Review of "Why Men Hate Going to Church"

There are days that I hate going to church, may be days you hate going to church. Reading though this book, as I thought about a lot of these issues, it made great sense to me. We have alienated men, feminized the church and pushed men to the sides and they have gone out the door. It seems just about every church is experiencing some gender gap, some of them much larger than others. This book points out the issues and then covers many of the steps that we need to fix the issue. This was a great book. Read it! Seriously, read it.

Has God Spoken by Hank Hanegraff, a review.

I have to be honest, I am not the world's biggest fan of Hank Hanegraff. I agree with some of the things he says, but the way he says them sometimes on the radio leaves me frustrated. I was hesitant to read one of his books, but I have to say I enjoyed this book a great deal.

This book focuses on the historical, archaeological and scientific evidence of the validity of Biblical manuscripts. Hanegraff hits on some of the most important aspects of scriptural accountability when it comes to the validity of the scripture. It's a great book that offers counterpoints to those who would try to discredit the Bible.

I enjoy apologetics for supporting and encouraging those who are young in their faith, and I think that is a great piece of material for that reason.

I've Had It!

Why exactly are we beating one another over theology? Let me explain where I am coming from before I fly off the handle. I have seen blogs and posts and ideas about how these different systems are destroying church and people and don't read the Bible. Most of the blame seems to be directed towards "Calvinists" (which is the system I hold too the closest). It seems that the other camp, the Armenian camp is in control of the SBC, at least for the most part. They want to blame the Calvinists for the decline and destruction of the SBC. Seems to me that maybe the infighting is destroying the SBC.

I don't like the Armenian position, I don't agree with it, but Calvinism has become such a diverse category that is no longer means anything. There are positions within the camp that are as extreme as the differences between Armenians and Calvinists. It's a system, it's not the gospel, but we fight and fight about it.

My number one issue is that people debate without thinking. Someone says something you don't like, you either call them a heretic or a liberal, tell them they are eisogeting a passage and not exogeting it. It has come into vogue to just say "where did you get that interpretation". We are fighting over passages and their meanings and no one is really doing real study. We are just saying "well I think it's means. . . ". I've had it.

The true study of theology is dead. Theology has become note taking to win an argument. It's become the Christian version of High School Debate. Theology has been buried under the loads of garbage spewed by those who wish to do nothing more than argue. No one thinks anymore, they just "know". No one wrestles with the issues anymore, they are much too busy being right.

I have proposed a new idea I called 'Woven Theology'. I was told "it will never catch on, the lingo isn't right". Very few wanted to actually deal with the ideas that I presented, they just wanted to argue the existing structures. I was told that it was just an existing theology in a new package. The reality is I went back to the scripture to create all my theological treatise. I am no Luther or Calvin, but I view myself as a theologian, but it seems like very few are actually interested in theology, most people are involved in system, and the argument for that system. I've had it, and I don't want to play anymore.

God's Love Letters to You by Dr. Larry Crabb

I am always looking for things that help overview the Books of the Bible, and this 40 Day devotional does that, for at least most of the bible, and is greatly encouraging. The scripture is God's message to us, and Dr. Crabb take a great look at it, and present it as it should be, God's message of love to us. Each of the 40 days is easy to read, has some questions to help you think and process and it really worth picking up. I have never been disappointed with anything by Dr. Crabb. Check the book out, read it and share your thoughts with me.

My Dream

I have a dream, and I am praying that God blesses it and helps me. I feel passionate about helping people who have been called to make a difference. I want them to have training, support and resources to do what they feel called to do. I have created "The Revolution Inversion" an organization dedicated to helping people create an environment which brings Glory to God and creates opportunity for sharing the gospel, bible study, worship, fellowship and prayer. You can see more at the Revolution Inversion blog, the entry called The RI Manifesto.

It began with wanting to help High School students have Christian Organizations on their campuses. I have encouraged High School students to pray and have Bible Study on campuses. It has grown to a desire to help College Students and I spent time as a Campus Ministry Director. I have now seen the need goes beyond school, but many want to start a Bible Study at work, at home, in their community, with friends and neighbors.

The Purpose to the Revolution Inversion is help Believers to establish an environment for ministry, outreach, discipleship and prayer in any and every aspect of their lives, where ever God has called them. To create Bible Studies, prayer times and ministry opportunities to live out their faith in real ways in their communities and in their daily lives.

My dream starts with materials, publications and resources for people to use and ignite their passions. To help them identify their ministry and mission field and to begin the hard work. My dream includes having leaders who work with me to do training and support for those who want to do amazing work. My dream includes a resort and retreat area for camps, conferences and trainings to mobilize the army of Revolutionaries to go out and change the world. It's a big dream, it's going to take time, work and money.

The idea of a Revolution Inversion is to push back the other way, against the cultural movement toward destruction. To Revolt against the flesh and against the power of Satan's forces. We will take light into the darkness and light up the darkness with the truth. My dream is students sharing with students, praying and reading the Bible in public school and creating a push back, an inversion against the deterioration of morals and ethics. My dream is young couples who are living in apartment buildings starting Bible Study and prayer meeting. My dream is labors and professionals alike starting Bible Studies and prayer groups at work. I dream of a movement that the atheists, humanists and communists can't stop.

For my dream to happen, God must work. This is totally a work of God. It will require money, time, resources, help and God's power to bring out men and women, students and leaders to make my dream a reality. I am praying that God will bless this dream, that He will open doors for people to take the mantle of Revolutionaries, to work to start Christian Organizations, who will be trained, who will offer training and will work with me to make this dream a reality. I am praying for God's power, for His provision and for His mighty hand at work. You can pray with me and for me. If you are interested in becoming a Revolutionary, let me know. Thanks everyone!

-Blessings.

Why you should do VBS

So there seems to be a trend of churches not participating in Vacation Bible School. The single biggest evangelistic program in the SBC, the one that brings so many kids to Christ, but we have stopped doing it. Here are my top reasons I don't think churches do VBS, and why they are wrong.

1. We can't get anyone to do it. Well congrats, we now have churches full of people who care about themselves and don't want to do anything for anyone else. We have become lazy and uncaring. Sounds like we would be better off with a huge stone around our necks and flung into the sea. Let's challenge our people to stop being lazy and complacent and actually DO something.

2. It costs too much. Well, children's ministry is pricey. Deal with it. Cut the budget somewhere. Stop getting things that are nice and pleasant and invest that money into ministry. Maybe the decorations will be slimmed down and you have to buy cheaper coffee. DO VBS.

3.Kids don't come. Know why the kids don't wanna come? Cause your attitude stinks, they know you don't like them, you don't have any teachers and the ones you have grumble all the time. You don't do the VBS the way it's programmed, your outreach and promotion stink. Actually go out and engage kids and their parents, they'll show up.

4. Kids don't bring in any money. Sadly, our motivation is often $$$$. Well, if you want to reach young adults, reach kids. They will add to your church, build your church and may contribute some money along the way. Don't let that be your motivation, but it can be a perk.

5. We don't want kids in our building. Yes, kids are loud and messy, smelly and can be a nuisance. They require teachers, leaders, helpers and space. They take time and money. They require resources, but if you don't want to reach kids, you won't reach young families. If you don't reach young families, your median age will be 67. Just the way it's gonna work.

Most people come to Christ between 4 and 14. If you want to have water in your Baptistry and new life in your church, start with VBS. It's the greatest week of work you'll have all year.

What's in a Name?

I want to tackle the “B” word with you today. It's often a stumbling block for people, some have a hard time defining it, some just want to ignore it, but it has significance. If you haven't guessed, It's the word “Baptist”. What does it mean? Why is it there? Why not just call ourselves Christians, why do we have to have the title attached? I want to answer some of those questions briefly so you know why I choose to be Baptist.

The movement we are affiliated can be traced back to the Reformation. During the Protestant Reformation, a group emerged in England called the Separatists. They wanted purity of doctrine and wanted to separate from the Anglican church. Those associated with this movement were generally known as the Puritans, many of who came to America in search of religious freedom. One of these Separatists was a man named John Smyth. Smyth believed that infants should not be Baptized and that only those who believe and have accepted Christ as Savior should be Baptized, and done so my full immersion. A layman named Thomas Helwys continued the leadership from Smyth and the Baptist movement began.

In the United States it was Roger Williams and John Clarke who worked to establish the Baptist Movement. These men worked for religious freedom in the United States, which was largely Congregational. The First Great Awakening in the United States established the movement firmly and grew the churches in the colonies very rapidly. It was the Baptist leaders in early America that fought for religious freedom and the ability for churches to meet in this country without government influence or control.

In many countries today, the term “Baptist” is a general term, not referring to a denomination or affiliation. It is a term used to identify those Protestant Evangelicals who baptize believers by full immersion. In many countries in Eastern Europe and in Asia, the term “Baptist” is often how we would use the term “Evangelicals”. During the Iron Curtain, the Communists identified those who were willing and eager to share their faith and be tortured for the work of Christ as either Orthodox or Baptist.

In the United States, the term “Baptist” has come to refer to a group of denominational traditions that all hold a common belief. They are all Evangelical in nature, hold to believer's baptism by full immersion and have an inerrant view of Scripture. In the United States, there is a variety of Baptist groups, such as the American Baptists, The Baptist General Conference, Landmark Baptists, and of course The Southern Baptist Convention.

So this leads me back to the original question. What difference does it make, it won't change our church any if we are not “SBC”, why do we have all this Baptist stuff? Denominations are in the Bible, so why do we do it? I have 4 reasons that I am, have chosen to be and will continue to be associated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

1. Doctrinal purity. The Southern Baptists believe in the inerrant Word of God. In an age where many denominations seem to be straying from the truth of God's Word, this convention, this state and local association and this church will stand firm on the authority of the Bible.

2. Accountability. If a leader in this church begins to stray from our mission and purpose, we can show them the covenants and we can show them our mission and purpose. As a Church, we agree with the Baptist Faith and Message and if we stray, we have other churches who will hold us accountable. Each member is part of the body, each body is part of a community, and the community provides us with accountability.

3. Impact. It's hard for one church to reach a community because of the number of people. Multiply that by how many communities are in one city, how many cities are in one state, the states in a nation, the nations in a continent. You get the idea. As part of a cooperation of churches, we do our part in reaching the whole world. We give, we share resources and man power. We come together to do Disaster Relief, World Changers, Baptist Builders. We support together through the Cooperative Program to fund North American and International Missionaries.

4. Opportunity to be involved. There is no reason that a member of a Southern Baptist Church couldn't be involved in mission work. You can help with World Changers, Disaster Relief, Baptist Builders, Gods Plan for Sharing. You can give to the Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong and Bill Hyde Mission Offerings. You can go on short term trips in the United States, Canada and all over the world. You can travel to different places to serve with Campers on Mission. The opportunities to get involved starts young, kids can be involved in work we do around the church and here at Heartland. Youth can work on short term trips, get involved in World Changers and other mission projects. College kids can begin international trips, as well as Summer and Semester Missions. After graduation, there are opportunities such as Mission Service Corps, USC2 missionaries, International Missionaries and so on. There area also the other missions I have mentioned, the list is long, much more than we can do just as an independent church.

I hope that helps you see “Baptist” in a little better light. Our devotion and our allegiance is to Jesus Christ, His Word is our source of truth and The Holy Spirit is our guide. Baptists follows Jesus as head, and chooses to work with other churches we know have that same conviction. Together, we form a group that is known as the Southern Baptist Convention.