It is a given that racism -- bigotry -- is a sin and that every Bible-believing Christian should be opposed to it.
The challenge for the local church -- and that's really where the rubber hits the road -- is "What are you going to do about it?" You can preach against it off the pulpit as much as you like but until you engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue, and sit down with the 'other side' in an attempt to understand their struggles and their culture, very little will change.
It is a given that racism -- bigotry -- is a sin and that every Bible-believing Christian should be opposed to it.
The challenge for the local church -- and that's really where the rubber hits the road -- is "What are you going to do about it?" You can preach against it off the pulpit as much as you like but until you engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue, and sit down with the 'other side' in an attempt to understand their struggles and their culture, very little will change.
We began the series on Matthew well over a year ago. The website tells me we've had 70 sermons. We're at Matthew 12 so we have a way to go: 2 or 3 verses at a time.
The theme is "The King Has Arrived" and the gospel message is as relevant today as it was a year ago ... with COVID, racial tension, and a pending election. We're considering the Parable of the Sower ... because it comes next.
No need to search for random Psalms or mini-series that speak to our take on the issues of the day. Just sit back and let the Gospel breathe over you.
During these interesting times as the world deals with the coronavirus, I tend to focus on Psalm 46 and the familiar song that Martin Luther penned based on that psalm, A Mighty Fortress.
There are various interesting versions of that hymn on Spotify and elsewhere.
It reinforces the notion that God is in charge and that, through the coronavirus, God is at work. Our faith will not be shaken because God is a mighty fortress who controls all of creation ... even viruses.
My goal, and the suggested goal for all 6,500 Christian business and professional leaders who are part of the Canadian Christian Business Federation network, is this: "My business is God's business."
There are at least two implications: If you are involved in business, a profession, an organization or non-profit, you are re-dedicating your business to God. Secondly, God cares about your business; how it's run, how it reflects Christ-like principles, how you treat your employees, how you spend your money, how you support Kingdom causes.
One business owner, in a discussion about stewardship and his tithing habits, said: "If all that I have belongs to God, then who am I to give him just 10 per cent of my net profits!"
I'm attending a conference in three weeks in Hamburg Germany put on by the World Evangelical Association's Business Coalition. The theme? "Work as worship."
I'm the executive director of the Canadian Christian Business Federation, connecting with about 6,500 Christian men and women involved in business, the professions and non-profits. As we connect our 'Sunday faith' to our 'Monday work', we proclaim that work is worship.
But that's probably not what you have in mind. ;o)
That's a great position, Chris. I take it that Pastor of Worship and the Arts pertains only to the worship service and the sanctuary. Or are you also Pastor of Worship as it pertains to worship that takes place within small groups, youth ministry, and all other expressions of worship carried out by parishioners?
I guess that you get my point: We tend to assume that worship only happens on Sundays. In a church setting. I know of a large manufacturing plant with 1,000 employees who gather for worship on Wednesday mornings on the factory floor.
Imagine a church that advocates for that sense of worship.
We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of every month. It's a time to reflect upon the great gift that God had given his people: the death of His son.
As the elements are handed out, the pastor regularly reminds us that "this is only for Christians; for those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you don't share in that profession of faith, don't take part. As Scripture says, you are eating and drinking judgment unto yourself."
We regularly have five busloads of university students attending our morning worship services. But the biblical warning is as much for us pew-sitters as it is for those who have come to check out the worship service.
When it comes to children at communion, I would hope that parents -- at minimum -- have had that conversation with their children beforehand to determine if they indeed do profess their faith in Christ. I would also hope that a parent has enough spiritual maturity to tell one child that he or she isn't quite ready to take that step.
We seem to equate communion with a church potluck; enjoy the feast because we're all part of one happy family. So, whose responsibility is it when a child, or a teenager, or a mature adult takes communion without truly professing Christ as lord and Saviour? What does it mean to eat and drink judgment to one's self?
Lambert: You seem to be applying that there is no need to have Preparatory Sunday prior to communion, nor to have us examine ourselves and our hearts prior to taking part in communion, nor to go to those whom we have wronged to ask for forgiveness before taking part in communion.
I agree with your conclusion: "I urge all of our congregations to be thoroughly consistent and open the sacraments to members of the covenant community." The covenant community, I take it, are all those who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. That still begs the question as the cup and wine are passed: "Do you believe that Christ died for your sins and rose again?" That question applies equally to adults as it does to young people and children.
We tend to use the term "covenant community" too loosely. We have the mistaken notion -- but I grew up with it too -- that all those who sit in the pews on Sunday in any CRC are part of the covenant community and, consequently, are saved. As Christ himself has said: "Some of you may say 'Lord, Lord' but I don't know you." I know of too many men and women who call themselves Christian but who don't live a Christ-like life. In fact, to call themselves a Christian could be considered blasphemy.
Communion is a time of personal, spiritual reflection: reflecting on God's great gift to us ... to me. What kind of personal, spiritual reflection does a child experience when he/she takes part in communion? Are they even capable of understanding? After they've had the juice and the bread, they may long for that peppermint.
The response to the conflict depends greatly upon the nature of the conflict. I have seen congregations divided over whether or not to pave the parking lot, over the time of the worship service, over the cancellation of the second service. These can be worked out through patience and dialogue.
I have seen congregations divided over an Article 17 separation of pastor from congregation, or the pending installation of an elder of questionable character, or the gender issue when it comes to selecting office-bearers.
Rule No. 1. Never, ever try to solve conflict by email. It invariably fails.
When dealing with potentially church-dividing conflict, take it slow and easy. Don't make rash decisions. Bring in an outside mediator. Never allow the pastor(s) to get caught in the middle of a conflict and having to choose sides (unless they are the subject of the conflict).
Lastly, but most importantly, spend considerable time in prayer, praying for wisdom, patience and a civil tongue.
Dave, it's been decades since I was first installed as an elder. We've come a long way since that time in providing proper orientation for elders (and deacons).
I mourn the selection process for elders these days. We seem to be more concerned with having 'a warm body' in an elder's chair than to have someone who is spiritually mature, who at least appears to live a holy life, and someone who knows scripture.
I would like to see congregations nominate potential elders, then have them go through a series of classes that review the church's doctrine -- yes, the creeds -- with a firm understanding of the Catechism. Potential elders should be asked about their spiritual lives (ie devotions, walking with God each day), their relationships to their spouse and children, and whether or not they feel qualified to become one of the congregation's spiritual leaders. They should display gifts of leadership and decision-making.
We have, in my estimation, taken the office of elder too lightly. As overseers of the preaching of the Word, and as overseers over the spiritual lives of folks within the congregation, elders have an obligation to know their scripture so that they can carry out their office appropriately.
Your very last question -- How do you seek to know what God wants from you? -- is quite different from the heading on this piece -- Knowing what God wants you to do -- and yet the answer is the same.
God wants our obedience. God longs to have us depend on Him for all that we need, want, are.
Several years ago, after a long and varied career in communication and journalism, I took six months off to discern God's will in my life. To ask God: "What's next?" Through that intimate time of devotions, I learned to 'let go'; that it didn't really matter that I had to find out what God has in mind for me. God has it all figured out.
It took time but I did develop that mindset of 'letting go'. Depending on God. I developed this image in my mind of a bicycle built for two. I'm sitting on the back; God is up front. And each day -- I still do this -- I ask God: "Where to today? Who will I meet? How can I be used by you?" And each day His answer is the same: "Never mind; just keep peddling."
God steers and directs my life and I'm along for the ride. But this isn't a passive ride. If you stop peddling a bike, you fall off.
So, I do my work. I facilitate a pile of breakfast meetings where I expose Christian business leaders to biblical principles that apply to leadership.
Matthew 6 regularly comes to mind. "Why worry about life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear." Since God oversees Creation, he cares even more about me.
So, what does God require from me? Obedience. Being open to God's leading every day. There is, therefore, no need to worry about anything.
Here's my rule of thumb: "Only worry about the things over which you have control. Then fix them. Anything that isn't under your control is in God's hands. Let Him worry about that."
Posted in: Isn't "anti-racism" negative?
Thanks, Eric.
It is a given that racism -- bigotry -- is a sin and that every Bible-believing Christian should be opposed to it.
The challenge for the local church -- and that's really where the rubber hits the road -- is "What are you going to do about it?" You can preach against it off the pulpit as much as you like but until you engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue, and sit down with the 'other side' in an attempt to understand their struggles and their culture, very little will change.
Posted in: Isn't "anti-racism" negative?
Thanks, Eric.
It is a given that racism -- bigotry -- is a sin and that every Bible-believing Christian should be opposed to it.
The challenge for the local church -- and that's really where the rubber hits the road -- is "What are you going to do about it?" You can preach against it off the pulpit as much as you like but until you engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue, and sit down with the 'other side' in an attempt to understand their struggles and their culture, very little will change.
Posted in: Share Your Sermon Series
We began the series on Matthew well over a year ago. The website tells me we've had 70 sermons. We're at Matthew 12 so we have a way to go: 2 or 3 verses at a time.
The theme is "The King Has Arrived" and the gospel message is as relevant today as it was a year ago ... with COVID, racial tension, and a pending election. We're considering the Parable of the Sower ... because it comes next.
No need to search for random Psalms or mini-series that speak to our take on the issues of the day. Just sit back and let the Gospel breathe over you.
Posted in: What Songs Bring You Comfort? Let's Make a Playlist
During these interesting times as the world deals with the coronavirus, I tend to focus on Psalm 46 and the familiar song that Martin Luther penned based on that psalm, A Mighty Fortress.
There are various interesting versions of that hymn on Spotify and elsewhere.
It reinforces the notion that God is in charge and that, through the coronavirus, God is at work. Our faith will not be shaken because God is a mighty fortress who controls all of creation ... even viruses.
Posted in: What Are Some of Your Goals for 2020? I Want to Hear Them!
My goal, and the suggested goal for all 6,500 Christian business and professional leaders who are part of the Canadian Christian Business Federation network, is this: "My business is God's business."
There are at least two implications: If you are involved in business, a profession, an organization or non-profit, you are re-dedicating your business to God. Secondly, God cares about your business; how it's run, how it reflects Christ-like principles, how you treat your employees, how you spend your money, how you support Kingdom causes.
One business owner, in a discussion about stewardship and his tithing habits, said: "If all that I have belongs to God, then who am I to give him just 10 per cent of my net profits!"
Posted in: Any Past or Present Worship Planners?
Involved in worship in any capacity?
I'm attending a conference in three weeks in Hamburg Germany put on by the World Evangelical Association's Business Coalition. The theme? "Work as worship."
I'm the executive director of the Canadian Christian Business Federation, connecting with about 6,500 Christian men and women involved in business, the professions and non-profits. As we connect our 'Sunday faith' to our 'Monday work', we proclaim that work is worship.
But that's probably not what you have in mind. ;o)
Posted in: Any Past or Present Worship Planners?
That's a great position, Chris. I take it that Pastor of Worship and the Arts pertains only to the worship service and the sanctuary. Or are you also Pastor of Worship as it pertains to worship that takes place within small groups, youth ministry, and all other expressions of worship carried out by parishioners?
I guess that you get my point: We tend to assume that worship only happens on Sundays. In a church setting. I know of a large manufacturing plant with 1,000 employees who gather for worship on Wednesday mornings on the factory floor.
Imagine a church that advocates for that sense of worship.
Posted in: Peppermints, Mentos, and Communion With Children
This deeply disturbs me.
We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of every month. It's a time to reflect upon the great gift that God had given his people: the death of His son.
As the elements are handed out, the pastor regularly reminds us that "this is only for Christians; for those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you don't share in that profession of faith, don't take part. As Scripture says, you are eating and drinking judgment unto yourself."
We regularly have five busloads of university students attending our morning worship services. But the biblical warning is as much for us pew-sitters as it is for those who have come to check out the worship service.
When it comes to children at communion, I would hope that parents -- at minimum -- have had that conversation with their children beforehand to determine if they indeed do profess their faith in Christ. I would also hope that a parent has enough spiritual maturity to tell one child that he or she isn't quite ready to take that step.
We seem to equate communion with a church potluck; enjoy the feast because we're all part of one happy family. So, whose responsibility is it when a child, or a teenager, or a mature adult takes communion without truly professing Christ as lord and Saviour? What does it mean to eat and drink judgment to one's self?
Posted in: Peppermints, Mentos, and Communion With Children
Lambert: You seem to be applying that there is no need to have Preparatory Sunday prior to communion, nor to have us examine ourselves and our hearts prior to taking part in communion, nor to go to those whom we have wronged to ask for forgiveness before taking part in communion.
I agree with your conclusion: "I urge all of our congregations to be thoroughly consistent and open the sacraments to members of the covenant community." The covenant community, I take it, are all those who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. That still begs the question as the cup and wine are passed: "Do you believe that Christ died for your sins and rose again?" That question applies equally to adults as it does to young people and children.
We tend to use the term "covenant community" too loosely. We have the mistaken notion -- but I grew up with it too -- that all those who sit in the pews on Sunday in any CRC are part of the covenant community and, consequently, are saved. As Christ himself has said: "Some of you may say 'Lord, Lord' but I don't know you." I know of too many men and women who call themselves Christian but who don't live a Christ-like life. In fact, to call themselves a Christian could be considered blasphemy.
Communion is a time of personal, spiritual reflection: reflecting on God's great gift to us ... to me. What kind of personal, spiritual reflection does a child experience when he/she takes part in communion? Are they even capable of understanding? After they've had the juice and the bread, they may long for that peppermint.
Posted in: Elders and Conflict
The response to the conflict depends greatly upon the nature of the conflict. I have seen congregations divided over whether or not to pave the parking lot, over the time of the worship service, over the cancellation of the second service. These can be worked out through patience and dialogue.
I have seen congregations divided over an Article 17 separation of pastor from congregation, or the pending installation of an elder of questionable character, or the gender issue when it comes to selecting office-bearers.
Rule No. 1. Never, ever try to solve conflict by email. It invariably fails.
When dealing with potentially church-dividing conflict, take it slow and easy. Don't make rash decisions. Bring in an outside mediator. Never allow the pastor(s) to get caught in the middle of a conflict and having to choose sides (unless they are the subject of the conflict).
Lastly, but most importantly, spend considerable time in prayer, praying for wisdom, patience and a civil tongue.
Posted in: What Do You Wish You Had Known When You Were First Installed?
Dave, it's been decades since I was first installed as an elder. We've come a long way since that time in providing proper orientation for elders (and deacons).
I mourn the selection process for elders these days. We seem to be more concerned with having 'a warm body' in an elder's chair than to have someone who is spiritually mature, who at least appears to live a holy life, and someone who knows scripture.
I would like to see congregations nominate potential elders, then have them go through a series of classes that review the church's doctrine -- yes, the creeds -- with a firm understanding of the Catechism. Potential elders should be asked about their spiritual lives (ie devotions, walking with God each day), their relationships to their spouse and children, and whether or not they feel qualified to become one of the congregation's spiritual leaders. They should display gifts of leadership and decision-making.
We have, in my estimation, taken the office of elder too lightly. As overseers of the preaching of the Word, and as overseers over the spiritual lives of folks within the congregation, elders have an obligation to know their scripture so that they can carry out their office appropriately.
Posted in: The Path of Discernment — Knowing What God Wants You to Do
Your very last question -- How do you seek to know what God wants from you? -- is quite different from the heading on this piece -- Knowing what God wants you to do -- and yet the answer is the same.
God wants our obedience. God longs to have us depend on Him for all that we need, want, are.
Several years ago, after a long and varied career in communication and journalism, I took six months off to discern God's will in my life. To ask God: "What's next?" Through that intimate time of devotions, I learned to 'let go'; that it didn't really matter that I had to find out what God has in mind for me. God has it all figured out.
It took time but I did develop that mindset of 'letting go'. Depending on God. I developed this image in my mind of a bicycle built for two. I'm sitting on the back; God is up front. And each day -- I still do this -- I ask God: "Where to today? Who will I meet? How can I be used by you?" And each day His answer is the same: "Never mind; just keep peddling."
God steers and directs my life and I'm along for the ride. But this isn't a passive ride. If you stop peddling a bike, you fall off.
So, I do my work. I facilitate a pile of breakfast meetings where I expose Christian business leaders to biblical principles that apply to leadership.
Matthew 6 regularly comes to mind. "Why worry about life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear." Since God oversees Creation, he cares even more about me.
So, what does God require from me? Obedience. Being open to God's leading every day. There is, therefore, no need to worry about anything.
Here's my rule of thumb: "Only worry about the things over which you have control. Then fix them. Anything that isn't under your control is in God's hands. Let Him worry about that."