At a recent International Transformation Conference, a long-time friend introduced me as “his favorite Lutheran.” He meant it as a compliment. It was his way of saying that he has come to know me as someone with a Lutheran heritage who is passionate about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the authority of God’s Word and the mission of the Christian Church in the world today. I’ll take it!
It was more than 500 years ago that Martin Luther, a Catholic priest and university professor in Germany, called for reform in the Church of his day. He boldly declared our core values to be “Faith alone, Grace alone and Word alone.” He was particularly passionate regarding the Bible’s teaching about salvation: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
In the 1st century, the most pressing question was, “Is Jesus who he claimed to be, the Son of God and the Savior of the world?” In the 16th century, Martin Luther’s day, the most vital question was, “How are we saved? Is it by good works or by grace through faith in Christ?” This question was so significant that it led to the Protestant Reformation.
I would suggest that today, in this multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-anything-goes world, the most compelling question of our day is, “Are there many roads to God?” or perhaps, “Why should I believe in God at all?”
In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Many Christians consider this claim to be the bedrock of our Christian faith. But do you realize that others today consider this verse to be either fabricated by the early Church or one of the most intolerant and bigoted statements of all time.
In this generation, when only 4% of those between the ages of 18 and 24 claim Jesus as their Savior, we no longer have the luxury of debating the “pros and cons” of the brand name on the sign out front. The questions being asked of Christianity, as you can see, are not related to issues of church structure, baptism, gifts of the Spirit or worship style. They are questions that challenge the most foundational claims of our Christian faith.
That’s why I see an urgent need for every Christian to “stand up and be counted” just like Luther, who in his day was willing to place his confidence in the authority of God’s Word and declare, “Here I stand!” We must each be able to confidently share with our neighbors, friends, co-workers and class-mates “who Jesus is, why he died on a cross and why he is worthy of our full commitment as his followers.” It is the fact that so many people who claim to be Christians have difficulty answering these questions that we find the Christian Church in such an anemic state today.
Last Saturday, I attended a regional conference of the association of churches with whom we are affiliated; Lutheran Churches in Mission for Christ. (LCMC) Two members of our Church Council, Tim Steinbeck and Jan Adams, attended as well. We are pleased to report that the 772 congregations that now comprise LCMC share our DNA! They are passionate about the authority of the Word of God and the vitality of the Great Commission that calls us to “go” to the whole world in Jesus’ name.
Rather than a “top down” structure, LCMC represents a “bottom up” approach where every member is viewed as a minister and every local congregation is encouraged to hear God’s Call and use its gifts to serve him freely. As a place to stay connected with others who share our Lutheran roots, LCMC is a good fit for Christ Church! There is passion in the Spirit that is refreshing to be around. If you would like to learn more, I encourage you to visit http://www.lcmc.net/
I appreciate our Lutheran heritage. I’ve never been anything but a Lutheran.
So I guess I don’t mind being called someone’s “favorite Lutheran.” However, my prayer is that by God’s grace, we may all be known as “transformed followers of Jesus” who are on fire for the things of God and not afraid to show it! That’s the kind of Christian I want to be!
How about you? How do you reflect on the value and influence of denominational identities at this critical point in the history of the Christian Church? Is denominationalism obsolete? What role might the various Christian denominations still be called to play in the greater mission of the Church? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Blessings, Pastor Greg Pagh
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
What Does Church Membership Get You?
I have several memberships that carry with them certain benefits. I’m a member of our beautiful YMCA here in the Elk River Area. My membership allows me to use any of their amazing facilities whenever I want to work-out, which isn’t often enough by the way! I’m also a member of Costco, the huge discount chain. Well actually, I’m an Executive Member but I don’t want to brag about it. This allows me to shop at Costco anytime I want and spend money on things I never knew I needed before walking in the door. I even get a small rebate at the end of the year!
When you and I “take out a membership” in something, we expect there to be benefits for our investment. So what does your church membership get you? This is an interesting question these days as many churches nation-wide are de-emphasizing church membership. I know of many churches where the average worship attendance on Sunday morning far exceeds the number of official members on the church rolls.
Last Saturday we held a New Member Class at Christ Church. As Pastor Tom and I met with several families, we shared our approach to church membership. We believe that church membership is not so much about what you “get” as it is about what you commit to “give.”
You see, the church is not a health club or a discount store or one of a million organizations that promise you a range of benefits in order to entice you to become a member. The church is a “fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ” who covenant together for the sake of mutual support, shared ministry and the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Check-out the commitments made by the very first believers in Acts 2:42-47.
At Christ Church, we invite any person to come and share freely in the full range of ministries and opportunities that are available… no membership required! But for those who sense God’s call to make this place their church home and fully engage in the transformation mission and vision God has given us, we say, “We invite you to express this commitment by becoming a member.” That’s why we say that church membership is not so much about what you “get” as what you commit to “give.”
We think of it as a Membership Covenant. It is a commitment made before God and others to stand in agreement with our foundational statements of faith, mission and vision. It is also a commitment to partner with others to fulfill certain responsibilities of membership. These commitments are made fully dependent on the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill them. They include unity, worship, hospitality, service, witness and support.
I encourage you to check-out our Christ Church Membership Covenant, whether you are a member here or somewhere else in the world. Ask yourself, “What do I expect to get by being a member of a local church?” And, much more importantly, “What do I expect to give in order to see my local congregation become a vital center of witness, service and transformation for Jesus Christ?” I look forward to hearing your thoughts as well!
Blessings, Greg Pagh
When you and I “take out a membership” in something, we expect there to be benefits for our investment. So what does your church membership get you? This is an interesting question these days as many churches nation-wide are de-emphasizing church membership. I know of many churches where the average worship attendance on Sunday morning far exceeds the number of official members on the church rolls.
Last Saturday we held a New Member Class at Christ Church. As Pastor Tom and I met with several families, we shared our approach to church membership. We believe that church membership is not so much about what you “get” as it is about what you commit to “give.”
You see, the church is not a health club or a discount store or one of a million organizations that promise you a range of benefits in order to entice you to become a member. The church is a “fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ” who covenant together for the sake of mutual support, shared ministry and the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Check-out the commitments made by the very first believers in Acts 2:42-47.
At Christ Church, we invite any person to come and share freely in the full range of ministries and opportunities that are available… no membership required! But for those who sense God’s call to make this place their church home and fully engage in the transformation mission and vision God has given us, we say, “We invite you to express this commitment by becoming a member.” That’s why we say that church membership is not so much about what you “get” as what you commit to “give.”
We think of it as a Membership Covenant. It is a commitment made before God and others to stand in agreement with our foundational statements of faith, mission and vision. It is also a commitment to partner with others to fulfill certain responsibilities of membership. These commitments are made fully dependent on the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill them. They include unity, worship, hospitality, service, witness and support.
I encourage you to check-out our Christ Church Membership Covenant, whether you are a member here or somewhere else in the world. Ask yourself, “What do I expect to get by being a member of a local church?” And, much more importantly, “What do I expect to give in order to see my local congregation become a vital center of witness, service and transformation for Jesus Christ?” I look forward to hearing your thoughts as well!
Blessings, Greg Pagh
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Leap Day!
Yesterday was not only our first “snow day” this winter with no school in much of Minnesota, but also “Leap Day,” February 29th. It felt like a gift from the Lord suspended in time! The 8 inches of fresh snow we received in Elk River was perfect for packing, making a snowman or having a snow-ball fight. It was also what we affectionately call “heart-attack snow,” back-breakingly heavy to shovel!
A quick trip to Wikipedia reveals that Leap Day is a date that occurs in most years that are evenly divisible by 4, such as 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. It also occurs in years that are evenly divisible by 100, but not by 400; therefore 1900 did not contain a Leap Day while 2000 did! Got it?
Although most years have 365 days, scientists know that it actually takes the Earth a total of 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 16 seconds to make one complete revolution around the sun. As a result, every four years approximately one extra day’s worth of time accumulates, requiring a Leap Day to keep the calendar coordinated with the sun’s position. Still got it?
February 29th is that extra day… Leap Day! While many children and youth were “jumping for joy” yesterday at the prospect of fresh snow and no school, several stories from the Bible leaped out at me!
In Daniel 3:24, it says, “Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’” Do you remember why King Neb was so surprised? As he looked into the fiery furnace, he not only saw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego standing there unharmed, but there was a fourth man, whom he called a “son of the gods.” We know who it was!
In Luke 1:41, when young Mary arrived to visit her relative, Elizabeth, “the baby (who one day would be called John the Baptist) leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” She prophesied, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child that you will bear!”
And in Acts, chapter 3, we read how Peter and John encountered a man near the temple in Jerusalem who had been crippled from birth. He asked for money but they gave him a much greater gift. Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Peter took him by the hand. The man jumped to his feet and began to walk. But it gets better. The scripture says, “Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” And the people were filled with wonder and amazement!
Friends, when you come into the presence of Jesus Christ, there is reason to leap for joy… whether you are a king, an unborn child, or someone desperate and discouraged by the challenges of life. When Jesus is your Savior, every day is Leap Day! Every day is a day to walk and jump and praise the Lord!
What are you praising God for today? Let people see the joy in your life. Share God’s story and your story so that those around you might be filled with wonder and amazement. Sometimes it takes a “snow day” or even a “Leap Day” to remind us to praise and celebrate the amazing God we serve!
Blessings, Greg
A quick trip to Wikipedia reveals that Leap Day is a date that occurs in most years that are evenly divisible by 4, such as 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. It also occurs in years that are evenly divisible by 100, but not by 400; therefore 1900 did not contain a Leap Day while 2000 did! Got it?
Although most years have 365 days, scientists know that it actually takes the Earth a total of 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 16 seconds to make one complete revolution around the sun. As a result, every four years approximately one extra day’s worth of time accumulates, requiring a Leap Day to keep the calendar coordinated with the sun’s position. Still got it?
February 29th is that extra day… Leap Day! While many children and youth were “jumping for joy” yesterday at the prospect of fresh snow and no school, several stories from the Bible leaped out at me!
In Daniel 3:24, it says, “Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’” Do you remember why King Neb was so surprised? As he looked into the fiery furnace, he not only saw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego standing there unharmed, but there was a fourth man, whom he called a “son of the gods.” We know who it was!
In Luke 1:41, when young Mary arrived to visit her relative, Elizabeth, “the baby (who one day would be called John the Baptist) leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” She prophesied, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child that you will bear!”
And in Acts, chapter 3, we read how Peter and John encountered a man near the temple in Jerusalem who had been crippled from birth. He asked for money but they gave him a much greater gift. Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Peter took him by the hand. The man jumped to his feet and began to walk. But it gets better. The scripture says, “Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” And the people were filled with wonder and amazement!
Friends, when you come into the presence of Jesus Christ, there is reason to leap for joy… whether you are a king, an unborn child, or someone desperate and discouraged by the challenges of life. When Jesus is your Savior, every day is Leap Day! Every day is a day to walk and jump and praise the Lord!
What are you praising God for today? Let people see the joy in your life. Share God’s story and your story so that those around you might be filled with wonder and amazement. Sometimes it takes a “snow day” or even a “Leap Day” to remind us to praise and celebrate the amazing God we serve!
Blessings, Greg
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