After much thought and inner debate, I have decided to move this blog to:
shanehart.net
Check out the latest post there.
Thank you.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Winning the God is faithful competition...
We, as Christians, talk so much about God being faithful. I’m just not sure how much we trust His faithfulness. We speak it well, especially around other Christians. There are times it even seems to become a competition. Kind of an “I can express His faithfulness better than you can,” or, “He’s been more faithful to me in tougher times,” one-up-man-ship.
When we are caught in the crisis of life, do we truly trust Him to be faithful? I meet with people in all kinds of stages of life and emotional states. I get to see people at their best times and at their worst times. In the reality of the situations that people face, I don’t often see the trust that God will come through like is seen in the moments of braggadocio conversations among Christians.
To trust that God is really going to come through, that He is faithful and never late is to not worry or fret over the situation; even in the worst of crises. Not to suggest that trust rules out all emotion, because clearly emotion is a part of it. Even Jesus wept at times. He was emotional as we are.
Trust, however, brings peace that passes understanding and a strength in the knowledge that God will come through in the way that is best at the time. We know God is faithful and that let’s us sleep when the medical report says “cancer” or the bank statement says “overdrawn” or the relationship is broken. Trust overcomes worry which frees us from stress ending in perfect peace and the understanding that God is right here in the moment.
Matthew 6 commands us not to worry. In that teaching, Jesus reminds us of nature, how God takes care of the birds and the plants. He also tells us we are more important to God than these.
God is faithful. He never fails. He is never late. He doesn’t forget. He is merciful. He is bigger than whatever we face. He knows what is best. He is God.
Feel free to weigh in...
When we are caught in the crisis of life, do we truly trust Him to be faithful? I meet with people in all kinds of stages of life and emotional states. I get to see people at their best times and at their worst times. In the reality of the situations that people face, I don’t often see the trust that God will come through like is seen in the moments of braggadocio conversations among Christians.
To trust that God is really going to come through, that He is faithful and never late is to not worry or fret over the situation; even in the worst of crises. Not to suggest that trust rules out all emotion, because clearly emotion is a part of it. Even Jesus wept at times. He was emotional as we are.
Trust, however, brings peace that passes understanding and a strength in the knowledge that God will come through in the way that is best at the time. We know God is faithful and that let’s us sleep when the medical report says “cancer” or the bank statement says “overdrawn” or the relationship is broken. Trust overcomes worry which frees us from stress ending in perfect peace and the understanding that God is right here in the moment.
Matthew 6 commands us not to worry. In that teaching, Jesus reminds us of nature, how God takes care of the birds and the plants. He also tells us we are more important to God than these.
God is faithful. He never fails. He is never late. He doesn’t forget. He is merciful. He is bigger than whatever we face. He knows what is best. He is God.
Feel free to weigh in...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Take advantage
It’s Christmas Season. The debate rages on about whether or not people should say “Happy Holidays”, “Merry Christmas”, “Season’s Greetings” or whatever. Matters little to me, only because it really is not going to make much, if any, difference in any individuals heart. No, there is a much bigger opportunity here than trying to convince the world to say “Merry Christmas.”
The opportunity we have is touch hearts, start conversations, invite, share, live. It’s Christmas. People are open to discussions about God. Not about religion or church, but about God. Even the mainstream radio stations are playing songs about Jesus. The stores have Christmas carols playing over their sound systems. While not every song has a God theme, many do.
We have an incredible possibility in front of us to engage people in conversation. To share with others the truth of God’s love and the purpose of the virgin birth. We don’t need theological debates about the time of year or location on the wise men’s visit. We don’t need arguments about decorated trees in the church, or about Santa. It is pointless to try to convince anyone to do things our way. We can take advantage of the opportunity to give someone the gift of life and freedom in Christ.
Take advantage of the season. Don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of gifts and commercialism. Avoid the pitfall of busyness and keeping up with a schedule or trying to make everything perfect. The best memories come from relationships and time together. The presents are forgotten. The decorations eventually thrown out. The leftovers will spoil. But the memories will be centered on people and time and they will last. Make some memories with your family. Attend Christmas programs and then talk about the meaning of Christ and His birth and the reality of God with us. Have fun with your family and friends. Be spontaneous. Do things out of the ordinary. Touch the life of another. Give anonymously. Bless your children by showing them how to give and that the time is more important than the stuff.
Take advantage of the season. Take advantage of the opportunities that God is giving you. Encounter the possibilities and watch in awe as God does something great.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Discipleship
There was a quote making the rounds of Twitter and Facebook recently that got my attention. I don't normally write about what I disagree with, but this time it has been rolling around in my head for a couple of weeks and I want to jump in and open a discussion on something. The quote is attributed to George Barna, a man I respect and who is much smarter than I am for sure. However, this time I disagree with the quote. Here it is:
"Evangelism without serious discipleship is abuse."
At first read, it is an "OUCH" statement that hits the church and church leaders in a let's-wake-up-and-get-busy kind of way.
Before I state my disagreement with this quote, let me qualify a couple of things. First, discipleship is a primary function of the church. A pastor's main job description as given in Ephesians 4:11 is to train people, which is discipleship. As the church and as a local congregation it is vital that we have systems and strategies in place to give people an opportunity to grow in their journey with Christ. On the one hand, I believe that is what Barna's point is. I don't know the context in which he said (or wrote) it. Up front, let me be clear that I am taking this statement exactly as shown and addressing that alone. I am not and cannot presume to know Barna's full thoughts on this and in no way intend to suggest anything negative toward him. My comments are handling this as a stand alone, unqualified quote.
In fact, it was more the shear quantity of times and short statements of agreement with this stand alone quote that got my attention. Many even wrote "Ouch!" or some other form of exclamation and seemed to indicated that the church has majorly missed something here. There is no question that we as the church have areas to improve and need to put more energy and effort into this.
My question is this: does it really qualify as abuse to tell someone about Christ and then not make sure they are discipled? Abuse is a really strong word. It invokes images that are difficult to look at and unpleasant to even think about describing. It makes an accusation of someone with malice in their heart. An abuser is generally thought of as evil. I do take issue with that choice of words and all it entails. It also doesn't line up well with scripture.
For this statement to be true as presented here, then Philip, Peter, Paul, and even Jesus were guilty of abuse.
In Acts 8:26-40 we have the account of Philip and the Ethiopian. While they did have time to talk and Philip shared a lot with this man, it was hardly what we classify as discipleship. In fact, as soon as the man was baptized, Philip disappeared.
After bringing healing to the crippled beggar in Acts 3, Peter shares the truth of God's Word with those that had witnessed it and anyone else who stopped near. In chapter 4, he and John were arrested. While they did return, there is no indication of any form of follow up with the crowd that heard that day. Not to mention the day of Pentecost itself. Again, we have no record of any form of follow up or what we call discipleship taking place after this with those who were there that day. Many were foreigners and did not remain in town after that event. There was no way to make sure they got into a new believer's class or anything else.
I know Paul started churches most places he went, but not everywhere. In Acts 28 on the island of Malta, Paul prayed for and healed many people. This is evangelism though admittedly not expressed as such. Then he left. Again, no discipleship program.
Finally, we have Jesus. He went around preaching the Good News and healing people and He rarely stayed any place longer than a few days. One of the better examples of this is found in Mark 5. A man who had been possessed by many demons is freed. As Jesus is leaving the area at the request of the people, the man "begged" (word used in Mark 5:18 NIV) Jesus to let him follow. Jesus told him no. Definitely no discipleship.
It is just hard to use the word "abuse" in this context in light of the Biblical accounts we have. My whole view of discipleship changed upon the understanding and realization of how Jesus approached it, particularly in that last passage.
We are to help each other grow in Christ. We are to train and lead. We are to make disciples. Absolutely.
We should do both: evangelize and disciple.
We are also to tell the story of Christ and share His love. Sometimes, there will be no follow up program to plug people into. That does not mean it would be abuse to tell them anyway. Is it abuse to save a drowning person even if we have nothing else to give them? Or is it abuse to let them die?
I say we do both, but we make sure we are saving as many as we can, even if we have no way of following up in a givne circumstance.
What are your thoughts?
"Evangelism without serious discipleship is abuse."
At first read, it is an "OUCH" statement that hits the church and church leaders in a let's-wake-up-and-get-busy kind of way.
Before I state my disagreement with this quote, let me qualify a couple of things. First, discipleship is a primary function of the church. A pastor's main job description as given in Ephesians 4:11 is to train people, which is discipleship. As the church and as a local congregation it is vital that we have systems and strategies in place to give people an opportunity to grow in their journey with Christ. On the one hand, I believe that is what Barna's point is. I don't know the context in which he said (or wrote) it. Up front, let me be clear that I am taking this statement exactly as shown and addressing that alone. I am not and cannot presume to know Barna's full thoughts on this and in no way intend to suggest anything negative toward him. My comments are handling this as a stand alone, unqualified quote.
In fact, it was more the shear quantity of times and short statements of agreement with this stand alone quote that got my attention. Many even wrote "Ouch!" or some other form of exclamation and seemed to indicated that the church has majorly missed something here. There is no question that we as the church have areas to improve and need to put more energy and effort into this.
My question is this: does it really qualify as abuse to tell someone about Christ and then not make sure they are discipled? Abuse is a really strong word. It invokes images that are difficult to look at and unpleasant to even think about describing. It makes an accusation of someone with malice in their heart. An abuser is generally thought of as evil. I do take issue with that choice of words and all it entails. It also doesn't line up well with scripture.
For this statement to be true as presented here, then Philip, Peter, Paul, and even Jesus were guilty of abuse.
In Acts 8:26-40 we have the account of Philip and the Ethiopian. While they did have time to talk and Philip shared a lot with this man, it was hardly what we classify as discipleship. In fact, as soon as the man was baptized, Philip disappeared.
After bringing healing to the crippled beggar in Acts 3, Peter shares the truth of God's Word with those that had witnessed it and anyone else who stopped near. In chapter 4, he and John were arrested. While they did return, there is no indication of any form of follow up with the crowd that heard that day. Not to mention the day of Pentecost itself. Again, we have no record of any form of follow up or what we call discipleship taking place after this with those who were there that day. Many were foreigners and did not remain in town after that event. There was no way to make sure they got into a new believer's class or anything else.
I know Paul started churches most places he went, but not everywhere. In Acts 28 on the island of Malta, Paul prayed for and healed many people. This is evangelism though admittedly not expressed as such. Then he left. Again, no discipleship program.
Finally, we have Jesus. He went around preaching the Good News and healing people and He rarely stayed any place longer than a few days. One of the better examples of this is found in Mark 5. A man who had been possessed by many demons is freed. As Jesus is leaving the area at the request of the people, the man "begged" (word used in Mark 5:18 NIV) Jesus to let him follow. Jesus told him no. Definitely no discipleship.
It is just hard to use the word "abuse" in this context in light of the Biblical accounts we have. My whole view of discipleship changed upon the understanding and realization of how Jesus approached it, particularly in that last passage.
We are to help each other grow in Christ. We are to train and lead. We are to make disciples. Absolutely.
We should do both: evangelize and disciple.
We are also to tell the story of Christ and share His love. Sometimes, there will be no follow up program to plug people into. That does not mean it would be abuse to tell them anyway. Is it abuse to save a drowning person even if we have nothing else to give them? Or is it abuse to let them die?
I say we do both, but we make sure we are saving as many as we can, even if we have no way of following up in a givne circumstance.
What are your thoughts?
Coaching/Mentoring
I am a strong proponent of continuous learning. No person, regardless of education or any achievement, has reached a place where they can stop learning and striving to grow. Even the highest level leaders need to be learning from someone.
This is why, I signed up for a pastor's coaching network next year. I will have to make some sacrifices to participate and it will take real effort on my part to get out of it everything I need to. It will be well worth it. If for no other reason than the experience and relationships formed, it will have great value.
It is also why, a group of pastors who I am friends with are forming a network to walk through some of the issues unique to pastoring. Only with others will we be able to accomplish what God has placed before us. It is part of His plan. He even modeled it for us in the life Christ.
Everyone is a teacher and everyone is a student. This should be the ongoing status of our lives in order to most fully live out our potential.
This is why, I signed up for a pastor's coaching network next year. I will have to make some sacrifices to participate and it will take real effort on my part to get out of it everything I need to. It will be well worth it. If for no other reason than the experience and relationships formed, it will have great value.
It is also why, a group of pastors who I am friends with are forming a network to walk through some of the issues unique to pastoring. Only with others will we be able to accomplish what God has placed before us. It is part of His plan. He even modeled it for us in the life Christ.
Everyone is a teacher and everyone is a student. This should be the ongoing status of our lives in order to most fully live out our potential.
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