Acts 15 and the Gospel Coalition-James Macdonald Dust Up

I just caught this story earlier today regarding the resignation of Harvest Chapel and Walk in the Word pastor James Macdonald from the Gospel Coalition. I will only say that those who allegedly pressured Macdonald should read Acts 15. There we see the apostles and other church leaders addressing theological differences.

How much harm is done by having a platform where you do can just that?

Or is the Gospel Coalition more comfortable throwing stones at perceived heretics instead clinching tight those fists until they hear what a person actually believes?

Just sayin….

5 Questions

5. Why are Reformed folks so dang lax when it comes to evangelism? (I get to challenge my own camp.)
4. How many people will claim that they have not been paying attention to Elevation Church’s Code Orange Revival when in fact they have not missed ONE night?
3. Why are so many LAME Christians challenging this video?
2. How would the world be without Wikipedia after the “blackout” on Thursday in protest of SOPA?
1. What in THE ESCHATOLOGICAL HELL was Ed Young, Jr. thinking?

Does God Hate Sinners?

__________________________________
Love for Enemies
(Matthew 5:43-48, NET Bible)

5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, 5:45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven [Emphasis mine], since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? 5:47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 5:48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Biblegateway Verse of the Day

Verse of the Day

    “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14
NIV

Reality Check for Church Planters/Pastors

Jesus does four important things that anyone called to church planting or pastoring must consider:

1. Jesus reveals Himself to us. Of course, part of that journey involves us struggling with the questions of who this Jesus is. The disciples had to travel the same path. Ultimately, the church planter has to know who Jesus is and the priority He must have over everything and everyone else.

2. Jesus tells you who YOU are. You will never understand who you are until you know who Jesus is. It is from Him and Him alone that you get your identity. In certain circles, Peter is considered the foundation upon which the church or “ekklesian” (as the Gk. reads). But “Peter” means “little rock” or a piece of a larger stone. That’s it. Like Peter, every church planter is merely a “piece” of the foundation (cf. Ephesians 2:20). Hmmmmm…..

3. Jesus, not the planter builds the church. This might be the biggest kept secret in the world of personality-driven ministry circles. Yet, the bottom line is that Jesus is the One building the Church. This should encourage planters to go the Master Builder and not the latest, hottest conference (btw, I really like church planting conferences) every time the sun rises.

4. The church Jesus builds is on the offensive and prevails against the enemy. The church is supposed to be advancing the kingdom of God, not waiting to get sucker-punched by the devil. We don’t react; we create. We don’t succumb to the wiles of the kingdom of darkness; we live out the kingdom here and fulfill the Great Commission.

After the Storm

What to Do After the Storm?

1. The Lord is not necessarily the Author of a life storm but He will use it to mature us.

2. Jesus never “steps” on us, especially when the storms of life are raging.

3. There are always TWO storms Jesus deals with: the storm IN us and the storm AROUND us.

4. Do not allow the winds of circumstances to distort who Jesus is

5. The only way through a life storm is THROUGH it.

Hello Hurricane

Parents, Youth Ministry and Change

My church is currently shifting to a family-integrated emphasis, doing away with the Youth Pastor position. Instead we will focus on equipping and training parents to disciple their children as we believe God intended.

At least that’s the plan.

The church I received Christ in did not have a youth pastor. We had just about everything else. Kids sat with their parents and if the baby cried or a toddler got too restless, the parent took the child out of the sanctuary.

Personally, while I still favor age appropriate curriculum to empower and equip youth for Christ, the primary responsibility to shape and disciple children rests with the parents.

Just a thought….

Big Thoughts of the Week

1. Planting churches is not enough if we’re thinking about the “machine” and “process” of planting. Planting PEOPLE OF GOD, on the other hand, makes more sense and encourages the people of God to fully engage the community to which they are sent.

Catalyst for the thought: David Fitch-Alex McManus conversation

2. Jon Acuff just earned 3 man-points for attending a Women of Faith meeting.

3. People are truly stupid…I mean REALLY stupid.

4. The sudden death of televangelist Zachery Tims will prayerfully serve as a wakeup call not only to pastors struggling with issues but also to churches who should make it their business to provide a safe haven for their pastors to “be real” and get help. (Post from earlier this week)

 

Learning from Zachary Tims’ Death

Much has been said about and made of television preacher/pastor Zachery Tims’ death at the age of 42 in a NYC hotel Friday. I’m not going to speculate (like some other news outlets) about how he died or why he was in NYC when his church was in Florida.

The Big Ideas

• God’s grace is real.
• Hold fast to the biblical pattern and demands of leadership. Stepping outside the guardrails of the Word will ALWAYS lead to disaster…always.
• Accountability partners cannot be “Yes” men and women.
• Make sure your circle of accountability is walking in integrity themselves. When they aren’t, they will not tell you the truth in love about your sin
• TBN should have removed him from the air when he admitted having an affair—NOT to harm or embarrass him but to help him deal with the root causes and consequences of his sin.
• Pastors need safe people and safe places where they can unload the baggage. I know what it is like to need to “unwind” and “decompress” in the midst of ministry. The problem is that too many church leaders today are decompressing the wrong way.

The Tims family, especially his four children, are in my thoughts and prayers as is his church family.

Ed Stetzer-Are You a Church Planter?

Thanks to Ed Stetzer for permission to embed a very helpful presentation on church planters.

The Exchange June 2011 – Are You a Church Planter? from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.

Joe and Family: Wherever You Are, Thank You

Shortly before my junior year of high school, a white Christian family moved into my all-black neighborhood with the intention of starting an outreach to the community. While my mom was very friendly with them, most everyone else was hostile and suspicious about their intentions. In Indianapolis, certain powerful real estate companies were known for running African-American families out of neighborhoods and then rebuilding houses that only rich white folks could afford. For my plain speaking but that is simply what happened.

Joe was a heavy-set guy with a bald spot and a cheerful, Christ-centered disposition. Had I been stronger in my faith and knew what the heck I was doing, I would have reached out more. Things were stolen. Hearts were broken.

Joe and his family left.

I have found myself lamenting the lack of cooperation with Great Commission-minded folks who want to do God’s will but fold under the fiery suspicions of the very people they’re trying to help. Having worked with at-risk kids before in another high profile ministry, I certainly had many moments where I wanted to quit and move on.

But Joe and his family were doing the right thing: the good news of Jesus and their own lives. That action is worth imitating.

Held Hostage by Culture?

Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks (my favorite place to drink coffee), pulled out of Willow Creek’s Leadership Summit over the issue of homosexuality and how Willow Creek had addressed the issue.

Willow had cut ties with Exodus International a couple of years ago but the news only recently leaked.

I hope this isn’t a trend but….

As the GLBT community gains power and continues to attack segments of the Church for championing biblical truth regarding sexuality, it will be interesting to see if churches seeking to engage culture will stand their ground or buckle in the name of “grace.” I believe that the Church should engage the GLBT community just as Jesus engaged the people of His day: grace AND truth–not one without the other.

For the record, I am not accusing Hybels (who is one of my favorite church leaders EVER) or Willow of doing so. But I am not too pleased that an online petition could have contributed to all this drama surrounding a leadership conference.

The Unofficial “Just Sayin” Usage List

Thanks to Jon Acuff’s awesome blog post for alerting me to the abuse of a such a powerful phrase. But I am aware that some are using the phrase to cover up mean streaks and wicked words.

That won’t do.

The Guard Rails for “Just Sayin” Usage
1. Never use the phrase with your spouse, particularly if you are a husband and the topic has to do with your wife’s weight or warddrobe.
Bianca: Honey, how do I look in this dress?
Tom: The dress is beautiful but would look a lot better if it wasn’t stretched by so much excess weight. Just sayin…
This is an invitation to a funeral. Don’t do it.

2. Never ever use “just sayin” in a ministry meeting with pastors, elders and team leaders or you will “just be finding a new church.”
Pastor: I am so pumped about the new sermon series.
You: Dude/Dudette, you’re preaching isn’t that good. The peeps are comin for the worship music. Just sayin…

3. Feel free to attach the words “in the love of Jesus” to “Just sayin” so that you will assuage your troubled conscience and still insult the other person.
Friend: The dinner was phenomenal, wasn’t it?
You: That guy couldn’t cook his way out of a paper bag. Just sayin’ in the love of Jesus. (also smile…that helps)

Anyone who has a problem with these guard rails for insulting others need a life. Just sayin….

Those Pesky Detweiler Files

Here are the files that former SGM pastor typed. According to Brent Detweiler, someone else uploaded them. For the sake of fairness, this is his side but his side is a formidable 600+ pages of letters, emails, etc. There are some shocking things that I was not even prepared for.

Judge for yourself:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Sovereign Grace Debacle & Southern Seminary

Now that SGM is doing damage control now that CJ Mahaney has stepped away from leadership to deal with sin in his heart, his supporters are stepping to the forefront including one very prominent leader: Southern Seminary’s own Al Mohler. I have written here before about what I think here and here.

That said, I am disturbed that Mahaney was ever careful to point out that his stepping away did not involve any kind of “immorality.”

Really CJ?

Sexual abuse isn’t immorality? The stories I have read about from various sources are heart rending. What I want to see is some serious submission to the Spirit on the part of all parties relevant to this growing story. I would also like to see how certain leaders like John Piper respond. It’s easy to tweet about theologically bankrupt books about hell but not so much when dealing with a topic like this.

As for Mohler’s support? While I don’t doubt Mohler’s loyalty to Mahaney, I must remember that money makes people do and say stupid things. If Southern Seminary can get out of the back pockets of SGM and Mahaney long enough to examine ALL the evidence (both pro and con) regarding SGM difficulties, then I could live with Mohler’s response.

For now, I can’t.

Happy Fourth of July!

Freedom ain’t free.

Nuggets on Expository Preaching 1

“Effective exposition finds its origin and power not so much in clever sermon construction, as in detailed, obedient listening to God’s voice in the text. The Bible really must be in the driver’s seat, dictating the content of the message, its contemporary application, and even its shape. When we serve God’s Word in this way we come to realize that the Bible is a book about God long before it is a book about us, and that its strongest relevance and most urgent application is to teach us how to live rightly in the light of his unchanging nature.“

Ryken, Leland (2008). Preach The Word: Essays on Expository Preaching: In Honor of R. Kent Hughes (p. 20). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

James 3:1

James offers a kindly dose of “hold up” for anyone eager to call himself/herself a teacher:

1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

The God-given Power of a Mom

Wishing a very happy Mother’s Day to everyone. Mothers have a played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of individuals who have literally changed the world.

My mom went home to be with the Lord over seven years ago and I thank God for the time we had with her and all the life lessons she taught us through her sacrifice.

The Horrific Theological Implications of a Holding a Grudge

Yes, the title is long. But as I was loading the dishwasher, a thought came to me as I asked God why I cannot “let things go” when I get offended about something someone has said or done to me. I really felt that the Holy Spirit showed me the following:

1.) Jesus’ death on the cross dealt with both the power of sin and the PENALTY of sin.
2.) If someone has actually sinned against me, He alone has borne the penalty and has sole authority to deal with the sin.
3.) My offense is attempting to address what only God Himself can fully deal with. (This doesn’t mean that we as God’s people don’t confront and speak truth in God’s love)
4.) When I get offended, I must still love (agape) the person but leave the exacting of justice to Him because I WILL screw up the situation. Holding a grudge means I hang on to things God has already covered by the blood of His Son. YIKES!!!

God deliver me from holding a grudge!

One Thing to Do: RENEW your mind with a Bible verse and put it into PRACTICE.

Embracing the Uncertainty of Unmanifested Transition

Ever had one of those seasons where you could feel change–and I mean MASSIVE change–in the air while at the same time you see absolutely NO visible proof whatsoever?

Tips to Navigating the Unknown
1. Keep doing the last thing God told you to do until He tells you to do something else.

2. Embrace the reality that not everyone will embrace your changes. I’ts a fact that some folks just don’t know how to “shout” over the breakthroughs and blessings of others.

3. Maintain a good, godly attitude, especially in light of #2. 1 Corinthians 13 is becoming my constant companion. I should be able to shout it in Greek by the end of the week.

4. Pray for wisdom, wisdom, and more wisdom. Any attempts to go alone on this leg of your journey will certainly lead to a capsized boat and a wounded ego.

5. Embrace the pain of transition. Change hurts. Opportunity is never pain-free because it requires stretching. Have you ever stretched and not said “Ouch!”?

Risen

The Resurrection of the Jesus Christ is the single most rim-rocking event to tear through the curtain of human history. With redemptive urgency, Jesus Christ set those who would follow Him free from the penalty and power of sin.

Solo Christo!!

Lady Gaga

Honestly, the lyrics of her latest offering “Judas” are so insipid and banal that I cannot even get upset. Gaga is the 21st century blenderized version of Madonna and Grace Jones–except with a flaming piano tossed in.

I won’t take pot shots at the girl but it’s clear to me that her career is an extended cry for help. I pray that God would soften her heart and give someone the grace to speak the truth in love to her.

Betrayed

Betrayal is a knife wound to the soul and everyone has blood on his or her hands. Yet in the fullness of time, God the Father used the vehicle to further His ultimate goal: redeem humanity of its sin. Jesus didn’t take betrayal personally.

Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing

it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. (Macbeth, Act V, Scene V)

While Macbeth is way off about the nature of life, this quote could certainly represent the nonsense that has broken out over Rob Bell’s latest offering Love Wins.

I won’t make judgments about the merits of his book. Nor will I attempt to label him a heretic.

I don’t, however, like his writing style much. I like books that stir the pot and ask good and honest (however difficult) questions. But to what end do we question in circles, begging thousands of readers to pay their money to chase us around and around and around…you get the idea.

Living with loose ends is a brutal reality that every Pollyanna Christian will have to embrace. God does not always answer our every question. But if one is going to tackle such a serious theological topic like hell, at least be clear about where you stand on the matter. If you don’t know where you stand, make that clear to the reader.

Discerning the Love of God, Pt. 1

I Corinthians 13 (NIV)

 

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

9
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

10
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

11
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

12
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The Sovereignty of God and the Avoidance of Grief

If I had a dollar for every time someone assured me that because of God’s sovereignty, one need not grieve over loss (whether of a loved one, a job, a marriage). Is that truly what the sovereignty of God looks like in the stuff of life?

I doubt it.

If nothing else, it is because God is sovereign over everything that His people can exercise the freedom to grieve. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). Notice that He did not say, “Cursed are you if you grieve for you clearly have forgotten that I am still in charge.”

Jay Cutler and the Cult of Hyper-Machismo

Let me state from the top: I am not a Jay Cutler fan. But I am annoyed by the attacks that he endured after getting injured. Fellow and former NFL tough guys accused Cutler of being weak.

Not that he hasn’t earned the reputation. Cutler was a whiny baby in Denver and his reputation followed him to the Windy City. Still, guys tweeting that Cutler punked out by not going back into the game.

With so many stories of retired NFL players lamenting that they don’t have the strength to play with their children and grandchildren because of injuries, I think the players attacking Cutler are way off.

True, Cutler SHOULD have been the rah-rah guy on the sideline cheering on his boys. That’s what leaders do. He didn’t and for that I criticize his actions. But as for going back into the game? Cut it.

His MCL is torn. Manning up does not equal being stupid about your body.

Hypcocrisy, Women, and Missions

Just finished perusing a blog post on Ed Stezter’s blog. As much as I appreciate his support of women missionaries, I have always found it a tad suspect while women exercises their spiritual gifts overseas, those same gifts are discouraged and minimized the moment they hit western soil.

Sense?