Immersed in Competence

#34

October 25, 2010

#1

Yesterday I returned from a series of engagements in Canada. I flew into Charlotte NC. On my way from the C Terminal to the E Terminal I passed a man playing a Grand Piano. He was oblivious to the frantic hordes racing past his instrument. He was smiling, talking to himself (and answering with a chuckle!)

He was playing Scott Joplin Rag. He LOVES that music. How do I know? Because he was utterly and absolutely immersed in the competence he had acquired in the realm of entertaining people by 'tickling the ivories." He was masterful. He smiled - laughed - answered himself! I had an organist in my first pastorate. She was a quiet diminutive genuine lady of the first order. Proper. Polished.

Until that is, she transitioned from A Mighty Fortress is Our God to some of Scott Joplin's Rags. Then she became a human dynamo. She ziped up an down the key board and the bench. She made the place vibrate with joyful expressions of lively tunes.

#2

Both of these people, when engaged at that keyboard, were in their element. They were drawn into a place where the hustle and bustle around them was non-existent. They had focus. They honored the composer. They made His music LIVE.

Here is the lesson for Christians. We are to be immersed in our faith. We are to make "the music live". We are writing a symphony every day with our walk before the God who redeemed us, immersed us in the competence for which he created us.

Do you live to make the music live? Is "The Composer" pleased with your rendition of His Song? It is a joyful thing. Long live the Competent Musicians of His Songs!

Probing Polity

#33

October 18, 2010

#1

The Apostle Paul would be utterly and absolutely dumb founded if he were to examine the Polity practiced in the Evangelical church today. It is a corrupt form of 'democracy' gone to seed. The consequences are devastating and the ramifications are horrific. Christ is defamed and the church looses standing in the world in which we serve.

Consider this. The Pastor or Pastoral/Elder Team invests 60-80 hours per week in seeking to bring Health & Effectiveness to the church via accurate exegesis and proper interpretation and declaration of the Word of God. A 'member', many of whom attend only casually and sporadically at best, have the same 'say so' through the process of 'voting'.

Further, it is quite common to see Robert's Rules, the Constitution or the By-Laws trump Scripture every time. Where did this atrocity come from? It was assimilated from the culture without examination or exegesis. I have encountered this over and over again in my consulting relationship with churches (sic). The cause of such practices are rooted in flawed Leadership. Men with that responsibility simply lack the courage and intestinal fortitude to address the issue. But, oh how they howl and moan about the situation.

#2

There is a solution. It requires the following:

A. Accurate and careful exegesis of the text as to what is and is not acceptable in light of Special Revelation.

B. Loving and compassionate instruction with the people that make up the congregation as to what the text teaches.

C. Systematically changing the governing policies of the assembly to accurately and correctly reflect what the text says. It is never acceptable to simply disregard existing polity documents.

D. Celebrate robustly with the people the implementation and application of a legitimate Polity Structure.

How many Pastors will embrace this challenge? Only the LORD knows!

Church Decline & Spotty Attendance

#32

October 11, 2010

#1

One of the Biggest Reasons Why Churches Decline

Most churches track how many people attend, but few churches know how often people are coming. People do not simply quit church one week; they phase out. They begin by attending less frequently. This issue is one of the biggest reasons why churches decline. Understandably, a plethora of spiritual reasons exist why people attend less frequently, but many churches do not even realize that people are gradually leaving the church by attending less often.

Let me share with you a basic exercise:

Church A has 400 people that come 4 out of 4 weeks (yes, I know that’s a pipe dream, but hang with me for the sake of argument). This attendance frequency means that the church averages 400 in attendance.

Church B has 400 people that come 3 out of 4 weeks (not too bad). But this attendance frequency means that the church averages 300 in attendance.

Church C has 400 people that come on average 2 out of 4 weeks (probably more realistic). They average 200 in attendance.

I’m sure that you get the point by now. Each church has 400 people that are part of the flock, but the average attendance at Church C is much less than Church A. As attendance frequency drops, the churches have drastically smaller averages, without “losing” anyone.

#2

I am not advocating legalism – a haughty attitude that every time the church doors are open everyone must be there. But the family that once attended almost every week and now attends ten times a year is gradually leaving the church.

Attendance frequency. It’s not the most important church health metric, but it’s one that is neglected. And it’s one of the biggest reasons that churches are declining.

(Written by Sam Rainer and posted on Nov. 9, 2009. I have made this argument for the past five (5) years - tcf)

50 Years & Counting

#31

October 5, 2010


#1

On October 2nd we celebrated 50 years of marriage. Francis Schaeffer said near the end of his life on earth; "If you want to do something really radical as a Christian, stay married to the same mate for life." We are working on that noble endeavor. Two essentials to achieve that. 1) You must stay married to the same person. 2) You must live long enough. Much of #1 is on us, #2 is primarily God's work.

#2

Men today let's talk about what it means to lead a balanced life. The 50th wedding anniversary party of a Christian friend was attended by a) his happy wife, b) his children (some of whom flew in), c) his pastor who thought enough of him to comment on his life, and d) about 40 friends. In his case, no one from the office. And he was very happy. Are you living as though a happy wife, children who still want to be around you, a pastor who would be willing to say something nice about you, and about 40 friends would be a great achievement? What more can a man really want?

The quote posted above is from Patrick Morley's National Men's Ministry message for this date. The timing of Providence is wonderful.

So I ask you men - will you, by the Grace of God engage such a glorious celebration? I hope for you and for the Glory of Christ that you do!