In for the short haul?

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Over the past number of years, I've seen an increasing trend in missions, particularly that of short-term missions. Churches are increasingly sending more short-term missionaries, but less long-term missionaries. I understand that some of this is the hope that short-term missions produces long-term missionaries, but statistics have shown that this is not the case. I was extremely critical of Rick Warren's P.E.A.C.E. plan when it was first introduced a number of years ago, mostly because I saw that it could not be sustainable with short-term teams planting mini-Saddleback churches, especially in Muslim areas. Warren has since changed the plan away from planting churches. In the meantime, Mars Hill Church has started Mars Hill Global with the intention of doing almost the same thing. Now the International Mission Board is implementing a new strategy of using short-term teams to plant churches, not to support the long-term teams already in place. I had lunch with a national evangelist recently and he did remind me that Paul often went in for a short-term and planted a church and left, but I was also reminded that the short term was about 1 to 2 years, not 10 days. Here are a few pitfalls that I see in this short-term team strategy of planting churches overseas:

1. No consistency between teams. The target group may or may not see the same people every time. There is very little relationship building going on for just 10 days every 6-8 weeks.
2. Discipleship issues. If God chooses to save a few of the target people while you are there, who's going to disciple them? The long-term missionaries? They're busy with their other projects. Is this an issue of easy-believism? Just obtaining converts, not disciples? Jesus says to make disciples.
3. Short-term missions is supposed to make long-term missionaries, right? That's probably left for another discussion.

Maybe I'm just putting the cart before the horse, but this is what I see, as someone who has been overseas many times, has a B.A. in Cross-cultural Studies and a M.A. in Islamic Studies. Short-term trips as a long-term strategy is not sustainable, in my opinion. I'm about to embark on the first of one such short-term trip. I'll let you know how it goes.

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Christian Idol Worship

Michael Jackson via last.fm

In recent days, we have seen the death of 3 celebrities and the admission of infidelity to their wives from 2 politicians.  The death of Ed McMahon was barely a blip in the news media, partly due to the worldwide search for my own governor, Mark Sanford, who took over the news when he returned until the death of Farrah Fawcett, which was then overshadowed by the death of Michael Jackson.  Christians and non-Christians alike seem reeled by the different news that gets broadcast by the media. What bothers me the most is the seemingly hero-like worship of a pop icon like Michael Jackson in the aftermath of his death. Christians included.

I've never been one to appreciate Michael Jackson's music or his career. While I will admit to appreciating some secular music, perhaps on my vices, I don't think I lift it up to the status over God as some seemingly have done so. I seem to have sparked an interesting conversation on Facebook over this issue. It had to with whether or not Jackson's life mattered to me in light of eternity. Does it? In some sense, yes, because he did not live his life to the glory of God and it should be a reminder to me that this life is short and we should give our life to the glory of God. Some Christians are quick to praise Jackson's music and his talent. Was he talented? Sure. But what about his music? Was it glorifying God? Absolutely not. Did Jackson glorify God? No. As for where he was religiously, no one is really sure anymore.

As far as anyone can tell, he died a non-Christian, which is sad. We cannot say that Christian music is any better at glorifying God either at times. I think the danger is when we start lifting up someone, whether Christian or not, to the status of God. The types of posts I've seen come across Twitter and Facebook, from both Christians and non-Christians, have seemingly lifted Jackson to this position. For a few days, at least, he has become a god to these people. Elvis is still a god to a lot of people, both Christians and non-Christians. God has something to say about this in the 10 commandments. In fact, anything that does not glorify God is sin and is an idol. Where do the affections of your heart lie? Do they lie in the music of Jackson or Elvis? Some verses to ponder:

Psalm 97:7 (ESV)
All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!

Psalm 106:36 (ESV)
They served their idols, which became a snare to them. 

Isaiah 2:18 (ESV)
And the idols shall utterly pass away.  

The worship of idols is worthless. It will only lead to death. Examine your heart as you praise Jackson and his music. Maybe you have memories of his music, but think on those memories and ask yourself, am I glorifying God by reflecting on this man's music or his life.  We must be careful with our hearts. Idols will let you down. If Mark Sanford was an idol to people, he let a lot of people down. Jackson has let a lot of people down in his time. Some will rise, some will fall. One thing is certain. Jesus will never fail you. Lift Him up instead.

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Why I am not predestined...

Image by midiman via Flickr

...to be a Baptist, a Pentacostal, a Methodist, a Presbyterian, a Lutheran, or any other myriad of denominational labels.

I am not saved by being any of these labels. Here's why:

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved a through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Ephesians 1:5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Hebrews 11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

There is no Baptist faith. There is no Pentacostal faith. There is no Methodist faith. There is no Presbyterian faith. There is no Lutheran faith. There is no Charismatic faith. There is no Mark Driscoll faith. There is no Morris Chapman faith. There is no John Piper faith. There is no Johnny Hunt faith. There is no American faith. There is only the Christian faith. That faith which opens our eyes to see the glory of God in Christ Jesus and to worship him. This is what I was predestined to be.

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Faith of a Father

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My father, Charles Martin Coppenbarger, would have turned 56 years old on June 7, this year. He died when he was 43. One of the things I truly appreciate about my parents is their faith. They didn't have a faith that grew old or was dead. It was very much alive. My father made sure that we went to church each time that there was an event to be at. They were zealous for supporting missionaries and at one time served for two weeks at Teen Missions boot camp. My father took me fishing, driving, to college, taught me to work on cars, taught me what it meant to be a father. He loved God, and he loved his family. My father was an encouragement to me in all of my mission trips that I took with Teen Missions. My mother continues that encouragement today. I thank God for a father like that. Happy belated birthday, dad, and Happy Father's Day. I love you and miss you. I'm glad that you're with Jesus who gave me such a father.

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Priorities of a Christian

Image by TheChristianAlert.org via Flickr

I was listening to Mark Driscoll yesterday speaking about the Christian life and what a Christians priorities should be. It got me thinking about what my priorities should be.

1. Love God. This should be a no-brainer. In Matthew 22, Jesus told the young lawyer what the greatest commandment was. It was to love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind (Matt. 22:37-38). Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 6:5. What does it mean to love God like this? It means to submit to Him in all things. Repent of sin, study God's Word, serve the Church. These all flow out of a heart that loves God. There are many people who do these things that may not be Christians, because they are doing them out of a sense of duty, a sense of works. God is calling us to do this from the heart, not the flesh.
2. Love others. Pretty simple, right? This is the second greatest commandment according to Jesus. Now, under this, there are a whole host of different priorities. Being a husband, a wife, a father, a mother, a church member, an employee. None of these things can be done with the right heart unless one does the first priority from the heart. That's not to say that there aren't people who do these things well, but it's not done from a right heart. At the heart of being a Christian, one must love God and love others. That's what it means to live the Christian life and to focus one's priorities.
   

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