Whirled Views with Dan Burrell

This is a smaltzy, sentimental alert for all of you who hate blog entries that dripped with personal or emotional stuff. If that’s you…then go back to Sharper Iron or some other blog. But if you don’t mind a journey down memory lane, then keep reading.

Today, our oldest child graduates from High School. He’s ready and raring to go. Me — I’m of mixed feelings and most of them are of the “Wait!-I’m-not-ready!-Kind.” It was just yesterday that we picked him up and brought him home. I’ll never forget that he was dressed in a little baby outfit that looked like a tuxedo. We’d prayed and waited for him for SO long. It was love at first sight and he turned our world upside down.

He experienced our new parenting skills personally. The upside down diapers. A bit of “over-protectionism”. Probably more spankings than the rest of the kids will ever get. (We tend to mellow with age.) But he also was there for all of our firsts. And those are special and irreplaceable. But this is one first (graduation) that seemed to sneak up on us.

In a few months, Nate will head up to Liberty University to continue his education. I already know that this is going to be the shortest summer in history and I’m truly dreading seeing him go. There’s still so much I want to do with him, so much I want to see him learn, so many experiences that I’d planned on having with him.

He teases me sometimes about being clingy and not wanting him to go. I remind him that it is much better for me to dread him leaving home than to be excited about him getting out of the house. Maybe that thought tells you a little bit of how I feel about him and love him.

That said, I’m posting a few photos from his last 18 years in this entry. Tonight, I’ll be both the President of his school (Northside Christian Academy) handing him his diploma and Dad — watching him walk off the stage to a new part of his journey. He’ll hear a challenge by my friend, Dr. Charles Pettit, President of Piedmont Baptist College. Tomorrow, we’ll honor him with an open house. I’m thankful for these last 18 years and I couldn’t be more proud of a son than I am of Nathan.

Love ya, Nate!

Christmas 1990 — putting his ornaments on the tree…a family tradition.

Christmas 1997 — the Burrell family is now complete — Nate, Megan, Katie and Josh

Dressing up for Aunt Audra’s wedding!

Standing in our Florida yard with “Nina” (Grandma)

Spending time with the Missouri cousins.

With Dad at his doctoral graduation in Ft. Lauderdale.

With (Great) Grandpa Burrell in one of his last visits.

Fishing with Dad and Captain Brian on Lake Okeechobee.

At the beach — lots of good times and great memories.

Dad and Nate checking out the waves.

Dad and Nate checking out Yosemite on Nate’s 13th Birthday Trip.

Before skateboarding came roller blading.

“Farmer” Nathan with Megan and the chickens in Florida.

Basketball has been his love since he was a toddler.

At the Junior/Senior Banquet with his very sweet and wonderful girlfriend, Catherine who also graduates tonight.

When I moved to the Carolinas several years ago, I was able to revive a personal interest in growing a vegetable garden. Each year when the days begin to lengthen and the sun warms the soil, I get an uncontrollable urge to get out in the dirt and scratch around like an old rooster looking for worms. Every year, I till dirt, scatter ashes, spread lime, mulch leaves, lay down slow-realize fertilizers — all in an effort to give me soil that will produce a bumper crop of home-grown veggies. This year, I’ve got tomatoes, asparagus, lettuce, carrots, radishes, green beans, peppers, sweet corn, onions, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, okra and potatoes all struggling for survival in my little patch of land. If I stop spending money right now on fertilizers, garden tools, seeds, plants and other gardening “essentials”, I’m guessing that my tomatoes (if I grow any) will only cost me about $4 a piece come July.

My dad used to infuriate me in that he would plow our garden when I was growing up in Missouri and then he’d recruit the rest of us kids to plant it, water it, hoe it, pick it, shuck or shell it and take it up to the house. We’d sit down at a dinner table with guests and he’d point out the fresh beans, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and onions and cantaloupe while mentioning that they all came from HIS garden. My sisters and I would sit in slack-jawed amazement wondering why we did what seemed like all the work and he got all the credit.

I’ve tried, over the years and with little success, to make gardening a family affair. My elementary-aged kids have been recruited to carry plants and to help me plant the seeds. My older kids have been assigned the pleasant task of tilling and hoeing. We’ll all participate in picking the tomatoes and beans later on this summer, Lord willing. Mom will do a great job of boiling, steaming and slicing as we enjoy whatever harvest we have.

All of this makes me think of the work of the ministry. Paul took time in one of his epistles to reprimand territorialism and the tendency to attach oneself to a particular spiritual leader. He chastised the members of the early church for saying, “I follow Paul” or “I follow Apollos”. He reminded them that some prepared the soil, some planted, some watered and God gave the increase.

I can lay out a perfectly designed garden. I can fertilize, plant, trim and week. I can wait, watch and layout baskets in which to college the produce. But if God doesn’t send the rain and the sun — there will be NO harvest.

Such is the way of a healthy church. I have the privilege of delivering the messages to our services each Sunday morning. But others invite guests, some will clean and set up the rooms, others will welcome folks at the door. From nursery workers to choir members, each are doing a bit of garden work that will hopefully bring a yield of souls into the family of God.

It should not be lost on us however, that unless the Lord gives the increase, all of our planning, programming and preparation are in vain. Too many of us (and I’m preaching to myself right now), tend to think that successful ministry is up to us and we forget to call upon the Lord of the Harvest for the yields HE desires. I wonder how many more people might come to Christ if we prayed as diligently as we practiced? Programming is no substitute for Holy Spirit Power in a church service.

I enjoy organization and administration. I love it when things flow in a church service. When message comes together and I deliver it comfortably, I take as much pleasure in it as a concern pianist does at the conclusion of a recital. One of my biggest and easiest mistakes, however, is to forget that if there is to be fruit, I can only do a limited amount. The most important part is up to the Lord.

There is a special joy that comes in seeing the fruit of our labors. I hope that you are part of the “gardening” in your local church. If you sing or play and instrument or go visiting or disciple someone or clean or preach or teach, every time a soul experiences the converting grace of Christ, you get to enjoy your role in the “harvest.” We know that is wasn’t just “us” that made it possible, bit sure is a privilege to be part of the gardening team.

This is kind of closed circuit for my readers from Northside Baptist Church. Last February, during our Global Outreach Conference, we met Kiatisak and Pat Siripanadorn from Bangkok, Thailand. Kiatisak ministers to the hill tribes of northern Thailand…particularly among the Akha tribal groups.

As part of our “Missionary Christmas” celebration, we gave money for three guitars which the hill tribe pastors could use to lead worship in the village churches. Yesterday, I received a photo of those pastors as they received their guitars and I thought you would be blessed by it.

One of my favorite aspects of missions is to locate national pastors and to buy them the practical tools for their ministry. Over the years I’ve purchased lanterns, bicycles, mopeds, instruments, even a milk cow for national pastors. If you’d ever like to be part of this wonderful way of giving to national missions, drop me a line and I’ll put you in contact with a need. Right now, I have the opportunity to purchase over 50 bicyles for Indian pastors and a milk cow for an African pastor. I’d love to help you make that happen!

I havent take the time to clean my desk of assorted comments, miscellaneous thoughts and assorted rants in a while, so I thought Id do that today.

First, this coming week is graduation week at our school and in my family. Nathan, our eldest, will be turning his tassel next Friday night. My mother is coming in from Missouri tonight and its been a long time since weve had her here. Weve got an open house planned, I have 3 other graduations at which I must play a role and this is just a generally busy time of the year, so please understand if the blogging is spotty for the next week or so.

A lot of people have asked me for my take on the DaVinci Code controversy. They want to know if Ive read the book, am going to see the movie and if Im going to preach some sermons on it. The answers to those questions are No, No and No. I watched Ed Hindsons excellent rebuttal on Jerry Falwells TV program a few weeks ago and felt like he did a good job. Ive read some of the blog articles that have come along and many of the media reports. But all in all, I find myself extremely bored by the whole thing.

People attacking the Gospel is really nothing new. Its been done by secularists and religionists for years. Shoot.from my perspective, half the Christian denominations I know of are as guilty of besmirching the Gospel, denying Christ and polluting Scripture as is Dan Brown. I almost never read fiction, thus his book has never really held any interest to me. My only inclination to read it at all (and I doubt that Ill act on it) is because Ive seen so many others reading it and I want to be able to converse on it intelligently.

The Gospel will stand in spite of all that Hollywood, the media, the secular elite and those who are just flat-out hostile to the Truth do to twist it. Rather than tilting at every cultural windmill that comes along, I personally believe that teaching people the Truth will equip them to know a fraud, counterfeit or outright lie when they see it. As for how it will impact the perception of others who are not yet believers, I guess Im enough of a Calvinist to believe that when the Elect come into contact with the Gospel and the Holy Spirit does His work in their hearts, its going to take a lot more than Opie, Tom Hanks and a boring movie to thwart what God wants to do in their life.

On another topic.

Wow! Someone once told me that if you want to stir up a cyber-hornets nest, make a snide remark about homeschool moms. Well, Ive got another category to add to that Suggest that people should put their kids in the church nursery. Some folks are taking me to the proverbial woodshed for an opening anecdote I gave as part of a larger article regarding parents who let their kids run their lives and homes. You can read it HERE.

Ive been accused implicitly or outrightly of undermining the role of parental authority, being a Authoritarian Pastoral Tyrant, of not caring about the health and welfare of children and other crimes against humanity. (Yes folks, that is once again the ugly presence of hyperbole on this blog.) So, allow me a few more sentences to try and set the record straight or at least to invite a whole new tsunami of invectives in the comments sections.

First.lighten up, folks! Good grief. Its just a blog. Im a commentator. I use literary devices like hyperbole, sarcasm, irony and humor to keep you coming back. Im not trying to be mean. I really have a pretty good sense of humor although I will confess that it is whacky at times. If you sit under my preaching and teaching, you know that I enjoy using a lot of self-deprecation, wit and what I hope comes across as droll irony/sarcasm to illustrate and provoke thought in a light-hearted, yet influencing way. I did NOT intend to suggest that sacrificing children at the altar of the church nursery is necessary to obtain eternal life. (That was sarcasm, but Im smiling while Im typing.)

Let me be clear. I DO NOT think it is wise to put newborns into nurseries where they are sick kids or unsafe conditions. Most newborns sleep for the first six weeks anyway or until their eyes open. (Or is that kittens were talking about?) If your kid is running a fever, projectile vomiting or oozing fluids other than drool from any orifice, stay at home or in the hall, but please dont infect the whole nursery. If your child has a chronic health problem that affects his ability to ward off bugs, then do what is right and healthy. Honestly, Im not a lunatic (iePat Robertson, but thats another rant.)

What I AM saying is this. People routinely use their kids as an excuse for skipping church. (Something happened in one of my blog comments and it ended up cutting some words which made it look like I said people almost usually use germs for their excuse. Some do, but others just cant get over the separation anxiety.) When people neglect their own spiritual health, growth and ministry by using their kids as an excuse, it is wrong. Dont even try to give me the ol my-kids-ARE-my-ministry argument. Of course they are, but they are not your ONLY ministry.

People who refuse to use a nursery because their kids whimper and cry when they first drop them off are exactly what Im talking about as those who are letting their kids manipulate and lead them. Your child will not be ruined for life because he or she is cared for by a loving and qualified and screened nursery worker, but sheds a few tears as you walk away. If it continues or the child gets hysterical, then a good and wise nursery attendant will come find you. And if you are smart, you will work with them AND your child to train them so that you can go receive Biblical instruction and so that they can be cared for while you do.

People who bring their children into a worship service and then proceed to let them roam the aisles, play with keys, rip pages out of the hymnal and otherwise distract are rude. Plain and simple. If you havent tried to keep the attention of a couple of thousand people while a baby wails or rattles keys or dances in the aisle to the amusement of others, then you do not fully appreciate what I am saying. I have. Its not fun and it IS rude. Take the kid out. Use the nursery. Be considerate.

Finally, pulling the whats-the-Biblical-mandate-for-nurseries? card is beyond absurd. I could glibly say How about Let all things be done decently and in order. Or better yet, Obey those who have rule over you. There are LOTS of things in the church that are not covered by specific injunctions or prohibitions. Thats where spiritual leadership is necessary and within its God-ordained and ordered responsibility to ensure that policies are put in place that are good for the ENTIRE body.

Let reasonableness prevail. And dont refuse to acknowledge that there are, indeed, parents who ARE hiding behind the bibs of their kids, using them as an excuse for participating in the instruction and body life of the local church. And like it or not, its simply unbiblical.

Maybe for my next topic Ill take on those who wont get involved in any ministry or attend any class that doesnt allow the husband and wife to sit right next to each other. But Im not that brave today.

Again, a new topic.

Because I live in North Carolina and perhaps because my sons room looks like a shrine to Duke University Basketball, Ive been asked what I think about the controversy arising out of the alleged rape of the stripper by the Duke Lacrosse team. So with sweat on my palms, and insisting that you read ALL my thoughts on the topic, heres my read on it

If these boys werent rich white spoiled frat boys at an elite private University and if this alleged victim werent black, none of us would have heard about this. Lets not deny this. Those who have made racism their way of earning a living have elevated this situation to a ridiculous level of attention through their grandstanding and pontificating. Someone will call me a racist for saying that, but Ive just got the guts to say it outloud. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and their assorted lackeys know a good press moment when they see one and thats why its in our headlines every day. This case has Tawana Brawley written over it and if you dont know about that case, then do a websearch and learn your history.

This is a perfect example of grown men (not frat boys grown men) behaving like boors. Rape or no rape, they were behaving like ill-bred animals and they should be ashamed. Booze, strippers, loud partying — too bad their parents didnt raise them better. There is no defense of their conduct, their values, the vile email that one of them sent, their perverted and wicked appetites and their arrogance. Rich or not they are slimey.

Black or white, it doesnt matter. What kind of mother strips for a living? Should we be shocked that a bunch of drunk fools responded like pigs in the presence of a sexually-loose woman who strips, dances and rubs herself all over them? Give me a break. Shes, as my momma used to say, a hussy or as my grandma used to say, a strumpet or as the teenagers say today, a slut. Dont give me that whole she was desperatejust trying to take care of her daughtertrying to earn her way through college garbage. That insults every hard-working single-mom and college student who doesnt sell her body, soul and spirit to idiotic and crazed men for money.

Bottom line the whole thing is sickening. All of them deserve no respect. The district attorney is an opportunist. The team all of them present that night are pigs. And the stripper well, no one deserves to be raped (if she was and theres not a lot of evidence that says she was), certainly doesnt deserve all the sympathy that some are sending her way. How about someone speaking up for personal responsibility and behaving like civilized adults? Is that too much to ask?

End of THAT rant.

Finally, Ive been asked if I am more optimistic or less optimistic about how the Republicans will do in November than when I wrote my article, Donkeys Rising.

The answer would be less optimistic. The Republicans honestly have never looked more clueless than they do today. They continue to mishandle everything from tax reform to immigration reform to ethics reform. Jerry Falwell can make nice/nice with John McCain all he wants to, but Im still trying to imagine the circumstances under which Id vote for him. My memory is long and his attack on the Christian right was vicious. Frankly, I dont trust him because the media likes him so much. I see no other rising star that represents my values on the horizon, so I anticipate sitting at home the next two national elections. Ive never seen more dispirited lethargy among evangelicals in 25 years of active political activity. I fully predict that the Republicans will be swept from the House and Id put a 50/50 odds of them losing the Senate. President Bush doesnt seem to care and the Republican leadership honestly looks like the captains of the powder-puff football team. Its really quite pathetic.

Well, thats a wrap. As always, feel FREE to disagree and debate among yourselves. Just be nice and have a great week-end!

Recently, I’ve observed or been party to conversations wherein I reached a quick conclusion that more and more of our parents have bought into a philosophy that centers around the needs/wants/expectations/desires of their children above all else — even what is essentially good for the child in the longterm.

For example, there are several families in our church that absolutely, positively will not place their child (ranging in ages from 6 weeks to 3 years) in the nursery or childcare. I’m familiar with the over-protective “first-child” syndrome, though my wife and I never participated in it. The idea is that placing one’s otherwise healthy child in a church nursery is sure to infect the little darling with some fatal or near-terminal disease and one must wait until their little immune systems are capable of warding off an attack — you know, like when they are mid-way through puberty.

But beyond that, these are folks who have placed their child or toddler into the arms of a loving, screened and experienced nursery worker to see that child’s lip quiver or eyes fill with tears and believe that to leave them there will in someway traumatize them to the extent that it will require years of therapy to undo the damage. Thus, in spite of the fact that our nurseries are in the same wing as is the worship center, that we have message-capable vibrating beepers available, that we have a numerical calling system mounted in, not one but two places in, the auditorium and that we have a wonderful ratio of children to workers in place, they chose to sit in lobbies watching the service on video feed or simply roaming the halls carrying the little darling with them.

I don’t mean to sound mean or mocking, but honestly, I would like to know if they have the same “high standard” for separation anxiety when it comes time for them to go to work on Monday or when they have to go shopping or if it’s date night or what about when the kid needs to go to school? Or could it be that it’s just a way to cut out of church because of a spiritual issue? To me, it’s just an unhealthy symptom of a culture that places its children on pedestals and which creates an unrealistic expectation on the part of the child that the world revolves them and their immediate needs.

I am regularly stunned at examples that cross my attention of parents who are unwilling or unable to accept the fact that they are supposed to be the leaders in their own homes. I frequently hear of and observe situations of conflict and catastrophe wherein kids are seemingly managing or controlling the lives of their parents rather than the other way around.

As the father of four cookie-munchers myself, I can assure you that parenting is indeed a stressful and tiring role. I’m never tired of being a parent, but I am often tired as a parent. Earning a living, providing care, juggling schedules, coordinating transportation, training, following up, checking homework, attending ball games, wiping snotty noses, taking temperatures and a thousand other facets of parenting fill our days with an exhausting pace. And I’m experiencing this from the perspective of the husband of a stay-at-home mom! I honestly don’t know how single parents do it without collapsing.

One of the reasons we survive in our busy home is due to my firm belief that when God gave me children, He also put me in charge of them. Therefore every day, I must make decisions that aren’t always easy or popular, but which need to be made by the grown-up in charge and for better or worse, that happens to be me.

I’m glad the role of “FATHER” isn’t an elected position as I’m sure I wouldn’t make re-election on three days out of four. Most days, I’d be voted out of office faster than you can say “Gray Davis”. Whether it’s limiting the number of outside activities in which we allow our children to participate, to enforcing bedtime, to dishing out punishment, to insisting that each person make their own bed and clean up their own place at the dinner table, little of which I direct and decide in my own home is met with admiring approval and cried of “Yes, oh wise and benevolent father!” Pastor’s children argue, pout, resist and sneak just like anyone else’s kids do and I often find it easier to manage the one hundred and seventy-plus staff members at our ministry and the needs of nearly three thousand church members than I do managing my own household.

That said, I’m not trying to be discouraging or negative. I am saying that any parent who has a desire to rear their children with strong values, a moral conscience, a love for the things of God, an appreciate for their role in God’s economy, good character and personal discipline must be ready, willing and able to take the mantel of leadership in their home.

That means saying “NO” and meaning “NO.” It requires us to give up things that we’d like to do (like rest, watch TV and reading sometimes) in order to follow-through with training by “inspecting what we expect.” Leadership will sometimes mean that not everyone is going to be happy, understand or agree. Leadership sets standards, trains toward specific goals, adjusts and influences attitudes, evaluates growth and develops plans. Leaders is proactive, not reactive. Leadership must show initiative, set the pace and provide an example.

Much of what we see in the lives of our children is merely a reflection of what they have seen in us. Negative parents rear negative children. Fearful parents real fearful children. Parents who resist authority in their life rear children who are often rebellious and angry. Parents who have a hands off approach to life rear children who float, struggle and flounder.

Leadership provides security. During times of crisis, they might not have a ready answer, but they exude confidence, concern and commitment….qualities that children need from their parents. Leadership does not vacillate, nor does it merely dictate. It inspires. It functions by principle. It isn’t afraid to be in charge.

Kids need leadership in their lives and that leadership needs to come from their parents. Not their friends, not the media, not the school, not the entertainment industry, but good ol’ mom and dad. That’s the way God structured it and it is impossible to improve on it. Do your kids a favor and provide them with consistent direction, leadership and accountability. Don’t let them manipulate and coerce you with fits, tears and temper-tantrums. Don’t be afraid to be in charge. They may not like you today, but they’ll love you forever if you will.

In recent weeks, I’ve been asked several times by different folks for my opinion on issues such as “Should ID (Intelligent Design) be taught in schools?”, “Are you in favor of school prayer?” and “What do you think of the movement that would have the Bible taught in optional Public School classes?” My answers to each of these questions reflect several things about my personal philosophy and my theological underpinnings.

First, let me say that I am almost always opposed to the teaching of religion in our schools and am really quite ambivalent (at best) regarding permitting prayer in schools. I’m actually quite opposed at the thought of having a teacher or administrator lead in prayer. I think that many of those who are fighting for these issues clearly do so with an evangelistic agenda (of which I am generally sympathetic in terms of ends, if not means) and are very sincere in their desire.

However, would I, as a fundamentalist/evangelical Believer, want a Mormon, Buddhist, JW, Catholic or even a liberal Presbyterian teaching my children religion or modeling prayer for them? I think not. I can take care of that at home, thank you very much. Would the typical Mormon, Buddhist, JW, Catholic or liberal Presbyterian want me — a fundamentalist/evangelical pastor/educator — leading their child in religious study or prayer? Again, I think not. (Would I love the opportunity? You bet your favorite toy, I would.)

For me, one of the great dangers of religious instruction and prayer in the public institutions is that eventually, we will water-down, neuter and obfuscate the substance to the point that is unrecognizable and worthless. The practice of merging all faiths, doctrines and orthodoxy into a mutually-palatable faith expression is sometimes referred to as “Universalism” or sycreticism.

Many Americans (particularly those who lean liberal) seem to thrive on a fear that they possess something that might come off as superior or dogmatic. I’ve occasionally mused that it appears they thrive in an angst of self-loathing and enjoy some sort of pseudo-emotional self-flagellation for their crime of being “American” or “certain” or “devout.” How many times have we heard the word “Puritan” used in a positive way in the last decade? Why is it that many times people about to make a moral point often phrase it with an apologetic caveat that starts “I’m not prude, but….”? In the facet of faith matters, this has created a dangerous watering down of religious faith in some circles that makes the Gospel nothing special at best and at worst, those that embrace the Gospel as Absolute Truth and place their faith in Jesus Christ alone, as hateful, dangerous — even insane.

Many mainstream and even some self-described evangelical churches (many of which are identified with the so-called “emergent” church movement) have been witnessed trying to be more theologically “open” in areas of doctrine that should not and cannot be compromised. Columnist Thomas Friedman noted a couple of years ago, that the current “world war” is against religious totalitarianism which he defines as “the view that one faith must reign supreme and can be affirmed and held passionately only if all others are negated.” He specifically pointed to conservative Christians and Jews as the ones who are guilty of holding this view implying that they might just be inciting extremist Muslims.

Such is born of a relativistic, post-modern philosophy that drives us to greater depths of mental and moral mushiness with each generation. With a touchy-feely emotionalism that is experience driven rather than truth based, religious and moral relativists focus on subjective sensations and outcomes rather than objective principles and truth. Tolerance, plurality and alternative thinking are of greater worth in the world of the “New Age” relativists than are the old values of doctrine, dogma, ideology and absolutes.

With the rise in syncretic religions that embrace all faiths and practices as equally valid under the distracted attention of a nebulous and flexible god, religions that hold to a view that there is such a thing as absolute truth, uncompromising doctrines and a unique God with a unique plan will become scrutinized as “hostile” and denounced as subversive or dangerous because of their “narrowness.” In their global concept of community, independent thoughts and behaviors are detrimental to a peaceful existence. A mindless acceptance of nothingness is apparently noble as they celebrate diversity rather than consider absolutes. Thus their prayers are offered to a redefined god that looks largely like their idealized of view of themselves minus any sense of their own depravity and need for redemption.

Of course, the book of Revelation foretells the rise of this syncretic faith, which will come to power as part of the kingdom of the anti-Christ. Once the true Church has been removed from this world at the time of the rapture, there will be little impediment to its ascension and millions, perhaps billions, will blindly pursue this worship of mushiness and nothingness straight to hell.

Regardless of how we are perceived, labeled or even characterized — authentic Christians must never compromise that there is but One Way to eternal life and that is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. There is but One Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. There is no name given under heaven whereby we can be saved except for the name of Jesus. HE is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no person can come to the Father except by Him. Write it in stone, embrace it completely and never flinch in the face of pressure to abandon it or water it down for the sake of “getting along.”

Beware of leaders of any calling or background who would lead you away from the clear Truth of the Word of God. Their goals may be noble and their words musical and pleasing, but the consequences are damnation and separation from the One Who loved you without reservation. Christian faith isn’t radical except to those who don’t yet know Christ. And for those of us who do, it is our hope and foundation for now and forever.

At first glance, the big news around conservative Christian and fundamentalist websites, blogs and forums over the last week was the surprise announcement that Dr. Dave Jaspers had resigned from his role as President of Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI. Dr. Jaspers has, by all accounts been a very effective leader for a college with a rich heritage and a reputation for being reasonable and balanced. I’ve never been on the campus and my main acquaintance with the college has been through serving on boards with it’s former President, Dr. Arno “Bud” Weniger and having had alumni as members of my church and staff over the years. You can read more information on Dr. Jaspers departure HERE and HERE and HERE.

But quickly over-shadowing the surprise resignation of Dr. Jaspers, was the announcement of the resignation of Pastor Jim Schettler of the Campus Church of Pensacola Christian College. Pastor Schettler was a beloved leader for the students at PCC and generally seemed to be one of the few leaders there who maintained a reputation for humanity and personal concern in an institution legendary for its cold, rigid methods of dealing with students, staff and any who would cross their founders or institutional policy.

Pastor Schettler followed Pastor Bob Taylor who resigned in the 1980’s to take a church in Indianapolis. The genteel and gracious Taylor left big shoes to fill, but the popular Schettler stepped in ably, first as interim and then as Pastor. He had previously served with the college and as the youth pastor for the Campus Church. He was watched by thousands each week on the college-sponsored television broadcast.

Professionally, he was always viewed as being under the shadow and control of PCC Founders Arlin and Beka Horton. Much criticism has been heaped on Schettler, the Horton’s, PCC and the Campus Church for the unusual role and governance of a church that was exclusively owned and operated by a college which in turn was exclusively controlled and operated by the Horton’s. Indeed, the Horton’s select the pastor of the Campus Church, make the decisions related to it and the pastor is an employee of the over-all PCC/BekaBook/PCA ministry. I’m not interested in hashing and rehashing the Biblicity of such an arrangement. I have heard Arlin himself explain the rationale for having a campus or ministry church. It is consistent with his personal philosophy of controlling the influences and philosophy of those who work for him and contribute to the ministry he founded. I, could never serve as a pastor of such a church, but then that certainly isn’t a basis for whether or not it was proper, acceptable or Biblical.

Schettler is, a genuine fundamentalist conservative. I don’t believe he would have remained for as long as he did, had he not believed in the core values and doctrines that guide the PCC ministry. In a ministry that has a reputation for eating people up and spitting their used up and spent caracasses unceremoniously to the side when they have served their usefulness or stepped outside the often arbitrary whims of the leadership, Jim’s long-term leadership there is really quite amazing. Apart from Joel Mullenix and a bevy of forever-single female administrators, there are really very few in the college who have survived that long. (Yes, I realize there are “some” — but I speak of the high profile folks.)

I was aware that Jim was leaving at the end of this year for several months and did not feel it was appropriate to divulge the information until he had made the announcement himself. You can actually hear what appears to be a privately recorded audio file of the resignation by clicking HERE.

As someone who has been personally blessed by Jim’s ministry as a graduate student, during my times speaking there, during casual fellowship and through limited other interaction, I wish him well. I believe he is getting ready to enter a most interesting phase of his spiritual journey as he, for the first time, ministers in a world that is not artificial in its context, nor nearly as intense in terms of its controlling forces. Having some idea as to part of the journey that brought him to this point of transition, I believe he will face some initial disorientation followed by a lot of joy and freedom in ministry that will be a blessing to him. I look forward to having our paths cross.

But at this juncture, I would also point out that Jim’s departure is just one more major leadership shift in an institution that has an incredible rate of turnover in its senior leadership. Not only did Jim Schettler resign, but of lesser attention was the departure of Dr. Matt Beemer, Vice-President of PCC and the man who had, by most accounts, received the promise of holding the keys to the PCC Empire upon the death or retirement of the Hortons. Beemer followed the unceremonious departure/dumping of Dr. Greg Mutsch who had previously held the future keys of leadership. Dell Johnson, the one who made a name for himself teaching Beka Horton’s KJV position, also left in short order.

More now than in many years, the future of PCC rests solidly on the Lord permitting the Horton’s an extended lifespan. There is virtually no successors on the horizon and those that are should be as nervous as the wife of Henry the VIII.

Some will, and have, accuse(d) me of having a vendetta against PCC. Indeed, I have not been afraid to voice my concerns and opinions about PCC and other Christian colleges in this blog. If you missed them, you can catch up by clicking HERE, HERE and http://www.danburrell.com/blog/2006/02/challenges-and-opportunities-for_24.html.

Such an accusation is simply not true. I have been on the campus many times. I have spoken there. I’m not ashamed to be an alumni from their graduate school.

I do, however, have issues with the hyper-control, unBiblical rigidity and lack of accountability that has damaged many good people over the years. I object to a philosophy that not only discourages debate and discussion, but punishes one for attempting to engage in it for any reason — noble or otherwise — with them. If you aren’t willing to swallow their positions in total, then you are an outsider, enemy and will be cut off. It’s just not right.

There was a day when I regularly encouraged students to go to PCC. I had plans for my children going there. Their facilities are the best, without argument, of any other Christian college in the world. The academics are sound. They have many good people and sincere servants associated with them. I know many fine graduates and am happy to employ several of them. The text books are good. There is much to appreciate about the ministry in Pensacola.

But make no mistake, there is something toxic in the atmosphere that exists there. We can only pray that eventually leadership will assume the reins of this great work who will lead it to a more healthy spiritual state that holds fast to sound doctrine, but also allows a measure of Biblical liberty in the exercise of one’s own faith without having to leave the institution they love to attend or serve.

I have written several articles on the dangers of places that this generation of teens tend to congregate in the Cyberworld. Much of the focus as been on MySpace.com and similar such “meet and greet” sites. Here’s another one you might want to consider. Phil Johnson, over at Team Pyromaniacs, has issued a warning regarding a portal which leads to a site which promotes teens adopting the “Goth” culture. You can find the article HERE. Sadly, the site Phil exposes is partially sponsored by none other than McDonalds. Take the time to read this expose’ of yet another door into darkness found on the internet.

I’m finally in possession of some pictures of our time in Sao Paulo, Brazil working with missionaries Nathan and Diane Fray and David and Kim Huffman. I’m glad to finally get these as until now, my memories have been clouded by this Brazilian bug that several of us are STILL trying to shake.

Here are a few photos I thought you might enjoy of the guys from Northside Baptist Church in action.

The is the sign for the 1st Baptist Church of Myrna (sp?), whose building we helped construct during trips in 2001 and 2004. Our first team helped construct the exterior walls and the second team helped complete much of the finish work. It is a blessing to see this vibrant church in action today.

Here’s the interior of the church worship area. When completed, the church we worked on this year will look similar except that the building is a little larger.

Jeff Abernethy, one of our home missionaries and a Northsider, was able to share his testimony with 1st Baptist and Bethel Baptist Churches as he told of how he was evacuated from fields in Africa twice in a decade due to civil unrest. Today, he has a wonderful campus ministry at UNCC and still has a tremendous passion for missions of every kind.

On Sunday afternoon, our team broke into small groups of three or four and had lunch in Brazilian homes where we enjoyed authentic Brazilian cuisine and warm Brazilian hospitality.

Stepping off the bus, we look at the footers that have been poured and begin getting organized for block laying and other site preparation tasks.

Great stacks of terra cotta block awaited us as we prepared to build the walls.

“See….Pastor’s DO know how to do manual labor!”

One of the toughest and dirtiest jobs on the site was the cutting of the blocks and Tom and Chad Abernethy took on this task for the entire week.

Shade was needed from the Brazilian sun, so Pastor Barry Shearer tries out this little oasis in the middle of the job site.

Here the team of Hargett, Lovinggood and Burrell show off their block laying skills assisted by their faithful Brazilian assistant with Missionary Nathan Fray providing supervision.

A hot and hearty breakfast, prepared by our missionaries and Brazilian ladies, was ready for us each morning before heading to work.

Team Northside — 2006 — Sao Paulo, Brazil

Twice we visited a Brazilian Steak House where for about $8 USD, you could eat ALL the deliciously-prepared (rotissary-style) meat you could hold. Chad prepares to enjoy some great Brazilian beef!

Friday morning, the men insisted that they wanted to return to the site before leaving in order to pour the support beam that goes around the entire building. This is a key transition point in the project and the men had to work very hard to get to reach this goal.

Here’s the project as we left it — well on the way and ready for the next team to arrive. We anticipate returning in the next year or so to work on finishing the exterior.

The city of Sao Paulo with an estimated 25 million souls is one of the great metropolises of the world and this field is ready for the Gospel.

I couldn’t help but think as I looked over the city that we could start a church every day for the rest of my lifetime and there still wouldn’t not be enough in this teeming city that continues to grow.

Here’s something that I thought was great….these four men are all from one family — brothers, father/son, and brother-in-law. Don’t you think that doing ministry as a family is a great way to strengthen bonds and do something that will create memories for all eternity?

And finally, we’re heading back home from the Sao Paulo Airport….tired, a little sunburned and sore, and delighted to have invested a week for the cause of Christ through missions.

Thanks to those who have inquired as to where I’ve been and why the blog has gone silent. While in Brazil, I picked up a nasty Brazilian Bug which has knocked me for a loop this last week. Unfortunately, several others who took the trip with us have also been hit with the same ailment.

It’s a major upper respiratory thing like bronchitis. I was scheduled to speak at Appalachian Bible College’s annual end-of-the-school-year Bible Conference this Thursday and Friday and was determined not to miss it. So I did what I rarely do and called my doctor for a quickie appointment. He ended up giving me a big shot of steroids, an inhaler, a bottle of cough syrup, anti-biotics and some other pills. I feel like a walking pharmacy. The meds at least allowed me to travel to West Virginia to preach which I did four times on Thursday and Friday, but I’m still pretty heavily under the weather and feeling rather punky. Thus writing hasn’t been on my list of things I’ve been willing to sit up and do.

Hopefully, I’m getting on top of this bug and I’ll be back to full voice and energy shortly, but for now, just consider me “out of commission”.

I’ll be back soon….