Church Strategies (Piano Lessons 2)

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Pictures show:
* Fun with piano
* Church growth
* Church health

Yesterday we introduced quick and easy piano lessons as a jump-off point to reflect on church strategies. Today we continue with other food for thought.

Secondly, to attract customers, the vendor had identified the major obstacles his potential clients face and come up with a solution to eliminate the hurdles. He made use of different techniques to motivate and facilitate learning, such as:
* Breaking down the learning process into “baby steps” that people can easily follow;
* Instant results to give people a sense of accomplishment to continue learning;
* Multi-channel using profusely illustrated textbooks, DVDs, keyboard exercises to take advantage of different learning styles;
* Providing a personal coach so that students can resolves difficulties online etc.

In contrast, few in church had gone through the trouble of thinking through exactly what it is that their constituents need and want. Fewer still had devised solutions to meet those needs. For example, the heart cries of many newcomers to a church are for three essential needs: acceptance, affection, and affirmation. They are asking questions like “Is this a church I and my family can fit in? Can I make friends here? Does this church want me?” And if they are accepted for who they are, if they feel they belong there, if they feel they are welcome, then they’ll stay. Unless they are already mature Christians, most visitors are not asking what the doctrinal position of the church is, or whether it is committed to the Great Commission, important as these issues are. Most want to know “Is the church warm? Do my kids like to come?”

If that’s the case, how come we are mainly talking about the topics we ourselves are interested in, like building programs, budgets, and internal administrative matters? What happened to our evangelistic mandate? What happened to missions? Shouldn’t we be concerned about both, instead of focusing only on what’s inside our four walls? How come we are still forming cliques and staying within the comfort of our neat little circles? Shouldn’t we make a concerted effort to integrate all newcomers and reach out into the community?

Don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating marketing gimmicks to attract and pamper people to fill the pews. The devil tempted Jesus to turn stones to bread and throw Himself down from the temple, but our Lord flatly refused. One application to the church is to refrain from using filling physical needs and spectacular means to attract people. I know the mandates the Lord gave and I am committed to doing things biblically. We need to be preaching, teaching, and healing, but as a holistic ministry and not a social gospel. Besides, by emphasizing “rice”, you’ll get mostly “rice Christians”.

But what I am saying is that many leaders are still stuck in the “it’s all about me” stage and want only their kind of people. Or they may resist innovation by hanging onto a “we have never done it this way” mentality. Any change not initiated by them is suspect. Most people do not want to get out of their comfort zone, but until we do, we won’t attempt much for God. We need to take prudent risks if we are to grow and extend the Kingdom. I pray that we can break out of our molds and stretch ourselves for the Lord.

Quick and Easy Piano Lessons 1

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Pictures show:
* Traditional piano lessons
* Piano chord – Cm7
* Fake Book 1
* Fake Book 2

Several weeks ago we received a flyer that promises anyone from 18 to 80 can learn to play the piano in 4-6 months. Since it usually takes years to play something half decent, and this fits in my bucket list to learn a new skill, we signed up for a workshop just to find out what it’s all about. The two and a half hour seminar is more like an infomercial that introduces the subject, and quite entertaining. But what I wanted to write about is what we can learn from it that could be applied to the church.

First of all, the vendor had identified a niche market that few had targeted. His premise is that of all those who have spent years learning to play the piano via the traditional method while they were young, many had stopped playing by the time they reached adulthood. Why? Because it’s loaded with theory and light on fun, and many gave up. On the other hand, many others would enjoy playing for entertainment, but are daunted by the years of practice needed to play well. So demand exists but there is also an obstacle to surmount. His solution? Quick and easy lessons by simplifying the alternative method of playing using chords. But instead of playing chords just on the left hand and memorizing them one at a time, he noted that there are basic patterns to different chords that you can play by moving both hands up and down the keyboard. Using a technique called “muscle memory”, he taught his students to repeat certain hand movements over time such that they can be performed without conscious effort, much like riding a bicycle, or touch-typing. These use the same principle so that certain movements become second nature or automatic.

Slowly and gradually, he adds embellishments (similar to a jazz musician improvising) and other chords so that in about 6 months, someone who finishes the course can actually play lots of songs using “fake books” or “lead sheets”. These contain only the melody line, basic chords and lyrics, without the treble clef and bass clef lines, but would enable even amateurs to play many songs quickly. Does his system work? Based on the fact that he had taught thousands of students over the last decade (average age 55), the testimonials, and his superior Better Business Bureau rating, I think it does. But my interest is not primarily on playing the piano, as I already have a top-notch player at home; it’s on what lessons we can apply to grow and build the church.

To begin with, we all know that the church is aging. Many tried to rejuvenate the church by emphasizing youth and young adult ministry, and family ministry. These are all worthwhile initiatives, but only some have chosen to ride the “age wave” and cater to the “golden age” segment of the population. The cruise, financial planning and retirement industries have identified this market a long time ago, but not many churches have done so. While we should embrace all age groups, there seems to be little resources dedicated to this seniors segment. So church leaders please take note.

(To be continued)

Martyr’s Oath

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Pictures show:
* Persecuted church
* Where Christians are persecuted

When I was a young lay church leader, I used to study the big and fast-growing churches in North America as models of how we can grow our own church. I would examine their programs to see if we can adapt them to a small, Chinese church setting, but was often frustrated by the fact that what worked for them, did not always work for us. However, when I became a pastor, I realized that perhaps these “successful” churches are not the right models for us to follow. I went back to the Bible to study what our Lord wanted His church to be and to do, and because I was interested in missions, what churches in the Third World are doing to fulfill His mandate. That’s when my interest in the persecuted church grew, because the more I studied, the more I recognized that our world is racing towards the end of the age, and that the traditional N. American church models are ill-equipped to prepare God’s people to face the onslaught of what will soon fall on all churches.

As an example, I was drawn to how Christian leaders behaved when Hindu extremists began attacking Christians and burning churches in Orissa, India a few years ago. Two verses came to mind:

* 1 Pet 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
* 1 Co 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it.

They were following the examples of our Lord and Paul under extremely difficult conditions. How did they do it? What type of training did they receive? It was puzzling until I came across the following “martyr’s oath” which all graduates of Emmanuel Theological Seminary and Bible College in Kota, India are required to pledge:

1. I stand with the apostle Paul in stating that “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
2. I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my hands to serve all mankind.
3. I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my feet to spread the gospel to all the ends of the earth no matter what the cost.
4. I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my lips by proclaiming the Good News to all who hear and by edifying the Body of Christ.
5. I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my mind as I meditate upon His Word and His promises to me.
6. I give my earthly treasures and all that I possess to follow the way of the cross.
7. I commit to love my family, orphans, widows, lepers, the wealthy and the poor the way that Christ loved the church.
8. I surrender my will and life to His will and life.
9. I commit to the service of the Lord by being a good steward of my time.
10. I surrender this body on earth to the perfect will of Jesus, and should my blood be spilled may it bring forth a mighty harvest of souls.11. I pledge allegiance to the Lamb. I will seek to honor His command. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.
12. Lord Jesus, Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
13. I love my India and my fellow citizens, and I claim India for Christ.

This is only one example of the type of requirement an Indian seminary placed on her graduates. I assume others have similar “spirit” built into their curriculum. There is no emphasis on attendance, buildings, or cash, only solid discipleship. No wonder many are able to stand the test, when many in N. America are failing to make the grade. Don’t “pity” your Third World brothers and sisters for their lack of resources. Follow their example. We have much to learn from them as to how to follow the Lord and survive when persecution comes.

What’s Your Cause?

Last week we had coffee with the Regional Director of World Relief Canada, who shared with us their 2011 Fall campaign “What’s Your Cause?” There are so many needs around the world. WRC selected 10 specific issues for her supporters to consider and give to, including:

1. Acute hunger
2. Women
3. Children
4. HIV/AIDS
5. Abject poverty
6. Human trafficking
7. Refugees
8. Clean water
9. Microfinance, and
10. Education.

Different people feel for different needs, and some of these will resonate within you. For us, it was:
* acute hunger and abject poverty, as there is no tomorrow to look forward to if there is no today;
* children and education, as these are the hope for a better future;
* clean water and microfinance to provide long-term sustainable development.

What do you care about? Remember, these are the more important matters of the Law – justice, mercy and faithfulness (Mt 23:23). When more than 1 billion people in the world live on less than $1 a day, and another 2.7 billion struggle to survive on less than $2 per day, pause and reconsider when you indulge yourself with that luxury purchase. Give generously, with a cheerful heart.

144,000 Conclusion

Yesterday we reviewed “firstfruits” and “blameless”. Today we look at the alternative symbolic interpretation and conclude by drawing all the strands together.

Could the 144,000 be figurative, representing the entire church? I believe they could. Of the eight characteristics listed in Part 1, items 1 and 3-8 would all fit a description of the Church. The only one we need to examine in more detail is item 2: Is the Church the Israel of God? According to the NT, she is. Speaking of the Church, Paul said in Ga 6:16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

He also elaborated on this in:
* Rom 2:28-29 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.
* Rom 9:8 In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.
* Ga 3:7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.
* Ga 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
So the Church is collectively Abraham’s offspring, his children, his seed, the true Israel of God.

What about the number 144,000? I believe 144,000 represents “complete” or “all”, as: 144,000 = 12 X 12 X 10 X 10 X 10

Twelve is a complete number, as there are:
* 12 sons if Israel who became the fathers of the 12 tribes
* 12 apostles
* 12 months of the year
* 12 hours of daylight (John 11:9)
* In the New Jerusalem there are 12 gates, 12 angels, 12 foundations, 12 pearls, 12 crops. It walls are 144 or 12 X 12 cubits thick:
* Rev 21:12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
* Rev 21:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
* Rev 21:17 He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using.
* Rev 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.
* Rev 22:2 On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.
Ten is also a complete number, as there are 10 commandments, 10 plagues, 10 fingers, 10 toes etc. So 144,000 is a product of complete numbers and represent “all”, a full number.

Taking all the available evidence together, I conclude that the 144,000 is symbolic of the whole church, spiritual Israel, not literal, physical Israel. But the most important question is: Are you part of it? Are you redeemed? Have you placed your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you following Him?

Firstfruits and Blameless (144,000 Part 3)

Yesterday we examined the list of tribes and the number from each, as well as the name on the foreheads and the meaning of virgins. Today we will look at the last two clues, “firstfruits” and “blameless”.

6. With respect to firstfruits, the word aparche appears 8 times in the Greek NT, and means (quoting from Strong’s Lexicon):
a、 to offer firstlings or firstfruits
b、 to take away the firstfruits of the productions of the earth which was offered to God. The first portion of the dough, from which sacred loaves were to be prepared. Hence term used of persons consecrated to God for all time.
Besides Rev 14:4, the references are:
* Rom 8:23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons …
* Rom 11:16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy …
* Rom 16:5 Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
* 1 Co 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
* 1 Co 15:23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits …
* 1 Co 16:15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia …
* Jas 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
So firstfruits refer to Christ Himself (1 Co 15:20 and 23), and first converts or Christians, most of whom happened to be Jewish, but not exclusively.

7. The English word “blameless” translates several words in Greek, but the word in Rev 14:5 is amomos, also used 8 times in the Greek NT, and means:
a、 without blemish, as a sacrifice without spot or blemish
b、 morally: without blemish, faultless, unblameable
The references besides Rev 14:5 are:
* Eph 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
* Eph 5:27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
* Php 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation …
* Col 1:22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
* Heb 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death …
* 1 Pet 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
* Jude 1:24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—
Again, blameless refer to Christ Himself (Heb 9:14; 1 Pet 1:19), or the Church, children of God, not Jewish believers in and of themselves.

(To be continued)

The 12 Tribes, Name on Foreheads, and Virgins (144,000 Part 2)

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Pictures show:
* 144,000 sealed
* Name on foreheads

Yesterday we listed the characteristics of the 144,000 and began to examine the dispensationalists’ case for identifying them as physical Jews. Today we continue with the problems raised.

2. The tribes listed in 7:5-8 show irregularities:
a、 The tribe of Levi was not counted in Numbers, nor was it given land following the conquest of Canaan, but is included in Rev. 7:7.
b、 The tribe of Dan is conspicuous by its absence.
c、 The tribe of Ephraim is also absent, replaced by the tribe of Joseph in Rev. 7:8, which strictly speaking, had been superseded by Manasseh and Ephraim and is not counted as a tribe by itself.
d、 Why count Levi and Joseph, but not Dan and Ephraim? Some commentators argued that because the latter were involved in idolatry. It is true that Jeroboam set up two golden calves, one in Bethel (in Ephraim’s territory), and the other in Dan (1 Kings 12:28-29), but the whole Kingdom of Israel, not just the two tribes, worshipped the calves (2 Kings 10:29). Dan and Ephraim just happened to be where the calves are located. They are not the only ones at fault.
e、 As a matter of fact, the ten tribes that made up the northern kingdom were exiled after the Assyrians captured Israel, and basically lost their identity. Few knew which tribe they belonged to. Of course God knows who belongs to which tribe, but if we play the divine card then there is little to discuss.

3. Not only were there irregularities with the tribes, the number from each tribe seem too regular. When we look at the relative sizes of the tribes in Numbers, in the first census (Num 1:20-42) the largest tribe was Judah with 74,600 men twenty years old or more; the smallest was Manasseh with 32,200, 43% of the largest tribe. In the second census (Num 26:5-51) Judah was again the largest with 76,500, but the smallest was Simeon with only 22,200, 29% of the largest tribe. However, in Rev 7, exactly 12,000 were sealed from each tribe. Of course the time was different, and it could be that the populations of the tribes were different, and that only 12,000 from each were sealed. But the round number appears more symbolic than actual, which we will explore further later.

4. The Lamb’s name on the foreheads appears also in Rev 22:4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Who are the “they” there? The immediate context show that they are His servants (Rev 22:3), who will reign for ever and ever (Rev 22:5). The Lord God will give them light (Rev 22:5). If you trace back to Rev 21:23 “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp”, so we are talking about the same group. V 27 reveals their identity, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” In other words, they are Christians, not just end-time Jewish evangelists as claimed by dispensationalists.

5. Concerning no defilement with women i.e. male virgins, it is true that our Lord never married, and that 1 Co 7:32-34 says “An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs–how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world–how he can please his wife–and his interests are divided.” But Paul was giving a recommendation, not a stipulation. Where in Scripture did God require that one must be a male virgin to serve Him? This is true also throughout church history, where the majority of our heroes of faith have families. Only Roman Catholics make this a rule, but that’s human tradition, not biblical authority. The issue is moral purity and singleness of devotion, not whether you have been married or not: 2 Co 11:2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. The church collectively is the pure virgin, not individual male Jewish believers.

(To be continued)

Who are the 144,000? Part 1

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* Who are the 144,000?
* Sealing of the 144,000

Q. Who are the 144,000 in Rev 7 and 14? Some well-known speakers said they are Jewish evangelists but others told me they represent the church. What do you think?

A. Before I give you my conclusion, let me give you my principle of interpretation, because the conclusion follows from the principles. I use the grammatical-historical-cultural method as far as possible i.e. I interpret things literally unless there is good reason to believe that a figurative meaning is intended. In other words, if the literal makes sense, seek no other sense. With that backdrop, let’s begin looking at the clues.

The number 144,000 appears 3 times in the Bible, in Rev. 7 and 14:
* Rev 7:4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
* Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
* Rev 14:3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

What do we know about them? From these passages and their context, we know that:
1. They are the servants of our God, with a seal on their foreheads (Rev 7:3)
2. They are from all the tribes of Israel (Rev 7:4). Rev 7:5-8 then listed 12,000 from each tribe.
3. The seal consisted of the Lamb’s name and His Father’s name (Rev 14:1)
4. They sang a new song, which no one else could learn (Rev 14:3)
5. They are redeemed from the earth (Rev 14:3)
6. They did not defile themselves with women (Rev 14:4)
7. They were offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb (Rev 14:4)
8. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless (Rev 14:5)

Based on clue # 2, the prima facie case is that they are 144,000 literal Jews. Dispensationalists are quick to point out that they must be Jews, because:
1. The church had already been raptured to heaven before the tribulation, and only Jews remained on earth
2. The church is not divided into tribes
3. This is the fulfillment of OT and NT promises to Israel:
* Zech. 12:10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
* Rom 11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

While at first sight there is evidence supporting a literal interpretation, on closer inspection I have reservations, based on the following:
1. As I have shown elsewhere,
http://raykliu.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/rapture-pre-or-post-1/
http://raykliu.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/rapture-pre-or-post-2/
the explicit reference to the rapture indicates that it is post-tribulation. The church, not just Jews, is therefore still on earth. Why would God seal only 144,000 Jews but not Christians? Why would He not use the Church as His witness, as was His pattern throughout the NT and church history? He broke down the wall between Jew and gentile, why would He erect it again?

(To be continued)

Accounting for Dummies

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Pictures show:
* Creative accounting
* Equivocation
* Proof-texting
* Red herring

My brother posed us another Harvard math question. (He loves this kind of thing.):

Q. Three men go to stay at a motel and the clerk charges them $30.00 for the room. They split the cost ten dollars each. Later the manager tells the clerk that he over-charged the men and that the actual cost should have been $25.00. He gives the clerk $5.00 and tells him to give it to the men. But he decides to cheat them and pockets $2.00. He then gives each man a dollar. Now each man has paid $9.00 to stay in the room and 3 X $9.00 = $27.00. The clerk pocketed $2.00. $27.00 + $2.00 = $29.00. So where is the other $1.00? Again, try answering this question first before looking at the solution.

A. On the surface this is a conundrum, but it is actually very straight-forward. You don’t need ro be an accountant to figure it out, but just to be formal, let’s use a Sources and Uses of Funds Statement to present the case.

Original:
Sources of Funds: 3 men X $10 = $30
Uses of Funds: Room rental = $30
Sources = Uses, and everything balances.

Revised:
Sources: 3 men X $9 = $27
Uses: Room rental + Clerk lining his pocket = $25 + $2 = $27
Again, Sources = Uses, so everyone’s happy!

The confusion arises only when the question misleadingly tied the $27 source to the $2 use and compared it to the original $30, which is irrelevant as it had already been superseded. It’s a red herring. You never mix sources and uses, or else you’ll get confused.

Again, I posted this to illustrate the fuzzy thinking some people, especially cults, have when they interpret the Bible. Some confound terms in equivocation i.e. using the same term to describe two different things e.g. implying that macro-evolution (from amoeba to man) is true, while citing evidence only for micro-evolution (variations within same specie). Others mix up genre and apply the same treatment across the board to prose, poetry and apocalyptic literature, when different considerations should have been taken into account (e.g. literal versus figurative). Still others draw in unrelated subjects which serve only to cloud the real issue. What we really need is a clear head, a humble heart, and bended knees. Ask the Lord to open up His word to you and search it diligently. He’ll do it. Then go and act on it.

Don’t be Too Sure

The other day my younger brother posed a math question taken from Harvard’s entrance exam. Just for fun, why don’t you try it before reading further? You cannot use a calculator. You have 20 seconds to answer.

Question:
If
1 = 5
2 = 25
3 = 125
4 = 625
What does 5 equal to?

I scanned the numbers and quickly noted that each number on the right side of the equation is simply the previous number multiplied by 5. So 5 must equal 625 X 5 or 3,125!
Alternatively,
5 to the power of 1 = 5
5 to the power of 2 = 25
5 to the power of 3 = 125
5 to the power of 4 = 625
5 to the power of 5 = 3125. So 5 must equal 3125!

There, I solved the puzzle using 2 different approaches and arrived at the same answer, so I must be right! I glanced at the watch; 18 sec. had elapsed, so I smugly thought, “I passed!” But I was wrong, dead wrong! The answer is 5 = 1. The reason? I was fooled by circumstantial evidence. I forgot the basic rule of symmetry in algebra: if a = b, then b = a. The answer was in the question. If 1 = 5, then of course 5 = 1! How stupid can I get!

The reason I write this post is that in life too often we get ahead of ourselves. We think we are so smart and pat ourselves on the back. We are so sure of ourselves, but we could be wrong because we are blind to the basics.

Sometimes this happens in our relationships. We see someone doing something we do not approve of, and immediately jump to a conclusion as to their motive and character, often the worst we can think of. Other times it’s with respect to things. I know a few people who are very zealous in upholding their own rules. They have decided that certain things are proper, while other things are unacceptable, not realizing that their perspective may be too narrow as they have ignored the bigger picture. We might be right, but often we are wrong because many times things are like icebergs – what we see is only the 10% above the sea-level. What we don’t see is the other 90% – what happened prior, the background, the motivation, the bigger issue etc. But we are sure we are right because we saw it with our own eyes, and we trust only our own judgment, as everyone else is a fool!

Don’t think too highly of yourself. By all means use your experience and judgment, but remember the basics, and leave room for what you don’t know. After all, the sum total of your knowledge is not even an infinitesimal fraction of a percent of all available knowledge. That’s very humbling to know, isn’t it?