John 3:17

John 3:16 is a verse almost all Christians can recite from memory.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  Lately, I have begun to think we need to commit John 3:17 to our memory bank as well.  I am concerned that we have lost our perspective on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

“For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world,

but in order that the world should be saved through him.” (John 3:17 ESV)

Did you get that?  “God did not send his son to condemn, but to save.”  The word condemn seems to pack a punch, so I was curious.  I went to the dictionary and this is was I discovered:

Condemn: 

To express unfavorable judgement or strong disapproval, or 

        To pronounce to be guilty, to sentence to punishment.

          

I confess that I do that all the time.  I might get on a crowded DART Train to head into the City of Dallas.  There are two seats available; one next to a young man with multiple tattoos and body piercings and another by a senior citizen reading a book.  I will probably pick the older adults.  I must admit a real bias toward people with excessive (okay, in my opinion) body art, but have I condemned the young man?  Have I unfavorably judged him?  Taking it a step further; have I pronounced him guilty and in the process possibly sentenced him to “eternal punishment?”  Granted, I do not know the man’s situation, or have any idea where he stands in his faith walk, but have I in the process somehow written him off as a lost soul?  

In the case of the young man above, my encounter was brief and probably insignificant, but there are countless opportunities to relate to people who are spiritually lost or confused.  Some of those might be Millennials who work beside us, or live in our neighborhood.  The opportunity is there to reach out and get to know them.  In the process we might become Jesus in their lives, but if we prejudge them I fear we have condemned them without even getting to know them. 

“Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”  He calls us daily to do the same.

NEW WINE IN NEW WINESKINS

 

“No one pours new wine in old wineskins.

If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined.

No, he pours the wine into new wineskins.”

(Mark 2:22)

 

I am going to offer a simple paraphrase of the above scripture: change is difficult.  In the case of traditional, mainline, churches I might even say change is not only difficult but usually impossible.  If you are offended or disagree with this I would suggest that you either have your head in the sand or have not driven around any major American city.  I live in north Dallas, and as I drive through the neighborhood I see dozens of churches that are shells of what they once were.  Even on Sunday mornings the parking lots are half-full.  We have lived in Dallas for over twenty-five years and over that time I have seen three Lutheran Church Missouri Synod churches close.  A once vibrant Evangelical Lutheran Church in our neighborhood closed its door.  The city bought the property and now a new fire station and charter school occupy the site. 

While it is easy to get discouraged, today I am feeling much more positive and upbeat.  I see reasons for hope.  Last week I saw multiple examples of “new wine in new wineskins.”

On Wednesday I attended a meeting of local pastors and other missional minded church leaders.  We meet monthly to share stories, study the word and pray for each other.  On this occasion there were fifteen of us.  The encouraging thing is that with three exceptions, they all are involved in church planting efforts.  These are not traditional church plants where you put up a church or rent a building than then hope people will come.  All are involved in missional living.  They live in apartment communities getting to know the residents and inviting them to join small group.  Another lives in a suburban neighborhood, ministering to the people who live around them.  In many cases these will never be chartered, organized churches.  Rather they will continue to be missional communities.  In many cases the pastors will be bi-vocational, holding full or part-time jobs to supplement their income.

On Thursday I flew to Phoenix of the annual Best Practices Conference, hosted by Christ Lutheran Church.  The gathering is a marketplace of ministries.  It was encouraging to hear of so many churches that are reaching the lost in new and innovative ways.  Most are new ministries driven by a specific need or target group within their community.  Some are even established churches that have found ways to adapt to the changing needs of the world. 

For decades most churches have operated from the old model (old wineskin).  You put up a building, and place a sign out front announcing the new home of “fill in the blank” church.  You then set out to establish a Sunday school, youth program and adult Bible studies.  The church baptizes infants, confirms their youth, marries their young adults, educates their children and then eventually buries them.  That model no longer works.  In the Millennial World, all the rules have changed.  Now we are called to live as missionaries in a culture that is very foreign.  We are called to be Jesus in this time and place.

SOMEONE POPPED THE LUTHERAN BUBBLE

The "Lutheran Bubble;" it is a term I heard often during my years in youth ministry.  Parents and other adults used the term to reference the safe environment inside the church community.  Children who grew up attending Lutheran schools, going through confirmation class and then on to youth group seemed to be immune to many of the temptations and issues out in the real world.

If the "Lutheran Bubble" did exist, and I for one do not believe it ever did, a recent report from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod seems to indicate things have changed.  Data collected by the church itself indicates that "good church youth" struggle with the same issues that the rest of society does.  Not only that, often they agree that culture is correct and the church has got it wrong.  The Gay/Lesbian issue is one example. 

The LCMS polls teens every three years at its National Youth Gathering.  The last gathering was in 2013, but the results were only recently published.  The issue of homosexuality and gay marriage first appeared on the survey in 1986.  On the issue of homosexuality, the number who viewed it as wrong has trended down steadily from 82% in 1986 to 56% in 2013.  When it came to same-sex marriage support has increased.  In 2004, 63 percent of those polled favored the response, "Marriage is for one man/one woman." That response declined to 57% in 2007, 53% in 2010 and 47% in 2013. Support for gay marriage has gone from 22% in 2004 to 25% in 2013.

We can throw our hands in the air over this news, but I for one do not see all as being lost.  Jesus is still our Savior.  We still live with the hope of eternal life.  The opinions of society will never change who I am and what I believe in, but I need to acknowledge that many of those around me do not share that same perspective.  Our goal should be to relate to the world where they are at in order for them to see us for who we are.   For a church that might mean creating an environment where meaningful discussion can take place on the issues.  Some of that dialog needs to be happening in the church youth room.  We cannot ignore the issues.  Rather, we must stand beside our teens and young adults as they grapple with who they are and what God's desire is for them.

The Epidemic That Will Not Go Away

Suicide was back in the news again in the DFW area last weekend.  Two seventeen year old students from Plano East High School took their own lives within hours of each other.  Classmates say the girls were acquaintances but were not close friends.  There is no reason to suspect a “death pact,” rather it seems to be just a coincidence that they both chose to end their own lives.

My first memory of a teen killing themselves was during my sophomore year in high school.  His family was members of our church.  He was a couple years older than me and I barely knew him but lots of my church friends did.  They talked about it, but my parents barely mentioned it. 

I was especially aware of the threat of teen suicide during my years as a school counselor.  We tried to be proactive.  My colleagues knew the warning signs.  We were quick to intervene in situations where we felt the student was in danger to themselves.  We were quick to get parents involved.  It was never an easy conversation, but in the end they usually expressed gratitude.  To my knowledge we never lost a student to suicide.

So again, let me share the warning signs:

A teen becomes obsessed with death.  It might even be through poetry or art work.

Changes in mood: It could be they act depressed or withdrawn.

They pull away from friends and family.

A drop in grades or lack of interest in school activities.

They engage in risk taking behavior, including drugs and alcohol.

Do not wait for the warning signs.  It is always best to be proactive.  Here are some ways:

Be engaged in the lives of your kids.  Observe them as they interact with friends.

Talk about the issue, especially if there are incidents.  That includes attempts or threats.  Even a comment like, “nobody would miss me if I was gone,” need to be taken seriously.

Keep your kids healthy.  Make sure they see their doctor regularly.  Health also includes making sure they are emotionally and spiritually strong.

Learn to listen.  Sometimes the best way to show you care is to just listen and not give advice.

Never stop saying, “I love you.”

Being a Christian while Being Less Religious

I read another article last week on the spiritual state of America.  The article was published by Pew Research, an organization that I view as having a finger on the pulse of our country.  The reported noted that while fewer people are affiliating with churches, as a county we are becoming more spiritual.  While on the surface it might seem like a contradiction, it is in fact a reality.  To understand that requires looking at the meaning of the two words.

Religion involves being concerned about church things.  One’s behavior gives signs of being religious.  Being religious means a person is exhibiting outward signs.  “She is obviously a religious person because she goes to church every Sunday.”  “He must be very religious because he has a Bible on his desk.”

Spirituality relates to things of the spirit or soul, as opposed to physical or earthly things.  “Her contemplative nature leads me to believe she is more spiritual than most of her friends.”  “He has a spiritual nature that allows him to stay calm and think clearly in spite of the circumstance.”

One of my contentions about most Christian communities is that the members are very good at the outward signs, but fall short when it comes to living lives of discipleship.  I must admit to falling into that trap myself sometimes.  If the pattern is observed over a period of time, we run the risk of being viewed as hypocritical; only giving the outward signs of being religious.   In short that is why so few young folks do not want to associate with the churches we claim to be part of.  In their minds we are; “Long on words but short on action.”

As I think about it, being more spiritual might not be the answer either.  I am part of a worship community that meets every Sunday in the fine arts building at a Lutheran school.  The parking lot is usually full, but only because we share it with the Buddhist Center next store. The people who live and visit there might be perceived as being "spiritual."  I also find it curious that many of the people who gather there on Sunday are young adults.  Many Millennials are spiritual seekers.  The unfortunate thing, from my perspective, is that they are finding their needs met in places other than in Christian worship communities.  

We can take offense at this, but the in actuality we need to being taking it to heart.  Our actions toward the people who are lost and broken will speak volumes to the world.  Our attitude toward the lost and broken allows others to see Jesus in us.  I see that as the only way we might reverse the trend.

In actuality, it might mean being a little less religious and spiritual, and walking more in the steps of Jesus as loving and compassionate disciples.

POWERBALL MANIA

Our nation has been thrown into a frenzy these last few days.  One item, more than any other, has been dominating the news.  I suppose I should be pleased that it is not another mass shooting, or even the presidential campaigns.  It is the Powerball Lottery that has captured much of our attention;“A billion dollar prize.”  I have tried my best to ignore it, but the reality is greed has won out.  The lottery is part of our culture, so it is here to stay.  I cannot help but reflect on the message of St. Paul to Timothy.

“Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction … and pierced themselves with many pangs”

(1 Timothy 6:9–10).

My anti-lottery sentiment is pretty deeply rooted.  We were living in the Chicago area when the State of Illinois introduced the lottery as a way to boost state income.  My teammate at the time, Pastor Bill Huener, was quick to label it a “poor tax.”  He was not hesitant to talk about his objections and he openly discouraged church members from participating.  His rational was based on the passage above. 

I have only one experience at possessing a lottery ticket.  During those days it was not uncommon for gas stations to reward you for your purchase by giving you a free gift.  Sometimes it was glassware, or a box of detergent.  I purchase gas one evening and was presented with a lottery ticket as a way of saying thanks.  In this case, it was “thanks for the guilt.”   I quite frankly was relieved when the numbers did not produce a winner.  

I feel the same way about casino gambling.  I realize that many people consider it to be entertainment, but the reality is most people are gambling in hope of hitting it big.  I have only been to Las Vegas once.  I was speaking at an educator conference, and could not get out of town fast enough.  It all seemed pretty sleazy to me.  I have not been back and probably will not venture across the border to visit one of those fancy casinos in Oklahoma either. 

I have to wonder what kind of a message we are sending to the next generation.  I do not see the future in buying a lottery ticket in hopes of becoming a millionaire.  I certainly do not want my children, grandchildren or other young folks I hold dear to chase false hope.  In my mind we all need to learn to live with a lot less and give away a lot more.  I think that is what Jesus calls us to do, and he backed it up by laying down His life.  Believing in the reality of a risen Savior is much better than any lottery jackpot. 

Remember: The things of this world will either break, wear out or get stolen.  The love of Jesus is forever.  

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy,

and thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 

where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in a steall.

For where your heart is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21 

Millennials Picks Labor Unions over Religion

Pew Research is widely respected as an organization that has its pulse on American culture.   A report that they release this past week caught my attention.  I can even go as far as saying it is some of the most disturbing research that I have seen in recent years.  On the surface it paints Millennials in a positive light.  Overall they have a more positive perspective on American institutions than do any other generational groups.  It is the one institution that they do not hold in the highest regard that troubles me.

The staff at Pew Research identified eight major institutions, from small businesses and large corporations to banks and the national news media.  The church and religious institutions, along with labor unions, were on the list.  Individuals from the four generational groups Millennials, Generation X, Baby Boomers and The Silent Generation were surveyed.  The surprising thing is that with every case, Millennials held a higher regard for the institutions than any generational group.  The lone exception was the church, where every other generational group held religious institutions in higher esteem.

Overall, church and religious organizations finished somewhere in the middle, a fact disturbing in itself.  Small business, colleges and technology companies got the most positive reviews.  National news media and the entertainment industry were viewed as having the least positive influence.  The sad reality is that today’s young people have a more favorable view of labor unions (57%), than the church (55%).  Members of Generation X (62%) and Baby Boomers (67%) saw religious institutions in a more positive light.  At that, about one third of Americans do not view the church as an institution that has a positive effect on our country. 

I am not surprised by the statistics.  As I have shared in the past; many teens and young adults turned their backs on the church long ago.  Still we face a challenge: What steps to take to reverse the trend?   The challenge comes in changing the perception that the church is self-serving, resistant to change in culture and, worst of all, not very accepting of those who are in need of grace and forgiveness.  Changing the perception on all those issues is a tall order, and I must add I do not see the institutional church all that anxious to change.  National church leaders are often more interested in turf protection than they are being Jesus to the broken and lost.

The sad fact is that most Millennials would rather give money to feed starving children in Africa or provide housing for the homeless, than to support a local church – even if they might attend that church once in a while.  In their minds Apple and Microsoft can be trusted more to make have a positive impact on our culture.

I personally do not see this as an institutional problem, but more a discipleship issue.  To be perfectly honest, most Christians do not come off all that different from the rest of society.  We are called to unconditionally love all those who are lost and broken, and often we are viewed as judgmental rather than loving and forgiving.  The change must begin with me.  We can only change the perception one individual at a time.