Fatherhood: Praying For Grace

As I consider the children of pastors I know, my heart breaks over the rebellion of their children. I don't know why each particular child rebels and I try not to analyze each situation. But I can't help think you'd have a greater success rate as a lay person raising children in America than a pastor. At any rate, I fall upon my knees to God that He'd save my son. Ephesians 2:4-5 becomes my prayer often, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved..." My sons only hope is that God makes him alive by grace. I plead the grace of God upon his soul.

As a father, my goal has been to love him, intruct him, and discipline him. This three-fold goal has been the prayer of my heart. I thank God the Scriptures are simple for parenting [instruct and discipline with a few other exhortations] and the Spirit is alive and at work to help me bear this type of fruit.

One of the ways I have sought to love my son is through a longing to be one of his best friends throughout life. This friendship is what I see lacking in most father-son relationships and it greives my heart. So I also pray for grace to be a great friend to my son!

It's reassuring to know grace is what saves us because it removes self from the picture. It exalts God and brings the attention to whom it is due - Jesus! He is mighty to save; His hand is not shortened that it cannot save. There is nothing too hard for the Lord!

Church Planting 101: Prayer And Fasting

There are a couple themes I see in the Scriptures that I would love to implement in our church from day one - prayer and fasting.

I spent years in long prayers and fasting by myself. I've had a "personal" relationship with Jesus to the fullest. Somehow though I missed the concept I was not the only one in relationship with Jesus. I missed the fact that He has other children and I have brothers and sisters. I missed that I called to be a family with them.

Now I have done the prayer meetings. I led one for a few years. And we put it on the schedule a month away. I have been called into fasts from pastors with the Body. I guess what I was missing though was the heart; instead I had duty. Why are we praying? Because we should and that's what all good churches do! Why fast? Because that's what good churches do!

What I would like to see more than the scheduled prayers and fasts [though at times they are great] is people drawn to Jesus naturally. This would look like praying when we gather because we love Jesus, not because it was on the schedule or because that is what you do before and after a sermon. I would love to see other saints call out, "Hey let's pray!" I'd love to see other saints call us to fast spontaneously; not fast every January and July because, "that's what we have always done."

In essence, prayer and fasting as I read it in the Scriptures was more spontaneous and natural than scheduled and forced. And the former shall be our model. If we don't pray because it's "not on the schedule," then shame on us.

Church Planting 101: The Board, Accountability, And Outside Oversight

"I remember talking over lunch with two church leaders. At first they expressed concern that we did not have an accountability structure over and outside us. But, as I talked to them about the day-to-day accountability I enjoy from my congregation and from other congregational leaders with its opportunities to share heart struggles, their attitude changed. Soon they were saying, 'I wish we had something like this; our accountability is so superficial; I feel alone most of the time.' True accountability is more about relationships than hierarchies. It requires community more than structures [Total Church: Success]."

This testimony sheds great light upon what I fear to be many church leaders' accountability structures. As I am seeking to plant a church, the thing I've heard more than anything is, "Are you going to have any older people?" The problem with this question is the assumption it's making, and that is that older people are the only oversight for the church of Jesus Christ. The other issue I have with this question is those 'older' people are probably not willing to join hands with me for the kingdom's sake and help be the accountability they think I need.

Yet I love older people. One of my goals has always been to have friends of all ages; this includes old people. Also, I have always strived to be transparent with all people. So couple transparency with friends of all ages and I have always had oversight in my life far greater than most church leaders. I have never felt like I have no one to talk too. In fact, I talk to several people about issues in facing all the time; it's common practice for me.

Therefore, I look forward to being transparent with the church planted. And I look forward to getting in their business as well. And the accountability will be beautiful. Am I worried about people concealing their hearts from me? Sure! But when has that not happened in other oversight structures? It happens all the time. I have to be responsible for myself and the community of believers with me has to help me as best they can and the Lord will reveal the secrets of mens' hearts. This applies to all people. This is why the Holy Spirit gives the gifts of discernment, words of wisdom, and knowledge.

Church Planting 101: Giving Part Two

On this subject of giving, the question of state laws arises. What will our church plant do about registering ourselves with the state? Will we become a non-profit organization?

People will criticize, but in order to remain as simple [but biblical] as possible and cultivate relationships, not time burdens, we are thinking outside the box of standard churches.

We will give to the Lord. We will write checks. We will have "all things in common." But the church will not be receiving the money. Now comes the accusations..."Carl you'll be sitting in jail in no time for taking the money yourself." Not really.

You see, when a need arises, each saint [as many as needed] will give of himself directly to the need. If someone needs money in our church, we'll give them money. If we are seeking to reach our neighborhoods with the Gospel, we'll go to the store for groceries and throw a party. If a neighbor needs financial help, we will help them. In order that the nations know Christ, we will support other churches or mission agencies or individuals who are helping to expand the Kingdom.

We will not be tied down to strenuous laws, nor Christians' ideologies as to what must be done in order to "be the church" in America.

Yet we will give and we will keep each other accountable. We will talk about our money, where it goes, our budgets, and our heart before the Lord regarding our possessions. It will rock; yes, it will!

Church Planting 101: Giving

There are not many areas the Western church treats more ignorantly, in my opinion, than in the area of giving. I say this because of several reasons, but to name a few, "health and wealth theology," tithing, and where the money received goes.

Health and wealth theology:
Let's deal with this one first and promptly. The basic premise is if you have faith, you will be wealthy. First, Luke 7:22 states, "And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them." Jesus was not interested in making people rich, but having the Gospel preached to them. Secondly, 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 states, "For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness." The Apostle Paul did not want some rich and some poor, but for the church to strive for equality in wealth among the saints. The rich TV evangelists ought to be biblical and be giving their wealth to the poor old ladies whom they manipulate. I have never heard equality taught from the pulpit unfortunately. But truly we need churches to stand up with the truth of the Scriptures and strive for equality!

Tithing:
I love to tell people we are never called to "tithe" as we know it from the OT era and people hate to hear it. But I love to preach giving. In fact, that's what Jesus did: Matthew 6:3-4 "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Jesus said, "Give," not tithe. He even added a pun in there, "Don't even let your right hand know what your left hand is giving." Our lives are to be marked by giving, not a certain percentage. Thanks Jesus for setting us free like that! Paul mirrored Jesus' words: 2 Corinthians 9:7 states, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Where the money received goes:
We oftentimes neglect social and city issues so we can provide for ourselves a nice building to meet in and a lot of staff to do the work of the ministry for us. However, according to Scripture and the needs of the city and world as we know it is where the money ought to be going. There are some principles our church uses as a measuring rod for where money shall go. Each local expression of the church must figure out themselves where their money should be going. First, to our church people, and the universal church striving for equality as much as depends upon us. This will look many different ways, but it's the first principle we find in Scripture both Old and New Testaments. Secondly, to our mission field which is our city. Thirdly, to the world-wide mission for the nations. To sum them up easily, the giving in our church goes toward the church and the nations for their salvation.

In closing, we are called to give, not tithe. We are called to strive for equality in wealth, not some rich and some poor. We are called to use the money for the glory of God, not our own glory.

Why I'm A Church Planter

I watched this video this morning and it's great! Why plant churches? Well, watch it and you'll see! Enjoy!

The Story Of Jonathon And David

Jonathon and David were friends; in fact, best of friends. But Jonathon’s father, whose name was Saul, had a long history of bitterness and resentment toward Jonathon’s best friend David. You see, David worked for Jonathon’s father Saul and excelled at everything he did because God’s grace was upon him. And this angered Saul.

Because of God’s favor upon David, Saul on several occasions tried to kill David unsuccessfully. Because Jonathon delighted in David, it was common practice for Jonathon to share his father’s wicked schemes with David in order to protect him. In one particular circumstance, Jonathon convinced his father to end his plot to kill David because of all the ways David had worked so hard for him; in fact, because of David’s deeds, much good had been brought to Saul.

One day, an army from a neighboring country, called the Philistines, invaded the land and Saul sent David on a military campaign to protect the land of Israel. David went out and fought with Saul’s men against the Philistines and destroyed them with a great blow. When David came home from this great victory he’d won for his king, instead of acting with gratitude, King Saul flew into a fit of rage and tried to kill David. This time, David was gone for good, but the problem was Jonathon and David’s friendship. How would they continue to be friends under such circumstances?

Well, Jonathon met up with David and David posed a penetrating question to Jonathon. "What have I done wrong? What is my crime? How have I offended your father that he is so determined to kill me?" Jonathon said, “Listen man, I’m not going to let you be killed. Everything my father does he tells me about beforehand. If he says he is going to hurt you, I will tell you and help you stay safe.” David said, “You don’t understand how close I am to death. One wrong move and I’m done with!” Jonathon replied, “Hey man whatever you need me to do to help you stay alive, I’m in!”

So Jonathon and David devised a plan to determine Saul’s feelings towards David; if they were feelings of love, then David would return to work for Saul and if they were ill feelings, then David would flee the presence of Saul forever. Jonathon made a binding covenant with David declaring his allegiance and friendship to David because of his great love for him. He even made a point to say David would be missed at dinner. The following evening, as Saul and Jonathon gathered for dinner [where David also was expected to be], Saul noticed David was not there but didn't say anything. The second day when David was not there, he asked his son Jonathon where David was and Jonathon said David had asked him for permission to be excused for a family event. Upon hearing this, Saul flew into a fit of rage saying, "You stupid son of a whore! Do you think I don't know that you want that son of Jesse to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mom? As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you'll never be king. Now go find him so I can kill him!" Jonathon stood up on David’s behalf defending him, but his father hurled a spear at him and missed.

Jonathon went and found David to share the heartbreaking news. Both Jonathon and David knew that because of Saul’s actions, their friendship would soon dissipate as they would no longer be able to hang out together. They both wept, but David fell to the ground and wept even more because of the many ways Jonathon had been such a great friend to him.

Jonathon encouraged David in the Lord and prophesied the truth of God to him and they departed from one another.