Intolerance For Absolute Inclusiveness

We live in a culture that prides itself in being tolerant. Everyone has a right to decide what is "truth". What's true for you is true and what's true for me is true...even if our truths are diametrically opposite they are still true...hmmm...something smells fishy.

Let's have some fun. We will test how authentic the beliefs of our culture are...to do so we will play some mind games...ready...good...then lets begin.

1. Some people say that they don't believe in absolute truth...everything is relative [meaning you get to decide what is moral and what is not...live anyway you want...no restrictions]. Is this belief true? Are there NO absolutes? Is everything relative? Even though this is a mind game, don't brush it off...stop and really think about it. Are there absolutely no absolutes? You see if you say that there are NO absolute truths then the saying that there are no absolutes is not absolutely true and it ends up refuting itself. When a person says that they believe truth is relative they want to believe that there is at least one truth that is not relative, and that is the truth they have just told you...get it?
2. There are two kinds of philosophical beliefs in the world. The first kind defines itself as "inclusive", the second as "exclusive". Those who call themselves "inclusive" [includes everyone] say that they believe that all beliefs, all religions are the same and should be received on level ground. Those who call themselves "exclusive" [excludes some] say that their belief system is the only one, and others if they disagree with it are wrong [ouch, politically incorrect or what?]. Those who are "inclusive" tell those who are "exclusive" that they shouldn't be so narrow in their beliefs...they should accept everyones beliefs...just like the "inclusives" do. Here's the catch, do those who claim to be "inclusive" really accept everyone? NO! They say they do but when painted into a corner they really do not. If the "inclusive" believer accepts the "exclusive" believers claims [Jesus is God, and is the only way of salvation] then they are saying all other beliefs are wrong...so in order to remain "inclusive"...are you ready for this...they have to become "exclusive". They don't exclude everyone...just those who are "exclusive"...is your brain hurting yet?
3. Lastly, we live in a culture that loudly proclaims toleration. "And we will not tolerate anyone who isn't tolerant"...oopps.

Game over...for now.

The Mindset for Planting

Tim Keller...a church planter in New York City...tells of the mindset a people need to have to "naturally" church plant.

By "naturally" he means something that they consciously plan to do...like its really a part of being a church...learning to multiply and plant another church. He gives a two point mindset;

First, the ability to give away and lose control of money, members and leaders. Hate to use a cliche, but it's true--Paul "empowered" these new leaders. He gave them ownership and thus lost a lot of control. This is a huge barrier for churches. They cannot bear the thought of money-giving families being lost or key leaders or just friends. Ministers are also afraid of giving away glory. If your ministry adds people and you: 1) assimilate them into your church, 2) turn them into Bible studies under your church, 3) spin them into new ministries in your church, it swells your numbers, and you get both control and glory. If you organize them into churches, you are losing money, members, numbers, leaders, control. But that is just what Paul did. An additional problem--when you let go, you lose direct control, but you can't really avoid responsibility for problems. It is like being the parent of an adult child. You are not allowed to directly tell them what to do, but if there is a problem, you are expected to help clean it up.
[Church planter manuel]
Point two tommorow.

What's the Diff?

When we think missions do we automatically think of something that happens "far, far away"?

I think for many the answer is yes.

I know it is only of late that my mind is being challenged in this important area.

When missionaries go into other countries, other cultures what do they have to do to be successful?

Now, at this point we can become very hyper-spiritual...showing our calvinistic underwear, and say "if the Lord makes it successful then it will be successful".

Unfortunately that same kind of thinking says "God is sovereign and because of this fact He will bring in all the elect to Himself...regardless of what we do."

God is sovereign. This is true. God fore-ordains the end and the means to that end. We need to busy ourselves doing what God commands, diligently looking to God's word to see God's heart, to see God's "means" to reach the appointed "ends", and trusting the Lord to work through the means and bring about His end.

Has God revealed His heart to us? Most definitely! Jesus is the Great Apostle, the Great Missionary.

Jesus entered a specific culture, He was a Jew...He came to His own and His own did not receive Him. Jesus spoke the language of His culture. Interacted within His culture, even though it was the culture that ultimately "killed God". Jesus ate and drank with sinners...without Himself becoming sinful. Jesus didn't live His life according to the standard of the religious hypocrites...who had set up their own standards in which they judged others by...Jesus cared only what His Father said...and lived His life accordingly.

Jesus set His eyes on His mission. He came to save sinners, and therefore He needed to be in relationship with sinners. Jesus did good to those who were His enemies, He loved them, fed them, ate with them, healed them, died for them, and forgave them...

After His resurrection the Lord told us to busy ourselves with discipling the nations...following His teachings...His example of missions.

If a missionary is to be successful in a far away land then they better learn that cultures language, customs, and way of doing things. They need to judge what part of culture is totally sinful and cannot be used to reach out to sinners and what part of culture can be used to reach out to them. Then they need to get busy bringing the gospel to that people, via their cultural language, customs, etc.

If western missionaries mistakenly think that they had to make Westernized Christians then they will miserably fail. It is not our job to bring our Western culture into another country and shape and mold them to it. We are to bring the life giving gospel, and have Jesus shape and mold that culture to it.

Missions are right outside our door. Not just far away. We have a 21st century culture that we live in. We need to learn "their" language...learn their customs...prayerfully work out [according to Scriptures] what in culture cannot be used and must be discarded [example- hitmen for Jesus] and what things can be used [technology, music, a growing number of vocations].

We must not grow comfortable with our old customs if this means we are no longer being culturally relevant to our own day.

Church leaders need to seriously rethink missions for our own day...near and afar.

Beware of the Graveyard

The following is from Tim Keller’s book on church planting...good food for thought.

Marks of "Dead Orthodoxy"

Much more emphasis on defending the truth than propagating it. The emphasis is on attacking false views, not winning sinners to Christ. There is smugness toward those without the right views.

Strong, even fierce opposition to change programs and worship. What people call "closeness to God" is often the security (sentimentality) that comes from familiar forms and procedures.

Often a desire for inspiring, general messages, but nothing disturbing. It is an unwritten law that the pastor must be "nice" and must not offend anyone. On the other hand, in the power churches, the other extreme may happen. The pastor may become very authoritarian and controlling.

A tendency toward gossip and censoriousness. Differences cannot be discussed lovingly. Defensiveness creates bitter quarreling. The only way the church deals with this is to hide and suppress disagreements.

A dislike for the healthy disorder found in revival/renewals. Either the tradition or the pastor and/or key lay leader must stay in control. Sometimes there is an opposition to displays of emotion of any kind. During renewal people are so willing to get involved in ministry and worship that there is a kind of "divine disorder" that has to be addressed.

An unwillingness to believe in glorious possibilities. Unable to expect or believe that certain kinds of people can change, or no vision for community impact. Planning myopia that comes from a conviction that we can only do as much as we have visible human resources for.

A little discussion on one’s spiritual experience– nearness to God, growth in love, temptations, and so one. There are objections to any self-examination or regular accountability for one’s growth in grace and walk with God.

Total focus on the needs and concerns of members and the survival of the institution (church). No desire or intention to reach the world.

A lack of lay involvement. A consensus and expectation that the pastor should do virtually all the ministry.

A strong clinging to cultural forms and customs–types of music and styles of dress and speech and "unwritten" rules of conduct–which are semiconsciously considered part of what it means to be a "mature" believer.