Austin Says...

When to Church Hop

Within the last year every member of my immediate family, including myself, has left a church to join a new one.  We each have a unique reason, but as I reflect I wonder what the Bible says about church hopping.

For starters, I left my church in Massachusetts to join one in Oregon.  The rest of my family members left a church only to join a different one in the same town.  Naturally I assume that I had the best reason.  But my hunch is that Scripture gives guidance and a healthy rebuke to all those who trade flocks.

I searched for "Church Strife" in my Bible study guide, and I got a list of verses from 1 and 2 Corinthians.  Apparently, the church in Corinth was a mess.  They had the whole gamut of problems starting with competing allegiences to mega-church leaders like Apollos and Cephas.  The problems ranged from petty arguments to people sleeping with their parents.  If you were a member of that church would you have left?

Of course there is no record in the Bible of anyone switching churches for good reason or bad.  People just didn't do that in ancient Palestine (unless it is recorded outside the Bible).  In all cases Paul's pleas were for humility, unity, and perseverance.  As an apostle, he viewed all the Christian churches, even the defunct ones, as his responsibilty.  He urged them to remember that they are "mere men" (1 Cor 3:3), and for those who think they are wise to become "fools" (1 Cor 3:18).  The point is that all problems can and should be worked out; just like in a marriage.

But times are different today than in the 1st century.  We are fortunate now to have more than one church in a town with many qualified pastors to lead us.  In the spirit of healthy competition, our churches are pressured to improve just by knowing that the church down the road has more comfortable seats.  So when one pastor preaches sermons that lean the wrong way, you have the freedom to go to the other pastor who preaches more in line with Scripture.  This serves to rebuke the inferior pastor while edifying the body of believers...or does it?

In the New Testament, there are cases of false teachers who were to be heartily rebuked (Tit 1:10-13).  But what about the teachers who were true believers led by the Holy Spirit, just a bit inexperienced and mistaken on occasion?  Turning to 1 & 2 Timothy is helpful in finding the answer.

The reason we have these two letters in the Bible is because Timothy needed them.  He was wonderfully gifted and anointed by God to lead the church and preach the gospel, but he was inexperienced and imperfect.  Paul loved Timothy as a son, but he kept close watch over him so he wouldn't mess up.  Paul parented Timothy in simple ways, like, "Stop drinking only water," (1 Tim 5:23) and instruction on how to rebuke an older man (1 Tim 5:1).  But the bottom line is that Timothy was in charge, and if he screwed up he screwed up.  There was no plan B.  Paul never told Timothy that if he failed the church would fall apart.  That is because the church can not fall apart (Matt 16:18).  If you think a church can fail, you are wrong. 

I've seen many churches trade members with others, including my own.  In every case the reasons were avoidable but real.  I've witnessed church hopping because of adultery in the congregation, accusations of child molestation, frustration with the pastor, boredom, and lack of connection.  I've never seen anyone go to a church that was any better than the previous one.  More friendly or more entertaining, yes, but not better.  All churches are churches full of sinful Christians who lack wisdom.  The church as we know it is not the way God knows it.  He looks down and sees his children as one church divided by man-made differences.  It must seem so silly from his perspective to watch believers trade churches, passing each other on the road all the time.  There is no perfect church.

On the other hand, God leads us various places for various reasons.  Often there is a need in one church body that can be filled by a member of another church.  Missionaries do this all the time.  Are you a doctor with some free time?  Does your church need medical care?  If not, why not use your talents in a church that does--perhaps in Africa?

Other times, there is a partnership that needs to be formed, so God orchestrates transition of believers.  Maybe God has a ministry planned for you and someone in another church.  Maybe your future spouse is at another church.  Maybe there is a mentor for your child at another church. 

If you think God wants you to switch churches, you are most likely wrong.  But there are occasions, and I commend those who have the courage to leave their church family and go to another.  Just be sure your motives are selfless, loving, and humble.  If the leadership has been misled, you should pray for them and encourage them.  If their views have gotten so off base that you can't take it anymore, that is not a reason to leave.  Most likely, it is a test of your faith. 

Jesus is the head of our church; none other.  If you left your church for any other reason than to serve different members of the body (Php 2:3), you should repent.  If you are a pastor that welcomes church hoppers, you should keep a keen eye on who you are welcoming.

"...so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." - 1 Cor 1:10

As always, comments are encouraged and welcome!

 

Black Tuesday

As offensive as the title of this blog sounds, I don't mean it that way.  I'm referring to the non-stop reminders on the news last night and today that our next president will be black.  Part of me gets incensed that skin pigment matters so much to people.  I also find it offensive that our fellow black Americans are so much less diverse in their politics than Asians, Hispanics, and Whites in America.  Although we've certainly moved forward in many ways regarding racial tolerance, I believe we've retreated in regards to treating all Americans, regardless of color, with equal respect.  It's disrespectful to assume a man was voted into office because of his color but downright racist to vote a man into office because of his color.

Another thing that I'm confused about is why Mr. Obama is considered "more black" than a run-of-the-mill white American.  What I mean by that is that he grew up in a white home.  His black father was an African immigrant, not a descendent of an American slave.  How is that any different than someone whose father immigrated from Ireland, Germany or Russia?  Again, I mean no offense by this; I'm purely concerned that our country has reduced the African-American experience to the color of one's skin rather than the history of being bought and sold by evil men, excluded from basic human rights, and treated as sub-human by neighbors.

I love that my black friends shed a tear of joy, and I'm happy we will have a black president.  I'm very unhappy that his skin color is so important to people.

The Donruss Crisis of '89

I have a take on the "financial crisis" that graces the headlines every day now.  It looks to me like the housing dilemma which has caused the bulk of our problems is identical to a crisis I experienced in the early 90s, which I call the Donruss Crisis.

It all started in 1986 when Topps, Fleer, and Donruss flooded the market with baseball cards.  Everyone who loved baseball cards was thrilled because it was so easy to get cards.  I could ride my bike 10 minutes and spend about 50 cents to get a pack of cards. 

Gregg Jefferies

In 1987, 1988 and 1989 it was a dream come true as baseball cards were practically free and every pack you bought probably contained a superstar like Gregg Jefferies or Wally Joyner.  New companies entered the market like Upper Deck, Score and Bowman, and the excitement brought young and old together as parents dug out what remained of their cards from the 50's, 60's and 70's. 

Prices were at an all time high, as a Mickey Mantle rookie card would go for a couple thousand dollars, an Orel Herschiser rookie for about $12.  Even Ken Griffey Jr's Upper Deck card was around $100.  Personally, I paid exorbitant prices for cards from the early 80's and 70's because they were so rare.

By the early 90's supply finally surpassed demand, but that wasn't the problem.  Cards were overvalued due to over-excitement and a false sense of rarity.  The market dried up even as more companies entered the market and supply increased. 

Now, none of this is a crisis--it's just economics at work.  But here's where it becomes a crisis.  So many of the collectors had based their worth on what others thought was valuable--they really didn't care about baseball at all.  We call these people "speculators" or "stock market investors."  People like me, who valued their collections of Mark Grace and Albert Belle rookies, etc. all of the sudden realized that nobody else would pay money for their prized possessions.  Our cards were basically worthless.  I think I still have my Frank Viola rookie card encased in hard plastic, which would make collectors laugh now, but made a lot of sense to me after the '87 World Series.  So people who invested in baseball cards "lost money", but the boxes and binders in their closets haven't changed.  Only the "value" has. 

Those who base their fortunes on what other people would pay for what they have are unfortunate, to say the least.  In my parents' closet you'll find a box of cards and then a box of Nolan Ryan.  I have everything that was ever made with his name and picture.  I have multiple autographs, posters, newspaper clippings, home-made artwork, and cards of Nolan Ryan.  At one point the Ryan collection probably neared $1000, a majority in my 1970 Topps of him in a Mets uniform.  Now I doubt I could get $250 for everything.  What changed?  Only the value to other people.  Not the value to me.  I still am sitting on a gold mine in my opinion.  I care not, nor will ever care what people would pay me for my collection.  In fact I even named my kid after the Express.  If I ever sell it, it will only be out of necessity.  I'd rather keep it in the family simply because it means so much to me. (I don't expect non-baseball fans to understand any of this).

Anyway, the final point is that people who live in worthless houses still have the same precious investment.  The problem lies in that other people look at their investment like a Kirby Puckett rookie and laugh.  I personally hope that after the bailouts and bankruptcies people will realize that what they own is valuable and the "subprime" becomes prime.  And in the long run I hope that people invest in what they truly find value in, not what they speculate others will.

Matthew 6:19-20  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." 

Yippee Kay Ya Yay

A month ago I was dead set on preparing for the "Obama-nation of Desolation", but a hurricane came crashing into the campaign that nobody expected--Sarah Palin.  Who knew that all it takes to get Republicans excited about an election is a pro-life beauty queen?  I, personally, was happy as a clam with Cindy McCain, but the Arizona senator is like the Hugh Hefner of right-to-center politics.  His life story in a nutshell (as much as I know from internet headlines and covers of news magazines):  marries a swimsuit model, cheats on her, marries a trophy beer heiress, has lots of kids, and selects Miss Alaska as a running mate.  Oh, and he was a POW for six years. 

Roberta mccain

This guy is like all the great action movie heroes in one silver package.  Come to think of it... his name is almost identical to one of the greatest action heroes of all time--John McLane.  Is John McCain real?  I used to think so, but when I saw his mom at the RNC, that's when I decided this whole thing is a joke.  There's no way in the world a 96-year-old woman jumps out of her seat and looks that good.  Talk about "Die Hard!"

My vote is definitely going to the candidate that most resembles a man who can hop into a helicopter from a speeding truck, blow up all the bad guys and get the girl at the end.  It's a no-brainer.

 

Corn and Righteousness, Part 1

About 5 days ago and 3000 miles east of here, I was sleeping on the floor of an empty house in Amherst, MA.  Now I'm in the guest room of my in-laws in central Oregon starting a new life.  On the drive here with my father-in-law, I had a lot of time to reflect. 

One profound kernel of wisdom gained from my meditation is that there is a lot of corn in this country.  Literally as far as the eye could see in any direction along I-90 in Ohio, and then pretty much solid corn until western Nebraska.  If you've ever seen the Grand Canyon, imagine it replaced with corn fields.  Or if you've ever been to outer space, imagine corn being where the sea of tranquility used to be.  It made me want to build it and wait for him to come.

Another ponderance of mine was about all the wonderfully nice people I left behind.  For six years I had the attitude that New Englanders are generally crinkly-faced hermits, but crinkly-faced hermits don't shower their neighbors with gifts and encouragement when they move to Oregon.  People are people with or without 6 months of frozen ground.  Everywhere you go you will encounter decent, loving people and I encountered more than my fair share in New England. 

Even if my townspeople's liberal bias never affected my political views, my theology was certainly shaken.  I have to question why the nicest, most generous people I met in Amherst were not at my church.  I used to think that rich white guilt motivated them, and it may some, but the majority of generous people were generous because that's the way they were raised to be.

Take the Allisons for example.  The dad works hard to support his family of 6 but gives generously (even discounted legal services to needy Texans) to many.  The mom stays home to raise her children and tirelessly volunteers her time to help the schools.  The kids are all athletic, smart and good citizens whose only screw-ups are Beaver Cleaver caliber.  They go to a church that ignores the call of discipleship and the weight of the gospel, but they go every week.  And they are just one example of about a hundred like them that I could describe here.

If Christ doesn't dwell in the hearts of these decent people,  who does?  And if you either serve Christ or Satan, how can so much corn be harvested from eroded soil?  Jesus says, "Apart from me you can do nothing."  Yet those apart from Christ do so much good.

My temporary conclusion is that there is fertile soil from generations past, and they reap the harvest like Paris Hilton spends her family's money.  Not all heirs of money abuse their parents' wealth--take for example the "good" son in Luke 15.  Likewise, not all children who reject their parents' faith reject their parents' values.  God's purity and righteousness are attractive to even those who prefer to live in darkness.  I imagine it creates a burden for them when they meditate on their beliefs, but it's easy to ignore your inconsistencies when you stay busy. 

Lots more to think about and say, but I need to go unpack and find a place to live--hopefully near some decent heathens.

Wake up People!

There are two conspiracies you need to know about before it's too late. 

First is the NBA.  I've been telling people it's fixed since the 1992 Finals when the Bulls went six games with the Blazers.  The Bulls had only lost 15 games the whole entire season, but all of the sudden it's difficult to beat Portland?  I don't think so.

Then with the referee scandal last off-season, it became obvious how the NBA was fixing games.  The refs were orchestrating games to make series last as long as possible--maximizing revenues for the NBA.  So with all the scandal of the last season, the low ratings caused by a small market dynasty (Go Spurs Go!), and the ever-nagging issues of off-court player antics, the NBA decided they needed a boost.  Hence, a Lakers/Celtics classic rematch.  Unprecedented trades, unlikely turns of events, and horrible officiating has put us at a game 6 once again.  It's fun to watch, but remember, the NBA is literally fantastic.

 

Rocky4

Second, you should know that Tiger Woods is a robot. For decades we've been fantasizing about robot cops, robot friends, robot cars, etc.  Meanwhile, we've put real robots on Mars, assembly lines, and Rocky movies.  What they don't want you to know is that Tiger Woods is a robot.  If they can make a computer the best chess player in the world, they can obviously program all possible golf scenarios into a robot.  Just make the robot appear and sound human a little bit and people will fall for it.  Well, everyone but me.  Next time you hear a Tiger Woods interview, you'll think to yourself, "he's right!"

Believe before it's too late!

Something Worth Freezing Over

I've mentioned before a young man I have been teaching for the last few years.  He has continued to waver between faith and doubt, and last week he decided to not get baptized (after having the date already set).  He told me at the time that he had been lying to himself about his belief in the gospel, and that he couldn't go through with the dunking knowing he didn't really believe Christ died for his sins. 

Since this was just the latest of many conversations like this with the young man, I simply told him, "That's okay.  I love you no matter what, and if you like being around Christians you should keep coming to church." 

Fast forward to yesterday.  He came to me at lunch and said, "I've got some good news.  I may or may not get baptized."  I responded, "That's not good news.  Good news would be if you said, 'I am getting baptized.'"  So he ran upstairs to talk to the pastor.  Less than a minute later he came back down to the cafe, puffing, "Okay, I'm getting baptized today." 

I asked him what had changed his mind, and his answer was simple--something to the effect of realizing he doesn't have to have it all figured out.  I encouraged him, "Faith is a simple decision to do what God wants you to do, and it's okay if you doubt." 

So yesterday we went to the pond and baptized my friend and student.  I read his testimony to the crowd (of around 50) and then joined him in the frigid spring water as my pastor, Nate and I gave him a Holy Swirley.  I'll always remember that experience, the icy pond, the dead fish I almost stepped on, the fish hooks in the sand, and my timid friend barely hanging on to a faith that can move mountains.

Ye of Little Fear

I was flabbergasted by a conversation that happened at lunch the other day.  It began with a colleague saying, "Do you mind if I say something controversial?"  "It's about time," I thought to myself.  He began to express his disbelief and disgust about the 60 Minutes interview with Antonin Scalia, one of our Supreme Court Justices.  Apparently Scalia justified torturing suspected terrorists with the "punishment" clause of the 8th Amendment, saying torture is not technically punishment. 

I didn't see the interview so I had to concede that torture is usually given as punishment for not saying something the authorities want them to--at least that's what I know from watching every episode of 24.  But that's not what my colleague was really discombobulated about.  He believes Scalia is a raving lunatic on the level of George W. Bush, and can't begin to understand where conservative, constructionist philosophy is coming from.  He is also deathly afraid that Bush and his evil dictatorial regime can't be stopped. 

I tried to communicate to my friend that School House Rock says that in our system we don't have to worry about that.  His two elected senators, for example, (Kennedy and Kerry) are supposed to check and balance lunatic presidents.  I sensed a passionate frustration with something more than just Republicans.  On a deeper level, my friend fears the human propensity for evil, especially when humans have extraordinary political power.  Moreover, I sensed a fear that evil would be taking over the world rather than just being a nuisance like a mosquito.  His understanding of evil is that those with little power or money aren't to be feared, but those with lots are (because their evil can affect so many "innocent" people).

It's hard to find common ground with someone who has this world view.  I believe evil is already much more prevalent than mosquitoes, and the hope we have is not in any politician or wave of political change.  But law and order are good things, and in most cases punishment is a deterrent to crimes.  Bad guys should be punished and good guys should be rewarded.  I think justice is a lot simpler than my friend does.

As far as my friend's fears, I guess they are justified--perhaps even too minor.  If the world is already being run by "the prince of this world," (John 12, 14, 16) then my friend should be afraid beyond afraid.  His hope against the pervasive evil that goes around killing innocent children and raping women is in a more democratic government?  Woe is he.  I've got good news for him, though.  The "prince of this world now stands condemned."  (John 16:11)  There is hope.

Calling and Conversion

A busy February prevented me from writing about some amazing studies in Ephesians, but I'm back with some more.  I'm in chapter 3 now, and this week I'm studying about Paul's calling to reveal the mystery of Christ to the Gentiles.

What struck me as I read the first part of ch. 3 is how certain Paul was of his specific calling.  In verse 8 he says he was given the grace to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.  Nobody else had ever had this calling before.  This was a new job in the church.  Prophets long ago were summoned to prophesy to foreign lands (e.g., Jonah), but Paul was the first Christian ever to receive that calling.  In other words, it wasn't a job listing in the apostolic want-ads.

For Paul, this calling was so clear because he had such a clear conversion experience.  He was blinded by a great light and visited by the Lord himself.  He went from a blood-thirsty celebrity pharisee to a rogue gospel missionary in a matter of days.  His conversion was his calling and his calling was his conversion.  Christ asked him at his conversion, "Why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4)  Not long after that Paul would become the persecuted. 

Many of us, myself included, struggle to even remember our conversion experiences.  Who were we before Christ, and how did the rebirth happen?  Even if we piece a story together, very rarely do we associate our conversion with a specific calling.  On the other hand, I know someone who had been a self-mutilating alcoholic who is now pursuing his vocation to minister to those who have similar struggles.  I also know a woman who had been in an abusive relationship who is now working out her calling to show compassion to women in these types of relationships. 

But what about the less extreme cases?  What if you grew up in church and got more of a nudge in the right direction than a blinding light? 

I say that your conversion is just as majestic even if it's internal.  What I mean is that God has always had a plan for you.  Your old life, although hopeless and hell-bent, is being transformed into his missionary tool.  If you were passionate about sports instead of Jesus, then maybe you've been called to reach out to athletes.  If your passion was music, then maybe your calling is to musicians.  If you had urges and cravings that you look back on with embarassment, then maybe your calling is to bring those sins into the light and offer hope to those who have struggles now.

I challenge you to look back on your old life and what it was that used to define you before you were redefined by Christ.  Then the challenge is to discern your calling from that.  Peter wrote in his second letter, "Be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall." (2 Pet 1:10)  There is a connection between your calling and your election, and once you work that out you will never doubt your conversion again.

The Sore Thumb

If you go to a foreign place and stay there a while, you very likely might accept their customs and possibly even their beliefs.  How hard it is to maintain your own set of beliefs and customs when the world around you is so different!  Even more, it's nearly implausible that you would move to a foreign place, keep your own customs and beliefs, but also have such an impact on the people that they begin to take up your customs and beliefs.  Have you ever even seen it happen?  It happened at least once, because that is what the Apostle Paul did when he moved to Ephesus. 

Master Splinter

I used to laugh at this professor who was as Californian as Gene Autry, but he identified himself as Japanese.  He taught Tea 1, 2 and 3 (for those really advanced in the art of tea).  He wore a kimono and talked like Master Splinter from the Ninja Turtles.  Apparently he lived in Japan for a while and REALLY liked it there.  The reason I laughed at him was that he stood out like a sore thumb.  Here was a guy who should have been bleaching his hair and wearing shades indoors, but he held steadfastly to this foreign custom.

I think of Paul like that professor.  He was as Jewish as Abraham himself, but he was telling people circumcision wasn't a big deal and that you had to have a ghost living inside of you to be a real follower of Christ.  He dunked (or sprinkled) people in water and took a serious beating almost everywhere he went because he held so strongly to his beliefs.  So strongly that he changed the world forever.

When I read the letter to the Ephesians, I see not just how deep Paul's beliefs were, but how powerful his beliefs were.  Each sentence is filled with amazement at who he worshipped and a wild hope that he could actually live in such a way that pleased God.  It's infecting, and the impact he had on the Ephesians was only a small thing compared to the effect it has had on the entire world for the last couple millenia. 

More to come...