That's it man, game over man, game over! What are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do?

In the comments section of another post, I was asked the following:

"What do you do when there are no solid churches in your area?"*

I thought it was a good enough question to not only answer, but answer in some detail as I'd be shocked if this problem was isolated.

The way I see it there are 2 options I'd suggest and a 3rd that's possible, with caveats.

1. Move. People move all the time for better schools, better jobs, etc. Why not move for a "better" (i.e., solid) church? Even in this economy, it can be easier to find a good job than a good church.

2. Plant. Consider yourself a missionary in a dark land and set about God's task of putting a church there. Labor to that end and meet with likeminded believers as able as a church that meets in a home, which is not the same thing as a church that's one family. Over time and after prayerful diligence, I'd be surprised if God didn't raise up converts and other believers. There may come a time when necessity dictates a qualified and called elder/pastor from outside the congregation to be a part of it, but there's no rule that says that can't come from within.

3. Minimize. Find the "best" option among non-solid churches and try to minimize the theological damage done to your family, all the while hoping and praying for reform in the church, knowing it's VERY unrealistic while not in any position of influence. But, God is omnipotent and may have mercy on that congregation. (The great caveat I have here is the nature of the family. Spiritually mature believers are one thing, it's much more difficult and dangerous to pursue this option with children.) If the church is too far gone or gets that way, see options 1 & 2 above.

*Full comment: "What do you do when there are no solid churches in your area? Stay home. What do you do when you have given every dime you had to a church, served until you dropped to only find out you're in a cult.
Stay home or keep looking.
You may have to develop a new category for this one. No, there are no perfect churches, but I will not be a part of a heretical, non-biblical church.
Color me with those characteristics if you like, but the church is not what it used to be. There are only seeker friendly and charasmatic churches in my area.
Good luck with explaining this category of church hoppers."

When you put your hand into a bunch of goo that a moment before was your best friend's face, you'll know what to do.

"Likewise, the church in our day is to be holy. The church is not a voluntary association to be governed as its members see fit, but a dwelling place of God. It ought to be structured according the orders of its commander, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our families and our homes are to reflect the spiritual purity, beauty, and orderliness that was temporarily pictured through the tabernacle and is now supremely set forth in Jesus Christ Himself."
~Vern Poythress, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses

But, Vern ... and I hope it's okay to call you "Vern" ... methinks a big problem in the churches in the US of A is that they are seen as and operate as "a voluntary association to be governed as its members see fit."

Consequently, their families don't "reflect the spiritual purity, beauty, and orderliness" they ought. It may or may not be a uniquely American problem, but "We the people" is great for ordering a nation, but for a church it must be "You, the Lord, Jesus."

Look, I go to church every Sunday. Every "other" Sunday.

After the 6th day of creation, God rested on the 7th day to marvel at the goodness of His creation (Gen 1:31; 2:1-3). He would later explicitly command His people to rest from their labor on the 7th day, that they might likewise marvel at the fruit of His labor.

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."
~Psalm 19:1

After Christ's work on the cross, His people would gather on the 1st day to reflect on Christ's work of redemption in making atonement for His people. Jesus appeased the wrath of God for His people who are new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) and we marvel at what Christ's has done on the cross and what the Spirit is doing in those new creatures. (cf. Phil 2:13; Gal 5:22-23)

"We gather together on the first rather than the seventh day of the week because redemption is even a greater work than creation and more worthy of commemoration and because the rest which followed creation is far outdone by the rest which ensues upon the completion of redemption. Like the Apostles, we meet on the first day of the week and hope that Jesus may stand in our midst and say, 'Peace be unto you.' Our Lord has lifted the Sabbath from the old and rusty hinges where on the law had placed it long before and set it on the new golden hinges which His love has fashioned. He has placed our rest day not at the end of a week of toil but at the beginning of the rest which remains for the people of God. Every first day of the week we should meditate on the rising of our Lord and seek to enter into the fellowship with Him in His risen life."
~Charles Spurgeon

Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?

It's rare I do so, but I joined with another congregation for worship not too long ago. I wasn't wearing my customary "church clothes."

In conversation with a presumably well-meaning lady, she said, "God doesn't care what you wear." She was speaking in the context of what one wears when assembling to worship the true & living God.

I give her the benefit of the doubt as to her intentions, but I differ. While you'd be hard pressed to argue the Bible requires a suit or a fancy dress or even long pants on men folk, to say He's apathetic regarding attire in the assembly to to overstate the matter.

Modesty inclines us to not dress in such a way that draws attention to ourselves, especially when attention should be focused on God and our adoration & appreciation of Him.

Conventional wisdom inclines us to afford God at least the same respect we'd afford others we deem important by dressing in such a way that doesn't communicate our apathy. Again, that may not mean your "Sunday best" as other generations have put it, but I think it necessitates being "presentable."

A boy's best friend is his mother.

An elderly woman walked through the doors of a church. The friendly usher greeted her and helped her up the flight of steps. He politely asked her, "Where would you like to sit?"

"The front row, please," she answered.

"You really don't want to do that," the usher said. "The pastor is really boring."

"Do you happen to know who I am?" the woman inquired.

"No," he said.

"I'm the pastor's mother," she replied indignantly.

He asked her, "Do you know who I am?"

"No," she said.

"Good," he answered, as he hurriedly left.

No smoke, no lights, just me and my guitar. Think anybody would buy that?

BONUS: Check out this video clip of those less persuaded of the truth expressed in the song I shared recently, especially "Real Preachers of Genius."

Carpe Diem. Seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.

With a few other Providence Church lads, I got to see/hear Tim Keller recently. He spoke to the "Character & Marks of Revival (or Spiritual Renewal)".

For your edification and spiritual renewal, I share some of my notes.

Definition: Revival - an intensification of the ordinary operations of the Holy Spirit in the life of our people; ordinary operations of the Holy Spirit greatly intensified in a church

What happens practically in revival?

1. Sleepy Christians wake up (repentance)
2. Nominal Christians get converted
3. Secular/skeptical people get attracted to the church (as the hypocrisy departs)

Means of inducing/promoting revival:
(Prepare for fire of God, but don't presume it. These things don't necessarily cause revival, but accompany it and it's manifestation is accompanied by the following.)

1. Extraordinary prayer (kingdom centered, corporate, prevailing, for city & selves, repenting, and seeking His anointing & renewal)
   
2. Recovery of the Gospel (cf. Phil 3:9)
3. Formal and informal spiritual leaders, changed/transformed by the Spirit of God and visibly so (e.g., Fruit of the Spirit)
4. Places where people can discuss and process their experiences, "experience meetings"
   
5. Creativity - getting the Gospel out to people in a new way (some unique factor, like George Whitefield preaching outdoors, but what works in one revival probably doesn't in another)
   

Keller contends that normally a church will prioritize and do well in one of the following areas, with other churches doing well in the neglected ones. But, in times of revival, a church will prioritize and highly function in each of these five areas.

Per Dr. Richard Lovelace, a church in the midst of revival will have the following:

• Theological Depth
  
• Vibrant Worship
• Intimate Community & Fellowship
  
• Aggressive, Assertive Evangelism
• Compassion Social Concern & Social Justice
  

When revival is not in a town, different churches/denominations might have one of the above "vitamins" (to the neglect of the others), "and we throw bricks at the other denominations because they don't have our vitamin." When revival comes, those churches tend to look more alike because they combine those things and more are present. (That church will probably now look different than others in that denomination in some ways.)

John Newton: "Thou art coming to a king, large petitions with thee bring, for His grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much."

"You're not asking for enough. I can tell you, you're not asking for enough. He is both rich and generous and you will show Him [you regard Him as such] by being bold in prayer."

No smoke, no lights, just me and my guitar. Think anybody would buy that?

For your edification and sola Scriptura solidification, the following are two verses from the hymn, "We Have an All-Sufficient Word."

6
Yes, help us preach Your Word alone,
For it alone is true;
We need not clowns or luring games
To draw men unto You!

7
We have an all-sufficient Word,
God-breathed in every part;
A piercing Power to penetrate
Depraved, cold human hearts.

(Words: Kenneth A. Puls; Music: William Croft)

BONUS: Check out this video action of those less persuaded of the truth expressed in the above song, especially "Real Preachers of Genius."

Nobody's looking for a puppeteer in today's wintry economic climate.

My most recent book acquisition is When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search: Biblical Principles and Practices to Guide Your Search, by Chris Brauns. (N.B. The title says "Word," not "World." Nuff said.)

Ideally, a church wouldn't need this book for many years, as the pastor puts down roots and commits, enjoying decades of service to Christ & His people. But, we keeps it real, so ... a book like this is more than necessary since longevity is rare.

In fact, if the search process is successful (i.e., a good fit is found), then the church will have little to no experience on which to lean for the next pastor, since the pastor stayed awhile. Conversely, the churches that might get proficient at the pastoral search due to frequency, may be suffering from not doing it well (i.e., a good fit is not found).

I intend to post a review of When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search upon completion, but to increase awareness of such a resource in the Church and to whet your appetite ...

10 Common Mistakes Churches Make Looking for a Pastor, each of which contains elaboration in the book:

1. Not choosing the right people for the pastoral search committee.
2. Prayerlessness.
3. Being people-centered rather than Word-centered.
4. Lack of follow-through and due-diligence by the pastoral search committee.
5. Impatience that leads to the wrong decision.
6. Failure to properly administrate the pastoral search.
7. Inadequate communication.
8. Failure to adequately budget for the pastoral search.
9. Allowing the experience with the previous pastor to direct the calling of the next pastor.
10. Spending too much time trying to call pastors who are not "reasonably gettable."

• Learn more about When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search, including where to purchase.
• Read endorsements.
• Buy Brauns' Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds.

There is no racial bigotry here.

My Reformation Day sermon was on Revelation 7:9-12 and dealt with the ultimate goal of Reforming/Reformation.

Along those lines, I thought it might be helpful to share Providence Church's official statement on church desegregation:

A Vision for Racial Harmony & Integration* (pdf)

• Scripture teaches that the church is comprised of those the Lamb ransomed with His blood, a group consisting of every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9)
• Within the body of Christ God has indeed redeemed His church from among each and every socio-economic status, language, people group, race, and ethnicity.
• Those who are born again to believe in Christ are redeemed and are all equally children of God and equal in Christ, for they are all heirs. (John 1:12-13; Galatians 3:26-29)

ETHNIC DIVERSITY: A CHURCH VALUE
Since God is concerned about building a church comprised of all people groups …

• those in His churches should also be concerned about all people groups.
• local churches should be a microcosm of the church universal in reflecting God’s concern for all people groups.
• local churches should strive for heterogeneity, at least to the extent of the community’s demographics.

A DEFINITION OF CONGREGATIONAL RACIAL HARMONY
The harmonious intermingling of all types of peoples in a community of redeemed, baptized Christians who live to follow Christ by loving God and other people, thereby impacting lives to the glory of God. However, such a church does not comprise doctrinal fidelity, God’s standards of holiness for the believer, or its commitment to the great commission of making disciples of all nations nor does it presume to be able to love God or His people apart from divine assistance.

A CHURCH RESOLUTION FOR RACIAL HARMONY

“Contrary to the history of the American church and contrary to the contemporary mindset of many churches in our land, we will follow God’s leading in demonstrating love across racial boundaries by striving for a congregation that better reflects the demographic make up of our community as a testimony to God’s love for all people and as a testimony to the world of the transforming power of God’s love to unite across racial boundaries so that, ultimately, God will be glorified.”

• “Contrary to the history of the American church ….”
We repent of past wrongs committed in the name of Christianity in our country whereby some people groups were mistreated because of the color of their skin. We repent of anything in the history of our church and/or denomination that might have contributed in any way to such sin. We lament the fact that the non-Christian world has been more concerned about racial reconciliation than the church and that the church has been dragging its feet rather than leading the way in showing the non-Christian world the transforming power of God’s grace to bring together people of all races. We will keep our eyes open to social injustices in our land and declare them sin, being counter-cultural in our Christian witness when necessary.


• “and contrary to the contemporary mindset of many churches in our land ….”
Far too many churches are not concerned about racial reconciliation or even concerned about those people God has placed in their geographic proximity. This is seen in lack of outreach and/or fleeing the inner city areas to the suburbs. Other churches are particularly striving for homogeneity by actually targeting only certain types of people for their congregations.


• “we will follow God’s leading in demonstrating love across racial boundaries …”
God has demonstrated love throughout the pages of human history and in the pages of sacred Scripture, but most clearly in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ love transcended educational levels, classes, and ethnic backgrounds. As our example, our commitment should be to mirror that love that transcends culture and ethnicity.

• “by striving for a congregation that better reflects the demographic make up of our community …”
Just as the early church was comprised of both Jew and Gentile, so should our church reflect the different groups represented in our community. Just as there were challenges in the days of the early church, so should we anticipate difficulties, but only those that can be overcome through our bond in Christ which transcends other identifying factors (e.g., ethnicity, gender, educational level, and income).

• “as a testimony to God’s love for all people …”
Ironically, Christianity is at times viewed as a “white man’s religion.” Although God is concerned about and loves all types of people, His love is more easily seen when congregations in Christ’s church are visibly constructed of different types of people.

• “and as a testimony to the world of the transforming power of God’s love to unite across racial boundaries …”
Sadly, the watching world sees the church as apathetic, at best, and hostile, at worst, regarding racial harmony. Government, educational systems, sports, and employment agencies have led the way in equity among the races, demonstrating a greater concern for all races. To our shame, churches are among the last bastions of segregation. But only God’s love has the real power for lasting transformation across racial boundaries and His people need to show that to the world.

• “so that, ultimately, God will be glorified …”
As a church and people of God, we strive not for our glory, but for God’s alone. As we embrace the notion of Soli Deo Gloria, we realize that this goal will be furthered when the world and God’s people see God’s transforming grace glorified in the harmonious congregations of those redeemed from every ethnic group, worshiping and growing together in community.

PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARD REALIZATION OF OUR VISION

Organizationally:

1. Embrace such a vision officially.
2. Examine with vigor the church and its practices to determine if there is anything that is, intentionally or unintentionally, unappealing and/or repelling to those of other ethnicities.
3. Strive to show Christ’s love to our community by concerted outreach strategies to see people come to Christ and come to join our congregation.
4. Strive to help those underprivileged financially who may also be different that us ethnically.
5. Remind the congregation of our value on racially representing our community.
6. Pray for God to show us where we have been wrong in this area so we may repent and change where necessary, by His grace.
7. Pray for God to build His church in a diverse fashion.
8. Pray for God’s grace to assist us in loving those that we do not find as easy to love.

Individually:

1. Become a student of other cultures, particularly those in geographical proximity, to assist in developing a real love for people of other cultures.
2. Recognize that the tendency of human nature is to gravitate to people like us (e.g., age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, etc.) and contend to develop relationships with those unlike you, especially racially.
3. Pray for an ethnically diverse congregation that glorifies God’s transforming grace and educates the world as to the only true and lasting basis of racial reconciliation.
4. Ask God to show you any sinful behaviors or prejudices that you might repent of them, also asking for the grace to change.
5. Ask God to show you just how pervasive racism is in our culture so that you might fight against it.
6. Ask Christians of other ethnicities, especially in our congregation, how you might be more sensitive in your efforts to love them.
7. Love your neighbor as yourself.

*Inspired by a similar statement of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota and adopted by the congregation of Providence Church on recommendation of the elders on April 29, 2007.

• Click to listen to, The Goal of Reforming, a sermon based on Revelation 7:9-12.

• Read also the Southern Baptist Convention's Resolution on Racial Reconciliation on the 150th anniversary of its formation. (HT Oilcan)

You make me want to be a better man.

Happy Reformation Day!

Critical of church corruption, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, sparking the world changing phenomenon known as the Protestant Reformation.

My heart today is expressed in a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer (1662):

"And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom: Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen."

Thanks be to God for the Reformers, because of whom we are able to have and read the Scriptures in our own languages. May we appreciate and emulate their courage and passion for proclaiming the God of the Scriptures.

My office ... is right across that hall. Any monkey business is ill-advised.

Below you will find the prayer John Piper asked his congregation to pray for itself (Bethlehem Baptist Church) while he's away on sabbatical. While he's away, he wants them involved in ministry, not monkey business.

I found it an encouraging way to pray for Providence Church and thought you find it a beneficial way to pray for your own church.

O Lord, as you are often accustomed to do, show your great power in Pastor John’s absence. Send a remarkable awakening that results in…

• hundreds of people coming to Christ,
• old animosities being removed,
• marriages being reconciled and renewed,
• wayward children coming home,
• long-standing slavery to sin being conquered,
• spiritual dullness being replaced by vibrant joy,
• weak faith being replaced by bold witness,
• disinterest in prayer being replaced by fervent intercession,
• boring Bible reading being replaced by passion for the Word,
• disinterest in global missions being replaced by energy for Christ’s name among the nations, and
• lukewarm worship being replaced by zeal for the greatness of God’s glory.

Lord, when Gideon had thousands of men you said, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me’” (Judges 7:2). You stripped his army to 300, and with that you conquered the peoples of the East who covered the ground like locusts and whose camels were like the sand of sea (Judges 7:12).

O Lord, take the mighty 300 of Bethlehem and bless this church beyond anything we have ever dreamed. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

You call this a happy family?! Why do we have to have all these kids?!

Different churches have different thoughts on children in the worship service. For some, the kids up through and including high school are never in the main worship service. For others, at birth the kids are there from opening to closing prayer. You will likely also be able to find everything in between.

[Personally, I think whatever a church's approach is, it better not be motivated by any idea of children being "unwelcome" or inconvenient distractions. Even though they are not always easy, children are a blessing, the more the merrier. But, of course, they will, at times act like children. We train them, but we shouldn't be surprised when they don't act like adults.]

Regardless of what your thoughts* are on when it will be, at some point the kids will need to be assimilated into "big church." I found the following, which I think has some helpful tips on having your children with you in church (adapted from Ruth Hale's booklet, "Calm Or Chaos").

I'd welcome your suggestions as well.

1. 0-2 yrs sit near back. 2+ yrs sit near the front of the auditorium, next to aisle.

2. Expect your child to sit quietly.

3. Do not pass children from pew to pew during worship service.

4. Be certain that your child uses the washroom and gets a drink before worship begins.

5. Talk to the child about being quiet before services begin.

6. Use sign language. A parent’s correction is often more disturbing than the child’s behavior.

7. Attend every service, gospel meetings, ladies classes & use as opportunities to train your child.

8. It may be helpful to give a child a soft toy (i.e. cloth rubber or plastic toy) to occupy him.

9. Learn to overlook small annoyances.

10. Make trips out unpleasant enough that they will be few and far between.

11. Do not leave your child in the care of other children.

12. Avoid allowing the child to become excited immediately before worship.

13. Be an example. Don’t "visit" with those sitting near you during worship.

14. Do not allow your child to play on the floor of the auditorium.

15. Criticism will come whether or not you discipline your child. Do what has to be done.

16. Don’t make excuses for your child or yourself.

*At Providence Church, we offer the option of a more kid-friendly version of the sermon for kids 3-2nd grade, but the kids only miss the sermon. In other words they were there until the sermon and they come back when the sermon is finished. However, children's church is optional, not mandatory.

Ah, I'm going to have to go ahead and ask you to come in on Sunday, too.

Previously, I addressed professing Christians who see church as optional. I offer the following for those who see church as unnecessary. (HT Mary Morrison)

A member of a church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone, then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit, and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

cf. "We Are God's People"
We are a temple, the Spirit's dwelling place,
formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God's grace.
We die alone, for on its own each ember loses fire;
yet joined in one the flame burns on to give warmth and light and to inspire.
(sung at Providence Church Sunday morning)

Don't sell yourself short, judge. You're a trememdous slouch.

You may have heard about the nominee for Supreme Court, Elena Kagan, a Jewish woman. That would give you a bench 33% female. Personally, I like the idea of having a bench that somewhat reflects the diverse demographics of the nation, assuming the judges are qualified.

What you may not know, however, is that John Paul Stevens was the lone Protestant on the bench. If Kagan is confirmed, you will have the following bench:

• Samuel Alito - Roman Catholic
• Anthony Kennedy - Roman Catholic
• John Roberts - Roman Catholic
• Antonin Scalia - Roman Catholic
• Sonia Sotomayor - Roman Catholic
• Clarence Thomas - Roman Catholic
• Stephen Breyer - Jewish
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Jewish
• Elena Kagan - Jewish

Two things come to mind:

FIRST ... I don't know how many Americans who profess faith in Christ would call themselves Protestant, or non-Roman Catholic,* but I'm willing to bet it's greater than 0% of the population. In other words, if you're looking for diversity, a very significant percentage of the American people have no representation on the Court.

SECOND ... And this is really more of a Roman Catholic question with regard to the abortion issue ... If, and I know it is, the Roman Catholic Church is unequivocally pro-life (i.e., anti-abortion), even to the point of threatening ex-communication and/or denial of the Eucharist to politicians who vote pro-choice, why aren't pro-choice advocates concerned about a 2/3 majority on the Court whose religion's litmus test is unabashedly pro-life?

Similarly, is there, will there be, or should there be, from a papal standpoint, significant repercussions for a Roman Catholic Court that did/does not exercise its God-ordained power to overturn Roe vs. Wade, 1973?

*I know for simplicity's sake many see professing believers in Jesus in a dichotomy of Roman Catholic or Protestant, but there is also the reality that many prefer to not trace their roots to/through Protestantism and there are those outside the realm of Christian orthodoxy (e.g., Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses) for whom the term certainly would not apply.

What I've learned from you is that really one of the most important things in life is showing up. I'm blown away by your ability to show up ...

One of the Christianese words that I really don't like is the verb "to minister." I think it's become so cliche' and a word used instead of "serve" because it seems more holy. You know, "I really ministered to her today" or "Come be ministered unto by brother Some Such."

That being said, I realize it's likely here to stay. But, I wonder what constitutes a "ministry" in church. There seems to be the teaching ministry and the music ministry and nursery ministry and youth ministry and children's ministry and deacon ministry, etc.

I'd like to contend for another ministry, the ministry of showing up.

A temptation common to those involved in those various other ministries is to become bitter (or even envious) of those who "just" show up. In my church years, I've even heard sentiment that the church would be better off without those who just show up, as though they're dead weight.

Not only do I disagree, but I appreciate those with the ministry of showing up ... and if you're involved in one of those other ministries, you probably do also.

You know what a whippin' it is to prepare a sermon or a Sunday school lesson and "nobody" shows up. You know how frustrating it can be to prepare a church special event and have a poor turn out, because you weren't ministered to by the show uppers.

Don't get me wrong, the goal is to move those with the ministry of showing up to add other ministries to their church plates, but the church needs people to serve and they serve ... excuse me ... they minister to us when they do indeed show up.

To those of you who think whether or not you show up at church is irrelevant, I heartily disagree. You are needed, even if you have no ministry outside of showing up. In short, we are counting on you to minister to us by your presence, which is an encouragement to those ministers who are ministering in those other ministry areas.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
~ Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV

You can take away our phones and you can take away our keys, but you can NOT take away our dreams!

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a day off for many.

It seems to me that it's one of the few "day off" American holidays that receives no recognition from the church. Should the church recognize it?

I would suggest that more than a man, the American holiday recognizes the efforts and dream of one man, a dream that should be shared by all, a dream the church should labor to help make a reality.

What should be the role of the church with regard to issues related to ethnic diversity and harmony?

Should the seminaries do more in this regard?

Personally, I hate that the more "liberal" theologically have smoked us more conservative types in promoting the truth that our membership in the body of Christ transcends all other ties.

Because of that truth, our familial relationship should enable us to worship together and love each other, regardless of ethnicity.

Why is that not the case?

I happen to think that the church growth movements and other "helpful" organizations can be a hindrance here.

That is, the encouragement of homogeneity in church, targeting a particular type of people, or training people (perhaps even ignorantly so) to pastor a "white church" or a "black church" or an "ethic church" (whatever that might mean).

As we celebrate as a nation, I wonder why do don't do much (if anything) to celebrate and/or commemorate as a church.

I'm not so much suggesting we celebrate a particular man, but celebrating and contributing toward the dream of desegregation, particularly church desegregation, are under-emphasized ways to glorify God via unity in Christ.

I'd like to see churches get to work on this Not tomorrow, not after breakfast ... NOW!

You hate people! But I love gatherings. Isn't it ironic?

I had previously talked about the biblical reality of the vital need for the local church gathering by noting the essence of the Greek word for "church."

It's only fair to share the biblical admonition in that regard.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
-Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Not only is the local church (and gathering with/as it) necessary for sanctification, there's a foreboding warning given regarding those who sin by neglecting such meeting together. Note the words immediately following:

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
-Hebrews 10:26-27 (ESV)

In other words, those who neglect the gathering of the body are not stirring one another on toward godliness, nor are they being stirred themselves. They are not encouraging one another, nor are they being encouraged.

But also, they show themselves to be not part of Christ's body, His "assembly" (i.e., church) by the sin of absence, with only a fearful expectation of condemnation for God's enemies.

If that doesn't shiver your timbers, nothing will.

You ... you complete me.

"We don't go to church; we are the church."

You've heard this before, as have I, many times. I understand the point being attempted, but I have seen such a sentiment espoused by those with a very low view of the church (i.e., the local church).

It's worth noting that the Greek word for "church" (ekklesia) means assembly.

Most know the New Testament was written in Greek, but many don't know that the "Old Testament" used in the days of Jesus was the Septuagint, or LXX, a Greek translation of the Hebrew.

In the Septuagint, which the New Testament quotes, every time you see "assembly" in English in the Old Testament the word was ekklesia in the Greek Septuagint.

Sure, the church is the ekklesia, the "called out ones," but they are called out to be called together. The church is community, not a bunch of individuals armed with their Bibles needing nothing or nobody else.

“If the church is central to God’s purpose as seen in both history and the gospel, it must surely also be central to our lives. How can we take lightly what God takes so seriously? How dare we push to the circumference what God has placed at the center?”
- John Stott

Sadly, I know far too many who consider themselves spiritually mature, yet they have little to no commitment to the gathering of God's people for worship, edification, and encouragement.

It's ironic because they not only are failing in a very fundamental aspect of what it means to be a Christian, but they are also short-circuiting their own spiritual growth by not churching, which would give them a place to serve, worship, learn, encourage, and be encouraged.

In short, they are not being the church and they are thwarting their own sanctification and, therefore, the glory God would get from them if their lives better reflected His character.

Hillary was wrong. It doesn't take a village. It takes a church.

Be the church, of course, but you can't be the church without being with the church.

The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works.

What to think of multi-site church campuses?

Doubtless, you're familiar with a trend in church growth. Instead of planting new churches, many churches are instead opening up another "campus," where those who assemble typically watch the preaching done at the main campus via live feed or rebroadcast.

What should we think of the practice?

There are obviously reasons to do it that way. For example, you can keep control over the doctrine and practice over the new group. You have name recognition, of the church and/or preacher, that will draw a crowd.

But, aren't there drawbacks as well?

Why not take the 6 greatest preachers in a denomination and offer to broadcast them into each church, instead of having some 2nd rate pastor labor through sermon construction amid his other duties?

Seriously, can you imagine how much time would be available if a pastor didn't have to preach that Sunday morning sermon?

What is lost in that approach? You could say you lose the ability for the pastor to really shepherd those people. But I've long since held that's going to be the case in a mega church anyway, where the pastors/elders are not really able to effectively shepherd the masses of people whose names they don't even know.

Of course, in the typical mega church the folks are already watching the preacher on a screen, so does it matter if it's live or if he's really in the building?

Anyone have firsthand experience in the multisite church? Your thoughts? What were the pros? the cons?

Personally, I'm not a fan of the multisite church idea, but the more I think about it, the more I come to realize it's really the mega church approach that I don't like, not just the multisite approach.

Here's a Christianity Today LINK to various responses to the following question:
"Should Multisite Campuses Be Church Plants Instead?"