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The Future of the Local Church – Revival or Revolution?

May 25, 2011June 22, 2011 by Mike Avery, posted in All Articles, Church, Ministry

–April of 2006

The Future of the Local Church – Revival or Revolution?

For over half a century men and women all over America have been praying for revival. But it looks like we are having a revolution instead. At least that’s the findings of America’s religious pulse-taker, George Barna, Jr. You can read all about it in his latest book, Revolution. The upshot of Barna’s book is that a “quiet revolution” is taking place in America. These revolutionaries are a growing sub-nation of Christians, already over 20 million strong, who are set on doing whatever it takes to get closer to God and help others do the same. They are committed to a radical, Biblical faith that is transforming and authentic.

The unique part of this revolution is that it is largely taking place outside the local church. (The revolutionaries are careful to differentiate between the church and the Church.) They believe the local church has failed to fulfill its mission. They see most local churches as irrelevant and ineffective in equipping believers to be Christlike and advancing God’s kingdom in a Biblical way. They believe the church has become so hidebound by tradition and so focused on its own agenda that true worship, radical commitment, spiritual growth, servanthood and authentic community have become secondary issues. They strongly believe that “we are not called to go to church; we are called to be the Church.”

Many of the revolutionaries are still involved in a local church, but millions of them have left the church and developed a new model of church called alternative faith-based communities. Barna predicts the alternative groups will continue to see significant growth while the traditional local church will shrink by over 40 percent in the next twenty years.

Problems with the Revolution

I want to be very careful that I do not curse what God has blessed, but I do have concerns with what I see taking place. Barna’s research indicates that the revolution is being embraced by the most serious-minded Christians. Nevertheless, sincerity and zeal alone do not mean that a thing is right or problem free. My first concern grows out of the very nature of the Church itself. The Church is Christ’s Body, the members are inseparably linked one to another, and anytime small segments pull away there is the danger of cultivating a “Lone Ranger” mentality. The intent may be right and the immediate results seem good, but in the long term there is the danger of becoming exclusive and even cultish.

I’m also concerned that these small groups lack the accountability and discipline that is provided by some form of church authority such as a board of elders. One of Paul’s first concerns in each of the New Testament churches was to appoint a group of elders and deacons to provide leadership and structure.

The most serious concern I have comes from the fact that separation from a local church can disconnect this small body from a theological and historical framework for interpreting scripture. Most of these revolutionaries grew up in a postmodern world and are strongly influenced by postmodern thinking. Couple that fact with their separation from a system of theological thought or the historical continuity of the Church and it can simply lead to every man doing what is right in his own eyes. Heresy can blossom in such settings.

Can we learn from the Revolution?

Yes! I believe there are a number of things the local church and church leaders can learn from this revolution. Let me share with you four things that I believe we need to learn.

We should guard against being inflexible and too resistant to change.

Change is not bad. Change is a natural, positive and irreplaceable part of normal, healthy growth. When change means a compromise of Biblical truth or core values, then change is bad and should be avoided. But when change serves as the catalyst for positive spiritual growth, it is good, normative and should be welcomed. The local church, far too often, stiff-arms change simply because the members are comfortable with what they are doing and had rather not be inconvenienced by change.

We should guard against elevating what is traditional to the plane of what is Biblical.

In the average Christian church, almost everything we do is based on tradition. The times and places we meet, the ministries we offer, the structure we follow and the music and instruments we use are all largely dictated by tradition. Traditions are helpful and at times even important, but they must not be confused with God-given commands. Traditions should never have the same authority as scripture. Tradition can become such a mechanical part of who we are and what we do that over time the distinction between a tradition and Biblical truth can become blurred. Worse yet, there may be a tendency to think that faithful obedience to our tradition is well pleasing to God, when in all reality, we may be doing things He neither commands nor cares about, while the things for which He sent His Son we regard as of little or no importance.

We should guard against the church’s being member driven rather than mission driven.

The local church is not a club, society or an organization that exists for the pleasure of its members. It is not a democracy where everybody has his or her say. It is the body of Christ where believers are matured toward Christlikeness and equipped for ministry and where the lost are evangelized. Far too many local churches exist only for the pleasure and edification of their membership and have totally forgotten and inadvertently abandoned the mission that God has given them to accomplish. A church that doesn’t exist for redemptive activity has no reason to exist.

We should guard against becoming denominationally focused

rather than community impacting.

The local church is not just another branch office to collect revenue and promote the company brand for some denomination. The local church must focus on and be engaged with the community in which it lives. History has proven that a focus on what the denomination is doing rather than what the local church is doing is a clear sign of death for both.

Barna may be right about the revolution, but I hope he is wrong about the local church. I am aware that God can get His work done with or without the local church, at least as we know it. But if the local church experiences revival, it can yet be a powerful force for God. So while the revolution unfolds, I will rejoice in whatever good it is doing and continue to pray for and work toward revival and renewal in the local church.

Great Preachers

May 25, 2011June 22, 2011 by Mike Avery, posted in All Articles, Church, Ministry

–March of 2005

Great Preachers

I was comfortably settled in at my writing desk preparing to polish off the rough draft of an article I had written for this issue of the Revivalist, when all of a sudden my pen refused to write another word about the subject at hand. Instead, it wanted to write about some of the great preachers I have known. The shift in focus could be attributed to the fact that I had just returned home from the funeral of one of the greatest orators in the holiness movement, and I was still thinking about his life and preaching ministry. Nevertheless, the subject has been on my mind for months, so I gave in and let my pen have its way.

As a preacher, a student of preaching, and someone responsible for the training of preachers, I have had a keen interest in what makes for great preaching and great preachers. Though notable scholars and great preachers have written numbers of books on this subject, I feel the need to add my observations with a list of the characteristics of some of the great preachers I have known. This is not a list about good men, good pastors or good leaders. It is not an exhaustive list. It is strictly a list of the characteristics I have observed in men that I consider to be great preachers.

1. They are men who have had an encounter with God that marked their lives forever.

For some it was their conversion, while for others it was the point of total surrender and heart cleansing. For others it was their call to preach. The issue is not so much when or how they had a life-altering encounter, but that it had indeed happened. Like Moses, they had a burning bush encounter with God, or like Jacob they met him in struggle. However it happened, their encounter with God marked them forever and left them with the firm conviction that for them is was “preach or perish.”

2. They are men of strong belief and firm convictions.

Armed with the conviction that they speak for God, they speak with authority and certainty out of a well-developed belief system, which is based solidly on the principles and convictions of the Word of God. They don’t care whether they speak the company line or not. They care nothing about being politically correct. They don’t look the crowd over to see what message fits best. They speak for God! We are plagued today with mild-mannered men who have developed the art of almost saying something. They never draw a line in the sand or speak of absolute truth. You never know where they stand on anything! Not so with the greats. They are men who give no uncertain sound.

3. They are men with big souls.

H.E. Schmul was a man that characterized this as well as any. He could embrace others that didn’t agree with him on every jot and tittle. He knew what he believed, was secure in what he believed, and wasn’t afraid to embrace his brother who was a little to the left or right of him. Though he didn’t personally identify with the more mainstream groups, he didn’t just cut them off or de-Christianize them. J. Wesley Adcock, R.G. Flexon, L.D. Wilcox, R. G. Humble, V.O. Agan, and Robb French were all men of this caliber. Robb French imposed upon himself some very rigid convictions, but never made others feel spirituality inferior for not doing the same.

4. They are men with a great capacity and love for all of life.

They are men who walk the narrow way without being narrow minded. They are not so focused on the world to come that they miss the beauty of the world that is around them. L.D. Wilcox loved the symphony and attended it often. He also had a great love for growing flowers, especially roses. Dr. Dale Yocum was a great lover of science. He was at home gazing at the constellations or talking with the animals. H.E. Schmul loved traveling and was extremely knowledgeable of Civil War History. Millard Downing never lost his love for farming and farm animals. Larry Smith is quite knowledgeable of antiques and architecture.

5. They have inquisitive minds that have been developed by constant learning.

They are well read in the Bible, theology, and history. They have read some of the great literature and the classics. They stay abreast of current Christian thought. Their reading has prepared them to speak forcefully to the issues of contemporary life and the current trends in theological thought. Richard Taylor, Dennis Kinlaw, Larry Smith, and Bobby French are examples of this.

6. They know how to tell a good story.

They understand the value of a good illustration and know how to tell it with great effect. Millard Downing, Standley Kendall, Paul Lucas, and R.G. Flexon perfected this art. Richard Taylor uses illustrations with the most precision of any I have heard. His stories always enlighten and make the point well. Great preachers know that the difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between a lightning bug and lightning.

7. They preach the Bible—all of it. They are not “one stringed” preachers.

Some preachers are always on a “crusade” for their personal agenda. Great preachers understand that they are Ambassadors for Heaven and that they must speak the whole counsel of God. Great preachers don’t just ride a hobbyhorse or seek to be known for a single emphasis. H.E. Schmul said to me once, “Avery, I am not just a ‘holiness preacher.’” He went on to explain that there was more to preach than the doctrine of entire-sanctification (though he firmly embraced it, preached it effectively, and saw it as central in redemption). He admonished me to preach all of the great themes of the Bible.

8. They maintain their individuality and preach out of their own personal gifts and strengths.

Almost every time Larry Smith preaches in chapel he says apologetically, “I’m not an expositor, or a firstly, secondly, and thirdly preacher. I’m just an exhorter.” Yet, when Larry lets God use him, just as he is, I know of none that can equal his eloquence and depth. J.W. Adcock had a photographic memory and could quote his sermons verbatim with great effect, while R. G. Humble, V.O. Agan, and R.G. Flexon read every word of theirs with the same great effect. Millard Downing had no equal in illustrative story telling. His ability to use words to graphically describe biblical truth made his ministry both captivating and powerful. L.D. Wilcox was not a captivating speaker, yet his ability to take a profound theological truth and make it understandable to even children was his strength, and he worked effectively from that vantage point. Great preachers are comfortable with their style and use it for God’s glory. If you ever heard O.W. Willis, you could never forget the cadence of his speaking. Men like Bud Robinson and August Leulf turned speech impediments into a means of captivating an audience. R.E. Carroll would occasionally punctuate his preaching with a piercing shout. As unconventional as it may have been, it added something to his ministry. Wingrove Taylor stands a still as a statue, speaks in a conversational tone, and alliterates every line. All of these men are very different, yet all very effective. God needs individual personalities to pour his truth through!

9. Their ministry is marked by the optimism of grace.

Great preachers are like the tide; they lift people. The story is told that when the great Scottish preacher, George Matheson, begin to preach in Edinburgh, an old lady who lived a dark, dirty cellar moved to an apartment in an attic that was light and airy. When asked about her move she said, “You cannot hear George Matheson preach and live in a cellar.” The ministry of great preachers can be summed up in words spoken about Job, “Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees.”

My life has been blessed by the unique contributions of many great preachers. It is my prayer that the young men of tomorrow’s pulpit will allow God to use them to make their unique contribution to His Kingdom.

Pastor – Save Thyself

May 25, 2011June 22, 2011 by Mike Avery, posted in All Articles, Church, Ministry

–October of 2004

Pastor – Save Thyself

Almost everyone knows someone who used to be in the ministry. Statistics show that for every twenty men who enter the ministry, only one will still be actively involved at the age of 65. No one goes into the ministry expecting to be a casualty. Some have to leave for health reasons. Some wash out because of personal or moral failure (approximately 20 percent are involved in inappropriate sexual behavior). Some burn out from long-term stress. Some are forced out by a church. Some walk out because of a sense of failure. Some never leave the ministry but “check out” mentally and emotionally.

Fortunately, we all know pastors who have given a lifetime of effective service to the church. They are godly men who have grown old gracefully and still serve the church in their advanced years. Is there a word of counsel that could expand their ranks?

Sound Advice from a Seasoned Veteran

Every minister ought to read the letters to Timothy at least once a quarter. The aged apostle gives young Timothy sound advice for staying on course and going the distance. I Timothy 4:16 is a verse every pastor ought to memorize. In it Paul gives a three-fold secret to succeeding.

Pay Attention to Yourself

The minister can become so focused on the public aspect of his ministry that he forgets to keep a sharp eye on his private walk with God. Paul’s advice is clear, “Take heed unto thyself.” The vast majority of ministry failures (no matter what the visible reason might be) can be traced to the neglect of the pastor’s own soul. He fails to cultivate an established pattern of private prayer, Bible study and worship. Pastors who have developed a regular pattern of personal soul care are able to work out of a spiritual fullness. When ministry flows out of a full heart, it is both satisfying and successful. But, men who try to draw water out of an empty bucket will be men that are stressed out, overwhelmed, and constantly looking for a different situation. Whenever we allow our ministry to be motivated by anything other than love for God, or empowered by anything other than His Spirit, it begins to work against us and starts the process of self-destruction. I keep a quote by James Montgomery Boice on my desk that says, “Christian service isn’t measured by the results we see from it, or even by the example we communicate by it, but what we become through it.”

Never Stop Learning

Paul knew the joys of seeing his message accepted and the sorrow of seeing it rejected. But, through it all, he continued to preach the word of God in season and out of season. Regardless of what facet of ministry we are in, we are obligated to clearly, accurately, and persistently communicate Biblical truth. For this to happen, the minister must be constantly learning. He must continue to expand his knowledge of the Bible and all related subjects that enable him to remain fresh and effective. One of the dangers of ministry is that it can keep you from learning. Expanding buildings and activities is much easier than expanding your soul and growing your mind. But to fail here is to fail altogether. Shallow ministers and shallow ministries are the seedbed for emotionalism, liberalism, legalism, and all sorts of heresy.

Just Keep Doing It

Those who have been in ministry for some time understand the temptation to throw in the towel, especially when the problems are large, the crowd is small, and the benefits of leaving seem to outweigh those of staying. But, there is something to be said for just hanging in there and being faithful to preach the Word.

The words of the old apostle seem to lack the smoothness and charm that twenty-first century ears prefer, but if you will simply follow them you will “save yourself, and them that hear thee.”

Wal-Mart Theology

May 25, 2011June 23, 2011 by Mike Avery, posted in All Articles, Church, Culture, Theology

–May of 2003

Wal-Mart Theology

I think it’s fair to say that the church has at times affected the prevailing political and economic philosophies of the day in a very positive way. I also think it’s fair to say that the prevailing political and economic philosophies have at times adversely affected the church. One such example is what I call the churches adoption of a “Wal-Mart theology”.

The late Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, changed the economic philosophy of the market place with his “Wal-Mart approach” to merchandising. He built a multi-billion dollar business around three basic premises. 1. Give the customer what they want. 2. Give it to them cheaper than anybody else. 3. Build loyalty with feigned friendliness and surface relationships.

It is an approach that has clearly affected the church. The church now offers a menu of activities, worship styles, and preaching that has something for everyone. Unsaved, carnal churchgoers can get their weekly fix of “spiritual life” without ever being made uncomfortable. The talk show style preacher has ousted the thundering prophet. His suave humor and well-honed ability to “almost say something” has made churchgoers all across America feel good about being in church. Give them what they want is verse one of the new creed!

Pollsters are scratching their head over the fact that people are going back to church in record numbers, yet the morality of our country is still on the decline. This is a direct result of churches that have discounted the price of what it means to be a Christian. Instead of stressing a repentance from sin and a call to radical holiness, they offer a crown without a cross, faith without faithfulness, and a spiritual life that doesn’t have to be a separated life. It’s no longer the narrow way but the cheapest way that is a part of today’s church.

How has the Church been affected by the third premise? We’ve adopted the Wal-Mart greeter’s philosophy. We smile, shake hands, and move on. Churches are filled with people who have nothing but superficial relationships with their fellow attendees (if they know them at all). The whole concept of community and accountability that’s supposed to be a part of the church isn’t there. The words of Jesus in Matthew 25 that, “I was a stranger and you took me in”, point out the fact that the Church must reach out in true love and friendship pulling others in to the inner circle of their own lives. The Christian must build bridges to other human beings and offer themselves to a needy, hurting world. You can’t do that with out being willing to get intimately involved in someone else’s life.

Isaac Watts had never heard of Wal-Mart Theology when he penned these words, “Am I a soldier of the Cross, a follower of the Lamb, and shall I fear to own His cause or blush to speak His name? Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas? Sure I must fight if I would reign, increase my courage, Lord. I’ll bear the toil endure the pain, supported by Thy Word.” No disrespect, Mr. Sam, but Isaac’s got it right!

New Year’s Resolutions Anyone? – Part II

May 25, 2011June 23, 2011 by Mike Avery, posted in All Articles, Church, Holiday

–Winter 2003

New Year’s Resolutions Anyone?

Part II

In last year’s winter issue I shared my list of New Year’s Resolutions and pledged to write an article on each one. Though each resolve was given personal attention, they never found their way into the article I promised. So with pen in hand and a little mud on my face, here is my insight on three of those resolutions.

Resolution #1

To Gain an Understanding of Corporate Worship

I’ve spent the past year combing through books, articles and listening to tapes about worship. I’ve talked it over with the scholars and traced it in the lives of simple saints. Some I talked with had all the answers on worship, while others didn’t seem to have a clue. But every time I reached for my pen to write, I became frustrated with either the breadth of the subject or the narrowness of my own experience, and laid my pen aside deferring to the greater mind and the larger soul.

I also hesitated to write for the timid reason that there are certain subjects within the church that people have real strong feelings about and will fight over at the drop of a hat (with some willing to drop the hat). Worship is one of those subjects. Worship wars have divided denominations and split churches. In an endeavor to keep the peace, some churches have offered a menu of services with varying worship styles. This, of course, hasn’t aided true worship in the least, but has pandered to self-centered seekers wanting to “do church” in a way that is entertaining and exciting, or kept entrenched a style traditionally safe but totally missing the mark.

My readership is mostly conservative and mostly within the Methodist holiness tradition. This group, for the most part, hasn’t bowed the knee at the altar of “Christian consumerism,” though I have witnessed some alarming extremes. Everything from services so dead they felt like a “funeral for the Almighty” to services so free spirited and casual that they were nothing more than chatty conversations of God talk, similar to a pep rally where we all shouted “hurrah for Jesus!” on cue.

In between these extremes are those who are truly serious about worship but are not always sure of how to go about it. They remind me of the puzzled partygoer who asked, “Are we having fun yet?” They try hard to worship but feel like asking, “Are we worshiping yet?” I did witness services where I felt like the congregation was truly worshiping and the pastor knew how to lead them in worship, but for the most part I agree with Tozer that worship has become the missing jewel of the church.

What’s Wrong?

Without going into great detail, let me offer you my findings.

We don’t see worship as the main enterprise of the church.

The church seems to have gone through stages of what it thinks is the most important thing for it to be doing. At times the church has emphasized separation. Other times it was evangelistic outreach, foreign missions, or just biblical instruction. Each one or a mixture of the four, taking their turn being the hallmark of what church is really about. When in all reality each of these must be a product of worship or they will become another gimmick to motivate the saints, or a slick PR front to sell the church.

We lack a balance between a God that is majestic and transcendent and one that is imminent and lovingly near us.

Most holiness churches have unduly stressed feeling and experiencing God to the neglect of worshiping and glorifying God for the pure joy of magnifying the one whom alone is worthy. Jesus taught us to worship in spirit and in truth. Worship must have both heart and head. Worship must engage emotions and thought. Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full of artificial admirers. On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship. Many in a sincere attempt to feel God near have lost this balance and have opened the door to a fleshly humanism and called it worship.

We have forgotten that only those who are spiritually alive can worship.

When Jesus said, “we must worship the Father in spirit…” He meant that true worship could only come from spirits made alive and sensitive by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit of God. John Piper says it like this; “The fuel of worship is a true vision of the greatness and glory of God, but the fire that makes the fuel burn white hot is the quickening of the Holy Spirit.”

We have allowed worship to become something we do for our spiritual benefit rather than something we give to God.

This twist in focus has turned church into a performance event where we are the recipients. We want the songs to bless us, the prayers to comfort us, and the sermon to help us feel better about our condition. True worship is not self-centered, but God-centered. Robert Coleman says it like this; “Worship is the adoring response of the creature to the infinite majesty of God. While it presupposes submission to Him, to worship, in the highest sense, is not supplication for needs, or even thanksgiving for blessings, but the occupation of the soul with God Himself.”

We have made worship a Sunday morning event rather than a lifestyle.

Worship has to do with real life. It is not a mythical interlude in a week of reality. We cannot honor God with our lips on Sunday while our hearts are far from Him during the week.

Tinkering or Transformation?

The holiness movement is going through a transition. There is a lot of tinkering with things and some will be for our help while others will be for our harm. But when it comes to worship, we need a transformation by the Spirit of God. Pastors need to be leading the way, teaching their people how to worship God in spirit and in truth. In order to do this, they must find a biblical paradigm for worship.

As I have sought to develop a biblical view of worship, I have developed for myself five basic facets that must be involved.

The first facet is dispositional. I mean by this that worship is an attitude of the heart and soul. There is nothing casual about worship, nor can be done by simply parroting phrases. It blends our heart and soul and mind like nothing else that we will ever do. To me this disposition rests on four character traits.

Reverence. We cannot worship unless there is a reverence and esteem for Almighty God. We must see Him as majestic and transcendent, the One before who even angels veil their faces.

Love. We must truly love Him with all of our hearts. You cannot worship a God you do not truly love.

Humility. The humble soul is the one who understands that He is the Creator and I am the creature, and I can do nothing without Him. That sense of humility frees us from self-aggrandizement and enables us to lift Him up.

Gratitude. Romans chapter 1 tells us it was the sin of ingratitude that prevented man from worshiping God even when they knew Him as God. Gratitude paves the way for real worship.

The second facet is gestural. Biblical worship involves some kind of outward act. The very word in Hebrew means to bow down. So, worship is bowing, lifting hands, praying, singing, reciting, preaching, etc. It is absolutely impossible to sit like a monument and worship the Almighty.

The third facet is vocal. We may worship in silence but not all of worship is silent. Worship involves appropriate vocal expression of praise and affirmation. Worship by its very nature requires a personal and/or a congregational response. The biblical pattern runs the scale of everything from a quiet amen to the jubilant shout of hallelujah! Vocal expressions, though, should never be a mindless parroting of worship language. Worship must never be divorced from the mind and the will. This doesn’t mean worship cannot be spontaneous or even at times rapturous, but it does mean that it will never be a mindless, out of control, experience.

The fourth aspect is liturgical. I was taught to be suspicious of anything that involved liturgy, only to my surprise to discover that every church follows a liturgy, either a good one or a bad one, written or unwritten. They all have form. A biblical view of worship always entails order and form.

The fifth facet is spiritual. Let me quote from John Piper again. “The fuel of worship is the truth of God, the furnace of worship is the spirit of man, and the heat of worship is the vital affections of reverence, contrition, trust, gratitude and joy. But the fire of worship is the Holy Spirit, and until the Holy Spirit quickens our spirit with the flame of life, our spirit is so dead and unresponsive it does not even quality as a spirit. True worship can only come from spirits made alive and sensitive by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit of God.”

I’ve not written this article as a critic or counselor. It is simply an article that allows you to look over my shoulder into the private journaling of my journey toward better worship. Fortunately God accepts our imperfect worship while we are learning how to offer that which is more acceptable. He is worthy of our very best!

If you are interested in further help, email me at president@gbs.edu and I will send you a list of my study resources.