Matt Chandler, pastor of The Village in Highland Village, TX, is in surgery right now to remove a mass from his brain's right frontal lobe. The mass was discovered when Matt collapsed and was taken to the hospital on Thanksgiving.
I have a great appreciation for Matt's ministry--not just to the masses like me through his preaching and podcasts, but because he is my brother's family's pastor. My appreciation continues as I read his blog from this morning, "My Heart is full…I am Thankful" on the church's website. Read it and be encouraged. Then pray for Matt, his family, his church, and his ministry.
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Friday, December 04, 2009
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Tiger's Transgressions
We've been inundated with the fast developing story of Tiger Woods' car accident and the follow up revelations of accusations that have, apparently, been substantiated concerning his unfaithfulness to his wife and family.
In a statement today, Tiger expressed sorrow over his "transgressions"--not a word you hear in popular culture. He says he has discussed them with his family, and that he hopes to do better in the future. He doesn't actually say what the transgressions are, and continues to assert his right to have a measure of privacy, even as someone who has earned his living as a very public figure.
I don't like the way he has been treated--especially that the National Enquirer and US Weekly have been leading the charge in printing accusations of immorality. I'm torn between two competing thoughts: the idea that those who use celebrity to enrich themselves must be ready to have the spotlight also reveal what is embarrassing, and the thought that I want his family to survive and the best place for healing for this family is outside the spotlight. The question of the the people's "right to know" is not easy to resolve.
What intrigues me is the word Tiger chose to describe what he did--transgression. It is more than a mistake. It is more than an error in judgment. It is violation of a moral law; one of the synonyms for "sin." And while I don't know if Tiger has any faith to speak of, I pray that he would not lose this sense of sin, of conviction, of failure--not just getting caught, but doing wrong. And I pray that such a sense will be the first step in his discovery of God's solution to both the guilt he feels and the evil he has done to himself and others--the mercy and grace and forgiveness to be found only in Jesus Christ.
In a statement today, Tiger expressed sorrow over his "transgressions"--not a word you hear in popular culture. He says he has discussed them with his family, and that he hopes to do better in the future. He doesn't actually say what the transgressions are, and continues to assert his right to have a measure of privacy, even as someone who has earned his living as a very public figure.
I don't like the way he has been treated--especially that the National Enquirer and US Weekly have been leading the charge in printing accusations of immorality. I'm torn between two competing thoughts: the idea that those who use celebrity to enrich themselves must be ready to have the spotlight also reveal what is embarrassing, and the thought that I want his family to survive and the best place for healing for this family is outside the spotlight. The question of the the people's "right to know" is not easy to resolve.
What intrigues me is the word Tiger chose to describe what he did--transgression. It is more than a mistake. It is more than an error in judgment. It is violation of a moral law; one of the synonyms for "sin." And while I don't know if Tiger has any faith to speak of, I pray that he would not lose this sense of sin, of conviction, of failure--not just getting caught, but doing wrong. And I pray that such a sense will be the first step in his discovery of God's solution to both the guilt he feels and the evil he has done to himself and others--the mercy and grace and forgiveness to be found only in Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
A Not-so-normal Dinner Conversation on Contextualization in Mission
Recently we had dinner at our home with long-term workers in a limited access country of central Asia. As we talked about the ministry in their setting, the conversation turned to the growing emphasis on "contextualization" in missions--the belief that success in penetrating Muslim and other strongly resistant cultures with the Gospel will involve allowing the creation of culturally appropriate forms of faith. Hence, "Jesus followers" may choose to create "Jesus mosques" in Islamic settings, choose to pray 5 times a day toward Jerusalem, choose not to call themselves "Christian," and in all other ways adhere as closely to the outward practices of Islam (this is a VERY abbreviated description of what is a complex approach).
While I have always felt that the church will look different in many ways in different cultures, I have been more uncomfortable with a contextualization that opts not only to be an "insider movement," but to be something other than a manifestation of the church that is linked to historic Christianity.
The husband/dinner guest became very animated in discussing this. He argued that in the areas of his world where the gospel is spreading most rapidly, there is not only an identifiable church in distinction to the majority culture, but the church is ready and willing to suffer for its open identity with and loyalty to Jesus. He says that the lack of an identifiable, visible church throughout his host nation's history has been a detriment to gospel witness, and that a heavily contextualized approach would continue that deficit.
Over two millennia, reception of the gospel and the establishment of the church has brought drastic change to cultures wherever it has gone. Western culture itself went from tribal violence to something very different. Look, for example, at the impact of the gospel on the Vikings: they gave up their violent ways and became a farming people. Yes, some elements have remained and been "redeemed," but core practices of other religions have not found a welcome in church life generally among evangelicals, and we have rightly labeled past Roman Catholic attempts to do so among tribal groups as "syncretistic."
Any thoughts?
While I have always felt that the church will look different in many ways in different cultures, I have been more uncomfortable with a contextualization that opts not only to be an "insider movement," but to be something other than a manifestation of the church that is linked to historic Christianity.
The husband/dinner guest became very animated in discussing this. He argued that in the areas of his world where the gospel is spreading most rapidly, there is not only an identifiable church in distinction to the majority culture, but the church is ready and willing to suffer for its open identity with and loyalty to Jesus. He says that the lack of an identifiable, visible church throughout his host nation's history has been a detriment to gospel witness, and that a heavily contextualized approach would continue that deficit.
Over two millennia, reception of the gospel and the establishment of the church has brought drastic change to cultures wherever it has gone. Western culture itself went from tribal violence to something very different. Look, for example, at the impact of the gospel on the Vikings: they gave up their violent ways and became a farming people. Yes, some elements have remained and been "redeemed," but core practices of other religions have not found a welcome in church life generally among evangelicals, and we have rightly labeled past Roman Catholic attempts to do so among tribal groups as "syncretistic."
Any thoughts?
Review of Donald Miller's "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years"
I read and reviewed Donald Miller's latest book. You can find the review on my other blog--follow this link.
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Ultimate New Christian Fiction Best-Seller
Tim Challies, a well respected Christian blogger, came up with what was the funniest idea and the best laugh I had last week: I share it with you here:
The Ultimate Christian Novel
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The Ultimate Christian Novel
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The Manhattan Declaration: A Must Read for Concerned Christians
The Manhattan Declaration, released last Friday, is a major statement of concern on three issues that unite professing Christians across a wide spectrum. That spectrum is made obvious when you see the signatories include Dr. Albert Mohler of Southern Seminary, James Dobson of Focus on the Family, and Ron Sider of Evangelicals for Social Actions, as well as Roman Catholic and Eastern Othodox representatives.
The three issues of concern are the sanctity of human life, the institution of traditional marriage, and the preservation of religious liberty--including the right to follow one's convictions on moral matters in spite of societal pressures against those convictions.
I would encourage you to read the statement, and I commend those who have drafted it and made it public.
You can follow this link to read the statement and see the original signatories.
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The three issues of concern are the sanctity of human life, the institution of traditional marriage, and the preservation of religious liberty--including the right to follow one's convictions on moral matters in spite of societal pressures against those convictions.
I would encourage you to read the statement, and I commend those who have drafted it and made it public.
You can follow this link to read the statement and see the original signatories.
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Monday, November 16, 2009
George Whitefield Comments on Jonathan Edwards’ Family Life (Lex Loizides' Blog)
Found this great article on the homelife of Jonathan Edwards, America's greatest preacher/theologian, observed by George Whitefield, the great preacher of the First Great Awakening. Good reading, and the blog looks good, too.
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Saturday, October 31, 2009
A Strange Way to Return After an Absence
OK, I've been out of the country for a few weeks, as my Twitter feed has indicated, and been up to my eyeballs (as a dear mentor used to always say) in other stuff, so blogging has been a rare feat here. But I came across this survey, had a good laugh, and thought I'd share it with you on this Reformation Day!
You’re St. Melito of Sardis You have a great love of history and liturgy. You’re attached to the traditions of the ancients, yet you recognize that the old world — great as it was — is passing away. You are loyal to the customs of your family, though you do not hesitate to call family members to account for their sins. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers! |
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Ed Stetzer on Missional Churches' Lack of Missions Passion
Ed Stetzer is an incredibly valuable resource to the Church today. His passions for helping revitalize churches and for global missions make much that he writes essential reading. So when I saw his article entitled, Five Reasons Missional Churches Don't Do Global Missions-- and How to Fix It, I had to read it.
You see, I want us to be missional in focus--realizing that every aspect of our lives is to be purposefully engaged for God's glory and gospel penetration of the culture around us. I also want us to see global missions as the task before us as a church. Using both terms--missional and missions--is not always fashionable, but I believe both are important. This article was a great read, and I commend it to anyone who wants a quick introduction to the problem that has plagued many who emphasize missional church life--the loss of zeal for reaching the peoples of the world.
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You see, I want us to be missional in focus--realizing that every aspect of our lives is to be purposefully engaged for God's glory and gospel penetration of the culture around us. I also want us to see global missions as the task before us as a church. Using both terms--missional and missions--is not always fashionable, but I believe both are important. This article was a great read, and I commend it to anyone who wants a quick introduction to the problem that has plagued many who emphasize missional church life--the loss of zeal for reaching the peoples of the world.
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