SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #206 ---- 12/10/01
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
A personal letter of encouragement to you, written solely to "lift up hands that hang down".
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SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #206 ---- 12/10/01
TITLE: "Changing When Nothing Changes"
My Dear Friend and Partner:
I greet you today after a hectic and frenzied week of conferences and daily travel . . . . wearied, but thrilled again over the presence of the Lord in the services we conducted. Though the past four weeks have been exhausting in many ways, we have been lifted and encouraged by three of the best church meetings we've had in years. This past week we saw people at the alter in prayer in almost every service. In addition, to our greater joy, we saw a significant number of individuals accept Christ as their Savior and Lord.
In addition, we have learned that the church where I've been interim pastor has called a man to be their new shepherd, and he will begin the first of January. We are delighted, although we'll miss the incredible fellowship and the unashamed hunger the people demonstrate for the things of God.
Before we get to the matter at hand, let me list a few . . . .
ODDS 'N ENDS:
1. By now you may have run across the "Goner" virus that begins with "Hi" and advises you to open the file in order to obtain a screen saver. It's a nasty one that McAfee identifies as a high risk and very destructive virus that both attaches itself to all your e-mail addresses and also destroys virus and firewall protection programs.
I also recently received the following warning from the Computer Services Department of a nearby university: "Please be aware that there are several new e-mail born viruses spreading through the internet. Do not open any attachments that you may be unsure about,especially if they have unusual titles and are from sources you don't know. Be extremely cautious with attachments that have EXE, SCR, and PIF extensions on the file names."
2. Here are some excellent web addresses you might want to visit.
+ A very funny display of penguin humor is welovegod.org/digests/clean-hewmor/files/pengiun.MPG (You may need to correct the spelling on "penguin", but as I recall, it worked for me.
+ Here's a wonderful website that takes you through twenty five days of Christmas beginning with December 1. Each day has a charming, unique, and inspirational presentation. If I had received this earlier, I'd have sent a daily message to many of my friends and family. Take a look at http://www.alighthouse.com/25days.htm.
+ Here's another delightful web site called "Christmas Roses". Take a look at http://www.dobhran.com. Click here to go there now!
3. My friend, Lewis, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, sent me the following things you should say to your pastor (especially if you want him to have cardiac arrest!):
THINGS TO SAY TO YOUR PASTOR TO MAKE HIS DAY!
+ 1. Hey! It's my turn to sit in the front pew.
+ 2. I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes overtime.
+ 3. Personally I find coming to church much more enjoyable than golf.
+ 4. I've decided to start giving $500 a month in the offering; is that alright?
+ 5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the junior high Sunday school class.
+ 6. I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!
+ 7. Since we're all here, let's start the service early.
+ 8. We'd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
+ 9. Let me be the one to stand in the rain and direct newcomers to the visitor's parking area.
+ 10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign!
4. It's hard to believe that three weeks from today Jo Ann and I will travel to Kansas City from which we will fly to the Ukraine with a team of nine university students for three weeks of ministry in and around Kiev. I would ask that you pray for us in that assignment. Several things have happened that make us aware more than ever of our need for prayer covering. Not only have safety and welfare conditions shifted since September 11, but we have experienced unexpected financial expenditures that depleted much of our reserve, and since Jo Ann is teaching as well as I, our responsibility to the college has increased about $3,000.
So, I am asking that you become a personally committed prayer partner with us. Every team member is responsible for getting thirty people who will make a personal covenant to pray for the team between now and the end of the trip on January 19th. So, Jo Ann and I need sixty people.
Will you be one of those who would so pray daily? If you are, please drop me a note at [email protected] and let us know.
5. Since last September I have been "stirred up" over a particular subject. Some people call it "spiritual mapping". Essentially this idea comes out of the current emphasis on reaching regions or territories through targeted prayer, strategic ministry, and courageous evangelism. I teach often on this subject both in the United States and in other countries. In fact, it will be included in the curriculum I will teach to two graduating senior classes in Kiev next month.
A good definition of "spiritual mapping" is, "the process of discovering and identifying various strongholds, hindrances, and obstacles to revival and productive evangelism in a particular community, city, or region." It is an exciting concept, and can be revolutionary in the way we do ministry and evangelism. The term "spiritual mapping" has been around maybe five to ten years. The concept of it has been around about . . . . oh, maybe two thousand years.
Frankly, I am shocked at the resistance I hear and feel in some circles of the Body of Christ. For that reason, I've felt urged to write about it in one of my "Shoulder To Shoulder" letters ---- it is clear there is much misunderstanding regarding the idea.
However, the big struggle I'm having right now is trying to write it and send it to you before we leave on the trip, especially since there are some things I want to share regarding the Christmas season. It may be I'll have to send it from Kiev while we're on the trip.
So, please pray for me that I'll have wisdom in knowing what and when to share.
SINCE SEPTEMBER 11:
On November 29th, George Barna, national pollster, published the following findings from surveys he and his staff took since the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Here is the disturbing report I received:
THE TERRORIST ATTACKS on Sept. 11 did not change most Americans spiritually,
George Barna says. [http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID12271]
Barna: Terrorist attacks did not change most Americans spiritually
Nov 29, 2001
By Jon Walker
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Americans went to church in droves after September 11th, but few of them found anything "sufficiently life-changing" to keep them there, says George Barna, whose most recent poll was released this week. Barna also found that after Black Tuesday fewer people believe in absolute truth, rather they lean toward a circumstantial ethic.
"Our assessment is that churches succeeded at putting on a friendly face but failed at motivating the vast majority of spiritual explorers to connect with Christ in a more intimate or intense manner," said Barna.
Using 21 indicators of the nation's spiritual climate, Barna's study gives a comprehensive look at how America's faith has changed in the aftermath of the terrorist attack.
The most "startling shift," according to Barna, was that moral truth got muddier among Americans after the attacks. Prior to Sept. 11, four out of ten adults [38 percent] agreed there were absolute moral truths that fit into any circumstance, yet after the attacks only two of ten adults [22 percent] claimed to believe in the existence of absolute moral truth.
Baby Busters [those 36 and younger], Catholics, and adults who do not identify themselves as "born-again" were the groups least likely to believe in absolute morality. On the other hand, Barna reports that Baby Boomers [37 to 55 years old], adults who attend non-mainline Protestant churches and "born-again" individuals were more likely to believe in absolutes.
Barna also found that the most common source of moral guidance among Americans is their feelings [25 percent] followed by the lessons and values they learned from their parents [14 percent]. Only one out of eight [13 percent] adults look to the Bible when they make moral and ethical decisions.
In addition, Barna found:
-- A significant increase in concern about the future, particularly among adults 55 and older as well as atheists. Those 35 and younger registered the most concern for the future.
-- Although there was an increased commitment to Christianity among adults 55 and older, for the most part the commitment level of Christians remained the same after the attacks as it was before.
-- Church attendance increased as much as 25 percent after Sept. 11, however, it is now back to normal levels.
-- Women, people 55 or older, Catholics, and atheists are more likely to attend church now than they were prior to the terrorist attacks.
-- The number of Americans who think of themselves as Muslim or Islamic remained stable at less than 1 percent of the adult population.
Barna's report says, "Church volunteerism, after an initial outpouring of involvement, is back at pre-attack levels [23 percent invest some time in church-related service during a typical week]."
It adds that, despite assumptions to the contrary, prayer is "currently at its normal level, with 85 percent praying to God in a given week."
The study also found that, after the attacks, fewer people believe in an all-knowing God and fewer believe in Satan as a real person, rather they see him now as a symbol of evil.
"After the attack, millions of nominally churched or generally irreligious Americans were desperately seeking something that would restore stability and a sense of meaning to life," Barna said.
"Fortunately, many of them turned to the church," said Barna.
"Unfortunately, few of them experienced anything that was sufficiently life-changing to capture their attention and their allegiance. They tended to appreciate the moments of comfort they received, but were unaware of anything sufficiently unique or beneficial as to redesign their lifestyle to integrate a deeper level of spiritual involvement."
Barna said, "The Sept. 11 tragedy was another amazing opportunity [for churches] to be the healing and transforming presence of God in people's lives, but that, too, has now come and gone, with little to show for it."
"These situations, especially the terrorist attacks, bring to mind Jesus' teaching that no one knows the time and day when God will return for His people, so we must always be ready. ... How many churches have leaders and believers who are poised to take advantage of such a pending opportunity?"
NOW WHAT:
When I read that report, and you can see it in its entirety at the above posted website, I wanted to cry out "No! No!" while at the same time saying, "I'm not surprised." I was again reminded of Henry Blackaby's statement I shared with you a few letters ago: "As we have all noticed, much of America is making major adjustments in light of the tragic events of September 11. . . . . Almost every segment of society and culture is responding in light of September 11. However, a question that is on our heart is, 'Will God's people be the only ones who do not make major adjustments in light of what happened on September 11?'
Apparently so!
Several weeks ago a subscriber wrote, "The feeling I am getting from every direction is that much of what is happening in the country is superficial. Much of the patriotism is already being commercialized. We have auto makers and air lines making noises about how they are helping America to "get going."
"I think the real tragedy is that the greatest impact may have been on the unsaved who are looking for answers and finding Christians who aren't prepared to present the Gospel because they have fed on humanist clichés for so long they wouldn't recognize the Word of God if it was handed to them in a genuine leather binding. Satan's minions have their lines down perfectly and will not squander their chances to deceive and destroy.
"This evening I attended a meeting of an ad hoc committee which hopes to develop some strategies to help some of our weaker churches get 'healthy.' As we discussed some of the congregations, I was almost overwhelmed by the immensity of the problem. Owners, matriarchs, patriarchs and others stand squarely against almost anything that might turn their churches around and . . . . there doesn't seem to be much anyone can do to change them or the condition of their churches. One of the thoughts that crossed my mind was that as a pastor I would never live long enough to have as much influence in a church as one of the 'owners.' Therefore, I came back home with an attitude."
Well, this brother has a pretty good assessment of much that is happening (or maybe not happening is a better term), at least in the American church.
How tragic! How pathetic! How inexcusable!
But . . . . it's still not too late. In fact, many ministries such as Campus Crusade for Christ, Southern Baptists and others, are seeing phenomenal responses to the presentation of the Gospel and their expressions of compassion. And we praise God for that. Unfortunately, that is the exception rather than the rule.
Since much of the American church has now apparently allowed time to distance us from the realities before us, since we "boo-ed" and "shoo-ed" our way through the season of goblins and pumpkins, since we have stuffed our bellies and our minds with the good things of Thanksgiving, and since we have begun preoccupying ourselves with the sounds, sights, and tasks of Christmas, we still have an opportunity to make a difference.
It will be harder, but it can be done.
But . . . .
Where do we start?
Well, I'd say Blackaby's continuing statement gives us a hint: "In other words, will God's people continue with the programs and activities they were involved with prior to September 11, or will they recognize the need to stand before God in order to understand the changes He wants them to make?"
It's clear . . . . we have continued with the programs and activities of life. Things are much the same for the nominal Christian . . . . few have made any major adjustments in either their attitudes, their opinions, their values, their lifestyles, or their activities.
The wonderful news is that God has never depended very much on the nominal Christians. They are described as "carnal" . . . . saved people living just like the unsaved. They are described as "luke warm", causing God to throw up. They are described as having Godly "form" but no Godly "fire".
Do you have people like that in your church, dear friend?
In all likelihood.
So, where does that leave you as a church leader?
As I see it, you really have only two choices. You can cave in to the majority who wish to continue playing church, doing only the things that look good, feel good, sound good, and cost little or nothing. Or you can gather around you those few broken-hearted, burdened, risk-taking, visionaries who truly do see the issues and are willing to pay the price to see God draw them into His presence and bring genuine revival to their own hungry hearts.
Every great move of God has come at the expense of a few hungry souls crying out desperately to Him for mercy, passion, and power. It's not likely to be any different this time.
Because this moment in history has, by and large, slipped through the grasp of the Church in America, many great reports and accomplishments notwithstanding, I believe we will see more grave and catastrophic tragedies ahead. God has His way of speaking a little louder when we don't listen the first time.
FINALLY:
Let me ask you some personal questions.
What are you specifically doing differently today as a result of September 11? I was stunned and ashamed to realize that I had not made that many changes. I was praying about the same amount of time, carrying on my normal daily activities, scheduling the same type of meetings and conferences, and so forth. Apart from all our meetings since September 11 being much more intense and better attended, and apart from my feeling a greater sense of urgency, I was basically jumping through the same hoops I had before.
True, I had a greater burden and passion, I felt more "driven", but my lifestyle in general remained much the same.
Maybe you have done the same thing.
How has your life changed since September 11? Or, has it not changed at all?
Now, dear friend . . . . if you and I can go through the emotional upheaval of September 11 with little real lasting change in our behavior, then let's not be too harsh on our people. All of us are prone to "sameness" . . . . it's comfortable, like an old well-worn broken-in shoe. And, since we don't want to become uncomfortable, we prefer to keep things as much the same as we can. We truly have, in many cases, bought society's sales pitch to "return to normalcy" . . . . and we've done a pretty good job of it.
Barna apparently is right.
So, now what?
I could burden you down with several concepts and "steps" to follow. However, I believe it begins when we follow Blackaby's admonition ---- we must indeed come into the presence of God and stand before Him, humbly, silently, and attentively, so we can hear Him tell us the changes He wants us to take.
After we've done that, then we'll know what's next.
My dear friend and partner, though volumes of time and opportunity have slipped into history, there is still a new possibility before us. Discovering that opportunity will be found in the presence of a holy, just, righteous, awesome God Who will settle for nothing less than total surrender and absolute obedience.
Though nothing changes around us, we must change. The world won't; . . . God can't; . . . we must.
In His Bond and Seeking His Face,
Bob Tolliver -- Rom 1:11-12
Copyright December, 2001
Life Unlimited Ministries
[email protected]
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"Those that are bound for heaven, must be willing to swim against the stream, and must not do as the most do, but as the Best do." (Matthew Henry).
If this letter has blessed you, feel free to forward it, with proper credits, to any and all you wish.