Unchurched People Like Jesus, but...

A few years back, Dan Kimball, pastor of Vintage Faith Church in California, wrote They Like Jesus But Not the Church. A few conversations with people in the South Georgia that do not regularly attend church continue to reveal the truth of Kimball's premise.

Here are 6 things I have learned about unchurched people in South Georgia. (This is a subjective list based on conversations.)

1. Unchurched people in SoGa have had some experience with the church.

Most of the adults I have talked with about spiritual matters have had experience with the church. Because of this fact, I believe many of them are more dechurched than unchurched. Most of the experiences came early with grandparents and often with Vacation Bible School and Summer Camps. The factor that stands out to them is that there were some good times in these experiences.

"The lady who told the Bible stories was so funny!"

"We had a blast putting shaving cream on the leaders!"

"I remember eating these green cupcakes!"

"The man who drove the bus was very kind to me."

In those times, the unchruched picked up some basic impressions about church and Jesus and the Bible. Their overwhelming impression of God is that He is loving. This idea of God loving people vaguely has something to do with Jesus showing us he loves us because he died on the cross. That has been the general vein of theology I have heard in these conversations.

2. Unchurched people in SoGa believe church people are judgmental.

Now that those young former-VBS attenders have grown up, they now have seen that most of the people (or one very specific person) in church are judgmental, not very nice and downright mean. Since the unchurched believe they just accept people as they are, they have trouble wondering why church people can not do the same.

For the record, I have certainly met some mean people at church.

Honestly, most unchurched people have just as many judgmental attitudes as the next person. However, they have certainly experienced that attitude and it is why they do not want to be involved with church and church people.

3. Unchurched people in SoGa are afraid to come to church.

Every week, regularly church attenders go to the congregation of their choice and never give it another thought. That is not the case with the unchurched. Because of some of their concerns about church people, even if they have an overwhelming desire to have some deep questions answered, the fear of what might happen inside is a giant obstacle.

This should not be too hard for us to understand. I have had Christians tell me the reason they do not go to church on vacations is because they don't know anyone! That is the feeling most unchurched people get even if they want to attend.

4. Unchurched people in SoGa believe it is possible to be a Christian and not go to church.

I have talke with many unchurched people that are quite certain of their relationship with God. They speak of praying many prayers. They speak of having times of worship alone with God. This is all part of a bigger issue of "Churchless Christianity" that is found all over the country.

Some of this has been created by bad church experiences, I am sure. Some of this is because of fear. The point is, many unchurched people have been stabbed in the back, judged and talked about and those experiences have led them to believe that the church is so broken that it must not be a part of God's plan.

5. Unchurched people in SoGa know they are sinners.

"I drink way too much. I know it's not right."

"I know I should be reading the Bible and going to church."

"I need to stop cussing and talking so mean to my wife."

"I don't know if God can forgive me for what I have done. I've made such a mess of my life."

That's just a couple of the many confessions I have heard from unchurched people. Some have told me that they are just as good as the people who go to church--they've done business with the church people! Yet, they know when they do wrong. Many of them feel guilty about it. Many of them want to change. Many of them just don't know if they can.

6. Unchurched people in SoGA have deep questions about life and God.

"I just don't know if Jesus is God's Son. Is He really God?"

"How can God forgive me?"

"If God is loving, how could he..."

"...let my sister die?" "...let my daddy die?" "...let my momma die?"

"...allow me to be raped?"

"...not stopped the accident?"

I have met so many unchurched people in South Georgia that are not raving atheists. They don't hate God. It's just that they have go some big questions and they don't know the answers. They have some vague ideas and impressions about God and they can not get them squared up in their minds.

What have you discovered about the unchurched people you know in South Georgia. How have you engaged with them? How will you engage with them? How will you pray to God for them?

A Very Loose Paraphrase of Isaiah 58

Isaiah, shout as loud as you can that my people are rebels who do nothing but walk in sin. They go about looking really religious. They look like a people that are really concerned about me and my desires. It’s all pretend. They’re hypocrites. Do you hear them praying their false prayers? They want people to see them calling out to me—but I promise you. It’s not for me they call.

Listen to them. It’s a mockery.

“Oh God. Don’t you see us down here? We are fasting and praying! You don’t seem to see how good we are. You are ingnoring us God. Why?”

Listen people. The reason I am ignoring your kind of fasting and prayer is because you are only concerned with your own pleasure. That is number one for you. You go to all this trouble to appear spiritual and it is not even about me! You fast and pray and as fast as you can you just go out fighting, trying to get your own way. Your attitudes toward one another have not changed. You are selfish people looking out for no one but number one. Even worse, you want me to treat you with grace and kindness and favor and just look at how you treat your workers. You’re filled with injustice.

Listen people. I am not going to hear you! I am not listening to that! My desire for you this—humble yourself before me. Get into your heads that I am God. I am your creator. It is me that chose you to be my people. My greatest desire is for you to know me and my ways and walk in the joy of them all! No more pretending. Just humility and honesty before me. That is what I am calling for today.

When you are fasting in humility before me, I want you to see your putrid sin. I want you to confess and repent from it. I will gladly forgive you and set you free from the wickedness that is binding you down. I will lift your burden when you come to me in that kind of attitude. You will be clean. Then, when you experience the cleanness of forgivenss, I am going to help you see the problems of people around you. I am going to fill you with a heart of love—just like I have for you—in order that you might go and serve those in need.

See the hungry man? Then here’s the power to be compassionate. Go feed him.

See the homeless man? You sin is forgiven. Now you can see his burden. Invite him into your house.

See the naked man? You’re free. Go to the store and buy him a new outfit.

There will be great joy in this service. And your joy will increase as you continue to be honest before me about the condition of your heart. No need to pretend. No need to act all goody-too-shoes. You can be honest and repentant and continue to receive the refreshing of my forgiveness. I hate hypocrisy. I love honesty and humility. Here, let me lift you up!

Do you need hope? Here it is.

Do you need healing? Here it is.

I love to give good gifts to you. I love to give myself to you. There is no need to keep pointing out the sin that everyone else is doing. Honestly, aren’t you just doing that to make yourself feel better?

Just keep on doing the good work I show you. Keep on feeding the hungry. Help those that are suffering from injustice and pain and sorrow. Be their friend. Be their advocate. You can risk doing that for them because that is exactly what I do for you. It is for your joy and my glory that you do such kind things for the broken people in this broken word. You shine out as a real life example of how things can be. You show the world that God is real and that He can be known.

When you live the humble life, filled with honost fasting and repentance and doing the good work I show you, guess what? I will fill your life with light. Even in the times when you feel sad, your will overflow with joy and contentment. I am for you and with you. I am going to make you strong. I will care and water you life just like a master gardner cares for his most prized rose bushes. You are going to be like a flowing spring of fresh water that never stops flowing. All the sin has been forgiven. My spirit will flow unhindered in your life.

The places in your life that have been destroyed—I will rebuild them!

The generations that come from you—they will have a strong and godly foundation because of your humility before me!

Do you know what people will call you? That is the one who brings healing around here! People will say, “If it is broken, we can trust him! We can trust her! They are people of God! God is one there side! They make our neighborhood and city better! Because of them we know God!”
Oh precious people. Keep walking in honor before me. On the Lord’s Day, take time to forget what you want and remember what I want. Seek my face. Seek my word. Seek my ways. Do good. Serve and help people who need it. Here’s what is going to happen. Your delight in me will keep on growing and my delight in you will keep on growing.

You will go higher and farther and wider than you ever thought possible. My blessing will be so rich and heavy on you that even when you do sin, you will thirst for repentance that you might continue to walk in the goodness of my blessing. I will restore all that has been lost. I give you a faithful foundation on which to live and build generations to come.

Listen. I promise!

Marriage That Knocks Your Socks Off

(A doctor enters the examination with a grim look on his face.)

Mr. Jones: What is it doc? Your face is not giving me confidence!
Doctor: Mr. Jones, I’m sorry to tell you…
Mr. Jones: What is it? What is it?!!?
Doctor: If you don’t take your wife on a romantic date you’ll be dead by the end of the year!

[32 ] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that [marriage] refers to Christ and the church. [33 ] However, let each [husband] love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. -Ephesians 5 (ESV)


I have noticed something special happens when I talk with people who have accomplished a great goal in their life. It is usually something similar to this sentiment—“I am so glad I did it!”

Talk to the man or woman who has lost a significant amount of weight after being told by the doctor that failing to do so was going to lead to an earlier end of life expectancy. They battled and struggled to embrace a new lifestyle. I’ve met people who needed to make drastic changes in order to accomplish weight loss. Yes, they admit missing their old midnight snack of a frozen pizza or a bag of chips and eating dessert with every meal. However, when they get to the goal weight…THEY BEAM WITH ACCOMPLISHMENT AND PRIDE! THEY GO ON AND ON ABOUT HOW GREAT THEY FEEL. THERE IS CONFIDENCE IN BEING A PART OF NEW ACTIVITIES LIKE CYCLING OR SWIMMING LAPS OR WALKING AROUND THE MALL WITHOUT GETTING WINDED.

Think of the person who desires a college education after life had a way of throwing their dream off track and college was not a possibility until they were in their thirties or forites. Nothing better than hearing that person talk about getting that degree. Was it hard? You bet! It had been years since they were in school. Reading was something they did for their kids and the choices were Mickey Mouse or Snow White. Algebra! Western Civilization! Philosophy! The struggle was great but the accomplishment was better.

Most people who have done these things take a look at their life or circumstances and recognize that something needs to be different. Sometimes it is something internal driving them for a change. Sometimes it is external from a proclamation by a doctor or manager. Some folks take a long time to finally make THE decision to go for it. Dieters have many missteps until they finally get the big weight loss. Some adults have some misfires until they finally get the degree.

Honestly, if they new it would have felt so great, they would have done it sooner. "I don't know why I waited so long1"

I think that is true of how we look at our marriages. It is easy to get content with the way things are but honestly, things never stay the same. There always tends to be a drift away from health. Couples wake up and wonder what happened to that person they were so in love with years ago. Sometimes it is habit. Sometimes it is a difficult circumstance. Sometimes it has been a series of heartbreaks or lost dreams. Sometimes it began with one night of not making things right after a fight. Sometimes it started with turning on the television rather than asking, “How was your day?”

One question: How would it feel to have the kind of marriage that blew your socks off? To think to yourself, “I can’t wait to get home tonight and be with my spouse!”

Another question: is there one thing you could do or say today that might take you on that journey?

Raising Godly Generations

This past week, we considered raising up godly generations from Deuteronomy 6 in our morning worship gathering. No doubt, those believers who are growing in their relationship with Christ most assuredly desire their children and grandchildren to experience the same. Let me encourage you to be intentional in this activity.

In your godly action, here are a few first steps you can be taking:

1. Pray for your children and grandchildren.
Use the prayers in the Bible to pray for your children. One such example is Ephesians 1:15-22 and how you might use it to pray…

[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
>if they are not Christians, pray that God will save them, for them to recognize their sin and that Jesus paid the penalty for their sin on the cross and through the power of his resurrection, for them to become followers of Jesus
>if they are Christians, thank God for it and ask God to keep them growing in faith and in love for other Christians

[16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
>continue to ask God to help you be the chief intercessor for your children and grandchildren. Ask God to help you labor in prayer over the life of your children and grandchildren. (It might be good to set aside specific and prolonged time for this, not just “bless ‘em Lord on the way to work!)

[17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the
knowledge of him,
>ask God to fill them with spiritual wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) and with the knowledge of God (for us, this is knowing God through His Word)

[18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
>that their hearts will be enlightened/opened to the hope that God has called us

[19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
>to realize that great power which God has directed toward us

[20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
>that they will understand the might work of God through Jesus on their behalf
[21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
>for them to know that Jesus is the ruler of all and that his name is about all names
>for them to becoming more and more submissive to the rule of Jesus in their own lives
>that they will come to have an increasing eternal vision of things

[22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
>for them to be full participants in the life of the church
>that they will be the kind of people who are deeply concerned with Jesus being honored in their church
>for them to be filled with Jesus (i.e. full of the Spirit)
>for them to be surrounded by other believers who are concerned about the glory of Jesus

2. Pray for them, if they are in your home, while putting them to bed at night or before they go to school or, if they are grown and gone, before they leave to go back home or before you get off the phone talking with them.

>for the children in your home:

“Father, I am thankful that you have saved ______ and that she is a follower of Jesus. Today, as she goes to school, remind her they are greatly loved by you. Help her to love you more and more and recognize that Jesus is in control of all things. Amen.”

>for you grown children:

Before they leave from a visit or before you get off the phone “Son, before you leave, I want to pray for you. Will that be o.k.?” It can be meaningful to hold their hand or place your hand on their shoulder.

“Father, I pray for my son today and ask you to be glorified in his life and his family. Give him godly wisdom and insight to raise his children in a way that pleases you. Help his relationship with you to be growing and dynamic. May many people come to know you because of his relationship with you. Amen.”


3. Read the Bible to Them
A short passage before bedtime or at the breakfast table. If your children are young, read the Gospels. Read passages appropriate to their life circumstance. The Proverbs give practical insight. Paul’s letters give explanation to faith and certain specific situations in life. A short explanation can be helpful. “What we learn about Jesus in this passage is…”

If your children and gone, write them encouraging notes with a bible verse or two written out. A child facing a difficult circumstance might be more encouraged by reading Psalm 23 written in your hand rather than you simply saying, “It’ll work out.” Isn’t amazing how vague we can be when giving advice!

4. Sing Together
Worship at church will mean more when your children sing together at home with you. Songs can teach us and our children and grandchildren about the greatness of God. The songs of Keith Urban are catchy but the songs of Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts and Chris Tomlin will help them love Jesus more.

May God greatly empower you as you practice Deuteronomy 6 among the children and grandchildren that God has given you. He uses people that feel inadequate and fearful everyday!

Is Jesus Enough in the Midst of Frustration?

Frustration. Joy. Anger. Wonder. Disappointment. Excitement.

All of these things are profound realities in our lives. We live in this world that is filled with extreme pain and failure as well as moments of such ecstasy that we can hardly contain them. Being that our world is “fallen” because of sin, we live with these polar opposites. All is not as it should be in the world. However, by the power of the cross, we have/and are: been made into new creatures, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit and will one day meet Christ in the complete fulfillment of His glory.

Yet, we are left with these opposites in the now.

Sunday evening in our Adult Disciple Group, we watched an interesting discussion with best-selling author Donald Miller and theology professors Dan Allender and Tremper Longman. Honestly, I must admit that the discussion created more “discussion” among our group of 13 than I would have thought. It was candid and challenging to hear what was happening in our midst. A few of the highlights (at least the ones that really stood out to me) were:

-God works in the desert places of our life. In fact, it is often in the desert that the Gospel
is most fulfilled in our lives

-There is no hope for ultimate fulfillment in this life (we live "east of Eden")

-The struggle we have in this life is that “we” want to be in control and we will go along with God's plans as long as they meet what I want

-We are tempted to misread the Bible as, merely, a self-help book

-If we are not careful we become the very thing that God hates – legalists. Believing that if we do certain things, then God is obligated to bless us.

-The life of Job and so many other faithful followers of God leave us with many unanswered questions about living in this life

-It is frustrating when we encounter folks that have “false expectations” of God and we have met them in those times where they have asked us, “If God is good, why did He let that happen?!” (We struggle with how to answer)

-We struggle over the fact that we believe that if we can get those we care about to church (we tell people, “If you come it will help you.”) then maybe they will get fixed

-We mourn over those same people when they finally come to church and their lives do not get better and they leave. (They must be thinking: “I tried God and he didn't work.”)

-We fear that perhaps we are the ones causing people to have false expectations and it even causes us to not want to say anything at all!

Whew! These are some big issues that we kicked around last night. The discussion did not leave us with merely being depressed because our “discussers” turned the conversation in reminding us that we are called to “fear God” and to understand that our hope is in the resurrection of Christ.

Yes, we have many unanswered questions. Yes, we struggle when things are difficult. Yes, we fail to have the “right” answers when asked tough questions. Yet, it seems to me that many in the room Sunday night have come to learn in the midst of all those realities that Jesus and His Grace are sufficient.

Why? Because we have come to understand the perspective we must have about our lives as shared by Dan Allender. The starting point of our lives is to understand that we are not the creator but the creature. We live “east of Eden” because of sin and left in that sin, we will continue to be apart from God. In that condition, the might, loving God acts on our behalf to justify us through His Son.

Practically speaking, we have to remind ourselves to what are we inviting people. Yes, we want them to come and be apart of Arabi Baptist Church. However, what we really want is for them to come and follow Jesus in the forgiveness of sin. We know that anything the people we care about substitute for Jesus will fail them. We are not always completely sure that what we think or have to say to them will be right. However, Peter, James, John, Stephen, Irenaeus, Caedmon, Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Dwight Moody, Lottie Moon, Billy Graham, and generation after generation of followers of Christ have been convinced that the Gospel is enough and it is worth going to great lengths in order to communicate in this painful, joyful, frustrating and wonderful world!

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

Fellowship in Fun

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"
Hebrews 10:24


"Old" (i.e. the older members participating) and young moved across with the field with joy and excitment. Runners strove up the baselines with intensity. Batters swung for the gate. Throws were made-some taking their spots while others were errant. Runs were scored. And laughter was heard all around.

Saturday was a fantastic time together for those who gathered for the church-wide softball game. It had been many years since a softball game had actually taken place on our old field. I am sure that memories flooded the minds of those that participated in church league games years ago. For one moment, the old competitive juices flowed again in a game that led to a final score of 23-22.

As we played together on Saturday, we were reminded of the simple joy of just being together and being a part of an activity that allowed us to enjoy one another. You can't help but wonder why such things are not more a part of our regular fellowship. It is in those times that we get to see things about each other that we have never seen before. We are able to "let our hair down" and laugh and run and smile. It is in that fellowship together that we enjoy one another and are glad that we are a part of each other's lives.

In those moments we recognize how much we love each other and are glad that we are in each others lives.

In the midst of sore muscles and funny attempts to recover old sports glory, we are surrounded by the joy of being part of the church. We see God's good gift of laughter and friendship and sport.

We see that fellowship is often the choice to be together. Yes - we can be doing something else with our Saturdays. Yes - we can be somewhere else. Yes - when we are together like that, we wonder, perhaps, why we have not sought that fellowship sooner and more often. (I am sure some who woke up on Sunday mornign know why it has been a long time?)

As I headed off toward Savannah on Saturday evening after the softball game and cookout, I was truly happy. I was glad to have been in Arabi, Georgia with an incredibly fun group of people. I was glad that their was joy and love in our midst. I was touched by the sweet memory of a group of people that surrounded me and prayed for me as I would go and preach to another sister congregation. It all communicated to me-we are together and it is good.

The Prayers of Charles Spurgeon's Mother

"Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ." -Eliza Jarvis Spurgeon

My mother said to me, one day, "Ah, Charles! I often prayed the Lord to make you a Christian, but I never asked that you might become a Baptist." I could not resist the temptation to reply, "Ah, mother ! the Lord has answered your prayer with His usual bounty, and given you exceeding abundantly above what you asked or thought."

Lay Renewal Training, Glen Sheppard and the Discipline of Evangelism

Hello everyone! Hope you are having a great Tuesday.

I am quite thankful to everyone that participated in our Preparation Group Training this past Sunday. Leaders, you should be getting a card in the mail encouraging you to take the following two steps: 1)Reviewing and Assessing what your team will need to accomplish and 2) planning your first meeting with your team. Just a reminder, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our General Chairperson(s), Tracy & Kathryn Walls or myself.

Our Preparation Group Leaders are: Prayer Group - Pam Dollar & Kathy Bradford, Communication Group - Connie Still & W.L. Farmer, Publicity Group - Pat Story & Jacqueline Evans, Coffee Group - Lonnie & Melissa Nelms, Food Group - Gary & Dennette McDaniel & Cheris Gardner

Please don't forget this Wednesday Night Activities.
6:30 Supper for Youth and Children
7:00 Adult Prayer and Praise, Youth Group, Mission Kids

I would implore everyone to make to Wednesday Night Prayer a priority as we prepare for for our upcoming Lay Renewal!

Glenn Sheppard of International Prayer ministries has been in Revival services this week at Ebenezer Baptist Church. I heard him last night and yesterday morning. He said something to a group of pastors that really got my attention.

"Evangelism is done first in the closet of intercession with brokennesss over the lost condition of people."

Recently, I have been reading a book by Patrick Morley on Spiritual Disciplines. He shares how he has shared Christ with many people, especially men over the past several years. He tells how many have told him that he must have the "gift" of evangelism. He states,

"I don't. It's true that I do a lot of evangelism, but I do it as an act of discipline. Evangelism is not my natural interest, nor my spiritual gifting. I do it because of the following declaration by Jesus, our Master: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; an you will be my witnesses...(Acts 1:7-8).

"Clearly from this verse, part of what it means to be a disciple is to be a witness--either by gifting or by discipline. So I look at this verse and say to myself, 'I am willing to substitute discipline for a lack of natural interest." I do this for Jesus. I also do it for the men [to which I minister]." (emphasis added)

Hope everyone has a great evening. Look forward to seeing you Wednesday Night.

Rodney

Listening for the Glory of God

Sunday Morning, Katie Schrader did a wonderful interpretive sign that led us to think on the freedom that we have in Christ. As I watched Katie sign, I was struck by the wonderful movement and sound of the music and the power of the song's message. After the song was complete, I was ready to continue worshipping in my role of preaching and teaching as I hope that those who heard were ready to worship God through listening to His word read and exposed.

I off-handedly remarked that as we have a “Summer Reading Festival” (with the purpose of reading books to help us love Jesus more), perhaps we should begin a music or listening festival (with the purpose of listening to music hat helps us love Jesus more)!

In Seminary, I came to really appreciate the ministry of Professor Chip Stam. He was both a great teacher and worship leader. I had the good blessing to attend Clifton Baptist Church where he lead our congregation in, what he called, the singing of worship. His teaching helped me to gain a bigger understanding of the practice of worship. In congregational worship, worship is more than the singing. We worship when we read and listen to the reading of Scripture. We worship as lead and listen to prayer. We worship as we give our financial resources. We worship as we spend some moments in quiet meditation. We worship as we greet those around us in love. We worship as we leave the congregational meeting to go out and live faithfully for Christ.

Chip Stam taught me that worship is more than just the singing part of the congregational gathering and we should see each element as such.

Professor Stam also taught me to be thoughtful as I listened to and sang the music during worship. What are the words teaching me about Christ? What biblical texts are the words moving toward for further reflection? Am I experiencing the love or correction or faithfulness or holiness or greatness or etc. or etc. of God as I sing? Is the music helping me to love Christ more?

All the music we listen to causes us to think about something. Jimmy Buffet enjoys leading us to think of drinking a lot. Toby Keith leads us to think about “me, I , #1” or how America is going to kick the tails of terrorists. Snoop Dog leads us to think about illegal activities. Why is this? Songs have a message.

I believe that is why we should consistently listen to music that helps us think biblically about Jesus and encourages us to love him more and live more faithfully.

Here’s a few albums that have helped me do just that recently.

Bob Kauflin, Upward: The Bob Kauflin Hymns Project and Worship God Live

(available at www.sovereigngracemusic.com/albums ) Bob is Worship Leader at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD. He was involved in the early Contemporary Christian Music scene with the group Glad. He has a great worship blog, which you can read at http://www.worshipmatter.com/ The hymns album is older songs with new arrangements and the Live album gives you a feel for worship a Covenant Life Church.

Keith Green, Greatest Hits

Keith sang in the late 70’s, early 80’s. His songs still sound fresh after all these years. His songs are both worshipful and challenging. He has the most interesting voice and is a great piano player. He died in a plane crash in 1982 at the age of 28. My kids love his music!

dcTalk, Jesus Freak

dcTalk was one of the first Christian rap groups. However, this album took the group in a more decidedly “rock” direction. In 2006, a 10th anniversary addition of the album was released.

Sara Groves, Tell Me What You Know

This is one of the most thoughtful albums I have every heard. “When the Saints” and “Song for my Sons” are two of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. She has a real acoustic, folksy sound.

Caedmon’s Call, Overdressed

Again, thoughtful music in a very acoustic/pop sound. There songs never fail to help me worship and think about the Lord.

You can hear examples of these songs on the Internet by either checking them out at the artist websites or at other places.

Just wanted to remind everyone that on this Wednesday, the adults will be participating in GO Outreach. Looking to write a few cards, make some phone calls, but mostly looking for folks willing to GO out and deliver cupcakes to some folks and invite them to church or Sunday School. Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Guide: Hearing the Voice of God

This past Sunday evening during Adult Discipleship, we truly benefitted from hearing John Ortberg—Teaching Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian—teach on God being our guide. It is always good to hear faithful pastors give us biblical direction, particularly when it comes to obeying the voice of God.

How many of us have gone through a circumstance when were seeking and listening for God’s voice of direction for a decision that we needed to make? How many of us have had an impression or thought that might have went something like this…

“Hey, you need to call _________ (fill in the blank with the name that came to your mind) and encourage them!”

“You need to send _________ a card to encourage them through this difficult time they are facing.”

“Pay attention…go an talk to _________, they are heading in an unhealthy direction and I want you to warn them!”

“Go and make your relationship with _________ right, you were wrong and need to seek forgiveness.”

“BE QUIET! BE! QUIET! DON’T SAY A! THING!! NO!! DO!! NOT!! SAY!! A!! THING!!!!”

“Tell them that God loves them!”

John’s teaching was so helpful because it reminded us that if these promptings are consitent with Scripture, consistent with the character of God, in line with Christian living and honor Christ…then the main point is for us to obey.

If you did not have an opportunity to see the DVD but would like to or would like to see it again, please let me know and I will be glad to let you borrow it. This coming Sunday, we will be viewing another pastor from the Menlo Park Team, Scott Scruggs, teach on “Fear of the Future.” Be with us this Sunday eveing at 6:00 p.m.

I also want to follow up with a Discipleship announcement I made a few weeks ago in both Discipleship Time and our last Congregational Meeting. On September 20, we will launch a special 7 week time of Discipleship designed specifically for “…just men” and “…just women”. These time will allow us to have time together as a group of men and a group of women. There are seasons that call for us to grow together specifically for the benefit of our individual lives and for the benefit of our congregation.

Several months ago, I sensed that our men, in particular, needed some specific time which would allow our more mature men to help our younger men grow. This is been something I have spoken with our deacons about over the past months and they agree. In fact, a conversation I had with a man this past Sunday reminded me of how important it is for us to have intentional times for our men to grow together in their love for Christ! I know that this process will benefit our ladies as well.

On September 20, our men will be going through a study based on Coach Tony Dungee’s book UnCommon. “Dare to Be UnCommon” will challenge our men to grow closer to christ in various areas of our lives.

Our ladies will be taking on a study entitiled, “Me, Myself and Lies.” The focus of this study is to guide ladies in redesigning their “thought closet.” In other words, having a thought life based on God’s Word as you face life.

I believe God will use these times in a special way, in particularly, as we come closer to our time together as a church during our Lay Renewal on November 13 – 15.

If you have any questions, let me know. Have a blessed week and look forward to seeing you on Wendesday Night.
Much grace to you all,
Rodney, Psalm 32:8

4 Questions?

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16-17

It is a good thing for us, as Jesus followers, to delight in God's Word (Psalm 1:1-2). It is for our benefit that our Father has given us revelation of himself. Paul reminded Timothy of this fact. It should go without saying that the Word must be central to our walk with Jesus.

Over the years, I have found it helpful to ask questions of the texts that I am reading. Questions help me get at what God is saing to me (and to his people). Questions help me truly meditate and think and ponder and apply and pray what I have read.

Recently, I gave a group of our men a couple of questions to help them think and meditate on the texts we are reading in the book of Colossians. I believe these questions could be helpful to anyone and can be used with most passages. They are as follows...

1. What is the author (God) saying in this passage?

Instead of jumping down and reading the notes in your study Bible, why not give a few moments to ponder, for yourself, what you read. Study Bibles, commentaries, devotional journals are great tools that should be consulted, in my estimation, only after you have spent some personal moments meditating and ruminating on the Scripture.

It is always helpful to make sure that you understand what is truly being said. Occasionally, there may be words within in text that you are unfamiliar. A good Webster's dictionary or bible word dictionary can be helpful in making clear words that you feel fuzzy.

As you read, there may be something that really stands out to you. Right it down in your journal - a helpful Bible study tool for righting down your thoughts. Stop. Think over it. Give a few minutes of meditation and think on it.

It was humbling (and challenging) to recently hear a brother in Christ share that he had often just did "Bible reading" for the sake of saying he had read his Bible rather than truly thinking about what he was reading. Wow! That certainly got my attention. Isn't it amazing how we truly have to work hard to slow down long enough to really do some thinking.

2. Why would God want for you to know this?

We can count on the fact that when God inspired the human authors to write His word, He did so in order that we might know something about His character and how we might know Him and walk in fellowship with Him. When we read from the word, "do everything without arguing and compaining...", we can count on the fact that God is revealing something to us, fundamental in living for His glory. Our Father does not share with us with no purpose in mine.

3. Is there some way you need to live this passage? (In the way you think? act?
do? -- in other words, what do you need to do about it?)

The Word is given to us in order that we might know God and live His truth. The word corrects our wrong ideas about God and others and ourselves. The word rebukes us when we have held on to sin. The word prepares us for the work in which God has called us. The word trains us for being a godly spouse or parent or child or student or worker or servant or teacher or...whatever. Our calling is to eat and digest and be nourished and changed by the Bible. What we read is to be lived.

4. How do you need to pray about what you have learned?

If I have studied a passage that calls me to not argue and complain and I tend to be a complainer, then, (I hope) obviously, I must ask my Father in Heaven to transform me by His Spirit into a man that embraces His call to not be argumentative. The Word is the driving force of what we pray and ask from God.

On the past few sunday evenings, we have been studying Paul's prayers. Since Paul prayed for several of the churches to have wisdom and understanding (see Ephesians 1:15-17, Colossians 1:9), it only makes sense that we would pray the same thing when the Holy Spirit helps us to discover this truth.

A few good questions can help us as we spend time with our Father in His Word and prayer.

Bible Meditation and Watching Butterflies

"Blessed is the man...[whose] delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1-2

I recently travelled with my family to Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. Calloway is an incredible place to experience the glory of creation in many ways. Since it was a rainy day when we visited, our family ended up spending a great deal of time in the butterfly observatory.

Upon entering the observatory proper, we were amazed to be in a room with incredibly high humidity and warmer temperatures than was outside on a particularly cool and dreary day. I quickly walked around the glass enclosed round room and took note of the various plants and flowers and fountains. I noticed a small "pond" with some large Japanese coi. Elijah immediately asked for a quarter so he could buy food to feed the fish. He did not notice that the in one area of the pond that there was food floating where the fish had, obviously, been overfed. All of this just served to distract us from the real purpose of the observatory--watching butterflies.

We, again, began to move around quickly and then it dawned on me. I had not seen but one or two butterflies. I drifted over toward an area near these incredible red flowers where I noticed a sign. The sign instructed observers to stand or sit quietly and to not engage in any sudden movements. The sign promised that if one followed these simple instructions that the buttefly observing would be more profitable and enjoyable.

I sat down on a bench and got quiet. I could hear my kids off in other parts of the observatory (it has been said they are loud!). Then quietly. Mysteriously. Suddenly. Joyfully one appeared right in front of my eyes. Now he had been there all along but I only "saw" him when I got quiet and really looked. On a tree to my left about four feet away was a beautfiul brown and gold butterfly whose markings made him appear to be part of the tree. In moving around quickly, I missed him. When I sat to "meditate" on butterflies, he appeared in such a wonderful way.

A few moments leater, a gorgeous gold and orange butterfly lighted down on top of a stand prepared with cut bananas and oranges. There I saw this gentle creature feeding on the banana. It was simply miraculous observing his life and movement. Soon, thereafter, he was joined by two others coming to feed.

Then I say an amazing sight. The most splending blue I had ever seen. A buttefly glided peacefully onto a leaf. When she closed her wings, the blue disappeared and she revealed golden brown, black and ivory. I really wanted to see the blue again, which was only visible when the butterfly took flight. After several minutes of no movement at all, she lifted off displaying the sapphire blaze on the inside of her wings. She circled around my head several times and then off to some other part of the observatory. Upon sitting in another part of the observatory for some time, I was able to experience here beauty again. What a glorious creature God had created.

I almost missed it all. I had been in too much of a hurry. How unfortunate if I had missed it.

It was only in stopping and receiving the instructions on the sign that led to those moments being transformed to glory.

That experience with the butterflies has taught me much about spending time with the Lord in His Word.

Good Reward, Lifting Up, Keeping Warm, Not Quickly Broken

Ecclesiastes 4

(v. 9) "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil."

In your life, you are going to work. Not just your job or vocation--where ever it may be. (I see my precious bride homeschooling our children an managing our home and see the great work she has and does.) Your life is going to be toil. The burdens of the life you live will get heavy. You will get tired. Your mind is going to be, at times, overwhelmed with the pressure you are facing. The sad fact is, you are going to be tempted to keep that burden to yourself. You will be tempted to go off doing what you do by yourself.

How joyful it is to walk through life with someone else who helps you in your "work." When I sit in the presence of other brothers in Christ that love me and care for my well-being, I bask in the good reward of being with others who make "the work" lighter and bring a greater reward.

You were made for friendship. You were made to be in the care of other men and women who love Jesus and who will love you.

(v. 10) "For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

The truth of this life is not "if" you fall, it is "when" you fall. Life is designed and our enemy is working with purpose to kick the snot out of us. It is a sad thing to fall down and be all alone with no help.

How glorious to have a brother beside you that kneels down to the place where you have fallen and grabs you around the waist and gloriously lifts you up. Who dusts you off. Who looks you in the eye and mercifully says, "It is going to be alright. I am right here beside you. I will not leave you."

I praise God for those brothers who have lifted me up. I praise God for Christ who sticks closer than a brother.

(v. 11) "Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?"

I have noticed that even though I live in South Georgia--which is not nearly as cold as Louisville or Indianapolis--I can get "cold." The winds of trouble and difficulty and persecution can blow and swirl around my life and chill my mind and my soul. I look for comfort. I look for warmth. It can not be found when I am by myself.

Praise God for the warm embrace of friendship that surrounds me in brothers that help protect my life and mind against the elements. Their encouragement is like a thick blanket on the coldest nights of the soul. Yes, it is cold. No, I will not lose heart because my brothers are here with me.

(v. 12) "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Prais the Lord for brothers that have my back! Alone, I feel as though I might break under to pressure upon my life. Yes, I suppose that I can summon up the will power--let everybody think that I am not weak or a quitter. Yes, I suppose that I can get my clock cleaned by being prideful and say, "No, I am fine. Just fine. No problems at all." Yes, I can walk in sin.

Or. Yes...or. I can hold out my hands and take off the mask and feel the strength that comes from a brother helping to bear my burden. What is this glorious feeling? It is the feeling of not being broken in-two. It is the feeling of protection. It is a fort around my life that God has provided. It has come in the form of a compassionate brother being near to me. I live to fight again.

I have discovered that the Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 life is not optional. It is essential.

Perspective and Questions

On Sunday, March 8, around 11:35 a.m., I stood to preach. My sermon text was Matthew 28:16-20. My sermon title was "The Agenda of Jesus." I had prayerfully chosen this text to both remind our church of our Great Commission calling as well as celebrating the three missionaries that would be leaving our church for Moldova on March 10. My first point was that Great Commission attitudes are formed by worship or by doubt. There, as Jesus proclaimed his final words to his disciples, were disciples filled with awe and wonder at their risen Lord and those filled with doubt. At the end of our worship, our church family joyfully gathered around three folks, whom we deeply love, in order to place our hands upon them and send them out in the name of the Lord. Afterwards, we all headed off to different places for lunch.

Not long after our worship service ended, a Maryville, Illinois pastor stood to preach as he had done many times over the past twenty two years. After the beginning of the sermon, a hooded gunman entered into the First Baptist Church--a Southern Baptist Congregation--and shot the pastor. Dr. Fred Winter had led the congregation for twenty-two years. He had two daughters.

As our congregation celebrates the calling of three members to Great Commission ministry, our sister congregation mourns the death of their pastor that was shot before their eyes.

On Sunday evening, March 8, at 6:00 p.m. our adults enjoyed watching a movie on the life of Martin Luther during discipleship time. As we ate popcorn and Hershey chocolate bars, the courageous life of the Reformer was depicted before our eyes. We admired his willingness to stand up against the abuses of the Catholic church and be used of God to spawn a movement with ramifications that we feel today.

At some point during our time of eating popcorn and worshipping together later that night, the grandson of one of our regular attenders was found dead. His life was lost to a drug overdose. A loving grandmother will travel to Florida this week to mourn her thirty-three year old grandson. He leaves behind three children.

This world is filled with a dizzying array of opposites. As my children play outside on their swingset, children on the opposit side of the world run from rebel forces that have invaded their village. As my children throw away the crusts of the pizza that they "don't want" to eat, a child in South America digs around in a trash can looking for supper. As my children receive antibiotics for the sinus infections they have suffered from the past few days, a child in Africa dies of a disease easily preventabile in the US. As my child reads from his favorite book before bedtime, a child on the other side of the county can barely read at all.

The evil and injustice of this world can be overwhelming.

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, wheter good or evil." Ecclesiastes 11:13-14

The joys and trimphs of this world can be overwhelming.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

"Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.' But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." Job 2:9-10

Getting Ready for Easter (Ash Wednesday)

Today is Ash Wednesday and it is celebrated by Christians all over the world. It comes at different times each year due to the date of Easter. Ash Wednesday, which is marked as a day of repentance is also the first day of Lent—the forty days before Easter excluding Sundays. Traditionally, believers “fast” during Lent which leads them to think more on Christ and his suffering. I have heard of folks fasting from chocolate, television, complaining and the like.

It was while living in Louisville that I first became acquainted with Ash Wednesday and Lent. My Catholic friends shared with me the observances are important in the life of the church. I learned that Catholics fast from meat on Fridays. Lent was always a favorite time of mine in Louisville, not because I participated, but because all the Catholic churches would have fish fries. Eating fish during Lent at a Catholic church—priceless.

Growing up Baptist certainly did not give me the opportunity to learn and participate in what is traditional observance in Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal and some Methodist churches. Our early Baptist forefathers shunned everything that gave the appearance of “popery.” However, I do find it quite helpful to see the importance of the greater Christian calendar. Over the last few years, Arabi Baptist has regularly practiced Advent—the season that prepares us for the coming of Christmas and the incarnation of Christ. This year, I am preparing an Easter Scripture Reading for our church based around the themes of Holiness, Atonement, Forgiveness and Life. There will be daily Bible readings the four weeks preceding Easter (beginning March 16). I will make sure to post the Easter Scripture Reading.

Another helpful practice, as we enter the Easter season, is to read good theologically sound Christian books that cause us to think about the importance of the death and resurrection of Christ. This year, I am reading John Stott’s The Cross of Christ. Stott is a long time Anglican pastor who has faithfully preached the Scriptures for many, many years. A few more that I would recommend are:

The Passion of Jesus Christ by John Piper

Experiencing the Cross by Henry Blackaby

Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado

Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson

The Truth of the Cross by R.C. Sproul

Churchless Christianity

My wife enjoys reading Real Simple magazine. Truth is, I enjoy perusing its' pages as well. However, it is a periodical aimed at women with the purpose of helping them, well, simply their lives. One of the popular features is "Real Life" which gives folks the opportunity to meet a "real Real Simple reader." The page is done in a question/answer style much like those American Express magazine adds where celebrities fill in the blanks to questions. In the October 2007 issue, readers met a mom and wife from Tampa, Florida that answered the following:

"The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...My husband and I
would like our daughters to have a strong sense of spirituality, but we prefer not to raise them with the traditional church background that we both had. How do we teach them to have a strong faith in God without a special congregation or place of worship that would guide them with formal religious customs?"

What our Real Simple reader, who is a mother of three girls, appears to desire is the following:
1. daughters that have a strong faith in God
2. daughters that are spiritual
3. daughters that do not participate in a local church

I have certainly read of this phenomena happening more frequently in America. People desire and seek after spirituality that is outside the bounds of what Christians understand to be central to "following Christ" and being his church. As a pastor, I regularly see this belief in practice often.

For instance, I was recently perusing membership statistics of the churches in my congregations's local Baptist association. Our Associational Missionary was telling a group of pastors that our member churches have a total of around 8,500 members. In our understanding of church membership, this would mean individuals who professed faith in Christ at some point in time, were baptized and then received into the membership of a local congregation. Our missionary stated that only about 2,000-2,500 of those 8,500 are present in worship on any given Sunday. One pastor friend stated the figure of 2,000 was probably generous!

What is one to make of such a disparity?

This disparity has been demonstrated to me as I have visited in the homes of "church members" that have either never attended during my pastoral tenure or only occasionally such as holidays. (I heard a pastor call these peopl CEO's--Christmas, Easter and Other special occasions.) In speaking with CEO's, I usually seek to hear them give testimony of their conversion experience. If you simply ask people if they are a Christian, you tend to get an affirmative from every one in most of the South.

Just as an aside, I found this question to be helpful when I lived in Louisville because people were usually very forthright with either, "Yes, I am a Christian" or "No, I am not a Christian." In South Georgia, most of the people I have encountered have had some type of church experience. A few months ago, I was speaking to a neighbor that does not appear to be a Christian tell me of regular participation in a youth group during the teen years. Another pastor told me over lunch that he had a "member" who joined the church as a nine-year old boy during a Vacation Bible School. After that occasion, he only attended later Bible Schools and has, since becoming an adult, only been to church for a couple of funerals and weddings. The man is now 59.

It is commendable that our Real Simple reader desires to raise daughters that have "a strong faith in God." However, any attempt to do so outside a local congregation misses something very central to what it means to be a Christian! In his book Sharing Your Faith with Friends and Family, Oxford professor Michael Green says, "Christianity is corporate, and it is generous. If a person's attitude is--I can be a Christian without going to church--[then they] have missed the genuine article."

What appears to be missing in the thinking of the Real Simple reader, my pastor friend's 59 year old member that never attends and other CEO's that make up membership lists of various churches all over the nation is that though following Jesus is a personal decision, that decision does not lead one to live in isolation. Christianity must be understood in the context that being Christian is to be a part of Christ's church. Being Christian is doing life with other believers for the glory of God. Thinking that leads people to believe they are Christian with no level of active and ongoing participation with a congregation misses the clear teaching of the Bible.

Consider these examples:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
Live in harmony with one another. Romans 12:16

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. II Corinthians 13:11-12

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Over the last few years, I have appreciated my friendship with a couple of Presbyterian pastors. Though we have our spots of disagreement over certain theological issues, I find myself admiring their denominations intentional action in caring for and disciplining churh membes that fall away from regular fellowship. When a member does not participate in the church for one year, that member is contacted. The hope is that restoration will come and the member will, again, begin to participate in the life of the church. However, if that member continues in a lifestyle of not participating in the life of the church, they are removed from membership. The belief takes seriously that a congregation is responsible for one another. This is especially true of the pastor(s) that will be judged for his teaching and care of his flock. My Presbyterian brothers have taken the position that if a person does not desire to be accountable to the congregation in giving and receiving care, then before God, the church disciplines that member by removing them from fellowship.

In a day where church membership has been so demeaned and cheapened (especially in Southern Baptist Churches), it seems to me that churches must:

1. Help each member to understand the Bible's call of congregational life--both theologically and
and practically speaking. Membership SHOULD mean something! The church is the bride

of Christ and our calling is to bring glory to Him!

2. Seek to lovingly and patiently restore those members that have fallen from regular

fellowship. Again, this will call for biblical instruction. This task is made difficult because

these members are not in regular corporate worship.

3. With care, begin to discipline those members that continue to disregard clear biblical teaching

on congregational life.

Our prayer should be that our congregations reflect what the Bible teaches and not the desire of an average mom that is hoping to teach her daughters Churchless Christianity.

Doing Crazy Things for God or The Nature of Saving Faith

My good friend, Brent Martin, is serving the Friendship Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia as pastor. In May of 2007, Brent preached at Arabi Baptist on the life of Joshua. He is one of those men in my life that I am glad to know because God uses him to drive me to be a more faithful teacher of the Bible. When Brent preaches, his aim is clear--to make plain the truth of God's message and what that means for our living.

I just finished listening to a sermon that Brent preached in his church on January 18--The Nature of Saving Faith (Hebrews 11). I would certainly commend this message to you because it is so very clear on what it means to have "saving faith" in God. In a time where people speak often in their various beliefs about God, Brent's exposition on Hebrews 11 makes clear what it means, biblically, to be in relationship with God. You can access the sermon in the "for your soul..." section of my blog under "Brent Martin's Preaching" that takes you directly to the Sermon page of the Friendship Baptist Church.

In that sermon, Brent makes four observations about saving faith that I found challenging:

1. Faith pledges allegiance to One

(Faith does not pledge allegiance to all equally.)

2. Faith perseveres in God's promises

(Faith believes in what God says--though, at times, it appears unreasonable.)

3. Faith obeys, loves and trusts God

(Faith is to be in love with Jesus Christ--this is saving faith.)

4. Faith trusts God and is willing to do what seems humanly ridiculous

(Faith calls us to obey the commands of God which must trump commonsense.)

The observations he makes about the nature of faith comes from the writer's use of various men and women from the Old Testament to reveal the nature of true faith in God. Brent then points out how the writer also reveals that saving faith is also displayed in the lives of those that follow Christ up to the present time of the original readers.

If you don't listen to the sermon, I would certainly encourage you to read Hebrews 11 again to see the reality of faith and God and think about its implications for your life.

Impact

In doing some reading this week from the book Comeback Churches by Ed Stetzer, I had three phrases that came to my mind. I am not sure the phrases are world-changing, but they have caused me to do some pondering the last few days. I want to offer the three phrases to you and perhaps they might cause you to do some thinking about the life, nature and ministry of a local church. (Of course, I am thinking specifically about Arabi Baptist Church in Arabi, Georgia.)

> Christ impacts people

-the nature of God is that He purposely relates to his creation in a intentional/relational way

-God covenants with Abraham to make him the father of a great nation of people and

through this nation of people (Israel), God promises to bless the world

-from Abraham's people, God sends the Messiah and Savior Jesus

-In Christ, through his atoning sacrifice on the cross, a new covenant is established that goes

beyond Israel to the Gentiles

-people enter into this new covenant relationship through faith

-Christ grants those who respond to the Gospel with access to God and the forgiveness of sin

-God extends the scope of His call to people who become the Church

> Followers of Christ impact each other

-the people of God, the Church, have a unique and accountable relationship with one another

-in this context, Christians exist to help one another grow in odedience to obeying what

Christ commands

-Christians love one another and create communities where faith is nourished

-Christians extend care for one another

-the unique love that the Church expresses is a witness to the world that they are indeed

followers of Christ

> The church impacts the world

-the Church carries out the mission of God, empowered by His Holy Spirit

-the Church testifies to the reality of the Gospel

-the Church is the hands and feet of Jesus to call people to become followers of Christ

-the Church impacts all parts of communities where it exists

-the Church displays the glory of God as it faithfully participates in His Great Commission

Again, these are some initial thoughts. However, because of these biblical truths, a local church must faithfully display the call of Christ in community with one another and within the community it is placed. It looks like something. How does it look?

Church Softball and Church Membership, Part II: What Jesus Thinks About the Church

When we talk about the nature of the Church and what it means to be a member of it, any real discussion must be done under the BIG umbrella of what Jesus thinks about the church. In seeking to talk about the nature of marriage, Paul spoke of the intimate relationship that Christ has with his church. Being that Christians are a Christ/Word-centered people (meaning our theology and thoughts about how to become and live as Christians is driven by what the Bible teaches us), any understanding of church membership must be completely informed by Jesus' view of the church from the Word.

In Ephesians 5, Paul states:

"25 Husbands, love your wives, as 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. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but NOURISHES and CHERISHES it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Emphasis added)

In this passages, Paul tells of both the obvious attitude that Jesus displays about the church and what he does on behalf of the church. I have added emphasis by capitilizing some key words to point it out.

-Christ LOVES the church.
Jesus has a profound compassion for the collection of believers that make up his bride. An earthly husband seeks a one-flesh relationship with his bride as Christ has sought this ultimate oneness with his own bride.

-Christ GAVE HIMSELF UP for the church.

The divine love of Christ is revealed in his sacrifice of himself for his bride. This is necessary because he is holy and she is sinful. Her sin deserves wrath and punishment. In his love and mercy, he takes punishment upon himself in order that there might be forgiveness and oneness (i.e. relationship). This is the expression of Jesus' "agape" (Greek for "self-sacrificing love) love for his bride.

-Christ SANCTIFIES the church.
-Christ CLEANSED the church.
He washes his bride in the power of his word in order that he might bring her into relationship with himself. He continues to mold and change and make her into the image that pleases himself and brings great honor to their relationship.

-Christ PRESENTS the church-holy and without blemish-to himself in splendor.
It is because of Christ's sacrifice that the church is able to be made holy. One day, this relationship will come to complete and perfect consummation as the savior husband shall return to judge the wolrd and receive his bride to himself for all eternity. There shall be perfect oneness and unity in the future.

-Christ NOURISHES the church.
Christ works on behalf of his bride to give her exactly what she needs. His presence. His counsel. His correction. His encouragement. His intercession before the Father. His nourishing feeds his bride to help her to walk more earnestly in holiness. His nourishing helps the bride love him more.

-Christ CHERISHES the church.
Jesus prizes and protects his bride. He defends her in the face of her enemies. She is precious to him. He has given much to have her.

These realities should have a profound effect on how followers of Christ think and live in light of the special relationship we have with Jesus and with one another. Something should be deeply stirred in our spirit's when we think of all the Christ has done for his bride. We should feel the honor and privilege of being loved by Jesus. We should be moved to treat the bride of Christ--the Church--with supreme honor and admiration. Our membership as part of Christ's bride should be seen as a profound privilege.

We are to love Christ. We are to love the church because Christ loves the Church. We should give ourselves to the church fully as Christ our Savior and leader has done. We should seek, as led and empowered by the Spirit, to nourish and cherish the church in our roles as part of the body. We are to participate in our relationship with our savior and with one another as members of the church. We watch what we say about the church and how we say things, just as we would carefully watch what we say about any man's wife. We want to care for the church just as Christ.

For the Christian, the first and most precious relationship is with Christ. However, the relationship with Christ's bride is not secondary. It is very much a vital and essential part of the primary relationship. Just as we love Christ, we love the church.

A revival in loving the bride of Christ (we do not worship the church but love it!) is essential to the local church recovering what is primary to being a member of the body. It is essential in order for us to rightly participate in the life and ministry of the church.

So here's the question: how does the local church teach its members to rightly know the biblical nature of the church? How does the church teach right congregational participation in light of Christ's attitude about his bride, the church?

Church Softball and Church Membership, Part 1

Softball was big in churches when I was growing up. In fact, I can recall it be an all encompassing activity that took up a great deal of time with practice and the playing of games. There are some very fond memories I have of playing church softball as a teenager and young adult. However, my church softball career ended rather infamously sometime before I graduated from high school when our team was ejected from the league due to a fight between several of our players and players on another team. This is and was a rather sad story of church-life gone mad!

One thing I distinctly remember about church softball was that many churches had an attendance requirment for playing. Our church had a rule that players must attend worship twice a month in order to play. Being that we were Baptists, that meant attending church two times of the possible 12 times we worshipped each month (i.e. twice on Sundays and once on Wednesdays). In a mere numbers sense, all you had to do was "worship" 17% of the time our church got together and you were fine. (I recall this being a "struggle" for some people though I remember no one ever being kept from playing.)

I recognize that churches did this because they did not want softball to be, merely, a social thing. Perhaps some older members or pastors understood that churches had obligations to direct all people toward the Gospel and spiritual things. As I got older, I used to think, "is our church so bad that we actually have to require people to come in order to get them there!"

Strangely enough, I read an article about a church league in Texas that required each church team to have half its roster made up by unchurched players. Each church member was called to invite an unchurched friend or coworker to be on the team. The mission was to give unchurched players an opportunity to meet Christians and allow them to be a witness. If any of you saw the way most church teams played, I guarantee you that any opporutnity for witness was probably lost!

Why all this talk about church softball? Well, back in the day, there was a level of expectation and requirement placed on players. They understood, if you want to play, then you need to show up at worship X number of times.

What about church members in general? Does Scripture place any type of expectations on those that compose a local congregation? Are church members simply left to themselves with no sense of accountability to the other members? Does it matter if people that constitute the "membership" of a church be expected to participate in the life of the church in a meaningful way?

Consider this passage from Hebrews 3:12-14 --

"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardedned by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."

and this from Hebrews 10:24-25 --

"...let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Frome these two passages are some action words/phrases to which Christians are to pay heed:

>"Take care, brothers"...in the sense of guarding one's self and others from an evil, unbelieving
heart

>"exhort one another"...in the sense of strongly encouraging one another not to be hardened

by sin

>"stir up one another"...in the sense of how to cause other believers to love and be engaged in

God's good work and regularly worshipping together

The writer of Hebrews is stating that some were already in the habit of neglecting corporate worship. The motivation for Christians to do these things is the reality of "fall[ing] away from the living God" and "the Day (i.e. judgment Day) drawing near."

So here's the question: What does a local congregation do when a "member" habitually neglects corporately worshipping with other believers and being involved in the life of the congregation?