Retreat: Spiritual, Academic, Emotional

I have spent this week nestled in a Study Carrel in the Moody Library on the campus of Baylor University. I have to thank both First Baptist Church of Arlington and Baylor both for this week. I am on my annual Study Leave from FBC Arlington. This wonderful church graciously allows me a month out of the pulpit and away from my normal administrative duties to spend time studying, praying, reflecting and planning. It is a true gift each year. And - Baylor University is gracious to offer me a place to hang my hat while I am here studying. So - I am grateful, for sure.

I have spent most of the week in the quiet setting of this great library. And yet, I have been surrounded by the voices contained in the wisdom of these shelves. The great voices of the past -- Augustine, Chrysostom, Luther, Wesley, Truett, Ladd -- and many others, have all spoken to me this week. Taking time to listen and reflect on theology, ecclesiology, church history and homiletics has been productive for me. There is just something about the academic setting that contextualizes my thinking. I spent 29 years in school -- so I feel at home in a library!

Also, taking time to ponder the grand sweeping story of the Church in history offers a person some grounding and weight in the midst of a culture that seems quite weightless right now. The orthodoxy of the past seems to now be weightless in my culture today. Sound reasoning and appeals to rational thinking can both be as easily dismissed as a cable TV provider. So, I have appreciated the time to reflect upon the big picture and the meta-narrative of The Big Story.

Also, it has been a time of emotional retreat for me. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the emotional energy required to fulfill my calling. I love people. I love my people in particular. As a pastor, I am personally engaged in the lives of many people. For the past two weeks now, I have been studying at home and here in Waco -- and I have experienced an ease in the emotional pull that is so familiar to any minister who is personally connected to the people of God.

This week in particular has been a time of spiritual retreat. I am a sinner. I need God's personal attention in my life just like any other follower of Jesus. I have spent time with the Father. I have asked the Holy Spirit to nourish and refresh my soul. I have looked to Jesus as the author and prime example for my faith.

Today, I went on a long prayer walk across Baylor's campus. It was a powerful and rich time for me. God touched me on many levels. I just wanted to engage Him on somewhat "unfamiliar" territory. I have never really walked around this campus like I did today. I felt His presence and listened for His voice as I shared my concerns and burdens with Him.

I found the small chapel in the Bobo Spiritual Life Center here at Baylor. It is a small, austere room, decorated with a contemporary but simple cross. I sat in this chapel and prayed and worshiped. Meanwhile, scores of incoming freshmen at Baylor filled the outer hall of the building as their orientation to Baylor University has begun. I could hear the excitement in their voices. I was struck by the contrast of my library setting all week. I have been surrounded by the wisdom of the voices of the past all week. Today, I was blessed by hearing the voices of the future. Who knows how God is going to use this crop of young people for His glory? I found myself praying for them as I sat alone in His presence.

I will return to Arlington today. It has been a productive week. I have renewed energy for the tasks at hand. God has given me a sense of direction for next year for our church. I still have a couple of weeks left to now more fully develop the general direction I have felt led to. I have been blessed by this time here for sure. As a Regent at Baylor, I have been inspired by how I see God using this university for His Kingdom's purposes. As a Texas Baptist pastor, I have been encouraged by my sense of Baptist identity here. 

As a follower of Jesus, I have been blessed by God. I am humbled by how He pays attention to our needs. I am transformed by His grace in my life. I am blessed to be reminded of just how desperately I need Him in my everyday life. 

So - July has already been a time of retreat for me. Academically stimulating, emotionally encouraged and spiritually inspired. Thanks be to God.

A Free Church in a Free Society

For most of us who have been aware of cultural and political developments in recent years, there was little surprise in the Supreme Court ruling announced today. Personally, I was disappointed, but not surprised.

Our nation is an incredibly diverse one. Further, this nation has almost 240 years of experience in the grand experiment crafted by our Founders. This country has been an experiment in freedom. In spite of many shortcomings in our history (e.g. slavery, subjugation of women, child labor, etc.), the idea of freedom has captivated our national consciousness. Liberty is a long-held, much-treasured component of the American ideal. Often this ideal is expressed with pride when we say, "This is America!"

Seeds of liberty were sown across the spectrum in American life from the nation's inception. It took some time for the fruit to be borne both legally and socially. However, in spite of ourselves sometimes, we actually matured into a nation where institutional racism is illegal, equal rights are extended to people of all races and genders, human rights are protected and legal provisions are in place for the impoverished.

It is not--nor has it ever been--a perfect society. However, it has been a grand experiment. The impulse of freedom has penetrated urban, suburban and rural communities in historically-unprecedented fashion. Our national story is replete with untold numbers of people who have risen above their circumstances to achieve "The American Dream." In business, in political life and on the athletic fields--there have been too many inspirational stories to count. At the heart of it all is the concept of freedom. In this country we don't have to ask permission to dream. We don't have to wait on a government-assigned job. We are not subject to institutional limitations that maintain societal divisions.

So -- I would argue the experiment is working. America is a free society. People walk through their day in freedom. A typical American's day is filled with choices. Some of those choices may have a profound impact on their future. It is an amazing country that attracts millions of immigrants each year.

The other aspect of the grand experiment was to all freedom of religion. The Constitution was ratified as amended in 1789. The First Amendment guarantees the practice of religious liberty across our land. This was an unprecedented move. Our Founders were people of faith (not all of them were orthodox Christians). From the very beginning, America was to be a free society inhabited by a free church.

From a church history point of view, this proved to be an unprecedented decision. Throughout the history of Christianity there have been all kinds of relationships between Church and State. The American experiment was truly new. There was to be no persecution, no favoritism and no establishment of religion. Religious expression was to be lived out freely in the context of a free society.

So - how has that worked out?

Again, I would argue the experiment is working. It is not as clear as the State Church model. It is not as pure as the persecuted church experience. However, religion in general and Christianity in particular, has flourished in the grand American experiment.

Just as the seeds of liberty have borne the fruit of diversity in the broader American society, the resulting fruit of religious liberty is a very diverse religious family in America. It is truly the most religiously pluralistic free society on earth. Without government compulsion, but with government protection, religion has grown across America.  As already stated, Christianity in particular has truly flourished.

Today, however, we have been reminded of just how difficult it can be to live as a free church in a free society. The highest court in the land has just issued a decision that signals a major societal shift for the American culture. One of the core institutions inherited by American society from much older cultures has just be re-defined by the decision rendered by nine people.

The announcement of this decision has already given evidence of the diversity of religion in America. Christianity is not monolithic across our land. The Christian family is broadly divided across a spectrum known commonly as the right and left. Those who are more liberal in our family (the left) tend to be more embracing of a decision like this. Many of them no longer hold to the authority of the Bible in the traditional sense and thus the message they often proclaim tends to be more of a cultural echo than a prophetic voice. Those on the far right of the spectrum (fundamentalists) tend to demonstrate their anger over these types of decisions and use these times to denounce the American culture. There will be many angry voices heard across America on Sunday morning. I understand their pain and would only caution -- it is okay to get mad, rarely is it ever okay to stay mad.

However, there are many folks like me who tend to hover somewhere in the middle of that theological and religious spectrum. We are not as newsworthy, so you will hear very little from us on a day like this. Our voices are muted by the louder voices on the extremes of our family. 

On this day, I have been more reflective than reactionary. I am mulling over how to lead my particular congregation to a reasoned and Biblically-based approach to the free society around us. I am seeking wisdom from God once again as to how to embrace and love people with the love of Jesus Christ without surrendering a deep commitment to the truth He embodies. I have been driven to the Bible again for direction.

I am not given to public political opinions. I am not a politician. And--I have lived long enough to learn how fleeting political power can be. And--I have studied enough history to know how short-lived political victories can be.

I am a spiritual leader. I am a pastor. I am a follower of The Jesus Way. I am seeking God's wisdom as to how to follow faithfully and proclaim graciously the message of the Gospel in a compelling fashion that honors my belief in freedom.

I still believe in a free church in a free society. May God give us His wisdom today as to how to best be the Church for this era!

 

Murder in the Church

It is shocking. Just to have those two words in a sentence or title: Murder - Church.

We are all still reeling from the events in Charleston, South Carolina this week. A crazed young man interrupted a prayer meeting at a local church with unspeakable violence. How could this happen?

I will never forget March 3, 2011. It was a Thursday afternoon. I was home preparing for a Men's Retreat and my phone rang. One of our staff members informed me that something terrible had happened at NorthPointe Baptist Church. NorthPointe is a mission of our church and one of my seminary students, Clint Dobson, was serving as pastor there. I dropped everything and jumped in my car and headed to NorthPointe.

I drove into the parking lot at our mission and was met by a couple of staff members. Police cars were literally everywhere. A helicopter was overhead. SWAT police officers were surrounding the building. To say that it was surreal is an understatement.

Finally, the details emerged. The unspeakable had happened. At CHURCH. A young black man had entered our mission church and murdered our young, white pastor. He also had left the church secretary for dead after severely beating her. Miraculously she survived.

I remember thinking -- How could this have happened? At CHURCH? Is nothing sacred anymore?

Obviously, Clint's family, friends, church - and our church - have never been the same since that day. The violence perpetrated in that church has changed all of us.

When I heard about the shooting at Emanuel African Episcopal Methodist Church in Charleston, I couldn't help but re-live our experience just a bit. Similar emotions emerged. Similar questions surfaced. How could this have happened? At CHURCH? Is nothing sacred anymore?

This time, a crazed white man murdered several black Christians. Evidently he was motivated by his racist hatred.

When Clint was murdered, as best we know, racism was not a motivating factor. Evidently, his murderer was a young man who lived in a violence-ridden and drug-crazed environment. He needed a car, some money and a few things to sell. He killed a brilliant young pastor to satisfy his wants.

Senseless.

As I have reflected on it all for a couple of days, I have just been reminded of the darkness of evil and the impact of sin. Clint's murderer was (and is) a broken, sinful individual. We discovered at his trial that his days were marked by senseless acts of violence and drug use. He had no problem with abusing others to get whatever he wanted. He was even willing to kill another human being if that was what it took to meet his demands. He was even willing to walk in a church in broad daylight and murder a pastor at his desk working on Sunday's sermon.

This young man in Charleston seems to have nursed a racist perspective over the course of a lifetime. I have only briefly read about his propensities, but they are the product of a sinful mind encased in the evil of racism. He was willing to walk into a church prayer meeting and presumably kill the pastor and other parishioners just because they were black.

Senseless.

There are no easy answers today. There weren't any easy answers when a church was bombed in downtown Birmingham in the early 1960's. There weren't any easy answers when a crazed individual walked into a youth prayer meeting at Wedgewood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas back in 1999 and just started shooting. There were no easy answers that day in the parking lot at NorthPointe. 

In the face of such evil, we grieve. We grieve over the senseless loss of life. We grieve over the incredible darkness that can live in a human heart. We grieve over the reverberating pain felt by family members and survivors.

We also continue to turn to a loving God who grieves more deeply than we ever will. We turn to a loving Father who has promised us that love will outlast and overcome hatred. We turn to a loving God who personally visited our planet and entered into the suffering of humanity. We turn to a loving God who can and will bring comfort and peace to troubled souls. We turn to a loving God for strength to enable us to walk through our grief and loss with hope. We turn to a loving God who can enable us to continue to be beacons of light in the face of such darkness. We turn to a loving God who alone can bring about the transformation of human beings and deliver us from the darkness of evil in our own lives. We turn to a loving God who alone is the hope for a future where the light of His love will overcome the darkness of a broken world. We look forward to the new heaven and the new earth where there will be no more evil or death.

Until that day comes -- may God use us as His ambassadors to share His love and His hope in our own corner of the world. May we be able to share the love and hope of Jesus with others so that hatred, racism, violence would be overwhelmed. 

I also must say that we acknowledge that evil has penetrated the walls of our churches. Yes, there have been murders at church. But, the church itself has not been murdered. In fact, the church opens its doors for murderers, drug abusers, racists and all sinners ----- yes, the church is open for business in Arlington, Birmingham, Ft. Worth and Charleston today. The church is open and at work. The church continues to say to everyone, "Come inside. Find hope for your life. Find rest for your soul. Find answers for your questions. Find beauty in your ashes. Find healing for your pain."

May God have mercy on all of us today.

Churches and Transition (4)

Our conversation continues. Churches must learn to deal with transitions. As I have written earlier on this blog, churches are not trying to "keep up with the Jones" (or the Kardashians) -- but they must recognize the reality of change all around them.

Let me remind you of what we have already learned. Churches that are learning how to proclaim the unchanging message of the Gospel in the face of changing times have engaged themselves in the following:

1. EMBRACE YOUR ERA

2. EVALUATE YOUR AREA

Now -- let's look at a third exercise:

3. EXPLORE YOUR ARENA

Thing of your church as an arena of ministry offerings. How well do you (as a leader) understand these ministries? Why is your church engaged in them in the first place? Do they match the giftedness and identity of your church? Is the history of the church an issue? What kind of staff do you have in place? What kind of staff do you need? Who are the leaders of the church? What kind of training do you offer for your leaders?

I usually encourage new pastors to take some time to become familiar with the congregational "atmosphere" of a congregation. Before you can make strategic and substantial changes in a church, you need to understand the true makeup of the church.

Remember -- if you are new in particular -- those members have been there a while. They have a certain perspective of their church. It is an "understood" reality for many of them. The general atmosphere simply flows through the ventilation system of the church! Everyone is breathing the same air!

At one church where I served, I asked the leaders of the church to describe the church to me as if it were a person. They took their time to evaluate their response. Finally, this is what they told me: Our church is a middle-aged, balding accountant. He started his own business a few years ago and was really excited about the possibilities. The early expansion of his business exceeded his expectations and the experience was thrilling. However, in the past 15 years or so, business has flattened out and the enthusiasm has waned. He is a bit more cautious now and somewhat content with reality.

Wow! That was insightful! It helped me understand how these leaders viewed the church.

One church where I served had an air of formality about it. It was like a well-pointed dinner with nameplates at each setting. The folks at the table were well-dressed and well-mannered. It just had a "proper" feel to it. I had to learn to lead the church appropriately.

Where I serve today, our church is more like a family picnic. There are paper plates and barbecue everywhere. There is more of a festive atmosphere and everyone is welcome!

My point? You need to explore the arena of your own congregation. What are the primary gifts of the people in your place of ministry? How are you using those gifts? Who are the people in your church? Do they match the overall makeup of the community as well? How can God more effectively use the gifts of the people in ministries that serve the interests of God's Kingdom?

Take time to evaluate and assess the budget of your church. How are you spending money? What priorities are reflected through those expenditures? What does the budget communicate? What are some ways to adjust the budget? What changes might be made to bring the ministries more in line with where God is leading you?

I guess what I am after here is this -- take some time to explore who your church really is. Take your history into consideration. Talk to some long time members. Ask them to help you figure this out. Ask them how they have handled change in the past.

Once you understand the DNA of the church, you are much more equipped and prepared to lead it into the next era of ministry. 

Churches and Transition (3)

We have been discussing how churches can navigate through transition. One thing is for sure, change is inevitable. Particularly nowadays! Our culture seems to be changing at warp speed around us. Our churches are often caught off-guard with the rapid shifts in culture. Technology has certainly played a role in increasing the speed at which change occurs. 

To be clear -- just because our ministry setting seems to be in constant flux, that does not necessarily mean that churches should be trying to "keep up with the Jones'" so to speak. I am not advocating in these posts the idea that we should abandon our core convictions so that we might make the Gospel more palatable to our culture. What I AM saying -- is that we have to be willing to think critically about our church's strategy in proclaiming an unchanging message in the context of changing times.

With that said . . .

1. EMBRACE YOUR ERA

2. EVALUATE YOUR AREA

Churches that are flourishing today are churches that have taken the time to evaluate their unique area and setting for ministry and mission. So, begin with geographical considerations. Where is your church located? Is it urban, suburban or rural? What is the cultural setting around you? Why has God allowed your church to be located in that particular spot?

I realize some churches have chosen to be located in several geographical locations simultaneously. This phenomenon is known as the "multi-site" model. I am not a big proponent of this approach unless each site has its own pastor who preaches each Sunday and is incarnationally present with the people. Our church oversees about 350 different apartment churches across Arlington, but each one has its own indigenous leadership. (But this paragraph is actually for another topic -multi-site churches-and another future blog post!)

For example, our church is located adjacent to a major state university. University of Texas at Arlington has over 35,000 students. We literally share property together. In fact, it is difficult to determine when you leave its campus and join ours -- and vice versa. So, that particular location has caused us to make significant financial and ministry decisions because of our huge next-door neighbor.

What is the composition of your community? Blue collar? White collar? Ethnically diverse? Apartment complexes or homes? Socio-economic factors need to be explored. What makes these people tick? Is your community very connected to its public schools? What kind of entertainment is available in your community? Is the make-up primarily families or single adults?

What are the ministry opportunities in your community? What needs can you help to address? How can your church bless its community? Does your community need a clothes closet? A training center for adults who are changing vocations? A counseling center? An after school care program? A feeding center in the summer for children who are hungry? 

Also - look for ways to collaborate with others. What are the possibilities of cooperation and collaboration in your particular community? What kind of partnerships can you forge that will give you the chance to bless your community and be salt and light for the Gospel? Is there a local school you can adopt? Can you provide tutors for students? Can you host events for the neighborhood? Can you show drive in movies on the side of one of your buildings during the summer? Can you volunteer at sporting events or other types of entertainment in your community? How can you bless your city?

Our church is located in downtown Arlington.

We are right across the street from City Hall. A few years ago, our city asked us to consider engaging in a land swap that would allow for the construction of an outdoor concert venue that would be a great blessing to our community. We worked it out! We arrived at a deal that was beneficial to both the city and our church. We now have over 50 free concerts each year at the Levitt Pavilion that is located in our front yard! It has been a tremendous blessing for our church and for our city.

As a downtown church, we are a hosting church. We host events each week at our church because we located in the very center of Arlington. People can travel from across Arlington and conveniently arrive on our campus. Graduations, recitals, strategy meetings, Bible Study Fellowship, weddings, receptions, High School Choir performances -- we routinely host events like these all the time.

On the south side of our campus, we intersect directly with UT-Arlington. Recently the administration of the university decided to construct a new College Park Center -- which houses athletic events, music concerts and a host of other activities. In order to satisfy the parking demands of the new facility, the university asked us to consider allowing the construction of a parking garage on our campus. We would "lose" a parking lot but gain a 4-story parking garage that we can use daily and on Sundays.

We worked it out! We now have a parking garage located on our property that services our parking needs during the week and on Sunday mornings. For a downtown church, this is a huge blessing!

So - your church can evaluate your area. Find ways to partner and to minister. Hopefully, you will find favor with both God and man!

Churches and Transition (2)

How do churches make the necessary transitions to remain vibrant and viable in the face of sweeping changes across the culture? It is not easy, for sure. But, it is possible. 

The church I serve was established in 1871. It is older than our city! Ulysses Grant was the President of the United States when a small band of Baptists organized our church in a small community forged around a stagecoach stop. The church eventually moved three miles to the north because the railroad was about to start servicing the area.

Think about all of the changes that have occurred around this church since 1871! And our church is flourishing today. We are home to about 2500 or so regular attenders. We sponsor Mission Arlington that has about 350 apartment churches that meet each Sunday across our city with another 4000 or so in attendance. We also host and support Living Hope -- the largest ministry of its kind in America that assists sexually broken people in their journey of healing. We also have a Child Development Center, a Center for Counseling and Enrichment (11 licensed counselors), Christian Women's Job Corps, operate an office building downtown and we have launched a church-based mission network called Restore Hope. We also are training and sending our own people to live long-term cross-culturally across the world. We are directly at work in Niger, Sierra Leone, Costa Rica, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Spain, India, Japan and New York City. Last year we were able to determine that our church had direct ministry contact with over 600,000 people in over 160 countries around the world. 

All that to say -- God has blessed our church and it is flourishing.

How have we managed all of the transitions in both the broader culture and within our own body? Here are a few insights I have learned along the way.

1. EMBRACE YOUR ERA

This is a crucial insight. Many churches make the mistake of staring in the rear-view mirror. Many churches long for days long gone. I would challenge you to surrender any lament about "what used to be." You have to get over it!

In my office, I have a rug that reads, "You are here." I stand on it occasionally! If you want to go anywhere, you have to start where you are! You cannot start from where you wish you were. You have to begin here and now.

I could challenge you to embrace your era. This is not 1955. It is 2015. America is a different place than it was just 50 years ago. Your church (and mine) must recognize the unique challenges and opportunities of this era.

So - take some time to evaluate this era. What are the forces at work today? Recognize that pluralism, technology and migration have all had an effect on the culture. Churches are called upon to minister in the midst of the pluralistic realities resulting from massive people migration to the USA. We live in the day of the diaspora. This is also a day where churches are more focused on Kingdom endeavors than denominational initiatives. Churches are looking for collaborative opportunities based on shared affinities rather than geographical proximity.

Take some time to evaluate how the realities of this era can offer your church opportunities for ministry and mission. This is a great time to be alive and in ministry! Seize this day! 

Churches and Transition (1)

I know you have heard some version of the following joke:

How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb? What? CHANGE??

It is not just true of Baptists -- all types of churches struggle with change. Transitions are rarely neat and clean. Change usually comes because it is forced upon us. Often it is characterized by more fits and starts than strategic implementation of well planned ideas.

Regardless, change is inevitable. Transitions are in the future of every healthy church.

I grew up in a very conservative Baptist church in the deep south during the Civil Rights Era. It was a tumultuous time, to say the least. I was in the second grade when racial integration became a reality in Birmingham, Alabama. I can remember the strain placed on all societal institutions in those days. I wasn't old enough to understand the dynamics at play, but I was aware of the tensions that existed at every turn.

Frankly, our church struggled to manage the sweeping transitions occurring around it. It held on for a long time as a bastion of its tightly construed reality. Finally, a few years ago, the church disbanded and the facility was assumed by another church. I lost touch with any connections in that community years ago. I have not been aware of the status of the new church and its ability to be a viable witness in a transitional community.

Today, my brother sent me some recent photos of the demolition of the church buildings that used to house our church (and the new one, as well). I don't know what has happened there -- but I did find the rubble recognizable. After all, I spent the first 21 years of my life attending that church. I was saved in that sanctuary. I was baptized there. I was called to ministry there. I preached my first sermon there. I was married there. I was ordained into the ministry there. I can close my eyes right now and see that sanctuary. 

It was a bit shocking today to see that building in ruin. But, in all honesty, that church had been in ruin for a long time prior to this. It refused to change. It refused to acknowledge the ministry needs all around it. It chose to protect what was precious to it, rather than embrace what it might also discover to be just as meaningful.

I have been serving as a pastor now for over 30 years. I know how difficult it can be for a congregation to hold fast to conviction and embrace necessary transitions. I have led my fair share of efforts aimed at changing a church's strategy and identity in mission. I know how threatened a church can "feel" when changes are occurring at blazing speed all around it. Technology, demography, ethnography and economic changes can radically alter a church's ministry context. Sweeping changes can overwhelm local church leaders.

So - how do we manage our way through the shifting cultural sands and inevitable transitions that need to happen in order to provide both a prophetic and viable Gospel witness in a given community? That is what I want to explore in the next few blog posts here. Stay tuned . . .

What does the Church Need from Millennials (and anyone else, for that matter)?

If you are clued in to significant discussions among church leaders today, then you know millennials are a hot topic. What are churches supposed to be doing to attract this very attractive group of people?

Let me begin be offering a significant set of caveats. First of all, I am a pastor of a local church. I have served as a pastor since 1983. I have spent my adult life serving local churches as a pastor. So, I have a certain perspective forged by over 30 years of pastoral ministry. Obviously, I am a "local church guy".

Also, I love people. All kinds of people. All ages of people. People from all walks of life. I'm surrounded by people from multiple generations in all facets of my life. I live in a multi-generational home. My parents have lived with us for about 17 years. (My father died six years ago, but my 92-year-old Mother still lives with us.) I have two millennials as children. And, I work in a multi-generational setting. And I am 55 years old -- so, I have personally navigated through several generations myself!

Also, I believe in contextualization. I serve a local church that trains and sends its own people to live cross-culturally across the world. I have spent years studying missiology and cultural adaptation. I have worked for the past 15 years among unreached people groups in remote regions of the world. I know how important contextualization is with respect to the advancement of the Gospel.

Also, I believe in analyzing trends, researching sociological factors and considering cultural shifts as a church leader. Sticking our heads in the sand, digging in our heels and resisting change are not options for church leaders. We have to breathe the air of our day and live in the moment of opportunity. I am a firm believer in embracing one's era without complaint.

Finally, I have greatly benefited from the immense amount of material produced by others about millennials. Thom and Jess Rainer published their research on this significant generation in a book entitled, The Millennials: Connecting to America's Largest Generation (B&H Publishing Group, Nashville, 2011). This book is full of insight about the generation of Americans born between 1980-2000. There are close to 80 million millennials! 

I have also enjoyed the insights rendered by people like author/blogger, Rachel Held Evans on the relationship between millennials and the Church. As I have perused the material on this subject, often the resources in print have to do with the reasons millennials are leaving the Church. I have listened to numerous opinions about what our churches need to do in response to this alarming trend. I have heard the challenges from millennials themselves with regard to what they need from the Church.

So, now that I am appropriately covered with caveats, I want to address this topic from a different perspective. As the title of this entry reveals, I want to turn this issue on its head. Here is my question:

What does the Church need from Millennials?

I have given this much thought. As I have already mentioned, I have listened. I have considered and digested what I have heard. And, I am a practitioner. My life is lived in the local church. I serve as pastor to people from multiple generations. Of course I am concerned about any group of folks that seemed to be "turned off" by the Church. We don't want that to be true of any generation of Americans. However, I would note that each generation of Americans has had its own set of issues with the Church. Anyone who lived in the turbulent 1960's knows that local churches struggled in that era to adapt to the sweeping changes that occurred then.

With all that said, let's get back to my question. What are the expectations of the Church from millennials (or anyone else)?

First - give the Church a chance! Local churches are not perfect. They are filled with broken people. They are led by broken people like me. Most local churches that I know really do care about people. They often are at the forefront of benevolent activity in the community. They are populated with people that visit sick folks in hospitals, take food to those who are ill at home, arrange carpools for parents who are temporarily out of commission, take care of the bereaved, call on the elderly and just do a lot of good things. Churches gather regularly to attempt to praise God, give attention to authentic community and study the Bible. Church people are often just trying to figure out how to respond to God's leadership in the midst of a myriad of challenges.

It is easy to take potshots at the Church. Anyone can do that. Anyone can point out the weaknesses and failures of any local church. But -- what if you give the Church a chance to demonstrate what is good and healthy about it? What if you suspend judgment until you more deeply understand the intent of a group of believers who are gathering as the people of God in the attempt to serve His interests in a given time and place?

Second - give yourselves to the Church! The Church needs people who are willing to make serious commitments to the Lord and His work. Local churches are able to accomplish so much because of committed people who are invested in the interests of the Kingdom. Jesus established the Church and left it behind to represent Him on earth. If you are one of His followers, then get involved in what He is doing today! He is working through His Church. He wants you to discover the abundant life that is only available through a dynamic relationship with Him and a purposeful engagement with His people.

Quit viewing the church as a commodity to be consumed and embrace it as an opportunity for you to be used by God in service to Him and others. Years ago I heard a story told by Zan Holmes, legendary Pastor of St. Luke's Methodist Church in Dallas. When he was a child, he returned home from church and told his grandmother that he didn't get much out of the sermon. She asked him, "How much did you put into it?" "What do you mean?" he asked. "I am not the preacher." "Well, did you pray for the pastor this morning? Did you read your Bible this week? When you showed up at church, were you prayed up?" To all of this, Zan answered, "No." She wisely added, "Then, how dare you to expect to get anything out of something that you put nothing into!"

So - yeah, put something in the Church.

Third - help make it better! Every generation has offered unique gifts to the Church. Those gifts have been invested in the midst of a certain context. For example, the early history of the Church was marked by different needs brought on by both internal forces and broader societal factors. The leaders responded appropriately. There was a period of edification -- the theologians responded with writings to meet that need. Later polemical writers addressed the theological distinctions emerging within the Church itself, apologists spoke to the wider culture and systematic theologians arose once the Church was legally established across the Roman Empire.

There have always been generational differences and particular generational needs reflected across the Body of Christ. Each generation of believers has the responsibility to steward its respective influence in ways that are healthy and beneficial to the entire family of God. So - let's continue to answer the bell. Millennials (and anyone else) need to look for ways to assist the Church in transition and adaptation without compromising the integrity of the Gospel witness. We also have to find ways to do this without demanding that the Church bend everything in our generational direction.

Finally - follow The Jesus Way! Here is what I know. If you follow Jesus, He will never lead you out of the Church. He may lead you to a particular local church. But, He will not lead you out of the Church. The Church is His Body. His Bride. His Family. His Army. He loves His Church.

Jesus is not asking you to simply find your way. He is calling you to find your way to His Way! He wants you to know Him and heed His guidance. He wants you to surrender your desires to Him. He wants you to seek His presence in your life and His perspective on your life. You already know your perspective. Seek His. What does He think about the Church? What does He think about your connection to a local body of believers? What does He think about your investment of your life? What does He think about your commitment to His Kingdom interests?

Somehow, every generation of believers prior to our own has figured out how to be the Church for its time. Surely, we can do it as well.

This is a great time to be alive. It is a great time to be in the Church! May God use all of us to reflect His glory through the Church!

Good Friday

Jesus had entered Jerusalem on the Sunday prior. It is an understatement to say He received a royal welcome. John tells us that the Pharisees were so overwhelmed by the spectacle of Jesus' entry that it felt like "the whole world has gone after him" (John 12:19).

I love John's accounting of the final week of the life of Jesus. Right after the Pharisees offer this concession, John records, "Now there were some Greeks who went up to worship at the festival" (John 12:20). These Greeks (Gentiles) asked to have a meeting with Jesus. In fact, the whole world was going after Jesus! Even at Passover, both Jews and Gentiles were seeking Him.

The teaching that follows this incident in John's account sets the stage for what was to happen next. Back in John 2, Jesus encountered a potentially embarrassing situation when a family friend ran out of wine at a wedding. His mother asked Him to intervene. Jesus responded by saying, "My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4). John uses the Greek "hora" (hour) to refer to Jesus' redeeming work on the cross. In John 7, Jesus was in Jerusalem ant the crowd tried to seize Him but His "hour" had not yet come (John 7:30).

However, in John 12:23, Jesus declared, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." It was time. John mentions this again in John 13:1, "Jesus knew that the hour had come . . ."

It was time.

It was time for the Life-Giver to offer up His own life for all of humanity. It was time for the Prince of Peace to receive all of the attacks of the prince of this world (John 12:31). It was time for the Advocate to be assaulted by the Accuser. It was time for the Savior to face Satan.

It was time for the Son of Man to act on behalf of all the sons and daughters of the world. It was time for the Son of God to fulfill the work assigned to Him by the Father. It was time for the King of Kings to be inaugurated. The Kingdom of God had come on earth. Strangely enough, it would required the death of the King. But, Jesus said that His death would bring about life for others (John 12:24).

It was time for the sins of the world to be answered by the Lamb of God (John 1:29). It was time for the one who had come down from Heaven's throne to be lifted up on a sinner's cross (Philippians 2:6-8). It was time for the love of God to be on display for all the world to see (John 3:16). It was time for God to reconcile the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). 

The hour had come.

Almost two thousand years have passed since that fateful week in Jerusalem. We have the benefit of history and God's revelation to help us digest the events that occurred that week. Thousands of theologians, priests and preachers have digested these events. We are truly blessed in that regard.

However, each one of us -- as a follower of Jesus -- has the opportunity to simply pause and reflect on the meaning of the death of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is the day to do it.

It is time.

A Tribute to Jesus . . . and to Clint Dobson

Today, March 3, marks four years since Clint Dobson's death. Some of you who read these words may not have known Clint. He served as the Pastor of North Pointe Baptist Church here in Arlington, Texas. This church is a mission of our church -- so Clint was on our staff. He was one of my students at Truett Theological Seminary. I felt led to bring him here to pastor our mission church.

He married Laura just a little while after he began his work here with us. Together, they were such a force for good as they served the Lord here in north Arlington.

Tragically, Clint was murdered in his office at the church on March 3, 2011. A day forever etched in many of our memories.

Today, I found myself drawn to John 11. This is one of my favorite pages in the Gospels. In this text, the humanity of Jesus and the divinity of Jesus are presented so powerfully through both words and actions. I would encourage you to take the time to read it.

The chapter opens with the announcement that Lazarus was sick. His sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick" (John 11:3). Wow. The one "Jesus loved." Jesus was fully human. He understood what it meant to love someone. He was acquainted with the power of love and the force of bad news. 

How many times have we received bad news about someone we love? I take great comfort in the fact that Jesus understands how that feels. He can identify with you when someone you love is suffering. He knows the cascade of feelings that can overwhelm a person. He was fully human.

But John quickly reveals that Jesus is also fully God. In verse 4, Jesus boldly declares, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Wow. Jesus claims here to have power over death itself. He knew that a display of power of this magnitude would be a testimony to His divinity.

After intentionally waiting a couple of days, Jesus finally made His way to Bethany to the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Martha ran to meet Jesus. "If you had been here, my brother would not have died," she said. The divinity of Jesus emerged as He declared, "Your brother will rise again." Martha had some knowledge of Messianic eschatology. She replied, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection in the last day" (John 11:23). Jesus re-framed the entire discussion with His famous statement marked by both Messianic fulfillment and Divine revelation:

"I am the resurrection and the life. the one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

I am! This is a direct claim to be divine. He embodies the power of the resurrection. He is life. He will give life to those who die in Him. Death has no victory in eternity. In fact, as John records in his Gospel, Jesus will conquer death on Easter Sunday through His own resurrection. He will demonstrate the power of the Gospel as He answers both sin and death in His Passion.

Martha was overwhelmed by this truth. She proclaimed her belief in Jesus as the Messiah.

Mary came to Jesus and reiterated the words of her sister. "If only . . ." (John 11:32)

The humanity of Jesus surfaced again when Jesus saw the depth of grief displayed by Mary and her friends. John wrote, "He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled" (John 11:33). He was moved as a human being. Again, Jesus identifies with us in our sorrow and grief. He understands the pain of death and loss.

Finally, Jesus stood before the tomb of Lazarus. And he wept (John 11:35). The Son of Man wept. The Son of God wept. Overwhelmed by the moment of grief. I believe He wept as a human being because of the pain felt by his friends. I believe He wept as the Son of God because He was staring the result of sin and brokenness in the face. Death had come. At this point, there was little to do but cry. Everyone around Jesus at that moment would also die. Including Him! And --- He wept.

However, then His divinity was displayed when He called Lazarus forth from death. He demonstrated His power over death. The grave is powerless when Life speaks. Resurrection spoke. And -- Lazarus came forth! Wow!

Jesus Christ was fully human. He felt every emotion. He knows what it is like to stand in a cemetery and cry. He knows the pain that families feel when death comes. He identifies with us in our loss and grief. And yet, Jesus was fully God. He understood death to be an enemy to be defeated. He demonstrated His ability to temporarily address death by resuscitating Lazarus from the dead. However, He would deal death an eternal blow with His resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday. 

Because of the resurrection power of Jesus, Christians enter and leave cemeteries differently than non-believers. We have hope in our grief. We acknowledge His presence with us in our sorrow. Jesus was with all of us when we stood in the cemetery in Arlington and buried Clint Dobson. He was with Clint when he died. He welcomed Clint into eternity. He has used Clint in both life and death. He will give Clint a new body one day that will last forever. Clint will rise again on the last day.

Until that day comes, we can testify that Clint did not die in vain. He has brought glory to the Son of God in his death. God has used him in life and in death. His life and ministry continue to bear fruit in God's Kingdom today. He gave his life to give witness to the One who has conquered death. Praise God.

Today we pay tribute to Clint. He lived and died as a tribute to His Lord. Amen.

Music

I wrote this article for my Pastor's page this week at First Baptist Church of Arlington, Texas. I decided to publish here as well:

It is a powerful force. Music. It is an incredible medium of communication. It is also profitable. Last year, the revenue in the music industry in the United States was $15.2 billion! Our nephew, Ben Vaughn, is in the music business in Nashville. In fact, Ben is the Executive Vice President of Warner/Chappell Music Publishing and he leads its Nashville office. On behalf of Warner/Chappell, he accepted the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) award in November in Nashville as the Music Publisher of the year. He also was honored two weeks ago by ASCAP and Belmont University with the 2015 Music City Milestone Award. We are pretty proud of him. Ben knows music.

I, on the other hand, am not as proficient as my nephew. I had a tonette solo once in the fourth grade music class at Wylam Grammar School in Birmingham, Alabama. I did a pretty good job with my rendition of This is My Country! But, my music career was short-lived. I can still play the Ensley High School Alma Mater on the tonette, though.

                                                                                             

I am not a musician. I am not in the music business. But, I do value and appreciate music. In fact, I love music. And—I enjoy music. I like lots of genres of music. I have wide tastes. There is no rhyme or reason for my tastes – I just know what I like. I like to listen to Elvis (who doesn’t?), Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Elton John -- but, I enjoy classical music, jazz music and a little bit of country music. I also like hymns, psalms and spiritual songs. I am moved by the truths expressed in some contemporary Christian music as well as in some hymns.

Right now, I am singing through the Baptist Hymnal (Convention Press, 1991) in my devotional time with God. I’m sure He is amused! But – I do believe He is pleased. I have felt led by Him to do it. I’ve been amazed by how many hymns I don’t know. I have enjoyed praising Him through music expressed so personally and privately (thank goodness, because I’m not much of a singer!).

I think God has used this exercise to remind me of the beauty and passion of music. He has also has used it to remind me to remain humble and gracious about music. As a Baptist pastor in the 21^st century, I know how controversial music can be! As you might imagine, I have received numerous communications through the years about what kind of music God likes!

But – I am not trying to open a can of worms. I am just noting how powerful and beautiful music can be. I’m grateful to God for gifting people to compose, write and perform music. We are all better off because of it! 

The Blood of the Martyrs

Tertullian - an early convert to Christianity (AD 200), became a leader in the ancient Church. He hailed from Carthage (modern Tunisia in North Africa) and wrote extensively on behalf of the Christian perspective. He was especially inspired by the Christian martyrs. After observing how Christians were willing to die for their faith, he wrote: Plures efficimur, quoties metumur a vobis: semen est sanguis christianorum - We multiply whenever we are mown down by you; the blood of Christians is seed.

This week the world has looked on as murderers representing ISIS led a group of Coptic Christians to a beach in Libya (Simon of Cyrene was from Libya - as were a number of Jews present at Pentecost according to Acts 2:10) and beheaded them in a brutal act of cowardice. The faces of the Christian martyrs were all on display in the photos and the videos. Of course, the ISIS murderers had their faces covered as always.

First, I would offer that a hood does not shield a person's identity from God. These murderers may not be brave enough to allow their identities to be known to the world, but God knows each of them. Remarkably, He loves them. He offers them an opportunity to experience eternal life through Christ.

Second, I would point out that this method has never worked. These Muslim extremists are not the first group of people to persecute Christians. Followers of Jesus have been persecuted for centuries. And--it has never worked. Beginning with the first Christian martyr, Stephen, believers have been tortured, ostracized and slaughtered. While in Rome recently, we visited the only "round" church in the city - Santo Stefano Rotondo. It was built in AD 455 and contains 64 frescoes depicting various martyrs of the faith.

It was quite humbling to walk through this ancient church and reflect upon the sacrifice of believers who paid the ultimate price for their belief in Jesus. Only in eternity will we be able to truly grasp the cost of the spread of Christianity across the world.

But - to my point, the decision to kill Christians has never worked to stop the spread of the Gospel. In fact, to the contrary -- Christianity has historically grown in the face of such persecution. Tertullian was right in his observation. Killing Christians actually leads to more Christians!

Today, Christianity is the single largest religion in the world. In fact, it is the largest religion in the history of the world. It remains the fastest growing religion in the world. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell recently published its exhaustive report that documents this truth. While Islam continues to expand, it is no match for Christianity. Christianity is the only religion in the world that can be found in every country of the world. It continues to out pace all other religions. (You can check out this report at http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/csgc-resources.cfm and download it for free.)

Today - I invite you to pray for the families of these brave martyrs who spilled their blood in Libya. Let's pray for the persecuted Church across the world. Let's also pray for the light of the Gospel to penetrate the hearts of those who continue to propagate evil and violence on others. Remember -- the greatest evangelist the Church has ever had was present at the first Christian martyrdom!

When in Rome . . .

I've just returned from leading my 7th annual Church History tour of Rome. Once again, I was overwhelmed and blessed by the experience. My colleagues, Curt and Kim Grice handle all of the logistics of the trip. I am always indebted to them in particular.

We take about 30 church members each year. We spend the week walking through the streets of Rome and through the history of both Christianity and western civilization. I love it. There is no other city in the world like Rome. It offers me an opportunity to teach my people about the history of Christianity in a setting unparalleled in the world.

We spend our time viewing the ancient sites, historically significant places, churches (lots of churches) and living in community for a few days. I do several lectures each day to set the context of what we are seeing and how it fits into The Big Story. We read the story of Jesus and the writings of Paul and connect them all to the city of Rome. Did I say I love it?

I probably have two favorite eras of Church History: Ancient Christianity and the Reformation. Our tour allows me the opportunity to address both of these significant periods of the history of Christianity against the backdrop of both the seat of the Roman Empire and the Roman Catholic Church. It truly is a unique experience and offers our people a different setting for a spiritually formative exercise.

The story of Christianity is a remarkable one. It begins as a small Jewish sect in an outlier province of the Roman Empire. Caesar Augustus is fully in control of the Empire at this point in history. The city of Rome itself is on its way to becoming the metropolitan wonder of the ancient world. In less than 325 years, this small Jewish sect becomes the dominant religious choice of the Gentile population of the Empire. The Christianization of the Roman Empire is one of the most incredible stories in the history of humanity.

Christian communities appeared in all of the major metropolitan areas of the Roman Empire. Alexandria, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth and Rome itself were all affected by the rapid growth of the numbers of Christians within them. The pastors of these churches were brilliant leaders who led the Church to grapple with the complex theological issues at hand. Believers spilled their blood along the way as the Gospel took hold of the ancient world.

I am always humbled by re-visiting this story in its Roman setting. I thank God for such a sturdy Gospel that truly has changed the world. When in Rome -- I am always encouraged and reminded of the commission to take this Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Frankly, my dear . . .

In some ways, American life in 1939 was much simpler than it is today. Perhaps there was more homogeneity across our nation with respect to our national identity. One might argue that Americans knew what America stood for -- so to speak. As Archie and Edith Bunker used to opine at the opening of All in the Family, "Those were the days!"

However, history offers perspective. We know now that Adolf Hitler was marching across Europe. Emperor Hirohito was contemplating an attempt at world domination. Institutional racism was just a way of life. So, in some ways, life was simpler in 1939--but layers of complexity would soon be discovered that would emerge from the shadows and be revealed to the national consciousness soon enough.

But, when Gone With the Wind premiered in 1939 there was much buzz about Clark Gable's line at the end of the movie when he countered Vivian Leigh's portrayal of Scarlett O'hara's despair with, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a d___."

It is not as if movie goers at the time had never heard an actor swear on film. However, they had never heard one of Gable's stature do it. And, certainly not in a film of the caliber of this epic drama. Needless to say, it caused quite a controversy. Certainly America was not so prudish that grown men did not swear in public in those days. Well, actually, gentlemen tended to choose their language a bit more carefully. Americans were familiar with the habit of cursing, but it was not showcased on film until Gable's Rhett Butler dismissed Scarlett's dilemma with an expletive.

All of this to say--America historically has had an interesting relationship with its film-making industry. It would be hard to exaggerate the role of cinema in the development of and celebration of both pop culture and real life. On the one hand, Americans have tended to go to the movie theater to escape the challenges and demands of real life. "Just entertain me!" has been the sentiment of many Americans. On the other hand, Americans also go to the movies to seek a better understanding of their own lives. There has always been this tension.

As one might imagine, this opens the door for a good bit of controversy. For example, the very first full-length feature film, The Birth of A Nation was released in 1915. It was a cinematic triumph. It was the first film to be officially previewed in the White House by the President of the United States (Woodrow Wilson). It represented the best technology Hollywood had to offer. But, the film depicted the South during the era of Reconstruction and beyond through the lens of White Supremacy. Blacks were portrayed as sexually aggressive and dangerous. The Ku Klux Klan was celebrated in the film as a heroic response to the threat posed by black men. It is a move that would offend all sensibilities today!

Hollywood has been both comfortable and uncomfortable in its role in its contribution to the American psyche. On the one hand, many in the movie industry claim absolute innocence in response to any hint of an attempt to influence the culture. "We are entertainers and artists" -- is what many in the film industry maintain. "Our movies are merely artistic expressions with the desire to entertain" -- is the answer given often. (I'm paraphrasing, not quoting anyone in particular.)

But--we all know better. We all know that there are several motivating factors behind the making of films. Financial profit is certainly at the center of all motivation! However, there certainly has to be the desire to shape, cast light, shape opinions, etc. I think the latest controversy over the new film, American Sniper is a great case in point. Many on the left in the entertainment business (Bill Maher, Michael Moore, Seth Rogen to name a few) have been critical of the film. Some have labeled it "war propaganda" and condemned it as an attempt to support decisions made about Iraq.

I have not seen the film. But I have followed the controversy. Namely because I am keenly interested in the whole concept of influence. I am convinced the film industry (and entertainment in general) is incredibly influential. In 2015, we can't imagine a time when a curse word could have caused controversy in a motion picture. Our screens--large and small--are laced with profanity, immorality, violence, explicit sexuality and all manner of gruesomeness. It would be hard to shock us with anything we might see today. So--we have not just been entertained. We have been numbed. 

Archaeology and Faith

On January 4, the Washington Post reported another archaeological discovery in Jerusalem that connects to a story found in the Bible. According to author Ruth Eglash, this most recent finding may be the discovery of the site of Jesus's trial in the Holy City. 

I read a few articles about this discovery and its potential connection to the story of Jesus. Mostly, the news was met with a "ho-hum" response. I find that to be interesting. Often, archaeological discoveries are greeted with incredible intensity and fanfare. For example, there was quite a stir about the recent announcement of the discovery of the time capsule under the Massachusetts' State House--left by Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. There was great excitement when curators actually opened the capsule to reveal the contents from some 220 years ago.

Biblical archaeologists however often are greeted with skepticism when they make announcements. Some of the skepticism is warranted because there have been a few suspect "discoveries" across the years. You may be familiar with the research published by Nina Burleigh in her book, Unholy Business: A True Tale of Faith, Greed and Forgery in the Holy Land (Collins, 2008). The primary impetus for her book was the controversy surrounding the discovery of the "James Ossuary." An ossuary is a box that was used to store the bones of the departed in burial tombs in the ancient world. This particular one gained notoriety because its inscription mentioned Jesus.

In any event, many people now believe this box to be a fraud. A trial ensued and it was a pretty sordid tale. Burleigh was intrigued by all of this and traveled to Jerusalem to study the industry connected to the approximately 30,000 archaeological sites in the Holy Land. Her book records her findings where she is part journalist, part archaeologist and part detective. The sub-title of her book offers a glimpse into her take on her findings. She is certainly a reputable writer of note and is quite accomplished.

So, there have certainly been many suspicious "announcements" of significant finds in the field of archaeology in the Holy Land through the years. Both thorough-going secularists and people of faith are often interested in the archaeology of the Middle East. The skeptical, non-religious crowd enjoys any story of potential fraud or intrigue surrounding any finding. On the other hand, many among the faithful hope the next discovery "proves" the Biblical account of ancient history. More often than not, both of these perspectives are left wanting and the respective adherents are disappointed on some level. 

What I mean is this--there has not ever been an archaeological finding that completely and absolutely proves the Biblical account of Israel and Jesus to be demonstrable untrue. Conversely, there hasn't been some great discovery that absolutely proves every detail of the Bible to be demonstrably true. With that said, there have been some amazing archaeological discoveries that corroborate the Biblical account. That is without question. In fact, the list of those is tool long for this little ol' blog.

For example, the discovery of the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, Peter's house in Capernaum and the first-century synagogue in Capernaum all corroborate the accounts provided in the Gospels. The discovery of the Tel Dan Stela that bears the most ancient inscription to mention King David put to rest the previously repeated mantra that David was not mentioned outside the Bible. There have been hundreds of inscriptions (Pontius Pilate in Caesarea), coins, potsherds, buildings and ancient cities that have offered corroborating testimonies to material we find in both the Old and New Testament.

But --- here's the thing. We still have to be people of faith. Archaeological discoveries are incredible and encouraging. They certainly offer affirmations for us. But, God will always require faith from us. We have to be willing to believe He is God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We will always take steps of faith toward Him. We will not have "proof" of everything. Regardless of how much archaeologists unearth in the Holy Land, the Christian life is a life of faith.

I praise God there is so much corroborating evidence that has already been discovered. I am grateful for the scholarship and integrity of legitimate archaeologists who have opened doors to the ancient world for us. The light of these discoveries has shed light on our path, for sure. But the path remains a path of faith!

Cowboys, Referees and What ifs

I remember the 1967 Ice Bowl in Green Bay. I was a little boy in Birmingham, Alabama. Our community league football teams were the "Packers." We wore the same uniform as the Green Bay Packers. I played through those leagues as a kid. I was number 15 - just like my favorite player, Bart Starr, quarterback of the Packers. We were huge Green Bay fans in those days. So, understandably, I was pulling for the Packers on that cold December day in 1967.

Fast forward to 2015. I have spent most of my adult life in Texas. I served my first tour of duty in the 80's and 90's while I was completing seminary and pastoring. I returned in 2001 to serve as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Arlington, Texas. That's right, Arlington -- home of the Dallas Cowboys. And, I have been converted! I'm a Cowboys' fan now. I love this team. I love Romo and Witten. So, yesterday I was cheering wildly for the Cowboys to beat those Packers.

I was watching it live when "it" happened. The "catch" or the "non-catch" as it were. Are you kidding me? It was a catch, for sure. Three steps, an elbow, a stretch for the end zone. No doubt, a catch. Dez Bryant made a circus leap for a perfectly thrown pass and hauled it in on the one yard line. No doubt the Cowboys would score and we would be set up for a classic final drive for the Packers. Could Aaron Rogers lead them down the field and maybe repeat Bart Starr's final drive against the Cowboys in the Ice Bowl? Or, would the Cowboys defense make a stop and help Dallas land in the NFC Championship game?

But, wait a minute. The miraculous catch was reviewed. By whom? Three blind mice? Three stooges? The management of the Packers? Packer fans? Actually a referee reviewed it. According to referee Gene Steratore, Dez Bryant "did not maintain possession of the ball throughout the entire process of the catch. In our judgment, he maintained possession but continued to fall and never had another act common to the game." 

I'm sorry. What???? Catching, stepping and reaching -- aren't those football acts?

Now, last week I was in complete agreement when the referees picked up the flag on a late interference call on the Cowboys. That "non-call" was certainly the right call and it led to a Detroit Lions punt that allowed the Cowboys to go ahead and seal the win. So, I know these referees are capable of getting it right!

Anyway - it's over for the Cowboys. Great season. Great players. It was fun.

As I reflected last night on the events of the day, I came to several conclusions.

1. Perspective is so important. My perspective has changed since the last time the Cowboys and Packers played in a playoff game. I really am a Cowboys' fan now. Were I still a fan of the Packers, I would probably be hailing the courage of the referee to change such a pivotal call. Many people are saying today that this was a judgment call based on a challenging rule. There is a difference of opinion about what constitutes a true "catch" when a receiver seems to be falling to the ground. The ground cannot cause a fumble, but it can cause an incompletion. The referee has to make the judgment based on the "football acts" of the receiver. So -- it could have gone either way. I wanted it to go my way.

2. Somebody has to be in charge. The players can't make the rule calls in a game. There has to be somebody who is charged with keeping the rules. That is the referee's job. He, along with his team of officials, must insure the rules are kept. Sometimes, these folks make judgment calls based on the evidence before them. In the actual game, they are the final authority.

3. "What ifs" are fun, but in the end, meaningless. We don't known what would have happened if the "catch" was actually ruled a catch. We can only deal with reality.

OK - so these are actually life lessons as well. In life, perspective matters. How we view things makes all the difference in the world. It is true. My perspective shapes my feelings and judgments. And, authority matters. In life, somebody has to be in charge! From my perspective as a Christian, God is in charge. His Word is authoritative. Finally, reality matters. I can't afford to live my life in denial of reality. I don't want to be like Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite. "What ifs" are fun, interesting -- but I can't live everyday in a sea of what ifs. I have to live in reality.

So - today, life goes on. Even for us Cowboy fans.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article6015108.html#storylink=cpy

GOOD RELIGION

Have you read Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics (Free Press, 2012) by Ross Douthat? Ross is a columnist for the New York Times. He is a Harvard graduate and Phi Beta Kappa member. Brilliant thinker. Seminal writer. I follow his columns and enjoy his insights.

The premise of his book is outlined in the opening pages. He begins by crafting a portrait of America after the economic disaster of 2008. Debt, deficits, reckless financial decisions and the like are traced to the selfish appetite of a society that "can't get no satisfaction." He points out the fact that some have tried to blame the "decline of America" on religion. In fact, he explains two contradictory reasons offered for the downturn of our nation: one is the idea that America is too dependent on religion, the other is that America has turned its back on its religious roots.

Douthat concludes the real reason for the seeming decline of the American way is something deeper than either of these opinions. Here is his take:

". . . America's problem isn't too much religion, or too little of it. It's bad religion: the slow-motion collapse of traditional Christianity and the rise of a variety of destructive pseudo-Christianities in its place." (p. 3)

Douthat portrays Christianity as forming the "center" of American life for most of this country's history. He laments the misuse of the Christian faith for political, economic or geopolitical gain. His critique of many modern expressions of "Christianity" are strong and (I think) on-target. He ends his book by calling for a return to vibrant, orthodox Christianity that takes the Bible seriously and following Jesus to be a mandate.

It is a good read.

I thought about it today when I was driving to an early breakfast meeting and heard the news from Paris about the shootings at the headquarters of the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hedbo. I had never heard of this magazine until today. Apparently, the cartoonists had offended the sensibilities of some Islamic terrorists.

When I heard the report--I thought about Douthat's book. Wow. How much damage has been caused by bad religion? It may be the terrorism associated with radical Islam or the insecurities exhibited by Hindu extremists in India or many other forms of atrocities committed in the name of religion. It is sad.

I can't imagine how much it must grieve God. He created this world and it was good (Genesis 1). In fact, it was very good (Genesis 1:31).

Douthat's book is not about terrorism or acts of atrocity committed in the name of God. But, the insights in his book about many forms of bad religion are on my mind today as I pray for God's people to reflect His goodness in His world.

THE SACRAMENTAL JOURNEY

So, here we go. 2015.

The Sacramental Journey continues.

Back in the late 1990's, I was serving as a pastor in Alabama. I was searching for an image to capture my understanding of the Christian life. After much reflection and prayer, I landed on this one--a journey. Certainly not an earth-shattering discovery! It is a common way of expressing one's life experience. However, I decided to add one other concept to this common image--sacramental. After all, every one is on a journey of one sort or another. Christians are on a holy, sacred and spiritual journey.

The journey motif is poignant for me for a number of reasons. I was raised in Alabama by parents who were from neighboring Georgia. We traveled often back and forth to visit grandparents and other family members. Plus, my brothers and I were baseball players. Our family often could be found traipsing across the country to let us play in all kinds of tournaments and All-Star games.

We had a 1964 AMC Rambler Station Wagon with no air conditioning. Think about that. Driving across the south in the summer with two older brothers in a hot car does not create positive vibes associated with "journeys." We had to roll the windows down (that's right, we "rolled" them down by hand--a lost art today) just to keep the air circulating. However, sometimes the draft was so strong, it threatened to suck the skinny people clear out of the vehicle!

But, we didn't dare complain about the wind tunnel effect in the back of the car. Back then, our Dad smoked cigars--Roitans, King Edwards and Muriels. If we complained about the wind draft, he would make us roll up the windows. He would open those little "vent" windows in the front of the vehicle (you can Google that). Then there was enough second-hand smoke in the vehicle to justify three future lawsuits from his sons.

Then, of course, we brothers had imaginary lines drawn across the back of the Station Wagon that you couldn't cross. When one of us did so, we retaliated with whatever means necessary to protect our territory. If it got out of hand, Daddy would look back and utter those immortal words, "Don't make me pull this car over.

So, the idea of a journey hasn't always evoked the most positive of images for me personally. However, I would like to think I have dealt with my issues and progressed to a more mature understanding of the value of this motif.

Certainly the Bible uses this idea to illustrate human life on earth. The word "walk" appears over 200 times in the Bible. Often, this word refers to how we actually live our lives. For example, refer to Psalm 1, Genesis 5:24, 17:1 or Jeremiah 6:16. And, Jesus claimed He is The Way. In fact, often in Acts, Christians are referred to as "followers of The Way." You get the idea.

But, for Christians, we are not just on any journey; we are on a holy, sacred and spiritual journey. Hence, I have chosen the word sacramental to describe our journey. We are followers of The Jesus Way. This is a path of holiness and sanctity. The English word "sacrament" is derived from the Latin term sacramentum. This is a word rich in theological meaning. Prior to its usage in Roman Catholic theology, this word was used to translate the Greek term musterion (mystery). This Greek word is associated with the idea that God reveals Himself and His truth to His people. What was hidden has been made known by God.

This term also is connected to the root sacra - which means "holy" -- we get our word "sacred" from this root. For me, this is an excellent descriptive term for our distinctive journey as believers. We are called to a holy life that depends upon God's revelation of Himself.

So -- the Christian life is truly a Sacramental Journey. 

To be continued . . . 

THANKSGIVING 2013

Our Thanksgiving weekend began yesterday when friends who live in Niger stopped by for lunch and fellowship. We enjoyed spending time with them and catching up on all that is happening in their lives.

Last night, we had dinner at our daughter's house. Our son-in-law, his parents, our grandchildren, our son and his fiance, a friend from Sierra Leone and my Mom enjoyed a great feast. 

This morning, I woke up in my warm home, next to my beautiful wife. Our son, my Mom, our friend from Sierra Leone and two children from the Congo all spent the night here. Today we will be joined by the rest of this family from the Congo, my daughter and her family, a friend from Mexico and his wife - who serve now in Sierra Leone and their children. We will gather this evening around our table and enjoy another feast and fellowship together. 

I am currently serving as the Pastor of a church I love deeply. I am surrounded by an incredible staff of dedicated servants of God. I am invested in The Great Commission and I begin serving on the Board of a university whose Christian mission is unparalleled. 

So - am I thankful on this Thanksgiving Day? What do you think? 

Is everything perfect? Of course not. We have experienced times of testing, loss, challenge and difficulties -- like most of you have. We have made hard decisions, navigated through transitions and accepted circumstances that we cannot change. But - in the face of both challenge and blessing -- I am truly grateful to be where I am today. 

My life has been enriched by the Lord Jesus in ways that are inexpressible. The calling to serve Him and the Gospel that bears witness to Him has changed my life forever. This weekend is a great example of that. My table will be home to people from my immediate family and people from across the world. My parents raised me to have a love for Jesus. We have raised our kids to do the same. Cindy and I now find ourselves enmeshed in a network of Jesus followers that circles the globe. Our hearts are full and our lives are blessed beyond measure. 

So - to my family, my friends, my fellow-laborers in the Lord, my church family -- I can truly say, "I thank God on every remembrance of you. I pray on this Thanksgiving Day that our God will fill you with the knowledge of His will through all of the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. I pray that you will live a life worthy of our Lord -- that you will please Him in every way. I pray that you will be rooted and grounded in God's truth. I pray that you will bear fruit in every good work. I pray that you will be strengthened with all power according to God's glorious might. I pray that you will find your way on The Jesus Way. May God be glorified through your life." 

Happy Thanksgiving.

Ash Wednesday

I will never forget Ash Wednesday of 2011. We held Clint Dobson’s funeral that day. After his tragic death on March 3, our church was filled to capacity on March 9 as we grieved the loss of our friend and brother. On the liturgical calendar, that day marked the beginning of the Lenten Season. On our church’s calendar, it will always be remembered with solemnity and profound respect.

So, now here we are – one year later. Next week, we will pause on the 3rd of March to reflect upon Clint’s life. We will celebrate the fact that no one can rob Clint of the eternal life secured for him in Christ. And – no one can negate the impact of his life upon us and countless other people. And – we will express our gratitude to God that Clint’s ministry continues to bear fruit in the Kingdom of God. For example, a scholarship has been established in his memory at his beloved Truett Seminary that will provide financial support for students for years to come.

Ash Wednesday will be commemorated across Christendom as faithful congregants will be doused with ashes in an ancient ceremony acknowledging the penalty of sin – namely, death. This day marks the beginning of our annual journey toward a hill outside of Jerusalem where the innocent Lamb of God died for our sins. The ensuing days of Lent offer believers an opportunity to reflect upon the true meaning of Christ’s death. For over 1800 years, this season has been characterized by sacrifice and self-denial as followers of Jesus seek to enter into His suffering and embrace the significance of His death.

The good news is that the story does not end on Good Friday. We not only engage in a pilgrimage to Golgotha – we also stand at an empty tomb on Easter Sunday and proclaim, “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”

Resurrection is God’s cure for death. All Christians die in its light. Clint Dobson’s earthly life was extinguished a year ago. However, he died in the light of the resurrection of His Lord. And, his life was a testimony to that light. His ministry offered hope to those living in darkness. His faithfulness unto death continues to shine as a beacon of light across time. In fact, the tragic circumstances surrounding his death demonstrate just how much darkness and brokenness remains in our world. However, the light of Clint’s life also expresses the remedy in Christ that is available to everyone. There is an answer to brokenness, darkness and death.

It is Ash Wednesday. Easter is not far away.