My challenge here is simply this, do we have a “list” written or unwritten about what makes a person acceptable in our worship services.

 I’m not talking about theology or Biblical principles.  I mean things that aren’t Biblical, but are still deeply entrenched norms. “The list” could include things like clothing, hairstyle, what version of the Bible is “correct” to use, even certain struggles people are going through, may qualify them as “untouchables.”

 Please again take note, those are not Biblical issues, they are matters of taste or preference.  But, in many cases, I’ve seen churches rigidly hang on to their man-made lists, as if they were scripturally based.

 To cut to the chase, what we often create in our congregations is a “mold” that people feel they need to squeeze into, in order to fit in to our churches.

 The problem is, people come in different “shapes & sizes.”  So, they may not fit into the mold that we offer.  There is insight here for the future of our churches, if we are willing to pay attention.

 In a recent book, author Thom Rainer identified the top ten reasons people have for dropping out of church.  They are:

 1. Simply wanted a break from church.
2. Church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical.
3. Moved to college and stopped attending church.
4. Work responsibilities prevented me from attending.
5. Moved too far away from the church to continue attending.
6. Became too busy though still wanted to attend.
7. Didn’t feel connected to the people in my church.
8. Disagreed with the church’s stance on political or social issues.
9. Chose to spend more time with friends outside the church.
10.Was only going to church to please others.

 If you look over that list, something starts to emerge.  It seems that many people are discontent with the status quo offering at “church.”

 I’ve recently had the opportunity to lead a small group of believers in an alternative setting.  To say the least, it has been eye opening.  Before I saw Rainer’s list, I was starting to hear similar things from people in my group.

 When Jesus began His ministry, He took His message to the people.  Is what we are doing in our churches today anything like that?  Do we hang around with the kind of people that Jesus did?

 If things are becoming difficult or we are losing ground, maybe the time has come to try something different.

On September 11^th, I saw what our community is capable of doing, if we see our faith as a priority.  That service was a new idea, but it worked !  I would encourage you to keep thinking outside of the box. Because, on the outside, we are going to find the people God is calling us to reach.

 In the process, the challenge for those of us who are comfortable inside our box with our list of what is “ok for church,” is the reality that we may need to prayerfully let go of our extra-Biblical lists.

But, does God struggle for us?
From the time the forbidden fruit was pulled from the tree
in the garden of perfection. . .
Until a bloody struggle ended with the Lord Himself hung back on a tree

Was not God struggling for us? Reaching out. . .
Crying for us to follow, even in the dark moments
To struggle toward eternity, where struggle itself will end.

The burning question is . . . Why?
Where is this Biblical concept of Abundant life?
Does it really mean Abundant struggle?
Trials and tribulations you will have
And to be considered PURE JOY!

And so, is struggle the conception point of change?
Struggle screams for resolution. And where else can we turn
But to the One with the words of eternal life.

Emily Dickinson Caught on:

I shall know why – when time is over
And I have ceased to wonder why
Christ shall explain each separate anguish
In the fair schoolroom of the sky

In a lonely time of struggle, she wrote:

At least to pray – is left – is left
Oh Jesus in the Air
I know not which thy chamber is-
I’m knocking everywhere-
Thou settest Earthquake in the south
And maelstrom in the sea
Say, Jesus Christ of Nazareth –
Hast thou no Arm for Me?

At times, we even choose our struggles, or at least their triggers
(that which brings them about)

Other times, struggle comes like an unwanted package
Randomly left on our doorstep by UPS
“This is certainly nothing I ordered! Take it back. . .”
But, it has no return address

We even feel a sympathetic pang of struggle
At the sight of other’s distress
Struggle is available at any age.
Our first breath is a struggle, and so is our last

 Back on 9/11/2001, I was sitting in my office, struggling with a sermon titled, “Sudden Storms.”  I had the scriptures and the concept together for a message about holding your faith in tact, when something unexpected happens.  But, it felt incomplete.  Then, my phone rang . . .

 A little while later, it rang again.  It was a lady asking about what times our programs & services were scheduled.  She had an urgent tone in her voice.  In the disaster, she heard a wake up call.

 Allow me to shift your thoughts now to a different question.  Where are you now?

 Over the past decade, our country has faced many other struggles that offer discouragement and just plain make life hard.

 At the same time, participation in faith-based activities has taken a nose dive. Sunday sports activities are common and a word just about everyone I talk to uses to describe life is:  busy!  I can recall when my wife began her career as a teacher, she was told:   “Don’t schedule any activities on Wednesday nights.  You’ll interfere with church activities!” Well, somewhere in recent years, that policy been tossed out the window

 I hope you are still reading, stay with me.  This is not going to turn into a “guilt trip.”

The Christian faith, when correctly practiced is about a relationship with God that was made possible by Jesus.

 It should note be about a set of man-made rules and traditions.  It really boils down to an intensive love for God and others.  The by products of our faith in action will fall into place, if we just focus on those two things.  One more thought, it’s not easy to make the Christian faith work in your life as a “Lone Ranger.”  The support of other believers is very important.

 Sometimes those of us inside the church have made things overly complicated and difficult.  I’m sorry, that has happened too many times, but . . .

 In the community of Martinsburg, we just witnessed a great event, as approximately 1200 people gathered at The Park, on 9/11, to worship God together and pray for His healing on our land.  Ask anyone who was there.  Everyone put aside their differences and focused on what really matters.

 God blessed that gathering in an amazing way.  We even had beautiful weather, on a week that was practically a monsoon around the Cove.  God is on the move, in our area!

 So, could I encourage you to connect or reconnect with a church or gathering of Christians in the area where you live?  We have all kinds of different churches in the Cove and some even offer small groups settings that you may find more comfortable, as you ease your way into following Jesus.

 I know the buzz word of the day is; busy.  Also, there is a sense that life is full of burdens.  But, step back.  Do we choose some of the burdens that we carry?

 In Matthew 11, Jesus said,  “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (From The Message paraphrased Bible)

This month, let’s try to forget that I’m a preacher.  Just look at this as social commentary with a bit of a history.

 Back in June, there was a story in the news about a Texas woman who helped capture several robbers.  The incident happened at a Wal-Mart, where she witnessed 3 young men making a dash for the door with a few cases of beer.  Running after them, she yelled, “You punks, you are not going to get away with this!”  They didn’t.  Although she didn’t stop them alone, her intervention helped lead to their arrest.

 What would provoke a “5-foot-nothing, 125-pound woman” to take that kind of action?

It would appear that she hit her breaking point, after watching our society decay.  The result was an unusual “I’m not putting up with this anymore” moment.

 It doesn’t take a genius to realize that “America the Beautiful” has lost a lot of her shine.   There has never been a perfect human society. However, in our history, it is obvious that our country has previously been blessed by God.

 In the early 1800′s a French historian, Alexis de Tocqueville, made a pilgrimage to America.  His goal was to figure out why the “American Experiment” was so successful.  De Tocqueville wrote these words at the conclusion of his expedition:

 “I sought the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors, in her fertile fields, in her boundless forests, in her rich mines, in her vast world commerce, in her public systems of education and institutions of higher learning. I sought for it in her democratic congress and her matchless Constitution.

But it was not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness that I understood the secret of her genius and of her power. America is great because America is good. And if America ever ceases to be good, then she will also cease to be great.”*

 Allow me this transition.  When a troubled person ends up in my office, one of my first goals in counseling, is to help them look into their past and figure out:  What changed?  This helps us identify the root of their problem.

 Regarding America, Alexis de Tocqueville also made this observation:

 The sects that exist in the United States are innumerable.  They all differ in respect to the worship that is due to their Creator; but they all agree in respect to the duties which are due from man to man. . .

 Moreover, all the sects of the United States are comprised within the great unity of Christianity, and Christian morality is everywhere the same.”*

 What has changed in America?  Have we lost the goodness that de Tocqueville saw and with that lost, our greatness?

 What breaking point will inspire the people of our area to say, “I’m not putting up with our brokenness anymore.  Something needs to change, and I want to be a part of it.”

 Are the churches of our area perfect?  No, they are not. Also, if you want to make a list of hypocrites, you can put my name at the top of the list.  Because, I believe that the Bible calls me to live by a set of principles, and at times I fail to live up to those standards. I make mistakes.  But, when I fail, I don’t quit.

 Many pastors in the Martinsburg area have all set aside our subtle difference, and we are working and praying together, in a way that I’ve never experienced before.  It’s been a great joy to spend time with other Christian leaders.  We all see problems in the community AND in the church.  Thus, I invite you all to join us in prayer & worship for the betterment of our community.  Pointing out problems doesn’t solve them.  Prayer and action to make things right solves problems.

 This Fall, on the tenth anniversary of the September 11^th attacks, the Martinsburg Ministerium will be holding a united Christian worship service. September 11th is on a Sunday, this year.  The service starts at 10:00 am at Martinsburg Memorial Park. Twelve churches are involved and the public is very welcome.

 Enthusiasm can be very contagious in a Christian community.  As we sang at the recent “Them Preachers” concert, “it only takes a spark, to get a fire going.”  Can we all be sparks?  Think what God can do in our community, if we are all willing to be sparks.  Ten years ago, Americas realized that we need each other, and turning to God was the only place left to go.  Let’s not miss another opportunity.

 The churches of Martinsburg offer a wide variety of services.  You are very welcome to come and join us imperfect people as we try our best to follow God.

 * Quotes are from: Democracy in America, by Alexis de Tocqueville

What other common ground do we share?  I would submit that contractors and churches are highly susceptible to “urban legends.”  For clarity, an urban legend is a story that spreads its way through a community.  Many people have heard the story and hold it to be true, even if it has never been verified in any way.

 For example, as a child growing up in Johnstown, everybody I knew heard about the “Kentucky Fried Rat.”  As that legend went, Johnstown’s Kentucky Fried Chicken got in serious trouble with the health department, because a rat made it into the kitchen, got fried and served to a customer.  I don’t remember ever reading about this incident or seeing it on the news, but ALL my friends knew the story.

 Over the past twenty years,  I’ve heard many eyebrow raising stories,  about various contractors and churches in our area.  I’ve heard comments such as,  “My parents hired the “So & So Builders” to do their addition and it fell apart after one thunderstorm,” or  “Those people in that church think they are the only people going to heaven.”

 Most churches and contractors also have their own style or approach to complete their overall mission.  At times, churches and contractors may be a little short sited and take a “one size fits all approach.”  In church, I think there is room for us to work on accepting people where they are, if they come to us.  Unfortunately, a lot of folks have the idea that they need to “clean up their act” and dress a certain way, before they could ever attend a church.

 That overall concept is completely backwards.  We come to Christ to “clean up our act.” If we were able to get our life totally together, on our own, the work of Jesus would not have been necessary.

 Now, an uncomfortable, but necessary question is:   Do we do things in our churches to fuel the fires of urban legends and stereotypes?  Do we have unwritten “dress codes?”  Do we speak one of the many dialects of “church language”?  This “Christianese” can sound very foreign to a newcomer.  Do we verbally accost people if they don’t use the “correct” translation of the Bible.  Do we have “assigned” seats on Sunday morning?  Do we waste time and energy arguing over matters of taste and preference?

 One more challenging question:  If I can see all this from the “inside” of churches, what do you think outsiders see?   Is “their” lack of attendance all that mysterious?

 I’ve been able to make contact with quite a few folks who don’t attend a church.  One of their commonly held emotions toward church is fear!

 For the sake of transparency, I need to offer this truth.  Churches and contractors are operated by human beings.   Humans make mistakes.  Our mistakes are often the sparks that trigger the stories that morph into highly embellished versions of the truth and become  “urban legends.”  As the legends spread into the community like the roots of a tree, the story can take some very strange twists and turns.

 As a Pastor, I’ve learned a good bit from the numerous mistakes I’ve made.  My primary conclusion is that our best chance at mending fences, is to quickly acknowledge our mistakes.  We need to be upfront with everyone and communicate well. Sincerity and honesty are critical.

 If you spend a little time reading the New Testament letters of Paul, you will see very quickly that he had to spend a lot of time “putting out fires.”  These “fires” were created by folks in churches acting or speaking in un-Biblical way.

 So, these are not new problems.  They are human problems.  Disciples of Jesus aren’t perfect, but Jesus still is.  Please don’t give up on Him, because of the stupid things some of us in the church, have done. Keep seeking Him.  Keep looking for a place that fits you and your family.  Your relationship with God is too important to blow off, because of human failure.

 If the foundation of my house is leaking, I am going to press on until I find the right people to help me fix it.  What are we to do about the foundation of our lives?

It’s been my pleasure to serve as a pastor in the Cove now for over a decade.  In that decade, the world has seen a lot of change, and so have the churches of America.  Some of the changes we face as Christians are quite challenging.  So, in the months ahead I will be offering some thoughts about how we can more effectively be the church.

Amazon.com recently reported that they are now selling 105 “ebooks” for every 100 traditional ink and paper books.  While I am a relatively technologically savvy guy, the prospect of using my laptop or some mobile device to curl up and read a good book has no appeal to me at all.

However, If I were an author of books, I would certainly allow my work to be sold in the “ebook” format.  With that in mind, do our churches need to rethink our format?

We live in an era that some are calling “post-Christian” America.   Numerous polls show that 75 to 85 percent of Americans identify themselves as “Christians.” Yet, on any given Sunday a variety of surveys taken in recent years show that actual church attendance numbers are at best half of that.

Generally, national trends begin in urban areas and move out toward rural communities.  Over the past few years, I’ve seen evidence that we are indeed playing catching up with the national trend of decline.

According to 2009 research regarding 20-30 year olds, 6 out of 10 who grew up in an active church environment are no longer involved in a church.  If you look at this information from a “worst case scenario” angle, you could conclude that we are one generation away from the end of the traditional church, as we know it.

In a new book, published in April, authors: Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson conclude that the traditional model of “Church” in America has the maximum potential of reaching 40% of the total population.

It would be easy to sit back and bemoan modern American culture for having such a negative impact on our society.  But before we go there, we must ask, who is supposed to be the salt and light of the earth? 

The culture in our country is simply slipping into what I call “default mode,” as it becomes more secularized.  Since the churches of America have lost the position of influence they previously held, what happens in Las Vegas isn’t staying there, it is spreading throughout the nation like an epidemic.  That’s just “normal,” in a society when Christian morals are marginalized.

Instead of blaming “Them” (those outside the church), I believe we desperately need to take a good hard look at how we “do church.” Albert Einstein once defined insanity as:  doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  That reminds me of a speaker I heard say:  “We’ve got a church in America that’s revved up and ready to go for 1959.”

The message of God’s Word never changes, but when the delivery system is failing, we need to develop new ways of reaching people with the timeless information of the Scriptures. 

For now, I’ll leave you with this anecdote.  In a recent Bible lesson, I asked a participant to read the scripture.  She did exactly what I asked.  She read the scripture . . . from her mobile device.

 Now, I find the overall situation of the country to be pretty discouraging.  Ponder the things that are in the news right now:  major economic struggles, U.S. military involvement in 3 major conflicts, natural disasters and the response to them.

 Just yesterday, I heard the news that the Presbyterian Church has opened the door to ordaining pastors reguardless of their sexual orientation.

 I could go off and write many paragraphs about what I think about all these issues, but I would also run the risk of people reacting negatively to what I have to say.  Because, on top of all the issues, there is a lot of disagreement among folks on these issues.

 I don’t mean to be cowardly, but I also think there are more than enough voices clammering about “current events,” so I don’t need to chime in too.

 The challenge for me, and all Christians is to “tell a better story.”

 In 1 Peter 3, the Bible says:  Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵butin your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness andrespect, ¹⁶having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷Forit is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

 As Christians we have the best story in human history.  To some our story is not logical.  To that, I would simply say that in the paradigm of man’s logic, our faith in God as a supernatural being isn’t “logical.”  God is beyond the limited paradigms that mankind has created to define reality, from a human perspective.

 A big part for each of us in telling our own story about our experience with the Lord is put into action in how we live our everyday lives in front of others.  Turning again to Peter, he also wrote this:

 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12)

 As the world spins out of control and our society produces more examples of moral failure that would have been inconceivable, just a few generations ago, this is not time to attack “the culture.”  Christians already have so much bad PR, and we are stereotypically seen as judgmental.

 Christians have also been “making the news,” in recent times in ways that are not helpful.  Just this week, a story came out about a pastor, who claimed to be a Navy Seal.  His story proved to be a lie.

 So, with all that we do, lets live out a better story.  And, pray for opportunities to tell a better story.  The world really needs hope right now, and we know about hope.  We just need to rise above the “noise & darkness” in today’s world, and shine our lights, instead of cursing the darkness.

 That’s my story, that’s my song & I’m sticking to it.

The seminar focused only on helping married couples  improve and strengthen their relationships.  Nothing regarding “alternative lifestyles” was even mentioned during the seminar.

This hospitality doesn’t surprise me at all.  Several years ago, I attended a pastor’s conference in Florida and Chick-fil-A provided ALL the food.  The founder of Chick-fil-A, S. Truett Cathy, even spoke at the event.

Thanks to the opportunistic work of college campus activists at numerous  schools,  and an organization called PROMO that identifies  itself as an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality,  a controversy was manufactured.

Thus,  Indiana University-South Bend temporarily suspended Chick-fil-A’s campus food service.  Chick-fil-A president, Dan Cathy, also had a speaking engagement in Missouri canceled, after the uproar was picked up by the New York Times and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  Time magazine even asked if Chick-fil-A was, “anti-gay.”

This is yet another example of political correctness run amok.   This one event was held in Pennsylvania.  Yet, the manipulative forces of the PC police were able to spin a single event that had NOTHING to do with homosexuality, into a national level  “anti gay” attack.

While this may seem surprising, it’s really a strategy straight from the liberal playbook.  Get to the young minds of college students and fill them with liberal propaganda and never miss an opportunity to villainize anyone who supports traditional family values or Christianity.

Since us “yanks” up North may not be familiar with Chick-fil-A, the founders of the chain have  always been open about their  Christian faith and have integrated faith into their business.  For example, they are closed on Sundays to give employees the opportunity to rest and worship.

Also, included in the company’s  mission statement, are the words to  “glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.”  Chick-fil-A even prints Bible verses  on the bottoms of cups.   Is Chick-fil-A not entitled to freedom of speech and association?  This is also a clear example of the liberal’s double standard regarding free speech.  You’re free to speak, as long as you agree with them.

This isn’t the first time Chick-fil-A has encountered controversy.  In 1948 the founder,  S. Truett Cathy, started  hiring and mentoring African Americans.   This was before the civil rights movement in the segregated south. 

So, I would say to those who are “protesting” the charitable actions of good people, maybe you should DO YOUR HOMEWORK, before you launch a crusade.  But, with liberals, their tactics don’t always include “homework.”  The opportunity to attack any pro-Christian, or pro-traditional family group is often seized in a knee jerk fashion.

What did the cow say?  Eat more chicken!

Source:  World Magazine, April 23, 2011.

 What defines a “good church,” to me.  In one statement:  The person controlling the microphone is teaching the Bible well and accurately, and the people in the church are engaged with their faith & doing their best to live in a Christ-like manner.  For further details read my last post.

 That said, we do have to concern ourselves with Polemics.  Polemics is the area of Theology dealing with taking care of  “in-house” business in the church; especially, with regard to issues of doctrine.  As a pastor, I do need to be aware of the possible influences of false doctrine creeping into my flock.

 From 2 Peter 2, the Bible says:  “¹But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. ²And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. ³And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

 This is one of several warnings the Bible provides about false prophets and bad teachings.  The big question I’ve been getting lately involves the billboards that are popping up all around the nation declaring that the Lord is going to return on May 21^st of this year.

Let me just cut to the chase, this conclusion is based upon people trying to read into the Bible a very complicated cryptic code.  They seem to think that they have finally cracked a sacred mystery.  This type of thing has happened before and of course, if you are indeed reading these words, the former predictions were wrong.  In fact, some of the former predictions of “the end,” were declared by unusual and/or dangerous cults.

 Jesus said in Matthew 24, ³⁶“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”

 And, again in Acts 1, as Jesus was preparing to return to heaven, the disciples tried one more time to press Him on the issue:  “⁶So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”

 So, right there are two direct statements from Jesus.  They are not parables or metaphors that are open to interpretation.  They are simple direct statements. 

 The group behind all these billboards have tried to draw lines between what Jesus taught and a variety of other scriptures, and the outcome is a convoluted mess that is not worth your time in trying to figure out.

 I am not mentioning the group behind this, because I don’t want to give them any more free publicity.  I would, however, really like to know where all the money is coming from to buy all these billboards?  It certainly could have been put to use for better things.

 Jesus could, in fact return before May 21^st !  He could also, return later or much later.  Time will tell.  One good thing that can come out of this all is the importance of being ready to go.  Are you ready to go with Jesus, when He comes back?

 Take a look at Matthew 24.  If it grabs your attention, that’s not a bad thing.

 To be continued . . .  (I’ve got another topic to discuss too)

 In my opinion, in conservative Christianity, we are one of our own biggest enemies.  Even though we share a set of core values, we spend an inordinate amount of time doing things like:

1.  Issuing position statements that are biased toward our own precise Theology.

2.  Doing “hit” pieces on other Christians who don’t share our polarized viewpoints.

3.  Just plain debating/arguing over the debatable with other Christians.

 Pause a moment, and ponder this scripture – Romans 14: 1-4

 ¹As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. ²One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. ³Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. ⁴Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

 Honestly, how much time do we spend passing judgment on other servants of Jesus Christ?  The big winner in all this bickering is Satan, the enemy.  If we are distracted and treating one another like second class Christians or even heretics, we make the devil’s work much easier.

 These are critical times for Christianity in America, if we agree on the core issues like:

1. God, of the Bible Created all things.
2. Mankind fell from God’s Perfect Creation
3. Jesus is the only way to return to right relationship with God
4. True repentance means change
5. The Bible is the absolute Word of God 

                 (Which very clearly covers  sexuality & morality)

6. The Holy Spirit was sent to guide us & provide His gifts

7. The Lord Jesus will return.  

Then what good is going to come from “quarreling over opinions?”

 Many good Christian people have strong opinions about things like:

 1. The gifts of the Holy Spirit

2. Method of Baptism

3. Predestination

4. Eschatology

5. Peaceful Living

6. Worship Style

  And, you know what?  If you are a sincere Christian, one day you will be in the Lord’s presence, with others whose opinions on the issues listed above were very different than your own. For the record, I have strong opinions on some of the above issues, but they are not worth a fight.

 We do not have time to waste.  We have the Great Commission to fulfill, and churches all over the nation are losing people in a way that can be described as hemorrhaging.

 When does the hemorrhaging stop?  When we stop CUTTING on each other!

 If we don’t soon stand firm on our common ground, we are going to find that the Church in America is going to continue to decline and become even more marginalized in the culture.