by chrisaiken | Nov 6, 2018 | church, discipleship, Pastor's Reflections, politics
This is not a ground-breaking article. It is not earth-shattering. It is not a new concept.
Now if you’re still reading, I assume something else is motivating you than the compelling sensationalism of the first line.
Today is election day. I am concerned that the cultural climate may inadvertently cause otherwise good, otherwise godly, otherwise gracious people to create a category of enemies that would otherwise be friends…simply because they cast a ballot differently than you. Here is a newsflash: Jesus was not a registered Democrat. He also was not a registered Republican. He is Lord. That’s bigger than donkey or elephant allegiances.
In recent decades, some have made political affiliation a litmus test of Christian maturity. One popular meme today says no Christian can vote for a democrat party candidate because the party platform advocates abortion. Another says if you support a republican party candidate then you must be a xenophobic nationalist (a person who has an intense dislike for people from other countries and seeks independence of a nation, i.e. an insular people who hate others and want to be left alone), and you must hate people of color.
As the cultural norms continue to divide the people into two camps, each camp gravitates toward identity and allegiance. “I am loyal to my camp because they ‘get’ me,” one might say. Friend, I am an advocate of loyalty; I might merely suggest that you reconsider to whom you choose to be most loyal. If our alliance with King Jesus is of superior importance, then there can be no loyalty that rivals it. All other loyalties must fit completely under a disciple’s loyalty to Jesus.
May I suggest something to you? Perhaps the choices people will make and the rights they will exercise at the polls in America today are more complex than can be explained in a tweet. Perhaps, rather than choosing to step on one side of a line or the other, it would be more helpful to step to the middle and have a conversation. One example may illustrate this truth.
A man I almost completely disagree with on every facet of politics but love as a brother in Christ joined me for a conversation. I asked him how he could publicly support a party platform (which he denied in philosophy but embraced practically) that trumpeted abortion on demand as an inalienable right. He said that he disagreed with that plank of the platform and believed all life to be sacred. He then asked how I could offer wholesale support to a party platform that systemically treated people of color with less dignity than white Americans. I categorically denied the premise. We did not change each other’s minds. What we did was had a series of difficult conversations intending to learn more about one another’s positions. We walked in each other’s shoes (as much as that is possible). I learned that he felt me to be a hypocrite when I spoke of human dignity of the unborn and supported politicians whom he deemed xenophobic. I believed his views were patently inconsistent with a shared ethic of Christian values.
This brother of mine and I have a strained but respectful relationship. It is strained because we are sinful and wrestle with our own human nature. It is respectful because we have an allegiance to King Jesus that compels us to love one another. We recognize that our decision-making process is complex. It is more nuanced than a single issue though single issues rise to the top of our conversations at times. I disagree with many of his premises and he disagrees with many of mine. We think that neither of us truly understands the other. That is ok. We are broken people. We wrestle against the flesh and against the circumstances of our past experiences. We know this…because we took the time to walk in each other’s shoes…at least for a little while…even though it made us very uncomfortable…and still does.
Before you walk away from election night, a night where division sells and divisiveness is on full display…remember there is a higher loyalty deserved and demanded of those who follow King Jesus. Be complex. Love complex people. Seek to understand. Don’t soundbite your brothers and sisters. If you can’t see how to do that, take time to have a cup of coffee…many cups of coffee with your otherwise de facto foe, and walk a little while in his or her shoes.
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by chrisaiken | Oct 30, 2018 | church, culture, discipleship, Faith, Leadership, Pastor's Reflections
Sitting in front of his home, he dropped the truth-bomb in the form of a question: “How much golf are you playing these days?” My response, which fit perfectly the nuances of the culture, was simple…” Doc, I’ve got so much going on, I can’t find time to even get to the range.” His response has stuck with me now for more than sixteen years: “Chris, golf is kind of like your quiet time with the Lord…you always have time for what you love.”
Now I am not making a play for more time in the fairways. (Honestly, anyone who has ever played with me knows I have very little experience in the fairways. My game is “Army golf”…. Left, Left, Left, Right, Left). The truth really resonates though…you always have time for what you love most…what is most important.
I remember some time back…a person came to me for spiritual advice. Actually, the previous week’s Sunday message really spoke to the situation, so I asked if the person had been there to hear it. “No, I was doing ____.” By the way, it was a good thing that this person was doing! It seems though that the activity was not the best thing. Honestly, though, that’s the real choice for most of us. It isn’t that we are choosing between helping a little ole lady across the street or robbing a bank. In that case, the choice is clear. More often in life, our choices are between good and best in any given matter.
Let me propose 3 considerations, which are not exhaustive by any measure, that should guide the decision…if we want to experience God’s best in our lives.
First, has God already spoken to the decision? As a pastor, I am admittedly more in-tune with (and biased toward) church attendance than a lot of Christians. Often times I will hear, “My schedule is so busy that the only time to do ____ is on Sunday, so we chose to do _____. Is this a faith issue? Has God already spoken directly to the matter? (See Hebrews 10:23-25 as one example). How do the “one another” passages of Scripture get fulfilled if we are not with one another?
Second, how does this decision directly affect others? Now I know that our default thinking on matters of faith is how does our decision affect us? If I skip church today, will I be less tired, happier, less encouraged, etc? What if, though, we considered our actions from its impact on others. Does my absence help the body? Does my absence free up a needed seat for someone else? Does my absence become a distraction or perhaps keep me out of place, so that I cannot help someone else with a struggle in their lives?
Third, what message does my action communicate to others? When our boys were growing up in the home, we had busy lives like everyone else…but we worked to make sure we were in our place in our assembled church every Sunday. (By the way, this conviction preceded my work in vocational ministry). As such, both of my sons have left the home and for years have faithfully attended and served in their local church bodies. Is that because we took them to church? Not completely, but I think it helped solidify priorities in their minds. Besides, Proverbs 22:6 implies that if we want our children to follow in our/ the Lord’s ways, we must train them up in the way we should go.
I talk with dads often who want to be the spiritual leader in their home. I believe they genuinely want to be the best at it. What I also believe to be true is they ARE the spiritual leader in their home…the only question is where are they leading? If we regularly choose the lake house, or travel ball, or sporting events, or working Sundays, or relaxing by the pool…we lead those who look up to us to believe that there more important things to do than to be connected to the body of Christ. I don’t think that is the intended message…and I am not certain that it is immediately evident that the values are transferred from generation to generation. Eventually, though, it happens. Your son drops church from weekly to monthly to a few times per year at best. He chooses work ahead of other things that you wish he gave higher priority. He passes these new values on to your grandchildren (his children) and you wrestle with why his faith is so shallow. Could it be, as my friend Allan Taylor said to me recently, “Your leadership is perfectly designed to give you the results you’re getting.”
I could go on, but I wonder if the Lord might already have signaled your heart about a change you should consider. If so, know this: God allows (and even encourages) U-turns.
Grace and Peace.
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by chrisaiken | Aug 7, 2018 | church, Devotions, discipleship, Leadership, parenting, Pastor's Reflections
In my morning reading from 1 Thessalonians (I said Thessalupians in my head…and if you are a Veggie Tales fan, you know why), I was captivated by the description Paul used to describe his ministry approach among this people: But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. (1 Thess 2:7). In this description Paul displayed his ministry approach as a contradiction of sorts to the experiences of the church…and an example of an approach that is helpful to consider; therefore, it is a model for us to emulate.
Paul first showed how his ministry was distinct from the experience of those the church was familiar with. Before these Gentile people ever became Christians, they had observed the ways of religious people. He did not come with flattering words that would manipulate the crowd or seek to win their affection through the art of rhetoric, nor was he exemplifying a front-facing humility with an underlying desire for personal gain (2:5). He was not seeking to shore up some underlying self-image deficiency by seeking glory; rather, working from a deep well of his relationship to Christ, he simply served the people what they needed (which may differ significantly from what the would have preferred or desired, 2:6).
Then the picture…I was gentle…like a nursing mother to her own children. This imagery conjures up numerous thoughts…but a couple stand out prominently in my mind:
- Nursing mothers give of themselves. In the same way, a discipler must give of his/her own storehouse. Anyone can read a lesson plan…but disciplers have walked the path, internalized the Word, and feed others from the overflow.
- Nursing mothers are responsive. This is sometimes responsive to the audible cry of a child; however, there is an intuitive sense between a mother and her own infant. They can be in different rooms and the mother sense a need that the child has not yet fully expressed.
- Nursing mothers are patient. I have never known a nursing mother to say to her child, “We have 3 ½ minutes to get this done so hurry up.” They let the child take what is needed, when it is needed, as it is needed.
- Nursing mothers function from a deep love for their children. They endure all that they do…solely for the benefit of the child. (In the process, they also gain…but their gain is not the motivation). Disciplers live, serve, and give of themselves to those they disciple (2:7).
- Nursing mothers model unequal equality. A mother’s OWN CHILD is part of her…her own flesh…(EQUAL) and at the same time, is wholly dependent on the mother for life (UNEQUAL). A disciple-maker is, in one sense, a needy and dependent human existing under the gracious covering of God. In another sense, the discipler acknowledges and serves as one through whom God sustains new life and brings it to maturity.
Now I could go on and on. (I am a preacher after all). However, if we could just see ourselves in the way Paul saw himself…if we only trained ourselves to serve as he served, love as he loved…we would have a lifelong pursuit of joy realized in raising up infants to maturity so they could feed their own children as well. The strength for this rising up from the wellspring of God’s gracious and loving provision toward us and our corresponding affection for our own children…serving them as unequal equals.
Shalom.
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by chrisaiken | Aug 1, 2018 | Devotions, discipleship, Faith, Pastor's Reflections
Guilty. I have thought this way before, but as I am moving firmly into the second half of my life (though you might say…’more like the 4th quarter’) I realize that we don’t have plenty of time. Time, for us, is finite…at least on this earth. Then, infinity based on our actions during this brief span of existence.
In my reading of Proverbs this morning, I was given a glimpse BACK to the mind and thoughts of “naïve” Chris…who felt invincible, lived recklessly, and persisted only by God’s mercy.
Proverbs 1:22- “How long, O naïve ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge?”
The writer classifies those who are ignorant in the simplicity of their thinking, those who are contrarians to the claims of truth, and those who deny the truth as essentially one…at least in the outcome. He goes on to state in the remaining verses in the remaining verses that these did not see the actions of Wisdom (the personification of God) or they resisted Wisdom or flatly rejected Wisdom. As such…time ran out and they were left with the consequences of choices (1:26, 28, 30). The result or consequence of their position? They could no longer respond!
The clock ran out. More accurately…when they were sleeping, the thief broke in and stole away with what was certainly their possession (opportunity) and it was permanently and irreversibly taken away.
At some stage in our lives, we (who have heard the gospel seemingly forever) think…I can do that (repentance, baptism, study to grow, seeking forgiveness, discipling others, sharing Christ) tomorrow; however, God calls us to do that now! There may be no tomorrow…but worse, we forsake the gift of today when we delay our obedience.
No one has forever to respond. One cannot sit in a worship gathering week after week rehearsing in their mind… “one day when I have had all of my fun…THEN, I will respond to God’s call.” We do not know when the clock runs out but we most certainly do not have “Plenty of Time.”
The consequence of delay/dispute/or denial is being left to the product of our own works (1:27-29, 30, 31, 32).
BUT.
(That is how v.33 begins and I am grateful that it does…)
“he who listens to me” describing the one who seeks wisdom, submits to counsel, and acknowledges God…”shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.”
In other words, the one who stops trying “market timing” with the ways of God shall have peace. He will be prosperous in the things of God. He will experience joy. He will walk in the comfort and security of the Holy Spirit. He will be unphased by the threat of calamity because he knows the One who reigns sovereignly over all things.
Finally, I am reminded that for years I have preached to others two things that I must be constantly reminded of myself:
- That Christ came to give us abundant life now…not just a heavenly inheritance of abundance. (John 10:10).
- If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). That’s the “but” of the story…
Question to consider: Are you watching the clock and waiting on some time or place in the future to be obedient? Is the risk worth it? No one has “plenty of time” to choose our own destiny; rather, we have today…and a good, good God who beckons… “come home…come to Me…come let us reason together…come away…”
He beckons…but not forever. Today…choose to yield and begin or begin again.
Shalom.
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by chrisaiken | Jul 12, 2018 | church, culture, Devotions, discipleship, Faith, Leadership, pastor, Pastor's Reflections
How do you know the “right decision” to make in life?
- Some would say, “Just follow your heart…”
- Trust the “inner voice.”
- Listen to your heart.
- The heart wants what the heart wants.
All of these sayings could find themselves on the cover of a Hallmark card or in the affirming comments of a Facebook thread…but does that make them accurate?
Can we really trust our “heart?”
Scripture reminds us that, “He who trusts his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26.
This proverb really captures the essence of the tension we face daily in the discernment and decision-making phases of our lives.
First…there is the affirmation of CHOICE that is given to each one. “He who trusts…he who walks…” Here there are two truths: What a man does (his walk) testifies to what a man thinks in his heart (his trust). It is foolish and inconsistent to look at a man’s evil activities and then comment, “but he has a good heart.” That is patently untrue, unbiblical, and unhelpful.
Jesus said, “Out of a man’s mouth comes the meditations of the heart” (Matthew 15:18-19). Anger spews from an angry heart. Attacks, slanders, lies…they all overflow from the percolation of the evil within a man’s heart. Kindness, humility, and meekness rise up from a heart rooted in and committed to Christ.
It is critical to accept this truth because without it we are left with self-help practices of learning to “count to 10” before we speak or some other form of behavior modification. Until we identify the source of the problem we will only treat the symptoms. The prophet Jeremiah helps us to identify the source when he states, “The heart of man is desperately wicked…who can even know his own heart?”(Jeremiah 17:9).
Second, there is the identification of the source of our authority in life. Do we trust in our feelings, logic, leanings, or polling to determine what is right? Aren’t the outcomes of such ideas the billboards of foolishness…the enacting of laws that allow the taking of a living child before birth, but the preservation of a murderers’ life while on death row? In the case of abortion, are we (as a society) not elevating one life over another (the mother over the child) and in the case of death row…the inmate’s life over the offense to the image of God and the necessity for justice?
We choose which authority to rely on: our hearts…or Holy Scripture. Because of our wicked hearts, it is difficult to submit to Scripture, but only God’s Word (the objective standard for truth) can deliver us from the consequences of evil.
Third, there is the reality of consequences. No one draws salt water from a spring, or fresh water from an ocean. You cannot follow the heart and expect protection from the consequences of unwise living. Following your heart leads to a fool’s reward…with one exception: a heart that is intentionally turned to and dependent on the Lord will find its delight (Psalm 37:4-5). To follow one’s heart apart from God’s Word is to live foolishly (as if there is no God but self). However, to bow before the Lord, to submit to the truth of His Word will always deliver.
I suspect we all “monkey around” with the truthful declarations of the Lord in hopes that we can find a way to pursue wickedness with a clear conscience. Such desire is foolish. Choose a wise walk. Follow Jesus, not your heart.
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by chrisaiken | Jul 6, 2018 | church, discipleship, pastor, Pastor's Reflections, Teaching
What an amazing privilege to serve with you at Englewood! Jodi and I are grateful to the Lord for leading us here, and grateful to you for welcoming us. We are so excited about serving alongside this great church in all that the Lord has for us!
I have been asked a few times what my specific role entails. In a sentence…I am responsible to provide leadership to the education, discipleship, and evangelism ministries here at Englewood. I am excited about this role for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that developing Christ-followers is the Lord’s design and desire for each one of us.
Here at Englewood, we believe that Groups ministry (Bible Fellowship Groups…or BFGs) is an essential tool in the disciple-making strategy. While not more important than the other elements of discipleship ministry, BFGs play a unique and essential role in the process. As such, we desire and expect that every member of the Englewood family to be involved in a BFG. Why would we hold such a “strong stance” on participating in groups? Four reasons come to mind:
- Groups foster community. It could be easy to get lost in a church family of thousands, or a worship service of hundreds, but in a BFG of 8-20 people, everyone knows your name and your story.
- Groups provide accountability. Accountability is often seen as a “bad thing” in our current culture but it is an essential part of the New Testament church. Jesus instructed in small groups. He sent out the disciples from small groups and they reported to one another what God had done in and through them. (Matthew 10:1, 11:1; Luke 10:17). The writer of Hebrews affirms that one of the functions of church community is to encourage one another to “love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:23-25). This is accountability! In addition, Groups serve to help restore those who have fallen prey to the enemy (Galatians 6:1-2).
- Groups promote conversations about the Gospel. A great way to learn the implications of the Gospel for our lives is to live it out and discuss our experiences with other trusted believers. These conversations challenge us. They encourage us. They sometimes correct our ideas about holy living and mission. We learn more and better as we bounce ideas around…in conversation.
- Groups serve to develop and multiply. Groups are not an end in themselves; rather, they serve a prescribed end. Discipleship always results in sending. Always. ALWAYS. My first teaching experience in church life was in a 4th grade Sunday school classroom. Then an adult class. Then later as a “director of numerous groups. Jodi and I have been part of groups all of our growing years in church and, honestly, I question if I would be in ministry today if I had not been given the opportunity to teach and lead. I know I was terrible at first…but God shaped much of who I am today through those experiences…and perhaps He used some of what I did to shape others as well.
One last thing…and in many ways, the most significant personal thing I have gained from group life…is friendship. I found men who loved me enough to invest in my life. These men were courageous enough to help me see blind spots in my life. Groups helped Jodi and me to develop a strong marriage and learn to be more effective in our parenting. Groups…provided the relational structure that God used (and uses) to shape me into the image of Christ.
So…are you involved in a group? Are you part of a BFG? If not…why not? More importantly, would you consider trying one out for a few weeks? I’d be honored to help you find one where you can both grow and help others grow as well.
Thank you for allowing me the unspeakable privilege to serve with you.
Until He comes,
Pastor Chris
This article was originally published in the July/August edition of the BEAM, the newsletter publication for Englewood Baptist Church, available HERE.
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