Thus says the Lord: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.
But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" --Jeremiah 6:16

 

19 April, 2006   comments: (0) Today's Worldliness   Pastors and Worldliness -- Then versus Now One of the reasons that worldliness is rampant in today's church, is the lowering of standards for pastors. These days anyone can start a church, even if they have no seminary training, minimal bible knowledge, and even if they exhibit questionable personal behavior. The required ingredients seem to be zeal and enough charisma to captivate a crowd. Here's a look at the worldly standards of some pastors today as compared to pastors of centuries-past. An interesting gauge for measuring worldliness is a pastor's usage and attitude towards his free time. What follows is not intended to be a thorough examination, nor is it intended to be a condemnation of all forms of recreation and relaxation. But it is an interesting comparison of the attitudes and practices of pastors, from both now and then (in past centuries). Demonstrating the standards of centuries gone by, I've selected some excerpts from the writings of two head pastors, from the 18th century (Jonathan Edwards), and the 17th century (Richard Baxter). I believe these men to be representative of the morality standards of their day. Representing the new breed of pastors, I've selected some excerpts from the public blogs of two of today's head pastors: church planter - Gary Lamb, and mega-church founder Perry Noble. I do not believe that these men are extreme cases, but rather - are representative of seeker-driven innovative church pastors in their age category. It's worth noting that more extreme cases could be found by sampling the public statements of (postmodern) Emerging Church pastors instead. Now: From Gary Lamb's blog: I'm not sure what to say about the INXS show last night. ... Marty and the Lovehammers opened up and all I can say is the TV show made him look a lot better then they are. ... JD [of INXS] is a superstar, plain and simple. He is going to be a great frontman and showed signs of it last night. He has got to learn two things: 1.) How to interact with the crowd. 2.) How to stay sober. By the end of the show he was flying high and was getting vulgar. ... The music was good, the show needed some work. We are doing a better job [at my church] with lighting and video then they are. Their video was awful. I might be being to hard. After seeing Bon Jovi last week, this was a let down. It was less of an event and more about just a band playing. That isn't bad if you like that type of stuff. Bon Jovi is like the modern church - They do a great job getting the message out in an event format and they draw huge crowds. INXS was more like the postmodern church - Everything was scaled way back and the crowd was fractions of the Bon Jovi crowd. Neither is better, just different. Then: From Baxter's Practical Works: Think seriously how Christ, and his apostles, and holiest servants in all ages spent their time. They spent it in praying, and preaching, and holy conference, and in doing good, and in the works of their outward callings in subserviency to these: but not in cards, or dice, or dancing, or stage-plays, or pampering the flesh, nor in the pursuit of the profits and honors of the world. I read where Christ spent "all night praying" but not where he spent an hour in playing. I know that you will say that you expect not to reach their degree of holiness. But let me remind you that he who does not desire to be perfect is not sincere. And that he is graceless who willfully keepeth any beloved sin, which he had not rather be delivered from; and willfully refuses any duty, and had not rather perform as he ought. ... And therefore if Christ and his holy servants were sparing of their time, and spent it in works of holiness and obedience, have not you greater need to do so than they? ... Are you not more behindhand, as having lost much time? ... Now: From Gary Lamb's blog: Tomorrow night, I complete the concert run that started last week. Tim and I are heading to see Scott Stapp tomorrow night with some dudes from church and it should be good. Scott seems to be struggling a little lately. Last week he was locked up hours after getting married for being drunk. Not good. Then a sex video he and Kid Rock made 6 years ago has been made public. Not good again. This dude has got demons but he has written some powerful songs with spiritual themes. Depending on which Scott shows up this could be a great show or it could be very very bad. ... Oh yeah, pray for my ear, it hurts like crap! Then: From Baxter's Practical Works: Would you dare pray to God to bless your cards, and dice, and stage-plays, to the good of your soul or body? Would your conscience tell you that this is but a mocking of God? No recreation is lawful, which you can not pray for a blessing on. Now: Gary Lamb - two days later: I am a concert junkie. I have been to a lot of concerts in my life and I am here to tell you that last night Scott Stapp put on one of the best shows I have ever seen in my life!... He talked alot about his struggles and the "voices" in his head that every day pull him in the direction of good or evil and how he has many times went the wrong way with decisions. ... For $25 bucks it was money well spent. Listen, if Scott Stapp is coming to your area, do yourself a favor and go check him out. Then: From Baxter's Practical Works: As for music, which is a lawful pleasure ... All should be done to the glory of God; and we have much more in scripture for the holy use of music (public and private) than for any other use of it whatsoever. And it is the excellency of the melody and music, that are the recreations which may be more aptly and profitably sanctified by application to holy uses, than any other. And I should think them little worth at all, if I might not use them for the holy exhilarating or elevating of my soul, or affecting it towards God. Now: From Perry Noble's blog: I Am So Torn... I had friends beg me to begin watching "Lost" and now I am HOOKED! (Did you see the ending last night...I literally screamed at the television... "NO, you can't end the show like that!!!"). It was so much fun watching all the episodes from season one and then catching up on season two. BUT...now I am in a serious dilemma...some friends let us borrow the first season of 24 tonight--and I just don't know what I should do! I have heard it is awesome...and then I have heard its not that good...and the main actor, to me, will always be "Doc" from Young Guns !!! So...I guess I am going to watch it to see what all the hype is all about! Speaking of hype...and I've got to say this...I am NOT impressed with American Idol this season whatsoever!!! I guess I am just spoiled because I get to hear awesome music EVERY week at [my church]! Then: From Jonathan Edwards - The Preciousness Of Time: Upon time we should set a high value, and be exceedingly careful that it be not lost; and we are therefore exhorted to exercise wisdom and circumspection, in order that we may redeem it. ... If men were as lavish of their money as they are of their time, if it were as common a thing for them to throw away their money, as it is for them to throw away their time, we should think them beside themselves, and not in the possession of their right minds. ... Improve well your time of leisure from worldly business. Many persons have a great deal of such time, and all have some. If men be but disposed to it, such time may be improved to great advantage. When we are most free from cares for the body, and business of an outward nature, a happy opportunity for the soul is afforded. Therefore spend not such opportunities unprofitably, nor in such a manner that you will not be able to give a good account thereof to God. Waste them not away wholly in unprofitable visits, or useless diversions or amusements. From Jonathan Edwards - Personal Resolutions: Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; In conclusion, let me ask - can we expect church goers to be less worldly than their leaders? Many of these contemporary church leaders would appeal to statements like "nobody's perfect" and "it's important for a pastor to be REAL with his people". But like it or not, these men are setting the morality standards for their followers. And in too many cases, today's leaders are showing their (often very large) flocks how to embrace the world and forsake not it's ways. Related Information and Resources: A Puritan's Mind website says - many of today's pastors would not even qualify for church membership in the times of the Puritans Learn how our credibility should be based on godly living rather than on appealing to the world by sharing in their worldliness Read how Charles Spurgeon believed that the best way for you to be spending your leisure, is to be either reading or praying See more examples of worldly church leadership Posted by: Jim B.   Link: http://www.oldtruth.com/blog.cfm/id.2.pid.247   Be the first to post a comment about this article        Home  |   About  |  Videos   |  Calvinism