Dying For One Hour

I’m not a big fan of “doing church”…at least not the way we’ve done it for the past 30+ years. I’ve been in the Church of Christ my whole life. Although frustrated with my fellowship/denomination (as reflected in many of my posts) over the years, I love the church and will continue to teach what I believe to be God’s truth concerning the church. That being said, I think we’ve missed so much regarding the assembly.

We seem to have the impression that God has sanctioned what we do on Sunday mornings as sacred and the scriptural way of “doing church.” Who are we kidding? Does anyone really believe that the way we conduct our assemblies is anything remotely like the way the 1st century church did it? Does anyone really believe that God expects us to pattern our assemblies exactly like those in the 1st century? Can anyone even find a church assembly in the New Testament that looks anything like what we do on Sunday mornings?

In our noble quest to be accurate with the Bible and in our attempts to get our doctrine correct, we have missed the boat on the nature of the church assembly. Many today expect the Sunday assembly to look like it did in the 1st century. What they actually mean, however, is that it look like it did 40-50 years ago. Those same people don’t realize that the assemblies of 40-50 years ago don’t look like the assemblies from 40-50 years prior to that! What many want today is for the assembly to look like it did when they were growing up. It boils down to what they’re comfortable with. It’s not a matter of scripture at all! There is no scripture authorizing what a Sunday assembly of Christians should look like!!

As to doctrine, I’m proud of our attempts to “get it right.” But how much do we have to get right? What if we get it all right except one little doctrinal matter? Will God say, “Oh, sorry! You almost made it?” We CAN’T do it all right! Isn’t that why grace abounds in Christ? So why do we think we have to have it all right regarding the assembly? Do we really think that Christ died for our one hour on Sunday mornings? The way we fuss, fight, and divide over that one hour–one would think so. Most of the issues my fellowship has divided over revolve around what goes on in the Sunday morning assembly.

It’s sad, frustrating, and discouraging. We must teach our young differently than we have in the past, or we’ll continue to divide and splinter until we’ve fragmented ourselves out of existence! Jesus didn’t go to the cross for our one hour on Sunday mornings! He went to the cross to redeem us from all our screw-ups–Sunday through Saturday.

Political Correctness Running Amuck

I understand the purpose of political correctness, but it’s gone far enough. In our efforts to be sensitive to the feelings and emotions of others, we somehow lost our clarity of right and wrong. It’s politically INcorrect to even make the assumption that there are universal rights and wrongs.

Just yesterday I was talking a friend in the DC area who was telling me about a recent sermon by an area minister in the Presbyterian church. This church has just hired an open lesbian rector in an effort to “reach out to” the gay community. I’m all for reaching out to fringe groups, but is it necessary to “make a statement” by hiring someone who is openly gay? Why doesn’t that church hire a pedophile in order to make a statement? Why don’t they hire a murderer? Oh, but you see, they don’t want to admit that homosexuality is a sin. The preacher of this church even went so far as to denounce the “sin of homophobia.” His implication was that if you think homosexuality is a sin, you’re a homophobe and, therefore, a sinner. What about the sin of homosexuality?!? Would the apostle Paul be labeled as a “sinful homophobe” (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9)?

I firmly believe homosexuality is a sin, just like I believe rape is a sin. Lust is a sin. Adultery is a sin. Lying is a sin. Some say homosexuality is a disease, and one cannot help that he or she is in that condition. I equate it to alcoholism. Some are born with a bent toward alcoholism. Two people can take a single drink; one can go unaffected, the other can become an alcoholic…just from that one drink because the one is predisposed to alcoholism. But that person can control his sickness or sin by abstaining from drinking and getting help for his weakness. Why is homosexuality any different? If someone has desires for others of the same sex, does he or she not have control over how he or she responds to those desires? One can give his lust over to God and he will provide a way to control it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The church needs to reach out to homosexuals. Just like we need to reach out to the sinful of all walks. But we do NOT need to compromise the truth found in Scripture for the sake of “reaching out.” I have heard of many cases where churches reached out to homosexuals in loving and accepting ways without watering down truth. These churches provided counseling and support for those struggling through the sin of homosexuality, and many of those homosexuals found hope and are dealing with their sin by the grace of God. Does that mean they have no more struggles? Absolutely not. No more than a recovering alcoholic who still craves a drink.

Oh, one more tidbit of information on the Presbyterian minister. He’s calling on his church members to join him for a carbon fast. He’s asking everyone to be carbon-free for one day. Give me a break. I could launch out on this one and spend several posts on it. Suffice it to say that when the church starts talking more about PC than JC, we’re in big trouble.

Disowned By the Family

NOTE: This post is another opinion in my list of reasons as to why the church is losing more young people and adult members. If time permits, you really should read the previous two postings.

Have you ever had a disagreement with a family member? Stupid question, huh? But have you ever really had a serious disagreement? Maybe you’re a Republican, but your brother is a Democrat. Perhaps your sister is a UT fan, but you are a Bama fan. Or maybe you’re Baptist, but your parents are Catholic. Rarely will you see parents disowning their children over political or even religious beliefs. If my son decides to join the Presbyterian church, I’m not going to kick him out of my family. If my daughter grows up and becomes a liberal Democrat, I’m not going to disown her.

My frustration with the church (especially the Church of Christ) is that we disown people in our family over matters that are of little or no biblical relevance. Here in my own town there are 4-5 Churches of Christ. I happen to attend one that is considered “liberal.” (Sidebar: I hate labels. “Liberal,” in my opinion, is NOT a church that claps in worship, sings new songs, or uses a praise team. “Liberal” is a church that does not accept Scripture as the inspired word of God, denies the deity of Jesus, or equats all religions as equal.) Our entire congregation has been disowned by at least two other congregations in town over matters of OPINION! No one in our congregation believes the Bible is really not the inspired word of God. No one doubts the deity of Jesus. But we’ve been disowned…kicked out of the family. We have been lied about. False rumors circulate about us. Accusations have been levied upon us. People will no longer associate with us. Cooperative efforts we sponsor or participate in are shunned and avoided by our “sister” congregations. The leaders of these other congregations have set themselves up as the final authority for what’s right and wrong in the Lord’s Church. That’s a pretty bold and arrogant position to place oneself in. I thought that was God’s place. Their claim is that these issues are scripturally based, but they’re not. They are based solely upon man-made traditions handed down for so long that they’ve become unwritten law.

Venture back in time with me to the first century when the church was in its infancy. Did the church in Philippi disown the church in Corinth because of their error in handling the Lord’s Supper? Was Corinth disowned over disorderly worship? Did the church in Ephesus disown the church in Galatia because they were equating law with grace? Were the Galatian Christians shunned and kicked out of the family of God because they didn’t fully understand that grace? Do I need to say that the answer to all of these questions is NO?!? These congregations had some serious problems. And these weren’t just problems over matters of opinion! Corinthian Christians were abusing communion! A member of their church was having sex with his step-mother and everyone was turning a blind eye! People were denying the resurrection of the Son of God!! Where is it found in the New Testament any place where Paul or any other inspired writer tells any other church to withdraw fellowship from any other congregation over any disagreement in theology or opinion? It’s not in there! Yet it’s found throughout churches today who disagree over matters of opinion. Where did we digress? If these church watchdogs were around in the first century, there would not be a church anywhere that would register as “sound” on their radar! These leaders stand in their lofty bully pulpits and tell their flock not to associate with their “erring brothers and sisters” in the church across town because they do things that are “unauthorized.” WHERE IS THEIR AUTHORITY TO DEMAND THAT ANYONE IN THEIR CHURCH WITHHOLD FELLOWSHIP FROM PEOPLE IN OTHER CHURCHES?!?! They’re doing exactly what they accuse their “liberal” brothers and sister of doing! Is it any wonder we’re losing people and failing to retain our own young?

Imagine a world where the church across town that differs in worship style still cooperates with other churches in town in evangelistic efforts and prayer rallies. Imagine a world where the church across town says positive things about other churches, even those with whom they disagree. Imagine a world where churches that differ over opinions still love and respect one another and praise God for those who are saved through one another’s efforts (no matter how “liberal” or how “conservative”). Imagine a world where “liberal “and “conservative” are never used to describe a church of Jesus Christ. All I know is that thousands of people in our cities are in need of the grace of Jesus, but very few are finding it because of our family feuds. May God have mercy upon us.

Body or Building?

In my last post I listed a couple of my theories behind the exodus of young people from churches throughout our land. This post will add another theory to that list. I don’t think this exodus is relegated exclusively to young people. I think a lot of adults have become disillusioned and disenfranchised with their particular denomination or church in general. Although extremely frustrated at times, I have yet to become disenfranchised with the Church of Christ to the point of abandoning it altogether. A wise friend once told me, “You’re either part of the solution, or part of the problem.” I chose to be part of the solution. Yes, I could be a part of whatever denomination I choose, but fleeing my particular denomination will not solve anything. I believe abandonment to be a cop-out. It’s not biblical or God-honoring. It’s taking the easy way out. Commitment to the church boils down to a fundamental understanding of the church.

The church, as described in the New Testament, is NOT an institution. We have taken Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18 to literally mean a structure. When Jesus said he would “build [his] church,” he was not referring to an institution. He was talking about a kingdom way of life. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ecclesia, which literally means a “gathering of citizens.” It’s used in the New Testament to refer to the gathering of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Paul referred to the church as an organism or body in 1 Corinthians 12. In verse 27 he says, “You are the body of Christ.” The church is a living, breathing organism! I am the church. My wife is the church. The 500+ people who meet in an auditorium on Skyline Drive on Sunday mornings are the church! The building on Skyline Drive is NOT the church.

It’s sad that so many people have developed an understanding of the church much like their perception of their local Rotary or County Club. It’s a physical place where you go and socialize with people, perhaps reciting the creed of that particular club. If you pay your dues and attend the weekly meetings, you’re considered a faithful member of the club. When the church is viewed in this way, is it any wonder people have grown disillusioned? Is it any wonder people are checking out? Throughout my lifetime I have heard people say things like, “That Jim sure is a faithful Christian. Yes sir, he attends every time the doors are open and he puts something in the offering basket every week!” It doesn’t matter that Jim is greedy, has unethical business practices, and is hooked on pornography…at least he’s “in church” every week!

Jesus didn’t die for an institution, he died for sinful people (like Jim, you, and me)! Until we rid our minds and actions of this misconceived idea that the church is an institution, we’re doomed to a slow death. People don’t need another institution in their lives. People don’t want to be a part of an institution that just doles out rules, regulations, antiquated traditions, and offers little or no meaning or substance. People are looking for a gathering of people who, in spite of their screw ups, rejoice when they’re together because they’ve been redeemed by a merciful God. They’re looking for a gathering of people who work alongside one another, sharing their gifts and abilities in a unified way that serves their community and beyond. They’re looking for a group of people whose worship is genuine, passionate, and spirit-filled, not dull and lifeless. They’re looking for a group of people who accept others with grace, no matter what their past looks like.

I wonder what would happen to our churches if they looked more like this? I wonder what would happen if we perpetuated an understanding of the church as a thriving body rather than an worn out institution?

Controlling the Mass Exodus

Religious groups continue to seek the answer to the question, “Why are we losing so many of our young people after high school?” In our own movement (Churches of Christ), there was a lecture held on the campus of Freed-Hardeman University addressing this question. I did not attend, so I don’t know what was offered as the reason or reasons behind so many exiting our churches. I do, however, have my own opinion (and I apply this opinion generally).

Perhaps at the top of this list is the fact that people (especially young people) are tired of institutionalized religion (so am I). The elevation of a system over a Savior must end! The care, concern, and perpetuation of the institution and her laws has become the object of our religion. Our traditions have become unwritten laws. Sure, we talk about Jesus and laud Him as our Savior and Lord, but I wonder how many of our churches are really making disciples of Jesus? I think young people see through it all. They see us majoring in minors and minoring in majors. They’re tired of “playing church” and find little meaning to what we do in our buildings on Sundays and Wednesdays.

We speak of church autonomy, but actually practice uniformity. Christ never prayed for uniformity, but he DID pray for unity! I think our young people grow tired of looking around at all the different churches in their communities and see how they don’t get along, agree on very little, and refuse to support one another’s godly efforts. In just my fellowship alone, we have at least two congregations in our city that will have nothing to do with the church I attend. We’re hosting a city-wide evangelistic effort called Life on Purpose, but a few of our sister congregations will not support it. Why? Because we’re not uniform as they would have us be? Is it because we invite speakers with whom they have some disagreement? Is it because we mic a small group of singers during our praise service? Is it because some of those in attendance clap during some of the songs we sing? Just fill in the blank with whatever you wish: “I don’t like that they _____.” I can guarantee that, whatever you insert in the blank, it will be based on an opinion. They would probably tell you it’s because we teach false doctrine, yet I have never been told what it is we’re teaching that’s false. I’ve never heard anyone say, “They don’t believe in the deity of Jesus” or “They believe faith in Jesus is not essential.” No, it’s always over some petty argument or point of contention. Most of these arguments I’ve encountered in my 30+ years being a Christian are rooted in man-made traditions, not the law of Christ. Perhaps we’d all do well to read Titus 3:9-11.

Is it any wonder we’re losing our young people? They see people who call themselves Christians but don’t follow Christ’s plea for unity among diversity. They see people who call themselves Christians but argue about rules and regulations instead of trying to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind.  They see people who call themselves Christians but seem to care more about perpetuating a system of beliefs instead of a relationship with a Savior.

Is it Utopian of me to wish all believers in Christ could just love God, love others, and worship in whatever style they wish without everyone getting uptight because it looks different? I wonder what would happen in our cities if denominational lines were erased? What would happen if we were truly one? What would happen if we didn’t split and form a different church over matters of opinion? I wonder if that would be closer to what Jesus prayed for in John 17?

Happy New Day!

Today is the start of a new year. So what? I used to be a New Year’s Resolution fanatic. I would sometimes have a list of 15-20 resolutions (of course I never kept even half of them)! Many people use the start of a new year as a time to “start over” or to “make things right.” People resolve to do better during the new year than they did in the previous one.

I’m all for fresh starts and new beginnings. But I want to take it one day at a time. I now make my resolutions on a daily basis. We’re only given one day at a time, so why not live that way? I’m going to resolve to live better today than I did yesterday. Happy New Day!

Wearing our Christianity

I was a youth minister for almost 20 years. Some people looked up to me as a model of what a Christian should be (which is very scary). Early on in my ministry I fell in love with Christian T-shirts. They were colorful. They had some catchy sayings. They were cool. And I was a zealous Christian who wanted others to know I was a Christian…and that I was proud of it!

Last week I was in Wal-Mart and noticed a prominent display of the latest Christian T-shirts…and they were only $6! I thought to myself how wonderful it is that Wal-Mart is now selling Christian shirts! A few days later I was back in Wal-Mart (Christmas-time you know) and perused their Christian T-shirt display. They were still colorful. They still had catchy sayings. But they didn’t seem cool anymore.

I don’t know that a Christian T-shirt is what I need to let others know I am a Christian. Jesus never said, “Your Christian T-shirts will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” I’m pretty sure he said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT). My witness is not reflected by a saying on a shirt, cap, bumper sticker, or poster. It’s reflected by the way I treat others.

Could I wear a cool Christian shirt and mistreat others? Can I attend church every time the doors are open, read my Bible every day, pray several times a day, never say a cuss word, abstain from sex and alcohol, and still miss the point of discipleship?

If you want to wear Christian apparel, that’s fine. I won’t judge you. But I think I’ll try to love better and not worry about not having a fish emblem on my car or a catchy saying on my shirt. Will you join me?

Compartmentalization

I used to think it was a positive character trait. Compartmentalizing your life was something that kept a lot of emotions in check, as well as justifying certain behaviors. Bill Clinton was lauded as one who made no bones about fitting various aspects of his life into certain compartments. There was his public life, his political life, his presidential life, his past life, and his private life (unfortunately, he couldn’t keep Monica Lewinsky in the private compartment, or certain other women in his past compartment).

I’ve grown up hearing Christians talk about their “church life” or their “spiritual life, ” as if it were separate from their “whole life.” We have different hats we wear on our jobs, in our homes, in our communities, in our churches, on our athletic teams, etc. Having various talents, abilities, or functions in society is fine. But when we begin compartmentalizing our lives into spiritual, secular, social, entertainment, etc., lines can become blurred. Compartmentalization can lead to justifying behavior that is not Christ-like. It can lead to confusion and inconsistency. As a youth minister, I’ve seen hundreds of teenagers who had been at wild, alcohol-laden parties on Saturday night sitting in the pew singing “Oh How I Love Jesus” on Sunday, and not think anything of it. I’ve heard of business people doing things that bordered on unethical at their jobs but “at church” would scoff at the idea of doing anything unethical. The disconnect happens when we compartmentalize our lives.

Jesus didn’t live his life in compartments. He was the same no matter where he was or who he was with. His “home life” didn’t look different from his “ministry life.” In fact, when someone told him his family was outside wanting to see him, Jesus responded, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” He then pointed to his disciples and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers” (Matthew 12:48-49).

The disciples didn’t understand this concept. They lived compartmentalized lives. During a “ministry time” of Jesus, people started bringing little kids to Jesus (apparently for his blessing on them). The disciples scolded those people for it. After all, this was Jesus’ “ministry time, ” not the “personal time” for hanging out with kids! Jesus dissolves the lines that form our various compartments by saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

Isn’t it time you and I stop compartmentalizing our lives? Isn’t it time we ask God to dissolve the lines that form those compartments? May our lives be the same at home, at work, at play, “at church,” and everywhere we are no matter who we’re with.

Trying to Kill God?

I used to be an alarmist. I’m trying not to be anymore. That’s why I have to rant for just a moment about the alarmist hysteria surrounding the upcoming movie, The Golden Compass. It’s amazing that people (Christians) believe the power this movie wields. It’s as though this movie will suddenly make atheists out of all of us if we go see it. Hello? It’s a MOVIE. Yes, it’s made by an outspoken atheist. Yes, it’s loosely based on a series of books in which a bunch of kids kill God in the end. But it’s not real. God’s not really going to be killed by anyone, much less a group of kids!

Don’t get me wrong. I think Christians should support deeds of righteousness and oppose deeds of darkness. But how many other movies do Christians see and spend millions of dollars supporting that are made by atheists? How many movies do we as Christians watch that have anti-Christian themes? Give me a break! If you don’t want your kids seeing the movie, don’t take them or allow them to go! If you don’t want your kids reading the books upon which the movie is based, don’t let them read those books!

I grow weary of our (Christians) isolationist agenda and fear-mongering among ourselves. People have minds of their own and can draw their own conclusions without every alarmist Christian having to turn around and shout the word “boycott” every time something comes down the pike that is “anti-Christian!” I think more Christians saw the movie The Last Temptation of Christ because of all the alarmist hype from Christians. It goes all the way back to Jesus Christ Superstar, then the boycott against sponsors of the 70s TV show “Three’s Company.” The more hype surrounding it, the more people seem to flock to it.

I hope The Golden Compass loses money at the box office. But if it makes millions and is the number one movie opening week, that doesn’t move God one inch off his throne! It doesn’t put us any closer to self-destructing as a nation. It just confirms what Scripture says about Satan being the prince of this world. The world is bad. Yes, even our “Christian” nation is bad, because it’s “the world.”

Our job as Christians is not to boycott all that is ungodly. It is to be salt and light in a world of darkness. It is to be “in the world, but not of the world.” We don’t have to protect God from anyone. I think he’s got that under control himself.

Being Jesus…Intentionally

Few would deny that the premise of Christianity is to be more like our Master, Jesus Christ. But for years I had the impression that being like Jesus would just come naturally. The Spirit would just slowly transform me into the likeness of Jesus, and I’d one day be like him.

Recently I’ve come to more fully understand that being like Jesus does not come naturally. It’s something that one does intentionally. For instance, Jesus’ command to love your neighbor is not something one does accidentally. Loving one’s neighbor requires intentional deeds. I can’t just put a sign in my yard alerting my neighbors that I love them. They’ll only know of my love by my actions. How do I treat my neighbors? Do I help those who can’t help themselves? Am I a giving person?

It’s funny that the church (at least the one with which I’ve been associated my whole life) emphasizes doctrine more than being like Jesus. If you attend the right church (regularly), believe the right doctrine, read the Bible (the correct translation, of course), and pray regularly, you’ll find favor with God and be saved. Jesus never mentions any of those things in his Judgment Day scene in Matthew 25. He lists things like giving food, clothing, and water to those without; visiting the sick and imprisoned; and taking in strangers.* God has always had a soft spot for the marginalized of society.

I wonder how many of our churches today really care about the marginalized? Shane Claiborne says, “The problem isn’t that Christians don’t care about the poor, it’s that they don’t know the poor.” I think Shane may have hit the nail on the head. I can count on one hand the number of poor people I know…and most of them live in foreign countries! Walk into any typical protestant church, and I’m willing to bet you’ll find few (if any) poor people. Our churches look just like us!! And that’s how we like it! Poor people make us uncomfortable. We’ll gladly spend money on elaborate facilities, ministerial staff, transportation, and other things that are aesthetically pleasing and make us comfortable. I continue to be saddened by the wealth of our churches, while the poor continue to suffer.

It’s easy to just put money into the collection plate, knowing that some of it will be used to help the poor. Here’s what hits me between the eyes: Jesus didn’t say in Matthew 25, “For I was hungry and you gave money for the local soup kitchen, I was thirsty and you gave money at church to provide water, I was a stranger and you donated to the local hospitality house, I needed clothes and you made a donation to Goodwill, I was sick and you sent a minister, I was in prison and you mailed Bible correspondence courses.” I have felt good my whole adult life by giving to my local church on Sundays, knowing they’ll use some of that money to help the poor. Haven’t we outsourced enough of our Christian responsibilities?

I’m proud of my congregation in Jackson, the Skyline Church of Christ, for challenging our members (myself included) to be more intentional in our efforts to be Jesus. Although we’re growing, our elders have decided not to add on to our building. Instead, we’ll have two services (and save over a million dollars). We don’t have an elaborate building. We don’t have a gym. And we’re one of the few white churches that hasn’t moved to the north side of town because our neighborhood is being flooded with minorities. Last month we had our annual Dorcas Day, where we invite the community to our activity center to get free clothes. Our college minister spent a weekend with some students living as homeless immigrants in downtown Memphis. This month we began Room In The Inn, a ministry to the homeless where we host, feed, interact with, and house homeless people in our city. Next month we are inviting children from the impoverished neighborhood near our building to join our children to participate in a Christmas play. They’re small steps, but steps in the right direction toward being Jesus…intentionally.

*I don’t believe that anyone is saved by works, whether those works be doctrinal or practical. I believe one is saved by the undeserved grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Our good deeds are a response to our salvation.