchy, but love being the church.
I understand the desire to play these word games, but they are easy to see through and leave the point behind. Religion has gotten a black eye, and that's why all of us get uneasy when mentioning "religion." Religion has brought pain, bigotry, elitism, ignorance, violence, hatred, factions, war, crusades, 9/11, and on-and-on. So many horrible things have been done in the name of religion. I understand all that, but all that stuff is a result of corruption. Because of religion's poor track record, we feel the need to protect ourselves by disassociation. I understand completely, but word games are not the best solution.
I think we can all admit (it is obvious in my life) that we are a highly cynical bunch. We live in a time where criticism is all we offer- vague compliments and specific criticisms. It is a cardinal rule of the Christian walk that if you have a criticism, you offer a solution. So let's solve the problem.
If we are defining terms, and being real about it, Jesus was a religious figure. I think Jeff would never argue against that. Strictly speaking Jesus is religious. However, he brought forth such a different kind of religion. He broke the status-quot of religion by initiating in a relationship with man. The whole "it's not a religion, it's a relationship" idea is what I think Jeff is going for. I don't like cheesy little sayings like that, but Jesus was really a game changer. The religious people of Jesus' day were his biggest problem. The sinners acting like sinners is understandable, but the religious? There lies the heart of the issue. Jesus doesn't require us to be religious, per-say, but he does require us to live by a set of moral standards (which is part of a religion). Religion is seen nowadays as something much different than a lifestyle; rather something that you can put down and pick back up when convenient. That doesn't mean we have to throw away the term religion, but we do have to redeem it.
I think the biggest thing people are worried about is the church. A lot of criticism towards Jeff comes from people who think he is anti-church. It is obvious from his other videos and sermons that he is not against the church. We are all anti-mediocrity. Churches have been fairly underwhelming, but again that is something to be redeemed. Accountability to the church is not debatable whatsoever. The rogue Christians like Bono are an alarming reflection upon the corruption of churches. However, such churches that leave seekers jaded are likely becoming just a cultural tradition (like most Islamic and Hebrew traditions) and can hardly be considered a church in the first place. Or perhaps people just don't like the authority of the church, in which case it's a sin issue. The church is God's plan A and I find it very humbling to be a part of that. Thank God for the redeeming agency called the church.
I think there is great encouragement to be found in this new video. Firstly, the fact that this video has so many views so fast. Secondly, that although there is so much criticism, there is a lot of critical thinking happening as a result. People obviously care about this issue! Check out what he has to say for himself on Facebook. There is just a lot of emotion and mess involved when word games get involved. It can really betray the heart of your issue. That is why I hate word games, but love Jesus. Grace and peace to you all.
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