Last week I posted an article that stated the greatest need of the church is prayer. Many churches no longer have prayer meetings during the week nor is prayer an integral component in many churches. We have substituted programming, technology, and education above prayer. and at the same time seen reduced baptisms,less growth, and less impact on our communities. We need to return to an emphasis on prayer.
Today I want to focus on the second greatest need in many churches: a return to the Scriptures. Last week news outlets reported on a message a congresswoman gave during a church service. It was nothing more than a political rallying cry. There may have been an occasional reference to God, but there was nothing in the article that indicated anything in the message that was biblically based. In countless churches across the country the same thing happens each week.
The message may not always be political. It may be a message that promises health and wealth, popularity, and countless self-help messages. Regardless of the focus of the message, it won't come from Scripture.
Some pastors today believe that preaching the Scriptures might offend an attender. One popular mega-pastor now promotes the need for the church to abandon the Old Testament because people struggle to relate to it and many find it offensive.
While many churches are turning away from preaching the Word of God numerous books and publications tell us that is exactly what people seeking a church want to hear. They are tired of easy, greasy preaching that cannot change lives. They're tired of hearing "I'm OK, You're OK" when they know they're not OK. If unchurched people begin attending a church they want one that believes something and isn't afraid to proclaim what it believes.
No minister should ever apologize for preaching the infallible Word of God. It points the way to Jesus Christ and eternal life. It teaches us how to conduct ourselves in this life. The Bible is not a book about God. It is God's Word given to us to teach us how to live. Where the Scriptures are proclaimed from the pulpit there is life, and when they are ignored in the pulpit spiritual death is inevitable.
As the apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy, "Preach the word! be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." Our churches need pastors who will preach the word without compromise and without apology. I urge you to be that kind of pastor.
Monday, July 30, 2018
Friday, July 27, 2018
The greatest need of the church
If you asked a number of churches what they needed most you would likely get a myriad of responses. As a regional leader in our denomination for 14 years I had the opportunity to pose that question to numerous churches. I was told they needed
I've reached the age where people begin rolling their eyes when I begin a statement with "I can remember when...." I get that, and sometimes I roll my eyes as well when others say those words. But, I can remember when many of the churches in our area had a mid-week prayer meeting. I have to wonder if there is a correlation between the decline of such meetings and the reduced impact our churches have on today's society.
Back in 2001 Leonard Sweet wrote Carpe Mañana in which he asked an important question. He wrote, "The church has tried everything except the one thing that is needed. It has tried to be an inclusive church. It has tried to be a confessional church. It has tried to be a program-driven church. It has tried to be a purpose-driven church. It has tried to be a seeker-sensitive church. What if it tried to be a spiritual church?"
The early church met daily for prayer, worship, instruction, and fellowship. They overcame seemingly impossible challenges to turn the world upside down. Study church history and see if you can find a genuine revival that did not begin with prayer.
2 Chronicles 7: 14 still says, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and PRAY and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (Emphasis added)
It has been said that the army of God is the one army that marches on its knees, but we haven't spent much time on our knees lately. I contend the greatest need of the church is for it to fall on its knees and begin to pray that God would begin to heal our land. We need to pray for the lost in our communities. We need to pray for those who are hurting and those who suffer from injustice. Finally, we need to pray and ask God how we can reach out in love and allow those for whom we've prayed to experience Him in a way that will transform their lives.
- More young families
- More children and youth
- More volunteers
- More money
- More effective strategies for ministry and evangelism
- More commitment from their members
- A greater willingness to change
- Lay leaders with spiritual depth
- Better trained pastors
- More denominational support
- And the list goes on...
I've reached the age where people begin rolling their eyes when I begin a statement with "I can remember when...." I get that, and sometimes I roll my eyes as well when others say those words. But, I can remember when many of the churches in our area had a mid-week prayer meeting. I have to wonder if there is a correlation between the decline of such meetings and the reduced impact our churches have on today's society.
Back in 2001 Leonard Sweet wrote Carpe Mañana in which he asked an important question. He wrote, "The church has tried everything except the one thing that is needed. It has tried to be an inclusive church. It has tried to be a confessional church. It has tried to be a program-driven church. It has tried to be a purpose-driven church. It has tried to be a seeker-sensitive church. What if it tried to be a spiritual church?"
The early church met daily for prayer, worship, instruction, and fellowship. They overcame seemingly impossible challenges to turn the world upside down. Study church history and see if you can find a genuine revival that did not begin with prayer.
2 Chronicles 7: 14 still says, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and PRAY and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (Emphasis added)
It has been said that the army of God is the one army that marches on its knees, but we haven't spent much time on our knees lately. I contend the greatest need of the church is for it to fall on its knees and begin to pray that God would begin to heal our land. We need to pray for the lost in our communities. We need to pray for those who are hurting and those who suffer from injustice. Finally, we need to pray and ask God how we can reach out in love and allow those for whom we've prayed to experience Him in a way that will transform their lives.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Suicide
A leader in our community took his life last week. Although we are in a small community, our local newspaper recently reported that we average about one suicide each week. Various groups, including the ministerial association, have been addressing the problem, but so far that figure seems to be holding steady.
I did not know this leader so I know nothing of his life, his faith, or the reasons he decided to end his life. I would assume he was carrying some pain that he no longer felt he could live with. The problem is that suicide does not end the pain. It merely transfers it to other people: family, friends, other loved ones. I've heard several who knew him question whether there was anything they could have done to have prevented this. There is little anyone can do if a person is determined to end his or her life.
After a major stroke my mother attempted to end her life several times. She could never give a reason why except to say that she was tired of living with the limitations she had as a result of the stroke. Once, her counselor called to tell me that she felt Mom was suicidal again. We had her admitted to a hospital until the doctors felt that had passed.
Many pastors serve churches in which family members have lost loved ones to suicide. Occasionally, I hear ministers announce suicide is the unforgivable sin as the one who ends his or her life cannot ask God's forgiveness. This not only reflects very poor theology; it also brings tremendous pain to those whose loved ones ended their lives.
How should pastors address suicide? The first thing is to learn as much as they can about the causes of suicide. As they talk to members of their churches they need to be watching for signs that the person may be considering this step. Such warning signs are not always apparent, but many times they are. Mom's counselor could not tell me that Mom was going to attempt suicide, but she could tell me that she detected signs that she was considering it again. Learn those signs.
The second thing is to develop a good understanding of the grace of God. Is our salvation based upon our asking forgiveness for every sin or is it based on what Christ did for us on the cross? If it is based on our being forgiven for every sin, we are all in trouble because I doubt that anyone asks forgiveness every time they sin.
The third thing is to talk about suicide. We need to let people know there are alternative ways of dealing with the pain in their lives, and that suicide is not the answer. Don't be afraid to address it in sermons and Bible studies. Have it as a topic in a small group. Ask someone qualified to do so to host a recovery group for persons who have lost loved ones to suicide. Work with other area churches and mental health leaders to host a community-wide workshop on preventing suicide in your community. There are many things you can do. Decide what will work best in your community.
I did not know this leader so I know nothing of his life, his faith, or the reasons he decided to end his life. I would assume he was carrying some pain that he no longer felt he could live with. The problem is that suicide does not end the pain. It merely transfers it to other people: family, friends, other loved ones. I've heard several who knew him question whether there was anything they could have done to have prevented this. There is little anyone can do if a person is determined to end his or her life.
After a major stroke my mother attempted to end her life several times. She could never give a reason why except to say that she was tired of living with the limitations she had as a result of the stroke. Once, her counselor called to tell me that she felt Mom was suicidal again. We had her admitted to a hospital until the doctors felt that had passed.
Many pastors serve churches in which family members have lost loved ones to suicide. Occasionally, I hear ministers announce suicide is the unforgivable sin as the one who ends his or her life cannot ask God's forgiveness. This not only reflects very poor theology; it also brings tremendous pain to those whose loved ones ended their lives.
How should pastors address suicide? The first thing is to learn as much as they can about the causes of suicide. As they talk to members of their churches they need to be watching for signs that the person may be considering this step. Such warning signs are not always apparent, but many times they are. Mom's counselor could not tell me that Mom was going to attempt suicide, but she could tell me that she detected signs that she was considering it again. Learn those signs.
The second thing is to develop a good understanding of the grace of God. Is our salvation based upon our asking forgiveness for every sin or is it based on what Christ did for us on the cross? If it is based on our being forgiven for every sin, we are all in trouble because I doubt that anyone asks forgiveness every time they sin.
The third thing is to talk about suicide. We need to let people know there are alternative ways of dealing with the pain in their lives, and that suicide is not the answer. Don't be afraid to address it in sermons and Bible studies. Have it as a topic in a small group. Ask someone qualified to do so to host a recovery group for persons who have lost loved ones to suicide. Work with other area churches and mental health leaders to host a community-wide workshop on preventing suicide in your community. There are many things you can do. Decide what will work best in your community.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Do you really want to improve?
Yesterday evening I read an interesting statement that said if a person really wanted to improve himself or herself that person would already be making the necessary changes. We often talk about wanting to exercise more, eat healthier, lose weight, quit a habit, start a new hobby, learn a new skill, etc., but we never take the first step towards achieving any of the changes we claim we want to make. This is an indication we don't really want to change; we just want to talk like we want to change.
What's true of individuals is true of churches as well. Almost any church will tell you they want to grow, but they never do. The reason for that is they never take the first step towards anything that would encourage growth in their church. They may not be pleased with the size of their church, but they are more displeased with changing anything that might them uncomfortable.
This past Sunday I preached a sermon on "The Consequences of Our Choices." In that message I stated that their church is today what they decided 5 years ago, 10 years ago, and even 20 years ago they wanted it to be." Now, I'm sure nobody made a motion in a business meeting to keep the size of the church at its current level, but decisions made in those meetings impacted the size of the church today. I also told them that their church will be 5 years from now, 10 years from now, and 20 years from now what they decide today they want it to be. Choices have consequences. Decisions impact directions.
Towards the end of my time as a regional minister I was working with a pastor search committee of a small church. I always asked those committees what they wanted in their next pastor. The answer I got that evening was the same I often received, "We want a pastor who will grow our church." That evening I responded with a statement I had never made to a previous search committee. I said, "Are you sure about that? You do know that if you could grow your church by doing what you've been doing you would already be growing. So, are you telling me you want a new pastor who will come in here and change everything so you can grow?" The chair of the committee smiled and said that they might want to reconsider their answer to my earlier question.
No matter where you are in life, you can make changes to improve yourself. No matter the condition of your church, you can make changes to improve the way you do ministry. That is...if you really want to improve.
What's true of individuals is true of churches as well. Almost any church will tell you they want to grow, but they never do. The reason for that is they never take the first step towards anything that would encourage growth in their church. They may not be pleased with the size of their church, but they are more displeased with changing anything that might them uncomfortable.
This past Sunday I preached a sermon on "The Consequences of Our Choices." In that message I stated that their church is today what they decided 5 years ago, 10 years ago, and even 20 years ago they wanted it to be." Now, I'm sure nobody made a motion in a business meeting to keep the size of the church at its current level, but decisions made in those meetings impacted the size of the church today. I also told them that their church will be 5 years from now, 10 years from now, and 20 years from now what they decide today they want it to be. Choices have consequences. Decisions impact directions.
Towards the end of my time as a regional minister I was working with a pastor search committee of a small church. I always asked those committees what they wanted in their next pastor. The answer I got that evening was the same I often received, "We want a pastor who will grow our church." That evening I responded with a statement I had never made to a previous search committee. I said, "Are you sure about that? You do know that if you could grow your church by doing what you've been doing you would already be growing. So, are you telling me you want a new pastor who will come in here and change everything so you can grow?" The chair of the committee smiled and said that they might want to reconsider their answer to my earlier question.
No matter where you are in life, you can make changes to improve yourself. No matter the condition of your church, you can make changes to improve the way you do ministry. That is...if you really want to improve.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
What do people really want?
Jay Leno used to do a regular skit in which he would go into the community and ask people questions about political leaders, how the government works, and general questions about hot topics of the time. Many of the people he interviewed had no idea what he was talking about. Many of the questions could have been answered by many elementary school age children who had been exposed to American history or civics. I would keep thinking to myself, "And these people vote???"
Since the election there have been numerous protests such as we are seeing now that a new Supreme Court justice has been selected by the President. Various people have done on-the-field interviews with some of the protesters. Many of them had no idea why they were there or what they were upset about. In a pre-election clip on the Jimmy Kimmel Show Clinton supporters were given quotes made by Trump during the campaign and told Clinton had made those comments. Virtually every person interviewed said they agreed with the statement when told Clinton had made it.
The sad fact is that many of the most vocal protesters are clueless about why they are protesting or what differences they might actually have with the President and his policies. Usually, the louder someone screams the less they actually have to say. They substitute volume for substance. If someone does legitimately disagree they are able to discuss and debate their differences calmly and rationally by making clear points as to their disagreement. They are not reduced to character assignation and cruel, baseless remarks as we are currently seeing played out in the media.
What's even sadder is that the same thing happens in churches. People who do not regularly read their Bibles, are spiritually immature, and unaware of what is being done in the church are often the most opposed to change. Because they have no real reason for their opposition other than it isn't what they want, they get loud. They attempt to intimidate. They threaten to leave if they do not get their way. They pout and sulk. They stay away from the church for a period of time to get even with those who did not cave in to their demands.
At times you have to wonder what it is they really want. For some, they want to feel they are in control. Others want to keep things the way they are because that's what makes them comfortable. Because they are biblically ignorant, they do not know what the church is to be about or even how they are to live as mature Christian individuals.
As we watch the protesters rant and rave we have to wonder what they really want. If the interviews I mentioned are reliable, I'm not sure they know what they want. They know they are against something, but they're not sure what. They want things to be different, but many of them cannot articulate what that is either.
A friend of mine posted on Facebook the other day "I want the America I grew up in back." I responded "I want the same thing." I'm not sure that will happen.
Since the election there have been numerous protests such as we are seeing now that a new Supreme Court justice has been selected by the President. Various people have done on-the-field interviews with some of the protesters. Many of them had no idea why they were there or what they were upset about. In a pre-election clip on the Jimmy Kimmel Show Clinton supporters were given quotes made by Trump during the campaign and told Clinton had made those comments. Virtually every person interviewed said they agreed with the statement when told Clinton had made it.
The sad fact is that many of the most vocal protesters are clueless about why they are protesting or what differences they might actually have with the President and his policies. Usually, the louder someone screams the less they actually have to say. They substitute volume for substance. If someone does legitimately disagree they are able to discuss and debate their differences calmly and rationally by making clear points as to their disagreement. They are not reduced to character assignation and cruel, baseless remarks as we are currently seeing played out in the media.
What's even sadder is that the same thing happens in churches. People who do not regularly read their Bibles, are spiritually immature, and unaware of what is being done in the church are often the most opposed to change. Because they have no real reason for their opposition other than it isn't what they want, they get loud. They attempt to intimidate. They threaten to leave if they do not get their way. They pout and sulk. They stay away from the church for a period of time to get even with those who did not cave in to their demands.
At times you have to wonder what it is they really want. For some, they want to feel they are in control. Others want to keep things the way they are because that's what makes them comfortable. Because they are biblically ignorant, they do not know what the church is to be about or even how they are to live as mature Christian individuals.
As we watch the protesters rant and rave we have to wonder what they really want. If the interviews I mentioned are reliable, I'm not sure they know what they want. They know they are against something, but they're not sure what. They want things to be different, but many of them cannot articulate what that is either.
A friend of mine posted on Facebook the other day "I want the America I grew up in back." I responded "I want the same thing." I'm not sure that will happen.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Celebrating the ministry
This past weekend was quite an experience. I had an estate auction for an individual who had been a clock and watch repairman for many years in our community. He was also quite a collector of antiques and many interesting pieces. I knew it would be a big auction but didn't realize how big until I began setting it up. I worked all week to get the set up ready for Saturday.
Saturday was one of the hottest days of the year with a heat index of over 100 degrees. That didn't keep people away, and they started early looking over all we had to offer. People came from Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, all over Indiana, and even one came from New York.
Although the sale was a large one, we finished it in four hours selling an average of 85 pieces an hour. I thank my crew for much of that as they worked very hard in the heat and humidity to make this a successful sale. The buyers were also ready to buy, and that always makes for a quicker sale.
The only negative was after the sale I lost my voice. I had been fighting allergies and a cough all week, and the auction caught up to me. What made it worse was that I had to preach two services the next morning! I squeaked through both services, but I made it.
However, my lack of a voice did not detract from the worship services. Our worship leaders did a great job in both services, we had Communion, and in the second service we celebrated a baptism. What made the baptism more special was that the young lady being baptized had requested her grandfather baptize her. I entered the water with them, made a few comments, and then he baptized his granddaughter. It made for a beautiful moment!
Some ministers spend a lot of time complaining about the ministry. What could be more rewarding than to be a part of worship services like that?
I will be 70 next month, and people often ask why I still do all the things I do. It's because I enjoy them. I had the opportunity to minister to a family that needs to dispose of their parent's estate. I got to preach God's Word to His people and join them in both Communion and a baptism. And, I got to do all this with people I love and enjoy being with. Why would I want to do anything else?
If God has called you into the ministry, don't complain about it. Celebrate it! He has trusted you to lead a group of His people. Yes, some aspects of ministry can be frustrating, but if the overall experience of being in ministry doesn't excite you then something is wrong. You've either missed your call or you've allowed the enemy to rob you of the joy of serving the Lord. I love being with God's people and ministering to them. I pray you feel the same way.
Saturday was one of the hottest days of the year with a heat index of over 100 degrees. That didn't keep people away, and they started early looking over all we had to offer. People came from Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, all over Indiana, and even one came from New York.
Although the sale was a large one, we finished it in four hours selling an average of 85 pieces an hour. I thank my crew for much of that as they worked very hard in the heat and humidity to make this a successful sale. The buyers were also ready to buy, and that always makes for a quicker sale.
The only negative was after the sale I lost my voice. I had been fighting allergies and a cough all week, and the auction caught up to me. What made it worse was that I had to preach two services the next morning! I squeaked through both services, but I made it.
However, my lack of a voice did not detract from the worship services. Our worship leaders did a great job in both services, we had Communion, and in the second service we celebrated a baptism. What made the baptism more special was that the young lady being baptized had requested her grandfather baptize her. I entered the water with them, made a few comments, and then he baptized his granddaughter. It made for a beautiful moment!
Some ministers spend a lot of time complaining about the ministry. What could be more rewarding than to be a part of worship services like that?
I will be 70 next month, and people often ask why I still do all the things I do. It's because I enjoy them. I had the opportunity to minister to a family that needs to dispose of their parent's estate. I got to preach God's Word to His people and join them in both Communion and a baptism. And, I got to do all this with people I love and enjoy being with. Why would I want to do anything else?
If God has called you into the ministry, don't complain about it. Celebrate it! He has trusted you to lead a group of His people. Yes, some aspects of ministry can be frustrating, but if the overall experience of being in ministry doesn't excite you then something is wrong. You've either missed your call or you've allowed the enemy to rob you of the joy of serving the Lord. I love being with God's people and ministering to them. I pray you feel the same way.
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