A Christ-follower with a limp

Sunday, July 16, 2023

When Church is a Family

“I believe that one major reason that the church of Jesus Christ in the United States is very close to being in sheer chaos today is because so many people think themselves as individuals rather than as part of the body of Christ. Christianity is not ‘every man for himself;’ it’s every man together for Christ.” Wayne Mack

Today we’re beginning a new sermon series that will take us through the end of September: One Another – Doing Church Life Together. Personally, I’m very excited about this series. One of the distinctives of the early church that’s God’s plan for us even today is strong relationships. Please pray that this will not be a “sermon series” or just “a bunch of good talks.” God wants us to apply His truth. It’s why we’ve nearly begged you to either be part of a group or even lead one to work through this series at a deeper level. We’re even providing all of the discussion questions for you.
This dovetails with one of my great burdens for our church and one of my continual prayers. Consistently, I pray that the Lord will give us three things at Grace: 1) A passionate love for Jesus Christ. 2) A passionate love for each other. 3) A passionate love for our community.
The majority of American Christians have a “consumer” understanding of the church, not a biblical one. They attend church to find what’s in it for them. It’s something to attend for an hour a week to “shop” spiritually. They don’t have deep relationships, nor is there deep commitment. Such thinking is foreign to what Scripture teaches about church relationships.
Of all the metaphors used to describe the local church, one that stands out above the rest is family. In fact, it’s so much of the essence of the church that it can’t even properly be called a metaphor. Metaphors describe what the church is like or similar to—light, flock, field, building—but family is not metaphorical; it’s a literal description of the phenomena we know as church. That’s because the church is not like family; it is family.
God is literally our Father, Jesus is literally our elder brother, and we are literally brothers and sisters in Christ. Family is the primary way the early church identified themselves. This is seen by the fact that the word disciple, so prevalent in the early part of the New Testament, disappears after the book of Acts. It’s replaced by the terms brother and sister for the rest of the Bible. Family dominates the self-understanding of the early church. When the apostolic writers wanted to address an entire congregation, they frequently called them “brothers and sisters.” The people in the seats around us are, in fact, our family.
Acknowledging our spiritual sibling relationships isn’t an intellectual exercise; it’s a profound truth that should stir deep emotions and overflow in tangible ways. Because they are family, we learn their names (3 John 15) and find out their interests. We display “family affection” (Romans 12:10). There are no cliques, favoritism or partiality (James 2:1-9). In innumerable ways, we seek to say: you are my brothers and sisters, and I love you.
Throughout the New Testament, God commands us to have mutual care in the local church. The epistles, in particular, tell us what it means to be brothers and sisters and teach us “how one ought to behave in the household of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). With their various “one another” commands, these New Testament letters remind us that life in God’s family will reorient our allegiance—not only on Sunday but every hour of every day.
Consumers attend church looking for what they will receive. Those with a biblical understanding of the church look for what they can give to it of time, money, and themselves. The church is not a man-made society that we can participate in—or opt out of—according to our level of comfort. The PTA, the HOA, or the library book club don’t obligate us to personal sacrifice when things get tough. Family does. And because God’s people are our family, we will hold our own preferences and priorities loosely. We set aside our social status, age group, ethnicity, and politics for the family. We open our hearts and doors. We pull up another chair at mealtime and add another name to our prayer list. We will give them our groceries, furniture, and smiles. We will share their grief and trials and disappointments. We will continually look for ways to show love.
As a result, we will expect to have less money and less free time than we would have on our own. We will expect to have added sorrow. We will also expect to have great joy.
One of my favorite stories is told by a Vacation Bible School teacher with a second-grade class. A new student came into her class one day, a little boy, but he had a physical challenge; he only had one arm. The teacher wished she’d had a chance to coach the kids about accepting this boy and not treating him any differently. But the children did great. At first, they stared a little bit. The teacher just didn’t want anyone to embarrass him in any way. Yet at the end of the class, she forgot herself, and said, “Kids, let’s close the class today by doing that little exercise: ‘This is the church, this is the steeple, open the doors and see all the people.” Then she looked down and noticed the child missing an arm, and she realized she’d done to him what she hoped none of the kids would do. And right then one of the girls in the class reached out her right hand and put it in the boy’s left hand and she said, “Come on, Davy, let’s build a church together.”
That’s what a biblical church does. It builds the church together. It understands spiritual family. It brings people together who apart from God’s grace would never come together. It unites us around Jesus’ cross and submits to the Spirit to build a family a lost world can’t comprehend. And it’s all for His glory! It’s what the New Testament is teaching us as it continually shares passage after passage of the “one anothers.”

Can we help you spiritually? 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.

Sunday, July 9, 2023

What would Jesus say about illegal immigrants?

“My mother left Cuba to come to the United States by herself.
She was an eight year old undocumented immigrant.” Bobby Cannavale

Currently, there’s a bill before Congress on immigration called The Dignity Act that has bipartisan support. Will it finally take positive steps forward to solve our immigration, legal and illegal, problem? I hope so. Yet, it’s been nearly 40 years (1986) since Congress passed any reforms in our immigration laws, but the problem has only grown worse.
Christians are first and foremost citizens of heaven. It’s wrong when Christ-followers mime the political position of their political party yet are ignorant of biblical truth. When we align our positions on ethical issues with politics rather than Scripture, it’s idolatry.
What does the Bible teach? Christians are to be merciful toward immigrants. “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Jesus echoed that same truth in Matthew 25:35. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, Christians should seek to influence the nation that they’re earthly citizens of to have a compassionate immigration policy.
So what should we do about illegal immigration? It’s very complex and no one has all of the answers, yet believers must have God’s Word as their resource for working through issues like these. Also, other than Native Americans, we’re all immigrants and must be committed to finding safe, reasonable ways for others to come to America, particularly those facing religious persecution or political oppression.
While the political focus is on illegal immigration and our borders, I believe we should be first focused on those who are already here. God is not the God of fear. It’s morally wrong that we have those living among us who live in fear of being pulled over for a minor infraction because it might mean deportation. It’s estimated that there over 11 million illegal immigrants in the States. It’s twice the population of Wisconsin. Some 20% were brought in as children. For example, I have a friend brought to the States as a baby yet has worked for years here. My friend doesn’t have a birth certificate so has tremendous difficulty applying for citizenship.
Scripture has two virtues that help us develop a biblical worldview of illegal immigration: Justice and Mercy. The Bible teaches that God ordains government to secure justice for those under its jurisdiction, in part by making and enforcing laws, including immigration laws. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that Christians must exhibit mercy. While government should enforce immigration laws, justice never justifies harshness. All immigrants are Imago Dei. It’s offensive to God to treat immigrants (legal or illegal) as subhuman. And who among us wouldn’t risk illegally immigrating to protect our children? Let me suggest some considerations to help us develop a biblical perspective.
There should be a means of deportation for criminals. It’s a known fact that Drug Cartels take advantage of our lax approach to illegal immigration to import illegal drugs. Illegal immigrants who break major laws like drug trafficking, sex trafficking or violent crimes or who have a criminal record for serious crimes in their nation of origin should be deported.
There should be simple, multiple paths to legal status or citizenship. It shouldn’t cost thousands for an illegal currently living here to secure citizenship. Yes, they should have to work a certain amount of time once they’ve applied for citizenship and can’t remain if unwilling to work. Documentation like birth certificates should be simplified or even waived depending on circumstances. Birth certificates in the U.S. weren’t common until after World War II. Imagine what it’s like in 3^rd world countries? Dreamers are often victims in their documentation situation and shouldn’t be penalized for decisions made by others which they had no input in.
There should be incentives for selected immigrants. Imagine how impoverished our country would be if Albert Einstein hadn’t been allowed to flee to America to escape the Nazis. Or Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State under presidents Nixon and Ford. Kissinger’s Jewish family fled Germany in response to rising Nazism. Artists like Gloria Estefan are here because her parents fled Communist Cuba.
We have a doctor and engineer shortage. Those who will benefit our country should be given incentives to come and become citizens.
There should be a system in place, not amnesty for those who entered illegally. We should not simply grant amnesty to those who’ve broken the law. If undocumented immigrants wish to gain legal status, we should allow it, but it’s unjust to place them ahead of those already pursuing the progress legally. Undocumented immigrants should first undergo criminal background checks and pay some back taxes for previously undocumented income. Going to “the back of the line” doesn’t mean that they’d be deported, but they should only receive provisional documentation while waiting to either receive their green card or citizenship. And there should be a deadline to apply for legal status so undocumented immigrants will come forward in a timely manner.
Alexis de Tocqueville believed America’s greatness was birthed by her moral goodness, especially the moral fiber of her people and government. If we want America to be great, we must do our part to help her be morally good. God has called us to a higher calling than partisan politics – we are to be salt and light for His glory. While there are no simple answers, as citizens of heaven we must encourage a commitment to justice and mercy.

Sunday, July 2, 2023

The Story of Us

“Staying married, therefore, is not mainly about staying in love. It is about keeping covenant. ‘Till death do us part’ or ‘As long as we both shall live’ is a sacred covenant promise – the same kind Jesus made with His bride when He died for her.” John Piper

I never imagined on a hot summer day on July 2, 1983, that Jane and I would someday be married for forty years. Please understand. We meant our vows, “till death do us part,” yet when you’re in your twenties, imagining what life and marriage will be like in your sixties is a bit like dreaming about space travel.
We don’t have a perfect marriage and have had our share of marital storms. We know full well that we’re both sinners and desperately in need of God’s grace and will be to our last breath. There are some things though that we’ve learned in four decades together. Maybe they will help you in your own marital journey.
A healthy marriage has two hosts. Jane and I dated once in college and then found each other again after she had graduated and was teaching in the Chicago suburbs. I’d left college and was saving money to return and finish by doing commercial roofing…in Chicago. We reconnected and like most couples, we bent over backwards for each other. We were perfect hosts, working to continually please the other because that’s what a host does.
But when you’re a guest at a hotel, you don’t make the bed or hang up wet towels. Marriages deteriorate when spouses become guests, not hosts. They expect to be served rather than to serve. Hosts even talk differently to guests than guests do to hosts. Don’t hate me…but I don’t like cats yet I wouldn’t talk to a stray cat the way that some spouses speak to each other.
Opposites attract and that’s a blessing. Jane is from Michigan, I’m from Atlanta. She grew up in the country and had a mile-long driveway. I grew up in the city. Jane is an extrovert and loves meeting new people. I’m an introvert and can feel drained by being with people. Jane loves a very planned life and schedule. I’m spontaneous and am more of a “go with the flow” type. Jane is time oriented and rarely late. I’m event-oriented, which simply means that I don’t move on to the next thing until the present one is done. I think that the last time that I was early was for our wedding. Yet, rather than these becoming sources of irritation, they’ve become what Scripture calls “iron sharpening iron,” helping us both grow.
What originally attracted you is still there. If most couples would take a step back, they’d find that what irritates them about their spouse is about five or ten percent of the marriage. 90% though is fantastic! But what do they focus on – that small percentage. And frequently what drives them crazy are the very things that originally attracted them. For example, one of the things that attracted me to Jane is that she is so kind. I’m embarrassed to admit that when I was in business, I was nicknamed “the butt kicker.” Yet I’m not sure I’ve seen Jane angry more than five times in forty years and none of them (amazingly so) were at me. Jane was originally attracted to my assertiveness but there were times that my assertiveness embarrassed her. Thankfully we’ve both grown in grace, yet those same traits are still there. Instead of being annoyances, they’ve become traits of gratitude.
If you fight, keep it clean. Periodically, a couple will tell you that they never fight. Mark it down – they’re either lying, very boring, or highly medicated. Disagreements and fights help us grow. But in forty years the word “divorce” has never been used by either of us, even as a joke. My mentor, Dad Cummins, taught us that. Dad married us and did our pre-marital counseling. Most of us fight like our parents did instead of biblically. They were our greatest teachers of what marriage was like for the first years of life. My Dad was a rageaholic, interestingly, so was his Dad. Jane and I have learned to keep it toned down. It’s hard to get very angry when you talk softly. You must also avoid becoming “historical.” In the midst of the conflict, it’s tempting to bring up past grievances that have nothing to do with the present issue for extra ammo. Then, keeping it private is vital. Other than our children, very few know that we’ve had any disagreements. But some couples take pleasure in airing their dirty laundry, looking for allies. They do pay back when they have an audience to shame their mate. God’s Word commands us to not “let the sun go down on our anger” (Ephesians 4:26). A healthy marriage keeps it cleaned up. That means it’s wrong to hold grudges or pull off some ongoing silent treatment.
Have a united front. Too often when a couple is having issues, they think that the solution is to have a baby. It’s not. Children are the great dividers. Because we tend to believe the way that we were raised is the best one, children learn early to play Mom and Dad against each other. Parents will disagree on parenting styles, just do it privately, not in front of your children. The same is true with marital disagreements, like in-laws or holidays. Stay united and keep disagreements private.
When you draw closer to the God of love, you’ll draw closer to each other. Do you know what the percentage of divorce is for a couple who prays together? Less than 10%. That’s one reason the Bible teaches that Christians must marry Christians. You can’t pray together if you don’t have the same Heavenly Father. A personal devotional life is essential to a healthy marriage. As we individually spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, we love God more. In love, He corrects us, which is often in how we’ve wronged someone, frequently our spouse. Think of it as a triangle with God at the peak and you and your spouse at the far angles. As you move closer to God, you’re moving closer to each other.
There’s a lot more. The bottom line is that both Jane and I believe that based on Scripture believers should have the happiest and most fulfilled marriages. That’s because we have resources lost folk don’t have – the Holy Spirit indwelling us, God’s Word guiding us and a local church family encouraging us! Forty years ago we said, “till death do us part.” We meant it and we’d do it all over again, yet it’s all by God’s grace!!

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Save My Story

“Of what use was it to be loved and lose one’s beauty and become Real if it all ended like this?” Margery Williams, Velveteen Rabbit

Will you sign my petition? I think I’m jumping on the “Save our Shows” bandwagon this year. Those bigwigs at CBS have canceled one of my favorites, East New York. But in case you’re not a TV series connoisseur like me (just kidding) East New York is, I mean was, a TV police series that centers on officers and detectives of the NYPD’s 74^th precinct in the Brooklyn neighborhood of East New York. While it wasn’t a great TV series, it was decent and written much better than some of the others still airing. The last episode ended with a cliffhanger which is now just a cliff.
Apparently, I’m not the only one bothered that a series was terminated with no ending. TV Q&A columnist, Rich Heldenfels, recently answered this question sent in by a reader: Shouldn’t television producers be required to resolve major questions before a series is removed from viewing? It’s my understanding that the idea of government intervention was batted around forcing producers to come up with satisfactory endings.
To be honest, I’m not much of a TV watcher and I’m thankful for a DVR so that I can fast-forward commercials. I have a short list of favorites that I watch, usually one at night to give my mind a mental break. It’s been very rare for me to watch a series from the first episode until the end. I get bored and move on. For example, Lost lost me after the first season.
While we don’t need to involve the government and a large percentage of TV isn’t worth watching in my opinion, it does bring up something that is part of our design. God designed us so that we’re fascinated and drawn to stories. Even the oldest among us love those familiar words, “Once upon a time.” Our fascination with story is never over. It starts very early in the human experience, right from the time we can crawl up into an adult’s lap to listen to words that we can’t yet comprehend.
As Christians, we need to understand that a part of that is being made in the image of God. We’re drawn into a story. We find our identity in a storyline and we want that storyline to be satisfactory.
The problem is and this is where the storyline of God’s Word makes the truth abundantly clear, given the reality of sin, left to ourselves that storyline can be short and nothing other than catastrophic. The big question for all of us is not the beginning of our story but the end of our story. It makes all the difference in what we know and believe and stake our lives on to be the end of the story.
This is where Christians understand the promise of Scripture, the promise of the gospel that we really do know and can absolutely count upon the fact that the great storyline is going to end in a way that’s completely resolved. There will be a perfect resolution to the story and it’s going to come on what the Bible calls “the day of the Lord,” when God executes justice and when both His justice and mercy are demonstrated in fullness and completeness. It’s as Bible-believers understand, for those who have trusted Christ as their personal Savior, the ones that the New Testament refers to as “the redeemed.”
There comes the promise of the kingdom of Christ when all wrong is made right. It culminates with a new heaven and a new earth, a new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. The resolution of this is so perfect that as the Bible promises, every eye for believers will be dry with every tear will be wiped away forever. For those who have trusted Christ as their Savior, their story has an ending that’s literally out of this world.
Recently, I stumbled across this account that in the 1930s, the city of New York built a set of railroad tracks called the High Line that ran out of the meat-packing districts to other parts of the city. Architects and engineers designed the tracks so that they would rise thirty feet above the streets, far above the hustle and bustle and traffic of the city (hence, the name). As you can imagine, the tracks were large, wide, and extensive. In fact, the tracks ran for over a mile. Trains supplied the city with meat, agricultural goods, and mail for nearly fifty years. But those tracks, as with many things, became more and more obsolete with the changes in the city. Ultimately, they went into disrepair and the last trains ran on the line in the 1980s.
What was the city to do with the tracks after they were broken and without a purpose any longer? Some suggested that the city demolish the High Line. After all, little bits had been destroyed here and there since the 1960s. The city might as well level the whole thing. However, a group in the city had a different idea. They wanted to see the High Line reclaimed.
And that’s exactly what happened. Members of the High Line community worked to see the tracks redeemed as something beautiful, as public space. Over the course of a decade, the High Line tracks were created anew into a public park. It is now High Line Park, a 1.5-mile greenway that runs down Manhattan’s West Side. It’s a serene space with trees and gardens, sitting areas, and a walking path. It’s an oasis of resplendence and beauty in the midst of a concrete jungle. It’s a reclamation project that’s been done right.
The High Line project illustrates our story, the story of redemption. For those who have accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, incarnate, crucified, resurrected, ascended, and coming again, it’s the greatest story with the greatest ending, an everlasting “happily ever after.” Because of the cross, as promised in John 3:16 (and countless other Scriptures), it can be anyone and everyone’s story – Jesus died to pay for the sins of the world. My friend, is it your story?

Sunday, June 18, 2023

What is a man...a godly Man?

“Men are not born masculine, they need to learn it. Specifically, they learn it by examining the Scriptures, looking to the example of Jesus Christ and following the examples of other men.” Randy Smith

There’s been an ongoing cultural debate on “What is a woman?” Yet, a more vital question for the Church is: What is a godly man?
One of most maligned positions today is that of a man. Too often the Church hasn’t helped. We’ve settled for mediocrity and failed to encourage men to be mature, godly examples. The outcome is what Dale Partridge describes as a “surplus of boys with beards.” We’ve accepted extended adolescence, machismo for maturity and a rationalization that addiction is normal whether it’s sports, video games, substance abuse or porn.
In a culture lacking clarity and sanity about manhood, this is where God’s Word becomes our lifeline. The Bible is filled with examples of men of character. None were perfect but they were committed to a godly direction.
The best example of biblical masculinity is Jesus Christ. What does a real man look like? Who should be our model for healthy manhood? The answer is the Lord Jesus. The Christ of the Bible is the perfect representation of true masculinity. Our world needs men who not only live by Christ’s teachings, but imitate the example of how He lived His life. That example can transform us individually, and our society as a whole!
Godly men prepare themselves for manhood in their youth. Though the Bible provides few details about the childhood of Jesus, we do have enough details to know that the young Jesus was focused on His education and preparation for adulthood. Luke records, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). That didn’t just happen. A young Jesus studied and applied Himself. We see an example of this when He stayed behind in Jerusalem after Passover. His parents found Him “in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46). Christ’s example for young men is to take preparation for adulthood seriously in your youth. Don’t fritter away your early years by playing video games or watching movies. Be focused on your future and preparation needed to achieve your goals.
Godly men work. Christ’s life was an example of work and productivity. In His adult life He had two primary occupations—carpenter and teacher. His young adult years were spent working in the carpentry profession, learning the profession from Joseph (His stepfather) and probably working in a family business with His physical brothers. After about the age of 30, Jesus transitioned into a teacher and spent the rest of His physical life traveling across the area preaching, teaching, healing, training His disciples and working with individuals one-on-one. Jesus’ life was so active and productive that there wasn’t room in the Gospels to record all He did (John 21:25)! His example for men today is a strong work ethic. Godly men don’t linger in a childhood immaturity focused on entertainment, inactivity and laziness—they grow up and work. They work to support themselves (and eventually their families) and have a drive to be creative and productive.
Godly men respect women. Jesus Christ lived in a society that had little regard for women. He stood out as a Man who treated women with honor and respect. He spoke to women publicly, even when it was taboo to do so in the culture of His day. He highlighted women’s actions as lessons for others to follow. Jesus showed concern for women who were suffering. He honored and respected His mother even when He was suffering and dying.
A man living out biblical masculinity doesn’t use degrading language to describe women. His example for men today is to respect all women and treat them with honor. Many men—influenced by music, pornography and movies—view women as sex objects. Using derogatory words for women is common in contemporary music, media, and in some male-only conversations. Godly men have nothing to do with this but are committed instead to treating women as Imago Dei with dignity, honor and respect.
Godly men love and care for children. Though Jesus had a busy schedule, He didn’t consider anyone a waste of His time—especially children! Parents brought children to Jesus for Him to bless. These parents knew that He loved children and would set aside time for them. In fact, Jesus rebuked those who interfered with that time! He frequently healed children of ailments and interacted with children with love and gentleness.
Christ’s example for men today is not to ignore children, but to pay attention to them and protect them. A godly man doesn’t lustfully impregnate women only to abandon them to care for children alone. He chooses one woman to love and marry and then brings children into that solid, loving, committed family relationship.
Godly men control themselves. Jesus Christ experienced temptations to sin just like we do, but resisted every time. He never sinned. Hebrews tells us that He “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). He never allowed desire and lust to conceive in His mind (James 1:15). He resisted and denied sinful thoughts. Our Lord was Spirit-controlled and governed Himself by a moral code based on God’s Word and never deviated from it. He exercised perfect self-control, a fruit of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:23). His example for men today shows that they shouldn’t be driven by urges, what feels good or is convenient. This world needs men who govern themselves by the same biblical truth Jesus had.
Jesus is the perfect example of balanced and biblical masculinity. Everything written about Him in the New Testament is a model for men. Countless practical points can be derived from His life and teachings. For biblical masculinity to be restored, Christian men must model their lives after His perfect example. Jesus Christ demonstrated the perfect balance of masculine strength with gentleness and care. He was a leader and also a servant. He was incredibly bold and also caringly gentle. He worked hard, loved all people and never deviated from His mission.
Jesus Christ is the example we must strive to follow. He is the model of masculinity that Christian men need to pattern their lives after.

Sunday, June 11, 2023

The Cost of Virtual Church

“We desperately need the church for love, for maturity and preparedness, for spiritual care. It is arrogant, rebellious, self-reliant, God-indicting pride to conclude that the church is an optional extra to the Christian life. We need everything God designs for us. Everything. To reject what God designs for His glory and our good is spiritual suicide. To reject the church is to take your own spiritual life.” Thabiti Anyabwile

Okay, I’ll be honest. I hesitated to use that quote by Thabiti about church attendance because it’s so pointed. I used it because I know that it’s true. It is very rare to meet a thriving Christian who is casual about corporate worship. Lone Ranger or Lone Rangerette Christianity is an Americanism. Read the New Testament for yourself, particularly the epistles and you just won’t find individualistic Christianity there. One of the most common metaphors for the local church is a “body.” A body has unity. In a body every part is essential and they don’t go off on their own. There is no substitute for one’s physical presence when it comes to worship.
To be sure there are times that someone can’t attend either because of illness or job requirements. Let’s be honest. That’s not why most individuals miss. Somehow we find a way to participate in other events that require our presence. For most of us, it’s just a matter of priorities.
Recently, Dane Ortlund tweeted: “Staying home to ‘watch church’ is like staying home from a friend’s wedding to watch the ceremony virtually. And keeping your wedding gift with you. Your presence and solidarity and love and hugs and eye contact and singing are needed. It’s not just about passively receiving something. It’s about being part of the embodied part of the celebration. The whole event is diminished by your absence.”
Recently, I did something with my index finger. It was very sore and I just kept bumping it. The pain was excruciating. It sent a message to my brain that I needed to do something. The message went to my brain because my finger is connected to my body.
And that’s true spiritually. When we are not connected to the body of believers, we can have spiritual soreness and sinful infection but never know it. Isolation is deadly to spiritual growth and health. Isolated Christians become their own measure of what’s right and correct. They’re not challenged because they're isolated. Look at the 12 disciples. Jesus brought together a mixed bag of followers that made each of them uncomfortable so they would grow and show His power which brought unity. Add to that, it’s very hard to be an encouragement and blessing to your brothers and sisters virtually.
We’ve all heard about how the pandemic has hurt church attendance. It’s true, but it’s becoming a bit tiresome. We continually hear the hackneyed explanation that “the church is the people, not a building.” But if those people never gather together, is it a church? Can there be a church of one” Or is an individual family a church? Nope!
Wonderfully, we are seeing an incipient movement push back against the “you-don’t-have-to-attend-church-to-be-obedient-to-God” crowd. There are early signs, particularly among the isolated digital generation, that a number of folks were awakened in the pandemic to the importance of in-person community, particularly in churches.
Church consultant Thom Rainer suggests some wonderful analogies to help us understand the vital importance of the local church metaphorically. Here are five of his favorites:
The family meal versus the individual takeout dinner. For years, families spent time around the table. They would converse with each other instead of getting a takeout meal and looking at their smartphone. It was a time when family members connected and got to know each other. It was an in-person event that took place several times a week. The disconnected family member is like the disconnected church member who no longer attends in-person worship services and small groups.
A bonfire versus an electric heater. I love a bonfire on the beach. I enjoy more than the warmth on a cool night; I enjoy others in person. The setting provides those times when we can share stories, laugh, and get to know one another. The electric heater provides warmth, but it does not provide a connection. It is like the digital church: functional but not personal.
The live concert versus streaming music. I remember the first time I heard “Red Rubber Ball” by The Cyrkle in a concert. I was hooked on that 60s one-hit wonder because I not only enjoyed the catchy tune, I shared the delight with others who were attending. We can listen to Christian music and hymns via digital means, but it’s nothing like singing together in person in church in a spirit of true worship.
Sailing together versus watching a travel show. For one of our wedding anniversaries, I leased a small sailboat with a captain for a half-day. Being with my wife for those few hours and seeing the pure joy she experienced was incomparable to watching a television show about sailing. Worshiping together is the sailboat. Watching a digitally streaming worship service is the television travel show.
Live theater versus Netflix. I have been to a few Broadway shows and a few other live shows. While I appreciate the convenience of watching a chosen movie on Netflix, it is nothing like feeling and seeing the emotions of those watching a play in the room with me. Church is akin to live theater. You connect with those who are physically present. You not only hear a sermon and sing worship music, but you worship together with others.
So please, for your own spiritual health and growth, for us to more effectively accomplish our mission of reaching our community and world with the gospel – the good news that this hopeless world needs – please make corporate worship and small group communities a priority. It’s God’s plan because it’s only together that we can make a difference in this world and in eternity that we can never even hope to do alone!

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Don't invite your neighbor to church???

“It occurs to me that this is not a neighborhood;

it is only a collection of unconnected individuals.” Philip Langdon

Be honest. Would you want to live next door to you? Something has happened to the good old American neighborhood. Those who grew up with shows like Andy Griffith, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, Cheers, or even Friends carry a longing for a neighborhood that actually works. We want to live next door to Aunt Bea or Chandler Bing. We’d even welcome quirky neighbors like Cosmo or Sheldon. Wouldn’t it be nice to stroll across the backyard in the evening to draw upon the wisdom of Wilson, our neighbor on the other side of the fence, as we process a problem or crisis? We don’t need a home where the buffalo roam. We need a front porch with a swing or rocking chairs for neighbors to stop by to swap stories, insights, opinions, hurts and even disappointments.
Summer is here! Before winter drives us back inside our castles, we have about four months to build bridges. When the cold hits, our chariots drive up, drawbridges rise up and down, and lights go on inside. Other than dealing with snow, there are few signs of human life in our castles.
Can I make an odd request from a pastor? Do something better than inviting your neighbor to church – please instead invite them into your life! Get to know them as a person, as Imago Dei, an image bearer of God.
Who is your neighbor? Our neighbor is anyone in our proximity with whom we can share God’s love. We’re called not only to love those similar to us or with whom we’re comfortable, but all whom God places in our path. Jesus said, “I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives His best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, ‘Grow up.’ You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” (Matthew 5:44-48, The Message).
As God shows love to all people, as His children, you and I are commanded to do the same. We are to work to help our neighbors to connect our stories to the greater story that God is creating in the world. Developing relationships with your neighbors will help you all feel cared for rather than isolated. Most of us have half a dozen neighbors in close proximity. How can we grow in the art of neighboring?
Know their name. Know the names of their children. All of us have had that blank brain moment. Here’s a tool for remembering their names – pray for them. Add them to your prayer list for your Quiet Time. Pray for them as a family before you eat a meal. As you pray, ask God to help you notice and care about the needs of those who live near you. Ask Him to empower you to be flexible with your schedule so you can accommodate neighbors.
Slow down and create white space. You must choose to make room for neighborhood relationships. To have time and energy available for reaching out to neighbors takes creating space by letting go of activities that aren’t as important as loving them. Most of us can easily cut back on time on phones or TVs and never miss it.
Ask the Lord to help you move from a lifestyle of busyness to one of conversation and community. Adopt a slower pace so you’ll have time to develop relationships with neighbors. Ask God to help you say “no” to even some good activities so you can focus on what’s more important, building relationships with neighbors. Too many of us cram our lives with family and Christian friends so that there’s no space for relationships with neighbors. Be flexible about your daily agenda. Be willing to be interrupted or inconvenienced so you can love your neighbors as God wants you to.
Ask God for courage. Many never had making new friends modeled for them, so it can be intimidating. Some of our neighbors are as nervous of approaching us, as we are of them. Very few people are actually dangerous. They’re usually just normal people with maybe some interesting quirks. Remember God has placed a desire to be accepted, and cared for in everyone’s life. Neighbors will usually welcome your efforts to get to know them. Take the initiative to break through the isolation in your neighborhood. It can be something as simple as taking over cookies. If you grow a garden share with neighbors. If you buy fresh vegetables, buy a little extra to be able to give some away. Thoughtfulness touches hearts.
Be the neighbor that you wish you had. If you have friends over for a party, keep the noise down. Shut things down early so as not to keep neighbors awake. If you can, invite them to join you. If you have a pet, keep it in your yard. If it barks, bring it inside quickly. If you have young children, teach them to respect the boundaries of fences and sidewalks.
Converse wisely with your neighbors. Listen more than you talk. Ask questions to learn who they are and they’re interests. Everyone has a story and longs for others to listen to them and care. It’s why social media is so popular. If you differ on politics, social issues, or lifestyle choices, listen – gain new insights and perspectives. Look at life from their worldview. Never argue or be belligerent. Be a bridge builder, not a wall builder.
That statement about Jesus should challenge us: “Jesus was the friend of sinners.” God hasn’t called us to only be friends with nice, churchy people. He’s called us to reach our world like He did. He left heaven and came into this world because He loved people like us…and we’re a big mess. He placed us in our neighborhoods and wants us to get outside of our safe homes and yards to show His love to those around us. Your neighborhood is your mission field. How are you doing on being Jesus there?
Recently, I happened on a blog entitled “12 Days of Neighboring.” Summer is about 12 weeks, why not use some of its ideas to make this summer “12 Weeks of Neighboring”? Here’s the link: https://www.watermark.org/blog/12-days-of-neighboring