Faith and promise takes the hill...
Today as I was reading in Joshua and came to chapter 14. Caleb said, "But maybe the Lord will let me take their land, just as he promised."(vs.12)
Caleb is over 80 years old when they come back to Hebron after 40 more years of wondering in the wilderness. The Israelites had been faithless, and reported that their were giants in the land. Hebron was one of the walled cities that was run by a giant, a son of Anak. Caleb had said 40 years ago, that it was God's promised land to Israel and they should possess it, but the other spys said it couldn't be done.
Now Caleb says he has just as much energy as he did half a lifetime ago, and asks permission to finally take the city that God had shown him. He states, "Maybe the Lord will let me take their land, just as he promised." It seems like Caleb has a couple important traits: 1. Memory of the promise of God. 2. The will at anytime to be the recipient of that promise no matter what the personal cost. 3. An overall submission that whether I live or die, win or lose, I'm going after the promise.
Realizing that some people still don't know...
Some people still don't know about the church plant. I realized that today. I talked with some people last night who weren't in service on Sunday. They told me that they had just heard. And today I saw a teenage girl who had been away Sunday and didn't find out till yesterday. I really hope that all of us, especially those at PAG can embrace each step. I believe that this is one of the most significant faith steps that PAG has embarked on in a long time, and I think it is going to energize the Heart for the Harvest.
A special part of the SRC story...
For months I've been in discussion with a couple I knew to come and help plant Severn River Church. He is a gifted pastor with a personal mission to "Love God, Love Teens". His ministry would have been a great asset to the new church.
If anyone wonders how audacious the lead pastor of SRC is consider this. I asked a qualified minister, capable of working in many large churches (in fact he worked at one of over 3000 people) to move out of a house they just purchased, leave her work which she loves, move away from family, leave a church that they love, and move here where housing is astronomical, nothing is established and oh yeah, come work for free. That's $0.00.
Crazy right? Well, not to this couple. They were so interested in the new church and the way that we are going to do ministry, that they actually considered it.
Last night, they confirmed that they would not be coming. But it was with the affirmation that they believe that though this isn't the right time for them to come on board, they totally believe that the direction we're heading in is the right way.
I told Corie last night. They have already helped the plant. Our interaction was enough to help show me that God was going to lead people to help with this plant. I'm excited to see how that will come together, but God has birthed a great vision in me and it is starting to come together.
--Ben
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Going Public
Going public...
A popular buzzword going around in entertainment and marketing today is "buzz". Well, yesterday I found out a little bit about "buzz". (He's a nice guy really, and I think he gets a bad rap in Toy Story.) As was the plan, that really came together nicely, Pastor Phil concluded his sermon series on A Heart for the Harvest. He started week 1 with the introduction of the theme. Week 2 was the laws of sowing and reaping. Week 3, giving birth to the work of God. And Week 4 the Vision God was leading us in Releasing (Severn River Church). It went fantastic. I was really pleased.
It was most interesting to hear the buzzing that started after the service. I really get a kick out of it. People who respond in a range of emotions, and others who don't show any emotion at all. Some who think I'm leaving tomorrow, and others who think there's no real separation. The most interesting thing though is the teen buzz...
Quakers in Truth Seekers...
I was a little surprised at the starkness of the teens when we met for Sunday School. Looking back I guess some of them were pretty stunned. I remember that when I was 13 and found out my youth pastor was leaving it was a very emotional thing for me. I cried a lot about it. The buzz I heard later was that many students went home and processed it, and some of them were emotional then.
In truth seekers on student asked, "Will you be coming back after you start the new church?" It made me realize that many people don't know what "church planting" is. It's very easy to get used to saying jargon that is very familiar in some circles and not so in others.
The big question of course seems to be, "who/when will the church hire someone to replace me?" That's a question that hasn't been answered. I don't think it's a question going away. So, I look forward to when the board decides on that.
Things people said...
I was really encouraged by the many people who spoke to me after the announcements.
One man said, "I feel confirmation in my heart that this is what God has called you to do."
One man said, "I would wish you luck, but I don't believe in luck. So Good Hope!"
One mother of a friend I grew up with hugged me and said, "It's a shame that we'll miss you, but I know God is calling you."
I got a chuckle out of the woman who said, "I thought PAG was the church on the Broadneck pennisula. The humor is found in the fact that this woman lives on the penninsula, and has talked with me about how much her neighborhood has grown, and how many new people are moving in. We need a ton of churches in this area. The idea that one church of 200 reaching the Broadneck with the pentecostal message is part of what challenges me to plant this church.
Differences in the church...
I guess all of it raised many questions about the new church and the top questions seem to be: 1.) Where are you planning to build your new church, and 2.) What kind (read style) of church will it be?
Well, the stated mission of Severn River Church is as follows:
The mission of Severn River Church is to become a significant church in the greater Annapolis area; making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey God’s word.
Our Vision:
Severn River Church will be a strategic location from which to launch a movement of churches. We will target Annapolis and it’s outlying communities. Annapolis is the county seat of Anne Arundel County, the state capital of Maryland. By changing this area we can affect the spiritual destiny of Maryland.
Our core values are listed in an earlier post. These things I think more than anything else speak to answer the important questions like, "Why?" The How's will always work for the Why's. When it's the other way around any organization with falter in it's effectiveness.
It was a great day. My thanks to my growing number of supporters.
--Ben
A popular buzzword going around in entertainment and marketing today is "buzz". Well, yesterday I found out a little bit about "buzz". (He's a nice guy really, and I think he gets a bad rap in Toy Story.) As was the plan, that really came together nicely, Pastor Phil concluded his sermon series on A Heart for the Harvest. He started week 1 with the introduction of the theme. Week 2 was the laws of sowing and reaping. Week 3, giving birth to the work of God. And Week 4 the Vision God was leading us in Releasing (Severn River Church). It went fantastic. I was really pleased.
It was most interesting to hear the buzzing that started after the service. I really get a kick out of it. People who respond in a range of emotions, and others who don't show any emotion at all. Some who think I'm leaving tomorrow, and others who think there's no real separation. The most interesting thing though is the teen buzz...
Quakers in Truth Seekers...
I was a little surprised at the starkness of the teens when we met for Sunday School. Looking back I guess some of them were pretty stunned. I remember that when I was 13 and found out my youth pastor was leaving it was a very emotional thing for me. I cried a lot about it. The buzz I heard later was that many students went home and processed it, and some of them were emotional then.
In truth seekers on student asked, "Will you be coming back after you start the new church?" It made me realize that many people don't know what "church planting" is. It's very easy to get used to saying jargon that is very familiar in some circles and not so in others.
The big question of course seems to be, "who/when will the church hire someone to replace me?" That's a question that hasn't been answered. I don't think it's a question going away. So, I look forward to when the board decides on that.
Things people said...
I was really encouraged by the many people who spoke to me after the announcements.
One man said, "I feel confirmation in my heart that this is what God has called you to do."
One man said, "I would wish you luck, but I don't believe in luck. So Good Hope!"
One mother of a friend I grew up with hugged me and said, "It's a shame that we'll miss you, but I know God is calling you."
I got a chuckle out of the woman who said, "I thought PAG was the church on the Broadneck pennisula. The humor is found in the fact that this woman lives on the penninsula, and has talked with me about how much her neighborhood has grown, and how many new people are moving in. We need a ton of churches in this area. The idea that one church of 200 reaching the Broadneck with the pentecostal message is part of what challenges me to plant this church.
Differences in the church...
I guess all of it raised many questions about the new church and the top questions seem to be: 1.) Where are you planning to build your new church, and 2.) What kind (read style) of church will it be?
Well, the stated mission of Severn River Church is as follows:
The mission of Severn River Church is to become a significant church in the greater Annapolis area; making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey God’s word.
Our Vision:
Severn River Church will be a strategic location from which to launch a movement of churches. We will target Annapolis and it’s outlying communities. Annapolis is the county seat of Anne Arundel County, the state capital of Maryland. By changing this area we can affect the spiritual destiny of Maryland.
Our core values are listed in an earlier post. These things I think more than anything else speak to answer the important questions like, "Why?" The How's will always work for the Why's. When it's the other way around any organization with falter in it's effectiveness.
It was a great day. My thanks to my growing number of supporters.
--Ben
Part 5 - The Problem of Evil
CUMULATIVE APOLOGETIC
It began before time. God decided to create a world inhabited with humans who would be created in His likeness and be given the choice to love Him but with that choice would also come the ability to reject Him, choosing sin. This choice was the risk to be run in order for man to have the chance to freely love God.
God had choices. He could have created the world with a mankind who would not been able to choose sin. He could have created the world without the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil; no temptation, no sin. He could have just avoided it all together, skipping earth, the sun, moon, people, etc.
But He chose to make us, and I think it is cogent to point out that when He created us, he created us without sin and in perfect condition with His full image alive in us. This does not sound like a malevolent God to me. “God can create free creatures, but He can’t cause or determine them to do only what is right. For if He does so, then they aren’t significantly free after all; they do not do what’s right freely.”[1]
So does God have a responsibility like that of an adult who sees a child about to be hurt and doesn’t warn that child? I don’t think so. Genesis records that, for days, God enjoyed His perfect creation, and descriptively spells out the warning that God gave.[2] But Adam and Eve chose to sin. The result of which was the collapse of the world as it was; nature collapsed, physiology collapsed, the Imago Dei or image of God was marred in man, and His good was retracted from His creation.
This retraction resulted in privation. The deprivation of God’s goodness, which was in keeping with His holiness, resulted in evil. Evil is a byproduct of the absence of good.
Take a thermometer for instance. It measures degrees of heat. But when heat drops we call it cooling and eventually cold. Cold isn’t measured though, only degrees of heat. Cold is a state of the privation of heat. Another illustration of privation is seen in a comparison of light and dark. Light has essence and nature. It is governed by laws in the universe. Darkness is just an absence of light and though it affects us, it is extrinsically manifested.
Evil is not ontologically measurable. “Christian thought has traditionally, of necessity, defined evil as a privation of the good, possessing no essence or nature of its own, a purely parasitic corruption of reality.”[3]
When God’s goodness was separated from this world, man began his struggle with suffering. We struggle because we weren’t designed to live in this residue of the original earth that was created. We were not built to deal with sickness and disease, the feeling of loss when a loved one dies. Those things were never supposed to happen in the world God created. They are all results of The Fall. Did God know that man would choose to sin? Yes, He knows all things, but God also knew He was giving us a choice not to sin. We were not obligated to sin because we had the choice and opportunity. We equally had the choice and opportunity not to sin.
That’s why Christ was the fulfillment of God’s redemption plan. Having fully the nature of God and the nature of man, He became the second Adam. Because Jesus fully had the nature of humanity, He could have chosen to sin, but He did not.
I believe the nugatory views of Voltaire and Hume, which are expressed a thousand times over by many brokenhearted people, are really unjustified. “Augustine suggests, however, that we probably have too anthropocentric a starting point to easily perceive a divine purpose within such events. Rather than occupy ourselves with detailed questions that could be painful for us, we should seek to view our own misfortune in light of a universal plan.”[4]
We measure God against an imperfect standard. Who are we to question Him? Albion King suggests that it is a view of two paradoxes: one, that there is evil in a world created by a good God, and two, the grace of God to men.[5] F.D.E. Schleiermacher expressed, “Sin and God’s grace are in our consciousness so they lead us to reconciliation.”[6]
Even in light of our sin, even though man broke away from God, bringing himself evil and suffering for ourselves, God allowed the ensuing chaos to lead us to Him. What mercy! In God’s sovereignty, He designed a world that was perfectly in order but even in disorder, due to sin, He provided the framework for the salvation of mankind. “It is within His power…to take or perform the action and within his power to refrain from it.”[7] It is God’s mercy that he chooses not to act. If God were to enact justice without mercy, all of mankind would be condemned to hell. Instead, he is patient giving his redemption plan time to work in order that as many people may be delivered from evil. It is not a deliverance that can interfere with the natural evil unleashed by the act of sin. That would be a violation of God’s attribute of righteousness, but ultimately the situation will be made moot by the coming of Christ and the end of this world as we know it.
So what is the hope for the hurting mother who has lost a child, or the devastated sojourner forced to pick up the pieces after natural disaster? Placher states, “In light of the cross, we may still not know how to tell the story of the world in which we live, but we cannot tell it as a story of God’s indifference to our suffering.”[8]
God is not indifferent to our suffering. He looks on us with compassion. It was this love for us, the same love that made Him desire to create us, that created a way for our redemption.
The onus of responsibility for evil in this world rests squarely on the shoulders of humanity. It is our sin that resulted in the evil and suffering all around us. In His mercy God has made another way for man to be rejoined to Him. And while we have to endure these “light and momentary troubles”[9] we know that there is a surpassing glory that is ours through Christ.
[1] A. Plantinga, 30.
[2] Genesis 2:16 NIV.
[3] Hart, 9.
[4] Hans Schwartz, Evil: A Historical and Theological Perspective. (Minneapolis: Fortress,
1995), 102.
[5] Albion King, The Problem of Evil. (New York: Ronald Press Co., 1952), 101.
[6] T. Plantinga, 46.
[7] A. Plantinga, 29.
[8] Placher, 209.
[9] 2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV.
It began before time. God decided to create a world inhabited with humans who would be created in His likeness and be given the choice to love Him but with that choice would also come the ability to reject Him, choosing sin. This choice was the risk to be run in order for man to have the chance to freely love God.
God had choices. He could have created the world with a mankind who would not been able to choose sin. He could have created the world without the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil; no temptation, no sin. He could have just avoided it all together, skipping earth, the sun, moon, people, etc.
But He chose to make us, and I think it is cogent to point out that when He created us, he created us without sin and in perfect condition with His full image alive in us. This does not sound like a malevolent God to me. “God can create free creatures, but He can’t cause or determine them to do only what is right. For if He does so, then they aren’t significantly free after all; they do not do what’s right freely.”[1]
So does God have a responsibility like that of an adult who sees a child about to be hurt and doesn’t warn that child? I don’t think so. Genesis records that, for days, God enjoyed His perfect creation, and descriptively spells out the warning that God gave.[2] But Adam and Eve chose to sin. The result of which was the collapse of the world as it was; nature collapsed, physiology collapsed, the Imago Dei or image of God was marred in man, and His good was retracted from His creation.
This retraction resulted in privation. The deprivation of God’s goodness, which was in keeping with His holiness, resulted in evil. Evil is a byproduct of the absence of good.
Take a thermometer for instance. It measures degrees of heat. But when heat drops we call it cooling and eventually cold. Cold isn’t measured though, only degrees of heat. Cold is a state of the privation of heat. Another illustration of privation is seen in a comparison of light and dark. Light has essence and nature. It is governed by laws in the universe. Darkness is just an absence of light and though it affects us, it is extrinsically manifested.
Evil is not ontologically measurable. “Christian thought has traditionally, of necessity, defined evil as a privation of the good, possessing no essence or nature of its own, a purely parasitic corruption of reality.”[3]
When God’s goodness was separated from this world, man began his struggle with suffering. We struggle because we weren’t designed to live in this residue of the original earth that was created. We were not built to deal with sickness and disease, the feeling of loss when a loved one dies. Those things were never supposed to happen in the world God created. They are all results of The Fall. Did God know that man would choose to sin? Yes, He knows all things, but God also knew He was giving us a choice not to sin. We were not obligated to sin because we had the choice and opportunity. We equally had the choice and opportunity not to sin.
That’s why Christ was the fulfillment of God’s redemption plan. Having fully the nature of God and the nature of man, He became the second Adam. Because Jesus fully had the nature of humanity, He could have chosen to sin, but He did not.
I believe the nugatory views of Voltaire and Hume, which are expressed a thousand times over by many brokenhearted people, are really unjustified. “Augustine suggests, however, that we probably have too anthropocentric a starting point to easily perceive a divine purpose within such events. Rather than occupy ourselves with detailed questions that could be painful for us, we should seek to view our own misfortune in light of a universal plan.”[4]
We measure God against an imperfect standard. Who are we to question Him? Albion King suggests that it is a view of two paradoxes: one, that there is evil in a world created by a good God, and two, the grace of God to men.[5] F.D.E. Schleiermacher expressed, “Sin and God’s grace are in our consciousness so they lead us to reconciliation.”[6]
Even in light of our sin, even though man broke away from God, bringing himself evil and suffering for ourselves, God allowed the ensuing chaos to lead us to Him. What mercy! In God’s sovereignty, He designed a world that was perfectly in order but even in disorder, due to sin, He provided the framework for the salvation of mankind. “It is within His power…to take or perform the action and within his power to refrain from it.”[7] It is God’s mercy that he chooses not to act. If God were to enact justice without mercy, all of mankind would be condemned to hell. Instead, he is patient giving his redemption plan time to work in order that as many people may be delivered from evil. It is not a deliverance that can interfere with the natural evil unleashed by the act of sin. That would be a violation of God’s attribute of righteousness, but ultimately the situation will be made moot by the coming of Christ and the end of this world as we know it.
So what is the hope for the hurting mother who has lost a child, or the devastated sojourner forced to pick up the pieces after natural disaster? Placher states, “In light of the cross, we may still not know how to tell the story of the world in which we live, but we cannot tell it as a story of God’s indifference to our suffering.”[8]
God is not indifferent to our suffering. He looks on us with compassion. It was this love for us, the same love that made Him desire to create us, that created a way for our redemption.
The onus of responsibility for evil in this world rests squarely on the shoulders of humanity. It is our sin that resulted in the evil and suffering all around us. In His mercy God has made another way for man to be rejoined to Him. And while we have to endure these “light and momentary troubles”[9] we know that there is a surpassing glory that is ours through Christ.
[1] A. Plantinga, 30.
[2] Genesis 2:16 NIV.
[3] Hart, 9.
[4] Hans Schwartz, Evil: A Historical and Theological Perspective. (Minneapolis: Fortress,
1995), 102.
[5] Albion King, The Problem of Evil. (New York: Ronald Press Co., 1952), 101.
[6] T. Plantinga, 46.
[7] A. Plantinga, 29.
[8] Placher, 209.
[9] 2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Disclosure
I'm always glad to share the story of SRC as it unfolds. Tonight I got to share it with the youthstaff of PAG. Tomorrow is the big day for making it public to the church.
I'm very excited to see what God is going to do. I think that this faith journey is a special one though difficult at times. I was discouraged the other day because of a spirit of competition, instead I've resolved to start praying for other churches in our area.
I can't wait to post tomorrow the announcement and how it goes.
--Ben
I'm very excited to see what God is going to do. I think that this faith journey is a special one though difficult at times. I was discouraged the other day because of a spirit of competition, instead I've resolved to start praying for other churches in our area.
I can't wait to post tomorrow the announcement and how it goes.
--Ben
Part 4 - The Problem of Evil
BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
The insights of these philosophers present a backdrop against which Scripture can be compared in order to build a Biblical Theology. Job is probably the most familiar story of pain and suffering. “The book of Job recounts the difficulties experienced by Job through loss of physical health.”[1] The story unfolds with Job, who is an honorable, God-fearing man, losing his children and possessions. The only background is that Satan asked permission from God to devastate a man through evil and suffering to the point that he would reject God, turning his back on Him. “Regardless, the Book of Job does not give the reason for the suffering of innocent individuals; rather, it affirms that, if one will be submissive to God even in the midst of suffering then one may experience a meaningful relationship with God even in the direst of circumstances.”[2]
Habakkuk offers us another view of Theodicy. Habakkuk questions why God is allowing suffering for His people (1:2-4), especially why God would use the Babylonians (1:12-2:1).
The Lord answers the questions leveled by Habakkuk. He answers the first
question in 1:5-11 and the second in 2:2-20. God spoke to Habakkuk to let him know that sometimes there are reasons for the suffering. Through the difficulty and “violence”[3] that God’s people were facing, God was preparing to judge the attackers as a perverse and greedy nation.
John 9 shows another theological perspective of Theodicy. “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born bind?” Blindness is a result of evil in the world, most would agree. The Theodicy put forth by the disciples was that sin directly influenced a physical manifestation of evil.
Jesus elucidates that it was neither a result of his nor his parents’ sin, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed.”[4] It is possible that the finite creature could be at an intellectual disadvantage to the infinite creator. Man inevitably sorts through the situations of life through the lens of his mind, but that may not always be an adequate resource. The human mind is among the most fantastic displays of complexity and simplicity, yet there is much of it that we do not use or control. For instance, education has been a great delight of mine. I enjoy reading and learning, but there are some subjects that are beyond me. There are some instances when my opacity about a subject leaves me unable to know, what I don’t know. Often we find great help in seeking the counsel and sentience of someone else because they can see things that we’re blind to. Like Job and Habakkuk, Jesus shows that God’s action or inaction is not measured in man’s standards, but is working in conjunction with the attributes of God Himself.
Finally, Paul shares a theological perspective in Romans 11:32, “For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.”[5] And in Galatians 3:22, “But the scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.”[6]
Sin is clearly a factor in the Biblical depiction of Theodicy. Evil is a result of sin and the imprisonment of the world is wrapped up in it. Therefore Christ was God’s answer for us in delivering mankind from evil. David Hart wrote, “And while we know that the victory over evil and death has been won, we know also that it is a victory yet to come, and that creation therefore, as Paul says, groans in expectation of the glory that will one day be revealed. Until then, the world remains a place of struggle between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, life and death; and, in such a world, our portion is charity.”[7]
So in light of the facile naysayers, questioners, philosophers, and theologians, what answer can be given? A Biblical system unfolds that satisfactorily represents a defense of the purpose and involvement of a loving and good God in the midst of a world filled with suffering and evil.
[1] Trent C. Butler, Holman Bible Dictionary. (Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Parsons Technology,
1999).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Habbakuk 1 :2 NIV.
[4] John 9 :2-3 NIV.
[5] Romans 11:22 NIV.
[6] Galatians 3:22 NIV.
[7] Hart, 9.
The insights of these philosophers present a backdrop against which Scripture can be compared in order to build a Biblical Theology. Job is probably the most familiar story of pain and suffering. “The book of Job recounts the difficulties experienced by Job through loss of physical health.”[1] The story unfolds with Job, who is an honorable, God-fearing man, losing his children and possessions. The only background is that Satan asked permission from God to devastate a man through evil and suffering to the point that he would reject God, turning his back on Him. “Regardless, the Book of Job does not give the reason for the suffering of innocent individuals; rather, it affirms that, if one will be submissive to God even in the midst of suffering then one may experience a meaningful relationship with God even in the direst of circumstances.”[2]
Habakkuk offers us another view of Theodicy. Habakkuk questions why God is allowing suffering for His people (1:2-4), especially why God would use the Babylonians (1:12-2:1).
The Lord answers the questions leveled by Habakkuk. He answers the first
question in 1:5-11 and the second in 2:2-20. God spoke to Habakkuk to let him know that sometimes there are reasons for the suffering. Through the difficulty and “violence”[3] that God’s people were facing, God was preparing to judge the attackers as a perverse and greedy nation.
John 9 shows another theological perspective of Theodicy. “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born bind?” Blindness is a result of evil in the world, most would agree. The Theodicy put forth by the disciples was that sin directly influenced a physical manifestation of evil.
Jesus elucidates that it was neither a result of his nor his parents’ sin, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed.”[4] It is possible that the finite creature could be at an intellectual disadvantage to the infinite creator. Man inevitably sorts through the situations of life through the lens of his mind, but that may not always be an adequate resource. The human mind is among the most fantastic displays of complexity and simplicity, yet there is much of it that we do not use or control. For instance, education has been a great delight of mine. I enjoy reading and learning, but there are some subjects that are beyond me. There are some instances when my opacity about a subject leaves me unable to know, what I don’t know. Often we find great help in seeking the counsel and sentience of someone else because they can see things that we’re blind to. Like Job and Habakkuk, Jesus shows that God’s action or inaction is not measured in man’s standards, but is working in conjunction with the attributes of God Himself.
Finally, Paul shares a theological perspective in Romans 11:32, “For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.”[5] And in Galatians 3:22, “But the scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.”[6]
Sin is clearly a factor in the Biblical depiction of Theodicy. Evil is a result of sin and the imprisonment of the world is wrapped up in it. Therefore Christ was God’s answer for us in delivering mankind from evil. David Hart wrote, “And while we know that the victory over evil and death has been won, we know also that it is a victory yet to come, and that creation therefore, as Paul says, groans in expectation of the glory that will one day be revealed. Until then, the world remains a place of struggle between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, life and death; and, in such a world, our portion is charity.”[7]
So in light of the facile naysayers, questioners, philosophers, and theologians, what answer can be given? A Biblical system unfolds that satisfactorily represents a defense of the purpose and involvement of a loving and good God in the midst of a world filled with suffering and evil.
[1] Trent C. Butler, Holman Bible Dictionary. (Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Parsons Technology,
1999).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Habbakuk 1 :2 NIV.
[4] John 9 :2-3 NIV.
[5] Romans 11:22 NIV.
[6] Galatians 3:22 NIV.
[7] Hart, 9.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Part 3 - The Problem of Evil
CHRISTIAN PHILOSPHERS
Plutarch may be one of the earliest philosophers to deal with Theodicy. Philip Schaff said of Plutarch, “He enjoins first modesty and caution in view of our imperfect knowledge.”[1]
Plutarch offered five considerations when dealing with questions of Theodicy. They are listed as follows:
1. God teaches us to moderate our anger, and never to punish with passion, but to imitate his gentleness and forbearance.
2. He gives the wicked an opportunity to repent and refrain.
3. He permits them to live and prosper that he may use them as executioners of His justice on others.
4. The wicked are sometimes spared that they may bless the world by noble posterity.
5. Punishment is deferred. Death is a good thing for the good soul. [2]
These ideas are built out of a heart who believed in the God of the Bible, but I
think Plutarch leads the way in a perspective of man as lower than God. A major difference between Christian and secular philosophy is the view of God in comparison with man.
In Christian perspectives, God himself is not measured against man’s view of Him, but rather in light of His character and His revelation of Himself. Thomas Aquinas illustrates that philosophical perspective. “The analysis of evil in Thomas Aquinas may well be the most extensive undertaken.”[3] His view of Theodicy is most often referred to as “The Greatest Way” defense. Essentially this defense states that pain is necessary for perfection. “This world of evil is producing a new life in eternity apart from evil, therefore evil is the best way.”[4]
Gottfried von Leibniz is often compared against Thomas Aquinas. His defense is referred to as “The Greatest World” defense. He states, “God is the best of all possible beings. The best of all possible beings cannot do less than His best. God’s nature, as best, demands that He make the best world possible (if He wills to make one). This world is the world God made. Therefore, this is the best possible world.”[5]
These views expressed by very thoughtful men, show that even among Christian thought there are missing elements. Thomas Aquinas would need to answer whether or not God willed evil. The question of willing evil is significant in determining its essence and nature. Leibniz comes up short in light of original sin. We cannot know what the world was like before creation, but Genesis records significant changes in the earth because of the curse. This world is not the world God created; it is only what was left after the collapse.
St. Augustine viewed evil as an “ugly piece in a mosaic of beauty. All evil even ‘the flames of hell’ are part of ultimate good.”[6] Augustine viewed evil as a privation. That is, evil does not have essence, but is a result of a lack of good. In this way Augustine saw “Evil as an ontological parasite”[7]
More recently, Alvin Plantinga released his “Free Will Defense”. William Placher states, “The idea that God does some things but not others forces theologians in a secular age into defensive efforts to find some things for God still to do and negotiations between too much limit on God’s power and too much limit on human freedom.”[8] Alvin Plantinga set out his “Free Will Defense” without an acknowledgement of the issue of whether or not God wills evil. Instead he discusses God permitting evil. He said, “The Free Will Defense can be looked upon as an effort to show that there may be a very different kind of good that God can’t bring about without permitting evil. These are good state of affairs that don’t include evil; they do not entail the existence of any evil whatever, nonetheless God Himself can’t bring them about without permitting evil.”[9]
Plantinga doesn’t credit God with causing evil or willing it but does count evil as necessary. “John Hick proposes that a world without pain [a result of evil] would lack the stimuli in hunting, agriculture, building, social organizations, and the development of the sciences and technologies which have been an essential force of human civilization and culture.”[10]
[1] Philip Schaff, History Of The Christian Church.( Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Parsons
Technology, 1999).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Theodore Plantinga, Learning To Live With Evil.(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), 50.
[4] Geisler, 43.
[5] Ibid, 44.
[6] Ibid, 44.
[7] Ibid, 46.
[8] William C. Placher, The Domestication of Transcendance: How Modern Thinking about God Went Wrong. (Lousville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996), 202.
[9] A. Plantinga, 29.
[10] Placher, 204
Plutarch may be one of the earliest philosophers to deal with Theodicy. Philip Schaff said of Plutarch, “He enjoins first modesty and caution in view of our imperfect knowledge.”[1]
Plutarch offered five considerations when dealing with questions of Theodicy. They are listed as follows:
1. God teaches us to moderate our anger, and never to punish with passion, but to imitate his gentleness and forbearance.
2. He gives the wicked an opportunity to repent and refrain.
3. He permits them to live and prosper that he may use them as executioners of His justice on others.
4. The wicked are sometimes spared that they may bless the world by noble posterity.
5. Punishment is deferred. Death is a good thing for the good soul. [2]
These ideas are built out of a heart who believed in the God of the Bible, but I
think Plutarch leads the way in a perspective of man as lower than God. A major difference between Christian and secular philosophy is the view of God in comparison with man.
In Christian perspectives, God himself is not measured against man’s view of Him, but rather in light of His character and His revelation of Himself. Thomas Aquinas illustrates that philosophical perspective. “The analysis of evil in Thomas Aquinas may well be the most extensive undertaken.”[3] His view of Theodicy is most often referred to as “The Greatest Way” defense. Essentially this defense states that pain is necessary for perfection. “This world of evil is producing a new life in eternity apart from evil, therefore evil is the best way.”[4]
Gottfried von Leibniz is often compared against Thomas Aquinas. His defense is referred to as “The Greatest World” defense. He states, “God is the best of all possible beings. The best of all possible beings cannot do less than His best. God’s nature, as best, demands that He make the best world possible (if He wills to make one). This world is the world God made. Therefore, this is the best possible world.”[5]
These views expressed by very thoughtful men, show that even among Christian thought there are missing elements. Thomas Aquinas would need to answer whether or not God willed evil. The question of willing evil is significant in determining its essence and nature. Leibniz comes up short in light of original sin. We cannot know what the world was like before creation, but Genesis records significant changes in the earth because of the curse. This world is not the world God created; it is only what was left after the collapse.
St. Augustine viewed evil as an “ugly piece in a mosaic of beauty. All evil even ‘the flames of hell’ are part of ultimate good.”[6] Augustine viewed evil as a privation. That is, evil does not have essence, but is a result of a lack of good. In this way Augustine saw “Evil as an ontological parasite”[7]
More recently, Alvin Plantinga released his “Free Will Defense”. William Placher states, “The idea that God does some things but not others forces theologians in a secular age into defensive efforts to find some things for God still to do and negotiations between too much limit on God’s power and too much limit on human freedom.”[8] Alvin Plantinga set out his “Free Will Defense” without an acknowledgement of the issue of whether or not God wills evil. Instead he discusses God permitting evil. He said, “The Free Will Defense can be looked upon as an effort to show that there may be a very different kind of good that God can’t bring about without permitting evil. These are good state of affairs that don’t include evil; they do not entail the existence of any evil whatever, nonetheless God Himself can’t bring them about without permitting evil.”[9]
Plantinga doesn’t credit God with causing evil or willing it but does count evil as necessary. “John Hick proposes that a world without pain [a result of evil] would lack the stimuli in hunting, agriculture, building, social organizations, and the development of the sciences and technologies which have been an essential force of human civilization and culture.”[10]
[1] Philip Schaff, History Of The Christian Church.( Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Parsons
Technology, 1999).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Theodore Plantinga, Learning To Live With Evil.(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), 50.
[4] Geisler, 43.
[5] Ibid, 44.
[6] Ibid, 44.
[7] Ibid, 46.
[8] William C. Placher, The Domestication of Transcendance: How Modern Thinking about God Went Wrong. (Lousville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996), 202.
[9] A. Plantinga, 29.
[10] Placher, 204
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Part 2 - The problem of Evil
SECULAR PHILOSOPHERS
We need to explore these problems in order to reconcile them with our faith. By studying the scriptures as well as the writings of philosophers, I believe a framework can be built upon which a reasonable argument can be constructed.
Many great thinkers have forayed into the issue of evil. Some of them were adamant against God, and ridiculed anyone who would believe in Him. These philosophers have set the table for deconstructionist thought.
Deconstructionism has led to the postmodern orthodoxy that has swallowed Europe and is increasingly affecting the sociological mores of our culture in the United States. The Enlightenment began a cynicism in thought and a rejection of the truth as absolute. Writers emerged to express their platitudes which gave way to an explosion of thought and philosophy.
One such writer/philosopher was Voltaire. Voltaire would argue that this world is not a representation in keeping with the traditional view of God. A cynic of the organized religions of his day, Voltaire saw the results of evil in devastating ways. His view attributed evil to God. He once wrote, “God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.”[1] He could not reconcile how it was not anything but evil that God would not have averted a tsunami that devastated Lisbon, Portugal in 1755 on All Saints Day. It killed between 15,000 and 60,000 people; some of whom were worshiping at 30 churches that were destroyed.[2] To Voltaire one less murder, one less rape or war would make it a better world and the responsibility lies on God for the destruction around him.
Voltaire once wrote in response to the Lisbon tsunami, “These women, these infants heaped one upon another, their limbs scattered beneath shattered marbles? Or would you argue that all of this is but God’s vengeance upon human iniquity?”[3]
He presents an argument of emotion; having seen the destruction of a natural disaster, the suffering and evil was too great for Voltaire to justify against God. Elsewhere he writes:
“’What crime and what sin have been committed by these infants crushed and bleeding on their mother’s breasts? Or would you say comfort those dying in torment on desolate shores by assuring them that others will profit from their demise and that they are discharging the parts assigned them by universal law?’ Don’t, says Voltaire speak of the great chain of being, for that chain is held in the hand of a God who is Himself enchained by nothing.”[4]
Voltaire speaks out of a similar emotion that we still hear today over the death of a child or awful destruction of natural disasters. Shouldn’t God restrain this evil from the world since He is good?
David Hume follows up on this thought when he wrote, “Is he [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?”[5]
Hume takes Voltaire’s dour characterization of God one step further, concluding that God is either weak, or evil. At worst, this view discredits God completely; at best, He is merely a corruption of His Scriptural attributes, but either way, Hume’s mutated God is not worthy of worship or devotion.
Hume describes man’s condition this way:
“The disorders of the mind, though more secret, are not perhaps less dismal and vexatious. Remorse, shame, anguish, rage, disappointment, anxiety, fear, dejection, despair; who has ever passed through life without cruel inroads from these tormentors? How many have scarcely ever felt any better sensations? Labour and poverty, so abhorred by everyone, are the certain lot of the greater number: And those few privileged persons who enjoy ease and opulence, never reach contentment or true felicity.”[6]
Hume’s efficaciousness is obvious, but in light of so pessimistic a perspective it is no wonder Hume could turn to blame God as weak and unmoved by the plight of humanity. However, I believe he presumes too much in asserting that contentment is unreachable. Certainly it is unreachable through the wealth he says so many are deprived of, but there are other ways to contentment. He otherwise depicts man’s predisposition well, but these are not a result of the evil that God allows, but rather are the result of our choice to break relationship with Him through sin.
These are only representatives of the many voices who have decried the problem of evil throughout time. What are the responses to the accusations? What are the thoughts of Christian Philosophers, and what might their insights lend to the answer for the age-old question?
[1] Michael Moncur, (2003) http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/1389.html
[2] Chris Walton,(2005) http://www.philocrites.com/archives/001562.html
[3] David Hart, “Tsunami and Theodicy”. First Things 151 (2005): 7.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Alvin C. Plantinga, God, Freedom, and Evil. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), 10.
[6] John Hick, Evil and the God of Love. (Harper Collins: New York, 1977), 321.
We need to explore these problems in order to reconcile them with our faith. By studying the scriptures as well as the writings of philosophers, I believe a framework can be built upon which a reasonable argument can be constructed.
Many great thinkers have forayed into the issue of evil. Some of them were adamant against God, and ridiculed anyone who would believe in Him. These philosophers have set the table for deconstructionist thought.
Deconstructionism has led to the postmodern orthodoxy that has swallowed Europe and is increasingly affecting the sociological mores of our culture in the United States. The Enlightenment began a cynicism in thought and a rejection of the truth as absolute. Writers emerged to express their platitudes which gave way to an explosion of thought and philosophy.
One such writer/philosopher was Voltaire. Voltaire would argue that this world is not a representation in keeping with the traditional view of God. A cynic of the organized religions of his day, Voltaire saw the results of evil in devastating ways. His view attributed evil to God. He once wrote, “God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.”[1] He could not reconcile how it was not anything but evil that God would not have averted a tsunami that devastated Lisbon, Portugal in 1755 on All Saints Day. It killed between 15,000 and 60,000 people; some of whom were worshiping at 30 churches that were destroyed.[2] To Voltaire one less murder, one less rape or war would make it a better world and the responsibility lies on God for the destruction around him.
Voltaire once wrote in response to the Lisbon tsunami, “These women, these infants heaped one upon another, their limbs scattered beneath shattered marbles? Or would you argue that all of this is but God’s vengeance upon human iniquity?”[3]
He presents an argument of emotion; having seen the destruction of a natural disaster, the suffering and evil was too great for Voltaire to justify against God. Elsewhere he writes:
“’What crime and what sin have been committed by these infants crushed and bleeding on their mother’s breasts? Or would you say comfort those dying in torment on desolate shores by assuring them that others will profit from their demise and that they are discharging the parts assigned them by universal law?’ Don’t, says Voltaire speak of the great chain of being, for that chain is held in the hand of a God who is Himself enchained by nothing.”[4]
Voltaire speaks out of a similar emotion that we still hear today over the death of a child or awful destruction of natural disasters. Shouldn’t God restrain this evil from the world since He is good?
David Hume follows up on this thought when he wrote, “Is he [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?”[5]
Hume takes Voltaire’s dour characterization of God one step further, concluding that God is either weak, or evil. At worst, this view discredits God completely; at best, He is merely a corruption of His Scriptural attributes, but either way, Hume’s mutated God is not worthy of worship or devotion.
Hume describes man’s condition this way:
“The disorders of the mind, though more secret, are not perhaps less dismal and vexatious. Remorse, shame, anguish, rage, disappointment, anxiety, fear, dejection, despair; who has ever passed through life without cruel inroads from these tormentors? How many have scarcely ever felt any better sensations? Labour and poverty, so abhorred by everyone, are the certain lot of the greater number: And those few privileged persons who enjoy ease and opulence, never reach contentment or true felicity.”[6]
Hume’s efficaciousness is obvious, but in light of so pessimistic a perspective it is no wonder Hume could turn to blame God as weak and unmoved by the plight of humanity. However, I believe he presumes too much in asserting that contentment is unreachable. Certainly it is unreachable through the wealth he says so many are deprived of, but there are other ways to contentment. He otherwise depicts man’s predisposition well, but these are not a result of the evil that God allows, but rather are the result of our choice to break relationship with Him through sin.
These are only representatives of the many voices who have decried the problem of evil throughout time. What are the responses to the accusations? What are the thoughts of Christian Philosophers, and what might their insights lend to the answer for the age-old question?
[1] Michael Moncur, (2003) http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/1389.html
[2] Chris Walton,(2005) http://www.philocrites.com/archives/001562.html
[3] David Hart, “Tsunami and Theodicy”. First Things 151 (2005): 7.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Alvin C. Plantinga, God, Freedom, and Evil. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), 10.
[6] John Hick, Evil and the God of Love. (Harper Collins: New York, 1977), 321.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Part 1 - The Problem of Evil
This is the first part of a 4 part essay I've written on The Problem of Evil.
INTRODUCTION
Even before time began, evil has been a problem for humanity. Evil can be seen disturbing the peace of heaven and resulting in the suffering of Satan and his followers. This became mankind’s problem because Satan would eventually spread evil into God’s new creation by taking the form of a serpent, and deceiving Eve into sin, in turn leading Adam to disobey the law of God. Evil drove Adam and Eve into hiding from their creator. Evil drove Cain to murder his own brother and in the thousands of years since then, evil has continued to influence the hearts of the world.
In 1961, Yury Gagarin, a Russian Cosmonaut, made the first journey into space. He was only there a few moments when he declared that there was no God, because he had been into the heavens and had not seen Him.[1] Evil has distorted the ability of man to reconcile the existence of God. Many people have not needed trips to outer space in order to come to a personal conclusion that there is no God. Though a study in the design of the cosmos could easily demonstrate the obvious presence of a Divine creator, they have concluded from their observation of the problem of evil that there cannot be a God. Throughout time we have faced some of the most destructive acts of evil and its results of tragedy and suffering. It is most often these tragedies that make us contemplate evil in our world, especially when that suffering is attributed as an act of God. Tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, mudslides, and wild fires have all ravaged our world in just the last year.
Who could avoid the images of the Tsunami in the Asian rim, the 24 hour coverage of cable news channels and the ever refreshing web pages with new descriptions of the horror? We’ve seen people in New Orleans stuck on roofs awaiting chopper rescue, and heard their cries for help in the midst of their desperation.
Suddenly apologetics was all around us, on the news, in the workplace, and scarily enough on Christian television. God was accused of judging the hedonistic culture of Thai beaches, and the promiscuity of New Orleans, and Christians suddenly found themselves being recalcitrantly questioned by family and coworkers, “If God is good, why deos He allow evil?” Add the complexity of some religious leaders framing it as God willing evil, and we are obliged to answer. We must in view of God’s revelation to man stand with one voice to combat the attacks leveled against God. It is exigent that we have an answer.
Did God will evil? Did God send Katrina to judge New Orleans? It would not seem so as the biblical example of God’s judgment on cities leaves them un-rebuildable, in piles of brimstone. (Genesis 19:24) Or are we to believe that God, in a deistic masterpiece, set up the earth that when broken would set into effect ongoing natural evil with precision to cause disasters as retributive punishment?
This view is called Deism. It is a view that sees God as uninvolved with the earth He created. He set it up and let it go to run its course. He is uninvolved because the earth is running as though the mechanism of a clock had been wound tight and let go to run until there was no movement left to operate it.
There are some who would resort to the belief of Illusionism. This belief says, “Evil ceases to be a philosophical problem because all material reality is considered an illusion.”[2] Of course, this view begs the question what good is it to say it isn’t material if the experience of it is still the same?
Others have postulated possible ways of dealing with the problem and harmonizing it to make life and belief more bearable. The results of evil, demonstrated in suffering, are agonizing for every person enduring its devastation. Many times it is also heart wrenching for those who are not enduring it but empathize with those that are.
[1] Kelly James Clark, Return To Reason, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdman’s, 1990), 57.
[2] Norman L. Geisler, The Roots of Evil. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), 15.
INTRODUCTION
Even before time began, evil has been a problem for humanity. Evil can be seen disturbing the peace of heaven and resulting in the suffering of Satan and his followers. This became mankind’s problem because Satan would eventually spread evil into God’s new creation by taking the form of a serpent, and deceiving Eve into sin, in turn leading Adam to disobey the law of God. Evil drove Adam and Eve into hiding from their creator. Evil drove Cain to murder his own brother and in the thousands of years since then, evil has continued to influence the hearts of the world.
In 1961, Yury Gagarin, a Russian Cosmonaut, made the first journey into space. He was only there a few moments when he declared that there was no God, because he had been into the heavens and had not seen Him.[1] Evil has distorted the ability of man to reconcile the existence of God. Many people have not needed trips to outer space in order to come to a personal conclusion that there is no God. Though a study in the design of the cosmos could easily demonstrate the obvious presence of a Divine creator, they have concluded from their observation of the problem of evil that there cannot be a God. Throughout time we have faced some of the most destructive acts of evil and its results of tragedy and suffering. It is most often these tragedies that make us contemplate evil in our world, especially when that suffering is attributed as an act of God. Tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, mudslides, and wild fires have all ravaged our world in just the last year.
Who could avoid the images of the Tsunami in the Asian rim, the 24 hour coverage of cable news channels and the ever refreshing web pages with new descriptions of the horror? We’ve seen people in New Orleans stuck on roofs awaiting chopper rescue, and heard their cries for help in the midst of their desperation.
Suddenly apologetics was all around us, on the news, in the workplace, and scarily enough on Christian television. God was accused of judging the hedonistic culture of Thai beaches, and the promiscuity of New Orleans, and Christians suddenly found themselves being recalcitrantly questioned by family and coworkers, “If God is good, why deos He allow evil?” Add the complexity of some religious leaders framing it as God willing evil, and we are obliged to answer. We must in view of God’s revelation to man stand with one voice to combat the attacks leveled against God. It is exigent that we have an answer.
Did God will evil? Did God send Katrina to judge New Orleans? It would not seem so as the biblical example of God’s judgment on cities leaves them un-rebuildable, in piles of brimstone. (Genesis 19:24) Or are we to believe that God, in a deistic masterpiece, set up the earth that when broken would set into effect ongoing natural evil with precision to cause disasters as retributive punishment?
This view is called Deism. It is a view that sees God as uninvolved with the earth He created. He set it up and let it go to run its course. He is uninvolved because the earth is running as though the mechanism of a clock had been wound tight and let go to run until there was no movement left to operate it.
There are some who would resort to the belief of Illusionism. This belief says, “Evil ceases to be a philosophical problem because all material reality is considered an illusion.”[2] Of course, this view begs the question what good is it to say it isn’t material if the experience of it is still the same?
Others have postulated possible ways of dealing with the problem and harmonizing it to make life and belief more bearable. The results of evil, demonstrated in suffering, are agonizing for every person enduring its devastation. Many times it is also heart wrenching for those who are not enduring it but empathize with those that are.
[1] Kelly James Clark, Return To Reason, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdman’s, 1990), 57.
[2] Norman L. Geisler, The Roots of Evil. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), 15.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Does anybody really know what day it is?
Dear reader:
I don't know what day it is. I know it's Tuesday, but I have no idea the date, in fact I haven't for most of the month. I've been working on a paper for a class I'm in. I mentioned it in an earlier post. I'm sorry to whine, that's not what I'm trying to do. But wow, I'm tired. BTW, I just heard on the Radio (WBAL 1090 am) that today is the worst day of the year psychologically. Looks like I'm part of the psychosis.
I finished my assignments last night, and e-mailed them to my prof. We'll see how it goes, I don't think it's my best work, but I hope it's helpful in answering questions that some people may have.
SRC
I got my new business cards in the mail yesterday! I'm very excited about that. Vista Print will produce 250 free. So I ordered them and they don't look bad. And they were free.
Recently I was thinking about some features I wanted to include on the blog. I thought I would include a section occasionally regarding books I've been reading or finished:
> Choosing to Cheat, by Andy Stanley
This book is poorly titled I think. It is essentially about prioritzing your life, and cheating lesser priorities in favor of higher ones. For instance, you should cheat your job before you cheat your family. B+
> Leadership, by Rudolph Giuliani
Someone just gave me this book. I was at a church planters meeting where, Patrick Grautch (church planter in Hagerstown), spoke and asked, "Who is likely to get these books I reccomend and read them?" I raised my hand and bam-o I got a new book. So far I've been reading through the introduction, and it's looking good.s
I don't know what day it is. I know it's Tuesday, but I have no idea the date, in fact I haven't for most of the month. I've been working on a paper for a class I'm in. I mentioned it in an earlier post. I'm sorry to whine, that's not what I'm trying to do. But wow, I'm tired. BTW, I just heard on the Radio (WBAL 1090 am) that today is the worst day of the year psychologically. Looks like I'm part of the psychosis.
I finished my assignments last night, and e-mailed them to my prof. We'll see how it goes, I don't think it's my best work, but I hope it's helpful in answering questions that some people may have.
SRC
I got my new business cards in the mail yesterday! I'm very excited about that. Vista Print will produce 250 free. So I ordered them and they don't look bad. And they were free.
Recently I was thinking about some features I wanted to include on the blog. I thought I would include a section occasionally regarding books I've been reading or finished:
> Choosing to Cheat, by Andy Stanley
This book is poorly titled I think. It is essentially about prioritzing your life, and cheating lesser priorities in favor of higher ones. For instance, you should cheat your job before you cheat your family. B+
> Leadership, by Rudolph Giuliani
Someone just gave me this book. I was at a church planters meeting where, Patrick Grautch (church planter in Hagerstown), spoke and asked, "Who is likely to get these books I reccomend and read them?" I raised my hand and bam-o I got a new book. So far I've been reading through the introduction, and it's looking good.s
Friday, January 20, 2006
cheesy but true!
Ten differences between the Doctor and the Pastor
The Doctor charges outrageous fees, you complain, but you come back the next time you are sick.
The Pastor preaches that you should pay your tithes and you leave the church.
The Doctor checks how much you weigh and you allow him.
The Pastor asks how much you pray and it's none of his business.
The Doctor says, "Please disrobe" and you do it without question.
The Pastor preaches that you should dress modestly and he is getting too personal.
The Doctor gives you a nasty tasting pill and you take it.
The Pastor feeds you the Word and you say no thank you.
The Doctor's office closes at a certain time.
The Pastor is to be available, awake and ready twenty-four hours a day.
The Doctor tells you how to change your lifestyle to lower your blood pressure.
The Pastor tells you how to change your lifestyle and it raises your blood pressure.
The Doctor tells you we need to run more tests, so you make an appointment.
The Pastor says we need more Prayer Meetings and Bible Studies and you are too
busy.
The Doctor says, "There is nothing more we can do", and you search high and low for one who can
help.
The Pastor says, "God can help you", and you give up and say "What's the use."
The Doctor says, "Try this and see if it works and if it doesn't we'll try something else", so you do.
The Pastor gives you the promises of God's Word and you don't like to "Walk by faith."
To the Doctor, you are just another customer.
To the Pastor, you are a part of the family. He loves you. He prays for you. He helps
carry your burdens. He laughs with you and cries with you.
The Doctor charges outrageous fees, you complain, but you come back the next time you are sick.
The Pastor preaches that you should pay your tithes and you leave the church.
The Doctor checks how much you weigh and you allow him.
The Pastor asks how much you pray and it's none of his business.
The Doctor says, "Please disrobe" and you do it without question.
The Pastor preaches that you should dress modestly and he is getting too personal.
The Doctor gives you a nasty tasting pill and you take it.
The Pastor feeds you the Word and you say no thank you.
The Doctor's office closes at a certain time.
The Pastor is to be available, awake and ready twenty-four hours a day.
The Doctor tells you how to change your lifestyle to lower your blood pressure.
The Pastor tells you how to change your lifestyle and it raises your blood pressure.
The Doctor tells you we need to run more tests, so you make an appointment.
The Pastor says we need more Prayer Meetings and Bible Studies and you are too
busy.
The Doctor says, "There is nothing more we can do", and you search high and low for one who can
help.
The Pastor says, "God can help you", and you give up and say "What's the use."
The Doctor says, "Try this and see if it works and if it doesn't we'll try something else", so you do.
The Pastor gives you the promises of God's Word and you don't like to "Walk by faith."
To the Doctor, you are just another customer.
To the Pastor, you are a part of the family. He loves you. He prays for you. He helps
carry your burdens. He laughs with you and cries with you.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Working Draft--Core Values
Core Values:
Strong Families: Strong families are built on strong marriages, and Severn River Church is committed to upholding marriage and family as an integral part of worship and faith. ( Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:21-33; Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-4)
Cultivating Community Connection: Our focus should never rest on ourselves, but should rather be focused on the world around us. We are about mobilizing Christians into the harvest field. We view the community around us as a mission field. We should be striving to answer the question, “If Severn River Church stopped existing tomorrow, what would our community miss?” It comes from this connection with the community that we establish a platform for spiritual influence and significance. (Acts 2:47; Matthew 9:35-36; Matt. 5:13-16; Acts 17:22)
Living Life together: The Christian culture set up by Christ was a life-together approach to discipleship and growth. Jesus chose 12, sent out 72, and baptized 120 in the Holy Spirit, but nothing was scripturally accomplished alone. We commit to Living Life Together. No hypocrisy, just real life lived together in relationships that spur us on toward Christian Growth and commitment to the mission. (Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13; Luke 10;
Expansion Over Conservation: For the sake of the lost, when presented with an opportunity of saving or spending for ministry, spending will be the priority. When faced with the option of giving people resources or hording our people, we will send them out with blessing and with as much support as possible. (1 Corinthians 9:9-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Galatians 6:7-10; Luke 12)
Grow larger by growing smaller: We will invest in small groups especially in leaders and an ongoing emphasis on raising new leaders. Small groups embody the foundational principles for each believer: 1. Community, 2. Transformation, 3. Leadership Development. While these three principles are foundational to all our ministry, they are amplified in the small group experience. (Ex. 18; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2; 2 John 1:10)
Church Without Walls: This means that buildings must not serve to keep us from the lost world around us. Buildings present problems for the value of Expansion Over Conservation. Buildings cost to build, cost to use, and cost to maintain. That’s why we would prefer to use rental facilities. It’s all gonna burn anyway, when Christ returns. (1 Peter 2:5; Acts 2:42-47)
Mission-driven Creativity: Rather than depending on programs, we will be driven in creativity to only implement ministries specifically designed and evaluated for effectiveness in line with our mission. (Gen. 1-2; Acts 17:22-31)
Every member ministry: Each member of Sever River Church will be expected to contribute to its mission and ministry. We will educate and empower each SRCer for effectiveness in line with their gifting and our mission. (1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:11-16; Romans 12)
Growth: (Maturity and Multiplication) We believe that God has called us to be a growing church. As the vine dresser, God sets us up for a harvest of souls, however not every branch produces. We are committed to growth. Growth occurs in healthy churches we will be dedicated to health and a strong connection to the vine of Jesus Christ. We will use this as a key indicator of the strength and progress of our ministry.(John 15; Luke 13:6-9; )
Missions: We are committed to Missions on a local and world level. SRC should make it a priority in our giving individually and organizationally that we support foreign missionaries, and well as plant new churches in our local area. (Philippians 15-19; John 4:34-38; Matt. 28:18-20)
Giving/stewardship: Because this is a clear principle of scripture for every individual but has organizational implications we affirm that Tithing is the expected practice Severn River Church. As we tithe we allow God’s blessing for our church financially and spiritually. For us to abstain from obedience in giving is an act to close the windows of blessing from heaven. In addition to tithing we are responsible to give with cheerful hearts out of love. In addition to the expectation of each member it should also be the practice of the financial board to Tithe our undesignated tithes and offerings to missions. (Matt 6:3; Malachi 3; Heb. 7; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Acts 20:35)
Strong Families: Strong families are built on strong marriages, and Severn River Church is committed to upholding marriage and family as an integral part of worship and faith. ( Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:21-33; Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-4)
Cultivating Community Connection: Our focus should never rest on ourselves, but should rather be focused on the world around us. We are about mobilizing Christians into the harvest field. We view the community around us as a mission field. We should be striving to answer the question, “If Severn River Church stopped existing tomorrow, what would our community miss?” It comes from this connection with the community that we establish a platform for spiritual influence and significance. (Acts 2:47; Matthew 9:35-36; Matt. 5:13-16; Acts 17:22)
Living Life together: The Christian culture set up by Christ was a life-together approach to discipleship and growth. Jesus chose 12, sent out 72, and baptized 120 in the Holy Spirit, but nothing was scripturally accomplished alone. We commit to Living Life Together. No hypocrisy, just real life lived together in relationships that spur us on toward Christian Growth and commitment to the mission. (Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13; Luke 10;
Expansion Over Conservation: For the sake of the lost, when presented with an opportunity of saving or spending for ministry, spending will be the priority. When faced with the option of giving people resources or hording our people, we will send them out with blessing and with as much support as possible. (1 Corinthians 9:9-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Galatians 6:7-10; Luke 12)
Grow larger by growing smaller: We will invest in small groups especially in leaders and an ongoing emphasis on raising new leaders. Small groups embody the foundational principles for each believer: 1. Community, 2. Transformation, 3. Leadership Development. While these three principles are foundational to all our ministry, they are amplified in the small group experience. (Ex. 18; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2; 2 John 1:10)
Church Without Walls: This means that buildings must not serve to keep us from the lost world around us. Buildings present problems for the value of Expansion Over Conservation. Buildings cost to build, cost to use, and cost to maintain. That’s why we would prefer to use rental facilities. It’s all gonna burn anyway, when Christ returns. (1 Peter 2:5; Acts 2:42-47)
Mission-driven Creativity: Rather than depending on programs, we will be driven in creativity to only implement ministries specifically designed and evaluated for effectiveness in line with our mission. (Gen. 1-2; Acts 17:22-31)
Every member ministry: Each member of Sever River Church will be expected to contribute to its mission and ministry. We will educate and empower each SRCer for effectiveness in line with their gifting and our mission. (1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:11-16; Romans 12)
Growth: (Maturity and Multiplication) We believe that God has called us to be a growing church. As the vine dresser, God sets us up for a harvest of souls, however not every branch produces. We are committed to growth. Growth occurs in healthy churches we will be dedicated to health and a strong connection to the vine of Jesus Christ. We will use this as a key indicator of the strength and progress of our ministry.(John 15; Luke 13:6-9; )
Missions: We are committed to Missions on a local and world level. SRC should make it a priority in our giving individually and organizationally that we support foreign missionaries, and well as plant new churches in our local area. (Philippians 15-19; John 4:34-38; Matt. 28:18-20)
Giving/stewardship: Because this is a clear principle of scripture for every individual but has organizational implications we affirm that Tithing is the expected practice Severn River Church. As we tithe we allow God’s blessing for our church financially and spiritually. For us to abstain from obedience in giving is an act to close the windows of blessing from heaven. In addition to tithing we are responsible to give with cheerful hearts out of love. In addition to the expectation of each member it should also be the practice of the financial board to Tithe our undesignated tithes and offerings to missions. (Matt 6:3; Malachi 3; Heb. 7; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Acts 20:35)
Monday, January 16, 2006
Eastern Section
Well, I met with Don Cox our sectional presbyter on Friday. (I didn't blow it this time.) The purpose of our meeting was to talk about the church plant, and my specific aim was to discuss funding.
I know that the Eastern Section has funded church plants in the our area including a salary for one church planter for a year and half that salary for a second year. Also, $6000.00/yr. contributions of other church plants over the last 3 years.
When we met, he explained those monies. Several years ago the Section sold a building for about $90,000.00. That money went into the sectional account and over the last 3 years has paid for thr expenditures listed above. Net result = $0.00 left in the section for church planting (i.e. SRC).
I questioned him in regards to his vision in planting churches, and he said that his push for church planting is to see more churches do what Grace A/G did by paying the planter's salary for a year.
I told him that my expectation was that he use his influence to lead every church in the eastern section to participate in some way financially to the new church. Several churches have committed $100.00/mo. I believe that every church can participate in some amount. 10, 25, 50, 100 and more. I don't think they all will without leadership, and then I'd be happy with 75%.
Anyway, Pray for funding. I'll be working on a budget in February, so we'll know what we're shooting for.
-Ben
I know that the Eastern Section has funded church plants in the our area including a salary for one church planter for a year and half that salary for a second year. Also, $6000.00/yr. contributions of other church plants over the last 3 years.
When we met, he explained those monies. Several years ago the Section sold a building for about $90,000.00. That money went into the sectional account and over the last 3 years has paid for thr expenditures listed above. Net result = $0.00 left in the section for church planting (i.e. SRC).
I questioned him in regards to his vision in planting churches, and he said that his push for church planting is to see more churches do what Grace A/G did by paying the planter's salary for a year.
I told him that my expectation was that he use his influence to lead every church in the eastern section to participate in some way financially to the new church. Several churches have committed $100.00/mo. I believe that every church can participate in some amount. 10, 25, 50, 100 and more. I don't think they all will without leadership, and then I'd be happy with 75%.
Anyway, Pray for funding. I'll be working on a budget in February, so we'll know what we're shooting for.
-Ben
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Theodicy
I spent the day at Valley Forge Christian College. I love the library here. I think that if I could only do my college days over again, I would be here all the time. So few students use the library...every time I'm here, there are just so few. It's awesome! It's kinda like a Barnes and Noble. Modern styling, comfortable furniture, and a great selection of books. I wish it weren't so far away:-(
I'll probably be back next weekend to finish my research and write my paper. We'll see.
I'm researching Theodicy which is the explanation/defense of evil in the world. It seeks to answer the age old question, "Why would an good God allow such evil in the world?" I intend to post my research in the next week or two. It should make for my largest and most boring post, but I might as well get some milage out of all this writing.
-Ben
I'll probably be back next weekend to finish my research and write my paper. We'll see.
I'm researching Theodicy which is the explanation/defense of evil in the world. It seeks to answer the age old question, "Why would an good God allow such evil in the world?" I intend to post my research in the next week or two. It should make for my largest and most boring post, but I might as well get some milage out of all this writing.
-Ben
Friday, January 13, 2006
Meeting The Man
Yesterday I met with Dr. Bob Rhoden. He is the District Superintendent for the Potomac District of the Assemblies of God. The trip around 495 was great, not the typical trudge.
Dr. Rhoden is a man who inspires awe. One of those people whose life is so credible and authoritative that you are just in awe of him. At least I am, and it was a thrill to share my vision for the new church and discuss with him the plans that are unfolding. It really was a meeting designed for Dr. Rhoden to get to know me and build a relationship. Unfortunately, he'll only be in office till July. But he said that after he gets away from office hours every day he'd like to travel and visit church planters. Spend the day seeing our ministry, advising and praying over us. I need to remember that, so that I can invite him to Severna Park.
He reccommended that I go, meet and pray with the former pastor of Severna Park A/G who lives in VA, and have her and her pastor Rev. Blackwell pray over me.
I went to bed really early last night...before 8:00 p.m. I didn't feel well. I think it's fatigue. I am realizing that I need to gaurd my time. I had my time in good balance for the last couple months, but it's been ratcheted up with the green light on this plant.
Today I meet with Pastor Don Cox. He is our presbyter, and he'll be an important partner. More on that later.
--Ben
Dr. Rhoden is a man who inspires awe. One of those people whose life is so credible and authoritative that you are just in awe of him. At least I am, and it was a thrill to share my vision for the new church and discuss with him the plans that are unfolding. It really was a meeting designed for Dr. Rhoden to get to know me and build a relationship. Unfortunately, he'll only be in office till July. But he said that after he gets away from office hours every day he'd like to travel and visit church planters. Spend the day seeing our ministry, advising and praying over us. I need to remember that, so that I can invite him to Severna Park.
He reccommended that I go, meet and pray with the former pastor of Severna Park A/G who lives in VA, and have her and her pastor Rev. Blackwell pray over me.
I went to bed really early last night...before 8:00 p.m. I didn't feel well. I think it's fatigue. I am realizing that I need to gaurd my time. I had my time in good balance for the last couple months, but it's been ratcheted up with the green light on this plant.
Today I meet with Pastor Don Cox. He is our presbyter, and he'll be an important partner. More on that later.
--Ben
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Step 2
Well, step two is through! I met with the executive board of PAG tonight, and shared my calling and direction with them. They all affirmed me in my calling, while also expressing their sorrow in my leaving...All except Jim Elliott. Jim said that he'd been clapping and hollaring because this is the greatest thing that PAG has ever done.
Mark Keller shared that 2 1/2 years ago, he and his wife talked in their home about me and said then that they believed I would start my own church. He also said, when I shared tonight, that the hair on back of his neck stood up. (freaky but cool)
Charlie Gassmann said that they (he and Zell) weren't surprised, they were just surprised that it had taken this long.
Walt Eger followed the meeting with offers of connections he has and "anything you need, just ask".
Pastor Phil took the prize though. He so affirmed me and with conviction shared how he felt this should be embraced. He told the board that this was a step of releasing, and that God would reward PAG for it. (I believe that as well)
We've even followed on in the process of our plan with the congregation. We'll be announcing in a couple weeks. (still up in the air 22nd or 29th though we're leaning toward the 29th) I'll announce in the first service and then I'll be hosting the teens for Sunday School, and announce again in the second service. I think that's a great plan. I'm glad to work with a church who is concerned with our teens and with doing our best for the announcement.
Some board members asked if the teens already know. I don't think they know that I'm planting, I think some may be wise that I'm leaving, but only time will tell.
And again tonight it becomes a little more real. A little more risky. A little more dangerous. I wish I knew how Paul felt when he left Jerusalem for the first time to go start churches. Maybe I do.
-Ben
Ps. Core Values are almost finished. I'd like to have them up by the weekend.
Mark Keller shared that 2 1/2 years ago, he and his wife talked in their home about me and said then that they believed I would start my own church. He also said, when I shared tonight, that the hair on back of his neck stood up. (freaky but cool)
Charlie Gassmann said that they (he and Zell) weren't surprised, they were just surprised that it had taken this long.
Walt Eger followed the meeting with offers of connections he has and "anything you need, just ask".
Pastor Phil took the prize though. He so affirmed me and with conviction shared how he felt this should be embraced. He told the board that this was a step of releasing, and that God would reward PAG for it. (I believe that as well)
We've even followed on in the process of our plan with the congregation. We'll be announcing in a couple weeks. (still up in the air 22nd or 29th though we're leaning toward the 29th) I'll announce in the first service and then I'll be hosting the teens for Sunday School, and announce again in the second service. I think that's a great plan. I'm glad to work with a church who is concerned with our teens and with doing our best for the announcement.
Some board members asked if the teens already know. I don't think they know that I'm planting, I think some may be wise that I'm leaving, but only time will tell.
And again tonight it becomes a little more real. A little more risky. A little more dangerous. I wish I knew how Paul felt when he left Jerusalem for the first time to go start churches. Maybe I do.
-Ben
Ps. Core Values are almost finished. I'd like to have them up by the weekend.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
H.E.A.R.T. for the Harvest
Pasadena A/G unvieled their vision slogan for 2006 on Sunday. Pastor Phil came up with it, and when I first saw it I was instantly connected to it. Heart for the Harvest, is our adaptation at PAG of the district's theme People of the Harvest.
I'm excited for PAG in this year of harvest. There are some strategic applications of this theme...the two biggest in my mind are 1. The building and 2. The church plant. It's really exciting!
Tonight is the Executive Board meeting where they'll be told about the church plant. I'm not exactly sure where this falls in the way of business. I don't know if this is just an information item or if this is an action item. I think it falls kinda in between. I'll have the opportunity tonight to again share about my calling, and I look forward to that.
Saturday night I had the chance to go to Bethel Assembly in Savage, MD and speak. They were launching a young adults group called "Blue Jean Worship". The first Saturday of each month. Pastor Green was telling me about it and then asked me to come and speak for the night. It was a blast. They had great music, coffee and there seemed to be a real excitement about it. I was privileged to get to be part of it.
In some ways it made me reflect on SRC and what I envision the weekend services to be like. The weekend services are designed as entry points for new comers. Our weekend services will inspire worship through quality as well as the participation of SRCers. I believe that compelling music, prayer and message are the building blocks of the worship experience. But equally important to me is a relational experience with one another. I'll explore that more later.
Ben
I'm excited for PAG in this year of harvest. There are some strategic applications of this theme...the two biggest in my mind are 1. The building and 2. The church plant. It's really exciting!
Tonight is the Executive Board meeting where they'll be told about the church plant. I'm not exactly sure where this falls in the way of business. I don't know if this is just an information item or if this is an action item. I think it falls kinda in between. I'll have the opportunity tonight to again share about my calling, and I look forward to that.
Saturday night I had the chance to go to Bethel Assembly in Savage, MD and speak. They were launching a young adults group called "Blue Jean Worship". The first Saturday of each month. Pastor Green was telling me about it and then asked me to come and speak for the night. It was a blast. They had great music, coffee and there seemed to be a real excitement about it. I was privileged to get to be part of it.
In some ways it made me reflect on SRC and what I envision the weekend services to be like. The weekend services are designed as entry points for new comers. Our weekend services will inspire worship through quality as well as the participation of SRCers. I believe that compelling music, prayer and message are the building blocks of the worship experience. But equally important to me is a relational experience with one another. I'll explore that more later.
Ben
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Green Light
Well, Tuesday night I received a green light from the Deacon Board of Pasadena A/G. I am a go for a fall start in '06.
I found out after the board meeting Tuesday night. Pastor told me that the process had been set up as 1. Announcing it to the Executive Board on Tuesday. 2. Announcing it to the Church at our Annual Business Meeting on January 29th. ...And there it is. The green light, we're off and running.
And I walked away from Pastor, got in my Jeep, and drove away. Suddenly, I was more scared than I had ever been. As I gripped the steering wheel, I prayed and told God, "Now more than ever, I'm depending on you."
People say (I've said myself) that it would be easy to plant here in the Severn River area. I don't have to move, and I have family close by. This is the comfortable thing...the convienent thing to do. Of course, those people aren't facing the lack of an income that I am in September. They don't carry the weight of starting a church from scratch and raising up disciples who contribute enough to care for the needs of the church/pastor and beyond to our mission. Quite a foolish thing, I think, to ever think there is such thing as an "easy" or "convienent" church plant.
I think that the plan is cumbersome. Telling the Exec. Bd. next Tuesday is fine, but announcing to the church at the Business meeting provides 2 problems:1. It's going to get out over the interim 3 weeks, because loose lips sink ships. 2. It is announcing major information to a minimum impact audience. Teenagers aren't going to be at the meeting, so they'll find out their youth pastor is leaving through the grapevine.
The grapevine effect is what I'm most concerned about. I feel we should hit the highest impact audience we can, and disseminate as much information as possible. People who aren't there, will hear things grapevine style, but at least you've done your best to give everyone opportunity to hear.
While I don't think there are going to be many people who leave PAG to come with me, I do think that it will be a shock to most people. Not shock that I would leave eventually, or that I would start a church, or even not so much that it's going to be so close. I think there is always a shock factor that it's now.
Anyway, there's probably a lot more thought that can go in this. But for now I have to get going to a day of prayer.
Ben
I found out after the board meeting Tuesday night. Pastor told me that the process had been set up as 1. Announcing it to the Executive Board on Tuesday. 2. Announcing it to the Church at our Annual Business Meeting on January 29th. ...And there it is. The green light, we're off and running.
And I walked away from Pastor, got in my Jeep, and drove away. Suddenly, I was more scared than I had ever been. As I gripped the steering wheel, I prayed and told God, "Now more than ever, I'm depending on you."
People say (I've said myself) that it would be easy to plant here in the Severn River area. I don't have to move, and I have family close by. This is the comfortable thing...the convienent thing to do. Of course, those people aren't facing the lack of an income that I am in September. They don't carry the weight of starting a church from scratch and raising up disciples who contribute enough to care for the needs of the church/pastor and beyond to our mission. Quite a foolish thing, I think, to ever think there is such thing as an "easy" or "convienent" church plant.
I think that the plan is cumbersome. Telling the Exec. Bd. next Tuesday is fine, but announcing to the church at the Business meeting provides 2 problems:1. It's going to get out over the interim 3 weeks, because loose lips sink ships. 2. It is announcing major information to a minimum impact audience. Teenagers aren't going to be at the meeting, so they'll find out their youth pastor is leaving through the grapevine.
The grapevine effect is what I'm most concerned about. I feel we should hit the highest impact audience we can, and disseminate as much information as possible. People who aren't there, will hear things grapevine style, but at least you've done your best to give everyone opportunity to hear.
While I don't think there are going to be many people who leave PAG to come with me, I do think that it will be a shock to most people. Not shock that I would leave eventually, or that I would start a church, or even not so much that it's going to be so close. I think there is always a shock factor that it's now.
Anyway, there's probably a lot more thought that can go in this. But for now I have to get going to a day of prayer.
Ben
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
New Year
Well, Happy New Year!
I'm just back from vacation. Corie and I look forward to a traditional vacation that we've set up for the week between Christmas and New Year's day.
It was a good week. Unfortunately laziness gave way to laziness. I had hoped to do some hiking and reading/meditating. But, the weather was not good. The first 2 days were cold/foggy, so no hiking, instead I turned on the TV. And pretty much stayed there the rest of the week.
This was the first vacation we've taken with just the 3 of our family. It was nice, but Corie and I were talking about it, and think the cost of bringing a babysitter would be well justified. Maybe in the future.
I'm back at work today, and I'm kinda easing back into things Prayer this morning at 8, staff meeting at 9, then sorting through mail, and I thought I'd drop a note on the web.
This morning I was reading Deut. 3:11. The question came to me, why was Og afraid of Israel (enough to bring in Balaam)? He was the last of the Rephaim, giants like the descendants of Anak. His coffin was 13 1/2 feet long and 6 feet wide. If this guy was that big, why was he so afraid of war. In the warfare of that day he would have had quite an advantage.
The fear of God is enough to melt through the greatest adversity. God is our equalizer. There is nothing insurmountable. Even the strongest strongholds of the world, are subject to God.
I'm glad I'm on his side. I like to win.
--Ben
I'm just back from vacation. Corie and I look forward to a traditional vacation that we've set up for the week between Christmas and New Year's day.
It was a good week. Unfortunately laziness gave way to laziness. I had hoped to do some hiking and reading/meditating. But, the weather was not good. The first 2 days were cold/foggy, so no hiking, instead I turned on the TV. And pretty much stayed there the rest of the week.
This was the first vacation we've taken with just the 3 of our family. It was nice, but Corie and I were talking about it, and think the cost of bringing a babysitter would be well justified. Maybe in the future.
I'm back at work today, and I'm kinda easing back into things Prayer this morning at 8, staff meeting at 9, then sorting through mail, and I thought I'd drop a note on the web.
This morning I was reading Deut. 3:11. The question came to me, why was Og afraid of Israel (enough to bring in Balaam)? He was the last of the Rephaim, giants like the descendants of Anak. His coffin was 13 1/2 feet long and 6 feet wide. If this guy was that big, why was he so afraid of war. In the warfare of that day he would have had quite an advantage.
The fear of God is enough to melt through the greatest adversity. God is our equalizer. There is nothing insurmountable. Even the strongest strongholds of the world, are subject to God.
I'm glad I'm on his side. I like to win.
--Ben
Sunday, January 01, 2006
The Closing of Severn River Church -- Preface
A number of months ago I started recording the process of closing Severn River Church. When things first started to develop with my resignation I turned to some people I thought would help by giving me a process to follow in leading this difficult transition, but found no guide. Instead I put together a process that I prayed through, and have hoped that I'd be able to share it as one traveler's guide on an uncharted road for others that may come this way.
I think you'll find it very personal and revealing. I wanted to share from the outset that this is one man's perspective. If you experienced this journey with me feel free to share this series of posts with others as I close out the Severn River years.
--Ben
I think you'll find it very personal and revealing. I wanted to share from the outset that this is one man's perspective. If you experienced this journey with me feel free to share this series of posts with others as I close out the Severn River years.
--Ben
The Closing of Severn River Church -- Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Just over four years ago I rallied people to be part of an exciting church plant called Severn River Church. I asked for their generosity and sacrifice, for them to leave what they knew, and to buy in to the vision that God had put on my heart and me as their leader. And now just four years later they needed me to lead them in a different way. If you would have told me that within a four year span this church would have opened only to close I would have never believed it. Leading the closure of a church is not an easy thing. There are many pieces that are in play, but most difficult to navigate are the relationships of everyone involved. People are precious, and helping them deal with the loss of a church was something that stretched and challenged me.
This essay is a personal reflection of the events and lessons I learned in leading Severn River Church to its closure at the end of 2010. It is my hope that sharing the process I led will be a benefit to others. When closure became an obvious end, I searched for books on the subject and found none. I also looked for procedural help from my ministry network and found none available. In the last decade we have seen in the Assemblies of God fellowship, and among other fellowships, a resurgence in the promotion of planting churches. The law of averages would suggest that with an increase of church plants, there will be a corresponding number of unsuccessful plants. Guidelines and procedures should be in place for this group to help the planter lead the congregation through the difficult stages of closure. It is my view that planters should not abandon failing plants as is often the case, but should give thought, energy, and attention to leading their congregation though this part of the lifecycle of the church. I will be sharing my experience with reflection on the involved parties listed as follows: my story, responsible authorities, and the congregation. Read More...
The Closing of Severn River Church -- Conclusion
CONCLUSION
This journey has not been an easy one, and I do not think it should be. I hope that there are not many others that face the decision and consequence that I did, but if they do I hope they will consider a couple of things: Those that know you best should believe in you the most. During times like this be sure to stay in touch with those that you know believe in you. There is such a benefit in having people that believe in you more than you believe in yourself. In the days of self-doubt and questioning they are the voices that God uses to remind you that He is leading you. The more time that passes after the closure, the more you remember your favorite parts of the plant; it is easy to get sucked into nostalgia that makes you wish you had not made the decision you did. In those moments it is helpful to have the habit of journaling. My written words remind me of a more honest perspective. In the end I started SRC with a pure heart in obedience to the Lord, and I closed SRC with a pure heart in obedience to the Lord. That is enough to please Him. That is enough to make my work there acceptable to Him.
Jesus used the Luke 13 parable of the fig tree to teach us that sometimes we just do not understand why things happen, and that more often than not we incorrectly attribute causes, even spiritual causes, to them in hopes of making sense of it. There are things that are out of our control, but still part of God’s plan. Why did the fig tree bear no fruit? Why was a fig tree planted in a vineyard? Perhaps he would have had more success planting grapes. We will never know all the answers, but I trust the Lord. The effect of our season at SRC is one that can only be measured in eternity. All we have now is obedience. These are my reflections of the events and lessons I learned in leading Severn River Church to its closure at the end of 2010.
The Closing Of Severn River Church -- Chapter 3 The Congregation
THE CONGREGATION
Sharing the news of my resignation with the congregation was one of the greatest challenges that I have faced in my life. These were close friends, partners in a common mission. Now I felt that a major change was at hand, and I had to be very careful with the way the information was distributed. For the weeks between my decision and the time I would share my decision, I felt like I was living a duplicitous life. My personality is typically very candid and transparent. For instance, I kept a blog for five years, and updated it regularly. My congregation had grown used to seeing my daily posts. When my resignation became the news in my life, I withdrew from posting, and I wanted just to explain, but that was not a fair treatment of the issue.
My coach had told me years ago that I should enjoy what I could do with thirty people, because I could do things with thirty that would not work at sixty. I decided that with thirty people I could visit each family personally.
I remember thinking that I would change after making the decision to resign on October 6th. I thought I would suddenly feel different about the people I pastored. In fact on October 7th we had a band rehearsal scheduled. I knew that we would never even play all the music we would practice. I wondered if I would be able to get motivated for rehearsal. Would I be able to hide my true feelings? Then they started arriving, and I remember thinking how much I loved each of them. I was surprised by this feeling. I loved them just as much as I did before resigning, but I could not put the announcement off too long. We were starting to have issues of canceled events and other unanswered questions. The biggest was a Halloween Outreach that we had been planning and promoting. We felt that it was unfair to ask our small congregation to put a lot of work and effort into a huge community event, then turn around and announce my resignation.
Most of my people had come to SRC because of a conversation in their living room. I felt like that was the best place to let them know I was leaving...Read MoreRead All
The Closing Of Severn River Church -- Chapter 1 My Story
MY STORY
Severn River Church (SRC) started on October 1, 2006, and at our launch service sixty three people attended. The following Sunday only thirty or so remained, and we were off on our journey of church planting. This was the culmination of a calling I had heard from the Lord in 2004, a calling confirmed in my heart through prayer and fasting, and one that was affirmed by mentors in my life. Within six months I came face-to-face with the limitations that I had in my leadership. I realized that the preparation I had been through was focused on the machine of ministry instead of the mission. I had spent months preparing sermon series, graphic art, worship sets, and held meetings to talk about “internalizing” our core values like being “a church without walls.” What we did not do was really interface with our community. I had a desire to reach lost people, but truthfully did not know how. Now, six months after launch, I was realizing my challenges and not real sure what to do about it. As a planter one finds oneself in a unique position when you launch a new church. It is a position that garners supporters and fans, but you are also more alone, and the pressure is to “fake it till you make it.” It is a pride issue and a pattern of the world. No one wants to look foolish. I compensated for the overwhelming feeling of confusion and the personal knowledge that I was not succeeding like I wanted by studying and talking about theory, while feeling like I had no idea how to put it into practice.
I knew something had to change...READ MOREThe Closing Of Severn River Church -- Chapter 2 Responsible Authorities
THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES
Outside of my family there were several people I needed to talk to regarding my decision. These were the authorities that I was in submission to listed as follows: my sectional presbyter, district officials, church board and supporting churches.
My presbyter, Don Cox, has been a great asset in my ministry. He is the most devoted presbyter I know. He is retired and that allows for a lot of interaction and care. I know he has prayed regularly for me, and stayed in close enough contact to know my seasons of struggle. He too, as I found out, started a church and left it a year later, merging it with an area church. For that common experience he seemed to identify with what I was going through. When I told him I was planning to resign he said, “Well, you know how that goes, don’t you?” He was referring to a mutual friend that has been out of the pulpit for over two years unable to find a church to hire him. I said that I understood the risk, but believed I was supposed to resign. Then he said that he was not surprised by it, and that he believed I was a good pastor. The next part of our conversation was very disappointing.
I had expected that at this meeting I would receive instructions on what to do next. I would be asked questions to quantify the state of the church, be told that the “powers that be” would take it from there, or at last provide me with a road map of protocols for closing the church. Instead he looked at me and said, “What happens now?” This was not what I was expecting at all...Read More Chapter 2
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