The Be’s of Sainthood

When using the term sainthood, I am simply referring to those attending a local church. I am speaking of the congregants, the people who make up the crowd.

In observation through the years, it appears to me that there are a number of possible stages that saints will live in, or pass through. There are some roles that we are likely to fill as saints.

Be Fed

The first of these is to be fed. When in this role saints participate in the church in order to be personally fed. She attends for the preacher to feed me, to talk to me, to minister to me. This is clearly a phase of sainthood that is self-focused. The saint is thinking: “I need a blessing, a healing, encouragement or inspiration. I’ve come to get what God has for me today.”

This is certainly a common stage of sainthood, and a necessary one. All people need to grow in Christ. All folks have needs to be met by Jesus. Even those who seem to have all things in order in their lives, those who have great marriages, wonderful careers, and excellent health still need Jesus. Jesus is the only one who can cleanse mankind from sin. Thus, all men must visit the phase of sainthood known as being fed.

However, at some point in our Christian growth, maturity dictates that we are no longer solely dependent on others to feed us. We become capable of feeding ourselves. Saints can, and should have their own feeding times. Maturing saints are to have personal times of prayer, reading, study and meditation. As I grow in this devotion, the congregation plays a different role in my life. Sure, I’ll still enjoy and need fresh manna from the pulpit, but I’m not depending on that to survive. I’ve been eating on my own.

The role of church leadership for this group is to make sure that they are being fed. Leadership must guarantee that proper spiritual meals are being prepared. That all food groups are being presented and that the meals are nutritious and filled with vitamins. 

Be a Feeder

With proper exhortation and motivation, saints recognize that their role as Christians is not only for their own personal growth. Church participation is not just about me. While maturing, saints begin to look beyond self and toward others. Thus, he participates in church so that he can serve others. No longer simply being fed, but now becoming one of the feeders. He is in the congregation to see someone else be blessed, be healed, or be encouraged.

Being a feeder may take place while serving in organized leadership (i.e. Sunday School teacher) but it doesn’t need to. The attitude to serve others is not dependent on position. This is an attitude. Nehemiah wrote, “Remember be, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.” A feeder is focused on doing something for others.

The role of church leadership toward people in this stage is to create an environment that encourages them to it. Further, leadership needs to release saints to fulfill their personal ministry, and create systems and programs that train them on effective fulfillment of the same.

Be Frustrated

When a church doesn’t feed those who need to be fed, or it doesn’t facilitate those ready to be feeders, saints will be frustrated. Frustration is that feeling of dissatisfaction when your expectations are not being realized. Rueben was frustrated when he went back to the pit to remove his brother Joseph, but found that he was missing. Unable to realize his plans, he tore his clothes in anguish and frustration (Gen 37:29 NLT).

A frustrated saint is one who has a desire to fulfill their place in the congregation, however that opportunity is not afforded them. A saint may genuinely need to be fed from the Word of God in order to face a life circumstance. But if the message is not shared in a manner understandable, or applicable, then that person leaves without having found substance for their circumstance. Or possibly, a saint has talents that would benefit the local church and the Kingdom of God, but the leadership does not offer means for that talent to be used, or released. In either case, unmet expectations will lead to frustration.

Church leadership needs to recognize that frustration is not rebellion, or a bad attitude. Frustration is simply the result of folks who have higher expectations of the congregation. And since we are in the business of propagating the Kingdom of God, higher expectations are a means to improve the church’s impact in this world. Thus, leadership can be on the lookout for saints who may be falling prey to frustration, and create an atmosphere and a means for folks to share their concerns. Thus allowing the church to recognize valid concerns, and improve its ministry accordingly.

Typically, folks won’t endure long in a state of frustration. They’ll either be fed, be a feeder, or they’ll be finished.

Be Finished

In modern culture, folks not being fed, or feeding others will not remain long in a frustrating atmosphere. They are too accustomed to finding other options, and other options are usually available. If there seems no end to the frustration, folks will find another church that provides the ministry they need, or assume that all churches minister the same and quit altogether. Since we’d prefer they stay, the church must constantly evaluate its ability to feed those who need it, to develop saints into feeders, and to provide means for them to use this skill.

A Vehicle for Progress

I love my bike. I’m an avid cyclist and I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend involved in the sport. For me, the opportunity to experience the outdoors, its scenery and air, are a wonderful way to unload concerns. I look forward to the physical investment in cycling. Over the past few years I’ve logged over 9,000 miles on that bike. It’s a great form of exercise that I intend to maintain for the rest of my life.

But bikes are more than sporting gear. They are vehicles for progress. They are modes of transportation. One can use a bike to get from point A to point B. In fact, in most places around the world, that’s exactly how bicycles are used; for progress.

Part of my venture into cycling has been to understand that the best bike to ride is the one that fits you best. Sure, there are different bikes for different styles of riding. But the biggest revelation to the cycling newcomer is that there are different sizes of frames for different sizes of people. Far beyond the ‘off the rack’ bike of the typical department store, specialized bike shops offer numerous sizes of bikes to very closely fit the individual rider. In fact, those with plenty of money, and the desire to spend it, can be measured and uniquely fit for a custom-made bike. The reach to the bars, the angle of the fork, the stand-over height; every detail is created exactly for that owner.

Why?

Because cyclists know that the most successful cyclist is the one who rides a bike best fit for him. Cycling comfort and achievement is directly proportional to riding a bike that fits the rider. Even the most talented, able or gifted athlete will not meet her full potential as a cyclist if she is not correctly fitted to her bike. The rider will not progress as far or as fast if riding a bike that doesn’t fit his frame. The success of the rider is connected to the fit of the bike.

Organizations are also tools for progress. They exist to take their constituents from point A to point B. Assuming that all the participants know where point B is, they still can not be effective in reaching their destination if their organization does not fit them properly. The most effective group, the one that readily and often meets its goals and gets to its destination, is the one whose organization fits its size.

A transportation company that is just getting started with two small client contracts doesn’t need a fleet of 25 trucks and a logistics program to service thousands of monthly deliveries. That level of organization wouldn’t fit the size of the business. Likewise, a food service company serving a 2,000 bed hospital will not be successful with two residential grade ovens and three employees. This business is much too big for that scale of organization.

Here’s the bottom line. Organization is distinct from the business just as the bicycle is distinct from the rider. Organizations, like bicycles are merely vehicles for progress. If a business, or a group, or a church, is going to continue to operate successfully, it must continue to allow its organization to grow accordingly. While the business, church or group might be a wonderful, healthy, even God-ordained entity, it will not achieve its greatest success unless it is correctly fit to the proper organizational structure. The success of the business is connected to the fit of the organization. Thus, businesses must be willing to reorganize as the scale of business or ministry demands.

Lessons from Mr. Gore

On a typical afternoon, two typical teens walked along a typical sidewalk in a typical town. Typically, they talked of things on the minds of teens. During their conversation, Bobby, age seventeen, began to speak of particular matters going on in his life. Things he was thinking, things he was saying, and things he was doing. As the slightly younger Jesse listened to Bobby, his heart was quickened. He realized that Bobby had sin in his life. Quite candidly Jesse told Bobby that he needed to remedy his sin situation. The plain truth of Jesse’s words brought conviction upon Bobby. In response, he suggested that they pay a visit to Mr. Gore. Even though Jesse didn’t know Mr. Gore, he agreed to go along.
 
Arriving at Mr. Gore’s home, they walked onto the porch and knocked on the door. Mr. Gore greeted them kindly and invited them inside. In no time, Bobby was explaining his predicament to this godly man. Then, as if knowing the answer but needing encouragement, Bobby asked if they could pray, right there in Mr. Gore’s living room. Mr. Gore was happy to oblige the two teens.

As they entered into prayer, Jesse was somewhat surprised to hear the others praying out loud, as if in conversation with other men. Jesse had never witnessed this type of prayer. However, he decided to join in this fervent effort. As they proceeded, the Spirit of the Lord entered into that home. Before long, tears were rolling down the faces of all three seekers. Jesse and Bobby spent time weeping in deep repentance. After some time Mr. Gore approached Jesse and laid his hands on him in special prayer. Within moments, Jesse was baptized with the gift of the Holy Ghost! A few minutes later, Mr. Gore and Jesse united in prayer for Bobby. As the two laid their hands on Bobby, he too received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Before the prayer meeting came to a close, passersby heard the prayers and entered into the house to join in the blessing. In no time, the living room was filled with hungry hearts. That afternoon was marked by a mighty move of the Lord upon Mr. Gore, Bobby, Jesse and all those who joined them in prayer.

I was privileged to hear this testimony from the one who experienced it. A gathering of young ministers sat reverently, gladly receiving each comment the preacher shared. Though many years removed from that prayer meeting, its effects still reverberated through the speaker’s message. Rev. Jesse Williams was impacted long ago by a man who was willing to open his home for prayer. A man named Mr. Gore. On that typical day, two typical teenaged boys were forever changed by an authentic move of God.

As those who are interested in youth, more and more I am concerned with the challenge of reaching today’s teens. When one considers all of the opportunities and pleasantries that clamor for the attention of youth, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and to get discouraged. How can the church get the attention of this generation? How can we persuade young adults to grant us some of their time? We can’t compete with the technology of Silicon Valley. We don’t have the financial resources of Wall Street. Our retreat announcements and rally flyers cannot contend with the fancy flair of Madison Avenue. We have neither the budgets nor the staff to offer comparable programs to those of the public schools and community centers. Hollywood’s entertainment machine cranks out material at an ever-increasing pace, far faster than we can create and implement new programs. Now, to make matters even more challenging, it appears that many characteristics of a United Pentecostal Church are no longer unique. We are not the only church in town offering exuberant, contemporary worship. It is not the only church in the area with an active youth program. Ours is not the only pastor who delivers his sermons in a passionate, charismatic style. Other churches are offering multimedia presentations, missions experiences, youth choirs and summer camps. In the midst of so much activity, how will our youth programs stand apart?

I believe that three low-tech, low-budget, yet legitimate lessons can be learned from Mr. Gore. These lessons can allow our youth ministries to make a profound impact in the lives of youth. On a typical day in Mr. Gore’s life, he made himself available, he expressed a heartfelt interest, and he fostered a move of God. Applying these characteristics will cause our programs not only to rise above the crowd, but also to make a victorious difference.

Mr. Gore allowed his day to be interrupted. When two teenagers knocked on his door, he was not too busy to give them his attention. Before he lectured the young men, or gave them his opinion, he took the time to listen. His schedule of duties and responsibilities was not more important than the individuals who had come to his home. Mr. Gore had a vision of the gospel that was more than a distant view of a lost world. He had not fallen prey to the belief that evangelism was only a grand and extravagant affair. He knew that God not only touches people in crusades and revivals, but He also changes lives one on one. So rather than excuse himself from the largess of global evangelism, he chose to affect a lost soul personally. He made himself available.

Mr. Gore was not put-off by young people coming to his home. What was it that caused Bobby to consider going to Mr. Gore’s residence? Why did Bobby and Jesse feel free to knock on his door? Likely it was more than an announcement that proclaimed Mr. Gore’s interest in youth. It was probably more than a sign on his door welcoming teens to approach. Something had been done on Bobby’s behalf that made him realize Mr. Gore was interested in young people. Maybe it was the time he spent chaperoning youth events. Possibly he had taken time off work to be a counselor at Bobby’s youth camp. Maybe he was a Sunday School teacher that showed his burden well beyond Noon on Sunday. It could be that Mr. Gore often prayed around the church altar, laying a hand on the shoulder of struggling teens, encouraging them in the Lord. Whatever the specific action may have been, Mr. Gore expressed clearly and visibly that he was interested in young people.

It was typical to pray in Mr. Gore’s home. Somehow people in the neighborhood knew that he was comfortable with prayer. This man cultivated his reputation as a man of prayer. Prayer was not only practiced in his church, it was a part of his home life. His was not the type of prayer that one fell asleep uttering. His was the kind of prayer that summoned a move of God. Prayer that was genuine and desirous. When he sought the Lord, he meant business. He expected a move of God’s Spirit. It did not matter what other events were taking place, when there was a move of God, people would take notice. Folks would hear from the street and desire to join in. Mr. Gore expected and cultivated a real move of God.

While it may be unlikely that one will be able to finance his youth program like Wall Street, market events like Madison Avenue, or use the very latest technology of Silicon Valley, he can learn and apply the lessons lived by Mr. Gore. Each one can make himself available to youth, show an interest in their lives, and foster an authentic move of God. Certainly there are many more typical teens like Jesse and Bobby in our neighborhoods. The question is, will I be a Mr. Gore?

Creative Teaching Techniques

Synopsis: In order to apprehend the attention of youth on a weekly basis, we must prepare sessions that are more than “just another lecture”. Their schools have likely adapted various teaching methods over the past number of years. Since they are increasingly accustomed to these alternative teaching methods, students will dread classes that do not offer variety. They are likely to lose interest, and may eventually quit attending altogether. Successful youth leaders realize the need and actively pursue creative methods of teaching.

I. Introduction: If teens are not listening to a lesson, it may very well be that the speaker is not doing what he should in order to grasp their attention. While easy to berate a group that is not attentive, genuine response is not fostered through fear of humiliation or correction. Rather, people listen when the presenter has something valuable to say and he presents it in a desirable fashion. An audience will actively receive and respond to a session that is enticing.

II. Enticing Meetings Draw Youth: Concerning the validity of the previous statement, consider the following questions. Does Hollywood “make” kids come to their movies or watch their television shows? Does Madison Avenue “force” youth to buy clothes at Ambercrombie or the Gap? Do Sony or Nintendo “require” kids to rush to Toys R Us and buy the newest video games? Do BMG, EMI, or Warner “coerce” teens into Sam Goody, Wal-Mart, Target, or Tower Records to buy their latest musical wares? Of course not.

Rather than coercion, these companies know to entice their customers. We should know to do the same. If we will work to make our meetings enticing, then we will witness participation by a willing group of teens. We will more readily be able to affect the youth who are in attendance because they have chosen to be there.

III. Enticing Meetings Require Work: It is not easy to host an enticing meeting. Lazy leaders need not apply for this job. When one is short of time, has many other responsibilities, and tries to work youth ministry into his other obligations, it is often easiest to do what requires the least amount of preparation. Standard lecturing requires studying given material and praying for the Lord’s anointing. When very pressed for time, one might pray and study very little. Then that leader stands at the lectern and reads from the teacher’s manual, praying that God somehow honors it. Or possibly, one reads a verse of Scripture and proceeds to share a number of unconnected stories that come to mind, hoping that, in the end, the teens “get something out of it”.

If a teacher makes a habit of studying little, and then asking God to help him make it through this week’s lesson, then that teacher will inevitably lose the interest of the youth within his ministry. They will soon recognize the lack of preparation. Once they feel that the leader is not concerned enough to prepare, they will not believe that the material presented is very important.

Presenting enticing meetings requires a change in attitude and mindset if we are accustomed to merely haphazard lecturing. To prepare meetings that catch the attention of teens, we must work very hard to prepare for each session. A successful youth leader will labor intensely on the meeting’s content and format.

Sometimes My Preaching Stinks

Am I the only one who thinks this way from time to time? Am I the only one who leaves a Sunday service feeling like I have just dropped the ball in extravagant fashion? Are there others who have finished a service and wondered how such a good thought could wind up coming out so pitifully? Somehow, I don’t think that feelings like these are unique to my experience.

In the course of ministry, there are a variety of outcomes to our efforts. Whether preaching, teaching, singing, or simply testifying, sometimes we see wonderful results, and other times, it seems as if our efforts were worthless. Over time, this variety of outcomes can be confusing.

Why does this happen? What is going on? Why is it that I can preach in one service and the “house comes down,” and then preach the same thing another time, in a different setting, and the people fall asleep while I’m preaching?

I clearly recall such a situation. One Friday evening I was to preach a Statewide Youth Rally. I followed my usual routine of prayer and preparation for the service. Then I conscientiously delivered what I felt to be God’s word for that service. In the end, the youth in attendance responded genuinely and wonderfully to the Word and Spirit of the Lord. We had great church.

Exactly one week later, I was to preach the exact same kind of meeting in a different state. In prayer and preparation, I felt to preach the exact same message as the week prior. In the same kind of meeting, to the same kind of audience, I delivered the same Bible-based message that had brought such genuine response the previous week. But this time around, the audience just stared at me when I made the altar appeal. As I struggled to get the youth to respond to the Lord and His Word, they were very reluctant. In the end, they did pray, but it was not a genuine, heartfelt response. They seemed to pray out of habit and respect for tradition.

Immediately, the questions began in my mind. What happened? Is there something wrong with me? Is there something wrong with the people? Was there something about the situation that I did not learn in prayer? Is there something else that I should have done? These are real questions and feelings that ministers face.

As a preacher, I recognize two particular facets of sermon preparation and presentation that are of interest. The first deals with whether or not I, as the preacher, feel like I have “heard from God” for the service. Preachers realize that we can preach anything from the Bible and it is the Word of God, but I am speaking about the preacher’s desire to preach from the specific portion of Scripture that would be the Will of God for that specific service. The second aspect is in regard to the sermon presentation. It has to do with whether or not the congregation responds as if the sermon is indeed a Word from God. Do they willingly and desirously react to the sermon’s call to action? Or do they blankly stare as if unaware of the sermon’s point? The combinations of these two aspects create four possible settings.

1. I don’t feel like I have heard from God, and the congregation responds like they agree with my feelings.

2. I don’t feel like I have heard from God, but the church responds wholeheartedly anyway.

3. I feel like I have heard from God, but the audience doesn’t respond in kind.

And finally,

4. I feel like I have heard from God, and the congregation responds in agreement with my feelings.

Though there are other dimensions of sermon preparation and presentation, I sense that these four scenarios entail the largest percentage of the ministry experience. As such, it would be good to explore each of them and discover the pitfalls and practical responses.

It’s the Presentation!

Some time ago I was with a group of people having dinner at a nicer restaurant. At the end of the meal, when faced with the incredible temptation of ordering dessert, I noticed particularly that one person ordered the chocolate brownie. I found this somewhat curious. The gentleman ordering often dined at one of the numerous restaurants surrounding New York City. In terms of desserts, he certainly knew the ropes. So, why would this experienced diner order a common brownie when he could have selected from a number of more intriguing desserts? When his dessert arrived, I understood completely.

“Ah, the presentation,” he exclaimed. How right he was. His brownie was cut into triangles which stood on end and leaned together to form a sort of teepee. Underneath the structure was a mammoth scoop of vanilla ice cream. Around the edge of the plate there were numerous mini-towers of whipped crème. All of this was covered in chocolate and strawberry sauces in a way as to make one think it was prepared by Michael Angelo. This wasn’t just a dessert; it was a work of art. Indeed, it was the presentation that made the familiar brownie become an object of desire.

Whether or not a person had ever tasted a chocolate brownie, seeing the presentation of this one would make him want to do so. It was offered in an attractive way. It wasn’t simply cut into a square, thrown onto a paper plate and gruffly handed to the diner. It wasn’t assumed that everyone already knew how good a chocolate brownie was, or that every person knew that they simply ought to have one. Rather, this particular brownie was presented in a fashion such that those who looked at it would also long for it. It was the chef’s presentation that had transformed what some would call ordinary and common into something desirable and attractive.  

In the second chapter of Titus, the Apostle Paul challenges believers concerning their daily lives. As part of his discourse, Paul encourages living so that in every way we would make the teaching about God our Savior attractive (Titus 2:10, NIV). What a concept. Paul encourages Christians to present their Bible beliefs in a desirable way. It is almost as if he was saying, “Remember the presentation.” Not only are we to live like all mankind needs to know of Jesus Christ, but we also must remember that the way that we present Him to others can affect their response. Our words, deeds and attitudes ought to make His Kingdom attractive to those around us. When I begin to apply that concept to my daily living, as Paul suggests, I find that I may not be accomplishing the task as directed.

Great restaurants make their customers feel welcomed and comfortable. Others fall somewhere toward the opposite end of the spectrum. Like Ed Debevic’s. Ed Debevic’s is a 50’s style diner located in Chicago. Their restaurant motto explains a lot: “Eat & Get Out.” And they’re not kidding. The wait-staff pride themselves on being as crass, crude and insulting as possible. If you don’t order quickly enough, you’re likely to hear “Come on, lady, I don’t have all day!” When the orders arrive, they will be nearly dropped on the table, with no concern whatsoever for tact or protocol. The prevailing attitude seems to be: “Here’s the food. If you like it, great. If not, that’s fine too. We’ve got enough customers to stay in business. So, eat & get out.” The presentation is far from attractive. And so I wonder, when making my own presentation, what attitude will welcome the customer? What things can I do in order to make them enjoy the experience, and return again soon? Do I approach them with ambivalence or engage them with my genuine interest?

What is it that makes me feel welcome and comfortable in a restaurant? Good food and a good atmosphere are certainly important, but I’m convinced that the server makes the difference in every restaurant. From the time that we are seated until we have taken care of the check, the server is the personal face a customer places on that restaurant. I like a server who doesn’t merely quote the manager’s specials or declare which entrée is popular, but one who is willing to share their own personal favorites. I’m convinced by a server who is familiar with their own restaurant and can genuinely recommend its best selections. When a server can honestly communicate their satisfaction with the restaurant, then as a customer, I too am more likely to expect and experience satisfaction. 

Have you noticed that restaurants don’t ask customers to pay for their meals in advance? Sure, the prices for menu items are typically posted on the menu. But, patrons are not asked to provide a credit card imprint prior to ordering. Actually, as clientele, we are served when the staff has no guarantee that we will be able to pay. Rather, we are permitted and even encouraged to enjoy the chef’s selection, experience the restaurant’s atmosphere, and get pampered by the staff prior to actually paying for the meal. Once we have had ample opportunity to take in all of these benefits, we really aren’t preoccupied with the cost. In fact, paying for the meal is not viewed as an inconvenience when we have thoroughly enjoyed our experience. When the serving establishment has first invested in me, I no longer find myself focused on the cost.

So if I, as a mere patron of restaurants, can sense these things and make my dining choices based upon them, then it seems to me that those ‘customers’ who visit my serving establishment might also be affected by similar circumstances. Yes, as a long-time connoisseur of brownies from the Christian dessert tray, I might be well aware of how good they taste. Furthermore, I have become personally convinced that everyone should try one. Brownies are for all mankind. And yet, it may also be true that having been so accustomed to these spiritual blessings, I haven’t been paying close enough attention to my presentation. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have customers coming early and lining up at the door because the attractive presentation of Christianity was an enjoyable experience? The prospect is certainly intriguing.

I wonder if Paul liked brownies.