A Troubling Trend

About six times a year, I receive SBC Life, a slick, colorful publication from the SBC Executive Committee.  Honestly, I usually pay little attention to it, but an ad in the most recent publication caught my eye.  The ad, a full-page ad, featured a picture of Dr. Paige Patterson, President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the caption read:  "Nowhere else in the world.  Only at Southwestern can you study with:  Dr. Paige Patterson."  The ad continues by listing many of Dr. Patterson's accomplishments.

I do not know Dr. Patterson personally.  I have heard from many who do that he is very personable and likable.  I do not question his ability as an administrator.  But I am really bothered by such an ad.

One of the problems I have with this ad is that it exemplifies what I see as a growing trend in the SBC and in the evangelical world in general.  We place too much emphasis on persons and personalities.  Too many of our churches are built around the person and personality of the pastor.  Too much of what I have experienced in SBC life, as of late, is person and personality driven.

Over thirty years ago I made a decision to attend seminary.  I can remember as a senior at Gardner-Webb College struggling with the decision as to where to attend.  I chose New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and have never regretted my choice.  But my decision was not based on who the president of the school was.  As a matter of fact, I had no idea who the president of the seminary was until after I became a student there.  My decision was based on the reputation of the school in general.

Seminary presidents come and go, so do pastors.  What happens to a church or an institution when it is built around a person, and for whatever reason that person leaves?   I think the answer is obvious.  I wish things were different, but I'm not very optimistic that things are going to change anytime soon.

Blessings,
Jimmy

Spiritual Leadership

The theme for the 2010 Deacons’ Retreat was leadership.  A last minute scheduling conflict with the retreat leader forced us to rely on a series of videos by a well-know authority on leadership.  It may have simply been my problem, but it was a real struggle for me to identify with what the expert was saying.  What he said made perfect sense from a purely secular view.  But I was really having trouble connecting the dots between leadership in general and spiritual leadership.  The video presentation was filled with ideas, stories, and illustrations, but most were taken from the business world.  It was as if he were saying--at least this is the way I perceived it--that spiritual leaders need to take their direction from the corporate world.   Questions  kept coming to my mind:  “If the Church is the Bride of Christ, called out by God, empowered by His Holy Spirit, and directed by His Word, why do we need to go to the corporate world for a model of leadership?  Is spiritual leadership not addressed in Holy Scripture?” 

For several weeks I wrestled with these questions, until one day a Google search of spiritual leadership led me to a book by Henry and Richard Blackaby.  The title of the book is, Spiritual Leadership:  Moving People on to God’s Agenda.  I am indebted to the Blaclabys for reminding me of an Old Testament character who is the epitome of a spiritual leader.  His name is Joshua, which means savior or deliverer, and his story is found in the book which bears his name.  From the life of this Old Testament hero of faith, I have developed the following series. 

1.   The Call of a Spiritual Leader--Joshua 1:1-9

        Spiritual leaders are called by God.  Leaders in general can be trained and developed.  But a leader, no matter how well developed or trained, will never transition to spiritual leadership minus a calling from God.

2.   The Task of a Spiritual Leader--Joshua 1:10-19

        Read anything written about leadership, and you will read a lot about vision.  Leaders cast vision!  One of the distinctions between a spiritual leader and a leader in general is, a spiritual leader moves people on to God’s agenda. 

3.   The Validation of a Spiritual Leader--Joshua 3

        Leaders are normally identified by their accomplishments.  Spiritual leadership is validated when extraordinary accomplishments are made which bring glory to God.

4.   The Style of a Spiritual Leader--Joshua 6

        The leadership image which comes to mind for many is the “star quarterback" who calls the play and throws the winning touchdown.  The success of the team rises and falls with his abilities.  A better image for a spiritual leader may be the violinist who follows the direction of the conductor, knowing when the score calls for a rest, allowing other members of the orchestra to play their part and to be             heard.

5.   Failure and the Spiritual Leader--Joshua 7

        A wise person once said that the only people who never experience failure are those who never seek to accomplish anything.  Spiritual leaders are not exempt from failure.  The distinction is the way a spiritual leader responds in the wake of  failure.

6.   The Reward of the Spiritual Leader--Joshua 24:29-3

       Leadership has its rewards.  Recently a popular collegiate coach was awarded a $4 million a year 

contract.  The rewards of a spiritual leader are far-reaching, not only bringing blessings to the leader 

himself, but for generations to come.

I plan to further develop this series and to preach from it during the Fall of 2010.

Do We Have A Vision Problem?

I just returned from a productive weekend at our annual Diaconate Retreat.  This is the third consecutive year the Deacons at First Baptist have chosen to get away for a time of reflection, team building, and renewal.  The topic for this year's retreat focused on spiritual leadership and team building.  One of the recurring themes that continuously surfaced during the retreat was vision.  Several references were made to the verse in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision the people perish."  A verse, in my opinion, which has been misused and misinterpreted.   Let me explain.

The Hebrew word translated vision is chazon.  The word literally means revelation, and in this context is a reference to God's revelation, namely the Torah.  The writer is saying, "Where God's Revelation (Word, Torah) is lacking, the people stumble and fall."  The emphasis is God's Word, God's Revelation, God's Vision!  As a spiritual leader it is not my job to create a vision, my job is to articulate God's Vision for the Church.  The picture being painted by the wisdom writer is not a people withering away because their leader has failed to cast a vision, rather it is the picture of a people who are stumbling and falling because they have failed to follow God's Vision or Revelation.

What is God's Vision for the Church?  I think Jesus articulated that Vision in Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."  If I understand the New Testament, God's Vision for the church is to make disciples.  As a Pastor or Spiritual Leader I can have a vision, but my vision may differ from God's Vision.  My vision may be to grow a large church, to build a fabulous facility, or to increase the church budget.  But if God's Vision is replaced by my vision, as attractive as my vision may be, then the church ceases to be the Church.

We (including me) have done a poor job articulating God's Vision.  Our silence, or at best fuzziness on the subject, has left the door wide open for those who would cast an alternative.  Our lack of clarity has lead to confusion and shallow expressions of faith.   So it is time for change.  What the Church needs is not so much visionaries, but faithful men and women who are willing to listen as God speaks and follow as He directs.

Blessings,
Jimmy

UPS and the National Day of Prayer

I attended a National Day of Prayer Service last Thursday held on the steps of the Municipal Building in downtown Washington, North Carolina.   Local civic and business leaders have sponsored a National Day of Prayer for at least a decade, and I have attended most of them.  I thought this year’s Day of Prayer was exceptional.  The prayers were offered by representatives from a cross-section of our community.  Clergy, elected officials, business owners, and community leaders were all represented.  Those responsible for putting the program together were very careful to make sure that various denominations and ethnic groups were invited to participate.  

I was also impressed by the musicians who led in this year’s event.  The event began with the blowing of a shofar; a local trumpeter led in the National Anthem; and a mother/daughters vocal group sang appropriately (since we were only a few hundred yards from the Pamlico)  “When I Went Down to the River to Pray.”

But the one thing that impressed me most about this year’s National Day of Prayer was not on the official program.  As I stood on the steps of the Municipal Building, I noticed a UPS delivery truck making its way up the street.  When the driver approached the Municipal Building, he apparently took note of what was happening.  I’ve never worked for UPS, but I’m told that most drivers are on a fairly tight schedule.  So, you can imagine the surprise, at least it was for me, when this particular driver stopped his truck; pulled to the curb; sat on the steps of his truck; removed his cap; and participated in the service.  

In my opinion, this driver exemplified what the National Day of Prayer should really be about.  It shouldn’t be a “political football” tossed around by politicians for their own political gain and purposes.  It shouldn’t  be about official proclamations or mandates.  It should be about people who care enough to pause from their busyness to pray for our Great Nation and her leaders.

Blessings,

Jimmy

Discouraging News

An email from my missionary friend, Wayne Myers, altered me to an article in today's Swaziland Times.  I was able to access the article online:  More than 50 per cent Swazis Attend Indigenous Churches.  After reading the article, I see why my missionary friend was concerned.  The article referenced data which indicates that "missionary churches" are losing ground in Swaziland.  The article concerned me as well, since First Baptist has invested so much in Swaziland over the past thirteen years.  


Part of the problem is the approach of some missionaries, mission groups, and church planters.  Their approach is to impose a western worship style and structure on a culture which seeks a more expressive form of worship with less structure and formality.  In these cases, a commitment to Christ is not enough.   Evangelization is not complete until the heart as well as the culture has been transformed.  


A second problem is a reluctance on the part of missionaries and mission leaders  to train nationals to lead and to hand over responsibilities in a timely manner.  The study indicated that nationals often become impatient and strike out on their own with little training or resources to carry on the work.


A third problem is a lack of discipleship.  The data points to the fact that many who profess Christ are ill equipped to deal with the pressures of traditional Swazi culture.  Even after receiving Christ many turn to traditional beliefs and intermediaries, leading to the veneration of ancestors in the name of tradition.


As I read this article I was once again reminded of the tough job facing missionaries. I have witnessed on more than one occasion the discouragement over a person who seemed to demonstrate great potential only to discover they had fallen back into their old ways.


I was also reminded of how important discipleship is, irregardless of what culture.  The church has failed to equip believers to face the pressures of world whether in be Swaziland or Washington, North Carolina.  And that is discouraging news!


Blessings,
Jimmy

The Christian Funeral

A friend recently gave me an autographed copy of Dr. Tom Long's latest book, Accompany Them with Singing:  The Christian Funeral.   I was one of Dr. Long's students over two decades ago while pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary.  Dr. Long left Columbia to teach at Princeton, and is now at Candler School of Theology.

In his recent book, which according to Dr. Long himself took about twenty years to research, he articulates some of the same thoughts and feelings I have had in recent years about funerals.  Dr. Long contents that the Christian funeral has become more about the deceased--a memorial service honoring the life and memory of the departed--than about the hope we have in the Resurrected Christ.   He states:  "Christian pastors have desired to make funerals more personal, more expressive of the desires and lifestyles of the deceased and mourning families, but have ended up allowing them to become more individualistic and even narcissistic."

I don't think we should jump to the wrong conclusions from reading Dr. Long's recent work.  I don't believe he would ever propose that personal references have no place in the Christian funeral.  I simply believe he is saying that "It's Never About Us!"  Even in death, "It's Not About Us."  For the Christian, it is never about us, but it is always about the ONE who has redeemed us by means of His own precious blood.  Even in death, it is about the ONE who has been our Rock and Shield; the One who leads us even in the valley of the shadow of death!

I hope Dr. Long is contemplating a book on The Christian Wedding!

Blessings,
Jimmy

Lessons from a Lone Jackal

This is a photo of a jackal I recently took in Kruger National Park, South Africa.  I have visited Kruger a number of times, but this was my first time spotting a jackal.  Jackals are interesting creatures.  They normally live alone or in pairs.  Rarely are they found in packs like their cousins--the wild dog.  Another unique characteristic is the male and female mate for life.  Jackals have a life-span of 10-12 years and are basically scavengers.

As you can see from the photo, this particular jackal was lying all alone in an open savanna.  There is no way to know for sure about this guy, but just a few observations based on what I saw.  He looks to be full-grown.  Since there were no signs of a mate, I assume that he is a loner.  Lying here, he looks as if he doesn't have a care in the world.  The sound of the diesel engine from our safari truck didn't cause him to flinch.

I couldn't help but wonder how this little guy has survived in such a volatile environment.  In fact, not far from where I took this shot, we came across the largest pride of lions I had ever seen in Kruger.  One of the characteristics of jackals I failed to mention above is their ability to communicate with a siren-like howl, especially when a predator is approaching.  

This little guy is not unlike many in the human species who choose to go it alone.  For us the predators are different, but none the less real.  Just as I wonder about the survival of this lone jackal, I wonder how the loners of our species can survive without relationships, friendships, family, or community.  As I stated in my observations, this jackal looks as though he doesn't have a care in the world.  But looks can be deceiving.  After all, didn't God create us for relationships?  Foremost among all relationships being our relationship with Him!

Blessings,
Jimmy

An Exciting Opportunity for Youth

Have you ever said to your children or grandchildren, "Wish I'd had that opportunity when I was young!" or something similar?  Well, I wish I'd had this opportunity when I was a teenager!  What opportunity am I talking about?  I'm referring to the opportunity the youth of First Baptist will have in the summer of 2011 to participate in an international mission trip to Swaziland, Africa.

Since 2001, the leadership of First Baptist has made a concerted effort to offer the youth of our church the opportunity to participate in at least one international mission trip during their high school years.  The Youth Council began talking a few months back about the possibility of planning another youth mission trip to Swaziland in the summer of 2011.  I think this is an exciting opportunity for several reasons.

One, it further strengths the ongoing relationship First Baptist has established with Swaziland over the past 14 years.  Some of our youth, some now young adults,  continue to communicate and nurture friendships they made with Swazi youth when they participated in a similar experience.  Many have continued to be involved in our Swaziland partnership and other mission endeavors.

Two, it broadens a young person's cultural experience.  It allows a young person to see a part of the world most have never seen before.  It leaves them with an appreciation of the blessings we enjoy and helps appreciate the many things we simply take for granted.  Spending time in another part of the world helps a person, young or old, see that not all the world is the same.

Three, an international mission experience is a hands-on experience which usually leaves a person with a good feeling because of the positive impact they have made in the lives of others.  We have heard testimony after testimony from participants about the blessings received from such trips.

And four, for most an international mission trip is one of those spiritual markers in the journey of faith that makes leaves a lasting imprint.  My youngest daughter participated in two international trips when in high school.  One, a school-sponsored trip--mostly a sight-seeing adventure to Greece and Italy.  The other, a mission trip with our church to Swaziland.  The trip which she remembers the most and still talks about today is the mission trip to Swaziland.

Pray for God's guidance as we continue to put the details of next summer's trip together.  Pray for our youth as they begin to prayerfully consider their participation.  And pray for the people of Swaziland as they continue to open they hearts to the message of the Gospel.

Blessings,
Jimmy