Just Another Gripe

My heart has just been so heavy for the past month. I am so burdened for the body of Christ and now find myself even challenging the views, blogs, and conversations of some of my closest friends. Being at odds with people I don't know that well is one thing but to have some issue with a friend is another.

There is this movement out there for a "pure" church; filled with "authentic" worship and "passionate" preaching. Everywhere I turn, with people I know personally, in blogs, you name it; people are wanting church to be completely different. My issue is with the wording and the attitude. For example: Why does "authentic" worship always mean or at least is attached with contemporary music? What does passionate preaching mean? I know plenty of guys in old-fashioned churches that are passionate. How is non-denominational pure when Methodist or Baptist isn't? These are just a few questions that come to mind.

I also can't get away from this mentality that a pure church is one that breaks all ties with doctrine and the focus in only the Gospel. This attitude is what is keeping people trapped in spiritual immaturity. If all I do is preach the Gospel then where would that leave the people of my flock? The answer is hungry, void and immature. What some people in this new movement don't realize is that in context and all practicality the Gospel is for lost people outside the walls of the church. The Great Commission was not intended to be carried out in a worship service. Church is for saved people not lost people!!! My fear is that some are more "seeker sensitive" and even emergent than they realize.

I'm praying for revival of the Body. A revival in the love of theology and doctrine that pushes us to the end of ourselves and closer to Christ.

Grow Up

In the past few weeks I have become very overwhelmed about the lack of maturity in believers. I have talked with pastor after pastor that has expressed how difficult it is to get the young men in their churches to do anything. After preaching at a BCM service at Georgia Southwestern State University I see why. We have a maturity problem; men that refuse to grow up.

I was horrified last Wednesday at what I saw. It was like a watch an overglorified youth group. The leader got up and did announcements for trips and fun activities. They watched a funny video then they had almost 40 minutes of worship, which left only 20 minutes for preaching the word. (I preached 40 minutes and could tell some didn't like it). There were people there almost my age and one guys and gal that were actually older (age 30). Some of these kids are in their 20's and are still living at home, eating Captain Crunch and playing video games. The whole thing just makes me sick.

No wonder there are so many maturity problems in our churches. We dumb down the youth minitry send them to college where they still attend youth services at a BCM then they graduate and expect church to be the same way. Maybe thats why my generation is missing.

I could write for days and never say all I wish I could. I just wish people would grow up!!!

Church Plants

For the third time this year a good friend of mine has asked me to pray for him as he looks to start a new church. Is this becoming an epidemic or is God truly up to something great? More and more pastors are becoming great discouraged with the existing church. There is too much tradition, legalism, unbiblical leadership and power. The list could go on and on. A huge part of me understands where the church planting phenomenon is coming from. How wonderful it would be to start from scratch and begin to do church like they did in Acts.

Then I have this other side that is madly in love with the Bride of Christ; with all her problems and issues. There is a part of me that is still very hopeful that God can do great things int he existing church because there are still people in them that want to grow and see God glorified.

I honestly find myself at a crossroad on this issue.