Is There A Champion?

Because Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary has students and alumni in over eighty denominations, I feel that I am in a unique position  to direct my remarks primarily toward these and other denominational groups as well, but also include those people  who lead and attend non-denominational churches. Additionally,  my remarks are directed at the leadership of larger churches.  From a recent flurry of cultural and political events, it is evident to even the most casual observer that our nation is spiraling out of control. By now, you may have read a myriad number of comments presenting every facet of the controversies or else you've been inundated by the views of television pundits. Perhaps my opinions that I shall present are some you have not considered and, of course, with which you will not agree. I'll take that chance. 

WE MUST RECOGNIZE THERE IS A HUGE DISCONNECT BETWEEN DENOMINATIONAL LEADERS AND GRASS ROOTS MEMBERS. Consider annual organizational meetings and highly visible conferences. Almost without exception, only very high-profile religious celebrities or pastors of large churches are listed as program personalities. It is exceedingly rare to see a pastor of a small church,  a missionary or an evangelist scheduled to speak. The religious world has adopted a Madison Avenue definition of success. Only the higher echelons of leadership in the denominational hierarchy and mega church pastors are showcased because they have been obviously successful. By that definition, the prophet Jeremiah would never be introduced as a featured speaker because, after all, he was a miserable failure......he preached forty-three years, had one convert, and that rascal backslid. Some of the most community-changing and culture-challenging pastors are nameless pastors of small, obscure churches who tirelessly minister to the needs of their entire community as well as their church families. Since I am a former mega church pastor, I can say with truthful conviction that many, yes many, mega church pastors scarcely attend to the needs of their flock much less their community by using the lame excuse that their congregation is too large for personal ministry by them. I never used that excuse, and I knew my members well. I know only a few other mega church pastors about whom that is true. The average mega church pastor is too busy getting ready to preach at an out-of state Bible Conference, go on another cruise or lead another Holy Land tour, but somehow doesn't have time for his beleaguered sheep. By comparison, I saw an article in the New England Journal of Medicine that the average family doctor works 50-60 hours per week, makes or takes 24 telephone calls per day, reads 17 emails each day, reviews 20 lab tests each day, examines 11 imaging reports each day, reads 14 consultation notes each day, processes 12 prescription refills each day, and sees 25 patients each day. Simply preaching a couple of sermons per week, even with adequate preparation time, does not begin to keep pace with the example of the family doctor. Why am I saying this? We are increasingly seeing the entire scope of evangelicalism move to a celebrity subculture that is led by the "stars" of the denomination and mega churches who preach at national conferences a message that church members should be led to challenge the culture but do not themselves return home to lead their own people on a personal level to attack the culture. All of this celebrity adoration of the "stars" and the disregard for the grassroots is having an horrendous trickle down effect that is destroying the influence of evangelicalism in the political and social world. The troops of the evangelical world are the "lesser knowns" and the "nobodies" but they are always the ones whom we must have in unity and passion if we are to win in this culture battle; yet, they are tired, disillusioned and increasingly apathetic because of the steady drift from the once powerful evangelical river that influenced politics and society that has now become a powerless swamp of polluted uselessness that is rife with gifted orators who are lazy leaders as defined by biblical examples and injunctions of true leadership. In summary, the enemies of the faith in America have nothing to fear from the once great denominations or mega churches because we are an army without committed generals who should have a "whatever it takes" attitude. Our enemies full well fear the power of the grassroots but laugh mockingly at our lack of impassioned and sacrificial leadership. Please note that every time Israel was faced with a crisis, God always used a man. Denominational committees, well-meaning petitions, proclamations, resolutions and more meetings will not suffice in this current state of affairs. We need God to raise up a man who fears no other man, a man with a sacrificial heart and a resolute devotion to the cause of national revival and righteousness. To paraphrase Israel of old, is there one among us to champion our cause, one who would rather go than give up, fight than flee, strengthen the sheep than abandon the flock, be found on the battleship instead of a cruise ship, and do everything within his being at whatever personal cost or sacrifice to stand for God by the power of the Holy Spirit and lead the American church into victory over the evil tide that is rising? Is there a champion?  As of old, I pray that God is this moment anointing one.

Thoughts About The Supreme Court Ruling On Same-sex Marriage

     The Supreme Court has made its decision in same-sex marriage. I hear shouts of anger and cries of near panic emanating from all over the Christian community. I feel I must make some observations and give the readers of this article some points to ponder. 

     FIRST, A VAST NUMBER OF THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN THE EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY DECIDED NOT TO VOTE IN NATIONAL ELECTIONS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. How can any among this group have the audacity to protest the Supreme Court's ruling when you failed to vote? There is a tyranny of silence that is pervading the conservative American electorate. As often said, elections have consequences. I am convinced today's ruling would have been different if those who identify themselves as evangelicals had simply voted. 

     SECOND, AMONG EVANGELICALS WHO VOTED BUT DID SO ALONG PARTY LINES INSTEAD OF BIBLE LINES, YOU MUST BEAR AS MUCH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS RULING AS THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES. We cannot compartmentalize our faith and be one thing in church on Sunday but another thing in the voting booth on Election Day. Inconsistent compromising believers are guilty of the decisions made by those for whom they vote. 

     THIRD, NO POLITICAL PARTY, NO PRESIDENT, NO CONGRESS AND NO SUPREME COURT CAN SUSTAIN AMERICA. Only a national revival can insure our nation's future. The great evangelist, Dwight L Moody, once said that he voted in Cook County but was a citizen of heaven. If there was ever a time for the church to turn to fervent prayer, it is today.

     FOURTH, I AM CONVINCED THAT SOCIAL ACTIVISTS WILL TAKE THIS RULING TO DO DEVASTATING HARM TO CHURCHES, CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS IN AN EFFORT TO SHUT THEM DOWN. Pastors and priests will be confronted by activist gays demanding marriage rites be performed or their subsequent complaint to federal authorities. 

     FIFTH, THIS WILL ULTIMATELY BE A GOOD THING FOR THE CHURCH AS THOSE WHO ARE FEEBLE IN FAITH FALL AWAY. We will see already strong believers become stronger and bolder. For those believers who belong to the cult of the comfortable and convenient, there will be an exodus of unprecedented numbers from theologically conservative churches. Those who remain strong in the faith, will find a renewed joy in serving God in an increasingly antagonistic culture. Just remember what the inimitable Ethel Waters of the Billy Graham team once said during some troublous times, "Child, there ain't no panic in heaven!"