Playing Church

Today, a guest blog - from me. This first appeared at Coffee with Curt in September, 2006.

They call it “the C Word” today. Commitment. Even television commercials push the concept that life is better if you don’t have to make any commitments. I can understand that with phone service. But there are times when commitment is good and necessary. In fact, if you claim to be a Christian, you have made a commitment – which God expects you to keep!

What God wants from us, as individuals and as the church, is often very different from the popular perception in a lot of places - including both conservative and liberal churches. He doesn’t want religion – even orthodoxy – He wants our commitment. Amos 5:21-24 reads this way:

21 "I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship
offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your
harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

God not interested in how our worship services look, or sound (or smell). He’s not interested in body count. His interest is not in the outward trappings of religion. Rather, God is interested in the attitude of our hearts as we come before Him to worship. In this passage God is telling Israel that He’s not interested in their proper worship; their sacrifices. But, didn’t God tell them to do those things in the first place? Yes, He did. But there needs to be more involved than just the right form. Look at some examples.

Israel sang and played religious music. Take a look at verse 23. The Israelites probably had some nice choirs. Maybe even entire orchestras at times. The Hebrews were noted for musical skills. But God says, “Take it away. I don’t want to hear it.” It was hollow. Their lives indicated that their words were false (no matter how beautifully they sang them). What they sang and what they LIVED were two very different things. It was just “holy entertainment,” devoid of true meaning.

Israel also went to church a lot. These folks celebrated all the feast days in the Old Testament. They even held “solemn assemblies,” according to v. 21. The problem was not that they missed church. The fact of the matter is that they probably saw church attendance as a sort of magic shield between them and trouble. Why should they ever have problems? After all, they were a nation of church-goers. Yet this wasn’t enough for God then – and it isn’t enough today. Real worship of God cannot be boiled down to attendance at certain rituals and feasts, although we certainly should attend church services – even Bible studies and prayer meetings. But, just attending isn’t the point. Our participation has to have heartfelt meaning. It has to reflect a relationship between God and His people. Israel simply clung to a form of worship without substance. Their hearts were not really in it. Our worship services may look different from those in other places, but what matters is whether or not our hearts are lifted toward God.

Israel even made the proper offerings. Take a look at verse 22. Is this the real nitty-gritty? Is this where Israel made up for their indifference toward God? They may have thought so – just as some folks think so today. But God did not accept their tithes and offerings.

There really are a lot of people who think that they can do as they please as long as they keep putting money in the offering plate. They think they can buy God. They obviously don’t realize that He already owns everything! He can’t be bribed. Think about it. He doesn’t need our money. He wants us to give out of love and gratitude; not guilt; not duty; not an attempt to buy His favor.

Obviously there’s nothing wrong with music, church attendance or offerings….In fact it is God who told us He wants them in the first place! Is this hypocritical? Contrary? No. He wants them offered up with the proper attitude – not just as a religious exercise.

A Lovely Day in the Neighborhood

When Sandra and I lived in Maine, just the two of us, we grocery shopped maybe once per month. We went to Post Office about once a day and the bank as needed. For each of these tasks (and others) we would load up the car, get on the road and drive. Then shop, load, return.

Things are different here. First, we live in a city and we don't have a car. One would think that the pace of life in the (relatively) big city would be much faster. That's not necessarily so. After all it is a European (relatively) big city.

This morning I took a typical jaunt through the neighborhood to take care of necessary tasks. The graphic represents the errands I ran (walked). First I went to the Bankomat (ATM) to draw out the necessary currency. Then I went around the corner to the Pošta (Post Office) to pay a bill. We don't have check books here and make payments through the PO or direct transfers through our bank account.

Next I wandered over to the potravini (grocery store) to pick up a few items. We do this two or three times a week here. No car to haul things and bread is fresh several times a day. Finally, I walked over to Komerčni Banká (our bank - there are three branches just in our neighborhood) to make a deposit so that I can make a bank transfer later today.

All together I may have walked a mile. The weather was pleasant, people smiled at me. As I went out the door to my building, a man was coming in and held the door open for me. I said děkuji (thank you); he replied  není zač.

All days are not like this, but this morning sure was a pleasant one. Now - BACK TO WORK.

Fightin' Words

Most of us have heard at least one sermon on the Greek word "ekklesia." We know that it has to do with being "called out," and that it means the assembly of those called to be in Christ. We use that word to describe the Church.

I like to look at this term, "called out" from a different perspective, also. In the jargon of the day, to call out is to challenge; often in the context of a fight. It means something like: "You and me behind the school at 3 o'clock." The fact of the matter is that the Church is both corporately and individually, a bunch of people who've been challenged to a fight.

The several Greek words for fight are used sparingly. There is, however, a lot of military imagery, as in Ephesians 6:10-18, in which we are told to wear armor – and to “stand firm.” 

Them’s fightin’ words! Other fighting words are found in, 1 Timothy 6:12, in which we read: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Taking hold of the eternal life to which we are called includes fighting the good fight of faith. It means standing up to the predominant culture when it besmirches the Name of Jesus; when it ridicules the Church (not that we haven't called a good bit of ridicule on ourselves); when it demeans members of the Church for their faith.

Paul explains this concept of fighting for the faith further when he writes to his young protege Timothy, in 2 Tim. 4:7:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

To Paul, keeping the faith included having fought the good fight. Being a member of the Church, those called out by God, means fighting the good fight.

One final, and obvious, example will be offered here. It is found in Jude 3. Here we find this challenge:

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

How do we, who are members of the Church, called out both in the sense of being part of the assembly and in the sense of being challenged, contend for the faith? Learn it; understand it; act as a body as we fight on behalf of the Church. It is the role of the Church, individually and corporately to contend for the Church itself; to stand up for the Church; to understand the proper role and authority of the Church; to behave as though the Church is something special – because it is.

In the movie “On the Waterfront,” Marlon Brando uttered the famous line: “I coulda been a contender.” That means he could have fought for the title. We don't have to fight for the title. It is already won by the blood of Jesus, which purchased the Church. We still need, however, to be contenders.

Kafka and God's Word

A desire for non-conformity often drives us directly into the arms of conformity. Most readers over the age of 30 will quickly grasp my meaning. We not only see it around us, we’ve lived it. We were going to be different. We wore bell-bottoms and beads. We were bearded and pony-tailed. We became so “different” that we were barely distinguishable from all the others in the horde of radical youth of our day — all of whom looked exactly like us. Today those radicals may have spiked hair — in a variety of not-natural colors. They may wear dog collars and leather. They are all very radical in their sameness. Is all this conformity good for us? In order to answer that question, we need to define our terms. What, exactly, is conformity? According to Webster’s Dictionary, conformity is a “state or quality of being in agreement.” We conform when we accept the “norm.” We conform when we allow the group, whether it be a small group of friends, or a club, or a society, to dictate how we live, dress, or talk; what music we listen to, what TV or movies we watch. God’s Word views conformity in a different manner. In Scripture, conformity is only used in a negative manner. The only places we find the word (συσχηεματιζο; suscematizo) is in Romans 12 and in 1 Peter 1. In each case we are exhorted to “not conform.” Romans 12:2 warns us:  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. In 1 Peter 1:14, the warning reads: "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." The first instance counsels us against being sucked into the cultural madness of the world around us. The second advises us that we are better off not returning to our pagan ways — the ones we adhered to before the saving grace of Jesus was applied to our lives. Yet conform we do! Especially those of us in comfortable circumstances (by that I mean just about everyone in the West). We have made conformity a lifestyle. We want to be like everybody else — even when we’re supposedly trying to be different. In the church, we want our music to be like everyone else’s. We want “Christian rock” and “Christian heavy metal” instead of the old hymns of the faith. We change our worship services and our language so we’ll fit in with everyone else. We need to be inclusive. Certainly we don’t want to talk about “the blood.” We accept perversion of all kinds and try to make them sacraments in the church. If God wanted His people to live just like everybody else, He might have just as well have left things alone. Why would He bother to send Jesus to us to live among us; then die for us? Conformity with the society around us is not the way God wants Christians to live. He expressed this very explicitly in Leviticus, where we read:  Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. But I said to you, “You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the nations. (Lev. 20:22-24) We live in a land filled with pagans (no matter where we live). We’re the pilgrims here. We are set apart, consecrated, chosen. Are we different? There is a radical alternative to conformity. There is a better way than societal sameness. Paul outlines it in Romans 12:1-2:  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. God, through Paul, calls me to be a sacrifice. This is not a call to be a martyr — at least not in the physical sense. This is a call to spiritual acts of worship. How? Here’s one answer: Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise —the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:15-17). This entire chapter of God’s Word can be viewed as a mini-manual in how to offer ourselves as spiritual sacrifices. Hebrews 13:1-5 advocate: Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…. Besides not being conformed, and proactively seeking to be living sacrifices, Christians, according to Romans 12:2 are supposed to “Be transformed.”   Accept transformation. Allow God to change you — He will not make us into automatons, but transform us with the gifts He has given us. Some people, it’s true, need greater transformations than others, but few need the radical rework the Apostle himself required. The Greek word for transformation is μεταμορποσοσ (metamorphosis). It indicates complete change — as radical as the one described by Franz Kafka in the book of the same title. While justification is instantaneous, this transformation is a process. In the only other use of the word μεταμορποσοσ in the New Testament we are taught that “we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). We are being transformed. We are in the process of being transformed. We are a on a journey toward being transformed. We shouldn’t just sit back and enjoy the ride. We need to remember the “spiritual sacrifice” part of being a non-conformer. On the other hand, God is at the controls of our transforming journey. Strap in.

Sunday Youth Activities and the Church - Take Two

Something starnge has happened to this post - several times. I am re-posting in hopes that it will work properly this time.

A recent article in Christianity Today proclaimed that the biggest reason for declining attendance at church services is youth sports programs. The article, in part, stated

According to a new study published in theReview of Religious Research, an examination of declining attendance at 16 congregations revealed that many pastors place the most blame on children's sports activities, since both practices and competitions are increasingly "scheduled on Sunday mornings at the very time when many churches traditionally have provided religious education." (for the entire article, which is brief, see here.)

While there is certainly a relationship, I think that this ­­equation has things exactly backwards.

These pastors are quick to blame outside influences. Certainly I agree that they (the sports leagues, the marching bands, etc) are taking families away from the church and that Christian families should take a stand against the anti-Christian scheduling of the Sports Authorities. But, I also think that a major portion of the blame is to be attached to the church itself.

First, the youth are not engaged in the life of the church. What’s in it for them if they tag along with the parents and then be shunted off to the “Children’s Worship” when the service moves to whatever passes for Biblical teaching? A return to families worshipping together along with thoughtful exposition and application of God’s Word, I suspect, would go a long way toward returning some families to the fold on Sunday morning.

Second, (letting it all fly free, here) some semblance of awe and majesty in worship just might captivate the minds and hearts of some folks, young and old. The ultra-hip pastor (or wannabe) with the great band and lots of super cool choruses gets old in a hurry. Why not slip out and hit a few baseballs (or golf balls) instead? Nothing new will be revealed here.

Third, the teaching from the pulpit needs to include the whole counsel of God. We do need to tell of the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (Psalm 78:4, ESV). We also need to preach of sin, redemption, Christian duties, Christ's sacrifice, and the life of the early church. God’s love is expanded because we are such a needy people. The congregations need to hear all this. Technological aids and modern music (with theological teaching) are not wrong, but need to be properly used to accompany and enhance the message from God’s Word, not to replace it.

Yes, it is a shame that all these activities are scheduled up against the traditional worship times. Some of these families,certainly, would be there no matter what is happening at the church. This situation, however, is a good enough reason for churches to re-evaluate how they DO “worship.” 

Parents who take (or send) their children to various activities on Sunday morning are making a choice. 

Don’t blame; reclaim.

The Clashing of Symbols

A few days ago the flag of the European Union (EU) was raised above the Prague Castle, seat of government for the Czech Republic. It is the first time the flag has flown over the castle since the Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004. Not everyone is happy about this symbol of authority being raised at the castle. In fact, the issue was raised with me by my neighbor, who thinks this is a despicable act.

A think tank associated with former President Vaclav Klaus has criticized the move severely. A paper circulated by the group says

  ...”apart from the Czech flag only the Nazi flag flew over Prague Castle - during World War Two.
Not even the communists dared to hoist the Soviet flag at the castle, the think tank writes.” (see full story here).

Klaus was known as a “Eurosceptic,” keeping an arms length from the European Union, especially the “Euro Zone,” of which the Czech Republic is not a member, continuing to use its own currency the Korunna. New President (since March) Miloš Zeman is considerably more favorable to Europe, even signing the latest bailout accords, the most recent attempt to shore up failing Euro Zone economies.

All was not quiet as the flag was hoisted. According to an Associated Press story,

A small but noisy demonstration on Wednesday tried to drown out the ceremony at Prague Castle, where Zeman stood alongside European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
With a smattering of tourists watching as the flag was raised alongside the Czech one, several hundred opponents booed and whistled. One sign demanded a referendum to vote on whether to quit the EU.
The Free Citizens Party, which organized the rally and is aligned to Klaus, launched a petition campaign Wednesday to hold a referendum on terminating EU membership.
"We're looking forward to taking the flag down one day," said party chairman Petr Mach, whose group is not represented in Parliament. (story here).

Flags are a symbol of sovereignty. When a nation is conquered, the flag of the victor is flown over its castle. National sovereignty seems to be the enemy of those who seek a cozier world of one nation and one government. It is not a minor thing that citizens of this nation, so often overrun by enemies (Austro-Hungarian Empire, Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia) would feel queasy over yet another non-Czech flag being flown over their castle.

There is one form of sovereignty which will neither be diminished, nor destroyed. That is God’s sovereignty over His creation. An entire study on this doctrine would be worthwhile for any of my readers. Let us just leave it at this: The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. (Psalm 103:19, ESV).

More on Christian Leadership

 

A key spiritual qualification of a Christian leader is calling. When the church

ordains men to office it is not conferring upon them a call to office; nor is it

mystically empowering them with the gifts necessary to carry out their duties.

Rather, what the church is doing is confirming what they believe God has told

them about this individual: he is called to this position in the church. We can

read a description of just such a situation in Acts 6:1-6. What do we see here?

·  There was a need. The Apostles could not do all the teaching and preaching and still have time to take care of these physical needs. So they sought help. (This reminds me of the advice given Moses by his father-in-law, Jethro in Exodus 18:14-23. He told him that he needed spiritually qualified help to carry on the work God had give him).

·  They sought men who were known to be full of the spirit and wisdom. In other words, these were Christian men. They were called to this particular task because they were Christians – or stated another way they were called to this particular task by virtue of their obvious Christian character.

·  They were not the Apostles.  This is important. These were guys from the pews.

Now, I am well aware that there are different kinds of gifts; different levels of leadership. Not all in the church will be elders or teachers. But, the Apostle Paul directed his Epistle to the Romans to members of the congregations in Rome,

including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:6-7)

Later, in chapter eight, Paul writes, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (8:28).

In 1st Corinthians, Paul reminds his brothers to, "...consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth." (1:26).

Then, in the Epistle to the Galatians, this same Paul writes, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13)

There are many others verses on calling, but I think that last one is a clincher. You were called. You’re a Christian, a saint. What’s your job? Service to God through service to man. What’s that called: Leadership!

Now look at 1 Peter 4:10. This says that if you are a Christian you have been given gifts. What are you going to do with them? Since we know that you have gifts and we know that they came from God, shouldn’t we all be seeking to develop those gifts and offering them to the family, the church and/or the community?

Now again, we know that we have been called by God and we know that He gives us gifts so that we can carry out the duties of our calling. Now hear this:  “God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29.)

More to come on this topic. Again, I ask, "what do you think about this topic?"

Playing Fair

Last month it was “March Madness” time in the USA. For non-American readers, this is the time for the national university basketball championship tournament. (Which this year, actually ends in a few days from now - 8 April). It’s a very big deal. I have had the opportunity to watch some of the games thanks to modern technology. There were some big upsets in the early rounds. It was all very exciting.

Sport is not the only source of competition at the university level, however. There are musical contests and various forensics and academic titles to be sought and won. Competition is no less fierce than on the court or the ice or the field. One such competition is called the National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT)   

On the same day I read of a small university from Florida overcoming basketball giant Georgetown University, I also read of a scandal at the NAQT.  Harvard University, that current bastion of (American-style) liberalism, was stripped of four academic tournament titles because it cheated.

J.K. Trotter of the Atlantic Wire writes,

Quiz bowls aren't really known for attracting cheaters — the 2006 British hit Starter for 10 excluded — but, as recent history suggests, if there's a way to cheat, a Harvard student will find it. According to a "security update" posted earlier this week by the National Academic Quiz Tournaments, LLC (which holds and judges quiz bowl tournaments), Harvard's quiz bowl team will be stripped of four quiz bowl championship titles after the company caught four students on Harvard's team illicitly accessing official quiz questions before the tournaments were held.

Harvard University is the oldest university in the United States, having been founded in 1636. It was founded by ministers, to fill a need for trained ministers of religion. How the high have been brought low.

It’s in this small space now, that I should attempt to answer the question, “why do people cheat?”. Forget it. That’s a much-too-complex question for this blog (or this mind). But, I will say this, it’s a basic sin-issue. Yes, man is sinful. He has desires, which he (she) often allows free reign.

James, the brother of Jesus, has much to say on this topic in his epistle. In the first chapter he writes:

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (ESV)

verses 14 and 15 are pretty straightforward. You want stuff, including athletic trophies and academic titles, so you will be willing to sin to get them.

James goes on to set the matter even straighter in chapter four, where he states What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. (vv. 1-3, ESV).

You are willing to go to any lengths to get what you want. You will even murder.

Cheating is rife in academic institutions the world around. Even the military academies regularly catch cadets and midshipmen being dishonest in their academic pursuits. Cheating is commonplace in relationships. The most broken promise ever made is the wedding vow.

So, does James offer any solutions to this problem of sin and cheating, passion and murder? He does, but it’s not exactly a magic potion. Sin will continue to exist until the end of time (a subject we will NOT be looking into here). James writes:  "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, (AD)that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (Chapter 5, verse 16).

Prayer is the answer. Sounds simplistic, perhaps, but it is the answer. Prayer and repentance will turn around the most vile of sinners. Will it clean up the world as we know it? Maybe to some extent, but we will still live in a sinful world. The Apostle Paul completed the though, in a sense, when he wrote to Titus.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14, ESV.

The answer is Jesus. We don’t need to cheat to get this answer. It’s plain for all to see and comprehend.

A Little of This; A Litte of That

Since Sandra and I moved to the Czech Republic, 18 months ago, people have asked us regularly, “what do you do?”. People we meet ask us, government officials have asked us, folks in the USA ask us. So, I thought that I would try to give an answer. Whatever answer I give will likely be incomplete.

But, wait. What DO we do? The answers usually go something like this: “we do what God lays out for us to do,” or “a little of this and a little of that.” Let me give it a shot, though.

First, we are retired. After 30 years of pastoral ministry, we came here to continue to visit and encourage friends in this part of the world. You see, for many years we had been coming to this part of the world to talk to people about education and about Christian Family Living (see our website). This also included a good bit of encouraging and supplying of educational materials, which wonderful publishers had provided and we carried. We often referred to ourselves as “camels for the Lord.” Back when airlines were more open to this sort of thing (not requiring us to pay extra for baggage) we often had nearly 200 pounds of educational materials to distribute (free) to the folks we visited.

These relationships have continued and we have added new ones. Since we moved to Europe we have visited Bulgaria, Kenya (just a bit outside Eastern Europe!), Slovakia, Norway, and the United Kingdom. We’ve also ministered to people here in the Czech Republic. Next month we’ll be doing a conference in the Netherlands. We constantly keep in touch with many of our friends via Skype and email.

We’ve also worked on the completion of our book, Children in Church: Nurturing Hearts of Worship, which is due out any minute now. This is a labor of 30 years, explaining the “why” and the “how” of families worshipping together. Look for it at Great Waters Press.

We’ve found a church at which we can worship our God in Spirit and in Truth. We’ve been honored to welcomed in the Reformovaná presbyterní cirkev z Modrany (note that the website is in Czech, so you'll want to use a browser which will translate) and we’ve been doing what we can to serve in this small, Czech-speaking congregation.

On Thursday evenings we host a group of young people for dinner and discussion of Biblical and theological topics. This group includes both American and Czech young folk (they're all in their 30s, but to us, of course, they are impossibly young). As I write this we are studying the topic of hermeneutics.

Of course, we blog (check out Sandra’s blog  and look for her also at the Far East Broadcasting Company's blog. We’re currently working on the ideas for our next book project.

So, what do we do? A little of this and a little of that. Mostly, we try to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit and do what God lays out for us to do. Oh, and we enjoy our the city to which God has sent us.

How about you? What do you do?