What’s a Congregation Worth?

From Christianity Today (click picture for a larger image).

On Ash Wednesday

Occasionally this time of year, I’ll see students at the university where I work with an ash cross on their foreheads.  Why do they do this?  Bad hygiene?

Today is Ash Wednesday and it has been traditionally set aside by many churches as a day of repentance and fasting.  It occurs 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays) and marks the beginning of a 40-day period called Lent, a season of fasting and prayer before Easter.  A pastor marks a person’s forehead with ash in the sign of a cross, ash being the biblical sign of sorrow and repentance (e.g., David, Daniel, Job, etc.).   Traditionally, the pastor will recite Genesis 3:19 as he makes the ashen cross (“for you are dust, and to dust you shall return”) as a way for a person to reflect on their frail humanity and his or her need for Christ.

Protestant groups that follow this tradition include some Presbyterians, Lutherans, Wesleyans, and even some churches within the Free church movement.  Other protestant groups protest the practice, believing it should be an inward, not outward, practice.  They often cite Matt. 6:16-18 in their argument:

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Should you observe Ash Wednesday?  It really is a matter of individual consceince.  There is nothing wrong with reflecting on one’s sinfulness or fasting, but the practice should not point merely inward, but should ultimately point to Christ.  The writer of Hebrews reminds of this when he encourages us to look “to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).  As with any practice or tradition, Christ should be the center.

 

On 100 Years of Church Changes: 1910 v. 2010

1910 (Christians in North America)	2010 (Christians in North America)
62% Protestant	25% Protestant (60% drop)
22% Catholic	35% Catholic (60% rise)
10% Independent Christians	31% Independent (210% rise)
4% Anglican	1% Anglican (75% drop)
1% Orthodox	3% Orthodox (200% rise)
1% Marginal (Mormons, etc.)	5% Marginals (400% rise) (Mormons, etc.)

Source

On a Reformed Resurgence?

I’ve heard many people talk about a new wave of Reformed churches, but statistics from the Barna Group would argue against that belief (see below).

They conclude their study with the following:

…the research shows that many pastors do not necessarily conform to traditional doctrinal perspectives when it comes to how they think about or operate in their ministries. In other words, most of the nation’s 300,000 Protestant churches are in a state of theological flux, apparently open to identities and trends that do not necessarily fall within expected denominational or doctrinal boundaries. Given this profile, we expect that new theological, relational, as well as methodological networks that emerge will redefine the Protestant landscape over the next decade.

Click HERE for the full report.

On Leadership

A good reminder from Mark Driscoll of who is ultimately in charge of the church.

The Scriptures are clear that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. Jesus is the Apostle who plants a church. Jesus is the Leader who builds the church. Jesus is the Senior Pastor and Chief Shepherd who rules the church. And it is ultimately Jesus who closes churches down when they have become faithless or fruitless. Therefore, it is absolutely vital that a church loves Jesus, obeys Jesus, imitates Jesus, and follows Jesus at all times and in all ways, according to the teaching of his Word.

This gives me comfort. How about you?

Source: Mark Driscoll, On Church Leadership, p. 12.

On Resigning

As some of you know, I resigned my position as Pastor of Adult Ministries at Christ Community Church of Laguna Hills on December 21, 2010.  After about a week, I told a few close friends of my decision, but left it to the church to announce my decision to the broader church community.  That communication went out today from the church via email and in my opinion, it is inaccurate.  It was my decision to leave, not the anyone else’s, and I believe my resignation letter below demonstrates this.  I am disappointed that this was not communicated accurately to the church body, but glad I can clarify it here.  In the big scheme of things, it is a minor thing to address given that one of my friends is now out of a job, which greatly saddens my heart.

December 21, 2010

Dear Pastor Charles,

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this letter to offer my resignation as Pastor of Adult of Ministries effective January 3, 2011.  With the current financial situation of the church and in light of my alternative employment at Biola University, I think it would be best for me to surrender my current salary for the financial well-being of the church.  In addition, the stress of the impending layoffs has been difficult for me and my family.  I believe this is the best decision personally for the Rouses at this time.

In addition, I would like to take a 5 month sabbatical from church ministry through May 31, 2011.  This will help me and my family adjust to our new budget and schedule.  In addition and due to the impending layoffs, I have planned to teach an overload of classes at Biola in the spring to help our financial situation and also take an extra Talbot class.  This means I will be very busy this spring.

We will continue attending CCCLH during my sabbatical.  I would be open to ministry opportunities beginning June 1, 2011 if there is a need in the church.  In the meantime, I am willing to assist the new Pastor of Adult Ministries in his transition to this position.

Chrissie and I are grateful to the people of CCCLH for allowing me to serve as their Pastor of Adult Ministries over the past 3½ years.  It has been an incredible experience and I am grateful for the amazing group of men on the pastoral staff and elder team with whom I have had the privilege and honor to work.  It is amazing to us that the Lord provided this job opportunity right when we first met Torie and Lexie and that it is now ending just as we have completed their adoption.  This allowed Chrissie to stop working outside the home and help the girls adjust to our new family.  We are so grateful that the staff position allowed this to happen.  The Lord knew just what we needed in this time of transition.

I realize this is a challenging time for the church and we will leave it up to you as to how to best communicate this to the staff, elders, and congregation.  Chrissie and I will continue praying for you, the pastors, the elders, and our church family.

Grateful in Christ,

Matthew H. Rouse