Culture

FIFS : Psalm 127:1

/ Steven Ruff / 1 Comment

Today, I want to resume what I like to call Friday Is For Scripture. Solomon wrote,

1. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;  Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

We are people who like to build. We like to see visible results from the works of our hands. This has been the case since the beginning of man. I believe, at times, man forgets who it is that allows us and grants us the strength, wisdom, and desire to build in the first place.

Today is the 8th anniversay of the terrorist attacks upon our country that forever changed us. The attacks  that took place by passenger plane in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in a  field in Pennsylvania will be forever imprinted in the fabric of America. Quickly after our thoughts turned to rebuilding.  As man set forth to rebuild, to see a visible result of his work, it appears that we have forgotten again who it that builds.

Solomon gave a statement to be remembered, ‘unless the Lord buids the house, they labor in vain who build it.’ There is no doubt that we need to surrender the rebuilding of this country to God himself. Our country needs the principles of integrity, love, and the clear sense of right and wrong that God’s Word offers. We can build all we want. We can give the appearance that everything is just right. However, if God himself doesn’t do the building, if we don’t allow His to guide, all human labor is futile.

It is my prayer that  we will hear Solomon’s words, ‘unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.’ and begin asking and begging God to watch over our cities, towns, schools, chruches, and our nation. On this anniversary day, remember. Remember our military. Remember our firefighters and EMTs. Remember that nothing takes God by surprise and He is still on the throne today.

What if Everything Looked Like a Church Service?

/ Steven Ruff / 2 Comments

Those of who are connected to, and part of the local church know there is a pattern to how we conduct our worship services. This entire experience  begins the moment an individual gets out of their car and continues until they drive out of the parking lot.  This “order” is something we have become familiar and comfortable with. I wonder what it looks like to someone who comes into the church for the very first time? Further, what if everyone else conducted business like we “conduct” our services at church? The video below is a light-hearted parable that I believe, at least in part, answers that question. While this video is funny, it is at the same time painfully true. It made me think about what we do. Enjoy.

Orthodox vs Unorthodox

/ Steven Ruff / Leave a comment

I was talking with a member of my church the other day and I heard a statement that caused me to stop and think. We were talking about the sudden growth over the past several months of one  churches in our local baptist association. Here is the statement that caused me to think, “They certainly are doing some unorthodox things down there.” I sort of smiled and made a few comments. That conversation really caused me to think about how we as “church people” may think about how other “church people” do ministry.

According to Webster, “orthodox” is defined as “adhering to what is commonly accepted”. So, Iwould have to believe that the label “unorthodox” would assert that someone or something is not adhering to what is commonly accepted. Tow questions come to mind. First, who has determined what is commonly accepted? Second, can this common acceptance be applied across the board to all church ministry?

This particular church is doing some out-of-the-box ministry. They are seeking some creative ways to reach people that other churches are not. Most of their ideas are new to our area. As a result, it is drawing attention. I believe this entire issue of whether or not this church, or any other church is doing something considered to be “unorthodox” depends solely on the lens you are looking through.

Here is what I mean. If a person is looking through the lens of ministry that worked in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and are still convinced that still works, to them that would be “orthodox” ministry. As a result, anything that is new and different, even if it is reaching people, will be considered “unorthodox”. Far too often, this where tradition creeps in and becomes the driving force of ministry rather than the true needs of people.

We as a New Testament church are in grave danger if we allow tradition to dictate “what is commonly accepted” as methods of ministry instead of allowing God’s Word, the felt needs of people, and the landscape of ouor culture to develop our ministry methods.