Tuesday's Top Ten: Church Diseases

Last week, Thom Rainer had this article by Church Lawless on his website- I thought I'd share it here. You can see more great thoughtful stuff at www.ThomRainer.com.

10 Church Diseases

By Chuck Lawless

In the 1990s, Peter Wagner published The Healthy Church, a book describing several diseases that churches sometimes exhibit. Some of his descriptions are quite helpful (e.g., koinonitis = excessive, inward fellowship), and the list itself challenges readers to come up with their own descriptions.

Here are ten diseases I see as I consult with unhealthy churches around the country:

1.       Community Disconnect Disease. Churches with this disease meet within a given community, but they do not know that community. Often, church members drive to the church building, meet as “church,” and then drive home – without ever taking note of a changing community around them. In fact, I’ve seen church members with this disease lock their doors as they drive through the community where their congregation gathers.

2.       Methodological Arthritis. I give credit to my former student, Kevin Minchey, for naming this condition. The name says it all: this church is stuck in doing things the way they’ve always done them. Change (that is, movement) is painful, and it’s seemingly easier not to take a step forward. What these churches often don’t recognize is that standing still is also risky. Eventually, they will not move at all.

3.       The “Grass is Greener” Syndrome. This syndrome is a malady of leaders who are always looking for the next church leadership position. They establish no roots, and their current congregation is only a stepping-stone to the next place. Because they are always looking elsewhere, they miss the present tense blessings of their ministry. And, though leaders think otherwise, a church often recognizes when its leader has this syndrome.

4.       Professional Wrestling Sickness. I grew up watching professional wrestling (with my Church of God grandma, no less...). Professional wrestling is hero vs. villain, right vs. wrong, good vs. evil – but it’s all fake. The church with PWS talks a good game in standing for righteousness, but hypocrisy is everywhere. And, as in professional wrestling, most spectators watching the show know it’s fake, too.

5.       Program Nausea. Churches with Program Nausea try a program, toss it soon, and then quickly try the next one. They never have a settled “organizational stomach” and direction. Members of this kind of diseased church are so accustomed to change that they seldom invest in any program. Why should they invest in what will soon be spit out, too?

6.       Baby Believer Malady. This congregation is doing evangelism well, but they have no strategy to grow new believers. Their unwritten, and wrong, assumption is, “As long as you show up for our small groups and worship service, you’ll grow.”  This church disciples poorly and often elevates leaders on the basis of attendance rather than spiritual maturity.

7.       Theological Self-Deception Ailment. I am cautious here, lest I leave the impression that theology does not matter. No church with an unbiblical theology can be healthy. TSDA, on the other hand, is characterized by a belief that teaching theology is all that is required to be a healthy church. Teaching theology is critical, but a theology that does not lead to intentional evangelism, disciplemaking, and global missions is not biblical. Indeed, TSDA congregations tend to be classrooms more than New Testament churches.

8.       “Unrecoverable Void” Syndrome.  Church leaders and laypersons alike suffer from this syndrome, characterized by statements like, “This church will close its doors after I’m gone.” Symptoms include spiritual arrogance and self-righteous anger, though they may also include hyper-spiritual speech  (“This is God’s church, and we’ll see what He does when I shake the dust off my feet”). Church members with UVS fail to realize that God’s church will go on without any of us.

9.       Talking in Your Sleep Disease. You may recognize this church. They go through the motions, but the motions lack energy. They meet for worship, yet the singing is lifeless. Even the preaching is lackluster, as if the speaker is monotonously only meeting his obligation. Here is one way to recognize the church with TIYSD: many of the attenders really ARE sleeping!

 

10.  Congregational Myopia. The congregation with this condition is nearsighted, focusing on themselves only. They have no vision for the future, and they fail to see that their current direction will likely lead to further disease and decline. Ask the leaders what their hope is for the church five years from now, and their description will sound strangely like the church in its current state.

Book Review - “What They Won’t Tell You in Church: About Marriage"

A friend of mine, Craig Gleerup, has recently released his second book about marriage, “What They Won’t Tell You in Church: About Marriage”. It is available on Amazon, both in paperback and Kindle formats. I recently spoke with Craig about his book, and picked up a copy at Crossroads Books, on the Square in Springfield, Tennessee. If you live close, you should check them out- they are a treasure.

I wanted to let those that read my blog know that Craig’s book is a must read for those that want an unvarnished view of what the Bible actually says about marriage, versus what we Christians have been traditionally taught and practiced. He delves into the traditions surrounding the typical church wedding, their sources and how they differ from God’s actual plan, and manages to do this with grace, love AND honesty. (Note: I shamelessly "borrowed" the image from Amazon- the "look inside" feature on this pic does not work.)

Craig tackles contemporary issues, such as the Supreme Court’s recent decision on DOMA, the government’s tax treatment or married couples, including same sex couples. But more importantly, he deals with how WE as Christians should enter into marriage, the differences between a covenant and a vow, and how we as God’s people should leave law to the government and traditions to, well, traditionalists.

The book includes a group study guide, for those brave enough to bring it into a Sunday School or small group, and gives the reader plenty of references to support Craig’s thesis. It’s a short book, and an easy read, that I completed in a couple of sittings. But it will challenge you to consider WHY you believe what you believe about marriage, and I believe that is vital to being able to both support and defend the holy institution of marriage. Give it a look!

Tuesday's Top Ten Church Attendees

As we come together as a body, we have a lot of different kind of church “attendees”. Among them are some that help...some, not so much. 

We Get-

10. Church Shoppers- These are the folks looking for the best deals for them; sometimes they are looking for a place to serve, but often, they are looking for a place to be served. Everybody falls into this category at one time or another; the important part is your motivation.

9. Church Hoppers- These are the folks that can’t stay still (Religious ADD) and often can’t get along with themselves, much less others. (Note- if everybody is wrong but you, it’s time to get a mirror and find the problem.) These are also the easiest sheep to "steal", as some churches entice members away from their current place of worship to join their fellowship. Problem is, given time, you may want to give them back. 

8. Church Stoppers- Stopping the flow of ministry and life- “It’s my way or no way.” Nothing like a strong dose of self-interest to cut the hot water off to a cold drip. 

7. Church Whoppers- They have to be seen AND heard. They may know that Jesus is the Head, but they want to be the HAT. Often, these come from families that may have started or may "run" the local church. The pride and attitude that exudes from them can be poison.  

6. Church Droppers- They say, “I can be just as good a Christian at home as in church.” I say they are lying AND they are sinning, because this scripture clearly commands us to SHOW UP and HELP EACH OTHER. If you are cut OFF, you are spiritually dying.

 

5. Church Coppers- These are the legalistic enforcers that want to make sure the men wear long pants and a tie and the women wear a skirt, just like the apostle Paul and all the sisters in the New Testament. (No neckties in the New Testament? Really?) I once heard of one of these sweet saints that would offer to bring her clippers and give a visitor a haircut if it was touching his collar- how's that for seeker friendly?!? They are more about style than substance, still clinging to the idea that your works or appearance will save you. 

 

4. Church Poppers- These are the contrarians that love to "pop" every church's bubble by hanging in till the bitter end, and I do mean bitter. They are determined to get their way and watch the church die in the process. I've seen some of these folks that were so much trouble, it made me suspect they were "double agents" working for the enemy. 

Fortunately, though, we also get these folks:  

3. Church Moppers – Humble servants that aren’t afraid to pick up a mop, a broom or a Sunday School Teacher’s manual. 

2. Church Proppers- Folks that lift up the leaders, the sick, the weak, the discouraged with prayer AND action. 

1. Church Toppers- Brothers and sisters that are willing to stand on the rooftop if need be, not to be seen, but to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. We need all of those we can get!

Book Blogger gives The Last Great Adventure a 5 STAR review!!!

Check out what the latest review says about my novel about Heaven, "The Last Great Adventure"!

http://liveanddreamalittledream.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-last-great-adventure-by-phillip-d.html

Amazon Reviews for The Last Great Adventure!

I wanted to take a moment this morning and share part of some of the reviews on Amazon for my novel, "The Last Great Adventure". Here's what some readers are saying:

“Whatever your beliefs are, this is a heartwarming story of one father's belief that his son made it to heaven and that he is having the time of his life and he is with the one person he was destined to be with for eternity…”

“Phillip has written an uplifting and inspirational novel that will certainly make you think about heaven and all of it`s divine glory. Any parent who has lost a child would find this book extremely difficult to write and to read. However, when one knows their loved ones are in the presence of God Himself, it is a great comfort to know we will see them again when our earthly missions are finished. Phillip used passion, excitement and eloquence throughout the book. This is a must read book filled with tragedy, joy and hope - you won`t be disappointed!”

“Even though we can only imagine what Heaven is really like, Phillip has done an excellent job of giving of a slight "foretaste of that glory divine" that we will experience personally when we are called home.”

“You may think about what heaven will be like and wonder what your loved ones who have passed are doing every moment of the day but in all actuality we cannot even begin to imagine such a majestic place. In The Last Great Adventure, Phillip Wilson makes such amazing connections to God's Word and expresses such vivid details that the story truly moves you. The loss of two young extraordinary people, or anyone for that matter, is unexplainably difficult and we all have been through it...but, after reading this I have come to realize that we should not be sorrowful or grieve for so long. We should rejoice in that FACT that when our loved ones pass and enter the gates of Heaven, they do not feel sorrow or pain, they are where they have strived to be after leaving "The Other Side", as it is called in the book, and feel the greatest accomplishment they have ever felt. You will laugh, you will cry and you will find yourself in deep thought about your spiritual life while reading The Last Great Adventure.”

“Without a doubt this book will make you think about not only your life and circumstances, but of all those around you. Not only will you be ran through a gauntlet of emotion, but also a gauntlet of self-reflection. Without giving too much away about this book, you will be mesmerized and your spirit will soar. In my estimation, you will be appreciative of all those around you a little more and look forward to the day you can set out on your own Last Great Adventure.”

“Great book. Great story. Great promise. Very fast read. Anyone who has had anyone that has "left" earlier than we thought they should needs to get their hands on this book. Thank you Phillip for sharing your heart with us!!!!”

So if you are a fan, drop your own review into the mix on Amazon, or if you haven't gotten your copy, place an order today on Amazon or at www.phillipdwilson.com. Find out what God has in store for you in your own Last Great Adventure!

 

Tuesdays Top Seven Steps to Effective Evangelism

Tuesdays Top Seven Steps To Effective Evangelism (Acts 8:26-40)

26: And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27: And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28: Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29: Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30: And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31: And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32: The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34: And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35: Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36: And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37: And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38: And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39: And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40: But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Step 1 – Be Available (8:27)
When the Lord Says Go, it doesn’t matter what else is happening.

Step 2 – Be Spirit Led (8:29)
The Spirit told him; not someone else, not his own flesh.

Step 3 – Be Obedient (8:30)
When the Spirit moved, so did Philip.

Step 4 – Look For an Open Door (8:30)
Philip didn’t come in with an agenda, he looked for an open opportunity.

Step 5 – Reflecting the Kindness and Grace of Christ (8:31)
Philip waited for an invitation and listened before he spoke.

Step 6 – Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ (8:35)
He didn’t invite him back to Samaria, give him a tract or talk about doctrine- He told him about Jesus.

Step 7 – Follow Up and Close the Deal (8:37-38)
Everyone needs to believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. They have to “decide” to follow Jesus. Nothing puts the ball in their court like asking, “Do you want to be saved?”

Evangelism isn't just your pastor's or some ordained church leader's job- it's YOUR job.

Radio Interview on 95.9 FM, Thursday Morning, September 5th!

Tomorrow at 7 A.M., I will be on WQKR 95.9 FM or 1270 AM as a guest of Jim Butler on Good Morning Portland. I will be discussing my novel about Heaven, "The Last Great Adventure", as well as ministry and anything else Jim may bring to the table. Tune in and give us a listen!!!

Tuesdays Top Ten Worries about what might happen when we have Guests

We were blessed to have a couple of families attend with us for the first time this Sunday. As a result, I was somewhat nervous about the way the service would flow, but it seemed to go fairly well. But it made me think; what are the worries we have when we invite someone to church and they actually show up? Thus, this Tuesday’s Top Ten worries about what might happen when we have guests:

10. A toddler escapes in mid-diaper change and runs naked and screaming into the service. (Don’t laugh- it’s happened.)

9. Special singing will be “really special” due to the interpretive dance routine semi-prepared by the Flower Children of the Lord.

8. This will be the Sunday that we have to take up three special offerings for various needs, until the last plate is full of IOU’s, old business cards and crumpled receipts.

7. The pastor has to “lay down the law” with a church correction message that makes your loving flock sound like a group of unruly prison parolees.

6. The pastor has a sermon prepared with a sketch put on by a group of reluctant teens that mumble their way through the message that’s, well, sketchy.

5. The pastor uses a video that doesn’t work for an awkwardly LONG time, then tries to recover, just as they get it working.

4. The sound system squeals, groans and picks up transmissions from Smokey and the Bandit out on I-65 North.

3. The Grim Weeper, the Storyteller and the Rambler all have to “share” a word or a few hundred words with the congregation.

2. This is the day the missionary from Uganda is doing the slide show.

1. Bro. Elmer and Sister Hattie point out that the guests are sitting in “their” seat.

Don’t be surprised if this spurs the Top Ten Apologies….