Pure Church

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Great Unfinished Book Week

So, it's time to create another holiday, or week long celebration. If the Hallmark folks can do it, why can't bloggers?

This week is "Great Unfinished Books" week at PureChurch. It's a week of short book reviews and plugs... great books that I've worked through at some length, but not finished. The fact that I've not finished reading them is no reflection on the author or the book... just my tendency to read a few books at once with not enough reading hours in the day. So, these are great books that deserve a plug and shouldn't have to wait for that mention until I've finished my reading list.

Also, I want to give some attention to books that have perhaps received some early press that are worthy of some continuing coverage. If you're like me as a book buyer/reader, you probably have a mental list of books that you've noted for purchase and read but sometimes some good ones fall off the radar.

First up, I want to commend to you Dave Harvey's book, When Sinners Say 'I Do': Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage.

Now, first a confession. I'm not a regular reader of relationship books. Honestly, most of them are a bit too syrupy for my liking. And I think this is the case for a lot of men (not to be too stereotypical).

So, it's with great delight that I picked up and began reading When Sinners Say "I Do." Harvey's writing is engaging, insightful and flat out funny. The book reads like a really good sermon, one with biblical insight and constant engagement with the audience. As an author, Harvey comes off as "one of the guys," not as a "relationship expert" with sure-fire, copyrighted strategies. It's refreshing.

But the books best feature is its focus on the gospel and gospel application to marriage. Many relationship books linger on roles, communication, and the like--all good stuff. But generally, those books assume an audience of marriage novices, people on the front end of marriage or even pre-marriage. So, they take on primer like qualities. Harvey's book assumes people may have some years under their belts, may have some scars or disillusion, and are in need of a fresh appropriation of the Good News. In other words, it's a book that battle-tested veterans can read and say, "Yeah... it's like that. Oh, that's helpful."

In When Sinners Say "I Do," the gospel meets the real life of marriage. Chapter 1 makes the case for why sound theology matters in marriage and why theology is inescapable in marriage. In Harvey's words, "marriage is street-level theology." Chapter 2, "Waking Up with the Worst of Sinners," is a good look at how our sin nature affects our relationships. Chapter 3 continues the look at sin and the battle we must fight against it (love the Civil War foil). Chapter 4 begins to apply some of the good theological basis Harvey lays in the first three chapters. Four points:

1. In humility, suspect yourself first.
2. In integrity, inspect yourself.

3. Admit that circumstances only reveal existing sin.

4. Focus on underserved grace, not unmet need.

I do my share of marriage counseling. Reflecting on my own marriage and those I have the privilege of helping, these are sound guidelines for working through conflict and living a joyful marriage.

Chapter 5, "Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment: How to Sweeten the Days and Years," asks this excellent question. "Have you ever thought that passing along God's mercy might be one of the main reasons why you're married?" Harvey writes, "deep, profound differences are the reality of every marriage. It's not the presence of differences but the absence of mercy that makes them irreconcilable." Yep. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book.

And I'm not just saying that because this is as far as I've gotten :-). The fact is, this is as far as I've gotten because I've read and re-read this chapter on mercy. I'm going to include it in the readings I use in marital and pre-marital counseling.

If you only read half the book, you will have doubled your money on this one. I intend to finish this great unfinished book.

What other people say:

Tim Challies (review)

Faithful Reader (review)

"Nourishment for Ladies" (brief review)

Armchair Interviews (review)

Interviews with Dave Harvey (HT: PastorBookshelf)

Challies at Discerning Reader (interview)

Westminster Bookstore (interview)

Monday, November 19, 2007

The Gospel and Hanging in Jamaica

I'm learning a lot about life and ministry in diverse cultural and political contexts. I was never very astute when it came to American jurisprudence. But now I'm having to learn something about an entirely different world.

Two things are increasingly apparent:

1. Assumptions about the world and how it should operate can be widely divergent (no surprise there, but it's helpful to keep this recognition on the radar); and,
2. There are tremendous gospel opportunities to be explored in these divergent views.

For example, my wife passed along the following short piece regarding sentencing in Jamaica.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) – Jamaican lawmakers are considering resuming hangings in response to rising violent crime, almost two decades since the last person was executed by the noose in this Caribbean nation.
Jamaicans have pushed for the measure, Karl Samuda, general secretary of Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s ruling party, said Saturday.
"Based on our observation, there is a strong sentiment in the country for hanging to resume,’’ Samuda said. ’’We want to make sure the people get their wish.’’
The last hanging occurred in 1988, and five years later, Britain’s Privy Council – the highest court of appeal for many former colonies – ruled that inmates who spend more than five years on death row should receive life sentences.
The ruling, coupled with international pressure to eliminate the death penalty, has led to a reluctance among Jamaican authorities to order hangings. No other type of capital punishment has since been used.
About 45 inmates are on death row in Jamaica, which reported a record 1,671 homicides in 2005 and is considered one of the most violent countries in the world.

At first blush, hanging seems abhorrent and barbaric. Wikipedia lists 18 countries currently practicing or with a history of legalized hanging. What truly

"developed" and "enlightened" nation would consider such a thing? And given the U.S.'s history of lynching, I'm particularly loathe to see talk of it in any country.

But on second thought, did not God hang His own Son at the hands of wicked men? Jesus hung on the tree and died an agonizing death.

Hanging is barbaric. So was the crucifixion. But the gruesome nature of criminal hangings and the Son of God's crucifixion points to the more gruesome ugliness of our sin. Jesus suffered in every way known to man--including the torture of hanging--to identify with us in our suffering and to become for us a perfect High Priest.

I have a lot to learn about life outside the U.S. But the gospel keeps speaking despite my ignorance.

Random Bits About Some Churches and the Law

Scanning news in the church world, a few bizarre and interesting news stories surfaced. Here's a sample.

Can a local church be a "marital asset"? Here's another reason for a church to choose its pastor wisely and for a husband to choose his wife wisely:

In a case that may be the first of its kind, the wife of a pastor from Baldwin is hoping to win assets from her husband’s church in their divorce proceedings, saying he uses the church as his “personal piggy bank” and that any money he makes from it is partly hers.

In a decision published this week, state Supreme Court Justice Arthur Diamond agreed to hear arguments at trial in Mineola about whether Grace Christian Church in Brooklyn should be considered a marital asset, and ordered that it be appraised. It is one of the first times in New York State history — if not the first — that someone going through a divorce has tried to call a religious institution a marital asset, lawyers in the case said.

The entire article here (short read).

Okay... here's something I can't figure out. Why do prosperity preachers have money problems? AJC reports that one popular "evangelist" is having trouble paying the taxes on her $4.5 million dollar compound.

Careful with those powerpoint slides and the music you use. There may be copyright issues at play.

Dr. Fred Price sues ABC for bad reporting. Seems ABC got a fact wrong this time (by no means the first time). But shouldn't there be a mulligan if you got an individual fact incorrect, but what you say is true?

Texas Supreme Court Vindicates Pastor Who Practiced Church Discipline

A Texas pastor who was sued after exercising church discipline has been handed a victory by that state's supreme court. The lawsuit was brought by a church member who refused to repent following a divorce and remarriage.

Does separation of church and state apply to civil charges of embezzlement in local churches?

A Franklin County judge who thought he was delving too deeply into religious matters dismissed a lawsuit accusing a local pastor of taking nearly $1 million from his congregation, which hoped to get the money back in a judgment. (Read entire story here)

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Around the Blog in 80 Seconds

Beware of immunizing people against Christ and the gospel. (HT: MAD Prayer)

In our attempts to win over our world we must not sell Jesus short. We should continually pray that God would give us the strength to represent him honestly and truthfully, and that his Spirit would use our words to breathe life into our hearers. We should always expect people to reject Jesus and his gospel.
However, it is vital that as we preach him to our world that they get to meet the true Jesus, not some sort of three-wish genie or religious icon. We must preach Christ and him crucified, the message that is foolishness to those who are perishing, but is the power of God to us who are being saved (cf. 1 Cor 1:18, 2:2).

What is the "Ideal Christian Woman"? Wendy Alsup has some thoughts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

One thing complementarian pastors face as they seek to instruct others in the biblical understanding of manhood and womanhood is the question of abuse. In our culture, where abuse is a real problem and where people breathe the air of feminist egalitarianism, complementarians need to demonstrate real and proactive concern for this real problem. To that end, CBMW has an expanded statement on abuse that might be helpful.

While you're at the CBMW website, you might check out the audio from their Different By Design Conferences. A lot of good stuff for the listening:

Conference Messages

Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Women's Ministry in the Local ChurchnSusan Hunt

Different by Design 2007
Session 1 Russell D. Moore
Session 2 J. Ligon Duncan, III

Different by Design 2005
Manhood and Womanhood in Creation and Marriage: A Biblical Defense Wayne Grudem
Session 2 C. J. Mahaney

Different by Design, Wheaton
Feminist Revisions of the Doctrine of God Bruce A. Ware
Disciplines of a Godly Woman Barbara Hughes
How and Why to Preach on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood R. Kent Hughes
The Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy: Including the TNIV Wayne Grudem
A Practical Look at Role Relationships in Marriage R. Kent Hughes

Different by Design, Florence
The Joy of Homemaking Jodi Ware
Raising Feminine Daughters Jodi Ware
Manhood and Womanhood in the 21st Century Paige Patterson

Different by Design, Orlando
Does Galatians 3:28 Negate Gender-Specific Roles? Peter R. Schemm, Jr.
The Myth of Mutual Submission Peter R. Schemm, Jr.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

The Puritans Were Wrong!

Finally, someone has said it! Well... they weren't wrong about everything. But a good dose of seeing our heroes soft underbellies is good for our own humility and growth.

And something can be learned from the "other guy," too.

DG Pastors' Conference

From the Desiring God blog:

Registration is now open for our 2008 pastors conference. The theme is "The Pastor as Father and Son." The speakers are John Piper, D. A. Carson, Crawford Loritts, and Greg Livingstone. In his invitation, John Piper explains why we're doing this topic and why he chose each of these speakers.

Because of the theme, we would really like pastors to come to the conference with their sons and their dads. So, besides making the full price as reasonable as possible, we are offering a special: With a full-price registration, a pastor may purchase admission for his father and sons for $50 each.

For those who have come to our past conferences, please note that this event will be at a new venue. It will be held at the Minneapolis convention center. Check out the travel info for details.

This is certain to be a great conference, as usual. For many men, it will be the most engaging and tender conference they'll ever attend. I love the idea of a father-son conference. My Lord removed my father from this life in 2000. As some readers will know, my father left my life when I was around age 14. We were not close, though I trust we loved one another.

The father-son theme got me to thinking... would it be cool for those of us who are without earthly fathers or sons to take along:
1. A father who perhaps has a son serving overseas in the military, or who has lost a son in combat; or,
2. A younger man, a "son" in the faith, who is estranged from their father or has lost their father in this life.

It wouldn't be precisely the same as being their father and son, but it could be a rich time sharing together nonetheless.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Reflections on the Miami Pastors' Conference 2007

I'm back in the saddle in Grand Cayman after a wonderfully refreshing three days at the Miami Pastors' Conference. Without doubt, this is one of the most anticipated meetings of the year for me. I long for the time together with brothers who love the Lord and are committed to the truth of the gospel and the glory of Christ Jesus.

One of the best things about the conference is the laughter. We laugh. We discuss serious things, and we discuss them with appropriate gravity and intensity. But there is great joy in the fellowship. There is joy at hearing the word and great appreciation for the various gifts the Lord has given to His servants. There is joy over the wonderful meals the saints at Glendale Baptist prepare for the attendees. And there is outright hilarity during late night deserts and dinners where conversations range from this or that theological issue to fun-loving ribbing of one another. I love to laugh and there perhaps isn't a conference on the planet where I laugh and rejoice more than the Miami Pastors' Conference.

And I learn by God's grace. The conference theme this year was the question: "What Is the Gospel?" A person might be tempted to think that such a question would be too elementary for a gathering of pastors. That thought speaks more about the lightness and familiarity with which we regard the gospel than it does about the knowledge of pastors. And it may overlook the tremendous attack that rages against the gospel in our day. This was a most timely theme in light of the so-called prosperity gospel, the so-called new perspective on Paul, and social gospels on the left and the right. The conference left me with both a clearing understanding of the gospel, a more urgent desire to defend it, and a fresh appropriation of the gospel for my own life and ministry. It would be too long a post to detail these things, so I'll encourage all interested to definitely get copies of the addresses.

But we were served extraordinarily well by Michael Leach, Michael Horton, Ken Jones, Anthony Carter, Redditt Andrews, Tom Ascol, Sherrard Burns and host pastor Rickey Armstrong. As I did last year, I'll just provide below a few quotes and thoughts that struck me:

Michael Horton in his talk, "What Is the Gospel?"

Often times you hear evangelicals asking the question "What's your testimony?" If you ask someone that question, they will tell you what happened to them. If you ask the Apostle Paul, he tells you what happened to Jesus. (Explaining that the Gospel is God's message, a testimony concerning our Lord)
Are you driven more by promises or purposes? Doesn't living life according to our own purposes become a burden? (Meditating on Abraham's faith in Genesis 15)

Salvation is another ex nihilo creation.

Rickey Armstrong on election--

Election is the foundation for the superstructure of redemption.

Election is the way God does God's work.
Ken Jones on "The Creation of Man and the Gospel"

Adam is not just the first man and a role model, but our corporate representative. We do not get the gospel right if we do not understand the federal headship of Adam

Michael Leach on "The Gospel and the Fall of Man"

Ne plus utra! (Trust me; you had to be there! Get the disc!)

Fleeing and being afraid are new concepts and pictures in Genesis 3. Where do they come from? From within Adam's now sinful heart.

Tom Ascol on "How Romans 1:16-17 Impacts Our Preaching of the Gospel"

The gospel is the only thing that saves sinners. The way the gospel works guarantees this.

All biblical preaching is a gospel sermon.

Redditt Andrews on Perseverance/Preservation:

It's not what you profess but who you possess.

Three things that should be granted in this discussion: (1) hypocrites will fall away; (2) if God relaxed His grip on us we would all fall away; and (3) saints can fall into sin. Having said that, genuine believers do in fact complete the journey to glory.

Perseverance is really a discussion of the nature of conversion. Regeneration is participation in divine life.

God preserves the inheritance and the inheritor.

Faith is the state God induces in the believer to preserve us for heaven. God perpetually inclines the soul to look toward Him always. When God preserves us, He inculcates our striving.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Finding Reliable Men: Well Thought of by Outsiders

What do you suppose is the most frequent criticism lodged against the local church and Christians?

The church is not doing enough to address problems (youth, homelessness, etc.)
The church and Christians are not open-minded; they’re backward and discriminatory.
The church and Christians—especially preachers—are out for your money.
If the church has the truth, why are there so many divisions and denominations?
The church is obsolete and unnecessary, and Christians are dangerous to society.
The church and Christians are boring, not exciting, killjoys, dead.
Christians are self-righteous and mean.
The church is full of hypocrites.

That last complaint, the church is full of hypocrites, probably covers a lot of the other problems and complaints. Many people in the world, in one way or another, consider Christian people and the Christian church as a whole… hypocritical.

And, let’s face it. Many of the critiques I just read out… are on the money—at least for some churches and professing Christians.

There are Christians who are self-righteous and mean.
There are Christian preachers and churches who care more about money than people.
There are Christians and churches that are not open-minded in the best sense of that phrase… who are stuck in some bygone era and unable or unwilling to take the truth and engage contemporary society.
And Christians are a quarrelsome lot. We divide sometimes over the most insignificant things.

It will not do for us to just ignore such criticisms. Yes, the people who raise them are likely hypocrites themselves. But that’s what we’d expect to find out in the world.

But is it what we should expect in the church? Have our critics done us a service by pointing these things out? Do we agree with them? If we agree, what are we to do?

The Apostle Paul comes to his final qualification for elders/pastors in 1 Timothy 3:7--"Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil."

It turns out that what unbelievers think of us really does matter, especially for potential elders and leaders. A man who desires to be an elder must have a strong reputation with those outside the church. These outsiders, non-Christians, are witnesses certifying and corroborating the potential elders' testimony. It's not that folks are neutral about him; "he must be well thought of." The opinion must be positive. If a man is well-regarded inside church but poorly regarded by non-Christians, he is not a suitable candidate for the Christian ministry.

The reason Paul gives under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is similar to the reason given for why an elders hould not be a new convert but mature. A poor outside reputation makes a man vulnerable to falling into disgrace or a trap of the evil one. How many men in pastoral ministry with poor reputations have tarnished the witness of their local church, the Name of Christ, and the gospel? That's precisely what the enemy of the elect wishes to have happen--men falling on their own sword of poor reputation and bad living in the name of Christ.

Elders are to commend the gospel and everything that conforms to sound doctrine. Even the Christian's enemies should feel ashamed about their evil comments in the face of a life lived well for Christ (1 Pet. 3:16). These are the kind of men we are to pray for and look for when it comes to the office of elder.

Some Questions and Observations (Please feel free to add others)

1. What does the prospective elder's non-Christian neighbors and co-workers report about him? Are they witnesses to what they would consider Christian or un-Christian behavior in the prospective elder?

2. Is there evidence that the outsiders' opinions are accurate or inaccurate? It is improbable that Paul intends the local church to take the opinion of non-Christians without reflection and discernment. Paul himself would not be judged by any man when that judgment was unfounded and where faithfulness was demonstrable (1 Cor. 4:1-4). Likewise, the local church should neither dismiss the opinion of outsiders regarding her leaders or swallow "hook, line, and sinker" any charge brought aagainst a man.

3. Does the prospective elder engage in the affairs of the wider community? A prospective elder should be salt and light in the world. That will be reflected, in part, in the non-Christian relationships he maintains and the civic and community contributions he makes.

Conclusion
The call to serve Christ as an undershepherd is a high call. Not everyone may take the mantle of leadership in the church. Those called must be examples to the flock in every area of life (1 Tim. 4:12). Such men must be models of devout faith inside and outside the church, commending Christ and the gospel to all. And yet, apart from being able to teach, the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 are characteristics that every Christian should increasingly possess by God's grace and the work of His Spirit. May the Lord be pleased to grant us both the blessing of faithful, reliable men to lead our churches and the fruit of His Spirit.

Other posts in this series
Introduction: Finding Reliable Men
Above Reproach
One-Woman Man
Temperate, Self-Controlled, Respectable
Hospitable
Able to Teach
Sober, Gentle, Peacemaking
Not Lovers of Money
Leaders at Home
Mature and Humble

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Gospel by the Bay... and Other Places, Too

The Bay area of California is one of my favorite spots in the U.S. My wife and I vacationed there several years running a while back. I simply love the area.

But when we were there, it was hard to find a good local church to attend. I'm sure that had more to do with our ignorance than the churches in the area. But I'm thankful for one brother I've been getting to know who lives and ministers in the Bay area, Justin Buzzard. Justin blogs over at Buzzard Blog and if you haven't already, you should check him out. And if you live in the Bay area and you're looking for a church, check out Central Peninsula Church while you're at it.

Another Blog I've been enjoying for some time is Eucatastrophe. It gets my award for the best blog name. And Dan cares about the church, the gospel, the family and many other great things worthy of our attention.

He's honest. He's solid. And he raps. His name is Quincy Jones. Not that Quincy--Quincy A. Jones. His blog title captures it all: Truth in the Innermost. He has been engaging in an important conversation about theology and the African American experience/situation/need.

Monday, November 05, 2007

The Gospel in Miami

Later this week, Lord willing, I'm headed to Miami for the annual Miami Pastors' Conference at Glendale Baptist Church. I'm looking forward to the outstanding preaching, fellowship, and food! For the last two years, my time in Miami has been a tremendous "shot in the spiritual arm." I trust this year will be the same.

As an enticement to any last-minuters out there, here are a couple a clips of Sinclair Ferguson and Ken Jones courtesy of the Tony Carter Archives.

Band of Bloggers '08

Bloggers unite! Or... at least meet. The good brothers at Said At Southern will be hosting the Band of Bloggers meeting to coincide with T4G 2008. This year's theme is "The Gospel Trust."

If you have not yet registered for T4G, please consider a slightly earlier arrival to participate in this conversation about our stewardship of the gospel. If you've already registered for T4G, consider changing your travel plans to arrive a bit earlier. We'd love to see you all there!

Details from the website below:

Many of you will remember that in concert with the 2006 Together for the Gospel Conference a meeting was held called “The Band of Bloggers.” The outcome of that fellowship was the gathering of over 70 bloggers all across the country. While the event was a success and encouragement to many, it has been our desire to build upon that vision with a more concentrated and collaborative effort for the upcoming 2008 Together for the Gospel Conference.

On Tuesday, April 15, 2008, we will gather for the second Band of Bloggers fellowship. The meeting will take place during lunch just prior to the first session of the T4G conference at the Galt House in downtown Louisville. The theme for the 2008 Band of Bloggers is “The Gospel Trust,” and the guest speakers who will comprise the panel include Tim Challies, Justin Taylor, Thabiti Anyabwile, and Mark Lauterbach. With a strong blogging community in Louisville, Said at Southern will facilitate in hosting the event.

Plans and preparations are being finalized, and more details will be forthcoming in the near future. More information as well as articles, interviews, and podcasts will be available here at the new Band of Bloggers website. Be sure to subscribe to the BOB feed for further updates.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Finding Reliable Men: Mature and Humble

You ever heard the phrase "the zeal of a new convert"? It's used to describe someone who is fervent and boiling over with enthusiasm because of their newfound beliefs or commitments. It's a bit of a cliche, but it's a helpful description of recent initiates. New converts tend to have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm, they're bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (to use another cliche) but not according to knowledge.

The Lord's next requirement for those who would lead His church as under-shepherds is that "He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:6).

The apostle gives us both the qualification and the rationale.

The Qualification

"He must not be a recent convert." That is, the elder must not be a new believer. Literally, he must not be "newly planted" in the faith. Like a tender shoot, he will be unable to withstand the steady trodding and sometimes trampling that comes with pastoral ministry. His faith must not be new but aged, like a mature vine that produces ripe fruit.

New believers are like new children, the freshness of new life encourages and excites us but there must be the recognition that they are vulnerable. Their lack of maturity requires that time be taken to instruct, shape and care for them. Because they need such care, they are not themselves sufficiently equipped to provide pastoral level care to others.

It's good of the Lord to tell us this in His word, and good for the church to heed it. The tendency in some churches, particularly those eager to get people "plugged in" or involved in ministry, will sometimes be to take new converts and press them into service wherever there appears an interest or a need. When we do that, whether it is the eldership or children's ministry or the praise team, we open ourselves to making two mistakes: (1) placing the person in a service setting beyond their ability (even teaching children, if we're doing more than "baby sitting" for a couple hours, requires good facility in the basics of the faith), and (2) neglecting the more needful care and instruction we should be giving the new convert.

So, while Paul raises this issue especially with elders, it may be prudent to apply this more broadly in the church by encouraging new converts and members to complete appropriate theological and ministry training before involving them in a particular area of service, or by encouraging them to take the first six months of their membership and focus primarily on learning and building relationships in the church. But back to eldership....

The potential elder is not to be a recent convert to the faith. There will be much that he needs to learn, apply, and master in his own life (Rom. 12:1-2) before he can begin to disciple and shepherd others in this way. Paul does not give us an age requirement or some length of time that automatically signals maturity. We all know Christians who have been Christians for decades but probably lack the spiritual maturity requisite for the eldership. And conversely, we've probably me a number of people who spiritually were "born old" and evidence remarkable maturity for their "Christian age." Patient discernment is needed. What we would like to see is consistent maturity in life and thought over time.

The Rationale

And we would be wise to search for maturity because of the particular danger that attaches itself to the office. The word of God says an immature man "may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil." Pride and demonic condemnation. Two very dangerous spiritual foes await the novice. Someone unable to handle the mantle of leadership as "servant of all" may be given to lofty thoughts of himself. And that pride will affect how he handles others, perhaps leading to harsh treatment of the sheep and unwillingness to follow leadership himself. Ultimately, such a novice is vulnerable to falling in the office, leading to "the condemnation of the devil." That condemnation could either be interpreted as the same judgment the devil received for his pride or the slander and accusation of the devil, who stands ready to accuse the brethren. Either way, to invite a novice to the office of elder is to invite him to onslaughts from within (pride) and without (judgment).

Calvin summarizes well: "novices have not only impetuous fervour and bold daring, but are also puffed up with foolish confidence, as if they could fly beyond the clouds. Consequently, it is not without reason that they are excluded from the honour of a bishopric, till, in process of time, their proud temper shall be subdued."

Some Observations and Questions

1. When was the man converted? Is the potential elder a new Christian? If so, he is not qualified for the post. He may be a man with great zeal and desire to serve, but it's better to disciple and train him for a life of godliness and push into the future of maturity considerations for eldership.

2. What is the man's level of spiritual maturity, even if he were converted some time ago? By spiritual maturity, we mustn't think age or number of years as a Christian. Does the man demonstrate Spirit-filled living, bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5)? Does he respond with kindness, patience, and compassion in varying situations? Does he meet the qualifications previously stated (sober, etc.)? Is he a young man with maturity beyond his years? Such a man should be considered as long as he is mature.

3. To what extent is the man given to pride? Pride is an enemy to us all. It has many faces and forms. But to what extent is a man aware of his pride? Does he act proudly and appear blind to it? Or, does he fight his pride like a Christian, making his life open to and submitted to others? Will the office of elder tempt him to arrogance and exalting himself over others? Consider the man's leadership experiences in other places. Does he evidence pride in those settings? Would his employees or coworkers regard him as a humble or a puffed up man?

4. One measure of pride might be over-confidence in the face of spiritual temptations and dangers. Warned about the accusation and temptations of the evil one peculiar to the eldership, does he show godly concern or too much sureness of his own ability and strength? Or, is he gripped with a sense of his own inadequacy (2 Cor. 2:16) and need for God's spiritual protection? Blindness to our need for spiritual protection and vigilance in watching our lives most certainly leads to dullness of heart and rests on the pride off self-confidence.

5. Is the man sensitive to critique and criticism? Certainly not every criticism a person receives is accurate or warranted. But how will we know whether a criticism is accurate or unjust if we refuse to consider them in the first place? Is the prospective elder prone to knee-jerk defenses and rationalizations in the face of critique and criticism? Does he interpret every disagreement as opposition? Pride sometimes manifests itself in an "untouchable" attitude toward the critique, criticism and even slander of others. But a humble, poor in spirit attitude will prayerfully consider such comments an opportunity for reflection and growth.

6. It might be helpful to ask the man and others if he is able to submit to the opinion of others (especially other elders) even when he holds a different opinion. Can he submit to others when he disagrees? Can he recognize that the other elders are biblically qualified, gifted, and Spirit-filled men who may hold a different opinion?

In looking for reliable men, in endeavoring to be reliable pastors, we can not afford to minimize the importance of spiritual maturity and humility.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Finding Reliable Men: Leaders at Home

The church is a family. It is a group of brothers and sisters in Christ, submitted to God the Father by the working of God the Holy Spirit. The church is a family.

Every family requires leadership. The church is no different. So, it's surprising that the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit adds another qualification for those who desire to be overseers in the Lord's family, the church. He writes, "He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?"

Notice the urgency and insistence about these qualifications. The prospective elder must possess these qualities. That's said of all the qualities, but here it has a louder ring to it. There is no way for a man to be a qualified elder and not be in the habit of consistently managing his own household well. He simply must. And this managing of the home is prerequisite to serving as an elder. It's not something that is "learned on the job;" it is a minimum qualification for even accepting the application. An inability to manage this smaller household by definition means a man can not manage God's larger household, the church. And an elder is called to nothing less than tending to God's family and household.

And, notice that it's "his own" household that must be managed. Women get an unfair and bad rap being sometimes stereotyped as busy bodies and meddlers into the affairs of others. Well, here, Paul warns against men who may be too preoccupied with the affairs of others and too little occupied with things going on under their own roof. One thinks of Eli's hasty and mistaken rebuke of Hannah as she prayed while abdicating responsibility for his wayward boys in 1 Samuel. An elder tends to affairs at home.

To "manage" his home includes both the supervision of his family as well as the nurture of the family members. If a man only supervises but fails to nurture, he may be either a tyrant or an absentee landlord. Neither is fitting for a father, much less an elder. If he only nurtures but fails to supervise, he may play the part of the permissive "good cop" and "friend" to the children but never give appropriate guidance. He is to govern the home but with gentleness and concern for each member of the family. The word "manage" here is the same word used of the Good Samaritan who risked himself to bandage and care for the wounded man. The Samaritan responded with caring supervision and concern. This is what the prospective elder will be called to do in the church.

The apostle tells us immediately what this good management concerns. It is "with all dignity keeping his children submissive." Paul has already addressed the fact that the prospective elder is to be "a one-woman man," indicating the singleness of heart he has for his wife if married. He will love her as Christ loves the church (Eph. 5). But here, Paul has particular concern for a father's relationship with his children. The NIV renders this "see that his children obey him with proper respect." The word "dignity" can apply either to the father in his role or the children in their submission and obedience. And, actually, one would expect both with a qualified elder. Such a man is worthy of respect and it shows in how he leads his home. He is dignified, respectful or reverent. Correspondingly, his children should treat him with respect and reverence. There is to be a mutuality in this regard.

Some Questions and Observations (Please Share Others)
1. Is the prospective elder attentive to his home? Does he provide leadership to the affairs of his home? What does his wife say about his involvement? Does she commend him or tend to camouflage lack of involvement with rationalizations? Supervising the home can be measured in a number of ways, from knowing and attending to the family's finances to leadership in decision-making about the kids' education to the physical upkeep of the home itself.

2. Does the prospective elder care for his children? Is that care demonstrable for each individual child? An elder will often be called to tend the individual members of the flock. It's wise to observe that tendency in a prospective elder with his individual children.

3. Do the children submit to their father? Are they obedient to their father? Is it evident that they respect their father and regard him highly? Or, is the relationship characterized by animosity and rebellion? Obviously, the particulars of the situation matters here. It may be that a child is spiritually lost and struggling, yet still obedient and respectful to their father. Paul's instruction here doesn't call for a perfect home and perfect children--none exist. So, it's as wise to ask if the father is managing the home well in the midst of difficult circumstances, his children showing proper respect despite the present challenges.

4. Would the children say that the father is qualified to serve as an elder? Age and understanding matters here. But if the children are old enough to understand the decision at hand, would they support their father as worthy of the office? What grounds would they give for affirming or denying a man's qualification? Sensitivity is required. But what our children see in us is likely to be what the church sees in us--only our children tend to see it first and without the mask of religious hypocrisy.

5. For single men or married men without children, it would be important to know what their attitudes are toward children and child rearing. Is he opposed to having children or is he postponing having children (if married) for some period of time? In that case there may be selfish tendencies shaping his life. For single men, it might be worth considering whether the man has other opportunities for shepherding children that serve as a proxy of sorts on this issue. Does he volunteer with any ministries or community programs that serve youth? Does he have nieces and nephews? Does he volunteer to care for children of other families in the church? If so, how do the children in those programs respond to him and how does he care for them? Workplace relationships may provide a similar proxy.

The Lord requires that His church be managed by men who know how to supervise and nurture His children. To a great extent, that is the task of pastoral ministry. And where are we to find these men? Where else? At home taking care of business. May the Lord be pleased to raise up men gifted for the task.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Hunters and Gatherers

My wife is a wonderful cook, and normally gets dinner on the table at a reasonable hour. But on this day, she came home with the groceries a little too late for our 11-month old son. Being the hunter-gatherer that he is, he took matters into his own hands!

That's my boy!

Friday, October 26, 2007

More Murray: On The Incarnation and Humility, Christ and Ours

The life of God which in the incarnation entered human nature is the root in which we are to stand and grow; it is the same almighty power that worked there, and thence onward to the resurrection, which works daily in us. Our one need is to study and know and trust the life that has been revealed in Christ as the lift that now is ours, and waits for our consent to gain possession and mastery of our whole being.

In this view it is of inconceivable importance that we should have right thoughts of what Christ is--of what really constitutes Him the Christ--and specifically of what may be counted His chief characteristic, the root and essence of all His character as our Redeemer. There can be but one answer: it is His humility. What is the incarnation but His heavenly humility, His emptying Himself and becoming man? What is His life on earth but humility, His taking the form of a servant? And what is His atonement but humility? "He humbled himself and became obedient unto death." And what is His ascension and His glory but humility exalted to the throne and crown with glory? "He humbled Himself, therefore God highly exalted Him." In heaven where He was with the Father, in His birth, in His life, in His death, in His sitting on the throne, it is all--it is nothing but humility. Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature: the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness, to win and serve and save us. As the love and condescension of God makes Him the benefactor and helper and servant of all, so Jesus of necessity was the Incarnate Humility. And so He is still in the midst of the throne, the meek and lowly Lamb of God.

If this be the root of the tree, its nature must be seen in every branch and leaf and fruit. If humility be the first, the all-including grace of the life of Jesus--if humility be the secret of His atonement--then the health and strength of our spiritual life will entirely depend upon our putting this grace first also, and making humility the chief thing we admire in Him, the chief thing we ask of Him, the on thing for which we sacrifice all else.

Andrew Murray, Humility: The Beauty of Holiness, p. 20-21.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Finding Reliable Men: Not a Lover of Money

It's an ol' school O'Jays kinda morning in the Cayman Islands. Well, maybe not in the Cayman Islands, but in my office in the Cayman Islands.

When I turned to Paul's instructions to Timothy on finding qualified overseers, this morning's qualification reminded me of a classic O'Jays song called, "For the Love of Money." Here are some of the lyrics for the unitiated (I see the rest of y'all already bobbing your heads):

For the love of money
People will steal from their mother

For the love of money

People will rob their own brother

For the love of money

People can't even walk the street

Because they never know who in the world they're gonna beat

For that lean, mean, mean green

Almighty dollar, money

For the love of money

People will lie, Lord, they will cheat

For the love of money

People don't care who they hurt or beat

For the love of money

A woman will sell her precious body

For a small piece of paper it carries a lot of weight

Call it lean, mean, mean green

Almighty dollar

Perhaps one of the most frequent criticism I hear of Christian churches is the fear that "all the pastor/church wants is my money." And let's be honest, with the non-stop jingles and pithy promises of a big spiritual pay-off that fills the air on some television stations, one can understand how people might fear this. The Daddy Graces, Kenneth Copelands, "Cashflow" Dollars of the world have made this a real issue. And before the contemporary televangelists stepped on the scene, there were popes and their underlings selling indulgences and the like to finance their tastes in high-quality art and monuments to men.

Against all of this, the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy to find men who are "not a lover of money." The KJV does its usually poetic and lively job with language here. The man is "not greedy of filthy lucre." And this rendering gets closer to the compound word used here. Paul has in view an indecent, dishonorable gain, a person who is eager to gain even at the expense of moral character. Interestingly, the term is only used in 1 Tim. 3, 8 and Titus 1:7, where Paul describes qualifications for elders and deacons. It would seem that the Lord has a unique concern for an elders' attitude toward money, that he not be the kind of man that would sell his soul for a buck.

Paul is giving another negative quality. Greed and love for money is to be absent or negated in the potential elder's life.

Some Observations and Questions to Ask (Please add others)

1. Does the prospective elder give generously and sacrifically? One mark of independence or freedom from money and love for it is giving. We are to store up for ourselves treasure in heaven, not on earth, to serve the Lord and not money (Matt. 6:19-24). Prizing Christ and the things of His kingdom will result in sacrificial, generous and cheerful giving among other things. Does the prospective elder give generously to the work of the church? (which may also be a measure of his commitment to the church). Does he give to the needs of others as opportunity permits? Or, is he a horder?

2. Are his investments heavenward or earthly-minded? Surely it's appropriate that a man provides for the needs of his household (1 Tim. 5:8). But does his investments tend toward excess and a love for excess? Is he financially over-extended? What kinds of debt is he carrying (consumer debts or "necessary" debt like mortgages)? Does he purchase fancy cars when a more modest model were an option? Does he love large and expensive houses when a more modest home might have met his needs? Is his savings disproportionate to his giving? And beyond merely having a fancy car or big house, does he go away like the rich young ruler at the suggestion of giving it up, giving to the poor, and following Christ with a more basic lifestyle? Can a heart attached to the world be discerned in conversation with a prospective elder about his purchases and use of money?

3. This is a close cousin to item 2 above. What is the man's philosophy about gain in this life? What for him is the measure of success? Much of secular western philosophy tends to say, "Get all you can, can all you get, then sit on your can." Or the other, more mercenary slogan: "The golden rule: he who has the most gold rules." Does the prospective elder hold either of these outlooks. Is money power in his mind? Is the amassing of money the measure of success for him? Does he horde what he gets? Is his sense of self-worth built upon possessions and wealth? Contrast all of that with Paul's instruction just a little later in 1 Timothy: "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (6:6-8).

4. Consider the man's professional and personal decisions, whether they are calculated to pursue gain. Does the prospective elder organize his life around the goal of monetary gain or pursuit of kingdom objectives? "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Tim. 6:9-10). The love of money will manifest itself in practical decisions and schemes, leading to temptation, ruin and destruction. Is the man given to over-work in the pursuit of gain, while his family or spiritual life suffers? Is he willing to bend the Lord's word or commands in order to justify pursuit of riches? Does he seem willing to make professional and family decisions (like moving to another area of town or accepting a promotion) to pursue gain at the expense of faithful involvement in the church?

5. What is his attitude toward church finances? Are there any ways that a love for money affects his outlook on the church's financial dealings? Perhaps he wants the church to stockpile cash. Or, maybe he thinks primarily about real estate value instead of whether the church's location facilitates an effective witness where one is lacking. Or, consider his participation in the approval of the church's budget. Does he seem to argue against increases in the budget because he would rather horde than invest in solid ministry? Does he approach the budget and the church's finances with faith or reliance on worldly wisdom?

6. Does the prospective elder show more regard for money than people? If there were a decision involving either serving people (even at great cost) and protecting or securing the church financially, which would he choose? Is he the kind of man that would rather be broke and serve the poor, or wealthy while surrounded by the hungry?

For a long time I resisted the urge to gospel ministry because I really didn't want to be associated in any way with the hucksters we sometimes see on TV. I thought, "Lord, let me be anything but a preacher. Too many of them seem only concerned about money." Well, the Lord will have His way... and apparently a good laugh, too. Here I am serving as a pastor in one of the largest banking sectors in the world!

The O'Jays remind me to pray this morning. They warn:

Don't let, don't let, don't let money rule you
For the love of money Money can change people sometimes

Don't let, don't let, don't let money fool you

Money can fool people sometimes

People! Don't let money, don't let money change you...

The good news is that the Lord gives us greater loves than money, which makes wings and flies away. And those loves are greater than our fear of being associated with this or that thing. He gives us greater delights in Christ... and the greatest delight of all, which is Jesus the Lamb. What a privilege it is, by God's rich grace, to preach Christ the Lamb to a world overrun with love for money. May the Lord make us all faithful and keep us from greed. And may He give to His church men who disdain the world's trinkets and serve the Master rather than mammon.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Andrew Murray on Humility

This week, in three different circumstances, I received three different books by Andrew Murray. I'm thinking I should read Murray, having never done so before. Today I wanted to share a small bit from the opening chapter of his little meditation on humility.

And so pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil! It was when the now-fallen angels began to look upon themselves with self-complacency that they were led to disobedience, and were cast down from the light of heaven into outer darkness. Even so it was, when the Serpent breathed the poison of his pride--the desire to be as God--into the hearts of our first parents, they too fell from their high estate into all the wretchedness into which man is sunk. In heaven and earth, pride--self-exaltation--is the gate and the birth, and the curse, of hell.

Hence it follows that nothing can be our redemption but the restoration of the lost humility, the original and only true relation of the creature to its God. And so Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to make us partakers of it, and by it to save us. In heaven He humbled Himself to become man. The humility we see in Him possessed Him in heaven; it brought Him, He brought it, from there. Here on earth "He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death"; His humility gave His death its value, and so became our redemption. And now the salvation He imparts is nothing less and nothing else than a communication of His own life and death, His own disposition and spirit--His own humility--as the ground and root of His relation to God and His redeeming work. Jesus Christ took the place and fulfilled the destiny of man, as a creature, by His life of perfect humility. His humility is our salvation. His salvation is our humility.

And so the life of the saved ones, of the saints, must needs bear this stamp of deliverance from sin and full restoration to their original state--their whole relation to God and man marked by an all-pervading humility. Without this there can be no true abiding in God's presence, or experience of His favor and the power of His Spirit; without this, no abiding faith, or love or joy or strength. Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others as it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God and allows Him as God to do all.

Andrew Murray, Humility: The Beauty of Holiness (Fort Washington, PA: CLC Publications, reprinted 1997)

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Finding Reliable Men: Sober, Gentle, Peacemaking

I feel compelled to begin this post with a bit of personal disclosure. I hope it's not inappropriate or offensive, most of all to the memory of people I'm thinking about as I write.

My grandfather and my brothers are alcoholics. My grandfather was a binge drinker. For months he was sober... and then he'd "fall off the wagon," exploding in verbally abusive fits and from time-to-time violent behavior. In his sober periods, he was professing Christian. When drunk, you couldn't reason with him from the Scripture or speak to him of Christ. In his later years, in declining health, he gave up drinking. And he was one of my favorite people. He had a jolly laugh that caused his shoulders to jiggle and his head to fall back. And when something was particularly sweet to him, he'd let out a warm and oozy, "Yeeesss, Lord."

My brothers also binged. There's tended to be longer than my grandfather's. And like my grandfather, they lost all social skill when drinking. They lost jobs. They lost friends. They also lost their families.

Personally, I don't have any objections to the Apostle Paul's instruction in 1 Timothy 3:2. An elder or pastor should "not [be] given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome." Drunkenness, violence, and being quarrelsome are strung together here probably because they are strung together in life. Generally, where you find one, you find the other. My experience growing up around so many men sinfully given over to alcohol makes this vivid and necessary wisdom. I trust that not many others have difficulty with this instruction.

Though I love my grandfather and my brothers, and though my grandfather may have professed faith in Christ, they would not be suitable candidates for leadership in the church.

In 1 Tim. 3:3, Paul takes up qualities related to those in verse 2 (temperate, self-controlled, respectable). However, in verse 3, he states the issues in the negative. He rules out some negative characteristics. Previously, if the qualities were present the man in question satisfied the requirements. Here, if the qualities are present, the candidate is disqualified.

"Given to drunkenness" is as it sounds, a tendency to drink intoxicating beverages to excess, until the faculty of a sober mind is lost. Calvin notes that it includes "any intemperance in guzzling wine." An elder is not a winebibber.

Violence often follows intoxication. But a brawling and violent disposition is unbecoming a pastor. He is not to be a "striker." Instead, gentleness is to be his way. A pastor must evidence this beatitude, rather than its tawdry opposite.

And finally, an elder must not be quarrelsome. He is not argumentative and divisive. Paul wrote the same instruction in his second letter to Timothy. "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive" (2 Tim. 2:23-26). So, far from being an arguer, the pastor avoids arguments, patiently instructs, and recognizes that a spiritual battle normally lies beneath such disputes in the church. Patience, gentleness, and teaching are the rule of the day. And those things are not to be confused with lampooning every person with a different opinion. It more often requires discernment to stay far away from "foolish and stupid arguments." How often have pastors found themselves enmeshed in some controversy or another over some wild and silly idea. The church needs men who are able to see through such demonic ploys and give the people a model of soberness and peace.

Some Observations to Make and Questions to Ask:

1. Is the elder given to drunkenness? Does he partake of alcohol at all, and if so, is it with appropriate sobriety? Whether at home or in the community, does he drink to the point of intoxication? Are there other forms of intoxicant that enslave him?

2. Look for men who show an ability to biblically discern between the cardinal matters of the faith and "foolish and stupid arguments." We may see this in a man's teaching, if he's had opportunity to share. Does he use "public air time" to receive people to "doubtful disputations" or speculative and fanciful ideas, or does he demonstrate sound and mature judgment that emphasizes the truth of God. Is everything a matter of conscience for him and a "hill to die on," or can he parse out less important and unimportant issues? Does that show in his conversation with the sheep, or does he attempt to herd them into some "correct" mold on every issue no matter its significance?

3. In the midst of conflict is he patient and gentle? Sometimes conflict in a church is the pressure that refines diamonds. Perhaps there have been difficult situations in the church's recent past or in its current life. Who demonstrates a 2 Tim. 2:24 ability to avoid foolish disputes? Who responds with gentlenss and avoids retaliation and striking at "opponents"? Are there men facing attack and arguments who maintain hope in God that those who are lost in error or combativeness might be given from God the grace of repentance? Those men are maintaining an eternal and spiritual perspective instead of giving in to arguments and fights.

4. Beyond avoiding fights, is the prospective candidate a peacemaker? Does he do everything within his power to maintain unity in the church? (Rom. 15:5-6; Eph. 4:3; Col. 3:15) Conflict avoidance may be merely that... avoidance. An elder should be an agent of peace and reconciliation. It's a ministry given to all Christians, but an elder must be an example of positive peacemaking and unity building. It's one thing to "stay out of something," and quite another with patience and gentleness to teach others to lay down their arms and join arms. Such would be an excellent elder.

5. Is the man a physical abuser of his wife, children, or anyone else? He must not be a "striker." In the way he disciplines his children, if it includes physical discipline, is the discipline fueled by anger, rage, jealousy, or disappointment? Or, would his wife and children say his discipline is sober, appropriate, and godward? Is there a past history of spousal abuse? Current pastors would be wise to investigate how old or recent that history is, whether it was before or after conversion to faith in Christ, and if there are and have been well-established patterns of repentance and accountability. A man given to violence in his home obviously would not be managing his own family well.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Around the Blog in 80 Seconds

My brother Lance loves baseball... and the gospel--and not in that order. He's still recovering from the fact that the Phils are watching the Fall festivities and so he's resorted to creative baseball analogies for presenting the speaking schedule for the Miami Pastors' Conference (which isn't just for pastors, ya know). It's looking like a great time in the word, meditating on the riches of Christ in the gospel. Jones. Carter. Horton. Ascol. If you're anywhere near Miami this Nov. 8-10th, you need to come to Glendale Baptist Church for this year's conference! Write it down. Cancel some meetings and be there for great gospel fellowship!

Al Mohler is reviewing King Cos' new book, Come On, People (HT: JT). You may recall that Cosby took some shots and was held at arm's lengths for his comments at an NAACP event a couple years back. Well, now, he's in print saying things that some have been saying for quite a while but no one with Cosby's stature. May his tribe increase.

It's been a deep and soul-satisfying privilege to be preaching through Matthew's gospel right now. So, I've been enjoying whatever I can get my hands on re: Matthew. So, this post asking and answering Did Jesus Spiritualize the Old Testament was helpful.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Grace Gets a Facelift

Grace Church San Diego has launched a new website, coinciding with a soon to come move into new facilities. Finally we get to listen to Mark Lauterbach online and learn from the saints at grace online. Check them out!

Finding Reliable Men: Able to Teach

Have you ever thought of how central an activity teaching is in the New Testament? I know pastors think of the centrality of teaching all the time, but usually as it relates to their own duties and the gathered church. But teaching appears necessary to every aspect of the Christian life. We call ourselves disciples and we practice spiritual disciplines, ideas with their root in the clasroom, in teaching and learning. Teaching is central to how we train younger generations (Titus 2). It's central to serving others in the church and living out the faith in a worthy manner (Eph. 4). Teaching is unmistakably central to the proclamation of the gospel and making disciples (Mt. 28:19-20). If we're going to pray, we must be taught (Luke 11:1). Even singing is connected with teaching (Eph. 4:19; Col. 3:16)--we speak to one another and admonish in song, if we're singing correctly we're teaching in the process.

We could go on. Teaching and the necessity of teaching is everywhere on the pages of the New Testament. And even in the old, when God's people were revived and strengthened and made faithful it was through the agency of teaching the word of God.

So, it's completely understandable that the apostle Paul should include in his list of qualifications

for church leadership "able to teach." As many have noted, of all the qualifications listed 1 Timothy 3 this ability to teach is the only qualification we would not necessarily expect of every Christian. All the others should be true of every growing and maturing Christian. Able to teach is the gift or characteristic in the list peculiarly required of those Christian men who would hold the office of elder or pastor. A man should not hold the office if he can not teach. And the reason is simple: the primary task of the elder is to teach. Other things are necessary in a church (administration, mutual care, etc). But one thing is necessarily done by the elders: teaching.

So, we're not to overlook this qualification when assessing a candidate for pastoral/elder leadership. Can he teach?

Well, what is meant by the "ability to teach"? Simply, teaching is the ability to communicate and apply the truth of Scripture with clarity, coherence, and fruitfulness. Those who have this ability handle the Scripture with fidelity, and others are edified when they do so. This ability isn't limited to public teaching from the pulpit. Men with the ability may be gifted public teachers or they may have stronger gifts one-on-one or in small groups. There are men who are teaching all the time as they counsel from the Scripture in small settings, but who would not be exceptional public speakers.

Because the entire Christian faith and life requires solid teaching, it's imperative that in considering men for leadership their ability to teach be assessed.

Some Observations and Questions (please comment on how you do this in your setting)

1. One thing that pastors have to figure out is how to give men opportunity to teach in order to assess giftedness and ability. Men who have an interest in teaching and who are perhaps otherwise qualified for the office of elder should be given opportunity to teach in appropriate settings. Some churches use their Sunday evening services to this end. Men from the congregation regularly prepare and deliver messages in that setting and it becomes an opportunity to observe how they handle Scripture and their teaching effectiveness. Other churches use Sunday school opportunities or Wednesday nights for this same purpose. Whatever the local situation, creating this opportunity for the the current pastors and the congregation to observe and affirm giftedness is critical.

2. Assuming the opportunities are in place, what is the honest assessment of ability? Pastors might grant a man several opportunities to grow and learn as a teacher. His ability need not be judged on a maiden voyage. But over time or several opportunities, does the man demonstrate skill in interpreting a text, outlining a sermon, communicating biblical ideas clearly, applying the Scripture appropriately, and anticipating objections, questions, and pastoral needs in the body? Because teaching is central, those making the assessment should not "fear man" or be too hasty. It may be that a man will develop this ability, but the ability needs to be present before a man is recognized as an elder. So, clear and honest appraisal is necessary.

3. Does the man show pastoral sensibility in his teaching? We're looking for pastors, overseers, not merely academics or polemicists. We want men who know the body and are able to apply God's word to His people. Does the prospective elder show discretion in this regard? Is he able to speak to hurts, pains, joys, needs, history, and hopes of your congregation? Does he tend to beat the sheep or feed the sheep? If he knows the people, it should show up in how he nurtures them in the teaching.

4. Is the prospective elder committed to exposition (or the church's preaching philosophy)? Does he agree with the current elder(s) on what preaching is and should be? Is he supportive of the teaching philosophy and approach of the church? Does he think that teaching is central to the work of the church or does he believe something else should hold the pole position? Enshrining widely divergent views of this essential task on the eldership is unwise.

5. Are others edified by his teaching? Will the congregation, if asked, affirm that this man has teaching ability and that they spiritually benefit from his teaching? Ask around to see how others received and used a prospective elder's teaching. We can sometimes rule out that a public ability is not developed or present by hearing the assessment of others.

6. Does the man disciple others? Because not all (perhaps most?) teaching is not public but private, we should look to those smaller, less public areas as well. Does the prospective elder demonstrate an ability to help others grow in Christ in more private settings like small groups or one-on-one discipleship? Is he faithful to help others work through difficulties or questions? Do others come to him for advice and counsel? And is his counsel consistently and thoroughly biblical? A man may do a great deal of pastoral work in the hallways or parking lot after church or over a cup of coffee during the week. Who are those men who teach in this way?

7. Is the man theologically mature and supportive of the church's theological distinctives? A man may have a gift, but the gift must be informed and filled with appropriate content. There are many who are skilled at "moving the crowd" but who couldn't explain the most basic doctrines of the faith. So, assessing a man's theological maturity and knowledge are important. When considering a prospective elder, we should discuss the church's statement of faith in detail. Are there any points with which he disagrees? Can he sign the statement in its entirety with good conscience? His teaching would be expected to uphold that statement. And does he understand and support certain theological distinctives of the church, like the church's view of the ordinances, gender roles in the home and church, and so on. A man with teaching authority should be able to fully champion these distinctives for the unity of the church.

8. Is the man himself teachable? Will he be a model to the congregation of someone who humbly and joyfully receives the word with profit? Modeling that attitude is also a critical part of teaching. If a pastor isn't given to learning and submitting to the teaching of fellow elders, he'll create hardness in the sheep. Or worse, he may be less the teacher and more the dictator in his interaction with the sheep.

Conclusion

We're to find reliable men and entrust to them the things we've learned from faithful men. If the transmission of the truth is going to happen well, the men we appoint to leadership must be able to teach in various settings and ways. Calling a man without the ability to teach to serve as a pastor is essentially to channel the pure, sparkling water of the gospel through rusty corroded pipes. It's still water, hopefully, but for how long... and who wants to drink from a rusty pipe?

(By the way, that fella in the picture is a pretty good teacher!)

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Finding Reliable Men: Hospitable

"How do you find our hospitality?"

That was the first question my young Middle-Eastern friend asked me immediately after our introduction. I'd been in southeast Asia for about two days, and he wanted to know how the people famed for their hospitality were doing. And he asked with an admixture of pride and determination to do something if for some reason I'd not found myself well-treated.

My immediate impression was, "Wow. I've never been asked that before. I wonder how many Christians ever ask that question of strangers they meet? Is hospitality an all but lost practice in the Christian faith?"

My questioner asked me that question nearly three years ago now. I still ponder it from time to time. Whether it's from my proud, competitive, sinful heart... or some genuine conviction, I want to do better. I want to be more hospitable.

The Apostle Paul teaches us that being hospitable isn't merely a "nice thing." It is essential to Christian leadership. An elder or overseer must be hospitable. It's one natural expression of being respectable and certainly is commensurate with the "noble task" of shepherding God's people. Nobility and hospitality simply seem to fit together. And it's all the more appropriate that God's people, especially their leaders, exhibit this quality.

My first Sunday morning visiting Capitol Hill Baptist Church, my family and I sat in front of a lovely family in the church balcony. I first noticed them because their children sat with them attentively and seemingly patiently participating in the service. I then took note of them because of their lovely and vigorous singing. But I really noted them when immediately after the service they greeted us warmly, he took me around and introduced me to many of the men in the church, and after about 15 minutes or so invited my family to join his at his home for lunch... right then.

Honestly, I was a little wigged out by the experience. First of all, his name was Jim. And literally the first three men he introduced to me were all named Jim. Strange I thought. What kind of church is this? Will I have to change my name again? But then the invitation to lunch so soon after meeting him. Well that just about knocked me down. At the very least, it was moving too fast. And with my southern upbringing, it might have even been considered impolite. I gave a polite southern way of saying no, "That's mighty nice of you. Perhaps some other time." Now everybody down south knows that a sentence like that means "no." And they know that's how you have to say "no" because actually saying "no" is itself impolite. And southerners are nothing if not polite.

So, I had clearly said "no" to this man's kind but hasty offer of lunch. And wouldn't you know it? The very next week when we went to this strange church again, he insisted that we join them for lunch. He was New Jersey. He didn't understand the rules and DC was too close to the Mason-Dixon to clearly establish which "Rome" we were in and what we should do.

Paul instructs the churches to look for hospitable men to lead Christ's church. Why hospitality? A few brief thoughts:

Hospitality is a tangible expression of love. Christians are called to love one another and their enemies and hospitality gives practical form to that love. Elders should model this.

Hospitality is a tangible way to care for strangers. How do we know that we're caring for the strangers in our gate? Well, one measure is how close we get to them. Hospitality brings us close in a meaningful way. It establishes intimacy and relationship that reflects the love of Christ in an identifiable way.

Hospitality enables evangelism. Perhaps the reason so many Christians have no non-Christian friends and find themselves "far removed" from evangelistic opportunities is they are not hospitable. You can't share the gospel with a person you don't greet or with a person you will not spend time with in some way. Apart from being hospitable on some level, sharing the good news become close to impossible.

Hospitality enables discipleship and fellowship. The early church devoted themselves to, among other things, breaking bread and fellowship (Acts 2). Among the fundamental activities of the early Christian church, hospitality ranks up them with devotion to the apostles' doctrine.

So, hospitality and the modeling of hospitality is essential to the Christian life. Churches are to be places filled with people given to this particular kindness and compassion. And those who are to be examples for all to learn from are to be hospitable.

How do we find men who are hospitable? How do we assess this qualification?

Some Observations to Make and Questions to Ask

1. Note those men who seem to make it a ministry of greeting everyone at church. Are they wall flowers or are they candidates for Mr. Congeniality? This may be little more than a bubbly personality working itself out, so we can't stop here. But it does pay to take note of the men who hang around after church, who arrive early, who greet visitors and saints alike. This greeting and welcoming activity is essential to being hospitable. And it's useful to note whether the man is doing this contrary to his natural tendency. Note the positive act of love that resists inward inclinations.

2. Note those men who are helpful to those in need. Hospitality often extends a helping hand. Those men who arrive early, are they helping seniors make their way to the church? Are they giving rides to other church members or visitors wanting to attend the church? Are they helping to not only greet but perhaps escort visitors to Sunday school classes or the children's ministry? Hospitality means service to those in need.

3. Does the man open his home to others? This is perhaps the most obvious form of hospitality, having someone over for dinner or fellowship, hosting them. We should identify those who seem to make their home a place of ministry. Perhaps they host a small group Bible study. Perhaps they're the first ones to volunteer to host a missionary or to prepare meals for visiting preachers. And, maybe they seem to always have people over for dinner like my friend Jim (the first Jim). Men with an active hospitality ministry like this are gems.

4. Homes are not the only place to show hospitality. Does the man use lunchtime opportunities to show hospitality? Does he use the lunch hour to build relationships with coworkers with the hopes of gospel opportunity? Does he meet regularly with other men from the church to build fellowship and accountability and to disciple? Is he hospitable in terms of caring for the elderly or serving his neighbors? Is he out in the workplace and community modeling this Christian discipline?

5. Does he accept invitations to hospitality? He knows how to humbly receive the love and care of others. It's especially important that he spends time with different kinds of people in the congregation (young, old, wealthy, poor, different ethnicities, etc.). The potential elder should model both the giving and the receiving of love. And in my experience, it's often the receiving of love and care that is most discomforting for people. We tend to want to feel strong. But the hospitable person doesn't do the mental calculus of figuring out if my host can 'afford' to do this, or whether it's a burden to them, or am I comfortable. He honors others by accepting their hospitality with genuine thankfulness and with as little myopic awareness of self as possible.

Conclusion

When Jim and his family were relocated from DC, at their last evening service Mark asked all those who had been to their home for lunch or dinner to please stand. In the service were probably 350-400 people. Literally 90% of the congregation stood and gave God praise for their hospitality. Their home and their lives had become a very real extension of the church's ministry and pastoral care. They bore immeasurable fruit simply by regularly having people over for their normal Sunday dinner.

And if that sounds like a burden, I should also mention that Jim and his wife have six children, adopted nephew and niece, and lived about 45 minutes from the church. He wasn't superman, but the way he and his family modeled hospitality sometimes made it seem so. It also convicts me for not forsaking ease and crossing more boundaries with the love of Christ. May Jim's tribe increase.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Fatherhood, football, and hell

My wife sent me this link to a recent Salon article. In the article, an atheist father is troubled about how to convince his young evangelical daughter that he's not going to hell because he's not a Christian. The columnist, Gary Tennis, does a pretty interesting job using a football analogy to upend the atheist father's pride.

Though the piece risks trivializing the gravity of the situation with the analogy, it was nevertheless a helpful way to prompt the reader to see that he couldn't rightly judge the issue without ever genuinely coming into contact with it. Worth the read.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Finding Reliable Men: Temperate, Self-Controlled, Respectable

I don't much like walking through malls. I guess I'm the stereotypical male. I storm through to the one (at the most three) stores that potentially have what I'm searching for, select the item, and then escape the whole harrowing experience through the closest exit.

"Vanity fair" is such a dangerous place to hang out. Of all that could be said about malls, this is certainly true: they do not exist to promote sober-mindedness and self-control. Advertisements, displays, samples, music--the entire experience is meant to separate a person from their wallets in the most intemperate and out-of-control way as possible. Sobriety is disdained. Self-control flung off.

Over and against the materialistic orgies of the local mall, there stands the call of Scripture to Christians to be sober and self-controlled, to be good stewards, and conquerors of their flesh. And not surprisingly, the Apostle Paul in 1 Tim. 3:2 insists that those who are to be leaders in the church, elders or pastors, are to be people who are temperate and self-control. They are to be examples for the flock in this regard.

The word nephalios, translated variously as "temperate" (NIV), "sober-minded" (ESV), and "vigilant" includes the idea of being watchful or circumspect. It is to be free from excessive influence of passion, lust or emotion. The Lord calls his undershepherds to be sober in their desires, feelings, and attitudes. He is a person that places limitations on his own freedom. He's not drunk with wine, power, lusts or anything else. He doesn't understand every situation to be a paper bag to punch your way through.

Which enables the next qualification, self-control. The terms are closely related and aim generally at the same thing: an elder must be a person who bridles himself. He must control his internal state (emotions, etc.) and his outward actions. He is decent in conduct. He is not rash or unthinking, but sensible, discreet and wise. Foolish actors are unfit for leadership in the Lord's church.

A sober and self-controlled man is a respectable man. They live godly, ordered lives. And these are the qualifications necessary to shepherding the flock of God. Well, what are some ways of spotting such men in the church?

Observations and Questions (please add others)

1. Does the potential elder teach other men to live as they live? This is the essential calling of the elder (Titus 2:2). The elder candidate should be one noted for encouraging sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable behavior in others.

2. Is a man trendy? Is he a lover of fads, bouncing from one "new" thing to another? A man who is trendy and places emphasis on novelty by definition is one controlled by things outside himself. His appetite is for the ever-changing, ever-elusive "next great idea." He may be "down" with the coolest in the congregation, but the very basis of that acceptance is the kind of instability that works against sobriety, watchfulness, and self-control. We might see this in his style of dress or other purchases (cars, etc.). While we don't wish to be prudish about such things, trendiness in these outward things ought to be noted because they may be early warning signs of trendiness in the more important world of ideas. Is this a man that chases or seriously considers adopting every new church fad or "model" for doing church? Is he drawn to novel theological ideas? Trendiness has nearly destroyed the church from within. Those things are to be avoided. Instead, we're to look for men who are steadfast in their resistance to fads and trends and who adopt a consistently sound biblical view of themselves, the world, and God. We're looking for classic, well-worn pin stripe suits rather than the latest Paris, avante-garde couture.

3. Are the man's appetites balanced? Is there any place where he is given to excess? Foods? Alcohol? Negative emotions like anger? Or, does he restrain himself, exercising control and demonstrating contentment in all things? Men addicted to alcohol, drugs, sex or other things are not suitable candidates for the office of elder.

4. We should take note of the man's actions and reactions in various situations. How does he behave when things are going well? Is he self-controlled, praising the Lord, but not abusing his prosperity at the moment? Likewise, what is his demeanor and conduct when things are really tough? Does he handle suffering in a composed way? Does he persevere in adversity, not losing control to fear, resentment, or cowardice? Is the man a complainer? A complainer may be a man imbalanced in his desires, as he constantly assumes things should be done his way or at least a "different" way.

5. Do others respect how this man lives his life? Are his enemies unable to condemn him and ashamed in the face of his life and witness (Titus 2:7-8)?

CONCLUSION

The ministry and the church are always examined by those within and outside. Her enemies look for things to condemn and opportunities to slander. Churches are greatly helped in this onslaught when her leaders are respectable in their conduct and men of sound judgment.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Monday, November 19, 2007

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

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Thursday, November 01, 2007

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Friday, October 26, 2007

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

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Thursday, October 11, 2007

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