Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13-NIV)
Jesus Lavado Pies-Wikicommons -Javier Oswaldo Rios Caicedo
In the past months, I have been hearing from readers who have been on the receiving end of those pastors, preachers and leaders who pull the authority card on a regular basis. Within the Calvinista set, a vast number of leaders seem to be harping on the "authority" issue. Last week was the final straw. One such mega Calvinista asked his audience, "Which group of elders are you UNDER?" I guess good Christians are always under someone except if you are top dog and then you pretend to be accountable to your elders.
There seems to be a growing emphasis on the authority of Christian leaders and the submission of the flock. A close friend of mine was told by an elder that he needed to "trust" the elders. Something about how they watch over us as those who will be called to "give an account" for our souls.
Personal experience has taught me, and a fair number of other people, that some pastors and elders should not be trusted and, even worse, some of them treat their position as a "king" club in which they get to tell everyone else what to do. We have seen pastors dissolve bylaws in order to centralize power in the hands of the pastors/ elders.
Lingo alert-The latest deal is to declare who amongst your leaders are the kings, prophets, and priests. I first read about this at Mars Hill and it has been cropping up all over. Do these guys not see how silly this makes them appear. Good night! When was the last time you have seen a pastor declare that he is seeking to be in the "least among you"club or the "martyr" club except if he is a certain pastor in Jacksonville who believes he is a martyr.
I have experienced elders "gone rogue' spreading rumors about my family and then admitting that they did so. I have seen the antics at Sovereign Grace Ministries, Mars Hill, Fellowship Church, etc. I have watched in dismay, as the Furticks, the Nobles, the Mahaneys and the Driscoll types rise to fame within a subset of evangelical culture and actually believe that they are anointed by God be "in authority." Gosh, over at the 9 Marks blog they are even declaring how such leaders have the "keys to authority."
So here is my question. Why should I trust anyone whom I do not know and have not seen in action in various circumstances? I have written enough on this blog to know that there is some pretty kooky stuff going on out there. Frankly, as I have observed these leaders and elders, I cannot think of one reason why I should trust them except to take a Bible verse out of context and apply it willy nilly to people I barely know. Is this really what Scripture means? Perhaps Ronald Reagan said it best, "Trust but verify." I think we all need to be doing a whole lot more verifying before trusting.
Just because some dude went to seminary or was appointed to by a church or elders or is a friend of the Gospel Coalition, does not mean he has "authority" no matter how often he quotes his proof verses. And he is as much of a sinner as the rest of us. Why should I trust him, especially if I do not intimately know him?
Digression alert– CJ Mahaney, along with some other Calvinstas, like to say that they are "the worst sinner in the world" due to some weird, preening humility, perhaps? Well, I have chosen to believe them and will look for a church run by a pastor who is not the "worst sinner in the world." (Own your words, baby).
Jesus is Authority. However, He did not run around yammering about His power over others. He lived it. In fact, He was a friend to the underdog and seemed to care far more for the Samaritan woman than the Pharisees, who, by the way, spent a lot of time declaring their "authority" to the point that they did not recognize the Messiah and actually crucified Him.
Jesus did not gain followers by singing "Let's Get It On" in Galilee. He did not have a "bed in" at the Sermon on the Mount and He certainly did not discuss sexual acts in detail in His sermons. Yet the people flocked to hear Him because he proclaimed freedom to the captives and sight to the blind. He then went to the Cross, all the while saying "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men."
Jesus drew people to Him because he had true authority. This is an authority based in love and sacrifice. People follow Him because He was willing to DIE for His people. How many pastors today love their people in the same way? How many of them spend time with their people, rowing across dangerous seas and wading in to the midst of poverty and pain? How many of these mega pastors would be willing to die for a member of their church? Do they even know the unimportant (meaning: cannot contribute much money types) members of their church? This was one thing that impressed me about Wade Burleson. We were at dinner at Chili's and all sorts of people came up and greeted him, young and old. They loved him and he knew their names! That spoke volumes to me.
I anticipate the objection that there are others to do this in the church. That is not the pastor's role. Well, it sure was Jesus' role. How many of these pastors actually spend time with the destitute, the nobodies and the dregs of society? Instead, I see many of them spending time chasing after the latest and greatest "theologian," going to conferences trying to figure out how they, too, can have a church of thousands, get books published and then get on the speaking circuit to "encourage" one another. To this woman it seems like there is a great, big "bless us kings" club out there.
About two weeks after we started this blog, I commented on the issue of authority. At the time, no one, except our friends and family were reading so we would guess that many (if not all) of our current readers have not seen this post. I think it is even more pertinent today as the "authority" crowd continues to push their agenda.
As an aside, the daughter I write about has since been diagnosed with migraines and an underlying seizure disorder. The fire department said that she had risked her life as a firefighter and they would stand by her during this time. She was given a wonderful job in another department in the city and we are most grateful.
April 2009
Last week I watched my daughter walk fearlessly through a burning building with flames shooting out the windows. She is about to graduate from fire academy, and within a week she will be riding fire trucks, rescuing people trapped in crushed cars, putting out fires, and performing CPR. This mother’s heart fears for her safety; yet, it swells with pride at the thought of her willingness to put her life in harm’s way to save the lives of others.
As I stood next to her captain, I felt a profound sense of respect as I looked at his blackened face and uniform. I know I would quickly follow any order he would give me. Why? Because I know that his life is dedicated to saving the lives of others and that he has my best interest at heart.
At that moment I realized a stark contrast. There are individuals in our lives (like this fire captain) who COMMAND authority, while there are others who, unfortunately, must DEMAND authority. I have been in churches where pastors pound the pulpit, insisting that worshippers look intently at them and listen carefully to what they are saying. I have heard these preachers stridently claim to have “authority” over their church members. One pastor even informed a friend that he (the pastor) was like a “parent” while my friend was like his “child.” There are growing reports of pastors declaring absolute authority over their congregations, disbanding deacon boards, and disciplining church members who dare to question their actions. Note: such pastors must TELL us they are in charge because, for some reason, we don’t seem to recognize their authority as described in the Scriptures. Are we just rebellious children? Are we not following Scripture? Or is the issue far deeper?
When Bill Clinton was serving as President, Mother Teresa visited the United States and was asked to address a joint session of Congress. This diminutive, wrinkled lady spoke of her work amongst the desperately poor. Then she addressed the sacredness of life and the evils of abortion. Members of Congress spontaneously rose to their feet to give her a standing ovation, and President and Mrs. Clinton, supporters of Roe v Wade, were forced to follow suite. Why? Although Bill Clinton was the President of the United States, Mother Teresa had lived her life in service to the destitute.
Mother Teresa had no money, no fancy houses, and no admiring congregation. She had only one change of clothes. When people wanted to meet her, they would have to travel to the poorest sections of the world where they would find her comforting the abject poor. And they came-presidents, princesses, rock stars and the rich and famous. Sure, some of them used her for their own ego but they still had to go there and be confronted with her life.
She never once had to pound a lectern and insist that people listen to her. They hung onto her every word, mesmerized. She never had to inform others that she was in charge; yet, the most influential leaders in the world begged for an audience with her. Sometimes they got it, sometimes they didn't. People just naturally followed her. They recognized this tiny woman had no ulterior motive. She was called to love and serve.
Then, there is Almighty God. The immortal took on our mortality. The Creator walked among His creation. And His creation flocked to hear Him speak. Materially, He lived a simple life. He didn’t have a huge church building with a fancy sound system. His followers were not part of an established power structure – they were just non-influential townspeople and fishermen and societal rejects. Yet, crowds surrounded Him wherever He went.
In spite of His apparent lack of social position, those in power feared Him. The religious leaders realized that Jesus easily usurped their authority, and it frustrated them to no end. He didn’t do things the way they had always been done. He even called some of them “snakes” and rebuked them for burdening His people with unnecessary rules. He scorned them for lording their power over those whom they were called to serve; however, even those who despised Jesus were drawn to Him. They just had to see this carpenter who came from the wrong side of the tracks and who was magnetically attracting the masses.
As Jesus Christ died on the cross, He did not demand that others look at Him. He did not lecture spectators about His authority… this Man, King of the Universe. He even spoke kindly to a thief on an adjacent cross. Yet generations follow Him. Why? Because Jesus had no ulterior motive. He did not seek power and wealth. He simply and beautifully loved His people and gave His life for them.
(Next two paragraphs added for today's post) Let me give you an example of what I am talking about. After we left Ed Young's Fellowship Church, we made our way to Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. The pastor, Pete Briscoe, was fairly new. We were burned out from Ed who always having famous people on stage. In fact. my husabd was asked to pray one time. He said he would do it so long as he was not introduced as "Dr" Bill Parsons, either on stage or in the bulletin. In church he is just Bill. The team tried to convince him otherwise but my husband is stubborn. He was never asked to pray again.
We approached Pete after he service. He asked about our family and our jobs. Bill mentioned he was at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. Pete then asked, "Do you know so and so?" We didn't and braced ourselves for a lecture about how important "so and so" was. Pete went on to tell us about how this man cleaned the floors at Baylor and reached out to the patients and their families. Pete felt he was one of the most important people at that facility. We knew, then, we had found the right church.The rest of our years at Bent Tree bore out this initial impression.
This post is dedicated to my firefighting daughter. She demonstrates the love of Christ every time she puts her life at risk. And she can be sure that if she told me to jump, I would say, “How high?”
Lydia's Corner:Lamentations 1:1-2:22 Philemon 1:1-25 Psalm 101:1-8 Proverbs 26:20
bravo
The question is not: Will you be under authority. [Quick answer – of course you will.] The question really is; under whose authority will you be?
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Jimmy
Let’s start with Jesus.
“So, if you are in a church with leaders who insist you follow them, you can be certain they are not in the center of God’s will. The appropriate response would be to leave! If you are in church with leaders who are distant, demanding, and arrogant, please don’t tolerate such ungodly behavior. Leave!”
AMEN!
And puh-leeeze, no yammering about how “He has been used of God” in the past. Flee!
Great post dee.
And woe to the common ordinary church member that quietly and unintentionally commands authority for they will be hounded mercilessly by the jealous authority demanders.
They will experience the full wrath of the Pharisees.
They like the Petry’s will truly share in the sufferings of Christ.
I just do not see placing myself under any man’s authority.
Great post!
“Authority”: I’ve found it helpful to trace what’s being translated into English, as well as when and how Jesus uses the words that are generally translated as “authority.”
I think a lot of TWW readers have done the same – it’s not so hard, after all, what with Jesus saying things like he who would be greatest among you must be least of all and servant of all.
But it seems like very few people heed that – particularly true of those who claim a kind of “authority” that the Lord Jesus Christ never gave to them, or to any other human.
What’s that other quote – “Go and do thou likewise”?
Like the good Samaritan, right?
Narcissism is the rampant virus infecting so many preachers, leaders in the church. It’s all about them, never about the flock. Their heads are full of theology – emphasizing secondary doctrines instead primary doctrines – but there are little or no demonstrations of love and grace for others in their lives. Knowledge puffs up. These narcissists do not live out the truths they preach, that’s the problem. They are preachers of the Word, not doers of the Word; that’s why they can preach the gospel from the pulpit but live and act like a devil in their lives. They should study the book of James and get real. Faith without works is dead.
The way a person lives his or her life is a much better indication of spirituality than what they know in their head or speak with their mouth. The problem is the mass would fall for charismatic leaders who mesmerize them with their speaking gift. Remember Hitler?
Yesterday I had some time and I read the Petry’s story and some documents attached to it and I was appalled at what happened to them. The authority that subjects people to such cruelty comes from the pit of hell and those who in authority are the Devil’s helpers, only they (leaders) do not know it. How tragic!
Thank you for this article, because it is refreshing to hear many wonderful believers in Jesus Christ talk about this issue of authority. All throughout the NT we see that Jesus, Himself, was the epitomy of grace and mercy (except for the legalistic and suppressing Pharisees- He went toe to toe with these guys).
In fact, in NT, the church is to express- WHAT?? the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. And what are these: love, joy, kindness, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, patience, and self-control; not discipline, authority, doing penance, sacraments, obeying the elders ultimate authority, etc. Yes, we are to be in submission to the elders IF they themselves are following in what Scripture for the church mandates, so, this means that they are to display in word and action the Fruits of the Spirit. There are a lot of heavy duty guidelines for deacons and elders in Scripture- do not see much fruit coming from the American Church today. Until I see the Fruits of the Spirit evident in these guys, no need for my family to attend.
A radio personality once said that politicians are failed actors and preachers are failed polititians. I can see the validity in that at times. After reading about these calvinistas I would have to say that they aren’t really failed polititians because they seem to have succeeded in duping a lot of people.
This was a big deal at the SBC fellowship we attended for a time. From the pulpit we were hearing over and over about how we *had* to submit to our pastor, that God had “ordained” him as head of our “flock” (blah blah blah) and in the end it was HIM who would answer for “his flock.”
I’ve heard less of this banter since being in a non-denominational church but I can’t say it isn’t present. There is definitely an air of “submit to the elders” (not Jesus) going about. It’s basically a get-out-of-jail free card for leadership to do what they wish without being questioned in the process.
One more thought after my coffee break. When I was reading the documents attached to the Petry’s story yesterday, I noticed all of them (pastors, including the two fired ones) speak perfect Christianese; that means, the correspondence between two sides was loaded with quoted Scriptures, biblical principles, cloaked in pious language, which made me feel sick to my stomach. Look at the way they treat people! The bottom line is BEHAVIORS AND CONDUCT.
I do not know much about Scriptures, I just write from my common sense.
Interesting tidbit I read in an article: “The Greek word for ‘authority’ is exousia. Brothers, you can read the New Testament from beginning to end and you will never find this word exousia (authority) in a context where one believer in Christ has exousia (authority) over another believer! You will never find that in the New Testament. It is not there.” I checked it out in a Greek lexicon, and it does indeed seem to be the case. Something to ponder…
Wow, Eagle. Quite a statement (at the end of your comment). I can’t see I disagree, really.
Or, perhaps, the act of “preaching” as a spiritual heroin injection?
But not spiritual at all. The addiction is to attention and recognition and power.
I’m sure there is some truth to this.
HowDee YaAll,
…considering questions on authority, sub-mis-sion, and the biblical teaching on church discipline?
hmmm…
Watz bot dat big azz stick:
huh?
hafta, juz hafta…Smack!, Smack! Obeyz youze leaders and submit to dem, for theyz keep’in watch over youze lazy souls, as doze who will have ta give an account. Letz dem do dis wit joy and not wit groan’in, fo dat would be of no advantage to youze.”
What?
like boisterous Mark Driscoll’s ecclesiological bedroom butt buffet blather…
bla, bla, bla…
(Theyz juz hot air…)
Follow me as I follow Christ?
hahaha aha
“The way a person lives his or her life is a much better indication of spirituality than whatz known in da head or spoken wit da mouth…”
Yahooo!
Wit deze guyz…walk don’t run to the nearest exit, the spiritual life you save may be your own…
Yeah?
I just can’t for the life of me, give time, hard earned money or control of my life to these pompous putrid pastoial one act fakes.
Someone needz ta tell dem ta politly go to Hati.
-snicker-
Gentle as doves, wise as serpents? Go Dee… (great Post) 🙂
no buddy bodders me…cuz Jesus setz me free…
Day can go mis-use dat ‘scripturized tripe’ someswherez else…
(put dat stick away fo U hurt yourself!?!)
(grin)
hahahahahahaha
Sopy ;~)
___
James Ingram & Michael McDonald – “Yah Mo B There”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HbbM-FG8lQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
The Doobie Brothers -“Jesus Is Just Alright”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie9sY_zp9xg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Thanks for re-posting the April 2009 post. Just what I needed today. Brought tears to my eyes.
Dee/Deb
God is the authority in the church — in the persons of the Christ who died and is the source of the church and the Holy Spirit who is present with us.
Under that, the laos, the people of God, the laity. Led by the Holy Spirit, they should make all of the decisions. Research has shown that a group makes better decisions than the average of the same individuals’ decisions, btw, but that is not the reason. The reason is that the Bible teaches that all believers are priests. The ground is level at the foot of the cross! BTW, the laity should perform as many functions of the church as possible, only hiring those positions that are necessary.
Under the congregation, the lay people that the congregation has selected to serve in particular roles, including deacons or elders, the accountability group or groups elected to more directly supervise the pastor and/or staff.
At the bottom, the paid staff: janitor, nursery worker, youth minister, children’s minister, associate pastors (if any), and the preaching pastor. Note that I did not say “senior pastor”, since to my mind that suggests someone who is serving emeritus, on reduced income reflecting a semi-retired status.
To me, that is the model that Jesus taught and his teaching should rule in the church he created.
Eagle,
“…Doors opening, step back, to allow wise SGM & Actz29 member churches to finally exit to safety.” ding-dong-ding! 🙂
(grin)
hahahahaha
Sopy ;~)
___
Comic relief: WMATA DC Metro Subway Door Chime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v94Awc7JCo0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Arce
You are one of the greatest defenders for the role of women in the church. Thank you for reminding us that the laity should be the ones making the decisions. As I write this, the hyper-authoriatarian types are screaming heresy.
Eagle –
Currently CJ is stuck on preaching about trials, tribulations, and being placed in a pit by God (Ps. 88). Yet, we should never ask why? (arrogance to ask he says). I guess CJ could never imagine that he brought some trial upon himself or that he should examine his actions. I listened to his recent preaching and found nothing new under the sun regarding his ways. I was curious but can now put it to rest.
What a nice article, Dee. Very encouraging. The difference between true authority (Jesus) a claimed one. Thank you.
Dee,
Jesus declared His authority based upon His word and the word of His Father by the miracles that He did. You are dead on about the rest of the resume.
Concerning your daughter I have a thought. Often the stresses of such a job bring about dysfunctional breathing (too much breathing to the point of CO2 wash out at times). If this occurs circulation and oxygen transport to the brain are compromised. As well, the volume of air passing through the airway passage tends to dry things out and cool things off, which makes the cleaning process more difficult, and tends to compromise the immune system. The resulting infection and inflammation may then bring about Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) which compromises sleep structure and eventually may lead to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). At many stages in this the brain can be made to rapidly cycle from a response to a hypercarbic state where circulation is greater to a hypocarbic state where circulation is restricted and flow patterns are set up where “Peter is robbed to keep Paul going”. OSA is usually treated with Constant Pressure at the Airway Passage while UARS and dysfunctional breathing I have had good luck with treating with a breathing re-training program I made for myself.
I do not really know why I wrote all of that. It is fresh on my mind since I have recently assessed results and many are encouraging. I guess I too would like to see your daughter out of pain and back into full service and know that even most doctors would not see how this sort of thing would have migraines as part of the damage. I am not a doctor and these are my own silly thoughts.
I will pray for you and your daughter which will probably be more effective than my ramblings.
Thanks for your good service here!
Tod
Men who constantly emphasize that they are “sinners” are actually drawing attention to themselves and drawing attention away from Christ. Of course I am a sinner! But I have a Savior, who bled and died for me, who has forgiven me all my sins; who has given me eternal life, who has poured out His Spirit on and into me, who has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places, who guards my steps, who has gone before me, who suffer so I would not have to, who died so I could live, who lives and and promised to come back and claim that which is His own, who is preparing a place for me, and will take me to His Fathers house, who understands my weakness, who comforts me when I am afflicted, so weeps with those who weep and who rejoices with those who rejoice, who is always with me, who has promised to never leave me nor forsake me, who has kept His word and never once failed me!
Now, isn’t that better than hearing someone talk about themselves as “the worst sinner in the world?”
Someone said this a long time ago and it is true: “The true Christian never exalts himself nor denigrates himself; the true Christian exalts Jesus and never draws attention to himself.”
Wow! This explains my fondness for Anglican polity. When I started going to our present church (we don’t have ‘membership’ in the sense most American churches seem to talk about) something I said to the then minister was that I appreciated knowing exactly where his authority began and ended. As regards the church service, the buck stops with him; as regards my personal life he is welcome to say anything he thinks needs to be said, but he has no more authority than any other brother or sister in the Lord. That is, i would weigh his words and consider them, but feel perfectly free to exercise my own judgement. I’m an adult, I’ve been one for an awfully long time, why would I come to church to be treated like a child?
Also, has anyone seen Richard Beck’s response to the whole ‘masculine Christianity’ hogwash? It’s a magnificent deconstruction of the power and authority games played in the church. http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/on-masculine-christianity-and.html
Randall,
What a beautiful picture of what Christ has done for us. The authoritarian groups that Dee and Deb expose love talking about themselves and how “sinful they are”, but I don’t think they really believe that. They love exposing other people, too. They love driving others to despair while walking securely that Jesus died for them. They love to tie the millstone around others neck, making others who have sin question constantly whether they are in or out of the kingdom meanwhile these supposed worst sinners on earth get to enjoy Christ’s forgiveness while yelling at everyone else.
Thank you for your beautiful words. What a difference when we stop obsessing over ourselves and look at Jesus.
Lynne
Thank you so much for both the link and your thinking. They are really pushing the pastor as the dad schtick in the states.That may be why the liturgical churches are beginning to see a blip up in attendance.
Randall
I echo Robin. Well said!
Instead, I see many of them spending time chasing after the latest and greatest “theologian,” going to conferences trying to figure out how they, too, can have a church of thousands, get books published and then get on the speaking circuit to “encourage” one another. To this woman it seems like there is a great, big “bless us kings” club out there.
“Five kings ruled o’er the Amorite,
Mighty as fear and old as Night;
Swathed with unguent and gold and jewel,
Waxed they merry and fat and cruel.
…
These five kings said one to another,
‘King unto King o’er the world is Brother’…”
— G.K.Chesterton, “Ballad of the Battle of Gibeon”
Trust is one of the key words here. I think the modern church leadership model is for one talented man to give less talented people loads of affirmation, pretending to be a friend and to really be interested in their lives, while keeping a distance from entering into a true relationship. Affirmation without a true relationship is the policy. Any time you try to enter into a relationship with these people, they will shut down and wall themselves off. It is because they are living in a shelter of lies and need yes men to support their lies. Direct questions offend them. The anger they feel inside when conflict arises causes them to shut down because they no longer feel that you are a spiritual person when you want them to answer your questions. I am not talking about being a bully toward pastors, but just humbly asking them questions- why dost thou do what you are doing?
Randall, that really IS good news. And boy, do I need it. Might have to print that out and tape it to my forehead. Thank you.
Eagle –
Let me think on the “cult” issue. It may be more that they are “cult-like” or even, as I have heard elsewhere regarding NC, a “sect.” I need to look at some definitions of these words and think about what I and others have experienced.
Rene: Me too!
Honestly, I am at my lowest point in a long time, yet…my Savior loves me…and that’s enough.
Bridget2 – jsut wondered if you’d had a chance to check out this post over at SGM Survivors?
Eagle – I think SGM has a very cult-like feel, myself, but I haven’t been around any SGM folks in quite some time. (I still have friends in 2 of the D.C.-area churches, though.)
Just yesterday we (me, my husband and our four kids) read the story about Jesus dividing the sheep and the goats. It finished and there wasn’t a sound around the table. Every one of us was scared–not because He is a harsh Lord, but because we realized that if we don’t serve the people who are really and truly the least among us, are we really His? Do we have saving faith?
Even acknowleging that the majority of those imprisoned are there because of their own decisions, they are in a temporary jail. Each and every one of us is deserving of hell, which, if we take a moment to contemplate it is ridiulously more serious than those imprisoned for the span of their physical lifetime, or less.
God does not differentiate between our sins in term of our position with Him. We are either sinners without hope, or sinners that can only cling to the sacrifice of His Son. Our law here on earth does differentiate, but He doesn’t. So it is evident that His heart is with those we don’t generally care about or are even horrified by. It “looks” different from one generation to the next, but it is in no way different.
I am almost always a Pharisee. And that frightens me. I have gone to sleep many a night (almost every night recently), asking God to spare me from death while I am unconcious because I’m not sure where I’m going. And do you know why? Because I choose my own sinful predilictions first before Him and I most certainly do not spend my time with the very people He did and calls us to. I can only hope that my understanding of this and my heartbreak over it means that I am indeed His.
Lord, deliver me from this body of death, for it oppresses me. The precious times in my life where He has been the Only One gave me a peace and a freedom that I simply cannot experience apart from Him. I have literally felt that. Plane goes down–awesome. I’ll be with Him. Need to confess a really awful sin to my folks–ok, as long as I’m still sitting in His lap. Something happens to one of my kids–I know you’ll get me through it and more importantly, You’ll be holding me and those precious ones in Your sinless arms. So why don’t I exist on that plane? I don’t know apart from Paul’s words, “that which I want to do, I do not do and that which I do not want to do, I do.” His hope was in Christ’s work for Him–so is mine.
This is no excuse–the mystery of God’s calling and my election does not bring me peace, until the moment that I am following Him with freedom. This is not a radical issue most of the time (from my perspective) –it boils down to will I use this hour to get something meaningful done (i.e. my kids laundry, a healthy meal prepared, read a book that will cause me to look to You) or will I use it to keep up on the latest celebrity gossip on people who will not be remembered in another generation.
Or have a glass of wine (that for me personally) isn’t beneficial, Or read a book that not only draws my thoughts from You, but fertilizes thoughts that would grieve You? This is a no brainer, right? It’s ok for me to relax a little, right? I didn’t already mention it, but please don’t forget… I’m a mom of four, homeschooling, helping my husband with his business. Sure, I deserve some time to myself (especially as soneone who thrives on that)–but not at the expense of doing what is more important. For modeling the best choice for my 3 girls and one son.
Frankly, folks, I’m using “sanitized” examples for the purposes of this blog and even reading them (the sanitized ones) makes me feel gross. They’re not much worse, but worse enough to scare you. And even if they were amazingly worse, He still would have paid for them. His sacrifice along is worthy.
Maika – Everyone who reads this blog has or is feeling they same as you before. It’s part of our fallen condition. Jesus has saved us and His love does not depend upon our performance. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). I cling to this verse like a drowning man clings to a live preserver. God loves us whether we “perform” or not. His love for us never changes.
Let me think on the “cult” issue. It may be more that they are “cult-like” or even, as I have heard elsewhere regarding NC, a “sect.” — Bridget2
In the Eighties, I heard the term “Aberrant Christian Groups” used to describe such “not-a-cults” who were overcontrolling and abusive towards their members. (At the time, Christian cult-watch groups defined “cult” entirely by aberrant theology, not repeat not abusive behavior. A lot of “not-a-cults” got in under their radar and did a lot of damage.)
From the pulpit we were hearing over and over about how we *had* to submit to our pastor, that God had “ordained” him as head of our “flock” (blah blah blah)… — True Words
Isn’t that a lot like “Divine Right of Kings”? (Which was itself a Christianese coat of paint over the idea of the God-King.)
Malika – At the risk of seeming like this is beside the point… You know, if you don’t take *some* time for yourself, to just relax, you run a very high risk of burning out.
Reading a book and having a bit of time alone aren’t inherently selfish things, let alone things that would “turn your mind away from God.”
I am sorry that you feel as if it would be wrong for you to take some time to chill. We all need it.
Dee, I was also a little unsure about the purpose of Malika’s comment, but after reading through it a few times I think when she says “Frankly, folks, I’m using “sanitized” examples for the purposes of this blog and even reading them (the sanitized ones) makes me feel gross” , she’s actually referring to things she feels she has done, not anything happening on this blog.
Forgive me, Malika, if I’m wrong. And for the record, I often feel the same way when I read that passage of scripture. Please know that Jesus is deeply merciful.
Rene
You may be correct and I will delete my comment for now.
Malika
I may have misread you. Please forgive me. I really should drink my coffee in the morning before replying.
I didn’t respond to Malika because I’m not sure what point she was trying to make.
I do hope she will come back and clarify.
It would be nice to dialogue with her.
TODAY
http://www.brentdetwiler.com/brentdetwilercom/2012/4/4/the-twin-brothers-driscoll-and-mahaney.html
Ted S.-
Brent is connecting some dots! Although Dee and Deb have been on top of that for some time 🙂
TedS
I have emailed Brent to ask him for permission to reprint some of this here.
Thanks for this spot-on post. I’ve been in very minor positions of leadership in the church at times and the thing that always struck me is that for me, I almost never forgot that leadership was an awesome and terrifying responsibility to be taken seriously and humbly. Why? Because scripture is clear that those who lead and teach will have more required of them and be judged more intensely. Also because Christianity should not be like the world: Christian leadership should be (to paraphrase Greg Boyd) a kind of “power under” rather than a “power over” paradigm. Those who truly follow Jesus lead by serving, gain by giving, increase through sacrifice, and, ultimately, live by dying. That is the power of the love that only Christ can give. That is what makes Christian structures different from the world’s structures; it is a huge part of what distinguishes us as a community.
But it’s something we’ve almost lost. All these things are so, so often missing from church leadership. We instead have people clamoring for power and authority, trumpeting their spiritual superiority, and even using that as a basis for material gain, and for abuse of others. I’ve seen this kind of thing happen, sadly, even within my own extended family, and been on the receiving end of it to a small extent even in a very small church. Sadly, when it happens, Jesus and the way he taught us get not only ignored, but trampled.
God help us!
Bridget2,
Thanks for your affirming comment. Yep, we figured out the Mahaney/Driscoll “THANG” a while ago. Birds of a feather…
“C.J. considers himself more godly, humble and gracious than Driscoll and therefore qualified to be his tutor.” (from Berntdewiller.com).
Any man that feels this way about himself is guilty of empty boasting.
Randall
CJ actually wrote a book on Humilty that all the Calvinistas think is marvelous. But, it was CJ who wrote it-an oxymoron at best.
I’m a calvinist, but I don’t think Mahaney’s book is marvelous. It is weak and self righteous.
Bob
Piper adores the book. So does Chandler.
I know.
Sorry if I caused any confusion. I love this blog and meant nothing against it. Numo was correct in his understanding. As for not undertaking the meaning of my post, I can say that I was moved by the original post by Dee or Deb and felt like unburdening myself via this forum. Next time the mood strikes, I won’t ramble on here. I have been stretched by what I read here and will continue to do so.
Malka
Please forgive me. I have learned an important lesson. never, ever read a comment without coffee on board. I am so sorry. Forgive me for not being understanding.
Maika,
Thanks for coming back and commenting. We are glad that you enjoy our posts, and you are welcome to comment as often as you like. We definitely want to hear from you. 🙂
Blessings.
Sophia asked where I lived. Tomball, Texas. The saying in the “Bible Belt” is, “If the South is the Bible Belt, Dallas is the buckle.”
Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Kansas, Alabama, Missouri, and Nebraska are generally considered the “Bible Belt.”
I thought about writing a book, “Humility and How I Got It.” However, I am still unqualified. 🙂
“C.J. considers himself more godly, humble and gracious than Driscoll and therefore qualified to be his tutor.” (from Berntdewiller.com).
Any man that feels this way about himself is guilty of empty boasting”
I read an article by a guy who was involved in the Christian celebrity world and he calls them: Self deprecating narcissists.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jack-watts/selfdeprecating-narcissis_b_843434.html
That sounds about right in most cases. There are probably a few who genuinely follow Christ and try to deal with the big heads that certainly go with notoreity, but only a few.
Anon1 – that’s exactly what they are.