Category: From Pastor

Thanks for checking back in for one more reflection on whether we are playing the right game or not. (If you missed Sunday’s message, CLICK HERE for the video)  As strangers in this world, it’s easy to get sucked into the games that the world plays – and as Christians we’re going to feel like we are losing because the objectives and rules just don’t parallel the objectives and rules that God put forward.  We can try, and be frustrated, get overly anxious and worry a lot.  We maybe try to adapt the rules, but finally we have to realize we are just playing a different game…one that still very much works in the world, but gives a different objective and different rules, and really put forward a game that provides much more meaning and significance to the world in which we live as well.

On Sunday we talked about three shifts in the games we play…

Game #1 – Instead of playing to Create Heaven on Earth … Live on Earth in View of Heaven

Game #2 – Instead of playing to Get Rid of All Suffering … Grow through Suffering

Game #3 – Instead of playing to Find Joy in the Visible … Find Joy in the Invisible.

 

Today, let me give you one more.

Let me start with a short disclaimer – I loved science in school.  I still love to discover and understand how things work.  Science is a great discipline and adds much value to our lives.

However, really a trend for about 200 years has been to make “science” the final authority on all matters of life.  If science can’t prove it…it can’t be true.  If I can’t experiment with it…it must not have happened.  If I can’t explain it…it’s not real.

For example, how many times in the last 6 months have you heard or read, “What does the science say?”  This phrase has been used a lot in regard to COVID-19 and finding a solution for the virus.  Experiments, research, numbers, trends, predictions, graphs, etc. all trying to find the answer, predict the solution, and bring to an end the pandemic around us.  For the most part, this is all good work and a blessing to our country.  But it also indicates where we look for solutions to the problems of life…the final authority in the world in which we live: Science.  If science says it, we can believe it.  If science doesn’t, the theory is to be discounted and dismissed.  If science has an answer, I won’t be afraid.  If science tells me I can, I’ll move forward.

Again, don’t get me wrong, science and the study of the world is a great blessing to our lives and our families…no doubt.  But science can subtly lead us to play the wrong game.  What do I mean?

Here’s the 4^th game:

The world puts its confidence in SCIENCE.   God puts our confidence in the SCRIPTURE.

Science and the Bible are not mutually exclusive.  Science can and does answer many questions about nature and the physical workings of the earth…and for that matter a treatment for COVID.  However, the Scripture is what provides the framework and the worldview through which science exists.  Science without the divine, will always come up short in understanding the world around us.  Science cannot answer questions about the divine and eternity, scripture can.  Science is limited to the knowledge man can observe and accumulate.  Scripture reveals to us the knowledge of the all-knowing God!  Science can change our mind and understanding.  Scripture can change our heart and our beliefs.

Let’s tie this back to 1 Peter.  Honestly, science isn’t mentioned in these verses, but I want you to hear where Peter points the people living as strangers, enduring persecution, realizing heaven is not on earth, people looking for answers. Consider 1 Peter 1:10-12

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

If winning is finding solutions for life in science, we are losing.  If winning is finding solutions for life in Scripture, we will win.

I find this fascinating that even the prophets searched THEIR OWN writings to find the truths the Spirit of Christ was revealing to them.  Perhaps like a scientist going back over his work to make sure he didn’t miss anything, the prophets “searched intently and with the greatest care” to understand the “time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ was pointing.  To be sure…science is a great discipline that discovers the depths of reality of the God-created physical world.  Scripture, however, is a great writing that reveals the depths of the heart of God and his love for people.  Science can never explain grace.  It will never provide a solution for sin.  It will never tell you you are loved and your sins are forgiven. Scripture will.

Do you realize you have truths from God revealed in the pages of Scripture that even the angels long to look into?  The truth of the Gospel, pointing us to the sufferings of Jesus on our behalf and the glories that will follow, will never be found through the lens of a microscope or in the experiments in the lab.  These glorious truths are only revealed in the pages of Scripture.

Perhaps in essence Peter is saying, “Strangers in this world search the Scripture to understand this world…especially what is most important in this world – our relationship with Jesus.”

Enjoy science.  Be blessed by it.  But see this world through the lens and view point of Scripture.  Scripture is not a science text book, but it reveals the one who gave us this world to study.  Don’t get caught playing the wrong game…the world puts its confidence in Science…Strangers in this world put their confidence in the Scripture!

Have a blessed rest of your week!

Tune in Sunday (9am or 11am) for week three of our series…Strangers: Conform or not conform?  Get a head start and reflect on 1 Peter 1:13-16!

Session 2: How Generation Z Will Shape the Future

This was our second session this afternoon and had a focus on understanding Generation Z which are those under 20. This can also be called the digital generation. Taking time to understand them is important. Here are some key thoughts from this session.

What are some things that make this generation unique?
• They are the I-Generation (iphone, ipod, ipad, etc.)
• They are used to communicating digitally and are VERY good at it.
• They are used to two-way communication; interactive and participating back and forth
• Very in tune to being “sold-to”
• Access to infinite information via google, siri, or Alexa
• Shooting and editing videos is common – they are good at it.
• They more than other generations can “start” things and impact the world (young entrepreneurs – they see on Shark Tank, America’s Got Talent, etc.)
• They are globally aware – both with the good and the bad.
• They younger children can carry stress about world evils and tragedies – hard to differentiate what is a threat at home vs what happens in the world around them
• Interested in individuality – they can have a platform on a world audience and look to stand out in that crowd.

What are some things to work well with this generation?
• Take time to listen and learn from them. Don’t just “deal” with them.
• Take time to teach them to use the tool of the smart phone to their benefit and also point out real cautions.
• Don’t replace people interaction with screens – engage them and get to know them.
• This generation will help us connect globally as a church. They are used to interacting with the global community.
• Don’t over parent or over protect your child. Allow them opportunity to wrestle through and work through life challenges.
• Be careful not to communicate “be safe” to create fear of living in a youth. Rather encourage them to “Be bold!” Encourage them to be strong in the Lord.

The big take away from this was a focus on “Relational Relevance” vs “Cultural Relevance” My understanding of this point was to focus on developing meaningful relationships with this generation and helping them to do the same. To try to keep up with culture is tough as it is changing so fast, but what this generation (like others) desires is meaningful, caring relationships where they are respected not as the future, but as the present; not as by standers, but contributors. Many are lacking relationships with people who genuinely care – the other generations can be part of providing and mentoring this.

Today, our congregational president, Jim and I flew to Denver and then drove to Loveland, CO to take in a conference entitled “The Future of the Church” hosted by Group Publishing. Our goal is to gain learning, understanding and awareness of what is happening around the country so we might be better equipped to take the timeless truth of the Gospel to an ever changing world. What I hope to share is information that was shared with us. I will save a level of personal comment to after the sessions are over on Friday.

Session 1: “The Trajectory of Today’s Church”

Some comments that were shared:

• Most church leaders are now agreeing that the church is in decline in America. From whatever matrix you want to measure it (church attendance, new baptisms, etc.) the numbers show a decline. Five years ago there was still a level of skepticism that this was the case. Now it is real, but there is a sense of not sure what to do about it.
• Some statistics:
• 18% less churches doing Sunday schools this year than five years ago.
• 21% fewer churches doing Vacation Bible Schools than five years ago
• Southern Baptist convention has had 10 years of decline. 1 million less Baptists than 10 years ago; Baptisms declined by 5% (lowest in 70 years); Last year alone attendance declined by 7%.
• Those that would say “I am spiritual but not religious” has increased from 19% in 2012 to 27% in 2017
• Nones (no religious affiliation) make up 23% of population
• Dones (Christian, but done with organized church) make up 31% of population (about the same as those who attend church
• Almost Dones (one step away from leaving the church) is another 7 million people.

The group was challenged to consider two questions:
1. What do you notice in your area in regard to the trajectory of the church?
2. Why do you think some would like to deny this decline?

(PLEASE take a moment to answer these questions in the comments below – would love to hear what others think!)

Also during this session we heard from a gal who grew up Catholic, married a protestant, attended a Lutheran church. They ended up starting a church but currently are in “pausa” as she said – not active in a church, but still attend a small group. Here are some of her reasons:

• The emphasis moved from reaching people to emphasis on building programs;
• Volunteers not treated appropriately
• Church was inner focused and “insider driven”
• Bureaucracy and a seeming waste of time
• Get in a routine of doing things vs. out and doing ministry

She recognized that her busy life doesn’t want to spend time in activities that seem to have little impact on people and leading to spiritual formation and transformation. She commented that her desire was for the church to be a place of learning and growing to be better able to witness her faith in the work place and other aspects of life.

She offered to “do church the way Jesus did and Acts did” – Share and tell; serve and support.

This session also talked a bit about the tension and division in our country as an “era of disdain and scorn for each other.” Unfortunately the church is seen by some as part of this issue. As a result they can become a target of harm. One of the presenters shared the growing need and interest in having “security teams” to assist in ensuring a church is a place of security and ensure people feel safe at church. He talked about the skill of “verbal deescalation” to diffuse potentially harmful situations before they get ugly.

This provides a lot to think about and consider. I would be interested in your comments and questions. Not that I can answer them all, but to hear your reaction to this information.

More to come…