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Shaping Culture

Bob Briner, author of Roaring Lambs, states, “For despite all the fancy buildings, sophisticated programs, and highly visible presence, it is my contention that the church is almost a nonentity when it comes to shaping culture.”

I will state from the outset that I agree with Briner’s statement. You would think with the beautiful buildings and buffet offerings of programs and activities that the church today would display more influence on culture, but abandoned buildings, declining numbers and silent Christians inform us that is not the case.

I wonder how many Christians have a heart to shape the culture at their place of employment, neighborhood, or their kid’s ball team. Is it possible that when Christians begin to live out their faith in word and deed in the different contexts of their lives, that culture in those places will be influenced by the gospel and as a result we will begin to see less abandoned churches, and more growing churches?

 

Suffering for the Glory of God
 

For many Christians, suffering doesn’t fit within their understanding of God’s plan and will for their lives. But after an investigation of God’s Word, 1 Peter specifically, I think we need to cast aside our false, shallow and convenience-driven understandings of God and come to grips that if we are to faithfully follow Jesus we should expect suffering. 
 
Following a personal study of 1 Peter, I have gathered some thoughts concerning Saint Peter’s words to suffering Christians:
 
1. The suffering his audience was enduring was verbal in nature, not so much physical.

 
This is the type of suffering that we in American can connect with. I think many American Christians think that the New Testament only speaks of physcial persecution or suffering, but that simply is not the case.  See Peter’s remarks:
· “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds…” (2:12)

· “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.” (2:15)

· “When they hurled insults at him (Jesus), he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats…” (2:23)  Peter is calling his audience in verse 21 to follow in Christ’s steps, which he describes in verse 23.

· “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another…Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult…” (3:8,9)

· “… Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” (3:15)  Once again, Peter encouraging his audience to be prepared to respond verbally with “gentleness and respect.”

· “keeping a clear consciousness, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (3:16)

· “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed…” (4:14)

 
2. The suffering his audience was enduring was a part of God’s plan for them.

 
Are you telling me that sometimes Christians experience suffering because it is his plan for them? Yes, that is exactly what Peter says:
· “To this (suffering for doing good and enduring it (v20) you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (2:21)

· “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (4:19)

 
3.  The suffering his audience was enduring had a purpose – that their faith may be proved genuine and their response would be praise; therefore, being an example to those who are separated from Christ.

· “These (suffering grief in all kinds of trials [1:7]) have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1:7)

· “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (4:16)

 
I conclude, after reflecting on Saint Peter’s words, that if we are to faithfully and passionately follow Jesus and make him known to the world, we should expect to experience suffering, most likely in verbal form, and respond to those lashing out as Jesus did when they “hurled insults at him” – with gentleness and respect and not out of retaliation.
 
By God’s grace may we all endure suffering in such a way that brings glory to God and shame to those who slander us (3:16).

 

 

Tired of Doing Church

I have recently been reminded why so many of us as Christians struggle with “being” the church opposed to “going” to church or “doing” church. Simply put: Being the church requires a selfless, sacrificial and servant attitude that demands a change of the way we perceive our lives including our relationships and life purpose. In the end, we like what Christianity does “for” us but we don’t care for what biblical, authentic Christianity demands “of” us.

I have recently grappled with 1 John 2:3-6, which says,
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The one who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must was walk as Jesus did.”

Honestly, I struggle with the part of me that doesn’t want to obey his commands at times and doesn’t want to “walk as Jesus did,” because of what that demands. I also struggle, as a church leader, with people in the church who are concerned more with what the church can and should do for them but yet lack passion and desire to “walk as Jesus did.” Even though I struggle with those in the church desiring to “do” church, I have compassion and understanding, because I occasionally join them. With that said, I don’t think true believers are content with missing the mark; therefore, I passionately pray for me and my brothers and sisters in Christ that we would know this day that we “know him” because we desire to obey his commands and walk as he did.

To do so, however, will require a selfless and sacrificial attitude – which brings us back to the root problem.

 

Americans and God's Word

I read an article recently, from USA Today, titled, Americans Get an ‘F’ in Religion. Although the title didn’t completely surprise me and I had some disagreements with the article as a whole, I feel it points us to ask the right questions. The overall premise is that Americans are illiterate when it comes to biblical knowledge as well as general religious knowledge. “Sixty percent of Americans can't name five of the Ten Commandments, and 50% of high school seniors think Sodom and Gomorrah were married,” Grossman writes. Should we really care about these statistics?

 

I believe we should. My reasons, however, are not sociological; rather, they’re biblical and theological. Briefly, we should be concerned about our knowledge and our children’s knowledge of the Bible because the Bible informs our theology and our theology informs our understanding of our world. When we lack biblical knowledge, our worldview is formed around our egocentric perception of reality. In other words, we attempt to explain our reality and life’s circumstances in light of what is best for us.

 

The problem with this train of thought is its foundation: our personal bias. The solution to the problem is God’s Word. A world filled with individual truth claims is a world filled with no truth at all. A world, however, guided by an authoritative source brings unity and soul-calming answers to life’s greatest questions as it brings us into relationship with our Creator and in alignment with his purposes for our lives.

 

I believe 2 Timothy 3:16-17 summarizes this blog well: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

 

If you were to give yourself a grade concerning your knowledge of the bible, what would you give yourself? Are you satisfied and content, or do you hunger for more? Me, I’m hungry.
 

 

Christmas and Me 

December 15, 2009

I grew up loving Christmas. I loved Santa. I cried when I was 15 and learned that Santa wasn’t real. Ok, 15 is exaggerating a bit. I was more like 7 years old when I solved the great mystery. I would so look forward to the morning of tearing into presents that when the dust had cleared and the once-a-year event evaporated into thin air I was left with the “let down” that felt more like a punch to my gut.

As I have gotten older and have matured in my faith, I have realized that Christmas has always been about me. It has been about how many presents I received, what presents I received, and how much money I had for shopping on December 26. And now I have arrived at a place where I feel that Christmas and I need to terminate our friendship and go our separate ways. Convictionally, I can no longer embrace the cultural Christmas that penetrates our homes and our hearts. Recently, I have asked myself several questions that have guided my search for a Christmas experience that reflects the Word of God and pleases my Heavenly Father. Please read through and reflect upon the following questions. I pray that they will be of value to you.

- Do I show any emotion about the birth of my Savior, Jesus?
- Am I overwhelmed with the understanding that Jesus loved me and became a man to die for my sins?
- Would I still love Christmas if I didn’t receive any gifts?
- How upset will I be if I don’t get that “one” present I’ve asked for?
- Am I more concerned about giving than receiving?
- Am I more concerned about giving gifts to family or serving people?
- Where does the poor fit into my understanding of Christmas?
- Who is it in my life that needs a friend or extra attention or love during this holiday season?
- Who is it in my life that needs to know that Jesus was born to produce a life and death that would satisfy God’s wrath toward their sin?
- Do your children care more about Santa than Jesus?

 

 

Thinking Biblically About Halloween

October 27, 2009

Thinking biblically about life and its contents is central to Christians living as salt and light. With that said, I believe the history and meaning of Halloween cannot be ignored and must be simply taught to our children from a biblical perspective. The historical roots of Halloween reach down into the soil of a Celtic tradition (2,000 years ago) where they believed the ghosts of the dead returned to earth the night before their new year (November 1) to cause trouble and damage their crops. They would wear costumes, typically, attempting to tell each other's fortunes. As Christianity began to spread into Celtic lands, the church attempted to combat this evil, dark holiday by creating "All Saint's Day," a way to honor saints and martyrs. This celebration was called "All-hallows" day, which is where we derive our English word "Halloween."

 

As immigrants flooded America in the mid-1800s, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition. This tradition reflected the European and Celtic roots where it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world. In addition people thought they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. Therefore, to avoid being recognized by the ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so they would mistake them for fellow spirits. To keep the ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.

What should we do?

1. Use Halloween as an opportunity to teach our children about good and evil, and light and darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; 3 John 11; Ephesians 5:11-12; Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:11-18).

2. Teach our children that ghosts, goblins, etc. are not real, but that Satan and demons are (obviously as they get older).

3. Understand that this is a holiday that is not simply harmless to our children, but is rooted in darkness and evil. It is a holiday that encourages us to hide who we really are and to be celebrated at night where we are surrounded by images of evil and darkness.

With that said, it is up to each individual family to determine their level of participation with our culture’s traditions and holidays. As for me and my wife, we have determined not to take an “isolationist” approach where we retreat from culture and attempt to fully protect our children from the culture; rather, we have become determined to teach our children the underlying values of cultural traditions and to what extent those values reflect biblical truths.

May you be challenged to think why you do what you do in all areas of life.

 

 

Living Life Loud at Your School

If I've learned anything about teenagers living out their faith, it is that their school campus is where the rubber meets the road. The school campus has been and is the environment where students' faith is tested over and over again. It has been and is the place where some more tightly embrace their faith while others release their faith. My passion is to see our high school students join together to create a community on their campus that "Lives Life Loud," which is exemplified by a life that reflects Jesus. Here is a list of random thoughts that I
think will help individuals and communities experience this on their campuses.

1.  Identify and contribute to a Christian group on campus
2.  Stand up for and include the forgotten
3.  Love people by displaying acts of kindness
4.  Pray for your school, friends, teachers, etc. as you walk through the halls
5.  Build others up
6.  Don't gossip
7.  Remain sexually pure
8.  Pursue and accept leadership roles at your school
9.  Expand your friendship groups to include people who are not Jesus-followers
10. Integrate biblical truths into your conversations - with all your friends

 

 

Rebelution

8.6.09

In their book Do Hard Things Alex and Brett Harris call for a teenage rebellion. Normally, I would advise teenagers to steer clear of those who are attempting to lead a rebellion, but not this time. The Harris brothers are calling this generation of young people out. It is a call to teenagers to rebel against low expectations. It is called “Rebelution.” 
 
In order to communicate their agenda, they created a Web site. With more than 16 million hits to the site, TheRebelution.com, Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge in a growing movement of Christian young people who are rebelling against the low expectations of their culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of God. 
 
Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact.
 
I encourage you, as teenagers, to surf their site and read their book. Begin to prayerfully plan to do “hard things.” You don’t have to wait until you “become an adult” to do big Kingdom things and you don’t have to press pause on your life’s remote control to impact your generation and change your world for Jesus. So, why are you waiting?

 

 

 

How to Have a Productive Summer

 

6.16.09

Summer is here and teenagers could not be more excited, except for those who have to take summer school. The majority of teenagers, however, have one thing on their mind – sleep. Usually teenagers will get up each day around noon to have breakfast and then figure out what they are going to do that day around 3 p.m.  Although this is somewhat funny and slightly exaggerated, the truth is that most teenagers waste away their summer by flying by the seat of their pants and more sleeping, which creates poor discipline and bad habits that typically carries into the school year.
 
Here is my attempt to save you from such a summer. Do these things and you will grow in confidence, discipline, knowledge and in your view of yourself:
 
1)     Establish a reading list. Read stuff that interests you and stuff that will stretch your knowledge. Check out resources on this Web site to see my recommendations.

2)     Volunteer. Put the video controller down and get up off your lazy toosh and find someone that needs help. Look in your neighborhood or call the church and ask to speak to the person in charge of Helping Hands. People have needs and you can help meet those needs. 

3)     Sleep, but don’t sleep in. Get up no later than 9 a.m. so you have a full day to accomplish your agenda for that day. 

4)     Clean and organize your room. This task might take some of you the entire summer to complete because your bedroom floor reflects the Rocky Mountains.

5)     Scripture memory. Identify verses to commit to memory. Find verses that apply to life circumstances and to what God is currently doing in your life.

6)     Exercise. Get outside and run. Go to one of the 200 health clubs on the eastside of W-town. Work outside.  Get your heart rate up – stay in shape.

7)     Go on the Summer Retreat!!!  Enough said.
 

 

Virginity for Sale

 

4.27.09

I have to admit that I have attempted to set this aside, but I just haven‚t been able to shake it. A young adult from San Diego, Calif., was willing to sell her virginity to the highest bidder in order to pay for graduate school. According to sources, more than 10,000 men have bid, the highest bid exceeding 3.5 million dollars. I'm not sure what to think. On one hand I‚m filled with sadness that this young lady is desperate enough to give away that which she had been saving. On the other hand, she is making more than 3.5 million dollars on something that most people give away for free. Is she desperate or is she genius? Maybe an entrepreneur? I'm being sarcastic. One thing is for sure, I am revolted by the thought of a man who would pay that kind of money in order to satisfy his sick fantasy.  This story begs us once again to ask ourselves some deep questions. What is our purity worth? At what point are we willing to give ourselves away sexually? It's easy to judge this young woman, but many Christian teenagers, young adults and single adults give themselves away in the name of love. Let us all be reminded that God has called us to live a life of purity (I Tim 4:12). He has created us all as sexual beings, given us the gift of sex, but has commanded us to harness that desire until the appropriate time: marriage (Heb 13:4). May we all be found pure.

 

Virtual Morals of Teens

 

4.6.09

A recent study by researchers at Michigan State University asked hundreds of 12-year-olds to see if young people held to the same moral standards online as they do offline. They asked the tweens to classify virtual actions as “right” or “wrong” and then asked them to classify similar real world actions as “right” or “wrong.” The tweens were asked about the acceptability of online practices such as “spreading computer viruses,” “viewing pornography” and "sending sexually explicit messages to strangers.” The real world actions they were asked about included “bullying or teasing,” “lying to parents or teachers” and “using racial slurs.”  
 
The results……..somewhat unsettling.
 
In a nutshell, students’ online values didn’t always match their real world values. They were inconsistent. For example, when the students were asked if they would accept answers to a test (in the real world), most said “no.” However, many in the same group sought out answers to a test that was posted online.
 
So, as parents and youth leaders, what do we do with this new piece of information? Do we freak out? Do we dismiss it as “adolescent growing pains”? I offer several thoughts:
 
1.  Re-commit to discipleship – We need to use results from studies like these to reinforce our call to be “spiritual shapers” and disciplers. As technology and the internet expand, we need to be intentional about teaching worldview and that we cannot compartmentalize our faith. Reinforcing the Bible’s relevance in today’s world is critical. The Bible does have something to say on these issues. Youth leaders and parents need to partner together because it has become a joint-endeavor.
 
2.  Monitor online activity – I cannot state the importance of parents understanding how to monitor the online activity of their children as well as faithfully doing it. There would not be as many students viewing pornography or other sexually explicit materials, for example, if they knew their parents would be checking where they’ve been and what they’ve been viewing. My experience has shown me that the majority of parents are clueless to what their children do online. 
 
3.  Model strong Christian character – Parents, your children are watching you. Your influence shapes their beliefs and values more than anyone else (Smith 2004). If you live inconsistently, your children will probably follow in your footsteps. But if they observe you grappling with your faith in real world situations and choosing to do what is “right,” they will follow. Model what you hope to see.        
 
Join me as we seek to strengthen the morality of our young people on- and offline. 

 

 

Nailed to the Cross

 

2.12.09

So this morning I was having my quiet time and had decided to read through the book of Colossians.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  I love to read through chunks of Scripture at a time.  Moreover, I love to read through Paul’s epistles during one sitting.  I’ve read through Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae many times before.  So I began reading.  My time was going as normal until I read Colossians 2:13-14. 

 

It says, “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.  This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (ESV) 

 

I stopped reading, thought for a moment and went back and reread it.  The Holy Spirit then led me to reflect on my salvation experience, which occurred when I was 13 years old.  With that experience in mind, I went back to the passage a third time.  The “record of debt” was a written note within the Greco-Roman world that communicated indebtedness.  The apostle Paul confiscated this word picture to describe our indebtedness to God because of our sin.  I was overwhelmed as I reflected upon the check that I owed God to pay for my sin.  It was an amount so large that it didn’t matter if my life reflected the salary of the richest person in the world; I still would not have enough.  Therefore, because God loves me, he did what I could not do for myself and took my “record of debt” to him and nailed to the cross.  My debt was paid in full through the sacrificial death of my lord, King Jesus.  I concluded my time with God this morning stewing over the reality that Jesus not only paid my debt in full, but has made me rich through obtaining the promised eternal inheritance.

 

Take a moment and reflect on the depth of this truth: Your debt for sin was nailed to the cross.  God has forgiven you.  He has canceled your debt.  You were dead in your sin.  He made you alive.

 

 

 

God Moments

2.3.09

I sit in awe of God’s goodness and faithfulness. There are so many times when I wonder if what we’re doing in High School Ministries is what God wants us to be doing. As a leader, I grapple with the question: Am I leading in the right direction? I question. I struggle. I second guess decisions. And at the most unexpected times God speaks. This time, God’s message came through a high school student. This particular student stopped by my office to talk about the inner turmoil that they were experiencing. It wasn’t struggle over sinful habits, struggles within relationships, etc. Rather, it was an uproar within them rooted in the burden for the broken and disenfranchised of our world. As I sat and listened, I heard God. It was the affirming voice of God saying to me, “Casey, carry on.” You see, I have been restless as the leader of our high school students. I have sensed in the midst of all the Bible studies and spiritual conversations we have recently been missing the mark. As a result, I have sensed God leading us into a 40-day experience that would challenge our students not only to spend time daily with God through Scripture reading and personal prayer, but with confidence and humility engage those amazing people who God has placed in our lives with the gospel. To be bold.  To be courageous. To be daring.  To be ambassadors. This was the heart cry of the student sitting in my office. But they didn’t know the next step. As I explained Ignite: a 40-day experience with Jesus, they fully embraced the idea of attempting to live on mission for Jesus for 40 straight days. As they left, I celebrated. I am so thankful for the times that God shows up in profound ways. I like to call them God Moments.

 

 

1.27.2009

We live in an age where communication is the fad. If you’re not active on Facebook, consistently blogging or twittering you are either old and out of touch, lazy or too prideful to give in to the peer pressure. I’m not out of touch – at least not completely. I was, however, too prideful to jump on the Facebook wagon, but I lost that battle more than two years ago. At least now I can say I have almost 600 friends who I never talk to. So here I am today making it official. I am blogging. I am a blogger. I have no idea what I will say but I do know that it will be good. No, it will be great. You will walk away from your computer or iPhone feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to win over the little part of the world that God has planted you in. Can I promise stuff like that?  Oh snap, I’ve already made my first blogger mistake. Before I make my second, just know that I hope this blog will challenge you in your faith, force you to grapple with eternal issues, encourage you and serve as a resource to you as a high school student or parent.

Until next time.