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A Pastors Calling?

I have been reading "Creation, Evolution, and Christian Laypeople" by Tim Keller. I am grappling with this quote on pages 2-3.

"In short, if I as a pastor want to help both believers and inquirers to relate science and faith coherently, I must read the works of scientists, exegetes, philosophers, and theologians and then interpret them for my people. Someone might counter that this is too great a burden to put on pastors, that instead they should simply refer their laypeople to the works of scholars. But if pastors are not 'up to the job' of distilling and understanding the writings of scholars in various disciplines, how will our laypeople do it? This is one of the things that parishioners want from their pastors. We are to be a bridge between the world of scholarship and the world of the street and the pew. I'm aware of what a burden this is. I don't know that there has ever been a culture in which the job of the pastor has been more challenging. Nevertheless I believe this is our calling."

The contemporary pastoral JD continues to grow.  Sometimes I wish I had the brain of a Tim Keller.  I am hoping this quote is not a call to be an expert in all disciplines but more of a learned generalist.

We used this on Sunday morning to illustrate the richness of how God takes away our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus.

On Spiritual Gifts

We are in week four of our  EQUIP series and we are focusing our attention on "spiritual gifts" for the next three weeks.  This week we took some time to address some of the questions associated with this topic.

 

EQUIP:  Why are you so energized about seeing all followers of Jesus using their spiritual gifts to serve one another and their communities?

Marshall: Because our spiritual growth is at stake.  Most North Americans think of spiritual growth from an individualistic perspective, that is a “me and God” thing.  The biblical reality, however, is that it is much more than that.  The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4 reminds us that spiritual maturity is an “us and God” thing.  This is the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:5-6) that we are members of the same body.  As members of that same body we serve one another in a way that builds up the body.  The only way we can do that is by using the gifts that God has given to each of us while we are in relationship with one another.

 

EQUIP: What is a spiritual gift?

Marshall: The description of a spiritual gift in the Bible is fairly broad.  The idea behind the greek word charismata is that it is a grace gift.  1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 indicate that it is God (Spirit and Jesus) that give these grace gifts.  Beyond that the word can be used for almost anything.

 

EQUIP:  Seriously?

Marshall:  Look at it this way.  Salvation is called a spiritual gift (Romans 5:15-16), and marriage and celibacy are identified as a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 7:7).  Even the biblical lists of spiritual gifts (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4) are descriptive and illustrative not prescriptive and exhaustive.  There are extraordinary things like miracles and fairly ordinary things like helps and administration included in the lists.  Paul uses the conceptual idea of spiritual gifts in parallel with workings and service in 1 Corinthains 12:4-6.  The New Testament leaves an immense amount of room for what is included in the idea of a spiritual gift.

 

EQUIP:  Do you see all of the spiritual gifts listed in the passages you mentioned as all for today?

Marshall:  The not so easy answer and I think the right one is “maybe”.  If you are a follower of Jesus the Holy Spirit has equipped you with a spiritual gift(s) that is necessary for the building up of the body of Christ.  There is nothing stopping the Holy Spirit from doing this.  Some appeal to 1 Corinthians 13:10 and suggest that the “perfect” is the completion of the New Testament and therefore some of the more spectacular gifts like prophecy and tongues are not in existence today.  Don Carson (Showing the Spirit” Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12-14, pages 66-76) and Gordon Fee (First Corinthians in The New International Commentary of the New Testament, pages  ) summarize the potential interpretations of this verse and both conclude that there is no biblical support for that conclusion.  The “perfect” is best understood as a time of completion or maturation.  The parousia or the second coming of Jesus best fits the time of the “perfect”.  The fundamental principle is established in 1 Corinthians 12:11 when the Apostle Paul says that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to each one as he determines.  We can’t know the mind of God and which gifts he gives to whom, where and for what time.  All we know is that he does and according to his plan and will.

 

EQUIP: Are you implying that some of the gifts may not be permanent?

Marshall:  Only God knows.  When you examine the lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament it may be implied that some of the gifts each of us is given are more permanent and some may come and go from us given specific situations.  Perhaps gifts like healing or miracles come and go while others like helps or administration may be more permanent.  This has led some to conclude that we have primary (a tendency) and secondary gifts (situational).  In my case the primary gifts, the ones I carry around with me all the time, are teaching and leadership.  These two gifts don’t surprise me any more.  I bring these gifts to all situations in my life.  But there are things that happen in my life from time to time that do surprise me.  A couple of Sundays ago I really sensed that God wanted me to speak a word of exhortation into a young man’s life.  It was sort of a prophetic moment where I really sensed God wanted me to speak specific words of encouragement into this person’s life.  So I did.  This isn’t with me all the time but it was in that moment and I think it was a Spirit given gift.

 

EQUIP: Is there a difference between a “natural ability” and a “spiritual gift”?

Marshall:  In some cases it is easy to see the difference.  If I were able to wake up tomorrow and share the gospel in any foreign language that would be a supernatural thing because I am unilingual.  It is the other non-extraordinary gifts like teaching that cause us to wonder if there is a difference.  If I was able to teach before I became a follower of Jesus and I am still able to teach after I am a follower of Jesus does this mean I now have the spiritual gift of teaching or just a natural ability to teach?  I answer that question with another question, “does it really matter?”

 

EQUIP:  Why do you feel that is the wrong question to ask?

Marshall:  I believe that the problem that many have in the whole area of “spiritual gifts” is that they are too immersed in “discovery”.  Some people seem obsessed to get it right instead of learning how to celebrate who God has made them to be.  I call this the difference between approaching the whole issue from the perspective of a scientist versus an artist.  The scientific approach is linear and step by step and has clear category lines.  Abilities, personality, experience, and gifts are all distinct categories.  The artistic approach is more abstract and is like throwing different colours of paint on a canvas and taking a step back and seeing the whole picture.  There is a lot of blurring between the colours.  It can be messy at times but the whole picture is celebrated.

 

EQUIP:  What does that mean for the process of discovering my spiritual gifts?

Marshall:  First of all we need to recognize that the Bible is silent on the issue of discovery.  The Apostle Paul’s emphasis is on celebrating the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ and using our gifts in ministry with one another.  Second, the process of discovery falls within the realm of “wisdom” and the witness of Scripture would seem to suggest that it is the community of faith that can help us in that process.  It is best to discover by interacting with others, examining Scripture together, serving one another, and discerning together.  We help one another examine the canvases of our lives.  I have often wondered how someone in the first century would know what their Spirit given gifts were.  I am assuming that they would have asked God for wisdom and sought wisdom from the community of faith.  It is through our honest relationships with each other that we can discover.  Third, perhaps it would be better for us to not get as bogged down in answering the question, “what is my spiritual gift?” as with answering the question, “how can I serve others with who God has made me to be?”

 

The Power of Child Sponsorship

If you are sponsoring children in another country be encouraged by the potential of life change.  I am thinking of the hundreds of children that we sponsor as a church in Uganda.  This is a great moment.

Internships and Theological Education

We have recently interviewed for "internship" positions at OBC only to be turned down twice by prospective candidates.  I admit that this bugs me.  I like most people do not handle rejection well.  Especially when I see the obvious benefits of coming and serving in a church like OBC while preparing for vocational ministry.  We are willing to pay, spend time mentoring and coaching, and provide leadership experience.  The years of experience and maturity on our staff ministry team and their willingness to invest in the "next generation" are an amazing bonus.

So, I don't get it. 

Why are we finding it so difficult?  Is it because we are too far away?  Is it too cold?  Perhaps it is because of a lesser value on praxis in the scope of theological education.  Frankly, I don't know any process of theology that is not practical.  I don't mean that in a utilitarian way.  I mean all theology is informed by praxis and vice-versa.  It seems to me that it is imperative to learn how to "do theology" within the context of the local church along with the practice of critiquing the church environment and the conclusions arrived at in that environment.  It is a necessary theological art form.

So, when one of our candidates says they don't think they can handle studies and working in a church at the same time, I think they are missing the point.  Spread your education out a couple of more years.  Make the sacrifices that you need to to get the experience that is necessary for your life and future.  Drive the extra distance.  Do whatever it takes but get the input of the local church in your life.

Looking for a new church?

This time of year it seems like there are a number of people checking out various church options.  Some are thrust into this because of changing circumstances like relocation into a new community or starting university/college.  Many of us face the awkward challenge of doing this at least a few times during our life time.  Unfortunately some engage in this ritual frequently.

What to look for?  Relevant Magazine's article, "Church Shopping" is a good read and will be helpful to many. 

I would suggest that if you are considering making OBC your church that you consider the biblical truth that church is not about a place that you go to but a family you belong to, a family on mission whether we are together or dispersed.  If church for you is just about coming to the gathering on Sunday and filling a seat then we aren't the people for you.

 

During our series on the Psalms we encouraged people to write out their own "psalm-like" thoughts to God, whether it was praise, thanksgiving, or lament. Psalm Boards will be on display in the main entrance of the church for the next couple of weeks.

The difference between biblical lament and a pity party

We had a meaningful morning of ministry as we gathered together on Sunday. I spoke with so many who experienced a new level of freedom in their spiritual journey. We need to regularly experience together lament in our corporate worship.

For that to happen will require a growing depth in our trust of one another and of God. We hide much too often behind our smiles when we are together. I totally understand why we do that. Being real together requires safety in relationship. It means getting beyond self imposed expectations of what we need to appear to be like in public. It requires giving space and freedom to those who are experiencing misery. Being happy all the time is not required. Tears do not always entail something is wrong. Tears are the marks of a real relationship.

Lament like so many other good things in life can migrate into something else, like pity. The difference as I see it is in how we are approaching God. Trust is the essential ingredient that leads to intimacy. As I see it whining has nothing to do with trust. When I whine I am really just listening to myself express my own pain. When I lament I am bringing my complaint, questions, anger, and pain to God. This is biblical lament. It is built on a trust in the God who it seems is silent. When we yell and scream out to the heavens we, at its basic foundation, are crying out to the God we believe hears and acts even though it feels like he is totally absent.

Doing this together will require extreme empathy. God help us to be real.
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How Should Believers Read the Bible?

I am reading Mark Noll's book "The New Shape of World Christianity" and I was struck with the following question. "What is the biblical norm by which the rest of the Bible is read?". Noll's point is that historically and presently around the globe Christians are choosing different sections of scripture as "normative in such a way as to enlighten the rest".

It seems to me that this is an accurate assessment. While we are encouraged to read all of scripture where should one start? Gospels, Pauline letters, Acts? Where you start or what you emphasize will no doubt shape your interpretation and Christian practice.

The recent focus on a post-modern read of Jesus in the Gospels while reacting to an emphasis in modern Pauline biblical studies is a case in point. Perhaps this is inevitable and what is needed is a skill set that is able to identify foundational biblical bias.
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Another New Bible Resource

Just came across another Bible resource called the Glo .  Take a look at it and you may find it helpful for your Scripture meditation.