10 Pitfalls for Local Churches

Here are a few common pitfalls of local churches in a downward trend away from fruitful ministry that glorifies God:

1. Focus on institutional survival. You need not preserve something already alive. Preservation is an embalming process. Many churches are embalming themselves, rather than seeking to fulfill the Great Commission. When our motivation lies primarily in institutional preservation or survival, we will forfeit the mission God has given us for the sake of the safety of the organization. Denominations, local churches, and even ministries can fall for this slow death.

2. Worshiping the Past. Churches consumed with their past to the neglect of their calling will soon fall into a pit! Our heritage, in most cases, is a great blessing for sure. Our past is to be a launching pad to the future and not an anchor to previous methods, decor, or styles. It is not our purpose to maintain a museum, but to be a mission outpost. Worshiping the past leads to a slow death.

3. Idolizing Fads. Chasing the next big thing has become the downfall for some churches that impacts the future more than the present. Fads can garner crowds, but crowds are fickle if they never find their way to the cross. No discernment necessary if "the next best thing" is what the church will embrace. The real danger is that no one needs to take time to seek direction from the Holy Spirit, just look at the fastest growing church's methodology.

4. Dead form. Beautifully scripted services with eloquent wording but little power have a feel of being spiritual, but area actually Ichabod. The "language of Canaan" without the "experience of Canaan" is still "bondage in Egypt." Some people love the expected routine of a preplanned year of services. I wonder if AI couldn't be a replacement for the leading of the Holy Spirit in some churches without anyone even noticing.

5. Pastor worship. While pastors and teachers in the church are worthy of a double honor, they should never be worshiped. It is natural for people to have an opinion about their spiritual leader (positive or negative). Paul even encouraged believers to imitate his faith. But he was quick to prevent people from worshiping him when God was working through him. It may feed the ego of the pastor, but it will not feed or spiritually nourish the flock to worship the pastor. Some pastors are better at getting people to follow them than they are getting people to follow Jesus.

6. Division. While unity is an abused term in the church today, it doesn't negate that true division is a pitfall for any church. Factions, people siding up behind other people, or people rallying behind their causes can be harmful to any local church body seeking to minister in their community and beyond. Disagreement among brothers and sisters in the church is good. If done with the Spirit's leading, it actually benefits the ministry of the church. But division is deep rooted disagreement without acknowledging that the individual is part of the whole and not autonomous.  

7. Coporate worship as irrelevant. The centrality of the body of Christ is corporate celebration, praise, and worship of the head of the church: Jesus. When our service to Jesus, ministries for Jesus, and organization for Jesus become more important than our worship of Jesus we will soon forget who we are supposed to be worshiping. It is then easier to shift our focus on any of the other issues in this list of pitfalls.

8. Personality rule. Praise God for those "larger than life" personalities that draw people and encourage crowds. Some are strong extroverts or maybe "A type" personalities. But sometimes these dominant personalities can harm if they do not take time to listen and be still. In leadership meetings they can "take over" and do all the speaking, airing the opinion without an opportunity for others to contribute. They can be forceful with some, bulldozing over the preferences, insights, and even giftings of quieter folks. The devil delights in taking a gift and using it to harm. 

9. Lack of Faith. Many churches are already in or heading toward a pitfall because they are afraid of the future or the rapidly changing world around them. Fearful to move forward because of inability, rocking the board, requiring sacrifice, or unfamiliarity paralyzes the forward movement toward missional fruitfulness. Leadership is in danger when it is quick to identify all of the limitations, but rarely highlights the possibilities around them. 

10. Money Focused. Of course funding is helpful for the work of the kingdom, but love of money is the root of all kinds of evil... even for the body of Christ. While there are "business aspects" to the church (like bills being paid, pastoral support, maintenance or rental of the facilities, etc) it is primarily a spiritual people empowered and called by God. Money is a tool, but it becomes a pitfall when it is the driving force behind every decision and priority in the local church. 

What might you add as a danger to the local church?

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Why I Still Have Sunday Nights Service

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Why I Am Part of a Denomination

Denominations have a bad rap today. Maybe it has been earned over time through bad press, poor corporate choices and missional drift. But I don't think I'd join a "non-denominational" or "independent" church and here's why:

1. An independent church has less financial accountability. It is not always the case, but often an independent church simply does not have the checks and balances that a denominational church requires of each local church. Is there accountability to the treasurer and/or pastor? Is there an audit of the books? Are there stringent policies in place to make sure that finances are handled appropriately and with integrity? These are important issues.

2. A denominational church has more theological accountability. While it may sound appealing at first to be open to what everyone believes, it does not ultimately play out well. Our theology drives our practice and methodology if taken seriously. When it is not clear what a church believes, discipleship and mission suffer. Open ended theology results in the lowest common denominator which produces shallow disciples who are not engaged in understanding biblical truth. The theological framework of a denomination also holds preachers, teachers, and leaders accountable to orthodox theology and rejecting aberrant teachings that an individual pastor might introduce to the congregation.

3. An independent church has less moral accountability. Who is overseeing the pastor and the leadership of the church? While moral failings are certainly not exclusive to non-denominational churches, an avenue of reporting wrong behaviors, addressing moral failures, and working through them is typically clearer and more accessible within a denomination. History is replete with examples of church leaders who significantly compromised their biblical ability to lead in the body of Christ through immorality. We ought always to be concerned with leaders who refuse to be accountable to the body. While we should be able to trust Christians, trust and accountability are not mutually exclusive.

4. A denominational church often has more clarity about its polity. How does one become a leader? How is one ordained? How is conflict resolved? Who has authority in different areas and ministries within the church? How are major financial decisions made? Who has authority over the day to day administration of the church? These are all important questions that are not often asked by the average church attendance. A clear and consistent way to choose leadership, operate church ministries, and manage church assets is essential to prevent manipulation of people and abuse of authority. I am part of a denomination that has processes laid out about how we make decisions as a church for the sake of unity and missional fruifulness.

5. Independant churches are often built around the personality of the pastor. While we should be grateful for significant leaders who have talents and gifts they are using for the kingdom, we must remember that the Kingdom of God has a foundation: Jesus. Certainly pastors are worthy of a double honor according to the Bible, but they should never be the object of our worship and devotion. The crowds are looking for a "celebrity" they can follow. Pastors need to point people to the Son of God.

6. Denominational churches typically spend more money on missional efforts beyond their local community. While denominational churches often complain about the "budgets" or "allotments", these funds are working toward a greater and broader ministry impact. The great commission involves our local community work, but also compels us to minister to the "ends of the earth." Churches that are "independent" often focus more on local mission than global mission. 

7. A non-denominational church is actually a denomination of one church. Local churches in a denomination are simply working together with other churches, often internationally, to accomplish the work of the Kingdom of God. Small churches that might not be able to fund missional work around the world or support a missionary by themselves can pool their resources in a denomination for greater impact. An "independent" church is really only a very small denomination consisting of one church. 

While there are no doubt some advantages to being part of a non-denominational church, I believe the disadvantages far outweigh the positives. What do you think?

What are some advantages of being an "independent" church? What are some advantages of being part of a denomination?

Also check out these articles:

Why I Love the Church of the Nazarene

The Love of God

Priorities in my Pastoral Ministry

5 Theological Warning Signs

Here are some warning signs your church, pastor, or spiritual leaders are leading you down the wrong path:

1. Dismissive of Scripture's Authority. Those who would so quickly be dismissive of the divine inspiration of the Bible and its ability to inerrantly reveal everything we need for our salvation must find the basis for their faith somewhere else. Often the discrediting of Scripture must take place in order for them to assert their own morality in place of biblical morality. This is a red flag! 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

2. Downplaying the problem of sin. Sin is the only thing hindering us from having a relationship with a holy God. To ignore the reality and penalty of sin is to intentionally put people in spiritual danger. Many are seeking to dismiss the problem of sin because they are pushing for an old heresy of universalism (which insists that everyone ultimately makes it to heaven regardless of their relationship with God). 1 Cor 6:9-10.

3. Rejecting biblical truths that clash with culture. A half-truth is a full lie. It is deceitful when only part of the character of God is revealed. When some leaders choose only the culturally palatable characteristics and reject those aspects of God's character that would not be perceived as appealing, we deceive and distort the very nature of God. The same is true of difficult subjects the Bible addresses. God's Wrath. The existence of Hell. Judgement. These are but a few things we must not hide from the people to which we are ministering. If they are being denied or hidden, there is danger ahead! Romans 12:2.

4. Diminishing the importance of good works. While works do not save us, it is evident throughout scripture, that good works are an outflow of a life surrendered to Christ. We are called, encouraged, and even commanded to do good works. We have responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission, visit the sick, minister in the prisons, work among the poor, and actively love our neighbors. Don't let the threat of being called a legalistic person stop you from doing good works! James 2:14-26

5. Trying to spiritualize their political leanings. The push to attempt to spiritually justify abortion rights, gay marriage, and/or Marxist ideology is really a desire to justify their political affiliations. They have been driven by their political party's ideology to capitulate a biblical worldview in favor of what they already believe. (Ironically, they will claim that those with biblical viewpoints on political issues are Christian Nationalists, a term used by secular media.) Such things are not spiritual values or principles. Actually, they are the opposite. 

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Check out these articles:

Biblical Authority and Accuracy

How to Lead Your Church into Apostacy

Progressive Christianity is the Real Problem

The Love of God

God's Love is not a stagnant, impotent love devoid of power and holiness. Rather His Love is embodied in Jesus who is a Redeemer. He brings Divine transformation wherever He goes. His steadfast love endures forever as it brings about forgiveness, cleansing, and renewal in the lives of those who respond to the Holy Spirit. No person is ever the same who has received the Love of God (Jesus).

This Love is not some cheap sentimentality or generic cameo for Holiness. Jesus' presence brings hope for the change we need and then power to realize that hope, not contentment to continue down the path of destruction we have walked thus far.

God's Love promises us fellowship with the Divine while it cleanses us. His Love does not "sweep our sin under the rug" while making excuse for our own evil or placing blame on others. Jesus goes to the dark corners and unseen places of our life to even reorient our most fundamental desires and longings and bring them into alignment with Him.

Jesus changes the landscape of our existence, the path of our lives, and our eternal home. Not just one of these things but all of these things! This Love does not bring security while walking in rebellion, but calls us out of the tomb and grave clothes of sin. The Holy Spirit convicts us of those things that are resistant to the love of Christ dwelling in our lives.

This real Love does not bring peace to a wicked heart but to the heart that has been cleansed and changed. The peace is a natural outcome of a life in right relationship with a holy God after having been purged of its rebellion.

A heart focused inwardly because of selfishness or pride is refocused toward Heaven and also to those around them (even people who have previously declared that they are enemies) because Jesus changes everything! This Love always leads to holiness of heart and life.

Encounter the Love of God today and do not settle for the cheap imitation of powerless and changeless sentimentality.

God is Love.

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Directions for Singing and Worship

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I Fired Jesus

Confederate Flags

Let me just say up front that I do not fly the Confederate flag.

May I explain. I am a Christian. That simply means that I interpret every cause, organization, or movement through a Biblical lens under the Lordship of Jesus the Messiah. At best, every other cause is secondary to my call to be a disciple of Jesus. 

Flags have meaning no doubt. They have been used throughout history as symbols of nations, armies, and movements as well as a means of communication (flags at half mast mean something; white flags communicate surrender). Depending upon your national origin, a nation's flag may instill a kind of national pride or a sense of apprehension. 

There are no doubt some things about "Southern culture" that are wonderful. Respect for the elderly from the young was a requirement. Manners were required for the civilized and chivalry placed women in a place to be honored and respected rather than viewed as sexual objects to be exploited. Who doesn't like some good fried chicken and collard greens? There were good qualities instilled in many a young person as they were raised with a "Southern Heritage." 

There is a blight on Southern history that cannot be ignored or denied. There was a time in history when the Civil War of the United States of America ripped our nation apart. This time when the states simply were not united was a result of many socio-political issues of the time. Historians and arm chair historians alike may point to a number of these different issues, but no one can ignore the most significant historical reality to be dealt with: slavery. It is a historical scourge on what some would try to paint as a pristine record of Southern hospitality.

Nearly every person I know (including Southerners of various skin shades) would readily acknowledge and admit that slavery was wrong. It is a mark against our history not only for Southerners, but all citizens of the United States. The reverberations of the conflict that took place only a little more than 150 years ago has impacted our nation ever since. The reconstruction era was full of negotiating reentry of states into the union, rights for former slaves, pardons and punishment for Confederates citizens and leaders and more. Defeat was a bitter pill for some Southerners to swallow. As many were able to obtain positions of political power again, they began instituting policies that would limit or keep many previous slaves as contracted laborers; essentially still slaves. Other people promoted policies and laws that would remove voting rights and even allow for harm of African Americans.

You do not need a history lesson from me, but give me grace to make my point. These things led to a fractured culture that limped through the last 100+ years without solving some of these problems. Indeed they have not been able to be solved through legal means yet (though we should all be thankful for the Civil Rights movement). The reality is that these problems are not legal or political problems at the core, they are sin problems of the heart desire and depraved mind.

So now, generations from the war and early bitterness of post-war America, there are some people who still fly the Confederate flag. While racist organizations and people certainly use the flag as a visual banner of their hate, I have also found some who fly the Confederate flag who are not racist. They would say they are promoting a heritage of freedom and independence. To the racist, I simply offer a rebuke. To the sincere, albeit naïve, I offer three reasons I won't fly the flag:

1. Historical Reason: The Confederate States of America rebelled and were defeated. This nation no longer exists.

2. Patriotic Reason: Since the flag represents a rebellion that was quelled, it is unpatriotic to fly this flag.

3. Christian Reason: This flag has come to represent to a vast majority of people, to whom we are called to minister, racism. Racism is sin.

As a Christian, I won't wear it on a t-shirt, put it on a bumper sticker, fly it at my home, or feel any level of nostalgia when I see it. Like any polite person, I would advocate for manners, respect of the elderly, and chivalry. Those qualities, however, have not become enshrined in the meaning of the Confederate flag in any kind of universal way. Instead, the Confederate flag has come to be a flag that represents racism and hate in our culture.

I don't fly confederate flags. But I do reject racism and advocate for good manners. I hope you'll do the same. Refuse to allow yourself to be pressured or intimidated into uninhibited support of a cause, person, or organization that is contrary to Biblical truth.

So what do you think?

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Why I Like Small Churches

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Why I am a Holiness Preacher.

Someone asked me why I insist on stipulating that I am not just a preacher, but a holiness preacher. It gave me pause. So I began to think through why I am a holiness preacher. Here are my reasons...

1. I believe salvation is much more than forgiveness. That is not to be dismissive of the essential nature of our justification. Our forgiveness has been provided for by Jesus, but it is not the end of God's salvific work, but the means toward holiness. Addressing the legal spiritual need leads to God's provision to meet our relational spiritual need. God wants to forgive us so that He can sanctify us through and through!

2. The desperate need of God's church in witness to the world is holy living. In some places there is barely a discernable difference between the morality of those in the church and those not in the church. Scandal plagues the church in North America. Sexual immorality, a lack of financial accountability, abuse, and biblical compromise marks too many leaders and churches. Many have chosen to accept sinful behavior in their leaders as they have accepted it in themselves. But God promises a deep cleansing and transformation too often untold in our churches.

3. I have experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That moment, while I was bowed at an altar of prayer, cleansed my heart of pride/ self-centeredness and empowered me to walk in obedient fellowship to Him. Sanctification experienced is of great worth! If one has been in the "upper room" and experienced this work of God, how can they cease to speak about what they've experienced and been given by the Holy Spirit?

4. Scripture calls us to this reality. Repeatedly we are admonished to be Holy as He is Holy. If this command is nothing more than "a carrot on a stick" then God has placed us in a hamster wheel pursuing without ever obtaining even though He has promised in Scripture that "He will surely do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 The aim of Scripture is not sinful living. It is not even worldly living. The aim of Scripture is that we would live holy in this life!

5. The Holy Spirit leads us into the fullness of holiness. Any new believer naturally pursues the things of God. Sometimes, we begin to resist the draw of the Holy Spirit into deeper spiritual places. Often the leading of the Spirit requires that we die to certain behaviors or habits. The Spirit directs us to do die to self will and pride. Like Jesus, we too are called to pray. "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." Matt 26:29. Outside of our carnal resistance we would realize that the most natural thing is to follow the prompting of the Creator to participate in His holiness.

6. I believe the standard Christian life should be one of victory in Jesus. Victory and forgiveness over past sin is necessary to begin a relationship with God (righteousness). But God also intends for us to have victory over our self. While Satan is certainly an adversary roaming about to find someone to devour, he is not our greatest enemy. Our greatest enemy is self! And God has made provision that we could die out to self and live a life of full devotement to Christ! I believe in victory!

7. I believe in real transformation. Certainly the new birth sets us on a new course for how we act in life. Repentance is a change of mind about actions that we previously participated in that were sin in the eyes of God. But God never intended for us to end with behavior modification. God has made provision through his death and resurrection, not only for us to act different, but that we would actually be different! That our heart would be cleansed and made pure so that we could love him with all our heart! God can change our desires. Our longings, dreams, will, and desires can be made holy. That's real transformation to the core.

Why are you a proponent of the message of Scriptural Holiness?

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Why I Still Have Revivals in the Church I Pastor

All Out for Souls

How to Backslide

Women Preach!

Be Happy for Church Discipline

Recently social media has been ablaze with comments, posts, and blogs about clergy who have been disciplined and lost their credentials (along with those still in the process). Their loss of credentials is in relation to their push for the Church of the Nazarene to be LGBTQIA+ affirming. In other words they want homosexual practice to be acceptable. Their defense is that they simply want a "conversation" and, when disciplined, an insistence that the proper protocols and Manual requirements were not followed. The definition of "teaching" is debated, the definition of "doctrines" is debated, and a pharisaical "straining out the gnat" is evidenced in supporters' debate; all the while "the camel" of refuting the clear teachings of Scripture about the practice of homosexuality is ignored.

It would be easy to fall into the confusion as some educated people (at least with degrees) seem to be suddenly confused about a sexual ethic that has been around since the beginning of time and is among the clearest prohibitions in Scripture. All they really desire is for the church to capitulate truth in favor of current cultural trends of sexual immorality. They do not want conversation (that has been happening for some time), they want compromise.

A few observations in light of things taking place.

1. The baseline of the issue is a rejection of Biblical truth as the primary authority for doctrine and lifestyle. There are some who escape into denominational infrastructure and ivory towers that forget that Christianity is not a philosophy to be toyed with, but a relationship with the Creator. The goal is not development of culturally compatible social circles, but knowing the King of kings. Consistently through the history of the church, revival and reform have not taken the church farther away from biblical revelation, but called the church back to it. Those who seek to reinvent a culturally palatable religion, are actually making an idol in the image of humanism. 

2. They are advocating for the blessing of behavior that the Bible clearly says will keep people out of Heaven. In other words, these teachings have a damning impact on the individuals who would listen and follow them. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Those insisting on gay marriage or homosexual practice are seeking to convince the lost that they are not lost. This is dangerous, antithetical to all that we should be doing, and the reason the Bible speaks so strongly against false teachers. They are not new attenders or visitors in the church. They are most often part of a multi-generational family in the life of the church. They are typically an ordained elder serving the denomination in various capacities (including Nazarene Universities and denominational infrastructure). In other words, they are not first time guests who are unaware of the teachings of Jesus on this issue. They should know better, but insists on persisting in false teachings without regard to the eternal impact it has on those who embrace homosexual practice.

3. If anyone should be clamoring for justice it is the hundreds of people who have had to leave their churches under the failed leadership of false teachers. Approving of sin, or creating a culture in the local church that will lead to approval of sin, chokes out spiritual vitality. The wages of sin is death. And those who propagate the approval of sin create a culture of death. Theology is not abstract philosophy, but our understanding of God and ultimately His plan of salvation. The practice of homosexuality needs more than a denial of its approval. Those struggling with this temptation need authentic, biblical love from their church family and the discipleship of clarity about homosexual practice. If anyone should be outraged it is the loved ones of people who have wrecked their faith on his teachings. 

4. Church discipline is a real thing. It is necessary to implement church discipline when moral practices are violated or covenants broken. Church discipline is necessary to maintain the integrity and witness of the church. For the same reason a child molester or one advocating for the demeaning of another person based on their skin color is subject to church discipline, so one who would advocate for the sinful action of homosexual practice is also subject to discipline. While there will always be things up for debate, those things clearly defined in Scripture as sin are not up for debate. How to minister to those in the LGBTQIA+ community is worthy of rigorous discussion and debate. Whether the practice of homosexuality is sin is not open for debate. Those claiming that no one can discuss these issues because their credentials will be taken are disingenuous in their communication; spinning the issue. 

5. They malign faithful leaders, pastors, and laity in the church. Those in support of homosexual practice and biblical compromise form an online rabble that seek to intimidate, malign, and coerce leadership into adherence to their agenda. Touting their devotion to "love", they spew the worst kind of vitriol via social media. Some pastors are bullied into the corner and beg for us to "agree to disagree" while seeking to remain out of the crosshairs of the mob mentality. Other leaders are named and then maligned by half truths and skewed realities that involve a questioning of their character, integrity, and faithfulness to Biblical truth. This is gaslighting to an extreme.

So what should be done?

1. Discipline of clergy and leadership who seek to promote or advocate homosexual practice.

2. Professors from the theology departments of our Nazarene Institutions need to articulate clearly, gracefully, and publicly our Scriptural stance on human sexuality.

3. Credentialing processes on every district need to hold accountable those seeking ordination to our beliefs and covenants.

4. Leadership needs to be supported as they take action to limit the harmful damage caused by these false teachers.

5. Spiritual renewal. Let's pray for the Spirit to fill us with a fresh infilling. Some things will only change when minds are renewed and hearts are cleansed. 

A way forward Part 1 and Part 2 are previous articles that highlight action for moving in the right direction.

Here are a few articles for some context. (Each of these articles comes from a source that is obviously not biblical in perspective.)

Nazarene elder has his ordination in the Church of the Nazarene revoked and is removed as pastor of his church on Aug 14, 2023.

A first appeal on the ruling is rejected.

Did he forfeit his privilege to a final appeal by speaking again at his church on November 26, 2023 after having been removed and loss of credentials. The audio of his message can be found on the site under the date 11-26-23. 

The final appeal is filed and more spin.

See these other articles:

The Africa Region of the Church of the Nazarene speaks to the issue of LGBTQIA+ Affirmation

Some Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

A Way Forward for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

A Letter of Accusation Against a False Teacher

Why I Love the Church of the Nazarene