God is for God

Matt Chandler at Code Orange...powerful!

Elephant Room Recap

Today I had the great pleasure of attending a live simulcast of The Elephant Room Round 2.  The awesome folks at Blueprint Church in Atlanta were kind enough to host the event and I can't say enough about their warmness.  Out here in suburbia I don't get much diversity at my local church; it was wonderful to see the way that Blueprint facilitates people from all ethnic tribes into an authentic relationship with Jesus!

The highlight of the day for me was when TD Jakes confessed a Trinitarian view and received a fist-bump from Mark Driscoll in return.  I thought that moment captured the purpose of the event so well.  It was a great day of grace and truth as 7 prominent Christian brothers came together and spoke with civility, depth, and rawness about some of the most important issues facing the church today.

I know that there will always be some people out there, many of whom didn't even sit down and watch the talks, who will tear apart all the things that were said today in an effort to look for the slightest hint of heresy.  Thats the mindset I am naturally inclined towards myself.  I thank God for The Elephant Room because I need a constant reminder to "Preach the Gospel and not Critique the Gospel" as Steven Furtick said earlier.

Here are a few more of the most profound (paraphrased) quotes that I took down today...


Don't cloud the gospel
Crawford

Denominations still deserve some honor and respect for their work in pioneering the way for many of us.
Steven

Baptism isn't what saves you, but it is the first thing saved people do.
James

Work on yourself more than your ministry or you'll burn out.  Those around you will be automatic beneficiaries if you take care of you.
Wayne

The devil doesn't care which side of the boat you go off.
Wayne

We who herald the truth often do not tell the truth beyond that truth we herald.
Jakes

We need to stop looking in the mirror and singing "how great thou art."
Crawford

God doesn't use what we bring to the table he uses what we surrender to him
Crawford

Your church can be no more integrated than your life.
Jakes

The church isn't doing as well as the nightclubs when it comes to integration.
Jakes

I am appalled by the lack of moral courage in the church of Christ today.
Crawford

Heaven will be awesome because the richness of all the nations will be represented.
James

You can tell a lot about a mans life by the countenance of his wife.
James

We get so focused on a fallen leaders sin that we don't see the dysfunction in the family that led to the moral failure.
Jakes

Create a culture of holiness in your leaders...
Wayne

You can teach what you know but you are gonna reproduce what you are.
Wayne

Some people say they are defending the gospel when they are really just crappy friends.
Steven

The closer we are to the gospel the closer we are to each other.
Crawford

Give your life to Jesus, its worth it even if nothing visible comes of it.
James

I'm really concerned for this generation because its so disconnected from the faith rhythms that went down the corridors of time before it.
Crawford

We must be careful not to become a sub-culture instead of a counter culture.
Wayne 
____________________________

BTW - They are doing a special offer for just the next few hours...

Round 2 DVDs for $39.00

Both Rounds DVDs for $69.00

http://www.theelephantroom.com/presale

____________________________


UPDATE


A good article on the ER2.


http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2012/01/26/grace-and-truth-beyond-the-elephant-room/

Vlog 1 - The Chinese Bamboo Tree

The Glover Family

Recently, my pastor did a talk where I was challenged to spend some time thinking about the vision and mission of my family.  The premise was simple...take some of the things that work in our business lives (mission statements, organizational goals, core values...) and see how we might effectively translate such tools to our personal life as a means to get us focused and to keep us on-track for where God wants us to be.

My personality being the type to make speedy and decisive judgment on things, I was finished with my rough draft before I left the building that night.  However, I knew that I needed to sit on this a few weeks and get it right.  I continued to think about the issue and to talk with my wife about her thoughts.  Finally, we collaborated tonight for the final version.

The Glover Family - 2012

Who we are:
"The Glovers are a gospel-centered family comprised of messy people striving for honest communication, family fun, selflessness, and growth in the Spirit...all for the sake of making Jesus famous to our extended family, our circle of friends, our community, and the world."

Our Core Values:
- Grace
- Truth
- Love

Our Family Principles:
- Family Bible Study
- Intentional Prayer
- Collective Giving
- Walking Obediently
- Enjoying Life

Our goals to accomplish by the end of the year:
- Buy a new house to accommodate a growing family.
- Begin the adoption process.
- Go on a short-term mission trip.
- Consistently tithe.
- Lead a LifeGroup.
- Encourage our parents to know/ grow deeper in the Lord.
- Teach our children Scripture memory and the catechisms.

So, there is it.  Thats what we came up with.  I feel good about it.  Its the first time we have ever had a vision for the year.  We discussed each point in depth together and we agreed to sit down every Sunday night and look at our progress and our steadfastness to these goals and principles.

If this is something that you have not done before, let me encourage you to think about it.  While it isn't for everyone, it was very useful for our family.

What I'm Reading 1.19.2012

Currently reading these...

Qualified?

I have been thinking alot recently on the biblical qualifications for leadership.  These thoughts came to me when I was asked to be part of a small LifeGroup Leadership Team at my church.

Along with the associate pastor and three other people, I will be responsible for the vision and implementation of our LifeGroups in the near future.  We already have LifeGroups at the church, but they were never given the investment that they needed.  As the church is growing pretty exponentially these days, the leadership decided it was time to refocus on LifeGroups.

In thinking about LifeGroups (LGs), I began to see the work of a LifeGroup leader as that of a micro-pastor.  You see, in our LifeGroups an average of 4-8 couple meet weekly or bi-weekly to go over some follow-up material from Sunday, do an independent Bible study, or take a class like Financial Peace.  There is an appointed leader for each group who is supposed to organize and direct the time together.

Another key aspect of our LifeGroups is the idea of "doing life together."  Since the vocational leadership can't be personally involved in the emotional and spiritual needs of every member in their flock, our LifeGroups are safe places for people to share their struggles and get helped along this faith journey by peers.  By default, the LifeGroup leader is seen as the point person for helping others in the LG.

That said, you may understand why I see the LG leader as a micro-pastor.  They are responsible for teaching, encouraging, guiding, mentoring, and overall shepherding their little LG flock.  As such, I have come to some preliminary ideas on the qualifications for LG leaders.

We all know what the Scriptures say about the qualifications for elders and deacons.  In Titus 1 for example, we read about the character of an elder...

⁵ This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— ⁶ if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. ⁷ For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 

Contrast that with the "what not to bes"...

 ¹⁰ For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. ¹¹ They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. ¹² One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” ¹³ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. 

Also in 1 Timothy 3, we see more on what an elder should be like...

¹ The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 


Then, in the next few verses are the qualifications for a deacon...

⁸ Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. ⁹ They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. ¹¹ Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. ¹³ For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 

So, here is where I am at with this. 

If LG leaders (and their equivalent in church, to include worship leaders, youth leaders, children's ministry leaders, and other prominent leaders - volunteer or vocational) are essentially micro-pastors...shouldn't they be held to the same standards as paid clergy?  At least to the standard of a deacon?

Remember that deacons were not even leaders per say in the early church.  They were individuals who served the body through daily operational tasks so that the apostles could teach, preach, and expand the vision of the Gospel. (Acts 6)

Therefore, it seems very logical that we would expect that those in quasi-leadership or leadership positions be held to the qualifications of a deacon at the very least. 

It seems reasonable to me and, most importantly, biblical.  The early church didn't have a LifeGroup ministry like we have in 21st century America.  Neither did Rome during the Middle Ages or Europe in the Reformation from what I can tell.  We have to use some inference and logic to apply the biblical principles in context. 

I am not trying to be legalistic, but I do feel that our culture is very lax on the idea of qualification for church leadership and the idea of church discipline.  We must be sheepdogs for the protection of the flock.

What do you think?

Overview Bible Reading Plan

From R.C. Sproul...

"Here is a pattern I recommend for people who have never read the Bible."

The Old Testament overview:

• Genesis (the history of Creation, the fall, and God’s covenantal dealings with the patriarchs)
• Exodus (the history of Israel’s liberation and formation as a nation)
• Joshua (the history of the military conquest of the Promised Land)
• Judges (Israel’s transition from a tribal federation to a monarchy)
• 1 Samuel (Israel’s emerging monarchy under Saul and David)
• 2 Samuel (David’s reign)
• 1 Kings (Solomon and the divided kingdom)
• 2 Kings (the fall of Israel)
• Ezra (the Israelites’ return from exile)
• Nehemiah (the restoration of Jerusalem)
• Amos and Hosea (examples of minor prophets)
• Jeremiah (an example of a major prophet)
• Ecclesiastes (Wisdom Literature)
• Psalms and Proverbs (Hebrew poetry)
 

The New Testament overview:

• The Gospel of Luke (the life of Jesus)
• Acts (the early church)
• Ephesians (an introduction to the teaching of Paul)
• 1 Corinthians (life in the church)
• 1 Peter (an introduction to Peter)
• 1 Timothy (an introduction to the Pastoral Epistles)
• Hebrews (Christology)
• Romans (Paul’s theology)

I Hate Religion?

After posting that video titled "Why I hate religion but love Jesus" earlier this week, I was increasingly torn by the rhetoric.  It reminded me of how politicians use snazzy slogans and 30 second sound bites to try and make their point while dealing with extremely complex issues.

It was a bit of providence to run across this quote from Allen Peek today...it sums up my inner thoughts quite nicely.

I think I’m going to stop saying, “I hate religion.” 

Without clarification, that statement doesn’t altogether square with the Bible. To be Biblical I should say something like, “I hate useless religion but I love pure and undefiled religion.” I must do better at making this distinction because: 

1) I don’t hate pure and undefiled religion – Biblical Christianity, the religion grounded on the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ 

2) Without clarification, "I hate religion," confuses unbelieving people.

I must make distinctions (as we see throughout the Bible) about all the other false world religions and even the false “christian” sects/cults which are all characterized by works-righteousness (all of them are useless). But, I must be Biblical in how I go about voicing those distinctions - as opposed to simply saying, “I hate religion.”

Make NO mistake about it – Biblical Christianity is “pure and undefiled RELIGION.” All other religion is worthless. 

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.” Titus 1:15

A couple of good videos...

This one has some great points in it.  The overall message is good even if the rhetoric about terminology is too much for me.



This one is a mix of commentary and a great worship song.  Enjoy.

The Order of Salvation

Here is a good graphic from Tim Challies that explains what Reformed folk believe about the order of salvation.  Its kinda theological to talk about and it may appear to some as impractical to discuss or dwell on.  However, I think there is great value in deeply understanding our own salvation so that we may have a foundation upon which to build those more practical aspects of our lives.

Real Marriage

My wife and I started reading the new book by Mark Driscoll recently.  Its called "Real Marriage" and it has quickly shot to the top of the Amazon charts, and the top of many Christian blogs.  If you don't know Mark, he is a very controversial guy for the way that he does two things:

1)  Communicates a neo-reformed and complementarian theology (that focuses on Jesus and the grace of God above all things) in a very practical and contextual way to the 20 and 30 somethings of our nation - particularly his city of Seattle.

2)  Speaks openly (and sometimes brashly) about language, sex, entertainment, heretics, and such.

Mark got a real bad reputation several years ago when he was younger and less wise with his teaching and his counsel.  Since then he has become friends with some older and more mature men (John Piper for one) who have helped him tone back his rhetoric and make things even more about Jesus.

This new book, which we have taken turns reading aloud on our Kindle Fire, is absolutely engrossing.  We are in Chapter 2 and the honesty with which Mark and his wife write cuts right to the heart of marriages today.  My wife, who isn't much of a reader, even asked me if we could keep reading instead of going to bed the other night.

I am hoping to do a LifeGroup study on this book in the near future.  I think that married couples will benefit greatly from its gospel-centered and practical message.

You can read all about the book here:

http://pastormark.tv/books/real-marriage

Because Mark is so controversial I must warn you that he is getting some flak for the book, feedback which I am not quick to dismiss, and you should research the book for yourself before investing based on my opinion.

Check out this review by Denny Burk.  He is pretty balanced regarding his read of the material and his review has caused me to question if I will cover Chapter 10 in my LifeGroup study.  After I read it I will decide.

http://www.dennyburk.com/my-review-of-mark-driscolls-real-marriage/

At the end of the day, as Mark says in his introduction, no book is perfect (except the Holy Scriptures) and we can feel free to "cut and paste" those things which are helpful while setting aside the things that could confuse or hinder us.

"Real Marriage" has my endorsement (as if that means anything) and is recommended for my readers (all 0.5 of you.)

Enjoy and may it strengthen your relationship.

Happy New Year

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

...a powerful admonition to be more than a nominal Christian as we start 2012.

http://bible.us/Matt7.13.NIV84