Bill Gernenz is a pastor in East Texas and blogs at “Broken and Undone.”
The American church in general, and Southern Baptists in particular, have issues. And while all issues at their core are theological, the substance of these issues fall into many different categories.
There are the “culture war” issues that most evangelicals come together around. Issues such as the sanctity of human life, and the definition of marriage motivate us to action – and rightly so. It is easy to preach to these issues because many of the people in our pews are ready to agree.
Then there are doctrinal issues. Whereas evangelicals find wide agreement in the culture war, the doctrinal hot buttons are creating division. This division, in my opinion, is not the necessary division Paul speaks of in 1 Cor 11, but the ungodly and destructive division he cautions churches against. Yet we persist in these debates and controversies, grabbing attention and making headlines.
While these two categories occupy 75-90% of our attention and effort, these are not the issues that will shape the church in the coming generation. (While I admit these percentages are arbitrary, they communicate the dominant nature of the aforementioned issues yet allow for a reasonable range of perception.)
Let me say that another way… the things we spend the majority of our time talking about are not the things that are going to define us in the coming decades. Therefore, so far as our controversies go, we are wasting our time and risking our future. It is easy to preach culture issues because this earns approval and applause. It is easy to preach to controversy because this receives attention and headlines. Meanwhile, the important, difficult conversations are being neglected.
Our most formative issues are not doctrinal or cultural, but methodological. The rise of pragmatism and corporatism in the church is our generation’s greatest challenge. We must recognize this larger issue while not neglecting the others.
What are our real issues? To name a few: much of our preaching is anemic… many of our evangelism practices are dishonest… most of our church roles are meaningless… These issues, and others like them, will shape the future of our churches. We must ask tough questions, such as:
- What does the sufficiency of Scripture mean for my preaching? Do my methods undermine Scripture’s authority (even as I proclaim it)?
- What does genuine conversion look like? What do my views say about the Gospel and salvation? Where do the differing soteriological positions agree? How do they complement one another? What can I learn from those with whom I disagree?
- What does discipleship look like? How am I building believers for the glory of God? Are the believers in my church reproducing faith in the lives of others (especially in their families)?
- How is my church structured? Am I connecting believers together or dividing families apart? Is fellowship more than covered dishes and seasonal gatherings? How do I cultivate community and interdependency that is evident of a people united by the Gospel?
- How do I do church membership? How do people get on the church role? How do they get off the church role? What is my responsibility to those who are “members”? What about accountability?
It is not enough to ask these questions; we must be willing to wrestle together in love as we have differing opinions (something we show little evidence of doing at present). We need one another.
Methods are not neutral. Numbers do not necessitate effectiveness. Just because bottoms are in the pews and dollars are in the plate, it doesn’t mean we are faithful. Just because some tell us we are doing a good job, doesn’t mean we are. Awards, recognition, titles, attention… these things are all temporary. The Word of God is to be our authority, not only as to what we preach, but how we preach it. It is not only the foundation of the Church, but its support as well.
I suppose my challenge is this: To myself and to all church/denominational/ministerial leaders, stop seeking your own glory and popularity and comfort. Let’s roll up our sleeves and tackle these vital, formative, and neglected issues (while not neglecting others).
To be honest, the doctrinal controversy that is occupying our energies is easy. To be brutally honest, it is also cowardly. These doctrinal debates (of late) require nothing of us — all we need to do is prove ourselves wittier and smarter and right. These debates result in nothing more than farther division as we earn the praises of our “camp.”
These other conversations demand that we love and listen. They will challenge us beyond the status quo and will necessitate discomfort. Real change and investment will be demanded. And sometimes the only praise we will hope for is, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
I tend to agree here, Bill. I think a lot of our issues are spiritual and behavioral! But you raise some excellent points.
You are right with the spiritual and behavioral. I kind of hinted at those two realms of concern; those areas are definitely most important. Yet, for the purpose of my pondering this morning, I was thinking more collectively than about individual heart issues.
I think some of the biggest issues we face concern ecclesiological issues – some of which you raised.
Bill, I think there is much to be considered in your post… I think three great issues facing the church today are the ‘sufficiency of Scripture’, how we understand the Gospel, and church discipline.
I fear we are in great danger when we attempt to show how clever we are when we make statements like; “As long as the message is the same, the methods don’t matter.” It is shocking to me when I consider how that might sound to God.
I may not be saying the same thing as you, but I think you bring up good points worth much attention. Most of us are more willing to defend our methods than take the time to lovingly listen or argue without trite or silly overtones. (a classic skill of the enemy, make others look foolish to prove how wise one is.)
What do you think it must do to God when man says about God… “My ways are not your ways, My thoughts are not your thoughts…” And then we go ahead and defend “man’s” ways and thoughts, without regard, as being acceptable to God.
I agree that “methods are not neutral.”
I definitely agree with the sufficiency of Scripture comment. In fact i believe it is THE issue to be wrestled with — for preaching,programs, ecclesiology, salvation, and membership. Pragmatism and humanism are wrecking the church. Connected to that, is the desire of preachers (and people) to be poplar. I was reading a preaching book a while back that identified that desire as the biggest hindrance to God-honoring and effective gospel proclamation. Many don’t realize that methods carry baggage, the DNA of our methods all-to often contaminate our message.
Bill,
Reading your post was very refreshing in that it was transparent. The truth stood out through a humble heart and the message struck its target. Well said.
Worldliness has not crept into the church, it is a tsunami. You would think because the Bible is the #1 Best Seller in the world there would be a difference. Yes, it is all too true that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is interwoven into the fabric of each of our lives. Getting real is going to be a long row to hoe. We may need to have a burning of all our “How To” books, redefine church membership and turn our backs on denominational politics.
Bruce,
Thanks for your kind words. I completely agree that worldliness is everything you said it was. The worst part is: we have embraced culture for so long, no one even knows the extent to which it is entrenched in our churches. I think any solution must begin with us becoming less isolated as pastors and churches (yes, while remaining autonomous) so that we can love each other, support one another, (stop trying to impress one another), and then humbly have difficult conversations that challenge and sharpen one another.
Amen Amen Amen. May God bless your heart and give you grace to do your work in this world.
Hey guys… someone (random guy I haven’t met ever in any way) somehow came across my blog this article) and began a debate with me. I think he may be mormon. It started early with him saying all baptists are lost and going to hell. I would be interested in your opinion of how I have conducted the exchange. I normally don’t engage in “debates” but since it was on my blog, I thought I would engage this time — that may have proved against my better judgement. Anyway — if you take a look over at my blog, just let me know if I honored the Gospel as I discussed. It may be better to post comments here.
Bill, he’s been coming over to my sight too dropping baiting comments.
Bill,
Your responses are probably better than mine. After he dropped his cut and paste of Romans 2:13 I replied thus:
“Welcome to my humble abode Captain Spam-alot. I appreciate the Bible verse. I assure you that I also have a copy of the New Testament and even one online of which I too can freely cut and paste. And if time permitted and my spirit were willing I could also traverse throughout the vast Internets and paste a couple of words along with my favorite Bible verse.
If you ever care to actually discuss that Bible verse I’d be happy to do so. But in the meantime I’m sure we’ll make acquaintance again on another blog where we can together read this most lovely verse from our beloved Apostle.”
He has yet to respond. Though perhaps he’ll do so b/c I believe he lurks here as well but is under moderation.
Mark and Mike,
Thanks… I feel better about ending our conversation. I feel that I made an honest exchange in good faith (though I normally do not engage in online “debating”). After my final post -closing discussion on that article- He responded in a single paragraph informing me again that I was going to “fry”, twice calling me “Billy”.
Anyway… thanks again. Mike, I may cut and paste your response if I need to engage again.
I believe you made a heart-felt attempt to answer him even though he seemed to be trying to stir things up. I spammed his two comments because he used fake email accounts.
Mr. Jones has been blocked here because of his angry comments which sometimes use profane language and advocate false doctrines.
I would recommend ignoring him.
Consider your recommendation heard and heeded.
Thanks again gentlemen.