IMPACT and Discipleship Ministries
01 Jan 2008 09:00 am
Welcome to the IMPACT and Discipleship Ministries Blog. My prayer is that this will encourage and challenge you to become more and more like Jesus; Living out Acts as we reach, disciple, and serve together.
This blog will cover current issues in Evangelism and Discipleship, and what this church is doing in those areas. Watch the bulletin for updates. Please comment. Ask questions, add your observations, and edify others who may be reading. I pray that this will be a tool to make an IMPACT in the world for Jesus Christ. -KD
"Follow a rabbi, drink in his words, and be covered with the dust of his feet."
"There's a story behind every number"
29 Feb 2008 05:36 pm
A few weeks ago, Dr. Troxel handed me a compilation of videos entitled "There's a story behind every number." I've just now had the chance to sit and watch it.
Occasionally, I'll see or hear the comment that we're too "focused" on numbers. While I understand the point, I think there's a bit of errancy involved in the reasoning. After all, our God is interested in numbers. Let me tell you what I mean; what these videos so vividly portrayed.
The videos point out that "We live in a world of numbers. Numbers tell us things about life. Numbers count our days. Numbers always tell us a story." In Acts 2:47, we see our Lord's concern with numbers; numbers of people that know Him. "And the Lord added to their NUMBER daily those who were being saved." Don't you think that He's counting? He's is interested in 100%. "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants ALL men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2:1-4) In Matthew 18:2, He is concerned with the number "1" when He said, "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?"
The video goes on. "Some numbers are good. Some numbers are terrifying...some break our hearts." Let's look at some numbers in our world from the videos.
~"In 1960, 75% of all Americans believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God AND went to church."
~"Since 1991, the number of adults who DO NOT attend church has (almost) doubled; rising from 39 million to 75 million - up 92%"
~In "2007, 75% of Americans believe there is a God. 40% believe in Jesus but say He is NOT the only way."
If you took "The Truth Project," you'll remember the Barna study that discoverd only 4% of Americans have a Christian worldview. Sadly, only 9% of Christians had a Christian worldview.
George Barna wrote the following. "Christianity is losing its grip on American culture. Christians are more attuned to matters of culture and entertainment that to matters of faith." You may remember when John Lennon, speaking about the Beatles, said "We're more popular than Jesus." I would say that there may be a number of entertainment vehicles that may make the same claim today. Christians need to note the words of CS Lewis when he wrote, "Christianity, if false, is of no importance and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."
We live in a world today that "the only absolute allowed is the absolute insistence that there is no absolute." (Francis Schaeffer) That is a scary thought for our nation because as believers we know that there is one absolute truth. Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that His justice cannot sleep forever."
As Christians, "we are ambassadors for Christ, as though He were making His appeal through us." (2 Cor. 5:20) Do we remember this? Do we act on it? Do we realize that time is short; that "2 people die every second" and most will not be going to heaven. Does it concern us? Do we look on the crowds and have compassion on them as Jesus did in Matthew 9? Or are we what is written in Revelation3:17; "You say, 'I'm rich, I have become wealthy and need nothing' and you don't know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked."
Here's another couple of numbers from the videos. There are "44000 Southern Baptist Churches and America is home to the 4th largest number of lost people on the planet."
Does that shock you? It shocked me. So what do we do?
WE GO! Luke 14:23 says, "...Go out...and compel them to come in." Matthew 28 says, "Go and make disciples..."
The video noted "They are not coming to us. We live in the mission field. We have to go to them."
Praise the Lord that we serve in a church that is going! That we have a pastor who goes! We go overseas! We go in our neighborhoods! Here's a number for you; we've had 31 salvations because of Jesus Christ going though our FAITH teams! That's 31 people going to heaven and not to hell. 31 people becoming disciples. 31 people to lead more people to saving grace through our Lord Jesus Christ!
In a time when things can look so bad, praise His Holy Name that He is using us, this church, to impact His kingdom in such a mighty way! - KD
(If you have not been FAITH trained, please consider taking part as we go into summer visitation and prepare for a new semester in August!)
By : Kevin | Category: IMPACT - Evangelism/Apologetics/BFG's | Comments [2]
Media in Ministry
06 Aug 2008 12:51 pm
In our church, we spend a portion of our resources on media. We have for some time. In fact, we'd like to upgrade our equipment and replace our sound system. Over the last few months, I've encountered a few people who do not understand why that is necessary or why we would desire to spend resources on it. I thought I'd take some time to explain.
Let's reflect on Paul. Now, Saul was a “Hebrew of Hebrews.” He was “circumcised on the eighth day” (Philippians 3) He was a student of the rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22). He was Jewish and certainly viewed the pagan culture of Asia Minor and Greece as an abomination. Upon receiving Christ, I'm certain Saul still view their practices that way, but now had a desire to reach them for Christ.
Now Paul has a difficult task. He has to take gospel into a culture that is not Jewish in any way. Somehow he has to communicate who Christ is, what He's done, and how to be a disciple, in a way that the people of a pagan & polytheistic culture will be drawn to it and understand. So how is he going to do it?
As I stated above, Saul was a student of Gamaliel. Now, according to what I've studied, Gamaliel was a rabbi who taught his disciples about the Hellenistic culture so that they could engage that culture. So, Saul is trained to understand how the Greeks and Romans think and understands what's important to them. Paul knew that pagan/polytheistic temples and athletic games were prominent in that culture. So Paul uses their language to get their attention and communicate the gospel.
Paul uses temple analogies over and over again. He uses terms like “running the race” and “fought the good fight” because this is Olympic/arena language that their culture will understand. He talks of the the church being a runner who is cut off. In Hebrews he talks of the great cloud of witnesses, like the crowds in the stands who witness the runners running. For example, in 1 Corinthians 9, Paul writes,
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Paul uses anything in their language that he can to communicate the gospel of Christ in a way that they'll get it. He in NO WAY approves of the fact that the games declared Caesar to be god in that culture. He doesn't support the temples to false Gods. But he will use the language around those things to communicate the truth of Christ.
If we were spending money at this church on media just to entertain Christians, I might have a problem with it. However, that's not the case. In fact our church has decided to simplify everything we do. If what we are involved in as a church is not reaching, discipling, or serving, we're not going to continue doing it. No more entertaining Christians or spending time on what I've denoted “shotgun” discipleship programs. Time to focus.
That said, we are still spending money on media. Why? Because it is the language of the culture in which we live. We may not like it. We may not support that our culture is so wrapped up in entertaining, flashy media. But not liking it doesn't change it. We must engage them in a way that will draw and impact them. As Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 9:19-23,
“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
And this is why we are willing, even eager, to use media. To become what they need so that we would be used to save some. Incidentally, how many thousands (perhaps millions at this point) have been spent on the “Jesus” film? We cannot deny the results of this video in the far reaches of the world. Missionaries around the world find ways to get laptops, projectors, VCR's, DVD players, generators, whatever it takes, into far away, dark corners of the world. All to have the opportunity to present the gospel in a way that draws the interest of the people there and impacts their lives. I would doubt that many would say that it wasn't worth the money considering the masses of people who have accepted Jesus upon seeing this film. But I'd be willing to bet that there may have been resistance when it was first proposed.
I think that we also need to keep in mind that we have been blessed as a church. We had been faithful with a little, and now we've been entrusted with a lot. The use of media is an opportunity and a blessing that this church has been given. I believe that God wants us to continue to use his blessings to reach the world with the love of Jesus Christ. Few churches are given the blessings and opportunities that our church has.
I believe it's absolutely essential to communicate to this generation in a way that will grab their attention and impact their lives. As Paul said, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I may save some.” - KD
By : Kevin | Category: IMPACT - Evangelism/Apologetics/BFG's | Comments [1]
Do we still believe? The need for apologetics in the church
09 Jan 2009 02:15 pm
The need for apologetics training may be more urgent now than at any point in our country's history.
Colossians 1:28-29 reads, "We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me."
Our church body will be embarking on our second, real, corporate "apologetics" training on February 8th. We currently have about 350 people in our church who have signed up for the study; roughly 23% of our average Sunday attendance. That's not bad, but it would be wonderful to see even more of you signed up.
I know that deep down every Christian wants to impact the world. I know this to be true because every believer is in-dwelt with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14) I want every believer to understand the vital need for this type of training and encourage all of you to be involved.
"When Worldviews Collide" is far more than a "world religions" study. This is an apologetics study. Apologetics is defined by Merriam-Webster as,
1. systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine)
2. a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity
Biblically, we read in Jude 1:3, "Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." According to William Dembski (co-editor of "Unapologetic Apologetics") "The very idea of contending for the faith rings foreign to our modern and postmodern ears...To contend for something, after all, presupposes we have something worth contending for - that the faith is something definite and precious, all too easily lost, and therefore in need of being vigorously preserved."
I want you all to understand something that is vitally important...you MUST understand this. We are living in a time "when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Timothy 4:3). We need to see the faith as something that is "definite and precious" and we must "vigorously" preserve it. Let me share some facts with you.
"When Worldviews Collide" is a study into what makes Christianity different from all other faiths and specifically looks at Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. It gives the participant the tools to defend Christianity; to reason it. Our culture today does not understand that a belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is not solely relegated to a "matter of faith." While faith is important (in fact, "...without faith it is impossible to please God..." Heb. 11:6) our faith can be reasoned. The truth of the Gospel of Christ is a reasonable, logical, believable position; one that can be defended. In today's culture, it MUST be defended.
When we study these other belief systems, it is IN PART to reach a group of people who are RAPIDLY moving to the U.S.. People of these faiths are now, more than ever before in history, our doctors and professors and our neighbors. We need to be able to articulate our hope in Christ to them in a way they will understand. But that is not the only reason for this course.
You all know Oprah Winfrey. She is perhaps the most well known and popular public figure in our culture today. She claims to be "Christian." This woman holds substantial, significant influence over hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) of people today. Many of those people also claim to be Christian. If you spend just a few minutes on her website, you find that she is actively promoting, not merely endorsing, a new faith. A faith that says God is within us; that we can be God; that we are God. A faith that espouses repetitive, daily "chants" (for lack of a better term) proclaiming your own ability to obtain salvation and realizing your own deity. While these beliefs are portrayed as something new and enlightened, they are not. They are the same old lies repackaged. Their roots are in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. They are not called that, but that is indeed what they are. Principles from these religions are rapidly becoming the norm in the culture around us.
Sadly, these beliefs are now starting to infiltrate the church ("church" meaning American Christianity). The Pew forum on Religion and Public life released a report at the end of 2008. The report found that 52% of American, Evangelical Christians now believe that Jesus Christ IS NOT the only way to get to heaven. Further, (according to statistics sited at the National Christian Apologetics Conference) 53% of Evangelicals now believe that there are no "absolute truths." Our fight to defend our faith no longer begins at the exit to the church parking lot. It now begins in the church pew, in our small groups, and in our homes. Unless we are prepared to respond; if we continue to be distracted and self absorbed; our generation, the generations that follow, and our children, will be taken by the culture to hell. As the Pew study points out, many Christians have been taken "captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." (Col. 2:8 )
As believers, we need discernment. Given the choice, Solomon asked for discernment and God honored his request (1 Kings 3:11-12). In Psalm 119:125, David says to the Lord, "I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes." I attended the National Christian Apologetics conference in November and had the privilege of hearing James Dobson, Del Tackett, Charles Colson, Lee Strobel, Erwin Lutzer, David Noebel, Josh McDowell, Alex McFarland, Dinesh D'Souza', and others. Del Tackett pointed out that "Definitions must precede dialog" (paraphrased). That is what apologetics training, and specifically this course, endeavors to do. It defines the terms, and the arguments, so that we will be armed and prepared to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Cor. 10:4-5)
Amos 8:11 says, "'The days are coming,' declares the Sovereign Lord, 'when I will send a famine through the land-- not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.'" Today, these words of prophecy are coming true.
One of my favorite movies is "The Untouchables." It tells the story of Elliot Ness. He was a tenacious treasury agent in the late 1920's working with the Bureau of Prohibition in Chicago. His efforts seriously impacted the operations of Al Capone. In the movie, he has a Chicago police officer he recruited working for him named Malone. At one point of the movie, Malone and Ness have this conversation...
Malone: You said you wanted to get Capone. Do you really wanna get him? You see what I'm saying is, what are you prepared to do?
Ness: Anything within the law.
Malone: And then what are you prepared to do? If you open the can on these worms you must be prepared to go all the way. Because they're not gonna give up the fight, until one of you is dead.
I firmly believe that we live in a time when our ability or inability to defend our faith and understand the arguments against it, has a nearly incalculable impact on our culture and on the Kingdom of Heaven. Much is at stake. The culture desperately wants Christianity, morality, and absolute truth to go away. And the culture will fight till those things are dead. So my question to you, and I believe Christ's question to us is this; What are you prepared to do?
Before us all is an opportunity to learn how to change the world; to defend the faith. Are we going to be ambassadors for Christ? Or are we going to be "secret agents" who refuse to blow our cover?
In the commons area is a table, and a banner, and posters, and a map, and sign up folders, and a running video, where you can sign up for the study. I pray that you all will and prepare to engage our culture for Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord; STILL the ONLY way to the Father (John 14:6). - KD
(You can find out more about the study by going to "http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D164199%252526M%25253D200718%2C00.html?" You can learn more about Ergun Caner and check out other resources at "erguncaner.com". You can also read three pertinent articles by Albert Mohler at "albertmohler.com" They are...
Many Paths to Heaven? (posted 12/18 )
Can a Christian deny the Virgin Birth (posted 12/23)
For Goodness Sake (posted 01/05))
By : Kevin | Category: IMPACT - Evangelism/Apologetics/BFG's | Comments [1]
