4 Problems

The following post is a repost from Perry Noble at churchleaders.com.

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4 Urgent Problems the Church Needs to Deal With

1. We are answering questions that no one else is asking.  

I’m glad that we can debate theology and know terms that make us seem intelligent and cause other people to scratch their heads; however, at the end of the day people are not asking about the five points of Calvinism, the trichotomy or dichotomy of the Spirit or the peccability/impeccability of Christ!  They are asking “Why is my life falling apart?”  or, “How do I get past the fact that I was sexually molested when I was eight?”  Or, “How do I, as a single mom, lead and provide for my family?”

Too many people are so obsessed with their theological labels, I believe, so that they don’t actually have to do real ministry!

2. We call laziness “authenticity!”  

The church is the bride of Christ–established by Him, purchased by Him and pursued by Him!  We have the promises of God and have been empowered by HIS HOLY SPIRIT!  We should be doing things BETTER than Apple, BETTER than Disney and BETTER than Google!

There is way more at stake with what God has called us to!  And “Spirit Filled” should not equal poorly planned, thrown together and poorly executed! And…no one should say, “I’m doing this for Jesus” and then follow it up with a half-hearted, poor effort.

When it came to redeeming mankind Jesus did not search the back corners of heaven to find some under-challenged angel who had nothing to do…HE came, HE did it, HE paid for the sin of the world!  HE GAVE HIS BEST…His followers should do the same!

What I Learned Today

I just got back from a fellowship I am trying to put together with convicted felons. Over the last few years God has brought several guys into my life and my church who have served prison time ranging from a few months to 20 years; everything from drugs, robbery, and assault and battery. These are all great guys who just need someone to believe in them and encourage them.

Here is what I learned today:

Most of the guys grew up in gangs. Some of the gangs more serious than others. One of the guys was on the rise in the gang known as Gangster Disciples. At the age of 20, while in jail, this guy, now 24, decided to get out of the gang life. Urban legend says that the only way to get out of a gang is to be “beaten” out or killed.

Well, according to this guy, there is another way to get out of a gang that in his words, “every gang everywhere recognizes.” If you proclaim to your gang that you have given your life to Christ, and have proven it through how you live your life, the gang will let you out, no problem, no violence. However, the gang will watch you, and if at sometime in the future it is obvious to them that you are not “living the Christian life,” then you could get beat up or killed. But, if you have given your life to Christ, and live that life, they will let you out and respect your decision.

I found that interesting.

Two questions:

1. Would how I live my life convince a gang member that I am really a Christian?

2. Does the average gang member have more respect for Christ than the average Christian?

What do you think?

Are We Arguing the Wrong Point?

President Obama drew a line in the sand the other day by siding with same-sex marriages.

Over the weekend, Mitt Romney declared during a graduation speech that marriage between one man and one woman is an enduring institution that should be defended.

Last week North Carolina became the 30th state to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.

Several ministers I know believe the issue of same-sex marriage will be the defining issue among evangelical churches.

Between now and November the debate and the rhetoric will intensify.

However, it is my opinion that most evangelicals are arguing the wrong point.

Just a Little Fun on a Saturday Morning

Summer is just around the corner. Chances are you will be dragged to picnics, pool parties, weddings, family reunions, and other things you would rather not attend. But it’s summer and you are expected to come out of hibernation and socialize. Some of the events you have to attend will be boring and you will be surrounded by people you don’t like, or who get on your nerves, or who are just downright strange. Many of those people will be “conservatives.” They will also be Christians. So, to keep things interesting, and to help time quickly pass, here are some things you can say that’s sure to get a reaction. You don’t necessarily have to believe these things, just say them with forged conviction and have fun. Not only am I going to tell you what to say, I am going to tell you what to expect in terms of a reply. You can thank me later:

You: “You know, I think those occupiers make some good points.”

(Warning: After you make this statement, as well as the statement to follow, make sure you take a couple of steps away, and cover your hamburger with a napkin to protect it, and you, from collateral damage caused by flying saliva.)

Response: “Oh no! Don’t tell me you have bought into all the lies that the left-wing, socialist media has been telling you. Haven’t you heard of all…” (at this point you will hear about all the violence and crime and rapes and unsanitary conditions that have taken place during all the protests; of course none of those things have anything to do with your original statement.)

Jobs for Life Graduation

Dr. John Perkins has said, “The best welfare system is a job.” I could not agree more. We were created and designed to work (see Genesis 2:15). When people do not have a job they feel a sense of helplessness and desperation. Work (any and all work) gives a person dignity.

For a few years now I have been walking with people who are unemployed. It has been a difficult journey. My heart breaks for the unemployed. I have been praying about how to help people get jobs. The answer to my prayers has been found in a national, biblically based, program called Jobs for Life (click here to go to their webpage and please watch their 2 minute video called “Flip the List”). Today, Sunday, April 29th, our church celebrated our first graduating class. We incorporated graduation into our worship service and then enjoyed a fellowship lunch together.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of our church. We have caught the vision of community development and multi-ethnic worship. It is absolutely amazing to see what God is doing! Words can’t describe what a joy it was to see 8 people filled with hope, confidence, and optimism about their future. Some of them already have jobs. Others have had interviews and are waiting for call-backs. We are committed to walk with them no matter how long it takes.

I have attached two pictures of our graduation to this post. There are many more on my facebook page. Our next Jobs for Life class starts Saturday, September 22nd.

Thank You God, for answering my prayers.

The Politics of Fear

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)

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I despise politics, and the older I get the more I despise it. Don’t get me wrong, I follow politics, I listen to talk-radio, I watch FOX, CNN, Ed Shultz, Rachel Maddow, and I listen to Rush Limbaugh. The only thing worse than politics is the politics of fear, and that seems to be the main tool both sides use.

One side of the political spectrum says another 4 years of Pres. Obama will spell the end of the United States. A vote for Obama is a vote for socialism. Obama wants to turn us into a Muslim nation. Obama hates the constitution, he is evil, he is the anti-christ. We are all doomed if he wins another 4 years, etc., etc., etc.

It gets very tiring.

Conversation with the Emerging Church (part two)

Lately, there has been a lot written about the faith (or lack of faith) among millenials. (Here is a link to one of many articles.) In 2007, along with Dr. Kevin Hester, I wrote a two-part series of articles for ONE magazine dealing wtih the emerging church. With all the news coming out about millenials, I thought it would be good to reprint those articles here. Below is part two of that series. (I will provide links to Dr. Hester’s articles. Here is his part two.)

CONVERSATION WITH THE EMERGING CHURCH (PART TWO)

By Kevin Riggs

Recently, while talking to a group of Christian university students, the subject of absolute truth arose. I passionately explained how essential truth is to Christian faith and morality. They all nodded in agreement. I was pleased, confident that they were eagerly accepting my statements…until I asked a simple question: How would you define absolute truth? [1]

Conversation With the Emerging Church

Lately, there has been a lot written about the faith (or lack of faith) among millenials. (Here is a link to one of many articles.) In 2007, along with Dr. Kevin Hester, I wrote a two-part series of articles for ONE magazine dealing wtih the emerging church. With all the news coming out about millenials, I thought it would be good to reprint those articles here. Below is part one of that series. (I will provide links to Dr. Hester’s articles. Here is his part one.)

Our Greatest Need

I have  been reading and studying some material to prepare a six-week series of sermons on social justice from a bibilcal perspective. Here are a couple of paragraphs of what I read today. I think these paragraphs are excellent. What do you think:

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“For many, the solution to our problems is the preaching of the Word – renewal through evangelism. For others, it is the filling by the Holy Spirit – renewal through charismatic gifts. For some, it is service to the poor and political action on behalf of justice. And for others, it is acts of resistance to the power and violence of the state. All of the answers are right. Each speaks to a glaring lack in the church’s life, and each contributes to a fuller understanding of what the church is meant to be in the world. But all of the answers are inadequate.

The greatest need in our time is not simply for kerygma, the preaching of the gospel; nor for diakonia, service on behalf of justice; nor for charisma, the experience of the Spirit’s gifts; nor even for propheteia, the challenging of the king. The greatest need of our time is for koinonia, the call simply to be the church, to love one another, and to offer our lives for the sake of the world. The creation of living, breathing, loving communities of faith at the local church level is the foundation of all the other answers. The community of faith incarnates a whole new order, offers a visible and concrete alternative, and issues a basic challenge t othe world as it is. The church must be called to be the church, to rebuild the kind of community that gives substance to the claims of faith.”

- Jim Wallis, The Call to Conversion

A Bumpy Ride

Well, everyone better buckle up their chin strap, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. It’s only April. November is a long way off and the campaign is full throttle. Unfortunately, however, right now the candidates are talking about everything but the issues. Instead of talking about the economy, unemployment, and war, they are talking about dogs, stay-at-home moms, and prostitutes. It’s really sickening.

But, at least there are some good editorial cartoons coming out to lighten the mood. (I have attached three of those cartoons to this post.)

While the candidates and the media are talking about these issues, here are the more important issues that need to be addressed. (In my humble opinion.)