Of Good Reputation With Those Outside

…I want to focus on the last qualification for eldership, 1Tim. 3:7, 'Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders....'

At first glance, that is an odd qualification for Paul to include in the list.  Often, Christians are not well thought of by those outside.  I am fortunate to have two jobs which shelter me to a large extent from the rough and tumble of  life in the secular world.  Many in Cornerstone's congregation work in secular environments where there are many pressures on Christians precisely because Christians are not liked or respected in the wider world.  Yet that is often because of the offence of the cross.  The message of the cross is that we are all sinners and in need of a savior.  That is an offensive message.

Clearly, Paul is not requiring Christians to abandon the offence of the cross in order to qualify for office.  What he is saying is, to use the old English idiom, that elders should be decent people.  Their neighbours, work colleagues, and non-Christian friends should know them as people of integrity, who embody the Christian virtues in which they profess to believe.  

The reason should be obvious: the church's leaders are the public face of the church.  When a Christian falls, say, into adultery, it is a bad enough scandal.  But when a leader falls, the impact is so much greater because the general public regard leaders as the moral barometer of the church as a whole.   A further implication of this is that the manner in which a church handles the sin of its leaders will be seen by the wider world as indicative of the church's own commitment to her stated moral standards.

The world, however, takes a different line.  It does not trust and then verify.  It verifies and then, after a period of time, if at all, it trusts.  And that is not something we can simply dismiss as the way of the world and as of no relevance to us.  When Paul speaks about 'of good reputation with those outside,' he demands that the church take the logic and the opinion of the world seriously when we are dealing with leaders and when we are not talking about the offence of the cross but rather the offensiveness of some Christians' behavior.

This has twofold relevance in the current climate.  First, what has become the standard New Calvinist approach to the critics (either ignore them as irritating upstarts or point to them as the real problem -- but never, ever, treat their concerns as worthy of serious respect) fools nobody but those who want to be fooled.  It certainly does not fool the outside world as it looks on.  And as the various Mars Hill scandals have made their way into the secular media, we can assume that the favoured strategy of 'Now, see here, you little whipper-snapper...' will be seen for what it is: a deflective move to avoid  addressing the root problems.

Second, we need to remember that overseers are held to a higher standard because they are the public face of the church.   That is why behavior such as we have witnessed actually disqualifies from office, no question.  Now, there are some sins, such as adultery, which I would argue disqualify from office permanently.  For some other serious public sins, it can be for a period of time.  As restoration to office requires restoration of reputation inside and outside the church, such a time cannot be specified precisely in advance.  It requires the fallen leader working at some other calling while being pastored under the Word by wise and godly men until such time as he has grown to maturity in the faith.  Then he may again be qualified to be considered once more for office.  As Todd pointed out yesterday, disciplining fallen overseers is not hateful but the best thing that can be done for them.

The moral onus is on the church.  It is on the church to make sure that its leaders are of good reputation with those outside.  If they are not, then the world, lacking an elaborate taxonomy for the evangelical universe, will assume we are all in on the scam, every single one of us.

Excerpted from a post dated March 19, 2014 @ 10:03 AM by Carl Trueman.  Read the complete post HERE: http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2014/03/of-good-reputation-with-those.php

The Accountability Question

An interesting post today by Pastor Carl Trueman at Reformation21Blog.  If you have read many of his articles you should be familiar with Trueman’s perceptive insight into today’s problems in the “evangelical movement” and the mega-church.

Carl Trueman’s recent article speaks to the issue of dealing with potential problems affecting the evangelical community at large and by extension the local church before they become too great to control.

He refers to his earlier warnings against the current “cults of personality” in which people fail to speak against pastors who have built up followings of devotees who refuse to correct pastoral abuse.  His reference is to current mega-church leaders who amass great fortunes and power by fleecing the flock and using dubious means to promote and maintain their prominent positions. In principle his argument could also apply to those who want to maintain a similar position in a smaller venue.

Trueman states that when accountability was called for in the church “the critics were to be treated as the problem…”. And he states,  “part of me thinks that, if the early warnings had been seen as significant….perhaps things might be different today”.

Read the entire article HERE and make up your own mind: http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2014/03/celebrity-pastors-a-retrospect.php

God’s Providence

“God’s providence supplies a testing ground for men’s prayers.  Its workings have been likened to the spokes of a wheel, sometimes up, sometimes down, but always moving toward the grave, judgment, and eternity.”

Robert Jones in “Manna for Christ’s Servant and Witness”, pg. 144, Published by Old Paths Tract Society (date unknown).

Three Tips (Plus One) in Responding to Criticism

The following was posted this morning and I thought appropriate to share as it relates to some issues. (The Plus One was added.)

Criticism is inevitable. At certain times we will all face another person’s analysis or rebuke of our behavior. The best kind of criticism comes from friends, from those who know us and love us best. “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy” (Proverbs 27:5-6). In his little book True Friendship, Vaughan Roberts offers three tips for responding to criticism, and especially this kind of criticism—the kind that comes in the context of friendship, of iron sharpening iron.

Expect It

 

We should expect criticism. We should expect criticism because we are sinful, so far from the holiness God requires and so far from the holiness we desire. If anything we ought to be surprised that we receive so little criticism. We should also expect criticism because friendships—especially close friendships—invite it. Criticism may arise from a negative spirit, but it can also arise from love. Our best friends must have an open invitation to offer criticism of our lives. Is there no one in your life who offers you critical feedback? Then it may be that you have chased off your friends by responding poorly and pridefully in the past. Expect to be criticized from time to time, and give your friends an open invitation to do so.

Examine It

 

“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.”

When we receive criticism, and especially when that criticism stings or seems outrageous, we need to examine it to see if it is true. It may be that our friends have a faulty perspective, but it may be that they have a better perspective that we do. George Orwell was right when he said, “To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.” Humility admits that others may see what we cannot or will not see ourselves. Roberts says, “We should resist the instinctive temptation to defend ourselves or attack the critic, but rather consider whether there is truth in what is being said.” Prayerfully examine that criticism to see if it is true and fair.

Endure It

 

There will be times the criticism will be painful but true. In such times, we will need to endure that criticism as we respond to it by making changes to our lives. There are times the criticism will sting because we come to believe the criticism is unfair. In either case, we need to keep ourselves from responding in kind or lashing out at the one who criticized us. We must resist the temptation to gossip about that person or to sever the friendship. Far better, we must endure criticism just as Christ Jesus patiently endured all the criticism that was heaped upon him. As always, as ever, he is our model.

Plus One – Ignore It

For some this seems to be their response….which, as you know, solves nothing…and often delays the inevitable.

Posted on Challies.com March 05, 2014

God of the Deaf

Christian celebrity Sue Thomas, 64, who made history when she became the first deaf person to ever work as an undercover FBI investigator, says she was blindsided by former deaf pastor-turned-atheist Justin Vollmar's decision to publicly renounce Jesus and wants the deaf community to know that God is real.

In an interview with The Christian Post Thursday, Thomas highlighted that the deaf population is one of the largest groups of people unreached by the Gospel in the world.

She acknowledged that while it is a difficult task reaching the deaf community today, the church needs to do more in reaching out. Vollmar's experience, she says, is a prime example of how difficult it is to minister to the deaf community.

While she expressed concern over how Vollmar's apostasy will "affect other deaf people who do not know the truth," she said she wanted to serve as a light of encouragement and inspiration, and shared her lightly edited testimony in an email below.

I have been profoundly deaf since the age of 18 months, and was raised in a family where we attended church on Sunday, and was taught in the home that there is a God and there's a difference between right and wrong. My parents instilled in me the belief that there is a God and that He didn't make a mistake, and as a child, I believed them.

My childhood days were filled with torments from school bullies and the loneliness of being left out and not understanding due to my deafness. Yes, there were times when God brought that glimmer of hope amidst despair through classical music felt with vibrations or a skating rink where I became a champion skater.  

Though there were rays of sun at times, my life was always tossed among the stormy dark skies and the question would begin to surface: Did God make a mistake?

My love for people was taken from me when the silence over took me - as much as I thrive and want to be with people, I can't, as with groups of people I cannot understand and always feel left out - the very thing that I want, I can't have. Yes, the older I got, the more the question became stronger, as well as the answer - God does make mistakes.

My story is an interesting one, as my deafness caused me to become a skilled lip reader and the skill took me to the FBI as an undercover special assistant. Who could have imagined the girl that was laughed at and despised for talking so poorly would be in demand at the FBI?

It was in Washington, D.C. where years of simmering anger turned to rage against God. How could He give me a good job, but not give me the peace to live with my deafness? I hated it! I despised it. My deafness was destroying my inner being, my deafness was seriously doubting God and Him not making mistakes.

The rage became so over-powering that I left the FBI to search for God. It was a search that would take me to Columbia Bible College and Seminary in South Carolina where it is known today as Columbia International University. Most people go to seminary to become pastors, missionaries, teachers or counselors. I did not. I went to seminary for one purpose - to find God and to make Him confess, He made a mistake.

My journey ended 30 years ago on that seminary campus where I met God and wrestled. He won.

That is a story in itself, a story of lies, of deceit, and living in it until I loathed my life and became physically ill. God's hand was heavy on me. The college was praying for my healing, but they thought it was for a physical healing. God gave me a spiritual healing.

At the age of 35, I finally surrendered my all and asked for His forgiveness. Yes, there is a transformation in a life that truly repents and comes to the foot of the cross in brokenness and shame. In my case, the transformation of the hatred and bitterness over my deafness led to not just the acceptance, but the embracing of what I once despised.

The silence would become my best friend. It is only in the silence we truly hear the still small voice of God. The silence will teach us, if we listen.

The story did end at the cross, or should I rather say it truly began there. The FBI days made its way to Hollywood where the TV series, "Sue Thomas: FBEye" was created and syndicated throughout 65 nations around the world.

The story continues as I am afflicted with multiple sclerosis but continue to speak around the world proclaiming the one and living God who makes no mistakes.

For this deaf man who has made your post to bear no witness unto Him, my heart is saddened. Will CNN not rather seek the miracles of life for which much has been given or will they, too, be deaf, and be dead to those who are alive?

The deaf man screams that there is no God. Well, he never knew Him. He is spiritually dead and He is deaf as a stone to the voice of a living God.

I can attest that God does speak in a voice that even the deaf can hear, if they will listen.

I receive The Christian Post regularly, and cannot remain silent after reading this article about the deaf pastor.

I'm simply a woman that bears witness. I'm simply a voice in the silence.

Wishing you God speed,

Sue Thomas

You can view the entire article at Christian Post HERE: http://www.christianpost.com/news/believer-sue-thomas-first-deaf-person-to-work-as-undercover-fbi-investigator-delivers-amazing-response-to-deaf-pastor-who-turned-atheist-114580/