Thoughts from Total Church:

What do we mean when we say a church is a “Word centred church?” Chester and Timmis think that we are really just saying that the church teaches a passage from the Bible through a monologue every Sunday. Thus, they say that being “Word centred” really means “Sermon centred”. Chester and Timmis comment that the danger in this assumption is that it assumes that the Bible can only be taught this way, nudging some of Jesus’ primary methods of teaching – stories, sayings and dialogue, into a subordinate position.

They go on to point out that there is little evidence in the New Testament for sermons as we know them today – on a Sunday, from a pulpit. They continue to evidence their argument from NT scripture, saying “sermons” in Acts were Holy-Spirit-triggered unprepared defence speeches before a court or a mob. Not classic “three pointers” using “Powerpoint”, with the band fading in during the appeal at the end.

Their onslaught of Sunday sermons continues when they claim that Sunday sermons are a Constantinian invention, not a NT Holy Spirit inspired model. To reinforce their point they refer to evidence from IBM and the UK Post office. Both institutions carried out studies a few years back that showed that people who learn by hearing alone retain 10%. Whereas, people who learn by hearing, being shown, and experiencing, retain a whopping 65%!

Have a read at the chapter yourself Total_Church_-_Ch_7_Discipleship_and_training.

When I read this chapter I instantly thought of the “collective equipping idea” someone (I can’t remember who) proposed recently. The idea assumes the aforementioned information is correct and argues that the only person who gets the real equipping is the monologue presenter who spends hours preparing and not the recipients who according to IBM retain a mere 10%. Basically, instead of the teacher spending hours alone preparing, the church as a whole would study the passage or Bible topic in advance. They can discuss this passage at “Homegroups”, or comment online, possibly on a forum or email, regarding both their thoughts, and what the Spirit has been teaching them in prep for the teaching on Sunday. The teacher would be able to comment on their comments during his or her delivery of his sermon, and cover areas of interest and questions on the passage. This “collective equipping idea” has potential to provide greater teaching scope, more intensive corporate engagement of God’s word, and ultimately, better equipping of the “Saints”.

Do you think methods of teaching God’s word using stories, sayings and dialogue is subordinate to Sunday sermons?

Maybe you are someone who likes to listen to sermons. What do you think about Chester and Timmis comments on James 1:22: “Sermons count for nothing in God’s sight… James says great teaching counts for nothing… what counts is the practice of the word”?

Related posts:

1. Paid Church Workers: Worthy of ‘Double Honour’?
2. Redefining the C word.
3. More on Paid Church Staff

Teasing out the theme in my 2nd last blog Paid Church Workers: Worthy of Double Honour, in which I quoted Bonhoeffer saying that “..clergy must live solely on the free-will offerings of their congregations, or possibly engage in some secular calling..” I’d like to quote Chris Wright (who incidentally hails from N.Ireland) from NIV Biblical Commentary on Deuteronomy, commenting on Chapter 18:1-8:

…Churches or others Christian groups that fail to pay their workers adequate living wages are not “living by faith,” but are simply living in disobedience. (Wright p.216)

Strong, sure. But in the lead up to this statement Wright concurs with Bonhoffer in stating that God’s spiritual leaders, or Priests in Deut 18 – the Levites, would depend solely on material provision from an obedient people – Israel (in the promised land that they were soon to enter):

…the landlessness of Israel’s priestly tribe was not intended to impoverish them. They would be dependent, indeed. But dependence on an obedient people should have meant perfectly adequate provision for their material needs, just as Israel’s dependence on their faithful God would include full provision. (Wright, p.215)

Wright stresses that the Apostle Paul emphasises this point many times in the NT by quoting Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Timothy 5:17-18 stating that those who preach and teach deserve “Double Honour“. Although Paul voluntarily opted out of taking his own advice and took the even higher ground of providing for himself. Wright adds others verses to support his point from scripture such as 1 Corinthians 9:13:

You know, don’t you, that it’s always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed? Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message. ~ Paul (Message)

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So here’s to all the FT voluntary and inadequately paid church workers who, maybe secretly, feel undervalued and frankly unpaid for their labours (my wife and I have been there): You ARE worth it! God wills and instructs His Church to pay you adequately for your efforts!

The argument seems clear – church workers are to be paid adequately.

Define adequate?

BN

Related posts:

1. Paid Church Workers: Worthy of ‘Double Honour’?
2. “Word Centered” Church
3. Online Church: Treat or Cheat?

Loving our neighbors as ourselves is easier said than done. Especially when they call at all the wrong times, begin to rummage freely amongst your belongings, even delving boldly into our new stocked refrigerators.

I remember Dave Gibbons Pastor of Newsong in California at the WCLS banging on about having real community; a place where we have more than an open-door policy for our homes; a more intimate stage of sharing life: an open fridge policy. As uncomfortable a thought as it may be, I believe this stage of intimacy and trust amongst those committed to living as part of a community, and particularly, those trying to live-out the Gospel, is healthy.

After moving into Skerries, we’ve already set a precedent within our community of an open-door policy; a ‘call anytime’ but take us as you find us type of thing. Our door has not stopped. I used to get really uncomfortable about people coming to my home at the wrong times, making the place untidy, even eating my precious food. How selfish was I? All we have is the Lord’s; we only have it to share and be a blessing to the rest of the word: the first Great Commission for us to obey as God’s people.(Genesis 12:3)

We’re inspired by the model of Pricilla and Aquila, who were renowned for their homely hospitality and house church in the NT (Acts 18:24-26; 1 Corinthians 16:19). It seems that although they had a nomadic lifestyle, partly due to fleeing from persecution (Acts 18:2), they managed to keep their home open and organised somewhat for the Lord’s service. I bet they had an open fridge policy.

Does the thought of an open fridge policy in your home (for your immediate community) make you thrive and dive?

N

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This blog has bcame pretty crap lately, I know.

Forgive me.

I just can’t get everything right. Life — in a healthy sense — has consumed me lately with college, moving home, and now getting it ready for our baby girl.

Ironically, I’m like a coiled spring, ready to unload a heap of ideas and discussion topics. But they’ll just have to wait until I get a reasonable pattern back into my life in the coming weeks. Until then, it’ll just be a random blurb like this:

Fredrickson and Gibbs, and also, Scot McKnight (although I can’t remember where), all recently challenged me to think about the professional side of church life. I am beginning preliminary research on my final year dissertation this August and I am already thinking about including this topic with the overall church related heading (which I will discuss later).

So:

All three aforementioned sources make their point quoting Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote during the Nazi era from a prison cell:

The church is only the church when it exists for others. To make a start, it should give away all its property to those in need. The clergy must live solely on the free-will offerings of their congregations, or possibly engage in some secular calling. The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men (sic) of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others (Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison, 1997, 1953:282)

Considering this, is their a case for paid church staff? Do you think Bonhoeffer is portraying a sound exegesis of 1 Tim 5:17-18?

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.

And, why do think scripture does not recommend that Apostles, Evangelists, and Prophets (Eph 4) get the same perks? (or maybe it does and I’ve missed it?)

Nski

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3. Mad Church Disease: Exposed

Christianitytoday recently published a riveting article called The Toll of Our Toiling in which, they mention John Pipers decision to take eight months off. Piper gives his reason: “I see several species of pride in my soul that, while they may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry, grieve me, and have taken a toll on my relationship with [my wife] Noël and others who are dear to me”.

How Courageous?

The article even includes some laments from exhausted evangelist Billy Graham who regrets leaving his family for the sake of ministry, and missing the birth of his first daughter. What a pity.

I go to college with mostly young people, mostly under 30’s. A lot of them are still enthused about ‘church’ but many – more than there should be – are burnt out, or have been hurt already for the sake of the ‘Kingdom’. I know, here we go again about needing more safety measures and boundaries of protection in ministry. Yet it is true.

For the hours that I have spent thinking this innocent evil through my solution may seem ordinarily simple: slow down. Here’s Carl Honore again to refresh us:

Any further suggestions, send them on a self addressed envelope to…

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As of 4am today I am ‘grandaless.’

My last living grandfather lost his brave fight against cancer this morning. I got the phone call ten minutes after. I fell back to sleep – strangely – with peace. Forgive me: my blogs have been less frequent recently. Maybe its because I have been gradually grieving this moment? I don’t know. Cancer allows you the (dare I say) ‘privilege’ of gradual mourning.

Almost all the people that I know over 80 years old have passed recently have been taken through cancer. Although, nowadays you’re lucky to get to 80 without even getting it. Cancer is awful; its effects are horrendous and destructive on the body – sure. BUT, it can ONLY kill the body. As a Christ-follower, my assurance is that my spirit is imperishable: I will live forever! As a vessel in which the very DNA of God resides, I, like Christ, have the same power that conquered the grave living in me. What hope!

I cannot fathom a life without hope now, I’ve went too far with Jesus. Or, better still, a life without faith or love, for that is all that remains in this life according to scripture: Faith, Hope and Love.

Life is for living. Embrace it.

Death is for Learning. Be challenged by it.

I’ll leave you with this song has been playing in my head recently. It’s obvious now why.

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Patrick Mitchel has written a great post on Ireland’s lack of national vision as a Republic. I’d have to agree with him that this little country has lost its vision: it remains hanging in dire need of radical leadership. There are discussions galore, even national competitions here urging the people to creativity to restore national hope, identity and stability.

What about the evangelical Church in Ireland during this mess? One of my Professor’s recently discussed with me the ‘window of opportunity’ that we temporarily dwell within – opportunity for the Gospel before we dwindle into a post-Christian state completely. As the Irish turn from their Catholic Churches, jobless, broke, and hopeless, what will they see when they look at Evangelicals who claim to be ambassadors of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Hope? Identity? even Stability? I dare to ask.

The Irish Times strap-line “Renewing the Republic” captures the heart of God’s mission; renewal is the essence of the great gospel that evangelicals live for. I even think the EAI should steal this strap-line and begin a concerted evangelical campaign during these dark days in Ireland. Lets do it.

Go Jesus.

N

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XXX Church’s approach to mission still rocks! They are still tackling possibly the largest life-ruining evil on the planet: porn.

I’ve just watched their latest video (below) on the devastation and tragedy of porn; lives ruined, people exploited, folk’s self-worth annihilated. It is truly an evil monstrosity.

The statistics are staggering; here are some recent statistics from Internet filter review

And some ‘Christian’ porn statistics from XXX Church to bring it closer to the pulpit:

53% of Christian men consume pornography.

57% of pastors call pornography the most sexually damaging issue for their congregations.

Sources: Christianity Today, Promise Keepers, Barna Research Group, World Magazine

XXX Church’s strap-line is “Jesus loves porn-stars”.  Do we think so in Ireland too?

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George Barna’s latest post about Christians disagreeing is worth a read. The Ventura based Church statistician has profound awareness of one of the major dysfunctions within society today, particularly in the Christian world – disagreeing badly.

Since the inception of his successful company, the Barna Group, George has adhered to iron-clad rules, one of which applies here: “..we never say anything negative about those with whom we disagree.” He elaborates, “It is disheartening to witness (and experience) the hostility within the body of believers about differences in beliefs and practices. I know; some people believe they have figured it all out and feel they have been charged by God with making sure everyone sees things as they do…  if the world is supposed to know us by our love, shouldn’t it begin with how we treat each other?”

Disagreeing well is not learned at college or by book, it is a realtime learned response that is forged through arduous conversation and conflict resolution. I’ve mishandled many disagreements, and sadly, I continue to do so in my human brokeness. The few people that I have observed handling disagreements well, both in conflict and enduring criticism have been through emotional wars that make me quake like a child. Those few stalwarts all have one strength, in particular, I think that we wish we had more off – humility.

Is the way we handle disagreements, conflict and criticism an accurate indicator of our humility, maturity, and perhaps are understanding of what it is to love unconditionally? I think so.

N

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Assisted suicide is a hot topic again, stirring the whole question of God and medicine.

As a healthy western Christ-follower, I can only observe and think that ‘dying well’ is a step too far in medicine; or is it? How far do we go limiting what medicine is good, and what medicine is interfering with God’s perfect will? Some may even still argue that medicine is ultimately destroying the perfect will of God, scorning everything from aspirin through to Chemotherapy.

Severe suffering, disease and death can make euthanasia almost seem plausible. Scripturally, the Bible does not give any allowance for man to wilfully take his own life. It is GOD ALONE who governs life. Job 1:21 declares “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away.”

How do you feel about medicine and God?

Is it wrong to receive — or seek — medical assistance when we are in pain, or ill, or even just in discomfort? And how does this contrast with relying on Divine healing and faith?

N

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