Sick of all the "Vision" Talk.

There I said it. People keep asking what's your church's vision? Where will

you be in 5 years? Even in a newsletter I got this week says "The Bible tells us where there is no vision the people cast off restraint, they perish. Vision is crucial to the life and quality of your church or organization."

Its a myth. A lie. All the planning and purpose driven mission statements and having direction in your church won't give you Vision. Not at least in the way they defined it as . Vision as being that of having some sort of plan or purpose for the future. Vision isn't all it is cracked up to.

We use some old King James version verse to support our theological thinking of we need a "Business" vision. As if we can build the "Church" on our own. And that it is as easy as 4 steps. It isn't. Proverbs 29:18 is more easily translated "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." Seems we forget the later part of that verse ALOT. Talk about contextualization. In other words in this little proverb .... Where there is no Revelation ...people perish. Or in other words where there isn't the Word of God ... people perish. (Unlike what Rob Bell would like you to think)

Our vision is based upon the Word of God. Proclaiming the Word of God. Making Disciples .... no more, no less. None of these purpose driven, vision, 5 , 10 year plans help without dependence on the Word of God. Ultimately it is up to God to give the increase - otherwise we would boast of our GREAT VISION statements and say "Look at what we did ..." rather than say "Look at what God did ..." So let's stop with the Vision talk and start with what God is talking about.

Some Talk Shows have it wrong!!

Been listening to the controversy over Burning the Koran

and othernews
iIt is  not only this "Guest" citing

"The thing to keep in mind that`s very important here is that the Koran to Muslims, it is not — it is not the same as the Bible to Christians. The Bible is a book written by men. It is acknowledged by Christians that it is written by men. It`s the story of Jesus"

But hearing other Talk show host saying that as if it were fact.

Some theologians may be believe that but to lump all Christians to this, is wrong, false and puts a False view of the Bible.

The Bible was not merely written by men. sorry it wasn't. It was inspired by God. Written by over 40 different individuals. (Perhaps one was a woman but that's another debate for another time) but there is one author, one Writer: God. The Bible is God's story to Man. It is about us. It is infallible, inerrant Word of God to say otherwise would be downplaying it. We're awed by the Word, inspired by it, but also should be terrified by it. I believe in all of it. If I didn't then it wouldn't be God's Word would it? I don't worship the Bible, but let its Words change me because it points me to the "Word that became Flesh."
The Guest's quote there is both right and wrong. We don't value the Bible, like we should. We have watered it down. We have marketed it. We have the men's, women's, children's pet's rock's food for living devotional baptist type bibles. (No wonder non-believers make fun of us?). The Koran cannot be compared to the Bible. Why? Because the Koran to Muslims and in Islam is as if from Allah himself; yet it isn't.(We could go into a more deeper debate of the perspective of Islam but I'll let that alone for now) The Bible is God's Word to man.
 
The Bible went through a canonization process:
 



Many modern Protestants point to the following four "Criteria for Canonicity" to justify the selection of the books that have been included in the New Testament:



1.Apostolic Origin — attributed to and based upon the preaching/teaching of the first-generation apostles (or their close companions).

2.Universal Acceptance — acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient world (by the end of the 4th century) as well as accepted canon by Jewish authorities (for the Old Testament).

3.Liturgical Use — read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lord's Supper (their weekly worship services).

4.Consistent Message — containing a theological outlook similar to or complementary to other accepted Christian writings.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Talk show hosts need to stick to politics. This pandering and misunderstanding of what the Bible is, and is not is just adding confusion and sends a Wrong message about Christianity. Though I disagree with Terry Jones's antics (and his 15 minutes of fame). Let us get beyond this and continue to love our enemies, love God and be a witness to the world while proclaiming that the Bible is God's Word; not merely written by men but inspired by God.

Church Leaders Who think They have it all Figured out!

I'm so surprised at the arrogance and pride of Certain Church leaders. Really I am.

In just the last week, I've gotten the following messages (Just from one)


I. You Can Grow Your Church and overcoming the 3 barriers to do it.

II. You've been lied to. Here is a quote: "I'm sick and tired of hearing everyone tell me why right now is such a bad season for the local church." Maybe he should tell that to the churches that I know of because of budget had to let go of several youthworkers I know just this past week. Or had we had to cut $40 000 from our budget or ... I know he is trying to encourage but this is the wrong way to do it. There has to be a step of faith taken along with realistic expectations as well. God gave us brains, and who goes building a tower without first considering the cost? Blind Vision is No vision at all.

III. Then there is this one: "You know the type...always waiting until the last minute to plan their worship service." (I agree but then he tries to sell his Transforming Workshop)

IV. "Everybody needs a Coach" - you should sign up - Coach Mega Ego.

Now it gets ridiculous. That is why This blog post
hits home.

It isn't about the Gimmicks. It isn't about having it all figured out. I want to know the guys that are successful, but are struggling at it as well. They are authentic and say I am still pursuing God. We're growing not because of any one thing but because we're pursuing God. Are there some things we can learn from sure?

Are there some things we can stay away from? YUP ... Pride being one of them. I personally don't know the guy who sends me all these posts and emails but do know they are communicating the wrong message.

If I'm one person who thinks "They have it all figured out" I wonder why there are so many other church leaders wanting the latest gimmick, or wanting to have it all figured out rather than relying on God to give the Increase?

My Rant: Christian Telemarketers!!!

So I'm getting ready to finish my day. (Suppose to be my day off but needed to practice my sermon and finish it up) So a telemarketer calls. (Oh, great)

So we do the usual chit chat. She goes over her rehearsed chat. I ask to be sent material and a website. To which she replies we don't do that. We want to give you address labels for new people moving into the area for $50+/month Don't you want to reach your community for Christ with new people?

Sure ...what makes you think we're not?

What do you do now? (I mention a few things the church has done and I'm the new preacher and been here a short time and tired because I've just moved)

She goes on ...well as a man of God don't you think you want to be reaching your community?

(I'm angry, I'm upset and well ... at this point I almost hang up but listen)

Then I replied: (I wanted to say as a man of God God gives the increase and we don't need your stupid program because I trust God and not some silly thing you want to sell me - but I didn't)

I am a man of God and hate to be questioned about it and my integrity. A part of being a man of God is being a good steward of what God has entrusted to us and trying to discern what programs we do and don't do. If you just had sent the info and the website I might look at it later. Thanks. And then she screams at me and then rambles (I couldn't tell if she was speaking in tongues or something else) so at that point I did what any good Christian would do. I hung up! Silence. Peace!

Man, my prayer is that God gives the increase. I'm just SAD that this young lady went about it all the wrong way. I have the website but don't think I'll be checking them out any time soon.

Anyone else have problems with Christian Telemarketers? Sometimes they can be worse than regular telemarketers.

Why Youth Ministry has Failed!

Or where has it failed. (This from a conversation on a Forum
)

Let me quickly suggest a few ways:


It has failed because it has been more about the Youth Pastor than God.

It has become more the Entertain me rather than God changing me.

Retreats, games, gimmicks and focus on teenagers alone tends to be the focus.

It tends to be about self-evaluation rather than transformation.

It has forgotten that Youth Ministry isn't about Youth as it is about God and Family.

It often separates teens from their families and thinks that having adults be influencers on their lives works ...meanwhile the number one influence on their lives is forgotten - their parents.

It seems to be that the youth pastor knows better raising the kids than the parents who actually are.

It (Youth Ministry) tries to compete with extra curricular activities and thinks that they are the devil and people don't have their priorities start because their son or daughter is in sports, marching band, whatever ... and missed Your event or program.

It makes the focus on the program rather than Jesus.

It thinks relationships are the end and not the means.

It has failed in so many ways.

It is articles like this


That give me hope though.

Youth Ministry needs to be about Church.

It needs to be about being.

About Transformation, discipleship, loving others, loving God. Building community.

Basically Youth Ministry needs to be about Jesus. About being the church God called us to be!

Currently it has failed as an experiement but there is hope for the future. And for that I am glad and enduring and riding the future of it.

I Hate David Crowder

I hate David Crowder.
Okay,maybe hate is such a strong word, maybe its
dislike. I have nothing against David Crowder himself; just that so many in
the worship ministry aspect want to attempt to be well like David Crowder or the next Matt Redman or Chris Tomlin of worship ministry. Don't be like David. (Or even like Mike
for that matter). What God is doing through DCB is great. But be who you
are, and God created you to be.

Isn’t worship a daily thing? Isn’t worship about a lifestyle of living and breathing? I’m seeing more Church Worship teams, both youth and adult, trying to impersonate David Crowder. Please … there are only so many songs that can be sung like David Crowder. Sometimes it saddens me to see Lead Worshippers in churches trying to sing, act, and even look like Crowder.

Follow Jesus, not David Crowder. I think that's the way David would liked it.
Pointing all things to God's Glory that we may Love God through all of our actions both in songs and in deeds/ We don't need more David Crowders, Chris Tomlins, or Matt Redmans.I wonder why we look to people like David Crowder, instead of the Rulemaker, that David loves and sings about. Maybe that's the point. Don't let your life be modeled after David Crowder, model your life after the God who Crowder loves. I really don't dislike David Crowder; I've just fallen more in love with the God he serves.

What about you? Caught in the game of trying to impersonate a lead worshipper rather than worshipping the God they sing about? How can you fall back in love with God? Maybe it isn't looking at what others have; but thanking God that He uses all sorts of people to be a part of the Body and Kingdom. (This post inspired from Doug Fields 1.0
and This post


What do you think? Hate Crowder? or Love the God he worships?

Music Styles Debate

Over on a Certain Youthpastor.com listserv a youth minister got complaining about the "Traditional" music his church uses and why he couldn't be hip enough like the Mcdonalds church down the street.

Here are some thoughts I've had:

1. We equate hymns and old as being irrelevant and uncontemporary
and discount the heritage and traditions that make up the church.

2. We think we need to reach young people to be the leaders of the church of tomorrow meanwhile discounting the old in that or discounting the young that they are the church in the present and now.

3. We equate Music Styles as that of Church Growth. (When was the last time a contemporary service brought more to Christ?) Interesting enough a study on some of our megachurches .... alot are more traditional and those that added newer style never won people (some needs to look at sally M.'s article from REV ...Worship as Evangelism) Article Found here


4. "The church is too caught up in the Burger King slogan 'We're going to have it our own way."

-never could say it better. Kudos. Almost seems like youth ministry at times ...we're going to have it our own way ...we're going to go contemporary and not even consider the context nor culture nor personal issues struggles of the church and just insult everyone and not be very Christ like because you know it is all about music styles and our choices to help young people right away, right? We need to be patient, loving, and patient, and praying. Sometimes the best youth ministries aren't built upon music styles but on Jesus. Perhaps a Jesus centered youth ministry with some mentoring by older adults who love the hymns might be beneficial and an unique ministry opportunity to both young and old.

- Of course this issue is somewhat amusing because we have people that had been visiting our church and saying we're too contemporary ... and they love the hymns.
-Why is it so much about THEIR music choice and not so much about serving Jesus?

Worship is an expression, attitude, and should be ongoing and every consuming and not be a style. Worship doesn't set the mood for the sermon. Worship is the sermon. Worship is serving in the kitchen. Worship is a reflection of what we love and who we are. If we truly worship God then when we drive, sleep, wake, walk, talk, act, be ....should all be a reflection of our worship.
People equate singing along as worship ...it isn't. Worship is much more than just singing.
People think singing hymns - isn't worship ... But it can be a reflection from people's hearts.
So often the focus is on the mode or style rather than the heart.
When people say I don't like the worship service - it isn't because of the Worship as much as it is to their own individual "preference" or style.
How selfish! Traditional, contemporary .... who in hell cares? (Yup hell doesn't care because we are divided over petty music styles and meanwhile people are going to hell)
Worship while you read, watch TV, show people who you love. You show me your homes and I can tell you what you worship!

My Rant Against TV preachers

I think that TV preachers are a crock!

(Some might point out we're not to judge but we are to judge those inside the faith and expose those in posing as sheep who are really wolves)

Here is why: (You will notce these are generalizations but apply but not all Christain TV preachers are bad though they are rare)

1. They seem to sell themselves rather than God.
2. They elevate themselves rather than God.
3. They promote a false gospel of health and wealth.
4. They tend to ask for money more than anything else.
5. They make a joke and mockery of Jesus.
6. The tend to be bluehaired and cheesy in their methods.
7. Cultural irrelevant!
8. When was the last time someone became a Christian from a TV show?
9. Do we really need any more Christian informercials?
10. Their promotion of Jesus junk almost seems to have Jesus want to go into their TV studio and turn over alot more than tables.

Missionary Support.

I think there is a vast methological differences between that of what is termed "Missionary Support" in our churches nowadays.

So often churches send money to the missionary or to the missionary's parachurch organization and thus the missionary has to depend on the parachurch or different churches for financial support. These churches think that just sending a cheque in the mail - they have done their job and "supported" the Great Commission.

The problem is this tends to have a disconnection of the church to the ministry and even though a partnership with the Mission Agency - there still tends to be holes. The Mission Agency maybe good at the training and even some of the Spiritual battles but where is the REAL support?

By real support - I mean where are the Missionary's friends, loved ones, home church(es) in this process? Where is the encouragement? Where is the Church being the Church? Where is the Sending happening? Seems to me the Mission Organization is doing the sending rather than the Church.

So we (as the Church) need to rethink our Missionary approach. So often what happens is missionaries get on the field - only to feel alone, abandoned, deserted. Not to mention the spiritual battles and attacks on their marriage, social, mental, physical states. Long term success isn't there. Only after a few years, the missionaries return on furlough only to repeat the process of trying to raise "support" (As in Funds) rather than relaxing and resting and recovering from the culture of which they came.

The Church itself needs to becoming a Sending Church. Fully responsible and able to support both financially, spiritually, mentally, socially, academically the team they are sending. They can partner with an organization but recognize they are the Ones doing the Sending - not the organization. The agency is there in a partnership role to help the church achieve its vision. There has to be Church people committed to prayer, financial oversight, spiritual battles, communication, re-entry phase etc. in this whole process. A "Sending team" would be a team of people there for the missionary. They would encourage, pray, go to bat for them. In some ways all of our Staff at Church needs a "Sending team" for this.

I think the more the church rethinks the way they handle missions and try to have ownership themselves - the better. I think some of the parachurch organizations have done a good job, but ultimately the responsibility IS and Should be the Church's. Too long now has the church depended on parachurch organizations to do the work of the church both in Missions' efforts and even in Ministry (especially Youth Ministry) efforts. It is time for the church to take back the responsibilities that were Her's in the first place. Let's get to work!