Decentralization

For the last 15 years or so I've heard people in ministry bemoaning the shrinking of the "mainline Church." This usually comes with the statistics of how many members were lost last year, what the trend has been the last 5 (10, 20, 50) years, and how churches and denominations are starting up programs to combat this decline.

And there are churches that have grown in the last 50 years, just as the "mainlines" have declined. Many independent and/or "non-denominational" churches have seen great growth in ministry. Some of the largest mega-churches have prospered outside the framework of the mainliners. Attending church doesn't guarantee salvation and the numerical growth of a church doesn't guarantee true spiritual growth. But statistics can tell us one thing: church membership in mainlines has declined and church membership in non-denoms has increased.

Does this mean God doesn't like mainlines any more? I don't think that's the point here. God is seeking worshippers (John 4:23-24); God is seeking men and women after His own heart (Jer. 3:15, 1 Sam. 13:14); God is seeking people who will SEEK FIRST the KINGDOM and God's Righteousness (Mt. 6:33). Whether a person seeking God is doing so in a mainline church, a nondenom, or another gathering of God's people, God will honor the genuine heart centered on Christ.

I've been reading online a lot in the last year about politics, economics, and sort of a "how the US got where we are" with regard to our economy and society. In that reading I've come across people who believe the US as a nation is on the downhill slide, just like Rome or Greece centuries ago. For a variety of reasons, there may come a time when the US as we know it doesn't exist. Aside from catastrophic events destroying it like nuclear war (or wonderful things like The Rapture!), there could be a time when the US government finally defaults on its debt, devalues the US$ so poorly, or does some other economically insane move (or moves). Or there may be a time when we find our federal government's power finally returned to the states and local governments. Or we may find our current US broken up into nation-states, much like that of Yugoslavia or the former USSR. No matter which of these scenarios might happen, the upheaval and societal chaos is nothing like most of us have ever considered, much less thought we'd live through.

Decentralization. The church of Jesus Christ is stronger (in my opinion) by being "decentralized" from the mainline domination of the 1950's. What if the federal government was seriously reduced and the power returned to the people and state & local governments? Could the governing structures within the US be stronger - and, more importantly, the people be stronger - if the power of federal government was "decentralized?" I believe so. (For reasons of brevity, I won't explain all my reasons here.)

As, perhaps, a side bar, what if our current societal/political trajectory continues? It is likely that American Christians would then see ourselves not only as marginalized in the public debate but persecuted. In the history of our nation we've never ever had to fight to be legitimate; this nation was founded on Christian principles and by (mostly) Christian thinkers. For them, as for Christians now, it would be unthinkable to not be a nation hospitable to Christians. But, what if that happened? Would we, the Church, be ready?

I'm not advocating violent revolution. Instead I'm trying to see what God is up to. God seems to have allowed the Church to be pruned for greater fruitfulness. Maybe God has done that work as a preparatory step to something we're going to have to face in the future. If the government takes away our rights to free speech (in the name of "political correctness" or "fairness") or to raise our children as we like (in the name of the "greater good") or to gather together (in the name of "hate speech"), then the Church would have to become a very different entity. No more mainliners or non-denoms; we would probably look much more like the persecuted house churches of countries like Vietnam or China.

Then again, Jesus said:

Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15:20 NIV)

He told us that believing in him was not without cost.

and

"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (Mt. 8:20 NIV)

If we are a follower of the Christ we, too, may find ourselves without our "home base" and our "normal."

Jesus told us that:

¹"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ⁸This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15 NIV)

Maybe the decentralization of the church has been because God is pruning his (universal) Church for greater fruitfulness. Unencumbered by the pharasitical issues of our day, God's pruned-for-great-fruitfulness Church is making disciples and teaching them to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and spirits -- and to Love our neighbors as ourselves. (Mark 12:30, Mt. 28:19) Jesus needed no central authority to live out his message of love and healing and grace. His marching orders came from directly from God. Do ours?

Are we personally pruned for great fruitfulness? Is our local church body (of whatever structure/denomination it may be) pruned for great fruitfulness? Do we allow God to prune us, even when it's painful and goes against the "norm"? Are we seeking God first, trusting in God to provide our "holes and nests" as we follow where our Shepherd calls us? Are each of us loving God, ourself, and our neighbor in such a way the world sees a beautiful difference and we are able to eventually make a disciple? Are we so deeply connected to the vine our fruit of the Spirit is evident? (Gal. 5)

Anyway, some food for thought.

God of Amazing Wonders,

Thank you for challenging us to always be seeking your Kingdom, your ways, your righteousness, your Heart as we walk through this life. When we get caught up in the concerns of this world, whether it be church attendance statistics or federal government issues, remind us that YOU are the Maker of the World, the Beginning and the End, and you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Remind us you have the whole world in your hands and you are more than able to take care of everything. Help us be willing to allow you to prune our lives for greater fruitfulness. Help us surrender our bodies, our minds, our emotions, our relationships, our finances, our families -- all that we are -- to your capable care. Help us hear, confess, and repent when you point out our sin. Help us allow you to heal our wounds and our brokenness. Help us trust you to prune not only our individual lives but that of our churches. Help us to remain in you and to be deeply embedded in you, our Vine. Challenge us to become better at love.

Out of your glorious riches, strengthen us with power through your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. May we, being rooted and established in love, have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.*

(*from Eph. 3)

Worst case scenario

I've been doing some research lately on emergency preparedness. Last week I had a conversation with someone who made the comment that in certain situations, "Worst case scenario: you're dead." And, strangely enough, that was actually encouraging to me; for to me being dead is not my "worst case scenario." No, to be dead would be great! Heaven, here I come! Grace upon grace...freedom from fears and tears and sorrow and pain and suffering...joy in worshipping God forever! No, that is NOT my worst case scenario.

Watching my children suffer illness or hunger or...whatever: THAT is my worst case scenario. A wise woman friend reminded me that God would be with me in that "worst case scenario." I can't understand all that God does or allows to happen. Like Job realized, God is still God even when we can't see him or know what he's doing. And so we have to wrestle back to this place of faith: God is with us no matter what we are going through.

Eventually, faith comes back to having our spiritual eyes and hearts set on heaven. We are warned we will have trials and trouble in this life (John 16:33) but we are also promised that we are not alone.

Jesus said, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Mt. 28:20 NIV)

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..." (Ps. 23:4a NIV)

If God is with us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31b) So, then while a "worst case scenario" here on earth may be horrific, my hope is in heaven. I, for one, am more and more with Paul:

Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose. As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues.(Philippians 1:21-26 MSG)

And so we pray....

God of Abundant Life, Giver of Peace that Passes Understanding, Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow, the One whose Promises are Yes and Amen: All praise be to God, the Lord and Father of Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your promises that we are precious and loved and that you walk with us through joy and through hardship. Thank you that you offer us the gift of salvation and grace and that you've already endured the ultimate worst case scenario because of your love for us. Help us to grow in joy and in trusting you. Help us to focus not on the fears and suffering of this world, but on living out the callings you give to us to be Salt and Light to the people around us. Help us focus on your strength, your provision, your grace - all for your glory. We pray in Christ's name...Amen.

New II

[Here's an article for our church's newsletter...]

"Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things..." (Ps. 98:1 NIV)

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” (Ps. 40:3 NIV)

October may seem like a strange time to be talking about new things in life, but maybe it's the best time. While a lot of people wait until January 1 to make their New Year's Resolutions or to start new things, I think this is also a good time of year to do some spiritual work. In theory, at least, we are well rested from our fun-in-the-sun this summer and returning to our "normal" activities with renewed energy and vigor. We've already seen the start of a new school year, new football and soccer seasons, and a new program year in the church. We continue to pray for God's wisdom and timing as we await the revelation and arrival of our new lead pastor. We are just beginning a new worship series focused around grace and healing.

And God's word continually challenges us to not just stay in the old and familiar:

This is what the LORD says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, "...do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:16, 18, 19 NIV)

Sometimes in the midst of living real life it's hard to see what new thing God may be doing. When we are unemployed - when we are divorcing - when we are lonely - when we are ill - when we are hurting - when we are fearful or worried - when we are concerned for someone - when we are walking through the valley of the shadow - it can be hard to see what God is doing. Yet, Isaiah reminds us of the times when God does something new or unexpected – like giving streams in the wasteland - to show his glory and power and to rescue his people.

Whatever we may be going through, God may be preparing to do - or already doing - something new.This new thing may be something we’ve never even considered or something that is an extreme challenge to us. In John 15 Jesus used the image of a gardener pruning the vine so it can produce more fruit. When God prunes us for greater fruitfulness – spiritually, emotionally, relationally, financially, etc. - it can be uncomfortable, even painful. But Jesus told us in a different story that we must continue to be renewed:

"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins." (Mark 2:21-22 NIV)

Even though it’s “just October,” these scriptures lead us to some questions about God’s renewal in our individual lives and that of our church. What is the new thing(s) that God is calling us to? What is the new "song" God is calling us to sing? What is it about that song that will cause others to see and fear God and to put their trust in Him? Or, to put it another way, what is the "new wine" of our lives that God wants to create? And how is He preparing us to be new wineskins for that wine?

This is what God says, "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? (Isa. 43 MSG) Let us be new wineskins for God’s new wine and sing a new song of praise!

Fix

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 NLT)

Last week a friend and I were having a conversation that, in part, was about the struggles, worries, and fears we were each dealing with. At the end of the conversation we came back to this verse. Usually, I focus on that list of things to think about: things that are true, noble, authentic, excellent, lovely, etc. But when I reread the verse I was caught by the "FIX" at the beginning of the NLT. FIX your thoughts. Don't let them get distracted or led astray. FIX your thoughts on that which is of God. Then you (I/we) won't have to fight evil's barbs; when we are focused on God it's easy to discern what is not of God.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. (Deut. 11:18 NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith... (Heb. 12:2 NIV)

But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD;
in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death. (Ps. 141:8 NIV)

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him. ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," by Martin Luther)

Creator of the Universe, Fixer of our Salvation, Spirit of Life, we praise you for who you are. You are Light, Abundant Life, Peace, Joy, and Wisdom. You are far more than we can understand, yet we know we are precious and beloved children of yours. Thank you for offering us the gift of your grace in Jesus Christ and the Abundant Life lived through the Spirit's power. Thank you for the tools we need to fight the fears, worries, and struggles of this life and to fight against your enemy. Give us wisdom, give us courage, give us strength for the facing of this hour and these trials. Help us to FIX our thoughts and our actions on that which is honorable to you. Help our minds be filled with things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious; the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse; things honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable; things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Fix our eyes on Jesus and your Word in our souls. Make us more like Jesus as he works us into his most excellent harmonies. In the strong name of Christ we pray. Amen.

I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:8-9 MSG)

New

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die...(Eccl. 3:1-2a NIV)

He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD. (Ps. 40:3 NIV)

Some random thoughts about NEW...

- Most students have started a new school year.

- We are (unofficially) entering a new fall. It's after Labor Day, some leaves are just beginning to change colors, and there's LOTS of high school soccer and football for fans to watch.

- We watched two baby girls be baptized yesterday morning - new members of our church family.

- I am trying to discern, more specifically, God's new call on my life.

- Every so often we enter new chapters in relationships with friends.

- At our church we are awaiting the revelation and then arrival of our new lead pastor.

- And in the meantime, our staff starts a new program year as programs launch for the upcoming season.

While a lot of people wait until January 1 to make their New Year's Resolutions or to start new things, I think this is also a good time of year to do this spiritual work. In theory, at least, we are well rested from our fun-in-the-sun this summer and returning to our "normal" activities with renewed energy and vigor.

What is the new thing(s) that God is calling us to? What is the new "song" God is calling us to sing? What is it about that song that will cause others to see and fear God and to put their trust in Him?

"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins." (Mark 2:21-22 NIV)

Or, to put it another way, what is the "new wine" of our lives that God wants to create? And how is He preparing us to be new wineskins for that wine?

As always...I ask lots of questions that (often) have no immediate answer. But God does.

Creator God, thank you for creating all things new...Thank you for giving us new songs to sing, new chapters in life, new events to look forward to. Thank you for challenging us to not stay in the "old wineskins" of life, but to allow you to remake us into new ones so you can place your fruit of the Vine within us. Show us your answers for our questions. Give us focus and discernment and Holy Wisdom so we can know your voice and your path. Help our lives to be a song that others see as a testimony to your love, grace, redemption, and peace. In the name of Christ, Amen.

Joy

Be joyful at your Feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. (Deut. 16:14 NIV)

For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. (Ps. 92:3-5 NIV)

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:21-23 NIV)

I've been reading Walter Wangerin's "JESUS." This is a novel telling the story of Jesus' life from perspectives of his mother Mary, the Beloved Disciple John, Simon "Rock" Peter, and others. I've found it a fascinating way to look at Jesus because it makes him very human.

I'm up to the section on the last week of Jesus' life and recently read the "Wednesday" chapter. In the church we usually focus on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, and then celebrate Easter Sunday! I've never thought too much about what would have happened that Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, though.

In this novel, the Jews were preparing for the Passover to begin, and Wednesday night was a night to clean out of the home all remaining traces of yeast - from bread loaves to crumbs left in baskets. But Wangerin goes a step farther - he suggests that for Jesus' group, that night became an unexpected party. He suggests that the women of the group, who were making preparations, would have sensed the "differentness" of Jesus' mood and that a no-holes-barred feast and dinner celebration was the result. In this retelling of the story, friend Mary bathes Jesus' feet in the expensive nard perfume and mother Mary watches her son ("Yeshi") laugh wholeheartedly.

What JOY!!

Where is your joy? Where are the moments in which you are aware of this fruit of the Spirit in your life? When do you just look around at your friends or loved ones and praise God for the joy they (and He!) give you?

Joy is not equal to happiness; we can be joyful in the midst of suffering and affliction. Joy is a spiritual state - a blessing by God.

Let us pray...

Joyful God, Laughing "Yeshi," Fruit-giving Spirit,

Thank you for the gift of joy in our lives. Thank you for the moments where we are aware of what you are doing and how it is a pure representation of your joy. Help us be even more aware...and even more grateful. Help us seek out your joy, not the "happiness" of the world, and to help others to seek first your Kingdom, live fully the fruits of your Spirit, and honor you with our lives.

In the powerful name of the laughing One we pray...Amen.