Archive for the 'congregational issues' Category

It wont work unless…

John Havener September 20th, 2009

I feel compelled at this time to speak to my fellow Christians  about the present political and social situation because I believe we are at a critical juncture or crossroad and that if we take the wrong path at this time it would be counterproductive at best, and lead to a horrific persecution at worst. Over the past months millions of Americans have become deeply concerned about the direction of our country and the changes that are being introduced by the Democrat-control Congress. Many seriously fear loss of freedoms, feel that their heritage is being trashed, and that an imposition of a Marxist style tyranny might be forthcoming. Many absolutely refuse to stand idly by while our country and culture goes down this perceived path. Conservative TV, talk radio, “Tea Parties,” town hall meetings and other phenomenon are keeping things hot and in the forefront of people’s minds. I frankly am in deep sympathy with many of the objectives of these groups and personalities… And yet, I’m very concerned. Again, we may be at a very important fork the road.

Years ago, I was senior pastor of a church in Pensacola, Florida. The Pro-life movement was heating up and I wanted to rally our people to help save the unborn. Christians from many churches and para-church ministries were protesting at our local abortion clinics. At one point there may have been 5000 people in the streets representing a wide spectrum of the body of Christ in our area. Hopefully, some that were contemplating abortion turned aside to other, better choices. As time went on, a small minority of radical pro-lifers began to shout horrible and hateful things not only to the abortionists, but also to those entering the clinic seeking an abortion. Due to these people, who were a very small minority, the atmosphere got very rough and poisonous. As a pastoral leader, I could no longer encourage my people to be a part of this effort which started so nobly. I pulled our people off the protest lines and away from the clinics. I was criticized for doing this, but not too long afterward a gunman murdered an abortion Doctor. Another abortionist would be gunned down in the not-too-distant future. These crimes greatly shocked our community, negatively affected the pro-life movement in the nation, and almost killed the Prolife effort in our area. I came to the conclusion during this era that has stuck with me and I believe will serve Christians well in the future: the work of Christ must be done in the spirit (attitude) of Christ. Scripture says “the wrath of a man does not work the will of God.” I understand that there is such a thing as righteous indignation and bold confrontation of wickedness and evil, but great care has to be exercised by Christians in general and pastoral leaders in particular to discern what spirit is activating an individual, group, or movement. The work of Christ must be done in the spirit of Christ! I was grieved at the recent Washington Tea Party to see some of the signs that were so slanderous, hateful, and flat-out ugly regarding our president. I do not support most of his policies, and I pray fervently for his true conversion, but I can say as a veteran minister of our Lord that some of the signs were not of Christ! If an unbeliever were carrying that sign it would be one thing, no believer should manifest hatred and contempt toward another human being.

Jesus once said, “Beware of the leaven of Herod.” Herod, of course, was the political leader of Galilee where Jesus did most of his Ministry. There was a group called the Herodians who felt like the best course of action for the Jewish people in the area was to accommodate and even compromise with Herod and his policies. Jesus warned that this type of political association (without the proper spiritual foundation) would be sinful and destructive. Every Christian needs to realize that there are definite limits to political involvement and to what politics can accomplish. Without an adequate spiritual foundation, it can be vanity and a chasing after the wind. John Adams, the second president of our country, said that our Constitution was totally inadequate for the government of irreligious people. I believe in our Constitution! But it cannot do the job alone with a population that is living in defiance to the God of the Bible. What is needed, and what we must have if we are to safeguard our freedoms and our heritage, is a genuine spiritual revolution. I am not talking about taking up arms or an Islamic style take-over the government like happened in Iran. I am talking is something beyond renewal, beyond revival as we’ve known it; a spiritual revolution that affects the masses and eventually changes institutions through true conversion to Jesus Christ and commitment to His way of life, individually and corporately.

Socially and culturally, England was a mess at the turn of the 19th century. Urbanization, cheap gin, many social problems, an ineffective Christianity, and other things had brought England into a terrible state. Across the channel, the French Revolution had turned into a massive bloodbath and ideological craziness. Would England go the same way? It might have, but God sent a spiritual revolution through the work of the Spirit in the Ministry of the Wesleys and George Whitfield. Thousands of other unknown Christians would pray and work to bring about a revolution of the most Glorious kind. No bloodshed. Wonderful social changes. Millions eventually would be truly converted to Christ and change the fabric of English society and culture. What an example for us to ardently pray for and to work for as God begins to move. We’re living in a very dynamic time of American history, with many strong crosscurrents, and many compelling voices beckoning us to move our country into a better place. Which path will you, will we take? Without a spiritual revolution, it will not work.

Trial Run?

John Havener April 20th, 2008

Recently some beloved young friends of mine were catapulted into a time of tremendous stress and need, and their situation raises questions in my mind about another dimension of preparation and response that requires action at the congregational and/ or community level. Here is their story: This married couple just had the successful home birth of their fourth child when immediately afterwards the wife swooned into a seizure like event. The midwife attending did not know what to do, so the husband wisely called 911 and help was on the way. Big problem was that there were three other children in the home… four years old and under! Thankfully, they live in a small community with true Christian friends and neighbors, so help was available even during the initial emergency. Although the husband’s mom lived in an adjoining community, and would help with the children, she could not do the whole job or even most of it. Are we ready to protect and care for the children of those suddenly affected by serious medical emergency, natural disaster or persecution??? Days of hospitalization followed and the husband understandably wanted to be at his wife’s side to oversee her care and encourage her…but there were three other children involved. Again thankfully, trusted Christian friends and family stepped up to the plate and cared for the older children (Baby was in the newborn nursery). Sometimes the kids were temporarily split up to lessen the intensity of the load. Pastoral leaders helped coordinate, and food help was added into the mix…But this real life drama continues with the new mom needing someone with her at home when dad returns to work… and some of the initial helpers are quite tired, not to mention mom and dad. Put yourself in this scenario!

If you have children, serious thought needs to be given and possibly written instructions need to be prepared and discussed regarding what to do for the children if you and your spouse are both suddenly removed from the home. Of course, if you are removed by death you would want to have specified the children’s guardians in an up to date will. But a temporary removal from their lives can be stressful, especially if confusion or neglect is added to an already bad situation. So work out a starting plan with family and friends. Writing out your children’s’ special likes, dislikes, etc and their usual routine can make the caregivers task much easier and reduce the stress level on your children. If you do not have close family, this makes building good relationships with trustworthy Christian friends even more important.

If you are a pastoral or community leader, formulating a generic plan of rapid response in advance can be a lifesaver, especially for those in need, but also for you since many would be looking your way for help in time of crisis. Nothing quite establishes a leader and his or her team like “delivering the goods” to those in real need in a crunch. Finally, a clearing hose of local info on displaced loved ones in a major disaster or wave of persecution will fill a huge need…we can no longer simply rely on the Red Cross or local Law Enforcement Agencies to help us if things get very serious. Remember Hurricane Katrina and the collapse of Law Enforcement in parts of New Orleans!
Use occasions like the one mentioned above as a “Trial Run” to learn and grow in your ability to serve others in time of great need.

Then the King will say to the people on his right, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.’
(Matthew 25:34-36 GNB)

Rodney Lensch on Preparing the Church for Tribulation

John Havener February 6th, 2008

PREPARING THE CHURCH FOR TRIBULATION: AN URGENT PRIORITY
In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Consider
it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us (Rom. 8:37). For just as the
sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also is our comfort abundant through Christ (II Cor. 1:5). Amazing
Grace: Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. `Tis grace that’s brought me safe
thus far, and grace will lead me home!

The American church has had it easy for the last
sixty years compared to Christians living in Third World
countries where sickness, economic deprivation and
persecution are the order of the day. We need think
only of Russia, China, North Korea and Muslim
countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Why
should we think that we are going to be exempt from
tribulation if the end of the age is upon us when
everything that can be shaken will be shaken? (Heb.
12:26-28). This is already beginning to happen in the
international arena where political institutions and
military alliances, such as the United Nations and
NATO which have helped maintain order and security
for decades, are being tested and ruptured in
frightening and unprecedented ways. What will all of
this mean for America in the years immediately ahead?
And if indeed the end is at hand, what about the
Great Tribulation of which Jesus spoke? “For then
there will be a great tribulation such as has not been
since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor
ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened,
no flesh would be saved, but for the elect’s sake, those
days will be shortened” (Matt. 24:27). Although the Left
Behind books, authored by Tim LaHaye and Jerry
Jenkins, are extremely popular (50 million copies sold),
many believers including myself do not believe that the
church will be secretly and invisibly raptured out before
the Great Tribulation commences as the “pre-trib
rapturists” maintain. Jesus said that the elect (the
church) will live and survive through it all. (I will deal
with this subject in a future newsletter.)
Our most immediate concern, however, should be
the tribulation that will shake America once the war
with Iraq is over. By then the Muslim world of 1 .3 billion
people will be galvanized in a “jihad” to conduct acts of
terrorism against our homeland as well as our
institutions and interests abroad including our
peace-keeping troops in Iraq. This very real possibility
could have profound, adverse effects on our faltering
economy and our cherished way of life as we have

known it. In short, difficult days are on the horizon for
all Americans (Ps. 60:3).
Thus, the thrust of the Summer 2003 issue of Rod
& Staff is indeed timely, namely, Preparing The Church
For Tribulation: An Urgent Priority. But such preparation
presupposes that as believers in Christ, we have a
balanced, biblical theology concerning the place of
tribulation in the Christian life. Basically there are two
opposing schools of thought on the subject; both of
which we shall look at in some depth. Where do you
stand on the issue of tribulation? May the Holy Spirit,
who has been sent to lead and guide us into all the
truth, deliver us from false or faulty doctrines and
scripturally prepare us to face tribulation, whatever the
form or measure, in the victory of Jesus, who is Lord of
all and is coming for a bride “who has made herself
ready”! (Rev. 19:7). Continue Reading »