Core Values of Walnut Hill Church
I recently finished a series unveiling the Core Values of Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church. The Elders of our church worked on these for several months, as we tried to discern the characteristics that define and drive our church.
Leadership expert Aubrey Malphurs calls Core Values “the qualities that make up and establish an organizations character, and that character determines how the organization conducts its ministry or business…”
In short you might say that the Core Values reflect the DNA of a church or organization. While other things my change, such as worship style, ministries, etc, the Core Values should remain pretty much intact. In the fae of a changing surrounding culture, or the addition of new members, the Core Values themselves do not change. Only the ways that the values are expressed should change.
So what are those Core Values that make Walnut Hill unique?
God’s Global Glory
Authentic Spirituality
Gospel Transformation
Kingdom Advancement
Relational Vitality
Contagious Joy
Gospel in Context
The gospel is always conveyed through the medium of culture. It becomes good news to lost and broken humanity as it is incarnated in the world through God’s sent people, the church. To be faithful to its calling, the church must be contextual, that is, it must be culturally relevant within a specific setting. The church relates constantly and dynamically both to the Gospel and to its contextual reality. …In order to contextualize responsibly, the church must assess its culture critically, discerning and unmasking its philosophical foundations and values.
– Craig Van Gelder, in Missional Church
Taking Notes From the Pop News
It seems like it has been a long, long time since I sat down to write a new post. In reality it has only been a week that has gone by since I last posted. But it has been a few weeks since I have been able to take the time to sit down and write with any real enjoyment.
Since I last posted regularly our church has added an assistant pastor, I have been elected (appointed?) president of the Athletic Booster Club at Sullivan Central High School, Miss California has lost the Miss USA pageant but become the spokesperson for the new religious right, and militant pro-lifers have been thrown in jail for protesting the president in South Bend, Indiana.
There is a lot that would have been great blog fodder.
I want to just take a moment to comment on the Miss California and Pro Life protests. In both situations it has been asserted that there is a sense of religious persecution against Christians occuring. But I am not so sure that things are as clear as some would like to make them out to be.
Miss California, Carrie Prejean, as almost everyone in the Western world knows, was a finalist for the Miss USA crown. She was put in, what was in one sense, a difficult position. She was asked her opinion about gay marriage by an agenda driven celebrity, with no apparent talents, Perez Hilton. In her hesitating and somewhat aplogetic response Miss Prejean affirmed her support of, not just traditional but, God’s standard and governing of marriage. The backlash and media coverage that resulted was more than a little ridiculous. Hilton went on the warpath, ignorantly and offensively attacking Miss Prejean for disagreeing with him. As has been said by many before me, apparently open-mindedness only opens to the Left.
That event provided some interesting cultural insights.
First, I am amazed that Pro Gay seems to have become a mark of righteousness. It is not enough for some that people be open and non-hostile to those choosing homosexual lifestyles. In our current culture any scruples about homosexuality is deemed not only ignorant but actually seems to be considered evil. Pro Gay is not only accepted as enlightened but as a mark of the righteous. This is peculiar in one sense because the position they espouse (no pun intended) is a minority view even in California. What is even more peculiar is that there is no apparent standard that makes their position “righteous” other than the fact that supporters say so. What guage are these people using to determine what is righteousness and what is sin? Romans 1 is being acted out right before our eyes: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie…” (Romans 1.25)
Second, because of her position on this issue, and because of the noteriety that surrounded it, there was an apparent attempt to destroy Miss Prejean. They dug up dirt to discredit her. They did not have to dig deep. Pictures taken for a modeling portfolio were more revealing than the average conservative Christian girl has posed for. That was enough to get the hounds howling about her hypocrissy, and some pageant officials questionining her qualification to continue as the reigning Miss California.
I have little doubt that the motive behind releasing those photos was malicious and political. But I also thought the response given by Miss Prejean and her handlers was a bit weak and pretentious. To merely explain them as the trademark of her profession is not to uphold the standard of modesty her faith calls for. And to claim that this was happening to her only because she was a Christian is just lame.
I am not offering a judgement on Miss Prejean for the photos. For one thing, I don’t know when she posed for them nor when she became a Christian. But I do think that she assumed a role that has become all-too-common among Evanglicals in our culture: victim. She assumed this role when it was asserted that she was being treated unfairly just because she was a Christian. We seem to cry “foul” far too often when things don’t go our way, even if there are other factors other than our faith.
And this, I believe, is also pertinent to those lamenting the arrests of Pro Life protesters at Notre Dame.
In Miss Prejeans case, while there does appear to have been politically driven motive to destroy her credibility, the ammunition against her came from her own decsions and behavior. Other contestants in recent years have faced scrutiney, and even the loss of their titles, for similar actions, without regard for their faith or faithlessness. While harsh, the standards were comparable.
In the case of the protesters at the Notre Dame commencement, the same princile seems to apply. While I passionately share their position against abortion, and have been both disappointed and outraged by the policies implemeted by Barrack Obama on that front, these people were not arrested because they have trusted Jesus as their only hope and salvation. The protesters were arrested because they crossed a line of civil behavior. While their cause is noble, you don’t threaten the President of the United States and expect to have no consequence. That they are Christians is incidental. They were not arrested for being Christians, nor for being Pro Life. They were arrested because they chose to cross a line; because they chose to violate a “just” law in order to protest an injustice. And as the old theme song from the ’70’s TV show Barretta says: “If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.”
Jesus said: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Matthew 5.11)
I think we create serious confusion and distortion when we complain that we are persecuted for our faith, when in reality we are experiencing consequences of our behavior. In each of these cases it may reasonably be argued that the consequences were unjust as compared to the actions and the motives. But we must be clear that none of these people were singled out simply for their faithfulness to the Gospel. If we are unwilling, or unable, to make that distinction then we distort the Gospel, and create confusion about what the essence of the Gospel really is.
My third cultural insight is simply that as Christians we are way too quick to make celebreties. While Miss Prejean may be a very nice and godly young lady, she is hardly prepared to be the national spokesperson for the sake of the Kingdom of God. She is a 22 year old model/beauty queen. While that certaily does not disqualify her, it harldy qualifies her to be elevated as a Christian leader. She’s not the first, nor will she be the last. We do the same for athletes and actors. Consequently, not only do we as an Evangelical sub-culture present a mere cotton-candy face of our faith to the culture at large, we do a disservice to spirituality those we prop up – and soon discard.
I’m afraid that as Evangelicals we are all to often so much like the world that we decry, it is no wonder that they rest of the world cannot tell the difference Jesus makes.
Qualities in Evangelism
How should a Christian approach an unbelieving friend or neighbor? Magician-Entertainer Penn Jillette offers his perspective in this video. Most astounding is that Jillette is a self-professed athiest. But the qualities he lists about the man who, one night, gave him a Bible after a show ought to be kept in mind and emulated by us all.
A Call to Prayer
With today being National Day of Prayer, I thought I would post a wonderful and challenging message from one of my favorite writers from the 19th Century, J.C. Ryle, Bishop of Liverpool in England. The message is titled: A Call To Prayer
One of the great things about Ryle is that his style is not stilted. With few exceptions his words almost seem contemporary. Thus his message is clear both across the ocean and across time.
***
Men ought to always pray. -Luke 18:1
I will that men pray everywhere. -1 Timothy 2:1
I have a question to offer you. It is contained in three words, DO YOU PRAY?
The question is one that none but you can answer. Whether you attend public worship or not, your minister knows. Whether you have family prayers or not your relations know. But whether you pray in private or not, is a matter between yourself and God.
I beseech you in all affections to attend to the subject I bring before you. Do not say that my question is too close. If your heart is right in the sight of God, there is nothing in it to make you afraid. Do not turn off my question by replying that you say your prayers. It is one thing to say your prayers and another to pray. Do not tell me that my question is necessary. Listen to me for a few minutes, and I will show you good reason for asking it.
I. I ask whether you pray, because prayer is absolutely needful to a person’s salvation.
I say, absolutely needful, and I say so advisedly. I am not speaking now of infants or idiots. I am not setting the state of the heathen. I know where little is given, there little will be required. I speak especially of those who call themselves Christians, in a land like our own. And of such I say, no man or woman can expect to be saved who does not pray.
I hold to salvation by grace as strongly as anyone. I would gladly offer a free and full pardon to the greatest sinner that ever lived. I would not hesitate to stand by their dying bed, and say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ even now, and you shall be saved.” But that a person can have salvation without asking for it, I cannot see in the Bible. That a person will receive pardon of their sins, who will not so much as lift up their heart inwardly, and say, “Lord Jesus, give it to me,” this I cannot find. I can find that nobody will be saved by their prayers, but I cannot find that without prayer anybody will be saved.
It is not absolutely needful to salvation that a person should read the Bible. A person may have no learning, or be blind, and yet have Christ in their heart. It is not absolutely needful that a person should hear public preaching of the gospel. They may live where the gospel is not preached, or they may be bedridden, or deaf. But the same thing cannot be said about prayer. It is absolutely needful to salvation that a person should pray.
There is no royal road either to health or learning. Prime ministers and kings, poor men and peasants, all alike attend to the needs of their own bodies and their own minds. No person can eat, drink, or sleep, by proxy. No person can get the alphabet learned for them by another. All these are things which everybody must do for themselves, or they will not be done at all.
Just as it is with the mind and body, so it is with the soul. There are certain things absolutely needful to the soul’s health and well-being. Each must attend to these things for themselves. Each must repent for them self. Each must apply to Christ for them self. And for them self each must speak to God and pray. You must do it for yourself, for by nobody else it can be done. To be prayerless is to be without God, without Christ, without grace, without hope, and without heaven. It is to be in the road to hell.
Now can you wonder that I ask the question, DO YOU PRAY?
II. I ask again whether you pray, because a habit of prayer is one of the surest marks of a true Christian.
All the children of God on earth are alike in this respect. From the moment there is any life and reality about their religion, they pray. Just as the first sign of the life of an infant when born into the world is the act of breathing, so the first act of men and women when they are born again is praying.
This is one of the common marks of all the elect of God, “They cry unto him day and night.” Luke 18:1. The Holy Spirit who makes them new creatures, works in them a feeling of adoption, and makes the cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15. The Lord Jesus, when he quickens them, gives them a voice and a tongue, and says to them, “Be dumb no more.” God has no dumb children. It is as much a part of their new nature to pray, as it is of a child to cry. They see their need of mercy and grace. They feel their emptiness and weakness. They cannot do other wise than they do. They must pray.
I have looked careful over the lives of God’s saints in the Bible. I cannot find one whose history much is told us, from Genesis to Revelation, who was not a person of prayer. I find it mentioned as a characteristic of the godly, that “they call on the Father,” that “they call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” I find it recorded as a characteristic of the wicked, that “they call not upon the Lord.” 1 Peter 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Psalm 14:4.
I have read the lives of many eminent Christians who have been on earth since the Bible days. Some of them, I see, were rich, and some poor. Some were learned, and some were unlearned. Some of them were Episcopalians, and some were Christians of other names. Some were Calvinists, and some were Arminians. Some have loved to use liturgy, and some to use none. But one thing, I see, they all had in common. They have all been people of prayer.
I have studied reports of missionary societies in our own times. I see with joy that lost men and women are receiving the gospel in various parts of the globe. There are conversions in Africa, in New Zealand, in India, in China. The people converted are naturally unlike one another in every respect. But one striking thing I observe at all the missionary stations: the converted people always pray.
I do not deny that a person may pray without heart and without sincerity. I do not for a moment pretend to say that the mere fact of a persons’ praying proves everything about their soul. As in every other part of religion, so also in this, there may be deception and hypocrisy.
But this I do say, that not praying is a clear proof that a person is not yet a true Christian. They cannot really feel their sins. They cannot love God. They cannot feel themselves a debtor to Christ. They cannot long after holiness. They cannot desire heaven. They have yet to be born again. They have yet to be made a new creature. They may boast confidently of election, grace, faith, hope and knowledge, and deceive ignorant people. But you may rest assured it is all vain talk if they do not pray.
And I say furthermore, that of all the evidences of the real work of the Spirit, a habit of hearty private prayer is one of the most satisfactory that can be named. A person may preach from false motives. A person may write books and ,make fine speeches and seem diligent in good works, and yet be a Judas Iscariot. But a person seldom goes into their closet and pours out their soul before God in secret, unless they are in earnest. The Lord himself has set his stamp on prayer as the best proof of conversion. When he sent Ananias to Saul in Damascus, he gave him no other evidence of his change of heart than this, “Behold he prayeth.” Acts 9:11.
I know that much may go on in a person’s mind before they are brought to pray. They may have many convictions, desires, wishes, feelings, intentions, resolutions, hopes, and fears. But all these things are very uncertain evidences. They are to be found in ungodly people, and often come to nothing. In many a case they are not more lasting than the morning cloud, and dew that passes away. A real hearty prayer, moving from a broken and contrite spirit, is worth all these things put together.
I know that the Holy Spirit, who calls sinners from their evil ways, does in many instances lead them by very slow degrees to acquaintance with Christ. But the eye of man can only judge by what it sees. I can not call anyone justified until they believe. I dare not say that anyone believes until they pray. I cannot understand a dumb faith. The first act of faith will be to speak to God.
Faith is to the soul what life is to the body. Prayer is to faith what breath is to the body. How a person can live and not breathe is past my comprehension, and how a person can believe and not pray is past my comprehension too.
Never be surprised if you hear ministers of the gospel dwelling much on the importance of prayer. This is the point they want to bring to you. They want to know that you pray. Your views of doctrine may be correct. Your love of Protestantism may be warm and unmistakable. But still this may be nothing more than head knowledge and party spirit. They want to know whether you are actually acquainted with the throne of grace, and whether you can speak to God as well as speak about God. Continue reading
Rapture Ready
OUCH! Yesterday I started reading Daniel Radosh’s Rapture Ready!: Adventures In The Parallel Universe Of Christian Pop-Culture. It is an outsiders observations of the Christian subculture. And the author really nails his intended target.
Back in my younger, athletic playing, days from time 
to time I would take a hit right on a muscle that would somehow simultaneously make me wince and chuckle. The chuckling wasn’t because I was necessarily tough, it was just the nature of the hit. I knew some bruising and stiffness was sure to develop in the days that followed. But it didn’t hurt quite enough to cause actual pain. So my response would be a dull chuckle with just a hint of an ouch.
That’s how I have felt when reading this book. I have had to both chuckle and wince at the same time. Radosh, a self professed Jewish Liberal, is funny and not unkind. He simply points out the absurdity of some of the things he has encountered and observed. Unless you take yourself way to seriously you’ll laugh too. But he also points out some things that should leave a mark on any Christian who reads this book.
A few things have already come to mind as I peruse these pages:
1) Many Christians will go to great lengths to be a “witness” for Christ without actually developing relationships with people. The ineffectiveness of such evangelism is understandable. Sadly such gimmicks have become acceptable substitutes for evanglism.
2) Many Christians seem to have given very little thought to what it means to be “worldly”. It is not the tackiness of the products that makes them worldly, but the values and thought-process that leads to the production of this…, uh, stuff, that reflects worldliness.
3) We need a serious reappraisal of our priorities. Christian kitsch is a $7-billion per year industry. What impact could be made toward the alleviation of poverty, illiteracy, AIDS and other health issues, if we invested that money directly? How long would it take to plant churches among the reamaining UnReached People Groups and translate the scriptures into the languages of those Peoples at a rate of $7-billion per year? And that’s how much cash we would free up just by passing up on stuff that no one needs, and few could possibly really want.
Diamond in the Rough
The NFL Draft commences in a little more than an hour from the time I write this post. Not surprising, the pre-draft headlines are focused on Matt Stafford, out of the University of Georgia, and Marc Sanchez, out of Southern Cal, two high profile quarterbacks. But the real story of this draft, no matter where he ends up, is Ole Miss Offensive Lineman Michael Oher.
The video above gives an overview. The best video I’ve seen, giving much more of the whole story, was on ESPN earlier this afternoon, which you can watch by clicking: Adopted Family Helps Oher.
Oher grew up on the streets of Memphis. His mother was a crack addict. His father had been murdered. Oher was homeless and left fending for himself by age 6. He didn’t know his correct birthday or his own real name. Because of his size and athleticism someone sent him to Briarcrest Christian School to see if he might help out the athletic program. Briarcrest officials recognized that Oher was completely unprepared for the academic rigors of the school, but also knew that he had no place to turn. So they allowed him in school, on academic probation and inelligible for any athletic competition until he was caught up in school.
As amazing as that part of the story is, there is more. While enrolled at Briarcrest Oher was still largely on his own. That is until one cold Thanksgiving night, a school classmate driving with her family spotted Michael on the street wearing shorts and a thin T-shirt. The Tuohy family turned their car around picked Oher up and took him to their home. Over time the Tuohy family bought Michael clothes and food, and allowed him to stay with them – until they finally adopted him into their family. Loved for the first time in his life Oher progressed in the classroom and on the football field. He enrolled at Ole Miss and became an All American. Today he will become a first round draft choice – and a millionaire. But I suspect Michael Oher will be the one man drafted who understands that love far outvalues cash.
The story has already been made a book, The Blind Side, which has been on the New York Times Bestseller list. It has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered. And a motion picture is in the works. But it is the story that may not be told that also fascinates me. It is the story of those whose faith was expressed through tangible love. It is the story of the Tuohy family and the folks at Briarcrest Christian School.
Think about it. The Tuohy’s were a well-to-do Memphis family. They had children, including an attractive teenage daughter, who I’m sure they were concerned to protect. And here is this big, huge, black guy, from the streets, that they invited into their home. I know race should not matter, but it is Memphis. But even apart from race, this is a huge, undisciplined, teenager off the streets. Most people would have just kept driving. Some kind folks may have bought food and clothes. Others may have gone so far as to make sure he found a home. But risk the unknown, and with children in the home? I imagine few would have done that. But the Tuohy’s did. They were compelled by love. And their love transformed a life.
I also have to commend the headmaster at Briarcrest. Not many administrators would have done the same thing. Some may have admitted Oher because of his athletic prowess. But how many would admit him simply to help him? Briarcrest had no reasonable reason to expect that Oher would ever succeed in the classroom. When he got to the school he carried a 0.4 gpa. But these people cared. They lived out their faith, and helped this helpless young giant, even when they had little hope to benefit from it. They reflect what Christian Education ought to be about.
This story makes you feel-good, no matter how it is told. But I stand in awe as I see the Apostle Paul’s words come to life on ESPN: “The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5.6)
Triumph Over Tragedy Illustrates Grace
What an amazing story of triumph over tragedy, forgiveness, reconciliation, and grace.
The name Bouniconti will ring a bell for sports fans over 40. Nick Bouniconti was a Hall of Fame Middle Linebacker for the Miami Dolphins during their dynasty years of the ’70’s. But this story is not about Nick, nor is it really about football. The story is about Nick’s son, Marc Bouniconti, who, while following in his fathers football footstseps, was tragically parlyzed while making a tackle during a game in 1985.
The above video from ESPN tells the story of how the paralysis caused a subsequent 20 year alienation with his alma mater, The Citadel, and how that relationship has now been healed.
As nice as that story is, it is not the story I have in mind. I think it pales in comparison to another reconciliation in Marc Bouniconti’s life.
The story I have in mind is one I heard just this morning on the radio. It is the story of Bouniconti reuniting with the player who caused the paralysis, Herman Jacobs of East Tennessee State University. It is a wonderful story of grace: how one man gave “life” to the one who had hurt him. After more than 20 years of separation, Bouniconti and Jacobs reconnected, and Bouniconti reached out to help Jacobs realize his life dream.
Click the link to watch the news clip of this uplifitng story: Bouniconti & Jacobs.
Global Missions is Not For SuperChristians
Missions is not just for Super Christians. The Great Commission will be accomplished by ordinary people, who posess a heartfelt faith in Jesus Christ, and who are faithful to follow Jesus’ instruction to go into all the world to make discples.
Simple, right?
Well, the concept is simple. Even the decision to oby or not obey is a simple choice. There are only two options, yes and no. There is no in between. But the implementation is not so simple. Each individual has a question to answer regarding his/her role. Even before that role is determined one must be informed about what roles there are that need to be played. Then there are the questions about what God is doing in the world. What skills do I have, or do I need to develop? How do I figure out where in the world I should go?
Every Christian is called to answer these questions. No one can slip by, simply dismissing Jesus’ mandate by saying, “I’m not called to missions.” Even if that were true – and I suspect it would be more accurate to say “I am not called to go overseas” – we are still left to answer the question: Then what are you called to do? And, Where are you called to do it? No one whom God has called has been called without a purpose for his/her life. And frankly, whatever the specific purpose, at least an aspect of everyone’s calling is connected to taking the Gospel to the Nations.
I am aware of no better tool to help people discover what God is doing in the world and what role they can play in God’s Mission (missio dei) than the PERSPECTIVES course. This course does take work, but the benefits far overshadow the expended effort. To say PERSPECTIVES makes a life-changing impact is not mere hyperoble. It’s true.
The above video offers testimonies from some who have participated in this couse. The video encourages you to find a class near you, which I would also urge. But what is not revealed in the video is that if an intensive 15 week course is not feasible for you, for whatever reasons, there are alternatives. One is an Intensive PERSPECTIVES class, where participants are indundated with God’s Global Glory for either one or three weeks of instruction. I am not sure how the corresponding readings are handled. Another option is to take this course online. When taken online you don’t have the benefit of interaction with other participants, but you can spread your reading out over the course of a year. For this option check out: PERSPECTIVES Online.
And finally, if you are a college or seminary student, PERSPECTIVES can be taken for either undergad or grad school credits.
Overcoming Evil Leadership
Reggie McNeal, in his book Practicing Greatness, makes this audacious statement:
“Bad leaders are a form of evil.”
When I first read that statement I thought “Woe! That’s a bit strong.” But as I read further I came to understand his thinking… and agreed.
Consider his whole point:
Bad leaders are a form of evil. They curse people by diminishing their life. They rob people of hope. They reduce people’s dreams and expectations for their lives. They discourage and disparage people. They leave people worse off than when they found them. Bad leadership is not always the result of bad character or intentional malevolence. It can result from simple incompetence.
While McNeal’s assertion is strong, I think it has strong merits. Consider the results he associates with bad leadership: lost hope, diminished dreams that lead to settling, demoralization and discouragement. All of these things are bad, even evil really. And while poor leadership is not the only cause of such attitudes, bad leadership is a frequent incubator of them.
As a pastor, which is the primary target McNeal is aiming at, this perspective hits home. It also hits deep. My very job, my calling, is to remind people of the hope they have in Christ and to help them to function in line with that hope according to their God-given purpose. When, by God’s grace, I am effective, I get to see God change peoples lives for the better. When that happens it is exciting and exhilerating. But when I fail… well it can get pretty ugly. And I do fail. Sometimes because of matters beyond my influence. But at other times I fail because I am not up to the challenge – which is a gentle way of admitting my incompetence.
I have become keenly aware of the influence of bad leadership, not only by my own failures, but as I have watched my son’s athletic career. I have seen good coaches make a positive impact that extends far beyond the playing fields. And I have seen my son demoralized, I have seen his dreams and aspiarations diminished, and I have seen the sense of purposelessness that accompanies hopelessness, not because of an innate lack of talent but as a result of bad coaching – or bad leadership from a coach. McNeal’s perception is all the more pertinent as I watched this take place, because the coach who was primarily responsible for this is not a bad guy. Quite the contrary. He is likeable. He seems to have his priorities in exemplary order. He was never unpleasant. He was simply not competent in the job he held. And that incompetence negatively influenced scores of young men, including my son. So, as McNeal says, while the man is good, the effects of his bad leadership are evil.
It is sobering to realize I can have that same negative effect on people when I fail them as a pastor, or as a father, or in any other leadership role I may assume.
A few applications come to mind as I think through this.
1. This truth applies to every person in a position of leadership, professional or volunteer, formal or informal, organizational or recreational. The purpose of leadership is always to guide and ultimately enhance.
I say “ultimately” because sometimes leadership requires breaking down or taking steps backward before moving forward. It depends upon the inherited situation. At such times what may temporarily appear to be failure, is in reality a necessity. Not everyone will always see this, but then again, that’s why not everyone was called to be the leader.
This is humbling, and a bit frightening. But the words of the Lord to Joshua come to mind: “Be strong and corageous…” (Joshua 1.6) And paraphrasing the rest of that passage: “Be strong and very courageous, being careful to do everything God has called you to do, and to do it in the manner he wants you to do it.”
This command applies to all of us who assume leadership roles. In the church, as Elders, youth leaders, etc; In the community as coaches, civic leaders, elected officials, etc; or in the business world as supervisors, foremen, or executives. All of these roles can be catalysts for the advancement of God’s Kingdom, done for his glory, and can benefit those God has called us to lead. (1 Corinthians 10.31)
2. We must live in line with the Gospel, or with the Gospel always in mind.
Now, of course, this is always a truth. But I think it is pertinent to say again here for a simple reason. We will all fail at some point in our leadership. Only God is omni-competent. Some of our failures will be situational, and are not reflective of our leadership abilities. But at other times the Peter Principle comes into play – we are in over our heads, not up to the challenge, not competent for the job. At those times we embody the “good guy, bad leader = evil” eqation.
Knowing this ahead of times makes leadership rather daunting. Many would rather foresake the risk of leadership altogether – if they could. But this need not be our attitude if we understand the gospel. God does not, and will not, reject us on the basis of our failure and incompetence, even when that spells evil. Quite the contrary, God called us who are evil, failures, and incapable in the first place. He redeemed such people through the blood of Christ. And He is in the process of shaping us and growing us. So we can own up to our “evil” in leadership, and be grateful for God’s provision in Christ.
In fact, we should even be grateful for the reminder of our inability. Because the one whom God is angered with and rejects is not the one who humbly recognizes failure and incompetence, and consequently turns to Jesus. Instead the Lord rejects the one who is confident in his/her own leadership abilities and, at best, simply pays lip service to God.
3. I need to pursue greatness in leadership. It is not so that I become the object of admiration. And it is not only so I can avoid being a contributor to evil. It is so that I can bless others through serving them as a leader. Or put a better way, so that God can bless people through me and my simple competent leadership.
Common Perils of the Professionally Holy
There are some peculiar perils prevalent among the professional holy – those in full time ministry or service for God. High on this list: We know a lot of stuff and we do a lot of good things. And it is easy to misconstrue either, or both, of these with being righteous. But neither of these things makes us righteous.
In Christ alone we are declared righteous, by God’s grace through faith in the substitutionary life and death of Jesus. (The theological word is “imputed”.) Actual righteousness is faith in Christ expressing itself in good actions; or to put it another way, only when our actions are driven by genuine faith are we actually righteous.
Knowing a lot of stuff, even sound, biblical theological stuff is not itself righteousness. It is not even faith. It may provide the substance for faith, but right knowledge alone does not necessarily lead to faith. There are a lot of things that I know, that I agree are true, yet that at any given time I still fail to trust and act upon. Many things I assent to are not manifest in my character. Such knowledge is my profession-al faith (that which I profess) but not a functional faith. And that disparity is important.
This is a particular problem in my denominational circles. We have a rich, deep, profound, and thoroughly biblical theological heritage. It takes discipline and commitment to get a firm grasp on the system of doctrine. And I suspect it may be for that reason that some have, historically as well as today, felt a sense of righteousness for enduring the rigors of study and learning.
But apart from actual faith there is no righteousness. In fact, even if faith is present there is no righteousness unless that faith is coupled with good works. (Please note: I am not suggesting that there is no salvation without “works”. We are saved – “justified” – by grace through faith in Christ alone. Nothing else added – nada. Nor am I suggesting that apart from works there is no “imputed righteousness” – the righteousness of Christ credited to us at the moment of conversion/justification. What I am saying is that there is no “actual righteousness”, no righteousness of our own, apart from faith being expressed through our conduct.)
Just what makes a good deed “good” I cannot say. At least I cannot say concisely enough to ponder in this post. I hope it will suffice to say that good deeds are those things that benefit others and honor God.
I suspect that many deeds are done to the benefit of others, whether there is any mind toward honoring God or not. In many cases we would never be able to tell, at least so far as those deeds are done by others. Sometimes, if we are honest, our own good deeds are done without conscious thought of honoring God. I do not want to make the case here that these deeds are therefore not “good”. But I do want to again suggest that they fail to qualify as righteous.
Again, righteousness may best be defined as Faith expressed through good deeds. Genuine faith has a conscious awareness of God, his glory, his grace to us, and his expectations of us. And in this we are all deficient, sometimes more so than at others.
Jerry Bridges, in his excellent book Respectable Sins, explains that our thoughtlessness about God, those moments or periods when we are not thinking about or conscious of God, demonstrates the very essence of “ungodliness”. It is the sin of not being conscious of God. And all are guilty of this sin, to varying degrees.
But if this is so, and I’m convinced it is, it is then possible to do good deeds and sin at the same time, and by the same act. (Again, it could be reasoned that this negates the idea that the act is good. But for practical reasons I am not making that argument.) People benefit from our actions, God may even be praised for our work, but we workers fail to recognize God – except maybe in hindsight. Good as this may be, we must never kid ourselves into mistaking these deeds as righteous.
Only when our genuine faith is expressed in action that honors God and benefits others, only when all those criteria are met, are we actually righteous.
As I write I am well aware that most who read this post are probably not in full-time ministry. Nevertheless you most likely will recognize this same tension, this same problem, in your own life. That’s because, while this problem is prevalent among ministers, it is not limted to us. It is universal among all who “profess” faith in Christ. And in that sense, with a little play on words, we can still say this problem is common to the “professional holy”.
So what is the solution?
I don’t have anything profound to say. I know nothing that will eliminate the problem from your life, this side of heaven. But a couple things do come to mind that may help us deal with it, and perhaps lessen the extent of it over time.
1. Reflect on the meaning of Righteousness. Train yourself to evaluate your life in light of the twin requisites of righteousness: Faith + Good Deeds. Don’t allow yourself to settle for one or the other. Remember these twins cannot be separated.
2. Deal with it. Recognize the problem, and the associated sin. Realize this is not the way it ought to be, but it is the way it is. Confess the sin.
3. Apply the Gospel to yourself. Remember, Christ did nto die for the righteous but for the ungodly. His death has paid the penalty of your sins of ungodliness and lack of righteousness. When you repent of these sins and believe what he has done on your behalf you grow in grace; his righteousness is credited to you. (What an amazing exchange!)
4. Live in light of that Gospel. Act toward God in accord with the love he has given to you. Act toward others with the grace & love you know God has demonstrated to you. And do you know what that is if you do these things? Righteousness.
Commissioner-in-Chief?
A day after Tea Parties were held across our land, I learn that our money is not the only thing our elected officials in Washington are concerned about afterall. With wars looming, pirates pestering American freighters, and our economy still in the gallows, apparently Congress has its eyes on college football. They want to fix the BCS.
While I cannot endorse all his positions, I have to support David Climer of the Tennessean, who in his April 12 column spoke to the issue: Congress Has Bigger Problems to Address Than BCS.
Real Christians SHOULD Dance
I received this quote from my friends at Graced Again. The author, Bob Flayhart, is minister at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL.
A Gospel-centered life is the Christian Waltz. A waltz is a dance made up of three steps. Christians need to consider the Christian three step when it comes to growth.
In the first step, we acknowledge our need as we see our sin in light of the Law. In the second step, we look to Christ to change us. In the third step, we fight against sin and fight to choose righteousness in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Repent! Believe! Fight!…Repent! Believe! Fight!…Repent! Believe! Fight!
An emphasis on the love and grace of God lays the dance floor,or the foundation, for the waltz. Unless Christians are convinced of God’s love for them and His favor over them by virtue of their union with Christ, they will minimize their sin and engage in blame-shifting and excuse- making in order to feel justified before God.
Unfortunately, many in the Church today teach believers a Two-step. The two-step is to simply repent and fight. They acknowledge their sin and proceed with new resolve to try harder to avoid sin. The problem with this approach is it bypasses the cross of Christ and the power of the resurrection. -Bob Flayhart
This was such a good insight and great illustration I wanted to post the whole thing rather than just the link. But check out Graced Again and subscribe to their weekly e-mail. They regulalrly provide thought provoking and insightful quotes.
Maundy Thursday Matters
Today is Maundy Thursday. It is a special day on the Christian calendar. But many Christians don’t know what maundy means. I imagine for some this day could easily fall just after Manic Monday, Ruby Tuesday… You get the idea. So if the term Maundy Thursday sounds foreign to you, relax, you are far from alone.
The term Maundy is generally held to be derived through Middle English and old French, mande’; which comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning mandate or command. This is the first word of the Latin phrase:
“Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos.”
Or more familiar:
“A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another.” (John 13.34)
This is a special day in the life of Christ’s People. It is a day when we remember that Jesus has commissioned us, not only to believe the Gospel of his life which was to be – and has been – given for the redemption of all who believe, but to live out the Gospel in relation to one another. We are to love one another in the same tangible way, and to the same extent, as Jesus has loved us.
This is what Jesus commanded of his believers only hours before he willingly gave his life for ours. (John 15.12-14)
GRACE & PEACE 