Rethinking: Discipleship

27 Jul

lbeech |  July 27th,2009 | Christianity, Church, body life, books |  No Comments »

Discipleship

 

Another purpose of the church is to raise believers to maturity. White turns to Hebrews 5:12-13 where this point is made quite clear.

 

You have been Christians a long time now and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. And a person who is living on milk isn’t very far along in the Christian life and doesn’t know much about doing what is right.

 

The author makes several excellent points concerning discipleship. Often we think that at salvation our lives will dramatically change, when actually this is just the beginning of the long process of sanctification. Next, we presume that we will naturally mature over time, when maturity requires far more than just time. Then, we assume that the change in our lives occurs as an act of our will, when change is more about training than about trying. Lastly, we deceive ourselves into believing that growth is accomplished on our own rather than as a result of team effort.

 

True, at salvation a person’s eternal destiny has been altered, but now the process begins. After 14 hours of grueling labor I was overjoyed when my first son was born. I gasped, “It’s over. I’m done.” Much to my surprise the wise-cracking nurse quips, “No honey, it’s just beginning.” This is what the life of the new convert is like. We too are just so elated and revel in our new found relationship, but live change is just beginning. We need to be upfront with those we disciple and let them know that this is just the beginning.

 

The time factor is something that should be considered. As seen in Acts 2, the new converts devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles. This too ought to be the focus for those we bring to Christ. You cannot have a deep and growing relationship with someone you do not spend time with. Not only should we spend time together in fellowship and in worship, but we should spend time alone with Christ, getting to know who he is as well as enjoying His presence in our lives, after all ”He is the way, the truth and the life.”

 

Life change is not merely a choice from our will. I cannot will myself to change at the heart. I can adhere to a set of moral conduct and require that I perform in a certain manner, but for all of my exertion, I can never change my heart. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of the heart as desperately wicked. Ezekiel prophesied that the Lord would take man’s heart of stone and make it flesh. Change at the heart level is what lasts. This is the work of the Lord. This change requires a willingness to submit to the will of the Lord. Paul encouraged the church to imitate him as he imitates Christ. This is the calling of the the disciple. This is what leads to transformation in thought and in heart attitude.

 

This submission includes a willingness to train. Just because we desire to be excellent at a particular skill, does not mean that we will just acquire expertise. This is also true in spiritual growth. Paul wrote in 1 Tim 4:7 to his disciple Timothy to “train yourself to be godly.” What was necessary for Timothy is also for us.

 

There is no such thing as Christian growth outside of a body or mentoring relationship. We can deceive ourselves into believing that we don’t need others to change, but what man can be sharpened without another man to assist him. Hebrews says, “Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.”

 

White pointed out that often churches fail to train its members on the practices of training. He observed that often a church will teach on the need for a certain skill, but that same church will fail to effectively teach how to learn the skill needed. Though he presented it more as a church program, the principles were well stated.

 

Once someone becomes a believer, there is a need to train. Converts should be taught about the life of the disciple which includes basic doctrinal truths. People need to be plugged into a small group setting and encouraged to build relationship with other believers. Here each member can challenge another on what the word has to say pertaining to a particular life issue. The prevailing challenge ought to be,”What says the Word of the Lord on this matter.” There needs to be a focus on character development so that the man of Christ can be complete, bearing fruit. People should invest their time and resources in spiritual development, much like someone would for a career. The meeting the needs of others should become a vital component of daily life.

 

As for our fellowship, the activity of discipleship is deeply valued and emphasized. As a body, the teachings are content filled and there are plenty of opportunities to learn and to be train in becoming godly. Our home church settings offer an intimate format for delving into spiritual truths. Our cell groups emphasize relationship, service and again truth. Though these resources are in place, I have observed that often there is a lack of zeal for learning the word or for putting what is learned into practice. People are frequently just showing up or worse yet are complaining that there is work to do.

 

As I have stepped out and lead a cell group of post-college aged women, it seems more difficult to engage in lively discussions about what is being taught. This is different from my experiences teaching a college aged group – one that was so excited about Christ. Perhaps, this apathy arises from a lack of understanding why this truth is important for me. Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship. The word that we study is just a means to know Christ and to guide us in our walk with Him. Perhaps, the older we are as believers, we lose our first love. Perhaps even more, it is that we cannot serve two masters. As we settle into family and career, we lose our focus on Christ and turn our eyes toward comfort and order. The world steals away our heart. We just don’t have time for Christ. Who has the energy to take a step of faith?

 

Take for instance this ecclesia class that is being taught this summer. What an amazing opportunity to engage in training and to learn about the mission and the purpose of the church. I must confess, that it has been difficult to focus on the work of learning and of putting my thoughts together in this paper. Summer is full of distractions. It is also full of opportunity. As I sit here typing – spending time with the Lord – I hear my call to repentance – my call to rethink how I do cell – how I interact with others when we assemble.

Rethinking: Evangelism

27 Jul

lbeech |  July 27th,2009 | Christianity, Church, body life, books, outreach |  No Comments »

 Evangelism

 

On page 43, White identifies that “Evangelism involves effectively communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ with the goal of converting an individual to the Christian faith.” Perhaps, the better goal would be to introduce someone to the person of Jesus and His offer of relational reconciliation. The gospel message is always the same, yet the manner which it is communicated changes with the audience. The apostle Paul affirms this as an objective of evangelism in 2 Cor 9:22, as he “became all thing to all men so that by all possible means (he) might save some.” In layman’s terms the good news must be contextualized.

 

When rethinking evangelism, one must consider the background, culture and language of the audience. As Jesus spoke, he used narratives and stories that his audience could readily comprehend. To fisherman, he spoke of fishing. To a women at the well, he talked of living water. He identified his audience and reasoned in their terms to convey a spiritual truth.

 

Barna has recently determined through research why non-Christians are not affected by the message of Christianity. This is important to understand, for the mission of the church is to reach those who are not believers. The threefold reasons given by those surveyed are that they “do not see the relevance of the Christian faith, they do not understand what the Christian faith is trying to say, and they have difficulty accepting how different the Christian answer is from what they though the answer would be.” (p 53)

 

The key to successful evangelism is to invite a person to into a situation where they can “seek and find a redemptive relationship” with Jesus Christ. Notice that the key word in this is relationship. It is not about building up some program or coming up with the perfect teaching series, rather it is about building relational bridges where people can understand the gospel. The message must be presented in verbal witness rather than displayed through merely the activity of Christian community. The gospel must be spoken in such a manner that it is understood and able to prove relevant in that person’s life.

 

In our fellowship we do well at being the fun neighbors next door, or the supportive friend who is there, but often we put more investment in the activity of fun at the expense of expressing the gospel of reconciliation. We build our warm bridges without the gospel being first and foremost in our budding relationships. The gospel must always be preeminent. Its relevance promoted, lest we chance to place ourselves in a bait and switch” predicament.

 

When the gospel gets the back seat, we lose an opportunity for seeing who is and is not receptive to the word, and as a result, we invest unwisely. To invest a great amount of time without substance limits the opportunity to successfully evangelize to those in our lives. Balancing the warmth of relationship with the substance of truth can be difficult, but again this is the activity of the assembly and we should depend and count on the council and support of the Body of Christ when evangelizing.

 

When we do get people to a meeting where the gospel is presented clearly, do we ask the relevant questions? Or do we turn the conversation to the weather or the latest entertainment scandal? What better opportunity than to talk about Christ and who He is and what He has done and what He is offering. Ask yourself, “As a Christian, what is the business of the church? What are we here to accomplish?” Or better yet, “Who do I need to introduce them to?”

 

White addresses the changing needs in evangelism for a post modern society. No longer is reason or facts enough. Now we need to communicate “So what?” and “How does this affect me?” A postmodern culture no longer understands who the God of the Bible is. They now must be introduced to Him just as Paul introduced the Greeks at Mars Hill to the one true God. Also, the postmodern person is seeking experience. They want to belong and to be part of the sacred. Another need in the postmodern world is that people are wanting to see an example of the transformed life. They want evidence that the spiritual life is genuine. People want to see practical models of life transformed.

 

In our fellowship, there has been great success with the Discovery Group model , based on Poole’s seeker small groups concept. People have been personally invited to engage in spiritual conversations. The relationships are built outside of meetings, through both group gatherings and one on one time. An environment of safety is established where attendees are comfortable to discuss spiritual values and ideas. Those non-believers attending these groups are exposed to the truth and have the opportunity to ask how it is relevant to them. They are able to experience the “sacred” through attending meetings where prayer, fellowship, and service are practiced. As for seeing the transformed, many hear testimonies and in time see genuine sacrifice and other’s based love put into action.

 

Perhaps the greatest obstacle for our fellowship is that discovery groups take a step of faith into the unknown. This step of faith can seem so huge, especially since so much is out of the control of those leading the group. It also can require a huge investment. But for those who have taken this step it has born fruit both in the lives of those hosting and of those attending. For those supporting the effort, a hindrance could be a lack of vision for how best to support the group. Effective communication of needs and well promoted and attended prayer meetings could assist others in the body to back these groups. The fruit born is evidence of the work of the Spirit which testifies to successful evangelism.

Rethinking: A Call to Repentance

27 Jul

lbeech |  July 27th,2009 | Christianity, Church, books |  No Comments »

Rethinking the Church - James Emery White

Rethinking the Church - James Emery White

 In the Preface of Rethinking the Church by James Emery White, the message of this book is summed up in the following quote:

 

“Rethinking” is a good translation for the word repentance, for to repent means to change our way of thinking. It is literally “after thought.” Jim is helping us to rethink evangelism, discipleship, ministry, worship, community, and the structure of the church. ~ Leighton Ford

 

Agreed, repentance necessitates a change of mind or is a way to rethink where we place our priorities or questions why we do what we do, but godly repentance goes even deeper than a mere change of mind, it involves a change of heart – from a hard heart (which is set upon self will) to a soft heart (which is humbled and is willing to follow God’s will with zeal). Possibly, the “church” of today has lost her connectivity to the main power source and the authority of Christ, who is the author and perfecter of our faith. Her bond to Christ is weakened by attachment to tradition, to institutionalized structure, and to rigid scholastic adherence to bible knowledge at the expense of knowing the person and mission of the living Jesus Christ.

With this in mind, not only must our thinking be transformed by the renewing our minds, but also our hard hearts must be changed from stone to flesh and this change comes not from our own force of will, but rather from clinging dependence upon the transforming power of the Holy Spirit who reveals the person and mission of Christ to us.

At Pentecost, the power of the Spirit was first unleashed onto the world through those who had been called out from a ritualistic and and impersonal method of relating to God. Those empowered by the Spirit turned from religion to relationship; thus, embracing and reveling in this relationship, the early church was born. This assembly of believers knew its purpose and was mindful of its mission, but does today’s church understand her role? Perhaps now is the time to look back and to evaluate where we stand as compared to the early church. Perhaps the current church needs to turn back – to repent – and to be as the Holy Spirit first instructed.

 

Though this change is a work of the Spirit, we as individuals and as a church need to consider what is the purpose and mission of the church, especially in light of the apparent “church flight” which Barna’s statistics demonstrate. Or to put it another way, what was and is Jesus’ purpose and mission? As people called from religion to a relationship with Christ, what is the work of the church? James White puts the work of the church in savvy business terms and looks to examples found in scripture to identify what the ultimate goal of the church is. A passage that expresses the purpose of the church is Acts 2:42-47:

 

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 

White uses this passage to break down five activities that purposed the early church. In Acts, the church busied herself with learning the “apostles’ teaching,” which White identifies as the activity if discipleship. Also,“fellowship” is the purpose known as community. The “breaking of bread,” coupled with prayer, praise, and meeting in temple courts, refers to acts of worship. Meeting the needs of everyone is identified as ministry or acts of service. Lastly, that “the Lord added to their number daily” indicates that the early church participated in evangelism.

 

As for the mission of the church, we need to understand the objective for practicing the aforementioned activities. For without a clear, stated mission there is no direction. The mission of the church as established by Christ is found in Matthew 28:18-20:

 

Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

 

Here Christ commissions His followers to go out to all people and to make believers out of them and to train these believers in His teachings. Without understanding the mission of the church, it is possible to have a group practicing the activities of the church without having a personal relationship with Christ. Thus, it is important that a church understands why they are doing, what they are doing, and why they are doing it in such and such a way among a particular group of people.

 

In short a group of people may consider itself a church and not even have a relationship with Christ, who established the church. Perhaps equally as bad, it is possible for a church to function more like Christian social club that has no other direction than to maintain the group in number and form, with its effort focused inward, rather than outward as was suggested by being a “light on a hill.”

 

This paper will (attempt to) set forth what the author identifies as the purpose of each activity within the context of the mission and relationship, and then will address how effective our church NeoXenos Christian Fellowship is at fulfilling each purpose including where we, as a church succeed or fail at each activity and what changes or “rethinking,” or dare I say repentance, we may need to implement in order to best fulfill the goal set before us by Christ, who is the head of the church. (By no means am I an expert in this area, the emphasis ought to be on attempt.)

 Below are links where each purpose of the church is “rethought.”

Inspirational Words from Joni Eareckson Tada

20 Jul

lbeech |  July 20th,2009 | Christianity, Spiritual Growth, Video, XSI |  2 comments

YouTube Preview Image

 

Though the other speakers at Xenos Summer institute were motiving and effective at drawing out joy, Joni stood as a gleaming light set on a hill, a beacon of hope and joy to a world of evangelicals seeking purpose and significance. If you have a heart, it was broken while sitting at the feet of Joni. That heart was not lead into despair – Not on Joni’s watch. She, guided by the power of the Holy Spirit, moved the audience to a hopeful future through a journey of glorious dependance on and joy in the Lord –  for He is good.

Indeed after hearing Joni’s testimony and walk of faith, I am more confident than ever before just how loving, merciful, kind, and freaking good God is. “Rejoice in the Lord for he is good, His mercy does indeed endure forever and ever, ” so sings my heart three days removed from her inspiring speech.

Deeply desiring to pass on her words to those in my cell who were not able to attend and far too eager to wait for the CD recording or MP3 release and well aware of my inadequacies, I found a video of a speech that Joni delivered at another conference several years ago. It is not the extact one given by Joni in Columbus, but it is very similar in tone and content and worth watching – especially if you missed her at XSI. A simple recording may do, yet part of her message is conveyed through her countenance.

Enjoy and experience a renewed joy in salvation.

The Passing of Cookie

08 Jul

lbeech |  July 8th,2009 | Uncategorized, family |  No Comments »

Today one of our gerbils died. The boys called her Cookie. I called her Baby. She was one of four gerbils born 2 1/2 years ago. I don’t usually get too bonded with our family vermin, but she and her sibs were born and raised here.

I had discovered a litter of four baby gerbils, much to my delight, nestled in the corner of the cage. Three were black, one was white. The boys were ecstatic. All the babies grew to adulthood. We separated the females from the males as we did not wish to raise a growing colony of babies.

The females battled for dominance with the mother ruling the roost. The males fought continuously until just one remained. The brothers slaughtered one another, in terrible ways, including gnawing off one another’s feet. Indeed it was the survival on the fittest. The lone male soon succumbed to a mite infestation.

Only the females survived, Cookie and Cream. They became close companions, grooming each other daily, engaging in sporadic boxing episodes. By day, they huddled together for warmth and comfort. By night, they took turns running on the wheel, taking turns grooming one another.

Cookie and Cream - enjoying some sisterly wheel time.

Cookie and Cream - enjoying some sisterly wheel time.

The boys knew their little pets were aging. Cookie’s once charcoal fur was lightened with gray. Henry had recently commented that they would die soon. No one knew that it would be this soon. Cookie died today.

Noah picked Cookie up from the pine bedding and placed her in an Aveno oatmeal bath box. A suitable box for a critter burial. A tear ran down his sweet boyish cheek. Cream ran back and forth, seemingly lost without her sister.

Tonight, Cookie will join the vast number of pets in our garden walk of memories. She will join those who came before her.  Friends like Uno, Seth’s little maze mouse, who was slain by Mickey Mouse. Frisky, who suffocated himself in the corner of his cage, wedged between a Habitrail tube and the glass. Snowball, aka Gnurlman, the hated hamster, for whom all prayed that Death would come early. Mickey Mouse, the murderer, who lived a long life in isolation. (He was dearly loved though he slew his brother, Uno.) Shadow, Winter, Crunch and Munch and a litany of beloved vermin lay within the boundaries of our flower bed.

This evening we will gather and remember this family companion. The boys will stiffen their lower lips, trying not to cry. Soil will be lifted and patted gently in place. A friend will be put to rest.

So the cycle of family pets continues. Sad though it is, I will remember these moments with tenderness, for this is what raising children entails. It is bitter sweet. I cherish the memories.

Marriage Antiquated…Love is too much work.

29 Jun

lbeech |  June 29th,2009 | Current Events, parenting, women |  6 comments

31486261#31486261 - A link to the Today show report on “outdated marriage.”

Upon reading the article, On marriage: Let’s call the whole thing off, a clever play on the song by George Gershwin, I am at a loss for words. Perhaps, it is not a loss of words, rather a sense of being slapped in the face with a piece of rotting meat. I am astonished. Marriage is no longer viable. It is outdated and unrealistic, not worth the time.

This was news to me, a mother of four sons, ages 15 through 9, married now for 18 years, most of which have been amazingly fulfilling and full of love. Sweat dripped from my brow as I calculated the time left for me in antiquated marriage. Two years until I wake up and file the papers. Gulp.

Author Sandra Tsing Loh, after 20 years of hard work as mother, companion, professional writer, household manager and “go-fer,” has decided to get a divorce. She laments that she just works too hard to attempt to put the romance back into a marriage that lost the heat long ago. Her marriage is not worth her effort. She hasn’t got time for the pain.

After counseling sessions and confessing an affair, not only has Ms. Loh opted for divorce, but she is now questioning the entire institution of marriage. Marriage is not worth it. This is not a view from an embittered divorcee, but rather the insight of the enlightened. She writes :

Why do we still insist on marriage? Sure, it made sense to agrarian families before 1900, when to farm the land, one needed two spouses, grandparents, and a raft of children. But now that we have white-collar work and washing machines, and our life expectancy has shot from 47 to 77, isn’t the idea of lifelong marriage obsolete?

Well, it seems that in many Western countries the notion of marriage is becoming less popular as statistics from the World Values Survey indicate, while Americans embrace marriage as “highly valued,” even though America has the highest divorce rate of any country. Ms. Loh points out that Americans have the highest view of marriage.

“Marriage is an outdated institution” than citizens of any other Western country surveyed (compare the U.S.’s tiny 10 percent with France’s 36 percent). We are also more religious — more Americans (60 percent) say they attend religious services once a month than do the Vatican-centric Italians (54 percent) or, no surprise, the laissez-faire French (12 percent). At the same time, Americans endure the highest divorce rate in the Western world. In short, although we say we love religion and marriage, Cherlin notes, “religious Americans are more likely to divorce than secular Swedes.”

So Americans are a marriage centric nation of individuals who embrace the values of monogamy in marriage as well as the pursuit of personal happiness. Loh observes that since Americans value individualism as well as happily-ever-after-marriage, these competing values result in divorce, which explains our country’s high divorce rate as compared to other nations.

Honestly, I found this argument intriguing, for she argues that our sense of the individual over community, or even family, contradicts the substance of marriage.  Hence, Americans are doomed to the grinding cycle of marriage, divorce, remarriage, divorce and so forth. It just isn’t worth it. Interesting concept, I suppose.

Then, Ms. Loh begins to share her observations with her core group of women friends, who all have been married for many years.Soon after Ms. Loh divorced and shared her enlightened perspective, that they too were considering to make the break from the bonds that imprison them. They too just don’t have the time to make their marriages work. Marriage and love relationships take work. Effort is required.

Far better to be happy as an individual and to arrange some sort of civil agreement with the baby-daddies. So long as the children are not disturbed and they have the security of a household where mom and dad come and go, no harm done. The kids are just fine. Just follow the rules. Rules do not require love. Rules make it easier – to make excuses – or to leave.

That's right ladies - you don't need a man.

That's right ladies - you don't need a man.

This is where my brain pops forth from my skull. So, Ms. Loh and Company, since you and your gal pals all have white collar jobs, which equals wealth, you can purchase your freedom. You will have your home – apart from your ex and your kids. Your ex will need his separate place. Your children will have their fake – fairyland home where mom and dad come and go. I count three households, unless you and your ex share a pad.

This plan is economic disaster for anyone other than the wealthy, not to mention it is peculiar. So what you are really saying is that the wealthy can have their separate lives and marriage is outdated for them. The poor and undereducated, well, they must remain in outmoded marriage, even though it is supposedly biological torture – as humans only experience the sensation of chemical induced love for the max of four years.

Geez, after reading this article, I felt like I had just finished watching the HBO series Rome. Now that was a show full of debauchery – masses of intertwined flesh - the wealthy women had all the choices – plotting for power, using their bodies for gain. For them, marriage was a power play of position and political strategy. Personally, I am having difficulty seeing the difference from what Ms. Loh is proposing and what I witnessed in that series – moral and civil decline, not to mentioned the absence of  love.

So now the women’s movement is recruiting wives of modern wealth and education to leave their husbands, or heck, never marry. You reason, children only suffer harm when a string of men are introduced to them. Those children must bond with these men and, in turn, suffer repetitive emotional loss. Children thrive in a stable home where civility and rules are followed. Under your paradigm, love is not necessary, because love takes work.

A world without genuine loving relationships is what you postulate, Ms. Loh. A world where men and women do not sacrifice and work at love – is a world not worth living in. A world lived for self only – is a world without God. It is a world of death and decay. Maybe that’s why I felt as though I was hit in the face with rotten flesh – for that is what man and women are with out love.

The apostle Paul put it best in 1Cor 13: 1-3.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Sometimes, we need to take a good look at ourselves and acknowledge that love takes work and it requires sacrifice that is other’s focused. I know that after reading this article, I am taking a good look at myself.

I use rules all the time to replace the work – the huge painful effort- that love requires. It is not easy – that is for sure, but is it genuine and it is alive. Love focused outwards is anything, but decayed. It is everything that is good.

Happy 18th anniversary, Steve. I love you more than when we first said “I do.”

When in Rome

22 Jun

lbeech |  June 22nd,2009 | Catholic, Lutheran, baptism |  1 Comment »

Last week I attended a Catholic baptism for my nephew Dennison. I was really looking forward to meeting this newest addition to the Gerber clan, but I must admit I was also a bit apprehensive. My apprehension had nothing to do with potentially explosive interactions, quite familiar to the Gerbers and the Harnacks in attendance, rather what had unsettled me was knowing that soon I would be witnessing the rite of infant baptism, a practice that has confounded me since I first began actively reading the Bible for myself.

Being raised in the Lutheran church, infant baptism was a big deal for everyone in attendance. There was always the pre-ceremony build up. This small child was soon to be a member of God’s family. It was a big deal. God parents were selected and solemn vows were taken. The whole congregation would raise up their voices as one, reciting the words set before them in the service manual. I somehow believed that child would not have to burn in hell if death preceded adulthood. Adulthood somehow coincided with eighth grade confirmation. Hmm… It was not until I began to read scripture for myself that I questioned this practice.

A familiar ritual in many churches

A familiar ritual in many churches

But this day, I was attending my nephew’s baptism, not of the Lutheran Church, but of the Catholic Church. My brother’s wife is Catholic and he, I believe, still considers himself a Lutheran. I recall that he agreed to raise their children as Catholic so that he could be married in the Catholic Church. Honestly, this has always confounded me. How could someone agree to raise their kids in a faith that they themselves are not in agreement with? I never understood this.

But I have digressed from my point which is that infant baptism unsettles me as a Bible reading Christian, or at least this particular ceremony confounded me. Here are the things that really bothered me:

First, the lack of scripture used during this ritual. This bothered me the most. I mean, what or who is the authority or power behind this sacrament. The priest read from some liturgical material and talked a lot about the family of God and that this particular child was now somehow set free from being born into original sin. The priest mentioned that in some mysterious way that now this child contained “the Spirit in part” and that “upon confirmation the whole of the Spirit would either indwell or rest” upon my nephew.

This really confused me for several reasons:

One, how can one person have a part of the Spirit? Is not the Spirit, God Himself, a complete person? Can the Spirit just splinter part of Himself off to people and plant a “Spirit seed” that matures upon the rite of confirmation? Where was the scripture to support this view? Huh?

Two, is not baptism a witness of individual choice? Baptism, from what scripture shows, is a proclamation of what has already happened, meaning that the Spirit has already indwelled a believer. Baptism does not make one pure, as once was practiced in Israel through purification rites, rather a believer has already been made pure through the sacrifice that Christ made upon the cross. Baptism is a public testimony of what Christ has already done for someone who has made a choice to accept Him as Lord and Savior.

Three, how does the act of confirmation bestow the fullness of the Spirit? Again, is it not an act of faith to believe in Christ that makes one part of His family? All the reading and classes or rites can do nothing apart from faith. At least this is what I believe the scriptures to indicate.

A second thing that disturbed me about this baptism was that this particular priest did not even know my nephew. I suppose he knew my sister-in-law’s family, but she and my brother live in Colorado. Her local community or “church” did not participate in this “welcoming into the family of God.” It seemed strange to not have a ceremony in the community where you live. I guess it is like going back to your hometown to get married. I suppose the priest was welcoming my nephew into the universal body of Christ. It just seemed odd. To be fair though, they probably held the ceremony in Ohio because family could attend.

The final thing that bothered me had nothing to do with the baptism in itself. It had to do with knowing the difference between Lutherans and Catholics. Raised as a Lutheran, I know that Lutherans neither revere Saints nor do they consider Mary some sort of perpetual virgin with super intercessory powers. Yet, much to my dismay, my entire Lutheran family requested through liturgical response that Mary, St. Ambrose and a litany of other Saints “pray for them.”  (Say what!)

I thought that my eyes and ears were deceiving me. I mean – they were praying to dead people. Not to God – but to people. This was just wigging my world. I had always found some comfort that as a Lutheran, I had not prayed to people, except to Christ. I knew that Lutherans had some unfounded rituals – but LUTHERANS DO NOT PRAY TO SAINTS OR THE HOLY BLESSED MOTHER.

Why did this upset me the most? I suppose it hurt my pride. It also broke my heart. People will follow the crowd and do what everyone else is doing, even if they don’t agree. Or, maybe worse, they don’t even know why they do what they do. There is no substance to belief. It is all out of religious traditions, so respect some else’s traditions. Just do it – go along with it.

I suppose the ceremony was held in the right church after all. Not knowing anything about Saint Ambrose, I did a little reading up on his life. Here is a little quote from this venerable patron saint:

Ambrose - When in Rome...

Ambrose - When in Rome...

“When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the church where you are.”

His advice has remained in the English language as the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Following this advice, in Catholic “churches” pray to the Saints and when in a Lutheran “church,” do not pray to saints. Personally, I’d rather follow what Jesus did and pray directly to God.

Final thoughts on this church and its doctrine:

  • Scripture is not important – just listen to what the priest says and repeat after me.
  • Listen to a watery and disconnected teaching about the family of God, making sure that Mary gets her floor time.
  • Be sure to include the Lord’s Prayer – it counts as scripture and everyone knows it so no need to use the Bible.
  • Ritual supercedes truth – so just follow along.
  • Personal decision really don’t matter – ritual does.
  • Saints have some sort of super intercessory powers, after death. You not only need the priest to intercede but also some long dead religious dudes.
  • Visitors are encouraged to read along in rituals – even if they don’t believe what they are saying. Peer pressure make a nice ceremony.

To be fair to my brother and his family, I do not know what they personally believe. I am merely responding as an outside observer to what I witnessed and presenting the reasons that my family did not participate in the recitations.

Honestly, the church building was not overstated and had a subdued appearance. It did not have that high church feel. The picnic that was held afterwards was delightful and most pleasant. My only regret was that I wasn’t able to spend more time with my brother and his lovely family. I would just love to understand what they believe.

Pay to Pray?

30 May

lbeech |  May 30th,2009 | Church, Current Events |  4 comments

YouTube Preview Image

 

In San Diego, the right to gather in homes for fellowship and prayer is being called into question by the county government. Neighbors have filed complaints, citing parking problems and safety issues as the reason. Local officials agree. This group is a nuisance. They are breaking the rules.

Pastor David Jones claims that this small gathering of Christians does not qualify as large church assembly. “Full-blown” church services require permits which cost in the thousands of dollars. Pastor Jones believes that they are being unjustly harassed, even persecuted.

“We are talking about as little as five [people], a high meeting of 27, but on average 15,” explains Jones. “To find that the county says this is a code violation is really wrong.”

So, Pastor Dave has retained an attorney and could be taking this to federal court, if fines are enforced. He (as well as Miss California) are outraged – even shocked – that their first amendment rights are being violated. After all it’s America. Our rights are sacred. In fact, countless people have died and continue to die to preserve our Constitutional rights.

Tomb stones of Arlington National Cemetery, perfect rows of white washed monoliths, bear witness to America's obligation to rights

Stones of Arlington National Cemetery, white washed monoliths, bear witness

Arlington National Cemetery bears witness to the belief system that says, “Country First,” which is now a grassroots movement started by former POW John McCain.”  

We are at a moment of national crisis that will determine our future as a people and as a country. I have spent my life serving our nation and will continue to fight in order to right the path of our great country. America is worth fighting for. Nothing is inevitable here. We never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.

Though many Christians would argue that God is first in their lives, fighting to preserve our national freedom is often at the heart of many conservative Christians. My own family has a long, distinguished military service record, a record I am very proud of, and yet, I question whether as Christians we should being so willing to take up the sword, or the lawyer, to defend our rights.

Why not stand firm and suffer the at the hands of an oppressive government? This pacifist approach, more often than not, wins the heart of watching world. Was it not the cruel torture and brutal crucifixions of the first Christ followers that moved the Roman world to compassion? Their undeserved suffering, moved hundreds upon thousands to embrace Christ as Lord. The spontaneous expansion of the “church” affirms this as fact. Did not our hearts weep for the Chinese as tanks bore down upon university students in Tiananmen Square?

In light of this perspective should not Pastor Jones and his congregation rejoice that they are suffering shame for Christ? Christ said:

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:11-12

What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way. Luke 6:22-23

Instead of whining and demanding  protection under the first amendment rights, should this congregation not continue to gather in neighborhoods, parks, and even more open venues? Be respectful, be faithful and be filled with joy. You are worthy to suffer for the name. Pastor Dave you should be dancing in the streets!

Being harassed and bullied never feels good. It is difficult. We just want to complain. We as humans instinctively defend our rights and privileges. If we are “dised,” we demand justice. However, as believers we are the no longer under the power and authority of the ruler of this world, who is Satan. We are part of the kingdom of God. We are the “called out ones.”  Romans 12:2 says, “We do not have to be conformed to the ways of this world, but we are continually transformed by the renewing of our minds.” We must learn to think in a radical, different way.

In this situation, the radical, yet loving stance, would be to continue to meet. If there are parking issues, try to be respectful of neighbors. Try car pooling. Explain why you believe what you believe, but do so out of humility and gentleness, not out of outrage or of haughty indignation. 

Above all be joy filled. Be so full of grace that it flows out from every pore of your person. Don’t go all legal on this issue. Just continue to meet, to pray, to fellowship, and to worship, in order to bring glory to God, so that all may be edified by the unity and love of the brethren.

So, pay to pray? Yes, there is a price to pay, but to pay a fine indicates assent that a law was broken. Has a law been broken? Perhaps. A better question is whose law may have been broken? Regardless, this small group should continue to meet for they are of the Kingdom of God. There may be consequences for such a pacifist response. Indeed, they should be willing to suffer the lawful consequences of continuing to gather.

Should they fight back? Peter and John were once confronted by the courts about preaching and teaching Christ crucified and raised:

But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20

It is not a matter of fighting back. It is a matter of standing firm as members of the Kingdom of God. For as P&J stated so eloquently in Acts 4, we answer to Christ, not to men. What an honor, though uncomfortable, for this particular church to suffer for the name. Perhaps they should take note of how the early Christians in Acts 4 handled their civil harassment.

Peter and John return to their companions and retell of their trial before the high court. Upon hearing P&J’s tale, the believers raise their voices together and praise God. Unified in love and purpose, they acknowledge that these leaders were not against them, but rather these world leaders stand against Christ. They ask God to grant them ability to speak the Word with confidence.

They do not ask to get off from paying some penalty or for God to smite those terrible leaders. They ask they may speak the gospel with boldness. They aren’t all indignant that their rights as Americans were violated. They were not demanding justice. They merely desired to praise God and to preach him crucified and raised.

Guess what, immediately proceeding this event, this body of believers grew in both generosity and in numbers. This was a healthy, vibrant church. This is the opportunity set before this San Diego Fellowship.

So, am I shocked? Initially I shared Miss California’s angst, but an investigation of God’s word revealed the deeper truth. Peter said it best in 1Peter 4:12-13:

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

So if bringing glory and honor to God is the price to pay, then yes, we not only ought to pay to pray, but we should rejoice while in the midst of doing so.

Love Long and Prosper

26 May

lbeech |  May 26th,2009 | Christianity, Spirit, Video, body life, love ethics |  No Comments »

Star Trek, quite possibly the pre-summer blockbuster of the year, at least record sales indicate as it opened with $75.2 million in weekend ticket sales, has more to offer viewers than breath taking chills and thrills. It offers depth – on a spiritual level.

New Life to an Dying Franchise

New Life to an Dying Franchise

Though fans, both old and new, are clamoring about the non-stop action, the special effects, and the snappy dialogue, as well as drooling over the actors and actresses who make up the smoking-hot, young cast, there’s just something about Kirk and Spock that demands attention (and it has nothing to do with how delicious they are in this film). This long awaited “reboot” has wet the appetite of a new generation of potential fans. The town is all abuzz with the talk of Star Trek.

(Warning: contains some small spoilers.)

Why all this talk? What is the huge draw for old and new fans? Why the renewed interest in a franchise that has been dying a slow and painful death for years?

The answer, in a word, is friendship. Although the timeline of the Star Trek universe has been altered through a single cataclysmic event, and what “has been” may now not be, destiny pulls the “original crew” together as Starfleet cadets. In spite of odds against it, these youths begin to form unexpected yet amazing friendships.

The tumultuous friendship between Kirk and Spock stands paramount from them all. Spock and Kirk are at odds before they even meet, as Kirk has cheated during a test simulation which Spock developed and programmed himself. A brash and reckless Kirk continually creates disorder and wrecks havoc in the life of the emotionally repressed (not to mention control freak) Spock. This tension builds throughout the rest of the movie. They are at odds. It seems that they will never build the friendship that existed in the alternate timeline.

This point is amplified in a scene where young Captain Spock strands cadet Kirk on a desolate, icy moon. There Kirk encounters an old Vulcan who just happens to be the original timeline Spock, wisened through time and space.

Old Spock: “Kirk, how did you find me?”

Young Kirk: “Whoa…How did you know my name?”

Old Spock: “I have been and always shall be your friend…”

Herein lies the true climax of the the movie. The audience could have leapt to its feet, for this friendship was what has attracted so many people to Star Trek for generations. It is friendship that will draw and keep a new generation of fans. It was this same friendship that made Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan, a fan favorite.

Defining moment of a friendship

Defining moment of a friendship

Time worn Spock had an agenda when he spoke with this “other” James Kirk. His purpose was not to undo whatever had altered time, but rather to ensure that Kirk and Spock found one another in this universe, not as rivals nor as obstacles to be overcome, but rather as friends. Old Spock knew that they needed one another.

As a Christian, I immediately thought of the Body of Christ. In the Body of Christ we need one another. Each member of the Enterprise crew had been strategically placed. Each cadet had a role to fulfill. Each cadet had duties which had been put forth before them. All that each member of Enterprise needed to do was walk in them. In short, each crew member had a place, a role, and a purpose set before him. Scotty was placed as engineer. Uhura was placed as the communications officer. McCoy, the doctor, as the tormented, walking conscience of the crew.

So too is it with the Body of Christ:

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.  If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

1Corinthians 12:12-17

As I watched the movie unfold, it was apparent that each member depended on the other members of the Enterprise.  If one member faltered, then there were dire consequences. For instance, if Chekhov had not configured the transporter so that it could lock on moving objects, then Sulu and Kirk would have fallen to their deaths on the surface of Vulcan. I could expound on this matter ad nauseum.

As in the Body of Christ, each member has a vital role.

As in the Body of Christ, each member - even a teenager - has a vital role.

In the Body of Christ, each member is placed, knit in love together. The crew of the Enterprise was not yet knit together in love. They had yet to be tested. They were building relationships. Before this diverse group of people could function well together, for the benefit of all, they had to learn how to love one another.

Paul understood this about the local church. He wrote about it in Colossians.

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. Colossians 2:2

This was especially true of Spock and Kirk. If these two men were to ever grow together, being knit together in love, Kirk had to violate Spock’s rules. Kirk had to penetrate Spock’s hard heart, so that trust could be built. The barriers – the willful walls, had to come tumbling down.

The scene where Kirk moves Spock to violence closely parallels the scene where school-aged Spock beats up the bullies who taunt him about his human mother and traitor father. All of Spock’s rage surfaces, an act which disqualifies him as able to command Enterprise. What is a seeming defeat for Spock and a victory for Kirk is actually a victory for all.

Sometimes friendship needs some conflict

Sometimes friendship needs some conflict

Kirk had the skills and character which made him a more suitable captain than regulation bound Spock, while Spock complemented Kirk, bringing reason and stability to the emotion-driven man.

So the movie ends with the youthful Kirk and Spock learning to appreciate one another. Each member of Enterprise was strategically placed while growing closer in purpose – becoming unified. Though this crew has a lot to learn about each other, the viewer is left with a sense of confidence that they will somehow become the close knit – dare I say even loving – crew found in the alternate timeline. The question of how they become unified in love is all that lies open to ponder.

As for the church, how do we plan to maintain the unity given through the Spirit for “we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit“?

I think that the answer lies in Ephesians 3:16-19. Unity is maintained through dependence on the power of the Spirit.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Perhaps Spock should have said it this way:

“Love long (wide, high and deep) and prosper.”

Just a thought. Perhaps we as a church have something to learn from this extended, modern parable.

It happens at sixteen

29 Apr

lbeech |  April 29th,2009 | Silly, potpourri |  9 comments

Ever have one of those dreams that you can’t just shake out of your head? I had one of those last night. It was so real and actually sort of funny – not, “haha” funny, but the sort of funny where you hope it was a joke because, if not, then something is way messed up – like Fargo messed up. Anyway the dream went something like this.

Steve and I decide to buy this decrepit farmhouse. The siding was rough wood, sort of like a barn might have, but stained dark. The front door was huge and was accessible from the street while the back of the house seemed built up high on what seemed like stilts. The yard below had toys and debris strewn about here and there. The property went on for miles, the boundary hidden by a small wooded area. I suppose this must have been our “dream home.”

Steve and I bought a house sort of like this one

Steve and I bought a house sort of like this one

The interior was vast with raised ceilings. The previous owners had left the house filled with their possessions. This place was a treasure trove of furniture, kitchen ware, knick-knacks, not to mention fashion accessories.

Maybe the house itself isn’t so odd or unusual. I’m sure we’ve all had dreams about crazy places that we were living in, but this dream was more than that. It was full of people from my church.

This is when things get weird. I am sorting through children’s toys. In the corner of the main living space was a toy kitchenette and an assortment of plastic pink tea cups and plates. Jell-O jiggler molds were strewn among the tea set. I turn to Dr. Hugs who suggests that I dispose of the tea set. I state that I am going to keep these things for young girls that come over to play since we purchased this place for ministry.

Joel and I continue to sort through vast amounts of crap. It is exhausting. Next thing I know, Kat comes in the room with a catalogue or pamphlet. She begins to page through it, showing Joel what she has selected. I ask what they need.

Kat says, “A new heart for Joel.” They are calm and jovial as they page through the booklet.

Kathryn helps Joel get a new heart.

Kathryn helps Joel get a new heart.

I am a bit confused, even worried, but I don’t ask any questions. They seemed to be really having a good time picking out his new heart. I figure that heart shopping must be normal.

A hoard of boys, led by Wonder, comes rushing down the staircase and floods into the kitchen. Like grasshoppers, they devour whatever they can find. As quickly as they entered the kitchen, they leave headed for the backyard. I barely raise an eyebrow to this chaotic event. Focused, I continue to sort through all this crap.

Ms. Wonder and I are now going through Christmas ornaments and decorations. She asks if she can take I few of the items home. “No problem.” I reply. 

Then, a shopping cart full of handbags rolls by and I run to see what is being removed from the house. Amy, Mel, Andie and Kat are making a quick exit for the front door. I rush to the door to bar their exit.

“What is going on here?” I demand. One of the women tells me that they need these bags, “It’s a matter of life and death.” they clamor. I counter that these items are going to be sold for ministry and if anyone gets to take a bag it will be me. (Okay, clearly I am a bit narcissistic.)

Then Amy chimes in, “You can’t even name the designer of any of these bags.”

Who knew I could name a handbag design?

Who knew I could name a handbag design?

Steve enters and says the girls can take them if they want and I go ballistic, “Vera Wang!” I shout. “That is a Vera Wang bag and no one is keeping any of this stuff for themselves – not without paying for it.” I am so angry at everyone at this point.

Joel approaches me and begins to whisper something in my ear. I don’t understand what he said except that something will happen at sixteen. I am so confused by that because what does that even mean. What does he want me to do at “sixteen?”

Suddenly, there is a knock at the front door and a woman who looks a lot like one of the Golden Girls enters the vast living room. She is outraged by the ruckus caused by the numerous teenagers and also annoyed by their cars parked in the grassy lawn. I try to explain that we moved into this old farmhouse in order to do ministry and that they boys were welcomed on our property.

I was again confused how she was able to hear anything since her place was across this stream from our place, not to mention that she looked so aged. She was adamant that we cease the commotion or pay a price.

Meanwhile, Joel keeps tapping at his watch and mumbling something about sixteen. Sixteen what? He insists that something big is going down at “sixteen.” Next thing I know, Nicole is high tailing it down to the yard with a crate full of holiday decor. I just throw my hands up into the air. Everyone is too caught up with the stuff and the details. I have lost all semblence of control. Somehow the “big picture” has been lost – that being that this place was for ministry and that we were going to sell these things to run the place. I surrender.

I look up and Joel’s arm is extended, his watch is placed in my line of vision. “Sixteen,” he reminds me.

“Huh, Okay?” I stammer.

Can anyone tell me what happens at 16?

Can anyone tell me what happens at 16?

My alarm interrupts. The farmhouse vanishes and with it the ridiculous behavior of our Home Church. I’m sure it really doesn’t  mean any thing important, yet it was so vivid. I ponder my apparent surrender. I’m okay with that.

One thing though is bugging me. I can’t figure out why. Does anyone know what will happen at sixteen?

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

The Heart Matters

Striving together “that God may be all in all”