Book Review- Culture Shift:The Battle for the Moral Heart of America

Culture Shift: The Battle for  the Moral Heart of America by R. Albert Mohler Jr. . (Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, 2008,2011).  185 pages reviewed.

Culture Shift is a thoughtful and challenging collection of essays written by the author that address numerous areas of cultural interest. Addressing “shifts” in the moral view of issues like the law, political correctness, terrorism, education, evolution and others, Mohler offers an informed perspective on the changes occurring in how Americans view these issues. The book, written from a Christian worldview, addresses culture “head-on” and gives insights worthy of consideration for thoughtful Christians. Mohler brings a historical perspective and writes as a “balanced advocate,” meaning he advocates a Christian worldview and response, but is careful to present culture accurately…and does not shy away from “weaknesses” in the traditional “Christian” position on issues.

This is not a minister’s “rant” on the demise of culture; rather, it is a thoughtful analysis of culture, influence, and the Christian’s responsibility. The tone is cordial. The assertions are gracious. The assumptions are limited and well documented.

As a pastor, I picked up the book as part of my research for an upcoming project. It has stimulated my thinking and inspired me to action in a couple of key areas of my work. I recommend the book to professional minister and lay person alike. It sounds a clarion call to action without taking an alarmist tone.

Thank you Dr. Mohler! An asset to my library.

You can purchase a copy from Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review as part of their blogger’s book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: I am Second, by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett

I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2012). 238 Pages.

This book is an engaging compilation of personal stories of life change through faith in Christ. Stories of transformation are always endearing to the hearts of people, whether Christian or otherwise; however, these stories are especially so. Each of these stories is told from the first person of the actual individual. In each account, the person had a different type of “bottom” that they hit, but a similar type of redemptive encounter with God.

Perhaps most encouraging and useful to me as a pastor and a believer, is the fact that the stories do not embellish truth. Each person was in a difficult place prior to their bottoming out and experienced a different process of redemption. Their lives were messy. It was in the midst of the messiness that Christ appeared to bring peace.

Our culture is fraught with people seeking peace in different ways. The beauty of this book is that Christ was real in the midst of the “mess” and met each person at their point of need.

I recommend this as a supplemental read for the nightstand. I see it as a book that allows you to read a chapter or two a night in addition to some other preferred reading. If one tries to read straight through, the stories can run together and the reader can lose the “wonder” of God’s manifested grace. But, if you have ever wondered about God and how real people understand His redemptive plan (as opposed to an explanation from a professional pastor like myself), this book is certainly for you.

I would certainly recommend this book!

You can purchase a copy at your local bookstore or through Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow

Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow  (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005,  2011). 239 pages.

One of the indisputable facts about church leadership is the fact that (as a whole) the church is not as successful in reaching men as it is in reaching women. Murrow addresses this matter “head-on” in his book and looks for reasons WHY this is (and subsequently how to address the disparity…if one believes it should be changed).

There were a number of key observations that caught my attention…as a pastor, and as one who desires to see men grow to become all that God designed for them to be. First…he noted that there is a great deficit of African-American men in the Church, yet they comprise some 90% of converts from the United States to Islam…and the overwhelming number of them as adults (p.27). This demonstrates that these men are not less “spiritually minded; rather, that there must be some feature in Islam that is more “attractive” (or as Murrow seems to argue…a feature in Islam that is less unattractive than in the church).

Another observation that Murrow makes in many different ways…in the fact that within the church there is an overwhelming disparity between the genders when it comes to who serves/leads and how decisions are made. He notes that the men who excel in the church do so by exhibiting characteristics that are “softened masculinity.” [Now I write this as a man who leads in the church, so I promise you it is not self-serving.] Men (with a few exceptions) who excel do so by softening the rugged “edge” that men have as an innate characteristic and thus by appealing to the senses of the women. Concern for “feelings” and “unity” are placed above vision and mission. He cites as an outworking of this a perversion of the biblical image of Jesus…where He is transformed from a manly carpenter to an effeminate peace activist who simply values love and peace above all else.

Now before you conclude that Murrow is just on a rant (which I think he embraces at parts in the book)…he offers some suggestions and a plethora of indicators that one can use to examine an individual congregation. Further, he offers insights from churches that tend to focus on reaching MEN and are doing it well. (He notes that those who do so…also see increases in women and children.)

Critically speaking, I think that Murrow draws a few shaky conclusions from his observations. I certainly can see how he arrives at his conclusions, but some of them seem to be based in an a priori argument. Still, I found the book to be engaging, thought-provoking, and instructive. It will serve me well as I continue to seek to reach men and women with the Gospel. Overall, I agree with most everything that he says and would encourage church leaders, ministry leaders, and students of human psychology to read and consider his observations with an open mind. I found my time “well-spent” in reading this book.  

You can purchase a copy at your local bookstore or through Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Meaning of Being MISSIONAL as a believer and as a Church

Missional is a buzz word in Christian circles and I am rather fond of its use. Like all words or concepts, its meaning can be watered down or even lost without periodic clarification. It is not enough to know what “missional” means, but also what it means when I use it.

One of the guys who has helped me shape my thinking is Dr. Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research and also one of the teaching pastors at GraceLife Church (a church plant). I love Ed’s writing style and the content is “spot on.” (Perhaps it is that northern style in him that I love. He tells the truth, in love, and allows others to wrestle with its implications.)

Having served as a church planter and as pastor of two different established churches, I have a strong desire for churches to be “on mission” or “missional” in their approach to ministry. But…what does that mean?

To be missional means to think and act as a missionary in the culture we live in. It is to choose activities that further us toward the goal of accomplishing the Kingdom mission, while rejecting those activities that hinder such accomplishment. Above all…it means to actively and intentionally engage the culture with a contextual presentation of the truth of the gospel.

I don’t mean simply inform them of the presence of the gospel, or to argue for the necessity of the gospel. I mean to present the gospel in perfectly understandable terms so that they can make an informed decision to accept or reject the gift of God in Christ Jesus.

Here is a link to an article (one of many) that Stetzer has written on CONTEXTUALIZATION. It is a powerful and succinct definition of what it is to make the gospel accessible to others.

One observation about it that connects this to “missional,” Paul not only contextualized the gospel…but he did it on purpose. He intentionally engaged others, studied them, then presented the gospel to them in a way that was not easy or comfortable for him…but was essential for their understanding.

It sort of reminds me of the old Bill Hybel’s principle that I call the “barbecue first principle.” (You have not earned the right to inquire or share about eternal matters until you have at least shared a meal with someone. If you don’t know their children’s names, how will they ever believe that you care about their eternity?)

If we truly care about people in our community, doesn’t it make sense to get to know them well enough that we earn the right to share our story and HIS story? If that means changing our approach or our lifestyles to become more relatable…shouldn’t we do that IMMEDIATELY and INTENTIONALLY?

Who are you investing in? Who are you getting to know…on purpose…with the intent of sharing with them about your journey as a believer and the amazing love of God?

FAQs and Tips from a Pastor’s Perspective

I was recently asked a question that comes up regularly…so I thought I would answer it here…in case others were wondering the same thing. (By the way: It is a question we answer during the discussion on the Bible in my doctrinal teaching “What we believe…and why we believe it.”

Question: I have a difficult time understanding the King James Version of the Bible. What Bible do you recommend? (Other variations of the question include what’s the difference with all of the translations?)

Here is some background reading on translations from my teaching on the subject: Bible Translation Overview.

I personally preach from the NASB (New American Standard Bible, updated 1995) because I believe it to be the most accurate English translation available in the essentially literal category.

When I travel abroad, I usually carry the NIV (New International Version) or the HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)…since I do not want to give the impression that my God is an American God…which is a purely missiological consideration.

As for personal reading, I usually recommend that teachers use an essentially literal translation (NASB, ESV, HCSB, NKJV). For those who think it is a bit “rigid”, I recommend the NIV…since it translates ideas or concepts, not just words. For those who prefer a more “narrative” form of the story, I give the New Living Translation a “thumbs up.”

How to select a bible? Go to a book store and read a passage in several translations. (You can also do this online if you google sources). I would choose a passage from John (say chapter 1 and 3). I would also look at key verses like 1 John 2:2…to see how they deal with the atonement/propitiation. Then…I would get what I liked the best.

Personally I avoid paraphrases like the Message. I won’t “fight you” over it, but I personally just don’t see the need for that.

For the new reader and the seasoned bible study person alike…I have always found a good “Study Bible” to be helpful. The “study notes” at the bottom of the page help explain concepts that are not very clear in the text. I even used a study bible when I first began to preach! John MacArthur has a good Study Bible, and so does Zondervan (as well as some others…maybe.)

The biggest key…get a Bible you understand and start reading it prayerfully…until you can grasp it. Underline, circle, and check references. Read the study notes and the background sections. Basically…just do it!

Perspectives of Financial Stewardship

As I am preaching on the “Guardrail” of Generosity this week, I have run across a number of good research items on the subject and wanted to make them available to you.

One of these is from Pastor JD Greear of the Summit Church in NC. He shares HERE in his blog post on the principles of the tithe and then interacts with different questions. For those developing or clarifying a theological position on the subject, I recommend the read.

HERE  is a good budgeting resource courtesy of D.R. McLaughlin, our chairman of deacons and resident financial coach extraordinaire. Budgets are invaluable and the percentages express a powerful and appropriate guide to our allocations of the financial resources God entrusts to us to manage on His behalf. If you prefer Excel, find it here: Budget Worksheet and Percentages.

Dave Ramsey offers some great advice, a proven system and some free resources for budgeting, investments, etc. HERE is a link to these.

For those looking for Calvary’s Online giving portal and are having trouble locating it…you can access it from our website (Menu at the top), or by clicking HERE directly, and going to the bottom of the page. (From there you can access the site securely).  [There are also several scriptures on this page which lay out the biblical case for tithing and generosity.]

Hope some of these resources and links help!

Book Review: Leaders Who Last, by Dave Kraft

Book Review. Leaders who Last, by Dave Kraft (pastoral team, Mars Hill Church). (Wheaton, IL, Crossway Publishers, 2010). 144 Pages.

Dave Kraft draws on decades of experience in ministry and organizational management as he delves into the subject of leadership. The book consists of two primary sections: The characteristics of leaders/leadership…and the practical approach of a leader. The first two thirds of the book relate to the characteristics of the leader. Explored are subjects like what is a leader “made of.” He speaks of foundation and calling. Each leader must clearly understand his calling…why he exists.

Kraft then dives into the development of the leader’s raw skills. How does a leader continue to learn, develop, and become. Each leader must move on and continue to mature. In a “thought-provoking” way, he suggests the question, “do you have “x” number of years of experience…or one year of experience repeated multiple times?” Unfortunately, too many “disciples” are in the latter category.

Finally, Kraft wraps up the book by speaking of the leader’s legacy. Will he be an organizational manager or a visionary leader? Will he add to his church, or multiply his church? Multiplication requires difficult and intentional choices to allocate time and resources for maximum impact.

I found the book to be well written and easy to read. Many points along the way made me stop, simply to consider my life in light of the truth offered. I grew in understanding and in application having read this book. I recommend it to those seeking to move forward in their development…and not simply repeat the previous year’s lessons.

You can get your copy from Amazon HERE!

Book Review: Death by Meeting, by Patrick Lencioni

Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable about Solving the Most Painful Problems in Business, by Patrick Lencioni (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2004), 259 pages.

This is the first book of 2011 for me (though I actually started it in the last two days of 2010.) I LOVED it!

I should probably disclose that I am a big fan of this author and his series of “leadership fables.” I have learned a lot about business leadership from his writings, even though my current context is slightly removed from an Executive Leadership Team.

In this powerful and easy to read book, Lencioni addresses the subject of a leader’s responsibility to conduct effective meetings; further, he takes time to define what they are. With practical assistance and many examples drawn from the “fable,” Lencioni challenged me personally to examine my preconceptions and responsibilities about the place and purpose of meetings.

Due to wrapping the business principle in a “leadership fable,” the book is difficult to put down. One can almost anticipate the next turn and can certainly identify with some of the “drama” in the story. At the same time, the reader is certain to be surprised and challenged by the author’s observations about “context” and how that affects a meeting.

I walked away…a bit ashamed at my own lack of development in this area. Unfortunately, I don’t think I am alone…since many leaders I know struggle in the same area.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone desiring to become better in this critical area of business.

You can purchase a copy from Amazon HERE.

Book Review: Shepherding Horses: Understanding God’s Plan for Transforming Leaders, by Kent Humphreys

Book Review: Shepherding Horses: Understanding God’s Plan for Transforming Leaders, by Kent Humphreys (Greensboro, NC:Diakonia Publishing, 2008), 51 pages.

This is the last book I read in 2010. It is short…but to the point. I purchased it at the recommendation of a pastor/mentor as a tool to help me better understand how to lead men who are strong leaders. I have a personal passion to hang out with “real men” and enjoy being around other “Type A” personalities (even though it can create some friction at times). As such, I discovered that if I was to be more effective at influencing men like this to be used for the Kingdom of God, I needed to know more.

Humphreys, an unapologetic believer, is not a pastor but a business leader and a leader in his church. He offers some practical advise and counsel to pastors on how to “shepherd” horses (natural leaders in other areas beyond the church). Not only does Humphreys offer practical advise, but he challenges pastors to invest in these men as part of the ministry that God has entrusted to the pastor.

I was challenged, enlightened, and encouraged all at the same time. I don’t know why no one else ever recommended this book to me!

You can purchase a copy at Amazon HERE.

Thoughts on Competition…

So, I am in the process of reading Tony Morgan’s Book entitled Killing Cockroaches(review forthcoming) and a thought he has surfaced several times has taken root in my head today. The thought relates to competition.

As far as “the Church” goes…or for that matter, my church, “who is our competition?”

Some negate the question declaring that Jesus is Sovereign and Supreme…therefore there is no real competition. (This is a philosophical response…and I think…even a bit naive or “cowardly”). Others say…”Satan is our competition.” I think is correct…but how do you compete against him? Do you seclude yourself in a prayer meeting and ask God for victory? (NOTE: I am not against prayer. I am for prayer. I also think that the Scripture teaches us to defeat Satan in the application of our faith.)

Others would say that our competition “practically speaking” is the other churches that draw on the same “base” of Christians in a particular community. For these folks…growing a church is about being faster, flashier, or more appealing than the next church. (This seems a bit “wrong-headed if you really believe that the Kingdom of God is more than one church and is also the point).

The fourth answer…which I want to address, emanates from our understanding of purpose. Our competition consists of those people, things, activities, and “draws” in the “culture” that scream for the time and attention of those we seek to reach.

If our PURPOSE as the Church is to move faithful people from one church to another church…then we engage in ministry planning and strategy from one particular direction. If, however, our PURPOSE is to move disconnected (unchurched or non-Christian) people from wherever they are into a community of fully devoted followers of Christ…then we strategize and design ourselves to catch their attention and we COMPETE with whatever is presently keeping them from connecting in our community.

We need to answer three key questions over the next couple of days:

• How does our understanding of purpose/mission affect those we choose to lead in our ministry?
• How does our understanding of purpose/mission affect our context/environment as we present God’s view?
• How does our understanding of purpose/mission affect the questions we try to answer with our ministries?

Here is what I know…those whom I desire to reach will not allow me to change the questions/concerns of their hearts to something I want to address. They require me to connect with them and answer their questions. If I want to address my questions/concerns…I have to get them to have the same ones.

Love to hear your thoughts…especially as we progress in the conversation.