Controversial Posts! EC-1

I think I can pretty much sum up the controversy between the emergent church movement and traditional Christianity in one or two sentences. The emergent church has ushered in a new “social gospel” that has made America and Americans the new sinner, with conservative Christians being the contributing source of blame; unfortunately, the cross has been left far behind and all but forgotten there at Golgotha.

There you have it. But I have a desire to explain, so that is what I intend to do in several future posts. What I believe is at issue here is that the “social gospel” is not trying to save the world from a heart issue of sin. Rather, it is trying to save the world from poverty. Americans so rich in resources and wealth compared to the rest of the world, I’m afraid, according to emergent pastors are the new sinner.

If you have no interest in this topic, then the rest of this post is going to be extremely boring for you. You may not want to read further. If you have been following the emergent church movement, you probably already have an opinion, and the rest of this may indeed be a bit controversial so you also may not wish to read further. But if you like reading other's opinions, (not that my thoughts will be 100 % accurate, they most likely are not, but I do believe that discussion aids in bringing about truth) then you might enjoy the rest of this post. I’ve enjoyed the study, and I’ve enjoyed where it has brought me.

I became interested in the emergent movement several years ago, when I had first heard about it through an issue that had risen in a news program I had been watching. I pursued study of it, because whatever has taken place in “the church” has always interested me. Throughout my life, I have watched the pendulum swings from doctrine to doctrine. Yes, it does swing! But “the church” has never lost its foundation, and it has held on to Jesus’ promise to us that He will never lose His church. Because of that promise, I have never feared the swings of the pendulum, but I do enjoy the discussion and a chance to bring awareness.

Most swings I am talking about were not damaging to salvation. This swing is a little different, however; and is quite possibly going to have an after effect that could be quite dangerous. Though most involved in the movement would likely deny it, this movement is very political. So while conservative Christians get bashed for being too involved in politics over moral issues, we have a new group entering on the other end of the political realm.

When I owned my bookstore, I studied the emergent church movement a bit further, and a bit deeper. I did not want to be guilty of encouraging or spreading false doctrines simply because I had a book in my store that was inaccurate. For that reason, I monitored my Christian books more carefully than any other genre I carried. I learned authors, ministries and pastors who might be teaching things that were not according to Scripture. I did not attack their ministries. I simply did not carry their books on my shelves.

Recently, a letter to the editor of our local paper prompted my decision to begin the posts that I am beginning to share. I did not want to respond to the letter in the local newspaper. Though others did; personally, I don’t believe that is the proper place. It’s almost like the church "airing our dirty laundry" for all to see. I believe that is damaging. Letters to the Editor are all about opinions, but for myself, I'm not really sure I want to see matters of faith, there. Blogs, however, are understood to be a place to read someone’s view point on any and every topic. My thoughts on a variety of issues, is some of what I wanted my blog to be…not entirely, though. But every now and then, one will find on my blog something that is political or controversial. This is a warning for those that don’t want to go there. I’m beginning a series on the emergent church. They will be added among my other posts, but they will be labeled as such to prevent one from having to read them, if one would rather not.

So to bring a little levity to this post, I will quote from one of my favorite country music singers: “Hate me if you want to, love me if you can.” ;-)  And, happy reading....or, not!

Spending Treasure VII - The Lunch Box and 2nd Chances

He was one of those kids that always seemed to be at the tale end of everyone’s jokes.  His red hair and freckles revealed his Scandinavian heritage, and because red hair wasn’t very common, it somehow was a target for little raging bulls that wanted to charge.

“Buster” was reserved, quiet and slow to action; but if one was to engage him in a conversation, he could talk forever. “Buster” was my 2nd grade classmate and he had a lunch box just like mine.

Every day we had to take our lunch boxes to the lunch room and put them on the shelf that was set aside for our 2nd grade class. I knew “Buster’s” lunch box was the same as mine, so I was careful each day to make sure I grabbed the right one when it was time for lunch.

I tried to be the first one there, because I wasn’t so confident that "Buster" would be as careful. One day he beat me to the boxes; and sure enough as I passed him at the table on the way to find my box, I saw it there in front of "Buster" as he opened it up. I had placed something in there that I didn’t want anyone to see. It was a little doll or something, that I had placed there…(keep in mind, this was 2nd grade). As I walked up to him, he was holding the doll out for all the class to see. “A doll??” He questioned, still not comprehending that this wasn’t his box.

In my embarrassment, holding up that doll was all it took to set me off. I angrily grabbed that lunch box out from in front of him and snapped, “This one isn’t yours!”

What I knew would come to fruition, did. He had mistaken my lunch box for his, and it couldn’t have been at a worse time…the time when I had placed something in there that I didn’t want everyone to see.

I laugh at that, now…but what isn’t so funny, was my disdain for "Buster". "Buster" was eventually held back to a different grade and I soon lost track of him.

However, just a few years ago, I was surprised to see “Buster” at my church! He came up to me and gave me the warmest greeting and told me who he was. "I would have known you anywhere," I told him. "You look just the same!"  He does! We reminisced about our grade school years, and he informed me that out of our church of more than a thousand people there are about 4 of us that attend there that graduated high school locally within the same time frame. Now every Sunday, I seek out “Buster” to say hello.

One Sunday, we sat next to each other. During worship, I stopped for a moment to listen to him sing. As I listened, tears sprung forth when I heard how beautifully he sang. When I was reminded of the little boy I didn’t care for; God showed me how much He did! It wasn’t a lesson in being nice to people; it wasn’t even a lesson to help me learn that God loves each of His children. Of course we all know that. To me, this day, it was a lesson in God caring enough about me to give me a second chance to show kindness to a boy I once didn’t like.

God allowed me 40 years later to see the gift He had bestowed on this brother in Christ - the boy that was just as important as all those other children in our little school, but few stopped to recognize.

“Buster!” I whispered to him. “I didn’t know you had such a beautiful singing voice!”

“Yeah?” He shrugged as he told me half disgutedly, “Mom made me take singing lessons when I was little.”

I didn’t know.

Spending Treasure VI - The Innocent

There were no tears, but I could tell by the crack in her voice that they weren’t far from making an appearance. “Susie Blackwell” was one of those kids that all the other kids seem to pick on, make fun of, and treat…well… just down-right rotten.

“They call me ‘Blackwell’….” she woefully explained. The name has been changed….to protect the innocent.

She had finally built up enough nerve to bring a complaint to our 5th grade teacher. I don’t know why she decided to do it in front of the whole class. It may have been because the teacher was reprimanding her about something and this was her chance to explain what had been bothering her.

“So! That’s your name, isn’t it?” The teacher snapped in just about the harshest tone I have ever remembered a teacher using.

This wasn’t going well, and I did not like it. I had heard the way the kids had taunted her saying her last name over and over whenever they came across her on the playground.

“It’s the way they say it.” I blurted out…without raising my hand to request permission. This; from the shy kid who would almost rather die than have to answer a question in class….It took all the strength I had to answer a question when called on in class and it had better be a one-word answer.

That’s all I remember. I don’t know what the teacher did after that. I don’t even remember if she heard me. But boy was I angry with that teacher! How could she not see what had been happening to this classmate. How could she not see and not want to defend someone that was continually the brunt of everyone’s jokes. Why in the world would the teacher be angry at this student? She was in no-way a trouble maker.

The next thing I remember was seeking Susie out on the playground at recess. She always was alone. I don’t ever remember anyone ever playing with her. I found her that day and stood with her for that recess. I think she was wondering what in the world I was doing. I was wondering why in the world I hadn’t bothered to
play with her before.

I don’t remember much else about this student. We moved on to junior high and senior high and I have only one other recollection of her.

I think it was about a year or so later. We would have been in 6th grade and I was in Camp Fire Girls. Back then, the Camp Fire Girls went door to door to sell Camp Fire Mints to earn money for our club. For safety reasons we were always to take a partner with us so we wouldn’t be alone. I don’t remember who my partner was that day. The only thing I remember is going up to a house I was unfamiliar with and knocking. When the door was opened, there stood “Susie”. When she saw who was behind the knock, her face broke into the biggest smile of excitement. She thought we had come to see her and she was thrilled. I wish I could say, I pretended that that was indeed why we were there, so as not to steal her joy. But I didn’t. My partner and I simply asked if her mom was there and if she wanted to buy some Camp Fire Mints. The expression on her face that day is forever in my memory. She was happy; but only for a moment.

I think Susie had a good home life and came from a good family. She wasn’t really homely. She was a bit tall and gangly, but she had beautiful “platinum blond” hair as they called it back then; only hers was natural. I don’t know why she was always the brunt of everyone’s jokes. Not going outside my circle of friends to include her, or play with her from time to time has always been a regret of mine. I guess I do remember one other time in 8th grade standing with her next to those metal poles that apparently were support for the eves over the side walk. We just stood there, not saying much. Maybe she knew I was just trying to be nice. In hind site, I think she was probably a whole lot like me…mostly…just afraid to talk.

The Wall Design

“You are now entering the mission field.” a wall design reads above the door as I exit my church. It has been there for some time. There are times now, I no longer notice it. It has simply become part of the décor. But the truth of that message is always at the back of my mind, and I rest in the comfort that my church is one that recognizes such an important commitment and encourages members to walk in that instruction. I was so moved the first time I read it because of the simplicity of its message. It is very simply a reminder of the Great Commission given us by Jesus before He ascended into glory.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” ~Matthew 28: 19-20

I believe there are a number of ways in which we can spread that Truth. It doesn’t mean we have to stand on a street corner and preach “repentance or suffer eternal consequences”, although there may be a time for that. It doesn’t mean we have to go door to door with tracts and Bibles and other literature. Certainly there may be a time one is led to do that. It doesn’t mean we have to stand before a crowd and share our personal testimony; although, there may be a time the Lord leads us to do that as well. Most often, the sharing of the Gospel is begun by offering an encouraging word, offering tangible aid, or maybe by offering an invitation to church. Most often, it may be revealed through our walk which others may be observing even without our knowledge. The way we live our life is our greatest testimony, and if that doesn’t line up with the rest of Jesus’ teaching, we quite possibly do more harm than good. One thing I know; if we are to bring others into the fold, we must live lives that represent something worth seeking.

What is often overlooked in this command is that the Great Commission is three-fold. Not only are we (1) to spread the Good News about Jesus, we are then told to (2) baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. This demonstrates a commitment. And further, (3) to teach those whom are receptive, to observe all that Jesus taught. We are not to invite one to salvation and then just leave him there all alone.

When asked once during an interview what Rev. Billy Graham’s biggest regret might be, he responded that he wished he had done more follow-up with those that had responded to his Gospel message. Rev. Graham understood the need to aid in the instruction of new believers; to welcome them, to instruct them and to encourage faith, fellowship, and righteousness. Staying in the Word and staying in fellowship is the key to ones growth.

One thing is certain; this is an instruction that begins with the word “go”. It isn’t a suggestion, it is a command. Obviously we are not all able to go to foreign lands where the Gospel is so desperately needed. What I believe the Lord intends us to see, is that there is no place where His message isn’t desperately needed. We all came from one of those places and we would be wise to remember from where we came. There is no room for pride in the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One can’t bring some one else along until they have first traveled that path they hope to offer some one else. It is to start with us individually and it doesn’t always necessarily begin with words. There is no high place to begin while we work our way down. We must start at the Foundation, the Chief Cornerstone, and work our way out.

We worry about the state of our church and sometimes act as if we will undoubtedly lose it. I’m sure if it depended merely on us we surely would. But God promises us that He is building His church and He will never lose it. That comforting promise though, doesn’t excuse us from doing our part. Jesus assures us in this passage that we all have a part in the Great Commission and it isn’t simply about bringing people in to the Kingdom; it also includes helping those that come, learn how to live there. The best vessel to achieve this end is the local church, where a multitude of gifts come together to be utilized in directing the fulfillment of the Great Commission….every part of it.

Finally the Great Commission comes with a wonderful promise for us to share. Jesus tells us: “Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.” What an important message to share with those whom have never known our Savior. He promised to be with us always. We never have to be alone. The scarier and more conflicted this world becomes, that’s a mighty important thing to remember. How fitting His final words on earth, would offer a promise that comforts.

While there are some that are called into foreign missions, it is not typically most. But that doesn’t excuse the rest of us from the mission field right where we live right now, wherever it is that we might call home. With all the chaos in the world these days, I am thankful for a church willing to remind and equip its members to be witnesses on a mission field the Lord intended specifically for us – the one right where we are.