Monday, May 13, 2024
Some Things to Remember After a Political Election
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
It is Time to Leave the United Methodist Church
I have many friends who are attending and many who are serving in ministry in the United Methodist Church (UMC). I urge you in brotherly love, you need to do the hardest thing you might ever do and leave the church that you love and have worshiped in for so many years. The denomination is no longer the faithful bride of Christ.
Wednesday, May 1, the United Methodist church voted, 692-51, to allow practicing homosexuals to be ordained and to drop its penalty for clergy performing gay marriages. While they have struggled with people and leaders who openly defied the Bible and the stance of the church, now these false teachers and leaders have made their deceptions official positions of the church.
Why is this a big deal? Not because it is a cultural issue facing the church, but because the UMC, in their official vote, has declared they know better than God the Creator about human sexuality. They have declared the Bible and its inspiration to be expired and obsolete. They have bowed at the idol of humanism and cultural ideology. The UMC organization has rejected the presence of a God of holy love for one of sexual immorality.
My brothers and sisters from the UMC may be reluctant to leave. I understand. My words of recommendation to leave may sting. It is a sad day. It seems that darkness has won the day. You have prayed and worked toward faithfulness to the truth and call of God. The years of faithfulness to your local church and ministry under the umbrella of the UMC might feel wasted. However, Jesus is still head of His church. There are new wineskins.
God is working all around the world despite persecution, despite some that compromise, despite those who diminish holiness, and despite those who create a god fashioned to their cultural norms.
There will be difficult days. Lament. Seek the leading of the Holy Spirit and follow Him. There is a revival coming, but it will not take place where the lampstand has been removed. You will have to courageously move forward to embrace the new thing that God is doing in our hour.
To remain in the United Methodist Church at this point is tantamount to tolerating Jezebel who teaches and seduces Christians to practice sexual immorality (Rev 2:20). In the love of Christ, I compel you to remain faithful regardless of the costs.
Do not dismay. The message of scriptural holiness did not originate with the UMC and neither will it end with the UMC. The Good News that God cleanses the heart and empowers for service when he sanctifies you wholly will continue.
Warning: If you are part of another denomination, be aware that these false teachings are pervasive in our culture right now. Contend for the faith. Refuse to compromise either in doctrine or in mission. Continue to take the Gospel (the full of counsel of God) to a world of people who are craving transformation, righteousness, and holiness.
Supplemental: (05-02-24) Statements from the United Methodist Church in Africa...
Check out these articles:
The Disunity of the United Methodist Church
Be Happy for Church Discipline
Monday, April 29, 2024
The Demise of the Church Has Been Overstated
In 1897, Mark Twain is said to have read his own obituary, and then remarked, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
Have you read the obituary of the church recently? With a level of confident opinion, it is heralded from blog articles, social media posts, and plenty of opinion pieces. They have good evidence of the death certificate, pointing to declining attendance numbers, social/cultural shifts, and flailing denominations.
The proverbial sky is falling! Well, not really.
The truth is that every generation laments the state of the church. There are always a host of people ready to diagnosis what they view as the problem. Internet experts have a plethora of "evidence" that substantiates their claims of the death of the church in their generation.
The only problem is that the church continues to move forward. The truth is that the universal, historic church of Jesus Christ has endured much more than the shifting cultural winds of North America. So while we navigate difficult days ahead, may we be reminded that the head of the church, Jesus, continues to lead His people.
The real question is for the critics. What are you doing? What kinds of things are you actively doing to make things better? Who has joined you in following Jesus? Who has experienced transformation from your invitation to encounter Jesus? In what ways are you a conduit of church health rather than a "chicken little" insisting that the sky is falling?
The body of Christ is alive and well. "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25b-27)
So, could you please stop speaking about the bride of Christ as if she is a harlot?
Check out these other articles:
Why I Am Part of a Denomination
Why I Love the Church of the Nazarene
Monday, April 1, 2024
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?
Check out these other articles:
Why I Still Have Sunday Nights Service
How to Make Your Church a Great One
Friday, March 1, 2024
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:
Saturday, February 17, 2024
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
Thursday, February 1, 2024
The Love of God
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Confederate Flags
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.
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: