Mixed Modes
This is the last entry on the Mixed Series. I am perplexed by mixes modes. That is, I am perplexed when people who claim Christ are one way in one situation and another way elsewhere. Speaking one way at work and speaking another way at church. Living a life filled with tension and anger at home and perfect peace with church friends. Treating your spouse with respect and kindness in public and treating them as worthless in private at home.
First, I think it is essential to take the log out of your own eye before you can see clearly to remove the speck from your own in this area. It is easy to read this blog entry and look at others rather than apply it to yourself or myself (Matthew 7:3).
Second, we have been raised, trained, and enculturated to live split lives. There are cultural forces that press Christians to be completely secular at work and in public driving them to suppress their values and faith to the purely private sectors of life. We need to think and examine our lives to break out of this cultural bondage with wisdom.
So, how do we fix the mix?
First, become a student of the Word of God. My daughter is a student of Mrs. Willis. That is, she is daily learning from Mrs. Willis. Are you a student of the Word? Are you daily learning from the Word? You will never be able to examine yourself without having the ruler of the Word to guide you toward a true standard of what is correct.
Second, to fix the mix we have to start with ourselves. You can't change your home, church, city or culture if you don't let God start with you first.
Third, make prayer a priority of your day. Stop having a prayer time that is marked by a list of needs. Start having a prayer time that is marked by listening to God and allowing him to search your heart. Is prayer about God serving you? God protect me, provide, heal, give me wisdom and so forth. Or, is prayer about you serving God? God search me, make me, mold me, change me to what you want me to be.
Fourth, get in a Small Group and talk about what God is wanting to do in your life with a few close Friends. Ministry happens in relationships. If you want to really be accountable to God, make yourself accountable to some friends. Simply stating what God wants to do in you will be the start of accountability.
Fifth, as you grow in God, get some personal security! Most Christians are making really bad decisions about their schedule, their finances, their marriage, their family activities and these bad choices are driven by INSECURITY and FEAR. Let's stop making choices based on fear.
Lastly, let's get really serious about where we are allowing ourselves and our family to learn about how to serve Jesus and understand the word. Do you believe in the rapture? Then why send your kids to a place that teaches them otherwise? Do you believe in sprinkling and infant baptism? Then why let others teach your kids to treat the Scriptures to trust in it? Even in the way we choose to pick devotional blogs, television ministries, and other Christian media forms, lets get choosy! I am not saying that I want you to be judgemental, but make spiritual judgements. But, get serious about what you believe. Your actions are telling your family what you value. Your sources of influence will eventually change you and yours. Last week I literally threw a very nice hard back Christian book in my garbage can. I was not even going to finish it. It don't even want it on my shelf. I don't want anyone in my church to read it or see it in my office.
On a trip last week some ladies from our church visited a powerfully strong church. They asked, how does a church become like that? My wife and I attended that church for its first 18 months of existence. It grew from 55 to 1200 in that time. At 1200 there were three full time pastors. how did they serve 1200 people? Because the church served one another! So, since we were there and a part of it, my wife wheeled around and told them how. "You have about 55 people who are so committed to their church that nothing gets in the way of that church. Your wife and family are first and church is absolutely second in your list of priorities."
She is right. If you want your kids in a great church, it is up to you to make your church great. If you want a great Pastor, realize that it will not always come from the top down, but often from the bottom up. I am not perfect, but I am also only as good as my Elders and Small Group leaders and staff that I am leading. A Pastor may be a great leader, but if no one is following, he is just taking a great walk.
Let's put away our mixed lives and live carefully, and crazy in love with Jesus Christ! I am convicted myself! Let's move on this together.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Mixed #2
I am continuing my blog series, Mixed Methods.
I am continually finding that Christians are bombarded with mixed methods. Content is everything. The message of a loving, saving, holy God is everything! So why use material that is not aligned with your message, or even contradictory to our message? It is one thing to reference secular music in your message, but it is often contradictory to play the song as if part of the worship set. I have used movie themes to point out the condition of the human soul, but I have learned that I don't need the church to watch the movie. Also, there are some movies that have the same theme, one is R and one is PG, why build up the R movie that no Christian should watch? Why would a church yoke themselves with non-christians who provide a non-christian message for the purpose of drawing a crowd?
At our church, we purposefully engage in activities that allow us to work alongside people who may not be believers. The Relay for Life, The MS Walk and projects with the public schools, police, fire department, and EMS department are all ways we want to work with people who may or may not share our faith message. We love to rub shoulders with un-churched people and people from other Christian groups. But Christians have become mixed when we originate events and allow people to speak or sing into the hearts of our mission field with a message that contradicts our message of life through Christ.
Our methods become mixed when the goal of building relationships with the lost requires us to be dishonest or deceptive about our Biblical standards. Our methods become mixed when we use manipulative techniques to get people to respond in prayer, worship or giving. There is a place for encouragement, there is a place for excitement, a place for correction from church leadership. But those tools must always be handled gently to avoid manipulation and dishonesty.
Here are some guidelines to beat the temptation to be mixed in our methods.
1. Be transparent. Let people know exactly what you are doing and where things are going. Don't share half your vision.
2. Communicate. Give people your full vision. Don't hide your real goals. You will be surprised how fast people may go along with your Godly goals. You will also be surprised how fast they may accept the Bible message of God's love and salvation.
3. Beat insecurity. In Judges, we find insecure leaders making poor decisions. Jephthah made a foolish vow due to his insecurity and fear. Samson thought he needed a girlfriend more than he needed his hair. Don't make decisions about your methods based on your insecurities. Be more concerned about purity than losing followers.
4. Avoid comparison. Do what God tells you to do and don't fall into the trap of having to do ministry like someone else who seems to be successful in their place of ministry.
Let me end with this. At various times, church people in the distant past took bar songs and melodies and put a new set of lyrics to them. The key is that the content changed. Today some of those songs are in our hymnals. Most people have no idea that the melody started out as a non-religious tune. However, today the tunes are tightly associated in our culture with the Christian message. Content is everything. Mixed methods will always confuse the message. The message will always overcome all obstacles if we will let the message shine out pure and holy, life changing and straight forward just as God has given it to us to follow.
Check out these Scriptures: 2 Cor. 7:2-4 and Ephesians 5:3-13.
I am continually finding that Christians are bombarded with mixed methods. Content is everything. The message of a loving, saving, holy God is everything! So why use material that is not aligned with your message, or even contradictory to our message? It is one thing to reference secular music in your message, but it is often contradictory to play the song as if part of the worship set. I have used movie themes to point out the condition of the human soul, but I have learned that I don't need the church to watch the movie. Also, there are some movies that have the same theme, one is R and one is PG, why build up the R movie that no Christian should watch? Why would a church yoke themselves with non-christians who provide a non-christian message for the purpose of drawing a crowd?
At our church, we purposefully engage in activities that allow us to work alongside people who may not be believers. The Relay for Life, The MS Walk and projects with the public schools, police, fire department, and EMS department are all ways we want to work with people who may or may not share our faith message. We love to rub shoulders with un-churched people and people from other Christian groups. But Christians have become mixed when we originate events and allow people to speak or sing into the hearts of our mission field with a message that contradicts our message of life through Christ.
Our methods become mixed when the goal of building relationships with the lost requires us to be dishonest or deceptive about our Biblical standards. Our methods become mixed when we use manipulative techniques to get people to respond in prayer, worship or giving. There is a place for encouragement, there is a place for excitement, a place for correction from church leadership. But those tools must always be handled gently to avoid manipulation and dishonesty.
Here are some guidelines to beat the temptation to be mixed in our methods.
1. Be transparent. Let people know exactly what you are doing and where things are going. Don't share half your vision.
2. Communicate. Give people your full vision. Don't hide your real goals. You will be surprised how fast people may go along with your Godly goals. You will also be surprised how fast they may accept the Bible message of God's love and salvation.
3. Beat insecurity. In Judges, we find insecure leaders making poor decisions. Jephthah made a foolish vow due to his insecurity and fear. Samson thought he needed a girlfriend more than he needed his hair. Don't make decisions about your methods based on your insecurities. Be more concerned about purity than losing followers.
4. Avoid comparison. Do what God tells you to do and don't fall into the trap of having to do ministry like someone else who seems to be successful in their place of ministry.
Let me end with this. At various times, church people in the distant past took bar songs and melodies and put a new set of lyrics to them. The key is that the content changed. Today some of those songs are in our hymnals. Most people have no idea that the melody started out as a non-religious tune. However, today the tunes are tightly associated in our culture with the Christian message. Content is everything. Mixed methods will always confuse the message. The message will always overcome all obstacles if we will let the message shine out pure and holy, life changing and straight forward just as God has given it to us to follow.
Check out these Scriptures: 2 Cor. 7:2-4 and Ephesians 5:3-13.
Celebration Sunday
We are gearing up for the second celebration sunday of 2011! It will be the six month mark since our last big gathering. We will meet at the Elk's Lodge again, on October 30th. Breakfast will be at 8:30 and worship at 10:00 a.m.
Click here to see some pictures from the April celebration.
Click here to see some pictures from the April celebration.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Mixed #1
In recent days and months I have been hit over and over with the same thought. As followers of Jesus Christ our hearts can not be mixed. I am continuously having conversations with people and about people who are mixed in their hearts. Jesus asks us to, "Be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48 ; 1 Peter 1:16)That is a steep hill to climb in our journey, but it is just that, a JOURNEY, not a quick sprint to perfection. because this is such a huge message in my heart the last few weeks, I am starting a blog series on the subject.
To be a holy Christian is to be un-mixed. That is, to be whole in our relationship with God. Our actions match our beliefs. Our emotions and feelings begin to match our stated faith and Biblical principals. When we allow the world to affect us rather than us affecting the world around us, we are becoming mixed.
In the book "Habbitudes" the illustration is used of a thermostat and a thermometer. A thermometer tells us the temperature of a room and its reading is determined by its surrounding. A thermostat sets its reading and then proceeds to change the room. We need to be thermostats and set a Biblical, holy tone where ever we go.
Mixed Minds
I am finding people mixed in their minds. They can't decide what to believe. They are mixed in trying to determine if they really want to serve God. They are really mixed up about what they believe is right and wrong. There is a continual wavering in their faith every time they get some new information from a high school or college class, watch a documentary on TV or hear an opinion on the radio. We can question everything, but we need to do a better job of holding on to the truth.
It is time to become students of the Word of God. The Bible has answers to almost every question that you have in life. There are very few mysteries in life that the Bible does not speak to. Where the Bible is silent, God intends to be silent and leave a mystery. There are no circumstances in life that the Bible fails to address. The primary way to know God's will, is to know God's Word.
The days of trusting our culture to guide us toward what is good are over. Simply trying to fit in will not lead you into holy living and thinking. The possibility of searching Google or Yahoo for a Biblical answer may be scarce. There are multitudes of possible answers to any question if you are looking on the web. Assuming that a person believes the Scriptures because their title is Pastor is becoming a mistake. Many Pastors do trust the Word of God, but others have placed other sources of authority over and along side God's Word. These other sources of authority eliminate some Scriptural truths and disregard others. It is time to study the Word and trust the Word of God.
There is more to come this week.
To be a holy Christian is to be un-mixed. That is, to be whole in our relationship with God. Our actions match our beliefs. Our emotions and feelings begin to match our stated faith and Biblical principals. When we allow the world to affect us rather than us affecting the world around us, we are becoming mixed.
In the book "Habbitudes" the illustration is used of a thermostat and a thermometer. A thermometer tells us the temperature of a room and its reading is determined by its surrounding. A thermostat sets its reading and then proceeds to change the room. We need to be thermostats and set a Biblical, holy tone where ever we go.
Mixed Minds
I am finding people mixed in their minds. They can't decide what to believe. They are mixed in trying to determine if they really want to serve God. They are really mixed up about what they believe is right and wrong. There is a continual wavering in their faith every time they get some new information from a high school or college class, watch a documentary on TV or hear an opinion on the radio. We can question everything, but we need to do a better job of holding on to the truth.
It is time to become students of the Word of God. The Bible has answers to almost every question that you have in life. There are very few mysteries in life that the Bible does not speak to. Where the Bible is silent, God intends to be silent and leave a mystery. There are no circumstances in life that the Bible fails to address. The primary way to know God's will, is to know God's Word.
The days of trusting our culture to guide us toward what is good are over. Simply trying to fit in will not lead you into holy living and thinking. The possibility of searching Google or Yahoo for a Biblical answer may be scarce. There are multitudes of possible answers to any question if you are looking on the web. Assuming that a person believes the Scriptures because their title is Pastor is becoming a mistake. Many Pastors do trust the Word of God, but others have placed other sources of authority over and along side God's Word. These other sources of authority eliminate some Scriptural truths and disregard others. It is time to study the Word and trust the Word of God.
There is more to come this week.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Wednesday Nights
The month of August is going to be great on Wednesday nights.
1. Our Membership Class starts this Wednesday night. If you are not a member of the church and would like to join please contact the church office.
2. J D Elleman will be speaking in the bible study this Wednesday. He did a great job earlier this year speaking from the book of Acts.
3. In the last three Wednesday nights of August Dr. Brenda Melton will be speaking about Christians and mental health issues. If you have questions about mental health issues from a Christian perspective, this may be of help to you.
1. Our Membership Class starts this Wednesday night. If you are not a member of the church and would like to join please contact the church office.
2. J D Elleman will be speaking in the bible study this Wednesday. He did a great job earlier this year speaking from the book of Acts.
3. In the last three Wednesday nights of August Dr. Brenda Melton will be speaking about Christians and mental health issues. If you have questions about mental health issues from a Christian perspective, this may be of help to you.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Greater Prayer
I am making some changes to the way I do bed time prayer with my boys. We usually do the kneeling, short, by the bed kind of prayers at bed time. We often talk a little before we pray. It is prayer, but it is also like an emotional and psychological wind-down ritual.
So, here is my problem. That is not at all how I pray when I have my alone time with God. I walk, raise my hands and I put real effort into prayer. I pray out loud, not whispering. What I am thinking is that our bed time prayer routine is not teaching my boys to pray in the way that I pray or the way I think we need to pray to press in close to God and receive from him. So, we are doing bed time prayers differently.
Last night, the boys were in bed covered with blankets when I came in to pray. I had only been home a few minutes from my Missouri Baptist class I teach on Tuesdays. I got them out of bed. We all lifted our hands together. I told them that God wants men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer. Then I told them to start praying with me out loud about our daily prayers. I am determined that I will start using bed time prayer time to teach the boys to really pray and seek God. Some nights we will pray a little and then worship. I am going to change it up a little each day. But, the intensity level is going to go up.
So, here is my problem. That is not at all how I pray when I have my alone time with God. I walk, raise my hands and I put real effort into prayer. I pray out loud, not whispering. What I am thinking is that our bed time prayer routine is not teaching my boys to pray in the way that I pray or the way I think we need to pray to press in close to God and receive from him. So, we are doing bed time prayers differently.
Last night, the boys were in bed covered with blankets when I came in to pray. I had only been home a few minutes from my Missouri Baptist class I teach on Tuesdays. I got them out of bed. We all lifted our hands together. I told them that God wants men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer. Then I told them to start praying with me out loud about our daily prayers. I am determined that I will start using bed time prayer time to teach the boys to really pray and seek God. Some nights we will pray a little and then worship. I am going to change it up a little each day. But, the intensity level is going to go up.
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