Is servant evangelism enough?
In: evangelism
17 Feb 2009When I was growing up, the churches I knew focused on one type of evangelism:
MESSAGE
We were “soul-winners”, we were taught the Laws, the Road, the acrostics with the verses. We memorized our testimonies, the answers to the frequently asked questions. Evangelism was an event, a conversation, a presentation. We shared our faith and brought our friends to programs that would clearly proclaim the gospel. Sometimes we debated the use of “lifestyle evangelism”, but usually came back to “proclamation evangelism.”
This approach is biblical. Much of Jesus ministry as a rabbi was in presenting His message of love and truth, often to strangers, usually in a brief amount of time. You see a similar pattern with the apostles. Yes, some miracles which met practical needs, but mainly preaching/teaching.
The challenge is that His followers at times hyper-focus on this method. Life-change stories become sales pitches, a heart for discipling is replaced with the drive to make converts and get decisions. Sadly, this is the angry face of evangelism that many people associate with Christ’s followers.
There was another type of evangelism:
SERVE
These churches fed the hungry, housed the homeless, fought for the down-trodden. They put truth and love into action. But they oftentimes left the MESSAGE behind. They were liberal churches with a social gospel and no clear Jesus-story. So we avoided serving the lost, just in case someone might mistake us for liberals!
Today’s evangelical churches have once again actually read the Bible, the teaching of Jesus, and they see evangelism like this:
MESSAGE + SERVE
Rick Warren and other church leaders have encouraged us to have a reformation of deeds, not creeds. But we must work to hold on to both elements because we don’t want to fall into the other ditch - serving people without a clear MESSAGE. There are plenty of humanitarian organizations that genuinely care about people – but they offer no “salvation.” We might think, “just serve them, they know we’re from a church, they know about Jesus.”
No, they don’t. Every survey from every researcher, Christian or not, shows a decline in knowledge about the teachings of Scripture. Even in the Bible Belt. Even inside our churches.
So, is “servant-evangelism” biblical? Yes, but not based on some of the passages we use:
- John 13 “Wash one another’s feet” – command to serve Christians
- Matt.10 “offer a cup of cold water” – refers to the reward of a disciple
- Matt. 25 “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat” – may refer to national judgment
The Bible IS clear we are to serve the world in love. Jesus’ mission was saving the poor and the prisoners [Luke 4]. Israel as a nation was judged, in part, for neglecting the alien, widows, and fatherless [Prophets]. The second Great Command is to love our neighbor [Matthew 22], and EVERYONE is our neighbor [Luke 10].
But even this combination doesn’t go far enough. Searching back through Acts, I see a third element to biblical evangelism:
MESSAGE + FAMILY + SERVE
The church in Jerusalem focused on proclaiming a clear MESSAGE, and they spent time loving and serving the FAMILY of God. Check out Acts 2, 4, 5, 6, all those stories about sharing and serving. It started inside the FAMILY. Why? Because Jesus Himself taught – after He had washed His family’s feet – “People will know you are My followers if you love each other” [John 13:35]. It wasn’t an exclusive family - everyone was invited in. But love and serving had to start in the family, and then spread to their neighbors. When the wanderer saw the FAMILY working together to SERVE them, they were getting the whole picture.
The MESSAGE gives the critical truth, the SERVE shows the love, and the FAMILY gives the picture of what the wanderer is getting invited into.
To rephrase a quote from my friend Bob Roberts, the church IS the evangelist, the Body of Christ IS the witness. Yes, every member should live a life that shines the gospel, and every member should be able to give an answer for the hope they have [1 Peter 3:15]. But I also see 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 talking about a Body, members with different gifts working together to minister.
Can any of these elements alone become an extreme? Of course:
- If I focus on MESSAGE I can become a pompous academician
- If I focus on SERVE I can become a purposeless humanitarian
- If I focus on FAMILY I can become spiritually incestuous, inbred
Point being it DOESN’T have to be one to the exclusion of the others. As church leaders, we need to have a clear Jesus story and biblical salvation teaching, then lead a family of Christ followers to serve and love our neighbors into God’s kingdom.
Locking the rooftop door.
In: personal growth
13 Feb 2009One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace.
2 Samuel 11
It may seem like a strange sentiment, but this Valentine’s Day I am checking over the following list of ways to “lock the door to the rooftop.” No specific temptations in my marriage. I am just very grateful for my godly, beautiful wife of 21 years. I’ve watched too many friends and church leaders fall. I know my own weaknesses and don’t want to ever be arrogant when it comes to assessing my moral strength.
I once had a pastor who built some specific fences in his life. He’d tell the congregation “if I’m driving in a rain storm, and one of you ladies is broken down along the road – I’m not stopping for you!” We all laughed, and it seemed a little extreme. But we knew what he meant. He dearly loved his wife, and would err on the side of caution to stay away from temptation. These “rooftop door deadbolts” may seem a little legalistic – that’s ok, because they are MY deadbolts.
What are yours?
- What Internet pictures/content am I viewing, lingering on?
- Am I following or connecting with any women inappropriately on Facebook, Twitter?
- Am I communicating inappropriately with any women through email?
- Am I communicating inappropriately with any women through texting?
- Which women have my cell phone number?
- Am I socializing singularly, or growing a close friendship with any women?
- Am I spending time counseling any women alone?
- Am I working too closely with any women on staff?
- Am I looking at, or thinking about women inappropriately?
- Who are the men who hold me accountable spiritually for my moral life?
- Is my wife aware of my struggles, weaknesses?
- Do I look at my wife when we talk, do I watch her?
- Do I daydream about my wife?
- Do I listen to my wife when she is sharing her thoughts?
- Do I show physical affection to my wife?
- What plans, visions do I have for my wife’s life?
- Do I work to help my wife grow spiritually?
- Do I work to add value to my wife’s life?
- Do I empower my wife to pursue her dreams, passions, interests?
- Do I pray with my wife?
- Do I serve my wife?
- Do I help my wife parent our children?
- Do I protect my wife?
- Do I lift, carry my wife’s burdens?
- Do I build my wife’s self-image with affirming words?
- (13) Comments
- Tags: marriage
Investment of a life.
In: personal growth
10 Feb 2009
I don’t remember much about Junior High. It’s an awkward time for most of us. I’m sure I plodded through classes, struggled through acne, and stumbled through flirting with members of the opposite sex.
But I do remember 8th grade. I was drawn into an exciting student ministry group at church, full of dynamic rallies, activities, music, teaching, and serving team opportunities.
And in the middle of it all I remember Dave Adams.
Dave was a young student pastor, just in his early 20s, but he was a LEADER. He was my pastor through junior high and high school. I served as an intern in his ministry through college and seminary. He was one of the officiators at my wedding. I worked on his team at the Center for Youth Ministry at Liberty University for seven years.
Since 1978 Dave has developed and taught youth and family ministry courses at Liberty University, Lexington Baptist College and Southern Seminary. He has developed ministry training centers in Africa, Malaysia, Mexico, and Ukraine. His former students serve in all fifty states and five continents. This week he celebrates 10 years of leading the International Center for Youth Ministry at Southern Seminary and 30 years of recruiting, training, placing, and networking in youth ministry higher education and local church leadership.
But it is Dave’s personal investment in my life that I want to applaud. Many leaders have great visions for important kingdom works. But few have the shepherding skill to build people at the same time. I appreciate Dave’s leadership in these areas:
- Vision for personal potential – When Jesus met His first students, He announced the potential He saw in each of them [John 1, Luke 5]. Dave had the vision to look at an eighth grader and see the kind of disciple and leader I could be.
- Team building – I have always been an introvert and a little bit of a loner. But I learned how to function in a team starting in eighth grade. Dave built people into teams, forging their gifts into a ministry force.
- High expectations – Because Dave has such strong vision, he’s not afraid to call his team to a high standard. Some leaders might coddle their “son in the faith” – not Dave. I always appreciated that he treated me as a man, and he expected quality work from me.
- Entrustment with significant work – Early on Dave gave me important work to do. At the beginning of my senior year, he announced he was giving me a ministry team of several high schoolers to lead. I was somewhat overwhelmed, but it pushed me to the next level of growth.
- Rest and celebration – Dave worked us hard – but he also knew how to play hard. He had a good sense of knowing when to take a break in the work and take the team out just to relax. He also understood the biblical concept of “remembering”. At the end of each project, each ministry year, he’d make us stop and smell the roses, to reflect on the work and celebrate God’s goodness.
Dave, you are a friend and mentor. I am thankful for your investment in my life and continued encouragement. I pray blessings on your life and ministry. I hope that I can pass the ministry baton that you’ve given me onto the next generation.
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- Tags: mentoring
Is Jesus president or king?
In: discipleship
31 Jan 2009As I recently wrote, its been amazing to see the outpouring of admiration and support for Barack Obama. His approval rating has dropped since he actually took office and began leading, but the honeymoon is still in full swing. People are desperate for him to be a great leader.
But even his fans probably wouldn’t want him to be the king of America. They still prefer him to be our president.
I’ve never met a president. My father has - Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. I had the chance to be in the same room with both of those presidents. And I once was in a crowded airport in the presence of the late King Hussein of Jordan.
There’s a difference between a king and a president.
- A president deserves an inauguration
- A king deserves a coronation
- A president governs a democracy
- A king rules a kingdom
- A president is elected when all citizens vote
- A king is voted in office by no one
- A president swears an oath [35 words to be exact]
- A king swears by his family name
- A president governs based on a constitution
- A king rules based on a bloodline
- A president hears the people raise their voice in opinion
- A king sees the people bend the knee and bow the head
The problem with many of us is that we sometimes treat Jesus as our president instead of our king.
We act as if His kingdom is a democracy, as if we get to cast a vote for His leadership, as if we can voice our opinion about His agenda, as if He should adjust His policies based on our wishes.
Our American Christianity has been infected with democracy and capitalism. Those ideas make for a great nation and economic system - but they are not the design of the kingdom of God.
Two scenes show this contrast: John 12 and John 19.
John 12 tells the story of Jesus followers celebrating His Triumphal Entry. He rides on a donkey from Mt.Olives into Jerusalem on a Sunday, fulfilling prophecy [Zechariah 9:9, Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 62:11]. They enthusiastically accompany Him, shaking palm branches and singing Psalms 118, “Hosanna!” They recognize Jesus as their king.
But five days later John 19 shows a violently different picture. Its Friday morning, in Pilate’s courtyard. A religious crowd, including the Jewish leaders, are crying out for Jesus’ crucifixion. “He is not our king!” These religious people - perhaps some of the same ones who at the beginning of the week had considered Jesus their king - were now treating Him like a president. He had disappointed their desires for a political, economic, or military solution to their troubles - and so they were “voting Him out.”
Jesus had threatened their power.
He exposed their sin, hypocrisy.
He ruined their religion.
The honeymoon was over.
Its amazing but true. Over time, passionate followers of King Jesus can subtly become religious voters, citizens who want Him to respond to their lobbying. But Jesus is a king, not a president. So how do we keep proper perspective?
Look back to John 12. The Sunday morning Mt.Olives crowd had these characteristics:
- They knew scripture, and so they recognized the prophecy unfolding in front of them. If I stay focused on God’s Word it will always point my attention to the King.
- They risked scorn or worse from the Romans to worship the King publicly and joyfully. If I practice reckless, passionate worship I will stay focused on the King.
- They followed Jesus down the road towards the Temple. If I practice devout obedience, I will maintain my submission to the King
Where is your allegiance? Is Jesus king, or president of your life?
If you answered the latter, then its time for a Triumphal Entry into your heart.
- (3) Comments
- Tags: obedience
Parenting snapshot.
In: discipleship
27 Jan 2009
I recently had the chance to teach at two churches on the topic of parenting. Following is the snapshot of the parenting mission I gave that is found in Deuteronomy 6. Parenting is a commissioned relationship to mold and model God’s life into my child.
Deuteronomy 6 tells me that I am to “mold” the life of my child. Andy Stanley calls this the “control” we have over children when they are younger. We can mold their understanding and appreciation for God, and their self-image. Solomon’s book “Proverbs” is an excellent tool in shaping young lives, as he writes for his children to “listen to my words”.
We move toward “influence” in our children’s lives and begin to lose more and more control. Ultimately we will have no control over them - only influence if we parent effectively when they are younger. Influence means modeling our lives in front of them, showing the way as we go the way, walking the talk. We need to let them see our God relationship, see how we struggle with our weaknesses. We need to model a healthy marriage for them. Solomon wrote another book, Ecclesiastes, which chronicles for us and his children the life he lived, good and bad.
As we are molding and modeling, we will move through the three stages of parenting: we CRAFT the lives of children, COACH adolescents, and CONSULT young adults. You cannot parent with them same role throughout your child’s life. Parenting is a moving target, and our role grows and morphs as the child grows and morphs. Read here for further comments of parenting.
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- Tags: parenting
I want Barack Obama to be my pastor.
In: leadership
8 Jan 2009I want Barack Obama to be my pastor.
Who wouldn’t want him as your pastor? Think about it. He’s young, handsome, educated, intelligent, charismatic, inspirational. He’s a good family man. His history has made him sensitive to those who struggle, and to those from different backgrounds. He offers the promise of fresh hope, new directions. He’s building a team of talented, diverse players to lead with him.
He’s wildly popular in America and around the world. Everyone WANTS him to lead, to inspire, to give the rally cry.
Of course, you may totally disagree with his policies, his philosophy. Still, isn’t he the KIND of leader you want? And wouldn’t that kind of leader make a tremendous pastor? Don’t we all want that type of leader?
That’s the problem.
Humans crave competent, charismatic leaders in their lives. Sure, we all claim to be free-thinkers, independents, even “rebels”. But deep inside we want to be led, we NEED to be led. We really do want a president to lead us, a spouse to direct us, a pastor to save us.
Why? Actually, it’s wired into our DNA.
Humans were designed with vertical vision, with elevated eyesight. From birth our eyes naturally drift upward, looking for a Higher Being to lead us.
God is our Creator, and whether we acknowledge his existence or not, we look for him. We want a leader. And if we don’t believe in him, we look for a human leader to do a job they were never intended to do – to be “god”.
G.K. Chesterton observed this danger in 1933 - “Once abolish the God, and the government becomes the God.”
And in the church it is the same.
I’ve worked for 3 great pastors. All talented, strong leaders, anointed, lots of qualities. And yet, in every case, over time, I hear people in the church sigh, whine, or complain. “I wish he fed us more” “I wish he led us stronger” “I wish he was a better counselor” “I wish he’d manage the staff hands-on” “I wish he would back-off and give the staff room to lead!” “I wish he had more vision” “I wish he would stop casting so much vision!”
“I wish, I wish, I wish.”
What they are actually wishing for is the perfect pastor, the super saint, the ideal leader. Many church people use Isaiah 9 as the job description for their pastor. They want him to be…
- Wonderful counselor
- A mighty god
- An everlasting father
- A prince of peace
But those titles were reserved for only One.
It was the same with Israel wanting a king. Unsatisfied with a theocracy, priests, prophets and judges, they demanded of Samuel “Give us a king to lead us” [1 Samuel 8]. God decided to give them what they wanted, and then proceeded to tell them just what their rebellious demand would bring. A king would subject them to bureaucracy and bondage. But they didn’t care.
Because they wanted a leader.
So, to all church members, remember. Your pastor…
- Has 168 hours in each week - just like you
- Has limited skills, abilities and gifting - just like you
- Is not omnipotent, omniscience, nor omnipresent – and neither are you
- Will fail – just like you
- Can only do what God has asked him to do
Yes, God works through His servant leaders in government and the church – just don’t ask them to do the job reserved only for Him. Let the trajectory of your gaze aim a little higher above your pastor or president. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of your faith.
Oh, and don’t bother calling Barak Obama for your church. He already has a job.
- (12) Comments
- Tags: leadership, Obama, pastors
Breaking news! First words of baby Jesus revealed!
In: christmas
25 Dec 2008Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.’ ”
Hebrews 10:5-7
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- Tags: Jesus
The infinite/intimate God.
22 Dec 2008Scripture talks much about the 2 dimensions of God: infinite… intimate. Throughout history God was known as the majestic, mighty, magnificent Lord. He was above and beyond His creation.
But in the nativity story, in the manger, we are introduced to a very personable, vulnerable side of this God. He becomes intimate in our understanding. Some scriptures that highlight this infinite/intimate God…
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, [infinite] 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? [intimate]
psalm 8
3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. [intimate] 4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. [infinite]
psalm 147
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. [infinite] 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. [intimate]
john 1
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, [intimate] and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [infinite]
Isaiah 9
- (1) Comment
- Tags: attributes of God
Fence principles: sledgehammers and hedges
In: leadership
19 Dec 2008Two principles I have learned – am learning – concerning making changes or starting new traditions in a church.
Fence Principle #1 – FOR OLDER CHURCHES:
“Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason it was put up.”
This quote from the English Christian writer G.K. Chesterton is wise advice for any leader dealing with an older organization, especially one in which he is wishing to birth change. It’s easy to walk into a church and immediately see glaring examples of things that need to be changed, improved – or killed!
But before you start the demolition, ask yourself – or better yet, ask someone who has been there for a long time – “Why was this tradition started in the first place? Where did this policy, practice or program come from? What is its history?” There may be a very good reason the fence was put up in the first place. You may unleash unwanted consequences if you pull it down without understanding it.
I am re-introducing myself to this principle in leading at a 52 year old church. At times I can be impatient, wanting to see change happen faster. Our pastor is actually a good balance in this – he is courageous enough to make changes, but picks the right timing, which makes the process longer. But in doing so he is gaining more support for the change. And in some cases, we are finding we don’t need to change a certain area.
Fence Principle #2 – FOR YOUNGER CHURCHES:
“Don’t build a fence when a hedge will do”
This was a personal lesson I learned while working at a church plant. At an older church you walk around with a sledghammer, looking for fences to knock down. At a young church, you walk out into an empty field – because no fences have been built yet! In church planting you start with a clean slate. There are no policies, procedures, programs or practices. No rules, no traditions. No “this is what we have always done”, or “this is what we have always taught.”
Fun, right? But fences serve a purpose. They help bring structure, boundaries, etc. We need what fences offer. So the balancing act is to bring structure to your church, ministry, organization, without building rigid, inflexible policies, procedures, programs, practices, rules, and traditions. Very challenging.
One way to do this is to look for natural boundaries –“hedges” - and be slow to build anything that does not have a purpose. Don’t try to make a comprehensive list of rules or policies for staff, volunteers, church members that include issues that aren’t a problem. If there is a natural “hedge”, if your people aren’t abusing “x”, then don’t make a rule – don’t build a fence. Maybe later the situation will change, and a fence will be needed – but not today. Don’t over-communicate expectations. Too many fences, even good ones, limit the movement of the sheep, and hinders their growth in listening to your leadership and to the shepherding of the Spirit. Legalism produces well-behaved people, but not passionate, thinking, studying, followers of Christ.
You can either start an organization by leading from rules or by leading with grace and encouraging growth. The second option is hard, it takes more time and patience – but true disciples are produced. The first option answers everyone’s questions and nails down every issue – but it may squash a unique work the Spirit wants to do in these people’s lives. If you live by the list, you’ll die by the list.
Shepherd people beside natural hedges as much as possible, and use the sledgehammer with great caution.
- (5) Comments
- Tags: policies, traditions
Church leadership structure #3
In: leadership
17 Dec 2008…continued
11. What is the job of a deacon?
A deacon is a spiritually mature person who directs a serving ministry in the church.
12. What is a deacon?
‘Deacon’ comes from the Greek word diakonos which means servant or minister. The example is probably that of the seven Greek believers who led the benevolence ministry to widows in the church (Acts 6).
13. What are the qualifications of a deacon?
A wise, mature man who is above reproach, husband of only one wife, temperate, respectable, not given to wine, manages his family well, has children in submission, does not pursue dishonest gain, holds to the truth, sincere, tested (1 Timothy 3:1-9, Titus 1:5-9).
14. Can a woman be a deacon?
Quite possibly. The Greek term ‘gynaikas hosautus’ in 1 Timothy 3:11 can be translated “likewise the women”, and may refer to deaconesses instead of deacons wives. Paul speaks of Phoebe, a woman who perhaps had the ministry of deaconess (Romans 16:1). The qualifications of this person include a respectful reputation, not a malicious talker, temperate, and trustworthy.
15. How many elders or deacons are there to be?
There are no guidelines in scripture. The apostles instructed the Jerusalem church to select seven men, but there is no record of how many were in each church. Perhaps this was just a number in proportion to the need.
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- Tags: deacons, elders
study, practice, teach
For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel
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