Wednesday, January 30, 2008
What to Do When Your Own Congregation Thinks You're Demon-Possessed
I saw this clip on Tim Stevens' site (from Granger Community Church) and thought it worth posting here. For every pastor that's been through anything similar to what Mark Beeson is talking about, this is definitely worth the 6 minutes viewing time.
This page contained an embedded video. Click here to view it.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
What Charismatic Leaders Are Talking About
We just wrapped up the Charismatic Leadership Summit held here at Strang over the past two days. And while my mind is going 180 mph trying to process some of the dialogue that went on, I wanted to quickly highlight some of the thought-provoking statements that resonated among this group that included some of the most renowned and respected charismatic-Pentecostal leaders around. (I'm intentionally leaving out which leaders said these to avoid detracting from the statements themselves.)
"You've exited your calling when you seek to please people." "I think [humility] is something that in many parts here in the West is sadly lacking. There's an arrogance, there's a pride, there's an assumption that we do it best, we know what we're talking about. There's not the humility to learn from those who maybe aren't as wealthy, who don't dress right. They don't speak English very well, they don't have degrees and they don't have slick books with their pictures on the back of them. Their videos and TV stuff is way behind, it isn't cutting edge. But humility demands that we learn to listen and learn. The heart of this gets back to that posture of humility before God." "One of the reasons that the reformation of justice or transformation of society makes a momentary impact and then 20 years later seems to dissipate (of course there are exceptions to that) is that the vessels of reformation and change don't have an intentionality about sustained connectedness with the Lord or to passing that on to the next generation--which is the key, I believe from Jesus' words, to sustained change in society." "The overriding power of a church is in simplicity." "Why haven't we seen sustained results after the many revivals? I think it has to do with the lack of keeping a kingdom culture DNA." "I am committed to still believing that we don't have to acquiesce or surrender the power of God in order to win a generation. If we're going to win the Muslim world, if we're going to win America over, we need to demonstrate the power of God. ... There should be a continuity of 'We believe' even to the ballot box. We can’t articulate a message of righteousness, justice, holiness and integrity and a commitment to our core Christian values and then surrender them for the sake of political expediency at the end of the day." "Moves of God and revivals themselves are not the endgame; the kingdom of God is the endgame."
And my personal favorite ..."I have the privilege of interacting with a lot of international pastors and church leaders in the developing, underserved nations of the world. It's clear to me that God is raising up a new kind of leader in the body of Christ, a new kind of charismatic leader in this two-thirds world. He is raising up men and women who have anointing without arrogance, boldness without brashness, power without pride. I don't believe I've ever heard a sermon by a charismatic on James 2:5 that says, 'Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith?' We think that those are somehow contradictory."
Friday, January 11, 2008
Barna's Body Work
I love the body of Christ. I love how God structured us each to be unique yet instrumental to the overall health of His kingdom work here on earth. Paul's description of the body at work in 1 Corinthians 12 has always struck me as one of the most liberating passages in scripture—particularly for ministers. Some of us function as the eyes, constantly seeing what lies before us; some serve as the feet, traveling tirelessly to places for the gospel's sake. Others work primarily as the hands, touching those around us with the power of Christ through us.
Then there are those of us who, like George Barna, David Kinnaman and the rest of the team at the Barna Group, get to be the brains of the bunch. I'm convinced that just as the human brain has millions of fascinating, intricate parts to it that help direct the rest of the physical body, so does the body of Christ have countless individuals whose insight and wisdom help us process what the rest of the body is reporting. In my opinion, the Barna Group serves as one of those guiding forces for American Christendom. No, I'm not labeling these guys the sole geniuses of the pack—though they are brilliant. I'm just praising them for the pivotal role they play in the lives of countless pastors and church leaders looking for some help in understanding those they're called to shepherd and guide.
And on that note, I'm excited to point you to the latest Barna study released earlier this week about the changing face of American Christianity. Bottom line: It's an exciting, challenging time for charismatic and Pentecostal churches nationwide. A few of the interesting nuggets to whet your appetite:
Then there are those of us who, like George Barna, David Kinnaman and the rest of the team at the Barna Group, get to be the brains of the bunch. I'm convinced that just as the human brain has millions of fascinating, intricate parts to it that help direct the rest of the physical body, so does the body of Christ have countless individuals whose insight and wisdom help us process what the rest of the body is reporting. In my opinion, the Barna Group serves as one of those guiding forces for American Christendom. No, I'm not labeling these guys the sole geniuses of the pack—though they are brilliant. I'm just praising them for the pivotal role they play in the lives of countless pastors and church leaders looking for some help in understanding those they're called to shepherd and guide.
And on that note, I'm excited to point you to the latest Barna study released earlier this week about the changing face of American Christianity. Bottom line: It's an exciting, challenging time for charismatic and Pentecostal churches nationwide. A few of the interesting nuggets to whet your appetite:
While only 8 percent of the overall population is considered evangelical, almost half of all evangelical adults can be described as charismatic. One of every four Protestant churches in the United States is charismatic. Among nondenominational congregations, four out of every 10 are charismatic.
Though George and David contribute to every issue of the print edition of Ministry Today, I'm especially excited about the upcoming March/April 2008 issue, in which George will be expanding on the study and offering some application specific to pastors and church leaders. You definitely won't want to miss it. (To avoid this happening, here's a helpful link. Because, after all, aren't shameless plugs from the "platform" part of our charismatic tradition? :)Friday, January 04, 2008
Caught up in the Hype?
We all know evangelicalism plays a major role in today's political process. Old news. You can hardly turn on a news network today without hearing another talking head comment on the presidential candidates' faith—or lack thereof—and how it affects so-and-so's standing with a certain demographic. What I find interesting, however, is how many people can get caught up in the media frenzy of meshing the political and spiritual arenas. By caught up, I don't mean carried away; I mean literally trapped like a fish in a net that is slowly pulled ashore.
I wonder if Joel Osteen feels a bit like that after seeing the ripples caused from comments he made a couple of weeks ago—with one of those aforementioned talking heads, no less. On Dec. 23, the Lakewood Church senior pastor appeared on Fox News Sunday, chatting with host Chris Wallace about everything from his "Christianity lite" label from critics to the true meaning of Christmas. The interview, as always is the case nowadays with prominent leaders within the evangelical movement, eventually touched on the role of faith in today's political world. More specifically, Wallace steered Osteen into the heavily trodded territory involving Mitt Romney's beliefs and whether Mormonism is just another form of Christianity. Here's the exchange (click here for the video link, and here for the entire transcript):
WALLACE: And what about Mitt Romney? And I've got to ask you the question, because it is a question whether it should be or not in this campaign: Is a Mormon a true Christian?
OSTEEN: Well, in my mind they are. Mitt Romney has said that he believes in Christ as his savior, and that's what I believe, so, you know, I'm not the one to judge the little details of it. So I believe they are. And so, you know, Mitt Romney seems like a man of character and integrity to me, and I don't think he would ... anything would stop me from voting for him if that's what I felt like.
WALLACE: So, for instance, when people start talking about Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, and the golden tablets in upstate New York, and God assumes the shape of a man, do you not get hung up in those theological issues?
OSTEEN: I probably don't get hung up in them because I haven't really studied them or thought about them. And you know, I just try to let God be the judge of that. I mean, I don't know. I certainly can't say that I agree with everything that I've heard about it, but from what I've heard from Mitt, when he says that Christ is his savior, to me that's a common bond.
OSTEEN: Well, in my mind they are. Mitt Romney has said that he believes in Christ as his savior, and that's what I believe, so, you know, I'm not the one to judge the little details of it. So I believe they are. And so, you know, Mitt Romney seems like a man of character and integrity to me, and I don't think he would ... anything would stop me from voting for him if that's what I felt like.
WALLACE: So, for instance, when people start talking about Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, and the golden tablets in upstate New York, and God assumes the shape of a man, do you not get hung up in those theological issues?
OSTEEN: I probably don't get hung up in them because I haven't really studied them or thought about them. And you know, I just try to let God be the judge of that. I mean, I don't know. I certainly can't say that I agree with everything that I've heard about it, but from what I've heard from Mitt, when he says that Christ is his savior, to me that's a common bond.
I refuse to join the ranks of online heresy hunters who have quickly run to the gallows with a pre-fitted noose for Osteen. Internet forums and the blogosphere are already jampacked with those continually crying how Osteen is weak on biblical truth yet strong on motivational, self-help "sermonettes." It's well-known that America's "smiling pastor" purposefully avoids hot-button issues. That's his schtick. Even Wallace asked him about this:
WALLACE: Unlike a lot of preachers, you don't—and I can sense a little discomfort on your part—you don't get involved in politics. You don't talk a lot about abortion and gays and the so- called social issues. Why not?
OSTEEN: Well, it started back with my father. He never did. And I just don't feel comfortable as well. I don't feel like that's my main gifting. And I feel like when I stay focused on encouraging people, and giving them hope, and helping them live their everyday life, I think that's where I can have the most impact. And I even heard Billy Graham say this, and I think it's true. Sometimes when you take strong stands, if you're not called to do it, you're dividing the audience you're trying to reach. I'm trying to throw a big net out there to say to anyone that God loves them and He's in control. And I think the moment ... even our church is so diverse. We have Republicans, Democrats, independents. And I think the moment I start saying, "Well, go this route," well, this group's going to just say, "I'm not going to listen to him because of the political stance."
OSTEEN: Well, it started back with my father. He never did. And I just don't feel comfortable as well. I don't feel like that's my main gifting. And I feel like when I stay focused on encouraging people, and giving them hope, and helping them live their everyday life, I think that's where I can have the most impact. And I even heard Billy Graham say this, and I think it's true. Sometimes when you take strong stands, if you're not called to do it, you're dividing the audience you're trying to reach. I'm trying to throw a big net out there to say to anyone that God loves them and He's in control. And I think the moment ... even our church is so diverse. We have Republicans, Democrats, independents. And I think the moment I start saying, "Well, go this route," well, this group's going to just say, "I'm not going to listen to him because of the political stance."
The real tragedy in this, however, isn't just that Osteen hedged on a theological issue but that this is the second time he's done so before millions of those he's going after with a "softer" gospel." Some will recall his ambiguous responses on Larry King Live in 2005 to matters of Christ being the only way to salvation. He later issued a heartfelt public apology to the Christian community for being "unclear on the very thing in which I have dedicated my life."
I admired Osteen for that then, and I continue to admire him now for, among other things, choosing to reach as many as possible with an appealing message of hope. The guy would rather err on the side of inclusivity, projecting a gospel that highlights (almost solely) God's unconditional love, acceptance and life-changing power. But I wonder if you can truthfully represent such a gospel without ever mentioning its inherant exclusivity. Unfortunately, it seems that in becoming "all things to all men"—which is what I interpret Osteen's deeper intent to be—the gospel represented has become skewed.
YOUR TURN: What do you think of Joel Osteen's answers to the questions on Mormonism? Was he simply put in a no-win situation, or is he preaching a diluted gospel?
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