Happy New Year

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Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden but it is forbidden because it's hurtful.
-Benjamin Franklin
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Time To Go?

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I met a friend/brother for breakfast this morning. During the course of our reciprocal conversation he asked this question, 'How do you know when the Lord is leading you away from one church to another?'

To give you some background, this brother and his wife are part of a conservative, Brethren congregation which adheres to a larger, conference minded brotherhood of congregations. This particular brotherhood is experiencing quite a bit of dissention and confusion among its ranks thereby leaving many wondering the same thing this brother asked. One interesting note, based solely on my own personal experience, questions like this seem to be unique to conservative Anabaptist congregations. (I could be wrong in this, but that's another debate for another blog post.)

As we continued our conversation I felt like the Spirit was saying that often the Lord doesn't give us specific direction regarding 'church'. I went on to explain that denominationalism was never God's idea for his people therefore for Him to lead us away from one denomination into another is to endorse something that is outside His perfect plan. Instead He has given us His mind regarding fellowshipping with other believers and coeporately worshipping together and expects us to gauge our current experience by His word. If our experience does not align with our understanding of His word, then the time to move is now. If our experience does align, where else would you go? Further, I felt like the Spirit was saying that if we cannot endorse the creed of our current congregation then how can we continue the pretense.

However, recognizing the possibility for me to have a slanted opinion regarding this specific situation; and recognizing that the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets, I ask each of you reading this if it seems consistent with God's character. I don't ask this because I need to get 3, or 5, or 12 of you to agree with me so I can pat myself on the back, but because I want to make sure that I haven't given dangerous advice. Also, I am fairly sure that this friend will frequent this blog and may benefit from input other than my own.
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The Tribe of Aaron

Verse of Encouragement

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I was full of suggestions this evening when Renita asked me which verse should be used as an holiday encouragement on our family picture. Following are some of the suggestions:

First, I recommended Hezekiah 3:3 (she rolled her eyes).
Second, I recommend John 3:3 (again she rolled her eyes).
Then, thinking I was quoting Repent and be baptized every one of you... I recommended Acts 2:15. Upon turning to the reference she read ...for these are not drunken as you suppose. I think that one's perfect!! I guess you'll have to wait and see whether it was the final selection.....
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Prison Preaching

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I appreciate good preaching. As a student of scripture I find myself drawn, especially, to good expository preaching. That being said, I find my personal preaching/teaching style to be one of exposition and explanation rather than topical sermons dealing exclusively with contemporary subjects.

Recently I received a letter from the administration at NCCF stating that there would be some significant changes within the institution. Because of these changes, all of the current population would be moved w/in the next 6 months and replaced with an entirely new population. My current ministry approach has been one of teaching 'raw' scripture w/o fluff and sugar. I began on August 14 teaching through the parables of Jesus sequentially and I am currently on track to conclude this teaching on August 22, 2009. However, between now and then my entire congregation will be replaced with a new one. What should I do?

Rather, the question I am really asking is this...how important is sequential exposition in a prison ministry? Would the congregation be better served if I were to relax my approach and take a more topical approach addressing issues as they presented themselves? Should I take more time in researching the felt needs of the congregation? Should I give Biblical-based motivational speeches on topics such as acceptance, forgiveness, victory over sin and good Christian living instead of such methodical teaching from the text?

I've always taken the approach that a prison congregation is no less a congregation and whether I'm free or incarcerated the Word of God is alive and powerful.
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The Fools Who Never Learn

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How many times must we run face first into the religious wall before we get the point that God doesn't want us to live in that bondage?
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Goodbye

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vaarwel
au revoir
auf Wiedersehen
arrivederci
adeus

I’m finished. My thoughts have been consumed with whether or not you’re offended far too long. It’s over.

acabado
rifinito
fertig
de finition
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