Fighting Within the Church

The Bible warned Christians that we would be persecuted, but little did I think that a lot of the persecution would come from Christians themselves. You may reading this and wonder what are you talking about?

Think for a second... Has there been a preacher or church or denomination that you have outwardly expressed dislike for even though they've never directly verbally attacked you in any way?

Let's face it, most of us as Christians are guilty of this. 

I'm guilty of this. 

Of course, the dilemma is that Christians try to justify this by saying that they are somehow not following biblical principles. But, I'm willing to bet that most of the time what they are against it's not against what Scripture says. It just goes against their personal take on scripture is. They forget that we as human beings are not all-knowing. There are some issues that we will not figure out until we get to Heaven. 

Some Christians would respond to that and say, "Well the Bible warns us about False Prophets!"

That is very true and we are supposed to call out false prophets, but the question remains- What is a false prophet?

A false prophet is someone who is deliberately preaching against God's word in God's name. 

Unfortunately, I see Christians missusing this term to put down preachers that they do not like, even if they are not necessarily preaching bad doctrine. 

We also need to remember that there are differences in denominations. Denominations will disagree.

That doesn't mean that either one is wrong. They just have different ideas on certain topics. I mean it when I say we need all denominations to reach all types of people. Not every church can reach every type of person.

Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with every denomination, but I can recognize that God is still using them in ways that I know God couldn't use me.

For example, I come from a Southern Baptist background, so much of my theological line of thinking is baptist. So I don't really agree with Pentecostals about speaking in tongues being a spiritual gift to all believers. However, I have friends that are pentecostals that I know are rock solid believers and I see God doing great things through them.

I also have friends that are Methodist, Calvinist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Episcopal, and Catholic. There are aspects of each of those denominations listed that I disagree with. I probably would not attend any of those types of churches regularly, because I am just wired with a Baptist line of thinking. It's what I was raised on and it's what I agree most with. 

However, I know that my church is not necessarily better or more in line with God's word. It's just a difference in opinion. 

So where do you draw the line?

How do you know that it's just another denomination and not a cult?

Well there are what I like to call Primary Issues and Secondary Issues.

Primary Issues

The Trinity - Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit

The Bible is without error (That includes Old Testament and New Testament.)

There is no other God than God

Jesus died for our Sins

There is a Heaven and a Hell

God Created the Universe

10 Commandments

Secondary Issues

Spiritual Gifts (such as tongues)

Predestination (Did Jesus die for everyone or just an "elect"?)

Eternal Security (Can a person lose their salvation?)

Baptism

Tithing 

How the Church is run

Preaching Style

Interpretation of Certain Scripture (that which the context is unclear in the Bible)

When you are trying to figure out if a certain denomination is legitimate and not a cult, you only need to look at the Primary Issues. If it violates one of the Primary Issues, it's a cult. If not, you should treat it with respect, even if you disagree with one of the Secondary Issues. That doesn't mean you have to agree with them, just recognize that God is using them.

If they are not against you, they are for you. We need to realize that we are all on the same team. Also, it's not always our place to judge within the church, especially if it is not our church. 

We need to remember that God is ultimately in control. He will deal with False Prophets, he doesn't need our help. 

Too many times have I seen my fellow Christians spend all their time just looking for Preachers and Churches to put down, when they could have been spending time living out God's plan for their lives. 

It looks pretty pathetic to Unbelievers when we fight amongst ourselves. 

Rick Warren had some good stuff to say about this topic in The Purpose Driven Church:

"I always refuse to debate which method of evangelism works best. It depends on who you are trying to reach! Different kinds of bait catch different types of fish. I'm in favor of any method that reaches at least one person for Christ- as long as it's ethical. I think it will be very embarrassing someday when critics of a particular method of evangelism get to heaven and discover all the people who are there because of it! We should never criticize any method that God is blessing."

Romans 14:4 says "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master servants stand or fail. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

God Bless,

Jonathan D. Graham

Maturing While Attending a Seeker Friendly Church

As a figured it would, my last article about Seeker Friendly Churches being biblical sparked some responses. They weren't mean responses (I greatly thank you guys for that!) They were actually some very good points. Here is basically a run down of what was said:

It is great that Seeker Sensitive messages are available for beginner Christians, however, "maturer" Christians should have access to "meatier" messages in order for them to grow.

Ok, so here's a problem with that statement. What is "meat"? Do you want to know the Greek and Hebrew translation of every single verse in the Bible? 

At my church, our speakers don't water anything down. We teach relevant messages to help grow people spiritually. Yet just because we preach topical, instead of studying the Bible in order from Genesis to Revelation, there are always a couple of people that visit that claim it to be "watered down." 

I'm not saying it's bad to do in depth studies of every book in the Bible in Greek and Hebrew. But, thats not a scriptural requirement for the church. It's not learning verses in Greek and Hebrew, what  some call "meat, that's going to help you become a solid believer. 

There is one thing other than the message that is going to mature you as a Christian- Application.

If a person is not applying what they learn, of course they are not going to mature. Even if they had the "meaty" messages, they still would not mature.

Application is huge!

I've personally known Christians from both types of churches- Fundamentalist and Seeker-Friendly.

To be honest, I've known some Christians that attend seeker friendly churches that are more mature in their faith than some that attend Fundamentalist.

Why?

It had absolutely nothing to do with the style message that was preached. It was all because the person that attended the Seeker Friendly church was applying what he knew. 

Actually, I prefer topical. I think I learn more from that style. But, I realize different people learn different ways.

We need both types of churches. 

I think some people misconstrued the message I was trying to give in my last article.

I am not against fundamentalist churches.

I am against believers claiming that seeker friendly messages prevent older Christians from maturing.

That is a false statement.

God Bless,

Jonathan D. Graham

The Seeker-Friendly Movement: Is it Biblical?

There has been a trend that has been growing even more in churches these days. It's known as the Seeker-Friendly movement. Despite the amount of converts it has brought about, a lot of Christians aren't too happy about it. They claim it's "worldly," and the pastors teach a "watered down" message, and the music has a "sexual beat." Most of them come from fundamentalist churches where they sing hymns, sit in pews, and the messages are 2 hours long. It's hard for them to accept churches with coffee shops, fancy concert lights, fog machines, upbeat worship music, and trendy pastors with cool haircuts.

I completely understand! Change is difficult to accept, but they have to realize that their churches are from the result of change, whether they want to admit it or not. In fact, many of the tunes of hymns came from songs that were sung at pubs. And we must not forget that the traditional baptist church, presbyterian church, methodist church, and calvinist church were all a product of the reform and separation from the catholic church.

Change and reform is a natural part of life and in a lot of ways, healthy for the church. The day that your church stops changing is the day that it dies.

Many fundamentalist Christians get "Seeker-Friendly" mixed up with "Seeker-Run." You do not need to change message in order to change your method. You can have a doctrinally-correct message without feeling the need to condemn your congregation. Just because it's contemporary doesn't mean its worldly. We are to be in the world, not of it. So it is perfectly fine to use methods that are relevant to seekers, just as long as the message doesn't change. I think one of the scriptures that Christians really take out of context is Romans 12:2 which says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world." Many people stop there. But it doesn't stop there. "But be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will."

What is God's will? Well, I believe that God's will is to reach the lost. The best example of this mission was Jesus. He said himself that he did not come to save the believers, he came to save the lost. Shouldn't churches follow his example?

Mark 2:17 "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." 

To not pursue unbelievers basically sends the message "you all can go to hell!" Jesus never said that! He wants everyone to go to heaven. There is no "elect." 

Churches can and should change their format of the services to accommodate the people that are visiting the church. They should not feel judgment from the congregation or any of the staff as they walk through the door. They should feel welcomed. Jesus welcomed all- and so should churches.

I realize there are churches that take this too far, in that pastors will not even preach about sin, however, do not be too quick to judge churches, especially if you do not know much about them.

They could be used by God to bring people into the kingdom that your church can't. 

Don't become a Pharisee. Just because your church teaches sound doctrine doesn't mean that it is living out the church's purpose. 

1 Corinthians 13 "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love."

God Bless,
Jonathan D. Graham

Guide to Getting the "Community" Experience in a Large Church

There is an epidemic in the American Church today. It's called the "me-mentality." When I say the "church," I'm talking about the body of Christ as a whole- not individual churches.

One of the biggest problems I've seen amongst professing Christians is that they cannot find a church where they belong. I think that the main problem, although they do not want to admit it, is not usually a problem with the churches, but with how people are pursuing them.

I've known some Christians that have found a church that had everything they were looking for, but they still chose not to continue to attend, because "no one pursued them."

A lot of people want the great upbeat music of Megachurches but want the intimate community feel of small churches. Unfortunately, for the most part, you can't have the best of both worlds.

There is a way, however, to start getting the "community" experience while attending a large church. And you may not like this, but it's not possible while having the "me-mentality."

In order to effectively and efficiently find your place in a large church, you must take three steps: Investigate, Connect, and Contribute. If you follow these three steps, you will find yourself experiencing church ministry on a whole new level!

1. Investigate

Even before you attend a church, try to already know something about it. Nowadays, most churches have a website. A lot of them even use social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc. Find out their core beliefs. Do they teach sound doctrine?

Also, find out their purpose. Are they going anywhere? Is this a ministry that you want to be a part of?

After you do this, actually attend the church. See if their actions match up to what they say they believe.

2. Connect

This is where most people go wrong. A lot of people bring in the "me-mentality" and just assume that congregation members should just walk up to every visitor and chat it up with them. Well, that's not always possible in a church that has 1,000 + people. 

You should go in there pursuing others, not waiting for them to pursue you. Talk to people. Introduce yourself. Shake hands. Make yourself known. Let people know that you have purpose. Be bright and cheerful. Everyone loves an optimist. 

If the church has a small group you can join, join it! That is an especially great way to gain that "community" experience that you desire. If you are wondering who to be-friend first, start with the people in your small group. But, don't just talk to them at church. Become their friend! Take them out to lunch. Get to know them. Very soon you will find yourself also getting connected with their friends as well. Before you know it, you will be on the inside of the church fellowship. But you shouldn't stop there...

3. Contribute

So you're on the inside now... How do you feel? Great, huh? Well, you still have one step left, and that is to contribute to your new church's ministry.

It is selfish to benefit from a church, but not give anything in return. There are three subcategories under Contribute: a. financial, b. time, c. passion.

A. Financial

Let's face it, money doesn't grow on trees. And a church (especially a large one) needs money in order to operate. It's only fair that everyone who benefits in some shape or form from the church should pitch in a little bit in order to make it continue to run.

So how much should you give? The Bible suggests a Tithe (10% of your regular income.) 

(Genesis 28:20-22)I realize that it's hard to give up any of your hard earned money, but that's exactly what a Tithe is- It's a sacrifice!

If you truly want your church to succeed, you will make financial sacrifices for the imbetterment of your church.

B. Time

 Although tithing is important, so is giving time. Time is probably more precious than money. Giving of your time to volunteer in your church is what shows people that you actually care about your ministry.

See what areas need help at your church. Maybe there's an area that your hobby or career has qualified you for or that you just enjoy doing. Trust me, your church will really appreciate you volunteering in any way.

C. Passion

So you are now a tither and a volunteer... So what's missing?

How much enthusiasm is behind the work you're doing?

In some ways a church is like a product. In order to sell it, you have to believe in it.

You must take the purpose that your church has verbally established and bring it close to your heart. You must physically live out your church's purpose.

For example, if your church's purpose is to reach the unchurched, you should be looking for unchurched people in your everyday life that you can bring to your church.

Also, you have to LOVE your church! If you don't love it yourself, how can you expect anyone else to?

You need to also remember that you are an ambassador for your church.

Conclusion

Remember that you are not just an ambassador for your church, but for Christ himself. You are to be a light where there is none.

When you have done all these things, you will find yourself no longer searching for a church, but be helping others find one as well.

So I leave you with one final note: "Love God and love others."

God Bless,

Jonathan D. Graham

A Little Bit About Me

Hey guys,

My name is Jonathan Graham. I'm a Junior in High school.

I'm an aspiring filmmaker/actor/writer/pastor. Basically, I'm interested in two areas: Media and Ministry.

Now you may be wondering, can these areas be any more different? Actually they seem to cross paths more and more every day if you think about it...

Cutting Edge churches like Saddleback Church or Northpoint or Elevation Church are utilizing media to further the kingdom.


(Picture: from top to bottom- Saddleback Church, Lake Forrest, CA; Northpoint Church, Atlanta, GA; Elevation Church, Charlotte, NC)

I believe that as the world is changing, churches should change too. Some people say that tradition is what keeps churches alive. I say that tradition is deadly. Tradition is why so many churches in the United States are dying!

Yes we as Christians should not be of the world, but we are still to be in it. There is absolutely no biblical reason why we should not pursue the seekers with methods that are relevant to them. Jesus himself was relevant. And Pharisees accused him of eating with the tax collectors. Jesus said it is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick.

I want to use this theology to base my ministry off of if God leads me to start a church when I get out of high school. I want to start a church for people who can't stand church!

I believe media is a huge part of churches that are trying to be "seeker friendly." That term is seen as a derogatory term, but it shouldn't be! I'll post a whole blog about that really soon.

But anyway, check out my blogs. If you have any questions, please comment! I will try to answer as many questions as I can.

God Bless,

Jonathan D. Graham