After the Worship Service, What?

Today is Halloween, whatever that means (as I try to upload this post at 8:00pm, I keep running to the front door to pass out candy). But today is also Reformation Day.

Reformation Day commemorates Martin Luther’s posting of his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. This act triggered a movement in world history that became known as the Reformation. While it had profound and lasting impacts on the political, economic, social, literary, and artistic aspects of society, the Reformation was at its heart a religious movement.

Over the centuries, much of the Roman Catholic Church had slipped into a form of religion that was significantly disconnected from the teachings of Christ and Scripture. By the 16th century it was plagued with false doctrines, superstition and corruption – all tragically supported by monks, priests, bishops, and even popes. Earnest people tried to justify themselves by charitable works, offerings, and other religious performances required by the church. But they were left wondering if they had done enough to appease God’s anger and escape His punishment. This widespread condition kept the coffers of the church filled with tithes and the institution’s leaders in control. The core biblical doctrine of justification was missing – In His love and mercy, God offers every person forgiveness and salvation not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has done.

The Holy Spirit used an Augustinian friar named Martin Luther to help restore grace and faith to the central place Christian doctrine. All Christians (not just Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, etc.) should take this opportunity to thank God for the assurance of our salvation and the certainty of our eternal reward due to the grace of God demonstrated by the sacrifice of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please know that this post is not a “slam” on the Roman Catholic Church. The forces that caused sections of the RC to fall away from biblical discipleship have impacted (and continue to impact) every other section of the Church. All of us are tempted to preach and live forms of discipleship that are works- not grace-oriented.

Here is my question. Reformation Day is about the omission of the biblical doctrine of justification. What about the disconnection between doctrine and duty, beliefs and service, knowledge and experience, the vertical worship of God and horizontal participation with God in His mission?

When you leave a worship service, “where” do you go? Is there any real, tangible, explicit connection between your worship and your involvement in God’s mission? Or after worship do you just go back to focus on your family, friends, job, football team, etc.?

Where is the “Martin Luther” that will call this doctrinal and discipleship omission to the attention of the Church?

When will there be a “Mobilization Day” in addition to Reformation Day?

For the greater glory of God and the good of the world.

Football and Jesus?

There are probably several reasons that my MSU Bulldogs don’t win more football games – including the fact that Mississippi is a small and poor state with many universities, and MSU has the lowest athletic budget in the conference. But here is one reason that may even be more important.

Inside sources (K and R) tell me that one of Alabama coach Nick Saban’s keys to success involves getting in the heads of players (in addition to having a “billion” dollars for staff, facilities, referees*, etc.). At Bama, players expect to win. Saban and the players expect perfect execution by everyone. They expect to be #1.

Conversely, MSU players and fans have often been heard saying things like –
Well, we played hard…
At least we kept it close…
But our defense looked good…
Wait till next year…

The humble goals and expectations of MSU football often involve going to a bowl (any bowl), not finishing at the bottom of the SEC, and of course, defeating TSUN (the school up north – aka Ole Miss).

As the Dogs gear up to face Florida tomorrow in the Swamp, the main challenge of MSU coach Dan “the Man” Mullins is to get in the heads of his players – Expect to win. Perfection in passion and execution is possible.

What in the world does this have to do with Jesus and me and you?

As Christ followers and communities of Christ followers (churches), we can easily adopt a loser or good-enough mentality. It sounds like this – At least I’m better than she is. Our church is doing more in mission than that church. We are doing better than we did last year. Our congregation is pretty old (or poor or whatever).

But how does the Lord of life and the Church see us? Perhaps Jesus wants to get in our minds with words like this.

You are my child. You are created in my image. I have equipped you to successfully perform everything I have called you to do.
I have chosen to use you in my global mission. No matter who you are, you can impact the world as you run with Me in ministry.
This journey will cost you plenty, even your life. But you will be blessed one day to hear me whisper, “Well done, good and faithful servant…”

No bets on the game tomorrow. It will probably take a Lazarus-type miracle for the Dogs to gobble up the Gators and give them their third loss in a row. But the score will largely be determined by the attitude and expectation of the men on the field.

Football and Jesus. It’s something to think about.

Go Dogs!

*KIDDING ABOUT REF’S. JUST A LITTLE SEC HUMOR…

Zeal without Wisdom = Fire

I almost went to Gainesville on Saturday (9/11), but not to see the Gators play ball. I felt compelled to help pour waters of grace on fires of hate. I’m not sure what I would have done, but I wanted to be a witness to the love of God for all people – including Muslims and fire-breathing pastors.

Like almost every person on the planet with access to TV, radio or the internet, I have been following the activities of Pastor Terry Jones in Gainesville. I don’t pretend to understand his motivation, theology, politics or mental condition. It seems that he is more interested in judgment (the judgment of others, not his own judgment) than in mercy. He is more concerned about punishing people than proclaiming forgiveness found in Christ. He seems to be more focused on limiting the location of mosques than expanding the Church.

On Friday I tried to reconnect with my friend Imam Musri at the Islamic Center here. He and I first met on September 13, 2001. The Imam wasn’t available, but I did make a new friend. Fahaz and I talked about holy books, respect, friendship and ignorance. He was not concerned or angered by the threat to burn copies of the Koran. He even chuckled at the thought. Fahaz acknowledged, however, that Muslims with a shallow appreciation of the Koran might be more likely to respond in a different way.

In my humble opinion, Pastor Jones has more zeal than wisdom. These are the most dangerous people in the world. We have not heard the last of Jones. Don’t buy his book (there will certainly be one). Don’t watch any more interviews with him – change the channel. You know enough about his venom.

Jesus Christ died for Terry Jones, Jim Jones, James Loftin, Imam Musri, Fahaz and you. That’s Good News. By God’s grace, may we live in such a way that this eternal truth will be heard and received by those who are yet to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world.

As followers of Jesus, let’s look for opportunities to begin or deepen respectful relationships with followers of Mohammed. For the glory of God and the good of the world!

I’m not guilty of burning holy books, but do I have any area of “zeal” that is limiting the love Jesus wants to communicate through my life?

PS – For readers that don’t know me well, let me answer a question you may be asking. I am not a universalist, “all roads lead to heaven,” everything-is-gray, religious person. I believe that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6). Although this belief separates me theologically from about 4 billion people, it does not separate me from loving them or wanting to have some kind of respectful, mutually beneficial, relationship with them.

Leadership Attributes

I greatly enjoyed sitting at the feet of Maxie Dunnam (and Jesus) in worship last Sunday in Memphis. As he shared, I began to think of attributes that combine to make him so effective on the platform and as a Christian leader.

Are you a leader – know a leader – looking for a leader? Think of this list:

Joyful, passionate, persuasive, pastoral, concentrates on transformation not just information, provides theological (biblical, philosophical) context for the message, calls people to “be” not just to “do,” celebrates what God has done (grace), challenges people to join in God’s mission beyond church walls, and acknowledges the mystery of the Gospel (“I don’t have all the answers…”).

Thanks Maxie. May your numbers grow… for the renewal of the church, the glory of God and the good of the world.

PS – This blog is about leadership not Maxie. To my knowledge, he has plenty to do and is not looking for a job!

I Hate Suicide

Hate is a strong word, but I have chosen it intentionally.

The Loftin family has been connected with the Zambetti family (Memphis) for over two decades. Wade Zambetti (27) has been fighting mental illness for years. The struggle ended yesterday. I am hurting with and praying for the Zambetti family and all Wade’s friends.

Fourteen months ago I lost my friend Randy Russell. In the hours after I learned of Randy’s death I wrote the following words, as parting of my grieving process. I am posting this now as a way to honor and remember both Randy and Wade.

My longest friendship has been with Randy Russell. We met when I moved into the Garden Parks neighborhood in Jackson, MS at age 5. I have always admired, respected and looked up to Randy. Sadly, I have not always stayed in touch with him, but I have never stopped loving him. He is a successful physician, a loving and faithful husband and father, a passionate Christ follower, and someone who has invested huge amounts of time in ministry to disadvantaged children.

Last week (May 2009) Randy took his own life.

I think about Randy everyday. I am still shocked. One of my driving passions is helping people and resources find their highest and most strategic use. Among other things, Randy’s death is an obvious and painful abortion of God’s gift – a great mind, a tender heart, and a loving son-brother-husband-father-potential grandfather.

Let me be honest. I hate suicide. For me, nothing baffles life and theology quite like this anomaly. I hate the fact that the advances of science are still pretty clueless about depression, mental illness and suicide. I hate what Randy must have been feeling. I hate what this news does to his wife, children, mother, brothers, friends, and church. I hate that the real “causes” of this drastic act will be buried with Randy’s body – leaving the world to wonder and guess. I hate suicide because the forces of darkness love it. Many people are beating themselves up today, “I should have known… I should have done something… It’s my fault…” Yuck. I hate it all.

But today I will try to focus not on what I hate, but what I love. I love faithful and merciful Jesus. I love Randy. Today, I choose to focus on the Light instead of the darkness. One day at a time.