A Compelling Reason

One of the important issues for the preacher is to adequately understand those in her audience. Jesus was a master at this… He consistently told stories that intimately connected His spiritual message with the daily experiences of those listening to Him. He used weddings, war preparation, coin collecting, rebelling children, criminal activity, lost sheep, farming, and even dead fruit trees to convey life-changing spiritual truths to his audience. Virtually every sermon had a memorable story embedded somewhere in the message.

While some may insist the Gospel transcends culture, and preachers simply need to preach the word, Jesus’ consistent use of practical and poignant illustrations suggests that good preaching requires more than simply laying out the facts. While the spiritual needs of mankind are rooted in the same soil of sin and rebellion, gaining access to individual hearts and minds requires careful and deliberate words and actions. The good minister creates a bond that will sustain and guide the flow of truth -- perhaps that’s part of our discomfort with prison ministry. We may recall how close our anger brought us to illegal activity? Before Christ, we likely used illegal substances, drank ourselves crazy, or drove under the influence.

While we may not specifically think about relating to our audience, those of us who teach and preach inherently understand the issue. It is that knowledge that can push us away from preaching to people we believe can’t understand or relate to us. In large part, short-term missionaries can effectively skirt the issue of connecting with their audience, as they cling closely to the interpreter -- someone who can take their message and make it understandable. With an interpreter, short-term missionaries can stand tall in the pulpit, confident that their message will be given relevant explanation and expression.

The issue of connecting and relating to our audience is exactly what keeps so many from prison ministry. Oh, that the cultural chasm between us and the inmate was only language… if all we needed was a good interpreter. We would probably go to prison in mass. But ministry to inmates involves bridging issues more complex than languages barriers. It has much more to do with unfounded stereotypes and unrealistic fears. The prison population is much more like us than we care to admit. Many of those in prison were convicted of activities we have done, or thought about doing. Talking to prisoners can be traumatic, as we are confronted with who we once were, or possibly some darkness with which we still struggle.

Paul opened up this unsettling can worms as he instructs the Corinthian church regarding immoral living. In chapter six of his first letter, he lists all the sins that get people in trouble, stating that such people will not be part of the Kingdom of God. The following verse stirs the emotions a bit as he suggests that people in the church were “just like that.” The difference came because they were made right through their faith in Jesus.

In the light of Paul’s assessment, it would appear that if God somehow removed his grace from our lives, the Sunday morning congregation would look surprising similar to the county prison population across town. Conversely, if the grace of God would somehow visit our prison population, it would look remarkably similar to our Sunday morning gatherings. Maybe I’m not thinking straight here, but could we conclude that the gospel is the only difference between the two groups? If so, we have a very compelling reason to take it to prison!

Risking Rejection

What is it that motivates you to roll out of bed in the morning? What incentive pushes you to tolerate and even embrace the routine and boring activities of most days? What is your grand purpose and what activities satisfy your quest as God’s creation?

Paul made an interesting comment regarding those issues of motivation during a sermon delivered at Antioch, Pisidia. The brief remark is a minor part of his main point, but it accentuates a divine perspective about our everyday lives and the decades we spend here on earth. Paul said, “…after David had served his generation, according to the will of God, he died…” (Act 13:36) This short and obscure summary of Israel’s most celebrated king speaks clearly. I hear Paul suggesting several things: 1) David’s purpose was ordained by God, 2) It was all about serving others, 3) The mission determined everything. As we read through the Old Testament it is easy to detect the failures of the Kings following David… it seems their collapse came after loosing sight of those three life-guiding principles. The church has often failed for the very same reasons.

As I studied the messages to the seven churches, I was frustrated by my inability to precisely discern the issues that were weighing them down. Certainly, each of the churches understood exactly what Jesus was saying to them at the time, but from our vantage point today the details are cloudy. As I wrestled with the scriptures, I was prompted to view the Revelation passage through the light of Paul’s comments about David’s life. Is it possible that the unhealthy spiritual climate in those churches was somehow connected to a lack understanding of those life-guiding principles? Could their struggles with love, persecution, false teaching, rebellion, perseverance, and lethargy all have roots in a fundamental misunderstanding of their identity, motivation, and mission? Consider this irrefutable truth: when a church looses its grip on those foundational issues of Christian living, strife and decline soon follows.

Pastor Rick Warren has changed the face of church ministry in North America by high-lighting the “power of purpose” in ministry. Could I suggest that “lack of purpose” was the major problem in the Laodicea church? Did Jesus characterize them as lukewarm because of their lack of passion, or lack of purpose? Let’s reflect on His figurative language of hot, cold, and lukewarm water -- a subject uniquely familiar to their city.

They were situated close to the famed therapeutic Hot Springs of Hieropolis. As steaming water flowed from the Hot Springs toward Laodicea it cooled and arrived there lukewarm -- too cool for medicinal purposes and too warm for refreshment. As the water continued to run toward Colosse it cooled and became a refreshing resource for that city. Given that background, it is evident that Jesus was addressing the Laodicean’s works – their failure to impact their community; their brand of Christianity didn’t benefit anyone – it wasn’t therapeutic or refreshing. Christ’s admonition was an effort to motivate them: be hot or cold, not lukewarm like the useless water that flows through your city!

This figure of speech brilliantly illustrates the value God places on ministry outreach. He has given every fellowship a specific purpose and mission, and from this passage we learn that He is prepared to measure and pass judgement on its execution. Can we dare risk His rejection as did the Laodiceans?

Let’s renew our efforts to lead life-giving churches, investing His power and wisdom in the mission assigned to us. The church is empowered to change the spiritual and social fabric of the community and world. The issue that often bogs us down has to do with our course of action. One guiding principle seems to be evident in all of this… whatever we serve should be piping hot or icy cold; lukewarm just won’t pass the muster.

Vision's Twin Sister

Over the last decade or so the topic of Christian leadership has held its place near the top of the “most requested” list of conference themes. For many it stands as an energizing concept, a strategic component of their ministry.

On the other side, it can be unsettling to the folks who are comfortable with the way things are. While scripture does not present any specific tutorial for leaders, it is hard to escape the significant role they have played throughout history. God always appointed men and women to talk and walk in His stead when He stepped across heaven’s threshold to guide His people. Each of the sixty-six books of scripture illustrates the divine process of leadership appointment.

In reading through the life of Joshua, I came across a sermon he preached to Israel near the end of his years. He reviewed their covenant with God and reminded them of their responsibilities. We often quote the challenge he set before the nation: "Choose this day whom you will serve." Joshua's intent was to confront God's people with the issues that could separate them from the land He had promised to their families.

After reviewing the covenant and hearing Israel passionately decide for God, chapter twenty-four records Joshua's final, and likely most rewarding action as Israel's leader. The passage reads: "Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance." It is a statement bursting with implications. Every Israelite had fought and endured the ravages of war; they had wrestled with the pain of both personal and community failures, and it was all in pursuit of the vision God had given to Moses. Suddenly, in this defining moment of their 40 year journey, they were told they could reach out and grasp hold of it. I’m sure for most the idea was a bit scary. No longer was this about a community or national achievement -- it became intensely personal, and there were untold risks involved. Joshua gave each person an opportunity to stake claim to their family’s unique destiny.

Destiny is vision's twin sister; they are inseparable - share the same DNA. For decades, Moses cast the vision of the Promised Land before God’s people, but with Joshua's leadership the vision moved more clearly into focus. It became an individual matter. Now there were family names and geographical boundaries attached – a personal destination with tangible benefits. It was no longer simply a promise, but location with street addresses and zip codes. It was a distinct place to live and prosper. It was their destiny.

There are some believers who remain unstirred by vision's beauty. On occasion they may bask in her glow or bow in wonder, but their quiet and conventional lives remain untouched by her charm. Somehow they remain blinded, unable to recognize the splendor of God’s plan for their lives. It is for such a time and person the leader was born.

The Christian leader’s vision is intensely personal, yet it is never given for the leader. The vision is imparted by God for the benefit of those who will dare to fight and follow. It is an inheritance not only found on heaven’s distant side, but a destiny waiting here amidst the pain and sweat as we fight to conquer Canaan.