In 2 Timothy 4 (vv. 6-16), the elder spiritual statesman Paul, imparts several important instructions for the younger leader, Timothy. One of the first and most important was to warn those under his charge concerning false doctrines and error. From the very beginning erroneous ideas crept into the church (either nefariously or innocuously by those just either prone to wrong thinking or easily swayed). The importance of keeping God’s message true and pure should be obvious. A little error up front can soon lead to a lot later on and severely missing the mark. This is why so much of the N.T. seems to be combating ideas and teachings that are contrary to God’s ways.
Funny, things don’t seem to change much. Even in our day...actually, especially in our day. Of late one of the issues several pastors I’ve known have had to deal with is break off home groups that want to separate from the existing church, call themselves a church and do their own thing. While the idea of meeting in a home is not contrary to Biblical practice, however what these "wanna be" churches are doing is anything but church.
Here’s why... 7 reasons:
1) The home church movement has been a magnet for counter culture rebellious types of individuals that don’t like to submit to anyone or anybody. There’s a reason why Paul appointed certain individuals to lead the church. He also gave several qualifications for these leaders. This apostle spent a lot of time undoing damage to susceptible young Christians that were easily led astray by self appointed, self styled preachers that weren’t qualified to lead. And this is what we often find in HCM’s assembly’s. Which leads to #2...
2) False Doctrines and erroneous ideas run wild in these forums. In this supposed post modern age, anyone’s opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s. Even though a person may be totally uneducated, inexperienced and absolutely unaware of anything historical. What they have to say is just as meaningful, informed and authoritative as let’s say a pastor who studied the Bible formally in Grad school seminary....knows the original languages of the Bible and owns a plethora of exegesis tools and is skilled in using them. (And this doesn’t even take into account varying levels of spiritual maturity).
3) Accountability. Most home groups don’t have any. Formal/normal churches are set up to have a balance in leadership. So let’s say even if the pastor mentioned in above #2 starts to sway off course a little in his theology and doctrine, the church has mature, godly, biblically insightful leadership in place that can steer him back on course or in severe cases, protect the flock from being led astray.
4) Teaching and preaching of God’s word has always taken primacy in church gatherings. This does not seem a value in these home meetings. Even before New Testament times in the Old Covenant, those that knew the Torah instructed the faithful in God’s word. The written word has always been highly esteemed and taught by those dedicated and ordained for this purpose. In the New Testament it’s the same thing. The gathering would worship in song, etc., then be taught the word. In fact it was so important that the Apostles were relieved of the ministry to the community so they dedicate themselves "to prayer and the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:1-5). And this function was so valued to the point that they were financially provided for so they could continue in this skillfully. Jesus himself said that the workers are worthy of their wages. A fact that Paul later affirmed and even claimed that those who teach and lead well are actually worthy of double wages!! (1 Tim. 5:17-18).
5) Home fellowship groups don’t fulfill the great commission. Jesus left the church with one great mission. And it’s called the great commission (Mt. 28:18-20). And that is....to make disciples. Now it’s one thing to gather around guitar, sing and share, but it’s not making disciples. Without the teaching and guided application of God’s word, growth and maturity don’t take place. Granted, some churches are better than others at making disciples. And there should be an intentional plan for the production of disciples. The successful disciple-making church employs’ many methods in this work...small group fellowship is but one of them.
6) Home fellowship groups don’t have effective organized outreaches and ministry. Taking part in a formal/normal church is better way to organizationally reach out to your community whether it is providing physical needs or evangelization. They’re better equipped with leadership, structure for getting it done, resources (financial, networking, manpower, etc.). And when that church is a part of a larger denomination it greatly enhances their opportunities to be a part of world evangelization.
7) Home fellowship groups are greatly limited in their spiritual gifts inventory. The bible makes it very clear that each one of us has a spiritual gift. This gift is to be used to build up the body of Christ. The wider the range of gifting, the more opportunity there is for the body to be made complete, and be equipped. A church gives more occasion to use your gift and to be blessed and equipped by other’s gifts.
Finally, I would like to say that I have nothing against home churches in the proper context. If they effectively fulfill the above scriptural mandates, then go for it. In fact there are many places in the world today where home churches are flourishing, but this is mainly a cultural specific situation and usually involves persecution (i.e. Cuba, China).
Home fellowship groups are an important part of church life. Much ministry takes place there... care for one another, encouragement, and maybe even the occasional rebuke and correcting. However, let’s not make the mistake of replacing the church with something new and different simply because it seems cool. Jesus was the one that said HE would build the church. Because people are involved the whole process may not be perfect (and there certainly have been some corrections along the way), but to radically change what has been done for 2000 years is to tell Jesus He hasn’t been doing it right all along.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Ironmans and Ministry
Ministry can learn a lot from Ironman triathlon. I still remember the first of my (to this point) four Ironmans. I’d had a rough go, over pacing on the bike leg turned my run into something less than spectacular (to put it very mildly). From the very beginning of the run my leg muscles were on the edge of cramping.... and this persisted the entire 26.2 miles. Needless to say when I finally made it to Lakeshore Dr. in Penticton it was a major relief. Even though the winners had crossed the finish line over 2 hours earlier, the last mile was absolutely lined with people cheering wildly. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. Then I got to hear those magical words by the famous Ironman announcer Steve King, "Steve Sellers, you’re an Ironman!!!" It still makes me emotional thinking about it today!
The thing that amazes me about Ironman is what people will do to hear those words I got to hear that day. Friends and family members will come to Penticton to cheer their loved ones on in Ironman Canada and get so caught up in the experience that the very next day they’ll place themselves in the long line to register for next year’s event. Many of whom weren’t even training or racing to that point. They’ll put down their Visa or MC (b/c Ironman doesn’t take American Express), be 600$ poorer, and then the training begins (after they get themselves the bike, maybe a coach, pool membership, etc.... it’s a major expense and time commitment!).
Did I say why they registered a full year in advance? Because the event sells out the very next day for the succeeding event. People clamour all over each other to get into these torturous races. Why? I’ll leave that one for the sport psychologists to figure out. But let’s just imagine that the powers that be at Ironman Corp. feared that registrations would be low because not enough people would be willing to commit to this kind of rigorous preparation and competition. They could charge a more reasonable 100$ (people would pay that to be called an "Ironman". And suppose they make the event easier. Of course you couldn’t change the distances (3.85km swim, 180 km bike, 42 km run) because then you wouldn’t legitimately be an Iroman. But maybe we could have some motor boats with ropes behind to pull athletes in case they get tired. For the bike they’ll allow motorized 2 wheelers and for the run, well it’s hard to run the full 26.2 miles after being out in the sun all day so they would permit roller blades, which would certainly speed things up a bit. A great advantage to all this is that spectators wouldn’t have to wait until midnight to cheer on their slower loved ones!
Do you think this would go over? Not on your life!! It’s the challenge that brings people out. The mentality that says, "I need a challenge worthy of me!" If it was easier, so that just about anyone could do it, people wouldn’t bother. It’d be a nowhere event instead of the yearly sell out with thousands of spectators also taking part in the day.
I fear that a lot of churches take this second approach to ministry. They figure that people today in this unbelieving, un-truth affirming, non-committal age can’t really digest what God has to clearly say in His Word....the Bible. So messages are shared that have lots of relevance to our lives today, but virtually no Scriptural truth. Great music....everyone likes good music. Creative community building gimmicks, because community is important... especially to young people. But community built around what? Certainly not truth..... post moderns don’t believe truth exists. "How dare we tell anyone what to believe!!!"
Whether you call a ministry like this "emergent"or "seeker friendly" or whatever moniker the church growth gurus are calling it these days, in the end all you’ve got is something that resembles a Seinfeld episode... "A church about nothin’" (Ok, I’m giving away my age group demographic here, but do you remember that episode?).
2000 years ago Jesus gave us a little command which we call the "Great Commission". Its mission is to make disciples. The Greek word means, "learners". So how are we going to do this unless we teach? Teach what? Clearly, God’s message to us.... His Word.
But you say, "What about the seekers, pre-Christians and unchurched that we want to attract?"
Let me put it this way... if I was considering buying into Islam I’d want to know what was expected of me. I’d also want to know what the benefits are once I’d bought in. Would I have to blow up a building? Take part in Jihad? If I was a woman, would I be required to wear a Gurkha all my life? Etc. Etc. Tell me straight. Don’t play games with me. I really want to know. Perhaps you are hiding the real truth because you’re either ashamed of it, or you really don’t think it’s that great and I wouldn’t want to be a part of it. So now you’ll try to fool me into joining up.
What we have in Christ is amazing. It’ll take us a lifetime of Bible study to even begin to grasp the treasures that have been given to us by God. It makes me want to immodestly join with the Ap. Paul in his personal proclamation in the first chapter of Romans where he exults, "for I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation. To everyone who believes..."
Wonderful stuff!
The thing that amazes me about Ironman is what people will do to hear those words I got to hear that day. Friends and family members will come to Penticton to cheer their loved ones on in Ironman Canada and get so caught up in the experience that the very next day they’ll place themselves in the long line to register for next year’s event. Many of whom weren’t even training or racing to that point. They’ll put down their Visa or MC (b/c Ironman doesn’t take American Express), be 600$ poorer, and then the training begins (after they get themselves the bike, maybe a coach, pool membership, etc.... it’s a major expense and time commitment!).
Did I say why they registered a full year in advance? Because the event sells out the very next day for the succeeding event. People clamour all over each other to get into these torturous races. Why? I’ll leave that one for the sport psychologists to figure out. But let’s just imagine that the powers that be at Ironman Corp. feared that registrations would be low because not enough people would be willing to commit to this kind of rigorous preparation and competition. They could charge a more reasonable 100$ (people would pay that to be called an "Ironman". And suppose they make the event easier. Of course you couldn’t change the distances (3.85km swim, 180 km bike, 42 km run) because then you wouldn’t legitimately be an Iroman. But maybe we could have some motor boats with ropes behind to pull athletes in case they get tired. For the bike they’ll allow motorized 2 wheelers and for the run, well it’s hard to run the full 26.2 miles after being out in the sun all day so they would permit roller blades, which would certainly speed things up a bit. A great advantage to all this is that spectators wouldn’t have to wait until midnight to cheer on their slower loved ones!
Do you think this would go over? Not on your life!! It’s the challenge that brings people out. The mentality that says, "I need a challenge worthy of me!" If it was easier, so that just about anyone could do it, people wouldn’t bother. It’d be a nowhere event instead of the yearly sell out with thousands of spectators also taking part in the day.
I fear that a lot of churches take this second approach to ministry. They figure that people today in this unbelieving, un-truth affirming, non-committal age can’t really digest what God has to clearly say in His Word....the Bible. So messages are shared that have lots of relevance to our lives today, but virtually no Scriptural truth. Great music....everyone likes good music. Creative community building gimmicks, because community is important... especially to young people. But community built around what? Certainly not truth..... post moderns don’t believe truth exists. "How dare we tell anyone what to believe!!!"
Whether you call a ministry like this "emergent"or "seeker friendly" or whatever moniker the church growth gurus are calling it these days, in the end all you’ve got is something that resembles a Seinfeld episode... "A church about nothin’" (Ok, I’m giving away my age group demographic here, but do you remember that episode?).
2000 years ago Jesus gave us a little command which we call the "Great Commission". Its mission is to make disciples. The Greek word means, "learners". So how are we going to do this unless we teach? Teach what? Clearly, God’s message to us.... His Word.
But you say, "What about the seekers, pre-Christians and unchurched that we want to attract?"
Let me put it this way... if I was considering buying into Islam I’d want to know what was expected of me. I’d also want to know what the benefits are once I’d bought in. Would I have to blow up a building? Take part in Jihad? If I was a woman, would I be required to wear a Gurkha all my life? Etc. Etc. Tell me straight. Don’t play games with me. I really want to know. Perhaps you are hiding the real truth because you’re either ashamed of it, or you really don’t think it’s that great and I wouldn’t want to be a part of it. So now you’ll try to fool me into joining up.
What we have in Christ is amazing. It’ll take us a lifetime of Bible study to even begin to grasp the treasures that have been given to us by God. It makes me want to immodestly join with the Ap. Paul in his personal proclamation in the first chapter of Romans where he exults, "for I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation. To everyone who believes..."
Wonderful stuff!
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