Outside the Box

Many people in the church today have joined the ‘think outside the box’ campaign. The first question I want to ask is, ‘Who built the box we’re talking about?’ Scripture clearly puts Christians in a box on topics of homosexuality, obedience, murder, etc., yet outside-the-box-thinkers want us to ‘discuss’ the issues. Personally I think there’s a warning label on the outside of the God-built box that says, ‘thinking outside this box could be hazardous to you health’.

Airing the Dirty Laundry

Living in a small community I read law enforcement reports in the newspaper and I’m always sorry when I see the name of someone I know on the list. However, if it’s the name of a close friend or family member I’m likely to be embarrassed that their ‘dirty laundry’ is hanging out there for the whole world to see. I think there’s a similar situation within the church. We desperately want to protect the ‘reputation’ of our particular church. It’s easy to talk about another denomination’s problems, but for heaven’s sake don’t let the neighbor or the community hear about problems in my church. I think Jesus wants transparency in our lives and in the life of the church. “For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:22-23 NIV

Let's Go This Way

Some of my family and friends are frustrated with getting older because they just can’t do the things they did when they were younger. It’s as though they have a 50 year-old mind trapped in an 80 year-old body. Although Jesus was speaking specifically about Peter’s death, I think His words sum up the aging process for all of us. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21:18 NIV) When I get old I hope I can remember to be grateful that at least there is someone to dress me and lead me…even if it isn’t where I want to go.

With Your Best Interests in Mind

My sister once had an older man in her life who liked to be in control. Exasperated with his semi-feminist girlfriend he once told her, “If you’d just do what I tell you to do, you’d be happy!” There are times we’re all guilty of thinking we know what’s best for another. At the Transfiguration Peter was in such awe with what he was witnessing that he said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Matt 17:4 NIV) I just love the fact that we have a fisherman offering to build a shelter for the Carpenter!

A Need to Know Basis

Our church leaders provide a financial summery sheet to anyone who requests it. However, I wanted to see more detailed financial information including approved budgets with specific line items, such as individual staff salaries. The chairman of the elders turned down my request because he couldn’t be sure how I would use the financial information and that my use of such financial information would not “glorify God”. With paranoia stirring in my head I just had to ask if this applied only to me, or to others as well. I was told that others could have the information on a need-to-know basis, for instance “if they were an elder candidate wanting more specifics.” It’s interesting that government entities publish their financial records, including individual salaries, in the newspaper, yet the church restricts its accounting to a need-to-know basis. I think I now know all that I need to know.

Casualties of War

Many men and women in the military have paid the price for America’s freedom with their lives. Christ is also a casualty of war and His death on the cross was the price paid for all who believe. In life I see a ‘Christ’s likeness’ in other Christians, but in death I see ‘Christ’s likeness’ in our veterans. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NIV).

Misused

Last week an article by Associated Press writer Matt Curry reported that three Baptist preachers have ‘misused’ as much as $1.3 million which was intended for planting churches in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. Investigators noted, “The 2.5 million-member denomination missed numerous red flags – including an FBI probe – that should have prompted an internal investigation earlier… It is difficult to understand why the overall longevity of complaints and their volume did not attract more serious attention.” Actually, I find it easy to understand. A few years ago our leaders failed to guard the financial chicken coop and a hefty sum of money was ‘misused’. Feeling responsible for not maintaining closer oversight, some of the elders took it upon themselves to repay the funds. I believe that had we had full financial disclosure in our church then the membership could have shared in the responsibility and accountability.

Job's Friends

Recently two friends gave me their insights on a family situation. One thought I had a pride issue and the other thought I had a control issue. Right off the top of my head I didn’t think those applied to this particular situation, however there must be something to their observations. We’ve all heard comments about Job’s friends that go something like, ‘With friends like that, who needs enemies.’ But, these were his friends and in one sense I think they were helpful in Job’s situation. Even though they didn’t offer the best counsel or the correct advice, they caused Job to reflect and evaluate his life. As for me, I’m still looking under the rocks in my heart for evidence of pride and control.

Good Leadership in Action

After an investigation, the leaders of New Life Church in Colorado Springs removed the Rev. Tom Haggard from his position as Senior Pastor. I applaud their swift disciplinary action and the manner in which they are handling this very public sin. In a television interview I was especially impressed when one of the pastors at New Life Church who spoke of Mr. Haggard saying, “If he can, we hope that he’ll come and worship with us.” Rather than calling on the congregation to ‘treat him (Haggard) as a pagan and a tax collector’, the leadership has immediately started the process of restoring a brother. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:1-2 NIV)

Indiscretions

The news reports about Rev. Tom Haggard are disturbing and discouraging. I grieve for his family and his congregation, yet as the allegations prove accurate I rejoice at the exposure. King David is a perfect example of God exposing indiscretions in order to bring about repentance. It’s hard to think where David’s life would have gone if God not confronted him by revealing his sin to others. In time Mr. Haggard too will heal, but right now I imagine he’s feeling like he’s been chewed up and spit out. Jesus said, “If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.” (Matt 18:8-9 NIV) As tragic as Mr. Haggard’s situation appears to be, there are things worse than exposure.

God's Plan

As a young teen I went before the congregation and committed my life to fulltime Christian service. I thought I’d go to Bible college and then on to some foreign mission field. Upon graduation from high school it became apparent that I’d been thinking with my heart and not with my head. I just wasn’t college material. At a loss for a career direction, I packed up my guilt for ‘failing the Lord’ and joined the Navy. After completing three years in the service, I returned home, married, had children and actively participated in church, all the while carrying guilt for not going into ‘fulltime’ Christian service. One Sunday the sermon had my name written all over it and I was released from self-imposed guilt. The preacher said, “Just saying you’re going to do something for God doesn’t necessarily mean that that’s what He wants you to do. God may have other plans.” Thankfully, God had other plans!

Out of the Tombs

I have an Aunt who has always been eccentric and difficult to get along with. She’s now in her 70’s, widowed with no children and addicted to prescription drugs. Her sisters would do anything they could for her, but she refuses their help and won’t cooperate with available social service programs. I’m not suggesting that my Aunt has an evil spirit, but her situation reminds me of the demon possessed man in the region of the Gadarenes (Matt 8, Mark 5, Luke 8). This man lived in the tombs, didn’t wear clothes, cut himself with stones and cried out day and night. He was so strong he couldn’t be subdued and so violent that no one could pass by the tombs. While I have sympathy for the demon possessed man, I really identify with his family. Surely they grieved and were at the end of their rope trying to help someone who couldn’t, or wouldn’t be helped. I need to be reminded that despite all effort, only Jesus can bring our loved ones out of the tombs.

Sign on the Dotted Line

A few years ago a former minister implemented a program called ‘New Vistas’, which consisted of four, four-hour sessions of lecture and discussion led by preachers and elders. The material started with basic Christianity 101 and progressed through to Christian maturity. I thought the program was especially good for new Christians and new members, but it also provided a refresher course for the old timers. The material itself was Biblically sound, but at the end of each session was a commitment page which participants were asked to sign and turn in to the church. Each commitment page was progressively more demanding as to the member’s responsibility and accountability to the church and it’s the leadership. For me, the commitment page resembled a contract and I questioned why it was needed. The minister explained that when people sign a contract, they are much more likely to follow through on their commitment. Just leave it to man to complicate the simplicity of Christianity.

Elections 2006

This is the political season for my church, as well as for the nation. Our potential elder candidates are required to complete a lengthy nine-page questionnaire and submit it to the Senior Pastor. In all fairness some of the questions are well founded, both Biblically and spiritually, and will give insight into a candidate’s character. However, I find a few of the questions better suited for finding ‘rubber stamps’ than for finding qualified elders. Candidates are asked if they understand and support the ‘mission’ of the church, what they think is the best way to realize the ‘vision’ of the church, and if there’s anything that will keep them from functioning in harmony with the current leadership. Going on to more personally probing questions they’re asked if they are upset or angry with anyone in the church and about their tithing record, specifically, “Do you think tithing should be a prerequisite for becoming an elder?” Probably the most revealing of all the questions is # 31 which asks, “What should the relationship be between Elders and Ministers?” The status quo appears to be in no danger for 2007.

Rick Wannabes

A short article by Lisa Miller in the October 23, 2006 issue of Newsweek makes note that Pastor Rick Warren is getting some negative press. Ms. Miller states, “Has Warren gotten so huge – with 400,000 pastors trained in the art of being purpose-driven … – that he’s an easy target?” I’m not interested in the negative press, but I am struggling to get a handle on why 400,000 pastors are coveting Warren’s successes. I can’t help but see shades of Simon the Sorcerer mentioned in Acts 8. We’re told that Simon became a believer and was baptized. When he later saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles hands, he said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:19 NIV. Am I really hearing 400,000 pastors say, ‘give me also this ability’?

Church Potluck

At one time my only concern at a potluck dinner was trying to determine if venison was being passed off as beef in a casserole. Today it’s not just a matter of likes and dislikes, we also need a nutrition label and drug facts on every dish served. It’s all but impossible to accommodate the ‘special needs’ of everyone when you consider the diabetic who needs sugar free foods, those with various food allergies, and dieters restricting their calories or counting their exchanges. For me there’s a certain level of frustration when I’m interrogated about the ingredients in my dish. I find I don’t like being told that my entrée would be more acceptable if I’d substitute low fat, eliminate a topping or just use a different brand name ingredient. I can see why God went with manna in the wilderness…too bad He didn’t hand down the recipe.

Groan

We’re all familiar with the little ditto that goes, ‘God answers prayer by saying Yes, No or Wait’. I recently heard a new one that says, ‘God answers the prayers that He thinks needs answering’. It brings to mind a child asking mom if he can have a candy bar 30 minutes before supper. He already knows the answer, but that doesn’t stop him from asking. Rather than responding verbally, the look that crosses mom’s face says, ‘I can’t believe you just asked that question.’ The Apostle Paul tells us when we don’t know what we should pray for, “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express”. No doubt some of my prayers give the Spirit cause to groan, ‘You’ve got to be kidding!’

Let's Hear Those Opinions

During my childhood school years I never raised my hand or volunteered to answer a question that the teacher asked. I was always afraid of giving the wrong answer and looking stupid. In church, I find adults also withhold answers because they ‘know what they believe’, they just don’t know where to find it. In the early church Apollos is a good example of one who had a “thorough knowledge of the Scriptures”. Yet, when Priscilla and Aquilla arrived on the scene, they “invited him to their home and explained the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18: 24-28, NIV). Later in First Corinthians we find Apollos mentioned in the same leadership company as Paul and Cephas. I appreciate and admire those who can quote chapter and verse, however God doesn’t require us to have that ability before we’re allowed to give an opinion.

Laundry Day

John describes the great multitude in white robes as those, “…who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Rev 7:14 NIV) Sometimes after changing out of my Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes, I’ll hang them back in the closet rather than tossing them into the laundry. I’m thinking, ‘I only wore them for a couple hours and I can get another wear out of them before they need washed.’ It sounds reasonable, but I’m gambling that I haven’t overlooked a soiled spot that’s waiting to be revealed the next time I wear it. Since I can’t always remember whether I’ve worn something before, there’s the possibility of re-wearing clothes more than once. Sin can be a lot like Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. Rather than repenting, we hang it back in the closet of our heart thinking, ‘it’s really not that dirty’. There’s never any end to laundry…or sins, but if I wash them after each wearing there won’t be any soiled spots to worry about.

It's Your Turn

When I first started using a computer I expected to hit a key and have it respond immediately. If nothing happened, I’d push the key again. I’d have multiple windows open at one time and my husband would say, “Just wait a minute, give it time, its thinking.” I’m happy to report that I’ve learned to be more patient, but now I find myself waiting for the computer to do its job only to discover that it’s waiting on me to do something. Apparently I need to be more observant when it comes to all those little twitching icons. I sometimes have a similar problem in communicating with God. I’m thinking its God’s turn to respond and He’s telling me I still need to perform another function.