Revitalizing a Church

Just read a great article at the Gospel Coalition's website on pastoring a church that is not onboard with your vision at the outset. He gives 6 practical tips that shows tremendous balance and loving leadership.

1. Love them more than you hate where they are at.
2. Think like a missionary.
3. Small changes + time= progress.
4. Ground them in the bible.
5. Wait for a providential tipping point.
6. Make tough with a personal touch.

If you want to read more on how he expounds each tip, I highly recommend this article, entitled, Be Wise When You Revitalize by Mark Vroegop.

"Is Christianity All About Becoming Rich?" Theological Misconceptions: Part 6

This theological misconception is often called the "Prosperity Gospel." This is where many nominal Christians or those who would reject Christianity get many of their stereotypes of Money-Hungry preachers that they see on TV dressed in their designer suits and driving Rolls Royce's. This teaching is NOT true Biblical Christianity. It is in fact a bastardization of the gospel to fit the needs of men and women who greedy after filthy lucre. Jesus and the rest of Scripture speak to the ills of wealth and greed and the dangers and pitfalls that it can bring.

At this point I could go into a deep theological study of this false gospel, but I would like to give you the words of Paul to Christians in Galatia and then please take the time to listen to one of the best repudiations of prosperity gospel, by Pastor John Piper. Galatians 1:6- , "I am astonished that you are deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-Not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one you have received, let him be accursed."


 

"Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged." Theological Misconceptions: Part 5

The words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1 are probably one of, if not, the most misused words in all of the bible. Jesus says, "Judge not, that you be not judged." The immediate assumption by those who hear and/or use this quote is that no one is allowed to judge or decide whether the actions of others are wrong, sinful or immoral. Often followed or in place of the judge not statement with, "Only God can judge me." 

This is a completely wrong and erroneous understanding of the passage. The key to understanding any writing, including biblical writings, is context. Jesus is not saying no one can say to someone their actions are wrong. The context Matthew 7:1-5. "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

The major premise here is hypocrisy, not discerning right or wrong actions. Jesus is saying when you judge a persons actions, make sure your life is free from accusation in that area. The problem becomes when a person judges another for a minor point, or a speck of wood in their eye, and they in reality have the larger problem, or the log in their eye. At this point you would think still, maybe no one should judge because everyone struggles with hypocrisy. Yet, Jesus commands us to first make sure our life is right before God. And if it is, then we will see clearly to judge or discern the actions of another. This is spoken of also by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14-15, "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one."