Post-Christian

This is the label now used to describe our times. Where once our culture was framed by a general allegiance to Christian values and ethics-  it no longer is. This is probably not a shocker to most of us.  The evidence of this surrounds. Headlines blurt it out daily.

Now I could launch into a discussion explaining how this might not necessarily be as great a negative as it appears. I could explore the strong and growing similarities between our century and the first one and then point out how the church flourished in that pre-Christian era. That is indeed an interesting discussion.

But for now- here are some brief and general thoughts on how we got to be “post-Christian.”

• We have surrendered our identities as Christians. No, we still wear the tag Christian, but in reality there is not much that separates us church-goers from those who don’t. Brad J. Waggoner in his book, The Shape of Faith to Come: Spiritual Formation and the Future of Discipleship speaks of “cultural seepage” within the church- basically dumbing down our  commitment to living and sharing kingdom principles. The lines have simply blurred. We look and act too much like surrounding culture to be taken seriously as a penetrating voice for Christ in the cultural dialogue.
• Related to that is the moral ambiguity among us. We all know about scandals in high places among churches and church leaders. This has not helped, but what further hurts our attempts to share the joy of Christ is the failure of many Christians to faithfully live out godly virtues. We are simply failing to put these (see 2 Peter 1:5-9) on and wear them with any consistency. Instead (and again) we do not look much different than unbelievers. This actually disqualifies us from being a credible witness to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:27).  And then, when we do speak we open ourselves up to criticism of being judgmental and hypocritical.
• Our message has become too politicized.  God’s kingdom transcends any nation or country. Our call regardless of our nationality is to be salt and light to that nation. God’s kingdom can transform an earthly one, but not by becoming equal partners with it (2 Corinthians 6:14). When “God issues” become pawns in political debate designed only to pander for votes- it then hinders our ability to make a difference in that culture by sharing the overall life-giving message of Christ.
• There is simply too much general apathy in our churches. Where now is our passion for evangelism? Where is our zeal to truly live a life worthy of our calling? Where is our commitment to Bible study and worship?

I am speaking in generalities here. Praise God there are exceptions. There are also solutions. God provides them (start by reading the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. This is indeed a heavenly resource for penetrating any culture with the message of Christ). Ultimately it comes back to me. Am I being salt and light? Does my life- while imperfect- genuinely reflect godly values in a consistent way? Am I fueling my soul through God’s Spirit and with the Word of God? Am I passionately in love with Christ? Do I verbally share the joys of my faith?

I am not afraid of living in a post-Christian culture. God still reigns. He just wants us to demonstrate that reign in our lives.

Feel free to agree or disagree and add your thoughts to the discussion.

From Mourning to Morning

Here I am sitting at the keyboard trying to collect the right words to describe my feelings about last week- about what I witnessed and felt in the aftermath of the horrific events that took the precious lives of Karen and Cole Ferguson.

I can’t really find many.

I do not want to rehearse any of those events. I am still thinking about the overwhelming outpouring of support demonstrated by those touched by this tragedy. God’s people rose up and surrounded Les, his boys and their family in truly tremendous ways. Darkness struck an awful blow, but Light powerfully responded. God was and is at work among his people. The Ferguson and Brown families are not and will not be alone in their grief.

To be sure- it is their (and to a lesser degree our) time for mourning. Few among us can really know the extent of their grief. There is really no way to compare it. It is journey they must undertake through the edges of the “valley of the shadow of death.”  Faithfully- I believe- they will take it. Faithfully God and his staff will be there to comfort and guide them-to eventually find peace beside still waters.

It is a journey from mourning to morning.

It will happen for each in their own time (and God’s). It will likely remain a bittersweet process. Perhaps it will not be fully complete until an eternal reunion, but one day it will be complete.

Les, I am praying for you- for strength on this journey.

Oh, and one more thing- no matter the depth of darkness and the damage it creates, it will never triumph over Light.

“I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!”

Once upon a time I thought I knew all the answers. I had a Bible verse for everything. All anyone had to do was believe and all would be well. That seems so long ago now.

Yesterday, unimaginable tragedy invaded the life of the Ferguson family in Gulfport, MS. The life here of my good friend, Les Ferguson, Jr. will never again be filled with the sweet presence of his wife, Karen, and son, Cole. Evil in the form of a twisted soul violently took their lives.

Unbelievable. Totally. Yet true.

I’ll confess. I do not understand this. Why was anger and violence visited upon such a loving, gentle Christian family- a family dedicated to gracefully serving God? It all seems so desperately out-of-context. So– unbelievable.  How do we even go about processing such a tragedy?

I can offer up those Bible verses. I am well acquainted with the theology developed to address suffering and evil. It is solid. It is reliable. In the detached world of hermenuetics, it all makes sense. I believe it.  But we don’t live in that world.  Yesterday again reaffirmed this harsh reality.

I talked briefly with Les yesterday afternoon. Well, not really. I had no words, nor did he. I had no Bible verses to make this better. It is senseless. I am angry that Karen and Cole were taken away like this- under these circumstances. I am hurting with Les and his boys left to deal forever with the aftermath. I cannot imagine their grief.

I do believe that God is at work within this tragedy. I do believe that his Spirit immediately began ministering to Les in ways beyond our ability to grasp. I do believe that eventually all injustice will be met with God’s justice and eradicated. I do believe that Cole will be forever whole and happy. I do believe that Karen and her indomitably sweet spirit is alive and well in the presence of God. I do believe.

Lord, I just need help with my unbelief. I need your grace as I process the pervasive nature of evil. The purveyors of evil seem to continually win the day. Yesterday brought that home again to me in a personal way. This I do not understand. I am reminded of the pleading question of the martyrs in Revelation 6:10, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 

God, “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

And Holy Father, please continue to wrap your arms tightly around Les, his boys, and their entire extended family. I believe you remain the answer to their grief.

And one more request Father: Come, Lord Jesus!

The Adventures of a New Preacher

I am a new preacher again and at my age that is no small feat!

Actually, I am now the new preaching minister for the Levy Church of Christ in North Little Rock, Arkansas.  God works in amazing and surprising ways and did so by opening up the door to me for this opportunity. For over sixty years Levy has been an active kingdom presence in her community. I feel blessed to join the ranks of those who have preached before me and I look forward to the wonderful adventures God has planned for my ministry here. By God’s grace, I think we are off to a good start.

As I get settled in here, my mind still drifts back to my family in Pensacola at the Gateway Church of Christ. Regardless of where God may lead me, I will always cherish my time there. This church loved me and my family and supported and encouraged my ministry in tremendous ways. They are family and I love them. My prayers are earnest in asking God to bring them a special servant to minister with them in the Word. It was not at all easy to depart, but I felt that perhaps they needed a new voice. I will be excited to see what God has in store for this sweet church next. I expect it to be terrific.

I have some pretty high expectations at Levy too, but they have much more to do with the heart of this family than with me.  I see an incredible and grace-oriented servant spirit saturating this church and an encouraging vision for letting God work in powerful ways.  From every thing I have observed so far, the Levy family is fully committed to being a church who serves her community. The direction and extent of the ministries here clearly demonstrate that. Talk about exciting!  This desire to be a church of the community stems from a heart for reaching people for Christ- both here and abroad.  I am truly humbled to now be a part of this family- my family at Levy.

I still do not think Levy is fully aware of what they have in their new preacher. I have yet to introduce the theology of country music into my sermons or to quote Barney Fife!

For now, I am just enjoying the adventures of a new preacher!