Why don't we talk about Home more?

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

C. S. Lewis

  If something is important to you, you think about it a lot…you talk about it a lot. This weekend will finish what has been a long anticipated time for our family. For several months our whole family has been looking forward to Aaron coming home for a visit from Taiwan with his fiancé, Jiaya Tsai. Not only were we longing to see Aaron, we were looking forward to meeting this new member of our family. It’s hard to believe that the last time Aaron was home was a year ago. Though we are all very proud of him and support what he is doing, (teaching English in Taiwan), we greatly miss him. We love Aaron and would love to have him closer. These times when we are all together again are so special to us. Praise the Lord, we live in a time of modern technology and Aaron is literally a video call away!

  Recently, I had lunch with a dear friend who lost his wife to cancer a few months ago. His hurt will no doubt never go away on this side of eternity. He loves and dearly misses his wife. Before her Homegoing, I remember often talking with Mom Cummins and she’d express her heartache and how much she longed to go Home and be re-united with Dad. A believer has something that an unbeliever can’t understand – Hope! Yes, there’s pain and hurt, but we know that it’s all temporary. We know that it’s truly “Good-night” not “Good-bye” on this side of heaven.

  Yet, other than funerals or when someone is elderly or ill, we hardly think about heaven. Most of us talk more about retirement, which at best will last a few decades, but rarely do we long for our eternal Home. Sadly, I have to confess that I’m far too this world oriented. I think more about this life, my “To Do” list, or even what I’m going to eat, than I do eternity.

  And if something isn’t important to us, we’re not going to talk about it with those we care about, much less a total stranger. For example, when I go to a restaurant that’s really good, I tell my friends about it. Recently, Jane and tried out a new one because a friend had highly recommended it.

  It used to be that Christians were accused of being so “heavenly minded that they were no earthly good.” That’s not really a problem today. Unfortunately, at least, I know it’s not my problem. I find that the Apostle Paul’s words prick my earth-limited heart, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2). Being with Christ for all eternity must be the focus of life. We should be actively training our minds to think about the day when Christ is revealed and we’re finally Home. It’s easy to be distracted. Temporal concerns easily grab our attention and overall it seems like we don’t think about heaven very much. Part of our difficulty is that the Bible tells us more about what won’t be in heaven than what will be there. Then, some foolishly think that heaven is going to be boring, like one very long church service. It’s not! It will be every joy, thrill, peace and satisfaction that’s beyond our imagination on this sin contaminated earth.

  The best part of heaven though is that Jesus will be there. The One who loved us so much that He died for us, even though He knew how sinful we all are. Jesus loved us, died for us and paid the price for all of our sin.

  One of my favorite hymn writers is Fanny Crosby, who wrote more than 9,000 hymns. She wrote so many that she was forced to use pen names so hymnals wouldn’t be filled with her name. The most remarkable thing about her was that she did this in spite of being blind from infancy.

  One time a well-meaning preacher commented to her, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when he showered so many other gifts upon you.” Fanny Crosby responded at once, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind? Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.” No wonder she wrote:

  Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But, O the joy when I shall wake
Within the presence of the King! 

Some day my earthly house will fall,
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be,
But this I know—my All in all
Has now a place with Him for me.

And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story, saved by grace:
And I shall see Him face to face,
  And tell the story, saved by grace.   

  We are so thankful that Aaron is home. Wonderfully, he didn’t come alone. I don’t want to go Home alone, do you? In my Quiet Time with the Lord, I have several folk who I love that don’t yet know my Savior that I’m praying will know my Jesus. Heaven is so wonderful and Jesus is so incomparable that it would break my heart if they missed it. I don’t want to go to heaven alone, do you? Let’s focus on the real world!  

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "

Lessons from Hugh Hefner

“I’m never going to grow up.

Staying young is what it is all about for me.” Hugh Hefner

  Hugh Hefner died a week ago on September 27^th at the age of 91. Much has been said and written about him during his lifetime, and even more so with his death. The media and Hollywood have acted as if he was some sort of hero who finally passed away. One article in People actually labeled him “an American hero.” Evangelicals and feminists have reviled him as a moral monster, the poster child of debauchery, male chauvinism and hedonism. As I’ve been mulling over his death, I believe that there are lessons to be learned from what God’s Word would label a tragic life.

  Hugh Hefner’s worldview is a rebuke to many Christians. That probably surprises you. The reason I say that is while I diametrically disagree with Hefner’s worldview, at least he had a carefully thought out worldview. Hefner took the time and mental work to carefully think out what he believed and even published it as “The Playboy Philosophy.” It wasn’t just theory for him, he lived his life according to what he believed was the correct philosophy of life.

  1 Peter 3:15 says, “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” In other words, T-H-I-N-K – know what you really believe. Many professing Christians sit in church week after week, yet don’t have a clue what they believe. They may even say the right words, but are just going through the motions. Christianity demands thinking. God designed us with an intellect. Our faith is not for those who want to park their brains at the door. We’ve been given a Book of written revelation from the mind of an infinite God. The Bible is not to be some archaic icon that’s never read or carefully thought about. God commands us to study His Word and be wise. Christians are to be committed thinkers.  

  Worse, there are many in the Church who give lip service on Sunday, yet what they say they believe does little to change their lifestyle. As repulsive as his life was, no one ever accused Hefner of being a hypocrite.

  Hugh Hefner’s lifestyle was debauched. In our generation, no one person has probably done as much harm to morality, marriage, one’s self-concept, women, men and families. Hugh Hefner was one of the first false prophets of “free love.” He confused lust with love. Love is never free. Love demands commitment, selflessness and can be very costly. Lust, on the other hand, is egocentric, self-satisfying and narcissistic.  

  How many young people have looked in a mirror and despised the image that they see because they lack what they perceive as “sex appeal.” Women, rather than being respected and valued as an image bearer of God, were seen as little more than “pieces of meat.” Men were taught that the highest good was pleasure, not commitment. Implicitly, they were taught by Hefner that women were to be treated as the enemy, products to consume. It’s a grim, banal, consumerist way of life that, in practice, denies men the pleasures of being committed partners to women, sexually or otherwise. The “bunny” logo was apropos because Hefner saw both men and women as animals…rabbits. His perversity contaminated our culture with a “bi-polar morality.” On one hand it admires someone that’s a sexual “Olympian,” yet detests someone who’s unfaithful or makes perverse, demeaning comments about women. Our culture wants to be both perverse and pure…at the same time. The outcome is moral insanity.  

  Hugh Hefner’s life is a warning. Paint him however you want, the bottom line is that Hefner was a dirty old man. He was perverse and lecherous. If he’d had lived in your neighborhood, you’d have called the police on this old pervert walking around in a robe. You’d have warned your children to stay away from him. What kind of degenerate mind would want their daughter to be a centerfold? It’s noteworthy that Hefner never used his own daughter, Christie, to pose for Playboy.

  Solomon warned of the high cost of unrestrained immorality, “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?” (Proverbs 6:27). As I’m nearing my 58^th birthday, I’ve seen far too many colleagues in ministry that I loved and respected make a shipwreck of their lives and ministry because of unrestrained immorality. Many marriages have been devastated with innocent children having their souls shredded because either Mom or Dad didn’t realize the high cost of a momentary pleasure.

  I continually pray for my now adult children’s moral purity. My prayer for myself is that God would protect me from my own deceitful heart and that rather than my making a terrible choice and bringing shame to Him, my family and my ministry – that He’d just take me Home prematurely. What a tragedy to end life as a dirty old man or a dirty old woman.

  Hugh Hefner’s end should weigh on our hearts. In an account from one of his many partners, Holly Madison, Hefner was described as controlling and manipulative, and held in utter contempt by the women of the mansion. They despised spending time with him. Though a very rich man, though seemingly according to Hollywood he had what every man wants, it’s all very sad. Throughout his long life he was unable to connect with a woman as a fellow human being. To me that’s very depressing.

  Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that after this life comes the Judgement. There is absolutely no indication that Hefner knew Christ as His Savior. All his hedonistic pleasure means nothing to him now. As Jesus warned, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). A Christ-less world may celebrate the licentious life and legacy of Hugh Hefner, yet it’s nothing to celebrate. His life was a catastrophe and a warning to us all that the “pleasures of sin last only for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). Let’s choose to be wiser because of him. 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "

Suicide: A tragic reality we need to talk about

“My experience with depressed people is that when they have suffered from long periods of depression and begin to talk about suicide, we had better pay attention.”  Curtis Thomas

  Recently, I was talking with a friend who shared the heartbreaking news that a relative had committed suicide. Our world is one of death and pain, yet I don’t think that there is any greater heartbreak than to have a loved one or friend take their own life. There are so many unanswered questions, accompanied by a raging sea of emotions. 

  If you’re like me, you feel like you took a hit in the gut when you learn of a celebrity or someone famous who took their own life. That’s compounded many times over if it’s someone that you love and care about.

  Suicide in the U.S. has surged to the highest levels in nearly 30 years with increases in every age group except older adults. The rise is particularly steep for women. It’s also substantial among middle-aged Americans, a group whose suicide rates had been stable or falling since the 1950s.

  The overall suicide rate has risen some 25% since 1999. In 1999, nearly 30,000 people died from suicide but by 2014 that number rose to over 42, 000. Nearly half a million people each year are seen in the ER for self-injury. Suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of death for teenagers. It’s estimated that more than a million people die by suicide each year in the world, or more than 2,700 people per day. 7% of 18-39 year olds admit that they’ve seriously considered suicide during the last year. Depression is a major factor in two thirds of all suicides. Other major factors are childhood abuse, sexual molestation and confusion over sexuality.

  Suicide is not new but has become more widespread. Even in the Bible we find at least seven accounts of suicides, including King Saul, Samson, Ahithophel and Judas. Nearly everyone has wearied of life at some point or another. Most of us have had suicidal thoughts. There are godly believers in Scripture who wanted to die, like Elijah and Job. The Bible’s description of their despair and suicidal desires make it clear that they were wrong. Bailing out on life is always a wrong choice. Sometimes God brings us to a point of total desperation (Psalms 107), so we’ll give up trying to live life in our own strength and cast ourselves wholly upon Christ.

  If a Christian commits suicide, will they go to heaven? Apart from rejecting God's provision for salvation through the sacrificial death of Jesus, suicide is the worst thing an unbeliever can do. That’s because there is no second chance for salvation after one’s death. But for the Christian, it’s essential to understand several things regarding suicide.

  First, suicide is sin. God forbids murder (Exodus 20:13). Taking one's own life is murder. It rejects the sufficiency of God’s grace to face any difficulty. Suicide is also a sin because it causes terrible suffering and pain for those we leave behind. Yet, while suicide is a sin, it is not an unpardonable sin. The same God who forgave us all of our sin because of Christ’s sacrifice, knew that we were going to take our own life. When Jesus died for our sins, all of them were future. Once we accept Christ as our Savior, we are part of God’s forever family. If your Dad and Mom will always be your Dad and Mom, that’s even more true based on Scripture and with a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally. You can’t sin enough, even by committing suicide, to get God to reject or disown you.

  What if someone struggles with suicidal thoughts? First, go see your doctor. Investigate on whether there might be a physiological reason you’re having these thoughts. If they’re persistent, see a good biblical counselor. Find one who’s been recommended by someone that you trust.

  Then, find a mature Christian friend to confide in. When you feel at low points, call them or meet with them. Have them pray with you and for you.

  Make certain that you’re getting adequate rest. The Prophet Elijah’s time of extreme despair came after a time of exhausting ministry. His spiritual and emotional resources were at a very low point.

  Spend time in the Word and in prayer. God knows what you’re going through. He loves you and completely understands. Perhaps read the Psalms. King David went through some very low points in his life.

  Though you want to isolate yourself, it’s the worst thing you can do. Faithfully attend worship services. Commit to being part of a small group. Seek out Christians that care about you, live in victory and tend to be spiritually optimistic.

  Exercise, limit your consumption of the media, and make yourself go outside into God’s wonderful creation. Most of what’s in the news is negative and depressing. It’s not what you need. Exercise has been proven to increase our energy and even help change our moods.

  Find someone that you can help and be a blessing to. Visit a shut-in or someone elderly with limited mobility. Serving and investing in others is phenomenal therapy. Write thank you notes to those who have been a blessing to you.

  There have been periods of my life when I have felt like I was drowning in what John Bunyan called “the Slough of Despond.” Something God has used in my heart over and over again are believers who faced horrible persecution like David, Joseph, the Apostle Paul and heroes from Christian History like Michael Sadler, Adoniram Judson or Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Knowing their story and seeing God’s faithfulness in their lives has encouraged me. Because the same God who loved them and got them through much worse than I am facing, loves me and will get me through as well. His grace truly is sufficient! 

  You and I are surrounded by hurting, often despairing people. Let’s ask God to make us that person that they can call for help and encouragement! Let’s commit to being their “suicide prevention hotline.”  

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "

The world will end on September 23rd!! Oops!!

“Bible prophesy helps us to better understand the future and realize the urgent need to spread the Gospel. It motivates us to personal purity and gives us hope in a hopeless age.” Tim LaHaye

  Did you miss it? Just in case you missed it and maybe it’s good that you did, “Christian” numerologist, David Meade, predicted the end of the world yesterday, (September 23^rd) when so-called “Planet X” was to collide with Earth. According to Meade, who apparently eats too many mushrooms, the recent solar eclipse and hurricanes are warning signs of a nearing apocalypse and cites various passages from Scripture to support his delusion. Please understand, anyone can quote Scripture out of context. If you quote the Bible out of context, you can make it say nearly anything. A case can be made for nudism if you quote the Bible out of context.

  Mr. Meade doesn’t know his Bible. Jesus said very clearly, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). In spite of that, every few years some “nut” calling themselves a Christian says that the world is coming to an end. Unfortunately, media types always find them and have a good laugh at the expense of biblical Christianity. 

  Personally, I was thankful for Jonathan Sarfati’s response. He points out that claims of “planetary coincidence” have already happened on four occasions during the last millennium alone and the world did not end. “As usual with any astrology (or Christian adaptations of it), one cherry-picks the stars that fit the desired conclusion. There is nothing to suggest that 23 September is a momentous date for biblical prophecy, and Christians need to be careful about being drawn into such sensationalist claims.”

  All of the major approaches to biblical prophecy agree on this truth: Jesus will return bodily and when He comes, He will come in great power and glory to reign. At His trial Jesus told the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:64), “But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Jesus is alluding to Daniel 7:14, which predicts that the Messiah’s kingdom will be everlasting.

  The angel told the disciples as they watched Jesus ascend into heaven after His resurrection, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Jesus ascended bodily; He will return bodily. However Christians understand the details of prophecy, all agree that Jesus is coming back bodily to reign.

  Many Christians, myself included, believe that all Christians will one day be removed through the Rapture, followed by seven years that complete Daniel’s 70^th “week” for Israel. During this time many Jews will be saved and many will be martyred by those loyal to the Antichrist, who comes to power and rules a cruel one-world government. At the end of the tribulation, just as the forces of the Antichrist are ready to annihilate Israel, Christ will return, destroy His enemies, and establish a millennial reign in Jerusalem. During this time, Satan will be bound and Christ will rule the world. Many will be saved during that time. Sadly, some will reject Him even in the midst of “Paradise.” At the end of this time Satan will be released and lead a final rebellion. Fire will come down from heaven, destroying all those who rebelled against God. Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire. The dead will be raised for judgment and sentenced to the lake of fire, which is the second death (Rev. 20:1-15).

  One’s particular position on prophecy is not a question of their orthodoxy. For the past 2,000 years believers have debated when Jesus is returning. Those who know their Bibles know that we don’t know. No matter what view you take, the Lord Jesus clearly is going to return bodily. At that time, He will judge those who have rejected Him. That, along with the uncertainty of life, is incentive to believe in Christ now without delay.

  In light of Christ’s return, we must be faithful (1 Cor. 15:58), “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Wonderfully, we can have assurance and comfort in the midst of the unraveling of our contemporary world. Someday all evil will end. God is sovereign and works all things after the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). He sets up rulers and takes them down to accomplish His plans (Prov. 21:1). No evil ruler, including the Antichrist himself, can thwart God’s plan.

  And as 1 John 3:3 reminds us, “Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” We need to be ready. Each of us needs to make sure that we’re living holy lives in light of Jesus’ warnings to be ready when He comes (Mark 13:33-37).

  While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising that he’d return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by a miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them. Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, “It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!” They replied, “We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other, ‘The boss may come today.’” 
  Just as it was prophesied and the Lord Jesus came the first time, He’s coming back. Are you ready? 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "

Are YOU a lifelong learner?

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”  Henry Ford

  An efficiency expert concluded his lecture with a note of caution to his audience. “You don't want to try these techniques at home.” “Why not?” someone asked him. “I watched my wife’s routine at breakfast for years,” the expert explained. “She made lots of trips between the refrigerator, stove, table, and cabinets, often carrying a single item at a time. One day I told her, ‘Hon’, why don’t you try carrying several things at once?’” “Did it save time?” the guy in the audience asked. “Actually, yes,” replied the expert. “It used to take her twenty minutes to make breakfast. Now I do it in seven.”

  There’s some danger in being an expert. We have become a culture of “experts.” Have you noticed, that when someone is being interviewed in the media, they rarely pause or say, “I don’t know,” or ask a question? Wisdom doesn’t come naturally with age. None of us can know everything.

  For some aged saints, gray hair and a good head go hand in hand. Yet, for far too many, length of life merely entrenches stubbornness, irritability and a lack of willingness to have an opinion challenged. One can be an old fool as easily as a young one.

  May God deliver us from ever believing we’ve arrived. For the believer, the stakes are very high for cultivating a holy curiosity and having the mindset of a lifelong learner. Teaching, learning and application of truth are at the very heart of our faith. To be a “disciple” means to be a “learner.” Jesus is the Master Teacher. God designed the local church to be a community of lifelong learners under the guidance of leaders who are committed teachers.

  Christianity is not some limited course of study for the front-end of adulthood. Our mindset isn’t to first do our learning and then spend the rest of our lives drawing from that original deposit of knowledge. Being a healthy Christian is inextricably linked to ongoing learning.

  Schools are back in session. Summer is over and for families, weekday mornings are now a flustered rush to get to the big yellow bus in time, lunch in one hand, homework in the other. Students are off to learn their reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. At Grace, we utilize the school year to focus on small groups and classes for the learning of eternal truth. It’s an opportunity as a church family to stretch and encourage each other to strive to grow in biblical truth and Christlikeness. God’s will is for each of us to be teachable and lifelong learners, who apply truth in real life.

  A teachable person listens when God speaks and then adjusts their direction accordingly. Probably the most difficult part of being teachable is first admitting that we were wrong. So how teachable are you? If you’re not sure how you rate on the teachability meter, take this five-point quiz:

  1. You know you’re teachable when people give you input. When others feel free to share with you a word of improvement, it’s a good sign that you’re teachable. Most of us hate confrontation and no one wants to risk cleaning up a meltdown if the person can’t receive a difficult word. As in, “Don’t try to tell him he’s not headed in the right direction because he’ll bite your head off.” A fool is always deeply persuaded that what he is doing is right, yet a teachable person willingly receives input.

  2. You know you’re teachable when you see measurable growth and character development in yourself. If you’re growing more Christlike, changing for the better, you’re teachable. If you’re not the same person you were last year at this time, godly instruction has produced results in your life and you have grown because of it.

  3. You know you’re teachable when you don’t have to answer a critic with a defense. It’s so refreshing to sit down with a person who can hear difficult words with an open heart and without defensiveness. Those who are receptive to godly criticism, flourish and grow.

  4. You know you’re teachable when you don’t have to criticize back. The classic symptom of an unteachable person is that they’ll listen to what you say, all the while framing their comeback, “Now let me tell you something…” Are you able to keep your defenses down and your pride in check? Then, you’re probably a teachable person.

  5. You know you’re teachable when you’re learning new ways to grow. If people have been telling you the same things for years, you’re not teachable. If you’ve grown out of those old issues and are on to new lessons, you’re on the right track. Even if you recognize that you’ve been foolish, you don’t have to stay that way. The answer to foolishness is wisdom. It’s available in God’s book, through His Spirit, and often communicated through His people. It’s applicable. It has to do with your life right now. It will help you make decisions, stay the course, and grow in your faith. And it’s very fulfilling! Correcting your course with God’s help is not some awful thing. Proverbs 8:11 tells us, “Wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” 

  Warren Myers was an early missionary with the Navigators. Before his Homegoing at 78, he spent his life studying the Bible. He wasn’t perfect, so when he knew that he’d sinned, he was quick to own it and to ask for forgiveness from the Lord and from anyone else he’d wronged. Even just a few months before his death, while at lunch with a friend, he asked (it was his habit to ask countless questions) what Jesus had recently been teaching his friend. As his young friend began to share, Warren was taking notes for his own personal growth. Here he was at 78, still growing, still learning.

  That’s what God wants for each of us. May we all be like that! Learning to be more and more like Jesus until we finally meet Him face to face. 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "

Stop attending church!

“Now the church is not wood and stone, but the company of people who believe in Christ.” Martin Luther

When you think about it, it’s fun yet a bit silly. Whenever I attend a professional ball game, along with everyone else, I’m caught up attempting to guess how many fans are attending. As you know, about halfway through the game, they place up on the scoreboard several options for the attendance. Fans are encouraged to guess how many are there. I’m not a very good guesser, but it’s encouraging to me when it’s a high attendance.

  Do you remember a few years back when there was a concern that professional baseball might die from a lack of popularity? I hope that day never comes. I love baseball. Of course, my first love is the Atlanta Braves. I’m thankful that the Brewers are in the National League so I can see my home town team periodically play when they come to Milwaukee. There’s just something very special about attending a baseball game.

  Many Christians think church is like that. They think church is all about attending. It’s not. If you think about it in our technologically driven world attending church is a bit stupid and lots of people have figured that out. The trend is growing as fewer and fewer people are attending church.

  You may have even asked the question yourself: Why bother? That’s also why if there’s a “competitive” option (family event, ballgame, weary from work, etc.), people skip out on attending church. Yet, we’d rarely skip work or having our children attend school for the same reasons we skip attending church. For example, an entire family will skip church if one family member is sick. Can you imagine that conversation with the school attendance office? “Yes, our children’s baby sister has a cold so our other two won’t be attending either. After I hang up with you, I’m calling work because neither my spouse nor I will be attending today because of our sick one year-old.”

  The reason that doesn’t work is even though we may language it that way, it’s totally unacceptable to just attend school or attend work. And we all know this. If your child merely attended school, you’d soon receive calls from his teacher. “Mr. ______, we have a problem. Johnny is attending but he’s not engaging in class. He won’t bring his books, refuses to interact and won’t do his homework.” If you only attended work but never actually worked, you’d soon find that you didn’t have a work place to attend.

  The commonly accepted model of church in America is an unbiblical one. In fact, it’s a sinful one. The New Testament knows nothing of “attending” church if you’re part of the Church; that is if you’re a believer and know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Today, as there were in the early church, there will be seekers, those who have not yet committed their lives to Christ attending church. But Jesus doesn’t give His followers the option to attend church. Add to that, in today’s culture, attending is kind of silly.

  Think about it. Why get dressed, take the time to drive and use up fuel to attend. Everyone has either a TV or the Internet. Most have a smart phone. It doesn’t make sense to attend church. If you’re attending, in light of the time, expense and convenience, a logical question is: “Why go to church?”

  While our church doesn’t yet stream its services online, you can download last week’s sermon from our web site. And if you want an immediate church experience, millions of churches do and you can access almost any church you want, anywhere, anytime. Free. That all brings us back to the question: Why attend church? Why even bother?

  Let me say this very simply – DON’T. Jesus does not want us to attend church; He calls us to something so much better and greater. We are the church and that must change everything. Merely attending church doesn’t make you much of a church because sitting in a back row consuming church doesn’t make you very good at being the church.

  The New Testament teaches that being the church has everything to do with living your life for Christ, demonstrating God’s love by loving and serving others, and sharing your faith with those who don’t know Him. That’s very different than consuming church sitting in a back row, which you can just as easily do sitting at home in your pajamas.

  The compelling biblical reason that a Christian should go to church each Sunday is that you’ve moved from being a consumer to being a contributor. You don’t go to be served, you go to serve. There’s something deeply biblical about that, so let’s start with the basics.

  First if you’re a Christian, church is not something you attend. It’s something you are. You can’t disassociate from church as a Christian any more than you can disassociate from humanity as a person. You don’t go to church, you are the church. Most of the New Testament is not about the teachings of Jesus, but about the work of the church that Jesus initiated and ordained. Without inundating you with Bible verses that prove my point, you’d have to discard the majority of the New Testament to argue that the church was about filling a seat just attending. Or, that it was a nonessential. 

  Second, the metaphors in the New Testament for the church indicate commitment, unity and participation. Terms like army, temple, body...to name a few, demand commitment and unity. The Bible compares us to a family. Because Jesus loves us so much, we are to love each other. Because He’s so committed to us, we’re to be committed to each other. Family gatherings aren’t optional, they’re anticipated. The family also has idiosyncrasies and sins. Because we’re family, we love, forgive and help each other grow past them. When there’s a problem, we don’t go down the street looking for a new family. Each member contributes and participates. We look forward to welcoming new family members. In fact, we get very excited about them. We encourage each other and sacrifice for each other.

  So to be a little blunt, if you’re looking for a church to attend, this isn’t it. That’s a ball game. At Grace, we’re committed to what Scripture teaches – that we’re family. Because Jesus loves us and we love Him, we love each other. Just as He is committed to us, by His grace we are committed to Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s the church!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "

Reflections on nearly 30 years of ministry

“In life there are milestones each rare and so sweet, sharing with loved ones makes them complete.”

  Recently, I’ve been doing some reminiscing. Remembering Ben’s brain surgery and celebrating his being seizure free for ten years brought back a flood of memories. Then, on our recent vacation, Jane and I re-connected with Don Widener. I baptized Don when he was growing up in our church. It was Don’s father, Ted Widener, who first contacted me in 1988 regarding the potential of being the pastor of Grace Church.  

  This weekend begins my 30^th year as pastor at Grace. Wow! Thirty years? When I was a kid, I thought 30 was ancient. I wasn’t sure I’d ever live to be 30 and was part of the generation taught to not trust anyone over 30.

  Do you want to hear God laugh? Tell Him your plans. When we moved to Burlington from Detroit in 1988, I was on the 5 year plan – we’d be in Wisconsin for 5 years and then off to another ministry, hopefully, in an urban area as I’m a city boy…but God had a much better plan. Grace is not just where I’m the pastor, it’s my family and our community has become an extended family. There’s just something refreshing about shopping in a local store to quickly pick up a few items, and an hour later realizing that you’ve talked to two or three friends and probably should head home.

  Our church is on the brink of a new chapter in our history, yet, we don’t want to forget our past. Many who came before us gave of themselves for the Lord in our church. One of the heavy burdens of long pastorates is that eventually you have to bury your friends. Heaven is all the sweeter for me because I have many “family members” from Grace waiting for me. Sometimes I catch myself starting to share a wonderful story about an old friend, “Do you remember?” and then realize the person I’m talking to wasn’t at our church then. Can I take a moment and tell you about just a few of my friends from Grace who are already Home?

  Bess Norum. If you met Bess, you never forgot her. She was already in her nineties when I first met her, a short little spitfire. She’d sung in the choir for one of Billy Sunday’s crusades. Even at ninety, Bess was passionate about her friends that they might not know Jesus. Our church didn’t have air conditioning back then and it was a chunk of change to add it. When Bess learned how much it was going to cost, she quipped, “You can buy a lot of lemonade for that amount.” Yet, Bess gave faithfully and sacrificially from her limited and fixed income so that we soon were able to install air conditioning. Her funeral was my first, yet it really wasn’t a funeral. It was a celebration of a sparrow who’d been set free.

  Ted Widener. Ted was chairman of our body of Deacons for many years. He was also one of my dearest friends. After meetings he and I’d talk until one of us finally noticed the time and realized we needed to head home. There wasn’t much Ted couldn’t or wouldn’t do when it came to serving the Lord. He was one of the first with a vision for building and expanding our ministry. Though Ted didn’t like change, if the change made us more effective for the gospel, he’d support it, even if it made him uncomfortable. He knew that I had three left hands when it came to repairing things, yet Ted never made me feel stupid or embarrassed. One weekend Jane was away at a ladies’ retreat and Ben began having seizures again. Ted rushed to Whitewater to pick up Jane because I couldn’t leave Ben. I’ll never forget shortly before the Lord called him Home, Ted had been nominated again to be a Deacon. Though he loved our church, he turned it down, sharing with me that there were some things he needed to work on in his life. I loved him for his humility and transparency.

  Connie Thompson. Thinking of her brings both a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. For her, I was never Pastor or Scott, I was “Yo Rev!” She never met a stranger and loved to make others feel welcome. She had a unique gift for making you feel at ease. I think we clicked because our family history was similar. I’ll never forget hugging her when her Dad died. I thought her heart was going to break, she was so distraught. She was one of those rare folk that if she didn’t like something, she didn’t play games – she didn’t know how. Her candor was refreshing. She loved Jesus and loved to sing about Him. The Lord had blessed her with a beautiful voice. She also had a huge heart and it weighed on her to see others hurting. Once when our church was going through a dark period, I came in on Sunday and it was written all over my face, but Connie let me know in no uncertain terms that looking like God had died wasn’t going to fly.  

  Bob Cannon. Bob reminded me that even when I give up, God never does. When I first came in 1988, I’d visit Bob and invite him to church. I lost track of how many times. Finally, I gave up, but God didn’t. Back then, Bob would tell me that he knew the Lord. But just a few years ago, Bob really came to Christ. What a change! It’s what’s supposed to happen when someone comes to Christ. When there’s new life, the Bible teaches there will be fruit. Bob, who’d wanted little to do with Christianity before began digging into his Bible, faithfully worshipped with his brothers and sisters in Christ, and began serving – he loved working with Jr Hi kids. He became a giver. Even when he couldn’t make it to church, his offering did. And Bob became a missionary. His primary field was from his hospital bed as his health deteriorated. He’d share the love of Jesus with the doctors and nurses who cared for his heart, that Jesus had given him a new heart, and how they could have one too.

  That’s only a few who’ve so wonderfully been a part of our church. There are many others. We’re truly, “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” We’re so blessed that as believers, we never say “Good-bye,” just “Good night, we’ll see you in the morning, that great resurrection morning.” 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. "