Successful evangelism?

Reading today about the wealth and wisdom of Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9 and the visit of the Queen of Sheba. A few things began to bubble away in my head...

1) Solomon is successful. He is wealthy and impressive, the repeated phrase that never had such things been seen in Judah, shows that he was remarkably successful. Because of his success, he is sought out by the Queen of Sheba.

I've been wondering a fair bit lately about whether 'successful' large, slick, modern, churches are what God wants. Is this a representation of the Kingdom that is seen in mustard seed and yeast? But equally am aware that in a culture that is so aware of 'image' that to be impressive and successful and be seen to be full of life and making a real difference and impact can draw people to you to pick your brains or seek your input. This is what is happening here. Solomon's reputation goes before him and is therefore attractive to the seeker - in this case the Queen of Sheba. So maybe being impressive isn't so bad after all.

Except that...

2) Nothing changes in the life of the Queen of Sheba. She is impressed, she receives help it seems. She goes on her merry way, but there is nothing to suggest a challenge to transforming life and becoming a follower of the Lord, in contrast to other 'foreign' monarchs who acknowledge the power and goodness of God in thew OT. Is there not a danger in 'impressive churches' of being caught up in the 'impressive' and missing the real Kingdom moment of transformation? Isn't it so easy to consume and consume the great 'product' of a modern, slick church, and pass away without anyone noticing that nothing in you has been challenged or changed? Is the potential pitfall that people are impressed and even attracted but the presentation softens the hard Gospel call?

These are just questions which i have no answers to and am just posing really, but are worth considering. As a minister in a medium sized but growing church I am well aware of my ambitious streak which is very keen to impress and be noticed, but sense, for me anyway, the nagging voice of the Spirit challenging me to help shape communities that represent God's Kingdom and not human empires.

The crucial 'if'...

Continuing our travels through Scripture brings us into 2 Chronicles with a couple of things worth noting today.

1) the frequent refrain ' He is good and His love endures forever' appears a few times in the back end of 1 Chronicles and now in the early chapters of 2 Chronicles as well. Seems to be a regular liturgical refrain used by the people to acknowledge the goodness and faithfulness of God.

2) More famously perhaps is the verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14 "...if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Struck me afresh as i read this morning the power of the word 'if'. With all the means of grace we have , scripture, prayer, communion, fellowship - the onus is on us to take hold of that which is freely offered. It seems as I read this vesrse again that there is a longing in the voice of God, so desperate for His people to take up the opportunity that He gives.

This verse appears in the midst of Solomon dedicating the Temple and God warning Solomon and the people about the consequences of abandoning Him. Just because there is a temple doesnt mean the people will always be under God's favour - a lesson for us building-worshipping Methodists out there. In the midst of warnings of judgement comes a powerful 'get out clause' allowing God's people to draw on His grace and mercy rather than His judgement. But the key thing is it's up to us. If only we would appreciate all that is on offer for us. If only we would rediscover the power of prayer, if only our eyes would be opened again to the Might of our God, if, if, if,. If only, God's people would seek Him out for renewal and restoration, if only....

1 Chronicles...

After eventually catching up on my reading plan and finding myself where i should be on the set day, here are some thoughts of mine from 1 Chronicles mid way through.

1 Chr 13:4 - David is discussing with the people whether to bring the ark of the covenant, the precious symbol of God's presence back to Jerusalem. Instead of ploughing ahead regardless, the community discuss and ponder and because "it seemed right to all the people" they press ahead. Surely this is one of the many forerunners of the Wesleyan tradition that we discern God's will in the community of God's people. If God is leading us such a way, we trust that the spirits of the saints, witness with what we are suggesting, or have a sense of a similar direction. The key of course is people, listening to the Lord when engaging in such a process.

1 Chr 13:10 - the anger of the Lord burning against Uzzah for seeking to steady the ark. On one hand it re-enforces the sacredness and pure holiness of God and the one thing that symbolises His presence that a mere mortal cannot just touch His holy ark, but on the other, Uzzah is only wanting to stop the ark from crashing to the ground - surely far more shameful??

1 Chr 15:13 perhaps sheds some more light on the above - David and the people did not enquire of the Lord for directions for how to move the ark. A sobering warning to churches and Christian people everywhere, what harm is there in enquiring of the Lord in even the most mundane of decisions or processes?

1 Chr 15:29 - Michal doesn't take to David's celebrating and dancing. So often the case that those who are hard hearted are unable to embrace the joy of others so much so that it turns to resentment. This is seen in local churches up and down the land every week! Does a heart really given over to the Lord have the ability to embrace joyous celebration of God's goodness even if it isn't their style? I think so! Any Michal's in my church, watch out!

1 Chr 16 - great prayer of praise and celebration. Inspired me to preach a series - 'great prayers of the Bible'. Should tie in next summer nicely with our District's year of prayer.

Some musings from Judges

So we are nearly a quarter of the way through the year of Bible reading although my little gold ribbon doesn't seem to reflect this as it marks of the number of pages read, but this week we passed through the whole book of Judges which was a fairly tumultuous time in the history of God's people.

Already posted some thoughts on Gideon, but the next main character to arrive on the scene is Samson. Love reference in Judges 13:25 where 'the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him...' Reminded me of time when as a child we visited someone or other and there was a huge dog lying in front of the fire asleep. I remember being intimidated by the size of this beast, but reassured when he seemed deeply asleep. I remember the sense of fear and apprehension i felt as it began to stir a while later and recall anticipating with frazzled fear the sense of being at the mercy of this powerful dog as it burst into action. Love that sense of Samson's power and strength beginning to be awakened by the Spirit of God. Love seeing that in people - particularly young, passionate men who are sold out for our King, when God seems to grab hold of their life and something powerful, even intimidating begins to stir as they begin to get ready for action.

Challenged and inspired by this one little verse.

What follows is some pretty horrific treatment of women as no more than sex slaves as Samson's wife is given to whoever at the party wants her and then another unrelated story of the abominable treatment of a young woman who is raped and murdered brutally. It is some small mercy that the shocking nature of her death serves as a warning and a challenge to Israel.

Sandwiched between these to women accounts is the curious narrative about Micah and his priest who installs gods for good fortune in his house and then employs a Levite to be his personal priest to the gods. [I cheekily wondered whether this is where the tradition of Bishop's chaplain's came from!!!!] But the point is, and still remains today how strong the pull of superstition and charms for good fortune remain on people, despite the clear biblical mandate to be rid of such things and trust fully in the ways of the Lord.

Memorial plaques

Gideon is a hero in the eyes of Israel. He has won an incredible and most unlikely victory and been Israel's shepherd and leader for a number of years. Yet his fame goes to his head because not content with the knowledge of pleasing the Lord, Gideon demands goes about making an ephod from gold - a lasting symbol of his achievements, and surprise surprise all Israel falls down before it worshipping the gold object and forgetting the Lord who won the victories in the first place.

Got me thinking though about memorials that occupy church buildings. Things that are put up or are given in memory of something with good intentions but become to quote Judges 8 'a snare to all the people'. A plaque marked on a certain chair, which binds the congregation from ever being creative with seating arrangements because one chair is 'my Ron's chair', or communion kneelers so inappropriate and uncomfortable for the congregation but cant be replaced because Ethel left them to the church... its surprisingly easy how these little mementos, or reminders of individuals end up becoming, well worshipped, to some degree or another and certainly restrict progress.

I wonder whether in a community where our giving should be so humble and quiet that one hand doesn't know what the other is doing, whether memorial stones/plaques are ever appropriate in churches? I feel not really, because however, unintentionally, people end up repeating the mistakes of the Israelites in Gideon's time. These things become a snare, even an idol and distract from the One who should be the focus of the communities worship and decision making.

Joshua, son of nun

So i am now up to date with reading schedule having spent most of this afternoon reading Joshua. A few scattered thoughts...

Josh 1:8 - mediate day and night on the Book of the Law - good advice to fill our minds and souls with the word of God - not just reading but reflecting, thinking, praying it.

Josh 9 - Gibeonites come with a tempting offer and the Israelites accept making the fatal flaw of not 'inquiring of the Lord'. Wondered how many times i have made decisions in ministry on impulse rather than pausing to inquire what God's will is. Wonder how many churches make decisions based on anything and everything but God's will and wisdom, another sobering challenge.

Josh 10 - the sun stands still at Joshua's command. Powerful are the words of one under God's authority - even elements of creation obey the authority of God's command.

Josh 11:20 - "For it was the Lord Himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that He might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses." Maybe there will be more, but for me this is the most horrible verse of Scripture i have ever come across. Big struggles with it.

Josh 12:9-24 - a little less heavy - when listing the conquered kings why not just say 'one each' rather than list them all and individually mark 'one' next to them? Strange.

Josh 18:3 - Joshua's frustration at the tribes saying to them 'how long before you take up your inherited land'. I've felt a similar frustration in ministry many times with churches and individuals - why not just take what God has offered you! Don't be afraid, don't hang on the sides with fear and suspicion, - embrace what God has done for you!

Josh 21:45 'Not one of the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed, every one was fulfilled.' Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father...

Josh 24:14-15 Joshua sets down a clear choice for the people - serve God or idols. It's your choice but think carefully, turn from your wicked ways and trust in the Lord. Good evangelistic text again, ending with his own decision, 'as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.'

late and guilty thoughts on deuteronomy

I was deeply humbled and convicted yesterday when an older lady in one of my congregations came to tell me how much she was enjoying reading the Bible from cover to cover. I had no idea she had joined in the exercise as she isn't coming to our groups but is reading alone at home and being enriched by the reading. This lady is in her 80's, and currently full-time carer for her husband having little sleep etc as most of her time is taken up caring. Yet she has remained disciplined enough to stay up to date with our reading schedule. Me, O great leader that i am, am currently three weeks behind so have very guiltily read virtually the whole of Deuteronomy this morning with Joshua to go this afternoon.

So just a few spattering of thoughts on Deuteronomy...

There's a lovely feel to Deuteronomy - much of it is told in a story, as though Moses is sat round the fire late at night recalling the exploits of God and His people. It merges into laws and commands have-way through for a period, before returning to narrative about Moses. This is a pleasant alteration from endless regulations found in Numbers.

Deut 1:31 - lovely image of God carrying ~Israel like a dad carries his young son- something i'm able to relate to easily at the moment. Think this is the first point where there is such a sensitively described image between God and Israel. They are not just a group he orders about for their benefit, but a people He deeply feels for and cares about.

Deut 3:21 - any scholars around who have bothered to read this are surely gonna have to explain to me why the size of Og's bed is important??!!

Deut 3:24 - Moses utters a beautiful creed of praise before he pleads his case for the people. 'For what god is there in heaven or earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?

Deut 8:3-5 - God's loving discipline - taken out of context this passage and my comments could seem harsh, but we are introduced to the sense that God allows hardship and that sometimes that can be for our good. Not always is this the case, but too often we dismiss God's action or non-action in pain and distress because we (quite fairly) want it easier. There is much to learn of God's mercy and grace in the hard times. Although we wish it not for ourselves or others, so often as we experience difficulty we learn lessons we could never learn any other way, and see different facets of God's character we would never discover. Hardship can sometimes be a blessing.

Deut 9:6 - God isn't giving the promised land to Israel because of their great track record and their reward. He gives it out of grace. This is a great protestant, NT message which is great to proclaim - The only thing we contribute to our salvation is the sin from which we're saved to badly quote Archbishop Temple, but this verse seems somewhat at odds from later in Deut where God's blessing and giving of the land is totally dependant on righteous obedience. hmmm?

Deut 9:17 - the replacement tablets of stone is explained - they appear in Ex 20 but with no explanation

Deut 10:20 - lovely verses acclaiming the goodness of God and calling people in light of his mercy and compassion to obey and revere him. Good model, focus on God's goodness and request obedience based on his character, rather than frightened submission through fear and terror.

Deut 14:28 - tithing once again commanded, - good to learn how often it crops up in the law, so it isn't just an obscure verse in Malachi 3 after all. However, i've always been taught that all the tithe goes to the storehouse i.e. the church for the church to do good with it - but here Moses suggests giving directly out of tithe to poor, fatherless etc - challenges current practice for me.

Deut 13-15 - again any scholars who haven't given up in despair of my appalling exegesis - if you can tell me what the sudden fascination with deer and gazelle's are all about i'd be interested to know.

Deut 22:5 - cross dressing forbidden in strong terms. Strange how it seems to crop up in church pantomimes so often?

Deut 30:11ff - trainspotting verse - great evangelistic text - 'choose life'

Deut 33:27 - wonderful promise of God's everlasting arms underneath us as He is our refuge. Actually a promise given to an Israeli tribe but as its nice and reassuring has been adopted by Christians for ages.

Lastly Moses dies. Found it surprisingly sad. I watched Spooks yesterday and Tariq died and was sad as i like Tariq and have seen him over a few series develop as a fictional character. Something similar with Moses. Having spent most days of the last couple of months with him it was sad to see His passing and really poignant his death before entering the promised land. Loads of great lessons from Moses to learn about leadership and pastoring people - much to chew on and take hold of. Hope he's cheering me on as i seek to lead what very occasionally feels like a 'stiff-necked people!'