Thursday, March 31, 2011
Correction
I wrote the following blog back on March 18 and have been asked to give some clarity to several comments. I am first of all happy that folks are reading the blog and secondly, I am happy that there is loving accountability in place. I have written my changes and or explanations in red in the text below. Order and Anarchy In civil society there is a rule of law, those guiding the interpretation of the law and those who enforce that law. It is very clear and concise. Those who break the law are stopped, judged according to the law and penalized for being lawbreakers. In the Christian world it gets much more complicated.(It shouldn't be more complicated but it sometimes is because we don't have the same level of natural authority to bring about enforcement. However, we do have the responsibility to deal with issues in a Biblical manner, trusting the Lord to bring about a resolution.) Even in Jesus' day there was not a little confusion over his so called crimes because civil authorities said that he had done nothing against their law. It was the religious world that prosecuted him and put him to death. Today, there are many things that are governed in our Christian circles, not by the world, because the world says no violation of the law has occurred, but by the Church. There is then, a rule of law within the Church(the Scripture), those who interpret that law but should we have those who enforce the law?(Probably the word "enforce" makes this unclear. Certainly, an offender should be challenged and dealt with Biblically. It is the responsibility of the elders to take such action.) Again, another struggle with which we often deal. We are told by the Apostle Paul in Scripture that we should choose elders in every church. Those elders are the governing fathers in each local assembly. These fathers, like the fathers in a home must set the parameters for the house or else rather than order, chaos will result. These elders have to begin with the Scripture and look at every situation within the light of this Truth. If a person is found in violation of God's order of things, the offender will hopefully hear the restorative, correcting words of his elders. But what if he won't? What if he chooses to go his own way and take others with him? What is the church to do then? (My point here and below is that if he chooses to go and take others then there is little we can do to stop him or them. However, I did not mean that we say or do nothing. On the contrary, he should be confronted and it should be clear that the elders are not in agreement with his decision and direction. That is why I say below:"The one rejecting the counsel of the plurality of elders is setting himself up as right and all others are wrong.") Unfortunately, I have had to deal with this dilemma many times and at great price. It is a dangerous time. The one rejecting the counsel of the plurality of elders is setting himself up as right and all others are wrong. Then he usually recruits others to his point of view, his perspective of his unjust treatment and points them toward his vision for a better world or church. I have come to the place where I no longer am willing to try to "stop them". (Of course the local church has the responsibility according to the Bible to follow the guidelines written there. )(Here again I was not clear. My comments mean that we are limited in what we can do and should do and beyond that a person will reap what they have sown") All I can do is to speak truth to them as best I know it at the moment. Then, if they choose a different way, I move on to another task. I have done my part. But, what about the offender? How will he be corrected so that others may see his error and people see that there is a penalty for breaking the law? He is now placed under a different order of things. He now falls under the powerful truth of "sowing and reaping". What about the poor people who follow him? Of course there are innocent people who may follow such a person and they are the true victims of lawlessness. (Clearly a statement needs to be made from the elders regarding the breech in covenant that has occurred so that people will know clearly the situation and hopefully will not follow him.) However, often the spirit of the offender bears witness with the spirit of lawlessness in his potential followers, thus an unholy alliance is formed.(I strongly believe this and have seen it many times.) In the beginning it usually looks like the group is getting away with it because no one is calling them to account. However, history proves that in time, the very laws that have been broken, the standard protocols of integrity, covenant and accountability that have been discarded serve as the judge, jury and the one passing sentence. Do I find pleasure in this fact? I am heartbroken every time it occurs. However, I no longer feel that I must be the defender of the order of the Lord.(By this I meant that after the elders have taken proper Biblical action, I feel no need to be a "policeman" for the Lord. I will do my part in speaking truth and leave it to the Lord without living in bitterness and unrest over the issue.) The Lord God Himself has already set that process in place. Don't allow yourself to take on false responsibility for that which the Lord will handle in His time. I hope this clears up any confusion. I welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you might have. Please email me at:lajoiner7@gmail.com
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Things We Have Learned
Today I am going to reprint a blog I wrote back in 2008 when I stepped aside from serving as Senior Pastor of New Covenant Church of Valdosta, Georgia. We had founded the church in 1980 and this is a list of principles that we learned on that journey. I hope something of value will come to you as you read this again.
“The Things We Have Learned”(excerpts)
I. We have learned: A new paradigm - There has been a lot said these last few years about new paradigms. A “paradigm” is defined as, “an example serving as a model; pattern.” We experienced the Lord molding us into a new paradigm, a new model over 28 years ago. Our new paradigm would primarily be one of ending the concept of simply “having church” and seeking to begin to “be the church”. We wanted “practical Christianity”. If it didn’t “work” in a practical way, it wasn’t any good.
We have always sought to be courageous in embracing new ideas. We want to be “innovators and not imitators”. We have always disliked and sought to avoid “fads”.
II. We have learned the necessity of The Centrality of the Scripture - The Lord led us to make sure we held the Scripture high as our guide and as our plumb line. Experience is a wonderful part of our walk with the Lord, but the Bible must be our final authority.
III. We have leaned the necessity of the Spirit Filled Life – From day one our cry has been the words of the Prophet Zechariah when he said, “'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
IV. We have learned that the ministry of Jesus in one of a “hospital to the hurting”. - We have sought to heal men and women one at a time, lead them to a place of wholeness to the point where they could become a part of the hospital healing team to help and heal others.
People are precious to Jesus and they must be precious to us. People must never be a commodity to help arrogant, self serving men fulfill their ministry vision.
V. We have learned to Embrace Diversity. - God sends special gifts to us with which we assist him in building His Church. All kinds of people and all kinds of talents. The challenge comes in walking out community with diversity in practical ways. The key is flexibility!
VI. We have learned to keep the wineskin flexible. – The wineskin is structure. It speaks of government and methodology. Government has always been very important to NCC, yet, we have always sought to hear fresh words from the Lord and have been willing to change or even admit mistakes and start over in areas when needed.
VI. We have learned to move slowly and especially in recognizing new leadership.
We have learned to try to raise up slowly members of our own family that have paid the price to go through our own “feeder system”. Then, we train and practice “slow release”. Our slower pace has proven to be frustrating for some but for the church as a whole, it has been a very healthy thing.
VII. We have learned the principle of Body Life and Ministry
Real relationship formation among our people is critical. Nowhere is that seen and practiced more fully than in our Home Churches(small groups). This is where people can be trained, ministered to and healed, and all within the atmosphere of family.
VIII. We have learned the importance of Body Ownership - People must feel it’s their church, their ministry. We have tried to make this happen by the “decentralization of the home office”. We have operated as “traffic directors” seeking to turn ministry back to our people rather than having people send the ministry to the church office. Ex. “The Priesthood of the Believer”.
IX. We have learned the concept of the Open Church with loving government. - All families need fathers. Our government seeks to give loving, fatherly oversight. Our leadership wants you to be able to live and minister in an atmosphere of freedom and liberty but still operating within the safety of oversight.
X. We have learned the healthy aspect of “Staying Clear” – Nothing will rob you of present day joy and sabotage your future more than a lack of forgiveness. We seek to practice forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration.
XI. We have learned to be liberal givers.
“The Things We Have Learned”(excerpts)
I. We have learned: A new paradigm - There has been a lot said these last few years about new paradigms. A “paradigm” is defined as, “an example serving as a model; pattern.” We experienced the Lord molding us into a new paradigm, a new model over 28 years ago. Our new paradigm would primarily be one of ending the concept of simply “having church” and seeking to begin to “be the church”. We wanted “practical Christianity”. If it didn’t “work” in a practical way, it wasn’t any good.
We have always sought to be courageous in embracing new ideas. We want to be “innovators and not imitators”. We have always disliked and sought to avoid “fads”.
II. We have learned the necessity of The Centrality of the Scripture - The Lord led us to make sure we held the Scripture high as our guide and as our plumb line. Experience is a wonderful part of our walk with the Lord, but the Bible must be our final authority.
III. We have leaned the necessity of the Spirit Filled Life – From day one our cry has been the words of the Prophet Zechariah when he said, “'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
IV. We have learned that the ministry of Jesus in one of a “hospital to the hurting”. - We have sought to heal men and women one at a time, lead them to a place of wholeness to the point where they could become a part of the hospital healing team to help and heal others.
People are precious to Jesus and they must be precious to us. People must never be a commodity to help arrogant, self serving men fulfill their ministry vision.
V. We have learned to Embrace Diversity. - God sends special gifts to us with which we assist him in building His Church. All kinds of people and all kinds of talents. The challenge comes in walking out community with diversity in practical ways. The key is flexibility!
VI. We have learned to keep the wineskin flexible. – The wineskin is structure. It speaks of government and methodology. Government has always been very important to NCC, yet, we have always sought to hear fresh words from the Lord and have been willing to change or even admit mistakes and start over in areas when needed.
VI. We have learned to move slowly and especially in recognizing new leadership.
We have learned to try to raise up slowly members of our own family that have paid the price to go through our own “feeder system”. Then, we train and practice “slow release”. Our slower pace has proven to be frustrating for some but for the church as a whole, it has been a very healthy thing.
VII. We have learned the principle of Body Life and Ministry
Real relationship formation among our people is critical. Nowhere is that seen and practiced more fully than in our Home Churches(small groups). This is where people can be trained, ministered to and healed, and all within the atmosphere of family.
VIII. We have learned the importance of Body Ownership - People must feel it’s their church, their ministry. We have tried to make this happen by the “decentralization of the home office”. We have operated as “traffic directors” seeking to turn ministry back to our people rather than having people send the ministry to the church office. Ex. “The Priesthood of the Believer”.
IX. We have learned the concept of the Open Church with loving government. - All families need fathers. Our government seeks to give loving, fatherly oversight. Our leadership wants you to be able to live and minister in an atmosphere of freedom and liberty but still operating within the safety of oversight.
X. We have learned the healthy aspect of “Staying Clear” – Nothing will rob you of present day joy and sabotage your future more than a lack of forgiveness. We seek to practice forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration.
XI. We have learned to be liberal givers.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Order and Anarchy
In civil society there is a rule of law, those guiding the interpretation of the law and those who enforce that law. It is very clear and concise. Those who break the law are stopped, judged according to the law and penalized for being lawbreakers.
In the Christian world it gets much more complicated. Even in Jesus' day there was not a little confusion over his so called crimes because civil authorities said that he had done nothing against their law. It was the religious world that prosecuted him and put him to death. Today, there are many things that are governed in our Christian circles, not by the world, because the world says no violation of the law has occurred, but by the Church. There is then, a rule of law within the Church(the Scripture), those who interpret that law but should we have those who enforce the law? Again, another struggle with which we often deal.
We are told by the Apostle Paul in Scripture that we should choose elders in every church. Those elders are the governing fathers in each local assembly. These fathers, like the fathers in a home must set the parameters for the house or else rather than order, chaos will result. These elders have to begin with the Scripture and look at every situation within the light of this Truth. If a person is found in violation of God's order of things, the offender will hopefully hear the restorative, correcting words of his elders. But what if he won't? What if he chooses to go his own way and take others with him? What is the church to do then? Unfortunately, I have had to deal with this dilemma many times and at great price. It is a dangerous time. The one rejecting the counsel of the plurality of elders is setting himself up as right and all others are wrong. Then he usually recruits others to his point of view, his perspective of his unjust treatment and points them toward his vision for a better world or church.
I have come to the place where I no longer am willing to try to "stop them". (Of course the local church has the responsibility according to the Bible to follow the guidelines written there. ) All I can do is to speak truth to them as best I know it at the moment. Then, if they choose a different way, I move on to another task. I have done my part. But, what about the offender? How will he be corrected so that others may see his error and people see that there is a penalty for breaking the law? He is now placed under a different order of things. He now falls under the powerful truth of "sowing and reaping". What about the poor people who follow him? Of course there are innocent people who may follow such a person and they are the true victims of lawlessness. However, often the spirit of the offender bears witness with the spirit of lawlessness in his potential followers, thus an unholy alliance is formed. In the beginning it usually looks like the group is getting away with it because no one is calling them to account. However, history proves that in time, the very laws that have been broken, the standard protocols of integrity, covenant and accountability that have been discarded serve as the judge, jury and the one passing sentence. Do I find pleasure in this fact? I am heartbroken every time it occurs. However, I no longer feel that I must be the defender of the order of the Lord. The Lord God Himself has already set that process in place. Don't allow yourself to take on false responsibility for that which the Lord will handle in His time.
In civil society there is a rule of law, those guiding the interpretation of the law and those who enforce that law. It is very clear and concise. Those who break the law are stopped, judged according to the law and penalized for being lawbreakers.
In the Christian world it gets much more complicated. Even in Jesus' day there was not a little confusion over his so called crimes because civil authorities said that he had done nothing against their law. It was the religious world that prosecuted him and put him to death. Today, there are many things that are governed in our Christian circles, not by the world, because the world says no violation of the law has occurred, but by the Church. There is then, a rule of law within the Church(the Scripture), those who interpret that law but should we have those who enforce the law? Again, another struggle with which we often deal.
We are told by the Apostle Paul in Scripture that we should choose elders in every church. Those elders are the governing fathers in each local assembly. These fathers, like the fathers in a home must set the parameters for the house or else rather than order, chaos will result. These elders have to begin with the Scripture and look at every situation within the light of this Truth. If a person is found in violation of God's order of things, the offender will hopefully hear the restorative, correcting words of his elders. But what if he won't? What if he chooses to go his own way and take others with him? What is the church to do then? Unfortunately, I have had to deal with this dilemma many times and at great price. It is a dangerous time. The one rejecting the counsel of the plurality of elders is setting himself up as right and all others are wrong. Then he usually recruits others to his point of view, his perspective of his unjust treatment and points them toward his vision for a better world or church.
I have come to the place where I no longer am willing to try to "stop them". (Of course the local church has the responsibility according to the Bible to follow the guidelines written there. ) All I can do is to speak truth to them as best I know it at the moment. Then, if they choose a different way, I move on to another task. I have done my part. But, what about the offender? How will he be corrected so that others may see his error and people see that there is a penalty for breaking the law? He is now placed under a different order of things. He now falls under the powerful truth of "sowing and reaping". What about the poor people who follow him? Of course there are innocent people who may follow such a person and they are the true victims of lawlessness. However, often the spirit of the offender bears witness with the spirit of lawlessness in his potential followers, thus an unholy alliance is formed. In the beginning it usually looks like the group is getting away with it because no one is calling them to account. However, history proves that in time, the very laws that have been broken, the standard protocols of integrity, covenant and accountability that have been discarded serve as the judge, jury and the one passing sentence. Do I find pleasure in this fact? I am heartbroken every time it occurs. However, I no longer feel that I must be the defender of the order of the Lord. The Lord God Himself has already set that process in place. Don't allow yourself to take on false responsibility for that which the Lord will handle in His time.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Reacting or Responding
A person who cornered me was excitedly sharing their passion for their vision of what the church is supposed to be. They were attacking the status quo, boldly proclaiming how no church is training their members and getting them involved in ministry. No minister was doing what they were doing. Then the final blow came when they looked me in the eye and said, "I could never do what I am doing if I were a preacher"! They finally took a breath and looked at me for some reaction. My only thought was, "if I just keep quiet maybe they will finish an leave"!
After they left I had the afternoon for one of those rare times of working around the house catching up on "stuff" that had to be done. I seem to do my best thinking during those times. I went through the normal thought processes you might expect. I thought, the person talking to me really must not know me. Oh, we have been acquaintances for over 20 years and they have heard me preach many times but they couldn't know me and say those things. Yet, most probably they were never listening all those years. You see, I have preached, taught, trained, discipled, activated and overseen believers in ministry in daily life for nearly 40 years. It has been my ministry focus to "decentralize the church and activate the people"! Now, I have to listen as a new generation sees me as the status quo and screams for revolution. Life is short and there really is "nothing new under the sun"!
Whew, that felt good! Thanks for listening. Anyway, in moments like this one we have a choice, react or respond. Reaction tends to come as a knee jerk to words or circumstances. (Like the paragraph above.:) It is usually shallow and seldom motivated by only the present situation. Usually, it is an explosion of a lot of garbage accumulated over a long period of time. It is also usually ugly and is almost never Godly. Most of the time it is motivated by self protection, self serving and self exaltation.
After this incident, I spent the afternoon with this singular thought title: "The Ugliness of Me!" When I am dominated and driven by "ME" and hungry to make sure people hear me and follow my way, I am so ugly and unappealing. (To everyone but me!) Then I thought of another thought title: "The Beauty of Him". It brought me to one final thought but it wasn't original. It was 2,000 years old. It was the words of John the Baptist when he said, "I must decrease and He must increase".
A person who cornered me was excitedly sharing their passion for their vision of what the church is supposed to be. They were attacking the status quo, boldly proclaiming how no church is training their members and getting them involved in ministry. No minister was doing what they were doing. Then the final blow came when they looked me in the eye and said, "I could never do what I am doing if I were a preacher"! They finally took a breath and looked at me for some reaction. My only thought was, "if I just keep quiet maybe they will finish an leave"!
After they left I had the afternoon for one of those rare times of working around the house catching up on "stuff" that had to be done. I seem to do my best thinking during those times. I went through the normal thought processes you might expect. I thought, the person talking to me really must not know me. Oh, we have been acquaintances for over 20 years and they have heard me preach many times but they couldn't know me and say those things. Yet, most probably they were never listening all those years. You see, I have preached, taught, trained, discipled, activated and overseen believers in ministry in daily life for nearly 40 years. It has been my ministry focus to "decentralize the church and activate the people"! Now, I have to listen as a new generation sees me as the status quo and screams for revolution. Life is short and there really is "nothing new under the sun"!
Whew, that felt good! Thanks for listening. Anyway, in moments like this one we have a choice, react or respond. Reaction tends to come as a knee jerk to words or circumstances. (Like the paragraph above.:) It is usually shallow and seldom motivated by only the present situation. Usually, it is an explosion of a lot of garbage accumulated over a long period of time. It is also usually ugly and is almost never Godly. Most of the time it is motivated by self protection, self serving and self exaltation.
After this incident, I spent the afternoon with this singular thought title: "The Ugliness of Me!" When I am dominated and driven by "ME" and hungry to make sure people hear me and follow my way, I am so ugly and unappealing. (To everyone but me!) Then I thought of another thought title: "The Beauty of Him". It brought me to one final thought but it wasn't original. It was 2,000 years old. It was the words of John the Baptist when he said, "I must decrease and He must increase".
Friday, March 4, 2011
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
I'm not sure who first used this phrase but there is a lot of truth in it. I don't mean to imply that we should resort to desperate measures in the sense of doing anything that is wrong but we certainly need to be willing to move outside the box in desperate times. In difficult times we can't simply sit and hope things will get better. We must act courageously and with purpose. Indecision in a time of crisis may cost you everything. Indecision can only be one of three things:
1. a time of gathering information in order to make a decision at the right time,(a good thing) 2. a lack of leadership or 3. fear.
Taking time to gather information in order to make the right decision is a part of wise leadership. God honors this type of delay because it is still an action of faith. It keeps God involved in your situation because faith is still being directed toward him.
Indecision because of a lack of leadership exposes a lot of things. It might reveal weaknesses in character, a weak area in leadership ability or an outright revelation of the absence of the leadership gift. Years ago in the business world another phrase was coined. "Lead, follow or get out of the way"! I really like that one!
Now we come to fear. Fear is designed to immobilize. In the Bible we are told that before the Army of God would go into battle the troops would be gathered. Men were told that if anyone was fearful to go home. Amazing! Why? Because a person of fear would transfer their fear into others. They had to be gotten out of the ranks of those that just might rise up and be heroic in a time of crisis. You see crisis not only exposes weaknesses, it also reveals strength. It shines the spotlight on unlikely heroes.
Maybe today as you read this you are pondering a decision. Take time to gather all the data you can in order to make a wise and Godly decision. However, when it's time, act! You also need to know that gathering information does not mean that you will get all the information before you act. Much of that will come "as you go". That is the faith part of the process. The "steps of good men are ordered of the Lord", not a five year plan, necessarily. Who knows, as you act you just might find that the hero is within you!
I'm not sure who first used this phrase but there is a lot of truth in it. I don't mean to imply that we should resort to desperate measures in the sense of doing anything that is wrong but we certainly need to be willing to move outside the box in desperate times. In difficult times we can't simply sit and hope things will get better. We must act courageously and with purpose. Indecision in a time of crisis may cost you everything. Indecision can only be one of three things:
1. a time of gathering information in order to make a decision at the right time,(a good thing) 2. a lack of leadership or 3. fear.
Taking time to gather information in order to make the right decision is a part of wise leadership. God honors this type of delay because it is still an action of faith. It keeps God involved in your situation because faith is still being directed toward him.
Indecision because of a lack of leadership exposes a lot of things. It might reveal weaknesses in character, a weak area in leadership ability or an outright revelation of the absence of the leadership gift. Years ago in the business world another phrase was coined. "Lead, follow or get out of the way"! I really like that one!
Now we come to fear. Fear is designed to immobilize. In the Bible we are told that before the Army of God would go into battle the troops would be gathered. Men were told that if anyone was fearful to go home. Amazing! Why? Because a person of fear would transfer their fear into others. They had to be gotten out of the ranks of those that just might rise up and be heroic in a time of crisis. You see crisis not only exposes weaknesses, it also reveals strength. It shines the spotlight on unlikely heroes.
Maybe today as you read this you are pondering a decision. Take time to gather all the data you can in order to make a wise and Godly decision. However, when it's time, act! You also need to know that gathering information does not mean that you will get all the information before you act. Much of that will come "as you go". That is the faith part of the process. The "steps of good men are ordered of the Lord", not a five year plan, necessarily. Who knows, as you act you just might find that the hero is within you!
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