goodbye and hello!!

after 3 years and 10,000s of visitors I'm closing down this blog and in its place over at Mentone Baps we are starting up a new and exciting blog. Please come over and join us - http://mentonebaptist.com.au/blog

also, you might like to check out the new church website - www.mentonebaptist.com.au

Sometimes old is better

It occurred to me this morning that modern society doesn't always do things better. Despite our fibre optics and micro chips and skyscrapers and science labs and hadron colliders and billions more people, no one in the last 300 years has surpassed the counterpoint compositions of J.S Bach.

homosexuality talk

I've given this talk a number of occasions now to many hundreds of people, so I thought I'd make it available to other churches and people who are interested in this topic and looking to grasp what the Bible says and doesn't say

https://vimeo.com/45003935

More to "gay marriage" than meets the eye

This article is a must for anyone who is interested in the current debate on marriage in Australia.

I'm not suggesting that the views represented here are mainstream (although perhaps they are, it is difficult gauge), but they do demonstrate that there is more to the argument for "marriage equality" than the public is being told.

what sort of marriage do homosexual people want

Pastors need a theology of justification

The Gospel is God's good news of justification by faith alone. Justification is God's free gift of a righteous standing before him that is available through Jesus' propitiatory death on the cross.


Pastors preach this liberating message every week and yet our  ministry doesn't always reflect our theology. We preach it, but we don't always evaluate our ministry by it.


10 years ago the catch-cry for ministry was, 'be faithful'; it's all about faithfulness. And it is. Yet faithfulness can be a cloak for hiding attitudes such as being satisfied with mediocrity and giving up on mission and driving for growth. In some circles it seemed as though faithfulness was accepting that the Gospel is true but we can't expect God to save many anymore. We just need to plod along and moan about in our ineffectiveness. 


Something has changed. Coming out of the United States are stories of Reformed churches reaching thousands of people and witnessing whole cities coming under the influence of the Gospel. Additionally, there are exciting stories of evangelism from China, South America and even from within  Australia These stories have stirred a new generation of Aussie Christians and encouraged them to dream big dreams as to what God can (as opposed to might or could but won't) do across the land. Prayers such as Ephesians 3:20-21 are being prayed and no doubt we are seeing them answered. Young Pastors who are Reformed, who believe in preaching and who are complementarian are attracting people to their churches and they are witnessing conversions (albeit still a small number). I suspect there are more Evangelical guys training for ministry now than there were 10 years ago.

But with this renewed belief in a Sovereign God who reigns today and who is saving people today there is a growing expectation (if not demand) that God bring about revival in our suburbs and cities. Don't get me wrong, that's a godly desire and I completely believe God can do it, but I have some concern that we are cultivating a wrong assumption, which is, I expect God to do in my patch what he is doing in someone elses garden.

I realize that the dangers of measuring ministry by success isn't new. It's a hidden danger for every generation, but as I observe a shift from ministry maintenance mode to action mode we mustn't lose our theology of justification. If we do, we will witness a whole generation of pastors burning out and giving up because they haven't seen the thousands come to their churches and they haven't received the cool kudos from their culture or even peers.

Brothers, we are not justified by results,
not by the number of conversions,
not by the size of our church,
not by the number of trainees,
or by our budget,
not by the quality of music,
or by the number of pastoral visits we do.
We are justified by the grace of God alone by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

This doctrine of justification ought not produce luke-warm pastors, but men who are freed from constraints and excited by the fact of God's astonishing grace and power to save, and therefore we work all the harder for his Kingdom. But whether we see thousands in our churches or dozens our assurance and identity is secure in Christ, not in our Churches and mission agendas.

Evangelicals and gay marriage

By definition Evangelicals oppose gay marriage.

The word evangelical comes from the Greek 'euangelion' which means Gospel. An Evangelical is someone who holds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Gospel which saves us from sin. Folk who affirm gay marriage are affirming sin and therefore rejecting the Gospel.

Let's not be fooled into thinking that evangelicalism and pro-gay are 2 ideas that can be held together. They no more go together than a Carlton supporter arguing that they also follow Collingwood!

But also, by definition an evangelical is someone who loves homosexuals and who actively opposes homophobia. The Gospel reminds the Christian that without Christ's atoning death we remain in our sins and without hope. That same Gospel reminds us that we are no better than anyone else. The Gospel motivates us to share the good news of Jesus with whoever will listen, whether they are gay or straight.

mistakes

we all make mistakes
not every mistake is a sin
some mistakes are sin
some sins are not mistakes
we all sin

Are we too egalitarian?

Whenever Christians use the term 'egalitarian' these days we assume the subject is women in ministry; not this time (although my point is valid for the men/women debate).


Egalitarianism is an Aussie virtue; one to be esteemed and valued.  Egalitarianism is an idea found in the Bible (and absent from most other world-views and religions, although not all) - All human beings are equal, man and woman, black and white, Jew and Gentile, etc.  And yet, an unbridled egalitarianism can lead to a destruction of personhood and roles in society and home. 


This over-the-top egalitarian attitude is evident in our politics and how the public speak of and speak to those in Government. A visitor to Australia might be forgiven for thinking that Julia Gillard was a local hair dresser, not our Prime Minister. It is also evident by the way school students relate to teachers and children relate to elderly people. I'm not suggesting we reintroduce Sir/Madam and Mr & Mrs, although perhaps we should, but my point is we have become so flat-lined in our ethos that we want to smooth over any hint of superiority or position, but in doing so we are hurting ourselves.



The Bible acknowledges sameness and difference, equality and inequality. 


For example, the Bible calls us to honour our leaders and to submit to them. The Prime Minister is one of us and equal to us (being human and having 1 vote) and yet the PM is above us:

 ¹ Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴ For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. (Romans 13)

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (1 Peter 2) 

To my main contention: I believe that in our churches we are becoming too egalitarian in our thinking (not just on the women's issue but in terms of leadership).  There are times when we wrongly think in dichotomies, it's either submit to the Pastor as Pope or treat him as a peer. But the Bible doesn't teacher either position. 


Paul said to the Ephesian elders, 

²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (Acts 20)

The Pastor (s) is accountable to God. He will have to explain to God on the day of judgement the whys and hows and whats of his ministry. Generally Pastors are conscious of this and it weighs heavily on them.

¹ Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3)

The Pastor(s) is also accountable to the Elders. If your church doesn't have Elders then fix it. A plurality of Elders is biblical and sensible. It is the role of the Elders to meet with the pastors (by the way at Mentone we see elders and pastors as being synonymous in Scripture) regularly for prayer and bible study and personal accountability. 


The Pastor(s) is accountable to the Church. The Pastor serves the Church but the Church isn't his master; Christ is. And yet, it would seem in the NT that Churches have a role in both the calling of pastors and in rebuking them when necessary (1 Tim 5:19-20). 


How should Churches relate to their Pastors? 

• remember their teaching  (Heb 13:7)
• consider their way of life and imitate their faith (Heb 13:7)
• Obey them...so that their work is a joy not a burden (Heb 13:17)
• pray for them (Col 4:2-4)
• encourage them (see how Paul encouraged Timothy)
• pay them well (1 Tim 5:17)
• respect them (1 Thess 5:11-13)
• don't entertain an accusation without warrant with witnesses (1 Tim 5:19)

Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying, Church leaders also have a responsibility in the way they conduct themselves before God, the Church and the world. Theirs is a duty of immense weight and not to be assumed lightly, but the pastor's job is not the subject of this post. It's important that we keep on critiquing culture outside and inside the church and keep on bringing everything to bear in the light of God's word. So think, are we becoming too egalitarian in our churches?

¹² Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (1 Thess 5)

Open letter supporting a full independent inquiry into sexual abuse cases in Churches

 I am writing to offer my support for an independent inquiry over child abuse in the church and I wish the community to hear that Christians too are appalled by accounts of rape and abuse perpetrated by clergy.

As a parent I feel distress as I read the stories of parents such as Helen Watson (Mother can't forget the day she lost her 'beautiful boy' 18/4). I cannot begin to understand the pain that they must share, let alone how the abused children (now adults) must cope. Words escape me.  I am angry toward those who have so reprehensively destroyed the lives of children.

As a pastor I am sickened and again angry. The abuse of children is abhorrent to the community, to churches, and to God.

Here are three thoughts that came to mind as I read the story of Helen Watson and her son Peter:

1. Transparency is a virtue that is called for in the Bible. Truth demands openness. Victims deserve the proper love and dignity that an independent enquiry will bring.

While I am aware of the policy we set for our church (including strict vetting procedures before allowing anyone to work with children), I am not familiar with the processes that have been followed within the Catholic Church. But the continued stories of abuse that have arisen demonstrate that there is something seriously wrong. I recognize that the issue of abuse is not limited to the Catholic Church; the media reported a case of abuse within my own denomination in April of 2011. Upon hearing that shocking story the elders of my church read out a public statement to the church (which is available for anyone to read).

2. It reminds me of why we need justice. The problem with justice, however, is that we can’t always bring it in this world. Some seem to escape. I thank God for the judicial system we have in Australia. It may not be perfect, but it beats the corrupt systems that we find in many places around the world. But sadly, despite our best efforts, justice eludes many in our community: sometimes because the perpetrator is never discovered or is protected, sometimes because the victim dies before seeing justice, sometimes because the perpetrator dies before being brought to justice, and yet we cry out for justice to be done.

That’s what comforts me as a Christian. As Jesus says, ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.’ The Bible says that God will finally and fully judge all evil. Priests are not exempt. There will be justice, either in this world or the next. And despite Cardinal Pell saying on QandA last week that hell is a place of purification, the Bible says that it is a place made by God for punishment.

3. I am also reminded of the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 

This isn’t some cheap formulaic remedy like we find in the crappy self-help section in a book-store, but the words of a man who took onto himself all the pain and sin of the world in order to bring healing and peace. The cross is a picture of ugliness and suffering, and for that very reason it is also a story of forgiveness and hope.

It is a sad revelation that evil men pretending to be angels of light have so distorted and betrayed the very Christ who sets people free. We need them to be exposed and the public protected from them.

I don’t expect everyone to agree with all that I have just said, but I am confident that we all want to help those who have been abused. Ted Baillieu’s commitment to establish a Parliamentary inquiry is a positive step forward, but I concur with Barney Zwartz’s call for a full and independent inquiry, for as he wrote, ‘the victims will have only this one opportunity, so it should be as exhaustive as possible’.

for today

letter in The Age summarising why I believe in hell - 'we need hell'

Ed Stetzer kindly invite me to write a guest post about preaching in Australia (and Western culture more generally) - preaching in the Western context