Monday, May 30

IYKDWYBDYKGWYBG

Curtis Sergeant was the first to introduce me to the concept of IYKDWYBDYKGWYBG: If You Keep Doing What You’ve Been Doing, You’ll Keep Getting What You’ve Been Getting.
One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting to get different results. Also, if you just do the same thing you have been doing but do more of it, you will probably get the same thing you have been getting, just more of it. So, if you are dissatisfied with the current results, then you need to consider altering your approach or changing the methodology that is currently being used. Constant ruthless evaluation is an important habit if you are seeking maximum effectiveness. Never be satisfied with the status quo. Always seek to improve...
I have found this advise to be so true. We get stuck in our ruts and just keep ploughing away hoping somehow that if we just do more of it and work harder at it we will somehow get the desired results. Even when something is obviously not working, we have the tendency to not change what we are doing.

For us nothing seems to work for very long. It seems we are always in a state of transistion. What worked three months ago is no longer getting the job done. The "perfect materials" were perfect for about two weeks, now they are shot full of holes. Our "superstar" church planters have moved on to something else. Now we are back to square one finding God-called laborers.

It amazes me how desperate I can get for stability and order. We want a plan, a program, a tried and proved formula to put into operation and then sit back and watch the results pour in. Yet ministry (the world for that matter!) doesn't seem to operate this way. The IYKDWYBDYKGWYBG idea encourages me as a constant reminder that WHAT we do and HOW we do things matters. We need to constantly evaluate and measure what is working and make the needed changes.

Friday, May 27

Valores que nos unen en la obra

Nuestra MISIÓN, VISIÓN, y META: Cumplir la Gran Comisión en el Ecuador en esta generación.

Valor 1 – La oración.  La oración es nuestra fuente de vida y de poder, el recurso más valioso que tenemos. Por medio de ella Dios nos dirige paso a paso como siempre ha hecho con su Pueblo a través de la historia. Cosas ocurren en el mundo espiritual cuando oramos, que no ocurren cuando no oramos.

Valor 2 – La siembra abundante y continua del evangelio.  La ley de la siega se aplica bien: “El que siembra abundantemente, cosechará abundantemente.” Tenemos que usar todos los medios a nuestra disposición para sembrar la semilla. “Más es más.”

Aunque todo lo que se hace para sembrar abundantemente tiene validez, creemos que la forma más efectiva de evangelizar es sembrar nuevas iglesias. Cuando no hay la intención específica de plantar una nueva iglesia con la gente que se está evangelizando, gran parte del esfuerzo se pierde. Cada nuevo creyente es un líder en potencial para abrir un nuevo grupo de alcance que podría llegar a ser una nueva iglesia en casa.

Valor 3 – La autoridad de las Sagradas Escrituras.  La Biblia es nuestra única fuente de fe y práctica. Creemos que cada creyente tiene el Espíritu de Dios y él es quién nos ayuda interpretarla y aplicarla a nuestras vidas. Creemos que hay sabiduría en el Cuerpo de Cristo para ayudarnos entender y aplicar la Palabra. Pero es necesario filtrar toda palabra, práctica y tradición humana por lo que actualmente dice y enseña la Biblia.

Valor 4 – Cada creyente es un discípulo de alguien, y a la vez un discipulador de otra persona(s). El principio de 2 Timoteo 2:2. Cada nuevo creyente debería ser un discípulo de alguien. Ningún Cristiano debería andar “suelto” por si solo. El discipulado se lleva a cabo en compañía de los otros creyentes en la nueva iglesia en casa liderado por los siervos-líderes. Es un discipulado en grupo al estilo de Jesús con sus doce discípulos. El procedimiento normal será de discipular con las lecciones y prácticas de los materiales de discipulado disponibles para uso en todas las iglesias.

Al pasar las semanas, el siervo-líder empezará a ver surgir las aptitudes y dones de algunos de los nuevos creyentes. En el estilo de Jesús que puso atención especial en Pedro, Jacobo, y a Juán, también el siervo-líder empezará a dar una cuidado especial con los nuevos líderes que empiezan a tomar forma.

Los siervos líderes en cambio siguen siendo discipulados por las personas quienes los capacitaron en primer instancia. Este discipulado consiste de dos partes, formal e informal. El discipulado formal se lleva a cabo con materiales de discipulado, reuniones, talleres especiales, conferencias, etc. El discipulado informal se lleva a cabo en forma más individual entre el discipulador y el nuevo discípulo por medio de contactos personales regulares en el diario vivir.

Valor 5 – La plantación intencional de nuevas iglesias.  Esperamos que cada iglesia continuamente y concientemente esté buscando la forma de multiplicarse en nuevas iglesias.

Al abrir un nuevo grupo de alcance* los nuevos siervos-líderes no dejan de congregarse con su iglesia original donde nacieron. Tienen una relación de frente y por detrás. Se relacionan “por detrás” con los hermanos quienes son su familia en el Señor, su iglesia. Se relacionan “de frente” con los nuevos que son los frutos de su ministerio.

O sea, siguen siendo discípulos ellos mismos, pero a la vez empiezan a discipular a los nuevos que van ganando. Llegan a ser los “padres espirituales” de los que van entregándose a Cristo en el nuevo grupo de alcance, y son “hijos espirituales” de la iglesia en casa donde saben congregarse.

NOTA: Las nuevas iglesias plantadas no necesariamente tienen que permanecer indefinidamente para ser legítimas. Por ejemplo: Supongamos que una nueva iglesia “A” de diez personas se reúna por un año. A fines del año dos personas de esta salen y comienzan dos iglesias más de 10-15 personas (“B” y “C”). La iglesia original “A” deja de reunirse y los restantes ocho empiezan a congregarse en otras iglesias existentes. El resultado no ha sido que iglesia “A” fracasó, sino que al reproducirse en iglesias “B” y “C” ¡tuvo un crecimiento del 200% al triplicar el número de personas para el Reino de Dios! 22 se congregan en las dos nuevas congregaciones, y ocho en otras iglesias previamente establecidas. Este tipo de reproducción rápida e intencional es lo que anhelamos ver.

*“Grupo de Alcance” es lo que llamamos al grupo nuevo que está reuniéndose hasta que haya bautismos y de allí son iglesias.

Valor 6 – Un liderazgo laico y local (LLL).  Creemos en el sacerdocio del creyente. No debería existir una separación entre el clero profesional pagado y los llamados “laícos.”  Lo único que nos distingue son los dones diferentes que ha dado el Espíritu Santo.  Los que tienen más experiencia y hayan recibido esos dones de enseñar deberían capacitar a los santos para la obra del ministerio. (Ef.4:11-12)

Todos somos ministros del evangelio, sacerdocio real. Todos somos llamados a cumplir la Gran Comisión. Todos conformamos el Cuerpo de Cristo. Todos somos responsables de la obra.

Los nuevos líderes generalmente son entrenados en forma práctica (manos a la obra) en la iglesia local y lo más antes posible (semanas) empiezan a compartir las responsabilidades de la obra. No es necesario sacar al liderazgo emergente de su ambiente y vida para capacitarlos en una institución formal externo.

Valor 7 – Iglesias simples en las casas (grupos pequeños.)  Creemos que la mayoría de las instrucciones eclesiásticas en el N.T. pueden ser realizadas más eficazmente dentro del contexto de un grupo pequeño. El modelo de iglesia que encontramos en el N.T. era claramente uno que se reunía en las casas. Es allí donde uno puede ser la iglesia y no tanto el concepto de ir a la iglesia.

Poco a poco se van formando “redes” de iglesias en casa en cada zona que tienen mutuamente una relación especial. Estos también se reunan regularmente como grupo grande para eventos especiales de adoración, capacitación, comunión, compañerismo, etc.

Valor 8 – Iglesias sembrando iglesias que siembran iglesias (reproducción multiplicadora.)  Si nuestra meta es “hacer discípulos de las naciones” tendremos que empezar a multiplicar más rápidamente el número de nuevas iglesias. Muchos creen que se sacrifica “calidad” por conseguir “cantidad” pero esto no se ha podido comprobar al examinar lo que Dios está haciendo alrededor del mundo y a través de la historia. Si la estructura es simple, no va ser un impedimento reproducirla. Si el modelo es complicado con muchos requisitos extra-Bíblicas, este no va a ser un modelo fácilmente reproducible y hasta puede impedir el avance de la obra.

Valor 9 – Iglesias simples. (iglesias “P.O.N.C.H.O.S.”)
  • Participativas donde todos pueden contribuir algo para el bien de la iglesia.
  • Obran según los dones y buscan obedecer a todas las cosas que Jesús mandó.
  • No hay liderazgo profesional pagado que hace la obra, sino un solo cuerpo, con Cristo como la Cabeza funcional. ¿Lideradas? Sí. ¿Controladas? No.
  • Casas como el mejor lugar para poder funcionar como el cuerpo vivo de Cristo.
  • Hechos es el libro en la Biblia que tiene más para instruirnos en cuanto a la iglesia que Cristo fundó, que los modelos, tradiciones y prácticas hoy en día. Hechos pesa más que el modelo actual.
  • Obreros itinerantes conocidos como apóstoles, profetas, evangelistas, pastores, y maestros que ayudan, capacitan y guían a las nuevas iglesias, moviéndose entre ellas según la necesidad.
  • Supervisadas/pastoreadas/cuidadas por ancianos/obispos en un liderazgo compartido plural que muestra las cualidades encontradas en 1 Tim.3:1-7.
Valor 10 – Iglesias saludables.  Una iglesia saludable funciona en base a cinco propósitos: alabanza y oración, evangelismo y misiones, discipulado, ministerio, y compañerismo.

Schwarz lo describe con ocho características cualitativas: liderazgo capacitador, ministerios según dones, espiritualidad ferviente, estructuras funcionales, reuniones que inspiran, grupos pequeños integrales, evangelismo según las necesidades, y relaciones afectivas. Todos estos conforman la descripción de una iglesia saludable.

Valor 11 – Unidad en el Cuerpo de Cristo.  Efesios 4:4-6 Hay un solo cuerpo y un solo Espíritu, así como también vosotros fuisteis llamados en una misma esperanza de vuestra vocación; un solo Señor, una sola fe, un solo bautismo, un solo Dios y Padre de todos, que está sobre todos, por todos y en todos.

El Reino de Dios es una sola. No se puede dividir. Debemos buscar primeramente su reino y no la nuestra. Nuestras diferencias no deberían impedir esfuerzos para unirnos y colaborar juntos en “buscar primeramente el Reino de Dios.” Todo hermano en Cristo es nuestro hermano.

Valor 12 – Obediencia a todo lo que Jesús mandó.  El Cristiano no debe medir su madurez espiritual en cuanto a su conocimiento del evangelio, sino a su obediencia a lo que sabe del evangelio. No confundamos el conocer los mandatos de Jesús con el obedecerlos en nuestra vida personal. En la vida Cristiana no es tan importante cuanto sabemos, sino cuanto obedecemos. Obediencia a los mandatos y enseñanzas de Jesús es la prueba si andamos en la luz.

Valor 13 – Las misiones y llegar a las personas no-alcanzadas.  La iglesia tiene que estar involucrada no solamente con Jerusalén, sino simultáneamente con nuestra Judea, Samaria, y hasta lo último de la tierra (Hechos 1:8.)  Al mantener nuestro enfoque en "hacer discípulos a las naciones" debemos estar atentos a los grupos en nuestro entorno que aun no hayan sido tocados con el evangelio. Existen muchos cantones, pueblos, y sub-grupos que han sido ignorados por la sociedad en general. Ancianos, niños en la calle, prostitutas, pandillas, Chinos, Árabes, grupos étnicos, Musulmanes, sectas (Mormones, Testigos de Jehová) enfermos con SIDA, y homosexuales son algunos de los grupos que también necesitan el evangelio.

Valor 14 – Todo se evalúe para lograr la “visión final.”  El tiempo es corto. Debemos ser sabios y cuidarnos para no distraernos en la abundancia de buenas actividades, programas y oportunidades que se presentan. Como dice Pablo, “Todo es lícito, pero no todo es de provecho.” Muchas cosas buenas quitan tiempo, energía, y recursos y nos distraen de cumplir con la visión y mandato que nos dejó el Señor.

Wednesday, May 25

Missionary Perks

Many of our supporters back in the United States feel sorry for missionaries living overseas and all we have given up to "suffer for Jesus." But the truth is, we are better off than most think. Here is a sampling of just a few of the many perks we enjoy as missionaries:

-Being given the seat right in front of the only floor fan in a closed room where 30 perspiring people are crammed together in equatorial heat and humidity. (If you don't think this is an honor and privilege, just try sitting somewhere else in the room and not passing out!)

-Being asked to sing, preach, teach, baptize, speak, dedicate babies, marry, or give the devotional at any church gathering that takes place. (If you're a missionary, you know what I am talking about. Not even Billy Graham gets asked to do all that we are honored to do!)

-Being invited to everyone's birthday party, anniversary, or wedding. (It is expected the missionary will bring a nice gift.)

-Having a phone that actually works (most of the time.)

-Having a mobile phone with a balance. (That way everyone who needs to make a call can borrow ours and we save them from having to use their own balance. Call it our "phone ministry!")

-Always the one invited to go places. (The missionary has a car and can be counted on to provide transportation for the other 15 people also wanting to go.)

-Double portions of rice, chicken and plantains at any social occasion. (They reason we must eat twice as much to be as big as we are!)

-A nice siesta every day after lunch. (How do people in the States manage to go all day long without a nap?)

-Fruit vendors, knife sharpeners, plumbers, sewer cleaners, professional con artists, street sweepers, bottle collectors, repairmen, newspaper collectors, beggars, Jehovah Witnesses, gardeners, electricians, and salesmen, ringing your door bell 10 times a day to see if you need their services or can give them anything.(While sometimes annoying--especially during afternoon siesta--it generally is a nice perk when you actually do need their services!)

-Always being complimented on how fat we are getting, or how much weight we have gained over the past month. (The intent is good, but annoying since these "thoughtful" words usually come right after we have killed ourselves working out at the gym and currently on a diet.)

-The honor of receiving calls every week from people asking for help in translating an English letter, recipe, their kid's homework, legal documents, etc. (How many times have I heard, "oh, it will just take a minute, you don't mind do you?")

-Being stared at every time we set foot outside the house like we were some movie star (especially since our only actual claim to fame is being from Texas.)

-Being the first person people think of when they are in an economic crisis and need a loan.

-Someone to do all your yard work for less than your kids allowance.

And finally, my favorite perk...

-Garbage picked up seven days/week, 365 days/year without anyone questioning what it is you are throwing away. This is probably my favorite missionary perk, and the one I most appreciate getting back to after every Stateside furlough. (One furlough, seriously--NOT ONCE was our garbage picked up by the trash collectors due to our never figuring out how to do it right. I was totally overwhelmed by "garbage manual" explaining all the rules and regulations about what kinds of trash will be picked up, on what days, in what type of containers, etc.)

And people wonder what missionaries do with all their time. Well, as you can see, managing all our perks can be pretty time consuming!

Care to add some of the perks that come with your career-job-ministry? Just add them to the comments section!

Sunday, May 22

Listening to one another's stories

Of the 50+ "one anothers" in the New Testament, I am not aware of any that exhort us to listen to one another's stories. Yet, I know of no better way to begin fulfilling the one another passages than by getting to know each other's stories.

Listening to one another's stories:

-brings us together
-unites us
-makes us more human
-gives us context for understanding each other better
-reveals our hearts
-corrects misconceptions
-draws us together
-makes us more of a "real" person
-reveals what we have in common
-makes us appreciate others more
-reveals areas we were unaware of before
-reveals how much more we have in common than differences
-fills in gaps about the "why's" of people's actions/behavior
-rids us of false impressions we might have had
-clarifies things we only vaguely knew before
-and a lot more...

The sum total of the above is that we are drawn together to better:

-be of the same mind toward one another
-be devoted to one another
-give greater preference to one another
-help to not judge one another
-build up one another
-accept one another
-bear one another's burdens
-care for one another
-serve one another
-tolerate one another in love
-be kind to one another
-be subject to one another
-consider one another more important than ourselves
-bear with one another
-forgive one another

The sum total of these and other similar exhortations is that we come closer to fulfilling the command of Christ to truly love one another as God loves us.

Sadly, most of us define people by a few skewed perceptions. We are quick to label a person based upon what someone else has said about them, or our own quick conclusions from distorted or partial facts. People seem a lot different when we know their story.

I know in my own life I do this all the time. I tend to define people by a single action, word, attitude, behavior, or impression. A brief encounter and I unconsciously label people: boring/interesting, liberal/conservative, shallow, uninteresting, creative, cry-baby, know-it-all, hick, bad/good, want to know better/never want to see again, useful, proud, etc. How is it that we are so quick to define an entire person's life solely on the basis of a quick impression, out-of-context facts, an incident, appearances, a word spoken, or hasty conclusions?

It upsets me to know others define me as something I am not. It hurts to be unfairly labled by the distorted conclusions people make about me based upon fragments of my story.

Recently I was hurt to find out a fellow brother in Christ despises me in his heart. This is someone with whom we have worked closely for many years. Why? I was born in the USA. No other considerations factor into the equation. I am an American, therfore I am the embodiment of all that he thinks is wrong about America. He doesn't see Guy Muse, he sees an ugly American.

Unfair? Of course it is. But that is what most of us do all the time with each other. We make judgements about people based on a few distorted facts or impressions without knowing the other persons story.

Suggestions for telling our story:

-allow time for "small talk" but suggest listening to one another's stories
-"break the ice" by being the first to share your story
-take the time needed to really hear one another's story
-ask questions allowing for further clarification
-share only what you are comfortable sharing, but enough to allow us to get to know the real you
-share family background and upbringing
-share struggles (people tend to identify more with weaknesses than achievements)
-influences in my life, key people
-how I got to where we are now
-who I am in my own eyes, how do I see myself?
-key milestones in my spiritual journey
-how I met Jesus
-events/experiences that have helped shape my life
-likes/dislikes
-passions, interests, hobbies
-dreams, goals
-mistakes and what was learned
-pray for the person after hearing their story

What is important in all the above is that we get to know each other beyond that which is superficial. What makes people interesting is what is on the inside. The more we know one another, the easier it is to love and accept them for who they are. We want to know the real you, not the masks we hide behind. To know is to know.

Friday, May 20

Methods, Models, and Forms - by Alan Knox

The following is a slightly condensed reposting of an article written by Alan Knox. To read the entire original click here.
----------------
It only takes a few moments of perusing the local Christian bookstore to notice that volumes have been written suggesting certain models, methods, and forms for the church. Similarly, there are conferences, workshops, seminars, and even degree programs that recommend and instruct in one model or another method or a new form...

Most of the time, when people study the church in Scripture, they recognize that there is very little (if any) indication of a specific model, method, or form. The Bible clearly shows that believers should gather together, but there is no command as to how, when, or where that gathering should take place. Scripture indicates that believers should teach one another, but it does not indicate how that teaching is supposed to occur. Similarly, in the Bible, we see believers singing, praying, giving, etc. without any particular instructions about how they should do this together.

So, does this mean that all models and methods and forms are bad – wrong – evil? No. But, I think it means that the church cannot be defined by those models, methods, and forms.

What, then, is the pupose of those models, methods, and forms?

First, I believe that the Holy Spirit will (super)-naturally gather believers together. Similarly, I believe that the Spirit will gift those believers as He deems necessary in order to carry out His purpose among this group and, beyond this group, to the world around them. The activities, concerns, and mission of this group will be determined by the Spirit himself, through His gifting and through the opportunities that He gives them to serve believers and unbelievers alike.

The Spirit will use some primarily as teachers as he gifts them. He will use some primarily through their giving of money and other resources. He will use others primarily through their abilities to serve other people. As the believers obediently follow the gifting of the Spirit and his will in their lives, the church will build itself up and will function as salt and light in the world around it.

Now, this is not an easy process. It takes humility, complete reliance on the Spirit, and continually seeking His will. There will be bumps and bruises along the way. Some will misunderstand what the Spirit is doing. Others will assume that the Spirit wants everyone to function the same way. Still others will prefer to let more spiritual believers function while they “do” nothing. There will be failures. There will be sin. There will be hurt feelings. There will be discomfort. This happens because even believers do not always obey the Spirit. However, as the group of believers learn to recognize and respond to the work of the Spirit in their lives and in the lives of others in their group, the church will be edified and the community will be affected.

So, what happens when the Holy Spirit (super)-naturally brings together another group of believers? There are many options for this group (just as there were for the first group mentioned above), but let’s consider two of these options.

First, this second group of believers could go through the same process as the first group. They could work through their sin and pride and independence to determine the way that God expects them to respond to His Spirit and the world around them. Like I said before, this is not necessarily an easy process.

There is another option for this second group of believers. They could look to the first group of believers, notice how the Spirit worked among them, and begin doing the same things. In this way, a model, method, or form is birthed. It will begin much more easily and perhaps “grow” more quickly, because the form defines how the believers should act toward one another and toward the community. However, what if the Spirit has not gifted this group in the same way that He gifted the first group? What if the community context of the second group is different than the context of the first group? What if the resources available for the second group are much less (or much more) than the resources available to the first group? When the second group of believers begin operating in ways that the Spirit has not directed, then they are disobeying God.

Thus, the Spirit can work through people using certain models, methods, or forms. But, that is for the Spirit to decide, not for the people to decide. When a group of believers begins gathering together within a certain model, method, or form, without considering the will of God and how He has gifted them and how He is using them in their communities, then they place the model, method, or form above the will of God.

Similarly, we should never assume that the church will be found and will operate within these models, methods, and forms. The church is the people of God – those separated by God from the world and for himself. The models, methods, and forms should never be confused with God’s people. And, where the models, methods, and forms begin to interfere with God’s work among His people, or where they do not allow the church to function as they are instructed to function in Scripture, then the models, methods, and forms should be modified, changed, or jettisoned.

But, what about disorder? If a church functions with no models, methods, or forms, won’t that church encourage disorder in its meetings? Wouldn’t that disorder be sin, since the church is not obeying Scripture? Wouldn’t following a model, method, or form that maintains order be better?

If there is disorder when the church comes together, that disorder is caused by disobedience to the Spirit, not by a lack of models, methods, or forms. Those causing disorder demonstrate that they are not following the Spirit, since the Spirit will never lead into sin. In fact, it may be that models, methods, and forms encourage order, but hide the sin of disobedience within that same order. People may follow the model, method, or form and thus seemingly remain “in order”, but they may actually be living in disobedience to God.

The Spirit may use (or may have used) certain models, methods, and forms in the life of a church. But, those models, methods, and forms should never be allowed to substitute for believers genuinely seeking the will of God then living according to His will, gifting, and mission in their community and world. This may be “messy” at times, but it also allows the power of God to work through His people when they are not bound by models, methods, and forms.
----------------------

What are your thoughts on Alan's post?

Tuesday, May 17

Lord's Supper, baptizing, funerals, weddings in house churches

If simple churches are usually led by non-professional "lay" leaders, who performs all of the ceremonies traditionally officiated by professional clergy? Who does the baptizing, serving of the Lord's Supper, funerals, weddings, and all the other duties traditionally done by ordained ministers? Who do you call when there is a death in the family? Can anyone baptize (women?) Who presides over the Lord's Supper? Can any believer marry a couple?

I have no problem answering these questions, but as part of my answer, I like to inquire of the person asking, where in the NT do we get the idea that only a certain class carry out these functions? Can any of us point to a single instance in the NT where any of these functions is designated as exclusive terrain of a chosen few? Is it a commandment or an ordinance that only trained, seminary educated, ordained ministers be the ones to baptize, serve the Lord's Supper, wed, or bury? There is nothing wrong with them doing so, but are we not ALL Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a Chosen Race?

So, to the practical outworking of how these things are carried out in simple house church settings...

The short version is that we deal with each situation as it comes up. In other words we don't worry about these things until in the natural flow of things they need to be dealt with. When the need arises, those in the house church leadership will call on us to help them. This usually entails sitting down and helping them understand what God wants them to do in this situation. Sometimes they come right out and ask us to lead the ceremony. Often I will agree to do so this first occasion, but next time it is their responsibility. I view these opportunities to further train and orient the servant leaders by their watching me do it.

Baptism. We don't make a big deal over who does the baptizing. Any disciple can baptize. In fact disciples are commanded to do so in Matthew 28:18-20. Usually the way this works is that the house church leader will do so themselves with one or two assistants from the church. If for whatever reason they are not able, or do not wish to do so, they find somebody else to do the baptizing. It's not so much WHO does the baptizing, as in WHOSE NAME they are baptized.

The Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is a meal and regularly observed by the house churches. It is carried out in any number of different ways. One way is, again, to model how it is done. Many times when a group of new believers is ready for their first Lord's Supper, they will invite one of their mentors to preside. We gladly do so as a means of modeling a way of how it can be done. What is scary is that however we choose to lead during this time is often copied from there on out as "the way" to do the Lord's Supper! Over the years, though, I have seen a lot of creative and meaningful ways to celebrate this memorial.

Weddings. We have had many house church weddings over the past few years. Each has been special and meaningful to not only those getting married, but a blessing to the church as a whole. Sometimes I have been asked to perform the wedding, and have done so gladly. Usually though I will only perform the first wedding in a house church, but expect them to do any subsequent weddings. Sometimes the couple getting married will specifically ask their house church leader to do the ceremony. In these cases--and there have been several--the leader will come asking for help. We will sit down and step by step go over what needs to be done. We practice until they are fairly confident. It is important that the servant leaders be seen as empowered to carry out ALL the necessary tasks involved in church life. If we somehow leave the impression that only ordained pastors and missionaries can fill certain roles, we will harm the church's natural development. The last thing we want to do is create dependency upon the missionary.

Funerals. Again, we will go over with the house church leaders a basic outline of the kinds of things to say and do at a funeral. I just returned from one of these funerals not 30-minutes ago. The house church leader did a wonderful job. He asked me to say a few words, but the bulk of the time was led by him. I remember one house church leader being asked to preside over a wake. She had absolutely no experience or background to do so. In a panic she called several people to come to the rescue. None were available so she prayed to the Lord for guidance and went on to the wake. There, she was able to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit, and was a great blessing to the family. She related that it wasn't that hard. It was just a matter of allowing the Spirit of God freedom to minister through her. She related they sang a few songs, she shared a passage of Scripture and a few words of comfort, the family shared their memories of the loved one, prays were said, and then she visited with the family.

The list really extends to many other natural church life functions as well. Praying for the sick, dealing with demons, counseling, baby dedications, home visits, anniversaries, birthday parties, etc. NONE of these are the exclusive domain of professional clergy. ALL are matters which normally should be carried out by Spirit-filled disciples. It is not about us and how highly trained we are, but about HIM and what He wants to do in and through us.

Sunday, May 15

So you want to be a pastor

Paul writes to Timothy, "It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do."

Overseer is the word used in the NASB, HCSV, and NIV. Other English translations interchange overseer for:

  • church official (CEV)
  • leader (NEB)
  • bishop (KJV,RSV)
  • pastor (LB)
  • church leader (GNB)
Paul instructs Titus to "appoint elders in every town..." Whether elders, overseers, church officials, leaders, bishops, pastors, or church leaders, all seem to refer to what we know today as pastors, ministers, or church workers.

A desire to serve is clearly a good thing. Today we sometimes call this desire the "call of God." Whether this is something we want to do, or feel called of God to do, Paul lists qualifications that need to be evident in the lives of those aspiring to serve.

Here is Paul's "job description" list of things in someone wanting to be an elder/pastor/overseer/leader/bishop:

  • must be above reproach
  • the husband of one wife
  • temperate
  • prudent
  • respectable
  • hospitable
  • able to teach
  • not addicted to wine
  • not pugnacious
  • gentle
  • peaceable
  • free from the love of money
  • manages his own household well
  • keep[s] his children under control with all dignity
  • not a new convert
  • ha[s] a good reputation with those outside the church
  • ha[s] children who believe
  • not accused of dissipation or rebellion
  • not self-willed
  • not quick-tempered
  • not fond of sordid gain
  • loving what is good
  • sensible
  • just
  • devout
  • self-controlled
  • holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching
Out of the combined list, 26 of the 27 qualifications have to do with the CHARACTER of the individual. Only one of the above requisites has to do with ministerial ability (teaching.)

A 27:1 ratio of character over job skills. Who we are is far more important than what we can do.

What a contrast to what is emphasized today. While character is indeed considered, the ratio often seems reversed and weighted towards job skills. Churches looking for ministers start with academic degrees, and post-graduate ministerial studies from accredited seminaries. We want to see high levels of communication skills, people skills, administrative skills, books published, experienced track record of successful ministry, etc.

What implications does this 27:1 ratio have for those of us who find ourselves serving as leaders, bishops, pastors, elders, or overseers? Why is character and the way we live our lives at home so important?

Paul seems to clearly think we have to be something before we can do something.

Recently we began a new approach to our ministry of church planting training. Instead of starting out with methods, materials, and models, we are first focusing on the individuals themselves who desire to serve. Character is really important. More important than job skills. One can get by on skill only for so long. After a while character always catches up.

After more than ten years of almost continuous work with so-called "lay leaders," I can say unequivocally that character matters. In our haste to see laborers sent out into the harvest fields, churches planted, baptisms reported, we too often turn a blind eye to known character flaws, or family/marriage situations. We assume these things are "none of our business" and that God is already dealing with them about these areas of concern. After all, "the work" is supreme. The end justifies the means. The Kingdom is first. We are all flawed--some more than others--but God somehow works around our faults to accomplish His purposes. Right?

Wrong.

I am a firm believer in that we are all ministers. All of us are "called" to the task of making disciples of the nations. We are indeed a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light... Yet to ignore or turn a blind eye to weak character traits in those desiring to serve always has its day of reckoning.

Sometimes wisdom dictates putting people on hold till they work through known personal issues. Sometimes it might mean NOT sending them until they give clear evidence of being able to control their temper, respect their husbands/wives, deal honestly with money issues, or be known for their hospitality, etc.

I write the above out of years of trying to work with individuals who come into the ministry with unresolved character flaws, and personal issues. Many have a keen desire to be used by God. They are gifted. Their energy levels far surpass my own. Yet over and over their down fall and failed ministry is tied directly to their own character deficiencies.

So, you think you might want to be a pastor? Missionary? Church planter? Christian worker? Youth minister? Evangelist? Great! Start by going down Paul's list and evaluate yourself carefully. Get others to do the same from their own perspective. Get help with those areas you might be weak in. It is in those weak areas that Satan will hit hardest. None of us is perfect, but scoring above average on the above list will make a huge difference in the impact your life will make as you serve the King of Kings.

Tuesday, May 10

Are you a Jesus follower?

Under Religious Views on my Facebook profile, I state "Jesus follower." But, what is a Jesus follower? What all does that entail? In reading the Gospels one finds a lot more detail than just going to church on Sunday, reading the Bible, praying, not cussing, smoking, drinking, or gambling.

One can land in just about any chapter of the Gospels and discover first hand what the twelve experienced with Jesus as they followed Him on a daily basis. It entails quite a different set of activities from what most of us modern disciples routinely experience.

Take a look at some of the things the disciples experience with Jesus in just a couple of pages (chapters 8 and 9 of Matthew) ...
  • going through a storm and nearly losing their lives
  • watching Jesus perform a miracle of calming the winds and sea
  • coming out of the storm only to face demon-possessed men (fringe/marginal people)
  • pigs running off a cliff and the locals traumatized
  • people begging you to leave their region (being unwelcome)
  • forgiving sins in Jesus Name (are we supposed to do this kind of thing?)
  • healing paralytics (those unable to walk on their own)
  • confronting religious opposition for doing what is good and right
  • identifying with sinners and outcasts of society (the non-church folks)
  • calling on sinners to leave what they are doing and follow Christ
  • going to a party, eating/drinking with non-followers of Christ
  • being given a lesson on mercy and what that means by seeing it first hand
  • being questioned about religious practices and traditions and answering
  • healing a sick woman
  • raising a dead child
  • healing the blind
  • driving out more demons
  • going from town to town teaching in synagogues
  • preaching Good News of the Kingdom
  • healing every disease and sickness
  • having compassion for the crowds
  • instructing disciples to pray for laborers
  • pointing out the abundant harvest to disciples
Does this sound like a typical follower of Christ today? Do we really relate with the way Jesus lived and taught his disciples and the kinds of things He exposed them to?

From these verses, I am struck how much time these first followers of Christ spent healing the sick and demon possessed. Yes, there is also the preaching/teaching element of discipleship, but a lot of time was spent healing and ministering to the sick and oppressed.

How much of my time mirrors these kinds of activities? How much of the above list characterizes my own walk as a follower of Jesus?

How about your own?

Sunday, May 8

Keeping the main things simple

We believe disciples are followers of Jesus who obey the commands of Christ. The core of "teaching them to obey all that I commanded you" is the keeping of the "Ten Commandments of Jesus Christ." We believe this is where we must start in making disciples. Teach them to observe (obey) those things Jesus thought were most important.

What often gets taught first is a lot of secondary stuff. How Christians should act, where they should go on Sundays, and a long list of do's and don'ts. Many of these things are important, but they aren't more important that what Jesus himself commanded. Living out daily what Christ taught defines those who claim to be his followers.
It is only when we obey God's laws that we can be quite sure that we really know Him. The man who claims to know God but does not obey His laws is not only a liar, he lives in self-delusion. In practice, the more a man learns to obey God's laws,the more truly and fully does he express his love for Him. Obedience is the test of whether we really live "in God" or not. The life of a man who professes to be living in God must bear the stamp of Christ.  (I John 2:3-6 JBP)
Jesus himself stated that the greatest commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. The second is similar to the first: to love our neighbor as ourselves. If we add the commands in the Great Commission to those in the Great Commandment we get:

Love God
Love others
Make disciples

Pretty simple. I can think of no better starting place to work with new believers than with these three commandments. If you get these right, everything else falls into place. There is enough in these six words to keep us busy with a lifetime of learning and ministry.

But why don't we focus on these essentials? What distracts us from living out these three? Why do we so easily lose our focus and get off on so many other secondary matters?

I believe for all our talk about simplicity, we continue to live as if "more is more" rather than "less is more." If what we do is too simple, we will look dumb. So we complicate the simple and hope everyone will see how smart we are by adding on all kinds of extras and non-essentials. Does this remind anyone of the Pharisees?

Simple in no way means "easy to accomplish," but it does mean uncomplicated. We have complicated that which was meant to be simple to the point that few truly practice in their daily lives those things Jesus commanded.

I recently posted Roy McClung's How to explain simple/organic church in 2-minutes on a napkin. In this short video Roy does a great job illustrating how we have taken something quite simple and morphed it into something quite different than originally intended.

Neil Cole expresses it this way,
"Simple is transferable; complex breaks down...Simplicity is the key to the fulfillment of the Great Commission in this generation. If the process is complex, it will break down early in the trasference to the next generation of disciples. The more complex the process, the greater the giftedness needed to keep it going. The simpler the process, the more available it is to the broader Christian populace."
I vote for getting back to basics. Simplify the process. Teach the Great Commandment and the Great Commission until our disciples are obeying these commands. If we aren't even keeping the basic ABC's of the Christian faith, how dare we attempt to pontificate on the QRS's?

Friday, May 6

What role do you want to play?

Bob Roberts, Jr. writes in "The Multiplying Church"...

You can be Mark Driscoll, Rob Bell, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, or Neil Cole, or you can be the person who raises them up. What role do you most want to play? I used to want to be them--to get to see all this stuff happening up close--but that's because all I saw was what I could do.

As I grew older and began to help planters start their churches, I realized I could have greater impact raising up multiple leaders who would plant more churches than I could ever do alone. Not all of us are gifted or called to be Driscolls, Warrens, or Coles, but every single pastor can raise up other young men and women. As a matter of fact, one of the chief roles and responsibilites of every pastor is that of raising up leaders--not just for their church but for the broader church as well.

Which is greater, to plant a single church or to plant multiple churches out of your church?

I once heard that our Chinese brothers express it this way...

It is good for a Christian to lead someone to Christ,
It is better to plant a church,
It is best to lead others to plant churches.

If we are ever going to see genuine church planting movements, we have to get away from wanting to be center stage. Instead of ministry being about us, or what we do; how do we encourage that vast army of ordinary believers to step out in faith into the ripe and ready fields of harvest?

Question: how long does it take to get from 0-1000 member church? Unless extraordinarily gifted like those mentioned above, most of us would dedicate a lifetime to reaching that goal. The largest Baptist Church in Ecuador Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica Bautista Israel took 30 years to reach a thousand members. But in only the past five years has more than doubled in size. How? Not by fancier facilities, slicker services, or better sermons...but by empowering, equipping and encouraging ordinary "lay leaders" to go out and plant more than a dozen community churches. These "daughter churches" each average close to 100 people. I love their motto: "one church; many communities."

A couple of months ago, a dozen men and women signed up for church planting training here in Guayaquil. After Eight weeks, more than 100 new believers (and soon-to-be-believers) meet together weekly in at least seven newly planted house churches.

I wonder, how long would it have taken me to plant a church of 100? Working full time, with several others helping, and access to money and outside resources, probably a couple of years. Yet, by investing a few hours over the past eight weeks with a dozen people, we already see greater results.

I totally agree with Bob Roberts statements above. Most would rather be one of those household names known for having a successful ministry. But how differently things might be in the Kingdom if Ephesians 4 APEPT were about perfecting/equipping the saints for the work, instead of being the primary ones doing the work?

What do you think? Your thoughts and comments are welcomed!

Wednesday, May 4

La iglesia simple/organica/misional

¿Qué es la diferencia entre una iglesia en casa/simple/misional/orgánica y la ya conocida iglesia tradicional?


Sunday, May 1

A.P.E.P.T. like their “P’s”

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...Eph. 4:11-12

Favorite words of the above mentioned A.P.E.P.T.

Apostles: plant, plant, plant
Prophets: prophesy, prophesy, prophesy
Evangelists: preach, preach, preach
Pastors: protect, protect, protect
Teachers: prepare, prepare, prepare

Each favorite word by itself is at best, a partial picture of all that is needed. Together the five form a powerful force for carrying out Christ’s purposes for his church.

Sadly, instead of working together as a team, and allowing the various tensions to coexist, the A/P’s are often seen as the “black sheep” of the APEPT family. A/P’s seem to always be stirring up trouble and questioning the status quo. If the P/T’s are doing their best to fill their church pews, A/P’s are trying to empty them. If A/P’s are harping on making disciples of the nations, P/T’s are worried about all the bad doctrine bound to arise from sending “spiritual babes” into battle without adequate preparation. E’s are happy to just be out there preaching the Good News and not all tied up in the complexities going on with the A/P brothers on their left, or the P/T brothers on their right.

While A/P’s are out there pressing the accelerator pedal to the floor, S/T’s have their foot on the brakes! E’s are oblivious to what is going on in the drivers seat, and are only interested in getting the windows down so they can sing, “Jesus saves, Jesus saves...” as they rush past folks standing by the side of the road.

The problem of all five is that we have a hard time accepting anyone who is not one of our own kind. A/P’s, in particular, have been marginalized to almost be considered an “endangered species.” Legitimate A/P’s are the hardest to find or identify within the Body of Christ. A/P’s by nature do not often carry the proper credentials and dislike titles like Pastor, Rev., or Dr. They aren’t usually known for their slick blogs or prolific Tweeting. When they do speak, their voices and actions make us uncomfortable. A lot of their ministry sounds like it is coming out of “left field.” Seldom do A/P’s coincide with the standard “right-wing” S/T church views. In a church not meant to have factions, A/P’s would be considered the left-wing “liberals” of the church–loved and tolerated, yes–but kind of weird, disruptive, and even dangerous for our youth! Of course, E’s in the center can go either way, depending on which side has invited them to preach!

But what is needed? What is missing from this picture? Obviously all five are important or Christ would not have given such a diverse bunch as a “gift” to His church.

I would be the first to confess all who are gifted with one of the APEPT functions/roles need to learn to listen, trust, respect, honor, and work alongside one another. We need to sit down with one another. Talk to one another. Learn from one another. Value our differences. Read books from one another’s different “camps.”

We must be clear that the “he” in verse eleven above refers to Christ, the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Church. It is not just pastors and their staffs who are charged with the responsibilities of caring for, perfecting and training the saints for the work of service. There are supposed to be FIVE cooperating service departments entrusted with duties of perfecting the saints.

Paul further clarifies the aforementioned APEPT chronology in I Corinthians 12:28-29,

And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers...All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they?

It is God himself who appoints in his church his own priority order, 1) apostles, 2) prophets, 3) teachers. Obviously missing from the Corinthian list are evangelists and pastors. My own theory is that there is a lot of overlap between apostles and evangelists and Paul joins the two into the apostolic function. Same thing goes for pastors in that their roles often coincide with those of prophesying and teaching.

I personally understand both the Ephesian 5-fold APEPT list and the order found in I Cor.12:28-29 as chronological. It is not that apostles are more important or higher in rank than prophets, but that the order in which each appear is divinely appointed by the Lord himself.

First, apostolic workers are needed to cast vision, plow ground, mobilize, plant seed, preach, water, and be present at the birth of new churches. Prophets accompany apostles every step of the way, speaking to men “for edification and exhortation and consolation.” (I Cor. 14:3)

Prophets confirm and establish that which has been laid down by apostles and “see things” from a spiritual perspective to keep us all in tune with the Spirit’s leading.

Evangelists are also part of this process and often the terms and roles are one and the same with apostles and prophets. Evangelists are especially helpful in making known the message of salvation to those who are have been engaged by the initial work of apostles and prophets.

Once there is a new group of disciples; elders, pastors, shepherds, teachers, and the rest of the I Cor. 12:28-29 list emerge. It is almost like APE's start the ball game, and PT come in and finish up, freeing the APE's to start again elsewhere. But APEPT's are always on the move. About the only static ones would be elders, but that is a subject for another post.

In conclusion, all five roles are important. All five verbs are essential. All five functions co-exist to perfect the saints for the work we have all been called to fulfill in Christ Jesus.

What are some of your thoughts on the above?