Douglas Young

Bovina Bulletin Board

Now we are getting at something for sure. While not always explicitly expressed, I contend that the “We’re fine the way we are” mentality is at the root of a number of church growth problems. This is simply my opinion, and I’ll own it, but there has been very little to disprove it over the years. Not surprisingly, it’s not until the “off the record” moments, though, that it verbally surfaces. But it doesn’t really have to to be recognized.

Church systems often possess the most significant power struggles of all organizational systems. At times they rival the political. Many churches have long established power bases that do not like to be disrupted. Growth often does that very thing.

Most churches, but not all, tend to grow primarily through swelling. People from one religious tradition move to another area and, naturally, associate themselves with a church from their religious tradition in the new town. This is what it means to swell. Consequently, people new to a church often struggle to fit in, especially, if they are viewed with suspicion. If they don’t dress the right way, carry the right bible, or don’t come from a reputable congregation, this is particularly so.  The same kind of thing applies to those who come to know Christ. The baggage they often bring in with them can be very disruptive as well. They, too, find significant difficulty in penetrating the prominent congregational circles.

Ironically enough, the first century church struggled in the same respects. When Gentiles finally were introduced to the kingdom, the Jewish Christian power base was reluctant to let them in without them conforming to certain Jewish practices. The book of Acts clearly attests to this problem.

The situation at Rome, in particular, is especially germane because its struggles were oriented around division on cultural norms. The Roman church went from being primarily a Jewish church to a Gentile church after the Jews were banished from Rome. When they returned years later, they were disturbed by the norms of the Gentile Roman church. They weren’t doing the right things; they were eating the wrong things; they weren’t do things the right way. Sounds eerily familiar to the modern church. Paul’s solution was Romans 14 & 15. Unfortunately, some of us are just now figuring this out. In the end, blame could be put before the feet of those who possessed a “We’re fine the way we are” mentality.

There are churches that are willing to grow, but only if the resultant growth isn’t going to unsettle the system. Fear causes some churches to be content with where they are. A church of 50 that has been a church of 50 for 50 years might be suggesting something without realizing it. I believe they might be saying, “We’re fine the way we are!” But the lack of genuine growth, too, is saying that God isn’t at work there either. That is a scary thought.

Bovina Bulletin Board

Are you kidding me? How much money does it cost to share the gospel with someone? It takes no money. Zero. Zilch. Not a dime. Gimmicks cost cash; conversation is free. Of course, it takes being relational to sustain a conversation with anyone. Hmmmm. Could this be part of the problem?

The 1^st Century church didn’t thrive because it had unlimited resources. Had they possessed such, the Jerusalem benevolent effort would not have reached out as far or lasted as long as it did. Paul was collecting funds for the needy of Jerusalem late into his ministry. The kingdom advanced naturally, not because there was an unending supply of monetary resources. Resources, actually, were scarce.

Churches grow because God is at work in them.  Churches came together collectively to “stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25). God is intimately engaged in this process. It’s a joint venture project wherein he helps us “ to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12).

In our culture, though, resources seem to be essential for churches to survive. I think resources are more integral to the edification process than to evangelism. Still, it’s functional relationships within the body that causes it to grow “with a growth that is from God” (Colossians 2:19). Resources only facilitate the relationships, giving us avenues and opportunities in particular environments. Nevertheless, resources aren’t necessarily essential for such.

At the core is how we believe growth is derived. I began this series with the premise that God is the one who gives the increase, not us (1 Corinthians 3:6). Growth cannot be forced. That we haven’t learned this yet is disturbing. That “resources” even come up goes to show that commercialism and consumerism overly affects our thinking.

Bovina Bulletin Board

I believe it’s important that followers of Christ be concerned with not being offensive to people as they live out their faith. Unnecessary barriers simply do not help. But I also believe Christians can profess the gospel in a “non-offensive” way, yet people still get offended. More often than not, though, those who refuse to profess the Truth lest they offend another are simply deceiving themselves. Generally, fear is responsible for this excuse.

We simply cannot please everyone. At times our efforts are genuinely offensive and I don’t think Jesus is pleased when they are, especially, when we are dealing with delicate souls. How Jesus dealt with the religious “know-it-alls” of his day- the Pharisees, Sadducees, and etc.- shows us that sometimes people need to have their worlds rocked. But he didn’t treat the woman in John 8 like he did outspoken religious hypocrites. They needed what she didn’t!

Consequently, there are those looking to be offended. They are critical of anybody and anything. Nothing can please them.

Still others stumble at the mere fact that what’s being said or done doesn’t jibe with their preconceived notions about things. Such was actually the case with John the Baptist.

John’s depiction of the Messiah in Matthew 3:12 didn’t necessarily reflect how he actually came. In fact, Isaiah 42:1-2 suggested that the Messiah would come in a gentle fashion, not heaving a winnowing fork. Jesus himself told Nicodemus, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). So when John sends word to Jesus inquiring as to whether or not he was truly the Messiah or should they wait for another (Luke 7:20), Jesus tells John’s messengers to inform John of what he’d been doing. But the last thing he told them to mention to John was, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me” (v. 23). Numerous translations render “fall away” as “offended.” What did Jesus do to cause John to question and become offended? He simply didn’t live up to John’s expectations.

Some people are going to be offended whether it’s justified or not. Let us make sure we do not give the grounds to be offended.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16.

Bovina Bulletin Board

In an effort to foster growth, the church has found itself resorting to various approaches and sundry tactics. These often generate sparks of interest and increased numbers, but the sparks seem short-lived. Too, authentic discipleship in Jesus is rarely a result. In a sense, I agree with those who cry, “It Never Worked Before,” especially, when we’re talking about unbiblical growth.

Jesus simply wasn’t about gimmickry. He worked relationally, fostering genuine relationships through discipleship. His approach was for long-term commitment, not short-lived numbers. The fact that he let the Rich Young Ruler walk away is proof. If in our appeal to the Way of Jesus we develop a resolve to approach people on Jesus’ terms, I believe we would never say, “It Never Worked Before.” The New Testament evidence simply won’t allow for it. It has worked, and I believe its something we need to get back to.

Most assuredly, especially with the general population, combativeness has never worked over compassion. There’s a time to take a stand and make a “defense” (Philippians 1:17), but we weren’t made to live in a defensive posture 24/7.  I’ve found in my own past that I’ve often closed doors before they were ever even opened. How self-defeating! That is something that never works. Listening doesn’t mean we cave, it means we care.

There are things that aren’t working for us, but our plea isn’t the problem. Our plea is the rallying cry of Jesus. What I’ve had to do is seek His love to replace mine, so that the plea can be practiced as well as proclaimed. That is something, truly, that will work!

Bovina Bulletin Board

An inherent danger in having a located minister is that it can create a culture where the church believes the preacher is “hired” to do all the work. Given our love for and adherence to scripture, I believe we know this isn’t correct. But people will say and do irrational things under the weight of guilt. Guilt is, by the way, what tends to propel people to utter such an absurd statement.

As noted last week, discipleship is about all of us. Your commitment to Christ and the discipleship process, of necessity, thrusts you into the ministry mix. We are all, by reason of our commitment to Christ, called into the service of ministry.

The gathered church of Jerusalem quickly became the scattered church into the world. The apostles, interestingly enough, served in Jerusalem while the obedient to Christ launched into mission (Acts 8:1-4). Notice how the early church didn’t respond to Truth, then say, “Let the Apostles do it!” No, they thrust themselves directly into the mission of God.

The Roman church/churches had their share of issues (Romans 2:1ff; ch. 14-15), but apparently one of them wasn’t placing the ministry platter before just one or two people. After commending Phoebe, a “servant” at Cenchreae (Romans 16:1-2) to the Roman church, Paul sends greeting to a number Christians whose labor for the Lord was a labor of love (Romans 16:3-15). These were Christians who were making impacts however possible.

Churches that struggle are the ones whose members show up, but sit back and do nothing. Churches that struggle are the ones whose members want someone else to do what they themselves were designed to do. Churches that struggle are the ones comprised of members who say, “Let the preacher do it!”

Bovina Bulletin Board

I’m going to be upfront here. I think if we are pursuing church growth, we’re pursuing the wrong thing. It’s the trap of the business model to which we’ve succumbed. Church growth stems from the need to grow an organization, which has a budget that must be met. The more members a church has, the more contributions it will receive. The more the more the contribution, the more that can be done.

The New Testament says nothing about growing churches. Jesus taught, repeatedly, that the kingdom will grow, but its growth would be the natural product of kingdom living. Churches grew because people were spreading the gospel (Acts 8:4). Growth was the effect, not the pursuit. God is the one who gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6).

This being said, something is wrong if churches aren’t growing, including mine. I think many recognize this, so they pursue all sorts of gimmicks to fill pews. Sometimes the gimmicks work, but more often than not they don’t. Part of the problem, in my estimation, is that we’re pursuing the wrong things.

Nevertheless, there are some sure fire ways that churches are keeping themselves from growing. If God is the one who gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6), and our churches aren’t growing, then I can’t help but think that God is looking at what we’re doing and holding back, as if to say, “Wake up!” The question is…Will we?

So this brings me to a bulletin board I saw Sunday at a small church in the rural community of Bovina, TX. They hosted a great youth rally on Sunday afternoon. We really enjoyed being there.

As we were registering, and kids were filing in, Tisha called me over to look at a bulletin board in the hallway of their foyer. On it was an overweight, devilish looking figure standing in front of hellish flames. The devilish figure is lecturing through a series of bullet points. The bullet points were:

• It’s not my job.
• Let the preacher do it.
• It never worked before.
• We might offend someone.
• We don’t have the resources.
• We’re fine the way we are.
• Let’s call a meeting.

At the bottom, in quotation marks, is “That concludes my presentation on time-tested, sure-fired statements that will stunt church growth. Any question?”

I’ve heard all of these statements before, interestingly enough, used in a number of different ways. I hope you’ll take some time to digest this bulletin board message. It speaks loudly and clearly about the mindsets of many Christians. Think about it. Over the next couple of weeks, I plan on writing about each of these bullet points.

It’s time to move forward. As God told Moses and the Israelites at Horeb, “You have stayed at this mountain long enough. Resume your journey…” (Deuteronomy 1:6-7, HCSB), so also is it time to move on and away from what’s gone on here for the last several days.

This morning I was reading through Acts 6 and I was struck by the life of Stephen. He was one of the “seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom” selected to tend to the Grecian widows who’d been neglected in the daily distribution. He was also described as “full of faith” (v. 5). Still later, we read of Stephen as “full of grace and power…performing great wonders and signs among the people” (v. 8). He met formidable opposition from those of the Freedman’s Synagogue, but “they were not able to stand up against the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke” (v. 10). Ultimately, his history lesson of Israel’s rejections of God’s prophets over the years, which culminated in the rejection of the Messiah, got him killed. But what a compelling argument he was for the faith of Christ!

The guy chosen to “wait on tables” (v. 2) apparently had much more to offer. And he did. Inside of him was a heart for souls. His ministry was about meeting the needs of others. If by food distribution, so be it. He offered food that met physical needs, but he was also willing to serve food “that lasts for eternal life” (John 6:27).

Service, in whatever form, is mighty ministry. Jesus boldly proclaimed the “living word” with passion and urgency; yet, washing his disciples’s feet was no less ministry, and no less significant.

Like Jesus, Stephen wasn’t a one talent man. His selection for a specific work didn’t mean he wasn’t fit for anything else. In a sense, I think it helped groom him for more. Unfortunately, it seems to have been a life cut short, but like others who have gone on before, “though he is dead, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4).

You can tell whether people are serious or not by how they respond to things. James was put to death; Peter was imprisoned by Herod, but the Lord would rescue Peter (Acts 12:1-11). Peter would venture to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. At her house many had gathered to pray (v. 12).  Peter knocks on the door and Rhoda, a servant girl, responds to the rapt at the door. She recognizes Peter’s voice and in elation runs to tell the others that Peter was back. She was so excited that she didn’t even let him in. She left him standing there outside the gate!

The group that was gathered didn’t believe Rhoda. They responded with, “You are out of your mind…It is his angel!” (v. 15), but “Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed” (v. 16).

Sometimes the news is so good that you can’t but go run and tell others. Poor Peter was left standing outside as Rhoda sought to convince the group of what was so. I think Rhoda’s excitement about Peter’s arrival said a lot about her that is good.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a similar joy and quickness to share the good news of Jesus with others?

In my files are stored away a number of different quotes that I have collected over the years concerning different subjects. Several months ago I discovered one that I used in a lesson on evangelism. I  know nothing of the one who said it, nor do I remember exactly how I got it, but it goes like this: “Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread.” Such us true because “evangelism” is the spreading of good news. Where to find bread is “good news” to a beggar.

We shouldn’t be surprised that Jesus would use “bread” in a number of different analogies. What can compare to his “bread of life” analogy in John 6: living bread, bread from heaven, the bread of God, bread of life? It was powerful imagery!

Every so often, I find myself in discussions with others about what Italian food restaurant offers the best bread as an appetizer. Right now, Romano’s Macaroni Grill is on top of my list. That on several occasions I have found myself in the middle of such discussions, that were not started by me mind you, tells me that bread has an amazing appeal to our appetites. It’s good! If you, too, have a thing for bread, and I mean good bread, then the news of what you can get at Romano’s Macaroni Grill  is good news.

But the good news of the living bread of Jesus is better. In fact, it’s an unfair comparison, but hopefully it might help us see what we can get in Christ, one beggar to another!