Priority Praying

When Jesus begins His discourse on praying in Matthew 6 He says, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites.” Jesus assumes that a devoted follower of God will pray, but He does instruct us on the right way and wrong way to pray. He focuses on two powerful contrast, public prayer verses private devotion, and content verses character. The problem with the hypocrites is that they “...stand and pray…that they may be seen of others.” The problem as Jesus points out is not public prayer but the motivation for public prayer, for the hypocrites is to be seen of men. The public prayer must match the private devotion of the believer and when it doesn’t the result is a life of hypocrisy. The disciple is called to private devotion which God chooses to reward openly. Next Jesus addresses the content of prayer. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases…for they think they will be heard for their many words.” An increased quantity does not equal an improved quality of communication. Prayer is not a device used to manipulate God, but is the means ordained by God to meet out needs, “...for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” The challenge then is to distinguish good priorities verses God priorities. Jesus gives us His priorities for prayer in verse nine, “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever, Amen.” His priorities should be ours. A good priority lists may include success, gain, and a house, but a God priority would include service, giving, and hospitality. Good priorities for prayer often focus on our needs, God priorities center on His glory.

The most urgent need of the Christian Church

The late great preacher Dr. D. Martin Lloyd-Jones observed in his book, Preaching and Preachers,“…I would say without any hesitation that the most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching; and as the greatest and the most urgent need in the Church, it is obviously the greatest need of the world also.” This quote came to my attention in the context of a class that I took at Louisiana College taught by Dr. Jason Meyer on preaching, more specifically expository preaching. Expository preaching defined simply is when the main point of a passage in the Bible becomes the main point of the message being delivered by the preacher, with the supporting points of the passage providing the supporting points of the same message.

At its core expository preaching is biblical centered preaching with a strong emphasis on the centrality and sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures. With most of our society, moving toward greater conveniences could the idea of the difficult work of expository preaching with the expectation that parishioners think long and hard about the point of biblical passages with application that will regularly challenge and alter the way lives are lived really be the greatest need of the world as Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest?  The answer is a resounding “Yes!” I come to this conclusion after being a participant in churches for years, and have come to realize that there is no substitute for the centrality of the proclamation of the Word of God.

Certainly in every tradition there are aspects of the worship service that we all enjoy, they, like the people who enjoy them are diverse. Music, liturgy, and expressions of the arts may all serve to enhance worship experiences but the moment these expressions overtake, or worse yet, replace the preaching of the Bible, the worship service looses the true object of worship descending into idolatry. The preaching of the Bible, the totality of Scripture, in a systematic, consistent, clear custom is indeed the greatest need of the Church and the world today. I believe this for several reasons; I’ll list three of them here.

  First, Jesus based everything that He did on the centrality and sufficiency of the Scripture. This is demonstrated consistently in the New Testament, and the principle is articulated clearly in Luke 16; here Jesus is telling the story of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus, in the course of their lives the rich man lived a decadent lifestyle ignoring Lazarus who laid out side his gate, both Lazarus and the rich man died. The rich man found himself in torment, while Lazarus enjoyed paradise after they died. After a request for a drop of water to relieve his suffering was denied, the rich man requested that Lazarus be allowed to return from the dead to warn his brothers, believing that the supernatural would certainly convince them to repent. The response to this request as told by Christ is amazing, it is recorded for us in Luke 16:31 “…If they do not hear Moses or the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” This illustrates that our pursuit should not be novelty, sensationalism or even the supernatural, but rather the Word of God should be our relentless pursuit because it is there that we find God reveled in Christ. As Jesus points out to the religious leaders of His day in John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”

Next, as Mark Dever points out in Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, “Many pastors happily accept the authority of God’s Word and profess to believe in the inerrancy of the Bible; yet if they do not in practice regularly preach expositionally, I’m convinced that they will never preach more than they knew when they began the whole exercise.” Among preachers and parishioners there is a great famine of the Word of God, this can only be remedied by an intentional return to the Bible as the center of our worship experiences. This must begin with the pulpit, because invariably how pastors preach is how their people learn to regard and study Scripture. If our churches are to grow and flourish it begins and ends with an embracing of the Bible as the final arbiter and source of truth, a truth that must be proclaimed from the pulpit.

Finally, in a day when many have capitulated to the culture, the proclamation of God’s Word stands as a beacon of hope in the land of hype. As my previous pastor, David Kimsey, pointed out one Sunday, referencing First Peter 3:15 which admonishes us to “…Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to ever man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…” The reason for the hope, Pastor Kimsey pointed out, can only be found in Christ as revealed through the Gospel as proclaimed by the Holy Scripture. Indeed it is the hope of the world and the greatest need of the Church.

Stop shopping for a church: Are we worshipers or consumers?

In his book, The Experience Economy: Work is Theater and Every Business a Stage, James Gilmore writes that business may be the leading institution of our day and as such sets the trends for other institutions to follow including the Church. In an interview with www.modernreformation.org, he states, “…in multiple spheres of life and culture, we see this desire for experiences. But what we address explicitly in the book is the desire for consumers to have experiences today.”He goes on to point out that the church service, which was also a reflection of the 1950’s service industry has now been replaced by a “Worship Experience”. It seems that many of the arguments in churches today center around the tension of relating to the culture without compromising the Gospel.

The understanding asserted by Gilmore is a great lesson to learn. Rather than the Church following the trends of the culture, the Church should seek to be counter-cultural, and makers of culture.  Let me be clear that I am not arguing against a particular style of music, architecture, or fashion. As with all of society, taste in music, architecture, and fashion are constantly changing. But what I am arguing for is the fact that Holy Scripture, primarily, and Church tradition, secondarily, have given us principles as to how these and other attributes of a worship service should be employed.

Acts chapter two verse forty-two gives us insight into what the early Church looked like, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” It is clear that the early Church made teaching, fellowship, participation in the Lord’s Supper, and prayer their priorities. The question is do we? When someone says after a Sunday worship service, “that was good church” what do they mean by that? I have often heard people use this terminology after a service where there was no preaching, but simply an emotional response to a particular choir number. How far removed are we from the practice of the early Church when we can describe a service where no one opened a Bible, a good service? Here is the problem with experience. It is subjective. What may be a good experience for me may be a bad one for you. I may be more emotionally oriented and you may be more intellectual. So how can we hope to succeed in crafting a “Worship Experience” that is beneficial to all involved?

The answer is that we can’t, because worship was never intended to be a subjective, private event. Worship is a collective event based upon an objective truth and lived out in our daily lives. The Bible calls us to belong to a Church, not just go to a church. There is a grand deal of difference in being a consumer of Christianity and being a Christian.

As Gilmore observes, “… I think sometimes we, as Christians are not participating as fully in the invention of new experiences and transformations in our private lives because we've retreated to doing those activities in the church. How many aspiring rock musicians are playing in the house band of the church instead of being in the marketplace? I'd rather have them in the marketplace. Acts 17:17 says that Paul went daily into the marketplace to reason with whoever happened to be there. To me, that's the theme verse: go into the marketplace. Experience and transformations offer opportunities to do that, as opposed to doing the experiences and transformations inside the Church.”

Christ calls us to belong to the His Body, to partake of His Table, to love and esteem His Word, serve His people, proclaim His Gospel and exalt His name. This is more than an experience it is a life lived in Christ. 

Change is the Answer: More observations as to why people aren't attending Church

In my last entry I detailed some of the responses to the question that I posed on my facebook page. I asked why many of my friends no longer attend church. Generally the responses centered on perceived judgmental attitudes from others. Today I wanted to share some more of the responses. Some, seem to have given up on traditional ways of doing church altogether and are calling for alternative methods. Consider this response:

“I hear from many that Christians are judgmental and push their ideas of biblical teaching rather than allow others to come to their own conclusions. They also feel and I have felt this myself that asking a question out of doubt they are given and answer to which they must believe and not continue to ponder for themselves. People going to church are robotic at times. It's a must do on Sundays who dares question? My biggest fault with the church is the lack of true concern for the suffering. I do believe that we should care for those within our walls but what about those outside? The church waits for them to come but what about going to them. What if your Sunday mornings were worshiping by collectively feeding the hungry in the community or visiting the prisons, nursing homes and homes of those home bound. What if it means going to the projects and playing ball with the local youth and just making a loving connection. Jesus himself hung out with the sinners, which btw are us as well. I'm afraid churches have long ago become a club to which nice dressed people belong. What about the not so nice dressed, or the person next to you alone and dying inside. The truth is people want church to be pretty, simple, nicely done so we can go about our daily lives and week. What if the definition of church was examined and redefined? I wonder then what are results would be to reach others. Clearly a lot has not worked as church numbers everywhere continue to drop...”

The observation that Church attendance is down in America is confirmed by research. But as one study suggest; “the news is not all hopeless. There are growing and spiritually healthy churches. A report by Faith Communities Today called “Facts on Growth: 2010” found that if congregations can change, they can grow. Congregations that are spiritually vital and alive, have strong, permanent leadership, and enjoy joyful, innovative and inspirational worship are more likely to experience growth.” The key then would seem to be that churches must be willing to change. And many are seeking to lead that change as a couple of the responses indicate.

“My wife and I no longer attend an institutional church because the pastor essentially cut us off when our small group discovered the beautiful message of grace. A year and a half later, our small group is thriving and growing and we finally are experiencing the abundant life and community that Jesus came to give! Jesus plus nothing indeed is everything”

“We have gathered with a small group we call Simple Gathering going on 5 years now. Wonderful family time around the Lord's supper ( literally a full meal). Sometimes songs, not always, sometimes teaching video's, again NO formal agenda. We love God's presence, we love sharing, we love that EVERYONE can share. And here is the deal: most of us are over 50 and have been Christians for 30-40 years. We have a wealth of experience, wisdom, knowledge and (believe it or not) child likeness. Our friends are a rich, rich resource.”

So many are experiencing new ways of doing church and finding satisfaction with new methods. But churches, like all institutions, are resistant to change. Increasingly, however,  it is becoming clear that strategic changes are needed in order to more effectively engage the culture with the message of the gospel. As one response indicates.

“It is in our efforts for change, our need for wanting peace that counts. It may not be in a religious establishment but if we can help influence those who are in charge of those establishments then so much the better. IT will be a mix of people and those who are in a church. A church who is aware and want CHANGE. It will also be outside the box and God will touch those necessary for any refinement and any chance for anyone to have to know they have the decision in all things. We have to support each other any strive for the best of all.”

And perhaps some just need to change their attitude towards church as one my friends observed:

“I go to Mass every Sunday but often go to different churches in the parish to coordinate with my work schedule. (I work Sundays and either have to go super early or late.) I haven't established any friendships at the churches. I know some people there but I don't feel like I'm there to socialize. Some people get fussy when you sit in their spot. Some people make a lot of noise and have a rowdy family. Some priests do things a little differently in each church, or have slightly different customs. Some people are TOO friendly and some want you to leave. I have to say, this goes on no matter where you go. People will be people whether they are in church, the grocery store, the street, in their homes, anywhere. People will judge fellow parishioners, their friends, their idols, their families, their dogs, and themselves. It's sad to think that fear of being treated a certain way is what keeps people from church. Because these same people are in your lives doing everything else you do, yet you don't fear going to buy cereal when there will be someone on aisle 2 who won't like what you're wearing today. If you don't fear buying cereal with judgmental people, why fear going to church to spend time with God, the only person who loves you entirely for who you are?”

And for some the logistics of getting to church may just be overwhelming:

“I love God but honestly it's difficult getting 3 kids and myself ready for church. Then "kids will be kids" even in church. Unfortunately, some churches don’t have a baby sitter. For me, it's easier to watch church service on TV & read my bible at home. If the church had some kind of program for kids during worship hours then I would feel better about attending.”

All things considered, it is clear that the church can do a better job in many areas including being better examples of what it means to be a Christian outside of the church building. Consider the negative impression church attendees left on this young lady:

“When I was a single mother of a baby, I had to work on Sundays as a waitress. The Sunday crowd came in and it was hell. They barely tipped, they were rude, demanding, messy, and never offered a smile. I had already known Jesus and if I hadn't, I can't say I would be eager to get to know these obnoxious people.  P.S. I never saw any of them praying over their meals!”

Clearly for those of us who serve as leaders of Christian churches, the task is challenging. We are called to address the hurting and the angry. Many in our society are just broken and angry, and in need of love and the life changing message of the gospel. Just like one young man who confessed:

“I just got angry...mainly due to my failed marriage. Angry at God, angry at church, just angry...I have my demons to wrestle with, so to speak...”

If as the church we do not respond to the changing needs of our culture, then we are in danger of becoming irrelevant. And perhaps fulfilling the observation made in this response:

“Classical theism seems unsustainable given critical analysis. Given this, in my opinion, it is pointless to attend an institution that propagates the ideology.”

May Christ help us to revive the only institution He left us: His Church. “…I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” –Jesus in Matthew 16:18

Why people aren't attending church: Heartbreaking answers

Recently I posted this question on my facebook page: “For my friends who don't attend church anywhere or did attend and have stopped, if you are willing to participate and be honest, I'd like to know why? You won't receive any judgment or even a response from me unless you request one. I believe if, as a leader in a Christian Church, I can better understand the reasons people no longer attend church maybe I can better understand how to eliminate obstacles to the gospel. If you are uncomfortable posting feel free to inbox me. Look forward to reading your responses and thanks. Any takers?”

A theme that runs throughout is that people feel judged when coming to church. What is difficult to discern sometimes is if people feel judged because of sin, which is a function of the proclamation of the Word of God or because they are mistreated at the hands of hypocritical religious types.

The following posts are typical of the judgment theme:

“There hasn't been too many things in my life I keep hidden, I sin and I know it and I have been judged for it, that's okay I don't even mind judgment from my fellow man that much as long as they are living the life they are guiding me to live but time and again I would see people who sit in judgment not being honest about their mistakes and not allowing themselves to be corrected as they corrected others. Often times I would want to go to church after it started and leave before it ended just to avoid the conversations that caused me to leave church feeling worse than when I came. I may not attend regular services but I still hold the church to a higher standard at times than it holds itself up to and so often I am let down by the changes that are coming about rapidly within Gods house just to please the world instead of instructing the lost.”

“Too much politics going on. And in one church, it was so big that you can't remember anyone's name. In another, it was too judgmental…no one would say "hi" but just nod. I had the feeling it was because the way we dressed. We are not rich so our clothes aren't fancy enough. Oh, and another one brought me in front of the congregation and ask me everything about me...I kind of felt trapped. Never went back to that one. My husband and I try to teach as much as we can to our children at home. Its more comfortable for us.”

“Church is painful for me. It feels as if I am in a funeral the whole service. A song, a verse of scripture, the way some one worships, sitting alone without my family, it is just too hard. I will never forget running from a church building when the pastor asks everyone to get with their family and come forward. I wept in my car. I could not even drive. I feel as if people go to church with no clue of the hurting soul beside them. The church is no longer a safe haven, but a place of judgment.”

“I went to church my entire life, practically. My childhood/teenage years were chaos due to family issues. Instead of having people there for me, I had people disappointed in me for not being the "perfect" example for my younger siblings. I had rumors spread about me. Horrible rumors at that and in my darkest moments, going through so much, people turned their backs on me. I have tried going to churches after all that I went through but the wounds are still extremely fresh and I just can't. Fear of being turned on is still in the back of my head and the people that you should always be able to run to, well I will NEVER be comfortable with doing that again. P.S. I still deal with fakes in my life but have learned that is just who a lot of church going people are and that is sad. Why people can't see their faults as Christians, is beyond me.”

Again, the emotions conveyed come through powerfully. As Christians we can absolutely do a better job of loving people. The tension that must be balanced is that the Bible does indeed call us sinners. Romans 3:23 indicts us all “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But God is the only one capable of sitting in judgment of sinners. We should seek to remove any and all obstacles to the gospel, understanding that the tension the sinner feels when hearing the Word of God is resolved in the grace of God bringing all of us to salvation. For some the judgmental attitudes descended into downright abuse. Consider the following heartbreaking response.

“I was a forced into church three days a week. I would get hit if I did not go. Every time I have tried to join a church I feel like I am being forced to go and then I stop going. I get flashbacks of my youth. And yes that church was full of people that were able to buy the nice clothes, it was all about fashion and if you weren't in you were out. They also instilled fear in us, to the point when ever we did anything we would fear that God was going to send birds of prey to feast on us.”

This kind of abuse from anyone who says they are a Christian or any institution waving the banner of Christ is evil, and should be labeled as such. But sometimes even well meaning gestures can be offensive. Consider this single-mother’s response:

“Every church I have been to places judgment on me right away for being a single mother and treat me as if I am a leper no church has tried to be there for me or my kids they just want to throw money at us at Christmas and get mad cause I don’t need it! We need love, comfort, compassion, people willing to act like we exist outside the church in our daily lives, Jesus command us to love one another and churches just aren’t doing that anymore!”

Sadly, I believe these responses are how many perceive the church and Christians today. We have been called by Christ to be salt and light but sadly we end up becoming vinegar and darkness. We need Jesus to re-engage our thoughts and re-ignite our hearts with the passion and compassion of the gospel.

One thoughtful young man shared a poignant analogy:

“A church gathering reminds many of a gathering with the in-laws who live out of state. You marry your spouse because you love her and she/he you; a beautiful relationship. Then you're told to go to a gathering with the in-laws (out of state) in which you have no daily/weekly relationship. Most of the in-laws are asking questions, and then making judgments in their minds about your answers. They may even begin teaching you a few things about your spouse "to help you out." You begin to realize that your commonality is your spouse and that's it. Further, you realize that their relationship with your spouse is obviously not the same as yours, yet you receive all kinds of recommendations or advice on how to "do life" with your spouse; whether it's family related, work related, vacation related, etc. You leave the in-law's house and trek back home... wondering what all just happened and why do you now feel sort of estranged from your spouse? This is just something I hear from many (sometimes from myself) that may help. In this story... you are you, the spouse is Jesus and the in-laws are the people in the church.”

I’ll share more responses soon. There is plenty for us to repent for in the 21^st century Church. We should start today by asking God to forgive us for judgmental attitudes and lack of love. May we always speak the truth and always show the love of Christ. 

The Real McCoy

It is ironic that there are so many stories surrounding the origin of the cliché “the real McCoy”, if you goggle the phrase you will find several possibilities of its genesis including confusion over a particular brand of whiskey, the feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families, and Elijah McCoy, the Canadian inventor, who made a successful machine for lubricating engines which spawned many copies, all inferior to the original. All of which, among others, that compete for the distinction of spawning the phrase that is used to describe the real thing, the genuine article. But my personal favorite of these origin stories is that of the American welterweight boxing champion of the early twentieth century, Norman Selby, who fought under the name Kid McCoy. As the story goes, a drunk challenged Selby to prove that he was McCoy and not one of the many lesser boxers trading under the same name. After being knocked to the floor the drunk rose to admit that “Yes, that’s the real McCoy.” Just as it difficult to determine which of these stories is “the real McCoy” many today have difficultly in distinguishing between the genuine Gospel and its counterfeits, which has been a challenge throughout the history of the church.

In Galatians 3:6-7 the Apostle Paul writes, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel, not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” To these churches that were being infiltrated by false teachers Paul is challenging them to return to the genuine gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Acts 13 and 14 give detailed accounts as to what Paul preached in these cities of the region of Galatia: In Acts 13:23 preaching in the Jewish synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia, Paul declares “God according to his promise raised unto Israel, a savior, Jesus…” And continuing in verses 38 and 39; “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.” After Paul proclaimed this message establishing these churches on the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, false teachers infiltrated them. This group of false teachers known as Judizers plagued the early church with the false teaching that trusting in Christ was not enough to secure salvation but in addition it was necessary to keep the Law of Moses, specifically to participate in the rite of circumcision. In essence, it was no longer saved by grace it was saved by surgery. What was true for the churches of Galatia is often true for churches today. The issue is no longer circumcision, but other exterior dress codes or rules of behavior, or efforts to pacify the needs of the congregation at the expense of the truth of Scripture. We would do well to heed the warnings of Paul to the churches as recorded the book of Galatians.

First Paul warns those who embraced the false gospel of the Judizers, that it was their own works that became the object of their faith, placing them at the center of the story of salvation, and not Christ. What they could do for themselves became equally important, if not more so, than the work of Christ, setting themselves up for despondency over their personal failures or the pride of self righteousness and often a combination of both, all of which in despair.

Next, Paul makes it clear that the Gospel is not centered in the cult of personality or even the supernatural; in verse eight he warns: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than what we have preached unto you let him be accursed.” Many today are fascinated with the supernatural, even in the church, as if it is a panacea. However, the Old Testament was full of God’s demonstration of the supernatural but yet the Israelites continually rebelled, in the New Testament Jesus demonstrated that often the crowds became more fascinated with the miracle than with the miracle worker. The answer is not another miracle but a return to the centrality of the miracle of the Gospel.

Finally, Paul reconnects the Gospel with good news personified in Christ Jesus, in verse 11-12 “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” In the final analysis the genuine Gospel is one, that like Kid McCoy’s punch, devastates us, knocking the feet of our own good works out from under us. False gospels seek to prop us up, making us feel better about our efforts and ourselves. By contrast the genuine Gospel knocks us to the ground of repentance with the realization that we are sinners in need of a savior, it is then and only then that we can truly rise to walk in the newness of life. 

Adoption

I read this today in an article published by Dan Cruver in Tabletalk Magazine. "The good news of the gospel is that God speaks analogously to every Christian, everyone who is in Christ. If we are adopted by God and are in Christ, we are "sons" and "children of God" (Rom. 8:15-16). As God's adopted children, we not only have the privilege of participating in His work, we also do so in the strength and knowledge of our father's love."

All of us who are in Christ are adopted sons and daughters who now have the blessing and benefits of being children of God. I think we often forget who we are in Christ. What joy to know that in Him I have access to all the blessings of His house.

I have many friends who have adopted children, and it fills my heart with joy every time I witness an exchange between the parents and children. It is so beautiful. It most cases without prior knowledge you would never know these children were adopted because of the natural love that is given and received. Once the adoptive process is complete there is no observable difference between adopted and natural born.

In a very real sense this is what it means to be "born again". You and I who were strangers, now are a part of the family of God. What a glorious privilege!

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children"-Ephesians 5:1 NIV 

Suffering

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." -Romans 8:18

Are you suffering today? Try to imagine what it will be like when your suffering ends and you are enveloped in the glory of God and His Kingdom that is coming. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed with life, I imagine putting all of my troubles into a sail boat and pushing them away from me and watching them disappear over the horizon never to return.

In Christ we have the promise that our suffering does not compare with the coming glory. So if you can, if but for a moment, place your troubles into a boat constructed by two beams of wood, horizontal and vertical, and understand that in the cross your suffering has value, meaning, and purpose. And one day will completely disappear over the horizon of eternity. The suffering will pass but what you learn will remain forever.

Keep your faith moving forward

Pastor Scot