Bishop David Kendall's Blog

Here are 10 things we can do as pastors to encourage the kind of community God wants to create among us.

 

1. Teach and preach the whole, full gospel.  Vertical (with God) reconciliation and fellowship—yes!—but also horizontal (with others).  They are two sides of the same coin.  We are recapturing the genius of our heritage here.  Holiness does not happen as an individual project.  That is why God draws us into fellowship.  We must have the support and challenge of others to become the Holy people of God.  Also, only when we are in fellowship with others do we reflect the God who is Triune, in the fellowship of holy love as Father, Son, and Spirit.

 

2. Model true fellowship, that is deep one another participation in the lives of others.  Delight and enter into such mutual participation.  Celebrate true fellowship in the life of the church personally and publicly.

 

3. Be real with people.  You are on the way, just as you wish your people to be.  You struggle, have growing edges, and sometimes fail.  Appropriate, Spirit-directed sharing encourages others to share, lets them know it is OK not to be perfect, to be on the way, and establishes your credibility as one who is walking the way you commend in preaching and teaching.

 

4. Discern the folk who have a heart for God, who truly want God to have God’s way.  Cherish them, encourage them, join with them in seeking God.  They can become the nucleus of a new movement of the Spirit within the church.

 

5. Let the fellowship of these God-centered ones become a think-tank, and a prayer-tank.  Make seeking God’s will for the church a priority among these folk.  Ask them to join you in seeking for God’s specific direction for the church.

 

6. Encourage, and facilitate small group- or cell group-sharing with one another within the church.  Focus on how it is the Holy Spirit is working transformation in our lives personally and relationally.  Focus also on how we are actually sharing (or could) in the ongoing mission of Jesus in our daily lives.  Make such communal seeking and sharing and mutual supporting the heart of discipling ministries.  If the church is not ready to develop a "small group ministry," then encourage this sort of small group interaction in S.S., mid-week, or even in worship settings.

 

7. Remember that in every gathering and meeting, you are first the church, and only secondarily a committee, board, task force etc.  Make prayer and praise, seeking God’s presence and direction, sharing praises and needs, a priority item on every church agenda.

 

8. Encourage inter-generational dynamics and activities—interaction between younger and older.  Find ways to mix people, bring them into connection, so the Spirit can impress the Body with how he is working in different people’s lives and so that our insights and gifts can be made available for others.

 

9. Encourage exposure to people of different cultures.  Ask people to consider a short term mission trip, or to visit a city mission, or prison or jail ministry—putting them into position to see how God creates bonds of fellowship and sharing between people who are very different from one another.  And, expect such exposure to lead to involvement. 

 

10. Let conflicts and relational strain stimulate: discerning essentials from non-essentials, with a commitment to yield and submit mutually on non-essentials, moving back to the cross to reaffirm what it is that binds us together, repenting of anger and hostility, dying to these by the power of the Spirit, and learning how to relate in Christ-like ways.

 

Early in his term our President announced his plan to enact health care legislation and he will not rest until he succeeds or all efforts fail.  I admire his determination.  I also share the core concerns that people receive basic care and that health systems are purged of injustices that may actually hurt the most vulnerable.  I'm convinced that addressing these concerns will require the wisdom of Solomon.  I'm trying to think and pray about the concerns in the light of the One who embodies such wisdom and promises it to those who ask.  In this connection, several things have disappointed me in the current discussion.

• Too much angry ranting and too much fear mongering.  Our Scriptures assure us that human wrath does not lead to righteousness and that perfect love casts out fear.  Where are these realities at work?
• A narrow perspective that forgets or dismisses the fact that most of the world could only dream of being in our situation.  In fact, multiplied millions would be far better off uninsured here than where they are now.  At least this should soften our tone and temper our expectations.  And, Christ-followers are drawn to consider the question, "whose-health care? and to do so mindful of a more global context.
• A selfish perspective that reflects a sense of entitlement–that we deserve the best on our terms.  In a world where millions never have access to the most basic medical attention and in a nation where way too many experience an appallingly similar deprivation, can Christ-followers get red-faced over their "need" to have multiple choices of physicians?
• A failure of Christ-follwers to imagine what the self-emptying, self-giving love of their Lord might mean for addressing the core concerns.  Do we know the meaning of sacrifice?  Are willing to sacrifice so those with no help get help?  What would that look like?
• Slowness to consider and much more to see and renounce grave systemic injustices in the systems that deliver health care.  How is it, for example, that people with insurance are given discounts and write-offs (technically it is their insurance companies who receive them "on our behalf") that people with no insurance are denied, so that services actually cost the poor more than the relatively rich?
• And, a legitimate concern that we pay for whatever we buy, pay with actual dollars that are clearly identified and made available.

I hope and pray that true reform takes place in our health care systems, that the left out and least receive care somehow, some way, that the whole world can be blessed by our reforms, and that Christ-followers contribute a wisdom that flows from the One we follow.

I write from Alexandria, Egypt where I've been privileged to share a biblical vision of church with the brothers and sisters of the Free Methodist Church in Egypt.  What a wonderful privilege!  But, what does that have to do with antichrist?

As you know the whole world loves our new President.  Obama-mania manifests everywhere, perhaps especially on the continent of Africa.  The other day, during an evening of Ramadan (when the streets are alive with teeming crowds of people celebrating what to them is the holiest time of the year) while walking in a marketplace I saw a sign that read:

BARACK OBAMA

 THE NEW TUTANKHAMEN

FOR THE WORLD

I have thought a lot about why the people here love our President so much.  It's not because they know much about him.  Most know nothing about the U.S. government in general and the President in particular.  I think it's what President Obama symbolizes for them.  A person of color can be leader of the most powerful nation on earth.  A relatively young man can be leader of the most powerful nation on earth.  A person belonging to a minority can be leader of the most powerful nation on earth.  And, such a person can become leader without violence or social upheaval.  These are huge, seemingly miraculous possibilities for people who live in Africa.  And now in our President such possibilities are realities.  If nothing else, it suggests there might be hope for other nations.  But, what does all of this have to do with antichrist?

I've been sharing from 1 Peter a biblical vision of the church.  One of the points I see so clearly and pray for so fervently is that the church is participant and agent of God's kingdom-made-real in Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.  I've insisted that true Christ-followers are a new kind of people, a kingdom people.  It's as if we have immigrated to a new country–kingdom-country.  And, like all immigrants in a new land, it's necessary to learn the language of their new country. That language is a language of praise to God and blessing toward others.  Christ followers speak this language even when others speak or act in ways that hurt or even destroy them.  No matter what happens–good or evil–kingdom people speak the kingdom language–full of praise to God and eager to bless others.  But, again, what does this have to do with antichrist? 

As I was finishing final preparation for last night's presentation I recalled a story I read on line a few days ago.  It told of a U. S. pastor who told his church that he was praying for President Obama's death.  I had to read it several times!  Yes, indeed, he was praying that the President would contract brain cancer, as Senator Ted Kennedy did, and quickly die!  He is a pastor!  He represents Jesus Christ and his kingdom!  But, if the story is correct, he doesn't speak the language of the kingdom.  He speaks the language of some other place quite alien to the kingdom of God.  Sadly, in his words, so full of anger as they were, we have words designed to curse and kill, not to bless.  In these words, antichrist came out into the open!

On this point it doesn't matter why the Pastor said it.  It doesn't matter what the issues are.  It doesn't matter whether the President is on God's side on the issues or in his actions.  A kingdom person speaks the language of the kingdom.  As Jesus taught, "Out of the heart flows … evil thoughts … murder … and this is what defiles the person"(Matt. 15: 17-20).  A pastor or anyone else who speaks such words as reported in that article, about the President or any other human being, reveals what is in his heart.  Words that reflect evil and murder reveal their speaker as antichrist in character. 

It’s not because I just wanted to get your attention.  It worked though, didn’t it?  It’s because almost everyone is talking sex, and the rest are thinking sex.  We can’t help it.  As I write I recall a recent Hardy’s commercial.  It features a beautiful Asian model, provocatively dressed, seated on apartment steps, pulling out a bacon-cheeseburger and in slow-motion taking a bite, dripping ketchup on to a leg … .  You’ve seen it and you understand it.  The commercial extols the virtues of a sandwich, but who doesn’t know they’re really talking sex?

The biblical world was as sex-crazed as ours.  The older nature religions understood the agricultural cycles as tied to the sexuality of the gods.  Often worship itself involved various sexual rites.  The sophisticated and cultured folk claimed sexual expression as a basic human right.  They would assert: One should not stifle whatever sexual expression fits one’s sense of self or served one’s personal pleasure.

Then and now, in a sex –charged world Christ-followers call attention to the beauty, sanctity, and—yes, pleasure of human sexuality.  We insist that human beings were not made for sex, but sex was made for human beings.  There’s a huge difference.  Among other things, it means we were not made to worship or serve sex, and sex cannot make our lives whole or complete.  We insist only God as known through Jesus makes life whole and complete.  And with God at the center of our lives, we claim to embrace a sexuality that God made for us, that yields the deepest pleasures, and that always enhances and ennobles it practitioners.

Please note: what I have said: We call attention to sexuality as God intended; we insist God must be at the center; and we make claims about a certain kind of sexual expression. 

You see: we’re talking sex.  But our best or loudest, our most fearful or angry words about sex in a sex-charged world will have no good impact apart from a life that is in order sexually!  Here’s where Paul’s teaching about sanctification and sex is helpful.   He says this is God’s will and your sanctification: abstain from sexual immorality (see 1 Thess. 4:3).  I do not have space in this column to spell out all Paul is saying.  But, let me cut to the chase.  Let me continue to talk sex for just a bit.

In a highly sexualized world, who or what will be the sun around which your sexuality revolves?  Will it be the world, other people, the glamorous, beautiful, desirable, yourself, or will it be Jesus the Son?  Bluntly, Christ is more important than sex.  This is true whether you are married or single, male or female, inclined toward people of the same or the other sex, or whether you feel sexually frustrated or fulfilled.  Christ is more important than sex.  Less, bluntly, Christ knows better than we do what we need to be whole, healthy, and happy.  Christ cares more about that than anyone else in our world.  And, Christ will take us there, to wholeness, health, and happiness.  He can be trusted.

When Christ-following becomes our most basic passion, more important than even sexual expression, our sexuality will find the place in our lives that best suits who we are and that most helps us access all God has for us, and not only for us.

As I have said, as Christ followers we must talk sex, but our talk will bless the world only if we are sexually in order.  The research I have seen suggests that the rate of premarital sex among young believing adults is about the same as among unbelievers.  Similarly, Christians commit adultery and divorce, as well as indulge in the use of porn about as much as anyone else.  The fact is: sexual disorder within the church has discredited the things we say about sex.  How can a sexually disordered people credibly advocate the virtues of God’s plan for marriage, proclaim God’s power to deliver from addiction or heal sexual brokenness? 

The sex-talk our world needs in the worst way is not just about individual piety and purity.  It is about the church’s spiritual credibility and authority to call the sexually broken, confused, and addicted to wholeness. 

For our own sake and for the mission, we must acknowledge our sexual disorder, repent of it, and seek grace.  We must welcome help and accountability, and receive grace that sets us free, cleans us up, reorders our hearts, minds and bodies for God-honoring sex that not only will feel good but be good.

I’ve been urging our churches to join Paul and Jesus in praying for the church’s sanctification (see 1 Thess. 5:23 and John 17:17-19), praying that the church would be utterly God’s to do with as God pleases, to use however God chooses, and to participate in God’s ongoing mission to reclaim and renew the whole of creation.  We’re way beyond church survival and even beyond church growth—we’re after the most comprehensive renovation of the whole of reality.  Nothing short of all God plans will do, if we have anything to say about it.

              

Here’s the problem, however.  Much of the church has been hijacked by the culture.  This is not a new phenomenon nor is it a stroke of genius to observe it.  It is a recurring problem.  Predictably the cultures of this world have deconstructed the gospel, the good news of Jesus and His kingdom, and then put the gospel back to together again in ways that fit or even enhance the culture.  For example, in our country people have harbored hopes of an American Dream—a vision of a kind of life that enjoys prosperity and peace.  For many generations this dream has exercised enormous influence.  So much so, that the gospel is often seen as a means to realizing this dream.  To put it way too simply, the dream has deconstructed the good news and put it together again so that accepting Jesus represents a fast track to realizing the dream.  Come to Jesus, join the church, be a good boy or girl, and God will bless you and the blessing will look like this dream-come-true.

 

When the culture stalls and the dream shatters, however, the gospel that was tweaked to accommodate this dream no longer seems adequate.  Followers of Jesus, on their way to the dream-come-true, suddenly realize that it’s not happening for them and nervously wonder about where Jesus is taking them.  There’s a lot of this going on just now.  Huge institutions once thought invulnerable now seem on shaky ground.  The economy no longer seems a safe harbor.  Many are wondering how life can continue or ever be good again, if things keep going on as they are.  Hand wringing is common, sometimes even in the church.

 

But when God owns us as church, when the church is utterly at his disposal, when there is nothing to lose because it’s all been surrendered for his use, when the good news of Jesus once again asserts itself against the bad news of our world, the good news deconstructs the culture, and helps us shape a life free of that culture’s illusions and idolatries so life goes on but in ways fully compatible with the kingdom Jesus declared and demonstrated.  If God were to foreclose on all our false hopes and assume sole proprietorship of the church, the good news would show us how to live even in a world that is passing away.

 

This is how it was when the church first came to be.  Followers of Jesus showed their world that life did not require the gods venerated by their contemporaries.  “The way it has always been” was shown to be a lie.  In fact, it hadn’t always been that way, and it could be another way that was better.  And followers of Jesus were often in the lead showing that better way. 

 

Not long ago in the country of Peru mountain farmers stood up against the drug lords that owned most of the land around them.  They had convinced everyone that the land could only grow coca plants, from which cocaine was made.  It had always been that way, and it had to be that way for the people to survive.  Of course this was a lie, but everyone believed the lie.  Everyone, that is, until a Christ-follower refused to use his land in that way and started to plant other crops.  Now, everyone knows that the land will produce many crops, most of which can be eaten and directly benefit the village.  Christ-followers exposed the lies that had kept people from possible blessing, and led them to a different and better life.

 

If the Christ-followers who are church courageously follow Christ in these days, dare we believe that once again lies about “the only way life can be good” will be exposed?  Dare we trust that if Christ has us wholly at his disposal, we may become agents of blessing and recreation to a world that thinks it’s falling apart?  Dare we still hope?