Home School Help

I have decided, but I am still coming to grips with my decision! I have had some difficult decisions to make in life, but this one (for me) ranks in the top five for difficulty. For years as a youth pastor I apposed the idea of home schooling and private school for most kids. I don't think I would completely back down from those beliefs, but for now my wife and I have decided to home school.

There is a part of me that is almost grieving. I don't know why I feel this attachment to the public school system. In the end I became very frustrated that my daughter has not been taught phonics and simple math. The teaching methods being used are severely inadequate. We have invested 2 1/2 years into Spanish immersion for my daughter and we are now kissing it goodbye. She already speaks and reads Spanish very well (for a 7 year old). That said, she is not fluent and I am fearful she will not become fluent. I cannot sacrifice her overall education just for Spanish. Enough said.

The purpose for this post is not to explain my reasoning, maybe I will do that in the future. Instead it is to seek help. A few of you said you home school. I would love to get some ideas from you as far as what material you used and any ideas you might have for home school beginners like my wife and I. Unfortunately I think we may have to go backwards and undo the damage done for a while. Fortunately my daughter is excited about the prospect of mom and dad being her teachers (we will see how long that lasts).

Please Help, especially if you know of good Spanish Curriculum. She is pretty proficient with Spanish, but needs help with everything else.

Rocky II

I wonder if I have to do six posts about Rocky Balboa? I saw the movie last night with my wife. It was a nice farewell tour to the movie. While I was never a huge Rocky fan I do like Stallone. There was one truth that hit home with me more than anything else about the movie.

Rocky if fictional, but I bet if we take the time to think about it we could think of some real life characters who resemble him. For me the best and most inspiring part of the movie was not the fight itself, it was what Balboa says to his son, "how hard of a hit can you take and keep moving forward?" (something like that).

No one lives a charmed life. Every one is going to take hits (just like in boxing or my favorite ultimate fighting) being good isn't about having the greatest technique or how good your overhand right hook is. It is more about your chin. No matter how athletic you are or how good your defense is someone is going to catch you at some point. Are you going to be able to take the hit? We have all probably taken some hits in life, maybe even our spiritual life. The questions is not what we have done or how bad did we mess up, the question is what are we going to do next.

Proverbs 24:16 says, "for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity."

The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Pr 24:16). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Christmas Morning

It's Christmas morning and life is crazy. My kids, my nephews and nieces are running all over the place. I am used to only having two kids around, but for this week we will have five. I can already smell the stress.

I love Christmas as long as we remember easter and the resurrection as we celebrate it. Still there is something about stopping everything in life for a Holiday that just drives me crazy. Most of the stores are closed the only thing on tv is Miracle on 34th Street, and I have stuff to do.

Later today we will hit the relatives. There is one redeeming quality about Christmas, seeing relatives who don't know Christ. There is an opportunity created by this Holiday filled with Santa Clause, Shopping, and bad shows on the telly that we must not pass up. We have an opportunity to share the gospel that may not present itself at any other time. Let's not pass it up.

Church, Gym for the Soul

I didn't coin those words, it was someone much more famous then I. Believe it or not it was Sylvester Stallone, that's right ROCKY. I have not seen his latest Rocky Film, from what I hear and read it is very good.

I had to pause when I read those words...church, gym for the soul. Hmmm. It's catchy, but does it communicate truth? I think you can answer both ways depending on what you mean by "church." Dr. D posted a recent blog about preaching, specifically exegetically. I know it sounds like I just took a sharp left turn, but hang in there. These two things are connected.

I wonder how many people would look at Sunday morning service as a work out? If they would view it as a workout, what kind of work out? Would it be a light jog or more like the two a day practices I had when I played football? Maybe it would be one of those "I'm flexing in the mirror" work outs.

If, by church, we mean a gathering of people that sings songs and listens to some bloviating preacher talk about his latest vacation with the family for 25 minutes (20 is too short to be called a sermon, and by 30 everyone is sleeping) while he mixes in a couple of scriptures, then I think the church is more like Hollywood. The weights are made of Styrofoam and the muscles are some kind of body suite.

If, however, church means a body of believers who want desperately to pay homage to the God of the universe and worship Him for what He has done by singing songs and allowing God's word to cut them to the bone, then yes church is the gym for the soul.

Why do I say this? Dr. D's post about exegetical preaching is the very kind of thing the church needs. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind topical preaching as long as the approach is exegetical (they are not mutually exclusive). In other words let God's word interact with the people of God so they can be changed. Church should be a workout for the soul, not a self help seminar robed in religious jargon. You don't become physically fit by watching football (otherwise that would be my favorite excersize). You have to do the work if you want to reap the benefit. The famous former govorner of Minnesota said, "pain is weakness leaving the body." A few sore spiritual muscles would be good for most of the people sitting in pews or comfy chares on Sunday morning.

Jesus Would Shop At Walmart

Recently a T.V. add was released in Little Rock, Ark. asking the questions, "Would Jesus Shop At Walmart?" I think there is a clear answer to this question. Of course He would. I am so sick of people picking on Walmart because they provide a valuable service to the communities in which they have stores. Let's examine for a minute what would happen if people stopped shopping at Walmart:

• The largest employer in the country would go out of business leaving people who are willing to work out of a job including some people who may not be qualified to do anything else.
• Those who work there for a part time income would not be able to maintain the standard of living they currently have.
• People across the united states would have to pay more for the products they buy causing them to have a lower standard of living, including those who make minimum wage as it is.
• Those who depend on Walmart for an income including those working the cash registers and stocking the shelves would be left to depend on welfare or some other social program to survive. That would do wonders for their self-esteem and desire to work.
• Certainly the government would have to come up with some kind of new program to support former Walmart employees.
• Walmart might be coerced into providing health insurance and paying more to their employees meaning they would have to raise prices on their products. Of course that means the employees they just gave a raise to would have to pay more for the products they buy. Probably lowering their standard of living because Walmart would also have to pay for their health insurance instead of paying the employee that money.

Since when did health insurance become a right? I don't have health insurance, it's a scam anyway. I am so sick of hearing people whine and cry foul because the company they work for doesn't' give them health insurance. Work for a different company or shut up!! You don't have a "right" to health insurance and you don't have a "right" to be wealthy.

Jesus would shop at Walmart because the people there need to be employed. They need money to survive. Jesus would shop there because the people working there are not doing anything unethical. Jesus would shop there because he is more concerned about their spiritual health then their physical or financial health. He might even heal people while shopping. Jesus would shop there because it is more difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven then for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Of course all things are possible with God.

My Heart Grieves

Another pastor has gone down due to sexual mis-conduct. I am not worried about the reputation of the church, nor am I worried about the reputation of Christianity. I am worried about pastors.

Churches, please hear my plea. Pastors need help, they are human just like you, David, Moses, and the rest of the biblical characters who all had significant sin issues at one time or another. Your pastor needs people in the church to provide a community where it is even ok for the pastor to struggle with things, have doubts, and be real. Make sure you are not creating an environment where your pastor is on an island. He is part of the body just like everyone else, and he needs people to love him!!

The Cost of Kindness

It's hard enough to be nice, at least for me, but when added costs reveal themselves it becomes less of a difficulty. Go ahead and read that again, it might not have said what you expected it to.

I was on my way home and I saw a car stalled in a very busy intersection. I decided to be a good Christian and turn around. I helped the guy push his car through the intersection. I returned to my car and started on the way home. I soon realized I could not find my phone. It was well after dark, so I went home and got a flash light and returned to the scene of the "Big Push."

I found my phone. Of course you can see the picture above. Of course I don't have insurance on the phone, so it cost me $150 to replace it. Yes, I use a pretty versatile phone that allows me to do many things. I have to admit although I hated to spend the money, I did not get very frustrated. Yah, kindness can be expensive, but there is something about knowing you did what you should have that makes the expense worth it.

Bible or Koran

Kieth Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to congress. At the ceremony to be sworn in Rep. elect Ellison wants to use the Koran instead of the Bible. Dennis Pragar (A Jewish talk show host) has asked Mr. Ellison to use the Bible because of its influence in the establishment of our country.

I thought we could take a little pole to see what everyone thought. Should he use the Bible or the Koran? Respond to the post with your vote.

Why I don't read the paper!

My son woke me up this morning crying (18 months old). Sometime during the night he found his way into my bed. Still, it was a good start to the day. I drove my daughter to school (7, almost 8) which I don't normally do. Normally I get to sleep in a little bit. Still, a great day. Then I went to the local coffee shop where I spend a lot of time. It is basically my office. Before I went inside I heard some disturbing news about schools and "trans-gender" students. I am talking about grade schoolers. I listen for a few minutes getting more and more upset by the moment. Then I went in and booted up the laptop only to read Chuck Colson's article about the culture of death in England and the church's promotion of it.

Thanks for reporting Chuck! It was a good day, but now I am just angry. I don't read the paper, but evidently I can't listen to the radio or go on the internet either. Perhaps I should just be content in the fact that the world is hopeless. I keep fighting for what is right and I keep hoping people will learn to think clearly and biblically about things, and I keep getting disappointed.

I can't wait until Jesus comes. I just get so sick of this world!! Sometimes I want to look at the world and say, "Go to Hell!" Of course I mean that literally. But then I realize I deserves hell too. I love the gospel! I love Jesus! I love the church, even as messed up as it is sometimes!

Rick Warren's Mistake

Much has been made about inviting Mr. Obama to participate in the Aids/HIV conference at Saddleback. The mistake Rick Warren made has nothing to do with Obama's profession or even inviting someone who takes liberal and non-biblical positions on many issues including abortion. The mistake was allowing any person no matter what their credentials or position in society (in this case it happen to Obama) to communicate the message Obama communicated.

Mr. Obama did not communicate a message of abstinence and monogamy, but a message of "safe sex." This is simply an irresponsible message. Even the FDA says the only way to prevent std's is by not having sex.

If a youth pastor invited someone to come and talk to students about avoiding std's by practicing safe sex he would probably be looking for a new job (hopefully in a new line of work) very quickly. This is not simply an issue of being biblical, it is simply being responsible.

Bad Reasons For Home Schooling

I have never really been an advocate for home schooling or even private school for that matter. I am still not convinced but I might be changing my mind. If I do change my mind it probably won't be for the reason most Christians might think.

A few weeks ago my daughter (who currently attends a Spanish immersion charter school) came home with a project related to a United Nations document about children's rights (she is 7). I don't much care for the U.N. and I still don't understand why the school is bothering with the U.N. I didn't have a problem with the information in the document itself, but I made my objections known for other reasons. I was also a little miffed because of the way in which a family tree project was described. The school expressed its desire to not make any kind of value statement about any particular family structure, but then proceeded to say that they affirm all family structures (that is a value statement). They did this in one sentence. I made my objections known regarding that issue as well. If you don't want to make a value statement, then don't make any statement.

That said I was still not considering home schooling or private school. My daughter loves Jesus and often talks to her friends about Christ. I don't want her to grow up in a stale environment where she does not have the opportunity to share Christ that she does in school. There is something healthy about being challenged in your belief's. I am not out to protect my daughter from what I think is clearly an non-biblical world view. It is up to my wife and I to help her discern what is of God and what is not. I take that job seriously. Her and I have frequent conversations about what she is learning in school, especially regarding social issues.

Still something happened this past week that caused me to question whether I should keep her in public school or not and it had nothing to do with the previous two items. I helped her with her math. I don't often help her with her homework. More often then not my wife does that. As I was helping her I quickly realized she didn't know how to do math. I know she is only 7, but it was not quadratic equations, converse angles, or tangents; it was subtraction. The chips cost $.69, you paid 3 quarters, how much change do you get. This is the exact problem that took 10 minutes to finish. It took so long because I thought (stupid me) the teacher would have taught the class subtraction so my daughter could do her homework.

My daughter is smart. She can read very well in both Spanish and English at 7 years old. She does very well on her spelling tests, she rarely gets any wrong. I spent about 25 minutes working with her on subtraction, how to borrow, and even a little bit of decimal points. She was able to do all of it with very little help by the time I was done. Needless to say, I was a little upset. Not with my daughter, with the education system. To my knowledge she has never been graded on her handwriting, her math, or her reading (other then the state standardized tests). I am new at being the parent of a grade schooler and I am still learning, but I am very disappointed. We could accomplish more then the school does all day in half the time at home. Currently the only thing keeping her in the public school system is the Spanish.

If there is a good reason to home school it is the quality of education. The spiritual side of things should be taught primarily by the parents no matter what school the kids attend. Sure the school might be able to help (depending on the school) and the church may be able to help, but that is the parents job. It is my opinion that parents can over protect their kids. Certainly they can under protect as well. I imagine the amount of protection needed depends on the individual kid. Still I have never been convinced that Christians schools foster love for God. They sometimes foster biblical knowledge, legalism, and negative attitudes toward anyone who disagrees with them. The kids who love God and go to Christian schools usually have parents who love God and have influenced the kids with their love. Private schools generally have higher academic standards as well.

I am beginning to wonder if the public school experiment is a failure and we should just scrap the whole thing and go back to neighborhood schools. I don't know what the long term answer is, but I do know I am not willing to sacrifice my daughter to an education system that doesn't teach.

Guns, church, and self defense

Guns are dangerous. My mom taught me from a very early age how to treat guns. I had two guns of my own when I was 9 and recently I purchased a Springfield XD .45 ACP (a hand gun). I shoot on a regular basis with friends (some of them are police officers) and members of the church.

I have usually used guns for hunting. My last purchase is a little different though. I bought this gun for self defense. After reading about a man in South Africa who may have saved countless lives by carrying his gun to church, I wonder if it is time pastors became armed and dangerous with more then a sword. In a world where America is hated and terrorism is a real threat, I can't think of a more logical target for radical Muslim terrorist to attack then an American church. I don't mean to be alarmist, but there becomes a time to be alarmed.

Perhaps the scene in Mel Gibson's movie The Patriot, where the pastor picks up his gun and goes off to fight the British takes on new meaning in today's world.

Certainly I am not suggesting breaking the law. In some states the law provides this very opportunity.

When it becomes available I will be reading, "Shooting Back: The Right and Duty of Self-Defense," written by the man in South Africa who carried his .38 to church.

Christmas is Stupid!!

Call me scrooge, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, or your favorite Christmas villain of all time. I don't care. Christmas just gets in the way most of the time anyway. I have things to do, messages to preach, and money I would rather spend on myself (at least I would get what I wanted that way). bah humbug!!!

What is it with Christmas? Why did I see Christmas lights up before Halloween this year? I can't even have thanksgiving (a truly great holiday) without it being ruined by Christmas music and images of Santa in lights. Going to Target or Walmart only makes things worse with their mass marketing of a holiday that doesn't even resemble the real Christmas story.

I am no longer safe!! I must hibernate until New Years!!

Maybe this seems a little over the top, but why do we have to sing the same songs every year. Isn't there any new Christmas songs we can do? If someone sings Joy to the World one more time I might fall into a great big depression.

Let's be real, Christmas isn't about Jesus anymore, it is about companies mass marketing to kids so they can bug there parents about the latest and greatest toy until mommy and daddy spend the kids college fund in order to get it for them (that makes a lot of sense, "my kid isn't very educated, but she had great toys growing up!!"). If Christmas were about Jesus there wouldn't be all this pressure to buy, buy, buy!!!!!!

I have had enough, I am boycotting (when my wife and kids aren't around) Christmas this year. I am not decorating (until my 7 year old tells me to). I am definitely not going to watch any Christmas movies (really, I won't do that, they can watch without me. Ok, maybe one of the Tim Allen movies because they are sort of funny.) I guess that means I am going to have to stay away from every store on the face of the planet and stop listening to the radio, but I think I can do that (thank BP for pay at the pump).

OK, I need to go drink some coffee before I loose it (I am not putting candy canes or some kind of Christmas spice in it either!!!!!!!!)

Homosexuality in the Church

Many pastors and Christians hear the word homosexual and they immediately cringe. This issue is definitely a controversial issue in American culture, but it is also controversial in many of our churches. How should we deal with it, how should the church approach this topic?

Many of the people in my congregation work with or know in some context people who are gay. At the very least we all probably know people who are at least sympathetic to the cause. Ignoring the issue doesn't seem to be a reasonable course of action. Protesting does not seem to be an effective strategy either, so what should the church do?

This is a significant issue which needs to be addressed not because practicing homosexuality is some kind of unforgivable sin, but because it is not seen as sin for many Christians who attend evangelical, Bible believing churches on Sunday mornings. If you don't think anyone in your congregation believes this, then you are fooling yourself.

We must take this issue on directly. We are not a single issue church, we have other more important things we focus on most of the time. This is however an important issue. The problem for many of us is we think scripture speaks clearly. I agree, it does. Unfortunately educated people have begun to spin this issue and created misunderstanding in dealing with passages like Romans 1, Leviticus 18 & 20, and others. If you want to see what I mean, click here!

It is incumbent upon the church to create clarity for our congregates and to equip them to effectively minister to people for who this is a significant stumbling block. Ignoring this issue will not make it go away. This is a great opportunity to help people see how scripture can be manipulated and why we should all work to show ourselves approved and rightly handle God's word.

It is also incumbent upon the church to clearly express the message of the gospel, the ultimate expression of love towards all sinful people (that means everyone). For more information about responding to this issue click on the title of the blog.

Essential Faith

I am more and more convinced that doctrine must become the center piece of a pastor's preaching. It is amazing to me how many people do not understand the essentials of the Christian faith. I am not talking about preaching the premillenial kingdom dogmatically, but preaching the identity of Christ, the bodily resurrection, the trinity, the sinfulness of man, and the blood of Christ. I am talking about preaching the essentials of the faith.

My mom used to tell me to major on the majors and minor on the minors. I agree with this approach to theology. Far be it from me to argue about the understanding of the millennium! I will die arguing for the trinity, the identity of Christ, and the resurrection. I will die preaching the sinfulness of man and mankind's need to be rescued. I will die preaching One God. I will not compromise on the significance of scripture to inform our worldview and theology. Still I will extend charity when it comes to the sign gifts, our overarching systematic theology, or weather Jesus will return before or after the tribulation.

I am constantly amazed at how few people who have grown up in the church can speak intelligently about essential doctrines of the faith. Pastors and preachers we must do a better job!! We must preach the essentials from the pulpit over and over again. We must show people how to handle scripture by how we do it when we preach. Not everyone needs to be a scholar, but understanding the essentials of the Christian faith is basic and, well, it's essential.

I have coached football, volleyball, and baseball at a variety of levels. One thing that never changes is the need to focus on the basics. It never ceases to amaze me how many times I have seen a professional athlete do something a high school athlete should have been taught not to do. We can not spend enough time on the basics, the essentials. Quit preaching about raising kids and start preaching the gospel and doctrine. Most Sunday school teachers are not capable of teaching solid doctrine with the same effectiveness of a trained preacher. Paul didn't once preach about raising kids or "living your best life now." Paul and Peter preached the doctrine of the gospel. Let's follow their example!!

Bible Based Ministry

This made my day. As a youth pastor for 10 years, the most important lesson I learned was not about cool games, amazing programs, or even how to communicate with parents. The most important lesson I learned was to teach and preach God's word without fail. When I finally figured this out I did not experience explosive growth. There were no parades put on by my pastor or the parents. In reality a few kids ended up leaving our ministry. In the end I did see students become more committed to the faith they claimed and I did see students begin to take evangelism and applying a Christian world view to their life.

According to the Christian Post youth ministries are getting rid of the fluff and starting to see that God's word is more powerful then cool games and fashionable programs. The apostles understood this, it is about time the rest of us caught on.

Click on the title to this post to read the article at the Christian Post.

A Case for Antinomianism

I have been struggling lately with the relationship between the gospel and sanctification. At least for the moment I have settled on the belief that accepting the free gift of salvation does give a person a license to sin. I know this is a very unpopular belief, but it just might be true. If you are wondering about my salvation at this point, hang in there, all doubt will likely be removed one way or the other by the time you are done reading.

I might suggest that this is exactly what Paul teaches in Romans. God's grace is made grear through the sins of man. It is by grace we are saved, works play no part in our salvation, yet as soon as a person accepts the gift of salvation the church immediately places all kinds of expectations on this new believer. It is almost as if God's grace allows you to enter into the kigdom of God, but once you are there you can only stay if you are capable of following all the rules. It seems to me that expecting holiness from people flies in the face of the gospel itself.

Now that I have convinced you that I am traveling down the highway to hell at a rapid pace, let's try to understand what Paul teaches. Progresive sanctification is not something we simply ignore. Instead it is something we honor God with. Sanctification does not happen because Christians are compelled to become holy as part of the gospel message, it happens because Christians realize the love shown them by the gospel and they respond in thanksgiving. We express love to God through obedience. This should clear up any misunderstandings about the great commandment. We are commanded to love God and we do that through obedience. This is what Paul speaks about in Romans 12:1-2 and 8:1. We should not continue to sin because God's grace is shown through it, His grace is shown enough as it is. We should live right; our lives should be a living sacrifice, an offering of thanksgiving.

Perhaps the reason we struggle with sanctification in our churches is because people don't understand the motivation behind it. The motivation for holiness in our lives is nothing other then love for our savior. The goal then is not a certain level of sanctification or holiness, but instead it is to express love and thanksgiving to our savior for the love He has shown us.
Maybe we should just tell people once they become a Christian they have license to sin as much as they want, and in the same breath talk about what it means to love God and express that love to Him. If we love God we will obey Him. (1 John 5:1ff)

Ted Haggard and I

What is a Christian, but a sinner saved by grace? It doesn't matter who it is, every time I hear of a pastor or the leader of a Christian organization resigning because of moral failure I am reminded of the flesh I must fight every day. Pastors should live in fear. Not fear of man but fear of God's judgment. They should also live with great appreciation of God because His wrath was redirected towards His own Son. WOW!

I live in fear of the possibility of sin ruining me. In many ways it already has, I am a sinner in desperate need of a savior. I agree with Paul, who will save me? Christ!!

Ted if by some amazing coincidence you read this my prayers are for you and your family.

Missing The Kill Shot

In Minnesota this year there were an estimated 500,000 deer hunters headed to the woods this week. I was one of them. Deer hunting is a lot like watching the squirrel in your back yard run all over the place looking for food. Most of the time it is pretty boring. The effort put in to sitting perfectly still and remaining completely silent is very tiresome. Combine that with getting up at 5 AM and wondering into the woods in the pitch black and you have a perfect recipe for sleeping no matter how uncomfortable you are. I often find myself struggling to keep my eyes open between squirrel sittings.

The effort and focus required to accomplish the amazing feat of staying awake with freezing toes and fingers can instantly change to heart pounding adrenaline and heavy breathing when a deer wonders by. The toes are no longer cold and all your focus and concentration is directed towards controlling your breathing and thinking clearly so you can take the best shot. You don't want to ruin meat or take a shot that will only wound the deer. Occasionally the deer may see you or smell something and suspect danger. Your heart really pounds when the deer starts pawing the ground and barking out warning signals that sound like a violent intentional sneeze from only 30 yards away. The hardest thing to do is pass up a bad shot. This happened to me on Sunday. This deer knew something was wrong, but couldn't quit figure it out. It put on a show for what seemed like forever. Eventually the deer took off, but I could have shot the one following it. I had it in my scope, all I had to do was pull the trigger. Sure it was left handed and over my right shoulder, but it was there. I passed up the shot. I didn't pull the trigger.

Evangelism can be very similar to deer hunting. You can have someone in your sights ready to pull the trigger, but maybe the shot isn't right. If you take the shot you might end up just wounding the target. When it comes to evangelism too many Christians take bad shots. Sometimes it is as if they just go into the woods and start shooting till the gun is empty hoping they hit something (there are plenty of those kind of hunters in the woods as well). Unfortunately they don't usually hit much and when they do, there is nothing left to salvage.

In deer hunting and evangelism the hunter must spend time in the woods. They need to know where the deer are going to be, where they find food and water, as well as where they find shelter. Hunters don't live in the woods, but they spend enough time there to understand it. They know how to fit in. Deer are used to certain smells, sounds, and movements. If there is anything out of the ordinary they panic. Un-churched people are the same way. Just like hunters go into the woods so evangelist must go into the world. A good hunter will know when to shoot and when to wait. They don't pass up shots because they are scared or nervous, but because they understand there are appropriate times to wait and appropriate times to engage. Inexperienced hunters have difficulty deciphering when it is the right time to do both. The only way to get better is to spend time in the woods, study the deer, and take some shots.

About 45 minutes after passing up an opportunity to take a bad shot I had another opportunity. A better shot presented itself and I took it. The hunting analogy does break down at certain points, but there is a real sense in which we are hunting.

You need to be prepared to go into the woods, but you need to go. Get some experience, take some shots, and learn from your experiences. Be patient and understand that sometimes you can take a good shot and still miss. This happened to me on Monday.

The Confusing Church

I hate it when I walk into a bookstore and see the book I have been thinking about writing already on the shelf. This has happened to me twice in the last week. Of course I don't yet have the credentials or resources these other authors have. Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger have written a new book with a very simple cover and a very simple name, Simple Church.

For too long church has been confusing. We have a program for every want, desire, and intuition. I actually think it is funny that there are weight loss programs in church. Don't get me wrong, I could lose a few pounds myself. I just wonder what the church is trying to accomplish. Perhaps the church should focus on making disciple regardless of their shape around the midsection.

Of course if we have the right mission statement and vision statement and purpose statement and values and programs and staff and facility and...and...and... then we would be a successful church. People have busy schedules as it is and our solution is to have 9 programs every week for someone in the family to attend. Maybe if we weren't so busy driving to and from church programs we could actually take the time to learn our neighbors names. Let's not get carried away though, that might actually present us with an opportunity to talk about Jesus with someone.

I don't know what I was thinking, but I have to stop writing because I have a small group meeting and an elder meeting and... and...and...and... to go to.

Witnessing Frustration

I just finished speaking with some JW's and I am frustrated. This is the third time they have been to our house, and I always invite them in and talk to them. This time they evidently knew what they were in for. My wife spoke with them the first two times without me. The second time she made one of them cry. I think it was actually a good thing because this time that girls aunt and another lady who had been to our house before came.

I know their hearts are hardened, and I know the chances of them believing the truth are slim, still unless something changes they are headed to hell. Although I have spoken with JW's on a variety of occasions, this time was significantly more frustrating. I think this time I saw just how tightly the organization grips these people and suffocates them. They are manipulative and conniving.

Part of me wonders if it is even worth it to talk to them, but on the other hand if I don't who will?

Rebel With A Cause

I have a rebelious streak in me. Somehow through my life I have managed to stay out of big trouble, but I have a tendacy to question everything. If I am told not to do something the first thing I want to do is find out why. When I am told to keep my arms inside the rollercoster I immediately wonder exactly what would happen if I didn't. Fortunately my son Joash also has this tendency.

Yes, I did intend to say fortunately. While it is true this characteristic has gotten me into trouble and perhaps it is the very same characteristic that got all of mankind in trouble in the Garden of Eden, it is also true that this desire to test everything has served me well. My desire to question things and to occasionally rebel against the rules because they didn't live up to my standards has also given me a passion for the greatest rebel of all time. Yes, I am talking about Jesus!!

Perhaps it is time Christians stopped following all the rules. Maybe we should begin to question what society and sometimes our churches are shoving down our throat. Jesus did, it was this very thing the Pharicees hated about Him. This guy never accepted the rules just because they were written down, He questioned everything and according to the Pharisees He even broke the rules on several occasions. Maybe when we ask the questions, "What Would Jesus Do?" we will come to a different conclusion.

Jesus would not buy into the stupidity of tolerance (better discribed as blind acceptance), the itiacy of political corectness, and the flat out insanity of valuing everyones opinion about everything. Jesus never changed who He was or what He believed because someone didn't like it or because someone might be "offended."

There goes my rebelious streeking all over the place again, sorry about that, sort of!!

Dear Christian...

Dear Christians,

It is with gladness that I call you Christian. It is with joy that I look forward to eternal fellowship with you, but it is with sadness and disappointment that I write this letter. Some of you have been crying for relevance on the part of the church. No doubt this is sometimes a needed cry. Many times it is not.

People want a church that is relevant, one that speaks to them, ministers to them, and feeds them. If the church is full of lambs who cannot fend for themselves then perhaps this is what is needed. If, however, the church is full of warriors in God's army then perhaps it is time Christians took on some of these responsibilities for themselves.

The church only becomes irrelevant when the Christians who make up the church become irrelevant. The church is not made up of pastors and elder boards, it is made up of individual people. These people/missionaries have been given the same mission the pastor and elder board have been given. That mission is to make disciples. I wonder what you have done, Christian, to participate in and accomplish this great mission. Do you carry with you the message of Christ? When you see your neighbor do you see a person who desperately needs the church? Do you simply hand out Bibles hoping those who receive them will read them? Do you see people in need and simply pray that someone will help them, someone other then you? Are you unwilling to take the risk necessary to do what God has commanded?

I know, the church is irrelevant, but it is not irrelevant because of organ music and old programs that don't work anymore. The church does not become relevant by lighting candles, playing guitars, and using clever video clips. There is no magic wand to be waved or magic chant to be recited in the form of prayer. There is only you, Christian.

Have you become irrelevant? There are real people with real questions and confusions. They are waiting for someone, anyone to help them see and understand the relevance of God and His kingdom. They desperately want to understand the gospel, have you taken the time to share it? Are you willing or unwilling to follow the commands of God?

The church is only as relevant or irrelevant as the Christians who make it up.

P.S.

I have not read the book Dear Church and this is not a response to that book. It is a play on the title and response the criticism directed at the church often by those who make it up. I have grown tired of hearing Christians tear down the church claiming it is irrelevant. I have grown tired of listening to people claim they have the next great program when all the church needs is to actually do what God has asked us to. If the church is made up of Christians then Christians are the only ones who can make the church relevant.

Biblical Church Growth

Over the past 10+ years of ministry I have been caught up in too many church growth programs, books, and ideas. When it comes down to it, the power of church growth (especially conversion growth) is not found in new innovative ideas or church growth programs, it is found in the gospel itself (Rom. 1:16-17).

Maybe I am simple minded and maybe I will never live up to the exponential growth gurus, but I must preach Christ. As a church planter I have made several observations about culture and church culture. These observations have caused me to consider the method I will use to grow our budding congregation. These are my observations:

• What church culture wants and what secular culture wants out of church are very different things.
• Culture overall is very consumer driven. This is especially true when it comes to church culture. We want a program for every ich we might have. This is very difficult for small churches (I am not complaining about the big churches, but to be honest I cannot and should not compete.)
  
• Most "churched" people are not missional in their personal life. The great mission (comission) is often considered something for the church rather then something for the individual.
• Most "unchurched" people want to hear solid, biblical, and even theological preaching.
• Most "churched" people need that kind of preaching.
• Most "churched" people want creativity rather then substance.
• My last observation is perhaps the most important. THE GOSPEL IS ALWAYS RELEVANT AND NEEDED BY BOTH THE CHURCHED AND THE UNCHURCHED.
  

Working on a project

Some of you may have noticed I am not writting as frequently these days. I am sorry about that, Over the next couple of months I will be working on a couple of writting projects. That will limit the time I have to put into the blog. I apologize. I will still post when I get an ich that needs scratching, but it will be less frequent.

Christian Living

I love reading, sort of. I read and I love what I learn, but I don't like the activity of reading. I wish it was more like the Matrix where I could just download everything into my brain. Every time I talk to someone they recommend a book. If I tried to read every book recommended to me all I would ever do is read. Actually it is kind of ironic that I am sitting here writing this expecting someone to read it.

Every time I enter a Christian book store I have to wade through the Christian living section to find the section I am usually trying to get to (the theology section). It never ceases to amaze me how many books one person can write saying the same thing. Don't get me wrong, some of these books are good books and communicate an important message. It just seems like the Bible should be our Christian living book. If we went to the Bible Helps section or the theology section and spent as much time studying the word of God as we did reading Christian living books we could probably throw away a lot of those other books.

Maybe we should all consider how much we could be learning about God and His word if we spent as much money and time studying Him through His word as we did reading Christian Living books. There are 9,764 titles in the Christian Living section at www.christianbook.com. To the contrary there are only 574 titles in Bible reference and 5,641 titles in theology. I am sure many of them are good and even helpful, but maybe we should spend a little more time studying the way of the sword!

The Worlds Best Outreach!!

I am asking for help in this post. I have done it all when it comes to outreach. Big events and small events. We have had conversions, but most of them disappear into the night as soon as the event is over. We follow up and still the conversions disappear. Is it me or is the worlds best outreach some kind of myth?

Certainly the book of Acts gives examples of large group outreaches of sorts. The Day of Pentecost comes to mind. The difference is three fold. First, these events were not filled with star athletes or amazing bands. Second, it seems to me the Holy Spirit did a lot of things in the book of Acts that were unique to that time and place. Third, these events were not the result of a planning committee, they were the result of God working in a powerful way.

What am I missing?

Certainly these events have a place, but are we just fooling ourselves when it comes to evangelism? I think we are. The world sees us coming a mile away with our Holy Roller Speakers and our electric guitars. They know what it going on. We have created a church culture where the event is what rules the roost. Personal evangelism has become a last resort rather then the front line.

Maybe I am all wet. I would love to be corrected!!

Go Fast Turn Left

I grew up around race cars, mostly dirt track, but I never even got a ride around the track in one. Yesterday was my day!! I have to admit I am kind of an adrenaline junky. I do get scared, but I almost never let fear keep me from doing something. Yesterday I climbed into a race car with five other pastors from the Northwestern district of the C&MA and raced around a track for 8 laps.

My daughter reminded me after the race that I was the first place loser. Yes, those are her words which I taught her. She kept asking me why I was so happy even though I didn't win. It was a great teaching moment for the both of us. If you can't tell I am a very competitive person. I realized before the race started I was probably not going to win. John Brailand (who I owe a debt of gratitude for setting this up) is an experienced driver and took it to all of us. I am not going to bore you with the lessons, you are probably smart enough to figure that out for yourself.

In the end yesterday ranks in the top ten for best days in my life. There are three days that belong to my family but after that it goes Snow Cat Skiing in Steamboat and then Yesterday.

If you ever get a chance to drive a race car, I definitely recommend it!! WOOO HOOOO

Eminent Domain

If someone took my home I would be ticked off. This eminent domain thing has gone way too far. If things keep going in this direction we will all be impacted by this practice at not long from now.
Check out this article from the Democrat & Chronicle

I've moved!!

Welcome to the new home for Pj's blogs. I hope this is not too much of an inconvenience. I did this so I could host the blog on my own site. The address for my site is www.pjs-web.net. I hope you enjoy, it will take me a little time to set things up.