Bishop Matthew Thomas

Keeping the Bar Set at the Right Height

When I was young, I was a high-jumper in track.  Though my highest height jumped was just a smidge over six feet (some of the better high-schoolers in the day were jumping over 7 feet), I understood that it was best to start jumping at a height that challenged a bit, but was easy enough to get some practice jumps with confidence in.  For me that was about 5'8".  Right now, it would be about the height of my ottoman or grandson's tonka truck. 

When we think about our discipleship, we need to remember that God makes it quite simple to enter a relationship with him.  The bar is simply set at surrender and "Jesus is Lord" confession.  But, the farther in we walk, as followers of Jesus, the more we see that there is to surrender and Lordship.  The bar may seem to be getting higher.  But, so is the strength and ability to do what must be done.  It is as though the expectations increase for maturity, but so does the grace toward maturity. 

The grace stops where desire to continue in surrender stops.  I speak with people who have little desire to grow in the Lord and they wonder with stone faced and serious curiosity why they struggle so much just dealing with life.  Frankly, there is not much need for grace, strength, mercy and power from the posture of an easy chair.  But, ask God to stretch you and help you to see what "living by faith" might mean today- what surrender means for me and my life today- and you will be surprised at how high you can jump.  Just remember, though, you are not jumping alone. 

Transformational and Multiplying Churches

Transformational and multiplying churches are good stewards of what God has given.  They see transformation on at least four levels taking place-

from animosity or indifference to interest,

from death to life (conversion),

from observer to participant,

from passionate disciple to passionate disciple maker. 

The result is multiplication.   

 

Transformational and multiplying churches get more people in the game, rely more on the Holy Spirit and take seriously their call to reach the world for Jesus. 

 

Some visible marks of transformational and multiplying churches are: 

 

Unity, Engaging and compelling love rather than mere mutual appreciation, “Cannot-help-it” sharing, loving, giving (Acts 4:20; 1 Thes 312; Luke 6:38), Practice all “one anothers” not just selected, Enthusiastic and excited rather than just polite, a contagious buzz rather than mild fondness of ministry, Outside ministry celebrated and promoted more than inside,  People Pray with others more than for others, Most prayer is spontaneous instead of planned, Little time with prayer request and much time with prayer rather than the other way around, Leaders engaged in community as much as church, Teams and interdependence is more evident than individuals and individualism, facilities are used by pre-Christian groups, Bible application is stressed over Bible study, Passion is greater for Jesus and people than for vision or program, Most people can answer, “Who are you reaching?”, Faith activity is prevalent, Many are quickly included in significant ministry, Ministry based training; “how to live and do” over academic/intellectual based training; “how to think and know”, Obedience is an end rather than a means that must justify an end, Preaching and Teaching is true, relevant, interesting, clear, applicable instead of correct, cliché, manipulative, disingenuous.

Transformation

When everything changes dramatically for the better, that is transformation.   When the opinion changes from down to up, that is transformation.  When the frame of mind changes from doubt to optimistic hope, that is transformation.  When the focus is no longer on me but on others, that is transformation. 

Transformation leaves loneliness, darkness, selfishness, dispondency and anger behind.  Transformed people are those who are free enough to do something great.  Transformed churches are those who are focused outside of themselves.  Transformed leaders are those who are consumed with God and what will help others find Him. 

People and churches that make a difference are not changed by degrees, but by reversed direction.

The Core Quality

“Love is the greatest quality.”  It would be hard to argue against that.  It is core character, command and contagion of God and all Christians.  If God is love and He commands us to love one another and the greatest commandment is to love God and similarly others, then we must conclude that to be growing in Christ-likeness, love must be the core characteristic and our practical priority.  This was John Wesley’s secret (or not so secret) ingredient in describing the holy life. 

 

Jesus made the bold prediction that it was by love for one another that everyone would know whether we were really part of His community or not.  Paul wrote that it was the “more excellent way” surpassing the value of spiritual gifts.  We fast forward to the present, where vision statements are the norm.  Mission directives have accompanying strategies for growth.  Charismatic preachers preach in attractive facilities.  Books tell us the three secrets or four keys to life and success. 

 

Still, sitting quietly by is the faint reminder that the only true witness to Jesus’ presence among us is love.  The Bible reminds us to love- “deeply from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22), in action as well as word (1 John 3:18) and in all sincerity (Romans 12:9).  We are absolutely at our best when we “are” and “do” this one thing well.  That last verse in the New Living Translation reads, “Don’t just pretend to love others.  Really love them.”  The places around the world where I see the church growing rapidly and healthily get this right.  They often don’t understand how to articulate a vision statement or build a strategic plan.  But, man-oh-man, they know how to love one another.  Is there a connection?  I think so!

 

Easter Reflections

Every kid inherently knows how to try to sneak a cookie or cheat a little forward in a foot race.  They love to try to crawl past the door where the parents are sleeping.  It is a game that kids play.  That is what hide and seek is all about and tag.  It is to elude the others in the game.  Kids love the ruse.  They love disguises that fool others who they are in their make-believe world.  Adults forget somehow the thrill of hiding in the grass in the dark of night or dressing up like someone else.  We would rather go to bed at night or read a good book or watch a tv show.  And we certainly would prefer to dress like ourselves.  Not kids!  They love the sneaky stuff. 

 

Easter is the ultimate in sneaky.  Everyone is expecting things to be over and for Jesus to go away quietly.  Instead, they can’t find him.  They lost the body.  He wasn’t there.  People were wondering what happened.  Jesus cheated death.  He eluded the women who went to the tomb.  He snuck into the room with the disciples.  He appeared in disguise to a couple of people walking along the road.  He hid his appearance somehow from them.

 

Easter is just a day when everyone is fooled.  Jesus is not found, recognized or fully understood.  Mary thought he was the gardener.  The disciples had to touch him to believe it.  Easter is that day when everything one would expect is on its head.  Easter is the day when everything was truly turned on its head, forever.  Easter is when we can feel like eternity snuck into time and stole it away.  It did.  He did.  We can, by faith cheat death and surprise everyone by the miracle of resurrection and unexpected newness.  We’re kids again because of Easter. 

God-Shaped Developments

I love to pray.  I love connecting with God.  I love expecting to hear from Him.  It is not that I require anything of Him for me to keep coming.  Just as I do not expect my friends to bring me gifts.  I enjoy it when they do.  But that is not why I love them, talking with them and spending quality time together with them.  But, sharing what I have with them and receiving what they share is always a delight. 

Though I do not require anything of God other than His salvation and sustaining presence, I am thrilled at the shape of the developments when we ask him to be specfically in the mix.  I have asked many to pray for our brothers and sisters in India who have been severely persecuted (some killed) by Hindu extremists.  We couldn't see how the persecution, that was on the increase for years, would be diminished in an area where virtually all of the momentum was to worsen the situation for Christians.  But, we continued to pray for God's intervention. 

Well, there have been some God-shaped developments.  First, some of the prevailing extremist politicians have been unseated, providing some relief from local governments that turned the other way to the violence.  That is one.  Second, as many of the Christians have returned to their villages, their houses have been rebuilt and their confidence is intact.  In the course of rebuilding, many of the houses are twice as nice as the ones before them, due to the generous assistance from some international gifts.  Remember, these are dalits (no caste and low caste people) who have very little and have access to earn very little.  Many Hindu dalits are becoming aware of the fact that high caste Hindus have not usually benefitted them during persecution and see the stark contrast, finding Christianity more appealing than their own religion.  That's two. 

Third, in a delightful development, one community had an interesting experience.  Seven local elephants that were typically docile and well controlled creatures went berserk.  They came into a village where much persecution had taken place and stampeded through the town.  They brought havoc in the town.  After all was settled, they learned that all of the houses destroyed were owned by the persecutors.  Not one house owned by a Christian was touched.  No property from the Christians were damaged while complete destruction was the fate of most of the persecutors' property.  The end result has been a whole community that concluded that this is the judgment of God upon the perpetrators of violence.  They are now referring to the elephants as Christian elephants.  That's three. 

I am less interested in how it all happens.  I am very interested in knowing that it is happening.  Our prayers are being heard.  The local Christians are encouraged.  They are experience the mercy and generous grace of the Lord.  Once again, I go to prayer, expecting answers and thrilled to see them.  I did not pray for local people to compare benefits.  I did not pray for the elections.  I did not pray for the elephants.  I prayed for God to bring about his mercy and grace.  Again, God-shaped developments resulted. 

Popularity and Respect

Sometimes people confuse popularity and respect.  They should not be confused.  Just because an actor is a box office attraction does not mean that people have high regard for their counsel, advice or lifestyle.  Not many seek to emulate their real life if there is nothing in their lives to get them where they ultimately want to go.  Conversely, just because a person is highly regarded by others does not mean that they are popular.  Sadly, though the difference is stark, sometimes the two are confused. 

 

Jesus was highly regarded by the people, but he was killed- not what happens to popular people.  High regard or respect makes people listen and, in Jesus’ case, be lastingly impacted.  Jesus would not have been so readily dispatched to the cross if he were overwhelmingly popular.  Popularity draws a crowd, but never changes it.  High regard rarely draws a big crowd, but the crowd it draws is seriously impacted by what they see and hear. 

 

A fascinating verse is Acts 5:13.  Fear gripped the people who watched the firestorm around the apostles and kept them from joining in.  That is a clear indication that they were not popular- with the powers that be.  It also indicates that even if they were popular with the masses, that popularity didn’t allow the masses to overcome their fear.  Fear gripped the people.  And, since popularity is a fleeting thing, it was not an important ingredient in the impact of the disciples.  Popularity draws crowds, but does not change them. 

 

But, the second half of the verse says, “But all of the people had high regard for them” (the apostles).  People want to get close to popular people.  People do not need to be close to respectable people for them to be impacted.  They want to watch carefully those they regard highly.  Even Gamaliel (5:34f), a member of the Sanhedrin seemed to have some respect for the disciples- even if somewhat masked.  He noted that if this enthusiasm among this cadre of disciples was just a rush from of excitement from following a martyr, it would die (as popularity dies).  But, if there was something more substantial, something meaty about their claims and life (high regard/respect) then it would not quickly die.  High regard is a lasting thing.  It does not draw crowds, but does change them.  The proof is in the pudding after a couple Millennia. 

 

The stark difference in outcome between popularity and high regard is in the long term result.  Note 5:13’s clear statement that they were not popular enough to help people overcome their fear and join them.  However, it is followed by a surprise conclusion in verse 14, “more and more believed. . . crowds of men and women.”  Crowds got in the game.  The Sanhedrin is dead.  Jesus is alive.  A lot of smart people from that era remain nameless today.  Peter’s name is a common household name.  Jesus was not imminently popular.  Peter was not popular enough to draw the crowd out to overcome their fear.  But, people were ultimately changed by these folks because they saw something true, resilient, miraculous, bold, respectable and transferrable in Jesus and Peter and the others. 

 

Odd isn’t it.  These folks did not have rock star status.  But, they had truth in life.  People forget the rock star when their music fades.  But, when someone is living in a way that makes others say, “I want that,” there is greater substance and potential influence. 

 

I would rather be held in high regard any day of the week than be popular.  One lasts.  The other fades.  One allows people to take you seriously when you say something.  The other affords many to hear, even if for a moment, whatever you have to say without it impacting them to their core.  They have remarkable different results.  People need and want to see something that will help them realize their hopes. 

 

I have kids like that.  They are all held in pretty high regard.  It humbles me as their father.  One of them is no longer here.  He was not imminently popular- arguably the fourth most popular among his siblings, of which there are only four.  In fact, many people looked right past him through much of his life- some forgetting his name when he was young or leaving him out of the invite list when his siblings were invited.  However, in the final analysis, so many people have held him in high regard, that a pretty large group of people are still referencing his life, chatting on his Facebook as if he were there to respond, quoting his words, thinking through how they will live their lives, writing us about how he was the best example of a Christian they know and yearning to seek Jesus more.  For me, that is a tangible, very present example of the difference between popularity and respect.  I’ll take the latter any day.  I’m glad he did.  By the way, the world is looking for those to hold in high regard even though it has many popular people to attract them.  The best thing Christians can do is quit trying to be popular with folks in the world and live in a way as to earn their respect. 

Vision without Jesus?

Vision speak is everywhere.  I have read more books on vision in the past five years than I did in the first 25 years of ministry.  Whether it is a political leader speaking about what they will do for the country, a church leader telling the church where it needs to be, or an organizational leader framing a new direction for his/her organization, everyone is looking for someone who can point toward the preferred future and has the clarity of mind and leadership ability to lead the organization there.  The verse that has been disproportionately quoted is “without vision the people perish.”  In fact, most don’t know where that verse is located.  For posterity, it is Proverbs 29:18.  However, that is not likely even the best translation of those words.  Perhaps better is “without divine guidance the people perish.”  That changes the usefulness of the verse in many books, so the King James rendering is still the preferred rendering even for those who do not use the King James translation for most reading.  But, remove the classic statement and one would leave Biblical vision speak a little gutted in the Biblical texts available for the conversation. 

 

If I might be so bold, I would like to take the greater emphasis in Scripture as to what causes people to perish.  The Bible, through and through clearly infers, “without Jesus the people perish.”  It is actually sin that causes people to perish.  The atonement of Jesus Christ is that which deals with the sin.  That just does not get nearly enough play among many leaders.  Let’s face it.  Leaders can move people in any direction.  But, if that direction does not lead us closer to our Lord and Savior, then whatever future people are being led toward, it is not preferred.  Trust me.  It cannot be a preferred future.   

 

You see, long before I had read one book on vision, I had read many on Jesus.  Long before I clearly understood what it meant to have a clear vision for the church, I had a clear understanding of the importance of people knowing Christ in order to be part of the church.  I had a clear understanding of the importance of being forgiven, telling others about how I received the life that I possessed and helping people grow-up in Christ.  That may or may not be what others describe as vision.  But, it is what I believe to be abundant life.  And, I’ll take abundant life over an impressive vision any time. 

 

My primary appeal to leaders is the same appeal I make to all others (since before vision books were the rage) and remind myself frequently.  Know Christ.  Seek God first.  Consider everything else as rubbish.  Be reconciled to God.  Confess your sin openly to Him.  Set your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. 

 

I am not saying that vision is a ruse or a distraction.  I am not trying to indicate that a leader should have no clue where they are going or where they are leading the people.  Vision is a very, very good thing.  However, I am saying that many times the talk about vision leaves Jesus out, or on the periphery at best.  Many times vision conversations miss the most clearly important component of life.  Sometimes they are consumed with building a great organization or a great life.  Yet oddly, it is difficult to find a Savior in that conversation.  But, “without Jesus, the people perish.”  We can only lead people closer to the one with whom we are close.  We should only point people in the direction where we have found God.  A good vision is spoiled if Christ is not the destination and Him who fills the visionary.  A bad vision is somehow saved if the destination is Christ for everyone in the organization and the visionary himself/herself draws closer to Christ. 

A Year Later

A year ago today we said "Good-bye for now" to one of our four children.  On that day, we celebrated heaven, anticipated missing our son and found great consolation from the Lord, the Bible and the church.  A year later we have seen enormous amounts of mail and been the subject of many prayers and found that comfort from the Bible, the Lord and His church.  Instead of anticipating missing Mitch, we find ourselves regularly missing Mitch.  But, we celebrate heaven.  Contrary to popular belief, but in line with all indication from Scripture, most people will not be there.  His children will.  The faithful, recipients of grace, those who have been made new, will be once again subjects of an "Extreme Body Makeover" standing before the throne for an eternity.  Mitch is certainly one of them. 

So, we celebrate heaven.  We celebrate life in Jesus' Name.  We enjoy the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.  We enjoy the comfort from the love of God.  We are filled with gratitude and joy from the giver of life.  I was thinking the other day how odd it was, when we came to what would have been Mitch's 29th birthday.  My thought centered on how ironic it is that Mitch will never see 29 years, but has traded that experience in for experiencing the fullness of time and eternity that we have not yet seen or experienced.  What a great trade off. 

I want to once again thank the church for praying and supporting.  I also want to challenge everyone within ear shot of this blog to live in such a way so as to prepare for eternity and lead others in that same preparation.  Confess, forgive, worship, love, fellowship, pray and live like there is no tomorrow.  Better yet, confess, forgive, worship, love, fellowship, pray and live like tomorrow depended on it. 

Surprise

Surprises abound in life.  A couple finds out they are pregnant without trying.  A person is called into the boss's office anticipating praise for a job well done only to be fired.  A parent finds a note from their teenage child saying, "I have run away with the love of my life.  Don't try to look for me."  A person asking for simple directions to the local sports arena, instead gets directions to heaven by a loving saint and his/her life is never the same again.  These are only a few of the kinds of surprises people get every day. 

Flash back to Peter and John in the temple courts after healing a lame man (Acts 3:12).  After the healing, people were astonished.  That would seem to be a normal response.  Dramatic healing is not a common experience to many.  But, Peter, incredulous to the awe at the event by the crowd, said, "Why does this surprise you?"  He went on to acknowledge the healing in Christ's (instead of their own) power.  But, the question is an interesting one.  From the moment of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter seemed to "get it" like never before.  Before that time, he was surprised frequently.  He was surprised or startled at the appearance of Jesus after the resurrection.  He was startled by Jesus walking on water.  He was undoubtedly surprised at the appearance of Elijah and Moses with Jesus on the mountain.  He was startled at Jesus' arrest, lopping off an ear in haste. 

That was all before.  This is now.  That was all before Pentecost.  This is after.  One marvelous reality of being filled with the Holy Spirit, is that the surprises of grace continue (Amazing Grace and Amazed by Grace) and seem to become greater the deeper we grow in the Spirit.  But, surprises of power become less and less ("Of course He can").  Grace is "I'm thankful he did."  Power is "I'm aware he can."  Part of being filled with the Spirit is understanding that the Spirit of God which has taken me over, can take over all things. 

The funny thing is that this seems to be backward from what surprises the people of this world.  They are non-plussed, unimpressed by grace.  In fact, it is a yawner.  They don't understand the word or the experience.  But, power?  Now that is something that makes folks stand up and cheer.  Power displays produce ooohs and aaaahs.  It brings surprise to those who doubt God and challenge the notion of God's involvement in the external world.  But grace.  That is a delightful surprise to those who are being tranformed in the internal world.  I find myself smiling when I witness God's demonstrations of power.  However, I cannot stop crying at the experinece of his grace.  It takes me by surprise every time.