Review: "Corinthian Elders" by Jack Fortenberry

Yesterday I received the book "Corinthian Elders" to read and review. I sat down to read it, and in one sitting was able to do so. It's not a very long book, and people who enjoy reading - particularly the subject material will likely finish it very quickly.

I really appreciate the gist of Jack's "essay" on the role of elders in the local church - which is that we've gone off camber as The Church by embracing the teaching of men - even those who are good teachers. Jack does a good job of showing how this has been somewhat of a problem since the first century church when there were divisions because of individuals aligning themselves with Paul, Peter, and so on. Of course, these apostles were upright, good teachers, and could provide much insight into Jesus having spent time with him, etc. However, Paul still encouraged his readers to align themselves under the headship of Jesus Christ and not other men.

Jack does a good job summarizing the New Testament view of the New Covenant truth that The Spirit of God now resides in us and is able to communicate truth to us through the Scripture without the need of intermediaries who spoon-feed us or otherwise play a middle-man role in our walk with the Lord.

Further, a main theme in Jack's work is the Centrality and Supremacy of Jesus Christ. This is something that is showing up more and more in the thoughts and reflections of the saints which I believe is evidence of God at work! The Church has largely just paid lip service to Jesus Christ for nearly two thousand years and it's time for Jesus to actively be the head of His body in every aspect of The Church - including leadership. Jack makes the appeal for Jesus to be our head both personally and corporately.

Another aspect I appreciate about this book, and others like it, is it's ability to bring harmony to what often seem like opposing views. Specifically, the role of elders in the local church along with a consensus understanding of God's direction among the congregation. I think Jack does a great job highlighting the role of elder without giving it more or less value than the Scriptures allow.

Those accustomed to more institutional views of Church would likely struggle with the ideas expressed in this book because tradition is not easily dislodged from the soul. I am not saying all tradition is bad, but some traditions keep us from accepting the plain truths of scripture. I believe the truths that Jack has written about here are necessary to hear and must result in a change of thinking in some areas of our understanding.

If you're a person who longs to see Jesus lead His Church - not as a metaphor, but literally - you need to read this book. If you're a leader or otherwise involved in a local fellowship - read this book.

Moving Past "Event-Driven"

First a note to my colleagues... this has nothing to do with "Event-Driven" programming, architecture, design, etc. If you want to read on, feel free, but this is about faith, not technology.

Okay, now that we've filtered out the riff-raff ;-)...

It's been on my mind for a while to write a little about what I think is a scourge on The Church in America and the western world at large - that is, an "Event-Driven" understanding of Church. Before I begin, I'll be the first to confess that I have had this view myself, and have needed to repent of it. In fact, I am still struggling to change my thinking and vocabulary in these areas.

What is Event-Driven Church? It's viewing Church as something to go to and participate in rather than something we're part of and is part of us.

An Event-Driven view of church sees the Christian life taking place in a series of meetings, get-togethers, and well... events! It's a way of thinking that says "we're Christians, so we need to do [Insert idea here] with one another" as a means of relating to other believers. I am not talking about normal, simple things like dinner, going to the park, etc - but events that are more planned, rigid, unnatural anywhere else, require a special language to participate in, etc.

But that's not something visible in Scripture is it?

I hear this sort of view reflected often. Usually it's with incredible zeal for doing good things - but in my opinion - it's leading the average American Christian into a life of extreme busyness, but not really providing many of the benefits of a life shared in the community of other believers.

Often it's like this.... "Heh John, we have some things in common - you like to play golf, I like to play golf... maybe we should start a Christian Golf League and play Christian Golf every week? We could begin with a devotional reading of Scripture, followed by prayer, then play 9 holes of golf!". From there, it's a downward spiral into meetings, committees, by-laws and a completely lifeless, in-organic way of relating to one another. Usually, the thing in common is now less enjoyable, and so are the relationships.

Why not just go play golf with your buddies? If you're a believer, it should be quite natural to be talking of your relationships with Jesus as you play golf. Too, I bet most of us are responsible enough to manage our own recreational schedules without the need to have someone coordinate our golf outings with our friends.

In my other relationships in life, there's not this unnatural need or tendency to create specialized events to spend time together, so why do we do that in The Church, where we ought to have more natural intimate and more meaningful relationships than anywhere else?

We don't have committees design our time with those we relate to everywhere else in life, why do we have them for relating to other saints? Why can we not get together without it being a prayer meeting, bible study, or outreach event?

We've replaced being together in simple relationships with this whole un-natural means of quazi-relationship that (to borrow a phrase from Frank Viola) is so shallow, a gnat couldn't drown in it!

Just a brief look through scripture reveals that the early Church related to one another in quite normal, natural ways. Church for them was what/who they were as a group - not something they DID on Sundays, etc. They were a people gathered under the headship and commonality of Jesus Christ.

Nearly all the instructional aspects of the epistles are written to address issues of relationship because this is where the early Church lived their life - in the gritty, day-to-day dealings with one another. This wasn't "how to be polite and civil with one another" sort of instruction - but how to deal with people at a soul-level. They spent lots of time together and knew a whole lot about one another - The good, the bad, the ugly!

Likewise, Jesus doesn't appear to have staged events in town center either nor did he call what he did "outreach" or "ministry". He simply went about, meeting people, hearing stories, forgiving, teaching along the way, etc. He didn't setup "Friend Day", or a "Free Donkey-Wash" to get people interested in what he had to say. But this is completely the sort of thing we do these days, isn't it? We even have special words to describe these things. If we have a cup of coffee with our spouse in Starbucks, it's called having a cup of coffee. If we meet a friend there for a cup of coffee to talk about their troubled marriage we call the same thing "ministry". Why the difference?

I don't know about you, but I feel totally busy but often very lacking in meaningful, real, time with people that results in all of us being built up. Most of this busyness comes from this sort of thinking unfortunately. Further, I find the more I say no to these special events, the more those believers seem to get offended. This to me is the real shame. What binds us together should not be our common attendance at any event - but our common relationship with Jesus Christ. That's what being IN The Church means!

Hopefully, we'll learn to replace GOING TO church with BEING The Church and by God's grace more past being event-driven and on to relating to one another in more caring, meaningful, and natural ways.

Just my $.02

Thoughts on Rick Warren

I'll be the first one to confess that I've been largely critical of the Purpose Driven Life phenomena over the last few years. It's not the man, Rick Warren that I don't care for, but the evangelical frenzy over "shiny things" that come about in the evangelical sub-culture (ie. PDL, WWJD, Prayer of Jabez, Promise Keepers). I realize that people are sometimes encouraged by these fads, but I still believe the collective adoration of Evangelicals toward these things is nothing short of idolatry. Only Jesus Christ should occupy our attention with such fervor, in my opinion.

Anyway, it comes as no surprise to me that Rick Warren, being as popular as he is, would be invited to pray at a President Obama's Inauguration, or address the Islamic Society of North America. Likewise, it doesn't surprise me that there would be an evangelical uproar in response to these actions.

From what I've been able to tell from the news reports, the gist of Warren's message was "let's work together on addressing some social plights in the world." Heresy!? Not quite, but at the same time, I don't believe the mission of Jesus Christ and his body (The Church) is solely to address social issues either.

What I find disturbing is the evangelical attitude toward Warren for even attending and participating in these events. It reminds me of the response of another group of religious people a few thousand years ago.

In one example found in reading of the Gospel of John, I see Jesus breaking all sorts of social and religious taboos by deciding to talk to a Samaritan women - about religious things. This women had totally different ideas about God than Jesus, not to mention she was a women, not to mention she was an adulterous women, etc.

Yet, Jesus' love for this women is apparent in scripture. He didn't have a separatist attitude toward Samaritans like the religious people of his day (who happened to miss Jesus' entirely due to their religious fervor). In many ways, I think that the American "Christian" sub-culture has made enemies with groups of people (ie. Muslims, Homosexuals). This is contrary to the Gospel because it seeks to cut off certain people from the Cross of Calvary.

Jesus's message to the Samaritan women at the well (who was there for thirst quenching mind you) was that the current religious categories and practices (at that time) don't matter, God was looking for Spirit and Truth worship from Spirit and Truth worshippers. Please, don't misunderstand what I am saying. I am not saying that God wants Islamic and Christian worship. What he wants is people who know and worship him. He's gathering those people from every conceivable people group on earth those "born" into the "christian" sub-cultures of the west, as well as those born into Islam - even religious, mean-spirited people fortunately!

How else, aside from relating to people are we going to build relationships with those who are perishing? If the ISNA wanted to work together with Christians like Warren to build strip clubs across the nation, I could understand the hesitance, but wanting to relate to one another around something social is not synonymous with evil. It's not being yoked together as we're told not to be, but it's an opportunity to relate to one another which is why the Church is here on earth and not in heaven!

We'd all do well to learn that relating to one another does not equate to condoning the beliefs or actions of one another. Separating ourselves entirely from others is not the answer, and it's not something Jesus did. Jesus was nearly always surrounded by CROWDS of people.

In summary, perhaps Christians need to simmer down and holster their weapons. Rick Warren's actions do not make him an enemy of Jesus Christ, nor should he be made an enemy of followers of Jesus. They guy is building relationships with "Samaritans". When's the last time you and I did so?

Review of "From Eternity to Here" and Interview with Frank Viola

I've been reading a terrific book by Frank Viola - "From Eternity to Here". This is by far one of the best books I have read. Many "Christian" books talk about the same tired topics again and again, and usually do a great job of pointing the reader's focus toward self.

Viola does a fantastic job revealing God's ultimate passion - The Bride of His Son! I've read a lot of books, and quite honestly have never seen some of these insights before. I believe that God is doing a work amongst His people, revealing to a crooked generation his ageless love and purpose.

Don't let this week go by without getting a copy of this book!

I had the opportunity to ask Frank a few questions about his book and experience with some of these truths. His answers are as follows:

1. Live and Move: What, if any significance should the Body of Christ see in the timing of God's increasing revelation of his eternal purpose that have been seemingly hidden and waning for thousands of years?
   
   Frank Viola: God’s people, by and large, are not familiar with God’s eternal purpose today. However, we live in a unique time. A book like Pagan Christianity would have never been published by a major publisher five years ago. Yet Tyndale published it in 2008. I still can’t believe that happened by the way. Equally so, this is the first time that I’m aware of that a major Christian publisher has put out a book that comprehensively unfold the eternal purpose. So hopefully by this fact alone, the message of From Eternity to Here will have more of an impact. Not to mention the fact that there will be a number of conferences through the U.S., South Africa, and Canada which will deal with the subject this year. It’s a very exciting time in which to live.
   
   
2. Live and Move: Are you finding the truths that you've been writing about to be currently experienced world-wide among diverse cultures, or is it just North Americans that have had their heads in the sand? How have believers in other cultures, particularly those enduring persecution, responded to the ideas expressed in your recent writing?

Frank Viola: I have no way to gauge this accurately. And I don’t believe anyone else does. Take for instance China. I know a number of people who go there regularly. Their reports are diametrically opposed to one another. So I don’t think anyone has a clear idea about what’s really happening all over that country. I think it’s quite diverse and mixed. Also, many Christian leaders have a tendency to exaggerate and “puff” things up.


I do know that all of my books are being translated into various different languages as we speak. And I receive letters from Christians from all over the world showing the impact they are having on their lives and communities. But it’s hard to gauge beyond that.

OTHER BLOGS PARTICIPATING IN THE “FROM ETERNITY TO HERE” BLOG CIRCUIT

Today (June 9^th), the following blogs are discussing Frank Viola's new bestselling book “From Eternity to Here” (David C. Cook, 2009). The book just hit the May CBA Bestseller List. Some are posting Q & A with Frank; others are posting full reviews of the book. To read more reviews and order a copy at a 33% discount, go to Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Eternity-Here-Rediscovering-Ageless-Purpose/dp/1434768708/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233609867&sr=1-4

For more resources, such as downloadable audios, the free Discussion Guide, the Facebook Group page, etc. go to the official website: http://www.FromEternitytoHere.org

Enjoy the reviews and the Q and A:

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Out of Ur - http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2009/05/viola.html

Shapevine - www.Shapevine.com (June newsletter)

Brian Eberly - http://www.brianeberly.com

DashHouse.com - http://www.DashHouse.com/

Greg Boyd - http://www.gregboyd.org/blog/

Vision Advance - http://vision2advance.blogspot.com/

David Flowers - http://ddflowers.wordpress.com

Kingdom Grace - http://kingdomgrace.wordpress.com

Captain's Blog - http://www.captainestes.blogspot.com/

Christine Sine - http://godspace.wordpress.com

Darin Hufford - The Free Believers Network - www.freebelievers.com

Zoecarnate - http://zoecarnate.wordpress.com

Church Planting Novice - www.churchplantingnovice.wordpress.com

Staying Focused - http://kimmartinezstayingfocused.wordpress.com/

Take Your Vitamin Z - www.takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com

Jeff Goins - http://jeffgoins.myadventures.org

Bunny Trails - http://bunny-trails.blogspot.com

Matt Cleaver - http://mattcleaver.com

Jason T. Berggren - http://blog.jasonberggren.com/

Simple Church - http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/

Emerging from Montana - http://wordofmouthministries.blogspot.com/

Parable Life - http://www.theparablelife.blogspot.com

Oikos Australia - http://www.oikos.org.au/blog/

West Coast Witness - www.WestCoastWitness.com

Keith Giles - http://www.Keith.Giles.com

Consuming Worship -- http://www.consumingworship.org

Tasha Via - www.tashavia.blogspot.com

Andrew Courtright - www.andrewcourtright.blogspot.com

ShowMeTheMooneys! - http://www.showmethemooneys.com/

Leaving Salem, Blog of Ronnie McBrayer - http://leavingsalem.wordpress.com/

Jason Coker - pastoralia.missionaltribe.org

From Knowledge to Wisdom - http://isthistheway.typepad.com/

Home Brewed Christianity - http://www.homebrewedchristianity.com

Dispossessed - http://kblog.kevinjbowman.com

Dandelion Seeds - http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dandelionseeds

David Brodsky's Blog- "Flip the tape Deck" - http://flipthetapedeck.blogspot.com/

Chaordic Journey - http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com

Renee Martin - http://www.reneemartinmusic.com/profiles/blog/list

Bob Kuhn - http://organicchurchnola.wordpress.com/

Living with Freaks: www.livingwithfreaks.com

Real Worship - http://therealworshipleader.com

Fervent Worship - http://ferventworship.blogspot.com

Julie Ferwerda Blog - www.JulieFerwerda.com / www.OneMillionArrows.com

What's With Christina?! - http://w2christina.blogspot.com

Irreligious Canuck - http://www.irreligiouscanuck.com

This day on the journey - http://guychmieleski.blogspot.com

Live and Move: Thoughts on Authentic Christianity - http://liveandmove.blogspot.com/

Spiritual Journey With God - http://www.elvineve.blogspot.com/

Dries Conje - http://www.echurch.co.za / http://www.thejesusfeed.com / http://www.bookdisciple.com.

Journey with Others - http://journeywithothers.blogspot.com

On Now to the Third Level - www.080808onnowto.blogspot.com

Christine Moers - www.welcometomybrain.net

Breaking Point - http://marybethstockdale.wordpress.com

Hand to the Plough - http://www.handtotheplough.com.au

Jon Reid - http://jonreid.blogs.com/oneanother/welcome-pilgrim.html

Weblight - www.blog.worldwidewebservices.se

D. L. Webster - http://gzmproductions.com/dlwebster

Searching for the Whole-Hearted Life - wholeheartedlife.blogspot.com

Kingdom Culture

According to dictionary.com, the definition of "culture" as it relates to human experience is: "the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another."

Growing up as an American, I am constantly faced with how much of my thinking regarding God's kingdom is sourced in the "ways of living built up by a the group of human beings"! Some don't see this as a bad thing, but the more I am faced with the truths of scripture, the more I find a holy discontent with what I've considered true for most of my life. I don't find what has been transmitted to me to reconcile very well with what I see revealed in scripture! Yet, it seems like much of has been called "Christianity" is just an attempt to meld principals in the scriptures, and principals of culture into a "Frankenstein" of sorts. The proof that it's messed up is that it doesn't work in every culture! A quick trip or two out of the USA will quickly prove that to be true.

So what is the solution?

The gospel contained in scripture is trans-cultural. That means it is relevant in any culture on earth, despite the specifics of that culture. The scriptures describe a Body of Christ that is made up of every tribe and tongue and nation. Since our earthly cultures are distinct, and often at odds with one another, what else is there? How then should we live?

The essence of living as part of the Body of Christ on this planet means living in a new Culture of the Kingdom. This could be said to be the sum total ways of living designed and orchestrated by the Trinity and imparted to us by the God's own indwelling Spirit as we follow Him. Unlike earthly culture, this is not transmitted by people and passed from generation to generation - something I think we've witnessed enough of in the religious psuedo-gospels of our day, but rather something imparted in our hearts as we encounter Jesus Christ in all his wonder.

For me, the scriptures then become a description of what this Culture of the Kingdom looks like. For too long, we've treated the scriptures, and even Jesus himself as a set of principals used to guide us to a "christian" sub-culture - one that ultimately has Man at the center and not something altogether different and new.

From what can be seen in John 17, the Culture of the Kingdom is supernatural - and when it is functioning will demonstrate to the world that Jesus was sent from the Father.

The world is not interested in a sub-culture. That's nothing new, and is just the work of human beings. However, the super-natural culture described in the scriptures is something altogether different, born of God and possible only through His Spirit transforming our lives. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he taught us to pray saying things like "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"?

By God's grace, I believe we're seeing this Culture of the Kingdom begin to take root here in our country and across the world. Perhaps soon we'll witness the fulfillment of Jesus' requests to the Father in John 17.

Thoughts?

Watch your language?!

I grew up outside of Baltimore, MD and I admit, Marylanders have some pretty funny accents at times (think "Hon", John Trivolta in "Hairspray"). Nevertheless, when I moved to central Pennsyltucky where I now reside, I noticed some pretty funny patterns of speech. One of which sticks out to me is the occurrence of improper word substitution. For example, during one conversation, someone was speaking of getting used to something and said things would probably be fine once you get accumulated. Accumulated? Oh! You mean acclimated!

I just use that as an example of using the wrong words to describe the wrong things - something I think is happening alarmingly too much in the lives of followers of Jesus Christ.

On pretty much a daily basis, I hear someone talking about "going to church", or "it's at church", or "that's at such and such church", "where do you go to church" etc. I also occasionally hear the church building called "God's house", or "the house of the Lord" - two sayings that are in direct conflict with the teaching of scripture.

Now, I realize that our culture has adopted the word "church" for describing these buildings and events, but should believers do so? Doesn't it re-enforce the wrong thinking that The Church is an event or a building? Calling the event church is like calling dinner with your spouse "marriage". "Honey, what's for marriage tonight?", or "What time should I be home for marriage?", "You're late for marriage!". You get the point I hope. Marriage is a relationship - and so is Church.

Some might say this is mincing words, but I say, let's try to speak using a scriptural vocabulary. I am completely guilty of this myself. Our family has been trying to change this for years now, and it's painful. We've got our kids using the right vocabulary (and more importantly, understanding the idea), and they've turned into little vocabulary Nazis! I see hope though of a new generation of Jesus followers with a fresh new understanding of being The Church, instead of going to church.

So what have you're experiences been like with this? How are you describing and speaking of your church meetings, locations, etc? Please post your ideas in the comments.

Is your theology idolatry?

I've got this friend whom I see occasionally who always seems to bring every conversation around to a specific theological/doctrinal issue. Heck, he skips the small talk even and just jumps right in to the issue on his mind. It's just that it's the same issue all the time! It's funny to me that people who seem to love this particular doctrine frequently seem to do the same thing. Some of you will rightly guess what doctrine I am speaking of simply by your common experience (feel free to post your guesses in the comments)!

I guess some would just call this obsessive, and I would agree that it is. But what's the difference between obsessions and idolatry? Isn't idolatry just when we obsess over or fill our mind with things other than the God of the universe? Isn't it when we've allowed an idea to fill our minds to the point that no other thoughts can dislodge our attention on these things?

If that is the case, then can't our theology become idolatry? I think the answer might be yes! Now, don't get my wrong, I am not advocating (as some do) abstinence from theological thought or doctrinal study. However, when our theology become something we adore, we're in the wrongful territory of idolatry.

In my own life, I am coming to the conclusion that true life is found only in an uninterrupted obsession with Jesus. That might sound crazy, but if we're obsessed with him to the point of focusing all our thoughts and attentions on him, then we're in the right where God designed us to be. That's what being the Alpha and Omega is all about in my opinion.

So, by God's grace, perhaps we'll all lay down our idols and start obsessing over Jesus rather than our pet doctrines and theologies. Maybe if we do that, we'll actually see the life of Jesus manifested in our lives, and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What are your thoughts?