Old School Echoes

I have been hanging around Churches of Christ almost all of my life. I have witnessed lots of changes. Some I welcomed. Others not-so-much. Occasionally my mind will drift around in the memories created along the way. And in the memories I will hear old school echoes about things largely gone but not forgotten.

Here are a few of those echoes:

• Direct Command, Approved Example, and Necessary Inference. This method of biblical interpretation was literally drilled into me during my college years. It was the normal, accepted hermeneutic process within Churches of Christ for decades. It is still not forgotten among us, but it is much rarer to hear about it now. During a recent “How to Study the Bible” class I asked how many knew about the CEI approach.  Not many did.  While this hermeneutic is far from the flawless model as first presented to me, it remains a useful interpretative tool; not the only one or perfect one- for sure, but still useful enough in many texts. 
• 728B. Who can forget turning to the back of the song book to Our God, He is Alive! Singing good ole number 728B was happening back in the day. It became the Church of Christ national anthem. We don’t sing it like we used to, nor are there many songbooks left that include a 728B, but who could forget it? It was especially cool when the song leader led the chorus a second time and slowed it down for emphasis. Just wondering- does anyone remember song 728? I don’t.
• Flannel Boards. I have this VBS memory of- as a kid-  somehow being in a classroom all alone and for an extended period of time. I do not remember why I was there- maybe I sneaked in, but I do recall playing with the flannel board! It was a blast putting the Bible figures, trees, houses, animals, etc. on the board and moving them around. That was fun. You certainly can’t do that now with a PowerPoint or DVD!
• Gospel Meetings. Yes, this is old school, but not the oldest. The two or three-week, overflowing, brush arbor, multiple baptisms, gospel meeting kind of days were before my time. My memories focus on much shorter meetings, (weekend, three-day, occasionally for one week), but they were still special occasions. I do recall most of the church gathering- even during weeknights- to hear a guest preacher pontificate. I also fondly remember the “eating meetings” to which I was invited to partake as the local preacher before each evening service. I always felt sorry for the guest- he had to work after  enjoying such a feast. I could eat all I wanted with no such worries!
• Local Youth Rallies. I have noticed- for the most part- these are a thing of the past. Now, most youth rallies are really big deals- huge events. I fondly recall attending numerous smaller youth rallies hosted by local congregations in the bygone years. It was neat to see the kids network and build relationships through such events. I am certainly not opposed to the current bigger events- just recalling the blessings and charms of the smaller ones.
• Sunday Dinners. Specifically- those served by good sisters in their homes after Sunday morning worship. It wasn’t lunch- it was dinner and it usually involved chicken of the fried variety (home-made of course). We used to have a saying for this- “preach the word and pass the bird.” This indeed is a rarity now.
• “Separate and Apart;” “Ready Recollection;” and “Guide, Guard, and Direct Us.” These were phrases heard almost every Sunday without fail. The first was used to draw that clear line of distinction between the offering and communion. The latter two were uttered in prayers- one for the preacher to remember his sermon material and the other seeking God to watch over us as we dismissed worship and dispersed into our week. Not only do I hear these as echoes, but occasionally another old schooler will let one slip into the Sunday worship dialogue.
• Hats. I am just at that age in which I can remember all the marvelous hats worn by sweet sisters on Sunday mornings. They were a sight to behold. They are still around. Some ladies will still get hatted up, but nothing like back then.

These are my old school echoes. You likely have some of your own.

Confessions of This Preacher

Confession is good for the soul- someone once said.

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed,” James once said (James 5:16).

Then there is this. “Confession is like really, really healthy vomit. It may smell and get all over the front of your shirt, but you feel better– you feel cleansed– when you’re done,” Rob Bell says (in his latest book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God).

Thus motivated by divine and not-so-divine inspiration, this blogpost is about the random confessions of this preacher. I am looking for cleansing.

• I confess that quite often I feel inadequate to my calling and profession. I live with me and know my failings. Like Paul I frequently think that I am the “chief of sinners” and wonder why anyone would want to hear a word from the Lord from me. I confess to still being amazed when someone is nudged closer to God by something I said. (All I can say is there is indeed power in the gospel.) 
• I confess that frequently I feel inadequate to be a father to my girls at home (age 11 and 7). I feel for them because they have an “older dad” (Not long ago, when I picked Jordan up from school her classmate saw me and yelled to Jordan, “your grandfather is here.” Yep. lol). This weighs on my heart and mind.
• I confess to not trusting in God fully when it comes to finances. Being in ministry does not equate necessarily to financial security. When I was younger I had more faith here. Now, I worry about the next ten or fifteen years. What will happen in my so-called retirement years? Will we be able to send our girls to college? I do believe in God’s providential care. I just keep praying for God to help my unbelief.
• I confess that I am not the easiest guy to approach. That is not what is in my heart, but it must be somehow on my countenance- so I have been told. I have tried working on this– making happier faces in the mirror , but I think folks still are sometimes hesitant to approach me.
• I confess to being impatient (just ask my girls) on occasion. I try diligently to “be angry and sin not.” Sometimes I manage to do it. And I do pray for God to temper me more and more with his Spirit.
• I confess to zealously guarding the unity of God’s church. I confess to not understanding why anyone would want to tamper with it. This has occasionally tested my patience.
• I confess that I love my wife passionately, but do not let her know frequently enough. She sacrifices so much for me and the girls.
• I confess that even after all of these years of ministry with all of the layers of experience it brings, it still hurts when I see the church not growing. If I undersand God’s will correctly, we are not called to maintain status quo, but to work to expand the kingdom. It kicks me in the gut when the church is content to remain static.
• I confess to struggling with ego. At times- secretly of course- I have coveted, wanting to be the keynote speaker at all the big stuff; the famous Christian author (of course it would help if I wrote a book!) and preacher in demand. Yea, I know- wrong motivation. Sometimes the flesh is weak. This is not the problem it once was, however.
• I confess to not always having treated people gently and with respect- especially those who have a different worldview than mine. I confess to occasionally being too judgmental and prejudicial towards others- acting out of fear rather than faith; looking for ways to avoid instead of engage.
• I confess to having been occasionally hurt by comments like, “As a preacher, you only have to work two or three hours a week.” Or, “If you had a real job….” Or, “you should have known our old preacher- boy, he was really good.” Now, I realize most of this is said in jest, but even after hearing it all over the years, I confess to still being stung a little on occasion.  For most of us preachers, our work is not only a profession- it is who we are and there is no amount of compartmentalizing that can change that. This is not a complaint. We would not have it any other way. But to think we just sit around and do nothing except for a couple hours a week….
• Having said that, I confess that I love my “job” and have been blessed beyond measure through it and through all of God’s people who have graciously encouraged and supported me over the years.
• And finally, I confess to not having all the answers. Once upon a time, I thought I did. Things were so much simpler then.

So there you have it. I do feel better.  Thanks for indulging me.

Watch Out for Falling Bricks!

The church is falling; the church is falling! Run! Don’t get hit by the bricks crashing down from the old sanctuary! Hurry, run quickly to the new, hip church in town and don’t look back! If you do you will turn into a pillar of yellowed paper made from the pages of old KJV pew Bibles!

Maybe it is because I am getting older. Maybe it is because it all starts to sound the same after a while.  But I have had enough of being told about how my church is irrelevant, uncool, too old school, and ready for the scrapheap.

The volume of material out there that exists to remind me how totally un-with-it my church is seems limitless.

I suspect that you know what I am talking about.

Common among the do-or-die directives is how we must change our worship; change our name; change our leadership; change our image; change our culture; change our language. We must become missional; we must be emergent; we must become cool.

Bricks are falling all around us and we do not even realize it! Wake up church before it is too late!

To be sure, I am well aware of all of the stats reported from various sources that do clearly indicate a decline in church membership and an increasing lack of interest in organized religion in an American culture that no longer values churches as it once did.  I am well acquainted with the challenges all of this creates within a local church setting.

I also know about newer growing churches—megachurches that have that cool factor; with hip preachers and multiple campuses. Praise God for them! I rejoice that they exist and are effective in their outreach. Jesus is being preached and glorified through them to a vast amount of people

But we cannot all be them. What about all the churches who are not located in major metropolitan areas? What about the majority of us who worship, serve, raise our kids, marry and bury folks in the old, definitely unhip churches that remain all over the land? Should we just go ahead and shut our doors?

Lost in all of the heavy weight of the negative numbers and glorification of the latest church-of-what-is-happening-now is the value of the old church house on the corner—existing to serve its community and members. They may not be full of the most desired demographic. They may not have their curriculum based on the latest best-seller by the hottest Christian writer. They may still sing some songs from the 20^th (or even- heaven help us- from the 19^th century).  They may not project everything on multiple screens; they probably will not have a praise team; And yes, they probably have a brick or two that could use some fresh mortar (and some within their leadership who could use a fresh idea).

But they are still God’s people. They are still his church. They are still striving to make a difference. They are still of much value in the kingdom of God.

Years ago while in college one of my professors took our class on a field trip to a small country church next to a cemetery. The church building itself was unattractive, cramped, and in some disrepair. Our professor triumphantly proclaimed that the cemetery was more alive than that old, pitiful, tiny church- and predicted their quick demise.  I became and remain acquainted with this church. It not only still exists, but in the years since our visit has blessed hundreds of people in the name of Jesus. It remains small and totally uncool, but definitely alive and valuable to its community.

From a biblical perspective I get the idea that Jesus views his church quite differently than us. I think he is more interested in finding faith when he comes (Luke 18:8) than finding flash.

Please do not misunderstand. Because there is flash does not mean the absence of faith. I stand in awe at what is being done in big ways by big churches for Christ. I celebrate their celebrity- again because Jesus is preached and numerous lives are changed.

But the absence of flash does not also mean the absence of faith. I also celebrate all of the smaller churches and the smaller ways they are expanding God’s kingdom. They too continue to preach Christ and change lives.

They may not be all that hip, but they are all His.

That counts for all kinds of something- falling bricks and all.

 

 

 

Truth, Propositional and Relational

The excellent article below was written by Cecil May, Jr. who currently serves as a Dean at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. Brother May is a highly respected scholar of the Word, educator, and preacher. The article first appeared in the February 2013 publication, Preacher Talk. It is presented here with his permission. Brother May’s email is cmay@faulkner.edu if you would like to contact him about the article. 

A frequently heard postmodern statement is “Truth is not propositional; it is relational.

It is worthy of notice that much of postmodern writing and conversation, including this sentence, is self-contradictory. “Truth is not propositional; it is relational,” is itself a proposition. Is it true?

It is important to understand that Christian truth is personal and relational. Jesus is a person and he is truth personified (John 14:6). Jesus said in a prayer to his Father, “And this is eternal life, that they know you are the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

In order to know “the only true God and Jesus” we must know what Scripture tells us about them; or better said, what they tell us about themselves in Scripture. But an unbeliever can know everything Scripture says about Jesus and still not have eternal life. It is one thing to know about him and another to know him. Jesus told the Pharisees, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). There is a real person to whom the facts in Scripture speak, and we know him, the living Christ by faith. Christian truth is relational. It also brings us into precious relationships with others who by faith follow Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Christian truth is also propositional. Any sentence intended to state a truth is a proposition and that describes  many Christian truths. Jesus’ statements, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6), are often cited to show truth is relational. But they are propositions, and if they are not truth, there is no basis for saying truth is relational.

Simon Peter’s statement to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), is a proposition. If it is not true, any relationship people may think they have is not with Jesus, but with an invention of their own subjective imaginations.

“Jesus is Lord” and “God raised Jesus from the dead” are propositions. They are true and they must be believed and confessed if we are to have a relationship with Jesus and God. “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)

Jesus himself asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). Propositional truth  becomes relational truth when we trust and obey.

Everything Has Changed

I try to keep current on the ongoing dialogue about what is ailing our churches. There is one clear consensus flowing out of this discussion: Besides a few bright lights scattered across the nation most churches are getting smaller and older.

The fact is (which should surprise few)—the church is losing the younger generation. The disconnect between the church and the emerging generations only seems to be growing.

Tons of stats by research groups bear witness. The eye test on any given Sunday in any given church support the stats.

And we really do not have a grasp on what to do about it.

• Some argue that our worship needs to include more bells and whistles.  We need more screens; better music; less preaching; and more pizazz.
• Others think an emphasis on social ministry is the best approach. Studies are often cited to demonstrate how this appeals to the younger demographic.
• Still others believe that the move toward the above and away from traditional approaches to church and worship have helped create the disconnect and the solution is to move back toward orthodoxy.

When someone finally figures it out—clue me in, please.  I honestly do not know, but somehow I feel that it is a little more complex than all of that.

What I do know is that in my lifetime of ministry—everything has changed.

Recently with my kids (ages 12 and 7) I watched a couple of episodes of the old sitcom, The Cosby Show.  That show is a 1980s vintage and I marveled at its outlook and content.  Cutting edge then was dealing with teens having sex and drinking too much at a party.

Compare that with issues that confront our youngest now—sexting; gender/sexual orientation questions; legalized marijuana; internet pornography; the redefinition of family; the ubiquitous social media; the idolized celebrity culture; the lack of jobs for college graduates in their fields and the failing promise of the American dream.  (You can make your own list.)

Do we really believe that reviving up our worship will address any of this?

In truth, we all know the answer.

It is Jesus.

So, our challenge is for the church to become Jesus to our younger generations.

If we can figure out what that looks like, maybe everything will change again.

The Holiday America Forgot

Okay, just a short little rant.

Why do we rush through the Thanksgiving holiday?

Tom Turkey’s time on the center of our table is getting more and more carved up by the big guy in the red suit. Christmas trees now hover over the Thanksgiving spread.   Stores are opening up much earlier on Thanksgiving day.

I am a traditionalist. I used to think decking our halls the Saturday after Thanksgiving was early! Now that seems quaint.

So, why are yearning to stretch out the Christmas season?

One day our grandkids will be telling their grandkids– while they celebrate black Friday the week after Halloween– how their used to be this special day called Thanksgiving. The holiday that America forgot!

 

 

A Belonging Place

Imagine the tension among the collection of folks who made up the first century church.

Christians from a Jewish background had extreme difficulty accepting and trusting non-Jews (and visa-versa). Each group brought an entirely different worldview with them into the church including a long history of racial tension between them.  (Spend some time in the NT books of Romans and Galatians to get a feel for this struggle.)

Then there was the economic divide to overcome. Masters and slaves worshipped together. Rich and poor both were called to follow Jesus. Politicians and patrons were invited to come to Christ along with common laborers and prostitutes. Even though they lived in the same communities the daily life experience of these groups was incredibly inequitable.  (Revisit the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16 to catch a glimpse of this difference.)

Gender roles also added to the overall challenge. Men had the monopoly on calling the shots in first century culture. Women were a long way from anything resembling equal rights. (Check out 1 Corinthians 11 to understand a little more about this.)

Yet into this mix Paul would write:

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus for all of you who were baptized into Christ Jesus have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  (Galatians 3:26-28)

Among their cultural realities, Paul wanted God’s people to strive for something better—a true belonging place where relationship with Christ trumped everything else and created a wonderful kingdom alternative that erased all of the political, racial, class, and gender barriers.

Notice his use of language and image to this end.

Clothes say much about our identity.  In Paul’s culture it would have been easy to spot the wealthy in their purple attire and gold jewelry. Most slaves would have been identifiable by their simple garments. Jews dressed quite differently than Greeks.  Women literally wore their social and marital status on their clothes.  The poor had to get by with whatever they could find.

Paul’s expressed desire for God’s people was to subvert these societal norms through the transforming power of Jesus Christ. His message was to “wear” Christ—to allow their identity as Christians to supersede everything else.  In so doing they would destroy the divisive social, racial, and gender barriers and become one in Christ.

In this way their Greek identity; their Jewish tradition; their expensive (and prideful perhaps) displays of wealth; their shame of poverty; and even their gender status would melt away at the foot of the cross. All that meant everything outside of Christ would mean nothing in him. (Paul personally modeled this- read Philippians 3:4-17.)

This was Paul’s vision of God’s church. It was to be a belonging place where everyone was not only welcome, but also able to freely and equally enjoy the blessings of God’s mercy and grace—a place free of the divisiveness and tension of the harsh world.

And how did this all work out?

Well, just read through his New Testament letters. God’s ideal and human reality clashed. There was a learning curve here. Folks entrenched and indoctrinated in the worldviews that created the tension had to learn a new way of doing and being in Christ—actually an entirely new way of conceptualizing the world and viewing one another.  (Which puts his statement of no longer regarding anyone “from a worldly point of view” in 2 Corinthians 5:16 into context. That entire text is very informative to this overall discussion.)

It is no different now.

In our factious culture still so defined by class, race, gender, and other layers of social and economic status and so polarized by the pandering of our political party system— God’s kingdom alternative of a welcoming place that eradicates all of those divisive labels and allegiances through the unifying force of Christ is both desperately needed and refreshing.

That place is God’s church. Here there is neither black nor white; Republican nor Democrat; rich nor poor; male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. (If this statement increases your blood pressure then you are relating to the challenge of the NT church.)

Wearing Jesus trumps all the rest.

What an undeniable witness to heaven this truly is.

Are we up to the challenge?

Is your church a true belonging place?

To genuinely follow Christ do we really have any other option?