Thinking about what is our "Sunday's best" at 5 in the morning! If you know me well, this is not a time I am normally coherent for. So with me being awake, what better time to blog what I am thinking than at 5 in the morning.
"Wear your Sunday's best," I grew up hearing this and living it out. I would get up Sunday mornings; put on a nice pair of slacks, a collared shirt, colored socks, and my dress shoes. Many times, I would end up forgetting the belt...Fast forward to today. A youth pastor of a small Baptist church, a church that I showed up to my first interview in jeans, a Crucified t-shirt, and hoodie. My plan was to present myself in the way of who I was and not to put on an act of what I was not. I was hired and moved all that I had to begin working in the church and the community. It wasn't long and I tried to adapt to the culture of the church. I went from owning one suit to owning three suits, four button down shirts to a dozen, and from a handful of ties to about fifty ties. I was frustrated inside because I promised myself I wouldn't change!
Now I should note that I don't mind wearing shirts, ties, and suits from time to time. I did it in college for the fun of it. The real heart of the issue was why was I dressing this way. For one, I got tired of hearing negative comments on how I dressed and it was so much easier for me to hear the positive ones when I was decked out in a suit. Granted, there was even a time where that wasn't even good enough. I received a comment through my now wife; that she was confronted on the fact that my shirt(s) were wrinkled. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I ironed my clothes most of those mornings, and they started off looking great in the morning. The question in my head really bothered me: "Am I wearing my Sunday's best for God or for the sakes of men?" I started wearing a variety of things over the last year and half. Sometimes, I wear a suit and other times just a pair of jeans with a sweater.
Over the last decade, I have past this thought on to many people. We live in a generation gap. The older generation normally was dressed down during the week working in factories, steel plants, farms, etc. and on Sundays they wore their Sunday's best to church. My generation and younger tend to dress up during the week for work, anywhere from a business worker to a waiter at Olive Garden; and then tend to dress down on Sundays. This gap has cause much strife within the church!
I believe today that many churches get it, when they say dress as you are and we will accept you as you are. Sadly, there are many churches and church people that have not come to this point. I could talk a lot on this topic; but I believe for today, I just want to hit one thought that I have been dwelling on for the last hour.
What is the importance of wearing your Sunday's best? The main response I get back is that it is out of respect for God.
Think about this with me: As Christians, we are to wear our Sunday's Best out of respect for God when we go to His House, the church, to meet Him. Why don't we as Christians wear our Sunday's Best on Monday morning when we get up, grab His Word and meet Him?
If we truly are wearing our Sunday's Best for God (and not for others), then why do we only do it Sunday morning? This sounds like, we as Christians are living a double life! We dress up for God when others are around, but not when it is just Him and us. In fact, I have also heard, that it is okay to dress down at church; but just on Sunday nights or Wednesday nights. Isn't that yet another double standard?
Can we agree that the church is just a building during the week, but on Sundays (and other times of the week) when people are there that this is the true church? Then when we gather with other Christians outside the church building; shouldn't we wear our Sunday's best so that we do not live a double standard life?
To me having a dress code in church; sounds a lot like the Pharisees of the Bible. We make up a list of rules that are nowhere found in the Bible, and then tell Christians that they are not respecting God based on what they are wearing. Do I think it is a wrong to wear jeans to church? No, but I guarantee you I do see it wrong when someone judges another person for it! Only a righteous and just God can judge a person's heart...
I do, however, think it is wrong to wear jeans just to cause trouble and be rebellious, just as much as I think wearing a suit and looking down at others is wrong. Reminds me a lot of the Pharisee and the Sinner who are praying in Matthew 18. The Pharisee says God look at me, I did my checklist of things; while the Sinner stands there and cries for mercy. The heart is the difference in Matthew 18! Just like the heart of the person matters to God, not on what he or she decides to wear on a Sunday Morning!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Who is the church really for?
I have found that most times many people think that churches are for church people. Many times if we evaluate our churches, that is exactly what we will find. Sadly, we as church people expect to be served at church; while looking for what the church can give me. This is selfish and not even close to being Biblical.
Two points I'd like to make about churches:
1. Churches were not started for church people!
Think about it. The first church could not have been for church people because church people didn't exist. Churches were started to bring lost people to Christ; then to baptize them, disciple them, and teach them to tell others about Jesus. Churches during Paul's day; had a majority of new believers and lost people. The early church catered to the true needs of the people; their salvation. They did not worry about the church building, church traditions (after all, there were no traditions), other people's sins or how another person worshiped God, or the many other things that church people fight over.
It is sad how many stories over the years that I have collected on how church people get so focused on their "needs" that they push lost people right back out the front doors of the church! We as followers of Jesus, need to get back to mission of the church and forget our "comfort zones," "traditions," "our needs/wants," and realize that the church is not for church people.
2. Churches were started for lost people!
The early church was started for all the new converts that were putting their faith in the Way. They met many times as small groups in homes or in large groups at their city's synagogues. According to Acts 2:42; they had great fellowship, time reading and talking about the apostle's teaching, communion, and prayer. Guess what happened in these churches? They grew! People got saved! Life change happened! Churches were doing what churches were started for.
Closing Thoughts
Now think about this thought, when was the last time your church experienced a person coming to the saving grace of Jesus Christ? When was the last time you saw a person being baptized? When was the last time you saw your church pulling together to reach the community within a block of the church? If these things are not happening, it might be a good sign that your church is designed for church people. And this should be a warning sign to you; that you need to be part of the change in that church. Churches that fight over music "preferences," Bible interpretations "preferences," church tradition "preferences," etc. has been distracted by the enemy with their "preferences" and have been led away from what the church is supposed to be doing! A church that is not reaching out to the lost and not growing; is either a declining church or a dead church.
What are you going to do about it?
Two points I'd like to make about churches:
1. Churches were not started for church people!
Think about it. The first church could not have been for church people because church people didn't exist. Churches were started to bring lost people to Christ; then to baptize them, disciple them, and teach them to tell others about Jesus. Churches during Paul's day; had a majority of new believers and lost people. The early church catered to the true needs of the people; their salvation. They did not worry about the church building, church traditions (after all, there were no traditions), other people's sins or how another person worshiped God, or the many other things that church people fight over.
It is sad how many stories over the years that I have collected on how church people get so focused on their "needs" that they push lost people right back out the front doors of the church! We as followers of Jesus, need to get back to mission of the church and forget our "comfort zones," "traditions," "our needs/wants," and realize that the church is not for church people.
2. Churches were started for lost people!
The early church was started for all the new converts that were putting their faith in the Way. They met many times as small groups in homes or in large groups at their city's synagogues. According to Acts 2:42; they had great fellowship, time reading and talking about the apostle's teaching, communion, and prayer. Guess what happened in these churches? They grew! People got saved! Life change happened! Churches were doing what churches were started for.
Closing Thoughts
Now think about this thought, when was the last time your church experienced a person coming to the saving grace of Jesus Christ? When was the last time you saw a person being baptized? When was the last time you saw your church pulling together to reach the community within a block of the church? If these things are not happening, it might be a good sign that your church is designed for church people. And this should be a warning sign to you; that you need to be part of the change in that church. Churches that fight over music "preferences," Bible interpretations "preferences," church tradition "preferences," etc. has been distracted by the enemy with their "preferences" and have been led away from what the church is supposed to be doing! A church that is not reaching out to the lost and not growing; is either a declining church or a dead church.
What are you going to do about it?
Friday, March 15, 2013
Churches: Leave no one behind!
In American Military movies we hear the saying; "Leave no man behind!" What are they insinuating? Well, they are saying that we will leave no comrade behind; dead or alive! The current U. S. Soldier's Creed says it like this: "I will never leave a fallen comrade." Even in our school systems, we have the No Child Left Behind Act; which was designed to strengthen our schools so that every child has the ability to learn and move forward.
I believe that in the church, we should have the same basic thought process! We will not leave our unsaved family member behind! We will not leave our unchurched neighborhood behind! We will join with what God is doing around us and do everything in our power to tell people about Jesus!
Sadly, though many times; our churches are not known for rescuing our hurting people; we are known for shooting our wounded! A person sins, makes a life mistake, or even steps on the toes of the church's tradition; and its like we get the tar all heated up, the feathers plucked off the bird, and many times chase the person right out the front door of our church.
When I read the Bible, I do see where we are to hold our brothers and sisters accountable to Christ. It is a command that we are to do as loving Christians. The problem is that I also don't see in the Bible the many responses church people tend to give. I'll list a few:
1. The Judgmental Response - This response is the first one that comes to mind. No where in Scripture does God give us the command to judge people. This is a Holy God's responsibility and only He in His perfect state can judge us. Too many times we reject people on what they wear to church, how they act, how different they are; that many Sundays lost people walk in and then back out of the church. Many times being offended by church people than being offended by what should offend them, the Word of God which penetrates to their soul with conviction!
2. The Gossip Response - So many times when church people see someone "breaking a rule" whatever that might be; they can't resist the urge to go and find someone to talk about it. I've been in and out of many churches across the country; and gossip (in my opinion) is the number one sin in the church that kills relationships within the church and burns bridges with the church's community. Gossip is toxic to the life of a follower of Jesus.
3. The Holy than Thou Response - For some reason, we tend to think that our sin sticks less than those around us. We justify our "small sins" while stubbing other Christians and even lost people (that have no clue they are lost) about their "big sins." Problem with this; is that all sin stinks in God's presence no matter what sin it might be. It is like a big pile of manure that God wants absolutely nothing to do with. James 2:10 says, " For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." Lets face it, sin is sin. Quit putting people down, turning your nose up at others sin, and come along other Christians in a Christ loving manner, encouraging them in their walk with Christ, and praying that the person would be willing to let God work on him or her as God desires to do. As for lost people, how do you expect a lost person to act? Ummm lost...Till they meet God face to face and God starts a work in them after salvation; they will not understand sin, the law, the grace of God, etc.
4. The Condemnations Response - Last time I checked, God is the only one that can condemn a human being. In which, those who do not choose Him will be condemned in the end. Because of Jesus and God's grace, those that do choose Him will not be condemned!
We are called by God to reach out in love to those who are lost and perishing. We are called to love our brothers and sister in Jesus Christ. We are called too hold others accountable to the Word of God, to encourage people to live a life under God, and allow God to work on their hearts as He works on ours. We are not called to judge, gossip, look down on others, or condemn any Christian or lost person. If we, as the church start doing this; I believe that God will do amazing change in our lives, in our churches, in our communities, and in the lives of lost people around us!
Church lets start to being the church! Loving people and pointing them to Jesus; allowing God to change them into exactly who He wants them to be. Get on board with what God is doing or get out of the way. Once again: "We will not leave our unsaved family member behind! We will not leave our unchurched neighborhood behind! We will join with what God is doing around us and do everything in our power to tell people about Jesus! Churches we leave no one behind!"
I believe that in the church, we should have the same basic thought process! We will not leave our unsaved family member behind! We will not leave our unchurched neighborhood behind! We will join with what God is doing around us and do everything in our power to tell people about Jesus!
Sadly, though many times; our churches are not known for rescuing our hurting people; we are known for shooting our wounded! A person sins, makes a life mistake, or even steps on the toes of the church's tradition; and its like we get the tar all heated up, the feathers plucked off the bird, and many times chase the person right out the front door of our church.
When I read the Bible, I do see where we are to hold our brothers and sisters accountable to Christ. It is a command that we are to do as loving Christians. The problem is that I also don't see in the Bible the many responses church people tend to give. I'll list a few:
1. The Judgmental Response - This response is the first one that comes to mind. No where in Scripture does God give us the command to judge people. This is a Holy God's responsibility and only He in His perfect state can judge us. Too many times we reject people on what they wear to church, how they act, how different they are; that many Sundays lost people walk in and then back out of the church. Many times being offended by church people than being offended by what should offend them, the Word of God which penetrates to their soul with conviction!
2. The Gossip Response - So many times when church people see someone "breaking a rule" whatever that might be; they can't resist the urge to go and find someone to talk about it. I've been in and out of many churches across the country; and gossip (in my opinion) is the number one sin in the church that kills relationships within the church and burns bridges with the church's community. Gossip is toxic to the life of a follower of Jesus.
3. The Holy than Thou Response - For some reason, we tend to think that our sin sticks less than those around us. We justify our "small sins" while stubbing other Christians and even lost people (that have no clue they are lost) about their "big sins." Problem with this; is that all sin stinks in God's presence no matter what sin it might be. It is like a big pile of manure that God wants absolutely nothing to do with. James 2:10 says, " For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." Lets face it, sin is sin. Quit putting people down, turning your nose up at others sin, and come along other Christians in a Christ loving manner, encouraging them in their walk with Christ, and praying that the person would be willing to let God work on him or her as God desires to do. As for lost people, how do you expect a lost person to act? Ummm lost...Till they meet God face to face and God starts a work in them after salvation; they will not understand sin, the law, the grace of God, etc.
4. The Condemnations Response - Last time I checked, God is the only one that can condemn a human being. In which, those who do not choose Him will be condemned in the end. Because of Jesus and God's grace, those that do choose Him will not be condemned!
We are called by God to reach out in love to those who are lost and perishing. We are called to love our brothers and sister in Jesus Christ. We are called too hold others accountable to the Word of God, to encourage people to live a life under God, and allow God to work on their hearts as He works on ours. We are not called to judge, gossip, look down on others, or condemn any Christian or lost person. If we, as the church start doing this; I believe that God will do amazing change in our lives, in our churches, in our communities, and in the lives of lost people around us!
Church lets start to being the church! Loving people and pointing them to Jesus; allowing God to change them into exactly who He wants them to be. Get on board with what God is doing or get out of the way. Once again: "We will not leave our unsaved family member behind! We will not leave our unchurched neighborhood behind! We will join with what God is doing around us and do everything in our power to tell people about Jesus! Churches we leave no one behind!"
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Today is a monumental day for me!
Yes, it is my birthday and I hit 29 (the last year of my twenties); but the biggest thing about today is that I have now lived for Jesus more than half my life! At age 14; I surrendered my life to Christ and it is still the biggest, smartest, and most fulfilling decision of my life.
I coined a phrase right after college called WhereverChristLeads and have been sticking true to that in life. Along with that phrase I include Proverbs 16:9 which says: "In his heart man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."
It has been another amazing year of life in following Jesus! I have married a beautiful woman that I am looking forward to better days, months and years with. I live, breathe and sleep youth ministry! I have been able to play a lot of basketball over the last year with great friends at the YMCA! This year past year has been good.
My words for today for me and for you would be: "Life is a journey, make the most of every opportunity, develop life stories, take adventures, live life to the fullest; all while living a life of grace under Jesus. That is truly the best journey, opportunity, story, adventure, and living life that we can do!"
I coined a phrase right after college called WhereverChristLeads and have been sticking true to that in life. Along with that phrase I include Proverbs 16:9 which says: "In his heart man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."
It has been another amazing year of life in following Jesus! I have married a beautiful woman that I am looking forward to better days, months and years with. I live, breathe and sleep youth ministry! I have been able to play a lot of basketball over the last year with great friends at the YMCA! This year past year has been good.
My words for today for me and for you would be: "Life is a journey, make the most of every opportunity, develop life stories, take adventures, live life to the fullest; all while living a life of grace under Jesus. That is truly the best journey, opportunity, story, adventure, and living life that we can do!"
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
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