Walking The Beat

REALLY DEBATING THIS

Blogging is fun sometimes. And then there is the long pause due to busyness and other reasons. I have come to admire those in the news print business who meet deadlines with articles and those bloggers who blog on very frequent basis. Give all of them a big "Attaboy". If you just must be pc, then "attaperson". Somehow it loses something.

I am finding that I really enjoy Facebook. I connect with friends, find out what they are doing, and sometimes even post a sentence or two and even a question that gets some comment. The comments are brief and interesting.

That format is better for me at this time. So, my blogging will not stop, but it likely won't be long or more frequent than weekly (which in itself would be improvement).

Why? I spend a lot of time and thought to most posts. Most of the readers are personal friends who are on Facebook. And, I do not generate a lot of comments. My desire was to use this as a ministry avenue, but perhaps that was just a good idea and not reality. I am not one to lay out my life for the eternity of the internet and I refuse to call names and get into that. I've no desire to get into the denominational blogging. Perhaps I am old, archaic, boring, or all of the above. Consumer demand dictates a lot. Just ask Chrysler and GM (now Government Motors, so one friend says). So, no chapter 11, but somewhat of a different tactic until I can get my thoughts and other half of my life more together.

If you are not on Facebook, find me there. And, I will be back here from time to time. If you are reading this, I sincerely thank you.

LIKE A ROLLING STONE

Is there a redemptive value in blogging? Why is it worth one's time to blog? And why should anyone read my blog or anyone else's?

Blogging is a fad for some. Some who at one time blogged now post notes on Facebook instead of blogging. No problem. To each his own. Others are up-to-date on every nuance of technology. I really do admire these folk, but I am not one of them. I'm still trying to learn how to prevent spam from coming through on my Blackberry.

Bloggers differ in their approaches. Whether informational, marketing, focusing on issues, preaching, or a simple comment or homily (I do that from time to time), each blog distinguishes itself by the thread of posts and comments. Think of a genre and there is likely a blog somewhere that fits it. Some say things well, others not so well. And some, who view themselves as "prophetic" (to be certain, some are) can also really get under the skin of those people and/or practices against whom they blog. But consider this.

In the Scriptures, prophets of truth seldom if ever got a second invitation and most of them didn't get the first. They were sent by God to deliver a message of truth to people who did not want to face their own sin. Sometimes sin is individual. Sometimes it is within the structures of society. Read Walter Wink's books on spiritual warfare. I do not agree with all of his exegesis and conclusions, but he is worth the read when dealing with the demonic in its relationship to structures of society, both religious and secular.

Prophets of old used the communication tools of their day. Those today do the same, which is inclusive of blogging. Some do go overboard in their criticism of personality rather than issues. Some prophets (and bloggers) might walk into a room and see a snake. Instead of taking a hoe, a rake, or some other tool and excising the snake, some simply dynamite the room! 

But for everyone serious about following Christ, the real question is how shall we live in such a way as to extend God's kingdom and not our own or another's agenda?

Speak truth. If you are reading a blog, ask the truth question. Relationships are important, but far too long truth has been sacrificed on the altar of relationship. Without truth, there is no authenticity and without authenticity we cannot achieve biblical community. Relationships can be utilitarian. Perhaps that is why much of the church in the West today is indeed, utilitarian, refusing to deal with real issues and encouraging constituents to just move on or fit in for the sake of the organization or some other larger-than-life entity that crushes all in its proud way.

What C. Peter Wagner and others identified as one descriptive principle of church growth called the "homogeneous principle" has now become prescriptive in many places. Translation: "We only want our kind here."

A number of years ago a young pastor had scheduled me for a revival meeting. He wanted to check me out. The Conservative Resurgence was in full swing in Southern Baptist life. He said, "I am Baptist born and Baptist bred, and when I die, I will be Baptist dead." Cute, but really stupid and utilitarian. And I am a Southern Baptist!! You see, it does not matter who you are in terms of denominational identity, if you are that sold out to anything other than Almighty God, His Word, your spouse and children, you are already dead as far as usefulness in the Kingdom of God is concerned.

Speak truth in love. The love chapter is still in 1 Cor. 13 and still inerrant, inspired, God-breathed. Think of it - the breath of God is His word (2 Tim. 3:16, "inspired by God" is literally, "God-breathed"). I often hear, "I just love you." Really? Read Paul's definition then talk to me.

Practice Matthew 18 in your relationships and stay out of that which you do not know and is not your business. Whether you are a leader, a wannabe, or like so many of us - just one of the common folk seeking to live and serve Christ, these words from Proverbs are helpful in determining character.

"A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends." Prov. 16:28, NASB

"Drive out the scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease." Prov. 22:10, ESV
"Drive out he scoffer, and contentions will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease." NASB

"For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down." Prov. 26:20

These are indeed words for all of us. But it seems there are some these days who are ready to destroy other people's lives. I have been on the receiving end of such activity. One's dignity and honor can be destroyed because congregations typically hear a word of criticism and seldom check it out for its truthfulness. Unfortunately, there are too many "friends" in low places who are unwilling to simply let people "be" and get on with their lives.

There is another verse from Proverbs.

"He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him." Prov. 26:27

I am praying and waiting. I determined long ago I would not call out people on my blog. I trust the Spirit to use whatever I may do or say to open hearts. Closed hearts will never be opened by man...only by the Spirit of God. And I am far from He. I do not know all that goes on inside someone else, and really struggle with all that inside myself (Jer. 17:9).

What I do know is "He who rolls a stone....". As my friend Freddie Gage has said, "There are no qualified stone throwers."

DOES YOUR 'INSIDE CULTURE' COMMUNICATE LOVE?

It has been some time since my last post, so I suppose it is time. I have and am active on both Facebook and Twitter, and those are good connections with friends. But the blog has a different purpose, so I am back.

And I want to follow up on the issues discussed. I have been asked to help a congregation develop a small group ministry. This is a very good congregation with a long and admired history. They have recently relocated to a different community. The issue at hand is that they are getting many visitors to the Sunday worship service but these are not being assimilated into the Sunday School or other areas in the life of the church. I am working with two staff members and met with a total of 15 people interested in small groups.

Some want to drive small group with curriculum. Huge mistake. No doubt nothing should be taught outside the parameters of the Apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42), but small group is a method of developing Community, and Community is about relationships

Which brings me to the point. Why the Church? Why the "called out ones"? Often in discussions such as this some want to push every word to extremes. For example, if I asked "Do you go to "church" or are you the church? Some would take one extreme or another and shape the conversation to be about whether or not one should attend public worship. That is missing the point.

The point is about identity as a follower of Jesus. We are called out, transformed, and sent with the gospel message. And that new community of which we are a part is a relational community.

Within the biblical parameter, there is mutual accountability and accountability can only be positive in an environment of loving relationships. In the context of evangelism, no one is won to Christ by someone they do not like. In the context of the church, no one will submit to accountability or discipline unless they believe the church or the other person genuinely loves them.

Love does not gloss over sin or bad behavior. Confrontation is sometimes necessary and almost always painful. The Bible uses a phrase that we sometimes over-use and by doing so we can negate its impact: "But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head - Christ" (Eph. 4:15).

I confess my own guilt in using this verse as an excuse for sometimes blurting out words that are indeed truth, but not said in a way or with the intent of helping the hearer 'grow in every way into Him'.

Many churches have what I call an "inside culture". These are wonderful people who are very out of touch with the desires of the culture around them. In order to be part of that church, one must first learn the "inside culture" and adapt their life to it. That will happen less and less.

Does not love teach us to take proactive steps to develop biblical community in such a way as to break down the walls in order for us to develop healthy relationships and become catalysts for the transformation of soul that only Christ can bring?

Do you see an "inside culture" that is prohibitive in reaching people? How do you deal with it in your context?

FACEBOOK, FRIENDS, and THOUGHTS OF A SPECIAL FRIEND

You can now find me on Facebook. Any "friends" out there?

Already I have connected with some very good friends from my school days. Awesome!

A few years ago Michael W. Smith (I think) recorded this tear-jerker of a song, "Friends are Friends Forever". The occasion was the moving of his next door neighbor. Of course, it came along at a time and for a generation that really made it popular. I have heard it at funerals as well as youth camps.

But it is true. Friends are friends forever if the Lord is the Lord of them. And this past week I have thought much about such a friend. I received a call from his wife telling me he did not have long to live. I shared the conversation with my wife. We had read a forwarded email about his condition just a few hours earlier. We thought it good for me to go see him.

This is a man I pastored in my first pastorate and was privileged to baptize. On Christmas Eve, I got up early and drove the 2 1/2 hours to the hospital where he lies tonight as his liver and heart fail him. We shared a smile, a touch, and a prayer with he, his wife, daughter, and mother-in-law.

You see, not much needed to be said. From my days in the pastorate until today this man and his family have done nothing but love me and my family. Not much needs be said. It has already been said.

Unless God does a miracle that in all honesty is not expected, this dear man will slip into the presence of his Redeemer in the next few hours or days. And I will have lost a friend on earth, but the afterlife will have a little more special meaning.

For those of you who know me, you likely think of me as "outspoken", "determined", or if you are really spiritual, you might even think of me as a "prophet". One fellow who black-balled me for the interim pastorate of a church characterized my life as a failure. Most people like to put folk like me in a cage, take us out when you need us, then put us back in the cage. You see, we are not people please-rs. And most people like to be pleased. We do not intend to be rude or unkind. We simply work better with people who are up front and open. Yes is yes and no is no. It isn't our role to prop up your ego or bite every time you fish for a complement. Authenticity is valued. Truth is valued, even sometimes above relationship. Not ugly truth, but an honest reply.

And my friend loved me in spite of all my faults. As I spoke with his wife, I asked her, "Are there any land mines I need to step around." She said, "Ted, you've never stepped around anything. Don't start now." They love me in spite of what some may perceive as flaws. In fact, they see some of those "flaws" as strengths. I take comfort in that.

I will miss my friend. We never saw each other very much these past years. My life in denominational work kept me either in the office or on the road, and that hindered some mighty important things. But we didn't have too see each other all the time. When we did, we simply picked up where we left off. Much of the good that God has done in my life is the result of some things he and his wife put into my and my wife's life while in that pastorate. I have not nor will I ever forget.

Today we were treated to lunch by other friends after I spoke at a church in Denton. A couple who are our friends had joined that church. They are older and have encouraged us for years. As we said good-bye, they said, "we pray for you". They really do. Every day someone who loves us is praying for us. What a blessing!

Forgive me for being a little melancholy in this post. Friends are a bit more special tonight. So I am doing Facebook, blog, and other ways of connecting with friends.

You, my friend, are special.