Yesterday was one of the two BIG days in the life of the New Testament church –Resurrection Sunday! I was really looking forward to being able to celebrate Easter with my family and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
The day began with the Easter Sunrise service with the church that my family and I are members of. I had the privilege of preaching the message at that service. The service was outside – and it was a bit cold! It actually was the first time I have preached in a setting where I could “blow smoke” – because of the cold temperature. (Actually others have accused me of “blowing smoke” in my preaching before – but a different kind! LOL!) What grabbed my attention was not the songs of praise that we sang or the amazing message that was preached (it was pretty amazing!). But what grabbed my attention was the murmuring of “discomfort” that was present because of the cold temperature. Heaven forbid that we might have to be a little cold while we worship on Resurrection Sunday!
Later that morning, I attended the corporate worship service at the same church. As expected, the sanctuary was packed with people. I was upstairs in the sound booth area watching the people come into the sanctuary. Prior to coming upstairs, I noticed two young teenage girls who were guests. They were looking for a place to sit and could not find one. But what “bothered” me was that nobody seemed to care to help them find a place to sit. Everyone was “comfortable” with where they were. When I went upstairs, these two teenage girls also showed up in this area that was not designed for sitting – much less for guests. So I talked with them about finding a sit – not with much success. Eventually a “reserved” row was opened, and they made their way to that row of seats. Right after the worship service began, I noticed a family with 3 or 4 children/teens arrived – and they were in search for a place to sit as well. Once again, not much concern from others because of the “comfort” issue. This family made their way to the front of the church to what they thought was a row of seats, much to their surprise not to be so. So they turned around facing the congregation looking for some seats – Ugh! Eventually they found a row that had just enough space for them to sit at – next to one of the church leaders. The church leader allowed them to sit there – but it seemed as if this leader was more interested in watching what was happening on the platform instead of making it “easy” for this family to get seated and feel welcomed. I began to feel a bit more uneasy about what was going on this Resurrection Sunday so far. Then as I “watched” the “worship service” I noticed all of the people taking pictures of the activities and videoing the activities (including myself with video camera in hand). All of that caused me to begin to think to myself, “What in the world are we doing here? Were we here to worship and celebrate our risen Lord and Savior? Or were we here to be entertained in the comfort of our Christian bubble?” Instead of being spiritually challenged and moved, I began to be physically sickened to my stomach.
Later that day I began to think to myself that maybe I had just “missed the boat” in what I had experienced that day. But that evening my family and I attended a “worship service” at another local church – one that a friend of my daughter attended. Their drama group was leading the worship service that night. When my family and I arrived, the church was already full. The gathered group was not that large, so it was obvious that we were guests. Yet as we searched for seats, nobody really seemed to care that we were wandering around with no success in finding seats. Finally, the father of my daughter’s friend saw what was happening and he scurried to find us some seats to be seated in. During this process, he asked a couple of people to move over, and honestly they seemed a little upset that they had to be moved out of their “comfortable place”. Then once again I “watched” this “worship service” along with the rest of the people present. After the service was over, I found myself thinking as I was leaving “What just happened here?”
Is my experience on this Easter – Resurrection Sunday – what God had in mind for His people on this most amazing day that we are to celebrate? That afternoon I heard the Matthew West song “Go through the motions”. That night upon arriving at home, I began to ponder the experiences of my day and the words to this song. Are we Christians, the body of Christ, satisfied with being “comfortable going through the motions” of what it means to be a follower of Christ? Is that what Christ had in mind when He issued the call to forsake everything in order to follow Him? Honestly, I think the answer these questions is a resounding NO! No wonder the world around us is not being drawn to Jesus Christ – and His bride.
Comfort – God help us never to strive for comfort in our lives! Motions – God help us not see the journey of the Christian life as mere motions. “The comfort of the motions!” A scary thought to me – scary because it seems to be reality so many times. God, help me to be satisfied only with the uncomfort that comes with the amazing journey of being a true follower of Christ!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Striking of a Chord
Just recently one of my colleagues sent a Biblical Recorder e-article from Tom Ehrich entitled, "Saying no to Sundays". The response from other colleagues to this e-article was much more than the typical response. As a result, I decided to respond. I thought it would be good to share my response here. So here it goes!
Wow, I found the response to Ehrich post to be quite amazing – and it speaks to an important truth about our faith. We get these types of posts passed around quite often – but typically nowhere near the responses to them. I think this speaks to a great issue of our faith – even though many do not like to admit it – the critical importance of the church to our faith. Otherwise, I do not think we would be seeing such responses – lengthy and passionate. So get ready, it is my time to chime in!
It all goes back to the issue of what Christ said that he came to build and give His life for – THE CHURCH! The church is His bride! I know a lot of people like to talk about church universal – more than the local expression. BUT! When you look at the emphasis upon “church” in the New Testament, the overwhelming majority of emphasis is upon the local expression of church. Of the 114 times “ekklesia” is found in the NT, 109 of those occurrences make reference to church universal or church local. At least 90 of those occurrences are making reference to/giving emphasis to church local. Church universal is important yes – but the way that church universal is primarily expressed in the world in which we live is church local. It is through church local – that we who are part of the body of Christ – can fulfill and live out what we have been called to do. Which leads to my next point.
The main reason I have not responded so far is that I do not like to enter into conversations without the intent of being “involved” in the issue of the conversation. That is the MAIN problem that I have with posts such as the ones being discussed – or with the conversations of the contemporary church. Many people like to talk about the issue – and leave it there! A really good definition of gossip that I heard once was “talking about something/someone that you have no ability to change or no intent to change.” Do we who are part of the bride of Christ have the ability to change her? Yes, because we are her! Do we have the intent to change her? Honestly, most of the time, the answer to that question is NO! Instead we like to talk about her problems – because it is a great topic of conversation. But do we really have the intent of doing anything about what we are talking about. No! Instead, we just talk about and give reasons of why we don’t want to have part of her any more. That is what I see a lot of today not with just this younger generation – but with all generations. There is one BIG issue at hand here – the church has NEVER been without her problems. Just read the New Testament – that is what we see throughout it – all of the “real life problems and crap” that has always been part of the church. BUT we don’t see any emphasis upon giving up on her – or just merely talking about the problems. Instead, the emphasis of the NT – and I believe should be the emphasis of our generation – is for us to be actively committed to and in love with the bride of Christ!
I think this is where the younger generation – and all generations – is frustrated with the church of today. Many who are part of the bride of Christ portray that what it means to be an active part of the church is to attend worship service on Sunday morning (or whenever) – and do that on a regular basis. Maybe throw in a small group Bible study. Wow – now I am active part of the church. Wrong! To be an active part of the church means that we give ALL of who we are to the mission that Christ has given to His bride. By giving all of ourselves, that means it has a major impact on what I give my time and energy and passion to. The purpose of the church IS NOT just to gather once a week – and I think that is the idea that has been passed along by MANY well intentioned members of the body. And I think that is what has turned off so many who want to be part of the church. They are searching for something bigger than that – they are searching for wanting to be part of what Christ meant for His church.
So what am I trying to say in all of this. Christ loves His church! If we love Christ, we should love His church! To love the church does not mean I show my love merely by my attendance of Sunday worship – that is part of it but not all of it. Further, We CAN’T abandon her. That is not an option for any member of the covenant community of Christ. We MUST do our own personal parts in bringing transformation to the church. The only way for needed change to occur is for believers with a passion for Christ to aim that passion toward the bride of Christ and her mission – and give our WHOLE selves to her and her mission! If enough believers did that, the church as we know it would be transformed. I think the key for this entire issue is for the church to BE the church. And if we are part of the church, that means the needed change can and should begin with those who realize it. It is time for such members of the body to show by EXAMPLE that being the church is not merely a Sunday activity thing – it is that and a whole lot more. Being a part of the church is what our LIFE should be about. Chip Henderson, who spoke at our Bryan Center conference in the fall, pastors Pinelake Church in Brandon, MS. Their church motto is “Pinelake – it’s not just church, it’s life!” That is what people are looking for in the body of Christ – something worth giving their lives to and for!
Does the church local – the bride of Christ – need change today? Yes, just like it has needed change since her birth! That change CAN and WILL occur if ALL generations of Christ followers will actually BE the church and not merely ATTEND church. If any person is not willing to BE the church – which includes giving all of who we are to the expression of her today and forever, church local - then my suggestion would be “Don’t enter into gossip (gossip = talk with no intention to do anything personally to bring about change) about the bride of Christ”. It will only cause Christ to be “upset” – and will cause others to want to join in the gossip instead of the change solution. If the younger generation would see enough of other generations BE-ing the church instead of just merely ATTEND-ing the church, then I think they would be excited about ATTEND-ing the church whenever it does gather together – even on Sunday!
Wow, I found the response to Ehrich post to be quite amazing – and it speaks to an important truth about our faith. We get these types of posts passed around quite often – but typically nowhere near the responses to them. I think this speaks to a great issue of our faith – even though many do not like to admit it – the critical importance of the church to our faith. Otherwise, I do not think we would be seeing such responses – lengthy and passionate. So get ready, it is my time to chime in!
It all goes back to the issue of what Christ said that he came to build and give His life for – THE CHURCH! The church is His bride! I know a lot of people like to talk about church universal – more than the local expression. BUT! When you look at the emphasis upon “church” in the New Testament, the overwhelming majority of emphasis is upon the local expression of church. Of the 114 times “ekklesia” is found in the NT, 109 of those occurrences make reference to church universal or church local. At least 90 of those occurrences are making reference to/giving emphasis to church local. Church universal is important yes – but the way that church universal is primarily expressed in the world in which we live is church local. It is through church local – that we who are part of the body of Christ – can fulfill and live out what we have been called to do. Which leads to my next point.
The main reason I have not responded so far is that I do not like to enter into conversations without the intent of being “involved” in the issue of the conversation. That is the MAIN problem that I have with posts such as the ones being discussed – or with the conversations of the contemporary church. Many people like to talk about the issue – and leave it there! A really good definition of gossip that I heard once was “talking about something/someone that you have no ability to change or no intent to change.” Do we who are part of the bride of Christ have the ability to change her? Yes, because we are her! Do we have the intent to change her? Honestly, most of the time, the answer to that question is NO! Instead we like to talk about her problems – because it is a great topic of conversation. But do we really have the intent of doing anything about what we are talking about. No! Instead, we just talk about and give reasons of why we don’t want to have part of her any more. That is what I see a lot of today not with just this younger generation – but with all generations. There is one BIG issue at hand here – the church has NEVER been without her problems. Just read the New Testament – that is what we see throughout it – all of the “real life problems and crap” that has always been part of the church. BUT we don’t see any emphasis upon giving up on her – or just merely talking about the problems. Instead, the emphasis of the NT – and I believe should be the emphasis of our generation – is for us to be actively committed to and in love with the bride of Christ!
I think this is where the younger generation – and all generations – is frustrated with the church of today. Many who are part of the bride of Christ portray that what it means to be an active part of the church is to attend worship service on Sunday morning (or whenever) – and do that on a regular basis. Maybe throw in a small group Bible study. Wow – now I am active part of the church. Wrong! To be an active part of the church means that we give ALL of who we are to the mission that Christ has given to His bride. By giving all of ourselves, that means it has a major impact on what I give my time and energy and passion to. The purpose of the church IS NOT just to gather once a week – and I think that is the idea that has been passed along by MANY well intentioned members of the body. And I think that is what has turned off so many who want to be part of the church. They are searching for something bigger than that – they are searching for wanting to be part of what Christ meant for His church.
So what am I trying to say in all of this. Christ loves His church! If we love Christ, we should love His church! To love the church does not mean I show my love merely by my attendance of Sunday worship – that is part of it but not all of it. Further, We CAN’T abandon her. That is not an option for any member of the covenant community of Christ. We MUST do our own personal parts in bringing transformation to the church. The only way for needed change to occur is for believers with a passion for Christ to aim that passion toward the bride of Christ and her mission – and give our WHOLE selves to her and her mission! If enough believers did that, the church as we know it would be transformed. I think the key for this entire issue is for the church to BE the church. And if we are part of the church, that means the needed change can and should begin with those who realize it. It is time for such members of the body to show by EXAMPLE that being the church is not merely a Sunday activity thing – it is that and a whole lot more. Being a part of the church is what our LIFE should be about. Chip Henderson, who spoke at our Bryan Center conference in the fall, pastors Pinelake Church in Brandon, MS. Their church motto is “Pinelake – it’s not just church, it’s life!” That is what people are looking for in the body of Christ – something worth giving their lives to and for!
Does the church local – the bride of Christ – need change today? Yes, just like it has needed change since her birth! That change CAN and WILL occur if ALL generations of Christ followers will actually BE the church and not merely ATTEND church. If any person is not willing to BE the church – which includes giving all of who we are to the expression of her today and forever, church local - then my suggestion would be “Don’t enter into gossip (gossip = talk with no intention to do anything personally to bring about change) about the bride of Christ”. It will only cause Christ to be “upset” – and will cause others to want to join in the gossip instead of the change solution. If the younger generation would see enough of other generations BE-ing the church instead of just merely ATTEND-ing the church, then I think they would be excited about ATTEND-ing the church whenever it does gather together – even on Sunday!
Monday, January 26, 2009
The First of Many to Come
Welcome to the World of Paradox Jones! What is up with the name Paradox? That is a nickname that some of my friends gave to me and call me because I have a pair of doctoral degrees. Wow, isn't that amazing! I have been in the world of pastoral ministry for the majority of my adult years. And being that I have not hit the Big 40 yet (less than a year to come - ugh!), and have completed two doctoral degrees (the last four years ago), I have also spent many of my adult years as a student in the academic world. About a year and half ago, all of that changed. I am no longer in the pastoral ministry world, but I am more involved in the world of academia. However, my role has changed. I am now full time in the world of academia, serving as Associate Professor of Christian Ministry at Bryan College. I am not a published scholar (as of yet), but I enjoy writing. I just have never been "moved with the motivation" to enter into the published world of writing, but I really want to. So that is a major part for the beginning of this blogspot. I am wanting to start with the writing of my ideas and sharing them with persons other than myself and my students. And hopefully this will lead me to be "moved with the motivation" to enter the published world of writing. So, this is the first of hopefully many to come! Be on the look for more from Paradox Jones in the near future!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
