H. Henry Williams

Hope for Elder Brother Types

We spent a few weeks this summer/fall looking at the parable of the two sons in Luke 15. We focused on the elder brother several of those weeks. I like this post by Jon Bloom at the Desiring God blog. Here's what he says about hope for elder brother types:

It seems to me that self-righteousness poses challenges that are similar to wealth in terms of how hard it is to get into the kingdom. If you think you are righteous on your own, you don't believe you need the forgiveness Jesus has to offer. If you are wealthy, you do not need the treasures Jesus has to offer. The poor and the more outwardly sinful often can more clearly see their need for the Savior.

But the wonderful thing about the gospel is that Jesus came to deliver both the prodigals and the older brothers in their respective slavery to sin. It takes a miracle to be delivered from both blinding sinful self-righteousness and blinding sinful indulgence.

One great word of hope for "older brother" types is that the person Jesus chose to write most of the New Testament and to be the great champion of God's grace was Paul, who had excelled all his contemporaries in his "older brotherly" zeal. And one reason I think Jesus did this is to show us that God certainly can help older brothers see how much they have been forgiven and therefore love much (Philippians 3:2-10).

So for all of us relatively well-behaved older brothers: "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).

Baptism, Grandparents and Bono

Here are some quotes of Len Sweet from on lunch session recorded in Batterson's blog:

"Your baptism is your ordination into ministry."

"Ask the grandparents in your church: how many of you would lay down your life for your grandchildren? Every grandparent will raise their hand. Then ask them: how many of you would lay down your musical preferences for your grandchildren?"

"Sometimes God is more active in the world than he is in the church. Who's had more impact alleviating suffering in the world: your church or Bono?"

"When you're in incarnational mode you're always living on other people's terms."

"Secular" Music in Church - Part 3

I think we all need to think through our philosophy regarding the distinction between the sacred and the secular? One story and one quote that shed some light on mine.

• In Your Work Matters to God, Doug Sherman talks about a Bible professor who asked him if he planned on going into full-time ministry when he finished his studies. Sherman answered something like this, “Yes. All Christians are in full-time ministry. The question is whether or not it is vocational full-time ministry.”
• Martin Luther: “Your work is a very sacred matter, God delights in it, and through it He wants to bestow His blessings on you.  This praise of work should be inscribed on all tools, on the forehead and the faces that sweat from toiling.”

"Secular" Music in Church - Part 2

Here are some questions to ponder if the use of “secular” music in a church service bothers you:

• Do you listen to “secular” music in your car or in your home?
• Is the church building or the service time more sacred space and time than your home or your car?
• Does it bother you to listen to a classical piece of music created by someone who lived an immoral life?
• Are you being consistent?
• Do you share our missional perspective?
• Do you care how my fantasy football team is doing?

"Secular" Music in Church - Part 1

Maybe I'm opening up a can of worms since no one has commented on this for a long time, but I want to address the use of "secular" music in church for several reasons.

• The issue gets to the heart of spirituality. When I talk about everyday life Christianity it's not just about the practical nature of biblical faith; it's even more about a way of looking at our world and at life as being about God and his glory, and it's about rejecting unbiblical dualities of sacred and secular.
• There may be some in our congregation who suffer the use of secular music silently, not saying anything, but bothered about it. So this is a chance to join in on a conversation.
• We're planning to use more "secular" music in the coming months for a variety of reasons.

I'll open this conversation up with a summary (using excerpts) of an article by Tim Stevens called "Does Secular Music Have Any Place in the Church?" 

• First of all, we should clarify terms. There is a big debate in church circles today about what "secular" even means in relation to music. ...But for sake of this conversation today, let's agree that secular music refers to popular songs that are written by a mainstream artist without any specific Christ-honoring intent. The song isn't about Jesus or worship or moving toward God. The person singing isn't a known Christian artist.
• Here is what I believe: I think it is permissible, and even advisable, to use music in your services that has been written by non-Christians and that doesn't have an obvious Christian message. How can I make such a statement?
• It all has to do with how you view your services. Your service probably contains several elements... You can view these as separate elements that stand alone in accomplishing a purpose, or you can view your service as one seamless experience that builds toward a goal.
• If you see it as a seamless experience, then you might use a secular element to open people's hearts to receive a truth that comes later in the service. You might, for example, use a secular drama featuring a married couple fighting about money to prompt people to think about their own lives and prepare them to hear a message about God's plan for financial peace.
• Or you might use the song called "Untitled" by Simple Plan to show the pain of messing up and hurting other people in the process...so when the teaching pastor talks about what to do with your shame, people are ready to hear God's Word. They may already be thinking, "That's me. I've messed up. How could this have happened to me?"And the next week, when they hear that song on the radio, they may be instantly pulled back to the service.
• Every element in your service doesn't have to be prescriptive. Yes, you are trying to teach a principle or encourage people to consider a truth, but you can use certain elements to raise questions and other elements to help provide answers.
• It's amazing to me that the same pastors who have never allowed a secular song in their services have quoted secular authors, secular poets, and secular historical figures. They quote these people to make a point, to get people thinking, and to open their hearts...
• Paul did this when he quoted from a famous poet of his day (Acts 17:28). He wasn't saying, "I agree with everything this poet wrote." He wasn't saying, "Read all of his poems." He was just using a well-known secular poem to connect with his listeners in order to help make a change in their lives.
• ...It's all about speaking the foreign language of our culture in order to reach the people in it. If you view your community as a foreign culture, then you are a cross-cultural missionary. It is your job to learn the language, signs, symbols, and customs of the culture – and then use what you learn to build a bridge back to God.

Here are some principles from what Tim writes:

• Different elements in a service accomplish different purposes and not all have to be prescriptive.
• Be consistent. If you're against "secular" music in a service, then you should be against "secular" dramas, "secular" film clips, "secular" quotes, etc. (Parenthetically, if you're against all these things, how are you surviving at Five Oaks?)
• Using "secular" elements is scriptural.
• Using "secular" elements is missional.

He's not saying:

• He agrees with the secular and sacred duality.
• This has anything to do with the singing of songs of adoration and praise.
• This is about seekers in the church only. Most people I know that like music don't only listen to "Christian" music. So the bridge a song makes to the heart or mind is as much a reality for the believer as the seeker.

Pastor Jesus

Perry Noble is nothing if he's not controversial. Think of what it would be like if a redeemed Robin Williams were preaching and you've got Perry. (His podcast is listed below under those I listen to.) Perry planted his church a few years ago and they are reaching about 7000 or more people each week. Perry is very aware of the dysfunctions keeping so many churches from doing what God called them to do--break through the gates of hell. So if, after reading his post, you're wondering what's got him all wound up, that's it. In this post he gives seven reasons Jesus wouldn't likely to make it as a pastor (my guess is you'll either love this or hate it):

#1 - He Obviously Cared About Numbers! 

In reading the Gospels it does not take a rocket scientist to discover that “great crowds” were always gathering around Him…there are even instances where the crowds nearly crushed Him…and not once did He ever get mad about it & tell those people to go to hell so that He could “go deep” with those closest to Him.

At the end of every Gospel He tells His apostles to go and tell people about Him (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:48, John 20:21)…and upon a casual reading of the book of Acts one can discover that this happened…and God was involved.  (Acts 2:42 - Acts 4:4)  By the way…God never seems to be truly involved in churches that don’t reach people…because people are too involved!

Yep–Jesus cared too much about people…and that just would not fly in some places.

#2 - He Was Not An Expository Preacher!

Jesus simply did not preach line by line, verse by verse, through the Old Testament.  There are SOME instances where He uses Scripture; however, the overwhelming majority of the time He tells stories…in other words–He was a creative communicator!!!  (I am so sure the bloggers of that time period probably accused Him of watering down God’s word!)

#3 - He Offended Religious People!

Yep–the personel committee would have dismissed Jesus quickly–and probably without any severance.  You see–He kept asking them insulting questions like, “Haven’t you read…”, which REALLY insulted their intelligence because He was referring to the Torah…which most of them had memorized.

There are instances where He calls religious people sons of their father the devil…and even calls them things like snakes, vipers and white washed tombs.  Obviously Jesus didn’t give a rip about what people thought about Him…and most pastors know that if you are going to be “successful” in ministry you HAVE to keep the influencers and big givers happy & try hard not to offend them.

#4 - He Was Not Issue Oriented! 

Not once did Jesus ever organize a group to protest the illegal occupation by the Romans.  Nor did He became an advocate for private school, gun control, or animal rights!  AND…He also refused to be interviewed by Fox News or endorse Al Frankin!

AND…He never seemingly would take a stand on predestination or free will - the rapture - speaking in tongues - or can women wear make-up, you know–things that REALLY matter to people who are lost.

No–He had this passion about one thing–the Kingdom of God…and He was dedicated to it in a relentless way.  I know of too many pastors that are focused on many issues…but “the issue” that NEEDS to be focused on is JESUS CHRIST...making HIM famous…and NOT a particular political party or a particular brand of theology.  (Oh boy…I can feel the temperature rising!) 

#5 - He Liked To Have Fun! 

Where was His first miracle performed?  Answer…A PARTY!!!  I know, I know–technically it was a wedding…but a casual study of that culture in that particular time period will show that wedding were a HUGE deal…many times lasting for three days.

And get this–Jesus made the list!!!  Someone evidently thought Jesus was cool enough to invite to the wedding.  (And they were so glad they did when they ran out of wine.)  Folks–it is in the Bible–John 2, read it for yourself!!!

And in Matthew 14 where the Bible talks about Jesus walking on the water…and the disciples cried out in fear.  Now guys…stop and think for a second…don’t you think He had a HUGE smile on His face when He did this?

#6 - He Hung Out With The Wrong Types Of People!

Jesus never seemed to be caught up in hanging out with people who seemed to think just like Him…you see, that would have been way too safe.  Nope–He was always hanging around prostitutes, tax collectors and “sinners.”  And He hung out with them so much that He was even accused of being a drunkard and a glutton!!!  The thing is–He just didn’t seem to let that bother Him.

You see, in order to be “successful” as a pastor today you MUST hang out with people who talk, think, and act JUST LIKE YOU!  For God’s sake don’t get near someone who might believe differently than you…OR have a different skin color than you…that might CHANGE the way you think…and that just wouldn’t be good in someone’s goal to please people.

#7 - He Was A Prophet…And Not A Prostitute. 

A prostitute is for sale…they get paid for a service in order to make someone feel better about themselves.  Many pastors today are simply prostitutes–for sale–and threatened and intimated by the loudest and most controlling person in their church.

BUT…a prophet speaks the truth…and does so not caring what might happen to Him.  This was Jesus…if He desired to play it safe He could have probably avoided the whole crucifixion thing.  BUT He was WAY more concerned with offending His Father than He was offending people…and that just would not fly in the modern day church.

I have heard pastors who say they like to “tell it like it is.”  I agree…but telling it like it is does not mean that we yell at people who are far from God that they are “going to go to hell and fry like bacon.”  Nor does it mean that we spend the majority of our time trying to tell the already convinced how good they are and that their poop doesn’t stink!

Nope–it is up to us to tell those who are far from God that they need to come near to Him through Jesus…and it is also up to us to tell those who are “in Christ” to live like it…and that means calling those IN the kingdom to repentance from time to time…both on a corporate and a private level.

Nope–Jesus simply could not have served as a pastor in many churches…but He did what He was called and instructed to do…which should be the goal of EVERY pastor and church leader all around the world.  If we would all focus on pleasing Jesus and advancing His kingdom rather than pleasing people and catering to the need of immature Christians then our churches would be a lot better off!

Thank you Jesus for setting an awesome example!!!

Not What You Know

I'm really not against learning. I'm very much for it (and I'm doing it all the time). If it sounds like I'm not for it, it's because I'm concerned that our tradition has lost balance. We've traded doing the ministry of Jesus in every arena of life for gaining more and more information. Too often we measure spirituality by knowledge rather than love in action. It's both/and, of course. But you can't do both/and when life is out of balance.

So it's in that spirit that I include this other idea from Erwin McManus as summarized by Mark Batterson. It reminds me of something I've said many times: "We're not trying to turn people into biblical scholars. Biblical scholars are that great at living the Christian life. We want to equip people to bring Christ into everyday life."

"Studying the Bible doesn't change people. Just look at seminaries." ...The true measure of spiritual maturity is not how much we know but how much we obey. And the truth is--all of us are educated way beyond our level of obedience! We certainly need to keep learning. But our primary problem isn't a lack of knowledge. Our primary problem is that we aren't obeying what we know!

When to Go, When to be Still

Great idea related to the Go series:

Erwin [McManus] cited the story of the Israelites moving with the cloud. When the cloud moved they moved. When the cloud stopped they stopped. I love Erwin's simple observation: don't be still when God is moving and don't be moving when God is still. (Summarized by Mark Batterson.)

Christian Atlases

Brennan Manning writes:

Remember Atlas, who carries the whole world? We have Christian Atlases who mistakenly carry the burden of trying to deserve God's love. Even the mere watching of this lifestyle is depressing. I'd like to say to Atlas, "Put that globe down and dance on it. That's why God made it." And to these weary Christian Atlases, "Lay down your load and build your life on God's love"

Everyday Thinking

This quote from pastor and blogger Perry Noble illustrates how followers of Jesus bring Christ into everyday life, a practical example of the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:1,2):

I once heard it said this way…and I agree…the problem with many Christians when they go to a restaurant on Sunday is that they are more concerned with their food than they are about the person bringing them their food!!!