Health in Unity, Strength in diversity

So with a day off, I have been doing some thinking (watch out, have about 6 posts almost ready to graduate from draft form). So, just as the counter party offers a response to state of the union, this is my Non-Papal Address...

"...that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light..."

I have come to believe that when a church begins to lack a vision for the fields, both local and abroad, that are ready for harvest, they begin to look only within themselves, at the local body, and atrophy, loading strength and ability to fulfill its calling.

I also believe that we have become way too sensitive with fellow believers. We would rather give up on one local body for another local body than accept our differences and celebrate them together. There are several spots on the spectrum of believers.  Some, it seems, are ready to "help" those that "look less spiritually mature" and it has driven some believers to find less challenging congregations.  Others it seems finds it easier to just seek absolute stability and unity, willing to sacrifice themselves (and others) for the sake of the group, letting others turn away without effort to meditate. And there are those who ache for the unity of others and yarn to see growth and unity, building bridges between church bodies. These are the ones needed most these days, the ones who see the similarities and gifts of everyone and seek to create new connections that strengthen the body.

You see, to me the diversity of how we praise, pray, proclaim, profess, relate, reachout, refresh...is what makes Christianity special and unique. It is in the inclusive opportunity of the exclusive truth of the gospel can we find great, lasting unity.

If I am true to this ideal of what other believers around me should be,  I don't want to see myself replicated, but the beautiful creations of Christ that stand out from the crowd of self made righteousness for their unique love for one another.

Lastly, I believe the greatest risk for today's churches isn't government sanctioned persecution but the internal breakdown of the unity of the believers. It was this unity that Paul continuously wrote about, a unity that transcends the earthly organizations to which we belong but are joined by something deeper, stronger, and more flexible than any other. Yet, our "spiritual body" that we call churches are plagued with an arthritis, a painful inflammation of our "spiritual" joints,  that is keeping us from focusing on the beautiful work we have been called to do.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

As you relax this labor day,  think about how you have helped your church's body lately. Are you building up and helping to strengthen these earthly fragile bonds with heavenly healing? Or are you creating unnecessary friction in the body in the name of revival? Or are you sitting silently by, feigning helplessness rather than speaking up,  encouraging, and reconciling?

Practically,  we have to stop thinking we can church shop, we have to be real with our struggles, our disagreements, our direction, our hope, our common ground. We have to protect all members of the body, we have to uplift, build up, fortify, and not "give up" on anyone. What if Christ decided that instead of calling out the pharasees, he just went to another city,  what would happen to those in the first city that missed out on his teaching when he gave up treaching there because of the critical few? We are due some serious,  intimate, concerned conversations in our churches. Not Facebook rants, blog posts, or gossiping questions of why, but real sincere conversations that are held in a spirit of unity and growth. We must do it together,  within the congregation, and between congregations. Every day souls are lost, hearts are hurting, members are stumbling, and we continue doing the same thing we have known, it is time for a change.

Hope you enjoyed your day off... now is our time to get real and get busy doing great things together. We have been called to do show the praise of a great God, in a marvelous way... now let's do it.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2.9-10

Charitable Giving: Investing in Solutions, not Servitude

I was watching Dan Pollotta's TED talk on charitable giving practices and I have to agree with his assessment of current misconceptions on compensation for non-profit leadership (this includes public service, teachers, public safety and pastoral/missionary service in my opinion). 

One key business principle stands out, you have to invest more to make more (i.e. money follows money). If we short change our giving practices we are more likely to see short lived change in our "charity" work.

I believe the Apostle Paul understood this principle of giving freely as well...

6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galations 6:6-10)

The translation of "communicate" includes the idea of giving more than just words, but also of resources. Give (communicate) good things... give beyond what you are able (Not be weary)... give anytime you are able (opportunity)... give to the benefit of both believers and non-believers (all men). I don't see anything in this passage about giving only to feed the poor, cloth them with the cheapest clothes, or to help them give a cheap apartment. The direction is to give, give freely, give to those who don't deserve it (especially to those who are believers and teachers).

I think the hardest example of giving to follow is the giving that Christ instructed believers to follow:

40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. (Matthew 5:40-42)

(Makes it hard to turn down the cold call donation asks. This kind of living is certainly a measure of our faith, to balance stewardship and to be a generous giver.)

This approach to giving is not a silver bullet to solve all of the challenges we face in our societies but definitely worth considering.

(By the way, Dan Pollotta is speaking on his book in Downtown Norfolk this month. More information here: TCC Roper Center.)

For Dan Pollotta's TED Talk: Dan Pallotta TED Talk

Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly - The Eric Garner Ruling

Today we struggle with understanding our justice system and the impacts of the power we bestow on certain individuals in our society. We see the permanence of our actions, as a national community, and the residual effects of our ancestral decisions in the decision announced today. We question how we view others, how we hold each other accountable, and how we maintain an orderly and welcoming society. 

First, please see NFL Player Benjamin Watson's post (it is very spot on in both incidents):
http://www.facebook.com/BenjaminWatsonOfficial/posts/602172116576590


Let me explain my understanding of the current events and my perspective:

• The ruling in the Eric Garner case is not a controversial case, it is a heart breaking case.
• Unlike the questions that remain in the Michael Brown case, the Garner case was recorded from the initial the confrontation to the moment that he went unconscious (and eventually died).
• Eric Garner was not a perfect, model citizen, but that is not a reason to arrest someone or take them down with a prohibited use of force. There are little things called due process and reasonable suspicion that are required and have not yet been presented publicly in this case. This is what makes the case even more disturbing and fosters greater frustration (as my friends have shared numerous stories of "driving while black").
• The choke restraint was not allowed as a use of force by NYPD and it specifically cited as the cause of death, which was ruled a homicide (whether death was intentional or not, 7 minutes before CPR efforts doesn't seem accidental). 
• When a crime by a public servant is recorded on tape, a homicide is the confirmed ruling by a public official, and the decision is quickly made to not take it to trial... justice is not complete nor served.
• Even those who are chosen to protect and serve make bad choices, sometimes don't know their limits, and they can get caught up in the moment, it does not excuse them from legal responsibility.
• I have no doubt that this is an incredibly difficult job and ever more difficult these days than ever before. The demand for safe communities are higher, the potential for litigation broader, and the lack of staffing and increased demands on fewer officers makes keepers of the peace an ever tougher career. 
• However, they have the legal and physical power to take away every right and privilege that any of us have ever had, including freedom and life itself. This responsibility is an incredible one and I deeply respect my friends and coworkers who have entered into this profession and served our communities proudly and effectively.
• This is more than a race issue, it is an assumption and a relationship issue. 
• Race issues are learned assumptions about other groups that guide our thinking and ultimately our actions. These issues are about how we relate to one another, an aspect in which this society has lost the ability to do in ways that we once new. The tension that exists politically, religiously, socially, and racially (and any other -ly) is greater than it has been in a long time. This tension has caused us to only have "easy" conversations and perpetuate an isolation of ourselves into groups that only think like us, further enhancing our relational tensions.
• We all have a responsibility to stand together in the face of injustice, justice requires the community to stand and speak together, not as mobs and rioters but as a community and as an American people.
• We may not agree on the causes, the solutions, or the who is at fault, but if we do not come together to stand against injustices, we cannot heal the deep wounds of our forefathers and foremothers. A color blind or politically correct response will only get us through the immediate crisis, but through open and honest dialogue can we begin to hear, understand, and move together towards a stronger truly American society. These will not be easy conversations, but they are necessary.

This brings me to the mini-message that I can't seem to shake. God clearly tells us that he expects us to walk with three key principles in our lives. These principles should guide all we do and be the lens through which we see our imperfect and challenged world. These three principles reflect the very character of God, the embodiment of his personage in the Godhead. 

What does the Lord require of us? Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with our God

Do Justly
We are to be as our heavenly Father and proclaim his perfect wisdom, his law, his holiness that does not tolerate the weak to be taken advantage of, the good to be wronged, the kind to be abused, and the lesser to be destroyed. His justice is perfect and true, he is consistent and fair, his eye is pleased by the work of the righteous, and his joy is from his children that follow his ways.This should be the basis for our blind symbol of our justice system, the system that rules with no consideration for race, clothes, stature, or appearance.

We are called not only to rule justly but to DO justly. This is an active and engaged work, a value that should exude from us in our actions and walk. The action of justice is one that observed, inspires, and creates the great societies that we aspire to live in. An actively just society is one built on trust and dialogue, one that is genuine and stable, one that supports and care, and one that protects the weakest and uplifts the poorest.

Love Mercy

Mercy is the work of Jesus Christ, the gift of the just Father to redeem a fallen world. Christ embodies the love of mercy, his mission to give his life a sacrifice for us, a substitution for our condemnation, the payment for our conviction. He was full of grace and truth, the perfect law and the perfect love.  "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." He is the example of giving and seeing others as greater then they deserve and worth of his greatest attention. He lived with the rejected and despised, he taught the wisest the simplest truths of neighborly love, he met both spiritual and physical needs and gave of his greatness for the most undeserving.

We are called to LOVE Mercy, it should be the thing that fills our hearts. Mercy should be the thing that motivates, empowers, and thrills us. Giving of ourselves out of our strengths and our weaknesses should be the hope of our life. Our love for mercy should move us to act and not just feel bad, it should move us to share and not just wish others the best, it should move us to be a part of the solution instead of creating barriers. Our love for mercy drives us to what is right, it drives us to do justly, it puts other first and ourselves last. A love of mercy gives no matter the return, the reward, or the gratitude, it gives and excuses because it loves to. The love of mercy is the act of charity, it is the forgiveness of wrongs and the attraction of peace.

Walk Humbly

The walk is guided by our powerfully humble comforter, the Holy Spirit. He reminds us of our position, our potential, and the power that resides in us. He guides us and encourages us, he builds our faith, our knowledge, our strength, and matures our spirit. He reminds us of others, their need, and speaks on our behalf when we cannot. He is Christ reigning in us. He is the King's spirit that directs, instructs, and empowers. He is able to "do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." It is through him that we bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. 

To WALK Humbly impacts all of our life, the private, religious, public, employment, and spiritual. When we walk humbly we walk differently, the value of others is greater then ourselves, the walk is not what is expected in this world. The humble walk is one that values life, even the lowest and most unlovable ones. Through humility we see other's perspectives, we learn how to see other's needs and values and how to live a life of giving for the best of others. The humble spirit is perceived not announced, it is subtly bold and quietly proud, it finds strength in something other than itself. Humility from the spirit bears fruit for self control, inner peace, and deeper purpose. 

So when I see the case of Eric Garner, I feel many different and conflicting things, the greatest being outrage in our imperfect system, our imperfect society, and our imperfect answers. I must turn to the source that brings peace, that shows love, and that acts justly. 

I can't help but pray for his family through this time and hope that they find peace in this same source. That they trust in the God who promises justice, who freely gives mercy, and gives us the strength to walk walk humbly. 

I pray for our country, my friends, coworkers, and our families. I pray for their protection, their care, and their perspective, that they see others through the Spirit's eyes, they show mercy as Christ did, and they act out of justice as God has blessed. 

I pray for a justice system that seeks heavenly guidance, considers merciful decisions, and rules mercifully and honorably. 

And I pray that I always serve my community, locally and beyond, in a manner that reminds others of the Justice, Mercy, and Humility. 

This I pray.

Civic Repsonsibility

I've been working on a couple of posts, but in the meantime, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to share this Op-Ed that captures my election thoughts as well...

Op-ed: Civic Life is More Than Voting

"Finding solutions to public challenges isn’t easy. It requires more than voting. It requires time and energy and a willingness to consider different points of view. It means focusing on the common good rather than self-interest."

Citizenship not about party affiliation but a about daily participation. Do your first civic responsibility, vote, and then do your second, serve.

The same applies for the Christian life... Eph 2:19 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God"

Christian Success

So it has been a bit since my last original post, been really busy this past month. But a friend shared this excellent post.

How Does American Culture Influence Christianity?

http://storylineblog.com/2012/10/04/how-does-american-culture-influence-christianity/

I admit as an introvert, this was encouraging reminder. Keeping a humble and meek spirit in the midst of blessings and success is a vital Christian virtue. 

My key verse for the last couple of days has been ..."Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." Perspective is a powerful tool for growth.

America: A Christian nation?

This has taken me quite a bit to write and I finally had a chance to put some more thought to it this weekend. I will admit it is far from a perfect article and will not win any great rewards by I think it begins to capture my feelings on something I see all to often. Coming from someone who works in a municipal service position, I feel that government is often misunderstood and resented because decisions can't always be understood from the headlines and the stores that are told aren't always based on full truth. I plan to get back into at least a weekly rhythm once again. Thank you all for reading and I hope it is something that at least gets us thinking about the perspectives that we hold.

What makes America a Christian nation?... A) Laws, B) Culture, C) Majority, or D) None of the Above?

I often hear that, "America was a Christian nation" and that for us to once again be a "great" nation that we need our political leaders to get back to the roots of our Christian heritage. This concept of political straying is often the argument for the cause of economic collapse and the ongoing recession that we have seen. A lack of "Faith," meaning a lack of effort by Christian believers primarily, has been blamed as a contributing cause of our country's moral, financial, intellectual, and social status in the world. People blame everything from political corruption, corporate corruption, media bias, and cultural shifts as the cause for our current state of being.

But before we examine what makes America a Christian nation we must first address the idea that we face greater challenges as Christians in America than we have in the past. Let me first point out that in my lifetime, I do not recall a pastor imprisoned for a message that would be deemed controversial or counter to the current culture. Pastors that have used less than tactful approaches to making a point or even offensive means to challenge non-believers, have been given the freedom to make those statements or use those approaches without fear of governmental intervention or imprisonment. However, in the early years of our former-colonial country, pastors were imprisoned, intimidated, and prohibited from preaching without a license or for preaching beliefs contrary to a particular church's teachings. We experience far greater freedoms, amazingly diverse and effective set of communication tools, and a wealth of financial and social opportunity, and yet we continue to see churches struggle or close due to a lack of membership and resources. Our faith communities continue to rest on the freedom and blessings provided by our location of birth and not in the power of the giver of life.

I also think we need to consider what a broader perspective of America thinks of itself and its future. A recent Gallup poll showed that 69% of Americans viewed the current and future moral outlook for America as negative. They also asked respondents to cite reasons why the thought American's morality was on the decline. According to the report:

Americans are most likely to cite a lack of respect or tolerance for other people as the most important problem with moral values. Other frequent responses include the decline of family structure, a lack of religion and faith, and a lack of morals in general.

Two thirds of Americans think that our moral outlook is grim and the top reason cited was a lack of respect. The other two reasons often relate to the source for that type of respect and the development of our moral compass: the family and the church.

For us to be a truly Christian nation once again we must stop blaming the news media, Hollywood, NY fashion, YouTube, and the other assorted vehicles of cultural expression. I see too often that we give lip service of our expectations of non-believers and then turn around and blame them for our demise. At one time in my life I encouraged to hear, "We can't expect them to act saved if they aren't saved," because it expressed an understanding that blaming "the lost" for the lack of their "lostness" was completely appropriate. However, those same people who say "forgive them for they know not what they do," would turn around and blame the unbeliever for the current state of our country.  "We are in this (Insert: recession, war, scandal, discouraging state) because of (Insert: any group of stereotyped unbeliever)."

I believe there is another reason that we are in the perceived state of moral decay that we are in. I do believe we are in the current state we are in is because we are losing ground as Christians. We are not losing ground legally, culturally, or politically. We are losing ground spiritually. We, as many other corporations and organizations, have become victims of our own success. As Jim Collin's writes in his corporate leadership book, Good to Great, "Good is the enemy of great." I believe he states appropriately that we don't have greatness because we have goodness. We don't have great outreach ministries because we have good ones. We don't have great missionary efforts because we have had good efforts at global missions. We don't have great youth ministries because we have had good youth groups. We don't have great revivals because we have good Christians.

No where in the bible are we told to legislate biblical values. Now before you take offence to that follow this thought. Our first and foremost responsibility is to whom? God. 

6 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:² That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.³ Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.⁸ And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.⁹ And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.¹⁰ And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,¹¹ And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;¹² Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.¹³ Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.  (Note: emphasis added)

This stands as one of the greatest summary promises between God and Israel that sets them apart from the other religious groups of their day. The belief of a single God that does not demand obedience out of duty but individual obedience out of love (vs 4-7). This new view of God, one of desire rather than duty, was promised to transform and bless them in providential ways beyond their own strength and ability (vs 10-12). Our responsibility is to live a true an genuine life that shows a love for God that is beyond hypocrisy or challenge. I know that this is a difficult proposition, especially in my own life. But the challenge does not preclude us from leading in our life for God. We must be living to fulfill our duteous desire show our love to God before we can even expect others around us to even take notice.

Our society is not in the state is in because of the legislation of our government but because of the condition of our hearts. Legislation, legislators, and bureaucrats will change over time, as will society. These are neither better or worse because I can assure you that in Paul's day they believed the "last days" list of activities (2 Tim 3:1) applied just as much as it does today. I believe that too often we waste our energy fighting in political battles against legislation that does not maintain our Christian values rather than fighting spiritual battles to save the souls of those developing the legislation or even the common voter. 

¹¹ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ¹² Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. ¹³ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; ¹⁴ Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. ¹⁵ For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁶ As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. ¹⁷ Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

We have been called to be "honest," to lawfully "Submit...to every ordinance of man," to "well doing," to be "free...servants," to "honor all men," "love the brotherhood," "fear God," and "honor the king." This passage should truly describe our public and political life. We should strive to be above reproach, honest about our faults, working to improve them, humble in our politics, and respectful in our disagreements.

I can honestly say I despise campaign seasons, Presidential and Senatorial especially. The constant negativity and positioning, the pride and boasting, the divergently similar ideas, the extreme show boaters lacking wisdom, the financial underpinnings and deceptive manipulation of facts. I avoid media during these times, while I do value the American freedoms we have, I am embarrassed by the way in which we choose to maintain those freedoms. I would also embarrassed to be called a Christian nation and have almost any of the candidates represent our country to there nations after some of these campaigns. I want a leader who is able to understand, grow, learn, lead, guide, adapt, listen, and improve. The candidate who is a stalwart against change, who will not "compromise" or waiver, is one who is not ready to lead a country in one of the most complex jobs in the country. Where are our Christian politicians that understand government and leadership? ....The youngest president ever, McBride in 2016...maybe?

(now back from the rabbit trail...)

I ultimately believe that we, Christians today, need to stop blaming the politicians, teachers, psychologist, scientist, presidents, bureaucrats, social workers, professors, liberals, and any other group in our modern society for the state of our society. The real reason for the state of our society is ourselves. We must take the blame and change our course to address it. Our lack of Christian leadership and "well doing" is reflected of our society's state of morality. Now, more than ever, Christians need to step up and be real, be honest, and be serving. We must do a better and reaching souls for Christ. This was the cause of the Christian decline of Europe and will be ours as well if we do not change our political conversation and start having a spiritual one. Only then, might we be a truly Christian nation.

Church as a Gift for Neighborhood Transformation

Wow, it has been quite busy this summer, but I hope to have a few new posts done shortly. Check back soon!

In the meantime, check out this insightful and brief article that looks at the balance needed to involve churches in community transformation efforts: Best Practices: Church as a Gift for Neighborhood Transformation By Jay Van Groningen, Communities First Association Executive Director.

Let us do good unto all men...

There is one question that has had my mind wrapped up for a while. It has kept me from posting this last month and if i don't start to get this question on paper it will keep drawing me back to it much longer. The question is, "What is the role if the local church in meeting the needs of the unsaved and non-church members?"


This has been a question that I have avoided for some time. I once thought it was cultural and only matter for churches located in inner-cities and surrounded by populations in great poverty or need. But a few factors have impacted my thinking on this subject including the current political climate and volunteer projects we have encountered recently. I also think this is a question that many traditional congregations today tend to avoid or try to address on a individual basis. 


This question has also surfaced from another friend who was frustrated with the perceived lack of responsibility by youth ministers for the behavior and needs of the youth in their surrounding communities. The ministers they spoke with did not see a role for the church in preventing violence outside the realm of the church membership. If the youth came to them and addressed their spiritual need then they would be glad to help. Almost to a fault, they were so focused on the needs of their own flock of youth, that they could not see the needs of the sheep that were regularly threatened outside of their fold. This reminded me of the way the Pharisees set such strict boundaries for association outside of the synagogue and how Jesus was criticized by them for eating with the sinners.


I had believed , at the start of this third millennium, that the Christian church was one that was trying to be based on service, charity, and personal sacrifice as the primary means to winning the hearts of unbelievers to Christ. I had generally thought the idea of restricting church charity only to the members of the church was rare and foreign to the work of the modern church. While many churches do try to hold service days, in the more traditional circles we seem to have resisted any shift to define ourselves as "spiritually driven community service organizations."


Even today's political landscape has been littered with contentious debate around roles and responsibilities of both government and the church. How "big" should government be? What liberties are guaranteed to religiously based institutions that aren't churches such as schools and hospitals? How do we keep our social commitments to care for an aging population and keep our economy stable? Should governments subsidize not-for-profit services in the community?


The message I cant get away from I have heard preached numerous times it describes how Jesus told the woman at the well that the true worshipers worship in "Spirit and in Truth." I believe that the modern church is full of spirit but often lacking in sound spiritual truth. This is an imbalance in our approach to worship. However, it is a repairable balance, in my opinion. I believe that we must be just as concerned with worship that is spiritless. I fear that the "fox" of ritualistic worship and service in the church is the one that far more prevalent today. As our recent Young Adult Retreat focused on, we must be "authentic Christians" if we hope to be "effective Christians."


What I'm learning is that leaders in some churches hold to a concept that the individual believer alone bears the responsibility to help someone in need. This teaching holds that that the church's role is to only help those members within the church. The referenced example is that of the Good Samaritan who acted out of kindness and love but without the authority of a church body. The argument for this perspective is that we are to do good to individuals but must avoid organized works of charity by the church. Some have even said that the church is guilty of "forcing" charity on to those in need as the social welfare system (supposedly) does. 


I want to explore these two thoughts for a moment.


First, I ask, "who is the church supposed to serve?" Without a doubt, the body of Christ must take priority to care and nurture the body. Paul describes it clearly in his letter to Ephesus: 

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Eph. 4:12)

We cannot neglect the work of the ministry for the labor of our own needs. For the sake of our own growth and the corporate growth of the church body, we must put a priority in the physical, spiritual and emotional health of our church body. I firmly believe that we have done well to address the spiritual needs and we hope that the other needs would be meet as a result. However, I have often seen churches struggle or move much slower than they should because we are inadequately prepared to care for fellow members. The lack of internal care translates into a lack of external care, and is where, I can only suppose, the idea of the Christian having only an individual responsibility and not a corporate responsibility to serve others outside of the church body.


The easiest, most direct answer to "who do we serve" is: those in need. As Jesus says he came not to save the righteous but the unrighteous, to heal the sick not the healthy, so are we as his earthly body to serve the those Christ served.


I think the most compelling passage that confirms the corporate giving of the church is Galatians 6:6-10. 

6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

So go back to the English classes you took growing up and let us examine this passage. First you see the individual directives. You know, those things called pronouns (me, he, we, they) and nouns that help us determine the speaker or the person being spoken to as well as the number of those being addressed (me or us). The first part of this passage addresses the individual; "him that teacheth," "he that soweth." These directives address the individuals responsibility that is often related to the "golden rule" of doing unto other what we would like done unto us and that we will be held accountable for our actions in due season.


in verse 9 we see a transition to the collective responsibility when Paul writes for "us [to] not be weary" because "we shall reap, if we faint not." We know that the "we" mentioned is referring to the work of the body of believer's "well doing." This transition of responsibility lead us into the last verse that continues the idea of corporate responsibility and accountability when is says "...let us do good unto all men..." and clearly gives us a global vision for caring for others. 

10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Just in case someone was unsure if that is only believers or unbelievers, Paul clarifies with an "...especially unto them who are of the household of faith." As I stated before, our first responsibility is for the health of the body and for the members that the body is built with. Our second responsibility is a clear one, to do good unto all men based on the principles of reaping and sowing in well doing. 

We must not overlook the charity of the church to the lost nor the nourishment of its own members. The burden for social welfare cannot be carried by the government alone and the cycle of need cannot be broken by budget cuts. Only the work of Christ can meet all needs and we must be willing and able to give the gospel and break bread. A body that is focused on knowledge and not action will not be healthy and one that is focused on activity but not knowledge will not be effective.


And in the words of one of my mentors, Dr. Michael Canty, "Let's just go do some good stuff."

Resurrection Sunday

“Have I a heart of stone so cold and dark within That I can view the Saviour in anguish for my sin And never sorrow feel for all He sacrificed? Have I a heart of stone to watch the bleeding Christ?
Have I no eyes to see that I can stand so near And watch the Saviour wounded but never shed a tear? Can I but coldly gaze upon His painful loss? Have I no eyes to see God’s Lamb upon the cross?
As I behold the blood and view the Crucified, The piercing thought o’erwhelms me: ’twas for my sin He died. Lord, make my soul to feel Thy suffering on the tree. Lord, break this heart of stone. Lord, make my eyes to see.”
Broken for Christ... Glorious Resurrection Sunday!

Love Thy Neighbor as...Mr. Stokes

Sgt. Harmon F. Stokes , 83

Harmon F. Stokes, 83, passed from this life suddenly last Wednesday in his home and was laid to rest surrounded by his friends and family today. Harmon was a Sargent in the US Army, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and retiring with 45 years of military and civil service.


If that was the end of the story, most people would generally say something like, "how sad, I'm so sorry," "he lived a full life," or "he is at rest now." These would all be true but they don't represent the greater story. I can only share the special stories that I know and the memories of his character I heard echoed in today's service. This story also captures a glimpse of why I am a public servant and why I answered a calling to "do good stuff," as the late Mike Canty used to describe it.


My first memories of Mr. Stokes go back about 12 years, to the first neighborhood I ever worked in - historic Aberdeen Gardens. I was 21 years old and was just learning about youth leadership development and community organizing. I hadn't organized a group in my life and in Aberdeen I was responsible for leading the youth initiatives for this prominent and established community. I was taking this role over from someone else without any training or transition. I was even a bit apprehensive concerning my welcome into this group I knew little about. I realize now that I was also facing my own fears regarding my cultural, generational, and social perspectives. Despite these internal struggles of an introverted organizer, one warm smile and a firm handshake wiped them far away, that of Mr. Stokes.

Historic Aberdeen Gardens in Hampton, Virginia

I still remember how I'd call on him to open up the Aberdeen Museum for me, a restored home in the neighborhood that served as a central meeting place for the 5 youth that participated in the youth group. Mr. Stokes was always there with a smile to open up the building. The youth group wouldn't be me greatest success thus far in my career and I remember on more than one occasion being the only one at the museum. Then along came Mr. Stokes, waiting there with me, taking time out of his day to check in on me, learning about my family, college classes i was taking, and just doing what he could to make feel apart of the community. At every Aberdeen breakfast or event I always looked for Mr. Stokes, because his smiling welcome always made me feel like I belonged in Aberdeen. The last time I talked to Mr. Stokes he asked, as he always did, how my "lovely wife" and "those little ones" were doing.


From those first years in Aberdeen, my heart was bound to that special community in a unique way. I saw something in Mr. Stokes and the many other Aberdeeners I have come to know and love. I learned that your neighbor is more than the resident in the house that is next to your, the one that just lives near you. A truly good neighbor is one that is "near." They near enough to ask about your day, near enough to lend a hand, near enough to cheer you up with a "hello," near enough to look out for you, near enough to make you feel at home, and near enough mourn and lift you up when things are tough.

The Aberdeen Gardens Museum, Mary Peake Blvd

Mr. Stokes had the special ability to make you feel like the most important person to him at that time. He knew how to give, and he knew how to serve. His strong and protective nature made you feel honored to have him on your side. I can unashamedly say they he is on a short list of reasons why I continue in public service. After struggling with some random bureaucratic challenge, all I had to do was to get a call or visit from Mr. Stokes, and I would remember instantly why I chose this field - to help good people like him, "do good stuff."


The faith and love of Christ from Mr. Stokes doesn't make this day bitter in the least, because I know I will see my brother in Christ from Aberdeen one day soon. Yes, it is a bit sad that others won't be able to be blessed by such an example as Mr. Stokes. I do know he lived a much fuller life than I will ever have a chance to ask him about. I also know that he is walking the streets of heaven with his dear wife and I can only hope that I have home in heaven with Mr. Stokes as my neighbor. Until then, may I be the neighbor to others that he was to me. Even though we lived miles apart he was always be my good neighbor.