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One of the secrets to successfully starting something new is the ability to let go of what came before. In an interesting book called Ten Commandments for Pastors Leaving a Congregation (Eerdmans), Lawrence Farris writes: "The gift born of a faithful departing is the freedom to embrace the new . . . However, too often we live according to what is sometimes called 'The First (and Only) Law of Wingwalking.' Wingwalking was a daredevil practice in the early days of aviation in which aviators walked the wings of biplanes as they buzzed over airfields, and the first law of wingwalking is this: never let go of what you are holding on to until you are holding on to something else. "It is more than a prudent approach to daredevil stunts, but as a strategy for the life of faith in general, and for making a pastoral move in particular, it is less than helpful. To be fit and free for a new call (or for retirement), we need to prayerfully release our grip on what has gone before, whether it has been a blessing or a curse. . . . We are not free to receive if our hands are tightly clinging to what has been, but only if we open ourselves to the newness that awaits in the future." As Farris reminds us, "There came a moment in Jesus' ministry when he set his face toward Jerusalem: he chose to take that next, crucial step. Such moments come to every pastor, and the freedom to set our hearts toward a new call with a new congregation is a great blessing. Releasing that which formerly claimed so much of our energy and devotion is essential to receiving this freedom." Beyond changing churches or other settings, being in ministry always involves change. Farris offers a helpful reminder that we often fail to truly embrace the new blessings God has in store for us when we cling to the past. (Click here to learn more about Farris' book) Michael
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Advertising in the Pulpit: The survey says . . . Two weeks ago in PreachingNow we had an item on the trend toward advertising commercial products (movies or even cars) in the church. (Click here to read.) We asked PreachingNow readers to respond to a brief survey on the topic, and here's what you told us: About 90 percent of readers have never endorsed a commercial product from the pulpit, while 10 percent have -- mostly films and books, though one pastor reported announcing a member discount at a local Christian bookstore. Among those who would consider such an endorsement, the primary criteria would be connection to the church/Christianity and relevance to the congregation. Some comments from responders: "I believe that it it is not only ethical, but a smart move to blend social content with the message of the cross where ever possible. . . . Preachers have been "promoting" commercial enterprises forever. We've all used "slick" sermon titles like "Extreme Makeover of the Soul", and the Da Vinci Code series. The truth is that whether intentionally or unintentionally, we do use cultural connectors. The issue is are we using them in response to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and for God's glory, or for our own selfish benefit. . . . The risk is worth the reward of connecting with a culture that is very much attracted to product logos, popular show titles, and current events. To even attempt to withdraw from this trend is to become culturally irrelevant." "Not real surprised about this and it saddens me. I struggle to believe that Jesus would not be 'turning over a few tables' with this trend." "I am horrified at the thought of advertising products -- even the most Christian products -- from the pulpit or in worship at all. I think it's okay to announce (via newsletter or Sunday bulletin) an event of the church that is somehow connected -- for example, announcing a group movie date to see a certain movie. To me, it is damaging & dangerous inculturation rather than being culturally relevant." "I think the church, its pastors and its people need to be very wary of being used (i.e. abused) by companies seeking a new source of revenue. However, if good quality Biblical products are made, I'd encourage my congregation to check it out." "I don't like it nor will I endorse it, unless the product is a Christian book, movie or Bible study that will help or benefit the church spiritually." "A pastor may recommend something helpful to the congregation, but to receive payment binds the pastor to the product, and ultimately gives the appearance of God as spokesman for a product." (Click here to read all the comments offered.) http://www.preaching.com/preaching/misc/feedback0107.htm
Rob Bell: Why Leviticus? In an interview in the February 2007 edition of Christianity magazine -- a UK publication -- Rob Bell was asked why he launched his church with a sermon series through the book of Leviticus. (A question that many American preachers may have wondered about as well!) The interviewer wonders about the cultural relevance of this Old Testament book, and Rob says: "I went verse by verse for a year and a half. First and foremost, Leviticus raises questions about the human story. So our understanding of the scripture is this unfolding story of redemptive history. Our question is what was going on at that time that God was doing? God is endlessly working through history to meet people where they're at and take them through to the next level of obedience, of awareness, of living in harmony with God who created them. "So what's happening in Leviticus? Well, in . . . all the religions, you didn't know where you stood with God. So you're endlessly offering, offering, offering, offering. That's why child sacrifice is all through ancient religion. You don't know whether the gods are angry. Leviticus begins with, come, offer a lamb. We read that and go . . . at that time in world history there were these groups of people on this obscure corner of the world saying, 'You can know where you stand with God. You can offer a lamb and then actually have a peace meal.' "In the evolution of religion and human thought that was an absolutely brand new idea. 'The gods aren't angry, you can stand with this God,' and the lamb isn't for God. Like in the psalm, the lamb is for you. So for us, we begin with: there's something brilliant here, let's just dig around for awhile. Then all of a sudden, in Leviticus is the opening section where there is a deep human anxiety about where we stand with the gods -- this was an alternative to these world views. This God is a God of grace. Even the word sacrifice means to come near. We would assume in any text that it's reflective of what God is doing at that time. If we can get down at that level, then all of a sudden it starts to open up." (Click here to view the Rob Bell interview via streaming video.) http://www.premier.tv/?void=33061
God's sovereignty and human responsibility In the January-February issue of Books & Culture, Wheaton professor Alan Jacobs writes, "Near the middle of Milton's Paradise Lost, the archangel Raphael describes for Adam -- who has not yet fallen, not yet disobeyed -- the War in Heaven between Satan's rebellious angels and those who have remained faithful to God. Throughout this portion of the poem a major figure is a loyal angel named Abdiel. It is his task, or privilege, to cast the first blow against Satan himself: his 'noble stroke' causes Satan to stagger backwards and fall to one knee, which terrifies and enrages the great rebel's followers. This happens as Abdiel expected; he's not afraid of Satan, and knows that even the king of the rebels cannot match his strength, since rebellion has already sapped some of the greatness and power of the one once known as Lucifer. "But what if the combat hadn't gone as expected? What if Satan had been unhurt by Abdiel's blow, or had himself wounded the faithful angel? In that case, says one Milton scholar, John Rumrich, 'God would by rights have some explaining to do.' What right would God have to send Abdiel into a struggle where he could be wounded or destroyed? To Rumrich's claim that most eminent of Miltonists, Stanley Fish, replies: Every right. God's actions are not subject to our judgment, because he's God -- a point which, Fish often reminds us, modern literary critics seem unable to grasp. "Moreover, Fish notes, Abdiel himself doesn't think that God owes him success, or indeed owes him anything at all. In Abdiel's understanding of what it means to be a creature, all the owing is on his side; all the rights are on God's. As it happens, there are moments in the story when things don't go as Abdiel expects, where his efforts seem futile or pointless -- or seem so to us. Yet this doesn't bother him at all. Why not? Because in each case he did what he was made to do: he obeyed. Obedience is the creature's calling; the ultimate outcome and disposition of events belongs to God, and only to God. God does not need to adjust events to meet our expectations, nor must he offer us an explanation when our expectations are thwarted. And if we focus on our own obedience we will not ask such things of God."
What you'll see in Cambridge #1 in a list of sites you'll enjoy when you attend the International Congress on Preaching, April 17-19 in Cambridge, England: Cambridge is filled with sites of significance in the history of the church. Many of our workshops will be held at Emmanuel College, a beautiful campus near our meeting site at St. Andrews Street Baptist Church. Emmanuel was founded in 1584 (on the site of a former Dominican friary) to train Puritan preachers. (Thomas Hooker was one of those graduates who gained prominence as a preacher.) The chapel was designed by Christopher Wren and finished in 1677. John Cotton taught there from 1606 to 1612. Of
the first 100 university graduates to live in New England, a third
were graduates of Emmanuel College, including John Harvard. When
he died, he left his estate and library of 320 books to found a
college -- which became Harvard University, the first university
in America. Plan to be part of the third International Congress on Preaching in Cambridge, England. You'll hear an amazing lineup of speakers and enjoy stimulating addresses on the Congress theme, "For Such a Time as This: Preaching Truth in an Age of Idolatry." You'll hear challenging sermons, and you'll participate in practical workshops on a variety of preaching-related topics. There's
still time to register, so make your plans now to be with us. To
learn more (and register online), go to www.preaching.com/icop
or you can call 800-527-5226 (toll free inside U.S.) or 615-386-3011
(outside the U.S.)
ILLUSTRATION: Eternal Destiny, Hell Calvin Coolidge was vice president of the United States between 1921-1923, under President Warren Harding. He was not a very active vice president, but he took great pleasure in presiding over the Senate. One day as he was presiding, a senator angrily told another to go "straight to hell." The offended Senator openly complained to Coolidge as the presiding officer. Coolidge was leafing through the book of rules as he made his complaint. Coolidge looked up from the book and replied: "I've looked through the rule book. You don't have to go." That is the good news that we have to share with the world. We have looked it up in God's book. No one has to go to hell, for the Bible says that He, "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4). (Rodney Buchanan, "Sharing Christ," SermonCentral)
ILLUSTRATION: Growth, Personal Development In his Jan. 15 B.R.E.W. Monday newsletter, Kirk Byron Jones writes: Let's play a guessing game. I will give you a few of the courses and grades from a famous person's college transcript. Look at the grades, think, and then guess the person's identity. Here goes:
What's your guess? The person is Martin Luther King, Jr. In all fairness, one of the reasons for King's less than stellar grades was his age. He entered Morehouse College, headed by the legendary Benjamin E. Mays, in 1944, at the age of 15. Because of the wartime draft, the school's enrollment was down, and promising high school juniors were allowed to fill out the entering class. Even when placed into context, King's college grades are striking, given his historic achievements and contributions. But that's the point -- he did go on to make historic achievements and contributions, in large part, because he kept learning and growing. In his sophomore year, King became a 'B' student. During his junior year, he earned his first 'A' in, you guessed it, Bible. King went on to finish strong at Morehouse, and excel academically as an 'A' student in two challenging graduate programs at Crozer Seminary and Boston University. It was once said of another great African American man, Duke Ellington, that he "never settled for an earlier version of himself." One of the best things we can do for ourselves and others is to commit to growth, to commit to imagining and becoming our best selves. (Subscribe to B.R.E.W. Monday at www.brewseries.com)
ILLUSTRATION: Service Adrian Rogers told the story of a lady who took a course in first aid: "They were having testimonials about first aid, and she stood up and said, 'I want to give a testimony. The other day out in front of my house, there was an automobile accident. An old man driving his car lost control, went over the curb, and hit an oak tree head-on. He was thrown out into the street. His skull was fractured, he had compound fractures in his limbs, and he was pumping his life's blood out on the asphalt.' She said, 'It was horrible, but I remembered my first aid. I remembered if I would put my head between my knees I wouldn't faint.' "That's the kind of Christianity a lot of people desire. We just want to put our head between our knees and say, 'Oh, I'm so glad I'm a Christian, so I can live in this horrible world.' It is a horrible world, and our Lord has put us here as His representatives. Opportunities to serve Him are everywhere." (Adrian Rogers, What Every Christian Ought to Know: Essential Truths for Growing Your Faith; submitted by Steve Eutsler. Click here to learn more about the book.)
ILLUSTRATION: Baptism The youth director had been trying for months to get the little boy down the street to come to church to be with his third grade Sunday school class. Finally after talking to the boy and his mother for what seemed to be the hundredth time the boy finally agreed to go this next Sunday, which he did and seemed to enjoy all of the proceedings except as the baptismal service began he ran out the back door and ran all the way home. His mother asked him why did he run home instead of riding with the youth minister. The little boy answered, "Its all a racket! They get you there and let you make all those nice things and tell you great stories just to get you relaxed so they can drown you at the end of one of the services."
"The lazier a man is, the more he is going to do tomorrow." (Norwegian proverb)
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More books to consider . . . Here are some excellent recent releases that will be of interest to pastors. For information or to order a copy through Amazon, just click on the title. A revised and expanded edition of The Hermeneutical Spiral (InterVarsity) by Grant Osborne has been released. This is a classic work on the process of interpreting scripture for preaching and teaching. Osborne argues that the hermeneutical process is a spiral from text to context, as the reader moves ever closer to the intended meaning of the text and its contemporary significance. This is a book that should be read by anyone serious about understanding scripture. Kregel Publications has a tradition of bringing back excellent works of an earlier era. One of the series they are now producing is the Ironside Expository Commentary series, written nearly a century ago by Harry Ironside, pastor of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago. Ironside was one of the gifted expositors of his era, and his work still offers wonderful insights for preaching a century later. The three most recent releases in this series are John, Romans and Galatians, and Proverbs and Song of Solomon. These volumes will be helpful tools for preachers dealing with these biblical books. William Willimon is one of the most gifted preachers around, and pastors thinking ahead to Holy Week and Easter will benefit from his new book Thank God It's Friday: Encountering the Seven Last Words from the Cross (Abingdon). With a foreword from Marva Dawn, this published sermon series will both challenge and inspire -- and offer some ideas for preaching in the Easter season.
ILLUSTRATION: Prayer, Guests A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" "I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered. The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"
More church bulletin bloopers (part 2) • The District Duperintendent will be meeting with the church boared. • As soon as the weather clears up, the men will have a goof outing. • Fifth Sinday is Lent. • Thank you, dead friends. • Diana and Don request your presents at their wedding. • Lent is a period for preparing for Holy Weed and Easter. • Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget all His benefits. • For the word of God is quick and powerful . . . piercing even to the dividing asunder of soup and spirit. • Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peach to men. • Definition: Persons who are shut-in during bath weather. • Bring one dozen coolies wrapped for Christmas. • Volunteers are needed to spit up food. • Head Deacon and Dead Deaconess • We pray that our people will jumble themselves.
And finally . . . This woman really disliked Thin Mints. An 8-year-old St. Louis Girl Scout was selling cookies in her neighborhood, only to be met at the door by a homeowner with a gun. A city firefighter was taking his daughter out to sell cookies, but when they rang one doorbell they were shocked to see a 78-year-old woman came out of the house with a shotgun. Father and daughter ran home and called police. Authorities have decided not to press charges against the elderly woman, who apparently thought the knock on the door was someone who had been harassing her. No word, however, on whether she bought any Samoas.
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