Friday, October 17, 2008
The Abundant Life
This comes from Pastor-teacher Ken Silva, at Apprising Ministries
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:9-11, KJV)
You Can’t Handle An Abundant Life Unless You’re Born Again
So, you want an abundant life; then first of all you must come to understand the truth that mankind does not deserve anything from God but death for our rebellion against Him. And no, that doesn’t sound pleasant; but spending an eternity in conscious torment in a literal place Jesus Himself referred to as Hell sounds just a bit less pleasant, doesn’t it? One must come to God on the narrow road of following Christ; complete surrender, no questions asked, or go your own broad way with the esteem of self: “I want what I want and I want it now,” which ends in Hell.
Those are your choices. And I tell you in the Lord that anyone who promises you otherwise is lying to you. But you say: “God wants me to have life and that more abundantly.” Who is saying He doesn’t? However, God’s idea of an “abundant” life e.g. for Jim Elliot and Nate Saint was for them to be murdered by the very people they were trying to reach for Christ. That was their driving purpose; this was how these “followers of Jesus” were missional in seeking the best life now that God could give them. Still want to be a “Christ-follower”; or more accuarately, a Christian?
Then consider the great Apostle Paul’s abundant life by his own testimony:
in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28. KJV)
O and now let’s look at the greatest abundant life ever lived, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Who is only God Himself in human flesh. The Father’s idea for His “abundant” life was for all of the disciples of His only begotten Son to abandon Him; for Christ to be brutally crucified and punished for our sins. So away with all this seeker sensitive rubbish; this centered on self and man-pleasing infomercial gospel of pseudo-Christianity! Don’t listen to all this worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20, NASB)
The Spirit prompts me today and so I come before you with a Word from God; and this is what the Lord says: “These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face” (Psalm 50:21). But now in all your great human wisdom you think that mankind is just too sophisticated for the “old-fashioned” and horribly “out-dated” preaching of Christ on the Cross and then letting God the Holy Spirit do His work so that it is God alone Who receives the glory?
Friend, let me ask you: Do you want to come to the Master’s table for what you think is upon it? Or, rather are you coming to Jesus whether there is anything nice on His table for you or not? For you see, your abundant life will only begin when all you desire is the Master Himself.
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:9-11, KJV)
You Can’t Handle An Abundant Life Unless You’re Born Again
So, you want an abundant life; then first of all you must come to understand the truth that mankind does not deserve anything from God but death for our rebellion against Him. And no, that doesn’t sound pleasant; but spending an eternity in conscious torment in a literal place Jesus Himself referred to as Hell sounds just a bit less pleasant, doesn’t it? One must come to God on the narrow road of following Christ; complete surrender, no questions asked, or go your own broad way with the esteem of self: “I want what I want and I want it now,” which ends in Hell.
Those are your choices. And I tell you in the Lord that anyone who promises you otherwise is lying to you. But you say: “God wants me to have life and that more abundantly.” Who is saying He doesn’t? However, God’s idea of an “abundant” life e.g. for Jim Elliot and Nate Saint was for them to be murdered by the very people they were trying to reach for Christ. That was their driving purpose; this was how these “followers of Jesus” were missional in seeking the best life now that God could give them. Still want to be a “Christ-follower”; or more accuarately, a Christian?
Then consider the great Apostle Paul’s abundant life by his own testimony:
in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28. KJV)
O and now let’s look at the greatest abundant life ever lived, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Who is only God Himself in human flesh. The Father’s idea for His “abundant” life was for all of the disciples of His only begotten Son to abandon Him; for Christ to be brutally crucified and punished for our sins. So away with all this seeker sensitive rubbish; this centered on self and man-pleasing infomercial gospel of pseudo-Christianity! Don’t listen to all this worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20, NASB)
The Spirit prompts me today and so I come before you with a Word from God; and this is what the Lord says: “These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face” (Psalm 50:21). But now in all your great human wisdom you think that mankind is just too sophisticated for the “old-fashioned” and horribly “out-dated” preaching of Christ on the Cross and then letting God the Holy Spirit do His work so that it is God alone Who receives the glory?
Friend, let me ask you: Do you want to come to the Master’s table for what you think is upon it? Or, rather are you coming to Jesus whether there is anything nice on His table for you or not? For you see, your abundant life will only begin when all you desire is the Master Himself.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The doctrine of Christ
Dr. Bruce Ware teaches at East Cooper Baptist Church this past week on the doctrine of Christ. Here is a small snippet of his teaching during this conference. Bruce is one of the leading authors, teachers and theologians of our day. What a privilege and joy to sit under his teaching during these last few days.
Another "Osteen" book
This time Victoria Osteen (Joel Osteen's wife) has a book out called "Love your Life." Here is an interesting and personally I think an excellent review by Lisa Miller from Newsweek.
Change we can "count" on
Folks if Barack and Joe get in the White House then we can "count" on some change in the way of new math. Watch these videos and see what I mean.
J-O-B-S is a "three letter" word and now there are at least 57 states - that is change you can "count" on!
J-O-B-S is a "three letter" word and now there are at least 57 states - that is change you can "count" on!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Podcast with Dr. Bruce Ware
Greetings from Charleston, South Carolina. Nancy and I have been here during the last week preparing for and hosting Dr. Bruce Ware and his wife Jodi. They came to East Cooper Baptist Church in which Bruce was asked to speak on the doctrine of Christ. The conference concluded last night and was a great time of learning and discussion on this vital area of Bible doctrine.
For those of you who don’t know Dr. Bruce Ware I have posted a short bio that may help bring you up to speed on his background and ministry.
Bruce Ware received a B.A. in English from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington. He later earned his M.Div. and his Th.M. from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon, before he moved to Pasadena, California, where he completed his formal education with a Ph.D. in Philosophical Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Dr. Ware currently serves as the Professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to his current occupation, Bruce has held teaching positions at Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota; Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon; and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.
Books Published:
Perspectives on the Doctrine of God: 4 Views (Editor)
Broadman & Holman - 2007
Serving God with Determined Faith: Studies in the Book of Nehemiah
Lifeway Press - 2005
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance
Crossway Books - 2005
God's Greater Glory: The Exalted God of Scripture and the Christian Faith
Crossway Books - 2004
Their God is Too Small: Open Theism and the Undermining of Confidence in God
Crossway Books - 2003
God's Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism
Crossway Books - 2000
Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace (Editor)
Baker Books - 2000
The Grace of God, The Bondage of the Will (Editor)
Baker Books - 1995
Last night I had the opportunity to talk with Bruce about his background, past writing, present day ministry and thoughts about ministry in general. I hope this podcast will encourage you as we continue to commit ourselves back to the word of God for His glory!
For those of you who don’t know Dr. Bruce Ware I have posted a short bio that may help bring you up to speed on his background and ministry.
Bruce Ware received a B.A. in English from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington. He later earned his M.Div. and his Th.M. from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon, before he moved to Pasadena, California, where he completed his formal education with a Ph.D. in Philosophical Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.Dr. Ware currently serves as the Professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to his current occupation, Bruce has held teaching positions at Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota; Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon; and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.
Books Published:
Perspectives on the Doctrine of God: 4 Views (Editor)
Broadman & Holman - 2007
Serving God with Determined Faith: Studies in the Book of Nehemiah
Lifeway Press - 2005
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance
Crossway Books - 2005
God's Greater Glory: The Exalted God of Scripture and the Christian Faith
Crossway Books - 2004
Their God is Too Small: Open Theism and the Undermining of Confidence in God
Crossway Books - 2003
God's Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism
Crossway Books - 2000
Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace (Editor)
Baker Books - 2000
The Grace of God, The Bondage of the Will (Editor)
Baker Books - 1995
Last night I had the opportunity to talk with Bruce about his background, past writing, present day ministry and thoughts about ministry in general. I hope this podcast will encourage you as we continue to commit ourselves back to the word of God for His glory!
Interview with Dr. Bruce Ware
Monday, October 13, 2008
A letter to a pastor friend...(strong as potashe)
A friend of mine who is a pastor was involved in a church that was becoming divisive. The church held several congregational meetings and openly discussed many of the problems with the entire body. It became very negative and unfortunately many of those who were unhappy and dissatisfied were unaware of the impact of their negative testimony.
There was a godly couple who sat through each of the meetings and then sent and email to this pastor as of the last meeting. I am posting in hopes that those who are presently involved in the church will see how destructive thoughts, words and actions can be by those who are church going members. But remember going to church makes you no more of a Christian than sleeping in the garage makes you a car.
I am doing a blog series or it seems to be developing "when churches divide." It is my hope and prayer that former members of our church can also recognize some of the mistakes, and use those as positive stepping stones as they are now in other ministries.
Here is the note:
Thank you for your encouragement. It is easy to see the faults of others and overlook our own faults. I am as guilty of that as anyone. I only heard a small part of the entire meeting. I hope that my perspective would have been different if I had been at 9:00 to hear the full dialogue. I literally had to bite my tongue to keep from speaking up but since what I had in mind to say would have been very unkind, though true I'm glad I kept quiet.
I can only see this situation from my perspective though I am trying desperately to understand the words and attitudes that I observed yesterday. What I see in God's Word is a clear directive for elders and their responsibility. From my understanding of scripture, the members of the church are to follow the leadership of the elders, not expecting to be consulted or even made aware of every single decision that is made. I don't think that scripture would have the flock follow elders who are involved in unrepentant sin, however, from what I heard yesterday and what I know of the elders, that is not the case with The XYZ Church. Also, I believe that elders are to graciously rule over the flock. This means that decisions will be made that are in the best interest of the church while keeping with the teaching of scripture. Again, I believe that this was the intent on the part of the elders. There is no way that any group of elders, regardless of how wise, could avoid ever making a poor decision. This is an unreasonable expectation. The complaints that I heard yesterday were, in my opinion, petty and revealed an unbiblical expectation of church leadership. If this is what you and Janet have dealt with in the last several years, you are facing a very large reward in heaven.
I had several thoughts while sitting in the meeting. First, what would a lost person see of the gospel of Jesus Christ from the comments that were made yesterday? If Christians are to be known by their love for each other, what are we missing? Why is the gospel not enough to bring love, unity and grace to our body of believers? Please know that I am not questioning the power of the gospel but I didn't see a body of believers graciously working through differences with the purpose of resolution and edification. What I witnessed yesterday could have been accomplished by unbelievers. As believers, we must be different from the world. If not, we make the gospel useless in our lives.
The other thought I had yesterday was, "Do we as a church not have anything better to do than argue with each other? There are lost people to be saved, the hungry to feed, the hurting to comfort and we are arguing with each other." I realize that conflicts must be discussed and resolved but the small things in life require us to give grace and overlook each others faults.
The suffering my husband and I have faced in the last three years has colored my perspective about everything. My view of any conflict that does not bring about resolution seems to be wasting the very life we've been given. Because of Jesus Christ, we are capable of living a life of love and unity with other believers. If we fail to do this, we give up the defining characteristic of being a Christian and lose our testimony to the lost world.
I have said enough, probably more than I should have said. I knew that I would write to you and Janet this week but had planned to wait a few days to cool off. However, when I read your email, it all poured out. I hope you know that my intention in sharing this is not to burden you and Janet further, but to try to make some sense of this situation. Please feel free to correct my thinking or understanding of all of this. If I have misunderstood anything, please let me know.
I am so thankful for the leadership in this church and pray that God continues to guide and comfort you in the way He has for our church.
Walking By Faith,
Joe and Janet Smedley
There was a godly couple who sat through each of the meetings and then sent and email to this pastor as of the last meeting. I am posting in hopes that those who are presently involved in the church will see how destructive thoughts, words and actions can be by those who are church going members. But remember going to church makes you no more of a Christian than sleeping in the garage makes you a car.
I am doing a blog series or it seems to be developing "when churches divide." It is my hope and prayer that former members of our church can also recognize some of the mistakes, and use those as positive stepping stones as they are now in other ministries.
Here is the note:
Thank you for your encouragement. It is easy to see the faults of others and overlook our own faults. I am as guilty of that as anyone. I only heard a small part of the entire meeting. I hope that my perspective would have been different if I had been at 9:00 to hear the full dialogue. I literally had to bite my tongue to keep from speaking up but since what I had in mind to say would have been very unkind, though true I'm glad I kept quiet.
I can only see this situation from my perspective though I am trying desperately to understand the words and attitudes that I observed yesterday. What I see in God's Word is a clear directive for elders and their responsibility. From my understanding of scripture, the members of the church are to follow the leadership of the elders, not expecting to be consulted or even made aware of every single decision that is made. I don't think that scripture would have the flock follow elders who are involved in unrepentant sin, however, from what I heard yesterday and what I know of the elders, that is not the case with The XYZ Church. Also, I believe that elders are to graciously rule over the flock. This means that decisions will be made that are in the best interest of the church while keeping with the teaching of scripture. Again, I believe that this was the intent on the part of the elders. There is no way that any group of elders, regardless of how wise, could avoid ever making a poor decision. This is an unreasonable expectation. The complaints that I heard yesterday were, in my opinion, petty and revealed an unbiblical expectation of church leadership. If this is what you and Janet have dealt with in the last several years, you are facing a very large reward in heaven.
I had several thoughts while sitting in the meeting. First, what would a lost person see of the gospel of Jesus Christ from the comments that were made yesterday? If Christians are to be known by their love for each other, what are we missing? Why is the gospel not enough to bring love, unity and grace to our body of believers? Please know that I am not questioning the power of the gospel but I didn't see a body of believers graciously working through differences with the purpose of resolution and edification. What I witnessed yesterday could have been accomplished by unbelievers. As believers, we must be different from the world. If not, we make the gospel useless in our lives.
The other thought I had yesterday was, "Do we as a church not have anything better to do than argue with each other? There are lost people to be saved, the hungry to feed, the hurting to comfort and we are arguing with each other." I realize that conflicts must be discussed and resolved but the small things in life require us to give grace and overlook each others faults.
The suffering my husband and I have faced in the last three years has colored my perspective about everything. My view of any conflict that does not bring about resolution seems to be wasting the very life we've been given. Because of Jesus Christ, we are capable of living a life of love and unity with other believers. If we fail to do this, we give up the defining characteristic of being a Christian and lose our testimony to the lost world.
I have said enough, probably more than I should have said. I knew that I would write to you and Janet this week but had planned to wait a few days to cool off. However, when I read your email, it all poured out. I hope you know that my intention in sharing this is not to burden you and Janet further, but to try to make some sense of this situation. Please feel free to correct my thinking or understanding of all of this. If I have misunderstood anything, please let me know.
I am so thankful for the leadership in this church and pray that God continues to guide and comfort you in the way He has for our church.
Walking By Faith,
Joe and Janet Smedley
Couples I met as a senior pastor - who are you?
When you pastor a small church for a period of four years you meet all kinds of people within the body of Christ. They tend to fall in one of two categories:
1. Those who model a Biblical example within the church
2. Those who model a non-Biblical example within the church
Jesus teaches on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:13 through the end of the chapter that you are either one or the other. For example there is the wide gate or the narrow gate, the good tree or the bad tree, the house built on sand and house built on rock.
Therefore I am giving examples of actual people I met and even keep journal about in my days as a pastor. Since many of my conversations have been written down I again am hoping to one day write a book on this four year period of my life. The book "When a small church closes" will focus on how to help others avoid the problems and pitfalls of a start up church. The names will be changed but the conversations and things I write will come from actual experiences with those in the church.
Again in this list the names have been changed but there are real people described in each of these types that you will read about in this article. My question is who are you or more important who do others think you are? Why not show them this list and get them to reveal which one best describes you!
Gary and Genny Genuine - This couple has no pretense, masks or trying to be something they are not, just the real thing. People know when you get around this couple that what you see is what you get and what you see and get you like.
Abe and Abegail Agenda - They may look sweet and docile but they are like ducks going around the water at your local lake. Everything looks good on the surface but underneath they are kicking up a storm. Normally they are older and rigid in the ways church should be done. Their motto becomes "have it my way."
Earl and Ester Edify - This couple knows the importance of building others up in the body of Christ. They are natural encouragers and seem to always have the right thing to say at the right time that brings honor and glory to Christ.
Harry and Henrietta Hypocrite - they look good, sing, teach and even hand out cookies on Sunday but they are not genuine. They gossip, tell about how they did things in there former church and even question if leadership is capable. They end up in leadership and sometimes in small groups to the point that they when they get mad and finally leave others go with them.
Their motto is "we are looking good, smelling good and talking good but we just aren't living good."
Paul and Pauleen Post Modern - this couple thinks we need to find out what music draws the crowd, especially the young crowd and then provide it. They think we have too much preaching and sermons should be short motivational stories that make people feel good. Paul and Pauleen are in to comfort without any conviction. Their motto is "we don't need more conversions in the church we just need to have some good conversations."
Charlie and Coleen Critical - It doesn't matter how you do it or what you do they will find a way to criticize it. A pastor told me that a couple approached him with a problem in the church. He listened and suggested that it might be the very thing that God was leading them to do. They got upset with his answer and said "if that is the best you can come up with then we are going to leave the church." Their motto is "why be part of the solution when you can continue pointing out the problem."
Sam and Sally Servant - this couple lives to give themselves to others. It is a joy to watch them take the initiative to bring a meal, cut grass for an elderly couple or take young children to school for a single mom who is sick.
Ned and Nellie Non-Biblical - this couple when approached about not using their gifts, reading the Bible, or leaving over the color of the carpet use experience and feelings instead of going to the word of God. If they don't feel it then they just don't do it. If you ask, can you support this kind thinking or action based on the Bible they will say things like "not really." Their motto "we don't know what it means but that's ok because it can mean what we want it to mean-right?"
Larry and Lea Leader - this couple has the gift of leading in a way that people want to follow. They are gentle and kind, but if necessary can be firm and bold when it comes to providing Biblical leadership for others in the group.
Ben and Bonita Been-Around - This couple looks the part except they have been to 12 other churches over the years. Upon talking to this couple each church they left has been somewhat off in doctrine, method of understanding of this couples skill and abilities. Their motto "we leave right before church discipline can arrive."
Earl and Edie Expert - This couple lives by the statement "if we want your opinion then we will give it to you." They know what to do and how to do it. Some of the things they share and implement have been on their minds for years and years. And now that the group is gathered and they are the so-called experts the attitude comes out my way or the highway. However sometimes enough is enough, and if challenged they will take their ball and go home! Their motto "it's not as easy as it looks to always be right."
Ted and Thelma Teflon - whenever they are approached regarding problems they have caused you can be sure that nothing sticks to them. Their motto "we didn't do anything wrong, just ask us."
Dick and Darlene Deflective - this couple has the extraordinary ability to put everything back on those that come in contact with them. The strategy is not to deal with the problem but deflect it away from themselves. By the way they are first cousins of Ted and Thelma Teflon. You might hear statements like the following "of course we would join small groups if the leadership team would stop having people in them." Their motto "take it easy greasy because the problem your trying to lay on me has got a long way to slide."
Pedro and Patsy Positive - this couple is always a ray of sunshine when they show up to any church function. They always look for and find the good from each situation into which they are placed. Others find it easy to be around their good nature and positive attitude.
Mack and Mabel Mono-ministry - they take a ministry and own it, do it and build a fence so high around it that it would take an act of congress to get into it! When Mack and Mabel show up they dominate and dictate their own ministry area. There is no Timothy support or back up plan. And if others offer. Their motto for others who want to involve themselves in their ministry "do not go away mad, just go away."
Henry and Henrietta Humble - this couple finds it very easy to yield to, submit and follow church leadership in their mission and vision. Even though they are wise and have much church experience they never let their "egos" get in the way of their ministry. They are constantly promoting unity and highly respectful of the way the Lord uses different gifts to have His name exalted.
Sammy and Sandy Snitch - this couple comes to attend but really never joins. However they call and meet with pastor in order to give inside information on some of the problem people. Their motto "maybe this pastor will confront them on the sin that we are too intimidated to discuss with our family member, friend or co-worker."
Fred and Farrah Flexible - this couple believes in being part of the team and are adaptable in almost in church situation. They never say things like "in our former church we did it this way." Because they understand with different churches, people, personalities and plans that things may in fact change along the way. Their lack of rigidity and narrow thinking makes it easy to be associated and involved with them in ministry.
Grant and Gertrude Grumpy - it doesn't matter what you preach, teach, or what you do, this couple finds a way to be and stay unhappy. Their motto is "of course we are happy just look at our face."
Barry and Beverly Biblical - this couple loves to teach the Bible and they really live the Bible. They are totally supportive and part of the leaderships vision to get people back in the word and get the word back in the people. Barry is a great teach and Beverly is a key supporter and encourager of her husband but also of others in the church. They love doctrine and have suggested "Bible Doctrine" by Wayne Grudem as a good starting point for most Christians. When they were first handed the book in a leadership meeting they took it, read and digested it because leadership had made decision to teach Biblical doctrine to the congregation. It was their leadership in this area they helped many come along to recognize how deficient they were in really understanding their Bibles.
Asa and Anna Apologetic - this couple loves to defend the faith. However they know how to do it in a way that others are drawn to their style and personality. They have given themselves over to study of the word of God in such a way that they help others understand the real authority of the Bible.
Ned and Nellie Know it all - when you have ministry ideas, plans and strategies this couple can tell you immediately why they know it won't work. As a matter of fact you can hand out sound reading material that is widely accepted by the church, and even leading seminaries, and they will hand it back with an attitude and say "I already know it all." Their motto "there is a limit to how smart you can be but no limit to how dumb you can be."
Tom and Tessa Team Player - this couple really knows that there is no "I" in the word "team."
What a tremendous pleasure it is to have this couple work with leadership and never against it.
They are constantly asking how can we be part of the solution and not part of the problem. On Sunday morning you will find them in a corner with a couple encouraging them to participate and get involved in the church. They really understand how to support and build up the leadership not just in talking about it but actually doing it in the way they live!
1. Those who model a Biblical example within the church
2. Those who model a non-Biblical example within the church
Jesus teaches on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:13 through the end of the chapter that you are either one or the other. For example there is the wide gate or the narrow gate, the good tree or the bad tree, the house built on sand and house built on rock.
Therefore I am giving examples of actual people I met and even keep journal about in my days as a pastor. Since many of my conversations have been written down I again am hoping to one day write a book on this four year period of my life. The book "When a small church closes" will focus on how to help others avoid the problems and pitfalls of a start up church. The names will be changed but the conversations and things I write will come from actual experiences with those in the church.
Again in this list the names have been changed but there are real people described in each of these types that you will read about in this article. My question is who are you or more important who do others think you are? Why not show them this list and get them to reveal which one best describes you!
Gary and Genny Genuine - This couple has no pretense, masks or trying to be something they are not, just the real thing. People know when you get around this couple that what you see is what you get and what you see and get you like.
Abe and Abegail Agenda - They may look sweet and docile but they are like ducks going around the water at your local lake. Everything looks good on the surface but underneath they are kicking up a storm. Normally they are older and rigid in the ways church should be done. Their motto becomes "have it my way."
Earl and Ester Edify - This couple knows the importance of building others up in the body of Christ. They are natural encouragers and seem to always have the right thing to say at the right time that brings honor and glory to Christ.
Harry and Henrietta Hypocrite - they look good, sing, teach and even hand out cookies on Sunday but they are not genuine. They gossip, tell about how they did things in there former church and even question if leadership is capable. They end up in leadership and sometimes in small groups to the point that they when they get mad and finally leave others go with them.
Their motto is "we are looking good, smelling good and talking good but we just aren't living good."
Paul and Pauleen Post Modern - this couple thinks we need to find out what music draws the crowd, especially the young crowd and then provide it. They think we have too much preaching and sermons should be short motivational stories that make people feel good. Paul and Pauleen are in to comfort without any conviction. Their motto is "we don't need more conversions in the church we just need to have some good conversations."
Charlie and Coleen Critical - It doesn't matter how you do it or what you do they will find a way to criticize it. A pastor told me that a couple approached him with a problem in the church. He listened and suggested that it might be the very thing that God was leading them to do. They got upset with his answer and said "if that is the best you can come up with then we are going to leave the church." Their motto is "why be part of the solution when you can continue pointing out the problem."
Sam and Sally Servant - this couple lives to give themselves to others. It is a joy to watch them take the initiative to bring a meal, cut grass for an elderly couple or take young children to school for a single mom who is sick.
Ned and Nellie Non-Biblical - this couple when approached about not using their gifts, reading the Bible, or leaving over the color of the carpet use experience and feelings instead of going to the word of God. If they don't feel it then they just don't do it. If you ask, can you support this kind thinking or action based on the Bible they will say things like "not really." Their motto "we don't know what it means but that's ok because it can mean what we want it to mean-right?"
Larry and Lea Leader - this couple has the gift of leading in a way that people want to follow. They are gentle and kind, but if necessary can be firm and bold when it comes to providing Biblical leadership for others in the group.
Ben and Bonita Been-Around - This couple looks the part except they have been to 12 other churches over the years. Upon talking to this couple each church they left has been somewhat off in doctrine, method of understanding of this couples skill and abilities. Their motto "we leave right before church discipline can arrive."
Earl and Edie Expert - This couple lives by the statement "if we want your opinion then we will give it to you." They know what to do and how to do it. Some of the things they share and implement have been on their minds for years and years. And now that the group is gathered and they are the so-called experts the attitude comes out my way or the highway. However sometimes enough is enough, and if challenged they will take their ball and go home! Their motto "it's not as easy as it looks to always be right."
Ted and Thelma Teflon - whenever they are approached regarding problems they have caused you can be sure that nothing sticks to them. Their motto "we didn't do anything wrong, just ask us."
Dick and Darlene Deflective - this couple has the extraordinary ability to put everything back on those that come in contact with them. The strategy is not to deal with the problem but deflect it away from themselves. By the way they are first cousins of Ted and Thelma Teflon. You might hear statements like the following "of course we would join small groups if the leadership team would stop having people in them." Their motto "take it easy greasy because the problem your trying to lay on me has got a long way to slide."
Pedro and Patsy Positive - this couple is always a ray of sunshine when they show up to any church function. They always look for and find the good from each situation into which they are placed. Others find it easy to be around their good nature and positive attitude.
Mack and Mabel Mono-ministry - they take a ministry and own it, do it and build a fence so high around it that it would take an act of congress to get into it! When Mack and Mabel show up they dominate and dictate their own ministry area. There is no Timothy support or back up plan. And if others offer. Their motto for others who want to involve themselves in their ministry "do not go away mad, just go away."
Henry and Henrietta Humble - this couple finds it very easy to yield to, submit and follow church leadership in their mission and vision. Even though they are wise and have much church experience they never let their "egos" get in the way of their ministry. They are constantly promoting unity and highly respectful of the way the Lord uses different gifts to have His name exalted.
Sammy and Sandy Snitch - this couple comes to attend but really never joins. However they call and meet with pastor in order to give inside information on some of the problem people. Their motto "maybe this pastor will confront them on the sin that we are too intimidated to discuss with our family member, friend or co-worker."
Fred and Farrah Flexible - this couple believes in being part of the team and are adaptable in almost in church situation. They never say things like "in our former church we did it this way." Because they understand with different churches, people, personalities and plans that things may in fact change along the way. Their lack of rigidity and narrow thinking makes it easy to be associated and involved with them in ministry.
Grant and Gertrude Grumpy - it doesn't matter what you preach, teach, or what you do, this couple finds a way to be and stay unhappy. Their motto is "of course we are happy just look at our face."
Barry and Beverly Biblical - this couple loves to teach the Bible and they really live the Bible. They are totally supportive and part of the leaderships vision to get people back in the word and get the word back in the people. Barry is a great teach and Beverly is a key supporter and encourager of her husband but also of others in the church. They love doctrine and have suggested "Bible Doctrine" by Wayne Grudem as a good starting point for most Christians. When they were first handed the book in a leadership meeting they took it, read and digested it because leadership had made decision to teach Biblical doctrine to the congregation. It was their leadership in this area they helped many come along to recognize how deficient they were in really understanding their Bibles.
Asa and Anna Apologetic - this couple loves to defend the faith. However they know how to do it in a way that others are drawn to their style and personality. They have given themselves over to study of the word of God in such a way that they help others understand the real authority of the Bible.
Ned and Nellie Know it all - when you have ministry ideas, plans and strategies this couple can tell you immediately why they know it won't work. As a matter of fact you can hand out sound reading material that is widely accepted by the church, and even leading seminaries, and they will hand it back with an attitude and say "I already know it all." Their motto "there is a limit to how smart you can be but no limit to how dumb you can be."
Tom and Tessa Team Player - this couple really knows that there is no "I" in the word "team."
What a tremendous pleasure it is to have this couple work with leadership and never against it.
They are constantly asking how can we be part of the solution and not part of the problem. On Sunday morning you will find them in a corner with a couple encouraging them to participate and get involved in the church. They really understand how to support and build up the leadership not just in talking about it but actually doing it in the way they live!
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