Transitions

Life is full of transitions. As children, we transition from infant to toddler, crawling to walking, and crying to talking. As the years continue, we experience other transitions in education, career, and relationships.

Eventually, we all encounter difficult transitions. Many have to make decisions about how to care for aging parents. Others have to navigate the waters of broken marriages. Still others experience the loss of loved ones.

At some point or another, we all come to a point in which the transition occurring in our life seems too difficult to bear.

However, there is hope because of Christ. He has lived through the most difficult transitions of all: First, by laying aside His glory in heaven and be born as a human (Philippians 2:6-7). Second, by enduring all of the effects of sin on our behalf although he himself is sinless (2 Cor. 5:21). And finally, by taking the penalty for our sin on the cross and rising from the dead three days later (I Cor. 15:3-5). Now those are some powerful transitions.

Because Christ has conquered sin and the grave; and because Christ can empathize with our every struggle (Hebrews 4:15); we can trust that in the midst of our most difficult transitions, Christ provides hope.

Road Trip: Texarkana, TX

I had a great visit recently with Marty Claiborne, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Texarkana, TX. Marty’s heart to serve the members of Hillcrest piqued my interest.

For instance, the day we met, Marty had already taken one of his members to Shreveport, LA that day for a radiation treatment. He explained that the man’s closest family member lived in Kansas. When the man was diagnosed with cancer, Marty was right by his side and told him not to worry about transportation for his cancer treatments.

So, Marty has committed to provide rides to Shreveport for the man’s 31 days of radiation. What a heart of service!

I was also intrigued by Marty’s testimony. God had given him a desire to pastor at an early age. However, Marty tried to avoid pastoring by going into the Navy. One day at sea, he was called into the captain’s quarters where he was assigned an assistant chaplaincy role.

After his time with the Navy, Marty still neglected the desire to pastor. His next excuse was the fact that he was single. God took care of that too. It wasn’t long before Marty met his future wife, Keri.

Soon, Marty surrendered to preach, and the rest is history!

I enjoyed spending time with Marty and pray for God’s greatest blessing on their ministry at Hillcrest.

What “We’ve always done it that way” really means.

“We’ve always done it that way.”

There is a certain stereotype in the minds of pastors and church leaders when they hear that phrase. The stereotype I am referring to is of an out-of-touch, die-hard, traditional, older member who can’t see the ridiculous nature of basing decisions mindlessly upon patterns of behavior in the past.

Well, if that’s the case, I’ve become that out-of-touch stereotypical non-change agent.

For the past 20-something years, the Arkansas Razorbacks (my favorite team) has played LSU the day after thanksgiving. I have so many great memories of traveling with special friends to watch that game over the years. As silly as it sounds, that game –on that day- has a special place in my heart.

The other day, I read in the newspaper that the game has been moved to another date and a new team has been placed on our schedule for Thanksgiving weekend. Before I could realize what was happening, the thought was echoing in my mind, “But we’ve always done it that way.”

My next thought was, “I can’t believe I just said that!”

I tried to process what happened inside of me. I wasn’t necessarily clinging to tradition. And I wasn’t so stuck in my ways that I thought changing was irreverent or wrong. No, what was happening inside of me was an acknowledgement that I had an emotional tie to something. It was actually a compliment to my friends and all of the great memories we had made over the years at that game.

I cringed as my mind took me back to the years I pastored. Every time I heard “We’ve always done it that way,” I respectfully listened, but behind my smiles and nods, my mind was grasping to the stereotype.

I interpreted the phrase as “Pastor, you better do a good sales job if you want me to change.” It was a call to attack and force change.

However, those uttering the phrase, I believe, were really saying something more like, “Pastor, this has meant a lot to me in the past. I just want you to know this will be a difficult change for me.”

What I always assumed was an attack was actually a complement. Those members were actually trusting me with their feelings! It was a sign that they honored me and wanted me to help them through the change –not go to war over it.

Oh how I wish I would have realized it years ago.

After all, if I could get so emotional over memories from a football game, just imagine how emotional someone could be over tearing down a building where their children were baptized or ending a program their late spouse helped begin. These people are not anti-progress, they are simply in touch with the gravity of the situation.

If you are a pastor or church leader, the next time you hear “we’ve never done it that way before:”

  • Consider it an honor that they trust you with their feelings.
  • Ask questions and show them that you respect and honor their emotions.
  • Remember that they are complimenting the ministry.
  • Speak highly of the ministry in the past.
  • Love them before you attempt to lead them. Your ability to lead change is directly related to your genuine love for your members. They need to know they can trust your heart.
  • Continue asking for their input as you proceed.
  • If you decide change must take place, consider having a public recognition of the past ministry that is changing. Sometimes people just need to express themselves before they can move on.
  • Remain sensitive to their feelings as you introduce change (it helps me to picture them as my mother or grandmother when thinking through issues).

Speaking of the Gospel…

Surely we’ve all heard the quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi encouraging believers to “Preach the gospel daily, use words when necessary.”

It turns out that there is no record of St. Francis ever making that statement. In fact, since Francis was a member of a preaching order, he probably would have disagreed with a “zip your lip” kind of Christianity –but that’s not the point.

The point is that this quotation is accompanied by a call to live out a gospel lifestyle (which is good), but plays down the importance of a verbal proclamation (which is bad).

To make the case that verbal proclamation of the gospel is unnecessary betrays scripture. Consider Romans 10:14-15: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

To believe that a silent witness is sufficient for fulfilling the great commission is like a parent believing that if their 16 year old just watches them long enough, they will figure out how to drive without needing any verbal help. Would you want to ride along during that kind of training?

I totally agree that our lifestyles must be so saturated with the gospel that when we verbalize the message, our lives validate it –and not the opposite.

But, when evangelizing and discipling others, we must realize that example, and instruction work together. “Teachable moments,” after all, are only as effective as the message is communicated.

A Strange Way to Shine

Recently, I was reading through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. As usual, Jesus reveals how kingdom values are counterintuitive to the world.

In Matthew 5:14-16, He states, ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

At first, these verses appear to call believers to some sort of dramatic action that will shed light on a dark world. Maybe you instinctively think of an outspoken public figure sharing their testimony or a church placing a giant billboard with scripture in a high-visibility area.

While those are certainly great things that can glorify God, I’m not sure those are the kinds of things Jesus is referring to in this passage. Just look back at the preceding verses where Jesus is calling the disciples to be meek, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers.  He suggests that the most blessed people are those who mourn, hunger and thirst for righteousness, and are persecuted for His sake.

Those are slightly different works than I typically think of when I consider how to “let my light shine.”

And yet, those are the very attributes that set Christ apart.

Although He spoke to large crowds, it is His humility that Paul calls us to imitate in Philippians 2. And even though He walked on water, it is His purity that allowed Him to be our atoning sacrifice to make peace between God and us. And although He healed the sick and raise the dead, it is the persecution he endured unto death that purchased our sin and His righteousness that make us pleasing to God .

The greatest light the world has ever known was placed on a stand called the cross. Therefore we shine the brightest when we imitate Christ in His humility, meekness, purity, and hunger for holiness. Why? Because in those moments, we put Christ on display by taking up our own crosses and following Him.

So, while speaking to large crowds and putting up gospel billboards is great, some of the brightest lights are seen when:

1)   Praying constantly for a lost friend

2)   Leaving an anonymous gift for a needy neighbor

3)   Sitting with a grieving family in a hospital waiting room

4)   Listening to the cares of someone whom the rest of the world has ignored

5)   Associating with those who have fallen and are in need of grace

Even though these kind of acts will rarely draw attention to you, they will always draw attention to Christ –THE light of the world.

Gravity Got You Down?

After my son Bryce’s birthday party last year, I tied a couple of balloons to his doorknob. Almost two weeks later, Bryce and I came in the house after a long day. He went to his room and I went to my room.

“Aw man!” I heard across the house.

I ran to see what was going on only to find my son holding one of the balloons. Then, in a most serious voice, he said, “Dad, there’s gravity in this balloon now!”

I faked a cough to cover the slight outburst of laughter.

Actually, in case you are interested, the latex balloon material is somewhat porous. Over time, when enough helium leaks out, the weight of the balloon is too heavy for the surface space causing the balloon to fall. Or at least that’s what Wikipedia told me (so it must be true).

But I think I like Bryce’s idea better. In fact, there are days that I feel like I’m suddenly filled with gravity. You know what I mean?

The Psalmist said it this way, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Psalm 42:5).

There are days when it feels like everything in the world is pulling me down. Sometimes I can’t even discern why. Other times it is triggered by scenarios outside of my control like being “third wheel” at dinner with friends or trying to answer my son when he says, “Why did God take my mommy to heaven?”

There is no way around it. Emotional gravity overtakes us sometimes and causes us to feel like the air has been let out of our balloon. But the Psalmist has an answer. He finishes his thought in Psalm 42:5 by saying, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

I love the way the Psalmist frequently preaches to himself. It’s a great model for us to follow –and a great way to fill up on spiritual helium.

Ultimately, Psalm 42:5 is pointing us forward to our hope and salvation in Christ, who centuries later would say, “Take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  He is the only one with the power to defy sin’s gravity and rise above this world’s darkness.

In the end, for those of us who have placed faith in Christ, we will rise to meet him in the air –sort of like a balloon. Until then, we can experience a spiritual relief from this world’s gravity when we are filled with His spirit –the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11).

So don’t worry, gravity can’t get you down!

Don’t Stand in Their Way

“Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk.’ And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked” (John 5:8).

In John 5, Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. You would think that everyone would be happy for the man. But you would be wrong.

The Pharisees (really religious people) chastised the man. Why? Because it was the Sabbath. According to their religious rules, taking up your bed and walking was considered work. Therefore, according to their logic, the man was violating the Sabbath and not keeping is holy as the law demands (see the fourth commandment in the 10 commandments –Exodus 20:8-11).

Here is a classic case of legalism. Legalism is simply requiring more of people than God’s word requires. It is a form of adding to Scripture, which is a form of heresy (Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:19). It is misrepresenting God by putting words in God’s mouth. That’s dangerous ground.

Here are a few of the typical marks of legalism:

1)   Legalists always point the finger at others, never at themselves. Almost every reference to the Pharisees in Scripture describes them as accusatory toward others. They seem to always miss the beam in their own eye because they are consumed with the speck in their brother’s eye (Luke 6:42).

2)   Legalists know a lot of Scripture but don’t know a lot of truth.  Being able to recite verses of the Bible does not make someone a believer. Legalists love to use Scripture to control people rather than letting Scripture control their hearts. They abuse God’s Word to manipulate others into conforming to their will rather than submitting themselves to God’s Word in order to conform to His will (Hebrews 4:12).

3)   Legalists rarely smile. Because they are always accusing and manipulating others, legalists are usually miserable souls. They are convinced that at some point, by enforcing “the rules” they will make God happy and, as a result, be happy themselves. But this is faulty thinking. Keeping the rules does not please God. Only faith in Christ pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). Of course, that is the problem. Faith requires us to quit trusting ourselves and start trusting God. Legalists don’t want to give up control.

4)   Legalists are very sincere. Before you start getting mad at legalists, keep this in mind: Legalists are very sincere. They rarely realize their misguided mission to “keep everyone in line.” Instead, they sincerely believe they are serving God by their actions.

The truth is that churches are full of legalists. In fact, to varying degrees, we all struggle with legalism. It is a part of our fallen nature. From the beginning, sin caused the human race to point the finger at others (think of Adam blaming Eve in Genesis 3:12).  We come into the world as legalistic sinners, looking for a way to perform to God’s liking.

But Christ came to free us from our sin by His atoning sacrifice. He perfectly followed the law (God’s law, not man’s) and died in our place, so that by trusting Him by faith, we may be given His righteousness. “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1).

Sadly, the convoluted mess of legalism leads sincere religious folks to ultimately scorn people from doing what Jesus has called them to do (ie. ‘take up your bed and walk).

Jesus condemned legalism this way in Matthew 23:13, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.”

Perhaps we ought to reconsider actions such as:

  • Chastising people for not dressing the right way on Sunday morning. Usually, they don’t need a change of clothes, but a change of heart. Jesus can change people, legalism cant.
  • Marginalizing certain groups of sinners and discouraging them from attending church services. It’s strange how we select certain sins and consider them taboo (ie. Homosexuality, drug use, etc), while we accept others. All sin is unacceptable to God –and yet we are all sinners! Sinners looking down upon sinners is sin in and of itself. “It is the sick who need the doctor” (Mark 2:17). What an irony to turn people away because they are “sinners” so that we can preach the gospel exclusively to the “saints!” Have we forgotten that we are all sinners (Rom. 6:23)?
  • Criticizing other churches because they don’t do things the way we do them. While there is a place for Christ-like concern and discernment, we must not abandon a desire to love one another and support each other. Christ-like humility requires that we love those whom we disagree with and even count them as more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
  • Maintaining a “Holy Barrier” from sinners. Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for eating and fellowshipping with sinners. Personally, I’m glad Jesus spends time with sinners because I am a sinner. The desire to isolate ourselves from sinners is not a Christ-like desire. In fact, it is a sign that we are disillusioned as to our own identity.

So the next time you feel the urge to push someone away because they don’t live up to your standard, just remember, Jesus may be calling them to “take up their bed and walk.” Maybe we ought to walk alongside, cheer them on, and praise God for the miracle!

Gooder Discipleship

I overanalyze things. So, when my son told me the other day that nap time at school is “badder” than recess, I laughed –for a second. That is, until my mind raced twenty years into the future as Bryce is interviewing for a job and says, “Thank you for considering me for this position. I’ll do a gooder job than you could ever imagine.” So I quickly corrected him to use the word, “worse” as a comparative adjective instead of “badder.” I’m fairly certain he will use the incorrect word again.

So, I wondered, what is the best way to teach him? Should I quickly put together a chart on irregular comparative and superlative adjectives? Or, should we practice using “worse” in sentences for about ten minutes? Maybe I should just trust that in time, he will hear me use “worse” enough times in natural conversation that he will catch on. So, which way is the best way for my son to learn? I actually think it is all three.

There is a place for charts and chalkboard teaching (Classroom/Lecture). There is also much to be said for practicing scenarios (Practice/Mentor). And, there is great merit to real life observation (Modeling). In my opinion, all three types of teaching/learning are necessary for the average person. Of course, there are some who naturally soak up a lecture in the classroom, just as there are some who can only learn by doing. However, for most of us, we need a mixture of all three. The problem is that we typically get the order of importance backwards.

Many of us believe that lecture is where all learning starts. However, unless the student is already familiar with the subject, they are not likely to understand or pay attention. For instance, kindergarten teachers don’t write “1+1” on the chalkboard on the first day of school. Instead, they expose their students to a couple of apples. They ask them how many apples Johnny has, etc. The idea of counting apples is familiar to the students because by this point in their life, they have seen adults buy apple at the store or they have fought over the last apple in the house with little brother. The concept has already been modeled to them in real life. The teacher, then, is building upon that model with practice. The students will spend several days practicing addition (unbeknownst to them) with apples. Finally, when the time is right, they will go to the chalkboard and capture what they have learned in abstract terms.

I’m not sure why we abandon this method later in school. For instance, I think biology would have made more sense to me if we had tried the lab before the lecture. And, in Spanish class, I’m certain that spending time in conversation before unpacking grammar would have helped me tremendously. For my son’s usage of “worse,” I am trying to make sure he observes me modeling correct grammar, and that I am giving him plenty of times to practice under my mentorship. And, when he uses incorrect grammar, I may take a moment to explain the correct usage.

When it comes to discipleship, I’m afraid we’ve bought into the backward order of teaching as well. Typically, we think discipleship starts in a sanctuary, progresses to a classroom, and maybe, just maybe, will one day make it into real life. Perhaps, however, Jesus’s example should change our thinking. He didn’t start out by telling men to “come to the Synagogue” (although He did teach there), instead He just told them to “follow me.” In the midst of his modeling, He took advantage of opportunities to give the Twelve “hands on experience” and mentoring. And, occasionally, when their heads were full of questions from everything they had witnessed and experienced, he even pulled them aside for a lecture. Seems a little backwards to most of us, doesn’t it? Here’s a few ideas to consider when trying to make disciples:

1) Avoid lecturing on ideas that are foreign to your disciples. Give them concrete experience –even if it means trying something and failing- before trying to explain everything. Let experience pique your disciple’s interest. Providing answers where there are no questions is typically a waste of time.

2) Don’t miss “teachable moments.” Look for opportunities to teach when a disciple shows genuine interest or intrigue. These are the most fertile opportunities for teaching.

3) Don’t try to “lesson plan” everything. Undoubtedly, you should have some basic goals and objectives for what you want you disciple to learn. However, don’t be fooled into thinking you can plan how they will learn it, when they will learn it, or in what order they will learn it. Much like in parenting, life situations dictate opportunities. Given enough time, ample opportunities will present themselves for the prepared disicplemaker to invest in his/her disciple.

Please don’t misunderstand. Didactic teaching and lecture are good. I fully believe that they have their place in Christian growth as long as they are not emphasized to the exclusion of modeling and mentoring. Lecture is good, but when you add hands on experience and observation, its gooder!

Road Trip: Rockin’ the Block in Jacksonville, TX

I was born in Jacksonville, TX and lived there for seven years. The friends I made there are like family to me.

So I was thrilled at the opportunity to preach recently in Jacksonville at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Showing up there (in the same facility where I attended Kindergarten) was like a family reunion!

The leadership at Cornerstone is strong. Men of conviction lead together in harmony. And that harmony is evident throughout the congregation’s fellowship.

But they aren’t satisfied to keep the sweet fellowship to themselves.

This summer, they will be reaching out to their city through “Rock the Block;” a series of Backyard Bible Clubs for children and families throughout their community. It’s a way to take Vacation Bible School outside of the walls of the church and into the areas of greatest need!

Think about the implications of this kind of ministry. 1) Not only are they ministering to their own children, but they are also reaching lost children. 2) Not only will they have the opportunity to reach children, but they will also be able to reach local families. 3) They are doing mission work at home! 4) Their children are going to take part in mission work at an early age -How exciting!

Rock the Block’s leaders Luke and Katy McCown have done an incredible job organizing this summer ministry. One of their informational overview forms describes Rock the Block this way:

A RTB party is held in a member’s yard, driveway, a community park or gathering place.  Parties are held in the mornings or evenings.  Through lesson presentations, small group discussions, activities, and crafts, Biblical truths are taught, reinforced, and applied.  Each 5-day, 2-hour party will include a presentation of the Gospel, as well as take home materials designed to engage the family in thought-provoking conversations.

One of my favorite things about this ministry is the fact that any church could do something like this –no matter the size or location. Wouldn’t it be great to hear of churches working together this summer to reach the families of their community?

I think its time we all consider how we will “Rock the Block.”

Sticky Situations

Do you have honey in your kitchen? Is it in a “bear shaped” bottle?

Is it just me, or when you see a bottle of honey, do you automatically assume the container is sticky?

I hate getting my hands sticky. Every time I get a new bottle of honey, I resolve that this time I will keep it stickiless. But, no matter how hard I try to keep everything clean, before I know it, the bear sticks to my hand –and napkin.

As much as I love the cute bear, I hate the sticky. So much so that I don’t want to pick up the bottle again.

I think ministry can be a lot like that sometimes. We hear heart-stirring stories of changed lives and we want a part of that. It sounds as sweet as honey.

But then, once we roll up our sleeves and invest in someone’s life; things get sticky. It’s inevitable. Why? Because ministry is one sinner reaching out to another sinner.

Sure, we are justified, and being sanctified. But it doesn’t change the fact that we are justified sinners and being sanctified from our sin. Until we are glorified in the uninterrupted presence of Christ, we will continue dealing with the issue of indwelling sin.

Which makes us, and the people we minister to, a lot like the bear full of honey –before long we are going to get into sticky (sinful) situations. That’s why ministry gets sticky.

Eventually, I forgive the little plastic bear and I buy a new bottle of honey. Why? Because honey is sweet.

May I suggest to you that the reason we press on in ministry is because the grace of Christ, poured out on undeserving sinners, is sweeter than honey!

“…with honey from the rock I would satisfy you…” Psalm 81:16