They like Jesus, but not the Church

I’m reading an interesting book right now from Dan Kimball entitled, “They Like Jesus, but not the Church.” After I was laid up in bed for a few days after surgery, my wife made the comment to me that I had not been reading as much this summer as I had done in the past. I am certainly behind on the summer reading list I published at the end of April. [I've currently read three of the thirteen books listed.] 

Dan’s book wasn’t on the list I published because I have been so familiar with Dan’s work and even attended a seminar he did on the subject several years ago as he was preparing to write the book. But the subject grabbed my attention and since it was a gift from my former pastor for graduation, I thought I would pick that up. 

The book is a really interesting collection that Dan has put together of his interaction with non-Christians. The idea for the book was born out hundreds of conversations that Dan had with non-Christians in which they consistently expressed a deep respect and admiration for Jesus, but a very strong negative reaction to the church and other forms of institutional Christianity.

I should wrap up my reading this week, and I plan on dedicating all my posts this week to some reflections from this book. 

If you’d like to get a copy of the book, here is the Amazon link. 

For more info, the publisher has setup this website with some other resources available for teaching the book.

Friday Playlist: Genesis 12:1-15:21

Track One: Genesis 12:1-9

Genesis 12 begins the story of one of the most important religious figures for three major world religions; Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Abram, a desert nomad hears God calling him to leave behind everything he ever knew and travel to a new land. Abram leaves behind not only the territory that he had occupied for his entire life, but also the entire “way of life” of “his father’s house.” While we today might value the son or daughter who “goes away” and makes something of their life, remember that in the ancient world, “success” was about staying put. From later episodes in Abram’s story, we know that he was raised in a family that prayed and sacrificed to many pagan gods and idols, but Abram leaves that all behind. Remember today the words of Hebrews, ch. 11 in anticipation of a large section of Hebrews dedicated to recounting the faith of Abraham, and several other figures from the Old Testament.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. Hebrews 11:1

Look back closely at vs. 1-3 where God gives his commandment to Abraham. What would you say are God’s intentions in making this covenant with God?

In other words, what does God say will be the result of this covenant?

Would it be appropriate to say that the model for this covenant is that Abraham and his offspring will receive in order to bless others? Why or why not?

If that model is appropriate, in what way is that covenant model being lived out in your life?

For Small Group Discussion this week:

Have you ever felt God strongly asking you to do something?

What was the result of that experience?

Track Two: Genesis 12:10-20

After seeing his faithful response to God’s call for him to, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you,” we were ready to give Abram the title of “Great Biblical Hero.” But then we find Abram comes plummeting back to earth. Entering Egypt he begins to fear for his own life because of his wife’s beauty [yet another example in Genesis of the men blaming the women for their own issues!] and decides that he and Sarai should lie and tell the Egyptians that she is his sister instead of exposing the truth of their relationship and putting Abram at risk. [and Sarai too by the way even though that doesn't seem to concern her husband]

We are quickly reminded of something we should never lose in our study of the bible… that these are real people, living in real places… living very real lives. Abram is human, and as such he is subject to the same fallacies and bone-headed decisions that can plague your life and mine. Fear too often directs our lives instead of hope, and our own insecurities can powerfully motivate us in directions that we do not intend on going but find ourselves taking anyway.

God has promised to Abram to make him into a great nation. Yet, Abram is still worried about his traveling arrangements. It seems ridiculous, but a glance into our own lives, reveals how powerful this truth can be.

Looking over the course of your life, where can you see fear motivating you in a direction you did not want to go but ended up taking anyway?

And where in your life can you see yourself breaking free from fear and stepping out in faith?

Finally, what about tomorrow? Are there circumstances in your life right now where you sense a tug of war between your fear and your faith?

What are you doing to deal with the internal conflict?

[This final question would be a great discussion question for your small group]

Track Three: Genesis 13:1-18

The story we find in Genesis chapter thirteen that often gets passed over in the narrative of Abram’s journey. There is a minor dispute among shepherds that is solved by the parting of Abram’s entourage and Lot’s. These two relatives will be reunited later in our story but for now we find them going their separate ways in order to maintain peace and order between their people and their possessions. Yet I find God doing something interesting in the midst of what seems like a minor twist of events.

What God has shared with Abram only a few chapters previously about a covenant between God and Abram, God affirms again his previous promises. As we continue our journey throughout Genesis, we will find God doing this again and again. God makes a covenant, invites obedience, makes a promise… and then God does it all again. You almost get the sense that God understands that we need the reminder… that a “one shot” experience of God’s calling needs some affirmation.

I wonder today if you have found that true in your life as well. I wonder if you’ve found yourself receiving a promise from God only to have God confirm that promise again and again. I wonder if you’ve ever found yourself led down a particular path of obedience only to God have someone else in your life come along beside you and affirm your previous inclinations. I believe that God does work that way. At the very least, I have found that to be true in my life. When God starts something, God does the work necessary to finish that work.

Which bring us to some questions for today:

Where have you seen God directing you?

Where have you experienced some sense of affirmation of God’s leading in your life?

What promises have been shared?

What promises have been affirmed?

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?

Track Four: Genesis 14:1-24

First, pat yourself on the back for getting through verses 1-12. That was a lot of Old Testament names.

If you’ve been following the playlist Bible study format for a while, this isn’t your first time in Genesis 14. During our study of Hebrews, we turned back to this section of Abram’s life because of reference made by the writer of Hebrews to Melchizedek. In Hebrews, Melchizedek is understood to be a “forerunner” of Jesus and his priestly office. For more on that today, look at Hebrews 6:19-20, 7:9-25.

Abram and Melchizedek meet at Salem which most interpreters belief to be what we will later now as Jerusalem. One of the other interesting notes about Melchizedek is that he serves in this region as a King and a Priest which is one of the reasons that the author of Hebrews makes the connection between him and Jesus. 

Track Five: Genesis 15:1-21

In chapter 15, the covenant between God and Abram is again affirmed though we begin to see the first signs that the process of fulfilling this vision for Abram’s descendants might be a bit more bumpy than we might have expected. Abram brings up the lack of an heir and for the first time “floats” the idea of his heir coming from one of his slaves. During the ensuing dream that Abram has, God also alerts Abram to the length of time it will take for the covenant to be fulfilled. [See verses 13 & 14 and their connection to the upcoming Exodus story] In the end, Abram is again encouraged to be faithful to God and trust the promises that have been given to him. 

A few days ago we looked at the need we all have to experience the affirmation of God’s promises in our life. We see God doing the same thing again here in 15 with the added “warning” that the road ahead will not be easy. We certainly claim the truth that Jesus shares in the Gospel that “nothing is impossible with God,” but we also see here in chapter 15 that possibilities are not always achieved without experiencing some problems.

When you experience a setback in your life, what is your first reaction? 

Do you assume that you’ve misunderstood God and need to change directions? 

What might Abram’s story [that we have read so far at least] teach us about the nature of following God’s will? 

[For your small group discussion] What do you think this story is saying to you in your life right now?

“Healer”

I was browsing some blogs tonight and found the link to this new worship song. I’ve already sent it to our team for us to consider for Saturday night. Let me know what you think. The first video is the song and the second is the backstory of the writing of it. You can learn more about the song here. 

And here are the lyrics. 

Healer

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in you
I trust in you

I believe
You’re my healer
I believe
You are all i need
I believe 
You’re my portion
I believe
You’re more than enough for me
Jesus, you’re all i need

Nothing is impossible for you
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for you
You hold my world in your hands

Returning to normalcy

After seven of the strangest days of my life, I’m finally returning to some sense of my normal life today. I’ve never had surgery before now, and I greatly underestimated the “recovery” process that was involved in this experience. I was expecting to be up and going a few days after my procedure. I had plans to take my daughter to a movie last week, spend a lot of time working on our church website from home, and mow the yard on Saturday. I was a bit off on those predictions. Instead I spent most of my time moving from my bed to my chair beside my bed or hobbling around our house. It was a pretty miserable few days that I am happy to leave behind. 

Thanks to everyone who said a prayer for my recovery. I got several nice cards in the mail, phone calls, and emails. I appreciate your thoughts. Most importantly, I appreciate my wife who took great care of me and waited until yesterday to tell me about all the funny and embarrassing things that happened while I was in recovery at the surgery center. I was healed enough to laugh about most of those.

Change?

Every wondered if change is a good thing? Check out this new clip from Granger Community Church they have produced in anticipation of some changes they have around the corner.

Friday Playlist: Genesis 6:5-11:32

Disclaimer: I put this playlist together while doped up on pain medication following my recent surgery. Hopefully it will all make sense!

Track One : Genesis 6:5-22

Today, I want to share with you and extended note from my study Bible that I find helpful. 

In it’s story of the flood, Israel shares a flood tradition found not only among its neighbors in the ancient Near East but also among other cultures around the world.  Two flood stories from the ancient Near East, the Epic of Atrahasis and the story of Uthapishtim from the Epic of Gilgamesh, share many features with the biblical account. The balance between order and chaos appeared fragile in these traditional societies, and their stories or origins contain not only creation accounts in which order is established from primeval chaos, but also accounts of catastrophe in which primeval chaos reasserts itself. Since chaos was so often associated with waters in antiquity, a massive flood was the primary way to portray its onslaught. 

As I read the above quote this morning, I was led to the thought that in the modern world there seems to be a certain amount of insulation that we have created from the idea of chaos. Political and social unrest still happens, but I don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about them. Natural disasters occur, but I don’t leave in fear of them… and I would never immediately connect water with chaos. 

But that wasn’t true for the ancient world. They were constantly aware of the vulnerabilities and weaknesses because the threat of chaos was so real. 

And I began to wonder which way is better… 

Today, I wonder if you would join me in considering these questions.

What are some of the positive and negative repercussions we might experience in our spiritual life if our lives were shaped like these ancient cultures? 

What are some of the positive and negative repercussions we experience in our spiritual life because of our cultures relationship with the threat of chaos? 

Do you agree with my assumptions about our relationship to chaos today? Do you see those assumptions changing? 

When do you most feel like you need God? 

Track Two: Genesis 7:1-9:17

From today’s reading, what do we learn about God? 

What do we learn about the relationship between God and God’s creation? 

Track Three: Genesis 9:18-10:32

What is the significance of the story of Noah and his sons? 

Track Four: Genesis 11:1-9

How does the story of the Tower of Babel illuminate our understanding of humanity? 

Why does God scatter the people? 

Track Five: Genesis 11:10-32

The conclusion of our second week of readings in Genesis places us on the verge of meeting the father of the Jews, Abraham. It is with this desert nomad that God will make a covenant for his descendants to be “as numerous as the stars in the sky.” We move beyond the stories that speak to the beginning of the world and will now turn to the beginning of something else new, God’s people, Israel.

A new leader

Just after midnight last night, the Rev. Dr. J. Michael Lowry was assigned to serve our annual conference as our new Bishop. Bishop Lowry will be consecrated at a service at First United Methodist Church in Dallas today and will officially begin his new position here on September 1st. 

If you would like to read more about Bishop Lowry, click here or here.

Other Bishops elected at Jurisdictional Conference include Bishop Earl Bledsoe who will be assigned to the North Texas Conference and Bishop Jim Dorff who will be assigned to the Southwest Texas Conference. I would encourage everyone to pray for these three men as they transition into these new roles . Particularly in our conference, I believe we are at a critical point in the history of Methodism in Central Texas in need of a strong leader to guide us through the next eight years.

I know that our delegation to Jurisdictional Conference strongly believes that Bishop Lowry was the strongest candidate for that role, and were very pleased to be assigned the candidate we hoped to receive going into this process.

If you’d like to know more about this process or what the role of the Bishop is within our church, click here.

Finally

Internet is working at the new house!

I need me some DSL

I’m in the office real quick today just getting some stuff done that I needed to do online. We’re all moved into our new house in Mansfield, but still lacking internet service which is driving me a little nuts. AT&T promised today we’d have it up by Wednesday. We will see. One of the things that I had to do was submit my “clinical history” online for some outpatient surgery I’m having tomorrow. I’m a big baby when it comes to health stuff. I got off the phone today with the nurse and told me wife I really didn’t think I needed the surgery, but I didn’t get much sympathy from my very pregnant wife who has worked her tail off this week with the move while carrying around our unborn boy. 

This Saturday we will wrap up our Secret Message of Jesus series, and when I return on the 26th, we’ll begin a new series titled, “We Believe.” I just finalized graphics for that series today so I thought I would share that.

Appreciate your prayers as I go under the knife. The nurse told me I couldn’t leave tomorrow until I was able to go to the bathroom so hopefully everything works out there. 

The Big Day

Today is moving day. I’m sitting at the old house [the only option for internet service at this point] waiting for the crew to load up the UHaul. We’re finally moving into the church parsonage. 

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