Dewey's Daily Cup

Roll back the rock of anger and meanness………. and fear will crawl out from underneath.

The mark of the Holy Spirit in a man’s life is that he has gone to his own funeral and thought of himself never enters.

Have you gone to your funeral?

Dear KKIM Family,

For those in Ministry look more to God than humankind for affirmation. If I waited on phone calls and emails of approval for what I do……I never would move or would be so mixed up. Look to God, surround yourself with Godly men and women to help guide you…..and then CHARGE!

We were placed upon this earth for this time……..

My Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus Acts 20:24

Very confusing time’s in the Church a few examples in the news………..

The presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mark Hanson , says that the Bible isn’t the last word on homosexuality.

The Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church signed a letter that placed them on record supporting taxpayer funding of abortions. They signed off on a letter expressing opposition to the Nelson Amendment that would have removed abortion funding from the Senate health care bill.

The United Church of Christ also is supports a petition to the FCC to target conservative radio programming. “Hate” over the airwaves they call it. This includes Christian radio stations.

This makes my head swim……..Need to keep my eye’s fixed on Jesus and stand firm in HIS truth. I will not hide, I will not bend on the TRUITH of GOD! Many so called Christians are putting their heads in the sand and pretending this is not happening. Stand firm my friends.

Much of the Church is lost…..Much of the Church has watered down the Word of Jesus Christ.

This following posting is so timely….only God has this kind of timing………This is from Pastor Leonard Navarre…….

Yes to Jesus, No to the “Church”

“I have a lot of faith, but no religion”. So says a young man who grew up in the Lutheran church. When asked about what it is that turns him off, Luke says, “no one wanted to talk about what we “do” in church. We just went through the same old rituals every time. It didn’t seem to me that what we did made any difference in our everyday lives.”

Even though feels alone, those who proclaim a “no religion” bent, could grow to 25 per cent of the U.S. population. According to Trinity College’s American Religious Identification Survey this growth will within the next 20 years. This group of “no religion” has been named the “Nones” and 22 per cent of Americans aged 18-29 number among the Nones.

Even in Canada the trend is the same as in America. The Canadian National Post reports that Canada’s mainline churches mirror their American counterparts dwindling attendance. Father Daniel Berniquez, Episcopal vicar of the French sector of Ottawa archdiocese, says, “churches that once drew 400 to 500 people now attract about 40”.

So what gives? Why are so many dropping out of “church” but still identify with a strong spiritual desire and even say that they are “spiritual” but not “religious”.

Dan Kimball in his book, “They like Jesus but not the church” says “we are living in an increasing “post-Christian” culture. In our ever increasing post-Christian culture, the influences and values shaping emerging generations are no longer aligned with Christianity. Emerging generations don’t have a basic understanding of the story of the Bible, and they don’t have one God as the predominant God to worship. Rather, they are open to all types of faiths, including new mixtures of religions.”

Well, what are these “nones” saying about the “church”. There are several key issues that need to be addressed.

First, they felt that organized religion had a political agenda. Madonna once said, “I don’t think there is any wrong with the teachings of Jesus but I am very suspicious of organized religion”. Kimball says “you might think that if emerging generations believed in God, they should naturally come to a church to seek him. But we have to remember that more and more individuals in our emerging culture have not grown up in a church.”

We must then ask the question what is the barrier or the drawback to seeking and finding God in church. Well, the common answer is they have negative impressions and stereotypes of Christians and then churches. It looks to me that “the church” is becoming the last place people are equating with spirituality. They are feeling that “the church” is trying to control and dictate how they are to worship and pray. Now let me set the record straight here. Those who avoid “the church” are not opposed to ritual as long as it is not “lifeless, dull and routine quenching the beauty and naturalness” of their worship and prayers. They strongly desire to grow spiritually and participate in the worship experience.

One side note question here. What are we FOR? It seems to me that over and over again I am hearing all the things we are against. Those outside “the church” looking in are noticing what we are opposed to politically but asking themselves, where’s your spiritual vision and goals? “The church” would benefit greatly if we would say we passionately love God, love each other and love our communities along with demonstrating those truths.

To again quote Kimball, “we should be known as being followers of Jesus, serving Him, serving each other and serving our communities. We should be known for helping the needy, looking out for the marginalized, and being good neighbors.”

My questions: If someone watched your walk with the Lord what impression would you give them as to “the church”? How do you view those who are outside the walls of “the church”? What is “the church” doing to reach out with compassion and love to those who “love Jesus, but hate the church”? When’s the last time we hung out at the coffee shop and engage others in a Jesus conversation? When’s the last time we gathered up “non church” friends and went to a movie or out to eat? What is our attitude to those who are outside of “our brand or persuasion”?

Friends, all is not lost but we must be aware of this new “emerging generation”. Many don’t have a clue as to what Jesus did, what the Bible says or how to act “in church”. In our congregation, we have families who have never heard the stories of the Bible such as Jonah, Noah and Saul of Tarsus. We have to become more aware of this want of spirituality but the don’t want of “the church”.

Let’s look at their want list. Here’s what they seek:

· I wish church was not just a sermon or lecture but a discussion.

· I wish church would respect my intelligence.

· I wish church was not just about the building.

· I wish church were less programmed and allowed time to think and pray.

· I wish the church were loving place to others and not just to the “insiders”.

· I wished the church would truly care for the poor and the environment.

· I wish the church would teach more about Jesus, you know, the “red letter” teachings from the Bible. – “They Like Jesus but not the Church” by Dan Kimball

Here’s another suggestion. “The Church” needs to correct the definition of “the church”. We must present the truth that “the church” is not buildings or programs or curriculum. “The church” is the body of Jesus Christ. It is a living, breathing, organism. It is a fellowship of every person who has claimed Jesus as their Savior. It is not made of brick, mortar, stucco or stain glass. It is made up of every believer world-wide who has enlisted in the army of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. “The church” of our Lord Jesus Christ crosses every barrier whether, geographical, cultural or denominational.

While we must stand firm on our Biblical beliefs and teachings and not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we stand ready to present the true Biblical picture of “the church”. We must be ready to change our standard operations procedures. There is no set way in “doing church”. It is imperative that we engage the “nomes” in addressing their negative stereotypes of “the church”. Plus, we must as “the church” change our vocabulary. For instance, we don’t “go to church” we are the church; we don’t “have church” we have praise, Bible study and an assembly. There is no such thing as Baptist church, Methodist church, Catholic Church; the church is the entire body of believers who claim Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives and encompasses every person who has accepted the Lordship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When we are driving down the street we must avoid calling the building on the corner “the church”. This confusion over “the church” is reflected in why the 18 to 29 year olds are struggling with “they like Jesus but not the church.” They have no idea as to the definition of “church” as expressed in the Word of God, the Bible.

In conclusion, friends, may we pray that each and every believer will engage in the conversation of presenting true Biblical truths to our families, our communities and our culture.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the evidences of the Holy Spirit and the love of almighty God be exampled in every believer. Amen.

Bibliography:

“They Like Jesus but not the Church” – Dan Kimball

“Having none of it” – Alisa Harris – “World” – November 21, 2009

“Surprising Insights from the Unchurched” – Tom S. Rainer

New book by Dan Kimball with greater insights into the minds of the unchurched; “I like Jesus but not the church”.

Also, more information at: www.theylikeJesus.com

Prepared by and ‘to be continued’ by

Leonard Navarre

Associate Pastor, Valley View Christian Church

Edgewood, New Mexico

God Bless you Pastor Leonard for sharing!

Let us pray………..

Lord, thank you for Your Word……..Your Word that stands firm to this day……We thank You for placing us on this earth at this time for You. In the name of Jesus, AMEN!

In the Love of Christ, Dewey Sharon and family

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