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Faith

Why Commercialized Jesus Ruins The Power Of The Real Christmas Story

by Frank Powell
written by Frank Powell

Christmas cards are my favorite. Why, I’m not sure. Maybe they awaken the nostalgia of Christmas, the “best time of the year,” the snow-filled days complete with frolicking children, trees glistening and such. Day after day, as I look at pictures of friends, it’s almost as if they paint a world different from the one I see. Before long, I start to believe a place exists where everyone smiles and sings “Kumbaya.” So, closing my eyes, I begin to imagine this place. For a few moments, I laugh with friends and have a jolly good time. Then, a huge crash destroys my dream. Someone left the fridge open.

We love to close our eyes and journey to distant lands, places where everyone wears jorts (blue jean shorts) and no one cares. But the dreams are short-lived. If the fridge doesn’t “square us up,” something else will. Let’s be honest, the real Christmas story isn’t exactly suitable for children. Chaos is everywhere. Pain clears the path for Jesus’s arrival with the massacre of children on the horizon.

THE REALITY OF COMMERCIALIZED JESUS

Today’s Christmas story is largely without pain, struggle, or disorder. Jesus has been commercialized, thrown beside Santa Claus, and, unfortunately, Christians are primarily responsible for arranging the mess. How many Christmas plays highlight the pains of childbirth, the stench of animal feces, or a madman’s terrorist attack on babies? Don’t Google it. The answer is zero.

Yes, even Christians love a joyous Jesus, void of struggles and brokenness. This Jesus sells. But this Jesus is a facade. We must open our eyes, stop licking the candy canes, and put down the Christmas cards. We need the real picture of Jesus, the one with a virgin mother struggling through labor, a confused husband unsure how to care for his expecting wife, and a heinous king so thirsty for power he orders the execution of children.

THE PROBLEM WITH COMMERCIALIZED JESUS

We need this Jesus because death doesn’t take December off. The Christmas cards and ABC Family movies tell us pain and struggles hibernate during the holidays. But we know this isn’t true. Tragedy doesn’t care about our nostalgic portrait of Christmas. While children frolic in the snow, someone hears the words “you have cancer,” and another drops the phone in disbelief as someone says, “Your child is dead.”

Christmas doesn’t say everything is ok and everyone should smile. No, not at all. Christmas echoes the words of our Savior. “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.”

At this point, you might think, “Those are strong words, Jesus. But you don’t understand the pain in my heart. I have six months to live. I will open presents without my child this year. My husband left me for another woman.”

To this, Jesus doesn’t say a word. He simply points to the manger. But, when Jesus points to the manger, we see a commercialized nativity scene, complete with smiling actors and a “dolled up” baby neatly placed in a straw bed from Lowes. Maybe some nativity scenes include live animals, but doubtless you find one resembling the stable in Bethlehem. If you do, post it on Instagram using #realpooandstench, I would like to see it. Maybe I’ll give you a prize or something.

A commercialized manger with a cute, pudgy Jesus knows nothing of our struggles. This Jesus couldn’t possibly understand the immense pain in our heart.

WHY YOU SHOULD ABANDON COMMERCIALIZED JESUS

Maybe you’re frustrated at this point, ready to label me a “Bah Humbug.” Your Christmas is awesome, after all, and I’m ruining it.

Trust me. At some point, if you live long enough, the real Christmas story will be your reality. Your story might be a holiday season without someone you love or opening presents unaware how many more sands are in your life’s hourglass. When you experience Christmas this way, commercialized Jesus will mean very little to you. Instead, you will need a Jesus who understands your pain. More than that, you will need a Jesus who feels your pain.

“GOD WITH US” MEANS JESUS FEELS YOUR PAIN

[blockquote cite=”Genesis 6:6″ type=”left”]“So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.” [/blockquote]

This might be the greatest message of Christmas. Jesus not only understands your pain. He FEELS it.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Christmas says Jesus not only understands your pain, he FEELS it.[/tweet_box]

Soak in these words from Ann Voskamp. “God has a heart…and it hurts. It hurts with what hurts us. His heart hurts not just with a few drops of ache, not just with a slow drip of sadness – the whole expanse of His heart fills, swells, weighs dark with this storm of pain.”

Christmas is your challenge to live into your humanity, every ounce of it. When suffering becomes your story, don’t close your eyes and dream of a white Christmas or a land without cancer, loss, or death. When vulnerability knocks, don’t hide in a closet. Answer, and let it in. Don’t bury our pain. Expose it. The Christmas story gives you permission to do so.

This little commercialized Jesus sells, but he doesn’t save. He fuels our nostalgia, but he doesn’t empathize with our pain.

[tweet_box design=”default]Commercialized Jesus fuels nostalgia but doesn’t empathize with your pain.[/tweet_box]

JESUS WAS FULLY HUMAN. YOU SHOULD BE TOO.

Here’s the big close. Drum roll, please. Now stop, you probably look awkward.

Until we live into the bad emotions, we won’t experience the good ones. Jesus needed his rear-end wiped as a baby. He burped, maybe even farted a time or two. If that’s crude, I’m sorry. Jesus was two-years-old at one point. I have two boys this age, and many more have roamed around my house. They all basically do the same thing.

Jesus also wept. When his heart flooded with emotion over Lazarus’s death, he didn’t suppress the tears. “You gotta act like a man, Jesus. Bury those tears.” No. He allowed them to flow. When Jesus was overcome with anger at the sight of Pharisees degrading the temple, he didn’t run away to avoid an outburst. He flipped over tables. Do you see? Jesus expressed all of his humanity, and this opened the door to his unending joy and peace.

If you run away to a “Winter Wonderland” to avoid pain, you also run away from joy, peace, and love. You can’t selectively suppress emotions. The world says negative emotions are…well…bad. God says negative emotions pave the way to a life unimagined. The world says bad emotions reveal weakness. God says that’s right. But through our weakness we are strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

[tweet_box design=”default”]The more fully we live into our humanity, the more fully we reveal God’s glory.[/tweet_box]

The more fully we live into our humanity, with all its sadness, vulnerability, loneliness, and pain, the more fully we reveal God’s glory. While living in the gap between “here and there,” we must see the real Christmas story. The fullness of God arrives between suffering and death. But, through death, Jesus gives us life.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

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Faith

“Do Not Be Afraid:” The First Step To Receiving God’s Promises

by Frank Powell
written by Frank Powell

Today begins week 3 of Advent. This week we will highlight necessary postures for receiving God’s promises. Not everyone recognized the Savior. Why did shepherds and Magi see the Messiah while others, including the religious leaders, missed him? It’s not mere coincidence. Those who saw Jesus were ready. The first necessary posture is also today’s main thought. “Do not be afraid.”

day15-compressor

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1 John 4:16-18

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Isaiah 41:8-10

“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Luke 2:8-11

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 

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My boys, Noah and Micah, are two of God’s greatest gifts. My love for them is indescribable. Are they frustrating? Yes. Do they intentionally misbehave? No doubt. Do they require a lot of time and energy? For sure. But, when I look into their eyes or hold them, I feel love and grace. 

For love to work, however, it must be reciprocated. Love is a two-way street. When I hold my boys, I feel love. Do they feel the same thing? After all, punishment is a daily occurrence in the Powell house. The answer comes the moment I walk in the door. When I step through the door, Noah and Micah run towards me, overcome with excitement. This is proof they know my love. Despite the difficult times, my boys’ respond to my presence by drawing near. 

[tweet_box design=”default”]Love always draws near. It always feels safe and accepted.[/tweet_box]

Love always draws near. It always feels safe and accepted. Love isn’t void of punishment, but it’s also not driven by punishment. It can’t be. Punishment is a product of fear, and there is no fear in love. 

When angels appear to lowly shepherds, replacing silence and darkness with glory and light, their words are potentially my favorite in all of Scripture. Take a moment and breathe these words into your heart and soul.  

[blockquote type=”left”]”Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” [/blockquote]

These eternal beings stoop down from the heavenly realm to deliver a divine message to temporary beings. The most important message in the history of the world begins with “Do not be afraid.” You might say, “Frank, the angels begin here because, upon their arrival, the shepherds cower in fear.” But let’s give these angels (and God) more credit. Remember, angels are eternal, sent from God, who is also eternal. Their words, therefore, are also eternal. 

“Do not be afraid“ isn’t a circumstantial response to trembling shepherds. It’s the first step on the road to Bethlehem. The first words from these angels reveal something about finding Jesus. God is love, perfect love. Perfect love drives out fear. Fear can’t ignite love. No one falls in love through dreadful, slavish fear. “Frank, I’m in love. This girl is amazing. During our date, she only threatened my life twice.” What?!

Likewise, finding Jesus doesn’t begin with fear.  

Should we fear God? Absolutely. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” There is a type of evil fear, however. This fear enslaves us. It alienates us from God, painting Him as hateful and vengeful. This type of fear says God is, first and foremost, a consuming fire, not a loving Father. 

[tweet_box design=”default”]Advent says God is, above all else, a loving Father.[/tweet_box]

This fear is one of Satan’s greatest lies. He knows we can’t love a God who terrifies us. If our greatest desire is to escape God’s punishment, we don’t actually love God. What a tragedy that many Christians’ first steps towards God are rooted in punishment rather than love. “Repent of your sins or burn in hell. Turn from your wicked ways or my wrath will be upon you.” Many Christians spend their lives running from punishment rather than running to God.

Any step towards Jesus starts with “Do not be afraid.” 

Why? Cue the angels again. “I bring you good news that will cause joy for all the people. Today…a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” God’s messages are good news. They ignite joy and excitement.

Many Christians forget the gospel is GOOD news. It’s not terrifying news. It’s not scary news. It’s not bad news. It’s good news. What is this good news? God is with us. Any picture of God must include a helpless baby. God places stars, but he also lies in a manger. 

Advent, the arrival of Jesus, is the antidote to evil, slavish fear. What if we saw love as the cure to fear? Is our world not desperate for the Christmas message? Go ahead, muster up more courage. Build walls of bravery around your heart. But only love conquers fear. 

“Do not be afraid” is the first statement in the Messiah’s birth announcement. 

“Do not be afraid” is the path to joy, peace, and drawing near to God. 

“Do not be afraid” is the first brushstroke in the portrait of Jesus’s life on earth.  

“Do not be afraid.” God brings good news. Draw near to Immanuel.  

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  1. What is your primary motivation for obedience: fear or love?  
  2. Write the phrase “Do not be afraid” in a place where you will see it before your day begins. Allow this truth to frame your day. And when you read the words, do not think “courage.” Think “love.”

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Father, you are love. Guard my heart against any temptation to equate love with fear. When fear threatens my intimacy with you, remove it. Help me remember the phrase “Do not be afraid” and allow these words to frame my picture of Jesus. I love you. Amen.

________

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

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Faith

8 Signs You Are A Selfie-Centered Christian

by Frank Powell
written by Frank Powell

We officially live in a selfie culture. In 2013, the Oxford Dictionary named “selfie” its word of the year. Let that marinate for a minute. There’s more. A recent study showed half of American adults have snapped a selfie. Selfies have replaced dogs as “man’s best friend.”

Let’s not pretend selfies are a new phenomenon. Photographers have snapped selfies in the form of portraits for years. Today, however, selfies are more readily accessible. Rather than calling a photographer or asking mom to get out the camera, selfies can come out and play anytime. Morning. Night. Lunch. Japan. America. Antartica. And the feedback is instantaneous.

But here’s the kicker. Social media. Instagram, Facebook, and SnapChat give selfies enormous popularity. From jocks to nerds, from CEOs to construction workers, selfies are loved by almost everyone.

While social media affords us opportunities never imagined before, these opportunities often come with a price. Slowly and subtlety, we can become selfie-centered. And a selfie-centered Christian portrays a false picture of God.

Here are 8 signs you are a selfie-centered Christan.

1.) You are easily offended. 

When someone offends you, it should function as a red flag. I believe we get offended, generally speaking, for one of two reasons: discontent or pride. A selfie culture breeds defensive postures. Life is about us. When someone attacks our self-worth, we get defensive.

If this is true, Christians should take notice. Having worked as an engineer and a church leader, I can confidently (and sadly) say Christians are the most defensive group of people around. It’s strange, really. If you follow Jesus, you should be a fish swimming upstream, a counter-cultural model our world needs desperately. Instead, Christians are more sensitive to others’ remarks than most non-Christians. Why is this?

Jesus was never offended. You won’t find Jesus saying, “I can’t believe that Pharisee called me a heretic. Can you believe that John? He’s ugly and stupid.” Jesus was never offended because he was humble. Humility is the antidote to defensiveness.

Humility doesn’t allow you to elevate yourself too high. Humility forces you to consider other people before yourself. If you’re a Christian, it’s time to stop getting offended. Get off the high horse. Start thinking about others.

2.) You have a “never enough” mindset.

Brene Brown, in Daring Greatly, says scarcity breeds a “never enough” mindset. Scarcity says you lack something. You aren’t pretty enough. You aren’t successful enough. You aren’t smart enough. And so on.

Selfie-centered Christians focus on what they lack and what others have. They believe almost everything, from success to money, is finite. There’s only so much to go around. The spotlight only shines so bright.

What’s the result? Selfie-centered Christians are tight-fisted with everything, from their praise to their pocketbooks. They are plagued by discontent, shame, and disengagement.

Here’s the most toxic part, though. Selfie-centered Christians believe the answer to their “never enough” problem is abundance. “If I lose weight, I will be enough. If I buy a new car, I will be happy. If I become CEO, I will be content.”

The opposite of “never enough” isn’t abundance, it’s contentment. Selfie-centered Christians have a better chance of catching a Cheetah at full speed than catching contentment.

[tweet_box design=”default”]In a scarcity-driven culture, the response is contentment, not abundance.[/tweet_box]

To combat our scarcity-driven culture, we must fix our eyes on God. Our Father is a giver. He never lacks. And, when we find our value and worth in God, he fills every void, every insecurity, and hand-delivers the contentment we consider so allusive.

3.) Your mood shifts, positively or negatively, based on the opinions of others.

Selfie-centered Christians allow the opinions of others to determine their self-worth. Their mood shifts, positively or negatively, as they scan Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If the likes trend upward on their latest post, selfie-centered Christians feel better about themselves. If, however, their latest pic, the one they spent 30 minutes filtering, doesn’t receive any “love,” feelings of shame and unworthiness creep in.

When I started blogging, I wasn’t prepared for the attacks. I just loved to write. I wanted to share my experiences. But it wasn’t long before negativity knocked on my door. And, it’s strange, negativity seems to travel in packs.

Eventually, negativity busted through the door and into my heart. I doubted my gifts. I resented people, including those closest to me. I wasn’t able to differentiate between destructive cynicism and constructive criticism because my worth was tied to others.

Through all of it, God re-assembled the door to my heart. I want to challenge you to find your worth in God. Here’s what I believe that means. The standard for beauty isn’t a model photoshopped on a magazine. God created you beautiful. Stop competing against other people. It’s a lose/lose race. Your only competitor is you. You’re the greatest threat to your greatness. Don’t run from pain. It’s too easy. The path to joy is often messy and painful. Difficult conversations. Owning bad decisions. But, when you run from the hard stuff, you also run from the good stuff.

These were my lessons. Maybe they will help you.

4.) You think God needs you to hold it together, regardless of the mess in your life. 

Selfie-Christians buy the perfectionism lie. Hold it together at all costs. Don’t let anyone see your flaws. Cover your imperfections. Sweep them under the rug. You must hold it together.

For men and women, perfectionism plays itself out differently. For women, perfectionism says you must accomplish everything effortlessly. You must stand strong with the weight of the world on your shoulders. You can’t have weaknesses. The best mom, co-worker, sister, spouse, and friend. No exceptions.

For men, perfectionism says you must have all the answers. You can’t show pain or weakness, either emotionally or physically. You must excel at the office and at home. Your children can’t fail. Your marriage must be awesome. No mess ups.

As a leader in the church, father, husband, and friend, these pressures are real. They press hard on my heart and mind every day. God needs me to hold it together. No failures allowed. Vulnerability is weakness.

What a tragic and toxic lie selfie-Christians believe. God doesn’t need us to hold it together. In fact, the very opposite is true. Our imperfections shine the light on God’s perfection. The apostle Paul goes a step further and says our weakness make us strong (2 Cor. 12:8-10).

[tweet_box design=”default”]Perfectionism doesn’t honor God.[/tweet_box]

Perfectionism does not honor God because perfectionism is about us. Ultimately, our efforts to “hold it together” come from our desire to be accepted. We must be perfect to be valuable. So, we bury feelings of pain, failure, and inadequacy.

God’s power, his infinite, immeasurable power, waits for those who dare to show weakness.

5.) You have few meaningful relationships. 

According to a recent study, the average American has 338 Facebook friends. But here’s the dark side of our current culture. The average American has only two close friends, and 25% of Americans have zero close friends. That’s right, none.

My heart hurts as I read the stats above. In my darkest seasons, good friends prevented me from giving up. When faced with difficult decisions, I leaned on good friends for wisdom and direction. The impact of good friends on my life is indescribable.

Selfie-centered Christians aren’t willing to pay the price for meaningful relationships. They want a quick fix, and intimacy requires time. They want everyone to focus on them, and intimacy requires give-and-take. They refuse to show weakness, and intimacy requires vulnerability.

But, make no mistake, a meaningful, joy-filled life isn’t possible without deep, intimate friendships. God wires us for connection. He designs us for intimacy. In the absence of meaningful relationships, you find shame-filled, fear-driven, absent-minded people void of passion, creativity, and joy.

The price for intimacy is high, but we can’t afford not to pay it.

6.) You are your own worst cynic. 

“Frank, you are your own worst critic.” If I heard that statement once, I heard it a thousand times. As a teenager, it was the most frequent statement from my mom other than, “Frank, get out of bed. You’re going to be late.”

Looking back, “critic” was the wrong word. I was actually my own worst cynic. Make no mistake. Healthy criticism, either from others or through self-evaluation, is important for growth. Without it, we lack self-awareness. What plagues our culture today is not healthy criticism. It’s destructive cynicism.

Cynicism is an inside-out job. Cynics spend years shooting themselves before aiming verbal bullets at others. Most cynics hurt others only after they have left their heart for dead.

Cynicism doesn’t allow for discussion or debate. Cynicism is threatened by risk-takers and noncomformers. The only way to appease a cynic is to agree with their point of view.

Followers of Jesus need to understand this about cynicism. It is sin. Every time. It’s pride, arrogance, fear, and selfishness wrapped up in one toxic, destructive ball. It has no place in the life of a Christian.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Cynicism is pride, arrogance, and fear wrapped in one toxic, sinful ball.[/tweet_box]

Christians are life givers. We affirm others. We encourage risk-taking, creativity, and freedom. When we criticize, we do so productively. Our words come from a place of love, aimed at growth.

If you lead in any capacity, you will encounter cynics. They will accuse you of all types of evil from a distance. If you ask them to grab lunch or have a phone conversation to discuss the issues, they will ALWAYS refuse. Cynics run from intimacy. They have no desire to resolve an issue. They want to tear you down. They want others to feel the emptiness plaguing their lives.

Pray for cynics. But don’t waste energy on them.

7.) You do not practice gratitude.

Gratitude and perspective are the yin and yang of joy. No one is immune from difficulties and tragedy. We can’t determine whether we will face hardships. We can only determine how we will respond. Will difficult times lead you to give up or catapult you to greatness? Perspective and gratitude will be the determining factors.

Whether you believe others are out to get you or not, you’re right. Whether you believe you have a lot or a little, you’re right.

Consistent, intentional times of gratitude shift our perspective from scarcity to contentment. When was the last time you thanked God for the things you have?

8.) You aren’t compassionate or empathetic.

Selfie-centered Christians don’t have time to care about others. When scrolling through their Facebook timeline, Jill’s rant about her teacher and an article about refugees receive the same attention. We often equate clicking “like” to showing compassion. This is the tragic result of a selfie-centered life. We are desensitized to pain. We can’t show compassion with a simple click.

Our constant connection to social media creates a disconnection from real pain around us.

Compassion is an important virtue for Christians. It connects us to our mission. It leads to action. It requires humility and selflessness. Compassion gets in the mess. It cries with those who cry. It hurts with those who hurt. To cultivate compassion, we must connect to real people.

__________

Selfie-centered Christianity isn’t Christianity at all. It’s a self-made, watered-down version. I struggle with selfie-centered Christianity. But I’m determined to overcome. I hope you are too.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

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Faith

7 Things The Church Loves More Than God

by Frank Powell
written by Frank Powell

Love God with all your heart. Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire Law and the words of the prophets hinge on these two commands.” This was Jesus’s response to the question, “What is the most important commandment in the Law of Moses?”

From the Garden of Eden to the streets of Jerusalem, from Adam to Jesus, through the wilderness, the Promised Land, and captivity, this is the “one big thing.” Every stroke of a pen. Every word uttered from the mouth of every prophet. It’s all summarized in two short sentences.

Love God. Love your neighbor.

Look, I understand the Pharisee’s question. His intentions are evil, but his question makes sense. The Law contains hundreds of commands. Several prophets wrote books in the Bible. We have more commands than China has people with the last name “Chen.” We can’t possibly obey every command. Which one is most important, Jesus?

His response is a metaphorical mic drop. He leaves this Pharisee speechless.

You see, Jesus wasn’t playing philosopher with this Pharisee. His answer isn’t a riddle. It’s not “Love God. Love your neighbor. And/But/Or…” Jesus actually gives this Pharisee the most important commands.

Love God. Love your neighbor. The greatest commands. The church’s mantra. The Christian’s motivation.

Satan understands this. When Christians devote their lives to loving God and loving others, Satan’s glory is diminished. So, what does he do? He shifts our focus, slightly. Rather than “Love God. Love your neighbor” he tempts us to add something. So, the mantra becomes “Love God. Love your neighbor. Love the Bible.”

Seems harmless, right? Just a slight shift.

Don’t tell a pilot slight shifts don’t matter. If you took off from the equator, one degree off your target line, and traveled around the world, you would miss your original target by 500 miles!

Here’s the point. If you ignore slight shifts, they become huge problems. In the case of a pilot, you miss your original target by a distance spanning the state of Tennessee (and some). In the case of a Christian, good things become idols.

The church is tempted to elevate many things to idol status. Some of those things are really good. But, as Tim Keller says, “Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things.”

Anything that competes with total devotion to God and service to our neighbor is detrimental to the church. Here are 7 things the church loves more than God.

1.) The Bible

The Bible is the most important book in the history of the world. The Bible is alive and active in the hearts of those who read it. It pierces the heart, exposing darkness, and illuminating the perfection of God.

But…the Bible is NOT God.

The Bible reveals the character and nature of God. The Bible shows us the glory of God and the redemptive framework underlying all of humanity.

But…the Bible is NOT God.

The Bible is both timeless and timely. Every word in the Bible is truth, transcending cultures, kingdoms, and time. The words in Scripture guided men thousands of years ago, and they guide us today. It’s relevant. The Bible speaks directly into the issues of our day. It speaks directly to us, in the midst of both suffering and joy.

But…the Bible is NOT God.

Growing up, I knew a lot about the Bible. I memorized a lot of Scriptures. I read my Bible most days.

But I didn’t know God. I didn’t have a relationship with him. I wasn’t in love with God. If you challenged the Bible, you might as well have said, “Hey Frank, your mom is fat, and you are an illegitimate child.” The Bible was an idol. I don’t think I’m alone. Here are a few signs the Bible is your idol.

  1. You feel guilty if you don’t read your Bible every day. 
  2. You read certain verses in an attempt to prove other Christians wrong. 
  3. You believe the Bible is black and white on every issue. 
  4. If you discovered inconsistencies in the Bible, you would question God.
  5. You don’t know the difference between a relationship with God and reading the Bible.

This isn’t my attempt to degrade the Bible. This is my attempt to elevate the One every word points to. If the Bible disappeared, God would still move in the hearts of his people. When Jesus returns, the Bible will disappear (at least, the Bible as we know it). But God will remain. Forever. Don’t rely more on the Bible than on God.

2.) Doctrines

Trivia question: What’s the most viewed page on a typical church website? Answer: the “What We Believe” page. Don’t ask me for stats. Just refer to a time when you church-browsed.

Why?

When looking for a church home, most Christians “narrow the field” by investigating a church’s beliefs and comparing those beliefs to theirs. This makes sense, right? Until our beliefs about God impact how we love God and others.

But aren’t all doctrines universal and unchanging? In theory, yes. In reality, no. Some Christians believe speaking in tongues is evidence that you have the Holy Spirit. Others believe speaking in tongues ceased after the apostles. Still others believe the Holy Spirit is God’s word, the Bible. What about baptism? Some Christians believe baptism is essential for salvation. Others think it’s an important component of salvation. Still others don’t think it’s important at all. Some Christians believe baptism by total immersion is the only legitimate method. Others practice sprinkling as a form of baptism. The list goes on and on.

Here’s the point.

Doctrines are truths about God. They are unchanging, yes. But the men who interpret them aren’t. So, what happens is different perspectives on truths about God.

Truths about God are great. I think it’s productive and healthy to read the Bible and other sources, then formulate our beliefs about God. But things get dangerous when our understanding of God becomes THE understanding. This happens when we focus more on being right than obeying the greatest commands.

If we place more value in a church’s beliefs about God than their devotion to God and their neighbor, that’s a problem. Don’t attend a church because they believe a certain way. Attend a church because they love and serve God.

For years, I thought the term “false doctrine” meant any belief that differed from mine. Through the lense of the greatest commands, false doctrine is any belief or conviction that doesn’t drive you to love God and love your neighbor.

[tweet_box design=”default”]False doctrine is any belief that doesn’t lead you to love God and your neighbor.[/tweet_box]

3.) Worship styles

Several months ago, in the midst of the Supreme Court Decision on gay marriage, I invited my gay neighbor to a college Bible study. After a great discussion on responding to the LBGT community as followers of Jesus, my neighbor said something that shocked me.

“Even though gay marriage is a controversial issue in our church, the most divisive issue we face today is worship style.”

His statement makes me wonder, “Is worship an idol in the church?” Corporate worship constitutes a few hours every week. Yet, it is the epicenter of divisiveness and church splits.

Instrumental or acapella? Full band or piano and choir? Lights and smoke? Preaching directly from Scripture or topical preaching? These aren’t inherently bad questions. But they’re not questions worthy of dissension and disunity among God’s people.

Are we expending more energy and passion fighting (or defending) a worship style or the God to whom our worship is directed? Here’s a more pointed question. Are we more concerned with protecting our style of worship than loving our neighbor?

So, what’s the response? Think more highly of others than ourselves. When considering worship styles, let’s consider our lost neighbor more than our personal preference. Let’s consider how to magnify God’s glory rather than fight about which worship style we like best.

4.) Denominational ties

Growing up, the church you attended was just as important as the God you served. In other words, you couldn’t love God and not attend a Church of Christ. Occasionally, Tiffani and I encounter college students crying because they wanted to attend a church with a different name on the door, but they are scared their parents will no longer believe they are Christians.

Shame on us for making a church name more important than God’s glory.

Many younger Christians of all denominations experienced the isolation and division accompanying unhealthy denominational allegiances. And, in response, they want to see denominational walls fall. They realize that the church isn’t determined by a name on a sign, but by a man on a cross.

[tweet_box design=”default”]The church isn’t determined by a name on a sign, but a man on a cross.[/tweet_box]

And I praise God for this shift. Denominations aren’t inherently bad, but they aren’t inherently good either. If my association with a group of Christians hinders my allegiance to God, I’m throwing out the association.

Love God. Love your neighbor. That’s it. Denominations aren’t evil. But they’re not essential.

5.) Change

Change is a two-sided idol. On one side is the group who responds to change the same way they respond to a curse word, mouth covered in disbelief. Change is evil. It’s accommodating to culture, and to this group culture is the enemy of God. These churches would rather die in their bubble than change a program, ministry, or philosophy.

The next generation is a threat to this group because they are different. And different leads to change. So, every year, the average age of these churches increases. For this group, change is an idol. It’s not a bad thing to cautiously engage change. But refusing to engage it violates the greatest commands, specifically the one about loving our neighbor.

But there’s another side to this coin. It’s the group who believes change is essential. This group changes for the sake of change, not for the sake of reaching their neighbor. I have witnessed this personally. A church decides to become progressive for the sake of being progressive. Or conservative for the sake of being conservative. Every action is a response to another church, not a response to their neighbor who doesn’t know Jesus. This is also idolatry.

Change is important. Nothing created by God stays the same. At the same time, change, whether it’s a new ministry or a new building, must be filtered through the greatest commands, loving God and loving our neighbor.

6.) Pastors

This past week, I ate dinner with some Christian friends. During our meal, someone referenced a recent discussion where the teacher asked, “What’s the purpose of a pulpit minister (or lead pastor, teaching pastor, etc.)?”

One lady raised her hand and said, “A mascot.”

There’s a thin line between keeping it real and saying too much. She crossed it.

But, she wasn’t lying. In our spotlight-driven culture, church growth is often dependent on the fame of your preacher. Many churches adopt the culture’s blueprint for growth. And, as my dad says, “Son, you made this decision. Now, you gotta dance wit’ the gurl you brought.”

Look, I confess. I’m guilty of this. If I’m visiting a big city on the weekend, I worship at a church with a famous pastor. But I’m not alone here. “Who’s your preacher?” is often the first question we’re asked about our church. Preachers are mascots.

When we elevate a human being, whether a preacher or a school teacher, at or above God, the inevitable result is destruction. When people abandon their faith after discovering their pastor’s moral failure, that’s an unhealthy devotion to a human being. When people place unfair (god-like) expectations on pastors, and pastors feel they must cover their imperfections, that’s unhealthy.

Preachers aren’t mascots. They shouldn’t be elevated above those they lead. As a church leader, I struggle with anxiety, depression, failure, and inadequacies just like everyone else. I don’t deserve any special praise. I know my heart. It’s wicked. And only by God’s grace am I allowed to write, speak, or disciple others towards God.

Let’s elevate God. He can handle any expectations we throw on him.

7.) Programs

How can the Bible be inspired by God and not say a word about VBS, short-term missions, or Sunday school? How did the church in Acts flourish without church programs? The answer is simple. They were dedicated to loving God and loving their neighbor.

The church doesn’t need programs to thrive. Many (not all) churches create programs that never impact people. Rather than an on-ramp for a deeper relationship with God, programs become a frustrating roadblock to God.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Programs should be on-ramps to God, not roadblocks.[/tweet_box]

We can’t be more concerned with our programs than the people our programs are created to reach. Growth isn’t measured by numbers on a page. It’s measured by men and women becoming more like Jesus.

Again, I’m guilty. Programs trump people too often in my ministry. God is using this season without a job to remind me that ministry is about people. One day I will answer for how I lead the bride of Jesus Christ, the church. If all I have to show for my years are amazing logos, catchy titles, and well-designed programs, I can’t imagine God saying, “Well done, Frank. You’re so creative.”

Programs are only valuable when they impact people. Make sure everything ministry, program, and event challenges people to become more like Christ. Get on the ground. Don’t create a program in a boardroom and never leave your office to see whether it impacts people.

Programs should always be an on-ramp to God, not a roadblock.

___________

Anything or anyone can become an idol. Most Christians avoid the obvious idol (sex, money, drugs, etc.). But Satan doesn’t need obvious idols to distract God’s people from the “one big thing.” He only needs to shift our focus slightly. If you’re a follower of Jesus, spend time discerning whether the greatest commands are the most important commands in your life.

What would you add? Are there good things Christians have turned into idols? Leave a comment below.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

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Faith

Who Am I? Why Am I Here? Where Am I Going? Answering Three Questions The Whole World Is Asking

by Frank Powell
written by Frank Powell

I strongly dislike soap operas. I remember watching Days Of Our Lives for an entire summer. I couldn’t have been older than 10 or 11. The corny opening song reverberates through my brain like a never-ending tone deaf girl trying to harmonize with a tone-deaf dude.

It’s that annoying.

“Like sands through the hourglass, THESE are the days of our lives.” To be honest, Days Of Our Lives (or simply “Days” if you’re a true fan) was strangely entertaining. I’m not sure why, but it was. If you asked me what happened after an episode, I wouldn’t know. The truth is, nothing happened.

This is exactly why soap operas continue for decades. Something happens, but nothing meaningful ever happens. There is drama of epic proportions. People betray one another, plot and scheme, fight, and tear down, but nothing ever happens. The shows have no theme. The characters are superficial and miserable.

Soap operas aren’t going anywhere. Just one entertaining episode after another.

Unfortunately, many of us settle for a soap opera life. Every day we wake up and begin our hectic lives. We don’t stop all day. Our pace is full-throttle. Our minds never rest, and our hearts are never content.

But, if you asked us what we did yesterday, most of us wouldn’t know. Much like a soap opera, something happens every day. But nothing meaningful ever happens.

When our lives become a recurring episode, with no theme or direction, disillusionment, discontent, stress, burnout, and depression consume us. Without a clear understanding of our identity, purpose, and assignment, emptiness plagues our souls. We can’t function with empty souls. So, we fill the void with anything we can find. Work. Sex. Drugs. Alcohol. Shopping sprees. Large homes and trinkets.

Understand this. You were created for meaning and purpose. When you discover it, your life changes forever. Your heart is set on fire with passion, desire, hope, and love. No pursuit in life is more valuable than the pursuit of your identity and purpose. None.

So, what is your identity? How do you discover your life’s purpose? I want to attack three questions men and women have asked for centuries: Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?

These questions are weighty. They bridge the gap between a soap opera existence and a meaningful life. You were created for greatness. You were created to impact the world. But, you must understand the relationship between your identity, purpose, and assignment to embrace this life.

Who Am I? (IDENTITY) 

[blockquote cite=”Nicky Gumbel” type=”left”]You can teach what you know, but you will reproduce who you are.[/blockquote]

“Who am I?” is the single most important question you will ever ask. Your identity is the foundation for your actions. If you don’t understand who you are, you won’t understand where you are going. And, although many people don’t understand this connection, a meaningful life is IMPOSSIBLE unless you understand your identity.

[tweet_box design=”default”]A meaningful life is impossible if you don’t understand your identity.[/tweet_box]

In other words, “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?” are useless questions if you can’t answer “Who am I?”

So, who are you? What is your identity?

For the answer, let’s consider Jesus. Think about it. Jesus never struggled with anxiety. He never saw a counselor for depression. He never stressed out. Calm. Relaxed. Self-controlled. All words that described Jesus.

How did Jesus relax with the weight of humanity on his shoulders (literally)?

One word…IDENTITY.

Jesus knew who he was. He knew where he came from and where he was going.

Every man or woman in the history of the world is created in God’s image. You are created in the image of God. You are created to love. You are created to learn. You are created to….create. Passion. Excellence. Grace. Truth. Beauty. All of these things form your identity.

Because your identity is the foundation for your purpose and assignment, Satan wants to destroy it. Satan knows if he clouds your identity, you won’t live a meaningful life.

Please understand this.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Nothing is more dangerous to Satan than someone convinced of his or her identity.[/tweet_box]

NOTHING is more dangerous to Satan than a man or a woman completely convinced of his or her identity. Nothing.

What if you and I believed our identity? I mean, really believed it? We would be able to live the same miraculous life as Jesus. So, I want to highlight a few core truths about your identity.

  1. Your identity ALWAYS comes from within you. It is an inside-out job.

  2. Your identity NEVER changes. You don’t choose your identity. You only choose whether you will live from it. 

  3. “Who am I?” is the foundation for “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?”

  4. You won’t fully grasp your identity until you embrace a deep, intimate relationship with God.

You will NEVER find your identity outside of you. It’s not possible. Identity comes from within. Because you were created in the image of God, your identity is dependent upon your relationship with God. If you don’t spend time alone with God, your impact on the world will be minimized and you will never experience peace that surpasses understanding.

When you spend time alone with God, he renews your heart. He restores your mind. Your focus isn’t on what you have done for God. Your worth and value isn’t measured by what others say. You aren’t short or tall. You aren’t fat or skinny. You aren’t a success or a failure. You aren’t smart or dumb. When you spend time with God, he fills you with his love, grace, and mercy. You are reminded that you are simply a man or woman created in God’s image. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Please don’t move to the next question until you wrestle with this first question. If you aren’t living from your identity, nothing else matters. You cease to be human when you lose your identity. That’s weighty stuff.

IDENTITY STATEMENT:

“My name is _______. I am created in the image of God. I came from Him and I’m going back to Him.”

Why Am I Here? (PURPOSE) 

[tweet_box design=”default”]Your purpose is where your greatest strengths and passions intersect.[/tweet_box]

Your purpose is where your deepest passions intersect your greatest strengths. While your identity isn’t a discovery process (you don’t get to choose your identity…you just get to choose whether you live from it), your purpose is.

You have a unique purpose.

On my 30th birthday, my wife asked those closest to me to write a congratulatory letter. In addition, she asked everyone to include a piece of advice for me moving forward. All the letters were amazing. But one, in particular, stood out. A mentor and close friend in Dallas, said something that changed my life. He challenged me to find one thing that made me unique. In his words, there was one thing that separates you from your peers. Writing. Painting. Speaking. Singing. Fishing. Encouraging. You are naturally good at something (maybe several things).

So, here are a few points about your purpose:

  1. Your purpose is where your greatest strengths intersect your greatest passions. 

  2. Your purpose is NOT your assignment and it is NOT your identity.

  3. Your purpose excites you, stirs your heart, and gives you energy.

  4. Living out your purpose is the key to a meaningful life. 

  5. You were created for meaning. In the absence of living meaningfully, you will fill the void with meaningless activity. 

  6. Your purpose is larger than you. You won’t discover your purpose if you don’t take risks.

I want to build on the final point. Please catch this. We live in an age of purposelessness. And where purposelessness is present, addictions are rampant. Few things are more miserable than settling for average or mediocre.

The soul can’t take it.

There is a void created by purposelessness, and something must fill it. So, if your job sucks or if your life is void of quality relationships, you run home to alcohol, pornography, medication, or drugs.

This is, unfortunately, even true for Christians. God’s people SHOULD lead the way when it comes to living with purpose. But every Sunday, church buildings are filled with joyless Christians, bored with God and content with a mediocre existence.

What the what?

The problem is purpose. Don’t settle for mediocrity. You were created in God’s image. You were created for greatness. You were created to impact the world. Stop settling.

Stop buying clothes or getting drunk to numb pain for a few hours. Get drunk on wonder, curiosity, and excitement. Get high on passion and excellence. C’mon, Christians! You weren’t created for a paycheck. You weren’t created to “veg out” on the couch. You were created to change the world.

Where Am I Going? (ASSIGNMENT)

I talk with college and 20-somethings often. In my conversations, their most common fear is making the wrong career choice.

I know the feeling. I was there.

Understand this. You won’t stay in one place forever. Take the weight of the world off your shoulders.

A recent report found that the average person spends 4.4 years at his or her job. The typical American will have 11 jobs before retirement. The days of working in a steel factory for 50 years are over. Stop stressing about your first job out of college. You will have 10 more.

Whether you’re stressed over taking your first job or whether to move on from your current job, here are a few questions that might help you clarify your assignment.

  1. Do you look forward to Monday morning? 

  2. Are your reasons for staying at your current job superficial (salary, benefits, stability)? 

  3. Are you being challenged? 

  4. Does your current job ignite your passions and give you a sense of purpose? 

  5. Would you secretly be relieved if your boss let you go? 

Life is too short for you to stay at a job because “it pays the bills.” Actually, God pays the bills, and he created you to fulfill a huge purpose. Stop punching a time clock because you’re scared to step out in faith.

You should be fearful of standing in front of God and explaining why you chose to “pay the bills” and not live out your purpose.

Don’t remain fiercely loyal to an employer. Don’t remain fiercely loyal to a vocation. Remain fiercely loyal to a purpose, YOUR purpose. Don’t feel bad for leaving a job if it prevents you from living out your purpose. Your assignment is a means to live out your purpose. When your current assignment hinders your purpose, it’s time to go.

______________

Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? are hugely important questions. This post is by no means a comprehensive answer. It is, however, a place to start.

God created you in his image. That’s huge. You aren’t mediocre. You have a huge purpose. One only you can fulfill. What would happen if you spent time answering these questions? I pray God revealed something to you.

What would you add? Leave a comment below. 

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

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Faith

What The Church Needs To Know About Adoption

by Tiffani Powell
written by Tiffani Powell

Twenty-one months ago, our family began the adoption process. Yes, we’re that crazy family that began the adoption process with an 11-month-old and baby #2 on the way.

Walking this journey has taught me so much about God, his people, our children, and his church. There are multiple ways God uses his people to help children without families. Here are a few things I think the church needs to know about adoption.

Adoption is the Gospel.

The foundation of adoption is not seen when we look at families adopting children today, but when we look at the way God adopted us. Adoption is the HEART of the gospel. Look at Galatians 4:4-5, 7.

[blockquote cite=”Galatians 4:4-5,7″ type=”left”]But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons… So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.[/blockquote]

How amazing is that?! He didn’t say, “so you may go to heaven.” He didn’t say, “so you can enjoy gifts like joy and peace while you’re on this earth.” He says, “we have been adopted as his CHILDREN!!” He has given us the whole package…the family deal…the whole shebang. Yep, he is our Father when we need guidance, abundant life, freedom, salvation, and an inheritance. It’s all ours. It’s the Gospel. It’s why Jesus came.

Adoption is a sign the world is broken.

Jesus adopted us. Yes, that’s EXCITING news! But the reality is adoption exists because sin exists. It is a product of this broken world. And we paint adoption as a beautiful picture. What we see, however, is one outer layer. Underneath the paint are layers of hurt, pain, neglect, and suffering.

It’s easy for people to look into the world of adoption and see the beauty. But the real picture is one of tragedy. Thankfully, we serve a God who specializes in transforming tragedy into triumph. We serve a God who takes something ugly and makes it beautiful.

Adoption is messy.

Remember the moment you became a Christian? You felt on top of the world, right? I did. And then…a few weeks after I realized I was still a really messed up human in desperate need of Jesus. When we adopt children, the ultimate picture isn’t what we see on blogs and social media.

The real picture isn’t a blended family where no one looks alike but all seems picture perfect. No, it’s a daily grind. It’s a daily renewal. If you think children who come from hopeless situations will be an easy ride, you are drinking the blog/social media kool-aid. Look in the mirror. What do you see? I see a mess. I see a woman who loves the Lord but fails often. We can’t expect adopted children to be any different.

Adoption is not a noble, heroic mission project.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard, “This is a noble thing you are doing.” While I appreciate the attempt (yes, much worse things have been said), adoption is not our mission project. When we look at a child as a way to “do good” in the world, we are stripping the child of his or her humanity and ability to be a true member of our family.

There are many situations when Christians “do good” to “feel good.” This is problematic. At the end of the day, we are not heroes in a Marvel comic book. We are broken people striving to live in the footsteps of Jesus. God calls us to do things so HIS name is glorified. It has nothing to do with us. While we hope everything we do in life points people to Jesus, there is nothing noble or heroic about adopting a child.

We aren’t heroes in a comic book. We are broken people striving to live like Jesus.

Adoption takes a village. Church…that includes YOU!

We have two biological boys. When I’m dragging in on a Sunday morning with a child on each hip after 4,293 tears (Yes..I have counted each one) are shed, 3 outfits are ruined and no one has had breakfast, I’m so grateful for the body of Christ that grabs a baby and walks through the messiness of the day with me.

It’s easy for people to ask the question, “When is your child coming home?” I’ve come to dislike that question. I don’t dislike the people who ask it, just the question. The fact is, I don’t know when our child is coming home. Unlike pregnancy, adoption has NO timeline. In fact, we’ve already experienced so many roadblocks and speed bumps in the past 21 months I am convicted the Lord saw the need to do some serious refining in me in the area of trusting His timing.

The church must be present to walk with people through this process. Some churches are better at this than others. But here’s the thing…more families would be willing to adopt if they saw the church as a body that would carry them through the process. It’s often a lonely road to travel.

People understand pregnancy. People don’t understand adoption. I am praying churches will educate themselves about adoption, supporting adoption, and encouraging adoption.

Adoption can look different.

There are ALOT of ways adoption occurs. We have friends who adopted an infant domestically. I recently made a new friend who adopted her husband’s biological children, and he adopted her biological children after they each experienced spousal death in their first marriage. Another friend adopted an older child from foster care. We know grandparents who adopted their grandchildren. Others adopt children with special needs. Adoptions occur from the United States, China, Ethiopia, the Marshall Islands, Kazakhstan and lots of countries in between.

You get the picture. Very few adoptions are the same. God orchestrates each situation in a unique way. Because we are adopting from Ethiopia does not mean I do not care about the children in foster care or the children in Haiti. Maybe one day God will call us to adopt from those places. Right now, our family is seeking and trusting God’s guidance. And we believe we are exactly where He wants us.

Adoption is not a calling for everyone.

James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

One of our dearest friends graduated from college and immediately became a houseparent in a children’s home. You want to talk about living out James 1:27?? A 22-year-old female raising a house full of children whose parents were deemed incapable of raising them is the ultimate example of this verse. That’s called MESSY…and OBEDIENT.

Another friend of mine, along with my college roommate, started a non-profit to help an orphanage in Uganda, a youth program in Kenya, AND adopting families in the U.S. That’s THEIR calling. Many families, friends, and people we’ve never met have used their financial resources to help fund our adoption. It is only through God’s goodness and use of his people we have been able to make every payment along the way.

Adoption is our calling, but maybe it’s not yours. You’re here for a purpose. Never try to live someone else’s calling. You’ll miss out on what God has YOU here to do!

I hope you will start seeking a heart like Jesus if you are not doing so already. The heart of Jesus is one that breaks when children do not have families. A heart that breaks when children are neglected. And ultimately I pray the broken heart of God towards our helplessness will become your broken heart towards the helpless of this world.

What have you learned about adoption that you want others to know? What do you want to know about adoption? Leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!

Blessings!

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Faith

8 Hard Lessons I Learned From Leaving My Job and My Church

by Frank Powell
written by Frank Powell

Three weeks ago, I did something very un-American. I resigned from my position at the church where I worked with no leads and no idea what was next.

It’s funny how God works. Two months ago, I celebrated my 30th birthday. I thought my 30th birthday would be a landmark year, professionally, a launching point to something great. But God had different plans. Rather than launching, I’m still on the runway. God wasn’t finished teaching me hard lessons about my weaknesses and amazing truths about his character.

I want to share these lessons with you. This post isn’t about my former employer. I mean this. I’m so thankful for the time I had there. I built friendships that will last a lifetime. I watched college take huge strides in their relationship with God. I learned so much about myself.

This post is about the lessons God taught me. And, ultimately, I hope the lessons God taught me will help you. Here we go.

1.) God is your source of income, not your employer.

Tiffani and I prayed and fasted over the decision to resign. We were at peace about moving on but continued to get hung up on the financial thing. After all, we own a home. We have two young boys. If I resigned, I couldn’t call my mortgage company and get them to put a hold on payments.

The church was our source of income. What were we going to do if I resigned without a plan for paying the bills?

Then one of our mentors said something that changed everything. “This church isn’t your source of income. God is. He is simply using this church to fund you. If you are confident God is calling you to leave, he will find another way to provide for you.”

Wow.

Here’s what I want you to know. God is responsible for your income. Organizations, businesses, churches, and individuals are simply a means for God. You must remain faithful to God’s calling, not your pay check. If God calls you to go, you must go. And, I can promise you this. He will provide. You might have to adjust your lifestyle. You might have to make sacrifices. But never forget that God is your source of income.

When you lose sight of this, you become enslaved to your employer.

I have heard more than one story of a minister or businessman who refused to leave a job even though the situation was toxic. If you refuse to leave a job because it will require you to change your lifestyle, who are you really serving?

Trust God. He will provide. Always.

2.) Make sure your passions and vision align with your employer.

Whether you work at a church, school, or business, philosophical and cultural fits are two of the most overlooked factors in hiring or accepting a job. In churches, I would argue they are almost as important as theological fit.

Do your passions, vision, and goals align with your potential employer? Does your philosophy of ministry align well with the culture?

Here’s the bottom line: I resigned because God made it obvious that I was a bad fit. It wasn’t a matter of theology. My vision for ministry was different from the leadership. My passions and goals for ministry didn’t align with theirs.

Understand your gifts. Know your passions. Take personality tests. Get a grasp on your leadership strengths. When you apply for a job, ask those interviewing you questions about their vision, how they engage the lost and serve the community.

You can agree with everything theologically, but if you don’t fit in other areas, you will be peeing in the wind.

3.) When it’s time to go, God will release you.

How will you know when it’s time to go? I’m seriously not being a jerk when I say this, but you will just know. God will release you. Not only that, but everyone who is for you and led by the Spirit will confirm your release.

When Tiffani and I thought we were released, we called at least a handful of people we trust, explained the situation, and asked them to pray for us. A day or two later, we contacted them again. And we heard some variation of the same response. They all said it was time to go.

If you’re a pastor or church leader and you don’t have people in your life who care more about you than your platform, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

I am so thankful for the small circle of people who love Frank Powell the man. They don’t care about Frank Powell the preacher, blogger, or teacher. They want what is best for me.

I know many church leaders with no friends. But I also know this. If you aren’t willing to put yourself out there, be vulnerable, and let people know you have real problems, you will never have friends.

You can’t make it without people in your life who care about you.

4.) Be careful what you preach. God will ask you to back it up.

This is an important lesson God taught me the last three weeks. Don’t ask others to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. It’s the mantra of leadership.

[tweet_box design=”default”]If you ask others to do things you wouldn’t do, you’re a bad leader.[/tweet_box]

For years, I challenged people to take risks and trust more in God than their abilities. And, to be honest, I wasn’t practicing much of it. God called my bluff.

Well played, Big Man. Well played.

If you follow God long enough, he’s going to test you. God challenged Abraham’s comfort by asking him to leave his family. He challenged Noah’s logic by telling him to build a boat when it had never rained. He challenged Moses to work from his weaknesses by talking to Pharoah even though he wasn’t an eloquent speaker.

God might not ask you to quit your job, but you better believe he will test your comfort and logic.

5.) Don’t devote your life to A church. Devote your life to THE church. 

Can I keep it real? Ministry is hard. Life is hard. I hear stories often about pastors leaving ministry because they were burnt by another Christian. I wouldn’t for a second dismiss the pain those people experienced. But I would say this. Don’t lose hope in the church because of one self-centered Christian. Don’t lose hope because of several self-centered Christians.

God restored my hope in the church the past three weeks. Five years ago, I dedicated my life to the church because I fell in love with Jesus. And I wanted to serve his bride for the rest of my life.

People are going to hurt you. You will hurt other people. As a leader, you must set the example. Don’t lose hope in THE church. Fight cynical temptations. Resist bitterness. It’s hard. I’ve been wounded more than once by Christians. But my hope isn’t ultimately in people.

My hope is in the risen Savior, Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of God. Because of Jesus, I believe in the church. I pray you will too.

6.) It’s okay to express anger, sadness, and frustration. You are not a robot. 

When I resigned, I was angry, frustrated, and sad. But I felt like I needed to be strong for my family and friends. I knew this decision was hard, but I thought acting like Mary Poppins would convince them we were ok.

So, even though I was struggling, I suppressed my emotions. After all, I grew up in a “real men suck it up and don’t cry” culture.

Fast forward three weeks to last Sunday. During worship, a college student asked me to pray for him. He expressed that he felt spiritually dry and lifeless. So, like a good minister, I prayed for him. I thanked him for his authenticity, gave him a hug and sat down.

The moment my rear-end hit the seat, I lost it. Like a total break down. The last time I cried like that was when I watched The Notebook. I still cry every time I watch it. Stop judging me.

Why did I break down? I couldn’t hide the hypocrisy any longer. The emotions I buried for three weeks poured out. And here’s the beautiful thing about the way God created us. As the anger, frustration, and pain poured out from my heart, joy and peace flowed out too.

You see, when you bury negative emotions, you also bury positive ones. In other words, if you bury pain from a divorce, frustration from a failed test, or anger from being fired, you also bury joy and peace. No wonder so many pastors are burnt-out and joyless. We’re told to press through the pain. We believe being authentic means we are weak, and leaders can’t show weakness.

I’ve decided to take a different approach moving forward. It’s called the “24-hour rule.” John Maxwell talks about this in Good Leaders Ask Great Questions. Whether it’s a huge win or a heart-breaking loss, process your emotions for 24 hours, good or bad. Then, move on.

[tweet_box design=”default”]You can’t bury anger and sadness without burying joy and peace.[/tweet_box]

You must be real with others about your emotions. Express your pain, anger, and sadness. Your joy and peace depend on it.

7.) Don’t wallow in regret. Don’t start (or engage) gossip. 

[blockquote cite=”Katherine Mansfield” type=”left”]Regret is an appalling waste of energy…You can’t build on it; it’s only good for wallowing in. [/blockquote]

Regret destroys potential. Wallowing in your mistakes is never from God. Regret is the language of Satan. God calls his people to remember the past and learn from their mistakes. But God never calls his people to live in the past.

Neither should you.

In the days after my resignation, I felt the temptation to swim in regret. There was no moral failure. But there were some things I could have handled better. Most of all, I believed I was letting down some students I love deeply. But as the days progressed, God pressed me towards the future and away from the past.

When God releases you, allow yourself to be fully released. Don’t engage in gossip. Don’t spread rumors. Don’t worry about things beyond your control. Remember, God doesn’t need you. Never has. Never will. He’s got this. Learn from your mistakes. But don’t live in them.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Learn from your mistakes, but don’t live in them.[/tweet_box]

8.) Keep your eyes fixed on the future. The best is yet to come!

Keep your eyes fixed on the future. Fight for hope. Don’t allow current circumstances to cloud you from seeing future opportunities. Keep fighting. Keep moving. The best is yet to come.

I have no idea what tomorrow brings, but I know the One who holds tomorrow. I refuse to lose hope. I believe the greatest miracles and the best days are the ones I have yet to see.

If you’re hurting right now, I feel your pain. If your life seems like it’s crashing down, I understand. Set your eyes on the cross. The darkest day in the history of the world was that Friday Jesus gave up his life. The future looked grim. But the worse day in human history gave birth to the greatest day…On Sunday, Jesus walked out of the tomb. Alive.

If you’re going through a “Friday” experience, remember that Sunday has the last word, not Friday. Sunday’s coming for you too. I believe it.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

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Why Are So Many Christians Bored With God? Here Are 6 Reasons.

by Frank Powell
written by Frank Powell

The human brain craves stimulation. When we don’t receive proper stimulation, boredom creeps in. When boredom is left unchecked, disgust forms. Things get worse from there. This phenomenon is seen often in animals confined to cages for long periods of time.

But, in one horrific case, the devastating effects of boredom were seen on a child. Genie was born in 1957, and for the first thirteen years of her life she was confined to a small bedroom with two blacked-out windows. She was often tied to a toilet seat and rarely fed solid food. When authorities found Genie, in 1970, she had not acquired a language and had the mental capacity of an 18-month-old.

This is an extreme example of boredom’s toxic effects. But boredom, in small doses, is actually healthy. Boredom protects you. When you engage in monotonous tasks, listen to mono-toned speakers, or join an organization that accepts mediocrity, boredom acts as a red flag. This red flag compels you to go deeper, start something new, or engage in a creative task.

But, the longer you accept boredom, ignoring the red flag, the more things become dangerous. Prolonged boredom leads to cynicism, anger, distrust, and a host of other issues.

When I think about the landscape of American Christianity, the red flag is up. Boredom has moved from healthy to unhealthy levels for many Christians. Worship is unfulfilling. Expectations towards God are low. Many wake up every day and are content with going through the motions. Arguing and cynical behavior are high. Why is it that God offers people a life to the fullest, yet many Christians (starting with me) seem to live on life support?

If the red flags are up and you are bored with God, I want to share with you some things I have witnessed in my own life. Here are 6 reasons you are bored with God.

1.) You read the Bible and pray every day. 

Yes, you read that correctly. Many Christians continue to read a Bible that does nothing to their heart. They pray, and their words mean nothing. Somehow, many Christians have come to believe continuing a lifeless spiritual discipline is more important than finding new ways to experience a life-giving God.

Seriously. Think about it. Do you feel guilty on those days when you don’t open the Bible? I confess. I do. And, several weeks ago, I had an “AHA” moment. I was reading like a good Christian boy, and I came across the story of Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33). I finished reading the chapter, closed my Bible, and started praying.

Before I said anything, I heard God say, “You have become too familiar with the Bible. Do you not realize that Jesus just walked…on water!!”

I responded with, “Seriously, God? I didn’t know that was really water?! Can I read it again?” (Me and God have a sarcastic relationship like that.)

For the next week, I didn’t read the Bible. It was the longest span away from Scripture since my baptism. You see, the Bible tells stories of a God who speaks the world into existence, floods an entire earth, makes the sun stand still, and walks on water. These stories are designed to paint a picture of God’s character. And the picture should cause you to bow down in worship and jump with joy…at the same time.

[tweet_box design=”default”]One of the greatest threats to Christianity is familiarity with an all-powerful God.[/tweet_box]

One of the greatest threat to American Christianity is familiarity with an all-powerful God. When you read stories like a real man taking steps on open water, it should cause you to stop and think. Things like this aren’t normal. You know why? God’s not normal. He’s not like you and me.

Don’t be enslaved to reading the Bible every day. It’s not a command. Be enslaved to knowing and encountering God in new and fresh ways.

2.) You are disconnected from God’s creation. 

Richard Louv has a fascinating book called The Nature Principle. In this book, he says for the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, rather than rural environments. The result is “nature-deficit disorder,” which Louv defines as “a diminished ability to find meaning in the life that surrounds us, whatever form it takes.”

When I read this I think about Paul’s words in Romans.

[blockquote cite=”Romans 1:20″ type=”left”]For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.[/blockquote]

The more you disconnect from God’s creation, the more you disconnect from God. And, let’s be real, most of us would rather play video games or watch Netflix for an entire day than spend time outside. We are pretty disconnected from God’s creation.

Maybe this speaks to why many Christians are bored with God. Every inch of God’s creation reveals something about his character. There is a certain peace and “completeness” that comes with being outside.

I felt this recently when my family went camping. I was never a camper. But I reluctantly agreed to go because Tiffani loves to camp. I remember leaving Thursday afternoon, my mind restless and my heart anxious. But something happened the next two days. A weird peace came over me as I spent time in the woods. As we prepared to head home, I was so unconcerned with social media and e-mail that I packed my phone in the tent. When I realized my phone was inside a tent that took fifteen minutes to fold, I tried to blame everything on Tiffani. It didn’t work.

Being honest…I didn’t want my phone back. I experienced something in two days with my family and God’s creation that I hadn’t experienced in years of increased exposure to technology.

Turn off the Xbox. Put down the phone. Go for a walk. Sit outside. Go camping. God’s invisible qualities are waiting there for you.

3.) You don’t invest time in meaningful relationships. 

I bet every dollar I ever make that the most bored, cynical, pessimistic people are the ones with the fewest meaningful relationships. You were created for social interaction. God, after all, lives in community with the Trinity. He has for all of eternity.

I see this in my life. I am an introvert, and there are seasons when I disengage from people as a way to deal with stress or disappointment. Ironically, the more I disengage from meaningful conversations and neglect important relationships, the more stress I feel.

I don’t think it’s ironic that America is becoming more individualistic while boredom and its relatives (anxiety, stress, discontent, and depression) are higher than ever. Our country has transitioned from a front porch to a back porch culture. And this shift has affected our health in more ways than we realize.

Don’t come into a church building one hour a week, then wonder why your relationship with God is more fickle than an eighth-grade girl.

You must invest in relationships with people to experience a full understanding of God.

4.) You aren’t living out your unique purpose and calling.

For years, I have been in church. Thousands of worship services, small group gatherings, and mission trips. Through all of this, one thought has haunted my mind.

There has to be more to Christianity than this.

Ever been haunted by this thought? It won’t leave you. No matter how much you read the Bible, participate in a small group, or show up for worship on Sunday morning, the thought won’t go away.

That voice isn’t the ghost of discontent. It’s the voice of God. It’s a red flag calling you to engage your unique purpose.

You were created for a purpose. There is a specific reason you are here. That reason has nothing to do with you. It is larger than you. It’s about showing God to the world through your unique gifts and talents.

You weren’t created to amass a huge bank account, live comfortably in a mansion, or work a 9-5 just for a paycheck. You weren’t made to fill a spot on a pew. Don’t mock God by living a mediocre life.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Don’t mock God by living a mediocre life. You have an extraordinary purpose.[/tweet_box]

The next time you hear that soft voice whisper, “There has to be more to Christianity than this.” Respond by saying, “You’re right, God. I have an extraordinary purpose. Give me the courage to be brave. Give the capacity to love radically. Give me the wisdom to see where you want me to go.”

I think it’s a scary thing if you don’t hear that voice pleading for more. It’s most likely a sign that you have accepted mediocrity and boredom.

That’s dangerous stuff.

5.) You spend more time doing things for God than being alone with God. 

As I said above, boredom isn’t a negative emotion. In fact, a recent article found that boredom is essential for human development and unlocking creative potential.

To avoid a life plagued by boredom, you must have intentional periods of boredom. Call it the paradox of boredom.

Here’s what it means for Christians. If you want to avoid a discontent, overwhelmed existence, the rhythm of your life must include periods of resting. You must be still and know that God is…God.

Too many Christians are sucked into the speed of the world. The world responds to boredom by going faster and doing more. After all, what other framework does the world have?

But Christians should be like the grandma everyone passes on the freeway. You know the one. She’s received multiple tickets for driving under the minimum speed limit.

Would you call those “speeding tickets”?

Anyway.

Maybe you need to learn the practice of holy boredom. When was the last time you observed the Sabbath? How long has it been since you spent an extended amount of time with God?

The mouthpiece of God is silence. So, if you’re overwhelmed with life, always discontent, maybe you need to disconnect from the noise of the world.

6.) You don’t recognize the miracles God performs in everyday life.

Almost daily, I do something that leaves my two boys saying, “Dad, how did you that?” You might think I’m a wizard or something. But you would be wrong. What usually amazes them is something trivial like opening a bag of chips or spelling my name. Anything I do outside of their control is miraculous to my boys. In their eyes, performing miracles is my favorite past time.

While I’m not a miracle worker, God is. And Christians are bored with God, at least partly, because they don’t see the miracles God performs all around them, every day.

“But Frank. I don’t believe God performs miracles anymore. The Bible says so.”

First of all, the Bible doesn’t say so. You have probably been taught a faulty interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13. Secondly, if you don’t believe God performs miracles, what exactly do you believe in? Is God not all-powerful?

Three months ago, I witnessed a miracle in my living room. From the time Tiffani and I started hosting a small group in our home, one student, in particular, was always disinterested. He would show up, but he never engaged. He would crack jokes as we studied Scripture. He played on his phone during prayer. His roommate was so concerned about his faith that he came to our house a couple of times just to pray for him.

The school year concluded in early May, and this guy spent the next two months interning with his wife at her home church. One night in early July, he showed up for a Bible study. What I saw blew my mind. He was engaged. His heart overflowed with passion for God. He even commented several times.

The transformation was nothing short of a miracle.

After everyone left, I went to my room and cried. I repented for not believing God could work miracles. The God I serve is a miracle worker. Every time new life comes from a mother’s womb, a miracle is performed. Every day, as the sun peeks its rays over the horizon, a miracle is performed.

When God becomes logical, faith becomes boring. Fight the temptation. Open your eyes to the miracles He performs all around you, every day.

______________

Boredom isn’t the problem. Unchecked boredom is. Don’t ignore the red flags. Don’t close your eyes to the new adventures God might place in your life. Live expectantly. Look for evidence of God everywhere.

It’s time to stop accepting mediocre Christianity. It’s time to go deeper. It’s time to live the abundant life by leaning into our amazing God.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

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I Have A Dream…For The Church

by Frank Powell
written by Frank Powell

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. These words echoed from the podium that summer day as soundwaves of hope.

Dr. King understood the reality of the world. But he refused to accept it. He envisioned a day when blacks and whites were treated equally. Dr. King could see the day as clearly as he could see the thousands in front of him. He was a visionary. A dreamer. The epitome of hope.

I am not the man or leader Dr. King was, but I understand the angst he felt. It’s a feeling in the pit of your stomach. A thought circulating in your head. As much as you try to shake the thought, it won’t go away. “There must be more. This can’t be all there is.”

You see, two thousand years ago, Jesus breathed his final breath. Three days later, he arose from the dead. The scars were visible. They were tangible proof that death couldn’t hold him in the grave. As Jesus walked out, something new was born. Something the world had never seen. Something Jesus said the gates of hell would not contain. That something was the church.

The church would be the vehicle to transport light to a dark world. Hope would be restored to a hopeless world. The blind would have sight. The lost would have a home. People from all nations would be united under one name.

Two thousand years later, the church is struggling to be what God created her to be. The world often sees the church as narrow-minded, shallow, and judgmental. Two thousand years later, the church is moving to the margins of culture. God’s people are supposed to shine the light of God’s love, mercy, and grace into the world, paralyzing the darkness. But, two thousand years later, the light appears to be growing dim.

In the words of Dr. King, “It would be fatal for us to overlook the urgency of the moment.” We can’t return to business as usual. Status quo is not an acceptable posture. The church can’t be satisfied until every person has food and water. The church can’t be satisfied until every man and woman experience freedom from the chains of sexual slavery and forced labor. The church can’t be satisfied until every man and woman hear the gospel.

There is work to do. We must stop with the “woe is me” attitude. Shame isn’t in the vocabulary of God’s people. Yes, the church has a tainted past. Yes, the church will continue to face problems in the future.

But, I have hope. I believe in the church. I believe that Jesus still reigns. And I believe the same power that breathed into a dead Jesus, bringing him back to life, resides in his people today.

I have a dream for the church.

I have a dream that one day the church will be a place where older generations don’t bury years of wisdom in the grave.

[tweet_box design=”default”]I have a dream that older generations won’t bury wisdom in the grave.[/tweet_box]

I see the day when older generations will pour wisdom into younger generations, empowering and equipping them to lead the church with confidence and hope. And, as this happens, the older generation will cheer on the younger, serving Jesus until their final breath on earth.

I have a dream that one day the church will be more than an hour of worship on Sundays. 

I see a day when faith is more than a couple of hours on Sunday. Taking the gospel into the workplace, the ballfields, and the schools is equally as important as preaching the gospel from a pulpit. The church spends too much energy arguing and dividing over worship styles. How much longer will our conversations be dominated by what happens for an hour on Sunday morning?

I see a day when the greatest sermons are the ones preached in the inner cities as Christians sacrifice their safety to have conversations with the homeless. I see a day when the most powerful stories of faith are the ones experienced in homes, where Christians are on their knees praying over a broken marriage or a cancer-stricken child.

I have a dream!

I have a dream that one day churches in every city will unite under the one name that holds us together instead of the many issues that pull us apart.

I see glimpses of the day when people decide the only way to restore a broken world to Jesus is to unite under that name. The church has thousands of ways to express faith. Praise God for that. I see the day when conservatives and liberals celebrate one another for the work Christ is doing through them. I see the day when Baptists celebrate Methodists for bringing a lost person to Christ. I see the day when blacks, whites, yellows, and reds elevate Christ above their personal preferences.

I have a dream that one day the church will be known as the center of creativity and excellence. 

I see the day when universities, Fortune 500 companies, and Hollywood producers pile into church offices seeking wisdom and guidance. I see the day when the church produces art that reflects the infinite beauty of an infinite God. I see the day when the church isn’t a laughing stock because of poorly written and produced movies. Instead, the best writers and actors in the world flock to the church because God’s people are the center of creativity and excellence.

I have a dream that one day the church will show the scandalous grace of Christ, accepting pedophiles, prostitutes, and the marginalized. 

I see the day when the bars, whether physical or metaphorical, are removed from the church. Everyone, regardless of past sin, is welcomed. Just a few days ago, I had a conversation with several college students about a man struggling with pedophilia. This man was convicted of this heinous, evil crime years ago. He served jail time, but has been free for three years now. This man wanted to join a local church, and its members were very reluctant to accept him.

I see a day when this isn’t the church’s default posture. When society’s outcasts walk into the church, they aren’t met with cautious distrust. They are instead met with hopeful optimism, trusting God’s power to take any heart and make it new.

I have a dream that one day the church will cast a vision as large the God we serve.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Your church’s vision reflects the size of your church’s God.[/tweet_box]

Your vision reflects your God. How big is your God? I see a day when churches cast a vision that stretches to the ends of the earth. The gospel is fearlessly spread to remote countries. Justice is relentlessly shown to the oppressed and the marginalized. And Christians are open-handed with their resources, refusing to allow people to die of starvation or treatable sickness, like the stomach virus and the common cold.

I have a dream that one day the church will be so overcome with passion that it spills into every workplace, school campus, and neighborhood. 

I see the day when “half-way, lukewarm, and mediocre” aren’t words describing Christians. I see it so clearly. Led by the power of the Holy Spirit, every Christian will be so compelled by hope and love that Christ spreads into every business, school, and neighborhood like a holy cancer.

I have a dream that one day the church will be known for faith, hope, and love but above all for love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “Now, these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I see the day when the church isn’t a place where prideful leaders feel compelled to speak in a foreign language. I see the day when the most hardcore atheists might deny the existence of God. But it will be impossible for them to deny the existence of radical love. The church will not be a place where broken people are fixed. It will be a place for hurting people to be loved.

[tweet_box design=”default”]The church is a place for the hurting to be loved, not the broken to be fixed.[/tweet_box]

The church won’t be taken back by different stances on marriage, views on politics, or opinions about tattoos. The church won’t feel the need to drive salvation into the hearts of evil sinners. Instead, Christians will be compelled to love people, pointing them to the only one powerful enough to transform hearts, God.

_____________

This is my hope. I pray this is your hope as well. I see the day, church. I don’t write this as a cynic. I write this as a hopeful realist. I write this as a church leader in the trenches.

When this day becomes a reality, when every voice in every city sees hope restored and the gospel proclaimed, with one collective voice, the church will sing the words of the classic hymn:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

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Faith

8 Ways To Treat Cynicism Sickness From A Recovering Christian Cynic

by Frank Powell
written by Frank Powell

Hello, my name is Frank Powell, and I am a recovering Christian cynic. I was disillusioned about the church. I didn’t sign up for church ministry. I was drafted by God. I also didn’t grow up heavily involved in a youth group. I attended church sporadically to appease my parents.

I tell you this because when God drafted me, I had a picture of the church. This picture was shaped by my limited experience in church and my idea of what I thought “church” should look like.

In my mind, church ministry would be easy.

I would baptize new Christians all the time. Everyone would be receptive to my plans and teaching. In no time, I would have a mega-church. I knew I could do it. I was friends with several 20-somethings on Facebook and Twitter who pastored mega-churches.

I quickly realized “church people” are often frustrating and resistant to change. Not everyone enjoyed my teaching. Progress was slow. For nearly two years, I fought disillusionment. And, slowly, I made strides.

Then came the bombshell.

Another minister at the church where I worked sent me a scathing e-mail. He attacked everything, from my competency in ministry to the future salvation of my family.

That e-mail was the final straw. I wanted out.

Ever been there?

Thankfully, God kept me in ministry. I accepted another position and battled more disillusionment. But on the other side of my latest season in ministry, God restored my hope. It’s not because people changed. People will always be people. It’s not because the church is different. My hope is restored in the church and in God’s work in the world because God awakened me to inconsistencies and brokenness in my heart.

Here’s the reality. Cynicism plagues our culture. It might be the greatest threat to the present-day church. Cynicism is toxic. It’s insanely contagious. And, it’s not a respecter of persons. Anyone, anywhere, regardless of age, background, socioeconomic level, or race is susceptible to cynicism.

Cynics live without hope (the anchor of the Christian faith), void of compassion, lacking trust in everyone and everything. And without hope, compassion, and trust, what do you have? Seriously?

I want to share what I learned about cynicism. And I want to challenge you to start (or continue) fighting against cynicism. Cynicism is a sickness. It’s not from God.

Here are 8 ways to treat cynicism sickness.

1.) Never become familiar with God.

[blockquote cite=”Margaret Feinberg” type=”left”]If familiarity breeds contempt, then religious familiarity breeds unholy cynicism.[/blockquote]

Familiarity with God turns blind faith into dry legalism. The church needs a larger view of God. The church needs to rediscover the God who created stars with his breath. God’s people are desperate for a new, fresh perspective of what it means to be all-powerful and all-knowing. There is no mountain God can’t move. There is no place to hide from God. If you travel to Pluto, he’s there. If you travel to the furthest known galaxy in the universe, MACS0647-JD, 13.3 billion light years from earth, God is there.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Familiarity with God turns blind faith into dry legalism.[/tweet_box]

Write this down…the smaller your God, the larger your problems. And when your problems are too big for God, cynicism will plague your life. Rest in God’s power to do anything, anywhere, anytime.

But also rest in God’s knowledge, which far exceeds yours. God might not answer the way you want. It’s not because God doesn’t hear you. It’s because he sees the trajectory of your life. And, he weaves your requests with his will to form an unbreakable cord that lasts for all of eternity.

2.) Don’t fight religious battles. Just serve people. 

Several years ago, a tornado ravaged a suburb in Jackson, MS. A group of teenagers and adults from my church spent the day helping those affected. It’s interesting. That day, I served alongside Christians from other denominations. I realized, despite what I was taught, they weren’t from Satan. They actually loved Jesus. A lot.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Cynicism thrives in a culture where Christians are idle and bored.[/tweet_box]

You know who doesn’t spend time debating ideals? Christians actively engaged in the mission of Christ. These Christians are too busy actually doing what Jesus said to debate whether Jesus actually meant it. What a novel idea, right? You see, cynicism thrives in a culture where Christians are idle and bored.

Show me a culture where Christians are cynical, I will bet my son’s salary (because he’s three) that church is focused on themselves and not others. I will bet my other son’s salary (because he’s two) a disproportionate number of Christians simply fill pews. Few Christians in cynical churches serve and few church leaders challenge people to serve.

Can you imagine what would happen if every Christian decided to serve others? This sounds ridiculous, but what if Christians stopped reading about Jesus and started living out what they already knew?

What if…

3.) Challenge your long-held assumptions about your faith and God. 

[blockquote cite=”Eric Hoffer” type=”left”]In times of profound change, the learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”[/blockquote]

Cynicism loves a culture where people hold to their beliefs tighter than the time I held to my wife when we rode the Goliath at Six Flags. And, yes. I screamed like a girl. Don’t judge me.

You are a learner. When you stop learning, you cease to be human. Human beings are the only creations of God with the ability to accumulate knowledge. 

Dogs eat, pee, poop, make me sneeze (I’m allergic), and sleep. Dogs don’t reach a certain level of maturity and say, “Hey, I think I’ll learn to drive today.”

Cats eat, pee, poop, annoy people, look scary, and sleep. No one ever walked into your house, looked at your cat, and said, “Isn’t your cat five? Shouldn’t he be in school?”

But you? You were created to learn. If God is all-knowing, it is godly to learn and grow.

Listen to people you don’t agree with. I listen to sermons and podcasts of people from all walks of life and backgrounds. I have even listened to atheists discuss their perspective on the world, humanity, and culture. Do I agree with them? No. Do I have to agree with their views to listen to them? No.

You must listen to viewpoints you don’t agree with. Your church culture won’t do this for you. Most Sunday mornings are glorified pep rallies. Just watch the head nods. Listen for the amens. Here’s what they mean. “Yeah, I knew that. Yep, that’s right. I agree with you.” People come to hear the preacher say what they already know.

To combat the pep rally culture, you must expand your horizon. Challenge your traditional thinking. Be open-minded. Learners will inherit the earth. Are you a learner?

4.) Engage in Christian community.

You weren’t created to be alone. Isolation fuels cynicism. Ironically, cynicism often drives people into isolation. So, there’s a dangerous cycle at work here.

How do you break the cycle? Christian community. Authentic, Christ-centered community removes poison from the veins of cynicism. It reveals, on a smaller scale, what is true on a global scale. Transformation is slow. Ministry is messy. People are broken. Growth comes through vulnerability. The mission of Christ is external. Suffering is inevitable.

You get the idea.

You can’t become the man or woman God created you to be if you aren’t plugged into Christian community.

Through the years, community with other Christians shaped my journey more than anything else. I decided to go into full-time ministry after a Bible study at a friend’s home. When I got the news about cancer, it was my community who prayed for me. I could on and on.

As much as it hurts, regardless of how uncomfortable it is for you, plug into a community of believers. It will transform your life.

5.) Be vulnerable and authentic.

Cynicism thrives in a culture where Bible memorization and church attendance are merit badges for your coat of external righteousness. Why? External righteousness isn’t about God. It’s about you. And cynicism begins at the line between selflessness and selfishness.

This is why authenticity is so important. It reminds you that you’re broken. And this brokenness reminds you of God’s perfection.

But, if your church culture is like mine, this isn’t the message you are taught. I was instructed to hide my sins. Good Christian boys didn’t have sex, watch pornography, or drink alcohol. And God didn’t like little boys who did those things. So, when I did them, you know who I told? No one. And it caused me years of shame and pride.

At some point, I decided the Christian game wasn’t very fun and I stopped playing. Regardless of the facade your church tries to sell, don’t buy it. Everyone is broken. Every person who walks in a church building struggles with something. If you think you don’t struggle with anything, you’re wrong.

You struggle with pride…and lying.

Surround yourself with Christians who value authenticity. The more you do this, the less you hide feelings of shame. The more you let go of yourself, the deeper you sink in the sea of God’s unending grace. Cynicism dies where God’s grace lives.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Cynicism dies where God’s grace lives.[/tweet_box]

6.) By default, trust everyone. 

Look, I get it. People hurt you. They hurt me too. But when you don’t trust someone, you throw up a wall to keep from being hurt.

If you don’t trust your spouse, you don’t give all of yourself to them. If you don’t trust your boss, you withhold information from them. And here’s the problem with not trusting people…you can’t point someone to God when there’s a wall between yourself and someone else.

Look, don’t run around like Mary Poppins. Understand people are going to hurt you and disappoint you. But don’t give up on people because they’re broken like you. Treat others the way you want to be treated. You want to be trusted, right? Even when you mess up.

And remember, Jesus will never give up on you. He believes you are good. He believes you are worthy of dying for. What if the Christian community embraced the mentality of Jesus?

7.) Don’t run from discomfort. Run into it.

My default response to conflict is to run from it. And while this response protects me from short-term pain, it creates more long-term pain. If you want to end your life with no friends and overcome with bitterness, run from conflict. Don’t lean into discomfort when it comes.

Don’t miss this.

Almost every promise of God is fulfilled through conflict. God promised Abraham he would bless nations through him. In the meantime, Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, leave his family, and endure a host of other difficult events. 

David was anointed king by Samuel, but he didn’t take the reigns until 20 years after his anointing. In the meantime, David ran for his life. He fought for his life. 

And, of course, the reconciling of the world was promised in Genesis and fulfilled at the resurrection of Jesus. In the meantime? Murder. Divorce. War. And, ultimately, the cross. At the cross, God redeemed humanity through pain and discomfort.

This is one of the greatest lessons I have learned in ministry. If you step into discomfort, the short-term might be difficult. But the long-term will be more joyful. Don’t take my word for it. Look at how God rolls.

8.) Practice hopeful realism every day.

[blockquote cite=”Andrew Byers” type=”left”]Hopeful realism embraces the dual realities of contemporary evil and forthcoming redemption.[/blockquote]

Hopeful realism, a phrase coined by Andrew Byers in his book Faith Without Illusions is the alternative to both unhealthy disillusionment and cynicism.

So, what does hopeful realism look like? Here are a few examples.

  1. Cynics believe the world is too far gone. Idealists don’t understand the magnitude of the hurt in the world. Hopeful realists look to the disillusionment that surrounds an empty tomb and engage the world with the Spirit’s power.
  2. Cynics turn their backs on the church in disgust. They sit in the stands, silently hoping the ship sinks. Idealists believe the church is without problems. Everyone should be happy and get along. Hopeful realists see the church as the bride of Christ, and acknowledging the church’s problems, refuse to give up on something Jesus died for.
  3. Cynics look at the youthful naivety and disillusionment of the next generation as a product of immaturity and inexperience. Idealists are more concerned with talking about changing the world and less concerned with faithful acts of daily obedience. Hopeful realists never lose the wonder and awe of God but also understand the power of daily obedience.

There is no faith without disillusionment. The central message of the Christian faith is that a man (who is also God) lived without sin, died on a cross, was placed in a tomb, and after three days walked out…alive. If you don’t believe in Jesus, the Christian message sounds more ridiculous than flying pigs.

At the same time, there is no faith without face-to-face, hand-in-hand service. Real Christian ministry is really messy. It’s really slow. And it’s really about people, not ideas.

Talking with a college student recently about this, he summed it up beautifully. He said his perspective is to think idealistically and live in reality. 

____________

It’s time to fight cynicism. Yeah, cynicism is easy. That’s why most of the world chooses it. But, Christians don’t serve a God who specializes in easy. Christians serve a God who specializes in taking something hard or difficult and turning it into something beautiful. That’s your mission as well.

It’s time to stop running from the church because of disillusionment. It’s time to stop simplifying the church’s mission to nothing more than programs and steps. It’s time to stop trash-talking churches because their name is different. It’s time to stop bad-mouthing church leaders because they hurt you.

As Jesus says, “You who are without sin cast the first stone.” Translation: if you have never hurt someone, then by all means, trash those who hurt you. Since you have hurt people, you have no right to trash others. But you do have a right to pray for them.

What if every Christian lived with hope and joy? Maybe I’m disillusioned. But if I’m disillusioned, it’s because of the cross. And I refuse to believe God can’t operate outside of my logic. In the meantime, I won’t stop working for the kingdom. I won’t stop writing. I won’t stop preaching and teaching. I won’t stop discipling the next generation. I won’t give up on the church.

I want to challenge you to do the same. God is up to something at your workplace. He is doing something in your family. Believe it. Until then, work hard. Love your family well. Engage in your Christian community. Serve your city.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

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