PASTORS, IT'S OUR FAULT TOO

One of the trends that has had a negative effect in churches today is "consumerism". This refers to the "It's all about me" attitude that some people have when they gather with their church family. An attitude that says, "I want my kind of music" or "I want my kind of preaching". What happens in this type of situation is the disappearing of that person if he or she doesn't get what she wants when he or she attends our churches.

Researcher George Barna recently observed, “We are a designer society. We want everything customized to fit our personal needs — our clothing, our food, our education. Now its our religion.”

United Church of Christ minister and journalist G. Jeffrey MacDonald recently lamented the consumerization of faith in his book, “Thieves in the Temple: The Christian Church and the Selling of the American Soul,” (Basic Books, 2010). “Faith has become a consumer commodity in America. People shop for congregations that make them feel comfortable rather than spiritually challenged. They steer clear of formal commitments to Christian communities. They flee when they are not quickly gratified or when they encounter interpersonal problems. Changing churches has become as routine as changing jobs. As a result, churches are no longer able to help people develop solid moral characters.”

Titus Benton, who writes for a website called Relevant, said, "Many churches innovate, but innovation is based on trends. Innovations are fine, but they play to the consumer. Who is it we are trying to please? Could it be that we are obliging the very people that will cause our extinction? Could it be that the methodology we embrace will take us to a place where we are innovated-out and tired of selling?"

While it is true that all of us have shown consumerism tendencies in our lives in various ways, what are pastors and other church leaders doing in order to be the churches that God wants us to be? Or should I ask, "What are we supposed to be doing?" 

In order to reach people for Jesus Christ (which is our calling as gospel churches), many of us who are pastors and other church leaders have been guilty of looking for that next big secret to powerful church growth. Some new book or conference. Maybe something we read on the internet or something that we saw another church do. Then we take it home to our local churches and say, "Here's the answer to all of our problems! We need to start _______________________ (you fill in the blank)."

Personally, I have been guilty of that at times as well. Thinking, "What can we do to reach more people and keep them connected to our church family?" but I am convinced now more than ever that the problem is the fact that we are focusing on what we can do instead of what God can do. We need to be more focused on what God can do when we are seeking to be faithful and fruitful as He leads us.  

So what are we supposed to be doing? Faithfully preaching the Bible. Praying that God would be glorified in our personal lives as well as in His church. Singing songs in such a way that Jesus is the focus instead of our musical performance. Connecting with fellow believers in continual fellowship instead of only seeing each other occasionally at the church house. Telling others about Jesus in a way that is real and personal instead of sounding like an old infomercial. 

Let's preach the Word and sow the seed of the gospel. Let's be faithful in what God has called us to do and stop trying to find the next big gimmick that will double the size of our church in 20 minutes or our money back. Let's depend upon God who will determine the when and how our churches grow as we continue to serve Him.

Maybe, just maybe, if our congregations stop seeing us shop around for those gimmicks so much, maybe they will stop some of the consumerism as well?

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE?

Last night, our Bible study group looked at the middle part of our motto which is “BRINGING IN, LIFTING UP AND SENDING OUT TO IMPACT OUR WORLD THROUGH THE POWER OF JESUS CHRIST” so the attention was on the phrase “LIFTING UP”. The purpose of this study was to remind all of us that we must make sure that what is happening in the middle of that motto is driven by love… the kind of love that God tells us to have.

First notice some key words in Ephesians 4:1–3 (ESV) — 1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [underlining added]

We are to humble towards each other which is the opposite of being arrogant. We are to have a spirit of gentleness towards each other as well. Adding to that, we are to be patient with each other and bear with one another in the spirit of love making sure that we are promoting unity and peace in the body of Christ.

Next notice some key words in Ephesians 4:4–6 (ESV) — 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [underlining added]

One. One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. One. We are to think in terms of one. Thinking about the oneness in verses 4-6 and the key words in verses 1-3, we then spent most of our time together looking at verses 11-16 and asking the following questions…

Ephesians 4:11 (ESV) — 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

• WHO IS “HE”? God. 1 Corinthians 12:18 (ESV) — 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
• WHO DID “HE” GIVE “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers” TO? To the church, first the "universal church", which means all of those who are born again, and then more specifically to the "local church" which means each group of born-again believers that meet together to worship and become more like Christ. 
• WHY DID “HE” GIVE “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers” TO THEM? " to equip the saints for the work of ministry" from verse 12

Ephesians 4:12 (ESV) — 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

• WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “equip”? To train and prepare someone for something.
• WHO IS TO BE EQUIPPED? The "saints" which means the born-again believers of Jesus Christ. "Saints" does not mean perfect people. If you are a true Christian, you are a saint.
• WHAT ARE THEY TO BE EQUIPPED FOR? "the work of ministry". Every Christian is to be busy serving God in addition to worshiping God. And yes, ministry is "work". It doesn't happen automatically. It takes prayer and hard work but what greater thing could we hear being said to us than "Well done, My good and faithful servant"?
• WHY ARE THEY TO BE EQUIPPED? "for building up the body of Christ"
• HOW ARE THEY TO BE EQUIPPED? VV.15-16 Through "love". By "speaking the truth in love" and by "build[ing] itself up in love"

Ephesians 4:13 (ESV) — 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

• WHO ARE “we all”? All believers. Regardless of title or position or lack of either, we are all to growing up in Christ.
• WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE SAINTS BEING EQUIPPED FOR MINISTRY? Unity, both in faith and in knowledge of Jesus. Spiritual maturity, "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" 

Ephesians 4:14 (ESV) — 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

• WHY SHOULD WE SEEK “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”? "so that we may no longer be children" We are to be growing in our spiritual walk so that we don't chase after every fad that comes along. For example, some churches are always changing their identity to copy somebody else whether it be Rick Warren's "purpose-driven church", Bill Hybels' "seeker-sensitive church", etc. We are to pattern our church after God's Word and how He shapes us.
• WHAT CAN CAUSE US TO BE “tossed to and fro”? "by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes" Again, what does God's Word say? Anything we consider to be "doctrine" must be based upon the Bible and nothing else. We must not follow people's "cunning", "craftiness" or "deceitful schemes".
• HOW CAN WE KEEP OURSELVES FROM BEING “tossed to and fro”? By being grounded in God's Word so that we are seeking to "attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ"

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) — 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

• WHAT IS THE “truth” THAT WE ARE TO SPEAK? God's Word
• HOW ARE WE TO SPEAK THAT “truth”? "in love" Love that shows that we care for each other and not just for ourselves.
• WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IF WE SPEAK THAT TRUTH IN LOVE? We will be able to "grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ". [Underlining added]

Look at the key words in Ephesians 4:16 (ESV) — 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. [underlining added]

The whole body, not just part of it, being joined and held together. Each part being equipped and working properly. The body growing up and building itself up in love. That is what is supposed to be happening in every church.

WHAT COULD KEEP THIS PASSAGE FROM HAPPENING IN OUR CHURCH?

• WHAT IF THE PREACHERS/TEACHERS WERE NOT EQUIPPING THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? Then the whole ministry load would be saved for or fall upon the preachers and teachers. That would keep the church from growing and it would keep the saints from being able to serve and develop their spiritual gifts.
• WHY WOULD THE PREACHERS/TEACHERS NOT WANT TO EQUIP THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? Pride (not wanting to share the ministry with anyone), not having confidence in the saints to be able to learn it or do it, not willing to take the time to train someone to minister, being burned too many times from training someone and then that person turned on you or left you, etc.
• WHAT IF THE SAINTS DIDN’T WANT TO BE EQUIPPED FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? Then they would be disobedient and rebellious towards God and the church. They would act like "consumers" who only come to church to get what they want and then leave, etc.
• WHY WOULDN’T THE SAINTS WANT TO BE EQUIPPED FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY? They don't want the responsibility, they are too focused on themselves, they don't feel like they are qualified to minister, they think somebody else will do it, etc.
• WHAT IF THE CHURCH WASN’T SEEKING “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”? It would be full of divisions and conflicts. It would have no appetite for God's Word and no desire to see any growth.
• WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS THAT A CHURCH IS NOT SEEKING “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”? Not reading your Bible, not attending Sunday School, the worship services and the Bible studies.  Arrogance instead of humility. Being focused on self instead of the whole body. 
• WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS THAT A CHURCH IS ACTING LIKE “children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes”? Always chasing after the latest celebrity preacher or author. Not being serious about your commitment to God and to His church. Not being consistent with what you believe and why you believe it. Fighting for position, power and recognition.
• WHAT CAUSES A CHURCH TO ACT LIKE “children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes”? Not seeking "the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ"
• WHY WOULD WE NOT WANT TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE? This quote is very powerful. “Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.” Warren W. Wiersbe Some people don't want to speak the truth in love because they feel better about themselves by pointing out the faults of others. Some people are more concerned about what they say than how it will affect whoever they are talking to.
• WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T “speaking the truth in love”? We will cause more divisions and more folks to leave the church.
• WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T WANT TO GROW UP? Disobedience to God. We are to be making disciples, not making divisions. We cannot please God if we refuse to grow up.
• WHAT HAPPENS IF WE THINK WE ARE GROWING UP BUT REALLY WE AREN’T? Then our talk won't match our walk. We will say that we are Christians but our lifestyles will scream the opposite. Jesus said in several places that we will be known by our fruit. If our fruit is not matching what we are saying, we are only deceiving ourselves.
• WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT THE WHOLE BODY BE “joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped” AND “each part is working properly”? Simple, if we are not joined together, we are falling apart and that will happen if each part is not working properly.
• ACCORDING TO VERSE 16, WHY MIGHT BE ONE REASON THAT THE BODY ISN’T “joined and held together” AND “working properly”? If there is no true love for each other.

Let me close this post with verses from the King James and the New American Standard Bibles (because of the beautiful word "edify" which we should be doing...)
Romans 14:19 (KJV) — 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
1 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB95) — 1 …Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV) — 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) — 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV) — 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

TODAY'S SNOW REMINDS ME OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

How does this snow remind me of the local church? Think about the beauty you see each time it snows... before anyone has made any tracks in the snow... you see a huge blanket covering everything. Now think for a moment how big a snow flake is. Just one. One snow flake can easily fit on the tip of your finger but when it joins other snowflakes, you can have a large snowfall like today. Some folks are reporting 20 or more inches of snow in their yard.

So what does that have to do with the local church? It is another great example that God has given us about the need for our church family. On our own, we are not able to do as much work. On our own, we are very vulnerable to temptation and destruction. On our own, we are very weak. But when the local church comes together, it is beautiful to see all of the relationships growing stronger, it's members working together to fulfill the Great Commission and the local church can accomplish so much more than any one individual.

Consider this passage of Scripture.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (ESV) — 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

How is "two" better than "one"? Here are four reasons we need each other.

9 ...because they have a good reward for their toil. 

Imagine a dump truck lost part of its load at the end of your driveway and now you have 1,000 pounds of rock keeping you from being able to go anywhere. Let's say that each rock weighs 50 pounds each and because of their size and shape, you can only carry one at a time. That would mean you would have to pick up 20 rocks before you could drive your car!

But what if your neighbor saw what happened and came over to help? Now you only have to pick up 10 rocks apiece. Just by adding one person. What if three other guys saw what you were doing and came to the rescue? Then you would only have to pick up 4 rocks each! THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 20 TRIPS AND 4 TRIPS.

Being a pastor for the last 20 years, I have seen many people trying to pick up 20 rocks when all they had to do was ask their church family to help. If they had gotten 20 people to do the task, each one would only have to pick up ONE ROCK!

WHAT IF THERE WAS ONLY ONE ROCK IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IT WEIGHED 1,000 POUNDS??? Using this example, one person couldn't do it by themselves but 20 people working together could do it.

10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 

This verse alone speaks volumes why we need our church family! When we isolate ourselves, it is so much harder to get up when we fall into temptation or discouragement. We have no one to see us fall, we have no one to protect us and no one to encourage us. 

But when we have our church family around us, they notice when we are down or hurting. They also notice when we start to drift away or fall back into some dangerous patterns in our lives. We can love and be loved. We can help each other remember that no matter what happens in our lives, we are not alone. We can remind each other of God's faithfulness and power. 

Speaking from experience, I can't tell you how many times somebody from our church family has encouraged me, challenged me to grow, reminded me of the big picture and so much more. Don't miss out on these benefits. 

11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 

Sometimes my wife speaks a few words that I am supposed to recognize as many words. For example, at a cinema, she may say, "I am cold." which is translated in Rhondaese as "I am cold so get closer and let me snuggle up to you and warm up." If I don't get that message, she will repeat herself and say, "Honey, I said I am cold." then a light bulb goes off above my head and I understand what she wanted me to do.

Think about what happens when you are alone (more than you want to be). Time drags on. No interaction with anyone. Your mind begins to run in every possible direction... "What if...", "I hope...", "I don't think I can...", etc. Mary Teresa once said, "Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty."

While I was writing this post, I searched Google for images under the title "loneliness". So many of those photos show sorrow, pain and suffering with no one around to help them. Just look at this pic I found and see what I mean...

Now contrast that photo with these photos...

This is what it is like to be a part of a local church. Enjoying each other. Celebrating each other. Helping each other in times of need. Loving others warms them up.

12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

When training for overseas mission trips, we were told to always pair up with someone in our group and never wander off from your group alone. So many news reports have shown where someone was abducted because they were an easy target. When somebody pulls away from the group, nobody is there to protect them from trouble.

The same is true in local church. We have each other to help protect us from trouble. Every one of us will be attacked by the evil one but thank God for our church family. We can pray for each other and hold each other accountable. We can protect each other from wandering away from the faith. We need each other. You can't make it on your own. God knows that and this is why He gave us this list of "one anothers" in scripture. I hope that you will take the time to look through this list and see why we need each other so much.

1. Be at peace with one another (Mk 9:50)

2. Love one another (Jn 13:34)

3. Be joined to one another (Ro 12:5)

4. Be devoted to one another (Ro 12:10)

5. Honor one another (Ro 12:10)

6. Rejoice with one another (Ro 12:15)

7. Weep with one another (Ro 12:15)

8. Live in harmony with one another (Ro 12:16)

9. Accept one another (Ro 15:7)

10. Counsel one another (Ro 15:14)

11. Greet one another (Ro 16:16)

12. Agree with each other (1 Co 1:10)

13. Wait for one another (1 Co 11:33)

14. Care for one another (1 Co 12:25)

15. Serve one another (Gal 5:13)

16. Carry one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2)

17. Be kind to one another (Eph 4:32)

18. Forgive one another (Eph 4:32)

19. Submit to one another (Eph 5:21)

20. Bear with one another (Col 3:13)

21. Teach, admonish each other (Col 3:16)

22. Encourage one another (1 Th 5:11)

23. Build up one another (1 Th 5:11)

24. Spur one another on (Heb 10:24)

25. Offer hospitality to one another (1 Pe 4:9)

26. Minister gifts to one another (1 Pe 4:10)

27. Be humble toward one another (1 Pe 5:5)

28. Confess your sins to one another (Jas 5:16)

29. Pray for one another (Jas 5:16)

30. Fellowship with one another (1 Jn 1:7)

AN ANSWER TO 'WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR CHURCHES?'

Read this verse slowly and see if you catch it...


Acts 9:31 (ESV) 31  So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 

Did you see it? Our churches like the part "in the comfort of the Holy Spirit" but we are not doing so well in "walking in the fear of the Lord", are we? I just heard (Romans 10:17 (ESV) 17  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.) John Piper read Acts 9:31 and I had to stop his message and look up that verse. I really believe that is an answer to 'What is wrong with our churches?'. In fact, I don't think I would be too base to say that not walking in the fear of the Lord is one of the major problems in our churches. Think about it. If we don't fear the Lord, then... 
1. We don't repent from all of our sins like we should. 
2. We don't respect God's Word like we should.
3. We don't gather as a church like we should.
4. We don't strive to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" (Ephesians 4:1).
And the list could go on and on.

Because we are not fearing God like we should, we are not living as we should and we are not being the church that we should be, are we? This is interesting to me because one of my friends at church just talked to me about fearing the Lord Wednesday night. She has been doing a study on what it means to fear the Lord. Then today, Acts 9:31 catches my attention and emphasizes why so many of our churches are going through such spiritual battles. Not only are we not being "strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" [Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)], we are not "walking in the fear of the Lord" either.

Why should we "fear the Lord"? Because "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." [Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)] And what happens if we do not fear the Lord?

Proverbs 1:28-31 (ESV) 28   Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. 29  Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, 30   would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, 31  therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. 

If we do not fear the Lord,
1. God will not answer when we call upon Him. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer
2. God will not be found when we look for Him. they will seek me diligently but will not find me
3. God will make us suffer the consequences of our decisions. they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices

So let us repent of our ways and love the knowledge that comes from God's Word. Then He will answer us when we call upon Him, be found when we look for Him and protect us from ourselves.