Musing 11-21-06

A GOOD ANSWER: In my last musing I raised the question regarding helpful responses to those who use blasphemous (oaths) language. I only received one response that I will share as briefly as I can. A friend shared how her husband, who before they met was unsaved and accustomed to taking God’s name in vain. One day while checking out a tool at work he swore using the name of Jesus Christ. The man checking out the tool to him said, “So, you know my Friend?” Rather than criticizing the man for taking the Lord’s name in vain this simple question was asked. Not understanding the man responded, “What friend?” This opened the door for witness and over a period of time and gracious dealings my friend’s future husband was led to Christ. I liked this story (abbreviated), rather than the usual harsh responses that we might make when we hear people blaspheming out Lord. It sounds more like the type of response our Savior would have made rather than taking offense.

LOOKING FOR A CHURCH WITH EVERYTHING: Over the years of church planting one of my greatest frustrations came when people would visit our little group that I followed up with a call in the home and I was told, “We are looking for a church that has ____________.” And they would fill in the blank such as “a youth group,” “a senior citizens ministry,” or “a Sunday School class my child’s age,” or perhaps “a choir.” New church plants are often hurting for lack or a well-rounded program that fits everyone’s need. We would be praying for teenagers to start a youth ministry and a family with several teens would visit but we didn’t fit their need. My response was usually along these lines, “You are right and we have been praying for God to provide the ability to have that kind of ministry. Why don’t you become the nucleus to make that a reality, helping to develop that kind of ministry?” My memory is not the best but I do not recall one instance where such a family would say, “I’ll do that for the Lord.” Most Christians want a ready made church with a full program that meets their every need. There doesn’t seem to be a sense of personal ministry and commitment these days! LET SOMEONE ELSE DO IT. With this kind of attitude how can we ever plant new churches? I’ve always thought that God called us to serve rather that to be served. I am wondering how comfortable some of these same people will be in Heaven when we are told in Revelation 22:3, “and His servants shall serve Him.”
PREFERENCE OR DOCTRINE: As I think back over the years, there have been a lot of cultural changes and debates as to what a Christian should or should not wear, do or go. There were times when I found myself caught up in those struggles. Sad to say, there were times when I was guilty of “legalisms” or Christian preferences that we are hard pressed to find Scriptures that give us a doctrinal position to back them up. I want to be guarded here as I do not want to start a spiritual war with anyone but let me give you one example that comes to mind. I have always felt I should wear my “Sunday best” when I go to church. For me, that was a suit and tie, with shoes shined, even before I became a missionary-pastor. I haven’t gotten over it, dressing down, which is common today doesn’t feel quite right to me. After all, we are entering God’s house, a place of worship and we should present ourselves in a respectful manner. Right? Would we dress down if we were invited to the Whitehouse to meet President Bush? I don’t think so! But can I make a doctrine of this? It is a preference.

Should I criticize a man who wears “Wranglers” and or cowboy boots to a worship service? I can find Scripture that teaches modesty, particularly for the ladies (though I believe an application can be made for the man as well). But, I cannot find a Bible passage that tells me to wear a suit, tie and shined shoes. I had a man in one church I pastored that never wore a tie, suit or sports jacket. If you were to ask him why he would tell you, “I use to be an alcoholic and I attend Alcoholics Anonymous. I invite those men to church hoping they will be saved and should they come, I don’t want them to feel uncomfortable because they are not wearing a suit as others are.” I couldn’t argue with that, maybe you can, but I couldn’t. It was a non-issue! In another instance, the man that taught me how to be a deacon and a soul-winner use to wear blue-stripped bib overalls to church on Wednesdays. That is what he wore to work but he always put on a clean pair to come to church on Wednesdays but did wear a suit on Sundays. Do you suppose that disqualified him from being a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and a discipler? Not in my eyes. In another instance, my son John wore cowboy boots, as did most people in North Dakota where we lived at the time. When he went off to Bible College cowboy boots were all that he owned as footwear but the college wouldn’t let him wear them while attending college. – I still wear a suit and tie on Sunday mornings while sitting in the congregation, though few do. I have finally condescended to forget the tie and jacket on Sunday evenings and Wednesdays. I still wear my tie when I teach in our home Bible studies but not my suit. I guess I’ve slipped a little.