You Can Know God

The Controversial Church (Part 3)

As I finish up this series of posts, I want to take you back to where all this controversial stuff comes from in the first place. The bottom line is...Jesus was controversial. He constantly said things and did things that didn't fit people's pattern. He broke molds and confounded people's thinking. Consider.

1. He consistently offended the religious crowd. Not only did he flat out call them names (brood of vipers), he did things that offended these hyper-religious people. He broke their laws (not God's laws) and broke their traditions. The people we offend with our marketing and strategies are not unchruched people - it's deacons and super-Christians from other churches. Because we care more about raising money for missions instead of raising money for choir robes, that ticks some people off. Because we show up at a public event with a flier advertising "Porn Sunday," that bothers people that don't think that the church should stoop to such tactics.

2. He said controversial things. The whole messiah talk probably generated a lot of controversy, and if blogs were around back then, his claims surely would have showed up on technorati. He blew peoples minds with one liners and teachings. Murder, murder you say. I'm telling you that anger is the same thing. Adultery is bad, yes. But I'm saying lust is just as damaging. People talked about Jesus' message, because it was out of the ordinary. It wasn't the same stuff they were used to hearing for decades.

3. He was accused of being lots of things. He was accused of being drunk. He was accused of being blasphemous. Jesus took lots of heat from lots of people. I really think that if people aren't complaining about what the church is doing, then that means you're invisible. People don't take notice of a church that has no influence (I'm not talking about political influence...I'm talking about influence in people's lives). We're not seeking to antagonize people on purpose...we're not seeking controversy, but I understand that when something works, people will be there to throw rocks.

4. He hung out with the wrong crowd. He hung out with people that He wasn't supposed to care about. He talked to prostitutes and touched lepers. And some people didn't like that about Jesus. He thought he should have kept to the right crowd. I can't help but imagine that were Jesus here today, there would be people that would want him to speak on the church circuit instead of in the bars. Jesus hung out with people that were far from God. Sure, it was his mission. But I am convinced that he liked hanging around those people. I think Jesus was the center of attention at these places, not because of his wild antics, but because he was a magnetic person who people liked to be around. I don't think it's mistake that the first recorded miracle of Jesus took place at a party to which he was invited.

The Story of God

Daughtry has a song that begins with this line... Open up the book you beat me with again. I wonder if that's what many people think when they are sitting in church and the preacher stands up to preach.  I wonder if they brace themselves for a beat down.  Or I wonder if they stay away because they just know they are going to get yelled at.

It's true.  The Bible contains principles, truth, instructions, corrections in righteousness and tells us how we should live.  But it's so much more than that.

• The Bible is a suspenseful drama, filled with good guys and bad guys in a struggle.


• The Bible is a love story of God pursuing his people across generations and across boundaries.


• The Bible is an epic tale of a Savior-hero who comes to rescue those that cannot save themselves.


• The Bible presents an intriguing tension between God's love for his people and God's hatred for anything unholy.

The Bible is a story.  A divine narrative.  When preachers stand up and beat people with the Book, they do a disservice to the truth.  We must lead and instruct people, but we must not miss the point that the Bible is more than a rule book...it's more than a to do and a to don't list.  It's the story of God.

The Problem with Schools

Public school or Christian school? No matter what, I say this:

Christian school is not the end-all answer for imparting Christian principles to your child, and sending them to public school is not the only way to let them be salt and light.

Too many parents think that adding a Bible lesson to the schedule or having a Science class that doesn't teach evolution is going to impart the Biblical worldview that their kids need. Sure, those may be good things, but they won't work by themselves. The home is still the #1 source for Christian education (or for lack of it). If children and teenagers don't see their parents living out their faith, then no amount of paid-for Christian education will do the trick. I taught in a Christian school, and half of my kids were sent there to be fixed. Parents were trying to get out of their responsibility to "train up their child."

And if you choose to home school or send your children to private school, there are other ways to help your child be a missionary. There's sports teams and lots of community events. You have neighbors. You might have to work harder to find a place to be light, but you can still do it. And you need to model it. You need to help your children understand that the misison of all Christians (young and old) is to make disciples, not just learn how to read ans write.  And in order to do that, they are going to have to be around people that aren't yet disciples. Public school is a great place for this, but it's not the only place.

Someone Should Do It

Last week, we had a good conversation on this blog about public school. I appreciate the comments from those who disagree with me and it gave me some good things to consider.  I want to make the issue a little bigger than the kind of education you choose for your children.

I think there is a danger in all of Christianity, and it's this. It's the statement, "Someone should do it." I think we Christians see suffering around the world and think, "someone should do something." I think we see the condition of our public schools and think "someone should do something." But the problem is, you are the someone!

The government is not going to solve the problem. Some dude isn't going to get elected and reverse policies. Countries closed to the gospel are not going to suddenly open up. Manna from heaven is not going to fall out of the sky and land in the lap of the hungry. The lost are not going to wake up one morning and all show up at church. For whatever reason, God chose Christians to be salt and light in the world. It's not enough to see the darkness and hope that someone takes light there...that's your calling.

You don't have your job to make money. You have your job because God wants you as a missionary in your workplace. You're not in that school simply to get an education - I think it's more important than that.

As a parent, I feel the need to protect my kids. I wouldn't want to send them into a dangerous situation. But isn't that where faith is involved? Do I really believe in what I'm teaching them? Is God going to keep being God in their lives? But isn't every Christian kid that goes to public school somebody's kid? Doesn't every family that packs up and goes overseas to serve as missionaries put their family at risk to a degree.

Again, this isn't just limited to school choice. It's much bigger than that. When you see the problem or the opportunity, hoping for change isn't going to cut it. Somebody has to actually do something.

The somebody is you.

Prayer for Oak Leaf Church

My aunt who lives in Jacksonville is a part of a praying church. I didn't even know this but they had hundreds of people praying at all times of the day for Oak Leaf Church on a regular basis. I think it's so cool that another church would take us under their wing and offer up prayers to the Father on our behalf. My sister sent me the prayer that they prayed, and I thought I would post it.

God we thank You that Jesus is Lord over Oakleaf Church. We thank You that Your kingdom comes and Your will is done in this church. The people of Oakleaf have righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Father, we thank You that all people of all ages come to discover and partake of the life of God through this ministry. Every program, department, outreach, event, service and media broadcast is anointed to lead people to the fullness of Your good plan for their lives.

Thank You, Father, that all of the staff and leaders of Oakleaf live under Your Lordship. They are submitted and committed to You. They work as unto You, and they lead as servants with pure hearts. Thank You that they are faithful and able, and they abound with Your blessings.

Jesus is Lord over Pastor Michael. He abides in the will of God for his life. He lives a life that is pleasing to You. He has the grace and anointing and character necessary to carry out Your plan for his life.

Thank You that ever member, visitor, and friend of this ministry dwells in Your secret place and abides under Your shadow. You daily lead them with the benefits of:

· Forgiving their sins
· Healing their diseases
· Redeeming their lives from destruction
· Crowning them with loving kindness and tender mercies
· Satisfying their mouths with good so that their youth is renewed like the eagles.

The Lord is their Shepherd therefore they do not want. There is not one feeble among them and not one who lacks any good thing. We pray that the Word preached will pierce the hearts of the people and change their lives.

We pray for all the churches in the city of Cartersville. Jesus is Lord over every church and ministry. Every church is anointed to meet the needs of the people in this city. They feed the people with knowledge and understanding of the Word. They minister to the people with the love of God. Jesus is lifted up in this city and all men are drawn to Him.

Thank you that your Word has free course in this city. Your people lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. We pray that every elected and appointed official, every civil servant, every person in the armed services abides in Your presence, is led by Your Spirit and serves as unto the Lord. The churches of this city have favor and liberty to minister to people and change their lives.

The Problem With Labels

Labeling people is really never fair. Consider this...

Some fundamentalist Christians believe only in the King James Bible. Others believe in blowing up abortion clinics. Both could be labeled fundamentalists. But they aren't really operating from the same value set.

Some seeker sensitive churches throw out God's Word as the standard in order to reach people. Others have a high regard for the Bible, but believe a church service can be an effective way to reach people.

The FBI just busted more than 30 Latino's who were part of a massive gang here in Cartersville. That doesn't mean every Latino is in a gang.

Be careful when you start labeling churches and thinking that your one or two word description sums up all they are about. You may find your label falls way short, or worse yet, isn't true at all.

Will They Call out Fred Phelps?

Fred Phelps is at it again. Showing up at more than 20,000 protests with signs like "God hates fags" and "AIDS is a judgment from God" isn't good enough for him. He is now saying that the reason a bridge collapsed in Minnesota was because God hates the state of Minnesota because of their stance on homosexuality! You can read the disturbing press release here, and his plans to picket the funeral.

This guy is a disgrace to Christians and pastors. He will have to answer to God for his hatred. He is the reason that people hate church.

The Love of Story

People love stories. It's what drives more than 8 million people to purchase a 750 page book about a teenage wizard. And then turn around and read it in three days. J.K. Rowling has sold more than 350 Million books in the Harry Potter series, partly because people love reading, watching, and hearing good stories. People love stories in written form, and they love watching a good story on the big screen.

We have something so much more interesting and life-changing available to us in God's Word. Some of the most duplicated stories in literature originate right there. You've got amazing foreshadowing. You've got wild plots. You have intimate love stories and manly war stories.

I wonder what the Bible story would be rated if it got made into a movie. We love the story of Noah and the animals and the rainbow, but in that story, everybody drowned. There's a lot of violence in the Bible. God tells people to go take over and kill everything. There's incest, rape, murder, the crazy story of Onan, people eating locusts, and rivers turning to blood. For those that complain about violence on TV, think about that.

The climax of the story is the life of Jesus. God becomes man. He steps out of heaven and enters the realm of humanity, not to rule us, but to save us. What an amazing story. Harry Potter might be an entertaining and fulfilling story to read, but the story of God could change your life.

Church Speak

Christianese. Churcy talk. I'm taking about words like...

Visitor
Committee
Preaching
Sermon
Bless your heart
Sanctuary
Fellowship
Sunday School
Brother
Pews
Member
Amen

All of these words come from a church culture that regular people do not understand. Unless you grew up in a Baptist church, you have no idea when someone responds when they invite you over for some fellowship.

Don't say, “This way to the sanctuary,” or call anyone “brother.” Unchurched people don't know those terms. You can help guests find the right theater, but "sanctuary" is a church term that outsiders may not understand. Don’t talk about how great Sunday School is for the kids, or ask how many members we have. And since “Amen” really means “Yes, I agree,” just say “Yes.”

Insurance guys can use insurance terms around regular people, and we will have no idea what they mean. Lawyers can use legal terms, which their lawyer friends may understand, but the general public will not.  Church people can use church speak - other church people will get it, but the unchurched will not relate.

It’s all Contagious

I heard on news radio this morning about a new study that shows that obesity is contagious. Here's a link to an article about it. The study finds that if you're a little on the heavy side, hanging out with other heavy people will make you feel more normal. The study makes sense.

If you hang out with liars all the time, you won't think lying is such a big deal. If you hang out with complainers, you'll get more negative. Studies all the time reinforce what your mom probably told you as a kid - you become like those you hang around.

That's why I don't pay attention to the blogs and websites that want to tear down the church, or our church - I don't want to become negative. That's why I don't like to be around people that want to bring up problems but never join in the solution.

Make sure you have some people in your life that love Jesus and His church. Don't continually hang out with people that bring out the worst in you. Get around some people that will help you be more like Jesus. And as Colosians 3:2 says, set your mind on things above, not on things of this world.