The Church - - Then (1st Century) & Now (2010)

This post is a reproduction in total of Dr. Chuck Lawless's BLOG on 12/28 and he is acknowledged with appreciation.

George Barna has released “megathemes” of the American religious environment as discovered through his company’s research in 2010 (http://bit.ly/eBKWvG), summarized below in bold print. Any honest church leader in America would not be surprised by Barna’s findings.

Alongside those themes, I have included some of Michael Green’s conclusions in his classic work, Evangelism in the Early Church. A comparison of these viewpoints is enlightening.

1. The Christian church is becoming less theologically literate. Basic Christian truths are increasingly foreign, even to believers.

Green: “Primitive evangelism . . . included able intellectual argument, skillful study of the Scriptures, careful, closely reasoned teaching and patient argument. It was no doubt because of the careful teaching instruction they were giving that the authorities were worried about this new movement: ‘You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.’”

2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented. Believers are increasingly likely to be isolated from non-believers.

Green: “The little man . . . was the primary agent in mission. . . . This must often have been not formal preaching, but the informal chattering to friends and chance acquaintances, in homes and wine shops, on walks, and around market stalls. They went everywhere gossiping the gospel.”

3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life. Present-tense survival issues are more important to Americans than spiritual issues.

Green: “Rigorous Greek thought, honest Greek seeking after truth made people impatient of the worthless deities they had traditionally worshipped. . . . Cleansing, security, and promised immortality – this was the . . . hunger of the human heart to which the state religion had nothing to say, and which refused to be silent.”

4. Among Christians, interest in participating in community action is escalating. Justice and service issues have captured the attention of young believers.

Green: “They [the early church] were concerned with labor relations, slavery, marriage and the family, the exposure of children, cruelty in the amphitheater and obscenity on the stage; increasingly they came to see that the gospel carried political implications as well.”

5. The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian church. Moral absolutes are no longer deemed important.

Green: “Truth was a unity, and it derived from the ultimate reality made personal in him who was the Way, Truth, and Life. It was this conviction which nerved them to proclaim the absolute in a world which was dominated by the relative in its morals, religions and concept of history.”

6. The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible. Culture recognizes the faults of the church, but few specific positive influences.

Green: “Nowhere else [than the church] would you find slaves and masters, Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, engaging in table fellowship and showing a real love for one another. That love overflowed to outsiders, and in times of plague and disaster the Christians shone by means of their service to the communities in which they lived. . . . In the early days the quality of their lives was blazingly distinct.”

What do we do with this comparison?

First, the evangelical church is in trouble. Inwardly-focused and theologically-compromised congregations should not expect to make a difference in a non-Christian society. The world of the early church was at least asking questions that only Christianity could rightly answer.

Second, the one hope in Barna’s findings is the passion of today’s young believers for social justice. These believers genuinely trust that the gospel should change the way we live today—not just in the future.

Third, it is Barna’s summary that most gives me pause: “In a society where choice is king, there are no absolutes . . . and Christianity is no longer the automatic, default faith of young adults, new ways of relating to Americans and exposing the heart and soul of the Christian faith are required.” If we understand “new ways” to include such issues as worship styles, outreach strategies, educational approaches, and social ministries, I’m on board. If new ways somehow ignore all old ways–not Barna’s intent, I suspect–I part ways here.

The American church does need new ways, but not at the expense of the old way that matters. The old way meant lifestyle change and willing sacrifice, as Green wrote most powerfully: “Christianity for them [the early church] was no hour’s slot on a Sunday. It affected everything they did and everyone they met. . . . You could mow these Christians down, you could throw them to the lions, but you could not make them deny their Lord.”

We need believers today who live like the early church did. May 2011 take the American church closer to that goal.

This is my (tcf) final post for 2010. I began because my wife and I saw the movie "Julia" in which a young woman who admired Julia Childs decided to do a BLOG post every day. I said every week. 38 times I honored that. Perhaps 2011 will be 52.

Happy New Year to my readers. Live a life of robust faith and allegiance to Christ. God's best!

What if this is all we had?

Recently a Pastor friend attended a gathering of Pastors. The topic of conversation was a recent round of visits to a variety of local churches and an analysis of the Worship emphasis of those churches. The discussion quickly focused on the ‘bands’ and how LOUD the music was. This was affirmed as though that is a biblical criteria for effective transformation of God’s people.

My friend held up his Bible and said in quiet reverence; “What if this is all we had?”

The room went silent – - stone cold silent! For 60 seconds no one said a word. Then, the individual seated at the table with my friend got up and moved to another table. The others quickly changed the subject.

So lets ask ourselves – - “What if this is all we had?”

Textual Narcicissm

November 29, 2010

#40

"What does this passage mean to you? "

Very dangerous question.

The proper 'first case' that must be made is premised on this question:

What does this passage mean as intended by the Holy Spirit and discovered through careful and accurate exegesis.

Textual Narcissism

Exegesis is an explanation. In the NT, therefore, exegesis is the explanation of a given text. Theologically, exegesis establishes the meaning of particular statements or passages. "...exegesis may be understood ... to be the practice of and the set of procedures for discovering the author's intended meaning." Thus, by yielding an understanding of the language, grammar, and syntax of a passage, exegesis provides a solid basis for exposition and application.

This means that exegesis must never deviate from confronting the text of Scripture to determine what it says and means. The historic Protestant principle of exegesis is that the text of Scripture has one sense, so that it is the job of the exegete to uncover what the writer meant when he wrote the passage under examination. Nowadays, it is popular to speak of meanings, plural.... Those who contend for multi-layered meanings effectively abandon exegesis and descend to eisegesis, "a reading into" the text of what the reader wishes it to mean. "This new system would have us understand a text not in terms of its syntactical or semantic structures, but in the variety of ways in which that text is "actualized" in our minds. To state it briefly, we are instructed that we should be reading ourselves as much as the text. Thus, all efforts to find the "real or single meaning" are considered fruitless for most modems, since in their view, texts generate a variety of meaning structures.

To deal honestly and reverently with Scripture we must adopt the historic Protestant emphasis on the intention of the writer of a Scripture passage. "What saith the Scriptures?" must be our watchword as we prepare to expound God's word.

(Adapted from A Dictionary of Theological Terms, s.v. "exegesis") The White Horse Inn

Accurate Exegesis

So, where do you stand on this issue? Consider the meaning of orthotimounta in 2 Tim. 2:15. Failure to do so misleads God's people and promotes egregious error in their understanding of the message of the Scripture. Be diligent in handling the text!

Orthodoxy Under Seige

November 22, 2010

I asked xxxxxxx once for his testimony, and he gave me the most convoluted story I ever heard. Jesus appeared to him in a dream and was standing with his back toward him. That's how he expresses his calling. On the few occasions I've heard him deliver a "message," it's been pieces of shear nonsense tied together with utter incoherent gobbledegook. I have the opinion, and maybe I'm just not as knowledgeable as I should be, but I think his main problem is a lack of regeneration, y'think?

The quote posted above is describing the 'Pastor' of a church plant. This initiative to my knowledge has no support from any other local church. There is no apparent connection to any denominational affiliation. There is no defined doctrinal statement or posture that is known. It appears to be simply the autonomous private agenda of one person.

Please understand, I am by no means opposed to church planting. I also do not believe that there is not a place for purely 'independent' assemblies. I also rejoice when there is a genuine effort to establish a light house for the gospel message.

Having stated those caveats, I believe this kind of initiative is far more prevalent than we may realize. The issues that concern me are:

* The mantle of orthodoxy is under assault to say the least.

* There is no process in place for accountability in the account above. When the Apostle Paul planted churches he regularly presented himself for accountability and review. There was a clear circle of regenerate people with whom he related and connected.

* Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. (Prov. 18:1, ESV).

* The historic position of the orthodox church through the centuries has been the full Authority and Trustworthiness of the Special Revelation of God, our Bible.

* The historic position of the orthodox church through the centuries has been the Sufficiency of Scripture. Today there are a host of 'extra-biblical' positions supported by "experience" but not the work and result of sound exegesis.

It is the conviction of this writer we need to go back to Vince Lombardi - - gentlemen, this is the Bible!

What say you??

Men & Leadership in Ministry

#37
Monday, November 15, 2010

#1

There is a crisis in the American Church. It is gender specific. There is an alarming paucity of men that are willing to engage key roles in Leadership.

I speak to numerous Pastors every day in various parts of the USA & Canada. Regardless of the geographic location, the Denominational affiliation or the church size, this is an issue. It is not becoming an issue - - it already is an issue. This fact causes a variety of dysfunctional anomalies in the assembly. There is a domino affect. First, more and more tasks are performed by fewer and fewer people. Those people suffer what is often labeled "Burn Out". Then, those people say, "Enough is Enough!" They drop out. This produces the final and fatal issue - the Pastor becomes the Lone Ranger.

There is also a sequel to this. The Pastor becomes weary, exhausted, worn out. This produces discouragement that borders on Depression.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/11/794661/the-pastor-burns-out.html

There is a solution. It requires significant courage on the part of the Pastor. Here is a proposed sequence for dealing with this issue in a local congregation.

Short Term:

A. The Pastor provides the body with 90 days advance notice of the problem. He does so with dignity and grace. He does not berate anyone. he simply states the problem with frontal honesty.

B. The profile is this. After three months the following list of ministry issues will NOT BE TRANSACTED unless qualified people step forward to do them. No compromise.

C. There is a frequent and sincere offer to train people qualified and willing to do these tasks.

D. Frequent reporting is provided to the congregation keeping them apprised of the progress or lack of same.

Long Term:

A. Teach the body the biblical profile for the men of the assembly; (Deacon, Elder).

B. Apply a biblical standard in enlisting men to be trained and equipped as leaders.

C. Establish the levels of maturity that must be achieved to serve in the various ministry venues.If any given assembly will do just these things significant progress will be made. If the body will not embrace this profile, why would a man want to contiue to serve there as Pastor? He is merely an endentured servant, not a Leader . Think about this and read the following sent to me today from a Pastor in this very scenario - then pray for him and others in a similar situation.

I am struggling, as usual, with the whole idea of XXXXXXX being a small church
not sustaining any real growth. I look at how we are doing ministry, and I truly
believe that we are doing things right, at lest when I compare us to what I hear
about from other churches in our area. It is truly a shame to me at how churches
around us are growing, yet they NEVER preach the gospel. They NEVER preach God's Word. Their corporate worship is nothing but the sappy, wimpy songs played on the Christian radio--it sucks badly. Yet they grow. They have happening youth
groups. They have dynamic small groups. . . . Several news churches have sprung
up around here and they have already moved into larger facilities--things we
have never been able to do. I get very discouraged.

If it is merely a matter of leadership, then I do not think I am going
to make it. I should just quit ministry. There is no hope for me. I have deluded
myself all these years into thinking God has called me to this, sent me to Bible
college and seminary (all paid for), given me experience, a vision, and a
passion for his Word and his glory in starting this kind of church, blah, blah,
blah. This has become a joke of life-wasting proportions. I have witnessed the
gospel to many people, have seen it working in people's lives, only to fizzle
out again--over and over. . . .

XXXXXX is not the typical church, governed by the Jones' and the Smiths, or in a battle over which one rules. XXXXXX is not a weak church. The core of our people are generally mature and strong. There are some high maintenance stragglers to be sure and some stress people, but I know they exist even the best churches.

Anyway, maybe you can help me figure out some of this.

Righteousness Exalts a Nation

#36

November 1, 2010

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Prov. 14:34)

Tomorrow the citizens of the USA will go to the polls. They will exercise a sacred privilege that the majority of the worlds population NEVER gets to engage. They will vote. That is, some of them will.

There are reportedly 60 million Evangelicals in the USA. In the 2008 election only 20 million of them voted. Just imagine the difference across our land if all of those 60 million had gone to the polls and voted for policy makers who champion righteousness.

Tonight at SEC we will pray from 6:30 – 8:00 PM that God will cleanse and heal our land. His promise is that if we seek Him, He will be found.

May it be so LORD, may it be so.

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!