EdStetzer.comtag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//82008-05-10T02:01:12ZA LifeWay Research blogMovable Type 3.35Darrell Bock and the Evangelical Manifestotag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8742008-05-09T19:54:03Z2008-05-10T02:01:12ZI recently wrote about the Evangelical Manifesto. On the morning it released, I received a call from one of the key people behind the manifesto, Darrell Bock. Darrell is Research Professor of New Testament Studies and Professor of Spiritual Development...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
I recently wrote about the Evangelical Manifesto.
On the morning it released, I received a call from one of the key people behind the manifesto, Darrell Bock. Darrell is Research Professor of New Testament Studies and Professor of Spiritual Development and Culture at Dallas Theological Seminary. He was quoted in my local paper this morning.
This morning, I had a nice talk with Darrell about his intent (and the intent of the document).
I have read the document and find it compelling in many ways. Would I change some things? Of course. Does it say some important things? Definitely.
As I mentioned in the USAToday story, I was concerned it would be "spun" to say Christians should not be involved in politics. That was not the intent of the signers, but some have tried to spin it that way.
Darrell mentioned his radio dialogue with Denny Burk. Denny has just posted links to the interviews here. Their focus is on what some call "single issue" politics.
Darrell shared the following with me that addresses some of the intent of the document. He will soon release to other blogs but gave me permission to share it with you:
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An Evangelical Manifesto is both a call to evangelicals for self-reflection on how they publicly engage in discussion and a reminder of what the term evangelical has meant for centuries before we hit the current cultural wars. About 80 theologians and evangelical leaders released the document as charter signatories. It contains an open invitation to all to consider signing on if they identify with the values of the document. The manifesto notes that evangelicalism is primarily a theological term.
Evangelicals are personally committed to their faith in Jesus. They seek to share that hope as good news about how God restores broken relationships with him and between people. They desire to live out such faith as spiritual experiences where God transforms them through forgiveness and fellowship. Such a faith is public and private. It touches on the entirety of life as sacred.
This understanding means that there is a broad scope of issues that concern evangelicals as they engage in a pluralistic public square. They prioritize these issues in diverse ways, some seeing certain issues as more central than others.
Is the manifesto the same old, same old? I think not. The document asks believer and non-believer alike to appreciate how we affect our social fabric by the way we engage. It then asks everyone, especially evangelical believers, to examine before God how we engage. One way to focus this discussion is to ask what evangelical meant long before the current cultural faceoff. This historical review provides perspective for thinking about that assessment.
This kind of self-assessment is always called for in a spiritual context and can be a very healthy exercise. At an individual level it is what “quiet times” are all about: Before God and the Word it involves asking if we are all we should be as we seek to reflect values that Scripture and Jesus teach. The manifesto is a public appeal to consciously enter into such reflection within our own community. It is the public nature of this personal and corporate-wide call that might be a cultural disconnect. No one is named on purpose. The spectrum includes everyone from the left to the right. So there is no effort to bash one side or another. If the shoe of criticism fits as one reflects on the values described, then the call is to reconsider what can and should be done to regain a better balance.
I signed the document because it stirred me to look at myself and the groups for which I am an advocate. I pondered anew before my Lord how I engage and contend for values in the public square, in terms of the scope of issues addressed, the tone, and especially how I treat those with whom I am in debate or dialogue.
By the way, there is biblical precedent for this. Prophets like Nehemiah and a host others at different times prayed corporately and called for such assessment by the entire believing community of their day.
Here is the question the manifesto raises: Can we/should we pause in self-reflection about how we engage as believer-citizens on issues of the day, both spiritual and political? The manifesto argues, “Yes, we should.”
Jesus has much to say about a whole host of issues beyond the ones that have been targeted over the last few decades, including the ones that have been discussed and defended (sometimes very well, sometimes not so well).
In addition and often missed in the early discussion of the document is this question: Does tone matter as much as content? I think so. To these questions the manifesto also calls for reflection.
What factors are at stake in such an assessment? Why does this matter? Among the stakes are: (1) the well-being of our society, (2) the authenticity of believers' claims to love God and one's neighbor, (3) the integration of those calls to love, (4) the central importance evangelicals give to the need for spiritual transformation to really grow into human maturity, as individuals and as a society, and (5) honoring God with a balanced, consistency between witness, truth, and life.
So how does one respond to such a call?
Simply resort to the previous style of confrontation? Probably not.
Claim that such a call for self-reflection and assessment “muddies the waters”? Don’t think so.
Concerned about a scorecard that asks who the call initially includes or excludes as charter signatories? Not ultimately relevant.
Do such critiques, though honestly made, really address the point when all, including the signers, are invited to ponder in silence? Not really.
Rather than simply dragging out the old labels and category concerns (liberal; conservative; centrist; Catholic; atheist; too ecumenical sounding, like the Evangelical and Catholics Together document; not enough women nor ethnics), can we ask what in the document is a problem or what is well said? Is it really a key concern to ask who was initially asked to sign a document that invites anyone to sign? Should we not ask instead if one should sign anew on to such an array of commitments? Should we not ask why or why not sign? Can or should one as a believer-citizen today engage with conviction for one’s values without doing things that fuel the present cultural war? Is this question worth asking and pondering?
The manifesto simply says emphatically, “Yes.” So that is the point. Pause and ponder anew what we evangelicals are truly called to do–and pray it be done with a balance that honors God, reflects the gospel, and loves our neighbor, even in the midst of serious debate. Is that point worth reaffirming with a signature no matter where we are on the evangelical spectrum? Is it? In other words, to reflect or not to reflect, that is the question.
To read and consider signing the document, go to www.evangelicalmanifesto.com
Dr. Darrell L. Bock is Research Professor of New Testament and Professor of Spiritual Development and Culture at Dallas Theological Seminary. ]]>
Friday is for Friendstag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8692008-05-09T03:09:01Z2008-05-09T20:14:30ZThe Multiplying Church Bob Roberts is blogging his new book, The Multiplying Church, at glocal.net. Check it out. Mark Reynolds and the Redeemer Fellows Program Mark Reynolds from Redeemer Presbyterian Church sent along his presentation from the Best Practices Forum...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
The Multiplying Church
Bob Roberts is blogging his new book, The Multiplying Church, at glocal.net. Check it out.
Mark Reynolds and the Redeemer Fellows Program
Mark Reynolds from Redeemer Presbyterian Church sent along his presentation from the Best Practices Forum at the Exponential Conference (you can download the other presentations here). He tells about the Redeemer Fellows Program, one of the leading church planting internship programs in the country. Download a pdf of the presentation here.
Richard Land on Responsible Religious Freedom
I was on the phone with Richard Land earlier this week and we talked at length about his recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal. Be sure to check out the full article here.
Some excerpts:]]>
The removal of 462 children from the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) polygamist sect's Yearning for Zion (YFZ) ranch in Eldorado, Texas, by that state's Child Protective Services has raised important questions about separation of church and state and the First Amendment's "free exercise" protections. Americans believe fervently in the "unalienable" right to the "free exercise" of religious faith without interference from government. However, we also have a deep-seated interest in protecting children from abuse.
FLDS members proclaim that their sole desire, according to fldstruth.org, is "the privilege of worshipping God as guaranteed by the Constitution," yet the sect's members argue that the practice of their faith involves polygamy, which is illegal in every state in the Union...
What should Americans make of all this? How do we respect religious freedom while protecting children?...
We should be ever watchful for potential government encroachment on our inviolable First Amendment freedom protections. Relentless citizen vigilance is the best safeguard of our religious rights. But the potential for governmental abuse of religious freedom is just that -- potential. The evidence for sexual abuse of children in this case is substantial. In such circumstances the first concern must be protecting children from abuse -- just as Texas law instructs the legal system to do.
Is there the danger of a slippery slope? Could some government officials attempt to use the Eldorado case as a legal precedent to trample the freedoms of unpopular religious groups? Of course. That is precisely why Americans should monitor carefully the actions of Texas officials, make certain they do not exceed their authority or violate religious freedom guarantees and ultimately prove their case in court...
Like most Americans, I agree that the safety of children must always take priority in government's actions. That does not give government officials a blank check to use children's "welfare" as a subterfuge to justify governmental intrusion or to disrupt any practice it finds vaguely weird.
There is no more treasured language in America's collective heart than these 16 words: "Congress shall make no Law respecting an Establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." As invaluable to our heritage as these words are, they were never intended to exempt people from obeying generally applicable laws, which meet a compelling government interest, such as the ones prohibiting adult males from having sex with underage girls in or out of "spiritual" marriages.
To misconstrue the First Amendment's religious freedoms to grant such exemption would be to desecrate those time-honored words and the sacred freedoms they guarantee.]]>
Outreach Magazine's Resources of the Yeartag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8672008-05-08T23:39:58Z2008-05-09T02:36:43ZThe new issue of Outreach Magazine gives their reader-submitted "Resources of the Year" in several categories. What came in at the number one spot for Leadership Training Resource of the Year may surprise some of you (and it greatly disappointed...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
The new issue of Outreach Magazine gives their reader-submitted "Resources of the Year" in several categories. What came in at the number one spot for Leadership Training Resource of the Year may surprise some of you (and it greatly disappointed three authors who co-wrote a certain book that was a runner-up). ]]>
I Sold My Soul on Ebay by Hemant Mehta took the top spot. From Publisher's Weekly,
Mehta, an atheist, once held an unusual auction on eBay: the highest bidder could send Mehta to a church of his or her choice. The winner, who paid $504, asked Mehta to attend numerous churches, and this book comprises Mehta's responses to 15 worshipping communities, including such prominent megachurches as Houston's Second Baptist, Ted Haggard's New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Willow Creek in suburban Chicago.
A book providing an outsider's honest perception of the church and our faith proves to be very helpful.
The runners up were:They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Insights From Emerging Generations
by Dan Kimball (Zondervan)
The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church
by Alan Hirsch (Baker)
11 Innovations in the Local Church: How Today’s Leaders Can Learn, Discern and Move Into the Future
by Elmer L. Towns, Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird (Regal) (Cue the weeping and gnashing of teeth...)
Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church: Mandate, Commitments and Practices of a Diverse Congregation
by Mark DeYmaz (Jossey-Bass/Wiley)
In case you are wondering, 11 Innovations in the Local Church is an exploration of some of the current innovations in church life and ministry, and could be helpful in thinking through ways in which local churches can be more effective in their practice and preaching of the gospel.]]>
Joining the Faculty of Southeastern Seminarytag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8612008-05-08T03:52:09Z2008-05-08T03:58:26ZDanny Akin sent out an email yesterday to the faculty and students at Southeastern indicating I was joining their faculty. So, I thought I better make that official (or as official as a blog can make anything)! I am joining...http://www.lifewayresearch.comDanny Akin sent out an email yesterday to the faculty and students at Southeastern indicating I was joining their faculty. So, I thought I better make that official (or as official as a blog can make anything)!
I am joining the faculty of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary as Visiting Research Professor of Missiology. ]]>
mentioned earlier, I will also be on the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. And, I do plan to finish my teaching at some other schools where I have committed. But, I plan to focus my non-SBC teaching at Trinity and my SBC teaching at Southeastern.
I will be working with the SEBTS faculty there to help prepare students who are biblically sound and focused on the Great Commission. The seminary has a remarkable focus on the Great Commission and a passion for church planting and missions. In the coming months, they will be sharing some new programs, both at the Masters and the Ph.D. level, that will be of interest to many of you.
Danny Akin is a leading voice calling for a Great Commission Resurgence in the SBC. I am glad to be on team with him and the fine leadership of SEBTS. ]]>
In USAToday Talking Politicstag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8562008-05-07T02:02:06Z2008-05-07T20:48:34ZShould Christians be involved in politics? Yes. Are Evangelicals too identified as a partisan political bloc? Yes. Can Christians still be involved in politics and social action and yet more clearly articulate a gospel message? I hope and believe we...http://www.lifewayresearch.comThe Kingdom of Christ: The New Evangelical Perspective, for a helpful analysis. Or, Carl Henry's Uneasy Conscience, for an earlier perspective.)
Today, USA Today weighs in on the subject. This story was tied to the publication of an Evangelical Manifesto, a document I am assuming I will like (based on who is endorsing and the theme). The website is here.
We had just completed some research (to be released on the LifeWay Research website today) on the involvement of Christians in politics, so we ended up in the story. I don't speak much of politics, but the research connected well, so here are a few of the comments I made to USA Today (they cited some of them):
The data tells us that a minority of Americans, and a smaller minority of Christians, are concerned that Christians are “too involved” in politics. The more liberal and secular one is, the more concerned you are—which is not surprising. But, the majority of Americans (and a large majority of Christians) do not share the concern that Christians are too involved in politics.
I am one who agrees that evangelicals need to be known for what we are for—showing and sharing the good news of Christ, not only just what we are against. But, in regards to public policy, it is a both/and, not either/or.
You cannot stand for justice and be told you cannot speak of Jesus, nor can you love God and His word and not care for unborn children, the abused, and social justice.
Christians need to speak prophetically to all parties, not be beholden to one. If evangelicals are seen as a voting bloc of the Republican Party, I am concerned. If Christians are told to leave their faith outside the public square, I am more concerned.
Religion will always be an issue in politics. However, as evangelicals we need to not try to moralize the unconverted-- our primary mission is to convert the immoral-- other sinners like us.
Simply put, you cannot have a proper view of the Kingdom of God and not care about society. And, part of caring about society involves advocating for social policy that protects those needing protection and promotes the public good. Maybe part of the problem is that we have been known for advocating polices rather than serving the hurting in the name of Jesus.
We need both.
Update: I have read the document (and talked to some of the Charter Signatories), and I am impressed.
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Clergificationtag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8542008-05-06T20:56:49Z2008-05-07T01:16:07ZA few posts back Chris Norman posted a question in the comments that I thought I would explore a bit as a blog post. His question was for Alan Hirsch, Neil Cole and me and resulted in a brief email...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
few posts back Chris Norman posted a question in the comments that I thought I would explore a bit as a blog post. His question was for Alan Hirsch, Neil Cole and me and resulted in a brief email dialog. The issue revolves around the full-time pay of pastoral leadership. Is a church healthier with, or wthout paid staff? Is such a concept even biblical? My response in the comments was:]]>
I have no problem with paid pastors (it is biblical). My concern is the bias against the unpaid and the clergification of ministry. All believers have a ministry, mine is just to the office of pastor. God calls us to different ministries, some are paid and some are not, but all are essential.
The monetary support of pastoral leadership is a biblical model. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that, “the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:14) He presses the point again in 1 Tim. 5:17-18 when he told the young pastor, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’” There are other passages that also support this practice (Gal. 6:6; 3 Jn. 1:8) as a good model for sustaining the leadership and direction of the church.
While many understand the biblical merit of this argument, many have also bought into the clergification of Christian ministry. This is the belief that the professionals carry out the real work of the church, and everyone else simply lends a hand here and there. And “professionals” are of course those who make their living from the gospel. Therefore, bi-vocational pastors or church planters are often held in much less esteem, and the rest of the church is seen as practically unnecessary. Such a perspective misses the example of Paul, and more importantly the nature of gospel ministry and church health.
While clearly articulating the idea that pastoral leadership should be supported by their local church, Paul himself often worked outside of the church to support his church planting endeavors. More importantly, Paul clearly teaches that the church’s health is built upon the interdependent ministries that arise from the church body, and not solely from the teaching ministry of paid leaders (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4; Rom 12:3-8). We have to guard against the tendency to depend more on man and less on Christ among his people.
In the email conversation Neil Cole added some helpful words to this discussion, and I wanted to share them here (with his permission).
1. Paul does say it is the apostles "right" to be supported, but that he and Barnabas have forgone that right for the furtherance of the gospel. I believe the idea is that in pioneering works, he doesn't want to offer the gospel at a charge. That is my own conviction, so I never receive support from the church I am starting at the time, but will gladly receive it once I move on.
2. Jesus sent the disciples (both the 12 and the 70) off without any financial support. He said "do not take a purse." No reserves, no credit cards, no plans for sustenance. They were to believe God to provide for them and solely focus on obedience to the kingdom principles taught in Matt 10 and Luke 10. I often wonder what Christianity would look like if we all started this way. After their faith and obedience are demonstrated (tested?), Jesus later says, "Now, take a purse." (Luke 22?) The idea is that you do not know how to handle money until you know how to go forward without it. Once you prove that your heart is right and your faith is sound, then financial support is fine...as long as it is releasing you to do more of what you do already. The idea of employment is foreign to the NT. You are owned by Jesus, not any other. Job descriptions, office hours, performance reviews, raises, lay-offs, bonuses, etc...have no place in God's kingdom. This is not a business enterprise but a Kingdom and each are agents under Christ's command and none other. He will not place the order and then not pay the bill.
3. There were many times Paul made tents, but also times when he served "full time" while others worked to support him. He never took money from his new churches, but accepted it when he moved on (i.e. Philippians). There is not one model for how this works in the NT and not even one only for Paul himself.
We have many who are moving this direction with radical faith and God is honoring. The last chapter of my next book (Organic Leadership) is story after story of church planters who ventured off away from secure salaries to live by faith and using their entrepreneurial gifts. Each story is unique and powerful. Often additional "side-effects" occur that no one expected...like greater respect in the community and fruitfulness in transforming a city. Often they end up having much greater financial support then they would have had in "professional ministry".
Alan Hirsch had limited time to write but added,
The only thing I would add to Chris is that given that you are in an established church, it has its 'givens' and professionalization of ministry is one of them. But I think we do need to be very careful about being domesticated by being paid full-time. We easily get co-opted to becoming chaplains of the status quo.
Neil’s and Alan’s advice and cautions should give us all pause as we consider what are the pitfalls and pressures we face in the local church. The health of the church depends on the presence of Christ working through the whole body as his missionary activity, and not on select personalities or professionals.]]>
SBC Presidenttag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8502008-05-06T01:50:18Z2008-05-06T20:22:31Z Candidates include (in order they were announced): 1. Bill Waggner. 2. Frank Cox. 3. and Avery Willis makes three (posted with his permission). ...and watch for Johnny Hunt's forthcoming nomination from Ted Traylor (also posted here with permission). (Updated:...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
Candidates include (in order they were announced):
1. Bill Waggner.
2. Frank Cox.
3. and Avery Willis makes three (posted with his permission).
...and watch for Johnny Hunt's forthcoming nomination from Ted Traylor (also posted here with permission). (Updated: Here is the official announcement for Johnny Hunt.)
It should be a good year with so many godly men interested in leading this convention through challenging times. Pray for God's direction and guidance. I believe that God can bring us together and focus us on His mission.
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Accountability Questionstag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8432008-05-05T18:00:00Z2008-05-05T19:02:34ZYesterday, I finished up my series through James. I promised to include some accountability question list examples here. These lists are from Cultivating a Life for God (Church Smart Resources 1999 pp.125-131)....http://www.lifewayresearch.com
Cultivating a Life for God (Church Smart Resources 1999 pp.125-131). ]]>
John Wesley’s Small Group Questions:
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass onto another what was told me in confidence?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work , or habits?
5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
6. Did the Bible live in me today?
7. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
8. Am I enjoying prayer?
9. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?
10. Do I pray about the money I spend?
11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
12. Do I disobey God in anything?
13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
16. How do I spend my spare time?
17. Am I proud?
18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?
19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?
20. Do I grumble and complain constantly?
21. Is Christ real to me?
Wesley’s Band Meeting Questions:
1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?
2. What temptations have you met with?
3. How were you delivered?
4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?
5. Have you nothing you desire to keep secret?
Reference: John Wesley’s Class Meetings: a Model for Making Disciples, by D. Michael Henderson, Evangel Publishing House, 1997, pp. 118-9
Chuck Swindoll’s Pastoral Accountability Questions:
In his book, The Body, Chuck Colson lists the questions used by Chuck Swindoll.
1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?
3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?
4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
5. Have you given priority time to your family?
6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?
7. Have you just lied to me?
Neil Cole:
1. What is the condition of your soul?
2. What sin do you need to confess?
3. What have you held back from God that you need to surrender?
4. Is there anything that has dampened your zeal for Christ?
5. Who have you talked with about Christ this week?
HT: Journey
The questions I use are from these cards from Church Multiplication Associates. I keep one in my Bible.
The ten questions are as follows:
1. Have you been a testimony this week to the greatness of Jesus Christ with both your words and actions?
2. Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not your spouse this week?
3. Have you lacked any integrity in your financial dealings this week, or coveted something that does not belong to you?
4. Have you been honoring, understanding and generous in your important relationships this past week?
5. Have you damaged another person by your words, either behind their back or face-to-face?
6. Have you given in to an addictive behavior this week? Explain.
7. Have you continued to remain angry toward another?
8. Have you secretly wished for another’s misfortune so that you might excel?
9. Did you finish your reading this week and hear from the Lord? What are you going to do about it?
10. Have you been completely honest with me?
HTRelated post: Avoid Any Hint]]>
Avoid any Hint...tag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8422008-05-03T14:27:15Z2008-05-06T00:10:33Z I had an awkward situation yesterday. My doctor prescribed a sleep study (part of some health tests I am doing in preparation for my forthcoming new health regimen). The tech called me to arrange the details. She did not...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
I had an awkward situation yesterday. My doctor prescribed a sleep study (part of some health tests I am doing in preparation for my forthcoming new health regimen).
The tech called me to arrange the details. She did not seem to have many details about the clinic, so I asked some questions. One of which was the setting-- in this case it was an office building with several faux bedrooms where they would wire me up and measure me sleeping.
I asked about the staff, and she was "it."
Then came that awkward moment. I knew she would not understand it, but I expalined, "I can't come if it is just you and me in the building." It was awkward and I am guessing few ever said such a thing. So, I skipped out on my study (and will probably have to pay the no-show charge).]]>
Danny Akin once saying that he would not pick up a woman on the side of the road in the rain if her car broke down. He would never be alone with a woman not his wife. It seemed a bit selfish until he told the rest of the story. He would pull over and give her the keys and let her drive where she needed to be.
Guarding yourself takes work, can be awkward, and is often inconvenient. But, one problem averted makes it a good stewardship of your life, ministry, and family.
At the churches I planted, we always used something like Saddleback's Ten Commandments:
Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex.
Thou shalt not have the opposite sex pick you up or drive you places when it is just the two of you.
Thou shalt not kiss any attender of the opposite sex or show affection that could be questioned.
Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.
Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex alone at the office, and thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex more than once without that person’s mate. Refer them.
Thou shalt not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling. Refer them.
Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with an attender of the opposite sex.
Thou shalt be careful in answering emails, instant messages, chatrooms, cards or letters from the opposite sex.
Thou shalt make your co-worker your protective ally.
Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members.
(The first four do not apply to unmarried staff.)
I hope you have a list like this for your own life and ministry.
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality..." (Ephesians 5:3).
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Friday is for Friendstag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8382008-05-02T11:18:13Z2008-05-02T14:24:49Z With Friends at Dwell I had a great time at the Dwell Conference in New York City. I also had the chance to meet uber blogger Darryl Dash, who snapped these photos. Darryl is an always thoughtful blogger and...http://www.lifewayresearch.comWith Friends at Dwell
I had a great time at the Dwell Conference in New York City. I also had the chance to meet uber blogger Darryl Dash, who snapped these photos. Darryl is an always thoughtful blogger and all around good guy, except that he left early to go to the David Letterman show.
Darryl's pictures show a bit of the venue. It was an interesting space, to say the least.
Here is Abe asking me another hard question:
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New Church Planting Booktag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8372008-05-02T01:08:09Z2008-05-06T22:11:49Z Joel Rainey, whom I've known for a few years now, has written a book called Planting Churches in the Real World. I wrote an endorsement for it, which appears on the front cover. I think the angle of this...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
Joel Rainey, whom I've known for a few years now, has written a book called Planting Churches in the Real World. I wrote an endorsement for it, which appears on the front cover.
I think the angle of this book will be very helpful. Most of the books on church planting are written by guys who have planted mega-churches, which often leaves would-be planters thinking that theirs will be the next mega-church. But most new churches don't break 100 in average worship attendance until after the fourth year, and Joel writes his book with this majority group in mind.]]>
www.missional-press.com). I also linked (above) to Barnes and Noble.]]>
Slow Blogging in NYC at "dwell"tag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8222008-04-29T02:07:37Z2008-04-30T22:01:39Z Monday: Had a great day with a group of pastors from the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada. Tonight was dinner on the lower East Side with a group of folks, but closest to me was my wife,...http://www.lifewayresearch.comMonday:
Had a great day with a group of pastors from the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada. Tonight was dinner on the lower East Side with a group of folks, but closest to me was my wife, Donna, Tim and Cathy Keller, Tullian Tchividjian, Matt Chandler, Ed Marcelle. I will have much more to blog later, but I still have not blogged about last week, so check back soon!
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Updated Tuesday afternoon:'
Had a great morning listening to C.J. Mahaney talk about "Watching Your Life and Doctrine. I have listened to C.J. for decades. A a teenager, I remember hearing him speak at "Jesus" Festivals," a mix of Christian rock and teaching. He had a great impact on my life 25 years ago and it is good to see him still at it now.
I spoke on "Dwelling in the Kingdom Mission" and gave away our new book, Compelled by Love: The Most Excellent Way to Missional Living (more book info here). I think they are planning to post the audio and I will link it here when they do.
A couple of people asked me to link to the the book I mentioned in my presentation. It was The Kingdom of Christ: The New Evangelical Perspective, by Russell Moore. I believe it is a significant book describing the emerging evangelical consensus on the Kingdom of God.
Eric Mason talked last, but certainly not least. He spoke on "Dwelling Incarnationally" with passion and a life that back it up.
The afternoon is a NYC experience with a series of options. (I chose the option of hanging out with Donna.) Tonight, we hear Mark Driscoll.
Tomorrow, it is Tim Keller.]]>
Updated Tuesday night:
Driscoll gave an inside look into how he prepares to preach. In his "Dwelling in the Text" presentation, Mark outlined the 6 questions he employs for each text he studies. The last is my personal favorite: "How is Jesus the hero?"
After giving a list of ways we can see Jesus in the Old Testament, he gave this as a summary statement something like:
If Jesus is not the reason you go to the scriptures, then he will oppose you in everything you do.
Updated Wednesday morning:
Darrin Patrick led the first session at Dwell this morning and spoke on "Dwelling with non-Christians." With evangelism taking so many forms, he gave a great reminder that personal encounters will not always "just happen." We must be intentional in creating natural relationships with unbelievers by finding common interests. So help people see that the situation of your life may be similar to theirs but our answer in the gospel... and is much different than what they have known.
Updated Wednesday afternoon:
Tim Keller brings it...
In his first of two sessions today, he addressed "Dwelling in the Gospel." Keller proposes that there is only one gospel but it is preached in different forms. His shorthand for the gospel is: manger-cross-crown.
I appreciate that he brings balance to the components of incarnation, substitution, and eschatological in his definition of the gospel. Additionally, he aptly points out that we have a tendency to camp out on only one of the three. Keller's encouragement to us is to deliver the full message to each person eventually - but remember that it will likely take more than one conversation or sermon.
Driscoll's second session:
Driscoll's second session today was an overview of Nehemiah's ministry. He moved through the entire book with the perspective of him planting a church in an urban center. Some of his key insights revolved around being sure of your calling, God's timing of the work, and the need for the planter to defend God's people without hesitation. Nehemiah wisely pointed the people to the scriptures and then held them accountable in chapter 13 to the covenant they made in chapter 10.
Keller's second session:
In the final session of Dwell, Tim Keller discussed the issue of "Persuasion" in the urban context. Our temptation is often to immediately poke holes in others' belief framework. Keller suggests a four-step approach.
1. Listening
2. Entering the framework
3. Challenging the framework
4. Changing the framework
One of his great points in this process is to look for the overlap in the lost's beliefs with biblical truth due to the common grace of God. Then, challenge the conflicting places throughout the rest of their framework. For the communicator (preacher or personal witness), anticipate the objections and be prepared to give a reason for our hope. The ultimate goal is to de-stabilize their framework of beliefs and re-establish equilibrium through the gospel.
And that wraps the conference... heading home.]]>
A Year is Not a Trend: Decline and the SBCtag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8212008-04-28T06:16:51Z2008-04-30T12:59:52ZOne of the big questions is this: is the 2007 SBC membership decline a “blip” or a trend. The news story does not say. However, in my commentary, I imply it is. Here is why. As the graph below illustrates,...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
news story does not say. However, in my commentary, I imply it is.
Here is why.
As the graph below illustrates, the SBC has had a growing membership count for decades, but only marginal growth since 2000. From 2000 through 2006, the growth has been close to a plateau, registering .68, .58, .53, .42, .39, .02 and .22 percent respectively. You can graph those years pretty easily and see the trend. Not surprisingly, this year we declined.
Some have said this is the first membership decline ever. That is not true. There was one in 1998 and there have been others decades before. However, I believe this time is different. I believe that, unless we have a significant intervention, we have peaked, at least in regards to membership.
As this graph from my earlier post demonstrates, we saw a decline of 1.02% in 1998, much larger than the 0.24% decline in 2007. (Look closely at the graph below.) As argument goes, if we recovered then, we can do so now as well.
(for a full size version click here.)
Probably not (and I use that word “probably” very intentionally).
Thom Rainer explained:
Although we pray God will bring revival and change, the trajectory is not positive. If current trends don't change, it seems we are about to enter a period of declining membership.
Why does Thom Rainer say such a thing?
Well, he has seen this:
Click here for a full sized version.
Cliff Tharp prepared it for us on Thursday. As the graph in percent change above demonstrates, our year-to-year growth has been in a constant trended decline, not for one year, but for decades—this is not a one year blip, this is a 50 year trend.]]>
membership and baptisms.
In the membership paper, he made the following observations:
1) Trends in Membership (both Total and Resident) are becoming very flat,
2) Total Membership is dangerously close to beginning to decrease,
3) The gap between Total Membership and Resident Membership is widening.
When combining this trend with the baptism declines of 7 of the 8 last years and many other trends, the situation is not good.
My friend Chuck Lawless, Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth at Southern Seminary explained:
The data show that churches in the Southern Baptist Convention are in maintenance mode at best and headed toward decline. Too much is at stake for us to sit by and fade into irrelevance in North America. We desperately need God to move us, change us, and redirect us to Great Commission obedience.
Put simply, membership may go up next year, but the trend points to the negative. It probably won’t go up. But, even if it does, I believe we will have more declining than growing years over the next decade. Unless the trend changes, membership has peaked.
Some have asked me about the 1998 drop in membership. It is that drop that kept me from saying, the “first ever” drop, in my commentary. However, there is some question about the 1998 data.
LifeWay’s Cliff Tharp explained:
In 1998 the SBC statistics reflected a 1.02 percent decrease in Total Membership (-162,158) and a very minor drop in the total number of churches (-17). At least two factors may have impacted this. First, it seems that there may have been corrective activity in the area of assuring the accuracy of reporting the status of churches (disbanded, merged, no longer SBC, etc). Software had begun to be used widespread a couple of years earlier and errors may have occurred in this area of reporting. The fact that the number of churches increased in 1999 and subsequent years would tend to support this interpretation. Second, for the collection of 1998 statistics, seven state conventions began to use their own forms and processes. The impact of this upon statistics is not known. It is obvious that for several years after this occurrence, the numbers for these two items recovered and increased. The developments of 1998 should be seen, and interpreted, in the broader context of the growth/decline of Southern Baptist numbers.
So, some would argue (and with some merit), that there was not really a decline in 1998. After all, the line just “ticks” down and continues in the same path back up. There is a good chance this is just a change in reporting methodology (Cliff showed me his thick file from that year).
For a number of reasons, 1998 seems to have been an unusual year, but really does it matter? The reported numbers that year went down, but a year is not a trend, in 1998 or 2007. We must instead focus on the various components of decline – lowering baptisms and lowering year-to-year growth that this most recent drop in church membership represents. We are in a multi-decade trend that points to a future with more declining years ahead.
Phillip Connor, former Research Manager at NAMB and now a Fellow with the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University, explained:
However, if truth be known, the Southern Baptist Convention should be less concerned by one negative year in membership growth. Measurement dips like this one happen all the time. In fact, the SBC membership trend passed into negative territory a few years ago. What is more concerning is the gradual decline in year-to-year percentage growth.
Indeed.
I have shared my opinion on the needed solutions (and, it seems, a few of you have agreed). Others will share theirs… and that is good. But, the fact is that we don’t need to say this is not real. It’s deadly real and has eternal significance. If trends continue, we are entering a period of decline and we need to repent and ask God for His power to change.
The good news is this... God is still faithful.
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Note: Feel free to comment in the threads, but know that I will be unavailable to respond as I am in Manhattan for several days. Thanks.
]]>
In Manhattantag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8202008-04-28T06:03:18Z2008-04-29T02:15:14ZI am on my way to New York City as I write this (plane delayed as usual). It will be a busy week, assuming Al Sharpton does not succeed in his promise to shut down the city. From Drudge: Monday,...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
Monday, I meet all day with the leaders of a denomination called the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada.
Monday night, it is off to dinner with Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, and our wives. It should be a good time. (And, I always enjoy it when Donna can join me on trips.)
Tuesday, I speak on the “Mission and the Kingdom of God” at dwell. I will also be staying around to hear some of the other speakers. The lineup is pretty impressive: Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, CJ Mahaney, Darrin Patrick, and Eric Mason.
Wednesday, I will be speaking to the staff of The Journey. Nelson Searcy planted the church several years ago and has recently written a new church planting book, called Launch.
In between, I plan to have a great time with my wife and will be far from my computer. However, I will post another SBC related blog on Monday.
]]>
Church Planting Presentations and Research from the Exponential Conferencetag:blogs.lifeway.com,2008:/blog/edstetzer//8.8192008-04-25T01:08:35Z2008-05-07T00:48:30Z At each of my sessions at the Exponential Conference, I promised to share my PowerPoint and other resources with the attendees. Then, things got a bit backed up as we released some evangelism research, some SBC denominational commentary, and...http://www.lifewayresearch.com
At each of my sessions at the Exponential Conference, I promised to share my PowerPoint and other resources with the attendees. Then, things got a bit backed up as we released some evangelism research, some SBC denominational commentary, and then an interview with Tim Keller.
Well, here are the promised PowerPoints and research. If anything is missing, please let me know below and I will respond as soon as I can. Tomorrow I will be in Springfield, MO with the North American mission and discipleship departments of the Assemblies of God and I will be unavailable.
First, the research I presented at the opening session on reproducing churches is here.]]>
Stephen Gray, Planting Fast Growing Churches
Ron Sylvia, Creating Coaching Networks
Tom Clegg, Church Planter Coaching
Ed Stetzer, Church Planting Networks
I hope to post soon:
Mark Reynolds, Church Planting Internships, Redeemer Church’s Fellows Program
Here are the other presentations I did in two other tracks:
I suggested those wanting to raise funds check out NAMB's Support Development School and other resources. You can find them here.
I mentioned (in many different sessions) the following research projects which you can download here:
The "State of Church Planting" reports are listed below for your convenience. You can download them from the Leadership Network website at the links below.
The Christian Post reported on the research.
If you haven't seen them already, check out:
You can also access all the Leadership Network downloads at www.leadnet.org/churchplanting.
The NAMB research I mentioned was done at the Center for Missional Research.
You should visit their site-- you can download over 2000 research presentations on a myriad of topics. The CMR web portal is one of the things I was most excited about when I worked at NAMB. (PeopleGroups.info was another).
Here is a rundown of what church planting research you can download.
First, is the full report of the Church Planting Survivability and Health study, a study involving 11 denominations and networks. You can download a presentation of that study here.
Second, are four articles that came from that study.
Third, is a research that looked at denominational "best practices" that led to higher church planting survivability and health. To do this, we did more in-depth analysis of several denominations to look for best practices. When we found a practices that was "statistically significant," we reported it and then I asked representatives to present what they did at last year's National New Church Conference in Orlando.
So, you can find the full report here and a PowerPoint of that data here.
Finally, you can find my presentation of the best practices research that I recently gave at the NAMB State Summer Leadership Conference. It is a big download, but you can get it here.
In that presentation, I combined the presentations of 4 denominational leaders who shared their best practices in the areas we found statistically significant. Each network or denominational leader presented their overall church planting system, then presented their specific best practice as determined by our research. Each of them gave their permission to share their presentation. The presenters were:
Steve Childers presented the Presbterian Church in America assessment system.
Rod Koop presented the Foursquare peer support / mentoring system.
George Klippenes presented the Evangelical Free team approach and funding system.
Steve Pike presented the Assemblies of God community minsitry approach.
Tom Nebel and Gary Rohrmayer presented the Baptist General Conference training for local church giving.
At LifeWay Research, we are oversampling several additional groups to build on this study. We are also beginning a church planter assessment research project. Contact Lifeway Research if you are interested.
Thanks for coming to the Exponential Conference!
]]>
While many understand the biblical merit of this argument, many have also bought into the clergification of Christian ministry. This is the belief that the professionals carry out the real work of the church, and everyone else simply lends a hand here and there. And “professionals” are of course those who make their living from the gospel. Therefore, bi-vocational pastors or church planters are often held in much less esteem, and the rest of the church is seen as practically unnecessary. Such a perspective misses the example of Paul, and more importantly the nature of gospel ministry and church health.
While clearly articulating the idea that pastoral leadership should be supported by their local church, Paul himself often worked outside of the church to support his church planting endeavors. More importantly, Paul clearly teaches that the church’s health is built upon the interdependent ministries that arise from the church body, and not solely from the teaching ministry of paid leaders (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4; Rom 12:3-8). We have to guard against the tendency to depend more on man and less on Christ among his people.
In the email conversation Neil Cole added some helpful words to this discussion, and I wanted to share them here (with his permission).
Here is Abe asking me another hard question:
]]>
(for a full size version click here.)
Probably not (and I use that word “probably” very intentionally).
Thom Rainer explained:
Click here for a full sized version.
Cliff Tharp prepared it for us on Thursday. As the graph in percent change above demonstrates, our year-to-year growth has been in a constant trended decline, not for one year, but for decades—this is not a one year blip, this is a 50 year trend.]]>
membership and baptisms.
In the membership paper, he made the following observations:
You should visit their site-- you can download over 2000 research presentations on a myriad of topics. The CMR web portal is one of the things I was most excited about when I worked at NAMB. (PeopleGroups.info was another).
Here is a rundown of what church planting research you can download.
First, is the full report of the Church Planting Survivability and Health study, a study involving 11 denominations and networks. You can download a presentation of that study here.
Second, are four articles that came from that study.