The Bishop Magazine (November Issue)

A THEOLOGICAL JOURNAL

Seven Social Media Etiquette Tips

By Crystal Washington

Eighteen Ways to Ruin Your Reputation on Facebook

By Paul Steinbrueck

Loving One Another

By Johnathan Parnell

Does Race Still Matter

By Pastor Lisa Jenkins

The Rubberband Church

By Pastor Robert Houston

Skill Set or Will Set

By Bishop Jerry Hutchins

Changing the Way We Talk About Sex

By Carey Nieuhof

Preaching for the Easy Shout

By Sherman Cox

A New Thing

By Dr. C. Dexter Wise

NOVEMBER 2014

NOVEMBER 2014

04

even Social Media S Etiquette Tips

By Crystal Washington

05

rom the Desk of the F Publisher I Have the Power to Change What I Believe

By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min

06

ighteen Ways to Ruin E Your Reputation on Facebook

By Paul Steinbrueck

08 ByLoving One Another Johnathan Parnell 10

Does Race Still Matter

12

he Rubberband T Church

By Pastor Lisa Jenkins

By Pastor Robert Houston

13 Skill Set or Will Set

By Bishop Jerry Hutchins 14 Changing the Way We Talk About Sex

By Carey Nieuhof

16 Preaching for the Easy Shout

By Sherman Cox

18

3 | NOVEMBER 2014

A New Thing

By Dr. C. Dexter Wise

Seven Social Media Etiquette Tips

By Crystal Washington

Have a visible profile photo. I know what you’re thinking— “I have a private profile, I don’t want everyone to be able to find me!”

posts are a great way to build partnerships and get others talking about you too!

Acknowledge positive mentions with

The problem with that thinking is that private

comments, not just likes. If someone takes

profiles make using social media for business

the time to create a 200 word post gushing

much less effective in general. Would you let

about you online, you can certainly take ten

someone knocking at your door wearing a ski

seconds to comment, “Thank you so much

mask into your home? Exactly! No one wants a

for your kind words! I appreciate you.” Could

friend request from a faceless person either.

you imagine offering someone an amazing

Make relationships versus focusing on

introduction to a room full of your friends

sales. No one wants to be friends with a

and the ingrate simply offers an upward

billboard. Build your online reputation as an

nod to acknowledge your words? Likes are

expert and influencer in your field. Focus

basically nods. They mean that someone

on being helpful first and then make sure

agrees or has simply read something. Neither

that your profiles are clear and concise.

encourages future long posts of praise.

This way, when connections impressed with

On Facebook, keep your timeline open

your information review your profile, they’ll

to comments/posts. Imagine being invited

have a clear understanding of your area of

into a friends home and then being politely

expertise or offerings, and may contact you

informed that you, nor any of the other

with opportunities or business needs.

guests, may introduce a topic of discussion.

Send customized notes with connection

You may only comment on those topics

requests. Do you like robocalls? How often

introduced by the host. Closing a timeline

are you appreciative of receiving tthem?

to posts is the exact same thing.

Standard connection request messages are robocalls for social media. Don’t. Do. It. Talk about others and give resources more

Don’t sit on the sidelines waiting for an opportunity to pitch yourself or your business.

It’s no secret that the majority of social media

than you mention yourself. One of the best

users are lurkers and that’s fine. However,

ways to build a following on social media is

it’s always interesting to see those social

to demonstrate your expertise by sharing

media connections who never engage in

resources outside of those you offer. Tagging

conversation until they observe an opportunity

those organizations/people mentioned in your

to plug their business or themselves.

4 | NOVEMBER 2014

From the Desk of the Publisher I Have the Power to Change What I Believe

By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min It seems to me that the year 2014 just

we as a country have come to the belief that

started a few days ago and here we are

a person can do a job a reach for aspiring

preparing for Thanksgiving and step on the

heights, regardless of the color of their skin.

expressway that leads to Christmas and the

I recognize the impact my beliefs have on

end of the year. So before I get started with my

how I feel and behave. Believing something

editorial for this year let me pause to wish all

about a situation determines how events

who are reading this a Happy Thanksgiving.

progress. What I think and feel about another

I, like so many other Americans, am proud of President Barack Obama. No, this is not a political blog and I am not arguing a political

person affects how I relate to that person. My beliefs in myself determine how I perform.

However, I can choose what I

case that is colored in either Red or Blue.

believe. If I want to see a situation

When I say that we are proud of the president,

differently, I have the power to do so.

I mean that his occupation of the White House

My beliefs are particularly important when

is evidence that people are able to change how

I am relating to others. If I believe a person

they feel and behave. Fifty, or even twenty-five

has certain qualities, then I assume I know

years ago, we could not have imagined that

how they think and act. But when I change

anyone who looked like President Obama would

my mind about someone, I see the person

ever sit at the desk in the Oval Office. But not

differently, often for the better. I am free to

once, but twice, America has demonstrated

determine what I believe about someone.

that how we feel and behave is directly related

My beliefs about myself determine my

to what we beiieve. In the case of the president,

level of confidence. Whether I am beginning a new project, attending a social event, or experiencing changes in a personal relationship, how my life progresses is largely determined by what I believe. And I am blessed with the power to change how I see things.

Knowing I can change what I believe brings success into my life. Inside myself, I make a decision about what I think is true. But if I observe factors that do not coincide with my beliefs, I change how I view other people and situations based on this new information.

Today, I plan to embrace my power to change my beliefs. I can alter those beliefs that ultimately result in less than ideal situations, relationships, or behavior.

Self-Reflection Questions: 1. Do I have the power to change my beliefs?

2. What is a particular assumption that hinders me?

3. How can I create more success by accepting my power to change my beliefs?

5 | NOVEMBER 2014

Eighteen Ways to Ruin Your Reputation on Facebook

By Paul Steinbrueck Facebook is a great way for you to build and maintain relationships with

2. CRITICIZE PEOPLE. Even if you don’t use a person’s

people both inside your church and in your

name, chances are you’re Facebook

community. But Facebook is not without

friends with that person or someone

its risks. Every time you post something,

close enough to the situation to know

you risk hurting, offending or distancing

who you’re really talking about.

yourself from people. So here are 18 things you want to avoid doing on Facebook …

First, the ugly …

3. EMBARRASS YOURSELF. Expect everyone in your congregation and your community to see everything you

1. POST SOMETHING OUT OF FRUSTRATION

post to Facebook. So don’t post anything you

IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT.

wouldn’t be comfortable saying or showing

We all get frustrated at times. And if

from the pulpit on a Sunday morning.

you want to engage people authentically, you need to “keep it real.” But Facebooking when angry, frustrated or hurt is never a

4. EMBARRASS YOUR FAMILY. Our spouses and kids say and do funny

good idea. Take a few minutes (or a few

things all the time. Most of those things can

hours) to cool down, and then think again if

be posted to Facebook with no problem, and

you really want to use Facebook to vent.

they help people to see you’re a normal person

6 | NOVEMBER 2014

with a normal family. But be sensitive and

12. ACT LIKE THE LANGUAGE/

when in doubt, ask your spouse and kids if it’s

MORALITY POLICE.

OK to share a quote, happening or pic online.

Your Facebook friends are not perfect.

They are going to swear, post questionable

5. CRITICIZE OTHER CHURCHES

pictures of themselves and share things you

IN THE COMMUNITY.

don’t agree with. If something is really bad,

Every church has a different mission,

consider contacting the person privately about

ministry philosophy, style of worship

it, but don’t call people out publicly for what is

and theology. But we all share one Lord,

unfortunately common behavior in our culture.

one faith and one baptism. We should be known for our unity, not our division.

The self-absorbed …

13. ROLL OUT THE FIRE AND BRIMSTONE. I don’t know if preaching about sin and hell worked with past generations, but it’s not going

6. ONLY TALK ABOUT YOUR CHURCH. Pastors, when people become Facebook friends with you, it’s because they want

to put you in a position to influence people on Facebook. People on Facebook respond much more favorably to hope and love.

to engage with you—a real person—not a spokesperson for your church.

14. BE OVERLY POLITICAL.

7. SHARE EVERYTHING POSTED

unless you want to irk half your church and

TO THE CHURCH FB PAGE.

close the door to half the people in your

It’s OK to take stands on key issues, but

Even if you post personal updates to your Facebook profile, don’t repost every

community (not to mention risk losing your nonprofit status), don’t tow a party line.

church update as well. Some, yes—all, no.

15. ENGAGE PEOPLE IN DEBATES. 8 . JUST TALK ABOUT YOURSELF. When you go to a social event, do you like

Online (and offline) debates rarely cause anyone to shift their position on an issue.

hanging around with people who only talk about

Discussion is great, but if things get heated

themselves and never ask you about you?

or personal, it’s time to lighten up.

Don’t be one of those people online either.

The disengaged …

The disingenuous …

16. POST A LOT OF THEOLOGICAL STUFF 9. ACT LIKE YOUR LIFE IS PERFECT. Nobody is perfect, and everyone

THAT’S OVER YOUR FRIENDS’ HEADS. It’s great for pastors to engage their

knows it. If you act like everything is

Facebook friends in spiritual conversations,

good all the time, you’ll be perceived

but avoid posting your doctoral thesis. It’s not

as inauthentic, wearing a mask.

going to engage anyone and will put people off.

10. ACT LIKE YOU’RE ALWAYS

17. LOG IN ONCE EVERY WEEK OR TWO.

“JOYFUL IN THE LORD.”

RELATIONSHIPS REQUIRE CONSISTENCY.

Nobody is happy all the time either.

You can take breaks, go on vacation and don’t need to be on Facebook every

11. ACT LIKE YOU HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. Nobody likes a know-it-all either.

day, but you’ve got to be regular if you’re going to build relationships in Facebook.

Share insight and advice when asked.

Be confident but not arrogant.

The offender …

18. FAIL TO RESPOND. When people send you messages, post to your timeline or comment on your status updates and links, it’s important to respond. Answer people’s questions.

Thank people for their insight and stories.

7 | NOVEMBER 2014

Loving One Another

By Johnathan Parnell The scene could not have been more

dimension of the gospel that we couldn’t

inauspicious: a low-lit room, full stomachs

make up. It is especially important for local

and the dirty feet of a dozen grown men. This

churches that might too easily buy into

is not where you’d expect to find one of the

the modern mentality that bigger is better.

world’s greatest lessons in loving one another.

It might seem that the most impressive

But it was here, nonetheless, in the upper

operation is the most sophisticated one, or

room of a common house in first-century

that distinguishable value is really found in

Palestine, the night before Jesus died, that

the bells and whistles. But then Jesus says

we learn how to live together as the church

that the last is first, and the least is greatest.

in this world. The apostle John tells us the

He points us to a mustard seed—this teeny,

story, showing us three unforgettable parts.

incredibly unimpressive seed that, once it’s planted and grows, becomes a tree so big that

1. PUT AN APRON ON AUTHORITY The apostle is so crystal clear here. He

birds make it their home (Matthew 13:31).

The sovereign Lord washing the feet of his

wants us to get the timing down of when

followers—this upside-down dimension of the

this event transpired. It was before the Feast

gospel—redefines the nature of relationships.

of Passover, when Jesus knew that he was

Where the world has its ranks and high-profile

about to depart from this world, when Judas

untouchables, the King of glory puts on an

was already conniving to betray him, when

apron. This means that we, his people, are

Jesus understood that the Father had given

never too important for ordinary relationships.

him all authority and his earthly ministry was almost finished. We’re supposed to see this context in John 13:1–3, and having all this in

2. DO WHAT JESUS DID John makes this point clear for us, too:

our minds, we read: “[Jesus] rose from supper.

We do what Jesus did. Jesus served his

He laid aside his outer garments, and taking

disciples and tells us, therefore, that we

a towel, tied it around his waist” (verse 4).

should serve one another. “I have given

This is not the set-up for a snazzy TED

you an example, that you also should do

talk. Jesus, knowing that he is the sovereign

just as I have done to you” (John 13:15).

Lord over everything, puts on an apron and prepares to wash the dirty feet of his disciples.

This is a picture of Christian paradox— that wondrous, confusing, upside-down

Jesus says that his humility is an example for us—that we do what he does. And this means, profoundly, that one of the ways we identify with our Savior is by caring for others in the same manner he has cared for us. We show ourselves to be his disciples when we humble ourselves and seek the good of others at our own expense.

This is important because there is a degree of suffering we will experience in serving one another. It always costs something to seek someone else’s good, and there will be times when it feels like we’re not getting any encouraging return on our investments. In these moments, because of Jesus’ example, we know it doesn’t mean we turn and run, but instead press in and hold on. When the serving gets especially tough, we shouldn’t necessarily serve less, but perhaps more.

And in doing that, we go deeper with Jesus.

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Consider the context of Jesus’ own serving

All we did know was that they followed Jesus,

in John 13. Look at the group sitting around

and if what Jesus says is true, we would be

him. John is sure to tell us, right in the middle of

OK. More practical than anything else I’ve

all this, how Judas is in the process of betraying

experienced, Jesus’ words have been true. We

Jesus. And then Peter, who is so vocal, will

live where we do primarily because the family

soon deny Jesus. We see something here that

of Jesus is a group that loves one another.

is true of Jesus’ wider ministry: You didn’t

And when this happens, Jesus says all

have to reach a certain status of friendship for

people will know that we’re his. Our love for

Jesus to serve you. He washed his disciples’

one another is a witness to our identity as

feet knowing all along that soon, in the garden

the redeemed sons and daughters of God.

where he’ll be arrested, they would all scatter.

This is such a brainteaser for those of us who have put a lot of thought into the mission

3. KNOW THE NEW COMMANDMENT The instruction and example from Jesus

and structure of the local church. So often we tend to think of in-reach and outreach

now becomes a bona fide commandment—a

as two different arms of the church, both

new commandment (John 13:34).

extending in opposite directions, doing

The meaning behind our serving one

their own thing; but then Jesus comes and

another is our love for one another. The

says one can’t exist without the other. A

church loves one another, even in ways

church that is “missional,” and wants to

deeper than flesh-and-blood family.

make Jesus known in their community, must

This has to be true for my family to make

be a church that loves one another. And a

it. Years ago, in a move from one school to

church that is intentional about loving one

another, my wife and I relocated our growing

another can’t help but be a church that makes

family based on Jesus’ words in Mark 3:35:

Jesus known. That’s the way it works.

“Whoever does the will of God, he is my

And that’s how we live together as the

brother and sister and mother.” We left a loyal

church in this world: We go against the

home-base that had loved us for years—not to

grain of societal expectations, we help

mention an endless supply of free babysitting—

one another when it hurts, and we love

to come to a community we didn’t really know.

one another to represent our King.

9 | NOVEMBER 2014

Does Race Still Matter

By Pastor Lisa Jenkins A few months ago, I watched the premiere

weren’t talking about blond and blue. Besides,

of the highly anticipated epic mini-series, The

when John the Baptist, with them dreadlocks

Bible. Let me just start off by saying, I just

framing his face, dipped Jesus in the Jordan

love me some Roma Downey. Had no idea her

river, Good Lawd, what more could I ask for??

hubby was the producer of The Apprentice,

Well, right after the start of the show

Survivor, Shark Tank and more. But because

and prior to my dozing off right after God

of my long-ago love affair with Touched by

stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, I

An Angel, I was parked and ready in front of

just wasn’t feeling, er, uh, right . I’m not sure

the History Channel last night, Sunday. I had

if it was because Isaac looked more Irish

sent out newsletters to my congregation and

than Palestinian or because I felt placated

reminded them and our guests at Sunday’s

by the roles of the Black and Asian angels

service to tune in. Now, I had already seen

in the Sodom and Gomorrah scene. One

the previews so I knew that the Jesus in this

of my Facebook friends asked if the Asian

miniseries had light brown hair and brown

angel was supposed to be Jackie Chan after

eyes — contrary to individuals who are

he did a couple of martial arts moves. The

actually indigenous to the Middle Eastern

brother, however, just pulled out his sword

and Palestinian regions. But every time I saw

and glared……and sure enough that was

the official The Bible video featuring CeeLo

enough to blind folk right in their tracks!

Green singing “Mary Did You Know”, I was

Nothing like The Glare-Stare from a brother

hooked!! Talk about chills! Didn’t matter what

or sister to change the scene. But back to

color his eyes and hair were as long as we

this issue of color and ethnicity. Sigh.

10 | NOVEMBER 2014

No it doesn’t matter that Jesus was a

I have a few Dominican friends who would

person of color or not when it comes to my

make a great Jesus. The other day, I was in

salvation. He came and dwelt among humanity

Jackson Heights, Queens, and I saw a kid who

as God in the flesh, was sacrificed on a cross

would have made a doggone swell Isaac!

for my sins and not his own, was then buried

Perhaps next week I will comment on the

in a tomb and on the third day He rose and I

content and flow of the biblical stories in the

am certain that He will return. Yep! I couldn’t

series. Although I’m not as hyped now as I

care if Jesus was purple but for the fact that

have been prior to the premiere, I feel it fair to

He died for me and is coming back for me!

have stayed up a bit longer than the rescue of

Yet, still, I just can’t process the issue of if it

Isaac from being a sacrifice before I comment

doesn’t matter, then why not portray Jesus and

on the story itself. (By the way, am I the only

the rest of the biblical characters as history,

one who has ever wondered what Isaac was

archeology and scientific reconstructions

thinking when he descended the mountain after

have proven the people living in the Palestinian

Abraham was getting ready to dice and slice?

region during biblical times to look. Is it really

Like really – was everything okey dokey with

that difficult to find actors who at least look

him and dad?? Come on…… it’s just us talking….)

Palestinian or Arabic if one cannot actually

But as far as ethnicity and race are

find a cadre of actors native or whose ancestry

concerned when it comes to the bible,

is from the region? I might (might) be okay

I just thank God I’m saved, but as one

with other ethnicities portraying or acting

young person said, if the truth is no

in character if they actually looked the part.

big deal, then why not just tell it!!!

11 | NOVEMBER 2014

The Rubberband Church

By Pastor Robert Houston One of the greatest frustrations of newly called pastors is what I have termed is the Rubber Band Church.

Often times Pastors come in with different expectations and anticipations than the congregation that has called them. After pastoring over 25 years, I have discovered that churches will adapt to the vision of the Lord through the Pastor with great success or they will snap back and return to their original form which is the Rubber Band Church.

Recently a young pastor reached out to me. He has been at his church 18 months and the church and is frustrated that “they

those chairs that I had removed miraculously and mysteriously reappeared. Chairs in a pulpit were a part of that church’s center core.

I’m not suggesting it’s always a bad thing

haven’t changed.” He ranted and raved for 30

because all churches need to have core

minutes and then I said to him that churches

beliefs. The Word of God should never be

have a center core. They have certain practices

compromised; Preaching and Teaching the

and belief systems that are at their core. You

Gospel should never be rebuked; Serving each

can stretch them or try to stretch them or

other and the community should be resident

suggest that they stretch – but at the end

within a congregation. However, brother and

of the day (and this is non-denominational),

sister pastor, they are some things that will

a church will return to it’s center.

always bounce back to center and become

That is applicable even during a pastoral change of leadership. How well I remember

part of the lore of that congregation.

Whether it’s a name change or location

leaving my former congregation in San Diego.

change or change of worship or change of

For months, I sat in the audience with my

structure – some churches will eradicate

deacons because I was tired of being the

change made by a leader to “get us back

focus of attention. I am primarily a worshiper.

where we belong.” It’s akin to the GOP

I wanted to worship without every eye of

mantra of “taking back our country.”

support, criticism or ambivalence staring at me. I resigned on a Sunday morning, came

Three things to be careful of: 1. Make sure that you are stretching

down to the office to clear my office on a

the congregation because of the Lord

Monday and peeked into the sanctuary, and

and not because of an agenda. Keeping up with the Joneses is a poor excuse for stretching a congregation.

2. Make sure that you have a firm grip on the process. One of the most painful experiences can occur when you stretch a congregation (rubber band) and then it slips and you get with the force of the rubber band.

3. Make sure that when you stretch make sure that the vision for it is compatible with the amount of effort you’ll be exercising. Never put out great energy for minute projects.

I pray for that pastors and leaders who are challenging their congregations to go beyond boxes, limits and paradigms. And may the church follow and not grudgingly stay in place like a rubber band that will not yield.

12 | NOVEMBER 2014

Skill Set or Will Set

By Bishop Jerry Hutchins Have you ever worked with someone who

“Mind” in this verse refers to

is highly skilled but their attitude leaves

attitude or will. When it comes to being

much to be desired? Which area do you make

successful, Nehemiah demonstrates

priority; your skill set or your will set?

that will is as important as skill.

Nehemiah had been part of the captivity

Philippians 2:5 reads “your attitude

of Babylon. When he and others returned to

should be the same as that of Christ

Jerusalem they undertook a project to rebuild

Jesus.” Skill is a reflection of our

the wall around the city. The wall was 16

hands. Will is a reflection of our heart.

feet wide and almost 5 miles circumference

Ralph Marston said “excellence

with 12 huge gates that allowed entrance for

is not a skill, it’s an attitude.”

specific purposes. The interesting fact about

If we want to be better at what we do,

the project is that most of the people who did

we should concentrate on attitude as

the work were not skilled contractors. They

much as we concentrate on aptitude. The

were farmers and had other jobs but history

people built the wall with the right will

records them building the wall in 52 days.

set and it seems to have aided in their

The key verse that explains their success is

skill set. Excellence with our hands is

verse 6; “the people had a mind to work.”

consequential of excellence in our heart.

13 | NOVEMBER 2014

Changing the Way We Talk About Sex

By Carey Nieuhof How are you talking about sex at your church (or with your kids … or with your friends) these days?

Or are you talking about it?

Sometimes when we don’t know what to say, we say nothing. Or we say the wrong thing.

Yet our culture is talking about sex every … single … day. And increasingly, they’re talking about how the church is talking about it.

The way we talk about sex, marriage and family is coming under greater and greater scrutiny.

This is true whether Christians are addressing same-sex attraction, sex outside of marriage or marriage itself.

For the record, I believe that the context God designed for sex is between a man and woman, married to each other for life.

I also realize that fewer and fewer people share that conviction with each passing

sex outside of marriage itself (or inside marriage … married sex isn’t always harmless sex).

I don’t say that lightly.

So what needs to change?

I’m not sure anyone’s cracked the code on this, but here are a few things I think could help us create a dialogue that helps more and hurts less in the church.

1. Don’t just talk about sexual sin, talk about church sin too.

Everyone has sins they focus on and sins they ignore.

The tendency, of course, is to focus on the sins of others and ignore your own.

The church is no different.

So here’s a proposal: Deal with the church sin everyone in the church seems to tolerate.

Let me explain.

When you explore a passage like

year. Increasingly, the view I hold is the view

Galatians 5:16-26, you notice that included

of a small minority. I understand that.

in the same list that speaks of sexual sins

But the fact that some church leaders hold a minority view means the way we talk about it becomes more important every year.

Consequently, I’m convinced that how we talk about sex needs to change.

Given the tone of some of the current

is a long list of what I call church sins.

Church sins are sins Christians engage in all the time that, frankly, no one talks about or addresses.

Right alongside sexual immorality, impurity and ‘wild parties,’ Paul lists:

dialogue, the damage done by the way we talk

hostility

about sex may actually rival the damage done by

quarreling jealousy outbursts of anger selfish ambition dissension division envy jealousy arrogance If you add gossip and gluttony to the list, you’ve pretty much got a complete list of church sins we too often tolerate.

This list of sins actually describes the life of too many churches and too many people who would declare themselves to be ‘mature’ Christians. (I wrote about why we need a new definition of Christian maturity here, and shared some thoughts on what’s wrong with Christian discipleship here.)

14 | NOVEMBER 2014

We are so blind to our own sins that we not only tolerate them, we sometimes celebrate them.

What do I mean?

Too many prayer meetings are thinly disguised gossip marathons.

Many churches could easily call their next potluck Gluttonfest. It wouldn’t be inaccurate.

More than a few Christians justify division, dissension, hostility, quarrelling and jealousy in the name of being ‘right.’

This is terrible. It really is.

And before you think I’m pointing fingers, I’m not.

I have gossipped.

Why would someone struggling with their sexuality want to come into a place of judgment, anger, division, gossip and arrogance?

I have eaten too much too often.

That’s right. They wouldn’t.

I have caused division and hurt.

But they might want to find a place of

I struggle with envy.

love, kindness, faithfulness and maybe even

I can be arrogant.

a place characterized by self-control.

Don’t get me wrong … sexual sin has some heartbreaking consequences.

But so does church sin. Seriously, just look at the state of the church today where church sin gets neglected and you will see droves of people staying away and walking away.

So … what if church leaders: Never talked about sexual sin unless we also addressed church sin?

It would reframe the conversation.

It might even change some hearts. Including ours.

Ironically, the very thing most people look for when they express themselves sexually is acceptance and love. And it’s the very thing they are rarely able to find among many Christians.

Could you imagine if the church got serious about our sins?

What if we repented?

What if we became a community of truth and grace?

What if?

3. Put your arm around people as though you were one of them … because you are.

2. Deal with church sin … seriously.

Paul called himself the chief of sinners.

So do you never deal with someone else’s sin?

People outside the church today have no

Well, you do. But we’re not nearly there yet.

doubt that people inside the church are sinners.

Before dealing with someone else’s

They just don’t think that we think we’re sinners.

sexual sin, deal with the church sin that lives inside you and your community.

If we keep reading Galatians 5, we can see that Paul had an astounding picture of the church in mind. Here’s what he said: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:

Too often when we open our mouths, we accuse.

We condemn. We confront.

What if we changed that?

What if we came alongside people and said, “I know what it’s like … it’s hard isn’t it?”

I always try to start a conversation by

love, joy, peace, patience

saying something like, “We all have issues.

kindness,

Some of mine may be different than yours,

goodness

and some may be the same, but I know

faithfulness,

what it’s like to mess up. Let me know if you

gentleness and

want to have a conversation about it.”

self-control

It’s amazing what happens when you

There is no law against these things!

change your stance, put your arm around

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have

someone and say, “Let’s figure this out

nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” (Galatians 5: 22-24 NLT) So think about it.

together.” I don’t always get it right, but I try.

Church leaders, put your arm around people as though you were one of them. Because you are.

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Preaching for the Easy Shout

By Sherman Cox The other day I was listening to a preacher

lost a child, but now had another one. Someone

close a sermon about pain. The preacher

lost a job, but now that one had a better job.

preached about the very real struggle with pain

There was someone who got diagnosed with

and suffering that we all have to go encounter

a disease, but there was a misdiagnosis. And

in this life. In typical African American

then the close came with “weeping may endure

style, the preacher closed the sermon with

for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

a “celebration.” Here the preacher resolved

Too Quick A Jump To The Gravy

the pain by pointing to being “hooked-up.”

This sermon felt like it was jumped to

The preacher then looked through the congregation and talked about someone who

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the gravy too quickly. This was a jump that didn’t take into account the necessity

of experiencing the pain. The emotional

the porch and the altar (Matthew 23:35).

release will be forced or superficial if the

Ask John the Baptist, whose head was on

fullness of the pain is not experienced.

the plate in a banquet (Matthew 14:8-11).

One of the things that a sermon can do

The simple fact of the matter is that

is help to model correct thinking. Correct

sometimes Grandma will die. Sometimes

thinking would not limit the need to experience

we will lose our job. Sometimes bad things

pain. Sometimes our people think and/or

will happen. We cannot in our preaching

act as if it is a sign of lack of faith to grieve

give the impression that good will always

or acknowledge hurt. Whether one has been

win in the end “down here.” Sometimes the

diagnosed with a life-threatening disease

wicked prosper and the righteous languish.

or has experienced the loss of a loved one,

Sometimes the fornicating pastor gets the

grief and pain are necessary and needed.

big church and the faithful one gets fired from

Yes, it is even inevitable. Some of us may

his modest one. Yes it is true, you may not

even question God at these times of intense

get that house. It is not guaranteed to you.

sorrow. All of this is expected and needed. We cannot in our preaching make people believe that they will not experience pain in this life.

IMPORTANCE OF INCARNATION These realities make the incarnation even more important. Jesus didn’t sidestep the

JOY TIED TO GOOD OUTCOME Another problem in this sermon is that

pains of this life to live in the lap of luxury.

Jesus came and lived among us all. He didn’t

the experience of joy was tied to a good

sidestep the experience of the poor. Then

outcome in this world. The one who lost a

Jesus died and even felt betrayed by God

child now has another one. Setting aside

which wrenched from his lips the cry “My

the problematic and incorrect thought that

God, My God, why…?” (Matthew 27:46)

one child could replace another, the joy

The good news is that Jesus is there

comes from a good outcome down here. The

with us in the pain. The good news is that

person should be happy because they got a

Jesus helps us to endure the pain. And the

better job down here. They should be happy

good news, yes, is that Jesus overcame the

because they got hooked up down here.

worst that life can give and now offers that

We live in an era where the Christian life

to us. Yes, we will have pain in this world,

is about getting hooked up. But the reality

but we have someone to walk with us, talk

is that we don’t always get hooked up down

with us and tell us that we are his own. Yes,

here. Ask Paul, who never had the thorn in

we will have pain in this world, and Jesus

his flesh taken away, even though he greatly

has overcome the world. And yes, it is still

desired it to be removed (2 Corinthians

true “weeping may endure for a night … but

12:8-9). Ask Zechariah, who died between

joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

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A New Thing

By Dr. C. Dexter Wise

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it

2. God will do a new thing. This is His promise.

shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?

A new thing is coming and God is going to do

I will even make a road in the wilderness

it. This new thing will not just be a new thing,

And rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43: 19

but a new thing that God does. Therefore,

The past can be so over powering that it can make you lose faith in the impossible.

it cannot be undone when it’s done.

3. God will show you His new thing. The

The monotony of the present can cause

blessing of this new thing is that you will

you to miss the miracles tucked away in the

not have to hear about it. You will be here to

moment. The tentativeness of tomorrow can

see it. God promises not only to do it, but to

force you to doubt the chance of triumphs of

show it to you. You will enjoy it in the land

the future. The same old, same old creates

of the living. In fact, it will spring forth at a

a perennial pessimism which says: “Why bother because nothing will ever change.”

The words of Isaiah 43: 19 were written

time when it’s the last thing on your mind.

4. God’s new thing will be radically new.

God’s new thing will be so new that

just for those who have succumbed to

it will be something which you never

such as assessment. God says, in spite of

imagined. It will be new like rivers in the

what has been: “I will do a new thing.”

desert, like reconciliation between bitter

Notice:

enemies, like the salvation of long lost

1. God can do a new thing. He has the power, the will and the resources to take things in a different direction,

loved ones, peace in your house, left over money after you pay your bills.

Just when you need it the most

make things into a different form, break

and expect it the least, God’s new

down things into different pieces.

thing will break forth. Here it comes.

What you can’t change, He can.

Look for that new thing today!

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