“Thus says the LORD, ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,’ declares the LORD.”
~Isaiah 66:1-2
So...I imagine that if you’re a Christian born and raised in the West*, you have probably heard (or said) at least one (or all) of these phrases at least once (or a hundred times) in your life...
“Hey, how was church Sunday?”
“What church do you go to?”
“You can’t say something like that in church!!”**
“They’re building a new church over on Main Street”
“Church was AWESOME today!!!”
“He’s not a part of our church.”
Interestingly enough, if you would have said these words to a first century Christian, they probably would have been dumbfounded. The reason? Because they fully understood that church was not a building...a service...or a denomination. It is the body of Christ...living and breathing. The bride of Christ. God’s chosen people under the new covenant. One does not GO TO church...One IS the church...and the church is ONE (well, idealistically...). WE are the house of God...Jesus Christ is the foundation:
“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual HOUSE for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: ‘BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.’”
~1 Peter 2:6
Most of my brothers and sisters in Christ I’m sure would agree with that when it comes down to it....that the church is not a building or service. One may argue that it’s just programmed into our brain...that we call it that out of habit, but don’t really think that way for the most part. I’m not so sure...maybe deep down we (service-goers) don’t believe it...but sometimes our lives betray us. If this were simply a problem with semantics, it would be a lot easier to ignore. But I think it’s really a symptom of a larger issue***.
We talk a lot about people going to worship services (which most people call, “church”) their whole life but never actually being born again. And we should...it seems to be pretty common. When we’re not assembling together in the way that Jesus intended (a subject that deserves a whole different note)...when we’re not living as the body throughout the week, in community (and all that that entails)...when we’re just meeting once a week to hear a sermon (after which many people often feel that their job is done if they’ve been convicted****)...our growth both as individuals and as a body is severely stunted. Sin is tolerated (or simply unrecognized). Our “church” becomes like entertainment or a hobby. It creates a sort of division in our lifestyle. It’s like...we have “church time” and then “real-life time”, when those should actually be one and the same.
It’s not that I believe that every Christian that attends services in “church” buildings thinks/lives this way...but I do believe that it facilitates and encourages such thinking and living, whether we want it to or not. A week or two ago, they played a video in a service at Community (the church of which I’m a part here in Lexington) that was all about how the service wasn’t supposed to be the end of our Christian walk, but the beginning (or something like that...I really can’t remember exactly)...that we are supposed to take what we have learned and go and practice it, bless others with it, etc. throughout the week. The video just fails to see that our system of “doing” church institutionally...which includes these services as the driving force of our community...is part of the problem.
Honestly, I think in some “church” buildings, they may as well have a sign over the exit door that says, “Your Christian walk stops here.”
We’re supposed to be a family...
...a living...
...breathing...
...COMMUNITY...
...where we truly love and encourage one another...
...beyond a set of four walls.
Or in some cases, 436 extremely expensive walls that contain the latest in everything. But I suppose this isn’t really the time to go on a rant about church finances and God’s economy.
The truth is that our institutional system stifles so many things that the body of Christ is meant to be. There are so many aspects of it that could be brought up here, but I think I’ll end with the thoughts I’ve expressed thus far and let people respond. But this will probably the first of a lot of notes that I will write about church practices...in this one, I’ve raised questions/issues and not really talked about potential solutions. I’m hoping that will start to come in discussion of this note...and then in possible future notes.
I need to make sure one thing is clear...it’s not that I’m saying God doesn’t work through our way of doing church even though we’ve screwed it up....God continued to work through Israel even though they progressively moved further and further away from God’s original plan for them. I have seen wonderful, Spirit-led things come out of the institutional church where people have a heart to serve God. But I’ve also seen a lot of bad...but it’s bad that’s coming not necessarily even out of people’s wrong motives, but out of a worldly mindset that has invaded the church. So let us stop conforming to this world and experience a little mind renewal!!
-----------------------------------------------
*I know that the West isn’t the only place where you find this...but that’s mainly because Western missionaries spread the system.
**This is a phrase that I heard a few times while I was working at Oak Forest UMC’s middle-school program during the summer. I was frustrated as the kids would tell each other what they shouldn’t do “in church,” as though the building were some kind of sacred place and that it’s okay if we do those bad things elsewhere. We HAVE to start acknowledging (and teaching our kids) that if we are Christians, then WE are the house of God, and that carries through our whole lives...not just a few hours a week.
***I’ve been driving my mom crazy lately about church semantics. Every time she says something about “going to church” I’ll say something like...”I didn’t know it was a place you could get to” or simply say, “you mean, worship service”. But I do actually think semantics are important...that they can influence our way of thinking/living as well as vice versa.
****A great quote by Francis Chan: “We’ve conditioned ourselves to hear messages without responding. Sermons have become Christian entertainment. We go to church [services] to hear a well-developed sermon and a convicting thought. We’ve trained ourselves to believe that if we’re convicted, our job is done. If you’re just hearing the Word and not actually doing something with it, you’re deceiving yourself.”
Friday, December 12, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Yes.
You know...part of me wants to tell people who read this blog that people do actually comment a lot on my posts when I put them on Facebook. But that would be proud.
Truth.
So, I really wanted to stop and write a (hopefully) short blog/note about a thought/conviction that just started running through my mind.
It seems as though Christians in our increasingly pluralistic, postmodern, whatever you want to call it, society may in some ways be affected by such an environment in ways they don't realize. I don't want to talk about the obvious ramifications of that sort of culture...the ones like the scores of "Christians" who begin proclaiming that Christ is just one of many ways to heaven...but effects that are more subtle.
It's something I've noticed in the way that many Christians talk to others about their faith (and I'm guilty of it as well)...a sort of "to each his own" way of speech, in which we frequently use phrases like "I think," "I believe," "My opinion," etc. etc. Basically, expressions that almost sound doubtful and timid. It's like...we don't want to "infringe" on other's beliefs, so we share our faith like, "this is my opinion, you have your opinion...hopefully you'll come to share my opinion and everything will be peachy." We may believe, in our heads, that our opinions are true, but we don't speak like it. We don't want to infer to anyone that they're wrong and we're right (and no, I'm not suggesting anyone just come right out and say, "you're wrong, I'm right").
I think...well, I don't think...I know that there is a way for Christians to proclaim the truth...that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life...with boldness, but still in love and gentleness...without a shred of condemnation or disrespect for someone else's beliefs. Sure, people might take offense, but the gospel is not a comfortable message, and Jesus was practically in the business of offending people (though He didn't offend them for the sake of offense...it's just...truth is offensive!!). It's okay to say that something IS truth, even though the world would strongly oppose that. If we keep talking about our faith like it's just our opinion, it facilitates the mindset which I mentioned earlier...that Jesus is only one truth...and for some who may be weaker in their faith, it may even send them down that road!
Take that, Oprah!!!
P.S. This was kind of written off the cuff...feedback?
It seems as though Christians in our increasingly pluralistic, postmodern, whatever you want to call it, society may in some ways be affected by such an environment in ways they don't realize. I don't want to talk about the obvious ramifications of that sort of culture...the ones like the scores of "Christians" who begin proclaiming that Christ is just one of many ways to heaven...but effects that are more subtle.
It's something I've noticed in the way that many Christians talk to others about their faith (and I'm guilty of it as well)...a sort of "to each his own" way of speech, in which we frequently use phrases like "I think," "I believe," "My opinion," etc. etc. Basically, expressions that almost sound doubtful and timid. It's like...we don't want to "infringe" on other's beliefs, so we share our faith like, "this is my opinion, you have your opinion...hopefully you'll come to share my opinion and everything will be peachy." We may believe, in our heads, that our opinions are true, but we don't speak like it. We don't want to infer to anyone that they're wrong and we're right (and no, I'm not suggesting anyone just come right out and say, "you're wrong, I'm right").
I think...well, I don't think...I know that there is a way for Christians to proclaim the truth...that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life...with boldness, but still in love and gentleness...without a shred of condemnation or disrespect for someone else's beliefs. Sure, people might take offense, but the gospel is not a comfortable message, and Jesus was practically in the business of offending people (though He didn't offend them for the sake of offense...it's just...truth is offensive!!). It's okay to say that something IS truth, even though the world would strongly oppose that. If we keep talking about our faith like it's just our opinion, it facilitates the mindset which I mentioned earlier...that Jesus is only one truth...and for some who may be weaker in their faith, it may even send them down that road!
Take that, Oprah!!!
P.S. This was kind of written off the cuff...feedback?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Un-ejookated Krischins
"Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."
~Acts 4:13 (emphasis added)
I wonder if many Christians in the West today realize that the original twelve apostles never attended seminary. I would think that this would be a no-brainer, so it amazes me how seminary attendance (or ANY sort of formal education, for that matter) is a requirement in so many of our churches, ministries, missions organizations, etc. Such requirements are unbiblical, and in many cases, an insult to the Holy Spirit. God uses whomever He desires, regardless of their educational background and vocation, and He equips His followers with whatever they need!!
"And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him."
~1 John 2:27
When it comes down to it, the only prerequisites that the church should have for its pastors, teachers, leaders, missionaries, etc. are Holy Spirit obedience, the Word of God stored in their hearts, and the appropriate spiritual gifts. And honestly...from what I have seen and heard...I think a person can get through seminary and miss all of them. And then that piece of paper means absolutely nothing in the long run.
Formal education can actually become a hindrance to believers if it is not viewed with a kingdom mindset. It is easy to rely on all of our "knowledge" and "wisdom" that we've received in school rather than on God's knowledge and wisdom. We may become too confident in that degree and in our own accomplishments. We may rely on our communication or debating skills rather than letting God speak through us. Methods and strategies can diminish the power of God in our lives if we let them. Our theological pursuits can overtake simple obedience to His Word. It's not about our strength, but HIS strength.*
Now, not by any means am I saying that God does not use educated people (He can use ANYBODY), nor am I saying that people who have been educated have missed the mark. If this were the case, we wouldn't have these God-breathed words to guide us:
"For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God. And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God."
~1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5
Written by Paul...a very educated man, trained at the foot of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Yet God broke Him. There is no doubt in my mind that God used Paul's past education and circumstances for His glory..."God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). But we see here that Paul relied on GOD'S strength in his preaching to the Corinthians...not on persuasive speech...not on some tips and tricks he learned in a sermon development class.
Obviously...some callings WILL require formal education. If God wants you to be a public school teacher...a doctor...a lawyer...yer gonna need sum schoolin'. And I'm also not saying that God never calls people to any sort of formal, spiritual education. However, I do firmly believe that if Christians were more sensitive to God's Word and the Spirit, there would be less of us being formally educated. Some of the most valuable learning and training comes not in a college classroom, but through informal classes, mentoring relationships, on-the-job training, and even simply living in communion with the body of Christ...letting iron sharpen iron (Proverbs 27:17). Let learning be a life-long experience...let us have a Mary spirit and continue to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His Word!!
The bottom line is this: do not think that you need special, formal education in order to do that which God has called you to do!! If God DOES call you to obtain a formal education, then by all means, obey!! But do not let the people around you (and trust me, many of them will be Christians) convince you that you need anything other than God's equipment to carry out your calling!!
*As a side note, I continue to struggle with this and would appreciate prayer...that's part of why I feel compelled to speak on it.
~Acts 4:13 (emphasis added)
I wonder if many Christians in the West today realize that the original twelve apostles never attended seminary. I would think that this would be a no-brainer, so it amazes me how seminary attendance (or ANY sort of formal education, for that matter) is a requirement in so many of our churches, ministries, missions organizations, etc. Such requirements are unbiblical, and in many cases, an insult to the Holy Spirit. God uses whomever He desires, regardless of their educational background and vocation, and He equips His followers with whatever they need!!
"And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him."
~1 John 2:27
When it comes down to it, the only prerequisites that the church should have for its pastors, teachers, leaders, missionaries, etc. are Holy Spirit obedience, the Word of God stored in their hearts, and the appropriate spiritual gifts. And honestly...from what I have seen and heard...I think a person can get through seminary and miss all of them. And then that piece of paper means absolutely nothing in the long run.
Formal education can actually become a hindrance to believers if it is not viewed with a kingdom mindset. It is easy to rely on all of our "knowledge" and "wisdom" that we've received in school rather than on God's knowledge and wisdom. We may become too confident in that degree and in our own accomplishments. We may rely on our communication or debating skills rather than letting God speak through us. Methods and strategies can diminish the power of God in our lives if we let them. Our theological pursuits can overtake simple obedience to His Word. It's not about our strength, but HIS strength.*
Now, not by any means am I saying that God does not use educated people (He can use ANYBODY), nor am I saying that people who have been educated have missed the mark. If this were the case, we wouldn't have these God-breathed words to guide us:
"For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God. And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God."
~1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5
Written by Paul...a very educated man, trained at the foot of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Yet God broke Him. There is no doubt in my mind that God used Paul's past education and circumstances for His glory..."God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). But we see here that Paul relied on GOD'S strength in his preaching to the Corinthians...not on persuasive speech...not on some tips and tricks he learned in a sermon development class.
Obviously...some callings WILL require formal education. If God wants you to be a public school teacher...a doctor...a lawyer...yer gonna need sum schoolin'. And I'm also not saying that God never calls people to any sort of formal, spiritual education. However, I do firmly believe that if Christians were more sensitive to God's Word and the Spirit, there would be less of us being formally educated. Some of the most valuable learning and training comes not in a college classroom, but through informal classes, mentoring relationships, on-the-job training, and even simply living in communion with the body of Christ...letting iron sharpen iron (Proverbs 27:17). Let learning be a life-long experience...let us have a Mary spirit and continue to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His Word!!
The bottom line is this: do not think that you need special, formal education in order to do that which God has called you to do!! If God DOES call you to obtain a formal education, then by all means, obey!! But do not let the people around you (and trust me, many of them will be Christians) convince you that you need anything other than God's equipment to carry out your calling!!
*As a side note, I continue to struggle with this and would appreciate prayer...that's part of why I feel compelled to speak on it.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Instead of a Show
This is just a random post, but I think that you should listen to this song by Jon Foreman and read the lyrics. It's incredible, in my opinion...based on Scripture.
It's called "Instead of a Show"...listen to it here:
http://www.myspace.com/jonforeman
I hate all your show and pretense
the hypocrisy of your praise
the hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate all your show
Away with your noisy worship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stop up my ears when your singing ‘em
I hate all your show
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
your eyes are closed when you’re praying
you sing right along with the band
you shine up your shoes for services
but there’s blood on your hands
you turned your back on the homeless
and the ones that don’t fit in your plans
quit playing religion games
there’s blood on your hands
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show
Ah! let’s argue this out
if your sins are blood red
let’s argue this out
you’ll be white as the clouds
let’s argue this out
quit fooling around
give love to the ones who can’t love at all
give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
stand up for the ones who can’t stand up at all
I hate all your show
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show
It's called "Instead of a Show"...listen to it here:
http://www.myspace.com/jonforeman
I hate all your show and pretense
the hypocrisy of your praise
the hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate all your show
Away with your noisy worship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stop up my ears when your singing ‘em
I hate all your show
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
your eyes are closed when you’re praying
you sing right along with the band
you shine up your shoes for services
but there’s blood on your hands
you turned your back on the homeless
and the ones that don’t fit in your plans
quit playing religion games
there’s blood on your hands
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show
Ah! let’s argue this out
if your sins are blood red
let’s argue this out
you’ll be white as the clouds
let’s argue this out
quit fooling around
give love to the ones who can’t love at all
give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
stand up for the ones who can’t stand up at all
I hate all your show
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Prologue
My purpose in creating this blog is not to keep people updated on my life, nor to write random thoughts and reflections on things that ultimately don't matter (though I can't guarantee that they won't be thrown in occasionally). My purpose is to pursue the truth and speak it...to reprove, exhort, rebuke, correct, and encourage when necessary. I do not consider myself wise in my own estimation...because I am nothing...but as a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, I DO know the SOURCE of truth in this world, and He lives in me.
If you don't consider Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, you will find yourself disagreeing with me constantly, although I invite you to read what I have written nonetheless. But it would be pointless for you to voice your disagreements with me if we don't agree on the same source of truth.
I know that I will not get everything right, for the flesh that battles with the Spirit within me still has the power to confuse. If you are a Spirit-filled believer, please, voice your disagreements if you feel I'm going astray on something! But please do it in love.
I hope in all of this to "refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
Most importantly of all, if you do not know the love and grace of Jesus Christ...if you've never confessed with your mouth that He is Lord and Savior, the Son of God...or if you even just feel as though the "Christianity" that you have experienced in your life has been short on grace and truth...please, contact me or another follower of Jesus.
I want to speak with all of you. But I am not here to argue with anyone.
Love, grace & peace,
Nick
If you don't consider Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, you will find yourself disagreeing with me constantly, although I invite you to read what I have written nonetheless. But it would be pointless for you to voice your disagreements with me if we don't agree on the same source of truth.
I know that I will not get everything right, for the flesh that battles with the Spirit within me still has the power to confuse. If you are a Spirit-filled believer, please, voice your disagreements if you feel I'm going astray on something! But please do it in love.
I hope in all of this to "refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
Most importantly of all, if you do not know the love and grace of Jesus Christ...if you've never confessed with your mouth that He is Lord and Savior, the Son of God...or if you even just feel as though the "Christianity" that you have experienced in your life has been short on grace and truth...please, contact me or another follower of Jesus.
I want to speak with all of you. But I am not here to argue with anyone.
Love, grace & peace,
Nick
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)