Introducing Theology in 60

My hope is to draw us all closer to a more practical and legitimate understanding of what it means to 'believe.'  I do not attempt to presume to have it all figured out, all I hope to accomplish through this series is to spark ideas, share observations, and get each of us (self included) toward a better "Belief.' 

It's Coming

Bible Study Returns

Due to an overwhelming demand, our Wed night Bible Study started up again last night on the West Shore.  A good mix of old members and new, came together to study the letter of Peter and the Holy Spirit was present in force!  I love teaching the Bible, but, even more, I love seeing new people fall in love with the Scriptures and the God who wrote them!!

If you have not yet joined us for a study, come on out!

Warnings and Observations - Part II (b)

Providence:

While reading online today, I came across this post in a comment section on 'mega church' and contemporary Christianity.  I believe it is not only insightful, but TRUE.

Speaking to a particular Mega Church:  'Churches like this may be good for introducing people to Jesus. But living in Christ means using our minds renewed by God to know and grow closer to Him each day, not prioritizing temporary emotional pulses of good vibrations and stimulating human senses (emphasis added).

[Most observers] didn't get very deep into [Pastor's Name] shaky theology and doctrine, but my biggest complaint here is when about halfway through the video the hipster [Pastor's Name] equates his crowds to the throngs that followed Jesus. The main motivation of the crowds that followed Jesus was getting healed physically, and getting freed from Roman rule; that is, what Jesus could do for them and their earthly lives. The crowds following Jesus were not interested in His message of their helpless fallen spiritual condition and dependence on Him for their reconciliation with God. Well, maybe [Pastor's Name]' flock is similar? But then Jesus' crowds turned against Him, and called to the Romans for His torture and crucifixion. That part is no comparison, is it [Pastor's Name]?'

Observations and Warnings - Part II

While speaking to a pastor of a MEGA church the other day, he called his church's growth the product of God's new and ongoing 'Revival.'  They have over 10k people attending each week, they baptized 300 people last year, and they gave almost a million dollars to charity.  Impressive numbers by any stretch of the imagination, but does this qualify as a revival?

Consider the following:If 'revival' is only happening at one house of worship, then it is probably not God who is achieving the results but, rather, the church leadership and methodology.  As is evidenced by some of the success of recent non-profit 'challenges' and the rise of religious fanaticism, getting people to respond in droves to self-less causes is not always as difficult as we would imagine - you just have to make it interesting (self-rewarding) enough.

I believe in Revival and pray it happens, but when it does it will not be experienced by a single church, it will not lead to self-boasting, and it certainly will not be achieved through human effort.  Revival happens when humanity is brought low by the Spirit of God and His power and presence alone (through human vessels) is the means of achievement (miracles and super-natural demonstrations).

I'm not trying to knock the 'good' out of growing churches, but I do want us all to consider WHY we may be experiencing these results.  There are no shortcuts to the Kingdom or its salvation.

Observations & Warnings - Part I

This week, I had the opportunity to participate in several conferences for pastors.  I try not to attend too many of these kinds of events because, too often, they become a trap and means for avoiding the real business of the Kingdom: reaching the Lost and training the Found.  It is so easy to enjoy the 'safety' and appearance of relevance by hanging out in the confines of fellow ministers, presuming that the purpose is new insights and renewal, but what really happens is that most ministers put too much emphasis on 'self-care' (ignoring the priority of others) or become accustomed to believing their own press and assumptions about ministry and church models.  If you really want to find personal renewal & zeal and want to know what the Lost are thinking and doing, then GO OUT AND BE WITH THE LOST!!  Hanging out with other professional ministers who also live in secluded churches or ministry contexts different than your own, is not going to be an adequate means of benefit.

What I loved most about pastoring and being a minister is spending time with the LOST and those who are Saved and still interacting with the LOST.  I guess that is another reasons why pastor conference and meetings are such a personal nightmare for me...it's so disconnected from my passions and personal practices.

Pastors - GO out and be a pastor and minister in your community and world.  Not your style or cup of tea?; then, please, reconsider your profession.  If you love working in the church and for the church, then consider being the Admin Pastor or take up Church Board ministry.  The church is supposed to be a place when the Holiness of Heaven meets the Brokenness of the World.  In order for this to happen, the leadership of the church, namely its mouthpiece and representative, needs to be interacting and ministering within their local and Lost world.  Hiding out at a 'relevance' conference doesn't count and will only frustrate everyone.

Loved as Family

Since becoming full-time missionaries in 2005, it has been amazing to see how deeply we have been adopted by God's people.  We can never adequtely thank our supporters for how they have loved us, encouraged us, and miraculously been the hands, feet, and even, the voice of God, over the years.

I know it is almost cliche to refer to the church as the 'family of God,' but when you experience it as we have over the years, it is supernatural.

To all of you who have loved us as your own: Thank you!  We're just as committed and empowered as ever.

Weekend with a Marine

This past weekend, I was able to travel halfway across the country to bless a fellow Brother and a Marine.  He and I went to Bible College together and, ironically, both felt a calling to serve the Marines during our college years.  He, however, went off to USMC officer school after graduating, while I went off to the domestic mission field.  Nevertheless, God has kept us secure in His calling and provision and has allowed us both to accomplish incredible ministry in our respective fields.

My buddy's new assignment involved a cross-country move and I was glad to help.  Having not seen each other since 2001, it was great to reconnect, meet his beautiful family, and spend some amazing time reflecting on ministry and building each other up in the Lord.

As was the case in those early college years, He continues to call us to serve within the military field and is using us, His church, to prepare and execute that mission.

Added Bonus: Eating at The Cracker Barrel!

Good Leaders

Today, I had the opportunity to show appreciation for a great leader.  No, he and I rarely see eye-to-eye on theology and ministry, but the man is a great leader who loves Jesus and seeks to serve His church through the strengths He has given him; and that makes all the difference!

What makes this pastor great is that he leads from his strengths and allows his weakness to always take a backseat to his planning and response.  Again, he and I are rarely on the same page, but he has never punished me, limited me, or spoke evil of me.  On the contrary, he has embraced me and placed me in positions to succeed.  He's not naive or some evil sneak who is waiting for a chance to get me down the road.  No, he is simply a great leader who knows who he is and operates from the security of his God-given strengths.  How rare!

Most leaders are aware of their strengths and use them to accomplish their objectives, but they also know their weaknesses and consistently live in fear of having those exposed or taken advantage of.  Therefore, they limit others and spend significant time promoting their particulars while knocking the traits of others.  What a waste...

I love this local pastor and I have learned so much from him.  May I respond to God's calling and giftings the way this man has.  Doing so will not only lead to my happiness, but also the expansion of God's Kingdom and Church.

Challenging Theology

Once again, I was blessed to lead chapel for a local Christian middle school.  I prayed hard about what to speak on and the LORD just would not allow the word 'existential' to leave me mind.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the term, the short explanation is that it describes a philosophy of personal meaning and experience, and perhaps the best writer on the matter is the Dane, Kierkegaard.  His declared that while the empirical truth claims of Christianity are all well and good, they had very little significance for his personal life and worldview.  What did it matter is God made the heaven and existed in a state of Love if Kierkegaard could not experience and be moved by the God and His love.

While not a perfect worldview or philosophy, Kierkegaard is certainly on to something and I believe that there are many in our local context and culture who can relate to his longing and frustrations. Evangelical Christianity is all about declaring truth claims and defenses but it often fails to communicate the personal and relational aspects of God with His creation.  As I contemplated existentialism and the local Christian school, I knew that these kids would be receiving healthy doses of empirical evidence of God and His Word, but mere facts can never influence a heart.

Reading from Colossians 1:15-23, I attempted to draw the correlation between an empirical and relational God through the person of Christ.  "All things were created by Him and for Him (v.16)...reconciling the world through His cross (v.20)."  Yes, God has done magnificent things within creation and for us, but it is Him alone who is to be worshipped, sought after, experienced, and glorified.  He is great; He care for us; but, He alone is to be object of our satisfaction.

I challenged the kids to leave every Bible study, church service, chapel or church event pondering the question, "So what? How does that which was said and taught have any meaning to me and to growing closer in worship to God?"  If a message is merely about us, then it has failed and diverted into heretical ideas.  Simultaneously, if the message only speaks of God's transcendence, then it, too, has failed, because it has neglected the power of His salvation to transform individuals.

This is big stuff, I know, but I believe that theology must be challenging and not merely affirming.

Bike Ministry

I do more ministry outside the walls of the church then I could ever hope to do inside of it.

Blessed to have time today to ride with my dad and a brother in the faith.  He has lots of challenges before him and no church family to embrace and strengthen him.  While only home for a few days, being able to spend a few hours riding our bikes together and talking afterwards has opened up many doors and avenues for God's Spirit to minister.

I love being a Christian minister.  Where I go, He goes.

Worried about the West

I hate to run the possibility of being cynical, but I suspect that Western (read: American) Christianity is really all about self-medication.  In other words, we do not go to church to get what really need, we go to get what we really 'want.'  Most messages, programs, and church environments are entirely built around getting you or I (the audience) to feel good, find encouragement in what we want to believe in, and only view God as a means to our own happiness.  After all, God really wants you and I to be 'happy,' whatever that means...

I'm sorry, but I believe in the God of the Bible who is infinitely greater than I am and whose will, purpose, and glory far surpasses His individual love for 'me.'  Yes, He loves me and cares for me as a Father, but the role and identity as Father, Friend, and Giver are only conditional attributes to be used to describe particulars of His relationship to us.  In other words, God is my Father, because I exist as His child; but if I did not exist, would He still be considered Fatherly?  No.  What God is consistently and unconditionally is SOVEREIGN and HOLY.  Therefore, what should be our primary means of worship and knowledge of God should be these two above all.  Church should be a place where we are brought LOW and into SUBMISSION to God, first and foremost.

Of course, embracing and celebrating God's love is not wrong or naive, but it must not become our primary means and reason for worship and relationship.  This warps everything into a conditional relationship and places my desire, comfort and existence before His.  Error - in fact, such a mentality and position is the foundation of sin itself.

Let me ask you a question: What would happen to your theology and relationship with God if the story of Job was real and personal?  What about Hosea?  What about Paul's call to go to Jerusalem and suffer for 'the name?'  Would you still worship?  Would you still love Him?  If the answer is 'no' or if you find yourself trying to conjure up a theological defense on why your God would never allow such fate to befall you, then your God isn't the one of the Bible, he is merely the image of your self-conscience.

Stressed Out Kids

School is starting and I am getting all kinds of crazy messages and prayer requests from my young brothers who are still in grade school.  It seems that they all are stressed out and nervous for the new school year.  Some are even having panic attacks and other physical symptoms.

When asked what they are so nervous about, there is never a real or specific answer, just apprehension over the 'unknown' and an inability to handle the adrenaline.  Some of this is normal, but what is new and alarming to me is that these kids are unable to comprehend and handle the everyday stress of a normal life.  I mean, honestly, these kids are not facing anything that you or I didn't face then and do not face now.  It's really concerning, because if they cannot handle something as simple as the first day of school where all they have to do is 'show up,' how are they going to handle paying bills, going to work, or any other commitment that requires responsibility?  I'm not sure we (as a society) are doing a very good job raising our youth to be responsible individuals.

I love these kids and am so very grateful that the Lord has placed my family and I in a position to love and serve so many kids in His name and Word.  Besides praying with these stressed out brothers, we are also showing them through both the Word and our own lives, the peace and provision that comes through obedience and dedication to the Lord and His commands.

Matt 6:33-34 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Reflecting on the Simplicity

Our Wednesday night Bible Studies in Harrisburg have been absolutely amazing!  I cannot even begin to describe the number of miracles, healings, divine encounters, and explosions of faith have takes place over the past three months.  God has been at work and He has done it in the most simplistic ways imaginable.

Consider this: our largest group meeting has only been 9.  The cost for meeting inside of Starbuck's week: $2.12 for a cup of coffee.  The cost for teaching materials: $0.00.  We simply read the Bible.  The amount of money spent of marketing, connections, etc.: $0.00  We use social media (Facebook & text messaging) and good ol' fashion "word of mouth."  There have been no hand outs, no video clips, no weird illustrations or social programs.  We just get together and READ the BIBLE and SEEK JESUS - that's it!  And you know what?...He always shows up in power and confidence.

American Christians:  Stop chasing fads and trying to 'woo' people into the church and/or a relationship with Jesus.  THAT IS NOT YOUR JOB!  Your job is to love the Lord and be contagious in your love and pursuit of Him.  He is lovely and sufficient enough to win people to Himself.  All we need to do is allow Him to be revealed.

Back to School

The kids went back to school this week and everyone is very, very happy...except for Mom and Dad.  Christine and I are those weird parents who actually enjoy having the kids home and being able to share life's moments together.  Yes, it is easier to grocery shop or do errands without the drama, but they are only young and living at home once.

No one will ever love our kids they way we can, and, therefore, no one can teach them about life, the Lord, and social skills like we can.  It is a high calling to be a parent and I am so very, very glad the Lord has entrusted my wife and I with the challenge of raising three boys.

Chilling with the Young Guns

We have been so blessed in so many ways since moving back to PA, especially in regards to ministry opportunities.  Man of you know of our ongoing relationship with a local Christian school and serving as campus ministers and mentors.  Well, this summer has been full of requests from former and current students to 'hang out' and be mentored in the Christian life and faith.  It is so rewarding to 'coach' these young men (teenagers) in what it means to be a Leader and a Follower for Jesus in spiritual, cultural, and relationship matters.  Plus, it is hilarious to hear some of the crazy attempts at reasoning and the goofy mistakes teenagers seem prone to make!

But, in addition to pouring into these lives, Christine and I are making the most with our three boys.  Their school year begins next week and promises to be very challenging with all of our ministry changes approaching.  PLEASE pray with us for our boys, their faith, our interaction with them, and for a wonderful transition into a new school year and ministry adventure (and/or location).  PLEASE.

Great Day with His Church

I am so very grateful or the men and women who God has put in my life.  A lot of crazy things have been taking place and there is even more uncertainty in the near future.  I could be a wreck and twitch and try to solve every problem on my own, or I can allow Jesus, through His Church, to guide and comfort me through every obstacle.  I like the "Jesus Option" best and it gives me (and other members of Jesus' church) to not only experience the power of the Spirit, but also serve as a means of His Spirit.

By the way, tonight is also Starbuck's Bible Study on Paxton St.  If you have not yet join us for a round of discussion on the Gospel of John, then make tonight your night!  We kick off at 7pm and wrap up around 8:15p.  I guarantee you will have a blast meeting new people and learning about Jesus and His Word in a powerful new way.

I love the Local Church

Today, I was incredibly blessed to preach in both morning worship services at RIVER OF GOD church in Enola, PA.  This church is truly awesome (Grounded in the Word, Generous, Pentecostal, Led by Leaders, etc.) and has long been a soild source of support for our family and ministry.  It is a great feeling to be so loved and trusted by a church and its leadership!

Loving on a Brother

It was great to spend a few days in the deep South loving on fellow brother and his two young sons. "James" is a fellow church planter and Navy chaplain who I met last year during chaplaincy school.  We quikcly became friends, as did our families.  However,  just a few months ago, this incredible family lost their wife and mommy to a tragedy and God sent us to bless them as His church and presence.

In addition to bringing food, cooked meals, and a lot of love, we were able to play together, share stories and needs, and return a sense of 'normal' to a very sad situation.  God was very, very present and we simply cannot describe the emotions and ministry we received in and through this time together.

Please keep this family in your prayers!

First Stop - Annapolis

First stop on the Family Mission Tour: US Naval Academy.  As we continue to follow God's call into Naval chaplaincy, it is important that we, as a family, understand the men and women God is calling us to serve.

I'd be lying if I said I did not get goose bumps every time I see a Plebe, Midshipmen, or Officer on this campus.  You never know, they could be future parishioners, colleagues, or even Commanding Officers (a.k.a. my Boss)!