Jo (the wife, the boss) read an interesting article at Christianity Today about what is euphemistically called "contemporary worship." It's well worth a read, and the URL is http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/june/culturalmedium.html.
From my advanced age, it doesn't seem to be as big a problem as it does to some younger pastors. Part of the reason is that I've been seeing this kind of stuff for almost 30 years. It's made headway with people who don't really care about the Scriptures, and may not care that much about Christ, and it has certainly drawn the attention of some people. At the same time, there's something obviously lacking, as demonstrated in the self critique that Willow Creek did on themselves a couple of years ago. In effect they said that they had spent millions of dollars and made people comfortable, but they hadn't made them Christian disciples.
It reminds me with conversation I had in the mid-80s with a DCE at a neighboring congregation. The DCE had been concerned about whether people are turned off by the worship service. I made a comment that worship was going to be the easiest thing they did in their Christian life. It made no sense to me then, and makes no sense to me now, to worry about worship and not be concerned about how Christians will live a life of faith, how they will struggle against doubt and temptation, how they live their Christian life in a world that will, at the very least, make fun of their profession and life, and, at worst, will kill them for it. It seems to me that worrying about worship and whether it's "contemporary" or not is definitely missing the mark, and is not helpful for the individual Christian as they live their Christian lives in a sinful world.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Patristics
“Continue in harmony among yourselves, and in prayer with one another; for it becomes everyone of you, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honor of the Father, of Jesus Christ, of the apostles.” Ignatius,Trallians, XII, ANF 1: 72
Baier's Axioms
Non omne dogma, quod ex sua natura aliquod fidei necessario praesuppositum aut eam consequens astruit vel destruit, idem in hominia cujusque mente illud efficit.
Not every teaching, which from its nature builds or destroys something necessarily presupposed of faith or its consequent, effects the same [faith] in certain human minds.
Not every teaching, which from its nature builds or destroys something necessarily presupposed of faith or its consequent, effects the same [faith] in certain human minds.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Luther quotes
“He [Martin Luther] said that there are many fluent preachers who speak at length but say nothing, who have words without substance. Philip Melanchthon said, 'every age has had such Thasas, for Cicero was reported to have said when he heard [247] an exceptionally loquacious man chatter, “I have never heard anybody say nothing with such authority.”'” Tabletalk, Lauterbach & Weller, #3637, November 1, 1537, LW, AE, 54:246-7
Latin proverbs
Philosophum non facit barba. (Plutarch)
A beard doesn't make a philosopher.
(A beard was one of the marks of a philosopher, therefore a modernized version of the proverb would be 'Just because you look like a philosopher, it doesn't mean you are one.')
A beard doesn't make a philosopher.
(A beard was one of the marks of a philosopher, therefore a modernized version of the proverb would be 'Just because you look like a philosopher, it doesn't mean you are one.')
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Luther quotes
“Cursed be every preacher who aims at lofty topics in the church, looking for his own glory and selfishly desiring to please one individual or another. When I preach here [236] I adapt myself to the circumstances of the common people. I don't look at the doctors and masters, of whom scarcely forty are present, but at the hundred or the thousand young people and children. It's to them I preach, to them that I devote myself, for they, too, need to understand. If the others don't want to listen they can leave. Therefore, my dear Bernard, take pains to be simple and direct; don't consider those who claim to be learned to be a preacher to unschooled youth and sucklings.” Tabletalk, Lauterbach & Weller, #3573, between March 28 and May 27, 1537 LW, AE, 54:235-6
Imitation of Christ
Felix quem Veritas per se ipsam docet, non per figuras et voces transeuntes, sed sicuti se habet. Nostra opinion, et noster sensus sæpe nos falllit, et modicum videt. Quid prodest magna cavillatio de occultis, et obscuris rebus de quibus nec argueur in judicio, quia ignoravimus? Grandis insipientia quod neglectis utilibus, et necessariis, ultro intendimus curiosis, et damnosis. Oculos habentes, non videmus.
Imitation of Christ, I, 3:1
Happy is the man whom Truth by itself teaches, not by figures and transient words, but as it is in itself. Our own judgment and feelings often deceive us, and we discern but little of the truth. What does it profit to argue about hidden and dark things, concerning which we shall not be even reproved in the judgment, because we knew them not? Oh, grievous folly, to neglect the things which are profitable and necessary, and to give our minds to things which are curious and hurtful! Having eyes, we see not.
Imitation of Christ, I, 3:1
Ecclesiasticus
"My son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts." Ecclesiasticus 3:17
Monday, June 27, 2011
Retirement
There are so many things that teach you patience in this life. Another thing that does so, I have found, is announcing your retirement, and then waiting for the months to roll by. I'll admit that I'm looking forward to the time when I don't have to get up in the morning, but I don't have to go into work. But there are downsides as well.
For 34 years, there's always been a struggle to try and make things better where you are, to try and get people to move in a particular direction, and to get them to see where everybody is heading. When the congregation is already moving to replace you, and it seems that even fewer people want to hear what you have to say, it is a real struggle to be patient. When the congregation seems to be heading in the direction that does not seem best, it's a real struggle to be patient, to bite your tongue and stop yourself from trying to influence them to go the way you think is best (although I know there are pastors out there who do not hesitate to try and force congregations to do things).
On the good side, however, this does make one more patient, and that is supposed to be desirable. By the time next year rolls around, I ought to be really, really patient.
For 34 years, there's always been a struggle to try and make things better where you are, to try and get people to move in a particular direction, and to get them to see where everybody is heading. When the congregation is already moving to replace you, and it seems that even fewer people want to hear what you have to say, it is a real struggle to be patient. When the congregation seems to be heading in the direction that does not seem best, it's a real struggle to be patient, to bite your tongue and stop yourself from trying to influence them to go the way you think is best (although I know there are pastors out there who do not hesitate to try and force congregations to do things).
On the good side, however, this does make one more patient, and that is supposed to be desirable. By the time next year rolls around, I ought to be really, really patient.
Patristics
“As therefore the Lord did nothing without the Father, being united to Him, neither by Himself nor by the apostles, so neither do ye anything without the bishop and presbyters.” Ignatius, Magnesians VII, ANF 1:62
Baier's Axioms
Quidam articuli fidei etsi salva fide possint ignorari, attamen eadem salva negari nequeunt.
Although certain articles of faith for saving faith are able to be ignored, but nevertheless they are not able to be denied for the same salvation.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Luther Quotes
“It is remarkable that God has committed to us preachers the ministry of the Word for the ruling of men's hearts, which we can't look into. But this is the office of God, who says to us, 'Preach. I shall give the increase; I know the hearts of men.' This should be our comfort, even when the world laughs at our office.” Tabletalk, Lauterbach & Weller #3492, between October 27 and December 4, 1536, LW, AE, 54:213
Murphysboro Centuries, 1st sacred
The first century was the time in which Jesus, the apostles and the evangelists lived. Jesus died, as best we can tell, on April 3, 33 AD, and Peter and Paul were both martyred in Rome in 64 AD. The last living apostle was John who lived until roughly 100, and he was reportedly the only apostle to die a natural death. All the rest were “martyred”, i.e., they died because of their witness to Jesus. [The picture is from the Shroud of Turin. The image on the Shroud has been used for some 1600-1700 years as the face of Jesus.]
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Luther Quotes
“Our Lord God wishes himself to be the preacher, for preachers often go astray in their notes so that they can't go on with what they have begun. It has often happened to me that my best outlines come undone. On the other hand, when I was least prepared my words flowed during the sermon.” Tabletalk, Lauterbach & Weller #3494, between October 27 & Dec. 4, 1536, LW, AE, 54:213
Ecclesiasticus
"Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, but not into the hands of men; for as His majesty is, so also is His mercy." Ecclesiasticus 2:18
Imitation of Christ
Hæc est altissima et utilissima lectio, sui ipius vera cognitio, et despectio. De se ipso nihil tenere, et de aliis semper bene et alte sentire magna sapientia est, et perfectio. Si videres aliquem aperte peccare, vel aliqua gravia perpetrare, non deberes te meliorem exstimare. Omnes fragiles sumus, sed tu niminem fragiliorem te ipso tenebis.
That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man truly knows and judges lowly of himself. To account nothing of one's self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. Even if you should see your neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet you ought not to reckon yourself better than he, for you know not how long you shall keep your integrity. All of us are weak and frail; hold no man more frail than yourself.
Imitation of Christ I, 2:4
Friday, June 24, 2011
Retirement
It's interesting to see the "detachment" that comes with the announcement of a retirement. District officials charitably speak of this as 'the grieving process' even though they know full well that some people in the congregation are, figuratively speaking, dancing in the aisles, rejoicing that the man who has caused all of the problems in the church is finally leaving.
I have one elderly member who told me last night that he's mad at me because I'm leaving - even though I won't be leaving full-time ministry until a year from now. A couple of middle-aged ladies gave me 'good-bye' hugs, last month - even though I won't be leaving full-time ministry until a year from now.
The good thing (or is it good?) is that I can't see any real difference in the congregation - they pay me no less attention than they used to. I am noticing things differently, though - as my second son put it, "So, Dad, this is your last summer of full-time ministry." Since then, I've been having lots of 'is this the last time for _____' thoughts. It does make it a little more difficult to stay focused.
On the other hand, you do get a glimpse of what future days will be like. This week I was able to supply a vice-president of the LCMS with some translations of Baier-Walther on church and ministry. He was gracious with his thanks and spoke of how this translating was so important for the church at large. I do look forward to the day when I have more time to translate.
I have one elderly member who told me last night that he's mad at me because I'm leaving - even though I won't be leaving full-time ministry until a year from now. A couple of middle-aged ladies gave me 'good-bye' hugs, last month - even though I won't be leaving full-time ministry until a year from now.
The good thing (or is it good?) is that I can't see any real difference in the congregation - they pay me no less attention than they used to. I am noticing things differently, though - as my second son put it, "So, Dad, this is your last summer of full-time ministry." Since then, I've been having lots of 'is this the last time for _____' thoughts. It does make it a little more difficult to stay focused.
On the other hand, you do get a glimpse of what future days will be like. This week I was able to supply a vice-president of the LCMS with some translations of Baier-Walther on church and ministry. He was gracious with his thanks and spoke of how this translating was so important for the church at large. I do look forward to the day when I have more time to translate.
Patristics
“Continue in harmony among yourselves, and in prayer with one another; for it becomes everyone of you, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honor of the Father, of Jesus Christ, of the apostles.” Ignatius,Trallians, XII, ANF 1: 72
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)