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Palm Sunday was a special time in our home. I had the privilege of baptizing our oldest son, James. As I talk with dads whose children are now grown, one of the things I hear again and again is the significance of these spiritual milestones in the lives of their kids. Now I'm having the opportunity to experience the journey myself. It's hard to explain the feeling of leading your eight-year-old son into the baptistry, having him look up and smile at you, and there publicly profess his own faith in Christ. Perhaps it's a small taste of what God feels as He looks down on you and me on one of our better days. (And, thanks be to God, on the other days as well.) May your Easter be filled with blessings! Michael
Duduit, Editor Click here to visit "I Was Just Thinking" for insights and observations about faith and culture issues.
How do churches breakout? In his new book Breakout Churches (Zondervan), Thom Rainer and his research team examined more than 50,000 churches in the U.S. to identify those characteristics that help a church "breakout" and make the leap from good to great. The project was inspired by the best-selling business book Good to Great by Jim Collins. They identified 13 churches which had made a major positive shift without a change of leadership. In the process they discovered several things that were not present in such "breakout" churches: • "The pastor involved in the transition was not leading by the sheer force of a charismatic personality. . . . • "The breakout churches were surprisingly slow in adopting new methodologies and latching on to the latest and hottest trends in the national church scene. • "A deliberately created and clearly articulated vision statement had little or nothing to do with the breakout to greatness. . . . • "The name of the church and any decision to remove or keep the denominational identity was not a factor in breaking out. . . . • "The breakout churches were conservative theologically, but the comparison churches were almost as conservative. Our earlier studies confirmed the importance of clear doctrine in evangelistic churches, but doctrine alone does not move churches to greatness." So what does move churches to greatness? Among the factors Rainer cites: a bold, passionate leader who "is willing to take incredible steps of faith and make the tough calls that few others will;" leaders who "seek to equip others for the work of ministry while deflecting recognition for themselves;" an "environment of excellence;" and much more. (Click here to learn more about the book Breakout Churches.)
Do we need more doctrinal preaching? In the book Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles' Creed (Eerdmans), Roger Van Harn notes, "When the confirmation class was concluding its preparatory sessions with a weekend retreat, Pastor Mary decided it was time for a no-holds-barred wrestling with church doctrines. The sessions to date were laced with 'what do you believe about . . . ?' and 'what would you do if . . . ?' questions. Discussions were animated. It seemed time to take on 'this is what the church believes about (creation, providence, covenant, atonement, etc.).' When she finished outlining the doctrine of the Trinity, a fourteen-year-old responded with, "I think I'm getting it, but it makes my head hurt." "No preacher would want to send his congregants home from worship with their heads hurting, but there is a growing sense that the church could benefit these days from a revival of doctrinal preaching. The topical 'three points and a poem' sermons from the North American mid-twentieth century need not be the model for the revival. But sermons designed to teach what the church has received in and with the gospel of Jesus Christ may be the witness that satisfies a growing hunger. Ironically, the mood of postmodernism which relativizes faith convictions into mere personal opinions may well increase the appetite and make more room for church doctrine on the table." Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles' Creed includes a series of essays (by many different writers, mostly mainline Protestant pastors and teachers) on various elements of the historic statement of faith, including interesting historical background about the various doctrines. Following each essay is a sermon focused on that doctrinal issue. This is an interesting and helpful volume that reminds us of the value of teaching theological truths in the church. (Click here to order a copy of Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles' Creed)
Illustration: Witness, Faithfulness Anyone who has seen the news over the past couple of weeks has heard the story of Ashley Smith, a single mother in Atlanta who was taken hostage by Brian Nichols for several hours. During those hours, she talked to him about her family, her Christian faith, and read to him. Here, in part, is how she describes it:
Peggy Noonan's OpnionJournal.com column (click here to read) contains a full transcript of Ashley's comments to reporters after Nichols' capture. Then Noonan notes, "Is it a matter of happenstance, is it without meaning, that America was taken by this drama at Eastertide, in the days before Palm Sunday, when a wanted man rode by donkey to an appointment at Golgotha? "Is it an accident that a great but troubled country that yearns so to be good is given such instruction at this time? "Maybe we should be thinking: God loves all of us, every one of us most tenderly, even convicts, maybe especially convicts, who know what they are and hang their heads and one of whom, so long ago, looked up, and cried out to the man on the other cross, and received from him a promise of forgiveness and a promise that soon, very soon, they would stand together in a place without pain. "Maybe we should think: This is all quite a mystery, too big to be understood, too beautiful to be ignored." http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110006429
ILLUSTRATION: Waiting Chuck Swindoll says, "We can get so good at waiting that we never act. We yawn and passively mutter, 'Maybe, someday,' as we let opportunities slip away. Like having friends over for ice cream or going on a picnic. Like using the fine china or celebrating a birthday or slipping away for a weekend of relaxation and romance or sailing for a day or spending a week away with the family. 'Not this year but maybe, someday.' "Don't wait! If you continue such passivity, someday will never come — and you'll regret it for the rest of your days. I realized this anew when I read the following in the Los Angeles Times. Ann Wells writes: "My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. . . . He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "'Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least eight or nine years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion.' "He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me. 'Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you are alive is a special occasion.' "I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. . . . I'm still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life. . . . I'm not 'saving' anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event — such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. . . . "'Someday'
and 'one of these days' are losing their grip on my vocabulary.
If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear
and do it now. . . I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back,
or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.
And every morning when I open my eyes I tell myself that it is
special." (Dallas Seminary Daily Devotional, 3-10-05)
ILLUSTRATION: Value of Life As this newsletter is written, the ultimate outcome of the Terry Schiavo case is still to be determined. Writing in the March 18 OpinionJournal.com, Peggy Noonan comments: "There is a passionate, highly motivated and sincere group of voters and activists who care deeply about whether Terri Schiavo is allowed to live. Their reasoning, ultimately, is this: Be on the side of life. They remind me of what Winston Churchill said once when he became home secretary in charge of England's prisons. He was seated at dinner with a jabbery lady who said that if she were ever given a "life sentence she'd rather die than serve it. He reared back. No, he said, always choose life! 'Death's the only thing you can't get out of!' "Just so. Life is full of surprise and lightning-like lurches. The person in a coma today wakes up tomorrow and says, "Is that you, mom?" Life is unknowable. Always give it a chance to shake your soul and upend reality." (Click here to read the full column.) http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110006442
"Preaching
With Passion" conference Plan now to attend the National Conference on Preaching, slated for April 18-20, 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee. The theme of NCP 2005 will be "Preaching With Passion," and an outstanding line-up of speakers will be participating, including William Willimon, Dave Stone, H. Beecher Hicks, James Earl Massey, Ray Ortlund, Jr., Robert Smith, Jim Shaddix, Mike Glenn, Bill Self, Carol Noren, R. Leslie Holmes, and more. The annual conference is sponsored by Preaching magazine. Here's a sample of the many workshop titles that will be offered: • "Refining Your Style of Communication" • "How the Devil Can Speak Through You and Me" • "The Need for Dead Preachers" • "Revitalizing Expository Preaching: Deductive & Inductive Approaches" • "Preaching Through Your Pastoral Storm" • "The Romance of the Pulpit: Preaching Christ with Passion" • "From 0 to 20 in 2 hours: When There's Not Much Time to Prepare the Sermon" • "Be Quiet and Pay Attention: The Role of Listening in Preaching" • "Passionate Preaching for Fractured Families" and many more! In addition to the plenary sessions and workshops for preachers, NCP 2005 will also have workshop tracks for worship leaders, student/youth pastors and ministry spouses. So plan to bring your entire leadership team! Registration is $250, and additional registrants from the same church (and spouses) can register for just $100 per person. For more information or to register, call 1-800-288-9673 (outside the US call 615-599-9889), or visit us on the web at www.preaching.com/ncp. Airline Discounts Available for NCP Participants in the National Conference on Preaching can take advantage of discounts on Northwest, Continental and Continental Express Airlines. Discounts of 5-15% are available, based on the type of fare and the date ordered — the earlier you purchase your tickets, the greater the available discount. To make reservations or get information, contact the Northwest Meeting Services Reservation Desk at 1-800-328-1111 (open Mon-Fri, 7:00 am to 7:30 pm Central), and refer to WorldFile NYTTN. Student Discounts Available If you are a full-time student at a seminary or college, you are eligible to attend the conference at a substantially-reduced cost. Call us (800-288-9673) for more information.
ILLUSTRATION: Bible David Jeremiah observes that, "Surveys show that about 92 percent of Americans own at least one Bible, and the average household has three. The average committed Christian owns nine Bibles — and wants more (Christian Booksellers/Zondervan survey). At least 20 million Bibles are sold annually in the United States with millions more being distributed free. Yet a Gallup poll showed that "occasional" Bible reading has fallen from 73 percent of Americans in the 1980s to 59 percent today. Pollster Gallup said, "We revere the Bible, but we don't read it." "We're not short on Bibles in America, we're long on tradition: Owning a Bible is still a culturally approved part of being an American. If the apostle James were commenting on this situation, he might compare us to a farmer who has a barn full of seed that he never gets around to planting. James advised his readers to "receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21, emphasis added). Just as it is implanted seeds that produce crops, so it is the implanted Word that saves souls and changes lives. "The real issue is not whether you own a Bible, or how many, but whether your Bible owns you." (Turning Point Daily Devotional, 3-14-05)
"The
cross is God's connection between time and eternity. He planned
it from before the foundation of the world, and it is intended
for the whole world." (Richard C. Halverson)
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ILLUSTRATION: Authority, Boss The wife heard her husband come back into the house not too long after he had left. She said, "Hon, I thought you were going to your lodge meeting." "It was postponed." he replied. "The wife of the Grand Exalted Invincible Supreme Potentate wouldn't let him attend tonight."
Plan a Passover Seder for your church It's too late for this year, but as you start thinking about next year, you may want to consider celebrating a Passover meal, or Seder, in your congregation. Hundreds of American churches are now sponsoring such an event, in an attempt to better understand the Jewish context from which Jesus and the early church emerged. Michael Smith (a Baptist pastor) and Rabbi Rami Shapiro have jointly developed Let Us Break Bread Together (Paraclete Press), a guide for Christians who wish to experience a Jewish Passover seder with a distinctively Christian perspective. I recently joined a group of pastors in such an event, and it is quite meaningful. If you'd like to guide your church through a Passover meal, this will be a helpful guide. (Click here to learn more about Let Us Break Bread Together)
From this month's LeaderLinks . . . In an article based on leadership principles of the US Navy, W. Brad Johnson and Gregory P. Harper write about trust: "Those who serve on ships are expected to exhibit obedience, knowledge, fighting spirit, reliability, loyalty, initiative, self-control, energy, courage, justice, faith in ourselves, cheerfulness, and honor, but above all comes absolute truth, the final test of a man. "There is something utterly correct about this advice from the post-World War II Navy. Above all comes truth. Truth is the very heart of integrity and nothing compromises an officer's integrity more thoroughly and instantaneously than telling an untruth. The commanding officer of a ship or submarine must assume with unflinching certainty that his or her officers will never compromise on this score. Give me bad news and give me all of it, but never ever twist or withhold the facts. "In my (GPH) second squadron, we had a lieutenant who, after he completed his initial tour, wanted to get out and fly for the airlines. In order for it to look like he had a lot of flight experience, he doctored his flight log, adding flights that he never flew. No one knew this until another lieutenant (instructor pilot) checked his log book one day before giving him an annual qualification check-ride. Upon discovering the doctored book, he immediately took it to the operations officer, who took it up the chain of command, and an investigation was conducted. It was discovered that the pilot had indeed doctored his flight log. He had lied in writing and he had compromised his honor. He was finished in the squadron. No one would trust him after that and he was quickly taken off flight status and released from active duty. How could the Commanding Officer ever trust this man with an airplane and the lives of a crew again? Even now, whenever I fly on a commercial airliner, I look at the pilots in the cockpit and make sure that this man is not piloting the plane. I still wouldn't trust him! "Of course, truthfulness is a prerequisite for trust. Originating in the German word trost, which means comfort, trust suggests a state of confidence and comfort in relation to one who habitually tells the truth." (Click here to read the full article) Leader Links is a free, web-based publication for Christian leaders. The March issue is now available at www.leaderlinks.com. Interested readers can also go to the site (or just click here) and subscribe to LeadingNow, a monthly e-mail newsletter featuring ideas and resources for Christian leaders. LeaderLinks is a publication of American Ministry Resources, which is the publisher of PreachingNow, Preaching magazine and preaching.com.
"A life directed chiefly toward the fulfillment of personal desires will sooner or later always lead to bitterness." (Albert Einstein)
More church bulletin bloopers From our friends at SermonFodder.com: • Burial will be in Forest Yawn Cemetery • If you have questions about your voter registration call the Broad of elections . . . • Marta Troutman will teach you how to put pizzas in your floral arrangements . . . • Trish Hampton's special will be "Jesus, the Lamp of God." • The pastor has a 2001 Mustnag for sale. • The youth group will be having their 13th annual Bowel-A-Thon. • Remember there will be a special white trash pick up day next Tuesday • You're invited to join us as Tommy and Angela renew their vowels next Saturday . . . • Join us next week for the dedication of our new expanded facility. The new sanctuary has seating for 1,000 compared to 999 for our old building. • The pastor search committee has set up meetings with several highly quadilified candidates. • Funeral Home Brings Cheer to Senior Citizens (These bloopers were contributed by members of the Sermon Fodder list and Joke A Day. To subscribe go to http://www.sermonfodder.com)
And finally . . . A St. Petersburg student was arrested, cuffed and put in back of a police cruiser last week after an outburst at school "where she threw books and boxes, kicked a teacher in the shins, smashed a candy dish, hit an assistant principal in the stomach and drew on the walls," according to a March 18 Associated Press story. What makes the story unusual is that the student was five, and was arrested in her kindergarten class. According to AP, "The students were counting jelly beans as part of a math exercise at Fairmount Park Elementary School when the little girl began acting silly. That's when her teacher took away her jelly beans, outraging the child. Minutes later, the 40-pound girl was in the back of a police cruiser, under arrest for battery. Her hands were bound with plastic ties, her ankles in handcuffs." The girl was released shortly after that and no charges were filed. School officials were upset that local police had been involved rather than campus police. "We never want to have 5-year-old children arrested," said Michael Bessette, the district's Area III superintendent. Sounds like a good policy.
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