GLP has Left the Building

www.yanceyarrington.com

Moving On...

I'm about to jump ship...details in a few weeks...or days...or hours.

Helping Those Hurt By Ike

Grace and Peace

This afternoon I was blessed by a blessing. In fact, I found myself with arms raised and tears streaming down my face as I listened to the blessing given by Paul to the church as Thessalonica in 2 Thessalonians 1:2 as sung by Fernando Ortega. It was a song I had not heard before, but I really like Ortega and his quest to recapture hymns for today, so I wanted to check it out.

I listened, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV) and slowed myself down to focus on the goodness of God to me in the midst of troubling times. I've been given his Gospel. The Crucified One is my testimony. The Cross my confession.

The time of reflection and reception was a gift of grace to me. My heart has found buoyancy for the day.

***If you get a chance, go to Ortega's website here and click through the songs on his jukebox located in the upper right corner to listen to "Grace and Peace." Close your eyes. Think upon the blessings given to us in Jesus Christ. Enjoy.***

yIKEs...the Aftermath

You think it would be a really cool thing to see the President of the United States flying in a helicopter until you realize he's attempting to see the devastation of the terrain that you call home. Yup. I was back from my evacuation from Ike, standing on the grounds of my church office (see pic) with our elders surveying the damage from a much lower altitude when I saw the POTUS skirting the sky above us. I realized then and there that I wasn't just watching the news you don't want to be on...I was the news you don't want to be on.

Let me begin by saying that I've been called, texted, Facebooked, Bloggered, et al. by friends checking in on me to see how I was doing. Thank you very much! I deeply appreciate it.

My house has sustained relatively little damage. I'll need my roof repaired. A backyard fence has a section that has fallen. Outside of those two issues I'm free and clear. I wish I could say the same of some of my friends - silt in their living room, water lines in the five foot range, some have no homes left to go to. Driving into Houston had an eerie feeling to it as we saw a long line for FEMA's ice, water and food "Point of Distribution" (there's one less than a quarter mile from my house), tattered and torn signage dotting the landscape and the buzz amongst neighbors and friends with their assessments of Ike.

This won't be a quick story with a short ending. We will have work that will last months, some maybe even more than a year. But I'm reminded of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 16:9, "...for a wide door for effective work has opened to me..."; I am very encouraged at the fact that I think a great door to the Gospel has been opened by the violent hands of Ike. Self-security and presumption have been trumped by 110 mph winds of an eyewall that went, literally, through my neighborhood...and the neighborhood of those I believe God has called us to reach through our local church. This may sound funny to say, but I'm excited about the future. I'm excited to see how wide the door will open for the grace of God in Christ in the Bay Area. I'm excited at how many people will decide to become Followers of Jesus or recommit to their followship of the Lord. I'm excited I get to be a part of it all by the grace of God.

And what's even better is that I believe I have an entire church that's feels the same way!

Thanks Ike.

We're Outta Here! Go Away Ike!

My family and I are leaving for our ranch house in Kerrville due to hurricane Ike. Let's hope that bad boy leaves Houston alone.

Disproportionate Grace

I was reading through John Piper's devotional book Taste and See this morning and was struck by a prayer he suggested to pray: O Lord, make the fruit of our lives utterly disproportionate to the measure of our faithfulness.

I love that. May my life be a bewildering display of God's grace in light of my inability to do the right things at the right times. To be honest, I truly feel this way quite often. I look over my life and realize that the sheer goodness of God to me as evidenced in my family, my work, my health and so on could not be dependent on my obedience. I'm just not that good, fastidious or intelligent. Frequently I'm humbled by the fact that God has manifested his power to me and continues to do so in my life and ministry. I deserve none of it and yet, like the grace he poured out upon that rascal Jacob, God still gives.

I believe my life is testimony to Piper's suggested prayer. Often it leaves me in humble gratitude instead of arrogant presumption. I know God can choose to remove his hand of blessing at any time and still be completely just. But he hasn't. My heart is that I would live in such a way that would demonstrate fidelity and love for my gracious King, and yet I know that because of Jesus, not me, he will show me his ultimate goodness. For that, I am forever grateful! But I am also thankful for the daily blessings and fruitfulness he has chosen to pour into my life, even in spite of me. His disproportionate grace is amazing!

O Lord, would you continue to make the fruit of my life
utterly disproportionate to the measure of my faithfulness.
Amen.

I'm Gucci Little Piggy and I Endorsed This Post

I recently ran across a video which had a somewhat prominent pastor and author endorsing one of the presidential candidates. The message centered around the candidate's commitment to family and how, in this pastor's words (and other religious leaders'), he would be committed to America's families as well.

It made me sick.

Yes. Maybe I have a lot to learn when it comes to pastors and politics. I admit, there's probably a lot of room to grow for me. I'm open to the fact that I may need to learn better and repent.

However with that said, I can't stand when pastors put their name behind a candidate of any party because in the end, it's not just their name they've put out there but (in my humble opinion) the name of Christ as well. Granted, they aren't Jesus but they are supposed to shepherd his flock in his name "for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account." (Heb. 13:17b) To a great extent pastors represent more than themselves.

So when I see a pastor promoting a candidate for either party via pulpit, rally or video I just wish I possessed a magic remote that could "mute" them at the touch of a button because I think in the end they are hurting, not helping, themselves, those outside the church and those inside. Instead of helping people see through our pastoral leadership that Jesus is neither Republican or Democrat, we encourage people to make rather simplistic choices on complex situations by letting them know who they need to vote for. Pastors who unfortunately take those steps preempt the discerning decision-making process that Followers of Jesus need to walk through.

What's incredibly ironic, and would be funny if it wasn't so hurtful, is that so many left-leaning Christians who rightfully blasted church leaders for publicly endorsing the conservative Republican candidates of the 1980's and 1990's now find themselves drinking the same Kool Aid in pushing their Democratic candidate. But just because it's colored blue (and is super hip these days) instead of red doesn't mean it is any less poisonous. Or hypocritical.

Again, let me be clear. This is not about being politically active as a believer. This is not about liking one candidate over another. This is about pastors pushing politicians. I think it is the duty of pastors to attempt to discern what the Bible says about the pressing issues of our day - abortion, homelessness, war, poverty, the family. That's not only fair ground, that's simply trying to help your congregation follow Jesus in obeying what his Word teaches (cf., Matthew 28:20). Let's just make sure that it's Jesus we're encouraged to follow, not any one politician. My hope is that pastors who deeply care about the Gospel and its centrality in both our people and our pulpits will be careful seeking to remind everyone that there is only one Savior and his name is not Obama or McCain.

To do any less is to settle for something less.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."
- Psalm 20:7 (ESV)

Suburbia and The Idolatry of Sports

"You shall have no other gods before me."
- Exodus 20:3 (ESV)

You see them blanketed on the windows of minivans and SUV's darting to and fro in the suburbs - stickers in the form of basketballs, baseballs, cheerleader megaphones, ad infinitum - adhesive messages which, for many, unfortunately proclaim to the oh-so-disinterested masses what recreational idol has consumed their child's life. And because many suburbanite parents hazardously revolve their world around their kids, the entire family is caught paying homage to these false gods of gridiron, diamond and tumbling mat.

Exaggeration? I'd like to think so but when I watch parents magically transform into over-caffienated bus drivers zipping their kids around to every event that has a jersey and a final score for each and every one of their progeny, it looks more like family NASCAR than family fun. Recently I spoke with a parent in my congregation who was extremely agitated at the number of weekly practices his kid would have to participate in when pee wee football began this fall. The number? Four, plus games on Saturdays. You have to be kidding me! Others who have their kids in club-related sports say the time commitment can be even worse. Add another brother or sister and you've got the making for a lifestyle that may already teeter on the verge of insanity.

What's more frightening is that many a Follower of Jesus doesn't even blink. Like lemmings they undiscerningly follow the masses over the cliff to dash their spiritual health on the rocks of suburbanite expectations of kids and sports duped into the myth that this is "normal life". This frequently forces them to drop something from their weekly schedule. Often church and anything related to it becomes the first causalties. If I've seen it happen with one family I've seen it happen to a hundred of them: a family is faithful and energetic for living out the mission of Jesus both personally and corporately then Lil' Jonny and Jill reach an age where they can get in organized sports (which in suburbia seems to be almost disturbingly younger and younger). So they join this or that club sport and then "POOF" - the family essentially vanishes. They show up at church maybe once every other month, their personal devotion takes a nosedive and while the kids excel in hitting a ball and sticking that landing, they have little hearts for the things of Jesus.

It is idolatry. Plain and simple. It is giving your heart and life to that which only should be reserved for God. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the damage it takes on the Christian soul, in both a personal and familial sense. No question, it is one of the great golden calves of suburbia.

Am I anti-sports? Not at all. I grew up playing sports with my two other brothers. My parents are both great athletes and coached us throughout our childhood. I love sports and think kids should play them. (See my earlier post Hope on the Hardwoods) Participating in team sports helps children learn about community, dealing with success and failure, and so very much more. The problem is that instead of being an aspect to life sports become our life - both kid and parent. As a result, these activites become a black hole which continually holds families within its disastrously powerful grip.

That's why my family has chosen to limit how much organized sports our kids will participate in. I currently have three boys and we are seeking a rotation, if you will, that will have one child in an organized sport at a time. What we've found is that gives us margin to have lifestyles with a healthier pace. We don't look at other aspects of our lives (e.g., church involvement) as burdensome. Will we ever have times where mutilple kids are playing in the same seasons? Probably, but hopefully that will be few and far between.

Our sincere aim is to fight against the suburban legend which says our lives should have a huge chunk of it given to our kids involvement in sports. But if you can sit still and gain some clarity, I believe many would realize that the demands it makes on our lives time-wise exposes it for the idol it truly is. Parents look at the trajectory of your family concerning this area of your lives. Does this help grow or retard growth? Is the pace of your family glorifying to God? Are your kids stronger for Christ and his cause as a result of the lifestyle you lead them in living? Do you get more bent out of shape that they didn't perform very well on the field or that they didn't spend time in God's Word throughout the week?

Hopefully, Followers of Jesus who live in suburbia will make wise, even if countercultural, choices that might leave us with images of sports covering our windows without covering our hearts.

The Suburban Christian

Often I find myself seeking out how I can make sure that while I live in suburbia that suburbia doesn't live in me. In other words, how can I make sure I'm following Christ in a land given to rich young rulers? Unfortunately, more than I'd like to admit, I find my heart wandering into paths carved out by the self-centric ease of suburban life instead of the small, narrow trail created by the feet of Jesus.

Thankfully I was reminded of that struggle as I finished Albert Hsu's The Suburban Christian over the weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hsu's book is loaded with insight into the mindset behind suburbanites, stats and studies which at times reveal a surprising picture of suburbia, and helpful suggestions on how people can both follow Jesus and live in the suburbs.

As a pastor of a church in the suburbs (check that, I technically live in an exurb, which is an "edge [city that is] economically autonomous and no longer dependent on the older cities"), any insight on how we can better make disciples of suburbanites is worth receiving. For what it's worth, I believe The Suburban Christian carries the baton well in this endeavor. I likely will read through it again and again. I think this book should be read by both staff and layperson. If you seek to live out the Gospel in the suburbs, this book will be an asset for you. Thanks to Chuck Land, Lead Pastor of Crossbridge Church in Sugar Land, for suggesting it.

Me and the ESV...Study Bible

Almost four years ago, January 2005, my church adopted the English Standard Version (ESV) as our official translation to be used in all adult services (both weekend and midweek). That decision was the terminus of an interesting journey.

Since college I had used the New American Standard Bible (NASB) as my translation of choice both personally and in the pulpit. When I began as the Teaching Pastor alongside with the Senior Pastor (whose name is Bruce) in 1998 that preference didn’t change even though he primarily used the New International Version (NIV). Thus the congregation would be exposed to my NASB when I taught and the NIV when the senior pastor was in the pulpit.

Then one day, my birthday to be exact, Bruce walks in my office with a gift. I open it up to find a Thinline NIV Bible with a note written on the inside of the cover saying, “Yancey, I give you this with an agenda. I want us to move to one translation.” I couldn’t have agreed more. My only problem was that I didn’t want it to be the NIV. Do I hate the NIV? No, it has served well many a Christian. It’s just that when you teach expositionally like I do, you don’t want to undermine your congregants confidence in their Bibles by repeatedly saying, “Now I know your Bibles say X but in the Greek it actually reads Y.” I found that the NIV had me facing that situation more than I felt comfortable. So while I was excited about moving to a common translation for our church, I wasn’t excited about it being the NIV.

I shared those feelings with Bruce adding that I wanted to try and search out a translation that would marry well the characteristics of both accuracy and readability. Essentially, I wanted our church to be exposed to a translation that “said it right” like the NASB and “said it well” like the NIV. Thankfully, Bruce was all for it! In researching numerous different translations I discovered the ESV. After studying its background, philosophy and, not the least of which, the text itself, I was convinced I had found the perfect translation for us.

I remember calling Good News Publishers/Crossway Books and talking to Bill Jensen, who at the time was Vice President for Bible & Product Development, about if they would consider working with us if our church decided to move solely to the ESV. Bill assured me they would and was incredibly gracious by giving each of our elders an ESV Bible so as to help them make a well-informed decision. A few months later our elders, impressed with its powerful combination of accuracy and readability, consented to adopt the ESV as our church’s translation. Everyone was incredibly excited about this “new” translation! We shipped in hundreds upon hundreds of ESV’s for our members to purchase (which they did in droves), they could now easily follow along with the teacher when we read from our Bibles during the services and the teaching team could finally stack hands on one translation.

It was early in the game for us and frankly, for the ESV as it intersected working with churches. Bill asked if I would personally endorse the translation to which I didn’t hesitate. In fact, I felt honored to do so (even though I caught endless grief from my buddies who saw my name along with Sproul, Piper et al. on the ESV website). I truly believe it simply is the superior English translation today for preaching, studying, reading…for it all.

Now looking back on that decision we couldn’t be happier. The ESV has continued to hold up its end of the bargain by faithfully delivering the biblical text with accuracy and readability. I hear it’s the fastest growing English version today. Good. It should be. The men and women at Crossway Bibles have done an amazing job! May God continue to bless them and the continued expansion of the ESV in the homes and churches around the world.

Funny. I wasn’t going to write this story at all. I really wanted to scratch up a short post about the new ESV Study Bible coming out October 15th. I’m excited because many in my congregation initially asked me in 2005 if there was an ESV Study Bible. I would point them to the Reformation Study Bible but now I’m happy to say that the ESV has their “own” study Bible. I’ve seen a glimpse of it at a conference in Seattle. I believe it will be the “Mother of All” Study Bibles. I can only trust that if the guys at Crossway handle it as well as they’ve handled the ESV itself, then for those who love study Bibles, this will one you shouldn’t be without.

I guess I’ve written “my story with ESV” instead of simply promoting the ESVSB because I’m proud of them and their work, grateful for the gift they’ve given the church, happy I crossed paths with them when I did and grateful that God has raised them up for a time such as this.

PS - Watch the video below for an intro to the new ESV Study Bible

Postcards From The Hilltop

A few days ago I was told something which caused me to bristle a bit. The offending remark? I don't understand the hardships of ______ ministry because I don't serve in that ministry, therefore I am incredibly hindered, if not outright impotent, in giving good leadership to that ministry. In essence, because I'm not in the trenches I miss too much.

While I'd be the first to say that serving side-by-side with someone gives a you an incredible advantage for sympathy and understanding, it by no means automatically opens up a better track to leading that ministry in light of its integration to the entire church. In fact, I would argue that the best organizational leadership for ministries comes from those who are not three feet deep in it. Why? They may miss too much.

Often such immediate proximity has the potential to over-inflate both the good and bad a ministry experiences, lead to an unhealthy sense of independence from the other ministries, and as a result, any and all issues related to that ministry can easily dominate the immediate horizon for the leader. That's why when it comes to alignment to the general direction and strategy of the church at large, ministry leaders need oversight from people outside that ministry - not because serving "in the trenches" isn't valuable (when, in fact, many executive leaders/elders who don't oversee a specific ministry have led those types of ministries before), but because it pays to have oversight from someone above the fray.

Throughout most history, battles have been fought under the purview of leadership that observed the fight from a nearby hillside allowing them to strategically see the engagement in its entirety. From this position, commanders were better enabled to send commands to the troops on the ground hopefully taking advantage of the enemy's weakness or shoring up their own areas of vulnerability. Those decisions simply could not be made as well if the leadership in charge with the overall conflict was at the front lines with swords drawn.

I assume that positioning has usually been a given over the centuries. I doubt the general rule of thought by those of who led the cavalry, artillery and infantry in the field of battle was to naturally regard their high command (literally, being perched upon a hilltop) as calloused, arrogant or unable to grasp the severity of the situation simply because they weren't physically next to them. They knew they needed them in order to be successful. The truth is everyone had the same goal - victory. And because that was the goal, armies as a given had their highest leadership in very high places, above the fray, so they could see things their valiant soldiers couldn't. Someone needed to swing the sword and someone needed to direct its aim. Like two wings on an airplane, both were needed to be effective.

I don't have to serve in a specific ministry to know that it's difficult, weighty work for that specific ministry. I can see what's going on. I can hear from their words. Would I appreciate their situation all the more if I picked up a sword and rattled it with those particular troops? No question. However, just because I'm not in the trenches in that particular ministry doesn't mean I don't get what's going on. In fact, I'd say that because I'm blessed to be on the hilltop for some of them, I might know what's going on better than they think because, ironically, I'm not close to it. I might just be able to see things they simply can't.

Maybe, just maybe, I might understand more than they think.

The Christian and Suburbia

For quite some time I've wrestled with what it means to be a Follower of Jesus living in suburbia. I've preached series on it, dialogued with other staff about it, heck, even the title of my blog touches upon the idea of trying to follow Christ in a culture given to consumerism (which, if anything, describes suburbia. See my inaugural post).

However, I'm not sure I've discovered a lot of answers as much as I've generated more questions. That's why I'm excited to begin reading Albert Hsu's (pronounced "Shee") The Suburban Christian. I've had friends recommend this book and can't wait to see if it will give me greater insight into how we can better make disciples of those living in the suburbs. Stay tuned.

A Good Morning

There are days where I come to my office and spend my time doing things like planning, having meetings, working on this, that or the other...things which don't directly intersect into the lives of people. Those activities aren't bad, far from it; they are needful to position our ministry for its greatest effectiveness. However, sometimes I have days that are pleasantly interrupted with happenstances that give my meetings, preparations, etc. their motivation and reason for being.

Late last night I received word that one of the guys in my singles’ ministry at the church I previously served had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer that started in his stomach, went to his lymph system and now is in his bones (all this apparently over two weeks). Not surprisingly the oncologist has told him there is nothing they can do.

My friend is a solid, solid believer. Recently, after going to places like Egypt, China and Mexico, he and his wife thought of becoming missionaries. So committed were they to that end they downsized to a smaller house four years ago in anticipation of being ready to leave for mission-work as the Lord led them. Again, they are both great Followers of Jesus. I spoke with him this morning and through a brittle voice and constant pain he said he is humbled that God is using his cancer to impact so many people. He is also trusting the Almighty to heal him either by removing his cancer or taking him home, noting that whatever happens, “Blessed be His name.”

I was both grateful and humbled in speaking with him, and that he allowed me entrance into the blessing the Lord has for him in the present. I took it as a gift. (By the way, if you have a moment, would you say a prayer for my friend? Thanks.)

I also received an email this morning from a lady who has been attending my church. She considers herself a "seeker", someone who is not a Christian but is kicking the tires on who Jesus is. She noted:

I wanted to share this with you and tell you that you and your community have made God and his Son “alive” to me in these last months and I have learned so much. I don’t know how else to describe it, so I use the word “alive” in the context that yes I knew about God and his Son Jesus, but I knew them as a “memories” so to speak and not as “alive” persons (and if that makes any sense at all to you, then you are truly blessed in deciphering me – ha!)

I used to say each morning when I woke up, God thank you for this day, but now I say this, God, please meet me where I am at, and now I’ve added this....God, I ask you to help me to know you the way you want me to know you.

Overjoyed at seeing a person sincerely trying to seek after Jesus, I thanked her for sharing her story, encouraged her to read the Gospel of John to help her in her journey and told her she would be in my prayers this morning. Then I concluded my note with my name preceded only by a Christian blessing so often found in the New Testament letters: Grace to you.

I was so pumped! This is why I do what I do - trying to help people both know and follow Jesus. With her response, my day only got better:

Yes I will read the Gospel of John, thank you for your suggestion, as well as your encouragement and your inclusion for me in your prayers this morning.

Grace back to you too! (I really like that phrase) and hope you have a good day!

Oh, if grace might alight upon the doorstep of her heart and she give it entrance what these words might truly signify someday! And grace has come to me today, in the form of two conversations!

In crossing paths with a friend seeking to glorify God in the throes of cancer and a seeker in the throes of darkness trying to find the Light of the world, I was reminded how this is what it's really all about! Everything I do must revolve around a singular passion of knowing (and glorifying) God through the Person and Work of Jesus and helping others people both come to know and grow in the same.

Thank you Lord for the grace gift of those two conversations this morning and reminding me of what matters most.

It's been a good morning.

The Religious Affections

"Assurance is not to be obtained so much by self-examination as by action."
- Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections

This evening I finished reading Jonathan Edwards' book The Religious Affections. Edwards was a minister from the Puritan tradition who served in the New England area during the 18th Century. While he's arguably (and somewhat unfortunately) most famous for his sermon "Sinners In the Hands of an Angry God", his writing in Affections on the nature of what real faith looks like is a Christian classic. After completing it tonight I find myself joining the chorus of praise.

I'm amazed that a book well over 250 years old is as relevant today as it was when it was penned in 1746. I found myself hearing words from this New England divine that would hit the mark with contemporary issues like prosperity theology, seeker-sensitive church strategies, the "free grace" movement, etc. Not only did I think Edwards to be relevant, often he was better than anything I'd read by modern-day authors.

Frankly, one of the by-products of reading works like Edwards and others from the riches of the historical Church, is the growing awareness of how vapid and shallow most contemporary "Christian" books really are. In a world where many believers are bombarded with well-touted books which are overly sentimentalized, doctrinally weak accounts which seek to move us more emotionally than spiritually, Affections easily stands out with it's robust theology and penetrating expositions, not to mention its archaic language, demanding use of logic and sentences that are intricately composed. And it's all a joy. A hard joy due to my powder-puff abilities of both concentration and cognition which have been honed to a dull, blunt "edge" thanks in no small part to the ADD culture I've allowed myself to be too influenced by, but a joy nonetheless.

Frequently, I found myself putting Affections down simply to more deeply ponder a sentence I had read...not because I didn't understand it...but because it so effectively and efficiently highlighted the Christ-honoring truth it was trying put before the reader. Even quotations from other Puritan pastors Edwards cites had me reading (and pondering) them over and over. I also wrote notes in the margins, something I never do. But I started this practice because I felt like I would better comprehend the flow and content of Edwards' thought.

The truth is I didn't want to miss anything because this book is rich stuff. I'm both grateful and hopeful in finishing it. Grateful that God's grace brought me to reading this fine work, hopeful that Affections will find itself bubbling into my life and ministry over the years. If it does I will be more than well-served both personally and ministerially.

Now if I can just crank Dostoevsky back up... ;)

No Drumroll Neccessary

I don't promote this blog. I don't send my URL to other people. In fact, I originally began this blog to get my thoughts out somewhere I could read them. The only place I think you can even access my blog is from my Facebook account (which that alone was a step for me).

However, things change. I'm under no illusion that most people don't know the identity of GLP. On the contrary, I think most everyone does. So with that, plus the fact that enough people have chastised me for not putting my name on this blog, I just thought I'd make the obvious more...well, obvious.

As for promoting the blog, I'm generally sticking to keeping my mouth shut for the present.

Yancey (a.k.a. GLP)

Ruminations of a Tome

For quite some time I've had a folder on my computer at home entitled "Ruminations of a Tome". In it are ideas, articles, outlines and rough draft of a preface and first chapter of a book I started writing...three years ago (if not more). Frankly the folder should be called "Reminder of a Disappointment" because I had intended to complete a book before I was thirty. Seven years from my 30th birthday and I'm face-to-face with the same haunting challenge.

For the past several weeks the gnawing in my gut and the promptings from more people than my two hands can count has got me thinking about re-booting my writing endeavor. So I think for the next month or two I'm going to seriously sit down and noodle through the "what" and "how" of accomplishing that feat. I think putting this in a blog post kind of gets my toe in the water commitment-wise (which is somewhat ironic seeing that I began blogging partially to see if I would like writing at all).

So there you go. Now only time (and discipline) will tell.

PS. - What's funny is I'll post this and think to myself, "Man, why did you do that?!?!"

The 'Burbs Get Some Lovin'

A few days ago I got word that a couple guys have started a website dedicated to churches who want to be "missional" in a suburban context. (For a great definition of "missional" see Joe Thorn's post here.) The website is called sub•text and I'm pumped it's here!

For quite some time it seemed that most of the talk about missional churches centered on urban congregations. This naturally gave birth to helpful conferences, articles and messages detailing how those churches could be positioned both theologically and practically "for the city" (an oft-repeated rally cry). While I believe it's a very important discussion, at times it may have left some suburban church leaders scrambling to figure out how to apply what they were hearing to their own environmental contexts. Not that it was an entirely huge issue (good leaders often do well at discerning and implementing what they are learning to their own contexts...that's what makes them good leaders), but I must admit it's refreshing and exciting to see ministries created like sub•text.

Now growing numbers of suburban churches have a place to dialogue about trying to reach souls and contextualize the Gospel "for the suburbs". Only time will tell if it is an effective instrument in helping suburban churches become more Gospel-centered in who they are and what they do, but I think it's a promising start.

Go get 'em sub•text!

Another Reformation, Please

For quite some time I've been an enthusiastic proponent of local churches writing, recording, producing and publishing music to be used in corporate worship. There are a lot of reasons behind my thinking. Here are some off the top of my head:

1. There is greater theological and doctrinal accountability with the leadership concerning the lyrics. We start moving away from having "free agents" leading and writing music for the local church which they, in all honesty, may have little to no accountability with. I realize there are those who do. I fear they are the exception rather than the rule. (This goes for "speakers" as well but that's another post)
2. Songs don't need to be "one size fits all" but explicitly shaped by experiences and distinctives within the specific community of faith. Thus the lyrics don't have the requirement to be vague and doctrinally bland so that multiple strands of Christians (Methodists, Baptists, etc.) can be able to sing them (a likely requirement for many Christian radio stations and industry subscribers); on the contrary, songs created by a local church's music team may be so specific that those who don't subscribe to that congregation's distinctive beliefs might just pass on that tune. For example, how many worship songs have you heard on the radio that exalt God for the grace of election, the beauty of believers' baptism or the gift of prophecy? Now while that might not make it available for airplay on KSBJ (which isn't and should never be the aim of music written for corporate worship), it is a song tailor-made for the congregation that produced it. Oh how we need more music which doesn't play to the lowest common denominator of Christendom but leverages the richness of the work of Christ in the local church!
3. It can help galvinize an important relationship between two ministries in the church - teaching and music (which is not as separate as some might think - music always teaches). Music leaders and teaching leaders can team up for an incredible "one-two" punch of helping teach through music as they work together to create songs (I'm assuming the teaching team gets to help with the creation of lyrics), which I believe with only serve to strengthen the relationship both personally and pastorally between music team and teaching team.
4. Songs aren't created with the goal of being a chart-topper but an instrument for the local congregation to better expresses musically their corporate worship to God. There's less temptation to be seduced by everything that's wrong with the moden-day "worship" movement: no one's got a table selling t-shirts and various Christianity, Inc. pieces of "flair" in the lobby as the "leader" speedily pulls up his stakes ready to move to the next "gig" as soon as possible.
   

Like I said, there's more in my grey matter on this issue but you get my drift. We need another
Reformation, one in which the church takes back that which rightly belongs to her, namely, the music that is sung when she gathers to adore her bridegroom. Why would we want it any other way?

I know not every local church has the resources or giftings to become publishing houses (my church has no excuse with all the musicial thoroughbreds God's blessed us with...just know we're working on it), but maybe one of the ways we can apply this is by looking at the church first when we're searching for good congregational music instead the Top 25 section of Lifeway Bookstore. I'm sure someone out there will find a great way to network like-minded churches in this venture (The Vineyard is the only denomination I know of that seeks to do this. I love their motto: By the church, for the church.). However until then, it will take a little more work to discover songs for your congregation but I believe it can be very much worth it...for you...and your church.

With that, I'd like to heartily recommend Sojourn Community Church's "Behold the Throne". It's the best CD I've heard this year. While you might not be able to use every song, one can't help but appreciate what the church can be and do when it comes to helping her worship our great and wonderful Savior. Thanks for leading the way Sojourn. Hopefully more of us will follow.

I'd be remiss if I didn't add a few links of guys who I think are trying to make headway into creating music for the church by the church.

Think Worship by Brad Loser of Clear Creek Community Church, Houston, TX
Doxologist by Tim Smith of Mars Hill Church, Seattle, WA
Sojourn Music by Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, KY
Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin of Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg, MD

Let the Reformation begin.

Meet Me In Saint Louie

"The City of St. Louis has affected me more deeply than any other environment has ever done,
I consider myself fortunate to have been born here, rather than in Boston, or New York, or London."
- T.S. Eliot

I had the pleasure this past weekend to preach at a wonderful church in St. Louis known as The Journey. Not only was I able to speak but, more importantly, I was able to reconnect with friends both new and old. Making it even better was the fact that my wife was able to accompany me. It was the first time in years that we left our kids and got away just the two of us. This had all the makings of a highlight for us in 2008. It didn't disappoint.

I was able to renew my friendships with beloved college friends (Kevin & Nikki Rutz, Andy & Julie Kerckhoff) and build upon relationships that have come to me later in life, namely Darrin & Amie Patrick. Darrin is the Lead Pastor of The Journey and done a remarkable job guiding his church to accomplish the mission of Jesus in the world, and Amie is truly as genuine a person as they come! Spending time with them along with my old college roommate and his wife (another college friend as well) was completely refreshing for my soul. Most of my weekend was taken up at my roomie's lake house with boat trips, sleeping late, good food and great conversations simply being par for the course.

The end of the weekend had me preaching five times (my only regret being that I wished I would've taught better...oh, well...that's where faith comes in), catching a Cardinals game and meeting the great guys that serve at The Journey. My wife and I returned Monday afternoon worn out but deeply blessed. Here's to doing it again in the future!

Some pics of the weekend: the lakehouse group (I was a dunce and didn't get any pics with the Kerckhoffs...my apologies) and of course, baseball pics!


We stayed in my college roommate's lakehouse on Lake Perry which was a little over an hour south of St. Louis. It was relaxing, beautiful and refreshing for the spirit.

I must say, New Busch Stadium is both a beautiful and entertaining experience. St. Louis is, without a doubt, rightfully dubbed "Baseball City". While it's an added benefit that the Cards are in the pennant race, you get the feeling this town would root for them regardless of where they are in the standings.

Much blessings and thanks go to The Patricks, Rutzs and Kerckhoffs for making our stay in the Gateway City a memorable one!

The 4th of July and Two Kingdoms

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’”
– The Gospel of John 18:36

With the July 4th holiday approaching next week you can be assured of one thing – churches around the United States will have services devoted to the theme of America and liberty. Activities like reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing God Bless America and salutes to the armed forces will be dotted in orders of worship throughout the country. If I could get a dollar for every sermon that deals with “freedom” in our nation's pulpits a weekend from now I’d become a very wealthy man.

And I think for some churches it can be a very scary thing!

Let me preface this by saying I am grateful to God to be an American. While I don’t think our country is perfect by any stretch of the imagination, I wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else. I consider myself patriotic as well. In high school I wrote a piece on the great gift of being an American for a scholarship competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It went all the way to state as a finalist. My wife and I have been to a Presidential Inauguration. My uncle fought in Vietnam. My great uncle in WWII. My father served in the Army. I even have a brother who worked in the White House in the role as Special Assistant to the President of the United States. So rest assured, I love the good ole US of A.

I just get really leery of churches that devote entire worship services to the greatness of America. It’s not that one can’t consider America great, it’s just not as great as God. In fact, it is so “not as great as God” that it (or anything else) doesn’t need to be worshipped. Remember, for most churches the Sunday service is a worship service, and that worship is reserved for no one else than Almighty God. However, I believe many churches walk a very thin line by conducting services that leave people with the impression that America is worthy to be given that which only God deserves…worship! It's won't be uncommon in many churches next weekend to have a service where people will pledge their fidelity to our nation, sing songs of praise to her and raise her colors high in a space that is supposed to be set apart as “God’s House”. Does anyone see, if not a possible contradiction, at least a sizeable tension here?

Only the Lord is to be worshipped. Nothing, not even our wonderful nation, gets that kind of billing. In fact, there are numerous texts that show how impotent America (and any other nation for that matter) is in front of the Most High God.

• Psalm 47:7-8, “For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.”
• Daniel 2:21a, “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings…”
• Daniel 4:34b-35, “For his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"
• Psalm 33:10, “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the people.”
• Acts 14:16-17, “In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."
• Revelation 12:5, “She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron…”
  

Make no mistake, when it comes to an arm wrestling match between America and God for worthiness of worship, there is no competition. America's existence in this world of ours ultimately rests not on its economical or military prowess but upon the sovereign wishes of God. Therefore, now that we know everyone’s place in the grand scheme of things, it seems churches (who represent God’s Kingdom and not the nation where they happen to be located) would be wise to put together services next Sunday in such a way that there is no guessing on the part of the congregants on who/what is to be the rightful object of worship!

The great Reformers Martin Luther and John Calvin taught that Christians were citizens of two kingdoms: God’s Kingdom and man’s kingdom. As such we have responsibilities to both. For example, we obey the laws of the United States of America AND we seek to follow Jesus Christ. While these kingdoms are not equal (always God before man), when we can obey both, we should. But somehow over time many churches have tended to blur the line. Even today you can hear people talking in one sentiment or another about how America is God’s nation. Unfortunately, this is a confusion of kingdoms and becomes worsened when churches add to that confusion by hosting services which drift into more America-centric worship than Gospel-centered worship.

Can a church recognize liberty and America in a church worship service? I think it can but I’d strongly encourage it to happen within the context of a God who ultimately and unreservedly is the object of worship in that service. Let there be no confusion on Sunday! However, I’d put money on the fact that many churches likely cross the line from a biblical appreciation for the state to an idolatrous adoration of it when they gather on weekends such as the one we’re approaching. Again, I’m not saying American Christians shouldn’t celebrate their nation, I just think there are better arenas for doing that than a Christian worship service held by a those who have been given a new identity in Christ as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) While our natural birth has made us Americans, the Gospel has made us “sojourners and exiles” in this world (1 Peter 2:11), thus believers are to reserve their highest allegiance for the One who has given them an identity that transcends any earthly citizenship.

How does that affect us? Well, at my church every Memorial Day, July 4th and other patriotic seasons we will continue to have people angered at our leadership because we don’t fly flags in the auditorium, or sing the National Anthem or have everyone stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. But let it be known, we as Followers of Jesus Christ have pledged our allegiance ultimately to the One who rules over every nation, including the United States. I will have many Presidents over my lifetime, but only one Lord. And because that is so, it means there is only One who is rightfully to be worshiped – one Kingdom over all kingdoms. At least for my local church to that end, we want that to be perfectly clear on Sunday!

My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man.
My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood.
It's to a King and a Kingdom.
- Derek Webb, A King and A Kingdom

Joy of Life

I don't know who these two adults are but I really like this kid!

NOTE: You should probably know that when a child gives his/her testimony on video he/she is reciting their story that they have already written down and brought with them to the video shoot. The stories are edited because of a child’s propensity to get distracted (an especially good strategy when it comes to the kiddo being baptized). Nevertheless, the words they use are their words. The edited video spares the congregation from having to watch for a torturous 20 minutes instead of two. ;)

This was filmed on June 4, 2008, at the worship service known as The Gathering.

What Fires Your Passion?

Today as a staff we worked through how our schedules should reflect our desire for self-leadership. In essence, what things do I need to do on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly basis in order for me to be the very best I can be as one who vocationally serves God through the local church? Most of us had similar thoughts - eating well, exercise, retreats, and the like filled up the conversation. But in thinking about what activities I would add into my life, bigger questions rose to the surface of mind, not the least of which was: What keeps me passionate in life?

In other words, what things do I do that fire me up to live the life I live? For me, I can't think of very many personal evils worse than living a dispassionate life. It's not how I'm wired at all. I love living with an intensity, an edge...and being fired up about it all is simply par for the course. Call it hyper or being too revved up, it doesn't matter to me. I'd much rather be faulted for being too amped up than coming in day after day with barely a pulse. For me, living passionately is a vital cog in the machine of my self-leadership.

So I began to write down things that throw fuel on the fire of my passion for life. I'll give you a couple that I wrote down...

1. Hanging out with "Soul Friends".
The irony of ministry is that for very good reasons, while a pastor is around tons of people he can still be very lonely (I'll leave that for a potential post). Often, he will need to find close friendships outside the circle of his congregation. Now I should sayI feel that I am very, very good friends with many on my staff. In fact, I would consider a handful of them "soul friends" - friends who no matter where you are or what you're doing, almost always energize you. However, with that being said, I believe most of those friendships will come from the outside than inside of a pastor's congregation. That's been the case for me. But no matter how those relationships come about I've seen one truth demonstrably projected over the course of my life, when I hang out with "soul friends" I find myself more rejuvenated and impassioned for life. They are not optional. When I have time with them spaced too far out in the rhythm of my life, things go south for me.

2. Being a part of a "Learning Community".
I love to learn. My day is filled with learning. I can't stop it. I just do it. I can't escape the fact that I'm an eternal student. In fact, I really like that about me. The world feels much more alive to me knowing that there's so much out there to know. When it comes to God and his Church you can multiply that feeling a bazillion times! And what I've learned over the course of my life is that I like learning with others. I like journeying through issues and ideas with fellow pilgrims. It's stimulating to me. It fires me up and gets my passion engine running hot. I can't explain necessarily why, I just know it does. In fact, one of the reasons I love the leadership team I work with is that they are learners too! So if I know we're going to go into a room to discuss how this idea or that issue is going to affect, for example, how we make disciples at our church, I'm good to go for the long haul! Frankly, it's hard for me to let those things go when our time together has concluded. I like learning with others!

As I look over how I can better lead myself I know one thing - I need to have these types of experiences dotted throughout my year. That's probably a better indicator on how well I'll "perform" than how much sleep I get or how well I eat (not that those are unimportant). I want to live life passionately!

What feeds the fire of your passion for life?

"Wordling" a Message from 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

First off, this is my 100th post. I was thinking about doing something special but then that thought passed. Oh well...

I stumbled upon a web program called Wordle that provides a "word cloud" out of text you supply with greater prominence given to words that appear more frequently. You will be messing with thing for hours if you're not careful. I've only done one so far and I think it's absolutely, totally cool! Here is the wordle from my sermon outline on 1 Corinthians 15:12-34. The title of my message was "The Importance of Resurrection".

Now, try not to waste half your day doing some wordles of your own!

HT: Justin Taylor's Between Two Worlds

Home Sweet Hill Country

"Don't ask a man where he is from.
If he is from Texas he will tell you so.
If he isn't...well, don't embarrass him."
- Anonymous

Man, can I tell you how much I love getting away to my little ranch house in Kerrville?!?!! On Monday I texted my wife asking her if she wanted to take off for a brief respite with the kiddos at the place I have spent most of the summers of my childhood - the Texas Hill Country. She didn't miss a beat and by Wednesday we were on the road (leaving at 4AM) with a Suburban full of kids and Willie Nelson's "Red Headed Stranger". Kerrville didn't disappoint!

Most people don't know my background when it comes to Kerrville with story upon story of time spent riding horses, dancing at Crider's, playing "pitch" with my cousins, swimming and fishing in the Guadalupe River and making memories with my relatives (aunts, uncles, cousins and all). I might've grown up in the groomed plains of West Texas but my summers were all Texas Hill Country. And now I get to pass on that heritage to my boys.

Our place is actually not in Kerrville or anywhere else to be exact. The closest town (if you can call it that) is Hunt, Texas, but Kerrville is the closest "large" city. It's like saying you live in Houston when you really live in League City. However, our place is right in the middle of camps where families spend literally thousands of dollars to send their children (in fact, our neighbors will send their girls to a camp this summer not even five miles from our ranch house), and I'm blessed to get to do it all for free!

The last four days were chock-full of long hours in the waters of the 'Lupe, searching through the rough terrain of Big Bluff looking for who-knows-what and even had a little bit of Crider's thrown in. We missed the dance and rodeo (had to leave a little too soon) but did hit Crider's catfish cookout with the locals. Fortunately, all of my aunts and uncles happened to be around to invest in my kids over the week with old stories, swimming buddies and rides on the tractor. Standing around in the midst of it all, seeing the smiles and wonder ignite on the faces and in the hearts of my boys was pretty special for me. I knew the feeling.

In fact, I still feel it today.

Memorable Moment

Tonight my church took about 15 minutes to celebrate my ten years of being on staff as the Teaching Pastor. It was funny, touching and memorable. My wife and I were dearly blessed! They even rigged up our website for a season in honor of my anniversary. I love my church!

Here's to many more years...

Hairathon

One thing I've been consistent in...is that my hairstyles have never been consistent. Some guys have had the same cut since 5th grade. I've had five different types of cuts in one grade. I dunno. I guess I get easily bored.

I remember growing my hair out a couple years back and someone asked our Lead Pastor if he minded my long hair. He replied, "It really doesn't matter what I think, he'll get tired of it and change before you know it." I must say he knows me well.

Tonight I was running through a file (mind you, one small computer folder file) with random photos and amusingly noticed how many different hairstyles I've had within a short period of time. Feel free to laugh...

*Click to enlarge photo

C'mon Dad, It's Mendelssohn!

Tonight I was laying in bed next to my son Thatcher before he went to sleep for the evening. With the lights off, we spent time talking about our days and ended our time together humming classical music tunes seeing if we could guess the other's song. Now I must add that my son has been studying different composers at school (his mother is his fabulous teacher). We traded songs for a few minutes.

"Thatcher, that's Mozart's 40th?"
"That's right Dad."

"Dad, you're doing Beethoven, right?"
"You got it, son!"

Then he starts humming through a song for which I had no clue. He turns to me afterward. Silence.

I tell him I didn't know the song and he says, "Dad, it's from the Romantic period." like that was going to be the hint which would easily get me over the top.

After a few more moments of silence he exasperatingly says, "C'mon Dad, it's Mendelssohn!"

"Oh yeah," I reply not letting him see me silently laughing, bemused at the fact my kid thinks everyone (including his dad) should know Mendelssohn, and correspondingly, the Romantic period of the mid-19th Century by memory.

I'm giving his mother a raise.

Penal Substitutionary Atonement....7 Year Old-Style

This week my middle child Haddon got in trouble for saying something he shouldn't have. The punishment was vinegar in the mouth (a result of his third "infraction" for the same bad behavior for the day). My eldest son Thatcher, seeing that his younger brother was about to suffer, piped up and said, "Mommy may I please take Haddon's punishment?"

"Why would you want to do that?" Jennefer inquired.

"Because it makes me sad to see my brother punished," he replied.

So she went ahead and gave Thatcher the cap full of vinegar on the tongue.

I don't know if Jen or I have had an easier "pitch" to hit in pointing out the beauty of the Gospel to my kids than that moment.

Oh and by the way, I'm baptizing Thatcher this Wednesday.

Twelve (and Ten) Years and Counting....

Today marks my 12th wedding anniversary. I am truly blessed by God to have been given Jennefer as my spouse! This also happens to be the day (10 years ago) that she and I loaded up our cars and moved to Houston to be the Teaching Pastor at the church I currently serve. Can I also say I've been blessed to have been given the church I'm privileged to pastor? God's grace has truly been rich to me!

Summer Reading and Community

I'm not a book club guy. I don't sit down with a group of like-minded bibliophiles and discuss the plotlines, themes and denouement of various pieces of literature. Not that it's a bad thing. I just don't do it.

However, I do believe that when reading books which deal with things like leadership philosophy, Christian issues or theology in general, doing it in community is hard to beat. This summer I'll be walking through Bob Kauflin's Worship Matters (my last post) with a group of people. Additionally I'm planning on reading Jonathan Edwards' The Religious Affections with guy home from college for the summer. It was a book I'd heard he wanted to read and thought, "Here's my chance to walk through Edwards' classic with somebody!"

Here are some benefits to reading books in community:

1. You see what they might miss, they see what you might miss. That's the power of more "eyes" on the same pages.
2. You've also added more brains to further dissect, ruminate and assimilate the ideas of the text. Some people think creatively, others linearly and still others may think in a way that defies definition - but the more "different thinkers" you have - the better potential there is for really breaking down a book's contents.
   
3. You multiply the potential applications that get put on the table to think through. Instead of one life pressed up against the matrix of a book, you have multiple situations that are intersecting with what you're reading.
   
4. There is better accountability to keep plugging through the text when it gets dry or dense, knowing you've got to meet with someone in a few days to talk about what you don't want to read at the present. That 7AM meeting tomorrow morning at the local coffee shop with your reading buddies may be the only thing that keeps your nose in the book at times...and that's a good thing.
   
5. Now you get the added blessing of how the Holy Spirit chooses to use the truth of what you're reading to affect more than just you. For example, maybe the conviction someone in your group begins to work through will be something you need to ponder in your own heart. Community can be a great instrument for the grace of sanctification.
   

Summer usually means hot days, swimming pools and for many, reading books. Consider the benefits of reading a solid Christian book with a group this summer, then make the commitment by grabbing a friend or two (or seven) and read! Surely you have some names of people that pop into your head who would be excited to do it?!?! I believe reading in community will not only enhance your reading but also your relationships...both with God and your friends.

Worship Matters: A Brief Review

One of the reasons I like to read books on matters concerning the faith is that periodically I find an author who has so well articulated what I believe about said topic (but I haven't articulated well) that I not only find myself overjoyed and grateful for coming across his work but keep it in my staple of books I eagerly recommend when the appropriate time arises. Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin is one of those books.

For quite some time I've lamented the current day worship scene (see my posts "Flying A Little Lower" and "'Christian' Music"). I cringe at music leaders who have a propensity to focus on "catchiness" of congregational music at the expense of both theological accuracy and Gospel clarity. I also can't stand when someone walks to the mic after the music is over and says to the effect, "Now that worship is over our pastor is going to come and teach." When did worship become confined to only singing songs? Likely the music leader doesn't realize what he is saying, but that's half the problem. I've always thought, outside the teaching team, those who lead music need to be as theologically astute as anyone else who leads the church. Why? Songs teach. They always have and always will. And if you are at a church where the music minister/leader/pastor selects the songs, having someone who can discern the best music that is good both musically and lyrically is critical. Oh to have a reformation in corporate worship where both artistry and doctrine aren't on different sides of the spectrum.

Okay, I can see this is turning into more of a rant than a post...sorry for the digression...back to Kauflin's book.

I don't know if I've read a book of recent that excited me with every page turned as Worship Matters did. Kauflin, the director for worship development for Sovereign Grace Ministries, breaks down his book into three sections: the leader, the task and healthy tensions - each of them chock-full of insightful, gracious and most importantly, biblical teaching about worship. From explaining why the Cross is crucial to worship to how to choose the right songs, Kauflin excels both theologically and practically (can those really be separate anyhow?) when it comes to leading corporate worship. After each section I found myself saying how grateful I was for Worship Matters. Unlike many books, I don't believe there was one wasted chapter. No filler or fluff. One will likely get the feeling that this book has been years in the making for Kauflin and the Western, contemporary church (of which I'm a part) will be richer for it.

I don't know what excites me more, knowing there is a book which so well addresses the issues involved with corporate worship or that each of those on our music team have a copy and will be reading it as a team over the summer (some have already finished it and gratefully felt reaffirmed by it). If you're a pastor (like me), get this book not only for your music team, get it for yourself. Believe me, it's at the same time encouraging and convicting. You may not agree with every conclusion he comes to (e.g., use of prophetic gifts in congregational worship) but I think most of your disagreements will lie on the periphery. If you're planting a church use it as both a touchstone and educational piece for those you might consider adding to your music staff.

Years ago I was asked by Good News Publishers if I would publicly endorse a Bible translation which I and our elders had chosen to use for all adult church services. I didn't hesitate because I think the English Standard Version is the best translation around. No question. (I'll leave exactly why for another future post) For what it's worth (which admittedly isn't much), I feel the same way about Bob Kauflin's Worship Matters. It's simply the best book I've ever read which so aptly addresses the current state of church worship with biblical fidelity, theological clarity and pastoral insight. I warmly and highly endorse it! Thanks Bob for a great and needful contribution to today's Church! May God continue to bless you and the ministry he is working through you.

Need I say more? Get this book.

Every sin?

Last week I briefly skimmed through a book I had read (at least part of it I'd read) about a year ago just to see if I could grab a nugget of wisdom or two. Within a few moments of turning the pages I was brought face to face with a sentence that put an exclamation point on something I believe the Holy Spirit has been nudging me about for months.

For some time I've struggled with (or rebelled against to be more accurate) the sinfulness of owning music that really isn't mine. Yes, that's right, I'm talking about having copied mp3's. You probably know what legal issue I'm talking about. It's that funny little emblem on all CD's which informs you that unauthorized duplication is breaking the law.

Like most sins I struggle with, I've tried to rationalize having them a thousand different ways. In fact, I know some music groups have no problem with their fans having copied mp3's. However, I didn't really seem to care about any band's convictions when it came to listening to a certain track - I just knew I wanted that mp3 now. Somehow the illegal and stealing aspects of my actions got minimized in the process. Go figure.

Yet for a long season my conscience has been pricked on this issue. For reasons I can't finger, the burden has been heavier on me of late. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back arrived with the words of a man who lived roughly 400 years before the iPod was ever invented. His name was John Owen, a English Puritan pastor who wrote a little diddy entitled On the Mortification of Sin. I read it a year or two ago in The Works of John Owen, Vol. 6.

For some reason (again, go figure) I decided to reread some of my initial highlights just to catch up with what Owens was saying in dealing with sin and temptation. Almost immediately I read this sentence marked in green highlighter:

Without sincerity and diligence in a universality of obedience,
there is no mortification of any one perplexing lust to be obtained. (Owen, 40)

In essence, if I'm to really see sin killed (mortified) in my life to any degree I need to have my heart set with "sincerity and diligence in a universality of obedience" - I must desire to obey Christ in every aspect of my life. That did it for me! It was inescapable for the next steps I needed to take. Jerry Bridges writes about "respectable sins" concerning those areas of disobedience that we tolerate. I haven't read the book, but on my list is stealing music. It had to go.

So I'm trying to repent of it. I spent well over an hour trying to clean up my computer, iPhone and iTunes from all the illegal stuff I've kept. Yup, it was a lot...Gigs of music. And yet now I sense a clearer conscience and greater peace, one that I'd like to think the Holy Spirit is using in this all-too-grey area of my life. I'm not putting this on anyone else. I just know for me, most of the music I copied played a different tune in my heart than the one in my ears. It was anything but a melody for my soul.

Maybe this will be a harbinger of things to come. Maybe I'll have the courage to repent of other "respectable sins" I tolerate. For now, my music (which now is really mine) has come under the desire for universality of obedience. May other areas in my life follow for there is no question there is more of them. I guess I'm not as universal as I thought.

Just a question: Do you read this and feel any conviction? Yeah, me too.

What a Wonderful...

“The reason men worship God in a slight way is because they do not see God in His glory.”
- Jeremiah Burroughs, 17th Century Puritan pastor

This past week one of the worship leaders at our church recommended a message by C.J. Mahaney given at the 1999 conference on worship for what is now Sovereign Grace Ministries. It was a wonderful message on Cross-centered worship and the need for church leadership and worship ministries to reject cultural models and methods that obscure the Cross and for that leadership to resolve to build exclusively on the Cross.

Mahaney closed with a wonderful story about the well-known English pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon to highlight the truth that in a world given to churches which prop up methodology over theology (and the Cross at its center), we should devote ourselves to having services preoccupied with preaching Christ and him crucified (cf., 1 Cor. 2):

During the 1880s a group of American ministers visited England, prompted especially by a desire to hear some of the celebrated preachers of that land. On a Sunday morning they attended the City Temple where Dr. Joseph Parker was the pastor. Some 2000 people filled the building, and Parker's forceful personality dominated the service. His voice was commanding, his language descriptive, his imagination lively, and his manner animated. The sermon was Scriptural, the congregation hung upon his words, and the Americans came away saying, "What a wonderful preacher is Joseph Parker.

In the evening they went to hear Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The building was much larger than the City Temple, and the congregation was more that twice it's size. Spurgeon's voice was much more expressive and moving and his oratory noticably superior. But they soon forgot all about the great building, the immense congregation, and the magnificent voice. They even overlooked their intention to compare the various features of the two preachers, and when the service was over they found themselves saying, "What a wonderful Savior is Jesus Christ." (Arnold Dallimore, Spurgeon: A New Biography)

May our churches and those who lead them through preaching, singing and others elements of the service work hard to clearly reveal Christ and his glory without reservation so that people find themselves saying as they exit, "What a wonderful Savior is Jesus Christ."

Form and Function

Ever get to be a part of a group that has the ability to see beyond the form as they seek to grasp the function? I do and am very, very grateful for it.

Let me explain.

The past couple of months for me has been full of weighty thoughts and deep conversations about the way we do what we do as a church. It's been completely refreshing because they've happened at the highest levels of leadership. Now, before we get too far ahead of ourselves you must know that we are simply dialogging about what is and what should be. The future could range from radically different to no difference at all. The point is: we are talking about how we best maximize our redemptive potential. I think that's a critical question to repeatedly ask over time as people lead a local church.

Unfortunately, many churches get all too enamored with some model (of church) they saw operate with great effectiveness and adopted it, never to look back. At first, maybe even for decades it worked well for them and the context they lived in...but then something changed. Maybe it was the leadership, maybe it was the context, maybe it was everything in between but something changed that made their current model less effective for reaching and discipling people in their neck of the woods. But they don't change. They like the form (the model). It gives them comfort because of its familiarity, its easier because all your systems revolve around it and most of all it takes less courage to change (I mean, think of all the people you might lose if you shifted gears now).

The only problem is the function of the church has left them with little more than a crowd who comes to be either entertained or feel better about checking the "I went to church" box for the month. Disciples...real ones...are hard to find. That scenario necessitates the need to discover a better way to function - and that takes courage to ask the tough questions about form because it just very well may be the major player in the inability to "produce" better disciples for Jesus. It might not, but it might be.

In some churches the form/model is sacrosanct. Not in mine. I didn't say it was easily exchangeable, just that it wasn't created out of granite. One of the most invigorating aspects of my ministry at the church I serve is the fact that we're asking the questions about form and function. Will things change? Maybe, maybe not. But the fact that we're asking the question brings me much hope for today...and the days to come.

Church leader, look in the mirror and ask yourself,
"Is the way we do church maximizing our redemptive potential in the area God has placed us?"

What's the answer?
What do you need to do about it?
Who do you need to dialogue with?