Living in the 3rd Culture

Those who know me have come to expect change from me.  I am the one in our house who “out of the blue” will rearrange a room in the house, or yes, even the kitchen cupboards.  Fortunately, God gave me a wife who not only tolerates this but actually says she like that!  All that to say I decided to change the name of my blog to more adequately describe the content.

First let me refer back to the side bar on your right where I give the term “Third Culture”.  If you have already read that, then you will find a lot of recycled material in this blog.  “Third Culture” has been used in various ways. One “Third Culture” group “consists of scientists and in the empirical world who through their work and expository writing, are taking the place of the traditional intellectuals in rendering visible the deeper meanings of our lives, redefining who and what we are.” 

The most common use of “Third Culture” describes my personal experience. The term was first coined by sociologist Ruth Hill Useem, professor emeritus of sociology and education at Michigan State University. She used the term to describe children growing up outside their citizenship countries because of a parent’s work abroad.  Building upon her work, a “TCK or Third Culture Kid has is defined as, “someone who as a child has spent a significant period of time in one or more culture(s) other than his or her own, thus integrating elements of those cultures and their own birth culture, into a third culture"  Based on that definition I am a TCK

However, I am on a mission to use the term “Third Culture” for a much nobler purpose.  It is my desire to use the term to refer to God’s people who make up the true Church (Theologically defined as the “Invisible Church”). In other words, the Church is a 3^rd Culture. Scripture teaches us that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law and the punishment of Hell, and through faith in Him we become citizens of His Kingdom, receiving not only the full benefits of citizenship in His Kingdom, but indeed the right to become His sons and daughters. The moment, we step into this Kingdom we experience a new and different culture. We are no longer in the kingdom of darkness, as we now live in the kingdom of light.  And that changes everything!

The whole concept of culture can be confusing, so here is a simple way to better understand it.  Most of use some type of computer.  It could be the traditional desk top, a laptop, a pad or many of our phones, most have a very similar hardware.  What makes each device unique is the type of software that you decide to use. Though true Apple users may say this is heresy, the basic hardware in an Apple computer is very similar to that of a PC.  What makes the big difference is the software each uses. God has created all people with similar hardware.  Though each human is unique all the way down to our DNA, we all have the same basic group of organs to stay alive, and need hydration and nutrition to keep those organs running. 

From the moment we come into the world[1] our software is written and formed through every experience we face.  Our immediate family and community have the greatest impact on us as our brains software is constantly written and re-written.  Therefore, not only is each human uniquely created at a DNA level, but we are uniquely cultured.  Because we often confuse ethnicity and culture, we fail to realize that two people of differing ethnicity or skin color who grow up in similar culture can be more alike that two non-Hispanic whites who grew up in different regions of the same country.  If you don’t believe me, as the average young white male from South Alabama what he thinks of the average young white male from New York City!

I like to see the Church as a 3^rd Culture, because as God calls His people to Himself, He does a work of regeneration and graciously gives the faith to believe.  At that moment there are no physiological changes, but God places in each us a new “governing disposition” that through the work of the Holy Spirit, the Word and Sacrament, begins to rewrite our cultural program.   It affects all areas of our lives and integrates elements of all cultures into one new and better one, where there is no Jew or Greek, slave nor free, male nor female (Gal 3:26-298).

A 3^rd Culture Perspective lives with Revelation 7:9-10[i] in mind,  understanding and appreciating that God gathers people from every ethnic and cultural group and brings them into the new culture of His Son Jesus Christ. It is a perspective where birth cultures are appreciated and respected as coming from God, but none are superior. It seeks to have a deeper understanding of the Gospel, pays attention to culture, our own as well as others, and then attempts to bring them together. It is a perspective that “seeks first His Kingdom and His Righteousness” and lovingly and passionately enjoys and glorifies God in all we do.

My prayer is that is Blog will help you better appreciate living in the 3^rd Culture and will provide insights and encouragement along the way.

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[1] Actually, there is strong evidence that are culturally begins while we are still in the womb. 

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[i]  “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9-10)

Ministry to the Sick and Dying

It may surprise some of you that I would ask the question of whether it is the pastor’s job to minister to the sick and dying.  However, there those who advocate to young pastors that this should not be part of their ministry routine, but rather that should be the work of others in church.  I have heard one leader say that the role of the pastor should be that of a rancher that oversees the large herd, rather than a shepherd who cares for the flock.  Now trust me, I fully understand that there are pastors of extremely large churches who logistically could not go and visit every member of their church who may end up in the hospital. However, must of us are not, or will not serve in a church that size and even if you do, I am convinced that you should make time to minister to the sick and dying.  In fact I am friends with several men who pastor very large churches, yet make the time when it is needed. 

Let me quickly add at this point that I am not advocating that the role of ministering to the sick and dying fall solely on the pastor.  That would be absurd!  Regardless of the size of the church there should be people in that church, including other ruling elders who all participate in this essential ministry.  In fact, I have found great joy in going to the hospital or to hospice care to be told several other members of my church of the church had already been there and to be told that I really didn't need to come.

In the Presbyterian Church the pastor is called a “Teaching Elder” as he serves as a one of several elders in a church who are called “Ruling Elders.”   All the elders are called to serve the church in various capacities, however the primary distinction between the two is that the Teaching Elder has been adequately trained, appropriately gifted and called to Preach and Teach.  All elders are “of once class of office, ruling elders possess the same authority and eligibility to the office in the courts of the Church as teaching elders . . .” [1] As we look directly at ministry to the sick and dying note what our Book of Church Order states “It belongs to those in the office of elder, both severally and jointly, to watch diligently over the flock committed to his charge, that no corruption of doctrine or of morals enter therein. They must exercise government and discipline . . .  They should visit the people at their homes, especially the sick”[2]

Why would it state “especially the sick”? As I mentioned last week being a pastor or teaching elder is far more than preaching and teaching!  Like Christ we are called to live in community with our people and have a ministry of presence.   The ministry of presence is most potent when it is done in a time of need!  To have people surround you that love and care for you is a powerful gift.  To have the one who weekly brings God’s Word to you, and points you to Father through the Gospel, visit and pray with and for you in a moment of crises is healing. 

I have not been the pastor of a mega church, and probably never will.  My last church was made up of primarily young families, so the need for regular hospital visits was very low.  However, I have served at a church that required regular hospital visits and spent significant time with those in hospice care.  I found this ministry essential not just for the people I ministered too, or the church, but for me personally. 

This ministry kept me connected to not just the people I was ministering too, but the suffering and struggles that all people face.   When we as pastors keep our lives full with study, preaching, teaching, meetings, and talks over a latte, we can easily miss the stench of death that is only a breath away from any one of us.  Sickness and sorrow remind us that we are not home yet and all of humanity is connected by a common thread of aging and death.  Everyone who is sick in the hospital, whether rich or poor, young or old, wears the same ghastly, posterior exposing gown.  They are forced to reveal themselves just as they are!   And most of the time that is not pretty!  Yet somehow when we walk in that room and show dignity and respect, we connect with that person in a unique way.  Trust me, when you minister to someone in a time like this, when they come back to worship, they will listen when you preach!

This ministry also kept me connected to heaven and sober reality of hell.  Though it may sound like poor time management, I cherish the times where God gave me the privilege of being with one of His children as they are called home.  Believe it or not these where peaceful joyous times of reflection on life and rejoicing in the hope of the Gospel.  At times I read Scripture and often sing with and for the person.  A funny memory I have is of a close friend and wife of one of my elders who in her mid-50’s was ravished by cancer.   Vivian was a Calvinist who didn't like John Calvin.  I won’t elaborate here, but it was an ongoing discussion that we had over the years.  As she was slipping away, I told her to give John Calvin a hug for me.  She got a slight smile on her face and slowly said, “I am going to kick him.” 

I have also been called by family members to the bedside of dying crusty stubborn old men who claimed to not care if they were going to hell.  Yet through regular visits and sober discussions have seen God bring life to a dead soul days before they were taken home.  The joy of having that family see the difference in these men was tremendously rewarding!  I have faced the reality of hell as people have slipped into eternity dead in their trespasses and sins. 

Here are a couple practical suggestions for hospital visitation.

•  Plan on a brief visit to the hospital.  There is normally no need to stay any length of time unless you asked or you sense the person needs you there.
• Make sure there are no procedures being done to the patient.  If there are, just stand outside the door and the nurse or aid will tell you when it is okay for you to come in. If you have concerns about this, just stop at a nursing station and ask if this is a good time for you stop by. 
• Think about what you are going to say.  Be careful to not ask any stupid or inappropriate questions.  There is tendency to want to fill silence with something, and often what is said is not helpful.   For example rather than ask, “How are doing?” ask “How are you feeling?”   
• Pray for them and then leave.  I always wash my hands and then touch their hand or arm when I pray for them. 

A helpful tool that I would recommend is “The Hospital Visitation Guide” by Sandra Johnson.  You can get a copy here

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[1] Presbyterian Church in America Church of Book Order 8-9

[2] Ibid 8-3

Love’s Connection to Sin

This morning as I was reading in the Gospel of Luke the Holy Spirit made me powerfully aware of these words spoken by Jesus. “But he who is forgiven little, loves little” (ESV, Luke 7:47b).  This is what I love about Scripture being the living word of God.  I’ve hit the half century mark and read this passage more times than I can remember.  I have preached from this passage several times and heard several sermons preached from it. Nevertheless, this morning as I once again read the account of “a woman of the city, who was a sinner” barging into a Pharisee’s house and unabashedly washing Jesus feet with her tears, hair, and expensive perfume. As the appalled the religious types glared in disgust and the disciples starred in bewilderment. It hit me . . . no it nailed me!

Personally, these words addressed an issue that I am presently facing in regard to my relationships with other Christians – brothers in Christ.  Quite honestly there are Christians in my life that quite frankly I don’t like.  Yes, I try to convince myself, that I don’t have to like people to love them with “agape” love, but the truth is if I don’t like someone, there is no way there is anything in my heart that comes even close to loving them.  Some of these people I don’t like because they have wronged me in legitimate ways and are either unaware or don’t care.  Others just simply irritate me.  Once again I like to justify that irritation as being based in theology, philosophy of ministry, ecclesiology of other modern Pharisaical terms, but the truth is they irritate me and I really don’t want to like them, hang out with them, let alone love them!  Ouch!

And when you add that I am a Pastor, Dean of Students and Professor to the mix I end up faking most of the time.  Think about it!  Not only am I as a Christian called to love, but every title I have, intensifies the pressure to live incongruously. Mmmm….that looks a lot like a 21^st century Pharisee! That hurts!  The problem with living that way is that is not only Pharisaical  but it starves my heart of the refreshing grace that comes through a deep awareness of my own sin, not just my depravity, but my actual cancerous lack of love for my brothers and sisters in Christ! 

The Pharisees had built a system of rules and regulations that fit them.  The laws they followed emphasized and created suited the way they wanted to live.  That would be like me declaring that eating sushi is sin simply because I don’t it.  Oh, I even justify my action making me look good, but my friend Danny would automatically have a new sin struggle.  When we create and emphasize our own laws as a way to make us feel more spiritual or better than others, we slowly begin to believe that there really is no need for confession, as you program yourself that you don’t sin, or “that’ is really a sin.

The Christian community really is a mess and though we live in time where more people are talking about the Gospel, being Missional, bringing a time of confession back into our liturgy, most of it is empty.  Despite John’s concise connection of love for the fellow Christian to the legitimacy of our faith, we still are one big dysfunctional family, and I am part of that dysfunction!

Sadly, like a dysfunctional family, not only do we not like each other, but we really dislike those outside the family!  I have found in my ministry experience that often the harshest critics of the church are those whose marriages are secretly falling apart.  When you mix a broken marriage, with a denial of any problems, it makes for a potent condemnation for those around them.  In the same way as the Christian community feverishly works to cover up and deny our lack of love for each other, we take all our frustration out on the world around us!

Do we really believe the right political party, president or government will solve our problems? Is it really about healthcare?  If we somehow could wipe all that we believe is wrong with our society and go back to a better time, would that really help anything?  Okay, I am starting to rant . . . but my point is this.  When my heart is not in the right place, nothing will be in the right place for me!  If I have not bathed myself in the reality of the Gospel and if I am not trying to constantly immerse myself in it, then I will move away from the astonishing reality that through the finished work of Jesus Christ, I have been forgiven in ways that are larger and more extensive than I could ever ask of imagine!

Are you having a hard time liking people around you?  Do you feel a need to share your frustrations about others with a friend or co-worker?  Do you find yourself regularly irritated by the world around you?  Could enjoy spending time with someone who has radically different political views than you without it becoming a fight?  These are all common symptoms of believing that you have “been forgiven little.”   Will you take the time to lay your self-righteousness back at the feet of Jesus, and let the tears of repentance pour over His feet?  There and only there will you find true peace, contentment and the grace to like people… and yes, even to love people!  You will be surprised what Grace will do! 

The Ministry of Presence: A Cure for Spiritual Indigestion

The Gospel Coalition (TGC) recently held their bi-annual conference here in Orlando.  It was an amazing event featuring many of the best speakers and scholars known today.  Reformed Theological Seminary (where I work) was a key sponsor and offered two panel discussions.  One on the Reliability of Scripture, the other Christ in the Old Testament featuring professors from several of our campuses who are specialists in their respective fields.  I have been told that there were some 5,500 in attendance from around the world.  Personally, I enjoyed the time and didn't meet anyone who was not enthusiastic about what they learned during those three speaker packed days.  Several commented that they were actually overwhelmed by the amount of “great stuff.”  One student of mine used the common cliché that “it was like drinking from a fire hose.”

I am truly encouraged by the availability of Gospel centered, Biblically solid, gifted communicators that God has raised up here in the United States.  In fact, what is accessible to us is quite simply impossible to describe to most of the world.  It is mind boggling and beyond their comprehension!  It would be like trying to describe a Super Walmart store to a starving mother on the Kenya Somalia border.  In my opinion TGC offers a far superior product line and does not derive their profit off the back of part-time workers, but it is definitely a gospel information super store.

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my father over 20 years ago.  At that time he and mom had started serving in Mozambique as one of the first missionaries to go into the country after the collapse of its Marxist régime.  The country was devastated in every way, and classified by the United Nations as the worst place to live in the world.  His comment to me was that he believed Christians in the United States were suffering from “spiritual indigestion.”  As he lived in an environment of physical starvation and malnutrition, he was struck by the contrast of the amount of knowledge available and consumed by most American Christians, and yet how little of the information results in significant change or response.  Remember physical indigestion can result from eating too much food that is good for you! 

My point is not to be a critic of anyone who teaches or presents knowledge – remember, I do this for a living - but to warn of the dangers of “spiritual indigestion.”  In my opinion an early sign of “spiritual indigestion” is a neglecting of a ministry of presence.  Being present in other’s lives is not easy or convenient.  Just as it is easier to learn about God than it is to intimately know God and spend time in personal reflective worship to Him, in the same way it is easier to study people and their behaviors than it is to immerse oneself in the lives of those God brings into your life.  Many of us follow a particular sport and have great head knowledge of the game.  However, our physical and coordination deficiencies prohibit us from ever playing up to the level of our knowledge. 

Ministry requires that we be lifelong students of Scripture, but that knowledge must be lived out in the context of community.  Living spiritually, physically, psychologically and emotionally present in community IS the ministry of presence.  Pastors are not solely called to be disseminators of information, but to faithfully serve as shepherds of the flock God has given them.  Presence is more than being physically present at a social function or the corner of a coffee shop, but being there psychologically and emotionally as well.        
 I am not going to take the time to fully develop this, but please understand that “presence” is at the very heart of the Gospel as Jesus did not simply come to teach, but ". . . became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).   Jesus came and was present in the lives of real people and we see this throughout the Gospels.  The norm was to have people surrounding Him and the exception were the times that He pulled away. 

Central to a ministry of presence is humility.  Jesus instructed prestige wrangling disciples that He did not even come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).  Paul builds on the same theme when he wrote to the church in Philippi,“though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thingto be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6–8).

We see the same pattern when he writes to the church in Corinth, “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,” (1 Corinthians 2:3).  Paul ministered by coming alongside and serving, He was actually very purposeful in not using “lofty speech or wisdom” so he could minister to them more effectively.  Basically, Paul made a purposeful decision to come alongside the Corinthians and be a part of their lives “so that their [your] faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God”(1 Corinthians 2:5).   

Pastors please never stop being a student.  I encourage my students to make it a goal to read a book a month that has nothing to do with their sermon preparation.  Read a broad assortment of books that will expand your knowledge and assist your ministry in an ever changing world.  If you can afford it, go to conferences, whether it is The Gospel Coalition, Ligonier, Together for the Gospel, or Desiring God.  Go, learn, fellowship and be refreshed!  But please, please do not let that keep you from being the “chief servant” in your church who delights in living in the present, deeply immersed in community.  Make it your goal to connect with those around you and model “Bear[ing] one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Also, don’t forget to create enough space in your life to have a ministry of presence with some non-believers.  I never cease to be amazed at the number of Christians, specifically pastors, who have no friends who are not Christians.  Being present in a lost person’s life, loving them deeply and sincerely, and bearing their burdens, will provide many opportunities to tell of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

As I conclude my thoughts on “spiritual indigestion,” I am reminded of the many times I over indulged on varied culinary delights.  As a result Pepto-Bismol, the “pink pill” became a good friend.  Once I hit the age of 40, overeating did more to my body then cause indigestion, so I work hard to watch my diet and therefore suffer less from indigestion.  But for those times, when I do, I keep some tablets close by.  In the same way, if you are feeling the effects of “spiritual indigestion” take advantage of the “presence pill” which is always readily available, and by the grace of God a sure cure. 

The Pastor As Spiritual Director

The term “spiritual director” may be quite unfamiliar to many in the evangelical community. Nevertheless, there is a growing interest in it. A May 2012 headline in the Boston Globe read: “Growing demand for spiritual directors: Here, as across the nation, spiritual directors find more seeking counsel, solace outside church walls.” The article states, “Spiritual direction is a tradition of religious mentor-ship with roots in ancient Christianity. For centuries, monasteries and seminaries offered direction to clergy and members of religious orders. But the practice is increasingly going mainstream, as more people, Christian and otherwise, seek help exploring their relationship with the divine . . . Driving the growth are millennials like Weaver, who are more apt than previous generations to identify as ‘spiritual but not religious.’ . . What attracts people to spiritual direction, those familiar with the practice say, is the chance to talk one on one with a sympathetic and usually learned listener, without the clamor of a communal worship service or the isolation of praying alone. There is no pressure to join a group, make a weekly offertory pledge, or endorse a specific creed. . . So many religious traditions end up feeling quite divorced from your everyday life and experience, so it’s essentially irrelevant,’’ she said. “I think people are tired of that, and I think they hunger for a God they can experience, that is relevant, and close, and that can actually transform them’’.[1]

This article reminds us just how important this role is in the life of a pastor. In fact it every Beliecer should embrace this role. The best definition of a spiritual director that I found was on George Fox Evangelical Seminary’s website where they defined it this way, “Spiritual Directors are discerning and gifted persons trained to provide spiritual guidance and discipleship in the Christian tradition. The focus of Spiritual Direction is to develop awareness of the presence of God in one’s life in the context of a trusted relationship.”[2] They went on to clarify by giving the following helpful definitions:

• Spiritual direction is a relationship between a person seeking a more Christ-like life and another who serves as guide to the process. The guide is trained as a spiritual director. 
• Spiritual formation focuses on the ordinary maturing of one's relationship with God.
• Discipleship focuses on the maturing of one's faith in the context of the particular beliefs and values of a faith community. Disciplers are respected and spiritually mature mentors and leaders in a faith community.
• Pastoral counseling focuses on relational and emotional maturity of an individual and/or family group. It is usually crisis-driven. Pastoral counselors are trained and certified.

We don’t talk much about the pastor’s role of “spiritual director” in my circles probably because of our emphasis on objective truth. Please understand that I am not criticizing that emphasis as I am convinced that the moment we no longer see the Word of God as objectively true, we lose everything! I both embrace and advocate the place of systematic theology for solid grounding in our faith. Nonetheless, God does move in “mysterious ways” and the Holy Spirit is in fact the believer’s guide and comfort. So helping people work through the subjective aspect of our faith is of utmost importance. In fact, I am convinced that a lot of heresy starts when someone pursues their subjective feelings and have no spiritual director to help them filter those feeling through the grid of the objective truth of Scripture.

The pastor’s role as spiritual director is essential for those in and outside the church. For those inside, he needs to help his parishioners to be more in tune with God’s leading and directing them in their daily routines and in larger family or career decisions. There are many decisions that must be made in life that Scripture does not speak directly too, but gives insight for. In a context where “God told me” is more common then I-phones, we must teach our people to be aware of God’s leading and directing in their lives.

I am also convinced that the pastor needs to be a spiritual director to those outside the church. As the Boston Globe pointed out there is new spiritual interest in the United States. The un-churched, de-churched and the non-Christian are all looking for a deeper meaning in life, or some more meaningful experience. This is a golden opportunity for winsome evangelism!












[1] Lisa Wangsness http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/05/05/growing-demand-for-spiritual-directors/caxImzYEdDDbI8lEJ9OqQO/story.html


[2] http://www.georgefox.edu/seminary/faculty/spiritual-directors.html

The Role Of The Pastor In A Worship Service

“God is glorified not only by His glory's being seen, 

but by its being rejoiced in.

When those that see it delight in it, 

God is more glorified than if they only see it....

He that testifies his idea of God's glory [does not] glorify God

so much as he testifies also his approbation of it\

 and his delight in it”.  

                                                                         (Jonathan Edwards)

The Pastor’s role in public or corporate worship has changed significantly in the last fifty years. Fewer have felt it more significantly than those in the Reformed and Presbyterian communities.  I will not take the time to unwrap all of issues that encompass this very important topic, but briefly present some unique aspects of Reformed worship and how that should affect the role of the pastor[1] in a worship service.

How you see corporate worship will have an effect on the role the pastor plays in the service.  Reformed worship has placed a higher priority on the vertical aspect of worship rather than the horizontal.  If the vertical is done correctly, the horizontal will naturally occur.  To have a vertical focus is to be “theo-centric” or God-centered. It has deep awareness of the presence of God among His people and the grace that He lavishes on His people as they worship him through hearing His Word preached, prayer, praise, and participating in the sacraments. To have a horizontal focus on the other hand is to place primary attention on the people who are present.  It focuses on fellowship and the “one another” aspect of worship.  The danger of an over emphasis on the horizontal is that felt needs of those present become primary and the means of grace becomes secondary, therefore depriving people of the true means of grace necessary for comfort, hope, and spiritual growth.

A vertical focus in worship places a more sober reality on the pastor’s call and different approach to his place in the worship service.  That is the say He has been called by God to lead worship.  Traditionally that meant that not only was he to preach the Word of God to the people and administer the sacraments, but to lead them in prayer and praise.  Literally, he would be the one that leads the people in singing.  To some who are “musically disadvantaged” the very thought of leading a congregation in song may cause a serious consideration of a new vocation! 

As the worship service has become more elaborate with full bands, large choirs, and varied technology most pastors neither have the skills nor the time to handle that level of responsibility.  As result many have unwittingly stepped back out of their role as Worship Leader and given others that responsibility. Others have kept the worship service simple therefore avoiding these challenges.   

So then, how do you remain faithful to your calling and lead God’s people in world of musical and technological complexity?

1.  Grow in your personal worship.
2. Pray for Wisdom.
3. Keep expository preaching central.
4.  Don’t ignore the “regulative principle”.[2]
5.  Let Scripture and Sound Theology drive your ecclesiology, not music, technology, numerical church growth or the “latest and greatest.” 
6. Some Practical Suggestions:

a.      Whether musically gifted or challenged the pastor is responsible for all aspects of the worship service.

b.     If you have a person who regularly leads the music in your worship, it is crucial to have close relationship with this person.  This permits open and honest discussions and discipleship.

c.      I like the idea of designating the one who leads the music aspect of your serves the “Lead or Chief Musician” so as not to confuse music and worship

d.    Lead as much of the worship as you can.

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[1] The title of pastor is used broadly in the church today for varies ministry positions in the church.   In this case I will be using the word to describe those whose primary responsibility is to preach the Word of God.

[2] "But the acceptable way of worship the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imagination and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture" (Westminster Confession of Faith 21:1).

“He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed?”

For the first time in a half a century - yes I am that old - I am not in in a worship service on Easter.  In fact, I cannot remember a time when I was sick on Easter.  Easter is my favorite holiday, and I love worshiping with other believers on this special day.  Yet on this Easter God has made me more aware of the profound gift God’s people have received in the resurrection of Jesus.  This awareness has come through the health of my father and the loss of a son.

A week ago today, mom called and said she had to call an ambulance as dad could not get himself out of his chair.  After testing and a couple X-rays they found that he had pneumonia and would be in the hospital for a while.  On Maundy Thursday we got him home and settled in his favorite chair.  In the process it became clear that I needed to stay for a few days.  At 81, my rough and tumble missionary dad, was very weak and confused. 

As I type these words, he is once again in his chair.  He is moving better, but still needs help getting up and one of us walks close behind him when needs to get to the bathroom. He is extremely weak and in all probability his muscles and his mind will continue to weaken.  Words cannot express how difficult this is for me.  My dad really is my hero!  He has been a mentor and a dear friend. He has been a gift of grace that has allowed me to have a clearer picture of my heavenly Father.  The reality of losing him is truly depressing! 

 If I were not completely convinced of the promise of the resurrection, I don’t know what I would do. As I look at his frail frame the resurrection of Christ gives me confidence of his future resurrection! One day, he like all believers will receive a new and better body that will be perfect in every way!

 ²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive . . . ⁴² So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. ⁴⁴ It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.^[1]

When Lent began however, it was not my dad that was on my heart and mind, but our son Noah Zachary.  His little headstone sits at the foot of the grave site where dad's physical body will one day be laid to rest.  When we lost Noah almost 15 years ago, it was my dad’s request that he be buried at the foot of his grave-site   And since it is a private cemetery in the hills of East Tennessee we were able to do just that.

There is not an Easter that goes by that my wife and I don’t reflect on our little man.  Each year we ponder what he would be like in whatever age he would have been.  This year we had an early reminder when a friend sent us a picture they had taken when they came across his grave.  With our other son away at college, the reminder of his loss seemed to have a deeper sting.     

Honestly, I don’t know how I will face the day when I lay my father next to my son.  Though he is a shell of the man he used to be, it is a joy to sit here with him and to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!  This is very sweet fellowship! But I know that day is coming, and when it does I am trusting that God will give me the grace to soak in the promise of the resurrection, and through a tear stained face cry out to those around me, “He is Risen” to which I will hear the reply of joyous response, “He is Risen Indeed!”

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Co 15:20-22, 42–44). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.