Recently, I was in a gospel conversation with a woman in my city. She was cordial and I extended an invitation to an upcoming event at our church…and then proceeded to ask her about her religious background. She confidently shared with me that she was a committed Jehovah’s Witness. I went on to ask her if this was a faith she was introduced to as a child or if she had embraced it later in life. Her response should be convicting and illuminating for all who lead worship in the local church.
She said that she was raised in the Baptist church. As a
child she attended regularly and was frequent even into her adult years, but something was missing. She described her
church experience as one of emotionalism. “We would sing a lot…and there was
always a lot of shouting,” she explained. But I had questions. In her
evaluation, the church of her childhood failed to equip her with answers for
life.
At a point in her journey, she began to wrestle with purpose
and meaning. Then came the questions around death. She asked her grandmother, a
fixture in the church, about these things who simply told her that dying was
our purpose and then we go to be with Jesus. That’s it. The answers failed to
satisfy and the question marks in her mind made her a willing listener for
anyone with a coherent explanation. Then she was introduced to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
These nice evangelists gave her answers that made sense, were logical, seemed
plausible and even made her feel better. The woman began to study her new found
religion and became versed in its tenets and fairly adept (if I may say so) in
telling her story in a winsome way.
As I probed further, I found that she has had numerous
encounters with Christians, mainly Baptists, whom she always talked with but
with little more success at discovering answers to life’s questions. I went on
to present the gospel but this woman was not remotely interested. Of course, I
left a wide door for future conversations, but left the encounter frustrated.
Here’s why:
Christians have the market cornered on life’s purpose, on
answers about things like death, suffering, and the afterlife. In fact, no
non-Christian source can speak holistically and authoritatively about these
things. Here is a woman who was in a church from childhood and was not properly
equipped to think rightly about them. Instead, her church, and specifically the
pastor as lead worshipper,
substituted clichés and emotional appeals, dancing and shouting… for the pure
Word of God. Now some may push back on this and tell me that only the Holy
Spirit gives understanding. Forgive my direct response: That is a cop out. Yes, the Holy Spirit DOES give understanding;
however, the pastor is required to set the table, make the food palatable, and
insure there is a balanced diet for consumption. Some may argue that the human
instrument (the preacher) is insignificant, to which I would ask, “Why then
must an overseer (pastor) be able to teach?” (1 Timothy 3:2).
As pastors, we have incredible influence among our flock.
They trust us to feed them. If we serve up a steady diet of cotton candy,
they’ll know no different. If we teach on some cerebral level that fails to
connect with the heart, they will simply not care. But if we do our job…then we
will be able to stand and give an account for our ministries. So, what must we
do? I would suggest five things. I’ll only mention them for sake of time, but
may expand in a follow-up article.
Make the
Word a priority. Study it diligently and present it clearly.
Measure
often. If you think you’re doing a faithful work but your people cannot
articulate and apply basic doctrines, you’re not fulfilling the task.
Teach
doctrine. As a professor once said to a group of preachers, “Preaching
doctrine is not a sin. Being dull and boring is a sin. Teach doctrine but don’t
be boring.”
Demonstrate
dependence on the Scriptures. If you’re citing the latest book on the best
seller’s list or never stray far from Calvin’s Institutes, you’re doing it
wrong. If John Calvin himself discovered you were citing him more than the
apostles, the prophets or the Lord Himself, he’d flog you.
Own it.
A shepherd knows well the condition of his flock. They are a reflection of your
leadership, your investment, and your teaching. If they get bored unless
there’s dancing parades or purple flags waving, then you’ve taught them to love
the wrong things. If this persists across generational lines, you’ve made the
devil’s job easy.
Now I am a pastor. I am not mad at anyone. I love pastors
and respect the calling. I know of the many draws on a pastor’s calendar and
the multiplied agendas seeking “just a quick minute” on Sunday morning during
the service. You must guard that time, minimize the distractions and expose the
people to the self-revelation of God through His Word.
I wonder, had the pastors in the case of the woman I spoke
with done differently…had they equipped the people with the Word…would she have
defected to a false religion and become an evangelist for the Jehovah’s
Witnesses? May that not be true of us and may we be able to say before the
throne of God, “I am innocent of the blood of all men for I did not shrink back
from declaring to you the whole counsel of Scripture.”
There it was. Another graphic on social media about the Bible. It looked like a flow-chart or a recipe you might find in grandma’s kitchen. “If you need peace…turn to (bible verse). If you’re discouraged…turn to (bible verse). And on. And on. And on.
Lists or guides like this are not bad in themselves. I have a similar reference tool that I use sometimes when counseling. But what stirred my heart was this: “Have we (in our information-saturated society) reduced the Bible to another information outlet merely to be mined for tidbits of information that we think we need?
Imagine with me for a moment. What if my interactions with Jodi (my wife of more than thirty years) were only for such “transactional purposes?” I speak to her when I need laundry. I call her when I want to schedule dinner. She gets a text from me when I have a question about the activities. If this represented the backbone of my marriage communication…how would you evaluate the relationship? You might say, “What relationship? You simply treat your wife like a commodity or a human ATM machine…where you push a few buttons to get what you want out of her!” You’d be right.
The problem is…this is often the relationship we foster with
God through Scripture. We hear a sermon on five or six verses. Then, again the
next week…same pattern. We look up information on children, divorce, money, or
a host of other subjects…only to push the Bible aside afterwards until the next
occasion when we want it to speak to a specific need we have. But where is the
relationship? Where is the time spent listening to God tell us a story about
what’s on His heart? Where is the deep consideration of otherwise random
nuggets of wisdom, poetic pictures of God’s creative work, or stories of His
interactions with a wandering people over thousands of years?
God’s people need
to know Him. We cannot do so without a firm resolve to spend time…without
agenda…just listening to the Lord speak to us…through His Word. An unhurried
encounter with the Divine. A listening ear and a longing heart…simply to know
Him more deeply. This is what the people of God must have!
Consequently, this is why, at Englewood (the church I am privileged to serve), we encourage everyone to be part of a Connect Group, so there is time to reflect on and share about those relational encounters with friends. This is why we use a curriculum structure which walks us through the entire Bible over three years…story by story, not just the stories we think we need or have piqued our curiosity.
If you’re not investing in this…in spending time in the
Lord’s living room listening to His stories and hearing His heart…why not start
today? You don’t know what you might be missing.
Late one evening, I found myself cruising across I-10 from Tallahassee to Pensacola. This is the longest stretch of uninhabited road on the planet. Ok, maybe not the whole planet…but it is long and desolate. Suddenly, the low hum of the tires was exchanged for a loud roar…my truck had drifted past the painted line on the right side and onto the warning strip! I did not plan for this…I simply failed to guard against it.
When you find you’ve drifted out of the lane, you’re left with a choice…continue your direction until you crash, or correct the drift and return to the designed path.
That’s true with driving, but it is also true with other areas of our lives, like exercise, diet, relationships, finances, etc. It is also true with our lives as disciples.
Jesus instructed His people in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of all people groups, baptizing them (identification), teaching them (edification) to obey all things I have commanded (transformation). He said this command was based on His authority (Matthew 28:18) and empowered by His presence (Matthew 28:20).
While almost no one argues against this command (The Great Commission) being Christ’s command, and almost no one argues against this command being given to Christ’s people; however, most people find that they are not obeying this command personally. We have DRIFTED from the road! What do you do if you have drifted from the roadway Christ has designated?
First: Get honest. It is not enough to write a new narrative that changes the standard, or to bury one’s head in the sand…denying the drift. The Commission (command) is easy enough to evaluate: Am I MAKING DISCIPLES that IDENTIFY with Christ as Lord, and obey ALL of His teachings? Am I engaged in TEACHING them ALL that Christ has commanded? This is not a question about whether one is part of a church that does this, or if one paid someone else to get it done; rather, the question is personal…AM I making disciples?
Second: Get right. Friend when you’re drifting off the shoulder of the road, it is not time to pray about a right course of action…or to pray for discernment about what to do next. There are two choices: Stay the course and crash…or correct the drift and get back on the road. Isn’t it amazing how often we try to spiritualize disobedience? We can dress up our rebellion in a pretty dress and put lipstick on it…but, as someone said, putting lipstick on a pig doesn’t change what it is…it is still a pig.
Finally: Get going. It is important to slam on the brakes if you’re headed for the shoulder. It is important to turn the vehicle so you get back onto the roadway. These two things alone though, are not obedience. Obedience occurs when you travel the road you were designed to travel…when you get back on the right road, going in the right direction, and start clocking the miles.
I cannot speak for everyone…but I am personally humbled and grateful for the fact that the Lord did not abandon me in my rebellion and that He does not tire of my corrective steering. He knows my fleshly failings and He desires my honest obedience. He has never greeted me with, “So, repenting again huh? Third time today, Chris… isn’t this getting a little redundant?” No! Like a good and loving Father, He puts a warning track to let me know when I have drifted, lights up the path and instructs me to return there, and promises to be with me throughout the journey.
Friend, ask yourself, Am I MAKING DISCIPLES? Am I TEACHING THEM to obey all that Christ has commanded? If not, and you call on Him as Lord…correct the drift.
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.
Daily. That’s how often I receive an article on preaching. Sometimes it is two or three, but I cannot remember a day that I did not receive an article on how to communicate more effectively. Just yesterday it was on 10 ways to “call for a response.” Before that, it was on the structure of a sermon.
Most of the articles are helpful. As one man said, “eat the fruit and spit out the seeds.” There are few articles where a discerning reader cannot gain something. Often times though, reading new information prompts one to seek effectiveness by addition. We want to add a new thing…adjust to improve our ability to connect with people’s hearts. The most memorable of messages, however, tend to be those that are most simple.
Paul speaks to this by way of his letter to the Corinthians. “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Now it would be foolish to think Paul was simple-minded or simplistic in His theology. In fact, he never claimed such (1 Cor 2:6-9). Peter himself declared that Paul’s teachings were often on a whole different level (2 Peter 3:15-17), so it would be baseless to declare that his teaching lacked depth or foundation. Yet, Paul, states to this church that he determined to stay centered on the cross and Christ crucified. Why?
The cross serves as a line of demarcation.
One cannot argue that Jesus came to exalt Himself.
One cannot dispute the wretchedness of sin.
One cannot doubt the depth and breadth of the love of God.
One cannot argue against the holiness and goodness of God.
One cannot argue for alternative pathways to right relationship with God.
Ultimately, Paul determined that no matter where the conversation went and how philosophical it may seek to become, he would always circle back to the cross. (See Acts 17 for only one of numerous examples).
The point: We can learn from this and should embrace this in our lives. DETERMINE not to debate the latest beliefs of 20 friends on Facebook. DETERMINE not to spend you days arguing for the five solas of the Reformation. DETERMINE to rely on the piercing power of the gospel message rather than the rhetorical flourishes of a well-crafted monologue. DETERMINE to know the position of those who would debate you but so that you can turn the focus quickly back to the cross and Jesus Christ crucified. DETERMINE to boast not in your strengths but in your weaknesses that demand the grace of Christ’s strengths in your life. DETERMINE to rest in the glorious and gracious redemption of your life by a holy God who alone is powerful to save.
Apart from this, there is no power…for the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe (Rom 1:16). When doing so, we DETERMINE to shape the faith of people by the Spirit and power rather than persuasive words of worldly wisdom (1 Cor 2:4).
In 2002, I was introduced for the first time (that I recall) the work of Stephen Hawking. He was a brilliant physicist and a self-avowed atheist (HERE, and HERE). His work on the origin of the universe has been formative in educational curriculum to say the least.
Since hearing of his death, I have listened to many who have selectively spoken of him in nearly “saint-like” terms; whereas other, many of them Christian, have pointed out that he is no longer an atheist and has met the Lord as Judge. Consequently, opinions have flown back and forth and even a few barbs along the way. So, how should a Christian feel about Hawking’s death? Further, how should one speak of the death of an unbeliever in order to balance compassion and truth?
What is certain is that Hawking has stepped into eternity. It is difficult to say…but he entered into an eternal judgment the moment his death occurred. His fate is sealed and not by some capricious act from a temperamental God; rather, his eternity reflects just consequences for willful choices in his life to resist the evidence that points to God (Romans 1). Here are a couple of truths:
But for the grace of God, there go I. (Ephesians 2:8-9) No one earns righteousness with God. No one is justified by merit; rather, each person who experiences the forgiveness of the Lord does so because God is gracious and merciful, a friend to sinners and a redeemer of those who would call on Him. There is no room, therefore, for prideful reactions to the death of a lost person.
Amen and Amen. When Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron were judged and killed for their sin against God, Moses told Aaron not to cry (Leviticus 10:1-7). This may seem heartless, but it is instructive to us. A Christian, by definition, greatly desires the Lord’s honor and glory to be manifested. To wish against justice toward sin is to diminish the glory of God. To bemoan the Lord’s actions or to try to soften the consequences of sin by creating the “possibility narrative,” (i.e. “it is possible he prayed for salvation just before his death;” or, “perhaps God will forgive him since he contributed so much to science”) reduces God’s righteousness to some form of a quid pro quo. God is righteous and just. He does not reduce His standards to squeeze one more person into heaven. Instead, He fulfills the standard and invites all to seek and find forgiveness in Christ.
Weep with those who weep. Whenever a life is lost in death, there are people deeply affected. Weep with them. Do not act as though they should not grieve. They should. Grieve with them, sharing in their loss.
Commit to more fervent evangelism. (John 9:4) There will be some who will be swept up in the accolades attributed to this scientist. Some may adopt his beliefs as their own. Be more passionate for their salvation than ever before…because hell is real and God is just. Eternity is fixed at our death and it is…forever. Live your life to turn back sinners from their rebellion calling them to turn to Christ (Jude 23; Romans 12:15).
Late one evening, I found myself cruising across I-10 from Tallahassee to Pensacola. This is the longest stretch of uninhabited road on the planet. Ok, maybe not the whole planet…but it is long and desolate. Suddenly, the low hum of the tires was exchanged for a loud roar…my truck had drifted past the painted line on the right side and onto the warning strip! I did not plan for this…I simply failed to guard against it.
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!
Daily. That’s how often I receive an article on preaching. Sometimes it is two or three, but I cannot remember a day that I did not receive an article on how to communicate more effectively. Just yesterday it was on 10 ways to “call for a response.” Before that, it was on the structure of a sermon.
In 2002, I was introduced for the first time (that I recall) the work of Stephen Hawking. He was a brilliant physicist and a self-avowed atheist (
Recent Comments