Serving by Learning

Over the last two years I have visited many churches and, unfortunately, this seems to be the case.  Many churchgoers simply show up on Sunday, sing some songs, say a few prayers and listen to a watered down version of page 34 of "Our Daily Bread" that the preacher passes off as a sermon.  There is no real Biblical teaching.  Much scripture is misquoted or taken out of context.  Congregants do not take the time to learn about the Bible because no one shows them that there is any more than what appears on the surface.  Most adult Bible studies I've been a part of barely scratch any deeper than the lessons from the 6th grade Sunday school class. 

 

People have developed a sort of folk theology.  That is, “an unreflective believing based on blind faith in a tradition of some kind” (Duvall & Hayes, 2012, p. 27).  It is the stuff of Facebook memes and witty bumper stickers.  There is no real depth, no meaning, and certainly no true understanding of what the Word of God is meant to convey to His church.  It is also a product of a lazy culture.  This is a fast-food world.  Who has time for fine dining anymore?  Give me my daily bread in a bag to-go and do not expect me to put any more effort into it than that.  No thank you, I’ll just have the usual, I do not have time to check the rest of the menu.  People are doing this with the Bible.  They want their snippets of encouragement.  They want the preacher to shake their hand and tell them they are surely going to heaven.  But, once they leave the church, the Bible goes back on their shelf until 9:00 a.m. the next Sunday.  They do not care what is on God’s menu.  They may be true-blue believers in every way.  They say their prayers in the morning, before each meal, and every night before bed.  They tithe 10% each week.  They participate in the food drive and help out with the Easter Passion play each year.  But, where is the growth?  If a Christian is no more than helping out in the community and giving to charity then why not join the Mason’s Lodge?  They pray there too.

Thankfully, there are still good, Bible-based churches out there for those willing to put in a little time.  Faith that does not have a basis for growth is stagnant.  That which is stagnant will surely die.  The Church needs growth.  It needs growth from the inside out, because there is no growth coming from the world into the church.  The world seeks to destroy the church, not nurture it.  We need congregants that are willing to take the time to learn who this God really is.  Who this Jesus really is. What the Holy Spirit really is.  If the congregation is allowed to continue to be increasingly lethargic to the point of becoming stagnant, the church will go the way of the do-do and the passenger pigeon.  It will become one more of God’s creations that man has allowed to go extinct.   

References

Grenz, S. J., & Olson, R. E. (1996). Who needs theology: An invitation to the study of God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, USA.

Nobody's Perfect

I was a missionary. I traveled the world teaching and telling others about Christ. I didn't drink or smoke or do drugs. I was determined to save my virginity for my wedding night in accordance with His word. I led Bible studies, sang in the church choir, I was the model servant of God. I was the type of guy I hope both of my daughters marry someday. I used to walk hand in hand with Him. We were pals, God and me. But, once I got out in the world and on my own, I let go.

I put my faith in the philosophies, ideologies and opinions of men. I forgot the great things I witnessed God do firsthand. He gave me everything I ever asked Him for. I slapped Him in the face with doubt. He showed me the path He had mapped out for me. It seemed too hard and too boring, so I ran the other way. He offered freedom from the things that enslave and kill. I chose the bondage and death of worldly pleasures. I reveled in a rock star fantasy world of alcohol and debauchery. For many years I danced with my demons and denied His very existence. I heard Him calling to me. I ignored Him.

Though I knew I was sinking too hard and too fast to recover on my own, when I felt Him reach out to me, I turned away. I partied like the devil and lived like nothing mattered. Eventually I convinced myself that God did not exist. I was in college and I was way too smart to believe in that old story. I happily took the devil's hand and ran toward the darkness. I lived for money, for a high, for myself. I persuaded myself that I was happy. Until, after about fifteen years, the path I'd chosen ended in a deep valley of depression. I wallowed in self-pity. I was drowning in self-loathing. Anger, spite, jealousy and utter chaos ruled my days. The wild and spectacular roller coaster ride I'd been on for so long came to a screeching halt. I was on the verge of losing everything I thought I had. Nothing was in my control anymore. 

But, mercy found me. On a cold December night in 2012, I sat alone in the driveway of the home I was about to lose, thinking about my children sleeping inside and the way I’d let down everyone in my life. I wept. I don't mean I shed a tear or two. I wailed like a hungry two year old with a dirty diaper. In between sobs I heard Him calling again. Through the icy chill that hung in the midnight air, I felt Him reach out to me once more. I can’t describe the way His reaching feels. I can only say that there is hope when He touches your heart. In an incoherent sobbing stupor, I looked up to the moon and stars, and cried out, "God I can't do this alone!" For the first time in about ten to fifteen years I prayed. I prayed and I wept. Then I prayed and wept some more. I couldn't tell you everything I said that night. I simply remember asking God to forgive my sins against Him and against the ones I love.  

I do not recall how long I sat on the frozen ground, a humbled mess where a man used to be. But, I remember the promise I made to Him. From that day forward, I would be His. I didn’t try to bargain with Him. There were no “if/then” statements. I simply surrendered. I had nothing to give but empty hands. When I finally found the strength to stand, I felt an overwhelming calm. Peace. Peace at long last. The anger disappeared. Self-pity and self-loathing turned to hope and confidence in the future.  I knew the road ahead would be tough. But I also knew that He would be paving the way for me to turn my life around. I didn't know it yet, but He had big things in the works for me. 

Today, I am a father of 5 with an amazingly gorgeous wife that has a heart for God. I plan to go into youth ministry. I feel called to equip high school students with the knowledge of the Bible and apologetics they will need to keep from falling into the same trap I did once they are out in the world. I can't wait to see how this journey plays out.

Joshua Foltz

September 7, 2014