Windmillenialism

There's still a war to fight.

2012-02-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

Jim was a ruling elder at a church of which I was a member when I lived in Michigan as a student. One afternoon, I stopped by the church while was doing some work there to talk to him. I was bothered by something that was going on at the college, and I wanted his insight as to whether I was seeing things as they really were. He listened. Then he told me a story.

He served on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific during World War II, and he and one of his best friends served on the flight deck. As I recall the story, his friend had a habit of not fastening his vest while working on the deck. Jim would get on him about that, reminding him that it would be easy for him to get sucked into of the propellers with the vest unfastened. Sure enough, one day Jim's friend was working near a plane with his vest unfastened. He caught the intake (not sure that's the right term), and he was sucked into the propeller and was decapitated.

With watering eyes, Jim told me the point of this painful story. "I lost my good friend right in front of me. But the war didn't stop. The Japanese didn't call a 'time out' to give me time to regroup. The ship didn't drop anchor so that I could mourn. There was still a war to fight. I had to find a way to mourn will continuing to do my job."

Jim has since gone on to be with the Lord, but I haven't forgotten him or this story. If anything, he taught me that sometimes your opportunity to mourn comes at the same time as the need to continue the fight.

I'm not all that. Really, I'm not.

2012-01-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

I've seen it twice now. Once here and once back in Oklahoma. Two pastors on television, one giving his Sunday message, the other doing a commercial, both talking about how great their ministry is. The one here, being more Southern, was a bit more genteel about it. The one back in Oklahoma just to put it out there for his Sunday morning, and television, audience to hear. The idea is: "Come here, because this place is happening." Which really means: "Come here, because I'm happening." (Fight me if you will, but the one means the other, and deep down we all know it.) The problem is that I know both these guys well enough to know better. They really aren't all that happening. I've seen them enough in other contexts to say so. Now, hear me. I don't think it's bad that they aren't "all that." It's just that I don't think anybody is. And that's okay. It really is. My uncomfortableness with it is that pastors try hard to make it seem otherwise.

A recent essay in Leadership Journal on pastoral failures got me thinking about this. I mean, no one ever sees a television commercial which plugs a church by saying, "Come here, because this place is a mess. In fact, I'm not that great of a pastor. I fail in so many ways. And the congregation isn't much better. But come, let's hear the gospel together." I keep hoping to hear it, but alas.

There are a myriad of reasons this is the case, some of which are well-summarized in the aforementioned essay. If anything, and the essay doesn't mention it this way, it is because we are more enamored with being (or at least looking) successful instead of being wise.

The Wisdom of Solomon

2012-01-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

"To the extent that we have learned true wisdom, our part as Christians is to fear God and keep his commandments, to receive and use the gifts of God with joy and gratitude, that is, to eat, drink, work, love our husbands and wives, rejoicing in all of these things, all the while knowing that we cannot understand his ways and must not attempt to play god in this world. We must not try to gain leverage to manipulate the world to our petty purposes" (Jeffrey Meyers, A Table in the Mist: Ecclesiastes Through New Eyes, p.17).

Learning as dying

2012-01-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

"Paul used 'death and resurrection' as a metaphor for the Christian life and for the shape of ethics. Can the two also be a fruitful metaphor for education? To learn, one must let old ways of thinking, being, and behaving die, for unless they do, they prevent the emergence of new possibilities" (Charles F. Melchert, Wise Teaching: Biblical Wisdom and Educational Ministry, p.303).

Because man does not live by data alone

2012-01-10T20:45:00.000-08:00

"It is amusing that, when our countrymen idly grope for exemplars of brilliant intellection, they invariably mention brain surgeons and rocket scientists, neither category of which, so far as I can see, has any necessary connection to the kind of mind and character necessary to useful citizenship or to the arts of leading. Indeed it might be urged that such laboriously cultivated skills (with certain uses in the world no doubt) are antipathetic to the kinds of wisdom that citizenship and leading demand" (Josiah Bunting III, An Education for Our Time, p. 20).

Why you should see "Waiting for Superman"

2012-01-09T08:21:00.000-08:00

Back in 2010, the documentary Waiting for Superman was released. Adriana and I were privileged to receive an invitation by OCPA to view a private screening of this film back when we were in Oklahoma. It's a powerful film tracing the lives of young students and their parents, who desperately desire something better for their children educationally.

After it's release, I was surprised that many of my acquaintances in the private and homeschool worlds were not all that interested in it. Their thinking was that their kids were not in public schools, they didn't support public schools, and didn't really care what happened in public schools. It's not that they were antagonistic to the system; they were simply indifferent. Their kids weren't there. What difference does it make?

There are a couple of reasons why those outside of the public schools should see this film.One is that we outside of the public school system realize there is (and have embraced) school choice. We have considered our educational options and have opted for something other than what they are offering. The reason we can do that is because we have the means to pursue those options. The families in the film do not. This has led some in our circles to say, "Well, if they don't like the public schools, they should leave them." This sentiment is simply not rooted in reality.

Because of this, the issue of public education, who is educated and how, is one of the clearest social justice issues of our time. Kids are stuck. They get what they get, depending on where they live and their circumstance. The body of Christ should be leading the way in bringing healing to this aspect of our broken world.

A third reason to see this film is simply (and this is somewhat self-serving) that you will be dealing with these kids someday. They'll be taking your order at the restaurant, they will be fixing your car at the shop, they'll be assisting you when you walk in the store, they will be selling you insurance, they will be running for office in your district, they will be your family doctor, they will be serving in the military, etc. In short, you will be exchanging vocations with them someday. They will serve you and you will serve them. Wouldn't you want that vocational change to be beneficial, for you as well as for them? Don't you long for people to work hard, to work honestly, and to work for reasons outside themselves?

See the film if you haven't already. I still get choked up at the one part at the end.

Blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, and preaches like Piper

2012-01-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

Several years ago, during my second pastorate, I was part of a pastors' fellowship that met every month or so for prayer and encouragement. I always looked forward to it, not because I had established good friendships within that group, but because I saw that group as the one place I might be able to develop those relationships. Being a pastor, especially of a small church, is painfully lonely.

One of our monthly meetings took place during a time leading up to a large crusade that was being planned for the city. A very well-known, and well respected, evangelist was coming to town, and the churches were abuzz with excitement and anticipation. As we pastors met that month, we were talking about how we, too, were excited about the event. But then I made "the" comment. I said that the one downside of such a crusade was that it leads us and our congregations to think that the weekly ministry of Word and Sacrament isn't sufficient for God's people, that if people are really to come to and grow in the Lord, we need to have a mass event featuring a Christian celebrity. A safe enough observation around a table of pastors whose calling is the weekly administration of Word and Sacrament.

I was disheartened. Not only did my comment get dismissed as judgmental, but I was even prayed for as we concluded our meeting. I was never informed of future gatherings.

This came to mind today as I came across an article by Steve Burchett over at Gospel Coalition ("When Your Preacher Is Not John Piper"), in which he counsels parishioners who might wish their pastor would preach like Piper, or any other pastoral celebrity.

Christians, especially those of us in the Reformed camp, love our theological conferences. And we love the Reformed celebrities who lead them. And whereas I do not want to diminish any benefit that might come from such events, it does have a tendency to communicate that if our parishioners really want to be blessed, these are events are where it's at. There is where you get to hear such prophetic voices as Al Mohler, John Piper, R.C. Sproul, Sinclair Ferguson, et.al., and if we're not careful to temper our enthusiasm, we have the effect of diminishing the weekly ministry of the Word and Sacrament by very ordinary, and often, boring, men, of which I am chief.

Family Matters

2012-01-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

"The most important Christian educational institution is not the pulpit or the school, important as these institutions are; but it is the Christian family. And that institution has to a very large extent ceased to do its work" (J. Gresham Machen, What is Faith?, p. 21).

Of Books and Things

2011-12-18T19:30:00.000-08:00

My favorite Christmas presents have always been books. There are few things I get that bring me more joy. Here are the ones I've received so far this Christmas...

Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment by Brian Godowa. I love movies and watch them any chance I get, which seems to be less and less these days. But I want to watch them more intelligently. I've appreciated reading through Brian's web site and look forward to reading more.

When No One Sees: The Importance of Character in an Age of Image by Os Guinness. I morn the apparent loss of virtue in culture. But as our culture becomes more and more removed from the source of genuine virtue, this should not be surprising.

Entrepeneurs of Life: Faith and the Venture of Purposeful Living, also by Os Guinness. The topic of vocation is one I've been focusing on this past year (actually, the past three years), partly for personal reasons, but also because also because, as a high school administrator, my students are facing the ever-present question of what to do with their lives. I read Gene Veith's God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life (recently re-designed) a few month's ago, and was really challenged by it. I look forward to reading Guinness' take on the subject.

Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other by Sherry Turkle. I heard an interview of Turkle with Krista Tippett on her program onBeing that left me wanting to read her book. I think the title says it all about the challenge of technology and social media. Never before have we been able to connect with others; never before have we seem so disconnected from others. Of the ones listed here, I think I'll start with this one once I finish my current read (Ralph Smith's Trinity & Reality).

So, what are you reading these days?

Three things to think about when looking at a Christian (or any other) school

2011-11-29T05:08:00.001-08:00

One of the most important, and likely one of the most difficult, decisions parents will make is where they will send their children to school. Some parents realize this early on and spend a great deal of time and resources on finding the right school. Other parents realize this later, and make changes along the way.

As parents consider how best to educate their children, I suggest there are three things (at least) to keep in mind as that decision is made.

First, parents should understand that they are the ones who bear ultimate responsibility for the education of their children. The ultimate responsibility does not fall to the government or the church or any other entity. It is the parents' ultimate responsibility. That is not to say that the government nor the church has an interest in education. They do, and should. But when it comes down to it, it is the parents who bear it.

Second, parents need to consider the goals they have for their children. What do they want them to "look like" academically when they graduate? Parents often think that education is something that just "happens" when kids go to school. But it's not so simple. Parents must ponder what it is they want accomplished for their children. The answer to this depends, in large part, on what one thinks education is for. Is education primarily career preparation? Is it merely college prep? Is it, tongue in cheek, an extra-curricular activity while the real focus is sports? Is it to prepare children to embrace God's call upon their lives? Is education about the mastery of information? Is it about development of skills? Is it about personal formation? These are questions parents need to ask. If you don't know where you want to go, don't be surprised if you end up somewhere else. Education takes you somewhere; you might as well consider what the destination ought to be.

Third, parents need to realize that they have options to meet the aforementioned goals. Parents can send their kids to the local public school, or to any number of private (faith-based or secular) schools, or even homeschool. That is, will you entrust the education to others

Parents need to consider what options are available to them to assist them in meeting the goals they have for their children. This will require time to tour schools, look at curricula, interview teachers and administrators, etc.

How parents educate their children is one of the most important decisions they will make. Bearing the above issues in mind will assist parents as they make that decision.

Education: Faith vs. Fear

2011-10-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

I have the great privilege of working in an environment that partners closely with families, parents as well as their children. Thus, I have opportunities to talk with parents on a regular basis, and I have learned a great deal from them. However, in the years I have been at this, I have come to observe that there is one dominant motivating factor in how parents raise and educate their children, and that factor is fear.

Parents are afraid. They are afraid that their kids may be in the wrong school, that their kids may be in the wrong classes, have the wrong teachers, get poor grades, won't get on the team, won't get enough playing time, won't do well on the standardized tests, won't get the scholarships, won't get the recognition, won't have Nick Saban recruit them, won't get into the right college or university, etc., etc. Parents are afraid.

As a parent, I understand the fear. When we homeschooled our kids, we were fearful that they were missing something by not being in a traditional school environment. When our kids went to a small traditional school, we were afraid that the kids were missing out on activities and opportunities of a larger school. Now that they are in that larger school, we are afraid they are missing out on the benefits of smaller classes and a more controlled social environment. So I get it.

But something somebody once said (or wrote) reminded us that we are Christian parents, and as Christian parents, we do not raise our children in fear but in faith. God makes promises to us and to our children about us and our children. And when God makes promises to us about us and our children, we are called to believe them. Examples of such promises are found in the following: Gen 17.7-9; Psalm 102.28; 103.17-18; Luke 1.48-50.

If one thing stands out from these, and many other verses, it is that God is a covenant making and covenant keeping God. He condescends and enters into a relationship with us in Christ and thus loves us immensely. Therefore, we can be certain that whatever comes our way comes from the hand of God and is given for our good and his glory. I understand that this is hard to believe when you're Job sitting under the tree with dogs licking you and three friends who you really wish would stay quiet, but just because it is hard doesn't mean it isn't true.

What this has meant for us as Christian parents is that we trust (our faith being feeble) that God is the one leading, providing for, protecting, sanctifying us and our children. He will take care of us and them, whether we homeschool, small school, large school, scholarships, no scholarships, Nick Saban, no Nick Saban, and yes, even when one of them is facing a really hard PreAP-PreCal test.

So do not fear. Be at rest. Be at peace. He is taking care of you and your children.

Teaching is a human experience

2011-10-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

An October 22 story in The New York Times highlights a school in Silicon Valley that does not use technology. What I appreciate about the discussion is that it highlights the human element of education. Education is a human experience, as one is quoted saying in the story. Not only can one be impressed by the approach of the school, but by who is sending their kids there. Did I mention this is Silicon Valley?