Creating Caged Christians

Mark Batterson has posted an excerpt from his new book Wild Goose Chase, at his blog. He poses an interesting question, 'Are churches in today's society creating caged Christians?' The following is the excerpt in which he describes his thoughts on this issue:

I wonder if churches do to people what zoos do the animals. We try to tame them in the name of Christ. We remove the risk. We remove the danger. We remove the struggle. And what we end up with is a caged Christian.

Jesus didn't die on the cross to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous. I would like to think that when I pronounce the benediction at th end of our church services, I am sending dangerous people back into their natural habitat to wreak havoc on the Enemy.

His observation really resonates with me, because I have experienced this first hand. It seems as though many churches want to create an environment that is safe for Christians. I do not believe this is Biblical at all. I believe that the church needs to create an environment that is safe for those who are not following Christ, but not for Christians. Jesus said that He did not come to save the healthy but the sick. I feel as though this should be the approach that we take in our weekly worship services at our churches.

Many churches are doing their members a terrible disservice by teaching that the life of following Christ is safe and comfortable. In my experience it is the total opposite. What we have in our churches are Christians who look at our God as a big teddy bear in the sky, who is willing and able to meet our every demand. What happens when people start thinking this way is they no longer approach a Holy God with fear and reverence. However, they begin to approach him with their laundry lists of things they want Him to accomplish, and if He doesn't they are discouraged and confused.

This is a terrible place to find yourself. When I look at Jesus' life, it doesn't appear as though he lived a very safe and comfortable life. It appears to be the total opposite. So it would be worth our while when someone receives Jesus as their Savior, that we teach them the 'costs' involved with following Jesus. Many of my experiences in church are the opposite. The pastor guilts people to come forward and pray a prayer and then we leave them hanging. When we are talking with someone about their need for Jesus, we also need to explain to them what it means and what it costs to follow Christ.

What do you think? Do you find that you are living a comfortable and safe life as a Christian? Pastors, are you trying to create an environment that is safe and comfortable for your members, or for those who are not currently following Christ?

Consider Your Calling

As I was preparing for our mid week service, I was reading through 1 Corinthians 1 and came across some interesting and challenging verses. The following verses really popped out and caused me to pause and consider not only my calling into ministry but also as a follower of Christ.

"For consider you calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord"."
-1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV)

Know Jesus

Great Spurgeon quote:

"Know Jesus. Sit at His feet. Consider His nature, His works, His sufferings, His glory. Rejoice in His presence; commune with Him day to day. To know Christ, is to understand the most excellent of all sciences. You cannot fail to be wise if you commune with Incarnate wisdom; you cannot lack strength if you have constant fellowship with God."

Refocus Your Vision

I read recently an interesting article in the September/October Issue of Rev! Magazine on why 1500 pastors leave the church every month. One of the suggestions it provided to those pastors who are feeling discouraged was to 'refocus your vision'. The following is the excerpt from the article:

"Focus is a process of holding on and letting go. When facing adversity without focus, we tend to let go of what we need to hold on to and hold on to what we need to let go of. We're prone to hang on to and obsess about someone's negative statement or a picture of failure and shame, while letting go of the vision of our ultimate healing destiny. When you've gone through a leadership experience that's fueled a crisis of doubt, it's crucial that you root yourself in the undisturbed stillness and poise that comes when you focus on the power of God in your life. Know that you will always be divinely guided. Anchor yourself in Psalm 46:10: "Be still and know that I am God." Believe that you will always take the right turn in the road. Believe that God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Desired results are always the product of sustained expectations. When you're vulnerable to doubt, it's essential that you don't let other people define who you are. Envision the kind of pastor you believe God has called you to be, and let this be the focus of your dreams and prayers.
(-written by Ralph Earle and Ken Wells.)

As a pastor, I am often prompted by the Spirit to return to Psalm 46, and just be still and know that God is God, and that He is still in control of everything. As a leader, it is easy to get discouraged by comments that people make or the lack of impact that it seems you are making, but I must remember that these distractions need not take my focus off the vision God has placed in my heart, soul, and mind. However, it is always helpful to take those comments and look for the merit in them and decide if there is something that needs to change in my approach that I am taking. This article and passage of scripture really encouraged me this past week, and I hope you find encouragement in it as well.

What are your thoughts on this one? Anyone else struggling with taking your focus off what is important, and focusing on those things in which you can't control? What are some ways that you deal with these struggles?

Back In The Blogging Saddle

Wow...I can't believe that it has been almost 5 months since I last blogged. However, my life has been tremendously busy, but I am enjoying the ride. Since my last post, I have been serving as pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church now for about 6 months, a director of a non-profit for about 5 months, and am now officially a senior in college (It has only taken me 9 years to get there. :) )

I am looking forward to begin blogging again. I hope that I can keep it up, because I have a lot of things to throw out there for discussion. My wife and I are currently getting ready for our first vacation/honeymoon of our marriage (it has only taken us a little over 5 years), and we are totally excited. We are heading off Friday to go to Walt Disney World (or as my wife says 'the mouse house'). She is so cute!!!

Well that is all I got for now, but look forward to some interesting topics to come. Also, be on the lookout for some pictures of our vacation.

CONTACT (New Job)

I interviewed last week for a job as director of a non-profit organization in my city. I have always been skeptical of non-profits, but this one is really one that I can believe in. The name of it is Contact, and it is associated with the national organization Contact USA.

Contact is a volunteer based 24/7 helpline for people to be able to call in and let their voices be heard. The majority of callers will be those who are suffering from depression, suicidal, or just loneliness. It is really an awesome organization, but the word needs to get out there about it. To few people know about it.

Anyways, the day after my interview I was called and informed that I got the position. So now I am the youngest guy in the room at both of my new jobs, but considered the leader. So I am very excited about the future, and yet nervous because I feel somewhat inadequate in both realms.

It's Official, I Am Now A Rev.

Yesterday marked a new journey in my life. As most of you know, three weeks ago I was officially asked to be the pastor at a church in my area. I accepted their invite, and have been serving there since. However, according to my denomination I could not play certain roles in the church, because I had not yet been ordained.

I have never understood ordination, because the only thing that takes place in one that is biblical in nature, is the laying on of hands. However, once I experienced it for myself yesterday, I totally respect the nature in which it is done, and have a better understanding of the reasons behind it.

I really enjoyed the experience, because represented at the ordination, were many men whom have spoken into my life and who I have the upmost respect for. I had the chance to pick the music, and normally they play old church hymns and such, but I asked a good friend of mine to sing a song called 'God of Justice'. The reason for that song choice, is it speaks volumes to what I picture ministry and the church being about. So if you haven't heard it go over to ITunes and check it out.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.