Neil, excellent article. Your four points are great! And I would suggest that an active daily engagement with scripture makes the huge difference. Having done both random scripture selections, and a progressive bible reading - following chapters in sequence, that reading through the bible a chapter or two at a time is more effective. It gets you to see things otherwise missed. Reading as a family cannot replace reading personally and alone. Reading alone should not replace reading together as a family, especially when you have children. And a devotional book to accompany the bible reading is always a bonus, but should not replace actual discussion of the bible passage in the family setting.
I know some families who spend fifteen minutes or a half-hour at night time before the young kids go to bed. Others who spend time first thing in the morning - they get up fifteen minutes or half-hour earlier so they can fit it in. It takes time and committment. It cannot just be squeezed in. It cannot be shortened up. It is not as effective or rewarding if it only happens once in awhile or sporadically. It needs to be consistent and deserves time, just like it takes time to eat a meal.
This practice provides a foundation and a context for your other three points. Without this, the other three things can still be done, but will lose their purpose.
Maybe part of the irony is that just following the church order, did not satisfy the reason for why article 65 was written? Family visits were not made to have "meaningful" contact, whatever that means. They were often done to fulfill a mere requirement; to mark a job off a list. But the real reason that they should be done, is to provide an opportunity for an evaluation of the faith growth of the family, a way of getting feedback on their participation in the church, and feedback on the activities, organization, leadership, and fellowship of the church (in the context of a message and guidance from scripture). By itself it may not have much impact on the family, other than letting them know that the "official" church cares about them. Maybe some gems of wisdom will pass on to help them in their daily life. But it is a way of finding out if they need a small group ministry, or can participate in a ministry, or whether their young people are being nourished and strengthened, etc. It establishes an initiation point of contact with elders, particularly when they may not know the elders well. It is never an ending, but only a beginning of contact. But a valuable beginning, hopefully resulting in more open communication in the future.
A small church where everyone knows everyone, may find it beneficial to do once in three years, while larger churches, where members do not know each other well, may find a benefit to do it more often.
According to scripture, elders have more authority than deacons. But that doesn't make them more important. Elders also have the job of supervising the work of the preacher. That also doesn't make them more important. Children are very important to Jesus. Women are very important to Jesus. The sick and the blind and the lame and the fallen woman and the tax collector were all very important to Jesus. The question of authority of an office should not be related to the importance of the role in terms of how Jesus uses us within the context of the body of Christ.
The role of sunday school teacher may be more important to some children in terms of their coming to faith, than the role of the preacher or elder. Ten words spoken by an elderly widow to a sick person in the hospital may be more important to that sick person than twenty sermons or ten family visits done previously. The simple poignant question of a ten year old may have more impact in someone's life than a thousand admonitions by the elders. Everyone is important to Christ, and it is God at work in our lives, in whatever role or position or opportunity we may be in.
One of the things about worship services that can be irritating is the inability to be flexible with time. When we worship together, we are visiting with God. Imagine if you are visiting with friends, and everytime you visit, you would say, oops, time is up, better get out of here, have to get to my coffee and relaxing time at home, to read my book, take my nap, eat my soup, and watch my favorite sport? yet we often seem to have no problem doing this with God.
I would suggest that every service ought to have a flex time built in of perhaps a half-hour (maybe more). If extra time is needed for prayers, then it is there. If extra time is needed to get a wheelchair down the aisle, then it is there. If extra time is needed for a testimony, or a witness about a mission trip or local neighborhood help, then it is there. If extra time is needed for a confession, or profession, or longer sermon, or congregational announcement, then it is there. Our stinginess with time, and our inflexibility with time, is not a good evidence of our desire and joy in worship. Just thinking.....
There is nothing wrong with getting criminal background checks for volunteers. (We have done it in our church). But it merely skims the surface. It is harmful to do it, if people assume they have then fulfilled their responsibility. It misses those who have never been charged or convicted. It misses those who may have never done anything in the past, but might in the future. It taints those whose criminal charge or conviction has nothing to do with abuse of children. It has no way of considering or accounting for those who have truly repented of their misdeed, and have been renewed in faith and life by Christ.
It is something invented by Social Services (government) primarily to cover their legal butts. We should be aware of its serious limitations.
Conduct a good relevant interview, not only on attitudes towards children, but also on what it means to live a life of obedience to Christ. Get two references, if the volunteer position is outside of the local church. In world missions and world relief situations, make sure that workers do not work alone nor travel nor visit alone; this is to protect the workers as much as children, since in some situations workers can be tempted by adults, or their reputations (and god's work) can be sullied by mere rumor and innuendo. When I was in Mexico for two weeks, the local pastor/missionary would not visit women without his wife present, and he took me along to several visits as a substitute chaperone/elder to prevent problems. The same type of policy should be considered for dealing with children, although sometimes a semblance of privacy of conversations may be beneficial, so a common sense solution is required.
The apostles were also regarded as elders. So I don't think there is evidence that deacons were needed before elders.(not that it really matters...). The Acts passage mentions selection of seven men, but as far as I can see does not specifically identify them as deacons.....although we make the assumption that's what they are.
"Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them."" "
I rather agree with Paul Boice on this, although I understand Eric's concern. Paying attention to the youth does not mean pandering to them; it means treating them as a gift and responsibility from God. God is not a special God of the youth, just like He is not a special god to the poor. God is special to everyone. But God gives the elders, olders, and more mature a responsibility to ensure that they are providing the education and instruction and welcome and respect for the youth and youngers who are God's treasure, loved by God. We must allow these children of whatever age, to come to Christ and sit on his lap, and receive His love. This should be part of the wisdom of the elders and the tradition we create. If we do not do that, then we do not deserve the respect for either the elders, nor for the traditions.
It is not that the youth are more important than the elders. But they are not less important either, to Christ.
As far as a council goes, if there is no distinction in governance between deacons and elders, then there is no need for classes to make a distinction either. But some churches do make a distinction. Still it is interesting that the same word we have translated as deacon comes from diakonos, which is also the word that is often translated as "minister". The term elder as used in the church comes from the greek term presbyteros, although the word episkopos (overseer) also is used to describe the task of the elders. In our church, the elders have the dual roles of elder and deacon, somewhat similar to the very early church. This is mostly because we are a small church.
I don't know why anyone would be upset by being a junior elder. Or a junior pastor. Or a junior deacon. Unless pride gets in the way. I get more upset by elders being restricted from fulfilling their roles. I get upset when elders want to pay someone else to do their jobs.
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
We often think this only refers to the poor and sick and downtrodden. But if in our minds, our children are somehow less important than older people, then this verse also applies to the children. If we neglect the children, then we are neglecting Christ, in essence. And if we care for the children, then we have done it for Christ.
But is it just the gathering church as a group that is responsible? How does this apply to the parents? Often parents do pander to children, and thus spoil them rotten, and teach them that materialism and education and sports and feelings and music and texting are more important than obedience to Christ. Where are the examples of a present day Eric Liddell who refused to run on Sunday because Christ was more important to him than a national or Olympic medal or the approval of his earthly government? How often do we find elders and Christian men spending more time watching the Super Bowl or Stanley Cup than they do leading their sons in spiritual walk with Christ? How often do we find christian men neglecting devotions and prayer in order to spend more time making more money at their career? Do we think that our youth do not notice this?
In our example, and in our priorities, we often neglect the impact on our youth, and we will reap the results. And when we do not neglect the children and their relationship to Christ, then we can also reap the rewards.
Posted in: Habits in a Disruptive Culture
Neil, excellent article. Your four points are great! And I would suggest that an active daily engagement with scripture makes the huge difference. Having done both random scripture selections, and a progressive bible reading - following chapters in sequence, that reading through the bible a chapter or two at a time is more effective. It gets you to see things otherwise missed. Reading as a family cannot replace reading personally and alone. Reading alone should not replace reading together as a family, especially when you have children. And a devotional book to accompany the bible reading is always a bonus, but should not replace actual discussion of the bible passage in the family setting.
I know some families who spend fifteen minutes or a half-hour at night time before the young kids go to bed. Others who spend time first thing in the morning - they get up fifteen minutes or half-hour earlier so they can fit it in. It takes time and committment. It cannot just be squeezed in. It cannot be shortened up. It is not as effective or rewarding if it only happens once in awhile or sporadically. It needs to be consistent and deserves time, just like it takes time to eat a meal.
This practice provides a foundation and a context for your other three points. Without this, the other three things can still be done, but will lose their purpose.
Posted in: Whatever Happened to Family/Household Visits?
Maybe part of the irony is that just following the church order, did not satisfy the reason for why article 65 was written? Family visits were not made to have "meaningful" contact, whatever that means. They were often done to fulfill a mere requirement; to mark a job off a list. But the real reason that they should be done, is to provide an opportunity for an evaluation of the faith growth of the family, a way of getting feedback on their participation in the church, and feedback on the activities, organization, leadership, and fellowship of the church (in the context of a message and guidance from scripture). By itself it may not have much impact on the family, other than letting them know that the "official" church cares about them. Maybe some gems of wisdom will pass on to help them in their daily life. But it is a way of finding out if they need a small group ministry, or can participate in a ministry, or whether their young people are being nourished and strengthened, etc. It establishes an initiation point of contact with elders, particularly when they may not know the elders well. It is never an ending, but only a beginning of contact. But a valuable beginning, hopefully resulting in more open communication in the future.
A small church where everyone knows everyone, may find it beneficial to do once in three years, while larger churches, where members do not know each other well, may find a benefit to do it more often.
Posted in: Deacons: An Elder Training Ground
According to scripture, elders have more authority than deacons. But that doesn't make them more important. Elders also have the job of supervising the work of the preacher. That also doesn't make them more important. Children are very important to Jesus. Women are very important to Jesus. The sick and the blind and the lame and the fallen woman and the tax collector were all very important to Jesus. The question of authority of an office should not be related to the importance of the role in terms of how Jesus uses us within the context of the body of Christ.
The role of sunday school teacher may be more important to some children in terms of their coming to faith, than the role of the preacher or elder. Ten words spoken by an elderly widow to a sick person in the hospital may be more important to that sick person than twenty sermons or ten family visits done previously. The simple poignant question of a ten year old may have more impact in someone's life than a thousand admonitions by the elders. Everyone is important to Christ, and it is God at work in our lives, in whatever role or position or opportunity we may be in.
Posted in: Deacons: An Elder Training Ground
I agree with you Rebecca.
Posted in: Using Gifts and Planning Worship
One of the things about worship services that can be irritating is the inability to be flexible with time. When we worship together, we are visiting with God. Imagine if you are visiting with friends, and everytime you visit, you would say, oops, time is up, better get out of here, have to get to my coffee and relaxing time at home, to read my book, take my nap, eat my soup, and watch my favorite sport? yet we often seem to have no problem doing this with God.
I would suggest that every service ought to have a flex time built in of perhaps a half-hour (maybe more). If extra time is needed for prayers, then it is there. If extra time is needed to get a wheelchair down the aisle, then it is there. If extra time is needed for a testimony, or a witness about a mission trip or local neighborhood help, then it is there. If extra time is needed for a confession, or profession, or longer sermon, or congregational announcement, then it is there. Our stinginess with time, and our inflexibility with time, is not a good evidence of our desire and joy in worship. Just thinking.....
Posted in: Background Checks for Volunteers?
There is nothing wrong with getting criminal background checks for volunteers. (We have done it in our church). But it merely skims the surface. It is harmful to do it, if people assume they have then fulfilled their responsibility. It misses those who have never been charged or convicted. It misses those who may have never done anything in the past, but might in the future. It taints those whose criminal charge or conviction has nothing to do with abuse of children. It has no way of considering or accounting for those who have truly repented of their misdeed, and have been renewed in faith and life by Christ.
It is something invented by Social Services (government) primarily to cover their legal butts. We should be aware of its serious limitations.
Posted in: Revisioning Youth Ministry
Great article!!! I am copying this and giving a copy to every youth worker, and every parent of youth in our church. Well written!!
Posted in: Background Checks for Volunteers?
Conduct a good relevant interview, not only on attitudes towards children, but also on what it means to live a life of obedience to Christ. Get two references, if the volunteer position is outside of the local church. In world missions and world relief situations, make sure that workers do not work alone nor travel nor visit alone; this is to protect the workers as much as children, since in some situations workers can be tempted by adults, or their reputations (and god's work) can be sullied by mere rumor and innuendo. When I was in Mexico for two weeks, the local pastor/missionary would not visit women without his wife present, and he took me along to several visits as a substitute chaperone/elder to prevent problems. The same type of policy should be considered for dealing with children, although sometimes a semblance of privacy of conversations may be beneficial, so a common sense solution is required.
Posted in: Deacons: An Elder Training Ground
The apostles were also regarded as elders. So I don't think there is evidence that deacons were needed before elders.(not that it really matters...). The Acts passage mentions selection of seven men, but as far as I can see does not specifically identify them as deacons.....although we make the assumption that's what they are.
"Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them."" "
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—
The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
Both "deacon" and "minister" and "servant" are derived from the greek word "diakonos".
A gift was already presented to elders in Acts 11, before elders were mentioned being appointed in Acts 14.
Posted in: The Most Important Members of Our Congregation
I rather agree with Paul Boice on this, although I understand Eric's concern. Paying attention to the youth does not mean pandering to them; it means treating them as a gift and responsibility from God. God is not a special God of the youth, just like He is not a special god to the poor. God is special to everyone. But God gives the elders, olders, and more mature a responsibility to ensure that they are providing the education and instruction and welcome and respect for the youth and youngers who are God's treasure, loved by God. We must allow these children of whatever age, to come to Christ and sit on his lap, and receive His love. This should be part of the wisdom of the elders and the tradition we create. If we do not do that, then we do not deserve the respect for either the elders, nor for the traditions.
It is not that the youth are more important than the elders. But they are not less important either, to Christ.
Posted in: Deacons: An Elder Training Ground
As far as a council goes, if there is no distinction in governance between deacons and elders, then there is no need for classes to make a distinction either. But some churches do make a distinction. Still it is interesting that the same word we have translated as deacon comes from diakonos, which is also the word that is often translated as "minister". The term elder as used in the church comes from the greek term presbyteros, although the word episkopos (overseer) also is used to describe the task of the elders. In our church, the elders have the dual roles of elder and deacon, somewhat similar to the very early church. This is mostly because we are a small church.
I don't know why anyone would be upset by being a junior elder. Or a junior pastor. Or a junior deacon. Unless pride gets in the way. I get more upset by elders being restricted from fulfilling their roles. I get upset when elders want to pay someone else to do their jobs.
Posted in: The Most Important Members of Our Congregation
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
We often think this only refers to the poor and sick and downtrodden. But if in our minds, our children are somehow less important than older people, then this verse also applies to the children. If we neglect the children, then we are neglecting Christ, in essence. And if we care for the children, then we have done it for Christ.
But is it just the gathering church as a group that is responsible? How does this apply to the parents? Often parents do pander to children, and thus spoil them rotten, and teach them that materialism and education and sports and feelings and music and texting are more important than obedience to Christ. Where are the examples of a present day Eric Liddell who refused to run on Sunday because Christ was more important to him than a national or Olympic medal or the approval of his earthly government? How often do we find elders and Christian men spending more time watching the Super Bowl or Stanley Cup than they do leading their sons in spiritual walk with Christ? How often do we find christian men neglecting devotions and prayer in order to spend more time making more money at their career? Do we think that our youth do not notice this?
In our example, and in our priorities, we often neglect the impact on our youth, and we will reap the results. And when we do not neglect the children and their relationship to Christ, then we can also reap the rewards.