This is "Church?"

Recently I was considering the modern church and I've concluded that this simply cannot be what Jesus had in mind when he said he would build his church. I suspect it must be disappointing for the Lord to see what the "church" has become. Club members. Consumers. Christianity lite. Un-converts. Judgement Day will no doubt be quite a surprise for many! The more ecumenical among us like to say that we'll be surprised by who is in Heaven, but I think we will be more surprised by who is not! May God have mercy on us!

Women in the Church

Gender roles and the Bible have become quite the controversial issue in the modern church. I fear that the biblical text has been so thoroughly assaulted by "professionals" that the egalitarian perversion of Scripture is beginning to take hold and become entrenched. I fear that the church may never evict this compromised position, at least not in this current generation. The timing of this erroneous doctrine is particulary damaging because the modern "pew sitter" walks in biblical ignorance. Add to that an increasingly feminized culture and you have what we have today = a gender ignorant & gender neutral movement. Morever, today's church is dominated numerically with women...they do the work, they "man" the programs, etc. So, the modern preacher-pastor-minister guy can & will be tempted to go soft on gender roles because he might lose his flock or a portion of it. I strongly recommend a book to aid you in this morass of gender issues. "Women in the Church" by Andreas Kostenberger & Thomas Schreiner is the best single volume resource available. It is scholarly yet readable. It is thorough - they even refute bogus arguments you probably haven't even encountered...yet. Please get it and read it.

And now why tarriest thou?

The Associated Press quoted Senator John McCain recently. He said:

"I was raised Episcopalian, I have attended the North Phoenix Baptist Church for many years and I am a Christian," McCain said. He added that he has considered being baptized in the Baptist church, but he does not want to do it during the presidential race because "it might appear as if I was doing something that I otherwise wouldn't do."

The Senator might want to check out the following Bible verse - Acts 22:16 (KJV): And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

From my column in the OCC newsletter...

Are you too busy? Perhaps you are too busy with church stuff. Huh? Did the preacher just write that? YES HE DID! I did because I firmly believe that sometimes we are tempted to do more & more church stuff… start more activities… do more things… plan more events and fill the church calendar. Yet, WE MISS THE SIMPLICITY OF BEING A PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. Have you ever wondered how the early Christians survived without all the trappings of the modern church? In our current age there is a tremendous pressure to try and do “what the big churches do.” We are deluged with books, magazines, websites, conferences, etc. all trying to tell us how to improve church. This supposed improvement usually requires buying somebody’s ministry programs or products. Some are helpful, but some result in activity without productivity. We erroneously seem to think that busyness is next to godliness. Don’t misunderstand: I’m not suggesting idleness as a preferred lifestyle either! I have, however, seen many well intentioned believers burnout and drop out. It usually starts with intense enthusiasm and energy yet ends with barely a trickle of life. Church leaders aren’t inclined to say “no” especially to people who want to do more stuff “at church” so we often unwittingly let them run full speed into their own demise! Let me illustrate: Someone comes forward with a ministry idea (usually something someone else is doing somewhere else)… he/she reasons that this a MUST FOR US TOO… he/she recruits help… and sells the idea… and takes off with great expectations only to be disappointed in the end. This scenario is frequently accompanied by unrealistically elevated expectations of our brothers and sisters. We end up, in the worse cases, turning on those we were allegedly going to serve. How, you ask? Well, these folks don’t “support” or “participate” like they should. Maybe the leaders (or yours truly) aren’t doing enough either. So we then begin that highly detrimental practice of fault finding in others. It is ironic, but it is predictable. That’s why I share it. Maybe someone will avoid spiritual calamity, maybe not. But, let me close by suggesting some alternative ideas to the present pressure of the current church culture.

Here are some suggestions…

• Keep it Simple! Clichés are irritating but this one is true & powerful.
• Remember: Everyone can’t do everything so instead let’s major in majors.
• Less is more! Sometimes a prayer with a child is better than an elaborate event.
• Stop evaluating everyone else. Fault finding is only helpful when it is applied to oneself.
• Read your Bible more than the plethora of authors who roll out the latest & greatest fads.
• Finally, read the passage below very slowly & prayerfully.

Romans 12:9-17 (NLT): 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
In Christ,
David

Jon Gibson Have A Talk With God

This guy was one of my favorite Christian music guys back in the day. I remember jamming to this song over and over again! Great memories with this one.

Faull in the Fall

We finished our fall revival this past Wednesday. It was outstanding! I don't know how exactly to put it but George Faull is an enormously powerful Bible teacher. I sat there with my jaw dropped half the time. His insights were tremendous & his command of scripture was unmatched in my experience. God was glorified by His servant and we were all inspired. If you ever have a chance to hear brother Faull teach please don't let the opportunity pass you by. I joked but it was true: George makes me feel dumb yet he inspires me to want to know more. I don't think I'll ever forget him preaching on sin being exceedingly sinful! WOW! That was some good preaching!

Me a Coach?

Just call me Coach Willis. Today, I begin a training process that will hopefully result in my earning "coach certification." I am working with Virginia Evangelizng Fellowhip and they are training me in coaching. The VEF’s Coach Certification Program will allow allow me to be deployed to coach other kingdom workers. So far my reading has been interesting, but I admit, I do occasionally think..."if the blind lead the blind...!" Actually, I think the training is going to be very helpful and I'll be able to use it in my ministry. It's different than I thought, but I think it will be helpful.

Newt?

Yeah, Newt. Attention Republicans. Meet your presidential candidate: Newt Gingrich. Notice I didn't write my presidential candidate. I saw Newt this morning on one of the morning shows and I believe he's going to be the guy for the GOP. Fred Thompson has not gained traction and the others seemed to be without much momentum. Someone will fill the void and Newt is an opportunist. Here he comes again with and 6 point plan (another contract with America?). A lot of folks love Newt, but I've never been a big fan. He seems to be an establishment guy akin to William Bennett. I used to like those guys until they both unleashed hatchet jobs on Pat Buchanan many years ago when Pat became competition to their candidate in the primaries. Anyway, Newt vs. Hillary ought to generate some entertaining debates.

Revival & More Revival

The Northampton Church of Christ concluded their fall revival last Wednesday and we began ours yesterday. It's been cool having back to back revivals with a sister church. D.J. Maxey was the speaker at Northampton. I've known him since he was a teenager and (I'll sound like an old timer here) I'm really proud of D.J. He is an outstanding preacher and is doing great things for the Lord in his ministry. D.J. is also the most spontaneously funny preacher I know. He had me on the verge of crying with laughter at times. I pleased that our revival has started off extremely well. George L. Faull is our speaker. Brother Faull has to be more well versed (pun intended) in Scripture than anyone I know. I am actually intimidated when I discuss the Bible with him! I just feel so dumb! He inspires me to want to study more and that's great. He's been tremendous in and out of the pulpit. His style is so good too. He brings so much depth in his messages - thorough, logical, meticulous and, of coure, biblical. I can hardly wait for tonight!

Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel 56

Just feeling like a little Elvis today.

Johnny Cochran, where are you now???

O.J. Simpson is in trouble again. Surprising, huh?

NFL observations...

Here are some of my early NFL observations...

• Belicheat's Pats may get SuperBowl #4 this year.


• "LT" should take a few reps next preseason.


• Carson Palmer is really, really, good.


• Peyton Manning is still the man.


• The Saints are back to being the Aints.


• Who is this Derek Anderson guy? Wow!


• The Cowboys might be pretty good.


• The Redskins are probably not.


• Randy Moss is back.


• Favre looks like the old Favre again.


• Atlanta wishes they still had Matt Schaub!

I used to jump like this (in my dreams).

This an old video of me back in the day before I changed my name to Willis. NOT!

I don't get it

I know fantasy football is a big deal these days, but I just don't get it! I played one year after being talked into it by a brother in law. I lost interest pretty rapidly. I kept thinking "Who cares?" I mean the trash talking alone was beyond silly. There's something about a bunch of non-athletes (or athletes for that matter) talking smack about their fantasy teams and idolizing "their players" that brings the unflattering term "jock sniffer" to mind. Is it just me or does this whole fantasy thing seem a little juvenile? I know it's popular and surely I'm overstating things, but c'mon! Get away from your TV and your computer and, yes, your cell phone and go do something productive!

My ideal church gathering...

Foundational Scriptures…

KEY: Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Mike Root: “We will have Sunday only Christians as long as we have Sunday only worship.”

Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Hebrews 13:15-16: 15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

*THE ASSEMBLY IS PRIMARILY A “ONE ANOTHER” EVENT.

Mike Root: “Together is one thing you can’t do alone!”

Mike Root: “The saddest indictment of any church is that it is structured in such a way that members can attend the assembly and still be alone.”

Do I need to “go to church” to be with God? NO! I need to go to be with YOU!

*THE ASSEMBLY IS PRIMARILY A CHRISTIAN EVENT.

Hebrews 10:22-25: 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Acts 2:42: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

The apostles' teaching…
OUT: Dry lectures from the pro. Surface level stuff.
IN: Deeper teaching. Interaction. Application. Questions. Answers. Equipping.

The fellowship…
OUT: Turn around & shake hands “fellowship.” Fellowship only happens outside the “service” mentality.
IN: Table fellowship = eating together…perhaps breakfast before or lunch after. TIME to talk, pray, encourage, share life, etc.

The breaking of bread…
OUT: Chiclets & mini-shot glasses & isolated spiritual fetal position “communion.” Synchronized communion rituals.
IN: Breaking bread, taking together, sharing thoughts on Jesus and the cross. Communing as families, as small groups, etc.

Prayer…
OUT: Predictable invocation-benediction stuff.
IN: Authenticity. Variety of times and lengths. Silence. Large group. Small group.

The Sunday gathering becomes active instead of watching the show. Authenticity trumps “excellence.” People will be central to what happens and not just on the sidelines.

THINGS THAT ARE OUT: Cooker cutter service. Ruts & routines. Predictability, boredom & auto-pilot services. Formality. Cathedral thinking. The pulpit. The “communion table.” Offering trays or bags. The “invitation.”

THINGS THAT ARE IN: Anticipation. Participation. TOGETHERNESS. Informality. We are the TEMPLE thinking. People not performance. Love, edification, equipping, encouragement, KOINONIA!

Approximate length: 2 hours.

Possible flow: (With lots of flexibility!)

• Breakfast
• Prayer in small groups
• Large group singing – some planned – might be some requests. VARIETY. Much more interactive & less about presentation, lighting & mood etc.
• Communion within groups – discussing the gospel & remembering Jesus. It may happen within the small group “teaching time” or during a meal.
• Intro of Bible teaching (large group)
• Small group breakout for discussion, questions, application, etc.
• Large group debriefing (elders lead)
• Singing & prayer...
• Hangout (People still needing attention, encouragement will hang around)
• Giving? (Boxes located at doors)
• Evangelism? It will happen here, but it isn’t the purpose. It is the by-product.
• Elders & perhaps deacons and teachers will lead small breakout groups. The leaders can identify individuals or families in need of further attention.
  
  See Acts 2:42-27; Acts 20:6-12; I Corinthians 11-14