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Suffering for the Gospel in White Middle-Class America-Pt 2

Most of my thoughts today come straight from 1 Peter. I think if it were a book today it might be named "How to Suffer Well-Always for the Sake of Doing Good". After reading this letter through, one could tell Peter has obviously experienced suffering. Peter also has an unwavering hope that all of his suffering was not in vain and ours won't be either...if done right. It is kind of funny writing on this subject because I haven't really suffered. I am so blessed to have a wife, a home, a great family, a job, food, clothing, and both sets of Grandparents still alive. Sure, I've experienced some difficult situations, but none as tough as the Christians Peter was writing to. I feel almost as if I am reviewing a movie that I haven't seen or a book I haven't read. But it is this fact scares/excites/motivates me. I would not by any means wish suffering upon myself or anyone else. I would much rather give God glory in preaching or in leading worship than through suffering. But, if that's what it takes for me to realize that I have nothing without God and cannot place my hope anywhere else, so be it. Peter goes so far to state that "We were called" to suffer for doing good. Put another way, it is God's will that we suffer for doing good. It is God's will that we suffer?! Furthermore, we must give glory to God when we do! I am scared for what God is going to call me to suffer through. I am scared it's going to be difficult. I am scared it is going to test my faith. So my prayer now is, when suffering does come, either for doing good or because creation is subjected to futility, I will give God all the glory for letting me be an instrument of his mercy.

Suffering For the Gospel in White Middle-Class America-Pt. 1

Typically, Americans don't suffer well...here in the bible belt anyway (kind of ironic). Suffering of any kind is looked on not as a building of character or integrity, but as something no one in their life should ever experience. For most Americans, even after a natural disaster or terrorist attack, the idea of suffering angers us and causes Toby Keith to write lyrics like, "We'll put a boot in your a@# it's the American way". Suffering is viewed as unjust (more than likely it is), unfair, wrong and blameworthy. However, I don't disagree with any of those ideas, it is the way in which people react to the idea of suffering. People turn to the legal system and sue each other, they resort to irrational behavior and language and find anyway possible to blame whatever they are experiencing on someone or something else. The very definition of suffering has behind it the idea that one is undergoing something difficult. And to me, this screams the exact opposite of our microwavable, "Easy Button" culture. "Anything difficult...no thanks. I'll lie to my spouse, cheat on my taxes, and gossip about my so-called friends. That's easier. I'll avoid any chance that I might actually undergo something difficult." Suffering well is hard. It's not easy. It has caused countless Christians to lose their faith in God. What do you think? Has the church bought into the culture's idea that we should avoid suffering at all costs?

A New Model For Elders-Guest Post

Today's post is from a minister in the Church of Christ with years of experience who would rather remain anonymous. His words come from a deep love to see the church thrive again.

There are words that infuse my soul - passion, dream, inspire, encourage.   I love the process of dreaming with others.  The process of discovery that takes people on a journey and helps them unearth the unknown – the hidden – the true treasures no one ever knew existed. 

I also love building, putting together the pieces over time, working with a group of individuals and building on their strengths to produce a product.  Not everyone is gifted in this way, yet when one is, potential blessings can be huge.

But what if all that talent, all that passion, all the expertise of many years of discovery was caged – locked away? 

I love our tribe.  I love the people and their hearts.  They want so desperately to know God and to grow in Him.  Yet our churches are not growing and we are losing our young people.  What seems to be the problem?  There is no denying that we are doing the same thing over and over, expecting to get the same results. 

There is a flaw in our system – elders have been given the power – many ministers have the passion and the dreams and yet the two rarely come together in a collection of work that would benefit the whole.  Gifted and talented ministers are frustrated because they feel trapped.  Elders are afraid.  They want to move but would rather weigh-in on the side of caution.  This leads to a collision of identity.  Who are we?  Where are we going?  What are we doing?  When can we move?  Are we going to move?  What are the next steps?  Can we try this, or how about that? 

The frustration sets in and many talented and gifted pulpit ministers with passion and dreams who feel their talents and skills are being wasted either give up and accept the norm or leave frustrated and hurt. 

How interesting is it that Paul told Timothy and Titus to select elders?  The evangelists were the ones designated for doing that job.  Is that the biblical model we use?  Do we allow the evangelist to select those men qualified for service?  Paul also encouraged Timothy to fan into flame the gifts bestowed upon Him.  Do our elderships expect that out of their ministers?  And if so, what avenues have they allowed for this to take place?  Preach well, visit the sick, make everyone happy – but don’t dream.  Isn’t this the current model of frustration?

I say it is time for a new model - a model consistent with the biblical mandate.  He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip… Why is this list here?  Do you believe Paul was making a point as to the designation of importance?  If so, should Paul’s model be one we implore in our churches as he did?  And if so, would we have churches filled with men of passion and discovery?   What say you?  

 

 

The Worship Experience

If you have read this blog for any amount of time you know I have written on this issue multiple times here and here.  I want to continue attacking this idea because it is stifling growth in and among many churches of Christ and giving false ideas of how the church should function to a young generation.  Here is one major problem with marketing/telling your friends they should come because of a certain style of worship.  It always has to be topped/one-upped.  Sure you might get some people in the doors, but what happens when that style gets old?  Something new, better, and bigger has to be next or those people get bored and move on.  If young people continue to be attracted to this model, they will be plagued by perpetual jumping from one spiritual high to the next, missing out on one major aspect of the church-community.  So the next time you invite someone to church, whether they are disillusioned with the church or attending somewhere else, think about why you are bringing them.  Is it because Sunday morning is awesome, or you want them to experience something much deeper.

Disagreeing Gracefully

I imagine most of you who read this blog find the content to be agreeable.  If not, I'm glad you're still reading and I hope you'll chime in from time to time and provide a different perspective.  My goal is to start a conversation...to engage, full of grace, with all humility.  This isn't about who has the right answers (I know I don't).  If the church continues to argue about who's right or wrong, it will only be stuck promoting more of the same-division among a people who claim to be unified.  There will always be disagreements in the church.  We must learn to disagree gracefully, realize that we love the same God, and that it is ultimately His mission which unifies us.  My hope for this blog is that even when people disagree, they would continue to search.  Prod.  Dig.  So, what I'm saying is, pass it on.  Not for my glory, but for His.  

Stop Going to Church

No, really. Try not going to church for a month. Stop program involvement, stop weekly committee meetings, whatever it is that promotes busyness at church, try not doing it and see where God leads you. We often stress the importance of our spiritual leaders needing a sabbatical yet we ourselves have a difficult time stepping back and looking at why we do what we do for the church. It's easy to look at outsiders who are trying to fill a void in their life with alcohol, sex, career or money. But it's much more difficult to look at the church and see people doing the same thing all in the name of a good cause. Maybe even, all in the name of Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus would be a stumbling block for some to experience the kingdom of God. But for others, the stumbling block is the church. The modern church has become a place where a person can invest in their entire life and still never really know God...Church becomes a hobby.
Here's a simple test to take. Ask yourself these questions. Have I been transformed? Not, do I know more about the Bible then I did a year ago. Not, am I living a more moral life than I was a year ago. Do you know Jesus better? Do you live a life led by the spirit and not by selfish impulses? Do you go to church week after week, involved in every activity possible, and see no change in your life? I'm not saying to forsake the assembly. I'm simply asking if the church is accomplishing it's purpose in your life-to facilitate spiritual growth. If not, stop going. Stop pretending. Seek God...not the church.