Whirled Views with Dan Burrell

June marks the one-year mark since I resigned my church and left my role as a Senior Pastor. At the time, I didn’t envision going back into pastoral ministry in general and being a Senior Pastor specifically. In July, I will assume my new position as the Executive Pastor of New Testament Baptist Church in Miami and Broward County, FL. I will also have extensive responsibilities with the school system they operate and am in charge of establishing a teaching site for Davis College in South Florida. I am looking forward to this new assignment and quite frankly, am looking forward to a role that does not require me to be the top guy on the totem pole.

In the last year, I have thought a lot about the expectations folks have for the Senior or Solo Pastor in their local church. At some time, I’ll probably share some of my thoughts, but now is too soon. I need to do some more reflection before I’m ready to write about the topic.

However, Dan Phillips over at Pyromaniacs is posting a series of Blog articles on how pastors are evaluated. I’d encourage you to read the first two installments HERE and HERE, and watch for his concluding article(s) in the future.

For my regular readers, I’m going to be out of commission for the next few weeks taking some family time and packing up and moving to South Florida where we’ve purchased a new house in Broward County. So if Whirled Views isn’t updated for a while, it’s because we’re heading South. After 10 months of weekly commuting, I won’t miss the split residences.

Folks ranging from Pat Robertson to Sharon Stone to Jerry Falwell have gotten into trouble over the years for presuming to “know” why natural disaster occur or if God is sending a particular message when bad things happen. The question, “Is XYZ Disaster God’s judgment on [insert name of city/country/region/people/deviation here]?” is one that has often left me relying on verbal double-speak so that I can avoid giving a specific answer.

My friend, Charles Wood, offered the following perspective in today’s edition of “Woodchuck’s Den” from his good friend Warren Van Hetloo. His perspective is quite good in my opinion. It follows:

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From a reader: Dear Dr. Vanhetloo, In light of the recent cyclone in Myanmar and the great earthquake in China, man is given opportunity to ponder the ways of God (Isa. 55:8–9). Would you please address the issue of God’s judgment in this age? Is it unwise for believers today to view natural disasters of such proportions as connected to the judgment of God? I realize there is both a present and progressive aspect of God’s judgment (John 3:18–19). Likewise I realize Christians should be very careful about equating any natural disaster with the hand of God’s judgment. Therefore, is there a connection? Any insights you offer would be greatly appreciated.

A few comments:

1. Too many fail to distinguish between penalties and consequences. Any temporal penalty by a just God will be properly related to what is deserved. Natural disasters are among the consequences of the fall of Adam, and are not directly related, in most cases, with any deserved penalty. One generation in San Francisco was no more wicked and deserving of an earthquake than another. We cannot judge that certain sections of Myanmar or China are less sinful than these which were hit. We certainly cannot assert that believers who may have been caught in such disasters are more backslidden than others.

2. The purpose of God’s law is not to give basis for divine judgment. By the law comes knowledge of sin (Rom 3:20), that men might seek God’s grace. By “natural” disasters should come the realization that God is supreme over all forces in this world, that He can fully protect His own, and that there is a purpose for what He allows. Believers are not always delivered and sinners are not always distressed. The God who is concerned about every hair on my head is fully able to handle any disaster.

3. Also, many tend to think of God as actively anxious to stamp out evil. He is, admittedly, a God of wrath and judgment, but predominantly He is a god of grace. He is longsuffering, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Abraham was told that his descendents would be in a strange land and be afflicted four hundred years, “for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Gen 15:13-16). God’s patience with individuals and nations far exceeds just deserts.

4. We do well not to proclaim that we know God’s mind and purposes. Jonah announced coming judgment, and the people of Nineveh repented. We are unable to judge that one generation in Nineveh was any more ungodly than another. We can, on the other hand, boldly proclaim that God’s offer of eternal life is for “whosoever.” We can lovingly warn that whosoever fails to accept God’s provided deliverance can be sure of eternal suffering in hell.

5. It appears from Scripture that natural disasters will not occur in the millennium. The law will still define God’s instructions, and Jesus Christ Himself will be the final interpreter of details of that law. Even during that time of international peace and outward allegiance to truth, some will not accept the Savior. Disasters serve a minor purpose in the divine dealings with humankind. “To the law and to the testimony” will be the primary tool for doing the Lord’s work even in millennial surroundings.

The following is an article I wrote recently for Life@School — the Magazine for the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools and the International Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

Christian Day Schools as a movement are rapidly approaching the fiftieth anniversary of its modern resurgence.  Our current incarnation of Christian education was largely motivated by the Supreme Court decisions of activist jurists which systematically eliminated religious exercises and content while clearing the way for social initiatives such as mandatory busing and sex education in the government school system.  During this same time, there was a cataclysmic shift in philosophy and worldview which was the fruit of the introduction of Darwinism, higher criticism of Scriptural inerrancy and the social gospel which produced a generation of influencers who denied, or at least questioned, the presence of Absolute Truth in the universe.

At this juncture, perhaps it is time for us to ask some difficult and uncomfortable questions of ourselves as we evaluate our effectiveness in producing students who leave our schools thinking Biblically over the last half century.  Among the questions one might reasonably ask:

        –  In what ways have graduates of Christian schools impacted the culture with a Christian Worldview which embraces the reality of Absolute Truth?

        —   Do our students think and behave substantially different from their public school counterparts upon leaving our schools?

        —    Are we effectively discipling our students to mastery of the fundamental doctrines of Christian orthodoxy?

        —    Do we see evidence that the cognitive accomplishments of Biblical literacy in our schools is leading to affective embracement of the implications of fundamental Christian doctrine?

        —    Among our graduates, is there an on-going commitment to ministry, spiritual leadership and vocational dedication that transfers and extends the vision of Christian education beyond the current generation?

One organization that has been asking these questions of our students over the last decade has been The Nehemiah Institute.  Sadly, many of the findings of this organization are sadly disconcerting when one considers the impact the typical Christian school educational experience is having on the way our students think and subsequently, the way our students ultimately will behave.   Perhaps one of the most discouraging discoveries was that only 6% of students who have attended a Christian school full embrace a Worldview of Biblical Theism.¹

Another matter of concern is the number of young people who are reared in Christian homes, attend Bible-believing church or attend Christian day schools who completely leave a doctrinally sound church altogether upon graduating.  Whereas early studies once revealed that fifty-five percent (55%) to sixty-six percent (66%) of young people who regularly attended church while living at home said that they would remain active in their church upon leaving home, today, a mere thirty-three percent (33%) plan to remain part of their local church.²

According to the Josephson Institute on Ethic’s report entitled, “The Ethics of American Youth”, there is no more than a 4% variable in the attitude and conduct of young people who profess to be Christians and those who make no claim of Christianity.³  Leading Christian researcher and pollster, George Barna of the Barna Group concluded that “ninety easy percent (98%) of professed born-again young people do believe in Christ, but they do not reflect Christlike attitudes or actions.⁴

With those sobering statistics in mind, perhaps it is time to re-examine how we can help students find their voices that they might be ready and willing to confront a culture that has abandoned a worldview based on the immutable Truth of the Word of God.   The following is a list of conversation points which might be used in discussing the process:

1.      Effective worldview education begins with Biblical literacy.

Gone forever are the days in American culture when children learned Biblical facts, history and principles as a result of education.  From the days when the alphabet was taught beginning with the phrase “A is for Adam – In Adam’s fall, we sin all”.  Today’s child literally needs instruction from Genesis to Revelation in Bible characters, basic historical events found in Scripture and even the layout and structure of the Scriptural account of “His story”. 

For years, we have taught phonics by repeating phonics rules, we have taught the letters with rhymes, we drill lists ranging from multiplication tables to the Periodic Table.  Perhaps it is time to develop a simply catechism which would be used to help our children learn and retain essential facts from the Scriptures which would be the foundation for Biblical literacy.

Sadly, many churches rely so much on entertainment and activities that they are neglecting basic Bible education in the Sunday school and church.  Many parents are either too busy or Biblically illiterate themselves and thus fail in their responsibility to train up their children in Biblical truth.  Often, school relegate the Bible class and curriculum to an “elective” status which is not taken as seriously as traditional “core courses” and thus, our students don’t receive the excellence in Bible training that they need.

2.      Emphasize conversion over control.

The Gospel is man’s only hope through the Person of Jesus Christ and the Power of the Word of God.  Salvation is a work of God, not a work of man.  We should be less interested in “decisions” and more interested in the converting power of the Holy Spirit.  Control is only effective in the present tense unless the student learns self control and self control is best a work of the Holy Spirit in which the student willingly submits to the authority of the Word of God.

This transformation work, mentioned in Romans 12:1-2, leads to a life wholly committed to living with Christ foremost in mind and consequently in actions as well. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

3.      Equip our students with apologetics.

Today’s student tends to be more cynical, less likely to respect tradition or heritage, is being constantly bombarded with the narcissistic message of our culture that says “it’s all about me” and as a result, they are more prone to ask “why” when given instruction.  Apologetics is a great resource which can equip our students with the “why’s” in addition to the “what’s” of Scripture.  In addition, it also instructs in implications.  While most students may initially recoil in fear over terminology like teleological arguments and cosmological positions, having a basic understanding of apologetics will help them withstand hostile professors, cultic personalities like Oprah, the false teachings of many so-called televangelists and the plethora of false and phony philosophies that pervade the cultural landscape of this generation.

4.       Educating the Parents is a necessity

Survey after survey reveals, in spite of the ongoing deterioration of the nuclear family, that the primary influence in a young person’s life remains the parents.  With this in mind, it is more important than ever that there be a partnership between the school, home and church wherein a basic agreement exists that Biblical principles and a Christian worldview and philosophy are in place.  However, few would debate the fact that many parents today are ill-equipped, if not flatly disinterested, in providing the lead for that level of Christian education – even among self-described born-again parents.

Educational and church leaders will need to initiate strategies for training parents in leading their homes Biblically and in the spiritual instruction that is most effective when it originates in the home.  This may include working through parent-teacher fellowships, church life development classes, support groups, parenting seminars or other methods.  It cannot be assumed that today’s parents are equipped with the necessary knowledge or techniques to guide their students toward a Biblical world view.

Helping our students find their voice in living and espousing a Christian worldview is a process which must be developed over the entire life of the child.  Indeed, as our culture continues to groan under the weight and consequence of a flawed worldview, adults must be constantly challenged to think and act Biblically.  Discipleship that teaches doctrine and not just addresses “felt needs” is a keystone in this process.  Unless we understand the origin, basis and nature of Truth, we build our worldview on shifting sand.

But there is reason for hope.  George Barna found that seventy-four percent (74%) of today’s kids still haven’t figured out the purpose or meaning of their lives and sixty-three percent (63%) do not have a comprehensive and clear philosophy about life that consistently “influences their lifestyle and decisions.” ⁵

The story is told of two shoe salesmen that went to the interior of a jungle to open a new branch for their respective companies.  There was only one phone in a lone phone booth in the village where they had been assigned.  One of the salesmen was in the phone booth talking to his manager.  He said, “Please get me home quickly.  I am completely wasting my time and your money.  Not a single person in this entire village even wears shoes!”  While he was talking the second shoe salesman was standing impatiently outside of the phone booth motioning for the first man to hurry up and finish his call.  As soon as the phone was free, he frantically dialed the number and connected with his manager.  “Quick!,” he shouted, “Send me every shoe you have in the warehouse!  Your not going to believe this, but not a single person in this entire village is wearing shoes!  We’re going to make a fortune!”

It was simply a matter of perception and attitude.  In today’s culture, many are discouraged with the wickedness and darkness that pervades every facet of society — from the boardroom to the classroom to the church sanctuary.  However, there is reason for hope and enthusiasm.  Biblical Christian educators don’t have to battle “for” Truth – they contend from Truth.  Where the darkness is the greatest, the opportunity for the impact of Light is equally great. 

Helping our students find their voice is a matter of equipping them well with the whole counsel of God ready always to give an answer for the hope that lies within them.

¹Nehemiah Institute, Inc. PEERS Trend Chart and Explanation, (Lexington, KY: www.nehemiahinstitute.com, 2004).

²  George Barna, Real Teens (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2001), 136.

³Josephson Institute of Ethics: “The Ethics of American Youth,” (2002ReportCard@www.josephsoninstitute.org).

⁴George Barna, Think Like Jesus (Minneapolis: Baker Books, 2003), 26.

⁵Barna Research Group, “Third Millennium Teens,” (Ventura, CA: The Barna Research Group, LTD., 1999) 37.

It was my honor today to be the commencement speaker for Boston Baptist College in Boston, MA. To make the privilege even more spectacular was the fact that the ceremony was held in the historic Faneuil Hall in the heart of Boston. As BBC President, David Melton described it, “If Freedom Hall in Philadelphia was where the American Revolution was born, Faneuil Hall was where it was conceived.” In this historic hall, we graduated the Class of 2008 in the same room once graced by the likes of John Adams, Paul Revere and other Founding Fathers and patriots.

I serve on the Board of Directors of Boston Baptist as well as serve as an Adjunct Professor each January. Most of the graduates had been in my class and it was just a thrill to be part of this special day. Already, several of the Class of ‘08 have been hired as staff associates, approved as missionaries, are starting churches or starting graduate work. Boston Baptist is a hidden gem in the spiritually dying Northeast region of our nation. Every time that I leave the campus, I find my batteries recharged by the students with whom I’ve built relationships over the years.

It was especially nice to see four fine students who were from my former church and school in Charlotte: Ben Raborn, Richard Houser, Samantha Hicks and Jenny Miner. (I also got to see Jenny’s twin sister Ashley who goes to school in California.) I know of several more of my former “kids” who are heading there over the next couple of years and as always, I’m so proud of those young people who were part of the ministries that God has given me.

I also enjoyed sitting at the table of students during the Alumni Dinner, joking with many of the students from my most recent Senior Seminar class and even spending a couple of hours talking to one particular student whom I happen to think has exceptional potential. It’s always fun to be with my fellow board members, the administration and the faculty as well.

This was a good week for me to be reminded that investing in the life of a young person pays dividends that can’t be measured or described. Congrats to Boston Baptist’s graduates and if you’d like more information about this school, click HERE.

My good friend, Dr. Charles Wood, offers some great observations in his latest missive that I thought would be of interest to my readers.  Take some time and read his ponderings on the mistakes we make in churches — from the pulpit to the pew.  He stepped on my toes in several areas and I’m guessing he might step on some of yours as well.

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There are very, very few areas in which I could claim expert status (I do have an uncanny ability to anger people by what I write).  There is one area, however, in which I am absolutely expert and that is in making mistakes.  If a mistake could be made, I have probably made it. especially in ministry and the life of the church.  Possible “saving graces:” I have tried to correct what I could, learn from them all and not repeat them if at all possible. I have been thinking lately about some of the mistakes I have made and observed, and out of that thinking cones this column.

Mistakes pastors make:

    Playing “Johnny one-note”   It’s great to be fascinated by the Book of Revelation, but preaching through it over a two-year period may be a little much for a congregation to bear (yes, I have actually known of someone who did so).  There is certainly a “list” of themes that should be regularly repeated, but that list is long enough that no hypnotic repetition should be necessary.

    Incorrectly estimating one’s popularity:  As I have stated many times before, I think the average pastor has far more support in the church than he thinks he does.  Those who are upset usually make it known (loudly and frequently).  The satisfied rarely say much of anything until they have an opportunity to vote on something.  They then almost always come out on the side of a good pastor.  There is a flip side to this, however, and that is when a pastor over-estimates congregational support.  I have watched pastors approach certain issues  of decisions with absolute confidence, only to be shocked by a rebuff (if I remember correctly, that happened to me a couple of times early in my ministry).

    Failure to have friends in the congregation: I once heard a pastor brag that he had never eaten a meal in the home of a member or been taken out to eat by any of his congregation.  I asked for his rationale; he replied that a pastor could not afford to be closer to anyone than to everyone.  I didn’t say anything, but I thought that Jesus evidently didn’t know this (think Peter, James and John), and that Paul had so many friends he could hardly list them all.  I had many friends in my four pastorates, and some from all of them including the current one continue to be close to my heart and involved in my life.

    Preaching personal opinions as if they were Scripture: This may be the most common error of all those made by preachers.  It can - and does - arise from several possible causes.  One is pure arrogance in which a man is so convinced that he is right that he needs no Scriptural basis for a,”Thus saith the Lord.”  Another cause of this phenomenon is the practice of deciding on a subject rather than first identifying a text.  Still another cause is the failure to do careful exegesis (which takes time and effort).

    Making decisions on the basis of potential consequences:  Although I always tried to think through to worst-case scenarios, I also tried constantly to make decisions based on right or wrong, Biblical principles or other valid consequences.  I didn’t want to be “blind-sided” by consequences, but I refused to let potential consequences determine what I did or didn’t do.  When I came to the conclusion that the ban on women wearing slacks had no Biblical basis, I simply got up and explained what had led me to make that change.  (In that instance, the consequences were far less than I had anticipated because almost everyone was already ignoring the ban except when at church.)

Mistakes church leaders make: 

        Making major changes at inappropriate times: The worst time that major changes can be made or initiated - in my opinion - is when a church is without a pastor.  Such “interim” changes are often made with the best of motives, but they make the search for a new pastor much more difficult.  Changes made to satisfy a departing pastor may be totally unacceptable to a new man.  Changes made to correct the excesses or shortcomings of a departing pastor often backfire in that an incoming pastor is very different from his predecessor and will be unnecessarily handcuffed by restrictions that he doesn’t need.

    Trying to keep matters “secret:”  I worked with more than thirty-five deacon boards over the years, and I can only remember two or three of them that did not have a “leak.”  I was never troubled by leaks to people who had at least some claim of a right to know (former deacons, former pastors or other Christian workers in the ongregation,etc.).  But…”secrets” rarely are such for more than a few days, and when they get out,.they usually cause more trouble than straightforwardness would have caused in the first place.  “Secrets” also create the “dancing bear syndrome” in which people who know them are forced to avoid, evade or deny what they know to be true or false.  Remember: secrecy is the breeding ground of deceit.

    Underestimating the intelligence of the congregation:  To some degree, this point is a byproduct of the last one.  It is dangerous to assume that people are too dumb or naive to figure out what is going on in a particular situation.  I have been sometimes amazed at the perspicacity of some unassuming church members who saw through someone or something being promoted by church leadership.

    Inadequately “vetting”  a pastoral candidate:  So he can preach!  Big deal!  Thousands of men who have proved to be awful pastors can preach.  There’s a lot more to it than that.  Careful examination of a man’s character, marriage, family life, community reputation, organizational and leadership skills, and myriad other qualities must be considered.  A single day’s candidacy is hardly adequate for even the smallest churches or most difficult fields.  Researching resumes and lists of recommendations is essential, and a good question to ask any candidate about these instruments is what places and which names are not on them and why?  Calling a new pastor is not rocket science or brain surgery, but it is a very precise decision that must be bathed in prayer and operated with extreme caution.

    Failure to provide adequate compensation, assistance and “down-time.”   Although many pastors wear “Superman” shirts, they are actually as human as anyone else.  The ministry is important and time-consuming, but the family is even more important.  If a man’s wife doesn’t wish to work, she should not have to do so, and a working wife’s compensation is utterly unrelated to that of a church staff member.  Days off and vacations ought to be mandatory (no one ever had to make me take a day off or head out on a family trip - I only wish I had taken a “sabbatical” to update my education).

Mistakes congregations make:

    Selecting lay leaders based on financial or business success:  I don’t believe this has ever been a problem in the church here, but in one of my pastorates, I always had men who were not qualified for office, but who were placed there because they had money or were successful in business.  A very close friend came into a lot of money very quickly.  He was a good Christian and a great church member, but suddenly just about every Christian organization in his area became aware of his godliness and great spirituality.  The same groups decided he was not nearly so desirable when the money was just as quickly taken away from him.  A man may be a great success in business or profession and an utter failure at home or in his own heart.

    Failing to realize that you simply can’t out-give God:  My years in a particular pastorate left me with a bad taste in my mouth regarding people of a certain nationality.  There were wonderful exceptions, but most were cheap, stingy and devoid of compassion on anyone or anything but their own bank accounts.  I have always felt that if there was a need, and I had the ability to meet (or assist in meeting) that need, it was my Biblical obligation to do so. I continue to believe and live that way, and God’s blessing in response has been beyond measure.  I feel so sorry for some people who do not understand or experience the joy of giving!

    Spreading discord among brethren:  I could write a book, but I’ll stop with just one more.  I have watched people treat the Church of Jesus Christ as if it were their own fiefdom.  I have heard discord spread in the form of “prayer requests.”  I even knew of a group of people who covered their discord sowing by calling it a “prayer meeting for the church.”  We love our church and want to do everything we possibly can to promote it and its well-being.  I simply can’t understand and have no patience with people who think nothing of trying to create problems or damage the church (normally because they have not been able to get their own way in some area). 

Now into my ninth month of making my near-weekly trek to Florida, I’ve met some new friends and fellow bloggers in my soon-to-be-new-home-state.  I’ve added one of them, “Around the Corners” by Joel Johns, to my blogroll.  Joel is pastoring a church near the Land of the Mutant Rodent near Orlando.  One of my good friends and former church members, Mike Bartlett used to be on his staff and served to introduce us via this blog.  Check out his blog by clicking HERE.

Joel introduced me to one of the most hilarious blogs I’ve found in the whole blogosphere.  If you liked my crazy essay on “church names“, then you’ll love this blog called “Stuff Christians Like.”

Check them out when you get a chance.

When one plays “connect-the-dots” with a lot of the Emergents, Seeker-Driven folks, the off-spring of Peale and Schuller and other left-leaning evangelicals it is possible to see a new and necessary schism coming in evanglicalism.  Russell Moore recently asked some important questions outloud as he connected dots between Emergent guru Brian McLaren and Willow Creek Community Church.  His commentary is thought provoking and dead-on accurate.  Take a few moments and read his thoughts HERE.