Friday Fun

Just for fun, I’m going to throw out a couple of questions here. It is not likely we will agree in our conclusions, so that’s not really the point.  However, considering these questions does reveal underlying beliefs and assumptions.

• With or without a conversion experience, is it more tragic to live not knowing God or to die not knowing Him?
• Will you have an opportunity to know the Father after death, or does that offer expire when you die?

If you enjoy discussing these things, feel free to share your thoughts.

Just One More, For Now

The crucial question is “What about making a decision?”

This is the manner in which I have always heard the gospel presented. But what does it mean? That by OUR decision something is accomplished?

I am not saying that choosing, believing, and repenting (turning your life) are not vitally significant. They determine the way in which you experience (continue to experience) salvation and life in the kingdom as a daily lived reality.

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—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph. 2:4-8)

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)

It is the gift of God. Grace is not a transaction.

Tell me your thoughts about this.
Again, what questions does this raise for you?

The Great Reversal

This might be kind of quirky, but I really am enamored with this topic.  For over a year now,  it has been like a shiny object that I hold in my hand or pocket and take out frequently to admire, study, and enjoy.  I am not sure if the fascination is because it is new to me or if it is just inherently fascinating.  Anyway, I appreciate the people in my real life and on the blog who humor me in my latest obsession.

So what did Jesus accomplish in his death and resurrection?

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. (Romans 5:18)

One has died for all, therefore all have died. (II Cor. 5:14)

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:5)

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (I Cor. 15:21-22)

Who are the exceptions to “all”?

Just as death spread to all men through Adam, in Christ we all died and we have all been raised into new life.  We weren’t consulted about this.

The gospel has never been about qualifying people for salvation, it is about letting them know the really good news . . . that they are already loved and embraced by the Father.

What kind of questions does this raise for you?

Y’all Must Be Born Again

I just wanted to toss out something that I’m pondering. In John 3, Jesus talked to Nicodemus about being born again and explained that without His intervention, man cannot experience the kingdom of God. I have mostly heard this passage used in reference to making a personal decision for Christ.

What if instead of saying, “Nicodemus, will you pray the sinner’s prayer?”, Jesus was saying, in order for mankind to experience the kingdom of God, you all will have to have an entirely different nature, and in order for that to occur, He (Jesus) will die.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (I Peter 1:3)

What if in the resurrection, all of mankind was born again into a new nature that is capable of experiencing the kingdom of God?

Growing Church Leaders

Now that I have a small window of time without classes, I thought that I would blog a bit about leadership.

The church world is enamored with the topic of leadership.  The majority of conferences are geared toward “leaders” and promise leadership development and success.  Actually they are geared to the masses (ticket sales), but there is always the hope that you too could someday cross that special line and be included among those considered leaders.

Why?  When did this become such an integral part of church culture?

Not that there is anything wrong with leadership.  For the church though, the organizational/CEO paradigm is a far cry from the concept of relational gatherings of believers.

As I catch up on my blog reading, I shuffle past various blogs announcing the latest conferences showcasing the latest network and the latest popular leaders.  The scuttle about “liking” and “disliking” speaker candidates is amusing and is, in my opinion, an honest reflection of the situation.  I dislike the picture of leadership that is painted by the church industry.  Too much platforming, promotion, and product sales for my taste.

Then there is the always-popular topic – “Can shiny, happy women with breasts be leaders in the church and still have time to make kool-aid…really?“  (note to self: future post on abusive power structures, complicit leaders, and the followers who enable them).

I am not saying that there aren’t good leaders in the church. However, I believe the most visible leaders today do not necessarily exemplify the best leadership that occurs among the church.

Anyway, there are a lot of concepts under the umbrella term of leadership regarding authority, power, influence, position, responsibility, and of course service, that often become muddled when we discuss leaders in the church.

So here are some questions I would love to discuss. In the world of church:

• What determines if you are a leader?
• What is the context of your leadership?
• What is the basis of your authority to lead?
• What is the relationship between church leadership and spiritual authority?

Tell me what you think.