Coffee House or Church

I am amazed by the ironic sometimes. Some might find it to be a surprise but I have some friends in ministry that I completely disagree with on certain things. One of the major differences is the methodology of church. Now don't get me wrong I don't care what building a church meets in because its just a building. I don't care what type of music is used during worship. I don't care how long we sing or pray or preach because the Spirit will lead in different ways. I don't care if you have "Baptist" in the church name or if you want to be non-denominational.

But here is some irony I have come across in recent months that just blows my mind. In this new church movement statements like "authentic", "genuine", and "real" keep getting thrown around in mission, vision, and value statements. The leadership in these churches (many lead by friends of mine)are directly or at least indirectly saying that their church is different and like no other. As a matter of fact some friends of mine are assuming that within their methods they are capturing the bare essentials of the true church found in Acts. But again we must notice the ironic.

Isn't if funny that these "new" churches are all using the same catch phrases (real, authentic, genuine)? How come everyone of them has to incorporate coffee in their plans? One friend of mine in Tennessee has a church that bought a building (an old Movie Gallery) that is right next to their church and they are putting in a coffee house. How come true or real worship in these "new" churches has to be played with a guitar? Let me point this out just in case you missed it. All these churches that claim to be different from all the rest are just like each other. Irony at its finest.

Just a thought I had today.

What The Peace of God Looks Like

Today, a few hours actually, there will be a funeral at my church for a member that passed away on Sunday. His name is Bobby and he died at age 55. He had a long fight with cancer. This week my "job" as pastor has to been to minister to and comfort his family, specifically his wife. However, this has been a hard task for his wife has been like a rock. Now I don't mean that she is cold and emotionally detached, that is certainly not the case. But she has been strong!! She has been at peace, with a calmness that can only be explained by the power and grace of an all-sufficient God that gives us what we need when we need it.

Her attitude and conduct has ministered to me more over these past few days than mine has to her. She is truly a woman of God and I am better for even knowing her much less being here pastor. She is truly a picture of the peace of God.

"Its My Church"

I have a gripe today. Imagine that Andy is upset about something and needs to get it off his chest. Seriously, I am a pretty laid-back guy that has a lot of fun living this life that God has given me and if I blogged everyday you would see that. However, there are some things that just get on my nerves and I post them here for my benefit but if it can challenge you then great.

I was sitting in my office this morning reading the February Christian Index and there was a little article that caught my eye. In short the Executive Committee of the SBC is looking to terminate the membership of a church in Texas for the stance they have taken on homosexuality. Article 3 of our SBC constitution give them the right to do this. As controversial and heated as this matter is the one thing that caught my eye in the whole article was the brief section on the pastor who left shortly after the church called for a vote to kick him out. The vote failed but he left anyway (can't say I blame him). The interesting thing and reason for this blog was that some church members said that the reason the pastor was asked to leave was over use of the church facilities. Apparently the pastor supported a project that would allow homeless people to stay at the church at night.

This led me into my memories of countless people in churches that I have served at who have this attitude of ownership when it comes to the church. These people are usually easy to spot at business meetings. Heaven forbid we use our buildings to help out homeless people!! I just wonder where this attitude comes from, certainly not the Bible for the scripture teaches us that it is Christ's church, the people and the building. But lets me honest; this "my church" mentality doesn't just stop with "outsiders." Some members think they have more of a say-so or a right to the building that other member; because of money given or time spent in membership.

I wonder what a church would look like that used its facilities for the glory of God. I have seen a glimpse. There have been multiple blood drives at our church. There have been senior events for the community in our building. I wonder what else we could do? Kind of makes you think.

Invitation or Warning

After a few meetings/encounters this week my mind is weighted down with thought. It is nothing ground breaking but something I would consider to be obvious if people would only read the Bible. I had a meeting this week concerning the low number of baptisms in our area churches. I have spoken with fellow pastors about evangelism methods and one thing keeps coming out....people think that following after Christ is easy!!! Our invitations are simply that; inviting; warm and fluffy. But isn't this call to follow Christ really a warning more than an invitation?

In Luke 9-23-26 we learn that "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."

The call to follow Christ is a warning. John MacArthur puts it this way. "If you come to Christ, it may make your family worse, not better. It may send a shift into your family, the likes of which you have never experienced before. IF you give your life to Christ, there will be an impassable gulf between you and people who don't give their lives to Him."

This is much different than the typical evangelism going on in our churches. But I would be willing to bet that our "numbers" would have much more integrity if we honestly warned people about the truth of discipleship rather than embelishing the words of Jesus.

Love The Shack?

Go to Amazon.com or into any Christian bookstore and you will a book called The Shack on the best sellers list. I have had friends and relatives sing the praises of this book to me.

Therefore, due to its popularity I wish to take this opportunity to warn anyone who may read this blog about the dangers of books like this one. Although it claims to fiction the book offers teaching on the Trinity; incorrect and dangerous teaching on the Trinity to be exact.

Listen to Mark Discroll and tell me what you think.

Any Men Out There?

I just got off the phone with a minister friend of mine who just wanted to play catch up. As we were conversing the topic of church and ministry eventually came up and my friend spent some time complaining about the lack of participation of men in his church. "If we could get half the men to work like the women we would be better off", he said.

My friend is not alone. I have often wondered why men are less likely to participate in church than women. I have heard other pastors complain about the very same thing, often using the very same phrase as my friend.

So in honor of that I want to post a John Piper video for you guys. He says it better than I do anyway. Enjoy!!

Only God Will Judge Me

Can I just do a brain dump real quick?

When I was driving home from a hospital visit yesterday I got behind a truck that had a very interesting message on the back window. It said, "Only God will Judge Me" it big white letters. I remember seeing this on a bumper sticker as well and also on a T-shirt.

I guess people think that this little statement frees them from the opinions or rules of others. I guess in our society where no one wants to be confronted and told they are wrong this statement brings some level of comfort. But what if people really took the time to think about the theology behind this statement? Yes God will judge you. What if that sank into their heads? I bet they would live differently.

Every idle word,every sinful thought as well as action; the guy in that truck is going to stand before Christ and give an account. I wish people would live like this. I wish "Christians" would live like this!!! Heaven help those who get what they deserve in judment!!