Ahhh, vacation was so nice, plenty of sun, plenty of food; but I must admit, too much time to think... This summer, it was one of the first times that it was strikingly obvious to me that "I am not getting any younger." What was my oldest daughter doing taking her Senior pictures by Lake Michigan? Too soon, too soon! And my youngest daughter only a mere couple of years ago was splashing in the baby pool; now she frolics in the deep with no fear, or need of her dear ole' dad's shoulders to hang on. No, not my little girl? This summer, I also considered long-and-hard, my calling: I wonder, is God pleased with me? Have I been faithful over the past year to the job he has placed me in? Is my ministry even effective anymore? Or, should I quit because my flawed humanity is getting in the way of what God is trying to accomplish at the church I serve? My mind races on vacation...I even am brought back to the lyrics of my favorite U2 song, "Where the Streets have No Name.": I want to run I want to hide I want to tear down the walls That hold me inside Maybe it would be better to run away from it all, buy a "little house" you can pull behind your car, and park in the middle of the woods living off of wild mushrooms and squirrels for the next couple of years?
This feeling of escape was heightened as I talked with my brother-in-law Joel about the state of the American Church. (He is constantly researching and keeping up with the modern trends of Christianity, post-modernity, politics and the poor). In one of our discussions he asked me what I thought about the fallout from Mark Driscoll's arrogant rants and chauvinist postings on social media? (See -- http://www.religionnews.com/2014/08/08/mark-driscoll-acts-29/ ) I didn't know anything about it. So I did some research...this popular pastor is being picketed by former members of his church who left because of his abusive leadership style and women hating overtly sexual rants. I ran across this quote from David Kupliean - a church critic - as I was learning about Mark Driscoll's actions. It really got me thinking about my job and how I teach: “No matter what kind of person you are, a form of Christianity has evolved just for you. There’s a politically liberal Christianity and a politically conservative Christianity. There’s an acutely activist Christianity and an utterly apolitical Christianity, a Christianity that holds up a high standard of ethical behavior and service, and a Christianity for which both personal ethics and good works are irrelevant. There’s a raucous, intensely emotional Christianity drenched in high-voltage music, and there’s a quiet, contemplative Christianity. There’s a loving Christianity and a hateful, racist Christianity, a Christianity that honors Jews as God’s chosen people and a Christianity that maligns Jews as Satan’s children.” His point is that the church seems to be always trying to create a Jesus that looks just like the people they want to attract. It is the old Burger King Jesus, "All we ask is that you let us serve "Him" your way." So I wonder, "Am I caught up in serving a Jesus to the people that they want? Am I using the name of Jesus for my own fame, glory and chance to control other people's lives?" Wow, that question and being aware of my own dark pride & brokenness makes me want to run. But I can't. I must stay the course, press on and finish the race. There are many reasons to keep going on and not run away: - His grace is sufficient for my weakness. - I am a debtor, I must continue to share the gospel. - I can only plant and water, the Lord does all the work in making it grow. - The Lord called me, and he will do it. - I never want to leave and let it be open season for the wolves who really do want to destroy the flock of God. It really is a high honor to serve the people of Kent City Baptist. I know my ministry is flawed, but by God's grace I know he can use this "jar of clay" to bring glory to His amazing Son, Jesus Christ. I also know, I will have to face him someday and give an account. That scares me! One last thing: Is it just me, or is Duck Dynasty not that funny anymore? Maybe I am just getting too old to laugh?
11 Comments
Jerry Dent
8/11/2014 01:33:33 am
You are not alone in your thoughts! I'm a grandpa and my youngest is a sophomore! I agree with you. We do tend to create Christianity to fit what we like. My parents and many of their generation have done the same. We do change culturally, what is vital is that we must continue to "rightly divide the word of Truth" and lead people to what the entire Word of God says and not what man thinks. I know that is your focus, as long as that continues unchanged you will continue to lead all of the "cracked pots" in the body in the correct way. God will continue to use us in spite of our imperfections. Press on brother, being accountable to God is a great honor because he will complete the work if we continue in him. Doing it ourselves is where it gets scary. Blessings!
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Christopher Weeks
8/11/2014 01:35:27 am
Great words Jerry! Thanks bro for the encouragement.
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Deb Danielson
8/11/2014 05:06:21 am
Wild mushrooms and squirrels? That would be a scarey thought, lol!! It really doesn't matter where you run, you can't hide. Life has a way to find you out. And it really doesn't matter what we think we should or shouldn't say, people put their own twist on it. We are only accountable for our own actions and doing what the Holy Spirit prompts us to do, following what the word of God speaks. Life outside of this is what prompts our doubts. Sad how we let others actions and words affect us. A wise man once told me there comes a point when you no longer can change ones thought pattern as a Mom tries to do, but the knee gear can. God hears our prayers, it's the time frame we can't wait for. When we realize how perfect God's timing is, the waiting becomes anticipated with hope. Pastor Chris, I have seen more times than not, how your words have challenged us to fight the good fight with you and to stay steady on this path of life. Like in Ecclesiates, no matter what the mysteries and apparent contradictions are in life, we must strive for one thing: knowing God. You have brought to KCBC Jesus, in many ways for us to reach out and know Him personally. We will not be able to use our inequities as an excuse for failing to live properly. We know the truth because you teach the whole truth. To have a sober reminder that life without Christ is meaningless and then shown the Bible is a powerful picture of what life is like when God gets involved. Amen, I say! You keep bringing it and run the good race cause it is a wise person who reflects on all of life and understands its complexities in a fallen world. Thank you for all you bring!
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Christopher Weeks
8/11/2014 06:07:28 am
Deb, your comments are kind, generous and timely! Thanks!
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Mark Rawson
8/11/2014 11:49:03 am
So I wonder, "Am I caught up in serving a Jesus to the people that they want? Am I using the name of Jesus for my own fame, glory and chance to control other people's lives?"
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Christopher Weeks
8/11/2014 09:36:59 pm
Dear Mr. Respectfully Submitted,
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Mark Rawson
8/12/2014 03:33:39 am
Dear Mr. Weeks,
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Caryn Snyder
8/11/2014 09:49:23 pm
Hmm...I remember a youth pastor, years ago, telling us that we had been given our traits, our personalities, even our looks (good or bad!), everything about us so uniquely designed, to serve Christ in "such a time as this". It is necessary for certain things to change over time to continue to meet the needs of people as time goes on, but the message and the reflection show the heart. Does your preaching reflect your own face or the glory of God's? Thank you for taking the time to connect to the congregation during the message, yet telling us what we need to hear, even when it paints a less than pretty picture. A willingness to constantly reflect, which is humility, is reassurance of your desire.
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Christopher Weeks
8/11/2014 09:51:11 pm
Caryn,
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Christopher Weeks
8/12/2014 03:50:50 am
Mark,
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Char
8/12/2014 03:57:40 am
Pastor Chris, in the relatively short time we have been at KCBC, it has been overwhelmingly obvious to me that God has called you to speak His truth into our lives. Sunday after Sunday He uses your unique gifting(by Him, of course)of humor and passion to speak truth to my soul. Not carefully selected politically correct words or phrases, or attempts to be liked or popular. The Truth. Bold and hard and scary. God uses you in a special way to communicate to all of us who Jesus really is and should be in our lives. Thank you.
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