Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Three Heroes of 2008


As the year ends, I'd like to present three heros of 2008:


JIM GARLOW: Lead Pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego, Jim was a key leader in the Prop 8 battle. He endured a lot of abuse for his role, and deserves our thanks. His church's website is http://www.skylinechurch.org/.


FATHER ZAKARIA BOTROS: An unlikley 75 year old Coptic Egyptian priest, Father Zakaria hosts a 90 minute broadcast seen all over the Muslim world called Truth Talk in which he challenges Islam. He also answers questions about Christianity and takes on Islam in online chat (sometimes as many as 3,000 log on to ask questions and to listen it). Google his name for more (he jokingly calls that search engine "St. Google.")


WALT HARRIS: A Detroit firefighter, Walt died this year while battling an arson fire in that troubled city. Walt was also a minister of the gospel who used firefighting to pay the bills and showed the love of Jesus by his life. He was often asked to pray before meals at the station, and to pray for their safety. For more on Walt, check out this story.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

New Website is Live!

The renewed www.templecitybaptist.org is now live--check it out! Special thanks go out to Joanie Rardin and Raoul Pasqual.

Really, go and have a good look! It will keep you occupied happily for a long time.

A good church website is a great "marketing" tool. Share it with your friends.

-Pastor Glenn

Why Rick Warren Should Pray at the Inaugeral

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

(1 Timothy 2:1-7)

Personally, I am puzzled at theological conservatives who are objecting to Rick Warren's acceptance of the invitation to pray at President-Elect Obama's inaugeral a month hence. The objection is usually based on Obama's pro-choice views on abortion. Neither Rick Warren or this writer share Obama's abortion views, but in Scripture (see above) we are enjoined to pray for our leaders. Recall that when Paul penned these words, Nero was probably ruling Rome.

We are under Biblical obligation to pray for our leaders. I am glad that Rick will be there. I will be praying for President Obama as well, and urge you to do the same. Lord knows he needs it.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Update: December 14, 2008

A few items:

1. Our worship leaders did a fantastic job this morning with the "The Last Noel." Tip o' the hat to Worship Pastor Matt Cooper et al. for a job well done.
2. I've not been blogging much because (a) I'm busy with Christmas and end of year responsibilities and (b) all my "spare time" online has been devoted to a total makeover of our church website. That (cross your fingers) should go live in our current URL location (www.templecitybaptist.org) either Wednesday or Thursday. There's only one way to describe the new site: WAY COOL. Have a look at the site as it is now and say Bye. Then check back at the end of the week. (I'll send out notification when we're live.)
3. Hey, watch out for a neat surprise next Sunday. (I'll leave it at that.)

Blessings,

Pastor Glenn

Thursday, December 04, 2008

First Temple-Era Tunnel Unearthed In Jerusalem's City Of David



Dec 04, 08 2:51 pm


A remarkable discovery has been made this month in Israel, as archaeologists have uncovered a three millennia-old water tunnel during excavations at the City of David in Jerusalem. The water tunnel is believed to be the "tsinnor" mentioned in the Old Testament's account of King David's conquest of Jerusalem, approximately 3,000 years ago.

The tunnel, composed of stones and bedrock, was discovered under a large stone structure. The find also included complete oil lamps believed to indicate the tunnel's last use as a hidden escape passage and are characteristic of the end of the First Temple period."The discovery of the tunnel in the City of David will add some additional excitement to an already extraordinary year for archaeological discoveries in Israel," says Arie Sommer, Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America. "And with Israel celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, travelers will have even more reason to visit these historic artifacts in Jerusalem."The excavations were conducted for the fourth year by Dr. Eilat Mazar on behalf of the Shalem Center and the IR David Foundation and under the academic auspice of the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.For more details of the excavations, visit http://www.cityofdavid.org.il/

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Philippians--A Paraphrase

I have just completed a paraphrase of Paul's letter to the Philippians which I've done as part of my daily devotions over the last few weeks. On Thanksgiving Eve, here's the letter of rejoicing in the face challenge.

Philippians Paraphrased

1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.
It’s addressed to all the saints in Christ Jesus who live in Philippi, as well as all the overseers and deacons of the church:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ!

3 Every time I think of you, I thank my God for you. 4 Here's how I pray, every single time: with joy, for each and every one of you 5 because of your willing partnership in spreading the good news about Jesus, right to the present time. 6 And I’m confident that God will keep it up, this great good work in your lives, right until the day Christ Jesus comes back.

7 And this is the way I feel about you; I carry you in my heart all the time; my affection comes from the right place. As for me, well, whether I am in stuck in prison in chains or outside defending and confirming the good news, I know that you stand beside be in all that God’s grace is doing. 8 God Himself can say how I pine for all of you with the deep affection that comes straight from Christ Jesus.

9 So this is how I pray for you: that you may be rich in love, knowledge and deep insight, more and more and more! 10 With that you may be able to truly understand the things in life that are the best and that you may be pure and absolutely blameless until the day when Christ comes back to judge; 11 that you may be filled every good thing that comes from a right relationship with God that comes through Jesus Christ—and that God gets all the glory and praise.

12 Dear family in God, I want you to know that my circumstances have really served to keep the Good News advancing. 13 Because I’m here, the whole palace guard and everyone else for that matter, has had an opportunity to hear the message loud and clear—they all know that the only reason that I am in chains for the cause of Christ. 14 And do you see?--because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the God’s word with even more courage and without fear.

15 Now it’s true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry—“Now that Paul’s behind bars, I can be the center of attention!”—but others preach Christ boldly from the very best of motives. 16 The latter do so from a motive of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the Good News. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, with the mistaken notion that they can somehow stir up trouble for me while I’m imprisoned. 18 I don’t really care either way! The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true motives, Christ is preached. This makes me rejoice all the more.

Yes, and I’m going to keep on rejoicing, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all that’s happened to me will turn out for my vindication. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be put to shame, but instead I’ll have enough courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by it’s by my continued life or by my death. 21 You see, for me, to live means opportunities to keep serving Christ; and to die—that’s no loss—it’s gain! 22 So if I am to go on living in this body, that means more fruitful labor for me. What do I do? What do I do? I don’t know! 23 I’m really torn between the two: I really want to depart this life and be with Christ, which is by far the better; 24 but for now, it’s more important, for your sake that I remain in this body here on earth. 25 The more I think of it, the more I’m convinced that I will remain for a while, and I’ll continue with all of you for your continued progress and your joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you once again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow because of what God did for me.

27 Whatever happens, live your lives in such a way that gives a good reputation to the Good News of Christ. Then, whether I come and visit you or if only hear about you in my absence, I’ll know that you’re standing firm, united in spirit, fighting like one man for the Good New faith, 28 without being frightened in any way by those rise to oppose you. Your united stand is a sign to them that they will be defeated, but that you will be vindicated, God Himself. 29 You’ve been given the privilege not only to put your trust in Christ, but also to suffer for Christ, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you’ve seen me go through, and now hear that I still going through.

CHAPTER TWO

1 So if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if you have any comfort from his love, if you enjoy any fellowship with the Spirit, if you’ve experienced any of His tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, by having the same love for each that Christ has for you, and by being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Instead, don’t do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but instead in humility, put the needs of others ahead of your own—prioritize them ahead of yourself. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6 Even those in His essence He was God,
He didn’t regard that divine equality as something to hold tightly to,
7 but instead He made himself nothing,
taking on the very essence of a slave,
looking just like any human being.
8 So there He was, looking like any human,
and he humbled himself
and became obedient to the Father’s plan, to the point of death—
even the worst death of all—on a cross!
9 That’s why God exalted him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name,
10 with this privilege: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
whether in heaven and on earth and under the earth for that matter,
11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

12 So, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed the whole message of the good news—not only when I was with you, but even now much more in my absence—continue to work out the full implications of your spiritual rescue with reverent fear and trembling, 13 because God is at work within you, forming you to desire His ways and then to live by His purposes.

14 So do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 because that way you demonstrate and develop your blameless and pure character, real children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine bright like stars in dark sky16 as you forth the glorious word that gives life. If you do that, I can truly boast on the day I stand before Christ that I did not run fast or labor hard for nothing! 17 And if the time has come for me to be poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and on the service coming from your faith, then I’m glad and I rejoice with all of you. 18 So if I die, you too should be glad and rejoice with me as well!

19 My hope in the Lord Jesus is to send Timothy to you soon, because I’d love to hear some good news about you. 20 There’s no one else like him—he has a passionate interest in your welfare. 21 It seems that everyone just looks out for his own interests, not the interests Jesus Christ! 22 But you know that Timothy’s not that way—he’s proved himself, because like a son working alongside his father he has served with me in the work of the good news of God. 23 So I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me in my legal issues. 24 And then I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come see you soon.

25 But I do think that it’s necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus. He’s my brother, my fellow worker and my fellow soldier, as well as your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs to be with you all and he’s distressed because you heard he was sick. 27 Indeed he was ill, and he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and not on him only but also on me, to spare me one more sorrow upon the ones I’ve already had. 28 That’s why I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you, on your part, can be glad and I, for my part, may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him back in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, here risking his life serving beside me in your place.

CHAPTER THREE

1 Finally, my dear brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It’s no trouble for me to write the same thing over and over, and it’s a safeguard for you.

2 Watch out for those “dogs”, those men who do evil, those eager mutilators of the flesh. 3 They think that they do good by forcing new believers to be circumcised. Nonsense! We’re the real “circumcision”, not because of a surgical procedure, but because we worship by the Spirit of God, we take our greatest joy from Christ Jesus, and we put no confidence in the flesh— 4though if there was ever anybody who could have done that, it was me!
If anyone thinks he has reasons to put confidence in his descent and things done to the body, I have more: 5 I was circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew with only Hebrews ancestors; in regard to the law, I was a Pharisee; 6 in regards to zeal, I persecuted the church; and as for legalistic righteousness, I was faultless.

7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider gone and forgotten for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything gone and forgotten compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Following Him has meant that I’ve lost everything Judaism and this world considers valuable. I consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a self-righteousness that comes from doing the law, but a real righteousness that comes through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 And now, I just want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection in my life and even the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 with the ambition that, through the miracle of his grace, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 No, I’m not there already, and I’m certainly not perfect, but I press on to fully grasp the task that Christ Jesus took hold of me to do. 13 Brothers, I don’t believe that I yet have a full grasp of the things get seized me to do, but one thing I do: Forgetting what’s past and straining toward what’s ahead, 14 I keep pressing on toward the goal to win the prize that God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us who are mature in their faith should have the same perspective. And if on some point you think differently, well, God will straighten you out on that! 16 For now, let’s live up to way of life which we have already received from God.

17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you by example. 18 For—as I have often told you before and now say again with tears in my eyes-many so-called believers live as true enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their final destiny is destruction, their true god is their appetites, and the things they glory in is their shame. Their mind is stuck on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Rescuer from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our weak and lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious resurrection body!

CHAPTER FOUR

1 So, my brothers—whom I love and long to see again, you who are my joy I wear like a crown—this is exactly how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

2 For instance, I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord, setting aside past differences. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal co-worker, help these women who have fought hard at my side in the cause of the good news, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are already written down in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentle ways be evident to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t be anxious about anything, but instead, in everything, by means of prayer and petition, mingled with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And when you do that, the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, will come to guard both your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is speaks the truth, whatever is ennobles a person, whatever is right, whatever makes a person pure, whatever is truly beautiful, whatever is admirable—if there’s anything in something that is excellent or truly worthy of praise—fill your mind with thoughts of these things. 9 And whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in my life—put them into practice. Do this, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I’m very happy in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. I know that you’ve been concerned, but that you had no opportunity to demonstrate it. 11 I’m not saying this because I am in need, because I’ve learned how to be content whatever my circumstances. 12 I know what it’s like to be in need, and I know what it’s like to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether I’m well fed or hungry, or whether I’m living in plenty or in want. 13 As a matter of fact, I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 If you’ll recall, in the early days of your introduction to the good news, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in financial support, expect one: You! 16 Even when I was in the next town over, in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Now I’m not hinting for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your heavenly account. 18 I have received full payment for you all and even more; I am amply supplied, especially now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are like a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice on the altar, very pleasing to God. 19 And I’m sure that my God will meet all your needs in proportion to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever! Amen!

21 P.S. Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22 All the saints here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Your comments on this paraphrase are appreciated. Remember this was developed for devotional purposes, and would no doubt need some corrections to stand up to academic review. The "carmen christi" section in chapter two is especially prone to translation challenges.



Saturday, November 22, 2008

Prop 8: When Demcracy "Fails", Try Anarchy (Then the Courts)

I'm on an email alert list whenever a Prop 8 related act of vandalism, intimidation or credible threat occurs. Some days since the election I've received 5 or 6 notices a day. When you consider all protests, near riots and white powder mailings as well as all the unreported incidents, it's clear the the anti-Prop 8 crowd, the champions of tolerance and freedom have given up on democracy. Democracy failed them. Even in Los Angeles County.

That must have astonished them. Prop 8 won in LA county by about the same margin as across the state. Minority voters (especially African Americans and Hispanics) voted up to 70% in favor of Prop 8.

The marriage revisionists seem to feel that democracy has failed them. Therefore, try anarchy.

Makes you want to ask for a re-vote. I suspect Prop 8 would win by 60% today. Voters tend to punish those despise their free elections (check with those purple-fingered voters in Iraq who've thrown the terrorist insurgents overboard).

Having failed now both by democracy and anarchy, they now pin their hopes on aristocracy--the unelected House of Lords called the California State Supreme Court. These robed potentates gave us this mess. In each state where same-sex marriage has come to be (Massachusetts, Connecticut and, for a time, California), it has only come in via judicial aristocracy. This is a role never envisioned by framers, but frankly, the left could care less. Outcomes, not procedure, is what matters.

The court accepted a triad of cases challenging Prop 8. Actually, Prop 8 itself is not be challenged, but the process by which it came before voters, or the exact meaning of the adoption of Prop 8 is being litigated.

From the Protect Marriage website:

The Supreme Court has accepted original jurisdiction of three cases that claim Proposition 8 is a constitutional revision rather than a constitutional amendment and thus should not have been presented to voters. The Court’s order accepting the cases, as was requests by the proponents of Proposition 8, will provide a ruling on Prop 8’s validity in a matter of months, rather than potentially years of protracted litigation.

Perhaps the most significant part of the Supreme Court’s order is to deny the requests of the plaintiffs in the three cases to stay the implementation of Proposition 8. This means that, once the vote is certified, Proposition 8 will take effect as of midnight, November 5th. The Constitution of California has been amended to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman will be valid or recognized in California.

“The California Supreme Court is recognizing the People’s vote on Proposition 8 and is allowing the measure to go into full effect,” [legal counsel Andy] Pugno said. “This is a great legal victory for voters.”

I hope Pugno is right. But these are the same aristocrats who gave us this mess. Call me, cynical, but I just don't trust them. We'll be well into 2009 before we find out if democracy or aristocracy--or maybe anarchy--prevails.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Up is Down, Left is Right and Right is Wrong


No more comment is needed. BTW, if you can bear Larry King, Jim Garlow of Skyline Church in San Diego, a greater leader in the Prop 8 battle, will be on his show Friday night (9 Eastern).

Monday, November 10, 2008

Gold Earring From Time of Jesus Discovered in Jerusalem


From Yahoo News:


JERUSALEM – Israeli archaeologists have discovered a 2,000-year-old gold earring beneath a parking lot next to the walls of Jerusalem's old city, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Monday.

The discovery dates to the time of Christ, during the Roman period, said Doron Ben-Ami, director of excavation at the site. The piece was found in a Byzantine structure built several centuries after the jeweled earring was made, showing it was likely passed down through generations, he said.

The find is luxurious: A large pearl inlaid in gold with two drop pieces, each with an emerald and pearl set in gold.

"It must have belonged to someone of the elite in Jerusalem," Ben-Ami said. "Such a precious item, it couldn't be one of just ordinary people."

In a statement released Monday, the authority said the piece of jewelry was "astonishingly well-preserved." Finds from the Roman period are rare in Jerusalem, Ben-Ami said, because the city was destroyed by the Roman Empire in the first century A.D.

Shimon Gibson, an American archaeologist who was not involved in the dig, said the find was truly amazing, less because of its Roman origins than for its precious nature.

"Jewelry is hardly preserved in archaeological context in Jerusalem," he said, because precious metals were often sold or melted down during the many historic takeovers of the city.

"It adds to the visual history of Jerusalem," Gibson added, saying it brings attention to the life of women in antiquity.

Though Gibson dates the piece slightly later than the antiquities authority, to sometime between the second and fourth centuries A.D., he said its quality and beauty were impressive.

Ben-Ami added that he expects more small, luxury items to turn up in future excavations.

Earrings similar to this one have been found at archaeological sites throughout Europe, Ben-Ami said, where the Roman Empire also flourished. The authority said the earring appeared to be crafted using a technique similar to that depicted in portraits from Roman-era Egypt.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Prop 8 Passes!

From the KABC 7 website:

PROP 8
-- 23,103 of 25,429 precincts reporting (91%)
Gay Marriage
Yes, 4,942,99152%
No, 4,592,31748%

As of 5:43 AM on Wednesday, Nov. 5, Prop 8, the Protect Marriage Amendment is well ahead with 91% of precincts reporting. Those of us who have devoted the last several months have paid a price (I'll blog more about the price over the next few days--information which I've had to embargo until now) , but it was worth it.

Now, no gloating. Love instead. Love the opponents, love those trapped in same-sex attraction, and above all, love God.

By the way, similar measures passed in Florida and Arizona--a clean sweep for traditional marriage.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Too Good Not to Pass On, Part Two

This time, the e-trade baby gets into the act....

Too Good Not to Pass On

A lighter look at Prop 8 and its antecedents...

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Seven Practices of Effective Ministry

Seven Practices of Effective Ministry*

1. 1. Clarify the win

What is the most important thing? Changed lives—new believers, and believers moving forward in service of Christ.

It’s easy to mistake numbers and dollars are signs of a “win.” Each area of ministry needs to have a clear picture of a “win” apart from numbers and dollars, but the church needs an overarching definition of “winning.”

Four steps to clarify the win:

a. Sum up the win in a simple phrase (ex., “meaningful interaction and life change in the context of small group”)

b. Keep the win as specific as possible (“You can’t manage what you can’t measure.”)

c. Restate the win frequently and creatively

d. Meet to clarify the win at every level

2. Think steps, not programs

Give people easy, obvious and strategic steps to take that will move them forward toward Christ and His kingdom.

Where do you want people to be? How are we going to get there? What steps will we need to get people from where there are to where they need to be? These steps need to be easy (simple and non-threatening), obvious (clear, and clearly communicated) and strategic (it helps people move forward toward life-change).

3. Narrow the focus

Do what God has called you to do very well, and don’t do what God hasn’t call you to do.

There are a lot of important things that a ministry can do, but only a few impactful things that that ministry can do. You can’t respond to every legitimate need—you have to focus on a few simple things that you can do very well and that aligns with the ministry’s overall purpose To do that create specific environments within the ministry that have a clear, distinct purpose (ex., student outreach, married couples, outreach, newcomers, etc.) This increases the relevance, connection, quality and impact of each environment.

4. 4. Teach less for more

Get the right information to the right people—and don’t send all the information to everybody.

Teach with the question, “What do you want people to become?” in mind. Teach with broad principles in mind such as the Great Commandment and Luke 2:52 (see www.252basics.com).

Four steps to teach less for more

a. Decide what you are going to say

b. Decide to say one thing at a time

c. Decide how you are going to say it

d. Say it over and over again

5. 5. Listen to outsiders

Listen to the people on the outside—non-attenders, non-believers and wise counselors—more than to the complaints and demands of the insiders.

Most churches today exist to reinforce the values of the people already in them. That’s wrong. Instead, members should be called to invest in and to invite non-believers to the church. At all times, see with “outsider eyes” and hear with “outsider ears.”

6. 6. Replace yourself

You are less important than the organization. Therefore, raise up and mentor your replacement.

If you fail to develop a strategy to replace yourself, you will force talented people to wait in the wings, stifle insight, hinder the ability to recruit volunteers and limit the growth of the ministry.

Three steps to handing it off

a. Break it down into simple parts

b. Hand it off to partners, not competitors

c. Let it go

7. . 7. Work on it.

It’s easy to work in it—we do that all the time. Sometimes you need to work on it—to step back and analyze your overall standing and strategy.

Evaluate weekly, monthly, yearly, all the time. Use down time for a ministry as up time for evaluation. Keep reading, keep learning, keep honest and keep celebrating.

*From the book of the same title by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner and Lane Jones (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 2004).

Monday, October 20, 2008

HOPE in the Midst of the Current Financial Crisis

HOPE in the Midst of the Current Financial Crisis

An open letter from Pastor Glenn

In late September, the bills came due on America. The bills always come due. The illusion that we as individuals, as companies and as a nation can live on 110% of our income is now over. But—now what do we do? And now, what will we do as a church?

I believe that the sustained nature of this situation will provide an opportunity for us to learn (or relearn) the basics. Actually, this may have a greater and more positive impact on Americans to get their spiritual act together than the 911 attacks.

Remember how full the churches were the Sunday after 911? I do. I also remember how the crowds were gone a month later. Americans are a resilient people, and we were able to absorb the shock of what had happened. We then we took down the Taliban government in Afghanistan before Christmas. And we moved on.

According to Dave Ramsey, this financial crisis is more likely to be with us for three to five years. It will take that long for the excess housing stock to be used up and then we need a couple of years for the greater economy to right itself. We need adopt a long-haul mentality.

There is a saying: “Leaders are dealers in hope.” I want to give you some handles for hope as we move forward. I want you to know that your church will help you. We don’t know if the financial systems will remain in prolonged chaos, or if it will turn around rapidly, or if we are headed toward a deep recession—dare I say depression?

Here’s the HOPE we offer:

H: We will HELP you “reframe” what you are hearing

Reframing is a understanding concept; it means to enter the conversation that people are already having in their minds, and enabling them to move them to a place they were not expecting—and there, you experience a flash of insight that has the potential to change your life. Jesus frequently “reframed” people’s understanding, as for example when in the Sermon on the Mount He said again and again, “You have heard it said, but I say to you…”

What do we have to have reframed? We have come to believe that financial security comes from our 401k, our investments and our property value. We need to see instead that our financial security comes from God and that His word gives us all the essential tools we need to handle wealth and to experience the prosperity that arises from generosity. I was talking with a man at the gym I attend about the financial mess, and I said to him, “There’s no better place to find our way out of this mess than through what Jesus teaches in the gospels and in the Book of Proverbs.” According to Hebrew 12:28, we are inheritors of an unshakable kingdom. That’s the vision to keep before us.

This may well be a blessed time when it comes to the advance of God’s Kingdom. During the last steep recession (1973-1976) we saw the beginnings of some of the greatest churches and ministries in America. Willow Creek Church near Chicago began in 1975. So were the Vineyard and Calvary Chapel movements. A few years later during the 1979-1983 recession, Saddleback Church here in Southern California began. Down economic times have frequently been up times for the Kingdom of God. This is not a time to fear, but to hope, and to anticipate what God will do in our time. Lou Engle of The Call (see www.thecall.com) believes that we are on the verge of a new Jesus movement, and that California will be on the cutting edge of this movement of God.

Did you know that charitable giving (including church giving) did not decline during the Great Depression? Again, down times can be up time for God’s work. Have no fear!

O: We will OFFER Tools and Faith to our congregation

We commit as a church to offer you tools and faith that will help you get your financial house in order—in a way that will honor God, provide for the needs of your household, and be a good witness to the world. For example, in January, we will study The Treasure Principle in all our Sunday morning classes. We intend to follow that up with a four to six week seminar designed to help you apply Biblical principles to your financial situation.

We also commit to give you the things needed to build your “financial faith.” Remember 2 Timothy 1:7: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” Jesus repeatedly reminded us to “Fear not!” Remember: The opposite of faith is fear. Fear is a subversive form of faith. Fear is believing the lies of Satan. Fear is faith in the enemy!

We will model this as a church in our decision-making. We will not cancel doing the things we believed God called us to do. We will be wise with our times, but we will continue to move forward.

P: We will continue to PROMOTE generosity

Our model is what God has already done—God loves, therefore God gives (John 3:16). If we love, we also give. The current situation cannot cancel God’s commands to love or to give. When all others are hoarding, we give—and release the blessings of heaven (Luke 6:38). We will do so no matter what, and in the process, we will give witness to our faith in God to provide our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).

Doing this will enable us to standing out like a purple cow! What a great witness—to be generous in hard times!

I know that it will be a temptation for us to stop tithing. It will be a temptation to retrench or at least to not move forward in generosity. I urge you to resist that temptation, and to trust in God. There will be a special temptation to reduce giving in anticipation of what might happen—not because our income has actually declined. Please don’t give in to that temptation to sin. It really is sin because it’s a temptation to stop trusting in God to provide for now and for the future. It breaks the principle of living on what God’s provided, and giving 10% of income to kingdom causes. (See Malachi 3:8.)

Don’t cut the growth edges your financial life. By “growth edges” I mean the “seed” that you plant now which results in future provision. For example, debt retirement, savings and certain investments are “growth edges” in your personal finances. As a church, spending on the things which attract and retain newcomers are also “growth edges.” In personal finance, growth edges include generous giving. That’s so because God has commanded it, and because generous giving trains us to live well within our means. Giving is actually a powerful financial tool. If we live on 90% of our income, we will never, ever be tempted to try to live on 110% of our income! No—it is far better to cut personal spending (things like lunches out daily when we could pack a lunch, or expensive vacations) than to cut giving.

E: Encourage Evangelism

Here’s a fact: people are most likely to come to faith if they are around people like themselves and if they are under tension, in transition and/or in trouble.

A good example of that is the growth of the church in China. If there was ever a people enduring tension, transition and trouble over a protracted period of time, it was the Chinese people since the 1949 revolution. As I mentioned before, many experts believe that this will be a lengthy, perhaps a five-year crisis.

While none of us would have wished for this time of difficulty, there is an opportunity for us, as God’s people, to model to the world that our faith is not just a ‘sunny day faith.’ Throughout the ages, it has been during times of crisis that Christianity and God’s people have had the most impact. Let me challenge you to model with your life and lips by:


· Being a person of generosity while everyone else is hoarding (John 3:16);

· Being consistent in faith while others are fearing (2 Timothy 1:7);

· Showing great love and concern for your friends and inviting them with you to First Baptist so they too can find hope (1 Peter 2:12).

This is a time to shine like beacons of HOPE in the midst of darkness. From 1999 until 2006, we used the motto “The Beacon on Baldwin.” While not bringing back the motto, it’s time to bring back the concept—and to truly function as beacons of HOPE for our troubled time.

For a great little book so revelant to the faith issues posed by the financial crisis, see Andy Stanley’s book Fields of Gold.