The Psalmists asks in Psalm 15 - - Who may dwell in your sanctuary? . . . who keeps his oath even when it hurts (v.4).
This is not an article that seeks to conform everyone to a single communicaiton profile. This is an article calling people who are leaders at various levels in the body of Christ to honor Him. Let me elaborate for just a moment.
If your Voice Mail message tells the caller that you will call them back and you do not, you have just lied. You are not obligated to return calls unless - - you tell the caller you will. If you tell the caller you will, then you must or you bring shame to the LORD you claim to serve. Further, most callers are not served in any meaningful way by a return call 9 days later! Another stinker is your secretary asking if she can transfer the call to your Vocie Mail. The caller then hears a message that says - - 'Sorry, this message box is full'. How many months has it been since this task was completed? Further, what does this say about you as a Leader?
Leadership is largely a matter of trust. Failure to honor communication protocol is a violation of trust and thus a significant detriment to your ability to lead. If your Voice Mail message tells the caller you will return their call then do it. Do it within 3 hours. If you do not intend to respond to emails in any timely manner, send those who serve with you a message telling them that you simply do not correspond via email. What you cannot do is keep people hanging. They don't know if you received their message. They don't know if you did receive it but are not willing to respond for whatever reason. They don't know if you died!
Bottom line is this. Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes'. Have a communication protocol that honors Christ and abide by the parameters you used to shape that profile. If you do not return calls, put that on your Voice Mail message. At least the caller knows what to expect. Ministry will be much more satisfying if everyone has and applies good ethics in the realm of communicaitons.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Preaching that Transforms
Preaching has fallen on hard times. Attend a service in the current church culture in America and you may encounter Drama, Dance, Mime, Choreographed productions, Videos and the list goes on. There is a high probability that what you will NOT find is Preaching That Transforms.
There are those who would celebrate this condition. They would claim that preaching is an anachronistic endeavor no longer applicable or appropriate for the church of the 21st century. There are those who would claim to be "preaching", but what they are engaged in is a discussion about the Bible, but not the proclamation of the Truth claims of the text. My focus in this brief article is to champion the glorious art of preaching that God has used over the centuries to Transform His people - - preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2). To accomplish this end I offer the following definitions to guide our thinking.
•Preaching is "the communication of Truth through personality" (Phillips Brooks). Brooks described the ministry as "the noblest and most glorious calling to which a man can give himself."
•Transformation - is the objective and observable positive change in the life of a disciple into the character and likeness of Jesus Christ.
•Disciple - is a Believer who is becoming more like Christ. Their Transformation is consistent, objective and measurable. Transformation comes from the study of the Scriptures, applying the precepts and principles in daily living, and imitating the life of a disciple as modeled by mature believers. There is a deliberate and intentional effort to obey all that Christ has commanded (Matt. 28:19-20).
To accomplish transformation and make disciples fully formed in the image of Christ the following four (4) factors are essential to preach with an effectiveness that transforms.
Authority - the Bible must be recognized as the Word of God. It is His Special Revelation of His person and purpose in securing a people for Himself out of every tribe and tongue and nation. Christ actually accomplished redemption for sinners. He came to save. It is Truth Absolute.
History - The unfolding events recorded in the text are the Drama of Redemption. Every artifact unearthed by the archeologist confirms the accuracy and reliability of the text. Yes Virginia, there really is a Xerxes! The Bible is reliable history.
Exegesis - Words and their relationships give meaning to language. God chose to communicate with words. The Masoretic text of the OT and the Koine' Greek of the NT are dead languages, the meaning of words does not change. When we exercise the discipline to understand with accuracy what the text is saying, we know with certainty what God designed for our good and His glory.
Application - The preacher must guide the listener into an understanding of the historical context revealed in the text. He then must make proper and legitimate application of that revelation to life in the 21st century. Technology is exploding the parameters of scientific understanding. Cultures differ across geographic landscapes. However, the revelation of our God to mankind is binding upon all people for all time. It is the joyful privilege of the exegete to unfold the text and its application to life today. We lead God's people to obey all that Jesus has commanded and to find His Grace abundant and infinite.
"It is an enormous privilege to be called to preach in the contemporary world, to be a biblical expositor! For one then stands in the pulpit, with God's Word in his hands, God's Spirit in his heart, God's people before his eyes, waiting expectantly for God's voice to be heard and obeyed." (John Stott, Christian Preaching in the Contemporary World).
So pastor, what is your transformation quotient? God is our judge, but are you striving to communicate the Truth, the revelation of God that will bring about transformation in the flock entrusted to you?
There are those who would celebrate this condition. They would claim that preaching is an anachronistic endeavor no longer applicable or appropriate for the church of the 21st century. There are those who would claim to be "preaching", but what they are engaged in is a discussion about the Bible, but not the proclamation of the Truth claims of the text. My focus in this brief article is to champion the glorious art of preaching that God has used over the centuries to Transform His people - - preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2). To accomplish this end I offer the following definitions to guide our thinking.
•Preaching is "the communication of Truth through personality" (Phillips Brooks). Brooks described the ministry as "the noblest and most glorious calling to which a man can give himself."
•Transformation - is the objective and observable positive change in the life of a disciple into the character and likeness of Jesus Christ.
•Disciple - is a Believer who is becoming more like Christ. Their Transformation is consistent, objective and measurable. Transformation comes from the study of the Scriptures, applying the precepts and principles in daily living, and imitating the life of a disciple as modeled by mature believers. There is a deliberate and intentional effort to obey all that Christ has commanded (Matt. 28:19-20).
To accomplish transformation and make disciples fully formed in the image of Christ the following four (4) factors are essential to preach with an effectiveness that transforms.
Authority - the Bible must be recognized as the Word of God. It is His Special Revelation of His person and purpose in securing a people for Himself out of every tribe and tongue and nation. Christ actually accomplished redemption for sinners. He came to save. It is Truth Absolute.
History - The unfolding events recorded in the text are the Drama of Redemption. Every artifact unearthed by the archeologist confirms the accuracy and reliability of the text. Yes Virginia, there really is a Xerxes! The Bible is reliable history.
Exegesis - Words and their relationships give meaning to language. God chose to communicate with words. The Masoretic text of the OT and the Koine' Greek of the NT are dead languages, the meaning of words does not change. When we exercise the discipline to understand with accuracy what the text is saying, we know with certainty what God designed for our good and His glory.
Application - The preacher must guide the listener into an understanding of the historical context revealed in the text. He then must make proper and legitimate application of that revelation to life in the 21st century. Technology is exploding the parameters of scientific understanding. Cultures differ across geographic landscapes. However, the revelation of our God to mankind is binding upon all people for all time. It is the joyful privilege of the exegete to unfold the text and its application to life today. We lead God's people to obey all that Jesus has commanded and to find His Grace abundant and infinite.
"It is an enormous privilege to be called to preach in the contemporary world, to be a biblical expositor! For one then stands in the pulpit, with God's Word in his hands, God's Spirit in his heart, God's people before his eyes, waiting expectantly for God's voice to be heard and obeyed." (John Stott, Christian Preaching in the Contemporary World).
So pastor, what is your transformation quotient? God is our judge, but are you striving to communicate the Truth, the revelation of God that will bring about transformation in the flock entrusted to you?
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