Breaking the Cycle

People who molest children, people with various addictions, and people with other destructive behaviors are often part of a historical but tragic cycle.

So are Christian movements and local churches. History demonstrates that the older they get, the more inward they turn. The more established and organized a belief system gets the more it tends to shift focus away from outreach as it focuses more and more on the comfort or survival of the institution.

This cycle is easily seen when comparing the traits of the Christian movement in England today versus that church in the eighteenth century. All of Europe illustrates this on a somewhat macro level – although there are bright and wonderful exceptions.

And many would say that the Christian movement in the USA is headed in the same direction. Are we caught in this same cycle? Could the exciting movements in Africa and Asia only be in earlier parts of the cycle, but bound for a London-type demise?

Cycles and trends are real and powerful, but they do not have the last word. Personal responsibility and the grace of God can always trump the negative influence of history.

A core belief of those who follow Jesus is this – The past does not have to predict the future.

If Christianity in our culture is spiraling into self-centered institutionalism on the way to irrelevance and dissolution, what are you doing to end the cycle? What can we do?

Here are actions steps for me, and maybe you:

1. Read the whole Bible. Not just the parts that feature blessings for me and my family.
2. Do not separate outreach and service from biblical knowledge, exciting worship or discipleship.
3. Pray with my eyes open to the needs of the world not just my family and circle.
4. Invest resources in faithfulness to Acts 1:8.
5. Speak up lovingly, but firmly at church regarding priorities, the poor, the lost… and new carpet for the sanctuary.
6. Remind children that all Christians are ministers. There is no difference between those paid for ministry and those disciples who are not paid.
7. Worship no idols, including family, wealth and security.
8. Be courageous.

What do you think? For more ways to break the cycle and follow Jesus, visit www.iFollowCommunity.com.

What are they thinking?

You have been there, either behind this car… or driving it.

The speed limit is 65 mph. The car is going 50. They are in the left lane – commonly referred to as the fast lane.

Beside them, in the right lane, is a dump truck. Also very content to go 50. Side by side these travelers “inch” forward… with a parade of vehicles stacked up behind them.

Drivers in this parade are responding to the transportation challenge in various ways. Cussing, texting, turning up their music, thinking about honking, tailgating, and wondering how late they will be to their destination. And some are praying.

Eventually the truck turns off, and the parade begins to pass the unhurried vehicle on the right hand side.

When it’s my turn to blow by, I can’t help myself. I want to see who is driving. Christian bumper sticker. A pleasant man or woman is driving, young or old, hands at 10 and 2. They may be on the phone or worshipping along with some praise music or listening to a rousing sermon. Perhaps they are praying, focused on a family member or friend.

And I think to myself, “What are they thinking? Don’t they see all the cars behind them? Have they ever been told that the fast lane is for cars going fast?”

The reality is that these drivers are in their own little world, oblivious to what’s going on around them. Oblivious to how they might be blocking progress, even emergency vehicles trying to provide life-saving service. These are nice people driving these cars, and some are devoted Christians.

If confronted with the traffic problem, some would sincerely answer, “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that I was slowing down the progress of so many.”

A parable for the church.

11 Checkpoints for Disaster Response

When a person allows the Spirit of Jesus to enter his or her heart, a transformation begins. One of the fruit of this new life is an increased sensitivity to the suffering of others – similar to Jesus being moved with compassion (Mt. 14:14, 15:32, 20:34). As Christ followers, we have a new heart and new values. It is natural, therefore, when we feel compelled to take action in the face of pain and suffering.

This God-given attraction is sometimes confused (or even exploited) by the media and others with various motivations. People take action to help those affected by disasters for various reasons – not just because they are following Jesus. Would you allow this possibility? There should be a difference in the way Christians and the rest of the world respond to crises. 

I pray that the following guidelines help you lift high the light of God’s love in such a way that legitimate, underserved needs are met and Jesus Christ is glorified.

1. Identify your reasons for wanting to participate. Possible motivations include peer pressure, guilt, pride (bragging rights or good PR for your company), or in order to have a teaching point for your children, I am not judging any of those motivations other than pride. But if your primary motivation is to bring practical assistance that demonstrates God’s transforming love, celebrate this desire as evidence of God’s Spirit in your life.
2. See the big picture. The needs being highlight by the media today are not the only needs in the world. In fact, they might not even be the most critical needs. People in countless places suffer horribly throughout the year, but most never appear on our television screens.
3. Lift up Jesus. Give where non-Christians are not likely to give. People of various faiths and no faith will make donations to the obvious organizations – those highlighted by the media. But you are a Christian. You realize that there is spiritual suffering as well as physical. Consider giving donations to ministries (including the church in the affected area) that are holistically addressing the needs of people – soul and body.
4. Don’t make a hasty decision. A good steward puts in the time necessary to make informed decisions. Don’t be overly influenced by the media invitation by your favorite movie star or athlete. If you already have a relationship with a trustworthy ministry, ask them if they are involved in this crisis.
5. Bigger is not necessarily better.  Large agencies generally get all the media attention. Don’t overlook much smaller organizations that focus on a specific need.
6. Think years not hours. There are some immediate needs in every crisis, but the affected population will have complicated and various needs for weeks, months and years.
7. Think beyond finances. Consider non-financial ways God may call you to join him in responding to the crisis. Is there a way to get your company involved? Could you respond to the crisis by giving your time? This may not necessarily mean going to the scene of the crisis. Perhaps you could help mobilize your church.
8. Think of local connections. Consider connecting with people locally that are related to the particular geography where the crisis occurs. For example, if the disaster is in Japan, reach out to Japanese international students, restaurant workers or churches in your community.
9. Do no harm.  Some actions that are intended to help actually hurt. Unwise charity creates dependency. Aid without relationships can create bitterness and, in the case of Christian aid, resistance to the Gospel. Work with organizations that aid in a way that shows respect to recipients and includes a path for them to assume responsibility for their own lives and community as soon as possible.
10. Pray and act. No matter what else you do, pray. And pray more specifically than “God, bless those poor people…” Think of specific challenges your particular family would have if you were a resident of the affected area. Involve your children in this brainstorming… and then pray. Remember to pray especially for the Christian residents and Christian workers in the area.
11. Focus on eternity. Because of the fall of humankind (sin, Genesis 3), suffering and death will be a part of the human experience until the Lord of Life intervenes. We will all face death in one way or another. An eternal perspective does not lessen our concern for or response to the suffering others. However, this perspective reminds us that physical pain and death are not the greatest tragedies. For those who have responded in faith to the grace of Jesus Christ, a day of ultimate victory and healing is coming. Here is the ultimate tragedy. There are hundreds of millions of people who face the pain of life and the reality of death without any knowledge of the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

God is the First Responder. Our action is only a reaction to God’s invitation. 

If you want help in making this or other decisions related to strategic participation in the mission of God, please contact us.  FollowOne International. 

How to Give like a Wise Man

Seven Key Guidelines to Giving Wisely

Millions of dollars are wasted this time of year. Generous Christians tend to make gifts in December without thinking carefully. Because you want to be a good steward of God’s resources AND you want your donations to have maximum impact on genuine needs, consider the following guidelines before you write your checks:

1. Focus on the Purpose. You give in order to honor Christ as you help meet the needs of His children. A true gift is selected according to the needs of the “recipient,” not according to how the gift will make the donor feel.
2. Give where non-Christians are not likely to give. Explicitly Christian ministries (including churches) have a smaller pool from which to draw.
3. Give according to Need. Some ministries and organizations have greater financial needs than others.
4. Think Globally. We must take part in God’s work in our own neighborhoods, but it is not biblical to limit ourselves – “in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost” (Acts 1:8).
5. Think Strategically. There is joy in knowing that a gift might help someone. There is more joy in knowing your investment will produce “grace ripples” across an entire community, nation or the world.
6. Think Holistically. Of course, we need to show mercy to the poor. But some poverty is well-disguised. No one is “more poor” than the person that does not know the love of Jesus… even if they live in a nice home.
7. Support ministries that are Trustworthy. Not everything that smells like a rose is a rose. Support ministries led by people you know and trust.

There are people on your Christmas list who have no real needs, but you want (or feel the need) to give them something. Make a donation to a worthy Christian ministry in their honor. This is a win-win-win strategy that makes Jesus smile. And it is His Birthday!

If you think FollowOne International fits these guidelines, you can make a donation online or send your check to FollowOne International, 715 Glen Eagle Drive, Winter Springs, FL 32708.

Maximum Impact Investments

It has been my joy for the past twenty years to help Christ followers and church leaders make Kingdom investment decisions. To help your yearend charitable giving have maximum impact on the world with Jesus’ love, consider these suggestions:

1. Give to organizations that non-Christians are not likely to support. Explicitly Christian ministries (including churches) have a smaller pool from which to draw. People from many faiths or no faith may give to a homeless shelter, but they will probably not support an evangelistic work with international students, a church planting project or a pastor training effort.
2. Think globally not just locally. We must take part in God’s work in our own neighborhoods, but it is not biblical to limit ourselves. As bad as things may be here, there is tremendous suffering around the world. Faithful stewardship is global – “in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost” (Acts 1:8).
3. Think strategically. There is joy in knowing that a gift might help someone. There is greater fulfillment in seeing your investment help produce “grace ripples” across an entire community, nation or the world. Some gifts and ministries keep on “giving” – like teaching a man to fish in addition to giving him a fish.
4. Think holistically. Of course, we need to show mercy to the poor. But some poverty is well-disguised. No one is “more poor” than the person that does not know the love of Jesus… even if they live in a nice home.
5. Support ministries that are trustworthy. Not everything that smells like a rose is a rose. Be careful. Support ministries in which you have a trusting relationship with the leaders.
6. Focus on the purpose of the gift. Your donation is an attempt to honor Christ as you help meet the needs of His children and His Church. A true gift is selected according to the desires of the “recipient” and not according to how the gift will make the donor feel.
7. Guilt is an inadequate reason to give. Some people feel guilty about how much they “have.” Guilt is not a good motivation for giving. If you’re feeling guilty, talk to Jesus. He alone can remove guilt and help you begin a new life.
8. You can’t give what you don’t have. If this has been a tough financial year, don’t get uptight about not being able to give the type gift you have traditionally given.

Last Minute Gift Idea – Help a key Chinese, Hispanic or Anglo ministry leader participate in the Connection2010 conference in Orlando February 5-7. Scholarship assistance is also needed for some high school and college students. Fifty scholarships are needed. I want to provide a Scholarship