On my desk sits a folding photo frame with a picture of my two sons as young boys on one half. The other half of the frame contains a quote that reads, "A truly rich man is one whose children will run into his arms when his hands are empty." I am proud to say that I am a very rich man.
Love cannot be measured in terms of material goods or dollar value. Yet love that is offered in the form of acceptance, encouragement, openness, support, and time made available is priceless in anyone's eyes. Father's Day is very special when memories include these qualities.
A father's love does not always involve condoning. It does not always involve sparing pain. It does not always involve providing a ready source for personal and immediate gratification. In fact many times it is just the opposite. A father's love can include learning through hard and painful lessons. It can involve clarification of boundaries and limitations not easily accepted. It can involve teaching cost, consequences, accountability, and personal responsibility. Love at times can hurt everyone involved.
Our heavenly Father gives us the best example of love. He has always found a way to show grace. He has always found a way to offer forgiveness and redemption. He has always found a way that will allow the object of his love to become more than they were before.
The Father's love must be revealed in the home and in the church. His love reveals himself and his hopes for his creation. His love reveals his power to control and his refusal to intervene. His love reveals his demands and his grace. His love reveals his requirements and his own willingness to sacrifice.
A church must practice such fatherly love. A congregation exists to reach out and include. It cannot compomise the nature of the One whose blood and Spirit established it. Neither can it stand as judge over those whose Creator has accepted them.
A church must be willing to sacrifice the material and the traditional so that the Truth may shine brightly. The Truth is a Person. His love that led to personal sacrifice on a cross cannot be buried beneath demands that separate the individual from God. A church is not in business simply to offer material goods or financial gain. To the world its arms may often seem empty. But for those who are seeking the Father's kind of love, they must be able to see the arms of the church filled with his forgiving Presence.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Distractions
People aren't the only "things" that can get distracted from their primary purposes or goals. Churches get distracted. Associations get distracted. I suppose that conventions, state and national, can also get distracted.
Different people and different entities have their own unique distractions. What distracts me might not receive a passing glance from another individual. What will take one church along a course it never intended would not gain the attention of another congregation. What might make an association or convention suddenly take a strange, new road would be absent from the agenda of another.
I am firmly convinced that churches, and associations, can have ADD just as much as an individual. The overt and seemingly obvious causes may be as varied as the congregations. From my experience the root problem, however, remains the same. To be or not to be! We are most often distracted by a felt need to survive, and not only to survive, but unfortunately to survive in the same form we have existed throughout the recorded past.
Faithfulness in this world to the cause of Christ always involves risk. Taking risks invariably brings change. Sometimes that change might involve deciding that survival holds a low priority level. Faithfulness takes focus. Thinking in worldly terms can easily distract a church from the faithfulness that is demanded. We are caught in attention deficit because the influences around us appear to be greater, brighter, more acceptable, more threatening, or more powerful than our prior commitments. We suffer spiritual ADD and we are thrown back into survival mode.
Churches can be distracted by the material concerns of buildings and property. They can be distracted by the numerical concerns of attendance and budgets. They can even be distracted by baptisms to the extent that they feel getting someone wet is the end all and neglect the part of the Great Commission that says, "teach them to observe (obey) all that I have commanded you."
Associations can also be guilty of distractions leading them away from their primary purpose. An association is not a local body of believers. It should not try to act like one. An association has become distracted if it begins to operate as a local church, trying to provide activities and ministries which need the context and personal involvement of a local congregation. In some measure the association should be equipping the local churches as surely as the ministerial leadership in a local church should be equipping the saints there. The local church should be the primary context of Kingdom work rather than the association or any other larger organization.
Vision/mission statements do have their place particularly for those of us as individuals or as organizations who have shown the tendency to be distracted from our calling. The Apostle Paul was adamant about his focus. He knew he could be distracted (Acts 16:16-18; Rom. 7:15-19; Gal. 6:17). Therefore several times in one form or another, he mentions his life focus and what he was willing to do to maintain that focus (Acts 20:24; Rom. 9:26-27; I Cor. 2:2; Phil. 3:13-14).
One church in New York City used a very simple technique to avoid some of the dangers of spiritual distraction. Each year on the anniversary date of their founding, they would read their mission statement as a part of their worship service. As a congregation they would recommit themselves to their purpose for existence. They refused to allow themselves to become distracted.
This would be good advice for every church, and every Christian with a life mission. Associations should regularly review why they exist and make sure every member church is also reminded. This world makes it very easy to lose focus as organizations.
Perhaps our churches, and our associations, would become more effective by recognizing that avoiding distractions can never be a one time action. Forget survival. It's overrated. None of us were intended to last forever on this earth anyway, people or institutions. Rather focus on the richness of our calling to be salt, light, and leaven in the world. If we have to empty the salt shaker or run out the batteries to do so, so what? God has something better waiting for us anyway. Take the risk. Give all you've got. Don't get distracted. Whatever it takes, it's worth it.
Different people and different entities have their own unique distractions. What distracts me might not receive a passing glance from another individual. What will take one church along a course it never intended would not gain the attention of another congregation. What might make an association or convention suddenly take a strange, new road would be absent from the agenda of another.
I am firmly convinced that churches, and associations, can have ADD just as much as an individual. The overt and seemingly obvious causes may be as varied as the congregations. From my experience the root problem, however, remains the same. To be or not to be! We are most often distracted by a felt need to survive, and not only to survive, but unfortunately to survive in the same form we have existed throughout the recorded past.
Faithfulness in this world to the cause of Christ always involves risk. Taking risks invariably brings change. Sometimes that change might involve deciding that survival holds a low priority level. Faithfulness takes focus. Thinking in worldly terms can easily distract a church from the faithfulness that is demanded. We are caught in attention deficit because the influences around us appear to be greater, brighter, more acceptable, more threatening, or more powerful than our prior commitments. We suffer spiritual ADD and we are thrown back into survival mode.
Churches can be distracted by the material concerns of buildings and property. They can be distracted by the numerical concerns of attendance and budgets. They can even be distracted by baptisms to the extent that they feel getting someone wet is the end all and neglect the part of the Great Commission that says, "teach them to observe (obey) all that I have commanded you."
Associations can also be guilty of distractions leading them away from their primary purpose. An association is not a local body of believers. It should not try to act like one. An association has become distracted if it begins to operate as a local church, trying to provide activities and ministries which need the context and personal involvement of a local congregation. In some measure the association should be equipping the local churches as surely as the ministerial leadership in a local church should be equipping the saints there. The local church should be the primary context of Kingdom work rather than the association or any other larger organization.
Vision/mission statements do have their place particularly for those of us as individuals or as organizations who have shown the tendency to be distracted from our calling. The Apostle Paul was adamant about his focus. He knew he could be distracted (Acts 16:16-18; Rom. 7:15-19; Gal. 6:17). Therefore several times in one form or another, he mentions his life focus and what he was willing to do to maintain that focus (Acts 20:24; Rom. 9:26-27; I Cor. 2:2; Phil. 3:13-14).
One church in New York City used a very simple technique to avoid some of the dangers of spiritual distraction. Each year on the anniversary date of their founding, they would read their mission statement as a part of their worship service. As a congregation they would recommit themselves to their purpose for existence. They refused to allow themselves to become distracted.
This would be good advice for every church, and every Christian with a life mission. Associations should regularly review why they exist and make sure every member church is also reminded. This world makes it very easy to lose focus as organizations.
Perhaps our churches, and our associations, would become more effective by recognizing that avoiding distractions can never be a one time action. Forget survival. It's overrated. None of us were intended to last forever on this earth anyway, people or institutions. Rather focus on the richness of our calling to be salt, light, and leaven in the world. If we have to empty the salt shaker or run out the batteries to do so, so what? God has something better waiting for us anyway. Take the risk. Give all you've got. Don't get distracted. Whatever it takes, it's worth it.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Remember Me
I am forced to admit that each time I read the final words of the thief on the cross (Luke 23.42), my eyes well up in tears. Here is a plea for one to live on at least in someone's memory when no such existence is deserved. It is a plea that should touch every heart and before God be uttered by every heart. "Remember me" is one of the most human phrases in our language.
Memorial Day has become one of three days in our American calendars on which we remember those who "gave the last full measure of devotion". As others have said, we need to remember that all gave some and some gave all so that we can enjoy freedom as few people on earth do or ever have. We repeat this call to remember on Independence Day in July and again on Veterans' Day in November. As one who can look back through his ancestry and see the record of family members who fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War (both Blue and Gray!), World War II, and in the Viet Nam conflict, I can with a certain measure of pride say that these have done what they felt was right for their country/state for well over 300 years.
At the same time I look at the calendars of our churches and the celebrations of remembrance by their members, and I see little that reflects any recall of the heroes of our faith, the martyrs who have watered the tree of divine, sacrificial love with their own blood. The Voice of the Martyrs (persecution.com) estimates 150,000 to 175,000 believers lose their lives each year because they carry the label of Christian. In most publicized cases this occurs in areas of northern Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia. Yet it also occurs in many other nations where a Christian influence is seen as a threat to the reigning powers.
The second Sunday of November is set aside as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Let our society remember those who paid the greatest price to maintain the freedom of our country. Let us as individuals remember with words of comfort and deeds of support those families whose brave soldiers will live on only in their memory. Let us also take time to remember those who lay down their lives standing for the Kingdom of God. Jim Elliot's (martyred missionary in South America) words are wise for all, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Memorial Day has become one of three days in our American calendars on which we remember those who "gave the last full measure of devotion". As others have said, we need to remember that all gave some and some gave all so that we can enjoy freedom as few people on earth do or ever have. We repeat this call to remember on Independence Day in July and again on Veterans' Day in November. As one who can look back through his ancestry and see the record of family members who fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War (both Blue and Gray!), World War II, and in the Viet Nam conflict, I can with a certain measure of pride say that these have done what they felt was right for their country/state for well over 300 years.
At the same time I look at the calendars of our churches and the celebrations of remembrance by their members, and I see little that reflects any recall of the heroes of our faith, the martyrs who have watered the tree of divine, sacrificial love with their own blood. The Voice of the Martyrs (persecution.com) estimates 150,000 to 175,000 believers lose their lives each year because they carry the label of Christian. In most publicized cases this occurs in areas of northern Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia. Yet it also occurs in many other nations where a Christian influence is seen as a threat to the reigning powers.
The second Sunday of November is set aside as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Let our society remember those who paid the greatest price to maintain the freedom of our country. Let us as individuals remember with words of comfort and deeds of support those families whose brave soldiers will live on only in their memory. Let us also take time to remember those who lay down their lives standing for the Kingdom of God. Jim Elliot's (martyred missionary in South America) words are wise for all, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I'm Still Here
It really is rather sad. An old man, long separated from his life career, taking upon himself the responsibility of calling a world to get ready for the return of Jesus Christ at a particular hour. Actually the prophet Amos got pulled from his farming tasks to call a nation to repentance. He didn't even want to do it. He just had to be obedient. With Amos, however, he didn't reject the basic nature of God as being consistent in his revelation. Bro. Camping felt it absolutely necessary to rewrite part of the Bible so he could follow through on his predictions. That is sad.
Why do people make predictions about the date when the world will end? If they are right, no one will be throwing them a party. If they are wrong, then they become the brunt of the latest round of jokes. There doesn't seem to be much reward in making such predictions.
So why do it? Here are three possible reasons, all bad.
1. A person needs attention. He or she has been ignored by all the people they consider important. Therefore the only way to get the desired attention is to do something that will be sure to trump anything else that might be happening. All eyes will be upon the central figure at least for a little while. It's why kids throw tantrums. It's why people walk tight ropes between sky scrapers. It's why people float in barrels over Niagara Falls. Gaining attention is considered worth the risk of any negative reactions.
2. A person needs a sense of purpose. When all else in life seems to be failing or slipping into insignificance, carrying a message that will have an impact on everyone gives importance. The need to warn others, to offer hope to others, or simply to make others aware of something that seems inevitable is a powerful source for purpose. We all need an answer to why we are here. If we cannot get that answer from acceptable sources, then we will create one.
3. A person is afraid. Knowledge is power. When we have knowledge, we can exercise control. Control keeps us from being weak and at the mercy of other forces. It helps keep our fear from controlling our lives. The unknown causes tremendous fear for many people. They are afraid of what they do not know, do not understand, or cannot control. The future is the great unknown. If we can predict what will happen, then we can have control over the future and limit or remove the fear. Perhaps this is why studies in biblical prophecy are so popular.
Jesus told his disciples not to be afraid of tomorrow, most certainly not to waste time thinking about the end of all things. It is enough to know that God considers us more valuable than a sparrow. It is enough to know that we have a great purpose in glorifying God and leading others to do the same. It is enough to know that we have nothing to fear. God is in control. Our lack of knowledge has no limiting influence upon God's power. We need to be ready for Christ's return ALL the time.
Frankly, each day as I pull up the Astronomy Picture of the Day web site I am amazed at the awesome universe God has created. It is hard for me to believe that he created all that and would not give us a chance to go out there and see it for ourselves up close. This won't happen in the next few months, but then I think God might leave us around here for another several thousand years. In case he doesn't, well, I'm prepared to walk through heavenly fields anytime. After all it may be that the time of the last days started when Jesus said, "It is finished."
Why do people make predictions about the date when the world will end? If they are right, no one will be throwing them a party. If they are wrong, then they become the brunt of the latest round of jokes. There doesn't seem to be much reward in making such predictions.
So why do it? Here are three possible reasons, all bad.
1. A person needs attention. He or she has been ignored by all the people they consider important. Therefore the only way to get the desired attention is to do something that will be sure to trump anything else that might be happening. All eyes will be upon the central figure at least for a little while. It's why kids throw tantrums. It's why people walk tight ropes between sky scrapers. It's why people float in barrels over Niagara Falls. Gaining attention is considered worth the risk of any negative reactions.
2. A person needs a sense of purpose. When all else in life seems to be failing or slipping into insignificance, carrying a message that will have an impact on everyone gives importance. The need to warn others, to offer hope to others, or simply to make others aware of something that seems inevitable is a powerful source for purpose. We all need an answer to why we are here. If we cannot get that answer from acceptable sources, then we will create one.
3. A person is afraid. Knowledge is power. When we have knowledge, we can exercise control. Control keeps us from being weak and at the mercy of other forces. It helps keep our fear from controlling our lives. The unknown causes tremendous fear for many people. They are afraid of what they do not know, do not understand, or cannot control. The future is the great unknown. If we can predict what will happen, then we can have control over the future and limit or remove the fear. Perhaps this is why studies in biblical prophecy are so popular.
Jesus told his disciples not to be afraid of tomorrow, most certainly not to waste time thinking about the end of all things. It is enough to know that God considers us more valuable than a sparrow. It is enough to know that we have a great purpose in glorifying God and leading others to do the same. It is enough to know that we have nothing to fear. God is in control. Our lack of knowledge has no limiting influence upon God's power. We need to be ready for Christ's return ALL the time.
Frankly, each day as I pull up the Astronomy Picture of the Day web site I am amazed at the awesome universe God has created. It is hard for me to believe that he created all that and would not give us a chance to go out there and see it for ourselves up close. This won't happen in the next few months, but then I think God might leave us around here for another several thousand years. In case he doesn't, well, I'm prepared to walk through heavenly fields anytime. After all it may be that the time of the last days started when Jesus said, "It is finished."
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Associational Accountability
One of the great questions in the Bible was addressed by God to Elijah as the prophet on the lam was standing on Mount Horeb, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (I Kings 19). This could be a pure existential question, the irony being that it is the Creator asking the creature for an answer. It could also be a simple and straight forward question asking why here instead of somewhere else.
The Lord gave very little attention to Elijah's response. I wonder what the Lord thinks of my own attempts to answer that question.
Elijah was the prophet of the Lord. He was accountable to the Lord for a faithful response to his calling. In no less way I am responsible to God for a faithful response to his calling on my life. In the current context that means a faithful response as an associational missionary. This involves an accountability not only for my own life, but also an accountability for my leadership in the asociational structure and a handling of associational resources whatever form they may take. Accountability is a hard burden to bear!
Yet accountable we all must be. The associational representatives voted to ask me to fill this position. We both hoped that it was done under the guidance of and in the will of God. To accept that last point is to say we both recognize a greater Power than just a group of churches in control of the situation and setting the standards for expectations. I am more accountable to God than I am to these associational members. Accountability is a hard burden to bear!
His calling. His standards, His resources. His expectations. Ultimately his job description. Regardless of what individual pastors or churches or groups of churches think, say, or do, I am first and foremost accountable to God. Then I am also accountable to the association who took action believing that I was supposed to be here.
God's standards basically revolve around faithfulness to his nature. The association's expectations basically revolve around meeting their perceived needs. I will be held accountable to them and evaluated by them based upon my ability in one way or another to meet their needs.
Unfortunately this can often mean answering questions they won't ask and perceiving needs they won't admit. Yet when you do either or both, you are praised as one who is always there for them to help them be more effectvie in their context. This is good because you are never too sure you are getting it just right or whose toes you will step on while providing the answer you feel they need.
Accountability springs from responsibility. He who is not responsible will not be held accountable. When I took this position, responsibilities came along with it. In a most glorious spiritual form, those responsibilities are defined by God. Assuming those responsibilities made me accountable to the churches who constitute those responsibilities. Much more so assuming those responsibilities made me accountable to God. Part of my responsibilities involves leading the churches to see they have that same accountability. God will hold me accountable for that!
The Lord gave very little attention to Elijah's response. I wonder what the Lord thinks of my own attempts to answer that question.
Elijah was the prophet of the Lord. He was accountable to the Lord for a faithful response to his calling. In no less way I am responsible to God for a faithful response to his calling on my life. In the current context that means a faithful response as an associational missionary. This involves an accountability not only for my own life, but also an accountability for my leadership in the asociational structure and a handling of associational resources whatever form they may take. Accountability is a hard burden to bear!
Yet accountable we all must be. The associational representatives voted to ask me to fill this position. We both hoped that it was done under the guidance of and in the will of God. To accept that last point is to say we both recognize a greater Power than just a group of churches in control of the situation and setting the standards for expectations. I am more accountable to God than I am to these associational members. Accountability is a hard burden to bear!
His calling. His standards, His resources. His expectations. Ultimately his job description. Regardless of what individual pastors or churches or groups of churches think, say, or do, I am first and foremost accountable to God. Then I am also accountable to the association who took action believing that I was supposed to be here.
God's standards basically revolve around faithfulness to his nature. The association's expectations basically revolve around meeting their perceived needs. I will be held accountable to them and evaluated by them based upon my ability in one way or another to meet their needs.
Unfortunately this can often mean answering questions they won't ask and perceiving needs they won't admit. Yet when you do either or both, you are praised as one who is always there for them to help them be more effectvie in their context. This is good because you are never too sure you are getting it just right or whose toes you will step on while providing the answer you feel they need.
Accountability springs from responsibility. He who is not responsible will not be held accountable. When I took this position, responsibilities came along with it. In a most glorious spiritual form, those responsibilities are defined by God. Assuming those responsibilities made me accountable to the churches who constitute those responsibilities. Much more so assuming those responsibilities made me accountable to God. Part of my responsibilities involves leading the churches to see they have that same accountability. God will hold me accountable for that!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Autonomous: To Be or Not To Be
I wish I were a brilliant historian. I would have a big title, a big salary, and a big list of books carrying my name as author. Alas, I am no such creature. So I must gather a foundation for my thoughts in other ways or simply give my opinion.
Federalism versus States' Rights. Autonomous local church versus autonomous association versus autonomous state convention versus autonomous national convention. By the way probably Southern Baptists are the only ones who understand the implications of this previous sentence. We have ongoing crises among Southern Baptists because of misunderstandings and an outright wrong approach to the concept of autonomy and its sister concept of connectionalism. We have ongoing discussions about the cause of the Civil War. Was its cause grounded in slavery or was slavery simply the chosen issue over which the battle for a strong central government versus strong states' rights was finally fought rather that tariff questions or rules governing international trade agreements or the right to print your own money (or maybe even how many wives you could have)?
Alas, I am not that brilliant scholar in American history. So, as to the other issue, why is there so much emotional upheaval among Baptists over autonomy and a proper understanding of connectionalism? It has everything to do with priesthood of the believer and organizational freedom. At this fall's annual meeting for the NC Baptist State Convention, messengers will hear a report concerning the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. Should the state convention accept it as our confessional document or stick with the 1963 BF&M?
This question has arisen because one messenger said we have a "mess" if we don't address it. Where's the mess? The national convention with less than 10,000 messengers supposedly representing sixteen million members adopted the 2000 as drawn up by a presidentially hand picked committee. The 1963 version was drawn up and presented by a committee composed of the executinve directors of the various state conventions, people chosen by the states from which they came!
If NC Baptists have a mess, it is because someone has forgotten that great Baptist element called connectionalism and its relationship to autonomy. In the Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists (c. 1958, vol. I, p. 99), the article author quotes the SBC constitution and then adds his own comments. "'While independent and sovereign in its own sphere, the Convention does not claim and will never attempt to exercise any authority over any other Baptist body, whether church, auxiliary organizations, association, or convention.' This limitation is prompted by the theological proposition that each church is independent and autonomous. No other body may usurp the authority of the church."
We are "connected" as NC Baptists to the SBC by choice, choosing to cooperate as we mutually desire. We do not have to follow the SBC in each step it takes, nor does it create a mess when we choose not to do so.
We do not have a mess except when someone decides to turn our convention into a strong federalist organization instead of the local church rights, associational rights, state convention rights organization it was designed to be. We are connected as a community, not as a family bowing before the ruling patriarch who dictates how the entire family will live.
If we are blessed as a state convention, the committee that has been appointed by the president of the convention will remember that we are autonomous and serve together through a clearly defined connectionalism. They will recommend that we maintain our freedom by continuing to function under the 1963 BF&M, a document that was prepared in part by our own elected personnel. When we forget our foundations of autonomy and connectionalism, then we will have a mess! And I really don't want to have to lead my association to assert its autonomous rights.
Federalism versus States' Rights. Autonomous local church versus autonomous association versus autonomous state convention versus autonomous national convention. By the way probably Southern Baptists are the only ones who understand the implications of this previous sentence. We have ongoing crises among Southern Baptists because of misunderstandings and an outright wrong approach to the concept of autonomy and its sister concept of connectionalism. We have ongoing discussions about the cause of the Civil War. Was its cause grounded in slavery or was slavery simply the chosen issue over which the battle for a strong central government versus strong states' rights was finally fought rather that tariff questions or rules governing international trade agreements or the right to print your own money (or maybe even how many wives you could have)?
Alas, I am not that brilliant scholar in American history. So, as to the other issue, why is there so much emotional upheaval among Baptists over autonomy and a proper understanding of connectionalism? It has everything to do with priesthood of the believer and organizational freedom. At this fall's annual meeting for the NC Baptist State Convention, messengers will hear a report concerning the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. Should the state convention accept it as our confessional document or stick with the 1963 BF&M?
This question has arisen because one messenger said we have a "mess" if we don't address it. Where's the mess? The national convention with less than 10,000 messengers supposedly representing sixteen million members adopted the 2000 as drawn up by a presidentially hand picked committee. The 1963 version was drawn up and presented by a committee composed of the executinve directors of the various state conventions, people chosen by the states from which they came!
If NC Baptists have a mess, it is because someone has forgotten that great Baptist element called connectionalism and its relationship to autonomy. In the Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists (c. 1958, vol. I, p. 99), the article author quotes the SBC constitution and then adds his own comments. "'While independent and sovereign in its own sphere, the Convention does not claim and will never attempt to exercise any authority over any other Baptist body, whether church, auxiliary organizations, association, or convention.' This limitation is prompted by the theological proposition that each church is independent and autonomous. No other body may usurp the authority of the church."
We are "connected" as NC Baptists to the SBC by choice, choosing to cooperate as we mutually desire. We do not have to follow the SBC in each step it takes, nor does it create a mess when we choose not to do so.
We do not have a mess except when someone decides to turn our convention into a strong federalist organization instead of the local church rights, associational rights, state convention rights organization it was designed to be. We are connected as a community, not as a family bowing before the ruling patriarch who dictates how the entire family will live.
If we are blessed as a state convention, the committee that has been appointed by the president of the convention will remember that we are autonomous and serve together through a clearly defined connectionalism. They will recommend that we maintain our freedom by continuing to function under the 1963 BF&M, a document that was prepared in part by our own elected personnel. When we forget our foundations of autonomy and connectionalism, then we will have a mess! And I really don't want to have to lead my association to assert its autonomous rights.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
One Man's Death
Everybody dies. Most have not known or will not know when that is to happen. The assurance, however, is there. We will all die. The only way to avoid that is to be alive at the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that will still bring about a rather significant change. Death in and of itself does not therefore hold any particular uniqueness for us. That is, until it takes someone of importance to us.
I must admit there was no great rejoicing in my spirit when I got the word that Osama bin Laden had been killed. My first thought was simply, "Who will be the next world assasin?" In one form or another the bin Ladens have been around since long before we even read of Barabbas, a local Jewish zealot, being traded for Jesus. My emotions reflected my feelings that executionary death removes a symptom of a problem from our midst. It does not remove the problem.
Did Osama bin Laden deserve to die? If you weigh the pain he and his organization have caused millions of people, Americans and non-Americans, Christians and non-Christians, rich and poor alike, it would be hard to find any man in the first decade of the 21st century who deserved it more? If allowed to live in freedom, would he have been searching for additional ways to cause pain to anyone who differed with his agenda? Without a doubt!
I only raise the question that should we as civilized people, as Christians, find in the violent death of any person, no matter how deserving, a reason to celebrate. Let us grieve with those who have lost loved ones due to this man's hatred, bigotry, and twisted mind. Let us work to restore justice in areas where such hatred finds fertile soil. Let us bring love, compassion, and hope for redemption into relationships that would otherwise be attracted to such a perverted view of human existence.
The death of one man such as Osama bin Laden will ultimately be a note on a page in a history book. The millions who died in the Holocaust deserve and will get more space. Those who have died in mass ethnic cleansings deserve and will get more space in those same books. Those millions who died at the will of some passing dictator deserve and should get more space.
One man's death rarely makes a difference in social history. Thankfully, there is one man's death that has. Jesus carried neither spear nor sword. He carried a cross. He preached neither social correctness nor ethnic superiority. He preached love and forgiveness. He sought the death of no one. He sought only salvation for all through his own death.
Dictators die. Jihadists die. Theologians and philosophers die. Their deaths offer no one abundant life now and salvation eternal. One man's death did.
I must admit there was no great rejoicing in my spirit when I got the word that Osama bin Laden had been killed. My first thought was simply, "Who will be the next world assasin?" In one form or another the bin Ladens have been around since long before we even read of Barabbas, a local Jewish zealot, being traded for Jesus. My emotions reflected my feelings that executionary death removes a symptom of a problem from our midst. It does not remove the problem.
Did Osama bin Laden deserve to die? If you weigh the pain he and his organization have caused millions of people, Americans and non-Americans, Christians and non-Christians, rich and poor alike, it would be hard to find any man in the first decade of the 21st century who deserved it more? If allowed to live in freedom, would he have been searching for additional ways to cause pain to anyone who differed with his agenda? Without a doubt!
I only raise the question that should we as civilized people, as Christians, find in the violent death of any person, no matter how deserving, a reason to celebrate. Let us grieve with those who have lost loved ones due to this man's hatred, bigotry, and twisted mind. Let us work to restore justice in areas where such hatred finds fertile soil. Let us bring love, compassion, and hope for redemption into relationships that would otherwise be attracted to such a perverted view of human existence.
The death of one man such as Osama bin Laden will ultimately be a note on a page in a history book. The millions who died in the Holocaust deserve and will get more space. Those who have died in mass ethnic cleansings deserve and will get more space in those same books. Those millions who died at the will of some passing dictator deserve and should get more space.
One man's death rarely makes a difference in social history. Thankfully, there is one man's death that has. Jesus carried neither spear nor sword. He carried a cross. He preached neither social correctness nor ethnic superiority. He preached love and forgiveness. He sought the death of no one. He sought only salvation for all through his own death.
Dictators die. Jihadists die. Theologians and philosophers die. Their deaths offer no one abundant life now and salvation eternal. One man's death did.
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