“If strict discipline, and thereby strict morals, were maintained in the church, it would in all probability be one of the most powerful means of conviction and conversion towards those who are without”
Jonathan Edwards
This past weekend I had the joy of hosting our first Peace Makers Retreat! As a church we have spent some months discussing the importance of unity and handling conflict in the local body: it has been nothing short of amazing as to what God has done in our fellowship and in our individual families. There are scores of people in American churches today that go haywire when anyone mentions anything about submission, accountability or discipline within the church. There are several reasons for this:
(1) they are like the spoiled child that has never had any discipline in their life and when someone actually implements it and it impacts them, they respond like a two year old that has been told “no” in a toy store. They go crazy! This is the reason it is helpful to be able to teach a biblically balanced approach to this, before it is implemented.
(2) The only “discipline” they have ever seen has been when a staff member or pastor fell, morally or ethically, and had to be removed. To define this one event as discipline is difficult at best. If a man has fallen in an area of his life and has to be removed from his position, it would make it difficult for Matthew 18 to be carried out correctly. The goal of Matthew 18 is restoration – requiring him to leave his position limits the ability to restore in the body because, let’s face it, it is a removal and in many cases the man and family simply leave. Not getting into if it is right or wrong to respond in this way, we can certainly say this is not the normal expectation of accountability or discipline.
(3) They hate, despise, and have disdain for anything that resembles authority in their life. This is a person who either needs to receive the truth of the Word, or they are simply following the same tract of rebellion their daddy did when he was thrown out of Heaven. They just hate any sort of authority or submission.
All of this to simply say, I thank the Lord for a church that is “getting it.” We don’t have it yet, but we are being sanctified in a way that breeds the understanding that we are responsible to Christ first, but also to one another. Our Peace Making Team will be here to serve you, to help counsel with you, to coach, mediate, and pray that we are a church that walks in unity. Statistics from Peace Makers say that 50 churches a day fall into some type of major conflict! Is it any wonder that there are so many people that have no understanding about Christ? Thank you to the Peacemaker Team and Staff for a wonderful, encouraging weekend…thank you to a church that is “warring” for peace, and thank you to our Lord who allows this by first bringing us peace from Him! To God be the glory!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Radical Review
Last blog I mentioned the book Radical, written by David Platt, and shortly after that I found a very balanced review of the book written by his friend Kevin DeYoung and then Dr. Platt’s response to it, both of which are very good. Radical is a book that I hope will “shake up” believers in America. I have been around church, specifically Baptist Churches pretty much all of my life and can remember the movements (good ones and bad ones) that have yielded excitement – they have ranged early on from Bill Gothard, to more recently, Jabez and being Purpose Driven… and about twenty others through the years. By in large Baptist seem to be great “groupies”! The truth is, I hope Radical does more than just give the groupies something new to follow – it is worth serious thought and contemplation. But, as I mentioned in my previous blog, theologically one must be Gospel centered and understand the importance of the Church (as alluded to by DeYoung in his review) to be Radical for Christ without just being radically emotional about a movement sweeping the evangelical community. Also, I hope it causes all believers to put things in eternal perspective – to focus in on that we are not permanent residents of this world. But in order for it to cause a genuine shift rather than the next “groupie” movement, it is going to have to be true believers with a hunger for biblical evangelism and growth within a local Bride that “get it” - the emotion and inspiration of the book must find balance in the heart of a believer grounded in Scripture for it to be sustained – otherwise, we are just going to see the groupies move on when the emotion wears out. The problem is not Radical or David Platt, for I have listened to him preach the Word of God and there is no question as to his dedication to truth and doctrinal clarity. The problem lies within those whose only view of the Gospel is weak at best and the ones who may be faithful attendees at the Church, but do not passionately love or understand her purpose… and sadly this covers many people in our churches across America.
Both DeYoung’s review and Platt’s response shows great wisdom, humility and love for truth. I have provided a link for them below and they are well worth the read…
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/05/25/getting-to-the-root-of-radical/
Both DeYoung’s review and Platt’s response shows great wisdom, humility and love for truth. I have provided a link for them below and they are well worth the read…
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2010/05/25/getting-to-the-root-of-radical/
Monday, June 21, 2010
Being Missions Minded...
If there is anything that that the majority of Churches in America tend to misunderstand and even abuse, it is God’s evangelistic plan. What is God’s plan to evangelize the World? Speaking very generally, I have found two prominent groups of opinions in most Southern Baptist Churches: The first group falls into the idea that if you are going to be mission minded then all you have to do is give money. They set goals and talk about giving, and then they give and hope other people go. Growing up and speaking with many fellow Southern Baptists, this is how many viewed missions. We seldom knew any missionaries by name or knew where our missionaries were located. The second group understands the necessity of explaining missions as something more than money we give, but it is also what we do. Obviously, we should give of our resources to carry forth the gospel, but we should also GO, as the Scriptures make crystal clear.
So, what does it look like to be about the business of evangelism while also supporting evangelism with our resources? Well, a couple of weeks ago we had a children’s choir from Uganda come in an bless us…as a result, we have some members that are trying to set up a trip to go minister to this school that Bro. Ted Moody serves in such a wonderful way. We have spent MONTHS studying the Doctrine of the Church defining the TRUE Gospel message….making sure that we, as a body understand who we are in Christ, our role and the message we carry forth. Why are we doing this? Because that is the only way evangelism can be done! That’s right…let me be very clear—GOD’S PLAN FOR EVANGELISM IS THE CHURCH! If the church can’t explain the message of the Gospel, they really can’t be considered a church. Furthermore, if they don’t understand how God uses the body to carry forth the Gospel, they will never be able to do evangelism properly. Too often today there is an overwhelming zeal, and an underwhelming knowledge of doctrine.
While many churches head down the wrong path due to doctrinal ignorance, there are several churches that are doing a phenomenal job in all of these arenas! The hottest church right now leading the way is The Church At Brook Hills whose Pastor is David Platt. Bro. Brad Walker will be taking our students through his new book in the coming days. However, while we watch these churches come forth and dedicate themselves to a biblical evangelism (as we at Trinity are striving to do), it is important to not forget that men like Dr. John MacArthur were leading their church in radical missions long before David Platt (or even Chad Everson) were born - I thank God for their stand through the years and their faithfulness to the Gospel message. I am thankful for these men who have a crystal clear understanding of the Gospel as well as what the Church should be leading the way for us to come behind! We must hold firm to a correct Gospel…Everything begins and ends with the Gospel. Then, it is the Church that is called to carry forth the Gospel - it stands to reason that if either of these two is weak, then true missions, in light of Scripture, falls dreadfully short. This is why there is such an emphasis on doctrine at Trinity - because it is consistent with the Word of God. One only needs to look at Ephesians to see the way Paul dealt with this church: he spend the first half of the book explaining their doctrine and the last half explaining their duty in light of the doctrine. The same must be true for us at Trinity, if we are going to correctly carry out the Great Commission we must make sure our message is right, and then we must make sure we understand God’s plan for evangelism…that plan is THE BODY. If the message is being rightly proclaimed through a healthy body that is glorifying Christ, then missions isn’t something we DO but it is something that is produced by health! I thank the Lord for God’s grace in teaching us these great truths, through His Word.
So, what does it look like to be about the business of evangelism while also supporting evangelism with our resources? Well, a couple of weeks ago we had a children’s choir from Uganda come in an bless us…as a result, we have some members that are trying to set up a trip to go minister to this school that Bro. Ted Moody serves in such a wonderful way. We have spent MONTHS studying the Doctrine of the Church defining the TRUE Gospel message….making sure that we, as a body understand who we are in Christ, our role and the message we carry forth. Why are we doing this? Because that is the only way evangelism can be done! That’s right…let me be very clear—GOD’S PLAN FOR EVANGELISM IS THE CHURCH! If the church can’t explain the message of the Gospel, they really can’t be considered a church. Furthermore, if they don’t understand how God uses the body to carry forth the Gospel, they will never be able to do evangelism properly. Too often today there is an overwhelming zeal, and an underwhelming knowledge of doctrine.
While many churches head down the wrong path due to doctrinal ignorance, there are several churches that are doing a phenomenal job in all of these arenas! The hottest church right now leading the way is The Church At Brook Hills whose Pastor is David Platt. Bro. Brad Walker will be taking our students through his new book in the coming days. However, while we watch these churches come forth and dedicate themselves to a biblical evangelism (as we at Trinity are striving to do), it is important to not forget that men like Dr. John MacArthur were leading their church in radical missions long before David Platt (or even Chad Everson) were born - I thank God for their stand through the years and their faithfulness to the Gospel message. I am thankful for these men who have a crystal clear understanding of the Gospel as well as what the Church should be leading the way for us to come behind! We must hold firm to a correct Gospel…Everything begins and ends with the Gospel. Then, it is the Church that is called to carry forth the Gospel - it stands to reason that if either of these two is weak, then true missions, in light of Scripture, falls dreadfully short. This is why there is such an emphasis on doctrine at Trinity - because it is consistent with the Word of God. One only needs to look at Ephesians to see the way Paul dealt with this church: he spend the first half of the book explaining their doctrine and the last half explaining their duty in light of the doctrine. The same must be true for us at Trinity, if we are going to correctly carry out the Great Commission we must make sure our message is right, and then we must make sure we understand God’s plan for evangelism…that plan is THE BODY. If the message is being rightly proclaimed through a healthy body that is glorifying Christ, then missions isn’t something we DO but it is something that is produced by health! I thank the Lord for God’s grace in teaching us these great truths, through His Word.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Thank You Trinity....
This week there were people of all ages learning and teaching at Trinity Baptist Church! Our VBS week was a huge success and for that we are grateful for God’s grace, but we are also thankful for the faithfulness of the saints of God in our fellowship. On Monday we had a visiting family that, while they waited in line to register their child, they told one our ladies that their children had attended our VBS for several years in a row, but there seemed to be a change in the workers this year. When asked to explain, the visiting lady said, “there seems to just be a sweeter spirit among you than ever before.” To that I say “TO GOD BE THE GLORY”. When someone just comes in off the street and can watch our people work together in a stressful situation (and yes, that first day is VERY stressful), and Trinity exemplifies grace, love, patience and unity among one another, that is a wonderful way to glorify our Lord. We want to make sure that in all we do, in every area of ministry and service, our foremost desire is to honor God! We can do this when things run smoothly but when things are chaotic or they don’t run as we think they should, that is the test. I want to thank our workers for exemplifying Christ this week. This year we did not divide the children by ages, and they went around on teams allowing children of different ages to interact with one another… so, to put it mildly, this was an incredible hit with everyone involved but in many cases, it made it a little more trying for our workers. I want to thank each leader who sacrificed their time and energy, each parent who entrusted us with their child, and each member of Trinity who, through their giving, allowed us to have such a wonderful VBS.
Last but not least, there was a very consistent statement mentioned throughout our VBS, and it went something like this… “God blessed Trinity when He sent us Bro. Jeff.” To that statement I say “Amen!” I have said it before, but I do not know of anyone that I trust leading the families of our children more than Bro. Jeff Summers. I thank the Lord not only for his friendship, but also for the deep passion that he has for the gospel and articulating that correctly to our children. Thank you Bro. Jeff, and “thank you” to all of you for an outstanding VBS! Be sure to be there Sunday morning to let the children show us what they have learned!
Last but not least, there was a very consistent statement mentioned throughout our VBS, and it went something like this… “God blessed Trinity when He sent us Bro. Jeff.” To that statement I say “Amen!” I have said it before, but I do not know of anyone that I trust leading the families of our children more than Bro. Jeff Summers. I thank the Lord not only for his friendship, but also for the deep passion that he has for the gospel and articulating that correctly to our children. Thank you Bro. Jeff, and “thank you” to all of you for an outstanding VBS! Be sure to be there Sunday morning to let the children show us what they have learned!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Commitment To A Local Body:
Below is a question that taken by Dr. John MacArthur during a Q&A time during one of his services. As we have been studying the Church, I thought it to be a very clear, Biblical explanation of commitment to a local church.
Question
What does it mean for a Christian to be committed to the local body of believers?
Answer
Well, I don't think there is any other way to be a Christian, than to be committed to a local body of believers. I am talking about church membership or identifying...we have a problem with that in our society. Today, we have people who just float, you know. They look at the church page like they look at the movie page, and figure who is playing where, we will go here, or this guy or whatever. But, the church knows no identity of a Christian without a local assembly. I mean, in the NT there is no such thing, there is no conception of such an individual. If you are a Christian, you are a member of the body, right? of the community, of the assembly--to commune with God’s people. It says in Hebrews 10, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some and much more as you see the day approaching." So, Christians are called together in a wonderful unity. I believe, every Christian ought to identify with a local assembly. The reason some don't is because they just like to be loose. They don't want accountability or they can't find some place that is 100 percent according to their little list of standards. But, those are excuses, not reasons.
Every Christian should be committed to a local assembly. It means two things,
1) I submit to the authority of those elders.
2) I want to minister here.
And, the reason we have church membership here is so that people can say, ‘I want to bring my life in under the shepherding of these men, and I want to minister here. And, we want to bring them into the membership because that is the only way we can screen people, the only way we can know people, so that we can approve of them to send them out in ministry. But, I think, it is very important to identify with a local church, to come under the authority of the elders, for accountability, and, to come into the ministry for the sake of serving Jesus Christ in that assembly. And, your Christianity is tested when you identify with one group of people, isn’t it? There is no accountability, there is no testing of your faith when you can float. So, it is a very important thing.
Question
What does it mean for a Christian to be committed to the local body of believers?
Answer
Well, I don't think there is any other way to be a Christian, than to be committed to a local body of believers. I am talking about church membership or identifying...we have a problem with that in our society. Today, we have people who just float, you know. They look at the church page like they look at the movie page, and figure who is playing where, we will go here, or this guy or whatever. But, the church knows no identity of a Christian without a local assembly. I mean, in the NT there is no such thing, there is no conception of such an individual. If you are a Christian, you are a member of the body, right? of the community, of the assembly--to commune with God’s people. It says in Hebrews 10, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some and much more as you see the day approaching." So, Christians are called together in a wonderful unity. I believe, every Christian ought to identify with a local assembly. The reason some don't is because they just like to be loose. They don't want accountability or they can't find some place that is 100 percent according to their little list of standards. But, those are excuses, not reasons.
Every Christian should be committed to a local assembly. It means two things,
1) I submit to the authority of those elders.
2) I want to minister here.
And, the reason we have church membership here is so that people can say, ‘I want to bring my life in under the shepherding of these men, and I want to minister here. And, we want to bring them into the membership because that is the only way we can screen people, the only way we can know people, so that we can approve of them to send them out in ministry. But, I think, it is very important to identify with a local church, to come under the authority of the elders, for accountability, and, to come into the ministry for the sake of serving Jesus Christ in that assembly. And, your Christianity is tested when you identify with one group of people, isn’t it? There is no accountability, there is no testing of your faith when you can float. So, it is a very important thing.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
On My Anniversary...
There are many people that get their Christmas shopping done early to get it out of the way. There are others who get it done early because when they see something in the store, they think of their loved one, and how this gift would mean so very much to them. Now, it seems strange that I would be speaking of Christmas shopping at the beginning of June, but in truth as I write this post it is February. There are times certain things happen that cause me to write a blog for a date down the road, or a blog of something that I want to mention down the road after a particular text that I preach. Well, when I read this blog I knew that I would post it on June 10. Why this date? Well, I try to post each Monday and Thursday - and Friday, June 11th is the Anniversary of the greatest event of my life outside my salvation; I married Rebecca Michele Brashear. The reason I thought of this way back in February was because I read this post:
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2010/02/13/husband-and-wife/
God has used Michele over the last 16 years to exhort, love, listen, counsel and even biblically rebuke me. She sees me, her pastor, in the highest of mountains and in the lowest of valleys. She has watched me labor over the study of Scripture, and listened to sermons over the supper table well before I ever preached them in worship service. She has watched me lead our home and teach truth, and she has watched me fail miserably. She has watched me rejoice in my calling and she has watched me struggle, cry and even question staying in the ministry God has given me. She has been my proof reader and the first one that I ask “did I explain that text clearly?” When I read the statement in the afore mentioned blog:
And she will spend her life answering it, communicating to him in various ways, “Honey, I believe in your call. I know you can do this, by God’s power. Go for it.” In this way, she will breathe life into her man.
I thought of the countless times that in so many words Michele has said this. I know with her illness there is never a day she feels “100%” but there are few days that anyone would know, aside from me, that she has any illness whatsoever. She is tougher, smarter, (certainly more attractive) than I could ever hope to be… but she not only embraces my calling as her Pastor, but she embraces and honors my calling as her husband and leader. I stand each week before you and have the honor of teaching the Word of God, but the most wonderful ministry in my life happens through her in the shadows and back ground. Michele, I love you…thank you for saying “yes.”
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2010/02/13/husband-and-wife/
God has used Michele over the last 16 years to exhort, love, listen, counsel and even biblically rebuke me. She sees me, her pastor, in the highest of mountains and in the lowest of valleys. She has watched me labor over the study of Scripture, and listened to sermons over the supper table well before I ever preached them in worship service. She has watched me lead our home and teach truth, and she has watched me fail miserably. She has watched me rejoice in my calling and she has watched me struggle, cry and even question staying in the ministry God has given me. She has been my proof reader and the first one that I ask “did I explain that text clearly?” When I read the statement in the afore mentioned blog:
And she will spend her life answering it, communicating to him in various ways, “Honey, I believe in your call. I know you can do this, by God’s power. Go for it.” In this way, she will breathe life into her man.
I thought of the countless times that in so many words Michele has said this. I know with her illness there is never a day she feels “100%” but there are few days that anyone would know, aside from me, that she has any illness whatsoever. She is tougher, smarter, (certainly more attractive) than I could ever hope to be… but she not only embraces my calling as her Pastor, but she embraces and honors my calling as her husband and leader. I stand each week before you and have the honor of teaching the Word of God, but the most wonderful ministry in my life happens through her in the shadows and back ground. Michele, I love you…thank you for saying “yes.”
Monday, June 7, 2010
THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE:
You can not be a serious Christian without reading serious Christian literature! On April 26th of 2009 we opened our “Pastor’s Picks” book table. This made wonderful biblically based books available those at Trinity for prices as good as if not better than you could find in the books store. Our total sales in the first year were 595 books - but we need to add roughly 200 more books to this number for special orders for groups, for members in going through counseling and other issues that are generally not recorded because they are not on our titles list. The books from the list that look like they are slow to sell are, in actuality, those that have been on our book table only a few weeks. The one thing I want to highlight is that our top 6 sellers all have to do with marriage, training our children in truth, or dealing with family and church relationships! It is no wonder that I don’t recall a week that someone has not discussed how God is working in their family!! To be around biblically centered books and to learn principles of teaching my children the Word of God, will always lead to change. I thank the Lord for Mrs. Dody and so many of our wonderful people that serve at this table every single service. I can’t put it any better than Mrs. Dody, when she sent me this summary:
“What is most exciting is that the number of books sold represents families being helped, marriages being revived, parents learning to parent biblically, individuals applying the Word of God to their finances, and believers hungry to grow in their faith and disciple others along the way. That is a ministry I am thrilled and proud to be a part of.”
Keep reading and we keep growing!
Total Books Sold Since 4-26-09 to May 2010
Total Books Sold - 595
Title/Author - price - Number Sold
Adopted for Life/ Moore - $12.00 - 1
Age of Opportunity/Tripp - $13.00 - 7
Beautiful Girlhood - $8.00 - 18
Big Book of Q & A - $12.00 - 17
Big Truths for Young Hearts/Ware - $14.00 - 32
Boyhood and Beyond - $10.00 - 20
Complete Husband/Lou Priolo - $13.00 - 12
Cross Centered Life/Mahaney - $8.00 - 2
Counterfeit Gods / Keller - $18.00 - 1
Decisions, Decisions/Dave Swavely - $10.00 - 19
Do Hard Things / Harris - $14.00 - 15
Does Grace Grow Best in Winter/Duncan- $10.00 - 2
Excellent Wife / Martha Peace - $11.00 - 44
Exemplary Husband / Stuart Scott - $12.00 - 18
Feminine Appeal / Carolyn Mahaney - $12.00 - 25
Finally Alive / Piper - $12.00 - 1
Gospel for Children - $8.00 - 19
Heart of Anger/ Lou Priolo - $13.00 - 11
How Long O Lord / Carson - $21.00 - 0
I Kissed Dating Goodbye / Harris - $11.00 - 3
Journey in Purity - $10.00 - 6
Just Do Something / DeYoung - $10.00 - 28
Love That Lasts / Gary & Betsy Ricucci- $11.00 - 34
Money, Posessions & Eternity/R. Alcorn -$13.00 - 7
Peace Maker / Ken Sande - $15.00 - 155
Reason For Sports / Kluck - $12.00 - 2
Tale of Two Sons / Macarthur - $21.00 - 0
Shepherding a Child’s Heart / Ted Tripp -$12.00 - 43
Spectacular Sins / Piper - $13.00 - 0
Stop Dating The Church / Harris - $11.00 - 4
Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health / Whitney- $11.00- 2
Training Hearts / Teaching Minds- $13.00 - 29
What is a Healthy Church? / Mark Dever- $10.00 - 4
What is a Healthy Church Member/Anyabwile- $10.00 - 5
When People Are Big and God Small/ Welch - $14.00 - 5
When Sinners Say “I Do” / Harvey -$12.00 - 4
“What is most exciting is that the number of books sold represents families being helped, marriages being revived, parents learning to parent biblically, individuals applying the Word of God to their finances, and believers hungry to grow in their faith and disciple others along the way. That is a ministry I am thrilled and proud to be a part of.”
Keep reading and we keep growing!
Total Books Sold Since 4-26-09 to May 2010
Total Books Sold - 595
Title/Author - price - Number Sold
Adopted for Life/ Moore - $12.00 - 1
Age of Opportunity/Tripp - $13.00 - 7
Beautiful Girlhood - $8.00 - 18
Big Book of Q & A - $12.00 - 17
Big Truths for Young Hearts/Ware - $14.00 - 32
Boyhood and Beyond - $10.00 - 20
Complete Husband/Lou Priolo - $13.00 - 12
Cross Centered Life/Mahaney - $8.00 - 2
Counterfeit Gods / Keller - $18.00 - 1
Decisions, Decisions/Dave Swavely - $10.00 - 19
Do Hard Things / Harris - $14.00 - 15
Does Grace Grow Best in Winter/Duncan- $10.00 - 2
Excellent Wife / Martha Peace - $11.00 - 44
Exemplary Husband / Stuart Scott - $12.00 - 18
Feminine Appeal / Carolyn Mahaney - $12.00 - 25
Finally Alive / Piper - $12.00 - 1
Gospel for Children - $8.00 - 19
Heart of Anger/ Lou Priolo - $13.00 - 11
How Long O Lord / Carson - $21.00 - 0
I Kissed Dating Goodbye / Harris - $11.00 - 3
Journey in Purity - $10.00 - 6
Just Do Something / DeYoung - $10.00 - 28
Love That Lasts / Gary & Betsy Ricucci- $11.00 - 34
Money, Posessions & Eternity/R. Alcorn -$13.00 - 7
Peace Maker / Ken Sande - $15.00 - 155
Reason For Sports / Kluck - $12.00 - 2
Tale of Two Sons / Macarthur - $21.00 - 0
Shepherding a Child’s Heart / Ted Tripp -$12.00 - 43
Spectacular Sins / Piper - $13.00 - 0
Stop Dating The Church / Harris - $11.00 - 4
Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health / Whitney- $11.00- 2
Training Hearts / Teaching Minds- $13.00 - 29
What is a Healthy Church? / Mark Dever- $10.00 - 4
What is a Healthy Church Member/Anyabwile- $10.00 - 5
When People Are Big and God Small/ Welch - $14.00 - 5
When Sinners Say “I Do” / Harvey -$12.00 - 4
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Is the Sky Falling?
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-04-27-1Amillfaith27_ST_N.htm
The link above discusses the decline in church attendance among 18-29 year olds. The article uses two words that while I understand the meaning in the context, I find both troubling. The Title is “72% of Millennials more Spiritual than Religious.” Again, the point is most of the 18-29 year old group are not atheists, but they do not attend an organized worship service. The problem I have with the title is this - the word “spiritual” to some degree, is a category anyone can fall into. I mean one can worship “Mother Earth”, “Buddha” or “Elvis” and consider themselves spiritual. “Religious” certainly doesn’t equal genuine faith either… in fact, the group that Christ had the most conflict with while on Earth were the religious rulers. I appreciate Dr. Thom Rainer of Life Way speaking to this issue, and this one quote from the article deals with the essence of the problem:
Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, "many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only," Rainer says. "Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith."
The issue you have with the 18-29 year old generation is really no different than the issue you have with their parents or their grandparents - it just plays itself out differently. You are dealing with people, especially in the American church, that are not genuinely converted - but in this new “Millennial Generation” it is not as esteemed socially, nor is it as beneficial to be part of a church as in previous generations. So, many of them are of the same faith (or lack of faith) their parents taught them… only they don’t have to use a day of their week going through the motions of organized religion. What Dr. Rainer is saying in a very nice way is this: the 65% who wear a title are in large part, unconverted. Just read what they say about themselves: (1) They don’t worship (2) They don’t read the Word of God (3) They don’t pray (4) Many are unsure Christ is the only way to Heaven. Okay pray tell, does this describe an unconverted person? There is no hunger for the fellowship with God, no love for the people of God - and if all I had to go on was 1st John, I would realize that these are signs that I do not belong to the Kingdom of God.
Rather than dissect this article, let me just agree with the spirit of the quote in the article that says:
Collin Hansen, 29, author of Young, Restless, Reformed, about a thriving minority of traditionalist Christians, agrees. "I'm not going to say these numbers aren't true and aren't grim, but they also drive people like me to build new, passionately Christian dynamic churches," says Hansen, who is studying for the ministry. He sees many in his generation veering to "moralistic therapeutic deism — 'God wants you to be happy and do good things.' ... I would not call that Christianity, however."
A few weeks ago I spent 3 days at a conference with several of our staff members… along with about 7000 men who made me look like I was a Senior Adult at 37. The median age would probably be late 20’s to early 30’s. While there were several denominations present, the truth was that they have a correct understanding of the Gospel. I was excited to see this because so many churches in recent history have missed the basics: they have bought into a “decisionism” salvation - where if one prayed a prayer, filled out a card they were declared “saved.” Some of those that have understood the gospel have misunderstood biblical ecclesiology (doctrine of the church)… they have allowed the unregenerate to disgrace the name of Christ, harm the testimony of real believers and yet the church never intervenes. The result? We see it in so many churches today - compromising, doctrinally weak congregations. My belief is that in the coming years, it will be easier for my boys (Caleb 11, Joshua 10) to find a growing thriving biblical church than it is at the present time. I am not wringing my hands worried about the church: God has, and will always have a remnant. The church is the only thing that He has promised that He will build. Will there be some churches that close their doors? Sure, there has been in the past and will be in the future. Some of those may have been a victim of population decline in their particular area, others may need to close their doors as it may benefit the Kingdom if they quit claiming to be something they are not.
I am so thankful for what I see at Trinity - a group 18-29 year olds who are not afraid of truth, not afraid of hard doctrines. We are watching young couples having babies left and right and teaching their little ones biblical truth. I believe the issue is not people leaving churches, but churches making a decision to teach doctrine, hold to truth and let God build the body.
The link above discusses the decline in church attendance among 18-29 year olds. The article uses two words that while I understand the meaning in the context, I find both troubling. The Title is “72% of Millennials more Spiritual than Religious.” Again, the point is most of the 18-29 year old group are not atheists, but they do not attend an organized worship service. The problem I have with the title is this - the word “spiritual” to some degree, is a category anyone can fall into. I mean one can worship “Mother Earth”, “Buddha” or “Elvis” and consider themselves spiritual. “Religious” certainly doesn’t equal genuine faith either… in fact, the group that Christ had the most conflict with while on Earth were the religious rulers. I appreciate Dr. Thom Rainer of Life Way speaking to this issue, and this one quote from the article deals with the essence of the problem:
Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, "many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only," Rainer says. "Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith."
The issue you have with the 18-29 year old generation is really no different than the issue you have with their parents or their grandparents - it just plays itself out differently. You are dealing with people, especially in the American church, that are not genuinely converted - but in this new “Millennial Generation” it is not as esteemed socially, nor is it as beneficial to be part of a church as in previous generations. So, many of them are of the same faith (or lack of faith) their parents taught them… only they don’t have to use a day of their week going through the motions of organized religion. What Dr. Rainer is saying in a very nice way is this: the 65% who wear a title are in large part, unconverted. Just read what they say about themselves: (1) They don’t worship (2) They don’t read the Word of God (3) They don’t pray (4) Many are unsure Christ is the only way to Heaven. Okay pray tell, does this describe an unconverted person? There is no hunger for the fellowship with God, no love for the people of God - and if all I had to go on was 1st John, I would realize that these are signs that I do not belong to the Kingdom of God.
Rather than dissect this article, let me just agree with the spirit of the quote in the article that says:
Collin Hansen, 29, author of Young, Restless, Reformed, about a thriving minority of traditionalist Christians, agrees. "I'm not going to say these numbers aren't true and aren't grim, but they also drive people like me to build new, passionately Christian dynamic churches," says Hansen, who is studying for the ministry. He sees many in his generation veering to "moralistic therapeutic deism — 'God wants you to be happy and do good things.' ... I would not call that Christianity, however."
A few weeks ago I spent 3 days at a conference with several of our staff members… along with about 7000 men who made me look like I was a Senior Adult at 37. The median age would probably be late 20’s to early 30’s. While there were several denominations present, the truth was that they have a correct understanding of the Gospel. I was excited to see this because so many churches in recent history have missed the basics: they have bought into a “decisionism” salvation - where if one prayed a prayer, filled out a card they were declared “saved.” Some of those that have understood the gospel have misunderstood biblical ecclesiology (doctrine of the church)… they have allowed the unregenerate to disgrace the name of Christ, harm the testimony of real believers and yet the church never intervenes. The result? We see it in so many churches today - compromising, doctrinally weak congregations. My belief is that in the coming years, it will be easier for my boys (Caleb 11, Joshua 10) to find a growing thriving biblical church than it is at the present time. I am not wringing my hands worried about the church: God has, and will always have a remnant. The church is the only thing that He has promised that He will build. Will there be some churches that close their doors? Sure, there has been in the past and will be in the future. Some of those may have been a victim of population decline in their particular area, others may need to close their doors as it may benefit the Kingdom if they quit claiming to be something they are not.
I am so thankful for what I see at Trinity - a group 18-29 year olds who are not afraid of truth, not afraid of hard doctrines. We are watching young couples having babies left and right and teaching their little ones biblical truth. I believe the issue is not people leaving churches, but churches making a decision to teach doctrine, hold to truth and let God build the body.
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