What do you think of when you hear that the epistles were written to a “young church”?

The biblical letters written to the churches were sent to “young churches.” This is what we say.

But would we define an epistle penned to a church today, which has been established for a decade, correspondence to a “young church”?

I suspect not.

But, this is what we find in the New Testament - Letters written in the 

and 60’s to congregations founded a decade prior.

Of course, this is not comparing like-for-like.

Theology wise, the epistles were written to very juvenile churches. Two or three decades of theology is still a young sprout compared to the two millennia we have today.

Theologically, no church today should be considered young. If anything, this term should be considered a red flag.

But, when we call the churches in the New Testament young, does our mind place upon that phrase our modern expectations?

Do we instantly, evenly subconsciously, consider these churches to be a recent startup of only a few years?

You need to look at both sides of the marriage equation

You need to get a better husband.

This was my response to a young woman who stated that she had an issue with the concept of female submission within marriage.

Now, without going into the cultural or relational circumstances of the first or 21st century, my response had everything to do with the importance of perspective.

I highly suspect that the irking to the idea of submission within marriage was twofold.

First, it immediately - almost subconsciously - rubbed her modern feminism the wrong way.

Second, the “command” to “submit to your husband” seemed to be one of the only rules she had emblazoned upon her concerning marriage.

And here is where the significance of perspective kicks in. 

Anyone considering marriage, what it is to be married, or what kind of spouse they either want to be or have must have a balanced perspective.

You need to consider what the bible says about marriage as a whole and what the bible calls BOTH spouses to be and do.

If a young lady is only aware of what she considers are her responsibilities, then she may feel aggrieved that the ledger is one-sided. (The same could also be said for a young chap!)

The trouble is, it’s not.

The bible has just as many instructions concerning husbands.

Young Christian women should be aware of these instructions as well.

Why?

So they will have a good idea what to look out for in a potential spouse and so they will have a good idea of what kind of marriage the bible presents.

This goes far beyond mere submission.

It includes love. And honour. And sacrifice. For both spouses.

It clearly tells the husband that he must love and cherish his wife like Christ loves the church.

As I’ve pondered before, and I mentioned to this young lady, would she have a problem submitting to a guy who loves you and is doing his best to live out the biblical mandate of a good husband?

What does it mean to be spotted by a student at church?

A few weeks ago I was recognised at church by a student of the school I currently work at.

This was the first time it has happened.

It was, frankly, a little weird.

First of all, it was odd that I was called Mr Baldock. I’m still not used to be called by my surname, especially outside of school.

Second, it was odd because I wasn’t expecting to see a student randomly in the church foyer. My church, whilst not located on the other side of Sydney, is far enough away from my school that I’m not tripping over students regularly.

Third, it was weird because I don’t advertise my faith in the classroom. Sure, I may mention that I worked for the church in the past or that I have a theology degree, but I don’t go out of my way to talk about my faith.

Working in a public school, you have no idea what response you will get and, honestly, I’m not even certain that it would be allowed.

With that said, it raises an important point. What kind of witness, if any, do/should I have within the school?

Sure, one kid may now have an idea that I’m a believer, but very few others would.

Or, is the mission field of a public school only reserved for the staffroom?

The dangers of Build-Your-Own Christianity

A few weeks ago I took a bunch of young adults through an exercise I used to do in scripture classes.

In short, you build your own religion.

This night, the group built a religion based upon the Australian culture. Within it, they had to name their religion and outline what those within the religion must do or believe, should do or believe, what they can’t do or believe and what would identify someone as an adherent.

One we chatted about our new Aussie faiths, we then did the same thing for Christianity. What must you do? What should you do? What can’t you do? What will identify you?

The aim of the exercise is to compare your lists and see that the things you determine as a must or should will not be the same as others. Some will wildly disagree. 

And, the deeper you think about the questions, the more exposed your self-imposed Christianity can be.

Eventually, I ask if the Christianity that they defined could include the following people…

The thief hanging beside Jesus.

An illiterate person.

A persecuted Christian.

A five year old.

Someone with a physical or intellectual disability.

The reason I select these people is that they expose the width of the faith.

The thief never, as far as we know, evangelised. He definitely didn’t go to church.

The illiterate person doesn’t read the bible.

The persecuted Christian may not attend church or partake in the sacraments.

The five year old, or person with an intellectual disability, will only have a limited grasp of theology.

The physically disabled person my never lift their arms to worship.

When we create a list of must’s and should’ve then we risk excluding those that God would not or does not.

This is the danger of such lists.

Lastly, I ask if they themselves would qualify - by their Christian definition - as a believer.

This, finally, exposes why they may shape their lists like they do. It probably looks like them.

What your thoughts about your old patch reveal

Occasionally I think about my old churches.

Honestly, I sometimes stalk them.

I see what they are doing.

I see if the ministery staff are the same.

I sneak a look into the youth ministry.

And I don’t know what I hope to find.

Do I want them to be doing amazingly well?

Would I revel in them struggling?

Would I like seeing people I didn’t enjoy working with no longer being there?

Is it nothing more than church snooping, like you would an ex on Facebook?

I would like to say that I wish nothing but unbridled blessings upon my old churches. I really would.

It would show a “kingdom mindset.”

It would show humility. 

it would show that I trust that God is completely sovereign.

It would show that, ultimately, no success within a ministry was dependent upon me or my skills. 

Of course, the longer I’ve been away, the easier it is to wish them well.

Two decades removed, things should - arguably must - be different. It would be damaging, and a little sad, if they were still the same.

Personally, it is because of what it reveals about my heart, that I keep wondering about my old ministry patches.

Should Christian have faux-Passover?

As we approach Easter I expect that many churches will be doing a Passover memorial meal. I’ve been to plenty, but never personally run one.

But I would have. 

Probably without hesitation.

But, is a Passover meal something Christians should partake in?

Should followers of Jesus imitate a religious feast of another faith?

Further to the point, should they do it and substitute their own beliefs upon another religions sacrament?

How would Christians feel if the shoe was on the other foot?

How would we react if Scientologist had “fake communion”?

How would we respond if Mormons imitated baptisms, stamping their doctrine over the sacrament?

And, why do we stop at Passover?

Why don’t we imitate all of the Jewish festivals? Jesus - being a faithful Jew - also partook in all of them. So, why don’t we do them and cram Jesus in.

Why don’t we commandeer other traditions like Ramadan?

Isn’t the whole practice, the more you think about it, quite insensitive to those whom the practice is still deeply significant?

The cost of omitting the rituals in the evening

Last Sunday I went to my first morning service at the church I usually attend in the evening. And it was… fine.

Nothing unexpected.

In fact, it was a far more generic morning service than I was anticipating.

But, the more traditional structure of the service - and rituals sprinkled throughout the service - did get me thinking.

Sure, many of these rituals are put aside because they are seen not to connect “with the youth.” But, does the church lose something when they keep their rituals away from the evening service, and thus, also the younger generation of believers?

What kind of rituals am I talking about? Fundamental liturgy. The Lord’s Prayer. A time of confession and declaration of forgiveness. Passing the peace. A time of preparation for the sermon or bible reading. A structured blessing and dismissal.

But, if the rituals omitted from the evening are not replaced by anything, do those in the evening then miss the important functions of these rituals?

Furthermore, does this make the integration of the youngsters into the wider congregation more difficult because the service functions in a manner that excludes them from their rituals?

Now, this doesn’t mean that the evening must be an carbon copy of the morning. That would be a mistake. But, surely, some of the rituals - if they are actually important and impactful - then they should still be included once the sun goes down.

How aware are we of our time?

I am about to launch into teaching my year 9 history class about World War One.

Even though I’m on isolation this week due to having COVID (never fear, it is the mildest case in human history) I am planning the lessons from home.

And, as we look at the causes of WW1… everything is… oddly familiar.

Militarism. Alliances. Imperialism. Nationalism. 

Europe was like a gas filled room. All it needed was a spark to ignite the conflict.

It does sound familiar…

I have little doubt that, currently, we are living in the middle of a future history lesson.

Hopefully, it won’t be the opening of the chapter on World War 3.

But how aware are we that we live in the midst of history?

With present world circumstances, it’s not too had.

We have an active war zone on the news.

We are still in a pandemic.

I’ll be able to tell my grandkids that I had COVID.

But, five years ago, would we have been so aware?

In a religious sense, how aware are we that we are in the middle of the salvation story still unfolding?

Now, of course, you can take this to an unhelpful place and project yourself, your church or your nation into a place it may not belong.

You can squeeze yourself, chapter and verse, into the book of Revelation.

Many have. And looked rather foolish in doing so.

Nonetheless, being aware that the unfolding story of God’s redemptive plan is still ongoing, can provide a useful perspective.

The difference between maths and religion

This week I observed a maths exam in a year 7 class I was coving for another teacher.

For some students, it looked like torture.

They squirmed.

They groaned.

They held their head in their hands.

If I were their maths teacher I would have been concerned.

Downtrodden even.

It was clear that some students knew very little.

The whole experience made me think of the difference between a school subject like maths and religion.

As a maths teacher, the farrowed brow of lostness is a bad thing.

The stress of not knowing the answer is problematic.

This need not be the case with religion.

Religion should welcome questions.

Religion should embrace those who are lost and searching.

These are not the signs of failure.

If anything, the complete opposite is true.

A smug confidence is something to be cautious of.

What would happen if we all had our warning-flags displayed?

 Teachers know.

As a teacher I have access to details about the students in my classes.

This includes everything from learning, language, literacy or numeracy concerns/testing results, court orders, disabilities, medical ailments, mental health issues and behavioural problems.

These, usually, are indicated by a series of coloured flags attached to the students name within the school administration/roll marking software.

As a teacher you are told to be mindful of these issues.

You are to be weary of them when you set tasks, administer tests, conduct assignments, deliver expectations and negotiate classroom management.

There are a lot of flags in most classes.

I wonder how life would be different if we all walked around displaying our flags.

Furthermore, what kind of things would trigger a public notification?

Addictions? Past hurts? Family or relationship tensions? Character flaws?

How would we treat others differently if we were aware of their past hurts?

How would the church minister to people differently if they knew they had been hurt by the church in the past?

Unfortunately, we don’t display our colours of disfunction.

But, as a church (and people in general), we should always remain vigilant to the fact that everyone - no matter how together their live and persona may be - walks around with areas of struggle, strain and brokenness.

Your planning pillars shouldn’t be a surprise

Christmas and Easter. The incarnation and the resurrection of Jesus.

This is what your church or ministry calendar should circle around.

This isn’t a groundbreaking revelation.

But, the reason I mention it is that - if you don’t do it - you tend to look rather foolish when you misalign your themes or events with the pillars of the church calendar.

When you’re examining a gospel and your misalign the start or end it is obvious.

To those aware of the liturgical calendar, it’s quite annoying.

Why?

Because it shows a lack of adequate planing.

It exposes a lack of forethought.

If you sketch things out - even roughly - 12, 8 or 6 months in advance, then you should be able to match up what you are studying/teaching/preaching about with the primary festivals of the faith.

Worse still, it gets dreadfully exposed if there are some parts of the church who do seek to have their events match Christmas and Easter.

Finally, your folly is exposed even more if, once the two central celebrations do roll around, you directly reference them in detail (which you should!), you’ll be cycling back or jumping forward a few weeks from the rhythm that you yourself have established.

A nothing post... in a good way

I've been meaning to blog for a week.

But, frankly, I've had nothing pressing to write about.

Why? 

Because I'm now teaching fulltime. And it's week 7 of terrm.

The new-profession buzz has started to wear off.

My bible reading is still moving going along regularly - I've now done Genesis 1-25, Judges and am currently in 1 Kings 1-11.

There isn't any impending church issues, wider ministry controverises or pressing pastoral conundrums which have emerged.

While I'll need to track down another job soon, have finally (offically) finished university and had my eldest have a hospital stay... Life has just... been happening. 

In many ways, I've just been living out adult-monotony. 

And, as I previously wrote, this is a good thing.

For, life shouldn't be a constant rollarcoaster.

Yet, this can be what we project online.

There's always controversy.

There's always insights or "breakthroughs."

There's always Instagramable-moments.

These are the markers of a reality TV show. Not real life.

Real life is boring.

Real life... just happens.

When it comes to the days, weeks and months of our lives, when held up against Isaiah 40:31, we are most often walking, not running or soaring.

Christianity should be simply complicated

Christianity should be simple.

John 3:16 simple.

The most basic kids-talk simple.

Understandable to the young and uneducated.

Christianity should be complex.

PhD thesis complex.

1000 page theology texts complex.

Still intriguing well into your nineties after reading, studying and teaching the Bible for decades.

Christianity must be both - Simple and complex.

This is the gospel. 

Good news for any age.

Good news for any education level.

Good news for all.

Are all children of your profession an added challenge?

In youth ministry, you either love them or are driven up the wall by them.

They either know it all or resent the church.

They either answer everything or don’t utter a word.

They either ask the most insightful questions or try to undermine everything you attempt to do.

Now, these binary options aren’t the only places a ministers kids will fall, but they can all be true.

But, does a similar thing happen in other professions?

Are the children of teachers or school principals a polarising blessing/curse?

Are they also softened or hardened due to the experiences of their parents?

Is it the same for lawyers, doctors and garbage men?

Do they also run amuck or are they extra grateful and gracious for the peak behind the curtain? 

The place where your ministry hobby horse grows

I’ve written about ministers having hobby-horses before.

I’ve also shared the two ministry-related topics that I could ramble on about.

For me, my two hobby-horses were developed over a number of years in ministry, especially in dealing with the struggles younger guys face.

I suspect that most ministers develop their driving topic while they are still studying.

Most likely, this burning question is cultivated through an assignment, subject or research project.

Hobby-horses are inevitable. They are a result of passion.

And this passion is fired during seminary.

It is refined.

I wonder though, does a developing minister realise that they hobby-horse is growing? 

Furthermore, should a minister seek to ever align his topic-of-choice with a prospective church?

If not, do they realise - after a lengthy tenure - the influence their passion (even unconsciously) will have on their congregation?

Or, should a minister’s passion be shaped by the church they are serving in?

How long should you milk the controversy?

Controversies happen in churches.

They flare up.

Feelings are hurt.

Messages are jumbled.

Time passes…

The controversy dies down.

People start to move on.

So, how long should a church keep milking the controversy?

How long should they keep mentioning it?

How long should they keep adding “in light of what we have all gone through?”

How long should should you stop awkwardly… when you would usually drop the name “that person?”

The short answer is, I don’t know.

A nice, tight, mathematical equation would be delightful.

I’ve been at a number of churches who have ridden the wave of controversy.

Some have handled it well.

Some… could have handed it better.

No matter where on the “handling proficiency” spectrum a church finds itself, one thing is certain.

Eventually, you need to let the controversy go.

You need to put the skeleton away in the closet.

Yes, learn the lessons.

Have the conversations.

Make the appropriate apologies.

Address the issues.

But… mark a mental date when you will move on.

Then, look forward, not back.

What preaching shadow does the departure leave?

As an employee, I’ve left multiple churches. Most under good circumstances. Not all.

I’ve been involved with many churches where a staff member has left. 

Amicably. Graciously. Beloved. Disgraced. Disgruntled. Bitter. Sudden.

But, no matter what circumstances surround a departure, the one who leaves usually doesn’t stick around.

They start working for another church. They move away. They go on holiday. They take a break or a “step away.”

Either way, everyone else is left behind.

Other ministers. The congregation. Those who loved the departed. Those who are glad to see the back of them.

And another Sunday is on the way…

So, do those who leave churches consider the preaching legacy they leave behind?

Do they wonder what effect they will have on the Sunday after they are gone?

Do the ones making a hostile firing give thought to how this will shape the following Sunday? 

The Sunday service, and sermon, should always reflect - at least in part - the context it is found it. 

It should be influenced by world events.

It should be relevant to local circumstances.

It should connect with what is going on in the congregation.

I wonder, especially now that many services and sermons are recorded and accessible for anyone, do those who’ve left listen in?

Does the, now, permanence of the words spoken influence what is shared?

When the bible reminds you how much you don’t actually know

I’m currently in the first segment of a multi-year, self devised, bible reading plan.

The gist is pretty simple. I read, chronologically, segments of the bible. I start by reading the passage first slowly, then looking in depth at passages I didn’t understand.

At the moment, I’ve reading Genesis 1-25 until the end of next week.

If you asked me at the start of the year how many passages I’d be stumped by, them I’d probably guess around a half dozen.

This isn’t because I’m an Old Testament scholar.

But, I’ve got a bachelor of theology. I’ve been reading the bible for more than a few decades. I’ve written over ten years of Tiny Bible Bits. I’ve taught hundreds of scripture lessons.

I would think that I’d, at least, be familiar with much of the first few dozen chapters of the bible…

Nope.

Turns out the list of things to look deeper into is actually fairly extensive.

Genesis 4, 5, 6:18, 9:18-27, 10, 11:10-32, 12:10-20, 14, 16, 18:16-33, 19, 20, 21:8-21, 23, 24 & 25.

In a way, I’m a little disappointed. I feel like I should know more.

But, at the same time, it’s refreshing to be reminded that I - in fact - know far less than I often suppose.

It’s a good reminder, especially if I’m still going to have another half century of following Jesus - and thus reading the Bible - ahead of me, that there’s still a lot of things I need to dig into and a lot more to learn.

The question every Christian private school must wrestle with

Leading up to the new school term I’ve had a number of interviews about teaching positions for the upcoming year.

Included in this merry-go-round has been a series of conversations with private or independent Christian schools.

Near the end of each interview I’ve asked the following question…

In light of the cost of your tuition, how does your school reconcile the social justice gospel mandate to include and reach out to the poor, widow, orphan and downtrodden?

I think every wealthy Christian church or school must wrestle with this question.

How to they balance their wealth and/or privilege with a God who especially cares and caters for the least?

How do they reach out to the poor when none, realistically, are within their school or congregation?

How do they give a message of indigenous reconciliation or acceptance, when none in their midst are Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander?

On most occasions, the schools I’ve had a chat with have been honest and admitted (unsurprisingly) that this is an issue they struggle with.

The challenge, constantly, before churches and wealthy Christian institutions must be the gospel of uncomfortable generosity, compassion and justice.

Why?

Because within these places are some of the people who can, and will, make a dramatic difference in the social justice movement.

They just need their eyes and hearts opened to see and feel the need…

The test of Christian maturity you’ll inevitably face

Do you need to know all the details?

I can think of a number of occasions when the details of a situation have not been shared with everyone.

Everyone in a family doesn’t need to know about what is happening within a marriage.

The children shouldn’t know every detail of their parents lives.

The congregation shouldn’t know every detail that plays out behind-the-scenes.

People don’t need to hear about the mental health issues of their staff members.

Some issues should remain private.

A good indicator of your Christian maturity will be not knowing. And, inevitably, you’ll be in a situation when you don’t know…

Because you don’t need to know all the details.

Sometimes, not knowing is because it’s none of your business.

You need to be ok with that.

Sometimes, not knowing is because the leadership of the church has handled it internally - with appropriate checks-amd-balances. 

You need to trust them.

Sometimes, not knowing is because letting certain information out - whilst involving nothing illegal - will harm others physically or emotionally.

A mature Christian… a mature adult… will understand this.

A child will struggle with it…