As I have been in and around churches, I have served in several capacities, I found that churches often struggle with balance. Some are great at outreach and stink at discipleship. Some are great at ministry, but the worship is lacking. Some have great Sunday School but no real community ministry. Some how powerful preaching but lack ministry to members. Balance is a hard thing to accomplish, and often I see it as a result of the pastor’s personality and style. The pastor leads, the flock follows.
Pastors, leaders and teachers need to develop a TEAM approach. First, a church must be Together. Together in purpose and moving towards the goal of disciple making. Together in the mission of ministry and service to the community. Together and united in Christian fellowship that brings people together to support and care for one another. There has to be a sense of unity and doing this together.
A church must be Entering the presence of God. Worship in a church must be more than music and singing. A church must be devoted to spiritual worship in preaching, giving, praying, serving, the Lord’s Supper and baptism. The worship of Christ should pour forth from everything during the service. The body of Christ should be focused on being in worship, more than just Sunday mornings. The body from the pastor to the newest member should daily be having time of personal worship and devotion. It should flow from the hearts of the believers.
The church must be At the feet of Jesus. The church should never stop growing and learning. A church must have a standard of teaching and knowing the Word. Each time the body is together, the scripture must be opened and taught. Personal devotion and study time should not only be encouraged but championed as the only way believers can survive in this world. Without the study of the Word and learning at the feet of the Master, the church will be tossed, tried and sifted.
Lastly, the church must be Mobilized for mission. A member who attends every Sunday but never lives out what they learn is a weak believer at best. We must take the teachings of Jesus and use them in the world. The entire church from the oldest to the youngest should be missionaries where ever they go. A church that does missions is a church living out the command of Christ. To be His body, we must be an incarnational expression of Christ every day. Missions is the heart, hands and feet. Every member of a church body can find a place to be a missionary and should be engaged daily in that cause.
These four things together can help a church keep balance and focus. It’s so easy to become heavy in the area of passion, but all areas must be developed. There must be devotion to these areas if the church is serious about the mission, purpose and calling of Christ. I hope that you will join me to be a TEAM focused believer.
I know my comment will, very likely, not be welcomed. However, at the heart of our problem in desiring the Presence of God and entering the same lies the issue of theology, the biblical truth, which instructs us on the reality of God’s presence and the truths that express it. Has any one considered the fact that when one comes to church, one has come to the Holy Place, even the Holy of Holies, to God, the Judge, to the very hear and center and essence of Heaven that being Jesus the Mediator, the Lamb slain in the heart of the throne of Heaven, to THE JUDGMENT now where one can have his or her sentence adjudicated? Remember Jacob saying, “Surely, the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not?” Or Isaiah saying, “Woe is me?” Or Peter saying, “Lord, depart from me, for I am a sinful man?” Or John falling at His feet as one dead?
I do welcome your comment, but caution you. The modern church building is not the Temple, it’s not the Holy of Holies, we have no Ark of the Covenant. The judgement will come with Christ at His return, not walking into the building.
Dr J. I think you are right on the money. The temple is a great model for what should happen when we gather in our church buildings, or anywhere else we worship.
I must disagree with this comparison of church worship services to the Temple. The Temple is THE model for what should happen day-by-day, minute-by-minute in my heart and your heart; 1Cor6:19 says “…your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you…” (HCSB). God’s mercy seat is now in you or I, not some building. I think it approaches idolatry when we try to say that the church is “holy ground.” If it is, it is because where “two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them;” and, that is not limited to the building with the palque that reads “First X Church of Anytown, USA.”
The church house is not the place for the type of worship from the Temple: the guilt offeriengs, the sin offerings, the praise offerings, the olah or whole burnt offering is what we should be doing daily in our hearts. For those who would coopt the Temple, Rom2:29 says “a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter…” (HCSB). And, Jesus said in John 4:21-23 “…an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem…when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (HCSB).
If we are not doing Temple service of sacrifices in the heart, then nothing we do in the church house will matter. That is more of a reason why churches are disfunctional than becasue we do not regard the weekly meeting as “the Holy of Holies.”
Greg,
Of course if you push any comparison with anything in the O.T. to such an extreme as you are doing, it becomes unrecognizable as anything related to God.
If you are in favor of doing away with all the church buildings and corporate worship, that would be your perogative.
I personally believe that the Temple is illustrative of how one approaches a Holy God. I believe it can be illustrative of what takes place in an individual’s heart, but also what should take place in corporate gatnerings–as I said I’m not hung up on the building, but the act of gathering.
The church is called the “Body of Christ.” That cannot refer to such a stringent indivual worship as you propose. A body by definition is the gathering and union of its parts.
An arm cannot be a body. An individual cannot be the full expression of the Temple. When I am speaking of the illustrative use of the Temple as a model for worship, I am not talking about the structure, but the substance of the Temple.
I don’t think myself, nor Dr. J., intends to say that the “First X Church of Anytown, USA” is the modern equivalent (nor could it be, nor should it be) of the O.T. Temple.
As Paul said, “The Law is a Teacher.” The Law, in that context, seems to refer to all of the O.T. teachings, including the Temple. In fact, thought I don’t think you agree with me, I do not disagree with you.
Frank, I think you are pushing Greg’s post to the extreme. He didn’t say anything about getting rid of corporate worship, one of his talents is leading worship. That is not his point. His point, and mine is that we should be experiencing God like you suggest daily.
I preached a message on the fear of the Lord, using Isaiah 6, where our response is fear, awe/ reverence. We lack that I agree, but not in the context of Sunday morning. We lack it in our context of daily life. We sin with no fear of God, in a world that causes acceptance of evil a virtue. I agree with you that we need fear, but we need it in our personal life. Then it will be found in the church, in the local meetings, in the worship service.
Dan,
Greg clearly had an issue with Dr. J’s post–no doubt about it.
Dr. J’s post clearly talked about the need to understand the instructive lessons of the Temple.
Therefore, Greg is arguing that the Temple should not “inform” our corporate worship. Unless I have misunderstood Greg’s intent–and that is certainly possible–then I did not push Greg’s post to the extreme.
Perhaps Greg will clarify it. It certainly seems that a basic disagreement with what Dr. J posted would necessitate the conclusion that the Temple is not a model for the church gathered in corporate worship (sometimes in a building).
Arguing for individual worship in regard to Dr. J’s post perhaps was not an rebuttal as Greg began his post but an extension of Dr. J’s remarks.
However, Greg would have to be the one to clarify that.
This post is about “teams.” That is a “corporate” issue, which is how I was approaching it. A side issue seems to be a possible antagonism between whether the Bible is more instructive of our corporate life, or more instructive of our individual life.
My view is that the Bible is more instructive of our corporate (team) life. The Bible says clearly Jesus loved the “Church” and gave Himself for It (the Church).”
I think we as Baptist hinder your “Team” approach (which I absolutely agree with) by applying the emphasis to individual salvation. Of course, it is not an either/or kind of thing. However, I think the Temple (and the Tabernacle before it) is a good model for your “Team” approach.
That was what I was getting at. I certainly agree with Greg’s perspective on the need for “individual” worship (devotion) to God.
I will let Greg speak for himself, but I served with him closely and went to seminary with him. I know him well, and we would both disagree that your 1 to 1 application of the temple to corporate worship is not valid for the reasons Greg listed. Are there similarities and overlap, yes. The major difference however is the temple is REQUIRED while the church building is not. The ministry of Jesus is a more complete model than Temple worship. Temple worship is an aspect, but since only the priest had access to God, and we have the priesthood of the believer, your conclusion is faulty in my opinion. Greg?
Dan,
Therein seems to be the problem: I specifically disaffirmed a 1 to 1 equivalency of the church and the Temple, or vice versa. You seem to be arguing against something I do not believe.
I think I used words like “instructive” and “model.” That hardly counts for a “1 to 1 equivalency.” I also, I completely distanced in several ways my views from the need for any “building.”
I could expand on this further, but issue was in regard to the Temple being a model of a “Team” approach to God which was the subject of this post. I see the Temple as instructive in how we, corporately, approach God. I see the Temple as instilling what you refer to as a “Team” approach.
I understand you disagree. It’s not a big deal. God bless.
My team concept is what I think believers need to do daily.
Dan,
As I said, I’m with you in spirit. That’s about ht best I can do.
You said, “””My team concept is what I think believers need to do daily.”””
Tell me . . . exactly how can you and I do that? Let alone, how can I participate on a team daily with “45,000” plus other pastors in the Convention?
A little general prayer: “God bless us, everyone?” As I have said, and you have eloquently and graciously disaffirmed, I think there is a “local” limit to the practical matter of SBC TeamWork. That would be an “Association level teamwork.” I think it breaks down greatly beyond that.
I can’t even have “daily” Team Prayer with all the people on my staff because of our various schedules and responsibilities. I think to extend that to the 45,000 plus churches is simply impossible.
I’ll say it again: trying to be a “Team” in any meaningful way while focusing on the SBC Convention is a recipe for frustration–or worse. I prefer to express my SBC Team spirit at the Associational Level–and I find it hard to do that in any meaningful way on a daily basis.
Again, I’m not disagreeing with your approach and I think it is a great theory. If you have thoughts on how to have meaningful daily “Teamness” with the 45,000 plus churches of the Convention, I’m open.
I’m sure that if there is a way to do that on a daily basis, it would be a great blessing to my life.
Frank,
I was reacting to a perceived connotation that there is a rough (or clear) 1-to-1 relationship, which you have disaffirmed. It is clear that I misjudged your statement and put too much of my experience into your words. I apologize.
I think I’ve been around too many folks who want the “sanctuary” of the church to be a holy place: no hats, no running, ladies cover your heads (mostly done on Easter), quiet reverence at all times, etc. Growing up, I had a Holy of Holies sense about the main sanctuary, but it also set me up in many ways as “God is in that place” meaning He might not also be with me outside that place.
I agree that the temple service is illustrative for corporate worship (especially David dancing before the Lord and that worship was VERY LOUD) and maybe even more-so for Dan’s TEAM concept. There were various ministry tracts for the Levites that all were occurring simultaneously: sacrifice, prayer, teaching, tending to the minorah and the table of show-bread, worship team (sons of Assaph), tending to one’s family, etc. More so, these Levites (except perhaps the sons of Assaph or Sons of Khorah and that clan who’s sole job was to carry the Ark (can’t remember) they ROTATED through each of these ministries so that all were understood as equally important in the day to day life of the worship of God.
I agree with Dan that too many pastors have favorite projects: preaching (often over rated as a ministry), FAITH, counseling, services (weddings, funerals, etc), visitations, Sunday School, the rockin’ level of the worship service, mission trips, etc.
I believe that too many of these pastors have given in to two harmful ideas: theology is over the heads of the lay person (prideful); and the concept of “well, it’s more ‘caught than taught'” which is lazy. There is much in scripture contradicting both and we should be instructing beyond both and bringing expectations of love-of-Jesus and logical consequence of participation-in-ministry to the congregations.
We have allowed the congregation to think the pastor does the ministry and then given in to the expectations that we allowed. This leads to pet projects and pet foci in ministry. Then we complain that not enough people are in ministry… we are getting what we have set in motion by not teaching the congregation to be a TEAM.
You are 100% correct Franks, you can’t do TEAM SBC wide, I never intended you to think that. I was intending you to read this in an
Acts 2:42-47 context, that they met in the temple courts and in homes daily, breaking bread and having favor. They were devoted to the Apostles Teachings, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. It’s a small group thing that begins to impact the SBC by having thousands, millions of small communities who are all united in purpose. I don’t intend for you to fellowship with every SBC pastor every day.
Dan and Greg,
Thank you for your graciousness in reading my comments. I onboard with what you are saying. It is difficult to get a clear perspective without a “give and take”
Certainly the idea of the church building as “holy” becomes problematic for us as Baptist. Our worship services more often reflect the order and and peacefulness of Forest Lawn than the raucous activity of the Temple.
It is interesting that holiness is often associated with quietness
Personally. I love the team idea because I personally prefer corporate worship that is more like Monday Night Football.
Here the team approach has much meaning–everyone focused on one objective (Phil 2:1-4).
Dan,
Your post reminds me of the writings and teachings of a man who taught me and many others a lot about a balanced church years ago. You may remember him. His name is Dr. Darrell Robinson. He was once the pastor of Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, AL. He wrote the book, “Total Church Life.” he also taught seminars bearing the same title. He later worked for NAMB.
As were his writings, your post is excellent. Thank you.
BTW, you are a talented guy. You need to move to a state within the SEC so you can experience “total FOOTBALL” and help churches experience a “Total Church Life.” Therein you shall achieve the total “balance” in life you desire.
CB,
I have that book on my shelf. It did not get near the circulation it deserved. It is a manual extradinaire for a comprehensive, gospel-centered view of the church.
In fact, I think I’ll get it down and read it again.
Frank,
I had the pleasure of catching up with Dr. Robinson in NOLA during the SBC in June. He is still busy helping churches fulfill the Great Commission. It was a personal highlight of the 2012 convention for me to get to spend a few moments once again with a true Southern Baptist Statesman.
You are right. Total Church Life is a manual for a gospel-centered view of the church.
That looks like one I need to pick up.
CB – Are you talking about the Sometimes Exciting Conference or the Slightly Engaging Conference… I’m confused.
By the way, even without RG-III, SIC EM BEARS!!!
Greg Buchanan,
I watched RG-III doing his commercials during tonight’s Little league World Series game. I thought to myself, The Baptist boys down Baylor way are going to miss him. He truly was a great college FOOTBALL player. I hope he does well in the pros.
I’m kind of disappointed that he will be playing for the Redskins… Having grown up an Oilers fan and a part-time Cowboys fan, that will be a little difficult.
If I squint at the TV, maybe I can pretend he’s wearing a Baylor uniform…
I think I need to find my old black-and-white TV; that will help with that effort 🙂