Unserious

~ brandon ~ 1 Comment

In case you missed it, a bra-color for cancer awareness thing swept through Facebook last week. Women were posting the color of the bra they were wearing in the name of breast cancer awareness. This morning, a former coworker posted that he was glad it was over because it was inappropriate.

I don’t think it was really inappropriate, but I also don’t think it really did anything to raise awareness of breast cancer. Kind of like this doesn’t really do anything for free speech.

We are a unserious society.

Naming Sin

~ brandon ~ Leave a comment

But We’re Still Gonna Kill You by Mark Steyn on National Review Online.

Whatever you think of his politics, Steyn’s argument seems to be:  if we cannot name our enemy, then we cannot win.  I think that’s a sound point we can apply to the Christian’s struggle against sin.

We live in an age where sin is an antiquated concept.  We rationalize and justify behaviors that our grandparents would be ashamed of.  We’re more worldly, better educated and able to see how those moral codes of old were arbitrary, and intended to discriminate and oppress.  Therefore, we are free to live as we see fit and no, we don’t really care what you think.

Import that thinking to the Church.  In the Church we still believe in right and wrong, good and evil and things such as sin.  We still believe in God’s judgment and a place called Hell.  Yet, we often fail to name our sin.  We, too, fall victim to the rationalizations of our culture.

Young adult partying all the time?  Well, that’s just how everyone is at their age.  Thirty-something parents foisting their kids off on day-care and schools and after school programs from pre-school on?  Hey, it’s tough to make ends meet today.

A first step toward victory over sin is naming it.  It’s asking God what He calls sin, and applying that standard to my own life.  It’s seeing where my life fails to match up to Christ’s teaching and realizing:  Jesus was nailed to a cross for this.

Bad Economic News

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WORLD Magazine | Todays News, Christian Views.

You probably have heard the discouraging December jobs report:  85,000 jobs lost and 661,000 not even looking for jobs.  The ongoing economic malaise is of concern to me for a few reasons.

Of course there is giving.  Ministry relies upon donors, we don’t sell a product or a service.  With fewer folks working, that means less to donate–which impacts what a ministry can or can’t do.  So, we must be wise and faithful.  Wisdom dictates we focus our limited resources on our core mission–making disciples.  Extras can, and should be shed.  Faith dictates that we trust God to provide for that core mission.  In other words, we don’t stop teaching Sunday School because we’re afraid we can’t heat the building.  We teach and trust God to provide.

The declining economy, while stealing donations from non-profits, also means more people in real need.  Our food pantry and benevolence fund has seen much more use over the past year than in the 6 that preceded it.  Already we’ve spent our budgeted benevolence, and will begin taking benevolence offerings to continue meeting needs.  It’s kind of a catch-22, more people need help but there is less to help them with.  Again, loving people is core mission stuff–so we continue to do so, trusting God to provide.

Additionally, there is the spiritual concern for the flock.  Some don’t know how to handle money problems in a Christian manner.  Some will ask, ‘Why me?’ Others might decide to blame God.  One of a Pastor’s great challenges is to help folks see these times are a purifying opportunity.  As businesses and ministries must shed extras and refocus on core mission–so, too, must Christians.  What an opportunity to realize how much time and money we invest in that which is ultimately fleeting.  What a chance to refocus my whole life upon that which is eternal.

Overall my hope is to set an example of wise faith:  not wasting resources, but also not doubting God’s continued provision.

In the mean time, I’d love for our government to do one thing:  make the US the most attractive place to do business.  Doing so, I believe, will do more to invigorate the economy than any number of stimuli or bailouts.

A tough subject

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When is it okay to leave a Church?

Leaving a Church is not a simple decision.  Scripture is clear about the importance of unity, and the need to bear with one another.  That said, there are times when we are wise to leave.

Most obviously, one might leave a congregation that ceases teaching Scripture.  Once a church or denomination decides Scripture is not the primary foundation for life and doctrine, they are not following Christ.  At that point the membership should try to correct the situation.  If that fails, they should move to a Biblically sound church.

Less obvious are issues of style and method.  As communities change there is a need for adapting forms while maintaining truth.  No one argues church today is a bit different than it was 100 years ago.  Continued effectiveness in a changing culture requires adaptation.

When this happens, not everyone can or needs to adapt.  One’s gifts and skills may not mesh well with the changing community.  In such cases those feeling left behind should forthrightly discuss the situation with their Pastor and leaders.  Together they should examine the motivations for leaving.  Leaving over simple style differences seems petty, to me.  Certainly the unity of the Spirit demands we put others needs ahead of our own, including areas of style.  But when leaving is strategic–an opportunity to better use gifts and abilities, for example–I think moving on may be good.

In any case, leaving a church should never be done in haste or anger.  All such decisions should be bathed in prayer, filtered through Scripture and accompanied by open, honest discussion with the leadership of the congregation.  Having done so, we can rejoice as God arranges and rearranges His Church to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Story of Channel Locks

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I’m a big fan of nicknames.  All three of my kids and my wife have them and, thanks to classmates at Officer Training School and the Chaplain Service Institute, I’ve even got a couple myself.  Each of these nicknames has a story behind it.  From odd behavior to embarrassing moments, each nickname conjures smiles upon the faces of those who know and curiosity in the minds of those who don’t.  So, it shouldn’t surprise you that I occasionally bestow nicknames on friends and coworkers. Continue reading →

All are one in Christ Jesus

~ brandon ~ 1 Comment

So, I had to take the family to the doctor yesterday.  Being as I am the only healthy adult, I bundled three sick kids and one sick wife into the family car and headed off into the frozen morning.  When we arrived at the doctor’s office, my wife signed the kids in while I ushered them to the waiting room.  Sitting down, I said, ‘Hello,’ to a gentleman sitting next to me, and began the wait for to see the doc. Continue reading →