No.4 - Healthy Trust Creates Healthy Culture

In my last blog I wrote about the importance of healthy cultures producing healthy Churches/Christian schools. I want to look over the next few blogs what contributes to good and bad cultures.

A common barrier to healthy cultures is lack of trust. When trust breaks down so to does the health of the organisation. We see in this in relationships - where there is a breakdown of trust the vitality and love has gone.

Lack of trust manifests in gossip, bitterness, and ultimately ends in unresolved conflict. Secret meetings without key players, people taking sides, and lack of unity are all distructive outcomes when trust breaks down. In the dozen or so churches that I have consulted with where dysfunctionality is evident, there was nearly always a break down of trust between people.

On the positive side trust breeds peace, understanding and unity.  Creating and sustaining a culture of trust will contribute significantly towards health.

Building a culture of trust where there is a breakdown, there needs to humility that seeks restoration before God and one another. I have found that the Australian Peacewise organisation and their Biblical principles is a good place to start (http://www.peacewise.org.au/get-help-with-conflict-2/peacemaking-principles/#.U9h746NuozU).

Maintaining trust is hard work. I believe it requires continual prayer, humility and openness of any issues that may affect trust.

Finally, while we don't always understand God's Will and issues with His timing, we are called to trust Him: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

For His Cause

David Moyes

No.3 - Healthy Culture = Healthy Church/School

At last year's RCBC Staff and Leadership Retreat, I mentioned about the importance of culture for growing churches. Here is a quote that I used from Wayne Cordeiro:

“to make any kind of transition as a church, your church's culture can't be ignored... Culture can prevent your church's potential from ever being realised, or - if used by the Holy Spirit - it can draw others in and reproduce healthy spiritual life all along the way”.

A few decades ago, churches and schools heard a lot about vision and mission. Since then churches and schools have spent time praying and discussing what God's visions is. This has been good - but something was still missing. 

As a church consultant I have met with literally hundreds of people (in small groups and one-on-one). Many of these churches are faithful at preaching the Word of God and their ratio of members attending prayer meetings are higher than larger churches yet they are struggling. Their culture isn't healthy thus not allowing the Holy Spirit to freely move through preaching the Word and Prayer.

This week at Hillsong Conference, we were reminded again of healthy church cultures. One of the scripture passages I heard was from Mark 4:20, "Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown" (NIV). Often we refer to this parable on how people receive the Word of God. Maybe it can also apply to churches and christian schools? Look at the phrase "like seed sown on good soil". Can this mean "good culture?" I think it can.

While God wants to give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6), the preaching of the Word of God, dependance on God through Prayer, and sustaining a healthy culture are pivotal for Kingdom growth.

Wayne Cordeiro has written: "The potential is found in your culture – the real and true culture of your church, not the quick culture you may so often be tempted to try. It all starts when you, along with other church leaders, accept that your key role is to be the tutor who stewards a culture that releases this deep spiritual potential into the lives of your people”.

In the coming blog posts, I would like to explore bad and good cultures.

For His Cause

David Moyes

No.2 - Numerical Kingdom Growth

OK, so I had a bit of a rave in my last post. But I will continue to aim for growth.Yep, Sam, Doug and Steve are right in commenting that our focus should be on Christ and pursuing knowing him and then evangelism will flow; that we should build a solid foundation; and love ought to be the distinguishing mark for effective witness. Each of these will be looked at in other posts.

I want to say that its OK to talk about numbers. I know, I know - numbers aren't everything, numbers don't tell the whole story, people are more important than numbers, etc. But numbers are important. In evangelism terms - every number represent a soul that is needing to be found or is found! God must have thought that numbers were important that He named an Old Testament book "Numbers" (have you ever thought why it is called The Book of Numbers?). God certainly inspired Luke to mention numbers in the Book of Acts, particularly recording the significant growth of the church. Luke started with 120 in Acts 1:15. Then the church grew to over 3000 on the Day of Pentecost. Then we read how the church grew in large numbers in chapters 4, 5 and 6. In Acts 9 the church was no longer added too but it multiplied. In Acts 16:5 we read of daily increases. And in Acts 21:20 literally myriads, that is, 10000s were added.

My aim for numerical growth is solely for the cause of His kingdom. Transfer and biological growth is often encouraging, but its kingdom growth that ought to inspire us. 

Now I'm fully aware of the issues in chasing numbers. Sometimes we on the School Board appear to be chasing numbers because numbers mean money and we need money to resource our students (which is important to discuss). Sometimes we on the Leadership Team don't talk enough about numbers - are we declining, plateauing or growing? What is our projected growth? Sometimes we pastoral staff can get discouraged by lack of numbers serving in our groups, services, etc. For some Senior Pastors like myself, our ego inflates or deflates with numbers attending our churches. Often we can feel that our churches are healthy when we reach the "magical" 500+ and/or 1000+ when in fact big churches aren't always better churches.

When we do talk numbers may we remember the balanced perspective of kingdom growth. Jesus said "Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you" (Luke 12:31 ESV). God willing, our church and school will experience kingdom growth. Such growth may also see added resources for our students, greater finances for our missionaries, etc. 

In future posts, I will discuss some biblical principles on how growth might be achieved. 

For His Cause
David Moyes

No.1 - Aiming For Growth, Unashamedly

I sometimes feel that my motives are wrong and that I am a voice in the wilderness. Sometimes I get frustrated with my colleagues. Except for some pastors of larger churches in Australia, many church leaders don't talk much about it. It isn't trendy. 

I'm challenged by the Luke's observation of the Early Church: "...And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47 NIV). I'm challenged by the growth of new Christians. I'm motivated to help lead a church that experiences such growth. 

Sadly, the emphasis on growth doesn't seem a priority amongst many church leaders across the country. Judging from social media "evangelism" isn't trendy. Nearly all of my social media friends who are leaders of churches and denominations rarely talk, if at all, about evangelism. Its all about social justice. Now I must say that I agree with them and we do need church leaders to speak up! My point is, where are those speaking about evangelism and growing God's church? Certainly talking about numerical growth isn't discussed at all. 

Over the past decade church leaders have discussed much about being "missional". Authors of the missional movement have created great excitement, hope and even a following. And there are lessons to learn. Unfortunately there is little evidence of growth within Australia brought about through the missional model. Nor has their been growth through the seeker model, cell church model, etc.

"And the Lord added to their number daily those being saved" still challenges me... and as a Christian leader it ought to challenge you to. Unashamedly I am aiming for strong numerical growth for His Kingdom's sake. Jesus said: "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full'" (Luke 14:23 NIV).

In this series of Blogs, I want to dialogue on issues that both hinders and causes growth. My prayer is that together we will seek the Lord, change current church culture, and put into place Biblical principles that will enable strong numerical growth for both Reedy Creek Baptist and Hillcrest Christian College.

For His Cause
David Moyes

P.S. If any posts resinates with you, please write a comment. It would be good to see what others think.

The Resurrection of Jesus

Today is Easter Sunday. The day in which we celebrate what God was up to! Remember how Peter denied Jesus? Well, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter boldly preached in public in the very city of Jerusalem where Jesus was killed: “But God released Him from the horrors of death and raised Him back to life, for death could not keep Him in its grip” (Acts 2:24 NLT). Jesus was risen. He was and is no longer dead!

Luke tells us what happened on this most glorious day: 

“But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day." Then they remembered that He had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell His eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened” (Luke 24:1-10 NLT).

At first the apostles thought this news was nonsense. However, for the next 40 or so days Jesus appeared to them, ate with them, taught them, as well as over 500 people. They no longer thought this good news was nonsense as evident by people like Peter who boldly taught and witnessed to the resurrection of Jesus.

Question? If the death of Jesus achieved what God had planned for and nothing else can be added to it, then what was the purpose and meaning in raising Jesus to life?

Answer: The resurrection affirms the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is said that the Resurrection was a divine endorsement of Jesus’ teachings, God’s confirmation that Jesus’ teachings were true.

Throughout the gospels Jesus made some big claims. He said that He was God (John 10:30). He spoke about His own death and resurrection well before it happened (Matthew 16:21). He claimed that no person can come to God unless they follow Him (John 14:6). If Jesus remained dead, then His teachings would be lies, His claims false, and there would be little hope.

As Jesus was raised to life, His teachings and claims are all affirmed therefore giving us hope that Jesus is who He said He is - Lord and Saviour. These affirmations give us hope – that we serve a real, living, loving God.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ also promises that those who die in Christ will live with Christ in heaven. WE ourselves will be resurrected. The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that God offers new life to those who believe. Peter wrote: “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for” (1 Peter 1:3 MSG). The resurrection of Jesus also gives the church a new mandate. When Jesus was raised to life He commissioned the church to be His witnesses.

And today we the church, God’s people, need to witness for Jesus by preaching the gospel of the resurrection, loving the unloved, defending the rights of the abuse, caring for the poor and standing up against injustices.

During this Holy Week we have journey together to the cross. Humanly speaking, everything looked hopeless. The kingdom that Jesus spoke of looked dead before it really got established. God’s plan was different. It was bigger and bolder than anyone had ever imagined. Daniel prophesied long ago: “How great are His signs, how powerful His wonders! His kingdom will last forever, His rule through all generations” (Daniel 4:3 NLT). Christ’s resurrection confirmed all of this. We have been redeemed, His Kingdom has come and will last forever, and now we are commissioned to share this good news. Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

The Burial of Jesus

Yesterday we read about the death of Jesus and how He shouted from the cross “It is finished”. In the original language it is one word – tetelestai. It means that the job is finish or the debt had been paid for. Completed! Done! Finished. Christ’s mission to redeem us is completed.

Most, if not all, did not understand this. Luke tells us in 23:48, “And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus' friends, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching” (Luke 23:48-49 NLT). What was going on in their minds? What were they thinking?

We have very little information as to what happen from the cross to early Sunday morning. However, we are told about the burial of Jesus. Luke says, 

“Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin. As His body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where His body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint His body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law” (Luke 23:50-56 NLT).

Matthew added another incident that happened on the Saturday: 

“The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told him, "Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while He was still alive: 'After three days I will rise from the dead.' So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent His disciples from coming and stealing His body and then telling everyone He was raised from the dead! If that happens, we'll be worse off than we were at first." Pilate replied, "Take guards and secure it the best you can." So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it” (Matthew 27:62-66 NLT).

On the Saturday, it appears that the guards were posted at the tomb with the body of Jesus lying inside.  For the disciples, followers and family of Jesus – it appears that they went back to their homes. Most likely they were still in shock. Grief was written all over their faces. Some of them would have recalled Jesus saying that He would be raised back to life. But Jesus was still in the tomb – dead. Saturday would have been a hard day. I think that they would have felt defeated.

Interestingly Peter makes a rather quick reference that has caused much debate of what perhaps Jesus did between his death and resurrection. 1 Peter 3:19 says, “So He went and preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19 NLT). I feel like saying “Peter, give us more detail”. Obviously the meaning of preaching "to the spirits in prison" is not completely clear, and commentators have explained it in different ways. The traditional interpretation is that between his death and resurrection, Christ announced salvation to God's faithful followers who had been waiting for their salvation during the whole Old Testament era.

The fact is, this whole period of time between Christ’s death and resurrection is rather silent. We have made a number of assumptions of what could have been and felt.

It isn’t unusual that we experience periods of silence – you know, those times when you are grieving or going through a hard time or seeking direction or prayers don’t seem to be answered. It is in these times that God seems to be silent. Like Easter Saturday where there was silence, God was actually up to something. He was about to do something so new and so full of hope and life.

When you do experience a period of silence, may you know the peace of God that He is up to something that in time will be revealed to you. God promises in Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). Today, ask God to grant you His peace that, if you are going through a challenging experience, you may know that He is actually up to something (Romans 8:28).

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Today is Good Friday – the day that Jesus was crucified. On Thursday Jesus was denied, betrayed, and then arrested. During the early hours of Friday morning various illegal trials took place during which Jesus was whipped and beaten and had a crown of thorns thrust on His head. Pilate brought Jesus out to the people hoping they would want Him released. However the people shouted for Jesus to be crucified. Luke tells us what happened:

“But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded” (Luke 23:23-24 NLT). Then in verse 33: “When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on His right and one on His left” (Luke 23:33 NLT).

The Roman soldiers did their job well. The nails were driven through the wrists to support the weight of the sagging body. For six hours Jesus hung naked, covered with cuts and bruises, a crude crown of thorns spiking His head and every fibre of his body twitching in agony as his chest heaved great gulping breaths.

Crucifixions were a messy business. The Romans, who seem to have got hold of the idea of crucifixion from the Phoenicians in the Punic Wars, became expert at this most awful form of execution. They reserved it the lower class in the Empire. And in particular it was for the penalty for slaves. It was so degrading that it wasn’t talked about in polite Roman society.

So there was Jesus, the innocent one dying between two criminals. There were three words that Jesus said that are so important to understand and accept. John recorded the last words of Christ on the cross. He said "It is finished!" (John 19:30 NLT) and then He died. It is finished! 

When we compare the four gospels we find a most interesting thing. The other three do not tell us that Jesus said, "It is finished." But they do tell us that He died with a great shout (Matt 27:50; Mk 15:37; Lk 23:46). On the other hand, John does not speak of the great shout, but does say that Jesus' last words were, “It is finished.” The explanation is that the great shout and the words, "It is finished," are one and the same thing. “It is finished” is one word in Greek - tetelestai and Jesus died with a shout of triumph on his lips. He did not say, "It is finished," in weary defeat; He said it as one who shouts of victory. He seemed to be broken on the Cross, but He knew that his victory was won.

The word tetelestai is unfamiliar to us, but it was used by various people in everyday life in those days. For example when a job was completed, the servant would say to the master - TELELESTAI - meaning they have completed the job the master gave them to do. The Jewish people would bring their sacrifice to be offered. After the high priest examined and accepted it he would say - TELELESTAI - meaning “It is perfect”, “It is accepted!” For the merchant - when a person purchased something, the merchant would take the money and hand the person a receipt that said “TELELESTAI” meaning “Paid In full”. The debt had been fully paid.

When Jesus shouted out “It is finished” TETELESTAI He was declaring that the work He came to do was finished. Max Lucado writes, “The history-long plan of redeeming humanity was finished. The message of God to humanity was finished. The works done by Jesus as a Man on earth were finished. The task of selecting and training followers was finished. The job was finished. The song had been sung. The blood had been poured. The sacrifice had been made. The sting of death had been removed. It was over.” TETELESTAI.

There is another word that has a very similar meaning. Redeem. To redeem something is to pay that thing off; it is to clear a debt by payment.

The Bible writers refer to the work of Jesus on the cross as just this. His redeeming work is where the penalty for our sins have been paid in full. Paul says: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace” (Ephesians 1:7 NIV).

Today, on this most significant day we remember the death of Jesus and how He had completed His mission. The work of redemption is finished. Our debts have been paid in full. Tetelestai. In prayer right now, pause and reflect on the death of Jesus, His immense sacrifice, the love and grace of God, and what this means for you today.