Christianity Without The Church

According to the following article, the church world is changing more rapidly than we might imagine.  I think it will find a lot of us unprepared.  What say ye? Do you support a house church movement - or do you think it is blown out of proportion?  Let us know. 

"The results of a new study conducted by The Barna Group reveal that a majority of adults now believe that there are a variety of biblically legitimate ways to experience God outside of the conventional church.

At least 50 percent of adults who took part in the survey said that they felt that each of these six alternatives were "a complete and biblically valid way for someone who does NOT participate in the services or activities of a conventional church to experience and express their faith in God:"

• Engaging in faith activities at home, with one's family (considered acceptable by 89%)
• Being active in a house church (75%)
• Watching a religious television program (69%)
• Listening to a religious radio broadcast (68%)
• Attending a special ministry event, such as a concert or community service activity (68%).
• Participating in a marketplace ministry (54%)

Other alternatives that were not supported by a majority of those questioned included interacting with a faith-based Web site (45%) and participating in live events via the Internet (42%).

The study also showed that 28 percent of adults who did not attend a conventional church in the past month did take part in one or more of the alternative expressions of faith. Also, two out of three senior pastors of Protestant churches agreed that "house churches are legitimate Christian churches," but only 40 percent said they would ever recommend a house church to someone.   For the complete report, visit www.barna.org."

Thinking Of My Dad

Twelve years ago today, my dad passed away. He had grown old and, suddenly one day, he just died. It was a pivotal moment for me. As an only child, I had to step up and assume the patriarchal role as “head” of the family.

I think about my dad just about every day. He was a part of a generation of clergy who, for some reason, thought the church was more important than family. He was a great dad in that he gave me everything I ever wanted, but he failed as a father because, as I was growing up, he didn’t have time for me. I am sure there are others of you reading my thoughts that had the same experience.

The reason I tell you all of this is to remind you of your role as husband, father and spiritual leader of your home and family. I don’t want you to have any regrets. I know it’s trite, but the most important people in your congregation are your spouse and children.

Talk about things other than the church. We never did that. Take time to establish memories aside from church activity. I don’t remember many of those times. And whatever you do, model love before your children for your husband or wife — and tell your family members often how much you love them…even your adolescent children.

For some reason, I feel a little empty today — but I’ll be better tomorrow. Remember — no regrets! If you have some you can begin right now to make things better.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are” (1 John 3:1). That’s what I’m talking about — “lavished” love.

Have a great week!

Early Easter - Lenten Preparation

Perhaps you already know about all of this, but maybe you were so busy with Lenten activity that the following information has escaped you.

DID YOU KNOW? This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives. AND only those 95 years and older in your congregation have seen it this early. AND the next time Easter will be as early as March 23 will be 2228. AND the last time it was this early was 1913. AND the earliest date Easter can fall is March 22. AND the latest date is April 25. (See Snopes.com — February 2008.) So Easter this year is ... March 23.

What's the point? You mean other than the fact that the earliest possible date for Easter is March 22. AND no one alive today will ever see it that early. AND, when you're planning your Easter Sunrise Service, you need to take the early date into consideration. AND the same with Easter lilies. AND the same with promoting Easter effectively so that it does not just "slip up" on you.

One more thing to dazzle you on this Tuesday — Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, which is March 20. Next year — 2009 — Easter will be April 12.

Seriously, the Lenten Season, for those of us who serve the church, should be much more than planning for a big crowd and festive weekend. It should also be, for you, a time of preparation — your heart, your attitude, your message and your relationship with the Risen Christ.

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Cor. 2:2-5).                          —The Apostle Paul

I pray that your Easter activities will be underscored by the Spirit's power. May God richly bless you this week.  Thank you for your committment to read the blog and please consider commenting back.  We enjoy your input, as do the other readers! 

Don't Forget

Did you hear the one about the pastor who forgot Valentine's Day? Yes ... it's true. He was busy doing his "pastor thing" and when he came home on that day he found his wife all dressed up in her red dress, the babysitter in place and, then, to his great chagrin, he soon remembered that he had forgotten all about the fact that it was Valentine's Day.

His wife was really upset. She let loose on him and said, "How could you?! I was looking forward to tonight. The dinner, the flowers, the card, the special attention and you forgot! You have hurt me deeply." The pastor was speechless. Finally he blurted out, "I'm sorry. I really am. What can I do to make it up to you?"

She thought for a minute and then she turned toward him and said, "Tomorrow there had better be something in the driveway that goes from 0-175 in a very few seconds." He panicked.

The next morning, his wife got up and looked out the window to see a large box right in the middle of the driveway. She sprinted out the door, with great expectations, and opened the box. She stood in amazement, for in the box was a bathroom scale (0-175, get it?!?). Ouch!! Someone reported that the hours of hospital visitation were limited due to the extent of the pastor's injuries.

I know it's a silly little story. Don't be offended — just make sure your plans this week, however humble, include a time for you to say to that one whose life and support have blessed you — I LOVE YOU! And just one other suggestion: please do not make your "love gift" a bathroom scale.

"Dear children, let us not love (simply) with words ... but with actions and in truth" (1 Jn. 3:18).

Have a great week.

So, Will You Be Voting?

Wow! Dr. James Dobson has really created a "fire storm" with his comments related to Super Tuesday. As an individual — NOT as the founder and chairman of Focus on the Family — he stated, in so many words, that, if Senator McCain is the nominee of the Republican Party, he would not be able to vote for him. His words on the Glenn Beck program were, "I regret what happened last night. I'm between a rock and a hard place."

Dr. Dobson had said on Tuesday, detailing his personal opposition to McCain, "If McCain is the nominee, I will sit this one out," according to citizenlink.org. He has received a lot of criticism from friends and foes alike.

I have been asked by several people, "Do you mean that under no circumstance could Dr. Dobson vote for Sen. McCain?" I still think that remains to be seen.

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council wrote on Feb. 6 regarding values voters, "If we reach September and the candidates you endorsed are not the final nominees, it will not mean the values movement has failed. I guarantee you that the frontrunner would have moved closer to our issues." Gary Bauer's Campaign for Working Families organization reported responses to his survey running 8-1 in favor of the Republicans "closing ranks" if need be.

As I write this note to you, I have also learned that Gov. Romney has dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. I also understand that he may have spent between 35 and 50 million dollars of his own money on his campaign. To me, there is something immoral about that — but it was his money.

Tom Minnery, our Vice President of Public Policy, is quoted as saying, "Dr. Dobson's decision is a position of a man who isn't swayed by political winds. He is a man of deep principle, deep philosophy." I for one know Dr. Dobson is a godly man with deep moral convictions.

We have a long way to go before a president is selected in November. So much can and will change. One thing for sure — we need to pray for our country and the democracy that allows us to cast our vote in the privacy of a voting booth.

So, will you be voting? "Righteousness exalts a nation" (Prov. 14:34).

*** Late breaking news:  Dr. James Dobson issued the following statement last night, speaking as a private citizen.

I am endorsing Gov. Mike Huckabee for President of the United States today. My decision comes in the wake of my statement on Super Tuesday that I could not vote for Sen. John McCain, even if he goes on to win the Republican nomination. His record on the institution of the family and other conservative issues makes his candidacy a matter of conscience and concern for me.

That left two pro-family candidates whom I could support, but I was reluctant to choose between them. However, the decision by Gov. Mitt Romney to put his campaign "on hold" changes the political landscape. The remaining candidate for whom I could vote is Gov. Huckabee. His unwavering positions on the social issues, notably the institution of marriage, the importance of faith and the sanctity of human life, resonate deeply with me and with many others. That is why I will support Gov. Huckabee through the remaining primaries, and will vote for him in the general election if he should get the nomination. Obviously, the governor faces an uphill struggle, given the delegates already committed to Sen. McCain. Nevertheless, I believe he is our best remaining choice for President of the United States.

Be blessed and be a blessing. —HBL

P.S. Our hearts go out to the families and churches that were devastated by the multitude of tornadoes that raged through six southern states earlier this week. In an attempt to reach out to pastors and their congregations, we would like to know if your church or another that you are aware of was damaged or destroyed. Please email us your contact information or theirs at pastors@family.org so that we may contact them. Thank you.

17 – 14!!!! What A Game!!!!

I was so nervous. I had a difficult time watching the first half of the Super Bowl, so I worked with one eye on the television. During the second half, I gave in and just became a football fan regardless of who would win.   

By the way, I picked the Giants 24-21, and really was rooting for the underdog. You cannot take anything away from the Patriots. An 18-1 season is one of the very best in NFL history, but no Super Bowl championship. They were just one game away from being one of the very best football teams ever — maybe they still are or will be.

What do we learn from watching a great game like this? 

• First, you need the opportunity! You can't pick the winner before the game is played. Most people did.
• Just because you are the underdog doesn't not mean you have to play like one.
• When you have been maligned (e.g., Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin), you must believe in yourself. You are playing the game; your critics are not.
• You never know who will step up to make a heroic play (e.g., unbelievable catch by David Tyree on the first touchdown scoring drive).
• In the church, we do not call it luck, but in football you need some luck. Point: You do your best, and good things will happen.
• You need a game plan and a coach who has the respect of their players.
• You will most likely play hurt, but if you believe in yourself, your team and the cause at stake, you will survive. Sometimes defense is your best offense.
• No matter what the score, winning feels better than losing.

Wow! What I have just shared with you sounds a whole lot like pastoring a church, with one very big exception — you are a winner no matter what! In fact, you are more than a conqueror! Why? Because of the Coach you follow and the cause you represent.

Have a great week! WHEW — what a game!