Stuff I Starred

February 17, 2012 in Leadership with 0 Comments

After a few weeks addressing other topics, here’s a list of stuff I clipped into evernote, favorited on Twitter or starred on Google Reader.  It’s the 15th Stuff I Starred List:

  • Loved this post about hovering parents.  You know…the kind of mom or dad who is always there, never lets their kid try anything new, and probably makes the kid wash their hands.
  • Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • The pessimist complains about the wind; The optimist expects it to change; The realist adjusts the sails. – William A. Ward
  • I need one of these.  But I guess I’d have to jailbreak my iPad.
  • Brilliant post about why you should never retweet compliments.
  • Tim Keller writes about New York’s decision to ban churches from meeting at schools, effectively kicking out about 60 congregations. (A court issued a 10-day injunction yesterday, buying a little more time.)
  • Skye Jethani writes about Biblical masculinity.
  • “The best investment decision I’ve ever made is the decision to tithe.” – Truett Cathy, @ChickfilA. #2012TitheChallenge (via @jeffhenderson)
  • Scary study: Nearly half of seniors die with less than $10,000 in financial assets. money.us/AjWhtq @nberpubs
  • “It is all the same to me if a man comes from Sing Sing Prison or Harvard. We hire a man, not his history.” – Henry Ford #potsc (via @sarahcunning)
  • Wonder what happens to all those pre-printed championship shirts from the losing team?  Here’s the answer.
  • Jesus’ core team wasn’t exactly a crack squad of theologian-creatives. Pastors/planters, don’t idolize an idealized A-Team. – @jaredcwilson
  • To exceed a guest’s expectations, take time to see things from their perspective and go the “extra inch.” – @DisneyInstitute // I love the phrase “the extra inch”

Launch Another Service

February 15, 2012 in Church with 0 Comments

If you only have one church service and you’re out of space, don’t build a building.  Add a second service.

Why You Should Start a Second Service

1. It’s good stewardship. Don’t go spend money on expansion until you are having as many services as you can in your current facility. We do four services on Sunday morning, and though it wears me out, I can rest the next day. I’m not spending money on bigger facilities only to use them 2 hours a week.

2. It’s better for your volunteers. People say they don’t want multiple service because it’s hard on volunteers. Umm…just the opposite is true. When you have two services, your volunteers can serve one and work one. You can also do away with administering volunteer rotations.

3. It gives people options. People that don’t go to church like options. People in general like options, which is why restaurants serve different things and they make 734 kinds of toothpaste. Some people like an earlier service; some people like to sleep in. Some people would rather go on Saturday night. Give people options, don’t make them cater to your preferences.

4. It forces you to a tighter schedule, and that’s probably a good thing. I’ve rarely heard people wish for longer sermons and longer services, so when you have to schedule things a little tighter, it really does help.

5. It’s not 100% more work, but it can make a 100% difference. You’re already writing a sermon and the band is already rehearsing the songs, so why not maximize your preparation?

When Should You Start Another Service

1. Before you think you need it. Yes, you can do this too soon, but in 90% of churches, a second service would help you be more healthy.

2. When school starts, in January, or just after Easter. Choose a strategic time of the year to launch your new service.

How Do You Start Another Service

1. Drip the vision to your leaders before you drop the announcement on your congregation. Ask key volunteers to go where needed, and let them know why it matters. Don’t just leave it up to sign ups to see where everyone will shake out. Divide on purpose.

2. Six weeks before you make the move, preach an entire message on volunteering and sign up a bunch of brand new volunteers. Preach on a passage like Acts 6 and ask people to make a commitment to serve somewhere. Take the next six weeks to get them the training they need and assign them to an apprentice.

3. Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! Launching another is a big deal, so make sure you carve out plenty of time to communicate to the congregation. Don’t mix this in with three other big events.

4. Adjust the starting time for everyone. When you introduce a second service, ask everyone to make a switch. If you have one 11am service, don’t add a second service at 9am. Instead, opt for a 10:00 and an 11:30 service. Or go for 9:15 and 10:45. When everyone has to make a new choice, you’ll even out the audience a little bit and keep from people from an unhealthy ownership mentality.

What’s your experience with multiple services?  What have you learned?  Leave a comment and share with the community.

A Case For The City

February 14, 2012 in Leadership with 0 Comments

A Case for the City
Why Christians Should Move to the City and Why We Must Start Churches There

Some say the world’s first cities emerged in the Fertile Crescent, situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Ancient Mesopotamia.  Archeologists have found other evidence for urban areas in the Middle East dating back to perhaps 8,000 B.C.  Cities have existed for a long time.

Cities came into existence for a variety of reasons.  Some were forts or trading centers that gradually increased in size.  Cities like Athens became cultural hubs, while cities like Rome were centers of commerce.  Others owe their importance to religion, being centers of worship. Many large cities today can trace their roots back to the industrial revolution, where factories provided jobs and attracted people.

In 1800, only three percent of the world’s population lived in cities.  Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities. The United Nations says the world’s urban population is doubling every 38 years and estimates that three out of five people will live in cities by the year 2030.  For thousands of years, people have been congregating in cities; it appears that this trend is accelerating.

The Bible and The City

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, “Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” – Jeremiah 29:4-7

The Bible is full of concern for the city.  The above passage indicates that Jewish exiles in Babylon were actually sent there by God.  They were to live in the city, raise their kids in the city, and look to the welfare of the pagan city.  The city wasn’t the enemy – it was a crucial part of God’s purpose.  God’s people weren’t there to boycott or to separate, but to settle down, live life and influence the culture.

It stands to reason that if God-fearing people would live life intentionally in this urban environment, then the city itself would reap spiritual and physical benefits.  James Boice says that the single most effective way for Christians to be “salt and light” and a “city on a hill” would be for a large percentage of the nation’s believers to move into the largest U.S cities and live out their lives there.[1]

In the final words of the book of Jonah, God shows his concern for the 120,000 people living in the city.  However, the Bible also mentions the cattle.  In an agrarian and farming society, cattle were central to the economy.   Here, God is demonstrating his concern for the economy and welfare of the city.

Ray Bakke argues that Christians are the only people who can truly discuss the salvation of souls and the rebuilding of city sewer systems in the same sentence.   From Isaiah 65:17-25, Bakke says that when cities are filled with the peace of God, the result is:

  • Public celebration and happiness
  • Public health for children and the aged
  • Housing for all
  • Food for all
  • A strong family support system
  • An absence of violence
  • Meaningful work

These are not liberal or social justice issues – they are Biblical issues.  Christians and pastors should seek the welfare or peace of the city, actively seeking to meet needs, do justice, and benefit the general well-being of residents.

The city has a special place in God’s heart and God’s Word, with more than 1,200 references to the city in the Bible.  Of course, heaven is a city.   We know its dimensions and description, and we know that people from every nationality will be represented there.  The book of Revelation uses urban language to describe our eternal home.  If you’re biased against the city, then you might have a difficult time adjusting to heaven.

The Church and the City

With his disciples gathered around, Jesus told them that they would go into the world and be his witnesses, beginning in Jerusalem, extending to Samaria, and ultimately reaching the ends of the earth.  Those disciples were gathered in Jerusalem, the hub of Judaism.  Jews from all over the world would come to the city to celebrate Pentecost, and it was here that Peter preached the sermon recorded in Acts 2.   People from the countryside, heard the sermon preached in the city, and the church grew rapidly.

From their location in Jerusalem, these disciples took the message of Jesus throughout the world, primarily moving from city to city.  As people were converted to Christianity, they formed communities of faith.  In the book of Acts, you’ll notice that Paul planted churches in cities along major trade routes.  These were strategic and influential locations. The early church grew and increased in influence because it was an urban movement.  In contrast, the modern church is losing relevance because we are avoiding the city.

If we penetrate cities, the gospel will travel.   To borrow more language from Bakke, large cities act as magnets – drawing people into them, and magnifiers, broadcasting ideas into the surrounding areas.

Why Christians and Churches Must Engage the City

First and foremost, cities are populated. There are more than 500 cities in the world with populations greater than 1 million people.  There are twenty-one “mega-cities” – cities with a population of more than 10 million people.  Like never before, people are gathering and living in cities.

Seventy-five percent of the United States population lives in urban areas.  Nearly one in five Americans lives in one of the five largest metropolitan areas in the country.

New York has a population of 12 million people, with more than 20 million people living in the larger metropolitan area.  Just three percent of the city is evangelical Christian.  We send mission teams to foreign countries that have a larger Christian population.

It makes sense that if we want to go into all the world and make disciples, we should start where the majority of people live.  Like never before, people are flooding into cities.  The church must go there.

Secondly, cities are diverse.  Chris Clayman from All People’s Initiative[2] reports that there are over 500 language groups in New York City with significant population.  With many ethnic neighborhoods, you can minister to many groups of people in one city.  If you reach New York, you really can reach the world.  Cities tend to be more diverse than small towns, suburbs and rural areas.

Thirdly, Christians should be about the good of the city.  Jeremiah 29:7, a verse quoted earlier, shows that God’s heart for a city, even a wicked city like Babylon, should translate into Christian concern.  Simply put, God cares about the economy, the education system, and the political environment.  Daniel, Moses, Esther and Nehemiah are all Biblical examples of people who were raised in secular cities, who impacted their culture for God.

In Genesis, we see Abraham’s negotiation for the survival of Sodom based on the presence of ten righteous people living in the sinful city.  In Jeremiah 5, we learn that God indeed saved a city because of the presence of just one righteous person.

“There is a relationship always between the presence of the godly and the preservation of communities,” writes Ray Bakke in A Theology as Big as the City.[3]  If Christians took hold of the gospel, and lived out their faith in cities, we could see renewal and transformation.

Fourth, cities are influential. New York City is arguably the most strategic city in our nation and the most influential city in the world.  It is a hub of international finance, a leading center for the arts, and headquarters for the United Nations.   Cities like New York influence the beliefs and behaviors of the entire country.

Socrates said, “The country places and the trees don’t teach me anything; the people in the city do.” Cities shape us through their cultural influence. Cities are the epicenter of new ideas, trends, products, and innovation.  They influence towns, villages, other cities, and the world. Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Dallas can be a training ground for church planters and church leaders.  Churches in these cities can influence churches in surrounding areas.

 

Finally, cities need Jesus. The Church Multiplication Alliance[4] says 20,000 churches need to be planted in order for New York City to have the same population to church ratio as most southern states.   Millions of people live in New York, and when compared to other parts of the country, the city is underserved by evangelical churches.

David Claerbaut, in Urban Ministry, said, “Christianity has failed to make an impact on three major areas: The Hindu culture, the Islamic society, and the major cities.”  If we want to reach the country for Christ, we should start in the cities.

In saying this, I do not believe God is calling every Christian to live in the city and every church planter to begin a new work in the city.  However, I do believe that far too many Christians pursue comfort and safety, avoiding tough places along the way.

Children in the City

Some argue that large cities are not good environments to raise a family.  However, there are several reasons TO raise children in the city.

  1. Their faith will be challenged.  It’s not the job of a parent to protect their child from every bad influence, but to teach them how to respond and live.  Craig Groeschel says that it’s the job of the parent to transfer a child’s dependence from their parents to God alone.  Living as a Christian in the city is a great way for parents to train and equip their children to be followers of Christ.
  2. In the city, children are exposed to culture, art, and music. These powerful forces can shape education, hobbies, and faith.  Cities provide tons of opportunities that do not exist in other places.
  3. Children can have diverse friendships.  Though we have come a long way, we still have much to be done in the area of racial reconciliation.  Racism is a serious issue that cuts against the heart of the gospel.  It’s important that my children have friends from different races and faiths.  This can happen to a greater degree in the city.
  4. Kids can be missionaries, too.  Missionaries frequently serve oversees with their families, and they say their families are stronger because of it.  Serving Jesus, advancing the gospel, and being the church isn’t just a job for adults.  Children can and should be a part of the process.
  5. The city will teach them not to be intimidated.  I want my children to own their faith, and the city will help sharpen that.  But it will also help them learn to have conversations with people from all walks of life.

Christians Must Integrate Their Life and Faith with the City.

Bob Roberts, the Senior Pastor of Northwood Church in Keller, Texas[5] discusses a model of ministry centered around the word domain.  Society is made up of several domains: Economic, Arts/Recreation, Medical, Government, Education, Science/Technology, Media, and Social.    Community transformation can occur when just a few Christians engage these domains with the gospel.   Bob argues that the Great Commission will not be accomplished because of pastors and missionaries (though they are valuable), but by the disciple of Jesus, who willingly lives, serves and works in his or her particular domain.

In this sense, one’s vocation is connected to one’s calling.  The ministry of the church is decentralized, but its impact is heightened.    Rick Warren captured the heart of this with his statement that “every member a minister.”  Christians must also come to see themselves as missionaries.  The Christian teacher doesn’t need to work in an exclusively Christian environment; in fact, she should teach in the worldly arenas where her influence is most needed.  The Christian businessman does not need to resign from his position to work for the organized church; he can conduct business guided by Christian principles and influence his colleagues with the gospel.

As Christians work in their respective fields, and live intentionally, God is honored.  This is the heart behind Christians engaging in whatever domain of society they find themselves.  It’s a model of ministry that’s reproducible and sustainable.

Churches Must Launch New Works Focused on the City

Starting new churches is a crucial component of the great commission, and it was the strategy of Paul in the book of Acts.  As Jesus was a church planter (see Matthew 16:18, we should work to spread the gospel through establishing local, contextualized churches around the world.  Tim Keller gives five great reasons to start new churches.

  1. The best way to evangelize a city is not through evangelistic programs but through evangelistic churches.  Nothing else—not crusades, outreach programs, parachurch ministries, growing mega-churches, congregational consulting, nor church renewal processes—will have the consistent impact of dynamic, extensive church planting.
  2. The best way to increase the number of Christians in a city is not through church renewal but through church planting. Transfer growth only moves Christians in a city around from one church to another; therefore, the only way to significantly increase the number of Christians in a city overall is by significantly increasing the number of new churches.
  3. The best way to renew the existing churches of a city is by planting new ones.  Congregations who engage in church planting efforts rarely suffer when it comes to attendance or giving.  In fact, existing churches often see renewal and revival that accompanies joining with God’s mission.
  4. The best way to reach the sheer diversity of the city is through new churches.  New churches are the best single way to reach new residents, new people groups and the younger generation for Christ.
  5. New churches are the only ministries that become self-supporting and expand the base for all other ministries in a city.  Because new churches bring large numbers of non-churched people into the life and work of the kingdom, church planting is by far the fastest way to grow the number of new givers to the city’s kingdom work. New church development, then, is the ‘tide that lifts all boats’ and offers the best way to help all the other ministries in a city thrive and grow.

Barriers to Church Planting in the City

Cost.  While this is not the most difficult barrier, it’s the largest one on the surface.  Many church planters are immediately turned off by the impossible task of living and doing ministry in the city.  New York is the most expensive city in the United States.  What costs $1 in Kansas City, costs $2.17 in New York City.  Housing is four times the national average, while income is only twice the national average.  Other cities are also expensive.[6]

However, once a church is established and growing, there’s a strong financial base for ministry.  What’s expensive on the front end can yield exponential return on the back end.  Churches from across the country must support churches in the city, to a greater degree than other places.  Cities offer the greatest opportunities for exponential influence.  Yes, the risk and cost are higher, but the impact can be greater.

Social Learning.  Language isn’t the only cultural barrier; one must learn the context of life and faith in a city, and this is drastically different from life and faith in the suburbs. The city is expensive.  It’s complex.  It’s mobile.  American Christianity has historically valued privacy, safety, homogeneity, sentimentality, space, order, and control…the city is filled with ironic, edgy, diverse people who do not value these things at all.  Pluralism and post-modern thinking are the norm.

Cultural adaptability is a critical skill for every church planter. When the church planter learns, he must learn more than facts and figures; often, he must learn a new way of life.   Like Daniel, church leaders must master the traditions (while often rejecting the values) of a culture and context.  When moving to a new city, Tim Keller and City to City strongly advocate the idea of a “year zero” – taking a year to learn the hopes, dreams, and fears of a city before launching public services.  Failing to contextualize properly will cause you to launch the wrong kind of church, and could ultimately lead to catastrophe.

Models of ministry that are effective in the south may not work in the northeast.  In fact, they can actually prove to be detrimental, to the church plant itself at to the witness of the universal church in the city.  It’s absolutely imperative for the planter to take time to understand the ethos of the city and do the hard work of contextualization.  A lot can be learned from books, blogs, documentaries, but a significant amount of time must be devoted to in-person intelligence gathering on the ground.

Many church planters do not have the staying power to weather the initial storms that come in the first few years.  When funding dries up or ministry doesn’t follow their preconceived notions, they move on to easier ministry opportunities.  Planters must be committed to learning, and act with patience, steadfastness and faithfulness.

High Turnover of People.  Tim Keller says, “The rapid turnover and high attrition rate of city dwellers poses a major challenge to the church planter seeking to develop committed leaders in his nascent congregation.”  Developing leaders and making disciples in the urban context is different from suburbia.  Discipleship, leadership development, and relational evangelism all face significant challenges due to the high turnover rate of people.

Conclusion

In North Georgia, there’s one evangelical church for every 750 people.  In metropolitan New York, there’s one evangelical church for every 40,000 people.  Though it’s expensive and difficult, we MUST find ways to plant a large number of churches in large cities.  When we do, we will see a trickle-down effect and regional influence.

Just like New York has become a hub for media, fashion and finance in this country, the city can become a training center and hub for church planting.  The gospel compels us to overcome the obstacles and respond in faith.  The mission is critical and the time is now.

Again, not every Christian should move to the city.  However, many more should.  We must be open to following God to difficult places, choosing to heed God’s call over our own comfort and safety.


[1] James Montgomery Boice, Two Cities, Two Loves: Christian Responsibility in a Crumbling Culture (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1996).

[2] Learn more about the All People’s Initiative at www.bcnychurchplanting.org/uploaded_files/API%20Flyer.pdf

[3] Ray Bakke is one of the leading voices on urban life and ministry.  I highly recommend this book to everyone wanting to learn more about God’s heart for the city.  http://www.amazon.com/Theology-Big-City-Raymond-Bakke/dp/0830818901/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296834244&sr=8-1

[4] The Church Multiplication Alliance is a partnership between the Redeemer Church Planting Center, The NYCLC, Concerts of Prayer Greater New York, 10 partnering denominations and the Churches of Greater New York.  The purpose of the CMA is to promote and pursue strategic collaborations to sustain an effective church planting movement in metropolitan New York City.

[5] Northwood Church provides training to church planters through a four-day module.  Learn more at http://www.northwoodchurch.org/glocal_ministry.php?id=13&tab=23.

[6] Here’s a simple cost of living calculator that will compare your current annual salary to what you need to make in a new city:  http://www.bestplaces.net/col/

Book Notes: Coach Wooden – The 7 Principles That Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours

February 13, 2012 in Leadership with 0 Comments

Here are some notes from Coach Wooden: The 7 Principles That Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours.  It’s on my 2012 Reading List.  Here are some thoughts from the book:

Wooden didn’t just coach teamwork and preparation and strategy. He coached character and attitude and ideas. – Tony Dungy

Talent is God-given: be humble.
Fame is man-given: be thankful.
Conceit is self-given: be careful.

Coach Wooden won ten NCAA championships, including 7 in a row. He had an 88-game winning streak and four 30-0 undefeated seasons. His dad gave him a piece of paper that had a 7-point creed.

1. Be true to yourself. “This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not be false to any man.” – Father to Son advice from Hamlet. Never sacrifice your principles. Refuse to betray your values.

Work hard on the things you CAN control, and don’t lose sleep over the rest of it. If you could be lured away from your job for 10x the salary, then it’s not your true passion. Michaelangelo didn’t paint the Sistine floor…look up.

The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.” – Norman Schwarzkopf

2. Help others. Wooden insisted that his players point to the man giving an assist with a gesture of thanks and acknowledgement. (page 68)

“All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don’t discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you’ve gained in life or accomplished for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” – Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

All great people have dirty shoulders. People of true greatness are always lifting other up and letting them stand tall on their own shoulders.

3. Make each day your masterpiece. You can kill time or invest it. Greg Maddux recalls advice once received from Cubs-manager Tom Trebelhorn: “Players these days are always looking forward to something. They’re never trying to do something today. They’re always looking forward to the next off-day, the All-Star break, the end of the season. They never stop and enjoy the day that’s here.”

“Fortune favors the prepared mind.” Louis Pasteur

It’s important to go to bed at night knowing you’ve worked as hard as you could and that you’ve done the very best that day.

Stop wishing for someday….you will probably never have more time than you do right now.

“I simply don’t wish to do that” is a perfectly good enough reason for saying no.

You can’t control the outcome, but you can control your effort and your attitude.

4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends: they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” – Charles W. Eliot, president of Harvard in the late 19th century.

“When I get a little money, I buy books. If any is left, I buy food and clothes.” – Erasmus

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.” – Mark Twain

The highest earning of Americans read 2-3 hours a day. 80% of Americans have not read or purchased one book during the past twelve months.

5. Make friendship a fine art. You don’t have to agree with your friends to be their friend.

“You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.” Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird

Your friends aren’t in charge of your behavior – you are. You are the leader of your friends.

6. Build a shelter against a rainy day by the life you live.

Accumulate virtues, wisdom and friends, not just money.

The willingness to work harder than your competition is more important than talent, intelligence, and luck in determining your level of success.

It took 16 years to win a national championship at UCLA. He never changed his style, but kept honing his craft.

We all admire disciplined people, but few want to devote the time and effort to disciplining ourselves.

“Compounding is mankind’s greatest invention because it allows for the reliable, systematic accumulation of wealth. The eighth wonder of the world is the miracle of compounding.” – Albert Einstein

7. Pray for guidance and counsel, and give thanks for your blessings each day.

Praise by name, criticize by category.

Budget Questions You Need To Ask

February 9, 2012 in Church with 0 Comments

Church leaders, finance teams and bookkeepers agonize over the budget and frequently ask questions like:

  • Are we behind budget?
  • How can we tighten up on the budget?
  • Why did we go over budget?
  • What is the budget?

And while those are important questions, there are even more important questions that you need to answer about the budget. Talk about these questions in your next budget meeting:

  • Is our budget in line with the mission of the church? If reaching lost people is a big part of your mission, is that a big part of your budget? It’s likely that you need to adjust your budget or chance your mission?
  • Does your spending reflect your core values? If you say children and families are important, do you spend more in those areas than you do on electronic equipment for the worship center?

I’m NOT advocating a right or wrong here. I AM advocating clarity. And making sure our mission and values are reflected in reality.

Women in Church Leadership

February 8, 2012 in Bible, Church with 0 Comments

About two years ago, I came to the conclusion that a teaching team is more effective than a single voice at providing consistent, Biblical teaching.  Instead of the teaching 50 weeks a year, I made the effort to involve other speakers who would bring a different perspective and style to the platform.  One of the people we added to the teaching team was a woman.

While the overwhelming majority of our church appreciated this move (after all, she was an excellent, engaging, and Biblically knowledgeable speaker), a small number raised theological concerns.  Of course, we studied the Scriptures in advance and made our decision on our findings.  So here’s a summary of my study and findings.

Simply stated, while I believe the Bible is clear that the role of a Lead Pastor, Lead Elder or Senior Pastor should be a male, we also believe that the Bible not only allows, but encourages women to fill leadership positions in the church.

The Bible

While time and space don’t permit a full discussion on the entire Bible has to say on the subject, it’s worth mentioning a few passages.

In 1 Timothy 2, Paul deals with the roles of women in the church.  He talks about dress, praying in public, and leadership.  These passages have sparked wild debate, some of which has resulted in lively and scholarly debate, while some has resulted in division and denominational superiority.

Paul specifically says, ““I do not permit women to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” Most scholars agree that Paul is not discussing using authority, but usurping it.  The big question is:  Does Paul forbid a women to teach publically in the church?

I do not believe so.  Even if this was the case in 1 Timothy 2:12, we do not find these same admonitions in other letters from Paul, indicating that this may be a specific response to a specific problem.  Craig Keener believes that Paul was specifically referring to “unlearned” women who were spreading false teaching throughout Ephesus.    Paul’s use of such strong language indicates that it is the abuse or the “stealing” of authority that is out of bounds.

We must not take this one passage, or any one passage, and build our entire belief system.  Books and commentaries have been written explaining the nuanced language the underlying meaning of Paul’s words.  This passage, and others, should be viewed in light of the entire Bible.

The biggest problem with interpreting this passage in 1 Timothy as excluding women from leadership roles in the church is that Paul clearly commended women for their grace and skill in leadership in other epistles.

Context

It’s important to remember that the New Testament was written during a patriarchal time in human history.  Therefore, there are fewer references to women.  However, there is clear evidence that influential women were involved in spreading the gospel and building the church.

Romans 16 lists several women who occupied important positions in the church, including Phoebe, who is described as a minister, deacon or servant, depending on how you translate the word diakonos.  Paul also commends Priscilla, who is actually mentioned before her husband in Paul’s letter to the Romans.   Priscilla and her husband were instrumental in teaching Apolos  and Paul called them both his “fellow workers.”  In the book of Philippians, Paul encouraged Eudioa and Syntyche, two women, to agree in the Lord, noting that they had labored with him in the gospel.  1 Corinthians 11:5 discusses women praying and prophesizing within the worship service.

Paul didn’t approach ministry in every city in exactly the same manner.  Instead, he tailored his approach to the context. In Acts 16, Paul built the evangelistic work on a preexisting prayer group led by an upper-class professional woman named Lydia.   When people came into the church, they did not replace Lydia’s leadership.  In the book of Philippians (written to the church discussed in Acts 16), Paul urged two women leaders to agree in the Lord.  In this church, there wasn’t a discussion about women teaching or leading, because it wasn’t culturally appropriate.  Women in leadership was simply not an issue in this church.

There are many examples in the Old Testament of women leaders and ministers.  Miriam was a prophet (Exodus 15).  Deborah was the leader of a nation (Judges 4-5).  Esther was an advocate who saved her people.

Women are Gifted

Nowhere in the New Testament, does God imply that certain spiritual gifts are given exclusively to men.  1 Corinthians 11:4-5 indicates that both men and women in the early church had the gift of prophecy.  1 Corinthians 12:18, Paul describes properly equipped women who were appointed to teach.   “No restriction is mentioned in the numerous references to teachers and teaching in the Epistles except in 1 Timothy 2:12, where it is required that learning precede teaching,” writes Gilbert Bilezikian.

In most cases, those who forbid women to teach in the church based on Paul’s words in 1 Timothy, do not require women to wear the head coverings described by Paul in I Corinthians 11.  Furthermore, those who would not permit a woman to teach in a “main service,” often have no such problem with women or couples teaching in children’s or student ministry, yet the Bible makes no such age distinction.  These two examples are not meant to deflect the argument, but to point out the complexity of the situation.

Wayne Grudem writes:

We must also admit that evangelical churches have often failed to recognize the full equality of men and women, and thereby have failed to count women equal in value to men. The result has been a tragic failure to recognize that God often gives women equal or greater spiritual gifts than men, a failure to encourage women to have full and free participation in the various ministries of the church, and a failure to take full account of the wisdom that God has given to women with respect to important decisions in the life of the church. If the present controversy over women’s roles in the church can result in the eradication of some of these past abuses, then the church as a whole will benefit greatly.

In Gifted to Lead, Nancy Beach encourages male pastors to develop women leaders and teachers for several reasons:

  • For the sake of the congregation:  Women leaders and teachers offer an important perspective and experience essential for both men and women in the church.  She notes that most churches have a higher percentage of women in attendance.  We’ve certainly experiences this through Suzy’s teaching.
  • For the sake of the unchurched in our community:  A church that does not rely on the leadership of qualified and skilled women can appear out of touch with reality.  What we communicate, and the way we communicate, and who communicates, speak to our values.  Women need to hear from Godly male and female leaders.
  • For the sake of the staff:  A team that involves qualified women will make better decisions.  Women have gifts, skills and wisdom that can help a church accomplish it’s mission.
  • For the sake of our daughters:  Decisions about women in leadership will have a ripple effect for years to come.

The women on staff at Oak Leaf Church are extremely talented and gifted.  Those gifts deserve a platform and a place of expression.  Ladies like Suzy Jordan have been called and gifted to teach, and we would be wise to learn from their insight.

The Senior Pastor

The Biblical relationship of women and men in marriage, and the example of Christ’s headship in the church provide a good model for leadership in the local church.

The senior pastor or lead elder is ultimately responsible for the leadership of the local body of Christ.  The financial situation of the church, the ministries of evangelism and discipleship, and the effectiveness of the staff all points back to my leadership.  I am responsible and accountable for everything that happens during our church services.

If a guest speaker comes in and teaches false doctrine, that’s a reflection on my pastoral leadership and I’m responsible to correct it.  No matter who is teaching from the platform or pulpit, I am accountable. When Suzy, another member of the teaching team, or a guest speaker preach at Oak Leaf Church, they do so under my authority, regardless of if they are male or female.

Can a Woman Be a Senior Pastor, Lead Pastor or Lead Elder?

Before answering this question, we must affirm that the Bible teaches that there are important distinctions between men and women.

In Biblical Eldership, Alexander Strauch writes “Discrimination against women is a grievous sin and a dishonor to God in whose image women are created. Yet in our zeal to right the wrongs committed against women, we must not forget that God designed male-female distinctions in order for the sexes to beautifully complement each other and to exercise different functions in society. To deny those distinctions is as destructive and dishonorable as it is to discriminate against women. We need to be perfectly clear about the biblical teaching regarding women and men as fully equal in personhood, dignity, and value, but distinct in gender roles.”

John Piper writes in Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, “Over the years I have come to see from the Scripture and from life, that manhood and womanhood are the beautiful handiwork of a good and loving God. He designed our differences, and they are profound. They are not mere physiological pre-requisites for sexual union. They go into the very root of our personhood.”

God created us male and female, with unique attributes and distinctions.  There is a difference.

In the Old Testament, the highest spiritual authority came from the priests, the male descendants of Aaron.  In the New Testament, Jesus appointed men to be apostles, and this pattern is carried forward in the early churches, were the elders and pastors (the words are often used synonymously) are men.  In listing the qualifications of an elder, Paul tells Timothy that an Elder must be the husband of one wife.  In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul consistently uses male pronouns to describe the office of an elder.

This does not mean that women are not gifted to teach and called to leadership, however it does mean, that based on the example of the Old Testament priests and New Testament apostles, that the role of Lead Elder should be a man.

For Further Reading

The Pastor is a Human

February 7, 2012 in Leadership with 0 Comments

I read a line in Tina Fey’s book that made me think of pastors. She was commenting on her portrayal as Sarah Palin and the disdain she received from various groups of people. As an intellectual comedian, she didn’t have any problem with the critics, but as human, she wanted everyone to like her.

That’s insightful, and it made me think of pastors, and my own time as a pastor of a local church.

  • As a pastor, I had to learn how to deal with criticism from people who didn’t think my sermon was deep enough. As a human being, I wanted everyone to like me.
  • As a pastor, I felt the need to be “careful” about what I shared in a small group. As a human, I just needed to be honest.
  • As a pastor, I was concerned with going to the next level in leadership. As a human, I needed to be content with where I was and who I was.

Pastors aren’t super-spiritual Christians with a members only call in number to Jesus. They are real people, with real families, mortgages and problems. We may fake a lot of things, because like the professional comedians, we feel the need to insulate ourselves from hurtful things, but deep down, we’re human like the rest of you.

Why Next Level Thinking Might Be Killing Your Church

February 6, 2012 in Leadership with 0 Comments

As a church planter turned pastor of a fast-growing church, I was constantly thinking of how I could go to the next level. What’s the next level of leadership? What growth barrier did we need to break? How could we take the series to the next level? Who is leading at the next level that I need to emulate?

I ended up making a lot of decisions because leaders at the next level made them. I hired some staff members because churches at the next level hired for those positions.  I put things into place around me because that what was necessary to go to the next level.

When I read the gospels, I don’t see Jesus nor his followers trying to get to the next level. New things happened and the church grew, but there wasn’t a relentless pursuit of what’s next. It seems like they did the next right thing and followed Jesus on a daily basis, and what’s next just happened next.

Looking back on my own leadership, I believe NEXT LEVEL THINKING was HARMFUL thinking. I wonder if it’s not an issue for you, too. Let me explain.

1. Next level thinking keeps you from appreciating WHERE you are. When you’re constantly looking to go to the next level, you’re not likely to appreciate the place were Jesus has you. Trying to get to 500 people might make you fail to appreciate (and lead) the 250 people God has entrusted to your care. As leaders, we’re always looking ahead, but if we’re not careful (and intentional), we will rush past our people. I see it happen in things as simple as the announcements. We spend three weeks announcing a huge event, but we send out one short email celebrating the results.

2. Next level thinking keeps you from focusing on WHO you are. I hope it’s not true for you, but in my own life, I tried to adopt what other people did, because I thought if those actions or behaviors were present in my life, the next level would come faster. In some ways, trying to go to the next level isn’t authentic – it’s forced, when perhaps it should come naturally.

This push back on detrimental next level thinking might sound strange coming from a self-proclaimed organizational or strategic buff. I’m FOR planning – in fact, I think we need to do more of it. I’m FOR strategy – the Bible says we need it. But constantly creating strategies and plans to usher in what’s next might have a detrimental result on the present tense.

Don’t let next level thinking keep you from appreciating WHERE you are and focusing on WHO you are.

Churches…Check This Out

February 3, 2012 in Church with 0 Comments

My friend Mark does an incredible job with all things video. He produced last year’s Giving Rocket conference and he’s producing the Preach Better Sermons event on March 15.

Mark just announced a new service that could be an incredible help to your church. It’s called Video Announcements, and here’s how it works.

  1. You send an announcement script with exactly what you want to say in your announcements
  2. They professionally film and edit them, adding graphics and cool stuff.
  3. They give you the finished files.
You’ve got a professionally filmed and recorded video announcement that will improve the quality of your worship experience AND communicate more clearly to your congregation.  And this entire thing is very affordable.
By the way, Mark isn’t paying me anything to say this – I just think you should check it out.  Visit VideoAnnouncements.tv now.

How Recurring Tasks Keep You Organized

February 2, 2012 in Leadership with 0 Comments

If you do something more than once, it’s time to create a system around it. That’s true when it comes to following up with guests, writing sermons, leading a team meeting. It’s also true for your daily task management.

Many of my tasks reoccur on a regular basis, so I use my Task Management software (Things, from Cultured Code) to create a scheduled task. These tasks automatically show up on my “Today” list according to their due date. When I check them off, they go away, until they automatically reappear at the next interval.

Here’s a screen shot of my repeating task tab in Things.

You’ll notice that I plan and schedule the things that are important.

  • There’s one task I do daily: Read the Bible (and pray)
  • There are some tasks I do weekly: Review our website and tag stuff I clipped into my Evernote inbox.
  • There are some tasks I do every month: Write in a journal to the kids, review Evernote clippings, spay my house for bugs, look at household spending, etc.
  • I also have some annual tasks:  Go to the doctor and request my credit report.
Think through all the things you do on a regular basis, and if they are important, make them automatic.
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