Christian Unity & Theological/Church Heritage

Tomorrow begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan18-25). A week of becoming more aware and appreciative of the great variety of ways of adoring God. "A week where people realize, perhaps for the first time, that their neighbours' ways are not so strange." Sunday evening our ministerial association will be hosting an ecumenical service, facilitated by a number of people from a variety of denominations. An evening when a myriad of theological and church heritages will be represented and united together in worship of our one God. As a matter of coincidental timing I was recently asked to write a short paper describing my own theological and church heritage. An interesting topic for one who was not raised in a church family. I'm not sure this is the response they were looking for but it was what the received, at least in part. I thought it might be a fitting blog post given the upcoming Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

My theological and church heritage is initiated first by my personal relationship with God. As a child I was not raised in a Church home, however I have had a love for God from as far back as I can recall. It is as though God has been wooing me from the day of my creation. I was always drawn to churches with their large stained glass windows, and beautiful Sunday morning bells. The memories of the churches I rarely attended are still very vivid. I can clearly see myself as a child sitting by the window on a Sunday morning, watching as people young and old, dressed in their Sunday best walked to church under the dawning sun. I can still hear the beautiful sounds of the bells ringing out enticing people to come. I can remember by name, the Sunday school teacher who taught me about Jesus the handful of times my aunt took me to the United church when I came to visit her. I remember Mrs. Kelly my public school teacher who gave us colourful books, almost like comic books depicting the stories of the bible. At the age of about 10 or 11, I started taking myself to church. I lived on an Air force base and the United Church was not to far from my home. I got involved in choir, and was the youngest and perhaps only non-grey haired member, for the short time that I attended.

As I entered my teen and young adult years, any embryonic thoughts of God were placed in my back pocket and the church was left behind. I moved out at 17 and as a result, finishing school, work, athletics and years later friends, partying and aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder took precedence. Yet even through these times, I could sense God's presence, His continued wooing. Then when I was about 24 I realized it was time for a change, it was time to respond to God's invitation, whatever that meant. I moved from Toronto to be closer to some of my family (this in and of itself is a work of God). I asked my Landlord where the closest United Church was and she instead invited me to attend her Free Methodist church, a denomination I had never heard of before. In fact I was not very familiar with many things of church still. I accepted her invitation and began going every Sunday to the FM church. I started to listen for God, and I heard about not only how much God loved me, which I never doubted, but what it meant to live for God, something I hadn't heard or at least recognized, during my minimal United Church experience. I started attending Bible Study, and the more I pressed in to God, the more He poured into me. It was not long after that, that I gave my life to the Lord, He always had my heart, at least in my ignorant understanding of what that meant, but now He had my life. Very quickly and dramatically my life changed. I started a youth ministry at our church about a year later, and subsequently became a lay pastor within the Free Methodist Church in Canada. With whom I now approximately 13 years later, serve as an associate pastor at a fabulous church.

I am an avid reader, and a lover of learning and academia. Before I accepted Christ, I had learned a bit about Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Mormonism, Scientology and other "religions" to get a better understanding of who this God is that was wooing me. In the end I knew it was Christ - it made perfect sense and confirmed what I already knew in my heart. So too it was with my Church/Theological heritage. While I loved the FM Church, I wanted to more about it. I studied, taking the myriad of courses offered by the denomination such as "The Heart of Free Methodism" and "Wesleyan Theology" among others, and fell in love with our heritage, our foundations, John Wesley and our ethos. I considered Calvinism vs. Armenianism. I experienced Baptist, Pentecostal, Salvation Army, Christian Reform, and United Church services among others, yet each time it was confirmed that the Free Methodist Church in Canada, is where God was and continues to call me to serve. Not that I do not find value in the other expressions of the Christian faith, indeed I do, in fact I have filled the pulpit in each of those denominations. Nor do I think that we as a Free Methodist denomination have everything right, cause we don't, but my theological and church heritage is Free Methodist. It is not my heritage because it is the church of my Father, or the church of my friends, it is my heritage because it is the church God has placed me in, and called me to serve, and for this distinction I am grateful. 

I am grateful for the FMCiC and plan (as God sees fit) to spend the rest of my days serving God and others as part of this particular expression of the body of Christ.  That being said, I'm not sure God is overly concerned about my theological and Church Heritage. So I hope that I can pass on first and foremost my passion for our one true God and as an aside my appreciation for the FMC.  I hope I pass down a heritage of teaching others how to think and not what to think.  In doing so, I pray they will listen and discern where it is God is leading them, and will faithfully serve where God calls them to.  I pray that our theological and church heritages do not continue to be the stumbling blocks to unity among the body of Christ, or more pointedly, to others coming to know Christ and his life saving and life transforming power in a real and personal way.  I pray as we are called to pray this week for Christian Unity - ONE CHURCH united under the headship of Christ our Lord and Saviour.

I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ~John 17:23

I Don't Feel The Need to Fight for My Right to Lead

I am blessed to serve in the Free Methodist Church, which is egalitarian by nature, holding the view, that the Bible teaches the fundamental equality of women and men of all racial and ethnic mixes, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and the overarching principles of scripture.  I believe, as does the FMCiC that all people have equal responsibility to use their gifts and obey their calling to the glory of God; and are called to roles and ministries without regard to class, gender, or race.  That being said, there are still individuals within our denomination, and obviously those of other denominations that would not readily accept a woman in leadership.  Some of these objections are due to an arguably misinformed biblical interpretation.  The other objections are simply preference.  

The reality of my experience has been that there is more than one congregation out there, where a significant part of the adherents and membership would prefer a male Senior Pastor. I have had in depth, ongoing, conversations with individuals (men & women) who maintain this preference. They understand the FM stance, love being FM, but maintain their PREFERENCE that the senior pastor be male. I also understand in part the reason for their preference, I may not always agree, but understand. If enough people in the congregation prefer this - than that is the direction they will head.  

Now I could apply, and fight for my right to lead, and If I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was called to a particular church that held these preferences I would apply and gently respond to their issue of preferences, trusting God to work in and through the process, (I've had to weigh this before). However if the definitive call was not there, I would respect their preferences (while keeping the conversation open in order to broaden both our perspectives and understanding) and move on, understanding every church has preferences but God has a plan.  

Some would say that when it comes to the hiring process this is discrimination and that we should not tolerate it.  I am in complete agreement, that it is sad that anyone has to face any sort of discrimination. It is discouraging that applicants and employees are not always attuned or obedient to the Lord's guiding.  I recognize that the church needs to mature in many areas including but not exclusive of this one.  Thank God for His sanctifying grace.

I also recognize however that I make up the church and there are areas that I need to focus on in my own spiritual growth and maturity in order to positively affect the whole.  I say this because my personal experience in this area of struggle as a woman in ministry was one that brought about some maturing.  My initial response was one of resentment, bitterness, confusion and frustration.  All fair but none very productive.  As I prayed and reasoned, and left room for open discussions with individuals of differing opinions, I came to the conclusion that my desire and call is to serve God and others well. This means going where God sends me, probably where I can be most effective given the time and place.  As I said in yesterday's post, I personally want the focus of my calling as pastor, and for my time and energies, to be about drawing people into a saving relationship with Christ and less about fighting this battle.

I realized that going to a church that is truly not ready for a woman senior pastor, where many will struggle with receiving, is not effective for me or for them and since it is really not about me, I figured let them have their senior male pastor, who will hopefully bring them to a place of understanding and maturity.

That being said, I am not condoning or accepting this preference, instead I want to walk alongside people and help them mature in their biblical understandings, and allow God to work in and through me, so that I might provide a positive and desirable example of a woman in leadership, so that they can overcome any inbred preferences.

My experience has been that the best way to do this is through relationship, even with those whose preferences are different from mine.  In getting to know them, and they me, I feel like I am gaining their respect as a pastor regardless of my gender.  One man said to me the first time he heard me speak, that my sermon was very powerful...for a woman.  I received it as a back handed compliment, but then realized that perhaps he had not heard very many, if any female preachers.  He had since been under my tutelage in discipleship classes, and though we did not always agree, I definitely felt that He respected me and the calling God has placed on me. 

I also believe that discrimination/preferences of all sorts take place in the hiring process, inside and outside of the church, though perhaps never labelled or presented as such.  Admittedly another area of maturing for myself, because in the interest of authenticity I have preferences, though God helping me, hopefully they do not get in the way of His will.

I've not yet felt the Need to Fight for my Right to Lead.  The Lord has led me to incredible positions of pastoral leadership that I am privileged to serve in and for that I am grateful.  I pray and know the Lord will do the same for each woman that he has equipped and called to pastoral ministry.  There may however, come a time, when I do face opposition in seeing God's will come to fruition, whether that be personally or on behalf of others. At that time, I will stand up and press forward knowing that it is the Lord who fights for me.  Till then, I will continue to serve where the Lord has placed me.  I will attentively listen for the voice of God, and pray that others do the same, and trust that in the end, the guidance and will of God wins out.

Women Can't What!?

The women in ministry fight/debate is not one, that I have fully engaged in.  It is not that I do not believe that women could, should and have historically been equipped and enabled by God to lead His people, cause I certainly do.  It is simply that, as a pastor this is not the focus of the ministry God has called me to and YES God has called me to pastoral ministry, as confirmed by others, the gifts and opportunities the Lord has afforded me, and as evident by the fruit of my ministry. My focus is on preaching the Gospel, loving and serving His people, and discipling them to walk in His will and ways, allowing God to work in and through me,  that others might come to know Him in a real and personal way, so as to live redemptive lives of transformation.  Should teachable moments arise that allow me to speak to this matter of women in pastoral leadership, than I am happy to engage in the discussion, but it is not the major mandate the Lord has given me for my ministry. Rachel Held Evans among others have been inspired, equipped and enabled to do so and Dr. Ben Witherington, considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world, has provided some theological interpretation on women in ministry.

This being said I've had a few people recently engage me in this discussion, on women in pastoral leadership.  Now I can make theological arguments with the best of them, but the answer I often close with, is the one that compels me most of all, a very simplistic understanding.  Having been gifted for, and called to pastoral leadership, I have two choices.  When this life is over, either I apologize to God, for taking advantage of the opportunities he has provided me to preach the Good news, lead others closer to His throne of Grace, build up the body of Christ, and spend my life discipling and mentoring others, even though I am a woman. Or I apologize for not not preaching the good news, leading others closer to His throne of Grace, building up the body of Christ, and spending my life discipling and mentoring others.  Which is going to offend God more? The fact that I used the gifts and opportunities He has blessed me with to Glorify Him by loving, serving and leading others in the ways that I have been equipped and enabled to do so, or not taking opportunities to do these things, because I am a woman.

Tomorrow - the other side of the story: Why I Might NOT Fight for My Right to Lead.

FOLLOWING THE LEADER - A Prayer

"You have led in Your steadfast love the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them by Your strength to Your Holy abode." ~ Exodus 15:13

God Almighty, full of grace and mercy, it is in love that You lead us, may we always follow, knowing that wherever You lead us, it is out of love for us.  Help us not to get ahead of You and so drown in our own pride and foolish plans.  You have redeemed each of us for a purpose, lead us in Your will and ways.  Even when we are led to places that seem unbearable with obstacles insurmountable, may we rely on Your strength to guide us through.  Increase in us faith, so that we stop trying to take the lead, to do things in our own strength.  May we simply, faithfully follow wherever You lead.  Forgive us for when we get in front of You, instead may You oh Lord always be at the forefront, everything we do pointing to you - leading others to you, as we follow You. We ask this in the name of Christ. Amen

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way" Psalm 37:23

IMITATE ME?

I was struck by a verse I read in my devotions.  It was from Paul who said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."  It caused me to consider, do I live a life, privately and publicly, such that I'd be comfortable encouraging others to follow me because I'm faithfully following the example of Christ?  As a pastor, (or perhaps for you as a parent, as a friend, coworker, or as a family member) do I serve God and others, in such a way that I could have the confidence to offer such an invitation, trusting that it would bring God glory and be to their spiritual benefit?

Christ is our ultimate example, no man or other example will ever take precedence, however I am thankful for the couple truly faithful examples of great pastors, God has placed in my midst.  Those who demonstrate simply by way of their living, what it means to love and serve God and others well, not perfect but pressing in and pressing on. Pastors, who I know in following, will lead me closer to Christ.  Pastors who in following,  will demonstrate for me, what in means to walk in His will and ways.

I pray to this end, that God helping me, I may live my life, so that I could say with ever increasing confidence & authenticity: "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

LEARN-LIVE-LISTEN-LOVE

I am not a great pastor, though I'm trying to be, God helping me. I recently spent the afternoon in visitation with a widow of a great pastor, and I found myself longing for what seems at times, to be the wisdom and ways of days gone by. I left our time together, keenly aware of just how important certain areas of ministry really are, and trying to discern what it is that makes for great pastors. I deduced it to 4 qualities that I believe are integral if one aspires to be a great Godly pastor.

1. Learn - A love of learning, specifically as it pertains to God's word.  Knowing how to think is arguably more important than knowing what to think.

2. Live - Living out all that we learn through God's word, striving to live as Christ lived, walking in His will and ways.  I've always respected pastors whose lives preached a better a sermon Monday to Saturday than their message Sunday morning.

3. Listen - The ability to hear the heart of God and others. That means faithful, intimate prayer in order to hear from God. As well as visitation and/or fellowship in order to hear the heart of others. I believe relationship building both with God and others, is integral to discipling and thus to being a great pastor.  Furthermore I have come to experience that relationship building only enhances our preaching, teaching etc, causing it to be more effective.

4. Love - Love for God and others, a real love evident by actions, a love without thought of return.

Nothing profound, quite simple really: LEARN-LIVE-LISTEN-LOVE

The Imperfect Board Member

Today I enjoyed a relaxing day at home. While it was cool and gloomy outside, I kept myself warm with some delicious white truffle rooibos tea, and occupied by reading the book "The Imperfect Board Member" by Jim Brown.  Initially, I thought it might be better to drown my body in coffee, thinking that the book would bore me to sleep and the caffeine may help to push me through to the end.  Surprisingly, the book was delightfully engaging, a quick 200 page read that I finished in a matter of hours.  Written as a narrative, with sage advice and proven principals comprising the meat of the material, this is a book that I would recommend to every person who works within an organization, church or company that has Board style governance.  Whether you be the CEO, Executive Director, Board member or even staff, Jim Brown's book offers invaluable insight.

As I do with most everything I read, I create a cornucopia of colour in my books. As interesting and poignant statements catch my attention, I stroke the little nuggets of wisdom with a highlighter for quick future reference. The rest of this post will be a quick summary of the pretty little pink lines you would come across if you read my copy of "The Imperfect Board Member", some of them are poignant and others just caused some personal reflection or left me laughing. I've bolded some of my favourites.

If I was to summarize the content of this book it would be encapsulated in this sentence:

To DIRECT and PROTECT the board must CONNECT - EXPECT - CORRECT and with regard to the CEO the board must SELECT - INSPECT - REDIRECT and if necessary - EJECT

** "He snapped on his positive, professional countenance- the one he had mastered after his
    MBA course on pubic relations, in which he learned to "always be sincere, even if you 
    have to fake it""

** "I'm just creating an environment for her to be her best. I view tips differently than many
    people do.  I like to use them to inspire premium service.  Why wait until it is too late to give
    her a message about her performance?"

** "Sometimes the best way for me to support you will be for me to disagree"

** Owners - Board - CEO - Staff - Customers -- "When the straight lines of communication,
    authority, and accountability get broken, confusion and chaos result"

** "President Lincoln wisely judged that 'it never does a boy much good to shoot him"

** "Hope is a choice.  Add to it perseverance and that's what changes the world"

** "Sometimes we inadvertently reward the behaviour we don't want and fail to reward 
    the behaviour we desire"

** "Sometimes a majority only means that all fools are on the same side"

** "When you're in the depths of despair, things appear dark in every direction.  But 
    when you raise your head out of the pit, you get a totally different experience"

** "Boards don't need to hear about how busy the CEO is -- they need to hear about results"

** "The only way a board can responsibly to it's job without medling is by monitoring well"

** "The best boards keep their noses in the business and their fingers out"

** "What you should know by now is that I don't just tell you my thoughts - I expect you to think"

** "It's amazing how uncommon common sense is these days"

** "Monitoring the results the CEO has achieved compared to the plans and policies set by the
    board is how the board fulfills the responsibility to INSPECT"

** "The board's position is not management one step up, it's ownership one step down."

** "An example of good use of board inspection is interviewing several staff members 
    to assess how closely the organization is following the board set values."

** "Tie as much of the compensation as possible to performance.  Despite what Woody Allen
    said, merely showing up for work is not enough"

** "Winston Churchill's response when a friend asked if he was impressed that ten 
    thousand people had come to hear him speak: "Not really.  A hundred thousand 
    people would come to see me hang""

** "Every director [board member] has a significant investment in the business.  We insist on
    that because we believe that board members must feel the impact of their decisions and their
    leadership as much as any other shareholder"

** "Feedback is the breakfast of champions"

Live What You Believe

If I were to rename the book of Titus I would entitle it “Practice What You Preach", as this is Paul’s charge throughout this letter to Titus.

Amidst false teachers, and a relatively unestablished church, Paul writes to Titus with encouraging words and advice as to how to address the problems, deal with various groups in the congregation and get the church in order. I particularly love the book of Titus, as I am passionate about how our saving faith transforms our lives and is evidenced through our day to day living

As with the false teachers, there are a lot of people who “claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” ~1:16 So Paul begins his theological teaching on deeds and doctrine. In verses 11 & 12 of Chapter 2 Paul teaches that it is God’s grace that enables us to live lives honouring to God. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” Given the actions of the false teachers it is apparent that they had not received the grace of God that brings salvation, nor anyone else who were living ungodly, worldly lives.

It is interesting that all the things that Paul was instructing Titus to teach to the older men and women, younger men and women, slaves and masters all had to do with their behaviours.

I often think of our lives as a case being made for our faith. Is there enough evidence for others to recognize that I am a Christian, that I am set-apart, that I have been transformed and am continuing to be transformed by the grace of God?

Paul cautions Titus, reminding him that good deeds are to accompany the receiving of the truth and thus serve as a defence of the gospel. The gospel itself is as much to be put into practice as it is to be preached. Paul in no way suggests to Titus that salvation can be earned through works, but that they are the evidence of a genuine, saving faith in Christ, provided by His grace. This serves as a trust worthy saying “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” [3:3-7]

Paul is calling the leadership to authenticity, to pay as much attention to their behaviour as they do their beliefs. Paul was encouraging Titus to model the gospel in His life. This is exactly what Jesus Christ did – he modeled the gospel and we are in turn called to be imitators of Christ. Titus found himself in a cess pool of debauchery, and ill living and he needed to step up and be the example of something better, to show them that there was another option, that it could be done and was worthy living even amongst the competing opposition.

This then sums up my favourite verse from the Titus epistle, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” [2:7-8] God helping me, may it be true of me.

...After God's Own Heart

Yesterday was crazy busy, as I was helping to get things ready for a wedding shower, and then enjoying all the festivities, which kept me away from home till after midnight. As a result, I failed to write a post yesterday, in essence failing at my new years resolution to write a post a day.  I have a couple options available to me at this point.  I can throw in the towel, chalking my attempt at a post day, up to a good try that resulted in  failure.  I can write two posts today in an attempt at restitution, or I can simply take the blow in stride and move on.  I am going to pursue the latter.  Leaving you with today's post focusing on the 2nd book of Samuel, the story of David - a man after God’s own heart.

After reading 1 Samuel and coming into 2 Samuel I am enlightened to the number of years God has taken to prepare David to be King. From slaying lions and bears as a sheep herder, to serving the king and then running from the King, fighting wars and hiding in caves, it was 15 years of preparation before David became King. So often I just want to bust through the starting gates and run, but like David I have identified a time of preparation, growth and testing by the Lord.

David’s story is one of contrast, from the heights of victory to the depths of notoriety. David was a man of great integrity and character, a man after God’s own heart. We read in Chapter 8:15 that “David reined over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people”. Yet David was not immune to the plans of the enemy, from temptation and sin, for later on during His reign as king, he falls and enters into a downward spiral of sin including lust, adultery, deception, murder and lies. This downward spiral serves as a fine illustration of the snowball effect of compromise and sin.

I love the lesson that is played out in this chapter. David falls into sin, baited by lust, and when he is confronted with his sins by Nathan, David confesses, repents and He is forgiven by the Lord. However the earthly repercussions of his sinful actions continue to play out, in the death of His newborn baby, rape of Tamar, murder of Amnon, rebellion of Absalom and his subsequent death. While we can be assured that God will forgive those, who turn to Him in repentance, we must not forget nor minimize the fact that there remain earthly consequences for our actions. Further to this, our sinful actions will affect those around us, and perhaps those in generations to come.

Verse 14:14 in 2 Samuel, appears to be foreshadowing the ultimate grace and mercy the Lord is going to provide in order to ensure that each of us has an opportunity to come into right relationship with Him. “Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, He devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from Him” Loving us so much that He sent his son to atone for our sins, paying the penalty with His life, once and for all, so that we might not be estranged from Him.

Just as David did in 1 Samuel he continues to give God the glory, attributing his success and victories to the Lord almighty. I love the way he puts it in 22:36, a verse I have referred to countless times in my life “You give me your shield of victory, you stoop down to make me great” How true are those words, that God has stooped down to make us great, stooping so low as sending His son from perfect heaven to sinful dirty earth, so that we might take our places alongside Him again in eternity.

When I read verse 23:3-4, “When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after the rain that brings the grass from the earth” I was inspired to strive to be that kind of leader.

As I finished reading the 2nd book of Samuel I was left inspired by David. I want to live a life of such significance that if God were still documenting His word, the story of my life would be included. At the same time, I consider myself forewarned, learning from the mistakes, of a man after God’s own heart.

Tough Love

With Valentines day coming up on Sunday, leaving love at the forefront of all our minds, and given that my post yesterday reflected on 2 Corinthians, I thought that today I would start from the beginning with 1 Corinthians.

I have always been passionate about understanding the ways in which our Faith should be evident in our lives. I have perhaps a naïve or even arguably a slightly judgmental attitude, in believing that our Faith should transform our lives, there should be a falling away of the things of the world, and an ever increasing abundance of fruit of the spirit. I have heard it said that we become like that which we worship, and I know that we are called to be conformed into the likeness of Christ. We will never be sinless, but should not the indwelling of the spirit, be promoting Christ like attitudes and actions? It seems that the church of Corinth, suffers from the same struggle the churches, and we Christians of today do, in a world of abundance, and opportunity, where God competes for our attention among a myriad of distractions and competing offers, we become oblivious to the slow fade, that is taking place in our spiritual walk. We begin to compromise in our tolerance of worldly ways, and blur the lines of what is righteous. Now I am not promoting legalism – or justification through works, but there is a fine balance that needs to be trod so that liberty does not turn into license. Perhaps a healthy dose of tough love is needed every now and again to keep us on the path of righteousness, shedding light among the grey and sometimes blackened areas of our spiritual understandings. A clear call to walk in the freedom of Christ but also in obedience to His Holy call serves us well.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians did just this, offering up some tough love and so serves not only as a powerful message of exhortation and rebuke to them but also a pertinent message for us. I have often thought to myself, which Bible are you reading, when I see seasoned Christians adopting attitudes or actions contrary to the message they have received (including me at times). Paul must have had similar feelings, having established and raised up the church in Corinth in the ways it was to walk, only to see them now living lives in opposition to the word of God He had preached.

I appreciate the example that Paul provides us of speaking the truth in love. It was love that motivated Paul to confront the church. Sometimes in "tough love" we are required to say and do things things that may be hard for others to accept, and as equally hard to deliver, but given from a heart of love necessity. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." ~Proverbs 27:6  The word translated ‘faithful’ in this context shows that the wounds of a friend can be trusted because they are meant to help and not destroy - but that doesn’t mean that they are easy to take! Paul had developed a relationship with the Corinthians and it was the love that he had shown them that allowed him to hold the people accountable and confront their wrongdoing by the power of the cross. Without relationship rebuke is simply received as judgment and condemnation and often ends up doing more harm then good. It takes love to keep one another accountable. It is easier for sure to turn a blind eye, or sweep the unmentionable under the proverbial rug, hoping that it will go away, but that serves to benefit know one and Paul understood this. So with courage and boldness, armed with the word of God and the power of the cross He rebuked the church of Corinth, calling them back to lives of purity and unity for their benefit and to the Glory of God.

It is through the cross that we are united and only through the cross can divisions be laid to rest, and like mindedness found among the body of believers. If we rely on the power of the cross for guidance and direction, as opposed to leaders, or factions we would see schisms subside and unity increase. Paul exhortation declares that unity is found only when we come together in worship of Jesus Christ, not the things of this world, leaders, or other idols. [1:10-17]

In all things we should be seeking to love God and others, to live in unity and peace with another, to do that which will glorify, guide and edify the church and one another. This applies to the exercise of our freedom [8:9], our attitude, actions and the gifts that the Lord is so gracious in pouring out among the believers. Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that we are to contribute to the body of Christ using the gifts we have been giving without minimizing the contributions of others. A healthy church of God works together, sharing what they have been given to support each other, for the coming good [12:7] – understanding that though there may be many members, they are one body – and need one another to function properly with Jesus as the Head of that body which unifies the whole. [12:12-31]

Paul clearly confronts the Corinthians on the motives of their heart in chapter 13, and instructs them that Love must be the motivator in all that they do as the love of Christ is the common denominator which unifies the church. Love motivates edification of both the believer and the church. It was love that motivated Paul to confront the church. 

I want to live my life so that I may be able to say, or better that others can say of me with all confidence as Paul does that my way of life in Christ Jesus agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. [4:17]

I loved the underlying theme present throughout the book of 1 Corinthians in a number of ways that “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others”.[10:24]  This is  the motive of accountability in a nut shell. This theme was also evident in Paul’s exhortation on Spiritual gifts, Food sacrificed to idols, Lawsuits among brothers, love, orderly worship, the collection for others and more. This is an underlying theme throughout the New Testament and as I have stated before the key to the kingdom. [Obviously as a product of a saving faith relationship with Christ.] “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” [13:13]

Nehemiah - A Lesson in Leadership & Revival

I stepped out of the office this afternoon, to peak in on the ladies bible study.  I was curious what they were studying, and learned they were going through the book of Nehemiah. I decided that I would reacquaint myself with that book, the following is what I surmised.

The book of Nehemiah is a continuation of the book of Ezra, in fact originally it was all one book. It is a story of Jerusalem's restoration and renewal resulting in revival.  I consistently hear the cries and prayers for revival and I, as much as anyone desire to see that come to fruition. The conclusion of the book of Ezra demonstrates that revival is a result of the convicting of the spirit, through the remembrance of both God’s grace and justice, which results in a commitment to worship, confession, repentance and resolve to serve the one true God. 

While the books of Ezra and Nehemiah can be used as a case study in revival, the book of Nehemiah also serves as a wonderful example of  leadership.  Nehemiah himself, was a man of integrity, courage, and boldness yet at the same time tenderness and prayer.

Nehemiah’s heart is burdened with the responsibility of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and seeing it's people restored.. The first thing Nehemiah does with this burden is to take it to the Lord in prayer, seeking His will, guidance and direction. He did not act abruptly or rashly but waited, months for God to provide an opportunity for him to proceed. Nehemiah faced opposition and defamation and yet he pressed on and found strength in the Lord to complete the task he was called to. ~A leader of prayer & patience

One of the things that struck me initially in the book of Nehemiah was his practice of praying the word and promises of God as evident in verse 1:8-10. Praying the promises of God is not something I have done regularly as part of my prayer, but as result of reading this, I am reminded to make it a more regular prayer practice. The overall form of Nehemiah’s prayer documented in verse 1:5-11, stood out for me, not sure why it was, but I was attentive to the elements included, such as addressing the nature of God, confessing to God, praying the word and promises of God. I found it a very enlightening and endearing prayer. ~A leader of prayer & confession

I loved what Nehemiah is quoted as saying in verse 2:2 “I was very much afraid, but I said to the king…” emphasis on the "but".  Though fear could have held him back he pressed onwards, he was humble and authentic in documenting his fear, and thus giving God the glory. ~ A leader with Boldness & Courage

I loved that Nehemiah continually sought God’s leadership in his life and efforts.A man of prayer, trusting in God, wanting to ensure he is doing God’s will, Nehemiah prayed to God for direction as he stood before the king, before answering his question. "The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven," ~2:4 Yet though he was a man of prayer, Nehemiah was also a man of preparation, he played His part as evident in verse 4:9, where yes, he indeed prayed but he also took responsible action by placing a “…guard day and night to meet this threat”. It happens perhaps too easily and too often, that as Christians we fall into a pattern of prayer, without taking the responsibility of being a people of preparation and action. When we are left wondering why it is that God has not moved among us, or provided for us, perhaps we need to evaluate if we were prepared to accomplish what God had for us to do,or maybe we are praying for God to act, when in fact God is calling us to move, to get off our knees and do that which he has provided and prepared us to do. I love the balance that Nehemiah presents as a man of God – a leader of both prayer and dependence on God, but action and responsibility as well.

Though Nehemiah was mocked and ridiculed, though he faced false accusation and criticism he refused to be discouraged, he went to God in prayer and he continued to rebuild the wall, and he did so with all his heart.

Nehemiah was a leader who led by example, he was not above the people, but was right there alongside them, working with them, in the thick of the labour, working as hard if not harder than each man to ensure the work was completed. [4:23] When Nehemiah recognized a problem, he did not complain about it or give it to another to address, he took it upon himself. Take for example the exacting of usury by the nobles and officials, before even addressing the perpetrators, he first assisted the victims by “…lending the people money and grain” and then sought resolution and restitution. Nehemiah also focuses on community. The cooperative work of the returned exiles made it possible for them to come together and form a tight community. ~ ~ A tender leader with integrity

Like Ezra, Nehemiah also focuses on the fact that Scripture is the driving force that brings the exiles back to the Lord, particularly the Law of Moses. The importance of the word of the law, and obedience to God’s word is again imperative for revival. If we want revival in our own hearts, churches and communities I would suggest we would do well to return to the word of the Lord – to teaching God’s word, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read. I have often heard it said, especially by my generation and those younger than I, that they are no longer taught the word of the Lord, the fear of the Lord. Instead it has become a self-help book of divine proportions. As a matter of fact, I just recently had someone tell me that the reason they attend a Christadelphian bible study is because though they do not agree with the doctrine, and attend a mainline church, it is the only place they have found a true, deep study of God’s word.

If one was to document a formula for leadership, it could be taken straight from the pages of Nehemiah. While the formula for revival based on the evidence of scripture, at least from the Ezra-Nehemiah experience, would include conviction of disobedience based on the teaching of God’s word, a confession of sin, an admission of God’s sovereignty, faithfulness and righteous justice, a repentance from sin, a covenant to be set-apart as God’s people to do God’s will, a dedication of our lives to God celebrated with rejoicing and praise to God for his mercy, grace and goodness. Revival is a result of more than just prayer - it requires our repentance and action - let us be and train up leaders like Nehemiah who will guide us to this end.