I’ve asked a couple of guys to read through Bob Roberts, Jr.’s, “Transformation” with me.  I’m not really going to write a critical review, as much as think through what I read.  My goal is to assimilate the information, as I prepare for the upcoming dialogue.

Overall, I’ve had a positive reaction to what I’ve read.

Part One begins with some questions.  It is entitled: “Survival Questions for the Church.”

Practically every sentence jumped out at me to be remembered.  What a frightening experience, since my memory is horrid.

He begins with the question: What would it look like for your church to turn the world upside down?

He continues in this vein.  Ask probing questions, designed to force the reader to reflect upon his/her place of worship.  In particular, he mentions that he had to “see my own dreams crash to see God and what he wanted.”  Throughout this first section, there is a lot of giving up.  Giving up assumptions, dreams, goals, attitudes of superiority; all to be empty so that God can fill us up with his intention.

He begins to mention how much he’s learned from the Church in developing countries.  This is a theme.  This is one of the things we give up.  We are so convinced that we have the answer, we have what everyone else needs, yet we are the ones dying in mediocrity and secularism.  The Church of the East, Africa and South are on fire for God, and are being used by God in the greatest Church Planting Movement to be seen.  Here are some examples of what he means:

Things the Western Church knows/does, but where we are lacking:

• We have learned relevance and communication, but not transformation.
• We have learned purpose and functionality, but not essence and core DNA.
• We know so much of how, but so little of why.
• We want to change the world, and we become managers of organizations.
• We make people more religious, but no different spiritually or culturally.

That is just an example of this thoughts.  So much rang true in my heart, it almost lead me to tears.

He asks a question, that haunts me at times: “Is this what I gave my life to?”  He points out that church attendees live no differently from nonbelievers (which is found by Barna, 2003).  We know how to weekend events, but no really community transformation.  He makes the point that we try to hire people to change the world for us.  I hear that as outsourcing the Great Commission.  Whether it is churches hiring ministers, or us using Cooperative Funds to hire other, specialized professional ministers.

We have the funds, we have programs, we have systems, but we lack transformed lives.  This kills me.  We don’t make a difference, because no difference has been made in us.  So, we need to see things a little bit differently.  Less about us, and more about the Kingdom of God.

He goes on to give a definition of this.  This kind of church will be “glocal.”  Here is what he writes, “Glocal churches create disciples who, transformed by the Holy Spirit, are infiltrating today’s culture on a global and local scale with the undeniable message of a changed life.”

Wow!  That has impact on me.

To some extent he believes the church has lost credibility in our culture.  We don’t have changed individuals.  We have religious people, we have religious style, but little actually depth and substance.  We cannot “consistently live the message we herald to the world…” Yet, we are very successful at religious marketing.  We’ve been taken captive by our culture.  We can’t speak prophetically to it because we look too much like it.

Our goal is to help people upon the walk of Christ like transformation.  For that we look to both the first century Church, as seen in Scripture, as well as what God is doing in today’s Church in developing countries.

Chapter one begins with the Church finding it’s voice again.  To many in the world, the Church; and correspondingly God, just isn’t a player.  He, and the Church, just don’t matter in their daily lives.  We are left with only bringing some message to people when tragedy strikes.  We are only able to see conversion when people are at their most emotionally unstable, and thus manipulative state.  Is not the Gospel for everyone at all times of their lives?  He seems to think so, and he begins to tell his story, and the impact it has made upon his ministry, and church.

Much is said about different experiences he’s had while traveling.  Church looks so differently in developing countries.  No big budgets, no bands, no big organs; just the Holy Spirit oozing out of the people’s pores.  On the other hand, he shows where we got locked into the systems of modernity.  How we believe discipleship is the transfer of information, which leads to a changed life.  He shows the great disconnect.  If anything, we are a case study in how the transfer of information really has little actually transformative qualities.  We are self-centered and consumer driven.  The difference between us and big business is simply the product.  We’ve built large churches, based upon proven business strategies…leaving out the Holy Spirit.  Our churches are larger than ever before, yet the national church attendance level is at an all time low.

Frankly, we need to import what it means to be Church from some of these developing countries.  There is very little we need to export, along the lines of how we do Church.

So, the first chapter is setting up the argument for change, for transformation.  He begins to define what it means to be Kingdom focused, more so than what we have been. For too long we’ve defined God’s Kingdom as our own local congregation.  If we are growing, then the Kingdom is doing great!  If giving is down, then the Kingdom is in strife.  Yet, the Kingdom is so much more than this.  It is doing fine, while the American Church is dying.

He mentions some writers that have had an impact upon him, in regards to recapturing Intimacy with God, instead of just Religion.  Such writers are Willard, Foster and Tolstoy.  There is a difference in discipleship here.  We start to be defined by our intimicy with Christ, over just being able to preach well.  We can truly say, “imitate me as I imitate Christ.”  Something that religious entertainers, mega-star pastors, never seem to be able to do.

He mentions Ghandi, as one that used Christ’s Sermon on the Mount as a way of living, yet wasn’t a Christ follower.  He did more with a 1/2 truth of Jesus, which he was willing to live out, than what most of us do with the full truth.

Yes, I felt convicted with that.

We desperately need transformation, of our own lives if we are going to be Kingdom oriented.  He calls it “Kingdom in, Kingdom out.”  He refers to Salt and Light.  Salt would be our continued transformation.  Us becoming that which gives people a taste of who Jesus is.  Light is proclamation.  Both are needed, and could be dangerous without the other.

This is the second time that I’m reading the book.  As I take more time with it, I find it even more convicting and enjoyable.

Tim

I seem to learn something new about people all of the time.  This Sunday however, I learned something that really impressed me.

There is someone in my church that I consider a hero.  When I first became the pastor, he wasn’t even attending.  However, within a couple of years, he and his wife started coming regularly.  I was told to never expect him to join, he just wasn’t going to do it.  Fast forward a couple of years, and he attended a men’s group that met in my house and he had joined the church!

Al is a quiet man, doesn’t say a whole lot at all.  He lets me know that he enjoys my preaching at the end of the service, accompanied with a handshake and a smile.  Al isn’t a young man anymore, now well into his eighties.

I knew that he was a WWII veteran, from some time we spent together in that men’s group.  I was impressed then.  Al was a member of the Special Forces, and was a guard at the Nuremburg Trials.  What I didn’t know was that he also landed at Normandy, specifically – Omaha Beach.

He’s been a quiet and gentle man, as long as I’ve known him.  He’s lived through quite a bit, some of it quite harrowing; I’m sure.  He’s done what he was called to do, without complaint.  He’s faught through fear, defending himself and others, and now lives out a quiet life in a quiet town.

I am blessed to know him.  Our church is blessed that he’s a member.  You just never do know what stories some hearts harbor.  Giants walk among us, and we are unaware.

Tim

I’m going to start a chapter by chapter review of “Transformation,” by Bob Roberts, Jr. This will begin tomorrow.

I’m reading it again, but this time I’m discussing it with my youth minister and volunteer intern. I look forward to where this is going.

Rick Davis is my friend.  I love him dearly, and I read is blog often.

He is currently writing about Hopes and Heroes, especially those he met during his denomination service with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Take a gander at what he’s writing.

Tim

Well, the State of Texas is trying to raise our taxes again.

You can read about their different proposals here.  Be sure to vote against this mess come November 3rd.  Actually, why don’t we just vote against everything until they begin to understand that we are their bosses?

I am holeheartedly against them taking more of my money while they simultaneously abuse the funds they’ve already procured.

Tim

…Ministry.

Bruce Gourley wrote an interesting piece on his blog entitled:

Baptist Women in Ministry: A Journey Unfinished

Feel free to take a gander at it.

For me, my mind is split among three topics.  First, it Christian Discipleship.  I’ll be preaching towards that theme during the month of October.  I’ve also been thinking quite a bit about Power, and our propensity towards it’s abuse.  Last of all, in a related fashion, I’ve also been doing some thinking about issues of Women in Ministry.

Power… Much has to do with how we see it, desire it, are consumed by it.  Perhaps we’ve totally missed the point in our modernistic view of authority, leadership, and effectiveness.

Tim

There’s been a little ruckus around an upcoming position termination at our beloved BGCT.  If you haven’t heard, they are eliminating the Julie Sadler’s position: Leadership Development \Women in Ministry Consultant; Coordinator of Strategic Relationships.

Mostly, the ruckus has centered around a charge brought on by Aaron Weaver, of The Big Daddy Weave blog. He believes that the BGCT is distancing itself from the issue of Women in Ministry.  In particular, he has written a blog post entitled, “The BGCT’s Center for Effective [Male] Leadership.” If you’re not a reader of BDW, you’ll find his writings very well articulated and sourced.  He may come on a little strong, as is the tendency for most males feeling strongly of a topic.  Understatement is not his gifting.

Go ahead and read the post.  I’ll wait on you.

Ok, so the idea alleged is that the BGCT is distancing itself from the issue of Women in Ministry, according to BDW.

John Hall, of the BGCT’s blog, “We Are Texas Baptist,” wrote a short piece called, “BGCT creates Center for Effective Leadership.” He states that the Center will incorporate many areas of leadership development, meaning some substantial changes for related departments.  One of the changes is the termination of Mrs. Sadler’s position.

I know that BDW is a huge supporter of Women in Ministry.  He is usually a huge supporter of the BGCT in general.  Sense he’s made no indication of actually contacting anyone in the BGCT, I’m left with a particular question for BDW, “Is Mrs. Sadler a personal friend of your’s, or someone in your family?”

I called the Center for Leadership Effectiveness and spoke with Ron Herring.  We spoke for around 45 minutes or so, and I specifically asked if there was an official stance on Women in Ministry of the Center of Effective Leadership.  He said that the stance of the Center is the same that it has always been.  I asked for clarification, because it was my understanding that the Center was a new development.  He clarified by stating that it was the same as what has been the BGCT’s stance.

The most succinct words I could find are found here.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas offers support and encouragement for all women who are in vocational ministries, to those who sense a call to vocational ministry, and to those involved in the support and training of present and future women in ministry.

From my conversation with Ron, I have to conclude that this is the stance of the Center for Effective Leadership, as it implies to Women in Ministry.

He stated that the Center would try to develop Leadership in many different areas.  We spoke of five areas in particular.  Of these five, they included Women in Ministry and Congregational Leadership.  I asked if “Congregational Leadership” meant pastors, and he answered in the affirmative.  He affirmed that the Women in Ministry emphasis would include female pastors, and the Congregational Leadership would include them too.  There was going to be plenty of overlap between the areas of emphasis.

From the conversation, I came away with the following understanding.  1) The Center for Effective Leadership is for everyone, in all types of leadership positions.  2) In particular, the Women in Ministry emphasis will be headed up by Emily Prevost. 3) They are advocates of the Churches, and will endeavour to provide help to all of them in a holistic manner, regardless of their ideological stance.

In my opinion, they will have to hurdle some obstacles.  First, Julie Sadler did a remarkable job; and filling her shoes are nigh impossible.  During our current economic situation, people loosing their job from our Convention offices will be hard to stomach.  Perhaps if leadership took substantial pay cuts, we would believe they really are doing everything they can to reduce costs in a responsible manner.

Secondly, I believe that they will continue to find criticism from those that hold to the issue of Women in Ministry as a primary “plank” in their theological/ideological platform.  If it isn’t up front and center, they won’t be happy.

Thirdly, those that believe it is theologically/ideologically wrong to support women in ministry will continue to beat upon the institution.  There will be no pleasing the extreme.

Lastly, I believe there may be some emotional connections under the surface, possibly some relationships being hurt, that will add to any “fire” that may be around because of this.  Granted, this is conjecture; so feel free to flame away at me.

I strongly encourage the Center for Leadership Effectiveness to get together a Women in Ministry Conference.  This is something that some very vocal people, me included, feel strongly about.

Don’t rush it.

Make it quality.

But, get’er done!

Tim

____________

Note: BDW has answered my question on the forums of baptistlife.com.  He did not/does not know Mrs. Sadler personally.

On behalf of stupid preachers, denominational workers, and retired associational workers, I would like to apologize.

No, I’m not talking “in general,” even though I could.  I’m talking about a situation that happened at our last Associational Executive Board meeting (yesterday). It not only felt awkward, but I felt more than just a little embarrassed at the situation.  The worse  part is that it happened between two people that I dearly love.

Jay, the extent of your mistake in no way justified the response you suffered in the meeting.  I’m not sure why he felt the need to state his displeasure in such a way.  I’m not sure why any of us choose to do such things in an open forum.  It is especially hard for me to resist zoning out when someone begins with, “in all of my years.”

However, I am proud of how you handled it.  You took full responsibility.  You didn’t try to lay the blame at any one else’s feet.  Your contrition seemed sincere, and you responded with all humility.  Thank you for treating our elder brother with due honor and respect. He has fought the good fight, he has stood the test of time.  For that, we always give our attention to his voice.

I think it has to do with power.  Truth be told, we don’t really have a whole lot of it.  Yet, we seem to desire it so much!  Throw us into a situation, like an Exec Board meeting; and watch the chests swell.  Even though we may not have a whole lot of power in our present circumstance, we can definitely wield it in monthly business meetings.  For some reason we even equate this with our ability to speak, and to speak loudly at that!

I just wanted to say that I appreciate you, and what you do for us.  I would also ask one thing of you though.  Instead of you never taking on the responsibility of getting things together for the meeting, ever again; I ask you to take that responsibility on at least one more time.  Triumph over it!  Get it all together, and make it the very best it can be.  Use it as a moment of potential growth, not as point of loss or limitation.

Your Friend,

Tim

The Well Community Church of Port Saint Lucie, FL has something to be ashamed of.

They stole the logo of a church of a similar name:  The Well, in Feasterville Trevose, PA.

How shameful is that?

Come on guys, come up with your own stuff.  Don’t grab a sister church’s logo, deface it a little bit, and claim it as your own.  That is just sad.

Tim

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:28-29

^“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”  James 1:12

I don’t care about the specifics of any trial, test, tribulation, harsh circumstance one faces…it is a Pain.  More than not, it is a Royal Pain.  It isn’t a minor Pain, or else we probably do not even think about it.

I dislike pain.  Can you relate?

Yet, there seems to be all sorts of pain in our lives.  Some of it is physical, some of it is relational, some of it is emotional, I’m sure you can name some more descriptors.

Darren couldn’t sleep last night.  At the most, he would go down for about an hour.  We thought it might be due to teething.  There seems to be quite a bit of discomfort with teething, some pain…if you will.  As any good parent, I didn’t desire my child to go through pain.  Who does?  So, I gave him some Infant Tylenol.

Did I mention he kept waking up, crying every hour or so?

So much for the pain killer.

Lorie tried to calm him the first half of the evening, then it was my turn.  My job is more forgiving than her’s, so I sent her to bed and took my place next to my son.  It turns out that only one thing gave him any sort of peace…that was laying on his daddy.  I’m sure you’ve seen, or even done it before.  You lay down, and your child lays right on top of you.  Chest to chest, praying that he doesn’t knee you where it hurts the most.  I’m sure you get the picture.

There we were, laying on an extra twin bed that we have in the baby room.  He has adjusted himself many times, and finally gets to that most relaxing position.  He is blissfully unaware…that his shoulder is jammed up against my throat.

Yet, my child is not crying.  My child is sleeping, resting upon my chest.  As a dad, I’m in heaven.  Err…well, almost heaven.  I’m sure that heaven won’t include that constant choking feeling of something hard and pointy jammed into my throat.  But again, you get the picture.

There we laid, for the next five hours or so until morning came.  I suffered because my child needed rest.  Was it a test? No, I don’t think so.  Was it a trial?  I’m still trying to figure out what that means in a biblical sense.  Was it a pain?  Oh my, yes!

I think of two things.

First, there are times when we must suffer through the pain.  We must persevere.  It isn’t that we triumph over it.  Heck, we might just be lucky enough to last through it.  We aren’t guaranteed a present victory, just a future hope.  So, I hope to teach my son that some things are worth suffering through.  No, pain is never pleasant.  But, pain can be outlast.

Secondly, it makes me think of what my Lord did for me, so that I may rest in him.  We are his children.  We have pain of varying degrees.  Some of us seem to have more existential anxt than others, but boy is it there.  We need rest, rest in the only one that can truly give it to us.  I am positive that his suffering to provide that rest to us goes far beyond our present circumstance.

Tim