Tag Archives: church discipline

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Relatively Speaking

Leave a comment

I’ve heard visiting relatives are like dead fish: both stink by the third day! Whether that’s true depends on the relatives, I suppose. But one thing’s for sure: relationships are meant to be mutually beneficial and very little happens without them. Besides familial, friendship, and commercial advantages, relationships become the backbone for things like discipleship, charity, correction, and conflict resolution.

Discipleship. This only works when trusting, intimate relationships provide a conduit for learning and spiritual growth. Jesus utilized existing relationships and built upon them with friends such as James, John, Peter, Andrew, and Philip. He also grew new, trusting discipleship-focused relationships through existing connections: Nathanael, by way of Philip, is a great example. What else? Imitation!

Discipleship demands relationship-enabled imitation. Jesus “did what He saw the Father do, spoke what He heard the Father speak.” Paul imitated Jesus, and the Thessalonians imitated Paul. Then others imitated those folks. Do the math: disciples around Thessalonica, therefore, imitated the Father. Besides discipleship, relationships enable love and spiritual growth.

Charity and spiritual formation. God told Israel, and Jesus reiterated in Matthew 22:35-40, that we must honor Him with everything and love people. King Solomon explained in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 that “two are better than one” for prosperity, comfort, and safety. Effective relationships permit spiritual encouragement and equipping as we exhibit patience (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Colossians 3:12-13). Similarly, close relationships allow us to do this: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3) When that doesn’t work, we must resolve relational conflicts and reconcile.

Spiritual correction and conflict resolution. The apostle Peter wrote that “love covers a multitude of sins” as we seek to restore relationships (1 Peter 4:8; Galatians 6:1-2). They can be reconciled and healed through tender-heartedness and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). We also use relationships to beat each other back into shape (spiritually speaking) as you’ll find in Proverbs 27:17. There’s a more sobering, and life-saving aspect to this, though.

Christians often say, “Who am I to judge?” but don’t buy into it! Jesus explained in Matthew 18:15-20 that our responsibility is lovingly calling out anti-Godly behavior. His half-brother James doesn’t mix words when he wrote that we must try to turn our Christian brothers and sisters from the ‘way of death’ (James 5:19-20). Need more? Check out 1 Corinthians chapter five and 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15 for examples of needing to judge (I like ‘assess’ better!) God-fearing, Christ-followers to stay on the Way of Life (sexual immorality and slackers, in these Corinthian and Thessalonian cases). But, spiritual correction requires deep, authentic and trusting relationships to work.

Summary. Deep, trusting relationships are necessary for things like discipleship, charity, correction, and conflict resolution. One way to put them to work is by presenting the good news of God’s Kingdom to the yet-to-be-churched; an airtight alibi is essential. Let’s hang out there next!

God’s blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

A Receding Sea of Gray

Leave a comment

“I’ve seen your future!” I thought as I looked across a congregation and its ‘sea of gray’ I taught about a year ago. Without revitalization, it would rapidly diminish to a point of no return, and the doors close for good. This was my experience at Northview Christian Church, once a thriving Christian community. It’s also the path of most Western mainline denominational churches. If you’re not Roman  Catholic or focused on attraction, you’re probably on your way out. What gives?

A diminishing sea of gray. Western Christianity declines at about 20% per year. Yet, most mainline denominational churches are full of the elderly, who are the backbone. They’re likely faithful and hard-working. But they’re dying. Although Western Christianity declines at about 20% a year now, the rate will likely decline sharply over the next decade as the population of the wise and faithful shrinks rapidly. Even if butts in the pews remain, the effect on Christendom will be crippling without these vital gray-headed souls.

Consequences. Our wise theological models and teachers are evaporating. Opportunities for church discipline for growth and correction (not punishment!) are disappearing. Who will lead the spiritually immature when they’re gone? Who will demonstrate how to effectively apply God’s words and ways? Here are several scriptures that soberly remind us their importance (NASB):

  • Leviticus 19:32. “You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged …”
  • Job 12:12-13. “Wisdom is with aged men … To Him belong counsel and understanding.”
  • 1 Peter 5:5. “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders …”

The cure. Listen to mature followers and put them to work as the Spirit has enabled! Learn from and imitate them (at least the Godly stuff)! That will create spiritually mature followers who can replenish the sea of gray and keep the churches healthy! But there’s more!

Understand that while the good news of God’s Kingdom brought near to humans doesn’t change, contexts do. Be incarnational and contextual, meeting communities and cultures where they are without comprising the message. Remember that the ‘little-t’ stuff like how we perform music, baptism, or Communion methods aren’t worth falling on a theological sword over! Remove religious barriers to reduce clergy-laity separation. Become relevant to today’s folks who can become tomorrow’s sea of gray even if dress or music needs to evolve. And remember to give your young and old alike opportunities to serve according to spiritual giftings.

Summary. Our fruitful and wise congregants are dying. So are our churches. Don’t let their legacy disappear and Western Christianity along with it: replenish the sea of gray by once again becoming relevant to local communities and training replacements. Next time, let’s explore something weird, useful, and last-days-ish: Apocalyptic Poster Children. Meanwhile, leave your bubble and step into someone else’s (with permission!) to make the Church more relevant and replenish a receding sea of godly gray.

God’s blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Weed Patrol – Churchy Weeds!

Leave a comment

Last time, I re-introduced the concept of weeds (fakes and evildoers) in the Church (Jesus introduced it first!) and explained that we need to recognize a weed to keep from becoming one and putting ourselves into God’s coming wrath. But what are we supposed to do about churchy weeds—those people claiming to be Christian who bring wickedness into our midst and poison us? Let’s see what Jesus and Paul had to say on the subject.

As is often the case today, the Corinthian church tolerated sexual immorality. Paul’s response? Remove the immoral person for their and the community’s sake (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you . . .  God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you.’”

And the Thessalonian church permitted slackers (2 Thessalonians 38-15). Paul reprimanded them and instructed the church to expel the lazy people: “. . . Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. . . . If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. . . .” Reconciliation is key here!

Jesus explained in Matthew 18:15-17 that anyone rebelling against God’s righteousness (sinning) who will not accept correction must be sent out of the Christian community: “And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

“Ron! Why were (and are) correction and possible expulsion necessary?” We can’t maintain God’s standards without gentle guidance and correction within the Body of Christ. The spiritually mature must model and execute godly behavior, so others will know how to behave. Why must we identify churchy weeds—people who refuse to adhere to God’s standards? To protect everyone else and present a clear image of Him to the world. Don’t we remove rotten food to protect the good?

Unfortunately, discipline (for correction and reconciliation) is nearly impossible today. Why? First, there are too many weeds and not enough modeling. Second, the church is an open and unmanaged community regularly infiltrated by immoral people who corrupt the Body.

So, how do we remove weediness from within the Body of Christ? Teach godly principles—God’s righteousness, and model godly behavior (to show how to put it into practice: it rubs off!) Privately call out ungodly behavior and guide the rebellious and immoral to better behavior. What if that doesn’t work? Show them the door to protect God’s children.

In summary, we were never to permit or tolerate weeds in the church. It isn’t good for Christianity and presents a tainted image of our Creator. In the last of our Weeds episodes, we’ll explore how weeds make more weeds until they take over the Church!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

The God Box Part II: Freedom

Leave a comment

In my last blog, I explained that a ‘God box’ is anything that keeps God’s Spirit from moving and stifles convert transformation. Physical walls, a business focus, religious rules and practices, and a one-to-many approach during services from the fourth century top the list of God box building materials. Others include personal misconceptions, self-centeredness, and a lack of biblical training. Here, we’ll brainstorm things we can do to escape the box and become complete—perfect—in our relationship with God.

First, let’s break down the religious walls. To do this, we must devote all to God and focus on the Big-T tenants of our faith (see the last article). Remember that all else is secondary or church traditions, often built on bad theology (understanding God or His ways) or human religious doctrines. Don’t treat the secondary issues or human forms of practicing the Big-T stuff as soul-saving necessities.

Second, let’s break down the wall of self-centeredness. God commands us to honor Him and [actionably] love people. This is the prime directive. It’s OK to give to the church’s business (after all, we made it, we must feed it!), but don’t let that derail you from God’s command to give of time, talents, and treasure to care for His creation, again, especially people. Being outward-focused will help free you from self-centeredness.

Third, let’s break down the theological ignorance and spiritual immaturity wall. To be God-box-less, learn the truth of God’s Kingdom that will set you free. I’d say that this should be the first step in ditching the God box: you can’t honor what you don’t know or love well when you don’t understand true, action-oriented love. Understand that our one-to-many services leave little if any room for discipleship or movement by the Spirit. Today’s church service format is probably the boxiest part of the God box and incredibly stifling as well as enabling pew-warming freeloaders. What does freedom look like here? Make sure you don’t rely on Sunday morning alone for your discipleship, obedience to make disciples, or spiritual growth! There’s no substitute for regular Bible study (not devotionals!), life transformation groups offering study, prayer, accountability, and ongoing, never-ending discipleship.

Putting it all together. God called us to honor Him and love people (this is actionable, not emotional!). He didn’t call us to build stuff, lord it over people, or entertain the masses. If you want to symbolically free God and perhaps yourself from a God box, devote, love, and transform and be transformed through discipleship. Worship God through action, not religion. Give of time, talents, and treasures first to honor God and love people. No walls, physical or spiritual, are necessary!

In the final article in this three-part series, we’ll continue our discussion and soar to new heights in “The God Box Part III, Endless Possibilities.”

Dr. Ron Braley