How Do We "Do Church?"

If you are older than 40 the name Benjamin Spock is more than familiar. It was Spock that told an entire generation of parents to take it easy, don’t discipline your children and allow them to express themselves. Discipline, he told us, would warp a child’s fragile ego. Millions followed this guru of child development and he remained unchallenged among child rearing professionals. However, before his death Dr. Spock made an amazing discovery: he was wrong. In fact, he said:

We have reared a generation of brats. Parents aren't firm enough with their children for fear of losing their love or incurring their resentment. This is a cruel deprivation that we professionals have imposed on mothers and fathers. Of course, we did it with the best of intentions. We didn't realize until it was too late how our know-it-all attitude was undermining the self assurance of parents.

Oops!

Something just as momentous, in my opinion, just happened in the evangelical community. For most of a generation evangelicals have been romanced by the “seeker sensitive” movement spawned by Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. The guru of this movement is Bill Hybels. He and others have been telling us for decades to throw out everything we have previously thought and been taught about church growth and replace it with a new paradigm, a new way to do ministry.

Perhaps inadvertently, with this “new wave” of ministry came a de-emphasis on taking personal responsibility for Bible study combined with an emphasis on felt-needs based “programs” and slick marketing.

The size of the crowd rather than the depth of the heart determined success. If the crowd was large then surely God was blessing the ministry. Churches were built by demographic studies, professional strategists, marketing research, meeting “felt needs” and sermons consistent with these techniques. We were told that preaching was out, relevance was in. Doctrine didn’t matter nearly as much as innovation. If it wasn’t “cutting edge” and consumer friendly it was doomed. The mention of sin, salvation and sanctification were taboo and replaced by Starbucks, strategy and sensitivity.

Thousands of pastors hung on every word that emanated from the lips of the church growth experts. Satellite seminars were packed with hungry church leaders learning the latest way to “do church.” The promise was clear: thousands of people and millions of dollars couldn’t be wrong. Forget what people need, give them what they want. How can you argue with the numbers? If you dared to challenge the “experts” you were immediately labeled as a “traditionalist,” a throwback to the 50s, a stubborn dinosaur unwilling to change with the times.
All that changed recently.

Willow Creek has released the results of a multi-year study on the effectiveness of their programs and philosophy of ministry. The study’s findings are in a new book titled Reveal: Where Are You?, co-authored by Cally Parkinson and Greg Hawkins, executive pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. Hybels himself called the findings “earth shaking,” “ground breaking” and “mind blowing.” And no wonder: it seems that the “experts” were wrong.
The report reveals that most of what they have been doing for these many years and what they have taught millions of others to do is not producing solid disciples of Jesus Christ. Numbers yes, but not disciples. It gets worse.

Hybels laments:

Some of the stuff that we have put millions of dollars into thinking it would really help our people grow and develop spiritually, when the data actually came back it wasn’t helping people that much. Other things that we didn’t put that much money into and didn’t put much staff against is stuff our people are crying out for.

If you simply want a crowd, the “seeker sensitive” model produces results. If you want solid, sincere, mature followers of Christ, it’s a bust. In a shocking confession, Hybels states:
We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.
Incredibly, the guru of church growth now tells us that people need to be reading their bibles and taking responsibility for their spiritual growth.
Just as Spock’s “mistake” was no minor error, so the error of the seeker sensitive movement is monumental in its scope. The foundation of thousands of American churches is now discovered to be mere sand. The one individual who has had perhaps the greatest influence on the American church in our generation has now admitted his philosophy of ministry, in large part, was a “mistake.” The extent of this error defies measurement.

Perhaps the most shocking thing of all in this revelation coming out of Willow Creek is in a summary statement by Greg Hawkins:

Our dream is that we fundamentally change the way we do church. That we take out a clean sheet of paper and we rethink all of our old assumptions. Replace it with new insights. Insights that are informed by research and rooted in Scripture. Our dream is really to discover what God is doing and how he’s asking us to transform this planet.

Isn’t that what we were told when this whole seeker-sensitive thing started? The church growth gurus again want to throw away their old assumptions and “take out a clean sheet of paper” and, presumably, come up with a new paradigm for ministry.
Should this be encouraging?

Please note that “rooted in Scripture” still follows “rethink,” “new insights” and “informed research.” Someone, it appears, still might not get it. Unless there is a return to simple biblical (and relevant) principles, a new faulty scheme will replace the existing one and another generation will follow along as the latest piper plays.

What we should find encouraging, at least, in this “confession” coming from the highest ranks of the Willow Creek Association is that they are coming to realize that their existing “model” does not help people grow into mature followers of Jesus Christ. Given the massive influence this organization has on the American church today, let us pray that God would be pleased to put structures in place at Willow Creek that foster not mere numeric growth, but growth in grace.

Out Of The Comfort Zone

Should you ask how you could be a threat to the devil and have a well-known reputation in hell for being a harm to the evil powers, I answer with a series of questions:

How much do you talk to the lost at a personal level and try win them to Jesus Christ?
How far are you prepared to go in your commitment to Him?
How willing are you to be led outside your comfort zone – or do you resent that this could be asked of you?
Are you rid of all bitterness and grudges – and do you totally forgive those who have hurt you (Satan cannot work through a person who is devoid of bitterness and God won’t widely use the person who is vindictive)?
Furthermore, do you dignify every trial God allows – or do you complain and grumble the whole time?
How much, how regularly and how sacrificially do you give financially to the Lord? And, oh yes, how much do you actually pray every day?

Our reward at the judgment seat of Christ will not be based on whether we were liked, admired by Christians, built up a good reputation among the saints, or being famous. Our reward should be given on a basis of whether we were known in hell and were a constant threat to Satan and is fallen angels.

The Most Successful Man In History

He was born in poverty. He earned no degrees. He never owned property. He never held public office. He did not command an army. He never travelled more than one hundred miles from his hometown. He never wrote a book. His only possession was the clothing he wore.

Yet.......Jesus understood His identity and who He was (John 10:30). He understood His purpose (Luke 19:10). He spoke with authority, He taught with passion and became a role model. He walk the walk and talk the talk.
The most successful man who ever lived is Jesus. At His ascension, His followers numbered 120 men. Yet today over one billion people call Him Lord and God. Napoleon said of Him, "I die before my time and my body shall be returned to the earth and devoured by worms. I marvel that whereas the ambitious plans of myself and of Caesar and of Alexander should have vanished into thin air, that a Judean peasant, Jesus, should be able to stretch His hands across the ages and control the destiny of men and nations."

Look to Him, for He cares for you. He is the saviour of the world.

Nothing Good Happens After 12 Midnight?

Nothing good happens after 12 midnight. Sounds familiar? Ya, this sentence has been echoed many times. Whether you believe it or not, it sure sounds a bit surreal.
I've been hanging out with a bunch of people who clearly can think only after midnight. They really did surprised me with all the kind of fresh vibes and ideas flowing out from their creative juice. Let's just say we are in the midst of something that is moving us to another level. God's beckoning us in a new direction and we want to move with Him, in tandem and completely in step with Him.
If staying out late helps me to catch this fresh and new anointing, God, I want to be there.

Yes, nothing good happens after 12 midnight, because the best from God is all that will do!

Buru Experience

Just came back from Buru, a fishing village near Tanjung Balai, Indonesia. Together with 8 other youths from YMM, Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist and Hakka Methodist Church, we spent 5 days teaching, interacting, playing, singing and most of all, share the love of God to close to 60 children and youths. Words can't describe all that we felt about our time there, but I believe pictures will tell a thousand stories.

Our Thinking Vs God's Promises

"It's impossible" All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

"I'm too tired" I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

"Nobody really loves me" I love you (John 3:16)

"I can't go on" My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:19)

"I can't figure things out" I will direct your steps (Proverbs 20:24)

"I can't do it" You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

"I'm not able" I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

"It's not worth it" It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)

"I can't forgive myself" I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Roman 8:1)

"I can't manage" I will supply all your needs (Phililppians 4:19)

"I'm afraid" I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

"I'm always worried and frustrated" Cast all your cares on Me (I Peter 5:7)

"I don't have enough faith" I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:8)

"I'm not smart enough" I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

"I feel all alone" I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Will You Or Will You Not?

Some church cartoons to stir up some grey matters. Enjoy!

Men's Rules

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down

Finally, the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.) We always hear " the rules " from the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules! Please note. these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a Problem. See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something, or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really!

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; BTW, did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Suppose you have a friend, relative, or neighbor who has made a lot of foolish mistakes in the past. He or she has paid a heavy price for these mistakes, but for some reason the lesson just hasn’t sunk in yet. Now this person is on the verge of making another big mistake. Should you warn him or her? Ezekiel is in this kind of position. Despite repeated warnings of punishment from several prophets, the Jews refused to listen and kept on sinning. As a result, God let the Babylonians destroy Israel and take the Jews into captivity. Apparently the Israelites didn’t learn their lesson, however, and they continued to sin in Babylon. So God appointed Ezekiel to bring his message to the Jews there. God also told Ezekiel if he didn’t give the Jews his message, he, too, would pay for their sins.
Ezekiel was bitter and angry at God’s people (Ezekiel 3:14-15), and understandably so. Ezekiel had no guarantee that they would listen to him either (3:11). Still Ezekiel delivered the messages God gave him and sacrificed his own comforts to communicate God’s warnings. You may feel like Ezekiel when Christian brothers or sisters scorn God’s Word. But don’t be discouraged. If Christian friends have strayed from God, speak up, even if they aren’t listening, and even if it seems unlikely that they will take your advice.

What's The Point?

Many years ago the phenomenon of a midlife crisis was given its name. Many people approaching the second half of their adult lives want to ensure that all they’ve ever worked for, lived for, and hoped for hasn’t just been one big mistake.The entire book of Ecclesiastes addresses the meaning of life, but this passage in particular punctuates his point. Solomon’s summary makes it difficult to miss.
Solomon concludes the book of Ecclesiastes by giving advice on how to live a full life. Solomon’s final conclusion is that “the duty of every person” is to fear and obey God (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Solomon gave this advice because he knew that one day we will have to stand before God and be judged for how we have lived (12:14). We will not be able to use excuses to justify our failures and sins. So we need to learn how God wants us to live and then to do it. When we do this, we then complete our search for meaning.Don’t let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator. And don’t spend your life trying to substitute your own rules for the ones God has given you—as if living your own way will somehow be easier, or as if God won’t notice. Keep your values and priorities in line—keep God in first place in your life.

Doctors

Once I was sick, and I had to go to an ear, nose, throat doctor to get well. There are ear doctors, nose doctors, throat doctors, gynecologists, proctologists - any place you've got a hole, there's a guy who specializes in your hole. They make an entire career out of that hole. And if ear doctor, nose doctor, throat doctor, gynecologist or proctologist can't help you, he sends you to a surgeon. Why? So he can make a new hole!


The hospital patient was worried. "Are you sure it's pneumonia, doctor?" he asked. "I've heard of cases where a doctor treated a patient for pneumonia, and he ended up dying of something else."
"Don't worry," said the doctor. "When I treat a patient for pneumonia, he dies of pneumonia."

Science

Drilling 50 feet deep, German scientists discovered small pieces of copper in core samples taken at several sites in their country. After studying the bits of metal, they announced that 25,000 years ago, ancient Germans had a nationwide telephone network.
Naturally, the British didn't want to be outdone. British scientists dug even deeper and found small pieces of glass. After some study, they announced that 35,000 years ago, ancient Brits had a nationwide fiber-optic network.
French scientists were outraged. They dug 100, 200, then 300 feet deep, but found nothing except dirt and rock. Finally they announced proudly that 55,000 years ago, the ancient French used mobile phones.