A Pastoral Christmas Prayer

*Today's post is by Harvest elder Bob Bashawaty*

Dear Gracious Heavenly Father,

We come before you to worship you and to praise your holy name. We come to declare your glory and proclaim your love and mercy and grace. We come to honor you and to exalt the name of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. From eternity past, you determined to redeem a lost and wretched humanity. From eternity past, Jesus chose to pay the price of that redemption. Throughout history the prophets spoke of your promise to send a Deliverer, a Savior, a King. Isaiah wrote these familiar and precious words, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and bring forth a son, and will call him Immanuel." Which being interpreted is, "God with us." So during this season and throughout the year we celebrate the miracle of the birth of your Son Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, who left His throne of glory to take on the form of a man, to walk among us sinless proclaiming the gospel of salvation through faith in Him. Then, O Father, in an act of unspeakable love, Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin, bearing the full weight of your wrath so that we might have eternal life. Then, in the glory of your power He rose from the grave defeating sin a death and ever lives as our high priest and intercessor.  Oh what a blessed reality, dear Father, to know that we are loved with an everlasting love, that you will never leave us or forsake us, that your grace is available and sufficient to strengthen us and comfort us and empower us.

Knowing this, Lord, we are deeply grieved when we fail to honor you with our obedience. We love you so much but so often we are drawn away by our own lusts, tempted by the world and the flesh to sin against you and who we are in Christ. It is in you that we live and move and have our being. Every breath we take is a gift from you. We are totally dependent upon your grace for life, and yet too often we choose our way over your way. Father, as a church, as individuals, we confess this sin of rebellion against you. We are so grateful that we can come into your presence anytime with a broken and contrite heart, acknowledge our sin to you and receive forgiveness and cleansing. We thank you that the guilt and the penalty for sin are paid for by Jesus; that there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ. We thank you that by the power of the Holy Spirit we can repent of our sin and live a life that glorifies you and testifies Jesus Christ.

Father, I pray now for our church. As a body of believers I pray that our fellowship is pleasing in your sight. I pray that our commitment to teaching and preaching without compromise the word of God would define us in this community. I pray that we would be diligent to guard against the influences of the world trying to weaken our stand for the truth. Give our leadership wisdom and discernment to expose and defeat the attacks of the Devil as he attempts to destroy. Help us to maintain our unity as brothers and sisters in Christ, welcoming all who name the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

And Father, I pray for each member and attender at Harvest that first and foremost they understand the gospel and know Jesus Christ as Savior. I pray that their relationship with You would grow more and more intimate as they exercise the disciplines of bible study and prayer. I pray that growing in their Christian walk would be an all-consuming passion, knowing that they are servants of the most high God, equipped by Him to be useful for the Kingdom of Heaven. I pray, Father, for each person here to be a minister for Christ; serving one another in love and humility.

I know, dear Lord, that there are those who are hurting and struggling. It may be health issues, or relationship issues, or personal habits that are stealing the joy of their salvation. For these folks I pray for an abundance of your grace and an overwhelming sense of your presence. I pray that they would find their comfort and peace in you, and I pray that those around them would be sensitive to their circumstances and be willing to minister to their needs.

And finally, Father, I pray that each of us would live in anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ. Your promise is that the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We live in a world that is cursed, that denies God and delights in iniquity. We live in a world that is temporary and is headed towards judgment. Our one hope, our blessed hope, is the return of Jesus Christ to set up his kingdom; to put an end to sin, death and Satan, to rule in righteousness and ultimately create a new heaven and a new earth free of any stain or impurity. Each generation has hoped that your return would be soon, and we as well echo the words of the Apostle John: “Even so come, Lord Jesus.” 

In your precious name we pray. Amen.

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Life is Long, Life is Short

So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

Encouragement for disciplers in God's church:

Life is long - so be patient as you minister to people. Don't put yourself under pressure to teach everything there is to know in a single sermon, or fix all of someone's problems overnight. You are likely just one factor among many in an individual's spiritual life and growth. In most cases God began His work in someone before bringing them your way, and in most cases God will continue His work in someone after moving them on from your influence. One plants, another waters, but God causes the growth. 

At the same time...

Life is short - so maintain a sense of urgency as you prepare people for eternity. You never know how long someone will be in your life. God in His grace can use your momentary influence to change an individual for eternity! Life is a vapor. Your speaking God's truth to someone today may be vital.

May the Lord give us wisdom and grace as we minister in light of these two realities.

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A Few Sincere Questions

At last month's Harvest University conference, James MacDonald gave a message containing some practical admonitions to 2,000 Harvest Bible Fellowship pastors and ministry leaders. Portions of the message were good and helpful, but one rather disturbing portion revealed MacDonald's thinking on how he handles disagreement. Please note that these comments were not said accidentally or in obscurity. These statements have not been twisted or pulled out of context. On the contrary, MacDonald chose to highlight this portion of his message on his blog. Note carefully the section beginning at 14:43.

I sincerely urge ministry leaders, particularly in the Harvest Bible Fellowship, to carefully consider the following questions:

- Out of all the verses in Scripture, why would MacDonald want those two verses to be his elders' favorites? Would you really have these two verses be your elders' favorite? Should two verses about rejecting factious men be elevated over the many verses about the importance of sound doctrine? Or the many verses about gentleness and love?

- Do these verses really describe someone who simply disagrees with the pastor (as MacDonald implies)? Or do these verses actually describe a false teacher dividing the church with false doctrine? Do you think it's mere coincidence that this message was preached just days after Mike Bryant and HBC Grayslake were removed from HBF simply for disagreeing with James MacDonald?

- Should we really be so pessimistic about the Lord's ability to change someone? Should a man be a pastor of God's flock if he is resigned to people "being as they have been"?

- How do you feel about MacDonald "releasing you" to build a catapult in your church's parking lot and load it regularly? Does this strike you as a healthy pastoral admonition? Are these the words of a shepherd or of a CEO?

- Does James MacDonald have the right to "release you" to do anything? Do you consider him a fellow pastor, or is he above you - with the authority to tell you what to do as you lead your local assembly?

- If you are to take seriously MacDonald's admonition to catapult factious men into other churches, what implications does this have for the body of Christ as a whole? If a man is truly factious (as Scripture defines it), should we not warn other churches rather than catapulting factious men into them?

- Did MacDonald have the right to call for loyalty to himself by using the words of Jesus in John 6? What is more important, loyalty to a man or loyalty to the Lord? Do you have the courage to do the right thing when the two conflict?

Lastly, perhaps you would consider making this passage your elders' favorite:
Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
(1 Timothy 6:9-12)

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Never Give Up!

Our church is currently studying the book of Acts on Sunday mornings. This past Sunday we were blessed by Acts 9, the story of Saul's unexpected conversion. Jesus changed him overnight from a fierce persecutor of the church to a bold messenger of the gospel.

We also were blessed by this corresponding testimony by one of our members, who prayed for an antagonistic co-worker even when he seemed like a lost cause. I know you will be encouraged by her story. Never give up on your family or acquaintances who are far from the Lord! The God who spoke light out of darkness is still in the business of creating faith in the darkest of hearts.


Gospel Story: Michelle from Harvest Detroit West on Vimeo.

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Wisdom for the Modern Church from the Not-So-Distant Past

“I trust I am not given to finding fault where there is not fault. But I cannot open my eyes without seeing things done in our Churches which thirty years ago were not so much as dreamed of. In the matter of amusements, professors have gone far in the way of laxity. What is worse, the Churches have now conceived the idea that it is their duty to amuse the people…. What folly has been left untried? What absurdity has not been too great for the consciences of those who profess to be the children of God—who are not of the world but called to walk with God in a separated life?  The world regards the high pretensions of such men as hypocrisy. And truly I do not know another name for them….

Surely there is a sobriety of behavior which is consistent with a work of Divine Grace in the heart and there is a levity which betokens that the spirit of evil is supreme…. We have gone from liberty to libertinism. We have passed beyond the dubious into the dangerous and none can prophesy where we shall stop. Where is the holiness of the Church of God today? …Now she is dim as smoking flax and rather the object of ridicule than of reverence.

May not the measure of the influence of a Church be estimated by its holiness? If the great host of professing Christians were in domestic life and in business life sanctified by the Spirit, the Church would become a great power in the world. God’s saints may well mourn with Jerusalem when they see spirituality and holiness at so low an ebb! Others may regard this as a matter of no consequence. But we view it as the breaking forth of a leprosy.”

          - Charles Spurgeon, 1889 (“A Dirge for the Down-Grade, and A Song for Faith”)

 

“Pragmatic philosophy...asks no embarrassing questions about the wisdom of what we are doing or even about the morality of it. it accepts our chosen ends as right and good and casts about for efficient means and ways to get them accomplished.  When it discovers something that works it soon finds a text to justify it, "consecrates" it to the Lord and plunges ahead.  Next a magazine article is written about it, then a book, and finally the inventor is granted an honorary degree.  After that any question about the scripturalness of things or even the moral validity of them is completely swept away.  You cannot argue with success.  The method works; ergo, it must be good.

The weakness of all this is its tragic shortsightedness.  It never takes the long view of religious activity, indeed it dare not do so, but goes cheerfully on believing that because it works it is both good and true.  It is satisfied with present success and shakes off any suggestion that its works may go up in smoke in the day of Christ.

As one fairly familiar with the contemporary religious scene, I say without hesitation that a part, a very large part, of the activities carried on today in evangelical circles are not only influenced by pragmatism but almost completely controlled by it.  Religious methodology is geared to it; it appears large in our youth meetings; magazines and books constantly glorify it; conventions are dominated by it; and the whole religious atmosphere is alive with it.

What shall we do to break its power over us?  The answer is simple.  We must acknowledge the right of Jesus Christ to control the activities of His church.  The New Testament contains full instructions, not only about what we are to believe but what we are to do and how we are to go about doing it.  Any deviation from those instructions is a denial of the Lordship of Christ.”

          - A. W. Tozer, 1970 (God Tells the Man Who Cares)

 

“According to God's grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.

If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one's work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work. If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire....

If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, he must become foolish so that he can become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written: He catches the wise in their craftiness; and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings of the wise are meaningless....

A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God's mysteries. In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful.”

          - The Apostle Paul, 55 (1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 18-20; 4:1-2)

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An Elephant In The Room That We Need To Quit Feeding

I want to personally thank the Lord for Pastor Kent Hughes. Years ago he and his wife Barbara wrote a book that has been an enormous blessing, encouragement, and personal challenge to me through the years. It is titled Liberating Ministry From The Success Syndrome. If you plan to go into ministry, this is a must-have book for your journey. If you are already serving the Lord in ministry you ought to read this book. In this little jewel you will be reminded of the things that really matter in your ministry: things like faithfulness, humbly serving, consistent prayer, living a holy life, as well as a number of other important, Biblical, core measurements for your ministry.

Why is this important? Because what I have found (and I'm not the only one) is that no matter the denomination or affiliation, no matter how noble the attempt to counter-act it, no matter how many times you tell yourself otherwise, you will feel the pressure to measure yourself and others based on NUMERICAL RESULTS in ministry. I've seen this in the fundamental Baptist circles I once inhabited and I'm seeing it again within the conservative evangelical circles. Why is this the case? Depravity. Ego. Pride. Pride is in the hearts of both those who brag on the numbers, and those who are jealous of the numbers. The Hughes' book is one of those works you need to go back to again and again to remind yourself of what is really important.

"OoooOoo...."

For example, you will want this book handy when you attend that next Pastor's conference where the website advertisement, printed literature, and public introduction of a speaker includes the fact that Dr. Big Britches' church currently has 25 million in attendance with satellite campuses on Mars, Jupiter, and Venus each having thousands of aliens coming to Christ each week. Once you arrive back home you can sit down again with this book and remind yourself that God doesn't judge your success or failure as a pastor based on the number of alien rear-ends sitting in the seats of a galactic super-campus in the far reaches of the Milky Way galaxy. The Scriptures say, "Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful" (1 Cor. 4:2). Faithfulness is your measuring stick. Are you being faithful?

Of course, this isn't an excuse for laziness and apathy on our part as pastors! We must work hard, pray often, study diligently, plan effectively, delegate wisely, implement strategically, and witness boldly. And when we have done these things, let's leave the results up to our Sovereign God who calls His elect to Himself according to His infinitely perfect will. And let's be thankful that He has counted us worthy to be a part - no matter how big or small - of this Gospel work.

- Dan McGhee

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I Have Always Dreamed of a Church....

I have always dreamed of a church where love is boundless. I’m talking about the kind of love that is self-sacrificial and continues to give to others, though it is personally costly. A love that is motivated by the love Christ has for us.

I have always dreamed of a church where joy is always present. Not because we suddenly have all our problems, challenges, and difficulties disappear, but because we are continually finding in Christ and in each other a depth of relationship that overwhelms us and strengthens us to endure any hardship that might come our way. I dream of a church that continually experiences an overcoming joy, where laughter is heard often and the countenances of its people radiate the hope they have found in Christ!

I have always dreamed of a church which truly experiences the “peace that passes all understanding.” Where members are truly in harmony and at peace with one another in spite of racial differences, economic differences, and age differences.

I have always dreamed of a church where patience is a constant virtue expressed in the lives of its members. Anger is rarely present. And when anger is present, it would be a righteous anger that doesn’t seek personal vindication or satisfaction but would be directed toward seeing injustices corrected for the benefit of others.

I have always dreamed of a church where there is a supernatural kindness expressed through its members. Where all of its members' interactions with others are seasoned with the reality of Jesus Christ’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness in our own lives. Where gospel truth constantly inspires us to be exceedingly generous in spirit and action toward those around us.

I have always dreamed of a church where its members overcome, through the power of the Holy Spirit, our sinful tendency toward selfishness. Where members are marked instead by an amazing goodness toward those inside the church and those outside the church. Where the people of the church live in such a good fashion that it draws others who don’t know Jesus Christ to discover the source of this goodness in us.

I have always dreamed of a church where its members could always count on one another. A church where the people truly believe that “their word is their bond” because faithfulness is a core commitment rooted deeply within each heart.

I have always dreamed of a church where the members are strong: physically, mentally, and spiritually. Yet these people are marked by an amazing gentleness with one another. Words are chosen carefully. Actions are always evaluated, and carried out only if they bring benefit and blessing to others.

I have always dreamed of a church where its members are continually growing in the area of personal self-control. Where each member, through the power of the Holy Spirit living within him, continually seeks to bring his flesh under the control of God. Where its members learn to be deeply satisfied with God and with each other.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)

- Dan McGhee

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Concerning Associations and Discernment (part two)

While we’re on the subject of ministry partnerships, consider this situation with me:

Westboro Baptist Church, located in Kansas, has become infamous for picketing the funerals of American soldiers. According to their website (godhatesfags.com) they have staged 46,684 pickets to date, proudly waving signs spouting: “God Hates America,” “Pray For More Dead Soldiers,” and “Thank God For IEDs.” Led by “Pastor” Fred Phelps, Westboro Baptist has become a self-made caricature of conservative Christianity and is one of the most despised groups in America.

However, Westboro Baptist Church has an orthodox doctrinal statement.

And in John 17, Jesus prays for the unity of His church.

Therefore, if given the opportunity, would your church partner with Westboro Baptist?

Of course not. And the reason, of course, is that the people of Westboro flat-out deny the truth of the gospel by their behavior. There is no grace in their speech (Col. 4:5-6), no humility in their actions (1 Pet. 5:5), no peace in their intentions (Rom. 12:18).

I point out the (admittedly extreme) example of Westboro to demonstrate that the wisdom or appropriateness of ministry partnerships is not merely dependent on the mutual signing of an orthodox doctrinal statement. Further questions must necessarily be raised regarding the consistent practices of a ministry. Do the practices of the ministry “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10)? Is the ministry leader worth pointing to as someone who walks “according to the example” we have in the apostles (Phil. 3:17)? Some famous guy named Paul seemed to think that one’s practices lining up with the gospel is a big deal – see Galatians 2:11-14.

In discussions regarding ministry associations an appeal is often made to Jesus’ prayer for our unity in John 17. A corresponding appeal is made for the lowest common denominator—assent to “grace alone through faith alone”—to be the only criterion for partnership. However, if you want to apply this argument consistently, you must thereby partner with Westboro Baptist given the opportunity. If they are picketing a soldier’s funeral in your town, by all means pick up an inflammatory sign and join them!

My point is this: all evangelicals practice some form of separation based on ministry practice. No evangelical truly intends to apply the ideal of unity toward every professing Christian group. Potential ministry relationships are regularly turned down not only because of doctrinal differences but also because of significant differences in practice.

Picketing funerals is a pretty far-out aberration. But sadly there are countless other God-degrading, gospel-contradicting ministry practices taking place in our day. And we have no desire to align ourselves with men who subscribe to right doctrine but whose consistent ministry practices do not adorn the gospel. We have no desire to align ourselves with men who subscribe to right doctrine but who have not shown themselves to be leaders worthy of imitation. Now please understand—we are not at war with men like this. We don’t spend our time thinking of ways to oppose them, and we hope that God is mercifully saving souls through their ministries despite their errors (Phil. 1:18). Public confrontation (Gal. 2:11-14) and private correction (Acts 18:26) are appropriate when possible. However, we consider it unwise to point our flock toward these men as examples of faithful ministry.

I realize that some would use this line of thinking to isolate themselves for no good reason. I realize that some would even use this line of thinking to separate themselves from our church based on issues of preference. I am not arguing for complete uniformity of style from church to church. Unity in Christ despite minor differences is a beautiful thing, worthy of our pursuit (Phil. 2:2). I am not arguing that uncharacteristic mistakes should go unforgiven. In some instances love must cover a multitude of sins (1 Pet. 4:8). I am grateful for the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness when I fall short of His glory in my own ministry.

But don’t overlook the fact that our Lord has unambiguous standards for those who aspire to the office of overseer. Don’t overlook the fact that ministry practices are clearly spelled out for us in the New Testament. And please don’t use John 17 to try to convince me that I must partner with men whose ministry practices consistently undermine the very gospel they preach.

- Mike Moses

*Read Part One 

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Concerning Associations and Discernment (part one)

I am the Senior Pastor of a Harvest Bible Chapel in Detroit. Our church is a committed, “both feet in,” Harvest Bible Fellowship church. A portion of our budget is designated each year to the Fellowship so that more churches can be planted. It is a great joy for us to have sent out the former assistant pastor of our church to plant a new Harvest Bible Chapel in his homeland on the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean. God is using the Harvest Fellowship to make an amazing impact for Christ all over the globe right now, and we are thrilled to be a part of God’s gracious work.

However, as an independent, autonomous local assembly of believers we think it necessary at this time to clarify our perspective concerning the matter of ecclesiastical associations and discernment. Though James MacDonald is the founder of the Harvest Bible Fellowship of churches as well as the indisputable “voice” of the Fellowship, we do not want James’ position to be confused with the position of Harvest Bible Chapel in Detroit. I must address this concern since James has made his position a very public matter in recent days. Please know that this statement contains the full endorsement of our elder board here at Harvest Detroit.

I STRONGLY disagree with James’ position that having someone preach to your church isn’t an endorsement of that man’s ministry. I recognize that brothers can work together without agreeing on things 100%. But for years James’ ministry has been marked by drawing a line in the sand with regard to the worldly methodology used by those of the “seeker church” persuasion. For years James has railed against this type of pragmatic ministry, and most understood that much of what he was responding to was the pragmatism on display in his own backyard at Willow Creek. James' clear opposition to the "seeker" model was a key component that attracted us toward joining the Harvest Fellowship. However, James is now saying there needs to be a new middle: a “new tribe” where we sit around and have conversations about these things and challenge each other to think about them…but when all is said and done, even if nobody changes, that’s alright because at the end of the day we are simply disagreeing about “different methods.” I call this the “kumbaya effect."

In Elephant Room #1 NOBODY told Perry Noble that HE SINNED on a recent Easter Sunday by leading his church to play a Godless, worldly, anti-Christian song (Highway to Hell) in his worship service. Yes, most participants said, “Well, I wouldn’t do that in my church....” But nobody said, “Perry, you and your elders sinned against God. Repent.” And with that failure the door was left open for everyone to walk away and simply say, “We just use different methods.” At the end of that conversation someone actually said, “You can’t argue with Perry’s results and how many are saved through his ministry.” This is blatant pragmatism. I believe that what happened in Perry’s church was SIN that Easter Sunday morning, no matter the results. God tells us exactly what we ought to sing as the gathered people of God: “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). I don’t see how Highway to Hell fits in that list, do you? Obviously our God can work and save souls in spite of our sin and depravity, but that is never an excuse to sin. I believe that this ought to have been clearly communicated to Perry, but it wasn’t. It was sidestepped (exactly what the Elephant Room event itself claims to despise) and left as a matter of “preference of methods.” To me, this was an enormous failure in the first Elephant Room discussion and subsequently left the door open for ecclesiastical partnerships with Perry Noble and Steven Furtick and who knows who else in the days ahead.

The one guy in the Elephant Room #1 who agreed that what Perry did was acceptable and would do it himself in his own church was Steven Furtick. (Furtick is also a man who fawns over Joel Osteen and other Word-Faith pastors.) And what does James do? Invites Furtick to preach at Harvest as a guest speaker. Now, I’ve heard James’ explanation of this invite. I watched the video, read the blog, and talked with James himself. He defended this invitation as a “gracious” move and claims that this is a part of his “mentoring” relationship with Furtick. However, as a shepherd of God’s sheep it is a pastor’s responsibility to place before his people men of God whose overall methodology, philosophy of ministry, theology, and direction we can trust and promote. Yes, I agree with James that we need not agree in every little area with a ministry partner, but we ought to be able to support his overall philosophy and direction. Harvest Bible Chapel in Detroit DOES NOT support the overall ministry philosophy and direction of Steven Furtick, just as we don’t support the overall ministry philosophy and direction of Perry Noble or Bill Hybels for that matter (the great Seeker Church godfather himself…although he might have to arm wrestle Rick Warren for that dubious title).

We are not saying that everything these men have ever said or done is wrong. But there are significant matters in which we disagree with them, methodologically and even theologically (because we believe that many of the differences are, in fact, driven by theology). We cannot in good conscience say to our flock, “We endorse these men and encourage you to learn from them.” We believe that God calls us to place before our people only those whom we can support as they say, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ” (I Cor. 11:1). To put someone before our people with whom we have strong disagreements would be foolish, would bring confusion to people both inside and outside our church, and would potentially cause great damage. James fails to make a distinction between having personal friendships with men with whom you may have severe differences both philosophically and methodologically, and ecclesiastical partnerships that draw in the entire church (and in James’ case the entire Harvest Bible Fellowship) and affect many more people. It is naive of James to think that his partnership with Furtick does not imply some level of endorsement of the man’s ministry - or at the very least, lends Furtick a credibility which he does not deserve.

In conclusion, we love the Harvest Bible Fellowship of churches and we greatly love and appreciate Pastor James MacDonald. But please know that Harvest Bible Chapel of Detroit has no desire to associate with the Perry Nobles, Steven Furticks, and T. D. Jakes of the world. We do not like the look of the “emerging middle” and have no desire to be a part of the “new tribe” being called for. Please do not mistake James MacDonald’s recent statements and associations as the standard of conduct for us at Harvest Bible Chapel of Detroit because they are not.

- Dan McGhee 

*Read Part Two

*Update: Concerning Our Disassociation with Harvest Bible Fellowship 

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A Prayer of Thanks From Your Church

Jesus, we thank You.

With tenderness You sought lost sheep and made us Your flock.
With power You raised rotting corpses and made us Your body.
With compassion You courted prostitutes and betrothed us to be Your bride.
With mercy You collected worthless rubble and built us into a temple for Your Spirit.
With care You gathered lifeless branches and grafted us into the true Vine.
With grace You sacrificed Yourself for enemies and made us Your friends.
With kindness You forgave idolators and made us a kingdom of priests.
With love You welcomed orphans and adopted us into Your family.

Though wolves in sheep's clothing threaten from without,
Though sin's temptations threaten from within,
You are cleansing us by the washing of water with Your Word.

One day You will present us to Yourself in splendor
Spotless and wrinkle-free (not even one blemish!)
For Your glory
And for our eternal joy.

We praise you.
We thank you.

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What Made the Early Church So Effective?

Believers often speak wistfully of the early church, wishing we could recover the spirit of that day. Those early believers were indeed a remarkable group, spreading the gospel of Christ with remarkable effect. So what made the early church so incredible? John Piper makes 6 observations based on Stephen Neil's A History of Christian Missions:

1. First and foremost was the burning conviction which possessed a great number of the early Christians.

2. The solid historical message which Christians brought was indeed good news, and a welcome alternative to the mystery religions of the day.

3. The new Christian communities commended themselves by the purity of their lives.

4. The Christian communities were marked by mutual loyalty and an overcoming of antagonisms between alienated classes.

5. The Christians were known for an elaborate development of charitable service, especially to those within the fellowship.

6. The persecution of Christians and their readiness to suffer made a dramatic impact on unbelievers.

In other words, the early church truly believed the gospel! Consequently, Christ transformed every aspect of their lives and bore much fruit through them.

What makes a church effective? It's no great mystery: the life-transforming gospel of Jesus!

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10 Things To Pray For Your Church

Before the year 2010 began, the Lord laid on my heart to make a list of ten things our church should be praying for as the body of Christ. The original intention was to encourage our people to make an all out effort to pray faithfully for these ten things only in the year 2010.

Later, I realized that these ten requests needed to always be upheld before our Lord for the overall health of our church no matter the year (duh, sometimes I am a little bit slow). So up to this day, even though it is 2011, we continue to pray this way as a church family for God's help as we carry on the gospel ministry for His glory alone.

I know by no means is this is an exhaustive list, but I hope it will help guide and encourage you as you faithfully pray for your church as well.

PRAY....

THAT OUR UNITY AND LOVE WILL ALWAYS BE GENUINE.

THAT EVERYTHING WE DO WILL BRING GLORY TO GOD.

THAT WE WILL REACH THE LOST FOR CHRIST AND MAKE DISCIPLES.

THAT WE WILL GROW IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY.

THAT OUR FAMILIES AND MARRIAGES WILL BE STRENGTHENED.

THAT WE WILL STAY HOT FOR CHRIST - TREASURING JESUS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

THAT THE LORD WILL USE OUR JOYFUL WORSHIP AS A MEANS TO DRAW OTHERS TO HIMSELF.

FOR ONE ANOTHER DAILY.

FOR THE LORD'S PROTECTION FROM SATAN AND SIN.

FOR THE PASTOR AND HIS FAMILY.

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The Prosperity Gospel: "A Ponzi Scheme"

The 3-minute audio below is a clip from a panel discussion during the 2010 Together for the Gospel conference. Mark Dever poses a question to John MacArthur regarding the prosperity gospel.

MacArthur compares the prosperity gospel to "a Ponzi scheme: the guys at the top get rich and everybody else is left in shredded rags, in the name of Jesus Christ."

MacArthur's comments also include an interesting comparison to Luke 21:1-6: "Any religious system that takes the last two pennies from a widow is coming down."



Metro Detroit does not need more gospel; Metro Detroit needs the right gospel.

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Six Observations of "Christianity" in America

After conducting 5,000 interviews in 2010, the Barna Research Group has identified "Six Megathemes" indicating change in the religious environment of America:

1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.
"The theological free-for-all that is encroaching in Protestant churches nationwide suggests the coming decade will be a time of unparalleled theological diversity and inconsistency."

2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.
"Despite technological advances that make communications instant and far-reaching, Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians than was true a decade ago.... With atheists becoming more strategic in championing their godless worldview, as well as the increased religious plurality driven by education and immigration, the increasing reticence of Christians to engage in faith-oriented conversations assumes heightened significance."

3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life.
"The turbo-charged pace of society leaves people with little time for reflection.... Spiritual practices like contemplation, solitude, silence, and simplicity are rare. Practical to a fault, Americans consider survival in the present to be much more significant than eternal security and spiritual possibilities."

4. Among Christians, interest in participating in community action is escalating.
"Despite the increased emphasis, churches run the risk of watching congregants’ engagement wane unless they embrace a strong spiritual basis for such service. Simply doing good works because it's the socially esteemed choice of the moment will not produce much staying power."

5. The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church.
"There are fewer and fewer issues that Christians believe churches should be dogmatic about. The idea of love has been redefined to mean the absence of conflict and confrontation, as if there are no moral absolutes that are worth fighting for. That may not be surprising in a Church in which a minority believes there are moral absolutes dictated by the scriptures."

6. The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible.
"The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is how believers do - or do not - implement their faith in public and private.... With little time or energy available for or devoted to research and reflection, it is people’s observations of the integration of a believer’s faith into how he/she responds to life’s opportunities and challenges that most substantially shape people’s impressions of and interest in Christianity."

Sobering observations.

Sheep tend to reflect their shepherds. Pastors, please heed these inspired words!
I 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, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
(2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Metro Detroit doesn't need more gospel; Metro Detroit needs the right gospel.

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Harvest St. Vincent Launch Service

Pastor Dan and his wife Julie were privileged to be in St. Vincent September 5th for the launch service of a new Harvest Bible Chapel, pastored by our former assistant pastor Al Blake. The Lord worked mightily: 200 people were in attendance and 10 received Christ! Rejoice with us as you watch this video.



"For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. (Acts 13:47-49)

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Marketing Madness

Mark Galli of Christianity Today has written a clever article parodying modern church marketing "experts." He imagines what sort of advice a marketing consultant might have offered the leaders of the early church. Here's an excerpt:

First, you need to decide on a logo quickly. Some in your movement are suggesting the cross, no doubt the same group who can't keep quiet about the crucifixion of your founder. This would be a disastrous move in our view. We'd want to do some focus groups to determine the best logo, and no, that does not come cheap. But it is well worth the investment, believe us.

As for your name, that too will take some concerted research. We recommend in the interim that you stay away from "Christians," as that will only remind people of your founder and his gruesome death. We think "Followers of Jesus" would work, as it would focus on the life of your founder and emphasize his ethical genius. It would also downplay redemptive religion, with all its talk of sin and repentance, as well as that business about his coming again (such speculative theology will do your movement no good, in our opinion). "Followers of Jesus" is also vague enough to leave room for the imagination, allowing you to shape the movement according to the felt needs of your target audience.

You'll want to read the whole thing. It's thought provoking.

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How to be a Difference Maker in Your Local Church

Kevin DeYoung provides several suggestions on how to be a difference maker in your local church. Incidentally, these are also good suggestions on how to majorly encourage your pastor!

• Find a good local church.
• Get involved.
• Become a member.
• Stay there as long as you can.
• Put away thoughts of a revolution for a while.
• Join the plodding visionaries.
• Go to church this Sunday and worship in Spirit and truth.
• Be patient with your leaders.
• Rejoice when the gospel is faithfully proclaimed.
• Bear with those who hurt you.
• Give people the benefit of the doubt.
• Say “hi” to the teenager that no one notices.
• Welcome the old ladies with the blue hair and the young men with tattoos.
• Volunteer for the nursery.
• Attend the congregational meeting.
• Bring your fried chicken to the potluck like everybody else.
• Invite a friend.
• Take a new couple out for coffee.
• Give to the Christmas offering.
• Sing like you mean it.
• Be thankful someone vacuumed the carpet for you.
• Enjoy the Sundays that “click.”
• Pray extra hard on the Sundays that don’t.
• And in all of this, do not despise the days and weeks and years of small things (Zechariah 4:8–10).

HT: Sovereign Grace blog

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Jesus Did Not Wear a “Kick Me” Sign

Yesterday evening I checked my mailbox. Junk mail. As usual.

But this time, one of the advertisements caught my eye. It was a postcard from a church in my area – an invitation to their special Easter services. The front of the advertisement read: “We’re nearly as harmless as, well...a bunny.” Followed by a picture of one of those marshmallow “peeps.” I kid you not.

I flipped the card over and read:

“Does the thought of going to church make you uneasy, even a little queasy?
Maybe you’re worried about what to wear or what others will think. At ______,
we’ve worked really hard to make your experience non-threatening, beneficial,
and even fun. We have a no-pressure, laid-back style and everyone is welcome!
Stop by one of our ten Easter Services... it will be more than you expected and
everything you’ve been looking for. Wear whatever you want, just be yourself.
We’ll have the coffee ready for you.”

Now, I’m not aware of a single church that wants to come across as threatening, miserable, and a waste of time. I have no problem with churches that work hard on being welcoming. And I really appreciate good coffee. But something about their whole presentation seemed, frankly...a bit pathetic: Don’t be scared of us! We’re not that bad! We’re “harmless”! We’re nicer and more comfortable than all those other stiff, meanie churches.”

I know there are many “Christians” who have done horrible things in the name of Jesus. I know there are countless individuals who have been hurt by churches. Those situations are sad and should not be swept under the rug. But still...it seems to me that some churches spend way too much time apologizing and trying to “fit in.” Like the kid in high school who will do anything to get friends – only to find out those “friends” mock him behind his back for being so insecure.

Last week I came across the website of a church in Ann Arbor. Their "About Us" page reads:

"Church: a word that has been around for thousands of years, with so many
meanings to different people. You do not need to throw out your definition of
church, but try ours on for size. At ______, church is about people. it's about
you. so we accept you just as you are: church background or not, student,
single, married, single again, with or without kids, rich, poor, young, old,
whatever, we are about real relationships, relevant speakers, real life stories
and rockin' music."

I resonate with some of that statement. I’m all about churches being welcoming and relevant. Nothing is more relevant than the gospel! But again, it comes across as a bit pathetic: "Try ours on for size"?!?

Reminds me of a quote I read on Kevin DeYoung's blog the other day:

"'Oh, please, approve of me'–the usual message of modern Christian churches–makes a feeble substitute for 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.' The trouble with Christianity is not flamboyance of conviction. The trouble is paucity of conviction, flaccidity, the turned cheek replaced by a 'Kick Me' sign" (William Murchison, Mortal Follies, p. 206).

My purpose is not to sit here and point fingers at other ministries. We will all give account of our own ministries before our Master (Romans 14:4, 12). But the two examples I referenced (and many others) make me think about our own church and how we ought to represent the convergence of grace and truth that Christ displayed. The spirit of our age seems to be: “If it sounds harsh, it’s not loving.” However, the Jesus who said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28) is the same Jesus who also said,

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to
bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a
daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a
man's enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his
father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his
cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:34-39).

And:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to
the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the
world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If
they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:18-20).

Here’s the point: let’s represent Christ well. We must certainly do that by welcoming visitors in love. In fact, we must go beyond that and seek the lost! But we do not represent Christ well by portraying him as milquetoast and insecure. A true encounter with him will radically change you forever. He is not “harmless.”


(UPDATE [March 30]: Read the follow-up post here)

(UPDATE #2 [May 13]: I just come across a church whose slogan is: "You won't hate us! We promise!" Seriously. Wow.)

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What Would It Look Like If God's Spirit Swept Through Our Church?

I've been pondering this thought an awful lot recently - "What would it look like if God's Spirit swept through our church?" How would this change us? What would we do differently? What would I do differently? What would you do differently?

These are important questions in so many ways. So much of what happens in churches today is simply program driven. We have our well-run, well-organized ministries for every imaginable age group, yet sometimes I wonder if we've programmed God right out of the equation in some cases.

As I have studied some of the great revivals of the past they have all been marked by an unbelievable movement of God's Spirit that was irresistible and profound. People were truly humbled and changed because of the great conviction brought upon them by Almighty God. This conviction always resulted in a willing repentance from sin on the part of the people and leaders. Idols of the heart were identified, acknowledged, and cast down because they were finally seen for what they really were - cheap imitations and substitutes for the one and only living and true God.

I will tell you right now this much, I have been fervently praying for a sweeping of God's Spirit through our church. It is my desire to see Him work and move among us in such a profound, life-changing, ministry-altering way that we stand back in absolute awe of what He is doing. And that's just it, really. Its about what God does, not what we do, or attempt to do or manufacture. There is just too much "manufacturing" going on in churches today. My prayer is that God will really move and work among us and that we will let Him do whatever He needs and desires to do among us. May God's Spirit truly sweep through Harvest of Canton!

BTW, I was really challenged about this matter of experiencing God's manifest presence in my own life personally through a recent blog post by my good friend Gordon Zwirkoski. I highly recommend that you go read it here - http://www.fivestonechurches.org/Blog/10-03-07/Manifest_Presence.aspx

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