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 They would claim that preaching is an anachronistic endeavor no longer applicable or appropriate for the church of the 21st century.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?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Evangelical Manifesto
The Evangelical Manifesto - WOW! Where there is smoke there is FIRE! What have you read and what are your thoughts on this document labeled a "Manifesto"?
Tell us what you think. How does this topic, or the topic on transformation effect your ministry? What would you share with fellow leaders in the Church?
Tell us what you think. How does this topic, or the topic on transformation effect your ministry? What would you share with fellow leaders in the Church?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
What kind of faith do you have?
Jesus asked a probing and straight forward question. When He comes again, will he find this kind of faith on the earth? What kind? The kind that always prays and never acts badly in difficult circumstances. The kind that does not become weary, or tired of doing the work of the kingdom. The kind that holds out successfully. The kind that does not give up, does not become discouraged and does not lose heart!
So pastor, the question to you on this May morning is this -'What kind of faith do you have'? Peter, writing in the midst of some profoundly difficult circumstances, tells us that we have been birthed into a 'living hope'. The application is this pastor. God will use YOU as His instrument to bring Transformation to the ministry in which you serve. Are you willing to surrender and do what is required to see Transformation birthed where you serve, or, are you SKEPTICAL?
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things 'above all that we ask or think --Andrew Murray
"To the man who prays habitually (not only when he feels like it-that is one of the snares of religion-but also when he does not feel like it) Christ is sure to make Himself real." --James Stewart
How would you rate your "Persistent Prayer" quotient on a scale of 0 -- 10?
So pastor, the question to you on this May morning is this -'What kind of faith do you have'? Peter, writing in the midst of some profoundly difficult circumstances, tells us that we have been birthed into a 'living hope'. The application is this pastor. God will use YOU as His instrument to bring Transformation to the ministry in which you serve. Are you willing to surrender and do what is required to see Transformation birthed where you serve, or, are you SKEPTICAL?
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things 'above all that we ask or think --Andrew Murray
"To the man who prays habitually (not only when he feels like it-that is one of the snares of religion-but also when he does not feel like it) Christ is sure to make Himself real." --James Stewart
How would you rate your "Persistent Prayer" quotient on a scale of 0 -- 10?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Are you a hearer and a doer?
Well Pastor, do you hear and do what the Scripture says, or, are you a hearer only?
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matt. 7:24, ESV).
Jesus speaks with profound clarity. The one who hears and does builds a house that survives the ravages of the storm. By implication, if you merely hear, the house you build will be reduced to rubble by those same storms. There is a very important parallel in this account for local church ministry and for those who profess to be Leaders. The 'house' in this analogy represents the lives of God's people. Jesus has immense concern for these people. He has given Leaders the resources necessary to produce Transformation which is clearly the goal (Col. 1:28).
If you merely know about Transformation, but do not offer and implement the ministry structures and venues that God uses to produce the image of Christ in the lives of His people, you are forming sand castles rather than fortresses. You are focused on those things that matter least. You are producing disciples who are shallow, impotent and subject to every influence the culture throws at them (Eph. 4:11-16).
So what has been your experience? What would you share with other pastors about glorious victories or even lessons learned as you make this journey?
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matt. 7:24, ESV).
Jesus speaks with profound clarity. The one who hears and does builds a house that survives the ravages of the storm. By implication, if you merely hear, the house you build will be reduced to rubble by those same storms. There is a very important parallel in this account for local church ministry and for those who profess to be Leaders. The 'house' in this analogy represents the lives of God's people. Jesus has immense concern for these people. He has given Leaders the resources necessary to produce Transformation which is clearly the goal (Col. 1:28).
If you merely know about Transformation, but do not offer and implement the ministry structures and venues that God uses to produce the image of Christ in the lives of His people, you are forming sand castles rather than fortresses. You are focused on those things that matter least. You are producing disciples who are shallow, impotent and subject to every influence the culture throws at them (Eph. 4:11-16).
So what has been your experience? What would you share with other pastors about glorious victories or even lessons learned as you make this journey?
Saturday, March 15, 2008
What is the role of preaching in the church today?
What is the role of preaching in the church today?
Book Review of Pagan Christianity by Barna and Viola
The Positive Factors
The authors have pulled back the curtain on a number of sacred cows; Sunday School (pp. 212-213), the Altar Call (pp.64-68), the Decision Card, Jesus as Personal Savior, the Goal of Preaching is Soul Winning, all in Chapter 3, pp. 47-84. The documentation they offer and most of the rationale is solid. Many of these 'cows' should have been slain long ago. Bill Easum wrote a book titiled Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers. Barna & Viola had a super barbecue in this chapter alone! There is no question that these issues came to be regarded in the evangelical community as though they had support in the text of Scripture. They do not and most of them have proven extremely detrimental to the progress of the gospel and the kingdom for many years. Further, any pastor who did not promote and support these practices was considered a heretic at best. The authors did a credible service to the church by bringing these things to light with documented support. They show with clarity that these issues are primarily appendages, barnacles that attached themselves to the fabric and life of the church.
The Negative Factors
In most instances they prove too much. For example, we should not have church buildings. Is there far too much invested in the establisment and preservation of facilities? Yes. Does that prove that we should not have a campus, a building? No. the facility where I pastor is utilized actively on average 70+ hours per week. Most people are not in their private homes 70 hours per week. Does this then prove we should not have homes? I think not. Jesus did not drive a car. Therefore, neither should we? In many cases they built a 'straw man' and then torched him. Exciting, but not great scholarship or logic.
Summary
When the reader finishes this book he will say, WOW! In Chapter Four (4) the authors write with an utter disdain for preaching. I have heard some that deserves this assessment. However, that is not true of the process and practice of same. Their claim is that it does not produces change in the listener and that it is merely passive. In Acts 2:42 we read that the listeners 'attached themselves to ' the teaching of the Apostles (προσκαρτεροῦντες). Preaching is largely monologic as practiced today. However, in the first century the church met every day (Acts 2:46). Are we to believe that they never discussed, dialogued about the content of the message? Absurd. In many churches the Sunday Sermon becomes the focal point of discussion in Small Groups. Without the content of the message delivered on Sunday this sharing and exchange is robbed of substance. Do a word search on preach or preaching and discover what the text says about preaching. I suggest we follow the text. Further, the authors do not deal with the ultimate design of 'the church'. That is found in Rom 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; and Col. 1:28 - Transformation. I would agree that IF the ONLY venue a person engages each week is a monologue sermon, they will very likely not be transfromed. Having said that, the failure to be transformed is not the fault of the sermon, but, the failure of the person to live "life in community" as God designed for His people. Church is not a one hour per week gig in an auditorium looking at the back of the head of the person in front of you. It matters not whether they are seated in a pew, on a chair or on the floor! The transformation of the body requires specific venues, all designed to provide a strategic component in the Transformation process - - Worship (this includes Preaching), Fellowship (Instruction & Sharing) and Intimacy & Accountability (Small Groups).
Book Review of Pagan Christianity by Barna and Viola
The Positive Factors
The authors have pulled back the curtain on a number of sacred cows; Sunday School (pp. 212-213), the Altar Call (pp.64-68), the Decision Card, Jesus as Personal Savior, the Goal of Preaching is Soul Winning, all in Chapter 3, pp. 47-84. The documentation they offer and most of the rationale is solid. Many of these 'cows' should have been slain long ago. Bill Easum wrote a book titiled Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers. Barna & Viola had a super barbecue in this chapter alone! There is no question that these issues came to be regarded in the evangelical community as though they had support in the text of Scripture. They do not and most of them have proven extremely detrimental to the progress of the gospel and the kingdom for many years. Further, any pastor who did not promote and support these practices was considered a heretic at best. The authors did a credible service to the church by bringing these things to light with documented support. They show with clarity that these issues are primarily appendages, barnacles that attached themselves to the fabric and life of the church.
The Negative Factors
In most instances they prove too much. For example, we should not have church buildings. Is there far too much invested in the establisment and preservation of facilities? Yes. Does that prove that we should not have a campus, a building? No. the facility where I pastor is utilized actively on average 70+ hours per week. Most people are not in their private homes 70 hours per week. Does this then prove we should not have homes? I think not. Jesus did not drive a car. Therefore, neither should we? In many cases they built a 'straw man' and then torched him. Exciting, but not great scholarship or logic.
Summary
When the reader finishes this book he will say, WOW! In Chapter Four (4) the authors write with an utter disdain for preaching. I have heard some that deserves this assessment. However, that is not true of the process and practice of same. Their claim is that it does not produces change in the listener and that it is merely passive. In Acts 2:42 we read that the listeners 'attached themselves to ' the teaching of the Apostles (προσκαρτεροῦντες). Preaching is largely monologic as practiced today. However, in the first century the church met every day (Acts 2:46). Are we to believe that they never discussed, dialogued about the content of the message? Absurd. In many churches the Sunday Sermon becomes the focal point of discussion in Small Groups. Without the content of the message delivered on Sunday this sharing and exchange is robbed of substance. Do a word search on preach or preaching and discover what the text says about preaching. I suggest we follow the text. Further, the authors do not deal with the ultimate design of 'the church'. That is found in Rom 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; and Col. 1:28 - Transformation. I would agree that IF the ONLY venue a person engages each week is a monologue sermon, they will very likely not be transfromed. Having said that, the failure to be transformed is not the fault of the sermon, but, the failure of the person to live "life in community" as God designed for His people. Church is not a one hour per week gig in an auditorium looking at the back of the head of the person in front of you. It matters not whether they are seated in a pew, on a chair or on the floor! The transformation of the body requires specific venues, all designed to provide a strategic component in the Transformation process - - Worship (this includes Preaching), Fellowship (Instruction & Sharing) and Intimacy & Accountability (Small Groups).
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Old Picnic Tables & Persevering Grace
Sunny, warm, blue skies and 68 degrees. All signs of the not to distant Spring. In SC we call this Winter!! I worked in our yard today. One of my tasks was the final dismanteling and discarding of an old picnic table (28+ years old).
This piece of outdoor furniture had been well preserved. Each season I sanded the surface and applied copious doses of polyurathane to protect it from the elements. We paid $79 for this table and benches in 1980. Our 3 children enjoyed many burgers and much laughter gathered around this stalwart of summer fun. We moved three (3) times in those 28 years. Each time it was re-assembled and faithfully did it's summer duty with loved ones gathered around it's oft re-furburished surface.
While the reliable functionality of this table had long since passed, it was still a considerable effort to reduce it to pieces small enough for the "politcally correct" trash haulers to cart away. It resisted with gusto. It did not yield to the "final passage" qucikly or simply. There remained a teancity to fulfill the purpose for which it was created.
As I strained to reduce it to the status of "just trash" it ocurred to me that this is parallel to God's abundant GRACE in our lives. In Regeneration, He has acted to 'make the most of us'. Each morning His mercies are abundant and new. His grace is sufficient. His cleansing and forgiveness are ours through confession and repentance of sin. He daily "re-finishes" us and keeps us in service. What a GREAT God we serve.
The best news - - at the end of our days, we will not be discarded. We will be made "COMPLETELY NEW". And, as David said, "We will be satisfied when we awake with His likeness" (Psalm 17:15).
This piece of outdoor furniture had been well preserved. Each season I sanded the surface and applied copious doses of polyurathane to protect it from the elements. We paid $79 for this table and benches in 1980. Our 3 children enjoyed many burgers and much laughter gathered around this stalwart of summer fun. We moved three (3) times in those 28 years. Each time it was re-assembled and faithfully did it's summer duty with loved ones gathered around it's oft re-furburished surface.
While the reliable functionality of this table had long since passed, it was still a considerable effort to reduce it to pieces small enough for the "politcally correct" trash haulers to cart away. It resisted with gusto. It did not yield to the "final passage" qucikly or simply. There remained a teancity to fulfill the purpose for which it was created.
As I strained to reduce it to the status of "just trash" it ocurred to me that this is parallel to God's abundant GRACE in our lives. In Regeneration, He has acted to 'make the most of us'. Each morning His mercies are abundant and new. His grace is sufficient. His cleansing and forgiveness are ours through confession and repentance of sin. He daily "re-finishes" us and keeps us in service. What a GREAT God we serve.
The best news - - at the end of our days, we will not be discarded. We will be made "COMPLETELY NEW". And, as David said, "We will be satisfied when we awake with His likeness" (Psalm 17:15).
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