Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Value-Added” Faith…

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It is always good to be with friends! I met a friend for coffee this week and the course of the conversation soon turned to our common journey of vocational ministry.

My friend mentioned a sermon he recently heard that challenged him. After our conversation, I was challenged, too.

A Moment of Conviction

Well, challenged is not really the correct word. Conviction is more appropriate in this case. The message of the sermon my friend heard, and the subsequent course of our conversation, centered around the nature of the gospel we have preached in our years of ministry.

It basically comes down to asking, “Have we preached a ‘value-added’ faith?” What do I mean?

“Value-added” faith is, in essence, coming to Jesus for what we can get out of it. Need a better marriage? Come to Jesus. He’ll fix your marriage. Want to be a better parent? Come to Jesus. He’ll make you a better parent. Financial problems? No worries! Follow these six biblical principles and soon your financial problems will straighten out. You get the picture.

Get Jesus…and this is the value He will add to your life!

And there was where the conviction came in! I am guilty of preaching a “value-added” faith. I also must confess that I didn’t do it occasionally, I did it often.

Enough with the Excuses

Don’t get me wrong, I have several excellent excuses. First, of course, is my desire to be relevant because if the preacher isn’t relevant, what good is he? How many sermons and sermon series have I designed based on topics rather than scripture? Too many, I’m afraid.

I looked back through my preaching calendars over the years. Here are the titles to a few sermon series I preached:

  • Breaking Bad (Circumstances, Decisions, Attitudes, Relationships)
  • Connected (Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, Twitter [X], Texting)
  • Faith and Politics (Culture, Leadership, Role of Government)
  • Inside Out (Series on mental health)

I also looked back through the files for sermon titles. Again, here is what I found:

  • Learning How to Love
  • Living in Shades of Gray
  • Practical Advice for Surviving the Season
  • Priorities of Life
  • Racing is Life

There are too many others to list here, but you get the gist. They are all designed to speak to the value of having Jesus in one’s life. The routine was choose the topic, find a passage or two of scripture and craft a sermon that would be “relevant” to the congregation.

Another excuse is that I thought (or was taught) that in order to reach people with the gospel, sermons had to address a “felt need” in the listener (congregation). Actually, “felt need” and relevance are close cousins as you can see from the sermon and series titles above.

A “felt need” can be:

  • Financial security
  • Stability
  • Love
  • Peace
  • Stress (worry)
  • Loneliness

Again, the routine was to discover a “felt need”, find a passage or two from scripture and craft a message that would address that “felt need.” Sometimes it worked. Often times, it didn’t.

No matter how many times I sought relevance or addressed a felt need, the congregation always left pretty much like they came–at least time and reflection has proven it to be so. The Church in culture has been on the decline for generations. I’m not so sure that it isn’t because we preachers of the gospel have too often chosen relevance over honesty, felt needs over accountability. Perhaps it is only part of the reason.

I don’t mean to insinuate that my friend does that, or indict any other pastors. I speak purely from my own experience, and the conviction is mine and mine alone. Although, as I’ve conducted a few Google searches I can say there are a lot of sermons on the internet that, based on the title, are seeking the same end.

Having acknowledged my fault and repented of my failures, may I share a commitment for the future?

A Call to Surrender & Sacrifice

I believe what the Church (and the world) needs now more than ever is an honest, simple presentation of the Gospel. The world and the Church need to hear the Truth in a simple, straightforward way. I am reminded of the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

“The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ. As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death—we give over our  lives to death. Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world. But it is the same death every time—death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call.” (The Cost of Discipleship, 99)

Bonhoeffer only echoes the words of Jesus to the ruler in Luke’s Gospel:

22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Luke 18:22).

Or, of what Jesus told His disciples (also in Luke’s Gospel):

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9:23-25).

The call of the Gospel, the call of Jesus Christ, the call to discipleship is a call to die to self, a call to surrender, a call to sacrifice. I fear I have not preached that enough. I fear that I have not lived that enough. I fear that is part of the reason the Church is where it is in culture today. I am heartily sorry for my part in bringing the Church to that place.

The message of the Gospel is self-surrender, not self-help. I’ve yet to see a “self-surrender” section in any local bookstore. Surrender and sacrifice are not popular topics in today’s culture. Perhaps those topics will be a little more relatable if I untuck my shirt and wear skinny jeans while preaching them. Yeah…perhaps not (this body wasn’t made for skinny jeans!).

This blog has gotten way too long, so let me close with my commitment to do better in my preaching. I’ll do my best to “give ’em Jesus.” He’s relevant enough. I’ll trust the Holy Spirit to do His work if I do mine.

Until next time, keep looking up…

Still Some Dying to Do…

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The past week has had me contemplating death…yes, even my own! What a morbid way to begin a blog, right? Hear me out, though!

Certainly, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve thought about my own demise. My dad died at age 63, so I’m a mere three years younger than he was when he passed away. I’ve thought about that often since October.

Honestly, that’s not really the death I have been contemplating recently. It may have been the ice storm left me with too much time on my hands, or the fact that I preached on Jesus’s baptism last week, but the death I’ve been contemplating is death to self. In that regard, I know I have a little more dying to do.

I am reminded of the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who said in The Cost of Discipleship, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” We die to pride, we die to selfishness, we die to our own will, our own desires, and we are raised to be like Christ.

As much as baptism is a symbol of the forgiveness of sins, it is also a symbol of our dying. The Apostle Paul said as much to the Roman church:

3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.

Romans 6: 3 – 8

Baptism is our acknowledgment that we have heard God’s call to come and die. Baptism is our acknowledgment that we are not sent to work “for” God, but are sent to be “used” by God for His purpose. We acknowledge that we are His vessel so that His grace can be poured out through us. For that to happen, I must die.

My pride must die. Pride has no place in God’s presence. Pride cannot be sustained in God’s presence. If I’m still struggling with pride (and I am), I still have some dying to do.

Death is a frightening thing, though. We avoid it like the plague. Yes, even dying to self, especially when we live in a culture that tells us life is about self-realization, self-actualization and self-fulfillment. No, I’m sorry! That is not what the Bible says and that is not God’s call upon our lives. God’s call is to self-surrender. God’s call is to selflessness. God’s call is to self-denial. In that regard, I still have some dying to do.

Paul says we are dead to sin. Oh, really? It sure doesn’t feel that way some days! It’s probably because I still have some dying to do. God’s call is to holiness…to sanctification (that $3 theological word we Wesleyans like to throw around). We Wesleyans believe that baptism is an acknowledgment that God’s sanctifying grace begins its work in us so that God might do His work through us. We believe that a life of holiness is real and attainable, but it will only come through death–death to self. We must die to live. An oxymoron, I know, but according to Paul, it is imperative.

Then why is it that many (most) days, I feel like I actually regressed in the pursuit of holiness? Honestly, some days I get tired of trying! Death is hard! Faithfulness is hard! Pursuing a life of holiness is exhausting! Well, duh!

The last week of reflection has shown me that it is so hard because I’m the one doing all the work. I’m the one doing all the work because I still have some dying to do. The “old self” hasn’t died enough to realize that forgiveness is a gift…salvation is a gift…the Holy Spirit is a gift. I heard the call of God and then “I” went to work instead of receiving the gift and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work in me.

I work so dad-gum hard to become a better me that I never realized that the Lord wants to make me a different me. He’ll do all the work if I just get out of the way and let him. The only way I can get out of the way is through death–death to self.

How? How can I die to self? I can’t! I’ve figured that one out. This death is not within my ability to accomplish. I have to quit trying. I have to surrender even my desire for self-denial to the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot overcome the temptations and pride of life in myself. It is only through a power outside myself. My only prayer…my only hope is “Let the Holy Spirit fall on me!”

I still have a little dying to do. Come Holy Spirit! I’ll not die without You!

Until next time, keep looking up…

Ten for Christmas…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

So, I’m not posting the blog that I really wanted to post this morning. Following the sage advice of my sweet wife, I hit the delete button on that post, so it will never see the light of day. That post, written completely as satire, was funny, honest and accurate, but according to her it was also hateful. Suffice it to say that the writing of that post was a bit cathartic in processing some anger I’ve been dealing with recently.

That being said, you’re getting this post instead. Trust me. This post is much more beneficial for anyone hoping to improve their walk with the Lord and deepen their spiritual life. So, let’s begin with some questions.

Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the reader in your family? Don’t know what to get your prayer partner for that annual gift swap at Christmas? Are you looking for something to utilize in the new year as part of your next devotional practice?

Look no further! In this blog I’m going to offer a list of ten books that have had a profound impact on my life through my years in ministry. Some of them will be great to incorporate into your devotional life. Others will be great to share with a person who is hurting or struggling with life issues. Still others are simply great books that every earnest disciple of Jesus should read at some point in their journey.

In no particular order, here are ten books that I can easily recommend for personal use or as gifts to the readers in your life.

The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen.

Perhaps one of the most profound books I’ve ever read. Prompted by his own encounter with Rembrandt’s painting by the same name, Nouwen offers vivid reflections on the well-known parable that speaks to grace, forgiveness and reconciliation in new and challenging ways. I have led study groups numerous times on this book, and each time I did, I learned new insights into the parable and into my own need for grace…and my need to be graceful towards others.

Another impactful book by Nouwen is The Wounded Healer.

Though I never utilized it for study groups, it was through this book that I learned my service to others is best offered by recognizing and acknowledging my own woundedness. My wounds can become a source of strength to help others. It’s a relatively short book and it served well for devotional reading as part of my regular discipline.

The Pursuit of God      A W Tozer

If one is looking for an experiential, intentional and transformational faith, then this is the book for you. I love me some A W Tozer! Spiritually deep but incredibly readable. This makes a fantastic devotional. This is one I’ve read multiple times. I’m not sure what constitutes a “classical” book, but I guarantee you that Tozer will still be read 100 (if not 500) years from now.

Celebration of Discipline         Richard Foster

More than any other, Foster’s book taught me what the spiritual disciplines are and how to begin to practice them in my daily life. I have read it multiple times and have referred to it often in sermon and bible study preparation. I’m not sure how old a book has to be to be considered a classic. This book was first published in 1978, so it may not qualify. I would say, though, that it has become one of the definitive works on the spiritual disciplines certainly in modern times. This book is a great place to start if you’re serious about practicing the spiritual disciplines.

The Imitation of Christ            Thomas a Kempis

This is one I read as a seminary student. The Imitation of Christ is the most read Christian book behind the Bible and will stand as a classic as long as the Christian faith exists. It is great as a devotional read, and I have read it multiple times in that manner. I have even used it as sermon material throughout the years.

The Screwtape Letters            C S Lewis

You have to put your thinking cap on to read this one, and you really have to be able to think in reverse to understand the message Lewis is communicating, but if you can accomplish that task, you’ll understand in a whole new way temptation, sin, human nature, spiritual warfare and the nature of faith. The book is funny in a crazy sort of way, but Lewis captures the essence of the human condition and explains it well with dialogue between two demons named Screwtape and Wormwood.

The Cost of Discipleship          Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 A call by Bonhoeffer to the costly grace of true discipleship. Cheap grace is defined by Bonhoeffer as “the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without Church discipline, Communion without confession, and absolution without contrition.” Every believer should read this book.

Life Together   Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A short treatise on common life and accountability in Christian discipleship. Bonhoeffer practiced this model with his students in an underground seminary during the Nazi years in Germany. This is an extremely easy read but its depth is exceptional. Bonhoeffer makes me ask the question, “Why can’t we create community like this?” Perhaps some have and I’ve just missed it. Has the Church gone wrong in this regard? I wonder?

Dark Night of the Soul            St. John of the Cross

This one is hard to read, but if God feels absent in your life, it is worth the effort. I read this book when I took a sabbatical in 2008. I was on sabbatical because I was struggling with my call to ministry (and some other personal issues). It helped me to understand that sometimes God is so close that we can’t see him.

The Practice of the Presence of God    Brother Lawrence

A humble servant of God shares how we can encounter God in even the most mundane of circumstances and in our daily responsibilities. Brother Lawrence taught me how to begin seeing the majesty in the mundane of my every day. Whenever I feel sad, or grumpy, or bored, I often remember Brother Lawrence and I start searching for the Lord in what is happening around me. A true Christian classic if there ever was one.

There are many books that I have found challenging and impactful through the years, but these ten are at the top of the list. Notice I did not say that they were my ten favorites. The Return of the Prodigal Son would be on that list, too, but I’ll save that list for another day. These are on this list because either I or my behavior was changed as a result of reading them. So, I commend them to you so that your life might be changed, or the life of the reader on your Christmas list might be changed.

Until next time, keep looking up…