Pastor Lorne Fisher

Christian Church looks like a "lamb duck" leader!

2011-06-16T11:20:00.000-06:00

Blog # 5 April 7, 2011-04-07

Christian Church looks like a “lamb duck” leader.

In Alberta politics, when a party seems to be losing ground in electoral support, the blame usually is placed in the hands of that party’s leader. When all the debate of blame ensues, the leader promises that he/she will resign and a new leader will be chosen at future party conventions. Until the next leadership conference, the result is that the leader now becomes a “lamb duck” leader as he essentially is restricted in providing any effective leadership while still in office.

How does this relate to the Church? The Church that came out of Pentecost some two thousand years ago has had its up and downs in all the various ages. Many predictions have written the obituary of the church over and over again. In my time, many of the faith community pollsters have written “ichabod” on the door posts of almost every denomination. I stand amazed that we can so quickly right off the declaration of Jesus when he says ...”I will build my church.”

I do want to write a few lines and try to give some reasons for my picture of the church that will ultimately triumph, but right now looks a little like a “lamb duck” leader.

The first thing that I see is that the church has some very radical and flesh orientated ways of trying to fight the good fight of the Kingdom of God. A few weeks ago the media gave large sections of their news programs to recording the burning of the Koran in a so-called “Christian” church. Everyone knows that this act would stir up a tsunami of hate and terror. Protests broke out, innocent people were killed and hate crawled deeper into the hearts of the offended. The result for the Christian Church was a world- wide slap across its face as the offended, and the world politicians, and the bloggers of every stripe declared the senseless and unchristian the act was. A few years ago, it was the same when so-called Christians used violent means to end abortion in the states. I don’t understand how people who say they follow the principles of God can intentionally do such acts and bring such violent criticism to the church. This I do know that the church needs to retreat to the scriptures where it is declared that the spiritual fight of the Kingdom is not flesh and blood, but spiritual realms of darkness and rebellion. We therefore cannot fight at that level which is what I see the incidents above portray. How can we imagine that burning the Koran on earth is a spiritual battle tactic? This dealing with things in the flesh has become standard in our churches today. We pay for lawyers to make sure that we have the right constitution, we have the right documentation, we have the right rules to deal with unrighteous individuals who can and will cause trouble in our congregations. The Scriptures inform us that ...”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;). As long as we seek our fleshly measures to deal with spiritual problems we will be no different than any other service club in the neighbourhood.

The second reason I think the Church has become a lame-duck leader is this whole areas of music. I heard about one church that 3 services (seating was abundant in each service so it wasn’t to help with the crowds) each Sunday morning to combat the problem of everyone wanting his style of music and worship. The first service was the grey haired, Gaither “classic” like Coke, never to be changed. The second is the “contemporary” service attended the typified by the carefully groomed multi- coloured hair, modern young successful yuppie family. They want to be secure the distant leadership of HillSong and the latest song out. Then there is the more “extreme worship” service where almost everything goes. The music, the so-called worship actions, the brazen hair colours, seem to fit into the hard-driving beat of today’s rock and roll and in some cases Heavy Metal Gospel. What does segregating in three separate service do? I think we encourage a division of the Body of Christ where we can relate to each other because of the difference in music style. Also I think generational divisions surface that divides our churches and our families. And lastly, we encourage a defiance of Scripture in that we don’t have to “lay our lives down” for our brethren. We are so typically in the Judges era where everyone does what is right in their own eyes, without consideration of the Body concept in the Kingdom of God. This activity does not represent the concept of (Joh 17:21) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. What does the world see?

Of great concern is the fact that the church does not have solid foundation of absolutes. By this, I mean we can carry our latest translation e-bible to church. We read and hear messages from the sacred passages. We can even allow a couple of minutes of self analysis in the light of those scriptures. But, nothing really settles in and becomes a change factor in our lives. We give the right image of carrying the Bible close to our hearts, but f the truth be known, before we reach the car, we have sluffed of what we have heard and read. The conviction of the Holy Spirit has died away to a faint whisper in the local bush, ignored because of all the other “important” issues on the agenda. The rampant selfishness of so-Christianity seeks ways of hindering God’s work in our lives. (2Ti 3:16) says ...”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” It is the Scriptures that the Holy Spirit uses as His sharp sword for deep surgery in all those who are hungry and thirsty for more of God. When the church can snub the sanctifying activity of the scriptures and the Holy Spirit, the church becomes a “lame-duck” leader in times when the world needs an eagle who soars with the Mater over the affairs of this world.

Lastly, at least for this time, is the fear the church carries on its shoulders. The people of the church are afraid to really define their status in our work place. They are afraid to stand alone in the absolutes of scriptures. They are afraid of not fitting-in and receiving some degree of persecution. They are afraid of the Holy Spirit and what He might do in their services and in their lives. (1Jn 4:18) says “ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” This brings us to the open question of how is the church’s love relationship with God. If the church loved God as much as it verbalizes, the church would look different than it does. Nothing is stronger than the perfected love between God and Hi church.

This blog seems a little pessimistic, but I always hang on to the fact that the Church will be built by God and not even the gates of hell will stand against it. I long for that day. “Lame-duck” leadership will be replaced by the power and might of the “lion of the tribe of Judea.”

UP-TO-DATE - Does it Matter?

2011-03-08T11:11:00.004-07:00

I have some issues. Do you ever wonder why the bulk of Church of Jesus Christ is in a passive, what-ever-happens, or who really cares mode of existence? Is it not time for some introspection as to the foundations of our attitudes. Do we have anything absolute in the context of what forms the foundation of doctrine and practice? Are we influenced by truth or have we set that aside for less challenging ideas and philosophies and ultimately less fulfilling practices and rewards. Has truth become a faint shadow walking through a foggy path of misunderstanding? Let’s go a little farther in our reflections and ask this question. Has God become the Phantom of the religious Opera, prowling through the darkened halls of legalism and theoretical God consciousness trying to coerce the unsuspecting adherent into relationship of obligation? Does He in the end shrug us off to our own pursuits while crawling into oblivion?

OK! My first contention is wrapped around the persistent effort of various religious organizations trying to deliver the most up-to-date translation of the Scriptures. I am not referring to translations that are translated into the local dialect of the people who have not had the opportunity to read about the Good News. I am singling out the many translations of our English Bible used in our English churches and English society. I understand that translating the Bible can be a difficult task at best. The translators need to be experts in original bible languages and the language being translated into. Their basic aim is to be both accurate in stating the meaning of the original texts and then to make it readable to the intended client. They struggle with the following questions. Should sexist language be changed? Should ancient phrases be explained? A few passages exist in some ancient manuscripts of the Bible, but not in others so, Should debated sections be included? Should translations be word-for-word or thought-for-thought? Should scholars make theological translations? All of that influences scholarly debate, but does it fuel spiritual growth.

Preaching today comes with some problems that arise from the above. When our parishioners enter our church buildings on a Sunday morning, I would not be surprised that about ten different translations accompany them to the pew. Which is the most beneficial for the hearers? Some are of the KJV (yes I am of this persuasion), some are the of NIV persuasion, some think one should use the Message or the Living New Testament as the Bible of choice. The problem begins with what version should we use as the foundation for a “united” family in the local church. Different translations for different people, usually radiates a mentality of everyone doing their own thing, leaving unity to be diffused to being a figment of people’s minds. What translation do we use when trying to embed the scriptures in the children and youth through “memorization?” What doctrinal foundation can be established when preachers and teachers use a particular translation of convenience to claim that their thoughts are absolute? Practice then depends on which translation supports my version of grace.

Being as I am of the KJV persuasion, but also trying to bridge the learning levels of our congregation, I research in the KJV and preach with power-point bullets highlighting the NIV and then answer enquiries after service of why the Message Bible or the Amplified Bible seems to give a different slant on the thought under discussion. I think that the absolutes about God, the need of salvation, the purpose of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the requirement of prayer, and the delightful privilege of praise and worship amongst other key spiritual activities, need a sure foundation of Scripture to be favourable to God’s presence. That is my issue!

Second issue on my short list for today is that we change scripture from the original to satisfy a localized cultural pre-determination of what is acceptable and what is not. I read with interest, Collin Hansen’s “The Son and the Crescent” in the February issue of Christianity Today. This article explains the issue of the Muslim community struggling with the concept of Jesus being addressed as the “Son of God.” Their culture pre-determines the translation of this phrase to mean that the Father engaged in sexual relations with Mary. So a new translation changes the phrase to wording which suits the culture. I pastor in a very strong Muslim community in Edmonton so I will study this further. That is for another time, but I use this article to only illustrate my point. In a broader context of many English translations, are we on a track where the reality of original scripture is altered to be “seeker sensitive?” Do we make our proclamation of the Gospel from the stand-point of what suits man and relegate God to the whim and wish of man’s desire and thought? Are our modern cultural societies the final authority in Bible translation?

In what may be simplistic, a couple of things must be kept in mind. One is that everything, from Scripture to salvation and righteousness and the cross needs to begin and end with God. Supporting this must be a belief in the ability of the Holy Spirit to take the truths of God as God gives them and plant them in fertile ground already tilled and prepared by the intention of a loving God that “none should perish.” And finally allow a genuine God applied participation in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

No, I won’t be changing my approach in my church. I will continue to trust that the passivity and self-centeredness of the church as a whole will be resolved through men and women spending much time in prayer and trusting God to overcome the issues, keep us faithful to His Word, bring Glory and Honour to His Name and build His church the way he wants it to be built. I will be one of those men!

Unity in Diversity

2009-08-29T22:20:00.002-06:00

Unity in diversity. It sounds so very divine. It has been rolled out as one of the highest values preserved in our society for decades.

According to the Canadian census, Canada has the highest per capita immigration rate in the world, incorporating large pockets of ethnic and nationalistic communities. When we speak of Canada we are confronted with three groups of people: the aboriginal peoples, the English and French groups, and the immigrants from various parts of the world. John Lock Kunz and Stuart Sykes say in a PRI Project, Cultural Diversity that “successive waves of immigration since the 1970s have made Canada ever more diverse in ethnicity, culture, religion, and language. As do most multicultural societies, Canada faces the challenge of respecting cultural differences while fostering shared citizenship, conferring rights while demanding responsibilities, and encouraging integration but not insisting on assimilation.

When we accommodate people coming into our churches both from Canada and from afar, we are faced with much of the same issues and struggles. People come into our churches with well established styles of worship, expectations adopted through locally colored preaching, all the while having cultural and nationalistic expectations. None of this is wrong in and of itself. What does happen though is unity in diversity has a tendency to segment and divide rather than gather and unify.

A little example might help here. While I watched the American political arena during the election of the current president, I became attuned to the emphasis being put on the possibility of electing an African American Democrat to the highest position in the United States. I noticed that his adversary was only referred to as an American Republican. There ended up two camps in the United States of America: the African Americans and the rest.

In the kingdom of God there is no such thing as them and us. Ok, in reference to the kingdom of darkness there definitely are us and them. This is clear and very important to distinguish the two. But when talking about the Heavenly Kingdom, we must resist distinguishing any one person or groups of persons. Salvation is for “whosever will.” As a result all of us are on equal footing and have equal rights.

The so-called diversity factor of ‘unity in diversity’ displaces the very core of Christianity. Diversity gets wrapped up in national dress. Diversity is exemplified by ethnic ritual and ceremony. Diversity is the stamp on one’s passport. Diversity is exemplified by the color of our skin. A little more closer to us, diversity can be traced to the American church scene in the types of worship (hymns in contrast to choruses and modern music), type of church affiliation (traditional, post modern, emerging, etc.), the type of preaching (grace, damnation, love), the type of service format (seeker friendly, short versus long, discipleship versus fellowship), and the interpretation of doctrine (Calvinism, Pentecostalism, Catholicism, charismatic), the age disparity of young and old who can’t worship together.

What are we really saying here? Diversity as defined loosely above, diverts one’s loyalty and commitment away from the core values of the Kingdom. Diversity in its boldest forms obscures the absolutes of Scripture and ultimately the character of God. How does this play out you would ask? Diversity marinates scripture and the character of God in a way that smothers the essence and exalts the natural more than the spiritual.

Unity in the Kingdom of God must rise out of the issues of God not earthly or human issues.

Scripture says that we are to keep the ‘unity of the Spirit’ with everything that lies within us. I believe that the Spirit should be the catalyst; the Holy Spirit is the unifying person of this age.

The Holy Spirit will unify all Christians around the person of Christ through salvation. The Holy Spirit will unify all Christians in the discipleship pathway of becoming like Christ. The Holy Spirit will unify all Christians by producing His fruit as we cling to the vine. The Holy Spirit will unify all Christians by fulfilling and bring the Kingdom of God into their everyday lives. The Holy Spirit will unify all Christians by demonstrating the power, the life and especially the Love of God in each life.

Any other means of unity has false bottom. Any other attempt to bring the diversity of nations, of tongues and of tribes together, although appearing honorable is natural and man-made.

Unity in diversity must be uniting God with the diversity of man. Only God can bring us together. Only God can change the heart and mind of man and have him chose to unite with others.

In heaven and the kingdom of God we are not be known for being an English Christian, or a Black African Christian, or a Caucasian Christian. We will be known simply as Christians after our brother the Lord Jesus Christ. Diversity must give place to true unity in Christ.

The Mystery of Providence

2009-04-01T11:07:00.001-06:00

Encompassed in the latest decade are the following stats. Forty two major school shooting sprees… one hundred and forty four innocent individuals dead… twelve suicides…. unregistered numbers of victims left with life-long disabilities… ages of the perpetrators – the youngest was six years old, most were between thirteen – twenty seven years old, some into their early thirties and one was forty one years old. Interestingly, most of the events took place in what we call civilized and developed North America.

I looked at these stats and pondered a short lived news item of recent days. It was reported that a young university student in Montreal, while accessing a chat room, became persuaded that a young man in the UK was about to terrorize his school with a rampage similar to those described above. The student in Montreal initiated a connection with the police in Great Britain and they in turn connected with this disturbed young man and the intended carnage was averted.

What is my point? What is my musing? This, to the best of my knowledge is the only case reported that such a potentially tragic situation was suppressed. My thoughts are as follows. What in this world influenced the mature student in Montreal to search through the chat room and detect this situation? The media reported that he was seeking conversation about music. Was this coincidental or providential? What sparked the interest of this student to intervene in such a strong way? Was it personal integrity? Did it stem from a strong moral up-bringing that emphasized care and concern for your fellow man? It surely didn’t smack of personal glory in any fashion. What about the young man that had very disturbed intentions? What was his back-ground? Did he come from an abusive home? Was he in the midst of personal identity struggles? Was he the victim of bullying? We don’t know! What we do know is that his mind had wrapped itself around a horrible intention that as the Bible says comes out of the heart. His heart was shattering in a million pieces. Why this young man was unknowingly protected from senseless acts of destruction, horrible consequences for life and ultimately inner regret that would haunt his mind forever, one can only presume on the providence of God.

Some conclusions are always foundational to deliberations. The problem above is we don’t have obvious answers to the questions. I project that somewhere, someone prayed for either the school or the young teenager. Was it a mother? Was it a church? Was it a concerned elder or a friend? Again, we probably will not know. While I sincerely rejoice in the averting of another school disaster, I am more intrigued with the fact that somewhere in God’s oversight of this universe, compassionate circumstances were exercised to allow a young trouble teenager to receive much needed help and potentially hope for a rewarding future. Now before I move on, I know someone will be asking why God didn’t intervene in all the other events to prevent such horrific sadness. I don’t know. That is part of the mystery which lays open to thought and meditation and essentially the ultimate revelation of God’s intervention in the affairs of mankind.
Was it prayer? I think it was. Do I have proof? No! But I am persuaded of a couple of things. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (Jas 1:17) Compassionate intervention was a gift – a God kind of gift. Secondly, “as every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1Pe 4:10) We don’t know what sadness is being averted or what joy and hope is being projected when we pray and respond as stewards of God’s grace.

My First Blog

2009-03-24T16:00:00.001-06:00

March 24, 2009 @ 4:04 pm

This is my first Blog. As far as blogs go, I am not sure of all the intentions or the implications; maybe they are one in the same. The best that I can deduct from my limited knowledge is that a blog is the release of pent-up, seriously subjective meditations in streams of feigned intelligent dissertation to provoke debate and discussion. Even as I write this, I am not sure this makes a lot of sense, and in turn according to my very cynical observation, not making sense is criteria number 1 of successful blogging.

So what is blogging? I decided to enlist Mr. Webster for his opinion and this is what he said…absolutely nothing. It seems that at the time of writing his New Lexicon Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language – Canadian Edition, the space between “Bloemfontein” – the capital of the Orange Free State, and judicial capital of the South African Republic is known for its livestock markets and being very dry and thus a health resort, and Blois – chief town on the Loire in France… blog does not appear. I am left with the conclusion that he didn’t know about this word or maybe it hadn’t morphed into a real word by that time.
So now where do I turn for enlightenment? Trusty, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia comes to mind! Here is what is written. “A blog (a contraction of the term weblog) is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.” In addition, it adds the following…”Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries.”
I have decided that the last definition mentioned above will suffice… online personal diaries. I am realizing that it is personal not by virtue of it being the secret hiding place of all things individual but it is personal in the idea that you write the material. Once it is “blogged” it becomes the prey of public scrutiny and debate. I have concluded that one will not be able to wear one’s feelings very close to the surface nor will one be wise in exposing a frail ego.
Ok! Enough babble. The real purpose today is to inform all, who pause in the midst of society’s rush to eves-drop on this blog site, of my subject material for future blogging. I intend to put in written form some meditations investigating the relationship we have with God. Simple in intention, but challenging in facilitating; it is not an easy task to probe the inner working of the Supreme Being in our lives and allow adaptation of persuaded truth to direct our hearts. I hope some word or phrase or thought will bring a melodic song of love, hope and faith in your heart. To that end I commit to blogging!