Missing Out

What we believe is an important part of who we are.  Christians believe in the Republican Ideal, Muslims believe in making everyone like them, atheists believe in themselves, Buddhists believe in enlightenment.  Yes I realize I am stereotyping in these comments.

As a Christ Follower I believe that the Great commission is best fulfilled by working as hard as I possibly can at being more and more like Jesus.  Seeing people with the eyes of Christ, seeing myself and other leaders through the same lens he looked at religious leaders in his day, attempting to not be one of the guys that made relationship with God harder than it has to be.

The Apostles Creed was not something that was used in the worship services that I was a part of growing up.  In fact the liturgy used in the church I grew up in had little if any resemblance to what churches would consider liturgical, still there was a liturgy to our services, even if there were no responsive readings, formal calls to worship, etc.  There were things that could always be counted on in every service, a set number of songs, a certain time for reflection, a chance to respond by coming forward.  All of these things made up the liturgy in our church.  But we missed out on the Apostles Creed. We missed out on what it says, we missed out on the Doxology, some of the communion responses are really beautiful.  We never did a formal call to worship, something that has become one of my favorite parts of the service, especially as I write each call to worship based on the Psalm found in the lectionary for the week.  That's another thing that I really like, I like the Scripture Readings each Sunday.  These passages, sometimes large and at other times not so large are great because it's pure unfiltered Word of God and as we know from scripture God's Word doesn't go out void.  It always will do something.

What has been especially enjoyable has been the new series we are in at the Church.  What are We Saying?  Digging into the different parts of a highly liturgical service and really finding out what is being said.  These passages these, creeds, and prayers are really great because they say so much, the problem is they can become ritual instead of reality.  That's the danger that some churches concern themselves with when they stop using them or question churches that do.  Ritual is not a bad word, but for some reason it's become something that some in the church community have decided is akin to breaking one of the commandments.  It's funny, many in the church talk of the importance of developing a habit of reading the Bible and Praying each day, usually at the same time and for the same duration each day, and yet they will take people who enjoy the ritualistic portions of a highly liturgical service to task for having a form of Godliness.  I'm not writing this to rant though, just to say that when looked at thoroughly these elements of a service are beautiful.

This past week as I was studying for Sundays message we were in the section of the Apostles Creed that has to do with Jesus death, and resurrection, it goes without saying that this one part of the creed means more to Christians as a whole than any other portion.  It is the thing that we point to, the thing that allows us to have a relationship with God that goes beyond a sterile non-interactive acquaintance.  As I was doing the work for the message I really took time to think about the Pontius Pilate part of the creed. Funny how Pilate can paint a picture so plainly of humanity in their attempt to have a relationship with God on their own terms.  We try to let God know exactly how things are going to work, how they are going to be.  We want   to be in charge of a relationship that we broke.  It's sad really.  Ultimately all of his attempts to make things okay between the two of them came to nothing.  His attempt to absolve himself by washing his hands was more condemnation than anything else.  Funny how self-justification is at the root of so many of our problems.  What does it take for us to admit that there is no way we can make ourselves okay with God no matter how hard we try.  Why do we want to try to do it on our own anyway.  Have you read Levitical Law?  Have you seen what it takes for a human to be good enough all on their own for a vibrant relationship with God?  I maintain that one of the main purposes of the Old Testament writings, particularly the ones that lay out the rules that the Hebrews had to follow was to prove to them that no matter what they needed God.  There was no possible way that any of them were going to be able to do it all the right way.  They were going to mess it up.  We will  mess it up if we try.  All this has been in my mind for a while now.  I have talked about it, I have posted thoughts about it, but studying for this series has given it a freshness that I welcome.

I tire of looking at the church as a whole and seeing people who are more concerned with their rights than they are with doing right.  More worried about their standing in the community than they are standing with those that are hurting, frightened, alone and disenfranchised.  Nervous about "those people" coming into their community instead of being nervous that John 3:16 has been relegated to a sign held up in the end zone.  I think there is more than a little bit of value in going back to the roots of what we believe, and really digging in.  I think we would find a very different way to live out our faith, we may find that the way we do life with the world at large is lacking in the what would Jesus do side of things, and more fitting with what would evangelicals, or emergents, or catholics, or fill in the blanks do.  The Apostles creed is a great way to understand our base of operations, and an awesome jumping off point for sharing a vibrant faith with a group of people who need to hear what it really means to be a Christ follower, not what it means to be a christian.

I think the church is missing out on a vibrant relationship with God mainly because somewhere we decided to settle for the visible proof as opposed to the deep truth that goes beyond cool songs, nice sermons and simple quips.  What happens if we can't handle it, what do we do when there is no real reason for the bad things happening, what does it mean when the chills don't come, the bills don't get paid, the tumor grows, the healing that we thought we witnessed turns out to be fake?  The songs fade, the feelings disappear, the questions come and the shallow faith that is based on what we see and feel crumbles.

Imagine though if when those things happened we were still able to say "

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only begotten son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost, the one holy universal Christian church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting .  Amen. 

A Classic Education

First off, I know that my title seems to be missing an al somewhere.  Trust me it's not.  I meant a Classic education as opposed to a Classical one.

I've been reading some great books lately, not just skimming mind you actually reading them, many come out of Orange.  Nieuwhof, Noble, Joiner among others including Manning, McLaren, Belcher Bierly and OBrien, all great authors, all offer differing insights, which is great and all but while each author and each book that I have read and am in the middle of are bringing great new ideas, and struggles, none compares to a classic that has been digging into my spirit in a very different way.  

Acts 2:44 (NLT) — 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

All is a pretty encompassing word, at least as far as I can tell.  It means all so when this verse in acts says all the believers I'm going to go on ahead and lump in the leaders of those believers as well.  Meaning the apostles, the elders, the teacher, the preachers.  All means all.  

As a pastor this has different implications,  especially when pastoring a church that needs an influx of people, a mix of returning members and new blood would be very welcome.  That very need makes the lessons that are pushing deep into my heart while reading this little known classic of Christian literature all the more painful.  

The book in question is by Charles M, Sheldon. Most will recognize him as the author of In His Steps, or for those that were around when the bracelet craze of the late 90s and early 00's took hold the guy that wrote WWJD.  Take time to read that one book alone and I can guarantee that no matter what flavor of Christianity you subscribe to, you will be challenged and changed.  It's not an easy concept to master, and is one that I feel is parallel to our walk through this life as a Christ follower, imagine if people would really ask that question... anyway I digress the real issue today is the other book that I am reading by said author.  It's title is The Miracle at Markham, not really easy to find as it's been out of print for a while.  The Nook shop has a poorly rendered microfiche copy, luckily I located a usable pdf file that was a strait up scan from forgotten books.  Great difference and the reading is much easier, oh that the lessons being taught were simple to apply.  

The idea of the book is that there are so many churches in the town of Markham, each supposed to fulfill the great commission, each cloistered away and preaching to the faithful few.  The idea of the churches in the town working toward a common goal, and on a common mission is where this is all going, and it is meeting with resistance.  The introduction of the issue that needs changed is of course brought about by those younger men and women who desperately want their faith to be more than church attendance and brand loyalty.  They want to see the great commission taken seriously again.  They want churches to work toward a common goal.  They are turning traditional methods upside down, challenging everything from inter church cooperation, to appropriate clothing choices for clergy, to letting another pastor preach in the pulpit, not from the approved of supply list, but from another tradition all together.  We would all do well to read this book, written in the late 1800's yet completely relevant to the current church climate.  

People in leadership have forgotten the great commission, so have Christians, in their desire to be right, they have forgotten that we are all wrong.  We all have sinned, we all fall short.  In their need to prove or disprove the importance of the gifts of the Spirit, they are forgetting the one who gave those gifts.  In the need to stand firm in a belief of how God created, they are forgetting the real challenge is faith THAT He created.  Relevance is important, something I strive for, but there are times that in striving for relevance I can overlook people who have always felt God had something to say to them.   With each swipe of the screen I am confronted with a glaring question.  Would I as the Pastor of a small church that needs to grow be willing to work with and help a church in my city grow?  Better yet could I work with that same church to effect change in our neighborhood without either of our congregations seeing any immediate benefit?  

The church world today, Christianity today has become such a polarizing place, but for all the wrong reasons.  We should be beacons of light to a dark world and to dark souls, sometimes I fear we are so worried about what it looks like or feels like to have the world in all it's messy, hurting, disgruntled, and disjointed self really enter our place of worship, our sanctuary.  If true change happens in a persons life when they come into contact with God, and we are the ones that are supposed to show people who God is, it follows that discomfort will be par for the course.  If churches could see beyond their own denominational traditions, if we could all look past what God is supposed to be as prescribed by our own particular interpretation of scripture, and instead focus on his final words, his basic instructions before leaving earth as Burlap to Cashmere so nicely put it.  We wouldn't really have time to argue about non-essentials.  I am on a quest in my personal life, and in my ministry life, I want my faith to be distilled, over and over again, until it is something easily seen, not just heard.  I want to be able to look at the other churches in our neighborhood, not just as partners but as essential to the fabric of faith in Locust Point.  

If we can all see the city through the eyes of Christ, if we can each see the community we work in through the eyes of Christ instead of through the eyes of our denomination we will begin to see the Work of Christ in a new way, an maybe just maybe we will forget about the things that make us different, the things that divide us, and we will be able to accomplish much for the Kingdom of God on this earth.

It's all about rights and lefts.

Two posts in one week, I know what ever will you all do?  I just had to post this thought though because it's really been bugging me over the last few days.  

I am pretty sure everyone already has it figured out, especially if you've been reading the blog for any length of time.  I mean my title makes it obvious what I'm about to give my comment about, especially given the geo-political climate today.  So much to talk about, so many ways to look at current situations across the globe in in our own back yard, so many people and nationalities to be frustrated with.

Matthew 6:2-4 (NLT)
²  When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
³  But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
⁴  Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

TRICKED YA

You all think you know me so well.   A few things have happened in the last few days that have brought this issue to the front of my mind and heart.  We will take them in turn. 

It goes without saying that the idea of a tithe, of giving is a Biblical principle, one that as a pastor is important to discuss, important to teach, and impossible to bring up without hurting feelings, angering, or being met with eye rolls.  The struggle is to get people to understand the idea of giving because it's what we should do because doing so is what Jesus says to do.  More than once,  but I digress.  

A few days ago traveling on the toll road and listening to the local Christian station I heard something that made my teeth grind.  The local personality was talking about a sponsored run that was going to benefit a local camp.  Great idea, simple in it's goal.  Get sponsors so that when you run under-privileged, under-served kids could attend camp next Summer, average cost to send a child to this particular camp is $500.00 for the week.  I think it's great that the station and the camp area working together to benefit those that are less fortunate.  Camp is one of those things that makes a big impact in a kids life.  The disconnect came with two separate statements that were made.

Statement 1:  Give you're best gift...  This statement bothers me.  It actually brings to  mind the observation Jesus made to his disciples when they were commenting about how much people were putting into the collection box.  The idea behind having to make this statement is frustrating. Do we really have to be reminded to give our best?  Is it really that hard for us to keep in mind that giving is not a show, or a way for a pat on the back. That giving out of our abundance is easy?  Why would I give any less than my best?  Wouldn't giving less than our best be a slap in the face to the one who died for us?  We should not need to be reminded to give our best.  It should be second nature as a Christ Follower.

Statement 2: Giving to send a kid to camp gets you a tax deduction at the end of the year.   Really so we give to get?  We give not out of a deep need to follow Biblical principles, to honor God, or because it's the right thing to do.  We give the money to send a kid to camp because if we do at the end of the year we can get a tax deduction, the cost of giving doesn't have to hurt that much.  You give and then you get.  What a great system, everybody wins.  Except that's not how it should work.  When I give to send a kid to camp, or to help with the churches Kids Crusade, or to a person taking a missions trip, or to bring clean water and health care to people who need it, there shouldn't be a calculation of how much I'm going to get in return.  I shouldn't look at giving as a way to better my own life.  

Don't get me wrong,  I don't have an issue with tax deductions for charitable giving.  We take the giving receipts we get at the end of the year and apply them to our taxes, but it's not the reason to give, it's good stewardship to do so and in doing so we are able to give more.  We don't use it as a carrot in church.  Hey everyone, when you give a donation to the church we give you a tax receipt.  Jesus gave because he loved, not for what he would get, I\in striving to be more like Christ we are to do the same.  

The scripture that I started with speaks to this.  Give in such a way that recognition, and gain are not readily available. Give because it's a part of our calling as Christ followers, not because it's a great way to prove to others that you are one.  There are other ways that people should be able to see Jesus in our lives, our giving is not one of them, at least it shouldn't be.

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