One of my Heroes: Dr. Steve Brown

One of my seminary professors was the incomparable Dr. Steve Brown of Key Life Ministries. On so many levels I've held him in the highest regard, but mostly because he's always made me feel like a big deal by taking my phone calls [as he does all of his former students]. :-)

His blog is a standard for me, and this week "STEVE BROWN ETC..." features a must read for all Christians: an election year commentary by John Whitehead.

As my first official recommendation, check out Steve's website and this week's thoughts on God and politics.

http://stevebrownetc.com/category/blogs/the-guest-room/

Have a great week!

Welcome Back, Mr. Spurgeon

"Where you been?" read the email I received this week. This was regarding my blog, as I've been either on vacation, sick or busy with other things for the past month. So, thanks for the patience.

To mark my return to blogging, I have to share my last Thursday's devotional from CHARLES SPURGEON. It is the singular challenge to all Christians, and particularly those who fancy themselves dedicated "servants" of the Lord.

Enjoy!

"Martha was cumbered about much serving." - Luke 10:40

By Charles Spurgeon

Her fault was not that she served: the condition of a servant well becomes every Christian. "I serve", should be the motto of all the princes of the royal family of heaven. Nor was it her fault that she had "much serving." We cannot do too much. Let us do all that we possibly can; let head, and heart, and hands, be engaged in the Master's service. It was no fault of hers that she was busy preparing a feast for the Master. Happy Martha, to have an opportunity of entertaining so blessed a guest; and happy, too, to have the spirit to throw her whole soul so heartily into the engagement. Her fault was that she grew "cumbered with much serving", so that she forgot him, and only remembered the service. She allowed service to override communion, and so presented one duty stained with the blood of another. We ought to be Martha and Mary in one: we should do much service, and have much communion at the same time. For this we need great grace. It is easier to serve than to commune. Joshua never grew weary in fighting with the Amalekites; but Moses, on the top of the mountain in prayer, needed two helpers to sustain his hands. The more spiritual the exercise, the sooner we tire in it. The choicest fruits are the hardest to rear: the most heavenly graces are the most difficult to cultivate. Beloved, while we do not neglect external things, which are good enough in themselves, we ought also to see to it that we enjoy living, personal fellowship with Jesus. See to it that sitting at the Saviour's feet is not neglected, even though it be under the specious pretext of doing him service. The first thing for our soul's health, the first thing for his glory, and the first thing for our own usefulness, is to keep ourselves in perpetual communion with the Lord Jesus, and to see that the vital spirituality of our religion is maintained over and above everything else in the world.

Random Holiday Thoughts!

Here are my random Holiday Thoughts. This is it for December, so enjoy!

$3 per gallon Gasoline…As if I needed another reason to stay home for the holidays.

Christmas Cheer…Too Egg Nog or not to Egg Nog. That is apparently an important question for some. Remember, don't do anything at your Christmas party for which you'll have to create a New Year's Resolution.

The Commercialization of Christmas…I'm just grateful that the season is still part of the cultural lexicon…now let's just use it to introduce people to Jesus.

Seminole Women's Basketball…I'm grateful that we have a Tallahassee basketball program with honorable coaches who happen to be great coaches. It's refreshingly unique.

Christmas Worship Services…Here's your FREE PASS not to feel guilty about not going to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. If they were on a Sunday Sabbath, that would be something to feel badly about avoiding. But I'm sure there are many commands from Scripture that we're not obeying, that we should focus on before we add "You Must Go to a Worship Service on Christmas" to them. If you're feeling the need to express yourself "religiously" on Christmas, bring a meal and a blanket to a homeless person.

Dick Clark's 35^th New Year's Broadcast…I remember watching t.v. to see the ball drop in Times Square when I was young. Dick Clark was always a part of it. But it was sad to see him fight through the effects of his stroke to co-host last year's broadcast. Here's hoping that he's made some physical progress in the past 365 days so the experience isn't as difficult for him and his viewers as it was last year.

WVU Burning Couches…It is a Morgantown tradition that actually started when I was in college. You see, students who lived in cruddy houses in Sunnyside [a section of the campus] had these equally disgusting, old couches on their porches. They'd party on the porch, so you'd need an "all-weather" couch for your front porch. When the Mountaineers won a big game, spontaneous bonfires would start in the street, and often these bonfires would include old couches from front porches. Now you know.

Merry Christmas…Happy New Year!

Why I Blog...

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is a quick “refresh” about why I blog and where I’m coming from. First, I don’t see this as my bully pulpit, but as a place to express things that are part of how I think and what I believe. These often will include insights about how the church [worldwide - not just CenterPoint] should and does function. These subjects are not always things I can address in the pulpit, as my job in exegetical preaching is to speak to the subject present in the Biblical text and not impose my issues onto the text. I hope I avoid this natural tendency.

This past week someone wrote to me that they were sorry for the difficulty I’m having in MY church. It wasn’t the first time I’ve received emails/comments of this sort. Let me be clear, when I’m having a problem with my church [CenterPoint – Tallahassee], the last place in the world I’d go to address this problem is a blog on the web. I’d talk to my elders and the problem would be dealt with expeditiously.

Much of the church related subject matter with which I deal is from my past church experiences and the conversations I have with friends who pastor other churches [most of my good friends are pastors]. Comparatively, CenterPoint Church has few of the unhealthy dynamics I’ve seen in play at other churches. We have great leadership from Elders and Lay Leaders, and God has been extraordinarily gracious. If I’ve been unclear about this in the past, I apologize to the good people of CenterPoint Church.

So, thanks for worrying about me – those of you who’ve written and commented. I appreciate your concern. But do me favor and channel that concern for me into prayer for the success oriented, politically directed, North American Christian Church.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel." - Ephesians 6:18-19

The Paradox of "Getting the Gospel"

In the past I’ve heard people say that they’ve “Heard the Gospel” too much [usually in reference to the preaching at their church]. Of course, no one ever says that to me about my preaching…at least to my face. I heard friends say it a lot when I was in college. The charismatic church crowd with whom I hung around usually talked that way about Baptist churches. “Every week they share the gospel and offer salvation…when are they going to get to the deep things of God?”

I’d like to offer a thought that is paradoxical in nature: If you think you’re hearing the gospel too much, you may need to hear the gospel again.

Here’s what I mean…

“Getting the Gospel” means that a person understands that their every inclination is sinful apart from the grace of God. “Getting the Gospel” means that we realize that ugly, critical, accusatory, venomous, and/or hateful speech that comes out of our mouths isn’t evidence of discerning maturity, but of our deep insecurity and brokenness.

Let me describe a person who can be found in every Tallahassee church. How do I know? I’ve met him. I’ve been him. I am him. I’ll call him “The Worship Complainer.”

Right off the bat, let me say that I feel sorry for worship ministers at most churches. They are leading the people of God into battle, and often they have to look over their shoulders to see which of their brothers and sisters are plotting to kill them. Sadly, most church leaders have allowed this type of criticism of their worship minister to take place and called it “the way the church works.” I beg to differ.

PASTOR CHUCK’S BLOG TIME OUT…

Here’s a little insight into how things work at a Biblically directed church.

1. The church appoints/elects Elders who serve individually as shepherds and collectively as the final authority of the church and the primary means by which God’s will is discerned for the congregation.

2. The Elders hire a pastor or pastors who serve as the teaching elders and visionary leaders of the church, under the oversight of the elders. The elders sign off on their vision and direction for the church.

3. The pastor or pastors are charged by the other elders with the responsibility of teaching God’s Word, ministering to people through discipleship, and implementing the vision that was approved by the Elders. This implementation includes the day to day management of staff and activity of the ministry.

4. The children’s minister, the youth minister, the worship minister, the executive minister and everyone else on staff serves under the direction of the pastor or pastors, who have been commissioned to see that the mission and vision is carried out according to the plan approved by the elders.

…TIME IN.

Here’s what happens in churches…a lot. Someone has a problem with a specific element of the worship service, or they have a conflict with the worship minister, or they don’t like the number of songs, the content of the songs, the tempo of the songs, the amount of talking between the songs, the volume of the songs, the style of the songs…basically, they’re unhappy. So, how do they respond? Do they express their problem in a Christ-like manner to the person or persons whom are responsible for their discomfort? No.

Why? Because the “Worship Complainer” doesn’t realize that their problem is really with the leader of the church. Most worship ministers are simply doing what their supervisors want them to do. They are working under the direction of the pastor who works under the authority of the elders who have been appointed by God…who is the leader of the church. So, their problem ultimately is with God. The real reason for their problem is that they don’t “Get the Gospel.”

Now, it is possible that the Elders aren't sufficiently overseeing the pastor, who isn't effectively directing the worship minister. But for goodness sakes, it isn't the worship minister's fault. Either way, the "WC" is having a tough time with the idea that God’s appointed leaders are imperfect and entrusted to oversee the church in spite of their sinful and broken condition. Maybe it’s tough for them to trust the staff who serves under God’s appointed leaders because staff people are imperfect, too? Or is it that the mission of the church is being implemented imperfectly, in their estimation?

Whatever the issue, the bottom line is that in order for things to work out in their minds, in order for them to have enough peace to enjoy God and His people, those of us who don’t get the gospel demand that everyone live up to our standard of perfection. This attitude is antithetical to the gospel and it demonstrates an inability to trust that God is Sovereign.

The gospel says that we’re incapable of such perfection. Jesus alone is our righteousness, and His blood has been shed to pay for our past, present and future sins - and for our incapability to do things perfectly. We are at peace because of Jesus’ efforts alone and in His presence we can rest in perfect peace. We’ve experienced His grace and it’s supposed to manifest itself in our patience with one another, loving one another as He’s loved us. This is supposed to manifest itself in our peace-loving speech that builds one another up according to our needs.

The most critical among us, those of us who presume we know best and that our wisdom is superior to that of the collection of elders whom the Lord and the church appointed, these are often the same ones who say they’re hearing the gospel too much. Sad to say, but we apparently haven’t heard it enough. Here’s the paradox…until we’re not tired of hearing it, we need to keep hearing it.

It's not about the music? Really?

Regarding worship, there is a common suggestion that worship "isn't about the music." Worship songs have been written about how it's not about the music…that seems somewhat ironic to me. Some denominations and traditions actually believe that instrumental accompaniment in worship is wrong. How they get away from Psalm 150 is beyond me.

I've been part of churches where they had "worship" wars, too. One group wants one style of music – the other group prefers different. Someone will suggest that the Bible prescribes a style of worship. Another person counters that worship is all about the heart of a person and not "about the music."

At the risk of being misquoted or misunderstood, I'd like to suggest that in one sense it's a lot about the music. To prove my point that it's more about the music than many mature Christians say it is to them, all I'd have to do is change the style overnight. I think we'd find out in a hurry that to many folks - even super Christians - it really is all about their music.

You might say, "Well, it shouldn't be about the music!" Maybe. But if you want to reach beyond yourself and reach out to people who prefer a different style of music than do you, it's a lot about the music. Your unwillingness to worship to a different form of music should immediately clue you into the quandary you face when you say it shouldn't be about the music. If you don't get your way or your preferred worship leader, are you willing to stick it out in the worship community of which you're a part? Or will you respond, "Can't we have a little of what I prefer?"

Ever made statements similar to these?

"I just can't worship in that style of music."

"I think the music is too _____________."

I hate when the worship leader tries to guide me in what to do."

"I wish the congregation would loosen up and be more expressive."

I've heard this around the church where I'm the pastor...acutally, I hear from people who heard this around the church where I pastor. Charismatic worship folks who visit think we're too stayed. Liturgical aficionados think we're too casual in the presence of God. Black folks wonder why the white people don't move around or clap more. White people don't feel comfortable moving around or clapping because a lot of them look like dorks doing it.

I'd suggest that what type of musical style or styles you choose to worship to says a lot about who you're hoping to serve and how willing you are to do so. Whether you're an older person who has to live with the volume of the music, a traditionalist who has to "endure" the contemporary worship, or a lover of "European Classical" music who isn't fond of the rhythms of urban America, a willingness to put others' needs and wants before your own is a real sign of Christian maturity. It's that kind of living sacrifice that God will honor and bless. That's why I say that worship is at least a little about the music. In some cases, it's a lot about it.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." - Romans 12:1

Part 2 : "What is Deep?"

Jesus said, “Whoever hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a man who built his house on a rock…” Contrast that with the person who builds their house on sand; this person hears the Word of Christ but doesn’t put it into practice. [see Matthew 7:24-27] The apostle James says, “Don’t merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves, do what it says.” [James 1:22]

This is the real danger of being a learned and educated society: Education is a rush. Learning is fun. Attaining new levels of intellectual acumen is satisfying. However, this adrenaline rush of new information can sometimes be a substitute for genuine spiritual health. I’ve seen it when Charismatic Christians discover spiritual gifts and when Reformed Christians embrace Covenant Theology. The new belief system becomes the source of their joy, and very subtly, over time, replaces Jesus. After that, accumulating new ideas and “deepening” their understanding of their new doctrinal commitments becomes everything.

As opposed to a person being healthy just because they have a clear understanding of their theology, I like to think of “deep Christians” as ones who’ve found the balance between theory and practice. It’s a lot like eating and exercising. A person who eats too much but doesn’t exercise [not too challenging a thought for some of us] is unhealthy. Even if the person was eating healthy food, they can overeat and/or not be physically active and become unhealthy. Conversely, a person can literally exercise themselves to death by not properly providing their body the nutrients it needs to live.

My point? In my association – one which embraces Reformed Theology – there is quite an emphasis on the quality of spiritual foods that are delivered to the people. This is an entirely proper emphasis given the climate of “Scripture-less” teaching that passes for Christian teaching in many churches and on the most popular televangelism programs. While these Christians have may have a problem with what they’re spiritually digesting, the problem in churches of my stripe is not an absence of quality nourishment but instead a spiritual gluttony that has rendered many churches overweight, inactive masses.

I know of a Presbyterian Church close to where I live that has decided that it is going to become a church with a zealous “overseas” missions emphasis – taking multiple annual short-term mission trips to serve for a couple weeks at a time on “the mission field.” While this sounds like a wonderful development in the life of a church – and many churches could stand to be infused with a passion for missions – this church is by most standards utterly ineffective in reaching the community in which they live. And they seem unbothered by it, in spite of the fact that their weekly diet of teaching and worship is classically “Reformed.”

Churches who’d like to consider themselves mature are both learning and living organizations. They are a healthy balance between teaching and action. And they consider “deep” teaching to not only be intellectually stimulating but teeming with challenges to live the way Christ has called Christians to live. Do you consider yourself a “Deep” or “Mature” Christian who needs deep teaching to satisfy your spiritual appetite? Let me ask you some questions:

• When’s the last time you shared your faith with a non-believer?
• When’s the last time you went through your possessions and sold something precious to you and gave the proceeds to someone in need?
• When’s the last occasion you’ve had to spend an entire hour – let alone an entire day – in prayer for God’s people and the world in which you live?

May I suggest that if your answer to any or all of these questions is “rarely” or “never” that your problem might not be that you’re not digesting enough great spiritual food but that instead you’re not spiritually exercising enough? My experience has been that when I exercise [both physically and spiritually], diet becomes important to sustain my life of activity. I can also testify [both physically and spiritually] that inactivity actually increases the appetite for more food, as we substitute the rush of tantalizing our taste buds for the endorphin producing health that comes from exercise.

In my theologically and intellectually drenched Christian subculture, we would accurately state that knowing God’s grace is what will lead us to obedience. As Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Well, I think it a fair question to ask why so many “theologically” correct people are mired in missional lethargy? I believe that the Scriptures teach that real depth would be both hearing God’s Word and doing it. Scary thing is…it’s easy to agree with this statement and still see no noticeable change in ones service to the Lord. As it turns out, we need His grace to both understand the gospel and to be convicted enough to actually live it out.

Now, that's deep.