Choosing a Church: 10 Things That Matter Most (pt. 1)

In a recent conversation someone asked me, "How do you determine what to really look for when it comes to choosing a local church?"  "When it comes to selecting a new church what is most important?"  How do you know when it's time to transition from one "Christian assembly" to another?

As with marriage, it is essential that we Christians grasp which things are non-negotiable and which things are preferential.  For example, in dating or in courtship it may not be wrong to wait for a blonde haired, blue eyed, single Christian to providentially come your way; but you better not settle for a lukewarm believer simply because they enjoy the same hobbies you do and are physically attractive.  If you have lived long enough you know exactly what I mean.  The Scriptures informs us in Proverbs 31 that "charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the LORD shall be praised."  A spouse with noble character and who possesses an undying love for Christ is worth more than great wealth.

The same principle is true in regards to choosing a local church.  If we place finding a church that offers a certain musical style, or one with a certain size children's or youth ministry, on par with finding a fellowship with a Word-dominated/full counsel of God pulpit with Trinity-centered worship we have obviously missed the biblical mark; (note Eph. 4:11-16; Acts 2:42; Heb. 5:12-14; Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 3:15-4:5).

In order to solidify our core ecclesiastical convictions the first mini-series I preached in my new church (Lake Country Bible, WI) was on us maintaining "a (thoroughly) Biblical Philosophy of Ministry."  In Colossians 1:28-29 Scripture provides us with the Apostle Paul's inspired mission statement.  Wherein Paul writes, and thus we (continually) proclaim Him,  admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.  I believe that no less than four essential components of a biblical philosophy of ministry are given to us in this amazing text. (I thank God that my former mentors Drs. Rick Holland and Jerry Wragg helped show me the importance of these essential ministry components).

Having inherited a spiritually healthy congregation from my now "retired" predecessor (Pastor Sal Massa) I told Lake Country Bible Church that by the grace of God, we must continue to:

James White Muslim DIALOGUE Controversy: "Fools Rush In- Where Monkeys Fear to Tread" (PT 1)

My writing ministry is mostly confined to manuscripts related to preaching and teaching within the context of the local church.  My best work is always reserved for my most important task, which is, without question-the expository pulpit (2 Timothy 3:16-4:5).  The inconsistent blog postings here at P.T.L and the "editing polish" of which some of my articles sorely lack is related to these ministry priorities.  For that I make no apologies.  Some of my 'best' blog articles over the years have been the fruit of lessons prepared for Sunday School classes or for more informal, evening gatherings.

With that by way of introduction, please allow me to imitate Carl Trueman and "rush in where even monkeys fear to tread" by discussing the firestorm surrounding James White and Brannon Howse.

Many people within my new ministry context have asked me to weigh in on this controversy.  Thus far, I have said very little because I have not had ample time to read the many related articles, let alone listen to the related videos and podcasts surrounding this  bloody affair.  

Having watched the introduction of James White's dialogue with Muslim scholar Yasir Qadhi multiple times now and having read a few summary articles, let me offer up a few preliminary remarks on context, format, and consistency.

1. Context matters.

The friendly discussion between a well known Christian apologist and a respected Muslim scholar took place in a local Christian church.  More than a few church leaders have questioned the wisdom of this decision.  It is one thing to "dialogue" with an unbeliever over lunch in the workplace or to debate Scripture and sound doctrine on a secular University campus.  However, providing a platform for a non-Christian teacher to instruct Christians concerning the true tenants of Islam or any other false religion seems very unwise at best.  Could you imagine Al Mohler inviting Matthew Vines to his local church to dialogue about homosexuality and "God and the gay Christian."  Could you imagine Paul or Peter setting up a friendly conversation with the Gnostics?  I can't..  The spirit of the latter epistles of John (see especially 1-3 John) are worth noting here.  The principles found in Galatians 1-2 are also helpful guides.

In a "open letter" the main lay elder at Grace Community (Pastor MacArthur's church) wrote, "We would not sanction a public dialogue with a Muslim Imam, or any other person with an agenda to teach false religion AT (emphasis mine) Grace Community Church..." Chris Hamilton went on to add a word of public criticism aimed at those bloggers (such as Brannon Howse) that are now discrediting the ministry of James White based on this isolated error of judgment/discernment.  More on that issue another time; (Brannon Howse is someone I have heard of but {until recently} have never read or listened to.  This article is not intended to address Howse's or any other blogger's commentary).

2. Format matters.

James White made it very clear that what he set up in January 2017 was a DIALOGUE not a DEBATE.  

Webster's defines a DEBATE as "a contention by words or arguments. Our polite chat about politics became a heated debate." In contrast, the same dictionary defines DIALOGUE this way; "a written composition in which two or more characters are represented as conversing;  2a : a conversation between two or more persons; also : a similar exchange between a person and something else (such as a computer) b: an exchange of ideas and opinions."

When I first heard that James White set up a two hour "conversation" with a Muslim teacher at a local church I did not believe it.   Now if the same person who first told me of this event had named Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, or even James MacDonald (see the infamous "Elephant room" controversy) I would have thought, "Well that's par for the course," but not Dr. James White.  Footnote: I remember reading a Christmas book by Rick Warren some time ago wherein Warren kept referring to the Roman Catholic Pope as the "holy Father." Say what?!?   I also listened to an out of character dialogue/podcast this year between Reformation historian, Carl Trueman and a high ranking leader in the Roman church, but now I digress.

From my Bible-believing corner of evangelicalism James White is one of the most respected apologist/debaters I know.  I have benefited from more than a few of James White's books, public debates, and apologetics articles in the past.  White's insistence on setting up a "dialogue" driven format with a false teacher in a Christian church surprised me (and many others).

A Teaching Ministry that Edifies the Saints and Glorifies the Lord

At bare minimum faithful teaching is comprised of two essential components.  Preparation and delivery.  Or, more specifically stated, God-honoring preaching involves diligent expository study combined with on-target exposition and application. 

              The “diligent study” component is mandated in 2 Timothy wherein Paul instructs his young protégé, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”[1]    

              The on-target exposition component is prescribed in many biblical texts but chiefly in  2 Timothy 3:16-4:2. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.  I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom, preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 

              In short, the faithful bible teacher must read the text, explain the text, and apply the text.

Evangelicalism Gone Wild: The Continued Folly of Hyper-Grace Sanctification.

Photo Credit: modernmarburg.wordpress.com

We interrupt our current blog series to bring you an updated press release concerning Tullian Tchividjian and to sadly recount the continued decline of American Evangelicalism...

Last week (celebrity editor) Phil Johnson criticized (celebrity counselor) Paul Tripp over a public article wherein Tripp basically stated that Pastor Tullian Tchividjian's divorce is necessary because his marriage is 'irreparably broken.'  As most of you know Tullian Tchividjian's ministry credentials were deposed by a south Florida Presbytery recently following his extramarital affair. (Paul Jones of Reformation 21 also weighed in on Paul Tripp's public comments.)

As this tragedy unfolded publicly Phil Johnson added some very helpful commentary along the way. Here are some Pastor Johnson quotes that I found to be quite discerning. "I can't imagine any circumstances under which it would be appropriate to counsel a man who is admittedly guilty of adultery that it's OK to file for divorce after a six-month attempt at reconciliation. Plus, this particular man was a pastor whose whole message was supposedly about the power of the gospel and grace and forgiveness. Tullian himself has been practically demanding grace and forgiveness since the day after his sin was exposed. Furthermore, he seemed to throw his wife under the bus even in his original "confession." From the public perspective, it seems clear that he has sinned against his wife; he is not merely an innocent victim of her sin, whatever that may be. All of those things raise questions in my mind, but the biggest question is, Why is Paul Tripp so willing to be complicit in this whole mess?"

The Myth of Adolescence

15+ years ago I heard a series of lectures that addressed biblical youth ministries and "the Myth of Adolescence."  This message was quite helpful in shaping my Biblical Philosophy of Ministry in relation to youth and family ministries.  

"Where does most of this come from? Let me begin by highlighting the myth of adolescence. You know the age with which youth ministry deals with is commonly known as 'adolescence,' and our society has been identified as unique in history by calling people between age twelve and age twenty 'adolescents.' Let me give you the history of that, okay?

 In 1904, G. Stanley Hall—this is all on your CD, by the way—G. Stanley Hall published a book called.. .and guys, if you publish a book, please, please don’t do this, okay? Here’s his book, Adolescence: It’s Relations to Physiology, Anthropology, Sociology, Sex, Crime, Religion and Education. How do you put that on the spine of… anyway. 1904. This is the first known treatise on adolescence. 1904. The first place to identify that age. In this book, by the way, Hall argues that the stages in a child’s development parallel in mankind’s evolutionary development in history. The thesis of his book and the idea of adolescence is that the period between thirteen and eighteen is a crisis and stormy period of a young person’s life. Hall concluded that these years almost always include extreme inclinations for a person to be very good or very bad.

Has anyone outgrown adolescence? Has anyone in your church outgrown adolescence according to that definition? By the way, it was his book and these expectations that were the basis for segregating school children by age for educational purposes. It was at this point, 1904, that adolescence was—keyword—invented.