Ask not what your church can do for you...

Two years ago, my wife and I resigned from a pastoral position in a neighboring community to return to my job as an educator in our own city. I had taken a leave of absence from my education post, and although very thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow in new ways at the church, I was thrilled to return to the world of education. We could easily have returned to the church I had grown up in or shopped around to the numerous churches nearby, but we made the decision to simply attend our neighborhood church. Our kids were already attending the neighborhood school, and this seemed to fit for us. Having gone through the 'Private vs. Public' debate (ARTICLE), we believed strongly that our place as a Christian family was to be in the mix... in public schools with our neighbours.

Our thinking was this: let's get involved in our community by simply serving wherever we are. So my wife began to help with the women's ministry, we hosted a life group, our kids were fully engaged in the children's program, and I began to help with worship ministry as much as I was needed. Was our new church perfect? No. Was it the 'best' and most sought after church in our city? Should it really matter?

I look back on the past two years, with a thankful heart, and can say that we have had some of the best church experiences ever! The reason? We made the decision to serve. We have seen some very exciting connections made between our community and our church, namely, in friends attending church with us. Praise the Lord!

I encourage you, Christfollowers, to get involved in your community and church this coming year! Serving the church of Christ as a family is the most rewarding part of our lives, and I'm sure it will be yours as well.

Abortion

See Speech by 12-year-old on Abortion

Canada has little to no laws on abortion. An unborn child may be aborted up to the moment of birth. The most common method of abortion is a 'partial birth abortion' in which the baby is delivered, all but the head, and then killed before the head is finally delievered. If you have the stomach for it, a more detailed pictoral explanation of the procedure can be found here. For a demonstration with a model baby, click here. In Canada, over 75, 000 abortions were performed in 2005; 30 abortions for every 100 live births. That means if you are an unborn child in Canada, you have a 23% chance of not making it into your mother's arms... because she has chosen to end your life.

Sound harsh? Anytime someone makes mention of abortion in terms that include 'killing', 'death' or 'murder', most people are offended. As a society, we prefer terminated or ended. Let me say that if you've had an abortion and are suffering because of it, there is no intent to cause you more pain. Please seek help for what you are going through.

Let's continue. As a Christfollower, it's important to understand the way God sees an unborn child. God spoke to Jeremiah, His prophet, and told him that even before He formed Jeremiah in his mother's womb, God knew him and had a purpose and a plan for his life. The Psalmist tells us that we were knit together in our mother's womb by God himself. The Apostle Paul also teaches that he had been set apart since being in his mother's womb to be a servant of the Lord. God loves and cares for each unborn child; each one is special, wonderful, and a miracle.

When my wife and I learned that we would become parents, we were thrilled because our child was there, in the womb, already. I used to speak to the child, sing to him, pray for him, and pray with him. Although he was still being formed in his mother's womb, my son was a person! He responded to my voice by kicking and moving; an absolutely wonderful experience. The formation didn't stop at birth, of course. Even now, God continues to form his physical appearance, his personality, and his character. He was a work in progress from the day of conception, and that continues today.

The challenges around abortion are not easy ones. Because we live in a time when sexual deviation (deviation being another offensive term) is accepted, celebrated, and almost encouraged, the consequences resulting from such behaviour are seemingly unavoidable. Nonetheless, it's hard to believe that we, as a people, allow our unborn to be killed. How can this be? I believe that God's heart aches for the unborn and as followers of Christ, there is no excuse for us to behave as if it isn't happening all around us. We too must hunger and thirst for righteousness in our land.

How should we respond? Firstly, know what the Bible's position is on life and, as a result, what you believe on this issue. Second, don't be mute on the subject; stand up for what is right, even if you're standing alone! Third, pray for the unborn in your city; they are alone, vulnerable, and 23% of them are unknowingly awaiting a brutal death. Despite being created in God's image, they are being treated worse than animals; I suspect that canine abortions would probably cause an uproar in our society, more so that human abortions.

May God grant us all wisdom on this very difficult and divisive issue. Please watch this 5-minute speech by a 12-year-old girl on the topic of abortion. CLICK HERE

Marriage and Family

We've begun exploring the Top 5 Topics that Christfollowers must be ready to speak about with knowledge and wisdom. The second in the series is marriage and family.

Marriage was designed by God to be between a man and a woman. The idea is that a man and woman would give themselves to each other with a commitment for life. This bond, secured with the marriage vows, would last until one or both partners would die here on earth. If one partner dies, the other is freed from the commitment and may marry again, if they so choose. On resurrection day, when Christ returns, the church is to become complete as the bride of Christ; there wouldn't be husbands and wives after that day.

The commitment made by each one on the wedding day is designed to secure the relationship from outside interference. Each marriage partner shouldn't have to worry about infidelity, because the vow was made before God, family, and friends; a vow that in North America usually includes: 'for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do us part'.

God's idea of a healthy marriage is one in which there are two partners working together to build a home, possibly raise a family, and ultimately work together to follow the Holy Spirit's leading and bring glory to God through their lives together. The objective was never to become wealthy and 'successful' as the world deems success to be. Instead, there is to be a healthy respect of each other, teamwork, and an over-riding desire to hear God's voice together and obey it.

This sounds pretty crazy today. On average, marriage is at its best a total mockery of what God had initially intended. The far right, particularly in the United States, would all be nodding their heads and pointing to the gay marriage fight taking place around the globe. Unfortunately, that is not the start of the mockery of God's plan for marriage. It starts with 'Christian' marriages that are abusive, adulterous, selfish instead of selfless, unholy... many of which end in divorce. It continues with other heterosexual relationships that cross the line of purity before marriage, a pattern of partners in series that ultimately make the 'commitment until death do us part' an impossibility because of the habits and routines that have been established before the wedding day. The mockery goes further with the sex within a marriage that crosses the line of being respectful, pure, and innocent as God has intended it to be. Husbands who feel it is okay to joke around about other beautiful women with their friends and co-workers to husbands who believe that pornography isn't a big deal. Wives who are willing to betray all marital confidences with their friends and who are more interested in having more things and getting more stuff than working towards a godly, Proverbs 31 type of work ethic, which is driven by the wisdom that only God provides.

Christfollowers, it's time to give our heads a shake and to clear off the cobwebs of what God intended marriage to be. Husbands and wives ought to pray together, be saturated in the Word of God, talk about godly things, strive to sense the nudging of the Holy Spirit, and obey whatever God puts on their hearts to do. As parents, if God allows that blessing, Christfollowers ought to be committed to raising young men and women who will hunger for God and His Word more than anything else because it is the example set before them on a daily basis in the home. Fathers ought to invest more time in their kids than their jobs, businesses, and in their career mobility. Daughters should learn how to serve the Lord with their skills and talents and understand that true beauty is based on what is on the inside, and not on the outward appearance.

In this age when marriages are crumbling around us, children are often ignored by their parents, husbands and wives treat each other with disrespect, and everyone is given a free pass to leave or move on whenever that time seems to come, we who claim Christ must be clear on what God is expecting of each one of us and each of us has to pass that truth on to our children, our families, and to whomever will listen.

Homosexuality

We'll be exploring the Top 5 Topics that Christfollowers must be ready to speak about with knowledge and wisdom. The first in the series is homosexuality.

We live in a time when homosexuality has crossed over from being viewed as a chosen behaviour to being a right for people who believe they were created to live this way. It is no longer up to individuals to decide how they want to live, we are all expected to accept the lifestyle as being natural and healthy for our friends and relatives. Further, we are to embrace the notion that the gay agenda is equivalent to the civil rights movement of the 60s and 70s; you can't choose being black, afterall.

Here are the problems with this position for any true Christfollower. First of all, the Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin along with a many others. Second, the Bible teaches that sin is a deception and we ought to run from it. Third, if we are to help those who are caught in the deception, we must present the truth.

Christfollowers, in this time, there are very few who will have the courage to take a stand against the popular teaching on this subject which is so prevalent today. If a leader fails to show support for the movement, he or she can expect to be 'crucified' in the media. Look no further than Toronto, Canada for an example. Article: "Mayor Ford mocked but not missed at pride parade"

Beyond that, if anyone suggests that homosexuality is unhealthy, a sin, or that it could be 'fixed' through prayer, they will be branded a bigot. View this article which underlies the firestorm that Michele Bachmann, U.S. Presidential Candidate, has now found herself to be in the middle of. Article: "Bachmann and husband face allegations of trying to pray the gay away..." This despite the fact that there are proven cases of young men and women having been freed of homosexual desire: "Homosexuality is a sin (Adam Hood is a straight man who was gay)"

So how do we take a stand? First of all, we must be willing to speak the truth on the subject. Each of us ought to know what the Bible teaches: be able to quote & reference it; yes it is a sin, but it is not the only one; Jesus came to offer forgiveness and freedom from each sin we may find entangling us. Second, we must understand that there is a difference between the very strong political agenda at work in society (humans aren't actually behind this) and the individual living in a homosexual lifestyle. Be prepared to graciously love, care for, and befriend the individual, but be ready to stand up against the movement before it claims more lives.

Please have a look at this powerful video which interviews a number of former gays and lesbians.

"How can we help? Ex-gay leaders speak out"

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A few previous posts to consider:

Isn't God All About Love?

The Gay Agenda

Top 5 Topics Christ Followers must be ready to speak about with knowledge & wisdom (most 'Christians' are mute on each of these):

1. Homosexuality

2. Abortion

3. The Family & Marriage

4. Being An Overt Christ Follower

5. Evolution

I will begin exploring each category over the summer. Stay tuned!

Grab Hold of the Mission

Jesus called us to 'Go and make disciples' & 'Go and bear fruit that will last'. We are further taught that we ought to 'Live good lives among the pagans' and to 'Love our neighbors'.

Here's one way that the church of Christ could accomplish this call with a little effort from everyone who is part of the team.

1. Use your gifts to bless the 3, 4, 5 homes around where you live

2. Consider your schools, work place, local grocery store, etc. your mission field

3. Serve your church

4. Start a small group for people in your neighborhood

5. Avoid the temptation to go after the big, and be faithful to the small (your neighborhood)

If you're a musician, offer lessons for the people around you. If you are a baker, bake for the people in each of the groups listed above. If you are a teacher, offer some tutoring for your next door families. If you're a writer, begin a blog where you can write relevant articles for your local community. If you're a carpenter, help your neighbors with their projects. If you are an accountant, offer a tax-preparation service for your neighborhood......

And above all else, be prepared to share the good news of Jesus when the door opens. Has the Lord done anything for you? Be ready to tell someone about it!

If every Christian took up this call, the world would be a completely different place: people would feel loved & many would give their lives to Jesus. Will you take up the call?

Sing, Christians, Sing!

Psalm 66

I really believe that Christians ought to sing. If you've ever led worship or looked around in a worship service during the singing portion... not everyone is singing. In fact, there are often very few people singing and of those moving their lips, few are singing 'with all their hearts'. It is God that determines the state of one's heart and whether or not the person is worshiping Him, because that can't be determined by the outward appearance of the singer. But... we all ought to sing with joy to the Lord! Seriously.

Where did the idea come from that men don't sing? It's out there, and it's wrong. David was a mighty warrior, as in, he killed people with his sword and was brutal in battle when it was required of him... not a sissy, but he also sang to God and worshiped him with all he had. It's not cool, in my opinion, to say: I can't sing. We can all sing. We may not be amazing singers or soloists, but we all have been given a voice and we ought to raise it in praise to God through singing! If you need to work on it, then devote some time to improving your singing skills!

How would this look today? Construction workers, teachers, city workers, lawyers, doctors, pastors, plumbers....... would work hard and do their jobs as if they're working for God, and not for man. Then, they would all come to church and, in David's words, Shout for joy to God; sing the glory of his name; say to God: 'How awesome are your deeds!'

Each of us would be ready to say: Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me!

The next time you are in church, sing to God! Sing out loud, unashamed, and with joy! Lift your hands, humble your hearts, and sing! I have a feeling it will be required of us when the King returns!

Missionary in Town?

Interesting to think that there are 'missionaries' in cities that already have a large Christian presence in their populations. For example, there are people working for para-church organizations in North American cities that are being called missionaries, allowing them to raise funds for the work they are doing. Many of these jobs are office jobs which operate in a 9-5 type of setting. These folks live in their neighbourhoods with very few of those living around them even aware that they are working in the mission field.

I have at times felt that we are all missionaries, in one sense or another, but does that perspective take away from what true missionaries have done and are doing around the world?

One definition of a missionary: 'a person sent by a church into an area to carry on evangelism or other activities, as educational or hospital work'.

A traditional picture of what a missionary is and does may include the following: a person that is called by God to go into unreached parts of the world to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. They have a call upon their lives and fullfill it by giving their lives to the mission. It's not a career option or a temporary call, but something that one is called to doing with their lives. They will often have a trade or a skill that can be useful to the people whom they will be reaching including medical or educational training.

I remember meeting one 'retired' missionary couple who were in their 80s. They were so in love with Jesus and with the people whom they served for dozens of years in another part of the world. It was then, and continues to be today, an inspiration to me in my walk with Christ.

A more modern definition of a missionary may look something like this: a person who has chosen the career of 'missionary' that works for a para-church organization in heavily 'Christian' parts of the world with little or no training beyond the decision to become a missionary. They are nearly indistinguishable from other Christians living in the area other than to their Christian neighbours whom they approach for support on a yearly basis.

Are we all called to preach the gospel? Yes. Are we all called to make disciples? Yes. Are we all called to live good lives among our neighbours & friends that they will praise our Father in heaven? Yes. So why should some of us call ourselves missionaries in the land we grew up in and ask people for money to support our mission work? Is this an example of lazy Christianity? Perhaps.

Another good question: why do Christians support this kind of work? Perhaps it eases the guilty conscience of not having done their part to reach their neighbours & friends with the gospel? This way, my life can continue to be all about professional sports, entertainment, personal ambition, etc., and yet, I'm doing my part in the kingdom of God by supporting people in my neighbourhood who are doing the work to which I am called?

Throwing around the term missionary lightly takes away from the men & women of God from a different time that gave... yes, gave of themselves to further the kingdom of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those humble men and women served in some very difficult situations and as a result, many peoples around the world now know about Jesus and the hope He brings.

If you are a follower of Christ, God has called you to be a light in the world in which you live. That doesn't make you a missionary; it makes you a follower of Christ. If you hear God's voice calling you to go the unreached parts of the world to give... yes, give of yourself to the furthering of the gospel of Christ, then you are a missionary, and may God bless you and the work you will do for Him. Note that much, if not all of it will not be recognized by people. God will know and He will help you & bless you.