The Purpose of the Church…Revisited
Recently, I have been reminded by numerous preachers that “the purpose of the church is to share the Gospel with the world.” This seems to be a pretty standard, harmless statement that most people would agree with immediately, never giving it a second thought. But I want to challenge that thinking today. Is winning the lost around the world really THE purpose of the church? Is that really THE central reason for the church’s existence? My answer is no, and I want to share why.
Now, before you grab your rocks and packets of gravel to stone me for heresy, let me clearly say that I do believe in the Great Commission, and I do believe the church plays a major role in its execution. Every year, our Youth Ministry sends 50-70 students on mission trips to continue the Great Commission work around the world. But I don’t believe that the central, driving focus of the church, or the reason for its existence, is evangelism or world missions. Instead, the winning of the world should be the natural byproduct of the effective church, a Body of believers who meet, teach, study, encourage one another, and are compelled to “go.”
As I study the Scriptures, it seems to me that the church is designed to be a place of encouragement, equipping, and challenging for those who are in Christ. I believe the Great Commission is directed at the individual and not the Body as a whole, and a misunderstanding of this truth has led to a watered down version of the Gospel, a fear of powerful preaching, wasted time discussing what type of coffee house to put in the foyer, and a debate about the existence of Hell.
So can I Biblically make a case that the church is designed for Christians and NOT the lost? I think I can. First, remember when Jesus mentioned the church after the powerful confession of Peter? In Matthew 16:16, Peter declares “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus replies by saying “on this Rock I will build my church.” In other words, the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, is the foundation upon which the church is built. That is the confession of a BELIEVER, not a non-Christian just trying the church on for size.
And what about the book of Acts? The best picture of the early church seems to be Acts 2:42-47, which says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Notice that the result of this community of believers was, in short, the first part of the Great Commission. People WERE being saved. But that seems to be more of a byproduct of the rest of the activities of the Body (the second part of the Great Commission) than just the central goal. Notice the actions that typified the early church – they were devoted, they studied the apostles’ teaching, they prayed, they broke bread together, they served one another, and they gave generously out of compassion. Again, these are the activities of Christians, not seekers. But the result was changed lives and the growth of the Kingdom. It seems that it was a PART of what they did, but not the central focus.
There are other Scriptures that support the idea that the church is a place for equipping, encouraging, and challenging the saints. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Paul’s missionary journeys were designed to set up churches among the Gentiles and to encourage those that already existed. Acts 16:5 shows the cause and effect of healthy, vibrant churches growing the Kingdom – “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” Note that they were strengthened in their faith first, THEN they grew. The church in Corinth had a ton of problems, and it seems that the reason is because their Body was not made up of strong Christians – “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1).” And in 1 Corinthians 5, Paul gives specific instructions about passing judgement an immoral “brother.” He tells them that they SHOULD pass judgement on those INSIDE the church, but not be concerned about passing judgement on those OUTSIDE the church. In other words, they should render judgement because the “brother” should know better – he’s a believer.
Finally, think about the standard pillars of the worship service – prayer, communion, the Word, fellowship, giving. These have been staples since the early pages of Acts. But they aren’t really in the wheelhouse of the “seeker,” are they? Or how about food pantries? Have you read the requirements for those who are eligible to receive assistance from the church in 1 Timothy 5? It doesn’t look a thing like our food pantries today. Maybe we have the wrong idea. Maybe we’ve gone overboard and skewed what Jesus initially meant by the Great Commission? Ask yourself – is it possible?
So, the question becomes, “Why does it matter?” Is it really so wrong if the church makes its central mission to share the Gospel? Well, to be honest, it does matter. In the same way the healthy, vibrant, equipping church in Acts had the byproduct of saved sinners, the unhealthy, “seeker-sensitive” church has byproducts as well. Here are a few byproducts that have come out of this model:
1. Christians who have no idea how to share the Gospel. Unfortunately, most Christians now equate “evangelism” with bringing a friend to church. Instead of allowing the power of God to work in their relationships to the point of sharing Christ in a personal, intimate way, most Christians invite acquaintances to church and hope the preacher says something that sticks. Pastors, how many people in your church are involved in a discipling, teaching relationship with a non-Christian OUTSIDE of the church walls?
2. Churches that don’t preach the Gospel. The result of #1 is that our churches have become one-room schoolhouses. Every Sunday, our churches are full of non-Christians who are seeking answers to the basic questions of the faith. Sitting right next to them are Christians who have sat through thousands of sermons, attended hundreds of conferences, and are ready for “spiritual meat.” This is quite a difficult balancing act for the local church preacher. What if our church members were equipped, empowered, and challenged to share their faith one-on-one instead? What if “new” faces in the church pew were already well on their way in the faith because their neighbors and friends had been discipling them and teaching the fundamentals outside the church?
3. Preachers who are scared to teach Truth. With such a vast audience, many preachers resort to watering down the Gospel in an attempt to avoid the confrontation that the message of Christ can inevitably bring up. But remember 1 Corinthians 1:18, which says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Many preachers become nothing more than self-help gurus. I recently attended a conference with 3,000+ ministers. One of the main sessions was a shameless plug for a video series for “seeker sensitive” churches. The video / sermon / discussion time was 40 minutes long, and it included one (yes, that’s 1) verse of Scripture. That, in my opinion, is a shameful waste of time and a detriment to the Gospel.
. With preachers cowering in the proverbial corner, there is a tremendous lack of Biblical depth, even in our church pews. Many Christians struggle to find the books of the Bible when the preacher does dare use them, and even fewer Christians can recite Scripture outside of John 3:16. Is this the church Christ envisioned when He spoke of it to Peter?
5. The questioning of age-old truths like Hell, Christ’s divinity, and the need for salvation. Rob Bell’s book made all sorts of headlines when it seemed he was curious about the existence of Hell. But beyond that, I’ve had numerous debates with people in my church about the divinity of Christ, the importance of baptism, and whether the Bible can even be trusted.
These are the results of a church that has become over-focused on the first part of the Great Commission – baptizing (creating converts), and missing the last part – teaching them (discipleship). The church needs to major in both areas to be successful. I want the church to be committed to the Great Commission – I just believe the Great Commission starts by equipping and encouraging Christians to be the light of the world in their communities, their workplaces, and their homes. When the church teaches and equips, Christians can be empowered to change the world around them.
I would love to hear your thoughts…
Why Camp Still Matters
I am not normal. Those of you who know me are currently laughing at the obvious truth of that statement. But to be more specific, I am not normal because throughout my entire Middle and High School experience in church, I never attended any major summer event outside of camp. Rainbow Christian Camp was my home away from home each summer, and I attended as many weeks of camp as I could. Nowadays, there is a plethora of summer programs for Middle School and High School students, and it is my job as the Youth Minister to decide what options best challenge, encourage, and equip our students.
Our high schoolers attend CIY Move, which is a powerful week of worship and teaching that also provides us with the chance to build relationships and strengthen our group dynamic. But for our Middle School group, we choose to attend Camp Allendale. I have been at Hazelwood for over ten years now, and this is an annual staple in our Middle School ministry. You might wonder why, in a world with SO MANY options, I would continue to choose camp as a staple for our ministry. Well, here’s a few reasons why we do, and why you should consider it too.
1. Family / Group Ministry – Part of what makes camp special is the relational element that seems difficult to manufacture at other, large “conference” events. When we go to camp, we have our students from our church broken into small groups or “families” with our youth leaders. They eat together, stay in cabins together, pray together, play together, attend workshops together, and debrief at the end of the day together. There is nothing that can match this intensive relational element that camp provides. By the end of the week, there is a bond that will last a lifetime between students and adults, and this relationship will pay dividends in your ministry the entire year. Don’t underestimate the power in this. I still remember some of my “family leaders” from Rainbow camp when I was in Middle School. Guys like Pat Baer, Dean Nestor, Danny Curry, and others invested their time and energy, and helped form me into the man I am today.
2. Unparalleled customization – There are some incredible conferences that are put on by amazing men of God. And they KNOW student ministry. But, no offense, they don’t know MY students. There are specific needs and pitfalls that exist in EVERY Youth Ministry, and only you know how to maneuver through them in a way that will forever impact your students. Camp provides you with an amazing opportunity to customize a week that you are certain will make a lasting impact in your ministries. No one can create a more pointed, purposeful, and poignant week than you can.
3. Inter-church partnerships – Unless you are at a huge church that takes over your entire camp, you are going to have interactions with other churches. It might be as simple as having students from other churches at your week of camp. Or you might be in a situation like us, where we have been partnered with Plainfield Christian Church for as long as I can remember for our week of camp. This partnership allows our students the opportunity to interact with and worship with students from another congregation, and it has given me the opportunity to work alongside another Youth Minister to create a life-changing week. I believe there is something special about students from separate congregations worshiping together. Many students from our churches keep in touch long after they are out of Middle School, and other powerful Kingdom work has come from my relationship with Youth Ministers from PCC.
4. Working with camp staff can be really rewarding – Before I continue, I understand that this may not be your experience. Maybe you have felt like you and the camp staff have been at odds during your week of camp. If that is the case, let me remind you of Romans 12:18, which says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Before you dismiss this benefit of camp, ask yourself if you have done EVERYTHING you can to live at peace with your camp staff. Have you communicated well? Have you respected their time? Have you cleaned up your messes? Have you treated them with kindness and respect? Have you asked them for things that are way beyond reasonable? My experience with camp staff has been extremely positive, both at Allendale and at Rainbow. I pray often for the Cameron family and those who make Rainbow camp work. And I know that Randy Pim and his staff at Allendale desire for our week to be incredible, and they have proven they will do just about anything to help us achieve that goal.
5. Camp has a track record – You cannot deny that camp just works. Every year, our week of camp is capped off by a baptismal ceremony where students take the final step in making the ultimate life-changing decision. Every year, the result is the same – lives are changed. This calendar year, we have baptized 18 students into Christ. At least four of those baptisms were directly influenced by the student attending camp in July.
Camp can be a powerful part of your student ministry. But whether you choose camp or some other conference or event, the key is that you are purposeful, deliberate, and prayerful in your decision. For us, camp works. For you and your ministry, maybe not. But it’s definitely worthy of your consideration.
For more information about the camps I mentioned, check out www.rainbowcamp.org and www.camp-allendale.org .
Every Person Has A Place
One of the greatest sports legends of all time is Michael Jordan. I wanted to “be like Mike” more than anything when I was a kid. I would put on my jersey, go out on the court on my driveway, and practice my fadeaway jumpers, hoping to one day play basketball like Michael Jordan (which never materialized, by the way).
Not only was Michael Jordan one of the greatest players of all time, he was also on one of the greatest teams of all time. The ‘95-’96 Bulls will be remembered as the team that set the standard. They started out the season at a solid 10-2 record, but then proceeded to win 31 of their next 32 games. They went on to accomplish what most people thought was unimaginable – a 70-win season. They finished the regular season with a record of 72 wins and 10 losses on their way to a championship.
Why bring up this sports dynasty? Because it illustrates the importance of every person on a team knowing his role. You see, the Bulls had two dynamic players in Michael Jordan and Scot- tie Pippen. But their supporting cast was really not all that amazing. Ron Harper started at point guard, and did a good job in that position. He wasn’t the best, wasn’t the worst. He just did what was asked of him. Dennis Rodman, a flashy and charismatic player (and a lovely bride), hardly ever shot the ball. His role was rebounding, and he did it very well, averaging almost 15 rebounds a game throughout the season. And Luc Longley, a 7-foot center, started on the inside. His line-drive shots and awkward flailings used to make me scream at my television set. But he understood that his job was not to score a ton of points, but to set picks and open up the floor for the more prolific players.
Two amazing players and a group of average ones went on to set a record that may never be broken. Simply because each of them understood his role on the team, and sought to play that role with excellence.
There is a lot that the church could learn from that story. When people in the church are excited about their abilities and their ministries, amazing things can happen. And unity can come when everyone knows his role and seeks to accomplish it with excellence.
Scripture is clear on this – we all have gifts, and we are called to use those gifts to serve the Kingdom. We don’t share the same gifts. Each of us is unique, and yet we are called to come together and work for the good of the Body. What a beautiful thing!
This is what Peter meant when he wrote, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).” Find your place of ministry and begin to serve – we can’t do it without you!
13 Things Your Youth Minister Won’t Tell You
About a year ago, someone got me a subscription to Reader’s Digest. Though I admit I don’t read every article from cover to cover, there is one article I always enjoy reading. Each month, they do an article entitled “13 Things Your (fill in the blank with mechanic, doctor, accountant, pilot) Won’t Tell You.” I always enjoy reading the funny and interesting things that I would never hear from these people I rely on. So, that is what has inspired this most recent blog post. The following are things you will probably never hear from your Youth Minister, but they may be enlightening. These may not be universal, but probably hit the majority of Youth Ministers.
1. Youth Ministry ain’t about pizza and lock-ins. These are tools that we use to bring students in, but Youth Ministry is not built on these things. Most Youth Ministers spend hours crafting their lessons and sermons, and many times, students have incredibly tough theological questions that demand an answer. You might be surprised to know how deep your church’s Youth Ministry really is!
2. We may NOT want you to serve in our ministries. We get approached all the time by people wanting to “plug in ” with our ministry. Many times it’s parents who want to follow their students up, and sometimes it is people who think it seems fun. The truth is that we are extremely picky about who we bring on to the team. If we aren’t comfortable, don’t know you well, or think that you might not be a good fit, we probably won’t pursue you, despite your interest. And parents, sometimes having you around hinders your student more than it helps.
3. That weekend retreat that you think costs too much probably costs way more than we are charging. Our church loses money on EVERY retreat – every single one. Our summer events cost upwards of $300 to simply register a student – we charge $235. We budget money for each event so that we can charge your student less. Our hope is to keep costs low so that students won’t be hindered from going on trips because of finances. Bottom line – we want your student to attend these life-changing events.
4. Your joke about us being the “junior minister” on staff is not original or funny, and it’s not helping our credibility with your student. Every Youth Minister has heard this joke at some point. There is nothing original about picking on the Youth Guy. More importantly, what does this teach your student about the importance of the Youth Ministry? Is your student going to be eager to attend if you communicate that it doesn’t matter?
5. Teaching your student about Christ and His Word is YOUR responsibility more than ours. If your student is REALLY involved, we see them 3-4 hours a week. You see them every day, for hours on end. And studies show that parents are still the most important influence in a teen’s life, particularly on huge issues like spirituality. We can supplement the great job you are doing in your home, but you are the first line of defense. And, unfortunately, if you drop the ball, it’s really hard for us to undo the damage in a few hours a week. Take this seriously, parents.
6. If you are searching for the best T-shirt guy for your softball league, just ask. Chances are we have used every local guy at some point. We can tell you pricing, minimum orders, and strengths and weaknesses. We might save you a lot of time and phone calls.
7. We are busier than you think. You might think we only work on Sundays. You are wrong. On average, we are probably putting in 60-80 hours a week, and more if we have a retreat or weekend event. Meetings, hospital calls, planning, networking with other ministers, visiting the schools, attending sporting events, texting students, replying to emails and Facebook messages, conversing with parents, counseling sessions, and updating the youth website are just a few things your Youth Minister does in his “spare time.”
8. When you call and we don’t answer, it’s probably because we don’t want to talk to you right now. We are busy, and don’t always get the chance to unplug and just be with our families. So, when we get that chance, more than likely your call is going to be ignored. It’s not personal or rude; it’s necessary so that we can focus on our most important ministry with our families. And calling on our day off is a great way to get our voicemail. Let’s talk later.
9. If we call you and say, “We need to talk about your student,” you should probably listen. We love to talk with parents and tell them the great things we are seeing in the life of their student. But there are a lot of times when students are struggling, misbehaving, or heading down a wrong path. As a partner with you in ministry, it’s important for us to talk with you in these moments. If we call you out of the blue with a serious tone, you probably need to listen closely, and you may want to sit down.
10. Students today are dealing with a lot of really tough stuff. I am constantly blown away by the pressures of being a teen in today’s society. In your day, there was peer pressure to drink, smoke, fool around with your guy or gal, maybe do drugs. Today, you can add the pressure to send naked pictures to your casual friend, pornography at your fingertips (parents, please tell me that you know porn access via cell phone is rapidly increasing), gender identity questions, bullying, and more. If you want to know what students are dealing with just for reference, come speak with us. We can be a resource.
11. Your student CAN be wrong. We’re probably not lying to you about what they did on the retreat as some sort of intricate revenge scheme. I’m not sure when parents started believing that their students were perfect, but I’m not a fan. If I had a teacher tell my mom and dad about my misbehavior, it was me versus all of them. Nowadays, it seems to be parent and student versus mentor. Parents, your student can be wrong. We have better things to do with our time than cook up some ridiculous scheme to get your student in trouble. Listen, you might learn something.
12. When you call to ask us when the bus leaves or the event begins, we want to pummel you. For an average retreat, I have already published the details on the registration info you filled out, on Facebook, on our youth website, on Twitter, in the bulletin, in the second letter I sent you with the final reminders, in the Ministry Magazine from that quarter, on the bathroom stalls, and so forth. Seriously, take two seconds to look for it and save us the time and frustration of answering a question we have already answered.
13. Registration deadlines DO matter. Often, we have to register for the event by a certain date or pay a major penalty for being late. So, when you are late, you make it hard for us to register, to secure the proper amount of lodging, to know how many busses and bus drivers we need, and you can also cost the church more money. We give plenty of time for your student to register (normally over a month of lead time), so help us out by honoring the deadline. It would make our day!
Dear Fellow Youth Ministers…
Okay, I’ve come to grips with it. I’m getting old. I took my 7-year old to camp for the first time today. I have more gray hairs than brown anymore, it seems. And I make weird noises when I get up. So, I get it, I’m getting older. But one benefit of being in Youth Ministry for a while (10 years at Hazelwood alone) is that I’ve “put childish things behind me” in a lot of areas where I used to struggle.
Please don’t misunderstand – I don’t have it all figured out. I learn new things every day, and find new ways that I am a “clay jar” entrusted with the “treasure” of the Gospel. But there are some glaring trends in Youth Ministry I would like to offer some straightforward opinions about. Hopefully, they will be helpful and beneficial, despite their “angry old man” tone:)
So, here we go.
Dear Fellow Youth Ministers, please…
1. Dig into the Word more than your Twitter. I’ll be honest, I am alarmed at the lack of Biblical knowledge I see in some of my students, and more alarmingly, in some of my fellow Youth Ministers. We seem to be really good at updating websites, posting on Twitter and Facebook, updating our blog (guilty), and demolishing Angry Birds. But do you dig into the Word? Do you commit it to memory so that it is handy when a student needs advice? Trust me when I say that the Word of God is WAY more powerful than the most recent Rick Warren tweet. Come on guys, put down the iPad and pick up the Sword.
Remember that the disciples “devoted themselves” to the Word (Acts 2), that the Bereans “were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17),” and that the Word of God is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16-17).” Dig into the Word.
2. Stop the piercings and the skinny jeans. Are we really so naive to think that we can’t affect the lives of young people unless we look exactly like them? Here’s a secret…they know you’re not one of them. Let’s stop working so hard at trying to “blend in” and start leading this generation. Some of my best sponsors have been over 50 and “uncool (whatever that is),” but they love and lead students.
The truth is that your students don’t need another friend. They need a mentor. And the role of mentor does not mean just playing video games together. It includes accountability, clear boundaries and expectations, meaningful conversations, and sometimes confrontation. Sometimes, being a mentor is not popular. But it is what they need.
I’ve often wondered how Peter felt when Jesus called him “Satan” in Matthew 16. But Peter was being selfish and worldly and NEEDED to be called on the carpet. Are you willing to speak Truth even when it’s unpopular? Are you willing to inform parents of behavior they NEED to know about even though it may “ruin your friendship” with a student? If not, then be their Facebook friend and get out of Youth Ministry.
3. Preach with POWER. Jesus was often referred to as a Teacher who “taught as one who had authority.” The Word of God is powerful – remember Hebrews 4:12? And we were not given a spirit of timidity, but one of power (2 Timothy 1:7). Preach with power and with confidence. Your students crave Truth, and they will respond.
I’ve heard so many sermons recently that barely even cracked open the Bible. Stop watering down the Gospel with your platitudes and start giving students meat. Challenge them, stretch them, and help them wrestle with Biblical Truth. In the end, you will see stronger, more grounded Christians because of it.
3b. Stop avoiding the topic of Hell. In recent Christendom, it seems all the rage to soften and water down the Gospel. Whatever your take on these guys, Joel Osteen, Rob Bell, and Brian McLaren aren’t big fans of dropping the “H” word. But the Word makes it clear that there is a clear distinction between those who follow Christ and those who do not, and that their eternal existence is EITHER in Heaven or Hell. Mark 16:16 makes it pretty clear – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Hell is real – deal with it, and help your students deal with it. Honestly, fear is a great motivator. When I see a police car, I immediately check my speed. Fear motivates me to drive the right way. In the same way, the reward of Heaven and the reality of Hell motivate me to live my life for Christ. Don’t live here, but use this powerful Truth to motivate your students.
4. Get off the golf course and get in the trenches. Let’s face it, we are at war. Ephesians 6 makes that clear. And what is at stake is a generation. If you have been called to Youth Ministry by the Lord of the Universe, then don’t be nonchalant about the work at hand. Work hard, never quit, and make the most of every opportunity. Remember Colossians 3:23-24, which says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
I would love your feedback as we seek to lead and teach this generation. I know I have blind spots myself, and I would love to hear your “Dear Fellow Youth Ministers…” comments as well. And know that I am praying for you as you lead students. May God richly bless you and your ministry. Now go change some lives, ya punk…
The Gospel LITE
It’s been a while since my last post, but I’m looking forward to the feedback on this one. Please read and prayerfully consider this post before your make a knee-jerk reaction.
I had the opportunity a few nights ago to attend a Hillsong United concert / worship night. It was a powerful event, and I was moved many times by the sight of thousands of people lifting their hands in the praise to the One and Only God. There were many times throughout the concert that I wondered, “Is this a snapshot of what Heaven will be like?”
But that came to a screeching halt when it came time for the obligatory “come to Jesus moment,” presented by a worship leader named JD. Before you overreact, I don’t have any problem with sharing the Gospel message. As a matter of fact, I have devoted my entire life and career to presenting this message in the hopes that other will find the hope, joy, and peace that can only be found in Christ. But what bothered me about this presentation was the fact that it was, in my opinion, incredibly unbiblical, and, sadly, all too typical.
Most of what JD said was absolutely true and on target. Yes, Jesus came to earth and lived as a man. Yes, Jesus lived a perfect life. Yes, Jesus died on the Cross in my place. Yes, His blood covers my sin. All of this is true. But what triggered my dismay was this direct quote – “Jesus came and died for you, and you can come to Him, and find salvation. And you don’t have to change a single thing about yourself. You can just be you – you don’t have to do anything, but pray this prayer with me…”
What a tragedy. Is this the call of Christ? That we can be saved by simply praying a prayer? Is that all it takes? We don’t have to change ANYTHING about ourselves? Really? In my opinion, this is one of the greatest tragedies of the recent church age – we have taken the words of Christ and watered them down to a feel-good, self-help, politically correct series of platitudes. Let’s explore these claims and see if they hold up to Scripture.
1. Claim 1 – You can receive salvation by simply praying a prayer. Granted, there are passages that seem to support this claim. The thief on the Cross asked Jesus to remember Him in Paradise, and Jesus consented. Jesus, in John 14, encourages His disciples to “trust in God.” Many who subscribe to the “pray this prayer for salvation” methodology would even quote Romans 10, where Paul states that “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised His from the dead, you will be saved.”
But here’s a little snag – they never ask anyone to confess anything. As a matter of fact, before the “prayer of salvation” is uttered, they make everyone in the building close their eyes so that the decision can be totally made in private. I beg of you – show me anywhere in Scripture where a person is told that a simple prayer is all it takes to be a disciple, and that the decision to follow Christ can be a covert operation. Go ahead and search for it – it’s not in there.
And what of all the other Scriptures that also talk about salvation, and link it with more than just belief? Here’s just a few to give you an idea:
Luke 13:3 – But unless you repent, you too will all perish!
Acts 17:30 – In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
Acts 2:38 – Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 16:16 – Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Hebrews 12:14 – Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.
These are just a few Scriptures that seem to point to more than just a simple prayer for salvation. This doesn’t even begin to touch on the fact that the disciples, throughout Acts, seemed to link salvation and baptism and repentance. Or that James reminds us that even demons believe in Jesus. Or that demons throughout the Gospels confess Christ as Lord. Seems that claim 1 falls incredibly flat when compared to the Word. So, let’s take a quick look at claim #2.
2. Claim 2 – You don’t have to change a thing about yourself to be a disciple of Christ. Thanks to seeker-friendly, relevant, emergent, televangelist types (yes, I lumped them altogether for a reason), this seems to be the most common form of Gospel LITE that is being taught everywhere, even in our churches. What an awesome idea – that we can have all the benefits and blessings of salvation without any of the responsibility. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
But does this stack up to the Scriptures? Is this really the call of Christ?
What about the many people throughout the Gospels who sought to become followers of Christ? Did Jesus’ words mirror those of our seeker-friendly preachers today? Read Matthew 8. People offer to follow Christ, and He seemingly talks them out of it. He tells them that they will be homeless. When one says he will follow Jesus after his father’s funeral, Jesus tells him to “let the dead bury their own dead.” In Luke 9, Jesus tells his followers that anyone who “puts his hand to the plow and looks back is unfit for service in the Kingdom of God.”
And most alarming – Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only He does the will of my Father in Heaven.”
And what about the life-change that seems to be expected from disciples? Colossians 3:7-8 reminds us that “you used to walk in these ways, in the life YOU ONCE lived. But NOW, you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” And Ephesians 2:1-2 tells us that we were ONCE dead in our sins in our former life, but God raised us up through grace. And finally, Romans 6:1-2, which asks, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Clearly, the idea of coming to Christ and remaining in our wickedness does not stand up to the test of Scripture.
As I conclude, I am sure that some of you are thinking, “Keith, you are being way too picky here. Give the guy a break.” But I ask you – Is there any more important message than that of Christ? And if we give only PART of the message, only Gospel LITE, what kind of disciples will be made? Perhaps the reason so many of our church pews are stricken with apathetic Christians is because we have failed to give them the WHOLE Gospel. Perhaps we should include in our Gospel presentation the actual cost, as Christ did. I’ll close with His words in Luke 9:23-24 – “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for me will save it.”
An Ordination Charge
This past Mother’s Day, our church had the honor and privilege of ordaining Deric Wade Skinner into the Christian ministry. This is a powerful and momentous occasion in the life of a church, and in the life of a young man who has been called into ministry, so I was honored when Deric asked me to give his ordination charge. As he will begin his first full-time youth ministry in a couple weeks, I wanted to encourage, inspire, and challenge Deric. I thought I’d share my ordination charge with you.
“Deric and Ashley, and members of the Skinner family, dear friends – What a momentous occasion, and what an honor and privilege to be a small part of the story that God is writing in your life. As Paul and Barnabas were set apart in Acts 13 for the work of spreading the Gospel, so now you have been ordained, set apart, commissioned, and equipped through the supernatural calling of God and the divine indwelling of the Holy Spirit to do the work of an evangelist, a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Deric, I remember when I first came to Hazelwood in 2001. Within two weeks of our arrival, we were on a bus (which I’m pretty sure caught on fire once or twice) headed towards Kentucky Christian College for Summer in the Son. Deric, you were on that trip with your best friend, Andy Messmer. I remember meeting you both for the first time. My first thought was, “Who are the tall, gangly kids?” But as the week went on, I remember that God was doing some powerful things. One night, I believe it was Thursday, we had a particularly emotional group time. It was then that you spoke up among your peers. I don’t remember what you said, or, quite frankly, even what the group time was about. But I remember as clear as a bell the power behind your words. Your peers were speechless – I could tell that what you said carried weight. It was in that early moment that I saw the potential for you to impact the Kingdom of God. And, through God’s leading you and Ashley are here today, ready to begin your ministry at the Farragut Christian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Today, you have asked me to give your “charge.” As you prepare to enter your first full-time Youth Ministry, I am excited for you both. You are entering into a meaningful, rewarding, life-changing, life-giving ministry that will create spiritual ripple effects for generations to come. So, as you enter into this life of ministry, I want to challenge you with four things.
1. Always put your relationship with God first – above all else. As you get into the busy schedules of ministry tasks, youth trips, teaching opportunities, and new relationships with members of your church, it will be easy to neglect your daily devotion time, to put your prayer time on the back burner, and to trust in your own abilities instead of the power of the Holy Spirit working through you.
I challenge you – do not let this happen. Remember what the Scriptures say about such matters. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we are reminded that “every word of Scripture is God-breathed, and it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” In James 5:16, we are told “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Make sure you nurture your relationship with God first and foremost. Never forsake your first love. Make sure that you are plugged in to the power of God.
Hear these words of Paul in Colossians 1:28-29 – “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”
I love how Paul seemingly uses the wrong pronoun here, reminding us that we must minister through the power of God, which can only be done when we are plugged into the power source.
2. Secondly, never neglect your first ministry with your family. Remember the covenant you made with Ashley, to love and to cherish her – to honor her until death parts you. There will be times in ministry when it will require discipline and determination to make sure that she is honored and cherished above the rest.
But God has called you to be the spiritual head of your household. Ephesians 5:25-28 reminds us “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansingher by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”
Deric, make Ashley and your family your priority. God first, family second, church third.
Ashley, there will be times when Deric is called away to a ministry task, an event, or even a funeral or hospital call. There will be times when you want nothing more than to be together, and circumstances of ministry will
make that impossible. Be understanding, patient, and compassionate. You will be Deric’s sounding board, his confidant. Be loving and considerate. But also know that you are his trusted advisor – don’t hesitate to intervene when he gets his priorities out of whack. Be truthful and honest. Remember Proverbs 27:6 that tells us, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
3. Thirdly, always remain willing to do the small stuff. Deric, in ministry, there is a tendency to begin to think mor
e highly of yourself than you ought. The hectic nature of ministry will tug you away from the small
yet meaningful tasks that make all the difference. Don’t allow yourself to fall into the trap of believing that you are “above” something.
The real work of ministry is not always found in delivering the powerful sermon or the quotable quip. Instead, it is found in a prayer uttered by the hospital bed, in a card or note that reaches someone at just the right time, or in a word of encouragement shared after church one Sunday morning.
Honestly, some of the “small things” that really matter are cleaning up after a youth event so that no one else
has to, buying a Coke for a student who needs to talk, and putting away tables and chairs after a church event.
Always be willing to do the small stuff. Remember the paradox of the Kingdom of God. Jesus said, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant (Mark 10:43).”
Dave Wheeler said it well when he said, “If you’re too big to do the small stuff, then you’re too small to be
trusted with the big stuff.”
4. Finally, work hard. Always remember that the Almighty God called you to this ministry. He believes that you are a tool in His hands – a vessel through which He can change the world. So don’t EVER allow yourself to do ministry in a lazy fashion. 1 Timothy 4:14-16 says, “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself w
holly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Allow me to quote the famous Charles Spurgeon in his sermon, “Harvest Men Wanted.” He says, “The man who
does not make hard work of his ministry will find it very hard work to answer for his idleness at the lust great day. A gentleman who wants an easy life should never think of occupying the Christian pulpit, he is out of place there, and when he gets there the only advice I can give him is to get out of it as soon as possible and if he will not leave the position voluntarily, I call to mind the language of Jehu concerning Jezebel, “Fling her down,” and think the advice applicable to a lazy minister…We want laborers, not loiterers. We need men on fire, and I beseech you ask God to send them.”
Preach the Word, Deric. May you rest in the arms of the Living God, through whom you can gain power and strength. May your devotion be unwavering, your commitment unflappable, and your ministry fruitful. Preach the Word.”
