Best Books About Church - Part 5

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt invites Christians to examine their way of life compared to the lives of the disciples who left everything and followed Jesus. Platt challenges us to recognize our duplicity in twisting the gospel to fit our comfortable life styles. Defining what Jesus said and meant and illustrating the revolutionary results that come when we “believe and obey” Platt then describes “The Radical Experiment – a one year journey to authentic discipleship.”

I read this a year ago and need to read it again. This is a good book to read and reread It will help us persevere in a deeper walk with Christ.

Radical Together: Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God by David Platt takes Platt’s ideas from his book Radical and applies them to the church. Platt asks what happens when a church unites in exalting God above all else? “What happens when our primary aim is not to make the crowds feel comfortable but to exalt God in his glory?” This book can change our churches if enough Christian churches read it, study it and put it into action. Radical Together includes a group discussion guide. This is a challenging book. 

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God’s Spirit invades the Hearts of his People by Jim Cymbala is a powerful account of how God’s Spirit worked in the life of Jim Cymbala and his wife when they led a run down church with few members and no financial support. Through many struggles and thoughts of giving up they stayed the course and the Brooklyn Tabernacle is now an icon in the city of New York and the world. More importantly it has transformed the lives of many people from all walks of life.

Early on Cymbala decided that the Tuesday evening prayer meeting would be the most important gathering each week. He believes the prayer meeting is “the engine that drives the church.” Sound doctrine is essential, but we also need the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to seek him with passion. The book is full of biblical illustrations and contemporary stories of changed lives. This inspiring, timeless book encourages all Christians to depend on the Holy Spirit.

Here are some choice quotes:

• Boldness can only be imparted by the Holy Spirit. There is no such thing as “taught boldness.”  Pg 123

• We are consumed with the unbiblical concept of “church growth.” Pg 124                                             
• The old saying is true. If you have only the word, you dry up. if you have only the Spirit, you blow up. But if you have both, you grow up.  Pg 152

• The Bible teaches that we are always drawing nearer to God or falling down. There is no holding pattern. Pg 164

I first read this book years ago and yet I still remember Cymbala’s charge to new members to stop anyone who says an unkind word of criticism about anyone. Pg 160

This is a small book you will read and reread. It is full of wisdom.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

Blessings, Dottie 

Best Books About Church 1

Best Books About Church 2

Best Books About Church 3

Best Books About Church 4

Best Books About Church - Part 4

This is my fourth post in a series on best books about church. The links for the others are below.

Extreme Church Makeover: A Biblical Plan to Help Your Church Achieve Unity and Freedom in Christ by Neil T. Anderson is an excellent book about how to achieve church unity. Anderson describes a biblical plan involving corporate repentance that will lead to freedom and unity in Christ. Anderson’s thoughts on spiritual warfare and overcoming historic baggage in a church, ring true to me as a clinical social worker and as a church member.

Anderson says “If the [church] leadership lacks an adequate theology of resolution, they either lower their standards and expectations or live in denial and continue to muddle along with business as usual. We have learned that Individual freedom must come to the leadership before organizational freedom can be accomplished. The church Body cannot rise above its leadership.” (pg12)

This dynamic book can help transform and unite church leadership and the church as a whole.

The Emotionally Healthy Church: A Strategy for Discipleship that Actually Changes Lives by Peter Scazzero describes the ingredients for a church to be authentic and healthy. The book is in four sections - Discipleship’s Missing Link, Biblical Basis for a New Paradigm of Discipleship, Seven Principles of an Emotionally Healthy Church and Where Do We Go from Here? Scazzero presents a brilliant and needed strategy for life changing discipleship.

I have seen many churches copying each other, attempting to be like the well known mega-churches. So I especially liked this comment:

“It takes great maturity for a church to identify opportunities and to choose not to take advantage of them. Each church, like each small group, ministry, and individual, has God-given limits. How many services should we have on Sunday? What about a Saturday night service? Others are doing it successfully and growing. If we are two hundred people, why not become four hundred or eight hundred, or ten thousand? I always assumed continued numerical growth for every local church was God’s will. It is not.” Pg 141 

Christian leaders and laymen should read this book.

The Gospel as Center: Renewing Our Faith and Reforming Our Ministry Practices, edited by D.A. Carson & Timothy Keller, features chapters by influential Christian leaders from a variety of denominations. Their purpose is to clarify, unify and strengthen the gospel message in the church today. Their hope is that this will stem the tide of cultural in roads into our faith and practice. It's an excellent resource book for concerned Christians.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

  

Blessings, Dottie 

See previous links to Best Books About Church:

#1 http://faithnotes-dottie.blogspot.com/2013/11/best-books-about-church.html#links

#2 http://faithnotes-dottie.blogspot.com/2014/01/best-books-about-church-part-2.html#links

#3 http://faithnotes-dottie.blogspot.com/2014/02/best-books-about-church-part-3.html#links

Best Books About Church - Part 3

Church Book Reviews 3

This is my third post in a series on best books about church. The links for the others are below.

The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception by John MacArthur, well known pastor and author. MacArthur writes about the fact that Truth is under attack by our post modern culture and some of those attacking it are inside the church. False teaching, indifference and a lack of accountability infect many churches today. MacArthur says, “False teachers aren’t necessarily even that obvious. They don’t wear badges identifying themselves as apostates. They usually try hard not to stand out as enemies of truth. They pretend devotion to Christ and demand tolerance from Christ’s followers.” Christians concerned about the church may want to also read these other books by MacArthur: Anatomy of a Church, Ashamed of the Gospel and Reckless Faith.

They Like Jesus but not the Church: Insights From Emerging Generations, by Dan Kimball, Pastor of Vintage Faith Church. This is a must read for those who want to reach emerging generations while speaking the truth. The book is divided into three parts – Why Emerging Generations are Changing, What Emerging Generations Think About the Church, and How the Church Can Respond. I was especially helped by an illustration of syncretism (combining contradictory views) Kimball observed in a TV sitcom.

“A family was discussing which religion to dedicate a newborn baby in. The father wanted the baby baptized. But the mother wanted to have some sort of Hindu ceremony performed. And the grandparents wanted the baby to be circumcised by a Jewish rabbi. Before you knew it, the whole family was arguing. In the end, they compromised and said, “Each of us will bring our own religious leader and we will do all of them.”

Kimball emphasizes the need to form friendships first, listen to what others believe, understand what attracts them to their “faith,” and be respectful. We know this, but don’t always practice it. Only when we do these things should we attempt to explain the Christian faith. Kimball has interesting visuals in his book—a historical map of when each faith began, and pictures of three different mountains to God showing why all roads don’t lead to God. He says various faiths have similar teachings at the base of the mountain, but they each climb a different mountain leading to a different God. This is an excellent book!

 Religion Saves + Nine other Misconceptions is by Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Driscoll answered questions from his congregation in an evening service (without children there). The top nine sermons are included in this book. In the introduction he states that “religion” never saved anyone, and religious answers to complex questions are simply misconceptions, hence the title. His answers are biblical and he notes that many of today’s issues are not addressed in the Bible. Questions covered deal with dating and sex, the long standing debates between Arminians and Calvinists, and between Catholics and Protestants, the emerging church and how Christians should relate to culture and the lost. The chapter on what worship is and isn’t describes differing views about this in a clear and balanced way. This is an excellent and well researched book written in an easy to read format.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

Blessings, Dottie

Here’s the link to Best Books About Church 1

Here’s the link to Best Books About Church 2

Best Books About Church - Part 2

This is the second in a series of posts on books about church. Today I’m reviewing two more excellent books about today’s church. These books describe the failure of many churches to remain focused on biblical truth. Many churches espouse false beliefs or syncretism – combine contradictory beliefs. Both books also offer positive solutions. Here’s the link for Best Books About Church Part 1.

Bad Religion: How we Became a Nation of Heretics by Ross Douthat gives a detailed, carefully researched study on the decline of Christianity in the United States in the last fifty years. He says that “American democracy, while formally secular, has always depended on religion to provide a moral framework for its citizens.” The decline in faith has impacted our morals, both private and public. Douthat says: “Faith has been steadily marginalized with increasingly disastrous results” and he argues that America doesn’t have too much religion, or too little religion, but rather, Bad Religion. The decline of traditional Christianity has led to many destructive “pseudo-Christianities.”

Douthat gives a detailed account of the reasons for the decline in faith including observations about social trends. He cites the effect of many heretics – John Spong, as well as misguided leaders, Joel Osteen (“Pray and grow rich”), Joyce Meyers (“Obey me and you’ll be blessed”), Elizabeth Gilbert (“God dwells within you as yourself “) as well as Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, and Oprah Winfrey.

He concludes with a hope for revival and renewal of orthodox Christianity and his perspective on how this might be achieved. This is an excellent book for scholarly readers. The details became tedious for me – though I learned much and I’m glad I read it.

The Courage to be Protestant: Truth-lovers, Marketers and Emergents in the Postmodern World by David Wells explores significant issues for the church today as indicated by the sub-title. Wells, a Congregational minister, theologian and author, addresses five doctrinal themes: Truth, God, Self, Christ and the Church. Wells urges the evangelical church to have the courage to be faithful to its biblical roots. He laments the light-weight topical messages in many churches today. In many churches psychological wholeness is emphasized rather than biblical holiness. Wells says, “Unless the congregation is being confronted—is being informed by the truth of God’s Word—it will leave as empty and confused as when it came in, no matter how good it may feel about itself. Unless the congregation is learning to think God’s thoughts after him in this world, one that is highly modernized and postmodern in its ethos, it will not be able to function with a Christian worldview.”  

I recommend both of these books.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

Blessings, Dottie

Best Books About Church

Prior to writing and while writing my book, Changing Churches, I read over forty books about the church. Today I want to share several of the books that best address the issues in the church today. I highly recommend each of these books.

Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton is a wake-up call to the Christian church. Horton, a theologian and author cites the many ways the Church has lost its way; is virtually Christless. He says, “I think the church in America today is so obsessed with being practical, relevant, helpful, successful and perhaps even well-liked that it nearly mirrors the world itself.” This book expanded my knowledge and understanding of the issues facing the church today—especially the creeping syncretism (combining contradictory beliefs), false teaching and misguided changes. This is a must read for all concerned Christians.

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever, is another excellent book about the church today. Dever, pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., describes nine essential qualities missing in many churches today and necessary for the health of the church. Christians who are not growing and are not bothered about this fact should disturb us. Dever also describes social ills replacing sin in our concerns. He says, “Today, horizontal problems – problems between people – often obscure the fundamental vertical problem between us and God.” This is a book well worth reading and studying by Christian leaders and lay persons. 

Vintage Church: Timeless Truths and Timely Methods by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears is another excellent book clearly describing what the church is and should be. Jesus Christ as the head of the church is exalted throughout. Chapter titles include: What is A Christian Church, Who is Supposed to Lead a Church? Why is Preaching Important? How Can a Church be Unified? How Can a Church Utilize Technology? How Could the Church Transform the World? In the chapter on church unity a detailed discussion of what divides the church including: heretics, pride, legalism, distrust, traditionalism, to little or too much organization, founder dysfunction, mission loss and doing too much. The book contains a wealth of information, is carefully researched as well as lived by the authors. This is a book written in language understandable for both pastors and laity.

Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal, by Chuck Swindoll, is a passionate and hopeful book on the church. Dr. Swindoll, a well known pastor, theologian and author, is also known for his Insight for Living radio broadcast. Swindoll addresses this book to serious church goers and church leaders, urging that the Word of God be central in church worship. He describes erosion that has taken place in the church over the years, a gradual slide from its past historical foundations. We live in a postmodern world in which many no longer believe in absolute truth. Quoting from Isaiah 12:32, "Men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do," Swindoll says the church needs discernment and clear heads in turning the tide of postmodernism that has caused the church to slide "into the murky waters of a post-Christian swamp." Swindoll’s book lifted my spirits, informed and delighted me.

“On this Rock I will build my church.” Matt.16:18

Blessings, Dottie

In Praise of Pastors

Last year I read Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas, a biography of the noted pastor who became a martyr during Hitler’s reign. Dietrich Bonhoeffer taught pastors, focusing on their prayer life as well as their knowledge of Scripture. Metaxas writes,”Bonhoeffer took preaching seriously. For him a sermon was nothing less than the very word of God, a place where God would speak to his people. . . Preaching was not merely an intellectual exercise….It was a holy privilege to be the vessel through whom God would speak.”

Pastors have a high calling from God and are most effective when, like Bonhoeffer, “they are entirely in God’s grasp.” Pastors engage in a demanding vocation. They need to be love, appreciated, encouraged and supported.

Pastors have played a huge role in my life. My father, grandfather and a brother-in-law were pastors. Here’s an excerpt from Changing Churches about pastors:

Pastors perform a variety of tasks and are on call, day in and day out. My father wrote in an old diary, "I’m excited about my first church, but it’s   hard to imagine giving up my  

Sundays and my weekends for the rest of my life."

Pastors follow a different schedule than most of us. They give up their weekends and 

holidays —because they’re working. They’re in demand at odd hours—when people are sick, when tragedy strikes, and on happy occasions like weddings. Often their family life is slighted.

Pastors also suffer from the apathy of members. Parents who pour their hearts into their children know how it hurts when their children are indifferent. This is also true for pastors. John MacArthur says, “The toughest thing to deal with in the ministry is indifference.” Spurgeon, in the late nineteenth century, said the same thing, “Everywhere there is apathy. Nobody cares whether that which is preached is true or false. A sermon is a sermon whatever the subject; only, the shorter it is the better.”

Pastors and leaders are under attack from needy or disgruntled church members. They can’t possibly meet the expectations of every member, and Satan also is after them!

Chuck Swindoll, in his book, The Church Awakening says, “Any pastor who is doing the hard work of communicating the truth—and also living it—lives with a big, bold bull’s-eye on his chest. Every courageous pastor who speaks the truth is under the gun. He is in the direct line of fire from the adversary. . . Pray for your pastor! He needs it more than you can imagine. I urge you also to let him know of your commitment to pray for him.”

Christians, respect, value, and love your pastors and pray for them daily. They are human and have a difficult and holy job.

Blessings, Dottie

Cultural Confusion & the Church

A secular worldview has infiltrated the church. The values of our culture are pragmatic, narcissistic and relativistic – and these views have seeped into the church. We must wake up to these influences and stem the tide of unbiblical changes, beliefs and practices INSIDE the church. We also can and must winsomely engage others in turning to the Truth.

Chapter 13 in Changing Churches describes in detail the impact of secular influences including new age beliefs in our culture, church and even in our family.  Ravi Zacharias speaks to some of these cultural changes. (Quotation edited for clarity and brevity.)

     Spirituality is writ large in the West as gurus come and go…

·        How is it that a culture that once frowned upon certain sexual practices now frowns upon those who frown upon them?

·        How is it that from the normal use of language in public broadcasting in [the past] even mild deviations were viewed as serious infractions, [while] we now experience on a daily basis entertainment that has moved…to the crassness of shock and vulgarity?

·        Why is it that the more perverse the story, the greater the audience it draws on television or at the theater?

Has all this happened because our taboos were wrong or is it that, in a very real sense, we have pushed the Replay button on the saga of Eden and can now look, touch, and taste anything we wish to because we have become gods, determining for ourselves what is right and what is wrong?

A couple of years ago I reread George Orwell’s book, 1984, a dystopian novel published in 1949. I noted in my journal the haunting nature of the book in which citizens are taught slogans redefining truth — “War is Peace”, “Freedom is Slavery,” and “Ignorance is Strength.” I included in my journal a quote from the book spoken by one of the totalitarian Big Brothers: “In the successful manipulation of the mind the person is no longer saying the opposite of what he thinks, but he thinks the opposite of what is true. Thus he has suspended his independence and his integrity completely.”

Truth is further being redefined today. We can all think of examples of this.

John MacArthur says “Truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory and being of God. “ Christians, we need to be strong in our faith so we can stand firm against the assaults on the truth. We know the Truth.

Jesus is the Truth. Guard the Truth.                

Blessings, Dottie

Finding a Healthy Church

Choosing a church is quite an adventure, but one that must be entered into prayerfully. In my book, Changing Churches: A View from the Pew, I describe in detail our search for a new church. Here are some of the things we found helpful on our journey.

My husband and I listed our hoped for criteria. Yes, we wrote down and talked about each item. We wanted to find a biblical church that exalted Jesus Christ. We hoped for a friendly church, reverent worship, good music and a deliberate Communion service. We assumed any church with these qualities would also be mission and outreach minded. We narrowed our search to churches nearby so we could be active at any age. We also hoped for a smaller church so we could get to know others.

Roger Olsen in The Mosaic of Christian Belief says that many people today have little concern for beliefs and often base their decision about a church on the worship style or the programs for children or teenagers. These may be important to you, but be certain to consider the beliefs of each church you visit or you may be in for a disappointment.

Choosing a church is complicated in today’s world because what you see may not be what you get.

Olsen says:

"Many and perhaps most churches have seriously down played theology and doctrine in the second half of the twentieth century. It is very difficult to find out exactly what a  church believes and whether or not it actually takes the beliefs it says it holds seriously....You could find yourself in a church that advertises itself as Christian but denies the Trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation by grace alone, and a host of basic Christian beliefs."

A church that is vague about foundational Christian beliefs would not be a healthy church. Does the church require those who join be committed to Christ? Are members expected to be “born-again” Christians? The urge to enlarge a church by watering down the “entrance” requirements dilutes the effectiveness of the church.

We learned a great deal about the churches we visited from their websites. The statement of beliefs shown there will vary. Some are lengthy; some are short. Some are detailed and specific; some are vague. Meet with the pastor to learn more.

 Look for unity in the church. Look for transparency – openness in addressing any question or issue. Look for a church where Scripture is taught in its entirety. Look for a church where Jesus Christ is Lord. Pray as you search and the Holy Spirit will touch your heart when you attend the church where God is leading you.

A healthy church will accept you warmly, welcome your questions and give complete answers. A healthy church will inspire and challenge you to grow in your faith.

Blessings, Dottie

Leaving a Church

Leaving a church is a serious issue. Changing churches must be done prayerfully. For more on how to make the decision see Deciding to Leave Your Church. Also, consider the issue of beliefs below.

Do Beliefs Matter?
As you prayerfully approach leaving, what do you look for when searching for a new church? What do you hope for in a church? Do beliefs matter? Do you simply look for a worship style you enjoy or a friendly congregation? Certainly these are important and it's reasonable to list the things you hope for in a new church. But do you learn enough about the beliefs of churches you visit? Roger Olsen writes in the Mosaic of Christian Belief,

"Many people have such little familiarity with or concern for beliefs that they don't even know what to look for other than clues to how churches worship. Many people base their decisions about churches more on worship styles or programs for children, youth or adults than on what the churches believe."

This rings true. Many Christians are naïve about gospel beliefs. Coming from unbelief we certainly were. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that Methodists base their beliefs on Scripture, experience, reason and tradition (SERT). The experience part appealed to me. Like most women, I am tuned into feelings and experiential ways of knowing God. Faith based on reason pleased my husband. The pastor made it clear that Scripture trumped all other aspects. Doctrine and Scripture should be emphasized more than it is in many churches. In depth Bible studies taught and fed us, challenged and changed us over the years.

Michael Horton, a pastor and theologian, says, "I think that the church in America today is so obsessed with being practical, relevant, helpful, successful and perhaps even well-liked that it nearly mirrors the world itself." This is the danger. In today's world it's important to investigate the beliefs of a church before deciding to join. Pastor David Smith, editor of SBC Voices, says:

"Those who refuse to exercise doctrinal discernment swim in shark-infested waters with open wounds. They invite on themselves and their churches the deception of Satan and the excesses of human emotion and impulsiveness. Without an anchor to hold it, without a rudder to guide it, the church is cast about by every wind of deceit that blows. God's Word is that anchor, that rudder, which helps us navigate through the lies Satan has sown in this world."

Christians, we need to take our faith seriously. Why do we go to church? Are we true believers? Have our lives been changed by knowing Jesus? Are worship and prayer significant in our life? Without Bible study how do we understand our faith? How do we continue to grow? How are we able to pass our faith along to others? I'd love to hear your comments.

Christians, have you truly committed your life to Jesus and his church? As individuals we need to recommit ourselves to Him, study his word, pray daily, even hourly and jump into a church with both feet. Just make certain the church you join is biblical, will teach you, disciple you, and hold you accountable.

Blessings, Dottie

P.S. For much more information on Changing Churches my book is available on Amazon. It describes our journey in three churches and also raises questions about changes in the church. See my reviews on Amazon.

DOES CHURCH SIZE MATTER?

Is Big Really Better?   
The impact of megachurches, both positive and negative, is detailed in my book, Changing Churches. The question I focus on in this blog is the issue of church size. Is big really better?

Almost 60% of the churches in the United States have 99 members or less. 35% have 100 to 499 members. Yet megachurches win most of the media attention. And megachurches are often the model smaller churches mimic.

Twenty years ago we visited a very large United Methodist Church in Ohio. We entered a vast sanctuary through one of many doors. The ushers at each door carried walkie-talkies to communicate with each other. People streamed in, mostly young and casually dressed. In 1979 the membership at this church stood at 118, with 90 in attendance each Sunday. They now "host" 4,500 people in five services each weekend.

The Perils of Bigness
Are there negative side effects to rapid and enormous growth? Malcolm Gladwell, in his book The Tipping Point, describes a "magic moment" that causes unexpected change, similar to an epidemic spreading quickly from one person and infecting vast numbers of people. Gladwell shows that the size of a group can precipitate dramatic change. According to Gladwell:
     

Congregations of a rapidly expanding church or the members of a social club, or anyone in a group activity banking on the epidemic spread of shared ideals needs to be particularly cognizant of the perils of bigness. Crossing the 150 line is a small change that can make a big difference.

Gladwell cites a variety of sources that indicate groups larger than 150 become alienated and divided. In other words, the larger the church the more difficult it is to be connected and to be united in purpose. Yet these are two qualities essential for an effective church. The desire by a church to grow bigger and bigger may be a man-devised goal. Little notice is taken of a church with 118 people. No church tries to be a small church. The world values bigness and large numbers.

We forget that Jesus valued faith the size of a mustard seed. We forget he chose only twelve disciples, and none with special credentials. The early church met in homes and multiplied itself by planting new churches. John Wesley did the same thing. That's why most every town has several Methodist churches to this day.

In an impersonal world we need to be in a church where we can know each other and are known by each other. Hopefully most megachurches make every effort to be connected and unified. I'm speaking here to Christians in small churches. Value what you have.

  

Rick Warren put it this way recently in his blog:

Every church is large in God's eyes, there's no such thing as a small or insignificant church. Jesus died for your church. That's how much your ministry matters to God. It is the Body and Bride of Christ. 

Church growth, led by his spirit, rather than engineered by man, produces deeper faith and gentle growth. Family connections remain in tact and church unity thrives. Small churches are in the majority and many faithfully bring glory to God. We need to stop copying the big box churches and prayerfully commit to our church family.


Blessings, Dottie

P.S. For much more information on Changing Churches my book is available on Amazon. It describes our journey in three churches and also raises questions about changes in the church. See my reviews on Amazon.

Musical Unity?

Worship Wars Divide Us                                                                                        

Much has been written about the “worship wars” of recent decades sparked largely by the change of music from traditional to contemporary. Charles Swindoll, in his book Church Awakening details these wars in a balanced way. He says “What God intended for his glory and for our corporate and personal growth­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ – worship, has been transformed from a soul-deep commitment to an ugly, carnal fight.” This is sad but true. Swindoll also says, “God intends our corporate worship to be a unified voice directed at Him-for Him.”

The March 2011 issue of Christianity Today featured many articles on worship music including one by religion professor T. David Gordon titled “Pop Goes the Music.” Gordon wrote “’traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ have become their own denominations." Many churches hold separate traditional and contemporary services. This effectively divides the congregation. Unity is lost as well as community. Gordon also notes the change from music as a participatory experience to a passive one. Worship, in many contemporary settings, resembles entertainment with the congregation listening. The volume of the music stifles singing along. Shouldn’t worship involve everyone?  

Wayne Grudem in his chapter on worship in Systematic Theology writes: Singing is especially important to worship in both the Old and New Testaments. In our day there has been quite a change in both the standard English that is spoken by people and the musical forms that people are familiar with, and churches need to talk and plan openly and honestly in order to find a mix of songs that can be sung  well by the whole congregation, and that people can genuinely identify with as a vehicle for expressing their praise to God. Songs that address God directly in the second person (that is, speaking to God as “you” rather than speaking about him as “he”) will often be especially effective as worship songs - though Psalms show that both kinds of songs are pleasing to God.”

Swindoll says, “If you have found a church where music has a proper and prominent place, centering its message on the word of God, you have found a rare church. Don’t lose that place.”

           

Worship wars can be avoided by holding two identical services which blend hymns and contemporary songs. In this way the congregation is not split into traditional and contemporary, young and old. All generations worship together. Unity is maintained.

Jesus prayed for our unity. We must live it as a church.

Blessings, Dottie
For more on Worthy Worship + church changes read Changing Churches - available on Amazon. (on sale for $8.82)

Changing Churches Part 2

My book, Changing Churches tackles the issue of tremendous change in churches in recent decades. Changing Churches Part 1 gave an overview of the extensive changes in our culture in the last twenty to fifty years. Today in Part 2 I focus on changes in churches in the last few decades.

Part 2: Change: Good, Bad or Significant?                                                          

Back in the 1990s someone advised a new pastor, "Don't change anything until you know how long it's been there, and who it belongs to--even if it's a dead dog under the front pew." In other words, Don't rock the boat. Keeping things the same was the prevailing wisdom in churches two or three decades ago. Many churches were stuck in sameness.

This is not true today. Changes in church are now the norm; the changes are massive, even exponential. In my book I explore in detail many changes in church and how our changing culture has impacted and even infected the church. Some of the changes have made the church better. Some have hurt the church. Some have simply made it different.

A change for the better has been the updating of hymns with new music for old lyrics and the creation of many new God-exalting hymns. A change that has hurt the church is separating congregations into traditional and contemporary worship. This essentially divides the congregation by age. Another questionable change is marketing the church. This is often pragmatic, divisive and unbiblical. David Wells in The Courage to be Protestant tells of a church that advertised itself as "not your grandmother's church." This suggests anyone over fifty-five is excluded!

Christians need to ask, have the changes adapted the church to the culture? Have the changes diluted the message of the gospel to make it acceptable to seekers? Have the changes deepened the faith of believers? Have the changes won more people to Christ?

Change That's Needed
The mission of the church is to change lives through knowing Jesus Christ. The mission of the church is to teach and lead us in life-changing directions. The church needs radical change empowered by God. The church needs the kind of change David Platt suggests in his book Radical. Here's a quote from him about the church:

What is strangely lacking in the picture of performances, personalities, programs, and professionals is desperation for the power of God. God's power is at best an add-on to our strategies. I am frightened by the reality that the church I lead can carry on most of our activities smoothly, efficiently, even successfully, never realizing that the Holy Spirit of God is virtually absent from the picture. We can easily deceive ourselves, mistaking the presence of physical bodies in a crowd for the existence of spiritual life in a community.

.

A. W. Tozer puts it this way, "Look into the churches and you will find groups of half-saved, half-sanctified, carnal people who know more about the social niceties than they do about the New Testament."

Read Radical if you dare! Read and study the Word of God and seek Him with all your heart - if you dare. We need change that is significant!

Another book by David Platt, Radical Together, takes the ideas from his book Radical and applies them to the church. Platt asks what happens when a church unites in exalting God above all else? “What happens when our primary aim is not to make the crowds feel comfortable but to exalt God in his glory?” This book can change our churches if enough Christian churches read it, study it and put it into action. Radical Together includes a group discussion guide.

Blessings, Dottie

Hurt by Church

Have you been wounded by a church?

Barna reports that millions of unchurched adults are Christians who were hurt by church. They have decided not to look for another church because of their prior painful experiences with a church, a pastor or people in the church. Many Christians, including some of my relatives, have left church and say they are too hurt to try to find another church.

My experiences in leaving two churches were painful, but I didn't carry deep wounds. My faith had grown strong enough to anchor me, and many positive experiences in church gave me perspective. I drifted away from church once and knew this was not the answer. Many who leave church carry wounds they cannot forget. Their reluctance to find another church is understandable. They may need professional help, but they must also look for another church. Lone Ranger Christians lose their spark. Their growth in Christ is stalled without a church. They may even lose their faith as I did.

Unfortunately there are pastors and church leaders who demean, manipulate, seduce or even sexually abuse a member. These hurts are deep and real, even traumatic. Expectations attached to the role of pastor are shattered; trust is gone. Those leaving a church for horrendous reasons will need to seek professional counseling to heal the damage done. Be sure to see a Christian counselor familiar with your denomination or church.

Timothy Keller, in his book, The Reason for God, says "I realize that so many people's main problem with Christianity has far more to do with the church than with Jesus. They don't want to be told that to become a Christian and live a Christian life they need to find a church they can thrive in. They've had too many bad experiences with churches....I realize how risky it is to tell my readers that they should seek out a church. I don't do it lightly, and I urge them to do it with the utmost care. But there is no alternative. You can't live the Christian life without a band of Christian friends, without a family of believers in which you find a place."

Some who leave church and don't return have unrealistic expectations of church. They don't realize that Christians are sinners. We can be mean, petty, and unkind; you name it. Many people leave church because they view other members as hypocrites. They fail to realize that we are all works in progress. We can "talk the talk" better than we can "walk the walk." Who can't?

Close connections with others are fraught with problems. Look at family problems, marital issues, and extended family conflicts. Relationships are difficult. But we learn in relationships and we need them. The alternative is to be alone, uninvolved. Churches demonstrate greater love and acceptance than most groups even though the church spans all generations and all economic levels. Also, God has covered our sins and accepted us without any merit of our own. We are told by Jesus to love and accept others.

So, leavers, I urge you to look for another church. Do so carefully and prayerfully.There are many caring and safe churches.  

Pastors and elders, please be alert to visitors who have been deeply hurt by a church, but have decided to follow Keller's admonition (and mine) and look for another church. Handle them with loving care.

Blessings, Dottie

Deciding to Leave Your Church

 My book, Changing Churches: A View From the Pew has two focuses: 
       1. Church switchers and their difficult journey

2. Changes in churches.                      

Most readers have understood the focus on "church switchers" from the title, but this is only half the story. Changing Churches also describes the church today.

For decades the church did not change. You've heard the saying, "If you don't like the weather---wait a minute." In many churches now we can safely say "If you don't like the music, or the worship service or the preaching---wait a minute."  In many churches changes are occurring faster than you can say "Amen." We need to understand the implications of changes in churches so we can guard the truth that has been entrusted to us. We'll talk about change in a later blog.

In mid October I wrote a post on The Grieving Process and Leaving a Church. Go back to that if you missed it or some may want to reread it. Grieving and leaving is difficult. This week our topic is leaving.

Deciding to Leave Your Church
The decision to leave your church should be made prayerfully and carefully, not lightly or quickly. Pray about it and talk with trusted friends and pastors about it. When we were uncertain about leaving "Main Street Church," I attended an ecumenical prayer group held in another church. As I came to trust the confidentiality in the group I confided my struggle to them. This caring and supportive group rarely gave advice. In this instance they were unanimous and clear. "Don't leave your church unless God tells you to do so."

Membership in a church should not be dismissed casually. It's not the same as choosing to leave a health club or Rotary. We may not realize it, but God places us in our local church. And we commit ourselves to our family of God. Breaking that commitment should not be done simply because we're dissatisfied.

Here's what John Calvin says: "The Lord esteems the communion of his Church so highly that he counts as traitor and apostate from Christianity anyone who arrogantly leaves any Christian society, provided it cherishes the true ministry of the Word and sacraments." Changing churches for less than biblical reasons is a serious matter. 

Valid Reasons to Leave
There are valid reasons to leave a church. If your pastor is a "false teacher," God's Word supports leaving. Scripture tells us to flee, to run away from, false teaching. Other legitimate reasons to leave are: The teaching is not biblical, the leaders are tolerating sin, or God is calling you to help plant a church or calling you to leadership in another church. Even when some of these reasons fit your situation - prayerfully make your decision. Let God guide you.

Managing the Leaving Process
In 1999 my husband and I struggled about whether to leave our beloved church. Again in 2008 we grappled with leaving another dear church. Both times I found journaling invaluable. Writing about the difficulties helped me process them. Talking it over with my husband and with my prayer partner also helped. Of course I prayed about it daily, if not hourly.

I advise leavers not to talk about your issues or struggles in a church class or group in order to avoid spreading gossip or sowing discontent. Do talk with your pastor and leaders and let them know your concerns. Speak the truth in love, with grace, not with anger or blame.

Para church groups and events helped us during the leaving process. For example, when too upset to enter into worship at our own church, we were able to worship in a meaningful way at a monthly Emmaus meeting. We also joined Bible studies and a prayer group elsewhere. Leaving is difficult and assimilation into a new church takes time. Once you've decided to leave, begin looking prayerfully for your new church.

We're not supposed to give up meeting together.

On this rock I will build my church. Matt. 16:18

Blessings, Dottie

Leaving a Church - The Grieving Process

The Grieving Process and Leaving a Church
Leaving a church can be as painful as the death of a loved one or as difficult as a divorce. Grieving is a painful process, it takes time, and moves through stages or steps. The loss of a close friend or relative causes us to weep, mourn, struggle, and be acutely depressed. This is also true for leaving (losing) a church. Leaving a beloved church can be compared to losing your entire family. The leaver loses precious friends - brothers and sisters in Christ. The people we worship with, pray with, study with, and serve with, are not easily left or easily forgotten. The pain can be excruciating.

Active and devout Christians don't leave their home church on a whim. Leaving is not done lightly, though it may seem that way to others. Often the leaver suffers in silence for a long time before revealing he/she is struggling, upset and hurting - or even angry.

The process of leaving follows the five stages of grief, though not necessarily in the same order and each stage can be revisited. The process takes time. The stages are:

1.Denial - "This can't be happening." In this stage the leaver denies what is happening. He or she smiles and ignores troubling issues. The leaver disregards negative thoughts and events; avoids facing feelings of disappointment or even confusion.

2. Anger - "I'm angry about what's happened to cause this." In this stage feelings of anger and critical thoughts erupt. The leaver complains and expresses anger to close friends and family members and to God.

3. Bargaining - "I won't have to leave if....?" In this stage the leaver hopes for things to change, for the pastor to leave, or for things to change for the better; he/she yearns for any way to delay or prevent the inevitable loss.

4. Depression - Tearful laments define this stage. Leavers experience low energy, sadness, even hopelessness. Leaving, though scary, may be a relief at this point. But depression continues.

5. Acceptance - Eventually those who leave accept the loss. Leavers move on to another church and enter a new church family. Many realize later that their painful loss has led to personal growth.

For leavers who are reading this, my prayers go out to you. Read and reread the stages of grief above. It helps to recognize the steps and to expect chaotic feelings and thoughts in the midst of this. It also helps to journal about your thoughts and feelings. And most of all it helps to lean on God. Talk to him, read his Word, and continue to trust him no matter how bad you feel. And begin looking for another church. We are not supposed to give up meeting together. (Hebrews 10:25)

For potential leavers, my prayers are with you also. Hang on for the next newsletter before deciding. Hang on until God clearly directs you, also.

For pastors and elders, please recognize the painful road "church switchers" are traveling. Pray for them, listen to them, and love them-whether they are coming or going.

To read about my own journey and to learn more about changing churches, look on Amazon for Changing Churches: A View from the Pew.

 "On this rock I will build my church." Matt. 16:18

Blessings, Dottie