Surprised By Spiritual Hunger

I wonder… do we sometimes try to simplify things too much?  We have tended to dumb down public education.  Even a cursory fact check on foreign students who come to this country to go to college reveals how much better prepared these students are than those from our own countryeasier.  Apparently, the educational demands in the public schools in other countries, coupled with their drive to do better, results in more advanced education than we provide.

This has carried over into our way of life.  As a Pastor, I know the general reading level of most americans is around 8th grade.  When it comes to preaching on a Sunday, we tend to keep it at a 10th grade level or a bit lower.  This has also drifted into how we mature people spiritually.

This all came to light for me during August.  I teach the adult class and we had planned to resume “Sunday School” (this really needs a new and better name) the middle of September.  As I was thinking and praying about what to do, I kept coming back to teaching a class on Theology.  I had this sense that people were in need of some serious, in depth study of who God is and how He works in our world.  I believed it to be a necessary part of taking our church family another step in spiritual maturity.  I ran the idea past Joy.  I like having her perspective and insight.  I don’t remember her exact words, but in essence she didn’t see how there would be much interest.  It was “too heavy” a subject.  I couldn’t disagree.  She was right.  So, I prayed some more and started looking at other options.  And, it was like being lost in the woods and discovering you are walking in circles.  I kept coming back to theology.

So, I started looking at theology books.  I ended up ordering 6-8 books.  I had come to the conclusion that even if only a hand full of people came, this was what I was supposed to teach.  I settled on using two books.  One was a more simplified and condensed version of the other.  I announced the class and gave people who signed up the option as to which book they preferred to use.

At the same time God was at work in another area in our ministry.  We are a small church, and suddenly God is bringing new people in who are staying.  In the last six weeks our attendance has increased by a third or more.  When I picked up the sign-up sheet for the class i was shocked!  There were over 18 people signed up for the class (the largest adult class I have had since being here) and almost all of the new people had signed up for the class as well!

I realized in that moment, not only was God moving, there is a real hunger for spiritual maturity.  I use those last two words purposefully.  I have long used the phrase “spiritual growth”.  Now I’m trying to use different words.  Over the years of being involved in church I have heard plenty of people talking about growing spiritually – and a fair number of them keep “growing” but never seem to mature.  So, I choose to talk about a hunger to spiritually mature.  Does that involve growing?  Sure.  But it is more than that.  And, by simply following God’s lead I discovered people are eager to mature spiritually.  They want more than Christian fluff!

If you are in a church and in a position to teach – don’t be afraid of taking on deeper, tougher subjects.  People are hungry out there for more.  If you simply want to develop your own maturity in this way, let me know and I can give you the information on the books I’m using for this class.

On the never ending road to maturity,
John

On Books and Perspective

Since I work full time and pastor a church, finding time for reading is a challenge.  Due to my busy schedule summer provides the best time for me to read.  But that is when all those other activities come along like golf, fishing, kayaking, cycling, yard work, and outdoor activities with the family.  So, I read as much as I can on vacation… and the good news is that I vacation near a large Christian Bookstore!  I’ve read six so far, two of which I want to comment on and recommend.

In recent years I have tried to at least one biography.  There is much to learn out of the lives of others that is genuine.  The biography I chose this year was a complete surprise.  I did not know the person, but it caught my attention.  It is the true story of a native from China who becomes a Christian and is part of starting numerous underground churches.  His story is compelling.  What really surprised me was how his reading of Scripture affected mine!  For years, I have thought we have melded too much of our western thought and approach into Christianity.  As I read his story and looked at the Word through his eyes and situation I began to look at the Word in fresh ways.  The book?  “The Heavenly Man.”

A second book on my reading journey is by an author I discovered two years ago.  He is so good I have now read all his books.  All of his writings seek to teach truth through a story.  The most recent book is “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews.  I do not wat to share too much and take away from the joy you will find in this book.  I’ll simply share one quote…

“Remember, whatever you focus on increases.”

On my literary journey,
John

What Do You Live Under?

I’m on vacation in North Carolina.  Just before supper I hopped on my bicycle for a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  About three miles into a twenty plus mile ride the Lord trends my thoughts in a direction.  Why is it He chooses times when I have no paper or pen with me?!  I spent the rest of my ride telling myself not to forget what came to my mind.

I thought about what I am to truly live under… and what not to live under.

I am not to live under all the things on my to do list.
I am not to live under a busy schedule.
I am not to live under all the things others think I should do or be.
I am not to live under the weight of my past.
I am not to live under the fear of failure.
I am not to live under all those “suggestions” in the self-help books.
I am not to live under the tyranny of the urgent.
I am not to live under the guilt of procrastination.
I am not to live under the discouragement of others.
I am not to live under feelings of depression.
I am not to live under the expectations of Christians.

What I am to live under IS THE GRACE OF GOD.

And so are you…

The Roller Coaster Called Church

Today I received a phone call from a friend and Pastor.  We talked about going fishing, but toward the end of the conversation he shared that his board had met and voted to close the church.  I find my heart is heavy – for a friend, a church, and the cause of Christ.  I’m not privy to the ins and outs of why, and in some respects it is not relevant.  However, it brought to the surface again things I have been thinking about regarding church ministry and the role of the denomination of which I am a part.

I have been thinking about church planting for several months.  One day this thought hit me – hard: “Not one of the New Testament churches is in existence today” – to my knowledge.  Churches die!  The reasons for a church death are many.  (What to do about those issues is for another post.)  These issues need attention, but a broader truth is of crucial value.  If churches die, then focusing most of our energies on church health as a denomination is at best ignoring part of the picture, and at worst leading to our demise. (We should focus on building healthy local churches.)  If churches die then part of our strategy must be to intentionally plant new churches.  It must be a clear priority strategically, financially, and spiritually.

Whether in the work place, the local church, or denomination this simple truth is clear: when everyone is responsible, no one is responsible.  It is time to aggressively prioritize the planting of churches!  It is time because this is clearly a part of the great commission.  It is time because we need to rekindle our missionary focus.  It is time because existing churches need a visible reminder of why they exist.  It is time because I believe our current economic and political crises is part of God preparing the way for the Lord to do a fresh work in the United States.

The Woodpecker

A week or so ago, I stopped by the house for lunch while I was working.  I parked my work truck outside, leaving the drivers window partially opened.  I went into the house and had some lunch and a nice cold drink.  Ahhhh!  When I returned to the truck I reached for the door, and there in the cab was a woodpecker!  When I opened the driver’s door the bird frantically was trying to get out the window of the door on the other side of the truck which was not opened.  I had opened my door to let him out.  He didn’t get it!  He only wanted to get away from me.

So, I left the door open and walked around to the other side to open that door.  When “Woody” saw me in that window he quickly exited via the driver’s side door!  I had a good laugh about it all – after checking to make sure he had not treated any of the truck cab like a tree!

As I started the truck and drove out God hit me with a thought:  How often do I repond to what God is doing like “Woody”?!  Like “Woody” I do not always understand all of what is going on in my life.  Like “Woody”, I mistakenly interpret God’s help as a threat.  And, like “Woody”, God still works things out for me, for my good, whether I sse it at the time or not.

I drove on that day asking God to help me trust Him more – even when I don’t get it.

A Fresh Look at making disciples…

O.K.  I’m going to confess something I did tonight.  I can’t believe I did it.  I watched part of the “Gaither Homecoming hour”.  I know, next thing I’ll be breaking out the Ben-gay!  But a God- moment took place in what I heard.  It is stirring me to see another facet to making disciples.

Russ Taft was on the program.  He made some comments about how Bill and Gloria were there for him.  He didn’t tell his whole story but he painted a picture that revealed his relationship with God was not smooth sailing.  What grabbed my attention was this statement, “Bill has not only been a great mentor, he also adopted me.”

When I think about discipling I think of words such as coach, mentor, example, friend, teacher.  The concept of adopting adds another layer to the picture.  We have several families in our church who have adopted children.  When you adopt someone, you are going much further than the common idea of mentoring.  When you adopt someone, they become family.  When you mentor someone, you go home at night.  When you adopt someone you are there for them no matter what happens – good or bad.  When you mentor someone you can accept some “losses” and move on to the next person.  When you adopt someone,  they are family whether they make the right choices or not.  You are there for them – invited or not.  You always go the extra mile… and then some.

Suddenly, I’m watching the Gaither program from the perspective of Bill’s discipling, mentoring and adopting people.  I listen to how Mark Lowery describes how God changed him through Bill and Gloria.  I sat in my living room with tears streaming down my face as Bill has Michael English sing a verse to a song they are singing about forgiveness of the past – and I see a man giving life – blessing – restoration.

The point of all this is to remember our calling to make disciples is a call to adoption.  It makes perfect sense.  Jesus made disciples by adopting those men.  It is about relationship – making people family.

“When I am weak…”

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12 still ring true.  At times we are aware of the truth of God’s Word as we go into a situation.  On other occasions, it comes to mind after the fact.  This happened to me in the last week.

I participate in a Lakes Region ministry known as “One Voice”.  One voice seeks to share the gospel in the Lakes Region of NH through music, drama, and dance.  The Director first asked me to prepare a narration to transition from one song to another (which included dance).  I really did not want to do it.  Work was still busy, not to mention my responsibilities in pastoring a church. But, I had no reason to say “no”.  So, I agreed.  The week before the presentation (Good Friday night and Saturday afternoon) the narration had turned into an invitation.  I was feeling overwhelmed with this addition – but I had said “yes.”

I prayed for insight.  The Monday of the week of the performance The Lord impressed on me what I was to share.  The part I was not comfortable with, was the sharing of some of my story.  I had a lengthy discussion with God that ended this way, “If I come up with any other illustration I am going to use it.”  By Wednesday, I had come up with an idea, but it just didn’t fit.  Deep down I knew God wanted my story told -  of how God rescued me and could rescue them.

On Thursday, I knew what He wanted me to say, but I was by no means confident.  I went into the performance on Friday in great weakness and dependence.  I have no idea whether my words were used to change someones life or not.  What did hit me (after the performance on Saturday) was that God gave me the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with 1100-1200 people.  That humbled me and filled me with gratitude.

“When I am weak, then I am strong.”  I think I want to feel weak tomorrow too…

It’s coming…. spring

Today I took the first step toward acknowledging it is spring – I bought my fishing license!  While this does not completely mean spring has arrived in NH it is close.  No matter what the calendar says, I have two criteria for spring to be official.  First, the golf courses must open.  Second, I have to cut my grass.  Prior to these two events it is still mud season.

Another sure sign, though not official in my book, is having my snow tires removed from my pickup.  That will happen tomorrow!  Things are looking up!

When God Sings to you…

While at work today I was going over music for the One Voice Easter presentation.  As I am listening and trying to cement some words in my mind the phrase of another song bursts into my mind.  It broke in and pushed out all thought of the music I was trying to learn.  God had an agenda…

I needed to remember, “I am not alone.”  I was having one of those days where the thought continuously coming to the surface is, “Why would God still want to use me.”  The phrase in the song reminded me we are all in the same boat.

God was also telling me to stay humble and dependent.  How easy it is to place ourselves on a higher plane than others.  Oh, we don’t do it consciously, but every time we think we have the “solution” to someone elses responsibility arrogance is creeping in.  I’m an analyzer.  I’m quick to assess and come up with solutions.  This can be good and dangerous.  I am part of a small denomination that is facing difficult times.  And, I can all too quickly wonder, “what in the world are we doing?”   Of course, I have my list of “solutions.”  God wanted me to quiet down.

God was also saying to me, “don’t give up.”  So, if you are having a bad day,  my word to you is DON’T GIVE UP.

What are the words that came to my mind?

“Oh to grace, how great a debtor, daily I’m contrained to be.”

You see, my life needs grace.  I’m a GREAT debtor to grace.  I need that grace daily.  And I need to be tied to grace as a great debtor every day.

Taking on New Challenges

This past week I embarked on a new challenge.  For a long time I have wanted to try an iron man event, but I kept putting it on the back burner.  A friend’s decision to prepare to run a marathon struck a chord of challenge in me.  There is just something about a challenge that pulls me in!

So, I have started training to run a marathon in the fall.  I am following a 30 week training schedule to get in shape in time.  The real question will be if my hip will take the pounding.  A little over 5 years ago I was in a motorcycle accident that left me only with nerve damage – at least that is what they said at the time.  Now certain movements  bother it, but that could be the nerves or simply “Arthur.”  Anyway, I have started.  I don’t expect to be a competitor.  I just want to finish.  Guess we will see.  If any of my friends out there are up for trying the challenge you can email me and I can send you the link to the suggested training schedules.  I wouldn’t mind having a partner in crime come race day.