There is a dominating, yet troubling opinion among many in ministry today: a Christian education qualifies you for ministry. In contrast, this same group would argue that the absence of a Christian education would therefore deem a person unqualified for ministry. Quite frankly, I find this viewpoint flawed and damaging to the work of the church. Here's a few reasons why:
1. Was a religious education dominant among the Apostles? Maybe the answer is obvious, but for the sake of argument, indulge me. Scripture portrays Peter and John, two key players in the birth of the New Testament church in Jerusalem, as "ignorant and unlearned men" (Acts 4:13). Unless I'm mistaken, the only two New Testament writers we know to have had any formal training were Luke (I'm assuming a physician, even in the 1st century, had some sort of advanced study requirements) and the apostle Paul.
2. Wasn't Paul the receipient of a religious education? Absolutely. The apostle Paul was arguably the most educated of all the New Testament writers. By his own admission, he had received the best education from the best teacher, "at the feet of Gamaliel and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law." (Acts 22:3) Yet Paul saw his ancestry as a circumcised Hebrew, and his entire life's accomplishments - membership in the Pharisee Club, scrict law-keeper, and best religious education as...essential? Vitally important? Of marginal value? Not even close.
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." Philippians 3:7-9 (NIV)
He continues his approach of dependency on Christ alone, intentionally suppressing his religious education, for fear it be a distraction to the cause of the gospel with the church at Corinth:
"When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power."
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (HCSB)
3. The priesthood of all believers must be defended. As Baptists, we claim to believe in this foundational doctrine. According to the SBC's Position Statement on the subject: "Laypersons have the same right as ordained ministers to communicate with God, interpret Scripture, and minister in Christ's name." The idea that only the educated elite can adequately engage in ministry would make Martin Luther role over in his grave. Maybe we need to re-nail his Theses to the door of the Church! Luther, the great reformer, rightly argued for the priesthood of all believers, challenging the Catholic idea that life as a monk or nun was a special, holy calling, and therefore superior to the life of an average citizen.
Precious blood has been shed by martyred saints to overthrow the concept of spiritual superiority. Men and women were burned alive, beaten, skinned, torn into, beheaded...all the while standing in righteous resolve against the idea of an elite, educated few acting as the Gatekeepers of Grace.
I am a strong proponent of a religious education. I wouldn't be enrolled as a student otherwise. I think Williams Baptist College employs some of the finest educators in the nation. Some of my dearest friends and fellow servants of Christ have received doctorates in the field of religion, and yet recognize their calling and qualification for ministry comes not from a diploma on the wall, but from the equipping of the Holy Spirit. I also know many men and women who have served God faithfully, impacting the Kingdom of God in a profound way, without the benefit of formal religious training. Heaven will be filled with those who accepted the Good News of redemption through the message of ordinary men and women with no religious education, yet fully equipped to carry forth the message of the Cross.
Remember, God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. Jesus Himself left the enormous task of the Great Commission in the hands of untrained commoners. Do we dare to attempt to subvert His plan?
May the Church unleash the ordinary to do the extraordinary work Christ intended.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Why I Choose to Vote
There is an undeniable and legitimate disgust with today's political system. Corruption has infected every area of government. But is the answer found in withdrawal? Should Christian people retreat from the political arena completely? I leave you to answer that yourself. I choose to participate in the privilege of voting. Here's some reasons why:
1. I vote for the unborn. There were approximately 1.21 million abortions performed in the U.S. in 2008 (source: www.nrlc.org.) That's 3,315 murders per day - equivalent to the annihilation of every man, woman, boy, and girl who are residents of Hoxie, AR. By the time you finish reading this blog, 12 babies, created in the image of God, will be procedurally put to death...without a voice. They will never vote. But I will. I personally believe it is my responsibility to vote. There are no perfect candidates. There are no perfect parents, perfect drivers, perfect students, either. That doesn't keep us from raising kids, driving our cars, and striving for an education. Proverbs 31:8 instructs us, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." Voting is not the only way to speak up, but it is certainly one way.
2. I vote for the family. I am not homophobic. I believe, however, the future of any society rests in the preservation of God's design for the family. Call me naive and out-of-touch, but I believe there are forces at work in society, hellbent on the destruction of traditional family. The unacceptable by God's standards has become acceptable in today's culture. Will my vote alone stem the tide? Not a chance. But I will not lie down and surrender. I will not bury my head in the sand and pray it "all goes away."
3. I vote for less government. I don't see government as the solution. Government quite often is the problem. Just in the last 20 years, government has spread with pandemic aggression, usurping its tentacles into virtually every area of our life: the rearing of our children, our religious freedoms, even the food we eat. Under the current administration, the dependence on government has grown 23%. Today, more people than ever before—67.3 million Americans, depend on the federal government for assistance. Yet, for the first time in history, half the population pays no federal income tax. (source: www.heritage.org) Like a drug dealer, Uncle Sam keeps handing out the "free samples," creating an addiction to his wares. Government has a role to play, but it should be a small role. I vote toward that goal.
4. I vote because people bled and died to ensure me the right. My grandfather, like so many others, fought in World War II against the tyrannical empires of Germany and Japan. Their sacrifice preserved our freedom. Billions of people everyday suffer oppression and persecution around the globe. They have no rights. They have no opportunity to voice their opinion in the voting booth. They would gladly trade places with the disgruntled and disenfranchised who abnegate their rights to vote.
5. I vote because some things are worth fighting for. I am not a pacifist. If you threaten my family or my property, I will resist with force. As a Christian, I feel my role certainly encompasses the demonstration of love. I grew up in a loving home. Hence, it was an environment with parameters. My parents' discipline was a demonstration of their love. It was active, not passive. We are called to be salt and light: sometimes stinging to an open wound, but healing nonetheless; offensive to dwellers of darkness, but revealing the path that leads to life.
The registration deadline to vote in Arkansas' May 22nd Primary is April 23rd. The registration deadline for the November general election is October 8th.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
---Dietrich Bonhoeffer
1. I vote for the unborn. There were approximately 1.21 million abortions performed in the U.S. in 2008 (source: www.nrlc.org.) That's 3,315 murders per day - equivalent to the annihilation of every man, woman, boy, and girl who are residents of Hoxie, AR. By the time you finish reading this blog, 12 babies, created in the image of God, will be procedurally put to death...without a voice. They will never vote. But I will. I personally believe it is my responsibility to vote. There are no perfect candidates. There are no perfect parents, perfect drivers, perfect students, either. That doesn't keep us from raising kids, driving our cars, and striving for an education. Proverbs 31:8 instructs us, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." Voting is not the only way to speak up, but it is certainly one way.
2. I vote for the family. I am not homophobic. I believe, however, the future of any society rests in the preservation of God's design for the family. Call me naive and out-of-touch, but I believe there are forces at work in society, hellbent on the destruction of traditional family. The unacceptable by God's standards has become acceptable in today's culture. Will my vote alone stem the tide? Not a chance. But I will not lie down and surrender. I will not bury my head in the sand and pray it "all goes away."
3. I vote for less government. I don't see government as the solution. Government quite often is the problem. Just in the last 20 years, government has spread with pandemic aggression, usurping its tentacles into virtually every area of our life: the rearing of our children, our religious freedoms, even the food we eat. Under the current administration, the dependence on government has grown 23%. Today, more people than ever before—67.3 million Americans, depend on the federal government for assistance. Yet, for the first time in history, half the population pays no federal income tax. (source: www.heritage.org) Like a drug dealer, Uncle Sam keeps handing out the "free samples," creating an addiction to his wares. Government has a role to play, but it should be a small role. I vote toward that goal.
4. I vote because people bled and died to ensure me the right. My grandfather, like so many others, fought in World War II against the tyrannical empires of Germany and Japan. Their sacrifice preserved our freedom. Billions of people everyday suffer oppression and persecution around the globe. They have no rights. They have no opportunity to voice their opinion in the voting booth. They would gladly trade places with the disgruntled and disenfranchised who abnegate their rights to vote.
5. I vote because some things are worth fighting for. I am not a pacifist. If you threaten my family or my property, I will resist with force. As a Christian, I feel my role certainly encompasses the demonstration of love. I grew up in a loving home. Hence, it was an environment with parameters. My parents' discipline was a demonstration of their love. It was active, not passive. We are called to be salt and light: sometimes stinging to an open wound, but healing nonetheless; offensive to dwellers of darkness, but revealing the path that leads to life.
The registration deadline to vote in Arkansas' May 22nd Primary is April 23rd. The registration deadline for the November general election is October 8th.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
---Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Monday, January 16, 2012
Trusting in Oneself
"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else..." Luke 18:9 (HCSB)
I grow weary of the extreme analyzing, the prying scrutiny, the suspicious scoffing that has become the norm in our Christian culture. Let me explain: a video is released, or a book comes out, and suddenly the "Doctrine Police" come out in full force. Don't get me wrong: I believe in "testing the spirits" (1 John4:1) to determine what is true. But in our effort to appear theologically superior, ...we end up eating our own. And to a world cartwheeling head-over-heels to an eternity without God, we have to appear petty and trivial.
I dare say that if you take one sermon from any Bible-teaching, doctrinally grounded man of God, pick and pry at it, look at his words and mannerisms under a microscope, and you will find something to take issue with. Why? Because you can't gain insight into a person's doctrinal core fully through one sermon. It is by this same approach that cults are formed: by plucking a biblical passage out of context.
I grew up in the home of an uneducated, yet Spirit-called man of God. In the days before Internet and the deluge of resources at our disposal today, he managed to preach and teach God's Word without beating up everyone who believed a little different than he did. His approach was simple: eat the meat and spit out the bones. Thanks, Dad, for showing me how to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
I pray this generation will some day see the value in this approach.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A Blank Piece of Paper...
I sit here alone on New Year's Day 2012, staring at a blank piece of paper. But what does that mean? What does that represent? Is it somehow a reflection of what I feel like? So I began to fill the blank page with random thoughts...finding as many questions as answers, seeking to articulate the uncertainty of another new year, and the certainty of an unchanging Lord.
Emptiness. I have nothing. I recognize anew that the Source is found somewhere other than within me. Yet if I'm honest, much of 2011 was spent scavenging on some leftover morsel of hope and direction I had tucked away for a rainy day. Don't we all do that? A song that ministers to us, a message that moves us, even a passage of Scripture that became a lifeline in a moment of desperation. All these and so many more are tools God uses to speak to us, to help us and heal us when we find our ship slamming into the breakers of life. But they were meant by God to minister at that particular point in time...for that crisis. Like the nomadic Israelites wandering in the wilderness, our nature is to stockpile the manna of God's goodness - to trust in my ability to take what God has given me and distribute it into my life as the need arises, meanwhile ignoring the provision of God. The result is at best a stale version of what He intended, while the fresh Bread of Life goes ignored. Emptiness acknowledges my inability.
Hunger. I need something. Why is it so hard to admit our hunger? We have created a spiritual facade in American Christianity where everything's good...hands in the air and a smile on our face...but most of what we're peddling won't sustain us to the parking lot. Our people are hungry, but not for professionally-packaged fluff. What few times I've fasted, something unforeseen happened. As hours turned into days, the gnawing of my stomach subsided. I thought at first I'd never make it, but sticking to a fast gets easier the farther into it you get. Unfortunately, it's the same way with God's Fresh Presence. The longer we go without feeding on Him, the less of an appetite we have. While we grow weaker, we also grow complacent. Lethargic. Dead. Paralyzed. Hunger is a sign of life. Craving God's Fresh Presence motivates. Longing for more than spiritual junk food will compel us to action. Like the four starving lepers in 2 Kings 7, someone needs to speak the truth today: "Why are we sitting here until we die?"
Anticipation. God has everything. There is an Answer available. But we won't find it in books, at conferences, or last year's sermons. Our friends don't hold it. Mentors can't deliver it. Pastors can't provide it. The God of all goodness...The King of New Beginnings...The Creator and Sustainer of 2012 says clearly, "Come unto Me...Call unto Me...Cry out to Me." Anticipation is hope. Anticipation is confidence. It is contagious. It is refreshing and satisfying.
He holds 2012. He also holds me. My purpose, my peace, my opportunities of being used in Kingdom work are found in Him alone.
Bring on 2012. He's got it covered.
So much for a blank piece of paper...
Emptiness. I have nothing. I recognize anew that the Source is found somewhere other than within me. Yet if I'm honest, much of 2011 was spent scavenging on some leftover morsel of hope and direction I had tucked away for a rainy day. Don't we all do that? A song that ministers to us, a message that moves us, even a passage of Scripture that became a lifeline in a moment of desperation. All these and so many more are tools God uses to speak to us, to help us and heal us when we find our ship slamming into the breakers of life. But they were meant by God to minister at that particular point in time...for that crisis. Like the nomadic Israelites wandering in the wilderness, our nature is to stockpile the manna of God's goodness - to trust in my ability to take what God has given me and distribute it into my life as the need arises, meanwhile ignoring the provision of God. The result is at best a stale version of what He intended, while the fresh Bread of Life goes ignored. Emptiness acknowledges my inability.
Hunger. I need something. Why is it so hard to admit our hunger? We have created a spiritual facade in American Christianity where everything's good...hands in the air and a smile on our face...but most of what we're peddling won't sustain us to the parking lot. Our people are hungry, but not for professionally-packaged fluff. What few times I've fasted, something unforeseen happened. As hours turned into days, the gnawing of my stomach subsided. I thought at first I'd never make it, but sticking to a fast gets easier the farther into it you get. Unfortunately, it's the same way with God's Fresh Presence. The longer we go without feeding on Him, the less of an appetite we have. While we grow weaker, we also grow complacent. Lethargic. Dead. Paralyzed. Hunger is a sign of life. Craving God's Fresh Presence motivates. Longing for more than spiritual junk food will compel us to action. Like the four starving lepers in 2 Kings 7, someone needs to speak the truth today: "Why are we sitting here until we die?"
Anticipation. God has everything. There is an Answer available. But we won't find it in books, at conferences, or last year's sermons. Our friends don't hold it. Mentors can't deliver it. Pastors can't provide it. The God of all goodness...The King of New Beginnings...The Creator and Sustainer of 2012 says clearly, "Come unto Me...Call unto Me...Cry out to Me." Anticipation is hope. Anticipation is confidence. It is contagious. It is refreshing and satisfying.
He holds 2012. He also holds me. My purpose, my peace, my opportunities of being used in Kingdom work are found in Him alone.
Bring on 2012. He's got it covered.
So much for a blank piece of paper...
Friday, August 26, 2011
I'm Tired
Blogs are supposed to be uplifting. Especially in the Christian community, we use blogs to promote our ministries, proclaim our message, maybe even brag a little. Not this one. I just don't have it in me. I'm just too tired.
I'm tired of pretending everything is going good.
I'm tired of painting on a smile.
I'm tired of being lonely, with no one to talk to.
I'm tired of my family's sacrifice.
I'm tired of waiting for a breakthrough.
I'm tired of people asking me how things are going, when most really don't want to know the truth about how things are going..
I'm tired of giving rehearsed responses to rehearsed questions.
I'm tired of being in a bad mood.
I'm tired of snapping at my wife, when it's not her fault.
I'm tired of being expected to give when I have nothing left.
I'm tired of trying to lead when I don't know where I'm going.
I'm tired of not living up to other's expectations.
I'm tired of not living up to my own expectations.
I'm tired of sowing and no reaping.
I'm tired.
Period.
Maybe I need a nap.
If I could just find a juniper tree...
I'm tired of pretending everything is going good.
I'm tired of painting on a smile.
I'm tired of being lonely, with no one to talk to.
I'm tired of my family's sacrifice.
I'm tired of waiting for a breakthrough.
I'm tired of people asking me how things are going, when most really don't want to know the truth about how things are going..
I'm tired of giving rehearsed responses to rehearsed questions.
I'm tired of being in a bad mood.
I'm tired of snapping at my wife, when it's not her fault.
I'm tired of being expected to give when I have nothing left.
I'm tired of trying to lead when I don't know where I'm going.
I'm tired of not living up to other's expectations.
I'm tired of not living up to my own expectations.
I'm tired of sowing and no reaping.
I'm tired.
Period.
Maybe I need a nap.
If I could just find a juniper tree...
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Being Missional
It seems the catchphrase in church today is the word “missional.” Every healthy church wants to be “on mission,” but what does being missional look like? Wellspring Church, from its inception has desired to be missional. We wanted to be “on mission.” We wanted missions to not only be a part of what we do, but to be the motivation for everything we do.
A dear friend of mine said that as a church plant we should "build in at the beginning what we want to see at the end." I believe this principle is important for any church, but especially for a new church plant. For example, we wanted Wellspring Church to be a church of obedient givers. So, we built giving into the very first meetings that Wellspring had. We have recently begun small group Bible studies, because discipleship is a priority. But how does a church get “on mission?” How do we become a missional church?
I think the answer is simpler than we think. I believe “being missional” simply means allowing missions to permeate every area of church life. One of the ways we do that is by giving. Wellspring Church began giving to the Cooperative Program and Black River Baptist Association after our first offering. “Why?” you may ask. Shouldn't a new church plant be a recipient of missions instead of a giver? It's true that Wellspring Church receives support from partner churches, ABSC, and our local association. But the principle of “building in at the beginning what we want to see at the end” motivated us to begin giving back as well. And, while our gifts aren’t as large as some churches, we know God doesn't judge individuals or churches on the size of their gifts, but rather their faithfulness. And 10% of a dollar is a dime, no matter how many dollars you may have!
But there's more to being missional than giving. Unfortunately, most churches stop here. But as Christians, we're not only called to give: we're also called to go. And going is not something you can delegate. The “y'all come” mentality is both unbiblical and unproductive. Yet that is the model that we see most often displayed. We build nice buildings, put out the “welcome mat,” and expect to win the world for Christ. The results, however, show minimal success.
Acts 1:8 reminds us that by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus expects His church to be “witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This passage motivated Wellspring Church to plan a mission trip to Haiti in May. We have no missions budget. We have no vast resources. But we have a Great Commission and we serve a great God. That's motivation enough. We also have a group from Texas that's coming to Walnut Ridge in April to partner with us in reaching our community. Please pray for us in both these endeavors as we strive to be a God-pleasing, missional church.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Life Is a Test
Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life tells us "life is a test, life is a trust, and life is a temporary assignment." Connor and I had the privilege of being reminded of this today - especially the part about a test and a trust. After picking Connor up from school, we stopped by the Walnut Ridge Wal-Mart. I needed a backpack for my new college adventure. (More on that at a later date.) As we were leaving, I noticed a bank envelope lying on the parking lot - you know - the kind they give you when you cash a check or make a deposit.
It had been run over several times. It looked all grimy and tattered. So I kicked it with my shoe, and said over my shoulder to Connor, "Might want to pick that up. See what's in it." I expected it to be empty, or at best, have someone's deposit ticket inside. Nope. Inside the envelope, Connor discovered four twenty's, a ten, a five, a one, and two pennies: $96.02.
Here's where the TEST comes in. Connor has been saving money for the last month or so for an Xbox 360. He's been sticking back money he got for Christmas, and the $10 a week he gets for helping his Mom with the dishes. He spent his two "snow days" this week scanning ebay, looking for the "deal of the century" on an Xbox. And an extra $96.02 makes the dream of an Xbox several steps closer to becoming a reality.
Inside the envelope, along with the cash, was a deposit slip. I said, "Son, the folks at the bank might be able to identify the person who lost this money with that deposit slip. What do you think?" And my son passed one of life's tests. He responded, "If I had lost $96.02, I'd sure want someone to try and get it back to me."
I was right. The bank teller was able to look back through that day's transactions and match the money with its rightful owner. And, I hope the person who lost it takes time to thank God for its return. Maybe it will help put food on their table, or buy gas to get to work, or buy medicine for a sick child. Hopefully some of it will end up in a church offering plate, where it can continue to be a blessing to the Kingdom. But it may go to buy booze, or cigarettes, or drugs. It may be wasted on lottery tickets or junk food. It may provide help through a tough winter, or provide the means to help destroy a person's life. Only God knows.
But that's not mine or Connor's problem. Tonight we will rest with a clear conscience. We passed the test - at least this time. And life is filled with them. But one right decision equips and enables a person to make another right decision. I'm proud of a son who, like his dad, no doubt struggled inwardly - if only for a mili-second - with what to do. The temptation was real. No one was looking. It was cold, hard, untraceable CASH. And $96 looks like $960 when you're thirteen!
But Proverbs 13:11 says, "Money that is gained in the wrong way disappears. But money that is gathered little by little grows." Sounds like God has a plan that works. Xbox or not, Connor and I are doing it His way.
It had been run over several times. It looked all grimy and tattered. So I kicked it with my shoe, and said over my shoulder to Connor, "Might want to pick that up. See what's in it." I expected it to be empty, or at best, have someone's deposit ticket inside. Nope. Inside the envelope, Connor discovered four twenty's, a ten, a five, a one, and two pennies: $96.02.
Here's where the TEST comes in. Connor has been saving money for the last month or so for an Xbox 360. He's been sticking back money he got for Christmas, and the $10 a week he gets for helping his Mom with the dishes. He spent his two "snow days" this week scanning ebay, looking for the "deal of the century" on an Xbox. And an extra $96.02 makes the dream of an Xbox several steps closer to becoming a reality.
Inside the envelope, along with the cash, was a deposit slip. I said, "Son, the folks at the bank might be able to identify the person who lost this money with that deposit slip. What do you think?" And my son passed one of life's tests. He responded, "If I had lost $96.02, I'd sure want someone to try and get it back to me."
I was right. The bank teller was able to look back through that day's transactions and match the money with its rightful owner. And, I hope the person who lost it takes time to thank God for its return. Maybe it will help put food on their table, or buy gas to get to work, or buy medicine for a sick child. Hopefully some of it will end up in a church offering plate, where it can continue to be a blessing to the Kingdom. But it may go to buy booze, or cigarettes, or drugs. It may be wasted on lottery tickets or junk food. It may provide help through a tough winter, or provide the means to help destroy a person's life. Only God knows.
But that's not mine or Connor's problem. Tonight we will rest with a clear conscience. We passed the test - at least this time. And life is filled with them. But one right decision equips and enables a person to make another right decision. I'm proud of a son who, like his dad, no doubt struggled inwardly - if only for a mili-second - with what to do. The temptation was real. No one was looking. It was cold, hard, untraceable CASH. And $96 looks like $960 when you're thirteen!
But Proverbs 13:11 says, "Money that is gained in the wrong way disappears. But money that is gathered little by little grows." Sounds like God has a plan that works. Xbox or not, Connor and I are doing it His way.
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