Frankfort, Kentucky (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Kentucky)
Filed under America, Apologetics, God, politics, The Magnificent Fifty, worship
Barriers to Church Growth. #5 (Honoring Self)
A very revealing study was done, leading to a book detailing how 300 churches went from declining or dying, to growing. In Comeback Churches, written by Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, there is a list of 30 different barriers to church growth. Having received permission from the publisher (B&H Publishing Group), I would like to discuss a few of them.
“People do works for their own honor and not the glory of God (Matthew 5:16).”
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Why do we do good works? Why do we feed the poor, shelter the homeless, tend to the elderly, etc? Do we do these things so that our Father will be glorified, or do we do them in order to get glory for ourselves?
To be Seen.
Some people do good works with the sole intention of being seen and considered especially spiritual. Jesus said that “Everything they do is for show” (Mt. 23:5 NLT). Jesus spoke of those who wanted to be seen as pious and holy by wearing boxes containing Scripture on their foreheads or arms. The bigger the box the better. All this was in an attempt to say, “I am keeping the law better than you!” (See Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
Then there are other people who do plenty of good deeds without even acknowledging God. For example, go to any charity ball held by your local “high society” club. There you will find plenty of people who willingly give thousands to worthy causes but smile as big as they can when the magazine photographers come around.
They may even be members of local churches and give large offerings to the building fund (as long as it’s named after them); buy the pastor a new car, or pay for a youth mission trip. “And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the [congregation].” – Matthew 23:6 NLT
To be Accepted
Some people do good works in order to be accepted by God. They give away fortunes and spend their lives doing good deeds, but not to be seen by men. They want to be seen by God and thought of as worthy of His love. The only problem is that salvation is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” They work themselves to death in order prove their loyalty, thereby supposedly ensuring a place in heaven. But the glory goes not to God, for attached to the works is an expectation of reward based on merit.
Soli Deo Gloria
All glory should be to God alone. If our works are done in order to receive praise, then God is not getting the glory. If our works are meant to earn credit with God, then God is not getting the glory. If we work ourselves silly to meet the legalistic requirements placed on us by men, then God is not getting the glory. However, if out of a heart of love we do good works without expectation for reward, recognition, or acceptance, then God will receive the glory.
When all glory, honor, and praise is given to the Lord, He will draw all men unto Himself. Church growth will be unstoppable. Yet, if we expect credit for anything, then what should we expect but further decline? “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.” – Isaiah 48:11 KJV
We want others to see our good works, but not for our own glory. May they “glorify [our] Father which is in heaven.”
Related articles
- Barriers to Church Growth. #1 (therecoveringlegalist.com)
- Barriers to Church Growth. #2 (therecoveringlegalist.com)
- Barriers to Church Growth. #3 (therecoveringlegalist.com)
- Barriers to Church Growth. #4 (Hold to God) (therecoveringlegalist.com)
- Matthew 5:14-16 (NAS) (lwharper.wordpress.com)
Filed under book review, God, legalism, Uncategorized
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Kansas)
Topeka, Kansas (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights, Section 7 (1859)
The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed.
Filed under America, Apologetics, God, The Magnificent Fifty
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Des Moines, Iowa)
Des Moines, Iowa (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Constitution Preamble (1857)
We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a constitution of these blessings establish this Constitution.
CLICK HERE to read the introduction to this series of posts.
Filed under America, Apologetics, Culture Wars, God, politics
In the Middle of the Night
For every depressing thought that keeps me awake at night, forcing me to stare at a ceiling, a clock, or something worse, there’s a still, small Voice that whispers in rebuttal, “You are not alone, and I care.”
In the middle of the night, when rest should be my reward, the day now spent replays once more. Self-doubt and self-pity weigh on me like a heavy blanket, suffocating me with claustrophobic sorrow. But He says, “I am here, let me handle it.”
It won’t be long till the alarm clock follows its instructions, oblivious to my regret. The day will be longer because of my worrying, and it didn’t have to be. Why did I bother setting it?
Arms of mercy were reaching out to hold me. My Father sought to sing a lullaby of grace over me, but I doubted … in the middle of the night.
Filed under Uncategorized
8+ Reasons Why Smaller Churches Are Better
The Survey
In a recent study conducted by the survey pro’s at TheRecoveringLegalist.com, pastors from both large and small congregations shared why they thought a small church could be better than a big one.
The survey sample was made up of pastors from various denominations, from different parts of the country, and consisted of men from my personal contact list – and my wife. It was VERY scientific – sorta.
The Question
I had my own thoughts, but I wanted to know what others thought, so I asked a question. The question I posed to other pastors went something like this:
“I’m doing a quick, non-scientific survey for a blog post (no names will be mentioned). Can you give me 1 or 2 reasons why a small church could be better than a big church?”
Within moments I received multiple replies through text, email, and Messenger. It took them very little time to respond, like it was something they didn’t even have to think about, and the answers they gave were practically the same.
The Answers
If the answers from the pastors in the survey I conducted mean anything, it would seem that smaller churches are the place to be if you want to be:
- Known by name;
- Have intimate relationships with others;
- Have a pastor who misses you when you’re not there; and/or
- Experience more accountability.
Other answers suggested that in larger churches it is harder to keep track of what is being taught in “small groups,” while in smaller churches everyone is more on the same page. But overall, the most common reason given for smaller churches being better than bigger churches was knowing and being known by others in the congregation.
As a matter of fact, what the pastors in my survey said echoed the hopeful and encouraging words of Karl Vaters’ article “Why Small Churches Are the Next Big Thing.” Speaking of Millennials, he said:
“[There’s] growing evidence this new generation will bring the greatest opportunity for small church ministry in 2,000 years.
Why? Because, as the first generation with a majority born and raised outside traditional marriage, genuine relationships and intimate worship—what small churches do best—will matter more to them than it did to their parents.” [emphasis added]
So you see, even though larger churches offer a lot – unlimited numbers of ministries in which to get involved; professional-quality childcare; servant pastors for every niche; and the best technology money can buy – many people are coming to understand there’s something special about the community of a small, loving congregation.
But There’s MORE!
Should you surmise that intimate, supportive relationships, accountability, and being able to talk with your pastor without an appointment are the only qualities that make small churches better than bigger ones, think again. There’s more! Much more!
The following are 8 more reasons why small churches could actually be better than large ones, at least for some people:
- Parking Spaces. Why should one have to search ten minutes to find a parking place within walking distance to the trolley you must ride to get to the front door? Small churches have plenty of parking, usually no further than a hymnbook’s throw away.
- No Auditions Necessary. Forget having to try out for the choir, the praise team, the annual play, the children’s musical, or the worship orchestra. If you can sing, play an instrument, or read a line – or even if you can’t – there’s always a place for you in a small church, at least in the choir.
- No Training Necessary. So, you want to run sound? You want to operate the lights? You think you have a desire to operate the recording equipment? Well, you’d better have a resume and a list of references if you want to do any of that in a big church. Seriously, they can’t let just anyone with a desire operate a $25,000 camera or push the buttons that link to the network satellite feed. But in a small church? HA! There’s always a need for someone to flip the cassette or press “record.”
- The Best Seating Anywhere. If you come in late to a service at a big church, no kidding, you might need binoculars to see the holes in the pastor’s jeans. But in a small church, well, the back row might as well be in the reserved section! Compared to a mega-church, the back row in a small church is practically within spitting distance of the preacher.
- Genuinely-Experienced Childcare. Do you have small children? Do you care about them? Why let Buffy or Bianca watch your crumb cruncher while you worship? Why not trust them to the experienced, floppy-armed grannies who’ve raised more kids than a champion goat farmer? Who better to make sure you young’ns act right and learn about Jesus than a few ladies who’ve washed out more than a few mouths with Ivory soap? [Disclaimer: Washing out mouths with soap is no longer approved]
- Free Interactive Technology Museum. Bigger churches are all about the newest, most advanced technology. Smaller churches, on the other hand, rarely have the funds for regular upgrades to sound equipment, etc. Therefore, where else can you go to find working 1980’s (if not older) sound equipment still being used? Small churches are like free interactive technology museums where everyone can listen to both the preacher AND the local radio station at the same time!
- Food, Food, and More Food. Go to a large church and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to eat. They have Wednesday night meals, socials, finger foods, and all kinds of stuff before Sunday School (morning Bible study). Some large churches even have coffee bars and sit-down restaurants on campus! But seriously, how does any of that compare to what a bunch of ladies can whip up for a homecoming dinner on the ground? Believe me, when you’re sick at home and can’t fend for yourself, those small-church ladies can keep you well-maintained with cornbread, beans, fried chicken, and homemade stew.
- It’s Your Community. If nothing else, your typical small church is made up of people from your own community. Large churches – the ones with huge TV ministries and social programs – are made up of people from all over the place; small churches are filled with your neighbors. It’s in the small, hometown churches where people learn to shoulder up with each other through a community’s hard times. It’s in the small church where a pastor attends your daughter’s graduation, the funerals and weddings are no charge, and someone always notices when you’re not there.
Seriously, I have nothing against large churches – every pastor would love his church to be one. However, most churches average no more than 80 members, and they are where the majority of solid, faithful, salt-of-the-earth Christians still attend.
So, are small churches really better than big ones? Well, that all depends on where God wants you. But if you don’t want to get lost in the crowd – or in the parking lot – a small church just might be what you need.
Y’all are welcome any time! (11055 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN)
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Indiana)
Indianapolis, Indiana (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Constitution Preamble (1851)
We, the people of the State of Indiana, grateful to the Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this Constitution.
Note, the Indianans of the 1850’s understood that the right to choose their own form of government was one given by God, not man. Yet, again, we have people from the FFRF (btw, they claim only 20k members) wanting to erase God from every vestige of public life. Where would our public life be without God at the foundation? The founding fathers of Indiana would tell you, “Nowhere.”
Filed under America, Apologetics, community, God, politics, The Magnificent Fifty
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Illinois)
Springfield, Illinois (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Constitution Preamble (1870)
We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Amazing how so many of our states’ constitutions recognize the existence of God, isn’t it? Yet, the Freedom from Religion Foundation and their kind want nothing less than to scrub that fact from history. The purpose of this series of posts called “The Magnificent Fifty” is being published in an effort to combat that. Please share them.
CLICK HERE to read the introduction to this series.
Filed under America, Apologetics, The Magnificent Fifty
Barriers to Church Growth #4 (Hold to God)
A very revealing study was done, leading to a book detailing how 300 churches went from declining or dying, to growing. In Comeback Churches, written by Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, there is a list of 30 different barriers to church growth. Having received permission from the publisher (B&H Publishing Group), I would like to discuss a few of them.
“People are unwilling to take hold of God (Isaiah 64:7).”
“And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.” – Isaiah 64:7 KJV
Every time we heard a gospel song that had words similar to “hold on to God,” or “hold to His hand,” my parents quickly reminded us that “we don’t hold God’s hand – He holds ours.” Understandably, what my parents were referring to was salvation. In that sense, we are held and He will never let go.
But that is not what this verse is talking about. Isaiah is saying that part of the problem his people were facing was the fact that none had the desire, nor even the desire to have a desire, to grab hold of God. If that is true today, then it may not only be a huge barrier to church growth, but to individual growth as well.
Take Hold of Thee
It is interesting and revealing when we look at this phrase and compare its usage to other places in Scripture. To begin with, the word chazaq (Strong’s H2388) essentially means “to tie fast, to bind bonds strongly” (Gesenius’s Lexicon). It is a verb that is translated into English as words such as strong, retain, urgent, and caught. Here are just a few examples.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught[2388] it, and it became a rod in his hand:” – Exodus 4:4
“And the Egyptians were urgent[2388] upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste ; for they said , We be all dead men.” – Exodus 12:33
“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain[2388] thine integrity? curse God, and die .” – Job 2:9
Moses “caught.” Look at the first verse. Moses had been commanded by God to throw down his rod, after which it became a serpent. Then, against all logic, God told him to pick it up again, but this time by the tail (riiiiigghht!). I would have had to be seriously “stirred up” to pick up a deadly snake by the tail – it BITES! Yet, that’s what Moses did. He “caught it” by the tail.
The Egyptians were “urgent.” Next, after suffering under all the plagues, the Egyptians “were urgent” in there pushing the Israelites out of town. They had come to realize that their own lives were in jeopardy if the Jews stayed one day longer. It was imperative that they are pushed out as quickly as possible.
Job “still retained.” Now, look at poor Job. He had lost everything dear to him, including his health, and then came his wife telling him to curse God and die. She couldn’t believe that he could just sit there and hold on to his belief that God was worth serving. “After all this, are you still holding on to your integrity? What for? What’s the use? Quit putting yourself through this nonsense and just curse God and die!” Yet, he held on.
Making it Apply
When we view Isaiah 64:7 in the light of the verses above, what we have is astounding and convicting. Let’s see if we can work it all together:
1) Taking hold of God is something that we should take seriously, not flippantly. Don’t reach out for Him in a way that implies half-heartedness. Take hold like you mean it! Who do we think God is, a stick to be used by us in our own power to accomplish our own desires? NO! He is alive and dangerous. As Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia, He is NOT tame. He is not here to be played with.
2) Do we not understand that without the power and presence of God we will die? “In Him we live, move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). There should be an urgency in our desire for Him, no less than the kind the Egyptians had to expel the Jews from their land. Do we want to live? We must urgently “take hold.”
3) We must hold on to God even when it seems insane to others. We must consider our relationship with our Heavenly Father so precious that even when Hell seems to be winning, faith tells us otherwise. Like Job of old, we should hold on to God even when we lie broken and wasted amid the ashes of seeming defeat. Our Redeemer LIVES!
The Barrier that Must Fall
If we are to see growth in our churches, not to mention our own lives, we must seek after God with urgency, intensity, and passion. He must be sought after and adhered to like no other treasure on earth. Anything less betrays our divided, adulterous hearts. God will bless and grow a people who “take hold.” No church will grow who only takes hold of God when it is convenient, fun, or fashionable.
Time is filled with swift transition
Not of earth or moon can stand
Build your hope on things eternal
Hold to God’s unchanging hand
Hold to God’s unchanging handTrust in Him who will not leave you
Whatsoever years may bring
When my earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him clingHold to God’s unchanging hand
Hold to God’s unchanging hand
Build your hope on things eternal
Hold to God’s unchanging hand
Hold to God’s unchanging hand
We must cleave to Him. It IS a matter of life or death.
Filed under book review, Christian Maturity, God, Uncategorized, worship
The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith (Idaho)
Boise, Idaho (Artist: Susan Cassidy Wilhoit)
Constitution Preamble (1889)
We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Folks, I hope this series of posts is opening a few eyes. The whole point is to counter the idea that our nation (and states) were founded on “godless” principles. To the contrary, these posts featuring The Magnificent Fifty: Foundation of Faith art collection at Bryan College show that faith – not godlessness – was very much a part of the fiber of our nation. To deny this exposes one of two things: an ignorance of history, or the willful desire to rewrite it.
Filed under America, Apologetics, Faith, The Magnificent Fifty
The Recovering Legalist 