Tag Archives: Church
Letter to an Average Disgruntled Church Member
Dear Disgruntled:
I noticed that coming to church has become something of a dying habit for you (well, to call it a habit might be stretching it a bit; habits do require some sort of consistency). Yes, from what I’ve heard, you’ve become disheartened and disillusioned with the whole church “thing.”
Is that true? If it is, my heart breaks for you. Believe me, there’s not a single heartbreak or disappointment I haven’t already endured. However, there is something you can do to help turn things around.
What you need to do is develop a Christ-like love for your brothers and sisters, then even the worst of disappointments will have a hard time turning your heart cold. “Because He first loved me…” is something you may find yourself repeating over and over, but loving others – because He first loved you – will turn those tears of disappointment into healing streams of grace.
Then, if you’ll just keep your worship more vertically oriented and less horizontally irritated, there’ll be a lot less things to complain about.
God be with you,
An average Pastor without a jet
Filed under Christian Unity, Church, Struggles and Trials, worship
9 Excuses You Don’t Have to Miss Church
It’s not too early… You would have already been at work.
You’re not too tired… You’d find a way to make it to something else.
You have enough time… You waste more than enough time watching reality TV.
It’s not boring… Try someplace else if they can’t get excited about Jesus. And, you know, it might not be the preacher, or the worship; it might be your heart.
They don’t want your money… If in doubt, just go where the pastor drives a used car (which are most).
You can dress decently… No, you’re not going to Wal-Mart, but you never complain about wearing clean clothes a party.
The seats are not that uncomfortable… Good grief, you sat in bleachers for 3 hours at a ball game – and sweat the whole time!
The people are not a bunch of hypocrites… To be honest, there are just as many or more at a ball game or the office. For that matter, are there skeletons in your closet? Do you wear makeup? Ever feel like you have to wear a mask? Then what are you complaining about?
It’s NOT optional as a Christian… “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:25 NLT
Filed under Christian Living, Church, worship
Easter Sermon for 2016
My voice was rough because of the weather, and many in the congregation were doped up on Benadryl (because of allergies). Yet, it was a joy to preach once again about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
The following was recorded on Easter Sunday morning at Riverside Baptist Church, Chattanooga, TN.
I didn’t use an outline…I just wanted to tell the story as the Spirit led me.
Click on the picture of Chattanooga to listen.
General Survey of Understanding and Belief
In the twentieth chapter of Acts, the Apostle Paul called for a meeting with the elders of the church at Ephesus. Knowing the dangers posed by “wolves” from the outside and perverse deceivers on the inside (vs 29-30), He warned them to pay close attention to the things he had taught them. After all, they were responsible for flocks purchased by God with his own blood (v28) – what a thought!
Paul said (v27), “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Well, folks, I’ve been pastoring this little flock for nearly 8 years, and I’m afraid I might have left something out. Therefore, I thought this little survey (conducted anonymously) might help me determine some areas where I need to do some “declaring.” I don’t want to be guilty of shunning any of God’s counsel.
Glance over the following survey. How would you answer? (The “U” is for “unsure”)
2o16 General Survey of Understanding and Belief
- Jesus became God
- When born of a virgin
- When filled with the Holy Ghost
- When resurrected from the dead
- None of the above
- How many books in the Bible
- 55
- 66
- 100
- There are errors in the Bible because it was written by men. T / F / U
- God is
- One God, but with three names
- Three Gods with one Name.
- One God in three Persons.
- Jeremiah fought the battle of
- Jericho
- Nineveh
- None of the above
- Because Jesus prayed to the Father, that made him less than the Father. T / F / U
- You have to be filled with the Holy Ghost to be saved. T / F / U
- Where does the Bible say, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”?
- Matthew 7:19
- Romans 12:1
- None of the above.
- Unsure
- Have you determined your own spiritual gifts? Y / N
- Do miracles still happen today? Y / N / U
- Christians and Muslims worship the same God, but by different names. T / F / U
- Jesus was the first “born again” Christian. T / F / U
- Adam and Eve were literal people. T / F / U
- Salvation can be lost because man has a free will. T / F / U
- We become angels when we die. T / F / U
- Everyone will eventually go to heaven, sooner or later. T / F / U
- Jesus didn’t physically rise from the dead; He was a spiritual being. T / F / U
- Those who have died are
- Asleep until the resurrection
- In heaven or hell right now
- No more – they ceased to exist
- The proper day to worship is the Sabbath, but it was changed to Sunday by the Catholic Church. T / F / U
- You must be baptized to be saved. T/ F/ U
- Abortion is OK until the baby can breathe on its own. T / F / U
- The only difference between the religions of the world is how we choose to worship God T / F / U
- It is a sin to drink or smoke. T / F / U
- The King James Version of the Bible is the only one given by God to the English-speaking world. T / F / U
- Modern translations of the Bible deny the Virgin birth and divinity of Christ. T / F / U
- God’s power on earth is limited when we don’t give Him permission to use us. T / F / U
- We should only pray to God the Father or Jesus, not the Holy Ghost. T / F / U
- I feel God is angry or disappointed with me most of the time. T / F / U
- It doesn’t matter how you live as long as you love God. T / F / U
- Preaching and teaching are pretty much the same thing. T / F / U
- There’s a difference between the God of the OT and the God of the NT. T / F / U
- I am sure of my salvation. T / F / U
- Things I’ve done in the past keep me from being used by God. T / F / U
- I feel confident I could show another person how to be saved. T / F / U
- People who answer surveys in Church are guaranteed a blessing. T
Filed under baptist, Christian Maturity, Christianity, Church, ministry, Preaching, Theology, translations
Self-Esteem and Enduring the Race
Self-Esteem
How we see ourselves is critical to endurance, isn’t it?
Myself, well, I battle with self-esteem ALL the time. Does that come as a shock to you? It shouldn’t. I’m only human. You see, it’s difficult to view myself as successful, much less a “godly” pastor when standing in the light of men whose congregations run in the hundreds, if not thousands, whose ministries see scores of people regularly coming to Christ, and whose lives are more like Billy Graham while mine often crumbles like a graham cracker.
Like Moses as he stood before the burning bush in Exodus 3:11, I often ask, “Who am I, God?” Compared to those men with huge ministries, those phenomenal leaders who grace our Christian bookstore shelves, or even the pastor down the road with cooler clothes, I seem small, ineffective, impotent, and of little worth.
However, if I would stop standing in the shadow of other men, and stand in the light of Jesus, things would be MUCH different!
Gracious Light
Sure, I am small and weak in the light of His glory, but in my weakness I am made strong, not patronized. When I stand in His light my frailties, my sin, my worries, my brokenness are made painfully evident…but so is HIS GRACE!
When I compare myself to other people, all I see failure. But, when I compare myself to Jesus Christ, I can recognize my utter inabilities and at the same time find in Him the strength and grace to be all HE wants me to be! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
As we follow Jesus Christ we are promised to be conformed to His likeness, not men. Should we conform to the likeness of others we view as more successful than ourselves, then we will truly fail.
Endurance is available for those who run their own race, not the race of others.
Filed under Christian Living, Depression, self-worth
5 Reasons for Being a Legalist
1. Ignorance
Some people don’t know any different.
When I was growing up, I did not know anything different than what I was exposed to in our small churches, missionary conferences, revivals, or Christian schools. Even though I believe that most of what I was taught was doctrinally sound, I was not allowed to examine different viewpoints, even those of other Baptists (specifically if they were anything other than “Independent, Fundamental,” etc.) Many are still in this situation. Tragically, they are content with their ignorance. They refuse to consider the fact that they may be wrong on a particular point.
Even when Scripture is plain and simple, because of the secluded nature of certain groups, legalists would rather stick their heads in the sand than risk being wrong. Being wrong might make someone else, even another denomination, right about something. Heaven forbid!
2. Indignation
Some came from an unholy lifestyle and now seek to redeem themselves (or their consciences).
Some people are so ashamed of their past that they go overboard in trying to live a life of holiness. They see in their past a link between so-called “worldly activities” and their fall into depravity. In an effort to show they are no longer the person they used to be, and in order 
to avoid temptation, they strictly avoid certain activities deemed “worldly.”
Sadly, even though they mean well, they project their own weaknesses onto others, therefore expecting others to abide by the same level of austere living or be seen as worldly. However, in many cases, appearances are not what they seem.
The very ones who are so legalistic in some areas of life wind up being the ones with the biggest weakness in that area. Their overbearing attitudes, in many cases, may only be the big doors hiding skeletons in their closet.
3. Immaturity
Some desire to be controlled, to be told what to do.
As strange as it may sound, some people don’t like to think for themselves, nor do they like being responsible for their own choices. It is sort of like people whom I have seen that were once under a totalitarian government: when they no longer 
had a dictatorial system telling them what to do, they either lost all control or had no motivation to do any good.
Legalistic churches provide the lazy or immature Christian a list of “do’s and don’ts” so that he/she doesn’t have to search the Scripture for guidance. It is much easier this way. If the pastor says something is wrong and that God would not approve, then that’s it – end of discussion. Having a list is safe and doesn’t require much thought. Essentially, the legalist would rather be a marionette than mature.
4. Inadequacies
Some want to control others.
Freedom is dangerous. Freedom allows for movement and change. Freedom allows for the individual to be led by God in a specific 
direction that may or may not be God’s will for another. Freedom takes power away from those who would want to control others for their own edification or gratification. On the other hand, legalism keeps the sheep under strict control by encouraging tattling and fear of being ostracized.
There are pastors, well-intended men, who would rather their people live under a specific set of guidelines than question long-held, man-made traditions. These leaders are afraid to lose their congregations to the world, but also to other churches. They may even find comfort in controlling others due to their own inadequacies. Much like emperors and dictators, they manipulate weak Christians in order to maintain their little kingdoms. Rarely do they admit weakness and often micro-manage every aspect of ministry. Legalistic leaders have to be in control.
5. Insecurity
Some people are more afraid of God than in love with Him.
So many people that I have known (and used to be like) were more afraid of losing their relational standing with God than anything else. Legalism tends to give some the assurance that God is pleased with them.
I wonder how it really was for Enoch as he walked with God. Many modern preachers are quick to make the application of Enoch’s walk with God to the way we act in this world, but they make little of the relationship implied by the narrative (Genesis 5:24). In reality, very few lists would even be needed if one had an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.
To the legalist, God is not a friend: He doesn’t laugh…He speaks in Old English…and He holds a grudge because of what it took to buy the sinner’s salvation. When one thinks of God as always looking for an opportunity to send judgment, then being legalistic is the safest way to go. No one wants to be hit with a lightning bolt, you understand.
So, are you a legalist? Why, or why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
You Don’t Have to be Perfect to be Used
Two Men Prayed
You know the story of the Pharisee and the Publican, don’t you? Jesus told the story, as recorded in Luke 18:10-11
“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.”
Imagine that instead of the temple, they walked into a search committee meeting. A meeting of people designated with the task of finding, let’s say, a new pastor for a church (at least that’s the way we do it in the Baptist denomination). They walk in, introduce themselves, compare resumes, and one gets the job. Which one? The one that fits the picture of what every Christian fit for service should be – perfect.
But God doesn’t just use perfect people; He uses those who’ve made mistakes, REAL people.
However, within many churches there are men and women who feel inferior and useless because of sinful and broken pasts. They are the people who sit on the pews, week after week, doing all they can to be faithful in life, but are forbidden to hold positions in the church. They are much like the Publican, men and women who know they have failed before, but want to start anew.
They are not the ones that look down on others for mistakes they’ve made. They’re not Pharisees.
Dysfunctional Forefathers
Have you ever considered how dysfunctional the characters of Genesis were?
I read through the book of Genesis last week in a couple of sittings. Reading a book of the Bible that way, especially in a different translation, can help you see the story from a new perspective. This time I was just astounded at how messed up these people really were! There was so much “stuff” going on that if it were today, it would make an episode of Jerry Springer, or TrueTV look tame!
Consider, if nothing else, the sad story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. This was a seriously messed up family with real marital problems. At one point, Leah and Rachel get into a jealous argument over a son’s mandrakes. Just imagine you were a marriage counselor and listened in to the following story…
Reuben went out during the wheat harvest and found some mandrakes in the field. When he brought them to his mother, Leah, Rachel asked, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” But Leah replied to her, Isn’t it enough that you have taken my husband? Now you also want my son’s mandrakes?”
“Well,” Rachel said, “you can sleep with him tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So Jacob slept with her that night. – Geneses 30:14:16 HCSB
Twice Abraham told other people that his wife, Sarah, was his sister so that he would not be harmed. Joseph’s brothers hated him and sold him to traveling salesmen. Jacob and Esau were seriously at odds. Leah, poor thing, kept trying to have children so that her husband, Jacob would love her. Jacob’s father-in-law, Laban, got him drunk on his wedding night and gave him the wrong wife – on purpose. The son’s of Jacob (founders of ten of the tribes of Israel) lied to a bunch of men about making a covenant, then proceeded to slaughter all of them after they had convinced them to be circumcised. It just goes on and on.
Messed up, I am telling you!
Nevertheless,
God told Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” How is this even possible?
If God can use Abraham and his family with all their problems to bless the nations, then He can SURELY use ANYBODY!
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 withing 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 more than a couple of mouths out 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 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.
The Recovering Legalist 