When historians describe the factors that led to the downfall of the Roman empire they can find several, but one of the major ones was the political complacency of the average person. The people stopped caring about the political leaders and their antics. They were more interested in the "bread and circuses" those leaders provided. The bread represented the things necessary for life, and the circuses provided them with the entertainment that they craved.
Does anyone recognize the comparison between what happened then and what it occurring today? We have a welfare system that provides just enough to give people the basics but not enough so they can lift themselves above the poverty that holds them in its clutches. Those who are dependent upon that system will vote for anyone who guarantees the system will continue despite any moral or character failings those people might possess.
At the other end of the spectrum tax loopholes are provided for the wealthiest among us to ensure they keep the vast majority of their wealth. It's ironic that the political leaders who cry the loudest about how the rich should pay more are the same ones who help pass such laws and, in fact, often benefit from those loopholes to hold on to their great wealth. Somehow this fact is seldom mentioned, and if it is, it's ignored by the masses.
Then we have the circuses. Cities that struggle to provide basic services for its citizens spend millions of dollars to build new stadiums and arenas to attract various sports teams. Many of these stadiums are packed out for each event as people come to support "their" team.
For those who can't afford the rising costs of tickets to attend those events we have the movie industry, TV, social media, comedy clubs, and other outlets to provide entertainment. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with entertainment, but it is often little more than a distraction to keep us from thinking too much about what is happening in our society. When a people is content with its "bread and circuses" and fails to observe what is happening in its culture it is a people that is heading to destruction.
This problem is not limited to our nation and its current problems. "Bread and circuses" are a problem in many of our churches as well. In this context the bread represents meeting the needs of our members. Too many church members are satisfied as long as their needs are being met. When the pastor makes an acceptable number of visits to the members and keeps the church machinery running smoothly most church members are content. No one bothers to ask what impact their church is making in its community or why the church isn't seeing people come to Christ.
Our churches enjoy its circuses as well. In too many churches entertainment has replaced worship. Self-help sessions have replaced theological sermons. The pastor preaches to win the applause of the people rather than the approval of God. When the service ends exactly on time and everyone leaves feeling better about themselves many church people consider it a good Sunday. And now that this is checked off their to-do list they can go on to enjoy the remainder of their week.
Being satisfied with "bread and circuses" in our churches are a major reason our churches have little impact today. It's also one reason why so many of our members are theologically illiterate. They are not being challenged to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, to serve their communities and to grow deeper in their understanding of the Word of God. The distractions of the "bread and circuses" keeps them from thinking too deeply about any of this.
Our nation and our churches are in trouble and facing even more serious problems in the near future if we do not wake up to what is going on. We need to quit being distracted by the "bread and circuses" offered by both our national and church leaders and begin to demand more from those leaders. If they can't provide the leadership we need to turn our nation and our churches back to what they need to be then we need to replace them with people who can.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Fake news
The term "fake news" was not one used by many people 4-5 years ago, but it has become a popular one today. We often hear President Trump complain about fake news. During the past presidential election there seemed to have been a lot of fake news spread especially through social media.
Fake news is information that is intentionally spread even though it is not true. It is different from satire and parody as they are intended to amuse, not intentionally mislead people. Anyone who spends much time on social media such as Facebook has seen numerous fake stories circulated as true. I have often criticized Christians for repeating these stories that were long ago proven false. Repeating such stories makes us appear gullible and uninformed, complaints non-Christians enjoy making about us.
Certainly, the media does spin their stories to support their biases. One morning I was working out at a local gym that had several TVs on. Among the numerous programs being shown at the same time were CNN and Fox News. Even though they might be reporting on the same story, the two reports could not be more different. Watching them side-by-side was incredible.
However, there is another aspect of fake news that is even more alarming to me. It is the power of the media to control what information is given to the public. The fact is the media no longer reports the news; it makes the news. The editors, reporters and anchormen determine what information should be shared with the American public and what information should be withheld. A story is not news until they declare it to be news.
I just finished reading Breaking The News: How the Media Undermine American Democracy by James Fallows, a journalist and former editor. In the book Fallows points out the many ways the media have grown increasingly out of step with the American public and why it has lost credibility with many of us. What makes the book even more amazing is that it was written in 1996! The problems he identified with the media then has only grown worse today.
He points out many ways in which the media fails the public. One is the way the news is presented. Rather than going into detail to provide people with background information and doing an in depth examination of issues, we are given snippets of information 3-4 minutes long before going on to a completely unconnected story. The public is never given sufficient information to know how to think about the news item. It's no wonder people are so uninformed when it comes to the major issues confronting us today.
Another problem is the superior attitude many journalists have of themselves. Especially the ones in New York and Washington give the appearance they are far superior in intellect and understanding of what is going on than the average person. The fact is the leading anchor people who appear in the hot spots reporting on what is going on are using the material the people on the ground have worked on for days. They fly in, receive the material reporters have developed, report it as if they are all wise, and fly out to the next "breaking story."
Of course, since they are so much in the know they can know what is going to happen before it does. The author points out that virtually every prominent journalist and political analyst declared Bill Clinton's campaign finished at various times when accusations about his behavior made the news. Sound familiar? They did the same thing during the last presidential election about Trump. If you want to be entertained watch videos of the people covering the election for the various media organizations when it became obvious that Trump would be elected president. They were shocked! Their reactions are hilarious. The problem is there is no penalty for them being wrong. A few days later they began to covering the mid-term election and predicting who might win there and what that might do to President Trump's agenda.
This incredible book demonstrates that we do have a major problem with fake news. It's not merely that journalists report fake stories, although some do. It's the way they determine what's news, what information is given to the public and the way that information is given.
Fake news is information that is intentionally spread even though it is not true. It is different from satire and parody as they are intended to amuse, not intentionally mislead people. Anyone who spends much time on social media such as Facebook has seen numerous fake stories circulated as true. I have often criticized Christians for repeating these stories that were long ago proven false. Repeating such stories makes us appear gullible and uninformed, complaints non-Christians enjoy making about us.
Certainly, the media does spin their stories to support their biases. One morning I was working out at a local gym that had several TVs on. Among the numerous programs being shown at the same time were CNN and Fox News. Even though they might be reporting on the same story, the two reports could not be more different. Watching them side-by-side was incredible.
However, there is another aspect of fake news that is even more alarming to me. It is the power of the media to control what information is given to the public. The fact is the media no longer reports the news; it makes the news. The editors, reporters and anchormen determine what information should be shared with the American public and what information should be withheld. A story is not news until they declare it to be news.
I just finished reading Breaking The News: How the Media Undermine American Democracy by James Fallows, a journalist and former editor. In the book Fallows points out the many ways the media have grown increasingly out of step with the American public and why it has lost credibility with many of us. What makes the book even more amazing is that it was written in 1996! The problems he identified with the media then has only grown worse today.
He points out many ways in which the media fails the public. One is the way the news is presented. Rather than going into detail to provide people with background information and doing an in depth examination of issues, we are given snippets of information 3-4 minutes long before going on to a completely unconnected story. The public is never given sufficient information to know how to think about the news item. It's no wonder people are so uninformed when it comes to the major issues confronting us today.
Another problem is the superior attitude many journalists have of themselves. Especially the ones in New York and Washington give the appearance they are far superior in intellect and understanding of what is going on than the average person. The fact is the leading anchor people who appear in the hot spots reporting on what is going on are using the material the people on the ground have worked on for days. They fly in, receive the material reporters have developed, report it as if they are all wise, and fly out to the next "breaking story."
Of course, since they are so much in the know they can know what is going to happen before it does. The author points out that virtually every prominent journalist and political analyst declared Bill Clinton's campaign finished at various times when accusations about his behavior made the news. Sound familiar? They did the same thing during the last presidential election about Trump. If you want to be entertained watch videos of the people covering the election for the various media organizations when it became obvious that Trump would be elected president. They were shocked! Their reactions are hilarious. The problem is there is no penalty for them being wrong. A few days later they began to covering the mid-term election and predicting who might win there and what that might do to President Trump's agenda.
This incredible book demonstrates that we do have a major problem with fake news. It's not merely that journalists report fake stories, although some do. It's the way they determine what's news, what information is given to the public and the way that information is given.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Divine judgment
This won't be a popular post with many people, but it's one that needs to be made. Throughout the Old Testament the writers of various books made it very clear that to turn away from God's commands and moral codes brought great harm to nations and people. For those who do not accept the Bible as God's Word to mankind, history teaches the same lesson. Show me one atheist nation that prospered. Not one nation or kingdom that rejected God has remained powerful.
Compare that to the short history of America. Revisionist historians will not admit it, but we were a nation founded upon Christian principles. Our Founding Fathers were overwhelmingly Christian. I'm not saying they were perfect, but over and over again they expressed their Christian beliefs and values in the statements they made in both oral and written communication. We achieved our independence over a much stronger nation and went on to become the most powerful nation on earth.
We have made our mistakes. Serious ones. Slavery, a Civil War, the unjust treatment suffered by Native Americans and widespread discrimination are just some among the many major mistakes we've made as a nation. At the same time, we have seen God move in our nation as He poured out the First and Second Great Awakenings, numerous revivals led by ministers such as Billy Graham and others and strong churches that faithfully proclaimed the teachings of God.
Today, our nation is at a crossroads. Our churches have less and less influence in today's America. We have abandoned God as a nation. We have turned away from biblical teaching even in many of our churches and seminaries and substituted human philosophy and health and wealth preaching. Many of our people, even within our churches, do not know what the Bible says or how to apply it to their lives. As a result, America is going in the same direction as those godless nations before us.
America is in a state of confusion and chaos. We are confused about gender identity, marriage, and who should go to what bathroom. College students melt down if they hear something that hurts their feelings. Riots break out if an election doesn't go the way people had hoped. People demand that baby seals be protected while also demanding the right to abort their own children. The drug epidemic continues to destroy families and individual lives while costing the nation billions of dollars, and there doesn't seem to be any way to address the problem except to talk about pouring more money into "education." California is burning, hurricanes and other disasters are destroying people's homes and entire cities. Our list of problems continues to grow larger and larger with no end in sight, and yet we still refuse to turn back to God. In fact, for anyone to even suggest that we need God as a nation brings contempt and ridicule.
The Bible tells us God is not mocked, and what a person (nation) sows that shall he also reap. If we sow to the wind we will reap the whirlwind, and if anyone thinks America is not reaping a whirlwind right now they are not paying attention. The Bible also tells us that if God's people will humble themselves and pray, confessing their sins, that God will hear and heal their land. This is what the church needs to be doing now if we want to experience another revival that will return our nation back to God. Without such revival America will experience divine judgment just as the nations before us have experienced.
Compare that to the short history of America. Revisionist historians will not admit it, but we were a nation founded upon Christian principles. Our Founding Fathers were overwhelmingly Christian. I'm not saying they were perfect, but over and over again they expressed their Christian beliefs and values in the statements they made in both oral and written communication. We achieved our independence over a much stronger nation and went on to become the most powerful nation on earth.
We have made our mistakes. Serious ones. Slavery, a Civil War, the unjust treatment suffered by Native Americans and widespread discrimination are just some among the many major mistakes we've made as a nation. At the same time, we have seen God move in our nation as He poured out the First and Second Great Awakenings, numerous revivals led by ministers such as Billy Graham and others and strong churches that faithfully proclaimed the teachings of God.
Today, our nation is at a crossroads. Our churches have less and less influence in today's America. We have abandoned God as a nation. We have turned away from biblical teaching even in many of our churches and seminaries and substituted human philosophy and health and wealth preaching. Many of our people, even within our churches, do not know what the Bible says or how to apply it to their lives. As a result, America is going in the same direction as those godless nations before us.
America is in a state of confusion and chaos. We are confused about gender identity, marriage, and who should go to what bathroom. College students melt down if they hear something that hurts their feelings. Riots break out if an election doesn't go the way people had hoped. People demand that baby seals be protected while also demanding the right to abort their own children. The drug epidemic continues to destroy families and individual lives while costing the nation billions of dollars, and there doesn't seem to be any way to address the problem except to talk about pouring more money into "education." California is burning, hurricanes and other disasters are destroying people's homes and entire cities. Our list of problems continues to grow larger and larger with no end in sight, and yet we still refuse to turn back to God. In fact, for anyone to even suggest that we need God as a nation brings contempt and ridicule.
The Bible tells us God is not mocked, and what a person (nation) sows that shall he also reap. If we sow to the wind we will reap the whirlwind, and if anyone thinks America is not reaping a whirlwind right now they are not paying attention. The Bible also tells us that if God's people will humble themselves and pray, confessing their sins, that God will hear and heal their land. This is what the church needs to be doing now if we want to experience another revival that will return our nation back to God. Without such revival America will experience divine judgment just as the nations before us have experienced.
Friday, November 23, 2018
Planning your preaching for the new year
During my pastorate this was the time of year I spent time thinking about my sermons for the new year. I would often begin with a theme for the year or a primary focus our church needed to have as we began a new year of ministry. That didn't mean the entire year would be given over to that focus, but it would be the one we would begin with. My goal was to have at least the first three months of sermons planned with at least a title and the text. If I began the year with the first quarter planned it was much easier to stay prepared 2-3 months in advance.
This allowed me to do several things. One, I didn't have to begin each week trying to decide what to preach. I could spend that time actually preparing the message. This also enabled me to be looking for illustrations and stories that could be included in the message to help bring it alive.
It also made it easier to have the resources I needed to prepare the messages. For instance, each year after Father's Day I would do a series of messages on a book or major section of the Bible. Once I decided what book I would cover, I could order commentaries and other helps to assist me in preparing the messages. When it came time to prepare the sermons I had the resource material I needed.
Planning my sermons this way helped me offer more balanced preaching. Every pastor has his or her favorite topics. Our people need to hear more than that. We need to provide them with a well-rounded study of what the Scriptures have to teach us.
In addition to preaching through a book of the Bible each year I also did a shorter series between Mother's Day and Father's Day that focused on various aspects of family life. Families in America need a lot of help, and the Bible has much to say about the family. If I returned to the pulpit today I would also offer a series of messages each year focusing on apologetics to help people be better able to defend their faith.
I found that planning my sermons well in advance made me a better preacher and helped me better manage my time as a bivocational pastor. I quickly got tired of not knowing until Friday or Saturday what I was going to preach the next Sunday. Saturday night specials are not helpful to anyone. Planning my messages at least three months in advance did much to relieve that stress.
As important as sermon planning is, your schedule cannot be written in stone. In fact, I wrote my sermon's title and text in pencil. You always want the flexibility to change your message if circumstances dictate. For instance, I know one pastor who preached the sermon he had planned a year before the Sunday after 9/11. The church was full that Sunday of people who wanted to know what God had to say about such events, but they left after hearing a message that said nothing about the event. It was a great opportunity that was missed because the pastor would not deviate from his plan. If you feel God leading you in another direction be willing to change your sermon plans.
Sometimes people will push back on the idea of planning their sermons in advance by saying they want to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them. I've heard some of their sermons, and I don't think I would want to blame the Holy Spirit for what I heard! I've always thought God can lead us three months in advance just as well as He can lead us from week to week.
If you have not made it a practice to plan your sermons in advance I encourage you to try it in 2019. If it doesn't work for you feel free to go back to whatever you were doing. My guess is once you do it for awhile you'll continue doing it.
This allowed me to do several things. One, I didn't have to begin each week trying to decide what to preach. I could spend that time actually preparing the message. This also enabled me to be looking for illustrations and stories that could be included in the message to help bring it alive.
It also made it easier to have the resources I needed to prepare the messages. For instance, each year after Father's Day I would do a series of messages on a book or major section of the Bible. Once I decided what book I would cover, I could order commentaries and other helps to assist me in preparing the messages. When it came time to prepare the sermons I had the resource material I needed.
Planning my sermons this way helped me offer more balanced preaching. Every pastor has his or her favorite topics. Our people need to hear more than that. We need to provide them with a well-rounded study of what the Scriptures have to teach us.
In addition to preaching through a book of the Bible each year I also did a shorter series between Mother's Day and Father's Day that focused on various aspects of family life. Families in America need a lot of help, and the Bible has much to say about the family. If I returned to the pulpit today I would also offer a series of messages each year focusing on apologetics to help people be better able to defend their faith.
I found that planning my sermons well in advance made me a better preacher and helped me better manage my time as a bivocational pastor. I quickly got tired of not knowing until Friday or Saturday what I was going to preach the next Sunday. Saturday night specials are not helpful to anyone. Planning my messages at least three months in advance did much to relieve that stress.
As important as sermon planning is, your schedule cannot be written in stone. In fact, I wrote my sermon's title and text in pencil. You always want the flexibility to change your message if circumstances dictate. For instance, I know one pastor who preached the sermon he had planned a year before the Sunday after 9/11. The church was full that Sunday of people who wanted to know what God had to say about such events, but they left after hearing a message that said nothing about the event. It was a great opportunity that was missed because the pastor would not deviate from his plan. If you feel God leading you in another direction be willing to change your sermon plans.
Sometimes people will push back on the idea of planning their sermons in advance by saying they want to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them. I've heard some of their sermons, and I don't think I would want to blame the Holy Spirit for what I heard! I've always thought God can lead us three months in advance just as well as He can lead us from week to week.
If you have not made it a practice to plan your sermons in advance I encourage you to try it in 2019. If it doesn't work for you feel free to go back to whatever you were doing. My guess is once you do it for awhile you'll continue doing it.
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Do we recognize when the power is gone?
Our area was recently hit with an ice storm that knocked out power for many people. A few had their power restored rather quickly, but for some it was several days before they had electricity. I know a few who moved into local hotels waiting for their power to be restored. Others borrowed generators to get them through the cold weather. Most just waited it out with extra blankets and coats.
Just before writing this post I went to a local supermarket to pick up a few things. As I walked in the door the lights went out. Someone announced the registers were down and customers needed to leave the store. After the recent problem due to the ice storm there was a lot of grumbling overheard as people were leaving.
It's easy to tell when we lose power in our homes. Everything grows dark, and this time of the year it becomes colder. But, do we know when our churches lose power? I would say not as powerless churches are a major problem in our country right now.
Jesus said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has comes upon you....(Acts 1:8)" The Holy Spirit is the source of our power. Without Him the church is powerless. We might have programs, education, technology, strategies, mission statements and strategic planning, but we will have no power without the Holy Spirit at work in our churches.
It is possible for churches to keep doing what they've always done and never notice that the Spirit has departed their efforts. They can have services each week, enjoy entertaining sermons and wonderful music, and maintain their decades-old ministries without the Holy Spirit. Like cut flowers in a vase, they look good, but because they are not rooted in anything they cannot grow and will eventually die.
Because things are not going as well as we might hope we might assume everyone needs to work a little harder. Maybe it's time for a new minister or staff person. Maybe a fresh coat of paint would improve things. I know one church that has painted everything that doesn't move and can't understand why things haven't got better. Congregations sit around remembering "the good old days" and wonder why things have changed. In all their conversations about what they need to do seldom does anyone look to the source of power in the church - the Holy Spirit.
For many churches He is the forgotten member of the Trinity. We might mention Him from time to time, but many of our churches are reluctant to talk about Him too often. We have at least some understanding of God the Father and God the Son, but God the Holy Spirit is another matter. For many churches in my denomination I think people are afraid of Him. When He is given free rein things happen. He can't be controlled and might do things that are not found in our policy manuals.
When you read the book of Acts you quickly realize He can't be controlled, but will do things upsetting to people, especially the religious crowd. But you also find that people's lives are changed when He's in control. People are saved. Marriages and homes are restored. Devils are defeated, and people are set free.
What the church needs more than anything is an understanding that a powerless church is a church without the Holy Spirit, and that our greatest need is a Spirit-sent revival in our land that will bring the power of the Spirit back into our churches. We've been trying to do church without Him for too long, and we've given up too much ground to the Devil. It's time we get reconnected to our power supply and once again become the church God has called us to be.
Just before writing this post I went to a local supermarket to pick up a few things. As I walked in the door the lights went out. Someone announced the registers were down and customers needed to leave the store. After the recent problem due to the ice storm there was a lot of grumbling overheard as people were leaving.
It's easy to tell when we lose power in our homes. Everything grows dark, and this time of the year it becomes colder. But, do we know when our churches lose power? I would say not as powerless churches are a major problem in our country right now.
Jesus said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has comes upon you....(Acts 1:8)" The Holy Spirit is the source of our power. Without Him the church is powerless. We might have programs, education, technology, strategies, mission statements and strategic planning, but we will have no power without the Holy Spirit at work in our churches.
It is possible for churches to keep doing what they've always done and never notice that the Spirit has departed their efforts. They can have services each week, enjoy entertaining sermons and wonderful music, and maintain their decades-old ministries without the Holy Spirit. Like cut flowers in a vase, they look good, but because they are not rooted in anything they cannot grow and will eventually die.
Because things are not going as well as we might hope we might assume everyone needs to work a little harder. Maybe it's time for a new minister or staff person. Maybe a fresh coat of paint would improve things. I know one church that has painted everything that doesn't move and can't understand why things haven't got better. Congregations sit around remembering "the good old days" and wonder why things have changed. In all their conversations about what they need to do seldom does anyone look to the source of power in the church - the Holy Spirit.
For many churches He is the forgotten member of the Trinity. We might mention Him from time to time, but many of our churches are reluctant to talk about Him too often. We have at least some understanding of God the Father and God the Son, but God the Holy Spirit is another matter. For many churches in my denomination I think people are afraid of Him. When He is given free rein things happen. He can't be controlled and might do things that are not found in our policy manuals.
When you read the book of Acts you quickly realize He can't be controlled, but will do things upsetting to people, especially the religious crowd. But you also find that people's lives are changed when He's in control. People are saved. Marriages and homes are restored. Devils are defeated, and people are set free.
What the church needs more than anything is an understanding that a powerless church is a church without the Holy Spirit, and that our greatest need is a Spirit-sent revival in our land that will bring the power of the Spirit back into our churches. We've been trying to do church without Him for too long, and we've given up too much ground to the Devil. It's time we get reconnected to our power supply and once again become the church God has called us to be.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Respect your predecessor
Among the many troubling things I've noticed in politics in recent years is how former President Obama and his wife talk about our current president. In my 70 years I don't ever remember hearing a former president speak badly in public about the one who succeeded him. In fact, knowing first-hand the pressures a president faces former presidents form a bond with one another despite the political differences they may have. Obama went to great lengths to blame his problems on former President Bush and now spends a great deal of energy attacking President Trump. So does Michelle.
Some of my readers might say that President Trump brings some of that on himself due to some of his comments. Like many Americans I wish he would tone down his rhetoric, close his Twitter account, and behave a little more presidential in his speech, but this still does not excuse the regular attacks from the Obamas.
Once again, I want to draw a parallel between what's happening in the political arena and the church arena. A pastor should never criticize those who previously served his or her church. One of the smartest things a pastor can do when starting in a new church is to speak well of his or her predecessor. In many instances there are people who are still grieving the loss of their former pastor. To speak well of that individual shows a sense of loyalty to the church's past.
In some situations you might not be able to find a lot of good things to say about the previous pastor. Perhaps he or she left due to a moral failure or some other difficulty may have been the reason the former pastor left. In those cases it's best to say very little about the individual. Even in those situations there are people grieving the loss of that individual, and speaking harshly of that situation just deepens the sense of loss they feel.
Perhaps the previous pastor instituted some programs that need to be replaced with some that would be more effective. The way to do that is not to criticize the program or the pastor who started it but to point out that while that program served its purpose, it's now time to look at doing something different because of changing circumstances.
Another way to show respect for your predecessor is to invite him or her back for special occasions. I was recently honored to preach at the 200th anniversary of a church I served as an interim pastor in 1980. It's not the first time I've been back to that church, but it was an honor to be invited to speak at such an important event in the life of that congregation. It was even more special considering that 52 years ago my wife and I were married in that church.
You will win favor with people in your church when you speak well of their former pastors and include them in special observances of your congregation. Remember, one day you will be a former pastor in that church so treat those who came before you the same way you will want to be treated by those who follow you.
Some of my readers might say that President Trump brings some of that on himself due to some of his comments. Like many Americans I wish he would tone down his rhetoric, close his Twitter account, and behave a little more presidential in his speech, but this still does not excuse the regular attacks from the Obamas.
Once again, I want to draw a parallel between what's happening in the political arena and the church arena. A pastor should never criticize those who previously served his or her church. One of the smartest things a pastor can do when starting in a new church is to speak well of his or her predecessor. In many instances there are people who are still grieving the loss of their former pastor. To speak well of that individual shows a sense of loyalty to the church's past.
In some situations you might not be able to find a lot of good things to say about the previous pastor. Perhaps he or she left due to a moral failure or some other difficulty may have been the reason the former pastor left. In those cases it's best to say very little about the individual. Even in those situations there are people grieving the loss of that individual, and speaking harshly of that situation just deepens the sense of loss they feel.
Perhaps the previous pastor instituted some programs that need to be replaced with some that would be more effective. The way to do that is not to criticize the program or the pastor who started it but to point out that while that program served its purpose, it's now time to look at doing something different because of changing circumstances.
Another way to show respect for your predecessor is to invite him or her back for special occasions. I was recently honored to preach at the 200th anniversary of a church I served as an interim pastor in 1980. It's not the first time I've been back to that church, but it was an honor to be invited to speak at such an important event in the life of that congregation. It was even more special considering that 52 years ago my wife and I were married in that church.
You will win favor with people in your church when you speak well of their former pastors and include them in special observances of your congregation. Remember, one day you will be a former pastor in that church so treat those who came before you the same way you will want to be treated by those who follow you.
Friday, November 16, 2018
Questions small churches must ask - 5
For the past week I have asked a series of questions that small churches need to ask and answer as they move forward. Today will be the last question, and I believe it is the most important one. "Who are we here for?"
Answering this question is vital to answering the other questions. If your church exists for its current members then you probably don't have to change anything. You can just keep doing what you've been doing and everyone should be happy. But, if you answer that your church exists for those outside the Kingdom of God then most likely many things will need to change.
I believe the Bible teaches that the church exists primarily for those outside. Yes, the church provides believers with a place to worship and to learn more about God, but our main role is to reach persons who do not know God as their personal Lord and Savior. That is the Great Commission which I said earlier this week is the mission of every church regardless of size. If we are not reaching people for Christ we are failing in our primary task.
The church was never intended to be a hotel for saints but a hospital for sinners. It is to be a place where hurting and broken people can find healing. It is to be a place where those who have been marginalized can receive love and acceptance. Most importantly, it is to be a place where people can find a relationship with Jesus Christ that will prepare them to live now and forever.
Once you answer this question you will be ready to develop your church budget and plan your programming. If you exist for those outside the congregation then both the budget and ministry programs should reflect that. If you exist to keep your current members content then the budget and programming will reflect that as well.
Most small churches would answer this question by saying they exist to reach those outside the Kingdom of God, but what is their actual practice? Where is the evidence this is the case? Many small churches have not seen an adult receive Christ as Savior in years (decades?). I once spoke with a pastor whose church had not baptized anyone in 50 years! We know how to say the right things, but what are we actually doing.
This question leads to tough conversations. In fact, all the questions I've posed this week leads to such conversations, but these need to happen if our churches are going to offer relevant and biblical ministry into the 21st century.
Answering this question is vital to answering the other questions. If your church exists for its current members then you probably don't have to change anything. You can just keep doing what you've been doing and everyone should be happy. But, if you answer that your church exists for those outside the Kingdom of God then most likely many things will need to change.
I believe the Bible teaches that the church exists primarily for those outside. Yes, the church provides believers with a place to worship and to learn more about God, but our main role is to reach persons who do not know God as their personal Lord and Savior. That is the Great Commission which I said earlier this week is the mission of every church regardless of size. If we are not reaching people for Christ we are failing in our primary task.
The church was never intended to be a hotel for saints but a hospital for sinners. It is to be a place where hurting and broken people can find healing. It is to be a place where those who have been marginalized can receive love and acceptance. Most importantly, it is to be a place where people can find a relationship with Jesus Christ that will prepare them to live now and forever.
Once you answer this question you will be ready to develop your church budget and plan your programming. If you exist for those outside the congregation then both the budget and ministry programs should reflect that. If you exist to keep your current members content then the budget and programming will reflect that as well.
Most small churches would answer this question by saying they exist to reach those outside the Kingdom of God, but what is their actual practice? Where is the evidence this is the case? Many small churches have not seen an adult receive Christ as Savior in years (decades?). I once spoke with a pastor whose church had not baptized anyone in 50 years! We know how to say the right things, but what are we actually doing.
This question leads to tough conversations. In fact, all the questions I've posed this week leads to such conversations, but these need to happen if our churches are going to offer relevant and biblical ministry into the 21st century.
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