Book Review: Night Driving, by Chad Bird

In our day and age, many people who write about their personal journeys do so either to excuse their actions, to explain why they did what they did with an eye toward gaining more understanding for their actions, or simply to show that what they did wasn't really all that wrong.  There is none of this in Chad Bird's "Night Driving".  Even as Chad takes the reader through his personal journey, he utilizes his story to focus on someone else's story, that of our God who reveals Himself in Jesus, the Christ, who redeems lost, broken, fallen, sinful people.

Throughout his story, Chad presents his story in a way, not to gain sympathy for himself, but to show how God can truly reach into the darkest places of our broken, sinful lives, and redeem us.  His story then serves as a springboard to share so much of the message of good news in God's redemption through Jesus, and truly points to the vital role and importance of God's grace, an element of God which is sorely missing in many Christian circles today.  The scandal of grace is the very point which seems to drive Chad to write his story, linking it always back to the unfathomable grace that God has shown to His people.

Personally, there are many parts of Chad's story that resonate deeply with me.  As another Texas born and bred boy, I have followed some of the same steps.  Study at a seminary, serving in a congregation as a pastor.  I have even shared some of the goals of one day teaching and molding minds, though I came to a realization that such an outcome simply was not reasonable for me.  And while they may be different, the seductive whispers to fall away resonate strongly, and cannot be ignored.  I believe one powerful aspect of Chad sharing this story is to promote a much more open discussion and forum for talking about such things and looking for strength and support in them, rather than pridefully presenting ourselves as though we are unaffected.

Another aspect of Chad's book that would call for specific attention is how God's people react to those who are revealed as sinful among them.  As he quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it's truly saddening that we act so surprised when we realize that a true, honest to God sinner lives among us.  His story shows us that the Church's reaction to fall back on the law often brings so much more harm to a soul that is already hurting and in need of grace.  The need for grace to infiltrate throughout the Church, and especially when we realize that there really are darkly sinful people among us, is a loud call to which we would be wise to listen.

If you are looking for a story that will ultimately make you feel good about yourself, this is not the story for you.  However, if you are looking for a story that shows that God does indeed bring redemption, even into the darkest, lowest of places, then this is the story for you.  In fact, in reality this is the story of every single on of us.  Few of us are bold enough to share it with anyone who would read, much less let our story point to God's great Redeemer, our Lord Jesus.  For this, I cannot recommend "Night Driving" highly enough.

Book Review: The Myth of the Millenial

Recently I obtained a copy of "The Myth of the Millenial", by Theodore and Chelsey Doering, church planters outside of Austin, Texas.  As millenials themselves, they take a look at what is often though of millenials by other generations, and then dive into why so many of those generalizations and stereotypes may be true, as well as how these stereotypes are often found in other generations.  They also then bring very helpful suggestions in how these different generations can lovingly deal with one another, especially with the Gospel message being at the heart of what needs to be communicated.

Essentially, I would summarize what the Doerings say in just a couple of phrases.  The first phrase would be to "respectfully listen."  Listen to hear what the other person is saying, whether Millenial, Gen-X-er, Boomer, or others.  Listen, not to make your next point, but to hear what they are saying.  Listen, but as you listen, listen respectfully.  Don't automatically negate what they say by responding with stereotypes.  Show respect that they have lived their life, and that life has created questions and experiences that have impacted who they are, what their struggles are, and how the Gospel message can impact them.

The other phrase that I would use to summarize the book would be "apprenticeship", or "be a mentor."  Yes, that phrase can go both ways, as we never get too old to keep learning.  There are many things that the older generations can pass along to the younger, but it proves largely beneficial to do so in the context of a developing relationship.  Starting out by simply making efforts to get to know one another is a huge step toward being able to pass along what you have learned.  Also, as part of that, be willing to learn from what the younger generations have learned, from their experiences.  They also have much that they have done and experienced that can be of benefit to the older generations.  Ted and Chelsey bring these points out repeatedly throughout the book.

Overall, one of my best takeaways from the book is to have an intentional focus on developing relationships, no matter what generation.  This is just as important for older generations as it is for younger generations.  It is in the context of relationships that deep, meaningful conversations can take place.  We often place a higher priority on what people say to us when they have taken the effort to get to know us better.  We are often more able to hear the hard truths that they bring when we know they care about us, and want to maintain the relationship, and are looking out for our good.  The beginning of that relationship is often accomplished through respectful listening, which can lead to being a mentor to each other.  All in service to our Lord Jesus, and His message of good news.

I recommend this book highly, especially if you have a desire to connect with other generations, especially those younger than you.

Book Review: Follow Me

Over the past two weeks, I have been reading a book I picked up just after Christmas.  The title is "Follow Me" by David Platt.  A few thoughts and reviews of what all the author has to say.

First, let me admit that I really did like this book.  The author seems to have noticed many of the same things I have seen in the overall Christian Church in North America, and he addresses several of the issues at hand.  He offers a somewhat pointed view of the different topics, firmly, yet typically very biblically.  Reading carefully, you can pick up on some of the things that have infiltrated the Christian Church in our country, and how our particular "approach" to things may not be the most biblical approach.

There are cautions, however.  First, as with many current day authors, at times the points he makes are overstated to a degree.  Sometimes the best way to highlight a problem area is to present it as worse than it really is.  In one or two of the cases in the points he makes, he does this a bit.  His desire, however, is still commendable in that he is looking to shake up a lethargic Christianity back to the radicalness of what it truly means to follow Jesus.

In particular, severl points jumped out to me.  When he talks about being children of God, he contrasts that with being servants of God.  Yes, both are biblical pictures of our relationship with God in Christ.  However, I really did appreciate what he said about how we often carry ourselves as servants of God rather than as children of the Father.  When we utilize terms like obey in our vocabulary, we betray our thinking of God as our Master, and we as his servants.  While there is a time and place for that, it seems we generally don't utilize vocabulary that would reveal a view in which we are God's beloved children.  Yes, I could go much deeper on this, and might in the future, but I found it a generally applicable chapter.

One other thing that Platt does is drive people to the Church, that is, to the local body of believers to which they are supposed to be connected.  While Jesus is personal for each of us, He doesn't draw people to Himself separate from all the others who are drawn to Him.  He brings them into the body of Christ, the Church.  And once there, we aren't to sit there as though we merely soak things in.  We are active in the things of God, supporting one another, growing in God, building up and encouraging each other, and even in sharing the Gospel message into the communities in which we live.

Overall, a very good read.  It is critical of much that can be found in mainstream Christianity in North America, but in a helpful way, with an eye toward reform.  I would generally recommend this book to anyone interested in seeing how they or their congregation can take steps to become a more vibrant body in the context of their community.

A Son or a Servant?

I've been reading an interesting book lately, and I'll include a review of it, probably early next week.  But in the book, the author makes an interesting point.  Do most Christians "act" as though they are a son (or daughter) of the Father, or as though they are a servant?  As I thought about that contrast, it really did get me to thinking.

If you are a child of the Father, you have a great deal of freedom.  You live in the relationship of knowing that you have far more "latitude" as a son than you do as a servant.  The reason for that is simple: you belong by blood to the Father.  A servant is merely someone who is employed for a particular set of tasks.  However, if you are a son (or daughter), you have both greater responsibility and greater freedom.

Greater freedom in that you have less to worry about in terms of your standing before your Father.  You can step out and risk a lot more as a son than you ever would as a servant.  Why is that?  Because you know that your Father is a forgiving Father who wants nothing but the best for you.  Sure, if you step out in a wrong direction, or too far, He may have to call you back and show you the error of your ways, but even in that, you know that you can venture forth because of that relationship.

At the same time, you have greater responsibility than a servant.  Because you are in relationship with the Father, you bear His name.  Everything that you do, no matter how large or small, reflects upon the name of the Father.  Everything you do reflects upon the other members of your family, and therefore you also have a greater responsibility to consider them when you act.  They may grant you freedom to risk in the family's name, but they also carry the responsibility and authority to bring you back when you step out of line, or too far.

In contrast, as a servant, your primary concern is to make your master happy.  You are less willing to take risks because you know that it could easily backfire on you.  While you might have the comfort of knowing that your Master is a forgiving Master, you don't have the family connection to fall back on.  You are merely there to do your duty.  You tend to operate in far narrower, more defined ways, than you ever would if you had that blood relationship of a son or daughter.

I find this interesting because, even as the author says that Christians should consider themselves as sons and daughters of the Father, his language throughout is that of a servant.  When you hear things like obedience stressed, it isn't necessarily an indication of a view of yourself as a servant.  However, when that's pretty much the bulk of the language used, it indicates the viewpoint in which you stand.

Consider the language you use concerning God your Father.  Do you use language which reflects a view of yourself as a child of the Father, or of a servant of the Master?  And once you think about that, consider also which one you would rather be viewed as by God.  Yes, Scripture speaks of both, and of us filling both roles, but our language can often reveal which one we primarily think of ourselves as.

Book Review: I Am A Church Member

As part of my professional life, I read a lot.  True, I love to read personally, so the love of books isn't too challenging to bring over into my professional life.  But I truly do take something out of practically every book that I read.

One of the things I'm aiming for this year is to post brief reviews about books I read on this blog.  If that leads some of you to purchasing and reading those same books, great.  I'd also love to hear what you think of the various books.  I'll also try to keep things brief, yet as encompassing as possible.

Today I just finished Thom Rainer's "I Am A Church Member."  It's a brief book of 79 pages, and yet, presents some challenging thoughts to us as Christians.  He basically takes a look at this thing called church membership, focusing on what membership is biblically verses what we tend to think of as membership.

Rainer's primary contrast is the membership of a church versus the membership of a country club.  His research has led him to believe that too many churches in America have members who conduct themselves as country club members, who focus on services directed toward them, rather than seeking to serve.  He especially focuses on the area of functioning (being an active participant in the congregation), unifying, prayer (especially for those in leadership positions), health (especially in regard to family members), and in the role of preferences and desires.  Rainer asserts that our focus way too often tends to be on what we get from our participation in the church rather than seeking to be an asset to the Body of Christ in our local congregation.

To a healthy degree, I agree with much of what Rainer writes, though there are some caveats.  Many of us focus on what we get out of our local church rather than on how we can be an asset to Christ's body and ministry.  But I also believe that Rainer focuses too much on the serving aspect.  From the outset, we understand that we are members of Christ's Church because of what He has done for us.  It's completely Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and the subsequent gift of faith, which make us members, and that is true whether we are productive or not, serving or consuming.

However, Rainer hits the nail on the head that our membership in Christ's Church doesn't stop there.  The call to faith isn't about being static or complacent, but about taking up our cross and following Jesus as we exhibit our love for our neighbor.  That love is far too frequently missing in our churches.  Rainer provides a helpful reminder that, being Christ's Church, we are to focus on our love for God as we love our neighbor, both within the Church and outside the Church.

That drives us to have a servant heart and attitude rather than a consumer attitude.  This is the strength of Rainer's approach to this topic.  He challenges us to think about being part of Christ's Church and serving rather than being served.  He pulls that into our relationships with fellow members, with leaders, and even to those outside the Church.  Service, not preferences or personal desires, should be the driving force behind what we do, out of love for Christ, who redeemed us by serving us, and now sends us out to do the same in His name.

I would recommend this book, though it may come across as somewhat harsh and judgmental, especially to those who bring a consumer mindset to the Church.  Nevertheless, much can be gained from reading it, especially if you are willing to be challenged in your participation in your local congregation.

Books, books and more books

With my recent move, I also had the chance to move my many books with me.  Last week, I had some of the young people at the new congregation move my boxes of books over to my office, and earlier this week, I took a little time to unpack them all.  Now my shelves stare back at me, not empty and lifeless, but with many spines and smiles!

That got me thinking this afternoon.  Just how much wisdom and knowledge is there out there in our world today?  I remember reading somewhere that the amount of information that we humans uncover or have access to doubles about every 5 years or so in our information age.  I truly believe that this is, in part, because God has created a unique world with a depth to it that we can never fully attain. 

But I think this also shows us something significant.  Knowledge is one thing. Wisdom is quite another.  Think of it like this.  Knowledge is knowing how something works.  Wisdom is knowing why it works, and how it works best.  Knowledge will only get you so far.  Knowledge without wisdom can actually be deadly.  Knowing how a gun works is one thing.  Understanding that it's not intended to be pointed at people while loaded is completely different.

Of the many books on my shelves, all have great knowledge to impart.  Some of them even have wisdom to impart for those wise enough to grasp it.  And yet, even as I look at them, I recognize that everything they impart pales in comparison to another kind of wisdom and knowledge.

"Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight", says King Solomon in Proverbs 9:10.  Earlier in that same book, he also asserts "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction".  (Proverbs 1:7)  Both wisdom and knowledge find their source and origin in the LORD.  Knowledge comes from Him.  Wisdom comes from Him.  And in the end, He is the end point of all wisdom and knowledge.

Think about all the knowledge and wisdom you have obtained throughout your life.  How does it find its source and origin in the LORD?  How does it point to the LORD as its final end?  After all, without that, it's all just foolishness and a chasing after the wind.

Reading the Bible and Being Christian

As a pastor, one of the things that I regularly encourage people to be doing is reading the Bible.  We live in a day and age where access to the Bible is really not that big of an issue.  I've downloaded a few versions on my Kindle, and can pretty much access any translation from the internet.  So it's not that access is an issue as it has been in centuries past, where literacy was low and books were practically non-existent.

But over the past few years, I've given a lot of thought to this issue.  Why do we encourage people to read their Bibles so much?  In part, we really do want people to know what God says.  It's far easier to interact with people in their spiritual needs when they have an idea of what God has really said on the pages of the Bible.  Sure, they may not like what it says, or disagree with what it says, but it's known, and that makes the discussion at least a little bit easier.

However, I have found that this emphasis has also had an unanticipated effect.  On occasion, there have been those who would say that such an emphasis actually served to create a greater sense of guilt, since it wasn't their habit.  And some of these are long standing church people.  As I have encountered that on occasion, it also makes me wonder if an emphasis on reading the Bible is a good thing if it only serves to grow people's guilt.

On top of that, we also face the reality that there are many things in the Bible that are not easily explained, and that the Bible itself is structured in such a way that a straight-through reading likely won't make the most sense to someone who doesn't know it well.  (Plus, it's a big book, which makes it a challenge to read through the whole thing anyway.)  A guide often proves to be a helpful thing, but still fails to paint a complete picture of everything that God says, and often doesn't give answers to the questions that people have as they read through it.

Finally, I wonder if such an emphasis is mostly a modern "problem" that hasn't had to be addressed by God's people over the course of time.  I say it's a modern problem because most of the time between the writing of the Bible and now has been marked by illiteracy.  People knew what they heard read to them during worship times.  Very few individuals had the ability to read, much less access to books or scrolls.  Would we say that those people were "less" Christian because they didn't have the ability to read the Bible?  I would hardly say so.

In my mind, that's why it is appropriate to encourage people to read their Bibles, but to understand that the vast majority of learning God's word is still going to take place in what is read during worship times together, and in the preaching that takes place.  God's Word was given as a spoken word, and only after it was spoken did it become a written word.  The "spoken-ness" of God's Word should always have priority.  That places a great deal of emphasis on what is preached, and so a well-constructed sermon will always be the best vehicle for the Spirit to do His work as God's Word is preached and expanded upon for God's people.  It's not wrong to encourage people to read, but overall, we face the reality that the preached and spoken word will continue to have more far-reaching impact than any amount of encouragement to read on their own.

The Importance of Connection

Many of you know that I love to read.  And recently, I read a book by John Maxwell called "Everyone Communicates: Few Connect".  In some ways, this was a challenging book for me.  Being a person who loves to read, and who delights in thinking about things and figuring out things and new approaches, I sometimes lose the people element.

That's why this was a challenging book for me.  In my chosen career, connecting with people is vitally important.  While it is important to know things such as what the Bible says and how my particular church body understands what the Bible says, connecting people to God and to Jesus is what is most important.  It's not a lot of good to know a whole lot of stuff if you never connect with others, so that they see the importance of those things.

In particular, Maxwell pointed out one area in which I have a lot of room to grow.  He makes the assertion that, in order to really connect, you have to understand what the people with whom you are trying to connect really need.  You have to understand people and what their needs are before you can effectively connect with them.

This is where connecting and communicating are two different things.  Everyone communicates.  If my wife tells me something and my response is a frown, I have communicated.  The problem is, I haven't connected.  Or, if I'm watching TV and try to have a conversation with my wife in the other room, we may be communicating, but we probably aren't connecting very well.  And that is the point that Maxwell makes.

Connecting involves getting to know people, finding out what their needs are, and then working to ensure that communication takes place in such a way that it fits what they need.  He uses a lot of examples from his life as a speaker to point these out, and even indicates that it was something that he had to grow into.  And that is where I realize that this book is good news for me.  These kind of things do not come naturally.  I have to work at them.  And as I work at them, it seems a good possibility that I will improve at them.

The master of communicating and connecting is Jesus.  His message of hope and grace, or of warning and consequence, happened to be exactly what those listening to Him needed to hear.  Even from a physical standpoint, when Jesus would heal, He would heal exactly what was needed and exactly when it was needed.  That message of good news is one that all people of this would need to hear.  And that is why Maxwell's book has stuck with me.  I would actually suggest reading it, especially if you find that you don't seem to have good connections with people in your life.

Beginning a Book

Those of you who know me well know that I like to read (okay, maybe obsess about reading, but that's another story!).  I've had the book "The Shack" sitting on my shelf for a while, and last night, decided to start reading it.  I've heard both good and bad things about it, from many of my Christian acquaintances. 

That got me to thinking.  How do we, as Christians, approach fictional literature that seems to have a biblical basis?  I was even in a Christian bookstore recently, and noticed that there were quite a few "Christian Fiction" books available.  I can honestly say that I don't have a really good answer to that question.

So what are your thoughts on Christian fiction?  Good?  Bad?  Unnecessary?